October 2022

WILLOW TREE FARMS

THE PERFECT CHOICE FOR YOUR WEDDING OR SPECIAL EVENT.

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.

About

Dr. Alan Hix

Angie Bishop-Forsyth

Brenda Dedmon

Candyce Carden

Cheryl L. Dunson

Danette Reeves

David Huff

Dustin Wilds

Janise Copeman

Jodi Varnado

John Garrod

Judy Hood

Kelly Gonzalez

Kristen West

Rick Hughes

Sandra Gilmore

Susan Lavigne

Shane Franks 706-270-2410

Email: dalton.goodnews@gmail.com

Caleb Prytherch

Email: art.goodnews@gmail.com

Paula Knipp 423-310-4207

Matthew and Bethany Ruckman

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.

GoodNews from the Pastor’s Desk

6 Who Am I? by Dustin Wilds

GoodNews for Kids

8 Birdseed Ornaments by Jodi Varnado

GoodNews Money Matters

10 Could Your Taxes Double Soon? by Rick Hughes

GoodNews for Men

12 You Belong Here. Yes, You. Here. by John Garrod

GoodNews for Women

14 Not Now, But Soon by Candyce Carden

GoodNews for Everyone The Trials and Trophies of Hospice by Cheryl L. Dunson

GoodNews for Life

20 Be Like Mark by Kristen West

GoodNews Cover Story Hughes Retirement Group

GoodNews for Mothers

24 Courageous Women of Scripture by Kelly Gonzalez

GoodNews for Everyone

26 When Life Gives You a Bag of Rocks by Dr. Alan Hix

GoodNews Poetry I See Angels by Judy Hood

GoodNews for Everyone Seasons of Change by Janise Copeman

GoodNews for Parents

32 Instant Parent Success by Brenda Dedmon

GoodNews for Everyone 34 Unplug by Angie Bishop-Forsyth

GoodNews for Everyone 36 Faith In Action by David Huff

GoodNews for Everyone Scaling A Mountain by Susan Lavigne

GoodNews for Everyone He Is Enough by Danette Reeves

GoodNews for Everyone Small Beginnings by Sandra Gilmore

Who Am I?

by Dustin Wilds

Do you often find yourself on the sideline when you desperately want to get in the game? Are you the one who secretly wishes you had the courage other people do but instead of taking that chance, your fears keep you on the sidelines of life?

Before we ever walk in the anointing or accomplish what God has called us to do, we must realize who we are. Let me just go ahead and make this announcement: Who we think we are and who God says we are, are usually worlds apart.

A lot of times, God’s choices don’t make sense to us. He picked Abraham, who was the son of a heathen idol maker to become the father of His nation (Genesis 12:1-3). He picked Moses who argued with Him that he wasn’t qualified because of his stuttering to go before Pharoah and lead Israel out of captivity (Exodus 4:10). He took Jacob, who was a liar and a thief and turned him into the nation of Israel (Genesis 32:22-32). He took David, a lowly shepherd and turned him into one of the greatest kings (1 Samuel 16:1-13).

If God can take all these people and do what He did with them, and He can take Gideon, a wimp by the world’s standards and make a mighty warrior, what can He do with you and me?

He says that all things are possible through Christ Jesus. (Matthew 19:26)

He says that I am the head and not the tail. (Deuteronomy 28:13)

He says that I am an overcomer (1 John 4:4) and more than a conqueror. (Romans 8:37)

He says that I am a victor and not a victim. (1 Corinthians 15:57)

God never compares us to anyone. He sees us as the person we can be or will be. He always looks at us as He intends to be and then works to help us realize who we can be. How we view ourselves has a tremendous impact on what we accomplish in life.

For example, let’s look at Gideon (Judges Chapter 6). All of Gideon’s life, he probably had been picked on and made fun of for being weak. This had happened so much that Gideon just accepted that that was who he was. He began to see himself the way others saw him. So many of us are guilty of this, we let other people determine who we are and who we can become.

Believe it or not, God didn’t just say these things about me, He says them about you too. Every day we have a choice to make. We can believe what others say about us, think about us and expect of us, or we can choose to believe the One that created us, the One who knows every single detail about us. Gideon chose to believe the Lord. I choose to believe the Lord. Who will you choose to believe?

About The Author

Pastor Dustin Wilds is a new author who is not new to the Gideon Principle. His enthusiasm for sharing Christ comes from knowing just how much Christ can do in a person’s life, from empty to full—and everlasting! He is pastor of Lakeview Community Church in Cleveland, TN. This article is an excerpt from his book, Gideon’s Principle. Find out more on Facebook, Dustin Wilds, author.

Birdseed Ornaments

by Jodi Varnado

Autumn is my favorite time of year to play outside! I love walking through my neighborhood, collecting leaves on the ground along the way. I enjoy riding my bike around the park, smiling at happy families walking their dogs along the path. But my very favorite thing is admiring all the beautiful birds perched on the tree branches or hopping through the grass. These birds remind me of how generous our God is. He created these birds, with so much variation, for us to enjoy—simply because He loves us! Job 12:7-9 reads, “But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this?”

ornaments look charming hanging from the branches in your yard. You can enjoy watching the birds gather while you help your parents rake the leaves or glance at them through your window while enjoying a nice snack. These ornaments also make a thoughtful gift for your grandparents or neighbors!

Materials:

• ¼ cup of unflavored powdered gelatin

• ½ cup of cold water

• ½ cup of boiling water

• 2 ½ cups of birdseed

• Nature-inspired cookie cutters

• 1 straw

• Biodegradable twine

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, mix together ¼ cup of gelatin and ½ cup of cold water. Then, add ½ cup of boiling water and mix together until the gelatin is completely dissolved. Next, add the birdseed (about 1 cup at a time) and mix well until the gelatin coats each seed.

As a way to nurture God’s Creation, I like to gather my friends or siblings and make birdseed ornaments! These ornaments can help nourish birds during seasons when their natural food sources might be scarce. This craft is a wonderful sensory experience for little hands. It also allows everyone the chance to connect with nature and share a time of thanksgiving for what God has created. Plus, these

2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and arrange your cookie cutters on top. Fill each cookie cutter three-quarters of the way with your birdseed mixture. Use your fingers to firmly pressed the mixture into the cookie cutter to fill the shape. Slowly add more birdseed mixture until your cookie cutter is full to the top edge. Next, using your straw, make a hole at the top of your cookie cutter, but be sure to leave a thick edge between the top of the cookie cutter and the hole.

3. Place your baking sheet in the refrigerator for a few hours, until each ornament has hardened. Once they are set, remove the ornaments from the cookie cutters by gently pushing at the edges of the cookie cutters. Finally, thread your twine through the holes and hang the ornaments from the tree branches in your yard!

Could Your Taxes Double Soon?

Money Matters Rick Hugheswith

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.

Everyone thinks about taxes because taxes impact everyone’s wallet. But have you thought about the impact an increase in taxes could have on your future?

Slices of the Pie

When I worked at a Fortune 500 company, the CEO told me no matter how we slice it, there are still only 100 pennies in a dollar. What did he mean by this? Everything has limits, including our national economy and debt.

According to the Congressional Budget Office, our nation spends 90% of our annual budget to pay for Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, and the interest on national debt.1

Think about that. If you had 100 pennies representing America’s annual budget, 90 cents would go to just those areas. That’s a pretty big slice of the pie.

As you know, we have many other programs to fund, including the military, food stamps, education, federal pension programs, national parks, and much more. But with only 10% (10 pennies) left, how much can actually get paid?

Something has to give. Choosing to reduce spending translates to cutting programs; instead, history shows that the government typically chooses to either raise taxes or not live within our country’s means. The latter option means operating above budget. If you spent more than you brought in each year, what would happen? That’s right, our national debt is climbing.

Currently, the national debt is $31 trillion and counting.2 We’ve reached the point where we don’t pay much attention to the debt, and we don’t even realize what a trillion means. This must be addressed or our county will be in serious danger. One day, credit will run out, and we as a country will face a crisis we may not be able to handle. I wish I could confidently tell you our leaders will wise up and take a serious look at the budget and program cuts, but I fear their solution will instead be raising taxes.

Could your taxes double or even triple soon? Let’s look at history for our answer. From 1960 to 1963, the tax brackets started at 20% and quickly skyrocketed to a 91% tax rate for the richest. For context, our tax brackets today are between 10% and 37%.3 So how can you prepare for potential tax hikes?

Seed or Harvest?

When I teach financial classes, I talk about three buckets of income: taxable, tax-deferred, and tax-free income.

The tax-deferred bucket holds 401(k)s and 403(b)s. We’re encouraged to put money into this bucket because it will reduce our current taxable income. While this is correct, at some point, you will begin to withdraw money from this bucket, especially during retirement, which generates a taxable event. No one can say for sure, but it’s very likely you could fall into a much higher tax bracket by then.

That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t invest in your 401(k). In fact, if your employer offers a matching program, you should take full advantage of that. But I wouldn’t recommend putting in any more than the match.

I leave you with this question: which would you rather pay taxes on, the seed or the harvest? By seed, I mean the money going into your tax-deferred account, and by harvest, I mean the money you withdraw from it. Your answer will determine where you should invest the most.

It’s reasonable to say taxes will need to increase drastically to continue all our programs. When that happens, will you be ready? If not, start looking for strategies today that will allow you to keep more of your money tomorrow.

1. https://www.cbo.gov/sites/default/files/114th-congress-2015-2016/reports/49892/49892-breakout-Chapter3.pdf

2. https://www.usdebtclock.org/

3. https://taxfoundation.org/historical-income-tax-rates-brackets/

You Belong Here. Yes, You. Here.

by John Garrod

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation…” (2 Cor. 5:17).

When you come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ after a life spent way outside of it, you bring with you a lot of baggage. Trust me, I know. I got saved at twenty-eight after a dozen years of alcoholism, and I was full of preconceptions about the church. Most of those had to do with Christians, who I had all figured out already. You “church people” as I referred to Christians, well, you’d been all clean and proper all your lives; at the least, you hadn’t done any of the things I had done. I was relatively sure that your diapers didn’t even stink. (Having raised 6 kids as a Christian, I can now verify that this was completely false, by the way.) And I was very sure that you didn’t want the likes of me in your midst. It might have been a sunny Sunday morning in Florida, but I was looking for a lightning-laden cloud to drift over to keep me from entering the church. Because I most certainly did not belong in that church.

The devil, my friends, is a liar. And that lie he told me was and is one of the biggest lies he tells men with pasts: That you don’t belong, that you don’t qualify, that you’re not good enough to be in that house with that God who you know knows what you’re really like. If you’ve been raised in the church, got saved at youth camp at fourteen, and you were a Junior Bible Quiz Champion, then you know all of those verses that debunk his lies, but we men who limped in, scarred, traumatized, shamed by our sin, and fell at the altar in our late 20’s, 30’s, 40’s or later, we don’t come with those words imprinted into our brains.

We don’t know that He says we’re fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14). We don’t know

that the sins of our wretched past have been separated from us as far as the East is from the West (Psalm 103:12). Nobody’s ever explained to us that once we are in Christ, we are a new creation; that old things (our record) have passed away, and that all things (our future) are made new (2 Cor. 5:17). We just know who we were. We need to learn that we belong.

This is why it’s important that we connect new men to the body of Christ. It’s not enough to wait and see if they find their place in the church. We need to go to them and each other as men and say, “Welcome to the family, brother! I’m glad you’re here!” We need to put our arms around shoulders and help them find their place of ministry. God has washed their sins; it’s our job to help them find their place at the table and feed them.

John Garrod is father of 6, husband of 1, an ESOL teacher in Dalton, GA, a Lee U graduate (c/o ‘19), a U.S. Army veteran and a member of South Cleveland COG.The Author

Rates

Bank-issued, FDIC-insured

per depositor, per insured www.fdic.gov or contact your financial additional information. Subject to availability and price change. CD values are subject to interest rate risk such that when interest rates rise, the prices of CDs can decrease. If CDs are sold prior to maturity, the investor can lose principal value. FDIC insurance does not cover losses in market value. Early withdrawal may not be permitted. Yields quoted are net of all commissions. CDs require the distribution of interest and do not allow interest to compound. CDs offered through Edward Jones are issued by banks and thrifts nationwide. All CDs sold by Edward Jones are registered with the Depository Trust Corp. (DTC).

* Annual Percentage Yield (APY) effective 01/11/2019. CDs offered by Edward Jones are bank-issued and FDIC-insured up to $250,000 (principal and interest accrued but not yet paid) per depositor, per insured depository institution, for each account ownership category. Please visit www.fdic.gov or contact your financial advisor for additional information. Subject to availability and price change. CD values are subject to interest rate risk such that when

But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. (Romans 8:25 ESV)

by Candyce Carden

My every footstep sank into a mound of sand, making my early morning beach stroll feel more like a mountain climb. The sun was already hot enough to bake cookies. By the time I reached the boardwalk leading back to the airconditioned condo, I panted with exertion. I could taste the icy cold water waiting for me.

As I crossed over the pond, squawking geese greeted me; I scowled at them as if they were to blame for fall’s absence. It was October, after all. Determined to cling to my bad mood, I trudged on. But when the regal cattails lining the pond on the other side beckoned me, I stopped. The cattails stood at ease in utter stillness. Instead of fretting about the heat, they appeared cool and calm.

What I noticed next lifted my heart. A few of the cattails were covered with whitish gray fuzz. As the summer life cycle of this plant ends, it produces new seeds. Each is connected to a bit of white fluff which travels in the wind to another spot where it grows come spring. A sure sign of fall!

My grumbling spirit changed to one of gratitude. I bowed my head to thank God for His powerful reminder. Although the temperatures were still summertime-hot, God’s plan was in place and would continue. Through the promise I found in the marsh, I remembered God’s love is steadfast. He walks with us through every season of life, no matter how long they might last.

“But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience” (Romans 25:8 ESV).

To hope for in this verse means to expect and trust, while patience means cheerful endurance. How many blessings have I missed out on as I’ve rushed

through life, being neither trusting nor cheerful? In my impatience for fall I almost overlooked the cattails, which, to me, signified God’s promise of eternal life.

God used His gift of creation to shift my focus off myself as He whispered, “Not now, but soon.”

The longing to bypass God’s timing is useless.

“Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!” (Psalm 27:14 ESV).

What is God asking you to wait for during this season of life?

What is the greatest challenge you face as you wait?

A retired teacher and beach lover, Candyce Carden writes devotions for CBN, Refresh Magazine, The Quiet Hour, and Reflections among others. She’s currently at work on Waves of God’s Glory, a devotional set at the beach. Follow her blog at CandyceCarden.com.The Author

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 Church Directory

Baptist

Anchor of Hope Baptist Church 2613 Lakeview Drive

Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742 706-866-8318

Battlefield Baptist Church 178 South Cedar Lane Oglethorpe, GA 30742 706-866-1316

Burning Bush Baptist Church 2195 Burning Bush Road Ringgold, GA 30736 706-866-1989

Calvary Memorial Baptist Church

2 E Gate Drive

Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742 706-866-6183

Cloud Springs Baptist Church 207 Cloud Springs Road Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742 706-866-0164

First Baptist Church Ft. Oglethorpe 2645 LaFayette Road Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742 706-866-0232

Moriah Baptist Church 2864 Battlefield Parkway Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742 706-866-8843

Nellie Head Memorial Baptist 2379 Catoosa Parkway Tunnell Hill, GA 30755 706-935-5236

Old Fort Baptist Church 18 Van Cleve Street Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742 706-861-2807

Parkway Baptist Temple 65 Stuart Road

Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742 706-866-0325

Victory Baptist Church 1013 Layfayette Road Rossville, GA 30741 706-866-0371

Catholic

Saint Gerard Catholic Church 3049 Lafayette Road Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742 706-861-9410

Church of Christ

Fort Oglethorpe Church of Christ

6 Harker Road

Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742 706-866-4124

Community Battlefield Ministries Church 64 3rd Street Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742 706-866-9090

Episcopal Church of the Nativity 1520 Cross Street Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742 706-866-9773

Methodist Fairview UMC 2112 McFarland Avenue Rossville, GA 30741 423-653-1043

Fort Oglethorpe UMC 1733 Battlefield Parkway Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742 706-820-6314

Newnan Springs UMC

78 Monanaw Avenue Rossville GA 30741 706-866-6724

Nazarene

Battlefield Parkway Church of the Nazarene 3220 Battlefield Parkway Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742 706-866-9838

Non-Denominational Battlefield Praise & Worship 1337 Battlefield Pkwy, Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742 706-913-0531

Chosen Generation Ministries 92 W Patterson Avenue Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742 423-779-6777

Living Waters Ministries 1337 Battlefield Pkwy Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742 423-255-8655

Ridgeland Point Church 1417 Happy Valley Rd. Rossville, GA 30741

RockPointe Church 1278 Cross Street Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742 706-820-6523

Untethered Church 2473 Lafayette Road Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742 423-991-6067

Presbyterian First Presbyterian Church 1 Harker Road Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742 706-866-0232

The Trials and Trophies of Hospice

by Cheryl L. Dunson

It wasn’t until my father was diagnosed with incurable cancer and delivered into the gentle-but-capable hands of Suncoast Hospice in St. Petersburg, Fla., that I truly understood and appreciated what this organization accomplishes on a daily basis.

I remember the day my father passed away. We made the call to hospice’s Purple Team to inform them Dad was gone. Renee, his nurse, and Steve, his social worker, arrived at my parents’ condo to prepare Dad for his journey to the funeral home. Wearing a compassionate smile, Renee tenderly bathed my father and, then, dressed him in one of his beloved Florida Gator outfits. As we waited for representatives of the funeral home to arrive, Steve sat among us, readily available to listen, to share a word of comfort, and to be a supportive presence in a time of great loss and sorrow.

Throughout the four-month ordeal leading up to my dad’s demise, Renee patiently accepted his stubborn resistance to use a walker and exchanged playful banter with him when he told her he didn’t need her medical attention. (My father was so proud and independent.) I wondered at the time, “How do these people do what they do, day in and day out, knowing the end of life is imminent?”

Two years following my father’s passing, and after much prayer and careful contemplation, I took the steps to become a hospice volunteer. I entered a world many people only see from the periphery. During my two-anda-half years as a volunteer, I met benevolent caregivers whose faces lit up when they spotted me at their loved ones’ funerals. Unaware at the time, I had the privilege of

comforting a legend among Lee University’s faculty during the final weeks of her life. I delivered meals to appreciative family members and patients. I had the honor of praying with terminal patients and their roommates, and I had the pleasure of forming new friendships with hospice staff members and volunteers. And, yes, I’ve watched life slip away slowly, cruelly, and unforgivingly.

October 8th is World Hospice and Palliative Care Day, a day when hospice encourages people who have the time and believe they could be of service to sign up to train as hospice volunteers. The Hospice of Chattanooga Cleveland Team is a staff of friendly and compassionate nurses, volunteers, chaplains, and social workers. Volunteering is a great way to learn about hospice and palliative care and to accompany patients and families through the most difficult stage of life.

During a challenging time with a particular patient, I sought some Godly counsel from my pastor. He told me, “Volunteering is not for everyone, but it’s needed and it’s necessary.” Yes, you’ll be tested, but you’ll also reap some sweet and lasting rewards.

Church Activities & Events

North Georgia Community YMCA

LINK @ The Y’s 5-Year Celebration

Tuesday, October 4 | 7PM - 8PM

1733 Battlefield Pkwy, Ft. Oglethorpe, GA

Battlefield Baptist Church Appointed Quartet

Sunday, October 16 | 10:30AM

178 S Cedar Ln, Fort Oglethorpe, GA

Catoosa County Library Storytime

Wednesday, October 19 | 11AM - 12PM

108 Catoosa Cir, Ringgold, GA

Lee University Pangle Hall

The Exiles Experience

Friday, October 28 - Saturday, October 29

340 Church St NE, Cleveland, TN

Be Like Mark

by Kristen West

Ihave a friend named Mark. Mark has stage 4 metastatic breast cancer. This is the third time in his young 48-year-old life that he has wrestled with some form of cancer. But, here’s the thing. Mark is, hands down, the most inspiring person I know.

He lives in the moment. His joy is overflowing. His outlook is positive. His words are full of hope. He

life is ablaze with one mission—to love his Maker, his Best Friend, and King with every minute he’s been gifted and to tell as many other “terminals” about Jesus.

Mark knows that this diagnosis is not the end. It’s temporary. It’s earthly. He has complete confidence in the certainty that Heaven will bring fullness of healing, joy unspeakable, and eternal fellowship with his God. That is his hope and future, and because of that, Mark walks out his temporary existence knowing his eternal future is secure. Mark has no clue when God will call him home. Do any of us?

purposefully uses every minute. He understands he’s terminal. But, more importantly, he understands we ALL are terminal.

From the time we were born, the countdown began. Our days are numbered (Job 14:5; Psalm 139:16), and our life is like a vapor (James 4:14; Psalm 144:4). Most of us don’t want to think about that. We certainly don’t want to talk about it.

Not Mark. He walks in the undeniable truth that to live is Christ, but to die is gain (Philippians 1:21). Mark has a clear and deep understanding of his purpose. His

In the meantime, God encourages all of us to make the most of our time and to redeem it (Ephesians 5:16). Temporary pain can’t stop us. Physical discomfort can’t stop us. Dismal circumstances can’t stop us. We serve a God who endured all of those things and so much more in order to have fellowship with us, so that we could spend forever with Him.

Mark embodies Paul’s command to, “follow me as I follow Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1). Today, I pray that your heart and soul would be on fire for Jesus and that you would know, like Mark, that nothing can separate you from Him (Romans 8:38-39).

Kristen West works at Rock Bridge Community Church with a heart for staff leadership, development, and care. She is a communicator with a passion to inspire, encourage, and challenge others in their daily walk with Christ. She writes and publishes weekly content on her blog at kristen-west.com. The Author

Hughes Retirement Group

Who reads the stock tables, vets your mutual funds, talks to the IRS, plans your children’s college funds, grills your mortgage and insurance companies, organizes your inheritance, and budgets your Italian retirement celebration vacation for you? We do. By listening carefully to each client and prioritizing their needs first, the staff at Hughes Retirement Group works to develop a personalized financial plan to help clients make strides toward their retirement goals.

We understand the many challenges that individuals can face as they prepare for retirement. Whether it be concerns about taxes, market loss, Social Security, long-term care, Medicare, or running out of money during retirement, our personalized service focuses on our clients’ financial goals and objectives. Our mission is to help our clients make the right decisions for their futures and to provide them with the best service in the industry by treating them just like family!

In addition to financial advising, we also strive to assist seniors with finding the best Medicare supplemental options. Medicare can be difficult to discern, especially with all the changes from year to year. Our office stays up to date

so that we can offer expert service in this area. Offering all major insurance carriers, Hughes Retirement Group helps clients navigate the vast world of Medicare to find the best Supplement, Advantage, or Prescription Drug Plan tailored to their needs. Specifically, our staff works tirelessly to check drug plans annually to save clients hundreds and sometimes even thousands of dollars on prescriptions.

Our founder and President, Rick Hughes, has helped many families and individuals in the Tennessee, Georgia, and Alabama areas prepare for retirement by offering a personal and trustworthy experience. Rick works exclusively with seniors and retirees to find solutions to help them enjoy their retirement years. Driven by a passion to educate and inform those preparing for or moving into the retirement phase of life, Rick has strived to create educational opportunities through workshops, classes, special events, and social media to serve Cleveland, Chattanooga, Knoxville, and surrounding areas.

Granger Hughes began his career in 2009, after becoming a licensed insurance agent. He graduated with honors with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Lee University. Granger uses a tax-

sensitive, holistic approach by offering suggestions and alternatives on ways that his clients can help protect, preserve, accumulate, and distribute money. He can assist his clients in reaching a lower tax bracket and, in many cases, obtaining a zero percent tax bracket in retirement. Granger has worked with his father Rick to help provide educational opportunities for clients as well as others in the community. He feels that working in this field has given him a responsibility to help inform those who may otherwise not be aware of strategies, changes, and opportunities available to them when it comes to their financial well-being. Both Rick and Granger are Investment Advisor Representatives with Hughes Retirement Group and have securities licenses in addition to life and health insurance licenses. They utilize tax-advantaged strategies, tactically managed accounts, annuities, long-term care, and indexed universal life.

Rick’s wife, Wendy Hughes, serves as the CFO of Hughes Retirement Group, in addition to handling a variety of customer service and talent acquisition duties. She has a passion for further education and holds a Master’s degree from Lee University in Psychology and Counseling. Wendy is an active member of both the Athens and Cleveland/Bradley Chambers of Commerce. She is passionate about promoting local businesses and nonprofits and constantly looks for ways to give back to her community. She and Rick are members of First Baptist Cleveland and love spending time with their family and basset hound, Sir Admiral Schofield.

Lindsey Kiker serves as Director of Financial Operations, assisting her father Rick and brother Granger in all aspects of providing services and information to clients. She graduated from Cleveland State Community College in 2008 with a degree in Office Administration. Lindsey is also active in the community as an ambassador for the Cleveland/Bradley County Chamber of Commerce. Lindsey enjoys the outdoors, and loves to travel and spend time with her husband Michael and their dog Spudgie!

Beth Godfrey serves as the Director of Insurance Operations to ensure outstanding customer service to clients and individuals seeking Medicare supplemental options and other health care plans. She works one-onone with the agents of Hughes Retirement Group to help provide a smooth application process for clients, and brings 11 years of experience and understanding to the

firm. Beth enjoys traveling and spending time with her husband Scott, kids, and grandkids. She is a fantastic cook and often brings fresh-baked goods to the office, especially around the holidays!

Taleasha Shane came on board as an additional Medicare support staff earlier this year. She brings a wealth of knowledge, friendliness, and helping hands to every task. Taleasha loves spending time outdoors with her three kids and dog Samson, and is passionate about supporting local coffee shops!

Hannah Hawkins joined the team earlier this year taking on both reception and marketing tasks. An aspiring healthcare administrator, Hannah just began her senior year at Lee University. She loves going to the beach, watching sunsets, and cheering on the Braves!

Whatever your needs, our staff is equipped and eager to help! Whether it be retirement planning or navigating Medicare supplement options, we are here for you. We strive to educate our clients so they can choose the best options for their future. Let us help you achieve your retirement dreams and help you live a stress-free retirement by partnering with Hughes Retirement Group.

Courageous Women of Scripture

by Kelly Gonzalez

Following the birth of my son six months ago, I could not shake the story of a courageous, yet little talked about woman from Scripture. You’ll find her story in Exodus 2:1-10. Yep, it is Moses’ mother.

You probably know the story—the Israelites were becoming so numerous in their captivity that Pharaoh, as well as the Egyptian people, were in dread of them. So, Pharaoh ordered the Hebrew midwives to kill the sons once they were born, but out of their fear of the Lord they did not obey. So, he ordered the people to kill them by throwing them in the Nile River.

What did his mama do? She hid him as long as she could. When she could no longer keep Moses safely a secret, she made him a basket of papyrus reeds, tar and pitch, laid him inside, and set him amongst the reeds of the Nile River. He was just three months old and she put him on the very surface meant to kill him.

This was only her first act of courage and bravery. In an attempt to save his life, she did something that seemed crazy. She had no idea how long he would float, if he would survive, if he would be found and by whom, no idea if placing her sweet babe in that basket would truly save his life. She just knew that she wasn’t just going to sit by while her son was taken from her.

Her second, very courageous act is found in verses 7-10 of this chapter. We know that Pharaoh’s daughter found him, had compassion on him, and that Miriam, Moses’ sister, offered to take him to someone to nurse him. His own mama of course. She nursed him until he grew and then brought him to Pharaoh to become her son.

How bitterly sweet and heartbreaking to be able to hold your son in your arms again, probably for a couple of years, have that sweet bond, but knowing the entire time you have to let him go. Truthfully, this story has been heartbreaking to think about as of late because of the birth of my son. Even now I cry reading it.

These are the questions that rise up in me…

What kind of prayers did she pray over Moses while she had him in her arms?

Did she know he would bring their people to freedom?

Why didn’t other mamas rise up? Or fathers, for that matter, to protect their children?

What if other mamas DID have the courage to do ANYTHING to save their children?

I know we can easily say, “Well, Moses was chosen by the Lord to bring the Israelites out of Egypt and slavery.” Yet, again I ask, what if more mamas stood up?

We are women, and we have a unique ability and destiny to carry and birth something that only we can. Are we hiding in fear, which allows the enemy to win, or are we rising up, daring to do something that looks ridiculous, because in it we become world changers? Are we willing to fight for the dreams and things God has entrusted to us, even if that fight looks like letting go into the unknown? Will we be courageous enough to stand right smack in the threat of the enemy and do the opposite of what he is taunting us with? Rise up sisters and friends. You were born to be courageous; you were born to stand bravely in faith and to change the world.

My name is Kelly Gonzalez I’ve been married to my amazing husband, Jay, for almost 4 years and we have 2 beautiful kids. We attend Living Word in Cleveland, TN. We both have a heart to see cities transformed through prayer and evangelism.The Author

When Life Gives You a Bag of Rocks

One of our family’s October traditions is to watch the classic Peanuts show “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” during Halloween week. As I was only six years old when it was first broadcast in 1966, I have literally grown up with this yearly visit with Charlie Brown and his friends as they navigate another Halloween. As the children go out trick-ortreating, they periodically stop and take stock of their “treats.” Each child celebrates the candy they received until we get to Charlie Brown. No matter how many houses they visit, poor Charlie Brown laments that all he got was a bag of rocks. For him, trick-or-treating was only a “trick.”

Have you had a time in your life where you felt like Charlie Brown—that all life has given you is a bag of rocks? How did that impact your faith? Did you ask God “why”? Did you find yourself questioning His goodness? Did you wonder if He understood the depth of your pain? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you are not alone.

To understand how we, as believers in Christ, should respond to these difficult times, we can look to the Psalms of lament. Here we can see how David and the other writers wrestled with the question: “Where is God in the midst of my pain?” In these psalms, we can find how to pose these questions through our faith.

The typical lament psalm begins with questions like, “Where are you God?” or “How could you let this happen to me?” Sound familiar? As we read through these cries of ancient Israelites, we follow them as they move from expressing their pain and feelings of being surrounded by enemies and feeling alone to a declaration of trust in God—on the basis of His character as loving, just, and compassionate. The psalmists can look past their pain and

by Dr. Alan Hix The Author

despair and cast themselves in the loving arms of a God who can sustain them through all of their travails.

Several years ago, I sat at my wife’s bedside in ICU, listening to the rhythm of the ventilator and wondering with some trepidation what the future might hold for us. Would there be future adventures that we would share, or would I carry on alone?

It was in these dark moments I found comfort and encouragement in Psalm 13. David begins this psalm by crying out, “How long, LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and day after day have sorrow in my heart?” This cry echoes the cry of all those who have found themselves wondering if God cared about their situation. David continues by pleading with God to respond to his anguish. The psalm then turns from a cry of despair to an expression of hope. “But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing the LORD’s praise, for he has been good to me.”

David helped me to see that our hope is not to be based on what God does, but on who God is. No circumstance, no matter how dark, can alter the character of God. That truth allowed me to trust my wife to God’s unfailing love. That understanding can turn our bag of rocks into a precious treasure.

Dr. Alan Hix is an Associate Professor of Christian Studies at Shorter University. In addition to being and educator, he has served churches as a pastor, been involved in mission trips to Africa, Canada, and Alaska, and participated in archaeological excavations in Israel for several years.

I See Angels

by Judy Hood

As I stand on the hilltop

Looking out over the sea

I see a band of angels

Coming after you and me

They are clad in garments white as snow

As the angelic music flows

Gabriel’s trumpet soon will sound We will all leave the ground

At the twinkling of an eye

We will fly through the sky

On heavens shore we will rest

Yes, we gave him our very best

Don’t slow down now

Just make a solemn vow

To always stand strong and true

One day he’ll come back for me and you

You can get Judy Hood’s newly released book, But For The Grace Of God Go I, through Amazon, Barnes & Noble or ebooks.

Seasons of Change

by Janise Copeman

Many of us this time of year daydream of cooler nights, campfires, smores, fuzzy socks, pumpkineverything, and colors exploding and popping. The scents and tastes of fall are upon us. There are pictures of everything from décor to recipes, to cabins in the mountains to get us swept away like a Hallmark movie. The Lord brought to mind not only the beauty of what He paints as His artwork enfolds with each season as it changes, but the times and seasons in our lives. These Scriptures address trusting in God’s timing.

Seasons: God’s Calendar

“And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years” (Genesis 1:14).

Only He Is in Control and Guides Us: That Is Trust

“And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding” (Daniel 2:21).

Blessings That Come with Waiting on God’s Timing of Seasons

“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not” (Galatians 6:9).

“And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper” (Psalm 1:3).

A Period of a Destined Appointed Time Frame

“And he said, About this season, according to the time of life, thou shalt embrace a son. And she said, Nay, my lord, thou man of God, do not lie unto thine handmaid” (2 Kings 4:16).

“For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him forever” (Philemon 15).

“Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations” (1 Peter 1:6).

God had a perfect plan when He created the earth and everything in it. Just like before you were even born, He

knew you and the plans He has for you. “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you” (Jeremiah 1:5).

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11).

Time and seasons are in God’s hands, we just need to trust that He knows when and what is best. We have to trust Him and the process. Times may be uncertain or unfamiliar, perhaps even painful, but He loves us so much. He is using all the seasons in our lives to melt and mold us. Just like a

diamond, the finished product is beautiful, sparkling and radiant, but the process is hard.

So, I encourage you to grasp every season in your life and trust the process. Capture the beauty of what each season paints in your life. Remember, something as beautiful as the fall foliage are actually leaves going through the life cycle. While leaves change color in the fall, they are dying, but they are not dead. It cannot take the beauty away. Enjoy and savor the process. I encourage you, if you are going through a rough season of your life right now, reach out to the Master Painter and Potter of your soul. He is not finished with you yet. He is still working on His masterpiece in you. Surrender to Him and allow Him to create in you a one of a kind, rare, and priceless work of art.

Janise Copeman lives in Trion,Georgia, is 49 years old, and she is blessed to be married to her soulmate for 26 years. She enjoys reading, writing, and encouraging others by spreading joy and love in the Lord.

Instant Parent Success

by Brenda Dedmon

There are so many resources available on “How To Do” most anything you could ever imagine. I was in a conversation with friends recently, and the question came up about the best way to choose paint colors. It was less than a minute when one friend had found ten best ways on her phone.

seems “everyone is doing it.” To avoid this situation, do not compare your family life to others. You have no idea what their journey is about, and you need to spend your time looking at what is best for your family.

Where do you find help for this awesome and daunting task of being a parent? The best starting place is in the Bible. We are reminded in Proverbs how teaching children leads to a productive life. “Teach a child how to follow the right way; even when he is old, he will stay on course” (Proverbs 22:6).

The following are simple suggestions to begin this teaching process, but it is not instant and will involve an important word, TIME.

• Spend time in prayer asking God to guide you in discovering His plan for your family

• Create a family-safe place where a child is loved, valued, and accepted for who they are

• Develop a positive environment where every day your family is giving something good to others

I find this true with parents searching for the best way to be great parents. However, when it comes to parenting skills, there are no quick or easy answers. There is an abundance of ideas offering the perfect way. I hate to disappoint you, but there is not an instant way. This article will not give you instant answers either, but it will give ideas for what the child needs most from parents.

Children always need to feel loved and spend quality time with parents. If you stop and look at the actual waking hours spent with your child, would you be surprised at the number? Children are so involved in activities which require lessons, practices, and performances that it limits parent/ child interaction. I believe children should be involved in activities, but not so many that it takes away from your family time.

Parents often feel “parental peer pressure” to have their children involved in numerous activities because it

• Protect family time by learning to set boundaries for yourself and children

• Lead your family to process energy, enthusiasm, and empathy for life

• Involve your family in discovering their best selves and develop dreams and plans to accomplish those goals

• Practice living the motto, “The Best is Yet to Come” and “No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up”

As you continue in your parent journey, remember God has given you the best gift ever, your child. Psalms 127:3, “Children are a gift from God, they are his reward.” He will guide you in your journey to take care of His gift.

About The Author

Written by Rev. Brenda Dedmon, retired director of the CLC, First Baptist of Dalton and an avid BAMA fan.

Unplug

by Angie Bishop-Forsyth

Would you agree that we mostly live entirely way too busy and too involved in insignificant things? Seriously, how much time do we offer to social media, trash TV, and browsing the internet for this and that, etc.? Way too much I say!

I’m guilty, I admit it. Recently, I took on the challenge to let all that go for 40 days. No social media, no trash

I unplugged and cleansed my soul, and it was GOOD! Was it hard? Sure, some days it was, but it was worth it. It taught me the importance of relying on God to fill me up, rather than comfort in my own pleasures. The longer I journeyed through my 40 days, the more excited I became. I knew going in with the expectation to meet God and grow closer to Him was way better than all that other stuff!

Friends, we need to unplug from the world sometimes, and plug into God on a much deeper level. It is sweet! It is essential! This world beats us down. God builds us up! What I learned was how irrelevant things we think are of importance really are. God is relevant, Facebook and Instagram are not! God is useful, trash TV is inappropriate and useless. God is of great significance, and most internet searches for entertainment purposes can be somewhat senseless and meaningless.

TV, no secular music, and no internet searches for useless information and things. Here’s what I discovered when I replaced all that with time with God. Growth!

The social media anxiety was replaced with a peaceful atmosphere of being still in God’s Word, alone with Him. It’s lovely there. Trash TV was replaced with Godly programs and movies that blessed my soul, full of encouraging lessons and uplifting and inspiring messages. Secular music was replaced with nothing but praise and worship music. I lifted my praises to our King through songs that filled me up and gave glory to Him! Oh, how I loved that! The internet searches were replaced with Bible reading and faith-based Bible study books, which fed my hungry soul!

As believers, we should long for a meaningful relationship on a deep level with our Creator. We should not only long for it, we should run after it! Meet God halfway. He’s there holding out His arms, waiting for you to dive deep! Go! I truly believe it’s like a cup of cold water on a hot day—refreshing, invigorating, and electrifying to one’s soul! Our innocent earthly pleasures are not all forbidden, but should be done in moderation. They can become robbers of the time God deserves and we so desperately need with Him. But if you haven’t, let me encourage you to sometimes unplug from it all! That quiet break with God is a gift to recharge your body and soul.

“Return to your rest, my soul, for the Lord has been good to you” (Psalm 116:7).

Angie Bishop-Forsyth is a resident of Rome, GA. She is blessed with great family and friends. Angie is a member & attends church at Calvary Baptist. She yearns to share God’s message in hopes to encourage, speak God’s Truths, and point people to Jesus!

Faith In Action

by David Huff

As I was pulling into the grocery store, I saw a homeless guy sitting against a post. That was when I heard a little voice inside me saying, you need to speak with him. So, we went inside the grocery store and got what we needed, and as we were preparing to leave, we grabbed a gallon of water and a bag of chips to take to him. We are doing the good, Christian thing by buying a few things for him to help him at least for the moment. Right?

He continued with his testimony of everything that has happened to him over the last few years leading up to him leaning on the pole. He finished by saying this: “This is a small price to pay for the sacrifice that Christ has paid for me.” Faith in real, live action. This guy had lost nearly everything that he had and yet, he was still glorifying Christ and now discipling me.

God in His infinite glory was using him to touch a place in my heart that needed to be touched badly. Philippians 3:7-8, “But everything that was a gain to me, I have considered to be a loss because of Christ. More than that, I also consider everything to be a loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. Because of Him I have suffered the loss of all things and consider them filth, so that I may gain Christ.”

So, we pulled over next to him and I got out and went up to talk to him. I knelt down next to him and then proceeded to ask if I could pray with him. When I finished, I noticed that he had been sitting there writing, so I asked what he was writing about, and that was when the true blessing that this moment was designed for began to come out.

He was writing on fasting and being a disciple for Christ. Here he is, leaning against a pole, and all he has is the few clothes in a box next to him, and he is writing about how Christ disciples us. My ears are wide open now.

Here, sitting right before me, was a true living and walking testament to this very verse and I am now the one being blessed by him. I truly believe that God will use every tool at His disposal to touch and humble us when He is trying to get our attention, and I am thankful for this divine encounter. Jesus said, I have never found a faith like this. I can now say the same thing. In all my life and years on this earth, I have never seen a faith this strong before. God will use many situations to build our faith even stronger if we are obedient to Him and we listen to His direction. We have the opportunity to see and have an encounter that no one else may ever receive.

About The Author

My name is David Huff, and I am married to Brittany and together we have five wonderful kids. We attend Rock Bridge Community Church Calhoun where I serve on the prayer team, host team, and production. I am also a senior at Liberty University.

Scaling A Mountain

by Susan Lavigne

Ienjoyed a variety of sports, including soccer, until I hurt my back at the young age of twenty-nine. It was then that I realized I needed to try some “less dangerous” sports, so I took up rock climbing. That may not sound “less dangerous” to some, but with the proper equipment, good safety instruction, and trustworthy people on your safety line, rock climbing is a very safe sport. There are four key components of rock climbing that relate to our everyday lives.

Balance

Rock climbing is more the art of balancing than climbing. Our lives are meant to be lived in balance too. As a physical therapist and wellness instructor, balance is an essential skill I teach, especially to my older clients, to keep them from falling. There must be a balance

in the muscle strength of opposing muscle groups as well as flexibility for good posture. We are told to eat a balanced diet of vegetables, fruits, grains, and meat for a healthy diet, and we are told to balance our activities with sleep, work, and play for a healthy lifestyle.

Support

Another essential part of rock climbing is having a person whom you can trust on your safety line. Everyone needs trustworthy people for those times when you feel like you are “hanging on by a thread.” Do you have people in your life readily available to help when you need them? Are you that person in someone else’s life? Ecclesiastes 4:12, “Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.”

Communication

A good rock climbing experience also relies on good communication. You must communicate with your climbing partner when you are climbing, and you need his/her full attention and knowledge of safety skills. Open and honest communication is essential for every type of relationship. Anchor

Finally, with life and rock climbing, it is important to have a secure anchor. In the case of rock climbing, you make sure that your rope is secured to the rock you are scaling. Anything less than a secure anchor and you can fall, really hurting yourself or the people in your climbing group. For Christians, that anchor should be none other than Jesus Christ. Isaiah 26:4, “Trust in the Lord always for the Lord God is the eternal Rock.”

So, the next time you feel like you are scaling a mountain in your life, check to see if you have proper balance, strong support, good communication, and a strong anchor in place. When your faith and hope are anchored firmly in Christ, you will increase your chance of surmounting any of life’s challenges.

About The Author

Susan Lavigne attends Cornerstone Church. She is a Christian speaker and songwriter. Feel free to contact her at susanclavigne@gmail.com.

He Is Enough

by Danette Reeves

You are enough. These words are everywhere: jewelry, billboards, bumper stickers, counseling sessions, songs, and even Bible studies. Believe in yourself because you are enough. You can do anything because you are enough. Don’t compare yourself to the world’s standards because you are enough. Be content with who you are because you are enough.

I understand the sentiment behind the words, but it is a lie. You are not enough. This flies in the face of everything culture is telling us today. Culture does not want us to feel wrong about anything we think or sin we commit. Culture teaches us there are no sins; we are free to act as we please. Why? Because we are right in our own eyes. Judges 21:25 states, “In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” This might be said about today’s culture. We have set “self” up as king? Why? Because you are enough (the lie culture sells to us).

Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (I’m not enough).

Psalm 118:8, “It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man” (I’m not enough).

John 14:6, “Jesus said to him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (I’m not enough).

John 15:5, “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing” (I’m not enough).

Paul shared a great secret with us in Philippians 4. He is explaining that he learned to be content when he had abundance or little. In every circumstance, Paul had learned that he was not enough. He shared the truth in Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” Paul was not enough, but Jesus is. I’m not enough to get into heaven, but Jesus is enough when He covers me with His blood, death, and resurrection.

John 10:10 states, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I (Jesus) came that you may have life

and have it abundantly.” I’m not enough to give myself abundant life. Jesus is enough.

I’m not enough to provide myself with peace. Philippians 4:6-7, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Jesus is enough.

Brothers, sisters, and seeking friends, do not fall into the trap of independence this world tries to sell us. Proverbs 26:12, “Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.” Without Jesus, you are not enough. With Jesus, you have everything you need because He is enough.

Danette Reeves and her husband, Charlie, live in Cleveland, Tennessee. They attend The Church at Grace Point. One of their joys is being Oma and Opa to four grandchildren. Her heart’s desire is to be a student and a teacher of the Word, and a consistent follower of Jesus.The Author

Mission Statement:

We believe when people are equipped, motivated, and passionately engaged in living out their faith in Jesus Christ they have the potential to be world changers.

Our mission is to bring people into a dynamic relationship with Jesus Christ—a relationship that empowers them to see how God can work through individual personalities, situations, and talents. Christ was an activist, he did not neglect the needs of the people as He brought His message. We strive to encourage everyone to look more like Christ by reaching outside of themselves to serve the needs of others—at home, at school, in communities, and across the world.

Writer Guidelines:

Who: Our writers range from pastors, professors, and professional writers to stay at home moms and dads, business professionals, and others who have a desire to reach out to people through words of encouragement.

What: We believe that it is important to laugh together, praise each other, encourage one another, and to offer biblical advice. Articles can be directed toward everyone, or from woman to woman, or man to man. We love to share recipes and family traditions as well. We ask that articles be kept to a 500 word maximum. We’d love to hear from you!

Where: Please send submissions to articles.goodnews@gmail.com

Why: Because God has not intended for us to just survive. We believe that we are intended to reach out to love and encourage each other. God has brought each of us through tough times, blessed us, and made the “impossible” possible. Let’s, together, share the love of Jesus Christ. Magazine

Small Beginnings

by Sandra Gilmore

Have you been following this series? Check each month as we explore often-overlooked connections to Christmas and wind our way back to this sacred event.

It’s simply hard to tell. It’s hard to look too far ahead. It might not turn out like it starts. So go the thoughts of anyone who has worked with children or youth.

The same child who eats the glue could be on her way to gluing folks back together in an ER or filling her role binding a family together while odds predict otherwise. The same child who has a speech impairment could have days ahead in the pulpit or at a keyboard where inspiring words flow. The very child who hits, squeals, and throws things might be the counselor who coaches others to tout emotions effectively. We just don’t know what the Lord has planned for these little ones.

Just after the first Christmas, Joseph’s family fled the Bethlehem region for Egypt during Jesus’ nursery days. What if Mary had dropped off Jesus at the nursery while you were serving on Sabbath? Would you have asked them to fill out a visitor card? Who would be the contact? Joseph was the stepfather, and then again…you could hear him sheepishly explaining, “Well no, I’m the father but…well, it’s kinda complicated, ya see?”

What would you have seen? You would have seen an uprooted family who didn’t speak the language, know the culture, or plan to stay long in the area. Yet, they didn’t have a return-home date either. Those three were making limbo work, stalling in place with a child who was anything but stagnant. (Tots grow and change by the hours!) Given the awkward parenting roles and transplanted housing situation, would they have still found a warm reception in your nursery?

Just as God planned for salvation through the birth of Jesus, He has a plan for our days, (Psalm 139) “Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed, And in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them.”

Have you considered that you—as a nursery or children’s church worker—are fashioned into that design? You have a talent, bent, quirk about you that the Lord wants to weave into the design of the children in your care. Beyond the diaper changes, the calming rhythm of the rocking chair, or the cadence of reading a favorite book, you will leave a seed deep in the children in your care. Were it hope or creativity, silliness or stability, the seed will do what seeds

do and bloom someday, given the right set of circumstances. (Never worked in nursery or with young folks? Maybe this is your sign to start!)

These blessings in baby form are, in fact, purposebearers equipped with destiny and divine provision for their journeys. Children, as descendants and members of their family trees, serve as links from one branch of mankind to another, sharing shade and fruit, witnessing changing seasons and life cycles. What an honor that the Lord trusts us to care for such a tender treasure in His Kingdom.

Per Zechariah 4:10 we can “curse not the day of small beginnings.” We can surely bless—plant seeds, nurture, strengthen, delight in—these small wonders!

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