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About Us WRITERS
Bill Silvers Charles Finney Courtney Fox Dee Lancaster Earl Brackin Hayden Lanier Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Jan Merop Joanna Middleton Maggie Possinger Matthew Bowden Rick Hughes Sharon Eldridge Shelia Bird
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Matthew Ruckman goodnewstn@gmail.com 423-503-1410 Andrew Ruckman goodnewsmarketing1@gmail.com 423-432-3406
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PHOTOGRAPHER Paula Knipp 423-310-4207
EDITOR/ARTICLE COORDINATOR Sandra Gilmore articles.goodnews@gmail.com
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Matthew and Bethany Ruckman goodnewstn@gmail.com 423-503-1410
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!
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Disclaimer All of the content in the GoodNews Christian Magazine is for general information and/or use. Such contents does not constitute advice and should not be relied upon in making (or refraining from making) a decision. Any specific advice or replies to queries in any part of the magazine is the personal opinion of such experts/ consultants/persons and is not subscribed to by GoodNews Christian Magazine. The information in GoodNews Christian Magazine is provided on an “AS IS” basis, and all warranties, expressed or implied of any kind, regarding any matter pertaining to any information, advice or replies are disclaimed and excluded. We reserve the right to refuse any advertisement or article we deem inappropriate.
goodnewscm.com // October 2026
Contents
OCTOBER 2026
from the Pastor's Desk 06 GoodNews Seeds and Harvest: Let’s Look at You By Pastor Matthew Bowden
GoodNews for Everyone 08 The Briefest of Moments By Hayden Lanier
Money Matters 10 GoodNews The Annual Election Period for
Medicare: What You Need to Know By Rick Hughes
GoodNews for Men 12 My First Tricycle: A Wobbly,
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Holy Adventure By Charles Finney
for Seniors 24 GoodNews The Day My Heart Stopped By Earl Brackin
for Kids 26 GoodNews A Boy After God's Own Heart By Jan Merop
for Athletes 28 GoodNews Going Places By Bill Silvers
12 GoodNews for Women 14 The Altar Alters By Maggie Possinger
for Pet Lovers 18 GoodNews A Lesson from My Spoiled Rotten Dog By Dee Lancaster
GoodNews Cover Story 20 Rising Seniors: Are You Ready for Medicare’s AEP? With MedicareMisty
for the Discouraged 22 GoodNews Re-Joys: Choosing Joy By Sharon Eldridge
GoodNews RX for a FIT LIFEStyle 30 The Importance of Knowing Your WHY By Joanna Middleton
for your Taste Buds 32 GoodNews Sweet Potato Biscuits GoodNews Poetry 34 Autumn
By Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
GoodNews for Fixer-Uppers 36 All in One
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By Shelia Bird
GoodNews for Health & Fitness 38 Tips for Shift Workers By Courtney Fox 5
Gò0dNews from the Pastor’s Desk
Seeds and Harvest: Let’s Look at You by Pastor Matthew Bowden
With autumn upon us, seeds and harvest are in focus. Fresh produce is readily available for meals or even for decorating. With the Lord, there are also unique seeds – you and me! Let’s take a look.
Just Look at David.
Jesus. That new, eternal life is available to all who come to Jesus. God saved you, David was a mustard seed who believed planted you in Jesus, and now your life is God. David was the youngest son in a bearing fruit for the glory of God. family of eight boys. David was ignored and given the job no one else in the John 3:16 ESV shares, “For God so loved Revelation 7:9 CSB says, “After this I family wanted, taking care of the sheep. the world, that he gave his only Son, looked, and there was a vast multitude God took this mustard seed and made a that whoever believes in him should not from every nation, tribe, people, and giant-killing king out of his life. perish but have eternal life.” language, which no one could number, standing before the throne and before the Just Look at Gideon. If God is not using you to bear fruit for Lamb. They were clothed in white robes His kingdom, know that God can take Not the guys who give out Bibles in someone who seems insignificant and with palm branches in their hands.” motel rooms. Those are “Gideons.” I am make something great out of them. God God has a way of bringing great things talking about “Gideon” from the book of specializes in taking the insignificant, out of humble beginnings. Let’s look at Judges. That Gideon was a mustard seed the unusable, and making them into a mustard seed faith. who believed God. Gideon was from the masterpiece for His glory! smallest family in the smallest tribe in the This multitude in Revelation 7:9 is nation of Israel. God took Gideon and The way to get from being messed up to produced by tiny mustard-seed faith that used him as one of the greatest military being massively used is to believe Jesus. God’s Word is true. leaders who ever lived. The way to move from being insignificant to impactful is to believe Jesus. The way If you are a child of God today, you to move from being defeated by sin to certainly had mustard seed beginnings. defeating sin is to believe Jesus. Now, Let’s Take a Look at You.
Jesus said, “Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand” (Matthew 3:2 ESV). According to the Bible: What does that mean? Jesus was saying • You were a sinner. Romans 3:10–23 to turn from your sin, and run to Him. ESV states, “None is righteous. No, not one.” Look at a little mustard seed. That seed is • You were “dead in trespasses and you. You can stay a tiny seed or you can sins” (Ephesians 2:1 ESV). deposit that seed into the good soil of • You were under a death sentence and King Jesus and grow into a mighty plant you were headed to Hell. that will produce fruit into eternity! Romans 6:23 ESV says, “For the wages This article was adapted with permission of sin is death, but the free gift of God is from Pastor Bowden’s sermon, “A Little eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Faith Will Do Ya!” from May 2023. But God, in His grace, looked beyond what you were. God’s mercy was the cross. Jesus took the punishment – you and I deserve to pay – in our place. God’s grace was the resurrection of King 6
Rev. Matthew Bowden serves as pastor of Mt. Alto Baptist Church of Rome, Georgia. He is married with two children and is a twotime graduate of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.
goodnewscm.com // October 2026
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Gò0dNews for Everyone
The Briefest of Moments by Hayden Lanier
On a cool fall Saturday morning, I walk out onto my back porch, recline in my favorite rocking chair, and open my Bible. The text is Romans 8. I had left off my reading in the middle of the chapter, so I pick up with verse 18. I read the following words from the pen of the Apostle Paul: “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed in us” (ESV). Though I have read and heard this verse before, it hits me differently today. I pause after reading these words, look over at the wind softly shaking the leaves from the trees, and reflect on what this truth means. No one is a stranger to suffering. We have all felt the sting of betrayal, the pain of loss, the abandon of loneliness, the shadow of shame, and the sourness of sin. That’s why these words are such a comfort. As I think about the suffering I have endured and the sufferings those I know and love are walking through right now, it is a joy to know and believe that they are not even worth comparing with the future that awaits those in Christ. This reminded me of a similar verse, also written by Paul, in 2 Corinthians 4. He recorded this: “For this light momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison” (v. 17 ESV). Think about this: according to God’s Word, in light of eternity, all of our afflictions are considered light and momentary. This means they are not heavy, not burdensome, and that they last only for a short time. It certainly doesn’t feel that way to us, however, and I do not mean to downplay your suffering. There is no doubt that the hurt you have felt throughout your life is real. Even Jesus wept and felt our agony when He walked this earth. What I believe these verses encourage us to do, however, is to keep an eternal perspective. We ought to remind ourselves of the joy of eternity, the hope of glory, and the fact that it does not even come close to comparing with our sufferings and afflictions. In 2 Corinthians 4, Paul continued by saying, “as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For … the things that are unseen are eternal” (ESV). When we are in the midst of despair, when the trial is overwhelming, and when we don’t know how to even take another single step, it is good to be reminded that we do not have to. We can simply cast our gaze to Heaven, where our risen Christ sits as Savior and King. He has secured our salvation and made a way for us to live with Him in glory forever. We cannot comprehend the magnificence of the glory we will one day walk in with Him, but until that day, we can trust in His Word. We trust and believe that in light of that glory, our sufferings are not comparable, they are light, and they last only for the briefest of moments. See www.setyourmindabove.com for more from Hayden Lanier. 8
Hayden Lanier is a follower of Jesus who is passionate about sharing the good news of the gospel through writing. He graduated from Shorter University in 2025 and now works as an elementary school teacher. To read more of Hayden’s writing, you can go to setyourmindabove.com.
goodnewscm.com // October 2026
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The Annual Election Period for Medicare: What You Need to Know with
Money Matters Rick Hughes 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.
Each year, from October 15 to December 7, Medicare beneficiaries across the United States enter a crucial window known as the Annual Election Period (AEP). This seven-week period is more than just a bureaucratic formalityit's a vital opportunity for individuals to reassess their healthcare coverage, make informed decisions, and ensure their plan aligns with their evolving medical needs and financial situation. You will receive your ANOCS (Annual Notice of Changes) if you are presently on an Advantage or Rx plan. Please make sure you review them to see if any changes need to occur during the AEP. What is the Annual Election Period? The Annual Election Period allows Medicare beneficiaries to make changes to their coverage for the upcoming year. These changes take effect on January 1 of the following year. During AEP, individuals can: • Switch from Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) to a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan • Move from a Medicare Advantage plan back to Original Medicare • Change from one Medicare Advantage plan to another • Enroll in, switch, or drop a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan This flexibility is essential because Medicare plans can change annually. Premiums may rise, coverage may shift, and provider networks may expand or contract. Reviewing your plan during AEP ensures you're not caught off guard by unexpected changes in January. Why Reviewing Your Plan Matters • Many beneficiaries assume that if
their plan worked well this year, it will continue to do so next year. Unfortunately, that's not always the case. Insurance companies routinely update their plans, which can affect: • Monthly premiums • Deductibles and copayments • Drug formularies (the list of covered medications) • Provider networks (which doctors and hospitals are covered) Failing to review your plan could mean paying more out-of-pocket, losing access to preferred providers, or discovering that a critical medication is no longer covered. How to Make Smart Choices During AEP
Navigating Medicare options can feel overwhelming, but a few key steps can simplify the process: 1. Assess Your Current Health Needs Consider any new diagnoses, ongoing treatments, or anticipated procedures. Your coverage should reflect your current and future medical needs. 2. Review Your Prescription Medications Use Medicare's Plan Finder tool to compare Part D plans and ensure your medications are still covered affordably. 3. Check Provider Networks If you're considering a Medicare Advantage plan, confirm that your doctors and specialists are in-network. 4. Compare Costs Look beyond premiums. Evaluate deductibles, copays, and out-of-pocket maximums to get a full picture of your potential expenses. 5. Seek Help If Needed Many of you are getting lots of mailings or phone calls. This can be overwhelming and can also put you in a bad situation. Put yourself at ease and deal
with a broker who you can sit down with, and they can explain all of the changes for the upcoming year. Call or text the Medicare Coach at Hughes Retirement group 423-664-4203 or visit the website, www.hughesretirementgroup.com, to set an appointment. Our staff is ready to assist you. We have been in the business for over 20 years, and you can trust us that we will do what is right for you. What Happens If You Miss AEP? If you don't make changes during AEP, your current plan will typically renew automatically. However, you may be stuck with a plan that no longer meets your needs. Outside of AEP, changes are only allowed during Special Enrollment Periods (SEPs) triggered by specific life events, such as: • Moving to a new coverage area • Losing other health insurance • Qualifying for a 5-star Medicare Advantage or Part D plan Final Thoughts The Annual Election Period is your once-a-year opportunity to take control of your Medicare coverage. Whether you're satisfied with your current plan or considering a switch, it's worth taking the time to review your options. By being proactive during AEP, you can avoid costly surprises and ensure your coverage supports your health and financial wellbeing in the year ahead.
(423) 664-4203 HughesRetirementGroup.com
Insurance products are offered through the insurance business Hughes Retirement Group. Hughes Retirement Group is also an Investment Advisory practice that offers products and services through Impact Partnership Wealth, LLC (IPW), a Registered Investment Adviser. IPW does not offer insurance products. The insurance products offered by Hughes Retirement Group are not subject to Investment Advisor requirements. Any and all other services related to Medicare are an outside business activity and are not offered through or supervised by Impact Partnership Wealth, (“IPW”) LLC. Hughes Retirement Group is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Government or any governmental agency. Neither the firm nor its agents or representatives may give tax or legal advice. Individuals should consult with a qualified professional for guidance before making any purchasing decisions.
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goodnewscm.com // October 2026
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Gò0dNews for Men
My First Tricycle: A Wobbly, Holy Adventure by Charles Finney
(Inspired by 1 John 4:17-19, with humor and handlebar streamers) Let me take you back to a sacred time in my life—before taxes, before heartbreak, before I realized that “sugar-free” wasn’t a sign of spiritual maturity. Yes, I’m talking about the era of my first tricycle. It was red. It had plastic streamers, a bell that made no actual bell-like sound, and three wheels of raw, glorious freedom. It was, as far as I was concerned, my chariot of fire—except powered by juice boxes and a deeply irrational sense of selfconfidence. And so it was, one bright Saturday morning, I mounted this holy vehicle with all the boldness that 1 John 4:17 KJV describes: “Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment...” Now, judgment in this context probably meant standing before the throne of God, but for me, it meant barreling down the driveway with Dad shouting, “USE THE BRAKES!”—a thing I had chosen to ignore in favor of more spiritually reckless behavior. Because, you know, Jesus didn’t ride the brakes, so why should I? I wobbled to the left. I wobbled to the right. At one point, I nearly took out the mailbox—thankfully, my guardian angel was clearly working overtime. But I had boldness. I had love. And most importantly, I had no fear. Why? Because of verse 18: “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment.” And let me tell you, the only torment I knew was the feeling of my helmet squeezing my face like a sanctified melon. But I pressed on, fueled by love... and probably half a pack of M&M’s. You see, when you’re a kid with a tricycle and a heart full of hope, you believe in invincibility. You believe your dad’s cheering means you’re winning the Tour de France. And you definitely believe that if you pedal fast enough, you’ll become airborne. (Spoiler: I did not become airborne. I hit a shrub.) But even lying in that bush, I realized something: I wasn’t afraid. Not of the ride, not of falling, not even of Dad making me come inside and “practice stopping.” Because perfect love had cast out fear. Well, that, and the fact that Dad had promised ice cream if I didn’t cry. 12
And that brings us to the most profound part: “We love him, because He first loved us.” (v. 19) Just like I loved my dad not because he let me crash into shrubbery, but because he was there—with band-aids, encouragement, and ice cream. I didn’t earn his love by tricycling well. In fact, I mostly proved that steering is hard and gravity is undefeated. But he loved me first. And that’s the beauty of it. God’s love is like that first tricycle: slightly dangerous, unexpectedly thrilling, and completely supported by a Father who’s not mad when you wipe out—He’s just proud you tried. So whether you’re pedaling boldly toward your destiny or sideways into a hydrangea bush, remember: you are loved. Not because you ride perfectly, but because Love Himself got you the tricycle, cheered you on, and already forgave the shrub. Amen, and pass the M&M’s.
Minister, Magazine and Newspaper Columnist, Songwriter, Published Author, Retiree: TVA, Ebasco, Raytheon, PRC Engr, City of Chattanooga writings of Love and Jesus in a Southern Country Style.
goodnewscm.com // October 2026
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Gò0dNews for Women
The Altar Alters by Maggie Possinger
Although I grew up in Western Maryland, a beautiful area with abundant hills and wooded fields, I’ve never partaken in a common hobby— one that’s also quite popular here in Tennessee: hunting. I don’t find hunting gruesome in the slightest; in fact, I enjoy some deer jerky from time to time. In Genesis 1:26, God gave humans dominion over animals. So, yes, I understand animals die so we can have food. While I enjoy the meat that hunting provides, the thought of ME having to kill an animal seems very unpleasant. Most of the time, I struggle to kill spiders or other bugs, so I’m not sure I would even be good at hunting. I was recently reminded of how thankful I am that I do not have to purposefully kill any animals. Roadkill, on the other hand, is inevitable (and I’m sure no one would want to hear those stories). In my church small group, we talked about sacrificing animals. We discussed hypotheticals and what the world would be like if Christians still had to sacrifice animals. Of course, the first thing I think of when I hear the words “animal sacrifice” is the book of Leviticus. For the Israelites, sacrificing an animal was more than just taking its life. They watched the blood drain from its body because it was a tangible symbol of sin and its results. A popular nonprofit organization, The Bible Project, explains it this way: “sin vandalizes God’s world with death and pain,” and “God has every right to make people face the just consequences.” However, God loves us and is not seeking to kill us, so in the Old Testament days, an animal’s life was symbolically offered as a ransom payment. The practice of sacrificing animals reminded the Israelites that sin was serious, and the consequences should be treated as such. 14
But the God we serve is a just and gracious God who ultimately wanted a covenant relationship with the Israelites. God’s love was most fully displayed in Jesus, His birth, His death, and His resurrection. My friends and I reflected on how thankful we were to live in a time where WE could have personal relationships with Jesus Christ. It’s hard to imagine not being able to talk directly to God or going to a priest so they could read you the Scriptures. Sacrificing animals served a purpose in the Old Testament. As a child, I definitely did not grasp the significance of it. Sacrificial laws and customs seemed like a part of the Bible that I glazed over because it wasn’t relevant to the 21st century. In fact, growing up, I always wondered why a book like Leviticus was included in the Bible. It’s moments and conversations like these when I’m so grateful for this (slightly tedious) but beautiful book. It tells the story of God’s enduring love to His people and points us back to Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. While I’m thankful that I do not have to watch the life physically drain out of animals, I see how blessed I am to live in today’s world—a place where I can talk to God any time and freely read His words. I’ll leave the hunting to those who truly enjoy it. “God showed how much He loved us by sending His one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through Him. This is real love—not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins” (1 John 4:9-10 NIV). Maggie Possinger graduated from Lee University in 2024 with a degree in Digital Media Studies, specializing in journalism. She currently serves as the Events and Programming Coordinator for the Cleveland/Bradley Chamber of Commerce. In her free time, she can be found walking around downtown Cleveland, attending baseball games, and spending time with her friends and family.
goodnewscm.com // September goodnewscm.com // October 2026 2026
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Catoosa County Church Directory
Baptist Anchor of Hope Baptist Church 2613 Lakeview Drive Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742 706-866-8318 Battlefield Baptist Church 178 South Cedar Lane Oglethorpe, GA 30742 706-866-1316 Boynton Baptist Church 4093 Boynton Drive Ringgold, GA 30736 706-952-1551 Briarwood Baptist Church 26 Ellis Springs Road Ringgold, GA 30736 706-965-9177 Burning Bush Baptist Church 2195 Burning Bush Road Ringgold, GA 30736 706-866-1989 Calvary Memorial Baptist Church 2 E Gate Drive Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742 706-866-6183 Calvary Memorial Baptist Church 518 Highway #41 Ringgold, GA 30736 706-891-9340 Catoosa Baptist Tabernacle 4994 Highway 41 Ringgold, GA 30736 706-935-4323 Cherokee Valley Baptist Church 1495 Cherokee Valley Road Ringgold, GA 30736 706-935-6220 Christ First Church 5994 N Hwy 27 Lafayette, Ga 30728 706-764-2212 Clearview Baptist Church 2183 Dietz Road Ringgold, GA 30736 706-866-0164 Cloud Springs Baptist Church 207 Cloud Springs Road Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742 706-866-0164 Ebenezer Baptist Church 77 Hackett Road Ringgold, GA 30736 706-965-7970 Faith Baptist Church 308 Boynton Drive Ringgold, GA 30736 423-509-5334 First Baptist Church Ft. Oglethorpe 2645 LaFayette Road Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742 706-866-0232 First Baptist Church of Ringgold 7611 Nashville Street Ringgold, GA 30736 706-935-2358 Friendship Primitive Baptist Church 851 Ooltewah Ringgold Road Ringgold, GA 30736 706-935-2382 Gospel Way Baptist Church 31 Bowling Road Ringgold, GA 30736 706-891-9866 Grace Baptist Church 7638 Nashville Street Ringgold, GA 30736 706-965-7969 Harvest Baptist Church of the Deaf 1314 Old Three Notch Road Ringgold, GA 30736 706-375-7107 Video Call: 706-956-0445 Heritage Pointe Baptist Church 60 Dyer Bridge Place Ringgold, GA 30736 706-858-0976 Hickory Grove Baptist Church 5010 Houston Valley Road Ringgold, GA 30736 706-673-6999 Keith Baptist Church 1573 Keith Road Ringgold, GA 30736 706-450-0963
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Lakeview First Baptist Church 10 Hudson Street Rossville, GA 30741 706-861-4262 Living Faith Baptist Church Highway 41 Ringgold, GA 30736 706-891-1817 Midway Baptist Church Highway 41 North Ringgold, GA 30736 706-937-2317 Moriah Baptist Church 2864 Battlefield Parkway Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742 706-866-8843 Mount Peria Baptist Church 341 Sparks Street Ringgold, GA 30736 706-935-4887 Mount Pisgah Baptist Church 66 Westbrook Road Ringgold, GA 30736 706-935-3031 Mount Vernon Baptist Church 1006 Mount Vernon Road Ringgold, GA 30736 706-935-3872 Nellie Head Memorial Baptist 2379 Catoosa Parkway Tunnell Hill, GA 30755 706-935-5236 New Bethel Baptist Church 1635 Salem Valley Road Ringgold, GA 30736 706-965-3500 New Friendship Baptist Church 3833 Salem Valley Road Ringgold, GA 30736 New Heights Baptist Church 158 Ooltewah Ringgold Rd Ringgold, GA 30736 706-965-9838 New Liberty Baptist Church 923 Graysville Road Ringgold, GA 30736 706-937-4754 Old Fort Baptist Church 18 Van Cleve Street Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742 706-861-2807 Parkway Baptist Temple 65 Stuart Road Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742 706-866-0325 Peavine Baptist Church 1089 Peavine Road Rock Spring, GA 30739 706-375-4721 Philadelphia Baptist Church 1065 Pine Grove Road Ringgold, GA 30736 706-891-5683 Pine Grove Baptist Church 46 Pine Grove Road Ringgold, GA 30736 706-891-2427 Pleasant Grove Baptist Church 7769 Alabama Highway Ringgold, GA 30736 706-935-3348 Pleasant Valley Baptist Church 1995 Ooltewah Ringgold Rd Ringgold, GA 30736 706-537-3633 Poplar Springs Baptist Church 422 Poplar Springs Road Ringgold, GA 30736 706-965-4461 Salem Baptist Church 1947 Keith Salem Road Ringgold, GA 30736 706-965-3907 Shiloh Baptist Church 24 Kay Street Rossville, GA 30741 706-861-4359 Victory Baptist Church 1013 Layfayette Road Rossville, GA 30741 706-866-0371 Welcome Hill Baptist Church 223 Inman Street Ringgold, GA 30736 706-965-4814
Nazarene Battlefield Parkway Church of the Nazarene 3220 Battlefield Parkway Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742 706-866-9838 Non-Denominational Battlefield Assembly In Messiah 195 Ashley Lane, Rossville, GA 30741 304-890-0949 Battlefield Church of Faith Highway 41 South Ringgold, GA 30736 706-937-7729 Battlefield Praise & Worship 1337 Battlefield Pkwy, Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742 706-913-0531 Chosen Generation Ministries 92 W Patterson Avenue Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742 423-779-6777 Church of Living Faith 7623 Alabama Highway Ringgold, GA 30736 706-937-5673 Crossroads Church 7638 Nashville Street Ringgold, GA 30736 crossroadsringgold.com Faith Builders International 8309 Highway 41 Ringgold, GA 30736 256-338-5031 Grace Memorial Church 118 East Nashville Street Ringgold, GA 30736 706-965-7969 The Gathering 2290 Cloud Springs Road, Rossville, GA 30741 706-841 0161 Light House Church 1201 Lafayette Road Rossville, GA 30741 706-861-2715 Living Waters Ministries 1337 Battlefield Pkwy Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742 423-255-8655 New Life Church PO Box 1973 Ringgold, GA 30736 706-866-7799 Ridgeland Point Church 1417 Happy Valley Rd. Rossville, GA 30741 RockPointe Church 1278 Cross Street Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742 706-820-6523 Untethered Church 2473 Lafayette Road Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742 423-991-6067 Venue Church 3969 Cloud Springs Road Ringgold, GA 30736 423-637-7100 Woodstation Church 13198 Alabama Highway Ringgold, GA 30736 706-965-3360 Presbyterian Chickamauga Presbyterian 700 7th Street Chickamauga, GA 30707 706-375-3432 Christ Fellowship 1176 North Three Notch Rd. Ringgold, GA 30736 706-937-4115 First Presbyterian Church 1 Harker Road Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742 706-866-2521 Hope Fellowship 2000 Twin Cedars Rd Chickamauga, GA 30707 hopefellowshipepc.org Morton Memorial 560 Red Belt Rd. goodnewscm.com // October 2026
Catholic Saint Gerard Catholic Church 3049 Lafayette Road Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742 706-861-9410 Church of Christ Cohutta Road Church of Christ 2233 Mount Vernon Road Ringgold, GA 30736 706-935-3884 Fort Oglethorpe Church of Christ 6 Harker Road Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742 706-866-4124 Ringgold Church of Christ 4099 Nashville Street Ringgold, GA 30736 706-965-2820 Church of God Boynton Church of God 1956 Three Notch Road Ringgold, GA 30736 706-937-6300 Indian Springs Church of God 2256 Highway 41 North Ringgold, GA 30736 706-937-3599 Noble Church of God 75 Glass Rd Lafayette, GA 30728 Ringgold Church of God 117 Emberson Drive Ringgold, GA 30736 706-935-2056 Wallaceville Church of God 236 Harp Switch Road Chickamauga, GA 30707 706-375-2736 Community Battlefield Ministries Church 64 3rd Street Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742 706-866-9090 Green Pasture Community Church 1008 North Beaumont Road Ringgold, GA 30736 706-375-7333 Lee’s Chapel Community Church 3253 Catoosa Parkway Ringgold, GA 30736 706-935-9928 Rock Bridge Community Church 265 Poplar Springs Rd, Ringgold, GA 30736 706-279-3175 Episcopal Church of the Nativity 1201 Cross Street Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742 706-866-9773 Full Gospel Yates Spring Full Gospel Church 1300 Yates Springs Road Ringgold, GA 30736 706-638-2305 Methodist Boynton UMC 4246 Boynton Drive Ringgold, GA 30736 706-866-2626 Fairview UMC 2112 McFarland Avenue Rossville, GA 30741 423-653-1043 Fort Oglethorpe UMC 1733 Battlefield Parkway Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742 706-820-6314 Graysville UMC 2331 Graysville Road Ringgold, GA 30736 706-891-9253 Newnan Springs UMC 78 Monanaw Avenue Rossville GA 30741 706-866-6724 Ringgold UMC 7484 Nashville Street Ringgold, GA 30736 706-935-4777
Chickamauga, GA 30707 706-338-7176 Seventh-Day Adventist
Battlefield Community SDA Church 96 Hillman Lane Ringgold, GA 30736 706-861-5999
Lookout Mountain SDA Church 6083 Hwy 157 (Atop Lookout Mtn) Rising Fawn, GA 30738
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 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
Second Baptist Church 500 W Main Street LaFayette, GA 30728 706-638-2779 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 Methodist Elizabeth Lee Methodist Church 139 Cove Rd Chickamauga, GA 706-375-2182 LaFayette First United Methodist Church 301 S. Main Street LaFayette, GA 30728 (706) 638-2057
Ringgold Seventh-Day Adventist Church 124 Kittle Street Ringgold, GA 30736 706-935-3741
Walker County Church Directory Assembly of God Cross Connection 703 N Main St. LaFayette, GA 30728 706-639-3303 Gospel Tabernacle Assembly of God 1661 Highway 27 Chickamauga, GA Baptist Antioch Baptist Church 236 Crow Gap Road Chickamauga, GA 706-539-1117 Bethel Baptist Church 4068 S Highway 341 Chickamauga, GA 706-375-3756 Bethlehem Baptist Church 278 Oak Grove Road Chickamauga, GA 706-375-2797 Bethel Memorial Baptist Church 198 Pledger St. LaFayette, GA 30728 706-638-2995 Bethesda Baptist Church 13432 Highway 151 LaFayette, GA 30728 706-638-9450 Calvary Baptist Church 908 Bronco Rd. LaFayette, GA 30728 706-638-8710 Cassandra Baptist Church 1371 W Cove Rd Chickamauga, GA 706-539-1046 Center Grove Baptist Church 68 Center Grove Church Rd Rock Springs, GA 706-764-2060 Center Point Baptist Church 118 Center Point Rd. LaFayette, GA 30728 706-764-1753 Chattanooga Baptist Church 7300 Highway 337 LaFayette, GA 30728 Christ First Church 5994 N Hwy 27 Lafayette, GA 30728 (706) 764-2212 Christian Home 2518 Garretts Chapel Rd Chickamauga, GA 423-313-5230 Community Baptist Church 14 Kemp Rd. LaFayette, GA 30728 706-638-1774 Corinth Baptist Church 2524 Corinth Rd. LaFayette, GA 30728 706-638-3963 East Armuchee Baptist Church 3196 E. Armuchee Rd. LaFayette, GA 30728 706 375-4512 Emanuel Baptist Church 639 S Main St. LaFayette, GA 30728 706-638-1751 Faith Baptist Church of Chickamauga 14251 Highway 193 Chickamauga, GA 423-760-8895 Fairview Baptist Church 108 Jenkins Rd. Rossville, GA 30741 706-866-5744 First Baptist Church 603 7th St Chickamauga, GA 706-375-2733 Friendship Baptist Church 1200 N Chattanooga St. LaFayette, GA 30728 706-638-3560
Rock Spring Methodist Church 3477 Peavine Rd Rock Springs, GA 30739 706-375-5345Non-Denominational Battlefield of Life Worship Center 56 Kevin Ln. Rock Springs, GA 770-827-6718 Calvary Chapel Refinery 101 E Peachtree St, Rossville, GA 30741 706-806-9444 Care Mission 105 N Chattanooga St. LaFayette, GA 30728 706-638-3664 Cowboy Church of Lafayette 196 County Line Rd, Rock Spring, GA 30739 423-596-7227 Faith Worship Center 200 S. Chattanooga St. LaFayette, GA 30728 423-313-7035 Gospel Light Christian Fellowship 36 Fortune St. LaFayette, GA 30728 706-996-8535 Hope Fellowship 2000 Twin Cedars Rd Chickamauga, GA 30707 706-375-4673 Life Gate Church 204 N Main St. LaFayette, GA 30728 706-638-7620 Mission Bridge Church 807 N Main St. LaFayette, GA 30728 423-364-6771 Mount Zion Church 223 Dunwoody Rd. LaFayette, GA 30728 706-638-1238 New Bethel Christian Fellowship 4009 Round Pond Rd. LaFayette, GA 30728 706-638-6904 Power of Life LaFayette Church
798 W Main St LaFayette, GA 30728 423-596-7034
River of Life Church
807 W. Maqin St. LaFayette, GA 30728 423-596-7034
The Haven - LaFayette
415 Chestnut St. LaFayette, GA 30728 706-996-8150
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
17
Gò0dNews for Pet Lovers
A Lesson from My Spoiled Rotten Dog by Dee Lancaster
It was a lazy afternoon when I hopped on the bed with my 37 lb black Standard Poodle, Mayflower. I kissed her soft, poofy head, and said that she was such a good girl. She took in every word as I gushed them out: “You’re Mommy’s baby. I love you.” I smiled as I recalled her shenanigans that morning. She chewed up some tissues that had been on a side table. Recently, I came home to find my favorite pen gnawed to bits. There was an event not long ago when she made a feast of throat lozenges with xylitol and a vet trip! The truth is, she’s not really a good girl. She’s a spoiled, rotten mess. She bullies her big brother, Remi—an 80 lb Standard who could easily put her in her place. She steals food, barks a lot, begs relentlessly, is headstrong, and doesn’t always do what she is told. It’s funny how quickly we forget her imperfections and begin showering her with words she so loves to hear: “You’re such a good girl. You’re my baby!” My thoughts began to wonder if that’s how God sees me. I recalled a Bible verse that talks about how God forgives us when we confess our sins to Him. Not only does He forgive, but He makes us new—righteous even.
Wow. He chooses to forget my sins. God can forget? No—it is His choice. I’ve always thought of forgetfulness as a weakness, but maybe sometimes it’s a strength. God can do anything He wants to do. He loves us so much that when we repent of our wrongdoings—over and over again—He chooses not to remember them. That kind of love blows me away. I think about Mayflower. In all of her spoiled, rotten ways, I love her, forgive her quickly, and call her “good girl.” I call her mine.
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9 NIV).
So maybe righteousness isn’t about being perfect. Maybe it’s about belonging to God—being fully known, forgiven, and loved by Him—and finally learning to relinquish guilt and self-condemnation. Maybe it’s about believing Him when He calls me forgiven, when He calls me His own.
How He can forgive our sins and call us righteous has me perplexed.
If I can have this kind of love toward Mayflower, how much MORE does my heavenly Father love me?
I mean, I can accept the title of forgiven, but I have a hard time calling myself righteous. How is that even possible? I mess up every day. I make mistakes. I’m not always loving or careful with my words. I have a self-centered nature, and I’m stubborn just like my rotten Mayflower!
He invites me to stop arguing with His grace and simply receive it—to rest in being loved, forgiven, and claimed as His own. Not because I’ve earned it, but because His mercy is that great.
My God, my heavenly Father quickly forgives me, wraps His loving arms around me, and calls me righteous. How does the Lord of all creation forget so quickly what a mess I am? This brings to mind Isaiah 43:25 NKJV: “I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions, for My own sake, and remembers your sins no more.” 18
Today, I’m choosing to believe Him, be grateful, and rest in a grace that is so big it wraps its arms around me and says: “I love you. You are mine.” Even on my most spoiled, rotten days. Kindermusik with Dee, an early childhood music and movement program, has been Dee Lancaster’s passion for 24 years. She enjoys life in Tennessee with her family and very spoiled dogs.
goodnewscm.com // October 2026
19
FEATURED COVER STORY
Rising Seniors: Are You Ready for Medicare’s AEP?
R
emember when you were excited to be a “rising senior”? Autumn meant the first of the lasts: your last first day, your last prom, your last mid-term exam. Hold that thought and keep the excitement. For those turning 65 this year, you are still a “rising senior” of sorts. Medicare doesn’t have to be stressful like those final exams or application deadlines. You can reap the same joy of your senior year then with your senior years now. You just need the right guidance counselor by your side. That’s where MedicareMisty comes in. Look for her this Annual Election Period (AEP) starting October 15, 2026 through December 7, 2026. And plan to come by the Chattanooga Zoo on October 1st. Seniors age 65 and older can tour the zoo from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for free! Just tell them you are with MedicareMisty. Stop by to see her at 11 a.m. and again at 1 p.m. to learn about the changes for Medicare in 2027. Bring your annual notice of change letters to help you learn more.
SENIOR DAY AT THE CHATTANOOGA ZOO Presented by MedicareMisty
October 1st | 9am - 5pm Seniors 65+ get FREE ADMISSION with a valid Photo ID
11am & 1pm: Join MedicareMisty under Mimi's Pavillion as she hosts a special presentation regarding Medicare best practices in 2026, changes in 2027, and tips for choosing the right insurance.
Begin with three simple questions:
RSVP to Misty's Workshop: Call: 423-777-5577 Text: 423-240-0794 Email: Medicaremisty@gmail.com
Those answers guide the choice between Medicare Advantage, Original Medicare with a supplement, or a standalone drug plan. With MedicareMisty as your guidance counselor, she’ll remove the jargon, highlight what affects care and cost, and present clear options so you can decide with confidence.
You'll be glad you attended! 20
The same way you picked out senior portraits that reflected the best ‘you,’ she can help you select Medicare options that best reflect your considerations now.
• • •
What are your primary health needs? What fits comfortably in your budget? Do you need a broad provider network or predictable out‑of‑pocket costs?
goodnewscm.com // October 2026
These days “senioritis” takes on a whole new meaning! There are so many choices, deadlines, and new phrases associated with Medicare. Having worked with more than 6,000 clients, she’s familiar with how folks can graduate from confusion and frustration to clear objectives and customized plans. She’s adept at navigating the decision-making systems that prevent common mistakes and let those turning age 65 move forward without late-night study sessions or feeling as though you’ve flunked. With some key planning steps in place, you’ll have what you need when you need it, like acing that last final! Running a business for 20+ years has taught her the value of process and timing, meaning what goes where and when. School days bring back the phrases “1, 2, 3 and A, B, C.” That closely describes Medicare selections too. Medicare has windows that shape options and hold potential penalties; preparing for initial enrollment, the annual election period, and special enrollment times reduces overwhelm. Simple checklists, dates to watch, and paperwork handled efficiently keep the focus as easy as “1,2,3 and A, B, C.” You are welcome to tap into the depth of resources from her network that spans 45 states, more than 55 agents with about 6,000 clients. There’s no need to go it alone. Your “class of (age) 65” can feel accomplished with MedicareMisty along to help with the planning. There’s no need to feel that final exam frenzy as open enrollment period begins. You’ll ace the test with MedicareMisty by your side. Call today: (423) 240-0794 or see medicaremisty.com for more information.
MEET MISTY MedicareMisty delivers her unique blend of service at the corner of excellence and enthusiasm. This 2026 Woman of Distinction winner is a seasoned professional with 20+ years of experience, not only in the insurance industry, but in delivering savvy wisdom demonstrated by her “stickability.” Being the first in her family to graduate college and the first to own a business, Misty understands the gravel road to success. Once wondering how it would all come together, she now sees how God must have directed her life experiences so she could relate to any of the 55+ agents on her team, serving their 6,000+ clients across 45 states (plus Puerto Rico). She speaks across the U.S. and in Canada, sharing her lessons learned with generosity and grace and a side of contagious enthusiasm. To secure her as a speaker for your next event, you can find her contact information on most social media platforms. You can also find her books, Navigating the Medicare Maze and This Little Birdie, her first children’s book, on Amazon. She has a heart for people of all ages, Medicare-eligible just starting retirement, or youngsters just starting school and all in between. Her business service, speaking, and writing reflect her desire to share wisdom and bring encouragement.
Come support Dolly's Imagination Library and Misty as she receives her Woman of Distinction award. See womenofdistinctiongc.com for details. Tickets are $75.00 each. The luncheon will be held Wednesday, November 4th at 11:30 a.m. at the Chattanooga Convention Center. Act now: the reservation deadline is October 23rd. 21
Gò0dNews for the Discouraged
Re-Joys: Choosing Joy by Sharon Eldridge
“The joy of the Lord is my strength! (Nehemiah 8:10 NKJV). “Count it all joy! (James 1:2 KJV). “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace. . . “ (Galatians 5:22 KJV).
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV).
Joy. It’s not the same as your mood. It’s not the same as being constantly happy. Joy is a choice. It’s a response. “A calm delight.” I was taught an acronym as a child, JOY: Jesus-Others-You. The Bible tells us that the devil is a joy thief. Rick Warren gives us this definition of joy: “Joy is the settled assurance that God is in control of all the details of my life, the quiet confidence that ultimately everything is going to be alright, and the determined choice to praise God in every situation.” Joy is the choice to trust that God will fulfill His promises.
When we rejoice, we celebrate. We spread joy! We look for the positive things in life, and we praise God for them. If something goes wrong, as it always will in life, look for God in the middle of it. That’s why James tells us that trials and troubles bring us an opportunity for great joy. When everything falls apart beyond what we can fix in our own capabilities, we can take the opportunity to praise God in advance for how He will work it out when we put our trust, our hope in Him. We will experience great joy as a result. “I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in Him.” (Romans 15:13a NLT)
Nanny and Mom both had the middle name, Joy. Quite a bit of my joy felt missing after they both went to heaven. As I grieved, I prayed for God to take my sorrow and to give me back my joy. I couldn’t feel it. I wanted to choose it. But I didn’t know how. He promises in Psalm 30:5, “Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning.” Isaiah 61:3 promises that He will give the oil of joy instead of mourning to those who grieve. That’s what I wanted. I wanted to trade my grief for joy. But how? God had to teach me to fully trust in Him and His promises. He showed me that I don’t need to trust in anyone else, including myself. He’s showing me how to RE-JOYS. “Rejoice in the Lord always! Again, I say rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4 KJV). “This is the day the Lord has made! Rejoice and be glad in it!” (Psalm 118:24 KJV). 22
In John 15, Jesus says that He is the vine, God is the gardener and that we are the branches. Each branch is carefully cared for by God, our Gardener. If we surrender to His care, He will help us grow into a beautiful, mature branch that will bear fruit. And not just any fruit. The fruit of His Spirit: love, JOY, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, kindness and self-control. Jesus promises that if we obey His commandments that we will stay connected to Him and will overflow with joy. “I have told you this so that My joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. This is My command: love each other.” (John 15:11,17 NLT) As I choose to trust Jesus to fulfill His promise, I choose joy! Over and over, I will RE-JOYS!
Sharon Eldridge is a newly published writer, excited to see where the Lord leads as she develops a new blog.
goodnewscm.com // October 2026
@emeralddovephotography
READY FOR
MEDICARE? Medicare Annual Enrollment is October 15 through December 7, 2026.
Call MedicareMisty today to schedule your personalized Medicare review at no cost to you! — and be ready when enrollment begins.
medicaremisty.com | 423.777.5577 | @medicaremisty RINGGOLD | CHATTANOOGA OFF SHALLOWFORD RD | HIXSON | RED BANK | EAST RIDGE | CLEVELAND
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23
Gò0dNews for Seniors
The Day My Heart Stopped by Earl Brackin Fall days are usually when the air is brisk and there is the expectation of excitement. This fall day was like that. I had just helped lead worship for the teachers at Christian Heritage School. I was sitting at a red light when everything changed. My heart stopped, literally, and my car kept going. The driver in front of me got out to see what was the matter and found me unconscious, slumped over the steering wheel.
At every step of the way, it was as if God had placed helpers in my path.
By God’s grace, she was a nurse and knew CPR. My car engine was still running, and my doors were locked. An off-duty fireman having breakfast at the restaurant nearby. He saw the commotion and ran over. He happened to have a tool to break my window.
For over a year, I asked God to explain to me the significance of what happened. I’m a songwriter, so many of my friends would say things like, “God just has more songs for you to write.” I hoped so, but God doesn’t need another song to accomplish His purposes. I felt that there was something else to this story.
Time was critical. Could the nurse restart my heart? If I lived, would I have brain damage due to the loss of oxygen? The paramedics came. They were able to re-establish a pulse, though a weak one. God intervened again. There is a new unit that automatically performs CPR while a patient is transported to the hospital. At the time, there was only one in Whitfield County. It was in the ambulance that picked me up. Two cars behind me was the Head Master from Christian Heritage. He called my wife. 24
I was unconscious for four days. Tests showed there were no blockages and that my heart was strong. The medical staff gave me excellent care! Then, on the fifth day… I woke up. I was weak, had a sore throat from the breathing tube but no long term effects. Two days later, I was home.
When I finally got back to work, I would run into people in town that I didn’t know. They would say, “Are you Earl Brackin?” When I replied yes, they would say, “I’ve been praying for you.” This happened every day for about two months. I was completely amazed how my situation had been the prayer offerings of so many people. One year later, I was leading worship for the teachers at Christian Heritage
School. As I was getting ready, the Lord gave me an insight into my event. Genesis tells us that God spoke the world into existence. He did it from nothing. He knows the stars by name. Not a single sparrow falls from the sky that He doesn’t know about. It would have been easy for God to have healed me instantly as I lay there in the car that day. But God loves to use people! One writer I read says that God has three desires: 1. He desires to reveal Himself to His people. 2. He moves His people onto His agenda. And 3. He ministers to His people through His people. At every step of my heart event, there was someone who played a part in my miracle. Of the people who have had what happened to me, only 11% survive, and of those, most suffer brain damage. So the takeaway is: how is God using you to minister in His kingdom? He has equipped you by His Spirit and commissioned you by His Son. Go do His work. Earl is a musician living in Calhoun, GA. He has been married to his college sweetheart for almost 46 years.
goodnewscm.com // October 2026
25
Gò0dNews for Kids
Chatty Critters and Friends Series: A Boy After God’s Own Heart by Jan Merop
(From I Samuel 16 & 17:1–49 NLT) Hi! My name is David. I am the son of Jesse, the youngest of eight sons. I lived at the time of King Saul, Israel’s first king. I was the keeper of my father’s sheep. I loved the sheep and protected them from lions, bears, and anything that would seek to destroy them. You might say I was a warrior against the enemy predators of the sheep. When all was peaceful, I sang to them and played on my harp. Then an incredible thing happened in the kingdom. God regretted that He had made Saul king because Saul had turned his back from following the Lord. God instructed His prophet Samuel to anoint the next king from my father’s household. At the time, I didn’t realize any of this. Sheep keep shepherds pretty busy because they like to wander and often end up hurt by falling into ditches or getting cut up from thorns. It was my job to keep those situations as few and far between as possible. I was surprised when I was summoned to him one day and saw the Prophet Samuel with him. That day my life changed dramatically, though it was only the beginning. Samuel had looked upon each of my older brothers, but God did not say yes to any of them, though they were of age and in good physical condition. But God had whispered to Samuel that He was not looking at outward appearance, but at the heart. That’s when I was summoned. God said to Samuel, “Arise, anoint him; for this is the one!” Me, a shepherd boy! Me, the youngest of my father’s sons! Me!?! That day when Samuel anointed me with oil, God’s Spirit came upon me. I was aware of His presence with me as never before. King Saul was often troubled in his spirit after God rejected him. Even so, God’s mercy extended to him when he allowed me to calm him through playing my harp. Eventually, I became king, just like the Lord declared I would. 26
Exploring Truth through God’s Word “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7, NLT) (God sees into the intents of our thoughts and motives…the heart.)
Children of the King Even though David’s brothers were handsome and strong (and God had blessed them in that way), He was still more interested in their hearts. Though David was young, he was a boy after God’s own heart. This means he honored God in his thoughts, motives, and actions. He sought to please God in every way. (And, guess what? The Bible says he also was handsome with bright eyes). The Bible says David became a man after God’s own heart. But first, he had to be a boy after God’s own heart. God wants boys and girls who want to please him. How about you? Jan has been writing her weekly column, Pause…and Consider, for 37 years, encouraging readers in their Christian walk. She and her husband Ken reside in Cleveland where they enjoy Bible study, ministry, hospitality, and the great outdoors. Three married sons, five grandchildren, and 2 great grandchildren are their joy. They belong to The Church at Grace Point.
goodnewscm.com // October 2026
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Gò0dNews for Athletes
and a middle-distance run. She also competes in the 100 and 400 meters, as well as the discus and the pole vault. Flo trains twelve months a year, six days a week, combining track and field workouts with weightlifting. She takes Sundays off. Flo is an amazing lady — an inspiration to us all. Later at the Kentucky Senior Game, I competed against athletes from 13 states and placed first in the 1500m, 800m, 400m, and 200m. I even won the 50m by just 0.02 seconds! I give God the glory for granting me the endurance to run five races in only two and a half hours.
Going Places by Bill Silvers
It’s been a few months since July 2026. July was significant for me this year because it held my 88th birthday. At this age, most people are slowing down. I’m speeding up, and traveling places because of my calling, which is running. I never considered myself a runner. I’ll be honest: I don’t even like to walk. But at 81, God placed something unexpected on my heart. He called me to run. It didn’t make much sense then, and some days it still doesn’t. I’ve learned that when God calls, the best response isn’t understanding but obedience. What started with 5K races has turned into something far greater than I ever imagined. First, I thank God for the opportunity to train and compete with the Atlanta Masters Track Team and others who have supported me along the way. Soon after, the Lord led me to Memphis, TN, to compete in the 39th National Veterans Golden Age Games. By God’s grace, I won gold medals in the 200-, 400-, and 800-meter races and a silver medal in the 1,500-meter race. 28
The event brought together over 1,000 veteran athletes from. I thank God for the opportunity to meet, greet, and compete with fellow veterans. Each one has his or her own story of service, sacrifice, and resilience. Before each race, I pray. I offer prayers not to win, but that every athlete would be able to compete to the best of their ability, free from pain or injury, and also I pray for myself not to trip or fall again as I have in the past.
This all began where I call home: Murray County, GA. I’m actively involved at Chatsworth First Methodist Church, serving on the Administration Committee and as the Evangelism Chairperson. I also coordinate and participate in all the mission trips organized by the church. I run five to six days per week at the Veterans Memorial track and the North Murray High School tracks in Chatsworth. The medals I brought home belong truly to God, not to me. I could not have won them without His blessing. The glory goes to God. As I recall the places I have gone by obeying His call, it brings me closer to Him. That’s the place I want to go most of all!
In June 2025, I competed in my first USA Track and Field Masters Championship in Huntsville, AL. I finished fourth in the nation in the 400 meter and fifth in the 200 meter. I was also blessed to run with an amazing team in the relays, where we brought home the gold in the 4x100m, 4x400m, and 4x800m. I was blessed to have met and talked with Flo Meiler at the USA Track and Field National Championship in Huntsville, AL. Flo is 91 years old and holds five world records in track and field. She competes in the pentathlon, which consists of five events: sprint hurdles, long jump, shot put, high jump,
Bill Silvers from Ellijay, Georgia, began running competitively at age 81. He runs to the glory of God!
goodnewscm.com // October 2026
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Gò0dNews RX for a FIT LIFEstyle
The Importance of Knowing Your WHY by Joanna Middleton
Most people think they know what they need, and then I ask them, “What is your WHY?” Usually they can’t answer or they refer to someone else. Both can be a problem. When it comes to having a FIT LIFEstyle, which encompasses health, strength, and fitness, every successful person can spit out their WHY. My WHY is to be healthy and strong so I can retire active and independent. Your WHY should be personal. We are commanded in the Bible to treat our body as a temple. It is our means of transport. We can do nothing for others without our health. Every calling and outreach to serve others requires a healthy, strong body to some degree. Or at least we function at a higher level with one. No one argues that. So why do so many put it on the back burner when it should be our top priority? It’s not about trends, quick fixes, or someone else’s journey. It’s about what truly matters to you. This is one secret that keeps you on track. Your WHY must be strong enough to carry you through the hard days. Those days will come when you’re tired, busy, or don’t feel like showing up. That’s when most people fall off. Not because they don’t care, but because they don’t have a clear reason and process to stay consistent. It’s just not a priority, YET! When you know your WHY, on the days you’re busy, you still make time. On the days you don’t 30
feel like it, you still follow through. If something is a priority to you, you will get it done. A FIT LIFEstyle is a way of life, not quick fixes. When you know your WHY, you stop starting over. You start changing your lifestyle. You stop guessing and start building something that lasts. Know your WHY. Stay consistent. It’s the right thing to do. Health and fitness come down to two things: consistency and intentionality. Both are driven by your WHY. Without a clear reason and a clear process, workouts become inconsistent and lack direction. Habits don’t stick and results don’t last. If we didn’t have a WHY, none of us would go to work every day. Our WHY matters. Why does the WHY matter? Because you’re worth it. Without a WHY, it’s easy to skip, to restart, to fall back into old habits, to quit. With a WHY, your actions now have purpose. Your choices become intentional. And your results start to last. Your WHY is what turns effort into a lifestyle. This turns into health. And before you know it, you’re leading by example. What is your WHY? What are you called to do? What are you doing every day to work on that? Are you getting help?
Coaching Tips: Let’s talk about your WHY. You need a coach. You must get help with anything you want to improve on, especially when you’re not an expert. Even experts have coaches in their fields to avoid complacency and plateauing. You need accountability. At FIT LIFEstyle, we hold you accountable. Your WHY matters. You need a community. Nothing grows alone! This is one reason we go to church. You need correction to avoid injury. We cannot use our bodies when they are injured. Our bodies follow the path of least resistance. You need help. Thinking differently is naive. You need intensity. We all do more with a coach. It’s very difficult to change for the good alone. This is the very definition of ‘team.’ Health is the one thing that you must keep up with and work on daily: fitness, strength, endurance, recovery, mobility, nutrition, environment, body composition, vital signs, daily habits. All of these have a role in our health. Health is measurable. Health is a choice. Small steps in one direction lead us to places we never thought we could go!
Joanna Middleton, Registered Nurse, gym owner, personal and athlete trainer. FIT LIFEstyle is more than a gym; it’s a way of life.
goodnewscm.com // October 2026
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Rebuilding Lives, Restoring Hope In Northwest Georgia, safety is not something everyone can take for granted. For individuals and families facing domestic violence—or for youth with nowhere else to turn—the Family Crisis Center of Walker, Dade, Catoosa, and Chattooga Counties, Inc. stands as a lifeline of hope. As the only domestic violence shelter and youth cottage in the Northwest Georgia area, the Family Crisis Center provides refuge, advocacy, and a pathway forward for some of the region’s most vulnerable residents. Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, the Center’s doors never close to those in crisis. At the heart of the organization’s mission is a simple but powerful commitment: rebuilding lives. Survivors of domestic violence arrive often with little more than courage and the need for safety. The Center offers secure shelter for victims and their children, along with essential support services designed to help families stabilize, heal, and begin again. Advocacy, emotional support, and ongoing assistance ensure that clients are not only safe in the moment, but supported as they plan for a more secure future.
Visit Our Website thefamilycrisiscenter.org 31
Gò0dNews for your Taste Buds
SWEET POTATO BISCUITS October in the Smoky Mountains is pure poetry. The trees burn bright with red and gold, the air smells like woodsmoke, and the mornings arrive with mist rolling low along the ridgelines. It’s the time of year when every porch seems to hold a pumpkin, every table a story, and every kitchen a reason to bake something warm. While apples and pumpkins tend to steal the spotlight in early fall, there’s another humble hero in Appalachian kitchens this time of year: the sweet potato. Dug from the rich mountain soil and cured in the cool air, sweet potatoes used to be a staple crop for mountain families who needed something hearty, filling, and long-lasting.
Ingredients: •
2 cups all-purpose flour
•
1 tablespoon baking powder
•
½ teaspoon baking soda
•
½ teaspoon salt
•
1 tablespoon sugar (optional, for a hint of sweetness)
•
½ teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
•
6 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
Tradition is to make them in a deep cast-iron skillet, letting the biscuits crowd together so they rise up tall and soft in the middle, with just a bit of crunch on the bottom. Then, brush them with melted butter the moment they come out of the oven. Can’t you just imagine eating them warm, steam rising with every bite, thinking it’s the taste of autumn itself.
•
¾ cup mashed cooked sweet potato (about 1 medium sweet potato)
•
¼ to ⅓ cup buttermilk, as needed
•
1 tablespoon melted butter, for brushing
October in the mountains invites us to slow down, gather close, and enjoy the good gifts of the season. A pan of sweet potato biscuits does just that—simple, seasonal, and baked with love.
Instructions:
And one of the best—and most beloved—ways to use them is in a batch of Sweet Potato Biscuits. These golden, tender biscuits are a celebration of October’s flavor. With just a touch of natural sweetness and the buttery flake of a wellmade biscuit, they strike a perfect balance between rustic and refined. They’re just as welcome on a breakfast plate with sausage and eggs as they are at Sunday dinner alongside roasted chicken or ham.
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1.
Preheat oven to 425°F. Lightly grease a castiron skillet or baking sheet.
2.
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, sugar, and cinnamon if using.
3.
Cut in cold butter using a pastry cutter or your fingers until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
4.
Stir in mashed sweet potato. Add buttermilk a little at a time, mixing just until a soft dough forms. Don’t overwork.
5.
Turn dough out onto a floured surface. Gently pat to ¾-inch thickness and cut with a biscuit cutter or glass.
6.
Place biscuits close together in skillet or on sheet. Bake 15–18 minutes, or until tops are golden brown.
7.
Brush with melted butter and serve warm. goodnewscm.com // October 2026
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Gò0dNews Poetry
34
goodnewscm.com // October 2026
AU T U M N By Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
With what a glory comes and goes the year! The buds of spring, those beautiful harbingers Of sunny skies and cloudless times, enjoy Life’s newness, and earth’s garniture spread out; And when the silver habit of the clouds Comes down upon the autumn sun, and with A sober gladness the old year takes up His bright inheritance of golden fruits, A pomp and pageant fill the splendid scene. There is a beautiful spirit breathing now Its mellow richness on the clustered trees, And, from a beaker full of richest dyes, Pouring new glory on the autumn woods, And dipping in warm light the pillared clouds. Morn on the mountain, like a summer bird, Lifts up her purple wing, and in the vales The gentle wind, a sweet and passionate wooer, Kisses the blushing leaf, and stirs up life Within the solemn woods of ash deep-crimsoned, And silver beech, and maple yellow-leaved, Where Autumn, like a faint old man, sits down By the wayside a-weary. Through the trees The golden robin moves; the purple finch, That on wild cherry and red cedar feeds, A winter bird, comes with its plaintive whistle, And pecks by the witch-hazel, whilst aloud From cottage roofs the warbling blue-bird sings; And merrily, with oft-repeated stroke, Sounds from the threshing-floor the busy flail.
"October" by William Trost Richards
O what a glory doth this world put on For him who, with a fervent heart, goes forth Under the bright and glorious sky, and looks On duties well performed, and days well spent! For him the wind, ay, and the yellow leaves Shall have a voice, and give him eloquent teachings. He shall so hear the solemn hymn, that Death Has lifted up for all, that he shall go To his long resting-place without a tear. This poem is in the public domain.
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Gò0dNews for Fixer-Uppers
All-in-One by Sheila Bird
There is something about the hobby of collecting someone’s broken-down, discarded belongings that reminds me of the goodness of God. He has been merciful to me, for I too was once shabby in appearance, broken in spirit and unwanted by most. People toss away possessions they once treasured and displayed with pride just because something more appealing, more trendy comes along. They place those unwanted things in a dark closet destined for the second-hand store, or worse yet, the dump. Thankfully God did not toss me away when I was at my worst. He envisioned me as someone who needed to be cleaned up and given a second chance at life. So, He went to work on me, filling in my fractured soul, stripping away layers of hardship, and sanding down rough edges. Then, He gave me a lovely, fresh coating of protection that covered every flaw I ever had. As my passion for taking in other people’s worn and torn things has grown, I have learned that the restoration process requires certain tools of the trade. One of my favorites is all-in-one paint because it is able to do things no other paint can do. It covers up old marks, smells, and stains with built-in primer, then coats with beautiful custom colors and finally seals it in for long-lasting durability. It truly is a wonderworking paint. In comparison, God did for me what nothing else in this world could do. I have the all-in-one redemptive power of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit working in my life. He is all-powerful, all-present and all-knowing. There is nothing too hard for Him! When He picked me up from that lonely, unwanted place, He gave me His all. I am proud to be a fixerupper. I now have new life, new purpose, new hope, new everything. And I have a story to tell. One that testifies of what I once was, and the mighty transformation into who I am today. Making an ordinary piece into an extraordinary piece requires one more crucial step, the application of patience. Waiting for paint to dry is my least favorite thing to do. The pros call this final step, curing. It cannot be skipped because without it the piece will scuff and scar under the slightest pressure. It will not be strong enough to withstand everyday use. 36
I am thankful that God didn’t use shortcuts when He was working on me. He took His sweet time and made certain that I was ready to fulfill His divine purpose. As His image began to reflect in me, He imparted to me the same art of patience. I am now equipped with His attributes and the strength to endure throughout all time. Unlike my hobby and the things I restore, the handiwork of God is eternal. Heaven awaits those who put their trust in Him. There is nothing so badly broken that He can’t fix. Damaged goods are His specialty. He can repurpose and redirect a misguided life or He can repair and restore it back to His original design. My Bible tells me that He came to seek and to save that which was lost and that He came to heal the broken-hearted. He is truly the only all-in-one, miracle working God of all creation. “Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations” (Ephesians 3:20-21 NIV). Amen.
Sheila Bird resides in Cleveland, TN where she delights in writing for the Lord. Each story is crafted from the four cornerstones of her life; faith, family, friends and fellowship. Each inspired by living proof of His redeeming love and the overcoming power of her testimony.
goodnewscm.com // October 2026
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Tips for Shift Workers by Courtney Fox
“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ” (Colossians 3:23-24 ESV). It can be hard giving your all everyday, especially if you’re surrounded by peers who don’t embody the same values and standards. Fortunately, there are ways to remain God-centered not just at work but in all areas of your life. Implementing some of these suggestions may reignite your zeal and passion, no matter what field of labor you may work in. Create an Ideal Environment for Rest: •
Get quality linens so your bed feels like a retreat.
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Try using a sound machine, especially if family members are home while you try and sleep.
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Opt for hanging blackout curtains. This tip is particularly for night shifters.
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Invest in the right mattress. Learn what support your body finds comfortable and remember to replace periodically to prevent back pain.
“So then, there remains a sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested his works as God did from his” (Hebrews 4:9-10 ESV).
Be Kind to Yourself: •
Meal prep to relieve stress over “what’s for dinner/lunch.”
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Cluster necessary errands to limit time spent during the week doing things that aren’t necessarily fun/enjoyable.
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Limit caffeine/junk food to increase your energy levels and prevent ‘crashing’ mid-day.
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Keep a routine. This can create comfort in predictability and prevent stress.
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Get plenty of rest and prioritize sleep. You’ve worked hard and your body needs time to repair and reset.
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Don’t over schedule yourself on off days. It’s so easy to commit to parties, gatherings, and events. Alone time or days just spent with your family “piddlin’ around” are restorative and good for the soul.
The Lord wants you to stay encouraged. Use this season to truly prioritize your faith and treasure the family the Lord has blessed you with. Schedule fun activities, dates, vacations, etc. Remember to enjoy life! We learn in Proverbs 14:23 that there is profit in all labor. When viewing our vocations as more than a paycheck, we can use whatever job we have as a mission field. We can impact many people over the lifetime of a career. Use whatever gift the Lord has put in you and apply it to your day-to-day life. Perhaps you are a housekeeper in a nursing home. As you clean rooms each day, you could hum a hymn or ask folks how you can pray for them. Or you may own a towing company. Find ways to share the Gospel with customers, reminding them how much Jesus loves them. These simple, daily encounters will win people for the Kingdom. In turn, this can create a flame in you to be more thankful for all you have and to crave more of that genuine human connection. You can look forward to seeing all the fruit grow from spreading the love of Jesus — step by step and shift to shift!
Courtney is a married mother to two daughters and a nurse supervisor. She has completed a half marathon, triathlon, and a full marathon. She encourages you to “LIVE WELL!”
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goodnewscm.com // October 2026
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goodnewscm.com // October 2026