Gò0dNew s
C H R I ST- C E N T E R E D E D U C AT I O N O N YO U R T I M E .
About Us
WRITERS
Abdiel Medina
Brent Madaris
Charles Finney
Courtney Fox
Dorothy Teague
Douglas Baynes
Dr. Rob Debelak
Filip Brunner
Garrett Nudd
Hayden Lanier
Judy Hood
Kenneth E. Ware
Paula Burgner
Spring Fricks
Zach Gray
SALES
Matthew Ruckman goodnewstn@gmail.com 423-503-1410
DESIGNER
Riley Evans art.goodnews@gmail.com
PHOTOGRAPHER
Paula Knipp 423-310-4207
EDITOR/ARTICLE COORDINATOR
Sandra Gilmore articles.goodnews@gmail.com
PUBLISHER
Matthew and Bethany Ruckman goodnewstn@gmail.com 423-503-1410
OFFICE
423-790-5378
WEBSITE goodnewscm.com issuu.com/goodnewscm
SOCIAL MEDIA
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Hello Friends,
We want to take a moment to tell you who we are and what we are about. Our names are Matt and Bethany Ruckman and we have six beautiful children, Brendon, Kailey, Andrew, Leah Jean, Emma, and Cooper. We live in Cleveland, Tennessee, and love what this town has to offer! We have started GoodNews Christian Magazine because we feel that when God, family, and community are combined, lives will be changed.
GoodNews Christian Magazine is a complimentary, Christian lifestyle publication. You can find us throughout the community in retail establishments, churches, restaurants, and more. Our magazine opens the door for Christians to work together to grow and strengthen our community through relevant editorial and effective advertising.
GoodNews Christian Magazine is written by men and women in the community who love and serve the Lord. Our hearts are open and willing to be used by God to reach out to the community to spread the GoodNews!
Disclaimer
All of the content in the GoodNews Christian Magazine is for general information and/or use. Such contents does not constitute advice and should not be relied upon in making (or refraining from making) a decision. Any specific advice or replies to queries in any part of the magazine is the personal opinion of such experts/ consultants/persons and is not subscribed to by GoodNews Christian Magazine. The information in GoodNews Christian Magazine is provided on an “AS IS” basis, and all warranties, expressed or implied of any kind, regarding any matter pertaining to any information, advice or replies are disclaimed and excluded. We reserve the right to refuse any advertisement or article we deem inappropriate.
Stop and Smell the Roses
by Paula Burgner
T oo often we are in such a rush in life, we don’t actually take the time to slow down and enjoy the little things. Whether it's just taking a moment to sit in silence outside and listen to the birds sing or enjoy a peaceful walk through a field of flowers, we are often in a rush.
We have all heard the expression stop and smell the roses, yet most of the time we choose to ignore that saying, kind of taking it as a joke and never once actually taking the time out for ourselves. Have you ever thought about how this relates to our life as a Christian?
A rose can be a representation of the blessings, peace, and the joy that life brings, but the “thorns” can be thought of as the challenges and hard times that we each endure along life’s journey. Just like when looking at a rose, you can see the beauty of it but rarely pay attention to the pain that the thorns can bring until we grab them by accident. This is how most people go through life only seeing the appealing beauty in other people’s lives, and not knowing the hardships that they had to go through while on the path to where they are today. The negative emotions, habits, or
circumstances that we go through that try to stop us from reaching our full potential can be like the “thorns” on a rose.
However, once you get the Word of God in your life, you learn to get rid of those thoughts. The Bible tells us in 2 Corinthians 10:5 KJV: “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.”
When something is blooming, it is usually defined as attractive,
healthy, and full of energy. This is how you become when you get the Word of God into your heart as it will spread throughout you just like a field of flowers or a rose bush. The Bible tells us this in Psalms 92:13 KJV: “Those that be planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God.”
God’s grace and love are like beautiful roses blooming in nature, easy to walk by and not notice, but for those who stop and enjoy the elegance and grace, they will become brighter. It’s important to stay grounded in the Word of God
as your mind is like a garden, and the thoughts you have are like seeds that get planted. You will either grow flowers or weeds.
And the same way a rose bush or tree needs pruning in order to thrive and become something beautiful, our lives also require a willingness to let go of the things that hold us back. When you let God into your heart and start speaking the Word over your life, you too will notice that your life will become more beautiful than ever. The Bible tells us this in Isaiah 35:2 KJV: “It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice
even with joy and singing.” Always remember those times in life when you feel like you are wilting away and drying up, all you have to do is let go and let God work in your life and you will realize all is well. The Bible tells us in Psalm 139:14 KJV: “I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.
Paula Burgner is a strongwilled, outgoing girl who loves spending time with her husband and working out. She believes in her heart that you can do anything you put your mind
to. Paula is the author of Grounded by God’s Grace.
Growing up, did you ever hear someone tell you, “Enjoy this while you can, because it won’t be like this forever,” or maybe, “Childhood is a short season; don’t rush it,” or the very popular one, “Be thankful for what you have because you’ll never know when you may lose it”? All of these sayings are becoming more and more real to me as each day passes.
My name is Zach Gray. I am a student-athlete at Lee University and have recently been given the privilege of interning at Hughes Retirement Group. I have played for three years on the Lee University Men’s Basketball Team. Playing college basketball has taught me that success isn't determined by one great play, but rather is built through consistent preparation, discipline, and the ability to stay focused on long-term goals. Those same principles are just as relevant in becoming a retirement advisor.
At Lee, Coach Smith creates each practice plan based on the specific needs of our team that day. Therefore, every practice has a purpose. Both individually and as a team, you spend countless hours developing skills, studying opponents, and preparing for situations that may or may not happen in the future. I’ve learned that retirement planning works in a very similar way. The decisions people make today—such as saving consistently, managing risk, and creating a financial strategy—can determine their opportunities years down the road.
Basketball also reinforces the importance of teamwork. No championship team is built around one player. Success comes from trust, communication, and everyone working toward a common objective. Becoming an advisor works in a very similar way. I’ve learned that being honest and trustworthy with your clients can go a long way.
More than a Game Money Matters Zach Gray with
Basketball also teaches resilience. Every season includes setbacks—a tough loss, an injury, or a game where the outcome wasn’t in your favor. The best teams don't let one bad game or practice define their season. They learn, adapt, and keep moving forward. Financial markets can be similar. There will always be periods of uncertainty and ups and downs. However, reassuring your clients on a personal level, explaining that they are in good hands and that one down market day isn’t the defining factor in their investments, is very important.
Perhaps the greatest lessons I have carried from athletics are consistency and accountability. Coaches expect players to be prepared, dependable, and committed to continuous improvement. As a senior this year, I am maturing into my final and most important role as a leader for my team. I want to bring those same expectations to my profession by striving to provide thoughtful guidance, ongoing education, and personalized service to every client I work with.
Working with Hughes Retirement Group has been an amazing experience for me. I have learned and grown so much both in the office, outside the office, and spiritually. Rick and Wendy have poured so much into me in such a short amount of time, and I couldn’t feel better about working for them. Rick brings many of his coaching principles into his business, and in doing so, I’ve realized that my basketball career prepared me for much more than competition. It shaped the way I approach challenges, build relationships, and help others pursue their goals. My time on the court may be coming to a bittersweet end, but the lessons I learned will help me become the best employee I can be.
Retirement planning is the process of determining how you can meet your goals through the proper management of your financial resources.
Tax planning should not only assess your tax situation at retirement and in the present, but also look towards the future.
Social security strategies are various approaches that an individual may take to maximize their social security benefits.
There is more to Medicare than meets the eye. Making the best decision for your situation at age 65 is one of the biggest retirement decisions one may make.
Estate planning is a key element of a successful financial strategy. It ensures you will leave a legacy that provides for your loved ones by properly protecting and distributing your wealth according to your wishes. If you're ready to take the next step in your retirement planning journey, call (423) 664-4203 today to
Adventures from Camp Rockmont: Leading My First Hike
by Abdiel Medina
I spent my summer as a counselor and outdoor survival skills instructor at Camp Rockmont in Black Mountain, North Carolina. Each day was a blessing and an adventure, pushing me out of my comfort zone and closer to God. On Day 18, I led my first hiking trip with a group of 12 campers. The boys ranged from elementary to middle schoolers. I was assisted by one of the staff members, “Zamp,” as we took the group to the John Rock Trail Loop, in the Pisgah National Forest in North Carolina.
I was nervous; it was my responsibility to keep everyone safe and make the hike a fun experience, but I refused to allow fear to control me (2 Timothy 1:7). Instead, I focused on the excitement of getting to adventure in nature while growing as a leader. I was also encouraged to have Zamp assist me. He has experience with leading kids on hikes.
The hike to John’s Rock was no easy feat for the campers. The route I planned was over five miles and 1,000+ feet of elevation gain. I completed the route alongside some of the staff a few days prior to leading my group of boys. Although we were young men of vigor, even we were worn out!
As anticipated, the first couple miles were tough for the campers. There were occasional breaks for water and rest, but the guys were fighting an uphill battle… literally! They had to hike two miles uphill before we reached our lunch destination. With every step we took, they grew in frustration, hunger, and a desire to quit.
Reflections from Day 18: June 12th, 2025
Like a football coach rallying his team’s spirits to victory, I gave a speech to hype up my campers’ spirits. I told my guys about the time I ran the Cleveland Half Marathon (13.1 miles) and how my endurance was tested. When I hit mile 10, I felt completely exhausted, but I stayed focused and kept pushing forward, one step at a time. I refused to quit, and completed the race much quicker than I expected.
I looked at my group and shouted, “Are we going to quit?!”
“NO!” The boys screamed.
After their shout of grit (and water and a snack to refuel) we kept pushing forward. They were rewarded with a beautiful mountain overlook. My campers learned a valuable lesson from the hike: how to stay positive and persevere amidst hardship.
The campers learned in one hike what God had been teaching me all summer as a camp counselor: It’s these moments of discomfort that allow for dependence on God, discovery of one’s potential, and deeper enjoyment and appreciation of the gift of life. (Thessalonians 5:16-18).
The Christian Journey is filled with countless moments of discomfort and incredible mountaintop experiences. The question is, like the campers, will you choose to keep pushing forward when challenges come your way?
Philippians 3:13-14 ESV: “Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
Abdiel Medina is a servant of God. He enjoys reading, writing, and running. He is in the Chattanooga Fellows Program.
Keep Watch
by Spring M. Fricks
“Are you asleep?”
Your words float into my dreams like ballerinas dancing in the wind. I hear you but do not stir.
“Dear one, are you asleep?” you ask again.
I’m cozy in my slumber. The cadence of your voice is a lullaby to my soul and a blanket to my spirit. I feel myself smile but again I don’t budge.
“They’re coming for me.”
With these words, I’m up. Your tone cuts the veil between sleep and reality. I’m awake and aware of the danger.
I’ve been asleep on our bench in the garden where we meet. Looking around, I see broken branches and leaves sprinkled like confetti on the ground. Flowers have been stomped and the impressions of overlapping footprints point to a skirmish.
While I was asleep, we were not alone and now you are gone.
Keep watch. . . These were the last words you said to me. My brows furrow as guilt lays heavy like a winter coat across my shoulders.
I run through the garden towards the iron gate at the entrance. I can’t believe I fell asleep, I think, while looking for you behind every tree and bush.
I see the gate, but the shadows lurking just beyond trigger a warning to hide. Ducking behind an oak tree, I fight to control my breathing and turn to steal a peek at the enemy.
“I told you to keep watch.” You’re behind me. Startled, I jump, but you grab and hold me close.
“I’m sorry, my Lord.” I whisper, “I fell asleep.”
“Your enemy never sleeps,” You're so close I feel your breath on my cheek as you whisper in my ear, “and his greatest desire is to separate you from me...” In Matthew 26:41BSB, Jesus tells us, “Watch and pray so that you will not enter into temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”
Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). This is also true of our enemy. Satan has one goal: steal Jesus from us so that he steals us from Him.
The Lord calls us to be diligent in our walk with Him. This decree is for our own benefit. We cannot mount a counterattack against something we never see coming.
We must keep watch and be vigilant regarding the defenses of our spirit. How do we do that? We guard the gates of our perimeter. Scripture teaches that our eyes and ears are the entry point of our heart (Psalm 101:3) and what we allow in will set up residence within (Matt 12:34-35). The things we allow in can bolster our defenses or wear them down, but the choice of what enters is ours to make.
Every tool needed to win the war between good and evil can be found in Scripture. Utilizing these tools creates the difference between living a life with Christ or a life separated from Him. Our first step in this battle is to obey the Lord when He calls us to keep watch.
Spring M. Fricks is a writer, speaker, teacher and content creator for Shield 33 Ministries, a ministry founded to disciple and equip believers to grow in an intimate relationship with Jesus. She lives in NW Georgia.
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Compassion of A Common Man
by Douglas Baynes
During the Civil War in 1862, Union Captain Robert Ellicombe was with his men near Harrison’s Landing in Virginia. The Confederate Army was on the other side of a narrow strip of land. The night was dark. With no moon, not a shadow was cast. The mournful cry of a soldier mortally wounded cut through the night as he lay somewhere on the land between them. Not knowing if it was friend or foe, Captain Ellicombe decided to risk his life and bring the stricken soldier back to behind the Union lines for medical treatment. Crawling through the gunfire of the enemy, the Captain finally reached the wounded man and began to pull him to his encampment. Finally reaching his own lines, in the dim light of their camp, he discovered that it was actually a Confederate soldier, and that the soldier was dead.
Captain Ellicombe was moved by compassion. We can define and recognize compassion as an act of movement. Sympathy would have kept him in the camp, only to be sorrowfully spoken of later.
In the light of the tragedy that has befallen Jamaica from Category 5 level Hurricane Melissa, the story of Captain Ellicombe came to my mind. Every night we are shown the faces of ordinary people doing extraordinary, selfless feats of heroism for those in need. I, for one, am tired, and at times sickened, by the constant stories played out by our local news of shootings or of couples who have taken the life of their own child.
I firmly believe that if we would turn our concerns away from our daily agendas and focus on the needs around us, our communities would become much better. I am by no means the patron saint of “do-gooders,” but I feel compelled to look for ways to be moved by compassion as Captain Ellicombe was. To put forth some action in my life as to make a difference would make an impact if only in small, everyday acts of kindness. It could be an unmerited act of kindness, if you would, such as these:
• I’ll try to find someone to cover with my umbrella on the next rainy day as I leave the grocery store and walk with them to their car.
• If someone needs to get over in my lane, I will slow to let them in. Am I really in that big of a hurry?
• I can push a cart back into WalMart.
• When I park, I park farther out from the door, so maybe the closest parking spaces can go to someone who cannot walk as well as I can.
It is wonderful to see how everyday folks put their own safety aside in a moment of crisis and put themselves in harm's way to aid others. I feel blessed to live in an area where tidal waves and hurricanes are not much of a real threat, but could the wave of everyday complacency be washing at our feet?
"The Battle of Gettysburg" by Paul Philippoteaux
Over and over, we see Jesus was not moved to sympathy, but to compassion. Sympathy is feeling pity for someone’s hardship, while compassion is a deeper feeling that includes a desire to act, to end that suffering. Jesus healed all the sick who were brought to him. When He taught them for a long afternoon, He fed them all, so they could make it home that night. Christ was compassion embodied.
Back to the Civil War account, Captain Ellicombe lit a lantern. Suddenly he caught his breath and went numb with shock. In the dim light, he looked upon the face of the dead Confederate soldier. It was his very own son! The young man had moved South to study music. When the war broke out, he joined the Confederate Army, never writing home to tell his father.
The following morning, broken-hearted, the father asked his superiors to give his son a full military burial, despite his enemy status. His request was partially granted. The Captain asked if the Army band would play a funeral hymn, but that request was denied since he was a Confederate soldier. Out of respect for the father, they did give him one musician. The Captain chose a bugler. In his son’s pocket, the father found a piece of paper that had notes written on it that his son had been writing. He asked the bugler to play them at his son's grave.
This music was and is the haunting melody that we all know today as “Taps,” used at all military funerals.
Who is waiting for our compassion? Somebody’s mother? Somebody’s son? Someone is waiting for you.
Doug and Annie, his wife of 43 years, attend First Baptist Church of Cleveland, TN. He is an author and Annie is a speaker and teacher at various women's meetings. Retired now, they spend their summer months traveling the USA in their RV
How Can I Help My Child Get Closer to God?
by Brent Madaris
I recall reading an account about Celeste Sibley, onetime columnist for the Atlanta (GA) Constitution, when she took her three children to a diner for breakfast one morning. With the diner full of patrons and limited seating available, the family sat apart from each other. All was moving along well until the eight-year-old daughter named Mary broke over the usual diner hubbub with a loud voice, speaking to her mother as if no one else was around, “Mother, don’t people say grace in this place?” While the stunned Mrs. Sibley stalled and gathered her thoughts, silence reigned over the dining room. It was the counterman’s turn to speak as if no one else was around. He said, “Yes, we do, sister. You say it.” With bowed heads, the patrons sat in reverent silence as Mary offered thanks for the meal, “God is great, God is good, let us thank Him for our food…”
Don’t you just love kids?
It has always been distressing to me to see so many children so far removed from God in their daily lives. I do not know the reasons for this, nor the answers to it in every case, but parents must realize their great responsibility in this matter. The following suggestions, I feel, are extremely important in keeping your children close to God. Choose, and implement, as many of them as you possibly can.
Establish a family altar. Read and study the Bible together. Sing gospel songs together. Pray together. This will be a difficult project to establish and maintain, but it will reap eternal dividends and rewards in the
lives of your children. It is best to start a family altar when children are very young. Make it a natural part of their lives.
Labor to lead your child to faith in Christ. Live the right kind of life before your children. Be a genuine Christian in every sense of the word. Get as close to (and stay as close to) God as you possibly can. Hypocrisy, on the parents' part in this matter, is terribly destructive to children. There is no doubt that one of the main reasons why many children turn away from God is because their parents are pretending to be Christians or fakes. In your home, maintain a spirit of praise and joy. Nothing turns off young people any more than a gossiping, backbiting, critical, pessimistic, negative approach to life. When children live in that kind of environment is it any wonder that they struggle spiritually?
Go, as a family, to a strong Bible believing, Bible preaching, soulwinning, fundamental church. Don’t look to a church to entertain your child. Look to a church to educate your child in the ways of God and the Bible! Participating with your child in some form of Christian service with the express intent of leading others to Christ is a powerful way to keep your child in love with God. Encourage them in their efforts to serve God. If they show interest in devoting their lives to God in some full time capacity (Pastor, Missionary, Evangelist, etc.), do everything in your power to encourage that desire and help them fulfill it.
Greatly limit or even eliminate television. Television has been the greatest means of moral destruction in our generation. Try to think of one modern day clean, decent, moral show that encourages and inculcates genuine biblical principles? Television is filled with things that are directly contradictory to the Bible and its principles. It constantly bombards the mind with a worldly approach to life. No child (or adult either) can get close to God, or stay close to God with such materials being constantly put into the mind. Be extremely careful with electronics, like cellphones, iPads, iPods, Computers, etc.
Be very careful about which school your child attends. If a child is exposed to worldly, humanistic, and evolutionary philosophy for eight hours per day, even the strongest Christian home will struggle to raise godly kids.
Be careful who you let your children run with. Many a child has been ruined by the wrong kind of friends.
Spend time with your children doing fun things together. Take an interest in them and their interests.
Praise your children when they do right. Lovingly correct them when they do wrong.
Last but not least: Pray for, and with, your children! Pray! Pray!! PRAY!!!
Knowledge Love
by Hayden Lanier
The year-long Bible-reading plan, “The Bible Recap,” encourages believers to engage with Scripture daily, reading several chapters and working through the Bible in chronological order. Each day’s Scripture reading is accompanied by short audio/video explanations from the plan’s host, Tara-Leigh Cobble.
One of my favorite parts of this plan is the five short prayers it encourages you to pray before you do your reading each day. The second prayer especially stands out to me: “Let any knowledge I gain help me love You and others more, and not puff me up.” The final verse of 2 Peter is an important reminder about this subject. It says this: “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen” (3:18 ESV).
This verse in 2 Peter has two parts: we are to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus, but He receives the glory now and always. We grow in knowledge. He gets the glory.
Some people have no shortage of knowledge about Jesus, but they are lacking in the humility department. They can tell you what the Bible says about different subjects and their opinions on every matter, but they do it in an arrogant manner. They gain knowledge, but they allow it to “puff them up,” and don’t use it to love the Lord and others more.
Let us think about Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 13. He said that if he understands all mysteries, has all knowledge and faith, but doesn’t have love, he is nothing (v. 2). Our knowledge must lead us on to action. Our growth in the knowledge of Christ should lead to a growth in action for Christ. It does not matter how many seminary degrees you earn, how many Bible verses you memorize, or how many sermons you preach; we must do these things for the Lord, not for ourselves.
Now, please don’t misinterpret this. We absolutely need to stand firm on the truth. In a world of lies and false religion, the Word of God is our steady, unchanging anchor. We should take a bold stand on what the Bible says and share it with the world. However, we must do this not for our sake, but for the Lord’s. We should not share our knowledge about Him so that others will think we are intelligent or great, but so that they will know who our amazing God is and what He has done.
Any knowledge we gain about God is from Him. He graciously allows us to learn about His character, His ways, and how He loves His people. We must humbly recognize that everything—yes, everything!—is a gift from God, and that we cannot take any of the recognition or prestige from His good gifts. There is no room for pride when we kneel in humility at the foot of the cross.
So, as Christians, we should increase our knowledge of God! We need to be reading the Bible, studying it, and seeking to know the God we serve better. It is a blessed privilege that we have such rich access to the Bible and Biblical resources as 21st-century Christians. But we should be on guard against letting this knowledge puff us up. Instead, let us pray that the Lord will use what we read, learn, and grow in to love others with the truth.
See www.setyourmindabove.com for more from Hayden Lanier.
Photo by Mariia Zakatiura on Unsplash
Hayden Lanier is a follower of Jesus, a graduate of Shorter University, and he works as an elementary school teacher.
The Blood of Jesus Traced Through the Bible: New Testament Books
by Kenneth E. Ware, MDiv
Gospels
Matthew – The blood is seen in the crucifixion of Christ (Matt. 27:27-44) Crucified Blood
Mark – The blood in the covenant poured out for many (Mark 14:24) Institutionalized Blood
Luke – The blood-sweat of Jesus Christ (hemohydrosis), falling down upon the ground (Luke 22:44) Agonized Blood
John – The blood is seen in the teachings of Christ who said “eat My flesh…drink My blood” (John 6:52-55). Identified Blood
History
Acts – The blood of Jesus was preached by Peter at Pentecost (Acts 2:14-46). Realized Blood
Pauline Epistles
Romans – The blood of Jesus was put on public display as a propitiation for our sins. It Justified the Saints of God. (5:9). It Satisfied the Wrath of God. (3:25).
1&2 Corinthians
• The blood is seen in the Lord’s Supper (1Cor.11:25). Symbolized Blood
• The blood is seen in the Last Adam (1 Cor.15:45).
• The blood is seen in Jesus’ death, reconciling the world to Himself (2 Cor. 5: 13-15, 19-21).
Galatians – It is the blood of Jesus that sets us free (Gal.5:1).
Ephesians – The blood of Jesus is what broke down the wall between Jews & Gentiles (Eph.2:13).
Philippians – The blood of Jesus was proclaimed while Paul was in Roman custody (Phil. 1:15-17).
Colossians
• The blood of Jesus made us alive together with Him, and cancelled out our sin debt.
• By the blood of Jesus our sins have been nailed to the cross (Col. 2:13,14).
• We have peace with God through the blood of His cross (Col. 1:20).
1 & 2 Thessalonians – The blood of Jesus is proclaimed in the gospel of God (1 Thess.2:2-9; 2 Thess.1:8; 2:14).
1 & 2 Timothy – The blood is seen in the One Mediator between God and men (1 Tim.2:5).
Titus – It is the blood that redeems us from every lawless deed (Titus 2:14).
Philemon – The blood is seen in the forgiving master and the redemptive work of Christ who paid our sin debt and reconciled us to God (Phlm. 1:10-18).
Hebrews
• The blood of Christ is better than the blood of Abel, better than the blood of goats, calves, & bulls (Heb.9:7-14; 12:24).
• It is because of the blood we have the remission of our sins (Heb. 9:22).
General Epistles
James – It is the blood that heals the sick (James 5:13).
1 & 2 Peter – The precious blood of Christ is unblemished & spotless (1 Pet.1:19).
1, 2, 3 John
• The blood is seen in the three witnesses; the Spirit, the water, & the blood (1 John 5:8).
• The blood purifies us from the power and pollution of sin (1 John 1:7).
Jude – The blood is seen in the One who is able to keep you, Jesus Christ (Jude 1:1, 21, 24).
Prophecy
Revelation – The blood is seen in Jesus Christ, clothed w/a robe dipped in blood (Rev. 19:13).
© Copyright. All rights reserved. Adapted to our format and used with permission from the author.
Kenneth E. Ware, M.M., M.A.B.S., M. Div. a graduate of Temple Baptist Seminary, is Pastor of New Sholar Avenue Baptist Church in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He’s also a Christian Writer and an Expository Bible Teacher at Samford University Ministry Training Institute (MTI). He and his wife, Tonia, have been married 31 years.
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For a limited time, in Cleveland, TN, and surrounding areas, you can save up to $50k on your next home. Concord Homes partners with Quality Builders Warranty (QBW), the nation's premier provider of long-term protection, backed by Liberty Mutual. As a builder of integrity, Concord Homes is proud to offer you peace of mind with a warranty you can trust. After your home is complete, QBW will be there to support you for the next decade. Your investment will be in good hands.
Raising the Roof
Get a cup of coffee and browse the Concord Homes’ website, concord-home.com. You’ll find a gallery of new homes and plans to build your dream home. Plans include barndominiums, modern farmhouses, Tudor, colonial, and more.
Whether you're relocating or needing to make a lifestyle change, Concord can build the perfect home for you. They specialize in providing a custom experience from start to finish, beginning with the drafting
process. Steps for the process can be viewed on the website under “Our Process.”
If floor plans and sketches aren’t enough to give you a good vision for what’s available, locate the links on the website to walk through the floor plans available and take a moment to imagine yourself in any of these new homes.
Also on the website is the new lineup of barndominiums, modern farmhouses, Tudor, colonial, and more. Choose from two great options tailored to your needs:
1. Shell Only – Includes site work,
foundation, framing, windows, doors, siding, and roofing, allowing you to complete the build yourself. You can also seek assistance with financing options and guidance through the rest of the process.
2. Turnkey – From start to finish, Concord Homes’ team can handle everything, including design selections and all construction phases.
With 45 plans ranging from 900 to 5,000 sq ft, they have barndominiums, modern farmhouses, tudor, or colonial style homes that will fit your preferences.
Nailing It Down
With exceptional quality and service every step of the way, are you ready to make your dream home a reality with Concord Homes? Reach out today!
Call (423) 373-2800
Email: info@concord-build.com
Visit: 852 Urbane Rd NE, Cleveland, TN 37312.
Follow Concord Homes on social media: Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Whether you’re looking to expand for family activities and life’s adventures, or downsize to cozy living, Concord Homes can make your building process simpler and worthwhile. They’ll bring the blueprint to life!
August in Appalachia:
GARDEN-FRESH TOMATO PIE
By August, the Smoky Mountains are lush with life. The fireflies are fewer, but the cicadas sing louder. The sun lingers just a little less each evening, and the garden— faithfully tended all summer long—starts to show off its full glory. That’s when the tomatoes finally reach their prime. Not just red, but ruby, juicy, warm from the vine. If you’ve ever tasted a tomato in August, you know: it’s not just food—it’s a gift.
In mountain kitchens, August tomatoes don’t go to waste. Sliced and salted on sandwiches, simmered into sauces, or eaten with nothing more than a sprinkle of pepper, they’re the stars of every meal. But one of the most beloved—and perhaps most underappreciated— ways to use them is in a Southern Tomato Pie.
This dish is pure Appalachian creativity: a buttery pie crust filled with layers of thick-sliced garden tomatoes, fresh herbs, and a cheesy, creamy topping that bakes into a savory custard. It’s humble and rich, rustic and refined all at once.
Tomato pie is best served fresh but can be eaten cold the next day—if there's any left. It’s a dish that tastes like sunshine and soil and Southern hospitality, all baked into one golden slice.
Whether it’s the centerpiece of a light supper or a side at a Sunday potluck, tomato pie is a delicious reminder to savor the gifts of the season—because just like summer in the mountains, ripe tomatoes don’t last forever.
Southern Tomato Pie
Ingredients:
1 9-inch pie crust (homemade or store-bought), pre-baked
4–5 medium ripe tomatoes, sliced ¼-inch thick
1 teaspoon salt
½ cup chopped sweet onion
¼ cup chopped fresh basil
1½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
½ cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard (optional)
Freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 375°F.
Lay the sliced tomatoes on paper towels and sprinkle with salt. Let them sit for 20–30 minutes to draw out moisture. Pat dry.
In the pre-baked crust, layer tomatoes, onion, and basil. Repeat until filled.
In a small bowl, mix cheddar, mozzarella, mayonnaise, and mustard if using. Spread the mixture evenly over the top of the pie.
Bake for 30–35 minutes, or until bubbly and golden on top.
Let cool 10–15 minutes before slicing. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Trust in the Lord
by Judy Hood
Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Believe in Him; don’t ever depart.
He has promised to never leave or forsake you. Stand by Him in everything you do.
God’s word is filled with so many great promises. He’s a God of love, and so much awesomeness.
No one will ever love you as much as He can. Love is all through His Word; it’s all part of His plan.
Just be careful in everything you say and do. Then, when you stand before Him you won’t feel blue.
He set blessings and cursings before us. What will you choose? Pick blessings so you will be blessed, and live by the Golden Rule.
God will be so happy when He sees your heart is true. So, live for the Lord each and every day; Die to self, and do everything God’s way.
You can get Judy Hood’s poetry books at the Cleveland Public Library.
Repurpose Variety Store: Two Stores, One Mission
Why choose between a variety store and a thrift store when you can enjoy both in one visit?
That's exactly what shoppers discover at Repurpose Variety Store, located at 409 Inman Street in Cleveland, Tennessee. Owned by Ruby Pineda, this unique local business has become a favorite destination for bargain hunters, treasure seekers, and anyone who enjoys finding something unexpected while supporting a business that genuinely cares about its community.
What truly sets Repurpose Variety Store apart is its innovative "two stores under one roof" concept. Customers enter through a single entrance, but inside they are greeted by two distinctly different shopping experiences.
One side of the store features an ever-changing selection of brand-new merchandise, specialty vendor products, collectibles, gifts, home décor, and unique finds that can't be found just anywhere. With new inventory arriving regularly, every visit offers something different to explore.
The other side delivers all the excitement of a traditional thrift store. Shoppers can browse clothing (priced at $2.00 each day but Tuesday when it’s only $1.00!) household goods, décor, and hidden treasures at incredibly affordable prices, with some items starting as low as $1.50. It's the perfect place to stretch a budget while uncovering unexpected gems.
The beauty of Repurpose Variety Store is that customers don't have to choose between the two experiences. In a single trip, they can shop for a special gift, browse collectibles, update their home décor, and score amazing thrift-store bargains. The combination creates a fun and rewarding shopping adventure for people of all ages.
Beyond offering great products and unbeatable value, Repurpose Variety Store is deeply committed to serving the community. On select days each month, certain items are offered free of charge to individuals and families in need.
"Giving back to the community is one of the most important things we do," says owner Ruby Pineda. "We want people to know this is more than a store. It is a place where neighbors help neighbors, where everyone is welcome, and where kindness can make a real difference."
That heart for service has helped create the warm, welcoming atmosphere customers have come to love. Many visitors stop by regularly because it’s rewarding being part of a business that values people as much as products. Shoppers leave knowing that their purchases have helped their own families along with the community.
In a time when many families are looking for ways to make their dollars go further, Repurpose Variety Store offers something special: quality
merchandise, affordable prices, and a genuine sense of community.
Ruby and her team are also always looking for volunteers who want to be part of the store's mission. Community members have an opportunity to help make a difference in the lives of others.
"When we selected our name ‘Repurpose,' we were not just talking about items. Often, emptynesters, retirees, or moms with school-age children have time during the day. We can ‘repurpose’ that time with a focus on the community. We're community-focused and community-driven," Ruby explains. "We rely on volunteers to help make our process work. Your talents, your time, and your contributions are vital to keep us going. Together, we can truly help each other along the way.”
For those seeking great deals, unique finds, and a business with a heart for giving back, Repurpose Variety Store truly offers the best of both worlds—two shopping experiences, one welcoming community, and countless reasons to come back again and again. Have you been by lately? Head on over!
The Importance of Flossing on Heart Health
by Courtney Fox
What is a simple, quick habit you can do to help your overall health and especially your heart health? Train for a marathon? Add oatmeal to your mornings? Eat more broccoli? None of the above: it’s flossing!
If you’re a regular flosser, you probably do so because food gets stuck between your teeth or maybe you notice your gums are more sensitive when you go without flossing. There are also the benefits of having a cleanerfeeling mouth, less bad breath, and a better likelihood of a good report at your next dental cleaning.
Here are some encouraging, interesting, and lesserknown benefits that you’ll be glad to learn:
Adding flossing to your daily routine:
• Removes plaque and food particles that a toothbrush alone can’t reach. Without flossing, you might miss cleaning up to 40% of your tooth surfaces.
• Can help prevent cavities and tooth decay.
• Can lower your risk of stroke and irregular heart rhythms. Ongoing new research with American Heart Association and American Stroke Association has linked flossing with a reduced risk of these.
• Decreases inflammation and occurrence of gum disease.
• Lowers risk of bacteria entering the bloodstream.
• Decreases systemic inflammation, which can damage blood vessels. Bacteria associated with gum disease has been found in fatty deposits that clog arteries and lead to heart attacks.
Did you know?
• Shared risk factors in conditions like heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity are more prevalent in people with periodontal disease, which is infection and inflammation of the tissue that supports the teeth.
• The American Dental Association recommends flossing at least one time per day, but on average only one-third of the population does so.
So why is this dental habit important to God? Well, honoring the body He blessed us with is in His Biblical instructions to us. We are to value and respect our bodies and treat them with care. He made each of us and formed us in the womb, on purpose with a purpose.
So how can something as simple and mundane as flossing be used to glorify the Lord? If we take care of what He has entrusted to us, our mouths in this instance, we have the potential to live longer, smile more, have significantly less chance of developing health problems and acquiring pain from oral infections, etc.
New research and evidence makes flossing an undeniable healthy habit. Flossing, together with other healthy habits, can prevent stroke or heart disease. It is very much worth incorporating this healthy habit into your lifestyle, no matter your age.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 reminds us: "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies."
Your smile has the ability to positively impact many people throughout your lifetime. With the confidence to smile more, because of healthy oral habits and routines, you are sure to see fruit from this labor.
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!”
Then Came Amalek
by Dr. Rob Debelak
Part 1 of 3: Bold Beginnings (Exodus
17:8)
Over four centuries passed (Genesis 15:13-16).
Abraham’s family line endured bitter bondage under a harsh taskmaster. Slavery in Egypt ended, and deliverance meant freedom from these oppressors (Exodus 14:13). On their journey now to meet God at Sinai, a new nemesis emerges.
Encountering the Narrative
Then came Amalek
Out of nowhere, the Amalekites were the first to assault Israel (17:8; Numbers 24:20). The aggressor’s name (“valley dweller”) is mentioned as a prominent grandson of Esau (Genesis 36:12,16). Scripture does not record the reason for their unprovoked attack; however, given the (early) family tension between Esau and Jacob, coupled with descriptions of brutality throughout history, possibilities range from territorialism to pure hate. Suggested by the narrative origins of questionable spirituality (Genesis 25:19-34; 27:41; Deuteronomy 25:19), the Amalekites display a sordid resume of violent behavior (Numbers 14:45; Judges 6:3,33, 7:12; 10:12; 1 Samuel 15:2, 30:1; Psalm 83).
And fought with Israel
Tactically, the Amalekites preyed upon the stragglers, targeting the weak and the vulnerable located at the rear of the ranks (Deuteronomy 25:17-19). In a famous battle, Joshua and the Israelites engage the marauders (Exodus 17:9). Adjacent to the battlefield, Moses ascends an elevation, holding his staff high. While the staff is raised, the Israelites prevail; when Moses’ arms tire, the staff lowers and the enemy gains advantage. Assisted by Aaron and Hur, Moses’ arms are supported, and the Israelites are victorious (Exodus 17:9-13). Worship follows, and giving credit to God,
Moses commemorates the event by naming the altar, “The LORD is my banner” (17:15). The battle was over, but the war had just begun.
At Rephidim
This initial victory over the Amalekites came with a grave warning. Without honor, they attacked Israel while she was at Rephidim (“resting places”); a desert station diminished in resources – a setting where God’s all-sufficiency is uniquely displayed. In flagrant disregard for the Almighty (Deuteronomy 25:19), this enemy dared to touch the apple of God's eye. Commensurate with Genesis (15:13-16) and holding them accountable for their injustice, God emphasized in verbal and written record how the Amalekites were slated for severe judgment (Exodus 17:14-16).
Engaging the Message
Select features from this episode of Israel's journey bear out the details of a people who had experienced deliverance. Their rescue culminated in the shedding of the Passover lamb’s blood. Obediently, the Israelites passed through the waters on the way to a new life of freedom. The gift of a home, the Promised Land would be their inheritance, but an engagement with the Giver precedes the blessing of the gift.
The journey is not always easy, but it is always necessary. Living in a fallen world, oppositional forces are at work to prevent the people of God from worshiping. These adversarial elements have one goal in mind: to destroy God's people. Without warning, the assault is launched, aiming at vulnerabilities, capitalizing on weaknesses, and coming at the least expected moments. Gratefully, God’s chosen are not left to fend for themselves. He is present in the fray. He provides godly leadership and intercessory support to see His flock to victory. Each step along the path is a reason to express thankful devotion. Their journey depicts the walk of faith for people of all generations.
The dogged determination of resilient conviction responds without compromising God’s values. He emphasized that this foe would return. By telling His followers in advance, the Almighty calls His people –then, and now - to a holy, vigilant, unwavering faith.
Dr. Rob Debelak is Professor of Bible at Lee University. He has taught at Lee University for 30+ years and is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force. He and his family reside in Cleveland, Tennessee.
"Aaron and Hur Holding Up Moses' Arms" by Albert Wolff
Who You Know
by Garrett Nudd
We’ve all heard people say, “It’s not what you know; it’s who you know.” I used to find that concept offensive, but that was usually when I was on the outside looking in. Truth is; when it comes to faith, it’s not what you know; it’s who you know. Faith isn’t about knowledge and power, authority and confidence. Faith is about connection, trust, belief, and commitment. Are you connected where it matters? Are you connected to who matters?
In the early days of my career as a photographer, we lived in a small, 1950s bungalow in the old College Park neighborhood of Orlando. We met with clients in our home. We’d sit at the dining room table and talk about their wedding. We couldn’t afford a nice studio, and we didn’t have the wall space for lots of samples of our work, just a handful of modest 11x14s, nicely matted and framed. But that’s when I realized that more important than a beautiful studio with carefully appointed decor was the ability to listen to someone and genuinely do my best to connect and to understand their vision for their wedding. I learned what questions to ask that would help the bride realize I was the best choice to photograph her wedding. And I learned when to stay quiet (90 percent of the time) and when to speak (only 10 percent of the time).
Over the years I’ve been blessed to mentor other photographers. And most often I would spend the majority of their time listening to them tell me about all the great things they were doing. All the while, I would take mental notes of things to add or refine in my own business. And usually, they would leave thanking me for my time and input and being so generous with everything I had shared. And every time, I’d walk away shrugging my shoulders because all I had done was listen and affirm them.
Success in life doesn’t come from talking about how great you are. Success comes from talking about how great others are, encouraging them, cheering them on, and only when appropriate, making it clear how you fit into the picture. I hope I’m making it clear that you can help someone else be even more successful and still achieve MORE THAN yourself. Your MORE THAN is never limited by someone else’s MORE THAN. There is no ceiling!
Each of us has insecurities. We aren’t as smart, aren’t as talented, aren’t as tall, aren’t as good looking, aren’t as confident, aren’t as wealthy, aren’t as connected, aren’t as creative, aren’t as ________ (fill in the blank). There will always be someone who has something you don’t, but similarly, you have something unique that no one else has.
In my career as a photographer, I’ve worked with people of extreme material success and fortune. And more times than not, they were filled with so much love and graciousness and were true examples of MORE THAN. More often than not, they minimize or downplay their own successes and are eager to contribute to the success of others. Remember, when God gives you MORE THAN, He expects you to give MORE THAN so that others can experience MORE THAN too.
Yes, being a successful photographer is less about the photographs and more about enthusiasm and authenticity. But then, so is everything in life.
How is your enthusiasm level these days? Are you building a life that’s authentic to your dreams, desires, or callings? Are you listening more than speaking? If so, you are well on your way to MORE THAN!
This excerpt from Garrett’s book, MORE THAN Discovering How Your Story Reveals God’s Beautiful Truth About You, is adapted to our format and used with permission.
One Revival To Go, Please
by Chaplain Filip Brunner
Yes, yes, I know. I have written an article on revival before.
Consider this: God our Father is even more interested in my spiritual wellbeing, growth, and development than I am. The same can be said of all of us.
The sad truth is that in our natural unregenerated state, we have no desire in ourselves to seek God. “There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God” (Romans 3:11 KJV).
When we think ourselves to be god, our vision becomes warped. We may not say it out loud: “Behold, I am god.” But actions, as they say, speak louder than words. Children want to be independent of their parents and a lot of times this manifests itself as rebellion. The first step to revival is our surrender.
After the Fall, we are told that it was not until the birth of Seth’s son, Enosh, that man began to call on the name of the LORD. (See Genesis 4:26.)
Our willingness to ignore God is nothing new. Adam and Eve could no longer see God. The mornings of walking with Jesus in the cool of the morning were
over. The lines of communication between Creator and His creation have become limited, down from face-toface on a daily basis to “call me when you can.” The disciples of Jesus enjoyed face to face communications with Jesus for three and a half years, but then Jesus died, was resurrected, and ascended back to the Father. Our ability to communicate with God is more open today than it has ever been. The veil in the temple at Jerusalem was torn from top to bottom, making access into the throne of Heaven possible for us. Jesus did that for us. Jesus is the key. Jesus told His disciples, and is telling His disciples today: “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15 KJV).
Circle the word if.
The indictment is that we make a claim to love Jesus but we are not keeping His commandments. It is not that we don’t know the commands of Jesus or that we are not willing to do them. It is our own inability to do the commands of Jesus that keeps us from being what God the Father wants us to be transformed into.
“For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son” (Romans 8:29a KJV).
And: “…be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (Romans 12:2 KJV)
There has to be a willingness on our part to yield our minds to Christ. What did Jesus say in the Garden of Gethsemane before the crucifixion? “…Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done” (Luke 22:42 KJV).
If I am to be the image of Christ, I need to relinquish my will to His will. And that is only the beginning. That is personal revival.
Personal revival is maintained through daily Bible reading, Bible study, and Bible meditation in conjunction with prayer, exaltation, thanksgiving, confession, and intercession while yielding to the Holy Spirit of God as modeled by Jesus in the Lord’s Prayer and the disciple’s prayer. (See Matthew 6:9-13 and Luke 11:2-4.) Other elements such as reading of devotional material or singing praise can be incorporated into our daily devotion as well.
Once personal revival has taken hold and our walk with Jesus is established as the bedrock foundation of our agape love of Jesus, and for Jesus, and for the people
around us, then it might be possible for the spirit of revival to spread to others.
Most of us have a ready network of acquaintances, friends, and confidants. But who is to be entrusted with something as important as revival?
Someone once suggested: “Find the dirtiest, vilest sinner in town and get him converted. Then, the fires of revival will ignite.”
While I am reluctant to dismiss such methodology outright, unless the Holy Spirit draws you to that direction, it is the direction of the Holy Spirit that bears mentioning. Take time in prayer and fasting (I’ll have more on fasting in future articles. I love my food and don’t want to be hypocritical about it.) to see whom the Spirit will place on your heart. I would not look for perfection. That is God’s department and none of us are perfect. God is looking for availability. I will close with this point: Biblical texts are not magical formulas. They are guidelines for us to follow.
Are you ready for revival?
Filip Brunner is married to his wife, Dr. Kim Brunner and together they have six children. He is a writer, author, and artist.
The New Telephone Book: Is Your Name Written?
by Charles Finney
Beloved, let us take a humorous but earnest journey together through a peculiar modern ritual—the arrival of the new telephone book! When that hefty volume is dropped on your doorstep, there is a strange excitement. You pick it up, flip its thin, crinkly pages, and begin the search. What for? Your own name, of course!
For some reason, seeing our name there, printed among thousands of others, fills us with a sense of importance. "Look!" we say to ourselves, "I exist! I am listed! My name is here for all to see!"
But, brethren, does not this mirror a far greater reality? In Revelation 20:12 KJV, we read, “And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.”
The Bible speaks of a celestial directory—the Book of Life. Unlike the telephone book, where a simple address grants us entry, this divine record lists only the redeemed, those washed in the blood of the Lamb (Revelation 7:14).
Now, imagine with me if the heavenly host delivered a fresh copy of the Book of Life to your doorstep. Would you nervously flip through its pages, searching for your name? Would you feel that familiar relief when you spot it there, shining brighter than the finest gold? Or would you tremble, unable to find your name, muttering, "Surely there must be a typo!"
Oh, the folly of our earthly pride! Seeing our name in a mundane directory makes us feel significant, but how fleeting is that glory? A new edition will come next year, and if you’ve moved, your name might vanish from its pages altogether. In contrast, the name written in the Lamb’s Book of Life is eternal. Jesus said in Luke 10:20 KJV, “Rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.”
Yet, dear friends, do not think this heavenly listing is earned by good credit or a clean driving record. Salvation is not a subscription service! It is by grace through faith, as Paul wrote, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest
any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9 KJV). You can’t dial up heaven and ask to be added to the list; instead, you must believe on the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 16:31).
So the next time you receive that humble telephone book and eagerly look to find your name, let it remind you of a greater search. Rejoice if you know your name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life, and let that eternal listing humble you. And if perchance you doubt, remember this: the Savior is ever ready to inscribe your name with His own precious blood.
Now that’s a directory worth being listed in!
Charles Finney—minister of inspirational Good News, retired various positions and industries, management and operational, freelance writer, author of “GrandpaGood News From The Good Feel Cornfield.” Writings are a remembrance of family, farm life and church upbringing to be a blessing to all!
The Way Home
by Dorothy Teague
There’s a TV series that’s currently playing about a family who lives on a farm with a magical, teleporting pond. The granddaughter accidently falls into the pond and discovers that she can go back in time! Throughout the episodes, the granddaughter, along with her mother, discover family history, which explains how their present-day family came to be. But family secrets and past sins are also revealed. Often, it seems as though they will not be able to return to their own time because of being in a time and place where they don’t belong. This reminded me of the parable of The Prodigal Son in Luke 15:11-32.
A man had two sons and the younger one wanted his inheritance early. The father graciously gave it to him
and the son proceeded to go a long distance from home. There he squandered all the money by indulgent and sinful living. Soon, he had nothing and was forced to get a job feeding pigs. There was a famine in the land at the time and the young son was starving, to the point of hungering after the very food he was giving the pigs. Luke 15:17 KJV says: ” …and when he came to himself he said, ‘How many servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!’
How many times do each of us veer off the right path that God has set us on to go our own way in sin? But God patiently waits on us to come to our senses and return home. The prodigal goes on to say that he will go and tell his father that he realizes he has sinned against heaven and against his father. At that moment, his heart is in a place of humbleness and contrition, and he purposes in his heart to make it right with his father. As we move through the story, we find that as the son got close to home and the father saw him, the father ran to him and embraced him. Verse 21 records that he followed through on what he purposed in his heart to do and that was to ask the father for forgiveness. The father not only forgives him, but throws a party in his honor to welcome him back home into the fold.
The father in this parable is our Heavenly Father and the wayward son is all of us! We all stray away from God at times and go into a distant land of sin. But God, who is a God of unconditional love, is always waiting with open arms to welcome us back home!
However, we must come to ourselves, have a repentant heart and ask God to forgive us. Isaiah 53:6 KJV tells us that “ALL we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way…”
We are a lot like sheep. We aren’t too smart and we get lost and meander off the trail!
Yet, the Great Shepherd leads us back into the way we need to go to get back home. John 14:6 KJV reminds us that He is the ONLY way to get home. “I am the way, the truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” He IS our home and He is the ONLY way to get to our final Home in Heaven one day!
a member of the choir and praise team.
Dorothy Teague is a Tennessee native, who resides in McMinn County with her husband, Lewis, on their farm. After completing 31.5 years as a teacher in the Bradley County School System, she is active in her church at Eastanallee Baptist Church where she is
"The Return of the Prodigal Son" by Carl Johann Nepomuk Hemerlein
Cleveland Church Directory
African Methodist Episcopal Price Memorial AME Zion 254 Dooley Street NE, Cleveland, TN 37311
Anglican
Mission Cleveland 1165 Church St SE, Cleveland, TN 37311
Apostolic
First Apostolic Church Of Cleveland 4859 Freewill Rd NW, Cleveland, TN 37312 (229) 343-6880
Assembly of God
The Collectives Church
1976 Westland Dr SW, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 641-0193
Triune Assembly
301 Sunset Drive Cleveland, TN 37312
Baptist
Antioch Baptist Church
2807 Old Alabama Rd. SW McDonald, TN 37353
Avenue Church
1720 Perry St SE, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 472-0489
Beacon Baptist Church 505 Corvin Rd NE, Cleveland, TN 37323 (423) 472-7056
Bellefounte Baptist Church 132 Bellfounte Rd NE, Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 336-2312
Bethel Baptist Tabernacle 3165 Buchanan Rd SE, Cleveland, TN 37323 (423) 479-5820
Berean Baptist Church
2355 Bucks Pocket Rd SE, Old Fort, TN 37362 (423) 478-1697
Big Spring Baptist Church 1415 Hardwick St SE, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 472-1101
Blue Springs Baptist Church 699 Blue Springs Church Rd SW, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 472-0932
Candies Creek Church 294 Old Eureka Rd Charleston, TN 37310 (423) 479-3731
Cedar Springs Baptist Church
723 Cedar Springs Church Rd SE, Cleveland, TN 37323 (423) 479-5506
Center Point Baptist Church 1205 Lower River Rd NW Charleston, TN 37310 (423) 336-2133
Cleveland Cowboy Church 3040 Blythe Rd. Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 476-7936
Cloverleaf Baptist Church 2290 Waterlevel Highway Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 339-3617
Clingan Ridge Baptist Church
2412 Georgetown Road, NW Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 472-3511
Covenant Baptist Church
249 Calhoun Rd SE, Cleveland, TN 37323 (423) 559-2653
Dalton Pike Baptist Church 3055 Benton Pike NE, Cleveland, TN 37323 (423) 472-7606
East Cleveland Baptist Church 1145 Arnold St NE, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 472-8728
Echos of Mercy Baptist Church 535 Durkee Rd SE, Cleveland, TN 37323 (423) 715-9739
Elkmont Baptist Church 4030 Old Freewill Rd NW, Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 479-4600
Emmanuel Baptist Church 1227 Powerline Dr NE, Cleveland, TN 37323
Farmland Community Church 1675 Greendale Dr. SE Cleveland, TN 37323 (423) 473-9891
First Baptist Church 1275 Stuart Road Cleveland, Tennessee 37312 (423) 709-9100
Galilee Baptist Church 665 Old Chattanooga Pike SW, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 241-2740
Henegar Baptist Church 7423 Mouse Creek Rd. Cleveland, TN 37312
Hopewell Baptist Church
188 Old Georgetown Rd NW, Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 479-3763
Lebanon Baptist Church 1411 Old Parksville Rd NE, Cleveland, TN 37323 (423) 479-6700
Macedonia Baptist Church 3119 Spring Place Rd SE, Cleveland, TN 37323 (423) 479-1713
Maple Street Baptist Church 1700 Maple St NE, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 478-3622
Maranatha Baptist Church 453 Blue Springs Ln SE, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 614-8991
Michigan Avenue Baptist Church 2741 Benton Pike NE, Cleveland, TN 37323 (423) 472-8891
Mt Carmel Baptist Church 7619 Blue Springs Rd, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 479-1620
New Friendship Baptist Church 1344 Chatata Valley Rd NE, Cleveland, TN 37323 (423) 476-6007
New Salem Baptist Church 175 Ladd Springs Rd, Cleveland, TN 37323
North Cleveland Baptist Church
2815 Ocoee St N, Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 476-8524
Oak Grove Baptist Church 4452 Bates Pike SE, Cleveland, TN 37323 (423) 479-9125
Old Pathway Baptist Church 224 Rymer Rd NE, Cleveland, TN 37323
Parkway Baptist Church 185 Meadow Ln SE, Cleveland, TN 37323 (423) 339-5522
Philadelphia Baptist Church 910 30th St SE, Cleveland, TN 37323
Philippi Baptist Church 2325 Old Harrison Pike NW, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 479-5385
Pleasant Grove Baptist Church 799 Inman Street East Cleveland, Tennessee 37311 (423) 476-4081
Public Church 850 17th St. NW Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 458-4405
Ridgeview Baptist Church 1501 S Ocoee St, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 472-5119
Samples Memorial Baptist Church
371 Samples Chapel Rd SE, Cleveland, TN 37323 (423) 476-2329
Shenandoah Baptist Church 138 Osment Rd SE, Cleveland, TN 37323 (423) 339-0103
Shiloh Baptist Church 357 Highway 64 Ocoee, TN 37361 (423) 338-4292
Shiloh Baptist Church 3406 Blair Rd NW, Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 479-5755
Stuart Park Baptist Church 850 17th St NW, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 472-6741
Tasso Baptist Church 164 Old Charleston Rd NE, Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 559-2114
Temple Baptist Church 3070 Harrison Pike, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 476-6813
Thompson Spring Baptist Church 5660 Bates Pike SE, Cleveland, TN 37323 (423) 790-1823
Union Baptist Church 797 Hughes Lake Rd SE, Cleveland, TN 37323 (423) 559-1720
Valley View Baptist Church 4657 Spring Place Rd SE, Cleveland, TN 37323 (423) 472-7707
Waterville Baptist Church 4555 Dalton Pike SE, Cleveland, TN 37323 (423) 472-5582
West Cleveland Baptist Church
1959 Westland Dr SW, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 472-8927
Westwood Baptist Church 4001 Georgetown Rd NW, Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 472-1534
White Oak Baptist Church 2043 White Oak Valley Rd NW, Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 559-2359
Catholic
St Therese Catholic Church 900 Clingan Ridge Dr NW, Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 476-8123
Charismatic
Cleveland Christian Fellowship 695 S Ocoee St, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 476-2642
Church of Christ
North Bradley Church of Christ 1510 Stuart Road NE, Suite 207 Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 473-3298
Church of God
Community Chapel Church of God 807 Blythe Ave SE Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 479-2143
Church of God Sanctified, Inc. 746 First Street N.E. Cleveland, TN. 37311 (423) 479-3895
East Cleveland Church of God 900 15th St NE Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 479-3389
Fellowship of Praise Church of God 931 Inman Street East Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 479-3121
Grace Community Church of God 4745 Mouse Creek Road NW, Cleveland, TN 37312. (423) 614-0708
Heritage Fellowship Church of God 4635 South Lee Hwy McDonald, TN 37353 (423) 476-6316
Iglesia de Dios Comunidad de Esperanza/COG Community of Hope 2779 APD 40, Cleveland, TN 37323 (423) 464-5691
International Worship Center Centro Internacional de Adoración 533 Central Ave. NE, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 476-1977
Kinser Church of God 141 Kinser Road Cleveland, TN 37323 (423) 476-7400
Lakeview Community Church 105 Pound Street SE Cleveland, TN 37323 (423)-790-5805
North Cleveland Church of God 335 11th St NE, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 476-5513
Michigan Avenue Church of God 515 Minnis Road NE (423) 284-7573
Mt Olive Church of God
3522 Harrison Pike, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 479-3381
Mt View Church of God 210 Roadway Dr SE, Cleveland, TN 37323 (706) 455-3528
Pine Hill Church of God 1484 Old Alabama Rd McDonald, TN 37353 (423) 488-0939
Prospect Church of God 2220 Harrison Pike, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 479-3020
South Cleveland Church of God 1846 Volunteer Dr SW, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 476-6382
Westmore Church of God 2440 Legacy Pkwy NW Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 479-3415
Church of God of Prophecy
Cleveland Spanish COGOP 2610 Grove Ave. Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 473-7199
Durkee Road COGOP 201 Durkee Rd. Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 472-4384
Keith Street Ministries COGOP 4000 Keith ST. NW Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 476-2448
Peerless Road COGOP 3301 Peerless Rd. NW Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 303-2680
Spring Place COGOP 2530 Spring Place Rd. Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 476-6414
Wildwood COGOP 140 Wildwood Ave Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 479-6584
The Church of God Jerusalem Acres 1826 Dalton Pike SE Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 472-1597
in
1025 Beech Circle NW Cleveland TN 37312 (423) 314-2382
Disciples of Christ
First Christian Church 3625 N. Ocoee Street
Big Springs Methodist Church 1196 Hardwick St SE, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 476-5242
Black Fox United Methodist 1820 Old Chattanooga Pike SW, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 339-1908
Broad Street United Methodist 155 Central Ave NW, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 476-5586
First United Methodist Church 3425 Ocoee St N, Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 476-4504
Mt. Zion Methodist Church 7223 Georgetown Rd Cleveland, TN 37312
Pleasant Grove Community Church 3043 Pleasant Grove Church Rd SW Cleveland, TN 37311
Red Hill United Methodist Church 527 Red Hill Valley Road SE Cleveland, TN 37323 (423) 728-5413
Tasso United Methodist 1106 Tasso Ln NE, Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 479-4457
Trinity United Methodist Church 731 1st St SE, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 614-7900
Valley Head Methodist Church 920 Mouse Creek Rd NW, Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 472-0575
Wesley Memorial Methodist 3405 Peerless Rd NW, Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 472-9578
Pentecostal
Faith Memorial Church 910 17th St NW, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 476-6281
First United Pentecostal Church 4095 Peerless Rd NW, Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 476-9436
Revolution Life Church 1525 Jones Ave SW, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 310-7287
Full Gospel House of Prayer 1500 Wildwood Ave. Cleveland, TN
Cleveland First Church Of The Nazarene 2712 Henderson Ave. Cleveland, TN 37312 423-472-7371
New Hope Church of the Nazarene 4514 Waterlevel Highway Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 473-3379
Benton Pike House Of Prayer
2615 Peach Orchard Hill Rd, Cleveland, TN 37323
Christian Fellowship Ctr 895 6th St NE, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 479-9591
2595 Old Freewill Rd NW, Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 728-5050
Cleveland Community Chapel 1823 Forest Ridge Dr. Cleveland, TN 37311
Cleveland Cornerstone Church 533 Broad St NW, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 479-1775
Community Hall Church 1305 6th Street Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 472-2178
Crossroads Community Church 1000 South Lee Highway Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 716-2871
Dwelling Place Church International 523 Urbane Road NE Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 790-5200
Eagle’s Chapel Church 133 Beaty Dr NW Cleveland, TN 37312
Eleven22 Church 1701 South Lee Hwy Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 488-4526
Evening Light Gospel 200 20th St SE Cleveland, TN 37311
Freedom Fellowship Church 3555 Blue Springs Rd, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 478-0654
God’s Family Fellowship 2823 South Lee Hwy Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 458-4490
Graceway Chapel 221 14th St NW, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 728-2226
Jacob’s Tent Fellowship 1080 Montgomery Ave NE, Cleveland, TN 37311
The Journey Church 3191 South Lee Hwy, McDonald, TN 37353 (423) 728-4100
Living By Faith Ministries 1175 King Edward Avenue Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 457-9072
Living Stones Church 4165 Peerless Rd NW Cleveland, TN 37312
Living Word Church 930 25th Street NW Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 339-3028
Mount Zion Prayer Center 650 25th Street NW Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 478-5044
New Life Bible Church 155 S Ocoee St, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 472-3882
Redemption To The Nations 2750 Keith Street NW, Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 591-7886
Restoration Fellowship 211 Trewhitt Dr SE, Cleveland, TN 37323 (423) 479-4249
(423) 478-2843
Tasso Christian Church 1135 Tasso Lane, Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 479-2705
The TRIBE 1175 King Edward Avenue SE Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 380-8802
Tri-State Cowboy Church 200 Natures Trail SW, McDonald, TN 37353 (Building 3) (423) 303-8954
United Christian Church 2200 Peerless Rd NW, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 479-4277
Unity Christian Ministries 2419 Georgetown Rd NW Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 473-9338
Walker Valley Community 787 Lauderdale Memorial Hwy Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 336-9696
Wings Of Love House Of Prayer 855 5th Street SE, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 716-5394
Presbyterian
Charleston Cumberland Presbyterian Church 8267 N Lee Hwy, Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 336-5004
First Cumberland Presbyterian 161 2nd St NE, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 476-6751
First Presbyterian Church 433 N Ocoee St, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 476-5584
Flint Springs Cumberland Presbyterian Church 515 Flint Springs Rd Cleveland TN. 37323 (423) 284-6397
Prospect United Cumberland Presbyterian Church 310 New Murraytown Rd. NW, Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 476-6181
St James Cumberland Presbyterian 151 Short St NE, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 472-5762
Trinity Presbyterian PCA 1780 Stuart Rd. NE, Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 559-9595
Seventh Day Adventist
Bowman Hills Adventist 300 Westview Dr NE Cleveland, TN 37312
Cleveland Fellowship Church 3687 Blue Springs Rd, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 671-7497
East Cleveland Seventh-Day 801 Howard Circle SE Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 476-9299
Ladd Springs Seventh-Day 5860 Bates Pike SE Cleveland, TN 37323 (423) 476-1889
4200 Pryor Rd N.E. Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 503-6394
Church Alive Ministries 6315 Mouse Creek Road NW, Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 476-8133
Church At Grace Point
Rock Bridge Community Church 3635 Georgetown Rd, Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 641-1485
The Sanctuary 1203 Smith Dr. Cleveland, TN 37311
Zion Assembly
Zion Assembly Church of God 5512 Waterlevel Hwy, Cleveland, TN 37323 (423) 476-3337
