Gò0dNews June 2020
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About Us WRITERS
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Contents
JUNE 2020
GoodNews from the Pastor’s Desk
6 Trials Into Blessings by James Whaley
GoodNews for Everyone
8 Fear Is A Liar by Doc James
GoodNews on Money Matters
10 Don’t Waste a Crisis by Andrew Lee
GoodNews for Men
12 Purity In A Pornographic Society
by Jason Coker GoodNews for Women
14 For Such A Time As This by Heather Tate
GoodNews for Parents
18 Borrowing Energy by Emily Elrod
GoodNews for Everyone
20 Lost And Found by Rhonda Lane
GoodNews for Life
22 God’s Glory
by Tammy Madden
GoodNews for Teens
GoodNews Business Spotlight
28 Guarding Your Home and
Work Environments Enviroguard Pest Solutions
GoodNews for Everyone
30 Pressing On
by Robert Leamon
GoodNews for Parents
32 A Season and A Reason by Ashley McPhearson
GoodNews for Life
34 Seasons Come and Seasons Go
by Leslie Bennett GoodNews for Everyone
36 Grow In Your Faith by Karen Jeffery
GoodNews for Everyone
38 Being A Concerned Christian by Andrew Corbin
GoodNews for Everyone
40 Shaken While Waiting by Nelson Haynes
42 Rocky Road Brownie Recipe by Pam Wattenbarger
GoodNews from the Physician’s Desk
GoodNews Cover Story
GoodNews for Everyone
26 Battlegrounds Games and Comics
26
GoodNews for your Taste Buds
24 The Seniors Of 2020 by Tammy Madden
6
44 After the Game 46 Every?
by Reagan Marsh
GoodNews for Everyone
50 Garbage In, Garbage Out by Jenice Saint
50
Gò0dNews from the Pastor’s Desk
Trials Into Blessings
Y
by James Whaley
ou can turn your trials into blessings—if you
believe also in me. In my father's house are many
have the right ingredients.
mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I
Are you familiar with the phrase, “When
go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare
life gives you lemons, turn it into lemonade”? Sounds
a place for you, I will come again and receive you
simple, doesn’t it? However, you have to know the
unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”
right ingredients to add to the lemons to turn them
As a Christian, our goal is to enter into Heaven
into lemonade.
when this journey called life ends, but only through believing who Jesus is and accepting Him as our Savior is that possible. In Romans 10:9-10, Paul tells us, “That if thou shalt confess with the mouth the Lord Jesus and shalt believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” Many years ago at an oldfashioned altar, I gave my heart to Jesus Christ. It felt as if a tremendous weight had been lifted off my shoulders. I had never experienced anything like that before, and I could not
The same thing is true with our everyday lives. We must know what ingredients are necessary to
wait to tell everyone what Jesus did for me. I pray you will begin to search the Scriptures
avoid being overtaken with fear, anxiety, depression,
and find out what ingredients are missing in your
oppression, or sin.
life so you can overcome your everyday challenges
2 Corinthians 4:8-9 tells us four things:
and experience the joy and peace that can only
1. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed.
come through knowing Jesus Christ as your
2. We are perplexed, but not in despair.
personal Savior.
3. We are persecuted, but not forsaken. John 14:1-4 are some of my favorite Scriptures: “Let not your heart be troubled; ye believe in God,
6 // June 2020
About The Author
4. We are cast down, but not destroyed. Pastor James Whaley and his wife Wanda live in Dalton and have been ministering and spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ for over 40 years.
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Gò0dNews for Kids
Fear Is A Liar! ave you ever been so afraid of something that when you go to bed at night, you just have to cry yourself to sleep? I struggle with this at night. I always get so afraid of what might happen while I’m asleep. If you do struggle with this, you just need to call on God to help you, but I’m just saying that it is not going to get better instantly; it is going to take a while. There are many solutions to this problem, such as going to sleep with a Bible verse, reciting all the Scripture that you know by heart, or just simply turning the radio on and starting to listen to Christian music (93.1 is my personal favorite). There are so many ways to conquer your fear, whether it is not being able to go to sleep at night, what will happen to your family members who aren’t saved, snakes, spiders, or any other fear that you can possibly have. I want you to know that you can talk to your parents about it, or even your friends. God is always with you, and He will never leave your side. My favorite verse is one that my GranJan showed me, and it is Philippians 4:8, which says, “And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and
8 // June 2020
admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” There are many other verses in the Bible that talk about fear, such as 2 Timothy 1:7, 2 Corinthians 10:4, and James 4:7. There is also a song that my mom showed me that says, “You’re my courage when I worry in the dead of night. You’re my strength ’cause I’m not strong enough to win this fight. You are greater than the battle
raging in my mind. I will trust you more, and I will fear no more.” So when you lie awake, just wondering what the future will hold, call upon God and He will help you win this battle. Just remember, Satan isn’t in control of you—God is. Have a wonderful month!
About The Author
H
by Doc James
Hi! My name is Doc. I’m ten and I’m a sixth grade student at Candies Creek Academy. I attend Samples Baptist Church and I love to sing, draw, make lists, and meet new people.
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Don’t Waste a Crisis MONEY MATTERS
WITH DR. ANDREW LEE Dr. Andrew Lee is professor of English at Lee University. He also serves as a coordinator for Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University. He and his wife Esmerelda have three children.
A
s of this writing, we in southeast Tennessee have just entered week nine of the coronavirus crisis. In many of our communities, restaurants and retail businesses are slowly re-opening, often with restrictions on the number of patrons allowed at one time. By now, many of us are accustomed to wearing a mask when out in public, and most of us are hypervigilant about hand washing. So, in numerous ways, many of us have lots in common during this crisis in terms of choices we are making to help keep everyone safe and to end this pandemic as quickly as possible. On the other hand, I’ve noticed a marked difference between how people are using their time during this crisis. First, the good news. From what I’ve witnessed on social media posts and heard from talking to various friends, this crisis has brought many families much closer together. With everybody at home all day and night, families are playing board games, actually talking to each other face to face, and growing emotionally closer. Furthermore, many people are getting a chance to tackle long overdue chores, home improvement projects, yardwork, etc. However, this is not the case for everybody. Many people are binge-watching Netflix all day and night, while many others are constantly complaining on social media about how “bored” they are. My wife and I read these complaints with utter amazement and incredulity. Bored? Are you kidding me? With so many books and articles to read, so many writing projects, so much to learn—and all of it just a mouse click away—how could anyone be bored right now? So, here’s my financial advice for this month—don’t waste this crisis! If you do have more free time on your hands due to coronavirus, use it wisely! Here are some
10 // June 2020
practical suggestions, financially speaking, in no particular order. Review your monthly budget and see where and how to make cuts to unnecessary expenses. If you’re married, be sure to include your spouse in this and get his or her input about the monthly budget. If you have teenagers or adult children living at home, they should also be included in this activity (teachable moment). If you don’t have a monthly written budget, cheer up: with all your extra time sitting at home during this crisis, now is the perfect opportunity to make a written budget! READ read read! Check your local library website and read books and articles online about saving, money management, investing, paying off debt, etc. Quit watching mindless TV shows on Netflix and instead find YouTube videos on personal finance, making budgets, etc. Join Audible.com and start downloading books on personal finance, money management, retirement investing, etc. I read countless audio books while doing yardwork, walking the dog, and cycling around the neighborhood. On that same note, search Apple podcasts and iHeartRadio for podcasts on money and financial matters and subscribe to all the ones that pique your interest. Also, during all your free time during coronavirus, why not log onto your company’s 401(k) website and review your retirement accounts to see how much you’ve accumulated at this point? Then use a free retirement planning calculator and see how much you’ll need to retire with the lifestyle you want, and see if you’re on track to meet your goals. Not started a Roth IRA yet? Good news—if you are feeling “bored” during this crisis, now’s your chance to open an account online and start contributing to your Roth IRA. Whatever you do, don’t sit around griping that you’re bored right now. You have way too much to do right now to change your future!
Gò0dNews for Men
Purity In A Pornographic Society verywhere we turn now, there seems to be more and more impurity. From the clothes we wear to the commercials on TV, purity has become taboo. Gone are the days when men and women would carry themselves with modesty and decorum. What used to be considered hardcore pornography in the 1950s has become yesterday’s tabloids. Splashed across our magazines and piped into our homes in the shows we watch, we are innovated with fornication: so much so that it has even crippled the Church.
My opinion is that the issue of purity is perhaps the greatest hurdle the Church faces, as a whole, when sharing the Gospel. An impure society is hardly willing to listen to people who behave in the same way they do. This isn’t really anything new. The Corinthian church struggled with a massive problem in regard to fornication and impurity. It wasn’t uncommon in those days for pagan temples to have temple prostitutes. Their function was to make themselves sexually available to people seeking worship. This practice was considered to bring one closer to the deity of that particular temple. The Christian church at Corinth had brought this same practice into the place where they claimed to worship Jesus. They were doing what was socially acceptable, much like what we do today. Paul warned them that they were committing sins that God will one day judge harshly and instructed them that
12 // June 2020
they were to FLEE such practices because their very own bodies were the temple of the Holy Spirit. He goes on to say that all other sins that are committed are done so outside the body, but the sin of fornication (sexual immorality) is a sin against the body. Essentially, Paul is saying that if your body is the church of the Holy Spirit, then you are bringing prostitution into the church when you commit sexual sins against your own flesh. So the next question is, how exactly are you committing these sexual sins? Jesus said that if you look on a woman to lust after her, you have committed adultery already in your heart. “Looking with intent to lust” is the same to God as the actual act of adultery itself. That means that you can commit fornication right inside your mind. We must never forget that God’s ways of purity are much higher than ours. He demands that we have purity of mind and purity of heart. So how can we walk in purity of mind and purity of heart and regain our voice in a pornographic society? Well, I can give you a place to start. #1. Be careful what you look at. Change the shows you watch, the websites you visit, and even guard what you see out in public. Consider putting filter software on your devices, and always remember, garbage in, garbage out. God sees not as man sees, but God sees the heart. #2. Be careful of how you carry yourself. Don’t be a hindrance to someone else. If you feel like something may be on the edge of being inappropriate, it is. We were made to bring attention to God, not attention to ourselves. The enemy will use you to destroy someone else if he can. #3. Lastly, get into God’s Word. There are tons of Scripture about walking in purity. 1 Thessalonians 4:3-7 is a great place to start. Take a stand and make a commitment to walk in purity today. Chose to be a light in a dark place.
About The Author
E
by Jason Coker
Jason Coker was born in Dalton, Georgia, and resides in Tunnel Hill, Georgia, with his wife Jennie and son Judah. He is the founder of Walk Like A Man Ministries and the author of Walk Like A Man (Repent - Reclaim - Relate). He enjoys writing songs and spending time with his family. www.wlamm.org
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Gò0dNews for Women
For Such A Time As This
W
by Heather Tate
e are facing challenging times. Things have
we commit our activities to Him (Proverbs 16:3). I challenge
not been this way in our lifetime. In the Book
you to open your eyes to see what He is preparing you to
of Esther, we see that things were different for
do; ask the Lord to open your eyes to allow you to see what
the Jews. The Jewish people were living in exile. Although
He plans for you. His “word is a lamp for my feet and a
I do not currently feel exiled, I do feel isolated in the wake
light on my path” (Psalm 119:105). Even our small acts of
of the COVID-19 pandemic. I am certain many of you have
faith and trust in the Lord during times of crisis serve as a
felt isolated as well. My question, though, is to ask, what are
testimony to others. Let us use these actions to influence
we doing to make a difference for others in this time of uncertainty? Are you in a position for such a time as this (Esther 4:14)? I believe the answer is yes, most definitely. We are positioned to share the love of Jesus and reach people for the Gospel of Christ Jesus. Now is not the time for idol worship. Now is the time for us to prepare ourselves for what is to come. In every biblical miracle, there is a time of preparation before the blessing or miracle: a time for praying, fasting, and consecration. 2 Timothy 2:21 states, “So if anyone purifies himself from anything dishonorable, he will be a special instrument, set apart, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.” We are preparing
others for Christ. We can prepare ourselves in uncertain
and cleansing ourselves for the Master’s work. Time of
times and trust that God is faithful to His Word. I believe
isolation allows us to grow closer to God so that we can
God is healing our hearts and minds through troubled
better serve Him. As Esther fasted and prayed, God softened
times. I can trust in His plans for me. I can trust “that all
the heart of the king to grant her favor for her requests.
things work together for the good of those who love God,
Her willingness to allow her position to serve the good of
who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28). I
her people in a time of need, regardless of the outcome,
pray that you will prepare yourself for what God is doing in
demonstrated faith and anticipation of God’s power.
and through your life, allow Him to guide your path, and do
Therefore, let us prepare to serve the Lord in whatever
all you can for His glory and honor. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
capacity He leads us, faithfully. When prepared for what the Lord is doing amidst that He puts in our path. He will establish our plans when
14 // June 2020
About The Author
troublesome times, we are more likely to see the opportunity
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. To find out more about Intricate Umbrella Inc and services offered, visit IntricateUmbrella.com or email Heather@IntricateUmbrella.com.
Dalton Church Directory Assembly of God
Christian Fellowship Assembly 3656 Chattanooga Road, 30755 706-280-7594 The Sanctuary 515 Reed Rd NW, 30720 706-270-2088 The Impact 508 Sheridan Ave, 30721 706-226-7743
Baptist
Abundant Life Baptist Church 811 J and J, 30721 706-278-5289 Antioch Baptist Church 1205 Antioch Road, 30720 706-278-1305 Beaverdale Baptist Church 2496 Beaverdale Rd NW, 30721 706-259-7089 Calvary Baptist Church 2115 Chatsworth Rd, 30721 706-278-6324 Carolyn Baptist Church 2305 Cleveland Highway, 30721 706-259-8142 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
16 // June 2020
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 825 Chattanooga Avenue, 30720 706-314-8711 Rocky Face Baptist Church 1544 Rocky Face Railroad St, 30740 706- 226-5751
Salem Baptist Church 1448 Pleasant Grove Dr, 30721 706-259-7045 South Dalton Baptist Church 498 Lakemont Drive, 30720 706-278-4946 Shiloh Baptist Church 2014 East Waugh St, 30721 706-226-5981 Temple Baptist Church 2310 South Dixie Hwy, 30720 706-226-6785 Valley Baptist Church 2907 Old Rome, 30720 Welcome Hill Baptist Church 2772 E Welcome Hill Circle, 30721 706-278-0368 Whitfield Baptist Church 2134 Dug Gap Rd, 30721 706-278-6776
Bible
Fellowship Bible Church 2044 Dug Gap Rd, 30720 706-278-6269
Catholic
Saint Joseph’s Catholic Church 968 Haig Mill Lake Rd, 30720 706-278-3107
Christian
First Christian Church 1506 Dug Gap Rd, 30720 706-278-7244
Church of Christ
Central Church of Christ 515 N. Tibbs Rd, 30720 706-278-8051 Riverbend Church of Christ 2218 S Riverbend Rd, 30721 706-226-0819
Church of God
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 Valley Brook Church of God 1474 Mineral Springs Rd, 30720 706-279-3296
Community
Church on the Hill 1035 Abutment Rd, 30721 706-278-9208 Community Fellowship Church 409 North Fredrick St, 30721 706-278-3204 Freedom Community Church 908 Elk Street, 30720 706-463-2690 Rock Bridge Community Church 121 W Crawford St, 30720
Episcopal
Saint Mark’s Episcopal Church
901 West Emory St, 30720 706-278-8857
Lutheran
Christ the King Lutheran Church 623 S Thornton Ave, 30720 706-278-3979
Methodist
Bethel AME Church 620 Spring Street, 30720 706-226-2714 Bethel UMC 123 Bethel Church Rd, 30721 706-278-3309 Dalton First UMC 500 South Thornton Ave, 30720 706-278-8494 Dawnville UMC 1529 Spring Ln NE, 30721 706-259-5342 Fairview UMC 735 Riverbend Rd, 30721 706-996-5057 Five Springs UMC 2823 Five Springs Rd, 30720 706-277-3928 Mineral Springs UMC 4079 Airport Road, 30721 706-517-0200 Mt. Vernon UMC 597 Lafayette Road Rocky Face, GA 30740 706-673-4667 New Haven UMC 4040 South Dixie Highway, 30721 706-217-1879 Pleasant Grove UMC 2701 Cleveland Highway, 30721 Sugar Valley UMC 503 Murry Hill Dr, 30720 706-280-9112 Trinity UMC 901 Veterans Dr, 30721 706-278-4042 Tunnel Hill UMC 706-673-4022 121 North Varnell Road Tunnel Hill, GA 30755 Varnell United Methodist Church 3485 Highway 2 Cohutta, 30710 706-694-8023 Wesley Chapel UMC 808 Jamestown CT, 30721 706-270-2331
Nazarene
First Church of the Nazarene 2325 Chattanooga Rd, 30720 706-278-8428 Grace Church of the Nazarene 1111 Nelson St, 30721 706-278-1171
Non-Denominational
Abundant Life Bible Church 120 East Morris Street, 30721 706-270-9733 Bridging the Gap Ministries 514 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, 30721 706-277-7575 Relentless Worship Center 210 Robinwood Dr, 30721 706-313-1129 Cornerstone Family Church
1240 Dawnville Rd, 30721 706-259-8509 Dalton House Of Prayer 735 Beaverdale Rd NE, 30721 706-280-0263 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 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
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
Salvationalist
Chatsworth Church Directory Baptist
Blue Ridge Primitive Baptist Church 706-517-9849 134 Hyden Tyler Road Chatsworth, GA 30705 US Calvary Baptist Church 706-695-7747 Highway 225 North Chatsworth, GA 30705 US Center Hill Baptist Church 706-695-7988 65 Berry Bennett Road Chatsworth, GA 30705 US Cisco Baptist Church 706-695-9270 Highway 411 North Chatsworth, GA 30705 US Cool Springs Baptist Church 706-517-5388 Holly Creek Cool Chatsworth, GA 30705 US Fellowship Baptist Church 706-695-2626 4396 Highway 52 Chatsworth, GA 30705 US First Baptist Church 706-695-2112 121 West Market Street Chatsworth, GA 30705 US Flat Branch Baptist Church 706-695-2663 3443 Highway 286 Chatsworth, GA 30705 US Free Hope Baptist Church 706-695-3717 4176 Highway 76 Chatsworth, GA 30705 US Holly Creek Baptist Church 706-695-8522 422 Holly Creek Chatsworth, GA 30705 US Liberty Baptist Church 4221 US-76, Chatsworth, GA 30705 US Little Consauga Baptist Church 706-517-5733 1100 Sugar Creek Chatsworth, GA 30705 US Maranatha Baptist Church 706-695-6330 Highway 225 South Chatsworth, GA 30705 US Mount Pisgah Baptist Church
706-517-8944 2309 Old Highway 411 Chatsworth, GA 30705 US Murray Baptist Church 706-695-9712 508 West Peachtree Street Chatsworth, GA 30705 US New Hope Baptist Church 706-517-3089 1273 New Hope Road Chatsworth, GA 30705 US New Prospect Baptist Church 706-629-9521 7629 Highway 225 Chatsworth, GA 30705 US Old Fashion Baptist Church 706-695-5420 885 Ben Adams Road Chatsworth, GA 30705 US Open Air Ministries 706-386-484 1058 Mtn Crest Dr. Chatsworth, GA 30705 US Prayer Baptist Church 706-624-9216 10859 Hwy. 225 South Chatsworth, GA 30705 US Shinning Light Baptist Church 706-517-1739 801 North 5th Avenue Chatsworth, GA 30705 US Smyrna Baptist Church 706-695-5815 1913 Smyrna Church Road Chatsworth, GA 30705 US Spring Place Baptist Church 706-695-5532 441 Highway 225 South Chatsworth, GA 30705 US Strait Way Baptist Church 706-517-2861 508 West Peachtree Street Chatsworth, GA 30705 US Total Praise Baptist Church 706-695-6441 1461 Greeson Bend Rd, Chatsworth, GA 30705 US Zion Hill Baptist Church 706-517-5913 Highway 225 North Chatsworth, GA 30705 US
Bible
Grace Bible Church
2599 Leonard Bridge Rd. Chatsworth, GA 30705 US
Church of Christ
Woodhaven Church of Christ 706-847-7400 508 West Peachtree Street Chatsworth, GA 30705 US
Church of God
Chatsworth Church of God 706-695-9388 Highway 411 South Chatsworth, GA 30705 US Central Community Church 706-695-4242 60 Pine Hills Drive Chatsworth, GA 30705 Spring Place Church of God 706-695-8000 717 Tibbs Bridge Road Chatsworth, GA 30705 US
Full Gospel
Faith Worship Center 706-695-6866 189 Hyden Tyler Road Chatsworth GA 30705 House Of Prayer 616 Jenkins Road Chatsworth, GA 30705 US
Methodist
Casey Springs UMC 7250 Chastworth Highway South Chastworth, GA 30705 Center Valley UMC 706-971-4646 5394 Highway 225 North Chatsworth, GA 30705 US First United Methodist Church 706-695-3211 107 W Cherokee Street Chatsworth, GA 30705 US Fullers Chapel UMC 532 Cook Drive Chatsworth, GA 30705 US Mineral Springs UMC 71 North Way St Chatsworth, GA 30705 US Spring Place UMC 706-695-5143 Po Box 248 Chatsworth, GA 30705 US
Non-Denominational
God’s Light House 784 Smyrna Church Road Chatsworth, GA 30705 The Church of God of the Union Assembly at Chatsworth, GA 706-695-7335 Highway 52 Alternate Chatsworth, GA 30705 US Liberty Tabernacle 706-517-3140 2196 Smyrna Church Road Chatsworth, GA 30705 US Living Word Christian Fellowship 706-695-5005 960 Cherokee Drive Chatsworth, GA 30705 US New Beginnings Ministries 706-695-6067 646 Floodtown Road Chatsworth, GA 30705 US North Gate Church 706-548-4967 7727 Highway 225 South Chatsworth, GA 30755 US Tabernacle of Praise 706-517-0377 1435 Leonard Bridge Road Chatsworth, GA 30705 US Wings Of Faith Ministries 706-695-1527 1122 North Holly Drive Chatsworth, GA 30705 US
Pentecostal
Victory Tabernacle 706-517-1458 355 Ellijay Street Chatsworth, GA 30705 US A Place to Worship 706-517-8568 259 Old Landfill Rd Chatsworth, GA 30705 US
Presbyterian Sumach Presbyterian Church 706-695-4773 2089 Sumach Church Chatsworth, GA 30705 US
Seventh Day Adventist
Seventh-Day Adventist Church 706-517-5124 1115 Highway 52 Chatsworth, GA 30705 US
goodnewscm.com // 17
Gò0dNews for Parents
Borrowing Energy
N
by Emily Elrod
ot many things are worse than waking up in the
handle it. If it wasn’t for others recognizing my needs,
middle of the night to hearing a child being sick to
asking (or berating) me with questions, and encouraging
his stomach. Those dreaded, yet easily recognized,
(or forcing me because of my strong-willed nature), I might
noises can make your Parental Meter perk to attention in .05 seconds, especially if you believe the child is nowhere
never have come up from the valleys of life. As I told my son, you will have times when you will
close to a bathroom. The feeling of helplessness grips you as
need to ask for help. It is great to be self-sufficient, but
you see your loving, innocent child drenched in sweat and
asking for help, especially in low times, is not a weakness;
other fluids. When my spouse and I were awakened by the
instead, it is a strength and sign of maturity. Be vulnerable,
sounds of the aftermath of a tummy bug bite, we quickly
be open, and ask for help. The willingness to ask for
ran to the rescue. In my restlessness, I don’t know exactly what took place, but when we tucked JLee into bed, we were under the impression the worst part of the cycle was over. As life would have it, we were very wrong. When I came back from a 6 a.m. meeting, I found my blued boy on the floor in his sleeping bag with his bed soiled. I questioned him as to why he didn’t come and let me or his Dad help last night. He said, “I didn’t want to disturb you when I got sick the second time, since I already interrupted your sleep once.” Oh, my heart sank. I felt like a failure of a mother. In one of my son’s weakest moments, he felt like he couldn’t come to me or ask for help because he wanted to care for our needs instead. I get that
and accept help is a superpower in life because it shows
he has a huge heart filled with compassion, but how did
authenticity. (Also, you never know: you may be helping
he not realize this WAS the time to ask for help? This was
that person you are requesting assistance from as well.) You
the time to “borrow energy” from someone else because he
can’t pour from an empty cup, so next time you are faced
didn’t have it to give.
with a difficult situation, make sure you have the right
But then I reflected on the times I was in the most need: I
people to pour life back into you, and ask for help.
felt like it was a weakness to ask for help due to insecurities, “keep face” and let the world know I was alright. I could
18 // June 2020
About The Author
pride, or the feeling of bothering someone. I wanted to
Emily Elrod is an award-winning corporate consultant with a demonstrated history of creating cultures to empower people to live healthy, happy, and purposeful lives in corporate, manufacturing, & health care settings. In her spare time, she loves to be outdoors with her family and animals at her family farm.
LIST YOUR CHURCH ACTIVITIES & EVENTS Such As:
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Gò0dNews for Everyone
Lost And Found by Rhonda Lane
I
have no sense of direction. None. I point, I position,
My first remembrance of Father’s Day was of being
and I ponder trying to figure out the difference between
driven through the outer bands of Hurricane Agnes in 1972
North and South and East and West to no avail. I do have
on my way to Disney World. I was subsequently delivered
a sense of gravity, however, so at least I can tell up from
safely to the doors of a Mickey Mouse kingdom by the
down.
mercy of the Creator of a Heavenly Kingdom through the
My father was the complete opposite. A former telephone company lineman with an inborn sense of
hands of my prince on earth, my father. In the ways of the world and in reading people, he
direction who had traveled thousands of miles of city streets
was my own personal North Star. When life knocked me
and country roads for his job, his recipe for navigation was
off my path, or someone pushed me off, he was there to set me back in the right direction again, referencing the map he had gained from the school of hard knocks. No matter where we are in life, with or without an unfoldable map, we can count on GPS. I don’t mean the Global Positioning System: I mean God’s Positioning System. He is, after all, the One who drew the map of the universe. He is the One who wrote the directions to His own heart through His Holy Word. He knows where we are in life at any moment. He knows where our mind is even when it wanders. He knows where our heart is even when it moves far away from him.
simply to “follow your nose” with possibly the addition of
When we come to a crossroads and don’t know which
a free filling station map for long trips. (Once unfolded, that
way to go, God does. When our enemy pushes us off our
map could never be refolded properly again.) He was our
path, God can set us back on the right path. When we
family’s own personal OnStar. He never led us astray.
can’t fold our map back to the way it should be, God can.
Our shared mileage was accompanied by stories and
When God drives our lives, we never end up at the wrong
tales of his experiences in all the little nooks and crannies
destination. It will never be a Mickey Mouse kingdom but a
and wide places in the roads of Whitfield County and
Heavenly one.
Murray County, especially the beloved Murray County of his youth. I listened to his stories with interest and
Let God be your North Star. He will never lead you astray. With Him, you will always know up from down.
every letter of every word, every dot of every letter I and every cross of a letter T.
20 // June 2020
About The Author
reflection, but how I wish I had memorized every word, Rhonda Lane is a native of Dalton, Georgia, and is an orphaned, old maid, and only child trying to find her way in the world and lose herself in Jesus Christ.
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Gò0dNews for Life
God’s Glory
W
by Tammy Madden
hen I was a child, I remember playing outside.
I know this is a scary time for everyone, but God has
The best memories were running outside,
used it to bring families back to dinner tables together. He
playing tag or red rover, or counting cars. It was
has used it to bring people to Him, and the people who
a simpler time. We didn’t have cell phones or PlayStation
never knew Him are running to Him with open arms,
or even Nintendo. We only had three channels. But life was
saying, “Here I am, God; use me!” In my own home, we
simple. We connected. Kids rode bikes with no helmets,
have been struggling because my husband was laid off like
and we stayed outside with neighborhood kids until the
many other people, and we have had people bring us food,
street lights came on. There was no fear back then. Everyone
money, snacks, and many other things out of nowhere.
helped each other. When someone was sick or in the hospital, family and friends got together and brought food or helped them with whatever they needed. I have been saddened because my own daughter was never able to experience such a sweet life. So, when the coronavirus entered our country, I thought surely things in today’s world would only get worse. But I soon learned that once again, God had other plans. He knew before this horrible plague came what His plans already were. He had set things in motion that would surprise all of us. Genesis 50:20 says, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” I see this verse all over right now. As my husband and I pulled into the local park the other day to eat our lunch in
They just leave it on our porch and go. A friend at church
our car, we began to see how God was using this horrible
made us an amazing lasagna dinner one night with garlic
plague for HIS glory.
bread and all!
We saw a family of six get out of their car and lay a
What better way for God to say, “Look up; I am right
blanket on the ground for a picnic. Before they ate, they
here, waiting for you with open arms!” than to take a
all joined hands in prayer. What a beautiful sight! We
tragedy such as this and turn it around for His glory! So
saw a couple holding hands, just enjoying the beautiful
in this time of sickness and being scared, know that He is
weather, walking through the park, and talking. Talking
there. He is trying to show us we will be okay if we just let
and laughing. Not on their cell phones. We saw little kids
Him lead the way. Let Him be the one we turn to during
swinging on swings and playing tag and being kids. What a
this time, and when it’s all over, let us all remember how we
beautiful sight to see how God can take the worst scenario
spent this time with our families, and let’s continue to do
and make something beautiful out of it. As we drive through
this. Prayers to all.
ball, and not just children. Parents are out in the yard with their kids, laughing and playing.
22 // June 2020
About The Author
town these days, we see people cooking out and playing
My name is Tammy Madden. I am 52 years old and live in the beautiful foothills of North Georgia in Chatsworth. I am married for 35 wonderful years to my amazing husband, Gene and we have a beautiful 17 year old daughter named Megan.
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Gò0dNews for Teens
The Seniors Of 2020
24 // June 2020
gun violence unfolded in school after school. In their time, they have watched as we lost the amazing actor Paul Walker. We lost Robin Williams and the wonderful Billy Graham. They watched us lose Michael Jackson and never really even knew him. Yes, they have witnessed tragedy in their time. But this elite group of kids has also witnessed the good. In 2010, they were able to see the iPad come to life! They watched with the whole world as Prince William and Catherine Middleton married in 2011. They jumped in and joined the famous “ice bucket challenge” in 2014, and more people became aware of ALS. Theirs was the “EMOJI” generation! And they became the kids of TikTok. They dreamed big, and in September of 2019, they prepared for their biggest moment ever. They were seniors! They planned all year. Senior pictures. They planned a prom night. They ordered caps and gowns. Class rings. Invitations. They were ready to take on the world.
About The Author
B
efore they were born, they were a special bunch. They were born at a time when the world was mourning: mourning the loss of the twin towers. To them, it was just a memory in a history book because they will never remember when it happened. Most of them were still in their mama’s bellies when it happened. Then they entered kindergarten, and they were ready to take on the world. This class of 2020. They worked for 13 long years. They grew up listening to Casting Crowns and Newsboys. They are graduating with Lauren Daigle and Hillsong being the top Christian artists. They watched as America swore in the first black president. They have watched as Donald J. Trump took office. They watched the death of Osama Bin Laden take place. They were born into a world at war. They know many of our boys never came home, though I don’t think it rings true to them as to the “why” of it all. Theirs was a time that had to watch as
by Tammy Madden
But then their world came crashing down in one week. The coronavirus hit us. It hit hard. The president said it would be best if everything shut down to contain this horrible virus. No more planning for them. There would be no prom. No senior skip day. No valedictorian speeches. No walking across that stage to get their diploma. They will be remembered as the Quarantined Class of 2020. Yes, this is sad. These kids deserve so much more. The last 13 years have consisted of early mornings, homework, classwork, speeches in classes, gym classes, cheerleading, football playing, and basketball games, and in the end, they walk away with no recognition. These awesome kids deserve so much more. So, to all of the Class of 2020, let me just say, keep pushing on. Hold your heads high! Put God first, and the rest will come easy! He will guide you no matter where you go or what you do. Jeremiah 29:11 says, “‘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.’” He has already walked this walk before all of you; you got this. Be strong, Class of 2020: your day to shine will be here soon enough! You have a whole life ahead of you!
My name is Tammy Madden. I am 52 years old and live in the beautiful foothills of North Georgia in Chatsworth. I am married for 35 wonderful years to my amazing husband, Gene and we have a beautiful 17 year old daughter named Megan.
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by Michael Gunter
he Battlegrounds Games & Comics is Georgia’s
way back to the 1970s, in addition to all of the currently
LARGEST games and collectibles store. It was
released toys and action figures. We carry items representing
founded in 2012 and is locally owned and operated
vintage brands such as Star Wars, ThunderCats, Marvel/
by Michael Gunter and Jason Mathis.
DC Comics, G.I. Joe, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,
In 2012, we opened our doors to the public in Walnut
Transformers, and Masters of the Universe. No matter what
Square Mall and quickly grew to the business we are today.
your favorite franchise happens to be, Battlegrounds Games
Now located at 2708 Airport Rd in Dalton, Georgia, we
has you covered.
offer the largest selection of games, toys, comics, and other
One aspect of the Battlegrounds Games & Comics
collectibles of any other store in the Southeast United States!
that has always made this business special is our card and
The Battlegrounds Games & Comics carries a variety of gaming and pop culture collectibles. If you’re a gamer, we sell video games ranging from 1980s systems to modern consoles such as the PlayStation, Nintendo, and Xbox. Whether you want to play throwback titles like Super Mario Bros., Legend of Zelda, and Sonic the Hedgehog or hot modern titles such as Call of Duty and Animal Crossing, the Battlegrounds Games is THE place to shop! With over 5,000 square feet, the Battlegrounds Games has plenty of room for toys and collectibles dating all the
26 // June 2020
board game selection. Customers can shop a wide variety
encouraged customers to come in and play their favorite
of options, such as Magic: The Gathering, Pokémon, Yu-Gi-
games in our newly renovated gaming hall! Customers
Oh!, and many more. We have hundreds of different board
can meet other gamers with similar interests and play their
games available from a variety of publishers and difficulty
favorite games at their friendly local gaming store.
levels. The Battlegrounds Games & Comics also carries
For more information, you can call us at (706) 259-9704,
a wide variety of vintage comic books and sports cards!
visit our Facebook page at @The Battlegrounds Gaming, or
Our collection of hard-to-find comic books that are also
visit our website at www.battlegroundsgamesandcomics.com.
affordably priced will make a collector feel at ease.
Our doors are open Monday–Thursday from 12:00 p.m. to
We also buy collections from the public! We are always
9:00 p.m., Friday from 12:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., Saturday
paying cash for video games, comic books, toys, sports
from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., and Sunday from 12:00 p.m. to
cards, and other collectibles. Customers are welcome to
6:00 p.m. We look forward to seeing you soon!
simply bring in their collectibles for free appraisal and cashon-the-spot offers. And last but not least, we have always
goodnewscm.com // 27
Gò0dNews Business Spotlight Guarding Your Home and Work Environments Enviroguard Pest Solutions
“I
’m almost home, I’m passing the giant mouse,” is often said about Enviroguard Pest Solutions’ 12- foot-tall, 1,200-pound, fiberglass roadside attraction on I-75 Exit 345 in Ringgold, GA. Devotees of Geocaching know the coordinates of the Enviroguard colossal mouse as N34o 53.413 W 085o 04.147. Customers have come to trust the expertise and professionalism of Enviroguard’s full line of pest and termite control services from the company first in the area to earn the industry’s highest certifications of QualityPro and GreenPro awarded by National Pest Management Association. Enviroguard is a two-time winner of both the Better Business Bureau’s Marketplace Ethics Award and the Catoosa County Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year Award. As the area’s leading “green” pest control company, Enviroguard adheres to an environmental code of practices, establishing the company at the forefront of efforts to reduce pesticide application through the use of natural and preventive (pest exclusion) measures. Their popular termite baiting system, Sentricon®, earned the Presidential Green Chemistry award. A combined program of preventive solutions and the application of the latest technologies assure Enviroguard’s customers enjoy pest-free surroundings with minimum impact to the environment. Enviroguard updates include a state-of-the-art training facility with the latest technologies to ensure Enviroguard’s team of 20 pest management professionals have the most current education, training, and certifications. Locally owned and operated, Enviroguard’s skilled team members are likely your friends from church or neighbors, and Enviroguard’s growth adds to the economic impact of our region. Enviroguard’s specialized services are based on customer needs. Enviroguard recently added a new Disinfection, Sanitation, and Viricide (DSV) service. Homebuilders, restaurants, realtors, churches, offices, and business customers depend on DSV services to combat the spread of the COVID-19 infection in the greater North Georgia, Chattanooga, TN, and area communities Enviroguard serves. According to the owner, Lee Tubbs, “there is nothing more important to Enviroguard than the health, safety, and
28 // June 2020
protection of our employees and our customers who trust the effectiveness of our services.” Operations Manager, Jill Brindle agrees, “Our technicians wear comprehensive personal protective equipment including shoe covers, masks, respirators, protective coveralls, and gloves. Enviroguard’s Quality Assurance and Compliance Coordinator, Tory Faulknor, added, “In response to the pandemic, Enviroguard is now providing disinfectant and sanitization services for residential and commercial properties. Enviroguard’s professional treatment with a broad-spectrum disinfectant is proven to sanitize hard surfaces and key touchpoints. Enviroguard’s DSV team quickly sanitizes your home or workplace achieving maximum effectiveness and minimal downtime. Using an approved checklist, we ensure all contact surfaces are disinfected.” As a full-service pest control provider, Enviroguard protects residential and commercial customers from termites and the damage they cause with Sentricon® a system that works 24/7/365. With the wet, warmer weather, specialty services for fire ant and mosquito control are popular with pest control customers who also depend on Enviroguard to control a myriad of pests, including cockroaches, ants, and spiders. Other services include treatments for bed bugs, fleas and ticks, crawlspace encapsulation services, and other wood destroying organisms. In addition, Enviroguard’s wildlife management team, led by Jacob Kirby will quickly locate and safely remove wildlife that invades or threatens your home or business. Enviroguard’s website, egpest.com, offers pest “Facts and Tips, all authored by the owner, Lee Tubbs, who has 40+ years in the pest control industry and a bachelor’s degree combining entomology and business management. The complete history of the 50-year old mouse mascot and coloring pages are available on the website. Marketing Manager Brittiany Smith reminds customers, “While our competitors may have a cartoon mouse, we have the only MOUSE you can trust. Remember, happiness is a pest-free living and working environment!” Business Development Manager, Clay Simpson, also notes “Enviroguard offers prompt free estimates for all our services. Contact us at 706-965-9078.”
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Gò0dNews for Everyone
Pressing On
P
by Robert Leamon
hilippians 3:12-13 says, “Not as though I had
the preparation of the Gospel of peace. He also states in
already attained, either were already perfect: but I
verses 16-18, “and above all taking the shield of faith, so
follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which
that we can quench the fiery darts of the wicked. And
also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count
take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit
not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do,
which is the word of God: Praying always in all prayer and
forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching
supplication in the Spirit and watching with perseverance
forth unto those things which are before.” Paul makes it
and supplication for all saints.”
very clear here in these verses that he had not arrived but was still very much in the race of the Christian life: “forgetting those things which are behind,” whether it’s sin that might overwhelm and try to hold him back or even good things that might cause one to rest on their own accomplishments. Or it may be fear welling up inside of one’s heart, thinking they are not worthy to be or do whatever God is calling them to do. There are so many things to prevent one from living their lives to their fullest potential, but there is still hope, strength, and courage for the child of God. God gives everything we need to fight the good
There is a war (a fight), and if you are a child of God,
fight, to spread the Gospel, and to protect ourselves and
then you are in it, so stay focused, prayed up, studied up,
those who are weak. In Ephesians 6:10-18, Paul tells us to
and above everything else, remember that God is God and
put on His whole armor (not our own) so that we will be
we are not. Even though the war is won, the battle rages
able to stand against the wiles of the devil. He goes on to
on, so it is up to us to press on and trust that God is in the
say we are not fighting a physical war. We are fighting a
midst of it all, working everything out to the good of those
spiritual battle, and we need His strength and His armor
who love Him. Remember there is victory in Jesus Christ.
so that we can stand and fight against anything that comes the breastplate of righteousness, and our feet shod with
30 // June 2020
About The Author
against us. He tells us to have our loins girded with truth, Robert Leamon is a local martial artist of 38 years. During his career he has had the privilege of training with a variety of instructors versed in multiple styles of the martial arts. Robert, together with his wife Lisa, stepped out on faith and founded Christ Centered Martial Arts (CCMA) in 2008. He is the chief instructor of CCMA and they have a main dojo (karate school) located in Rocky Face, Georgia, and another dojo in Chatsworth, Georgia. Robert and Lisa are very involved with their home church Emmaus Baptist as well as teaching an AWANA’s elective karate class at a couple of other area churches. CCMA’s web address is www.ccmartialarts.com.
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Gò0dNews for Parents
A Season and A Reason
W
by Ashley McPhearson
hen my first child was born, I was overly
children’s cheerleader on their adventures. Moments
anxious for him to walk, talk, run, and
later after getting off the phone with my friend, God
play. When it came time for him to leave
quickly reminded me of when my son was 10 years
for college a hundred miles away, all my nights turned
of age, when the Holy Spirit spoke to me about no
to late nights worrying and crying, and my days were
longer making sure he was reading, praying, and
filled with migraines and being emotionally drained,
fasting. Then He showed me Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 and
especially when his housing was not ready when he
how everything has a time—there is always a reason in
arrived on the college campus. With me as his mother and his being my son, not just my son but my firstborn, I was already on the highway and did not have my shoes on. That evening with him, he said, “Mama, don’t worry. I’m at the school. Everything will be okay; God’s got me.” My train of thought was, “Okay, God has you, but it is Friday. I can come down and put you in a hotel until Monday or whenever.” At the time, I felt as though God was not moving fast enough and I could move quicker. If that was not bad enough, then my son called an hour later trying to make sure I did not get on the road and saying, “Mama, I’ve been thinking: I do
the timing—then to Proverbs 22:6: “Train up a child in
not want to keep my phone on. I will be writing you
the way he should go; even when he is old he will not
guys every day; the phone would only distract me,
depart from it.” I can honestly say that as I sit at my
and I need to focus.” In that moment, I could have just
kitchen table, I’m now at peace in my mind and heart.
died. The only prayer that came of out my mouth was
My son had his place, a job, and has found himself
yelling, Jesus! Over the last weeks and days, talking with a friend
a church that he attends regularly, all in a matter of days. It is not so much about supporting them in their success as it is being a much bigger cheerleader
would say was, “Don’t stress. You raised a good, nice,
for them while God is increasing what we as parents
mature young man. You have to support him.” To
planted and watered.
be honest, I was confused by the statement he had made; all I have ever done and am doing is being my
32 // June 2020
About The Author
of mine about the whole situation, the only thing he
Ashley McPhearson and her family have been in Cleveland for three years since moving from Chicago. She writes stories, plays, and blogs about Jesus Christ.
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Gò0dNews for Life
Seasons Come and Seasons Go
D
by Leslie Bennett
aylight hours are getting longer. Trees are
It isn’t possible to always live life in the season of the
beginning to turn green again. Flowers are budding
soul we choose. There are reasons for the deeper, darker,
as they get ready to bloom. The earth is bursting
colder seasons. We must take the time to look deep within
with new beginnings. Spring is here!
ourselves. We must reflect on the mistakes we have made,
However, there are seasons of the year and there are
the opportunities we have missed, the losses we have
seasons of the soul. The problem is, the outward seasons do
experienced, and the disappointments we have felt. We
not always match our inward seasons.
may feel frozen, trapped, buried under our circumstances.
The internal seasons go deeper into the depths of our soul. They are personal and interwoven into the human fabric of our being. We experience different stages of
It is during these seasons that we must be still and wait on the Lord. “Let us acknowledge the Lord; let us press on to
spiritual development. Although spring has arrived, you
acknowledge Him. As surely as the sun rises, He will
may still be stuck in a season of winter inwardly.
appear; He will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth” (Hosea 6:3). If you are still held in a season of winter, don’t rush it! Allow God to speak to you there. You have not been abandoned or forsaken. The Lord is preparing you for a new path ahead. Spring is just around the corner for you. There is hope! “The Son Is Shining” As the rain beats down on the dainty daisy, Its delicate petals bow low. After the rain when the sun starts to shine, The daisy lifts up its face all aglow. A Christian under a similar burden may fall When troubles and trials weigh him down. Yet when he feels the Son shining on him, He lifts up his face free of frown. —Leslie Nolen Bennett
34 // June 2020
About The Author
March 16, 1979
Leslie Bennett is a kindergarten assistant at Michigan Avenue School. She is a member of First Baptist Church and sings in the adult choir. She manages a blog at ohyesshedid.org.
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Gò0dNews for Everyone
Grow In Your Faith
T
by Karen D. Jeffery
he more you grow your faith, the stronger
We all have to work out our own salvation. This
your relationship with God will become. The
is where we put our faith into action. We have the
stronger your relationship is, the more in
opportunity to read the Word, pray, and sing praises
touch you will be with the one who will lead you to
unto God; this is where we draw our strength. Plus,
many wonderful places in your everyday Christian
being a part of a church will help lift our spirits. Keep
walk that you may never have imagined or dreamed
moving forward in your daily walk with the Lord;
you could do. This will become easier, and you will grow in wisdom. The great adventure will begin as you approach the Word of God with reverence, read the Scriptures, and intend to hear the voice of the Lord. He will speak to you through His Holy Word. Have you ever gone to the Lord in prayer with a broken heart, crying bitter tears and pouring out your soul to Him? By doing this, you learn to put your true trust in Him and Him alone. His compassion will provide you with the trust you need to grow in faith. Hebrews 11:1: “Now faith is the substance of
He will always be there to help guide you in the right direction.
things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
Philippians 2:12: “Wherefore, my beloved, as ye
We, as Christians, must have the desire to come to
have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but
obedience to the Lord.
now much more in my absence, work out your own
What is your current situation? Do you feel as though life is testing you? Has your faith grown weak,
salvation with fear and trembling.” Today you can proclaim the victory.
or do you feel you have failed the Heavenly Father? patience” (James 1:3).
36 // June 2020
About The Author
“Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh Karen D. Jeffery loves the Heavenly Father, her family, and her church. Keep looking up Jesus is coming soon.
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Gò0dNews for Everyone
Being A Concerned Christian
R
by Andrew Corbin
omans 9:1-3: “I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my
others say we need to love sinners just as much as Christ
conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy
loved us. Often, we just brush that notion off, but we really
Ghost, That I have great heaviness and continual
need to think about how much Jesus Christ really loved and
sorrow in my heart. For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh.” The Apostle Paul writes a few verses in Romans chapter 9 that Christians nowadays need to pay close attention to.
continues to love us. Paul says in verse 2 that he has great heaviness and continual sorrow in his heart. This is not to say that he went around sad all the time, but the amount of compassion he had for the lost made him be sorrowful. As Christians, we need to have enough love for the lost to be sorrowful for them, to shed tears on their behalf, and to never give up on them. (Psalm 126:5-6: “They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.”) If you want a harvest, there has to be water. If you want Spiritual fruit, there has to be tears. Paul goes on to say in verse 3 that if it would make a difference, he would die and go to Hell just so his brethren could be saved. Paul knew that his sacrifice couldn’t
One thing that I believe Christians in general have fallen
make a difference, but it goes to show how compassionate
short in doing is loving each other and the lost. For a church
he was for his lost family and friends.
body to be able to carry out the work that the Lord wants,
Let this be a reminder for us to ask the Lord to make our
the people inside the church must love one another. Love
hearts tender for our lost family and friends. If we are really
promotes unity, unity promotes liberty, and with liberty, we
concerned for the lost, we need to have the love that Paul
will be able to go out and reach the lost sinners out in the
has in this text. While we cannot save their souls, we can
world. Keep in mind what Jude has to say about love. (Jude
be a light and witness to them so maybe they will come to
1:22: “And of some have compassion, making a difference.”)
know Christ as their personal Savior.
The compassion we have for the world will make a Paul writes Romans 9 and gives us a prime example of the love we need to have as Christians. Many times, we hear
38 // June 2020
About The Author
difference when trying to reach them.
Andrew Corbin is an evangelist who preaches throughout the surrounding area of Northwest Georgia. He accepted God’s call to preach in April 2017. Andrew, his wife Amber, and son, Reed attend Grace Baptist Church in Dalton, GA.
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Gò0dNews for Everyone
Shaken While Waiting
W
by Nelson Haynes
eird. That’s the word people keep posting on
they have more time on their hands. Neighbors saying
Facebook and Instagram as they describe how
“Hi!” for the very first time as they pass each other walking
they feel during the Coronavirus pandemic.
around the same neighborhood they’ve lived in for years.
Can anything good come out of a bewildering
You and I won’t grow when we are comfortably numb.
experience? Listen to Geoff Gentry and Bryan Ye-Chung.
As John Eldridge said on Facebook Palm Sunday, April 5,
“It’s the weird things that wake us up to the world
2020, “When life is good and you’ve got your cupcakes, you
around us.
know, what do you need God for?” Stagnant people stink.
“It’s the weird things that open up new ways of seeing.
But Paul declares in 2 Corinthians 2:15, “Our lives are a
“It’s the weird things that reimagine the experience
Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. But this fragrance is
of healing. “It’s the weird things that disrupt our lives to bring us into God’s presence. “Weirdness is a tool of the Divine. As people of faith, our lives get weird before they become clear. Their prophetic words were published in 2019 in “All That Is Made.” Has God brought the world to its knees? That’s a legitimate question, with no intent of judgment by this writer. Regardless of your answer, the world has stopped, halting the educational, economic, entertainment, and religious worlds besides the medical environment. So what do we do during this eerie time? Wait it out? There are many things that happen to us that are far from chance. As Christians, we believe God is sovereign. Within that word is another word: reign. God is still on the throne despite how it feels down here on planet earth. He’s in control.
perceived differently by those who are being saved and by those who are perishing.” Paul’s referring to two types of people. The latter group
What God allows to happen in our world which gets
is the people who find the Gospel message nauseating. The
a person’s attention, causing him or her to sincerely seek
former are the folks who believe the Gospel is a pledge of a
Him for maybe the first time, is something we’ll never
glorious future.
comprehend this side of Heaven.
A lot of folks feel lost now and want a future. God offers
However, a lot of folks still want their normal back,
that. Some reject it. Some accept it. There is nothing weird
and when this is over and we look back at the crisis of the
about “Someone” throwing a life preserver to those who are
Coronavirus, will we see blessings or curses?
perishing. Take hold of Christ. There couldn’t be a better time!
there are blessings that are born out of adversity. Couples talking to each other like they never have before because
40 // June 2020
About The Author
There is the sad curse of death that the virus caused. But
Nelson Haynes lives in Ringgold, Georgia, with his wife and 2 Labrador Retrievers. Both of their daughters are grown. Check out his writer’s blog at www.nelsonhaynes500words.com for more meditations. He has a Masters in Christian Education from Dallas Theological Seminary and besides writing, his hobbies include riding his mountain bike; reading; movies; gardening ; painting and going on dates with his bride.
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Gò0dNews for your Taste Buds
Rocky Road Brownie Recipe by Pam Wattenbarger
T
his easy Rocky Road Brownie recipe is the perfect dessert for those lazy summer days. Because it begins with a boxed mix, there’s hardly any preparation time. Kids can help make the dessert by sprinkling the marshmallows, pecans, and chocolate chips over the brownies. If you need a gluten-free version of the recipe, simply substitute a gluten-free brownie mix.
Ingredients • 1 box (18.25 ounces) brownie mix • 2 eggs • 2/3 cup vegetable oil • 1/4 cup water • 3 cups miniature marshmallows • 1 cup toasted pecans, chopped • 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips
Instructions 1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. 2. In a large bowl, mix together brownie mix, eggs, vegetable oil, and water until blended. 3. Spray a 9-by-9-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Pour brownie mix into the dish. 4. Bake brownies for 18-22 minutes. Remove from oven. 5. Immediately sprinkle marshmallows onto brownies. Top with pecans and chocolate chips.
About The Author
6. Allow to cool completely and cut the brownies into squares.
42 // June 2020
Pam Wattenbarger is the author of “The New Southern Cookbook: Classic Family Recipes and Modern Twists on Old Favorites” and the upcoming “Southern Air Fryer Cookbook.” You can find more of her recipes on her website, Simply Southern Mom.
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Gò0dNews from the Physician’s Desk
D
After the Game
alton State men’s basketball team was up against Mississippi’s William Carey University in the last conference game of the season. “It was a huge game,” says Malik Pugh, recent Dalton State graduate. “Our goal for the season was 20 wins. We were determined that this game was going to be our team’s twentieth win.” “We were up and my teammate, Kingston Frazier, passed me the ball. Then I saw my opponent come up behind me, trying to block me. I went to dunk the ball, but as soon as I jumped up, it felt like blood rushed up to my knee.” Malik fell to the floor. Hamilton Sports Medicine’s head certified athletic trainer Sherman Howze rushed out onto the court. “Malik’s knee cap looked irregular,” says Sherman. “I suspected that he had ruptured his patellar tendon, but that’s an uncommon injury. I really hoped I was wrong.” Sherman called orthopedic surgeon Mitch Frix, MD, for assistance. Thankfully, even though it was a Saturday night, Dr. Frix was in the office. “I just wanted to get back in the game,” says Malik. “My adrenaline was rushing.” Unfortunately, when Dr. Frix examined Malik’s knee, he confirmed that he had ruptured his patellar tendon. Dr. Frix explained to Malik that the patellar tendon attaches the bottom of the kneecap (patella) to the top of the shinbone (tibia). When the patellar tendon is completely torn, the tendon becomes separated from the kneecap. He would not be going back in the game. The next day, Dr. Frix performed surgery to reattach Malik’s tendon. After the surgery, Malik underwent rehabilitation assistance through Sherman Howze and Hamilton Sports Medicine. After a lot of hard work, by August, Malik was back playing basketball and dunking the ball! “My coach (Alex Ireland) always said, don’t let basketball use you, use basketball. I think I have done that. I’m so thankful for everyone who helped me to not only become a better basketball player, but a better man. They made sure that my mind was focused on the next step–what comes after the game.”
44 // June 2020
Hamilton Medical Center has provided certified athletic trainers to local area schools and surrounding communities for over 20 years. Currently, Hamilton’s athletic trainers provide services to Dalton State College, Calhoun High School, Christian Heritage, Coahulla Creek High School, Dalton High School, Murray County High School, North Murray High School, Northwest Whitfield High School, and Southeast Whitfield High School. The staff at Hamilton Sports Medicine collaborate with physicians, nurses, physical therapists, emergency medical technicians (EMTs), and paramedics to provide injury prevention, emergency care, medical treatment, and rehabilitation services to student athletes. All of Hamilton’s athletic trainers have graduated from a four-year accredited college athletic training program, are board certified, and licensed by the state of Georgia.
Sports Medicine
Gò0dNews for Everyone
Every?
E
by Reagan Marsh
very hair? Numbered.
Every denial? Championed.
Every tear? Counted.
Every hope? Deferred.
Every day? Ordained.
Every race? Marked out.
Every saint? Represented.
Every saint? Chosen.
Every promise? Kept.
Every history? Written.
Every law? Satisfied. Every demand? Achieved. Every word? Accomplished.
Every decree? Unchallenged.
Every temptation? Repulsed.
Every circumstance? Subjected.
Every obedience? Perfected.
Every ruler? Appointed.
Every requirement? Fulfilled.
Every purpose? Certain.
Every son? Substituted.
Every pain? Measured.
Every judgment? Propitiated.
Every trial? Specified.
Every sorrow? Felt.
Every cell? Submissive.
Every agony? Known.
Every atom? Obedient.
Every sin? Carried.
Every detail? Designed.
Every shame? Experienced. Every penalty? Endured.
Every person? Represented.
Every drop? Required.
Every opportunity? Afforded. Every advantage? Present.
Every day? Foretold.
Every word? Required.
Every precaution? Useless. Every soldier? Gone.
Every suggestion? Believed.
Every gravecloth? Empty.
Every temptation? Embraced.
Every witness? Sure.
Every word? Disregarded.
Every record? Verified.
Every peace? Forfeited.
Every detail? Precious.
Every fellowship? Broken. Every man? Infected.
Every saint? Purchased.
Every soul? Estranged.
Every penitent? Forgiven.
Every one? Included.
Every son? Redeemed. Every believer? Justified.
Every situation? Worsened.
Every grace? Secured.
Every abomination? Celebrated.
Every guilt? Removed.
Every rebellion? Pursued.
Every blessing? Bestowed.
Every lawlessness? Paraded.
Every aid? Given.
Every desire? Perverse.
Every blood-bought? Sealed. Every warrior? Upheld.
46 // June 2020
Every counsel? Provided. Every adopted? Beloved. Every mercy? Sure. Every secret? Uncovered. Every motive? Unveiled. Every deed? Judged. Every obedience? Remembered. Every service? Rewarded. Every evil? Vindicated. Every glory? Beheld. Every knee? Bowed. Every tongue? Confessed. Every beauty? Radiant. Every attribute? Displayed. Every perfection? Majestic. Every shadow? Dispelled. Every saint? Perfected. Every brother? Welcomed. Every tear? Wiped. Every praise? Expressed. Every fellowship? Restored. Every longing? Fulfilled. These are our comforts. About The Author
Every providence? Governed.
Reagan Marsh is husband to Kara, daddy to RG & AG, and founding pastor-teacher to Reformation Baptist Church. An SBTS graduate, biblical counselor, and Th.D student in Puritan Studies, he has served in gospel ministry since 1998.
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W
Writer Guidelines:
e believe when people are equipped,
Who: Our writers range from pastors, professors, and
motivated, and passionately engaged in
professional writers to stay at home moms and dads,
living out their faith in Jesus Christ they
business professionals, and others who have a desire to
have the potential to be world changers. Our mission is to bring people into a dynamic
relationship with Jesus Christ—a relationship that empowers them to see how God can work through individual personalities, situations, and talents. Christ was an activist, he did not neglect the needs of the people as He brought His message. We strive to encourage everyone to look more like Christ by reaching outside of themselves to serve the needs of others—at home, at school, in communities, and across the world.
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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
Garbage In, Garbage Out
D
by Jenice Saint
o you remember the children’s song, “Oh be careful
lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or
little eyes what you see”? And another verse that
praiseworthy—think about such things.” What a contrast
went, “Oh be careful little ears what you hear”?
this verse presents us to what the world offers us! Let’s turn
You’ve probably heard the term, “Garbage in, garbage out.”
this around to, “Treasures In, Treasures Out.” It’s never too
To illustrate, if you put incorrect data into a computer
late to start filling your mind with good things, things that
program, you will not obtain the desired results. If you
please God. Put His Treasures in your mind: read His Word,
don’t put the correct ingredients in a cooking recipe, you
and listen to music and teachings that uplift Him. Then
won’t end up with a flavorful dish. If you put diesel fuel in
we can expect Treasures Out: peace of mind, a lack of fear,
a gasoline engine, it’s going to shut down. Similarly, if we
wholesome desires, good attitudes, compassion for others,
don’t guard what we are putting into our mind, we can’t
and a desire to serve God.
expect a good outcome. It really does matter what we watch on TV, which magazines we read, what we look at on the Internet, which songs we listen to, etc. Have you ever watched a horror movie late at night and then had trouble going to sleep? Or maybe the movie even gave you nightmares? How many unfortunate and sad stories have we heard about someone who started looking at things on the Internet that they knew in their heart they shouldn’t look at? Some even later resulted in being arrested for Internet crimes, losing their marriage, family, and career. When we allow our mind to receive garbage in, it’s going to eventually result in garbage out. The garbage out might be
William James, an American philosopher, once said, “If
in the form of fear (because we watched a horror movie),
you can change your mind, you can change your life.” Let
or unhealthy desires (because we viewed pictures on the
us purpose to reduce the unhealthy input into our mind,
Internet that are unwholesome), or foul language (because
and resolve to try to accommodate godly influence into our
we listened to songs that contained words we shouldn’t be
thoughts so that God has an avenue through His Holy Spirit
hearing). Over time, we can become desensitized to things
to change our lives for the better, for His glory.
that are not pleasing to God, and they can begin to consume Philippians 4:8 directs us, “…whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is
50 // June 2020
About The Author
our thoughts and our desires.
Jenice Saint is a graduate of Lee University. She sings on the praise team at Grace Community Church in Cleveland, Tennessee.
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