April 2023

About Us

WRITERS

Dr. Alan Hix

Angie Bishop-Forsyth

Dr. Bobby Sneed

Brenda Dedmon

Brent Goodge

Brian Johnson

Charles Finney

Chris Mullis

Chuck Cleveland

David Huff

Deck Cheatham

Donald Cantrell

John Garrod

Judy Hood

Lori Sentell

Matt Jensen

Monica Gambrell

Rick Hughes

Sheneka Land

SALES

Austin Calfee

423-650-6565

Email: dalton.goodnews@gmail.com

DESIGN

Caleb Prytherch

Email: art.goodnews@gmail.com

PHOTOGRAPHER

Paula Knipp 423-310-4207

FACEBOOK

GoodNews Dalton

DISTRIBUTION

5000 Monthly

EDITOR/ARTICLE COORDINATOR

Jodi Varnado

Email: articles.goodnews@gmail.com

PUBLISHER

Matthew and Bethany Ruckman

Cell: 423-503-1410

E-mail: goodnewstn@gmail.com

OFFICE

423-790-5378

WEBSITE goodnewscm.com issuu.com/goodnewsdalton

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!

Who is Your King?

by Rev. Chris Mullis

“Don’t be afraid, people of Jerusalem. Look, your King is coming, riding on a donkey’s colt” (John 12:15).

All four Gospels tell the story of Jesus triumphantly entering Jerusalem, riding on the back of a donkey while crowds of people hailed Him as king. I think Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John all wanted us to honestly consider who really is our king.

The people in Jerusalem wanted Jesus to be the king who would save them. Some wanted to be saved from Roman oppression. Some wanted to be saved from high taxes or poverty or serious health problems. Still, others wanted to be saved from other problems. They “loved” Jesus because they hoped He would be the one who could give them what they wanted and thought they needed. The irony is many who hailed Jesus as king on Palm Sunday were ready to see Him crucified on Good Friday because He didn’t turn out to be the king they wanted.

Is Jesus only your king if He gives you what you want? What if He doesn’t heal you from your sickness? Or what if Jesus doesn’t find you someone to marry and start a family with? What if He wants you to remain single your whole life? What if Jesus doesn’t answer your prayer the way you want Him to or when you want Him to? Would He still be your king?

If Jesus is truly a king, The King, He doesn’t work that way. He is the Sovereign, and we are the subjects. The Good News is The King doesn’t lord it over His people. On the contrary, He showed us the true nature of a real king. The Greatest is the servant of all. Jesus even laid aside His own life for the salvation of the world because what we really need to be saved from is our sins.

Jesus’ message was consistent. He said, “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is

near” (Matthew 3:2). And He said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23). And He said, “If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it” (Mark 8:35). And He said, “My Kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36).

So, we have to decide. Who will we welcome as the King of our lives? Will we try to be lord of our own life

or will we let Jesus be Lord? Will we put our hopes in the things and people of this world, or will we see Jesus as our only hope? Will we welcome Jesus as king, just so long as He fixes things the way we think they should be fixed, or will we surrender unconditionally to the One who is Lord of all?

I pray you will truly receive Jesus as King of kings and Lord of lords, and give yourself to Him with no reservations. He is worthy and this is the way. If you settle for anything less than full surrender, you will just crucify Jesus again and again whenever He challenges your sin and rebellion.

Rev. Chris Mullis is an ordained minister of the United Methodist Church with a Masters of Divinity from Candler School of Theology at Emory University. Pastor Chris’s ministry has spanned twenty years and four different churches in Georgia. Chris is currently serving God as the senior pastor of Pleasant Grove Methodist Church located at 2701 Cleveland Hwy in Dalton, GA.

Springtime Fun

by Brenda Dedmon

One of the most beautiful times of the year for me is spring. It seems after months of winter, when the days are cold, cloudy, and rainy, I sometimes forget how beautiful our world is. When I begin to see the beautiful flowers budding, trees putting back on green leaves, and the birds chirping early in the morning, I am reminded of the Scripture, “God made everything beautiful in its own time” (Ecclesiastes 3:11).

Spring reminds us that even when we think things are gloomy and sad, God created a beautiful world for us to enjoy. It gives us hope that God will always take care of us. How does spring make you feel? When spring arrives, it seems to brighten up our lives with the arrival of baby animals, pretty flowers, and nature springing to life. It is a great time to enjoy the beautiful world God created and to explore things with your family and friends.

The following ideas are suggestions for how you can re-discover the beautiful world with your friends and family:

• Spring Scavenger Hunt. Take a walk with your family in your neighborhood or a local park to discover what spring looks like in your hometown. Items to look for could include: a flying insect, a flower, new leaves, seeds, twigs, an ant, something red, and something that starts with the first letter of your name.

• Visit a Pet Farm. Ask your parents to find a Pet Farm to visit. You could feed a bottle to a baby goat, cuddle a baby chicken, gather eggs, ride a pony, and do many other fun activities with animals.

• Make a Birdhouse. There are birdhouse kits at your local hobby shops and hardware stores, or you might have items at your home to build one. Discover the type of birds that you might see in your backyard. Explore what kind of bird feed you

would need to place in the birdhouse. Keep a journal of the types of birds you see visiting the birdhouse.

• Draw a Spring Scene. Using neon glitter sidewalk chalk, design a beautiful spring picture to enjoy. You may use items from the Scavenger Hunt to help you decide on the design. Invite your neighbors to join you in creating a beautiful picture for the neighborhood to enjoy.

• Visit a Farmer’s Market. This would be a great time to discover fruits and vegetables that are grown in your town. It would also be a fun time to try out fruits or vegetables you have never eaten.

• Fly Kites. Visit a park to fly kites. You may choose to make your own kite or fly a favorite kite you have. Discover what is the best way to get the wind to pick up the kite and keep it up in the air. Remember to give thanks to God for creating the wind so you can fly a kite.

Remember to give thanks to God for the springtime and the beautiful world He gave us to enjoy!

Written by Rev. Brenda Dedmon, retired director of Children’s Learning Center, First Baptist of Dalton and an avid Roll Tide fan.

How to Make Your Money Go Further in 2023

Money Matters Rick Hughes with

Driven by a passion to educate, inform and prepare future retirees, Mr. Hughes founded Hughes Retirement Group in 2007. His main interest is helping his clients in reducing their taxes.

There are about a million reasons to want your money to go further in 2023. Maybe the high inflation throughout 2022 has you feeling like you are paying more for less, or perhaps you took a pay cut that made you feel financially squeezed.

Maybe you received a bonus and you want to make sure it is put to good use. And, let’s not forget that this past year’s stock market performance is making everyone’s net worth drop like a rock.

Whatever your reason, it’s always smart to look ahead to a new year with the goal of doing better if you can. But what are the best ways to make your money go further when it feels like everything at the store costs more each time you go?

1. Ditch High-Interest Credit Card Debt

Rising interest rates were a good thing for savers throughout all of 2022, but they had the opposite effect on households that carry long-term credit card debt. In fact, the average credit card interest rate increased from 18% to 19.5% by December of 2022.

2. Start Budgeting

Begin tracking your spending and using a monthly budget that determines where your money goes each month. Not only is budgeting the most effective way to understand how to stretch your money further, but it also allows you to understand what you have coming in and going out.

3. Automate Your Savings

Begin to put money into savings or investment accounts first, versus waiting until the end of the month and seeing

what you have left. As time goes on, you won’t even miss this money because it’s not money you think you can spend. Make sure to automate so it is not missed and pick a day each month for it to come out of your account.

4.

Invest In Yourself

Most of us hear a lot about investing in the stock market, but what about investing in yourself? Consider certain types of self-improvements in 2023. Maybe it should be education or improving a skill. This may enable you to increase your earning potential and improve your financial situation.

5. Take Steps to Improve Your

Credit

If you have had a few credit mishaps over the last few years and your credit score is not as good as it should be, the new year is a good time to turn things around. After all, having good credit can mean paying lower interest rates and fewer fees any time you borrow money, and it can help you qualify for lower car insurance premiums, too.

6. Increase Contributions to Retirement Accounts

Maximizing income in 2023 involves taking advantage of increase on income limits and contribution amounts for tax-advantage retirement accounts like 401(k) plans and Traditional and Roth IRA’s. The contribution limits for 401(k) and similar workplace retirement savings plans are increasing to $22,500 in 2023. If you are 50 years of age or older it is $30,000. Meanwhile, IRA contribution limits increase to $6,500 and the catch up for people 50 or older is $7,500.

I hope this information helps you!

Don’t Forsake It, For Your Sake

by John Garrod

“And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching” (Hebrews 10:24-25).

Three years ago, the world changed, and as much as we like to talk about only being tourists in it, we suddenly found out that “tourism” could end virtually overnight. Suddenly, we were quarantined, set at least 6-feet apart, with no clear idea of when the turmoil would cease. That comfortable pew which had begun to take on the shape of my posterior was exchanged for the front seat of my car during something called “parking lot church.” We honked our amens, beepbeeped our hallelujahs, but it was not the same. Then came online sermons, praise and worship. If God can use a donkey and a whale, He can most assuredly use Wi-Fi, and people were still getting saved through those ministries.

But something was missing, and we all felt it. Separated by a few feet or sitting in our own homes, we lost out on something—a valuable part of being part of a local body of believers. No emoji can replace a hug, and a set of digital hands clasped to pray isn’t the same as having your brothers and sisters lay hands on you and pray you through to the very throne of God. And as appetizing as some of your foodie pictures may be, it’s not the same as breaking bread with each other.

And yet we did the unthinkable: We got used to it. Staying home and “dialing in” (I can’t remember the last time I actually “dialed” anything) to service became… acceptable. Don’t get me wrong: Online ministry can be a tremendous blessing, especially to those who can’t physically be present. But I’ll confess if you won’t: Sometimes it got very convenient to coast a bit. Sleep in. Attend Bedside Assembly. I’m the Dad, the Husband: I should be the spiritual leader, and I’m hugging a pillow at 11:30.

Skipping out on the Body may have become easy, but getting up, getting dressed, and getting to the House of God is worth the effort. In the company of brothers and sisters, you hear the testimonies. Shoulder to shoulder in the altars, you feel the camaraderie: You’re PART of something. You’re not alone. And that sense of belonging becomes even stronger when you get the opportunity to reach out to someone and help them. I don’t know if you’ve read this anywhere before, but that whole “It’s more blessed to give

than to receive” thing is real. Whether we’re laying hands on someone or just resting a hand on a shoulder, sharing a laugh or giving a few words of encouragement, when we’re supporting our brothers and sisters in Christ, we are working as His agent.

So, Dad, go ahead and set that alarm for Sunday morning. For every Sunday morning. Set it early enough that you can get the kids up and stop and get donuts for the Sunday school class. You’ll be glad you did.

John Garrod is father of 6, husband of 1, an ESOL teacher in Dalton, GA, a Lee U graduate (c/o ‘19), a U.S. Army veteran and a member of South Cleveland COG.

Author

Fragrant Friend

by Angie Bishop-Forsyth

Relationships. What comes to your mind when you hear that word? For some, it may look like work. For others, it may look like sacrifice. I’m here to tell you it’s both. Depending on your people, it can be a real task. And, depending on your nature, it may be all about your motives. So, before we go any further, pause for a moment and ask yourself, “What do I bring to the table in my relationships, and what do I seek out of a friend, brother, sister, parent, or spouse?”

As a child, I had two girls I considered my very best friends. The problem was those two did not like each other. They were the type of people who could only have one friend at a time. Therefore, the dislike came from being jealous of each other for having to share that friendship with me. This taught me at a young age how to be a peacekeeper. I did my best to split time between the two and keep the waters calm, but I so desired the three of us to be together, sharing that bond as a whole.

Now, with 760 miles that separate me from them, these women are still my friends today. I can talk to them and it’s like the miles never separated us. I say all this to show you that, even at a young age, I had to work at maintaining these friendships. The two girls didn’t always make it easy, and as a non-believer at the time, I had no idea the importance of the lessons I was learning. There’s been a lot of life lived from then until now. One of the girls suffered abuse at the hand of her

father, which led her down some dark paths for quite a while—drugs, prison, and hard living. But God! The other suffered a nasty divorce that took her to the feet of Jesus. I know as children, none of us were taught about the love of Jesus, but through life’s crazy journey, we all found our place in His arms. We are all now what I desired as a little girl—united! It’s not by our efforts but by the handiwork of God.

The honesty and love we have for each other go way beyond our own doing. It’s a deeper love, as it comes from God. Love like this is unmasked, raw, and covered in truth. We have each other’s best interests at heart. We encourage one another. We offer Godly advice to each other. We see the value in each other. We do what God calls us to do in our relationships, and that is to love without limits, speak in truth and love, build one another up, and freely give our time with no ulterior motives. The Bible tells us that “heartfelt counsel of a friend is sweet like perfume and incense” (Proverbs 27:9). Find fragrant friends and be a fragrant friend! Make your relationships be about the Father’s business, and you will have lasting relationships that bring honor and glory to God for all time!

My name is Angie Bishop-Forsyth. I’m just a simple lady with a heart that chases after God! I love to share about Him anywhere I can. To me, there’s no one or no thing on this earth greater to talk about! God has blessed me in tremendous ways and I not only love to tell about it, but I live to tell about it!

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 Healing Center Church

515 Reed Road, 30720

706-229-9456

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

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

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

Lifegate Church

2744 Cleveland Highway, 30721

706-259-0016

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

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

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 901 Chester Road, 30721 706-270-9733

Bridging the Gap Ministries 514 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, 30721 706-277-7575

Relentless Worship Center 210 Robinwood Dr, 30721 706-313-1129

Dalton House Of Prayer

897 College Dr, Conference Rm 3, 30720

706-915-6545

Dawnville Community Church

1409 Dawnville Rd NE, 30721

706-259-5342

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

Tunnel Hill Community Church

706-673-4022

121 North Varnell Road

Tunnel Hill, GA 30755

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

2144 Fuller’s Chapel Rd

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

The Blessed Hope

by Brent Goodge

Walking into the town of Nain one day, Jesus ran into a funeral procession. After a few short words from Jesus, the funeral procession turned in to a party celebrating restored life instead of mourning death (Luke 7:11-17).

Jesus had a habit of ruining funerals. Having been slowed by the crowd and the woman who touched Jesus’ clothes, a despondent father tearfully received the news that Jesus was too late. Jairus’ daughter was already dead. Jesus’ response was incomprehensibly cheerful. “Don’t worry, just believe. She’ll be fine” (Luke 8:50). At the house, Jesus’ words sounded even more ridiculous. “She’s not dead. She’s just sleeping” (Luke 8:52). Then Jesus proceeded to ruin another funeral.

How much more real to each of us is the story of Lazarus? Or rather, the feelings of Mary and Martha outside his funeral? “Lord, if You had been here, my mother/brother/child/friend would not have died!”

(John 11:21).

Do we ever pay attention to the message Jesus had sent to the sisters before they asked that question? “The sickness won’t end in death, but in glory to God” (John 11:4). Or to His words to the disciples after Lazarus had died? “Our friend Lazarus is sleeping. I’m going to wake him up” (John 11:11).

Only then can we better understand Jesus’ response to Martha. “Your brother will rise again” (John 11:23). Martha confessed she knew the final resurrection was assured (John 11:24). Jesus then told her, “I am the Resurrection and the Life. For those who die believing in Me, death is not the end” (John 11:25).

When Jesus ordered the stone to be removed from Lazarus’ grave, Martha objected. She had been through enough. To have the crowd see and smell the rotting flesh of her brother was too much. But Jesus reminded her of the very first message He had sent in response to Lazarus’ illness. “Didn’t I tell you that by believing, you would see

God glorified?” (John 11:40). A few words of prayer later, Christ’s most public and convincing miracle of His earthly life ruined one more funeral.

A bigger party day is coming. Paul wrote that Christians, while we grieve those who have fallen asleep in death, do not need to grieve as those who have no hope. “The Lord Himself” is returning to claim His own. And His first work is to raise the sleeping saints (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18).

The One who is the Resurrection and the Life “lives, and was dead, and lives forever more, and He holds the keys of death and the grave” (Revelation 1:18). “The trumpet will sound and the dead shall be raised incorruptible. Oh death, where is your sting? Oh grave, where is your victory?” (1 Corinthians 15:51-55). He comes to give the crown of righteousness to all who love His appearing (2 Timothy 4:6-8). Someday soon He will tell the angels, “My friends are asleep. I’m going to wake them up!”

“Blessed Hope!” (Titus 2:13). “Even so come, Lord Jesus!” (Revelation 22:20).

Brent Goodge lives in Whitfield County and prays for focus to listen for the Master’s voice rather than staring at the surrounding waves.

Church Activities & Events

Carolyn Baptist Church

Gold City Quartet

Sunday, April 2 | 6PM

2305 Cleveland Hwy, Dalton, GA

Abba’s House

Chris Tomlin

Thursday, April 13 | 7PM - 10PM

5208 Hixson Pike, Hixson, TN

Christ First Church

C1 Youth Meeting

Wednesday, April 19 | 6:30PM - 8PM

5994 Martha Berry Hwy, LaFayette, GA

Community Baptist Church

Kingsmen Quartet

Friday, April 28 | 7PM

145 Pin Oak Dr, Rock Spring, GA

Caught, Not Taught

by Monica Gambrell

As parents, my husband and I worked hard to impart godly values to our children. We verbalized it, and we tried to be cognizant of teachable moments, but the bulk of what our children learned was caught, not taught. Our family had a few traditions and activities designed to draw our family closer together. One of those activities was time in the mountains—mostly Fort Mountain State Park. Many times, the focus was a leisurely hike, sometimes minigolf or paddleboats,

his hours were, and whether or not he found the work fulfilling.

He seemed fascinated by the man’s responses. I believe he would have talked indefinitely with the stranger if work hadn’t called the man away. For days afterward, David spoke of the man. Years later, my children’s choice for bedtime reading was Gary Paulson’s book The Hatchet. It is more or less a wilderness survival book. This book also stirred David’s fascination with living in the wild. At 30, David’s long-range plan is to homestead. And he’s successfully working toward that goal.

Years of my teaching may not have accomplished as much as just a few moments with this stranger. Our teaching is incredibly important, and should not be ignored. But equally important is the example we live before those whom God has placed in our lives. Without that example our words are hollow and valueless. Who is watching you needing an example of what it means to be a true Christian—to be Christ-like? Someone is. I guarantee it.

sometimes a relaxing picnic. We loved our time in the mountains.

There was a chance meeting on one of those trips that truly impacted my youngest son, David. I can’t remember how old he was—I don’t think he was in middle school yet—when we had the opportunity to speak with a park worker. He didn’t don the typical brown uniform of a ranger, but he was most definitely doing that type of work. David approached the stranger and asked him tons of questions about his work: how varied it was, what

“For I gave you an example, so that you also would do just as I did for you” (John 13:15).

“Nor yet as domineering over those assigned to your care, but by proving to be examples to the flock” (1 Peter 5:3).

Father God, as parents, we desperately hope to produce children who are not only productive contributors to society, but souls ready to face eternity. Due to this desperation, we sometimes talk too much, and do too little. May our lives be shining examples to our children and others. And may we look to You as the foremost example.

He Is Alive!

by David Huff

He has risen! He is alive! All four Gospels have the resurrection story in them. Each holds its own account of the events as the Apostles saw or heard them. Personally, I like the story found in Matthew best, but I like portions of all. In Matthew 28, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary are walking to the tomb when suddenly an earthquake happens, the stone is rolled away, and an angel appears before them. How much fear did the two women have when, suddenly, they face an angel in front of them? Can you imagine what they were thinking about when they saw the angel? The story says that the guards were paralyzed with fear, almost like they were dead.

I wonder how the two women felt when they heard the angel say, “I know you are looking for Jesus, but He is not here. He has risen.” I like to think about this moment. They just watched Jesus die a horrible death three days before, and now they hear an angel tell them that He is alive. Can you imagine the confusion that is raging on the inside of them? We are fortunate we have the Bible with us to tells us what happened, but back in the women’s day the New Testament was being written. The story continues by saying that the two women ran away with fear and great joy. I can hear them running along the path and shouting to each other. He is alive! He is alive! Jesus then appears to the ladies. They fall to His feet and worship Him.

There have been many times in my life when I have failed to fall to Jesus’ feet to worship Him. There have been many times that I have forgotten that my Savior is alive and working in the world around me. Yet, Jesus says, I forgive you. It is never too late to start over. Jesus wants us to know that He is alive. Jesus is still at work in the world today. He is still proving

that He wants to help us. We all get lost and ask, “If Jesus is alive, then why is He not helping me with this situation?” When the reality is that He is. We get blinded by the enemy of our souls telling us that our Savior is disappointed in us because we continue to sin. But the Bible says that we all fall short of His glory. Every one of us sins, not just you. Jesus loves us with a passion that took Him to the grave so that we would not have to pay a price that we could never pay, and He asks for us to give our lives to Him. This Easter, allow the Savior to open your eyes to where He is working in your time of need.

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 production team. I am also a senior at Liberty University.

The Darkness of Discouragement

by Dr. Alan Hix

Have you ever had one of those days when everything seemed to be going right? It seems that the sun is shining bright in every area of your life, and you think to yourself, “This just can’t get any better!” Then at the close of the day, someone complains or criticizes you about something. All of a sudden, your world is turned into darkness, and the multiple successes of the day are lost in the shadow of one cross word or mistake.

Matthew 3:13-17 tells us that when Jesus emerges from the water at his baptism, a voice from heaven proclaims, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” This is surely what prompts John the Baptist to declare, “Look, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29)

We see a different side of John in Matthew 11:2-3. 2 Now when John heard in prison what the Christ was doing, he sent a message through his disciples 3 and asked him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”

This question is a far cry from the confident declaration John made earlier. We might wonder what caused John to entertain questions about Jesus’ identity? The answer is found at the beginning of verse 2: “Now when John heard in prison. . .”

Back in Chapter 3, John was at the height of his popularity as crowds were coming to hear his message and be baptized. However, John’s criticism of Herod’s marriage to his brother’s wife eventually resulted in his being thrown in prison. Now alone in a dark cell, John begins to look back and wonder if he missed something. Needing reassurance, he sends disciples to Jesus to ask him if he is “the one who is to come.”

Nothing has changed about Jesus since his baptism. What has changed is John’s perspective. There are no crowds filled with joyous excitement in his prison cell. Alone and facing an uncertain future, John is discouraged.

I came across an article that identifies three underlying causes that lead to discouragement: 1) a lack of confidence in ourselves, 2) a lack of confidence in God, and 3) a lack of hope for the future. All three of these appear to be present in John’s situation.

Let’s look at Jesus’ response. 4 Go and report to John what you hear and see: 5 The blind receive their sight, the lame walk, those with leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor are told the good news.

Here, and in the verses that follow, Jesus does two things in response to John’s question. He first reassures John that he was right in recognizing Jesus as the “Lamb of God” by describing the works he has been doing. He then goes on to praise John to the crowd. There is no censure or criticism of John because of his doubts. What Jesus does is reorient John’s viewpoint. John was looking at things from the context of a prison cell. Jesus responds by showing him God’s perspective. While the darkness of John’s cell caused him to wonder about both himself and Jesus, Jesus shines his light upon the situation by declaring that both he and John are doing exactly what God sent them to do.

So, the next time the darkness of discouragement comes knocking at your door, ask God to shine his light on your situation, so that you can see through his eyes and not your own.

About The Author

Dr. Alan Hix is an Associate Professor of Christian Studies at Shorter University. In addition to being and educator, he has served churches as a pastor, been involved in mission trips to Africa, Canada, and Alaska, and participated in archaeological excavations in Israel for several years.

In November of 2021, First Volunteer Bank acquired FBD Holding Company, Inc., merging their exceptional experience and expertise with First Bank of Dalton and First Bank of Calhoun to form a single local financial institution. The Builtwell Bank brand was announced on August 1, 2022. Today, Builtwell Bank is the largest locally owned, multimarket community bank in Southeast Tennessee and Northwest Georgia.

With thirty branches spanning thirteen counties in Tennessee and Georgia, Builtwell Bank is committed to helping our communities grow and prosper. “The Builtwell name demonstrates our continued commitment to being the well-built bank for which we are known, serving as the local economic engine

for Tennessee and Georgia for years to come,” said Patti Steele, Builtwell Bank CEO. “As we grow, it’s important for our name to be relevant and meaningful to the communities we serve. The Builtwell name signifies our commitment to be a sound, prosperous community bank, here to reinvest in our communities by helping customers save money, buy homes, start businesses and create jobs. Well-built communities start with well-built banks.”

“We are very excited to have this opportunity to take care of our customers and our communities at an even higher level,” said Mitch Sanford, Builtwell Bank President. “Builtwell Bank now has 30 banking locations in Tennessee and Georgia, giving our customers the convenience of additional offices in the

region, and an enhanced portfolio of financial products and services.”

Sanford will collaborate closely with Jeff Bridgman, Executive Vice President and head of Commercial Banking, and Jeremy Dean, Executive Vice President and head of Retail & Business Banking, to expand customer relationships in the Tennessee and Georgia markets served by Builtwell Bank. This experienced team will develop and implement future market expansion strategies.

“It is exciting to help brand us and showcase our bank across a larger area,” said Jennifer Johnson, Vice President and Director of Marketing.

Striving to be the local economic engine for the communities they serve, Builtwell Bank prioritizes community involvement through various sponsorship and volunteer efforts. As members of the Chamber of Commerce and supporters of Miracle League, among many other organizations, Builtwell Bank understands the importance of giving back to their communities. “We realize that part of being a community bank

means understanding our local communities, their needs, and what we can do to give back,” said Johnson. This September, Builtwell Bank will celebrate their annual Tailgate-A-Palooza can-food drive, with proceeds donated to food pantries in our community. This fundraising event concludes with a community appreciation tailgate party to kick off the football season! Last year, over 390,000 cans were collected across Builtwell’s footprint!

Builtwell Bank is a community bank specializing in Personal Checking, Personal Savings, Personal Loans, CD’s and IRA’s, Business and Commercial Checking, Business and Commercial Loans, Insurance, Personal Mortgage, and Treasury Management. Headquartered in Chattanooga, Tennessee, the Bank has approximately $2 billion in total assets.

You can visit Builtwell Bank’s Hamilton Street Branch at 118 N Hamilton St., Dalton, GA 30720. You can call Builtwell Bank at 706-529-5101 or find more information on their website at www.builtwell.bank, including additional North Georgia branch locations.

by Chuck Cleveland

Ibecame a Christian at 24, and my first years in the faith were spent being grounded at an excellent Bible-teaching fellowship. I learned the doctrinal lessons well and, while still in my twenties, was elected a church officer. Unfortunately, I knew more about theology than love.

Many years later, I concluded the character change needed was to become more compassionate, but I had no idea how to fulfill that desire. Thankfully, however, I soon received a tape from Steve Brown (the Bible teacher on the Key Life radio show), and it was an excerpt from his message that motivated me to go in a new direction. Here is a slightly-edited transcript, provided with Steve’s permission. I got a letter last week from a man who has a sexual problem, and he said, “I’ve never told anybody about this situation, but I’m writing to you at major risk because I’ve listened to you for two years

After twelve years of overt hostility, we began to speak cordially about the time I received Steve’s sermon, but those long-distance calls were primarily motivated by our mutual concern over our mother’s failing health. However, once that process began, it was amazing how quickly layers of distrust peeled away, and I began to understand the relationship between love and acceptance. Put simply, without the latter, I suspect expressions of the former are pretty much meaningless.

Clearly, the walls of hostility had come down. Shortly thereafter, I sent him a tape of some songs (a mutual interest), two excerpts from Steve Brown sermons, and a recounting of how much my life had changed. Almost immediately, I received his response, and (in part) it said:

I also enjoyed the excerpts from that

and I don’t think you will condemn me, I think you will try to help me.”

I’m going to frame that letter, because that’s the goal of my life. I want to be the kind of person who solicits from those who are hurting, who are sinful, who are broken and who are oppressed…You think about that.

Think about it I did. I earnestly wanted to become that kind of compassionate Christian and shortly thereafter, seemingly overnight, that desire became a reality. The relationship benefitting most from the change in Chuck was that with my long-estranged brother.

Barry and I were both only children—that is, he was born almost ten years after me and our worlds seldom touched. As he grew up, he adopted a belief system far removed from mine, and the clash of lifestyles made for uncomfortable family gatherings. Rather than detail those adventures in adversity, I’ll just say I thought the “loving thing” to do was have no contact.

talk on love and friendship… The difference between preaching and sharing is sincerity, and sincerity is the honest attempt to truly communicate…

You know, I feel like I have a brother for the first time in my life, and it feels really good. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate all your efforts to make the changes that were necessary to make it possible.

Love, Barry

Concluding remark: For those Christians with nonbelieving friends and family members who think the only hope for reconciliation is for God to “fix” the other people, note that the “surgery” in this case was performed on me.

Chuck Cleveland lives in Newnan, GA and has written for three area magazines, as well as the local newspaper. He has been a Christian for over 50 years.

Learning Tree Elementary School

At Learning Tree Elementary School, students are:

Learning to love God and others

Teaching to think

Equipping to serve, and

Showing Jesus to all

Learning Tree Elementary School has a long and rich tradition of academic excellence and of laying strong spiritual foundations. The school serves the greater Dalton area in Georgia and is part of the Georgia-Cumberland Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. Adventists are Bible-believing Christians who base their faith, service, and hope in Jesus Christ. The name “Seventh-day” refers to the biblical Sabbath (Saturday) ordained by God at Creation, which is a welcomed weekly reminder of the love relationship between mankind and their Creator and Redeemer. “Adventist” represent people who are looking forward to the soon return of Jesus. Established worldwide in 1853, Adventist Christian education is the largest parochial system in the world, with an enrollment that easily surpasses one million, and operates over 1,000 K-12 schools here in North America. Learning Tree is a part of this quality Christian education system.

Above all, it is the desire of the faculty, staff, and school board of Learning Tree Elementary School that each student develops a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Because of the belief that the work of true education and the work of redemption

are one, the Learning Tree staff, school board, and constituency are committed to providing the best opportunities possible for the development of their students’ physical, intellectual, social-emotional, and spiritual capabilities to the highest degree.

Bird’s-eye View of Learning Tree

• The school serves Pre-k through 8th grade

• Learning Tree has been growing children for Jesus in the Dalton community since 1948

• Enrollment has doubled in the last 7 years and is close to reaching capacity at 85 students

• Two of the foundational textbooks are God’s Word and His Book of Nature. Classes are held inside and outside in their outdoor classrooms nestled along McLellan creek

• Learning is fun there, and the teachers, students, and families love their school family

• Learning Tree is owned and operated by the Seventhday Adventist church, and they accept any students who know Jesus or who want to get to know Him. Several denominations are represented in the student body

• They hold the highest accreditation possible by the National Council for Private School Accreditation (NCPSA)

• Class sizes are small (14-18) so each student receives the attention they need

• Extracurricular activities include: athletic programs for basketball, soccer, and volleyball, choir, bells, recorders, outdoor education week, 8th grade Washington DC trip, and more!

• Launching campaign soon to build a usable athletic field

Let the children come… www.learningtreeschool.org

Contact Principal Twila Brown and come for a visit! twbrown@ learningtreeschool.org

There Was a Time

by Deck Cheatham

There may have been a time in a person’s willful life, a time before he believed, when the whole of the Christian story seemed improbable. There may have been an inkling it was true but thought allowed it not because only the eyes filled belief. Each day focused on the matters demanding attention, each spent on judging others as different or worse or as gain or detriment. Nothing in his nature suggested wrong rested within unless gain could be achieved by admitting it. Each effort satisfying his want was good and noble, his persona perfect in pursuit of ambition.

In his first believing, in the joy accompanying the grace allowing him the story’s truth, he was presented with a problem. At first, he was unaware. Only in time, when he began to regress toward his habitual nature, when that nature confronted him, did another truth arise. When mercy and forgiveness toward others began to enter thought and heart, did this truth swing the pendulum. Now, as he saw the good in others, even believed the worst of men were subject to God’s grace, did God turn his attention toward his own failings. Before, he understood truth only when it applied outside of him. But when truth’s light turned onto him, it became painful. But it was a holy pain he experienced. It was God’s light calling him to seek Him first in all things, to see as He sees, to love as He loves, to walk through regret and atonement, repentance and redemption. The willful self suffers his darkness before he suffers his light. But it is an assuring light from above he suffers gladly.

My own journey to understanding God’s light has not been so easy. I am a willful creature. I wish to prove my worth. If Blythe Daniel is right, that “extending yourself to others requires thinking about what the other needs, not what you’re comfortable giving,” I resisted God’s every urging to do so. For it is in relationship where the willed self fails to see the need in others, where darkness finds its soil.

Recently, I found myself in conflict with someone. I admit I failed to see his worth. I found him to be a disruptive individual who wished to create conflict. After praying, I one day realized his need. My attitude toward him changed. Mercy filled my perspective. I became confident in my wrong.

Often, without God, we fail in relationships. When relationship with God becomes as intended through creation, the creaturely in response to the Creator, those ties we have with others along our walk become ordained by truth. Yes, we might have to walk yet again through regret and atonement, through repentance and redemption, but in doing so, we admit to God the truth of our own nature and our dependence on Him. In His abundance, we are created again. To God, we can prove nothing. In light, He proves His love. “For those who have ears to hear, let them hear” (Matthew 11:15, NKJV).

Beware: Desperate Relationships

by Brian Johnson

Relationships can be difficult. Getting out of a long-term relationship comes with specific challenges, especially if it was a marriage. As the Bible says, you became one, so there’s a ripping apart that causes damage to both people. It’s never a clean break. Just like any other pain, we want to fix or heal it as quickly as possible. No one enjoys resting in pain. If we’re not careful, that will lead us to poor decisions to mask the pain.

In Numbers 32, the tribes of Reuben and Gad came to Moses with a request. Verses 4 and 5 say, “Even the country which the Lord smote before the congregation of Israel, is a land for cattle, and thy servants have cattle: Wherefore, said they, if we have found grace in thy sight, let this land be given unto thy servants for a possession, and bring us not over Jordan.”

That sounds crazy, doesn’t it?

After decades of wandering in the wilderness, they’re on the precipice of going into the promised land, and these tribes decide they don’t want to go in simply because they have cattle, and the land they’re in is good for cattle. You might ask, what does that have to do with relationships? Well, just like they saw one aspect of their lives being fulfilled by what was in front of them, we do the same thing. You’re lonely and desperate for that spark. You meet someone, and you have one thing in common, and because of that, you believe he/she must be the right person for you. Because of that one thing, you disregard others that are red flags because your emotions are involved, and you can’t see the problem you’ve just gotten yourself into. Remember, the promised land wasn’t far away. Wouldn’t you think it would be a land good for cattle along with everything else they may need?

I made this mistake following my divorce that occurred as a result of my ex-wife’s infidelity. It was very difficult to heal from and I wouldn’t wish that pain on anyone. I began a relationship with someone that wasn’t saved because we had other things in common, and she was willing to come to church with me, so I thought I could make it work. Needless to say, it didn’t, and that just caused another cycle of pain. Eventually, I decided to make a list of things I was looking for, pray about it and wait on God to take care of it. When I finally became content with being single, God brought me the perfect woman. We’ve been married for seven years now, and it’s been wonderful!

Divorce is incredibly painful and damaging. Don’t fall into the trap of getting into a relationship just to be in one. Allow God to heal you. Develop a stronger relationship with Him and let Him bring that next person to you. I promise, He’ll make the right choice.

Brian Edward Johnson is a deacon at his church, nurse and author of Behaving Wisely, One Man’s Journey from Betrayal to Blessing. He longs for Christians to trust God for every aspect of their lives.

The Fields

by Charles Finney

“Say not ye, there are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? Behold, I say unto you, lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest” (John 4:35).

My grandpa was a simple man, but his wisdom was immeasurable. He lived on a farm with three fields that he tended to with great care—one for corn, one for hay, and one for wheat. He taught me the value of hard work and the importance of taking care of the land. He would always start his day with a prayer before he went out to his fields, asking God to bless the land and the crops.

But Grandpa wasn’t the only one with a green thumb in the family. My grandma had her own three “fields”—a garden, a field of flowers, and her children. She would spend hours in her garden, planting and tending to her vegetables, always with

a smile on her face. She would tell me stories of how she would use the vegetables in her cooking, making the most delicious meals for the family. And like Grandpa, she would also start her day with a prayer, thanking God for the beauty of nature and the bounty of her garden.

The flower field was her pride and joy, with rows and rows of different colored flowers creating a beautiful tapestry that would change with the seasons. And, of course, her children were her greatest accomplishment. She raised them with love and care, instilling in them the same values that Grandpa had taught me.

But there was one field that Grandpa and Grandma shared equally—their love for the church. They would often be found sitting in the front row, singing hymns with all their hearts, and listening attentively to the sermons. Their faith was a constant source of inspiration for the whole family, and their devotion to God’s Word was evident in the way they lived their lives.

Grandpa and Grandma were a perfect pair, each with their own unique skills and passions, but united in their love for the land, their family, and their church. They would often work side by side, Grandpa in his fields and Grandma in her garden, but always taking breaks to admire each other’s work, share a laugh, and pray together.

I have many fond memories of those days on the farm, learning from my Grandpa and Grandma. Their wisdom, love for the land and their family, and devotion to their faith has stayed with me throughout my life and has shaped me into the person I am today. I will always be grateful for the lessons they taught me, in the fields, in life, and in faith.

God’s Plan and the Single Christian

by Matt Jensen

Singleness is hard. There’s the pain of not knowing if you’ll ever meet someone or be content with singleness. There’s the pain of many unmet desires, maybe even the pain of confusion. Afterall, if marriage is a godly desire, why would God not fulfill it? Then there’s the pain of not knowing how singleness fits into God’s plan. You’ve heard sermons about God’s task for humanity—be fruitful and multiply. “How, then, can I glorify God as a single? Where may I find comfort?” The Bible answers these two questions. Let’s consider mankind’s task in light of the first and last Adam (1 Cor. 15:44-49; cf. Rom. 5:12-21).

Adam and Eve were given a task which can be summed up as filling and ruling the earth (Gen. 1:28). God made man and woman as sexual beings. In the context of marriage, man and woman were created to come together and bear children, filling the earth with other image bearers. Man and woman were created to rule the earth, subduing it for the glory of God. Had they obeyed God, “the earth would be full of the glory of God as waters cover the sea” (Hab. 2:14). Adam and Eve disobeyed God, however, bringing sin into the world instead. Consequently, this task is fundamentally changed. No longer can procreation fulfill this task, for we are all born in sin (Rom. 5:12-21). We must be born again (Jn. 3:3-8). This brings us to the last Adam.

Jesus is referred to as the last Adam for good reason (1 Cor. 15:44-49). Jesus became true man, sin excepted. As sinless man, he is the perfect image bearer (Heb. 2:17; 4:15). He lived, died, and rose again to represent his people before a holy God. God’s people participate in his life, death, and resurrection through faith. Christ purifies his bride, the church, making her a suitable helper for the glorious task of filling and subduing the earth. Before the fall, Adam and Eve’s children would have been image bearers who properly reflected God. Since the fall, however, everyone is born in sin. There is only one way for sinful man to begin properly reflecting the glory of God—the reconciling and transforming grace of God. Christ is on a global mission to “bring many sons to glory” (Heb. 2:10) through new birth (Jn. 3:3-8). He is adding to, sanctifying, and equipping his church to “proclaim his excellencies” among the nations (1 Pet. 2:9). The task moves forward through proclamation rather than procreation. We are not co-redeemers and Jesus doesn’t need

a helper, but he has freely chosen to include us in this glorious task (Matt. 28:19-21).

“How can I glorify God?” Dear single Christian, know that you don’t need a spouse to glorify God. You can glorify God in your singleness. You are participating in the glorious task of filling the world with those who properly reflect God’s image. That task belongs to the last Adam, and he has freely chosen a helper. Every time someone is born into the kingdom of God, or you witness someone grow in holiness, you are witnessing the last Adam fulfilling the first Adam’s task. As you join, participate, and serve in a biblical, missions-minded church, you are involved in this task.

“Where can I find comfort?” Until Christ comes back, God’s people will suffer (Job 14:1; Lk. 13:1-5; Rom. 8:16-18). Singleness can be unspeakably painful. It’s often a pain that you think others don’t understand. You feel alone. As to his divinity, Christ is your rock (Ps. 18:1-3). As to his humanity, he knows human suffering to a degree that you will never know (Heb. 2:17; 4:18; Gal. 3:13). You are not alone, and you are heading to a land without marriage (Matt. 22:30). The joys of marriage in this life can’t be compared to the joys of the next (1 Cor. 2:9). Marriage in this life is only a small sample of “joy forevermore” in the presence of God (Ps. 16:11), a joy that will be shared by all believers, married or single.

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.

Hearing His Voice

by Lori Sentell

In our relationships, we have many voices that we hear daily. As we are growing up, we hear the voices of our parents, siblings, grandparents, and other family members. These voices can encourage you, empower you, or discourage you. What others say to you and how you internalize their words will help you flourish or stifle you.

The voice of God will speak to you through His Word. Scripture is filled with encouraging Bible verses that can provide an uplifting word of hope and inspiration for your daily life. The Scriptures can give you daily encouragement and strength to persevere through life’s greatest challenges. God wants to comfort us in times of need. When you feel overwhelmed and anxious, the Bible can lift and renew your spirit and give you hope. When you read the Bible, you will experience God’s healing power for your heart and soul. When you meditate on Bible verses throughout the day, you can share them with your friends, family, and acquaintances. This encouragement will make an impact on someone else’s day, too.

In the world around us, we encounter despair and anxiety, but we can all find strength and guidance in His Word. No matter what we face—relationship conflict, death of a loved one, or loss of financial security— we can turn from our heartache, trouble, and confusion and focus on God’s promises to us and for us.

The Lord encourages us to find joy and peace every single day. He wants us to steal away from all of the busyness of life and have quiet time with Him and His Word. Psalm 91 says, “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in Him will I trust.’ Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee

with His feathers, and under His wings shalt thou trust: His truth shall be thy shield and buckler.”

The Bible is full of encouraging verses! God’s Word has been translated and kept alive throughout centuries to speak directly to your heart, right here and now. You were meant to find hope through Jesus Christ and His Love. The best way to fight discouragement is by meditating on words of encouragement! Bible verses grow your faith. Here are some Scriptures that will encourage you:

Isaiah 41:10— “Fear thou not: for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee.”

Psalm 118:14— “The Lord is my strength and song, and is become my salvation.”

2 Timothy 1:7— “For God has not given us a spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

John 16:33— “These things I have spoken to you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; for I have overcome the world.”

Proverbs 3:5-6— “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct thy paths.”

Colossians 3:16— “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”

Let me encourage you to read His Word and let Him speak to your spirit and heart today.

Lori Sentell is the pastor’s wife of Cornerstone Church of God in Cleveland, Tennessee, and she is a teacher at Hopewell Elementary School.

Celebration Carrot Cake

This carrot cake recipe makes a perfect Easter celebration treat! If you share this cake with your family members, friends or church community this month, share your thoughts with us on Facebook at Goodnews CM.

Ingredients

• 2 cups of carrots (grated)

• ½ cup of coconut oil (melted)

• 1 cup of cane sugar

• 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract

• 1 cup of milk (or non-dairy alternative)

• ½ cup of applesauce

• 1 teaspoon of salt

• ½ teaspoon of nutmeg

• 3 teaspoons of cinnamon

• 1 teaspoon of baking soda

• 3 teaspoons of baking powder

• 2 ¼ cups of all-purpose flour (or gluten-free alternative)

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350 F and line a baking pan with parchment paper.

2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.

3. In a separate mixing bowl, combine the applesauce, milk, vanilla extract, sugar, and oil.

4. Mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients.

5. Fold in the grated carrots and stir until combined.

6. Bake for 35 minutes.

7. Let the cake cool completely and add your favorite frosting!

He Rose

by Judy Hood

I don’t know how you did it

I don’t know how you felt

But when I think about it

My heart just wants to melt

So tortured sliced you paid the price

The guards didn’t even think twice

They just tortured some more and laughed with glee

And to think you did it all for me

You carried that cross up Calvary’s hill

To think what you went through gives me a chill

They drove those nails through your hands and feet

You looked at them lovingly with eyes so sweet

They thought they had killed you as the thunder roared

They were not aware of what was in store

They laid you in a tomb as they made fun

Three days later Satan cringed as you rose from the dead and won

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.

Writer Guidelines:

Who: Our writers range from pastors, professors, and professional writers to stay at home moms and dads, business professionals, and others who have a desire to 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.

Preemie to Tweenie

by Donald Cantrell

It was merely ten years ago, when I got a call to come to Parkridge East in Eastridge, Tennessee, because my daughter was having complications with her pregnancy. I was officiating a basketball game at Heritage Christian School, and when I checked my phone, I had 15 missed calls. As soon as the game was over, I zipped up the interstate, rushed over to Gunbarrel Road, made my way into Erlanger Women’s Hospital, and frantically tried to find her room, only to be told that I was at the wrong hospital.

My daughter had to stay in the hospital on bedrest for over two weeks before giving birth to the love of our lives, who came kicking and screaming into this world seven weeks early at the ripe old weight of three pounds and ten ounces. Once she was born, Kinsley had to stay in the hospital another 16 days before being released on my daughter’s birthday, which was Valentine’s Day. Those days were trying and filled with worry due to facing the unknown.

As I look back, those days seem as if they were decades ago because that little “preemie” is now a “tweenie” and is full of life and energy. My family allowed me to be her primary baby sitter, most likely due to no other viable options. Since then, I have had the opportunity to watch her grow before my very eyes.

It is so different caring for your own child than for your granddaughter. There were times when I wanted to make sure she was eating a nutritious breakfast that included milk, eggs, and other items, so I gave her yellowcake with chocolate icing, though my daughter did not smile upon my choices.

It has been a blast watching her learn to eat sardines, potted meat, crab legs, smoked mackerel, and mayo with honey sandwiches. We have made Facebook Live videos while cooking or making slime. There is nothing like our

weekly trips to the Dollar Tree, where she can spend $15.00 and feels like she has hit the jackpot.

Today, I picked her up from school, and she was discussing the zodiac with her younger cousin when I heard her say, “No wonder I liked so and so when I was in the second grade.” I never did find out who “so and so” might

have been, but we did have a grand time as she asked Siri all sorts of insights about the traits of various zodiac symbols.

There is nothing like growing up and moving from a “preemie” to a “tweenie” and exploring all sorts of information about life, boys, and radio artists. This girl keeps me on my toes now that she is ten, and I am a bit hesitant to see what is coming next. I almost ran my car off the road as she asked me one question today, then I laughed and told her that is not a “poppy” question but a “mommy and daddy question.” That is another great thing about having a granddaughter—if the questions get too hard, you can defer to mom or dad!

Donald Cantrell is a lifelong native of Murray county and has been pastoring and preaching since 1980. He has had the honor of publishing over thirty books and his sermon material is sold all over the world by various online companies. If you visit his house any weekend in the fall you will find them watching the “Florida Gators or the New England Patriots… Chomp Chomp.”

Draw Near to God

by Dr. Bobby Sneed

James, the half brother of Jesus, tells us in Chapter 4, Verse 8, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” The first sentence of this verse is a great encouragement that if we desire a closer relationship with God, we only need to pursue Him since God is already pursuing us. However, it could be easily overlooked that the second sentence of this passage tells us the requirement to draw near.

Getting closer with God requires sacrifice. We must abandon our sins and be cleansed, so that we can approach Him. Specifically we are told to cleanse our hands (we are sinners) and purify our hearts (because we are double minded). This is no light task because we must acknowledge our sinfulness, confess our faults to God and repent (turn away) from these sins to be cleansed. Our purification requires fleeing from our sins, never to return, in order to turn toward God with the purpose of drawing near to Him.

The problem arises when we realize that while we love God, we also love our sins. Thus, we are double minded. In truth, there are sins we will readily confess with the full intention of never returning to fail God, but there are also sins that reside in the innermost sanctum of our being that we are either reluctant or refuse to confess. To draw near to God requires complete abandonment of anything and everything that is not pleasing to Him. We are instructed, “Be holy, for I am holy.”

Good News! The Word tells us, “If we will confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Drawing near to God requires us, by the power of the Holy Spirit, to recognize, confess, and repent our sin. Then God, in the infinitude

of His love and grace, does forgive us and draws near because our relationship is made right in His grace. In other words, we are made righteous not by what we have done but because of what He accomplished on the cross. So, remember, we can never be close to God while reveling in our sin. Our relationship with God suffers because of our unfaithfulness. He is always faithful.

What is keeping you from drawing near to God today? What sin(s) have you attempted to keep hidden that remain unconfessed? Remember, He knows you and looks even at the intentions of your heart. To draw near to God today, we must cleanse our hands and purify our hearts. I pray that you will be encouraged to take a closer and more honest look into what sins remain in your life and that by the power of God’s Spirit you will be cleansed and purified, that your walk will be closer than ever with our Lord! Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.

Dr. Bobby Sneed is the pastor of Deep Springs Baptist Church. His greatest desire is that all will experience the peace, hope and love of the Father made possible by faith in the Son, Jesus Christ.

God’s Agenda

by Sheneka Land

Dreams feel so beautiful, especially when we are living in them. We get the guy or the girl, we clutch the diploma in our hands and get the dream job, we move into the house and buy the car. We dream of seeing two pink lines on the pregnancy test, and we begin to make long-term plans for our unborn children. We love. We smile and enjoy sun-filled days of laughter with a few bumps along the way, but we are okay because our dreams are still serving us.

Then one day, something feels off. We can’t quite place what the niggling uneasiness is, but something just isn’t right…we feel as if something is about to unravel. Then

was robbing him of even the basic enjoyments of life, not to mention the total destruction of all his dreams. He accused God of binding him in a straitjacket and throwing him in the mud. His nights were sleepless and full of anxiety, and his body was keeping the score. Have you ever been where Job was? Did God seem not to answer when you pled and begged Him to intervene? We can become disappointed in, or even angry with, God when we no longer believe that He loves us or is working on our behalf. It may seem that He is never where we want Him to be, nor is He who we’ve believed Him to be. We can’t understand why He allowed the people who were supposed to love us the most to love us the least. Our dreams were centered around God, family and church. Why didn’t He bless them? How do we wrestle with the tension of both faith and disappointment in God? When He doesn’t intervene and work in ways that align with our dreams?

it happens; we are assaulted by things we never thought could happen to us: infertility, sickness, death, adultery, pornography, divorce, depression, suicide, addictions, financial setbacks, and other destroyers of our hopes and dreams. And oh, how hard we fight to save our dreams, but sometimes the struggle becomes so intense that we find ourselves emotionally strangled with not a hint of hope left. Engulfed in anguish and disappointment, we feel hopeless. We may begin to believe there will never be a better day on the horizon, and we lose our ability to dream new dreams. Our deepest depth of despair is when we lose hope in hope itself.

In the Bible, we are introduced to a righteous man named Job, who suffers immensely. In Job 31:35, he pleads for God to give answers for his adversity. Job felt that God

In Walking with God through Pain and Suffering, author Tim Keller says, “If we have created a false God-of-my-program, then when life falls apart, we will simply assume He has abandoned us, and we won’t seek Him.” However, Isaiah 55:8 informs us that God’s thoughts are not our thoughts, and His ways are different than ours. Maybe this is where our confusion and disappointment begin to fade away; when we realize that God has better plans for our lives when He chooses not to approve and bless our human agendas that don’t include suffering or difficult days. Let’s recall times in our lives when God unfolded plans according to His mysterious wisdom and love for us through what we believed at the time was unanswered prayer. With God on our side, there is always hope in suffering.

“And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast” (1 Peter 5:10, NIV).

Sheneka Land is an ordained minister, community service chaplain, and a graduate of the Pentecostal Theological Seminary where she earned her MDiv. She is co-author of From Rejection to Validation (pathwaybookstore.com). She and her husband, Jon, currently reside in Cleveland, TN. Sheneka can be found on Facebook at Strokes of Hope.