September 2026

Gò0dNews September 2026

Complimentary

Christian Magazine

®

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DALTON & CHATSWORTH

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goodnewscm.com // September 2026

Here for what helps you feel whole.

25-CORP-4339407791

You’re only as old as you feel. And Barbara? She feels like she could go for another game of catch in the backyard. Playing with her great-grandkids is precious and invigorating. Barbara proves that we get to decide how much life is in our years. Each new day is a gift — another chance to live fully and feel whole.

AdventHealth.com/FeelWhole 3

About Us WRITERS

Bill Silvers Brenda Dedmon Brittany Crabtree Carl Corser Chris Mullis Dorothy Teague Dr. Rob Debelak Eric Golden Garrett Nudd Kenneth Ware Kristen West Pastor Nathaniel Oregon Sharon Eldridge Sue Lavigne Terrie Long

SALES

Matthew Ruckman goodnewstn@gmail.com 423-503-1410 Andrew Ruckman goodnewsmarketing1@gmail.com 423-432-3406

DESIGNER

Riley Evans art.goodnews@gmail.com

PHOTOGRAPHER Paula Knipp 423-310-4207

EDITOR/ARTICLE COORDINATOR Sandra Gilmore articles.goodnews@gmail.com

PUBLISHER

Matthew and Bethany Ruckman goodnewstn@gmail.com 423-503-1410

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!

OFFICE

423-790-5378

WEBSITE

goodnewscm.com issuu.com/goodnewsdalton

SOCIAL MEDIA GoodNews Dalton 4

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.

goodnewscm.com // September 2026

Contents

SEPTEMBER 2026

from the Pastor's Desk 08 GoodNews Stuck in the Mud: Escaping the Grip of Materialism

By Chris Mullis

GoodNews Money Matters 10 Annual Shake & Bake 2026

By Hughes Retirement Group

for Men 12 GoodNews Divine Appointments in Desert Places

By Eric Golden

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GoodNews for Women 14 Today I Sat with My Betrayer

By Terrie Long

GoodNews for Nutrition 26 More Than a Healthy Body

for Kids 16 GoodNews In All Seasons

By Pastor Nathaniel Oregon

By Brittany Crabtree for Grandparents Day 18 AGoodNews Grand Day for Grands

By Brenda Dedmon GoodNews to Study By 20 The Blood of Jesus Traced Through the Bible: Old Testament Books

By Kenneth E. Ware

GoodNews Seniors 22 Casting Shadows

By Bill Silvers

for Discovering More 30 AGoodNews Picture’s Worth MORE THAN a Thousand Words

By Garrett Nudd

GoodNews for your Taste Buds 32 Cast Iron Apple Fritters GoodNews Poetry 34 It's a New Day

By Dorothy Teague

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GoodNews for Athletes 28 Running With Him

By Kristen West

GoodNews Cover Story Care Designed Around You: Enhanced Family Physio

for Families 36 GoodNews Honoring 9/11 and Healing from Loss

By Sue Lavigne

GoodNews for Life 38 Then Came Amalek Part 2

By Dr. Rob Debelak for Artists 40 AGoodNews Life-Long Artist

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By Carl Corser

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for the Discouraged 42 GoodNews Up, Up, and Away

By Sharon Eldridge 5

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Gò0dNews from the Pastor's Desk

Stuck in the Mud:

Escaping the Grip of Materialism

by Chris Mullis

When I was a boy, I loved to wander through a wilderness outside my neighborhood, we called The Flats.

It stretched along the swampy edge of Tobesofkee Creek, a strange mixture of beauty and ruin. Mud boggers would tear through the dirt roads, carving deep ruts that alternated between dust and sludge.

And scattered among the wild blackberries and pine trees, you would find the remains of people’s discarded lives—broken furniture, rusting cars, old appliances— all dumped illegally rather than properly disposed of.

The Flats were a lesson in contrasts: wild beauty, but also human waste.

As a child, I couldn’t help but notice how quickly once-precious possessions became nothing more than trash, left to rot in the mud. Our world today isn’t much different.

We chase after the newest phone, the bigger house, the shinier car.

Some even overextend themselves financially to acquire these things, convinced that happiness lies just one purchase away. But, like the abandoned wrecks in The Flats, every treasure eventually loses its shine. The things we fight so hard to possess soon end up cluttering attics, filling landfills, or being replaced by the next “must-have.”

Ironically, things we thought we would own begin to own us.

Monthly payments, credit card debt, endless maintenance, and the anxiety of keeping up with others’ expectations weigh us down like mud covered boots.

Jesus warned about this very danger in Matthew 6:24 NIV: “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” Notice He used the word serve. We were created to serve, to give our loyalty and worship to something greater than ourselves. If we don’t put God first, then something else will claim our devotion—and often that something is wealth or possessions.

But mammon is a cruel master. It promises freedom and happiness, but it delivers only restlessness, worry, and discontent. Like offroad trucks spinning their wheels in the boggy mud, we get stuck, exhausting ourselves, yet sinking deeper.

The good news is there is a way out. Christ calls us to simplicity, self-control, and service. When we place God first, everything else finds its proper place. Money and possessions become tools instead of masters, blessings instead of burdens. As Paul reminds us in 1 Timothy 6:6 KJV, “Godliness with contentment is great gain.”

The Flats taught me the treasures of this world don’t last. What once seemed shiny and new will one day lie broken and forgotten. But when we serve God alone, we discover riches that no swamp can swallow, and no mud can bury. So let us tread carefully. Don’t get stuck in the mud. Keep your eyes fixed on the One who offers true freedom, and you will find your soul lighter, freer, and filled with joy that no possession can provide.

Rev. Chris Mullis is an ordained minister in the Global Methodist Church with a Masters of Divinity from Candler School of Theology at Emory University. Pastor Chris’s ministry has spanned twenty years and four different churches in Georgia.

Chris recently moved to Jackson, GA, to serve Stark Methodist Church.

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goodnewscm.com // September 2026

GIVING is a family affair.

For the Bethel family, giving started with their great grandmother’s trust over 4o years ago.

Each subsequent generation has chosen to support local causes they love, from Dalton High School Football to the Dalton Education Foundation to the churches they attend.

Family giving traditions continue legacies through conversations and convenient giving tools, like Donor Advised Funds.

An estimated $18 trillion is expected to transfer between generations across the country in the coming decades. The families who start giving conversations now, with an administrative partner who understands their community, are the ones whose generosity lasts for generations.

Ready to talk about your family’s giving story?

Visit communityfoundationnwga.org.

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Huges Retirement Group Presents:

ANNUAL SHAKE & BAKE 2026 IT’S THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN! Join us for the Hughes Retirement Group Annual Medicare Shake & Bake event on Thursday, October 1st. This year’s event will be held at Westwood Baptist Church with class time options of 10:00 am, 12:30 pm, and 2:00 pm.

What is the Medicare Shake & Bake event, you might ask? It is a free, educational event that shakes up the A, B, C’s of Medicare. During this event we will discuss plan changes for the upcoming year that will be crucial to the evaluation of your Medicare needs and current coverage. The timing of the event is just before the Annual Enrollment Period, which runs from October 15th – December 7th. It is during this time that individuals can make changes to their current supplemental and drug plans.

The event is geared towards providing much information that individuals will need to enter AEP confidently.

After class, we welcome attendees to let all the information provided bake in while they visit the many senior focused services that will have booths set up to help continue this educational experience for our community. These vendors are all directly related to the needs of seniors and are also vendors that Hughes Retirement Group and their employees have worked with.

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The following vendors will be set up to answer any questions you may have about their services: Ace Hardware Handy Man Services AccentCare Home Health Ahlberg Audiology Award Realty – Marica Botts Bradley County Trustee Office Brittany Mowery Photography Burns, Henry & Kirksey Channel 12 Companion Funeral Homes Garden Plaza HHM CPAs – Adam Osborne Louver Shop McCartney Family Chiropractic Medical Equipment – James

We understand that there are a ton of choices and a lot of information geared towards seniors during this time of the year regarding Medicare. Our hope is to offer sound education to our community about their options, while also providing them the opportunity to connect with businesses in our community that value helping them live the best life they can.

Kerminsky Misty Mountain Florist Nana’s Books & Bears Pinnacle Financial Partners Project Free 2 Fly Rachel’s Home Management Renew Exteriors Southeast Charcuterie State Farm – Mark Riden Terra Running Company The Roaming Cup 3 Rivers Radio Group Walkup Pool Services Westwood Baptist Church

If you would like to attend our Annual Medicare Shake & Bake Event, please text the word SHAKE to 423-212-5698. We look forward to seeing you there.

(423) 664-4203 HughesRetirementGroup.com

Insurance products are offered through the insurance business Hughes Retirement Group. Hughes Retirement Group is also an Investment Advisory practice that offers products and services through Impact Partnership Wealth, LLC (IPW), a Registered Investment Adviser. IPW does not offer insurance products. The insurance products offered by Hughes Retirement Group are not subject to Investment Advisor requirements. Any and all other services related to Medicare are an outside business activity and are not offered through or supervised by Impact Partnership Wealth, (“IPW”) LLC. Hughes Retirement Group is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Government or any governmental agency.

Neither the firm nor its agents or representatives may give tax or legal advice. Individuals should consult with a qualified professional for guidance before making any purchasing decisions.

goodnewscm.com // September 2026

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Gò0dNews for Men

Photo by Joseph Corl on Unsplash

Divine Appointments in Desert Places

by Eric Golden

Since the beginning of time, God has been aligning people at certain times and in certain places to accomplish His will in their lives. From Abraham and Melchizedek, to Joseph and the cupbearer, to Moses and the burning bush, every significant person in the Bible began their ministry because of one divine appointment. These appointments were sometimes on the heels of great victory, but were often in times of great distress. Sometimes they were by rivers of water, but other times in desert places. Such was the case with Philip and the Ethiopian.

Philip had been ministering in Samaria. It was a place full of activity. People were bustling all around. Life was exciting. The ministry was exciting. People were hearing the Gospel of Jesus Christ and responding with excitement. Healings and miracles were breaking forth. I am sure that Philip was feeling pretty good about his situation. Then God spoke to him and said, “Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza” (Acts 8:26 ESV).

Scripture indicates that this is a desert place. Philip could have disobeyed. Success in Samaria could have kept him anchored there, but he would have been anchored in the wrong place. God had a plan. He had set a divine appointment in the desert place between Philip and an Ethiopian eunuch who had the ear of a queen. Had Philip said, “I have more important things to do,” or “I don’t even like the desert place,” or “I am fine right here in my successful ministry,” he would have missed the opportunity of a lifetime. He would have missed the opportunity to change a heart that would go on to (potentially) change a nation.

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Maybe you can relate to Philip. Maybe things are going really well for you right now, but God is calling you to something different that does not make as much sense. Maybe you relate better to the Ethiopian eunuch, traveling through the desert, trying to understand God’s Word. The truth is that, in our lives, we can often feel like we are in a desert place. Whether it be our emotions, our health, our relationships, or our finances, life has a way of making us feel dry and thirsty. It is in the desert places where our prayer life feels useless, study feels daunting, and worship feels worthless. It is in the desert places that we often want to give up and throw in the towel. These are the places we try to avoid.

However, it is in that desert place that we can experience more of what God wants to do in our lives. For Philip, it was simple obedience to leave the success of Samaria and do what God said. For the Ethiopian eunuch traveling through the desert, searching for meaning in God's Word, it was a divine appointment with Philip that changed everything.

What Acts 8:26-31 teaches us is that even in our desert places, God can set up divine appointments that can change hearts and nations. Will you take the time today to evaluate your desert place in light of God’s goodness and ask, “What next?”

Eric Golden and his wife, Laken, pastor Lakeview Community Church in Cleveland, TN.

goodnewscm.com // September 2026

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Gò0dNews for Women

Photo by Kris Tian on Unsplash

Today I Sat with My Betrayer

by Terrie Long “But I say unto you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you” (Matthew 5:44 KJV).

Today I sat with my betrayer. I had so much to say, but God said, “Not today,” and shifted my focus and emotional posture away from my betrayer and my agency to set the record straight. My focus went to enabling me to hear what He had to say.

He reminded me of His own betrayals and how His Father’s mission and the power of the Holy Spirit empowered Him to remain focused on the big picture, which was to show others, even His betrayers, love, kindness, and forgiveness. As a result of daily prayer and a strong connection with His Father, Jesus was able to walk with restraint, humility, and quietness, speaking only when necessary and speaking words from above. Amid betrayal, denial, and murder, He remained the epitome of Agape love, a love that keeps on loving, a relentless and unfailing love!

Could it be that in this season of betrayal, whether you are the recipient or extender, that God is using this experience to reveal, protect, and transform you? No matter the road that led to the betrayal, it hurts us all, but if we allow Him, God can come into the fragmented aftermath of our disappointed expectations and penetrating hurt, and He can transform us! He can renew us, restore us, and yes, He can reconcile us through the power of Agape love.

My brothers and sisters, we CAN experience the ministry of reconciliation.

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As I reflected on Jesus’ courage and desire to love at all costs, my heart began to fill with a renewed desire to please Him and to reflect His character as I faced my betrayer. I could literally feel my heart changing and being transformed as He reminded me to be careful how I treated my betrayer, because I’ve been a betrayer too. It is in my DNA to run, hide, self-preserve, even if unconsciously so. I, too, have let others down, so He gently nudged me toward the seat, and He lovingly whispered in my ear to extend grace and to speak of Him, not the acts of my betrayer, and to be like Him. So, as I entered the space where my betrayer sat, all the rehearsed words were now gone, and I felt this strange, but exhilarating, desire to love and forgive! To my utter amazement, I felt a freedom and a joy that caused me to speak only of God’s goodness. I began to praise His name, and as I did, the past seemed to fade in the shadows of the cross.

Today, I sat with my betrayer and testified of God’s goodness! I bragged on God, and as I did, even my betrayer smiled. And when I left my seat, I left with a heart restored and no longer with a betrayer, but with a fellow sojourner.

Who is your betrayer? Consider forgiving them, and if given the opportunity, share with them what God has done for you.

Terrie Long is a public speaker, soloist and inspirational author. She is an active member of the Orchard Park SDA Church in Chattanooga. Terrie can be contacted at Terrie.Ruff@lpnt.net.

goodnewscm.com // September 2026

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Gò0dNews for Kids

In All Seasons

by Brittany Crabtree

Fall is a beautiful season! Maybe it is your favorite one! It is a time when we go back to school, start a new routine, see the changing colors in the leaves, and hang out with family and friends around a bonfire or at a football game. There are many things to celebrate and enjoy in the fall, but there can also be many changes. Sometimes when things change, it can be scary! A lot of times, changes can be good, but they can also be challenging.

Have you ever felt nervous about starting a new school year?

Have you ever been afraid to try something new? Does it make you feel anxious when things around you change?

Photo by Mariia Zakatiura on Unsplash

If so, you are not alone! When we go through new seasons and changes in our own lives, it can be overwhelming and make us feel afraid. Sometimes we don’t want things to change even if it is for our good. In these new seasons and in times when we are scared, the Lord is there to comfort us with His presence. Jesus is there to walk with us through new and changing seasons.

Psalm 23:1-3 NIV says, “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.”

The passage of Psalm 23 reminds us that just as a shepherd cares for his sheep, the Lord cares for each of us. When we go through a hard time or something happens in our life that is scary, the Lord is there to give us just what we need and bring peace into our lives. When we are anxious, He can help us to rest. When we face a challenge, He provides strength.

When we are afraid, He can help us feel calm. In our relationship with Jesus, we can walk through new changes and seasons with confidence!

As you begin a new school year with a new class and teacher, know that Jesus is with you. If you are nervous about trying new things this fall, Jesus can give you strength. If things are changing with your family or your friends, Jesus is there to comfort you and remind you that you are not alone. Luke 15 tells us that Jesus, the Shepherd, leaves the 99 sheep to go find the one that is lost. Jesus is continuing to pursue you because He loves you!

I hope that even in times of change, you can see the beauty all around you, just like the changing of the leaves in the fall, because of Jesus. You can pray to God and share with Him everything that is surrounding you and how you feel. Jesus will be there to comfort you and remind you that God can use all things for His good and His glory. In all seasons, He is our peace and our shepherd.

Brittany Crabtree is the Public Kids Director and women's ministry leader at Public Church in Cleveland, TN. She has a heart for Gospel-centered community and studying the word of God. Brittany enjoys traveling to new places and spending time with family and friends.

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goodnewscm.com // September 2026

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Gò0dNews for Grandparents Day

A Grand Day For Grands

by Reverend Brenda Dedmon

We read in the Bible where Paul reminded Timothy of how much his grandmother and mother had helped him to have a sincere faith. “I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also” (2 Timothy 1:5 NIV). I am sure Timothy had many fun memories with his grandmother Lois as you do with your grandparents.

This page is for you and your grandparents. Ask your parents to help you plan a special day to express your love and appreciation for them. Make this a day of celebration with your grandparents with fun activities. The following are ideas for you to do. Ask your parents to help you choose several or even all of them:

Have a celebration day with a picnic or go to their favorite restaurant for a meal. Then invite them to your home for fun activities.

Make their favorite cookies to share with them.

Draw a picture of something you love doing when you visit them and present it to them on this day.

Make a simple list of questions for you to talk about. Questions to include may be: • • • • • •

Play a card game or work a puzzle together.

Ask them to bring pictures of themselves when they were a baby/child. Have pictures of yourself and compare the pictures. Do you look like your grandmother or grandaddy?

Make a gift bag or basket to give them. Include their favorite snacks and candy bar, lotions, hand soap, note cards, ink pens, postage stamps, gift card to their favorite restaurant, a picture of you and them together.

If your grandparents do not live close to you, you could video-call or talk to them on the phone. You could mail them a gift package or a special card you made for them. If your grandparents are no longer living, you may choose a couple in your neighborhood or nursing home to be “adopted” as grandparents.

Celebrate and have a GRAND day with your Grandparents!

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• • • • • • • •

What was your favorite game to play when you were a child?

What was your favorite food to eat as a child?

What did you enjoy when you attended church?

Did you have a favorite song you liked to sing at church?

What was your favorite thing to do when you visited your grandparents?

How much did a candy bar cost when you were a child?

How old were you when the two of you met?

How old were you when you got married?

Why did you name my dad or mom their name when they were born?

What is your favorite snack food?

What hymn is your favorite to sing?

Do you have a favorite Bible verse?

What is your favorite thing about being a grandparent?

What is one thing you wish for me in my life?

Rev. Brenda Dedmon, retired Director, Children’s Learning Center, First Baptist of Dalton, and an avid Bama fan.

goodnewscm.com // September 2026

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Gò0dNews to Study By

The Blood of Jesus Traced Through the Bible: Old Testament Books

by Kenneth E. Ware, MDiv

The Law (Legal)

Solomon’s sacrifices; 22k oxen & 120k sheep, blood all over the place (1Kings 8:63).

•

1 & 2 Chronicles – The priest slaughtered the lamb & sprinkled the blood on the altar as a prototype of Jesus, the Lamb of God (2 Chr.29:22).

Genesis

• •

In the protoevangelium, the blood of Jesus is seen in the Seed of the woman (Gen. 3:15).

The blood of Jesus is seen in the animal sacrifice for Adam & Eve (Gen. 3:21).

The blood of Jesus is seen in the ram sacrificed by Abraham (Gen. 22:13).

Exodus – The blood of Jesus is seen in the Passover Lamb sprinkled over the door posts with a hyssop branch (Exo. 12:22).

Leviticus – The blood is seen in the Burnt, Grain, Peace, Sin, & Guilt Offerings (Leviticus 1-11).

Numbers – The blood is seen in the Red Heifer slaughtered outside the camp (Num. 19).

Deuteronomy – The blood of Jesus is seen in the sacrifices poured out on the altar of the LORD (Deut. 12:27).

History (Historical)

Joshua – The blood is seen in Rahab’s Scarlet Cord of Redemption (Joshua 2:15-21).

Judges – The blood of Jesus is seen in Manoah’s offering on the rock to the LORD (Judges 13:19-20).

Ruth –The blood on Ruth’s newborn son, the Redeemer of Israel & Restorer of Life (Ruth 4:13-15).

1 & 2 Samuel – The blood of Jesus is seen in the peace offerings of David (2Sam.24:25).

1 & 2 Kings – The blood of Jesus is seen in each of 20

Ezra – The blood of Jesus is seen in Jeshua’s altar of burnt offerings to the LORD (Ezra 3:2-3).

Nehemiah – The blood remains on the altar of the LORD (Neh. 10:34).

Esther – The blood of Jesus is seen in the salvation & providence of God (Throughout the book of Esther).

Poetry (Poetical)

Job – The blood of Jesus is seen in the morning sacrifices of Job (Job 1:5).

Psalms – The blood is seen in the substitutionary atonement of Jesus Christ (Psa. 22).

Proverbs – The blood is seen in the Son of God who ascended & descended to and from heaven (Pro. 30:4).

Ecclesiastes – The blood is seen in the righteous man who offered a sacrifice (Eccl. 9:2) Song of Solomon – The blood is seen in a loving Good Shepherd who loves his bride (Song of Solomon).

Major Prophets (Prophetical)

Isaiah – The blood is seen in the Suffering Servant (Isa. 53).

Jeremiah – The blood is seen in the Righteous Branch (Jer. 23:5). goodnewscm.com // September 2026

"Abraham’s Sacrifice" by Rembrandt van Rijn

Lamentations – The blood of Jesus, the Righteous, was shed for sins (Lam. 4:13).

Ezekiel – The blood is seen in the weekly, monthly, & daily sacrifices during the Millennial Kingdom (Ezekiel 46).

Daniel – The blood is seen in the Messiah that was cut off (Dan. 9:26).

Minor Prophets (Prophetical)

Hosea – The blood is seen in Hosea, a type of Christ, who loved & redeemed Gomer, a rebellious bride (a type of Israel) (Hosea 13:4).

Joel – The blood of Christ set Judah free from shedding innocent blood (Joel 3:21).

Amos – The blood is seen in Christ the restorer of Israel (Amos 9:15).

Obadiah – The blood is seen in Christ as the Judge over Israel’s enemies (Obad. 1:15-16) and the Savior of His chosen nation (Obad. 1:17-20).

Jonah – On the ship to Tarshish, the blood is seen in the sacrifice to the LORD (Jonah 1:16).

Micah – The blood is foretold in the birth of Christ in the town of Bethlehem, a Ruler in Israel who’s going forth are from long ago, from the days of eternity (Micah 5:2).

Nahum – •

The blood is seen in the LORD who is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble (Nah. 1:7).

•

The blood is seen in the second coming of Christ who takes vengeance on His adversaries (Nah. 1:2).

Habakkuk – The blood is seen in the saving ministry of Jesus Christ, the God of my salvation (Hab. 3:18).

Zephaniah –The blood of Jesus is in the sacrifice that was prepared by the LORD (Zeph. 1:7).

Haggai – The blood is seen in the signet ring, through the royal line of David (Hag. 2:23).

Zechariah – The blood of Jesus is seen in the One whom they pierced; a fountain opened for the house of David (Zech. 12:10; 13:1). We see the blood of the covenant that set prisoners free from the waterless pit (Zech. 9:11).

Malachi – The blood of Jesus is seen in the offerings of Judah that was pleasing to the LORD (Mal. 3:4). © Copyright. All rights reserved. Adapted to our format and used with permission from the author.

Kenneth E. Ware, M.M., M.A.B.S., M. Div. a graduate of Temple Baptist Seminary, is Pastor of New Sholar Avenue Baptist Church in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He’s also a Christian Writer and an Expository Bible Teacher at Samford University Ministry Training Institute (MTI). He and his wife, Tonia, have been married 29 years.

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Gò0dNews for Seniors

Casting Shadows

by Dorothy Teague

Today is Labor Day, the last summer holiday. As I sit and watch the boaters, my mind drifts back to the days when I was out there skiing and flying around on my jet ski. Doesn’t seem so long ago, but then I realize how much time has come and gone! Those days passed so quickly! With the end of long sun-drenched days comes crisper, cooler weather and shorter daylight hours.

When summer gives way to fall, I can’t help but think about life and how fleeting it is.

Being a poetry lover, I think about how some of the great poets describe one’s life as a day. The morning is the early part of life and “the setting of the sun” is the closing of life. When I was young, I didn’t stop to think about the hours of my life ticking away. I thought I had “all the time in the world.” But as I’ve gotten older, I am more conscious of my age and the time I possibly have left.

The Bible speaks about the fleeting nature of life. James 4:14 NKJV asks the question, “For what is your life?”

That is a somber question for all of us to ask ourselves.

What does our life consist of? Have we laid up treasures in Heaven through doing good deeds and serving our fellow man? Or do we have selfishness and pride written into the story of our life? The answer James tells us is that “It is even a vapor, that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.” Job 8:9 NIV says: “our days on earth are a shadow.” This is a metaphor, comparing how short our lives are to a nonsubstance thing such as a shadow, but it really started me thinking about whether I have made a difference in my life.

In every season and time of our lives, we cast physical shadows. We cast longer shadows when the sun is low in the sky whether it be in the early morning, late afternoon, or early evening. It has to do with the angle of the sun, the time of day, the season, and the distance from the light source. Just as we cast physical shadows on the ground, we also cast our spiritual shadow or influence upon others we walk this life with.

Taking the poet’s analogy a step further, if we start early in life to do good and the will of the Father, we will have a longer time to cast our shadow on this world. But it is interesting to note that one of the factors of a longer shadow is that the closer an object is to a light source, the larger the shadow. So, the closer we are to the “Son,” our light source as Christians, the longer our shadow will be cast upon this world to make a difference.

Our time on earth is short in the grand scheme of things, so what we do with our time really matters! Do we live it for selfish gain or do we give of ourselves to help others? We should live a life that is pleasing to God, one that honors Him with our actions, time, and gifts. What we spend our time on is where our shadow will fall.

How will YOU cast your shadow for HIM? 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.

22

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23

FEATURED COVER STORY

Care Designed Around You

W

Enhanced Family Physio

hen pain becomes part of everyday life, it's easy to accept it as the new normal. Work, play, worship, or spending time with family can be impacted by a sore back, aching knees, lingering shoulder pain, or limited mobility. It doesn't have to stay that way.

At Enhanced Family Physio in Dalton, Ga, the goal is simple: Feel Better. Move Better. Be Better. Those three phrases define the clinic's philosophy and the experience every patient receives from the moment they walk through the door.

Did you catch the order of the words? The order is intentional. Before someone can move better, they first need relief from pain. That's why the team

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places such a strong emphasis on helping patients feel better first. By reducing pain through hands-on treatment and evidence-based techniques, patients are better able to participate in therapy, regain strength, and return to the activities they love.

For many patients, the journey begins with a simple, two-part goal: finding relief and getting back to what they enjoy. While pursuing that goal, one thing patients quickly discover is that there are no cookiecutter treatment plans at Enhanced Family Physio.

Focusing on individuals, the therapists develop corresponding individualized treatment plans based on each patient's specific movement patterns, lifestyle, and long-term goals. goodnewscm.com // September 2026

Step One: What’s Holding You Back from ‘Better’?

That personalized approach begins with a thorough evaluation. Using advanced technology, including AI-assisted movement and dysfunction screening, therapists can identify movement limitations and underlying issues that patients may not even realize are contributing to their discomfort. Instead of simply treating where the pain is located, they look for the root cause, helping patients achieve more complete and lasting results.

Technology, however, is only one piece of the equation.

Enhanced Family Physio believes exceptional physical therapy is built on hands-on care. Manual therapy plays a central role in treatment, complemented by specialized techniques such as cupping, Graston therapy, dry needling, pneumatic compression, and carefully progressed corrective exercises. These therapies work together to improve mobility, restore function, reduce pain, and help patients move with greater confidence.

Step Two: Getting Better Care doesn't stop when patients leave the clinic. Every treatment plan includes home exercises designed to reinforce progress between visits. By combining skilled, in-clinic therapy with practical exercises patients can perform at home, the team focuses on restoring fullbody function rather than simply masking symptoms in one painful area.

This philosophy reflects what Enhanced Family Physio believes physical therapy should be.

For too many people, therapy has become associated with a sheet of exercises and a brief appointment.

Enhanced Family Physio was built around a different vision. When therapists take time to listen, evaluate

thoroughly, treat intentionally, and partner with patients throughout their recovery, patients step out toward being better. The goal isn't simply completing a course of therapy; it's helping people regain confidence, restore movement, and improve their quality of life for years to come.

As a family-owned practice, Enhanced Family Physio has the freedom to keep patients at the center of every decision. Appointments aren't rushed, and treatment isn't dictated by a one-size-fits-all model. Instead, every patient receives the time, attention, and personalized care needed to achieve the best possible outcome.

Whether you're recovering from surgery, dealing with neck or back pain, overcoming a sports injury, managing arthritis, or simply tired of living with pain that limits your everyday life, Enhanced Family Physio is committed to helping you step forward and move better with confidence.

To those who have already trusted Enhanced Family Physio with their care, thank you for allowing the team to be part of your recovery journey. Your encouragement and referrals have helped the clinic continue its mission of serving the Dalton community with compassionate, patient-centered care.

And if you've been wondering whether physical therapy could help you, consider this your invitation. You don't have to settle for pain or limited movement. Pain often enters a patient’s life gradually. You could be pleasantly surprised when you recover mobility and ease or eliminate pain. The team at Enhanced Family Physio is ready to welcome you, listen to your goals, and develop a personalized plan to help you feel better, move better, and ultimately, be better.

Your Next Steps:

Schedule an Evaluation at 706 383 3612 Get a Personalized Plan Start Your Recovery Enjoy Life Pain-Free 25

Gò0dNews for Nutrition

More Than a Healthy Body

by Pastor Nathaniel Oregon, Dalton Seventh Day Adventist Church

Thousands of years before clinical trials became part of modern medicine, the Bible records an interesting experiment involving four young men in Babylon.

Interestingly, this account has even attracted the attention of modern medicine. In 2003, physician Edmund Lewis wrote in The New England Journal of Medicine, “The first published report of a clinical trial has biblical origins,” pointing specifically to Daniel’s ten-day test.

At the end of the experiment, Daniel and his friends appeared healthier than those who had eaten from the king’s table. But the story goes beyond physical health. Scripture says, “God gave them knowledge and skill in all literature and wisdom” (Daniel 1:17 NKJV). When Nebuchadnezzar later examined them, “he found them ten times better” (Daniel 1:20 NKJV).

While we should not assume that diet alone produced their wisdom—the Bible clearly gives God the credit— the story illustrates something we increasingly recognize today: our daily choices matter.

Beginning in the 1960s, the Alameda County Study examined the health practices of thousands of adults in California.

Researchers identified several simple lifestyle practices associated with better health and lower mortality, including regular physical activity, adequate sleep, not smoking, 26

and maintaining a healthy weight.

What was particularly interesting was the cumulative effect. People who practiced more healthy habits tended to experience better outcomes than those who practiced fewer.

a pattern of choices. And those choices can affect more than our physical health. The way we eat, move, sleep, manage stress, and care for ourselves can influence how we feel, think, and function from day to day.

Decades later, researchers reported similar findings in the medical journal Circulation.

After following more than 120,000 adults, they examined five lifestyle factors involving diet, physical activity, smoking, alcohol use, and healthy weight.

At age 50, practicing all five was associated with a projected life expectancy 14 years longer for women and 12.2 years longer for men compared with practicing none.

One helpful framework for thinking about those choices is NEWSTART®: Nutrition, Exercise, Water, Sunlight, Temperance, Air, Rest, and Trust in God. Over the coming months, we will explore each of these principles and examine what both Scripture and scientific research can teach us about physical, mental/emotional, and spiritual health.

A later study published in The BMJ found that healthier lifestyles were also associated with more years lived without cardiovascular disease, cancer, and type 2 diabetes.

God created us as whole people.

Caring for our health is not about trying to guarantee a long life.

None of us can do that. It is about faithfully caring for the life God has given us and becoming better equipped to live, love, serve, and fulfill His purpose for our lives.

The evidence points to an important principle: health is not usually determined by one choice. It is shaped over time by

“Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31 NKJV).

NEWSTART® is a registered trademark of Weimar University, used by permission.

Daniel and his friends had been taken captive and brought into the court of King Nebuchadnezzar. When offered food and wine from the king’s table, Daniel requested something different.

He asked for vegetables to eat and water to drink for ten days. At the end of that time, their appearance would be compared with the appearance of those eating the king’s food.

Nathaniel Oregon, M.A., serves as pastor of the Dalton Seventh-day Adventist Church in Dalton, Georgia. He holds a Master of Arts in Pastoral Ministry from Andrews University and is passionate about helping people grow in their relationship with Jesus through biblical teaching, discipleship, and community engagement.

goodnewscm.com // September 2026

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27

Gò0dNews for Athletes

Running With Him

by Bill Silvers

July 2026 is my birthday month. At 88 years old, most people are slowing down. I’m speeding up.

I never considered myself a runner.

I’ll be honest: I don’t even like to walk.

But at 81, God placed something unexpected on my heart. He called me to run.

It didn’t make much sense then, and some days it still doesn’t. I’ve learned that when God calls, the best response isn’t understanding, but obedience.

What started with 5K races has turned into something far greater than I ever imagined. In June 2025, I competed in my first USA Track and Field Masters Championship. I finished fourth in the nation in the 400 meter and fifth in the 200 meter.

I was also blessed to run with an amazing team in the relays, where we brought home the gold in the 4x100m, 4x400m, and 4x800m.

Later at the Kentucky Senior Game, I competed against athletes from 13 states and placed first in the 1500m, 800m, 400m, and 200m. I even won the 50m by just 0.02 seconds!

One of the greatest challenges wasn’t just the competition. It was the pace: five races, two and a half hours, very little recovery time. That day reminded me of something important: if we never push ourselves, we may never see what 28

God is capable of doing through us.

Training for those moments didn’t happen overnight. I committed six days a week to preparation, spending hours at the gym, on the basketball court, and walking through the North Georgia mountains. Those walks became more than exercise; they became encounters with God. Along those quiet paths, my prayer life changed. I had always done most of the talking. When you spend hours alone with God, surrounded by His creation, you begin to listen. And in that listening, I found strength not just for running, but for life.

Running, for me, is no longer just physical. It’s spiritual. The apostle Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 9:24–25 NIV, “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize… They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.” That Scripture reshaped how I see every race. I’m not just chasing a finish line.

I’m pursuing something eternal.

When the races get hard, I hold on to the promise of Isaiah 40:31 NIV: “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary.” I’ve felt that renewal. There have been moments when my body said stop, but God said keep going.

People sometimes look at what I’ve accomplished and focus on the medals. The real victory isn’t in what I’ve won. It’s in what I’ve learned: • It’s never too late to start something new.

• Obedience can lead you places you never planned to go.

• What feels impossible in your own strength becomes possible when you trust God. James 1:12 NIV reminds us, “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love Him.” That promise keeps me moving forward, both on the track and in life.

At 88, I’m still running. Not because I have to, but because I’m called to.

If there’s one thing I hope others see in my journey, it’s this: you’re never too old, too late, or too unlikely for God to use.

Bill Silvers from Ellijay, Georgia, began running competitively at age 81. He runs to the glory of God!

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29

Gò0dNews for Discovering More

A Picture’s Worth MORE THAN a Thousand Words

by Garrett Nudd

Laughter filled the gallery.

Congratulations echoed between the exposed brick walls. Well-wishes rolled across the century-old original pine floors. The walls proudly displayed our best work—portraits of perfect families and weddings from around the world. Each one had been carefully curated to showcase our creative vision and commitment to providing quality custom one-of-a-kind artwork unlike anything that was currently available in our community.

It was an eclectic location on Main Street in the heart of Chattanooga’s Southside. The urban area was poised for promise, but it wasn’t going to happen overnight. We were driving the change.

Well, I don’t know if we were technically the drivers per se, but at least we were on the bus. And we had paid dearly for our seats.

It was all quite an investment.

Nevertheless, we were trend setters.

Pioneers. Risk takers. This is what we had worked for, and it felt great!

over the front desk. Our neighbors loved the new sign out front. Several of them commented on it and that made me feel good.

Validation is so important. They were rooting for us. Perhaps our success would impact theirs.

That's one of the beautiful things about community.

In the back of our studio, we had a sign that reminded us of our purpose—an unofficial mission statement that kept us on track.

Our business is photography, but it is no more important than a smile, hug, or kind word.

Our mission, goal, and purpose is to make people feel good about themselves.

That is far more important than the craft of photography.

If we make people feel special, they will like us. And if they like us, our business will take care of itself.

In my time as a photographer, I learned that way too many people, We had a new name: Cobblestone unfortunately, see themselves as Rue. And a new sign. Two signs less than. It was our unwritten actually. Both hand-crafted by a local mission to work and push and use steel artisan. We had paid dearly for our position to influence people for those too. But you gotta have a sign, MORE THAN. That was our MORE right? And if one sign is good, two THAN. We gave more of ourselves signs must be better. One sign hung during those ten years than I over the front door and the other could’ve ever imagined, but the 30

results were absolutely beautiful.

Our clients gave us MORE THAN and they allowed us to give MORE THAN, and – even though we closed the photography studio in exchange for more traditional work that would allow me to be home on the weekends with my family – for that we will always be grateful.

The psalmist wrote, “Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart” (Psalms 37:4). I saw that promise as an invitation for MORE THAN and I claimed that promise regularly. I didn’t know what I’d do if God made good on His promise, but I thought it sure would be fun to find out.

What passion or pursuit do you have that is nagging at your heart?

Do you have a project or product or service you would like to unleash to the world?

What steps can you take today to move yourself closer to achieving that exciting goal?

Remember, your MORE THAN dream deserves to be shared, and the world is waiting for you.

This excerpt from Garrett’s book, MORE THAN Discovering How Your Story Reveals God’s Beautiful Truth About You, is adapted to our format and used with permission.

goodnewscm.com // September 2026

THIS ISN’T PHYSICAL THERAPY. THIS IS WHAT COMES NEXT.

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31

Gò0dNews for your Taste Buds

Cast Iron Apple Fritters A Sweet START TO APPALACHIAN AUTUMN September in the Smoky Mountains is a season of inbetween. The air is cooler in the mornings, but warm by afternoon. Goldenrod paints the fields, and the green hills begin to blush with hints of red and rust. It’s the month when summer lingers, but fall knocks at the door.

And nothing says September in the mountains quite like apples. All across the region, orchard trees begin to droop with fruit—crisp, tart, red-and-gold apples that taste like the turn of the season. In mountain communities, it’s a time of canning and cider-making, of hayrides and festivals, of handing a child a paring knife and letting them help peel apples for pie.

But one of the most delightful—and easiest—ways to enjoy those first apples is with a batch of cast-iron apple fritters. Lightly crisped on the outside and soft on the inside, these fritters are laced with cinnamon and dotted with chunks of sweet apple. They’re fried golden-brown in a skillet and finished with a dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of glaze.

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If you imagine, you can hear the sound of a grandmother’s voice on a chilly September morning: “Go grab a few apples off the porch basket—we’ll make fritters before the sun hits the hill.” The generations before us didn’t follow a recipe, just used their hands and instinct. With or without a recipe, the spirit is the same: simple, seasonal, and meant to be shared.

Fritters are best served warm, alongside a mug of coffee or spiced cider. Whether you’re feeding your family on a lazy Saturday or sharing with neighbors after Sunday service, this recipe captures the heart of early Appalachian autumn.

These fritters are more than just a sweet treat. They’re a reminder that even as seasons change, some things— like warm kitchens, family traditions, and the taste of mountain apples—stay delightfully the same.

goodnewscm.com // September 2026

Ingredients: 1 cup all-purpose flour ¼ cup sugar 1½ teaspoons baking powder ½ teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon cinnamon ¼ teaspoon nutmeg ⅓ cup milk 1 egg 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 cup peeled and finely chopped apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp work well) Vegetable oil for frying Optional Glaze: ½ cup powdered sugar 1–2 tablespoons milk Dash of vanilla

Instructions: In a medium bowl, whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.

In another bowl, beat together milk, egg, and vanilla. Stir the wet ingredients into the dry just until combined. Fold in chopped apples.

Heat 1–2 inches of oil in a cast-iron skillet over medium heat. When oil is hot (about 350°F), drop batter by heaping tablespoons into the oil. Do not overcrowd the skillet.

Fry 2–3 minutes per side or until golden brown and cooked through. Transfer to paper towels to drain.

If desired, mix glaze ingredients and drizzle over warm fritters—or simply dust with powdered sugar.

33

Gò0dNews Poetry

It’s a New Day

by Kristen West

It’s a new day…

Thank You for Your mercies and kindness.

Thank You for Jesus and His unwavering love.

Thank You for never giving up on me.

(Lamentations 3:22-23) It’s a new day…

Help me to pick up my cross and follow You, Not because it’s easy or popular But because it’s good and right.

(Matthew 16:24-26) It’s a new day…

Help me to see people through Your eyes, Respond to people like You would, And love them like You do.

(I John 4:19-21) It’s a new day…

I choose to lay all my cares at Your feet.

Help me not pick them back up.

You are the only One strong enough to carry them.

(I Peter 5:7) It’s a new day…

Use me to encourage someone today; To show them who Jesus really is, And to reflect Your heart in a meaningful way.

(Hebrews 10:24-25) It’s a new day…

Please fill me with Your Spirit; Arm me with Your Word; Surround me with Your favor.

(Galatians 5:22-23; Psalm 5:12) It’s a new day…

I surrender all.

I choose You. I love You. (John 15:5) This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalm 118:24) 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.

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goodnewscm.com // September 2026

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Gò0dNews for Our Nation

Honoring 9/11 and Healing from Loss

by Sue Lavigne

As we approach the 25th remembrance of that fateful day, September 11th 2001, I would like to share a time of healing for me. My friend’s husband, Robert “Bob” Houtz, lost his daughter, Angela “Angie” Houtz that day at the Pentagon. He wrote a song for her to express his heart and his grief, and several years later I was given the song. With God’s help, I revised it to the words in this article.

Not only did I feel the loss that so many people felt that day, but I also felt a loss that I never expected, the loss of not knowing a father’s love for his daughter. I remember playing this song and weeping as God pulled back the curtain of my emotions to reveal a hurt left by the emptiness of my father’s love for me. The words “Jesus, please hold her till I get there, Please hold my little girl for me,” were expressions of a father’s love for which I had always longed. It meant so much to finally find an expression of a father’s love that I lacked growing up and also knowing that there is a greater love for me in the arms of Jesus.

Maybe there are many of us who have not had the comfort of a father’s love. Maybe there are some of us who have lost a child and have felt the grief of that loss. I pray that this song gives you comfort knowing that those loved ones, in Christ, are truly in the arms of Jesus, our Savior.

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For Angie byBy Susan Lavigne and Robert Houtz As the smoke filled the air, how could I dare, Even begin to believe That my little girl was gone, my days grew so long Lost in my pain and my grief Then I lifted my eyes, oh Lord I cried Help me, my heart is distressed And Lord, if you please, my sorrow you’d ease If you grant me this one request Chorus: Jesus, please hold her till I get there I don’t know when that will be O’ Jesus, please hold my little girl for me As the years have passed by, we still miss her and cry For she left this world so very young But each time I pray, I get stronger everyday Held in the arms of God’s Love And a peace fills my mind when I dream of the time I’ll take her in my arms once again All the pain will disappear, as I’m holding her near But Lord, until then Jesus, please hold her till I get there I don’t know when that will be O’ Jesus, please hold my little girl Jesus, please hold my little girl O’ Jesus, please hold my little girl for me

I pray that the words of this song and the remembrance of your own heart will help you find peace and comfort in whatever loss you have experienced.

Sue Lavigne is a member of West Rome Baptist Church in Rome, GA, and a Christian speaker and songwriter.

goodnewscm.com // September 2026

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Gò0dNews for Life

Then Came Amalek: Part 2

by Dr. Rob Debelak

Part 2 of 3: Saul’s Demise (1 Samuel 15) Scant origins and a history of violence mark the Amalekite’s resume [see the first installment in this three-part series, “Then Came Amalek – Part 1: Bold Beginnings”]. This enemy initially ambushed Moses and Israel; God forewarned continuous conflict until Israel eliminated the Amalekites. Over four centuries later, a critical engagement leads to Saul’s tragic downfall.

Encountering the Narrative A Decent Start Against the prophet Samuel’s wishes, his people rejected the LORD, desiring a king like the neighboring nations (1 Samuel 8). From the tribe of Benjamin, Saul was anointed to lead (1 Samuel 9-10). Spiritually, he experiences God’s Spirit (1 Samuel 10:5-13)! Politically, his military obligations are successful. Despite a few doubters (1 Samuel 10:26-27), Saul soundly routes the Ammonites (1 Samuel 11).

A Bad Decision On the surface, everything looks good. However, Saul’s declining spirituality and poor judgment will culminate in disaster. In an early conflict with the Philistines, Saul inappropriately takes priestly duties upon himself (1 Samuel 13:8-10). Samuel sharply rebukes him and foretells Saul’s loss of the kingdom (1 Samuel 13:13-14).

Saul called for the sacred Ark to be brought to the battlefield (1 Samuel 14:15-23); an unauthorized tactic previously proving disastrous (1 Samuel 4-6). Later, issuing an odd order for his forces to further forego food, Saul unwittingly cursed his own son, Jonathan, to die (1 Samuel 14:24-45) - an order Saul was prevented by his own men from carrying out.

Spiraling out of control, Saul seals his demise in a skirmish with the Amalekites (1 Samuel 15). Saul is commissioned to a seek-and-destroy mission (15:1-3), but modifies God’s directive by sparing the Amalekite king, Agag, along with the best livestock (15:4-9).

Confronted once more by Samuel, Saul’s spiritual-spin 38

on the facts fails to convince the prophet (15:10-15), who reminds Saul obedience is preferred over sacrifice (v 22). Saul had rejected the LORD; consequently, the LORD rejected Saul (v 26).

A Sad Ending The last battle of his life was with his career-long menace, the Philistines (1 Samuel 31). In the conflict, Saul’s sons perish, and the king is mortally wounded.

Rather than risk torture at enemy hands, Saul ends his own life (2 Samuel 1). In a public display of humiliation, the Philistines made a spectacle of the remains. There is more, though, to this account of a fallen king.

ROB

News of Saul’s death reaches David (2 Samuel 1:1-16).

Upon questioning the battle report, David learns the details are much more involved. As David listens to the eyewitness account, he learns the specifics of Saul’s last moments from the very person who took Saul’s life (1:10). Pressing the testimony revealed the man was an Amalekite! Ironically, what Saul failed to end (1 Samuel 15) was the very thing that ended him.

A Tre

Saul reigned over four decades (1 Samuel 13:1; Acts 13:21). His final years were defined by turmoil (1 Samuel 16:14), strife (Ch 17), jealousy (Ch 18), and suspicion (Ch 19). His failure cost him his family, his kingdom, and his life. He sought to hurt those loyal to him (Ch 20, 24), honoring instead those that ultimately hurt him (1 Samuel 15). Still, David mourned him (2 Samuel 1:17-27).

Engaging the Message The account is not about justifying the loss of life.

Rather, if the narrative symbolically teaches the persistence and power of sin, what does God deem detrimental and to be obediently avoided in a believer’s life? Personified in the Amalekite challenge, followers of God are called to uncompromising faithfulness.

• Cl • St • In • Ba • Tr

2408 706

Dr. Rob Debelak is Professor of Bible at Lee University.

He has taught at Lee University for 30+ years and is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force. He and his family reside in Cleveland, Tennessee.

goodnewscm.com // September 2026

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Gò0dNews for Artists

"Charing Cross Bridge, London" by Camille Pissaro

A Life-Long Artist

by Carl Corser

My life is a canvas upon which I have the opportunity to craft a beautiful rendering of my life. God provides the brushes and the paint. At the time that I come to the age of accountability, I am responsible for every brushstroke and paint color, which is added daily to my life’s canvas. When I’ve made wise, life-building choices, my paint colors are bright and glowing with unique brush strokes. When I’ve made foolish and life-destructive choices, I have ceased to be creative with my brush strokes and have begun choosing dark paint colors to apply to my life’s canvas.

make ugly choices with Him knowing what the finished painting of our life’s canvas looks like?

What influences guide my canvas application choices?

Who influences the canvas application choices? When do the results of those canvas application choices begin to appear upon my life’s canvas?

Maybe we should take a second look at differences between the two polarizing influences, critique and criticism? Maybe our memory needs to be refreshed on how powerful these two influences are in the finished life’s canvas? Maybe we should consider the source of the critique and/or the criticism?

There are many influences that we face daily. We must choose how we allow them to shape our present life, which affects our future. These influences will be either positive or negative in nature. No matter their nature of content, we are solely responsible for our reactions to them with choices by brushstrokes and paint color.

These choices will be presented to us multiple times daily. Upon their encounter, we must accept or reject one of the influences, whether it be the positive or the negative option. Life will not allow us to choose both.

Our choice will directly affect the beauty or the ugliness that is displayed upon our life’s canvas.

This is the key factor to us having a beautiful or an ugly canvas. God gave us a free will and the ability to choose whether we want our life’s canvas to be a beautiful or an ugly display of our life’s choices.

Didn’t God create us and then say that we were beautiful in His eyes? I wonder how God feels when we 40

We begin life with a blank canvas, ready for us, the artists, to begin applying colors to it. That accountability rests upon our shoulders as we progress through life’s decisions, choices, and abilities. At the end of life, will our decisions reflect how well we encountered critique and criticism? It is of life-changing importance which one we allow to affect our choices of brush strokes and paint colors being applied to our life’s canvas.

Why is it that one can build us up so much, while the other can accomplish so much destruction within our life? Maybe if we understand the definitions of the two influences, we can find wisdom in our view of them.

A critique is a structured, balanced, and constructive evaluation meant to improve our life and our methods of painting our life’s canvas. A critical focus is a negative approach to viewing our flaws. It’s faultfinding, an expression of disapproval, which is so destructive and judgmental. Wow, no wonder our feelings are so polarized concerning these views.

Scripture is full of instructions that will guide us in the right choices in our life’s canvas painting process. Those verses will instruct us to choose wisely, seek uplifting relationships, not to fear man's influence, and to seek God first on every choice that we encounter in life. goodnewscm.com // September 2026

So, it really is up to us, concerning our decisions, which will determine how beautiful our life’s canvas becomes upon being finished when we depart this life on earth.

Oh my, how much beauty we have control of as we endeavor to paint our life’s canvas. God gave us beauty upon His creation of us. We have the ability through His great care to finish with a beautiful canvas.

Oh, what a challenge we have before us to seek wisdom in our life’s choices. Life’s wisdom is much more precious than gold and rubies.

Oh my, how beautiful our life’s canvas can become, more beautiful than these beauties mentioned in Scripture.

Beautiful paint colors and correct brushes, in the right hands, will create a beautiful life’s canvas. May we prayerfully consider our choices and decisions which will enable us to become very successful, having the privilege of being those right hands painting our life’s canvas.

May our life’s canvas be such a beautiful testimony of the glory of God working in our lives. The acceptance of critique and applying it to our painting process will make our life’s canvas so beautiful. The acceptance of destructive criticism will certainly end our painting process with great displeasure.

My friend, you will never be left alone, having the full responsibility of painting your life’s canvas and the painting technique choices if you seek God’s wisdom daily. His guidance will be sufficient in your making your choices as to the right brushes and right paint colors to create a beautiful life’s canvas. It will be a great pleasure to present it to your Creator when your life is finished upon this earth. You’ll be hearing the words, “Well done, thou good and faithful artist.”

Carl Corser is an ordained bishop, author of a devotion book, "Living Past Sunday," business owner, farmer, author of a devotion website, carlcorser.com. Carl has pastored several churches.

• HOPE FILLED PRAISE & WORSHIP • RELEASING THE FATHER’S GOODNESS • CHANGING THE ATMOSPHERE

41

Gò0dNews for the Discouraged I have been thinking about balloons recently.

As a kid, I remember the excitement of seeing hot air balloons in the evening skies. There were a couple of times that Dad would jump in the truck with us and try to chase the balloons. We would watch as the fire would ignite above the basket, and the balloon would lift and move wherever the wind was blowing. On one occasion, a hot air balloon landed in the pasture just behind our house. A parade of trucks came rolling up the driveway following it to our property.

The crew worked quickly, as they grabbed ropes and pulled it down to the ground. They removed any remaining air from the material and folded it all into a neat stack before packing everything in the trucks leaving just as quickly as they came.

I don't remember who taught me how to blow up balloons or how to tie the ends to keep all that hot air trapped inside.

I do remember having to blow up balloons for a party at school, and no one else being able to tie them. Everyone kept handing their balloons to me to tie the end, and I ended up with blisters on my fingers from it. If the end was not tied, the balloon would go sailing across the room as the air whooshed out of it.

When I started working during my high school years, I would cover the floral shop in the evenings. I had to learn how to fill balloons with helium. It was very important to have a ribbon tied securely between the balloon and a weight as an anchor, or the balloon could take off and become out of reach very quickly. There is nothing that will devastate a little child more than seeing the balloon they were holding slip from their fingers and float away.

Up, Up, and Away

by Sharon Eldridge

Recently, my days have been very busy and very tiresome.

There have been long days and early mornings, leaving me feeling completely worn out and weary. I have been a little worried that I wouldn't be able to jump back into my daily routine of writing with the Lord. I honestly felt like a balloon that got filled with a bunch of hot air, but no one tied the end and sent me flying in all directions as the air rushed out and landed on the floor, empty and deflated. Have you ever been there? It feels like there's no chance of moving unless someone picks you up and fills you back up again.

Sometimes it's a person who picks us up and they breathe their own hot air into us and even tie the end, but we end up being bounced back and forth between our obligations and theirs. We do our best not to touch the ground, but when we do, we're stuck just rolling around. Sometimes we roll across something sharp or someone rubs us the wrong way, and POP! Sometimes other people will avoid us because they are afraid that we might pop as we are stretched. Sometimes people think it's fun to make us squeak under pressure.

Some days we can be filled with helium. The words and actions of people who love us give us a "lighter than air"

42

goodnewscm.com // September 2026

But God allows us to be beautiful, uniquely-designed hot air balloons. The fire of the Holy Spirit creates a lift that is perfectly controlled. His basket attached to us can be full of people who need to see things from His perspective. He controls the winds as we shift into the flow of His assignments. He never takes His eyes off of us as we float along, touching the clouds. He knows when we need to land, and He will send a team of people to help us land safely. He never abandons us or leaves it to chance for us to be found. He pursues us and is ready to quickly assist us if the winds become too harsh. Instead of being bounced around, we are able to relax and enjoy the view as He directs our flight. Up, up, and away!

feeling. We can float along above all the circumstances, but we're attached to a weight that keeps us from flying into the clouds. People hold onto us and feel very sad if we slip away from them. However, sometimes they let go intentionally just to see how far we can make it before crashing to the ground.

"This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you... For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up in honor. Rise up, My darling!

Come away with Me, My fair one!" (1 Timothy 1:6a,7; James 4:10; Song of Songs 2:13b)

Sharon Eldridge is a newly published writer, excited to see where the Lord leads as she develops a new blog.

43

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 44

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

678-314-7994 Rock Bridge Community Church 121 W Crawford St, 30720

Episcopal

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

Jehovah’s Witnesses

Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses 1309 Applewood Drive, 30720 706-529-0192 Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses 1817 Dug Gap Rd, 30720 706-270-0156

Latter-day Saints

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

Lutheran

Christ the King Lutheran Church 623 S Thornton Ave, 30720 706-278-3979

Methodist

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

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 Refuge Christian Fellowship 4040 South Dixie Highway, 30721 762-268-1684 Pleasant Grove Methodist 2701 Cleveland Highway, 30721 706-259-3141 Trinity UMC 901 Veterans Dr, 30721 706-278-4042 Varnell Church 3485 Highway 2 Cohutta, 30710 706-694-8023 Wesley Chapel UMC 808 Jamestown CT, 30721 706-270-2331

Nazarene

First Church of the Nazarene 2325 Chattanooga Rd, 30720 706-278-8428 Grace Church of the Nazarene 1111 Nelson St, 30721 706-278-1171

Non-Denominational

Abundant Life Bible Church

goodnewscm.com // September 2026

901 Chester Road, 30721 706-270-9733 Bridging the Gap Ministries 514 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, 30721 706-277-7575 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 Refuge Christian Fellowship 4040 S. Dixie Hwy, 30721 706-280-1233 Relentless Worship Center 210 Robinwood Dr, 30721 706-313-1129 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

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 4330 Holly Creek Cool Springs Road Chatsworth, GA 30705 US Fellowship Baptist Church 706-695-2626 4396 Highway 52 Chatsworth, GA 30705 US First Baptist Church 706-695-2112 121 West Market Street Chatsworth, GA 30705 US Flat Branch Baptist Church 706-695-2663 3443 Highway 286 Chatsworth, GA 30705 US Free Hope Baptist Church 706-695-3717 4176 Highway 76 Chatsworth, GA 30705 US Holly Creek Baptist Church 706-695-8522 422 Holly Creek Chatsworth, GA 30705 US Liberty Baptist Church 4221 US-76, Chatsworth, GA 30705 US Little Consauga Baptist Church 706-517-5733 1100 Sugar Creek Chatsworth, GA 30705 US Maranatha Baptist Church 706-695-6330 Highway 225 South Chatsworth, GA 30705 US Mount Pisgah Baptist Church 706-517-8944

2309 Old Highway 411 Chatsworth, GA 30705 US New Hope Baptist Church 706-517-3089 1273 New Hope Road Chatsworth, GA 30705 US New Prospect Baptist Church 706-629-9521 7629 Highway 225 Chatsworth, GA 30705 US Old Fashion Baptist Church 706-695-5420 885 Ben Adams Road Chatsworth, GA 30705 US Open Air Ministries 706-386-484 1058 Mtn Crest Dr. Chatsworth, GA 30705 US Prayer Baptist Church 706-624-9216 10859 Hwy. 225 South Chatsworth, GA 30705 US Shinning Light Baptist Church 706-517-1739 801 North 5th Avenue Chatsworth, GA 30705 US Smyrna Baptist Church 706-695-5815 1913 Smyrna Church Road Chatsworth, GA 30705 US Spring Place Baptist Church 706-695-5532 441 Highway 225 South Chatsworth, GA 30705 US Total Praise Baptist Church 706-695-6441 1461 Greeson Bend Rd, Chatsworth, GA 30705 US Zion Hill Baptist Church 706-517-5913 Highway 225 North Chatsworth, GA 30705 US

Bible

Grace Bible Church 2599 Leonard Bridge Rd. Chatsworth, GA 30705 US

Church of Christ

Woodhaven Church of Christ 706-847-7400 508 West Peachtree Street Chatsworth, GA 30705 US

Church of God

Chatsworth Church of God 706-695-9388 Highway 411 South Chatsworth, GA 30705 US Central Community Church 706-695-4242 60 Pine Hills Drive Chatsworth, GA 30705 Spring Place Church of God 706-695-8000 717 Tibbs Bridge Road Chatsworth, GA 30705 US

Full Gospel

Faith Worship Center 706-695-6866 189 Hyden Tyler Road Chatsworth GA 30705 House Of Prayer 616 Jenkins Road Chatsworth, GA 30705 US

Methodist

Casey Springs 7250 Chastworth Highway South Chastworth, GA 30705 Center Valley Methodist Church 706-971-4646 5394 Highway 225 North Chatsworth, GA 30705 US First Methodist Church 706-695-3211 107 W Cherokee Street Chatsworth, GA 30705 US Fullers Chapel UMC 2144 Fuller’s Chapel Rd Chatsworth, GA 30705 US Spring Place UMC 706-695-5143 Po Box 248 Chatsworth, GA 30705 US

Non-Denominational

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

706-278-8161 Grace Presbyterian Church 2107 Threadmill Rd, 30720 706-226-6344 First Presbyterian Church 326 Wolfe Street Cohutta 30710 P.O. Box 87

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

Liberty Tabernacle 706-517-3140 2196 Smyrna Church Road Chatsworth, GA 30705 US Living Word Christian Fellowship 706-695-5005 960 Cherokee Drive Chatsworth, GA 30705 US New Beginnings Ministries 706-695-6067 646 Floodtown Road Chatsworth, GA 30705 US North Gate Church 706-548-4967 7727 Highway 225 South Chatsworth, GA 30755 US Tabernacle of Praise 706-517-0377 1435 Leonard Bridge Road Chatsworth, GA 30705 US Wings Of Faith Ministries 706-695-1527 1122 North Holly Drive Chatsworth, GA 30705 US

Pentecostal

Victory Tabernacle 706-517-1458 355 Ellijay Street Chatsworth, GA 30705 US A Place to Worship 706-517-8568 259 Old Landfill Rd Chatsworth, GA 30705 US

Presbyterian Sumach Presbyterian Church 706-695-4773 2089 Sumach Church Chatsworth, GA 30705 US

Seventh Day Adventist

Hispanic Adventist Church of Chatsworth 706-264-4299 88 North Park Drive Chatsworth, GA 30705 US Seventh-Day Adventist Church 706-517-5124 1115 Highway 52 Chatsworth, GA 30705 US 45

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