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April Engstrom
Charles Finney
Detrick Redding
Donald Cantrell
Filip Brunner
Garrett Nudd
Hayden Lanier
Jan
Kristen West
Lori McAfee
Madelynn Chapman
Mary Catherine Rogers
Rick Hughes
Thomas Morrison
SALES
Matthew Ruckman
423-503-1410
Email: goodnewstn@gmail.com
DESIGN
Caleb Prytherch
Email: art.goodnews@gmail.com
PHOTOGRAPHER
Paula Knipp
423-310-4207
EDITOR/ARTICLE COORDINATOR
Sandra Gilmore
Email: articles.goodnews@gmail.com
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Matthew and Bethany Ruckman
Cell: 423-503-1410
E-mail: goodnewstn@gmail.com
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GoodNews Christian Magazine Catoosa
Hello Friends,
We want to take a moment to tell you who we are and what we are about. Our names are Matt and Bethany Ruckman and we have six beautiful children, Brendon, Kailey, Andrew, Leah Jean, Emma, and Cooper. We live in Cleveland, Tennessee, and love what this town has to offer! We have started GoodNews Christian Magazine because we feel that when God, family, and community are combined, lives will be changed.
GoodNews Christian Magazine is a complimentary, Christian lifestyle publication. You can find us throughout the community in retail establishments, churches, restaurants, and more. Our magazine opens the door for Christians to work together to grow and strengthen our community through relevant editorial and effective advertising.
GoodNews Christian Magazine is written by men and women in the community who love and serve the Lord. Our hearts are open and willing to be used by God to reach out to the community to spread the GoodNews!
and/or
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.
WThe Good News of Grace
by Detrick Redding
e are living in a society of so many different activities and opportunities that you could see countless things daily. I was once talking to a young man who said that he believed that there should be no law nor a set standard to live by because he deemed that everyone had an internal moral compass and that they would eventually do the right thing. Of which, I differed. But in all actuality, that is what is present in the world as of today. Many are living life without any conviction and expecting the acceptance of everyone. Now I must embrace a heart of compassion for some. There are many living this way because of trauma from their past. Past behaviors of family, friends, or trusted leaders, have damaged the mental compass of some. My heart is for their healing and their recovery of all the lingering effects. However, this does not justify the looseness of an unrestrained life.
Often, when discussing topics like this, we tend to forget to discuss that every behavior will produce an aftermath that must be dealt with. For example, promiscuity could very well lead to pregnancy, STDs, or most importantly an empty heart due to improperly using the sexual union. Another example is thievery, which could result in prison time, hurt loved ones, and even death if the scenario goes wrong. Consequences are inevitable in every circumstance. We should be mature enough to take the outcome if we are willing to engage in the acts of our lives. This is because Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death…” Death is a separation from everything that God is. So, since God is peace, sin separates us from peace. God is love, now this is real love, not that artificial stuff that’s just lust. When we yield to sin, we separate ourselves from real love. This is something that we should consider when we make decisions.
continue in sin because of grace. God forbids that! However, grace is a powerful benefit of the believer that changes the mind from desiring to sin. Remember, repentance is about a mind change, a heart change, a desire change. We are told to repent and turn from our wicked ways.
Let’s look at the benefit package of grace. Grace says that firstly, I am a new creation. That is a great benefit for us. The past of our lives now has no merit, even the repercussion of it must fall to the obedience of the Word. I
know that is shocking for some of us. However, how can I be new and still live from my old status? The latter part of Romans 6:23 says, “The gift of God is eternal life.” Bless God for eternal life! We have been given eternal life from God. That’s the same life that Jesus refers to in John 10:10, “…I come that you might have life and life more abundantly.” The amplified version says, “Life to the full till it overflows.” And remember, only good comes from our God. He can give you the good desire to make a good decision to make Him the Lord of your life! And that’s good news!
Now, there is good news for the born-again believer. Let me start by saying, this good news isn’t that we can
Mouth vs. Heart
by Hayden Lanier
The prophet Jeremiah gives us a captivating picture of the wicked. He says, “you [God] are near in their mouth and far from their heart” (12:2 ESV). He is not alone in this assessment. In Isaiah, God describes a people as “honor[ing Him] with their lips, but their hearts are far from [Him]” (29:13 ESV). Then, in the New Testament, Jesus quotes this verse and ascribes it to the Pharisees and scribes, saying, “You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, when he said: ‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me’” (Matthew 15:7-8 ESV).
Jesus spoke those words to the most religious, educated, and moral people of His day. If anyone would have known God and had Him near their hearts, you would think it was this group. However, this would be a false picture because their nearness to God was only in their words. Even further, these words were insincere. They were focused on their own rules and commandments more than those of the Lord.
This should serve as a startling warning for us. It is possible to honor God with our lips but be far from Him. We can go to church, pray, read the Bible, and do good things while not truly knowing God. I have grown up and lived in the South my entire life. I went to a public school where, if a student said they were not a Christian, they were questioned and even sometimes ostracized because they did not have the same religious beliefs as most of the student population. Yet, while most of the people I grew up around claim to be Christians or even go to church, tragically, that is as far as some of these people’s relationship with God goes. You can go to church and say you believe all the right Christian things, but are you living for Christ? Do you walk with Him daily? Or do you honor Him with your lips only because of the culture around you?
God desires that we be people who keep Him near our mouths and hearts. We should share the gospel, the truth of salvation in Christ, and make our beliefs about Jesus known to the world. But this must come from a place of knowing God. We must have this intimate, abiding relationship with the Father from which our words about Him flow. If He is not near our hearts, our words are ultimately empty. We deceive others and possibly even fool ourselves.
This may be a pointed question, but it bears asking nonetheless: Are you near God in words or in your heart? Do you truly know God, or just say that you do? Are you a Christian in name only, or do you daily die to yourself and let Christ live through you?
Walk with the Lord and keep Him near your heart. Or, if you do not know Him, why not ask Him for a new heart today (Ezekiel 36:26)? If we draw near to Him, He will draw near to us (James 4:8). Thanks be to God.
See www.setyourmindabove.wordpress.com for more from Hayden Lanier.
Hayden Lanier attends Shorter University and works at Cave Spring Baptist Church. You can find more of his writing on his blog, setyourmindabove.wordpress.com.
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Gò0 dNews for Men
That’s My Sister
by Donald Cantrell
As Previously I wrote about all of the fun that I experienced in watching the Bagley Lady Blazers basketball team. In the other article I wrote about the varsity starters, but in this story, I want to focus on two girls that started on the Junior Varsity team. These girls were fun to watch and they were always very animated, as they would always get excited when the other girls scored.
I want to introduce you to Maddie and Marleigh Foster; both girls are 13; both girls often started for the Junior Varsity Team, and they are twins. One of the girls is a bit taller than the other and both stand out from the other girls, as they run up and down the court, cheering for their sibling.
The first time I watched these sisters play, I was sitting near their mom, Morgan, who sits in the stands and cheers her girls on, asking them to do their best. One of the girls scored and the other sister yelled out, “That’s my sister!” I asked Morgan if that was normal and she told me that the girls have always celebrated the success of their sibling, which made her exceedingly proud.
As we all know, this world is marred with jealousy and envy, but those traits should never be found among the children of God. This pastor benefited greatly from going to watch a bunch of middle school kids play basketball in 2024/2025. As I watched Maddie and Marleigh celebrate the made baskets of their sibling, I realized that I should be more like those girls.
Romans 12:15 KJV - Rejoice with them that do rejoice…
The Bible tells us over and over to lift up one another, to encourage one another, and to be happy when other people are happy. As I watched these girls display happiness when their sibling scored, it warmed my heart. The twins, Maddie and Marleigh, would become more excited when their sister scored, than when they scored.
Here is the kicker, what kind of world would we live in if we became excited over the successes of others? I wonder how much better the work place might be, if we celebrated the achievements of our fellow workers. How much better would our teams be if we lifted up those who were successful and became happy when they scored or made a good play.
My dad was a twin. He had an identical twin brother, and when you saw one of them, you often saw the other. The Bible talks about a pair of twins. We know them as Jacob and Esau, but they were archrivals, literally enemies. Those two brothers were so combative that they literally could not dwell together.
Jacob and Esau would have benefited from knowing Maddie and Marleigh, as they lift each other up, making the world a much better place. Thanks, girls!
About The Author
Donald Cantrell is a lifelong native of Murray county and has been pastoring and preaching since 1980. He has had the honor of publishing over thirty books and his sermon material is sold all over the world by various online companies. If you visit his house any weekend in the fall you will find them watching the “Florida Gators or the New England Patriots… Chomp Chomp.” 12 // October 2025
Chickamauga, GA 30707
hopefellowshipepc.org
Morton Memorial
560 Red Belt Rd.
Chickamauga, GA 30707
706-935-3741
Walker County Church Directory
Assembly of God
Cross Connection
703 N Main St. LaFayette, GA 30728
706-639-3303
Gospel Tabernacle Assembly of God 1661 Highway 27
Chickamauga, GA
Baptist
Antioch Baptist Church 236 Crow Gap Road Chickamauga, GA
706-539-1117
Bethel Baptist Church 4068 S Highway 341 Chickamauga, GA
706-375-3756
Bethlehem Baptist Church 278 Oak Grove Road Chickamauga, GA
706-375-2797
Bethel Memorial Baptist Church
198 Pledger St. LaFayette, GA 30728
706-638-2995
Bethesda Baptist Church 13432 Highway 151 LaFayette, GA 30728
706-638-9450
Calvary Baptist Church 908 Bronco Rd. LaFayette, GA 30728
706-638-8710
Cassandra Baptist Church 1371 W Cove Rd Chickamauga, GA
706-539-1046
Center Grove Baptist Church 68 Center Grove Church Rd Rock Springs, GA
706-764-2060
Center Point Baptist Church
118 Center Point Rd. LaFayette, GA 30728
706-764-1753
Chattanooga Baptist Church 7300 Highway 337
LaFayette, GA 30728
Christ First Church 5994 N Hwy 27 Lafayette, GA 30728 (706) 764-2212
Christian Home
2518 Garretts Chapel Rd
Chickamauga, GA
423-313-5230
Community Baptist Church 14 Kemp Rd. LaFayette, GA 30728
706-638-1774
Corinth Baptist Church 2524 Corinth Rd. LaFayette, GA 30728
706-638-3963
East Armuchee Baptist Church
3196 E. Armuchee Rd. LaFayette, GA 30728
706 375-4512
Emanuel Baptist Church
639 S Main St. LaFayette, GA 30728
706-638-1751
Faith Baptist Church of Chickamauga 14251 Highway 193
Chickamauga, GA
423-760-8895
First Baptist Church
603 7th St
Chickamauga, GA
706-375-2733
Friendship Baptist Church
1200 N Chattanooga St. LaFayette, GA 30728
706-638-3560
Garrett’s Chapel Baptist Church
3235 Garretts Chapel Rd
Chickamauga, GA
706-375-6708
Grace Baptist Tabernacle 27 Jones Rd
Rock Springs, GA
423-362-3158
Grand Center Baptist Church of Chickamauga 1753 Grand Center Rd
Chickamauga, GA
706-375-8505
Happy Home Baptist Church
704 N Chattanooga St.
LaFayette, GA 30728
Harbor Light Baptist Church
600 Crane St. LaFayette, GA 30728
423-605-0917
LaFayette 2nd Baptist Church
500 W Main Street
LaFayette, GA 30728
706-638-2779
Lafayette First Baptist Church
201 N Main St, LaFayette, GA 30728
706-638-3727
Lake Howard Baptist Church 1528 Lake Howard Rd.
LaFayette, GA 30728
423-304-4990
Linwood Baptist Church 18 Steele St.
LaFayette, GA 30728
706-638-6527
Liberty Baptist Church 1334 Johnson Rd.
Chickamauga, GA 30707
706-375-3859
Lookout Baptist Church 8645 Highway 193
Chickamauga, GA
706-931-2356
Macedonia Baptist Church 12461 E Highway 136
LaFayette, GA 30728
Marble Top Baptist Church
7131 N Marble Top Rd
Chickamauga, GA
706-375-3536
Mt Hermon Baptist Church 2373 Hog Jowl Rd
Chickamauga, GA
706-858-5650
Naomi Baptist Church 4171 E Highway 136
LaFayette, GA 30728
706-638-4601
New Harvest Missionary Baptist Church 2034 Highway 337
LaFayette, GA 30728
706-764-6257
New Home Baptist Church
256 New Home Rd.
LaFayette, GA 30728
North LaFayette Baptist Church 1649 N Main St
LaFayette, GA 30728
Oakwood Baptist Church
115 Oakwood St
Chickamauga, GA
706-375-5760
Peavine Baptist Church 1089 Peavine Rd
Rock Springs, GA
706-375-4721
Prospect Baptist Church
194 Prospect Church Rd
LaFayette, GA 30728
706-397-2908
Ridgeview Baptist Church
1001 Magnolis St.
LaFayette, GA 30728
334-300-4733
Ridgeway Baptist Church
1594 Ridgeway Rd.
LaFayette, GA 30728
706-638-6832
Rock Springs Baptist Church
194 E Turnipseed Rd
Rock Springs, GA
706-810-8199
Shield Baptist Church
12684 N Highway 27
Chickamauga, GA
706-375-2554
Shiloh Baptist Church
46 Manning Mill Rd.
LaFayette, GA 30728
706-397-8427
Sunnyside Baptist Church
3573 Round Pond Rd. LaFayette, GA 30728
423-364-9701
True Life Baptist Church 1115 N Main St. LaFayette, GA 30728
706-996-8571
Walnut Grove Baptist Church 55 Walnut Grove Rd. LaFayette, GA 30728
706-638-1377
Woodstation Baptist Church 42 Round Pond Rd. LaFayette, GA 30728
706-764-1794
Catholic
Our Lady of the Mount Catholic Church 1227 Scenic Hwy, Lookout Mountain, GA 30750
706-820-0680
Church of Christ
Church Of Christ 105 Crittenden Ave Chickamauga, GA
706-375-2222
Highway 27 Church of Christ 1684 S Highway 27 LaFayette, GA 30728
706-638-4644
Lafayette Church of Christ 104 W Main St. LaFayette, GA 30728
706-638-1890
Steele Street Church of Christ 4 Steele St. LaFayette, GA 30728
423-505-9583
Church of God
Catlett Community Church 122 Round Pond Rd. LaFayette, GA 30728 423-309-4649
Cooper Heights Church of God 12598 Highway 193 Chickamauga, GA 423-903-3759
Cove Road Church of God 620 N Chattanooga St LaFayette, GA 30728
678-467-6982
Covenant Life Worship Center 7001 Lafayette Rd Chickamauga, GA
706-375-5286
LaFayette First Church of God 301 Daugherty St. LaFayette, GA 30728
706-639-7329
LaFayette Church of God 1002 S Main St. LaFayette, GA 30728
706-450-0872
Noble Church of God 75 Glass Rd. LaFayette, GA 30728
706-764-1093
Jehovah’s Witness
Kingdom Hall 457 Rodrunner Blvd. LaFayette, GA 30728
706-638-4342
Methodist
Elizabeth Lee Methodist Church 139 Cove Rd
Chickamauga, GA
706-375-2182
First United Methodist 15 Sunrise Dr. LaFayette, GA 30728
706-638-1942
First United Methodist Church 301 S Main St. LaFayette, GA 30728
706-638-2067
LaFayette First United Methodist Church
301 S. Main Street
LaFayette, GA 30728 (706) 638-2057
Rock Springs United Methodist Church 3477 Peavine Rd Rock Springs, GA
706-375-5345
Non-Denominational
Battlefield of Life Worship Center 56 Kevin Ln. Rock Springs, GA 770-827-6718
Care Mission
105 N Chattanooga St. LaFayette, GA 30728
706-638-3664
Cowboy Church of Lafayette 196 County Line Rd, Rock Spring, GA 30739 423-596-7227
Faith Worship Center
200 S. Chattanooga St. LaFayette, GA 30728 423-313-7035
Gospel Light Christian Fellowship
36 Fortune St. LaFayette, GA 30728
706-996-8535
Hope Fellowship 2000 Twin Cedars Rd Chickamauga, GA 30707 706-375-4673
Life Gate Church
204 N Main St. LaFayette, GA 30728
706-638-7620
Mission Bridge Church 807 N Main St. LaFayette, GA 30728 423-364-6771
Mount Zion Church 223 Dunwoody Rd. LaFayette, GA 30728
706-638-1238
New Bethel Christian Fellowship 4009 Round Pond Rd. LaFayette, GA 30728
706-638-6904
Power of Life LaFayette Church 798 W Main St LaFayette, GA 423-596-703430728
River of Life Church 807 W. Maqin St. LaFayette, GA 423-596-703430728
The Haven - LaFayette 415 Chestnut St. LaFayette, GA 706-996-815030728
Presbyterian
Chickamauga Presbyterian Church 700 7th Street
Chickamauga, GA (706) 375-3432
Highland Presbyterian Church 1211 W Noth Main St. LaFayette, GA 30728
706-638-8940
Lafayette Presbyterian Church 107 N Main St. LaFayette, GA 30728
706-638-3932
Quaker
New Friendship Baptist Church 281 Friendship Rd Chickamauga, GA 706-375-7198
Wesleyan
Gordon Lake Weslyan Church
29 Gordon Lake Rd. LaFayette, GA 30728
706-638-6517
for Relationships
Act Your Age!
by Jan Merop
We were on our way to the college our oldest son had chosen and where he would be working for the summer; the three brothers were in the back seat.
They had been annoying one another for quite some time. So, in the interest of levity, my husband Ken swayed the car on turns a bit more dramatically so two of them leaned heavily to the right where the oldest sat.
After one time too many, our oldest yelled at his brothers, “Quit it!” Silence!
Till Dad said to the younger ones, “Stop bothering your brother. He’s trying to grow up!”
With that, laughter rang out…though I’m not sure our oldest appreciated it at the time. Now that they’re grown up with family stories of their own, we genuinely laugh at that memory.
Perhaps you have said or have been the recipient of the words “Grow up!” Or “Act your age!” Maybe it was even followed by, “Are you listening?”
Of course, each phrase implies that at a certain age or time in life, we should have matured enough to know how to act, to stop being childish, silly, arrogant, or constantly teasing.
The Bible speaks to this in another way. We see it addressed in Hebrews 5:12-14 NLT, “You are spiritually dull and don’t seem to listen. You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God’s word. You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food.”
The text goes on to say that someone who lives on milk is an infant and doesn’t have the maturity to do what is right. Solid food, it says, is for the mature who are trained and skilled to know right from wrong. Wise.
Therefore, the admonition is “Grow up!” “Act your age.” “Listen!” Behave as mature individuals, opening the word of truth to others.
That doesn’t mean we become dull.
Rather, I find the older my age and spiritual maturity, I feel an internal energy and joy. Sometimes, I must pull back. My internal age and my external abilities don’t always correspond.
However, Scripture reminds me in Psalm 92:13–14a NKJV, “Those who are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall bear fruit in old age; they shall be fresh and flourishing.”
Recently, I related to a saying on a T-Shirt that said, “I don’t know how to behave because I’ve never been this old before!”
How true that is!
When I turned 16, my Grandpa said in his broken English, “Ah! You’ll never see it again!”
“Grandpa!” I exclaimed, a bit offended. But he was right. I’ve never seen 16 again or how I may have behaved at that age.
That is why I have learned to trust God when He says in Psalm 16:11, “You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
I pray the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:20) permeates my spirit and my behavior so that no matter the number of birthdays, the joy of the Lord will always infuse my behavior, acting the age of His joy! Selah.
The Family Crisis Center of Walker, Dade, Catoosa and Chattooga Counties: A Place for Restoring and Rebuilding Lives, Celebrating a Legacy, Welcoming the Future
Have you ever wondered what a simple act of kindness could truly achieve? Mother Teresa once said, “It’s not how much we give, but how much love we put into giving.” In the realm of helping others, that sentiment rings truer than ever. The Family Crisis Center’s mission is just that: acts of kindness that rebuild and restore just one more life, who is struggling through a tremendous battle. The FCC aims to break the rhythm of stifled and battled situations to promote healthy rhythms with hope and sound habits.
As FCC of Walker, Dade, Catoosa, and Chattooga Counties commemorates 30 years of service, CEO Rachel Bailey explains, “Galatians 6:2 says, ‘Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.’ This is a call for all to support each other through difficult times, while carrying our own load. For 30 years, we’ve upheld our mission to advocate, educate, restore, and rebuild lives. We started in an old school building with many different stakeholders and community members who wanted to see a change and help those in need.”
The Mission
With an active Board of Directors, the mission is to support those in the community who are impacted by domestic and family violence as they transition into survivors who rebuild toward healthy, abuse-free lives. The central purpose is to provide safe temporary refuge, crisis intervention, advocacy, prevention, community education and to give voice to those who are wounded and suffer in silence.
CEO Bailey shares, “Some battles are fought in the heart, in the lonely hours of the night when no one is watching. The pain, the doubts, the loneliness never leave. They sit quietly in the background, waiting for a moment of weakness to stall or consume us. FCC provides support for those who are exhausted behind the smiles, or struggling behind the brave words.
“We help families continue to fight, to wake up every morning despite the battles they face, and move a step closer to healing and maintaining health. That itself is strength and courage. Untreated or under-treated invisible wounds
can have long-lasting negative consequences including health deterioration, substance abuse, and difficulties in employment and relationships. We are here to support families as they avoid those pitfalls.”
In 2023, the Board and staff of FCC undertook strategic planning to chart the organization’s future. Since its founding in 1995, FCC has been the exclusive provider of services for Walker, Dade, Catoosa and Chattooga Counties for domestic violence victims and their children.
Mrs. Bailey shares, “Our services include emergency shelter, case management, counseling support, and basic needs for victims of domestic violence and their families. Our programs have also evolved to include a communitybased outreach program. Additionally, we operate a 24hour crisis line and respond to calls day or night. We not only have a domestic violence shelter, but we also operate a youth cottage for ages 13-21 who have been left on the street, sent by court order, or the parental rights have been relinquished. Like many organizations, we faced challenges during the COVID-19 global pandemic. The organization continued to serve clients through its shelter, cottage, outreach services, and crisis line. Additionally, the organization has become more well-known and has diversified its funding sources.”
Insight and Impact
Brittany Henry, program director, gives some insight toward the impact of this organization: “We have a 25-bed shelter. Last year, we housed more than 150 women and children. We also house men in a local hotel if they need our assistance. We answered more than 2,000 crisis calls and did over 350 temporary protection orders for our outreach and shelter clients.”
Case plans are an essential segment of developing a healthy habit. Monica Garza, case manager, assists families with these plans. She explains, “One of the things I do is meet with our residents to develop a case plan. This is something we work on the whole time they're here, whether
it's to get a job or secure housing. Sometimes it's just as simple as helping provide insurance and other things they've not been able to do. We follow our case plan to the end. Sometimes, we are successful in getting the families into housing. That's our goal: to get them stable and back in the community.
“Abuse sometimes creates a sense of not being worthy to work. The verbal abuse sometimes is really bad. We help them get back their self-esteem so they can see that they are worthy and they do have worth.”
Mrs. Bailey shares, “We have such great success stories. There is one in particular I can remember: A mother and her five children were in the shelter for over a year. She worked hard to get her life back, a job, secured housing and went to get her GED. The mother is now growing in her job and all her children are in school and doing well. She told us, ‘If it was not for FCC’s gentle nudging, belief in me, continued support, and community resources I would not be where I am today!’ That is a testament to how God places people in our lives to rebuild their lives. It's such a unique aspect of our mission as we watch people grow. Our staff is composed of people who have been around these four counties who have a passion for our mission. Statistics can speak a lot but we like to defy statistics and work to rebuild lives!”
Compassion Becomes Action
Private donations and community support contribute greatly to the success of this agency as government funding becomes increasingly limited. The FCC and The Cottage also operate three thrift stores: the Cottage Thrift Store, 819 Mission Ridge Road, Rossville; Attic Treasures #1, 107 Mize Street, La Fayette, GA; and Attic Treasures #2 12731 N. Highway 27, Chickamauga, GA. Community participation has been a vibrant part of this success! Check out the new website: www.thefamilycrisiscenter.org to make monetary donations or checks can be mailed to Family Crisis Center, P.O. Box 252, La Fayette, GA 30728.
Please join us for our 30 Year Commemoration with our 2nd Annual Pancake Palooza on October 25th from 8am - 2pm at the Walker County Civic Center. To buy your tickets early, call 706-375-8400. Silent auction and special guest speakers will be a part of the celebration.
Autumn Is a Gift
by Mary Catherine Rogers
Braced against October’s chill with light coats and scarves, the bleachers are filled with eager fans ready to cheer their home football team. Excitement fills the air. The aroma of burning wood, somewhere off in the distance, pleases the senses.
There, to one side, our eyes catch a glimpse of orange and gold as swirling leaves get caught up in a gust of wind. Furry squirrels scamper fast along the grass, stuffing themselves with fallen acorns. The nip in the air assures us a new season is upon us. Autumn is here at long last. Like an old friend returning from a long sabbatical, we welcome her.
The air is crisp and so pleasing. Long gone now is the hot summer. In its place are delightful colors that dot the landscape. Water sprinklers have ceased, and golden beds of languishing grass now replace the lush, green lawns. Colors hang heavily upon the trees in the form of leaves. Their hues are so vivid, their colors so deep. We reach down to the ground to scoop up their beauty and hold them in our cold hands. The sound of crunching leaves beneath our boots brings a welcoming and familiar sound. For now, Fall takes center stage.
Fall brings a myriad of festivals, tempting even the tightest purse strings. Delightful crafts and home-baked goods find their way into the trunks of our cars. Everyone knows that in autumn, the apple tarts are sweeter. Pumpkins and apples are in ample supply. Seasonal fruit conjures up visions of baked delights that no other season offers. On behalf of our waistlines, we are thankful that fall festivals offer their temptations but once a year. Suddenly, our homes take on the fragrance of cinnamon, nutmeg, and so many rich spices!
We learned long ago that family offers us security unlike any other. If we have lived long enough, lived our lives well, with God smiling upon us, we find home to be a soft place to cushion the hurts and nourish the heart.
We welcome the nights in cozy pajamas and homemade quilts as we curl up with a book near the fireplace. Its warm crackling, embers melt away the cares of the day. The cooler weather cries out, “Cuddle up!”
The harvest moon looms out at us, seemingly staring and holding us delightfully captive in the moment. We watch our breath drift off into the night air. We treasure these moments, for truly, they are gifts. The heart stirs in awe upon the reflection of their offerings.
As day gives way to evening twilight, the sounds of family gathering for fall visits and holidays bring joy to the heart and satisfy the soul. Home is where we kick off our shoes and shake off the fallout of the outside world for a brief respite. For many, home is the starting point of who we are. For some, it will be the finish line of a life too briefly lived.
So bake the pumpkin bread, and sit down to a cup of hot cider. Savor the outdoor views and the beautiful colors. Inhale the cool, fresh air. Take it all in and live life with a thankful heart. Remember, all good gifts come from the Father. James 1:17 KJV says, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.”
Certainly, autumn is among those gifts!
Mary Catherine Rogers is retired, widowed, a teacher, a mother, and a grandmother. She was a contributor to Daily Citizen newspaper, Dalton magazine, and a book series, A Cup of Comfort for Christians.
for Parents
Altar Moments
by April Engstrom
One of my favorite memories of adulthood has been the family table—returning to the table I grew up eating at, with all the same people (and some new ones!), as we reminisced. It is hard to think of a place where I have laughed more than that table! Memories connect us. They give us unity, strength, and ground us for the future.
I think this is why, as God was establishing His people and His covenant, He would repeatedly call on them to make altars to remember what He had done for them.
Deuteronomy 4:9 NLT: “But watch out! Be careful never to forget what you yourself have seen. Do not let these memories escape from your mind as long as you live! And be sure to pass them on to your children and grandchildren.”
The Israelites had already bought themselves 40 years of wandering by their lack of faith, and now the next generation was about to finally walk into the promise. Yet, our memory seems so short when it comes to remembering the good things God has done. We make altars to the wrong things (flashback to the golden calf, Exodus 32), and then complain about anything that’s not our way. We forget that the same God who freed those Israelites is the same God who is calling us to live in the freedom of His grace and for His glory today.
Remembering these things is vital both in our personal walks and in the church as a whole. We need to turn our
eyes upward. In Genesis 28, we see God’s generational covenant confirmed to Isaac’s son, Jacob. Now we’re traveling back in time, back to the promise that set those Israelites on the path to the promised land. Jacob, generation 3 of Abraham’s legacy, was at a low, the very lowest. He had stolen his brother’s blessing and was headed out, running for his life. He was headed back to the land of his forefather, Abraham. I think often when we hit the wilderness, part of God’s grace is that He draws us back to the place where we will see Him. Where we or others have encountered Him, and there will lie the answers or the next step in our journey. Jacob lies down, and God meets him in the desert. Jacob’s life doesn’t change, but his perspective does. In that moment, where God has reaffirmed the generational blessing, Jacob awakes. He awakes, and in that moment, the cornerstone of promise is anointed. Jacob names this altar: Bethel, the place that will later see another in this generational promise; and, that time more than just the Israelites will be delivered.
God wants us to make the markers in our lives that scream of His glory. This way, when our spirits are weak and our burdens are too heavy, we can recount and declare who He is and has been in our lives. He’s a personal God, so make it personal! Tell of His glory, but not just to yourself, make a legacy of glory that is proclaimed by your children.
What do we need to do? Claim the land; claim the promise. When God shows up in your life, you have the burden to show His glory! Make a list today of how God has been real in your life. Then keep it, proclaim it, and walk it each and every day. You’re on the cusp of the promised land, so remember whose you are and what He has done for you. Be encouraged and share your faith from generation to generation.
Be a Pumpkin for Jesus
by Charles Finney
Today we gather to consider a timely message: Be a Pumpkin for Jesus. As the autumn season turns the leaves to gold and the air grows crisp, we see pumpkins adorning our homes, our gardens, and our tables. This symbol of harvest and abundance can serve as a powerful metaphor for our walk with Christ. Just as a pumpkin is harvested, carved, and filled with light to shine forth, so too are we called by Jesus to be lights in a dark world.
Chosen by God for His Purpose
Pumpkins are planted and nurtured until they reach their full potential. They do not choose the moment of their harvest; the farmer does. Likewise, God has chosen us for His purpose. In John 15:16 KJV, Jesus reminds us: “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain.” Like the pumpkin that is harvested at the right time, God has ordained each of us to be His vessels, and to bear the fruit of righteousness and holiness. Cleansed and Made New
Once a pumpkin is harvested, it must be cleansed and prepared. The flesh inside is scooped out, leaving the pumpkin empty and ready to be transformed. This is a picture of what Christ does in the heart of every believer. In 2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV, we are told: “Therefore if any
man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
The cleansing is a process of sanctification, and it begins with repentance. When we come to Christ, we confess our sins and ask for His forgiveness. He is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9 KJV). This cleansing prepares us to be vessels of honor, fit for the Master's use (2 Timothy 2:21 KJV). As the pumpkin is prepared for its transformation, we too must be prepared for the work God has for us.
Carved for God's Glory
After the pumpkin is cleansed, it is carved into a beautiful design, often with a face or a pattern that allows the light to shine through. Likewise, God carves us according to His perfect design. In Isaiah 64:8 KJV, we read: “But now, O Lord, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.” God shapes us, molds us, and carves us so that we might reflect His image and allow His light to shine through.
Filled with the Light of Christ
Finally, a light is placed inside, and it shines brightly for all to see. This is the most important part of being a pumpkin for Jesus: being filled with the light of Christ. Jesus Himself declared in John 8:12 KJV, “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” When we follow Jesus, we are filled with His light, and that light shines in the darkness, bringing hope, peace, and salvation to a world in need.
Shine for Jesus
As we embrace the message of being a pumpkin for Jesus, let us remember that we are chosen by God, cleansed by His grace, carved according to His purpose, and filled with the light of Christ. Just as the pumpkin shines in the night, we also must shine as beacons of hope in a world that desperately needs the light of Christ.
for Everyone
Help Me, Jesus!
by Filip Brunner
Iam a child of God, bought back from the market place of sin by the blood of Christ and presented to God the Father as blameless, holy, righteous.
I once was dead but now I am alive through the power of His resurrection. I was blind to the truth of the power of sin that dwells within my heart but now I see that the grace and mercy of Jesus is greater.
“I have reached sinless perfection! I am free to do everything my Jesus demands of me. Together we will storm the gates of hell and…” …come to a screeching halt.
The one law is after the flesh, our carnal nature. The other law is spiritual.
When writing to the church of Galatia, Paul puts it this way:
“…Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?”
(Galatians 3:2b, 3 KJV).
Yes, we should want to do the will of God. In order to do so we need not be ignorant that we are in a spiritual war, that we are being pulled in two diametrically opposing directions. You see, we are saved from sin, but until we get to heaven we are still in the presence of sin and our old sinful nature has not been fully eradicated. The prophet Isaiah dealt with much the same.
Because we realize with the Apostle Paul that:
“For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would, I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do”
(Romans 7:18,19 KJV).
A lot of times Jesus wants me to do His will, but my will gets in the way.
Paul goes on to say that in wanting to solve the dilemma, there are two types of law that war within him.
Isaiah experienced a mode of operation in which he first saw the vacancy left by a good king. Instead of making a big deal about the death of King Uzziah, the Bible majors instead on the holiness and presence of the Lord. When in the presence of the Holiness of God, King Uzziah fades into the background and Isaiah sees himself as:
“Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts” (Isaiah 6:5 KJV).
Isaiah saw himself as he truly was in light of God’s holiness. It was not until his cleansing by a live coal from the altar that God was able to use Isaiah. The same is true of Paul and of us. Amen.
Filip Brunner is married to his wife, Dr. Kim Brunner and together they have six children. He is a writer, author, and artist.
for Discovering More
Still Shots
by Garrett Nudd
Over the last couple of years, I have spent a lot of time reflecting and talking with God. I work in marketing, communications, and philanthropy for one of the largest faith-based health care systems in the world. Even though I don’t serve on the front lines providing life-saving medical care, I frequently get to see patients and talk with people when they are experiencing— or at least recovering from—some of the most challenging situations anyone could experience.
I’ve heard stories first-hand from people who are wounded and broken physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Prior to that, for ten years I traveled around the country—and many times around the world—as a professional photographer documenting weddings on the weekends and creating family and high school senior portraits during the week. Most of our wedding work required us to travel, but when we weren’t traveling, we served a discerning local portrait clientele out of our storefront studio in beautiful Chattanooga, Tennessee.
If you point your camera at enough people, it doesn’t take long to discover some pretty significant and surprising insecurities. Over the years I’ve learned a sad and unfortunate truth. Most people view themselves as less than. Less than they are. Less than others see them. And less than God designed them to be.
During my reflection, I realized the less than perception we often have of ourselves is contrary to everything God stands for and every promise He’s ever made. If only we could see ourselves through His eyes. If only we could see why He loves us
and how He loves us, I think everything would change, especially how we feel about ourselves.
My life is fairly ordinary. But as I’ve reflected, I’ve discovered countless times when God has shown up in the simplest moments and revealed Himself as MORE THAN.
I’m not a biblical scholar and I don’t know all the finer details about Jesus’s life like I should, but I do know enough to know Jesus spent His life proving to people that they were MORE THAN, not less than.
The woman at the well, Mary, Martha, and Lazarus, the twelve disciples. These weren’t community leaders, philanthropists, philosophers, or professors. They didn’t eat at nice restaurants surrounded by art galleries and European-looking coffee shops and dessert cafes. They were commoners, fishermen, and farmers. Maybe even a little rough around the edges.
Yet, Jesus made it clear that they were MORE THAN, not less than. Jesus didn’t spend His time with community leaders and CEOs. He didn’t hang out with politicians and bankers. He didn’t socialize with school superintendents and society’s elite. It wasn’t because He didn’t like them. Maybe it was because the higher we get the noisier it is. And I don’t think Jesus cared too much for noise.
David spent his time on the hillside, just himself and his father’s sheep, and David was called a man after God’s own heart. “Be still and know that I am God,” we read in Psalm 40:10. Be still and know. Be still, avoid the noise, and know. Be still and experience MORE THAN.
Garrett Nudd serves as director of communications for AdventHealth Georgia. His recent book, MORE THAN: Discovering How Your Story Reveals
Gò0 dNews for your Taste Buds Loaded Sweet Potatoes
Ingredients
• 4 large sweet potatoes
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
• 1/2 cup cooked ham bits
• 1/2 cup cooked bacon bits
• Salt to taste
• Optional toppings: sour cream, green onions
Instructions
1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil for easy cleanup.
2. Prepare the Sweet Potatoes: Wash and scrub the sweet potatoes thoroughly. Pat them dry with a paper towel. Pierce each sweet potato several times with a fork to allow steam to escape during baking.
3. Bake the Sweet Potatoes: Place the sweet potatoes on the prepared baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 45-60 minutes, or until they are tender when pierced with a fork. The exact baking time will depend on the size of the sweet potatoes.
4. Prepare the Toppings:
• While the sweet potatoes are baking, prepare the toppings.
• In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar and ground cinnamon.
• Cook the ham bits and bacon bits if they aren’t pre-cooked. You can sauté them in a pan over medium heat until crispy.
• Chop the pecans or walnuts if not already chopped.
5. Assemble the Loaded Sweet Potatoes:
• Once the sweet potatoes are done baking, remove them from the oven and let them cool slightly.
• Carefully cut a slit down the center of each sweet potato and gently squeeze the ends to open them up.
• Place 1 tablespoon of butter inside each sweet potato, allowing it to melt and seep into the flesh.
6. Add the Sweetness: Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of the brown sugar and cinnamon mixture over the buttered sweet potato flesh. Use a fork to gently mix the melted butter and sugar into the sweet potato.
7. Add the Crunch and Protein:
• Sprinkle the chopped nuts evenly over the sweet potatoes.
• Add the ham bits and bacon bits on top of the nuts, distributing them evenly across the sweet potatoes.
8. Final Touches: Add a pinch of salt to taste. If desired, add a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of green onions for an extra burst of flavor and color.
9. Serve and Enjoy: Serve the loaded sweet potatoes immediately while they are warm. They make a fantastic side dish or even a main course if you want a hearty and satisfying meal.
Tips for Success
• Customization: Feel free to customize the toppings based on your preferences. You can add shredded cheese, marshmallows, or even a drizzle of maple syrup for extra sweetness.
• Make Ahead: You can bake the sweet potatoes ahead of time and reheat them before adding the toppings. This can save you time, especially on busy days.
• Healthy Variation: For a healthier version, you can reduce the amount of brown sugar and use turkey bacon or omit the ham and bacon altogether.
These loaded sweet potatoes are a delightful blend of sweet and savory flavors, perfect for a comforting meal or a special side dish. Enjoy the rich taste and the crunchy texture in every bite!
Set Your Gaze
by Lori McAfee
A steadfast mind, set on things above, This world, we are not to be in love.
No more sinning and a life of strife. Christ was raised from death that we may have life. Throw off the sin that entangles and hinders, That we may run the race with perseverance. Replace the old self with the new is proof, That you’re living in accordance with His truth. Look to the one that redeems us So fix your eyes upon Jesus.
Lori McAfee, author of Burning Hope, is a certified life coach, speaker, and host of the popular podcast Get Your Rear In Gear.
John Norman, MD
Specializing In:
Arthroscopic Surgery; Joint Replacements of the Knee and Hip; Surgical & Nonsurgical Treatment of General Orthopedic Conditions, Sports Related Injuries & Pediatric Injuries
Jim Lashley, MD
Fellowship Trained in Orthopedic
Spine Surgery
Specializing In:
Surgical & Nonsurgical Treatment of Injuries to the Back, Neck & Spine; Surgical & Nonsurgical Treatment of General Orthopedic Conditions & Sports Related Injuries
Mitch Frix, MD
Fellowship Trained in Sports Medicine & Arthroscopic Surgery
Specializing In:
Arthroscopic Surgery;
Joint Replacements of the Shoulder & Knee; Surgical & Nonsurgical Treatment of Sports Related Injuries
Nick Reed, MD
Fellowship Trained in Sports Medicine & Arthroscopic Surgery
Specializing In:
Arthroscopic Surgery of the Hip, Knee, & Shoulder
Joint Replacements of the Shoulder
Surgical & Nonsurgical Treatment of Sports Related Injuries
Mike Wilson, MD
Specializing In:
Arthroscopic Surgery;
Joint Replacements of the Knee and Hip; Surgical & Nonsurgical Treatment of General Orthopedic Conditions & Sports Related Injuries
D.J. Goss, DO
Fellowship Trained in Orthopedic Foot & Ankle Surgery
Specializing In:
Arthroscopic Surgery of the Foot & Ankle; Joint Replacements of the Foot & Ankle; Surgical & Nonsurgical Treatment of Sports Related Injuries of the Foot & Ankle
A Living Worship
by Madelynn Chapman
You can’t quench a soul-deep thirst with a teaspoon of tradition. I didn’t fully understand that until I stood in a dusty classroom in Africa, filled with the overflowing presence of God.
I spent the last week of July in Zimbabwe on a mission trip. I originally thought I was being called to go to Africa to make a change there. As I stayed through my short time, I realized God needed them to make a change in me. I had been assigned to teach a primary school a Bible story of my choice. Since I had just finished teaching at a Vacation Bible School back home, I decided to make it simple and talk about something I had just gone over: Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4. I didn’t realize that I was lacking the very same Living Water that I was teaching about.
In America, I went to a small southern church. I had been saved since I was 16, but for some reason, I kept thirsting for more. It felt as though I was desperately reaching out for the Lord, and I was almost always met with my grasping hand hitting a barrier. I had total faith in the Lord, but I still felt a drought in my soul that I couldn’t explain.
Before I went to Africa, I was drinking from that Samaritan well. Of course, I studied the Gospel on my own and had a frequent prayer life, but I still felt so stuck. Every Sunday, I would go to church and sway in worship for the Lord. I would clasp my hands together and sing to the Lord, but I would stay cautious not to sing too loud. It didn’t feel like fear at the moment, but it was an unwritten rule not to be too bold in worship. Why do we as Christians have such a hard time worshiping with a living worship? In 2 Samuel 6:14, it says, “David danced before the Lord with all his might.” Why do Christians judge other Christians for doing the same thing?
During the time I spent in Africa, I encountered a type of praise I had never seen before. This worship was free from judgment and engulfed in encouragement. When the voices
started singing, people started gathering in dance. There was clapping, yelling, drumming, and thudding of our feet against the ground as we jumped in worship. This was on a Sunday morning, in a small classroom with no floor and a tattered ceiling. We worshiped and danced so freely that the ground beneath us shook, and the roof could not contain our voices. The worship felt alive with the music, and the feeling of God's love surrounded us all. In that moment, I found what I had been missing: the fearlessness of the Holy Spirit. As we joined each other in praise, I took a look at my own life. I realized that I was putting up barriers against the Holy Spirit, even if I didn’t realize it before.
I thought that we were the ones God provided for in America. We have lights, instruments, speakers, and even a floor. But where there was a lack of material items in Africa, God provided His Holy Spirit instead.
I thank God for sending me to Zimbabwe. Not just so I could serve, but so I could be changed. I don’t want to go back to cautious, quiet faith. I pray the kind of worship from Africa will follow me back to America.
You cannot give a dead worship through Living Water.
Madelynn Chapman calls Georgia home, loves the Lord, and serves Him all over the world.
Gò0dNews
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 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.
for Health & Fitness
30 Plants a Week for Good Health
by Thomas Morrison
Eating more whole plant foods is one of the best ways to improve your health. We have been encouraged to eat “5 A Day” in the form of fruit and vegetables and to “eat the rainbow” to get a variety of different colored whole foods into our diet each day and week. But now there is a new healthy eating goal in town. Have you heard of it? It’s eating 30 different plant foods a week!
Why 30 a Week?
While “5 A Day” is a great start to a healthier diet—it totally ignores the emerging science over the last couple decades on the importance of the microbiome and the trillions of microbes living in our gut. They are not just passengers riding in our bodies, but are absolutely vital to helping us thrive and be the healthiest humans possible. But you need to take care of them! And what they need to flourish are the many different kinds of fiber and prebiotics that make it down to them from plant foods.
This was shown most recently in 2018, when the American Gut Project collected stool samples from over 11,000 people from 45 countries to investigate the complex relationships between health, diet, and lifestyle. Among the many interesting findings from this study was the result that participants who ate 30 (or more) different types of plant foods per week had gut microbiomes that were more diverse than those who ate 10 or fewer types of plants per week.
The Importance of Diversity
Dr. Will Bulsiewicz, a gastroenterologist, and New York Times bestselling author of Fiber Fueled and the Fiber Fueled Cookbook, explains that every single plant has a unique blend of
fiber and prebiotics which feed the unique dietary preferences of the various good bacteria. The more types of plants you consume, the more you provide food for a diverse species of microbes, which literally empowers them to enhance your overall health and do things like: (a) Improve your immunity and resilience to infection; (b) strengthen your gut barrier, preventing things like “leaky gut;” (c) enhance production of neurotransmitters to improve gut / brain communication and enhance your mood; (d) produce and help increase the absorption of key vitamins and minerals, and so much more!
F-GOALS
Dr. Bulsiewicz uses the acronym F- GOALS to help us get more diversity into our daily and weekly diets. Each letter in the acronym stands for a category of plant food with unique, health promoting compounds. In line with the American Gut Project’s findings, Dr. Bulsiewicz advises people to count the number of plant foods they eat each day, with a goal of trying to get 30 different varieties of plants across the F-GOAL categories each week.
Here is what they stand for:
F = Fruit (all varieties) and Fermented foods like sauerkraut, kimchi, kombucha, etc.
G = Greens (like lettuce, kale, spinach, collards) and Grains like wheat, rice, oats, barley, millet
O = Omega 3 Seeds and Nuts like flax, hemp, chia, and walnuts
A = Aromatics like onion and garlic
L = Legumes like black beans, lentils, peas, chickpeas, kidney beans
S = Sulforaphanes like broccoli, kale, cabbage, arugula
Increase Diversity. Make it Fun!
Trying to eat 30 different plant foods a week may sound like a lot, but Dr. Bulsiewicz recommends “gamifying” the process to eliminate some of the overwhelm. “Assign plant points where every new plant is one point,” he says. “Then try putting a sheet of paper on the refrigerator and keeping track of how many plant points you get at every meal. And play against your family members or your kids!” A little healthy competition to get the whole family excited about healthy eating? Sounds good to me!
Thomas Morrison is the Fitness Coordinator at Bradley Wellness Center in Dalton, GA, where he has served for the past 25 years.
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