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WARN® VRX 45, the WARN logo and THE RED HOOK STRAP are registered trademarks of Warn Industries, Inc. Accessorized unit shown.

• Spacious, 4-Passenger Seating

• Powerful, High Torque 999cc Parallel-Twin Engine

• Massive Ground Clearance And Long-Travel Suspension

EDITION

EDITION

WHITE'S

CYCLE

VRX 45, the WARN logo and THE RED HOOK STRAP are registered trademarks of Warn Industries, Inc. Accessorized unit shown.

MARINE 4917 HWY 58, CHATTANOOGA, TN 37416

&

KAWASAKI CARES: Read Owner’s Manual and all on-product warnings. Warning: The Teryx® side x side can be hazardous to operate. For your safety: Always wear a helmet, eye protection and protective clothing. Never operate under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Avoid excessive speeds and stunt driving. Be extra careful on difficult terrain. Protect the environment. The Kawasaki Teryx side x side is an off-highway vehicle only, and is not designed, equipped or manufactured for use on public streets, roads or highways. ©2022 Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A.

423.499.6000 | WHITESCYCLEMARINE.COM

Scan with camera to view videos, key features and more.

KAWASAKI CARES: Read Owner’s Manual and all on-product warnings. Warning: The Teryx® side x side can be hazardous to operate. For your safety: Always wear a helmet, eye protection and protective clothing. Never operate under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Avoid excessive speeds and stunt driving. Be extra careful on difficult terrain. Protect the environment. The Kawasaki Teryx side x side is an off-highway vehicle only, and is not designed, equipped or manufactured for use on public streets, roads or highways. ©2022 Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A.

TERYX KRX®4

TERYX KRX®4 1000 eS SPECIAL

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TERYX KRX®4

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WARN®

About Us

WRITERS

Brenda Dedmon

Brian Johnson

Carrie O’Neal

Cindy DuPree

Deck Cheatham

Heather Guthrie

Heather Medley

Judy Hood

Dr. Julius McCarter

Karla Smedley

Kristen West

Monica Gambrell

Pam Wattenbarger

Rick Hughes

Sandra Gilmore

SALES

Bud Kinches

423-650-2801

Email: bud.goodnews@gmail.com

DESIGN

Caleb Prytherch

Email: art.goodnews@gmail.com

PHOTOGRAPHER

Paula Knipp

423-310-4207

FACEBOOK

GoodNews Christian Magazine Catoosa

EDITOR/ARTICLE COORDINATOR

Sandra Gilmore

Jodi Varnado

Email: articles.goodnews@gmail.com

PUBLISHER

Matthew and Bethany Ruckman

Cell: 423-503-1410

E-mail: goodnewstn@gmail.com

OFFICE

423-790-5378

WEBSITE goodnewscm.com issuu.com/catoosaga

Hello Friends,

We want to take a moment to tell you who we are and what we are about. Our names are Matt and Bethany Ruckman and we have six beautiful children, Brendon, Kailey, Andrew, Leah Jean, Emma, and Cooper. We live in Cleveland, Tennessee, and love what this town has to offer! We have started GoodNews Christian Magazine because we feel that when God, family, and community are combined, lives will be changed.

GoodNews Christian Magazine is a complimentary, Christian lifestyle publication. You can find us throughout the community in retail establishments, churches, restaurants, and more. Our magazine opens the door for Christians to work together to grow and strengthen our community through relevant editorial and effective advertising.

GoodNews Christian Magazine is written by men and women in the community who love and serve the Lord. Our hearts are open and willing to be used by God to reach out to the community to spread the GoodNews!

Thinking Like the Holy Spirit

by Dr. Julius McCarter

“The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life” (Job 33:4).

I have more than four decades of practice at thinking small. It has taken a work of the Holy Spirit to get me to look behind just what I see at my eye level. I’ve felt an active work—a persistent reminder—to stop leaning on my own understanding (see Proverbs 3:5). The Lord has been saying, “Okay, enough of thinking like you. Start practicing thinking like Me.” When I realize I’m applying my own understanding, instead of feeling guilty, it has become quite a relief. When I remember I’m not in charge or in control—not the one responsible to figure out absolutely every potential scenario and “what if”—I nearly laugh out loud in joy.

There’s immense freedom in being able to turn to the Holy Spirit and ask, “What do You think?”

Like a fresh wind blowing in, I take a second and deeply breathe in His wisdom. I meditate on the impossibilities He can pull off and focus my gaze on what He can do that I can’t possibly achieve myself. There are times when I want to scream from the mountaintop, “I don’t have to figure it out all by myself! Hallelujah!”

To actively turn to God with a feeling, circumstance, or relationship is one of those paradigm shifts of faith. When we do that humbly and expecting an answer (also called faith), I believe it makes the Lord very happy. What parent, pleased with his or her children, wouldn’t respond with enthusiasm? Because it is God, He will also provide over and above what is needed—immeasurably more than we can ask or think (see Ephesians 3:20).

When you apply this renewal of your mind—to ask for the Holy Spirit’s thoughts—it becomes the moment when the blinders come off. It’s then that you start to experience life with much more color, goodness, and wonder, and you will never want to put the blinders back on. When you give over to the truth that the Almighty God has given you a life to live and is helping you to do it His way, it will wake you

up to grab hold of bigger, better, and higher thoughts and ways.

I know this seems like a very simple act in a world that values complicated thought. Still, when it’s all you, you are all you have. When it’s all God, you have infinite resources at your disposal. The more you turn to the Holy Spirit, the more you develop a secure and joyful hope that everything is possible. I am close with some people whose lives testify to this reality. My own life is marked by miracles. He has

been there for me; He made me. Even when I thought I didn’t have much to say about God, I see I wouldn’t be here without His remarkable life-giving Spirit in me keeping me close.

God is ready and willing—being the giver He is—to fill, refill, restore, and refresh. He is anxious to help, if I could use such a term. He wants to release His life into mine. It is that fresh wind of Himself that keeps me in line with His way. He raises my eyes to the hills to see that “My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth” (Psalm 121:2).

Dr. Julius McCarter is a husband to Kendra, a friend to some, a teacher to many and a follower of Christ. Julius has been a pastor and teacher for over 20 years. A lover of good books and music most of his life. His most recent book is Pastoralia: Reflections after 20 Years in Ministry.

Showing Kindness To Others

by Brenda Dedmon

We read in the Bible, "Be kind, compassionate, and forgiving to each other just as God has been to you" (Ephesians 4:32). This verse reminds us that God loves us and shows kindness to us, and He wants us to treat each other the same way.

Kindness is more than behavior. Kindness means developing a spirit of helpfulness, as well as being generous and considerate, and doing so without expecting anything in return. The act of giving kindness is often simple, free, positive, and healthy.

In the world today people find it hard to be kind to each other. Everyone is selfish and wants everything to go their way. However, as Christians we should model God’s kindness and love to others. The way we treat others will be an example of God’s love and kindness. Think about ways that God has shown kindness to your family and how that made you feel.

This summer would be a wonderful time for you and your family to make plans to be intentional in showing kindness and love for others. Ask your parents to have a family meeting and talk about ways you could put these ideas into practice.

When you have your meeting begin to think how you would like to be treated in the following scenarios:

• A friend dropped all their candy. However, you still have your candy.

• You see your friend crying in the park. You ask why they are crying. They say “I wanted to play with the other kids, but they said, ‘No.'”

• You are in the store with your parents, and you see someone drop something on the floor.

As you discuss these situations talk about how you could show kindness to others. Talk about ways you have shown kindness in the past to someone and how that made you feel. Discuss reasons some people might find it hard to be kind.

You may also discuss ways that you can show kindness to include the following ideas:

• Bake cookies for the elderly in your church

• Serve a meal at a homeless shelter

• Let someone go in front of you in line

• Give a stranger a compliment

• Make dinner for a family in need

• Pay for someone’s meal at a restaurant

• Make fun cards using markers and stickers, then deliver to an assisted living or nursing home

• Organize a craft night with your friends, then donate the final products for families in a shelter

• Go through books and choose a few of your favorite books for children in the hospital to have to read

• Go through your toys and take those you no longer play with to a homeless shelter

• Call your grandparents just to say, “I love You”

• When you are in a store, smile at everyone you meet

• Offer to hold a door for someone when leaving a store or restaurant

Conclude your family time by placing on the calendar the activities you have chosen and ways you will seek to show kindness every day.

Written by Rev. Brenda Dedmon, retired director of Children’s Learning Center, First Baptist of Dalton and an avid

Tide fan.

Secure Act 1.0 & Secure Act 2.0: The Effects on Your Retirement

Money Matters Rick Hughes with

Driven by a passion to educate, inform and prepare future retirees, Mr. Hughes founded Hughes Retirement Group in 2007. His main interest is helping his clients in reducing their taxes.

The “SECURE Act 1.0” refers to the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act of 2019, which was signed into law on December 20, 2019. The SECURE Act is a significant piece of retirement legislation that made several changes to retirement savings rules in the United States. Some of the key provisions of the SECURE Act include:

• Increasing the Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) age from 70 ½ to 72

• Allowing long-term, part-time workers to participate in 401(k) plans

• Creating a new type of annuity option within 401(k) plans

• Allowing penalty-free withdrawals from retirement accounts for the birth or adoption of a child

• Allowing small businesses to band together to offer 401(k) plans to their employees

• Providing for penalty-free withdrawals of up to $5,000 from retirement accounts to cover adoption expenses

• Elimination of the Stretch IRA

The Stretch IRA was a strategy used by beneficiaries of inherited Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) to “stretch” out the Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) over their lifetimes. This allowed the beneficiaries to defer paying taxes on the inherited assets for many years, potentially resulting in significant tax savings.

The elimination of the Stretch IRA provision was included in the SECURE Act. Under the new law, most non-spouse beneficiaries of inherited IRAs are required to withdraw the entire balance of the account within 10 years of the original account owner’s death. The new rule applies to account owners who pass away after December 31, 2019.

There are some exceptions to the new rule, including for certain types of beneficiaries, such as surviving spouses, minor children, disabled individuals, and chronically ill individuals. These beneficiaries may still be able to stretch out RMDs over their lifetimes.

The elimination of the Stretch IRA provision has significant implications for estate planning and retirement income strategies. It is important for individuals who have inherited or plan to inherit IRAs to review their estate plans and retirement income strategies in light

of these changes to ensure that they are still on track to achieve their financial goals.

“The SECURE Act 2.0” (Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act 2.0) was signed into law December 29, 2022. Some of the proposed changes include:

1. Automatic enrollment for retirement plans: The bill would require automatic enrollment of eligible employees in 401(k) and other retirement plans, unless they choose to opt-out.

2. Increased catch-up contributions: The bill would increase catchup contributions for individuals aged 62-64, allowing them to save an additional $10,000 per year.

3. Expansion of eligibility for retirement plans: The bill would allow part-time workers to participate in employer-sponsored retirement plans and would reduce the eligibility requirements for long-term, part-time employees.

4. Roth IRA changes: The bill would allow individuals to make contributions to a Roth IRA after age 72, remove the age limit for spousal IRA contributions, and allow penalty-free withdrawals from Roth IRAs for birth or adoption expenses.

5. Lifetime income options: The bill would require retirement plan sponsors to offer lifetime income options, such as annuities, to participants.

6. Increasing the RMD age to 73 now and to age 75 in 2034. In summary, this law has some positive advantages for people who are required to take minimum distributions. People are living longer now, and it made a lot of sense to increase the RMD form 70 ½ to 73 and eventually to 75. In my opinion this law also has some negative challenges with it due to the elimination of the Stretch IRA. In the past, your children who inherited your IRA could stretch that over 30 or 40 years, which means they would not be required to pay a tremendous amount in tax. This new law now requires them to deplete that account within 10 years, which could put them in the highest tax bracket, whatever it may be at that time.

If you would like more information on this or anything about the SECURE Act, please contact our office.

Words Of a Father

by Brian Johnson

Do your kids ever mimic you? If you have any, I’m sure the answer is yes. We all have things we say or quirks we have that we may not recognize but our loved ones see. There are several father/son relationships we see in the Bible, but one in particular speaks to the effect the words of a father had on his son.

You’re probably familiar with Solomon’s request for wisdom. In II Chronicles 1, God appeared to Solomon and said in Verse 7, “Ask what I shall give thee.” Solomon’s response, in Verse 10 was, “Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people….” If that was you or me, most of us would probably ask for money so we could take care of our families, or ask for power because of pride or safety from someone that would want to harm us or our family. When Solomon asked for wisdom, there seemed to be no hesitation. It was almost as if he was prepared for that question. I propose that it was so easy for him because he was prepared by his father.

Proverbs was primarily written by Solomon and, in Chapter 4, he speaks about some conversations he had with David, his father. Verse 4 says, “He taught me also, and said unto me, ‘Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live.’” He continues by telling us what those words were in Verse 5, “Get wisdom get understanding….” He goes on to quote David in Verse 7, “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.” And Verse 11 says, “I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths.” It’s obvious that David put a big emphasis on wisdom in the life of Solomon.

When a loved one has died, we tend to reminisce about the good times we had with them and the things they used

to do or the things they used to say. What would your kids say about you? Moms and dads, what are you saying and showing your kids that will have a positive effect on their lives now and after you’re gone?

In preparation for this article, I asked my kids, “If I was to die, what would you say that Dad used to always say…?” After they spent some time making fun of me for my quirks, they said that I always talk about the importance of basing their decisions on God’s word. Trust me, I’ve made my

share of mistakes, but it made me feel good to know that one of their memories of me was the importance I’ve put on them living according to what the Bible says and not their own ideas.

Our kids are always listening and looking whether you’re aware or not. Even if you don’t have any children, your words can still have a positive effect on the life of a child you’re close to. Make sure your words and your actions reflect God’s truth.

Brian Edward Johnson is a deacon at his church, nurse and author of Behaving Wisely, One Man’s Journey from Betrayal to Blessing. He longs for Christians to trust God for every aspect of their lives.

Bitter Or Better?

by Cindy DuPree

My heart is for God’s women, and my desire for you is Ephesians 1:17-18. It says, “…that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints.”

God has made each one of us valuable, and He desires for us to reflect His image and to know His love and fulfillment in our life. He provides strength, hope, and joy in the midst of everyday life, trials, and tragedies. We have an enemy, Satan, who doesn’t play fair. He hates us because we are life-givers and nurturers.

In 1992, my husband and I were pastoring our first church in Florida. I was the music pastor and led the women’s ministry. The church was growing, and young families were joining, several of which were expecting children. I was 28 years old and getting ready to give birth to our first child.

Finally, the big day arrived. Our son must have had a sense of humor as he decided to make his appearance on Labor Day. However, the delivery did not go as planned. After 27 hours of labor, I was scheduled for an emergency cesarean section. During the operation, my lungs filled with fluid and my vital organs shut down. I flatlined twice. The baby was diagnosed with Hypoplastic

Left Heart Syndrome. This beautiful (and from all outward appearances, healthy) baby boy only lived ten days.

As a reminder of our loss, three of my sisters-in-law and several ladies in the church were having babies. Being a pastor, I would visit these new moms, many in the same hospital where I had given birth. I had to decide: would I allow my personal grief to overshadow the love I had for others? James 5:16 was my key to victory: “Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” With a smile on my face and a tear in my heart, I gave baby showers and chose to love and nurture others. We all have battles and tough times, but what matters is how we handle them. I chose not to become bitter or angry. I chose to believe and live out the Word of God. It was a choice. The Word of God is our help, refuge, fortress, strength, joy, and much more. The enemy is a thief and a liar and wants to take away the blessings that the Lord has planned for our lives. My husband and I now have three adult children who love the Lord. To tell you how faithful God is, my youngest child was not planned. I felt in my heart to name him Zechariah. His name means, “Jehovah God Remembers.” He was also born in the same month as our child in Heaven. Zechariah grew up to be a musician and today is my assistant worship leader in our church.

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Ringgold Church Directory

Baptist

Boynton Baptist Church

4093 Boynton Drive

Ringgold, GA 30736

706-952-1551

Briarwood Baptist Church

26 Ellis Springs Road

Ringgold, GA 30736

706-965-9177

Burning Bush Baptist Church

2195 Burning Bush Road

Ringgold, GA 30736

706-866-1989

Calvary Memorial Baptist Church

518 Highway #41

Ringgold, GA 30736

706-891-9340

Catoosa Baptist Tabernacle

4994 Highway 41

Ringgold, GA 30736

706-935-4323

Cherokee Valley Baptist Church

1495 Cherokee Valley Road

Ringgold, GA 30736

706-935-6220

Christ First Church

1008 N. Beaumont Road

Ringgold, GA 30736

706-375-1008

Clearview Baptist Church

2183 Dietz Road

Ringgold, GA 30736

706-866-0164

Ebenezer Baptist Church

77 Hackett Road

Ringgold, GA 30736

706-965-7970

Faith Baptist Church

308 Boynton Drive

Ringgold, GA 30736

423-509-5334

First Baptist Church of Ringgold

7611 Nashville Street

Ringgold, GA 30736

706-935-2358

Friendship Primitive Baptist Church

851 Ooltewah Ringgold Road

Ringgold, GA 30736

706-935-2382

Gospel Way Baptist Church

31 Bowling Road

Ringgold, GA 30736

706-891-9866

Grace Baptist Church

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 Assembly In Messiah

195 Ashley Lane, Rossville, GA 30741

304-890-0949

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

706-866-2521

Separation Anxiety

by Heather Medley

“As a deer longs for flowing streams, so my soul longs for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and behold the face of God?” (Psalm 42:1-2).

Children are a gift from God, and we are called to love and care for them with gentleness and patience. One of the challenges that parents face in the early years of raising their children is dealing with separation anxiety.

separation anxiety by cultivating strong relationships between them and their new caretakers or teachers, creating an attachment community.

Gradual entry can help to slowly warm up the child and adult relationship, with trust building over time and with patience. For example, you could have the new babysitter over for dinner a few times or to play with your children while you are at home with them. In doing this, you become the bridge for their attachment. Children do best when they have adults they can turn to, and not when their peers are their best bet for comfort, contact, and closeness.

Separation anxiety is a normal and healthy part of a child’s development, and it can actually be a beautiful sign of secure attachment. God has designed children to be creatures of attachment, and they are not built for separation without some protest and potential anxiety ensuing. Dependency is good, and separation makes it feel at risk.

As parents, we can feel judged or overwhelmed when our children cry as we leave them, but their response is very normal. Saying things like, “You’re fine” or “Quit crying” is not helpful and leaves a child with confusion and shame. We can help our children navigate their

Children grow best when they feel the presence of an invisible attachment matrix surrounding them. When separation from their closet attachments is necessary, the best thing we can do is to give them alternative adult attachments to hang onto. However, children should not feel comfortable with people they do not know. Good attachment instincts will make a child shy away from people who are not sanctioned by their primary attachments. This helps to keep them safe and stay within their parent’s realm of influence.

It is important for us as Christian parents to remember that our children’s attachment to us and their subsequent separation anxiety is a reflection of God’s plan for human relationships. Children need the presence and support of their parents or primary caregivers to thrive and grow.

Heather Medley is a licensed professional counselor, speaker, and published author. She loves neuroscience research papers, bargain shopping, and laughter. She resides with her delightful kiddos and steady husband.

Photo by: Casey Yoshida

Patterson Farms

Welcome to Patterson Farms. This one-of-a-kind residential community located in a beautiful suburban area of Northwest Georgia offers a range of housing options for young professionals, empty nesters who want a peaceful retreat, and families with children. It’s an ideal place to create a home you love and build lasting memories with friends and family. Currently in Phase 2 of selling and building, Patterson Farms offers single family homes and cottages, efficient quad living, and charming townhouses with private courtyards. The wide selection caters to various lifestyles and budgets.

Each residence is thoughtfully designed to offer modern living spaces with state-of-theart amenities, ensuring a comfortable and convenient lifestyle. Plus, for those committing before construction begins, there’s the opportunity to choose your favorite tiles, faucets, flooring, and more. You can create the home you’ve always wanted.

Current residents love the location for a variety of reasons. For many, it's the sense of community and belonging that sets Patterson Farms apart. The developers are known for creating a friendly and welcoming atmosphere, with neighbors already beginning to gather for events and activities.

Residents also appreciate the attention to detail and high-quality materials used throughout the project. There’s a real sense of place at Patterson Farms, harkening back to the land’s history as a renowned harness racing farm. From gas street lights to craftsman details, to the renovated main farm house to the elegant landscaping, there’s a feeling that this place continues to be special.

Patterson Farms will feature a wide range of amenities, including acres of green space, walking trails for enjoying nature, a community garden, and multiple areas for meeting neighbors and relaxing with friends. Over 100 new trees have already been planted to provide shade and character, and new sidewalks are going in. The pool area is currently under construction as well. One great perk? Residents benefit from a low maintenance lifestyle, with all landscaping fully managed. That takes nomow May to no-mow ever!

The location is great, too. Located in the north part of Whitfield County, with easy access to Dalton, Chattanooga, and Cleveland, makes the development a big draw for residents.

Overall, Patterson Farms is a unique and exciting community that offers the perfect blend

of modern living and natural beauty. Whether you're looking for a single-family home or a townhome, this community has something to offer everyone. It's easy to see why this unique community has already become such a desirable place to call home.

We’d love to give you a tour. Call us at 7000 or visit our website www.pattersonfarms.com for more information.

Scrapbookers

by Sandra Gilmore

“The four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp, and they were holding golden bowls full of incense which are the prayers of the saints” (Revelation 5:8). That verse has always fascinated me, plus it has always given me hope.

I am a scrapbooker. Blunt as it might sound, I used to think scrapbookers needed to get a life. Who has time to sit down to piece together stuff representing past days when today’s urgencies are beckoning? Now, I realize they are showing the world they really have had moments worth capturing. Scrapbooks are such works of art and labors of love. They show the significant times, the milestones of children, and the evolution of families. Scrapbookers save everything. Anything becomes fair game for a keepsake page. Little slips of paper, short lengths of ribbon or tiny, flat gadgets of all shapes, sizes, or colors can find their way into a page format.

God understands this. He keeps our prayers. The little ones we slip up to Him in between traffic lights or the ones tied together by a particular theme such as prayers for our loved ones. Even the prayers of thanksgiving offered for some trophy or triumph we have deemed important to our journey. All of these and more, He keeps. I don’t understand why, and I certainly cannot explain how. I just know from Scripture that He does.

I wonder when I get to Heaven, if the Father will pull out my prayers the same way I pull out my scrapbooks. Will He show me how my prayers began? Will He point out the times when my faith grew? Have I given Him enough to show a handsome pattern of trust and faithfulness?

Have you given God anything to “scrapbook” lately? Have you sent Him some praise in between traffic lights? Have you poured out your deep questions or asked for wisdom over challenges? He wants to hear. Share your life with Him. Scripture says to pray without ceasing. That means to develop a lifestyle of communication with the Father. He likes it when you talk to Him. He has sent all of Scripture, all of nature, and even the Holy Spirit to communicate back with you. What may seem a “scrap” of a communication to you will be significant in the Father’s hands. We are reminded from Scripture: He keeps everything!

Father, please teach me to pray and to pray without ceasing. Make the Scriptures real to me. I have caught your Word! Your Word is hidden in my heart so I may not sin against you (Psalm 119:11). Your Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path (Psalm 119:105). I receive your presence in my life. Holy Spirit be my guide. I know your thoughts are higher than mine (Isaiah 55:9). I yield my thoughts to be in line with your Word. Take me higher, Father, to see above circumstances and to walk by faith. Amen.

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

About The Author

Church Activities & Events

Catoosa Baptist Tabernacle

The Morrison Sisters

June 4 | 10:30AM

4994 Highway 41, Ringgold, GA 30736

Northwest Christian Fellowship

New Man Seminar with Curry Blake

Thursday, June 8 – Saturday, June 10

272 Main Street, Varnell, GA

Brainerd North Georgia Baptist Church

Vacation Bible School

June 11 - 14 | 6PM - 8:30PM

1473 Cloud Springs Road, Rossville, GA 30741

Concord Baptist Church

Vacation Bible School

June 20 - 23 | 9AM - 12PM

7025 East Brainerd Road, Chattanooga, TN 37421

Quick and Easy Crab Salad

by Pam Wattenbarger

This recipe is naturally glutenfree and is the perfect dish to serve as the weather begins to get warmer. I usually use imitation crab meat instead of real crab meat (because it is so much cheaper) and everyone still enjoys it. You can use homemade ranch dressing in the salad or just do a timesaver like me and use bottled. I usually purchase the higher quality ranch dressing from the refrigerated section of the grocery store. This crab salad can be made a day in advance. This gives the flavors a chance to meld.

Ingredients

• 1 (16 ounces) bag coleslaw

• 1 (16 ounces) bottle ranch dressing

• 1 (16 ounces) package imitation crab meat or 16 ounces crab meat

• 1 medium onion, diced

• 3/4 cup diced celery

• 1/3 cup lemon juice

• 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)

• 1/2 teaspoon pepper

Instructions

1. In a large bowl mix the coleslaw, onion, and celery together until blended.

2. Add the ranch dressing, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Stir until blended.

3. Dice the imitation crab meat into small pieces. Gently fold the imitation crab (or an equal amount of real crab meat) into the salad.

4. Cover and chill for up to 24 hours before serving.

5. This is best made in advance to allow the flavors time to meld.

Pam Wattenbarger is the author of 3 cookbooks. You can find more recipes on her website, SimplySouthernMom.com.

Help! I’m Going Backwards!

by Kristen West

Have you ever felt like you’re going backwards in life? Try as you may to move forward, it just seems like progress is unattainable and the only direction destined for you is reverse? I cannot tell you how many times I’ve felt that way!

One of my more obvious examples comes from early on in my marriage. Anthony and I headed to the altar wholeheartedly ready to merge our lives into a blissful union, but the first several years of wedded life had us

be unpacked, processed, and thrown out. Much of who we were, as people, needed to be unlearned.

It felt like we were going backwards! I lost count of the days where I truly thought the rest of our lives were going to be spent slogging through hopeless days fraught with tension and endless nights filled with tears. We slowly began to realize that in order for God to build the healthy, strong, and unified foundation in our marriage that He wanted for us, it was necessary to deal with the toxic, bad, and unhealthy things that we’d brought with us into our union.

Interestingly enough, I’ve seen this principle in many other areas of my life—work, raising children, navigating friendships. It’s the times when I feel like I’m going backwards the most that God is actively at work uprooting and tearing down bad thinking, sin habits, and selfish tendencies in me. He’s quietly but patiently working to craft my heart to look like His and fashion and build my character to be more like Jesus. And the cherry on this ice cream sundae is found in Verse 14, “God works so that people will be in awe of Him.”

wondering when the “worse” part of “for better or worse” was going to end. We spent years at each other’s throats before we sincerely began to understand just how lovingly God was working.

Ecclesiastes 3 says, “There is an occasion for everything, and a time for every activity under heaven…a time to plant and a time to uproot…a time to tear down and a time to build…” (vs. 1-3, CSB).

As newlyweds, Anthony and I assumed there would be hurdles to overcome, but we never imagined we’d have things that needed to be uprooted or torn down. Ideologies, bad theologies, and a few other personal-ologies needed to

He gets the glory! We don’t. He does the incredible, life-changing work! We don’t. And, He intentionally works so that we will be in awe of Him because no one else can do what He does! If you feel like you’re going backwards today, friend, take heart knowing that God is at work! It may seem like your life will never get out of reverse, but He is absolutely working for your good to move you forward. And, there will come a day when you (and others) will be in awe of Him because of what He’s done!

Faithful

Carrie O’Neal

You are Faithful no matter what they say. Your promises are kept, And you show that every day.

You never leave my side, Even when I’m untrue.

You keep waiting on me, And fill me with Your truth. My soul yearns for Your love, Lord drown me in Your glory. Guide me in all Your ways, And make my life Your story.

I want to be the me You designed, So that every part of You in me will fully align.

There is nothing better than You. And once we surrender ourselves, We know that to be true.

Life can be stormy and plagued with doubt, But You stay with us and lead us out.

Lord guide every step and every word, So that my life will be fulfilled by Your work.

Carrie is a work from home wife and mother to three children. While her college education is in English/ Creative Writing, Carrie currently works in the field of Marketing. She truly loves Jesus and wants to do what she can to spread His message of freedom, love, and hope.

Take A Spin

by Heather Guthrie

Do you wash your clothes before you put them in the washer? No, I don’t think so. Then why do you think you should clean yourself up before you talk to God? If I had to get myself cleaned up before I talked to God, I would never talk to Him! Ever! I know it’s a struggle when we are hurting and feeling worthless, along with many other things. Jesus wants us to come boldly before Him! Bring every single piece of our hurt and heart to Him. Gosh, if we just knew how much He loved us.

them. You turn on the settings you need and put in some detergent. Tell God what you need and let Him handle giving you what you need.

Ummm…I don’t always like that part. You know, the letting Him be God part. The water fills up at certain points and rinses. Just like the water rising and falling, that’s how life is at times. Sometimes we are in a valley, and sometimes we are on the mountaintop. The in-between always makes room for the cleaning of our hearts. The actual washing is the main part. During the washing, the dirt comes off. Not always gently either, even if you do have it set on that setting.

I try to go every direction under the sun except Him at times. I try to do it on my own. I don’t think He wants to put up with my problems again. Especially the same ones that I have a hard time giving to Him. That is a lie from Satan. Really? Think about the washer. The washer has certain steps it goes through to wash the clothes properly and they are typically in order. Wash, rinse, and spin. When you put your articles in the washer, you just toss them in a sort of way they can be balanced. Why don’t you just toss in your requests and let God handle them? Don’t even try to arrange

Some things are harder to clean off than others. That’s our doing, not God’s doing. Sometimes we just don’t want to let go of the dirt. That, at times, agitates us because we want to do it ourselves. I don’t want God’s help all the time. I don’t want Him seeing the dirty parts of my heart. I don’t want anyone seeing those parts. The thing is He made our hearts and He already knows everything that is in there. He knows when it needs to be washed, rinsed, and spun. Again, we have to make the choice to let Him do all this completely. Just like we make the choice to start a load of laundry. He is working in our hearts all the time, but when we make the choice to let Him and come before Him, He will completely clean us. Laundry is a continual cycle, and so is growing in the Lord.

Heather Guthrie, daughter of the King dancing in the deep and encouraging others with truth. She loves to meet people where they’re at in ministry. She can be reached at Higuthrie215@gmail.com.

Pay Attention!

by Monica Gambrell

Many of us, at least the stubborn ones, have developed certain habits as a result of having a bad habit that we corrected. We are a stubborn people. Okay, maybe I should be saying I am a stubborn person. Maybe other people don’t have such a hard time changing their habits. In one such case, it was my husband and I who slipped up—and the whole family was there to witness it.

It may seem silly to some, but we had a favorite bowl in our household. It wasn’t an heirloom and it wasn’t expensive. It was a simple, ugly green, plastic mixing bowl. My mother had bought it for my husband because he was a fantastic biscuit-maker. This bowl was about 22 inches across and maybe eight or nine inches deep. It had a groove in the underside with a rubber insert that made it grip the counter as he mixed the dough. It got most of its use though as our family popcorn bowl. Many times, after baths, we would put quilts down on the floor, pop in a video, and I would make popcorn on the stove top the old-fashioned way. The children would dance beside me as I sang “the popcorn song” to the popping corn. I would then dump it into that magical bowl and the children would all share in the warm, wonderful treat.

before bed. I wasn’t really worried because we had a rule in our house that we should open the oven door and check before turning it on (just in case there was a pizza box in there). Apparently, my husband did not pay any attention to that household rule and turned the oven on without checking. You know how cartoons show someone’s anger by the steam escaping from their ears and nostrils? From afar, our house must have looked like that: smoke escaping from every orifice. There were flames, and a real concern for it spreading. A normal person would have reacted with panic and frenzy, I could only envision the cartoon face and couldn’t stop laughing.

PAY ATTENTION!

Earthly issues have varying degrees of outcomes when we don’t pay attention—some serious, and some not. If we would pay attention, things would possibly go awry less often. But when it comes to paying attention to God and His Word, it is no laughing matter.

Pr. 4:1— “Listen, my sons, to the instructions of a father, and pay attention so that you may gain understanding.”

Is. 48:18— “If only you had paid attention to My commandments! Then your well-being would have been like a river, and your righteousness like the waves of the sea.”

Occasionally, there was a bit of popcorn leftover and I would put it in zippered bags for another time. One particular night I failed to store the popcorn properly. I left it in the big green bowl and slipped it into the oven

Father God, paying attention to You is of utmost importance. Like Peter, we sometimes take our eyes off of You and get distracted by our circumstances. May we keep our eyes focused on You at all times, and pay attention to You now more than ever before.

WILLOW TREE FARMS

Nestled in the rolling foothills of Northwest Georgia. Conveniently located between Chattanooga and Atlanta, our family farm offers unrivaled beauty and serenity with just the right touch of rustic charm and modern amenities. Our lush grounds frame tranquil ponds. Cascading willow trees sway majestically in the mountain breezes. Cattle and llamas graze in nearby verdant fields as ducks and swans paddle peacefully atop shimmering waters. Aside from the pristine countryside, we offer a barn, a pavilion, two gazebos, an open, flat grassy area, and a fire pit for your special occasion. Whether you need indoor or outdoor settings for your next event, look no further than Willow Tree Farms.

Straddling The Fence

by Judy Hood

Straddling the fence, I can’t make up my mind

Do I want to go left? Or do I want to go right?

Left seems so much fun, you see

That’s where all my friends are, so I wanna be

But there’s a man to the right calling to make me whole

He holds salvation in his hands

Because he went to the cross and died for man

He is here

My friends are there

I think I see him shed a tear

I believe in my heart I’ll go to the right

No man has ever shed a tear for me, no man has ever died

So I’ll take his hand to forever be

Two of a kind, my Lord and me

The Recipe

by Deck Cheatham

“Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart to revere your name” (Psalm 86:11).

No good Southern cook follows a recipe. For most, a recipe is a suggestion. Since my blood runneth thick with mustard barbeque sauce, I speak with authority when I say a Southern cook’s diversion connotes not simply mastery but a devilish desire to conceal. Why share secrets when you have the upper hand?

forge a trail or any other cliché appropriate to describe a species who tolerates rules but does not like them.

Are you willing to go where God is leading you? Are you listening to Him? These are the questions I continue to ask myself. The reality convicts me. Too many myriad ways do I resist Him manifest through subtlety and intention. Too easily do I respond by saying, “Wait a minute, you want me to do what? You want me to go where? Uh, no thank you, I’m just fine where I am doing what I’m doing. Why don’t you get old Billy to do it. He’s better suited, and besides, my calendar is full for the next twenty years.”

My wife’s grandmother, Mamoo, was such a cook. Sweet and demure, a true Southern lady, she could never repeat her recipes when asked or admit to ingredients each family member knew was in the mix. I offer into evidence her Hoe Cake (having nothing to do with Johnny Cakes or slang) recipe, a delicious blend of whole wheat flour, white flour, baking powder, salt, oil and milk, proportions suggested, mixed, patted into shape or rolled (a little), baked, biscuit sliced and buttered while hot. Mmm, Mmm, them Hoe Cakes are good eatin’ (even better toasted), trust me, they have graced my taste buds.

Following is not a Southern trait, and for that matter, it’s not a human one either. We like to go our way, carve a path,

Doesn’t God wish to take His children to the same place, to love Him more than their own desires, to believe Him more than their own doubt, to receive Him with an undivided heart? But first, to go where God leads, to follow Him, His children must offer, as the Psalmist says, the sacrifices of a broken spirit, a broken and contrite heart. And so offered through life’s oven, knowing God, being known by God, the knowing revealed by abiding in Him prepares His children to go where He leads. True men of God recognize His presence, His working in this world, His living amongst us and live in His peace. God’s truth binds us to Him like a good recipe.

Time exhausts much of life. But life cannot exhaust God, His love for us, His desire for us to be bound to Him, to follow Him. And once bound, following becomes more desirous than our wish not to. You don’t need a recipe for that.

“Those who have ears to hear, let them hear” (Matthew 11:15, NKJV).

Microwave Society: Maturing Faith

by Karla Smedley

As a toddler, my oldest loved trying out new words. I remember her sitting at the table eating her breakfast. The microwave buzzer signaled, and my hot tea was ready for its daily job to wake me. She tried to pronounce the word, and while I do not remember her exact attempt, I vividly remember the next few seconds. “Honey, the word is microwave. Say micro.” She repeated successfully. Then I added the word, “Wave.” She smiled so big, picked up her little arm and waved with great vigor! That memory has been precious to me for almost 30 years! I can still see her little expression of triumph.

Microwaving Our Faith

Living in a remote-controlled world, we can easily be influenced, thinking that we can push a button, and zap our trials will be done. In addition, our mindset is often that we can microwave our faith, warming it up when hard times are upon us. When storms come crashing in, we wish we had a “faith like Daniel.” A faith that knows beyond a shadow of a doubt that God has our back. We desire assurance that God will tame our lions in the dark dens or stand in the fires like He did with Shadrack, Meshack, and Abednego.

Misconceptions

Perhaps, our faith has not developed like Daniel and his friends for a couple of reasons.

• Are we expecting a Daniel-like faith without even being plugged into God’s word, as if the microwave would even work without its source of energy?

• Are we living a lukewarm life as a Christian while we are trying to grow our faith? Even while being held captive in a foreign land without others who believed in God, Daniel and his friends were living for God.

• Are we living for God in our ungodly world?

• Are we just lukewarm Christians, who walk in the doors of the church sporadically?

• Are we desiring to walk in God’s daily presence on Sundays during worship, but setting Him aside Monday through Saturday?

• Are we guilty of expecting God to be there for us on demand when life gets tough?

We all know the slow-cooker would be the best means for cooking a roast, not by zapping it for a few minutes. Are we believing that God can carry us through the torrential trials with microwave faith?

The Ah-Ha Bell Should Be Dinging

God allows trials for our dependence on Him to bloom and flourish. If the trial is over quickly, that dependency will not have time to marinate.

Faith Like Daniel’s

A Daniel-like faith takes time to develop. This faith boils when we study God’s word. Our trust in God’s abilities simmers when the difficulties in our lives do not resolve themselves by the push of a button. As we continue through the trial, our matured faith will sustain us, providing the needed courage, strength, and hope to continue.

“And we know that all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).

Even though microwaving is a quick fix, we must still complete steps to be successful in getting that warm dish. Developing a stronger faith through trials requires taking those steps that bring us closer to God: confessing sins, spending daily time in God’s word, becoming an active part of a local church, being encouraged by fellow Christians. With these strides, we can begin to develop a Daniel-like faith.

Karla Smedley has two grown kids and have taught over 2,000 students during the last 32 years. No matter where she lives or where she visits, she sees the need for people to know of God’s unconditional love and grace. Her desire is to encourage others through her writing and speaking. Check out the website smorgasbordofsister.com that she co-authors with my cousin Donna.