September 2022

Carol Gruver, MD, FACC

Board-Certified Non-Invasive Cardiologist

Dalton: 706.226.3434 Catoosa: 706.841.0833

Y. Grant Kim, MD, MPH, FACC

Board-Certified Interventional and Structural Cardiologist

Dalton: 706.226.3434 Catoosa: 706.841.0833

Ji Hyun Lee, MD, FACC

Board-Certified Non-Invasive Cardiologist Dalton: 706.226.3434 Catoosa: 706.841.0833

George Leef, MD, FACC

Board-Certified Non-Invasive Cardiologist Dalton: 706.226.3434

Richard Morrison, MD

Board-Certified Cardiovascular Surgeon Chattanooga: 423.498.3570 Catoosa: 706.841.0833

Gary

Dalton: 706.226.3434

Stephen

Hector Dourron,

Board-Certified Vascular

Dalton: 706.259.3336 Chatsworth: 706.686.8090

Michael Hartley,

Board-Certified

Dalton:

Visit HamiltonHealth.com/heart

Board-Certified

Hamilton Medical Center

Memorial

Dalton, GA 30720 706.272.6000

Noah Jentzen, MD

Scott Hill, MD

Nathan Schatzman, MD

Rajiv Verma, MD,

Electrophysiologist

Jim Stewart, MD, FACC

Ezad N. Ahmad,

About Us

WRITERS

Abdiel Medina

Dr. Andrew Lee

Brent Goodge

Cheryl L. Dunson

Danette Reeves

Danny Hesterly

David Huff

Donald Cantrell

Dorothy Teague

Greg Grotewold

Judy Hood

Karen Jeffery

Kristen West

Linetta Cain

Monica Gambrell

Pam Wattenbarger

Reagan Marsh Sandra Gilmore

Shelley Knick Susan Lavigne

SALES

Shane Franks 706-270-2410

Email: dalton.goodnews@gmail.com

DESIGN

Caleb Prytherch

Email: art.goodnews@gmail.com

PHOTOGRAPHER

Paula Knipp 423-310-4207

FACEBOOK

GoodNews Dalton

DISTRIBUTION

5000 Monthly

EDITOR/ARTICLE COORDINATOR

Jodi Varnado

Email: articles.goodnews@gmail.com

PUBLISHER

Matthew and Bethany Ruckman

Cell: 423-503-1410

E-mail: goodnewstn@gmail.com

OFFICE

423-790-5378

WEBSITE goodnewscm.com issuu.com/goodnewsdalton

Hello Friends,

We want to take a moment to tell you who we are and what we are about. Our names are Matt and Bethany Ruckman and we have six beautiful children, Brendon, Kailey, Andrew, Leah Jean, Emma, and Cooper. We live in Cleveland, Tennessee, and love what this town has to offer! We have started GoodNews Christian Magazine because we feel that when God, family, and community are combined, lives will be changed.

GoodNews Christian Magazine is a complimentary, Christian lifestyle publication. You can find us throughout the community in retail establishments, churches, restaurants, and more. Our magazine opens the door for Christians to work together to grow and strengthen our community through relevant editorial and effective advertising.

GoodNews Christian Magazine is written by men and women in the community who love and serve the Lord. Our hearts are open and willing to be used by God to reach out to the community to spread the GoodNews!

Disclaimer

All of the content in the GoodNews Christian Magazine is for general information and/or use. Such contents does not constitute advice and should not be relied upon in making (or refraining from making) a decision. Any specific advice or replies to queries in any part of the magazine is the personal opinion of such experts/consultants/persons and is not subscribed to by GoodNews Christian Magazine. The information in GoodNews Christian Magazine is provided on an “AS IS” basis, and all warranties, expressed or implied of any kind, regarding any matter pertaining to any information, advice or replies are disclaimed and excluded. We reserve the right to refuse any advertisement or article we deem inappropriate.

GoodNews from the Pastor’s Desk

6 We Don’t Talk About Bruno (or Melchisedec!) by Rev. Reagan Marsh

GoodNews for Kids

8 More-ish by Danny Hesterly

GoodNews Money Matters

10 “ABOUT THAT ONE MILLION DOLLARS...” by Dr. Andrew Lee

GoodNews for Men

12 Rest by David Huff

GoodNews for Women

14 Worship 24/7 by Kristen West

GoodNews for Everyone

18 Is Obedience Necessary? by Danette Reeves

GoodNews for Everyone

20 A Good Word by Dorothy Teague

GoodNews for Life

22 God’s Story by Linetta Cain

GoodNews for Parents

24 From Tents to Tweens by Donald Cantrell

GoodNews Cover Story

26 AJ Lopez Roofing and Remodel: From Roof Installations to Roof Maintenance, We’ve Got You Covered!

GoodNews for Everyone

28 Be Sober by Brent Goodge

GoodNews for Students

30 Courage to Write by Abdiel Medina

GoodNews for Everyone

32 Disappointed by Karen Jeffery

GoodNews for Everyone

34 Pleasures Forevermore by Greg Grotewold

GoodNews for Everyone

36 Walking With Molly: Part 3 by Shelley Knick

GoodNews for Everyone

38 Who’s Watching? by Monica Gambrell

GoodNews for Everyone

40 Enjoying Our Differences by Susan Lavigne

GoodNews for your Taste Buds

42 Apple Streusel Cake by Pam Wattenbarger

GoodNews Poetry

44 Thinking Of Me and You by Judy Hood

GoodNews for Everyone

46 A Family-tree Hugger by Sandra Gilmore

GoodNews for Everyone

50 Here Today. Gone Tomorrow. by Cheryl L. Dunson

the Pastor’s

We Don’t Talk About Bruno (or Melchisedec!)

by Rev. Reagan Marsh

As a pastor for nearly 25 years, I often receive thoughtprovoking questions about the Bible. Here’s an interesting one—I hope it’ll be helpful for you!

Q: How are we supposed to think about Melchisedec? He’s pretty difficult to understand.

A: The recent film Encanto has a catchy tune: “We don’t talk about Bruno, no, no…” It seems that’s also how we treat certain people in Scripture—Melchisedec among them! Some think he’s Jesus making a brief OT appearance (theologians call these “Christophanies,” lit. “Christ-sightings”); others aren’t so sure. But Scripture gives answers!

Genesis 14:18-20 shows he’s a priest and king (v. 18):

1. The plain description of him as a man, v. 18; “he,” v. 19; “he…him,” v. 20 (Hebrews 7:4 names him “this man”).

2. The geographical location of his home: “Salem,” v. 18. Christophanies don’t typically mention a home or “roots” (see, for example, Joshua 5:13ff).

3. The physical nature of Melchisedec bringing out food, v. 18.

4. The genuine concern for Abram’s well-being, v. 20: “God…has delivered your enemies into your hand.” Melchisedec is a man like us. This isn’t a Christophany, but there are strong pointers to Jesus:

1. Eternality (v. 18). Melchisedec just appears on the scene unannounced. Hebrews 7:3 explains this, showing how his entering the scene with no introduction (simply Moses using a literary device) points to the Eternal One.

2. Communion with God (v. 18). It’s no mistake that bread and wine are used: a man justified by faith alone (James 2:23) enters God’s presence through God’s priest. This priest embodies God’s righteousness (Hebrews 7:2) brought near to him (incarnation!) This certainly points us to the Lord’s Supper, and ultimately to the end of the age, when Christians “will be forever with the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 4:17).

3. Worship (v. 19). Abram receives God’s blessing from him—while Melchisedec leads in God’s worship (vv. 19b-20).

4. Special revelation (vv. 19b-20). God’s word reveals God’s character in his attributes (v. 19b) and mighty acts (v. 20).

So, Scripture presents Melchisedec as a “type” (that is, a foreshadowing, or pointing-forward-to) of Christ. Hebrews 7 speaks of Jesus as being better than Melchisedec, arising in his likeness, and having a superior priesthood. If Jesus is better than himself, in his own image, and improves on his prior ministry, then there’s contradiction and change in the unchangeable God…and that’s impossible (Malachi 3:6; Hebrews 13:8). Further, Hebrews 7 records that Melchisedec died (v. 23). Take that to its local end: if Melchisedec is the preincarnate Christ, then Jesus died twice, Hebrews 7:24-25 is utterly false, and “your faith is futile” (1 Corinthians 15:17).

It’s a fascinating question to work out biblically, but wellworth our consideration—because Jesus, the only Son of God, has indeed come for sinners like Melchisedec, and Abram… and you and me. He showed by his life, death, and resurrection that he is the Eternal One who alone can forgive sin, bring fellowship with God the Father, and make us true worshippers by his Word and Spirit. “Types” like Melchisedec point us forward to the day when “we shall see him as he is” (1 John 3:2), “face to face” (1 Corinthians 13:12), forever. That’s the best news I’ve ever heard!

We might not talk about Bruno…but we should talk about Melchisedec, because he helps us talk about Jesus. Feel free to send in your questions at reformationdalton.com, and I’ll do my best to answer them biblically! Grace to you.

Reagan Marsh is husband to Kara, daddy to RG and AG, and founding Pastor-Teacher to Reformation Baptist Church. A biblical counselor and Th.D. student in Puritan Studies, he has served in gospel ministry since 1998. Learn more at reformationdalton.com.

About The Author

More-ish

by Danny Hesterly

This may not seem all that impressive to a 10-yearold, but I’ve been married for 6,570 days. I’ve known people who have been married 3 times that number (I know, I’ll stop with the math but if you want to get some practice in, what is 6,570 x 3 =?).

One of the best things about being married to Erin is getting to be a part of her family.

Quick story: When I was growing up in Southern Illinois, my mom and dad would tell me, my brother, and my sister that when we all grew up, they would

grandkids, but it’s nice to have Erin’s family close by— especially because Mimi (Erin’s mom) makes some of the best desserts in Ringgold, GA (some might even say the world).

Have you ever had a piece of chocolate pie or a snickerdoodle cookie or an apple turnover, where when you finish the late bite, you’re going for more? It happens to me every time. Every dessert Mimi makes is from scratch (never from a box) and is full of love, which makes it out-of-this-world-yummy. We always say her desserts have a “more-ish” taste.

In Psalm 34:8 it says, “Taste and see that the LORD is good! How blessed is the person who trusts in him!”

We see in the passage that God is good. Just like my Mimi’s desserts have a “moreish” taste, you can never get enough of God’s goodness in your life. Now, we don’t taste God in the same way we eat food, that’s just funny. But we do experience His blessings every day in our lives. Think about it, when do you experience the goodness of God?

sell everything and move to Korea. My mom is from Seoul, South Korea, and hasn’t been home in a long time. My parents said this ALL the time. I never thought they’d actually do it. When I was twenty-nine, they sold everything and moved to Korea! They actually did it. I’m so happy my mom is reunited with her family and my dad gets to eat all the good Korean food all the time. Done with the quick story.

When my parents moved to Korea, Erin’s parents became an important part of my life. I still talk with my parents over video calls and they get to talk with their

How about a wake-up hug, or when you eat lunch with a friend, or get a high five on the playground? How about when you do something wrong and you ask God to forgive you? God’s goodness is all around you all the time.

So, the next time you have a cookie and you think to yourself, “I could eat another one!” think about how much better the goodness of God is in your life. I promise you’ll never get enough of the “more-ish” blessings He has for you.

Danny Hesterly lives in Chattanooga, TN where he spends most of his days in coffee shops helping others discover their part in God’s amazing story. Danny has two children (12, 10) and has been married to his lovely bride for 17 years.

About The Author

“ABOUT THAT ONE MILLION DOLLARS...”

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.

In Frank Capra’s classic Christmas film, It’s a Wonderful Life, young George Bailey walks up to the soda counter in the drug store, pulls the handle on the whatchamacallit, and exclaims, “I wish I had a million dollars!” When the lighter ignites, he shouts, “Hot dog!” In 1946, one million dollars seemed like an enormous sum. But one million of those 1946 dollars would be worth about $66,000 today, all because of that dreaded word that’s all over the financial news this year: inflation. Inflation isn’t just what Uncle Bob’s waistline experiences after Thanksgiving dinner. Rising costs mean that our money buys less with each passing year, especially when the reported inflation rate has reached 9.1 % as of summer 2022.

Yet, the idea of accumulating a retirement nest egg of one million dollars continues to tantalize us as being the “magic number,” while also discouraging many who view that magic number as out of reach and unrealistic. What would a one-million-dollar nest egg look like today, in terms of sustaining someone’s retirement? Let’s start with the “4% Rule.” This is a phrase coined by Bill Bengen around 1994; Bengen used decades of historical data to conclude that investors could withdraw 4% of their nest egg every year during retirement and never run out of money, assuming that the nest egg is invested in fifty percent stocks and fifty percent bonds. Taking into account historical periods such as bear markets, recessions, and pandemics, the 4% withdrawal rate should ensure that you don’t outlive your money in retirement. Granted, there are those who feel differently, arguing for a 3% withdrawal rate (let’s call them “Negative Nancy”) or a 5%-6% withdrawal rate (“Optimistic Oscar”), but for illustration purposes, let’s use the wellknown 4% Rule.

Withdrawing 4% of your one million dollars means you’re living on $40,000 per year, or $3,333 per month. But don’t forget about taxes: if your retirement account was tax-deferred like a 401(k) account, you’ll be taxed on each withdrawal during retirement. So that $3,333 income per month is really looking more like $3,000 (or less) per month. Suddenly that one-million-dollar nest egg is providing less income per month than you were likely bringing home while working (shucks)! The good news, however, is that you should be getting something from Social Security, perhaps between $1,000-$2500 per month, and your monthly expenses might well be lower during retirement, if for instance, you have paid off your home mortgage by the time you retire. The 4% Rule adjusts for inflation each year, so if inflation is 3% during your second year of retirement, you’d withdraw $41,200 that following year, and so on. Hitting that milestone of $1 million isn’t impossible: by investing only $200 per month in the stock markets from age 25-65, you’d have $1 million at retirement (at a historical 10% rate of return each year).

So, George Bailey’s one million dollar wish in 1946 would be worth only $66,000 in today’s buying power. But conversely, you’d need $15 million in 2022 to have the equivalent buying power of $1 million in 1946. What would the 4% Rule look like on a nest egg of fifteen million dollars? You’d be withdrawing $600,000 per year, or $50,000 per month (and that’s not including any Social Security check). But don’t forget about paying income taxes at the current top rate of 37% (ouch). After taxes of $18,500 per month, you’d be forced to scrape by on a paltry $31,500 per month. Still, that’s a lot of Grey Poupon mustard. So make a plan now. “He who is noble plans noble things, and on noble things he stands” (Isaiah 32:8).

Rest

by David Huff

In this world today, we are taught at a very early age that if you want anything in life, you have to work to get it. While this is true in many instances, there is also a trap in this saying. For many people this translates to I must work every hour that I can so that I can have a better life. In the process of working yourself into the ground, you neglect rest and many times, a proper diet. The more you work, the more stress that piles up on you. The more that you begin to stress, the less you receive proper rest.

I was tired, I was restless, and I was hurting. I was hurting because it was my family that paid the price. I was hurting because I no longer had enough time to get quiet before God and listen to His direction. Matthew 11:28-30, “Come to me all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. All of you take up my yoke and learn from Me because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for yourselves. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

The word yoke is a device that was connected over two animals to hold them together and keep them in pace while plowing. A yoke was heavy and sturdy so that it could not be broken. It would tire you out to try and carry it. A heavy yoke could be compared to the worlds demands upon us to have the American Dream.

Sooner or later, you’ll realize you are just going through the motions of everyday life without truly realizing that your mind and body are paying a heavy toll for it. Your spiritual life and family take a back seat to the pressures of staying caught up with the Joneses. For me, this scenario is all too familiar. I got so busy doing the very things that I thought would make my life easier. I said when I get this or that or when I reach this plateau, I will stop and slow down. The truth is with each “this or that” and “plateau” that I reached I set new goals.

Jesus, however, says carry my yoke for it is lighter and easier. The world’s demands will tire us out, not just physically but spiritually as well. When we take the time to rest in Jesus’ arms, we receive a refreshing that gives us the strength to walk though this world. Romans tells us to renew our minds so that we can discern what is good. The only way we can renew our mind is in the rest that comes from Jesus. When we take time to be with Him and to make Him first, we find a rest that no sleep or vacation can give us.

My name is David Huff, and I am married to Brittany and together we have five wonderful kids. We attend Rock Bridge Community Church Calhoun where I serve on the prayer team, host team, and production. I am also a senior at Liberty University.

About The Author

During the month of September, we are offering our Tuesday and Thursday Farm Tours to both lodging and non-lodging guests! This is the FIRST TIME EVER that the general public has been offered the opportunity to participate in our most popular farm experience. These tours will be offered at 3PM and 4:30PM on both days and you will have the option to add camel and/or pony rides to your tour which already includes entry into our petting zoo. Space is limited so register early through our website.

Worship 24/7

by Kristen West

There I was, sitting in the extremely cushy spa chair. A very sweet lady kindly worked away on my pedicure while I completely relaxed and sunk into this moment of self-care. As I flipped through the color book trying to decide on which shade of pink polish to get, I worshipped. (Perhaps you’re scratching your head and thinking, “Wait…what??”) The truth is, we don’t tend to equate getting our nails done as an act of worship, do we?

For most, the word worship evokes thoughts of church attendance and singing hymns or praise songs to God. And while both of those things are absolutely true, I would challenge us to go even deeper than that. By relegating worship to just a Sunday morning experience, we really limit our application of what God intends true worship to be.

The simple dictionary definition of worship is “to show reverence and adoration for God.” As Christfollowers, don’t we do that just by being alive? Aren’t our transformed lives an expression of worship every minute of every day? Romans 12:1 says it this way, “…I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy

and pleasing to God; this is your true worship” (HCSB). Elsewhere, the Scriptures say, “…whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31, ESV).

Whatever you do…sitting at the park during a lunchbreak = worship. Playing with your kids = worship.

Enjoying some date time with your spouse = worship. Spending quality time with great friends = worship. Walking next door to meet the new neighbors = worship. Taking some time for self-care = worship. Sleeping at night = worship. See the pattern? Everything—every breath, word, and action—is worship because, as Christ-followers, we are saying or doing those things to ultimately glorify God! We are living, breathing vessels that have come alive by the Spirit of God. Our lives are now on display as an unbroken act of worship (Ephesians 2:1-10)!

Sometimes, in religious circles especially, we can get derailed thinking worship is a special act or work. That we need to have a certain feeling or be in a specific posture. Not true. Jesus gave us an incredible example to follow. He modeled a life of worship for us—every minute of His day was poured out as a living sacrifice in reverence and adoration to His Father. Whether He was having dinner at a stranger’s house, speaking to thousands from a hilltop, attending a wedding, or hanging out at the beach with His friends, His life was worship 24/7. He was worshipping just by being alive! So. Are. You.

Kristen West works at Rock Bridge Community Church with a heart for staff leadership, development, and care. She is a communicator with a passion to inspire, encourage, and challenge others in their daily walk with Christ. She writes and publishes weekly content on her blog at kristen-west.com.

About The Author

Dalton Church Directory

Assembly of God

Christian Fellowship Assembly

3656 Chattanooga Road, 30755 706-280-7594

The Sanctuary 515 Reed Rd NW, 30720 706-270-2088

The Healing Center Church 515 Reed Road, 30720 706-229-9456

Baptist

Abundant Life Baptist Church 811 J and J, 30721 706-278-5289

Antioch Baptist Church 1205 Antioch Road, 30720 706-278-1305

Beaverdale Baptist Church 2496 Beaverdale Rd NW, 30721 706-259-7089

Calvary Baptist Church 2115 Chatsworth Rd, 30721 706-278-6324

Carolyn Baptist Church 2305 Cleveland Highway, 30721 706-259-8142

Centerpoint Baptist Church 420 Centerpoint Drive SE, 30721 706-277-2100

Christ Reformed Baptist Church 1378 Dug Gap Rd, 30720 706-226-3026

Concord Baptist Church 1054 Hopewell Rd, Cohutta 30710 706-694-8618

Cove Baptist Fellowship Church 461 Carbondale Rd SW, 30721 706-277-3484

Crown View Baptist Church 502 West Tyler St, 30720 706-278-7422

Deep Springs Baptist Church 1660 Beaverdale Rd NE, 30721 706-259-3255

Dug Gap Baptist Church 2031 Dug Gap Rd, 30720 706-278-2377

Eastbrook Baptist Church 204 Hill Rd, 30720

Eastside Baptist Church 913 East Morris St, 30721 706-278-8553

Eleventh Avenue Baptist Church 2550 South Dalton Bypass, 30722 706-278-7020

Emmaus Baptist Church 4268 S. Dixie Rd, 30735 706-483-5251

First Baptist Church 802 Kenner St, 30721 706-226-9681

First Baptist Church of Dalton 311 North Thornton Ave, 30720 706-278-2911

Grace Baptist Church 2049 Lower Kings Bridge Rd, 30721 706-537-6884

Good Hope Baptist Church 2525 Lake Francis Rd, 30721 706-259-3719

Grove Level Baptist Church 2802 Cleveland Highway, 30721 706-259-8519

Good Samaritan Baptist Church 3137 Cleveland Rd, 30721 706-259-7239

Gospelway Baptist Church 336 Jupiter Cir, 30721 706-278-1424

Grace Baptist Church 2049 Lower Kings Bridge Rd, 30721 706-537-6884

Harmony Baptist Church 187 Lower Dawnville Rd, 30721 706-226-5521

Harvest Baptist Church 3986 Cleveland Hwy, 30721 706-694-8951

Hill Crest Baptist Church 1901 Cityview St, 30720 706-279-1267

Hopewell Baptist Church 3527 Airport Rd, 30721 706-226-5987

Kinsey Drive Baptist Church 2626 Kinsey Drive,30720 706-277-3505

Lakeshore Park Baptist Church 12 Crescent St, 30720 706-275-6050

Liberty Baptist Church 506 South Pentz St, 30720 706-226-5535

Lindsey Memorial Baptist 706-673-7650

3503 Lindsey Memorial Rd. Rocky Face, Ga. 30740

Macedonia Baptist Church 1355 Dawnville Rd NE, 30721 706-259-9220

Maple Grove Baptist Church 347 Maple Grove Rd, 30721 706-483-6300

McFarland Hill Baptist Church 307 Brickyard Rd, 30721 706-277-5521

Mount Rachel Baptist Church 332 Haig Mill Lake Rd, 30720 706-278-5192

Mount Ridge Baptist Church 1401 M L King, Jr. Blvd, 30721 706-278-0335

New Hope Baptist Church 900 Roan St, 30721 706-226-2093

New Hope Baptist Church 706-673-8050

2105 Tunnel Hill-Varnell Road Tunnel Hill, GA 30755

New Life Baptist Church 2620 Old Grade Rd, 30721

Northwest Georgia Baptist Church 222 North Pentz St, 30720 706-463-3490

Olivia Baptist Church 1817 Guy St, 30720 706-278-3507

Pine Grove Baptist Church 4004 Airport Road, 30721 706-264-8630

Poplar Springs Baptist Church 897 Poplar Springs Rd, 30720 706-259-8727

Reformation Baptist Church 244 N. Hamilton St, 30720 706-314-8711

Rocky Face Baptist Church

1544 Rocky Face Railroad St, 30740 706- 226-5751

Salem Baptist Church 1448 Pleasant Grove Dr, 30721 706-259-7045

South Dalton Baptist Church 498 Lakemont Drive, 30720 706-278-4946

Shiloh Baptist Church 2014 East Waugh St, 30721 706-226-5981

Temple Baptist Church 2310 South Dixie Hwy, 30720 706-226-6785

Valley Baptist Church 2907 Old Rome, 30720

Welcome Hill Baptist Church 2772 E Welcome Hill Circle, 30721 706-278-0368

Whitfield Baptist Church 2134 Dug Gap Rd, 30721 706-278-6776

Bible

Fellowship Bible Church 2044 Dug Gap Rd, 30720 706-278-6269

Catholic

Saint Joseph’s Catholic Church 968 Haig Mill Lake Rd, 30720 706-278-3107

Christian

First Christian Church 1506 Dug Gap Rd, 30720 706-278-7244

Church of Christ

Central Church of Christ 515 N. Tibbs Rd, 30720 706-278-8051

Riverbend Church of Christ 2218 S Riverbend Rd, 30721 706-226-0819

Church of God

Church of God of Union Assembly 2311 South Dixie Rd, 30720 706-275-0510

City View Church of God 3688 Chatsworth Hwy, 30721 706-226-6686

Crosspointe 2681 Underwood Street 30721 706-278-2649

Lifegate Church 2744 Cleveland Highway, 30721 706-259-0016

Valley Brook Church of God 1474 Mineral Springs Rd, 30720 706-279-3296

Community

Church on the Hill 1035 Abutment Rd, 30721 706-278-9208

Community Fellowship Church 409 North Fredrick St, 30721 706-278-3204

Freedom Community Church 908 Elk Street, 30720 706-463-2690

Rock Bridge Community Church 121 W Crawford St, 30720 Episcopal

Saint Mark’s Episcopal Church 901 West Emory St, 30720 706-278-8857

Latter-day Saints

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 610 Shugart Rd, 30720 706-278-5295

Lutheran

Christ the King Lutheran Church

623 S Thornton Ave, 30720 706-278-3979

Methodist

Bethel AME Church

620 Spring Street, 30720 706-226-2714

Bethel UMC 123 Bethel Church Rd, 30721 706-278-3309

Dalton First UMC 500 South Thornton Ave, 30720 706-278-8494

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

901 Chester Road, 30721 706-270-9733

Bridging the Gap Ministries

514 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, 30721 706-277-7575

Relentless Worship Center

879 College Dr, 30720 Conference Room 3 706-313-1129

Cornerstone Family Church 1240 Dawnville Rd, 30721 706-259-8509

Dalton House Of Prayer 897 College Dr, Conference Rm 3, 30720 706-915-6545

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

Pentecostal

Iglesia de Dios Pentecostal Fuente de Agua Viva 1007 Underwood St, 30721 706-278-4963

La Senda Antigua

308 East Matilda St, 30720 706-270-8826

True Gospel Pentecostal Church 109 South Henderson St, 30721 706-278-5696

Shadow Ridge Worship Center 122 Wheat Drive Varnell, GA 30721 706-280-4546

Presbyterian ChristChurch Presbyterian 510 South Tibbs Rd, 30720 706-529-2911

First Presbyterian Church 101 S. Selvidge St, 30720 706-278-8161

Grace Presbyterian Church 2107 Threadmill Rd, 30720 706-226-6344

Salvationalist

Salvation Army 1109 N. Thornton Ave, 30722 706-278-3966

Seventh Day Adventist

3 Angels Hispanic SDA 701 E Morris St, 30721 706-618-1182

Dalton Hispanic SDA 112 W Long St, 30720 706-275-0523

Dalton SDA Church 300 South Tibbs Rd, 30720 706-226-2166

Chatsworth Church Directory

Baptist

Blue Ridge Primitive Baptist Church 706-517-9849

134 Hyden Tyler Road Chatsworth, GA 30705 US

Calvary Baptist Church 706-695-7747

Highway 225 North Chatsworth, GA 30705 US

Center Hill Baptist Church 706-695-7988

65 Berry Bennett Road Chatsworth, GA 30705 US

Cisco Baptist Church 706-695-9270

Highway 411 North Chatsworth, GA 30705 US

Cool Springs Baptist Church 706-517-5388

Holly Creek Cool Chatsworth, GA 30705 US

Fellowship Baptist Church 706-695-2626

4396 Highway 52 Chatsworth, GA 30705 US

First Baptist Church 706-695-2112

121 West Market Street Chatsworth, GA 30705 US

Flat Branch Baptist Church 706-695-2663

3443 Highway 286 Chatsworth, GA 30705 US

Free Hope Baptist Church 706-695-3717

4176 Highway 76 Chatsworth, GA 30705 US

Holly Creek Baptist Church 706-695-8522

422 Holly Creek Chatsworth, GA 30705 US

Liberty Baptist Church 4221 US-76, Chatsworth, GA 30705 US

Little Consauga Baptist Church 706-517-5733

1100 Sugar Creek Chatsworth, GA 30705 US

Maranatha Baptist Church 706-695-6330

Highway 225 South Chatsworth, GA 30705 US

Mount Pisgah Baptist Church 706-517-8944

2309 Old Highway 411

Chatsworth, GA 30705 US

Murray Baptist Church 706-695-9712

508 West Peachtree Street Chatsworth, GA 30705 US

New Hope Baptist Church 706-517-3089

1273 New Hope Road Chatsworth, GA 30705 US

New Prospect Baptist Church 706-629-9521

7629 Highway 225 Chatsworth, GA 30705 US

Old Fashion Baptist Church 706-695-5420

885 Ben Adams Road Chatsworth, GA 30705 US

Open Air Ministries 706-386-484

1058 Mtn Crest Dr. Chatsworth, GA 30705 US

Prayer Baptist Church 706-624-9216

10859 Hwy. 225 South Chatsworth, GA 30705 US

Shinning Light Baptist Church 706-517-1739

801 North 5th Avenue Chatsworth, GA 30705 US

Smyrna Baptist Church 706-695-5815

1913 Smyrna Church Road Chatsworth, GA 30705 US

Spring Place Baptist Church 706-695-5532

441 Highway 225 South Chatsworth, GA 30705 US

Strait Way Baptist Church 706-517-2861

508 West Peachtree Street Chatsworth, GA 30705 US

Total Praise Baptist Church 706-695-6441

1461 Greeson Bend Rd, Chatsworth, GA 30705 US

Zion Hill Baptist Church 706-517-5913

Highway 225 North Chatsworth, GA 30705 US

Bible

Grace Bible Church

2599 Leonard Bridge Rd. Chatsworth, GA 30705 US

Church of Christ

Woodhaven Church of Christ

706-847-7400

508 West Peachtree Street Chatsworth, GA 30705 US

Church of God

Chatsworth Church of God 706-695-9388

Highway 411 South Chatsworth, GA 30705 US

Central Community Church 706-695-4242

60 Pine Hills Drive Chatsworth, GA 30705

Spring Place Church of God 706-695-8000

717 Tibbs Bridge Road Chatsworth, GA 30705 US

Full Gospel Faith Worship Center 706-695-6866

189 Hyden Tyler Road Chatsworth GA 30705

House Of Prayer

616 Jenkins Road Chatsworth, GA 30705 US

Methodist Casey Springs UMC

7250 Chastworth Highway South Chastworth, GA 30705

Center Valley UMC 706-971-4646

5394 Highway 225 North Chatsworth, GA 30705 US

First United Methodist Church 706-695-3211

107 W Cherokee Street Chatsworth, GA 30705 US

Fullers Chapel UMC

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

Is Obedience Necessary?

by Danette Reeves

“And Samuel said, Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and presumption is as iniquity and idolatry” (1 Samuel 15:22-23a, ESV).

When I was in college, Keith Green sang a song about obedience. I remember thinking at that time that it was harsh. In all honesty, sometimes I still do. Even though I may not agree with all of the lyrics, he wrote some very thought-provoking words:

“To obey is better than sacrifice. I don’t need your money; I want your life. And I hear you say that I’m coming back soon, but you act like I’ll never return.”

Another portion reads: “Well, you speak of grace and my love so sweet. How you thrive on milk but reject my meat!”

I was a young Christian then and had not been taught about obedience to God’s Word. I spent many years feasting on milk and accomplishing my daily check-off list: Read my Bible verse, pray, thank God, ask forgiveness, forgive others, tell Him what I want, and do it again the next day.

When one is a student of the Word, we see that the Bible teaches obedience is central to our Christian life and goes far beyond milk and the easy fluff. Jesus calls us to the hard stuff when He says, “If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me” (Matthew 16:24; Mark 8:34). In Luke, He states it even firmer, “If anyone would come after Me, let him take up his cross DAILY and follow Me” (Luke 9:23). Take up my cross DAILY? Really?

That is the call to obedience. To live daily, hourly, minute-by-minute, following Jesus. It sounds great until my feet hit the floor in the mornings, and I realize this is more

than reading my Bible verse and saying a quick prayer. It is my heart, my inner being, my whole life. It is Jesus calling me to follow Him closely, living out His ministry His way and denying myself.

If I truly believe Jesus is coming soon, will I not throw off all distractions and run to follow Him? What does that even look like? 2 Peter 1:5-11 tells us to “make EVERY

effort to supplement our faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and selfcontrol with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.” He says that if we are growing in these qualities, we will be effective and fruitful. In other words, we will take up our crosses and follow Jesus. Obedience. Is it necessary?

Jesus states in Matthew 10:38, “And whoever does not take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of Me.” Yes, obedience IS necessary.

Danette Reeves and her husband, Charlie, live in Cleveland, Tennessee. They attend The Church at Grace Point. One of their joys is being Oma and Opa to four grandchildren. Her heart’s desire is to be a student and a teacher of the Word, and a consistent follower of Jesus.

About The Author

Church Activities & Events

Redemption to the Nations Church Emanate: A Missions Summit

Friday, September 2 - Saturday, September 3 1908 Bailey Ave, Chattanooga, TN

Central Church of Christ Momentum Southeast

Wednesday, September 7 - Friday, September 9 515 N Tibbs Rd, Dalton, GA

Lifegate Church Jason Crabb

Friday, September 9 | 7PM 2744 Cleveland Hwy, Dalton, GA

Grace Church Family Bible Study

Wednesday, September 14 401 Peters St, Calhoun, GA

A Good Word

by Dorothy Teague

Have you ever heard the saying, “You have one mouth and two ears, so God meant for you to speak less and listen more?”

Teachers can often be heard giving this sage advice when students get too noisy and aren’t listening. This actually aligns with God’s Word. In Matthew 11:15, God says, “He who has ears, let him hear.”

In other words, Listen, I’m about to tell you something important! However, we can’t have ears to hear if we aren’t spiritually attuned to His voice and our hearts aren’t prepared to receive the “word” He has for us. We are to meet with Him daily in prayer, then wait expectantly for Him to move and do His will for our lives (Psalm 5:3). He already knows what we stand in need of—He just wants us to ask Him and then stand in faith that He will supply what we need. Isaiah 55:2-3 gives us steps to follow: Listen diligently to me. Incline your ear and come to me. Hear, that your soul may live. So, we are to actively hear the word, listen with spiritual ears, and then act in obedience, doing what He says for us to do.

It’s not only important for us to hear what God wants for our own lives, but it is our obligation to pass the good word on to others to help them. Isaiah 50:4 says we should “speak a word in season to him that is weary.” (And aren’t we all weary?) Some days I have prayed specifically for God to give me a “good word” for someone in particular, and in His timing, He has been faithful to send me that word. But I have found that it’s more important that my heart is prepared at any time to receive a word to impart to someone else. We don’t know what others are going through, but God sees it all. In His divine

timing, He brings us together with others to comfort and lift each other up. Proverbs 15:23 reminds us that, “A man takes joy in a fitting reply and how good is a timely word.” We are all plagued with being anxious over the state of our lives at times. Proverbs 12:25 tells us that “anxiety weighs down the heart of man, but a good word cheers it up.”

There is a difference between hearing and listening. We can hear the scriptures being preached but then walk away and not act upon them. But, if our hearts are in a position of listening for God’s voice to speak, then that seed can be planted in us and we can respond to His call to action: “He who has ears, let him hear.”

Dorothy Teague is a Tennessee native, who resides in McMinn County with her husband, Lewis, on their farm. After completing 31.5 years as a teacher in the Bradley County School System, she is active in her church at Eastanallee Baptist Church where she is a member of the choir and praise team.

About The Author

God’s Story

by Linetta Cain

Iremember, as a teenager, hearing my mom tell the stories of my childhood health difficulties. A bad UTI once landing me in Children’s Hospital, Cincinnati, Ohio. She would then proceed to tell of how God healed me, and there were no complications after that.

Fast forward to the year 1997. Just twenty-one years old, young, happy, my whole life ahead of me! It was my first annual exam. I’m so thankful for the doctor God placed in my life at that moment. She took what she saw seriously and referred me to Shands Nephrology in Gainesville, Florida, where I lived at the time.

After numerous tests and labs, I was diagnosed with Chronic Kidney Disease or CKD. There are five stages of CKD, and I was already showing at stage 2. How did this happen? Why me, God? Please heal me, Lord, was my cry. It was a devastating moment filled with questions, fears, and tears. I felt so alone. What was this degenerative disease going to do to my future? Would I still be able to have children? The list went on.

Then, that warrior spirit rose up within me. I still remember the day. After much research, I created a meal plan that would hopefully help improve creatinine and slow the progression of CKD. It did work, and my lab work started looking better. By 2005, I was only stage 3 and stable. I had moved to the Cleveland area and married. Life was an adventure, but my CKD was always in the back of my mind. I prayed every day for healing and truly believed it would be divine.

Having our daughter in 2009 lowered my kidney function some as expected, but what a blessing from God! Each nephrology appointment, I would hold my breath, anticipating results. I would picture, in my mind, the doctor being amazed by them. My faith was strong! By 2020,

my numbers were declining each visit. Now stage 5, dreading the thoughts of possible dialysis. You see, for 23 years, I had always said I would not need dialysis or transplant because God was going to heal me. I kept my strong faith, but where I went wrong was predicting what God was going to do.

He was writing another story—a painful experience with a beautiful ending.

By 2021, I had been on Vanderbilt’s kidney transplant list for almost five years. For the first time that summer, I was feeling the symptoms of kidney failure—metal taste, chronic fatigue, decreased concentration. During my August nephrology appointment, I said those words I had hoped to never have to say, “Doc, I think it’s time.”

On September 6, 2021, I went to my first dialysis treatment. I was terrified! My dad drove me and prayed with me. I remember crying in fear, like a child again. It was rough! But each week improved, and I started to feel better. The team at my center were now great friends that I looked forward to seeing three times a week. By week four, I was in a routine I could handle!

God’s Story...

A phone call I received on December 2, 2021 changed it all. “Mrs. Cain, we have a match for you!” The call from Vanderbilt I had waited on for almost five years was here! One day short of 13 weeks on dialysis and without it, I wouldn’t have been as prepared. On December 3, 2021, after all tests were run to determine a “perfect match,” I received my gift! God ceremoniously orchestrated every step. I’m forever grateful to my donor’s family that chose to donate life in the midst of their heartache.

Have there been challenges since? Oh yes! But I see the big picture now. A 25-year puzzle pieced together. God’s story!

Linetta Cain is wife to Greg, mother to Abigail, and 18-year resident of Cleveland, TN. Her family attends Mt Olive Church of God. Growing up in a minister’s home, Linetta learned at an early age to adapt to change and challenges.

About The Author

As an 18-year veteran and a multi-million dollar producer in residential sales, I bring to each client relationship a level of maturity, expertise, and patience that is rare in our industry. I understand the fine details that make the difference between merely doing a job and offering exceptional, results-oriented service. I know what it takes to help buyers realize their dream of home ownership and help sellers get their homes sold and get themselves on their way to their next destination, wherever that may be.

I run my business as a business. I am supported by a small staff of highly trained professionals who share my vision and complement my abilities. With their help, I am better able to leverage my time and focus on my core strengths - marketing strategy and negotiation. My priority is to offer my clients the highest level of service, market knowledge and integrity. From first-time home buyers to CEOs, my client base is as diverse as the properties I represent. I have extensive experience in residential real estate. Although I have sold homes as far North as Dunlap and as far West as Jasper and as far East as Athens, I specialize in the Chattanooga area including Ooltewah, East Brainerd, Brainerd, East Ridge, and South into Georgia servicing Catoosa, and Walker counties. I am also pleased to assist clients who are moving out of the area by introducing them to top agents in other communities.

Real estate is “in my blood”, but nothing means more to me than the lifelong relationships I have built with my clients over the years.

I believe that it is important to give back to my industry and community. I volunteer at our local American Legion, assisting with fund raising, educational scholarships for our youth and raising money to assist our veterans with their many varied needs. I also donate materials to the schools for various sports programs so they may sell them and raise money for their particular sports.

My love of Chattanooga runs deeper than my real estate connection. I enjoy the diversity of people, neighborhoods, cultural venues and restaurants. I hope to help make Chattanooga great for generations to come. I have found this to be a great place to raise my family and now my grandchildren.

I earned a B.A in Business from Syracuse University, and after college, I worked in the nuclear industry and sales. I am passionate about cooking, our veterans, photography (I shoot the properties I sell), travel, and my family, which includes my daughter, my son and my fabulous grandchildren who make everyday better than the last.

From Tents to Tweens

by Donald Cantrell

Ifind it amazing to watch my nine-year-old granddaughter go from stage to stage in her life. In all honesty, I was not the best dad in helping my wife with our daughter. Oh, I was there, but I was young and clueless, so I was not that great at changing diapers and feeding. Sadly, I missed out on the bonding that takes place in those early years of her life.

So, I made up my mind that I would not do the same as she began growing up, entering school, going to dance classes, recitals, and cheerleading. It was during those years that I stepped up to the plate and became the dad that I should have always been, and I thoroughly enjoyed the journey. I was even the chaplain for some of her middle school football and basketball teams—what a joy it was to be so involved in her life during those years.

Then came along my granddaughter, who decided to try and enter into this life nine weeks early. So, the doctor put my daughter in the hospital for two weeks before allowing her to have Kinsley seven weeks early. She came into this life with bright blue eyes and dark hair, she weighed in at 3.10 pounds, and I was immediately in love and began to understand why they called them “grand.”

My daughter went back to work after staying home for four months, and guess who volunteered to keep our most precious commodity of life—yes, it was me, and obviously they had no other options, so they hesitantly placed that precious little girl into my care. I quickly learned the art of feeding and changing diapers, along with our poodle Coco, who loved her as much as we did.

Over the past nine years, I have literally witnessed every moment that mattered in her life as she progressed from step to step. I was there when she rolled over, when she took her first steps, and when she uttered her first

words. I tried with all my might to teach her to say poppy first. I was the one that took her to most of her doctor’s appointments and eventually dental appointments.

In time she began to go to preschool and then to kindergarten, where she literally cried until around Thanksgiving, day in and day out. I watched her as she battled the loneliness of having to take online classes during the pandemic and saw the joy on her face as she was able to return to school full time again. It has been the most awesome opportunity that this poppy has ever had.

Now my little girl is merely six months from being a tween. Just this past week, my wife and I saw her go from sleeping in her little blanket and pillow fort—as I slept on the bed beside her—to sleeping by herself on her bed with the door closed. Each and every day we are witnessing her growth, and sadly we cannot slow it down. She will soon be a tween, then a teen, and I will still want to see her in her fort.

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

The Author

AJ Lopez Roofing and Remodel: From Roof Installations to Roof

Maintenance, We’ve Got You Covered!

AJ Lopez Roofing and Remodel was founded over three years ago by brothers Alfonso and Gabriel Lopez. The Lopez brothers have lived within the Chatsworth community for more than fifteen years, and their company was created to serve the needs of residents within that community. Alfonso and Gabriel Lopez began working in construction by purchasing and remodeling houses in the area. It was from this experience that the Lopez brothers discovered their interest and talent within the roofing industry. “We were already involved in the industry and we wanted to start a local business within and for the community. My children have gone to elementary, middle, and high school in Chatsworth, and that sense of community translates into our service,” said Gabriel Lopez.

Although AJ Lopez Roofing and Remodel is a relatively young company in the Chatsworth area,

Alfonso and Gabriel Lopez have the knowledge and experience to outshine competing companies. Alfonso and Gabriel Lopez have been rewarded with the title of NCI Certified Composition Shingle Roof Inspector, General Aniline & Film (GAF) Certified, and are a member of the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Every employee of AJ Lopez Roofing and Remodel

participates in annual training and education to ensure their practices are set to the highest standards in the country. With over fifteen years of experience, AJ Lopez Roofing and Remodel is your trusted company for roof installations, repairs, and maintenance.

AJ Lopez Roofing and Remodel serves the areas of Ellijay, Chatsworth, Ringgold, Calhoun, LaFayette, Adairsville, Dalton, and Rome, Georgia, as well as Chattanooga and Cleveland, Tennessee. So, wherever you’re located AJ Roofing and Remodel is here to serve you and all your roofing needs—including assistance with insurance claims! Alfonso and Gabriel Lopez’s team serves both residentially and commercially throughout these areas. AJ Lopez Roofing and Remodel always offer free inspections, estimates, and referral discounts for new customers. The Lopez brothers also offer a 5-year Labor Warranty and Lifetime Material Warranty for 99% of the projects they work on.

“Our goal has always been to provide clarity to customers by expressing accurate information to each client. Often there is very little communication throughout the process of installing or repairing a roof. We always explain each step, step-by-step, until the finish,” said Alfonso Lopez. “I’ve been in the industry for a long time, so I know a lot about the process. But we have to remember our customers don’t always know how this process is handled. We always remember to explain this to the customer. We value clear, effective communication and are always trying to do better.” AJ Lopez Roofing and Remodel is a member of the Chamber of Commerce and hope

to become even more involved in the community this coming year.

When it comes to roofing, AJ Lopez Roofing and Remodel are your trusted experts! They’ll build a sturdy and long-lasting roof that will keep your investment safe and protected for years to come! For more information, visit AJ Lopez Roofing and Remodel’s website at www.ajlopezroofingandremodel. com/contact or call their office at (706)-847-8631 to set up an appointment today!

Be Sober

by Brent Goodge

At Mount Sinai, a select group of leaders were given an utterly amazing privilege. “Then Moses went up, also Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel, and they saw the God of Israel” (Exodus 24:9, 10). Wow! But just a few months later, tragedy struck. Nadab and Abihu got drunk. They became intoxicated and decided to serve in the tabernacle with unholy fire in their censers. Coming before the Lord with strange fire cost Nadab and Abihu their lives.

Speaking to the priestly family after the death of the two brothers, God instructed Aaron and his remaining sons to avoid alcohol when serving in the tabernacle, on pain of death, “that you may distinguish between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean” (Leviticus 10:9, 10).

Around a thousand years later, King Belshazzar of Babylon saw the hand of God writing on the wall during an idolatrous party. The partygoers had blasphemously used the holy vessels of God’s house to drink the wine of Babylon. When called to interpret the writing on the wall, Daniel reprimanded the king. “You have praised the gods of silver and gold, bronze and iron, wood and stone, which do not see or hear or know; and the God who holds your breath in His hand and owns all your ways, you have not glorified” (Daniel 5:23). King Belshazzar died that very night.

Solomon wrote, “It is not for kings, oh Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, nor for princes intoxicating drink, lest they drink and forget the law” (Proverbs 31:4, 5).

The men of Israel were to wear a thread of blue on the hem of their sleeves and of their robes so that when they reached out their hand or watched their steps, they would see the blue thread and remember the law of God. They were reminded to evaluate if their plans and actions were

in accordance with His will, guarding them from spiritual harlotry (Numbers 15:39, 40).

Through His precious blood, Christ has made us “kings and priests” unto God (Revelation 1:6). Revelation tells us that spiritual harlotry in the last days will seek to have the world drunk with the spiritual wine of Babylon (Revelation 17:2). Those intoxicated will be unable to distinguish the

holy from the unholy, and they will forget the law of God. The wine of Babylon is not fit for God’s kings and priests.

Have you ever noticed that the harlot of Babylon is dressed in sanctuary colors? She wears purple and scarlet and is decked with gold (Revelation 17:4). But she is missing blue and white, representing the law of God and the clean and holy righteousness of Jesus Christ (Revelation 7:14). Isn’t it interesting that Revelation identifies the kings and priests of God as those who keep the commandments of God and have the faith of Jesus? (Revelation 14:12).

“Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8).

Brent Goodge lives in Whitfield County and prays God’s people will practice temperance in all things.

About The Author

Courage to Write

by Abdiel Medina

Any of my teachers from elementary to college would agree that I have bad writing. I even used to consider writing an unenjoyable, tedious task. Despite my negative perspective on writing, it became a passion that God ingrained in my heart all the way back when I was in the 7th grade. Honestly, I was surprised when God put a passion in my heart for writing, and it would take me a while to begin to understand the impact God would have in my life through it.

For example, writing became an outlet for me to live out my faith and go into a deeper relationship with God. During my time in middle school, I was uncertain about what I should be doing as a Christian. So, during my time at lunch, I would read my Bible and write about what I read and songs of praise. My writing was not deep or profound, but it enabled me to have a platform to worship God and dig into His Word.

Because God gave me a desire to write, it also served as an outlet to express my struggles. Vulnerability has never been easy for me, and during middle school, there were some personal struggles I was going through. Writing became a way for me to be vulnerable with God about my struggles.

Finally, I want to share how writing has become a tool for me to encourage and show my appreciation for others. During my time in high school, I started trying to be intentional about writing letters of encouragement and gratitude to others. Throughout my years of doing so, the impact that it can have on a person’s life has amazed me. Sometimes, I may not know what a person may be going through, but God will use the letter I wrote to provide the person with encouragement or

appreciation deeply needed. I’ve been blessed that through writing, God has enabled me the opportunity to use GoodNews Magazine as a platform to encourage and share God’s truth with my fellow citizens here in Cleveland.

Proverbs 3:5-6 declares, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct your paths.” Back when I was a 7th grader, I never envisioned

that God would use my passion for writing to help me grow as a Christian, endure tough trials, and positively impact several lives. Therefore, I want to encourage you that if you feel uncertain or confused about a prompting from the Lord or where He may be leading you, do not be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. Lean onto God beyond your own understanding, and even if it takes a couple of years, you will be grateful for where God will take you.

About The Author

Abdiel Medina is a young writer working on his second year at Lee University. He loves God, his fam, and church fam at Keith Street Ministries!

for Everyone

Disappointed

by Karen Jeffery

It’s often easy to have disappointments and challenges in life. Without realizing it, our hearts become heavy and our hope for a fulfilling life turns sour and gets lonely. But we can always count on the Lord to see us through all trials and tribulations. In His Kindness, God has provided uplifting promises to help and encourage His children. Within the Bible, we can find scriptures and the principles we need to get us through all the issues life throws at us.

Psalms 27:1 tells us, “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” This is a very encouraging verse because when we have the Lord on our side, we don’t have to fear anything. But we do have to follow His Word.

James 4:7-8, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.” Again, Jesus is asking us to live every day to our best and give Him our whole heart, that we might become established in His true wisdom and righteousness.

Psalms 138:7-8, “Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me.” Where do we find our strength? That is necessary for each day.

Psalm 46:1-3, “God is our refuge and strength, an everpresent help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.”

When we begin to feel weak or exhausted, it may be that we’re physically worn out from work, from relationships, from parenting, from life. We all have those days where we could go to sleep and let all our troubles fade away, but

in reality, they are mostly always there when we greet the new dawn. With God, He can give us the experience of real strength. It will not be because you finally tapped into your strength, but because you finally gave up relying on your own strength and gave it all to Him.

Today’s society may want you to believe you’re filled with unbound potential to accomplish the impossible. But

the key to achieving anything truly meaningful or lasting is realizing we will not achieve anything truly meaningful or lasting on our own. If you feel weak, you do not need more of you, you need more of God. He is only a prayer away.

God fills us with His strength and issues us with armor for more than the eye can see. He is not simply preparing us to survive another day of work, or marriage, or family, or even ministry. He’s preparing us to defeat the devil, to stand in His strength against evil deceiving us from within, and the evil attacking us from without. If you try to battle Satan and his demons on your own, burnout will be the least of your problems. Let it go and let God handle all your problems. He’s definitely a way maker.

Karen D. Jeffery lives in Chatsworth, Georgia, and loves the Lord. He is first in her life.

About The Author

Pleasures Forevermore

by Greg Grotewold

In an age where hyperbole and amplification run amok, assessing the true value of an object has become a challenging proposition. The culture’s propensity to inflate reality impacts our ability to make necessary distinctions between competing items. As we artificially elevate the common, we conceal the uniqueness of the uncommon and our adjectives lose their relevancy. Good gets lumped together with legitimate greatness, dumbing down the entire category.

This is not without consequence. It’s important to recognize that at our very core we are worshippers. We are wired to exalt. Whether it’s a sports team, a loved one, or some other aim of our affection, we have a need to lift up that which is meaningful to us. It’s who we are and what we do. But here’s the issue. Our worship of an item is a function of its perceived worth. Perceived worth is, in large part, a derivative of the language we use in describing it. And when that language becomes factitiously inflated, so does our praise. The result is inescapable. As the object inevitably fails to produce a blessing that is commensurate with the worship offered, we are left at best disappointed.

There does exist, however, a target where there is no such thing as overinflating its value and thus overextending our worship. Exaggeration doesn’t apply for anything said, regardless of how outrageously wonderful it may sound, would be true. The target’s glorious reality exceeds our ability to adequately describe it; the English language is simply ill-equipped to do so.

That glorious reality is Jesus Christ. As the audacious assurances the Lord provides in Scripture indicate, He is in a category all of His own. Jesus carries not only the might to pull off these precious guarantees, but equally as important, the desire. He is both all-powerful and all-loving, an awe-inspiring combination as He fulfills His promises. There is good, there is great, and then there is the Risen Lamb.

While the assurances are as widespread as they are glorious, there’s one in particular that should cause us to take note. It surrounds a key reason we worship in the first place: joy. We elevate that which is meaningful in large part because of the delight produced. Jesus promises a delight that has no parallel. “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore” (Psalm 16:11, ESV). Unlike what the world offers, His isn’t

dependent upon happy circumstances. In fact, the primary reason it’s considered full or complete is because there isn’t a circumstance that has the power in and of itself to penetrate and thus disrupt the peace He offers. Jesus is an immutable rock whose sovereign mercies never wane.

It was this very same Godly joy that sustained Jesus Himself at Calvary. “Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2, ESV). And it’s the same hope that will sustain and

prosper us too in all seasons of life. “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope” (Romans 15:13, ESV).

We are wired to worship. More pointedly, we are wired to worship Jesus. He is the One who in fact did the electrical work and gave us not only the desire for joy but the primary mechanism from which to receive it: Himself. While there is nothing wrong with gaining a degree of pleasure from the good things of this world, don’t mistake them for anything more than they are—inferior forms of delight. Humble yourself before Jesus, the true treasure, and make Him the primary object of your affection. You will not be left disappointed. At His right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Greg Grotewold lives in Oakdale, MN, with his wife, Sandi, and their two sons, Luke and Eli. He is a deacon in his local church and greatly enjoys serving in this capacity.

About The Author

Walking With Molly: Part 3

by Shelley Knick

So much has changed since Molly left. When she passed, I knew that she had come to mother me. Odd, however, because I have a mother. A great mother! But at that time in my adult life, I needed an unrealistic level of attention. My friends, husband, and family members couldn’t fill the crack in my leaky bucket, and I know this because I tried to consume them as if they could.

So, I consumed God instead, and He responded in abundant grace—with a touch of humor. In a type of poetic justice, He delivered a tongue in cheek response to what I needed: A soul who literally had nothing to do but spend her waking hours watching me, waiting for me, and walking with me. Albeit needy, without judgement, God simply met my need.

Since she left, we moved three times, fell into pits of ridiculous tragedy, and summited mountains of miraculous victory. The groundwork laid during our time together proved to be instrumental to thriving during the chaos. As the saying goes, “suffering vines makes great wines.” She taught me about calm submission and divine harmony, both about which I have previously written. Lastly, she trained me to focus when walking the gauntlet.

The road we walked was perfectly straight, with a cul de sac at one end and a 90-degree bend at the other. It was lined with twenty-four, five-acre properties. Almost every house had a dog. For properties with perimeter fences, the resident dogs behaved like savages. They would run full force and charge the fence when we walked by. The barking, the growling, and the fury could make any pulse race. If I could feel it, imagine what it did to Molly’s primal nature.

The upside-down fact in her training was that while primal, she wasn’t allowed to behave primally. As unfair as it sounds, I was calling her to be more than a beast. Rest assured, the blood bath that could erupt if she were given the chance to unleash was unquestionable. Regardless of her capability to dominate, those neighbor dogs existed to make her who she was meant to be with me. We walked that road like it was the gauntlet. It was every bit the technical meaning of the word: Two rows of characters lined up on opposite sides of each other to assault the one who traveled the space between them.

So, we walked. I dictated the pace and tempo. I used specific physical pressures with leash and collar to prompt and remind her to focus on me. I made audible sounds to signal her to listen to my voice. I even adjusted my placement next to her to train her to keep a constant awareness of my presence. This was because her attention had to be anchored in her Alpha.

I would intentionally fade from her when I could see her attention had been hijacked. When I could tell she was locked into the opposition, I would drift back. When it was evident that she wasn’t aware, I would purposefully take off running in the opposite direction, which provided a quick choke. It also snapped her out of that state and returned her awareness back to my presence. With her attention back on me, we continued, and she would obsessively verify my location. This pattern repeated to strengthen her bonded attention.

Fixing our eyes on Jesus is about our attention. The training isn’t punishment. The distractions might be strategically placed. Our repetitive return to the gauntlet could be exactly what will bond our attention to an invincible state, thereby proving that the daily walk is a vehicle for God’s compounding affect.

Shelley is an aspiring writer. She is also a nurse, a wife to her high school sweetheart of 22 years, a brand-new mama to their miracle baby, and a new resident of Rome after moving from Washington state.

About The Author

Who’s Watching?

by Monica Gambrell

My husband and oldest son, Daniel, were always known for their lack of physical grace. Countless times they seemed to trip over thin air. One fine morning I joined their ranks. I was heading out the door to work and was met by a cold, stiff wind. I hadn’t realized that it was going to be so cold. As usual, I had both hands full; a briefcase in one hand and a cup of hot tea in the other. We had nine or ten steep wooden steps leading from the porch to the sidewalk. It was impossible to detect, but there was a thin layer of ice on the stairs, and my first step became my only step as I tumbled thumpity-thump down to the sidewalk. It must have truly been a hilarious sight. If I had been watching, I don’t know if I could have stifled my laughter. I don’t know why it was so immediate and instinctual to look up for witnesses, but it was.

I didn’t even take time to survey and assess the damages before I scanned the neighborhood to see who might have been watching. Our house was on a very high hill. We could see a lot of the city from the porch. Every other house near us, save one, was twenty or more feet lower than ours, so it would surprise me to know that no one witnessed the event. I didn’t have any broken bones, but I was bruised and bloodied. I had to climb back up those icy stairs in order to change my torn and now stained clothing. You can be sure I was much more careful on my way up than I was on my way down!

In our hometown there was a neighborhood walking track my husband and I frequented often. The children played on the playground equipment in the center of the track while we held

hands and leisurely walked. One Sunday morning a visitor approached me and told me something that just blew me away. She and her husband had been going through some challenging times, and were even considering divorce. Their daily trek took them past the track almost every day. She said that the sight of us enjoying one another so completely made her believe that they could revive their marriage. How humbling! Others are watching us, but most importantly, God is always watching us.

“The eyes of the Lord are in every place, watching the evil and the good” (Proverbs 15:3).

“Therefore, since we also have such a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let’s rid ourselves of every obstacle and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let’s run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking only at Jesus, the originator and perfecter of the faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:1-2).

“God, You are my God; I shall be watching for You; My soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You, In a dry and exhausted land where there is no water” (Psalm 63:1).

Father God, we must be more cognizant than ever that every thought, word, and deed are in full view of You. May I live in such a way as to be fully invisible so that You are visible to those whom You place in my path. Every heartbeat brings us closer to the moment when we will be at the judgement seat of Christ. May I truly feel the urgency to sow seed in as many souls as possible, that they might enjoy both relationship and fellowship with You.

Enjoying Our Differences

by Susan Lavigne

Are we really so unaware of how different we are from each other? That may sound like a silly question, but how many times are we disappointed when someone doesn’t act in a way similar to us or in a way we expect?

When I was in college, my roommate and I decided to paint our dorm room. I had been taught in my youth the “proper” way of painting with even strokes of the roller up and down. Meanwhile, on the opposite wall, my roommate was being a free spirit. She was creatively making circles. She was having fun, and I confess, I was angry. In my mind, she wasn’t doing it “right.” But who is to say what is right or wrong in this situation or in a lot of situations we face? The end product was what mattered most, and in this case, the room got painted. There are many situations in our lives where as long as the task gets completed, does it really matter how it gets done?

Now, think about some of the struggles with which you deal. Are the conflicts in your life about little things that really don’t matter? Is your child not cleaning his/her room exactly the way you would like? Is your spouse not doing the household repair/ task exactly how or when you would like it done? Are you upset because maybe the dinner is not the way your mother used to make it? How hard is it to let go of our expectations and let others be who God created them to be? What about you? Are you too hard on yourself? Are you trying to live up to an unrealistic standard of perfectionism?

Despite popular belief, most people are not trying to be difficult. They are just different. When we open our minds to this concept, we will have less conflict and more peace. When we have expectations of others or compare ourselves with others, we are

setting ourselves up to be disappointed. Our greatest disappointments normally start when we don’t talk about our expectations. Sadly enough, most of the time, we don’t even realize we have expectations until we get disappointed. (I thought you were going to stay at home tonight with the kids)! These unspoken

expectations occur when we don’t inform the other person of our expectation and just assume they should know. (I shouldn’t have to ask. You should have known that I wanted flowers for my birthday).

So, what is the best way to deal with our differences? Talk about what we want and make sure it’s fair and agreed upon by everyone. Once we do this, we will really start to enjoy our differences and our lives more.

Susan Lavigne attends Cornerstone Church. She is a Christian speaker and songwriter. Feel free to contact her at susanclavigne@gmail.com.

About The Author

for your Taste Buds

Apple Streusel Cake

by Pam Wattenbarger

Take advantage of apple season with this semi-homemade cake. It uses a boxed cake mix as a base, along with an easy filling prepared from fresh apples. Perfect for tailgating, brunch, or dessert, this cake is delicious served warm. Any type of baking apple will work well in this recipe. Good choices include Honey Crisp, Jonathon, Granny Smith, Fuji, Gala, or Pink Lady.

Ingredients

Cake:

1 (18-ounce) box white cake mix

1 (3-ounce) box instant vanilla pudding mix

4 eggs

1 (8-ounce container) sour cream

½ cup vegetable oil

Apple Filling:

1 ½ cups baking apples, peeled and diced

1 tablespoon flour

¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1/8 teaspoon salt

½ cup packed brown sugar

2 tablespoons butter

½ cup chopped pecans, toasted

Streusel Topping:

¾ cup packed brown sugar

1 tablespoon flour

2 tablespoons butter, melted

Powdered Sugar Glaze (optional):

¾ cup powdered sugar

½ teaspoon vanilla extract

½ teaspoon almond extract

1 to 2 tablespoons milk

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spritz a 9” by 13” baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. In a large bowl, combine cake mix, pudding mix, eggs, sour cream, and oil on low speed for 2 minutes. Pour ½ of the cake mixture into the baking dish. Set aside.

2. In a medium bowl, stir flour, nutmeg, cinnamon, salt, and brown sugar until blended. Add in the diced apples and stir to coat.

3. In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add apple mixture and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to simmer, and simmer 3 to 4 minutes or until apples are tender. Spread apple mixture over the cake batter and top with pecans. Spread remaining cake batter over the apple mixture.

4. In a small bowl, mix brown sugar, flour, and butter until small clumps form. Sprinkle the brown sugar mixture evenly over the cake.

5. Bake the cake for 40-45 minutes or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Begin testing the cake after 35 minutes.

6. In a small bowl, mix together the powdered sugar, almond extract, vanilla extract, and milk until blended. Use a spoon to drizzle the glaze evenly over the cake.

Pam Wattenbarger is the author of The New Southern Cookbook: Classic Family Recipes and Modern Twists on Old Favorites & The Southern Air Fryer Cookbook. Find her recipes and more at SimplySouthernMom.com

About The Author

Thinking Of Me and You

by Judy Hood

He painted the sky so blue And the trees so green He was thinking of me and you Looking over earth’s beautiful scene

He was thinking of me and you When he sent his Only Son Who gave his life for me and you So we could smell the morning dew

He made the ocean so big and wide When he made the birds to fly He made them to fly, oh, so high As they perpetually glide

He’s coming back someday He’ll soon be on his way To take his bride to a better place For the ones who served and won the race

You can get Judy Hood’s newly released book, But For The Grace Of God Go I, through Amazon, Barnes & Noble or ebooks.

A Family-tree Hugger

by Sandra Gilmore

Have you been following this series? Check each month as we explore often-overlooked connections to Christmas and wind our way back to this sacred event.

George Santayana almost got it right when he mused, “The family is one of nature’s masterpieces.” In fact, the family is one of God’s masterpieces. When I was younger, I thought little of genealogy, meaning ‘not often’ as well as where it fell on the roaster of priorities. Folks who were family-tree huggers were not on my “want-to-be-like-them-when-I-grow-up” target.

Have you given much thought to the Begats chapters in Scripture? Me neither, at one time. What changed my perspective? Bible study, particularly in the books of Matthew and Luke.

Just like re-wiring an old lamp or re-finishing a stately sideboard, the Begats can be seen through a fresh perspective with a little study. Have you read through the names not as names but as definitions?

Here’s a sample:

Abiud (My Father is Glorious!) Eliakim (My God will raise up) Azor (a helper) Zadok (the Just One)

Akim (will the Lord raise up) Eliud (My God is my praise) Eleazar (God will help) Matthan (May the gift of) Jacob (Jacob) Joseph (increase in greatness) Emmanuel (for God is with us, our Messiah and Savior)!

Wow! Each person’s position in the family tree of the Messiah is significant. Each person carries purpose, starting with his name, the first gift we receive in this world. When we consider the magnitude of how many grandparents are represented by one person, we can see the orchestration of an Almighty Hand. Just how does this look in practical terms? Given calculations to the 10th great-grandparent level, the

number of people represented is 4,096! Only an Almighty Hand could and would create a family tree leading to Emmanuel while narrating it with their names all the way to “God with us,” the ultimate Christmas gift. He dwelt among us. He provided our salvation on the Cross. Then, Holy Spirit was sent as our ever-present Comforter.

You are significant in your family tree as well. You carry position and purpose in God’s grand plan. Have you heard the saying “You’re one in a million!”? Consider this: if you allow for 25 years between each generation, 500 years ago there were 1,048,576 people involved in creating you!

Consider the uniqueness of your family tree. It’s like no other in history and will remain unique no matter how many generations follow you. Yet, branches upon branches are spread out across the globe, intertwined with other unique family trees functioning, networking, supporting, supplying each other through seasons as life carries on—all to the glory of God!

Application: Read through the first chapter of Matthew once again. Consider your own family line with generations before you and ones still branched out today. Here are some potential prayer points: Pray for your family members, far and near. Pray for their salvation. Forgive those who have fallen short. Praise the Lord for His gifts of talent and abilities granted to your family line. Praise the Lord for their influence on your life. Ask the Lord to draw them closer to Him. Ask for opportunities for them to impact their communities for the sake of the Good News.

serves the Lord as wife, mom, and encourager, mostly through writing and speaking, occasionally through cooking, rarely through anything athletic and only because of the mercy and grace of Jesus. You can reach her by email: tandsgilmore@yahoo.com or her www.sandragilmore.org

Mission Statement:

We believe when people are equipped, motivated, and passionately engaged in living out their faith in Jesus Christ they have the potential to be world changers.

Our mission is to bring people into a dynamic relationship with Jesus Christ—a relationship that empowers them to see how God can work through individual personalities, situations, and talents. Christ was an activist, he did not neglect the needs of the people as He brought His message. We strive to encourage everyone to look more like Christ by reaching outside of themselves to serve the needs of others—at home, at school, in communities, and across the world.

Writer Guidelines:

Who: Our writers range from pastors, professors, and professional writers to stay at home moms and dads, business professionals, and others who have a desire to reach out to people through words of encouragement.

What: We believe that it is important to laugh together, praise each other, encourage one another, and to offer biblical advice. Articles can be directed toward everyone, or from woman to woman, or man to man. We love to share recipes and family traditions as well. We ask that articles be kept to a 500 word maximum. We’d love to hear from you!

Where: Please send submissions to articles.goodnews@gmail.com

Why: Because God has not intended for us to just survive. We believe that we are intended to reach out to love and encourage each other. God has brought each of us through tough times, blessed us, and made the “impossible” possible. Let’s, together, share the love of Jesus Christ.

Here Today. Gone Tomorrow.

by Cheryl L. Dunson

This year marked the 10th anniversary of my father’s homegoing, but it only seemed like yesterday when he passed from this life into the arms of Jesus. It made me mindful God is not limited by time, but I am.

During a recent Sunday school lesson, my teacher used a scripture to emphasize a thousand years are like a day to the Lord. In Psalm 90, Moses wrote, “For a thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by or like a watch in the night. You sweep men away in the sleep of death; they are like new grass of the morning—though in the morning it springs up new, by evening it is dry and withered.”

In 2 Peter 3:8, we read, “But do not forget this one, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years and a thousand years are like a day…”

One of my favorite songs is Who Am I by Casting Crowns. The first time I heard the song was shortly after my father died. The lyrics reduced me to tears because they reminded me how fleeting and fragile life truly is: “…I am

a flower quickly fading, here today and gone tomorrow, a wave tossed in the ocean, a vapor in the wind…”

Realizing life is short should help us use the little time we have here on earth more wisely and for eternal good. One of the most profound moments in my life was when a local pastor told members of my Rotary Club, “You have been blessed to be a blessing.” Those words totally changed my perspective on life and how they compel me to ask myself on a daily basis, “What do I want to see happen in my life before I die? What small step or action can I take towards that purpose today? How can I use my blessings to bless others?”

Because our days are numbered, we should want to make our work count, to be effective and productive Christians. Life is short no matter how many years we live. It’s easy to be deceived into thinking we have lots of remaining time to live for Christ, enjoy our loved ones, or do what we know we should do.

Before he retired, my pastor eloquently reminded us to live for God today and do so with excellence. Then, no matter when our life ends, hopefully, we have fulfilled God’s plan for each of our lives.