Gò0dNew s
C H R I ST- C E N T E R E D E D U C AT I O N O N YO U R T I M E .
About Us
WRITERS
Anita Thornton
Antonio Bravo
Bill Silvers
Chaplain Filip Brunner
Charles Finney
Dorothy Teague
Dr. Rob Debelak
Garrett Nudd
Granger Hughes
Hayden Lanier
Jan Merop
Judy Hood
Maggie Possinger
Sheila Bird
SALES
Matthew Ruckman goodnewstn@gmail.com 423-503-1410
DESIGNERS
Riley Evans art.goodnews@gmail.com
Caleb Prytherch art.goodnews@gmail.com
PHOTOGRAPHER
Paula Knipp 423-310-4207
EDITOR/ARTICLE COORDINATOR
Sandra Gilmore articles.goodnews@gmail.com
PUBLISHER
Matthew and Bethany Ruckman goodnewstn@gmail.com 423-503-1410
OFFICE
423-790-5378
WEBSITE goodnewscm.com issuu.com/goodnewscm
SOCIAL MEDIA
f GoodNews CM
Hello Friends,
We want to take a moment to tell you who we are and what we are about. Our names are Matt and Bethany Ruckman and we have six beautiful children, Brendon, Kailey, Andrew, Leah Jean, Emma, and Cooper. We live in Cleveland, Tennessee, and love what this town has to offer! We have started GoodNews Christian Magazine because we feel that when God, family, and community are combined, lives will be changed.
GoodNews Christian Magazine is a complimentary, Christian lifestyle publication. You can find us throughout the community in retail establishments, churches, restaurants, and more. Our magazine opens the door for Christians to work together to grow and strengthen our community through relevant editorial and effective advertising.
GoodNews Christian Magazine is written by men and women in the community who love and serve the Lord. Our hearts are open and willing to be used by God to reach out to the community to spread the GoodNews!
Disclaimer
All of the content in the GoodNews Christian Magazine is for general information and/or use. Such contents does not constitute advice and should not be relied upon in making (or refraining from making) a decision. Any specific advice or replies to queries in any part of the magazine is the personal opinion of such experts/ consultants/persons and is not subscribed to by GoodNews Christian Magazine. The information in GoodNews Christian Magazine is provided on an “AS IS” basis, and all warranties, expressed or implied of any kind, regarding any matter pertaining to any information, advice or replies are disclaimed and excluded. We reserve the right to refuse any advertisement or article we deem inappropriate.
for Athletes
At 87, Why Do I Run?
by Bill Silvers
At 87 years old, I'm part of a very small group, roughly the top 1.5% of the oldest Americans by age. And yet, in June 2025, I competed in my first National Track and Field Championship, running the 200-, 400-, 800-, and 1500-meter sprint races – and won medals!
When most others have slowed down, people ask me, “Why do you run?”
Observing the details of my life, I’m just a regular guy. Although I moved to Ellijay, Georgia, a few years ago, Murray County will always be my home. I’m actively involved in my church, serving on the Administration Committee and as the Evangelism Chairperson. I shop at local stores and get my car serviced in Chatsworth. If you followed me around, you might even get a tad bored.
Until… I start running.
At age 81, God led me to start running 5k races. I’m not a runner. I don’t even like to walk!
God called me to race. He also met with me in the training. I felt closer to God during my training. I trained for six weeks, six days per week. I spent one and a half to two hours, five to six days per week, at the gym. I also spent one hour per day at the basketball court.
Four to five days per week, I walked in the beautiful North Georgia mountains. It gave me the opportunity to see the beauty of nature that God has created.
I spent more time praying in the mountains than I did in church on Sunday. I also learned a better way to pray during that time. My prayers had always been a little one-sided. When you are walking in the mountains for hours at a time, you start to listen.
Running has become a ministry for me. Whether I’m at the starting line or the finish line, I hope others see a testimony of what God can do through someone who trusts Him. This Scripture beautifully captures the essence of why I run: to foster a disciplined life that mirrors the steadfastness of Christ, constantly looking to Him as the ultimate guide and motivator.
Running reflects the Scriptural call to aim for more than just earthly achievements. As Paul explains in 1 Corinthians
9:24–25 NIV, “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.”
This passage reminds me that while running, I am not just training my body but also cultivating spiritual virtues like self-control and determination, aiming for an imperishable reward in heaven. Each step becomes a reflection of my commitment to live according to God’s will, striving for the incorruptible.
The vitality and endurance found in Isaiah 40:31 NIV inspire my running journey: “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
This promise of divine empowerment sustains me, even through fatigue and challenges. Running becomes a celebration of the strength of spiritual truths, reinforcing my resolve to run my earthly race with the energy, courage, and joy that comes from my faith in Christ.
Bill Silvers from Ellijay, Georgia, began running competitively at age 81. He runs to the glory of God!
ABridging the Long-Term Care Cost Gap
Money Matters Granger Hughes with
Driven by a passion to educate, inform and prepare future retirees, Mr. Hughes works with his father to help provide educational opportunities for clients as well as others in the community. He feels a responsibility to help inform those who may otherwise not be aware of strategies, changes, and opportunities available to them when it comes to their financial well-being.
s Americans live longer and healthcare costs continue to rise, long-term care planning has become one of the most important parts of retirement preparation. Many retirees worry about what would happen if they needed help later in life with things like home healthcare, assisted living, or nursing home care. The challenge is that long-term care can be extremely expensive and can quickly drain retirement savings if there is no plan in place.
One strategy growing in popularity is a long-term care “bridge” approach that is designed to help people create significantly more long-term care protection from money they already have saved. Instead of simply leaving money sitting in a savings account or CD earning minimal interest, this strategy helps “leverage” those dollars into a larger pool of money that can be used for qualifying long-term care expenses.
A simple way to think about it is this: instead of your money only working one time for you, the strategy may allow it to work multiple times harder. In many cases, every $1 repositioned into the strategy can potentially create approximately $3 available for long-term care benefits over time, depending on age, health, and policy structure. That means someone repositioning $100,000 could potentially create access to roughly $300,000 or more in long-term care protection.
For many retirees, that concept is much easier to understand than traditional long-term care insurance. Rather than paying monthly premiums into a policy you may never use, this approach allows clients to reposition existing assets they already own. The money still belongs to
them, but it is now structured in a way that can multiply the amount available if long-term care is ever needed.
This can help provide peace of mind for families who worry about losing a lifetime of savings to healthcare costs later in retirement. If care is needed, the leveraged benefit can help cover expenses such as in-home care, assisted living, or nursing services. If care is never needed, beneficiaries may still receive remaining value through the policy structure, depending on the contract terms.
Another reason many retirees like this strategy is simplicity. People often hear terms like “long-term care planning” and immediately assume it is complicated or expensive. The bridge concept simplifies the conversation by focusing on one core idea: using a portion of your existing money to potentially create a much larger safety net for future healthcare expenses.
Long-term care planning is not only about protecting money. It is about protecting independence, reducing stress on family members, and helping retirees maintain more control over their future. Without a plan, healthcare costs can place emotional and financial strain on loved ones during already difficult times.
This type of strategy may not be right for everyone, but for many retirees it offers an easy-to-understand solution that combines leverage, protection, and flexibility into one retirement planning strategy. By starting the conversation early, families may have more opportunities to protect both their assets and their quality of life in retirement.
Retirement planning is the process of determining how you can meet your goals through the proper management of your financial resources.
Tax planning should not only assess your tax situation at retirement and in the present, but also look towards the future.
Social security strategies are various approaches that an individual may take to maximize their social security benefits.
There is more to Medicare than meets the eye. Making the best decision for your situation at age 65 is one of the biggest retirement decisions one may make.
Estate planning is a key element of a successful financial strategy. It ensures you will leave a legacy that provides for your loved ones by properly protecting and distributing your wealth according to your wishes. If you're ready to take the next step in your retirement planning journey, call (423) 664-4203 today to
I Love That Song
by Chaplain Filip Brunner
The world of music is as diverse in sounds as it is in the messages it brings to our ears. There are a myriad of styles of music to choose from. But what does that mean for the believer in Christ?
Forgive me, but I tend to be a purist when it comes to the message. The Bible makes it clear that the Word of God is to be handled with a certain respect and decorum.
Making a living is important. Everyone who is able needs to work in order to make a living. Herein lies the rub. When I wrote my first book, the question, “Will this sell?” was on my mind. On the one hand, I wanted it to be used of God. On the other hand, we had bills to pay. The music industry is not any different.
There seems to be an influx of what some would call “campfire songs.” These are songs that are fun to listen to but have very little in the way of Biblical teaching or doctrinal potency. They will most likely sell.
On the opposite side of the musical spectrum are the boring old hymns. Even those can be filled with ideologies extraneous to Biblical soundness. But for the most part, hymns are rich in sound doctrine. So where is the bridge we are looking for? No pun intended.
I am not sure there needs to be a bridge. What is needed is called due diligence. Play the music you enjoy, and
make sure the lyrics are not only based in the Word of God, but sound and in the correct context. Write the words first, and then write the music around them. Pray over the work.
Ask for the Holy Spirit to give you clarity as you write. Ask for potency within the framework of Biblical excellence.
“Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest” (Ecclesiastes 9:10 KJV).
What do you want to be remembered for? Do you want people to say, “He sang a bunch of funny, mediocre songs.” Or do you want people to say, “She sang songs that had deep meaning that brought people to the truth and love of Christ.”
On a personal note, I love churches that feature a good mix of worship music, especially when the music, the singers, the musicians, and sound people are bathed in prayer.
I love concerts. Many contemporary Christian bands are awesome. The music and songs are uplifting and well thought out. But consumers be warned, not all Christian music is created the same. Know what you believe the Bible teaches. And when your values and their values are not the same, determine beforehand how much “campfire songs” you are willing to listen to.
Pray for your pastors, your music and worship directors, and your ministers. Worship is about God first. Amen.
Filip Brunner is married to his wife, Dr. Kim Brunner and together they have six children. He is a writer, author, and artist.
The Heart of a Rose
by Sheila Bird
It has been said that a rose speaks of love silently, in a language known only to the heart. I found this to be true with my late husband who often expressed his feelings to me with roses. He knew how much I adored them. So whether he was celebrating a happy occasion or smoothing things over after an unhappy one, much to my pleasure it always involved the gift of lovely, long-stem roses.
His offering of roses never lost its meaning. With wide-eyed enthusiasm and a smile to match, I would put them on display so I could watch each tiny bud magically transform into breathtaking full bloom. But sometimes, a flower forgets its purpose and fails to find its way to the sun.
In many ways people are a lot like roses. They are the handiwork of God. Beautifully crafted and placed on this earth to bloom where they are planted. But life is not that simple, is it? Hard times often creep in like stubborn pestilence, eating away at our hopes and dreams.
It takes tenacity to bloom in a world full of hardship and disappointments. And yet we must. God, our strong and mighty creator, knows us by name and loves us thorns and all. He meticulously tends the garden of our hearts, pulling weeds and lovingly tilling its soil. He patiently awaits the outcome of His effort, and is faithful to see it through.
I imagine that if I were a rosebud, I would hold my head up high and reach for heaven with all my might. I would fearlessly unfold each of my delicate petals to reveal the wonder of my maker. I would strive to fill the atmosphere around me with sweet fragrance and I would persevere come rain or shine knowing that my days are numbered.
Full disclosure, I sometimes see myself more like a dandelion than a rose. One of those simple little yellow weeds that gets frequently stepped on or mowed down and never, ever cherished like a rose. Then I remember that even a prize winning rose is not exempt from suffering.
A prize-winning rose requires the tender care of a master gardener, but also the cold blade of His pruning shears. He knows that harsh winters result in dead leaves and broken branches. He knows! So in due season, He strives to eliminate disease and harmful overgrowth. He makes way for sunlight to nourish deep within and assures that the heart is pure and healthy.
Much like the human life, a rose in full bloom holds within its heart a legacy that remains unseen until the end. When each velvety petal slowly opens in splendor and in time drifts to the ground, the only thing that remains is its heart. Botanists refer to this as the fruit of a rose.
The heart of the matter is God’s heart and His heart longs for yours. All of it. Don’t let the devil convince you that you are a weed when you were born to live like a blueribbon winner.
Yes, it has been said that a rose speaks of love silently, in a language known only to the heart. But God was not subtle nor silent when He sent Jesus to this broken world. My prayer is that you give Him full occupancy to the garden of your heart, even when it hurts to go on. In doing so, you will be fully nourished by Him and you will abundantly flourish for Him.
Bird
widow
longtime
React Versus Respond
by Anita Thornton
Have you ever opened your mouth, spewed out an impulsive reaction, and immediately regretted it? Too bad that we can’t gather words, shoving them back into our mouths, erasing the entire interaction. Have you attended a sporting event and witnessed a parent screaming at the officials, coaches, their children, or sometimes all three? Alternatively, have you watched a mom calmly and patiently deal with a crying toddler? We are all faced with difficult, stressful, emotionally charged circumstances; these are all part of life. The choice is ours to either react or respond.
What is the difference between reacting and responding? Let me share an illustration that demonstrates the contrast. I was driving a rental car in moderate traffic in an unfamiliar city. I was tense in the situation. Suddenly, a man on the sidewalk starts screaming at me, “Why did you throw the bread on the sidewalk?” He continued to scream a string of obscenities.
My first thought was to react. I started to open the window and yell back at the man. My brain was screaming, “What are you talking about?” I chose to respond to the situation by keeping the window closed, the doors locked,
and not engaging with the man. I was waiting nervously for the traffic light to change so I could drive away. The man screams again and threatens to come into the street to scratch and damage my vehicle. I wanted to react by jumping out of the car and physically trying to stop him from approaching the rental car. Again, I controlled my emotions and did not react to his provocation. My response was to not engage with the man and to be prepared to call 911. Traffic began to move; I glanced over toward the man as he walked calmly down the sidewalk like the episode never happened. By choosing to respond versus react, I maintained my safety as well as the safety of my passengers.
A reaction is automatic; it is emotionally based with little or no thought on outcomes or consequences. A response is thought-based. It is a careful consideration of our options, then selecting the best action.
Jesus’ earthly life perfectly models for us how to respond to demanding situations. A notable example is recorded in John 8:1-11. In this scripture, Jesus is teaching in the temple. His teaching is interrupted by the religious leaders as they bring an adulterous woman, demanding that the Mosaic Law be applied and the woman be stoned.
Did Jesus react or respond? Jesus knew the hearts of the woman’s accusers. He fully understood their intent, which was to discredit His teaching. Verse 6 tells us that Jesus bent down to write on the ground with his finger, which was not the reaction the group was expecting. The leaders continued to question Jesus, trying to prompt a reaction. His response, “If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her” (John 8:7). This certainly was not what the religious leaders expected, and I am certain the woman was equally as surprised by Jesus’ response.
Think back to the difference between react and respond. Without His divine nature, Jesus could have reacted in this situation. First, He could have rebuked the religious crowd for interrupting Him while He was teaching. He could have challenged the crowd’s motives. When Jesus heard the woman’s sins, He could have joined the crowd in demanding punishment for her sins. Rather than quietly challenging the crowd with His words, He could have preached a fiery sermon on the need for self-examination “before removing the speck in your brother’s eye” (Matthew 7:3-5). Jesus simply responded.
How Jesus responded in this situation is a perfect example to us. He listened, He carefully considered His options, and He responded. Jesus’ answer hit the target with the woman’s accusers as they considered His words and decided to walk away. His words corrected but did not condemn the woman.
What techniques help us to purposely respond? First, when confronted with a difficult situation, pause. A brief pause allows us to better evaluate the circumstances. Next, we should assess our options and potential consequences. Then, proceed based on the best option. Sometimes the best response is no response. Some volatile situations require more time and consideration. James 1:19-20 instructs us, “everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.”
While we cannot control life’s daily stressful situations, it is still our choice to either respond or react.
Anita Thornton is a retired business leader. In addition to enjoying time with family, Anita enjoys golfing, hiking, traveling, and reading. She and her husband, Greg attend Christ Community Church.
from the Minister’s
The Shovel in Our Hands
Scripture Reference: Ecclesiastes 3:1 KJV: “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.”
by Charles Finney
Beloved, as we consider the tools God has placed in our hands for His service, let us reflect on the symbol of the shovel. The shovel, though simple, teaches us lessons about purpose, readiness, and the tasks to which God calls us. When we examine the “type of shovel” we use and the “purpose” behind it, we’re challenged to ask if we are spiritually prepared to dig, to plant, to clear, and even to uncover what God has placed beneath the soil of our lives. Let
us seek the Lord’s wisdom to handle this tool rightly, that our work may bear fruit for His Kingdom.
1. The Shovel of Digging: Uncovering the Deep Things of God
In every garden or field, the first shovel is the one that digs. When we come to God, we are to dig deep, for the Word says, “If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the
Yet this shovel is often neglected, and many walk upon the surface without ever knowing the riches that lie beneath. Our hearts are meant to dig deep for the truth, to yearn for a deeper knowledge of Him. Let us ask ourselves: Are we satisfied with surface faith, or are we willing to dig into the very depths of His Word, seeking treasures that transform our hearts and minds?
2. The Shovel of Planting: Sowing Seeds for the Kingdom
Once the soil is prepared, the shovel becomes a planter. In Mark 4:3-8, Jesus spoke of the sower and the different types of soil. We are reminded that we each have a role in planting seeds, both within ourselves and in the lives of others. “But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully” (2 Corinthians 9:6 KJV). When we take up the shovel for planting, we invest in future growth. Our calling is to plant seeds of love, faith, and hope in those around us, cultivating a garden of believers who together glorify God. But the soil we plant in is vital. The heart must be tilled and prepared through humility and repentance. Our actions, words, and example are the seeds we plant, and we are accountable for the fruit they produce.
3. The Shovel of Clearing: Removing the Weeds
Author knowledge of God” (Proverbs 2:4-5 KJV). Digging requires effort, diligence, and a willingness to go beyond the surface. As the workman digs to uncover the hidden treasures within the earth, so are we called to search the depths of God’s wisdom. The knowledge and riches of His grace lie just beneath the surface of the Word.
In life, we encounter weeds that choke and obstruct growth—sin, doubt, and fear that draw us away from God. Jesus taught in Matthew 13:24-30 that while good seed was sown, an enemy came to sow tares among the wheat. Clearing is a crucial part of keeping our spiritual garden fruitful and clean, for unchecked weeds can choke out even the heartiest of plants.
With this shovel, we remove the weeds of bitterness, pride, and complacency that may arise. As Hebrews 12:1 admonishes us, “Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us.” Let us examine the soil of our hearts, removing anything that hinders our spiritual growth, so we may serve Him without restraint. The shovel in this instance is not gentle, but its work is vital.
4. The Shovel of Uncovering: Bringing Forth the Buried Talents
In Matthew 25:14-30, Jesus told the parable of the talents, where one servant buried his talent in the ground, failing to use it for the Master. This shovel is one of uncovering, revealing the talents, gifts, and callings God has entrusted to us. It challenges us to dig up what we may have buried in fear or uncertainty, knowing that God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power, love, and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7 KJV).
We may sometimes bury our gifts, thinking them small or insignificant. But our gifts, when uncovered and offered back to God, serve His Kingdom in ways beyond our understanding. Let us, therefore, dig up the talents He has given and put them to use, for His glory.
Holding the Right Shovel for Every Purpose
Beloved, the type of shovel we choose reflects the purpose God has laid upon our hearts. Ecclesiastes 3:1 reminds us that there is a time and a purpose for every work under heaven. May we seek wisdom in discerning our purpose, choosing the right shovel for each task. Whether we are called to dig deep in our faith, to plant seeds of truth, to clear away hindrances, or to uncover our buried gifts, let us wield our tools with humble hearts, obedient to God’s calling.
Charles Finney—minister of inspirational Good News, retired various positions and industries, management and operational, freelance writer, author of “Grandpa-Good News From The Good Feel Cornfield.” Writings are a remembrance of family, farm life and church upbringing to be a blessing to all!
for Young Adults
God’s Image
by Maggie Possinger
Iwill admit that many days when I’m running errands, I’m in a rush.
Pumping gas? There’s just something I dread about it, and you almost always need to get it at an inconvenient moment. Going grocery shopping? I think most of us can agree that we want to spend the least amount of time in Walmart as possible. Ordering food at a fast-food restaurant? It’s in the name, right? I’m going to rattle off my order so I can eat faster and so the customers behind me don’t have to wait.
Because I’m either in a rush or very focused on locating my groceries (I’m still a novice shopper), I don’t find myself smiling a lot. I don’t think I look angry or like I’m out to get the world, but I know I don’t look the friendliest. Dare I say, I may even look a little miserable. Sometimes, if I catch a glimpse of myself, even I internally think, yikes, someone doesn’t look happy to be here. It’s honestly quite humbling and equally convicting.
Sometimes, I think society has ingrained in me the idea that I can’t be happy or friendly, especially
as a woman, because that’s how you find yourself in dangerous situations. Or maybe I just watch too many true crime shows.
While I have been taught to be aware of my surroundings so I can stay safe, there’s a healthy boundary between staying safe and being kind. I’ve been working on this for a while now, and I think I’m making slow progress.
Whenever I go out – it doesn’t matter where – to a coffee shop, a restaurant or a gas station, I’m trying to be more intentional about the way I look and the way I interact with people. Not the way I dress, but the way I carry myself, my behavior.
Maybe this is a scenario you know all too well – and I’ll admit, I’ve found myself in it too. You’re in the grocery store, casually strolling down the aisle. You notice someone enter the aisle from the opposite end. You give a small glance over (but only because you’re trying not to crash your cart into theirs). You pass silently, like ships in the night.
Here’s how I’m trying to change. Rather than speed walk past them, I slow my pace, look up from my tunnel
vision, and give a small smile. It’s as simple as that.
Why am I so convicted to do this? Because we are made in God’s image.
Since the very beginning of creation, God wanted us to know this truth. Genesis 1:27 NLT says, “So God created human beings in His own image. In the image of God He created them; male and female He created them.”
We see this repeated throughout scripture. Second Corinthians 3:18 NLT: “So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like Him as we are changed into His glorious image.”
Ephesians 4:24 NLT: “Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.”
I like how Paul uses the word “reflect” in 2 Corinthians. The only way to reflect something is to become like it. If I want my reflection to be of God, then I must, simply, act in a godly manner (which is easier said than done). But I’d still consider this endeavor much easier for humans because we were literally made to be like Him! We are so fortunate!
So, how does smiling at someone have anything to do with being made in God’s image?
If we’re the only piece of Jesus a stranger at the park, gas station or waiting room sees, shouldn’t it be a reflection of love? Shouldn’t it be a reflection of Christ? Thoughts like these deeply convict me.
I’m blessed because I’ve known God my entire life, but so many people don’t know Him, have had false impressions of Him, or have walked away from Him entirely. This makes our role as image-bearers of Christ that much more crucial.
As Christians, it’s our responsibility to share God with the world. While smiling might not be the strongest evangelism tool out there, it’s a start. Maybe that person you smiled at will wonder why you smiled at them. Maybe they’ll wonder why you’re weird.
Regardless, you can’t control what others think. God is the one who harvests and grows the seeds; we plant them. And for me, one of the best ways to plant seeds is to smile and acknowledge those around me.
Maggie Possinger is currently a student at Lee University. She can usually be found writing, reading, or coffee shop hopping. When not in school, she resides in Clear Spring, Maryland.
From Good News to Great Impact: Transforming Your
Community Through Generous Partnership
What does it mean to be a "generous" organization? In the heart of our community, leadership is often defined by more than just bottom lines or Sunday attendance; it is defined by how we refresh those around us. The Book of Proverbs reminds us that a generous soul will prosper, and he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed. The Apostle Paul adds in 2 Corinthians, “They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.”
But for many business leaders, pastors, and community influencers, the challenge isn't a lack of desire— it’s a lack of infrastructure and resources. How do you practically move from having a heart for your city to becoming its most vital resource?
Operation Compassion provides the bridge. Based in Cleveland, TN, they are a global relief organization with a local heartbeat. You are invited to move beyond traditional outreach and explore three strategic partnership opportunities designed to supercharge your impact
1. The Generous Church: Compassion Evangelism
Your organization can become a "soul-saving station" by meeting physical needs that open the door for spiritual conversations. Through the Generous Church program, your ministry or nonprofit is provided with access to high-quality, donated goods—including electronics, household items, toys, and books.
• Supercharge Outreach: Turn a standard food pantry into a community resource hub.
• Support Families: Provide like-new essentials
• to those facing financial crisis.
• Engage Youth: Use high-interest items to build meaningful bridges with the next generation facing financial hardship.
By becoming the most generous presence in your neighborhood, you prove that the Gospel is not just heard, but felt.
Take Action:
Sign up today at operationcompassion.org/gen-church
When disaster strikes—be it a flood, tornado, or fire—there is no time to build a plan from scratch. Your church or business can serve as the "focal point" for regional recovery. By partnering with Operation Compassion now, you gain the training and early resource access needed to lead when the community is most vulnerable.
• Early Access: Receive first-tier access to crisis response food, clothing, and shelter supplies.
• Expert Training: Leverage their 25+ years of disaster relief experience to develop regional response plans and key coordinators within your team.
• Recovery Networking: Access building supplies and sanitation kits for long-term community rebuilding.
Don't wait for the storm to seek a strategy. Position your organization as the pillar of strength your city will rely on.
Partner Now:
Inquire about becoming a regional center at operationcompassion.org
2. Disaster Readiness: Becoming the Regional Solution
3. The Living Waters Initiative: Global Reach, Personal Connection
Clean water is the foundation of life, yet 4.2 billion people currently live without safe access to it. Through the Living Waters Initiative, your organization can deploy filtration systems that provide thousands of gallons of purified water daily.
This isn't about writing a check; it’s about engagement and transformation:
• Mission-Scale Impact: One system provides enough water for a village, school, or clinic.
• Direct Engagement: Choose a community to support and witness and actively engage in the life-saving results of your partnership.
• Eradicate Disease: Help stop the tragedy of the 6,000 children who die daily from water-related illnesses. Whether in North America or across the sea, your partnership ensures that toxic water is replaced by a source of life.
Save Lives: Learn more at operationcompassion.org/livingwaters
A Vision for the Future
President Kelvin Page summarizes their mission simply: "To show compassion from across the street to across the sea." This mission only succeeds when local leaders like you step into the gap. Your leadership is central to the health of our region.
Looking ahead, you are invited to choose a path of radical generosity. Whether you are resourcing a local family, preparing for a regional crisis, or funding a clean water well in a remote village, you are doing more than "giving"—you are building a legacy of hope.
Operation Compassion invites you to engage today. Their team challenges, “Let’s show our community what true generosity looks like.”
Gò0 dNews for your Taste Buds
Blackberry Cobbler in a
June in the Smoky Mountains feels like the world leaning into summer. The fields are greener, the air is thicker, and the forest paths come alive with honeysuckle and bird song. It’s a season of abundance, and one of the first real gifts it brings is wild blackberries—ripe, juicy, and just waiting to be picked.
In Appalachian families, blackberry cobbler isn’t just a dessert; it’s an early-summer ritual. No need to use a complicated recipe—just a few pantry staples and those tart, sweet berries brought home in buckets. What makes this special is the way the batter rises up around the fruit, crisping at the edges while the berries bubble up like little pockets of jam. Let it cool just enough before serving, and gather around the kitchen table or on the porch, with spoons in hand, ready to taste the first true dessert of summer.
Cobbler like this is part of the Appalachian rhythm—simple, resourceful, and rooted in the land. It’s what happens when you mix what you have with what the earth gives. And in June, the earth gives blackberries.
Cast-Iron Skillet
Ingredients:
• 1 stick (½ cup) unsalted butter
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup sugar (plus 1–2 tablespoons for sprinkling)
• 1½ teaspoons baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup whole milk
• 2 cups fresh blackberries (or frozen, thawed and drained)
• Optional: a squeeze of lemon juice or a pinch of cinnamon
Instructions:
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Place the stick of butter in a 10-inch cast-iron skillet and let it melt in the oven while you prepare the batter.
2. In a medium bowl, mix flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Stir in the milk until smooth—don’t overmix.
3. Carefully remove the hot skillet from the oven. Pour the batter over the melted butter; do not stir.
4. Scatter the blackberries evenly over the batter. If desired, drizzle with a little lemon juice or sprinkle with cinnamon. Top with an extra tablespoon or two of sugar for a crispy top.
5. Bake for 40–45 minutes, or until golden brown and bubbly around the edges.
6. Let cool slightly before serving. Best enjoyed warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
This blackberry cobbler is more than dessert—it’s a tradition passed down like a family song, reminding us that the simplest ingredients often hold the most flavor, and that June always has something sweet in store.
"It's what happens when you mix what you have with what the earth gives. And in June, the earth gives blackberries"
Everything is Twisted
by Chaplain Filip Brunner
I wrote the poem “Twisted” when my stepfather died at the beginning of July 2025.
Everything is twisted. Nothing is right.
Everything is twisted. My life is falling apart. Twisted, twisted. Twisted!
Nothing, nothing is right.
Heaven does not answer when I cry and hell accuses me “of being alive.”
Everything is twisted.
The road before me, but not where my feet have already trod.
Everything is twisted.
The sea before me, the waves toss me about. All is glass when I dare to glance behind.
Everything is twisted, the mountain tall, the valley steep, the bridges, the tunnels, the chasms, the peaks.
Everything is twisted. Nothing is right.
Heaven does not answer when I cry and hell accuses me: “of being alive.”
Must I drown in sorrow? Oh, maker of all?
Down, down. Down!
I drown. I drown. I drown!
Everything is twisted.
Nothing is right, apart from “The One.”
“I have heard of You with my hearing. But now I see.”
Everything IS twisted. NOTHING is right.
But now I see my Maker. He speaks to me in gentle rebuff.
Have you ever wondered what feelings Job experienced when his world came crashing down around him? Or perhaps you and I have experienced similar sorrow and wondered why everything in life seems twisted, and God seems so far away, and the devil’s chief accusation is that we are alive at all.
Then the small still voice of God came to Job and still comes to us, “Then the LORD answered Job out of the
whirlwind, and said, ‘Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge? Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me. Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? Declare, if thou hast understanding. Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it?’” (Job 38:1-3 KJV).
Where were you when God created ALL?
Our God is not limited in any way. Sometimes He wants the accuser of the brethren to know what metal we are made of. Paul has a deeper understanding about suffering when he speaks about fellowship with Christ: “That I may know him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death” (Philippians 3:10 KJV).
What suffering did Jesus endure and why would anyone want to have fellowship with it? While the cross would be the obvious answer, may I suggest something that brings suffering and fellowship together?
“…who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2b KJV).
His joy is twofold. First, there is the reconciliation of sinners. That's us, in right standing and fellowship with the Father. Secondly, there is His elevated position at the right hand of the throne of God. Therefore, when all things are twisted, let us look unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2a). Amen.
Filip Brunner is married to his wife, Dr. Kim Brunner and together they have six children. He is a writer, author, and artist.
Misty BOLT MEET
Misty found herself led to insurance, and specifically to Medicare. These unique life experiences shaped Misty and fueled her drive to succeed for others. She is relentless in her fight to help those in need. Today she does so through her business, Medicare Misty, which helps people navigate the confusing world of Medicare.
Are You Working Out Only For Appearance?
by Antonio Bravo
How often do you come to the gym just to look like that magazine model, or that personal trainer you watch on social media? According to research published in the journal Psychology of Sport and Exercise, despite the health benefits associated with regular physical activity, exercise motivated by appearance reasons can lead to poorer body-image in lots of people. Popular blogger and “anti-diet” dietitian, Taylor Wolfram, recognized this when she said, “The truth is when you hinge exercise on your appearance, you are less likely to have a positive relationship with it.” Let’s look at issues around selfacceptance and exercise.
Inner Fitness
Focusing on physical changes before healthy mental changes is like worrying about the paint from your car before your oil change. Working out is more than a dress size and you are more than what you weigh!
Working out is passion, energy, and a feeling of satisfaction by acquiring health and wellness. But what many of us need before going to the gym and working on our physical fitness, is a quiet time and a journal to do the needed “inner work” that will help us to be fit on the inside. A pioneer in this area is “Inner Fitness” Trainer and CEO of the Inner Fitness Project, Tina Lifford. She says, “Inner fitness means developing the mental, emotional, spiritual skills, and practices that foster resilience. I’d like to see the idea of inner fitness become as ubiquitous, well understood, and actionable as physical fitness.” Activities like Tai Chi, meditation, thankfulness, journaling, and prayer can really help. And though it
is working from “the inside out,” developing inner fitness has actually been shown to improve both inner AND outward physical health. Obsession for Perfection
How many times do I have to stare at the mirror to see the results? Do I have to step on the scale and weigh myself every day? We all try to get in shape so fast that we don’t pay attention to the damage and disorders we could be doing to our mental and physical health—things like behavioral addictions, eating disorders, anxiety, body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), or even physical damage. Instead of believing that our aesthetic beauty and how we look is the primary benefit of exercise, we could prize many other benefits. Emotional health, improved mood, greater bone density, increased energy, physical strength, and sleep improvement are just some of them.
Social Media and Expectations
There will be a time frame when we can feel the results from all the hard work we put into our efforts. But this time frame and the ultimate results will differ because we are all genetically unique. Therefore, we should NEVER compare our results with others. Doing this leads to unhappiness and low self-esteem since results vary from person to person. Social media sites project perfect lifestyles and bodies for their viewers, trying to convince their audience to be a certain way or that there is only one body type. We need to be accepted and reach out.
Nevertheless, we are perfect just the way we are. We each have different family and work obligations, needs, goals, and priorities. Therefore, our fitness journey is different from others. Physical changes will happen, slowly but progressively with the right training and nutrition, but always prioritize your health and wellness above body image—if you want to be healthy both inside and out.
Embrace your progress. Your fitness goals by nature and results will be different from others. As breakout literary phenomenon, Rupi Kaur has said, “How you love yourself is how you teach others to love you.” Love yourself well.
Antonio Bravo is a Fitness Consultant with Bradley Wellness Center as well as a Group Fitness Instructor. He instructs Liquid Fitness, Cardio Dance, and Tabata.
Gò0 dNews for Life
Count Them If You Can! (Genesis 15)
by Dr. Rob Debelak
The LORD calls a solitary man from obscurity to a distant land (Genesis 12:1-5). God promises the aged patriarch a place, a progeny, and a purpose. Time passes, yet he and his wife remain childless. Questions pervade his thoughts, and in response, God invites him to count stars.
After These Things (v 1a)
Abram’s devotion to family prompted Lot’s rescue (14:116). The military campaign is successful, with subsequent interaction between Abram and two kings (14:17-24). One king-priest brings blessings (vv 18-19), the other leader seeks to acquire people (v 21). The format (blessing and people) readies Abram for dialogue with God on a sensitive subject fusing divine favor (blessing) with the gift of an heir (people).
A Visionary Experience (v 1b)
The Almighty engages Abram in conversation. God encompasses the sweep of time in a salutation reflective of His eternal character (after [past], I am [present], reward will be [future] - v 1). Abram’s response parallels the greeting by understood inference to the former events (Ch 14), verbalized honor of the present Sovereign LORD, and a transparent question about an uncertain future (15:2-3).
Abram ponders if naming a trusted steward as his heir is what God will use to work His will. Though cultural practices are at the LORD’s disposal, in this case, His work would be unique (v 4). The Creator had brought light into existence out of nothingness; sustaining it, the sun, moon, and stars appeared three days later (Genesis 1). He brought Abram from insignificance to promised prominence (12:1-5), sustaining him through repeated challenges (Ch 12-14). Abram’s great reward was rooted in God; to make the point, He takes the elderly man outdoors (15:5).
The new setting brought a fresh perspective. Limitations that had clouded his view led to short-sightedness and doubt (v 3-4). In contrast, the boundless, outdoor stage of creation regaled Abram in silent testimony of the vast, unlimited power of God! Commanding attention to just one feature of God’s handiwork (Psalm 19:1), Abram is told to look up and count the stars – if that were possible (Genesis 15:5b)!
Why Stars?
Scripture flexibly applies the word stars from the natural to the symbolic. The stars appeared at God's discretion, in His appointed time, and for an ordained purpose (Genesis 1). Reflected in the childless couple's plight (Genesis 15) stars cannot be produced at human will. Further, Abram is to count those he can see – were there more? Abram and subsequent readers are reminded that some things remain the purview of God alone. Echoing the point, the quantity and identity of these evening luminaries is eloquently sung by the psalmist [147:4 (KJV)]:
“He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names.”
Abram could not count all the stars, but God Himself, the Creator of countless constellations, knows the precise number and the very names of each one. In like fashion, He knew the name of the baby to be born to Abram and Sarah (Genesis 17:19), and the endless family line that begins with them.
Why stars? Abram had one child in mind, yet like the night sky he gazed at, God had a whole nation planned. The LORD is Abram’s Sovereign Shield (15:1) and what He pledged will exceed the patriarch’s wildest dreams. What Abram could not do, God Himself would fulfill. God calls Abram to trust Him for the impossible—and he did (15:6).
Debelak
"He telleth the number of the stars; He calleth them all by their names"
Psalms 147:4 KJV
for Discovering More
Reaching for MORE THAN
by Garrett Nudd
The crowd pressed in as Jesus passed by a woman who was sick and bleeding. For twelve years, she had been considered unclean. She had seen doctor after doctor, spent every penny she had, and tried absolutely everything. But her condition progressed. She was an embarrassment and an outcast, hideous, and unsanitary.
She heard Jesus was coming. She knew it was her big chance to experience MORE THAN.
The crowd that gathered was so much bigger than anyone expected. Shoulders bumping, everyone pushing to try and get a closer look at Jesus. To try and steal a smile from Him, make eye-contact with Him, and maybe even touch Him.
A guy named Jairus got to Jesus first. His sick daughter was dying, and he begged Jesus to come to his home and heal her. Jairus was an official from the synagogue. He had status, notoriety, and people assigned to him.
But in the midst of the chaos, the desperate, invisible woman reached toward Jesus. She was reaching for MORE THAN. As the story goes, she didn’t actually touch Jesus’s person, just His robe. Even though Jesus didn’t see her, He felt her.
Jesus asked, “Who touched my garment?”
Jesus asked the question, not because He didn’t know the answer. Jesus not only felt her touch, He felt her reach. His question was a test of faith. With all eyes on her, would the sick, unclean, outcast identify herself and bear her brokenness trusting the Master Healer could heal her?
She fell down before Him, exhausted from the wretched and wounded life she’d been living. With all eyes on her, she said, “It was me. I reached for you. I touched you. And I have faith. I’m exposing my pain. I’m putting it all on the line because you are my only hope. I’m giving it all to you.”
Imagine Jiarus during this scenario. Jiarus had Jesus’ attention first. Then Jesus gets distracted by the woman in need.
Jairus was a leader and the kind of guy who has backstage passes. He’s the kind of guy who gets invited to sit at the VIP table with Jesus.
Notice, if you’re comparing Jairus and the bleeding woman, as far as society goes, Jairus is up here and she’s
down here.You know what? Jesus didn’t really like sitting at the VIP table.
I can just see Jairus wrapping his arm around Jesus’s shoulder like they’re bros. “Come on, Jesus, we were going this way.”
And Jesus says, “Wait, I know your situation is dire but I’m going to take care of her first.”
And Jairus pleads, “but Jesus, it’s my daughter. She’s sick and she’s got her whole life ahead of her. And this woman, I mean, she’s old, and well…..”
We’ve all been there. We’ve all been Jiarus. How dare they cut in front of me when I was here first? How dare they get the promotion when I did all the work? How dare their child gets picked over mine?
Jesus responds with, “Easy now, I got this. Don’t you know who my Father is?”
Jesus not only healed the bleeding woman, He went and woke Jairus’ daughter from death’s sleep.
Could it be that Jesus is so in tune with our needs that He feels them as well?
Could it be that it’s not the touch that matters as much as the reach?
Could it be that Jesus knows exactly when we need MORE THAN, but He’s simply waiting for us to reach out?
ò0 dNews for Kids
Shimmer’s Discovery
by Jan Merop
The fluted red flowers in the garden were filled with sweet nectar. I may be among the smallest of birds, but I hovered over the flower like God’s perfect little helicopter that I am.
I am a hummingbird (known for the humming sound created by my rapidly beating wings). I fly forward, sideways, up, down, and even backward! That’s pretty miraculous, like how I got my name, Shimmer.
This particular backyard was a happy place with children, lots of flowers, and a hummingbird feeder. The family loved me.
Then for a while I didn’t see them. I saw lights on inside the house, but the family rarely came out on the deck. I missed their children, especially sweet Lily. Some months later, they ventured outside again. That is when I saw Lily, who used to run and play. Now, she is sitting in a wheelchair. I heard her parents say that an accident had hurt her legs.
Just as I was performing all sorts of maneuvers to get her attention, I heard her say, “Look, Mommy! There’s the hummingbird.”
She had always enjoyed seeing me, but also kept busy playing with her sisters. Now, all of a sudden, she was still and really watching me.
and then blessed me with feathers that glimmered different colors.
One day, her Daddy set up his tripod with his camera and sat there patiently with Lily. Little by little, because of their stillness, I’d fly over to investigate the red strap on his camera. Her Daddy saw this and got an idea.
She saw how the sun shimmered off my iridescent feathers and she giggled as I flew up and down and backward. God made me with so many talents,
He put a little of the red hummingbird liquid into Lily’s hand. She sat very still with her hand out.
I looked at her hand and the food, but went back and perched on the feeder, watching her from the corner of my eye. I flew back and gently landed on her hand again, but I didn’t know if I could trust her. From what I had overheard, Lily was also having trouble trusting her therapist to help her
Suddenly, I had an idea. If I showed Lily I trusted her, she might be willing to trust her therapist.
So, briefly at first, and shaking a little, too, I landed gently on her hand and took a drink. I noticed how she cared for me and wouldn’t hurt me. That’s when she saw how the sun reflected the colors of
She was so still and patient until I flew away. Then she squealed with delight and said, “I’m going to call my hummingbird, Shimmer, because her wings twinkle like fairy wings!”
“Shimmer is a perfect name,” said her Daddy. “And do you know what? Shimmer had to learn to trust you so she could be nourished and able to fly in
all directions. Now it’s your turn to trust God and your therapist to help you walk, run, and play again.”
Lily was gone several hours a day. But she continued feeding me out of her hand when she was home. In a few weeks, she was standing by the deck rail. And then she was running down to the grass and holding out her hand.
Fear stops us from experiencing new and exciting things. When we trust, we’re set free.
That goes for hummingbirds and for people!
Exploring Truth Through God’s Creation
“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear” (1 John 4:18 NKJV).
“And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32 NKJV).
“Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10 NKJV).
The Hummingbird and You
After her accident,
Lily was afraid to trust the one person who could help her walk again.
Her fear was worse than what the accident had caused because it was keeping her back from healing completely.
Fear was telling her lies.
So when fear comes in, chase it out with God’s love. Be still and watch Him work.
Jesus will never leave you or forsake you. His love never fails.
Like the verses say, love and truth help us to trust and be free.
Jesus is truth and He sets us free from lies that lead to fear.
Jesus loves us perfectly. Therefore, we have nothing to fear.
Gò0 dNews for Everyone
To All Who Doubt or Don’t Believe
by Hayden Lanier
“Ibelieve Christianity is an evil that needs to be destroyed.”
This is not something I believe or would ever say. It was said to me one time on a mission trip. I struck up a conversation with a young man—for the purposes of this devotional, we’ll call him Kevin—who knew I was a Christian. Kevin, however, was an atheist. We had a lengthy conversation that covered our differing perspectives on objective morality and who Jesus is, as well as trivial matters like the history and folklore of the country Kevin is from.
However, the part of the conversation that stood out to me the most was something Kevin said about his worldview. He said that, for most atheists, there comes a startling moment when they realize they are going to die. He said that for him, this came at around age 11 or 12, and that there are even entire organizations dedicated to helping atheists when they come to this moment of crisis. Kevin told me that he understands why people believe in Jesus, life after death, and have religion. He said that the promise of seeing your loved ones again is beautiful. It broke my heart to hear him say these things, that he sees why people believe and find comfort in faith, but that he doesn’t believe himself.
I would love to share with you that during this conversation, Kevin turned to Christ in faith and is now a Christian. This, however, did not happen that day. But I was able to share the gospel with Kevin. I told him about how I believe that Jesus came to earth and died so that we can be forgiven of what we have done wrong and live forever with Him. I told him of how I have experienced God’s peace and presence personally in my life and that I honestly could not have made it through these difficult times without my belief in Jesus.
I share all of this not to pat myself on the back or to hold this story up as a great example of evangelism. Truth be told, I am ashamed of the times I have not shared the gospel and let my fear keep me from obeying this command. No, I write and share this story with you for a couple of reasons.
First of all, if you do know Jesus but wrestle with doubts about your faith, I want you to know that Christ is real. He loves you, and He died for you. I don’t have the knowledge or the space to delve into this specific sea of knowledge, but there is a wealth of evidence supporting the Bible and the historical truth of Jesus. Our faith is not a set of cleverly devised myths, but we have eyewitness accounts of Jesus’
life and majesty (2 Peter 1:16). So if you ever struggle with your faith, I encourage you to think about the logical reasons to believe in Christ but also look back on how He has shown His power in your life. If you know Him, you have no doubt experienced His power and strength in many ways.
But if you, like Kevin, do not believe in Jesus, please seek Him out with an open heart. Do some research, talk to a Christian friend, or read the Bible for the very first time! Life may seem pointless or hopeless, but Jesus gives purpose and hope to all who turn to Him.
“You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:13 ESV).
See www.setyourmindabove.com for more from Hayden Lanier.
Hayden Lanier is a follower of Jesus, a graduate of Shorter University, and he works as an elementary school teacher.
for Parents
Honor Your Father and Mother
by Judy Hood
With celebrations this time of year for Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, it brings to my mind what the Bible says about honoring one’s parents. Have you ever looked at what the Scripture says? It’s quite interesting.
As we read the fifth commandment in Exodus 20:12 CSB, it says to “Honor your father and mother so that you may have long life in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.”
To be honest, you shouldn’t only honor your mother and father, you should honor all your elders to show respect. What a wonderful place this world would be if everyone showed each other respect. The next step would be to love.
People talk about love and being kind but how many actually live by love and kindness? Proverbs 10:12 KJV tells us, “Hatred stirs up strifes: but love covers all sins.” Can you imagine helping your brother or sister through their sins, instead of gossiping about them and beating them down
God is telling us to not only honor our mothers and fathers when we’re young, but to honor them all the days of our lives. We are also required to take care of them as well as we can.
Back in the days of old, families took care of their own. There wasn’t a place you could take your loved one and leave them in someone else’s care. Everybody had to chip in and help.
In a world filled with so much hate and lack of respect for our elders we need to start changing our ways and ask the Lord to fill our heart with His love. So many of our parents have just been forgotten, left alone to get by the best way they know how. If you would like to be blessed, then honor your parents. God loves obedient people.
To get back to mothers and fathers though. Read again what the first paragraph in this article says: “So that you may have long life.”
A quick internet search reveals statistics that make one pause and wonder. For adults ages 25-44, 62% of deaths in this age category are considered preventable. It makes one stop and think about the Bible verse.
In other words, it’s saying that you can cut your life short by not treating your parents right. Just think how hard they had life raising you with tender, loving care. Ask yourself, would I want my children to treat me as I treat my parents? Fulfill their wishes, if you can. Your parents will not be around forever. Then when they are gone, you can feel good about the way you treated them. Fill their life with love.
For those who truly did not have a sound, healthy, Bible-based childhood, and find it hard to honor a mother and father who let you down, then honor the Father. He loves you genuinely and unconditionally. Serve Him with all your heart and honor Him all the days of your life.
You can get Judy Hood’s poetry books at the Cleveland Public Library.
for Seniors
Alignment
by Dorothy Teague
Lately I’ve noticed how my husband is walking differently. He leans to his right, hunching his shoulders, walking stiffly. He is going to a chiropractor to see if his back and hips are out of alignment. He has tried exercises on his own, but a professional is needed to make precise adjustments. A chiropractor deals with the musculoskeletal system, so he will be the right source to go to in order to realign his spine.
Sometimes cars can get out of line too. When the wheels seem to be fighting each other and not all pointing the same direction, this can be an indication that the car is out of alignment, which can cause wear and tear on the tire tread or worse, an accident! Cars can become unstable when turning on curves or have difficulty driving in a straight line in a lane of traffic. In such cases, we should seek a professional mechanic to make the necessary adjustments. Alignment is an arrangement in a straight line or in correct or appropriate relative positions. It also means a position of agreement (Oxford Languages). Just as our physical bodies need realignment to work properly as God designed them to, sometimes we need spiritual realignment. We go about our daily lives, making plans of what we need or want to do. We climb the ladders of success in our careers, with personal goals we want to accomplish, sometimes forgetting to include God in those decisions. In fact, we can leave Him completely out of the equation as we get tied to this world. We start thinking we know best and do not consult God on what He wants us to do with our short lives.
Romans 12:2 NKJV says, “do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Our culture would have us believe that we must align ourselves with the trends of the time or with the group of voices that speaks the loudest, saying what we should do or believe. But as Christians, we must stay true to the Word of God. It should be the plumbline of our lives to discern what’s true and what is from the enemy of our souls.
Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV advises us to “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding and in all your ways, submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.”
When our spine is out of alignment, we seek a professional who knows how to adjust us and relieve our pain. When our car is out of alignment, we go to a professional mechanic who has experience and can fix the car so that we can drive it safely. When we are spiritually out of alignment with God, we must go back to His word to realign ourselves with Him so that we walk straight on the path He wants us on. By releasing our plans into God’s hands, we can align with Him to fulfill what He has planned for us.
Psalm 37:4 NKJV says, “Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.” We may think what we have planned is good, but God’s plan for us is always so much better than we can imagine! “For I know the plans I have for you,…plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV).
Dorothy Teague is a Tennessee native, who resides in McMinn County with her husband, Lewis, on their farm. After completing 31.5 years as a teacher in the Bradley County School System, she is active in her church at Eastanallee Baptist
Cleveland Church Directory
African Methodist Episcopal
Price Memorial AME Zion 254 Dooley Street NE, Cleveland, TN 37311
Anglican
Mission Cleveland 1165 Church St SE, Cleveland, TN 37311
Apostolic
First Apostolic Church Of Cleveland 4859 Freewill Rd NW, Cleveland, TN 37312 (229) 343-6880
Assembly of God
The Collectives Church
1976 Westland Dr SW, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 641-0193
Triune Assembly 301 Sunset Drive Cleveland, TN 37312
Baptist
Antioch Baptist Church
2807 Old Alabama Rd. SW McDonald, TN 37353
Avenue Church
1720 Perry St SE, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 472-0489
Beacon Baptist Church 505 Corvin Rd NE, Cleveland, TN 37323 (423) 472-7056
Bellefounte Baptist Church 132 Bellfounte Rd NE, Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 336-2312
Bethel Baptist Tabernacle 3165 Buchanan Rd SE, Cleveland, TN 37323 (423) 479-5820
Berean Baptist Church
2355 Bucks Pocket Rd SE, Old Fort, TN 37362 (423) 478-1697
Big Spring Baptist Church 1415 Hardwick St SE, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 472-1101
Blue Springs Baptist Church 699 Blue Springs Church Rd SW, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 472-0932
Candies Creek Church
294 Old Eureka Rd Charleston, TN 37310 (423) 479-3731
Cedar Springs Baptist Church
723 Cedar Springs Church Rd SE, Cleveland, TN 37323 (423) 479-5506
Center Point Baptist Church 1205 Lower River Rd NW Charleston, TN 37310 (423) 336-2133
Cleveland Cowboy Church 3040 Blythe Rd. Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 476-7936
Cloverleaf Baptist Church 2290 Waterlevel Highway Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 339-3617
Clingan Ridge Baptist Church
2412 Georgetown Road, NW Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 472-3511
Covenant Baptist Church
249 Calhoun Rd SE, Cleveland, TN 37323 (423) 559-2653
Dalton Pike Baptist Church 3055 Benton Pike NE, Cleveland, TN 37323 (423) 472-7606
East Cleveland Baptist Church 1145 Arnold St NE, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 472-8728
Echos of Mercy Baptist Church 535 Durkee Rd SE, Cleveland, TN 37323 (423) 715-9739
Elkmont Baptist Church 4030 Old Freewill Rd NW, Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 479-4600
Emmanuel Baptist Church 1227 Powerline Dr NE, Cleveland, TN 37323
Farmland Community Church 1675 Greendale Dr. SE Cleveland, TN 37323 (423) 473-9891
First Baptist Church 1275 Stuart Road Cleveland, Tennessee 37312 (423) 709-9100
Galilee Baptist Church 665 Old Chattanooga Pike SW, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 241-2740
Henegar Baptist Church 7423 Mouse Creek Rd. Cleveland, TN 37312
Hopewell Baptist Church 188 Old Georgetown Rd NW, Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 479-3763
Lebanon Baptist Church 1411 Old Parksville Rd NE, Cleveland, TN 37323 (423) 479-6700
Macedonia Baptist Church 3119 Spring Place Rd SE, Cleveland, TN 37323 (423) 479-1713
Maple Street Baptist Church 1700 Maple St NE, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 478-3622
Maranatha Baptist Church 453 Blue Springs Ln SE, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 614-8991
Michigan Avenue Baptist Church 2741 Benton Pike NE, Cleveland, TN 37323 (423) 472-8891
Mt Carmel Baptist Church 7619 Blue Springs Rd, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 479-1620
New Friendship Baptist Church 1344 Chatata Valley Rd NE, Cleveland, TN 37323 (423) 476-6007
New Salem Baptist Church 175 Ladd Springs Rd, Cleveland, TN 37323 North Cleveland Baptist Church
2815 Ocoee St N, Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 476-8524
Oak Grove Baptist Church 4452 Bates Pike SE, Cleveland, TN 37323 (423) 479-9125
Old Pathway Baptist Church 224 Rymer Rd NE, Cleveland, TN 37323
Parkway Baptist Church 185 Meadow Ln SE, Cleveland, TN 37323 (423) 339-5522
Philadelphia Baptist Church 910 30th St SE, Cleveland, TN 37323
Philippi Baptist Church 2325 Old Harrison Pike NW, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 479-5385
Pleasant Grove Baptist Church 799 Inman Street East Cleveland, Tennessee 37311 (423) 476-4081
Public Church 850 17th St. NW Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 458-4405
Ridgeview Baptist Church 1501 S Ocoee St, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 472-5119
Samples Memorial Baptist Church 371 Samples Chapel Rd SE, Cleveland, TN 37323 (423) 476-2329
Shenandoah Baptist Church 138 Osment Rd SE, Cleveland, TN 37323 (423) 339-0103
Shiloh Baptist Church 357 Highway 64 Ocoee, TN 37361 (423) 338-4292
Shiloh Baptist Church 3406 Blair Rd NW, Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 479-5755
Stuart Park Baptist Church 850 17th St NW, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 472-6741
Tasso Baptist Church 164 Old Charleston Rd NE, Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 559-2114
Temple Baptist Church 3070 Harrison Pike, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 476-6813
Thompson Spring Baptist Church 5660 Bates Pike SE, Cleveland, TN 37323 (423) 790-1823
Union Baptist Church 797 Hughes Lake Rd SE, Cleveland, TN 37323 (423) 559-1720
Valley View Baptist Church 4657 Spring Place Rd SE, Cleveland, TN 37323 (423) 472-7707
Waterville Baptist Church 4555 Dalton Pike SE, Cleveland, TN 37323 (423) 472-5582
West Cleveland Baptist Church
1959 Westland Dr SW, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 472-8927
Westwood Baptist Church 4001 Georgetown Rd NW, Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 472-1534
White Oak Baptist Church 2043 White Oak Valley Rd NW, Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 559-2359
Catholic
St Therese Catholic Church 900 Clingan Ridge Dr NW, Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 476-8123
Charismatic
Cleveland Christian Fellowship 695 S Ocoee St, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 476-2642
Church of Christ
North Bradley Church of Christ 1510 Stuart Road NE, Suite 207 Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 473-3298
Church of God
Community Chapel Church of God 807 Blythe Ave SE Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 479-2143
Church of God Sanctified, Inc.
746 First Street N.E. Cleveland, TN. 37311 (423) 479-3895
East Cleveland Church of God 900 15th St NE Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 479-3389
Fellowship of Praise Church of God 931 Inman Street East Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 479-3121
Grace Community Church of God 4745 Mouse Creek Road NW, Cleveland, TN 37312. (423) 614-0708
Heritage Fellowship Church of God 4635 South Lee Hwy McDonald, TN 37353 (423) 476-6316
Iglesia de Dios Comunidad de Esperanza/COG Community of Hope 2779 APD 40, Cleveland, TN 37323 (423) 464-5691
International Worship Center Centro Internacional de Adoración 533 Central Ave. NE, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 476-1977
Kinser Church of God 141 Kinser Road Cleveland, TN 37323 (423) 476-7400
Lakeview Community Church 105 Pound Street SE Cleveland, TN 37323 (423)-790-5805
North Cleveland Church of God 335 11th St NE, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 476-5513
Michigan Avenue Church of God 515 Minnis Road NE (423) 284-7573
Mt Olive Church of God 3522 Harrison Pike, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 479-3381
Mt View Church of God
210 Roadway Dr SE, Cleveland, TN 37323 (706) 455-3528
Pine Hill Church of God 1484 Old Alabama Rd McDonald, TN 37353 (423) 488-0939
Prospect Church of God 2220 Harrison Pike, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 479-3020
South Cleveland Church of God 1846 Volunteer Dr SW, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 476-6382
Westmore Church of God 2440 Legacy Pkwy NW Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 479-3415
Church of God of Prophecy
Cleveland Spanish COGOP 2610 Grove Ave. Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 473-7199
Durkee Road COGOP 201 Durkee Rd. Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 472-4384
Keith Street Ministries COGOP 4000 Keith ST. NW Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 476-2448
Peerless Road COGOP 3301 Peerless Rd. NW Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 303-2680
Spring Place COGOP 2530 Spring Place Rd. Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 476-6414
Wildwood COGOP 140 Wildwood Ave Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 479-6584
The Church of God Jerusalem Acres 1826 Dalton Pike SE Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 472-1597
in Christ 1025 Beech Circle NW Cleveland TN 37312 (423) 314-2382
of Christ First Christian Church 3625 N. Ocoee
TN 37312 (423) 472-6682
Big Springs Methodist Church 1196 Hardwick St SE, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 476-5242
Black Fox United Methodist 1820 Old Chattanooga Pike SW, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 339-1908
Broad Street United Methodist 155 Central Ave NW, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 476-5586
First United Methodist Church 3425 Ocoee St N, Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 476-4504
Mt. Zion Methodist Church 7223 Georgetown Rd Cleveland, TN 37312
Pleasant Grove Community Church 3043 Pleasant Grove Church Rd SW Cleveland, TN 37311
Red Hill United Methodist Church 527 Red Hill Valley Road SE Cleveland, TN 37323 (423) 728-5413
Tasso United Methodist 1106 Tasso Ln NE, Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 479-4457
Trinity United Methodist Church 731 1st St SE, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 614-7900
Valley Head Methodist Church 920 Mouse Creek Rd NW, Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 472-0575
Wesley Memorial Methodist 3405 Peerless Rd NW, Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 472-9578
Faith Memorial Church 910 17th St NW, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 476-6281
First United Pentecostal Church 4095 Peerless Rd NW, Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 476-9436
Revolution Life Church 1525 Jones Ave SW, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 310-7287
Full Gospel House of Prayer 1500 Wildwood Ave. Cleveland, TN Nazarene
Cleveland First Church Of The Nazarene 2712 Henderson Ave. Cleveland, TN 37312 423-472-7371
New Hope Church of the Nazarene 4514 Waterlevel Highway Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 473-3379
Benton Pike House Of Prayer 2615 Peach Orchard Hill Rd, Cleveland, TN 37323
2595 Old Freewill Rd NW, Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 728-5050
Cleveland Community Chapel 1823 Forest Ridge Dr. Cleveland, TN 37311
Cleveland Cornerstone Church 533 Broad St NW, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 479-1775
Community Hall Church 1305 6th Street Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 472-2178
Crossroads Community Church 1000 South Lee Highway Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 716-2871
Dwelling Place Church International 523 Urbane Road NE Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 790-5200
Eagle’s Chapel Church 133 Beaty Dr NW Cleveland, TN 37312
Eleven22 Church 1701 South Lee Hwy Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 488-4526
Evening Light Gospel 200 20th St SE Cleveland, TN 37311
Freedom Fellowship Church 3555 Blue Springs Rd, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 478-0654
God’s Family Fellowship 2823 South Lee Hwy Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 458-4490
Graceway Chapel 221 14th St NW, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 728-2226
Jacob’s Tent Fellowship 1080 Montgomery Ave NE, Cleveland, TN 37311
The Journey Church 3191 South Lee Hwy, McDonald, TN 37353 (423) 728-4100
Living By Faith Ministries 1175 King Edward Avenue Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 457-9072
Living Stones Church 4165 Peerless Rd NW Cleveland, TN 37312
Living Word Church 930 25th Street NW Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 339-3028
Mount Zion Prayer Center 650 25th Street NW Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 478-5044
New Life Bible Church 155 S Ocoee St, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 472-3882
Redemption To The Nations 2750 Keith Street NW, Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 591-7886
(423) 478-2843
Tasso Christian Church 1135 Tasso Lane, Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 479-2705
The TRIBE 1175 King Edward Avenue SE Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 380-8802
Tri-State Cowboy Church 200 Natures Trail SW, McDonald, TN 37353 (Building 3) (423) 303-8954
United Christian Church 2200 Peerless Rd NW, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 479-4277
Unity Christian Ministries 2419 Georgetown Rd NW Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 473-9338
Walker Valley Community 787 Lauderdale Memorial Hwy Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 336-9696
Wings Of Love House Of Prayer 855 5th Street SE, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 716-5394
Presbyterian
Charleston Cumberland Presbyterian Church 8267 N Lee Hwy, Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 336-5004
First Cumberland Presbyterian 161 2nd St NE, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 476-6751
First Presbyterian Church 433 N Ocoee St, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 476-5584
Flint Springs Cumberland Presbyterian Church 515 Flint Springs Rd Cleveland TN. 37323 (423) 284-6397
Prospect United Cumberland Presbyterian Church 310 New Murraytown Rd. NW, Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 476-6181
St James Cumberland Presbyterian 151 Short St NE, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 472-5762
Trinity Presbyterian PCA 1780 Stuart Rd. NE, Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 559-9595
Seventh Day Adventist
Bowman Hills Adventist 300 Westview Dr NE Cleveland, TN 37312
Cleveland Fellowship Church 3687 Blue Springs Rd, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 671-7497
East Cleveland Seventh-Day 801 Howard Circle SE Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 476-9299
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 4200 Pryor Rd N.E. Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 503-6394
Christian Fellowship Ctr 895 6th St NE, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 479-9591
Church Alive Ministries 6315 Mouse Creek Road NW, Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 476-8133
Church At Grace Point
Restoration Fellowship 211 Trewhitt Dr SE, Cleveland, TN 37323 (423) 479-4249
Rock Bridge Community Church 3635 Georgetown Rd, Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 641-1485
The Sanctuary 1203 Smith Dr. Cleveland, TN 37311
Ladd Springs Seventh-Day 5860 Bates Pike SE Cleveland, TN 37323 (423) 476-1889
Zion Assembly
Zion Assembly Church of God 5512 Waterlevel Hwy, Cleveland, TN 37323 (423) 476-3337
Mission Statement:
We believe when people are equipped, motivated, and passionately engaged in living out their faith in Jesus Christ they have the potential to be world changers. Our mission is to bring people into a dynamic relationship with Jesus Christ—a relationship that empowers them to see how God can work through individual personalities, situations, and talents. Christ was an activist, He did not neglect the needs of the people as He brought His message. We strive to encourage everyone to look more like Christ by reaching outside of themselves to serve the needs of others—at home, at school, in communities, and across the world.
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