Gò0dNew s
CATOOSA & WALKER
About Us
WRITERS
Bill Silvers
Chaplain Filip Brunner
Chrissie Joy Jackson
Dr. Bobbye Jo Davidson
Dr. Jeff Dabbs
Garrett Nudd
Hayden Lanier
Heather Harper Medley, LPC
Jamie Peak
Jan Merop
Katharine Lee Bates
Sheila Bird
SALES
Matthew Ruckman goodnewstn@gmail.com 423-503-1410
DESIGNERS
Riley Evans art.goodnews@gmail.com
Caleb Prytherch art.goodnews@gmail.com
PHOTOGRAPHER
Paula Knipp 423-310-4207
EDITOR/ARTICLE COORDINATOR
Sandra Gilmore articles.goodnews@gmail.com
PUBLISHER
Matthew and Bethany Ruckman goodnewstn@gmail.com 423-503-1410
OFFICE
423-790-5378
WEBSITE goodnewscm.com issuu.com/catoosaga
SOCIAL MEDIA
f GoodNews Christian Magazine Catoosa
Hello Friends,
We want to take a moment to tell you who we are and what we are about. Our names are Matt and Bethany Ruckman and we have six beautiful children, Brendon, Kailey, Andrew, Leah Jean, Emma, and Cooper. We live in Cleveland, Tennessee, and love what this town has to offer! We have started GoodNews Christian Magazine because we feel that when God, family, and community are combined, lives will be changed.
GoodNews Christian Magazine is a complimentary, Christian lifestyle publication. You can find us throughout the community in retail establishments, churches, restaurants, and more. Our magazine opens the door for Christians to work together to grow and strengthen our community through relevant editorial and effective advertising.
GoodNews Christian Magazine is written by men and women in the community who love and serve the Lord. Our hearts are open and willing to be used by God to reach out to the community to spread the GoodNews!
Disclaimer
All of the content in the GoodNews Christian Magazine is for general information and/or use. Such contents does not constitute advice and should not be relied upon in making (or refraining from making) a decision. Any specific advice or replies to queries in any part of the magazine is the personal opinion of such experts/ consultants/persons and is not subscribed to by GoodNews Christian Magazine. The information in GoodNews Christian Magazine is provided on an “AS IS” basis, and all warranties, expressed or implied of any kind, regarding any matter pertaining to any information, advice or replies are disclaimed and excluded. We reserve the right to refuse any advertisement or article we deem inappropriate.
PenPoints: Do You Saunter?
by Sandra Gilmore
Welcome to our anniversary issue. We’re excited that you’ve joined us.
Tell me, are you a fellow saunterer?
Although John Muir has been credited for connecting the Appalachian Mountains with the Holy Land via the word ‘saunter,’ there’s no evidence in his writings for that specific connection. Since he often used the word and often wrote about these hills, people connected the word with the hills.
I can’t say that I blame them.
Originally, the phrase was à la Sainte Terre (“to the Holy Land”). As with many words and phrases, it was eventually pared down to ‘saunter,’ making it easier to tote along while preserving a sense of savoring the Holy Land, even though the definition no longer carries that direct reference.
These days, ‘saunter’ describes the unhurried trek of someone purposely lingering to absorb a view, take in the surroundings, and savor the experience. From a distance, it might be mislabeled ‘wandering aimlessly.’ That observation would be mistaken.
Similarly, J. R. R. Tolkien’s poem “All That Is Gold Does Not Glitter” holds the phrase often endeared by those trekking about: “Not all those who wander are lost.”
This month, we’re ‘wandering’ as Tolkien would say into the 14th year of GoodNews Christian Magazine. Traditionally, ivory marks the 14th anniversary. In recent years, gold has become the marker. And I agree that there’s “gold in them thar hills” to echo the Gold Rush storytellers. We value these 14 years since the magazine began. We are grateful for the ‘golden’ opportunity to connect our writers and our readers with stories, recipes, Bible studies, and testimonies.
I wonder if Tolkien knew of our Appalachian Mountains? We who saunter do, in fact, wander at times, and yet we’re not the least bit lost. We’re home.
Our writers could be described as those who ‘saunter’ through life and bless others with their insights. They hold dear the scenery of life’s progress between milestones. They mine for the treasured nuggets under the surface of setbacks. They ponder the times to keep trekking onward compared to the times to linger for a bit, maybe panning a while to see what stays on top and what sifts through.
Waiting doesn’t escape them, nor do the lessons it teaches. Seasons of hurry with surges of progress capture their awe the same as seasons of letting go and leaving behind the heavy and the cumbersome. They stand by the water’s edge with its rolling waves of grief, or overwhelm, or confusion, with
the same resolve as when they pause to marvel at the delicate fluttering of hope, or surrender, or whimsy.
The Lord has promised to walk with each of us through life’s journey. The 23rd Psalm describes hills and valleys. Rough terrain does not escape His Presence. And we know from verse six that “goodness and mercy shall follow” us. In Hebrew, that phrase actually means ‘to pursue intentionally.’ As we trace the trails, whether actually on foot or figuratively in our hearts, we are assured that “goodness and mercy” are faithful companions, lovingly sent from the Father, trekking beside us.
The sun has risen over and set behind the hills more than 5,100 days since that morning when GoodNews first hit the trail. The Father’s presence has been as consistent as the sun, guiding the staff, the writers, and the readers onward and upward. With East Tennessee’s foothills and Georgia’s Blue Ridge in the backdrop, we have gratefully sauntered through the joys, woes, chuckles, and wisdom of this publishing journey, knowing that not a moment has been without the presence of the Lord. That truth makes each path holy ground, indeed.
The compass for our sauntering at GoodNews comes from our publishers, Matt and Bethany Ruckman. They point the way: “Our magazine opens the door for Christians
to work together to grow and strengthen our community. GoodNews is written by men and women 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 Good News!”
The rise and fall of the publishing path gives us an opportunity each month to saunter through holy ground. From this 14th anniversary peak, the view is expansive and full of potential. With that in mind, we pause for a moment to share our gratitude for you, our readers, writers, and sponsors, and to give the Lord glory for what He’s done through this magazine.
Today, we bless your path ahead, the holy ground of your sauntering, as you learn and grow in His Presence. We are grateful you have included GoodNews Christian Magazine along your way.
From this vantage point, we can see the peak of our 15th anniversary issue in July 2027. Preparations are already under way. Our writers have graciously supplied articles under the title “Celebrating the Goodness of God.” The July 2027 issue is nearly full, and so are our hearts with anticipation for the coming year.
Until then, we invite you to keep trekking with us. We’ll meet you each month and back at the top again next July. Happy sauntering!
#live BOLDLY
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ò0 dNews from the Pastor’s Desk
Finding Peace in a Chaotic World
by Dr. Jeff Dabbs
Can you hear it? The world seems noisier than ever. Just turn on the news, scroll through social media or sit in traffic and you’ll feel the tension pressing in on every side. Wars, political division, economic stress, family struggles, health scares—it’s enough to make anyone anxious. In fact, anxiety has become one of the defining traits of our time.
Yet in the middle of the chaos, God offers something the world cannot provide: peace. Not a fleeting “everything is fine if I ignore the problems” kind of peace, but a deep and lasting peace that settles the heart. The psalmist David captured this reality in one of the most familiar passages of Scripture:
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me” (Psalm 23:4 NASB).
Notice that David doesn’t deny the existence of the valley. He doesn’t pretend life is free of danger, grief, or uncertainty. Instead, he acknowledges it —and then declares that even in that valley, he will not be consumed by fear. Why? Because God is with him.
We often think peace comes when our problems go away. “If I could just pay off the bills, if my health would improve, if my kids would straighten out — then I’d have peace.” But the Bible points us to a deeper truth: peace isn’t tied to circumstances; it’s tied to the presence of God.
Jesus echoed this when He said to His disciples, “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, not let it be fearful” (John 14:27 NASB). His peace is not fragile, depending on perfect conditions. It is strong enough to hold us steady when life is falling apart.
Isaiah 26:3 NASB declares, “The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, because He trusts in You.”
Trusting God doesn’t mean we won’t have questions, and it doesn’t mean we won’t feel the weight of life’s hardships. It does mean we choose to rest in God’s character, His promises, and His faithfulness.
Think of it like sitting in a chair. You don’t spend all your energy wondering if the chair will hold you up — you simply sit down and rest your weight on it. That’s what trust in God looks like: resting the full weight of our lives on Him, confident that He will never fail.
How can we walk in this kind of peace in our everyday lives?
1. Pray first, not last. Philippians 4:6 reminds us to bring everything to God in prayer, Instead of letting worry spiral out of control, pray.
2. Fill your mind with God’s Word. The Bible doesn’t just inform — it transforms. Reading even a short psalm daily can realign our hearts toward peace.
3. Surround yourself with godly community. God often uses His people to speak peace into our lives.
4. Choose gratitude. It’s hard to be anxious and thankful at the same time. Gratitude lifts our eyes to what God has already done.
The valleys of life are real and the chaos around us isn’t going away anytime soon. The good news is this: peace is within reach, available in Christ. When we fix our eyes on Him, we discover the promise of Psalm 29:11 NASB, “The Lord will give strength to His people; the Lord will bless His people with peace.”
That’s not wishful thinking — that’s God’s Word. And it’s good news for every anxious heart.
Dr. Jeff Dabbs is the senior pastor at Spring Creek Baptist Church, Rome, Georgia. He has authored Sunday School material and several books.
SDon’t Forget Your Financial Road Map
ummer has a way of inviting us to slow down.The longer days, warmer weather, vacations and family gatherings make it the perfect season to relax and enjoy life. Whether it’s a trip to the beach, a mountain getaway, or simply time spent with loved ones, summer is often when we intentionally step away from our busy routines. While this break is both needed and well-deserved, it’s important not to step away entirely from one critical area of life—your financial future.
Retirement planning doesn’t take a vacation just because you do. In fact, summer can be an ideal time to perform a quick “mid-year check-in” on your financial goals. Think of it as a tune-up rather than a full overhaul. Are you still on track with your retirement savings? Have there been any changes in your income, expenses, or long-term plans that should be accounted for? Even a brief review can provide peace of mind and prevent small issues from becoming larger problems down the road.
One often-overlooked area, especially during travel season, is ensuring that your beneficiaries are up to date. Life changes—marriages, divorces, births, and even shifts in relationships—can all affect who you want to designate as beneficiaries on your accounts. Taking a few moments to review these designations on retirement accounts, life insurance policies, and other financial assets can make a significant difference for your loved ones and helps avoid unnecessary complications later.
Travel also serves as a gentle reminder of the unpredictable nature of life. Before heading out of town, it’s wise to confirm that your key documents and account
information are organized and accessible if needed. Having everything in order allows you to truly relax, knowing that both your present and your future are well cared for.
If you’re looking for guidance or simply want to stay informed, in July, we’ll host luncheon seminars focused on an increasingly important topic: how to use your investable assets to help pay for long term care. Join us on July 7th at Michael’s in Athens or July 15th at our Cleveland office, where a catered lunch will accompany a valuable discussion on protecting your retirement from unexpected healthcare costs.
Later in the summer, we’ll turn our attention to a broader topic—the biggest risks in retirement. Our dinner seminar on August 18th at Rodizio in Chattanooga and August 20th at Inman Social in Cleveland will explore common challenges retirees face and strategies to address them.
You can contact our office directly to register for any of these events as an RSVP is required.
Summer is meant for making memories—but it can also be a time to reinforce the foundation that supports your future. By taking a few proactive steps now and staying engaged with your financial plan, you can enjoy the season with confidence, knowing you’re preparing for many more summers to come.
Retirement planning is the process of determining how you can meet your goals through the proper management of your financial resources.
Tax planning should not only assess your tax situation at retirement and in the present, but also look towards the future.
Social security strategies are various approaches that an individual may take to maximize their social security benefits.
There is more to Medicare than meets the eye. Making the best decision for your situation at age 65 is one of the biggest retirement decisions one may make.
Estate planning is a key element of a successful financial strategy. It ensures you will leave a legacy that provides for your loved ones by properly protecting and distributing your wealth according to your wishes. If you're ready to take the next step in your retirement
G
for Men To the Young Men
by Filip Brunner
To the young men from a father who cares about the next generation:
Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Word of God. It is divided into sections, each representing one letter of the Hebrew Aleph Beth from which we get the English word alphabet. Beth is the second letter of the Aleph Beth portion of Psalm 119. Verses 9 through 16 are a message to young men.
“BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.”
You want to live in freedom to do the will of God for your life, cleansed from sin? That is a good goal to have.
The Word of God is a cleansing agent like no other. It is like a powerful torrent underneath a mighty waterfall, cascading over the body and soul. Its pages, word upon word, infuse the hungry human mind with the Spirit’s wisdom.
Reading the Bible is one thing, applying what we read to our daily walk is something else. The question at hand is: “What does this mean to me personally?” This requires some thought.
“With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.”
The more we fall in love with God and His Word, the more we realize that the commandments of God are not killjoys, as some have suggested, but loving reminders
that what God has written to us are reminders that He has our best in mind: “The stovetop is hot, don’t touch it,” for example.
“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”
The benefit of scripture memorization is to provide us with a weapons locker stuffed full of offensive weapons designed by God for our defense.
We need to be ready, proactive, in order to squish the enemy's artillery barrage that he aims at our hearts and minds.
“Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes.”
LORD, let me know what you have for me today. What do you want me to do?
“With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth.”
When we judge anything, let us use the same judgements that God uses. My opinion on any given subject does not count for much. What does matter is what God already knows and what He has spoken in His Word as truth.
“I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.”
What God has testified to be true needs to be our treasure.
“I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways. I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.”
Our understanding of the Word of God gives us dignity. If you want folks to respect you, then learn, understand, and do what the Word of God says. Respect is a two-way street that begins with “being.” Be respectful and you will be respected. How you and I act in front of others needs to be the same as if we were in the presence of God. You want to be sinless? Then you want to sin less and less. Hide the Word of God in your heart by memorizing it. You want folks to respect you? Live out the Word of God in your life. Don’t just be a Christian. Live Christ. Show that you have a relationship with Jesus.
Filip Brunner is married to his wife, Dr. Kim Brunner and together they have six children. He is a writer, author, and artist.
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for Women
The Garden of God
by Chrissie Joy Jackson
Jesus often used agriculture—plants, trees, crops, etc.—to teach us about ourselves. In fact, the Bible is full of similes, painting pictures in our minds to understand the lessons.
Think about your own garden, or nature around you. The colors, the sizes, the shapes, and the weeds! God loves variety and beauty. The earth is like a big garden created and tended by God. People of all sizes, shapes, colors, and purposes. We gently encourage and nourish those around us, supporting, growing, and blooming together.
Sometimes we have to remove the “weeds” out of necessity to thrive. My garden has done better this year than ever. I have, too. As I tend the garden, I find that big blooming irises need support, much like a friend who is going through some tough health problems, yet still has a joyful spirit. The vegetable seeds are thriving because they are planted in good soil and watered well, as some new believers need lots of love and the good ground of God’s Word. I can learn and apply many things observing the ways of nature.
What can we learn from the Bible’s usage of vegetation? Psalm 1:3 NIV describes someone who delights in God like this: “That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither.”
God sees our faithfulness and enjoys our delight in Him, making us strong and fruitful.
I have met people who bring a fragrance of His presence. As 2 Corinthians 2:15-16 says, “…we spread the aroma of the knowledge of Him. We are the fragrance of Christ to God.” Like a gardenia filling the atmosphere with an attraction to be near it. To Christians, we are the aroma of life leading to life.
John 15:5 says we are the branches, Jesus is the vine. To bear spiritual fruit, we must remain in Him. We can’t do anything without Him.
God tends His garden and will deal with the weeds. As Jesus explained: “The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the people of the kingdom. The weeds are the people of the “evil one” (Matthew 13:38). So the wicked (in this context, it was Pharisees), Jesus says, “Every plant that My heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by the roots” (Matthew 15:13 NIV).
Jesus used a fig tree in Mark 11 to teach us the power of faith; seeds sown in Matthew 13 to show us heart conditions when hearing God’s Word; and in Matthew 6, He uses lilies to remind us how well He takes care of us.
Just as plants have a variety of purposes, each person in life has a destiny too. Some are for healing, some are for fragrance, while others bring spice and fun. Some are beautiful, and others fragile, teaching us mercy.
• 1 Corinthians 3:6-9 emphasizes teamwork.
• Matthew 13:31-32 faith as small as a mustard seed.
• 2 Corinthians 9:6 encourages us to be generous.
Look around you and see if you can see what God is telling you through His creation. It would be fun and interesting also to do a Bible search for all the places that use trees and plants as relating to us humans.
Let’s bloom and grow, water, nourish, and thrive together!
Chrissie Joy Jackson is a retired widow and a member of Living Word Church. Sharing the love and care of the Father through missions is her passion.
Catoosa County Church Directory
Baptist
Anchor of Hope Baptist Church
2613 Lakeview Drive Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742
706-866-8318
Battlefield Baptist Church
178 South Cedar Lane
Oglethorpe, GA 30742
706-866-1316
Boynton Baptist Church
4093 Boynton Drive Ringgold, GA 30736
706-952-1551
Briarwood Baptist Church
26 Ellis Springs Road Ringgold, GA 30736
706-965-9177
Burning Bush Baptist Church
2195 Burning Bush Road Ringgold, GA 30736
706-866-1989
Calvary Memorial Baptist Church
2 E Gate Drive Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742
706-866-6183
Calvary Memorial Baptist Church 518 Highway #41 Ringgold, GA 30736
706-891-9340
Catoosa Baptist Tabernacle 4994 Highway 41 Ringgold, GA 30736
706-935-4323
Cherokee Valley Baptist Church 1495 Cherokee Valley Road Ringgold, GA 30736
706-935-6220
Christ First Church
5994 N Hwy 27 Lafayette, Ga 30728
706-764-2212
Clearview Baptist Church 2183 Dietz Road Ringgold, GA 30736
706-866-0164
Cloud Springs Baptist Church 207 Cloud Springs Road Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742
706-866-0164
Ebenezer Baptist Church
77 Hackett Road Ringgold, GA 30736
706-965-7970
Faith Baptist Church
308 Boynton Drive Ringgold, GA 30736
423-509-5334
First Baptist Church Ft. Oglethorpe
2645 LaFayette Road Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742
706-866-0232
First Baptist Church of Ringgold 7611 Nashville Street Ringgold, GA 30736
706-935-2358
Friendship Primitive Baptist Church 851 Ooltewah Ringgold Road Ringgold, GA 30736
706-935-2382
Gospel Way Baptist Church 31 Bowling Road Ringgold, GA 30736
706-891-9866
Grace Baptist Church 7638 Nashville Street Ringgold, GA 30736
706-965-7969
Harvest Baptist Church of the Deaf 1314 Old Three Notch Road Ringgold, GA 30736
706-375-7107
Video Call: 706-956-0445
Heritage Pointe Baptist Church
60 Dyer Bridge Place Ringgold, GA 30736
706-858-0976
Hickory Grove Baptist Church 5010 Houston Valley Road Ringgold, GA 30736
706-673-6999
Keith Baptist Church 1573 Keith Road Ringgold, GA 30736
706-450-0963
Lakeview First Baptist Church 10 Hudson Street Rossville, GA 30741
706-861-4262
Living Faith Baptist Church
Highway 41 Ringgold, GA 30736
706-891-1817
Midway Baptist Church Highway 41 North Ringgold, GA 30736
706-937-2317
Moriah Baptist Church 2864 Battlefield Parkway Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742
706-866-8843
Mount Peria Baptist Church 341 Sparks Street Ringgold, GA 30736
706-935-4887
Mount Pisgah Baptist Church 66 Westbrook Road Ringgold, GA 30736
706-935-3031
Mount Vernon Baptist Church 1006 Mount Vernon Road Ringgold, GA 30736
706-935-3872
Nellie Head Memorial Baptist 2379 Catoosa Parkway Tunnell Hill, GA 30755
706-935-5236
New Bethel Baptist Church 1635 Salem Valley Road Ringgold, GA 30736
706-965-3500
New Friendship Baptist Church
3833 Salem Valley Road Ringgold, GA 30736
New Heights Baptist Church
158 Ooltewah Ringgold Rd Ringgold, GA 30736
706-965-9838
New Liberty Baptist Church
923 Graysville Road Ringgold, GA 30736
706-937-4754
Old Fort Baptist Church
18 Van Cleve Street
Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742
706-861-2807
Parkway Baptist Temple
65 Stuart Road
Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742
706-866-0325
Peavine Baptist Church
1089 Peavine Road
Rock Spring, GA 30739
706-375-4721
Philadelphia Baptist Church
1065 Pine Grove Road
Ringgold, GA 30736
706-891-5683
Pine Grove Baptist Church
46 Pine Grove Road
Ringgold, GA 30736
706-891-2427
Pleasant Grove Baptist Church
7769 Alabama Highway
Ringgold, GA 30736
706-935-3348
Pleasant Valley Baptist Church
1995 Ooltewah Ringgold Rd
Ringgold, GA 30736
706-537-3633
Poplar Springs Baptist Church
422 Poplar Springs Road
Ringgold, GA 30736
706-965-4461
Salem Baptist Church
1947 Keith Salem Road
Ringgold, GA 30736
706-965-3907
Shiloh Baptist Church
24 Kay Rossville,Street GA 30741
706-861-4359
Victory Baptist Church 1013 Layfayette Road
Rossville, GA 30741
706-866-0371
Welcome Hill Baptist Church
223 Inman Street
Ringgold, GA 30736
706-965-4814
Catholic
Saint Gerard Catholic Church
3049 Lafayette Road
Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742
706-861-9410
Church of Christ
Cohutta Road Church of Christ
2233 Mount Vernon Road
Ringgold, GA 30736
706-935-3884
Fort Oglethorpe Church of Christ
6 Harker Road
Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742
706-866-4124
Ringgold Church of Christ 4099 Nashville Street Ringgold, GA 30736
706-965-2820
Church of God
Boynton Church of God
1956 Three Notch Road
Ringgold, GA 30736
706-937-6300
Indian Springs Church of God 2256 Highway 41 North Ringgold, GA 30736
706-937-3599
Noble Church of God 75 Glass Rd Lafayette, GA 30728
Ringgold Church of God 117 Emberson Drive Ringgold, GA 30736
706-935-2056
Wallaceville Church of God
236 Harp Switch Road
Chickamauga, GA 30707
706-375-2736
Community
Battlefield Ministries Church
64 3rd Street
Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742
706-866-9090
Green Pasture Community Church
1008 North Beaumont Road
Ringgold, GA 30736
706-375-7333
Lee’s Chapel Community Church
3253 Catoosa Parkway Ringgold, GA 30736
706-935-9928
Rock Bridge Community Church 265 Poplar Springs Rd, Ringgold, GA 30736
706-279-3175
Episcopal
Church of the Nativity 1520 Cross Street Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742
706-866-9773
Full Gospel
Yates Spring Full Gospel Church 1300 Yates Springs Road Ringgold, GA 30736
706-638-2305
Methodist
Boynton UMC 4246 Boynton Drive Ringgold, GA 30736
706-866-2626
Fairview UMC 2112 McFarland Avenue Rossville, GA 30741
423-653-1043
Fort Oglethorpe UMC 1733 Battlefield Parkway Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742
706-820-6314
Graysville UMC
2331 Graysville Road Ringgold, GA 30736
706-891-9253
Newnan Springs UMC 78 Monanaw Avenue Rossville GA 30741
706-866-6724
Ringgold UMC 7484 Nashville Street Ringgold, GA 30736
706-935-4777
Nazarene
Battlefield Parkway Church of the Nazarene 3220 Battlefield Parkway Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742
706-866-9838
Non-Denominational
Battlefield Assembly In Messiah 195 Ashley Lane, Rossville, GA 30741
304-890-0949
Battlefield Church of Faith Highway 41 South Ringgold, GA 30736
706-937-7729
Battlefield Praise & Worship 1337 Battlefield Pkwy, Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742 706-913-0531
Chosen Generation Ministries 92 W Patterson Avenue Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742 423-779-6777
Church of Living Faith 7623 Alabama Highway Ringgold, GA 30736 706-937-5673
Crossroads Church 7638 Nashville Street Ringgold, GA 30736
crossroadsringgold.com
Faith Builders International 8309 Highway 41 Ringgold, GA 30736 256-338-5031
Grace Memorial Church 118 East Nashville Street Ringgold, GA 30736 706-965-7969
The Gathering 2290 Cloud Springs Road, Rossville, GA 30741 706-841 0161
Light House Church 1201 Lafayette Road Rossville, GA 30741 706-861-2715
Living Waters Ministries 1337 Battlefield Pkwy Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742 423-255-8655
New Life Church PO Box 1973 Ringgold, GA 30736
706-866-7799
Ridgeland Point Church 1417 Happy Valley Rd. Rossville, GA 30741
RockPointe Church 1278 Cross Street Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742 706-820-6523
Untethered Church 2473 Lafayette Road Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742 423-991-6067
Venue Church 3969 Cloud Springs Road Ringgold, GA 30736 423-637-7100
Woodstation Church 13198 Alabama Highway Ringgold, GA 30736 706-965-3360
Presbyterian
Chickamauga Presbyterian 700 7th Street
Chickamauga, GA 30707 706-375-3432
Christ Fellowship 1176 North Three Notch Rd. Ringgold, GA 30736
706-937-4115
First Presbyterian Church 1 Harker Road Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742
706-866-2521
Hope Fellowship
2000 Twin Cedars Rd
Chickamauga, GA 30707
hopefellowshipepc.org
Morton Memorial 560 Red Belt Rd.
Chickamauga, GA 30707
706-338-7176
Walker County Church Directory
Assembly of God
Cross Connection
703 N Main St. LaFayette, GA 30728
706-639-3303
Gospel Tabernacle Assembly of God 1661 Highway 27
Chickamauga, GA
Baptist
Antioch Baptist Church 236 Crow Gap Road Chickamauga, GA
706-539-1117
Bethel Baptist Church 4068 S Highway 341 Chickamauga, GA
706-375-3756
Bethlehem Baptist Church 278 Oak Grove Road Chickamauga, GA
706-375-2797
Bethel Memorial Baptist Church 198 Pledger St. LaFayette, GA 30728
706-638-2995
Bethesda Baptist Church 13432 Highway 151 LaFayette, GA 30728
706-638-9450
Calvary Baptist Church 908 Bronco Rd. LaFayette, GA 30728
706-638-8710
Cassandra Baptist Church 1371 W Cove Rd Chickamauga, GA
706-539-1046
Center Grove Baptist Church
68 Center Grove Church Rd Rock Springs, GA
706-764-2060
Center Point Baptist Church
118 Center Point Rd. LaFayette, GA 30728
706-764-1753
Chattanooga Baptist Church
7300 Highway 337
LaFayette, GA 30728
Christ First Church 5994 N Hwy 27 Lafayette, GA 30728 (706) 764-2212
Christian Home 2518 Garretts Chapel Rd Chickamauga, GA 423-313-5230
Community Baptist Church 14 Kemp Rd. LaFayette, GA 30728
706-638-1774
Corinth Baptist Church
2524 Corinth Rd. LaFayette, GA 30728
706-638-3963
East Armuchee Baptist Church 3196 E. Armuchee Rd. LaFayette, GA 30728
706 375-4512
Emanuel Baptist Church
639 S Main St.
LaFayette, GA 30728
706-638-1751
Faith Baptist Church of Chickamauga 14251 Highway 193 Chickamauga, GA
423-760-8895
Fairview Baptist Church
108 Jenkins Rd. Rossville, GA 30741
706-866-5744
First Baptist Church
603 7th St Chickamauga, GA
706-375-2733
Friendship Baptist Church
1200 N Chattanooga St. LaFayette, GA 30728
706-638-3560
Garrett’s Chapel Baptist Church
3235 Garretts Chapel Rd
Chickamauga, GA
706-375-6708
Grace Baptist Tabernacle 27 Jones Rd
Rock Springs, GA
423-362-3158
Grand Center Baptist Church of Chickamauga 1753 Grand Center Rd
Chickamauga, GA
706-375-8505
Happy Home Baptist Church
704 N Chattanooga St.
LaFayette, GA 30728
Harbor Light Baptist Church
600 Crane St. LaFayette, GA 30728
423-605-0917
LaFayette 2nd Baptist Church
500 W Main Street
LaFayette, GA 30728
706-638-2779
Lafayette First Baptist Church 201 N Main St, LaFayette, GA 30728
706-638-3727
Lake Howard Baptist Church 1528 Lake Howard Rd.
LaFayette, GA 30728
423-304-4990
Linwood Baptist Church 18 Steele St.
LaFayette, GA 30728
706-638-6527
Liberty Baptist Church 1334 Johnson Rd.
Chickamauga, GA 30707
706-375-3859
Lookout Baptist Church 8645 Highway 193
Chickamauga, GA
706-931-2356
Macedonia Baptist Church 12461 E Highway 136
LaFayette, GA 30728
Marble Top Baptist Church
7131 N Marble Top Rd
Chickamauga, GA
706-375-3536
Mt Hermon Baptist Church 2373 Hog Jowl Rd
Chickamauga, GA
706-858-5650
Naomi Baptist Church 4171 E Highway 136
LaFayette, GA 30728
706-638-4601
New Harvest Missionary Baptist Church 2034 Highway 337
LaFayette, GA 30728
706-764-6257
New Home Baptist Church
256 New Home Rd.
LaFayette, GA 30728
North LaFayette Baptist Church 1649 N Main St
LaFayette, GA 30728
Oakwood Baptist Church 115 Oakwood St
Chickamauga, GA
706-375-5760
Peavine Baptist Church 1089 Peavine Rd
Rock Springs, GA
706-375-4721
Prospect Baptist Church
194 Prospect Church Rd
LaFayette, GA 30728
706-397-2908
Ridgeview Baptist Church
1001 Magnolis St.
LaFayette, GA 30728
334-300-4733
Ridgeway Baptist Church 1594 Ridgeway Rd.
LaFayette, GA 30728
706-638-6832
Rock Springs Baptist Church
194 E Turnipseed Rd
Rock Springs, GA
706-810-8199
Shield Baptist Church 12684 N Highway 27
Chickamauga, GA
706-375-2554
Shiloh Baptist Church
46 Manning Mill Rd. LaFayette, GA 30728
706-397-8427
Sunnyside Baptist Church 3573 Round Pond Rd. LaFayette, GA 30728
423-364-9701
True Life Baptist Church 1115 N Main St. LaFayette, GA 30728
706-996-8571
Walnut Grove Baptist Church 55 Walnut Grove Rd. LaFayette, GA 30728
706-638-1377
Woodstation Baptist Church 42 Round Pond Rd. LaFayette, GA 30728 706-764-1794
Catholic
Our Lady of the Mount Catholic Church 1227 Scenic Hwy, Lookout Mountain, GA 30750 706-820-0680
Church of Christ
Church Of Christ
105 Crittenden Ave
Chickamauga, GA
706-375-2222
Highway 27 Church of Christ 1684 S Highway 27 LaFayette, GA 30728
706-638-4644
Lafayette Church of Christ 104 W Main St. LaFayette, GA 30728
706-638-1890
Steele Street Church of Christ 4 Steele St. LaFayette, GA 30728 423-505-9583
Church of God
Catlett Community Church 122 Round Pond Rd. LaFayette, GA 30728 423-309-4649
Cooper Heights Church of God 12598 Highway 193 Chickamauga, GA 423-903-3759
Cove Road Church of God 620 N Chattanooga St LaFayette, GA 30728 678-467-6982
Covenant Life Worship Center 7001 Lafayette Rd Chickamauga, GA 706-375-5286
LaFayette First Church of God 301 Daugherty St. LaFayette, GA 30728 706-639-7329
LaFayette Church of God 1002 S Main St. LaFayette, GA 30728
706-450-0872
Noble Church of God 75 Glass Rd. LaFayette, GA 30728
706-764-1093
Jehovah’s Witness
Kingdom Hall
457 Rodrunner Blvd. LaFayette, GA 30728
706-638-4342
Methodist
Elizabeth Lee Methodist Church 139 Cove Rd Chickamauga, GA
706-375-2182
LaFayette First United Methodist Church 301 S. Main Street LaFayette, GA 30728 (706) 638-2057
Rock Spring Methodist Church 3477 Peavine Rd Rock Springs, GA 30739
706-375-5345
Non-Denominational Battlefield of Life Worship Center 56 Kevin Ln. Rock Springs, GA 770-827-6718
Calvary Chapel Refinery 101 E Peachtree St, Rossville, GA 30741
706-806-9444
Care Mission 105 N Chattanooga St. LaFayette, GA 30728
706-638-3664
Cowboy Church of Lafayette 196 County Line Rd, Rock Spring, GA 30739 423-596-7227
Faith Worship Center 200 S. Chattanooga St. LaFayette, GA 30728 423-313-7035
Gospel Light Christian Fellowship 36 Fortune St. LaFayette, GA 30728
706-996-8535
Hope Fellowship 2000 Twin Cedars Rd Chickamauga, GA 30707 706-375-4673
Life Gate Church
204 N Main St. LaFayette, GA 30728
706-638-7620
Mission Bridge Church 807 N Main St. LaFayette, GA 30728 423-364-6771
Mount Zion Church 223 Dunwoody Rd. LaFayette, GA 30728
706-638-1238
New Bethel Christian Fellowship 4009 Round Pond Rd. LaFayette, GA 30728
706-638-6904
Power of Life LaFayette Church 798 W Main St LaFayette, GA 423-596-703430728
River of Life Church 807 W. Maqin St. LaFayette, GA 423-596-703430728
The Haven - LaFayette 415 Chestnut St. LaFayette, GA 706-996-815030728
Presbyterian
Chickamauga Presbyterian Church 700 7th Street Chickamauga, GA (706) 375-3432
Highland Presbyterian Church 1211 W Noth Main St. LaFayette, GA 30728
706-638-8940
Lafayette Presbyterian Church 107 N Main St. LaFayette, GA 30728
706-638-3932
Quaker
New Friendship Baptist Church 281 Friendship Rd Chickamauga, GA
706-375-7198
Wesleyan
Gordon Lake Weslyan Church
29 Gordon Lake Rd. LaFayette, GA 30728
706-638-6517
Gò0 dNews for Everyone
I Will Forgive Their Iniquity
by Hayden Lanier
As part of the New Covenant, God made an astounding promise. He declared, “For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more” (Jeremiah 31:34 ESV).
To forgive is to pardon; it is not holding the wrong someone has done against them. This is what God does for us with our sin—He forgives it.
The Old Covenant dealt with sin temporarily; the New Covenant deals with sin once and for all. The Old Covenant atoned for sin through sacrifices that had to be repeated; in the New Covenant, Jesus has “put away sin by the sacrifice of himself” (Hebrews 9:26 ESV). The Old Covenant was broken because God’s people disobeyed His law; the New Covenant cannot be broken because in it, sin is forgiven. The Old Covenant looked forward to the day when sin could be fully forgiven; in the New Covenant, God acknowledges that He will forgive and forget the sin of His people.
The forgiveness of sin is the foundation of this entire promise from God (to see the entire New Covenant, read Jeremiah 31:31-34). Sin kept us from being close to God, but now, God removes that barrier, allowing us to know Him. Additionally, this forgiveness we receive is complete, not partial. He forgives all our sin. “And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses” (Colossians 2:13 ESV).
This is good news for us because we are all sinners. It is good news for the gossiper, because God will forgive your iniquity. It is good news for the person who lacks selfcontrol, because God will forgive your sin. It is good news for the hateful, because God will forgive your wrongdoing. It is good news for all of us because, no matter how we may sin specifically, we all have a sinful nature. However, God redeems what is broken and forgives the endless list of ways we have sinned against Him.
Jeremiah, the prophets, and the people who read these words before Jesus looked forward to the New Covenant,
but we see it fully realized in Christ. Our sins are forgiven by God through Jesus and because of His Son’s sacrifice on the cross. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9 ESV).
As if that wasn’t enough, God not only forgives our sin, but promises to remember it no more. “As far as the east is from the west, so far hath He removed our transgressions from us” (Psalm 103:12 ESV).
Even when we forgive someone completely, we still remember what they have done. We may not hold their actions against them, but in many cases, we simply can’t forget what they have done.
However, God is different. When He justifies us, in His eyes, it is just as if we had never sinned.
The forgiveness we receive from God is so full that God forgets our sin. It is not held against us and cannot be brought up again. Praise Him for the great forgiveness we have been given!
See www.setyourmindabove.com for more from Hayden Lanier.
Hayden Lanier is a follower of Jesus, a graduate of Shorter University, and he works as an elementary school teacher.
Backstreet Chiropractic: Restoring Wellness from the Inside Out
In today’s fast-paced world, many people are searching for more than temporary relief. They want lasting wellness, renewed energy, and a healthier way to live. At Backstreet Chiropractic, the focus is not simply on masking discomfort. This team focuses on helping the body function the way God designed it to function.
The team at Backstreet Chiropractic believes true healing begins with the nervous system, the body’s communication center that connects every organ, muscle, and system together. When stress, tension, or spinal imbalance interfere with those signals, the body may struggle to function at its best. Through gentle, personalized chiropractic care, the Backstreet Chiropractic team works to restore balance so the body can heal and thrive naturally.
Designed
for the Individual
No two people are alike, and neither are their chiropractic needs. That’s why every patient begins with a thorough assessment tailored specifically to them. Using advanced tonal analysis and specialized techniques such as MC2, TRT, and Thompson Technique, the team carefully evaluates nervous system function, posture, and movement patterns to locate areas of interference.
From there, a customized treatment plan is created. Every adjustment is intentional, precise, and designed
around the individual patient. Rather than relying on harsh or forceful methods, Backstreet Chiropractic uses gentle, low-impact techniques that help patients move better, feel lighter, and experience greater overall wellness.
Highly trained in multiple chiropractic methods, including Diversified, Gonstead, Upper Cervical, Sacro-Occipital Technique (SOT), and Torque Release Technique, this team utilizes a wide range of expertise and delivers care that is both highly specific and deeply personal.
A Different Perspective on Healing
At Backstreet Chiropractic, healing is viewed as something that comes from within. Chiropractic care is not about simply “cracking backs” or chasing symptoms. Instead, the focus is on identifying and correcting the root cause of imbalance so the nervous system can function properly.
When the nervous system operates clearly, the body’s other systems — including the circulatory, digestive, hormonal, immune, and muscular systems — can work together more efficiently. Patients often discover that chiropractic care impacts far more than physical discomfort. Many experience improved mobility, better rest, increased energy, and a renewed sense of well-being.
Care for Every Stage of Life
Backstreet Chiropractic is committed to caring for individuals and families in every season of life.
For adults, chiropractic care helps the body better adapt to the physical and emotional stresses of everyday living. Long hours at work, repetitive movement, poor posture, and busy schedules can all place strain on the spine and nervous system. Gentle adjustments help restore balance and support the body’s natural resilience.
For seniors, maintaining mobility and independence is essential. Low-force chiropractic techniques can help improve flexibility, posture, movement, and overall quality of life while supporting the body’s ability to adapt and heal.
Children and teenagers also benefit from chiropractic care. From learning to walk to carrying backpacks and participating in sports, young bodies are constantly growing and changing. Pediatric chiropractic care supports healthy development, coordination, posture, and nervous system function through safe, gentle adjustments created specifically for growing bodies.
Expectant and postpartum mothers can also find comfort and support through chiropractic care. Pregnancy brings tremendous physical and hormonal changes, and chiropractic adjustments can help maintain pelvic balance, improve comfort, and support the body as it prepares for birth and recovery.
A Welcoming Experience
From the very first interaction, Backstreet Chiropractic strives to make care simple and personal. Patients complete intake paperwork online at their convenience before participating in a personalized intake consultation. This conversation gives patients an opportunity to share their story, ask questions, and learn how chiropractic care may support their wellness journey. The atmosphere is welcoming, encouraging, and centered on helping people feel seen, heard, and cared for.
Discover the Difference
For those seeking a more natural, whole-body approach to wellness, Backstreet Chiropractic offers a refreshing perspective. Whether someone is looking for relief, improved mobility, greater energy, or ongoing wellness care, the team is committed to meeting each patient exactly where they are.
Through expert, individualized chiropractic care tailored to each person’s unique needs, Backstreet Chiropractic is helping individuals and families experience healthier, fuller lives with confidence, comfort, and lasting wellness. Discover the difference!
Hours: Mon, Wed: 8am - 2pm Tues, Thurs: 8am - 2pm & 5pm - 7pm FRI, SAT, SUN: CLOSED
Gò0 dNews for Hikers The Way Up is Down
by Jan Merop
With lights secured around their foreheads, spelunkers are outfitted with the equipment to explore caves. They welcome the darkness, dirt, dank coolness, and adventure of finding their own way.
I've done some caving myself, but of a much tamer variety. The caves are open to the public for guided tours. The dankly cool atmosphere and darkness are relieved by dim electric lighting. Nor did I have to get dirty crawling through narrow crevices or a muddy place that may be a dead-end.
As fascinating as caves are, I prefer blue skies overhead and the sounds of nature surrounding me. But once while exploring a cave in Colorado, I was in for a surprise.
Following our guide, we descended into the bowels of the earth. He alerted us to points of interest as we kept moving along. Then he directed us to an opening and invited us to step through. I was amazed.
Above and around me, the skies, trees, birds, and refreshing mountain air contrasted markedly with the caves' earthy closeness. We had traveled down, yet stepped out on a high ledge overlooking the city.
Sometimes the way up is down. Life's situations may have us on our faces with no blue sky in sight. Getting down on our knees may be the only way up.
It's in trials that we learn to see from the perspective of bent knees. We're low with no place to look but up. Amazingly, we find that our cave wanderings have actually led us to the light and a view from a mountain top. It's what we can expect from God who loves us so much.
“Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, 'Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,' even the darkness
will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you”(Psalm 139: 7-12 NIV).
What if a man loses everything, including his family and health? Like Job in the Bible, he may enter a cave of despair and even take several wrong turns that lead to dead end traps of wrong thinking.
However, if in the darkness he reaches for God, the only glimmer of light he knows, God will use his trials to give him a heavenly perspective.
Down? Reach for that heavenly perspective. Sometimes the way up is down. Selah.
for Marriage The Heart of a Rose
by Sheila Bird
It has been said that a rose speaks of love silently, in a language known only to the heart. I found this to be true with my late husband who often expressed his feelings to me with roses. He knew how much I adored them. So whether he was celebrating a happy occasion or smoothing things over after an unhappy one, much to my pleasure it always involved the gift of lovely, long-stem roses.
His offering of roses never lost its meaning. With wide-eyed enthusiasm and a smile to match, I would put them on display so I could watch each tiny bud magically transform into breathtaking full bloom. But sometimes, a flower forgets its purpose and fails to find its way to the sun.
In many ways people are a lot like roses. They are the handiwork of God. Beautifully crafted and placed on this earth to bloom where they are planted. But life is not that simple, is it? Hard times often creep in like stubborn pestilence, eating away at our hopes and dreams.
It takes tenacity to bloom in a world full of hardship and disappointments. And yet we must. God, our strong and mighty creator, knows us by name and loves us thorns and all. He meticulously tends the garden of our hearts, pulling weeds and lovingly tilling its soil. He patiently awaits the outcome of His effort, and is faithful to see it through.
I imagine that if I were a rosebud, I would hold my head up high and reach for heaven with all my might. I would fearlessly unfold each of my delicate petals to reveal the wonder of my maker. I would strive to fill the atmosphere around me with sweet fragrance and I would persevere come rain or shine knowing that my days are numbered.
Full disclosure, I sometimes see myself more like a dandelion than a rose. One of those simple little yellow weeds that gets frequently stepped on or mowed down and never, ever cherished like a rose. Then I remember that even a prize winning rose is not exempt from suffering.
A prize-winning rose requires the tender care of a master gardener, but also the cold blade of His pruning shears. He knows that harsh winters result in dead leaves and broken branches. He knows! So in due season, He strives to eliminate disease and harmful overgrowth. He makes way for sunlight to nourish deep within and assures that the heart is pure and healthy.
Much like the human life, a rose in full bloom holds within its heart a legacy that remains unseen until the end. When each velvety petal slowly opens in splendor and in time drifts to the ground, the only thing that remains is its heart. Botanists refer to this as the fruit of a rose.
The heart of the matter is God’s heart and His heart longs for yours. All of it. Don’t let the devil convince you that you are a weed when you were born to live like a blueribbon winner.
Yes, it has been said that a rose speaks of love silently, in a language known only to the heart. But God was not subtle nor silent when He sent Jesus to this broken world. My prayer is that you give Him full occupancy to the garden of your heart, even when it hurts to go on. In doing so, you will be fully nourished by Him and you will abundantly flourish for Him.
Willow Tree Farms in Ringgold, GA welcomes you and your loved ones for events at their venue that now boasts two event spaces as of 2025. Both locations on the property include all their beloved outdoor amenities for activities as well as all their outdoor wedding arbor options. The Pavilion holds anywhere from 75 to 150 guests, depending on if you expand the space with their 20ft x 40ft garden party tent. The 609 Indoor Reception Hall can hold up to 300 guests, includes a large built-in bar, two apartments with a catering kitchen and overnight accommodations inside, and or a cocktail hour. These event spaces include tables, chairs, and benches along with several add on options of yard
maintaining the
venue welcomes aspiring photographers with it's
many
When God Has Other Plans
by Dr. Bobbye Jo Davidson
Igrew up in Trion, GA, a textile mill town in a Christian family. My maternal grandmother thought God sent me to her and greatly influenced my life. She had not healed from losing a child who was only three months old.
My family took care of themselves and others. That was nearly 90 years ago. My dad was a quiet man. He instilled in me, “Pretty is as pretty does.” It gave me confidence since I was teased and called “four eyes.” That made me focus on my attitude and academics.
Today, I am 89, love music, and I am a Georgia Bulldog and an Atlanta Braves fan.
By the time I was 31 years of age, I earned a PhD from The Ohio State University, had a successful teaching career at the University of Georgia, and had become a pianist and organist at our church out of necessity. After 50 years of marriage, I became a widow. Taking care of myself and taking care of others as much as I can is a theme of my days in this season of life and my neighbors are important to me.
I taught school from 8th grade through graduate school as God opened doors for me to go back to school and then to teach routinely until I finished my PhD at The Ohio State University. I retired early from the University of Georgia.
I recall in fifth grade, thanks to our music teacher and two classroom teachers, we performed the Minuet and a Scottish dance in authentic costumes prepared by anyone who could sew in the community. We went to the state competition at Georgia State College for Women and we took first place! This was the college that I was going to because they had a strong two year program with a certificate.
I remember a time when our high school graduation was just a few days away for the Class of ‘54. We were a very close knit class and we had ambivalent feelings. The Korean War was going on and four classmates were leaving within two days to join the Armed Forces. Others would join later. Praise God: they all returned home safely.
My plans were settled. In the ‘50s, the job opportunities for women were limited to secretary, teacher, employment at the mill, and marriage. Since I had done well in my business classes, I chose secretary. I certainly would not become a teacher!
“When God shuts a door, He opens a window” is my belief. Teaching was the last thing I was going to ever do and it turned out to be the first because God had other plans for me.
On a beautiful sunny April day, I smiled as I drove the 75 miles to a teaching interview. Yes, the very one who had said she would never be a teacher was going to an interview for a teaching position!
I often remember the day of my interview and how God had changed my plan. It was for good just as He had said!
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end” (Jeremiah 29:11 KJV).
Do you remember learning about Jonah in the Bible and how God changed his plans? Can you remember plans you had and how God had changed them for the good?
Dr. Bobbye Jo Davidson, known to most as Jo, lives in Rome, Georgia. She enjoys writing
Running by the Book
by Bill Silvers
Does God really care about the details of our lives? Is He interested in what we’re interested in? My answer is a resounding “Yes!”
At the age of 81, the Lord called me to run. I consider it a special assignment from Him.
I’ll be honest: I don’t even like to walk. It didn’t make much sense then, and some days it still doesn’t. I’ve learned that when God calls, the best response isn’t understanding but obedience.
What started with 5K races has turned into something far greater than I ever imagined!
It didn’t happen overnight. I committed six days a week to preparation, at the gym, on the basketball court, and walking through the North Georgia mountains. Those walks became more than exercise; they became encounters with God.
Somewhere along those quiet paths, my prayer life changed. When you spend hours alone with God, surrounded by His creation, you begin to listen. I found strength, not just for running, but for life.
Running, for me, is no longer just physical. It’s spiritual.
Running reflects the Scriptural call to aim for more than just earthly achievements. The apostle Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 9:24–25 NIV, “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.”
That Scripture reshaped how I see every race. I am not just training my body, but I’m also cultivating spiritual virtues like self-control and determination, aiming for an imperishable reward in heaven.
When the races get hard, and they do, I hold on to the promise of Isaiah 40:31 NIV: “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary.”
I’ve felt that renewal. There have been moments when my body said stop, but God said keep going.
Running has become a ministry for me—a way to encourage others and share God’s goodness. This Scripture beautifully captures the essence of why I run: to foster a
disciplined life that mirrors the steadfastness of Christ, constantly looking to Him as the ultimate guide and motivator.
The vitality and endurance found in Isaiah 40:31 NIV inspire my running journey: “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
This promise of divine empowerment sustains me, even through fatigue and challenges.
In July 2026, I turned 88 years old. I’ve been running for seven years now with medals to mark the progress.
People sometimes look at what I’ve accomplished and focus on the medals. The real victory isn’t in what I’ve won. It’s in what I’ve learned:
• It’s never too late to start something new.
• Obedience can lead you places you never planned to go.
• What feels impossible in your own strength becomes possible when you trust God.
James 1:12 NIV reminds us, “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him.”
That promise keeps me moving forward, both on the track and in life. At 88, I’m still running. Not because I have to, but because I’m called to. And He leads me by the Book.
Bill Silvers from Ellijay, Georgia, began running competitively at age 81. He runs to the glory of God!
Dark (Room) to Light
by Garrett Nudd
As a journalism and communications major in college, I was required to take a photography class. I borrowed a Minolta camera from a generous friend and gave it a try. In a matter of hours, I fell in love with creating images, and even more, conceptualizing the images before I actually pressed the shutter. Then I’d go into the dark room and process the film. It was magical—using the enlarger and submerging the paper through the different steps—developer, stop bath, fixer, and other chemicals to make the image come to life.
The dark room itself had an odd allure. Dramatically low lights, tinted red, put out just enough light to find your way around the room. Together, the chemicals created a smell so strange it’s hard to describe, but twenty-five years later, I’d recognize it anywhere. And dark rooms always had the moodiest music playing. I’ve heard that some college students found the atmosphere romantic, but I found it eerily ominous, like the laboratory of a mad scientist. I loved the process.
The biggest payoff, however, was walking out of the dark room and hanging my photographs to dry, then taking the print in my hands a few minutes later, holding it against the light, and looking at it from all angles to make sure it passed my inspection. I was tough on myself. If something was too light or too dark, or if it had a dust spot, I always reprinted it. And then the entire process repeated.
Today’s digital photography has so many advantages, and the images we can create are exceptional, but there was a magic and authenticity about the dark room missing from photography today.
Each week when I turned in my photography assignments, my goal was to win the anonymous vote among my classmates. And if I didn’t win the vote, I wanted my photographs to at least be selected for the gallery showcase in the hallway where hundreds of my fellow students passed each day. That experience fed my creative spirit and competitive nature, and I was hooked.
Not long after college, I was stuck with the notion that I should put myself out there for hire and see what happens. I was working in marketing and communications at Southern Adventist University just outside of Chattanooga, Tennessee, and I had the opportunity to do a little bit of photography for my job. I absolutely loved it, and I just couldn’t shake the notion to give professional photography a try. I’ve come to understand anytime you can’t shake a notion that’s a major MORE THAN.
Over the next three years, I worked and hustled nearly every night on my budding photography business. It was a rollercoaster of emotions as I expanded my marketing efforts and hoped for what someday could be. I was beginning to get a taste of what the future could look like if I continued my efforts toward MORE THAN.
The psalmist wrote, “Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart” (Psalms 37:4). I saw that promise as an invitation for MORE THAN and I claimed that promise regularly. I didn’t know what I’d do if God made good on His promise, but I thought it sure would be fun to find out.
Are you ready to find out about your MORE THAN? He is inviting you too!
John Norman, MD
Specializing In:
Arthroscopic Surgery; Joint Replacements of the Knee and Hip; Surgical & Nonsurgical Treatment of General Orthopedic Conditions, Sports Related Injuries & Pediatric Injuries
Jim Lashley, MD
Fellowship Trained in Orthopedic
Spine Surgery
Specializing In:
Surgical & Nonsurgical Treatment of Injuries to the Back, Neck & Spine; Surgical & Nonsurgical Treatment of General Orthopedic Conditions & Sports Related Injuries
Mitch Frix, MD
Fellowship Trained in Sports Medicine & Arthroscopic Surgery
Specializing In:
Arthroscopic Surgery;
Joint Replacements of the Shoulder & Knee; Surgical & Nonsurgical Treatment of Sports Related Injuries
Nick Reed, MD
Fellowship Trained in Sports Medicine & Arthroscopic Surgery
Specializing In:
Arthroscopic Surgery of the Hip, Knee, & Shoulder
Joint Replacements of the Shoulder
Surgical & Nonsurgical Treatment of Sports Related Injuries
Mike Wilson, MD
Specializing In:
Arthroscopic Surgery;
Joint Replacements of the Knee and Hip; Surgical & Nonsurgical Treatment of General Orthopedic Conditions & Sports Related Injuries
D.J. Goss, DO
Fellowship Trained in Orthopedic Foot & Ankle Surgery
Specializing In:
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Gò0 dNews for your Taste Buds
Independence Day in the Mountains: Firecracker
IdNews for your Taste Buds Independence Day in the Mountains: Firecracker
Cornbread Salad
Cornbread Salad
In the Smoky Mountains, the Fourth of July is more than fireworks and flags—it’s a time when front porches overflow with laughter, picnic tables groan under the weight of home-cooked dishes, and the scent of smoky barbecue drifts through the hollers like a hymn. It’s a day when families gather, friends drop by, and strangers become neighbors over a shared plate of food.
n the Smoky Mountains, the Fourth of July is more than fireworks and flags—it’s a time when front porches overflow with laughter, picnic tables groan under the weight of home-cooked dishes, and the scent of smoky barbecue drifts through the hollers like a hymn. It’s a day when families gather, friends drop by, and strangers become neighbors over a shared plate of food.
This dish won’t make it to the leftovers—it will disappear as soon as it hits the table. Layered like a trifle but made with humble Appalachian ingredients, cornbread salad is tangy, hearty, cool, and colorful—perfect for a hot July day.
This dish won’t make it to the leftovers—it will disappear as soon as it hits the table. Layered like a trifle but made with humble Appalachian ingredients, cornbread salad is tangy, hearty, cool, and colorful—perfect for a hot July day.
It’s rumored that the name “Firecracker Cornbread Salad” came from those who used to say the flavors "popped in your mouth like fireworks." Between the savory cornbread, the crunch of fresh vegetables, the creaminess of the dressing, and the sharp bite of bacon and cheese—it’s a celebration in a bowl.
It’s rumored that the name “Firecracker Cornbread Salad” came from those who used to say the flavors "popped in your mouth like fireworks." Between the savory cornbread, the crunch of fresh vegetables, the creaminess of the dressing, and the sharp bite of bacon and cheese—it’s a celebration in a bowl.
This dish is best made ahead, giving the flavors time to mingle. Served cold, it’s as much a relief as a treat when the summer heat sets in. Whether you’re bringing it to a potluck, church picnic, or backyard cookout, it’s guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser.
This dish is best made ahead, giving the flavors time to mingle. Served cold, it’s as much a relief as a treat when the summer heat sets in. Whether you’re bringing it to a potluck, church picnic, or backyard cookout, it’s guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser.
For the cornbread:
Ingredients:
Ingredients:
For the cornbread:
• 1 (8-inch) pan of cornbread, cooled and crumbled (boxed mix or homemade)
• 1 (8-inch) pan of cornbread, cooled and crumbled (boxed mix or homemade)
• Optional: bake your cornbread with a diced jalapeño for extra “spark”
For the salad layers:
• Optional: bake your cornbread with a diced jalapeño for extra “spark”
For the salad layers:
• 1 (15 oz) can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 (15 oz) can corn, drained
• 1 (15 oz) can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 (15 oz) can corn, drained
• 1 cup chopped green bell pepper
• 1 cup chopped green bell pepper
• 1 cup chopped tomatoes or cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 1 cup chopped tomatoes or cherry tomatoes, halved
• ½ cup chopped green onions
• 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• ½ cup chopped green onions
• 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
For the dressing:
• 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
For the dressing:
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• ½ cup sour cream
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• ½ cup sour cream
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
Instructions:
1. Prepare the dressing by mixing the mayonnaise, sour cream, vinegar, salt, and pepper. Set aside.
2. In a clear trifle bowl or large glass dish, begin layering:
1. Prepare the dressing by mixing the mayonnaise, sour cream, vinegar, salt, and pepper. Set aside.
• Half of the crumbled cornbread
2. In a clear trifle bowl or large glass dish, begin layering:
• Half of the crumbled cornbread
• Half of the beans, corn, peppers, tomatoes, onions, and cheese
• Spoon and spread half of the dressing
• Half of the beans, corn, peppers, tomatoes, onions, and cheese
• Repeat the layers with the remaining ingredients
• Spoon and spread half of the dressing
• Top with crumbled bacon
• Repeat the layers with the remaining ingredients
• Top with crumbled bacon
3. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving, ideally overnight.
3. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving, ideally overnight.
America the Beautiful
Lyrics: Katharine Lee Bates, Music: Samuel A. Ward (“Materna”) Public Domain
Obeautiful for spacious skies, For amber waves of grain, For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!
America! America!
God shed His grace on thee, And crown thy good with brotherhood From sea to shining sea!
O beautiful for pilgrim feet, Whose stern, impassioned stress A thoroughfare for freedom be Across the wilderness!
America! America!
God mend thine ev’ry flaw, Confirm thy soul in self-control, Thy liberty in law!
O beautiful for heroes proved In liberating strife, Who more than self their country loved And mercy more than life! America! America!
May God thy gold refine, Till all success be nobleness, And ev’ry gain divine!
O beautiful for patriot dream That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam Undimmed by human tears! America! America!
God shed His grace on thee, And crown thy good with brotherhood From sea to shining sea!
Back to Sch l Bash!
Gò0 dNews for Life Freedom
by Paul McGuire
Ihear the Lord say, “Hearts set toward freedom must pass through truth, and there they will encounter Me, because I am truth. I can work with ones of such a mind. Their heart’s in the right place. They need Me, but they must encounter and be directed by those who do know Me, otherwise, it’s just another struggle in life. My light by truth brings in life, as they seek it.”
John 8:31-32 The Voice “…If you hear my voice and abide in my words, you are truly my disciples; you will know the truth, and that truth will give you freedom.”
These are wonderful words with promise and hope. These words grow from the Father by His love for man. They are, however, set for fulfillment inside God’s fold for His sheep. We could call the gate to the fold “If.” There is not a limit on the promises; this “if” is a prerogative. Elsewhere, Jesus speaks of the “straight gate,” a narrow, perhaps, tight and difficult gate (Matthew 7:14).
Father showed me this perspective: “Love is not love which has no boundaries.”
We seek freedom, and rightly so, for it is the gift of God to man. But, as with love, freedom, too, must have definition. To say this may seem counterintuitive, but freedom is “from” something and “to” something. Scripture expresses it as coming from darkness to light.
Freedom grows in the light of Truth.
Jesus’ words in John 8 are often referenced only in part, but there is a progression there. I’ve come to express it like this: Belief to knowledge to truth to freedom, and I add, to power to victory.
First, we must believe, express faith, “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Hebrews 11:6 KJV)
The promise is certain; the conditions are clearly set; the boundary lines are laid. I think we could say that truth is available inside God’s fold, the shepherd’s fold for man. The offering to us for entry into this fold and access to truth is clearly defined by His love, but we must enter by the Gate. Jesus is that Gate. We are welcome to come in by that Gate.
We simply must accept His terms, honor His boundaries, and then walk through the Gate, closing it behind us. We will there gain access to genuine truth and gain freedom, safely inside the shepherd’s fold. Too we will experience God’s great love, safely inside the fold.
The significance of our words, especially in agreement with our Father’s Words, is warred against by Satan, and has been downplayed by the Church for a long time. But our victories start there! Our God-given freedom is in our words first, whereby we establish Kingdom rule over our spiritual enemy, which will then manifest in the natural. Only free people can speak as they will. Those with no voice exist in slavery.
We have “voice” before our Heavenly Father. We must speak His Words, inviting His Kingdom into the earth, into our lives. This is as Jesus instructed in His model prayer for us. We do this by the freedom He gives us. And with His Kingdom here, His power is released to bring victory over our enemy, Satan.
“Let Your Kingdom come, Your Will be done on earth as it is in Heaven” (Matthew 6:10 KJV)
“Thy Word is Truth” (John 17:17 KJV). Therein is the true freedom we seek!
Paul McGuire has been born again for over 60 years, and has pursued to hear God’s voice through all those years. He and his wife Teresa of over 50 years are active at Living Word Church in Cleveland, Tennessee. They have two children and five grandchildren.
dNews for Health & Fitness
Finding Steadiness: A Gentle Guide to Nervous System Regulation
by Heather Harper Medley, LPC
There are times when life feels too heavy, when everything inside you wants to pull away from the world. This feeling is not a sign of failure. It is your nervous system trying to protect you. When life feels overwhelming, your body may enter a state called dorsal vagal shutdown. This can feel like numbness, exhaustion, or disconnection. It is not brokenness. It is your body’s way of saying, “This is too much, I need to feel safe.”
Scripture speaks tenderly into these moments: “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18, ESV). Notice it does not say we need to fix ourselves first. God meets us right where we are, especially in the spaces where we feel overwhelmed and disconnected.
Here are gentle practices that may help when your nervous system feels stuck:
1. Notice What You Feel
Instead of pushing feelings away, name them softly: “I feel overwhelmed” or “I feel distant.” Naming helps create space for compassion.
2. Move with Kindness
Small, gentle movements can help. Stretch your arms, rock slightly, or press your feet into the floor. This is not about fixing yourself. It is about reminding your body that you are here.
3. Ground Yourself in the Present
Look around and notice five things you see, four you feel, three you hear, two you smell, and one you taste. This helps bring your attention back to the present moment.
4. Reach for Connection
Connection helps regulate the nervous system. This could be sitting quietly next to someone, texting a friend, or holding a comforting object. Remind your body that you are not alone in this.
5. Breathe with Intention
Breathe in slowly for four counts, hold for four, then breathe out for six. Let your breath be a gentle prayer. You do not have to force yourself to feel better. There is no timeline for healing. Peace and safety come in small ways. A deep breath, a kind word, a moment of warmth can help restore what feels stuck. Even when you feel far from steady, you are held by a God whose love never wavers. Resting in unconditional love can be very healing to the nervous system.
Closing Thoughts: Verses to Encourage You
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NIV: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”
Isaiah 41:10 NIV: “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Heather Medley is a licensed professional counselor, speaker, and published author. She loves neuroscience research papers, bargain shopping, and laughter. She resides in Rome with her delightful kiddos and steady husband.
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Hamilton Medical Center is recognized by the American College of Cardiology and ranked first in Georgia for Heart Care in the 2026 U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals Guide
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