Gò0dNews
About Us
WRITERS
Dr. Alan Hix
Brenda Dedmon
Dr. Brent Madaris
Candyce Carden
David Huff
Garrett Nudd
Granger Hughes
Jamie Renee Hill
Jan Merop
Mary Wanda Lindsey
Sandra Gilmore
Spring Fricks
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
GoodNews Christian Magazine Catoosa
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
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.
Unleashing the Power of Prayer: Exploring Jeremiah 33:3
by Dr. Brent Madaris
*Jeremiah 33:3 KJV, “Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.”
Wow! What a promise!
Jeremiah chapters 30-33 are known as “the book of consolation.” This final chapter (33) of the Book of Consolation continues the themes of destruction and restoration. The words in chapters 30–33 would give hope and comfort to the exiles even during their experience of punishment (Psalm 137).
God’s love and grace are so great that even in exile He gave His people hope for the future. Ultimately, their hope was found in a hope for the Messiah (vv. 14–16) who would deliver and redeem them.
Although the city would be devastated (vv. 2–5), God would bring “health” and “peace” back to it (vv. 6–9). Verses 10–26 focus almost entirely on the future restoration of Judah. Notice first, that Jeremiah was facing a very large and difficult situation: Jeremiah was under house arrest for his preaching.
Jeremiah 33:1, “while he was yet shut up in the court of the prison.”
Not only was the prophet Jeremiah in prison but Judah was besieged by the Babylonians (Jeremiah 32:32 and 33:45), they were just about to be attacked and carried away into Babylonian captivity.
These are major problems, but in the midst of this desperate situation, there is a much larger and more powerful hope.
Read with me Jeremiah 33:2, “Thus saith the Lord the maker thereof, the Lord that formed it, to establish it; the Lord is his name.”
The words of praise for God as Creator in verse 2 are not unrelated to the context but serve as a reminder that He who created this world has the power to restore Israel and Judah. That same God has the power to hear and answer your prayer!
Consider if a friend gave this same promise to you. Debt? (Call upon me...) Sickness? (Call upon me…) Confusion? (Call upon me…) Despair/Depression? (“Call upon me...)
But how much larger the offer when we realize it is not human frailty that offers, but Divine Immensity and Omnipotence!
To some, it is just a doctrine...a teaching...a cold and lifeless thing…or perhaps a warm and fuzzy feeling! But no reality. No experience!
To some, it is a mirage or a dream! Does He really mean to state that whatever we ask in prayer we are to receive?
Have you learned the art of truly believing on Christ? You may have faith in Him for salvation, but do you have faith in Him for daily life and living?
Matthew 17:20, “And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove, and nothing shall be impossible unto you.”
You say, “Yes! That is what I want: mountain moving prayers!” Well then, there is something to be understood concerning mountain-moving faith! The Bible speaks of:
• No faith - Mark 4:4.
• Little Faith - Matthew 14:31.
• Great Faith - Matthew 8:10.
So then we can all look to ourselves and ask the question: “What level of faith do I have?” We all need to pray this prayer from Luke 17:5, “ …Lord, increase our faith.”
*All Scriptures are from KJV.
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The Gift: Water From the Well
by Spring Fricks
“Come with me.”
Your hand pulls me from the ground. I was sitting at your feet. Here, at our bench in our garden, I’ve lamented over every wrong. Revealed every hurt. Laid bare lost dreams and my broken heart.
“Hope is lost” I cried, “No one hears or sees me. I’m alone.”
Your eyes soften, “How can you be alone if I am with you? Now come.”
You lead me down a path toward the outer edge of the garden. The foliage abates revealing a circular, stone wall built around a burbling spring.
Your laugh cuts the dissent in my head. Your eyes brighten as you hand me the cup, “Drink child.”
I obey but find the water has transformed into an ethereal mist that tastes like honey in my mouth. As I swallow my heart, soul, and spirit are infiltrated with your love.
Love fills me until there is no room for my previous discord. Despair, agony, and defeat flee the shores of my mind like shadows fleeing the rising sun.
My faith is restored. Hope reborn. Life is renewed and my spirit refueled.
You are laughing. I join you.
At the cistern, you fill a cup and offer it to me.
The spring, bubbling out of the ground, is majestic in rhythm. It syncs to the beat of my heart. The air is electrified and alluring, yet I waver.
“Lord, I don’t think I’m thirsty.”
It’s a lie. Though not explained I know what the water will do. Fear, rejection, shame, and anxiety well up within me begging me not to give in. They scream in unison filling my mind with one thought – don’t drink. And yet my tongue feels thick, and my mouth is like cotton. I want and need the cup.
“This is my gift.” As you speak, we sit on the edge of the well. “Not everyone will drink from this water, but the water is available for everyone.”
John 4:13 (CJB) says, “but whoever drinks the water I will give him will never be thirsty again! On the contrary, the water I give him will become a spring of water inside him, welling up into eternal life.”
Jesus Christ is a gift that is free, and yet it costs us everything. When we accept His gift, we are accepting life eternal and turning our back on a waking death. But death, as represented by a world of instant gratification and built on a society of doing what feels good, can be hard to leave. Our sin is familiar, comfortable, and at times rewarded by those around us, however, it inevitably erodes our soul, heart, mind, and spirit. Only washed in the Blood of Jesus and drenched in His living water can we break free from the death of this world. By choosing His gift, we are made new. Born again, into that created person He always intended us to be, where life is no longer viewed through the eyes of sin, but instead seen through the lens of Jesus, our Eternal Savior.
Lord, let us drink.
FShadows and Uncertainties
Money Matters Granger Hughes with
Driven by a passion to educate, inform and prepare future retirees, Mr. Hughes works with his father to help provide educational opportunities for clients as well as others in the community. He feels a responsibility to help inform those who may otherwise not be aware of strategies, changes, and opportunities available to them when it comes to their financial well-being.
ebruary starts us thinking about winter, spring, and a furry little groundhog that is supposed to predict the weather. If he emerges and sees his shadow, then six more weeks of winter! If he does not, early spring is predicted. The weather in Pennsylvania is not the same as in Florida or California, and still, the whole country monitors what Phil the Groundhog will do. We are accustomed to Groundhog Day and the shadow of a rodent giving weather advice!
The humor in this made me think about one’s retirement and financial planning and how often people rely on myths, outdated methods, and a blanket approach to investing. This is where the importance of having a financial advisor who truly knows you, your situation, and your goals makes a difference in developing your personalized retirement game plan. It’s not the same as your friends’ and neighbors’ plans, just like the weather is not the same in Tennessee as in Pennsylvania.
Retirement planning doesn’t start at retirement. During your working years, you are in what we call the accumulation phase. This is when you are investing and saving towards retirement. During this phase, investors tend to tolerate risk more based on the number of years until retirement. It is still a time to be proactive in managing those investments. The dated method of Buy and Hold may or may not be the best approach for everyone during this time. Actively monitoring your investments, making changes and adjustments when needed, and meeting with your advisor during these years are just as important to your success as doing these things post-retirement. A Roth Conversion might be a topic to discuss with your advisor while still working to better manage taxes before retirement. If your employer offers a retirement plan such as a 401k, working
with your advisor to ensure you are taking advantage of all matching and tax deductions available is a huge piece of the accumulation phase as well.
As you near retirement age, your risk tolerance would most likely be reduced to a less aggressive number to prepare for the distribution phase. This is also a time to look at income tax planning and how where you draw funds from will impact your overall income tax situation. Your specific situation and need will also determine when you should start drawing Social Security and how any other income may impact the taxable amount of your Social Security. For those who retire before age 65, the cost of health insurance should be discussed in detail as it will have an impact on your budget until you reach Medicare age. Some don’t retire until age 65 or after. Did you know that you could be charged a Medicare income-related monthly adjustment or IRMAA fee on Medicare Parts B & D if your income for the past two years is above a certain amount?
All these various moving parts are why having a relationship with an advisor whom you trust, and who customizes each retirement plan to each client is crucial to your success in retirement. A one-size-fits-all plan by an advisor who doesn’t act in a fiduciary capacity, without a toolbox of various investment options, (i.e. Punxsutawney Phil predicting the weather for the entire country) can’t tailor a plan to your exact situation.
No matter what stage of retirement planning you are in, we would welcome the opportunity to sit down and learn your unique situation and goals. HRG’s goal is to help create your Retirement Playbook™ by developing your game plan and coaching you through your retirement season.
Misty BOLT MEET
Misty found herself led to insurance, and specifically to Medicare. These unique
experiences shaped Misty and fueled her drive to succeed for others. She is relentless in her fight to help those in need. Today she does so through her business,Medicare Misty, which helps people navigate the confusing world of Medicare.
Hide and Seek
by David Huff
As a kid growing up one of my favorite games was hide and seek. However, being an only child, I did not get to play often unless I went over to someone’s house. This had many advantages and many disadvantages. One of the advantages was that I lived in the middle of the country and there were a lot of woods all around us. As a result, I spent a lot of time alone in the woods learning to be quiet and to listen to the smallest of noises happening around me. As a result, I learned well to listen to the little breaks of leaves and twigs around me. This gave me an advantage in playing the game hide and seek.
In Genesis 3 after Adam and Eve sinned against God, we see a form of hide and seek taking place. However, there is also another meaning to this. Verse 8 says “Toward evening they heard the Lord God walking about in the garden, so they hid themselves among the trees. The Lord God called to Adam, Where are you?’ Now God knew where Adam and Eve were but He wanted to call to them to get them to answer. In doing this God proves two things. First, He wanted Adam and Eve to admit where they were hiding and why they were hiding. Secondly, He wanted them to know He would always seek them.
Many times, we as men play hide and seek with our hearts. We allow God to touch so much, but not the places that we are holding onto by blaming someone else. It was this person’s fault or that person’s fault why this is happening. When honestly, like Adam, we have the opportunity to say, “It is my fault” and move on. Accepting the fault does not always mean that we admit that we are wrong. No, it means we are in control of the things that we are holding onto. The things that are being used to make us hide from God.
Adam and Eve had just changed the world from a state of peace and harmony. Now the world would no longer be the same, but God allowed Adam the opportunity to possibly change the course. Unfortunately, we will never know. Instead, Adam began to point his finger and place blame on everything but himself. He first said that it was Eve's fault by placing the blame on her, and then of all things he tried to blame God. “It was the woman’s fault that you gave me.” The rest is history.
Adam responded to God by saying “I hid because I was naked.” When we strip ourselves down and take the blame, no matter how small or big, this is what we are doing. We are presenting our hearts naked to God. Taking the blame does not mean the other person is innocent. It means that we are big enough to release our pride and walk free from the situation.
David Huff and his wife, Brittany, have five wonderful kids. Their family attends Rock Bridge Community Church Calhoun where David serves on the production team. David is a graduate of Liberty University and is currently studying for his MBA at Shorter University.
A Heart’s Desire
by Zebbie Brewster
Have you ever desired something deep down in your heart and hoped that one day you could see it come to fruition? I graduated from college in 1977. I remember one of the classes I took in physical ed was creative dance. I loved it with all my heart! Our class in the gym gave us plenty of room to move around and really feel the music. I do remember that we had to take a song and lead the class in exercise to it. If I am not mistaken the Bee Gees were popular back then and so was the song “Staying
I am so thankful to God for the people He has allowed to come into my life who became friends. A friend is a gift you give yourself and the one who comes in when the rest of the world has gone out. Just thinking of that special friend can make you smile. You could say that to have a good friend is delightful! Webster defines delight as to give great pleasure, the source of pleasure, great satisfaction, or joy.
In studying my Sunday School lesson I was referred to look at the 37th Chapter of Psalm, A Psalm of David. I was encouraged to read the whole 37th chapter. The title in my KJV Bible says the chapter speaks of God’s lovingkindness and how the righteous are blessed.
Alive.” It seems just like it was yesterday that I was leading the exercise and thinking how much I loved doing it. I never thought that God would allow that heart’s desire to come to me in the winter season of my life. I am so blessed to get to instruct an exercise class for senior citizens. Our time together is such a blessing. I have learned so much from them. They always have wise words to share with me.
One day as I walked around the room before class trying to speak to everybody I overheard a beautiful lady bragging about her special friend. He had always been with her and His love had brought her through so much. She was bragging on Jesus. That made my heart smile for I know her special friend. He has been faithful to me also. Hopefully, we all have at least one special friend that we can brag on. I hope it, too, is Jesus.
Verse 3 says, “Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Delight thyself also in the Lord; and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in Him; and He shall bring it to pass. And He shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.”
Look with me at Verses 23 through 25. “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighted in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand. I have been young, and now am old; yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.”
Look even further ahead to verses 39 and 40. “But the salvation of the righteous is of the Lord: He is their strength in the time of trouble. And the Lord shall help them, and deliver them: He shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in Him.
The Psalmist David was truly bragging on His great friend Jesus. His words still encourage hearts today!
Zebbie Brewster resides in Summerville, Georgia. She is an active member at Perennial Springs Baptist Church.
Awake America Prayer Meetings
1st Thursday: Blairsville City Hall, Blairsville, GA.
Pickens County Library, Jasper, GA.
2nd Thursday:
Blue Ridge City Coroner’s Meeting Room, Blue Ridge, GA.
Towns County Civic Center, Hiawassee, GA.
Community Partners Realty, Winder, GA
3rd Thursday: Cherokee County Courthouse, Murphy, NC.
Calhoun City Park, Calhoun, GA
4th Thursday:
Gilmer County Rec/Civic Center, Ellijay, GA. Copperhill City Hall, Copperhill, TN. Moss Library, Hayesville, NC.
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 102 Remco Shops Lane 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
Calvary Chapel Ringgold 548 Boynton Drive Ringgold, GA 30736
706-952-1502
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 2501 Pine Grove Road Ringgold, GA 30736
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 30738
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
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
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
First United Methodist 15 Sunrise Dr. LaFayette, GA 30728
706-638-1942
First United Methodist Church
301 S Main St. LaFayette, GA 30728
706-638-2067
LaFayette First United Methodist Church
301 S. Main Street
LaFayette, GA 30728 (706) 638-2057
Rock Springs United Methodist Church 3477 Peavine Rd Rock Springs, GA 706-375-5345
Non-Denominational
Battlefield of Life Worship Center 56 Kevin Ln. Rock Springs, GA 770-827-6718
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
Adventures in Europe: A Spiritual Reset
by Candyce Carden
Michael and I were headed to Florence, Italy with great anticipation. Our adventure thus far had offered a relaxing pace. That was about to change Awes and Ughs
Our visit was well-researched and over-planned with so much to see and do. One challenging day started extremely early. We found our way to a meeting spot for back-toback tours of the Academica and then the Uffizi Museums. We even had “Skip the Line” tickets! But our expectations fizzled when the check-in was unorganized and lengthy.
Being short on sleep, caffeine, and food is not a good combination. A “guide” lined us up and snaked our group along a sidewalk to tack us onto a line of other groups ahead of us. Apparently, our “skip the line” tickets simply meant we avoided the line to buy tickets the morning of.
Once inside Academica, we were awe-struck and spent a couple of hours wandering through the various rooms marveling at the great artworks. Unfortunately, the audio tour app provided by our “guides” didn’t work. We were totally on our own, along with about 2,000 other people.
After more waiting, it was time to enter the Uffizi. When I presented my ticket to the doorkeeper, a miscommunication led me to believe he was barring my entry. I lost it. He bore the brunt of my frustrations from the entire morning. Once inside this museum, we were also blown away by even more masterpieces. By now, I was a bit deflated. Ashamed I’d lost self-control with the ticket agent, it was time to push the reset button.
The Holy Spirit’s Tug
I was in Italy, one of the world’s leading fruit producers— grapes, apples, olives, hazelnuts, strawberries, and kiwifruits—but I was not producing the fruit of the Spirit this morning.
I turned to God. He welcomed me with a spiritual hug. I took some deep breaths while lingering in His embrace. He calmed my mind and cleared my focus. I had memorized the fruit of the Spirit some time ago.
Falteringly, I began: “Holy Spirit, fill me with Your love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, and self-control today and every day” (Galatians 5:23-23). I
repeated the request a few more times, each time growing more confident in the prayer.
Later, my Bible reading included a portion of Paul’s letters to the church of Thessalonica. One section in particular spoke to me. Paul urges the Thessalonians to live out the principles he has already addressed. It’s a summary of what our conduct should look like today (1 Thessalonians 5:12-22).
This direct sentence leapt from the page: “Do not quench the Spirit” (1 Thessalonians 5:19 NIV). Other versions use the words ‘stifle’ and ‘extinguish’ rather than ‘quench.’ The meaning is clear. We are not to extinguish the influences of the Holy Spirit in our hearts.
The three verbs suggest an allusion to fire on an altar. The fire was to be kept burning at all times. Likewise, the Holy Spirit must be fed with a fuel supply to keep it active in our souls.
I didn’t start the day by fueling the Spirit with prayer and devotion. I’d prioritized my daily agenda over my time with God. My grumbling attitude quenched the Spirit, and my behavior contradicted my belief.
Throughout the rest of this amazing trip, I called on God to fill me with a renewed awareness of His presence throughout each day. I took care not to quench the Spirit so I would produce and exhibit His fruit.
What strategies work for you when you need a spiritual reset?
A Historical Sanctuary for Heart-felt Stories: Ringgold Legacy Hall in Ringgold, Georgia
As the name implies, Ringgold Legacy Hall is a place where love leaves a legacy. Whether it’s the love couples share as they start their journey together, the familycentered love of reunions, or the love friends and families share as they gather, this place harbors stories in the many memories made and moments treasured.
Then
The original wedding chapel began as an Episcopal Methodist
Church in 1845. During the Civil War, it was destroyed in the winter of 1863 by Union General William T. Sherman in the Battle of Ringgold Gap. In 1925 the federal government paid a pittance of $600 toward rebuilding the Episcopal Church and the church moved to a new and larger location in 1972. From 1972 until 1986 the old church was used for storage. From 1986-2023 the chapel was known as the “Wedding Chapel of the South.” Many famous couples have married in
Ringgold. The most significant couples would be Dolly Parton and Carl Dean, as well as George Jones and Tammy Wynette who each entered into their third marriage. Others include former Louisiana governor and country music performer Jimmy Davis, who wrote and sang his campaign song, “You Are My Sunshine.”
A more modern-day bride and groom who got married in Ringgold on Valentine’s Day was Bob Harvey, a member of the rock and roll group Jefferson Airplane.
On November 6, 2023, the “Wedding Chapel of the South” began a transformation into the “Ringgold Legacy Hall.” Owner Heidi Rodderick explains, “We are pleased to bring a new chapter in the legacy with a wedding and event venue in this historic building. We hope the community will be able to enjoy this space for years to come.”
Now
Heidi shares what’s currently offered at Legacy Hall, “Today, this place has become an elegant, classic, and timeless venue with a modern twist. We love that this beautiful chapel holds so much history and that we keep making history! Each event adds another
story while this precious place keeps those memories alive. This restored space includes a sanctuary, happy hour room, a bridal suite, and groom's room.”
Heidi adds, “With so many venues in the South, what makes this chapter of this place so special and sets us apart? Ringgold Legacy Hall is more than just a venue—it’s a space designed to celebrate love and create lasting memories. Our elegant setting provides the perfect backdrop for beautiful, meaningful, and memorable events. With every detail thoughtfully considered, we strive to ensure your special day is as timeless and unique as your love story.”
Future
Plan your next event with Heidi and her team. Send a request with their convenient questionnaire at www. ringgoldlegacyhall.com or call (706) 707-8872 or send an email to events@ringgoldlegacyhall.com. Packages are also shown on the website along with a gallery of gorgeous details and examples of the excellent set-ups and decor.
for Everyone
Treading on the High Places
by Dr. Alan Hix
Have you ever felt so burdened by life’s struggles that you convinced yourself that you could never become the disciple God has called you to be?
Hannah Hurnard's allegory, “Hinds' Feet on High Places,” takes readers on a journey with Much-Afraid, a crippled and fearful character. Born into difficult circumstances and forced to live with two physical disabilities that hinder her ability to walk and to speak clearly or smile, Much-Afraid wants nothing more than to be physically healed and to be given “hinds’ feet” (an ancient term for deer) in order to venture into the mountains and follow the Shepherd during his journeys up to the High Places.
Her journey begins in the Valley of Humiliation, and she is given two traveling companions: Sorrow and Suffering. With their gentle, loving guidance, Much-Afraid learns how to submit her own will to that of the Shepherd, and finally comes to embrace them as friends.
On the journey, Much-Afraid encounters altars of sacrifice and surrender, and at the place of anointing, she offers her whole life. She then wakes to find that she is healed of her deformities, she is finally given hinds’ feet, and she has a new name: Grace and Glory. Sorrow and Suffering have also been transformed and are now named Love and Joy.
Hurnard’s story was inspired by Habbakuk 3:19 KJV, “The Lord God is my strength, And He will make my feet like hinds’ (deer’s) feet, And He will make me to walk upon mine high places.”
Remembering God’s deliverance of His people in the past, Habakkuk asks God how long He will allow His people to suffer under the rule of the Assyrians and later the Babylonians. In spite of this bleak picture, he declares that even though there seems to be no hope in the present, he will rejoice in the God of his salvation. He looks forward to the time on the other side of the struggle when God will transform him so that he will tread the high places of the Lord.
How often do we find ourselves longing to be free of the struggles of life? How often do we say, “If only life could be
free of suffering, I could be happy and fulfilled.” However, the author of Hebrews reminds us that even Jesus faced suffering during his time on earth.
Hebrews 5:8–9 NIV, “Son though He was, He learned obedience from what He suffered 9 and, once made perfect, He became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey Him.”
Throughout the Scriptures, we find that struggle prepares us for something more: the Israelites had to go through the wilderness before they could enter the promised
land, and Jesus faced temptation in the wilderness before He began His public ministry. The Apostle Paul addresses this same issue in Philippians 3:8, ESV “For his [Jesus’] sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ.”
God’s word reminds us that not only does suffering prepare us for blessing, but the struggles we face are a part of God’s work to shape us into the image of Christ. And because they are His work, they are under His control, and He is present with us every step of the way.
When we encounter the inevitable struggles of life, asking two questions will help us put things in the right perspective. The first is, “Father, what do you wish to teach me through this trial?” The second is, “God, what aspect of your character do you wish to reveal to me through this struggle?”
About The Author
is
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. 22 // February 2025
Dr. Alan Hix
Professor of Christian Studies at Shorter University.
Rules, Rules, Rules
by Brenda Dedmon
Life is controlled by rules. Some rules came to us as children, some set by others, some by government, workplace, and the rules in the Bible. People often feel the rules should not apply to them or just choose to ignore the rules. However, we know that rules are necessary to maintain stability and order in life. Parenting requires you to establish rules for your family to maintain stability and safety for your children.
A friend shared rules her seven-year-old granddaughter wrote for her two-year-old cousin for playing at her house. I thought they were insightful and even an appropriate guide for parents in setting rules for family. Let us explore her rules:
1. Stay close to me. This is an important reminder that your home should always be a safe place. In being close to you, they will see an example of how life should be lived. The Bible reminds us that we have a safe place with His presence and your child should feel the same way with you. “But the closer I am to You, my God, the better because life with You is good. O Lord, the Eternal, You keep me safe, I will tell everyone what You have done” (Psalm 73:28 The Voice).
2. Listen to me. Your voice is the first and most important voice your child will recognize. The words you
speak should be out of a heart of love and respect. Jesus, in the book of John, gives instructions on how to live out this love. “So, I give you a new command: Love each other deeply and fully. Remember the ways that I have loved you and demonstrate your love for others in those same ways” (John 34:34 The Voice). It is in listening to your positive voice of guidance that they will learn to develop their own voice.
3. Stay in the yard. Boundaries are important for children to feel secure. Boundaries provide emotional stability to help develop self-esteem for your child.
Boundaries will allow your child to know their words are always safe with you. Developing boundaries will allow your child to develop trust in you as well as trust in God. “Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he is the one who will keep you on track” (Proverbs 3:5 The Message).
4. Don’t bang on stuff. There are bad days when banging on something feels good. It is important for children to know that it is ok to not feel ok right now. Help children find ways to express their feelings in appropriate ways by using their words, pounding playdough, or doing physical activities. Teaching self-respect and respect for others is essential in expressing feelings.
“Be loving toward one another, be gracious, and be kind” (1 Peter 3:8 MEV).
Family Guidelines:
Plan a fun family time and have conversations about the rules of your family. Involve your children in what rules they like and those they do not like. Tell your children because you love them you have rules. Write out the rules and the reasons for the rules. Use the scriptures above to share that God will always be with them. Have a prayer time for your family.
Rev. Brenda Dedmon, retired director, Children’s Learning Center, First Baptist of Dalton, and an avid Bama fan.
Nature’s Little Bandit
by Jan Merop
Hi! I’m Ricky Raccoon. These are my shy babies, Rascal and Riddle. It won’t be long before their curiosity will get the best of them. We’re inquisitive critters and always check out nearby smells.
My great Creator, the Lord Jesus Christ, made me so unique and cute (if I do say so myself).
Raccoon means “the one who rubs, scrubs, and scratches with its hands.” I rub against trees, logs, or other objects. I scrub my face and body clean and scratch at things if they’re in my way of getting food.
Your garbage pail is one of those places I would like to investigate. If it’s not locked tightly, I will have found my restaurant.
You see, my front paws are very dexterous. That means my hands are skillful with a keen sense of touch as I cleverly use them in ways most humans wouldn’t expect. I hold food, examine it to remove unwanted parts, and wash it in nearby water.
I can open jars, locks, car latches, and many other manmade devices especially those garbage can lids. Imagine this: I’ll unlace a shoe, unlatch a cage, and carefully pull a thin dime from your shirt pocket!
Thanks to my Creator, two-thirds of my brain is designed for figuring out the things I touch. Do you believe how special God made me?
God even gave me little hairs near my claws that are like whiskers. That means I can figure out what an object is before I touch it.
One day, a woman opened the shades of her family room to find me enjoying breakfast while sitting on the squirrel baffle of the bird feeder. (They may have baffled the squirrels, but not sharpwitted me.) She called her husband to come quickly so they could watch me and
my mate, who was feeding at the bottom. We high-tailed it out of there!
My face looks like I’m wearing a mask like the little bandit I am. Mostly, I’m nocturnal, coming around at night while you sleep. But sometimes I wander around in daylight.
I’m very adaptable, but I especially like to be in the forest and near water, where I swim and fish staying in the water for hours. You may see my house in hollow trees, rock crevices, or a den in the ground. Just look for fresh claw marks or worn bark.
Believe it or not, I can climb down a tree headfirst by rotating my hind feet so they point backward. Can you turn your feet around?
Do you like to sing and whistle? I do, but I also can purr, growl, hiss, scream, and whinny like a horse!
Now it’s your turn. Are you thankful for how special God made you?
Exploring Truth Through God’s Creation
“I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well.” Psalm 139:14 NKJV
The Raccoon and You
Have you thought of the many special gifts God has given you?
He created you in His image with a soul that will live forever. He gave you a good mind to think, figure things out, learn, and teach others.
He’s given you eyes to see, ears to hear, a mouth to speak, sing, and laugh.
He’s given you strong legs to run and hands that can help and be creative.
And most of all, a heart where He will live if you invite Him in. Ricky Raccoon is one of God’s magnificent creatures. But you are by far His star, the crown of His creation— His very own child!
This One Thing I Do: Be Dedicated Like Jesus
by Mary Wanda Lindsey
Some great examples of dedication to the Lord are found in the scriptures. The Apostle Paul worked for more than thirty years bringing people to Christ. As one of the greatest missionaries who ever lived, he declared, “This one thing I do” (Philippians 3: 13 KJV). He was following his master's example in dedicating himself to the greatest cause on earth.
The Lord Jesus Christ wants you and me to do the same, to dedicate ourselves and focus our lives on the things that matter most – the things of eternity. Jesus taught in the scriptures that He is our light, so our whole life can be filled with His influence, and no darkness will persist in us. He also taught in *Matthew 6: 19-34 and Luke 12: 33-34 that He wants our hearts focused on Him and on His work so that His work and glory become our work and glory. Exodus 30:3, Deuteronomy 6:5, and Mark 12:30 teach that our top priority has always been to love God above all other things and before all other persons.
One of my favorite poems by Christina Rossetti states this principle so simply:
What can I give Him?
Poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb. If I were a wise man, I would do my part, Yet what can I give Him? Give my heart.
Christ knows the Father's plan is the only way to eternal happiness and fulfillment, and there is no way to come unto the Father except through Him, our Savior. It is to our everlasting advantage to set our hearts on Him!
Another great example in the scriptures of dedication to God is the example of Enoch. “Enoch lived sixty and five years and he walked with God and all the days of Enoch were three hundred and sixty and five years. Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.” (Genesis 5:
21-24). After 365 years on earth, God “takes (him) away”. The verb “take” appears to mean snatched up or carried away. Enoch is not the only person taken straight to heaven. Elijah also appears to be taken straight to heaven without having to experience death.
We see Enoch later in the “Hall of Faith” in Hebrews 11. You may ask the question, why did Enoch escape death? I believe it was because of his great faith. (see www. Christianity.com for more on this subject.) I would add that it was because he was dedicated to God in everything he did!
Jesus said to the Father, “I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do” (John 17:4). The Father has given us work to do also, and someday we can return and report to Him that we finished our work.
The English name Enoch in Hebrew is Henoch which literally means “dedicated.” You might recognize this name as the root of the word for the Jewish holiday Hanukkah which means “dedication.”
The scriptures offer us a personal invitation to feast upon the words of God daily. We can commune with all the noble and great ones and become a Henoch, a soul fully dedicated to the work of the Father as Jesus was.
Be dedicated! This is my prayer and my invitation to you.
*All Scriptures KJV.
for Discovering More
Just Start, Then Keep Going
by Garrett Nudd
Not long ago it was time to replace my car. The Toyota Camry that I was driving had close to 300,000 miles and the radiator had developed a nasty habit of smoking like a small brush fire. I decided I should get a Honda Accord—dependable, long-lasting, and practical, respectably nice but not too flashy.
A large car dealership was located two blocks from my office, so one morning when my schedule was clear I stopped in to check out their fleet of used cars.
I slowly drove past rows and rows of sedans and eventually noticed two Honda Accords sitting in the line. I parked my smoking Toyota Camry and walked over to the first Honda. Within minutes a sales associate headed my way.
He eagerly introduced himself and asked me if I had any questions. Before I could think of anything to ask, he said, “Let me run inside and grab the keys for this one.”
A few minutes later he returned and said “Okay, let’s go.”
This wasn’t my first time test-driving a vehicle. But it was the first time I’d seen the sales associate get in the driver’s seat. I walked around and sat in the passenger side.
“Don’t I get to drive the car?” I asked a bit confused.
“Sorry,” he said. “They want us to pull the cars off the lot and then we can switch and you can drive.”
“That’s fine, how come?” I asked.
“It’s for liability,” he replied.
I thought that was a strange answer, but whatever.
After adjusting the rearview mirror and the side mirrors he put the car in reverse and backed out of the space, across
the lot, and into the car behind us. BANG! It was a pretty hard bump.
We both jumped out of the car and walked around to the back where we discovered a couple pretty sizable scratches. I couldn’t believe what was happening.
He anxiously looked around and said, “Let’s go.” At this point, his enthusiasm from a few minutes ago had disappeared. We made it off the lot without any other incidents and then he pulled over into an empty parking lot and asked me if I wanted to drive.
“So how long have you been selling cars?” I asked.
“Well, today’s actually my first day,” he replied. “I’m sorry that I’m so nervous and I’m sorry that I backed into that car,” he continued. “What a first day!” He shook his head. Then he said, “It would really help me out if you’d buy this car.”
Starting isn’t easy. How many times have you started something only to be met with disappointment and discouragement? Sometimes you’re anxious—wondering if you’ve made the right choice and wondering if you have what it takes to be successful. You’re hoping you don’t disappoint others or yourself.
But it’s in starting that you take the first step. And in continuing you take the second, third, fourth, and fifth steps. And that’s when you experience growth. And growth is beautiful.
I don’t know if the young man continued selling cars or if he gave up after a tough first day. I hope he kept going.
When you face challenges or discouragement along your journey—whether it’s the start, the mid-point or at the finish line, I hope you remember God’s promise found in Jeremiah 29:11 NIV, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord. “Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future.”
Just start. And do so with confidence. Then keep going. God will be with you. And He has your plans all mapped out.
Gò0 dNews for your Taste Buds
Cinnamon Spiced Apple Crumble
Serves: 6 | Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cook Time: 40 minutes
Ingredients
For The Filling:
• 6 medium apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and sliced
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
For the Crumble Topping:
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup rolled oats
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
Instructions
1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Prepare the Filling: In a large bowl, combine the sliced apples, granulated sugar, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, lemon juice, and cornstarch. Mix well to coat the apples evenly. Transfer the mixture to a 9x13-inch baking dish.
3. Make the Crumble Topping: In another bowl, mix together the flour, rolled oats, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and ground cinnamon. Add the cold, cubed butter to the mixture. Using a pastry cutter or your fingers, work the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
4. Assemble the Crumble: Sprinkle the crumble topping evenly over the apple filling in the baking dish.
5. Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apple filling is bubbling.
6. Cool and Serve: Remove the crumble from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving. The apple crumble is delicious served warm, topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
Tips
• For an added crunch, mix in 1/4 cup chopped nuts (such as walnuts or pecans) into the crumble topping.
• For a gluten-free version, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
• The filling can be made a day ahead and stored in the refrigerator until ready to use.
No Greater Love
by Jamie Renee Hill
There’s no need to worry.
There’s no need to fret.
The God I serve is able.
He hasn’t failed me yet.
People are searching for answers, A way out of their pain, And Jesus is the answer, Over and over again.
There is no greater love. He pours His love out. There’s no shadow of a doubt That He cares.
No greater love is this: Than a man give up His life For all of mankind.
He didn’t come to divide, But create unity For all humanity.
God is the essence of love. He’s hope from above, Sent His Son down like a dove. There is no greater love.
Metro Boiler Tube Company, Inc. in Ringgold, GA
Founded in 1989, Metro Boiler Tube Company, Inc. is strategically located in the Southeastern United States with facilities in Ringgold, GA, and Gonzales, LA. Recognized in the industry as a dependable, high-quality, costeffective source for fabricated and straight boiler tube products, you’ll find a team ready to support your business needs.
President Mark Collins explains, “Our focus is to respond to our clients effectively from the initial correspondence to follow-up after shipment. Since 1989, it has been no secret that our strength can be directly attributed to our employees. The development of a highly skilled, adaptable, and dedicated workforce assures our customers that their concerns are also our concerns. There is a real sense of pride and professionalism that exists throughout the entire organization. Metro Boiler Tube Company, Inc. looks forward to providing your boiler tube requirements and pledges to be there when you need us.”
Metro Boiler Tube Company, Inc. offers the full spectrum of boiler tube fabrication at their combined 138,000 square foot facilities. They also stock over 500,000 feet of the most popular sizes and specifications of tubing at their facilities in America. Visit the facilities and see firsthand what true dedication and commitment can produce.
Collins continues, “In January 2022, we expanded our existing customer base and began entering new markets to diversify the company. Metro Boiler Tube purchased all brand-new top-of-line equipment starting with a 10,000-
watt Trumpf Fiber Laser, Baykal CNC press brakes, CNC plate rolls, and automated saws. We are expanding our business in the power industry as well as the following new industries: automotive, medical, food, chemical, service, and others. We can now cover all your sheet metal, plate fabrication, and structure steel.”
Focusing on responsiveness and quick turnaround, the shop stays active seven days a week. For emergencies, on-call employees handle any after-hours work. For added convenience, arrangements can be made for hot-shot drivers to make quick deliveries on nights and/or weekends.
James P. Fregeau, president of The Bigelow Company had this to share about customer service from Metro Boiler Tube, “A great job! Well done! The people of your company are truly an “A” team. Two weeks ahead of schedule on this very important job for our top client! We know that Metro's staff has pressed hard and worked weekends to meet our client's requirements to deliver during the week of July 16th and here we are on July 7th! We thank each one of your employees for your hard work and time away from your families to meet our needs! Metro is on our list of assets for the successful operation and future of our company!”
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for Health & Fitness
365 Reasons to Smile
by Sandra Gilmore, Editor
What do chocolate, the second-most commonality among people, blue vs red, and/or 3 million miles have in common?
If you could reap high benefits by this time next year with low investment, even without much thought invested, would you change a daily habit? Paying attention to this one factor in your health can change your first impression, your heart health, your finances, your relationships, and your potential for success. That kind of daily change packs a wallop for sure. Is there truly such a “silver bullet” that yields so many benefits?
Yes, and it’s an easy one to launch and maintain. In fact, the sooner you launch this daily program, the better. With the New Year upon us, and resolutions on everyone’s minds, have you included dental health on your list? Start Today, Right Away
Brushing, flossing, cutting back on sugar intake, and regular dental check-ups are some of the basic components of dental health. How often should you brush and floss? Twice per day. Beat the Sweets
Sugar intake affects the teeth and gums by causing tooth decay and gum disease along with inflammation and infection. If inflammation and infection only stayed in the mouth, it could be addressed much easier. But, inflammation and infection spread throughout the body, especially to the heart and lungs, even the kidneys, and the brain.
Pick some of your favorite fruits and vegetables as alternatives to sugars. Drink more water. This is especially helpful because certain medications can cause dry mouth. A simple sip of water several times per day can offer improvement.
Given the mention of beating sweets, how does chocolate enter the equation? Researchers determined the impact on the heart and brain of a chocolate bar. (Generally speaking, chocolate makes us happier than any other food.) Then, they compared the impact of someone’s smile on one’s heart and brain to the impact of a chocolate bar. The smile of a friend creates the same impact on the brain and heart as 200 chocolate bars! But wait, it gets better. Stay with me here. When the person smiling at you is a loved one, the amount increases to the equivalent of 600 chocolate bars.
Can it get better? Yes! When the smile is from a child, the impact on the brain and heart equates to the impact of 2,000 chocolate bars! Taking care of your –and your child’s– dental health is a key component in the smile someone receives from you and your loved ones.
An Extra Birthday Present
An annual visit to the dentist can be an extra birthday present you give yourself and your family. Check your calendar and coordinate an annual dental check-up around your birthday. It’s an easy way to remember and include it in your yearly schedule.
Measure the Treasure
What can keep you motivated toward a daily habit of dental health? Here are some fun facts:
Americans use about 3 million miles of dental floss per year. Blue toothbrushes are more commonly used compared to red ones.
Dental disease is the second highest common ailment, second only to the common cold.
Americans spend more on soft drinks/sodas than routine, daily dental care products – more than double!
One Trip Around the Sun
So what’s an easy New Year’s resolution to impact your overall health? Simply paying attention to daily dental health. You don’t have to attend classes. You don’t have to learn complicated routines or procedures. You don’t even have to share your goal with anyone (although accountability helps). Practice dental hygiene 365 days and see the rewards by this time next year!
