Gò0dNews
About Us
WRITERS
Aaron Mendez
Bill Silvers
Chris Mullis
Chrissie Joy Jackson
Dorothy Teague
Garrett Nudd
Hayden Lanier
Jan Merop
Dr. Jeff Dabbs
Katie Loveless
Rick Hughes
Spring M. Fricks
Tammy Madden
Zebbie Brewster
SALES
Matthew Ruckman
423-503-1410
Email: goodnewstn@gmail.com
DESIGN
Caleb Prytherch
Email: art.goodnews@gmail.com
PHOTOGRAPHER
Paula Knipp
423-310-4207
EDITOR/ARTICLE COORDINATOR
Sandra Gilmore
Email: articles.goodnews@gmail.com
PUBLISHER
Matthew and Bethany Ruckman
Cell: 423-503-1410
E-mail: goodnewstn@gmail.com
OFFICE
423-790-5378
WEBSITE goodnewscm.com issuu.com/catoosaga FACEBOOK
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.
ò0 dNews from the Pastor’s Desk
Hope Beyond Suffering
by Dr. Jeff Dabbs
Suffering may very well be one of life’s great equalizers. It touches every family, and every person. Whether it comes through illness, grief, financial strain, broken relationships, or simply the weight of daily struggles, suffering is something we all face. The question is not if we will suffer but how we will endure the suffering.
The world often tells us to just “push through,” or “look on the bright side,” or the ever popular “make the best of it.” When the nights are long and the pain is deep, positive thinking falls flat. What we need is real hope—hope that goes beyond the suffering itself.
The Bible gives us exactly that.
Suffering is not the end of the story. The apostle Paul wrote to believers in Rome, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us” (Romans 8:18 NASB).
Notice what Paul is saying: suffering is real, but it is also temporary. Glory is coming, and it far outweighs the pain of the present moment. Paul doesn’t minimize our hurts; he magnifies the hope of heaven. For the Christian, suffering is never the end of the story — it is only a chapter on the way to something much greater.
stitching together the pieces of our lives—even the painful ones—into something far more beautiful than we can see right now.
Hebrews 6:19 NASB reads, “an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast.” An anchor doesn’t remove the waves, but it holds the ship steady in the middle of them. That’s what hope in Christ does for us. It doesn’t erase suffering, but it keeps us from being swept away by it.
When we remember that Christ suffered for us, died for us, and rose again for us, we realize we are never alone in our pain. He is with us and He promises that one day He will wipe away every tear (Revelation 21:4).
How can we live with hope today? Here are a few simple ways:
Paul also reminds us that God works through our pain. Paul declares: “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28 NASB).
This verse doesn’t say all things are good. But God is so sovereign and so loving that He can take even the darkest circumstances and weave them into a larger plan for His glory and our good.
Think of a quilt made of scraps and patches. Up close, the pieces look mismatched and messy. But step back and you see the beauty of the pattern. In the same way, God is
1. Cling to Scripture. Verses like Romans 8:18 and Psalm 34:18 (“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted”) remind us of God’s promises.
2. Lean on community. God often uses other believers to comfort and encourage us.
3. Look ahead. Fix your eyes on eternity, where suffering will be no more and peace will forever reign.
4. Remember Christ. He endured the cross for us, and because of Him, we know that joy comes after sorrow.
Suffering may feel final, but in Christ, it never has the last word. Hope does, and it is not wishful thinking — it’s a living promise, sealed by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Paul reminds us, “For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison” (2 Corinthians 4:17 NASB). That’s the kind of hope that can carry us beyond suffering.
Dr. Jeff Dabbs is the senior pastor at Spring Creek Baptist Church, Rome, Georgia. He has authored Sunday School material and several books.
Gò0 dNews for Music Lovers
Bluegrass, Orchestras, and the Body of Christ
by Hayden Lanier
For the past two to three years, I have been on a bluegrass kick in my music-listening tastes. What I think makes this genre unique and well worth listening to is the blending of instruments. In bluegrass music, there is typically a guitar, fiddle, mandolin, and banjo (or additional instruments, such as an upright bass) all playing at the same time. Each instrument plays a different melody, harmony, or strumming pattern, yet they all combine to produce a truly incredible sound. Bluegrass songs can be upbeat or somber, joyful songs for dancing, or melancholy songs intended for solitary reflection, and each instrument works together to produce the desired sound and effect on the listener.
The same applies to a concert band or an orchestra. These are all made up of a wide variety of instruments, from woodwinds and brass to percussion and strings, or perhaps even a vocalist accompanist. Each instrument plays a different part, or maybe even within each section of instruments, there are different parts being played! But when the entire group of musicians comes together, every note played or plucked melds together to produce something wondrous.
I believe the arrangement of a bluegrass group or an orchestra illustrates how the body of Christ works. God’s Word teaches us in 1 Corinthians 12 that Christians are different members of the body of Christ led by the same Spirit. He made us different parts, but we work together to love Christ and serve His church. Some are teachers, some have the gift of wisdom, some have knowledge, and others have faith. Not everyone should be a pastor, not everyone should lead worship, not everyone should help in the nursery, and not everyone should run a sound board.
orchestra plays a different part. And, like in music, each part of Christ’s body comes together to form something beautiful that can only be knitted together by the rich diversity of people’s unique giftings.
It is good to reflect on and recognize how God has gifted and equipped you to serve and share. There may be a temptation to try to be someone or something you are not, but we should consider how the interests and abilities God has given us coincide with our calling. Do you enjoy fellowship or showing hospitality to others? Then spend time with them, welcoming them into your home and sharing your time with them. Are you a talented writer, musician, or speaker? Then take the opportunities you have to write, play, or proclaim God’s truths to the world. Are you an introvert who feels more comfortable keeping to yourself? Then seek out ways to serve in your local church behind the scenes, performing the tasks that don’t receive recognition but are no less important.
Those who are in Christ are the family of God, the church of Christ, and the people led and filled by His Spirit. If we were a bluegrass group, some of us would be fiddles, some mandolins, and some banjos. If we were an orchestra, some of us would be clarinets, some trumpets, and others violins. In the Church, some of us are preachers and teachers, others possess a welcoming spirit, and many support ministry in ways that go unseen. Regardless of our role or calling, we are all called to serve. However God has equipped you, look for how you can glorify Him and make Him known to a world desperate for the truth.
We all have different jobs as part of the body of Christ, just like each instrument in a bluegrass group or an
Hayden Lanier is a follower of Jesus, a graduate of Shorter University, and he works as an elementary school teacher.
Willow Tree Farms
609 POST OAK ROAD, RINGGOLD, GEORGIA
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 a beautiful wrap around porch for first looks, private vows, or a cocktail hour. These event spaces include tables, chairs, and benches along with several add on options of yard games, a propane firepit, and so much more!
Profits made from hosting events go
144-acre
caring for its many animals, and hosting public events for the community to enjoy that often assist local non-profits in fundraising efforts. This venue welcomes aspiring photographers with it's affordable photoshoot passes, as well as free fieldtrips for the local schools, and it's many community building endeavors.
FThe One Big Beautiful Bill: A New Era for Retirement Planning
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.
or years, the financial world has been holding its breath for the "sunset" of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA).
That uncertainty ended on July 4, 2025, when the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) was signed into law. This sweeping legislation does more than just extend existing rules; it fundamentally reshapes the landscape for retirees, business owners, and families looking to protect their legacy.
Permanent Tax Clarity
The most significant win for retirees is the permanent extension of the individual income tax brackets. Previously, tax rates were scheduled to spike in 2026, which would have hit those on fixed incomes particularly hard. By making the lower 10%, 12%, 22%, 24%, 32%, 35%, and 37% brackets permanent, the OBBBA provides a stable foundation for long-term income planning. You can now project your tax liability with much greater confidence, making strategies like Roth conversions more attractive while rates remain at these historic lows.
The “Senior Bonus” and Social Security
A cornerstone of the OBBBA is the new Senior Bonus Deduction. Available from 2025 through 2028, taxpayers aged 65 and older can claim an additional deduction of up to $6,000 per person ($12,000 for married couples).
While the bill did not officially repeal the tax on Social Security benefits, this bonus deduction acts as a powerful "workaround." For middle-income retirees, this extra deduction can lower your taxable income enough to significantly reduce —or even eliminate—the federal tax burden on your Social Security checks. Note that this benefit phases out for single filers earning over $75,000 and joint filers over $150,000, so timing your withdrawals is more critical than ever.
SALT Relief and Standard Deductions
The OBBBA also addresses the "SALT" (State and Local Tax) cap, which has been a pain point for many. The limit has been
raised from $10,000 to $40,000 through 2029 (for those earning under $500,000). Combined with a permanently higher standard deduction—now $31,500 for married couples—more Americans can keep a larger portion of their hard-earned savings.
A Landmark Shift in Estate Planning
For those focused on legacy, the OBBBA is a game-changer. The federal estate and gift tax exemption has been increased to $15 million per individual ($30 million for couples) for 2026 and beyond. This "permanence" means that instead of the exemption automatically dropping back to roughly $7 million, it would now take an act of Congress to lower it. This provides a unique window to move assets out of your taxable estate without the fear of a looming deadline.
Looking Ahead: Trump Accounts and Healthcare
The bill also looks to the future with the creation of “Trump Accounts”—tax-deferred investment vehicles for children under 18. Additionally, it expands HSA eligibility, allowing “Bronze” and “Catastrophic” plans to qualify as highdeductible health plans (HDHPs), giving more people access to triple-tax-advantaged savings for healthcare costs in retirement.
Conclusion
The One Big Beautiful Bill offers a rare gift in the financial world: clarity. However, many of its most beneficial provisions—like the Senior Bonus and the expanded SALT cap—are temporary and set to expire after 2028 or 2029.
Proactive Planning Tip: Now is the time to review your "tax-optimized" retirement strategy. Whether it's accelerating a Roth conversion or re-evaluating your estate plan, the window of opportunity is open, but it won't stay open forever.
Contact Hughes Retirement Group today to discuss the impact of the OBBA on your retirement today by calling or texting 423- 664-4203, or by visiting hughesretirementgroup.com.
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 planning journey, call (423) 664-4203 today to explore your
Keep Your Heart Open
by Chris Mullis
Matthew 26:69-75 NLT: “Meanwhile, Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. A servant girl came over and said to him, ‘You were one of those with Jesus the Galilean.’ But Peter denied it in front of everyone. ‘I don’t know what you’re talking about,’ he said. Later, out by the gate, another servant girl noticed him and said to those standing around, ‘This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.’ Again Peter denied it, this time with an oath. ‘I don’t even know the man,’ he said. A little later some of the other bystanders came over to Peter and said, ‘You must be one of them; we can tell by your Galilean accent.’ Peter swore, ‘A curse on me if I’m lying—I don’t know the man!’ And immediately the rooster crowed. Suddenly, Jesus’ words flashed through Peter’s mind: ‘Before the rooster crows, you will deny three times that you even know me.” And he went away, weeping bitterly.’”
Someone out there needs to read this.
I know you’re hurting because you’ve been betrayed. Or maybe you’re just disappointed because someone you trusted failed you. Maybe you’ve been abandoned. Whatever it is, the pain cuts deep—not just because of what they did, but because you loved them honestly. You showed up. You gave your heart. And they walked away.
Believe me, I’ve been there.
Over the years, I’ve faced betrayal from many people I loved—family, friends, even ministry partners I called brothers and sisters in Christ. Sometimes people you pray with, labor beside, even cry with disappear without warning or explanation. Sometimes they hurt you in ways you never saw coming. Sometimes they just walk away.
I’ve often been tempted to just close off my heart. Maybe you’ve felt that too. You think, ‘If I don’t let anyone in, I can’t be wounded again.’ It feels safer. Cleaner. Easier.
But that’s not the way of Christ. Christ is love. And love is beautiful. Love is worth it, even though love is vulnerable and brings with it the possibility of being hurt. If you close off the pain, you close off the grace. So I keep my heart open.
Jesus knew betrayal intimately—Judas with a kiss, Peter with a denial, the disciples who ran away when the
soldiers came to arrest Jesus in the garden. And yet, Jesus never hardened His heart. He still loved. He still forgave. He still held his heart open, even on the cross. In fact, Jesus made Peter—the one who denied Him three times—the rock foundation upon which He built the Christian Church.
Jesus calls us to love—despite the fact that we will sometimes be hurt, and even though people will often fail us. Jesus calls us to love as He loves us because love is the only way to heal the world. When we choose to keep our hearts open, we bear witness to a different kind of strength—not the kind that builds walls or crushes our enemies, but the kind that carries a cross and offers forgiveness.
If you're reading this and you’re tempted to give up on people…I understand. But don’t let their betrayal or disappointment or pain harden your heart. Don’t let disappointment deaden your faith.
There is still goodness in the world. There are still people worth trusting. And most of all, there is a Savior who knows exactly how you feel. He never walked away. And He never will.
So I choose to keep my heart open like Christ. And I hope you will too.
Misty BOLT MEET
Challah Time
by Spring M. Fricks
Get back to the bread.
My prayers were for my family, yet these were the words the Lord spoke to my heart. As a Messianic Jewish believer in Christ, I knew exactly what the Lord was asking: start making Challah for Shabbat once again.
Like many observant Jews, I once spent every Friday preparing a special Sabbath meal for our family. We would gather around the table to light candles, remembering that God is the light of our world. With a homemade braided challah loaf, we broke bread in communion, prayed blessings over our home and children, and let Scripture-filled stories weave their way into our family’s memories.
But as life grew hectic and schedules shifted, I learned what many moms eventually do: when I stop doing the legwork, the family stops showing up for the event.
Though my prayers were for God to work in my family, I found He was calling me to once again put in the legwork.
It was time to make the Challah for our Sabbath meal.
This revelation brought with it a paradigm shift. No longer would the work involve sweat, toil, and inconvenience. Instead, it’s an opportunity to set my heart and hands to work for Him. It’s a time that I can spend communing with my Father while praying for our home and for the family and friends who will sit around our table.
Now, every Friday I start my morning by milling flour with prayers of gratitude, thanking the Lord for His abundant blessings. I set my dough to proof and pray
This course correction brought me to John 6:35 BSB, where Jesus says, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to Me will never hunger, and whoever believes in Me will never thirst.”
As if in a vision, I saw these words come to life within the framework of our meal. Jesus was calling me to prepare a table where He could be the “bread of life” to everyone inside our home.
Matthew 13:33 BSB: “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven that a woman took and mixed into three measures of flour, until all of it was leavened.” I set my dough to proof and pray while knowing that the Kingdom’s subtle, pervasive power may start small but has the ability to transform everything and everyone.
I separate my dough into three strands thanking the Lord for the Trinity, that is Father, Son, and Spirit, and I speak His blessings as I braid the dough, knowing He is the lifeblood of my family.
I prepare a place and a meal where my family can gather, reset, relax, and turn our attention back to our Father.
It’s human nature to seek God’s direction and blessings in the hopes that He will change our lives for the better. However, I’ve often found His answers direct our own hands and feet to action so that we are part of the process. In doing so, we’re invested in the work and actively reflect the light of Christ to our world. In this way, all involved partake of Jesus, who is the Bread of Life.
Spring M. Fricks is a writer, speaker, teacher and content creator for Shield 33 Ministries, a ministry founded to disciple and equip believers to grow in an intimate relationship with Jesus. She lives in NW Georgia.
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
Seventh-Day Adventist
Battlefield Community SDA Church 96 Hillman Lane Ringgold, GA 30736 706-861-5999
Lookout Mountain SDA Church 6083 Hwy 157 (Atop Lookout Mtn) Rising Fawn, GA
Ringgold Seventh-Day Adventist Church 124 Kittle Street Ringgold, GA 30736 706-935-3741
Walker County Church Directory
Assembly of God
Cross Connection
703 N Main St. LaFayette, GA 30728
706-639-3303
Gospel Tabernacle Assembly of God 1661 Highway 27
Chickamauga, GA
Baptist
Antioch Baptist Church 236 Crow Gap Road Chickamauga, GA
706-539-1117
Bethel Baptist Church 4068 S Highway 341 Chickamauga, GA
706-375-3756
Bethlehem Baptist Church 278 Oak Grove Road Chickamauga, GA
706-375-2797
Bethel Memorial Baptist Church
198 Pledger St. LaFayette, GA 30728
706-638-2995
Bethesda Baptist Church 13432 Highway 151 LaFayette, GA 30728
706-638-9450
Calvary Baptist Church 908 Bronco Rd. LaFayette, GA 30728
706-638-8710
Cassandra Baptist Church 1371 W Cove Rd Chickamauga, GA
706-539-1046
Center Grove Baptist Church
68 Center Grove Church Rd
Rock Springs, GA
706-764-2060
Center Point Baptist Church
118 Center Point Rd. LaFayette, GA 30728
706-764-1753
Chattanooga Baptist Church 7300 Highway 337 LaFayette, GA 30728
Christ First Church 5994 N Hwy 27 Lafayette, GA 30728 (706) 764-2212
Christian Home 2518 Garretts Chapel Rd Chickamauga, GA 423-313-5230
Community Baptist Church 14 Kemp Rd. LaFayette, GA 30728
706-638-1774
Corinth Baptist Church 2524 Corinth Rd. LaFayette, GA 30728
706-638-3963
East Armuchee Baptist Church 3196 E. Armuchee Rd. LaFayette, GA 30728
706 375-4512
Emanuel Baptist Church
639 S Main St. LaFayette, GA 30728
706-638-1751
Faith Baptist Church of Chickamauga 14251 Highway 193 Chickamauga, GA
423-760-8895
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
Are you Strong?
by Zebbie Brewster
Psalm 28:7 KJV: “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise Him.”
Are you strong? Did you use to be stronger than you are now? I remember one day my husband and I were leaving a store after shopping. We were behind a lady carrying an umbrella in one hand and pushing her buggy with the other hand. Thinking that she was elderly and might need a hand, I offered her my help. She said she was fine and proceeded to get her bottles of water out of her buggy and put them in her vehicle. She was used to
He was telling me on that visit that he had accidentally misplaced his dentures. He had put out a reward of $100.00 for the one who could return them to him. How far could my dad’s plate of dentures have gone from his hospital bed?
My dad went to sleep a week after that and passed on to his eternal reward. His wife, my stepmom, was faithfully by his side. I guess today the memory seems like it happened only yesterday. It seems the cause of death for my 93-yearold dad was arthritis and the pain that comes from it. His heart was still good physically. I think his body was just worn out and he died of old age.
taking care of herself, and she was stronger than I had thought. I guess I was thinking that I would have needed help and she must also. As I heard a friend say, “We do what we have to.” That “have to” part could entail anything that might come our way. Life is so uncertain and if we live in fear of what might happen next, our life loses its joy and purpose.
As I write this on a spring morning, it brings back memories of going to visit my dad on Saturdays. I remember one of the last times I had visited him. He had asked me to come that day and visit with him. By this time in his life, he was still able to have company visit.
He did not stop believing in himself. That is the great example he was for those around him. My mom has told me that when you stop believing in yourself, you die.
I want to encourage you to not give up on yourself. Keep believing in yourself. You prayerfully do what you can do and trust God to help you with the rest.
My dad also had a really great sense of humor. Laughter will help you stay young also. It will help if you can learn to laugh at yourself. We can all be quite amusing! My dad’s denture plate was found under his recliner after he passed on. I don’t think the reward was ever collected.
May I encourage you today to keep trusting in the joy of the Lord to be your strength? The load is always a lot lighter when you have someone to help you carry it.
Pray that you make today one of those days you do something you have been putting off to do. The weight of regret is too heavy of a load to carry around.
Nehemiah 8:10 KJV says, “Then he said unto them, ‘Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry: for the joy of the Lord is your strength.’”
Zebbie Brewster resides in Summerville, Georgia. She is an active member at Perennial Springs Baptist Church.
Bright Pediatrics: Where Exceptional Care Meets Compassionate Connection
Choosing the right pediatric provider is one of the most important decisions a parent can make. Children deserve not only expert medical attention, but also an environment where they feel safe, understood, and cared for. At Bright Pediatrics, families find exactly that—a trusted medical group built on compassion, professionalism, and a deep commitment to child wellness.
Bright Pediatrics proudly serves families throughout Northwest Georgia, offering comprehensive pediatric care with a personalized touch. With locations in Dalton and Fort Oglethorpe, the practice continues to grow as a respected leader in pediatric healthcare, known for its warm staff, experienced providers, and dedication to excellence.
A Mission Built Around Families
At Bright Pediatrics, the mission is simple: to make every child’s health and wellness the top priority. The practice is committed to providing the most comprehensive pediatric care possible while treating every patient and family with respect, compassion, and professionalism.
Bright Pediatrics recognizes that each child is unique— and that healthcare should never follow a “one-size-fits-all” approach. Instead, every patient receives individualized evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment planning based on their personal needs, health history, and development.
Same-Day Sick Visits When Families Need Them Most
One of the most valued features of Bright Pediatrics is their guarantee of same-day sick appointments. When a child becomes ill, families need fast answers and timely care. The Bright Pediatrics team understands how stressful it can be when a child isn’t feeling well, and they work diligently to assess and resolve concerns as quickly as possible.
Parents are encouraged to call ahead so the office can minimize wait times and ensure the most efficient visit experience. For emergencies during office hours, Bright Pediatrics makes every effort to see children immediately or refer them to the most appropriate facility when needed.
Convenient Locations and Flexible Access to Care
Bright Pediatrics operates out of two easily accessible offices, making quality care both convenient and dependable for busy families:
Dalton
2918 E. Walnut Avenue, Dalton, GA
706-529-4600
Hours:
● Monday–Friday: 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
● Saturday: 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
● Closed Sunday
Fort Oglethorpe
2366 Battlefield Parkway, Fort Oglethorpe, GA
706-841-0150
Hours:
● Monday–Friday: 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
● Closed weekends
With these two locations and a dedicated medical team, families can find reliable pediatric care close to home.
A Team of Experienced Providers
Bright Pediatrics is proud to offer a strong team of experienced providers, each bringing individual strengths and specialized knowledge. This variety of expertise allows the practice to provide a wide range of pediatric services while ensuring families feel confident in the care their children receive. In the event hospitalization is needed, Bright Pediatrics providers maintain relationships at several local hospitals, allowing for continuity of care and trusted medical support.
The practice also accepts most major insurance carriers, helping ensure care is accessible to the community.
Modern Convenience Through Patient-Focused Policies
Bright Pediatrics continues to prioritize the patient experience through convenient and family-friendly policies. One major benefit is their online check-in option,
allowing families to complete key steps before arriving for their appointment.
From home, parents can:
● enter basic information.
● upload insurance details.
● pay copays.
● complete visit surveys.
This helps streamline visits, reduce stress, and save time.
For urgent concerns after hours, established patients can call the office to access the nurse triage line, staffed by nurses who provide guidance and help families determine whether medical attention is needed immediately.
A Brighter Future for Every Child
Bright Pediatrics is more than a medical office—it is a partner for families, supporting children through every stage of growth and development. Whether visiting for routine checkups, immunizations, newborn care, or unexpected illness, families can expect a professional, welcoming environment with a team that genuinely cares.
Bright Pediatrics continues to stand out in the community for its dedication to quality care, patient satisfaction, and the belief that every child deserves the best start in life.
To learn more about Bright Pediatrics, including policies and accepted insurance plans, visit bright-pediatrics.com.
Appointments are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Follow Bright Pediatrics on Facebook and Instagram to stay connected with updates and helpful pediatric resources.
Bright Pediatrics looks forward to meeting your family’s pediatric needs—and making your day a little brighter.
A Heart of Gold
by Tammy Madden
Proverbs 12:10 LSB: “A righteous man knows the value of the life of his animal.”
He was just a baby, a five-week-old puppy. We pulled in the driveway to get him, and there he stood, in the rain, drenched. He looked so pitiful. There we sat, the three of us in my husband's little truck, my husband and I and our six-year-old special needs heart transplant daughter. My husband and I looked at each other wondering if we had just made a huge mistake. Were we ready to take on this poor flea-ridden puppy and take care of our daughter, who didn't walk alone, still had a feeding tube, and
required many trips back and forth to Atlanta? What would we do with this little guy while we did all that? The clock was ticking. It was getting dark. Our baby girl was staring him down and falling in love with him with every second that slipped by.
So the decision was made. We chose to take him, to love him, to feed him, to play with him and to give him a good home. Seventeen years, we had that puppy. T-Bone is what she named him.
He became so much more than a dog. He became her best friend, her comfort during heart procedures,
surgeries, the loss of her grandparents, and so much more. He taught himself how to be her service dog. He had a heart of gold and he loved fiercely. He became a family member. Not just to us, but to our whole family. This little terrier/poodle became our fourth family member. He laid with her in the yard on hot lazy summer days, and he watched her carefully as we tried to walk her in the snow.
Then it happened. His steps became slower. He didn't play as much, but he never left her side. No matter how bad he felt, he always put her first. With each passing year, we prayed for God to give us another year. But the rainbow bridge was getting closer, and we knew it.
On one cold fall morning, we got up, and we knew it was time to say goodbye. It was indeed time to send him to Heaven and allow him to be able to run and play again. My sister came that day. She knew we couldn't do it. She held him at the vet until he ran across the rainbow bridge.
We miss him every day. The days are hard, but the nights are harder. However, six years before he left us we got a new little shih Tzu. T-Bone showed him the ropes before he left this world. He taught him how to care for his girl and he taught him well.
There will never be another T-Bone, but there will always and forever be a dog in our home. On that wet, rainy, cold day all those years ago, we didn't rescue him… he rescued us.
Tammy Madden (January 1967 to March 2026) served the Lord faithfully. Her legacy continues to shine for Jesus through her writing. We honor and appreciate her contributions.
Rebuilding Lives, Restoring Hope
In Northwest Georgia, safety is not something everyone can take for granted. For individuals and families facing domestic violence—or for youth with nowhere else to turn—the Family Crisis Center of Walker, Dade, Catoosa, and Chattooga Counties, Inc. stands as a lifeline of hope.
As the only domestic violence shelter and youth cottage in the Northwest Georgia area, the Family Crisis Center provides refuge, advocacy, and a pathway forward for some of the region’s most vulnerable residents. Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, the Center’s doors never close to those in crisis.
At the heart of the organization’s mission is a simple but powerful commitment: rebuilding lives. Survivors of domestic violence arrive often with little more than courage and the need for safety. The Center offers secure shelter for victims and their children, along with essential support services designed to help families stabilize, heal, and begin again. Advocacy, emotional support, and ongoing assistance ensure that clients are not only safe in the moment, but supported as they plan for a more secure future.
A Piece of God’s Heart
by Dorothy Teague
It’s hard to describe the bond between a mother and her child. She carries the baby for nine months. Her body being the safe place for them to grow. In turn, the baby hears the voice of the mother and knows her gentle touch. It is an intimate relationship before and after birth. No one knows you like your mother. Mothers have an unconditional love for their children, willing to make sacrifices so that their child can have a good life. She puts their needs before her own. A mother’s love is closest to God’s love for us.
There are many examples of extraordinary mothers in the Bible. Moses, who led the children of Israel out of slavery in Egypt, had such a mother. Jochebed hid Moses until he was three months old, defying Pharaoh’s order that all male Hebrew babies be drowned. She made a waterproof basket and set Moses in the Nile River. She tasked her daughter to watch over him from the reeds on the bank. It was there that God had the daughter of Pharaoh find him and stir within her a desire to raise Moses as her own. He even arranged for Jochebed to be Moses’ nurse so that he was raised in his own home for a time, then he went to live in the palace and lived as a royal Egyptian prince. Jochebed gave Moses away to save his life, so that God’s plan could be fulfilled for the Israelites to be saved and led to freedom (Exodus 2:1-8).
Hannah, the mother of Samuel the prophet, was barren for many years. She was made fun of and taunted by her husband’s other wife for not having children of her own. Yet, Hannah stood in faith and continued praying for a child. She promised God that if He would bless her with a child, she would give him back to God. God answered her prayer and Hannah kept her promise, giving Samuel over to Eli to live in the temple and serve God there. It was Samuel that anointed Saul, the first king of Israel. Later, he also anointed their greatest king, David. Hannah was obedient so that Samuel could be part of God’s intricate plan (I Samuel 1:2-2:21).
One of the most well-known mothers was Mary, the mother of Jesus. She sacrificed her reputation in the village, being pregnant before marriage. She left her home and gave
birth to him in squalid surroundings, a stable filled with animals. She gave up her own plans for her firstborn for God’s plan of salvation for mankind. She had to watch from the foot of the cross as her son died.
There is a common thread that is woven throughout the stories of the Bible. It is the theme of obedience. We must be obedient to God’s will and His plans even when we don’t understand. Isaiah 55:8-9 reminds us that God’s plans are higher and better than ours. God loves us unconditionally,
giving us chances again and again to follow His will. “His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is His faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:22-23 RSV). He left the Holy Spirit here to comfort us and be our guide. But God knew we would need a special person in our lives to comfort us with loving arms when we fall down or hold us when our hearts are breaking. So He gave us mothers with tender hearts full of compassion to be with us during our earthly journey, to guide us, teach us, and set us on the right pathway. God left a piece of His heart with us and He named it “Mother.” “As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you” (Isaiah 66:13 NIV).
Dorothy Teague is a Tennessee native, who resides in McMinn County with
Chatty Critters and Friends Series: Squawking like a Chicken
by Jan Merop
“Peck, peck, peck! Squawk! Squawk! Squawk!
The sounds from the chicken yard were pretty dependable. Either the chickens were pecking at their feed or squawking at intruders or some annoyance.
But not all the chickens were content with how things were.
“Why does the rooster get to crow every morning? I’d like to try that myself,” said Sassy, the chicken. “It’s not like I get to sleep in while he shatters the morning silence with his racket!”
In the background his proud COCK-A-DOODLE-DOO could be heard loud and clear as it announced the dawning of a new day.
Sassy’s friend, Bessie, contentedly warmed her eggs. She squawked only when danger was near. Wanting to help her friend, she said, “Why not be satisfied with your unique role? You haven’t been given a voice to crow! With all the squawking and complaining you do, your voice sounds like rusty nails being pulled from the coop.”
Sassie ruffled her feathers till she looked about to pop!
“Humph!” she muttered under her breath while thinking about the words of her friend. Does my voice really sound like rusty nails? She cringed. That means even if I could crow, it wouldn’t be with the giftedness God gave the rooster.
Meanwhile, an eagle flew high above the chicken coop—not wishing for a warm hen house to live in, but delighted to be who his Creator designed him to be.
“Bessie,” said Sassy, “you’re right. I’m sorry.”
From that time on Sassie, Bessie, and the other chickens clucked contentedly
together. They were determined to live out their days happy in their God-given life as chickens.
Sassy’s spirits soared beyond the henhouse roof, much like that of the eagle.
Exploring Truth Through God’s Creation
“I have learned in whatever state I am to be content… I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:11 & 13 KJV).
The Message puts it this way: “I’ve learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I’m just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I’ve found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am.”
The Chicken and You
We can peck and squawk – ever complaining and never getting anywhere. Or we can soar high like the eagle rejoicing in who God made us to be. After all, even a contented chicken carries out God’s plan with the heart of freedom seen in the eagle.
Your attitude will determine your soul’s altitude. The choice is yours.
Let your spirit soar no matter who or where you are!
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:
Arthroscopic Surgery of the Foot & Ankle; Joint Replacements of the Foot & Ankle; Surgical & Nonsurgical Treatment of Sports Related Injuries of the Foot & Ankle
for Athletes
Running With Purpose in My 80s
by Bill Silvers
The Lord called me to run races and compete in sports. That’s not all that unusual these days. Lots of folks do that. What is unusual about the Lord calling me to run races is that He did it in my 80s!
Running holds a special significance for me not only as a physical pursuit but as a deeply spiritual practice. It offers a powerful metaphor for my Christian walk, emphasizing perseverance, discipline, and eternal focus. Hebrews 12:1 NIV inspires this connection, urging us to “run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.” 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 in all aspects of life.
Moreover, running has become a ministry for me. It’s a way to encourage others and share God's goodness. Whether I'm at the starting line or the finish line, I hope others see not just an athlete, but a testimony of what God can do through someone who trusts Him.
Each race—figuratively or literally—is an opportunity to shine your light, no matter the outcome.
Before each race, I pray, not to win, but that every athlete will be able to compete to the best of their ability, free from pain or injury. I also pray especially for myself, that I won't trip and fall again, as I have in the past.
During each race, I usually talk to God one more time, asking for continued strength and focus. And as I cross the finish line, I thank Him again for carrying me through. This experience was a true blessing, and I am humbled and grateful for the chance to participate. All glory to God!
The summer of 2025 was quite eventful for me. I’d like to share with you and give God the glory!
June 2025
I had the honor of competing in the 39th National Veterans Golden Age Games in Memphis, Tennessee. The event brought together over 1,000 veteran athletes from every state across the U.S., all coming to compete in a wide range of events.
By God's grace, I won gold medals in the 200-meter, 400-meter, and 800-meter races, and a silver medal in the 1,500-meter.
The races are not just about winning. I thank God for the opportunity to meet, greet, and compete with fellow veterans–each with their own story of service, sacrifice, and resilience.
July 2025
I competed in the USA Track and Field Masters National Championship, finishing 4th in the nation in the 400m and 5th in the 200m! But wait, there’s more: our relay team brought home triple gold in the 4x100m, 4x400m, and 4x800m.
August 2025
Kentucky allows athletes from different states to compete in their Senior Olympics, and there were athletes from 13 states. I finished 1st in the 1500m, 800m, 400m, and 200m and took 1st in the 50m by just 0.02 seconds. Praise God! I give Him all the glory for granting me the endurance and strength to run five races back-to-back in only 2.5 hours. Running echoes my faith. It’s not always about being the fastest but it’s about staying the course and lifting others along the way. With every race, I run with purpose, and I run with joy. It’s not just about medals; it’s about the message: that through God, all things are possible (Matthew 19:2).
Bill Silvers from Ellijay, Georgia, began running competitively at age 81. He runs to the glory of God!
for Discovering More
Who Knew?
by Garrett Nudd
Around the time I was born, my father decided to take up golf. It was probably because a colicky baby is the only thing more frustrating than golf, and he figured he’d take his chances on the golf course. I’ve always wondered why when you start participating regularly in most sports people say, “I play soccer” or “I’ve started swimming,” but when it comes to golf, you say, “I’ve taken up golf.” Like it’s a lifestyle or a religion. I guess it’s kind of like being vegan or doing CrossFit.
My father made a lot of good decisions in his life like marrying my mom, instilling strong values, and work ethic in his children, and taking up golf. Fortuitously, my parents had three sons, so together we were an automatic foursome on the golf course. And quite honestly, taking up golf helped make him a better father because we spent so much time together.
When I was eleven, my parents joined the local public golf course — Rolling Hills Golf Club. It was the perfect place for my brothers and me to learn the game. Eventually, we worked at the golf course. We started out cleaning golf carts and picking up driving range balls. Later, we graduated to working in the golf shop. That was nice because it had air conditioning and a soda fountain with as much free Dr. Pepper as we could drink.
Every April, The Masters tournament takes place at Augusta National Golf Club. Rich in tradition, prestige, and pimento cheese sandwiches, The Masters is the penultimate event. I suppose some might say it’s a cultural phenomenon, at least in the sports world. At the time, tickets to the practice rounds—on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday before the tournament actually started—were quite easy to come by.
Tall pines emerged from beautifully timed azaleas. Not a blade of grass was out of place. I had a little point-andshoot camera, borrowed from a friend, and — though I didn’t know it at the time — I was creating quite possibly the worst photographs in human history. When each golfer swung the club, I pressed the shutter and simultaneously moved the camera along with the flight of the ball. Later in my college Introduction to Photography class, I learned
that technique is called panning. The only problem is it doesn’t work on golf balls that are going 140 miles per hour and are smaller than an egg. The result was three rolls of photographs blurred beyond identification, and a couple of shots where the ball was nothing more than a streak across the print, leaving no idea which golfer had even hit the shot. If someone had told me I’d one day make a living behind a camera, I'd have laughed so loudly the security detail would have quickly escorted me off the grounds and restricted me from returning. If you know, you know.
Who knew? As a youngster and into my teens, I was absorbed with all things golf: the beautiful surroundings, the players, the travel, the fellowship, the competition. The Lord knew then, I’d never be a professional golfer. He also knew that someday I would become an awardwinning professional photographer, a plot twist I never would’ve imagined.
So stop, look, and listen to what the Lord is doing in your life. He’s creating MORE THAN while you are occupied with something else. I can assure you. Listen closely, watch expectantly. Your MORE THAN—though blurred and out of focus—just might be right under your nose!
Gò0 dNews for your Taste Buds
Skillet Fried Green Tomatoes
By May in the Smoky Mountains, the earth is wide awake. Rhododendrons bloom on the hillsides, front porches fill with rockers and coffee cups, and every home garden begins to whisper the promise of summer. While the juicy, vine-ripened tomatoes are still weeks away, there’s one green treasure that gets an early start: those first, firm, unripened tomatoes just begging to be sliced, breaded, and fried.
In Appalachian kitchens, fried green tomatoes are more than just a way to use up what’s not yet ripe—they’re a celebration of the season.
The recipe is basic and simple and doesn’t require a special occasion. Just cornmeal, a hot pan, and someone to feed. Slice the tomatoes thick, dip them in a buttermilk bath, then dredge them in a seasoned cornmeal mix before dropping them into a sizzling skillet of oil. The result? Crispy edges, tender centers, and that signature tang that only green tomatoes can bring. You will want to eat them right off a paper towel-lined plate, maybe with a spoonful of homemade chow-chow or a dab of mayo?
It’s the kind of food that turns a quiet May afternoon into a memory. And in the mountains, that’s what meals are for—not just nourishment, but the building blocks of story and connection. So whether you’ve got your own garden, a farmers market nearby, or a neighbor with a generous spirit, give this classic Appalachian dish a try. It’s a taste of May you won’t forget.
Ingredients:
• 3–4 medium green tomatoes, firm and unripe
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 egg
• 1 cup cornmeal
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon paprika or cayenne (optional)
• Vegetable oil or bacon grease, for frying
Instructions:
1. Slice tomatoes into ¼-inch thick rounds. Lay them on paper towels and sprinkle lightly with salt. Let them sit for 10–15 minutes to draw out moisture, then blot dry.
2. In a shallow bowl, whisk together buttermilk and egg.
3. In another bowl, combine cornmeal, flour, salt, pepper, and paprika or cayenne if using.
4. Dip each tomato slice into the buttermilk mixture, then dredge in the cornmeal coating. Press lightly to help it stick.
5. Heat ½ inch of oil or bacon grease in a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. When hot, carefully add the tomato slices in batches. Fry 2–3 minutes per side, until golden brown and crispy.
6. Drain on paper towels and serve hot—with a little mayo, ranch dressing, or even a spoonful of chow-chow relish.
Crisp, tangy, and best eaten with your fingers, these fried green tomatoes are a Southern Appalachian classic—and a perfect way to welcome May’s return to the table.
What God Is Like
by Chrissie Joy Jackson
Warm, comforting sunlight after a cold rain
A cool breeze on a sweltering day
Arms spread wide as you twirl
That is what God feels like.
Strong arms wrapped around you as you cry
The delight of holding a kitten
The roar of a waterfall, a thousand feet high
That is what Jesus is like.
A light turned on in a room so dark
A map when you are lost
Blossoms that bloom from what appeared to be dead
The Holy Spirit is like that.
Billions of stars filling the night
Roaring rivers, mountains, lightning, and seas
Created things that amaze
God’s power is revealed like that.
A gentle kiss on the forehead
The fierceness of a lion protecting its cubs Mysteries, secrets, and treasures revealed Almighty God, Three in One.
Strong, gentle, mighty, and humble
A perfect, multi-faceted diamond
A singer, a warrior, a friend.
That is what God is like.
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.
to honor Mothers
Hope Is in the Room
by Katie Loveless
For as long as I can remember, I have loved babies. I enjoy being around children and having a front row seat to their discoveries. Something about that reignites memories of joyful discovery for me, too. I love how they parade in so vulnerable, yet such champions. They are warriors in every way, fighting to advance and maturing at astonishing rates. They are a perfect example of how to fight like a victor, even though every day is hard.
Recently, my pick-up plans were upended by a traffic jam that lasted nearly an hour. I was late to pick up everyone at all the stops. In prayer, I conceded that every day is HARD. I got the image of a rock climber, and I pleaded with God for an easier ascent.
I caught myself looking for a mountain I can climb more easily when what God is really calling me to do is move it altogether. You may be wondering what rock climbing has to do with babies. It seems like an awkward contradiction until you remember that babies are continually doing hard things and advancing quickly because every day, everything is a challenge.
Recently, I heard a sweet grandmother dote on the idea of picking up her beloved granddaughter. She was concerned that picking her up less often would dampen their rapport. I reassured her that it would be good for both of them to enjoy the challenge. Babies are forgiving in nature. While they more readily express frustration as they mature, they also learn to accept challenges with grace.
In my opinion, babies are born with hope. They are the epitome of potential and their lungs shout about it right at the start. I have funny stories of each of my boys being born as they displayed indicators of their emerging personalities. From day one, they demonstrated that they are a force to be reckoned with.
Maybe you're like me, and you love new beginnings, too. Maybe seeing them in human form takes on a holy delight. If you can relate, it's a wonderful indicator that hope is in the room. If you've ever been in the delivery room, you know what I mean. There is nothing like watching a baby take its first breath and utter sounds of protest. You almost
yours waiting on them to take theirs, as if to lend them your strength.
Our heart goes out to them in that moment, recognizing that life is so very HARD. Yet, there is hope. We are rooting for them. We know they were born for this moment. We know they were born to do HARD things. And so…we let them…because hope is in the room.
“But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you” (Psalm 39:7 NIV).
“For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope” (Romans 15:4 KJV).
“There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off” (Proverbs 23:18 NIV).
“And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast” (1 Peter 5:10 ESV).
“That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe” (1 Timothy 4:10 NIV).
This article is adapted with permission from Katie’s blog, arisetoo.blogspot.com.
Katie Loveless is a social worker, wife, and mother of five boys. She is a student of grace who enjoys writing, gardening, and empowering others to pursue stability.
hold
Six Tips on How to Eat Healthy on a Budget
by Aaron Mendez
Have you ever experienced a shockingly high grocery bill when trying to eat healthier? If so, you’re not alone. The good news is there are many ways you can save money and still eat healthy. Here are a few tips you can employ to help you save money on groceries.
Plan Your Meals
The key to healthy eating on a budget is to have a game plan. First, pick one day each week, and on that day, plan your meals for the upcoming week. Choose a more relaxed day to cook and prepare some meals in advance on that day. You are less likely to cook a meal spontaneously after a long, busy day at work. So having some meals already prepared in advance will make it less likely that you’ll resort to pricey takeout food. And as a bonus, meal planning also helps cut down on food waste.
Stick
to Your List
A list lets you stay focused while shopping to avoid costly impulse purchases. Consider eating before you go and leaving your kids at home to prevent the purchase of spur-of-the-moment items. Shopping on an empty stomach often leads to reaching more for processed foods that have fewer beneficial nutrients than whole foods.
Buy Cheaper Cuts of Meat or Less Meat Overall
Eating less meat may be an excellent way to save money. Plant-based protein sources, such as beans, peas, lentils, and hemp seeds, are inexpensive, nutritious, and easy to prepare. Most of them have a long shelf life and are less likely to spoil quickly.
Shop for Frozen Fruits and Vegetables
Research published in the British Food Journal found that shoppers are nearly six times more likely to waste fresh food than frozen food. The study found that fruit was the most likely to go to waste. Buying frozen produce is one of the most accessible money-saving options. And it's an option where you don't have to sacrifice nutrition. Research shows that the overall vitamin content of frozen food is often the same and sometimes even higher than fresh produce. Plus, you can take out only what you will use, and the rest will
be kept safe from spoiling in the freezer. According to the USDA, you can freeze almost anything. If you purchase fresh produce and don’t think you’ll be able to consume it in time, try freezing the remaining fruits and veggies.
Buy in Bulk
Buying foods in bulk quantities can save you a lot of money. Your primary focus when bulk-buying is purchasing foods you can store easily, such as rice, quinoa, nuts, oats, canned goods, and spices. These are all staple foods that are relatively inexpensive and can be used in a variety of nutritious meals. Also, it's a good idea to pass on buying things like cookies or candy in bulk so you’re not tempted to consume them quickly simply because you have them in your pantry.
Purchase Store (Generic) Brands
Most stores offer generic brands for nearly any product. Store brands offer excellent value and are as safe and nutritious as their brand-name counterparts. These items often have the same ingredients and cost less, so you can save when swapping out a handful of brand-name products.
The Bottom Line
Eating healthy on a budget is not only possible, but it can also be tasty and rewarding. You can maintain a balanced diet without breaking the bank by being mindful of your food choices and adding budget-friendly ingredients to your meals. So don’t hesitate to try these six tips to save time and money tomorrow.
Grateful for
PRECISION MEDICINE. EXPERT SUPPORT. RIGHT HERE.
When Dalton resident Dana Easley was diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer, her world changed overnight. With six rounds of chemotherapy and a hysterectomy ahead, she leaned on her faith, her family, and the compassionate care she found at Peeples Cancer Institute.
Her care team, including Lisa Duhaime, MD, and oncology nurse practitioners Kim Bailey and Jaime Pesl, guided her through six rounds of chemotherapy before she could undergo a hysterectomy. Mrs. Easley says, “They listen, and they care. They don’t mind spending time with you. The whole staff is very caring.”
To help protect her hair during treatment, she chose to use the Paxman cold cap system. “It worked for me, and I did not lose all my hair,” she shares. She also connected with Boggs Boutique, where cosmetologist Stacey Gibson provided both practical and emotional support, helping her with makeup and hair care. “I love Stacey—she’s a lifesaver.”
This spring, Mrs. Easley rang the ceremonial bell at PCI after her scans showed no cancer. She continues on oral medication and a monthly infusion to help prevent recurrence.
She finds joy in the kitchen, cooking daily and sharing homemade meals with neighbors, family and friends. She encourages others in similar situations to keep a positive outlook. She said, “surrounding yourself with positive people is important. Cards from friends make a big difference. It’s easy when you surround yourself with positive people. I just embrace every minute.”
With access to advanced treatments—including precision medicine, Phase III clinical trials with Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, and the only ACR-Accredited Radiation Oncology Center within 50 miles of Chattanooga—we are here, grateful to walk beside patients who inspire us through their strength and healing.
