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.
Driven by a passion to educate, inform and prepare future retirees, Mr. Hughes founded Hughes Retirement Group in 2007. His main interest is helping his clients in reducing their taxes.
ach year, from October 15 to December 7, Medicare beneficiaries across the United States enter a crucial window known as the Annual Election Period (AEP). This seven-week period is a vital opportunity for individuals to reassess their healthcare coverage, make informed decisions, and ensure their plan aligns with their evolving medical needs and financial situation. You will receive your ANOCS (Annual Notice of Changes) if you are presently on an Advantage or Rx plan. Please make sure you review them to see if any changes need to occur during the AEP.
What Is the Annual Election Period?
The Annual Election Period allows Medicare beneficiaries to make changes to their coverage for the upcoming year. These changes take effect on January 1 of the following year. During AEP, individuals can:
• Switch from Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) to a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan.
• Move from a Medicare Advantage plan back to Original Medicare.
• Change from one Medicare Advantage plan to another.
• Enroll, switch, or drop a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan.
This flexibility is essential because Medicare plans can change annually. Reviewing your plan during AEP ensures you’re not caught off guard by unexpected changes in January.
Why Reviewing Your Plan Matters
Many beneficiaries assume that if their plan worked well this year, it will continue to do so next year. Insurance companies routinely update their plans, which can affect:
• Monthly premiums.
• Deductibles and copayments.
• Drug formularies (the list of covered medications).
• Provider networks (which doctors and hospitals are covered).
Failing to review your plan could mean paying more out-ofpocket, losing access to preferred providers, or discovering that a critical medication is no longer covered.
How to Make Smart Choices During AEP
Navigating Medicare options can feel overwhelming, but a few key steps can simplify the process:
1. Assess Your Current Health Needs - Consider any new diagnoses, ongoing treatments, or anticipated procedures. Your coverage should reflect your current and future medical needs.
2. Review Your Prescription Medications - Use Medicare’s Plan Finder tool to compare Part D plans and ensure your medications are still covered affordably.
3. Check Provider Networks - If you’re considering a Medicare Advantage plan, confirm that your doctors and specialists are in-network.
4. Compare Costs - Look beyond premiums. Evaluate deductibles, copays, and out-of-pocket maximums to get a full picture of your potential expenses.
5. Seek Help If Needed - Multiple mailings or phone calls received can be overwhelming and can also put you in a bad situation. Put yourself at ease and deal with a broker you can sit down with, so they can explain all of the upcoming changes. Call or text the Medicare Coach at Hughes Retirement group 423-664-4203 or visit our website www.hughesretirementgroup.com to set an appointment. We have been in the business for over 20 years, and you can trust that we will do what is right for you.
If you don’t make changes during AEP, your current plan will typically renew automatically. However, you may be stuck with a plan that no longer meets your needs. Outside of AEP, changes are only allowed during Special Enrollment Periods (SEPs) triggered by specific life events, such as:
• Moving to a new coverage area
• Losing other health insurance
• Qualifying for a 5-star Medicare Advantage or Part D plan Final Thoughts
The Annual Election Period is your once-a-year opportunity to take control of your Medicare coverage. It’s worth taking the time to review your options. By being proactive during AEP, you can avoid costly surprises and ensure your coverage supports your health and financial well-being in the year ahead.
GOD heart soul might you shall love with all your
heart soul mind strength
by Kristen West
This is one of my favorite seasons of the year to walk outside! I love the crisp morning air, the beautiful color of the leaves, and the opportunity to start donning my long-sleeve attire again.
And, the other morning I did just that.
After suiting up in my warm workout clothes, I set out for a refreshing walk. It was perfect…until they showed up.
Two large dogs, owned by one of our neighbors, raced to the very edge of their shock line barking and growling as fiercely as they could when they saw me approaching. I internally braced myself as I knew I would have to walk within mere feet of their ferocious faces to continue on my path.
Nothing in me enjoyed this process. To be honest, at the very sound of their initial deep bark, every fiber in my being was screaming to turn around and go back. Fight or flight mode kicked in and sent my feelings into orbit.
In that moment, I had an intentional choice to make –run away or keep walking. I chose to keep moving forward this time (but, in complete honesty, that hasn’t always been the case).
Choosing to continue, though, didn’t alleviate the feelings of fear, concern, or dread. My natural eyes could
see plainly that there was nothing preventing those two ginormous dogs from busting through their shock line and tearing me to shreds.
It was one of those tangible faith over fear moments. Choosing to trust God over my feelings was intentional. It was a conscious, deliberate choice.
It parallels the choices we get to make every day as we step into the spiritual arena with the enemy of our souls.
Like those snarling dogs, the devil makes a lot of noise. He taunts, yells, and accuses in a purposefully intimidating fashion and, if we’re not careful, we’ll wind up overwhelmed in all of our emotions exchanging our faith for fear.
God’s given us armor (see the full list in Ephesians 6:11-16) to help us take our stand against the devil’s boisterous rants.
“…take the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one” (Ephesians 6:16 HCSB).
Faith helps us move forward when we feel afraid. Faith encourages us to put one foot in front of the other when we feel paralyzed. Faith calls us to keep walking.
Is the enemy yelling so loud right now you can feel his breath? I pray that God would strengthen you to make that intentional, conscious choice to grab your shield, step through those feelings of fear by faith, and walk forward in the confidence that God is always with you.
“Do not fear, for I am with you; don’t be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with My righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10 HCSB).
by Charles Finney
Today we gather to consider a timely message: Be a Pumpkin for Jesus. As the autumn season turns the leaves to gold and the air grows crisp, we see pumpkins adorning our homes, our gardens, and our tables. This symbol of harvest and abundance can serve as a powerful metaphor for our walk with Christ. Just as a pumpkin is harvested, carved, and filled with light to shine forth, so too are we called by Jesus to be lights in a dark world.
Pumpkins are planted and nurtured until they reach their full potential. They do not choose the moment of their harvest; the farmer does. Likewise, God has chosen us for His purpose. In John 15:16 KJV, Jesus reminds us: “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain.” Like the pumpkin that is harvested at the right time, God has ordained each of us to be His vessels, and to bear the fruit of righteousness and holiness. Cleansed and Made New
Once a pumpkin is harvested, it must be cleansed and prepared. The flesh inside is scooped out, leaving the pumpkin empty and ready to be transformed. This is a picture of what Christ does in the heart of every believer. In 2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV, we are told: “Therefore if any
man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
The cleansing is a process of sanctification, and it begins with repentance. When we come to Christ, we confess our sins and ask for His forgiveness. He is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9 KJV). This cleansing prepares us to be vessels of honor, fit for the Master's use (2 Timothy 2:21 KJV). As the pumpkin is prepared for its transformation, we too must be prepared for the work God has for us.
Carved for God's Glory
After the pumpkin is cleansed, it is carved into a beautiful design, often with a face or a pattern that allows the light to shine through. Likewise, God carves us according to His perfect design. In Isaiah 64:8 KJV, we read: “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.” God shapes us, molds us, and carves us so that we might reflect His image and allow His light to shine through.
Finally, a light is placed inside, and it shines brightly for all to see. This is the most important part of being a pumpkin for Jesus: being filled with the light of Christ. Jesus Himself declared in John 8:12 KJV, “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” When we follow Jesus, we are filled with His light, and that light shines in the darkness, bringing hope, peace, and salvation to a world in need.
As we embrace the message of being a pumpkin for Jesus, let us remember that we are chosen by God, cleansed by His grace, carved according to His purpose, and filled with the light of Christ. Just as the pumpkin shines in the night, we also must shine as beacons of hope in a world that desperately needs the light of Christ.
6
6
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 6TH 6PM
Kacee Bradford - North Georgia National Bank
Drew Bragg - Whitfield County Schools - Northwest HS
Dr. Spencer Bragg - Dogwood Veterinary Medical Center
Laura Kate Brown - Whitfield County Schools - Beaverdale ES
Jason Burgin - Re/Max Select Realty
Alex Cleary - Engineered Floors
Mavis Dolliver - The Northwest GA Community Foundation
Tanya Duncan - Builtwell Bank
Dr. John Fuchko - Dalton State College
Joshua Hughes - Best Buy Metals
Isabel Lopez - Georgia United Credit Union
William McDaniel - Dalton Utilities
Jay Motley - Ford of Dalton
Alpha Ouedraogo - Shaw Industries
Darren Pierce - Whitfield County Sheriff's Department
Niki Rann - Whitfield County Schools - Tunnel Hill ES
Jordan Robinson - Vitruvian Health
Christina Smith - First National Community Bank
Aaron Ward - Chick Fil A (W. Walnut & Glenwood Ave)
Ben Ward - North Georgia Toyota
Laura Wood - Mohawk Industries
The text goes on to say that someone who lives on milk is an infant and doesn’t have the maturity to do what is right. Solid food, it says, is for the mature who are trained and skilled to know right from wrong. Wise. Therefore, the admonition is “Grow up!” “Act your age.” “Listen!” Behave as mature individuals, opening the word of truth to others.
That doesn’t mean we become dull.
Rather, I find the older my age and spiritual maturity, I feel an internal energy and joy. Sometimes, I must pull back. My internal age and my external abilities don’t always correspond.
However, Scripture reminds me in Psalm 92:13–14a NKJV, “Those who are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall bear fruit in old age; they shall be fresh and flourishing.”
Recently, I related to a saying on a T-Shirt that said, “I don’t know how to behave because I’ve never been this old before!”
How true that is!
When I turned 16, my Grandpa said in his broken English, “Ah! You’ll never see it again!”
“Grandpa!” I exclaimed, a bit offended. But he was right. I’ve never seen 16 again or how I may have behaved at that age.
That is why I have learned to trust God when He says in Psalm 16:11, “You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
I pray the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:20) permeates my spirit and my behavior so that no matter the number of birthdays, the joy of the Lord will always infuse my behavior, acting the age of His joy! Selah.
by Karen Jeffery
Our model of acceptance is Jesus, who, though we were still sinners, died for us. On earth, He reached out to tax collectors, lepers, beggars, and many others the world deemed unacceptable. As Christians, we are also called to do the same, accepting the poor, homeless, handicapped, elderly, prisoners, and addicts into the life-changing body of Christ.
It’s great to have wonderful, beloved believers as friends. Can God really accept you, even after all you’ve done? Sure He will! That’s a simple thing. All you must do is ask Jesus to forgive you from all your sins, and He is just to forgive you. 1 John 1:9 KJV says, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
This verse is one we have heard many times in our lives: John 3:16 KJV. It says, “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.”
Romans 10:9 KJV says, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine
heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”
How dependent are you upon God? Stop and really think about it for a moment. As Christians, we like to think that we rely fully on Him, and on Sunday mornings we might even—with all sincerity—sing hymns and songs that express our dependence on Him.
What is your first reaction when a problem arises? Do you worry and fret, find your own solution, or go from friend to friend seeking advice? Are you fearful about the future or quick to complain about your circumstances? While fear is a natural response and there’s nothing wrong with seeking wise counsel, when we do these things to the exclusion of pursuing God first (Matthew 6:33), it’s usually an indicator that we’re struggling to trust the Lord. Thankfully, we can grow in dependence on Him, but the path that leads there may be surprising. We arrive where God wants us to be, not by trying harder, but by learning to know the Lord more fully through His Word.
Lamentations 3:22–23 NASB, one of my favorite passages, says, “The Lord’s lovingkindnesses indeed never
cease, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.” It might have seemed to them as if the Lord had abandoned them, but Peter assured them this was not the case and told those who were suffering to “entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right” (1 Peter 4:19 ESV).
One of the means God uses to teach us dependence is the experience of difficulty and suffering. We can be quite self-sufficient until a trial hits. Then we turn to the only one who can help—Almighty God. Although we might not understand what He is doing, when we look back, we’ll be able to see how He guided us through and strengthened us to endure.
Believe He saved you. This isn’t something you deserved or earned. It was a gift of God’s grace through faith. He not only fulfilled every Old Testament prophecy predicting the coming of the Savior, but also, in the New Testament, explained exactly how to be saved. Then He made sure that you heard the Gospel and gave you this promise: “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31 NIV). When you trust that this is true and receive Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord, now you are secure as a child of God, and He will never leave you.
As stated before, 1 John 1:9 KJV says, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” This promise regarding restoration of fellowship with God is for every believer. It is based not on a feeling, but on the faithfulness of God.
“For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6 NASB). You weren’t saved by good works, and you can’t maintain your salvation by them, either. The one who keeps you is the Lord God, and He promises you will one day stand before Him in heaven, blameless and fully conformed to the image of His Son. Every believer has staked his or her eternal future on the trustworthiness of Almighty God. If He isn’t faithful, the entire Christian life is impoverished, and we are without hope.
But God is faithful. He holds our lives in His hands and gives us the strength to endure difficult circumstances with hope, joy, and gratitude.
I just love the Word of God for the wisdom we receive from it.
We sell gently used and new furniture, building supplies, and appliances at a fraction of the retail price.
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.
ReStore Hours Donation Information Tuesday 10am - 4pm contact@habitatdwm.org Thursday 10am - 4pm (706) 272-3336 ext 2 Friday 10am - 4pm Saturday 10am - 2pm
Since 1990, the team at Chatsworth Ford has excellently provided new and used cars, parts and service, and community involvement while striving for even more. Terry Kidd, dealer, explains, “We want to give those in Chatsworth and others we serve in north Georgia and southeastern Tennessee an enjoyable and positive experience every time you come to visit us, whether it's to buy or service your vehicle. We take great pride in it, and demonstrate it by offering the highest levels of care and customer service.”
RPM: Reliability, Performance, More
Whether it is north Georgia or southeastern Tennessee, this team is ready to serve you. Dealer Terry Kidd, continues, “All of our customers return to Chatsworth Ford time and time again because we provide customers with top-notch service. From service and parts to sales and finance, customers can look to the Chatsworth Ford team for high-quality, modern service, while providing you with new and used cars and trucks, along with parts and service. At Chatsworth Ford, we strive for much more. We want to give those in Chatsworth and others we serve in the north Georgia and southeastern Tennessee area an enjoyable and
positive experience every time you come to visit us, whether it's to buy or service your vehicle.”
Chatsworth Ford aligns their products and services with your family’s needs in mind.
“Last December, we installed a new rapid charge station,” explains Kidd. “Come by and check out how this service can get you on the road quicker than ever if your EV needs rapid charging.”
Head into the dealership or go to their website, www.chatsworthford.com, for all kinds of accessories for your truck, like the fiberglass-reinforced bed extender, or keep everything exactly where it should be with the F-150® bed divider. Come see how Ford accessories can help outfit your vehicle for work and fun.
It doesn't matter if you enjoy a good DIY project or you want the technicians at Chatsworth Ford to handle repairs; having the right parts for the job is key to your success. When you visit the parts team, you'll not only find a wide selection of products for your car, truck, or SUV, but you'll know with certainty that they're designed to fit your exact model.
If you're ready to see for yourself the difference Ford-approved parts can make in your vehicle, contact Chatsworth Ford today to get started. You can order your parts through the website order form on www.chatsworthford.com, or by visiting Chatsworth Ford, or by a quick phone call. Kidd assures, “We are invested in you and your vehicle, and we'll help you stay the course until your next service appointment.
“Our team at Chatsworth Ford believes that our commitment to you doesn't end when you drive home in a new Ford model. We know that your car, truck, or SUV needs routine maintenance and repairs, and that's why we have a team of technicians who are ready to offer you quality care for your vehicle. Not all independent shops function the same way; which is why it's essential to bring it to a team that knows your model inside and out.” What Ford Services Are Provided at Chatsworth Ford?
Does your F-150, Explorer, Ranger, Bronco Sport, or Edge need an oil change? Have you discovered that your brakes are becoming too worn? Has your car been acting strange? Whatever the reason for your service visit, this team is ready to give you the highest level of care possible. When you visit Chatsworth Ford, you can get the highquality care that you deserve, so you can enjoy your drive for as long as possible.
The best part about using the dealership service center is that they make it easy to get your vehicle the service it needs. The top-notch customer service standards mean they will fix your vehicle correctly, do it quickly, and strive to make it convenient for your busy schedule. Use the online service scheduling form to pick the day and time that works for you, and they’ll do their best to accommodate your schedule. Reach out online, or stop by and get your vehicle into the Chatsworth Ford service center for maintenance soon.
Buyers can look to this team of in-house finance experts for assistance. From auto loans to leasing deals and finance packages, Chatsworth Ford finance specialists are ready to help buyers figure out a finance option that meets buyers' needs. Kidd points out, “Our goal is to keep things simple and convenient. Whether you're looking to buy, trade in, or get your vehicle repaired, the Chatsworth Ford team is ready to help!”
With Chatsworth Ford, the goal to “strive for more” doesn’t stop at the showroom. This team is active in supporting and improving the community as well.
Kidd explains, “In July 2025, we got the privilege of supporting the creation of a new parking lot and a 2-mile connector that equestrians can utilize to access more than 27 miles of trails throughout Fort Mountain State Park. Located just off Bunker Road, we recommend taking a look! This also opens up bike trails for the bike enthusiasts.”
In February 2025, District Teacher of the Year Ruby McCracken, at Bagley Middle School, received a dividend for all her hard work and dedication. Kidd shares, “It was an honor for us to be able to support our education system and provide a new Ford vehicle to our local Teacher of the Year. Congrats, Mrs. McCracken, and happy driving!”
Want to know even more about Chatsworth Ford? Plan your visit!
See www.chatsworthford.com for sales, maintenance, and contact information. It's easy to shop online, but it's even easier to get to know this team in person. Kidd invites you to come by: “We’re always eager to answer questions from prospective shoppers, so feel free to visit us anytime!”
Come join the Chatsworth Ford family at your convenience.
by Filip Brunner
Iam a child of God, bought back from the market place of sin by the blood of Christ and presented to God the Father as blameless, holy, righteous.
I once was dead but now I am alive through the power of His resurrection. I was blind to the truth of the power of sin that dwells within my heart but now I see that the grace and mercy of Jesus is greater.
“I have reached sinless perfection! I am free to do everything my Jesus demands of me. Together we will storm the gates of hell and…” …come to a screeching halt.
The one law is after the flesh, our carnal nature. The other law is spiritual.
When writing to the church of Galatia, Paul puts it this way:
“…Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?”
(Galatians 3:2b, 3 KJV).
Yes, we should want to do the will of God. In order to do so we need not be ignorant that we are in a spiritual war, that we are being pulled in two diametrically opposing directions. You see, we are saved from sin, but until we get to heaven we are still in the presence of sin and our old sinful nature has not been fully eradicated. The prophet Isaiah dealt with much the same.
Because we realize with the Apostle Paul that:
“For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would, I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do”
(Romans 7:18,19 KJV).
A lot of times Jesus wants me to do His will, but my will gets in the way.
Paul goes on to say that in wanting to solve the dilemma, there are two types of law that war within him.
Isaiah experienced a mode of operation in which he first saw the vacancy left by a good king. Instead of making a big deal about the death of King Uzziah, the Bible majors instead on the holiness and presence of the Lord. When in the presence of the Holiness of God, King Uzziah fades into the background and Isaiah sees himself as:
“Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts” (Isaiah 6:5 KJV).
Isaiah saw himself as he truly was in light of God’s holiness. It was not until his cleansing by a live coal from the altar that God was able to use Isaiah. The same is true of Paul and of us. Amen.
by Garrett Nudd
Over the last couple of years, I have spent a lot of time reflecting and talking with God. I work in marketing, communications, and philanthropy for one of the largest faith-based health care systems in the world. Even though I don’t serve on the front lines providing life-saving medical care, I frequently get to see patients and talk with people when they are experiencing— or at least recovering from—some of the most challenging situations anyone could experience.
I’ve heard stories first-hand from people who are wounded and broken physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Prior to that, for ten years I traveled around the country—and many times around the world—as a professional photographer documenting weddings on the weekends and creating family and high school senior portraits during the week. Most of our wedding work required us to travel, but when we weren’t traveling, we served a discerning local portrait clientele out of our storefront studio in beautiful Chattanooga, Tennessee.
If you point your camera at enough people, it doesn’t take long to discover some pretty significant and surprising insecurities. Over the years I’ve learned a sad and unfortunate truth. Most people view themselves as less than. Less than they are. Less than others see them. And less than God designed them to be.
During my reflection, I realized the less than perception we often have of ourselves is contrary to everything God stands for and every promise He’s ever made. If only we could see ourselves through His eyes. If only we could see why He loves us
and how He loves us, I think everything would change, especially how we feel about ourselves.
My life is fairly ordinary. But as I’ve reflected, I’ve discovered countless times when God has shown up in the simplest moments and revealed Himself as MORE THAN.
I’m not a biblical scholar and I don’t know all the finer details about Jesus’s life like I should, but I do know enough to know Jesus spent His life proving to people that they were MORE THAN, not less than.
The woman at the well, Mary, Martha, and Lazarus, the twelve disciples. These weren’t community leaders, philanthropists, philosophers, or professors. They didn’t eat at nice restaurants surrounded by art galleries and European-looking coffee shops and dessert cafes. They were commoners, fishermen, and farmers. Maybe even a little rough around the edges.
Yet, Jesus made it clear that they were MORE THAN, not less than. Jesus didn’t spend His time with community leaders and CEOs. He didn’t hang out with politicians and bankers. He didn’t socialize with school superintendents and society’s elite. It wasn’t because He didn’t like them. Maybe it was because the higher we get the noisier it is. And I don’t think Jesus cared too much for noise.
David spent his time on the hillside, just himself and his father’s sheep, and David was called a man after God’s own heart. “Be still and know that I am God,” we read in Psalm 40:10. Be still and know. Be still, avoid the noise, and know. Be still and experience MORE THAN.
• 4 large sweet potatoes
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
• 1/2 cup cooked ham bits
• 1/2 cup cooked bacon bits
• Salt to taste
• Optional toppings: sour cream, green onions
1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil for easy cleanup.
2. Prepare the Sweet Potatoes: Wash and scrub the sweet potatoes thoroughly. Pat them dry with a paper towel. Pierce each sweet potato several times with a fork to allow steam to escape during baking.
3. Bake the Sweet Potatoes: Place the sweet potatoes on the prepared baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 45-60 minutes, or until they are tender when pierced with a fork. The exact baking time will depend on the size of the sweet potatoes.
4. Prepare the Toppings:
• While the sweet potatoes are baking, prepare the toppings.
• In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar and ground cinnamon.
• Cook the ham bits and bacon bits if they aren’t pre-cooked. You can sauté them in a pan over medium heat until crispy.
• Chop the pecans or walnuts if not already chopped.
5. Assemble the Loaded Sweet Potatoes:
• Once the sweet potatoes are done baking, remove them from the oven and let them cool slightly.
• Carefully cut a slit down the center of each sweet potato and gently squeeze the ends to open them up.
• Place 1 tablespoon of butter inside each sweet potato, allowing it to melt and seep into the flesh.
6. Add the Sweetness: Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of the brown sugar and cinnamon mixture over the buttered sweet potato flesh. Use a fork to gently mix the melted butter and sugar into the sweet potato.
7. Add the Crunch and Protein:
• Sprinkle the chopped nuts evenly over the sweet potatoes.
• Add the ham bits and bacon bits on top of the nuts, distributing them evenly across the sweet potatoes.
8. Final Touches: Add a pinch of salt to taste. If desired, add a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of green onions for an extra burst of flavor and color.
9. Serve and Enjoy: Serve the loaded sweet potatoes immediately while they are warm. They make a fantastic side dish or even a main course if you want a hearty and satisfying meal.
• Customization: Feel free to customize the toppings based on your preferences. You can add shredded cheese, marshmallows, or even a drizzle of maple syrup for extra sweetness.
• Make Ahead: You can bake the sweet potatoes ahead of time and reheat them before adding the toppings. This can save you time, especially on busy days.
• Healthy Variation: For a healthier version, you can reduce the amount of brown sugar and use turkey bacon or omit the ham and bacon altogether.
These loaded sweet potatoes are a delightful blend of sweet and savory flavors, perfect for a comforting meal or a special side dish. Enjoy the rich taste and the crunchy texture in every bite!
by Judy Hood
God gave us the Holy Spirit like an engagement ring.
Now, we can sing, For there will be eternal life, Once He comes and takes us for His bride. And, this is no empty hope. He’ll bless us with everything we want. We’ll only want those eternal things. Things you can’t buy, things you can’t bring. This life is for the pure, Nothing else could endure. He’s getting ready now to fly, To meet us in that bright blue sky. Are you ready now to go? Are your garments white as snow?
He’s gonna take us to that celestial city. If you’re not ready, it will be a pity!
by Madelynn Chapman
You can’t quench a soul-deep thirst with a teaspoon of tradition. I didn’t fully understand that until I stood in a dusty classroom in Africa, filled with the overflowing presence of God.
I spent the last week of July in Zimbabwe on a mission trip. I originally thought I was being called to go to Africa to make a change there. As I stayed through my short time, I realized God needed them to make a change in me. I had been assigned to teach a primary school a Bible story of my choice. Since I had just finished teaching at a Vacation Bible School back home, I decided to make it simple and talk about something I had just gone over: Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4. I didn’t realize that I was lacking the very same Living Water that I was teaching about.
In America, I went to a small southern church. I had been saved since I was 16, but for some reason, I kept thirsting for more. It felt as though I was desperately reaching out for the Lord, and I was almost always met with my grasping hand hitting a barrier. I had total faith in the Lord, but I still felt a drought in my soul that I couldn’t explain.
Before I went to Africa, I was drinking from that Samaritan well. Of course, I studied the Gospel on my own and had a frequent prayer life, but I still felt so stuck. Every Sunday, I would go to church and sway in worship for the Lord. I would clasp my hands together and sing to the Lord, but I would stay cautious not to sing too loud. It didn’t feel like fear at the moment, but it was an unwritten rule not to be too bold in worship. Why do we as Christians have such a hard time worshiping with a living worship? In 2 Samuel 6:14, it says, “David danced before the Lord with all his might.” Why do Christians judge other Christians for doing the same thing?
During the time I spent in Africa, I encountered a type of praise I had never seen before. This worship was free from judgment and engulfed in encouragement. When the voices
started singing, people started gathering in dance. There was clapping, yelling, drumming, and thudding of our feet against the ground as we jumped in worship. This was on a Sunday morning, in a small classroom with no floor and a tattered ceiling. We worshiped and danced so freely that the ground beneath us shook, and the roof could not contain our voices. The worship felt alive with the music, and the feeling of God's love surrounded us all. In that moment, I found what I had been missing: the fearlessness of the Holy Spirit. As we joined each other in praise, I took a look at my own life. I realized that I was putting up barriers against the Holy Spirit, even if I didn’t realize it before.
I thought that we were the ones God provided for in America. We have lights, instruments, speakers, and even a floor. But where there was a lack of material items in Africa, God provided His Holy Spirit instead.
I thank God for sending me to Zimbabwe. Not just so I could serve, but so I could be changed. I don’t want to go back to cautious, quiet faith. I pray the kind of worship from Africa will follow me back to America.
You cannot give a dead worship through Living Water.
by Thomas Morrison
Eating more whole plant foods is one of the best ways to improve your health. We have been encouraged to eat “5 A Day” in the form of fruit and vegetables and to “eat the rainbow” to get a variety of different colored whole foods into our diet each day and week. But now there is a new healthy eating goal in town. Have you heard of it? It’s eating 30 different plant foods a week!
While “5 A Day” is a great start to a healthier diet—it totally ignores the emerging science over the last couple decades on the importance of the microbiome and the trillions of microbes living in our gut. They are not just passengers riding in our bodies, but are absolutely vital to helping us thrive and be the healthiest humans possible. But you need to take care of them! And what they need to flourish are the many different kinds of fiber and prebiotics that make it down to them from plant foods.
This was shown most recently in 2018, when the American Gut Project collected stool samples from over 11,000 people from 45 countries to investigate the complex relationships between health, diet, and lifestyle. Among the many interesting findings from this study was the result that participants who ate 30 (or more) different types of plant foods per week had gut microbiomes that were more diverse than those who ate 10 or fewer types of plants per week.
Dr. Will Bulsiewicz, a gastroenterologist, and New York Times bestselling author of Fiber Fueled and the Fiber Fueled Cookbook, explains that every single plant has a unique blend of
fiber and prebiotics which feed the unique dietary preferences of the various good bacteria. The more types of plants you consume, the more you provide food for a diverse species of microbes, which literally empowers them to enhance your overall health and do things like: (a) Improve your immunity and resilience to infection; (b) strengthen your gut barrier, preventing things like “leaky gut;” (c) enhance production of neurotransmitters to improve gut / brain communication and enhance your mood; (d) produce and help increase the absorption of key vitamins and minerals, and so much more!
Dr. Bulsiewicz uses the acronym F- GOALS to help us get more diversity into our daily and weekly diets. Each letter in the acronym stands for a category of plant food with unique, health promoting compounds. In line with the American Gut Project’s findings, Dr. Bulsiewicz advises people to count the number of plant foods they eat each day, with a goal of trying to get 30 different varieties of plants across the F-GOAL categories each week.
Here is what they stand for:
F = Fruit (all varieties) and Fermented foods like sauerkraut, kimchi, kombucha, etc.
G = Greens (like lettuce, kale, spinach, collards) and Grains like wheat, rice, oats, barley, millet
O = Omega 3 Seeds and Nuts like flax, hemp, chia, and walnuts
A = Aromatics like onion and garlic
L = Legumes like black beans, lentils, peas, chickpeas, kidney beans
S = Sulforaphanes like broccoli, kale, cabbage, arugula
Increase Diversity. Make it Fun!
Trying to eat 30 different plant foods a week may sound like a lot, but Dr. Bulsiewicz recommends “gamifying” the process to eliminate some of the overwhelm. “Assign plant points where every new plant is one point,” he says. “Then try putting a sheet of paper on the refrigerator and keeping track of how many plant points you get at every meal. And play against your family members or your kids!” A little healthy competition to get the whole family excited about healthy eating? Sounds good to me!
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
Hopewell Baptist Church Cohutta 810 Baldwin Rd, 30710
706-280-8286
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
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
First Church of the Nazarene 2325 Chattanooga Rd, 30720 706-278-8428
Grace Church of the Nazarene 1111 Nelson St, 30721 706-278-1171
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
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
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
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
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
Smyrna Gospel Tabernacle
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
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
Hispanic Adventist Church of Chatsworth 706-264-4299
88 North Park Drive
Chatsworth, GA 30705
John Norman, MD
Specializing In:
Arthroscopic Surgery; Joint Replacements of the Knee and Hip; Surgical & Nonsurgical Treatment of General Orthopedic Conditions, Sports Related Injuries & Pediatric Injuries
Jim Lashley, MD
Fellowship Trained in Orthopedic
Spine Surgery
Specializing In:
Surgical & Nonsurgical Treatment of Injuries to the Back, Neck & Spine; Surgical & Nonsurgical Treatment of General Orthopedic Conditions & Sports Related Injuries
Mitch Frix, MD
Fellowship Trained in Sports Medicine & Arthroscopic Surgery
Specializing In:
Arthroscopic Surgery;
Joint Replacements of the Shoulder & Knee; Surgical & Nonsurgical Treatment of Sports Related Injuries
Nick Reed, MD
Fellowship Trained in Sports Medicine & Arthroscopic Surgery
Specializing In:
Arthroscopic Surgery of the Hip, Knee, & Shoulder
Joint Replacements of the Shoulder
Surgical & Nonsurgical Treatment of Sports Related Injuries
Mike Wilson, MD
Specializing In:
Arthroscopic Surgery;
Joint Replacements of the Knee and Hip; Surgical & Nonsurgical Treatment of General Orthopedic Conditions & Sports Related Injuries
D.J. Goss, DO
Fellowship Trained in Orthopedic Foot & Ankle Surgery
Specializing In:
Arthroscopic Surgery of the Foot & Ankle; Joint Replacements of the Foot & Ankle; Surgical & Nonsurgical Treatment of Sports Related Injuries of the Foot & Ankle
