February 2023

Gò0dNews February 2023

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About Us WRITERS

Dr. Alan Hix Arietta Grimmett Brenda Dedmon Brent Goodge Dr. Bobby Sneed Chad Hess Donna Swann Donald Cantrell Dorothy Teague Greg Grotewold Kristen West Rick Hughes Samuel Burger Sandra Gilmore

SALES

Matthew Ruckman 423-503-1410 Email: goodnewstn@gmail.com

DESIGN

Caleb Prytherch Email: art.goodnews@gmail.com

PHOTOGRAPHER Paula Knipp 423-310-4207

FACEBOOK

GoodNews Christian Magazine Catoosa

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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,

5000 Monthly

Christian lifestyle publication. You can find us

EDITOR/ARTICLE COORDINATOR

throughout the community in retail establishments,

Jodi Varnado Email: articles.goodnews@gmail.com

churches, restaurants, and more. Our magazine opens

PUBLISHER

strengthen our community through relevant editorial

Matthew and Bethany Ruckman Cell: 423-503-1410 E-mail: goodnewstn@gmail.com

OFFICE

423-790-5378

WEBSITE

goodnewscm.com issuu.com/catoosaga

the door for Christians to work together to grow and 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.

Contents FEBRUARY 2023

GoodNews from the Pastor’s Desk

6 The Theology of Marriage

by Samuel Burger

GoodNews for Kids

8 Who Needs a Friend?

by Brenda Dedmon

GoodNews Money Matters

10 Understanding Fixed Index Annuities

by Rick Hughes GoodNews for Men

12 Friendship for Men

by Chad Hess

GoodNews for Women

14 Hope in Motion

by Sandra Gilmore

GoodNews for Everyone

18 A Broken Heart

by Dorothy Teague

GoodNews Cover Story

20 White’s Cycle and Marine GoodNews for Everyone

22 How Well Do You

Understand Love?

by Dr. Alan Hix

GoodNews for Family

24 What Influences Your Family?

by Brent Goodge

GoodNews for Everyone

26 Choosing to Love

by Kristen West

GoodNews Poetry

28 Not Yet

by Arietta Grimmett

GoodNews for Grandparents

30 Iron Sharpens Iron

6

by Donald Cantrell

GoodNews for Everyone

32 Trust: Even When God Seems Silent

by Donna Swann GoodNews for your Taste Buds

34 Valentine’s Day Red Velvet Cake Pops

GoodNews for Everyone

36 Sovereign Goodness

by Greg Grotewold

GoodNews for Everyone

20

38 I Love You Most

by Dr. Bobby Sneed

38

Gò0dNews from the Pastor’s Desk

The Theology of Marriage

M

by Samuel Burger

arriage is theological. God is the reason for

intense way. If two spouses are spending the day together,

marriage. God gives the design and origin of

the question of who gets each’s pleasure and who gives

marriage to tell us something about Himself.

in can present itself every few minutes. And when it does,

Although marriage is for our benefit, the loftier view is that

there are three possibilities: You can offer to serve the

marriage exists solely for the glory and grandeur of God.

other with joy, you can make the offer with coldness or

If marriage is by God and for God, His design is the

resentment, or you can selfishly insist on your own way.

formula for successful longevity. Marriage is always

Only when both partners are regularly responding to one

theological and covenantal (not contractual) in nature. If

another in the first way can the marriage thrive. But how

we think marriage exists for us, we will inevitably find

hard that is!”

disappointment in the long term. Although marriage is God-centered, it is a sanctifying tool to purify us and to demonstrate the visibility of God’s relational and redemptive nature to the church.

Marriage Exposes You Throughout the tenure of marriage, accountability is automatic. Whatever issues that haven’t been resolved while you were single will be carried into the marriage; you will need to commit to the sanctifying process to love your spouse more. Although you may have entered the marriage from a theological perspective, you still have selfish ways that must be crucified. So, expect some purification in the life-long tenure of your marriage. In other words, you’ll be wrong a lot. You must own it.

Marriage Changes You As you submit to one another, you begin to realize the

Marriage Reflects God Correction is evident in your relationship with God, but divine abandonment doesn’t exist. As you commit to each other and God, you visibly demonstrate the eternal

purpose. The point of the change is to glorify God. You

and God’s eternal and abiding presence. There is suffering

realize actions of love lead to feelings of love, not vice-versa.

and joy. Although marriage is a tool of sanctification, it is a

Marriage, committed to God’s way, will painfully crush

demonstration of the redemptive nature of God. Marriage is

your pride leading to greater intimacy with God and your

a picture of how God deals with us, His church.

spouse. Keller writes in his book, The Meaning of Marriage,

Understanding the purpose and mission of marriage

about the impact of self-centeredness:

provides the foundation for a meaningful marriage. It’ll be

“It is hard enough in relationships with friends and

incredibly self-centered if you don’t come into the marital

to please them rather than ourselves. But to practice these principles inside marriage is to practice them in the most

6 // February 2023

relationship with a noble view of God. Remember, marriage is theological.

About The Author

associates to put their interests ahead of our own and live

Samuel Burger is pastor of Chestuee Worship Center in Calhoun, Tennessee, and holds a Master of Arts in Ministry from Piedmont Divinity School.

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Gò0dNews for Kids

Who Needs a Friend?

by Brenda Dedmon

I

believe having friends and being a friend is an important

to explore what to do if someone answers no to

part of our lives. I have friends today that I made when I

answering questions.

was a child, and we still enjoy doing things together. It is

• Play a game of “What If?” Think about the best or

important to remember the friends we have made, but it is

worse thing that could happen if you are fearful about

also important that we continue to make new friends.

making new friends. For example, “What if you ask

We find examples in the Bible of people who were

others to play and they do not respond like you think

friends. We find in 1 Samuel 1:18 the friendship of David

they would? Sometimes talking about what could

and Jonathan. David said his friendship with Jonathan was

happen and sharing ideas of how to deal with it in a

as if he was his brother. In the New Testament, in John 15:15, Jesus said to His followers, “You are my friends.” In the book of Acts, we read about Paul, Silas, and Timothy as friends. Paul was also friends with Lydia and the women she had church with by the river. When Paul wrote letters to the churches in the New Testament, he always called them his friends.

We also read in the Bible reminders of things we need to do to be a friend and what we should do for our friends: “Be kind and compassionate” (Eph. 4:32) and “Pray one for another” (James 5:16). What do you think you have to do to make friends and be a friend? It may be hard to make new friends when you

variety of ways could give you confidence in making

move to a new neighborhood or move to a new school. So

friends. You will also realize that it is not a big deal if

where do you start?

things do not go perfectly every time.

You will discover on this page four suggestions that

• Read books. Using books is a fantastic way to help

could help you with making friends. Ask your parents to

you realize how to make friends, be a friend, and that

help you develop a plan using these ideas.

making friends is a natural part of life. The following

• Learning how to meet friends by asking questions.

books are part of my favorite books about making

Start with asking simple questions such as their name,

friends: How to be a Friend by Laurie Krasay Brown, Will

their favorite food, game, movie, and how old they are.

you be friends with Me? by Kathleen Long Bostrom, and

Explore other ideas you might want to ask.

The Kids Book of Friends by Catherine Stephens.

questions you decided on, make a storyboard of “how” to put those steps into action. You may want

8 // February 2023

About The Author

• Make a storyboard of action steps. Using the Written by Rev. Brenda Dedmon, retired director of Children’s Learning Center, First Baptist of Dalton and an avid Roll Tide fan.

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Understanding Fixed Index Annuities with

Money Matters Rick Hughes Driven by a passion to educate, inform and prepare future retirees, Mr. Hughes founded Hughes Retirement Group in 2007.

His main interest is helping his clients in reducing their taxes.

F

ixed Index Annuities can be confusing. For one thing,

Most FIAS have two phases, the first phase being

they are not fixed annuities, which have been around

your accumulation phase. This includes your principal

for a long time. FIAS, which came about in 1995,

payment(s) and bonus that you may have received, plus any

guarantees a set interest rate. Usually, the rate is fairly low,

credited interest rates you received as well. Most insurance

such as 2.5%, but guaranteed no matter what the economic

companies will allow you to withdraw up to 10% a year

conditions. The major question is whether FIAS are good for

without a surrender penalty. Be sure to review your specific

your portfolio.

insurance contract for certain conditions, exceptions, and

An FIA is an insurance contract between you and the

limitations that may apply. The insurance company only

issuing insurance company. The insurance company is

allows you to take up to a 10% surrender penalty-free

guaranteeing your principal and backing your principal

withdrawal. If you take more than 10%, a surrender penalty

payments with their assets. They make these guarantees

is assessed and you may lose any potential credited interest

based upon the claims-paying ability and financial strength

rate that could have occurred.

of the issuing insurance company.

In an FIA, during the accumulation phase, your contact

The second phase would be the distribution phase.

Purchasers receive a percentage of income depending on

growth potential is linked to an index, such as the S&P

their age, and if a spouse is involved, it will be a percentage

500, but not directly invested in the index. The insurance

based on the youngest spouse. Again, be sure to review your

company has guaranteed that if the linked index is positive,

specific insurance contract for certain conditions, exceptions,

you will receive interest credits to your account, but if

and limitations that may apply. The owner can choose to

the linked index is negative, your contract value will not

receive a monthly check. If the policy owner dies, the spouse

be negatively impacted. Remember, you are not directly

can continue to receive the monthly check until they die. If

buying a stock—instead, your contact value is only linked to

there is still money in the account when the policyholder

the index you have chosen.

dies, their beneficiaries can typically receive the remaining

Many insurance companies offer a bonus for your principal purchase. Let’s say you make a principal payment

funds in a lump sum.

One of the biggest fears most seniors have is outliving

of $100,000 and receive a 10% bonus, which would increase

their money. Including an FIA as part of your retirement

your contract value to a theoretical value of $110,000. Why

strategy can help prevent that from happening.

would an insurance company be willing to do that? It’s very simple, they have plans to make money from your money, in the same way, banks loan out your money for profit.

10 // February 2023

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Gò0dNews for Men

Friendship for Men

G

by Chad Hess

odly friendships between men based on a

speaks to his friend” (Exodus 33:11). We should choose

shared love of Jesus Christ are a true blessing.

our friends wisely, and then as Jonathan and David,

Proverbs 17:17 tells us that “A friend loves at

remain steadfast in our friendship: “A man of many

all times and a brother is born for adversity.” There

companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend

are numerous examples of friendship in the Bible, but

who sticks closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24).

perhaps my favorite is the bond that existed between David and Jonathan. It is perhaps the best example

Friendship, true friendship, is a rare and beautiful thing. It is something to be sought and closely

of friendship ever recorded.

Jonathan was the son of Israel’s first king Saul and a warrior of great renown.

When David was the only one willing to stand against Goliath (and, with the power of God, defeat the giant), Jonathan made a covenant with David, stripped himself of his armor and robe “because he loved him as his own soul” (1 Samuel 18:1-4). We read further in 1 and 2 Samuel how their relationship becomes one of love, admiration, respect and character as they protect

guarded. In the modern world, we are often isolated

and defend one another through the many perils faced,

from others because of technology and the norms (not

mainly arising from King Saul himself. They endured

necessarily good ones) that surround us. Time spent

much together and were only separated by death.

with a friend should be something that we make an

This biblical story from over one thousand years

honest effort to achieve. A true Christian friendship is

prior to Christ, remains for men today a perfect

one that aids both members of the friendship to live

example of how men in the 21st century should strive

a life of discipleship, love, giving, responsibility and

to be friends and brothers. We should love, stand by,

commitment. Of course, we have no greater friend

and stand up for our friends: “Greater love has no man

than our Lord Jesus, but a friend in times of joy and

than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends”

trouble is a gift from God.

in work, play, conversation and prayer: “Thus the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man

12 // February 2023

About The Author

(John 15:13). We should spend time together as friends Chad Hess is a husband, father and Army Veteran. He is a parishioner at Saint Andrews Anglican Church, where he is involved in lay ministries.

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Gò0dNews for Women

Hope in Motion

A

by Sandra Gilmore

re you busy making New Year’s resolutions? Let me

have time, you can easily scrapbook or journal these milestones.

guess: one of them has to do with getting organized.

Encourage your children to log items. It will be even more

Besides losing weight, getting organized is a top goal

special in years to come to see their own handwriting.

early in a new year. Americans are fascinated with clutter and

*When possible, put the kids to bed in their clothes.

organizing. Have you noticed all the shows dedicated to this

Summer short sets or winter stockings and turtlenecks are often

one topic? Have you noticed all the gadgets and even rising

as soft and flexible as pajamas. Come morning, you and your

careers associated with household and office organization? The

children will be glad for the extra winks!

Proverbs 31 Woman had it covered long before plastic was even

*Keep a 3x5 card with important information secured to

mentioned! Proverbs 31:27 says, “She watches how things go

the visor of your car. Cell phones lose their charge or hit dead

in her house” (The Complete Jewish Bible translation). Do you

zones. A simple card can save the day.

know how things go in your house? Or even how they come?

*When you are working on an important document or

Research through the years finds a deep connection between

want to archive important information, email it to yourself.

clutter and hopelessness. Let’s start this new year off right!

If your computer is inaccessible or you lose a flash drive, you

Through the years of being a mom with a career outside

can usually access accounts in libraries or other public places.

the home, then years of being a stay-at-home mom, I collected

Your information is now available to you 24/7, anywhere in

and developed a list that helped keep me organized and

the world.

focused. Listed here are just a few. Pick one that resonates with

*Pray Proverbs 8:12, “I wisdom dwell with prudence

you. Put it into motion soon. Where confusion and clutter once

and find out knowledge of witty inventions.” When we are

grew, you’ll see hope take root!

in a tight spot, Holy Spirit will send wisdom when we ask.

*Make several sets of keys. Place them strategically at home, at work, or at the neighbors if need be. *Keep multiple hair dryers in the house. The

Wisdom can reveal “witty inventions,” meaning new ways of doing things, effective time management methods or ways to multiply effectiveness.

Bible says a woman’s hair is her glory. It is

*Keep prayer a priority. Redeem time to spend

terrible to have the hair dryer die when you

with the Father. He loves you. He created you. He

are not quite “glorified!”

is especially proud of you. Spend time with Him

*Make copies of important papers,

as your source of strength and growth. His

including digital copies. Secure a safe

unconditional love will sustain hope

box at your financial institution. Put

for you like nothing else!

anything you deem important in

You’ve probably got

your box with an inventory list

some of your own tips for

of its contents. Keep an extra

watching how things

inventory list at home too.

go in your house.

*Keep a calendar with big boxes

Share those in a

for each day visually handy to

conversation, on

record family events. You could

a blog, or even a

quickly jot down milestones,

post. Pass on hope!

whether it’s the last time you or your baby’s first sentence. When you

14 // February 2023

About The Author

had your oil changed Sandra Gilmore serves the Lord as wife, mom, and encourager, mostly through writing and speaking, occasionally through cooking, rarely through anything athletic and only because of the mercy and grace of Jesus. You can reach her by email: tandsgilmore@yahoo.com or her website: www.sandragilmore.org

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Ringgold Church Directory Baptist 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 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 1008 N. Beaumont Road Ringgold, GA 30736 706-375-1008 Clearview Baptist Church 2183 Dietz Road Ringgold, GA 30736 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 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

16 // February 2023

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 Living Faith Baptist Church Highway 41 Ringgold, GA 30736 706-891-1817 Midway Baptist Church Highway 41 North Ringgold, GA 30736 706-937-2317 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 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 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 Welcome Hill Baptist Church 223 Inman Street Ringgold, GA 30736 706-965-4814 Church of Christ Cohutta Road Church of Christ 2233 Mount Vernon Road Ringgold, GA 30736 706-935-3884 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 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 102 Remco Shops Lane Ringgold, GA 30736 706-279-3175 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 Graysville UMC 2331 Graysville Road Ringgold, GA 30736 706-891-9253 Ringgold UMC 7484 Nashville Street Ringgold, GA 30736 706-935-4777 Woodstation UMC 13198 Alabama Highway Ringgold, GA 30736 706-965-3360 Non-Denominational Battlefield Church of Faith Highway 41 South Ringgold, GA 30736 706-937-7729 Calvary Chapel Ringgold 548 Boynton Drive Ringgold, GA 30736 706-952-1502

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 2501 Pine Grove Road Ringgold, GA 30736 706-841 0161 Light House Church 1201 Lafayette Road Rossville, GA 30741 706-861-2715 Messianic Ministry To Israel P.O. Box 22654 Chattanooga, TN 37422 New Life Church PO Box 1973 Ringgold, GA 30736

706-866-7799 Venue Church 3969 Cloud Springs Road Ringgold, GA 30736 423-637-7100 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 Morton Memorial

560 Red Belt Rd. Chickamauga, GA 30707 706-338-7176 Seventh-Day Adventist Ringgold Seventh-Day Adventist Church 124 Kittle Street Ringgold, GA 30736 706-935-3741 Battlefield Community Seventh-Day Adventist Church 96 Hillman Lane Ringgold, GA 30736 706-861-5999

Fort Oglethorpe 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 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 Cloud Springs Baptist Church 207 Cloud Springs Road Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742 706-866-0164 First Baptist Church Ft. Oglethorpe 2645 LaFayette Road Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742 706-866-0232 Moriah Baptist Church 2864 Battlefield Parkway Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742 706-866-8843 Nellie Head Memorial Baptist 2379 Catoosa Parkway Tunnell Hill, GA 30755 706-935-5236 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 Victory Baptist Church 1013 Layfayette Road Rossville, GA 30741 706-866-0371 Catholic Saint Gerard Catholic Church 3049 Lafayette Road Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742 706-861-9410 Church of Christ Fort Oglethorpe Church of Christ 6 Harker Road Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742 706-866-4124 Community Battlefield Ministries Church 64 3rd Street Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742 706-866-9090 Episcopal Church of the Nativity 1520 Cross Street Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742 706-866-9773 Methodist Fairview UMC 2112 McFarland Avenue Rossville, GA 30741 423-653-1043 Fort Oglethorpe UMC 1733 Battlefield Parkway Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742 706-820-6314 Newnan Springs UMC

78 Monanaw Avenue Rossville GA 30741 706-866-6724 Nazarene Battlefield Parkway Church of the Nazarene 3220 Battlefield Parkway Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742 706-866-9838 Non-Denominational 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 Living Waters Ministries 1337 Battlefield Pkwy Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742 423-255-8655 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 Presbyterian First Presbyterian Church 1 Harker Road Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742 706-866-0232

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goodnewscm.com // 17

Gò0dNews for Everyone

A Broken Heart

J

by Dorothy Teague

ust mention February, and people automatically

Jesus had been beaten and wounded repeatedly

think of Valentine’s Day. For most people, images

before He ever got to the cross and endured the physical

of flowers, chocolates, cards, and the whole

trauma that hanging there put on His heart. But, more

romantic Hallmark scene is what we think of and

than this, He was experiencing grief from being separated

aspire to. Being in love is a wonderful feeling, but as

from His Father. God could not look upon sin, so He had

we surrender our hearts and open ourselves up to love

to turn away. Even though Jesus knew He must finish

someone, we become vulnerable and risk being hurt.

the work on the cross for our redemption, the agony

As a matter of fact, chances are one hundred percent

He felt being apart from His Father must have been

that we will have a broken heart several times in our

unbearable! Yes, Jesus knows all about a broken heart in every sense of the word. He

lives. People will hurt us,

knows us and understands

and we will hurt others

us better than we know

because we are human.

The only one who will

ourselves. Hebrews 4:15

not fail us is Christ. In

says, “For we do not

Jeremiah 31:3, He says,

have a high priest who

“I have loved you with

is unable to sympathize

an everlasting love…”

with our weaknesses,

Jesus, Himself, knows

but we have one who has been tempted in every way,

quite a lot about having a

just as we are—yet without

broken heart.

sin.” He “knows our frame;

Jesus died of a broken

He remembers that we are dust”

heart when He hung on the

(Psalm 103:14).

cross and died for all mankind.

We were designed to love and be

As He hung there, with all the sin of the world upon Him, He was in such physical, mental and emotional distress that His heart burst open and spilled out for us. There is a

loved. But, when we get hurt along the way, we can find solace in the Word of God. He reminds us that He is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit (Psalm 34:18), and that He

as stress cardiomyopathy, which occurs when a person

heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds

experiences sudden acute stress that can rapidly weaken

(Psalm 147:3). Your Valentine’s Day may not be like a

the heart muscle. Two kinds of stressors, emotional or

Hallmark movie where everything turns out perfectly in

physical, often cause this. Emotional stressors include

the end, but there is One you can depend on to always

grief, while physical stressors such as significant

love you perfectly; His name is Jesus!

bleeding, difficulty breathing, and chest pain can result in this (www.hopkinsmedicine.org).

18 // February 2023

About The Author

condition known as Broken Heart Syndrome, also known

Dorothy Teague is a Tennessee native, who resides in McMinn County with her husband, Lewis, on their farm. After completing 31.5 years as a teacher in the Bradley County School System, she is active in her church at Eastanallee Baptist Church where she is a member of the choir and praise team.

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FEATURED COVER STORY

White’s Cycle and Marine humble start in 1956 as the Western Auto Store

W

and sold off the manufacturing business and closed the

in East Chattanooga into the award-winning

Tennessee Cycle Supply and took Suzuki out of Honda of

hite’s Cycle and Marine has grown from its

One year later, Gerald said, “Enough is enough”

business that it is today. In 1956, Charles White, father of

Chattanooga and opened a store on Highway 58. He named

Gerald and Barry White, started the Western Auto Store.

his new store Suzuki of Chattanooga. At that time, his

In 1963, he started selling Honda scooters at the Western

younger brother, Barry, took over Honda of Chattanooga.

Auto Store. It was in 1966 that Gerald joined his father by

In 1981, Gerald became a Kawasaki dealer and changed

working in the Honda Sales and Service, which was a full-

his business's name, appropriately, to Suzuki, Kawasaki of

line motorcycle dealership located across the street from the

Chattanooga and started selling Jet Skis and Pontoon Boats.

Western Auto Store. When Gerald’s older brother went into

In 1989, he also started selling SeaDoos, which now have

the army in 1968, Charles White gave Gerald the keys to

become the number one seller of personal watercrafts.

Honda Sales and Service and said, “Good luck.”

Honda Sales and Service changed its name to Honda

After 1989, Gerald changed the name once more to White’s Cycle and Marine and in 1994 he moved the

of Chattanooga and grew into a large motorcycle store

company to its current location at 4917 Highway 58 with

that spanned several buildings in East Chattanooga.

the intention of putting the Honda and Suzuki stores

Throughout the 1970s, Gerald was running the Honda

back together. They needed to wait and find a building

Shop and Tennessee Cycle Supply while being on the road

large enough to hold everything, but by then, Honda of

two to three days a week selling motorcycle parts and

Chattanooga and White’s Cycle and Marine had both

accessories to other powersports dealers. Gerald also began

grown so large that it didn’t make sense to combine them.

to manufacture Tie Downs to hold motorcycles on trailers

Now, Gerald works next door to his brother, Barry who

and he sold them nationwide. At the end of the 70s, in 1979,

settled his Honda of Chattanooga next to White’s Cycle

he added the Suzuki brand of powersports to his inventory.

and Marine on Highway 58.

20 // February 2023

Business continued to grow and Gerald began to sell Bryant Boats and other brands. In 2008, when the recession hit, it was very hard for the powersports and marines dealers to hold on to their businesses. A huge portion of the industry went out of business and this gave Gerald a rare opportunity to obtain the Bennington Pontoon Line, which is the number one seller of Pontoons in the country. During this time period, Gerald was also able to pick up the Yamaha wave runner and Yamaha boats. The Yamaha boats are the number one seller of 19’, 21’, and 24’ fiberglass boats.

Powersports enthusiasts often have several different types of powersports. These could include boats, motorcycles, ATVs, or PWC. Being in the powersports and marine business and having a successful company depends

Great staff, service, and parts. I’ve found a home.” Another

heavily on repeat customers. The goal of White’s Cycle

customer lives in Knoxville, TN, and said, “Our buying

and Marine is to take care of the thousands of powersports

experience of a SeaDoo Spark was overall made to be a very

and marine customers and make sure that they are happy

pleasant experience and we feel it was due to the dealership

with their product. Gerald knows it takes a good team of

itself. We would definitely drive the distance again to

employees to ensure the happiness of the powersports

deal with them again.” Each customer has a unique need

and marine customers. Gerald finds great employees and

and story and the White’s Cycle and Marine employees

makes sure that he keeps them in his business. Some of

recognize that and cater their service to the individual

his employees have been working with him for decades.

customer or family.

These quality workers help the customers feel excited

White’s Cycle and Marine has been fortunate enough to

and secure with the powersports and marine equipment

win many awards over the years. They have won multiple

they provide. White’s Cycle and Marine not only provide

awards for Suzuki and Kawasaki products. They have also

vehicles for powersports and marine activities, but they

been awarded District Dealer of the Year for Southeast USA

also service, repair, and carry the parts for those vehicles.

for Sales of SeaDoos. White’s Cycle and Marine has also

Their relationship with the customers does not end with

been ranked in the Top Five for Bryant Boat Sales. They have

their purchase of a powersport vehicle. White’s Cycle and

been very fortunate to have been nominated year after year

Marine is ready and available throughout the entire life of

as Best Motorcycle Dealer and Best Marine Dealer in the

the vehicle.

Chattanooga Times Free Press Best of the Best.

Customers can feel the difference at White’s Cycle and Marine and they feel at home when they walk into the building. One customer said, “I am very pleased with my purchase and the service and parts departments. Everyone was pleasant and seemed to know the products well. I would recommend them to anyone in search of a new bike.

goodnewscm.com // 21

Gò0dNews for Everyone

How Well Do You Understand Love? hen people think of February, many immediately think of Valentine’s Day. Valentine’s Day is often viewed as a time to express one’s love for another. However, what we mean when we say we love someone is conditioned by our definition of love. How would you define “love?”

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary lists three aspects of its primary definition of love. a. Strong affection for another arising out of kinship or personal ties b. Attraction based on sexual desire: affection and tenderness felt by lovers c. Affection based on admiration, benevolence, or common interests However, for human beings, “love” is an emotional word that cries for expression beyond a simple definition. Let’s return to the question above: How would you define love? My suspicion is that your definition would come from your own emotional connection to the concept of love.

Poetry is a common place to find expressions of love. In Hartley Coleridge’s Sonnet VII, he begins his poem with, “Is love a fancy, or a feeling? No. It is immortal as immaculate Truth.” In his Sonnet 116, William Shakespeare echoes a similar expression of the lasting nature of love: “Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks but bears it out even to the edge of doom.”

From these lofty expressions by classic poets, the definition of “love” finds it poorest expression in the 1970 movie Love Story. After a lovers’ quarrel, Jenny reveals to Oliver that she is dying of leukemia. Heartbroken, he begs her forgiveness. Her response has found a continuing life in popular culture: “Love means never having to say you’re sorry.” This definition is a far cry from the one expressed by Coleridge and Shakespeare.

Country music fans may be familiar with Clint Black’s “Something That We Do.” He closes his song with:

22 // February 2023

I remember well the day we wed I can see that picture in my head Love isn't just those words we said It's somethin' that we do This description of love as not just a feeling but as an action goes far beyond Jenny’s definition above. However, is this definition sufficient? Defining love only within the context of human relationships will always fall short, because a complete definition of love must include the source of love—which is God. The Apostle John approaches the subject of love in this way: 7 Dear friends, let us love one another, because love is from God, and everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 The one who does not love does not know God, because God is love. . .. 10 Love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11 Dear friends, if God loved us in this way, we also must love one another (1 John 4:7–8, 10-11).

John helps us to see that true love is not simply a feeling or an action. True love is a person—God. Genesis 1:26 declares that we are made in the image of God. Part of that image is loving as God loves. This rich understanding of love is the basis for the Apostle Paul’s description of love in 1 Corinthians 13. Here we see that love is feeling, doing, giving, sacrificing, enduring, and much more. In this moving passage, Paul gives us a picture of what it looks like to love as God loves.

On this Valentine’s Day, let us as believers in Christ commit to reflecting his image by loving as he loves.

About The Author

W

by Dr. Alan Hix

Dr. Alan Hix is an Associate Professor of Christian Studies at Shorter University. In addition to being and educator, he has served churches as a pastor, been involved in mission trips to Africa, Canada, and Alaska, and participated in archaeological excavations in Israel for several years.

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Brainerd Baptist Church Winter Concert

Monday, February 13 | 7:30PM 300 Brookfield Ave, Chattanooga, TN

ChristWay Community Church

Only the Beginning Tour with Big Daddy Weave Sunday, February 19 | 7PM 6201 Mountain View Rd, Ooltewah, TN

Heritage Baptist Church Lauren Talley

Wednesday, February 22 | 6:30PM 345 Curtis Pkwy SE, Calhoun, GA

Gò0dNews for Family

What Influences Your Family?

S

by Brent Goodge

ociety today is driven by information overload. The

invaders. This should have been a warning to Lot that it was

never-ending scroll feed on social networks often

time to get out of the wicked city. But he remained.

turns a simple message check into an hour-long

God’s mercy is so amazing! When it was determined

hiatus. There will always be one more post to scan or one

by God that Sodom must be destroyed, God sent angels to

more video to view.

rescue Lot and his family. But the influences of Sodom had

Ignoring the obvious waste of time, consider the

become so ingrained in the hearts of his family that not one

harmful images and sounds we subject ourselves to through social media. Ads suggestive of immoral thoughts and behaviors, violent videos, and the enormity of information we absorb posted by influencers who don’t know God. Social media may be the most obvious issue today, but the concept is not new. Television programs and advertising have been guilty of the same for decades. For those who have no screen time, billboards along the road are designed to tie a product to sell to immoral pleasures. What is all this doing to our walk with Jesus? Think of what it does to our kids.

When Abram offered Lot the choice of where to go to find pasture, Lot should have deferred the choice to the one God had promised Canaan to

of his children who lived around town would believe him

in the first place. But Lot saw the fertile river valley and the

and choose to escape.

cities it cradled and decided that was the ideal place to live

When the angels grabbed Lot, his wife and the two

the easy life with his family. Lot knew the practices in the

daughters still living at home, dragging them to safety,

valley’s cities were abominable in the sight of God. But he

Lot’s wife looked back with longing at Sodom, and she

felt quite secure in the knowledge that his connection with

died with the city. The two daughters eventually ended up

God was strong enough to overcome the evil. Genesis 13

incestuously pregnant.

says he “pitched his tents near Sodom.”

Living in tents near Sodom was apparently not very

The influences we choose to allow our families to be subject to makes a difference, often an eternal difference. May we each make the commitment to make

probably thought the rift raft was camping outside of

Christ and His sacrifice for us the center of our home. May

town. Maybe Mrs. Lot was embarrassed. Maybe it was just

we never in our own families have to regret the results of

for protection. But by Genesis 14, Lot’s family had moved

Lot’s poor choice.

inside the wicked city of Sodom.

War came to Sodom. In His mercy, God used Abraham to rescue Lot and the rest of the captives from the

24 // February 2023

About The Author

cool. The rich inside Sodom in their luxurious houses

Brent Goodge lives in Whitfield County.

He doesn’t understand how prayer works, but he trusts the God who gave us the gift of prayer. Brent is praying that this message was a blessing.

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Gò0dNews for Everyone

Choosing to Love

S

by Kristen West

torefronts and florists are awash with red

Choosing to love each other—in all of our broken,

and pink décor this month as they promote

imperfect “humanness”—is what love is all about. It’s

Valentine’s Day. And many people are looking

what God modeled for us in hopes that we would follow

for a feeling that is as ooey-gooey as the centers of

His example. “We love because He first loved us…” (1

those gourmet chocolates they hope to get.

John 4:19). God’s love is always anchored in choices.

Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not anti-Valentine’s Day, and I certainly love getting flowers and

According to John 3:16, God “so loved” the world that He gave His only Son. That choice wasn’t founded on a good feeling. Jesus knew He was being sent down a path that would end in brutality, public humiliation, and a tortured criminal’s death. There was nothing “lovey-dovey” about it. It was love in its rawest form—a choice to do good to another human being; to put their interests first; to consider and honor them as the valuable individual that God created them to be.

Every day I wake up, I choose to love my husband—

chocolates as much as the next person, but how often

even on those days when our brokenness bubbles to

do we stop there—at the superficial level—and never

the surface and we’d like to have “time-out” chairs

really learn to love.

for each other. The choice to ask God to continually

I can attest that after 19 years of marriage now, on

make me a better wife is love. The choice to stay “till

MOST days, there are no “butterflies in my stomach”

death do us part” is love. The choice to work hard on

feelings or tingly puppy love rush of emotions. There

my marriage so that those around us have a picture of

are choices…intentional, deliberate, thoughtful choices.

what God’s heart looks like for His Bride is love.

While that may sound boring to some, those of us who buckled up for life understand that this is

Hmmm, I think I’ll be on the lookout this week for a conversational heart that says, “Choosing to Love!”

I married, I vowed to love him, “for better or worse; in sickness and in health; for richer or poorer…”

26 // February 2023

About The Author

where the rubber meets the road. When Anthony and Kristen West recently published a book of 40 devotions called He’s an Everyday God.

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Gò0dNews Poetry

Not Yet

by Arietta Grimmett

Do I know Yeshuaq (Jesus) as He knows me, Have I seen the nail prints in His hands and His feet, The scars on His brow from the crown of thorns, The wounds on His back from the blows of a whip?

Not Yet Have I seen the One who died for me, The One who saved me to the uttermost, The One who healed my body too numerous to mention, The One who truly gives life after death?

Not Yet But one of these days I will see Him. I will see Him as He sees me now.

I will know Him as He knows me now.

I Shall.

28 // February 2023

About The Author

No, not yet. Still waiting! But by His grace, Arietta Grimmett, D. Min. is a Retired Minister and Sunday School Teacher and attends Peerless Road Church of God of Prophecy.

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Gò0dNews for Grandparents

Iron Sharpens Iron

by Donald Cantrell

T

hose of you that follow my articles know that I

being her pastor, literally since birth. During the past ten

often write about life events that occur between my

years, I have watched her grow up singing “Jesus Loves”

granddaughter and myself. Kinsley will be ten years

to singing “Christian Songs” during karaoke on a cruise

old in a few weeks, and I have been her primary babysitter

ship and bringing the house down as everyone applauded

since she was four weeks old. It has been lifechanging for

and hugged her for singing songs about her faith and her

me to watch her grow up from a baby to a “tween” as she

relationship with Jesus Christ.

calls it.

“Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the

Throughout the years, we have had some awesome

countenance of his friend” (Pro 27:17, KJV).

excursions as we went on our weekly trips to the

You might think that I am always the teacher, but as I

Chattanooga Zoo, the Tennessee Aquarium, various jump

have watched her grow up, Kinsley has taught me some

parks, petting zoos, or eating maple flavored ice cream with

wonderful things about life. In watching her, I have learned

chunks of bacon in it at a working farm over in Ellijay. I

that it is okay to make yourself vulnerable and put yourself

have watched her learn to eat everything from sardines,

out there in the forefront. It has been a joy to see her grow

mayo and honey sandwiches to chomping down on gator

up and grow into a young girl that not only listens to my

tail or Alaskan crab legs.

sermons, but tries to live by them and then calls me out

Our journey has been much tighter than merely being

when I don’t.

her “poppy” or her “babysitter” because I have had the joy of also

One day, I preached on never taking “tomorrow” for granted and that we ought to never put stuff off for tomorrow if we can do it today. The next week, I heard some people in our family saying they would get to some things “tomorrow” and Kinsley told them they should never say “tomorrow.” I find great joy in knowing that she is listening to my messages, but on the other hand, I find it very gripping to know that I better live what I preach.

I have developed a relationship with this girl that is sincere, it is brutally honest, and I can honestly say that she has made me a better preacher, because I see that the words I say are literally taken to heart and that I need to be very careful in how I present the “word of God.” I have enjoyed the last ten years of this relationship and look forward to the coming years. God has blessed me mightily by placing this “fireball” into my

30 // February 2023

About The Author

life, and I will not take any day for granted.

Donald Cantrell is a lifelong native of Murray county 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.”

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Gò0dNews for Everyone

Trust: Even When God Seems Silent n the morning of New Year’s Eve, I sat drinking my coffee and reflecting on the past year. So many changes have occurred in my life. Many changes were small, like getting a cat, while others were huge, liking getting a husband. As always, some were wanted, like a new house, and some less desirable, like my best friend moving further away. Many blessings were a surprise, while others were answered prayers. God answers all prayers. He may

not give the answer we wanted, or He might take a while. Of all the prayers that were answered in 2022, two really stood out to me. One being my quest for a house.

About five years ago, after unfortunate circumstances, my credit score was bottomed out, and I was barely surviving financially. I rented a small house in which, at times, four of us lived. My goal was to become a homeowner again. I worked diligently to raise my credit score and save for a down payment. About three years ago I reached the desired goal, and the search began.

I prayed that God would help me find the perfect house.

First, I located a real estate agent and found a loan officer that would give me the benefit of the doubt. Spending hours on the internet, I looked at houses and made lists of

32 // February 2023

possibilities. Then I began viewing houses with the agent. It was so exciting to see all the potential homes.

However, each time I found one and put in a bid, poof!

It was gone. Someone got it before me. House after house, after house. Then the loan officer I was working with left the company she worked with, and I was told I was no longer eligible for a loan. This went on for two years. I could not understand why God was not answering my prayer. Well, here I sit in my new home. My prayer wasn’t answered because it wasn’t to be my new home, but our new home.

God had the man, the gold band, and the home already planned.

Also, this year God answered another prayer. This particular prayer had been going up for four years. At one point, I remember sitting in my car, literally crying out to God with tears streaming down my face, begging for Him to help my loved one. Watching this person struggle was heart-wrenching at times. I think God was working out the pieces slowly, and finally my prayer was answered this year.

Sometimes God’s plan and timing don’t make sense to us. Imagine being an Israelite at the Battle of Jericho. I might have said, “He wants us to do what? Walk around Jericho for six days? We can easily circle the city in one day! And we will be sitting ducks walking around and around out here in the open! God said he would make it collapse. Why doesn’t he just do it the first time we circle?”

Even though the Israelites did not understand the process, they trusted God. They endured six days of silence and circling, just as God instructed. We must pray with endurance and faith. Believe in God’s promises, even when it seems like nothing is happening. In the silence, God is at work.

About The Author

O

by Donna Swann

Donna Swann is a second-grade teacher in Rome, Georgia. She attends Grace Faith Bible Study where her husband Jack is the pastor. She coauthors a Christian blog, Smorgasbord of Sisterhood, with her cousin.

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Mission Statement:

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e believe when people are equipped,

Who: Our writers range from pastors, professors, and

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living out their faith in Jesus Christ they

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have the potential to be world changers.

Our mission is to bring people into a dynamic

relationship with Jesus Christ—a relationship that empowers them to see how God can work through individual personalities, situations, and talents.

Christ was an activist, he did not neglect the needs of the people as He brought His message. We strive to encourage everyone to look more like Christ by reaching outside of themselves to serve the needs of others—at home, at school, in communities, and across the world.

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reach out to people through words of encouragement.

What: We believe that it is important to laugh together, praise each other, encourage one another, and to offer biblical advice. Articles can be directed toward everyone, or from woman to woman, or man to man. We love to share recipes and family traditions as well. We ask that articles be kept to a 500 word maximum. We’d love to hear from you!

Where: Please send submissions to articles.goodnews@gmail.com Why: Because God has not intended for us to just survive. We believe that we are intended to reach out to love and encourage each other. God has brought each of us through tough times, blessed us, and made the “impossible” possible. Let’s, together, share the love of Jesus Christ.

Gò0dNews for your Taste Buds

Valentine’s Day Red Velvet Cake Pops Sometimes, nothing says I love you more than a freshly baked cake—or in this case, a no-bake cake pop! This twist on the classic red velvet cake is the perfect sweet treat to make this Valentine’s Day. With only eight ingredients, and a quick, no-bake preparation, you can spoil your loved ones without spending too much time in the kitchen. If you try this recipe at home, tag us on Facebook at GoodNews CM and let us know your thoughts!

Ingredients • 1 cup of medjool dates • ¼ cup of almond flour • 1 tablespoon of coconut flour • ¼ cup of cacao powder • 2 tablespoons of beetroot powder • 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract • 1 tablespoon of maple syrup • 1 tablespoon of coconut cream

Instructions 1. Remove the pits from the medjool dates.

Then, add the pitted dates to a food processor and blend until a ball forms.

2. Add almond flour, coconut flour, cacao powder, beetroot powder, vanilla extract, and maple syrup. Blend until a dough is formed.

Add coconut cream and blend again.

3. Scoop out a tablespoon amount of dough at a time and roll into balls.

4. Roll balls in cacao powder and add a cake-pop stick to one end.

5. Store cake pops in the refrigerator for up to two weeks!

34 // February 2023

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Gò0dNews for Everyone

Sovereign Goodness

L

by Greg Grotewold

ife is full of sad stories. Like this one. A medical

from it. In other words, I need to enlighten my heart with a

examiner’s office in upstate New York recently concluded

clearer view of Jesus’s sovereign goodness. He makes colossal

its investigation of a two-year-old boy’s death earlier

promises throughout Scripture, but none more seemingly

in the year. It was determined that the toddler had died of

outlandish than the gift of a glorious inheritance for all who

starvation after his father (the only other person living in the

trust and obey Him. In any other sphere of life, it would be

house) had died of a heart ailment. By the time a welfare check

lunacy to hope in such things. Not Jesus. Not Heaven. Glorious

was performed, it was too late. The two bodies were found in

promises are only fulfilled by glorious sources of power. And

the father’s bedroom.

His prowess is both immeasurable and unparalleled. Nothing—

This is not the way things are supposed to be. It’s becoming clear that the world is categorically broken, perhaps irreversibly so. And for those like me who lack a certain intestinal fortitude, the prevalence of such suffering can cause deep sadness.

no rule, authority, power, or dominion—will preclude Jesus from delivering His children into Glory. Nothing.

Colossians 1 provides even greater illumination as to His power.

But feeling sad, as a blood-bought believer, is okay, I’ve learned. Sadness need not be the antithesis of hope. The two emotions can coexist, for the former clings to that which can be seen and the latter to that which can’t. “Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for which he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience” (Romans 8:24-25, ESV). One is today’s reality, and the other tomorrow’s.

Someday my faith will become sight, and I will be in the glorious presence of Jesus. Until then, Paul tells me to wait patiently. Easier said than done, though. What do I do with my growing angst over disease and death, a culture hellbent on its own moral destruction, my own sinful contributions? Paul provides that guidance, too:

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven

May [the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of

and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones

glory] give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation

or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were

in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your

created through him and for him. And he is before all

hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the

things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the

hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of

head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the

his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the

firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be

immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who

preeminent. (15-18, ESV)

he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. (Ephesians 1:17-21, ESV, bracketed language rearranged).

I grow my ability to endure the sickness when I grow my understanding of the One who will eventually deliver me

36 // February 2023

These four verses are very dear to me. I go to them when the world gets me down, which means I frequent this passage often. Jesus Christ creates all things, holds all things together, and is before all things. These facts tell me He is able to keep His promises. Such assurance regarding the future is what allows me to face the present. May His sovereign goodness do the same for you.

About The Author

believe, according to the working of his great might that

Greg Grotewold lives with his wife, Sandi, and their two sons, Luke and Eli. He is a deacon in his local church and greatly enjoys serving in this capacity.

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Gò0dNews for Everyone

I Love You Most

A

by Dr. Bobby Sneed

parent’s love for their child is a uniquely

The love that God has for us will never be

powerful thing. I am fortunate to have a

outdone! Coming to the earth in human form is an “I

daughter who is now in her 30’s, but some

love you” from Heaven. Giving us the gift of grace by

of my fondest memories of her growing up are the “I

faith in Jesus to understand and accept this love is “I

Love You” exchanges we had. I have no idea where or

love you more” as we grow in our relationship with

when it started but one of us would say to the other, “I

Him; but God finishes the exchange with “I love you

love you,” to which the reply was “I love you more,”

most” by dying on the cross for our sins. He became

followed by the one who initiated, “I love you most.”

sin that we might live forever with Him. He overcame

It sounds simple and perhaps to some “silly,” but it

death so we would have life. Jesus says to us all today,

was a sweet exchange of affection that defined our commitment to one another as father and child. As the years have gone by and my walk with the Lord has grown nearer and sweeter, I have come to the realization that this exchange epitomizes God’s affection for us.

John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” The gift of the Son to a lost and dying world was, and still is, God saying, I love you! There is no other way to describe this singular act of grace and mercy than to say it was born out of love and devotion to His creation (us),

“I love you,” “I love you more,” and “I love you most.”

which we know based on scripture is truth because God

His love will never be outdone!

doesn’t just love; God is love (1 John 4:16).

In response to God telling us, “I love you,” if we

As we celebrate love, be reminded of this, “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God;

receive this love and understand that God is love, then

and everyone who loves is born of God and knows

our response is to love Him back. The entirety of the verse

God” (1 John 4:7). The people in our lives may come to

listed above (1 John 4:16) states, “And we have known and

know God’s love by how we love them. Take the time

believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he

today to say, “I love you!”

who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.” We known and believed the love that God has for us, we learn to love Him more and more, thus “I love you more.”

38 // February 2023

About The Author

didn’t initiate the “love,” God did! Nevertheless, having

Dr. Bobby Sneed is the pastor of Deep Springs Baptist Church. His greatest desire is that all will experience the peace, hope and love of the Father made possible by faith in the Son, Jesus Christ.

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