Gò0dNews December 2017
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About Us WRITERS
Amy Poag Andrew Corbin Chandlin Johnson Chris Mullins Diana Callihan Diana Latee Fain Donald Cantrell Earl Brackin Ed Pickel Ethan McRae Dr. Greg Collins Heather Tate Jaimee Cooper Kaye Stein Laura Perdue Lisa Hamilton Lisa Herald Nadine Bowles Rita Carr Ron Peterson Rev. Tac Coley William Nelson Haynes
SALES
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 four beautiful children, Brendon, Kailey, Andrew, and Leah Jean. We live in Cleveland, Tennessee, and love what this town has to
Jared Dare 423-240-8794 jared.goodnews@gmail.com
offer! We have started GoodNews Christian Magazine
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because we feel that when God, family, and community 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
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Disclaimer All of the content in the GoodNews Christian Magazine is for general information and/or use. Such contents does not constitute advice and should not be relied upon in making (or refraining from making) a decision. Any specific advice or replies to queries in any part of the magazine is the personal opinion of such experts/consultants/persons and is not subscribed to by GoodNews Christian Magazine. The information in GoodNews Christian Magazine is provided on an “AS IS” basis, and all warranties, expressed or implied of any kind, regarding any matter pertaining to any information, advice or replies are disclaimed and excluded. We reserve the right to refuse any advertisement or article we deem inappropriate.
Contents DECEMBER 2017
GoodNews from the Pastor’s Desk 6 In the Midst of Chaos by Dr. Greg Collins
GoodNews for Kids 8 Unwrapping God’s Presence by Nadine Bowles
GoodNews on Money Matters 10 Choosing an Entity Type by Ron Peterson
GoodNews for Men 12 Santa Made a Mess! by Chris Mullins
GoodNews for Women 14 Conquering Your Giants by Chandlin Johnson
GoodNews for your Taste Buds 16 The Ultimate Gift by Diana Callihan
GoodNews for Parents 20 Fully Thinking: Enabling or Encouraging by Rev. Tac Coley
GoodNews for Life 22 That’s What Christmas Is All About by Amy Poag
GoodNews for Health & Fitness 24 How to Eat Good Food Without Feeling Guilty This Holiday Season by Jaimee Cooper
GoodNews for Everyone 30 Merry Christmas If Even Just One by William Nelson Haynes
GoodNews for Couples 32 All I Want for Christmas Is... by Laura Perdue
GoodNews for Seniors 34 Been There, Done That by Earl Brackin
GoodNews for Everyone 36 Making Memories by Donald Cantrell
GoodNews for Everyone 38 Be Vigilant
by Diana Latee Fain
GoodNews for Everyone 40 Old Fashioned Christmas by Kaye Stein
GoodNews for Everyone 42 I Just Don’t Know How Much More I Can Take GoodNews from the Physician’s Desk 44 Low Vision GoodNews for Everyone 46 God’s Word to Us by Lisa Hamilton
GoodNews for Everyone 50 Tis the Season for Joy by Lisa Herald
GoodNews for Everyone 52 The Journey of a Calling
GoodNews Cover Story 28 Trading a Crisis for a Kingdom
GoodNews for Everyone 54 Blessed Assurance: God’s Sustaining Hope in Sorrow
by Ed Pickel
28
by Andrew Corbin
GoodNews for Teens 26 The Wall Around Me Is In Ruins by Ethan McRae
08
by Heather Tate
by Rita Carr
52
Gò0dNews Christian Magazine
®
Gò0dNews from the Pastor’s Desk
In the Midst of Chaos
O
by Dr. Greg Collins
ne of the things I have witnessed over 22 years of ministry is that, at times, life can get pretty chaotic. As I recently returned from 4 days of revival services up north in West Virginia and Ohio, I came home to a schedule that was quite chaotic. It wasn’t until after being home about four days that things began to level out. At times, when we are in the midst of chaos, the lack of control, or even the ability to control, is overwhelming. I believe that many believers in Christ feel this way quite often. In the busy life we all now live, there are those times even with all of the modern conveniences of drive-thru food, cell phones, and the internet, it is simply at times over whelming. I am reminded of a time when the world was in chaos. In Genesis chapter 1 verse 2 it says, “The earth was without form and void.” The original terms והת tohu and והבbohu, which we translate “without form and void,” are of uncertain etymology; but in this place, and wherever else they are used, they convey the idea of confusion and disorder. That is a picture of our lives at times. We all come to those moments of confusion and disorder. So, how do we respond to those times? I think the answer is the same thing that God revealed in the beginning of creation. The first thing we find is God’s presence. The Spirit of God moved across the face of the waters. It is God’s presence that brings calm to the storms. Much like Jesus in the midst of the sea, with the storm raging around and all the disciples thought they were going to die; it was the Lord’s presence and then his spoken word that calmed the storm. That brings us to the second point. It is the word of God spoken that ushers in change. The change is bringing
6 // December 2017
order to disorder, calm to the raging seas, and wisdom to the confusion. When we seek out the word of God, we literally bring a creative process into our lives. It is the same creative process that brought the world we know today into existence. First, we have presence, second, we have the spoken Word, and third we have design. What exactly do I mean by design? Everything in creation is by God’s design. Birds that fly, fish that swim, and man who can think and talk, are all God’s design. His greatest gift ever designed was the gift of salvation. Born out of the greatest chaos of all time; man’s fallen sinful nature was redeemed through the blood of Jesus. Before we ever were there, a lamb was slain before the foundation of the earth. A plan designed by God to save all of mankind. Today, I would encourage you to embrace God’s presence, receive his word, and accept the savior, Jesus Christ. This is the pattern that will bring order to your disorder and life to your mortal body.
Dr. Greg Collins has served over 20 years in ministry. A graduate of Andersonville Seminary, Dr. Collins’ ministry has impacted thousands of people around the country and world through TV, print and internet outreaches. He also preaches and teaches in many venues and crusades around the world. Most Sundays he can be found in the Pulpit of Faith Worship Center in Chatsworth Georgia.
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Gò0dNews for Kids
Unwrapping God’s Presence
G
by Nadine Bowles
od loves giving good gifts to his children. Being God’s kid means everyday is like Christmas because he always has more of goodness for us to experience. The most amazing gift he gives is the gift of his presence, his friendship that stays with us forever. Here are a few fun and simple things to know about unwrapping God’s presence. Opening gifts is probably one of the most exciting parts about our Christmas tradition. While we love eying the boxes under the tree and giving the beautifully wrapped packages a good shake, there’s nothing more fun than getting to rip them open to see what’s inside! How disappointing it would be if you put a lot of thought, effort, and money into a gift for someone, and they never opened it. When Jesus arrived on the earth as a baby boy, they called him Emmanuel, which means, “God with us”. God was sending the best package he could, his very own son, to give us life that lasts forever with him. The way we open the present of his presence is by simply calling on the name of the Lord. That means we’ll never face life alone because our best friend is with us and in us. What a gift! Some of our presents this year might come with an owner’s manual. We can discard this material and try to figure out our new gadget ourselves. Reading the instructions would certainly help us understand how to properly use and take care of the gift, and educate us on
8 // December 2017
all it can do. In the same way, God left us with his word, his written instructions that fill us in on all the amazing details of his presence. What important information are we missing out on by ignoring the bible? Taking time each day to read his directions will reveal the power of his presence, how he intends for us to use it, and how to protect it in our daily lives. After opening our gift and finding out how it works there’s only one thing left to do—start enjoying it! God’s presence equips us for anything life throws our way. That means peace in the middle of trouble, wisdom when we don’t know what to do, strength when we feel weak, and confidence when we’re afraid. The list goes on and on! No doubt God’s presence is such a big gift that it will take us an eternity to discover everything in it. The more time we spend with God, the deeper our friendship with him will grow and we can experience the goodness of his everlasting company. God loves us so much he gave his very best gift for us to enjoy. God’s greatest wish this Christmas is that we receive his life and share it with the people around us. I hope this season you take his gift “out of the box”, read his instructions, and delight in the present of his presence. Nadine Bowles lives in Ocilla, Ga. with her husband Josh, and two boys Benny (6 years old), and Sam (3 years old). This Christmas they look forward to baking goodies, opening presents, and finding some snow to play in.
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Gò0dNews on Money Matters
Choosing an Entity Type by Ron Peterson
I
n last month’s edition, I suggested several evaluation processes that I would use to determine if starting a business was a possibility. We’ll now assume that you made the decision to move forward and now must begin formalizing the business entity. My first assumption, this month, is that you have not previously discussed with your tax advisor the entity form that would be most suitable for you. That decision must be grounded with both the short-term and longterm in mind. If one is not diligent in this decision, it is quite easy to choose a type that seems to be the best for your current tax structure, but, might be the worst in the long-term. Understanding the options, benefits and consequences cannot be overlooked. The limited liability corporation (LLC) structure is the easiest structure under which one can operate. I’ve termed the single member LLC as the “hip pocket” corporation due to its operating simplicity. Depending upon the nature of the business, keeping a formal set of books is not necessary. One can literally operate and prepare tax information by keeping a record of income and expenses by category. A single member LLC files its tax return on Schedule C of Form 1040. This is best known as the reporting form for the self-employed. A multi-member LLC must file either a Sub-chapter S corporation tax return (1120S) or a partnership return (1065.) The single member LLC provides the easiest format for moving money from the business to the
10 // December 2017
personal account. Typically, the owner does not draw a formal paycheck, but, takes owner draws instead. At year end, income and self-employment taxes are based upon the net income as determined when Form 1040 and Schedule C are filed. As mentioned by the form filing types for the multi-member LLC’s, the simplicity of a single member LLC vanishes. More formal accounting is required and the members may draw formal paychecks or have a formal cash distribution process. In either case, the accounting requirements become more formalized. The Sub-chapter S Corporation requires accounting formality while continuing to offer easier access to accumulated cash. The Sub-S Corporation can also have a more formalized retirement funding program than the single member LLC. A Sub-chapter C corporation better illustrates most individual’s concept of a corporation. It offers the possibility of better company provided benefits, but, much more restricted access to accumulated cash. Fully understanding the benefits and limitations of a Sub-C corporation is critical as terminating such and reverting to a Sub-S or a LLC is very complicated and not possible in some situations. Although one person may own 100% of the capital stock, in the eyes of the law and taxing authorities the Sub-C is considered as a distinct legal entity and has certain entitlements separate from its stockholders. As mentioned at the beginning of this article, one must fully understand the taxation interplay between the individual and the business entity before making a final decision as to entity type. Ron Peterson is a practicing CPA in Chatsworth who is also holds life and health insurance licenses. In addition to his many years of public accounting experience, he also served as CFO of several large organizations and as a corporate operational consultant.
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Gò0dNews for Men
Santa Made a Mess! by Rev. Chris Mullins
“Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terribly frightened, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news of great joy for everyone! The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born tonight in Bethlehem, the city of David! And this is how you will recognize him: You will find a baby lying in a manger, wrapped snugly in strips of cloth!”
C
— Luke 2:9-12
hristmas is right around the corner. One of my favorite memories is from Christmas morning when my oldest child, Gavin, was only twoyears-old. We put out milk and cookies for Santa and pretzels and water for his reindeer. Gavin was so excited about it and had made sure everything was just right for our special guest. Well of course, “Santa Clause and his reindeer” came and made it obvious they enjoyed the snacks Gavin left. There were crumbs and half eaten cookies and pretzels strewn all across the table. Gavin was so excited Christmas morning when he came to wake us up. We walked into the living room together. Where do you think our little boy went first— to the presents under the tree? Nope. He was more interested how Santa enjoyed his snack. So we went to the table and he examined the evidence. Gavin looked up at me with a serious look in his innocent little eyes and said, “Santa made a mess!” As a child, I enjoyed getting gifts each year at Christmas. As a parent, I enjoy giving gifts to my children even more. I love to see their excitement as they tear open the wrapping paper. I love to see them playing with their new toys. It gives me great pleasure to see their joy. I think the same is true of God, our heavenly
12 // December 2017
Father. He enjoys giving his children special gifts that bring them pleasure. He is always giving us special gifts to brighten our lives. Just look at the beautiful world He created for us. And the most precious gift He ever gave is His Son, Jesus. Ephesians 1:3-5 says, “How we praise God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we belong to Christ. Long ago, even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. His unchanging plan has always been to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. And this gave him great pleasure.” He gave us Christ and this gave Him great pleasure. I think there is an important principle of life embedded in God’s example. True pleasure comes to us when we give of ourselves. I hope you will make a point to give of yourself during this Christmas season… and always! Merry Christmas! 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 has 17 years of experience as a minister and has served four churches in Georgia. Chris is currently serving God as the senior pastor of Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church located at 2701 Cleveland Hwy in Dalton, GA.
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Gò0dNews for Women
Conquering Your Giants
T
by Chandlin Johnson
he epic tale of David and Goliath is one of the most well know stories in the bible. Goliath taunted the Israelites for 40 days, holding them in fear. I am sure that we have all faced our giants in life. Some kind of giant is standing before you, harassing you, insulting you, taunting you, causing feelings of being trapped with no way out. Maybe it’s fear, anger,
un-forgiveness, rejection, addiction, but no matter what that giant looks like in your life, I am here to tell you that with God that giant must fall. The giant is there as a way for the enemy to rob you of the power, cause you to live in fear and worry, to paralyze you from moving forward in the destiny God has for you, the fullness and freedom of live that He intended for you. God made a way for you to be free and made a way for these giants to fall. It all starts with believing that nothing, not even the giant, is bigger than Jesus. God has already defeated the giants in your life long before your life even started. When Jesus came to earth, He took it all, endured it all, so that you could be free and
14 // December 2017
have the tools to defeat anything that comes in your life. Jesus has overcome the enemy, however as stated in 1 Peter 5:8 it tells us that the devil still “prowls around… looking for someone to devour.” I’ve heard it explained like this once. It’s like killing a snake, even though the head has been cut off the body, you must bury the head because there is still poison in the head that can be injected. Yes, Jesus overcame the enemy and broke the power of satan at the cross, but he still has his ways of poisoning our lives through his lies and deception. We, as believers, fight this through the Word of God. In Revelation 12:11 it tells us “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.” In practical terms, I’m not telling you not to step on the head of the snake, but to “resist the devil” (James 4:7). We must put on our God-given armor and know who we are fighting and how to fight him. Ephesians tells us to put on the armor of God. Another way we fight these giants is to know and believe that His grace is sufficient (Proverbs 3:5) and we must learn to lean into His sufficiency and not our own. You can never bring down a giant through your own courage, willpower, or efforts; it’s always Jesus who brings the giant down. We need to understand and believe that Jesus Christ is all sufficient. Victory comes by trusting in Christ and working and walking out the Word of God. Christ is the only force that brings change and removes giants. My name is Chandlin Johnson. I am a single mother of 4 beautiful children. My heart’s desire is to minister to women and to help those who are trapped in human trafficking. More than anything I enjoy spending time with Jesus and worshipping Him in all forms of the Arts.
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Gò0dNews for your Taste Buds
The Ultimate Gift
Ingredients
by Diana Callihan
6 Jumbo Eggs ¼ cup mayonnaise 1/8 tsp of sea salt 1/8 tsp of black pepper 5 drops of green food coloring 5 drops of red food coloring
Directions
◊ Boil the eggs for 15 – 20 min. Take off the stove and run water over the eggs and let them sit for 15 min. ◊ Shell all eggs, cut them in half and place halves on an egg dish. Divide the egg yokes into two separate bowls. ◊ Put an equal amount of mayonnaise, salt and pepper into each bowl and stir until smooth. Add five drops of each color into each bowl. ◊ Spoon a generous amount of the mixed egg yokes into the egg halves. Arrange the eggs in alternating colors and you will have a Christmas egg platter.
S
ociety has programmed it into our lives that December is the month to show your love to your family and friends by buying gifts. Every week of this month brings more commercials, more sales, and more stress to buy just the right gift. This mass frenzy goes all the way up until that special day – Dec 25th, Christmas. It will wear you out to keep up with it all. When my children were little, I decided they needed to learn to appreciate what God had given them. I had seen what the Holidays had become to most people and it just seemed void of the true meaning. I truly believed I had to teach my children that it wasn’t about just gifts. I taught them that Christmas was about Jesus’s birthday. Yes, we could celebrate with gifts, but it was first about Jesus. So I instructed my children that they must choose a couple of their toys and I would go through their clothes. Once they chose the toys we bagged them up and took them to a drop off for the needy. One particular time, I had
16 // December 2017
the children pick out a few small gifts to box up where we could do the shoebox Christmas for other children. Today, my daughters can remember this act of kindness before most of the toys they ever got. After we began to celebrate Christmas this way, it really gave us an appreciation of giving to others. As a Christian, you remember that Christ was born as an infant. This infant would grow into a man that would give his life for all, but he had to be born first. Truly, God gave the ultimate gift. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (NKJV). So let’s celebrate the true blessing of Christmas: Christ being born! Now, I would like to share with you a recipe for Christmas Eggs. It’s easy and fun, so enjoy! My name is Diana Callihan. I live with my two daughters in Georgia. My heart is to be an encouragement to all believers of Jesus.
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Dalton Church Directory Apostolic
The Bridge, An Apostolic Church 715 College Dr, 30720 706-280-0541
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
Antioch Baptist Church 1205 Antioch Road, 30720 706-278-1305 Hopewell Baptist Church 3527 Airport Rd, 30721 706-226-5987 Eleventh Avenue Baptist Church 2550 South Dalton Bypass, 30722 706-278-7020 Good Hope Baptist Church 2525 Lake Francis Rd, 30721 706-259-3719 Grace Baptist Church 2049 Lower Kings Bridge Rd, 30721 706-537-6884 Grove Level Baptist Church 2802 Cleveland Highway, 30721 706-259-8519 Kinsey Drive Baptist Church 2626 Kinsey Dr, 30720 706-277-3505 Whitfield Baptist Church 2134 Dug Gap Rd, 30721 706-278-6776 Harmony Baptist Church 187 Lower Dawnville Rd, 30721 706-226-5521 Eastbrook Baptist Church 204 Hill Rd, 30720 Maple Grove Baptist Church 347 Maple Grove Rd, 30720 706-259-3927 Northwest Georgia Baptist Church 222 North Pentz St, 30720 706-463-3490 Olivia Baptist Church 1817 Guy St, 30720 706-278-3507 Abundant Life Baptist Church 811 J and J, 30721 706-278-5289 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 Concord Baptist Church 1054 Hopewell Rd, Cohutta 30710 706-694-8618 Cove Baptist Fellowship Church
18 // December 2017
461 Carbondale Rd SW, 30721 706-277-3484 Dalton Second Baptist Church 502 West Tyler St, 30720 706-278-7422 Deep Spring Baptist Church 1449 Beaverdale Rd NE, 30721 706-259-3255 Dug Gap Baptist Church 2031 Dug Gap Rd, 30720 706-278-2377 Eastside Baptist Church 913 East Morris St, 30721 706-278-8553 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 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 Harvest Baptist Church 3986 Cleveland Hwy, 30721 706-694-8951 Hill Crest Baptist Church 1901 Cityview St, 30720 706-279-1267 Lakeshore Park Baptist Church 12 Crescent St, 30720 706-275-6050 Liberty Baptist Church 506 South Pentz St, 30720 706-226-5535 Liberty Baptist Church 4443 Tibbs Bridge Rd, 37021 706-226-4936 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 Life Baptist Church 2620 Old Grade Rd, 30721 Pine Grove Baptist Church 4004 Airport Road, 30721 706-264-8630 Poplar Springs Baptist Church
897 Poplar Springs Rd, 30720 706-259-8727 Rocky Face Baptist Church 1544 Rocky Face Railroad St, 30740 706- 226-5751 Salem Baptist Church 1448 Pleasant Grove Dr, 30721 706-259-7045 Shiloh Baptist Church 2014 East Waugh St, 30721 706-226-5981 Temple Baptist Church 2310 South Dixie Rd, 30720 706-226-6785 Unity Baptist Church 1008 Burleyson Rd, 30720 706-226-3026 Valley Baptist Church 2907 Old Rome, 30720 Welcome Hill Baptist Church 2772 E Welcome Hill Circle, 30721 706-278-0368
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
Cedar Valley Church of God 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
Community
Rock Bridge Community Church 100 West Gordon St, 30720 Community Fellowship Church 409 North Fredrick St, 30721 706-278-3204
Episcopal
Saint Mark’s Episcopal Church 901 West Emory St, 30720 706-278-8857
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 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 2110 Antioch Rd, 30721 706-270-9733 Bridging the Gap Ministries 514 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, 30721 706-277-7575 Church on the Hill 1035 Abutment Rd, 30721 706-278-9208 Christian FreeWorship Church 210 Robinwood Dr, 30721 706-313-1129 Cornerstone Family Church 1240 Dawnville Rd, 30721 706-259-8509 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 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 True Gospel Pentecostal Church 109 South Henderson St, 30721 706-278-5696
1419 Chattanooga Ave, 30720 706.278-8161 Grace Presbyterian Church 2107 Threadmill Rd, 30720 706-226-6344
ChristChurch Presbyterian 510 South Tibbs Rd, 30720 706-529-2911 First Presbyterian Church
Salvation Army 1109 N. Thornton Ave, 30722 706-278-3966
Presbyterian
Salvationalist
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 Seventh Day Adventist Church
300 South Tibbs Rd, 30720 706-226-216
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 Keith Road Baptist Church 706-695-6441 Keith Road Chatsworth, GA 30705 US Lindsey Memorial Baptist 3503 Lindsey Memorial Rd. Rocky Face, Ga. 30740 706-673-7650 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 Hope Baptist Church 706-673-8050 2105 Tunnel Hill-Varnell Road Tunnel Hill, GA 30755 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 Zion Hill Baptist Church 706-517-5913 Highway 225 North Chatsworth, GA 30705 US
Bible
Grace Bible Church 706-517-2179 217 West Fort Street 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 Timms Chapel Church of God 706-629-4720 7727 Highway 225 South Chatsworth, GA 30755 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
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
Tunnel Hill UMC 706-673-4022 121 North Varnell Road Tunnel Hill, GA 30755
Non-Denominational
God’s Light House 784 Smyrna Church Road Chatsworth, GA 30705 Dayspring Church 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 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
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
U P D AT E
YOUR CHURCH LISTING
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Gò0dNews for Parents
Tac-Fully Thinking Enabling or Encouraging
O
by Tac Coley
ur parenting skills typically come from those who have taught us. There is no one-size-fitsall. What works well with one child may not be the best application for another. Top this off with two parents who have come from extremely different backgrounds. So, how do we decide and come to some agreement about the family dynamics of parenting? I’ve noticed some helicopter parents, who seem to hover over their children at all times. When a little struggle emerges they fly down to fix the situation. No problem, super hero parents are on the scene. I’ve never let you struggle, so I’m certainly not going to let those grandbabies struggle either. Letting go and letting God may sound great, but it may not be as easy as it sounds. Are we being compassionate, or actually cruel? British naturalist, Alfred Russell Wallace brought to light some scientific studies about natural selection. He pointed out that in nature there is a survival of the fittest. It’s quite harsh to think that only the strong survive, but that is true in the natural world. Many of us have also learned that the assisting of a caterpillar’s escape from its cocoon may seem compassionate; however, we later learn that it is actually cruel. That process of squeezing itself through the tight space prepares it to dry appropriately and allowing this Butterfly to be able to fly off into life.
20 // December 2017
It’s a natural process that’s best. The struggle prepares one for the future. Parents should learn this lesson. Over-aiding our children will probably not be best for them. Children who receive everything they want typically learn to want more. There is no limit as to how much one could want. Children who have everything done for them may struggle with learning to do for themselves. Teenagers should be able to slice their own steak. Or should they merely only eat things that can be eaten with their hands? At some point they must graduate from kidfriendly foods. Letting go and letting God protect them will require parents to teach their children about God’s providence. While Google is available, and pretty reliable for some advice, it may not be where you’d wish for your children to learn about faith, and how to live it. Trusting God requires an ongoing loving relationship. That same trust can be shared between two parents. Better yet, it can assist parents in raising up a child in the way it should go. Letting go and letting God guide us through all areas of life is imperative. Tac Coley, a second career Pastor serving fourth appointment in twenty-four years here in the North Georgia Conference. Dairy Herdsman with Sunny Brook Farms for twenty two years before God switch him from cattle to sheep. BA Religion and Communication Berry College, MDiv - Emory University Candler School of Theology. Married thirty-seven years to Rev. Sharon Coley, also an Ordained Elder in the North Georgia Conference. Two grown children and ten grandchildren. He is a story teller who loves Biblical Story Telling.
Church Activities & Events Silent Christmas Eve Communion Sunday, December 24th - 5PM
311 N Thorton Avenue, Dalton, GA 30720
Salem Church
Womens Bible Study
9:30AM - 11AM Call for more info (706) 259-7045
Temple Baptist Church Christmas Play
Sunday, December 17th - 6PM
Rockbridge Community Church Hope - Mobile Healthcare Unit Tuesday, December 26th - 5:30PM - 9PM Call for more info (706) 279-3175
Fellowship Bible Church Kids Christmas Program
Sunday, December 17th - 6:30PM 2044 Dug Gap Road, Dalton, GA 30720
Crosspointe Church Cookies with Santa
Sunday, December 10th - 3:30PM - 6:00PM Call for more info (706) 278-2649
Welcome Hill Baptist Church
Childrens/Youth Christmas Program Sunday, December 10th Call for the time (706) 278-0368
Whitfield Baptist Church Men’s Prayer Breakfast
Tuesday, December 12th - 7:30AM Kelly’s Restaurant
Olivia Baptist Church Christmas Musical
Sunday, December 10th - 11AM
City View Church of God
Women of Valor Prayer Warriors
Wednesday Nights at 7PM 3688 Chatsworth Road SE, Dalton, GA 30721
Gò0dNews for Life
That’s What Christmas is All About
I
by Amy Poag
love Christmas. Like really love Christmas. Our family Christmas tree tells the story of our life and I find myself sitting and staring at the ornaments for much of December. I decorate what seems like every square inch of our house with one rule: each decoration must carry special meaning for someone in our family. Whether it is my grandmother’s hand-made snowflakes that we put on our tree or her 75 year old Bible that is opened to the Christmas story on our coffee table, each corner of our Christmas house tells a story. We bake the same calorie-filled Christmas treats each year, watch many of the same movies, sing the same songs and truly do our best to point to Jesus during the Advent season as we patiently wait on the Christ-child. My absolute favorite Christmas movie is A Charlie Brown Christmas. I think Linus sums up the Christmas season so perfectly and every time I hear his explanation to Charlie Brown, I don’t even try to fight the tears. “And the angel said unto them, ‘Fear not, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you. Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in the manger.’ That’s what Christmas is all about Charlie Brown.” When I pause and think of the fact that the Creator of the universe chose to reveal Himself to mankind in the form of a “babe wrapped in swaddling clothes”, I am humbled beyond words. I think this miracle gives us a glimpse of the nature of God, a window into His heart. He revealed Himself through an infant - the most vulnerable member of all creation. He didn’t come as a grown man, an angel, or even a warrior. He came as a baby. I picture God just as he had done with Adam in Genesis 2:7, “breathing into Jesus’ nostrils the breath of life, and he became a living being.” When we stop
22 // December 2017
and pause at the Christmas miracle, we allow God to point us to the miracle we call “life”. We experience this extraordinary event each time we welcome a child into this world and share the same humble beginnings as Jesus. Every single person who has walked this earth has experienced the breath of our Heavenly Father willing him or her into existence. I believe this gives Him great joy. As the crown jewel of His creation, God makes it very clear to us from the arrival of Jesus to our very own birth, that not only is He present when we come into this world, but He lends us His very breath for survival. As we prepare for this Advent season, cook our sausage balls and warm up our Russian Tea, may the miracle of the “babe wrapped in swaddling clothes” not be lost in the madness. May we pause and remember that Jehovah gave the Christ child His first
breath. May we never forget that Jesus chose to give us His last breath. This “Circle of Life” is truly what adds the magic to our Christmas season. “And that is what Christmas is all about.” Amy Poag is the college Counselor at Christian Heritage School. She and husband (Jay) are the proud parents of 3 children: Jamie (and husband Greyson Pack), Brandon, and Jacob.
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Gò0dNews for Health & Fitness
How to Eat Good Food
Without Feeling Guilty This Holiday Season
H
by Jaimee Cooper
ave you ever experienced shame, guilt, or lack of self-control with food during the holidays? I want to introduce to you a concept this season called intuitive eating. It may seem foreign, but, with practice, I believe this eating approach can help you have a better relationship with food, not only during the holiday season, but throughout the new year. According to the book, Intuitive Eating by Elyse Resch, MS, RD and Evelyn Tribole, MS, RDN, an intuitive eater is defined as a person who, “makes food choices without experiencing guilt or an ethical dilemma, honors hunger, respects fullness, and enjoys the pleasure of eating.” We use food for a variety of reasons—nourishment for our body, celebrating a happy occasion, mourning a sad occasion, or healing a sick body. However, throughout the year—especially if we are dieting—we can guilt ourselves out of eating anything labeled as “bad” and eat only the “good” foods/drinks. But then what do you do when the holidays come and you are surrounded by foods that you usually consider “off limits”? Typically we either go hog wild and cast off all restraint, or with steely self-resolve seek to restrict ourselves more—making ourselves and possibly some friends and family miserable in the process.
24 // December 2017
The very act of making some foods “forbidden” can create strong feelings of deprivation in us, making our cravings and emotional state even worse. In fact, it is this very way of thinking, itself, that puts our minds and bodies on the wrong track. What do you think your days would look like this holiday season if you did not have any guilt when choosing and eating foods? What would happen if you started to enjoy the foods you initially want, but then only ate until you’re satisfied? You may find that eating in this kinder, more intuitive way would result in your consuming less, since depriving oneself often ends up with a binge later in the evening. As a registered dietitian, I not only want to help my clients eat more healthfully, I also work to help them create a better relationship with food. Easier said than done, I know! We create a sense of morality with food when we call certain foods “good” or “bad”, “healthy” or “unhealthy.” Yet, a better relationship with food is much more about proper portions. Having a negative relationship with food occurs when we deny ourselves the enjoyment and pleasure of eating our favorite food(s) because we tell ourselves that we must eat the “healthier” version—only to binge on it later and wallow in the guilt and shame that comes from our lack of self-control. Can anyone identify with this? I promise you it doesn’t have to be this way! I challenge you this holiday season to eat the foods you like—but in a mindful, even prayerful way. Give thanks for the food you eat, enjoy it, but also recognize how much is appropriate for your needs and health. In a healthy eating plan you can have almost anything you like and enjoy—you just can’t have unlimited amounts of it! Wisdom is recognizing the difference.
Jaimee Cooper is a registered dietitian working at Bradley Wellness Center in Dalton, GA. You can find out more about her at their website at www.bradleywellness.com
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Gò0dNews for Teens
The Wall Around Me is In Ruins
R
by Ethan McRae
ecently, the word of Nehemiah has been on my heart. It’s not a large book of the Bible with only 13 chapters, but is just as important as any of the rest. The main part I want to focus on is the rebuilding of the wall around the city of Jerusalem. When he arrived in the city the wall was in ruins and was defenseless against attack. His heart was hurting so much that he took it upon himself to lead the charge of having the wall rebuilt. He could get the entire city, who has not worried about it in centuries, excited about it. I feel in our lives it is very easy to get complacent. We have our “normal” day-to-day lives to get back to, and we forget the big picture. But he was able to get everyone excited and willing to help rebuild the wall. Everyone wants to appear strong and back in those days the city showed their strength by having a massive wall built around it. They did in fact face persecution from Sanballat as recorded in Nehemiah chapter 4, just like you may face persecution from people at school or maybe on your sports team. We could also face percussion from our own “friends”. Persecution usually means that we are doing the right thing and the enemy want to stop us any way he can. Usually this is by people saying things or acting differently around us because we are serious about our faith. Being serious in our faith requires us stepping out of our comfort zone, this could mean talking to someone new, or even bringing up God in conservations that we have with our
26 // December 2017
friends. Nehemiah is an example of how to keep the city motivated. They were able to finish the wall in just 52 days. Let’s remember that no one seemed to care for hundreds of years, and with God, he got the job done in record time. Now, our wall today is not a physical wall, but connecting as many people as we can with God. I recently read a study where less than 20 percent of Americans go to church. So, we have plenty of people that we can reach out and witness to. The main thing is that he had a plan and the best play book around, the Bible. It tells us the final score in the end, we know who is going to be crowned King of Kings and Lord of Lords. We are not fighting a losing battle. The enemy knows that time is running out and that once the trumpet sounds, it’s game over. God wants to direct your life; all you must do is follow Him. You could also relate this statistic to David going against Goliath. The odds were statistically matched against him, but he had the game changing component: God. This same God is still accessible to us today. Refuse to accept defeat. So, I challenge you to help me build the wall and help as many people possible join the winning team. My name is Ethan McRae and I am 33 years old. I have been married to my wife, Jennifer, for almost 11 years. We have two wonderful kids. Our daughter Bailey and our son Bryce. We moved up to northwest Georgia about four years ago, when we discovered that our son is profoundly Deaf, so that he could attend the Georgia School for the Deaf in Cave Spring and get the best education possible. I am currently studying religion at Liberty University so I can go into full time ministry.
FEATURED COVER STORY
Trading a Crisis for a Kingdom
Y
by Ed Pickel
our 2017 is rapidly coming to a close. This
good years which turned into a good life. He was so
year, were your blindsided by an event that
successful that he had to build bigger buildings to
totally changed the way you looked at the
store all of his stuff. His attitude was “I’ve worked
world? Maybe it was news that your job would be
hard, provided for my family…it’s time to kick back
terminated or that you or a loved one were about to
and relax.” So far, so good. Most of us Americans
face a serious medical challenge. Something happened
can connect with his “I’ve worked for it - it’s mine”
that struck fear in your heart. You realized that life
mentality. Actually, most of us, if we’re honest, must
would never be the same.
admit that we don’t have a problem with it. Jesus’
Of course, we typically think we’ve got life figured
disciples probably didn’t have a problem with it
out until something unexpected slaps us in the face
either. After all, isn’t it prudent to work and save so
and turns our world upside. When that happens, our
that you can take care of yourself and your family in
reactions become attempts to restore the equilibrium
the future? Yes, but…
in life we experienced prior to the event. We’re afraid, and we don’t want to be afraid any more. Jesus shared an interesting story with his followers
I think Jesus’ disciples were responsible, professional, business oriented people who may have been surprised by the slap-in-the-face, life-altering,
that is typically referred to as the parable of the
paradigm-shifting ending of Jesus’ story: Fool! This
rich fool. You know the story. A rich guy had some
night your soul will be required of you; then whose will
28 // December 2017
those things be which you have provided? So is he who lays
I met Sheilah at the Dalton Business Expo several
up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God (Luke
years ago. Fast-forward to last December – Sheilah
12:20-21, NKJV).
graduated from Belhaven earning her bachelor degree
Did Jesus’ followers expect such a tragic end for an
summa cum laude. She told me that returning to school
otherwise successful entrepreneur? In fairness to the
wasn’t easy. Sheilah wrestled to overcome a difficult
text, the parable of the rich fool is about covetousness.
past – a life caught up in drug addiction and with no
This business man was extremely successful but not
relationship with God. Now she tells me “I can use my
willing to share his excess. However, I don’t think his
experience to help others recover from the disease of
disciples got it. Have you ever wondered why Jesus
addiction.” And she does – every day. Sheilah traded a
spent the next 12 verses (Luke’s account) calming them
crisis for a kingdom.
down (“don’t’ worry,” “do not fear, little flock”)? What
If you’re reading this article, you probably expected
Jesus’ followers heard, I believe, was “Forget what
it to somehow relate to adult education. Here’s the
you’ve learned about profits, savings, and a business
connection. I’ve worked in this field long enough to
model that generates some level of predictability.”
have learned that, for many adults, returning to college
Instead, Jesus tells them to seek his kingdom first and
is perceived as part of the solution to an unexpected
all of their needs would be met. Did you catch that?
life crisis. If a job is lost or a promotion missed,
Don’t worry about food, clothing, shelter, planning –
returning to college can make one more marketable.
trust God instead. Has any one of us done that today…
If you’ve been part of an organization’s “right-sizing”
this week…month…ever?
strategy, an undergraduate or graduate degree can
As an admissions director at Belhaven
help transition to a new career path. For many, earning
University’s Dalton and Chattanooga campuses, I
a degree can provide a level of job security in uncertain
deal with adults whose lives, many times, have been
economic times.
uprooted by unexpected information or events. In
If an adult student feels that her circumstances are
fact, one of the main drivers of adults returning to
pushing her back into the classroom, she’s not alone.
college these days is a life crisis – the loss of a job,
More than one-half of today’s college students are
of a potential promotion…of a spouse. Like Jesus’
non-traditional, adult students. Returning to college
disciples, we find our lives clipping along at a
is not easy or comfortable, but for our students it
comfortable and somewhat predictable pace only to
has become the next step forward. For those who
find that kingdom life isn’t based on some rational
seek Jesus’ direction in their lives, there are many
model found in a textbook.
examples of God’s provision. They’ve learned that
In response to his disciples’ crisis of faith
out of a crisis comes a kingdom, and in that kingdom
recorded in Luke 12, Jesus taught a lesson of trust
are found all of the resources needed for the task at
and hope: Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s
hand…and much more.
good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Jesus asked his followers to exchange the old paradigm of possessions and predictability for the new paradigm of the kingdom (giving and serving). He taught them that the transition requires trust, a step of faith, and the willingness to exchange worry about the future for a day-by-day trusting in his resources.
issuu.com/goodnewsdalton // 29
Gò0dNews for Everyone
Merry Christmas If Even Just One
“I
by William Nelson Haynes
feel miserable about my life but Christmas is around the corner and I want to do something meaningful that pleases God.” I listened as this unhappy person struggled to get the words out: “Why is discovering God’s Will so hard?” I wanted to respond, but I kept listening. Seconds passed which felt like minutes. I then asked, “Have you ever read James 1:27?” Since I have a passion for helping widows, it was natural for me to think of that verse: “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” Some of the richest experiences I have had in my life are the relationships I have built with widows starting with my grandmother. I have cleaned out their gutters and mowed their yards and painted their ceilings and brought them flowers, but doing those activities were not enough. Building a personal relationship with a widow is a much greater need. I will never forget the day I got the call: “Nelson can you bring me a hamburger from Burger King?” I drove to Hixson, Tennessee to an assisted living facility called Wellington Place and continued one of many meals and in-depth conversations with a sweet lady by the name of Elise Payne who is now home for Christmas with Jesus. I miss her. She had two beautiful “paisley” chairs in her room. I often wondered after I left visiting her, if in the quiet
30 // December 2017
she sat in her chair and stared out the window longing for yesterday. Since I did not marry until age 32, I know what loneliness feels like. Sitting with widows for hours on end took me back into a lonely place. Can you really know what loneliness feels like until you listen to a widow’s heart and look in their eyes and hold their weathered hands? Besides listening to widows they also want to listen to us. There is nothing better to share with a widow than the daily bread of God’s hopeful words. Many, many times I read my life-verse to my widow friends found in Isaiah 41:10: “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” The more I gave of myself to my widow friends, the more joy I received. Who has not heard the expression? “If you want to get your mind off of yourself do something for others.” Everyone knows Christmas is a lonely time for a lot of folks, especially widows. Please do not forget them. You do have time to spare and share. Do you want to discover God’s will? James 1:27 gives you three options. Which one will you pursue? Make this Christmas different if even for just one person! William Nelson Haynes lives in Ringgold, Georgia, with his wife and two Labrador Retrievers, Bentley and Sadie. He is the father of 2 grown-daughters. He has a Masters in Christian Education from Dallas Theological Seminary. He was involved in full-time youth ministry for 14.5 years before working in the Insurance industry for 18 years to date. He loves gardening, movies, music, reading, traveling, hiking & camping and riding his mountain bike.
Gò0dNews for Couples
All I Want for Christmas Is...
B
by Laura Perdue
ack in the 80’s Mariah Carey, once known as the pop princess, wrote a catchy song for the holiday’s that has become a song that we all love, sing, dance, and shop to. “I don’t want a lot for Christmas. There is just one thing I need. I don’t care about the Presents underneath the Christmas tree. I just want you for my own, more than you could ever know. Make my wish come true. All I want for Christmas is you.” I know my articles are usually geared toward married couples, but this being the month of December and knowing the Christmas holiday is quickly approaching, my heart was drawn to write to not only married couples but to include other groups of people who are usually forgotten around this time of year: the couples who aren’t married yet and the single people. To my married couples, don’t stop reading just yet; there is something for you in here as well. I promise! Ok singles, now that I’ve got that catchy song playing in your head, I know you are asking where is my special Christmas gift? Where is my Boaz or Ruth? Or you’re off in your own little world dreaming of the day that long awaited engagement will happen, or better yet envisioning someone special to kiss under the mistletoe. I want you to know from personal experience that this time of year I know you are quietly struggling in your current relationship status. You go to office parties and you feel left out, you go to church and you feel unnoticed or alone because everyone seems “coupled up” or low and behold you go on Facebook or other social media sites and engagements seem to be happening all around you! You can’t seem to catch a break and without even realizing it you soon find yourself fighting a spirit of loneliness and discouragement. Be encouraged. You may not realize it, but your singleness is a gift from God.
32 // December 2017
To my married couples, maybe you aren’t singing those lyrics in the single state, praying for your Boaz or Ruth to make their entrance, but you are singing it from a place of wanting the gift of time and love to be restored. Truth be known, life has taken a toll on your marriage and you find yourself worn out from long hours at work, screaming children (whom you love dearly), sports, outside family, and ministry demands. For the holidays, all you want is a renewed passion and love with your spouse; you just want them and the gift of time together. In closing, whether it is singleness or marriage, we should receive our situation in life as a gift of God’s grace to us. If we really think about it more than anything all we should really want for Christmas is the gift that has already been given: God’s unchanging mercy, love, and grace. He is the ultimate gift giver (John 3:16)! My name is Laura Perdue. I am 39 years old and married to my best friend, Brian Perdue. God has truly blessed us both, and I could not imagine life without my prince, my promise. Brian and I reside in Marietta Georgia and serve on the ministry team of Fivestones Church in Canton, GA.
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Gò0dNews for Seniors
Been There, Done That by Earl Brackin
I
mentioned in my last article that I was having
several of the “experienced” women recognized her
trouble with being classified as a “Senior Adult”. It
fear and gave her support and offered wise advice.
seems that I’m not the only one. People who write
They’d been there, done that. Which reminds me of
for a living are struggling with what terms to use for
James 1:5, which says, “If any or you lacks wisdom, he
us in their articles. Publications certainly don’t want
should ask God, who gives generously to all without
to offend. The linguistic question then is this: what do
finding fault.” These ladies not only offered help to
we call those in their middle and late years?
my wife, but did it in a way without making her feel
I googled the possibilities and didn’t get much
foolish.
help. While “Senior” was the number one adjective,
How important is it for us to be gracious when
I did find some other possibilities. “Older” was the
offering insight or solutions to issues when asked? No
second most used term as in “older adults”. I guess
one likes a know-it-all and yet we all need the benefit
that makes me an older musician, older eater, or even
of advice given by an expert. I am so glad God never
an older driver. Since I’m a guitar player maybe I’ll
makes me feel foolish or even stupid when I seek His
call myself a “golden oldie”. Some writers are using
counsel for my pressing needs.
the term “Boomers”, dropping the “baby” due to the
One other application: if my wife had been in a
obvious. AARP finds that it uses the phrase “grown-
small group of women only in her age or station of
ups” a lot. When asked my age I’ve started saying
life, she may have missed help for her need. Why not
that I’m 29 with 35 years of experience.
pray and look for opportunities to be a part of a multi-
Let me bring this to a more applicable point. Just
generational group. And resist the urge to be “the
after the birth of my first daughter, my wife began
experience know-it-all”. Just listen and be gracious. You
to experience some issues with breast feeding our
will know when it’s time to interject
newborn little girl. Things weren’t going as we had
your wisdom. After all, God has
read in the books. I surely didn’t have any clue. We
us “Boomers”, “Older adults”,
began to panic. My wife was a part of a local ladies
“Seniors”, or “Patriarchs” still
Bible study group. Fortunately, there were women
here for a reason.
of all ages involved. When she asked for prayer,
Thanks for reading. Now I think I’ll go take a nap.
34 // December 2017
Earl Brackin is the Minister of Worship at Church on the Hill in Dalton, GA. He and his wife Lisa have three children and four grandchildren. You can hear his music at earlbrackinmusic.com
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Gò0dNews for Everyone
O
Making Memories by Donald Cantrell
ne of my earliest memories was being sent to bed on Christmas Eve and laying there hoping to hear “Santa” as he placed our gifts under the tree. Our family was poor, but none of us knew it, so all was well as we longed for the morning to come. We would quickly exit the bed and run to the tree to open up our gifts, which were usually some version of cap pistols or cowboy attire. We really did not have lots of Holiday Traditions, but I can remember the excitement of opening our gifts. In 1988, my wife and I had our one and only child, Whitney, who was born on Valentine’s Day. It did not take long before we began to “make memories” that will hopefully forever be etched in our minds. We always go to several family Christmas celebrations, but we have never deviated from our own “memory makers.” We always open our gifts on Christmas morning and our daughter would always lay out each person’s gifts. My wife and I would open our gifts first and then we would watch Whitney open her gifts. After all the gifts were opened we would get ready and go watch one of the family movies that always opened on Christmas Day. In looking back over the past twenty nine years since our daughter’s birth, it has never been about the gifts, but the memories. The beauty of Christmas is that we can “make memories” that will last forever. It is not about how much money we spend or how many gifts we receive, but about the joy and love that fills our hearts.
36 // December 2017
In 2013, things really changed in our lives due to the birth of our first and only grandchild, Kinsley Morgan Smith. This little blue eyed bouncing ball of beauty has changed my life in more ways than I can describe. Kinsley was born seven weeks early and weighed 3.10 lbs and was released from the hospital on my daughter’s twenty fifth birthday. I just thought I had enjoyed Christmas before her arrival, but now we are “making memories” in the life of another generation. There is no greater joy than waking up on Christmas morning and waiting upon the arrival of our family. Our family always drives down to Berry College during the Christmas Season and we ride around and look at the deer and Kinsley “chases” them. Then we go to Olive Garden to eat and we have been doing this for over thirty something years. These are the things that “make memories” that will forever bring us joy and warmness in our hearts. I am a firm believer in enjoying all of the festivities of Christmas, because Christmas is a festive time. The most wondrous verse in the bible tells us that “God gave his only son” which reminds us that Christmas is about giving and receiving. As men we need to help our families make some “forever memories” because that’s one of the beauties of Christmas. Donald Cantrell is a life long native of Murray county and have been pastoring and preaching since 1980. I have had the honor of publishing over thirty books and my sermon material is sold all over the world by various on line companies.
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Gò0dNews for Everyone
Be Vigilant
T
by Diana Fain
he word of God tells us in 1 Peter 5:8 to “be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks, about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour.” This not only applies to us as adults, but to children as well. Because, children are very susceptible to falling victim to things, the devil likes to target them. It has been said that being a parent is the hardest job in the world and that has never been as true as it is today. For parents of school-aged children, it’s highly important to stay aware of all the ways that children can be harmed. With the emergence of social media and advancement of cellular phones there is more than an array of avenues for bullying and sexual predators to get access to children. Every parent wants their child to have more than they did, but it is equally as important to make sure that the electronic items that are purchased for them are closely monitored by the parent. A child can’t simply be given a device and he or she is not monitored as to which site they get on. That is how a lot of adolescent suicides and molestation happens. The emergence of technological advancement is a benefit for our society, but it has its disadvantages as well. Facebook is one of the social media outlets that has soared since its launch and out of the thousands of positive things that have taken place because of it, there have been an equal amount of negative effects. The Facebook Live portion of Facebook has seen many teen suicides posted in the past year are so. There have also been a number of robberies as a result of people posting when they would be away from home. While I don’t have the statistics on the things I have mentioned, that doesn’t take away the fact that they have happened. All an individual has do is turn on their nightly news or open their local newspaper.
38 // December 2017
Bullying is another thing that needs to be eradicated from our society. It used to be were the bullying only took place when children were in school, but now it is also on social media. This makes the perpetrator more difficult to identify, because the individual sits behind a screen and can say whatever it is that they want but remain anonymous. Bullying has gotten to the point where kids have a hard time focusing on their studies from fear of maybe not having the right clothes or being a part of the right group. Therefore, it is important to instill in your children that it’s not what a person wears or what group they belong to that makes them who they are. As parents, we’re the ones who are supposed to instill in them the values that are important in life, not social media or friends. Because God gives children as a blessing, it is the job of the parents to stay on top of all things concerning their children. Be your child’s best defense against the tactics of the devil.
Diana Fain was born in Rome, Georgia, where she currently lives. She is thirty-one years old and works at Redmond Regional Medical as a Central Sterile Tech. She is a member of Solid Holy Rock Deliverance Tabernacle and feels it is important to share what God gives her in hopes of helping others.
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Gò0dNews for Everyone
R
Old Fashioned Christmas
ecent events such as job loss, financial by Kaye Stein strain, and emergency surgery set our course for disaster, so my husband and I hit our knees in some serious prayer for what God was doing in our lives. We knew where we wanted to be, but it sure didn’t line up with the current trajectory. We had to unload some things to reset our financial course which meant the selling of our home. That in itself was stressful enough. God kept closing the doors to the houses we thought we would like, but finally opened it to one that was a little out of our price range which meant more financial restructuring. And after months of bull riding with mortgage companies and banks and packing and unpacking we landed in a much smaller place. It’s very quaint, but the best part is, God answered a prayer that we thought would not happen. Our new home is closer to our kids and grandkids, and we are loving the family time again. Many times, the right path looks very dark and scary, but we have nothing to fear because our God always wants the best for us. He keeps it in mind better than we do! Most of the time it is we that are holding us back from the most beautiful blessings! In the midst of all the turmoil of moving and getting rid of a lot of stuff, I found myself going through old boxes that have been moved numerous times over the last 20 years. Boxes full of timeless treasures, and some not so nice pieces of junk, yet the holder of immeasurable memories. We found some toys from our kid’s childhood and our own. This got me to thinking about the Christmases past, and some of the most memorable ones. Here in the south we don’t see too many white Christmases, but 2010 was a beautiful white Christmas. A very sweet Christmas for our family even though we still grieved the loss of our dad. Sitting in a warm comfy oversized chair, I find myself looking through old pictures, and reminiscing on Christmas “Come to give light to those who sit in darkness and just what makes it so special. So many things pop into and in the shadow of death” — Luke 1:79 my head, such as lights, food, family, and the baby Jesus, the one who chose to come into this world by a humanly birth, “The glory of the Lord shone round about them the punishment for Eve’s disobedience. He walked and and they were sore afraid” — Luke 2:9 lived as a human enduring the struggles, hunger, and pains “In the beginning…the word gave life and life that we face every day, only he did it without blemish, and brought light to everyone” — John 1 then chose to take our place in punishment for our sins. Yes, that is what the joy of Christmas is all about! Jesus Christ Kaye Stein, a published author, wife, mother, coming here for us! Praises to the King of Kings! So, let your and Nana, loves Christ the shepherd. She light shine so that all may see Jesus. Merry Christmas! enjoys family time and her motto is
40 // December 2017
“don’t miss the moment!” Have a Merry Christmas!
Gò0dNews for Everyone I Just Don’t Know How Much More I Can Take
M
by Andrew Corbin
any times in our lives, we often have this thought, “I just don’t know how much more I can take.” We have such fast-paced lives. We always have something to do, but not enough time to do it. We live in a world where the stresses of life sometimes consume us. We let worldly things make us lose our focus on Christ. Whether we have sickness, heartache, financial issues, or any other problems, there comes a point in our lives where we wonder if we can handle anything else. We feel as if we are on the edge of a cliff and if anything else comes our way, then we will fall off. Throughout the Old Testament, and particularly in Psalms, David finds himself in this very position. He is overwhelmed by the stresses of life, and he is on the run from Saul. David’s own son has turned his back on him, and David has an overwhelmed heart. David gives us an example in Psalms 61 as to what we should be doing when we just don’t know how much more we can take. In Psalms 61:3, David says, “For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy”. When we are in a situation where we’re feeling overwhelmed, we must first remember that the Lord has brought us this far. We can look back at all the things that the Lord Jesus Christ has brought us through. Think of all the heartaches, troubles, trials, and tribulations that the Heavenly Father has brought us all
42 // December 2017
through. We must have some form of hope and faith. Remember, without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). We must have some faith that the Lord can help us through the valleys of this life. We must praise the Lord on credit because he has been faithful to us, and he is able to do all things. We must also have a hope that Jesus will one day split the Eastern skies, and come get his bride. Titus 2:13 syas, “Looking for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ.” There are days that are worse than others, but in the life of being a Christian, the good days will always out-weigh the bad. Even during those days, months, or years where we don’t know how much more we can take, God has been faithful every step of the way. I personally like what the gospel of Luke says, “And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh” (Luke 21:28).
Andrew Corbin is an evangelist who preaches throughout the surrounding area of Northwest Georgia. God called him to preach back in April 2017. You can find him at Grace Baptist Church in Dalton, GA, where he is a member and also plays guitar there.
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Gò0dNews from the Physician’s Desk
Low Vision
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from Hamilton Health
hat does the term “low vision” mean?
Low vision is a general term for permanent functional vision loss that cannot be corrected by surgery, medication, or glasses.
How is low vision treated?
A mainstay of treatment for individuals with low vision is low vision rehabilitation. Patients with low vision may experience a wide range of visual impairments that can impact the ability to perform work, leisure, or normal activities. Low vision can also impair the overall quality of life for patients living with these limitations. People with less than 20/60 visual sharpness in their better eye may benefit from a Low Vision therapy program. Occupational Therapists with specialized training can provide assistance to patients living with low vision impairments to help improve functional abilities and quality of life. Low Vision programs typically offer: ◊ Equipment training with optical/low vision aids ◊ Adaptions to medication management ◊ Cooking safety ◊ Strategies for telephone use ◊ Help to increase independence with telling time, reading, and writing
What do I do next?
If you are struggling with low vision, you might wonder how to get referred for a Low Vision program. Starting a program requires an order from your eye doctor stating, “Occupational
44 // December 2017
Therapy: Evaluate and Treat for Low Vision.” Bradley Whiteside Rehabilitation is pleased to provide a Low Vision program in our community to meet the needs of many. For more information please contact us using the following: Bradley Whiteside Rehabilitation 1225 Broadrick Drive, Dalton, Georgia 30720 (706) 272-6199 HamiltonHealth.com/Services/Rehabilitation
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Gò0dNews for Everyone
God’s Word to Us
“W
by Lisa Hamilton
e were settled into our beautiful new
Isaiah 54:10-13 says, “For the mountains
home in Batam Island, Indonesia.
shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my
We felt blessed with our furnished
kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall
house and our rolled out lawn, overlooking the bay.
the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the
The unobstructed view of the Singapore lights was
LORD that hath mercy on thee. O thou afflicted,
on the horizon.
tossed with tempest, and not comforted, behold,
After just a few months, Chris was then offered a
I will lay thy stones with fair colours, and lay thy
big job in Singapore. We had mixed feelings. This was
foundations with sapphires. And I will make thy
a great opportunity, as he would have a big promotion
windows of agates, and thy gates of carbuncles,
and a new title of Director of Test Operations.
and all thy borders of pleasant stones. And all thy
Plus, he would have a huge salary increase. It was also a big risk to move our family over to Singapore if things did not work out.
children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of thy children” (KJV). The name of our new complex was Yishun
I prayed for weeks asking God for a confirmation.
Sapphire! How kind of God to lead us and confirm our
One day after house-hunting in Singapore, we decided
move to bring us peace of mind in our new adventure.
on a flat in a newer condominium. I felt unsettled, not sure if it was the right decision to move. As I was praying and reading God’s word, I came across His beautiful message to us.
46 // December 2017
Lisa Hamilton, the author of His Legacy of Love, wife of 21 years and mother of 5 great children. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area. Her passion is sharing the love of Christ and encouraging others to live in obedience to Him. Lisa post a daily encouragement and devotions on her Facebook page. She hopes to see you there and for God to bless your family!
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W
Writer Guidelines:
e believe when people are equipped,
Who: Our writers range from pastors, professors, and
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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.
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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.
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Gò0dNews for Everyone
S
Tis the Season for Joy by Lisa Herald
everal years back, our family experienced some very hard times. For me, I felt embarrassed about the financial struggles we were enduring. I just wasn’t seeing why God was letting us suffer. We had 6 kids at the time and I was pregnant and due December 12, 2012. The old Christmas song, “Holly Jolly Christmas”, by Burl Ives was one of my favorites growing up. Each year I would watch Rudolph and sing along with a smile on my face. I loved how it would say, “In case you didn’t hear, oh by golly have a holly jolly Christmas this year!” As I have grown up, I feel as though so many of us are not hearing about the joy of Christmas. What makes the season of giving so special to us? Let me share with you a recent experience I had. I started volunteering at a home for survivors of human trafficking. We were all sitting around the kitchen table for breakfast one morning when the head of the house started talking about Christmas. She told the ladies that they would all go to bed early on Christmas eve and be woken by the smell of a feast cooking downstairs. Then they would open gifts and all their children would be given presents even though they do not reside in the group home. Tears began to fill the eyes of the women at the table. One by one they started explaining how they had never had Christmas. Some of the women where enslaved into
50 // December 2017
human trafficking as young as age 9 and Christmas was treated as just another day. They had never known the joy of the season. As Christians, we know that the joy of the season does not come from material things but from the love of Christ. However, bringing joy to someone through giving is showing the love of Christ. Didn’t Jesus give us the ultimate gift by being born of flesh, living amongst us and giving his life freely so that we might be saved? Giving is a joyous thing no matter when we do it. The Word says, “When I was naked you clothed me, hungry you fed me, in prison and you visited me.” Giving joyously is part of our Christian calling and loving our neighbor is the great commandment. I pray you don’t let the commercialism of Christmas time ruin your joy. I pray your kids are not caught up in materialistic rituals but I pray you find joy in your home this season far greater then you ever have before. Peace on earth and good will to men is in the Bible for a reason and Christmas time is a great time to show good will to others. Invite someone over for a hot meal, give a hug to the widow in your church, take some warm blankets to the local homeless shelters and most of all give joy freely to all. Lisa Herald and her family travel throughout the states ministering to all through song and word. Lisa, her husband John and 3 children moved to Georgia from Indiana in 2010. Ministry videos are available to view online and via youtube.
Gò0dNews for Everyone
I
The Journey of a Calling by Heather Tate
’ve been thinking a lot about life’s journey. I often struggle with understanding God’s timeline for my life and the plan I know He has for me. I could be more than I am today by following His directions for my life when He delivers a message. I’ve been thinking much about procrastination and fear. I’ve spent much of my life afraid to do what God has called me to do, what I’ve been led to do, and therefore, I’ve been living a life lacking true purpose. Don’t misunderstand me, my life is filled with family and friends. I find joy in the blessings of raising and loving my children. I have a wonderful husband who finds balance in both spoiling me and telling me no. I have completed two degrees. I want to make the world a better place. I have been blessed beyond measure, yet still, I wonder if I’m doing all that I can and, more importantly, all that God has planned for me. How difficult is it for one person to fully commit to the calling of God? God gives us a choice, so if He provides a path for us and we choose to avoid that path, we are not fully committed to His will. I’m certain that many people fall into the same bondage that I have going through the motions of life, and letting everything - even God’s blessings - anchor dreams, successes, and fulfillment. You may relate if you’ve said no or not right now to God’s commands. He gives us a plan, and we are required to act! If I could turn back time, I would correct some of the mishaps along the way. My goal is to better
52 // December 2017
appreciate what I now know, and teach my children to be more observant than I was at the right moments in life. I wouldn’t trade the life lessons I’ve learned or the blessings bestowed upon me along the way. Hindsight is 20/20, but it’s how I apply that knowledge now that will determine the success of it. I believe I’m spending time exhausting myself to achieve my dreams now because I didn’t use my time wisely when I had the opportunity to do nothing but focus on those dreams in my life. My word of advice is don’t waste a moment! Don’t take the time you’re given to fulfill God’s destiny for granted! Use the gifts and opportunities God gave you. A guiding scripture that reminds me I can be free of fear and bondage in life is 2 Corinthians 3:17 which says, “Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty” (NKJV). And Galatians 5:1 says, “Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage” (NKJV). I’ve learned that the more I open myself to God’s freedom and liberty through Christ, the more His intentions are revealed to me! I encourage you to be open to the freedom and liberty that are yours and mine to claim through Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior. Heather Tate is the founder and president of Intricate Umbrella Inc, a Public Relations and Communications company. Heather’s desire is to help anyone fulfill their true purpose in life through education and personal development. She is also a wife and mother of four children, ages 23 to 10. She believes herself to be a life-long learner and is passionate about people and developing meaningful relationships with the clients she serves. To find out more about Intricate Umbrella Inc and services offered, visit IntricateUmbrella.com or email Heather@IntricateUmbrella.com.
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Gò0dNews for Everyone
“For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” — 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
Blessed Assurance:
God’s Sustaining Hope in Sorrow
S
by Rita Carr
uddenly, life changes as we who remain see those we love pass from this life to life eternal. Yet, my life suddenly changed as my precious son Victor prepared to leave that morning in October. I stopped him, put my arms around his broad shoulders, and began to pray for him as I daily did. After praying, I kissed Victor’s bearded cheek and hugged him tightly, telling him that I loved him. He kissed my cheek and said; Mom, I love you too. Suddenly, without notice, on that day my life changed forever on October 11, 2010 as my Heavenly Father called my son to his eternal home. Yet, our God is Faithful (I Corinthians 1:9a). Yes! With tears flowing we can trust our great God, our Abba Father to carry us in the journey of sorrow and He will carry us until the tidal wave of grief passes over and until our very last breath. Yet, for the believer we do grieve, but we grief not as the world. For we have “Hope” that sustains the heart that grieves for our Heavenly Father never leaves His children to grieve alone (Hebrew 13:5b). In the journey of grief, God will enable us to be strengthened and have “Hope” as He comforts us in our season of grief. One may cry out, I cannot move on, yet we cannot move on without the faithful Father gently carrying and lovingly reminding us that He is there and
54 // December 2017
sees every tear that falls from a tear stained face. You are not alone, dear one in the sorrow of your heart for our God, Jehovah Rapha is the Healer of broken hearts. You are not alone, dear one. Remember the tidal of grieve will not overtake you and leave you in despair. Our God Reigns! Rejoice, oh you saints! Our Redeemer lives, and we too will one day reign with Him for eternity never to depart. We will reign with Him in the wonderful presence of His peace and grace. Surely, there will be no more tears or sorrow; there will forever be peace and joy, and we will reign with our Heavenly Father forever more! Rejoice, oh you saints, for our Redeemer lives! Yet, precious one, if you do not know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, please repent of your sins (John 10:9-10) and receive Him today as your Lord and Savior. Ask Jesus Christ to forgive you of your sins believing in your heart that He died for your sins and rose again that you would have eternal life; asking Jesus Christ to become your Lord and Savior (John 3:16). Allow Jesus Christ to rule over your life (Gal. 2:20); He will do amazing things in your life. Rita Carr is the founder of Hope Unlimited Ministries and has been working in full-time ministry for several years now. Rita resides in Chatt., TN.
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