Gò0dNews
About Us
WRITERS
Bill Silvers
Donald Cantrell
Erin Clay Garrett Nudd
Hayden Lanier
Jan Merop
Dr. Jeff Dabbs
Monica Gambrell
Dr. Rob Debelak
Spring M. Fricks
Tammy Madden
Thomas Morrison
Timothy Tate
Zebbie Brewster
SALES
Matthew Ruckman
423-503-1410
Email: goodnewstn@gmail.com
DESIGN
Caleb Prytherch
Email: art.goodnews@gmail.com
PHOTOGRAPHER
Paula Knipp
423-310-4207
EDITOR/ARTICLE COORDINATOR
Sandra Gilmore
Email: articles.goodnews@gmail.com
PUBLISHER
Matthew and Bethany Ruckman
Cell: 423-503-1410
E-mail: goodnewstn@gmail.com
OFFICE
423-790-5378
WEBSITE goodnewscm.com issuu.com/catoosaga FACEBOOK
GoodNews Christian Magazine Catoosa
Hello Friends,
We want to take a moment to tell you who we are and what we are about. Our names are Matt and Bethany Ruckman and we have six beautiful children, Brendon, Kailey, Andrew, Leah Jean, Emma, and Cooper. We live in Cleveland, Tennessee, and love what this town has to offer! We have started GoodNews Christian Magazine because we feel that when God, family, and community are combined, lives will be changed.
GoodNews Christian Magazine is a complimentary, Christian lifestyle publication. You can find us throughout the community in retail establishments, churches, restaurants, and more. Our magazine opens the door for Christians to work together to grow and strengthen our community through relevant editorial and effective advertising.
GoodNews Christian Magazine is written by men and women in the community who love and serve the Lord. Our hearts are open and willing to be used by God to reach out to the community to spread the GoodNews!
Disclaimer
All of the content in the GoodNews Christian Magazine is for general information and/or use. Such contents does not constitute advice and should not be relied upon in making (or refraining from making) a decision. Any specific advice or replies to queries in any part of the magazine is the personal opinion of such experts/consultants/persons and is not subscribed to by GoodNews Christian Magazine. The information in GoodNews Christian Magazine is provided on an “AS IS” basis, and all warranties, expressed or implied of any kind, regarding any matter pertaining to any information, advice or replies are disclaimed and excluded. We reserve the right to refuse any advertisement or article we deem inappropriate.
dNews from the Pastor’s Desk
The Value of Community
by Dr. Jeff Dabbs
Let’s face it—our culture prizes independence. From the time we’re young, we are told to “stand on our own two feet” and “make it on our own.” While responsibility and maturity are important, the Bible consistently reminds us that God never designed us to do life alone. We were created for community.
In fact, from the very beginning, God declared, “It is not good for the man to be alone” (Genesis 2:18 NASB). That statement wasn't just about marriage; it revealed a larger truth about human nature. Isolation diminishes us, but community strengthens us.
The fact is that we need each other’s strength. The writer of Ecclesiastes put it this way, “Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 NASB).
Life is full of falls—discouragement, setbacks, temptations, losses. When those moments come, having someone to pick us up can make all the difference. Community provides strength we don’t have on our own.
Think of a single log in a fire. If it’s pulled out of the flames, it quickly cools and burns out. But when logs are piled together, the fire blazes hotter and lasts longer. The same is true for us: together, our faith burns brighter.
Spiritual growth isn’t a solo project. Hebrews 10:2425 NASB reminds us, “Let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.”
God designed us to grow through encouragement, accountability, and shared worship. Left on our own, we can drift into complacency or discouragement. But in community, we are reminded that we are not alone and that others are cheering us on toward Christlikeness.
Jesus said the world would recognize His disciples by their love for one another (John 13:35). Community isn’t just about what it does for us — it’s also about what it shows to the world. When people see believers loving each other
and
That means our fellowship is more than social connection. It’s a living testimony. Community becomes an evangelistic tool when our relationships reflect the grace and truth of Jesus.
Community doesn’t happen by accident; it happens by intention. Here are a few key ways to cultivate it:
1. Commit to a local church. Community begins when we plant ourselves in a body of believers and invest, rather than just attend.
2. Join a small group or Bible study. Sharing life and Scripture in smaller circles builds deeper bonds.
3. Practice hospitality. Invite others into your home for a meal, coffee, or conversation. Community grows around tables.
4. Be honest and available. True fellowship requires vulnerability and presence. Don’t just share your victories—share your struggles as well.
In a world that encourages isolation and self-sufficiency, God calls us to something richer, a life woven together with others. Community is where burdens are carried, faith is strengthened, and love is displayed.
As Proverbs 27:17 NASB reminds us, “Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” That’s the value of community—and it’s something every heart needs.
Dr. Jeff Dabbs is the senior pastor at Spring Creek Baptist Church, Rome, Georgia. He has authored Sunday School material and several books.
sacrificially, forgiving quickly,
serving joyfully, it gives them a picture of Christ’s love.
for Everyone
Looking for the Kingdom
by Hayden Lanier
In the Bible, there are some lesser-known heroes we can learn a lot from. One such person is Joseph of Arimathea. We know from all four gospels that a man named Joseph from the town of Arimathea buried Jesus. From these accounts, we can gather a good deal of information about Joseph.
We know that Joseph was rich (Matthew 27:57). He was also a very important person in the religious society of the day. We also know that when he asked Pilate to bury Jesus’ body, this took courage on Joseph’s part (Mark 15:43).
This helps us understand a little bit about who Joseph of Arimathea is, but some other details tell us about why he went to such great lengths to care for the body of Jesus after He was crucified. Matthew tells us that Joseph was a disciple of Jesus (Matthew 27:57), and John adds that his following Jesus was carried out “secretly for fear of the Jews” (John 19:38 ESV). However, the part I want to focus on is what the gospels of Mark and Luke say about Joseph. They both mention that he was “looking for the kingdom of God” (Mark 15:43, Luke 23:51 ESV). Most translations will say that Joseph was “waiting” for the Kingdom of God, or looking forward to it.
time, the Pharisees asked Jesus when God’s Kingdom would come. His answer was surprising: “The kingdom of God is not coming in ways that can be observed…for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you” (Luke 17:20-21 ESV).
For those who know Jesus and have trusted in His death on their behalf, we get to experience the Kingdom of God today and every day. We don’t have to wait for eternity to live in this Kingdom. Instead, we can pray as Jesus taught us, “[God’s] kingdom come, [God’s] will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10 ESV). Are you looking for
How ironic that the man who was waiting for the Kingdom of God buried the one who brought about this Kingdom.
Like Joseph, in a sense, we look forward to the Kingdom of God, too. We long for the day when Jesus returns to bring all His children to Himself and put an eternal end to sin and death. On that day, the Kingdom of God will be fully realized, and we look forward to and long for it! But for those of us who know Jesus, as Joseph of Arimathea did, the Kingdom of God is now. We don’t have to wait for this future day to enjoy and experience the presence of God. When Jesus began His earthly ministry, He declared, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel” (Mark 1:15 ESV). Another
the Kingdom? You might not realize that you are, or phrase it that way, but you’re searching for something. You’re looking for fulfillment, joy, and satisfaction, and everywhere you look seems to disappoint.
Look no further than the tomb that Joseph of Arimathea buried Christ in; for Jesus did not stay in Joseph’s tomb, but on the third day, He rose again and is now “seated at the right hand of God” (Colossians 3:1 ESV). If you’re looking for the Kingdom of God, look to Jesus. He brought God’s Kingdom to us and made a way for us to live in it.
Hayden Lanier is a follower of Jesus, a graduate of Shorter University, and he works as an elementary school teacher.
Willow Tree Farms
609 POST OAK ROAD, RINGGOLD, GEORGIA
Willow Tree Farms in Ringgold, GA welcomes you and your loved ones for events at their venue that now boasts two event spaces as of 2025. Both locations on the property include all their beloved outdoor amenities for activities as well as all their outdoor wedding arbor options. The Pavilion holds anywhere from 75 to 150 guests, depending on if you expand the space with their 20ft x 40ft garden party tent. The 609 Indoor Reception Hall can hold up to 300 guests, includes a large built-in bar, two apartments with a catering kitchen and overnight accommodations inside, and a beautiful wrap around porch for first looks, private vows, or a cocktail hour. These event spaces include tables, chairs, and benches along with several add on options of yard games, a propane firepit, and so much more!
Profits made from hosting events go
144-acre
caring for its many animals, and hosting public events for the community to enjoy that often assist local non-profits in fundraising efforts. This venue welcomes aspiring photographers with it's affordable photoshoot passes, as well as free fieldtrips for the local schools, and it's many community building endeavors.
A Daily Walk, Not Just an Emergency Contact
by Erin Clay
Life is hard, and most of the time, it is unfair. However, it is how you handle life’s events that makes a difference. Throughout the Bible, numerous stories illustrate that a steadfast, daily faith is what enables people to endure and overcome immense difficulties. This isn't about a single grand gesture of belief, but rather a consistent, moment-by-moment trust in God's presence and promises, even when circumstances seem impossible.
Daniel is a great example of living a life of daily faith. Taken from his home as a young man and forced to serve in the pagan court of Babylon, Daniel was under constant pressure to abandon his faith. His entire life in exile was a testament to the power of daily, disciplined devotion.
From the very beginning, Daniel “resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way” (Daniel 1:8 NIV), demonstrating a commitment to God's law in the small, daily act of eating. Daniel's faith was anchored in a disciplined prayer life. Even when a decree was passed making it illegal to pray to anyone but the king, Daniel 6:10 NIV tells us, “Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day, he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.” It was this non-negotiable daily habit that gave him strength, even when it led him to the lions' den.
Daniel didn't wait until he was in a crisis to turn to God; he was already walking with Him every single day. This consistent relationship gave him the strength to face his battles and the unwavering faith to trust God even when he was facing death by being thrown into the lions' den. While surviving a night with lions is miraculous and awesome, it was his daily walk with God that made him a hero of faith. If we only turn to God in emergencies, our prayers become desperate pleas rather than ongoing conversations.
So what does this look like today? Living a life of daily faith in today's world means making God an integral part of
your routine. This includes praying and reading the Bible to learn more about God's character, as well as serving others and being part of a church community, or a community of believers. It's not about reading a marathons-worth of chapters or spending an hour on your knees every morning. It's simply about showing up. A consistent daily check-in, whether it's reading one verse or slowly going through a chapter or praying for five minutes, is the spiritual food that keeps you strong and prepared before the crisis hits (and crises will hit because we live in a sinful world). These small, daily deposits in your spiritual bank account are what give you peace when the world tries to issue a withdrawal.
We must also remember that Daniel was surrounded by friends who shared his amazing faith, reminding us of the importance of fellowship with other believers. By building these daily habits and surrounding yourself with a strong community, you are establishing and maintaining a foundation of faith. When you make God a part of your everyday life, you will find the strength to face anything that comes your way.
Retirement planning is the process of determining how you can meet your goals through the proper management of your financial resources.
Tax planning should not only assess your tax situation at retirement and in the present, but also look towards the future.
Social security strategies are various approaches that an individual may take to maximize their social security benefits.
There is more to Medicare than meets the eye. Making the best decision for your situation at age 65 is one of the biggest retirement decisions one may make.
Estate planning is a key element of a successful financial strategy. It ensures you will leave a legacy that provides for your loved ones by properly protecting and distributing your wealth according to your wishes.
If you're ready to take the next step in your retirement planning journey, call (423) 664-4203 today to explore your
ò0 dNews for Men
What About Those Other People?
by Donald Cantrell
We are headed straight into the holiday season of honoring others, as we celebrate Mother’s Day in May and Father’s Day in June. It is awesome to be able to give the proper accolades to those moms and dads who have played such an important role in our lives.
If you grew up in a home that maintained the family structure of one mother and one father, then you were lucky, but even more so if you grew up in that family and had two parents that were lovingly involved in your life because that is not even close to the reality of most families in this age.
Sadly, not everyone was blessed enough to have a mom or a dad who was there for them or who even loved them. On the other hand, there are so many people who go through life and never receive the proper credit or accolades. If you are one of “Those Others,” then you know exactly whom I am talking about.
Many people found their guidance through another source, other than a mom or a dad, as someone took their place out of necessity. What about those moms who were placed in a tough situation of being a mom and a dad to their children or that dad who had to fulfill the role of being a mom to his children?
Many of you found that love and direction over at a friend’s house, as you realized things were so different in another household. You would go there to spend the night, but while there you found love and safety. It seems like the world needs more of those safe haven families for kids to find refuge and love.
I hate the word “Stepmom or Stepdad” because they are often put in a peculiar spot, and often are given a bad
In this age, we have so many grandparents who not only raised their children, but they wholeheartedly stepped in when others stepped out, and they lovingly raised their grandchildren as if they were their own children. If not for these wondrous people, our world would be in a very dark place.
Some people found their guidance through other venues. Maybe it was a teacher at school who helped change their course in life. What about those sports coaches who go at warp speed pace, yet they have time to invest in a kid who is on the wrong course, so they desperately devote time to that needy kid?
rap. Many of you could vouch for being loved and guided by a godly stepmom or stepdad. The world does not have enough holidays to recognize “Those Others,” but you can recognize them.
I want to challenge you to send out a card, make a visit, or give them a call, so you can recognize “Those Others” who have played such a vital role in helping you make it in life. The world seems to be so big, but we can make it much smaller, if we are also willing to be one of “Those Others” and help people!
About The Author
is a lifelong
of
and has been pastoring and preaching since 1980. He has had the honor of publishing over thirty books and his sermon material is sold all over the world by various online companies. If you visit his house any weekend in the fall you will find them watching the “Florida Gators or the New England Patriots… Chomp Chomp.”
Donald Cantrell
native
Murray county
The Climb
by Spring M. Fricks
“You want to see My face?” “Yes, Lord.” I whisper.
Sitting on the bench in our garden [our secret place] I beg you to show me Your true self.
“Child… you know not what you ask.” Your answer echoes within my heart. “The words that I spoke created heaven and earth. They bring life from death and command the skies and the seas. The earth trembles at My footsteps and the heavens bow at My glory. What would happen if they saw My face?”
Kneeling in reverence with my head bowed, I dare to continue, “I do not deserve Your council or Your presence. I’m frail, faint of heart, apt to fail, and yet I press on for one reason…You, my Lord.” With a deep sigh, I steady my nerves and reach into my heart for a greater measure of courage. “There’s a void within me only You can fill. A peace that comes only when I rest in You. A comfort I know only when I crawl into Your arms. These things You’ve allowed me to do, so please…may I see Your face?”
The top is in sight, and I feel the warmth of Your glory drawing me closer. Wounded and spent, I’m exhausted, but I make it to the top and fall at Your feet. The air is thinner up here, but it no longer matters because my lungs are filled with the incense of Your presence. Your grace, mercy, and love embrace me. Your face shines down upon me and I am filled with Your peace.
My cheek is wet from tears. The silence is deafening, and every second that passes increases the pounding of my heart. I fear You have left. Until…
“Climb.” Your voice calls from a distance. I look up to see a mountain that has formed on the edge of our garden, the top of which is drenched in a golden veil of Your shekinah glory.
The mountain is steep. This climb has a cost, and I did not come prepared. My feet are bare and I have no supplies. I stand at the bottom of the mountain knowing You have placed this choice at my feet.
Choosing You, I climb.
Rocks, roots, and underbrush make the ascent arduous. A sharp stone tears the flesh of my left foot sending a piercing pain through my leg. I press on leaving a marked trail of bloody footprints behind me.
“My God, My King, My Jesus.” I say, “Thank you for Your face.”
Jeremiah 29:12-13 BSB reads, “Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.”
Salvation is a gift that is free, and yet it costs us everything to receive. The paradox is in the transformative power of the cross. The sacrifice of the cross cost Jesus His earthly life but provided our access to Him for all eternity. To accept this gift in full costs us our life of sin, but the reward of a life lived in Him and with Him is worth the climb.
Spring M. Fricks
John Norman, MD
Specializing In:
Arthroscopic Surgery; Joint Replacements of the Knee and Hip; Surgical & Nonsurgical Treatment of General Orthopedic Conditions, Sports Related Injuries & Pediatric Injuries
Jim Lashley, MD
Fellowship Trained in Orthopedic
Spine Surgery
Specializing In:
Surgical & Nonsurgical Treatment of Injuries to the Back, Neck & Spine; Surgical & Nonsurgical Treatment of General Orthopedic Conditions & Sports Related Injuries
Mitch Frix, MD
Fellowship Trained in Sports Medicine & Arthroscopic Surgery
Specializing In:
Arthroscopic Surgery;
Joint Replacements of the Shoulder & Knee; Surgical & Nonsurgical Treatment of Sports Related Injuries
Nick Reed, MD
Fellowship Trained in Sports Medicine & Arthroscopic Surgery
Specializing In:
Arthroscopic Surgery of the Hip, Knee, & Shoulder
Joint Replacements of the Shoulder
Surgical & Nonsurgical Treatment of Sports Related Injuries
Mike Wilson, MD
Specializing In:
Arthroscopic Surgery;
Joint Replacements of the Knee and Hip; Surgical & Nonsurgical Treatment of General Orthopedic Conditions & Sports Related Injuries
D.J. Goss, DO
Fellowship Trained in Orthopedic Foot & Ankle Surgery
Specializing In:
Arthroscopic Surgery of the Foot & Ankle; Joint Replacements of the Foot & Ankle; Surgical & Nonsurgical Treatment of Sports Related Injuries of the Foot & Ankle
Catoosa County Church Directory
Baptist
Anchor of Hope Baptist Church
2613 Lakeview Drive Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742
706-866-8318
Battlefield Baptist Church
178 South Cedar Lane Oglethorpe, GA 30742
706-866-1316
Boynton Baptist Church
4093 Boynton Drive Ringgold, GA 30736
706-952-1551
Briarwood Baptist Church
26 Ellis Springs Road Ringgold, GA 30736
706-965-9177
Burning Bush Baptist Church
2195 Burning Bush Road Ringgold, GA 30736
706-866-1989
Calvary Memorial Baptist Church
2 E Gate Drive Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742
706-866-6183
Calvary Memorial Baptist Church 518 Highway #41 Ringgold, GA 30736
706-891-9340
Catoosa Baptist Tabernacle 4994 Highway 41 Ringgold, GA 30736
706-935-4323
Cherokee Valley Baptist Church 1495 Cherokee Valley Road Ringgold, GA 30736
706-935-6220
Christ First Church
5994 N Hwy 27 Lafayette, Ga 30728
706-764-2212
Clearview Baptist Church 2183 Dietz Road Ringgold, GA 30736
706-866-0164
Cloud Springs Baptist Church 207 Cloud Springs Road Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742
706-866-0164
Ebenezer Baptist Church 77 Hackett Road Ringgold, GA 30736
706-965-7970
Faith Baptist Church 308 Boynton Drive Ringgold, GA 30736
423-509-5334
First Baptist Church Ft. Oglethorpe 2645 LaFayette Road Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742
706-866-0232
First Baptist Church of Ringgold 7611 Nashville Street Ringgold, GA 30736
706-935-2358
Friendship Primitive Baptist Church 851 Ooltewah Ringgold Road Ringgold, GA 30736
706-935-2382
Gospel Way Baptist Church 31 Bowling Road Ringgold, GA 30736
706-891-9866
Grace Baptist Church 7638 Nashville Street Ringgold, GA 30736
706-965-7969
Harvest Baptist Church of the Deaf 1314 Old Three Notch Road Ringgold, GA 30736
706-375-7107
Video Call: 706-956-0445
Heritage Pointe Baptist Church 60 Dyer Bridge Place Ringgold, GA 30736
706-858-0976
Hickory Grove Baptist Church 5010 Houston Valley Road Ringgold, GA 30736
706-673-6999
Keith Baptist Church 1573 Keith Road Ringgold, GA 30736
706-450-0963
Lakeview First Baptist Church 10 Hudson Street Rossville, GA 30741
706-861-4262
Living Faith Baptist Church
Highway 41 Ringgold, GA 30736
706-891-1817
Midway Baptist Church
Highway 41 North Ringgold, GA 30736
706-937-2317
Moriah Baptist Church
2864 Battlefield Parkway Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742
706-866-8843
Mount Peria Baptist Church 341 Sparks Street Ringgold, GA 30736
706-935-4887
Mount Pisgah Baptist Church
66 Westbrook Road Ringgold, GA 30736
706-935-3031
Mount Vernon Baptist Church 1006 Mount Vernon Road Ringgold, GA 30736
706-935-3872
Nellie Head Memorial Baptist
2379 Catoosa Parkway Tunnell Hill, GA 30755
706-935-5236
New Bethel Baptist Church 1635 Salem Valley Road Ringgold, GA 30736
706-965-3500
New Friendship Baptist Church
3833 Salem Valley Road
Ringgold, GA 30736
New Heights Baptist Church
158 Ooltewah Ringgold Rd Ringgold, GA 30736
706-965-9838
New Liberty Baptist Church
923 Graysville Road Ringgold, GA 30736
706-937-4754
Old Fort Baptist Church
18 Van Cleve Street
Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742
706-861-2807
Parkway Baptist Temple
65 Stuart Road
Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742
706-866-0325
Peavine Baptist Church
1089 Peavine Road
Rock Spring, GA 30739
706-375-4721
Philadelphia Baptist Church
1065 Pine Grove Road
Ringgold, GA 30736
706-891-5683
Pine Grove Baptist Church
46 Pine Grove Road
Ringgold, GA 30736
706-891-2427
Pleasant Grove Baptist Church
7769 Alabama Highway
Ringgold, GA 30736
706-935-3348
Pleasant Valley Baptist Church
1995 Ooltewah Ringgold Rd
Ringgold, GA 30736
706-537-3633
Poplar Springs Baptist Church
422 Poplar Springs Road
Ringgold, GA 30736
706-965-4461
Salem Baptist Church
1947 Keith Salem Road
Ringgold, GA 30736
706-965-3907
Shiloh Baptist Church
24 Kay Rossville,Street GA 30741
706-861-4359
Victory Baptist Church 1013 Layfayette Road
Rossville, GA 30741
706-866-0371
Welcome Hill Baptist Church
223 Inman Street
Ringgold, GA 30736
706-965-4814
Catholic
Saint Gerard Catholic Church
3049 Lafayette Road
Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742
706-861-9410
Church of Christ
Cohutta Road Church of Christ
2233 Mount Vernon Road
Ringgold, GA 30736
706-935-3884
Fort Oglethorpe Church of Christ
6 Harker Road
Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742
706-866-4124
Ringgold Church of Christ 4099 Nashville Street Ringgold, GA 30736
706-965-2820
Church of God
Boynton Church of God
1956 Three Notch Road
Ringgold, GA 30736
706-937-6300
Indian Springs Church of God 2256 Highway 41 North Ringgold, GA 30736
706-937-3599
Noble Church of God
75 Glass Rd Lafayette, GA 30728
Ringgold Church of God 117 Emberson Drive Ringgold, GA 30736
706-935-2056
Wallaceville Church of God
236 Harp Switch Road
Chickamauga, GA 30707
706-375-2736
Community
Battlefield Ministries Church
64 3rd Street
Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742
706-866-9090
Green Pasture Community Church
1008 North Beaumont Road
Ringgold, GA 30736
706-375-7333
Lee’s Chapel Community Church
3253 Catoosa Parkway
Ringgold, GA 30736
706-935-9928
Rock Bridge Community Church 265 Poplar Springs Rd, Ringgold, GA 30736
706-279-3175
Episcopal Church of the Nativity 1520 Cross Street
Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742
706-866-9773
Full Gospel
Yates Spring Full Gospel Church 1300 Yates Springs Road Ringgold, GA 30736
706-638-2305
Methodist
Boynton UMC 4246 Boynton Drive Ringgold, GA 30736
706-866-2626
Fairview UMC 2112 McFarland Avenue Rossville, GA 30741
423-653-1043
Fort Oglethorpe UMC 1733 Battlefield Parkway Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742
706-820-6314
Graysville UMC
2331 Graysville Road Ringgold, GA 30736
706-891-9253
Newnan Springs UMC 78 Monanaw Avenue Rossville GA 30741
706-866-6724
Ringgold UMC
7484 Nashville Street Ringgold, GA 30736
706-935-4777
Nazarene
Battlefield Parkway Church of the Nazarene 3220 Battlefield Parkway Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742
706-866-9838
Non-Denominational
Battlefield Assembly In Messiah 195 Ashley Lane, Rossville, GA 30741
304-890-0949
Battlefield Church of Faith Highway 41 South Ringgold, GA 30736
706-937-7729
Battlefield Praise & Worship 1337 Battlefield Pkwy, Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742 706-913-0531
Chosen Generation Ministries 92 W Patterson Avenue Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742 423-779-6777
Church of Living Faith 7623 Alabama Highway Ringgold, GA 30736 706-937-5673
Crossroads Church
7638 Nashville Street Ringgold, GA 30736
crossroadsringgold.com
Faith Builders International 8309 Highway 41 Ringgold, GA 30736 256-338-5031
Grace Memorial Church 118 East Nashville Street Ringgold, GA 30736 706-965-7969
The Gathering 2290 Cloud Springs Road, Rossville, GA 30741 706-841 0161
Light House Church 1201 Lafayette Road Rossville, GA 30741 706-861-2715
Living Waters Ministries 1337 Battlefield Pkwy Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742 423-255-8655
New Life Church PO Box 1973 Ringgold, GA 30736
706-866-7799
Ridgeland Point Church 1417 Happy Valley Rd. Rossville, GA 30741
RockPointe Church 1278 Cross Street Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742
706-820-6523
Untethered Church 2473 Lafayette Road Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742 423-991-6067
Venue Church
3969 Cloud Springs Road Ringgold, GA 30736 423-637-7100
Woodstation Church 13198 Alabama Highway Ringgold, GA 30736 706-965-3360
Presbyterian
Chickamauga Presbyterian 700 7th Street
Chickamauga, GA 30707
706-375-3432
Christ Fellowship 1176 North Three Notch Rd. Ringgold, GA 30736
706-937-4115
First Presbyterian Church 1 Harker Road Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742
706-866-2521
Hope Fellowship 2000 Twin Cedars Rd
Chickamauga, GA 30707
hopefellowshipepc.org
Morton Memorial 560 Red Belt Rd.
Chickamauga, GA 30707
706-338-7176
Seventh-Day Adventist
Battlefield Community SDA Church 96 Hillman Lane Ringgold, GA 30736 706-861-5999
Lookout Mountain SDA Church 6083 Hwy 157 (Atop Lookout Mtn) Rising Fawn, GA
Ringgold Seventh-Day Adventist Church 124 Kittle Street Ringgold, GA 30736 706-935-3741
Walker County Church Directory
Assembly of God
Cross Connection
703 N Main St. LaFayette, GA 30728
706-639-3303
Gospel Tabernacle Assembly of God 1661 Highway 27
Chickamauga, GA
Baptist
Antioch Baptist Church 236 Crow Gap Road Chickamauga, GA
706-539-1117
Bethel Baptist Church 4068 S Highway 341 Chickamauga, GA
706-375-3756
Bethlehem Baptist Church 278 Oak Grove Road Chickamauga, GA
706-375-2797
Bethel Memorial Baptist Church
198 Pledger St. LaFayette, GA 30728
706-638-2995
Bethesda Baptist Church 13432 Highway 151 LaFayette, GA 30728
706-638-9450
Calvary Baptist Church 908 Bronco Rd. LaFayette, GA 30728
706-638-8710
Cassandra Baptist Church 1371 W Cove Rd Chickamauga, GA
706-539-1046
Center Grove Baptist Church
68 Center Grove Church Rd
Rock Springs, GA
706-764-2060
Center Point Baptist Church 118 Center Point Rd. LaFayette, GA 30728
706-764-1753
Chattanooga Baptist Church 7300 Highway 337
LaFayette, GA 30728
Christ First Church 5994 N Hwy 27 Lafayette, GA 30728 (706) 764-2212
Christian Home 2518 Garretts Chapel Rd Chickamauga, GA 423-313-5230
Community Baptist Church 14 Kemp Rd. LaFayette, GA 30728
706-638-1774
Corinth Baptist Church 2524 Corinth Rd. LaFayette, GA 30728
706-638-3963
East Armuchee Baptist Church 3196 E. Armuchee Rd. LaFayette, GA 30728
706 375-4512
Emanuel Baptist Church
639 S Main St. LaFayette, GA 30728
706-638-1751
Faith Baptist Church of Chickamauga 14251 Highway 193 Chickamauga, GA
423-760-8895
Fairview Baptist Church 108 Jenkins Rd. Rossville, GA 30741
706-866-5744
First Baptist Church 603 7th St
Chickamauga, GA
706-375-2733
Friendship Baptist Church
1200 N Chattanooga St. LaFayette, GA 30728
706-638-3560
Garrett’s Chapel Baptist Church
3235 Garretts Chapel Rd
Chickamauga, GA
706-375-6708
Grace Baptist Tabernacle 27 Jones Rd
Rock Springs, GA
423-362-3158
Grand Center Baptist Church of Chickamauga 1753 Grand Center Rd
Chickamauga, GA
706-375-8505
Happy Home Baptist Church
704 N Chattanooga St. LaFayette, GA 30728
Harbor Light Baptist Church
600 Crane St. LaFayette, GA 30728
423-605-0917
LaFayette 2nd Baptist Church
500 W Main Street
LaFayette, GA 30728
706-638-2779
Lafayette First Baptist Church
201 N Main St, LaFayette, GA 30728
706-638-3727
Lake Howard Baptist Church 1528 Lake Howard Rd.
LaFayette, GA 30728
423-304-4990
Linwood Baptist Church 18 Steele St.
LaFayette, GA 30728
706-638-6527
Liberty Baptist Church 1334 Johnson Rd.
Chickamauga, GA 30707
706-375-3859
Lookout Baptist Church 8645 Highway 193
Chickamauga, GA
706-931-2356
Macedonia Baptist Church 12461 E Highway 136
LaFayette, GA 30728
Marble Top Baptist Church
7131 N Marble Top Rd
Chickamauga, GA
706-375-3536
Mt Hermon Baptist Church 2373 Hog Jowl Rd
Chickamauga, GA
706-858-5650
Naomi Baptist Church 4171 E Highway 136
LaFayette, GA 30728
706-638-4601
New Harvest Missionary Baptist Church 2034 Highway 337
LaFayette, GA 30728
706-764-6257
New Home Baptist Church
256 New Home Rd.
LaFayette, GA 30728
North LaFayette Baptist Church 1649 N Main St
LaFayette, GA 30728
Oakwood Baptist Church 115 Oakwood St Chickamauga, GA
706-375-5760
Peavine Baptist Church 1089 Peavine Rd
Rock Springs, GA
706-375-4721
Prospect Baptist Church
194 Prospect Church Rd
LaFayette, GA 30728
706-397-2908
Ridgeview Baptist Church
1001 Magnolis St.
LaFayette, GA 30728
334-300-4733
Ridgeway Baptist Church
1594 Ridgeway Rd. LaFayette, GA 30728
706-638-6832
Rock Springs Baptist Church
194 E Turnipseed Rd
Rock Springs, GA
706-810-8199
Shield Baptist Church 12684 N Highway 27
Chickamauga, GA
706-375-2554
Shiloh Baptist Church 46 Manning Mill Rd. LaFayette, GA 30728
706-397-8427
Sunnyside Baptist Church
3573 Round Pond Rd. LaFayette, GA 30728
423-364-9701
True Life Baptist Church 1115 N Main St. LaFayette, GA 30728
706-996-8571
Walnut Grove Baptist Church 55 Walnut Grove Rd. LaFayette, GA 30728
706-638-1377
Woodstation Baptist Church 42 Round Pond Rd. LaFayette, GA 30728
706-764-1794
Catholic
Our Lady of the Mount Catholic Church 1227 Scenic Hwy, Lookout Mountain, GA 30750
706-820-0680
Church of Christ
Church Of Christ 105 Crittenden Ave Chickamauga, GA 706-375-2222
Highway 27 Church of Christ 1684 S Highway 27 LaFayette, GA 30728
706-638-4644
Lafayette Church of Christ 104 W Main St. LaFayette, GA 30728
706-638-1890
Steele Street Church of Christ 4 Steele St. LaFayette, GA 30728
423-505-9583
Church of God
Catlett Community Church 122 Round Pond Rd. LaFayette, GA 30728 423-309-4649
Cooper Heights Church of God 12598 Highway 193 Chickamauga, GA 423-903-3759
Cove Road Church of God 620 N Chattanooga St LaFayette, GA 30728
678-467-6982
Covenant Life Worship Center 7001 Lafayette Rd Chickamauga, GA 706-375-5286
LaFayette First Church of God 301 Daugherty St. LaFayette, GA 30728
706-639-7329
LaFayette Church of God 1002 S Main St. LaFayette, GA 30728
706-450-0872
Noble Church of God 75 Glass Rd. LaFayette, GA 30728 706-764-1093
Jehovah’s Witness
Kingdom Hall
457 Rodrunner Blvd. LaFayette, GA 30728
706-638-4342
Methodist
Elizabeth Lee Methodist Church 139 Cove Rd Chickamauga, GA 706-375-2182
LaFayette First United Methodist Church
301 S. Main Street LaFayette, GA 30728 (706) 638-2057
Rock Spring Methodist Church 3477 Peavine Rd Rock Springs, GA 30739
706-375-5345
Non-Denominational Battlefield of Life Worship Center
56 Kevin Ln. Rock Springs, GA
770-827-6718
Calvary Chapel Refinery 101 E Peachtree St, Rossville, GA 30741
706-806-9444
Care Mission 105 N Chattanooga St. LaFayette, GA 30728
706-638-3664
Cowboy Church of Lafayette 196 County Line Rd, Rock Spring, GA 30739 423-596-7227
Faith Worship Center
200 S. Chattanooga St. LaFayette, GA 30728 423-313-7035
Gospel Light Christian Fellowship 36 Fortune St. LaFayette, GA 30728
706-996-8535
Hope Fellowship 2000 Twin Cedars Rd Chickamauga, GA 30707 706-375-4673
Life Gate Church
204 N Main St. LaFayette, GA 30728
706-638-7620
Mission Bridge Church 807 N Main St. LaFayette, GA 30728 423-364-6771
Mount Zion Church 223 Dunwoody Rd. LaFayette, GA 30728
706-638-1238
New Bethel Christian Fellowship 4009 Round Pond Rd. LaFayette, GA 30728
706-638-6904
Power of Life LaFayette Church 798 W Main St LaFayette, GA 423-596-703430728
River of Life Church 807 W. Maqin St. LaFayette, GA 423-596-703430728
The Haven - LaFayette 415 Chestnut St. LaFayette, GA 706-996-815030728
Presbyterian
Chickamauga Presbyterian Church 700 7th Street Chickamauga, GA (706) 375-3432
Highland Presbyterian Church 1211 W Noth Main St. LaFayette, GA 30728
706-638-8940
Lafayette Presbyterian Church 107 N Main St. LaFayette, GA 30728
706-638-3932
Quaker
New Friendship Baptist Church 281 Friendship Rd Chickamauga, GA
706-375-7198
Wesleyan
Gordon Lake Weslyan Church
29 Gordon Lake Rd. LaFayette, GA 30728
706-638-6517
Did I Deserve You? A Tribute to My Husband
by Tammy Madden
Genesis 2:24 NIV: “That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.”
When you took my hand all those years ago and kissed me for the first time, the thrill of your touch was so magical. I was a teenager in love. I had prayed for that moment. And then there you were holding me on that cold winter’s night with my arms in your jacket, trying to stay warm while the snow fell. It was love at first sight, and I never wanted that moment to end. To this day, I still feel like a teenage girl when you put your hand in mine and say, “I love you.”
But did I deserve you? Did you deserve all the hard times we never saw coming? You never once bailed on me. You stayed with me through homeless nights, through watching my sisters and sisters-in-law have babies, even though it was looking like we would never have one, through deaths of loved ones, through job lay-offs, through getting new jobs. You supported me through college. You took me places I never dreamed I could go (Florida, Gatlinburg, Disney World, North Carolina). You took me to Pennsylvania because my nephew was dying, and you never hesitated to get me to him. Thank God he lived! You even stood by us through our daughter’s heart transplant and brain injury. You never once left our sides.
Through weddings and funerals, through laughing and crying, you stayed by us. We have been so poor we ate peanut butter for two weeks straight, and we have had enough money to go to fancy steak houses (even though you hate steak). We have driven cars that were falling apart (literally), and we have had brand new cars.
You helped me with my mom. You loved her like your own. You took her with us on every vacation we took until she was too sick to go. She called you “her only friend.” You allowed our precious niece, Tabitha Braden, to come and live with us. Then she became as much ours as she was my sister’s.
Then came March 7th, 2024. That horrible day the doctor told you I wasn't going to make it. But there you
were standing by my bed when I opened my eyes in ICU, on a ventilator and scared to death. You never once even thought about leaving me. It never crossed your mind. I thought I was so ugly with a colostomy bag and my colon on the outside of my body. You told me I was more beautiful than ever. You prayed over me. You waited on me hand and foot. You prayed over me every day. You never once let me give up!
My dear husband, thank you for being there at times when anyone else would have walked away. Thank you for saying, “I love you,” every single day for the last 43 years. I promise you God has a special gift for you in Heaven. I love you now and forever!
Precious readers, if many of us would not give up so easily on marriage, life would be so much better. We must always remember to stick together in sickness and in health. Trust me when I say the sick days will come even if it's 40 years down the road. We must always remember to enjoy the good days and be prepared for the hard ones. And always and forever, put God first in our marriages. That is key to a good, strong marriage!
My name is Tammy Madden. I live in the beautiful foothills of North Georgia in Chatsworth. I am married to my amazing husband, Gene and we have a beautiful daughter named Megan.
Rebuilding Lives, Restoring Hope
In Northwest Georgia, safety is not something everyone can take for granted. For individuals and families facing domestic violence—or for youth with nowhere else to turn—the Family Crisis Center of Walker, Dade, Catoosa, and Chattooga Counties, Inc. stands as a lifeline of hope.
As the only domestic violence shelter and youth cottage in the Northwest Georgia area, the Family Crisis Center provides refuge, advocacy, and a pathway forward for some of the region’s most vulnerable residents. Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, the Center’s doors never close to those in crisis.
At the heart of the organization’s mission is a simple but powerful commitment: rebuilding lives. Survivors of domestic violence arrive often with little more than courage and the need for safety. The Center offers secure shelter for victims and their children, along with essential support services designed to help families stabilize, heal, and begin again. Advocacy, emotional support, and ongoing assistance ensure that clients are not only safe in the moment, but supported as they plan for a more secure future.
Contact Matthew Ruckman 423.503.1410
Family Crisis Center
and Youth
Cottage Building Safer Futures: Why Child Abuse Prevention Matters More Than Ever.
Child Abuse Prevention Month – April 9th thru
26th,
2026
At the Family Crisis Center of Walker, Dade, Catoosa, and Chattooga Counties, every child deserves a safe, stable, and nurturing environment. Yet for many children in Northwest Georgia, that safety is disrupted by abuse, neglect, or exposure to violence in the home. Each April, Child Abuse Prevention Month serves as a powerful reminder that protecting children is a shared responsibility—and that prevention begins with support, awareness, and action.
At the forefront of this effort is the Family Crisis Center of Walker, Dade, Catoosa, and Chattooga Counties, Inc., the only domestic violence shelter and youth cottage in the Northwest Georgia area. Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, the Family Crisis Center provides refuge, advocacy, and hope for children and families facing crisis.
Child abuse and domestic violence are deeply connected. When violence occurs in the home, children are often silent victims—whether through direct harm or through witnessing abuse that leaves lasting emotional
scars. The Family Crisis Center’s domestic violence shelter offers a safe, confidential place where survivors and their children can escape danger, begin healing, and rebuild their lives together.
Beyond emergency shelter, the Center provides essential advocacy and support services designed to address the complex needs of families in crisis. By offering stability, guidance, and ongoing assistance, the Center helps reduce the risk factors that can lead to continued abuse, creating safer outcomes for children both now and in the future.
For youth who cannot safely remain in their homes, the Family Crisis Center’s Youth Cottage Program serves ages 13 to 21 with a waiver and license for up to 16 youth. It offers another vital layer of protection. This residential group home provides a stable, nurturing environment for fostered and at-risk youth, many of whom have experienced trauma, neglect, or instability. The cottage is more than a place to stay—it is a place where young people are supported, encouraged, and given the opportunity to grow in a safe and structured setting.
Prevention is not only about responding to crisis; it is about strengthening families and communities before harm occurs. Education, early intervention, and access to resources play a crucial role in breaking cycles of abuse. The Family Crisis Center’s work reflects this belief—meeting people where they are and offering help without judgment, stigma, or barriers. The FCC is truly restoring and building lives.
The blue pinwheel, the national symbol of Child Abuse Prevention Month, represents the happy, healthy childhood every child deserves. For the Family Crisis Center, that symbol is reflected daily in their commitment to protecting children, empowering survivors, and rebuilding lives across Northwest Georgia.
As we recognize Child Abuse Prevention Month in April 2026, the Family Crisis Center invites the community to stand together in support of children and families. By learning the signs of abuse, supporting prevention programs, and advocating for safe homes, each of us can help ensure that children grow up protected, valued, and free from harm.
When we invest in prevention, we don’t just save childhoods—we build stronger futures for generations to come.
Call to Action
Get Involved. Make a Difference. Child abuse prevention begins with safe homes, strong support systems, and a community that cares.
The Family Crisis Center’s work is made possible through community support.
How can you help protect children and rebuild lives?
Donate: Your financial support helps provide safe shelter, advocacy, and essential services for survivors and youth. Volunteer: Share your time and talents to support families and young people in crisis.
Learn More: Visit the Family Crisis Center website at www.thefamilycrisiscenter.org to learn about programs, resources, and ways to get involved.
Another great resource and nonprofit around our area is the Children's Advocacy Center, (CAC) - Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit. If you would like to partner with them, please contact director Anthony Dye at director@caclmjc.com and visit their website: caclmjc.com.
Together, we can create safer homes and stronger futures for children across Northwest Georgia. When we protect children and support families, we don’t just stop violence—we rebuild lives.
As the only domestic violence shelter and youth cottage in Northwest Georgia, the Family Crisis Center stands ready—24/7—to protect children and families in crisis.
for Everyone Milkshake Magic
by Monica Gambrell
When I was a rebellious sixteen-year-old, I moved in with my sister and her two children. Maybe I was too similar to my mother to get along with her. The new location was a one-hour drive to town and was in another county. I woke up early every day, dropped off one niece at daycare and the other at kindergarten on my way to school. My very wise band teacher held band practice one hour before school started in order to avoid the stifling Georgia heat. After band practice was a full day of school, then the afternoon (3-11pm) shift at a fast-food restaurant. After work I would drive an hour back home and start all over again. Many times, I was so tired I just slept in the car and drove home before sunrise.
Working the late shift was hard, but also entertaining. Many of the town drunks would come in toward the end of the shift. On one such occasion, a group of them came in with loud and raucous behavior. One of the girls in the group literally jumped over
the countertop and I had to physically remove her from the employee space. It’s always a good idea to keep the mood as light as possible, so when she got back in line to order, she slurred, “Hey, can you make me a milkshake?” I waved my arms wildly in large circular motions as if I had a magic wand in my hand, smiled, and gestured the imaginary wand in her direction as I said loudly, “Bam, you’re a milkshake!” Her reaction was priceless. She was overjoyed that she was now a milkshake, and the rest of the group’s visit there was pleasant.
As Christians, do we fully grasp that we are no longer who we once were? We are literally a new creation. We have a new nature and a new eternal home. We should be overjoyed! After I accepted Christ, I was walking in the mall and ran into a friend that I used to party with in high school. I hadn’t seen her in several years. She hugged me. When she pulled away, she looked intently into my eyes and gasped, “You got saved, didn’t you?” Her spirit bore witness with mine and we wept for joy. Being different is one thing, but even the motivations of my heart had been completely transformed. No other explanation describes the type of radical change I underwent. Hallelujah! I’m different!
2 Corinthians 5:17 NASB: “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, this person is a new creation; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.”
John 3:1-3 NASB: “Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews; this man came to Jesus at night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.” Jesus responded and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless someone is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
Father God, I would have done anything as a youngster to have a life that looked more like what everyone else had.
Oh, how foolish! Wide is the gate that leads to destruction. We should celebrate being what God calls a “peculiar people.” He treasures us for being different; what could be better than that?
Gò0 dNews for Everyone Rejoicing Anyway
by Zebbie Brewster
Psalm 118:24 KJV says, “This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”
This has always been one of my favorite verses. You could break the verse down and let it speak to your heart. God is our creator and all good and perfect gifts come from Him.
James 1:17 KJV says, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.”
Talk about the perfect gift giver. That is Him. He gives us the gift of life for He knows us even before we are born. We are fearfully and wonderfully made.
Psalm 139:13-14 KJV says, “For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.”
Just ask any new parent about their new baby and they have the most beautiful baby in the world. The miracle of life only comes from God. He created us in love to honor and glorify Him. A day comes and goes so swiftly like a weaver’s shuttle.
Job 7:6 KJV says, “My days are swifter than a weaver’s shuttle, and are spent without hope.”
James 4:14 KJV says, “Whereas ye know what shall be on the morrow, for what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.”
The Bible teaches us to number our days so we can apply our hearts unto wisdom.
Psalm 90:12 KJV says, “So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.”
Making wise decisions is so very important. Pray that God will help you know His plan for your life. My husband and I are not good travelers. Even with MapQuest we can still get lost on our journey. That is the reason we try to stick to traveling 2 and 4-lane roads. Sometimes those exits are too hard to get to on the interstate. It seems we can get turned around so easily. Then on the road, there can be a detour and that would really mess us up. Out of sheer
urgency we would even stop and ask directions. Sometimes that would help if you are familiar with the roads.
Back to the day being made by God, when was the last time you got to see a sunrise or sunset? In the mountains of Northwest Georgia, it can be quite breathtaking at all the bright colors the sky takes on. My husband and I were talking yesterday about how the longest day of the year will soon be here in June. After that, the days will start getting shorter again. This year has just flown by! I teasingly said that they would be putting up Christmas decorations soon!
I didn’t take time to watch the sunrise this morning as the skies were cloudy. I did look out the front door to see my cat eating her breakfast. I was thankful for that, as yesterday she was having a puny day. She did not even want to get out and come and greet me.
I had also gone for a test yesterday and they were not able to finish it. Hopefully I will be hearing from my doctor about rescheduling it. I told my husband as we were leaving that everything happens for a reason and I was just going to have to trust God with this.
I can truthfully say that I was not doing too much rejoicing when they could not complete my test. I know that I will have to keep holding on to God’s promises. He can be trusted as He has proven to be faithful to me and I praise Him for that!
Zebbie Brewster resides in Summerville, Georgia. She is an active member at Perennial Springs Baptist Church.
Chatty Critters and Friends Series: Soar on Wings of an Eagle
by Jan Merop
Energy and desire rippled through my body.
I felt ready for flight as my eyes searched the horizon. I could see places unknown to people – if only in my memory.
You see, I am a bald eagle, but I’ve been injured. One day I was soaring high in the sky. I can glide to altitudes of over 2,400 feet without any problem.
But then, while perched high on a branch in a tree, a stray bullet caught my wing and I plunged to the ground. Even my eagle eyes couldn’t have seen that swift-moving bullet coming at me.
Thankfully, I was found and rescued and brought back to health. But I’ll never fly again.
But come closer and look at me!
I want you to see how God the Creator made me so grand. As great a size as I am with such awesome power, I am known for being graceful in flight.
If the winds become strong and frightening, I just let them carry me higher and faster. I can even carry other eagles to safety on my wings.
My Creator also blessed me with extraordinary eyesight. Maybe you have heard the saying, “He has eagle eyes,” when speaking of someone whose eyes never miss anything.
My keen eyesight alerts me to approaching dangers so I can protect myself and my family. But whizzing
bullets are tricky to avoid! I love my family and teach my eaglets how to leave the nest and fly so they can survive in the wilds – as they were meant to do. Though I miss soaring high in the sky, I’m glad I lived so you can see me close up.
Exploring Truth Through God’s Creation
Isaiah 40:31 KJV: “But those who wait on the Lord (trusting God instead of themselves) shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles (not afraid of storms; but letting God lift them above the storms), they shall run and not be weary (because of God’s strength in them), they shall walk and not faint.”
The Eagle and You
The eagle reminds us that we are free in our Creator, Jesus Christ, when we place our faith in Him. The eagle’s family is important to him. He mates for life, takes care of his family, and comes back to the same nest each year fixing and repairing it. When we wait on God, He gives us strength like an eagle and helps us soar above life’s storms.
for Athletes
Walking for His Glory
by Bill Silvers
“Ican do all things through Christ, who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13 NKJV).
On the 22nd and 23rd of September 2023, I competed in nine events at the Georgia Golden Olympics: the 50-meter, 100-meter, 200-meter, 400-meter, and the 800-meter races. I competed in all five races on the same day, along with a 5k, football, softball, and basketball. I won six gold medals and three silver medals. The medals I brought home belong to God, not me. I could not have won them without His blessing. The praise and glory go to God!
Why did I compete in the Georgia Golden Olympics at 85? (As of this writing in April 2026, I am 87.) I started competing in 5k races at 82 in 2020. I have now competed in over 20 5k races. I finished in 1st place in my age group in every race. Oh, and I forgot to mention I’m the only one competing in my age group! It still counts, right?
I realized that if I was going to have someone to race against, I would have to compete at the Georgia Golden Olympics. The athletes come from all over the state to compete in the different events. I am sorry to say there were not many in my age group, and some of the events I was alone. For me, it was never about winning. It was about finishing the race.
God called me to race. He also met with me in the training. I felt closer to God during my training. I trained for six weeks, six days per week. I spent one and a half to two hours, five to six days per week, at the gym. I also spent one hour per day at the basketball court.
Four to five days per week, I walked in the beautiful North Georgia mountains. It gave me the opportunity to see the beauty of nature that God has created. Not just for me, but for everyone. You cannot walk in the mountains without feeling the presence of God.
I spent more time praying in the mountains than I did in church on Sunday. I also learned a better way to pray during that time. My prayers had always been a little onesided. I did all the talking and very little listening. When
you are walking in the mountains for hours at a time, you start to listen.
This is what God put on my heart to share. It was to make everyone aware of the importance of walking and physical fitness at all ages. You can feel the benefits in as little as 15 to 20 minutes per day, three to four days per week. We know when someone is recuperating from a heart attack, they are told to walk. The same goes for strokes, hip or knee replacements, cancer, anxiety, etc. The list goes on. So why don’t people walk? I do not know. But I do know that it will change your quality of life and may even extend it. So please start walking!
And if you listen closely enough, the Lord might just call you to run races in your 80s too!
Bill Silvers from Ellijay, Georgia, began running competitively at age 81. He runs to the glory of God!
for Discovering More
Sticky Business
by Garrett Nudd
Iobserved my father wash the family cars regularly. My mother’s blue car had white pinstripes running down both sides and I always wondered why they didn’t come off during the wash, much like Band-Aids do. One afternoon while I was playing in the garage and looking for the next thing to do, I noticed something at my eye-level: the pinstripes on my mother’s Datsun.
Now, I knew that stickers didn’t stick forever. It was just a fact. And I also knew that Band-Aids fall off—or at least start to peel at the corners—when you’re in the water. I was overcome with concern. Moments later my concern turned into resolve. And that’s when I had an idea. I would help my father by peeling the stickers (i.e., white pinstripes) off the sides of the car. That way when my dad washed the car, he wouldn’t have to worry about the stickers peeling off. It was the perfect plan, and my parents were going to be so pleased!
I started with the driver’s side. To my delight, it went much faster than I had anticipated. It must’ve been the putty knife I used at the corner to get the pinstripes started. I had the first side finished in no time whatsoever. I took a short break from my work and then started on the passenger side, which was the side closest to the kitchen
door. I started in the back and carefully worked my way toward the front.
I knew how neat and organized my father kept the garage, so I kept my peeled stickers close by my side. Just as I was approaching the front passenger-side wheel well, my mother opened the door from the house to the garage. It must have looked like a mountain of spaghetti in my small four-year-old hands! And there in the middle stood a giant meatball.
I guessed by the look on her face that my four-year-old judgement wasn’t as solid as I thought. My punishment was mild in retrospect—they took away my roller-skates for a week. I loved those things!
Of course, mistakes are not limited to children. Adults make mistakes too, even if their intentions are good. And as adults, the stakes are often higher, and it’s the grace of a parent or friend, spouse, colleague, or child that recognizes a mistake for what it is and smothers it with MORE THAN.
When that happens it’s up to us to accept their MORE THAN grace. MORE THAN is about receiving just as much as it is about giving. And as adults, receiving MORE THAN is often harder than offering it. Learning to forgive yourself and accept God’s grace is paramount to growing in MORE THAN. Don’t lose sight of the fact that humility and lack of self-acceptance are not the same. One of the greatest challenges we face is the acceptance of God’s forgiveness. No, we don’t deserve it, but it’s His gift to give. You are MORE THAN the choices you make, and you are MORE THAN the actions you take.
Looking back, my intentions were pure, but my actions were misguided. And at four years old, fortunately it was pretty easy to forgive myself. Who knows how many pinstriped cars I would’ve targeted in my teenage years if I hadn’t lost my roller-skates for a week!
book,
Gò0 dNews for your Taste Buds
Buttermilk Strawberry Shortcake
A Sweet Welcome to Spring in the Smokies
April in the Smoky Mountains is like watching the world wake up. The dogwoods bloom along old fence lines, creeks rush with melted snow, and the chill in the air softens into something kinder. For mountain folks, this is the season of gentle renewal. The woodstove gets a rest, the garden gets planted, and the kitchen begins to fill with the promise of fresh things to come.
One of the first true joys of Appalachian spring is strawberries. While April berries might still be a few weeks from peak in the higher elevations, roadside stands and family gardens at lower altitudes start offering those sweet, red jewels that feel like a reward after a long, cold winter. What better way to receive the new season than a buttermilk strawberry shortcake?
Unlike the spongy cake or biscuit-style shortcakes you’ll find elsewhere, this is somewhere in between: tender, slightly tangy from the buttermilk, and baked in a cast-iron skillet. It has a rustic charm—no frills, just flavor. Slice it warm and spoon over sugared strawberries that have been sitting just long enough to draw out their juices. When you top with a generous dollop of whipped cream, don’t forget to say to the little ones, “This looks like snow on a spring hill.”
This dessert isn’t just about sweetness—it was about noticing the moment. About being grateful for what is growing again. And in these parts, that kind of gratitude is part of the recipe.
Ingredients:
For The Shortcake:
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• ½ cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
• ¾ cup buttermilk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For The Strawberries:
• 1 pint fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• Optional: a squeeze of lemon juice
For The Topping:
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions:
1. Prepare the strawberries: Combine sliced strawberries, sugar, and optional lemon juice in a bowl. Stir gently and let sit for at least 30 minutes to draw out the juices.
2. Make the shortcake:
• Preheat oven to 425°F.
• In a large bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar.
• Cut in butter using a pastry cutter or fingers until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
• Stir in buttermilk and vanilla until just combined. Do not overmix.
• Transfer dough to a greased 9-inch cast-iron skillet (or pie pan) and gently press into an even layer.
• Bake for 15–18 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool slightly.
3. Whip the cream: In a chilled bowl, beat heavy cream, sugar, and vanilla until soft peaks form.
4. Assemble: Slice shortcake into wedges. Top each slice with strawberries and their juice, followed by a scoop of whipped cream.
This recipe serves 6–8 and makes the perfect ending to an April Sunday dinner—or the perfect beginning to a season of new growth and sweet memories.
A Heart for God
by Timothy Tate
Someone once said that a poem is ninety percent inspiration and ten percent creativity. It can begin with just a simple thought, a written phrase, or even some remnant of a dream, but there has to be a seed. The creative aspect of the process are all the tools of expression at your disposal. These are much like a farmer's land and implements necessary to cultivate the seed into a harvest. When I write a poem, I pray that God will give me the right words. This is the true inspiration, the sunshine, and the rain that God gives to grow the seed.
A case in point: We did a series in our Wednesday night Bible class on the physical and spiritual heart. Two wonderful men of God led the study. One was an anatomy professor and teacher of nutrition and the other a medical doctor. It was a fascinating lecture as we delved into all aspects of the heart. Most amazing of all was the scriptural application of the heart as it runs through God's word like blood vessels run through the body. I was reminded just how vital it is that we guard our hearts as a daily exercise. Proverbs 4:23 NKJV says it best, “keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.”
The next morning while our class study was still fresh in my thoughts, I was inspired in my devotions to write this poem.
May my heart be tried and softened as the fallow ground awaits the plow. May it be furrowed deep and often in the valley and on the brow.
May the seed find fertile soilnot thistle, rock, or stone.
Let my heart be hands that toil to lead the wayward home.
May the seed burst forth in glory as it claims the former rain, when the harvest tells the story of a heart for God aflame.
Timothy Tate is a Lee University alumnus of 1990. He and his wife, Lisa, and family have lived in Cleveland, Tennessee, since 1985. Tim is a retired postal carrier/commercial fisherman and enjoys writing memoirs and poetry.
Gò0 dNews for Easter He Nailed It!
(Genesis 2-3, Revelation 22, The Gospels)
by Dr. Rob Debelak
God’s relentless pursuit of wayward humanity begins with tragedy at the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil (Genesis) and concludes in hope for the Tree of Life (Revelation). Between these episodes of grief and goodness stands the redemptive Tree of Calvary (the Gospels).
Choosing The Tree of Knowledge of Good & Evil
The first couple had clear access options regarding the permissible Tree of Life and the prohibited Tree of Knowledge of Good & Evil (Genesis 2:8-9, 16-17, and 3:2-3).
Transgressing God’s Word, they disobeyed by acting on what seemed right in their own eyes (vv 4-7). Tragically, severe consequences followed. Violating divine command resulted in their guilt, shame, and vulnerability.
God forewarned of persistent opposition with the serpent (3:14-15). The woman’s sentence spotlighted painful childbearing and marital tension (3:16). Her offspring would suffer in the conflict with the serpent. Her husband’s endless toil for food (v 17) worked uncompromising soil in efforts yielding fruitless thorns and thistles (v 18). A life of struggle and hard labor ended in death.
Losing The Tree of Life
Sin exacted heavy tribute; the steep price seen in the cost to cover the unclothed humans (v 21). Yet, hope was present in this complex and painful scene. Something greater was at work.
Striking the adversary’s head meant conflict, but more importantly it signaled future victory (v 15). Disallowing the self-made garb of vegetation (v 7-8), the Almighty provided skins (v 21) in a gesture anticipating a covering He would give the world in the fulness of time. Exiled from the security of the only home they had known (v 23-24), departing Eden guarded the man and his wife against eating from the Tree of Life and existing forever estranged from God (v 22). Holding hope for return, restoration implied access to what was lost (vv 23-24; Revelation 22:2).
Abusing on the Tree of Calvary
Calvary’s tree stands between the curse of the past and the blessing of the future, making the cross the pivot point of salvation history. At the wooden crucifixion stake, sin’s problem was remedied.
Adam chose disobedience to God’s will at a living tree; Jesus succeeded in obedience to divine will on a dead tree (cross). Adam tasted forbidden fruit; Jesus denied Himself fruit of the vine [a cup at His last meal]. Selfishly, Adam’s transgression strips dignity (nakedness), trades provision for pain (thorns), and diminishes optimum life. Jesus selflessly took the sinner’s place (Deuteronomy 21:23; Matthew 27:2835; Mark 15:16-24; Luke 23:33-34; John 19:23-24). Naked and crowned with thorns, He pays the redemptive price by offering His life.
Born of a woman (Galatians 4:4), Jesus crushes the tempter’s tyranny at great personal expense (Genesis 3:15). His shed blood provides the covering (Genesis 3:21), clothing believers in His righteousness (Galatians 3:13, Revelation 19:8). He alone does what no one else could do, and He alone provides distinctive hope for eternal life, healing brokenness, and ending rivalry.
Judgment testifies of enslavement to death - because of what happened at Adam’s tree. Yet the innocent, sacrificial Lamb of God took the judgment of nakedness, thorns, and sting of death—and humanity can live because of what happened at Jesus’ tree.
Suspended on nails, love bound Jesus between heaven and earth - He offered His life to once, and for all, deal with sin and its effects.
He nailed sin’s curse to a cross. He nailed it there— for you.
Dr. Rob Debelak is Professor of Bible at Lee University. He has taught at Lee University for 30+ years and is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force. He and his family reside in Cleveland, Tennessee.
for Health & Fitness
The Best Forms of Exercise for Aging Muscle
by Thomas Morrison
Exercise is vital to a long and healthy life. It boosts your immune system, keeps your mind sharp, helps you sleep, improves your muscle tone, and extends your healthy lifespan. But it has only been in the last 15 years or so that researchers have begun to uncover which exercises or forms of training work best to reverse the effects of aging.
Age Reversal in Humans
There have been many successful studies showing age reversal in animals with caloric restriction and chemical and genetic interventions, but this has never been proven in humans. However, an amazing study came out in May of 2007 in the peer-reviewed journal PLOS One titled Resistance Exercise Reverses Aging in Human Skeletal Muscle. The researchers put older (70 and up) and younger subjects (in their 20s) on a strength training program twice a week for six months. And though the older subjects were 59% weaker than the younger ones when they started, they got 50% stronger over the course of the study and closed the gap to only 38% weaker by the end. That in itself was great, but what was really exciting was the tissue samples taken from the older participants where they tested 596 genes that normally decline in function as we age. What the researchers found was that fully 179 of the genes showed a reversal to levels similar to the participants who were in their 20s! This caused lead researcher, Simon Melov, to state, “We were very surprised by the results. We expected to see genetic expressions that stayed fairly steady in the older adults. The fact that their ‘genetic fingerprints’ so dramatically reversed course gives credence to the value of exercise, not only as a means of improving health, but of reversing the aging process itself.”
What is interesting about this landmark research and the genes they identified to be related to aging is that they are the ones largely involved in driving anaerobic metabolism. In other words, what appears to be a marker for youth, and consequently what gets lost with aging, is the ability to do high-intensity anaerobic work. The kind that is done with strength training.
Another HIIT on Aging
More recently, another study examining not just strength training, but high-intensity interval training (HIIT),
and more moderate exercise (steady-state biking and light weight lifting) was done. This study, published in the March 2017 edition of Cell Metabolism, also enrolled younger volunteers (18-30 year olds) and older (65-80) to take part in the three different exercise styles. And once again, they found that strength training benefited aging muscles— especially in muscle mass and strength, but high-intensity interval training yielded the biggest benefits at the cellular level. When biopsied, these older participants’ muscles had almost 400 genes working differently now, compared to only 19 for those doing more moderate, steady-state aerobics or light-weight lifting. This caused lead author, Dr. Sreekumaran Nair, to state, “It seems as if the decline in the cellular health of muscles associated with aging was ‘corrected’ with exercise, especially if it was intense. In fact, older people’s cells responded in some ways more robustly to intense exercise than the cells of the young did— suggesting it is never too late to benefit from exercise.”
Bottom Line
As counter-intuitive as it would seem, “pumping-iron” and high-intensity interval training where you get your heart rate up to 80% of your max for four minutes or so, catch your breath, and repeat are some of the best ways for even older exercisers to train and maintain their youthfulness.
Thomas Morrison is the Fitness Coordinator and at Bradley Wellness Center in Dalton, GA, where he has served for the past 25 years.
Grateful for
PRECISION MEDICINE. EXPERT SUPPORT. RIGHT HERE.
When Dalton resident Dana Easley was diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer, her world changed overnight. With six rounds of chemotherapy and a hysterectomy ahead, she leaned on her faith, her family, and the compassionate care she found at Peeples Cancer Institute.
Her care team, including Lisa Duhaime, MD, and oncology nurse practitioners Kim Bailey and Jaime Pesl, guided her through six rounds of chemotherapy before she could undergo a hysterectomy. Mrs. Easley says, “They listen, and they care. They don’t mind spending time with you. The whole staff is very caring.”
To help protect her hair during treatment, she chose to use the Paxman cold cap system. “It worked for me, and I did not lose all my hair,” she shares. She also connected with Boggs Boutique, where cosmetologist Stacey Gibson provided both practical and emotional support, helping her with makeup and hair care. “I love Stacey—she’s a lifesaver.”
This spring, Mrs. Easley rang the ceremonial bell at PCI after her scans showed no cancer. She continues on oral medication and a monthly infusion to help prevent recurrence.
She finds joy in the kitchen, cooking daily and sharing homemade meals with neighbors, family and friends. She encourages others in similar situations to keep a positive outlook. She said, “surrounding yourself with positive people is important. Cards from friends make a big difference. It’s easy when you surround yourself with positive people. I just embrace every minute.”
With access to advanced treatments—including precision medicine, Phase III clinical trials with Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, and the only ACR-Accredited Radiation Oncology Center within 50 miles of Chattanooga—we are here, grateful to walk beside patients who inspire us through their strength and healing.
