April 2022

Gò0dNews April 2022

Complimentary

Christian Magazine

®

DALTON & CHATSWORTH

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About Us WRITERS

Andrew Lee April Engstrom Brent Goodge Brian Johnson Dana Robinson David Huff Dean Draper Douglas Baynes Greg Grotewold Jodi Varnado Juanita G. Ellis Karen Jeffery Karla Smedley Kristen West Matt Jensen Pamela Latham Porter Johnson Rachel Smith Rhonda Beavers Stephen Baker Susan Lavigne Velma Monday

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Shane Franks 706-270-2410 Email: dalton.goodnews@gmail.com

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Caleb Prytherch Email: art.goodnews@gmail.com

PHOTOGRAPHER Paula Knipp 423-310-4207

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Hello Friends, We want to take a moment to tell you who we are and what we are about. Our names are Matt and Bethany Ruckman and we have six beautiful children, Brendon, Kailey, Andrew, Leah Jean, Emma, and Cooper. We live in Cleveland, Tennessee, and love what this town has to offer! We have started GoodNews Christian Magazine because we feel that when God, family, and community are combined, lives will be changed.

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Contents

APRIL 2022

GoodNews from the Pastor’s Desk

6 Overcoming Doubt

by Stephen Baker

GoodNews for Kids

8 The Old Goat’s Coat

by Juanita G. Ellis

GoodNews Money Matters

10 The Rich Life—What’s Yours Look Like?

by Andrew Lee GoodNews for Men

12 My Burial

by Douglas Baynes

GoodNews for Women

14 Sometimes Receiving Is Better

by Karla Smedley GoodNews for Couples

18 Gain Wisdom for Your Marriage

by Rachel Smith GoodNews for Everyone

20 Adjusting to Change

by Velma Monday

GoodNews for Life

22 The Christ We Need

by Matt Jensen

GoodNews for Parents

24 Surrender

by Greg Grotewold

GoodNews Cover Story

26 Best Buy Metals:

Roofing That Lasts

by Jodi Varnado GoodNews for Everyone

28 Change of Plans

by Kristen West

GoodNews Ministry Spotlight

30 The Serpentine Prophecy

by Brent Goodge

GoodNews for Everyone

32 When God Arrived

by Dean Draper

GoodNews for Everyone

34 It’s Not Hurting Anyone

by Brian Johnson

GoodNews for Everyone

36 What are you looking for?

6

by David Huff

GoodNews for Everyone

38 The Coming of New Beginnings

by April Engstrom GoodNews for Everyone

40 What’s The Truth?

by Susan Lavigne

GoodNews for your Taste Buds

42 Let Food Be Thy Medicine: Sensational Salads

by Dana Robinson

26

GoodNews for Poetry

44 Happy

by Pamela Latham

GoodNews for Everyone

46 True Beauty

by Porter Johnson

GoodNews for Everyone

48 The Empty Grave

by Rhonda Beavers

GoodNews for Everyone

50 Perfect Peace

by Karen Jeffery

46

Gò0dNews from the Pastor’s Desk

Overcoming Doubt

I

by Stephen Baker

f you have trusted in Jesus Christ as your Savior, the

John calling unto him two of his disciples sent them to

Devil will try to get you to doubt that you are saved.

Jesus, saying, Art thou he that should come? or look we for

When a believer doubts his salvation, he cannot enjoy

another?” But Jesus said that there had never been a greater

the Christian life nor serve God effectively. I doubted my

prophet of God than John the Baptist! If John could doubt

salvation for years. God has assured me, but it didn’t come

the Savior, then any saved person can doubt that he or she is

instantly. It came over time. When I was younger, it got to

truly saved.

the point where I was asking Jesus to save me every day,

Next, let’s examine the word “believe.” This is the most

several times a day. I just couldn’t be sure that I really

important word in understanding salvation. Ephesians

trusted Him.

2:8 explains that we are saved through faith, and the Bible tells us repeatedly that the way to be saved is to believe in Jesus Christ. For example, Acts 16:31, “And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.” The word “believe” in the Bible means “trust.” The Word of God teaches that I will be saved if I “believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.”

I could say, “I believe in Santa Claus or the Tooth Fairy.” In other words, I am saying that I believe they exist. That is not what the Bible is talking about. People are not saved because they believe that Jesus exists. They are saved because they trust in Him for their soul’s salvation.

Finally, to “call upon the name of the Lord” in Romans 10:13 is just a way of expressing faith.

Lost people do not doubt their salvation. They don’t

Read verses 13 and 14 together to get the full meaning. “For

have any salvation to doubt! Only a saved person can doubt

whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be

his or her salvation. The Holy Spirit does not cause you to

saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have

doubt. The Devil does that. If you have received the Lord

not believed…?” (Romans 10:13-14 a.). We cannot call unless

Jesus as your Savior, the Holy Spirit will show you, from the

we believe, or trust in Jesus Christ for salvation. When I was

Bible, that you are saved. The Bible says, “These things have

young and wanted to be saved, I thought that there was a

I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of

certain prayer that I had to pray. But prayer will not save

God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life and that ye

anyone. Prayer is an outward expression of inward faith.

may believe on the name of the Son of God” (1 John 5:13).

Putting our faith into words is good, but faith alone in Christ

First, there is the false idea among some that a saved person cannot doubt his or her salvation. It is easy for a

saves! “That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:15).

because many Christians doubt their salvation. John the Baptist was saved, but he doubted. Luke 7:19 says, “And

6 // April 2022

About The Author

preacher to get lots of people “saved” when he teaches this Pastor Stephen Baker is the pastor of Harmony Baptist Church in Dalton, Georgia. www.harmonybconline.com

• HOPE FILLED PRAISE & WORSHIP • RELEASING THE FATHER’S GOODNESS • CHANGING THE ATMOSPHERE

Gò0dNews for Kids

The Old Goat’s Coat

by Juanita G. Ellis

“Please hold my coat,” the old goat said “The sleeves are way too long.

My hand gets caught within its folds And makes this stone fall wrong.”

But, why this hate? Oh, why this scorn?

For Stephen young and brave?

Oh, why the strong dislike of Christ, So newly from the grave?

Saul helped his older friend undress, And held his own arm out.

The old goat draped his coat on Saul, Then quickly turned about.

Did Saul hear, too, as others did The sobs from Stephen’s heart?

When as he prayed for that old goat, The heavens split apart?

Reaching for another rock, That old goat threw it straight.

The rock fell short and missed its mark, His fist soon raised in hate.

As Christ stood up, with angels, round, To welcome Stephen there, The old goat left and went his way To only God knows where.

The rocks were spent, the deed was done.

His garment clean and dry.

For Saul had held the old goat’s coat When gentle Stephen died.

8 // April 2022

About The Author

The Stoning of Stephen—See Acts 7:54-60.

A young man named Saul held the coats of the men who stoned Stephen. Saul became the great Apostle Paul. He wrote 14 New Testament books!

Juanita G. Ellis created LSKidStuff, a ministry supplying printable, creative Christian material for classroom use. Visit lskidstuff.wordpress.com for more information.

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The Rich Life—What’s Yours Look Like?

MONEY MATTERS

WITH DR. ANDREW LEE 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.

R

emember the days before GPS devices and MapQuest

idea aligns with your spouse’s, and where your ideas may

apps for smartphones? Hordes of hapless husbands

diverge. Discuss ways to accommodate each other’s “rich

steering with their knees while trying to read the Rand

life” dreams as you move toward practical steps to realize

McNally Road Atlas on their lap, or trying to unfold the AAA

these goals. Then, start taking action! This is where the rubber

TripTik map (without swearing) and still manage to keep the

meets the road. Most people have no shortage of dreams; we

car on the road moving at fifty-five mph. Meanwhile, the wiser

daydream in our cars sitting in traffic, at night while falling

and cooler-headed wife waits smugly for him to ask for her

asleep—dream of that glorious day when we’ve “made it”

help. Good times.

and can start relaxing, enjoying, laughing, loving life the way

Achieving our dream of “the rich life” can be just as

we always intended. But what most people do not do is start

frustrating as the scenario described above. Unless we’re

taking action now. Instead, they sit around wondering “Do I

clear on what our “rich life” destination looks like, how will

dare?” like J. Alfred Prufrock. Or, like Miniver Cheevy, they

we know what it takes to reach it—and how to recognize it

“thought and thought and thought about it.” (Nerd alert: As an

when we do, in fact, achieve it? I’m borrowing the term “rich

English professor, I can’t resist an occasional literary reference).

life” from author Ramit Sethi; the phrase simply means the

Meanwhile, time keeps ticking by, and the odds of reaching

financially secure life you always dreamed of realistically

your “rich life” dwindle.

reaching one day. Many of us might think of “rich life” as

So, let’s get going! Contact your employer’s Human

simply “retiring comfortably and being able to do whatever

Resources office and start contributing to your company

I want to do.” Each of us has a unique vision for what the

retirement plan if you haven’t yet. Or increase your monthly

“rich life” looks like. For some, it may be owning a luxury

retirement contributions if you’ve already been contributing.

car or traveling the world; for others, it may be having a cozy

Go online to TD Ameritrade and set up a Roth IRA account

cabin on a quiet lake, donating to charities, taking culinary

to have automatic monthly direct deposits going straight into

classes and hosting weekly dinner parties, or moving closer to

an investment of your choice (my kids chose the “VT symbol”

the grandkids. Maybe your “rich life” means having enough

exchange-traded fund which is the Vanguard Total World stock

financial resources so that the next time your verbally abusive

index fund—you own every stock in the world at one shot,

boss screams at you, you can simply walk away. It’s important

done!). If you’ve been wanting to explore real estate investing,

to have a clear vision of this goal so you can create a realistic

decide if you want to be a landlord by owning rental property

roadmap for achieving it.

(in which case, contact local realtors ASAP and start asking

If you’re married (or engaged), it’s important to talk about

questions), and join the Bigger Pockets online community to

both of your visions for the “rich life” and work together to

learn from others’ experiences. Your “rich life” won’t happen

make these a reality. Make notes about where your “rich life”

by itself: “Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will

10 // April 2022

be established” (Proverbs 16:3).

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Gò0dNews for Men

My Burial

A

by Douglas Baynes

s I walked up the stairs, my climb was slow and I held

with the warmth of fresh air and the newness of life. I had, after

on to the banister. The carpet under my feet was wet

all these years, finally followed in my Lord’s footsteps. I gave

from others that had gone before me. As I reached

my heart and my life to Christ on April 30, 1961, and a few

the top of the stairs, I was met with a warm smile from an old

years later, all the boys at my church got together, let’s all get

friend—he came to my burial. My time had come, and I was

baptized. At twelve years old, none of us really understood the

beckoned down. When my feet touched the water, it was cold—

meaning of it. It was just another “get to heaven” thing you had

cold and icy as the grave itself. Each step I took was deliberate

to do.

and forceful as the frigate water slowly rose to envelop my

In the last few months, I felt compelled to be baptized again, as I now know the meaning of it and the eternal significance of it. Water baptism is the act of obedience to His command, as all those behind me from centuries past had done. I now have been made a new creature in, and with, Christ. The steps from that watery pool were now complete, and in that water, stripped from me was that old man, but I have been raised anew in Christ.

If the Lord tarries too long in His return and my days here are completed, my pastor will once again stand at my burial site. He will be across from a flag-draped casket. But know this—as he raised me from that water on March 6, 2022, Jesus will take my hand and raise me to be with Him on that last day here. Forever I shall be with Him and all those that have followed Christ.

Paul wrote to the Romans in 6:4: “Therefore we were

body. When I reached the bottom, the pastor smiled at me. He

buried with him through baptism into death, that just as Christ

asked my name and harking back to old days in the military, I

was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so, we

answered with a voice loud and deliberate. He then asked, “If

also should walk in newness of life.”

you were to die today, would heaven be your home?”

“Oh yes!” I replied. With that, he spoke softly as if he was

You can ask the Lord to forgive you of your sins and to make Him the Lord of your life in private, but water baptism

my father, “I have you.” I was calm, and I was in his care. I

is the public confession of your faith and trust in Him. In

heard him say, “in the name of the Father, the Son, and the

Matthew 28:19, the Lord’s great commission to the church was

Holy Spirit, I baptize you, my brother.”

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them

Then laying me back into the water, the coldness of it now

in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”

blanketed my whole being. Death, as it was, had finally come

In closing, I have to say that at seventy, I felt, well, silly

to this soul. I knew in my spirit what it was to die with Christ.

doing this until I saw my friend in front of me—and he has six

I was separated from the very air I needed, the warmth, and

years on me. No matter your age the time is short, for Jesus

from friends and loved ones.

is coming soon. Cross all the “T’s” and dot all the “I’s.” Make

Then a strong arm grasped about my back, I was lifted, as

everything right between you and the Lord.

being raised anew with Christ was complete. I raised my arms and shouted to the Lord! The watery grave was now replaced

12 // April 2022

About The Author

from that grave, and as the water flowed from me, my joy of Doug Baynes attends PRC with his wife Annie of forty-two years. They host “Caffeine Connection” every Sunday morning. Come and have a cup!

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Gò0dNews for Women

Sometimes Receiving Is Better

M

by Karla Smedley

y mom taught me that it is better to give

Saturday. Most of the time, we have good intentions

than receive. Perhaps when it comes to

but our follow-through is lacking.

talking and listening, this is not so.

As my girls grew, I tried to encourage open

When I was a mom of young children, they liked

communication between us. Some days they clammed

to tell me how to play and what to do. “Mommy, sit

up, but more often they were Jabberjaw and I couldn’t

here and put this dress on my Barbie.” When I looked

get a word in edgewise.

at them with my mama face, they would add, “Please.”

When I reflect on my relationship with God, I

Of course, I happily did as they asked. They enjoyed

realize that I am similar to my girls and Jabberjaw, the

giving me instructions, but they did not always like

cartoon character from the ’70s. I’d much rather talk to

receiving mine.

God than listen to Him. I pray more often than I read His Word, giving Him my list of wants and needs like He is a genie.

To give me a little credit, I will ask Him for guidance at times and ponder for a while. But time after time, I go on my merry little way, usually because I want a quick resolution. His instructions for a better life are found in His Word, and He continues to wait.

Probably, I am an eighty/twenty percent girl. I talk, talk, talk, talk, talk, talk, talk, talk, and only listen, listen. How prideful am I that I could think God would listen to me more than I should be listening to Him? I need a balance!

“Girls, five more minutes and then we need to

That’s what I need to do. Find the time to be still

leave” was not even heard at times. “Pick up your

and know that He is God. In His omniscience, He

toys, please” was weakly acknowledged with a weak

knows best for all my needs and all my wants.

“Okay.” Then, it went in and out of their ears—just

Yes, I believe there are many times when it is better

like it did with my little ears when my mom spoke

to receive than to give. God cares for us so much that

similar words. They much preferred giving the

He desires for us to spend time with Him. So, let’s

instructions rather than hearing them. Following my

sit and rest in His love. Read His words. Listen, and

directives, that was an entirely different situation.

receive His wisdom.

sometimes? We hear His Word on Sunday mornings, and out it goes the other ear on Monday through

14 // April 2022

About The Author

Isn’t that the way we are with God’s instructions Karla Smedley lives in Dalton, Georgia, where she has taught 5th through 8th grade for the past twenty-four years. She is a member of Emmaus Baptist Church and has two grown children. She enjoys singing with the praise team at church, and she writes a Christian blog, Smorgasbord of Sisterhood, with her cousin Donna.

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Dalton Church Directory Assembly of God

Christian Fellowship Assembly 3656 Chattanooga Road, 30755 706-280-7594 The Sanctuary 515 Reed Rd NW, 30720 706-270-2088 The Impact 508 Sheridan Ave, 30721 706-226-7743

Baptist

Abundant Life Baptist Church 811 J and J, 30721 706-278-5289 Antioch Baptist Church 1205 Antioch Road, 30720 706-278-1305 Beaverdale Baptist Church 2496 Beaverdale Rd NW, 30721 706-259-7089 Calvary Baptist Church 2115 Chatsworth Rd, 30721 706-278-6324 Carolyn Baptist Church 2305 Cleveland Highway, 30721 706-259-8142 Centerpoint Baptist Church 420 Centerpoint Drive SE, 30721 706-277-2100 Christ Reformed Baptist Church 1378 Dug Gap Rd, 30720 706-226-3026 Concord Baptist Church 1054 Hopewell Rd, Cohutta 30710 706-694-8618 Cove Baptist Fellowship Church 461 Carbondale Rd SW, 30721 706-277-3484 Crown View Baptist Church 502 West Tyler St, 30720 706-278-7422 Deep Springs Baptist Church 1660 Beaverdale Rd NE, 30721 706-259-3255 Dug Gap Baptist Church 2031 Dug Gap Rd, 30720 706-278-2377 Eastbrook Baptist Church 204 Hill Rd, 30720 Eastside Baptist Church 913 East Morris St, 30721 706-278-8553 Eleventh Avenue Baptist Church 2550 South Dalton Bypass, 30722 706-278-7020 Emmaus Baptist Church 4268 S. Dixie Rd, 30735 706-483-5251 First Baptist Church 802 Kenner St, 30721 706-226-9681 First Baptist Church of Dalton 311 North Thornton Ave, 30720 706-278-2911 Grace Baptist Church 2049 Lower Kings Bridge Rd, 30721 706-537-6884 Good Hope Baptist Church 2525 Lake Francis Rd, 30721 706-259-3719 Grove Level Baptist Church 2802 Cleveland Highway, 30721 706-259-8519

16 // April 2022

Good Samaritan Baptist Church 3137 Cleveland Rd, 30721 706-259-7239 Gospelway Baptist Church 336 Jupiter Cir, 30721 706-278-1424 Grace Baptist Church 2049 Lower Kings Bridge Rd, 30721 706-537-6884 Harmony Baptist Church 187 Lower Dawnville Rd, 30721 706-226-5521 Harvest Baptist Church 3986 Cleveland Hwy, 30721 706-694-8951 Hill Crest Baptist Church 1901 Cityview St, 30720 706-279-1267 Hopewell Baptist Church 3527 Airport Rd, 30721 706-226-5987 Kinsey Drive Baptist Church 2626 Kinsey Drive,30720 706-277-3505 Lakeshore Park Baptist Church 12 Crescent St, 30720 706-275-6050 Liberty Baptist Church 506 South Pentz St, 30720 706-226-5535 Lindsey Memorial Baptist 706-673-7650 3503 Lindsey Memorial Rd. Rocky Face, Ga. 30740 Macedonia Baptist Church 1355 Dawnville Rd NE, 30721 706-259-9220 Maple Grove Baptist Church 347 Maple Grove Rd, 30721 706-483-6300 McFarland Hill Baptist Church 307 Brickyard Rd, 30721 706-277-5521 Mount Rachel Baptist Church 332 Haig Mill Lake Rd, 30720 706-278-5192 Mount Ridge Baptist Church 1401 M L King, Jr. Blvd, 30721 706-278-0335 New Hope Baptist Church 900 Roan St, 30721 706-226-2093 New Hope Baptist Church 706-673-8050 2105 Tunnel Hill-Varnell Road Tunnel Hill, GA 30755 New Life Baptist Church 2620 Old Grade Rd, 30721 Northwest Georgia Baptist Church 222 North Pentz St, 30720 706-463-3490 Olivia Baptist Church 1817 Guy St, 30720 706-278-3507 Pine Grove Baptist Church 4004 Airport Road, 30721 706-264-8630 Poplar Springs Baptist Church 897 Poplar Springs Rd, 30720 706-259-8727 Reformation Baptist Church 244 N. Hamilton St, 30720 706-314-8711 Rocky Face Baptist Church

1544 Rocky Face Railroad St, 30740 706- 226-5751 Salem Baptist Church 1448 Pleasant Grove Dr, 30721 706-259-7045 South Dalton Baptist Church 498 Lakemont Drive, 30720 706-278-4946 Shiloh Baptist Church 2014 East Waugh St, 30721 706-226-5981 Temple Baptist Church 2310 South Dixie Hwy, 30720 706-226-6785 Valley Baptist Church 2907 Old Rome, 30720 Welcome Hill Baptist Church 2772 E Welcome Hill Circle, 30721 706-278-0368 Whitfield Baptist Church 2134 Dug Gap Rd, 30721 706-278-6776

Bible

Fellowship Bible Church 2044 Dug Gap Rd, 30720 706-278-6269

Catholic

Saint Joseph’s Catholic Church 968 Haig Mill Lake Rd, 30720 706-278-3107

Christian

First Christian Church 1506 Dug Gap Rd, 30720 706-278-7244

Church of Christ

Central Church of Christ 515 N. Tibbs Rd, 30720 706-278-8051 Riverbend Church of Christ 2218 S Riverbend Rd, 30721 706-226-0819

Church of God

Lifegate Church 2744 Cleveland Highway, 30721 706-259-0016 Church of God of Union Assembly 2311 South Dixie Rd, 30720 706-275-0510 City View Church of God 3688 Chatsworth Hwy, 30721 706-226-6686 Crosspointe 2681 Underwood Street 30721 706-278-2649 Valley Brook Church of God 1474 Mineral Springs Rd, 30720 706-279-3296

Community

Church on the Hill 1035 Abutment Rd, 30721 706-278-9208 Community Fellowship Church 409 North Fredrick St, 30721 706-278-3204 Freedom Community Church 908 Elk Street, 30720 706-463-2690 Rock Bridge Community Church 121 W Crawford St, 30720

Episcopal

Saint Mark’s Episcopal Church 901 West Emory St, 30720 706-278-8857

Latter-day Saints

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 610 Shugart Rd, 30720 706-278-5295

Lutheran

Christ the King Lutheran Church 623 S Thornton Ave, 30720 706-278-3979

Methodist

Bethel AME Church 620 Spring Street, 30720 706-226-2714 Bethel UMC 123 Bethel Church Rd, 30721 706-278-3309 Dalton First UMC 500 South Thornton Ave, 30720 706-278-8494 Dawnville UMC 1529 Spring Ln NE, 30721 706-259-5342 Fairview UMC 735 Riverbend Rd, 30721 706-996-5057 Five Springs UMC 2823 Five Springs Rd, 30720 706-277-3928 Mineral Springs UMC 4079 Airport Road, 30721 706-517-0200 Mt. Vernon UMC 597 Lafayette Road Rocky Face, GA 30740 706-673-4667 New Haven UMC 4040 South Dixie Highway, 30721 706-217-1879 Pleasant Grove UMC 2701 Cleveland Highway, 30721 Sugar Valley UMC 503 Murry Hill Dr, 30720 706-280-9112 Trinity UMC 901 Veterans Dr, 30721 706-278-4042 Tunnel Hill UMC 706-673-4022 121 North Varnell Road Tunnel Hill, GA 30755 Varnell United Methodist Church 3485 Highway 2 Cohutta, 30710 706-694-8023 Wesley Chapel UMC 808 Jamestown CT, 30721 706-270-2331

Nazarene

First Church of the Nazarene 2325 Chattanooga Rd, 30720 706-278-8428 Grace Church of the Nazarene 1111 Nelson St, 30721 706-278-1171

Non-Denominational

Abundant Life Bible Church 120 East Morris Street, 30721 706-270-9733

Bridging the Gap Ministries 514 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, 30721 706-277-7575 Relentless Worship Center 879 College Dr, 30720 Conference Room 3 706-313-1129 Cornerstone Family Church 1240 Dawnville Rd, 30721 706-259-8509 Dalton House Of Prayer 897 College Dr, Conference Rm 3, 30720 706-915-6545 Good Neighbors Church 910 South Thornton Ave, 30720 706-226-0846 Gospel Light Tabernacle 804 Sheridan Ave, 30721

Grace Fellowship Ministries 620 N Glenwood Ave 2&3, 30721 706-280-1375 Northwest Christian Fellowship 272 Main St, Varnell, GA 30756 706-694-9830 River of Life Church of Dalton 2919 East Walnut Ave, 30721 706-965-6683 Saint James Overcoming Church 400 North Fredrick St, 30721 706-278-0319

Pentecostal

Iglesia de Dios Pentecostal Fuente de Agua Viva 1007 Underwood St, 30721 706-278-4963

La Senda Antigua 308 East Matilda St, 30720 706-270-8826 True Gospel Pentecostal Church 109 South Henderson St, 30721 706-278-5696 Shadow Ridge Worship Center 122 Wheat Drive Varnell, GA 30721 706-280-4546

Presbyterian

ChristChurch Presbyterian 510 South Tibbs Rd, 30720 706-529-2911 First Presbyterian Church 101 S. Selvidge St, 30720 706-278-8161

Grace Presbyterian Church 2107 Threadmill Rd, 30720 706-226-6344

Salvationalist

Salvation Army 1109 N. Thornton Ave, 30722 706-278-3966

Seventh Day Adventist

3 Angels Hispanic SDA 701 E Morris St, 30721 706-618-1182 Dalton Hispanic SDA 112 W Long St, 30720 706-275-0523 Dalton SDA Church 300 South Tibbs Rd, 30720 706-226-2166

Chatsworth Church Directory Baptist

Blue Ridge Primitive Baptist Church 706-517-9849 134 Hyden Tyler Road Chatsworth, GA 30705 US Calvary Baptist Church 706-695-7747 Highway 225 North Chatsworth, GA 30705 US Center Hill Baptist Church 706-695-7988 65 Berry Bennett Road Chatsworth, GA 30705 US Cisco Baptist Church 706-695-9270 Highway 411 North Chatsworth, GA 30705 US Cool Springs Baptist Church 706-517-5388 Holly Creek Cool Chatsworth, GA 30705 US Fellowship Baptist Church 706-695-2626 4396 Highway 52 Chatsworth, GA 30705 US First Baptist Church 706-695-2112 121 West Market Street Chatsworth, GA 30705 US Flat Branch Baptist Church 706-695-2663 3443 Highway 286 Chatsworth, GA 30705 US Free Hope Baptist Church 706-695-3717 4176 Highway 76 Chatsworth, GA 30705 US Holly Creek Baptist Church 706-695-8522 422 Holly Creek Chatsworth, GA 30705 US Liberty Baptist Church 4221 US-76, Chatsworth, GA 30705 US Little Consauga Baptist Church 706-517-5733 1100 Sugar Creek Chatsworth, GA 30705 US Maranatha Baptist Church 706-695-6330 Highway 225 South Chatsworth, GA 30705 US Mount Pisgah Baptist Church 706-517-8944 2309 Old Highway 411

Chatsworth, GA 30705 US Murray Baptist Church 706-695-9712 508 West Peachtree Street Chatsworth, GA 30705 US New Hope Baptist Church 706-517-3089 1273 New Hope Road Chatsworth, GA 30705 US New Prospect Baptist Church 706-629-9521 7629 Highway 225 Chatsworth, GA 30705 US Old Fashion Baptist Church 706-695-5420 885 Ben Adams Road Chatsworth, GA 30705 US Open Air Ministries 706-386-484 1058 Mtn Crest Dr. Chatsworth, GA 30705 US Prayer Baptist Church 706-624-9216 10859 Hwy. 225 South Chatsworth, GA 30705 US Shinning Light Baptist Church 706-517-1739 801 North 5th Avenue Chatsworth, GA 30705 US Smyrna Baptist Church 706-695-5815 1913 Smyrna Church Road Chatsworth, GA 30705 US Spring Place Baptist Church 706-695-5532 441 Highway 225 South Chatsworth, GA 30705 US Strait Way Baptist Church 706-517-2861 508 West Peachtree Street Chatsworth, GA 30705 US Total Praise Baptist Church 706-695-6441 1461 Greeson Bend Rd, Chatsworth, GA 30705 US Zion Hill Baptist Church 706-517-5913 Highway 225 North Chatsworth, GA 30705 US

Bible

Grace Bible Church 2599 Leonard Bridge Rd. Chatsworth, GA 30705 US

Church of Christ

Woodhaven Church of Christ

706-847-7400 508 West Peachtree Street Chatsworth, GA 30705 US

Church of God

Chatsworth Church of God 706-695-9388 Highway 411 South Chatsworth, GA 30705 US Central Community Church 706-695-4242 60 Pine Hills Drive Chatsworth, GA 30705 Spring Place Church of God 706-695-8000 717 Tibbs Bridge Road Chatsworth, GA 30705 US

Full Gospel

Faith Worship Center 706-695-6866 189 Hyden Tyler Road Chatsworth GA 30705 House Of Prayer 616 Jenkins Road Chatsworth, GA 30705 US

Methodist

Casey Springs UMC 7250 Chastworth Highway South Chastworth, GA 30705 Center Valley UMC 706-971-4646 5394 Highway 225 North Chatsworth, GA 30705 US First United Methodist Church 706-695-3211 107 W Cherokee Street Chatsworth, GA 30705 US Fullers Chapel UMC 532 Cook Drive Chatsworth, GA 30705 US Mineral Springs UMC 71 North Way St Chatsworth, GA 30705 US Spring Place UMC 706-695-5143 Po Box 248 Chatsworth, GA 30705 US

Non-Denominational

God’s Light House 784 Smyrna Church Road Chatsworth, GA 30705

The Church of God of the Union Assembly at Chatsworth, GA 706-695-7335 Highway 52 Alternate Chatsworth, GA 30705 US Liberty Tabernacle 706-517-3140 2196 Smyrna Church Road Chatsworth, GA 30705 US Living Word Christian Fellowship 706-695-5005 960 Cherokee Drive Chatsworth, GA 30705 US New Beginnings Ministries 706-695-6067 646 Floodtown Road Chatsworth, GA 30705 US North Gate Church 706-548-4967 7727 Highway 225 South Chatsworth, GA 30755 US Tabernacle of Praise 706-517-0377 1435 Leonard Bridge Road Chatsworth, GA 30705 US Wings Of Faith Ministries 706-695-1527 1122 North Holly Drive Chatsworth, GA 30705 US

Pentecostal

Victory Tabernacle 706-517-1458 355 Ellijay Street Chatsworth, GA 30705 US A Place to Worship 706-517-8568 259 Old Landfill Rd Chatsworth, GA 30705 US

Presbyterian Sumach Presbyterian Church 706-695-4773 2089 Sumach Church Chatsworth, GA 30705 US

Seventh Day Adventist

Seventh-Day Adventist Church 706-517-5124 1115 Highway 52 Chatsworth, GA 30705 US

goodnewscm.com // 17

Gò0dNews for Couples

Gain Wisdom for Your Marriage

by Rachel Smith

I

n the Bible, God says, “My people are destroyed for

someone happily married, don’t let it discourage you—let it

lack of knowledge” (Hosea 4:6, NIV), and I believe that

give you hope. Hope that if God gave them the wisdom to

marriages are being destroyed for lack of knowledge

have a successful marriage, He can do it for you too.

as well. I was only eighteen years old when I got married.

When we are sick, we go to a doctor to get medical

My husband and I knew nothing about marriage. We went

advice, but that advice will only help us if we apply it to our

through pre-marital counseling like most couples, but I

lives. In the same way, as you become more knowledgeable

felt it only pointed out the ways we were different, and it

about marriage and your role as a husband or wife, nothing

didn’t help us learn what it would take to make a marriage

will change if you don’t apply it. In marriage, you will

succeed. After seven years of struggling in our marriage

change, your spouse will change, seasons will change, and

and being faced with a possible divorce, I knew something had to change. In 2014, when I prayed and asked the Lord to transform me as a wife and renew my mind according to Romans 12:2, my actions began to change. With my renewed mind came an eagerness to learn everything that God’s Word says about marriage and how a wife should treat her husband. I also started reading several books and attending conferences with my husband to gain more knowledge.

I have learned that when marriage gets hard, you don’t just give up—you do whatever it takes to learn how to fix it. I love the story of Solomon in the Bible because when God allowed him to ask for whatever he wanted, he asked for wisdom. When is the last time you asked the Lord

circumstances will change. You never know what you may

for wisdom to handle the situation you’re facing in your

face tomorrow, but you can trust that God can and will give

marriage? “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God,

you the wisdom to face it. Don’t let your marriage fall apart,

who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will

gain wisdom at all costs. “Get wisdom, get understanding;

be given to you” (James 1:5).

do not forget my words or turn away from them. Do not

Asking the Lord for wisdom is just one of many ways

forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she

we can obtain it. We can also read the Bible, seek counseling,

will watch over you. The beginning of wisdom is this: Get

read books, take personality tests, attend marriage

wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding”

conferences or retreats, and connect with others that are

(Proverbs 4:5-7, NIV).

wiser than us. Often, we look at other people’s lives and will become jealous of the very couple that God wants to connect us to in order to gain more wisdom. When you see

18 // April 2022

About The Author

compare our marriages to theirs. If we are not careful, we

Rachel Smith is the founder of Transformed Wife, a non-profit organization that helps others learn God’s design for marriage. She hosts local conferences and retreats to help strengthen couples, and travels to speak all over the world. She has been married to her husband, Richard Smith, for 14 years. www.transformedwife.com.

Church Activities & Events Grove Level North Trail 2022 Run for God 5K

Saturday, April 9 | 1PM 3606 Tom Manis Rd NE, Dalton, GA

ChristChurch Presbyterian

GriefShare Grief Recovery Support Group Sunday, April 10 | 1PM - 3PM 510 S Tibbs Road, Dalton, GA

St. Mark’s Episcopal Church

St. Mark’s Preschool - Peter’s Free-Wheelin’ 5K Saturday, April 23 901 W Emery St, Dalton, GA

Calvary Memorial Baptist Church The Hinson Family Friday, April 29 518 US-41, Ringgold, GA

Gò0dNews for Everyone

Adjusting to Change

by Velma Monday

I

was so excited about this change that I had been

the different areas of my life. This one is no different.

waiting on for several years! It had finally come to

I need Him to walk with me through this. After years

fruition, and I couldn’t wait to see how things were

of experience with changes in my life such as cancer,

going to work out. Until…they didn’t. Well, at least not

getting additional degrees, and family, I know that He

how I thought they would.

will lead me through this as well.

After eight months, I have to admit that I’m disappointed in how things are going. After thinking

The one thing I would say to anyone else who finds themselves in a similar situation is to just hold on

about this and planning how it would look, it just doesn’t! The sad part is, for the most part, I feel helpless to fix it and make it any better than it is.

It’s discouraging to think that what I had planned for all of these years is not at all what I thought it would be.

Each night as I work to fall asleep, I think of what I can do the next day to make things better. When the next day comes, all of my nighttime plans just fall apart. Partly because I just can’t seem to find the motivation to do even the little things that I could do to make them better.

However, I am determined that they will be better!

I am doing one thing right now that I hope will help.

I am pursuing one thing that I’ve always wanted to

to His unchanging hand. I know that sounds trite and cliché, but it is solid.

Making changes in life is all about learning.

do during this time in my life—I’m writing. I know. I

Learning a new way to live each day. Learning that

know. Just because I write doesn’t guarantee it will be

things are not always how you thought they would be.

published, but at least I’m writing.

Learning that God is still on His throne willing to walk

I understand that this alone will not make a big

with you through whatever curveballs life throws your

change in things, but at least I’m doing something

way. After all, those curveballs didn’t surprise Him.

towards making things better.

He may have even been the pitcher!

God for guidance. I’ve always depended on Him to lead me and guide me as I walk with Him through

20 // April 2022

About The Author

The most important thing that I’m doing is asking Velma Monday has recently retired from 34 years of teaching in public education.

She is a wife, mother, grandmother, and a lover of most things found in nature.

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Gò0dNews for Life

The Christ We Need

“J

by Matt Jensen

esus then took the loaves, and when he had given

event is taking place during the Passover festival (John 6:4 cf.,

thanks, he distributed them to those who were

Exodus 12-13). John wants to keep “the Lamb of God who takes

seated; so also the fish, as much as they wanted.

away the sin of the world” (John 1:29) ever before our eyes.

And when they had eaten their fill, he told his disciples,

During the Passover, Israel’s firstborn sons were spared, but

‘Gather up the leftover fragments that nothing may be lost’”

in the Passover, the only begotten Son of God was slain. During

(John 6:11-12).

the first Passover, blood was applied to the door, but in the

This passage comes to the heart of Jesus’ feeding of the five

Passover, Christ is the blood-soaked door (John 10:7, 9). During

thousand. I will not keep you waiting—this miracle shows us

the Passover, Israel was safely tucked inside their houses, but

the God who abundantly provides. But we need to be clear on

in the Passover, Jesus faced the cross outside. Unleavened bread

what He has promised to provide, which is seen in this miracle.

sustained Israel after the Passover, and in the Passover Jesus is the “bread of life” (John 6:35).

It is Christ, not bread, that is the significance of this miracle. To miss this point is to miss heaven! Jesus exposes the hearts of those who were seeking Him “because they ate their fill of the loaves,” and commands, “Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life” (John 6:27). In other words, don’t get caught in the cares of this world, forgetting the world to come.

“I am the bread of Life,” Jesus says, “whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst” (John 6:35). Christ himself is what God has promised to give! Christ as true man and yet true God (John

Misunderstanding God’s provision has led many to serious

1:1-3, 14). Christ instructing His ignorant people (Hebrews

doubts or worse: apostasy.

1:1-3). Christ our wisdom (1 Corinthians 1:30). Christ our

Does God provide health, wealth, and happiness? Of

protector and safety (John 10). Christ our Passover Lamb, who

course, He does, “every good gift and every perfect gift is

takes away our sin (1 Corinthians 5:7, John 1:29). Christ our

from above” (James 1:17). Jesus laid the test to Philip, “Where

righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21). Christ our life (Colossians

are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?” “We

3:1-4)! He must increase and we must decrease (John 3:30).

could work our fingers to the bone most of the year,” Philip

We must thank God for the abundance of bread that

basically retorts, “and not be able to provide even a bite for

perishes (i.e., health, wealth, and happiness), but don’t lose

everyone!” (John 6:5-7). Andrew’s answer is not much better

sight of the bread that endures to eternal life. Keep Christ ever

(John 6:8-9). Jesus—the Good Shepherd—leads the people into

before the hungry eyes of your soul! Let us thank God for the

green pastures (John 6:10; cf. Psalm 23) and provides so much

“bread of life.”

food that there were twelve baskets of leftovers after everyone But does God promise to provide health, wealth, and happiness, or is Jesus making a deeper statement? Notice this

22 // April 2022

About The Author

had eaten their fill.

Matt Jensen is a missionary from Reformation Baptist Church in Dalton, Georgia. He and his wife, Danielle, are preparing to move to Thailand soon with their son, Judah. They are also anticipating the birth of another son, Gabriel.

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Gò0dNews for Parents

Surrender

T

by Greg Grotewold

he parable of the sower is perhaps Jesus’s most famous allegory (Mark 4:3-8). And until recently, I thought its sole intent was to explain why not everyone who hears the word

of God (the seed) receives Christ and truly abides in Him. While that’s the primary aim of the text, I’m discovering that the third scenario (seed falling among thorns) is a bit more nuanced and

perhaps carries a broader application.

Aided by a recent sermon from my pastor, I now see how a thorn’s capacity to overwhelm isn’t isolated to just unbelievers. After all, good soil produces not only grain but also weeds. A thistle here and there is innocuous enough, but problems occur if the field is left untended for any material length of time. If prolonged, an infestation will occur. The suffocated grain plant will begin to wither, and yield will be compromised. While the Lord promises the blood-bought believer that the plant itself will never die, it will remain barren until action is taken. I recognize it’s an image not explicitly depicted in the passage; nonetheless, I do sense that this specific circumstance is anticipated and for good reason. It’s real.

I very much feel such barrenness at times, and so does every other disciple. Whether we always recognize its source is a different matter but one that Jesus helps us with later in the chapter. He pinpoints these yield-thwarting thorns as “the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things” (Mark 4:19, ESV). In other words, thorns are idols. They grab hold of the heart’s affections and begin choking the believer’s love for the Lord.

While Jesus specifically targets riches, the reference to “the desires for other things” suggests He is speaking about any form of idolatry.

The revelation here isn’t that I’m an idolater and have weeds.

I know that; it’s not news. However, the speed with which these pesky intruders can develop into an infestation is. I’m currently living that reality. I look away for what seems but a fleeting moment, and my field becomes littered with them. The growth is invasive. In fact, it’s only upon closer examination that I can even see the grain.

This is not without consequence. Weariness has become my dominant emotion, thanks in large part to one particular idol. It isn’t money or possessions but an item potentially even more dangerous. What I euphemistically frame as resolve and dedication, the Lord sees as something quite different: control.

And He is correct. I’m a helicopter parent, hovering overhead and

In this gracious rebuke, the Lord is beginning to show me there is a better way. It’s Him. The energy I exert to secure outcomes for my sons needs to be redirected towards securing a greater reliance upon Him and His omnipotent goodness. As much as I love my kids, Jesus loves them infinitely more. He too wants them to prosper.

The very best way I can serve them, and myself for that matter is by allowing Jesus to serve us. I must lean into His wise and gracious care and surrender these burdens. They are not mine to shoulder.

They’re His. If I will deepen my dependency upon Christ, He promises a spiritual reversal will occur. “I am the vine; you are the branches.

Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5, ESV). The thorns will wilt. The grain plants will strengthen. And to His glory and my family’s peace, the yield will grow thirty, sixty, a hundredfold.

May the Lord give me the strength to abide in Him and surrender my hardships. May He do the same for you, too.

swooping down whenever there is an issue or concern with either for them, but my relentlessness in trying to protect their well-being has proved exhausting for all involved.

24 // April 2022

About The Author

of my sons. I dearly love my children and want only the very best

Greg Grotewold lives in Oakdale, MN, with his wife, Sandi, and their two sons, Luke and Eli. He is a deacon in his local church and greatly enjoys serving in this capacity.

LIFE IS FULL OF SURPRISES.

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I

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Mason Burchette, Director of Marketing and Development.

26 // April 2022

Best Buy Metals offers unique services with innovative technological software, including the use of satellite imaging. So, instead of in-person measuring, Best Buy Metals can measure your roof directly from a Google Maps view and provide a full-product estimation, simply from a computer! This technology allows Best Buy Metals to offer free, detailed quotes to customers from their full staff of Product Sales Representatives. Once you decide which design and style meet your specific needs, products and materials can be delivered directly to your door!

In 2002, Isaac Libbey opened Best Buy Metals’ first location in Cleveland, TN. Now, Cleveland is home to Best

schools across Haiti. Isaac and Angel Libbey serve on the

Buy Metals’ headquarters and showroom. Twenty years

board of directors for this 501©3 non-profit and travel to

later, Best Buy Metals has found roots in four states, with

Haiti frequently to lead and serve. Best Buy Metals provides

seven locations throughout, including Chattanooga, TN,

materials and proceeds to Arms of Hope Children’s Home.

Asheville, NC, Charlotte, NC, and Greenville, SC. Best Buy

More than twenty employees have had the opportunity to

Metals’ newest location in Dalton, GA, will open on April 1st.

travel to Haiti and serve alongside the Libbey family. This

Best Buy Metals prioritizes service not only to their

organization is making a difference, providing a Christ-

customers but everyone in their communities. Best Buy

centered environment filled with the love of Jesus to those

Metals sponsors numerous school system sporting events

who have so rarely seen it.

and provides local support during storm season. Best

Best Buy Metals’ headquarters and showroom are

Buy Metals donates roofing underlayment materials for

located at 1652 S Lee Hwy, Cleveland, TN 37311. Best Buy

families who suffer damage and loss during tornadoes.

Metals’ newest location in Dalton, GA, is located at 815 E

This provides immediate relief and a temporary solution

Walnut Ave, Dalton, GA 30721 and is open Monday through

until roofs can be completely restored. “This is a unique

Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. You can call Best Buy Metals’

way to support the community with what we specialize

Dalton office at (706)-671-6655. You can help celebrate Best

in,” said Burchette.

Buy Metals’ grand opening on Friday, April 1st, with a free

Isaac and Angel Libbey are also mission-minded. Best Buy Metals is a foundational partner of Arms of Hope

community lunch and door prizes. Come join us for a fun day of fellowship and learn more about Best Buy Metals!

Children’s Home in Mirebalais, Haiti. Arms of Hope Children’s Home serves through a children’s home for orphans and abandoned children and a nutrition program that pulls children from the brink of starvation. Arms of Hope Children’s Home also serves widows, churches, and

goodnewscm.com // 27

Gò0dNews for Everyone

Change of Plans

A

by Kristen West

complete conundrum. That’s what it was.

Three of my dear friends and I stood there in

the Chattanooga airport gazing into the apologetic

eyes of the Delta airline check-in attendant. “I’m so sorry,” the nice lady said. “All the planes are grounded due to the storm last night.”

My friends and I had been planning, preparing, and packing for this much-anticipated cruise vacation to New

cleared, we sprinted out and caught the LAST shuttle that day heading to the cruise port.

We climbed in, giddy with excitement—we were almost there.

Our shuttle dropped us off within a few blocks of the dock, and as soon as we had our luggage in hand, we were sprinting again, determined to make it to our ferry that would finally connect us to our boat.

England for months. Now, it appeared as though we

WE MADE IT! (*insert Chariots of Fire theme music here*)

wouldn’t even get to leave our area.

All the twists, turns, and changes in plans hadn’t

The following 24-hour period looked like something scripted for a sitcom and involved some massive changes in plans.

stopped us. They simply rerouted us.

Through it all, none of us got frustrated. No one became angry or upset. We all just enjoyed the journey. Every surprising and unplanned detail of it.

To be clear, I wasn’t always like that.

Sudden changes used to send my emotions into a tailspin or cause my stress levels to go into orbit.

It took me years to get to a place where I could roll with the punches, pivot on a dime, or have my plans suddenly change without my innards crinkling up. (I’m not saying the work in me is complete, but a huge internal transformation has definitely taken place.)

Can you relate?

God, in His wisdom and mercy, knew ahead of time that sudden changes in plans might be

We hopped a shuttle to Atlanta and jumped on a new

an issue for us and graciously gives us this beautiful verse,

flight to Boston (our cruise port) only to find that by the time

“A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord determines his

our plane landed, we had missed the boat!

steps” (Proverbs 16:9, HCSB).

We grabbed our luggage, hailed a taxi, and headed for the nearest hotel.

By morning, we were strapped into an early flight that was off to Bar Harbor, Maine. (The airline “hoped” we’d

Having that promise gives us daily opportunities to embrace our Father’s alternate routes for us and gives us the grace to change direction and live in the moment for whatever HE has planned!

Upon landing, we looked like we were on the starting blocks of the Olympic 500-meter dash. As soon as the aisle

28 // April 2022

About The Author

land in time to connect to our cruise.)

Kristen West works at Rock Bridge Community Church with a heart for staff leadership, development, and care. She is a communicator with a passion to inspire, encourage, and challenge others in their daily walk with Christ. She writes and publishes weekly content on her blog at kristen-west.com.

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Gò0dNews Ministry Spotlight

The Serpentine Prophecy

I

by Brent Goodge

t’s easy to get confused in the Biblical details of the universal battle between God and Satan (Revelation 12:7). But the basis of this war is very simple. God, the rightful Sovereign over all creation, rules from a throne of Selflessness (Philippians 2:5-11). Conversely, Satan, the usurper, attempts to rule from a throne of selfishness (Isaiah 14:12-14).

The battlefield for this war is our minds. Who will we worship? (Revelation 14:7; Revelation 13:4,8). Whose character is worthy to lead the universe? (Revelation 5:9).

The only offensive weapon God chooses to use in this war is truth (Ephesians 6:17). The cross of Jesus Christ answers all questions and removes all doubt as to the loving, selfless character of God (Philippians 2:5-11).

Satan attempts to use force to accomplish his warfare against God and His people. But while Satan can kill the body when God allows, force cannot contaminate the character (Matthew 10:28). Thus, Satan’s only ultimate weapon is deception (Revelation 12:9). To win a heart, Satan must take our eyes away from the cross and separate us from God’s Word (2 Thessalonians 2:9-10; John 17:17).

In this battle of truth against error for the minds of humanity, it makes sense that the very first lie Satan presented to humanity would have to be extremely powerful. Remember, in the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve were spotless. They had no propensity toward nor desire for sin. Satan had to get them to both believe his lie and doubt God’s Word to the extent that they would take actions in direct defiance of the plain command of God. What kind of a lie could possibly be so subtle and so devastating? Read the heart-breaking story in Genesis 3:1-7.

Of all the falsehoods Satan could have presented to the first couple, he lied to Eve about the mystery of death (Genesis 3:4). Why? Have you ever wondered why nearly every pagan religion contains at least some basis of ancestral worship and subsequent communication with the dead? Psalm 106 tells us that the Israelites apostatized and thought they were taking part in ancestral worship (Psalm 106:28). They did not realize that in their idolatrous practices, they were

in reality sacrificing to demonic powers rather than dead family members (Psalm 106:36-37).

Satan lied about the mystery of death way back in Eden.

He used it to deceive God’s people in the Old Testament. Is there any chance he might be trying to use it as a weapon to deceive God’s people today?

Pastor Shawn Boonstra, of the Voice of Prophecy media ministry (VOP.com), is presenting Serpentine Prophecy, beginning in Dalton on Thursday, April 21.

In this free, four-part series, he will examine these threads of deception regarding the mystery of death that have come down through the millennia, sometimes even through Christianity.

We hope and pray you will check out the trailer at SerpentineProphecy.com/sp/1498 and register for this free series today.

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There is an ancient lie—a disturbing thread that ties our present to the distant past.

What are the whispers that emerge from age-old tombs, speaking of things that move beyond the shadows? What are the dark influences and unspoken forces that have been quietly driving humanity from the very dawn of civilization—and where are they trying to take us?

Join Shawn Boonstra on April 21 at 7:00 PM for this fascinating event.

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Gò0dNews for Everyone

When God Arrived

by Dean Draper

I

will never forget that day. It was a beautiful, sunny

and deserved it. But a different person said goodbye to us.

afternoon in Hawaii. With the sun gleaming through

She wasn’t the same silly entertainer we met hours before.

the palm trees, our college choir boarded a tour bus and

She was still wiping her eyes, touched by the music she had

headed for a luau. The young tour guide greeted us with a

heard. She wouldn’t take our money. Instead, she hugged

Hawaiian “Hello” and off we went. She introduced herself

each one of us. The song was worth far more than what

and began to entertain us with island stories and jokes, some

money could buy her. Just another day at work, another

of them funny, some of them with inappropriate overtones.

tour group, became something much more.

After all, we were college students, and her job was to entertain.

The luau wasn’t what we expected.

Yes, the food was incredible, but the entertainment was again off-color. One of our students was summoned up on the stage for a gag. Unfortunately, she was embarrassed by one of the male entertainers and left the stage in tears. The mood was different when we reboarded the bus. We had experienced the real world with its emptiness and darkness.

As we headed back, our tour guide asked us to sing a song. I’m sure something in the realm of “Chattanooga Choo Choo” or “Rocky Top” would suffice. But instead, we proceeded to sing one of the most

I thought about how the Gospel penetrates the human

beautiful Christian songs I’ve ever heard, “The Majesty and

heart, often through music. I was reminded about how the

Glory of Your Name.”

Holy Spirit can unexpectedly arrive when our focus turns

“Oh Lord our God, the Majesty and Glory of Your

from pleasure to worship. I’m not sure that special moment

Name, transcends the earth and fills the heavens. Oh

was for us, as much as it was for that young lady. I am quite

Lord our God, little children praise you perfectly, and so

certain she had never experienced anything like that.

would we.”

As we sang, I truly believe the Holy Spirit filled that bus,

I’m reminded of Matthew 5:14, when Jesus said, “We are the light of the world, a city set on a hill that cannot be

because the atmosphere suddenly changed. Tears streamed

hid.” Light penetrates darkness, and it can break through

down that young lady’s face. Yes, the façade was shattered.

any barrier and transform the human heart. There was

The one-liners ended and she stood there in complete

no greater example of this than in that special moment. It

silence. God arrived, and we all knew it.

would be easy to just blend in, to adapt to our environment.

When we approached our hotel, we had all gathered up cash to leave her a large tip. After all, she had worked hard

32 // April 2022

But God didn’t call us to be chameleons, did He? He said, “Go into all the world, and preach the Gospel.” And yes, sometimes that’s through song.

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Gò0dNews for Everyone

It’s Not Hurting Anyone

S

by Brian Johnson

amson is one of those people we learn about at an early age. I can still remember seeing pictures of him with his arms stretched out between two pillars at the

end of his life. I used to always wonder how he fell into the trap of letting Delilah cut his hair.

He told her his strength could be nullified by tying him with seven new cords that hadn’t been dried, seven new cords that had never been used. Then, he said to weave the seven locks of his hair together, and she did all those things. So, why would he let her know to cut his hair?

Surely, he would know she would cut it. I propose he told her because of a combination of pride and overlooking the longsuffering of God. We know Samson was a Nazarite from birth. According to Numbers 6, that involved no drinking of “wine and strong drink…nor eat moist grapes, or dried” (vs 3), “there shall no razor come upon his head” (vs 5), and “he shall come at no dead body” (vs 6).

We don’t have proof that he drank wine or strong drink, but we know he came at several dead bodies. He killed many men and, in Judges 14:19, he ate honey that he got from the carcass of a dead lion. He gave some to

since there aren’t any immediate consequences, we keep

his parents but didn’t tell them where he got it from.

doing the same wrong repeatedly. We forget that we have a

According to the Nazarite vow, whenever he came at a

God that loves us and is longsuffering. But Numbers 32:23

dead body, he should’ve shaved his head and performed

says, “…be sure your sin will find you out.”

certain sacrifices, but he never did and didn’t lose his

Remember, God always sees and He always knows. As

strength until Delilah cut his hair. He never lost his

Christians, we shouldn’t want to continue in sin. It hurts our

strength any other time he broke the vow. Why should this

closeness to God and prevents Him from being able to work

time be different?

through us as effectively. You say it’s not hurting anyone

We go through life prideful. We got the success we have

but when it prevents the Holy Spirit from working through

solely from hard work or because of our own intelligence.

you, the efforts of your sin are potentially hurting everyone

We don’t take the time to recognize God or give Him the

around you. Don’t continue in sin. Repent and allow God to

glory. John 15:5 says, “I am the vine, ye are the branches:

use you. Eventually, your sin will find you out.

He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth Or we continue in sin. Knowingly and willingly. We say things like “no one knows” or “it’s not hurting anyone,” and

34 // April 2022

About The Author

much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.”

Brian Edward Johnson is a deacon at his church and a nurse by vocation. He wants to do the best he can to teach people to trust God, for their eternity and for each day.

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Gò0dNews for Everyone

What are you looking for?

R

by David Huff

omans 3:23-24, “For all have sinned and fall

it up by saying, where is your God now? He left you

short of the glory of God, being justified

alone. The truth is we are the ones that pull away

freely by His grace through the redemption

from God. He is still in the same place that we felt

that is in Christ Jesus.”

I could hear the voices saying you’re not good

Him at before. We just choose to separate ourselves from Him. God gives us a promise that He will

enough—just look at your past. Is that worthy of the

never abandon us or leave us. Even in our darkest

calling God has given to you—all the things you have done

hour, God is still there and wants to help us, but are

wrong and every time you mess up even now? Do you

we listening for Him?

believe you are good enough to be in His presence? What makes you think that God has forgiven a sinner like you? Why do you think a person like you has been forgiven?

These are the all too familiar words that the devil loves to put in our heads to make us think that we cannot be forgiven. The truth is we are. Through Jesus we are offered forgiveness for everything that we have ever done.

God no longer sees those pages in our book. They have been blotted out and washed clean by the blood of the lamb.

It’s hard to imagine ourselves as being forgiven for the past that we tend to hold onto far longer than we should. For the longest time, I couldn’t let go of who

Life can be overwhelming at times, but it does

I used to be. The devil constantly berated my mind

not have to be. In my darkest moments, I have found

with thoughts of being unworthy and not good

a peace that has outshined the sun. We will find

enough. In Ephesians 1:4, the Bible says even before

what we are looking for. If we are looking for chaos

He made the world, God loved us and chose us in

and darkness, we will find it, but if we are looking

Christ to be holy and without fault in His eyes. God

for the love of God and the peace that comes from

no longer sees us as we see each other. He now sees

Him, we will find it. What we give our heart to is

us through Christ Jesus who has freed us from the

what we will become.

The devil will pound your mind with thoughts to separate you from God, and then he will follow

36 // April 2022

About The Author

eternal death we deserved.

My name is David Huff, and I am married to Brittany and together we have five wonderful kids. We attend Rock Bridge Community Church Calhoun where I serve on the prayer team, host team, and a small group co leader.

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Gò0dNews for Everyone

The Coming of New Beginnings pril showers bring May flowers”—a rhyme that was a constant tune come April every year. This phrase mimics scriptures and the promises that while sorrow may last for a night, God promises joy for the morning. After winter, after storms, there is the promise of new life or new beginnings.

This transition of winter into spring comes alive for me in the stories of Narnia. When we first encounter Narnia, in the second book, we find a land that is always winter, never Christmas, and never spring. Yet, as Aslan is on the move, spring comes roaring in, and with it the hope and promise of something new (The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe; C.S. Lewis, 1950).

Spring has always been my favorite season because of the promise of new life. I am fascinated by how seeds lay dormant through frigid temps for months yet then have the ability to crack through the earth and into life and new growth. This is a parallel for our lives, and coming into spring of 2022, this is a season to grow into a new beginning. Through 2020 and 2021, many of us found ourselves in a season of dormancy. We’ve sat at home, we’ve allowed ourselves to freeze, and now God is calling you out. He’s always had a plan for you, He’s always had a calling for you, yet winter came, and you froze.

It’s okay to freeze. Sometimes, God brings us into a season of winter. My family was previously called to live for two and a half years in the beautiful area of Yosemite National Park. Upon reflection, I realized that this was my winter. Slowly, the leaves started dying off the trees as we found ourselves more and more isolated. Then the pandemic started and it was like everything froze. Our dreams, our jobs, our plans just stopped in motion. We were in Narnia, it was winter, never Christmas, and never spring.

Yet under it all, God was moving. Then we began to feel the still small voice breathing renewed life into us.

Winter is an incredibly important season. Trees need to shed their leaves, the plants need to die back and be pruned, and underground much happens that we can’t even see.

Long before we feel spring coming, the daffodils are already getting ready to bloom. They know when it will be their

38 // April 2022

time to announce the beginning of spring. We can feel it in our Spirit too. When you seek after God and listen for His voice, He will lead you into spring in His perfect timing. He promises in Jeremiah 29:11-13, that He will give you a hope and a future, when you call upon Him, pray to Him and seek Him with all your heart. This passage comes after He

froze the Israelites; they were in a deep winter of captivity in a foreign land. They doubted their identity as God’s chosen people. Yet, following that time, God gave them this promise of blessing, one that continues to bless us today.

For my family, Christmas in Narnia finally came when we stepped into God’s next step for us and followed His guidance. Now we are enjoying the growing pains of spring.

As we are leaving behind winter, examine your life.

Are you still frozen? Have you gotten to experience your Christmas that will make way for the promised spring?

Maybe you’re just waiting for something you’ve planted to finally take root and bloom? Whatever season your life is in, I encourage you to take heart and take hope. Cling to Jesus’ promise of new life and restoration, and walk firmly into the call He has given you.

About The Author

“A

by April Engstrom

April Engstrom resides in Bradley County with her husband and two boys. She loves her family at the Church at Grace Point and exploring God’s creation. You can follow April’s blog at everlasting-evergreen.weebly.com.

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Gò0dNews for Everyone

What’s The Truth?

W

by Susan Lavigne

hile rooming with a friend during my college

As with my situation, sometimes our perceptions of

days, we both went to bed around 10 p.m.

what we believe and what is the truth clash. It’s like waking

because of our early morning schedules. This

up one morning thinking it’s a workday when it’s actually

was before cell phones, so we only had one phone hanging

the weekend. It’s hard to change your belief when you don’t

on the kitchen wall. One night, my roommate came into my

recognize the truth.

room around 11:30 p.m. I was so sound asleep that I didn’t

A biblical example of this problem with perception

hear the phone ring. She said, “Susan, the phone is for you.”

happened to the apostle Paul in his early days (when he was

Now, since I didn’t hear the phone, I proceeded to tell my

known as Saul). He persecuted the new church of Christian

roommate that she was dreaming and to go back to bed. She

believers. You see, he was zealous to do “God’s work” and

was very unhappy with my assessment of the situation and

truly believed he was doing God a favor by ridding the

more forcefully said, “Susan, the phone is for you!”

Jews of this new religious cult. Although he was passionate, his perception was not the truth of what God wanted. When his eyes were literally opened to the truth, he found a new mission, this time in support of the church he had previously persecuted.

All of us develop different perceptions from our experiences and emotions. We then develop expectations about life from what we were taught or saw modeled. For example, we may have expectations of what our spouse needs, or more often, what we expect from our spouse. However, sometimes conflicts arise when our expectations differ from another. So, where is the truth in our perceptions?

As a Christian, when I am struggling with the truth of my

Showing incredible compassion for this poor friend who

perceptions, the best thing I can do is seek out God’s Word

was obviously having a bad dream, I continued trying to

on the issue and listen to the Holy Spirit for guidance.

convince her that everything was okay and she just needed

Sometimes, guidance comes in the form of wise Christian

to go back to bed. At this point, she totally lost patience with

counsel. Trust me, God wants us to know the truth and will

me and said, “SUSAN, YOU GET OUT OF YOUR BED AND

do whatever it takes to help us know it, even if it has to

PICK UP THE PHONE IN THE KITCHEN!” Shocked by

come from a friend shouting at us to pick up the phone.

more shocked to hear a person’s voice on the other end of the telephone.

40 // April 2022

About The Author

her words, I got out of bed to answer the phone. I was even Susan Lavigne attends Cornerstone Church. She is a Christian speaker and songwriter. Feel free to contact her at susanclavigne@gmail.com.

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Gò0dNews for your Taste Buds

Let Food Be Thy Medicine: Sensational Salads

W

by Dana Robinson

hen we think of healthy eating, salad is one of the first things that comes to mind. As children, we are encouraged to eat our fruits and vegetables to grow healthy and strong. After all, Popeye gulps down his spinach. Some people appreciate a nice salad for the colorful combinations of fresh fruits and vegetables, while others classify salad as boring “diet” food.

I’ll be honest—I am a bit of an oddball and love salad.

I mean, I truly love a delicious salad. In fact, when I was pregnant with my first son, I craved salad! My tastebuds exploded with the watery yet crisp romaine lettuce and the sweet crunch of the orange baby carrots. I remember asking my husband if that was the sweetest carrot he had ever tasted as I excitedly enjoyed my lunch salad for the day.

He looked at me mildly perplexed and replied that it tasted like a carrot. Clearly, he categorizes salads as diet food. In a world with over processed, over salted, and over sugared foods, how can we get back to enjoying the freshness and sweetness of raw fruits and vegetables?

A single salad can provide a multitude of vitamins and minerals into our diets. Aside from promoting regularity and preventing dehydration, salad ingredients like tomatoes, bell peppers, berries, seeds, nuts, cucumbers, carrots, olives, etc. are chocked full of antioxidants and other cancer fighting properties.

When my husband, Jamie Robinson and I founded Lighthouse Personal Care Homes, we knew that food would be a foundation for healthy and joyful living. Real food makes such a difference in a person’s physical, mental, and emotional health. Too many organizations skimp on fresh quality foods. During meal planning, I’m guided not only

by Hippocrates, “Let food be thy medicine, and medicine be thy food,” but also by a passion for bringing to life the true pleasures of food. Simple ingredient variations can create delicious salad sensations that are truly something to look forward to eating.

We don’t just experience food with our noses and our mouths, food should be visually appealing as well. Food is beautiful and artistic. When the right ingredients are paired together, the ordinary becomes extraordinary. I challenge

42 // April 2022

you to incorporate more salads in your daily routine. Be bold and playful. Be creative and savory. Go with the sweet flavors of the season. Step out of the mundane, basic salad and enjoy one of these sensational salads!

Hawaiian Salad Recipe • 1 head romaine lettuce, chopped

• 1/2 cup pineapple tidbits, reserve juice for dressing • 1 cup sliced strawberries

• 1/2 cup pecans or macadamia nuts

• 1/4 cup blue cheese crumbles (optional)

Strawberry Pineapple Vinaigrette • ½ cup strawberries

• ¼ cup pineapple juice • 1 tbs honey

• ¼ cup white wine vinegar • ¾ cup olive oil

• ¼ tsp Himalayan Pink Salt Wash and chop lettuce. Evenly distribute remaining ingredients on top of salad. In a blender or separate bowl, blend vinaigrette ingredients together. Drizzle dressing over salad mixture. Serve or toss as desired. Can substitute strawberries and honey with 3 tbs strawberry jelly.

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Gò0dNews Poetry

Happy

by Pamela Latham

Where is your happy, did you lay it down?

Did you lose it or drop it, Or was it ever found?

Happy is out there, that’s what I’ve been told I went out there to find it All I found was cold.

You can’t hang on to happy, you can’t keep it, and boy,

44 // April 2022

About The Author

You can’t refill happy like you can Jesus’ Joy. Pamela Latham is 57 years old and moved to Cleveland, Tennessee, three years ago. Pamela has written a collection of poems, which she hopes to turn into a book, “Love Poems to Jesus from Me.”

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Gò0dNews for Everyone

True Beauty

by Porter Johnson

I

n December of 2021, I went on a backpacking trip to Big

all hindrances are sins. Therefore, God’s people must not be

Bend National Park in Texas. My best friend and I were

content with asking the question, “Is this a sin?” Christians

celebrating college graduation. When we planned the trip,

must move forward to the question, “Does this help me run

I didn’t know that the park has an incredible view of the stars at night. Big Bend is one of the top five darkest places

after God?” When we conclude that an action, relationship,

in the United States. There is virtually no light pollution, so

substance, topic of conversation, or anything else does not

you can see every star in the sky. I thought I had seen the

help us run the race of life, the biblical command is to lay

beauty of the stars growing up in the mountains of Northwest Georgia, but I had no idea their true beauty until I saw them in Big Bend. The point of this story is that I could not see the true beauty of the stars until all light pollution was removed from my sight.

Similarly, we cannot see the full beauty of God until all hindrances and sins are removed from our hearts.

“Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every hindrance and the sin that so easily ensnares us.

Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. For the joy that lay before him, he endured the cross,

it aside. Paul wrote a parallel statement in 1 Corinthians

despising the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the

10:23, “‘Everything is permissible,’ but not everything is

throne of God” (Hebrews 12:1-2, CSB).

beneficial. ‘Everything is permissible,’ but not everything

There is a significant nuance in this passage from the

builds up.” The heartbeat of a born-again Christian is to get

book of Hebrews. An exhortation to lay things aside in order

closer to God. Nearness to God is best accomplished when

to run after God is found. The author encourages readers to

all hindrances and sins have been cast aside. Dear Christian,

“lay aside every hindrance and sin that so easily ensnares

lay aside sins and lay aside all other hindrances as well.

us.” It is easy to see that sins will hold the Christian back

Then you will be able to run with endurance the race that is

from seeing God. However, sins are not the only thing

set out for you, and you will clearly gaze upon the beauty of

that keeps Christians from running with endurance.

the Savior.

hindrances and sins. According to this passage, there are hindrances that are not sins. All sins are hindrances, but not

46 // April 2022

About The Author

Hebrews 12:1-2 specifies that Christians must lay aside both Porter Johnson is a Shorter University Graduate, a current student at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, and College Pastor at Sherwood Rome.

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Gò0dNews for Everyone

The Empty Grave

W

by Rhonda Beavers

hen my parents were first married, they decided

but socially because he tended to look down his nose on

to live with my maternal grandmother to help

others he perceived as inferior to himself.

her bring up her pre-adolescent son. My dad

After quickly observing my father’s perfectionistic

moved into a community in which my mom had lived for

efforts, this outsider announced, “that’s good enough, it’s

years. This didn’t phase my dad at all, as he was the most

just Abb Addison.” There was no way out of the grave

outgoing people-person you ever met. He loved talking

except to be pulled out by a pal. After what must have been

to everyone, old or young, rich or poor, male or female.

a cold, steely glare from my dad’s hazel green eyes, my

My mom had no reason to be jealous as there was never a

father put up his young, strong hand and instructed his

more loyal husband. My dad considered them all his peers,

friend Buck, “Pull me out.” The intruder quickly saw his

no more, no less. All these people had a story to tell, and it seems as if my father was determined to hear every one of them.

“For I say, for the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith” (Romans 12:3).

He was also a good neighbor, pitching in a hand whenever necessary. These duties even extended to digging a grave for an old family friend by the name of Abb

social faux pas and beat a path homeward, leaving the dead

Addison after my dad and his best friend had found the

man’s friends to send him to Heaven in style.

gentleman deceased in his bed one chilly late winter morning.

Christ sees us all as equal. He loves to talk with us, but

In those days, graves were dug by hand, and my dad was a

He doesn’t need to because He already knows our story

perfectionist when it came to any handiwork he attempted.

better than we do. “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is

On this occasion, he was standing in the bottom of the

neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for

freshly dug grave, perfecting a small ledge that was placed

ye are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28). Christ was

necessarily just below the opening. The group of attending

surrounded at the time of his death by those who loved him,

community men were approached by what some of them

those who mocked him, and those who cared not either

considered to be an outsider. Not an outsider geographically,

way. He was placed in a borrowed grave, but not for long.

48 // April 2022

All He had to do was ask His Heavenly Father, “Pull me out,” and Satan knew to beat a path.

Gò0dNews

Christian Magazine

Mission Statement:

W

Writer Guidelines:

e believe when people are equipped,

Who: Our writers range from pastors, professors, and

motivated, and passionately engaged in

professional writers to stay at home moms and dads,

living out their faith in Jesus Christ they

business professionals, and others who have a desire to

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.

goodnewscm.com Phone: 423.478.6484

reach out to people through words of encouragement.

What: We believe that it is important to laugh together, praise each other, encourage one another, and to offer biblical advice. Articles can be directed toward everyone, or from woman to woman, or man to man. We love to share recipes and family traditions as well. We ask that articles be kept to a 500 word maximum. We’d love to hear from you!

Where: Please send submissions to articles.goodnews@gmail.com Why: Because God has not intended for us to just survive. We believe that we are intended to reach out to love and encourage each other. God has brought each of us through tough times, blessed us, and made the “impossible” possible. Let’s, together, share the love of Jesus Christ.

Gò0dNews for Everyone

Perfect Peace

E

by Karen Jeffery

very believer can presently enjoy the tremendous

“He said onto them all if any man will come up after

fruit of this promise by keeping our minds centered

Me, let him deny his self and take up his cross and follow

on Christ and what Christ has done for us at Calvary.

me” (Luke 9:23).

“Thou wilt keep Him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee: because He trusteth in thee” (Isaiah 26:3).

Justifying peace is the peace that God gives when the believing sinner comes to Christ. The enmity of sin

He also reminds us in Psalms 23, “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He maketh me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside still waters, he restores my soul. He leadeth me in the path of righteousness for

between Christ and the sinner is removed because of what Christ’s cross did at Calvary, the sinners’ acceptance of this finished work.

Once we come to know the Lord, justifying peace remains with us forever as we know our sins are gone, and we have made perfect peace with God. “I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep for thou, Lord only makes me dwell in safety” (Psalms 4:8).

Every single believer enjoys justifying peace, but we all still have emotional disturbances, stress, fear, nervousness, depression, and another host of things that can happen in our minds.

The phrase whose mind is stayed on thee refers to the renewing mind. The mind is the gateway to the

His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley

Spirit, and we feed our minds constantly with that which

of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, because for

is either fruitful or unfruitful. The renewing of the mind

thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.

suggests that the believer should pull out his faith for other

You preparest the table before me in the presence of my

things, replacing it entirely in Christ.

enemies. You anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth

“I beseech you, therefore, brother, by the grace of

over. Surely your goodness and mercy shall follow me all

God, that we present our bodies as a living sacrifice, Holy

of the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the

acceptable onto God which is your reasonable service.

Lord forever.”

And be not conformed to this but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:1-2).

We have to fully trust in the Lord for our faith to be placed exclusively on Him and let nothing move us from

There’s a blessing waiting you cannot contain—just reach out to the Heavenly Father. Most of all, don’t lose hope. You may be in the midst of it all, but remember the Lord is with you, and He will never leave nor forsake you.

50 // April 2022

About The Author

this foundation.

Karen D. Jeffery lives in Chatsworth, Georgia, and loves the Lord. He is first in her life.

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