January 2025

Gò0dNews January 2025

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About Us WRITERS

Dr. Alan Hix Alisha Landes Dr. Brent Madaris Garrett Nudd Jamie Renee Hill Jan Merop Nikki Hill Richard Eberhart Rick Hughes Rodney Jones Spring Fricks Wayne Chasteen Dr. William Lamb Zebbie Brewster

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

DESIGN

Caleb Prytherch Email: art.goodnews@gmail.com

PHOTOGRAPHER Paula Knipp 423-310-4207

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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, 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.

Contents JANUARY 2025

GoodNews from the Pastor’s Desk

6 Breathe: The Necessity of Revival

by Wayne Chasteen

GoodNews for Everyone

8 Beautifully Broken: Lessons from the Threshing Floor

by Spring Fricks

GoodNews Money Matters

10 New Year, New Changes, New Unknowns

by Rick Hughes GoodNews for Men

12 What Satan Wants from You and How Fast He Works to Get It

by Rodney Jones GoodNews for Women

14 Extreme Makeover: A

Transformation Journey

by Alisha Landes GoodNews for Marriage

18 Not One, Or Two, But ALL Things

by Nikki Hill

GoodNews Cover Story

20 CYNC Solutions in Ringgold

GoodNews for Parents

24 How Can I Help My Child Get Closer to God?

by Dr. Brent Madaris GoodNews for Kids

26 Flying Jewels

by Jan Merop

GoodNews for Discovering More

28 The Good News, You Are More Than

by Garrett Nudd

6

GoodNews for Seniors

30 God’s Protective Hand

by Zebbie Brewster

GoodNews for your Taste Buds

32 Hearty Winter Vegetable Stew

GoodNews Poetry

34 We Shall Overcome

by Jamie Renee Hill

GoodNews for Everyone

36 Rookie Mistakes

by Dr. William Lamb

20

GoodNews for Health & Fitness

38 Exercise is not a Bad Word

by Richard Eberhart

Georgia

GoodNews for Life

22 Blinded by Fear

by Dr. Alan Hix

38

Gò0dNews from the Pastor’s Desk

Breathe: The Necessity of Revival

I

by Wayne Chasteen

magine with me: That frightful feeling when you have

efforts, and sadly sedated with spiritless gatherings. We

been under water too long. You need to breathe. Just one

need a face to face with the living God that will convict,

deep pull of oxygen would satisfy. You’ve been pushed

challenge, and change us!

beneath the surface. People are laughing and splashing,

How do we get from this spiritual state of near

and yet unaware of your plight. You kick and flail, but to no

unconsciousness that we are in, back to the vigor and fervor

avail. All hope seems gone. Just then, miraculously, a hand

that God desires His church to know? In God’s Holy Word,

breaks through the chaos and takes hold of you. A strong

we read in James 4:8 ESV, “Draw near to God, and He will

firm grip lifts you above that thin line between certain death

draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and

and needed breath! You are saved!

purify your hearts, you double minded.” In this verse we recognize the need, see it fulfilled, and are given the formula to make it so.

“Draw near to God,” that’s the need, and the result, when we do what the Bible says. “Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double minded.” That’s the catch!

King David said in Psalm 51 BSB, “Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your loving devotion; according to Your great compassion, blot out my transgressions. Wash me clean of my iniquity and cleanse me of my sin… Purify me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow… Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a

As a human is not meant to breathe underwater, so is a

right spirit within me. Cast me not away from Your presence;

Christian not meant to live without the sweet breath of the

take not Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of

Holy Spirit. There is nothing more needful in the American

Your salvation, and sustain me with a willing spirit.”

church than the fresh wind of revival.

Revival has been defined in many ways. The Oxford dictionary calls it: • an improvement in the condition or strength of something, • an instance of something becoming popular, active, or important again,

David desired to be close to God. He had known that privilege before, but his sin had driven God away.

Missing the intimacy he had once known, he cried out in desperation. Once he recognized his great need, David poured his soul out in repentance and pleaded with God to restore the joy of His salvation to him again!

The church is drowning in a godless culture. We’ve been

• a reawakening of religious fervor, especially by

pushed beneath the breakers and are sinking deeper into the

means of a series of evangelistic meetings.

abyss. We are out of breath! Let us pray, as David did, that

Revivalists see it as something much more significant.

Richard Owen Roberts calls revival, “An extraordinary movement of the Holy Spirit producing extraordinary results.” Roberts goes on to say, “Revival is a time when

God will have mercy on us once again, that He will reach into our death fall and take hold of us, lifting us to a place of life and revival! May our lungs fill with His glory once again as we lift up our heads and BREATHE.

lives of men and women.”

Most would agree that we need a fresh encounter with God. Christians are mostly tired of mundane ministry

6 // January 2025

About The Author

heaven comes closer to earth than at any other time in the Dr. Wayne Chasteen is lead pastor of Christ First Church in Lafayette, Georgia. He has been in ministry for 39 years and is an accomplished musician, evangelist, speaker, and writer who has a heart to see his community impacted through Christ.

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Gò0dNews for Everyone

Beautifully Broken: Lessons from the Threshing Floor

I

by Spring Fricks

stumbled. Hot tears burn my cheeks. Salt from my sweat

wind intensifies as if God exhaled a deep breath. My enemy,

burns my eyes. My lip is cut. As I scream, the flesh

trying to hold on, loses the fight and is blown away.

around the cut tears and blood drips down my chin.

I am free. I am safe.

“My God, where are you?”

The gale subsides as my Lord whispers, “I am the

Pushed, I’m knocked down. Bruises on my knee and

shin are proof of the stone floor that broke my fall.

My enemy covers me. I fight back but I can’t regain my

wind, but I am also the thresher. Do not be afraid of the threshing floor when I shake things up for it is in the shaking that I separate evil from good, and it’s in this

footing. His strength is more than mine. My knees buckle.

separation that you are beautifully broken clinging only to

My feet falter at his advance.

me, sanctified, holy, and set apart. It is the harvest remnant that is left upon the threshing floor that will rise as my people. Do not fear, but in the shaking rejoice for my work is at hand.”

Ps 35:5 CJB, “May they be like the chaff before the wind, with the Angel of ADONAI to drive them on.”

The Lord comes, like the thresher, to remove the wheat from the chaff. The process entails beating and breaking the chaff, the very covering which surrounds and holds the wheat captive. It’s this threshing that breaks down and destroys the strongholds around the wheat. The turn of fate is knowing the wheat is present during this process.

The wheat endures the beating, the breaking, and the reaping. And, in the end, it’s the wheat that

My enemy has one mission: my defeat.

He has one goal: my end.

remains, while the chaff is blown away by the wind.

Metaphorically, we are the wheat and our strongholds,

Again, I cry out, “My God…my God, where are you?”

both internal and external, are the chaff. But, when we

A strand of hair stuck to my forehead by dirt and sweat,

submit to the thresher, grab hold of the Word of God, and

now breaks free and dances in a breeze. My skin cools as the

wholeheartedly believe that which He says He is then His

breeze grows to a gust and debris on the stone floor rides its

Word becomes our battle cry. The very strength we need to

wings and swirls around me.

fight the good fight and land firmly at His feet as one of His

A faint voice echoes, “I am the wind.”

I look up. My enemy heard the voice. Fear grips, twists,

people gathered from the threshing floor.

Shake my life, Oh Lord, and gather me unto you.

The voice speaks again, “I am your shield and protection. Your very present help in time of need.” The

8 // January 2025

About The Author

and torments his features.

Spring M. Fricks is a writer, content creator, and community coordinator at Christ First Church in Lafayette, GA. Through passion for Jesus Christ, her purpose is to reignite a people to seek the face of their creator, savior, and greatest friend. She lives with her husband of 22 years, their two college-aged kids, 5 cats, a dog, a bunny, and a merry band of chickens.

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New Year, New Changes, New Unknowns 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.

J

anuary always comes with changes, some of which we choose

The tax bracket rates would revert to 2017 rates, which would mean

and some of which we have no control over. We almost always

higher marginal tax rates across income levels and a top tax rate

think about changes on a personal level and sometimes forget

of 39%. It has been stated that it would be the intent of the new

to think about these changes on a financial level. What changes

Republican Administration to make these tax cuts permanent, rather

are in store in 2025 that could have an impact on your savings and

than allowing them to expire.

retirement planning future?

We can see how to save more for retirement and how tax

Let’s take a moment to look at the known changes and how they

brackets will affect our income in retirement, what we can’t see or

may benefit your retirement in the future. The Secure 2.0 Act went

know for sure is how administration policy changes and legislation

into effect in 2022 but some of the changes it mandated are to begin

will affect the markets and the direct impact that may have on our

in 2025. Annual contribution and catch-up contribution limits to your

retirement funds. We saw the markets rally after Trump won the

401k have increased.

presidential election and then level out going into December. There

Maximum 402(g) and 457(b)(2) deferral limit Catch-up limit age 50+ Higher catch-up limit ages 60-63

2025 $23,500 $7,500 $11,250

2024 $23,500 $7,500 $7,500

Another change for 2025 is that there are now eligibility requirements for long-term, part-time employees. For 401k

are many unknowns for the economy with possible tariffs, a possible newly appointed Fed Chair in 2025, and a more domestic approach to drilling, all of which would have an impact on the economy and the markets.

Potential sectors that may benefit would be Banks & Financials,

plans effective after December 31, 2020, the act provides that the

Defense, Oil & Gas, Small Cap Companies, and TIPS, while sectors

employee be eligible if they have completed 3 consecutive 12-month

tied to China, Mexico, electric vehicles, healthcare, renewable energy,

periods, each with at least 500 hours of service. This will also cover

and long-term Treasuries may decline. Pullbacks in the market are to

403b accounts in 2025 as well. For plan years after December 31,

be expected and understanding that money managers tend to have

2024, this term is shortened to 2 consecutive 12-month periods

these pullbacks factored into their current portfolio allocations can

and the employee must have obtained age 21 by the end of the

help when we see market swings, but, as humans, we most often

second 12-month period. These are all great additions to allowing

react with our emotions before analyzing the data. This is where

individuals to save more for retirement.

meeting with your financial advisor and diving into your portfolio’s

We also know what the income tax brackets and standard deductions for 2025 will be.

asset allocation mix will be key. A properly diversified portfolio can be allocated to balance out the winners and losers of market sectors so that your portfolio doesn’t decline or rise as sharply as the markets. Retirement planning is a marathon, not a sprint and our reactions to market changes should follow that stance.

If you would like to review your portfolio’s risk and allocation as we begin 2025, we would love to sit down with you. HRG’s goal is to help create your personal Retirement Playbook™ by developing

What we do have to keep in mind is that these rates are set to expire on December 31, 2025. If this happens, the deduction amounts would lower to $8,300 for single filers and $16,000 for joint filers.

10 // January 2025

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Gò0dNews for Men

What Satan Wants from You

and How Fast He Works to Get It

S

by Rodney Jones

atan wants from you exactly what he wanted from

their hearts.” He comes immediately because he knows that

Eve: her soul. And he got her soul, at least for a while.

the Word of God itself is quick and powerful and sharper

He would have taken her to Hell with him had not

than any two-edged sword. (see Hebrews 4:12 KJV). The

God Himself shed innocent blood on her behalf. It only

Word of God saves souls and transforms lives. Satan does

took Satan a matter of hours to get what He wanted!! Think

not want that to happen. Therefore, he attacks quickly.

about that: from perfection to corruption in hours! Make no

He wants your faith to fail. “Simon, behold Satan hath

mistake about it, Satan wants you dead, and worse still, he

desired to have you… But I have prayed for thee, that thy

wants to drag you down to the pit.

faith fail not” (Luke 22:31-33).

He comes on the scene only three chapters from the beginning of the Bible and He continues tormenting

He wants to corrupt your mind (see 2 Corinthians 11:13).

He wants an advantage over you. “Lest Satan should

mankind until three chapters from the end of the Bible. In

get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his

between these chapters are thousands of years of deception,

devices” (2 Corinthians. 2:9).

misery, and death. This fallen angel is vicious, feared by thousands, and hates you.

He wants to fill your heart. “why hath Satan filled thine heart?” (Acts 5:3).

He wants you to savor the wrong things. “Get thee behind me, Satan … for thou savourest not the things that be of God” (Matthew 16:23).

He wants you to turn aside from the work of God. “For some are already turned aside after Satan” (1 Timothy 5:15).

He wants you to speak things you ought not. “They learn to be idle … speaking things which they ought not” (1 Timothy 5:13-15).

He wants to take you captive. “Who are taken captive by him at his will” ( 2 Timothy 2:26).

He wants you to give place (flinch, hesitate, re-consider).

If you have not been saved, you are in incredible,

“Neither give place to the devil” (Ephesians 4:26-2).

eternal, danger. At death, you will wake up in a world that

How do we defeat Satan? The same way that Jesus

you cannot get out of, lost forever. The good news is that

defeated him, by using the Word of God. In the wilderness,

if you are saved, you are beyond Satan’s eternal reach. But

Jesus said, “It is written, it is written, it is written!” So, read

if he cannot have your soul, he will settle for your total

it, memorize it, preach it, teach it, quote it, post it in your

destruction. Satan spends his time seeking whom to destroy.

house and Satan will be defeated!

And how quickly does Satan work? His work is immediate!

All Scriptures KJV.

When God makes progress in the human soul, Satan comes In Mark 4:15 *KJV the Bible says, “….Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the Word that was sown in

12 // January 2025

About The Author

immediately to take it away.

Rodney Jones is a retired police officer and is presently a housing and residence life staff member at the University of Tennessee, Chattanooga. Rodney is a member of Catoosa Baptist Tabernacle in Ringgold, Georgia.

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Gò0dNews for Women Extreme Makeover: A Transformation Journey

W

by Alisha Landes

e've all seen those television makeover shows where a person, often looking tired and downtrodden, undergoes a dramatic transformation. The audience

Foundation of Grace Next, it's time to apply some foundation—we need God's grace. Applying His grace daily smooths over our imperfections, as

gasps, "What happened to her?" The answer is simple: she received

Romans 8:1 emphasizes, “there is now no condemnation for those

an extreme makeover.

who are in Christ Jesus.”

Reflecting on my life before I met Christ, I see a similar

We must stop letting past mistakes haunt us. God doesn’t want

narrative. I felt run down and lifeless, trapped in a cycle that left

us to live in guilt or regret; He desires for us to walk in grace so we

me feeling rough around the edges. However, once I encountered

can fulfill our destinies.

the Lord, everything changed for the better. People around me

Highlighting and Contouring: Recognizing Our Gifts

began to notice the shift and would ask, "What happened to her?"

The only explanation: "Oh, she met Jesus. She’s been changed!"

Once we accept grace, something incredible happens—our gifts begin to shine. God has uniquely crafted each one of us for specific purposes. When we embrace our identity in Christ, He starts to strengthen and highlight our special abilities.

In contrast, just as we contour to downplay imperfections, God can also mask the shadows in our lives, ensuring that when people see us, they see Jesus, not our flaws.

The Power of Words Now, let’s talk about lipstick—what comes out of our mouths matters. Proverbs 18:21 states, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” Research reveals that words shape our brains and can elevate our perception of reality. Positive words foster hope and resilience, while negative language produces stress and inhibits logical thought.

We are all on a continual journey with Christ, each of us needing an extreme makeover from the ultimate Potter. No matter

Vision and Focus: Eyes on the Prize As we draw closer to God, He expands our vision, placing

how long we've walked with Him, there are always aspects of our

dreams within us that seem impossible. The enemy may try to

lives that require shaping and refinement.

thwart this, whispering lies of inadequacy. But remember, God

Water: The First Step in Our Makeover Before we dive into our makeover, let's talk about water—

gave you a vision for a reason—not to let it stagnate.

Setting our makeup and our focus is essential. Each day brings

specifically, what Jesus referred to as "living water." In John 4:14,

challenges. By grounding ourselves in God’s Word and Spirit, we

He states, "But whoever drinks of the water that I will give him

can maintain clarity and strength.

shall never thirst."

Moving Forward: A Call to Transformation

As water purifies and nourishes our bodies, God's living water

What often holds us back is the belief that we aren’t worthy of

cleanses our sins, washing them “as far as the east is from the west.”

transformation. The truth is no one is inherently good enough, but

It also allows us to think more clearly and make better choices.

through Christ’s righteousness, we can boldly embrace change.

Living water promotes inner beauty. Have you ever

Take that first step today. God awaits your arrival into a new

encountered someone outwardly attractive but whose negative

world of possibilities. If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation;

actions tarnish their appearance? True beauty radiates from within,

old things pass away, and all things become new! Embrace your

fed by the living water of Christ.

extreme makeover.

Water also regulates our temperature; in spiritual terms, it our spirits require the living water of Christ to steer clear of this world’s junk.

14 // January 2025

About The Author

helps us remain "hot" in our faith. Like our bodies need water, Sean and Alisha Landes are the pastors of The Refuge Church in Rossville, GA, bringing over 16 years of pastoral experience to their congregation. Alisha also serves as an executive director at a local assisted living facility, while both share a deep passion for community engagement and outreach initiatives.

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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

16 // January 2025

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 Street Rossville, 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 30728 423-596-7034 River of Life Church 807 W. Maqin St. LaFayette, GA 30728 423-596-7034 The Haven - LaFayette 415 Chestnut St. LaFayette, GA 30728 706-996-8150

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

goodnewscm.com // 17

Gò0dNews for Marriage

Not One, Or Two, But ALL Things

“H

by Nikki Hill

ow do you have the strength or the patience to

another as well as with my other children or his younger

keep going?” I am often asked this or similar

siblings, homeschooling will not work. Yes, patience with

questions when others find out that not

one another is vital in my household (my husband is not

only do I work from home, but I also homeschool my son.

excluded). My Lord is patient. He is the ultimate example

Moreover, I take care of my other little blessings (under the

of who I should look up to when I am feeling anxious and

age of two) while also trying to maintain a clean household. I

impatient when there are days that my son does not want

can answer the above question comfortably and boldly with

to fully engage in his lessons while his brother is throwing

thanksgiving in my heart, “I can do all things through Christ

a tantrum, and the baby is getting fussy, in need of sleep

who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13 NIV).

and food. So, when I look to the Lord and call upon Him for

There are situations that sometimes occur while

His strength in these times, He restores me. I am reminded

working that make me ask the question, “Is this job for me?

of how He may feel when I am being a difficult child, yet

Am I not good enough? Should I come back to this type of

exposing the disobedience in my heart, in which I am, in turn, remembering to have patience with my children.

Lastly, after finishing work and school with my son, it seems I barely have the energy to do housework. Although I have not been diagnosed with OCD, there are things I have to do to accomplish certain tasks before moving to the next task. Moreover, when my husband lends a helping hand, I sometimes reject it because of the above sentence and so I feel overwhelmed by the mess and wonder how I will get it clean. In addition, I struggle to utilize the help given to accomplish my tasks.

But God exposes the messes in my life and encourages

work when I feel I am able to?” And the last question which

and reminds me, “...With men, this is impossible; but with

encourages me to let me know I must be doing something

God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26 KJV). Enter

wrong or right depending on how one looks at it, “Why

faith, trust, and hope. He cleanses me of my thoughts of self-

haven't they fired me yet?” Whether it is rebuke, a warning,

inadequacies and places in me a renewed mind of self-worth

or more training, I am thankful that there is still mercy

and improvement. He reminds me to keep ripened fruit

and grace from my place of work. Instead of receiving the

like a fresh apple available. This symbolizes patience to me

rebuke, warning, and training as an insult or attack, I see it

when dealing with my son when he is hungry and cranky.

as God giving me mercy, grace, and another huge benefit:

In my son’s weakest moments, I am reminded of myself, just

discipline. As I continue to work my job, God has exposed

as the Father sent Jesus to save us from our sins when we

more dark areas in my life that I need to work on as well as

were weak. And when filth and foulness begin to rave my

the good things and talents I can do to further my career for

home and my life, I am reminded that God wants me to give

the common good.

all my anxiety to Him as well as my trust and obedience. He

not an easy task to accomplish for many reasons, but the main one is if I, or my child, don’t have patience with one

18 // January 2025

works ALL things out for my good!

About The Author

Furthermore, I have come to find homeschooling is

Nikki Hill hopes to use all that she has learned and her spiritual gifts for the kingdom of God, all while becoming a better wife, mother, and neighbor as God calls her.

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goodnewscm.com // 21

Gò0dNews for Everyone

Blinded by Fear

H

by Dr. Alan Hix

ave you ever been in a situation in which it feels

The disciples knew their lives were at risk, and they

like all the forces of life are against you? As I write

were afraid. Notice that John tells us that after they see

this article on the day after Hurricane Helene

Jesus, they are still afraid. It might be Jesus coming to

devastated much of the Southeast, I wonder how many

them, but they had other things to worry about. They were

people who were in Helene’s path might feel like that.

focused on the storm and trying to save themselves. Jesus

Living in New Orleans and other parts of Louisiana for

literally says to them, “I am. Do not be afraid.” It is the same

several years, we ran from many hurricanes. I understand

phrase that He will use seven more times in John—“I am the

what it is like to hurriedly evacuate and not know what

bread of life;” “I am the living water;” “I am the resurrection

you will have to come back to. We rode out a few lesser

and the life.” And each time Jesus makes that statement,

hurricanes, but nothing that packed the devastation of

He is pointing His hearers back to that moment on the

Helene. My heart goes out to those who feel helpless in the

mountain when Moses asked God His name, and the LORD

face of nature’s power.

replied, “I AM, THAT I AM.” However, the disciples didn’t expect to be rescued from the storm, even when the creator OF the storm was present.

The disciples were so overcome by fear in the face of a situation they were totally helpless to control, that even the sight of Jesus did not give them hope.

When we experience that same kind of fear, and we cry out to God in desperation, and we feverishly search through the Scriptures hoping we will find some answer, we can be like the drowning man who struggles against his rescuer because all he can see is that he is drowning.

In those moments, Jesus calls out to us, “I am; do not be afraid.” As “I am,” not only does He have power to save us from the storm, but as creator, He

Once, when I was staying at a hotel in Tiberias on

has power over the storm. The disciples’ problem is that

the shores of the Sea of Galilee, a strong storm appeared.

they were not willing to let go of their fear—that’s why even

Bursting through the narrow confines of a mountain pass,

Jesus’ walking on the water did not phase them. But when

it surged into the bowl-like area of the Sea of Galilee with

we can release our fears and grasp hold of Jesus as the I am,

great force. I was amazed at the size and force of the waves

note what happens next: 21 “Then they were glad to take Him

it generated. This experience gave me a clearer picture of the

into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which

disciples’ situation in John 6:18-20 ESV,

they were going.” (John 6:21 ESV).

18

“The sea became rough because a strong wind was

they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were frightened. 20 But he said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.”

22 // January 2025

About The Author

blowing. 19 When they had rowed about three or four miles, Dr. Alan Hix is 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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Gò0dNews for Parents How Can I Help My Child Get Closer to God? recall reading an account about Celeste Sibley, one-time columnist for the Atlanta (GA) Constitution, when she took her three children to a diner for breakfast one morning.

With the diner full of patrons and limited seating available, the family sat apart from each other. All was moving along well until the eight-year-old daughter named Mary broke over the usual diner hub-bub with a loud voice, speaking to her mother as if no one else was around, “Mother, don’t people say grace in this place?” While the stunned Mrs. Sibley stalled and gathered her thoughts, silence reigned over the dining room. It was the counterman’s turn to speak as if no one else was around. He said, “Yes, we do, sister. You say it.”

With bowed heads, the patrons sat in reverent silence as Mary offered thanks for the meal, “God is great, God is good, let us thank Him for our food…”

Don’t you just love kids?

It has always been distressing to me to see so many children so far removed from God in their daily lives. I do not know the reasons for this, nor the answers to it in every case, but parents must realize their great responsibility in this matter. The following suggestions, I feel, are extremely important in keeping your children close to God. Choose, and implement, as many of them as you possibly can.

Establish a family altar. Read and study the Bible together. Sing gospel songs together. Pray together. This will be a difficult project to establish and maintain, but it will reap eternal dividends and rewards in the lives of your children.

It is best to start a family altar when children are very young.

Make it a natural part of their lives.

Labor to lead your child to faith in Christ. Live the right kind of life before your children. Be a genuine Christian in every sense of the word. Get as close to (and stay as close to) God as you possibly can. Hypocrisy, on the parents' part in this matter, is terribly destructive to children. There is no doubt that one of the main reasons why many children turn away from God is because their parents are pretending to be Christians. Maintain a genuine spirit of praise and joy.

Nothing turns off young people any more than a gossiping, backbiting, critical, pessimistic, negative approach to life.

Go, as a family, to a strong Bible believing, Bible preaching, soulwinning, fundamental church. Participating

24 // January 2025

with your child in some form of Christian service with the express intent of leading others to Christ is a powerful way to keep your child in love with God. Encourage them in their efforts to serve God. If they show interest in devoting their lives to God in some full time capacity (Pastor, Missionary, Evangelist, etc.), do everything in your power to encourage that desire and help them fulfill it.

Spend time with your children doing fun things together. Take an interest in them and their interests.

Praise your children when they do right. Lovingly correct them when they do wrong.

Greatly limit or even eliminate television. Television has been the greatest means of moral destruction in our generation, It constantly bombards the mind with a worldly approach to life. No child (or adult either) can get close to God, or stay close to God with such materials being constantly put into the mind. Be extremely careful with electronics, like cellphones, iPads, iPods, computers, etc.

Be very careful about which school your child attends. If a child is exposed to worldly, humanistic, and evolutionary philosophy for eight hours per day, even the strongest Christian home will struggle to raise godly kids.

Be careful who you let your children run with. Many a child has been ruined by the wrong kind of friends.

Last but not least: Pray for, and with, your children!

Pray! Pray!! PRAY!!!

About The Author

I

by Dr. Brent Madaris

Dr. Brent Madaris, a family nurse practitioner, recently earned his Doctorate of Ministry and shares his expertise with our readers. Learn more about Dr. Madaris at his websites, www.ministrymedicine.com or www.hometownhopeministriesinc.com.

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Gò0dNews for Kids

Flying Jewels

by Jan Merop

Hello, Kids! This article is part of our Chatty Critters series. Check in future issues for another installment in this series.

O

ne hot summer day, Jewell, the caterpillar, crept along complaining as she crawled.

“If I had been a duck, I’d have been the

ugly duckling.” Never mind that she and her fellow caterpillars looked alike. She couldn’t see passed her worm-like appearance.

“Mom, why did you give someone creepy like me an elegant name? I wish I looked like you.”

Her mother smiled knowingly and said, “Just wait and see.”

Jewell asked lots of questions. That is good and is

After a time in the cocoon, she felt restless. So she pushed and struggled against the wrapping. “Won’t someone help me get out of here?” she called. But, the answer came back that it was in the struggle that she would develop strong wings.

“Wings like my mother has?” came her heartfelt hope.

At the right time, Jewell emerged with bright yellow/ orange wings edged in black. Transformed into a delicate, graceful butterfly, she finally fit her name…Flying Jewell.

Joining the many other “flying jewels," she brought the beauty of new birth to the world: from a creepy, complaining caterpillar to a gentle, graceful, breath-taking, exquisite butterfly.

how to learn. But her impatience robbed her from

Exploring Truth Through God’s Creation

listening fully and learning details that would have helped her understand her nature. She dragged herself in another direction as soon

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, old things have passed away; behold all things have become new” (2 Corinthians 5: 17 NKJV).

as words like struggle, hope, and future change came up.

One day, Jewell began to feel the stirrings of something deep within her. She couldn’t describe it or ignore it.

Again, her mom said, “Just wait and see,” knowing God’s process was about to begin.

As she would

The Butterfly and You Discontentment and lack of patience cause us to be unhappy and unable to learn the truth about our sinful nature. When at last we receive Jesus Christ into our hearts, He enables us to work out the beauty He has put in us.

Be content (accepting) in your circumstances and show joy! In Christ, you have been transformed from your old self into a new, ‘uniquely His’ creation. You can be a “flying jewel” for His kingdom!

soon find out, her Creator had fashioned her uniquely.

Jewell awoke to find her unattractive body becoming seemed the most natural occurrence and she easily gave into the process.

26 // January 2025

About The Author

wrapped in a cocoon. She didn’t understand, yet it Jan has been writing her weekly inspirational column, Pause...and Consider, for over 30 years, joyfully encouraging others in their Christian walk. She and her husband Ken have lived in Cleveland for about one year. They enjoy hospitality, Bible study, and walking and hiking in God’s marvelous creation. They have three married sons and five grandchildren and belong to the Church at Grace Point.

60 Highway 286, Chatsworth, GA 30705 (706) 422-8301 drifterstrading.com

Gò0dNews for Discovering More

The Good News, You Are More Than fter all the Christmas decorations are packed and returned to the attic, and the children head back to school, things are slowly settling back to normal.

A long January ushers in new beginnings, fresh challenges, and opportunities to start the year on the right foot.

Did you make any New Year’s resolutions? I used to make resolutions every year, but I stopped because I was tired of falling short and disappointing myself. Did you know sources indicate the average New Year’s resolution is broken before January 31?

A few years ago, at AdventHealth, we did an advertising campaign centered around the concept of ditching traditional resolutions and instead focusing on living with resolve. The headline was “Fewer Resolutions, More Resolve,” and I loved it.

As we start 2025, I’m not going to ask you to make resolutions, but I would like to encourage you to have resolve. Take some time to think about the things in your life that you can adjust—even slightly—and get closer to becoming the person God intended you to be.

For whatever it’s worth, here’s my list of 10 qualities I’m resolving to work on in 2025: I resolve to be loving.

I resolve to be forgiving.

I resolve to be positive and optimistic.

I resolve to be peaceful.

I resolve to be content.

I resolve to be proactive.

I resolve to be intentional.

I resolve to be consistent.

28 // January 2025

I resolve to be more present.

I resolve to assume positive intent.

There’s no magic to coming up with ten, just come up with whatever feels right for you. The truth is, I’m addicted to these types of things, and ten is overkill—kinda makes it hard to focus. (Maybe I should add “I resolve to be focused” to my list, but that would be crazy because no one has enough resolve to focus on eleven items!)

Perhaps a more realistic strategy would be to identify a single word for 2025—a word that you can own and make yours throughout 2025. This word would be one you can carry with you as your north star, your bullseye, and your personal battle cry for the year.

So, think about it. What’s your word for 2025? Skip the resolutions and resolve to focus on one word. My friend’s word for the year is intentional. His goal is to be intentional with his family, with his work, with his relationships, with his faith, with his time, and with his finances. I really like this because his word—intentional—will impact several areas of his life, resulting in significant positive gains for the year.

At the heart of resolutions is the desire we all have—at least I hope you have!—of becoming a better version of yourself.

I recently came across the following quote that really resonated with me: “Who you are is God’s gift to you. And who you become is your gift to Him.” Think about that for a minute. Go ahead re-read it.

What does God want for you? And what does He want FROM you?

Aesop, in his classic fable “The Tortoise and the Hare,” teaches us that slow and steady wins the race. And current author, James Clear, in his wildly popular book, Atomic Habits, reminds us that small, incremental adjustments every day add up to significant improvements over time.

Aesop and Clear remind me of the fact that God has given me the tools I need and the foundation to do something remarkable for Him. And maybe that’s the best New Year’s resolution of all.

About The Author

A

by Garrett Nudd

Garrett Nudd serves as director of communications for AdventHealth Georgia. His recent book, MORE THAN: Discovering How Your Story Reveals God’s Beautiful Truth About You, challenges readers to shift their paradigm from less than to MORE THAN.

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Gò0dNews for Seniors

God’s Protective Hand

by Zebbie Brewster

I

had set my alarm Saturday night so I would get up in

When I was growing up, we only lived about a mile from

plenty of time to make the eight mile drive to church the

church. We were never late to church that I remember.

next morning. We still have Sunday School which I love

Now in my senior years, I am at this time still able to

to attend. Our teacher really prepares to teach God’s Word

go to my home church. I have moved and it takes a little

and his lessons always speak to my heart. He always has a

longer to get to church. Yet, I have family who live near

personal story to share that will relate to the lesson.

where I grew up. I am still trying to get used to watching for

I used to help my mom teach a ladies’ Sunday School

their vehicles as I rush to church. Coming over a hill I try to

class. We would take time about it. Preparing to teach helps

slow down. This past Sunday morning, I met my grandson

you learn more about the lesson. My mom has not been able

trying to pull out of his mom’s driveway into the road I was traveling on. I am thankful that we did not collide into each other. I would say that was one more time God’s protective hand has been on my family and me. How can I ever begin to thank God for His protective hand all these years?

I am so thankful for the church family God has blessed us with.

We have shared many prayers to lift burdens. I will continue thanking God for His protective hand. He is so trustworthy. When I think of His protective hand, these verses come to mind: Psalm 91:11 KJV, “For He shall give His angels charge over thee,

to go to church since Covid-19 and she has really missed

to keep thee in all thy ways.”

being able to go. We always sat together in church and I

Psalm 34:7 KJV, “The angel of the Lord, encampeth

have missed her so very much. She would love to be well

round about them that fear HIm and delivereth them.”

enough to attend church again. She has become homebound.

Psalm 32:7 KJV, “Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt

My mom still misses her church family and prays for them

preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about

every day. My mom would always greet everybody in

with songs of deliverance. Selah.”

church by speaking to them and shaking their hand. I guess she has been a greeter from way back. Looking back on it,

Psalm 46:1 KJV, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”

church. I remember my grandfather going to church early so the heat would be turned on to make the church warm.

30 // January 2025

About The Author

my mom’s grandfather and father were also greeters in our Zebbie Brewster resides in Summerville, Georgia. She is an active member at Perennial Springs Baptist Church.

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Gò0dNews for your Taste Buds

Hearty Winter Vegetable Stew

J

anuary calls for comfort food that warms you up from the inside, and a hearty vegetable stew is the perfect answer. Serve it with crusty bread or a side

salad for a complete meal. Packed with seasonal vegetables, this stew is not only nutritious but also incredibly flavorful. Here's a detailed recipe to guide you through making this delightful dish.

Ingredients • 2 tablespoons olive oil • 1 large onion, diced • 2 cloves garlic, minced • 3 carrots, peeled and chopped • 3 celery stalks, chopped • 2 potatoes, peeled and diced • 1 sweet potato, peeled and diced • 1 cup butternut squash, peeled and diced • 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes • 4 cups vegetable broth • 1 cup green beans, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces • 1 cup frozen peas • 1 teaspoon dried thyme • 1 teaspoon dried rosemary • 1 bay leaf • Salt and pepper, to taste • Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

32 // January 2025

Instructions 1. Prepare the Vegetables: Begin by dicing the onion and mincing the garlic. Peel and chop the carrots, celery, potatoes, sweet potato, and butternut squash into bite-sized pieces. This prep work ensures everything cooks evenly.

2. Cook the Base: In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and minced garlic, sautéing them until the onion becomes translucent and fragrant, about 5 minutes. This forms the aromatic base of your stew.

3. Add the Vegetables: Incorporate the chopped carrots, celery, potatoes, sweet potato, and butternut squash into the pot. Stir well to coat the vegetables with the oil and onions, and cook for an additional 5 minutes.

This initial cooking step enhances the flavors of the vegetables.

4. Combine and Simmer: Pour in the diced tomatoes along with their juice and the vegetable broth. Stir in the dried thyme, dried rosemary, and bay leaf. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender and cooked through.

5. Add Green Beans and Peas: Once the root vegetables are tender, add the green beans and frozen peas to the pot. Simmer for another 10 minutes to cook the green beans and heat the peas through.

6. Finish and Serve: Remove the bay leaf from the stew.

Taste and adjust the seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed.

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Gò0dNews Poetry

We Shall Overcome

by Jamie Renee Hill

We will walk together We’ll walk hand in hand Breaking racial barriers And together we will stand We are not afraid Of what the enemy may do We will overcome The Lord will see us through

We will overcome We will overcome And the victory will be won some day.

34 // January 2025

About The Author

We will live in peace Yes, the whole human race Every heart will sing Of God’s amazing grace

Jamie is a 2007 Cleveland High School alum and a 2012 alum of Southern Adventist University. These are poems from her poetry ebooks, Sincerely, Me: A Collection of Poetry, and Love Above All Things which can both be purchased on Amazon.com.

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Gò0dNews for Everyone

Rookie Mistakes

I

by Dr. William Lamb

t was a rookie mistake. I didn’t mean to do it.

known as the high sea’s disaster or the sinking of the Titanic

Honestly, I can’t believe it happened! But the proof is

which was estimated at $7.5 million dollars in 1912. That’s

in the eyebrows.

about $168 million dollars in today’s economy. Plus, the loss

Let me explain. About 10 years ago, my boys and my

of over 1500 souls to the frigid sea.

bride bought me my first Big Green Egg. In case you are not

So how can we prevent “rookie” mistakes that will cost

aware of what that is, it is a kamado style grill and smoker.

us money, a few burns here or there, or even the loss of life

They are incredible cookers. You can smoke, grill, bake, sear,

or relationships? Here are three steps that require we ACT.

broil, etc., the possibilities seem endless. You can hold temps

Acknowledge your propensity to make mistakes. No,

as low as 200 or as high as 800 degrees with the use of two

this does not mean you are accepting a reality that you will

vents: one at the top and one at the bottom.

fail or mess up. This just means that you are aware that you

But be careful. It also can be dangerous, if you forget to burp it.

are not perfect and can fall short of the goal at times. Part of being able to prevent the failure is realizing that you can fail. Then, putting into place the necessary tools to prevent the mistake or the failure.

Correct the action you did not like. That you wish you had never repeated. It could be behavior, a skill set, a choice, etc. If you make the decision to correct the areas of your life that cause you to make repeated mistakes, then you will establish a corrective culture and minimize repeated mistakes.

Think. Much of what happens in our lives is attributed to how we think. Think smart. Think wise. Think pure. Think right. Then…be smart, be wise, be pure, and be right.

Rookie mistakes can also be attributed to a person’s level of maturity. One of my least

Once the Big Green Egg is lit, one must burp or vent

favorite demographics of people are the childish adults.

the dome, by cracking it slowly multiple times to avoid

You know the type. They are not just jovial or fun people,

a flashback. I know this process having used the grill

but they act with childish behavior that one should know

hundreds and hundreds of times. But on Saturday, June 29th

better than to repeat.

I forgot to burp it. As a result, the hair on my left wrist and

The Apostle Paul said in 1 Corinthians 13:11 NLT,

both eyebrows were singed because of my rookie mistake.

“When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a

According to the Cambridge English Dictionary, a rookie mistake is “a basic mistake, like one that a person with no experience of an activity would make.” The

child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things…”

What childish behavior do you need to put away today?

What activity do you need to quit repeating?

can sometimes be costly. One of the costliest mistakes is

36 // January 2025

About The Author

problem is not just in the mistake but also the result which William Lamb, PhD Lee University Leonard Center

Gò0dNews Christian Magazine

Mission Statement:

W

Writer Guidelines:

e believe when people are equipped,

Who: Our writers range from pastors, professors, and

motivated, and passionately engaged in

professional writers to stay at home moms and dads,

living out their faith in Jesus Christ they

business professionals, and others who have a desire to

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.

goodnewscm.com Phone: 423.790.5378

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 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 Health & Fitness

Exercise is not a Bad Word

H

by Richard Eberhart

umans know that we are supposed to move but in

troubles. When you return home, your troubles will be 11

today's world we choose to sit at our desks or on the

minutes away from you!

couch. We need to move everyday. Come to think of

The greatest benefit of daily movement is that your

it: why not start using a different term other than exercise?

muscles will work burning glucose in your blood for up to

The word “exercise” has been turned into a bad word. I know

48 hours after you finish exercising. This will help anyone,

that I had thought exercise was only at the gym. I would be

not just people with diabetes. Muscle growth will also help

surrounded by people who were in shape and I would feel

with bone strength. I know that as I age I want my bones to

like an outsider. When we change how we look at the word

be as strong as possible to protect me if I fall.

and trade “exercise” for “movement,” we are now winning the fight and a daily walk becomes just part of our day.

As a nurse, I know that we are all different. We have different skin color, hair, height, and yes we have different movement goals. I want everyone to know that you do not have to be as skillful as David was with a sling shot but you can be a mover of your body.

Exercise is listed with the American Diabetes Association as 150 minutes a week. That is a large number so I recommend looking at 22 minutes per day. That is a much better number and much easier to do compared to skipping 6 days of movement and trying to walk for 150 minutes in one day!

All you need to start a walking program is to make sure

The way I look at movement is that it is part of my

your doctor is ok with you walking daily. Next you will

retirement plan. At work we invest in our retirement so we

need a good pair of shoes. Lastly, you need a place to go. If

will have money later in life. I look at my daily movement as

you check your local Parks and Recreation Department, they

an investment in my health so I can walk hand in hand with

will let you know of all the paved walkways in your town.

my wife for years to come. I also want to be able to run and

If you live in an area that has a mall, then you can walk

chase my grandson. I know that if I move every day then

indoors when the weather is not favorable for outside walks.

when I do get to play with him, I will be able to keep up.

I hope you start slowly and keep walking every day. It is

We talked about 22 minutes a day. Now I want to let

simple: just one foot in front of the other.

house and then simply walk back, you will be done for the day. You can also mentally drop off all of your daily

38 // January 2025

About The Author

you know that if you walk 11 minutes away from your Richard Eberhart: 44 years Type 1 Diabetic, 21 years paramedic, 15 years RN with a bachelor’s degree, married to Janet, 30 years. We have 2 adult children, William and Elizabeth. We also have a 3-year-old grandson who keeps us moving. I enjoy walking/hiking, gardening, cooking, and spending time with family.

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