December 2019

Gò0dNews December 2019

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Contents DECEMBER 2019

GoodNews from the Pastor’s Desk

6 Christmas Presence

by Greg Hudson

GoodNews for Kids

8 Help

by Zora Hammond

GoodNews on Money Matters

10 It’s Simple, Not Easy

by Andrew Lee

GoodNews for Men

12 A Wonderful Life

by Billy Carver

GoodNews for Women

14 Freedom From Verbal Abuse

by Chandlin Johnson

GoodNews for Parents

18 Be Vigilant

by Diana Fain

GoodNews for Life

20 Choices

by Amy Poag

GoodNews Cover Story

22 One Man’s Passion: A.C.W. Landscapes

GoodNews for Everyone

24 What If Jesus Had Never Been Born?

by Ralph Jenkins

GoodNews for Teens

26 Get Rid of Your Boxes

by Jacob Herald

GoodNews for Thankfulness

28 Be The One

by Zebbie Brewster

GoodNews from the Heart

30 Who Do You Run For?

by Holly Kaylor

GoodNews for your Taste Buds

32 Mammaw’s Mandarin

12

Orange Cake

by Melissa Phillips GoodNews for Everyone

34 Two Tries

by Eric Smithey

GoodNews for Everyone

36 Float Silently

by Joel Walker

GoodNews for Everyone

38 Wild Vines

by Dorothy Teague

GoodNews for Everyone

22

40 Be Steadfast

by Chad Hess

GoodNews for Everyone

42 The Gifts of Christmas

by Betty Schaaf

42

Gò0dNews from the Pastor’s Desk

Christmas Presence

or many, it is a familiar story. The prophecies of the Old Testament looked forward to this birth. Isaiah said, “The Virgin shall conceive and give birth” and, “His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

And so the Creator of Heaven and Earth left the glories of Heaven and was born in Bethlehem. But the story did not end that day.

Jesus, that Holy Infant, born on that silent night in the little town of Bethlehem, grew up. His ministry began, and

He proclaimed that the Kingdom of God was at hand. He went everywhere preaching, teaching, and healing.

He spoke words of love and words of power: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3).

But Jesus did more than talk; He showed His love to others. The sick no one wanted to touch—Jesus touched them. The outcasts no one wanted to be around—Jesus spent time with them.

But this Jesus came for more than to show love and be kind. He came to save this world from sin. The sinner who was running from God—Jesus came to save them.

He told Nicodemus, “For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten son, that whosever believes in

6 // December 2019

him, shall not perish, but shall have eternal life” (John 3:16).

That is the real story of Christmas. That is the gift that has been given to all of us. This Jesus, born in Bethlehem, laid down His life on the old rugged cross on Calvary. He lived a perfect life but died for the sins of the whole world.

This world seems full of trouble now. We have disasters, crime, and disease. We have financial problems, sickness, and challenging relationships. But through all that, we have the love of God for us, as shown by Jesus, who laid down His life for each one of us.

But even the CROSS is not the end of the story. That same Jesus who died rose again on the third day and ascended to Heaven. Our Savior is still alive!

But even THAT is not the end of the story.

Jesus Himself said, “Let not your heart be troubled…I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also” (John 14:1-3).

One day soon, Jesus will return. One day soon, we can live with Him. The gifts of God will continue throughout eternity. “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying.

There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away” (Rev 21:4).

Children wait with eager anticipation for Christmas morning when the brightly colored packages can be unwrapped. We don’t have to wait for God’s gift. This gift of Salvation can be yours right now. Have you accepted Jesus?

Have you asked Him to be both the Savior and Lord of your life? If not, take the time to do that right now. The gift can be yours: the free gift of Salvation through Jesus Christ. You can enjoy that now as you wait with eager anticipation for the day of the return of Jesus!

About The Author

F

by Greg Hudson

Greg Hudson has lived in North Georgia for 17 years, serving at the Georgia-Cumberland Academy Church in Calhoun, Georgia (www.gcachurch.org). He is married to Joely, a nurse at Floyd Medical Center. They have three grown children and a snuggly dog, Watson.

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Gò0dNews for Kids

Help

his one word could change your life.

You could ask God for help with anything in your life. You should be asking God for help more than you shouldn’t.

Whether it be, “God, please wish me luck on my reading test,” or, “ God, please help my

grandma through her stroke,” your cries for help still matter. God makes your pleas for help His first priority because He loves us.

He doesn’t care if you are asking Him to do something big or little; He will be overjoyed that you are asking Him to help you.

8 // December 2019

It’s okay if you don’t know how to say something. Just get all the words out, and God will make sense of it all. It is okay if you don’t have anything to say. God understands. Don’t feel like you can’t ask anybody else besides God to help you. If you can’t ask God to do something, for Heaven’s sake, ask somebody!

But you should also ask God for guidance. Read your Bible and pray every day.

Remember, God made you special, and he loves you very much!

Matthew 7:7-8 says, “Ask, and it shall be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.

For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”

About The Author

T

by Zora Hammond

Zora Hammond is 10 years old and she is a 5th grader at Black Fox Elementary School.

She attends Pine Hill Church and she loves to read. She also enjoys writing and drama.

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It’s Simple, Not Easy MONEY MATTERS

WITH DR. ANDREW LEE

W

e often think of the words “simple” and “easy” as synonymous, but that’s not exactly true, especially when it comes to managing our finances. There is a big difference between knowing what to do and having the self-discipline and long-term mindset to actually follow through by making wise financial decisions. Many people have pointed out the similarities between personal finance and physical fitness. With physical fitness, it’s simple to know you should burn more calories every day than you take in, eat fewer fattening foods, etc. But doing it isn’t exactly “easy.” Here are some financial examples. It’s simple to track where your money goes every month. Just check your banking app on your cell phone or your bank’s website on your computer. It’s also simple to write a monthly budget showing where you want your money to go. And it’s simple to set up automatic bank drafts every month to direct money into your investment and savings accounts. But is it easy?

It’s not easy to realize your monthly budget shows that you can’t eat out again this week or go on that weekend getaway with your friends. It’s not easy to tell your friends “no” (though it is simple—just say it). It’s not easy to keep driving your reliable but ugly car when everyone you know is driving a brand-new car with expensive monthly payments for the next five or six years. And it’s not easy to discipline yourself to delay gratification today in order to ensure a secure financial future. In other words, the steps to financial health are all pretty simple in terms of being convenient, not very time-consuming, and not requiring a lot of technical knowledge. But it’s not always easy to deny our ego-wants, to resist keeping up with the neighbors,

10 // December 2019

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. and to explain to friends that getting out of debt and investing for the future must take priority over that fun trip to the Caribbean.

To accomplish our financial goals and establish healthy financial habits, we may need to change how we think about money and how we handle money. We’ve all heard the definition of “insanity” as “continuing to do what you’ve always done, and expecting to get a different result.” So, here’s a novel idea that I hope you’ll try for yourself. Try making your budget by working “backwards” this time.

Most people make a budget by listing all of their monthly expenses, and then seeing if there’s anything left over after all the bills are paid. If there is any money left over, only then do most people think of saving and investing. If the budget reveals there’s no money left over after all the bills are paid, only with this realization do they start to look at where they can cut expenses. Instead, try doing it backward by writing down the amount of money you want or need to save and invest and give each month, and then list your monthly expenses and try cutting as you go to make your saving/investing/giving numbers work. This prioritizes your own financial health (saving, investing, giving) instead of other people’s financial health (the mortgage company, the utility company, the cell phone company, the cable TV company, the credit card company). Obviously, I’m not suggesting you don’t pay your bills on time. Instead, I’m suggesting that by starting each month’s budget with your own financial priorities (building wealth for the future), you’re more likely to understand the need to make some sacrifices today by cutting your expenses in order to create a more financially secure tomorrow.

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Gò0dNews for Men

A Wonderful Life

P

by Billy Carver

hilippians 4:19: “And my God will supply all

showing why all of the difficulties in George’s life

your needs according to His riches in glory in

took place. God was making provision for George. In

Christ Jesus.”

Scripture, I read the birth of our Savior and can’t help

December brings my favorite holiday, Christmas.

but think of the provision He would make 33 years

I am a Christmas fanatic. I would put our tree up in

later on a cross. I have come to one conclusion. God is

August if my wife would let me. I use the Christmas

always at work, making provision for us. John Piper

season as a time to reflect on my life and the past

says, “God is always doing 10,000 things in your life, but you may be aware of three of them.”

I would like to challenge the men, or anyone who reads this article, to use this holiday season as a time to reflect on your life and look for God’s provision. I am sure you will spend some time with family or friends; just reflect on what God has done. When you hear Christmas carols, reflect on that night divine when Christ was born and on what God has done. None of us can survive in this world apart from provisions

year. As a part of this time of reflection, I always

that are outside of ourselves. God, the Creator of the

watch the movie “It’s a Wonderful Life” and read the

universe, is the one who provides us with everything

birth of our Savior several times.

we need. This year, let’s remember that He is a way

Watching that movie and reading the miraculous

maker! He is a miracle worker! He is a promise

birth of my Savior reminds me of God’s provision. In

keeper! He is the light in the darkness! He is Jehovah

the movie, George Bailey is suicidal. Prayers for him

Jireh, the Lord our provider.

reach Heaven, where Clarence Odbody, Angel 2nd angel wings. To prepare, Clarence is shown flashbacks of George's life. The movie takes you on a journey,

12 // December 2019

About The Author

Class, is assigned to save George in order to earn his Billy Carver is the senior pastor at Mt. Alto Baptist Church in Rome, Georgia. He is currently a student at Covington Theological Seminary, where he is working toward his Bachelor of Ministry. He has been married to his wife, MaryAnn, for five years and has served in ministry in one way or another for over five years.

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Gò0dNews for Women

Freedom From Verbal Abuse

V

by Chandlin Johnson

erbal abuse is something that we all have experi-

those who are crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18). Know it’s not

enced at one point or another in our lives. Whether

your fault and deal with the false guilt you feel (Psalm 51:6).

it be a friend, spouse, family member, or even a

You may feel shame, that something is wrong with you, or

perfect stranger, we’ve all been through it. Verbal abuse

that you are a bad person; God has an answer for that also.

might not leave a physical scar, but it does leave emotional

Psalm 139:14 says, “I praise you because I am fearfully and

or mental scars. As women, we tend to be more emotional

wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that

creatures and oftentimes try to continue with that person

full well.”

to fix it. Verbal abuse can create shame within us, a feeling that it’s our fault, and cause us to try to change ourselves to make things better. We need to understand that any type of verbal abuse is not okay, and Jesus does not want us to have to endure this type of abuse.

The Word tells us, “For as he thinks within himself, so he is” (Proverbs 23:7).

It begins in the mind. What a person thinks in his or her mind and heart will be reflected in his or her words and actions. A victim is often the target of angry outbursts, sarcasm, or cool indifference and is often asked, “What’s wrong with you?” or told that you are making a mountain out of a molehill. It can make you start to believe that it’s just you, but it’s not.

Verbal abuse is hurtful and usually attacks the nature

Finally, I want to be clear that it is not okay for anyone to abuse you in that way. It is also okay for you to walk away

and abilities of the victim. Name-calling or covert verbal

from that person. For those who experience this in a marriage,

abuse (involving very subtle comments) is blaming, accusa-

know that God wants you to submit, but submitting does not

tory, manipulative, controlling, insidious, and will gradu-

mean that you are to allow the abuse to continue. Seek help

ally diminish self-esteem. It usually escalates, increasing in

or counseling: even separation for a while for you both to get

intensity, frequency, and variety.

healing. Verbal abuse scares can last a lot longer than physi-

The Bible clearly warns of the dangers of an angry man.

Proverbs 22:24 says, “Do not associate with a man given

cal scares and need to be dealt with in love. There is hope in Christ and freedom (2 Corinthians 3:17).

to anger; or go with a hot-tempered man.” Proverbs 29:22 says, “An angry man stirs up strife, and a hot-tempered man So what do you need to know? First, know that God loves you! “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves

14 // December 2019

About The Author

abounds in transgression.”

Chandlin Johnson is a single mother of 4 beautiful children. It is her heart’s desire is to minister to women and to help those who are trapped in human trafficking.

More than anything, she enjoys spending time with Jesus and worshiping Him in all forms of the Arts.

Rome Church Directory African Methodist Episcopal Bethel AME Church 22 Nichols Rd Rome, Ga 30161 706-295-0019 St. James AME Zion Church 3 Maxwell Lane Rome, GA 30165 706 853-8059 Summer Hill AME Church 1981 Kingston Hwy NE Rome, Ga 30161 706-235-7113

Anglican

St. Andrew’s Anglican Church 42 Ash Street Rome, Ga 30161 706-235-5892

Apostolic

First Apostolic Church of Rome 3213 Cave Spring Rd Rome, Ga 30161 706-235-9551

Assembly of God

Redemption Church 105 Broadus Road NE Rome, Ga 30161 706-232-0277

Baptist

Antioch Baptist Church 4526 Big Texas Valley Rome, Ga 30165 706-232-7248 Armuchee Baptist Church 6648 Big Texas Valley Rd NW Rome, Ga 30165 706-235-3169 Berean Baptist Church 8 Skyline Dr Rome, Ga 30161 706-295-9832 Blue Pond Baptist Church 1291 Morrison Campground Rome, Ga 30161 706-235-3296 Bryant Chapel Baptist Church 24 Shady Lane Rome, Ga 30161 706-235-9768 Calhoun Avenue Baptist Church 1021 Calhoun Ave Rome, Ga 30161 706-234-4431 Calvary Baptist Church 101 Broadus Rd NE Rome, Ga 30161 706-291-1461 Cedar Creek Baptist Church 5440 Black Buff Rd Rome, Ga 30161 706-777-8360 Cedar Valley Baptist Church 3024 Cedartown Hwy SW Rome, Ga 30161 706-295-0978 Community Chapel Baptist Church 3733 Black Bluff Rd Rome, Ga 30161 706-232-4070 Desoto Park Baptist Church 1107 Cave Spring Rd

16 // December 2019

Rome, Ga 30161 706-232-6207 Dykes Creek Baptist Church 3181 Kingston Hwy NE Rome Ga, 30161 706-291-7790 East Rome Baptist Church 601 Cedar Ave Rome, Ga 30161 706-234-8553 East View Baptist Church 901 Kingston Ave Rome, Ga 30161 706-291-8250 Emmanuel Baptist Church 1414 Old Dalton Rd Rome, Ga 30165 706-232-3939 Enon Baptist Church 3105 Turkey Mountain Rome, Ga 30161 706-295-5052 Fairview Baptist Church 2348 Old Cedartown Hwy SE Lindale, Ga 30147 Fellowship Rome Baptist Church 314 Burnett Ferry Rd Rome, Ga 30165 706-234-9416 First Baptist Church 100 E 4th Ave Rome, Ga 30161 706-295-1150 Flatrock Baptist Church 848 Cunningham Rd SW Rome, Ga 30161 706-234-9976 Flint Hill Baptist Church 3578 Wax Rd SE, Aragon, GA 30104 706-232-8121 Friendship Baptist Church 2283 Calhoun Rd NE Rome, Ga 30161 706-295-4803 Garden Lakes Baptist Church 2200 Redmond Cir Rome, Ga 30165 706-234-6615 Greater Mount Calvary Baptist 445 East 14th St Rome, Ga 30161 706-234-5047 Hill Crest Baptist Church 2202 N Broad St Rome, Ga 30161 706-291-8806 Hollywood Baptist Church 112 Lombardy Way Rome, Ga 30161 706-234-6642 In Focus Baptist Church 12 N Hughes Rome, Ga 30165 706-234-8963 Lakeview Baptist Church 80 Salem Dr Rome, Ga 30165 706-235-2149 Lovejoy Baptist Church 436 Branham Ave Rome, Ga 30171 706-232-1917 McFall Baptist Church

3011 Rockmart Rd SE Rome, Ga 30161 706-235-5673 Mount Alto Church 1915 Huffaker Rd NW Rome, Ga 30165 706-232-6222 Mount Carmel Baptist Church E 20th St Rome, Ga 30161 706-232-8777 Mount Olive Baptist Church 17 E Pennington Rome, Ga 30161 706-234-6413 New Antioch Baptist Church 4553 Calhoun Rd NE Rome, Ga 30161 706-295-2248 New Bethel Baptist Church Weathington Dr Rome, Ga 30161 706, 291-8939 New Canaan Baptist Church 3 Excelsior St Rome, Ga 30165 706-291-1984 New Hope Baptist Church Hwy 156 Rome, Ga 706-235-0250 New Hope Baptist Church 399 Moran Lake Rd Rome, Ga 30161 706-290-0507 North Broad Baptist Church 1309 N Broad St Rome, Ga 30161 706-295-2100 Northwood Missionary Baptist 4076 Calhoun Rd NE Rome, Ga 30161 Parkview Baptist Church 4 Wesley Drive Rome, Ga 30165 706-232-4431 PisGah Baptist Church Alabama Rd Rome, Ga 30161 706-232-4431 Pleasant Hope Baptist Church 5935 Rockmart Road SE Silver Creek, Ga 706-235-2800 Pleasant Grove Baptist Church 500 N Division St Rome, Ga 30165 706-235-0731 Pleasant Valley North Baptist 735 Old Summerville Road NW Rome, GA 30165 706-232-6426 Pleasant Valley South Baptist 702 Pleasant Valley Rd SE Silver Creek, Ga 30173 706-234-1841 Providence Baptist Church 17 Burnett Ferry Road SW Rome, Ga 30165 706-291-0689 Riverside Baptist Church 48 Ash Street Rome, Ga 30161 706-291-8114

State Line Baptist Church 8536 Black Bluff Road Cave Spring, Ga 30124 678-988-0339 Saint Paul Baptist Church Pleasant Valley Rd Rome, Ga 30161 706-235-5037 Second Avenue Baptist 823 E 2nd Ave Rome, Ga 30161 706-232-3663 Sherwood Forest Baptist Church 1 Goodman Rd Rome, Ga 30161 706-291-6174 Shorter Avenue Baptist Church 1410 Shorter Ave Rome, Ga 30165 706-234-8266 South Broad Baptist Church 508 South Broad St Rome, Ga 30161 Spring Creek Baptist Church 2636 Chulio Rd SE Rome, Ga 30161 706-234-1220 Springfield Baptist Church 113 Smith St Rome, Ga 30161 706-295-7217 Thankful Baptist Church 935 Spider Webb Dr Rome, Ga 30161 706-291-8132 Three Rivers Church 2960 New Calhoun Highway NE Rome, Ga 706-766-0942 Trinity Baptist Church 1728 Calhoun Rd NE Rome, Ga 30161 706-295-3368 Turner Chapel Baptist Church 756 Turner Chapel Rd Rome, Ga 30161 706-235-8682 Unity Baptist Church 2261 Pleasant Valley Rd Rome, Ga 30161 706-232-2184 West End Baptist Church 107 Mississippi Dr Rome, Ga 30165 706-235-1971 West Rome Baptist Church 914 Shorter Ave Rome, Ga 30165 706-232-9722 Wilkerson Road Baptist Church Wilkerson Rd Rome, Ga 30161 Woodlawn Baptist Church 1649 Cartersville Hwy SE Rome, Ga 30161 706-232-4171 Word & Way Baptist Church New Rocketmart Rd Rome, Ga 30161 706-234-8729

Catholic

Saint Mary Catholic Church 911 N Broad St Rome, Ga 30161

706-295-7014

Christian & Missionary Alliance

Rome, Ga 30161 706-291-9111

Missionary Alliance 306 Coker Dr Rome, Ga 20165 706-235-9190

Rome Foursquare Church 308 Reservoir St NE Rome, Ga 30161

Church of Christ

Church of Christ 108 E Callahan St Rome, Ga 30161 706-291-0675 Lindale Church of Christ 3035 Maple Road Lindale, Ga 30147 706-234-3027 Oak Hill Church of Christ 1500 Martha Berry Hwy Rome, Ga 20165 706-291-0351 Rome Church of Christ 121 Primrose Road Rome, Ga 30161 706-234-4444

Church of God

Armuchee Church of God 4974 Martha Berry Hwy Rome, Ga 30165 706-232-4414 Beech Creek Church of God 3000 Alabama Hwy NW Rome, Ga 30165 706-234-7466 Church of God of Prophecy 94 Huffaker Rd. Rome, GA 30165 706-528-4225 Lindale Church of God 585 Park Ave Lindale, Ga 30147 706-232-5676 New Life Church of God 210 E 18th St Rome, Ga 30161 706-232-0704 New Hope Overcoming Church of God 200 Nixon Ave Rome, Ga 30161 706-234-4695 North Rome Church of God 1929 N Broad St Rome, Ga 30161 706-291-6687 Rome AOH Church of God 504 Decatur St Rome, Ga 30165 706-295-2999

Disciples of Christ

First Christian Church 209 E. Second Ave, Rome, Ga 30161

Episcopal

Church of the Transfiguration 304 Coker Dr Rome, Ga 30165 706-234-0197 Saint Peter’s Episcopal Church 101 E 4th Ave

Foursquare

Full Gospel

Christ Gospel Church 619 Chulio Rd SE Rome, Ga 30161 706-234-7744

Independent Bible

Grace Bible Church 614 Dalton Rd NE Rome, Ga 30165

Interdenominational

Cornerstone Church 324 Mathis Dr Rome, Ga 30165 706-234-4923 Renovation Church 2601 Shorter Ave. Rome, Ga 30165 (706) 936-1380

Lutheran

Holy Trinity Lutheran Church 3000 Garden Lakes Blvd Rome, Ga 30165 706-232-7257

Methodist

Beech Creek UMC 2972 Alabama Hwy, Rome, Ga 30165 706-235-4973 Chapel Hill UMC 1818 Kingston Rd Rome, Ga 30161 706-232-9177 Holsey Sinai CME Church 1233 Martin L King Rome, Ga 30161 706-295-7265 Lindsay Chapel UMC 9 College Park Dr SW Rome, Ga 30161 Livingston UMC 21 E Lakeshore Dr SE Rome, Ga 30161 Metropolitan UMC 700 Broad St Rome, Ga 30161 706-291-8660 Mt Pleasant UMC 4782 Alabama Hwy Rome, Ga 30165 706-232-4350 New Bethel Methodist Church Reeceburg Rd Rome, Ga 30161 706-235-9700 North Rome UMC 706-291-6704 Oostanaula UMC 74 Battey Farm Rd Rome, Ga 30161 706-292-0084 Rome First UMC

202 E 3rd Ave Rome, Ga 30161 706-291-8590 Rush Chapel UMC 1225 Rush Chapel Rd Rome, Ga 30161 706-291-7986 Scott Chapel UMC 3 Chambers St NE Rome, Ga 30161 Second Avenue UMC 801 E Second Ave SW Rome, GA 30161 Shannon UMC 600 First Street Shannon, GA 30172 706-491-7112 Silver Creek UMC 585 Reynolds Bend Rd Rome, GA 30161 706-234-2518 South Broad UMC 546 S Broad St Rome, Ga 30161 706-232-5230 Trinity UMC 606 Turner McCall Blvd SW Rome, Ga 30165 706-291-0033 Wesley Chapel UMC 9 College Park Dr SW Rome, Ga 30161 West Rome UMC 1003 Shorter Ave PO Box 2247 Rome, GA 30164 706-234-6214

Nazarene

Rome First Church of the Nazarene 20 Glenda Dr Rome, Ga 30165 706-234-5023

Non-Denominational

Glorious New Jerusalem Church 537 W 12th St Rome, Ga 30165 706-295-2045 Glory Tabernacle Church 300 Watson St Rome, Ga 30165 706-235-0888 Gospel Harvester Church 1246 Cartersville Hwy SE Rome, Ga 30161 706-290-9858 LIFE Church of Rome 19 John Davenport Drive Rome GA 30165 706-728-3166 Lighthouse Church of Rome Lighthouse Dr SE Rome, Ga 30161 706-291-0864 New and Living Way Bible Church 59 Dykes Creek Rd Rome, Ga 30161 706-233-9200 Northside Church 75 N. Floyd Park Rd. Rome, Ga 30165 706-233-9896

Solid Holy Rock Deliverance Tabernacle 700 Kingston Ave Rome, Ga 30161 706-291-8948 The Church at Rome 246 North 5th Avenue Rome, Ga 30165 706-346-2733 The Place Global 1107 Calhoun Ave Rome, Ga 30161 706.802.2059 Trinity United Christian Church 6 Deer Run Trail Rome, Ga 30165 706-204-8270 We The Church 810 East 2nd Ave Rome, Ga 30161 Words of Faith Tabernacle 3134 Rockmart Rd Rome, Ga 30161 706-314-9158

Orthodox

All Saints Church 615 Cleveland Ave Rome, Ga 30165 706-378-4474

Pentecostal

Cannon Temple Holiness Church 308 Porter St Rome, Ga 20161 706-233-9001 Christ Temple Holiness Church 1321 Martin L King Rome, Ga 30161 706-235-3787 Victory Temple Of Joy 118 Williamson St. Rome, Ga 30165 706-766-3865

Presbyterian

Covenant Presbyterian Church EPC 1645 Cartersville Hwy. Rome, GA 30161 706-767-8373 First Presbyterian Church EPC 101 E 3rd Ave Rome, Ga 30161 706-291-6033 Silver Creek Presbyterian Church 6 Old Rockmart Road Silver Creek, Ga 30173 706-234-6862 Westminster Presbyterian Church 1941 Shorter Ave Rome, Ga 30165 706-235-8561

Seventh-Day Adventist

Rome Bethany Seventh-Day Adventist Church 307 E 14th St SW Rome, Ga 30161 706-292-0067 Seventh-Day Adventist Church 2526 Cedartown Hwy SW Rome, Ga 30161 706-234-4117

Cave Spring Church Directory

Cave Spring Church of God 19 Mill Street Cave Spring, GA 30124 706-777-8348 Live Oak Baptist Church 5506 GA-100

Cave Spring, GA 30124 706-777-8566 The Empty Tomb 5630 Fosters Mill Rd SW Cave Spring, GA 30124 Rehoboth Missionary Baptist

6 Rehoboth Rd SW Cave Spring, GA 30124 706-777-3313 First Baptist Church 4 Old Cedartown Rd. Cave Spring, GA 30124

706-777-3566 Cave Spring UMC 30 Alabama Street Cave Spring, GA 30124 (706) 777-8624

goodnewscm.com // 17

Gò0dNews for Parents

Be Vigilant

T

by Diana Fain

he word of God tells us in 1 Peter 5:8 to be sober

monitored as to which site they get on. That is how a

and vigilant because your adversary the devil

lot of adolescent suicides and molestations happen. The

walks about like a roaring lion seeking whom he

emergence of technological advancement is a benefit for our

may devour. This not only applies to us as adults but to children as well. Because children are very susceptible to

society, but it also has its disadvantages as well.

Facebook is one of the social media outlets that has

falling victim to things, the devil likes to target them. It

soared since its launch, and out of the thousands of positive

has been said that being a parent is the hardest job in the

things that have taken place because of it, there has been an

world, and that has never been as true as it is today. For

equal amount of negative effects. The Facebook Live portion

parents of school-aged children, it’s highly important to stay

of Facebook has seen many teen suicides posted in the past

aware of all the ways that children can be harmed. With the

year or so. There have also been a number of robberies

emergence of social media and the advancement of cellular

as a result of people’s posting when they would be away

phones, there is more than an array of avenues for bullying

from home. While I don’t have the statistics on the things

and for sexual predators to get access to children.

I have mentioned, that doesn’t take away the fact that they

Every parent wants their child to have more than they did, but it is equally as important to make sure that the electronic items that are purchased for them are closely

happened. All an individual has to do is to turn on their nightly news or open their local newspaper.

Bullying is another thing that needs to be eradicated

monitored by the parent.

from our society. It used to be where the bullying only

A child can’t

took place when children were in school, but now it is also

simply be given

on social media. This makes the perpetrator more difficult

a device and he

to identify because the individual sits behind a screen

or she not be

and can say whatever it is that they want but remain anonymous. Bullying has gotten to the point where kids have a hard time focusing on their studies for fear of maybe not having the right clothes or being a part of the right group. Therefore, it is important to instill in your children that it’s not what a person wears or what group they belong to that makes them who they are.

As parents, we’re the ones who are supposed to instill in them the values that are important in life, not social media or friends. Because God gives children as a blessing, it is the job of the parents to stay on top of all things concerning their children. Be your child’s

18 // December 2019

About The Author

best defense against the tactics of the devil.

Diana Fain is a member of Solid Holy Rock Deliverance Tabernacle. She feels it is important to what God gives her in hopes of helping others.

Church Activities & Events Rome for the Holidays

Thursday, December 12th | 5PM - 9PM Between The Rivers Historic District Broad Street, Rome, GA

North Rome Church of God Ladies White Christmas

Friday, December 6th | 6:30PM Call for ticket info (706) 291-6687

Pleasant Valley North Baptist Church 4th Annual Snowflake Ball

Saturday, December 7th | 6PM - 9PM Call for more info (706) 632-6426

St. Andrews Anglican Church Holy Communion

Sunday, December 15th | 9:30AM - 10:30AM 42 Ash Street NE, Rome, GA

Cornerstone Church Beautiful Night

December 7th Call for info (706) 234-4923

Gò0dNews for Life

Choices

W

by Amy Poag

hen did you fall in love with Jesus? I fell in love with Him at the well. As a good Southern girl who was raised in church, I guess the proper answer

should be when I was 4 and learned the words to “Jesus Loves Me.” However, if I am being honest, I never fully grasped His love for me until I was in my 30s when Beth Moore introduced me to Jesus at the well. Of course, I had heard the story, but I finally understood the meaning.

Jesus was journeying through Samaria, tired from his travels, and found himself at “Jacob’s Well,” where He asked a Samaritan woman for water. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Messiah, actually talked with a Samaritan woman—according to the cultural standards of that time, she was unclean by her ethnic background and unclean by her choices in life. Yet, He did not condemn her, nor did He shame her. He saw her and defended her. He loved her in spite of her choices. Now, this is the Jesus who touched my soul: the revolutionary who changed the world with His radical love, a love that does not excuse our bad choices but rather invites us to walk in freedom from them.

As I researched the abortion rate for my last article, the 40 million lives that were lost to abortion over the last 40 years were astounding, heartbreaking even. However, since that article, I have not been able to stop thinking about the 40 million women and men who made the choice to have an abortion. I find this statistic equally astounding and equally heartbreaking. These men and women have had to continue their lives with the weight of their choice. One can only imagine the “what if” scenarios that have played out in their minds over their fateful decisions. The current Kane Brown song “What If” uses that phrase 37 times. Can you imagine how many “what ifs” in a lifetime a young girl might ask about her decision to end a pregnancy or a scared teenage boy on the verge of being a father might ask himself, thinking that the abortion was the only option?

Enter Jesus at the well. Enter Jesus, who opened the Samaritan woman’s eyes to “Living Water.” Enter the Jesus who told her that “Whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst again” (John 4:14). As Christians, we can be quick

an infant’s life is the same sanctity of life proclaimed over the sinner’s life.

If you find yourself among the 40 million barely living with your choice, haunted by the “what ifs,” remember that you are a treasure in the eyes of Jesus. I like to call God the ultimate recycler—He will use our choices, and if we let Him, Romans 8:28 promises us that “in all things, God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” No one is excluded from the Living Water He so freely offers. Come to the well and meet Jesus so that you never thirst again. It is time to stop asking “what if.”

“Jesus loves me—this I know, for the Bible tells me so.”

among our sins, giving us no authority over the degree of one sin over another. The sanctity of life that the Bible declares over

20 // December 2019

About The Author

to condemn and quick to judge. But Jesus makes no distinction Amy Poag is the college counselor at Christian Heritage School and she and husband (Jay) are the proud parents of 3 children: Jamie (and husband Greyson Pack), Brandon and Jacob.

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One Man’s Passion: A.C.W. Landscapes

by David Thompson

famous quote reads, “If you do what you love,

time Andrew was 17, he was running a crew for the lawn

you’ll never work a day in your life.” While this

care company, and in March of 2003, he started his own

may not always be the case, over the past 16 years,

company at just 21 years old. This business was what would

Andrew Wardlaw has truly been able to do what he loves.

Andrew grew up in Cave Spring and later moved to

become A.C.W. Landscapes.

“I always loved being outdoors,” Andrew said.

Silver Creek when he was 8 years old. He was homeschooled

“Working outside came naturally, and the most fulfilling

since the fourth grade, which helped him develop a unique

part is seeing the fruits of your labor, whether it’s a

perspective on life and allowed him to give his innate sense

beautifully manicured lawn or a new outdoor living space

of creativity an outlet. Growing up, Andrew always loved

that we just completed.”

two things: playing outside and creating. Whether it was an

It began as a humble lawn service company, but

imaginative construction made out of Legos, a homemade

Andrew’s dream was for his fledgling business to one day

fort out in the woods, or even a story that he penned on a

become a household name in Northwest Georgia, and that

legal pad, Andrew loved being able to create.

dream is quickly becoming a reality. What started with just

At the age of 15, he began working for a small lawn care

a few yards to mow every week has now turned into a full-

company during the day and completing his school work in

service landscape company. Today, A.C.W. Landscapes has

the evenings. Of course, being homeschooled, this was much

six full-time employees who serve thousands of customers

easier than it would have been normally. By the

throughout all of Rome and the surrounding areas, Cartersville, Acworth, and Kennesaw.

22 // December 2019

The desire to help others and keep everything about Christ is what drives Andrew forward. Even today, his favorite part of working in lawn care is taking someone else’s yard and creating something beautiful and amazing that they can enjoy for years, which is why he is so grateful for the continued support of so many people in the community. “I want to say a special thanks to everyone who has made A.C.W. what it is today,” Andrew said. “To our maintenance accounts if they are reading this and to all of our customers who have hired us to install their landscapes, Thank you! Thank you! Thank you from the bottom of my heart. We would be nothing if it were not for each and every one of you.”

In addition to routine lawn maintenance, A.C.W. Landscapes also offers services that include landscape design; the installation of sod, trees and shrubs; irrigation systems; landscape lighting; hardscapes such as patios, kitchens, and fireplaces, and even custom swimming pools made from vinyl, fiberglass, and concrete. Despite the company’s wide range of services, prices remain affordable.

A basic lawn maintenance service starts at $50 for most average-sized residential lawns and increases depending on the size. For customers looking to have a paved stone patio installed, installation prices start at just $13 per square foot.

Andrew has seen his childhood passion become a fulltime profession, and he is thankful. “When I think of what I get to do for a living, I am truly blessed. The Legos I loved playing with as a child have turned into pavers and rocks that transform blank spaces into [a] backyard oasis.”

Ultimately, Andrew attributes his blessings to God and wants to use the business to glorify Him. Even the company name serves as a witness for Christ. The acronym stands for “A Christ-Centered Workplace,” a standard Andrew works

So if you love the look of a neat, vibrant lawn but hate having to perform all of the upkeep, let the professionals take care of everything! Give A.C.W. Landscapes a call at (706) 528-4963 or visit acwlandscapes.com to learn more. With a wide range of expertise, affordable prices, and a Christcentered commitment to excellence and service, A.C.W. Landscapes can help you transform your current lawn into your dream lawn today!

hard to meet daily. Every morning, he makes sure to gather with his six full-time employees and pray before starting the day. He constantly asks God to allow him to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit so that he is capable of helping people in need. As a company, Andrew and A.C.W. Landscapes are always willing to serve where and when they can.

“I started the company using initials for the name,” mused Andrew. “However, as I got older, I kept wanting to change their meaning into something that would point back to God and give Him glory, but I could never think of anything. Finally, one day, a light bulb went off.” It’s stood for “A Christ-Centered Workplace” ever since.

goodnewscm.com // 23

Gò0dNews for Everyone

What If Jesus Had Never Been Born? he obvious answer: “There would be no salvation for men.”

Also, women would have no honor, children would be sacrificed to idols, the world would be a much more primitive place, and men would truly be evil with nothing to hold them back whatsoever.

There would be no charity as we know it. The hungry would go hungry, the thirsty would go thirsty, the sick would be sick, and the homeless would have no help. Most charitable organizations of the world were founded by Christians upon Christian principles such as love, mercy, and grace.

What about education? There would be little education without Christianity.

Education for all men began with Christians who believed education was a fundamental right for all. Without the Christian faith, the average person would not have access to basic learning. And we can include science with that. Science would indeed be primitive without Christian influence.

What about healthcare? In their beginning, hospitals were put in place by Christians who genuinely cared about and sought to heal the sick.

What about orphanages? They were started by Christian people who loved and thought all children should be taken care of and given the opportunities to excel in life.

The world would be void of love, real love that cares for others. The love that compels someone to reach out to all the hurting of this world is an exclusively Christian trait.

Without Christ, there is no such thing as an honest and caring love for humankind. No other religion or faith of this world teaches compassion toward all men. Christianity stands alone in that it loves others regardless of faith, race, or nationality. We are taught by God to love others as we have been loved.

How evil and broken this world would be had Christ not been born? There would be one spiritual reality for all

24 // December 2019

men. The reality of hell, an eternal place of torment and suffering. There would only be complete separation from God with no hope at all. John 10 teaches that the devil has come to steal, kill, and destroy, but Jesus came that men might have life and life abundant.

Isaiah 7:14: “And His name shall be called Immanuel [or God with us].” The prophet spoke these words over 700 years before Christ was born. John 3:16-17 says, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever would believe in Him, would not perish,

but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world [born in the world] to condemn the world but that the world through Him might be saved.”

Our world without the birth of Christ would be cold, dark, and dead, as would the men of this world. My friend, without the crib of Christ, there would have been no cross of Christ. Without the cross of Christ, there would be no hope, no forgiveness, and no love for this broken, hurting, and dying world.

About The Author

T

by Dr. Ralph Jenkins

Dr. Ralph W. Jenkins is the pastor of Grace Baptist Church, Cartersville Ga. and a native of Rome, Ga. He and His wife Tammy have served the Lord in ministry for over 20 years and pastored three churches. He loves to win souls, preach the gospel, shepherd God’s people, and work on the farm.

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Gò0dNews for Teens

Get Rid of Your Boxes

by Jacob Herald

T

eens place limitations on themselves all the time.

Perhaps you instead fell into the box of “Wrong beliefs

These constraining bindings of thought and emotion

about God.” This ignorance comes in many forms and is

weigh us down, preventing us from obtaining and

what holds you back from accepting Christ and allowing

adhering to God’s plan for our lives. For whatever reason,

God’s plan to unfold in your life. You begin to think that

teenagers have an odd tendency to limit themselves,

God doesn’t care about you or what you do. You become

staying within “boxes” that they refuse to leave.

afraid to let Him mold you into what He desires. You allow

As a child, you believed that the world was limitless.

yourself to fear handing control of your future to God.

There were no such things as “boxes.” All you knew was

These ideas break down your trust. You are trapped in a

innocence and love. Life was good. As a child, you believed

box of unbelief.

wholeheartedly that

Maybe you tripped into the box of “What I do

you could be anything,

now does not change my future.” You may be making

do anything, and

sandwiches at a local restaurant, miserable. Day in and

accomplish anything.

day out, you clock in, slice and dice, and then head to an

So what happened to

apartment on the rough end of town. You might be a store

that faith?

clerk who once was on track for greatness, but something,

Somewhere down

somewhere happened, and now, you are stuck at the local

the line, you fell

superstore. You look at your current situation and say,

into the box of “I’m

“How is this benefitting me? I can’t learn anything. I’ll

not worthy.” You

never move up. I’ll never be somebody.” You are trapped in

committed actions you

a box of broken dreams.

knew were wrong yet

It’s time we break these limitations. You must take

continued down that

these boxes that restrict you and give them to God. Your

crooked path. Guilt

past does not define you. Your sins are wiped clean by our

began to consume your

Savior. To those whose faith is dwindling, renew it! Trust

life as you realized

in God! If He effortlessly guides the universe perfectly, then

that your actions were

surely He can guide your life perfectly, too! To those who

irreversible. “You

feel trapped, hand your future to God! You may believe

could’ve said this, you

that you are nothing, but to Him, you are everything.

could’ve done that,

Allow God’s plan to unfold in your life and you will obtain

all this could’ve been

heights you never thought you’d reach. Those boxes of

avoided if only…”

unworthiness, unbelieving, and broken dreams are doing

Now, Christ is reaching

nothing but preventing you from becoming who God truly

out to you, yet the

wants you to be. Hand them to God and be free!

chains of regret are holding you back. You of unworthiness.

26 // December 2019

About The Author

are trapped in a box

Jacob Herald is a Christian teen constantly seeking to grow in the Lord. He is a member of Herald Family Ministries, an evangelistic family who travels the U.S. working for the Lord through preaching, singing, and outreach, and has found his calling as a writer and speaker for Christ.

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Gò0dNews for Thankfulness

Be The One

L

by Zebbie Brewster

uke 17:11-19: “And it came to pass, as he went

never forget some wise words a lady shared with me

to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst

one day as I was in line to check out behind her. She

of Samaria and Galilee. And as he entered into

said sooner or later, God will get glory out of our

a certain village, there met him ten men that were

lives. She said it is better sooner than later. I know

lepers, which stood afar off: and they lifted up their

many times in my life that God has shown up in a

voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.

mighty way, and I deserve to give Him praise for His

And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew

awesome presence.

yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed. And one of them,

Just this week, as my husband and I were traveling home from a short trip, we drove into a storm. The wind was blowing very hard, along with the rain pouring down. I thought I would need to try to find a place to pull over. I kept driving and praying really hard. I was thankful that during this time, we were on a two-lane road and only met one other vehicle. I was thankful when the rain and wind began to let up.

I just remember that we could both feel God’s presence with us. His peace seemed to fill the car.

I remember asking people to pray that as we traveled, God would keep us safe in His care. I

when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and

feel without a doubt He did! Thanking God for His

with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on

presence is also a prayer: being thankful for those kind

his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a

friends and family who sent up prayers for us. I hope I

Samaritan. And Jesus answering said, Were there not

never forget God’s goodness and His many blessings.

ten cleansed? but where are the nine? There are not

He alone is worthy of all my praise. What do you

found that returned to give glory to God, save this

need to praise God for in your life today? Give Him all

stranger. And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way:

glory, for He alone is worthy. Be the one today with the

thy faith hath made thee whole.”

thankful heart whom God uses to make a difference.

forgiveness: Jesus, loving those rejected by others. He set the example of how we are to love others. I will

28 // December 2019

About The Author

This is a very powerful story about love and Zebbie Brewster resides in Summerville, Georgia. She is an active member at Perennial Springs Baptist Church.

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Gò0dNews from the Heart

Who Do You Run For?

by Holly Kaylor

I

n 2017, I was at my heaviest and had been asked by

After being on the wait list for a long time, I have

several strangers if I was expecting. It CRUSHED my

recently been matched with the coolest guy in the world!

soul. It really hurt me, and I felt as though my heart was

His name is Francis. We have started getting to know each

falling into a bad place. I knew if I wanted it to change, and

other and motivating each other. I almost cried yesterday

for people to stop asking if I was pregnant, I needed to do

because his mom sent me a video of him saying, “You run

something. So I did. I started running. I wasn’t fast. I felt as

for me, and I ride my bike for you.” It’s a two-way street. He

though I were dying. I felt as though the other people on the

motivates me to run, and by doing so, I’ve motivated him to

track or at the park were laughing at me, but I kept going.

ride his bike (he’s really good at it!). It’s hard for him to do,

With each run, I felt stronger and I could run longer: not necessarily faster, but further, and I was okay with that.

It became an addiction. One of the most therapeutic sounds is that of my feet hitting the pavement and the sound of my breath as I run. I based my entire life on what days I could run. Early leave times meant no running. I started running in January, so rainy days meant no running. Then, when the weather began to warm up, I was running in the rain. I was the only one at the park from time to time, but I was there.

After watching me for a while, a very close and dear friend introduced me to a group on

but he does it! I’ve watched his videos around 20 times.

Facebook called IRun4Michael. My world changed! I joined

I couldn’t be more thankful for the strangers who

the group as a “runner.” Basically, I found a piece of me that

started this all. There was a silver lining, and his name is

I didn’t know was missing. It gave my running purpose and

Francis. I went through so much and fought so hard with

I wanted even more to hear my feet on the pavement. IRun4

myself, and now I have the world’s best buddy. From

is where the whole world (literally) has come together to

heartache to my heart overflowing with love for this kiddo,

support each other.

I’ll always run for Frankie!

Runners are matched with a buddy. We dedicate all

#IRun4Francis

of our runs, workouts, and days (good and bad) to our achievements, goals, and life.

30 // December 2019

About The Author

buddy. We support them through doctor’s appointments, Holly Kaylor resides in White, Georgia. She is married to Matthew and together they have four children.

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Gò0dNews for your Taste Buds

Mammaw’s Mandarin Orange Cake

by Melissa Phillips

Ingredients • 1 box of yellow cake mix (all ingredients it calls for on the back of the box) • 1 - 11-oz. can mandarin oranges • 1 - 8-oz. container of whipped cream, thawed • 1 - 20-oz. can crushed pineapple with juice • 1 - 3.5-oz. package instant vanilla pudding mix

P

Instructions

reheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a 9x13 inch pan. In a large bowl, combine cake mix, eggs, oil, and mandarin oranges with juice.

Beat until smooth. Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake in the oven 35-40 minutes or until the center of the cake comes out clean. Allow to cool.

To make the topping: In a large bowl, beat together whipped topping, pineapple with juice, and dry pudding mix until blended. Spread on the cake.

This recipe is simple and good. It is a special cake to my family. This was a cake my grandmother would make for the holidays, and we would always look forward to it. I hope you enjoy it as much as we have.

32 // December 2019

Gò0dNews for Everyone

Two Tries

I

by Eric Smithey

took my toddler son, Joseph, into a place of

diaper still dangling from his ankle, and hastily exited

business that was in the midst of decorating for

the building. Joseph was not happy, and I knew I

Christmas the other day. He was amazed at the

needed to take him back at a later and drier time.

indoor trees, their lights, and all of the colorful

As we enter the Christmas season each year,

decorations. We ended up spending a great deal of

when society neatly summarizes the most significant

time bouncing back and forth until he was thoroughly

event in the history of the world and bundles it into a

satisfied he’d found his favorite.

single tidy little day, it’s nice and often essential to be

It was late. (And by late, I mean 8:00 p.m. because I now live on Toddler Standard Time.) I was tired.

(And by tired, I mean I am well into my 40s and have a toddler son.) I was ready to move on but didn’t dare deprive him of this sheer joy of discovery. Almost everything is a new revelation to a 1½-year-old child, but this was a totally different experience. He was mesmerized by the grandeur on display. He couldn’t get enough and didn’t want to leave. I found myself witnessing the formation of a love for Christmas, and I had no plans to rush this along, even if it took two tries.

And now, the beginning of this story: We first

reminded how special Christmas should be: “For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world;

walked into this same business two days prior. The

but that the world through him might be saved”

attendants had a few decorations already out. Joseph

(John 3:17). It’s essential that my son is taught the

saw them and reached for my hand. He led me along

significance of Christmas and that it is far more than

towards this strange new extravaganza with some

gifts and gilded trees. It is my duty to teach him it is

trepidation to get a closer look and touch—toddlers

God’s grace on display and should be honored wit h

touch everything. Just about the time we reached the

great reverence, even if it takes more than two tries.

first Christmas tree, I noticed something puffy and fallen out of his overalls, which were already wet. I WAS HORRIFIED! Needless to say, I scooped him up,

34 // December 2019

About The Author

white around his right foot. It was his diaper! It had Eric Smithey resides in Euharlee, Georgia, with his wife, son, two dogs, two horses, a donkey, and the newest addition, a pony for the boy.

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Gò0dNews for Everyone

Float Silently

“T

by Joel Walker

rust in the Lord with all your heart, and

I leave you with this quote that was sent to me

lean not on your own understanding. In

just after I resigned. I pray it blesses you as it has me.

all your ways acknowledge Him, and He

will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6).

These are two of my life verses. I see them every

“It’s not a bad thing to float silently in unfamiliar water. Even though I may feel lost and abandoned, I am never alone. I chose to get into this boat and head

day on the walls of my home. I recite them to myself

out to sea. I thought I knew where I was going, but

frequently. But I didn’t understand them completely

I now know, more than ever, that this journey is not

until recently.

dictated by the direction I set. This boat doesn’t have

Last fall, I resigned from the church I was

a motor; it has a sail. God directs and orders the wind

pastoring. And while I knew it was the right decision for my family and me, it was very difficult. I felt like a failure. I felt like a part of me had died. I felt like I had let people, and most of all, God, down.

The days and months that have passed since my resignation have been filled with ups and downs. My family is in a great place attending a wonderful church. My wife and I have lost a significant amount of weight. And I’ve had some opportunities to preach, for which I am grateful.

But, career-wise, I feel somewhat adrift.

to take me where He pleases and in the direction

There have been and are still moments of anxiety,

that He knows is not only best, but that will sanctify

wondering what’s next or even if vocational ministry

and prepare me for what lies ahead. When the wind

is still in my future.

seems to die and I feel adrift, I must remember that

However, God’s promises have been speaking

floating in these unfamiliar waters is often necessary.

louder than my doubts and unbelief, especially

And, contrary to my understanding, it’s not because

the verses mentioned above. I know, whatever my

of anything I did, but because of where I am going.”

circumstances, that “God is for me.” He is working

—Steven Carroll

for my good and His glory. His plan is best. And our

36 // December 2019

About The Author

job is to trust Him. Joel Walker lives with his wife, Lauren, and his two children, Ethan and Addison.

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Gò0dNews for Everyone

Wild Vines

A

by Dorothy Teague

s I peered from the porch at our vegetable

very soon loom larger in our lives, taking over areas

garden, I noticed how beautiful the wild

we wanted to keep separate. It invades, entangles, and

wisteria was on the garden fence, hanging

takes root. No matter what we try to do after that to

full of purple blooms. But, on closer inspection this

uproot it, we can’t. The longer the sin lives there in our

spring day, I realized that beautiful vine had now run

hearts, the deeper the root. Sin, like this vine, if given

wild and had not only taken over the fence area I had

too much free reign, can take us further than we ever

given it but had entangled itself with the grapevine on

imagined into deeper and darker paths. The enemy

the next fence panel. Looking down, I saw that it had

comes to steal, kill, and destroy our Christian witness

gone underground and stealthily made its way into

and testimony (John 10:10). He wants to discredit us so that we will not be effective in bringing others to Christ.

The only way to stop sin is to repent and ask God to rescue us from the mess we got ourselves into. We have to get at the “root” of the sin by allowing God to purge and cleanse us (1 John 1:9). Romans 8:37 says that we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us. God is always with us as we use that free will He allows, and He knows us better than we know ourselves.

He knows we are going to mess up before we do, but He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins.

the garden planting area. I was quickly changing my

Digging up the root of that wisteria is going to be

mind about this vine. What I once saw as beautiful, I

a big job, one that I can’t do alone. I might even have

now thought was a pestilence! Yes, I was warned that it

to get one of those “big daddy” machines with muscle

was invasive, but I thought I had given it enough room

to get it done. Isn’t it nice to know we have a Heavenly

where I planted it. But little did I know that it would

Father who can meet all of our needs (Philippians

make its way into my precious garden, taking over

4:19)? He knows what we are in need of before we

everything in its path, its tendrils reaching out and

even ask (Matthew 6:8), but we have to ask. We have to

wrapping tightly around every plant! I only wanted it

be willing to let go of the sin and let God cleanse.

to be on the fence: not in my garden. this thought came to me. This vine represented my sin. What starts out small and seemingly harmless can

38 // December 2019

About The Author

As I stood pondering what to do about this mess, 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.

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Gò0dNews for Everyone

Be Steadfast

S

by Chad Hess

teadfast, or a form of the word, is used 10 times

Are we firm in our belief that Bible truths are God-

in the Bible. In 1 Corinthians 15:58, the Apostle

breathed and do not change? And are we unwavering

Paul writes, “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be

in our insistence that Jesus is The Way, The Truth, and

steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of

The Life and that no man comes to the Father except

the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in

through Him?

vain.” Steadfast is defined as “Resolutely or dutifully

I know that we (most of us, anyway) love Christmas.

firm and unwavering” and is a term that is seldom

Let us not forget, however, the gravity of the Great

used in our modern culture. I imagine that many in our

Commission, the fact that the devil still roams around

country and our churches do not know or understand the word.

During December, we celebrate the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Christmas is a wonderful time, and the Christmas story is rightly celebrated. It is a time for giving, loving, and thanking God for sending Jesus. C.S. Lewis, however, viewed Jesus’ entry into our world as an invasion. “Enemy occupied territory— that is what this world is. Christianity is the story of how the rightful King has landed, you might say landed in disguise, and is calling us to take part in a great campaign of sabotage.” This campaign has been going on for over 2000 years, and as the Christian Church, we are compelled to participate.

Of the 10 mentions of steadfast/steadfastness in the

like a lion, and that the Church is being persecuted

Bible, five occur in the New Testament after the birth

every day. Let’s be honest with God, ourselves, and

of Christ. We are warned five times to be steadfast,

our church families. Are we being steadfast? Are we

resolute, dutifully firm, and unwavering. Let us take

holding to truth? Are we solidly within the will of God?

some time during this Christmas season to search our

If not, let us again thank God for sending His Son this

hearts and ask ourselves some difficult questions. Are

Christmas season, but let us also repent, take up our

we as individual Christians, as the Universal Church,

cross, and follow Him.

and as denominations being steadfast? Are we resolute in our commitment to the Gospel? Are we dutiful soul, mind, and will and to love others as ourselves?

40 // December 2019

About The Author

in our commitment to love God with all our heart, Chad Hess is a husband, father and Army Veteran. He is a parishioner at Saint Andrews Anglican Church in Rome, where he is involved in lay ministries.

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Gò0dNews for Everyone

I

The Gifts of Christmas

by Betty Schaaf

spied a large and bony seven-point buck in my backyard,

time. I watched helplessly as his life quietly ebbed away. It

lying in the pine straw. He was attempting to get up but

was as if Jesus were standing right there with us. It was then

was having a hard time doing so as his back legs refused

that God reminded me that in death, there is abundant life.

to cooperate. I named him “Christmas” because of his

His once-beautiful black eyes and long lashes stared back at

timely arrival and humility, like our Lord, both quiet and

me, lifeless and vacant. His tongue lolled to the side, telling

commanding. It quickly became apparent that “Christmas”

me goodbye. “Christmas” died in our yard five days before

was elderly and quite possibly starving. Therefore, it

Christmas. Tears flowed, and I found it very difficult to see

became my new mission to help this wobbly creature and

the cookies I was trying to decorate.

mistakenly attempt to stop what God had already planned for long ago.

I did this by getting “Christmas” all of his favorite foods, strategically placing deer delicacies throughout the yard, including two heavy salt licks. I set about bowls of oats and scattered fresh radishes, hay, and alfalfa throughout the yard each morning. He started lying down in my front garden under the awning of my window to get out of the rain.

This was when I noticed his antlers were missing: apparently part of the aging process for deer. He was shivering for hours. I just stood by and watched helplessly. It was then that I realized God had sent my new visitor, “Christmas,” to offer me refreshing wisdom during this season of love.

Most importantly, God is in control, not me. I wrestled with feelings of helplessness and having no

“Christmas” reminded me that even during this

control over the outcome of my furry friend. Again, he came

season of birth, there is death, yet another gift. God gave

to my garden, lying under the window awning at dusk. He

us “Christmas” as His tangible gift of love and wisdom.

watched me intently as I unloaded my holiday groceries.

He also reminds us that He is in control of everything. It

Just a foot away, I cooed with gurglings of encouragement:

was the death of our Lord Jesus that gives us life now and

something only a mother could understand. I prayed for his

for eternity. We gently placed our “Christmas” in the deep

survival every night.

leaves and said goodbye with a prayer of gratitude for

The day after that, I saw him peacefully sitting up in our

allowing us the adventure of “Christmas” at Christmas.

front yard as if it were his home. Maybe God had answered However, several hours later, finding his final resting place up against our house, “Christmas” lay down for the last

42 // December 2019

About The Author

my prayer after all, or maybe he was feeling better.

Betty Schaaf is grateful to be living out God’s purpose for her life as a volunteer, helping the homeless, disabled, elderly, and women in recovery in her community of Rome, Georgia.

She is a writer and a stay at home mom; a sojourner in becoming the very-best-version-of-herself possible.

264 Shorter Avenue 706.232.9233 6am-10pm Closed Sunday