Gò0dNew s
Photo By: Bobbi Jo Brooks Fine Art & Photography
About Us
WRITERS
Dr. Alan Hix
Brenda Dedmon
Donald Cantrell
Filip Brunner
Garrett Nudd
Granger Hughes
Jamie Renee Hill
Jan Merop
Karen D. Jeffery
Paul McGuire
Rodney Jones
Steve Knapp
Tera Zilbert
Vicki Martin
SALES
Matthew Ruckman
423-503-1410
Email: goodnewstn@gmail.com
DESIGN
Caleb Prytherch
Email: art.goodnews@gmail.com
PHOTOGRAPHER
Bobbi Jo Brooks Fine Art & Photography
EDITOR/ARTICLE COORDINATOR
Sandra Gilmore
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
GoodNews Dalton
Hello Friends,
We want to take a moment to tell you who we are and what we are about. Our names are Matt and Bethany Ruckman and we have six beautiful children, Brendon, Kailey, Andrew, Leah Jean, Emma, and Cooper. We live in Cleveland, Tennessee, and love what this town has to offer! We have started GoodNews Christian Magazine because we feel that when God, family, and community are combined, lives will be changed.
GoodNews Christian Magazine is a complimentary, Christian lifestyle publication. You can find us throughout the community in retail establishments, churches, restaurants, and more. Our magazine opens the door for Christians to work together to grow and strengthen our community through relevant editorial and effective advertising.
GoodNews Christian Magazine is written by men and women in the community who love and serve the Lord. Our hearts are open and willing to be used by God to reach out to the community to spread the GoodNews!
Disclaimer
All of the content in the GoodNews Christian Magazine is for general information and/or use. Such contents does not constitute advice and should not be relied upon in making (or refraining from making) a decision. Any specific advice or replies to queries in any part of the magazine is the personal opinion of such experts/consultants/persons and is not subscribed to by GoodNews Christian Magazine. The information in GoodNews Christian Magazine is provided on an “AS IS” basis, and all warranties, expressed or implied of any kind, regarding any matter pertaining to any information, advice or replies are disclaimed and excluded. We reserve the right to refuse any advertisement or article we deem inappropriate.
and
ReStore of Greater Dalton functions on donations made by individuals and businesses within our community. All of our proceeds go back into funding our mission of building homes for hardworking, low-income families in need. DONATE & SHOP TODAY!
ReStore Hours Donation Information
Tuesday 10am - 4pm contact@habitatdwm.org
Thursday 10am - 4pm (706) 272-3336 ext 2
Friday 10am - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 2pm
Gò0 dNews from the Pastor’s Desk Coffee, Liquid Life
by Donald Cantrell
There was a time in the past when I worked night shift, and I never even considered drinking coffee. I watched everyone drinking coffee, and though I loved the aroma, I didn’t really care for the taste. It seemed that most of those co-workers liked their coffee so dark that I couldn’t handle the taste.
In time, I went back to day shift, and guess what? I could not stay awake. I was so used to sleeping during the day that I could not stay awake, so I relented and began to drink coffee, and in time, I began to love it. I used to have one of those regular coffee pots, but it always made way too much coffee, which got old and did not taste so good after sitting in the pot all morning.
The best thing that this coffee drinker ever purchased was a Keurig machine, which used the little pods of coffee, and that solved the ancient problem of making too much coffee. I think Keurig coffee machines are the best invention since the automobile, and many would agree with me on that assessment.
Now you can go to about any grocery store and buy your own flavor or any particular roast of coffee. Personally, I like light roast and would take it extra light if possible. I take my little Keurig pod of light roast coffee and run 10 ounces into my favorite cup before running 10 more ounces into that same cup, therefore giving me a 20-ounce cup of “liquid life,” and I am in heaven.
of “liquid life” into that cup and sit here and read, and watch something on the television before delving into more writing, and I will sleep like a baby. Oh, the joys of “coffee therapy” and its aroma!
The other day, I accidentally ordered the wrong box of coffee from Sam’s. It was a flavored coffee, which I never purchase, but it only had a hint of caramel and some other mild flavor. It was actually good, and I just recently finished off the whole box before going back to my tried and true “light roast” with no flavor.
It seems that the older one gets, the easier it is to find comfort and consolation in the most unique things of life. I wake up every day and drink my coffee. I am drinking one now in my favorite cup, which has a map of Georgia on it. I sit here, writing my sermons, writing my articles, and sipping my “liquid life.”
Here is the kicker: tonight we will settle in after eating our supper, and I will take my cup and run me 20 ounces
We must learn to find pleasure in the simple things of life, and over the years, this husband, this father, this poppy, this minister, and this writer has learned that sipping on coffee brings me much comfort and relaxation. The Bible says that “whatsoever state you are in, to be content.”
I am content right now, sipping on this cup of “liquid life.” What about you?
Donald Cantrell is a lifelong native of Murray county and has
FShadows and Uncertainties
Money Matters Granger Hughes with
Driven by a passion to educate, inform and prepare future retirees, Mr. Hughes works with his father to help provide educational opportunities for clients as well as others in the community. He feels a responsibility to help inform those who may otherwise not be aware of strategies, changes, and opportunities available to them when it comes to their financial well-being.
ebruary starts us thinking about winter, spring, and a furry little groundhog that is supposed to predict the weather. If he emerges and sees his shadow, then six more weeks of winter! If he does not, early spring is predicted. The weather in Pennsylvania is not the same as in Florida or California, and still, the whole country monitors what Phil the Groundhog will do. We are accustomed to Groundhog Day and the shadow of a rodent giving weather advice!
The humor in this made me think about one’s retirement and financial planning and how often people rely on myths, outdated methods, and a blanket approach to investing. This is where the importance of having a financial advisor who truly knows you, your situation, and your goals makes a difference in developing your personalized retirement game plan. It’s not the same as your friends’ and neighbors’ plans, just like the weather is not the same in Tennessee as in Pennsylvania.
Retirement planning doesn’t start at retirement. During your working years, you are in what we call the accumulation phase. This is when you are investing and saving towards retirement. During this phase, investors tend to tolerate risk more based on the number of years until retirement. It is still a time to be proactive in managing those investments. The dated method of Buy and Hold may or may not be the best approach for everyone during this time. Actively monitoring your investments, making changes and adjustments when needed, and meeting with your advisor during these years are just as important to your success as doing these things post-retirement. A Roth Conversion might be a topic to discuss with your advisor while still working to better manage taxes before retirement. If your employer offers a retirement plan such as a 401k, working
with your advisor to ensure you are taking advantage of all matching and tax deductions available is a huge piece of the accumulation phase as well.
As you near retirement age, your risk tolerance would most likely be reduced to a less aggressive number to prepare for the distribution phase. This is also a time to look at income tax planning and how where you draw funds from will impact your overall income tax situation. Your specific situation and need will also determine when you should start drawing Social Security and how any other income may impact the taxable amount of your Social Security. For those who retire before age 65, the cost of health insurance should be discussed in detail as it will have an impact on your budget until you reach Medicare age. Some don’t retire until age 65 or after. Did you know that you could be charged a Medicare income-related monthly adjustment or IRMAA fee on Medicare Parts B & D if your income for the past two years is above a certain amount?
All these various moving parts are why having a relationship with an advisor whom you trust, and who customizes each retirement plan to each client is crucial to your success in retirement. A one-size-fits-all plan by an advisor who doesn’t act in a fiduciary capacity, without a toolbox of various investment options, (i.e. Punxsutawney Phil predicting the weather for the entire country) can’t tailor a plan to your exact situation.
No matter what stage of retirement planning you are in, we would welcome the opportunity to sit down and learn your unique situation and goals. HRG’s goal is to help create your Retirement Playbook™ by developing your game plan and coaching you through your retirement season.
Gò0 dNews for Men Promised Victories
by Paul McGuire
Trusting in the Lord is always the right thing to do, even though it often would seem vain, but for our faith in who He is. Pay no attention to offers of doubt by the accuser, the devil: he’s always a liar. Let that be a measuring rod: if what he subtly offers is opposite to or compromises against what God says and has promised, then immediately lash out against it, against him. The offer of doubt by the accuser is an act of war against you and against your faith in the Father.
“He’s a varmint, shoot him!” Yes, “Shoot them lies down” like you would shoot down enemy attacks by land, air, or sea. These attacks come in as annoying “flies,” as tormentors.
God has given us weapons; we must use them with force.
2 Corinthians 10:4-6 NKJV, “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.”
James 4:7 ESV, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
1 Peter 5:8-9 ESV, “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.”
Ephesians 6:10-18 ESV, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.”
His promises are always true, and the ones we will choose to accept and run with by our own words of agreement, are all the more powerful because now His Holy Spirit is free to exert His Power through our words. That’s the way He works, by us using our free will (I call it the “power of invitation”) in agreement with His plans. So we must continue to fight like, not just “cats and dogs,” but like the winning warriors we are when we battle in the authority of Jesus’ name and His promises.
So be encouraged in your battles. God has victories for us, just out ahead of us, in their time. The “timing” of them is for the greatest effect. Remember that He always works in the “fullness of time.” That’s right. And there is always, always complete victory for those who signed up and participated in the previous warfare. Our weapons in Him are always much more powerful than those of the enemy. The enemy must steal, must trick, to even have weapons. The Lord has stripped him of actual power and weaponry. His trickery and deceptions are strong, but God’s truth is always stronger. We always win in Him. Keep fighting with the Lord’s weapons, and don’t stop. We are winning. And in Jesus, we’ve already won! We will see the promised victories. Our Father has promised.
Paul McGuire has been born again for over 60 years, and has pursued to hear God’s voice through all those years. He and his wife Teresa of over 50 years are active at Living Word Church in Cleveland, Tennessee. They have two children and five grandchildren.
dNews for Women
The Value of Leftovers
by Vicki Martin
Iclosed my eyes and tried to imagine the busy, little kitchen as the oven door opened, releasing the tantalizing aromas of sweet, warm butter and tender, flaky biscuits.
I could almost hear the soft rumbles of stomachs growling in protest as the large family of eight sat nearby waiting for their plates and appetites to be filled.
What took me by surprise about the nostalgic story my mother-in-law shared with me one day was the single item most wanted by all on those early mornings so many years ago.
Her mother called it a ‘pone.’ It was the small bit of leftover dough that was shaped and placed in the pan alongside all the other perfectly formed biscuits.
It wasn't always pretty.
It was made up of the scraps, the leftovers after all. Yet, it was the most wanted, most coveted, tiny, little biscuit.
The one all the children fought over.
She laughed as she recalled begging her mother for what had become her favorite biscuit.
As I thought about her heartwarming recollection of the small, pone biscuit, I began to wonder, “why did that little, misshapen, lump of leftover dough become the one everyone wanted?
It's so easy these days to compare ourselves to others.
Social media makes everyone's lives seem unrealistically ideal. Unhealthy views are formed of seemingly perfect jobs, perfect spouses, perfect families, perfect vacations, and sadly, even perfect ministries as we scroll through the endless photos and posts we see daily.
In reality, nothing and no one is without flaws.
John chapter 6 tells the miraculous account of Jesus feeding the five thousand with a little boy’s simple lunch. However, there's a part of that story that is often overlooked. Jesus instructed the disciples to gather the leftovers. In verse 12 He told them to “...gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost.” The bits and pieces that were leftovers served a purpose. They may have seemed insignificant compared to the miracle that had just taken place, but Jesus knew the value of leftovers. Nothing is worthless or meaningless when placed in His hands.
You may feel small or perceive that your life is nothing more than leftovers made up of unfulfilled dreams, hopes, and ambitions.
*Be encouraged today that, “Small things are not always contemptible. It all depends on the hands in which they are.”
Don't throw away or toss something in the trash that God has blessed you with just because it doesn't appear to measure up to everything or everyone around you.
1 Corinthians 4:7 NKJV queries, “For who makes you differ from another? And what do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?” This verse reminds us of the very important truth that, “Little is much when God is in it.“
Why not take the scraps and gifts God has given you and allow His Hands to shape it into something of great value? Being in the Hands of God makes all the difference.
You never know. What appears to be the insignificant, the scraps, the leftovers of today may just be the very thing that everyone wants most tomorrow.
*(The quote "Small things are not always contemptible. It all depends on the hands in which they are" is attributed to Fyodor Dostoevsky, the famous Russian novelist, philosopher, and author of works like Crime and Punishment and The Brothers Karamazov).
Vicki Martin lives in Cleveland, Tennessee. She is a minister’s wife and a mom. Vicki has written articles for The Old Schoolhouse Magazine. She loves to write, cook, and collect antiques.
Nature’s Little Bandit
by Jan Merop
Hi! I’m Ricky Raccoon. These are my shy babies, Rascal and Riddle. It won’t be long before their curiosity will get the best of them. We’re inquisitive critters and always check out nearby smells.
My great Creator, the Lord Jesus Christ, made me so unique and cute (if I do say so myself).
Raccoon means “the one who rubs, scrubs, and scratches with its hands.” I rub against trees, logs, or other objects. I scrub my face and body clean and scratch at things if they’re in my way of getting food.
Your garbage pail is one of those places I would like to investigate. If it’s not locked tightly, I will have found my restaurant.
You see, my front paws are very dexterous. That means my hands are skillful with a keen sense of touch as I cleverly use them in ways most humans wouldn’t expect. I hold food, examine it to remove unwanted parts, and wash it in nearby water.
I can open jars, locks, car latches, and many other manmade devices especially those garbage can lids. Imagine this: I’ll unlace a shoe, unlatch a cage, and carefully pull a thin dime from your shirt pocket!
Thanks to my Creator, two-thirds of my brain is designed for figuring out the things I touch. Do you believe how special God made me?
God even gave me little hairs near my claws that are like whiskers. That means I can figure out what an object is before I touch it.
One day, a woman opened the shades of her family room to find me enjoying breakfast while sitting on the squirrel baffle of the bird feeder. (They may have baffled the squirrels, but not sharpwitted me.) She called her husband to come quickly so they could watch me and
my mate, who was feeding at the bottom. We high-tailed it out of there!
My face looks like I’m wearing a mask like the little bandit I am. Mostly, I’m nocturnal, coming around at night while you sleep. But sometimes I wander around in daylight.
I’m very adaptable, but I especially like to be in the forest and near water, where I swim and fish staying in the water for hours. You may see my house in hollow trees, rock crevices, or a den in the ground. Just look for fresh claw marks or worn bark.
Believe it or not, I can climb down a tree headfirst by rotating my hind feet so they point backward. Can you turn your feet around?
Do you like to sing and whistle? I do, but I also can purr, growl, hiss, scream, and whinny like a horse!
Now it’s your turn. Are you thankful for how special God made you?
Exploring Truth Through God’s Creation
“I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well.” Psalm 139:14 NKJV
The Raccoon and You
Have you thought of the many special gifts God has given you?
He created you in His image with a soul that will live forever. He gave you a good mind to think, figure things out, learn, and teach others.
He’s given you eyes to see, ears to hear, a mouth to speak, sing, and laugh.
He’s given you strong legs to run and hands that can help and be creative.
And most of all, a heart where He will live if you invite Him in. Ricky Raccoon is one of God’s magnificent creatures. But you are by far His star, the crown of His creation— His very own child!
HIP AND KNEE REPLACEMENT
Make your knee or hip replacement easier with an outpatient surgery at our state-of-the-art surgery center. HIP
• Total Hip Replacement
• Direct Anterior Total Hip Replacement
• Minimally Invasive Total Hip Replacement
• Revision Total Hip Replacement
• Outpatient Total Hip Replacement
• Hip Fracture Care
• Total Knee Replacement
• Partial Knee Replacement
• Computer Navigated Total Knee Replacement
• Cementless Total Knee Replacement
• Revision Total Knee Replacement
• Outpatient Total Knee Replacement
Rules, Rules, Rules
by Brenda Dedmon
Life is controlled by rules. Some rules came to us as children, some set by others, some by government, workplace, and the rules in the Bible. People often feel the rules should not apply to them or just choose to ignore the rules. However, we know that rules are necessary to maintain stability and order in life. Parenting requires you to establish rules for your family to maintain stability and safety for your children.
A friend shared rules her seven-year-old granddaughter wrote for her two-year-old cousin for playing at her house. I thought they were insightful and even an appropriate guide for parents in setting rules for family. Let us explore her rules:
1. Stay close to me. This is an important reminder that your home should always be a safe place. In being close to you, they will see an example of how life should be lived. The Bible reminds us that we have a safe place with His presence and your child should feel the same way with you. “But the closer I am to You, my God, the better because life with You is good. O Lord, the Eternal, You keep me safe, I will tell everyone what You have done” (Psalm 73:28 The Voice).
2. Listen to me. Your voice is the first and most important voice your child will recognize. The words you
speak should be out of a heart of love and respect. Jesus, in the book of John, gives instructions on how to live out this love. “So, I give you a new command: Love each other deeply and fully. Remember the ways that I have loved you and demonstrate your love for others in those same ways” (John 34:34 The Voice). It is in listening to your positive voice of guidance that they will learn to develop their own voice.
3. Stay in the yard. Boundaries are important for children to feel secure. Boundaries provide emotional stability to help develop self-esteem for your child.
Boundaries will allow your child to know their words are always safe with you. Developing boundaries will allow your child to develop trust in you as well as trust in God. “Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he is the one who will keep you on track” (Proverbs 3:5 The Message).
4. Don’t bang on stuff. There are bad days when banging on something feels good. It is important for children to know that it is ok to not feel ok right now. Help children find ways to express their feelings in appropriate ways by using their words, pounding playdough, or doing physical activities. Teaching self-respect and respect for others is essential in expressing feelings.
“Be loving toward one another, be gracious, and be kind” (1 Peter 3:8 MEV).
Family Guidelines:
Plan a fun family time and have conversations about the rules of your family. Involve your children in what rules they like and those they do not like. Tell your children because you love them you have rules. Write out the rules and the reasons for the rules. Use the scriptures above to share that God will always be with them. Have a prayer time for your family.
Rev. Brenda Dedmon, retired director, Children’s Learning Center, First Baptist of Dalton, and an avid Bama fan.
for Discovering More
Just Start, Then Keep Going
by Garrett Nudd
Not long ago it was time to replace my car. The Toyota Camry that I was driving had close to 300,000 miles and the radiator had developed a nasty habit of smoking like a small brush fire. I decided I should get a Honda Accord—dependable, long-lasting, and practical, respectably nice but not too flashy.
A large car dealership was located two blocks from my office, so one morning when my schedule was clear I stopped in to check out their fleet of used cars.
I slowly drove past rows and rows of sedans and eventually noticed two Honda Accords sitting in the line. I parked my smoking Toyota Camry and walked over
to the first Honda. Within minutes a sales associate was headed in my direction.
Whether it’s cars, clothes, or the menu at a nice restaurant, I typically prefer shopping on my own. And if I have questions, I’ll look for someone to ask.
The sales associate eagerly introduced himself and asked me if I had any questions. Before I could think of anything to ask, he said, “Let me run inside and grab the keys for this one.”
I contemplated making a run for it, but I was scared my Camry might not start and then he’d have all the leverage and know how badly I needed a car.
A few minutes later he returned and said “Okay, let’s go.”
This wasn’t my first time test-driving a vehicle. But it was the first time I’d seen the sales associate get in the driver’s seat. I walked around and sat in the passenger side.
“Don’t I get to drive the car?” I asked a bit confused.
“Sorry,” he said. “They want us to pull the cars off the lot and then we can switch and you can drive.”
“That’s fine, how come?” I asked.
“It’s for liability,” he replied.
I thought that was a strange answer, but whatever.
After adjusting the rearview mirror and the side mirrors he put the car in reverse and backed out of the space, across the lot, and into the car behind us. BANG! It was a pretty hard bump.
We both jumped out of the car and walked around to the back where we discovered a couple pretty sizable scratches. I couldn’t believe what was happening.
He anxiously looked around and said, “Let’s go.” At this point, his enthusiasm from a few minutes ago had disappeared. We made it off the lot without any other incidents and then he pulled over into an empty parking lot and asked me if I wanted to drive.
Test drives are always awkward. You make small talk for a few minutes and then sit in silence until one of you can think of something relevant to say.
“So how long have you been selling cars?” I asked.
“Well, today’s actually my first day,” he replied. “I’m sorry that I’m so nervous and I’m sorry that I backed into that car,” he continued. “What a first day!” He shook his head. Then he said, “It would really help me out if you’d buy this car.”
Starting isn’t easy. How many times have you started something only to be met with disappointment and discouragement? Sometimes you’re anxious—wondering if you’ve made the right choice and wondering if you
have what it takes to be successful. You’re hoping you don’t disappoint others or yourself.
But it’s in starting that you take the first step. And in continuing you take the second, third, fourth, and fifth steps. And that’s when you experience growth. And growth is beautiful.
I don’t know if the young man continued selling cars or if he gave up after a tough first day. I hope he kept going.
When you face challenges or discouragement along— whether it’s the start, the mid-point or at the finish line, I hope you remember God’s promise found in Jeremiah 29:11 NIV, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord. “Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future.”
Just start. And do so with confidence. Then keep going. God will be with you. And He has your plans all mapped out.
Garrett Nudd serves as director of communications for AdventHealth Georgia. His recent book, MORE THAN: Discovering How Your Story Reveals God’s Beautiful Truth About You, challenges readers to shift their paradigm from less than to MORE THAN.
About The Author
for Everyone
Treading on the High Places
by Dr. Alan Hix
Have you ever felt so burdened by life’s struggles that you convinced yourself that you could never become the disciple God has called you to be?
Hannah Hurnard's allegory, “Hinds' Feet on High Places,” takes readers on a journey with Much-Afraid, a crippled and fearful character. Born into difficult circumstances and forced to live with two physical disabilities that hinder her ability to walk and to speak clearly or smile, Much-Afraid wants nothing more than to be physically healed and to be given “hinds’ feet” (an ancient term for deer) in order to venture into the mountains and follow the Shepherd during his journeys up to the High Places.
Her journey begins in the Valley of Humiliation, and she is given two traveling companions: Sorrow and Suffering. With their gentle, loving guidance, Much-Afraid learns how to submit her own will to that of the Shepherd, and finally comes to embrace them as friends.
On the journey, Much-Afraid encounters altars of sacrifice and surrender, and at the place of anointing, she offers her whole life. She then wakes to find that she is healed of her deformities, she is finally given hinds’ feet, and she has a new name: Grace and Glory. Sorrow and Suffering have also been transformed and are now named Love and Joy.
Hurnard’s story was inspired by Habbakuk 3:19 KJV, “The Lord God is my strength, And He will make my feet like hinds’ (deer’s) feet, And He will make me to walk upon mine high places.”
Remembering God’s deliverance of His people in the past, Habakkuk asks God how long He will allow His people to suffer under the rule of the Assyrians and later the Babylonians. In spite of this bleak picture, he declares that even though there seems to be no hope in the present, he will rejoice in the God of his salvation. He looks forward to the time on the other side of the struggle when God will transform him so that he will tread the high places of the Lord.
How often do we find ourselves longing to be free of the struggles of life? How often do we say, “If only life could be
free of suffering, I could be happy and fulfilled.” However, the author of Hebrews reminds us that even Jesus faced suffering during his time on earth.
Hebrews 5:8–9 NIV, “Son though He was, He learned obedience from what He suffered 9 and, once made perfect, He became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey Him.”
Throughout the Scriptures, we find that struggle prepares us for something more: the Israelites had to go through the wilderness before they could enter the promised
land, and Jesus faced temptation in the wilderness before He began His public ministry. The Apostle Paul addresses this same issue in Philippians 3:8, ESV “For his [Jesus’] sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ.”
God’s word reminds us that not only does suffering prepare us for blessing, but the struggles we face are a part of God’s work to shape us into the image of Christ. And because they are His work, they are under His control, and He is present with us every step of the way.
When we encounter the inevitable struggles of life, asking two questions will help us put things in the right perspective. The first is, “Father, what do you wish to teach me through this trial?” The second is, “God, what aspect of your character do you wish to reveal to me through this struggle?”
About The Author
is
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. 22 // February 2025
Dr. Alan Hix
Professor of Christian Studies at Shorter University.
Simply Southern Interiors with Nancy Whaley
Are you looking for a team who can make your vision about remodeling your home a reality?
Simply Southern Interiors has just the team to provide you with the showstopping remodel or interior design upgrade you deserve.
When so many other things are vying for our attention, finances, and effort, what are the benefits of a remodel or upgrade? Moves can often become quite expensive not only with finances but with hidden costs of time, travel, decision fatigue, and mismatched furnishings not suited to the new spaces. Remodeling or upgrading your current home yields benefits that continue for years to come. Maximizing every square inch increases functionality as well as reducing stress so your home becomes a seamless element in how your family functions each day. Remodeling gives opportunities to address energy efficiency in windows, doors or insulation, to tuck in storage solutions or to optimize layouts for better flow or incorporate outside spaces in the flow. It’s
also wise to consider future needs in a home design such as a growing family, working remotely or aging in place.
Expectations
Expectations without application or with misapplication quickly push you further from your goals. How will this ever become reality? Enter owner and designer Nancy Whaley. She thoroughly enjoys teaming with dreamers!
She describes what sets her team apart from the rest, “Simply Southern Interiors specializes in creating glamor, excitement, beauty, luxury, and elegance in your home or office. With over 25 years of design experience, we can help you present a living expression of you at your best.
From the moment we meet a client to years after a project is completed, we endeavor to create a high level of comfort, trust, and caring. With such a personal process, our clients nearly always become lifelong friends and lifelong loyal clients. Great joy and a happier life come from unique surroundings that are special to you, made possible with
our firm's time and imagination. We can give your home its own style and uniqueness with warmth, comfort, and an inviting feeling. Whether you are a long-time collector or desire to begin investing in living well, we can transform and bring inspiration to your spaces while maximizing your investment. We’ll listen closely about what you’re hoping to accomplish, and then we’ll draw up plans that bring your vision to life.”
Expert Exceptions
What happens when things don’t go as smoothly as the 30-minute design shows? What happens when DIY projects go awry or nature moves in with a storm or pipes burst? Mistakes and disappointments can often sprout into good things when lessons learned are applied wisely. But, who has time to make all the mistakes? Or what if you want to break a few design rules with exceptions due to budget or other considerations?
Nancy has researched common mistakes and mishaps that happen in her line of work along with the smart choices of seasoned designers. With that kind of knowledge base, why choose anyone else? Nancy brings an approach to remodeling and design that’s savvy and clever as well as classy and elegant. Simply Southern Interiors has built a reputation with attention to detail that transforms a building into a building block in a family’s way of living.
Exclusively You!
One observer of Simply Southern Interiors summed it up this way: “What a beautifully designed room. I love the stone and natural tones. Soothing to the soul!” Yes, that’s the goal of Simply Southern Interiors, creating a space that’s soothing to the soul. Isn’t that, after all, a working definition of “home”? We all want a haven from the hustle and bustle of life in the workplace nowadays. Nancy can usher you into
just that. Her designs can create a soothing spot for your soul and mind to rest and recoup from life’s hectic pace and demands. She cleverly incorporates classic design with form and function that yields an ergonomic flow to suit a family’s traffic patterns and busy lifestyles. Her designs create a home that hugs a family with beauty and benefit.
Give Nancy a call at (706) 264-1599. You’ll be connected with a staff representative who will be happy to answer all your questions, go over options, set up a consultation session, and offer an accurate estimate. Simply Southern Interiors specializes in creating glamour, excitement, beauty, luxury and elegance in your home or office. With over 25 years of design experience, Simple Southern Interiors can help you present a living expression of you at your best.
We can cover your renovations with expertise and quality craftsmanship.
Carpentry
Closet Design
Commercial Interior Design
Electrical Services
Furniture Selection
General Contractor
Hardwood Floor Installation or Refinishing
Home Additions, Improvement, or Repairs
House Painting
Interior Design Materials and Finishes
Interior Designs for Restaurants
Patio or Deck Construction
Professional Upholstery
Residential Interior Design
Residential Roofing
Window Installation
Reflecting On and Rejoicing In God’s Word
by Karen D. Jeffery
As this new year is still “young,” we can all thank the Lord that He has brought us through another year. As we make the most of 2025, we can trust in the Lord to provide the strength to carry on daily as He is SO WORTHY of all our praise and worship.
Just look back at all He did in the Bible. We can read those wonderful stories and still love them today. There is the one when Jesus fed a multitude of people with a small amount just by blessing it and so many more blessed stories we can read about.
*Mark 6:41 KJV, “And when He had taken the five loaves and the two fishes, he looked up to Heaven, and blessed, and brake the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before them; and the two fishes divided he among them all.”
Wow! This is just one of His wonderful miracles. This is one where we can look and feel how He loves us. We can thank God for providing life’s basic needs, such as food, clothing, shelter, and life itself each day.
One of my favorite verses comes to mind.
Psalm 13:5-6, “But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation. I will sing unto the LORD, because he hath dealt bountifully with me.”
We can thank God for helping us through our troubles. Yes, we all have troubles. He says in His Word that we all will and can face challenges. I’m so grateful to Him for just bringing His people through trials and tribulations.
We can thank God when we have experienced success.
Psalm 44:7, “But thou hast saved us from our enemies, and hast put them to shame that hated us.”
We can thank God for all our friendships and beautiful families.
1 Samuel 18:3-4, “Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul. And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was upon him, and gave it to David, and his garments, even to his sword, and to his bow, and to his girdle.”
We can thank God for everything good in our world and in our lives. This is another familiar verse that has helped us all to gain strength and confidence.
James 1:17, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.”
We can thank God for His gift of salvation which brings a new start to life and peace with God.
We can start a new life with Him, or continue forward with Him. We can overcome our fears and challenges.
John 3:16;17, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
We can even thank God for adversity because it is often through the difficult times that we grow the most.
James 1:2-4, “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.”
These are wonderful and familiar verses for us all. They bring me many tears and joy at the same time.
*All Scripture KJV.
Karen Jeffery loves the Lord, her family, and her friends. She truly trusts in Him for all good things from above.
Surprises. Triumphs. Breakthroughs. For every moment when words just won’t do, we give it our all so you can, too. Because there’s a whole lot of life to love, and the joy’s worth the journey. As you strive for what makes you come alive, we’ll be here seeing, hearing and helping you feel whole.
Gò0 dNews for Everyone You Too
by Rodney Jones
“You too can be used,” said the donkey to her master.
This incredible story is found in Numbers 22:21-33. It is one of those stories that is very hard to believe. We all know that animals don’t talk. Well except in this case. This donkey not only spoke with a man’s voice, (2 Peter 2:16) but this donkey saw an invisible angel. God used this donkey to rebuke Balaam, her master, and to even save Balaam’s life from sure execution by the angel of the Lord; “…surely now also I had slain thee…”
God not only used a donkey in His work, but He also used birds. God used ravens to feed His prophet, Elijah. “And the ravens brought him bread and flesh…” two times every day (1 Kings 17:4-6). God used a fish, “…a great fish, to swallow up Jonah” (Jonah 1:17).
God even used a perfect man once. God used Adam, before the fall, to name the animals and to name his help meet, Eve. It’s very hard for me to identify with being a perfect man. But thank the Lord He also uses imperfect, fallen people. God has used murderers, adulterers, and even idolators.
God used Balaam. He betrayed Israel and led them astray for money, and yet God used him. Moses murdered a man and yet God used him (Exodus 2:11-12). David committed adultery and had Bathsheba’s husband killed, and yet God used him (2 Samuel 11:117). Solomon worshipped idols and yet God used him (1 Kings 11:1-6). Saul of Tarsus executed Christians and put hundreds of people in prison and yet God used him in an extraordinary way (Acts 8:1-3).
resurrection of Jesus Christ. That is the story of “good news” that must be told. The task is monumental. The work is rewarding. YOU could be the instrument in the hand of God to save people from eternal doom. Don’t be afraid to tell it. God will be with you. Time is running out.
Tell the story to everyone. Tell it often. Tell it, preach it, or pass out a Gospel tract. Leave a tract at the grocery store.
Give one to the mailman, police officer, or auto mechanic.
“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword….” (Hebrews 4:12).
I am going to Heaven for sure because someone I’ve never met left a Gospel tract in a grocery store where
I worked. I got saved. My children got saved, and my grandchildren are getting saved. All because someone took the time and had the courage to leave a Gospel tract behind. Get involved. The GREAT I AM needs you! You too can be used! Thank God.
No matter your history God can use you in His work. Fact is He needs you in His work. The great task God is recruiting for in this age is “soul-winning.” Preaching or telling or sharing the Gospel with every creature on earth (Mark 16:15). The Gospel is the death, burial, and
is a retired police officer and is presently a housing and residence life staff member at the University of Tennessee, Chattanooga.
Rodney Jones
Rodney is a member of Catoosa Baptist Tabernacle in Ringgold, Georgia.
Gò0 dNews for your Taste Buds
Cinnamon Spiced Apple Crumble
Serves: 6 | Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cook Time: 40 minutes
Ingredients
For The Filling:
• 6 medium apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and sliced
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
For the Crumble Topping:
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup rolled oats
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
Instructions
1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Prepare the Filling: In a large bowl, combine the sliced apples, granulated sugar, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, lemon juice, and cornstarch. Mix well to coat the apples evenly. Transfer the mixture to a 9x13-inch baking dish.
3. Make the Crumble Topping: In another bowl, mix together the flour, rolled oats, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and ground cinnamon. Add the cold, cubed butter to the mixture. Using a pastry cutter or your fingers, work the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
4. Assemble the Crumble: Sprinkle the crumble topping evenly over the apple filling in the baking dish.
5. Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apple filling is bubbling.
6. Cool and Serve: Remove the crumble from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving. The apple crumble is delicious served warm, topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
Tips
• For an added crunch, mix in 1/4 cup chopped nuts (such as walnuts or pecans) into the crumble topping.
• For a gluten-free version, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
• The filling can be made a day ahead and stored in the refrigerator until ready to use.
At Beautiful Smiles we have transformed dentistry with our “one stop shop” approach for all things dentistry. Whether you just need your regular cleanings or more extensive treatment, we have them all. We offer basic fillings and cosmetic dentistry, implants, orthodontics, crowns & bridges. We pride ourselves by staying up to date with new technical advances backed up the latest equipment that include our new 3D imaging systems and intraoral scanners.
No Greater Love
by Jamie Renee Hill
There’s no need to worry.
There’s no need to fret.
The God I serve is able.
He hasn’t failed me yet.
People are searching for answers, A way out of their pain, And Jesus is the answer, Over and over again.
There is no greater love. He pours His love out. There’s no shadow of a doubt That He cares.
No greater love is this: Than a man give up His life For all of mankind.
He didn’t come to divide, But create unity For all humanity.
God is the essence of love. He’s hope from above, Sent His Son down like a dove. There is no greater love.
ò0 dNews for Everyone Snow Day
by Donald Cantrell
Psalm 51:7 KJV Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
As I write this story, it has been five full days since we had our first snow of 2025 and some of that same snow is still laying on the ground in my yard, which is rare for living here in North Georgia. As I went up my driveway this afternoon headed for church, our big snowman had dwindled down to the size of “E.T.” and it made me chuckle, as I shared my thoughts with Kinsely.
We all had been warned of the coming snow, so we had plenty of time to get those much-needed snow day necessities, such as bread, milk, and toilet paper, which I don’t know how that last item wiggled into the mix. We still remember “snow-geddon” from times past, so none of us wink at the thought of snow, at least not in North Georgia.
Kinsley, now 11 years old and will soon be 12, and as most of the readers know, she is my granddaughter and my sidekick, since the ripe old age of four months old, seeing I have been her one and only babysitter. Well, this was going to be our first real snow together, so I wanted to be prepared, as I began looking for some sort of snow sled.
As most of us found out, snow sleds and North Georgia are sort of like oil and water, they just don’t seem to mix. I began doing online searches and found that many of our local stores had snow sleds, but you had to order them, and it would take about 5 days to have them in hand for sledding.
and by noon that day, the ground had a nice coating of heavy snow and I had to try it out. I got dressed and took my first ride down the hill and I was going much faster than I wanted.
In a matter of time, my son-in-law and my granddaughter pulled up and we went to the top of my yard and off we went, all three of us, racing down the hill, and those sleds, seemed to be moving at warp speed, at least from my seat. We went up and down, until we were past exhausted.
I am 64 ½ years old and I had a blast making memories with my family. Once we were done with the sledding, then
I called one of our local hardware stores and they had those big long plastic toboggan sleds, along with the round saucers. It did not take me long to make a snow sled run and I came home with two downhill toboggan snow sleds and one round saucer sled.
As we all hoped would happen, the weather people were right and the snow began to fall early Friday morning
it was time to make a snowman, and before long we had built “Chester” and he is still standing, though it seems that the sun has taken a toll upon his waistline and his height.
The 7-day forecast is calling for more snow, maybe there will be another snow day.
Donald Cantrell is a lifelong native of Murray county and has
for Health & Fitness
A Christian Perspective of Resilience
by Steve Knapp
The word “resilience” has become increasingly popular, starting with concerns educators had with the younger generations' ability to respond to adversity followed by how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted our culture. Given that stress, suffering, pain, and adversity (I will use adversity as a universal term for all of these other terms in the rest of this article) are inevitable in life, resilience has become a popular word to help people navigate them well. But what is resilience as it relates to helping us move towards health?
The word literally means to “bounce back” and originally comes from physics in how an object is able to absorb and return to its original form when external energy impacts it. While this makes sense from a physics perspective, it is far more complicated as it relates to the adversity humans experience. Current psychological literature has 120+ definitions for resilience. From my perspective, every experience we have changes us in ways, large and small, perceptible and imperceptible, that we are not left the same. This seems especially true for adverse experiences. So any definition of resilience needs to look at how we move forward in the face of adversity rather than simply returning to the way things were before.
The desire to resume life as usual, even if before was not even good, makes sense. Most of us have a tendency to prefer what is familiar and comfortable over the unknown. Our natural response to adversity is to avoid or control it and resume our familiar ways. The question that is left is whether adversity will harden us, weaken us, or be a cause for positive change.
As Christians, we believe there was no adversity prior to sin entering the world. Sin did not just bring adversity but the fullness of it in death itself. What we see in Jesus is we do not have to avoid adversity and even death. Jesus uses a metaphor for this in John 12:24 ESV when He says “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.” We tend to focus on how Jesus’ death and resurrection give us new life for eternity in heaven, which is certainly an important result.
The opportunity on this side of eternity to view adversity through this lens and bear fruit also is an important result, too. Timothy Keller explains, “Suffering is at the very heart of the Christian faith. It is not only the way Christ became like and redeemed us, but it is one of the main ways we become like him and experience his redemption. And that means that our suffering, despite its painfulness, is also filled with purpose and usefulness.”
The natural ways of responding to pain and adversity (trying to use avoidance and control to return to normal) are so much smaller compared to the opportunity that lies before us when we embrace this kind of death that leads to new life. God invites us to see beyond our adversity as random events, and instead enter into them as opportunities to be transformed in ways beyond what we could ever dream for ourselves. This does not mean every form of adversity itself is good or from God but simply that God can use it to help us become more resilient in the best sense of the word. So when we embrace adversity through this lens, we will be honoring the way God works in our current world and become healthier and more resilient versions of ourselves rather than continuing to be the same person we were before adversity. Doesn’t that actually sound better in the end?
Steve Knapp is a licensed professional counselor and the manager and therapist at Resilient Therapy, LLC in Cleveland, TN. Through his work as a therapist, he seeks to help transform stories of suffering into narratives of hope, healing, and growth. He is married to Kellie, and they have a five-year-old daughter named Eliana.
Habla Español (Speak Spanish)
Habla Español (Speak Spanish)
A View Like No Other
by Tera Zilbert
What a privilege it is to serve the Lord! I say that from the sincerest place within me. It is. Notice
I didn’t say it’s always easy, but it is ALWAYS a privilege to worship our King! I don’t deserve the life I live, but I am so thankful for it.
When my husband and I married, we set our hearts toward the Lord, waking up each morning with an audible “Yes!” to whatever His will is for our lives and our marriage. Doors began to open with opportunities to serve Him. We entered a beautiful journey of meeting new people, going to new places, and experiencing God in a very real and tangible way.
We currently operate a shower trailer for those who are in need of a moment of cleansing both for soul and for body. Whenever possible, I minister to women by empowering women of all ages to live authentic lives through the transformational power of Jesus according to 2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV. This verse reads, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”
During our travels, we often lead worship in church services, conferences, and sometimes in the streets. Frequently, this gives us a beautiful view. One I never want to take for granted. An example of what I am referring to happened on a recent weekend in High Point, NC. During the last service of a three-day conference, a young boy, age seven, came to the altar. I had met him in a previous service. He was small in stature but had big energy. I witnessed this little rambunctious fellow, playful and, quite frankly, keeping his mom and dad on their toes!
On the last day of the conference, service was drawing to a close and the invitation for prayer was announced. This precious child made his way through the crowd and managed to squeeze in and secure himself a spot at the end of the front row, just in front of the musicians. I watched as he closed his eyes, lifted his arms in surrender, elbows inward with his little hands facing upwards to receive what God had for him at that moment. He felt the drawing, and he responded. For over ten minutes or so, this little boy, eyes
closed, stood at the altar, body slightly swaying side to side, no doubt being ministered to by the Holy Spirit. His lips were barely moving with no sound. He was caught up in the moment; it brought tears to my eyes. What a beautiful scene to witness!
It inspired me. Today, although it’s several weeks later, I’m still reflecting on this little boy. What can we, as followers of Jesus, do to draw others close enough to seek God like this little boy? Do our words and actions make Jesus attractive to those who don’t know Him? Are we reflecting His love?
May we all have childlike faith and wonder to stand in His presence in complete surrender to receive what He has for us.
“And He said: ‘Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me’” (Matthew 18:3-5 NIV).
Tera Zilbert is a native of Dalton, Georgia. She and her husband, Landon, manage Grassroots Revival LLC and the Real Clean Project, where they minister to the homeless through a shower trailer.
dNews for Everyone
Study in Genesis: The Creation of Humans
by Filip Brunner
“And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth” *(Genesis 1:26 KJV).
Let’s Focus on Verse 26
God speaks. He issues a command as before and nothing happens. So, what is going on?
Man is a special creation different from anything else God has created thus far. The creation of Humankind requires additional steps.
1. Making of the human male was first. God makes the man out of dust. “And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul” (Genesis 2:7a).
of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die” (Genesis 2:16-17).
God is the potter: “But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand“ (Isaiah 64:8).
God gives a clear understanding that He wants our relationship with Him to be a personal and intimate one. As the Potter, God molds and shapes us into the thing of beauty He desires us to be. He takes time to remove impurities from the clay. He adds water and pressure to make of us a fitting image and likeness of His dear Son.
“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10).
2. The man is given responsibility by his creator.
A. For physical labor: “And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it” (Genesis 2:15).
B. For spiritual initiative: “And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat
C. For intimate socioeconomic and emotional union: “And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man” (Genesis 2:22).
The creation of the woman is unique in that she is taken out of the man. There is a special connection between a man and a woman.
The creation of man and woman completes the creative work of God. While the creation of the man and the woman is different for both of them, the fact remains that humankind bears the image of God who created us. Their union as husband and wife is blessed by God with these words: “And God blessed them, and God said unto them, ‘Be fruitful, and multiply’” (Genesis 1:28a).
May this prompt you to continue to read and study about Creation. As the new year begins, renew your commitment to studying the Scriptures.
*All Scriptures are KJV.
Filip Brunner is married to his wife, Dr. Kim Brunner and together they have six children. He is a writer, author, and artist.
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 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, 30721 706-226-5981
Temple Baptist Church 2310 South Dixie Hwy, 30720 706-226-6785
Tunnel Hill First Baptist Church 706-673-2085
202 South Cherry Street Tunnel Hill, GA 30755
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
The River Community Church 2410 Cleveland Hwy, Suite 112, 30721 678-314-7994
Rock Bridge Community Church 121 W Crawford St, 30720
Episcopal
Saint Mark’s Episcopal Church 901 West Emory St, 30720
706-278-8857
Jehovah’s Witnesses
Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses 1309 Applewood Drive, 30720 706-529-0192
Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses 1817 Dug Gap Rd, 30720 706-270-0156
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 Methodist Church 123 Bethel Church Rd, 30721 706-278-3309
Dalton First UMC 500 South Thornton Ave, 30720 706-278-8494
Fairview Church 1735 Riverbend Rd, 30721 706-996-5057
Five Springs Methodist Church 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 Methodist 2701 Cleveland Highway, 30721 706-259-3141
Trinity UMC 901 Veterans Dr, 30721 706-278-4042
Varnell 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
4330 Holly Creek Cool Springs Road
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
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
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
7250 Chastworth Highway South
Chastworth, GA 30705
Center Valley Methodist Church
706-971-4646
5394 Highway 225 North
Chatsworth, GA 30705 US
First 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 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 Hispanic Adventist Church of Chatsworth
706-264-4299
88 North Park Drive
Chatsworth, GA 30705 US
Seventh-Day Adventist Church 706-517-5124
1115 Highway 52
Chatsworth, GA 30705 US
