Gò0dNews July 2022
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About Us WRITERS
Dr. Alan Hix Dr. Andrew Lee Brenda Dedmon Carl W. Corser Cheryl L. Dunson Chris Mullis Christopher Schelich Chuck Cleveland David Huff Jodi Varnado Jonathon Wright Larry D. Hawkins Linda Ray Center Monica Gambrell Rhonda Beavers Sandra Gilmore Sue Lavigne
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Shane Franks 706-270-2410 Email: dalton.goodnews@gmail.com
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Caleb Prytherch Email: art.goodnews@gmail.com
PHOTOGRAPHER Paula Knipp 423-310-4207
GoodNews Christian Magazine Catoosa
Hello Friends, We want to take a moment to tell you who we are and what we are about. Our names are Matt and Bethany Ruckman and we have six beautiful children, Brendon, Kailey, Andrew, Leah Jean, Emma, and Cooper. We live in Cleveland, Tennessee, and love what this town has to offer! We have started GoodNews Christian Magazine because we feel that when God, family, and community are combined, lives will be changed. GoodNews Christian Magazine is a complimentary, Christian lifestyle publication. You can find us
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Contents J U LY 2 0 2 2
GoodNews from the Pastor’s Desk
6 A Message for Graduates— and Everyone by Chris Mullis
GoodNews for Kids
8 J-U-L-Y = Family Fun by Brenda Dedmon
GoodNews Money Matters
10 Keeping it Real by Andrew Lee
GoodNews for Men
12 Belonging With Boldness:
Biblical Community Building
by Christopher Schelich GoodNews for Women
14 Choices
by Linda Ray Center
GoodNews for Couples
18 The Red Carpet in Marriage by Carl W. Corser
GoodNews for Life
20 Following Doctor’s Orders by Cheryl L. Dunson
GoodNews Cover Story
22 NextHome Plus GoodNews for Everyone
24 Do You Need a Rest from Your Vacation?
by Dr. Alan D. Hix
GoodNews for Everyone
26 What Matters Most by Chuck Cleveland
GoodNews Poetry
28 The Flag of America by Larry D. Hawkins
GoodNews for Everyone
30 Let’s Wash Some Feet by Sue Lavigne
GoodNews for Parents
32 Where Your Treasure Is
8
by Rhonda Beavers
GoodNews for your Taste Buds
34 Creamy Strawberry Milkshake
by Jodi Varnado GoodNews for Everyone
36 Enoch: The First Old Testament Prophet
by Jonathon Wright GoodNews for Everyone
38 The Potter’s Hands by David Huff
22
GoodNews for Everyone
40 What Do We Have Here? by Monica Gambrell
GoodNews for Everyone
42 Understanding The Assignment
by Sandra Gilmore
40
Gò0dNews from the Pastor’s Desk A Message for Graduates—and Everyone y words today are for graduates, but they are really for all of us. We all need to remember what it is to be young and charting the direction of our lives. We also need, at times, to recalibrate our lives to get back on the path of righteousness. Don’t Be a Fool: Luke 12:13-21 The best advice I can give to graduates, to anyone really, is to have a rich relationship with God. So, here’s an important word for you—you’re not doing this all by yourself. Even when you think you are all on your own, your parents, family, and church are still pulling for you. And even if no one else is there, God is surely with you. Don’t be a fool like the man in Jesus’ parable. He was a fool because he was greedy and selfish. Instead of turning to help others who may not have been so fortunate, he thought only of himself and how he could enjoy pleasure in this world. He planned to take it easy saying, “My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come” but didn’t realize he was about to die and lose it all. None of us know how many days we have, and when this life is over, the things of this world will belong to others. Therefore, we should think of others instead of clinging to what we have. We should value our relationship with God above any worldly goods because they are only temporary. Be Generous Proverbs 11:25 says, “The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.” Always remember God is taking care of you, and therefore, you can be a generous person who does what God calls you to do. I’d like to challenge you today to tithe. Tithing helps you remember life isn’t all about you. It helps you guard against greed. It’s also something to help you practice your faith in God’s providence—that He is going to take care of you. Tithing is an exercise of faith that strengthens your trust in God, helping you build a rich relationship with Him while building His Kingdom. The tithe is a win, win, win—a win for the Church, a win for God’s Kingdom, and a win for your spiritual life.
6 // July 2022
Trust God If ever there is a time in life when people need God’s guidance, grace, and help, it is those young adult years. Sadly, these are also the years when most people drift away from church. I know it can be difficult to stay connected in that time of life, but it is so worth it and so needed. I challenge graduates to not drift away but to delve into their relationship with God through the church. Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take.”
Recalibration We all drift off course from time to time. It may not even be by much, but over time a little drift can make you miss the target by a lot. So, it is good for us to stop every now and then and think about it, and commit to do the things we need to do to get back on the right path. What do you need to do today to get back on the right path? Or if you are just starting out, what do you need to do to help you become the person you need to be? I invite you to pray to God about it and ask Him for help. And if you’ve never done it before, I invite you today to accept Jesus’ invitation to come follow Him. About The Author
M
by Chris Mullis
Rev. Chris Mullis is an ordained minister of the United Methodist Church with a Masters of Divinity from Candler School of Theology at Emory University. Pastor Chris’s ministry has spanned twenty years and four different churches in Georgia. Chris is currently serving God as the senior pastor of Pleasant Grove Methodist Church located at 2701 Cleveland Hwy in Dalton, GA.
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Gò0dNews for Kids
J-U-L-Y = Family Fun
S
by Brenda Dedmon
ummer is a wonderful time to spend time with your family. Talk with your parents about doing special fun activities for family fun. The Bible verse Proverbs
17:22 reminds us that being happy is like good medicine. “A cheerful heart is a good medicine.” So, having fun is better than taking medicine, right? Ask your parents to help you plan a few or even all of the following activities for a funfilled July. Remember to take pictures of the fun adventures. • Jubilant Plan a Jubilant July 4! Wear your favorite red/white/blue shirts. Decorate bikes, wagons, or strollers with red/white/ blue streamers and take a walk in your neighborhood. Use red/white/blue chalk and have everyone in the family create sidewalk drawings. Leave a sidewalk message for your mail carrier and put a snack in the mailbox for the next day. Purchase small paper flags and have a “Find the Flag” hunt. Hide the flags in your yard like eggs for easter and have simple fun prizes after the hunt. You may choose to invite your neighbors to celebrate with you. • Unity Discuss with your family how to be a helper in your choose to include are: donate children’s books to a shelter for women/children, volunteer at an animal shelter and play with the animals or read to the animals, purchase and take food to a community food bank, make cards and visit a senior living center. • Letter Scavenger Hunt Provide each family member with a small notebook with their name handprinted on the first page. Then choose a week and have each family member find things that begin with the first letter of their names: objects, foods, animals, and nature items, and write it down in their notebook. Remind everyone while in the car going to all the activities like swimming lessons, ball games or just running errands to be on the outlook for things that begin with the first letter of their name. A bonus would be if you could take pictures of the items. At the end of the week,
8 // July 2022
have a family dinner and share the items that each person found and where they saw the item. • Yummy A family picnic at the park, beach or even your own backyard is a wonderful time for family fun. You may choose to pack a picnic with favorite foods/beverages for each family member or pick up a to-go order from a familyfavorite restaurant. Pack in travel games, a frisbee, and a ball, and do not forget to take pictures of your family fun time! At the end of the month, make a memory book or a memory poster of your fun times using the pictures of your adventures. Write descriptions for each picture and invite your family to record their own statements of the adventures. Your memories of 2022 will be fun to remember in the future.
About The Author
community to promote unity for everyone. Things you may
Written by Rev. Brenda Dedmon, retired Director of Children’s Learning Center, First Baptist Dalton, and an avid Bama fan.
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Keeping it Real MONEY MATTERS
WITH DR. ANDREW LEE Dr. Andrew Lee is professor of English at Lee University. He also serves as a coordinator for Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University. He and his wife Esmerelda have three children.
I
had a relative (now deceased), an elderly lady who leased
period (April 2007-April 2022). In April 2022, the “typical”
a shiny new Jaguar and parked it in front of her mobile
U.S. home was valued at $344,000—a cumulative increase
home every day. This struck many of us as a rather odd
of 58% from April 2007’s home value of $218,000. This
financial decision (to put it mildly) since her lease payments
increase may look quite attractive, until we break it down
on the Jaguar were far and away her biggest monthly
into an annual rate of return which is roughly 3% per
expense. When someone (not me) had the temerity to ask
year—just enough to keep up with inflation. Compare that
her why she was leasing a new luxury car on her modest
to a diversified global stock market index during this same
income, she told us she hoped to attract a man and one day
fifteen-year period, which increased by a cumulative 139%.
get remarried. We studied her face closely, but she was not
So, while that house increased from $218,000 to $344,000
kidding. Her plan never did pan out, and personally I think
over the past fifteen years, a global stock market index fund
that’s just as well; any man who was with her solely because
would have turned $218,000 into roughly $600,000.
he believed her to be wealthy based on her leased Jaguar is probably not a man worth having for the long term.
This is a good reminder of the term “recency bias”—the tendency to believe that just because things are currently or
How often do we know people (maybe ourselves
recently one way, they will continue to trend in that same
included) who make financial decisions based on faulty
direction. Housing prices have been climbing since the
narratives or erroneous beliefs? Sometimes, we may
pandemic began eighteen months ago, so we tend to think
wrongly believe that national or global trends accurately
they will continue to climb at a rapid pace. Conversely, the
reflect our own life situation, and vice versa. An article
stock market so far this year has been trending downward,
published this week, based on a study commissioned by The
and we are now in what is known as a “market correction”
Wall Street Journal, revealed that housing prices in 477 U.S.
(decline of 10%-20%). We may or may not be headed for
markets still have not recovered from the 2007-2008 mortgage
a true “bear market” (stock market decline of 20% or
meltdown. In other words, the prices of homes in these
more). As a result of these recent developments, we may
477 markets across the country are lower today than they
be tempted to believe that housing prices have outpaced
were fifteen years ago—a stark reminder that “real estate
the stock market over the past fifteen years, but as the
is local” and varies widely among geographical locations.
numbers above demonstrate, this has not generally been
In Chicago, for example, the typical home price of $314,000
the case. Rather than fretting about whether you should
in 2007 is now $315,000, an increase of merely $1,000 after
own real estate or stock index funds, why not own both?
fifteen years.
Invest regularly and in a disciplined manner, and then relax.
My favorite podcast, “Talking Real Money,” recently
God’s got this! “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything
compared the return on investment between homeowners
by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your
and stock market investors during this same fifteen-year
requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6).
10 // July 2022
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Gò0dNews for Men
Belonging With Boldness: Biblical Community Building
T
by Christopher Schelich
here is a small miracle that I’ve seen growing in Christian communities that has the power to transform hearts, habits, and homes. It sneaks in with subtlety,
but like a strong tide, it sweeps families in an undertow of grace, washing them out to a sea of compassion. It happens in a moment, but the effects last a lifetime. In a decade of unparalleled fragmentation and divide, I’ve seen individuals open their hearts to one another and invite strangers into their families. I’ve seen single mothers and their daughters impacted by the generous love of a friendly couple, families with children and busy schedules
2. Make time for the orphan and widow (James 1:27). Invest in families that you connect with that may not have a father figure around. You are not a superhero, but you may be a help just by being present or assisting when you can. Is there something you excel at that you can include someone in? Do it. Is there a way you can help that just makes sense? Don’t hesitate. If you’ve got enough of a relationship to not overstep, then offer to help. Be prepared to be turned down and be okay. Remember: it’s not about you, it’s about them and your offer may have been all the help they needed.
comforted by experienced parents, and divorcees embraced in their pain and nourished by casseroles and consoling hearts. Say what you will, but I’ve seen families find healing because humble and honest nobodies decided to listen to what the Holy Spirit had for them and in their obedience, they broke walls that had become fortifications to hardened hearts. The boldness it takes to risk caring is no longer normal. you have love for one another” (John 13:35). Men, I believe we can be a catalyst for transformation within the lives of others if we are just stubborn enough to listen to what the Holy Spirit has for us to do. Here are three simple ways to enact just that. 1. Don’t hinder children, help guide them to Jesus (Luke 18:16). Children upturned Jesus’ ministry. As a rabbi, He would have been seen as “too important” to have His time wasted by children, and yet they were one of His top priorities. Help create paths for children to encounter Jesus. Start investing in your own children and those within your family. How can you help guide them to Jesus? For me, it is as simple as a wrestling match with my son or a hike with my daughter; I’ve never regretted investing time in the lives of my own children.
12 // July 2022
3. Don’t do life alone (1 Peter 3:8). I love the book of 1 Peter because the author gives out lists left and right. Here, Peter suggests five things in this one verse: “have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.” Wow, what a game changer! Peter sets us up for a community that is aware of others and internally fortified (here, “tender-hearted” is translated from Greek’s “strong bowels”). You can’t do life alone. There is an essential togetherness that is understood for doing life as Jesus suggested. Men, you play a crucial role in that, just as important as anyone else. Don’t rob yourself of the benefit of brothers in arms. We do life best when we aren’t alone, and you may be the someone else somebody needs. About The Author
“By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if
Chris Schelich serves as the Communications & Public Relations Specialist at Westmore Church as well as the Programming Director at U-Turn Institute. He and his wife, Brooke, and their two children, Sophia and Everett, reside in Cleveland, Tennessee.
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Gò0dNews for Women
Choices
M
by Linda Ray Center
ary and Martha teach us a great lesson
relationship between two people. Our differences are
in Luke 10:38-42 about what is good and
just as God intended. Martha probably thought that
best. Even though the sisters were very
Mary was squandering her time by sitting at Jesus’
different, they complimented each other regarding
feet in my understanding of the sisters’ story. At the
work and worship. The Bible tells us that Mary
same time, Martha worked herself ragged waiting on
spent time sitting at Jesus’ feet to learn from Him.
everyone and seeing to the hospitality duties.
She seems not to have any struggles and portrays a sense of calm throughout her day. Jesus also praised Mary for her decision and called it the better choice. Martha’s invitation to open her home to serve the Lord and guests was a good intention, but her priorities were off worrying about doing, solving problems, and being in charge. Martha had the gift of hospitality and service, while Mary had a hunger to listen and learn. We have two personalities
Their story is an excellent reminder to me to let
here that are valuable and full of purpose to serve
some housework go on occasion so that I can spend
God and others.
more time with the Lord. After all, He created us to
Jesus never condemned Martha for her busy
have a personal relationship with Him. The Lord deals
actions. Instead, He gave her four essential words,
with each of us to balance choosing more worship
“One thing is needed.” In other words, slow down
(the best thing) and prioritizing our workloads (the
and put God first. Likewise, the pressure of doing falls
needed and good thing). That is how we can find the
off our shoulders and makes us mindful of depending
correct balance between good and best choices. How is
on Jesus. When we give Jesus our attention, He
the Lord dealing with you to find the correct balance
empowers us to serve others peacefully and with joy
between good and best choices?
Even though this tale is about two sisters, it could easily have been about two brothers or any other
14 // July 2022
About The Author
instead of becoming anxious and troubled. Linda Ray Center writes about everyday life with God, others, and self, as an author, freelance writer, and blogger at www.lindaraycenter.com. She resides in charming Chattanooga and will showcase her grandchildren’s pictures at any given moment.
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16 // July 2022
7638 Nashville Street Ringgold, GA 30736 706-965-7969 Harvest Baptist Church of the Deaf 1314 Old Three Notch Road Ringgold, GA 30736 706-375-7107 Video Call: 706-956-0445 Heritage Pointe Baptist Church 60 Dyer Bridge Place Ringgold, GA 30736 706-858-0976 Hickory Grove Baptist Church 5010 Houston Valley Road Ringgold, GA 30736 706-673-6999 Keith Baptist Church 1573 Keith Road Ringgold, GA 30736 706-450-0963 Living Faith Baptist Church Highway 41 Ringgold, GA 30736 706-891-1817 Midway Baptist Church Highway 41 North Ringgold, GA 30736 706-937-2317 Mount Peria Baptist Church 341 Sparks Street Ringgold, GA 30736 706-935-4887 Mount Pisgah Baptist Church 66 Westbrook Road Ringgold, GA 30736 706-935-3031 Mount Vernon Baptist Church 1006 Mount Vernon Road Ringgold, GA 30736 706-935-3872 New Bethel Baptist Church 1635 Salem Valley Road Ringgold, GA 30736 706-965-3500 New Friendship Baptist Church 3833 Salem Valley Road Ringgold, GA 30736 New Heights Baptist Church 158 Ooltewah Ringgold Rd Ringgold, GA 30736 706-965-9838 New Liberty Baptist Church 923 Graysville Road
Ringgold, GA 30736 706-937-4754 Peavine Baptist Church 1089 Peavine Road Rock Spring, GA 30739 706-375-4721 Philadelphia Baptist Church 1065 Pine Grove Road Ringgold, GA 30736 706-891-5683 Pine Grove Baptist Church 46 Pine Grove Road Ringgold, GA 30736 706-891-2427 Pleasant Grove Baptist Church 7769 Alabama Highway Ringgold, GA 30736 706-935-3348 Pleasant Valley Baptist Church 1995 Ooltewah Ringgold Rd Ringgold, GA 30736 706-537-3633 Poplar Springs Baptist Church 422 Poplar Springs Road Ringgold, GA 30736 706-965-4461 Salem Baptist Church 1947 Keith Salem Road Ringgold, GA 30736 706-965-3907 Welcome Hill Baptist Church 223 Inman Street Ringgold, GA 30736 706-965-4814 Church of Christ Cohutta Road Church of Christ 2233 Mount Vernon Road Ringgold, GA 30736 706-935-3884 Ringgold Church of Christ 4099 Nashville Street Ringgold, GA 30736 706-965-2820 Church of God Boynton Church of God 1956 Three Notch Road Ringgold, GA 30736 706-937-6300 Indian Springs Church of God 2256 Highway 41 North Ringgold, GA 30736 706-937-3599 Noble Church of God 75 Glass Rd
Lafayette, GA 30728 Ringgold Church of God 117 Emberson Drive Ringgold, GA 30736 706-935-2056 Wallaceville Church of God 236 Harp Switch Road Chickamauga, GA 30707 706-375-2736 Community Green Pasture Community Church 1008 North Beaumont Road Ringgold, GA 30736 706-375-7333 Lee’s Chapel Community Church 3253 Catoosa Parkway Ringgold, GA 30736 706-935-9928 Rock Bridge Community Church 102 Remco Shops Lane Ringgold, GA 30736 706-279-3175 Full Gospel Yates Spring Full Gospel Church 1300 Yates Springs Road Ringgold, GA 30736 706-638-2305 Methodist Boynton UMC 4246 Boynton Drive Ringgold, GA 30736 706-866-2626 Graysville UMC 2331 Graysville Road Ringgold, GA 30736 706-891-9253 Ringgold UMC 7484 Nashville Street Ringgold, GA 30736 706-935-4777 Woodstation UMC 13198 Alabama Highway Ringgold, GA 30736 706-965-3360 Non-Denominational Battlefield Church of Faith Highway 41 South Ringgold, GA 30736 706-937-7729 Calvary Chapel Ringgold 548 Boynton Drive Ringgold, GA 30736 706-952-1502
Church of Living Faith 7623 Alabama Highway Ringgold, GA 30736 706-937-5673 Crossroads Church 7638 Nashville Street Ringgold, GA 30736 crossroadsringgold.com Faith Builders International 8309 Highway 41 Ringgold, GA 30736 256-338-5031 Grace Memorial Church 118 East Nashville Street Ringgold, GA 30736
706-965-7969 The Gathering 2501 Pine Grove Road Ringgold, GA 30736 706-841 0161 Light House Church 1201 Lafayette Road Rossville, GA 30741 706-861-2715 Messianic Ministry To Israel P.O. Box 22654 Chattanooga, TN 37422 New Life Church PO Box 1973 Ringgold, GA 30736
706-866-7799 Venue Church 3969 Cloud Springs Road Ringgold, GA 30736 423-637-7100 Presbyterian Chickamauga Presbyterian 700 7th Street Chickamauga, GA 30707 706-375-3432 Christ Fellowship 1176 North Three Notch Rd. Ringgold, GA 30736 706-937-4115 Morton Memorial
560 Red Belt Rd. Chickamauga, GA 30707 706-338-7176 Seventh-Day Adventist Ringgold Seventh-Day Adventist Church 124 Kittle Street Ringgold, GA 30736 706-935-3741 Battlefield Community Seventh-Day Adventist Church 96 Hillman Lane Ringgold, GA 30736 706-861-5999
Fort Oglethorpe Church Directory Baptist Anchor of Hope Baptist Church 2613 Lakeview Drive Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742 706-866-8318 Battlefield Baptist Church 178 South Cedar Lane Oglethorpe, GA 30742 706-866-1316 Burning Bush Baptist Church 2195 Burning Bush Road Ringgold, GA 30736 706-866-1989 Calvary Memorial Baptist Church 2 E Gate Drive Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742 706-866-6183 Cloud Springs Baptist Church 207 Cloud Springs Road Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742 706-866-0164 First Baptist Church Ft. Oglethorpe 2645 LaFayette Road Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742 706-866-0232 Moriah Baptist Church 2864 Battlefield Parkway Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742 706-866-8843 Nellie Head Memorial Baptist 2379 Catoosa Parkway Tunnell Hill, GA 30755 706-935-5236 Old Fort Baptist Church 18 Van Cleve Street Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742 706-861-2807
Parkway Baptist Temple 65 Stuart Road Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742 706-866-0325 Victory Baptist Church 1013 Layfayette Road Rossville, GA 30741 706-866-0371 Catholic Saint Gerard Catholic Church 3049 Lafayette Road Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742 706-861-9410 Church of Christ Fort Oglethorpe Church of Christ 6 Harker Road Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742 706-866-4124 Community Battlefield Ministries Church 64 3rd Street Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742 706-866-9090 Episcopal Church of the Nativity 1520 Cross Street Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742 706-866-9773 Methodist Fairview UMC 2112 McFarland Avenue Rossville, GA 30741 423-653-1043 Fort Oglethorpe UMC 1733 Battlefield Parkway Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742 706-820-6314 Newnan Springs UMC
78 Monanaw Avenue Rossville GA 30741 706-866-6724 Nazarene Battlefield Parkway Church of the Nazarene 3220 Battlefield Parkway Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742 706-866-9838 Non-Denominational Battlefield Praise & Worship 1337 Battlefield Pkwy, Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742 706-913-0531 Chosen Generation Ministries 92 W Patterson Avenue Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742 423-779-6777 Living Waters Ministries 1337 Battlefield Pkwy Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742 423-255-8655 Ridgeland Point Church 1417 Happy Valley Rd. Rossville, GA 30741 RockPointe Church 1278 Cross Street Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742 706-820-6523 Untethered Church 2473 Lafayette Road Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742 423-991-6067 Presbyterian First Presbyterian Church 1 Harker Road Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742 706-866-0232
List/Update Your Church Listing (423) 478-6484
goodnewscm.com // 17
Gò0dNews for Couples
The Red Carpet in Marriage
H
by Carl W. Corser
ow does a marriage begin? When is its seed
medicine for keeping your marriage healthy. Children will
planted? Ah, isn’t dating a pleasure before
come and too soon be gone, but the number of times we
marriage? Why is dating your future spouse a
retrieve the red carpet will certainly provide for a long-
pleasure? Could it have something to do with the red
lasting marriage. Even through the child-rearing years,
carpet? When the dating has begun, men roll out the red
the red carpet should not be forgotten and left in storage.
carpet. We dress up and put our best foot forward in our
It is understood that life changes as we age, but there’s no
manners, cologne, clean and shining automobile, and gifts
acceptable reason or time to leave the roll of red carpet in
for the one we are beginning a courtship with. We look at
the closet.
her and admire her. We put her first in all of our thoughts
Men, if we are faithful to roll out the red carpet for our
and intentions. We lavish our liking and love on her in as
sweethearts the entire length of our marriage, she will love
many ways as possible. We do everything we can to make
you for life. Now ladies, you may think that you are off
sure we win her heart.
the hook for this article, but not too fast, for you have the
Then comes the biggest red-carpet-moment, as we
responsibility to honor our effects—even though our red
humbly ask for her hand in marriage. As she puts out her
carpet roll out may not always be very impressive. If you
hand for us to carefully slide that gorgeous ring onto her
give honor where it is due, it will encourage your husband
finger—red carpet, yes indeed. Then we roll it out again for
to do it again and stive to do a better roll-out next time.
her to walk on as she strolls down the aisle on that beautiful
There’s the old philosophy of, “He buttered her up and she
day of the wedding. The red carpet of marriage.
egged him on.” How about the back and forth?
It’s truly a wonderful thing. The memories are
Men, do not ever forget where the red
quite pleasant as we think of them. Well, now that the red carpet
carpet is stored. Visit that closet often and your marriage and you will reap the
was rolled up after the beautiful
wonderful benefits. Ladies, do not cease to
wedding festivities, where was
egg on your husband when he’s rolling
it stored? How long has it been
out the red carpet for you. You too
stored since the last roll-out? What
will reap wonderful benefits in your
happened to the intensity of the
marriage. The red carpet in marriage
courtship? Has the red carpet
is a wonderful thing. If yours has
been forgotten?
been stored too long, go find it, dust it off, and roll it out.
indeed end. It is true that the
You will be rewarded well.
courtship will change. Going
Blessings to all who have
to the storage place and
read this article in rolling
retrieving the red carpet
out your red carpet once
once in a while is good
again in your marriage.
18 // July 2022
About The Author
Yes, the honeymoon will
Carl Corser is an ordained bishop, business owner, farmer, and is the author of the devotion website, www. sundaymorningdevotion.wordpress.com/living.
Church Activities & Events Rock Bridge Community Church Student Staffer Program Monday, July 11 - Friday, July 15 121 W Crawford St, Dalton, GA
St. Elmo Presbyterian Church Person of Jesus Seminar
Thursday, July 14 - Friday, July 15 4400 St. Elmo Ave, Chattanooga, TN
Harvest Deaf Ministries Harvest Deaf Camp 2022
Monday, July 18 - Friday, July 22 1314 Old Three Notch Rd, Ringgold, GA
Parkway Baptist Temple The Erwin Family
Sunday, July 24 | 8:30AM 65 Stuart Rd, Fort Oglethorpe, GA
Gò0dNews for Life
Following Doctor’s Orders
A
by Cheryl L. Dunson
careless accident, which led to a life-threatening
much time contemplating the stupidity of my decision to
situation, made me realize how not following a
ignore the doctor’s order. I also had time to reflect on how
doctor’s orders can have the same repercussions as
ignoring God’s will for our lives can lead to tragic results.
not following God’s will for our lives. They can both result
The nurse might have gotten more of my attention
in unsolicited reproach, unnecessary complications, and
if she’d said, “Stay off your foot or you can develop a
unforeseen consequences in our lives.
blood clot.” But, since she was the medical professional,
After running into the house from a rain storm, I
I should’ve heeded her original advice without question.
tripped over a rug. I thought I’d twisted my ankle, but I
Similarly, when we ignore or question God’s direction for
went to the hospital the next morning to be safe rather than
our lives, we’re abandoning our faith in Him and trusting on
sorry. I thought an x-ray would be prudent and rule out a
our own understanding, which is usually never fruitful.
broken bone. Obviously, Dr. Dunson (who has no medical
According to the New International Version Life
training or expertise) was wrong. I learned I’d fractured
Application Bible, persistence is good, but stubbornness is
my ankle.
usually self-centered. Likewise, stubbornness towards God
As the nurse in the emergency room was putting a
is always disobedience. We’re told to avoid disobedience
splint on my leg—and giving me instructions to rest and
because the consequences may spill onto others or create
stay off my feet—I refused the prescription for pain medicine and decided to suck it up. I returned to
greater problems (Ex. 8:15). We can choose to be close to God or to go
work the next day and hobbled around. Within a
our own way, but there are consequences
few days, my entire body ached, and a few days
resulting from our choices. Samson didn’t
later, I realized something was terribly wrong
choose to be captured, but he chose to be
with my chest.
with Delilah. Sadly, he couldn’t escape the
A return visit to the emergency room revealed
consequences of his decision (Judges 16:21).
a blood clot in my lung, which I never imagined
Finally, many of the plans we set in
could be the direct result of walking on a broken
motion cannot be reversed. It’s best to think
foot or leg. Instead of a few days off work, I
of the potential consequences before we
was hospitalized and then ordered to
launch into action we may later regret
two weeks of bed rest.
(Matthew 27:3-4). When I finally
While the outpouring
returned to work and my boss
of love and concern from
asked me how I was feeling, I
my friends and church
simply replied, “Not listening
family was emotionally
to the doctor is like not
overwhelming but
listening to God.”
appreciated, I spent
20 // July 2022
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or Trace Mashburn, the owner of real estate brokerage NextHome Plus, the success he has enjoyed while working in the real estate industry stems largely from his upbringing. Mashburn comes from a farming family, and he learned what hard work and home ownership could provide for a family as he grew up. He was able to see the value of home ownership firsthand as his father, Alvin, turned the land they owned into equity to purchase almost 12 acres of land in 1977. Alvin developed that land into a business park, which was something that interested Mashburn. “I really enjoyed watching my father take a piece of dirt and turn it into a viable commercial business park,” said Mashburn. “It started my real estate career with a background that most people don’t get to experience.” This business park became the home of two of his father’s businesses: Remco Business Center and Remco Equipment Sales and Rentals. As Alvin expanded on developing land, Mashburn assisted in the management of Remco Business Center and the tenants and became the vice president of the equipment business.
22 // July 2022
Mashburn first became a licensed realtor in 2005. Over the next several years, he worked with several real estate firms in the area and developed a successful real estate sales career. “As a realtor, we have the honor of helping people with what is, for most, the largest financial transaction and investment of their lives: purchasing or selling their home,” said Mashburn. As Mashburn continued working and helping the community, the thought of owning his own brokerage became more and more appealing. He wanted to own a brokerage that would continue his principles of client service above all else. Seven years later, in 2012, Mashburn partnered with a pair of his investor clients and opened a property management company, which was his first experience as a licensed broker. In 2015, he discovered NextHome, Inc., an independently owned company with a focus on changing the way consumers work with local agents and shop for real estate online. “NextHome was exactly what I was looking for in a franchise,” said Mashburn. “I wanted an all-in-one
system that provided my agents with the tools and training they needed to be the best in the business. NextHome’s package includes everything from transaction management and CRM to marketing materials, all freshly branded and ready to go. I didn’t have to reinvent the wheel.” Mashburn initially found out about NextHome, which is based in California, through the national real estate news source Inman News, and he found himself being drawn to the company’s progressive nature and established track record of success. “What piqued my interest was the passion that NextHome CEO James Dwiggins had when he was describing the things that were broken in our industry,” said Mashburn. “The commitment to technology made me realize that this franchise was built for today’s buyers and sellers but could also move with the times.” In June 2015, Mashburn became the owner and operator of NextHome Plus, the first NextHome franchise in the state of Georgia and just the 22nd franchise with NextHome at the time. Located in Ringgold, Mashburn’s brokerage is dedicated to serving the needs of clients in two states: Georgia and Tennessee. NextHome Plus serves Georgia residents in Ringgold, Fort Oglethorpe, Lafayette, Rossville, and the rest of Catoosa and Walker Counties. In Tennessee, the brokerage services clients in Chattanooga, Ooltewah, East Brainerd, and Hixson. The office offers residential and commercial sales, land acquisition, land development, and farm sales, as well as property management services. As Mashburn has grown his business, his franchisors have grown to appreciate his work ethic and communityfocused mentality. “When I first met with Trace, I knew that
he was a driven individual who wanted to provide a level of real estate service in his community that isn’t normally experienced,” said NextHome Vice President of Sales Charis Moreno. “Every person on our team that has had the chance to work with Trace has said the same thing—he combines professionalism and dedication with being one of the nicest people you will ever meet. As we expand NextHome, Trace is exactly the quality of broker and person we are proud to be affiliated with.” It is clear that as Mashburn continues to move forward and grow within the real estate industry, his commitment to service and client satisfaction is paying dividends. “Agent support, broker assistance, and the tools they need to do their job to the best of their abilities: that is what I strive to provide all my agents. There are timelines, deadlines, hiccups, and questions that come up in any real estate transaction. We are here to help smooth out the bumps on the road to homeownership,” said Mashburn. NextHome now has over 500 offices in 50 states servicing more than 5,000 agents. NextHome Plus is located at 105 RBC Dr, Ringgold, GA. You can contact the NextHome Plus office at (706)-935-6398. Connect with Mashburn and his team today!
goodnewscm.com // 23
Gò0dNews for Everyone
Do You Need a Rest from Your Vacation?
T
by Dr. Alan D. Hix
he first week of July is a time when more Americans
The Israelites had been slaves for over 400 years,
take their summer vacations than any other time.
working endlessly, day after day. Now that they were free
Families will book their vacations a year in advance,
to build their own society, God blessed them by declaring a
and when it arrives, they try to cram in as many activities
day of rest. Like Christopher Robin, people spend too much
as possible. They arrive home Sunday night exhausted, and
time trying to get to the next moment that they miss the
then they have to drag themselves back to work on Monday.
present moment.
More than once, I have heard people complain that they need a vacation from their vacation! If the purpose of a vacation is to “rest” from our work, why do we work so hard to make our vacation an “amazing getaway,” only to get home never really having “rested”? In the movie Christopher Robin, Winnie-the-Pooh declares that “Doing nothing often leads to the very best something.” Christopher Robin desperately needs to hear this, because he gets so wrapped up in life and work that he forgets to have fun. He never does “nothing” because he is running from one responsibility to another. Does this sound familiar? From the beginning, God designated a day of rest. “And on the seventh day God finished his work that
We should take time to really listen to people without working on how we will respond. We need to stop and
he had done; and he rested on the seventh day from all his
really look at the world around us and marvel at its beauty
work that he had done. So God blessed the seventh day and
and complexity. Now that we are on the other side of the
made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that
pandemic, we can touch again. Take the time to shake
he had done in creation” (Genesis 2:2-3).
hands, hug, and put your arm around those closest to you.
This time of resting was so important to God that he
And when you go to church, take time to really listen
included the command “to honor the Sabbath Day and keep
to the prayers that are offered. Give your heart to singing
it holy” in the Ten Commandments. Later in Deuteronomy,
the praises of God regardless of whether you are on pitch
when Moses is reminding the people of this, he gave them a
or not. Engage your mind fully as the Scripture is read and
reminder to “remember that you were a slave in the land of
wait with expectation for God to speak to you as His Word
Egypt, and the Lord your God brought you out from there
is proclaimed.
with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. Therefore, the
Take time to engage in wonder that God loves us so
Lord your God commanded you to keep the Sabbath day”
much that he gave us his most precious gift, at great cost to
(Deuteronomy 5:15).
himself. Take the time to do “nothing,” and see if you don’t
While we may not have the luxury of ceasing all activity,
discover “the very best something.”
appreciate the moment. Christopher Robin is so busy trying to be successful at work to get ahead, that his wife Evelyn chides him with “Your life is happening now, right in front of you.”
24 // July 2022
About The Author
we can approach our lives with the practice of taking time to Dr. Alan Hix is an Associate Professor of Christian Studies at Shorter University. In addition to being and educator, he has served churches as a pastor, been involved in mission trips to Africa, Canada, and Alaska, and participated in archaeological excavations in Israel for several years.
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Gò0dNews for Everyone
What Matters Most et me begin with a brief story told by my friend Steve Brown, the teacher on the Key Life radio program. I have his permission to share it, and it goes like this: Did you hear about the little girl who was late getting home one evening? Her mother asked her why and she said, “I stopped to help Susie.” Her mother replied, “What happened?” “Well, Susie hurt her doll—the head was broken off.” “Oh, you helped Susie fix the doll.” The little girl answered, “Oh no, we couldn’t fix the doll. I stopped to help Susie cry.” Intrigued by Steve’s story, I began to ask people, “When someone (preferably not your spouse or a parent) was a special friend to you, what exactly did that person do on your behalf? By the way, how would you answer that question? I’ve spoken to 25 to 30 people over the last few years, and the overwhelming majority answered in a similar manner. They cited instances when someone came alongside them when they were confronted with a sick child, the loss of a job, a dying parent, a broken relationship, or some other calamity. When asked if that friend provided advice on how to resolve the crisis, most said no. That was shocking to me. After all, I reasoned, what are friends for, but to help resolve problems? And they’re saying what meant the most to them was just being there. The good news, of course, is that all of us can be there for others. We don’t need to have an advanced degree to listen to those struggling; we don’t even need to be particularly smart to help the hurting. As we can infer from Steve Brown’s story about the little girl who befriended Susie, when we cry with others, they feel genuinely loved and we are greatly enriched. Perhaps the best biblical account of such sharing is that of Job’s much-maligned friends. As captured in the last three verses of chapter two, Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar traveled to Job’s home, where they wept over his distress.
26 // July 2022
Remarkably, they stayed an entire week without speaking to Job, for they saw how much he was suffering. Unfortunately, they eventually opened their mouths, and chapters four through thirty-seven ensued. Despite all that conversation, there was little or no communication—at least on a personal level. Instead, the foursome (and later Elihu) took turns making lengthy theological and philosophical speeches that have little or no effect on each other.
Contrasted to our frequent insensitivity to others, let’s look at the compassion exhibited by the Lord Jesus when he encountered a leper in Matthew 8, Mark 1, and Luke 3: A man with leprosy came to Christ with the expectation that the Lord would heal him if he were willing to do so. Jesus reached out, touched the man, and declared, “I am willing.” Immediately, leprosy left him. In our day, there may not be many lepers, but there is no shortage of loners, and they want someone to be there for them. Given the Lord’s example, should we not go and do likewise? About The Author
L
by Chuck Cleveland
Chuck Cleveland lives in Newnan, GA and has written for three area magazines, as well as the local newspaper. He has been a Christian for over 50 years.
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Gò0dNews Poetry
The Flag of America by Larry D. Hawkins
The Flag of America, how beautiful is its name, Ole Glory, the Bountiful, and the home of the U.S.A. America, the Beautiful, the Land of the Free, The Home of the Courageous where everyone wants to be. The Red, the White, and the Blue, with the U.S. Continental Band, Through wars and battles, and even now, she proudly stands. Yes, when mighty England withdrew her pressing hand, Through God Almighty, America came to shape this land. From the hulls of the ships the cries could be heard, As mighty men sought God’s help from His Holy Word. From hours of praying and pages of scrolls they say, The Mayflower Compact was made with God that day. So, Americans, be thankful you’re in the land of the Free, Instead of a land across the wide and rolling sea. Where there’s fighting and raging along every street, While in America, our peace is sure and liberty is sweet. So, be glad my friend, as our precious flag waves high, That the Red, White, and Blue will forever part the sky. And, if one day, the skies do part and burst with thunder, Then, we’ll stand tall, and heed the call, and Ole’ Glory Won’t go U-N-D-E-R!
28 // July 2022
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Gò0dNews for Everyone
Let’s Wash Some Feet
W
by Sue Lavigne
hen I was in graduate school preparing to
Perhaps, the most important first step is to yield
become a physical therapist, I worked for an
ourselves completely to God. I try to ask the question,
orthopedic doctor who specialized in foot
“How is God calling me to meet the needs of someone else
problems. My job was to make a slipper cast mold of each
today?” People cross our paths every day whether it’s in
of the patient’s feet. So, I rolled up my sleeves, put the cast
our jobs, in our neighborhoods, in the community or even
material in some warm water and gently wrapped it around
in our own families. Each of these situations can provide
the bottom part of each foot. Once the cast dried, I could
opportunities where we can demonstrate the art of “foot
easily slip it off and set it aside. Once I finished, I would use
washing,” which is basically just meeting the needs of another. The task may be as simple as sending an encouraging text to a friend or as difficult as taking a homeless person inside a grocery store to buy some food. Jesus demonstrated foot washing as an example to us of a servant/leader. “The greatest among you must be a servant to all” (Matthew 23:11). Needless to say, serving others can be a very humbling experience. We may be called to wash all “types of feet.” These situations are likely to call us out of our comfort zone to help those who are very different and maybe even difficult to serve.
a warm wet towel to clean the cast residue off the patient’s
When I got laid off from my job, God asked me
feet. While working there, I washed a lot of different kinds
to immediately go back and be a volunteer for that
of feet: small feet, big feet, pretty feet, ugly feet, flat feet,
organization. That was the last thing I wanted to do, but in
ticklish feet, and even some awful smelly feet. I felt a little
being obedient to God, He made a way for me not only to be
like Jesus, washing His disciples’ feet. Although in the days
a blessing as a volunteer, but also to hear from my former
of Jesus, the task of washing feet was a lot dirtier and given
co-workers how much I had blessed them.
only to the lowest servant.
As a Christian, Jesus tells us in John 13:14, “And since I,
I believe the art of foot washing is especially needed
your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to
today. Not the specifics of carrying around a wash basin
wash each other’s feet.” So, are you ready? Let’s roll up our
and washing the feet of strangers, but of stepping outside
sleeves and get started!
than ourselves.
30 // July 2022
About The Author
of our needs and seeking to help someone less fortunate Susan Lavigne attends Cornerstone Church. She is a Christian speaker and songwriter. Feel free to contact her at susanclavigne@gmail.com.
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Gò0dNews for Parents
Where Your Treasure Is
I
by Rhonda Beavers
’ve always been amazed by the way that squirrels
conversations with them, pieces of advice they have
bury, presumably, hundreds if not thousands of
given me, and little private jokes between the three
nuts every fall only to rediscover them the next
of us. When I think of something for the first time, it
spring. Some force of a natural tracking system
makes me smile. Each memory is like a shining jewel.
directs them to each little buried treasure which,
Some are tiny rhinestones, and some are as big and
when retrieved, leaves a perfect little round divot
special as the Hope Diamond, and I treasure them all.
where it rested. My parents both had remarkable memories. They could recall events from their childhoods many decades past as if they had happened yesterday. When I had the great joy of becoming their chauffeur about town in their last few years, I was rewarded by being a witness to their thought processes. We would be riding along in silence when one or both of them would spot a funny or possibly even heart moving scene. They would point out the scene to the other passengers, comments from one or all would be entertained, and one of them would begin reminiscing about something similar
When I am in need of advice about this crazy ride
from their past. About my mother’s long walk home
we call life, I often, either voluntarily or involuntarily,
after her school bus broke down miles from home.
go back to my conversations with them looking
About how my father learned how Kennedy had been
for answers. It is a comfort when I find one. “For
killed while he was sitting at the top of a telephone
where your treasure is, there will be your heart also”
pole working as a lineman. About how they went by
(Matthew 6:21). It is also a comfort when a Bible verse
themselves to be married by my mother’s uncle and
comes to mind when I need advice from my Heavenly
about how my dad carved their initials into a nearby
Father. We are instructed to hide the Word in our
tree. I wish I could find that tree, how I wish I could.
hearts. “Thy Word I have hid in mine heart, that I
One of the hardest things about losing them was
might not sin against Thee” (Psalms 119:11).
when I wanted to ask a question, and there was no
Talk to your father and mother. Listen to their
one to go to. The encyclopedia of their lives was
stories, their memories, and their advice. Hide it in
closed forever, and there is no other copy in the
your memory. Read your Heavenly Father’s Word and
world. I constantly mine the fields of my mind for
hide it in your heart.
32 // July 2022
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Gò0dNews for your Taste Buds
Creamy Strawberry Milkshake by Jodi Varnado
I
s there anything more blissful than a cold and creamy milkshake after spending a warm afternoon in the sun? Milkshakes are one of my favorite summertime indulgences and in my opinion, a most cheerful way to celebrate a summer day. This Creamy Strawberry Milkshake recipe is the perfect treat for everyone in the family, with easy substitutions for those who
have any dietary preferences or restrictions. I may or may not be blending some up for July 4th (I definitely will be), and I encourage you to join in on this delicious creation!
Ingredients • 1 14-ounce can of full-fat coconut milk • ¾ cup of fresh strawberries (measured after slicing) • ¼ cup of maple syrup (or other sweetener) • ½ tsp of vanilla extract
Instructions 1. Prepare coconut milk ice cubes: Pour 1 can of full-fat coconut milk into a bowl and mix until there is no separation between the coconut cream and water. Then, pour the coconut milk into an ice cube tray and freeze for at least 8 hours. 2. Using a blender, add strawberries, maple syrup, and vanilla extract, and blend the ingredients together until the consistency is smooth and no strawberry slices are visible. 3. After the ingredients are well blended, add 2-4 coconut milk ice cubes into the blender and blend. Then, continue adding ice cubes until you are happy with the creamy consistency (I recommend 10-12 ice cubes). 4. Serve. Throw some fresh strawberries and whipped cream on top, and you’re likely to impress your eagerly awaiting recipient!
34 // July 2022
If you try this recipe at home, please let us know on our Facebook page: @GoodNewsChristianMagazine. Extra bonus points for uploading an accompanying photo!
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Gò0dNews for Everyone
Enoch: The First Old Testament Prophet
“J
by Jonathon Wright
ared lived one hundred and sixty-two years, and begot Enoch. After he begot Enoch, Jared lived eight hundred years, and had sons and daughters.
So all the days of Jared were nine hundred and sixty-two years; and he died. Enoch lived sixty-five years, and begot Methuselah. After he begot Methuselah, Enoch walked with God three hundred years, and had sons and daughters. So all the days of Enoch were three hundred and sixty-five years. And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him” (Genesis 5:18-24, NKJV). This passage is amazingly brief but still supplies us with some important information about the first legendary prophet in the Old Testament. We learn about his family, character, and influence. First, it reveals some family dynamics in his early life. His father may not have loved God. The name Enoch is a bad reminder of Cain’s family. Why would someone name their kid in Adam’s family after another family’s kid that had hurt them so much? See Genesis 4 and the story of Cain, Abel, and death. The name Enoch would not create good family dynamics for this soon-to-be prophet. I do not think Enoch’s father had any idea what God had in mind to do with his son. Also, there is a prophecy in Jude that helps us recognize the outcry against God during his time. Jude 1:14-15 states, “Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about them: ‘See, the Lord is coming with thousands upon thousands of his holy ones to judge everyone, and to convict all of them of all the ungodly acts they have committed in their ungodliness, and of all the defiant words ungodly sinners have spoken against him” (NIV). Jude was talking about people in his generation who were saying bad things about Christ. But Enoch was talking to his generation about those who were saying bad things about God. Second, we learn about his character and what God did to change his heart. The fact that so many were against God makes it remarkable that Enoch would come to God. What did God do to change his heart? We may not have all the answers to this question. Yet there was something significant about the year he turned 65. This was the year he had his first son and started walking with God. There was something significant
After deciding to walk with God, Enoch remained faithful for the rest of his life. He stayed so close that one day, he and the Lord took a walk-up into Heaven and he was never seen again. This was the greatest blessing and honor given to a man on earth. Only Elijah, in the Old Testament, and Jesus, in the New Testament, had such encounters with God. However, his greatest blessing was peace and eternal life with God. Sometimes we need to remember our greatest blessings come when we leave this world. Thank you, Jesus, for the promise of eternal life. Third, we learn about his influence. No doubt, Enoch leaving this earth in such an incredible way influenced Noah’s father. He raised Noah to fear the Lord and fulfill the plan God had for him and the world. And to think, all this happened because God used one man to influence another, which changed the world. One courageous man who followed God.
God’s love. His father had to wait 165 years to have a son. I do not think that he wanted to wait SO LONG.
36 // July 2022
About The Author
about the timing of the birth of his son that opened his eyes to
Jonathon Wright currently lives in Cleveland, Tennessee, and has been a member of the Church of God for about twenty years. He is a graduate of Lee University and Beacon University where he earned a BA and MA in Biblical Studies. He loves studying the Bible and has done so for over thirty years, but only now has God given him a desire and the opportunity to be a writer. Jonathon hopes to encourage people to read the Bible and take notes. You can find more from Jonathon at amazon.com/author/everydaynotes.
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Gò0dNews for Everyone
The Potter’s Hands
B
by David Huff
ack when I was in school, we had a pottery class where we would make many different things. I remember making a box and a cup that you
could drink out of. We would work and work on the clay, forming it the way we wanted it. And just when we would think we had it perfect, an imperfection would pop into it. So, we would gently start all over again. Instead of throwing the clay away for a new piece, we would simply begin remolding it, forming the bottom and sides once again. God works with us in the same way. In the story of the potter’s house, Jeremiah was sent to watch how the potter worked with the clay. Jeremiah 18:1-4, “This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: ‘Go down at once to the potter’s house, and there I will reveal My words to you.’ So, I went down to the potter’s house, and there he was working away at the wheel. But the jar he was making from the clay became flawed in the potter’s hand, so he made it into another jar as it seemed right for him to do.” When God is working on us, in many times, we allow sin to flaw us. But instead of God throwing us out, He gently starts all over and begins molding and forming us once again. In these moments of molding, it can hurt, and it can seem like God is pouring pressure on us to live a sinless life. While yes, God may want us not to sin, He also knows we are in a human form, and we have a human condition that we have to crucify every day. Knowing this, God simply starts the molding process over, and begins to mold, shape, and form us once again. Isaiah 64:8, “Yet you, Lord, are the Father. We are the clay, and you are the potter; we are all the work of your hands.”
will continue to leak out no matter how you pour into it. Patch and repair the hole, and the vessel will hold what you pour into it. Our hurts, addictions, and flaws are these holes. God wants to repair and heal them so we can hold what He wants to pour into us. So, God continues to mold and repair each and every one of the flaws that we hold inside of us. God wants us to look more like Him and less like the world. Therefore, He continues to pour into us. He continues to mold us with the purifying and healing love that only God can give. Let the potter’s hands work to heal your imperfections and take you into a new life.
forming us is because a clay vessel with a hole in it will never hold anything. The substance that is put inside of it
38 // July 2022
About The Author
The reason that God continues to work at molding and My name is David Huff, and I am married to Brittany and together we have five wonderful kids. We attend Rock Bridge Community Church Calhoun where I serve on the prayer team, host team, production team, and a small group co-leader. I am also a senior at Lee University.
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: 423.478.6484
reach out to people through words of encouragement. What: We believe that it is important to laugh together, praise each other, encourage one another, and to offer biblical advice. Articles can be directed toward everyone, or from woman to woman, or man to man. We love to share recipes and family traditions as well. We ask that articles be kept to a 500 word maximum. We’d love to hear from you! Where: Please send submissions to articles.goodnews@gmail.com Why: Because God has not intended for us to just survive. We believe that we are intended to reach out to love and encourage each other. God has brought each of us through tough times, blessed us, and made the “impossible” possible. Let’s, together, share the love of Jesus Christ.
Gò0dNews for Everyone
What Do We Have Here?
T
by Monica Gambrell
here was a period of time when my mother actually made valiant efforts to keep her hoard clean. During that time, there was a Saturday regimen that rarely
deviated. We awoke early to the smell of biscuits cooking, and just as we finished eating, my mom would say, “As soon as we’re finished cleaning, we’re going to hit the road!” From top to bottom, we would clean furiously in order to begin our adventure. We never knew where we were headed—and neither did she. There were countless times I heard her say that we would go wherever the road takes us. The point she was driving home to us was it’s not about the destination; it’s about the journey. My mom kept what she deemed to be necessary items in the trunk of her old car at all times. There was a handcrank ice cream maker, rock salt, canned milk, charcoal, matches, aluminum foil and paper goods, and all sorts of non-perishable food items. We were inevitably out during meal-times, so she would open the trunk and ask, “What do we have here?” Once, when we stopped at a state park for an impromptu picnic, she was searching for something to flavor the homemade ice-cream with, and we ended up with peanut butter and jelly flavor. It was amazing! Another time, we were on an old two-lane highway, and it was already dark on the way back from a trip, and we all decided we were hungry. My mom pulled over to the side of the road, lit a fire, and cooked some hotdogs. The police officer who showed up told her she couldn’t do that, but he was empathetic to a single mother’s efforts. That is a memory I won’t soon forget. My mom was an expert at making something out of nothing. She stretched the budget, improvised constantly, and always did her best to make lemonade from the lemons she had. I have every worldly reason to focus on the negative aspects of my upbringing, but I choose not to dwell there. There actually were a few positive memories sprinkled throughout. I hope that my husband and I gave our children some of the same gifts my mother gave me: frugality, a sense of
40 // July 2022
adventure, an innate ability to ask, “What do we have here?” and then make the most of every gift given. Philippians 4:11, “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therein to be content.” Proverbs 15:13, “A joyful heart makes a cheerful face, but when the heart is sad, the spirit is broken.” Father God, when Your joy lives within us, it is easy to find it in our outward world as well. Whether our resources are sparse or abundant, our joy is found in You. That joy may be made evident to those around us through our very countenance. We must imagine someone is watching us at all times and that we are the only Bible they will ever read. What they know of Your nature may partially be found in our words and actions in their presence. Therefore, it behooves us to allow Your indwelling joy to flow through us to those You place in our path. Strengthen us to do so!
Gò0dNews for Everyone
Understanding The Assignment
K
by Sandra Gilmore
en’s voice bellowed across the downtown square
overlooked connections to this sacred event and wind our way
where passers-by scurried to appointments or
back to Christmas.
meetings. Standing on the rim of the square’s
A message came from Heaven with Good News!
fountain, his rich baritone voice conveyed the Good News
A savior was born. Simeon spoke of this savior as the
message with an upbeat urgency. He cared about his
“refreshing of Israel,” also translated as the “encourager
fellow citizens. Whether they agreed or not, they knew his
of Israel.” What a magnificent message! In the Christmas
intentions were warm and sincere. He was often dutifully
context, we see two different missions for this message.
poised at this strategic spot during lunchtime sharing the Good News with resounding clarity.
The shepherds couldn’t contain their amazement and excitement about this Good News. They told everyone in the area about the gift from Heaven! The term in the original language means to “publish abroad, make known thoroughly.” It’s the only time in the New Testament that verb phrase is used. What they did was unique and singled out in Scripture! Comparatively, Mary “kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.” The verb meaning “ponder” in the original language includes our concept of “huddling.” It carries the idea of a gathering of ideas or facts from various sources. She conferred with herself about all that was happening. The term “kept” in the original language means to “preserve a thing from perishing or being lost.” Did she ever tell? Scholars say it was Mary
At the corner coffee shop, Kim’s gaze alternated from
who shared enough details for Luke to write his gospel
her laptop screen to Ken’s perch. She soaked in the exchange
book, written as a letter to Theophilus. Letters were the
between Ken and his bustling audience. Some truly ignored
forerunners of our social media. The letters traveled around
him. Some broke their stride to listen intently, however
a good bit.
short their attention span. Some waved to him as they
Are you a broadcaster given to speeches, sermons,
scurried along. She wondered if her online readers had
or lectures? Or do you prefer blogs, emails, or posts?
similar responses.
It’s the Good News that’s at the heart of the message, no
Which communicator are you more like, Ken or Kim?
matter how it’s delivered. Whether vocalizing from the
Do you literally voice your message with preaching or
town square, or huddling with a few friends, we all can
teaching? Or do you prefer quiet methods like articles or
understand the assignment: to know Jesus and to make
conversations over coffee? Which is better or more effective?
Him known!
We can take some lessons from the shepherds and following this series? Check each month as we explore often-
42 // July 2022
About The Author
from Mary way back at Christmastime. Have you been
Sandra Gilmore serves the Lord as wife, mom, and encourager, mostly through writing and speaking, occasionally through cooking, rarely through anything athletic and only because of the mercy and grace of Jesus. You can reach her by email: tandsgilmore@yahoo.com or her website: www.sandragilmore.org
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