December 2015

Gò0dNews December 2015

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Christian Magazine

Cleveland

• It’s Not What You Think p. 6 • The Reason for the Season p. 22 • The Gift of a Smile p. 50

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About Us

Writers

Pastor Samuel Burger Andrew Lee Andrew Shaffer Angie Parris Brian Conn Cameron Touchstone Chari Buckner Danielle Jennings Darren Schalk David Gray Delaney Walker Don Smith Esmerelda Lee Julius McCarter Lindsey Cooke Mead Vest Melissa Noble Snyder Nicole Wiley Rhiannon Skeen Tyler Shores William Lamb Zona Hayes-Morrow

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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 three beautiful children, Brendon, Kailey, and Andrew. We live in Cleveland 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!

Letter from the Editor

I

n every depiction of the Christmas story, we see Mary and Joseph, King, shepherds, and angels. Later three wise men, or the Magi, bring gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. But there were also three wise women— Elizabeth, Mary (the mother of Jesus), and Anna—who played significant roles in the unfolding drama of Christmas.

Elizabeth and her husband, Zacharias, had prayed for a child for many years. When they were first married, they anxiously awaited the patter of little feet in their home, but Elizabeth came to the dreaded realization—she was barren.

Then one day Zacharias came home with great news! An angel had visited him and promised them a son, but he could not speak. He was so excited; Elizabeth could hardly read his writing. A son! She couldn’t believe she was really pregnant?

One day the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary, the cousin of Elizabeth, with the strangest news. “‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. . . . For nothing is impossible with God’” (Luke 1:35, 37 NIV). Mary didn’t understand at first, but she knew everything would be all right. God wasn’t just working in her life; He was working in Elizabeth’s too.

The third wise woman in the Christmas story is Anna who spent most of her time in prayer at the Temple. After only seven short years of marriage, Anna became a widow, and now at 84 years old, she reflected on all these years she had fasted and prayed. God had sustained her and used her to minister to those who came to the Temple to worship.

As Anna was standing in the courtyard praying, she watched the couples coming from everywhere, bringing their 40-day-old babies to be dedicated. When she saw Simeon talking with a different couple, she knew this was the Promised Child! He had not been slaughtered by Herod’s soldiers. The Messiah was here! Immediately, she wanted to tell everyone about this Child who had come to redeem her people and all who would call on His name.

These three women gave us more than gold, frankincense, and myrrh—they gave us gifts of wisdom. Elizabeth was wise because she was faithful to God in spite of her embarrassment and disappointments. Mary was wise because she surrendered her future to God regardless of the difficulties and complications it would cause, and Anna was wise because she was hopeful through all the discomforts and loneliness in her life.

This Christmas, may we follow the examples of these three wise women and understand that Jesus deals in impossibilities. He gives hope to all who seek His wisdom!

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.

Contents 12

GoodNews from the Pastor’s Desk

6 It’s Not What You Think

by Pastor Samuel Burger

GoodNews for Kids

8

What Is Advent?

by Danielle Jennings

GoodNews on Money Matters

28

GoodNews for Everyone

GoodNews for Men

12 4 Parenting Lessons I Learned from My Dad

by Darren Schalk

GoodNews for Women

14 The Most Treasured Gift is FREE

by Melissa Noble Snyder GoodNews for Parents

20 I Knew You’d Come

by David Gray

GoodNews for Life

by Lindsey Cooke

GoodNews for Teens

26 Real Gifts

by Andrew Shaffer

GoodNews Cover Story

GoodNews for Everyone

30 Divine Friendship

by Tyler Shores

GoodNews for Couples

32 Relationships That Last

by Don Smith

GoodNews for Seniors

34 A Season for Giving

by Esmerelda Lee

GoodNews for Everyone

36 Sharing Our Stories

by Rhiannon Skeen

GoodNews for Everyone

22 The Reason for the Season 38 Into My Heart, Lord Jesus

by Delaney Walker

GoodNews for Everyone

24 Stay on Your Fitness Path 40 How to Make a Better BLT

Friend Pet 10 You Can’t Take It with You 28 Faithful

by Chari Buckner

by Andrew Lee

46

by Julius McCarter

by Brian Conn

GoodNews for your Taste Buds

42 Granny Morris and Snow Cream

by Angie Parris

GoodNews for Everyone

44 No More Excuses

by Zona Hayes-Morrow

GoodNews for Everyone

46 Someone Is Watching

by Mead Vest

GoodNews for Everyone

50 The Gift of a Smile

by Nicole Wiley

GoodNews for Everyone

52 The Need to See Jesus!

by William Lamb

GoodNews for Everyone

54 A Testimony of God’s Healing Power

by Cameron Touchstone

Gò0dNews from the Pastor’s Desk

It’s Not What You Think There has to be an exchange because you cannot change your nature.

by Samuel Burger

T

he heart of Christianity is not about change; it’s about

trying to save yourself. You’ll try to be your own god. If you

an exchange. Christianity is not about improving

think God is grading you on your behavior, then you’ll just

yourself; it’s about dying to yourself. Christianity is not

behave badly or be an annoying legalist because you are not

about morality or immorality; it’s about a new life in Christ.

Christianity is not a rule-keeping system or a grade scale; it’s about freedom.

Do you know why it’s hard to live out God’s commands?

viewing the Gospel correctly.

You cannot change your behavior permanently. For example, a coconut tree will not produce peaches because it is not designed to bear anything else. Likewise, when Jesus

It’s because we think in terms of “change” and not

took our sins upon Himself and gave us His righteousness, we

“exchange.” You have to understand you are a sinner not

became a new creation. A new creation will only produce what

because you sin but because you are a sinner by birth. You

it was designed to produce. A new creation will not produce

were a sinner before you committed sins. You cannot defeat

bad behavior or good behavior with an impure motive. No one

sin or its power. No matter how hard you try to live right,

goes to a coconut tree looking for peaches to eat. Since you are

you will fail. Why? It’s because you are trying to keep God’s

a new creation, you can expect your desires to change because

commands through will-power or the flesh. Since you’re a

your nature has changed.

sinner by nature, you cannot improve or get better. If you are

Now try to transplant the coconut tree here in Cleveland,

morally apt, you’ll still be a sinner by nature because you’ll be

Tennessee. Gradually, it will wither because the habitat is not conducive for its survival. Likewise, if you don’t constantly renew your mind to the fact that God in Christ made you a new creation, you will start to wither away with selfdestructive behavior. Your mind must be habitable so this truth can take root in the practical areas of your life.

This is why it’s difficult for some people to live the Christian life. They are trying to live out God’s commands in context of trying to “change” instead of believing in the “exchange” (see 2 Cor. 5:21; Gal. 2:20).

It takes a while for any tree to grow, too. So we have to be patient for it to produce fruit. Many times we will expect someone who just placed their faith in Christ to have it all together. What a mistake! So next time someone asks you, “Where is your fruit?” You ask them, “Where is your patience?” By the way, patience is a fruit of the Spirit.

Friends, you have been trying too much. How about trusting? Quit trying to be a better old you and start trusting that God has given His life living in you and through you to the glory of God! Only then you can make the doctrine of God more attractive through your actions as you are transformed from the reality of the “exchange” (see Titus 2:10).

6 // December 2015

Samuel Burger is pastor at Chestuee Worship Center, 1414 Athens Rd, Calhoun, TN 37309.

Gò0dNews for Kids

What Is Advent?

Take time to share the true meaning of Christmas with your children.

by Danielle Jennings

A

dvent is when we prepare our hearts to receive God’s gift of Jesus. It is the time of year that we turn our focus to the true meaning of Christmas. Each week we

celebrate what God sending Jesus allows us to receive—hope, love, joy, and peace. We remind ourselves each year of these gifts by lighting a candle each week on an advent wreath. On Christmas, the center candle, called the Christ Candle, is lit to

• Cut each piece of paper in half, and then in half again to make four equal pieces.

• Help your child date each piece of paper and hang up the blank pieces onto the string with clothes pins.

• Each day after you read, encourage your kids to write or draw their interpretation on the scripture for that day.

This year, Advent begins on November 29.

represent Christ’s birth and to conclude the waiting period of Advent with the gift of Jesus.

Advent is a great time to share the true meaning of Christ-

11/29: Jeremiah 33:14-16—“ΑTime of Waiting” 11/30: Psalm 25:4-5—“A Time of Truth”

mas with your children. Below is an activity to engage the

12/1: John 3:1-21—“A Time of Sharing”

family during this Advent season.

12/2: Luke 1:68-79—“A Time of Memories”

Interactive Advent Activity for Kids.

What you’ll need:

12/3: Luke 1:39-55—“A Time for Greetings” 12/4: Matthew 25:31-40—“A Time for Charity” 12/5: Romans 15:1-7—“A Time for Visiting” 12/6: John 14:1-6—“A Time of Hope”

• 6 pieces of paper

12/7:Isaiah 55:6-11—“A Time of Faith”

• Scissors

12/8: Galatians 3:23-4:7—“A Time of Promise”

• String

12/9: John 11-14— “A Time for Candles”

• Clothes pins • Crayons or markers

Instructions

• Before this activity, hang a piece or string on a wall in your house.

12/10: Psalm 150—“A Time for Music” 12/11: John 15:1-11—“A Time for Being in Touch” 12/12: Luke 10:38-42—“A Time of Rushing” 12/13: Colossians 3:12-17—“A Time of Singing” 12/14: Luke 1:5-80—“A Time for Family” 12/15: Psalm 118:19-29—“A Time for Decorations” 12/16: Read John 6:32-40—“A Time for Baking” 12/17: Thessalonians 3:11-13—“A Time for Love” 12/18: 2 Corinthians 1:3-7—“A Time of Solitude” 12/19: Isaiah 25:6-9—“A Time for Remembering” 12/20: Matthew 11:25-30—“A Time of Peace” 12/21: Hebrews 4:9-16—“A Time for Holiday” 12/22: 2 Corinthians 9:6-15—“A Time to Give Thanks” 12/23: Ephesians 3:14-21—“A Time of Blessing” 12/24: Ephesians 2:4-10—“A Time for Gifts” 12/25: Luke 2:1-20—“God with Us”

8 // December 2015

Danielle Jennings is the director of children’s ministry at Ooltewah United Methodist. She is a graduate of Lee University and is currently working on her master’s degree. Her passion is working with children and helping them succeed.

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Gò0dNews on Money Matters

You Can’t Take It with You

O

Use sound judgment rooted in the Word of God when making money decisions.

by Andrew Lee

ne of the many benefits of regularly reading the

with us. Some people read this and decide the best route

Holy Bible is that God has something to say to us

is to live their lives on a perpetual, giddy spending spree,

for any situation, and on practically any subject

buying and indulging in every impulse or whim. “After

we can think of. On the subject of desiring and acquiring wealth, the Bible reminds us in 1 Timothy 6:7, “For we

all,” they say, “you can’t take it with you!”

I don’t think this is the proper response to our

brought nothing into this world, and we can take nothing

mortality, any more than I believe a life of sloth and apathy

out of it” (NIV). Furthermore, we are warned that “People

is the answer to avoid the temptation to build wealth.

who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and

Surely it’s possible to be a financially successful (even

into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men

wealthy) Christian without becoming either a selfish and

into ruin destruction. For the love of money is the root of

materialistic hyper-consumer, nor to become a miser who

all evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered

hoards every nickel.

from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs” (vv. 9-10 NIV).

By quoting these scriptures, I certainly do not intend

I’ve often told my children, with only a slight hint of irony, that money is only good for making someone else happy. That someone else may be the car salesman at the

to demonize wealth-building, investing, or saving for the

Mercedes dealership, the sales clerk at a fancy department

future; anyone who has read my articles here knows that’s

store; or it may be the hungry children in a Third-World

not the case. I’m a capitalist through and through, but I

country, or the single mom needing new shoes and school

believe the above scriptures speak to our motives and to

supplies for her children. All of these scenarios require

the spiritual state of our hearts as we pursue wealth and

money, and none of them is inherently wrong. The main

monetary gain in this life. As noted above, we can’t take it

difference in those scenarios is where our focus lies—on ourselves, or on others. Again, there’s a middle ground.

I recently spent, what was to my mind, an obscene amount of money taking my sons to watch a professional football game at the stadium. Was this a selfish choice?

Obviously, I don’t think so, but my opinion is rooted in a larger context. I rejoice in knowing that my family regularly tithes and contributes to various other charitable causes with our money—which is, after all, really God’s money. Knowing that, I didn’t feel it was wrong for us to enjoy the football game (though if you’ve seen the way the Tennessee Titans are playing . . . yikes). But if all of our God-given resources were spent solely on self-indulgence, I’m sure the situation would be different. Let’s use sound judgment and principles rooted in the Word of God when making money decisions, and then we can avoid the dilemmas that Paul explained in his letters to Timothy.

10 // December 2015

Dr. Andrew Lee is professor of English at Lee University. He also serves as a coordinator for Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University. He and his wife Esmerelda have three children.

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Gò0dNews for Men 4 Parenting Lessons I Learned from My Dad Even busy dads can manage their time wisely and make their children a top priority.

A

by Darren Schalk

s I was putting my son to bed one evening, he looked

1. If it was important to me, it was important to him. I was

up at me and asked, “When can we spend more time

involved in a lot of sports, and Dad attended everything he

together . . . just you and me?” Although I quickly

possibly could. He missed one every now and then, but he’d find

realized that he was trying to manipulate me into letting him get

out all the details of what happened. He even coached many of the

out of bed so we could go play video games together, the question

teams I played on over the years.

still rang loudly in my ears.

My wife and I have three kids. Our son is ten and our

2. He invested time in helping me be better. I remember Dad often dragging my brothers and me out of bed on Saturday mornings

identical twin girls are eight. I work full time in a ministry position

and haul us over to the ball field to hit a few grounders. I would

that requires some travel that can be time consuming. In fact, I’m

moan and groan about it, but looking back, it meant a lot for him to

working on this article from a foreign room where I’ll be spending

take the time to do that. It was only a few hours on a Saturday for

the next four days. I’m fumbling my way through the turbulent

him, but I still carry the memory.

“waters” of family, job, and travel as best as I can. So how do I make sure my wife and kids get the time they need and deserve?

My dad was a pastor, so he was always on call. He was a good

3. At key moments, he showed me I was number one. We attended church every single time we had the chance (but we didn’t have much choice considering Dad was the pastor). But I can recall a

shepherd of his congregation. And although I recall him being

few times when Dad let me skip church for a game or even a night

gone quite often from our home, I never felt left out or abandoned.

out with friends. This may not sound like much now, but back then

So I’ve considered how he managed to balance his time and still

there was a different mindset when it came to church attendance.

make my three brothers and me a top priority. My ponderings

This simple act let me know that the church (i.e. Dad’s employer)

have helped me realize a few lessons that I’m implementing into

was not more important than me.

my own life.

4. When he did wrong, he apologized (once). There’s no doubt Dad made some mistakes, but the one that stands out the most isn’t because of the mistake, but because of the apology. We were an avid hunting family, and one year I received a permit to turkey hunt and Dad did not. He took me hunting and I got a turkey, but in his eagerness and desire to hunt, he also got a turkey. Thus, we ended up with two turkeys and only one was legal.

Later that afternoon, he apologized for his actions, informing me that, in his excitement, he had acted improperly. I would never have thought twice of the incident, but that apology taught me a huge lesson. When we make mistakes (and we all will) be sure to right the wrongs. It also made me feel pretty important—Dad apologized to me.

These are just a few things I’m trying to do with my kids. I fail regularly, but hopefully I can let them know that they are truly important to me, and I value every second I have with them. What are you doing to make sure your kids understand the same?

12 // December 2015

Darren Schalk is the curriculum editor for the Church of God of Prophecy and author of the book, Dear God We Need To Talk, from Charisma House. He has been featured on radio and television programs across the nation discussing topics of faith and discipleship. Learn more at DarrensChalk.com.

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Gò0dNews for Women

The Most Treasured Gift Is FREE

L

Gift-giving requires two responses; there must be a giver and receiver.

by Melissa Noble Snyder

et’s be honest. Women of all ages have an innate

Then I focused on the promise and accepted the gift of

desire to receive gifts. Receiving a present can bring

peace He said was mine in John 14:27. “Peace I leave with

out the girlish giggle in a woman no matter her age.

you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world

Since this is a fact, why is the most valuable gift so hard for

gives. Do not let your heart be troubled and do not be

us to accept—especially since it is a priceless treasure from

afraid” (NIV).

the One who loves us most and calls us His beloved? I am

Accepting the Gift Was Life Saving! This verse stirred

referring to the gift of peace from Jesus. It is real and it can

something in me I had never experienced before—hope

be yours.

and faith. I finally got it! Peace wasn’t out of my reach.

I love the Word of God and have always been able

It wasn’t an elusive; it was simple. All I had to do was

to tell others what the Word says about peace;. But many

receive. When I began speaking (out loud) John 14:27, I felt

times in my life I have longed for peace, not realizing

a warmth that delivered healing peace for my weary mind

all I needed to do was accept it. I felt as if peace was an

and aching body, healing all the cracks and holes fear had

elusive mystery just out of

formed in me.

my reach. Until a couple

The same day I re-

of years ago, I struggled

placed fear with peace, a

with personally knowing

friend said the Lord spoke

perfect peace that exceeds

to her, telling her to give

all understanding. During

me something. From her

an extremely difficult time

pocket she pulled out a sil-

in my life, I became desper-

ver charm that had a beau-

ate to know the peace I had

tiful cross on one side and

witnessed in others.

the word Peace engraved

During an agonizing

on the back. My friend

heartache, I came to a point

and I marveled at how our

of surrender and stopped

heavenly Father reassured

trying to manipulate the

me that His peace is a real

situation long enough to

gift. That day I promised

actually hear the loving

the Lord I would share

words of Jesus. He remind-

this story. He didn’t have

ed me that His peace is a gift, but it couldn’t be mine until

to give me a tangible gift, but I’m so glad He did. He is so

I received it. Can you picture Jesus offering you the gift of

good. He is so real!

peace? I decided to take a step of faith. I got alone with God

Now I understand what makes a gift a gift: there

and told Him I wanted the gift of peace He said is mine. In

must be a giver and a receiver. I encourage you to accept

my vision, I exchanged the heaviness of fear for His gift of

the treasured gift of peace from Jesus. When the fires and

peace. I literally clung to the promise of Isaiah 43:1-3 that

storms of life come, His peace will see us through to the

says, “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called

other side and we will not even smell like smoke.

you by name; you are Mine! When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, nor will the flame burn you” (NIV).

14 // December 2015

In her years of ministry, Melissa Noble Snyder has served in leadership roles in various areas which include counseling, teaching, social services, personal growth education, and Christian Life Coaching. As a writer/editor, she has written award-winning articles and has been recognized for her inspirational, faith-based advice column. Her greatest passion is her calling, which is to inspire women to live Christ-centered lives. She can be contacted at godgirlmelissa@gmail.com

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Cleveland Church Directory

Assembly of God Grace Assembly 1976 Westland Dr SW, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 472-7729 Triune Assembly 301 Sunset Drive Cleveland, TN 37312

Baptist

Beacon Baptist Church 505 Corvin Rd NE, Cleveland, TN 37323 (423) 472-7056 Big Spring Baptist Church 1415 Hardwick St SE, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 472-1101 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 Blue Springs Baptist Church 699 Blue Springs Church Rd SW, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 472-0932F Candies Creek Church 294 Old Eureka Rd Charleston, TN 37310 423-479-3731 candiescreekchurch.com Cedar Springs Baptist Church 723 Cedar Springs Church Rd SE, Cleveland, TN 37323 (423) 479-5506 Center Point Baptist Church 167 Monza Ln NW, Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 336-2133 Cleveland Cowboy Church 3040 Blythe Rd. Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 476-7936 or clevelandcowboychurch.com 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 or www.clinganridgebaptist.com Church At Grace Point 2595 Old Freewill Rd NW, Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 728-5050 or grace-point.com 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 Elkmont Baptist Church 4030 Old Freewill Rd NW, Cleveland, TN 37312

16 // December 2015

(423) 479-4600 Emmanuel Baptist Church 1227 Powerline Dr NE, Cleveland, TN 37323 East Cleveland Baptist Church 1145 Arnold St NE, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 472-8728 Farmland Community Church Location: YMCA 10:00am Fairview Baptist Church 5545 Runway Dr NW, Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 790-5353 First Baptist Church 1275 Stuart Road Cleveland, Tennessee 37312 (423)709-9100 or clevelandfbc.com Galilee Baptist Church 665 Old Chattanooga Pike SW, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 496-2019 Henegar Baptist Church 7423 Mouse Creek Rd. Cleveland Tn 37312 Hopewell Baptist Church 188 Old Georgetown Rd NW, Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 479-3763 The Journey Church 1668 S Lee Hwy, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 728-4100 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 North Cleveland Baptist Church 2815 Ocoee St N, Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 476-8524 or northclevelandbaptist.org 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 or www.parkwaybaptist.info 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 Missionary Baptist Church 799 Inman Street East Cleveland, Tennessee 37311 (423) 476-4081 Ridgeview Baptist Church 1501 S Ocoee St, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 472-5119 Rolling Brook Baptist Church 1675 Greendale Dr NE Cleveland, TN 37323 (423) 472-0612 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 or www.sbcministries.com 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 or vvbaptist.org Washington Avenue Baptist Church 1720 Perry St SE, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 472-0489 Waterville Baptist Church 4555 Dalton Pike SE, Cleveland, TN 37323 (423) 472-5582 or watervillebaptistchurch.org

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 or www.westwoodlife.org 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 Pastor Mark Strickland 695 S Ocoee St, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 476-2642 or ccfchurch.us

Church of God

Agape Place Church of God Pastor John and Melanie Arias 2611 Blue Springs Road SE Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 476-8691 Cornerstone Church of God Pastor Rick and Lori Sentell 2823 Lee Hwy, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 478-0006 Church of God Sanctified, Inc. 746 First Street N.E. Cleveland, TN. 37311 (423)479-3895 East Cleveland Church of God Pastor John A. Lombard Jr. 900 15th St NE Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 479-3389 Fellowship of Praise Church of God Pastor Selma Hall 931 Inman Street East Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 479-3121 or fellowshipofpraisecog.org Grace Community Church of God Pastor Kevin Mendel 4745 Mouse Creek Road NW, Cleveland, TN 37312.

(423) 614-0708 or www.gracecleveland.org Heritage Fellowship Church of God Pastor Steve Gilbert 4635 S Lee Hwy McDonald, TN 37353 (423) 476-6316 International Worship Center Centro Internacional de Adoraci贸n 533 Central Ave. NE, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 476-1977 or www.iwcchurch.com Lakeview Church of God Pastor Dustin Wilds 105 Pound Street S.E.

Cleveland, TN 37323 (423)-790-5805 or lakeviewcog.org North Cleveland Church of God Pastor Mitch Maloney 335 11th St NE, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 476-5513 or nccog.org Michigan Avenue Church of God Rev. David B. Boles 515 Minnis Road N.E (423) 584-3663 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 (423) 472-6925 South Cleveland Church of God Pastor Chris Moody 1846 Volunteer Dr SW, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 476-6382 or southcleveland.org Westmore Church of God Pastor Kelvin Page 2412 Wolfe Dr NW, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 559-9646 or www.westmorecog.org Zion Assembly Church of God Pastor Kim Erwin 5512 Waterlevel Hwy, Cleveland, TN 37323 (423) 476-3337 or zionassemblychurchofgod.com

Church of God of Prophecy Cleveland Spanish COGOP 2610 Grove Ave. Cleveland, TN 37312 (423)473-7199 Durkee Road COGOP 201Durkee Rd. Cleveland, TN37312 (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, TN37311 (423)476-6414 Wildwood COGOP 140 Wildwood Ave Cleveland, TN 37311 (423)479-6584

Disciples of Christ

First Christian Church 3925 N. Ocoee Street Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 472-6682

Episcopal

Saint Luke’s Episcopal Church 320 Broad St NW, Cleveland, TN 37311

Lutheran

First Lutheran Church 195 McIntire Ave NE, Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 472-6811

Latter-day Saints

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 4200 Pryor Rd N.E. Cleveland, TN 37312 423-503-6394

Methodist

Big Spring United Methodist 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 S. Cleveland United Methodist 1165 Church St SE, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 507-5760 Tasso United Methodist 1106 Tasso Ln NE, Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 479-4457 Riverstone Church 85 Central Ave NE, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 790-5956 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 Full Gospel House of Prayer Pastor Michael Ferree 1500 Wildwood Ave. Cleveland, TN Set Free Christian Fellowship 1175 King Edwards Ave. Cleveland, TN

Nazarene Cleveland First Church Of The Nazarene

Pastor BJ Miller 2712 Henderson Ave. Cleveland, TN 37312-5225 423-472-7371 New Hope Church of the Nazarene Pastor Scot Carraway 2018 Washington Ave Cleveland, TN 37364 (423)479-7343

Non-Denominational Christian Fellowship Ctr 895 6th St NE, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 479-9591 Church Alive Ministries Cleveland, TN 37353 (423) 559-1371 Cleveland Community Chapel Pastor Tazz Reid 1823 Forest Ridge Dr. Cleveland, Tn. 37311 Cleveland Cornerstone Church 533 Broad St NW, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 479-1775 Cornerstone Family Church 4997 N. Lee Highway Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 380-9160 cfctn.net Community Hall Church 1305 6th Street Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 472 2178 Dwelling Place Church Pastors Jamie and Judy Jacobs Tuttle 523 Urbane Rd. NE Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 790-5200 DPCI.TV Evening Light Gospel Dr. Donald E. Smith, Jr. 200 20th St SE Cleveland, TN 37311 Freedom Fellowship Church 3555 Blue Springs Rd, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 478-0654 God’s Family Fellowship Pastors, Doug & Patsy Bell 197 Neely Circle NE Cleveland, TN 37312 Phone (423) 790-7533 www.godsfamilyfellowship.net Graceway Chapel 221 14th St NW, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 728-2226 Living Word Church Pastor Evan Cockerham 930 25th Street, NW Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 339-3028 or thelovingchurch.com Norvel Hayes Ministries 155 S Ocoee St, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 472-3882 Restoration Fellowship 211 Trewhitt Dr SE, Cleveland, TN 37323 (423) 479-4249 The Simple Gospel 850 Elrod St SE Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 650-9572

www.pointing2jesus.com Shema Israel Ministry 850 Elrod St SE Cleveland, TN 37311 423-994-8553 Tasso Christian Church 1135 Tasso Lane, Cleveland, Tn. 37312 (423) 479-2705 The Sanctuary Pastors Mike & Elizabeth Shreve 1203 Smith Dr. Cleveland, TN 37311 (423)478-2843 / shreveministries.org United Christian Church Pastors Charles and Margie Poteat 2200 Peerless Rd NW, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 479-4277 Unity Christian Ministries Pastor Aubrey Ector 2419 Georgetown RD NW 37312 423-473-9338 Walker Valley Community 787 Lauderdale Memorial Hwy Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 336-9696

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 Rev. Kevin Wilson 515 Flint Springs Rd Cleveland TN. 37323 423-284-6397 or Facebook 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 Ladd Springs Seventh-Day 5860 Bates Pike SE Cleveland, TN 37323 (423) 476-1889 Bowman Hills Adventist 300 Westview Dr NE Cleveland, TN 37312 East Cleveland Seventh-Day 801 Howard Circle SE Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 476-9299

issuu.com/goodnewscm // 17

Athens Church Directory

Assembly of God

Abundant Blessing 2613 Cardinal St Athens, TN 37303 423-435-5867

Baptist

Antioch Baptist Church 218 Canal St. Athens, TN 37303 423-745-3332 Central Baptist 13 Nash Dr. Athens, TN 37303 423-745-0400 Clearwater Baptist 964 County Rd. Athens, TN 37303 423-744-7147 Covenant Baptist 241 County Rd Athens, TN 37303 423-263-1569 East Athens Baptist 301 Central Ave Athens, TN 37303 423-745-1394 Fairview Baptist 251 County Rd. 128 Athens, TN 37303 423-649-0346 First Baptist 305 Ingleside Athens, TN 37303 423-745-5441 First Bible Baptist 1819 Old Niota Athens, TN 37303 423-745-0765 Freedom Baptist 2207 Velma Rd Athens, TN 37303 423-746-0193 Mount Pleasant Baptist 414 Chester St. Athens, TN 37303 423-745-6510 Idelwild Baptist 118 county rd Athens, TN 37303 423-746-0002 Lakeview Baptist 182 County rd. 126 Athens, TN 37303 423-745-0451 Mount Pleasant Baptist 414 Chester St. Athens, TN 37303 423-745-6510 Mount Verd Baptist 251 County Rd 249 Athens, TN 37303 423-507-1286 New Hopewell Baptist 197 County Rd Athens, TN 37303

18 // December 2015

423-744-0940 New Zion Baptist 393 County Rd 616 Athens, TN 37303 423-263-9841 North Athens Baptist 402 Tellico Ave Athens, TN 37303 423-745-3813 Oak Grove Baptist 1212 County Rd. 100 Athens, TN 37303 423-744-9986 Parkway Baptist 1701 Velma Rd Athens, TN 37303 423-745-9709 Rocky Mount Baptist 1002 Rocky Mount Rd Athens, TN 37303 423-745-8758 Rogers Creek Baptist 510 County Rd 180 Athens, TN 37303 423-744-0295 Short Creek Baptist 892 County Rd. 50 Athens, TN 37303 423-336-5089 South Liberty Baptist 505 County Rd 655 Athens, TN 37303 423-745-5124 Union Hill Baptist 258 County Rd Athens, TN 37303 423-745-1241 Unity Baptist 162 County Rd 750 Athens, TN 37303 423-744-0420 Valley View Baptist 323 County Rd 370 Athens, TN 37303 423-745-5159 West End Baptist 803 Clark St. Athens, TN 37303 423-744-8274 West View Baptist 2707 Highway 39 Athens, TN 37303 423-745-2193

Catholic St. Mary Catholic Church 1291 E. Madison Ave. Athens, TN 37303 423-745-4277

Christian

Athens Christian Church 802 S Matlock Ave Athens, TN 37303 423-745-5791

Church of God

Aoh Church Of God 501 Ohio St Athens, TN 37303 423-745-1279 First Church of God 200 Fisher St. Athens, TN 37303 423-887-5855 Woodward Church of God 507 Woodward Ave Athens, TN 37303 423-745-1618

Community

Christ Community Church 14 Congress PRKY S. Athens, TN 37303 423-745-8185

Latter-day Saints

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) 508 Cedar Springs Rd Athens, TN 373 423-745-0102

Nazarene

Athens Church of the Nazarene 1908 W. Madison Ave. Athens, TN 37303 423-744-3017

Episcopal

St Paul Episcopal Church 123 S. Jackson ST. Athens, TN 37303 423-745-2224

Lutheran

Athens Lutheran Church 710 Forrest Ave. Athens, TN 37303 423-745-9419

Methodist

Keith Memorial UMC 600 W Madison Ave. Athens, TN 37371 423-745-2612 Piney Grove UMC 767 County Rd. 750 423-462-2130 Athens, TN 37303 Riceville 2519 Cindy St Athens, TN 37303 423-462-2130 St. Mark Ame Zion Methodist 707 N. Jackson St Athens, TN 37303 Tranquility UMC 135 County Rd. 177 Athens, TN 37303 423-334-3062 Trinity UMC 100 E. College St Athens, TN 37303

423-745-0452 Vine Grove UMC 517 County Rd. 778 Athens, Tn 37303 423-507-5760

Non- Denominational

Ascension Life 935 Rocky Mount Rd Athens, TN 37303 423-829-5102 Christian Freedom Wrshp Center 109 Cherry St Athens, TN 37303 423-745-8999 Emmanuel Church 1905 Congress Parkway S. Athens, TN 37303 423-745-0851 Freedom Chapel 815 Cleveland Ave. Athens, TN 37303 423-745-8079 Great Deliverance Ministries 2329 Clearwater Rd Athens, TN 37303 423-745-7575 Liberty Church 3328 Hwy 11 Athens, TN 37303 423-745-9248 Overcoming Faith Christian 14 Carter Rd Athens, TN 37303 423-745-3105 Restoration Church 3115 Hwy 39 Athens, TN 37303 423-745-7777 Sanctury 9 S. Kilgore St. Athens, TN 37303 423-745-8900

Pentecostal

Crosslife Ministries 817 S. White St Athens, TN 37313 423-368-7197 Athens United Pentecostal 2820 Hwy 11 Athens, TN 37303 423-744-7159

Presbyterian

First United Presbyterian Church 321 N. Jackson St Athens, TN 37303 423-744-9073 Mars Hill Presbyterian 205 N. Jackson St Athens, TN 37303 423-745-1403

Seveth-Day Adventist

Seveth-Day Adventist 230 New Englewood Rd Athens, TN 37303 423-745-2335

Church Activities & Events First Baptist Cleveland Collegiate Sunday Lunch 12:05-1:05 Main Campus

Enjoy a free lunch on the first Sunday of each month for any and all local college students after the 11:05am Worship Experience in the Loft or Worship Center.

North Cleveland Church of God PEACEMAKERS FELLOWSHIP MEAL Thursday, Dec 10, 2015

Monthly Fellowship Meal for Senior Adults

Cleveland State Community College CSCC Music Department Holiday Concert December 04, 2015 at 7:00 pm

This program is sponsored by the Cleveland State Community College Music Department.

Geroge R. Johnson Cultural Heritage Center Theater at Cleveland State Community College 3535 Adkisson Drive • Cleveland, TN

LIST YOUR Church Activities & Events Special Events Such As...

• Revivals • Cookouts • Concerts • Fundraisers • Etc. Email: brooke.goodnews@gmail.com

Gò0dNews for Parents

I Knew You’d Come Modeling Christ for our children is our greatest calling as parents.

by David Gray

I

t was a typical summer afternoon: bright blue skies,

Jacob’s gallantry. When David appeared to be safe and

high temperatures, and restless kids. The kids were too

sound, she turned to face the pool at precisely the moment

rambunctious to be inside, so we decided to do what

our four-year-old Jacob was catapulting himself into the

so many people did that day—head to the pool. Within a

deep end of the pool with no floaties and no one aware.

few short minutes, we had the van fully loaded and were

Suddenly, Kendra, endowed with bionic speed and

trekking to the haven known as Tinsley Park.

Our youngest child, Jacob, was four. Though he

strength, launched from the far corner of the pool toward the deep end where our child was soon to meet his

was a rather quiet and unassuming little guy, he had an

demise. With the supernatural abilities that only a mother

odd, audacious confidence about him. This day was no

possesses, Kendra reached Jacob within a split second of

different. Jacob saw all the

his descent into the deep.

other folks jumping off the

In a singular movement

diving board and decided

of one last stroke and dive

it looked like something

combined, she scooped him

he should do. So with the

up from five feet below

confidence of a seasoned

the surface only to see his

swimmer, Jacob climbed the

undaunted face smiling

ladder to the diving board

from ear to ear. After

in order to plunge into the

spitting and sputtering

deep end of the pool.

for a moment, he looked

The teen lifeguard was astute enough to notice our dauntless little man making his way up the ladder while still fully secured in the impenetrable armor of his

at his mom, and with the confidence only a four year old could understand declared, “I knew you’d come!”

Possibly one of the most important things we can do

arm-floaties. Thankfully, the pool employee informed

for our kids is to model Christ for them. This is our great

Jacob that he could not use the diving board if he was still

calling as parents—not to take the place of Christ—but to

in arm-floaties. I suspect that for most four year olds that

point our kids to Christ. We cannot prevent all the pain

would translate into, “Don’t use the diving board,” but

they may encounter, but we can love them unconditionally

not so for our valiant munchkin. He proceeded to remove

and display the character of Christ. “Therefore be imitators

his floaties and head back up the ladder.

of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ

Without the bright orange floatie flashing for the lifeguard to see, Jacob, the conqueror, ascended the ladder

loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God” (Eph. 5:1-2 ESV).

without resistance. Being the doting and attentive father that I was, I had no clue that Jacob was perched on top of the diving board, preparing to drown. My wife, Kendra, was anxiously waiting for our other son, David, to return unscathed from the restroom and so was also unaware of

20 // December 2015

David Gray is the store manager at Habitat Restore on Grove Ave. He and his wife Kendra have four children and two grandchildren.

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Gò0dNews for Life

The Reason for the Season No marketing ploys will prevent Christmas from living up to its name.

by Delaney Walker

T

here is nothing quite as loud

worse than America’s rampant

not change the simple, enduring

as righteous indignation, or at

secularism. What I don’t understand

beauty of the holiday

least, people who feel they have

is why we expect a fallen world to

Jesus provides a depth to

something to be righteously indignant

celebrate a day designated to honor

the holiday season that is absent

about. Some Christians seem to feel

Christ’s birth. Honestly, I’m more

without His presence. As far as I am

a need to defend Christmas against

concerned about the Christians who

concerned, the more materialistic

every conceivable attack. Take, for

take affront to any attack on the

the holiday becomes, the starker the

example, Starbucks’ red holiday cup

traditional Christmas.

divide between how Christians and

fiasco. People lost their minds on

I celebrate Christmas because

the world celebrates Christmas. Those

social media because they thought it

my Savior was born of a virgin over

who celebrate the holiday with their

should read Christmas. Some even said

2,000 years ago. He lived for thirty-

hearts focused on Christ experience

they felt the minimalist cup was an

three years spreading the good word,

a more joyful holiday than even the

attack on the holiday.

healing the sick, and sowing into His

richest secular household could hope

disciples before dying on a cross for

to match.

Although I find the fear baseless, I

Joy is a feeling in a league of its

do understand the concern. I was once

my sins. On the third day, He rose

afraid the world would continue to

again and intercedes on my behalf at

own. It is an enduring happiness

place so much emphasis on gifts that

the right hand of the Father until the

independent of life’s circumstances.

the true reason for the reason would

day He returns again. He is the reason

It is a beacon to those who have a

be lost under a pile of green, shiny

for the season.

decided lack in their lives. Christians

bows and festive wrapping paper.

If you take away the gifts, the

would do better to bypass the online

I have since changed my mind. No

parties, the holiday movies, and

rants in favor of sharing the reason for

amount of marketing ploys, discounts,

the eggnog, there is still a feeling of

the season (and the reason for their joy

or glittery decorations will stop

jubilation associated with Christmas.

this time of year). Jesus will take care

Christmas from living up to its name.

God gave us the greatest gift in His

of the rest.

History proves that Christmas,

Son, Jesus Christ, and His gift is

which was created in response to

irreversible. A red minimalistic coffee

popular pagan holidays, has survived

cup or exaggerated materialism will

22 // December 2015

Delaney Walker is the development director at New Hope Pregnancy Care Center.

She is an avid fan of reading, exercising, and making silly faces at babies in the grocery store.

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Gò0dNews for Health & Fitness

Stay on Your Fitness Path

by Lindsey Cooke

W

e have all been there. We wake up, work out, watch what we eat, and drink lots of water. We plan our days around going to the gym and planning out our meals for the next week. We do well with it. Until the holidays arrive. What do we do then? Do we take a break from our strenuous everyday schedules or find a way to continue them? Are the holidays the one time every year we are thankful for joining a gym that is a national chain? What do you do?

We have all heard the saying that everything is okay in moderation. And I think that this is the best way to do it when Thanksgiving and Christmas come around. And, if you have family that come to town or that you visit, it is always fun to spend some time with family in the gym! Try something different that you haven’t done before, like that Zumba class you’ve been wanting to go to, or trying that new at-home workout you’ve had for months but haven’t done.

24 // December 2015

Do you need something to make you stay on your fitness path? Why not schedule a race, such as a 5K for after the holidays, in order to have a goal to reach. How can you reach these goals?

1. Get your workout in in the morning! Get your blood flowing and have an amazing start to your day!

2. Allow for some “cheat meals” during the holidays.

3. Find someone to hold you accountable and do the same for them!

4. Plan! Plan! Plan! Plan your workouts. This will help you get them in, spend time with your family, and find time to do all the things you need to do!

5. Don’t let the little hiccups you have affect your big picture. If you fall, get back up!

“Always pray and never give up” (read Luke 18:1).

Lindsey Cooke is the administrative assistant for Cooke's Food Store & Pharmacy.

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Fresh Organic Juices & Smoothies @ Abundant Living 855 Keith St. Cleveland, TN 37311 614-7885

Gò0dNews for Teens

Real Gifts

L

Embrace the greatest commandment and express love through your gift giving this Christmas.

by Andrew Shaffer et’s be real. Christmas is about giving gifts. Whether

about us. We can dish out gift cards left and right, but we

you are a traditional gift-giver or an advocate for

aren’t giving anything by punching people over lattes and

alternatives, such as donations, supporting causes,

Xboxes. Do we want that in equal measure?

and so forth, we celebrate the coming of God in human

It’s not just the gift; it’s what you give. Each

form by giving to others. As Christ-followers though,

year we host an event called “Lydia’s Market” in our

we should be giving 365 days, 52 weeks a year. So at

atrium, partnering with more than thirteen ministries/

Christmas time, we embrace the greatest commandment

organizations from Nashville to Africa, allowing all those

and express this love through gifts. Advent is the

who participate an opportunity to give. Purchases helped

anticipation of the gift of Christ himself, and we respond

craftswomen and men across the world work toward self-

by giving gifts of our own. Jesus said in Luke’s Gospel

sufficiency, yet they’re still gifts for someone.

that what we give, we will get back in equal measure.

Giving begets giving; we give because we received.

As I am writing this, for reasons no one can fully

The market’s mission statement says, “We are called to empower ALL GOD's people.” Whether we donate to Heifer International or buy a new iPhone, isn’t this

explain, folks are causing a ruckus because red coffee

what giving should be about if we claim to follow Christ?

cups have some sort of detrimental effect on our

Rather than arguing about suitable decor or proper

celebration of the birth of the Christ Child. Yet, the day

phrasing, we give gifts that empower while serving to

after we give thanks for what we have, some of those

inspire. Whether buying or giving, we lean into these

same people whose vehicles are festooned with “Keep

holy days and try to ensure that the unfailing love of a

Christ in Christmas” stickers, will trample others to save $50 on a television and spend thousands of dollars on things they don’t need. In the midst of it all, the same people will decry a perceived war on Christmas because people use Xmas, teach children about Santa, and say “Happy Holidays.”

I don’t care what kind of spin you put on it; this isn’t the right kind of giving. I’m hard pressed to find the person of Christ in any of that.

glorious God outshines everything else.

So whether we wish a “Happy Xmas,” an emphatic “Merry Christmas!” or even “Happy Holidays,” and before we bulldoze our neighbor for a finding a deal on a coffee pot, let’s remember that true giving is the joy of Christmas. It’s the challenge of asking what we really give by seeking the interests of others over our own and the joy of encountering the Christ Child as we rediscover a Christmas about real gifts.

Giving should be about others; these kinds of displays are all

26 // December 2015

Andrew Shaffer is the minister to youth and their families at First Baptist Dalton, GA. He is a graduate of Mississippi State, Samford and Truett Seminary. He has worked in youth ministry one way or another since 2000, and has been bitten by an otter.

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FEATURED COVER STORY

Faithful Friend Pet “A lifetime of unconditional love deserves a proper good-bye!”

“T

by Chari Buckner

hank you so much. You have helped us

In fact, most of us view our pets as members of our

and made our loss so much easier,” are the

family. Since FFPC specializes in private cremations, our

words of gratitude that I love to hear as the

customers depend on us to pick up, process, and return

co-owner and manager of Faithful Friend Pet Crematory

the remains in a timely and dignified manner, which is

and Funeral Home (FFPC) located here in Cleveland,

usually done within 24 to 48 hours. This is important

Tennessee, in the white house just behind Fike-Randolph

because most of our clients want their pet back home as

Funeral Home.

soon as possible.

You could say that I inherited the business, when, through a series of events, we were left with no manager.

At Faithful Friend Pet Crematory, we generally see three types of losses:

I told my husband, Ralph Buckner, that I would run it

• An older pet that passes naturally

for a few months while we looked for someone else. That

• A pet that has to be euthanized for an illness or old age

was over a year ago, and I’m still here! God has blessed

• An accidental death.

us with a wonderful co-owner, Lorine Lorino, and pet

The families’ grief response is different for each

loss advisor, Sandy Luke. Meeting new people and

person, and our staff strives to listen, empathize, and

helping them say good-bye to their beloved pets is the

comfort them during this difficult time. For example,

reason I’m so passionate about this business. Pet lovers

the loss of an elderly pet may entail listening to what

are some of the most loving, kind, and caring people that

joy, happiness, and love their pet provided during their

I’ve ever met.

lifetime; while with a sudden pet death, the family is

When a pet passes away, the pain can be as traumatic and the grief as intense as the loss of a family member.

28 // December 2015

dealing with the shock and trauma of the event. Each loss is unique.

Our attachment and relationship to our pets is similar

in our community over the past twenty years, and a lot

to our attachment to our friends and family. We have an

of these people won’t stay here forever. This is a very

unexplainable bond with our pets, and that bond is why

common reason that our customers choose a private

the grief of losing a pet is so hard. Each person deals with

cremation, because they want to take their beloved pet

and expresses grief in different ways, and it is important

with them wherever life takes them.

to address that grief in a healthy way. Sometimes friends

4. They want the assurance of getting their pet back.

and family don’t understand why the loss is so hard. To

Private cremations, as opposed to communal or separated

them, it was just a dog or cat, but to the pet owner, it was

cremations, are just that—one pet in the cremation

their best friend or “fur baby.”

chamber at a time. At a time of loss, it is unimaginable to

FFPC strives to help families begin the grieving

some pet owners for their precious baby to be disposed

process in a loving, caring environment. Lorine, Sandy,

of in a non-private way. Our Cremation with Confidence

and I spend a lot of time listening as the clients talk about

Guarantee (TM) ensures that pets are tracked throughout

what their pet meant to them. Our private “Rainbow”

the entire cremation process.

room is a unique place where families can say their last

Ralph Buckner Funeral Home and Crematory opened

good-byes without time constraints or the distractions of

Faithful Friend Pet Crematory in 2014 as a service to our

the business.

clients. Customers had asked us for years if we would cremate their pets, so we decided that it is important to serve our customer’s entire family—pets included. Since we opened our doors in January 2014, God has allowed our business to grow, which is rewarding and gratifying.

Our facility has a fairly broad geographic reach with clients coming from Cleveland/Bradley area, the adjacent counties, and as far away as Atlanta. Word of mouth (as well as the Internet), has been a key to this growth, and we appreciate all of the kindness that our families have shown us.

People get pets for a number of reasons, the number one being the unconditional love that they provide.

The most common reasons for choosing Faithful Friend Pet Crematory for private pet cremation are: 1. No place to bury their pet. In times past, people

Our clients share stories of protection, mischief, humor, devotion, compassion, joy, and love their pets have given them through their lifetime, and that is the true blessing

would just bury their pets in their yard, but that has

that Lorine, Sandy, and I receive from this business.

changed. Many people rent their homes or apartments

Every pet has a story, and we love to hear them. I may

and have no place to bury a pet. Plus, there are

even write a book one day about these interesting pets.

subdivision restrictions and so many dangerous underground utilities that provide additional barriers.

2. They cannot physically dig a grave. In the cold

At Faithful Friend Pet Crematory and Funeral Home, we believe that “A lifetime of unconditional love deserves a proper good-bye!”

of winter when the ground is rock hard, it is nearly impossible for an individual to manually dig a grave for a larger pet. Also, there is great concern among our clients of coyotes and other wild animals digging up their athome graves.

3. They plan to move from their current home. As those native to Cleveland know, there has been a great growth

Chari is married to Ralph Buckner. She has two daughters, Stella and Paris; two stepchildren, Brandon and Shipley (deceased), and two dogs, Sting and Lady Gaga. She is a licensed funeral director with a B.S. in marketing and an M.B.A. She plays tennis for fun!

issuu.com/goodnewscm // 29

Gò0dNews for Everyone

Divine Friendship Real friendships will always call you to a higher standard.

P

by Tyler Shores

roverbs 17:17 states, “A friend loves at all times, and

Through the birth of Jesus, God came to us as we were

a brother is born for a time of adversity” (NIV). The

and took all it means to be human into Himself. He saw us

Bible presents a grand story of relationship and

both at our best and our worst, and He demonstrated love

friendship between God and humanity. That friendship is

to us despite it all. In that love, like the best of friends, He

best demonstrated in the life of Jesus, and with His birth,

entered into our space through the humble birth of Jesus.

this took a giant step forward. In what follows, I want to

Jeremiah speaks of a reality for which God longs for a

point out two key aspects of friendship that God shows

time when God and God’s people can be together without

through Jesus.

anything standing in the way (see 31:33-34). At Christmas

First, real friendship meets you where you are. It is said that a good friend will bail you out of jail, but your best of friends will share your cell. The truth of this

time, we celebrate a giant step toward that reality, and that step was made by God. The second key aspect is that a real friendship will

statement is friendship shares in all that life gives both

always call you higher. I am fortunate to have friends who

good and bad. Those I consider my closest friends are the

call me to a higher standard when we both know that I

ones who were there with me in one way or another no

can and should do better. While the coming of our Lord

matter my circumstances. When life was good, they would

is a testament to the love of God, it is also a revelation of

celebrate with me. When the road became difficult, we

the hope God has for us. He has already shown Himself

would cry and lament together. No matter what life threw

to be one of the best of friends by entering our space and

at me, they were there sharing in my world and being with

“sharing our cell,” but He took a step further when in

me exactly where I was in that moment.

His life and in His death He called us higher to live better and to be more like Him—something He knows we can do. This friendship continues today by the work of the Holy Spirit who is described by the Gospel of John as the Advocate, the one who is on our side.

The birth of Jesus is the bold statement of a dear friend letting us know that He will not give up on us. May the reality of God’s friendship with humanity be revealed to each of us in special way as we celebrate the birth of the King, our Divine Friend.

May we be challenged to reach greater heights as we ponder this move of divine friendship.

30 // December 2015

In both vocation and study, Tyler Shores and his wife, Jamie, desire to see the theory and practice of the Christian faith come together in the life of the believer and in the local church. Tyler currently works in the Lee University Leonard Center providing support and training to student leaders engaged in service on a daily basis. He is also enrolled in the graduate program at Lee seeking a Master of Arts in Theological Ethics. You can follow Tyler on twitter @tyler_shores.

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Gò0dNews for Couples

Relationships That Last

by Don Smith

“Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” —Ephesians 4:32 (NASB)

W

hen a man loves a woman, he generally

partner with the same eyes of wonder as you did when

pursues her. He puts his best foot forward.

you first met; and if you didn’t then—do it now.

He showers, shaves (or trims), and uses

3. Be forgiving—do you know that you can’t

cologne. At the beginning, everything is cozy, kind,

possibly hold onto a grudge if you forgive? To

and wonderful.

forgive does not devalue your feelings, it causes your

As time progresses, you get familiar with one another, you don’t shower every day; you forget to

relationship to be cherished.

4. Be like Christ—even as Christ was being beaten

shave or trim; and think why waste money on cologne,

and crucified, He forgave those inflicting the pain.

just use it for special occasions. You don’t dress up

He knew in the end that He would be the victor, not

or clean up. Getting familiar is a let-down in a

the victim. Being like Christ will never be easy. It will

relationship, especially for the lady in that relationship.

always be challenging, but in the end it will give you

If you’ll look back at the scripture, there are four things we need to do in any relationship: 1. Be kind—being kind is paying attention, remembering the early days. You remember to open doors, give genuine compliments, and pay attention

what you really want—love, peace, and joy.

My wife has exemplified this lifestyle before me for thirty-six years. I have not always been the most pleasant person to live with; however, she prayed for me, interceded for me, and

to changes, (i.e. haircuts, style changes, colors).

loved me when I didn’t deserve to be

Be aware of your partner’s outer shell.

loved. Did she do it perfectly? No. Did

Listen and speak as if you’re still

she do it consistently? No. But she did

dating. Be kind.

it enough to know that God was and is

2. Be tenderhearted—speak with your partner as you would

with her. It changed my life and gave me a reason to return to the land

have him or her speak to you.

of the living. Today I love

You know—the Golden

her more than I would have

Rule. We can hold back

expected anyone to be able to

our feelings, our love, our

love another human.

affection for some of the

Are our relationships

most selfish reasons. We

going to be perfect? No,

have no right to withhold

but they can be kind,

our love, feelings, or

tenderhearted, and forgiving.

emotions. Look at your

32 // December 2015

Donald E. Smith, Jr. M.Div., D.Min. Executive Director Hearts Set Free

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Gò0dNews for Seniors

A Season for Giving Create new memories by giving some of your treasured gifts to others.

by Esmerelda Lee

E

very Christmas I am reminded of a beautiful lady

knick-knacks gathered by Bill and Joni Schultz through

by the name of Joni Schultz. From the first day I met

their travels and years of gathering. As one grandchild

Joni, I fell in love with her vivacious personality.

picked up an old trophy of Bill’s, Bill began to tell him a

She loved people, loved her family, and always had a plan.

short story behind that trophy, and the room erupted in

When I first talked with her regarding moving from her

laughter. That night I watched while memories that people

elegant home into Garden Plaza, I expected the typical,

try so hard to hold onto were renewed with the rebirth of

“I really don’t want to leave my home” that I hear from

new memories made by giving away the old.

others. However, Joni surprised me with her genuine

Joni taught me many things in the short time I knew

excitement and enthusiasm to move into Garden Plaza at

her, but that night she showed me the beauty of giving.

Cleveland. She could not move soon enough and asked

People spend their lives gathering and collecting objects

for periodic updates of the building’s progress. We would

to have more things, finer knick-knacks. Sometimes

have tea, and then we would walk around her well-

we place so much value on these possessions that they

decorated home assessing what furniture pieces she was

tend to possess us. Ultimately, today’s treasure becomes

going to bring.

tomorrow’s trade-ins; and in the end, they become useless

On her first Christmas at Garden Plaza, she reserved the Bistro for a private family Christmas party. The

to our quality of life.

Often seniors have difficulty in giving items away.

highlight of the evening was a game of Christmas Bingo.

Sometimes it is not the value of the items that matters as

She invited me to attend, but I watched from the doorway,

much as what the items represent. Giving away possessions

excited to see what type of party Joni had planned. The

for them symbolizes change. The Bible talks about the

room was filled with family members laughing, eating, and playing Bingo. On a table

seasons of our lives. It tells of a season for gathering stones, and a season to cast away stones. Joni Schultz taught me that the same joy and tenacity we bring to gathering stones

were the prizes to be awarded

should be the same excitement and positive energy we use

to the Bingo winners.

to cast away and give gifts to others.

I looked closely at these

The Lord loves a cheerful giver (see 2 Cor. 9:7). So

prizes and noticed some were

during this Christmas season, I hope you will find renewed

crystal, some china, and

hope and love by giving. In addition to giving newly

others were trophies, as

purchased gifts, my hope is that you will consider giving

well as various odds

items to others that have lost their usefulness to you (not in

and ends. These were

the cheap-spirited attitude of “re-gifting” but rather with warm intentions and a story to share along with the gift).

Have a blessed Christmas as you make a definite plan to give through every season of your life.

34 // December 2015

Esmerelda Lee is campus manager for Garden Plaza of Cleveland, an independent and assisted living facility for seniors. She and her husband Andrew have three children.

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Gò0dNews for Everyone

Sharing Our Stories There is freedom when we share our victories with others.

by Rhiannon Skeen

I

n Acts 26, the apostle Paul retells the story of his

wants us to be silent about what God is doing or has

early years, his Damascus-Road experience, and the

done in our lives because then others will not know

reason he was imprisoned. Paul is before the king and

victory is possible. If I never share with someone that

Festus sharing his life's story with them, but there was

they can overcome feeling inadequate because I am,

something about the words they were hearing that was

then they may battle that the rest of their lives. I could

affecting them. Paul's testimony affected King Agrippa

have prevented that lifelong struggle, but instead I

to the point that he admits in verse 28 that he was

chose silence.

"almost persuaded to become a Christian himself."

What a powerful statement! All Paul did was share

The Enemy uses that to keep others bound. As the body of Christ, we should encourage each other to

his life experiences with

share those mountaintop

this man, and it was so

moments so that those who

powerful that he even

are walking through the

thought about accepting

valley can see that there is

this Jesus he had heard

hope­—they can make it.

about. Paul was not afraid

What stops us from

to proclaim Christ, and he

sharing our victories?

certainly was not afraid

Could it be the lie that it

to declare the truth of His

is prideful? Or maybe we

death and resurrection.

see it as being humble. In

I believe Paul knew his

actuality, I don't think it is

words carried power

either. I think it is a scheme

because of who he was talking about, so when he was

used by the enemy to keep us quiet. He knows that if

given the chance to share this before the King, he was

we ever become comfortable proclaiming the victories

giving it all he had.

we walk in through Christ that freedom will happen all

As I was reading Paul's account and the king's reaction, I began to ask myself about my ability to share

over the place and that's the last thing he wants.

Be inspired by Paul's story. Ask God to show you

my story and why is it important. Revelations 12:11

your mountaintop moments, and ask God to give you

says: "And they overcame him because of the blood of

ways to share them with others. You never know when

the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony,

you may change someone's life by simply sharing your

and they did not love their life to the death" (NKJV).

testimony with them.

They did not love their life when faced with death, and they were not ashamed of their testimony. It was, in fact, their testimony that gave them the ability to overcome.

There is power in our stories. There is freedom when we share our victories with others. The Enemy

36 // December 2015

Rhiannon Skeen is a recent Lee University graduate, a wife, a new mother, and the creator/administrator of www.whatsoeverislovelyliving.com. She and her husband are in full-time ministry with Global Apostolic Revival Network (www.GARN.tv). They are passionate about spreading the love of God and seeing heaven invade earth.

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Gò0dNews for Everyone

Into My Heart, Lord Jesus

A

Is your heart a place where God would want to take up residence?

by Julius McCarter

s a child, I remember hearing a lot about

God arrives, suitcase in hand, and knocks on the

“inviting Jesus into my heart.” About saying

door of our hearts. And He can hardly fit inside. The

“the sinner’s prayer” and hearing at Sunday

place is too small. And it’s a mess, a ruin, a veritable

school all those warnings about what would happen

pigsty. Yet, God isn’t deterred. God wants to live here.

if we didn’t have Jesus in our hearts, I find all that

The place has a lot of promise; and besides, God likes

language rather jarring. I know now the language is

the neighborhood. So there’s only one for it. God rolls

just too thin.

up his sleeves and gets to work.

I’m rather disillusioned about the capacities of my

What I’m describing here is what we Christians call

heart. It simply isn’t spacious enough to accommodate

a conversion. It’s a condition that will continue for the

a guy like Jesus. More accurately, it’s not a place He

rest of my life. God renovates slowly, persistently, with

would want to take up residence.

boundless patience and love, giving attention to even

When I think of my heart as a house for Jesus, I

the smallest details. My whole life will be nothing but

now see it in a rather different way than I saw it as a

the story of God’s renovation. My whole life is one of

child: To start with, it’s far too small. If Jesus is going

God’s repair projects. It’s not the once-off experiences

to live here, there will have to be extensions, and it’s

that matters—not any single episode of inviting Jesus

all looking pretty rundown. The roof leaks and mold is

into my heart. What matters is the process; what matters

growing on the walls. The front door is hanging off its

is that my heart gradually becomes bigger, wider,

hinges. There are strange smells in the hallway. Weeds

cleaner, and more orderly. What matters is that it

are growing up through the floorboards. Jesus is

slowly becomes, over a whole lifetime, an inhabitable

moving into my heart, not because these surroundings

place for God.

are fit for Him, but because He enjoys the challenge of fixing up old places like this—a broken-down dump of a house.

38 // December 2015

The Reverend Julius McCarter, Ph.D., is a minister and spiritual director who lives in Loudon, TN. He is the author of eleven books—most recently a theological commentary on the Book of Revelation.

His ministry, Sunergoi Ministries, maintains a blog at www.the-little-friar.blogspot.com.

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Gò0dNews for Everyone How to Make a Better BLT

by Brian Conn

I

have recently awakened to the surprising world of

fill part of my family tree. They toiled in the fields of

gardening. It’s surprising, because I am not a person

Saskatchewan for years, and I feel I have in some small

one would expect to be able to grow food and flowers

way touched base with my roots. But unlike the farmers

in my back yard because I have a brown thumb. I

of my ancestry, I have the Internet on my side, and I’m

have killed more houseplants, flowers, and even cacti

certain that without YouTube, I would have just killed

than I can count. I just forget about them. And when

more plants.

you forget, your plants get lonely and brown. I’m like human Roundup.

I took seeds from last year’s produce and grew some plants this spring. We added some new plants of new

But I’m also stubborn and optimistic, and that

vegetables we hadn’t tried, and it turns out, they all run

means I stubbornly think I can be better. So I planted

on water. Care for each variety differs slightly, but those

some tomatoes and a few other

details are readily available

vegetable plants last year, just

on the web. My wife and I

setting myself up for another

have enjoyed more tomatoes,

grand botanical failure. But

cucumbers, peppers, lettuce,

I found that just by staying

peas, lima beans, squash,

attentive for a few minutes

and carrots this summer and

every day or so, those little

fall, and we are excited about

sprouts became big plants, and

learning to grow bigger, more

after a while they started giving

plentiful harvests with less

me free food. Who knew?

work and resources in the years

The following instructions

to come.

work for a better pico de gallo,

So this message is for

a tastier marinara sauce, and a

you, “Brown Thumb.” If I can

superior capris salad.

do it, you can, too. There’s

Step 1: Get some tomato plant seeds.

Step 2: Put them in garden soil in a sunny spot.

something about food picked out of your own back yard that just tastes better somehow— plus you get the bonuses of sustainability, health

Step 3: Hold your hand out.

benefits, and educational opportunities for children.

Step 4a: If your hand becomes wet from rain, go

Who doesn’t perk their ears up when they hear the

back inside.

Step 4b: If your hand remains dry, get the hose and dampen the soil around the seeds.

Step 5: Repeat step 4 each day until you can harvest a big, wonderful, tasty tomato.

phrase “free food?” I realize it’s not entirely free, but the costs are mostly for items like tools and materials that will be used over and over. The first tomato I picked this year weighed almost a pound and a half, and nobody rang a register when I brought it inside.

I come from a line of farmers on my mom’s side.

It seems a bunch of Canadian corn and wheat growers

40 // December 2015

Charles Brian Conn is director of public relations at Lee University.

He and his wife Kelly have two children, Lorne and Oliver.

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Gò0dNews for your Taste Buds

Granny Morris and Snow Cream

by Angie Parris

L

ooking back, I am not sure how we were ever at my

be frozen and used at your convenience to make snow

Granny's house when there was snow on the ground,

cream and a glass or plastic bowl works just fine.)

but I remember Granny Morris making snow cream.

As strongly as I remember loving snow cream, I also remember how strict the snow cream rules were: • Never ever, for any reason use the first snow of the season! In my little eight-year-old mind, I heard, "Do not eat the first snow; it is poison."

• Always use a stainless steel bowl and scoop the snow from the top. Do not ever scrape the bottom.

Granny Morris's Snow Cream Beat with a mixer: • 1 cup sugar • 1-1/2 cups Pet cream (whipping cream, or milk will also work) • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract • Add a large bowl of snow in small amounts until the

I heard, "It will not turn out if you do not use this

mixture is thick and has a texture of soft-serve ice cream.

bowl, and if you scrape bottom, you may get sick or

(Usually a large bowl of snow makes a small amount of

eat bugs!"

snow cream.)

From there, the rules became a blur as this magnificent

An old time saying is not to eat the first snow. Well

creation of snow ice cream came together, and it was

what that means is that snow needs to fall for a couple of

the grandest thing ever! On a cold, snowy day eating

hours to clean the impurities from the air. Then scoop only

snow cream from Granny's little glass white bowls with

the freshest and cleanest snow from the top layer. I like

a small green feather painted on the side, I tried to savor

to scoop from a patio table or deck rails, but if the snow

every bite quickly, learning that eating too fast would

is deep enough, plenty can be retrieved from the ground

actually freeze my brain, or that is what my eight-year-old

cover also.

mind understood!

With winter weather upon us, stock up on these essentials and be ready to enjoy this little gem. (Snow can

42 // December 2015

You can add chocolate milk powder or other ingredients to make different flavors.

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Gò0dNews for Everyone

No More Excuses

Set yourself up for success rather than allowing room for failure.

by Zona Hayes-Morrow

E

xcuses . . . we all have them. We make excuses to

proud of something you have done, do something more

justify our actions or inaction. It’s easier for us to shift

tangible and lasting to mark the occasion.

the blame to someone or something else rather than

If we are eating to console ourselves, food doesn’t make

take responsibility for our life and our physical condition by

stress or other negative emotions disappear; it only gives us

making these excuses:

reason to become more frustrated and to punish ourselves

• I can’t do this because . . .

afterward. We need to learn new ways to deal with stress

• I’m not that way because . . .

and negative situations. Physical activity has been proven

• It’s not my fault that I . . .

to release tension and increase endorphins (the feel-good

While there are some legitimate reasons why we are a certain way or can’t do something, for the

chemical in our body). When we decide to splurge on something, we need to

most part, we use excuses as an

take control of the portion size. For

“out” to avoid self-control. I’m

ice cream, buy a small cup rather

not trying to offend anyone, I just

than the tub. Take steps to control

want to open all of our eyes and

the portion size immediately

take a hard look at what we are doing to our bodies.

For instance, we have a long

rather than relying on self-control while eating the decadent cheesecake.

The key is to set yourself up for

day at work and don’t want to

success rather than possible failure. A

worry about cooking, so we run

little planning ahead of time is better

through some fast-food place to

than pounds down the road. For

feed our family. I understand

instance, before you begin the day,

the pressure of working and

think of everything you will have going

feeding a family, but there are

on in order to make good choices in

plenty of options available to

what to wear and what you will need.

avoid this scenario. All it takes is

Before making a trip, plan what to

a little planning. For instance, it

take along to make your trip easier.

takes about 20 minutes to cook

The same thing needs to be done in

a chicken stir-fry with rice. Place chicken breast or tenders that have been thawed in a wok

planning your eating habits.

Making healthy lifestyle choices are part of our daily

with a little olive oil. Add frozen stir-fry mixed vegetables

schedules, and eventually, they will become second nature.

and let it cook while you prepare the whole grain rice. This

Decide what is most important—perceived convenience or

is a healthy and fast meal that is also inexpensive.

health. Begin today. Make living a healthy lifestyle as your

Another excuse we have is when we are stressed,

excuse not to make excuses anymore!

if we are rewarding ourselves by eating something that is loaded with sugar, fat, and calories. I’m not against splurging occasionally, but we need to get out of the habit of rewarding and consoling ourselves with food. If you are

44 // December 2015

Pastor Zona Hayes-Morrow is a successful business woman, mother, Bible teacher, and executive director of Norvel Hayes Ministries.

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Gò0dNews for Everyone

Someone Is Watching

A

Are you having a positive influence on your children and those around you?

by Mead Vest s a mom of seven wonderful children, there is always

In addition to being a servant leader, he demonstrates

someone around. Sometimes it gets crazy with all

unrelenting humble authority. While effectively using his

of the activity it takes to just manage a household of

influence to further the mission of the organization, humility

nine people. Dinner, laundry, school, and play practice are

is his constant companion. He routinely tells stories about

just today’s activities—in addition to chauffeuring, feeding,

himself which allows others to recognize that he, too, is

encouraging, and prioritizing the schedules of the wonderful

flawed. He is able to laugh at himself and invites you to come

people in my life. Among the numerous activities of life, at

along for the ride. In the process of exposing his weakness,

some point you may notice a pair of little eyes watching you.

he points to the Lord who strengthens him and then wisely

Sometimes they watch from behind the doorframe in the

walks forward in God-granted authority.

kitchen when you are making cookies and other times they

Although he successfully leads with a servant heart

listen while you are on the phone with a friend. They are

and humble authority, his greatest asset is his ability to

watching to see what you will do next.

graciously empower others. The impact of effectually being

Over the past several years, I have had the privilege of watching someone too. I tripped into the life of this leader, but along the way I have had a nondescript seat in the audience of his public life. From arms length, I have witnessed him display servant leadership, humble authority, and gracious

asked, “What has God told you to do, and how can I help you in that endeavor?” is incredibly liberating.

The strength of his leadership is not in managing every detail but rather by empowering others to follow the Lord with all of their being.

While one man walked through his days being directed by God to invest

empowering of others that I have never

in others through servant leadership,

seen before in such a practical and

humble authority, and gracious

impactful way. These remarkable virtues were not voiced through a serious

empowering of others, I watched. In my watching, I have been profoundly impacted

conversation nor were they shown to me

not only by the message of his life, but also by the

through a seven-step program. These ideas

message from the unassuming observer sitting

were not conveyed to me in a letter, a sermon,

on the sidelines. As a mom with youngsters, I

a book, or a lecture. These Godly leadership

am keenly aware that my children are watching

qualities were lived out in front of me and

me. Not only are they are waiting to see what

anyone who cared to notice.

I will do next, but they will grow up imitating

As I watched from my inconspicuous

me. I pray that I will have a positive influence

seat in the audience, I saw this leader

on my children and those around me, because

impact his sphere of influence by not

whether I realize it or not, someone is

just leading but by serving. If he is not

always watching!

in his office, he might be unclogging a toilet or putting up shelving in a storage room. Despite his demanding schedule, the time he invests in serving makes his leadership significantly more effective while he becomes wholly endeared to the people he leads.

46 // December 2015

Mead Vest is married with seven children. She is passionate about classical education and serves on the school board of Candies Creek Academy associated with Candies Creek Baptist Church. She has homeschooled for over twenty years and is in leadership with a non-profit that promotes competitive speech and debate for high school students. She is an avid organizer and an essential oils enthusiast.

423.336.3841 » 8466 Hiwassee St. NE » Charleston, TN

Gò0dNews

Christian Magazine

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Gò0dNews for Everyone

The Gift of a Smile

“A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones.”

—Proverbs 15:30

by Nicole Wiley

T

he hustle and bustle of everyday life can take

enough to satisfy even the most lusty person. If we can

a toll on anyone’s mind. It seems like we go

remember that we have the Creator of the universe as

through the same routine every day of the week,

our Father, the twinkle in our eyes and the smile on our

and that in itself can wipe away the smile from our lips.

Our joyful thoughts and expressions are replaced with

lips will never disappear.

There is a quote that I always think about when I

complaints, stress, and worn-out faces. In reality, we all

become dismayed or the weight of the world seems too

have so much for which to be grateful. The sole fact that

heavy for my fragile shoulders. “The joy that God gives

Jesus Christ gave His life in order for us to live ours is

me can never be taken away.” Even when things get bumpy or life gets far too stressful, we should always continue to wear a cheerful demeanor and offer a smile to anyone we see. Psalms 94:19 says, "When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul" (NIV). He provides us with strength and understanding even in our darkest moments, which shows that we can truly make it through anything.

When life gives you a thousand reasons to be worried, show that you have a God who is a thousand times greater than all of those worries, and keep smiling. A love that reaches deeper than any ocean is the love that the Lord provides for us. Isn't that certainly a reason to smile about?

Every day I encourage you to remember that the God of the universe loves you and knows you by name.

When we stop and think about His perfect love, a smile will come naturally. When we smile, people see the light of Jesus Christ shining through our souls. Maybe the gift of a smile is what those you meet each day need to see to show them that they are fearfully and wonderfully made. “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God” (1 John 4:7).

50 // December 2015

Nicole Wiley is a sophomore at Cleveland High School who attends First Baptist Church.

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Gò0dNews for Everyone

The Need to See Jesus!

Insight for you and me during this Christmas season

by William Lamb

M

y daughter-in-law, Megan, has an unfaltering loyalty

for you and me during this Christmas season—the need to see

about Christmas—so much so that I think she

Jesus. Two men, one rich and one poor, one physically blind

secretly celebrates the Christmas spirit even during

and one spiritually blind, one dependent on others and one self-

other seasonal holidays. Her joy for Christmas is definitely contagious.

I recently participated in a dialogue with some friends

sufficient; but each with the same need and desire to see Jesus.

I must admit it; I think the scrooges of our society view the contagiously joyful “Megans” as zealots. But when you know

about the impact Jesus made on a chief tax collector, recorded

the real story, you know the reason for the celebration. I know

in the Zacchaeus story found in Luke 19:1-10. The following

her story. I know how Megan was healed from a rare disease

thoughts emerged from that conversation:

that sidelined her soccer career; how her willingness to forgive

• Zacchaeus must have heard about Jesus many times before the day he saw Him. • Jesus cared enough for Zacchaeus to invite Himself over for dinner.

replaced the feeling of being disserted; and how her past pain became her platform to care for others.

Maybe Megan’s story relates to you or maybe not. Maybe you are like the blind beggar or a shrewd business owner.

• Zacchaeus was transformed by his encounter with Jesus

Perhaps you are the official crowd quieter-downer, the scrooge,

so much so that he was convicted of his wrong doing

or even the oppressed, but each with the same need—the need

and willfully committed to make restitution a reality.

to see Jesus.

• Like Zacchaeus, we should do whatever it takes to see Jesus and bring others along on the journey.

In the previous chapter of Luke (18:35-43) Scripture illustrates a blind man’s encounter with Jesus. As was common in His ministry, a crowd usually accompanied Jesus while in the public forum. Obviously, the crowd included disciples and naysayers. It also included the broken, the lame, the sick, and even the blind. Such was the case as Jesus was coming near Jericho.

In Luke’s Gospel, the story reveals that a blind beggar,

Here are three steps that could help move you past a commercialized societal-infused Christmas to a visible encounter with the Messiah: 1. Cry out like the blind beggar and say to Jesus, “Have mercy on me.”

2. Climb a tree like Zacchaeus to overcome the masses so you can see Jesus.

3. Believe like Megan in the presence of your pain and you, too, can know the Messiah.

Have a joyous Christmas!

hearing the noisy crowd, asked what was happening. When he was told that Jesus was passing by, the blind man cried out loud for mercy. It seems to me that could be a common need in these two stories. I think this a need that provides insight

52 // December 2015

Dr. William Lamb is a member of the administrative staff at Lee University (Cleveland, Tennessee) where he leads a diverse and global “service-learning” program for college students. He is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps. William and his wife Angela, along with their children Tyler and Megan, Nick, and Ben, reside in Cleveland, TN.

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Gò0dNews for Everyone

A Testimony of God’s Healing Power Because of God’s intervention and the medical expertise I received, I can stand and walk today.

by Cameron Touchstone

O

n March 3, while airing up a tire for a gentleman at work, there was an explosion.

The pressure discharged from the tire resulted in breaking my right cheekbone, right nasal cavity, nose, and the bottom left part of my jaw. I was thrown into a metal table where I hit my head and received a brain injury. I went to “sleep” and didn’t gain full consciousness until the middle of April.

That day I was transported to Erlanger by ambulance, and on March 13, I was transported to Atlanta to Shepherd Hospital, which specializes in brain and spinal cord injury. That’s where I became completely conscious and had to learn to walk again.

I thank God for putting the team of doctors and therapists into my life in Atlanta and in Chattanooga.

Because of God’s intervention and the medical expertise, I can stand and walk today. From the time the ambulance picked me up on March 3 until today, God has been by my side.

I was discharged from the hospital in Atlanta on May 2 and began a rehab program on May 6. I was discharged from the program July 10, when I came home and started a rehab program with Siskin to continue my healing process. Again, it is only because of God putting these teams of therapist in my path that I walk, talk, and write again.

Before my accident, I quit college and began to work at Wright Brothers Construction Company.

While being in the workforce, I questioned my goals

54 // December 2015

and asked God that was what I was really meant to do. Throughout my accident ordeal, my question has been answered. I plan to stay with the company and use my story to reach people for God. He didn’t make my accident happen because he was angry with me, or wanted to hurt me, or punish me. He did it to show me who was in charge and get me on the path of life I needed to be on. As scripture says in Isaiah 43:2, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you.

When you walk through fire, you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you” (ESV).

I had an enormous amount of people praying for me, from Phoenix to Houston, to Greenwood, Mississippi, and back here in Cleveland. I had major support from politicians in our community, fortunate people, and blue-collar people such as me. It just goes to show you that the people of our community truly care for people.

I am thankful for all the prayers for me and the T-shirts that were sold for financial assistance—plus all the delicious foods cooked. Because of the prayer is the reason I stand and walk today. God has brought me through a huge fire and continues to do so.

Cameron Touchstone was born in Hamilton, Alabama, and moved to Bradley County when he was very young. He graduated from Walker Valley in 2014 and attended about three weeks of college at CSCC. Then he started working with Wright Brothers Construction Company.

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