Brent Goodge
Brent Madaris
Bruce Sloan
Cindy J. Evans
Denise M. Shahan
Jan Merop
Kristen West
Monica Gambrell
Pam Wattenbarger
Paula Burgner
Reagan Beavers
Rick Hughes
Sharon Eldridge
Thomas Morrison
SALES
Bud Kinches
423-650-2801
Email: bud.goodnews@gmail.com
DESIGN
Caleb Prytherch
Email: art.goodnews@gmail.com
PHOTOGRAPHER
Paula Knipp
423-310-4207
GoodNews Christian Magazine Catoosa
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
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!
to refuse any advertisement or article we deem inappropriate.
by Bruce Sloan
Acurrent Christian worry appears to be Artificial Intelligence (AI). For most of us, this new terminology was something from science fiction and comic book cartoons. AI which has been around for many years has become a new fearful thought and an “end of the world” conversation. Will AI take over the world and make us useless?
The Christian community has had to deal with powers that have attempted to destroy their faith for centuries. Indeed, Christians have had to contend with Pharaohs, Caesars, and Pagan temples from the earliest of days. A new power on the scene does not bring us to the fear of becoming useless but to a realistic practice of our faith. For this time you and I were born to build the church and to stand on the Word of God.
No, AI has not changed God’s plan or purpose. It is something to understand, but not to fear. Our intelligence is capable of much, but often we relinquish our power to let other people tell us what we should do or purchase. The oceans are filling up with our plastic bags, nations are being punished by weapons of mass destruction, and our nation is drugging ourselves silly. We are to live, and not die says the scripture.
We should remember that God is for us. An early Christian confession of faith declares: “What is the chief and highest end of man? Man’s chief and highest end is to glorify God, and fully enjoy Him forever.” Our purpose is to bring God glory and praise. “God will never leave you nor forsake you” (see Hebrews 13:5). Every generation of Christians welcomes their time of witness to a world that incredibly needs hope and wholeness. Salvation itself is the deliverance from that which seeks to destroy us.
How do we address the problems that could be associated with AI? Is there an honest source that could lead us through the understanding and proper use of AI? As in all new inventions, we realize that there is good and bad. It is how we hope to use it to advance the Kingdom of God. Obviously, there will be others who will want to make AI
an instrument for their own welfare. Deception first begins with us. We are to seek first the kingdom of God.
Recently, I began to use a headset for watching television. When I place the earpiece over my ears it says “Headset is on.” In a few seconds, it says: “connected.” There is a difference between “on” and being “connected.” This is a simple way of expressing our faith. We are a Christian, but we also need to stay connected to God. The Psalmist sings “The earth is the Lord’s and all it holds”(see Psalm 24:1). This is a time of being watchful, our lamps filled with oil, as we are awakened to the wonder of God’s presence.
by Pam Wattenbarger
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup butter
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 cup sour cream
• Juice from two lemons (about 1/4 cup)
• 1 tablespoon grated lemon peel
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup cornstarch
For Frosting:
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1 to 2 tablespoons lemon juice
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Spray a standard sized loaf pan with cooking spray. Set aside.
3. In a large mixing bowl, cream the sugar and the butter using a mixer.
4. Add eggs and mix well.
5. Mix in sour cream, lemon juice, and the grated lemon rind.
6. In a medium mixing bowl, stir together flour, salt, baking soda, and cornstarch.
7. Mix flour into creamed sugar mixture until blended.
8. Pour mixture into the loaf pan and bake for 50 minutes or until a knife inserted into the center comes out crumb free.
9. All bread to cool before removing from pan. If making frosting
10. Place powdered sugar in a small mixing bowl. Add lemon juice, one tablespoon at a time, stirring well after each addition, until desired consistency is reached.
11. Pour the icing over the cooled bread.
* Sometimes I vary the recipe by adding a box of lemon pudding mix into the recipe.
* If you don't have fresh lemons, you can substitute an equal amount of bottled lemon juice.
* No lemon juice? No problem. Add 1 to 2 teaspoons lemon extract to the batter instead. This depends on your taste. If you like a stronger lemon flavor, add two teaspoons, if you prefer a light lemon flavor, add one teaspoon.
* Be sure to grease the pan before beginning for easy clean-up and allow the bread to cool before removing from the pan.
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.
As the AEP (Annual Election Period) quickly approaches, it will be time for millions of people to look at their Annual Notice of Changes and make a decision on whether they want to choose a different plan for 2024. This period begins October 15 and runs through December 7. At Hughes Retirement Group we review your Medicare Supplement Options at NO COST. We educate you on all of your options and allow you to make the best decision for you.
Medicare is a federally funded health insurance program in the United States that provides coverage for certain healthcare services to eligible individuals, primarily targeting people who are 65 years and older, as well as certain younger individuals with disabilities or specific medical conditions. Medicare is divided into several parts, each covering different aspects of healthcare:
1. Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance):
• Covers inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing facility care, hospice care, and some home health care.
• Most people do not have to pay a premium for Part A if they or their spouse paid Medicare taxes while working.
2. Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance):
• Covers outpatient care, doctor visits, preventive services, some home health care, and certain durable medical equipment.
• Requires a monthly premium payment, the amount of which can vary based on income.
3. Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage):
• This is an alternative to Original Medicare (Parts A and B) offered by private insurance companies approved by Medicare.
• Medicare Advantage plans include all benefits of Part A and Part B and often include additional coverage like vision, dental, and prescription drug coverage.
• Premiums, coverage, and costs can vary widely among different Medicare Advantage plans.
4. Medicare Part D (Prescription Drug Coverage):
• Offers prescription drug coverage through private insurance companies approved by Medicare.
• Individuals can choose a standalone Part D plan to add to Original Medicare or can get prescription drug coverage as part of a Medicare Advantage plan.
• Premiums, deductibles, and coverage can vary among different Part D plans.
5. Medigap (Medicare Supplement Insurance):
• These are private insurance plans designed to supplement Original Medicare by covering some of the costs not covered by Parts A and B, such as copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles.
• Medigap plans are standardized, with varying levels of coverage, labeled by letters (Plan A, Plan B, etc.).
• You must have both Medicare Part A and Part B to enroll in a Medigap plan.
It's important to note that Medicare has specific enrollment periods and eligibility criteria. Annual Enrollment Periods, Initial Enrollment Periods, and Special Enrollment Periods provide opportunities to enroll or make changes to your coverage. Medicare coverage options, costs, and availability can change annually, so it's recommended to review your options during the Annual Enrollment Period to ensure you have the most suitable coverage for your needs.
If you are unsure about whether to go on a Medicare Advantage Plan, the government will allow you to test drive it for 12 months. At that time if you choose to go back to a Medicare Supplement, you will be afforded that without health questions.
Also, this is a very important time for you to review your prescriptions. You may say that you like your existing plan but remember, the company could have changed their formulary or made other changes that will affect you in the new year. Take this time to review and make any necessary changes.
If you have questions or concerns, please give us a call at 423664-4203. We will be more than glad to meet you in our Cleveland or Chattanooga office.
Joe had been born to a family of relative wealth for his era, but as a teen, he had been betrayed and sold into slavery. Joe was faithful in his assigned tasks, and by his mid-20s, Joe was given charge of the master’s entire household. Sadly though, the life of slavery was becoming his apparent destiny.
In the midst of this daily grind, the mistress of the house made a pass at Joe. Taken aback by the advances of his master’s beautiful trophy bride, Joe managed to avoid the situation. But it happened again…and again. The young wife seemingly could not help herself around such a strong and handsome man in the house every day.
One day, she developed a plan to have Joe. The only people in the house would be herself and the slave she desired. With a voice betraying both lust and frustration, she commanded Joe to come share some time with her. She then grabbed his clothing and pulled him against herself.
What would Joe do? Refusing her might cost him his life. Joe’s answer didn’t spring from counting earthly costs. Whether the master found out or not was not his main concern. The wide range of possible punishments for disobedience didn’t dictate his actions. Joe’s words reveal Who his highest motivations were centered upon:
But he refused, and said unto his master's wife, Behold, my master wotteth not what is with me in the house,
and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand; There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back anything from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” (Genesis 39:8-9 KJV).
With all the excuses and rationalizations that could have gone through Joseph’s mind when Potiphar’s wife determined to have him, his one thought guiding all others was, “How can I choose to sin against God?” How many times would our apparent questions be easily resolved if the first decision-making principle that entered our minds was the same question?
Should I hide this dishonest thing from my boss? How can I choose to sin against God?
Should I watch this impure TV show? How can I choose to sin against God?
Should I date this person I really like even though they hate the idea of God? How can I choose to sin against God?
Should I withhold my tithe to pay my cellphone bill? How can I choose to sin against God?
Should I…? How can I…?
Jesus said, “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15 KJV).
Just like He asked Peter so long ago, Jesus asks us today, “Do you love Me?” (John 21:16 NASB).
If we love Christ, His glory will be our first concern. And our response to temptation will be, “How can I choose to sin against God?”
by Kristen West
Iwas stuck. A project I was assigned at work had me spinning my wheels. I just wasn’t sure where to begin. I’m not much of a strategist and this task required some of that.
After some time, my supervisor became aware of my dilemma and assigned a co-worker to tag-team the endeavor with me. Game-changer! Immediately, the project began to take shape. My co-worker’s strategic ideas partnered with my drive to accomplish had us crossing the finish line on the task in no time.
Individually, we would not have been able to finish the project as efficiently as we did. Working together, though, we utilized our unique perspectives and roles with great results. It reminded me of a situation Paul addressed in the Corinthian church. They were struggling to embrace the value of diverse roles and instead were getting hung up playing favorites.
“What then is Apollos? What is Paul? They are servants through whom you believed, and each has the role the Lord has given. I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth” (I Corinthians 3:5-6 CSB, emphasis added by the author).
The Corinthians’ view of Kingdom work and roles had been very myopic. As a result, they were splintering into sects and adversely affecting the full impact of the Gospel in their midst. Paul’s words realigned their vision. Even today, we can see that all of us have a part to play. As Christ-followers, that’s a crucial reminder for us today, as well, isn’t it?
We can get distracted thinking our role, our voice, our position isn’t as valuable, as necessary, or as important as so-and-so’s. As a result, we get sucked into the whirlwind of comparison and immediately lose sight of how God made us to be unique. Then, He positions us so that uniqueness can shine. Comparison is such a trap. The role I played in my work assignment was no less valuable than my co-worker’s. It was just different. Today, each of us brings our own unique gifts, skill sets, and experiences to the roles we fill. Each role might seem small but they are uniquely beautiful roles in God’s big, divine plan. He wants to work through us all. I may be a helper and my co-worker a gifted strategist, but it is God who gives the blessed results and gets all of the glory.
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
Baptist
Anchor of Hope Baptist Church
2613 Lakeview Drive
Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742
706-866-8318
Battlefield Baptist Church
178 South Cedar Lane
Oglethorpe, GA 30742
706-866-1316
Burning Bush Baptist Church
2195 Burning Bush Road
Ringgold, GA 30736
706-866-1989
Calvary Memorial Baptist Church
2 E Gate Drive
Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742
706-866-6183
Cloud Springs Baptist Church
207 Cloud Springs Road
Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742
706-866-0164
First Baptist Church
Ft. Oglethorpe
2645 LaFayette Road
Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742
706-866-0232
Moriah Baptist Church
2864 Battlefield Parkway
Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742
706-866-8843
Nellie Head Memorial Baptist
2379 Catoosa Parkway
Tunnell Hill, GA 30755
706-935-5236
Old Fort Baptist Church
18 Van Cleve Street
Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742
706-861-2807
Parkway Baptist Temple
65 Stuart Road
Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742
706-866-0325
Victory Baptist Church 1013 Layfayette Road
Rossville, GA 30741
706-866-0371
Catholic
Saint Gerard Catholic Church
3049 Lafayette Road
Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742
706-861-9410
Church of Christ
Fort Oglethorpe Church of Christ
6 Harker Road
Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742
706-866-4124
Community
Battlefield Ministries Church 64 3rd Street
Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742
706-866-9090
Episcopal Church of the Nativity
1520 Cross Street
Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742
706-866-9773
Methodist
Fairview UMC
2112 McFarland Avenue
Rossville, GA 30741
423-653-1043
Fort Oglethorpe UMC
1733 Battlefield Parkway
Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742
706-820-6314
Newnan Springs UMC
78 Monanaw Avenue
Rossville GA 30741
706-866-6724
Nazarene
Battlefield Parkway Church of the Nazarene
3220 Battlefield Parkway
Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742
706-866-9838
Non-Denominational
Battlefield Assembly In Messiah
195 Ashley Lane, Rossville, GA 30741
304-890-0949
Battlefield Praise & Worship
1337 Battlefield Pkwy, Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742
706-913-0531
Chosen Generation Ministries
92 W Patterson Avenue
Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742
423-779-6777
Living Waters Ministries
1337 Battlefield Pkwy
Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742
423-255-8655
Ridgeland Point Church
1417 Happy Valley Rd.
Rossville, GA 30741
RockPointe Church
1278 Cross Street
Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742
706-820-6523
Untethered Church
2473 Lafayette Road
Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742
423-991-6067
Presbyterian First Presbyterian Church
1 Harker Road
Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742
706-866-2521
As far back as I can remember, I have always slept on the very edge of the bed. It has never mattered which side, as long as I am right on the edge. Maybe because it was easier there to slip my arms and feet out from under the blankets – I don’t know. At any rate, this had never presented to be a problem until April 2008.
I was in the middle of a deep sleep when suddenly I found myself on the floor. Somewhat angered by the splitting pain in my head, I felt to see if anything was broken. I had rarely experienced pain so severe. Somehow, I had landed head first on my floor. Now I have to be honest here: my mattress is roughly 36” from the floor, and my floors are covered in vinyl, so we’re talking about a really hard fall. My head had a fleshy ridge from brow to crown for days. My elbow, hip, and top of my hand were bruised badly. My left knee was bloodied (never fully recovered from that). It was a little comical if I do say so myself to see my husband bolt out of bed in our blackened room and stumble around blindly attempting to turn on the light. And even then, he couldn’t find me immediately! I was not laughing though. As I recall, I was emitting more of a screeching howl. I remained a good half hour in the restroom trying to regain some measure of decorum before I went back to bed – this time not so close to the edge.
A couple of minutes later my husband was awakened again - this time because I was laughing uncontrollably. I told him I couldn’t help feeling that if God was trying to take my mind off of my continually troublesome shoulder by making everything else hurt, I got the message. My husband didn’t think that was the message. Truthfully, I didn’t either.
The point is, we sometimes live too close to the edge. Clear lines are drawn. It is written in God’s Word how we
are to conduct ourselves, yet we persist in inching our toes over the line in the sand. We like to see how far we can edge into the darkness and still walk in the light. Shame on us. Here are some examples to help us pray:
James 4:7: “Submit therefore to God. But resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
Revelation 3:16: ”So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will vomit you out of My mouth.”
Acts 24:16: “In view of this I also do my best to maintain a blameless conscience both before God and before other people, always.”
1 Thessalonians 5:23: “Now may the God of peace
Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Father God, as long as we live, we will fight the battle against the world, the flesh, and the devil. May we strive to be holy as You are holy. Maybe our lives (save one or two areas) are dedicated wholly to You. That’s not enough. That’s living on the edge. You gave Your all for us, now we must give our all for You. Amen.
We are the Region's Only Critical Limb Center - Saving Legs + Restoring Lives! Our team of Board-Certified, FellowshipTrained Vascular Surgeons and our VIC Vascular Team delivers comprehensive treatment for ALL your Vascular, Vein + Dialysis Issues. We are VIC - Changing the delivery of Vascular Care for our region!
In the quiet corners of the Southeastern United States lies a concerning trend: a higher density of patients grappling with cardiovascular diseases, often leading to heart attacks, strokes, or even the dreaded "leg attacks" that result in amputations. This unfolding tragedy reveals a critical need for awareness about advanced Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) and the vital role that timely intervention, especially through dedicated Critical Limb Centers, can play in altering its devastating course.
PAD, born from the insidious build-up of plaque within arteries, emerges as a silent yet formidable adversary. Its symptoms often masquerade as normal aging or unrelated discomforts, rendering it underdiagnosed and neglected. The consequences are dire: excruciating leg pain while walking, numbness,
slow-healing wounds, and in severe cases, stroke, heart attack, and limb loss due to Critical Limb Ischemia (CLI), where blood flow is severely compromised.
At the forefront of this battle, the Vascular Institute of Chattanooga (VIC) stands as a beacon of hope. As the first Critical Limb Center in the region, it embodies the essence of comprehensive care aimed at curbing the staggering amputation rates. Armed with cutting-edge diagnostic tools and a team of skilled CLI Specialists, the VIC's mission transcends medicine— it's about rewriting narratives and saving limbs, one patient at a time.
Dr. Chris LeSar, a distinguished Vascular Surgeon and CLI Specialist underscores the urgency of prompt diagnosis and effective intervention. The reality is stark: patients who fail to heed the signs
and symptoms of PAD, like leg pain during physical activity, often fall victim to CLI's relentless progression. Yet, a timely response, coupled with the expertise of a Critical Limb Center, can be the difference between limb preservation and catastrophic loss.
The importance of early detection cannot be overstated. Many who suffer from PAD attribute their discomfort to aging, delaying crucial medical attention. The acronym FLOW—a mnemonic for Feeling of pain in the legs, Loss of sensation, Open sores that resist healing, and Weakness when walking—serves as a clarion call. It's a roadmap to recognizing those telltale signs and taking a proactive step towards diagnosis, intervention, and a chance at reclaiming one's quality of life.
The VIC's resounding success—boasting a remarkable 93% limb salvage rate over five years— is a testament to the power of comprehensive care. Their approach hinges on a synchronized network of primary care, podiatry, and wound centers, collaborating to ensure each patient's journey is smooth and continuous. Through their diligence, amputations become a last resort, not the default solution.
Yet, the landscape is not without its challenges. Racial disparities, socioeconomic factors, and demanding work environments continue to contribute to unnecessary amputations. The solution lies in education and awareness—shifting perceptions from resignation to empowerment. Through understanding
the risks—being over 50, having uncontrolled diabetes, a history of smoking, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure—individuals can empower themselves to act, securing a future free from PAD's shackles.
In the tapestry of healthcare, the VIC stands as a testament to progress. Its growth over the years, now encompassing three locations across Chattanooga, Cleveland, and North Georgia, Jasper and Dayton mirrors the expanding horizon of possibilities for patients. Early detection, coupled with the expert care of a Critical Limb Center, is rewriting narratives, transforming the dire prognosis of amputations into one of renewed hope and regained health. It's a message that echoes across time and distance—know more, and say no to amputations.
For Mother's Day, Olivia made a plaque for me at school. It says, "Moms are the buttons that hold everything together." This is surrounded by buttons, glued down in the shape of a heart. I absolutely love it. (Poor dads don't get cool gifts made at school, LOL.) I hung it on the wall in the living room. This past weekend, I was looking at it and thought about the strain "this button" was feeling. The tension, the pull of life, all the daily responsibilities, and the stress make me feel like I can't hold it all together any longer.
Grandma was an excellent seamstress. She could make just about anything with a needle and thread. She made all of our Halloween costumes and our dresses for school programs. There was always a pile of mending next to her chair. Many evenings she would go up to her room, sit down, and rest as she darned socks, added patches, or replaced buttons. I recall and cherish many hours spent just sitting with her and talking while watching her work. I am not a seamstress, but I did learn how to mend a tear (although it never looks as good as what she would have done) and sew on a button.
The most important part of sewing on a button is selecting the thread. If the thread is weak, the button won't hold anything together. In Colossians 3, Paul tells us to set our sight on the realities of heaven because we have died to this life and our real life is in Christ. We are to strip off our old nature and all its sin and put on our new nature. He's basically telling us to change our clothes. We are to take off the clothes that are dirty, covered in holes, and have buttons missing. We are to put on a whole new outfit, held together by
Jesus. You can't get thread any stronger than that! We are to clothe ourselves with mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, and most importantly, love. Doesn't that sound like the most comfortable outfit ever? Wouldn't you expect it to feel soft and fit better than anything you've ever tried on? And it would make us look really attractive too!
Everywhere we go, we should be telling people how much we love our new outfit and about the Designer. It
should become the greatest fashion trend ever. It gives us a little boost as we head out to tackle the messiness of this life. And the best part is: it's stain-proof!
I can be the button that holds everything together if I am secured by my Thread, my Savior Jesus. I will stay in place if I am wrapped and anchored by Jesus. And I can encourage others to keep their new outfits on too, so we can all start looking like our Designer!
At ten years old, Madison Square Garden in New York City was humongous to me. Of course, it is a very large facility. But to a child, the enormity is impressionable. This was to be a life-changing evening for me, though I didn’t know it yet.
The 1957 Madison Square Garden Billy Graham Crusade was about to begin and the buzzing of many voices was quieting down. My parents, little brother, aunt, uncle, and cousin were in the ‘nose bleed’ section with a bird’s eye view of multitudes of people filling the seats and the aisles.
As the Crusade choir began to sing, I joined in with the multitudes and wished, even then, that I could be in that choir. I sang in our junior choir at church. So, this immense gathering of voices inspired me.
When Billy Graham came to the podium to begin his preaching, even the whisper of a sigh was unheard. Everyone seemed to listen in reverent awe to the words spoken from Scripture.
Then, at the invitation, people streamed forward as the choir lifted their voices to the old hymn, “Just As I Am.” I looked up at my Dad and taking his hand said, “I want to go, too.” He asked if I was sure and with my affirmation, we began the long walk down to the front. That day, as I received new life in Christ, Dad rededicated his life to the Lord. To this day when I hear “Just As I Am” tears of joyful memory fill my eyes.
Fast forward forty-some-odd years, and Dad and I attended another Billy Graham crusade together with my family, remembering with thanksgiving that special night.
As a ten-year-old child, I came, just as I was. It’s Jesus’ invitation to all of us: “Come to me,” He says with his arms open wide.
Daily I come in rededication and renewal knowing the last verse says it all: Just as I am, Thou wilt receive, Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve; Because Thy promise I believe, O Lamb of God, I come. I come!
Just as I am, without one plea, But that Thy blood was shed for me And that Thou bid’st me come to Thee, Oh, Lamb of God, I come, I come.
Just as I am, though tossed about, With many a conflict, many a doubt Fighting and fears within without, Oh, Lamb of God, I come, I come.
Just as I am and waiting not, To rid my soul of one dark blot, To Thee whose Blood can cleanse each spot, Oh, Lamb of God, I come, I come.
Just as I am, poor wretched blind, Sight, riches, healing of the mind, Yea, all I need, in Thee to find, Oh, Lamb of God, I come, I come.
Just as I am, Thy love unknown has broken every barrier down; Now to be Thine, yea, Thine alone, Oh, Lamb of God, I come, I come.
Just as I am, of that free love, The breadth, length, depth, and height to prove, Here for a season, then above, Oh, Lamb of God, I come, I come.
Just as I am, Thou wilt receive, Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve Because Thy promise I believe, Oh, Lamb of God, I come, I come!
Jan has been writing her weekly inspirational column, Pause…and Consider, for over 30 years, joyfully encouraging others in their Christian walk. She enjoys reading, cooking/baking, sewing, and music. New to Cleveland, she and her husband Ken enjoy walking and hiking in God’s marvelous creation. They have three married sons and five grandchildren and belong to the Church at Grace Point.
by Cindy J. Evans
A cord of three strands we are with Him, He has woven us in love.
With His connection and His power, we have extra strength from above.
With His help, we are given an extra measure of grace, showered down on us for good, keeping us in place.
All things are held together by Him. I'm glad we've become one, yet three. May we stand and forever be faithful, and to God be all the glory!
“Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken” (Ecclesiastes 4:12 NIV).
by Thomas Morrison
Flexibility and mobility exercises are the least intense exercises of all and can be a fantastic place to start if you are seriously thinking about trying to get in shape. Simply moving your joints each day with circular motions can help you restore lost ranges of motion, maintain joint health, and help you move with more grace. Mobility and stretching exercises also make you feel good when you don't try to overstretch.
You can stretch the muscles of the neck, hips, and torso and it will have a gentle toning effect on the rest of your body, encouraging more vigorous exercise naturally when done right. Clifton Azok, a football coach who successfully lost well over 100 lbs. (without surgery) said that this was a vital key for him:
“This natural need to exercise is crucial to sustained exercise. For me when exercise was both physical and mental work, I did not do it. When exercise is a daily battle of willpower, the body overrules the mind. The result is no exercise. As I became more flexible, I started becoming more active without thinking about it. It was a natural occurrence. As I became more active, I started developing the strength and endurance needed to sustain an exercise program. As my strength, endurance, and flexibility improved, exercise became a focal point in my life. When I first started my fat reduction program, I struggled to walk 100 yards. Today, I can easily walk 10 miles in a day. This improvement occurred naturally and it all began with flexibility.”
As Clifton has discovered, regular calisthenic-type exercise with an emphasis on gently improving range of motion is critical to being able to start and sustain an effective exercise program. Let’s see more of why.
The joints in your body suffer from the fact that they have no blood supply. Instead, the body secretes a fluid called synovial fluid to carry oxygen and nutrients to the cartilage and lubricate the joint. As we age, unfortunately, too many of us have become more inactive which leads to joint stiffness, exacerbates degenerative conditions, and can even promote infections. To combat this, some people take supplements like glucosamine or MSM—but you might as well take nothing at all if your joints don’t get some movement! You see, joint health relies almost entirely on movement—because that is what releases the synovial fluid and keeps the cartilage surfaces free from contaminates. If you want to keep your joints from getting rusty, you have to move them often! And the older or more out of shape you are, the more important that is! A series of light exercises and stretches is wonderful to keep your joints feeling good and maintaining a youthful range of motion.
Going through a daily mobility routine that gets you moving each joint will help you increase or maintain your active ranges of motion, optimize the health of your joint surfaces, and help prepare you for any other kind of activity you have planned for your day. This is what Clifton was talking about when he said that merely attempting to rotate and stretch his joints each day helped him to become more active naturally. That greater activity built more fitness, which led to even more activity and so on in a positive upward cycle.
Where can you go shopping for jeans, store your RV, pick up a wedding gift, or snag a new item for your living room, then pick up dinner when you are through? At the Market Place Plaza of course. Market Place Plaza manager Kathleen Combs summarizes, “We like to think of ourselves as #TheMallThatHasItAll!”
“You can buy jewelry, clothes, furniture, and antiques. You can eat here and after a full day of shopping. Or, if you like, get a nice workout from either Our House Studios or Lionhearts Fitness. There's just so much to do here, and we want our community to realize the merchandise and services of the former Gateway Business Center, now to become Market Place Plaza, are more than just an old antique mall,” Katheen adds.
Ms. Combs is pleased with what the Market Place Plaza offers. “You’ll find some of the best businesses in the entire Ringgold region of Georgia. The Chattanooga Mercantile, Everyday Living & More, Robin's Nest, just a name a few. You could spend all day and still not see it all. It's important for everyone to support their local businesses so that people know that shopping online isn't the only way to shop. Because when you want a new pair of jeans, wouldn't it be better to be able to try them on first before buying them than having to send them back? There's fun in shopping and picking the items out yourself.”
The Market Place Plaza has a deep history in this area going back to 1983. Ms. Combs took the lead in 2013. She has an energetic approach for the Market Place Plaza this season and an innovative focus toward the future. She explains, “We like to stay involved in our community by supporting events and fundraisers whenever we can. Our last involvement was with the Sexual Assault Advocacy Center in Fort Oglethorpe by being a sponsor for their "old bag" events, where purses were donated to the center to help raise money. It's a center that was near and dear to my mother, and I always like to make sure that we can help out whenever we can.”
Now, what about the storage feature? In addition to an array of retail shopping and fitness centers, the Market Place Plaza has RV and boat storage. Why choose Market Place Plaza for storage? The lot is well-lit, safe, and affordable. The lot is fenced with barbed wire and 2 new light poles with 4 LED lights. Cameras also survey the area entrance and exit.
Market Place Plaza (formerly the Gateway Business Center) in Catoosa County is conveniently located on I75, 8 miles south of Chattanooga, Tennessee, and 103 miles northwest of Atlanta, Georgia. This venue sits on almost 23 acres and has 1,100 parking spaces, making it one of the largest destinations in the entire Greater Atlanta region! You can shop, eat, plus work out all in one visit. As we said, it’s #TheMallThatHasItAll!!
This poem won 2nd place at the 2023 SWA Writing Competition in the Lowcountry Award for Excellence in Southern Writing category.
by Denise M. Shahan
Sittin’ on the porch swing talking ‘bout everything, sippin’ tea, shelling peas. Head would tilt, voice would lilt, filled with laughter ever after. She was just a Southern girl.
Pink polished toes, little button nose, alabaster skin, so petite and thin, eyes of blue seeing always true. Blonde, bouncy curls, the envy of all girls, She was just a Southern girl.
Mama taught her well, a Daddy’s girl – we could tell, Knew right from wrong, sang a sweet country song, had fun when the schoolwork was done.
Lipstick just so, hair tied with a bow. She was just a Southern girl.
“Yes, Sir. No, Ma’am. Thank you kindly, yes, I am.” Hallmarks of culture and class.
But when crossed, watch out! We will hear her shout, “Bless your heart, Darlin’, I choose class over sass!” After all, she was just a Southern girl!
by Brent Madaris
Ifind it fascinating such a question would even have to be asked. It seems to me the answer would be obvious. But what appears obvious to some is a complete mystery to others. Allow me to share with you some personal experiences on this subject.
My parents were both saved when I was about 5 years old. After getting saved, they were convinced regular church attendance was extremely important to the development of their new lives as Christians. We began going to church. From that day until the day I left my parent’s home, our whole family always attended church regularly.
the vehicle and we kids were in the back. We all rode together to the House of God. Such wonderful memories are these! If parents did what was right, there would not be any need for a Sunday School bus ministry anywhere in America.
I have worked with children and young people off and on for over 40 years. I see a very disturbing trend. Parents are not taking the leadership role in matters of spirituality for their families. They are allowing children to “make up their own minds” and “do their own thing.” Many do not seem to really care whether their child grows up with or without a knowledge of God or a strong moral influence.
May I say this kindly and yet forcefully? Children are a gift from God (see Psalms 127:3). It is the God-given responsibility of every parent to train up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (see Deuteronomy 6:6,7; Ephesians 6:4; Proverbs 22:6). This necessitates that the parents know God too. Please, parents, do not abdicate or forsake this parental duty. It is too important to be left to chance. Joshua (the great warrior / statesman) said, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15 KJV).
I have been going to church now for 49 years. It has been a rare occasion when I have had to miss a service. I love going to church meetings and fellowshipping with God's people. I believe it is the right thing to do. I have been a member of seven different churches over these years. Memberships in these churches have ranged from about three to over 3000. It is now my great privilege to be the pastor of a church. The very first pastor I ever had (when we started going to church years ago) remained a close friend until he passed away a few years ago.
I say this from the depths of my heart: I thank God for my parents who took me to church! My parents did not send me to church, they took me. My parents were in the front seat of
It is not enough to send your child to church. They are watching you carefully. It has broken my heart many times to see a child start out excited about God, and church, and then slowly lose that excitement and take on the parent’s negative, neglectful, and negligent attitudes. They get discouraged when they have no encouragement to live for God at home, and often give up. If parents don’t see the importance of God and the church, it is going to be rare that their children will see it. You are doing damage to your child’s future happiness and welfare when you do not lead the way.
Start today parents. Make a difference. Even your grown children need to see you setting the example. Your grandchildren need you to lead the way!
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by Paula Burgner
We all get those thoughts that we are not good enough, or not smart enough. Too often we can feel like we are always the last one that is picked for something, such as being picked to play on a team, or picked for a job, or even feeling like we are never going to get picked by that special someone and have the chance to become a husband or wife we are longing to be one day.
Just remember don’t rush the process. It’s just like when fall time comes around, most of us want the stores to hurry up and get out all of the pumpkins and fall décor. We are
things are become new.” When we start living our lives for the Lord, we find a new joy in life and have a new outlook about life in general.
It’s kind of the same way a pumpkin looks just like all the other pumpkins, until we take it home and carve it out to be what we want it to become. The same goes for us before we accept God into our hearts. We are just like everyone else on the outside. Then when we become changed by the love of God He will carve our lives into the way He sees us. He carves a new smiling face. The Bible tells us this in Psalm 71:23, “My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing unto thee; and my soul, which thou hast redeemed.” So don’t ever feel like you are unworthy or unloved and full of grime, because just as a pumpkin is full of crud and bad seeds until we open it up and clean it out, we then can see the full potential it has to offer.
all wanting to go pick out a pumpkin to place on our front porch. Even so, it still takes time for the pumpkins to grow into the fullness of their life, just like the way we grow into the fullness of becoming a Christian.
We are like pumpkins in many ways. God will pick you from the patch and bring you in. Just as the Bible tells us in John 15:16, “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you.” Once we accept Jesus into our hearts as our Lord and Savior, He then washes all of the dirt off of us. The Bible tells us in 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away, behold, all
This is the same way that God will work for us. He will open up our hearts and scoop out all of the yucky stuff and clean it out of our lives, as He removes the seeds of doubt, hate, and greed. The Bible tells us this in Romans 6:6, “Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.” When the time comes and you make the choice to turn your life over to God He will put a light inside you to shine for all the world to see. As the Bible tells us in Matthew 5:16, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
*All Scriptures were quoted from KJV.
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.
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.
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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.
Several years ago, the high school ministry that I served in got invited to lead worship for Virginia Church of God Youth Camp. During the last night of camp, as the altar was filled with middle school students, I felt the Holy Spirit leading me to speak over them. I sat my guitar down, walked up to the speaker, and asked for the mic. I opened my Bible and began reading the story of Paul and Silas in prison and how their praises not only broke their chains but also opened the prison doors for everyone inside that jail.
“About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone's bonds were unfastened. When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. But Paul cried with a loud voice, ‘Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.’ And the jailer called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas. Then he brought them out and said, ‘Sirs, what must I do to be saved?’ And they said, ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.’ And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family. Then he brought them up into his house and set food before them. And he rejoiced along with his entire household that he had believed in God” (Acts 16: 25-3 ESV).
Knowing that a lot of those kids who had had an encounter with Jesus during this week at camp would be going home to families who were unbelievers, I encouraged them to keep singing praises. No matter what their household may look like or what environment they lived in, their songs of praise and worship could create an atmosphere where the Lord could move and radically change their family.
The same can be true in your life. I want to encourage you to not let your song of praise go silent. As one of my favorite songs declares, let your weapon be a melody. I have witnessed so many times what the Holy Spirit can do through song.
To my fellow church musicians: our role is so important. We get to participate in creating spaces for the Lord to work. Psalm 150 instructs us to praise with our instruments. Music itself is a powerful tool, but when it is anointed by the Lord, it can change lives.
Never stop singing.
