February 2019

Gò0dNews February 2019

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About Us WRITERS

Andrew Lee Bud Kinches Caleb Prytherch Charles Laws Deck Cheatham Donna Tumlin Ginger Smith Glenda Prichard Jessica Mathis Jocelyn Rooks Linda Ray Center Lisa King Paul McGuire Reagan Marsh Ruthiey Boggs Shannon Alvey Terri Cox Walter Posey

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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

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GoodNews Christian Magazine is a complimentary, 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.

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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.

Contents FEBRUARY 2019

GoodNews from the Pastor’s Desk 6 How to Read the Bible

GoodNews for Teens 26 Game Over

GoodNews for Kids 8 Clanging Cymbals

GoodNews for Seniors 28 Living with Alzheimer’s

GoodNews on Money Matters 10 The Big Why

GoodNews for Everyone 30 Listening to God

GoodNews for Men 12 Old Curiosity Shop

GoodNews for Single Women 32 To the Lady in Waiting

GoodNews for Women 14 Adapting to Life’s Changes

GoodNews for Everyone 34 More Me?

GoodNews for Life 18 Living a Valuable Life

GoodNews for Everyone 36 No Questing Necessary

GoodNews for Parents 20 The Incredible Task of Parenting Adult Children

GoodNews for Everyone 38 Choose Your Thinks

by Reagan Marsh

by Lisa King

by Andrew Lee

by Charles Laws

by Jessica Mathis

by Caleb Prytherch

by Linda Ray Center

GoodNews Cover Story 22 Planet Fitness Now Open In Rome GoodNews for Health & Fitness 24 A New Season—A New You

by Terri Cox

by Bud Kinches

by Shannon Alvey

by Paul McGuire

6

by Jocelyn Rooks

by Ruthiey Boggs

by Deck Cheatham

by Donna Tumlin

22

GoodNews for Everyone 40 Music: Language of the Soul

by Glenda Prichard

GoodNews for Everyone 42 But God

by Ginger Smith and Walter Posey

42

Gò0dNews Christian Magazine

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Gò0dNews from the Pastor’s Desk

How to Read the Bible

eople frequently ask, “How should I read the Bible?” It’s a great question, because the Bible is a big book, written by 41+ authors, translated from 3 languages, and encompassing some 4200 years of ancient cultures. It can certainly be intimidating! So here’s some of the counsel I give.

1. Read patiently. 66 books means a lot of ground to cover, a lot of theology to learn, and a lot of history to grasp. New words, concepts, and the deeply interconnected nature of Scripture means this will be a

long-term project, and that’s okay. Take a breath; take a step; rinse and repeat.

2. Read prayerfully. This reading is no merely cognitive exercise. To understand the Bible rightly requires the illuminating work of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:9-10,14) to lead us to Christ, who is the centerpiece of Scripture. Such growth is under God’s providence (Hebrews 6:3), and teaches us dependence on him.

3. Read persistently. The Bible takes time to master, and a lifetime to be mastered by it. Chip away at it! Most biblical books can easily be read startto-finish in under an hour, and some in less than 10

6 // February 2019

minutes. Discipline yourself to read a portion each day, and decide to do it stubbornly.

4. Read practically. Scripture contains lovely doctrinal depths, each intended to lead us to worship God, and to teach us how to live unto him, for his glory.

Theology is meant to be lived (1 Thessalonians 2:13), and Scripture overflows with theology.

5. Read personally. The Bible speaks to my need, my sin, my obedience, my worship, the state of my soul, and most importantly, my Savior. Humility is key here: it’s written to others, but it’s for us (Romans 15:4; 1 Corinthians 10:11). Don’t ignore its original historical context; but don’t discount its wisdom and perspective for today, either.

6. Read progressively. In other words, aim for the progress of understanding more today than you did yesterday. That means taking time for study, research, and reflection. Don’t aim for just moving the bookmark; aim for grasping the meaning.

7. Read promised-ly (hey, I was on a roll). In other words, read Scripture on its own terms: as not only the very word of God, but also God’s testimony of his redeeming love in Christ. Scripture speaks about Jesus (Luke 24:25-27,44ff; John 5:39,46).

He is its ultimate subject and controlling category, and all God’s promises are kept in him (2 Corinthians 1:20). Rebels receive gracious promises, mediated only through Jesus.

So, across Scripture’s various genres, history, narrative, Gospel, epistle, wisdom, and poetry, lies the big picture of who God is, and how he showed mercy in Christ while we were yet sinners. The goal of reading the Bible is to know this God: obeying him by his word, communing with him by his Spirit, drawing near to him by his Son, resting in his steadfast love, to the praise of his glory. Take up and read!

About The Author

P

by Rev. Reagan Marsh

Reagan Marsh is husband to Kara, daddy to RG & AG, and Pastor-Teacher at Rocky Face Baptist Church (rockyfacebaptist.org).

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Gò0dNews for Kids

Clanging Cymbals

lang, clang, CLANG! My friend doesn’t like loud noises! She cringes at the noise. Her hands cover her ears. Her face says it all.

Sometimes she goes all the way into another room.

CLANG! Is that the way the world looks at us, when we are noisy and not showing love? God says love is patient, love is kind. Love does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, and it keeps no record of wrongs (1 Corinthians 13:4-5).

Does God only hear my noise or does He see me loving others like He does?

God’s word says, if I don’t have love, I have nothing.

Nothing!

Even if I speak like an angel and I give all I have away to the poor for Jesus’s sake, I still have nothing without love.

Our world seems to be really noisy right now! People saying, “Look at me”, “Look what I did”. Clang, clang, CLANG! This is not how Jesus walked on this earth. He loved, and he loved us all! He was not noisy; He came quietly into our world and turned it upside down with His love on the cross. He took our sins upon Him. He did not say, “Look at me.” He said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” He

8 // February 2019

healed the sick, talked to, and touched people that no one wanted to be near. Who does Jesus want me to love? Who does He want me to sit next to at lunch? Who does He want me to be nice to, even if they are not nice to me? I was challenged in college to pray for who I need to sit by. By doing this, I became friends with people I might never have met. Who does God have planned for me to talk to today? Who needs a smile? It just might change a life.

I have another friend that can’t hear well. If he is missing my noisy cymbals, can he see God’s love in me? Does he see that God will always protect him by my example of love? Does he see that God always loves? Am I showing him that Jesus died just for him? I must show love so that others can see Jesus!

During this season of love, I don’t want to be noisy. I want to be quiet and show love!

I don’t want to be a gong or a cymbal, I want to whisper, “Hey you, God loves you so much He died for you! He is so patient with you. He is so kind. He always protects us. You can always find hope in God!”

About The Author

C

by Lisa King

Lisa King has been married to Paul for 24 years.

She has been blessed with two wonderful sons named Dalton (21) and Alex (16). Lisa is a reading assistant at Michigan Avenue Elementary School and a member of Michigan Avenue Baptist Church, where she is honored to teach children’s church.

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The Big Why MONEY MATTERS WITH DR. ANDREW LEE Dr. Andrew Lee is professor of English at Lee University. He also serves as a coordinator for Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University. He and his wife Esmerelda have three children.

W

hen we say we “need money,” that’s not exactly true. Money is just paper, or coin, or digits on our computer screen, and that doesn’t really do us any good. It’s only what we can do with the money that matters. That’s what we really want—to pay bills, make purchases, or donate to a worthy cause. Many of us recently made New Year’s resolutions, and these are typically vague notions such as “save more money,” “get out of debt,” “give more this year.” We’re much more likely to stick to our “resolutions” if they are specific, timeoriented, and measurable. So instead of “save more money,” try something like “have $100 per month automatically deducted from my paycheck and deposited into my savings account by the 15th of every month.” This goal is easy to track to see if you’re really sticking to it. Instead of, “get out of debt,” try something like “pay off my Visa credit card in full by the last day of March, and then start making double car payments each month from April through the end of November.” Instead of “give more money to worthy causes,” try something like “start tithing ten percent to my local church starting on the first of next month” or “donate at least two hundred dollars to these two charities in 2019.”

In order to actually follow through on these resolutions—and to make meaningful progress with your finances, it’s crucial to know the “Big Why”—why do you want financial security? What does that really mean for you? What does it look like and how will you know if you’ve achieved financial security? These questions are the absolute starting point for financial management because if you don’t know where you’re going or why you

10 // February 2019

want to get there, you never will. For married couples, knowing “our Big Why” is imperative. Couples should sit down together and brainstorm (yes, actually write down your ideas) what their “ideal future” looks like: is it to travel to other countries regularly? Send the kids to private schools? Establish scholarships at your alma mater? Provide clean water for needy villages? Buy a ski boat? Build a rustic lodge in the mountains? Pay for home health care for an aging parent? Couples should share their honest answers to this question: “If I/we had enough money to do anything, what would we want our life to look like?” Couples need to discuss this early and often, to stay motivated on the journey to financial security. This is especially true of the “reluctant spouse” who resists the idea of a “budget” and thinks buying consumer goods every month is “more fun” than seeing growing balances in savings and investment accounts. Once everyone agrees on the “Big Why,” it’s now clear what the end goal is. Next, you can implement a plan for how much money it will take to achieve those goals, and then map out the steps to make these goals a reality. For single folks, you don’t get off the hook. You also need to write down the answers to these questions in order to know your “Big Why.” Discuss your plans with a trusted friend, relative or mentor, and start to map out what you’ll need to do financially in order to achieve your goals.

Too often, our New Year’s resolutions put the proverbial “cart before the horse.” Before listing action steps, take time to know why you’re wanting to take these actions in the first place. Once you know this, you’ll have motivation to take action.

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Gò0dNews for Men

Old Curiosity Shop

O

by Charles Laws

ne of my favorite English novels is The Old

wagon very much like this one. It, too, was as Western

Curiosity Shop by Charles Dickens. Go with

Flyer. I would pull it to the top of a hill in our

me while we take a tour of an imaginary Old

backyard and ride it down the hill. I went as fast and

Curiosity Shop and let us see what we can find. We will

as far as I could go. When I finally stopped, I would

take the tour today, but by tomorrow, today will be

pull it back up the hill and ride it down again. These

yesterday. In fact, 2018 is already last year. The above

were the good old days when kids actually spent

is to pique your interest and now let us begin our tour.

hours playing outside.

Most of the things in the shop remind us of a time when we were younger and bring back many memories.

As we begin to walk through the shop I see a small teddy bear, which was one of the first toys that I

Finally I see several tennis racquets laying on the shelf. As a much younger man, I played tennis quite a bit. I could play for hours and not be tired when I finished. I had several tennis racquets, but I gave them all away except one, which I still keep as a reminder of days gone by, many years ago.

As I wrote this article, I was reminded of the fact that this life will one day pass away and we will look back at it in terms of when we were on earth. One of the greatest verses in the Bible is found in John 6:40, which says, “For this is the will of the father that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”

One day the things of today will pass away and it no longer will be today. We will refer to the things of this life as “When I was

remember. Through the years it has been lost, although

living on the Earth.” This is as real as anything found

I kept it for many years to remind me of my childhood.

in our Old Curiosity Shop. Make sure you are ready for

It was named Ted Hair. Why that name? I have no

this great transition.

explanation, but this is a reminder of the imagination that I had as a child and still possess to a great degree.

This reminds me of the fact that I was a child many As we continue our tour, I see up ahead a red wagon, a Western Flyer! As an older boy I had a red

12 // February 2019

About The Author

years ago.

Charles G. Laws is a member of Cleveland First Church of the Nazarene. He has a B.A. degree with a major in mathematics and minors in physics and education from Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tennessee, and a M.A. degree with a major in mathematics from The University of Tennessee (UTK).

He enjoys reading, chess, walking and listening to music.

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Gò0dNews for Women

Adapting to Life’s Changes very minute of every day, things happen that could completely change the course of our lives.

If you are anything like me, the thought of this makes you cringe. I'm a creature of habit. I am completely okay with the cookie cutter life of keeping the same job for thirty years, having the same Friday night dinners with your friends, and living in the same small town with family close-by for the next fifty years.

A routine keeps me calm and makes me feel like I'm in complete control. What happens when life hits us with a change, a change that will stir up our routine and make us a little bit uncomfortable?

Women in today's society have many roles in this busy life: mothers, wives, CEO's, friends, sisters, and teachers. Most of the time, we have to juggle more than one role at a time. What if life throws a curve ball at us?

It's not like life stops for us to reevaluate. Life keeps quickly moving by and rarely gives us time to react to change in a healthy way. Our job shuts down and we quickly have to find a new one, our friends who we have weekly plans with have to move unexpectedly, or your family gets busy with new jobs and activities and the time you used to spend with them starts dwindling down to nothing.

The schedule you have set for your life is a type of therapy. It leaves you with less worry and gives you a peace of mind. Society makes us, as women, think

14 // February 2019

that we should always be moving and be able to power through anything life throws our way. Society is a liar and it’s okay for us not to be “okay.” Philippians 4:6-7 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” The Lord knows that we as humans will have daily struggles, thus, he gives us words of encouragement. If we begin to feel as though we can't handle one of life's changes, it’s okay to face it then and there. We should stop holding in our feelings for others' sake. First and foremost, we should pray that our anxieties are taken from us. God says not to be nervous; that he is with us every step that we take.

What can we as women do to combat our anxieties that are brought on by change? If we suddenly have an open slot of time in our schedules that was once filled with a weekly activity that you enjoyed, find a new hobby to use that time for. If you have children, use that time for one-on-one time for you and them. If you have the money, use that time for a couple of ours of “metime” and go get a massage or pedicure. Maybe we, as women, just need a moment of reflection. Need to cry?

That's okay. Feel angry? That's okay too. Taking time to breathe and embrace our emotions is an important part of being human. No matter what people tell us, it is healthy to not be “happy” all the time.

On top of everything we can do to bide our time, we should always make time for personal talks with our heavenly father. Humans are sinners and will find ways to let us down, whether knowingly or not. God is always on our side and always has time in his schedule for us. He is an unwavering God. Next time life throws a change at you, put some time in your schedule to talk to God. We never know the plans he has for that change.

About The Author

E

by Jessica Mathis

My name is Jessica Mathis and I am from Rome, GA. I am a blessed Christian, wife, stay-at-home mama, and part-time women’s advocate. I am just trying to raise a tiny human, one day at a time.

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Rome Church Directory African Methodist Episcopal

Bethel AME Church 22 Nichols Rd Rome, Ga 30161 Us 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 706-766-3018 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

16 // February 2019

1107 Cave Spring Rd 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 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 Providence Baptist Church 17 Burnett Ferry Road SW Rome, Ga 30165 706-291-0689 Riverside Baptist Church 38 Ash St 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

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

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 East Rome 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

Episcopal

Church of the Transfiguration 304 Coker Dr Rome, Ga 30165 706-234-0197 Saint Peter’s Episcopal Church 101 E 4th Ave Rome, Ga 30161 706-291-9111

Foursquare

Rome Foursquare Church

308 Reservoir St NE Rome, Ga 30161

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 30164-2247 706-234-6214

Nazarene

Church of the Nazarene 20 Glenda Dr Rome, Ga 30165 706-234-5023 Rome First 26 Glenda Dr SW 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 Trinity United Christian Church 6 Deer Run Trail Rome, Ga 30165 706-204-8270 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 1645 Cartersville Hwy. Rome, GA 30161 706-512-0190 First Presbyterian Church EPC 101 E 3rd Ave Rome, Ga 30161 706-291-6033 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 Life

Living a Valuable Life

E

by Caleb Prytherch

very life is precious. Your life, my life, and life

famous you can become or how much wealth you can

of every other person in this world is valuable,

accumulate. Rather, living a valuable life is about living

precious, and worth something. Whether we

your life devoted to Christ and being a witness to every

realize it or not, life is all around us, every single

person that you come into contact with.

day. We can see life in the world around us through

If you truly want to live your life to the fullest, then

the plants and changing seasons, through the breath

you must learn to enjoy the moments and not live your

of a newborn child, and even through the eyes of a

life trying to check things off of your to-do list. You’ve

complete stranger. Life is something that should not be

got to get to a place where your life is not solely focused

taken for granted, but often times it is easily forsaken.

on fulfilling your own needs and your own desires,

Many times, we go through life and become so busy

but rather recognizes the importance of helping others along the way. You and I cannot live our lives to the fullest by living for ourselves and going through the motions. The only way that we will be able to live a valuable life is by placing God first, allowing God to guide us, and having our eyes open to the world and the people all around us. If you truly want to live a valuable life, then you must stop focusing on yourself and intentionally live for God and others.

The Apostle Paul writes, “If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but

that we can easily forget the sacredness of what life is

do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess

truly all about. We may have good intentions to live

to the poor and give over my body to hardship that

our lives to the fullest, but often times these intentions

I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing” (1

get squashed out by everything else that life demands

Corinthians 13:1-3). You and I can do everything and

and throws at us.

feel as if we are constantly doing something good. But

According to the world’s viewpoint, a valuable life

the fact is, we cannot neglect the most important thing

includes having a good job or career, making lots of

that we as Christians have been called to do in this life—

money, having a nice car, a big house, and many other

love. We must love and we must give, not for our own

items. While having success and nice things are not

gain, but rather all for the glory of God. That is the key

bad in particular, those things should not be all that

to living a valuable life.

things that you are concerned about, it may be time to reevaluate your life. You see, living a valuable life is not about having the latest and greatest. It’s not about how

18 // February 2019

About The Author

a person lives for. If having those things are the only Caleb Prytherch is the student pastor at Heritage Fellowship Church of God in McDonald, TN. He is a graduate of Lee University and is currently pursuing his Master’s degree in practical theological studies. In addition to that, he is a graphic designer and does design work for a variety of businesses and ministries.

He is married to his beautiful wife, Bekah and together they have a passion to see peoples lives be changed and transformed through the power of Jesus Christ.

Church Activities & Events Cornerstone Church A Men’s Event

Saturday, February 23rd Call for more info (706) 234-4923

First Baptist Church of Rome Men’s Bible Study

Tuesdays 12:00PM - 1:00PM Call for more info (706) 291-6850

Second Avenue Baptist Church Floyd Rehab

Wednesday, February 13th | Fellowship Hall 823 East Second Avenue, Rome, GA 30161 Call for info (706) 232-3663

Fellowship Baptist Church

Wonderful Wednesdays in the Word Wednesdays at 6:00PM 314 Burnett Ferry Road SW, Rome, GA 30165

Pleasant Valley North Church Ladies Bible Study

Monday, February 4th 5:30PM - 7:00PM 735 Old Summerville Road NW, Rome, GA 30165

Gò0dNews for Parents

The Incredible Task

of Parenting Adult Children

D

by Linda Ray Center

o we ever stop parenting? It’s useful to consider

Here are four rules I’ve learned over the years:

ways that other parent’s step-up their relationships

• To extend mutual respect and honesty

with their kids to move to a deeper level. No matter

• Not to cross over into their private lives

what age the child is.

My relationships with my adult children change from

day-to-day. This article churned in my mind to pinpoint what kind of relationship I have with my adult children. To be honest, it has its ups and downs.

• To never give an opinion unless it’s asked • Let go of past hurts It’s comforting to know raising children doesn’t define me. How I handle them, or the situation, does. Let me toss out a solution that has worked for me. On those difficult days, I search the scriptures to find God’s encouragement. I wrap His loving Words around me and know He is working on my behalf! It takes the pressure off. When conflict arises, the best dose of medicine is to spend time in His word. Deuteronomy 4:9 is one of the verses that keep me going. It says, “Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.” This scripture gives me strength not to get unnerved. It also helps me hold my tongue instead of adding fuel to the fire.

The parent-child bond is one the enemy loves to attack because it’s a relationship that

we decided he should oversee his children, and I manage mine. It’s helpful that we can offer advice and experiences to each other on the topic of parental guidance. Today’s society calls us a blended family, but I like to think of us as a united family by choice.

Parenting is something I need to work on daily, because sometimes it feels like a roller coaster ride, with hairpin curves and down-hill drops we never see coming. God has entrusted us with these precious people. My goal is to produce meaningful relationships with them. I want more than an occasional “Hi, how’s the weather?” conversation.

20 // February 2019

is important to God. Our Heavenly Father is a pure representation of what love looks like in a parent-child connection. Our children are watching how we control our actions. When I’m at my wit’s end with my kids, I pray and let God deal with them. If I want my relationships to be different, it’s up to me to always model self-control. I can influence my children by living for Christ today more so than arguing to make them see my point.

There are plenty of joys and broken hearts raising children. Children and the task of parenting are incredible gifts from God. About The Author

Before my husband and I brought our families together,

Linda Ray Center is a blogger, motivational speaker, and relationship builder. She and her husband live in charming Chattanooga. She loves her blended family and is a hand’s on grandmother. As a communicator, she encourages God’s design for relationships at www.lindaraycenter.com.

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PLANET FITNESS NOW OPEN IN ROME

P

lanet Fitness, one of the largest and fastest-growing franchisors and operators of fitness centers in the United States, opened the first Planet Fitness location in Rome, GA. The new club is located at 2515

Redmond Circle Rd., across from Sam’s in the Gala Plaza Shopping Center.

Going on now, new members can join the Rome club for just $10 a month with no commitment! The new Rome Planet Fitness is approximately 18,000 square feet and offers state of the art cardio machines and strength equipment, fully equipped locker rooms with day lockers and showers, numerous flat screen televisions, HydroMassage beds and lounge chairs, massage chairs, tanning booths and beds, and a Total Body Enhancement booth. The club is always open and staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

"We’re thrilled to open our first club in Rome, GA. Planet Fitness is a place where we want our members to feel comfortable and set goals that work for them,” said Brittany Vick, Planet Fitness Director of Marketing. “We’re excited to provide residents with a high-quality, judgement free fitness experience 24/7, and at an extremely affordable cost.”

Planet Fitness prides itself on providing a high-quality experience at an exceptional value and being home of the

22 // February 2019

Judgement Free Zone®, where members experience a hassle-free, non-

intimidating environment. Each club also features the brand’s iconic “Lunk Alarm” – a purple and yellow siren on the wall used as a light-hearted, gentle reminder that grunting, dropping weights or judging others is not permitted.

Membership includes a variety of other benefits, including unlimited small group fitness instruction by a certified trainer through the pe @ pf ® program. As a member appreciation gesture, Planet Fitness also provides free pizza on the first Monday of every month, and free bagels on the second Tuesday of every month while supplies last, as a reminder that it’s okay to treat yourself every once in a while after a good workout.

The PF Black Card® membership, which is $21.99 a month, includes additional amenities such as the ability to bring a guest every day at no additional charge and access to all 1,000 Planet Fitness locations, as well as access to massage beds and chairs and tanning, among other benefits*.

Planet Fitness also provides members with an opportunity to connect and support each other with “Planet of Triumphs,” an online community that celebrates all accomplishments and inspirational stories of Planet Fitness members.

Planet of Triumphs provides an online platform for members to recognize their triumphs (big or small), share their stories and encourage others, reinforcing the Company’s belief that ‘everyone belongs’.

For more information or to join online, please visit www.PlanetFitness.com or follow us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/PlanetFitness) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/PlanetFitness). * PF Black Card® amenities may vary by location.

goodnewscm.com // 23

Gò0dNews for Health & Fitness

A New Season – A New You

O

by Terri Cox

k, take a deep breath! Christmas is over, and

easy for someone without a weight issue to say, “Why

the New Year has begun! Did you make some

don’t you just lose weight?” or “just join the gym!” It’s

New Year Resolutions? Have you already

all in the mindset of the person dealing with the issue –

broken one or two of them? Relax my friend, it’s ok!

and when I say weight issue, I mean being overweight

This is a new year, and a new season for all of us, and if

due to being an emotional eater, being underweight due

you already have to start over on your “start over plans

to anorexia or bulimia, or even having weight issues due

for 2019,” it’s ok!

to medical problems.

One thing that I have learned in the area of getting healthy is that I have to do it for me, not for anyone else.

In this new season, I encourage you to pray and ask the Lord to first help you deal with your perspective of your health and any issues that you may be facing. Then begin with little steps to help make this be the season for a new you!

Ask the Lord to show you how He sees you and ask Him to help you see yourself the way He does. The Bible says that you are “fearfully and wonderfully made!”

Small simple steps that you might take are to first find a quiet place where you can have some intimate time with the Lord and He can begin to reveal Himself to you in a more personal way. Then start with a glass of water in the morning, one at noon, and one with dinner! You might hate water like I do, but it is a necessity. Begin to take small walks when you have a chance, a little is better than none! If you feel the

I have learned that I have to be the one who changes

need to join a gym, find someone to go with you for

my perspective about my life – mind, spirit, soul, and

accountability purposes!

body. No one else can do it but me! No one can make

How would your life change if your mindset

me choose the healthy foods over the sweet things that

changed in this New Year? It won’t come overnight, but

my body craves, no one can make me get up and go to

with a little change here and there, before the end of

the gym, no one can make me get up and make sure I

2019 – I believe you will be happy and thankful for the

have the proper daily intake of water and vitamins. It’s

new you that has sprung forth! Start today!

all about making these choices for me! overweight, and even though I played it off greatly when around friends, deep inside I hated myself! It’s

24 // February 2019

About The Author

How do I know? For a long time, I was morbidly Terri Cox is a resident of Cleveland, Tennessee who is a Licensed Practical Nurse, Chaplain, Author, Motivational Speaker, and soon to be Life Coach. Her passion is for all to come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, and also to help bring health, healing, and wholeness to all who desire to live their life to the fullest, just as God intends for us to!

Gò0dNews for Teens

by Bud Kinches

ou're a teenager, so I'm guessing at some point you've played a video game. Console, pc, mobile, it really doesn't matter because they all have something in common that gamers get frustrated with at some point and time and that's the game over. The game over says that you failed to accomplish a task and have no more lives. Perhaps it was that Mario couldn't save Peach, Link couldn't save Zelda, Spider-Man couldn't save MJ. Whatever it is, a game over can make any sane person turn beat red and want to throw their control through a window sometimes.

What if we were to look at the game over from a different perspective though? Is it possible for a game over to be a good thing? How about a spiritual game over? Let me explain: In today's society there is so much stuff out there that consumes our time. Games, TV, social media, social life, extracurricular activities, and so on. If we don't keep our priorities straight, any number of those things can take away from the thing where we need to spend the most time and that is our relationship with God. I'll be the 1st to tell you that there have been times in my life when I've let some of those things take up more of my time than spending time with God. Jesus told us in Matthew 6:33 to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. That means we put God above all else in our lives.

This is where we apply the game over. In this case it doesn't mean we failed or ran out of lives it means we decide to take time to put down our phones and tablets, we close our laptops, we turn the TV off, and we spend that

26 // February 2019

time with God. We pray, praise and worship Him, and simply give Him what He wants and that's us, all of us.

I'm reminded of a song lyric from one of my favorite Christian artists growing up that said wimpy saints won't survive in spiritual warfare. This is so true. We choose to play games in life and before we know it satan has sucked the life right out of our of our spirits. We give into temptation more easily and for some it can lead to that road that Jesus talked about in Matthew 7:13. He said it is broad and leads to destruction. He even said there are many who find this road. In verse 14 he talks about a different road, a narrow road that leads to life and few there are that find it. Many find the broad road and why not? It's easy. You can be lazy and it takes 0 effort.

The narrow road though takes hard work. You have to constantly crucify your flesh and keep it under submission.

I don't know about you, but I would much rather choose the road that is narrow but leads to life than the one that is wide and leads to destruction. Will it be easy all the time? I'm afraid not. There is no scripture that tells us that but there are plenty that say He will always be with us. He'll never leave you or forsake you. He will hold you in His right hand! So will you join me young man or young lady? Will you join me as we continue through this new year and say game over? Will you join me in putting God 1st like never before and see where He takes us? You're not on this journey alone! God's got you! It's time to tell satan, game over!

About The Author

Y

Game Over

Bud Kinches currently serves as a youth leader at North Cleveland Church of God. He has a heart of passion for young people. If you would like him to come speak to your youth group please contact him by email at budkinches@gmail.com.

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Gò0dNews for Seniors

Living with Alzheimer’s

T

by Shannon Alvey

here are times in life when anyone can lose sight of their sense of purpose. It often happens when we encounter especially traumatic hurdles or life transitions, such as

Be Sensitive to Their Cognitive Level Remember: there are different levels of cognition as the disease progresses. Don’t create activities that are too difficult or rely too

unemployment, divorce, loss of someone important, or retirement.

heavily on memory skills. On the other hand, it’s equally important

Very often, one way out of a state of hopelessness is to find new

not to schedule activities that your loved one might find insulting.

purpose in life. The key is to discover new activities that make us

If the magazine activity from above is too childish, consider

feel whole and purposeful again.

watching funny movies or YouTube videos of cute animals together.

But for someone who’s suffering from the effects of Alzheimer’s disease, that sense of purpose is elusive and fleeting, if it comes at all. Those who care for someone with this disease

Goodness knows, there are enough of them out there!

Dole Out Chores, but Don’t Judge Helping with basic tasks is an obvious way to bring purpose, but don’t be too harsh if the results are less than optimal. The idea is to promote a sense of purpose, not enlist a household worker.

If the dishes aren’t quite clean after your loved one finishes with them, simply rinse them off later without saying anything. The important thing is that your family member feels useful.

Purposeful Tasks Can Help Minimize Unsafe Wandering Finally, there’s an added benefit to helping someone with Alzheimer’s disease find purpose in their day. It’s actually a matter of safety, too.

In their recommendations for dementia care practices, the Alzheimer’s Association suggests that engaging your loved one in activities is a way of reducing wandering. If you’re familiar with the disease, you already know that wandering is a major safety concern.

While it’s nearly impossible to prevent this symptom of dementia, it

quickly learn that scheduling daily activities which provide a sense of purpose is vital to the overall well-being of their loved one.

Creating a Sense of Purpose for a Person with Alzheimer’s Disease Everyone, no matter what their health status, benefits from

is possible to prepare for it and to minimize the frequency.

The key point here is that by taking a holistic approach to Alzheimer’s care, caregivers can help maintain a safe, healthy environment for loved ones who are suffering from the disease’s

a sense of purpose. There have even been studies showing that

effects. We all need purpose in our lives and finding ways to

purposefulness brings protective health benefits, especially in

create meaning in your own life can help guide how you create a

seniors. And it’s not just that it makes us happy to feel useful- it’s

purposeful day for someone with Alzheimer’s disease.

the meaningful work that keeps us healthy longer.

Conclusion

So it stands to reason that purposefulness can benefit someone

People suffering with Alzheimer’s disease face extraordinary

with Alzheimer’s disease or any other dementia-related condition,

obstacles as they journey through their day. It is essential that

for that matter. With this in mind, here’s some guidance on creating

those caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s attempt to create a

a purposeful day for an adult who has Alzheimer’s disease.

sense of purpose in their loved one’s life. Although challenging,

It Starts with What You Already Know Finding purpose can be as simple as drawing upon what

purposefulness can begin with simple things that the loved one has always enjoyed, or, even, ordinary chores around the house. While

your loved one has always enjoyed. Did he or she love animals?

being sensitive to the loved one’s cognitive abilities and emotional

Magazines with cute pictures of four-legged friends are surprisingly

state, a more safe and purposeful life can be discovered.

soothing and delightful. Sometimes people enjoy cutting out the board. This is only an example, though. Use this concept to tailor an activity for your loved one based on his or her interests and lifestyle.

28 // February 2019

About The Author

pictures and making a collage or simply pinning them onto a bulletin Shannon Alvey brings over 20 years’ experience in management and healthcare to Legacy Village of Cleveland as the Executive Director.

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Gò0dNews for Everyone

Listening to God

by Paul McGuire

I

t was sixty years ago this fall that my mom helped me

each generation in their language. I have found His words

and prayed with me as I gave my heart to Jesus. And

to me to be re-statements of what He has said before!

although I don't remember the exact day, I do remember

I am very careful in recording and sharing what I

that my life changed. The Bible verses I had learned and

believe Father has spoken to me. But when the words

had heard suddenly meant something to me. Inside, I

ring with truth, I'll share them. And the more I listen,

knew I was now a different person.

the more clearly Father can speak. It's wonderful,

Along those beginnings days, I determined that I wanted to hear God's voice. I would read or hear of those,

frighteningly wonderful.

Mine is not an exclusive “office” or “position.”

long ago in the Biblical accounts, who heard the "voice of

Anyone who desires can come before our Father to listen

the Lord." And I began to say (at least, to myself) "I want to

and learn. I strongly urge others to listen. And I hold up a

hear God speaking to me!"

couple of caveats:

Thus I began what has been a lifelong pursuit to hear my Father's voice speaking to me.

• Rather obviously, you must be “born again,” part of God's family!

While some say that God doesn't speak to people anymore, that all He has wanted to say is written for us in the Bible, I have found this perspective quite limited. Father speaks all the

• Be in a Body of Believers, submitted to the leadership. This is very important. God does not have loners - or mercenaries!

• Immerse yourself in the Scriptures, the “vocabulary

time! The real question is whether

of God.” As I noted, God doesn't say different

one is listening!

things, He says things differently, sometimes

I have discovered that in filling

expanding on what He has said. So filling your life

my mind (and by believing in

with God's Word is essential to understanding what

my heart) with the Scriptures, that those words have become what I now call the “vocabulary of God.” The Scriptures teach us how He speaks and how He acts and the kinds of things He does. So,

you believe you're hearing.

• Referencing the second caveat, be ever ready to submit your listening to your pastoral leadership.

They are responsible before God for your soul and the others in that body. It's God's way of doing things.

• See to it that your heart remains open and submitted to our Father. As the Apostle Paul noted, “though we are unfaithful, He remains faithful.” Submission

there is that

to our Father and to those who He has placed over

sense in

us is a really good thing. And working under His

which our

restraints, we prosper.

Father doesn't say different things, but He does

Are you listening? What is our Father saying to you?

May we be blessed and encouraged by His words to you.

express His truths differently for each generation. The truth remains; the same needs, so He must speak to

30 // February 2019

About The Author

times are different. Men's hearts have Paul McGuire has been born again for 60 years, and has pursued to hear God’s Voice through all those years. He and his wife Teresa of 45+ years are active at Living Word Church in Cleveland, TN. They have two children and four-and-counting grandchildren.

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Gò0dNews for Single Women

To the Lady in Waiting

by Jocelyn Rooks

A

s a young, unmarried woman I find

of the Lord, how to be holy and set apart both in

myself among the many women who

body and in spirit.” When I read that, something in

are asking the Lord to send a godly man

my thinking shifted as it pertains to being single.

their way who will finally rescue them from the

While I am single I can devote all my time and

lonesome tower of singleness. It seems like every

attention to pleasing the Lord. No distractions, just

time I’m scrolling through my social media feeds,

Jesus. How amazing is that? Why be so concerned

someone I went to school with is getting married or

and disappointed about not having an earthly companion when the Most High King is my constant friend, companion, comforter, and everything else I need.

I think marriage is great and I think it will be so great to have a husband who is pursuing the Lord with me, but while I am single I’m devoted to the Lord and secure in my identity as a daughter of the King. One of the most inspiring quotes I’ve heard comes from Max Lucado and he says, “A woman’s heart should be so hidden in God that a man has to seek Him just to find her”.

having their first child. While I am happy for them

When my husband comes along I want him to find

and celebrate this milestone in their lives, I can’t

a confident, beautiful woman who serves the Lord

help but wonder if God has forgotten about me.

with all her heart.

Well, the answer is of course not. God sees all and

So single ladies, don’t be discouraged. Take

knows all, and knows the deepest desires of my

delight in the fact that you can seek the Lord and

heart. His timing is perfect. In the meantime, what

serve Him with no distractions for the time being.

can I be doing as a single woman? It took me a

It is the most rewarding thing in life!

while to understand the significance of the answer In 1 Corinthians 7:34, Paul says, “The unmarried woman or the virgin is concerned about the matters

32 // February 2019

About The Author

to that question.

Jocelyn Rooks is a Chattanooga resident who serves at Redemption to the Nations Church as the event coordinator.

She graduated from Lee University in 2015 with a degree in public relations and received her Masters’ degree in entertainment business from Full Sail University in 2018.

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Gò0dNews for Everyone

More Me? ately, life has left me feeling inadequate. Now this is not the term I probably would have used, because well let’s be honest what kind of woman admits inadequacy?! I have been running full speed ahead but felt like I wasn’t gaining any ground. I lay in the bed at night, exhausted, frustrated, overwhelmed and like I need another me to get it all done. That’s it, more me, that’s the solution right? Maybe if I had more hours in the day, or more energy, maybe then I could do it all.

So back to the beginning where I said I would never use inadequate, whether I was willing to admit it or not.

That was exactly what I was feeling and God just helped label it. I was sitting in church during the choir service and I flipped my Bible open to the index and looking down at the page all my eyes could see was the word inadequate. I felt tears sting my eyes because that was all those feelings I had been battling rolled up into 10 letters. “Wow, God thanks for spelling it out for me,” but that wasn’t it at all. He was putting a name to my emotions so He could remind me of His truth. I quickly referenced the Bible verses. It was the story where Jesus fed the 5000, with 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish. If Jesus can do that, surely He can work with me.

On the drive home from church I had a child crying because I wouldn’t let her go with her grandparents, and Satan kept whispering in my ear how that she had rather be with them because

34 // February 2019

I’m such a disaster. While both of those things are true, they aren’t necessarily related. She just really loves them, and I’m so thankful for the special relationship she has with them. And yes I am a train wreck, but that’s truly just me and I’m okay with that, but he combined those just to cause me more self-doubt and pain. So I got home and just couldn’t shake the feeling of inadequacy. I, being the researcher I am, had to look up the definition (and before you seriously question my vocabulary, I knew what it meant but I wanted to see it in writing). So follow me a little further, the Mirriam-Webster definition of inadequate: not adequate: insufficient; also: not capable.

Insufficient! I can work with this because, “He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (2 Corinthians 12:9). Yay! He can “work with me” because I am covered by His blood, His grace, and His love!

Satan had me so tangled up in my emotions that I couldn’t even see what I already knew! This is like Jesus101, His amazing grace! I am weak but He is strong. I don’t need more me, I need less me and more Jesus, every single day!

About The Author

L

by Ruthiey Boggs

Ruthiey Boggs received her bachelor of science, human services from Shorter University. She is currently serving her family as a stay at home mom.

She is on the board of directors for the William S. Davies Homeless Shelter. She and her husband Jim are members of Philadelphia Baptist Church.

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Gò0dNews for Everyone

No Questing Necessary ndergirding the simple joys in life are the qualities of thoughtfulness and good intent.

I discovered this truth at the end of the watermelon vine where innocence ripens in suspended time. Nothing snaps you instantly into childhood like watermelon. No questing necessary. Unlike pot roast or dumplings that satisfy the stomach, watermelon is a comfort food that tickles some remembered, pixelated innocent joy.

The picture evokes sitting on the back steps, shirtless, barefooted, eating half wedges down to the rind. I cared little about the juice dripping down my chest and worried more about the vine growing out of my ears after swallowing seeds.

I remember my feet gripping healthy centipede grass, my back arched and head cocked. The next move was pivotal because a forward body thrust always accompanies a good spit. It also requires a simultaneous sucking of air to be used as propulsion. At this point, seeds become confused about coming and going. Proper seed-spitting technique hazards the accidental swallow.

I’m jealous of my cousin, Ben, who grows and sells watermelons. I’m guessing he cheats his profit from time to time cracking open a good climber on the vine.

A good farmer knows his product and there’s no better test than savoring the heart of a

36 // February 2019

watermelon in the field. There are more refined ways to eat watermelon, but none closer to creation than a furrowed row. As we say in the South, “It just don’t get no better.”

My favorite refined recipe came from Miss Ellen and is as follows: cut watermelon into cube-sized bites, place in bowl, add the juice of a good lime or two, and sprinkle in some fresh mint leaves and feta cheese. Eat until finished. Make some more. Repeat the next day.

When the watermelon is gone, buy another one. It’s hard to have buyer’s remorse with watermelon. Thank you, Miss Ellen.

When grace found me, when I finally allowed it to wash over me like that watermelon juice did during those innocent, shirtless, fun, seed-spitting days, I found peace. Grace delivered a sweetness I could not find on my own. Living in grace meant failure was no longer a means to hide behind a resolute ego.

Before grace, I kept bumping into failure while small victories perpetuated the illusion I could handle life on my own. Living untethered from God’s vine, defeat continually exposed my vulnerabilities. When grace came, my weakness became God’s strength.

I could hear God and see God. I learned to live in community and forgiveness.

“Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me” (John 15:4, NKJV).

Grace tethered me to the vine and the vinedresser.

There may be a few more seeds to swallow before God is finished with me, more time for those vines to grow from my ears.

“Those who have ears to hear, let them hear” (Matthew 11:15, NKJV).

About The Author

U

by Deck Cheatham

Deck Cheatham has been a golf professional for some 40 years. He lives with his family in Dalton.

He is a guest columnist for the Rome News Tribune, The Daily Citizen, and the Calhoun Times.

Email him at pgadeacon@gmail.com.

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Gò0dNews for Everyone

Choose Your Thinks

by Donna Tumlin

I

n Dr. Seuss’ book, Horton Hatches an Egg, we see Horton

remembering everything that has been done to hurt you.

the Elephant wronged by everyone. He is ridiculed,

Does it make you feel better to recall those events?

imprisoned, and left responsible for what doesn’t

We all get hurt. We all get wronged. It starts in

belong to him. But Horton chooses his way of thinking.

preschool and continues our entire lives. Even if you are

He continually chooses to be positive. “I meant what

in the right and they are in the wrong, sometimes you just

I said, and I said what I meant. An elephant’s faithful

need to let it go. Did Jesus ever become upset? Yes, one

one-hundred percent.” In the end, Horton’s path, though

day in the temple. But do you think after that day, he sat

unpleasant, leads him to happiness.

around time after time and thought about their actions and

Has anyone ever treated you unfairly? It’s easy to let your mind dwell on those incidences. But will it change anything? During hard times I realized that if I let my mind become cluttered with negative thoughts, it only led to me being unhappy and angry.

became angry again and again?

It’s like carrying around a basket full of stones. Each stone represents a negative thought you had about the person who treated you unfairly. The more bad thoughts, the heavier the basket becomes. Sometimes others contribute to your basket. They toss a new stone in with their opinions and comments. You will weigh yourself down. Soon you are dragging mentally, physically, and

Negative thoughts are like stones. A stone tossed into a lake causes

spiritually from the load. It’s a load that we aren’t meant to carry. God knows exactly how much it hurts us.

How can we live as the person God created us to

a rippling effect. Your

be and follow the path he has planned for us if we are

mind is much the same.

consumed with bitterness and negativity? We are perhaps

It doesn’t just stop at the

without even realizing, turning around and going in the

one thought, it brings

opposite direction. In that other direction is satan–waiting.

wave after wave

He says, “Oh keep thinking that way, keep thinking your

of negativity.

Soon you are thinking about and

way farther and farther…because that allows me in to take over.” The most important thing to remember is we have a choice. The way we choose to think is up to us. When the negative thoughts first enter our minds, we must stop and immediately give those stones with their weight over to God. He wants to take them from us, but only if we allow Him to!

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these

38 // February 2019

About The Author

things” (Philippians 4:8).

Donna Tumlin is the mother of three grown children and lives in Rome, Georgia. She has been a teacher for twenty years and is currently teaching kindergarten. She is a member of First Baptist Church of Lindale. She is also the co-author of a Christian blog, Smorgasbord of Sisterhood, which she writes with her cousin.

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Gò0dNews for Everyone

Music: Language of the Soul usic: noun; vocal or instrumental sounds arranged in a pleasing way. The written signs representing this.

This is the dictionary’s definition for music, but oh, music is so much more! It has been said that “Music is what feelings sound like.” Hans Christian Anderson said “Where words fail, music speaks.” Longfellow said “Music is the universal language of mankind.”

I was given the gift of piano lessons by my parents, had the opportunity for some music training in college, and had godly ministers of music in my life through my church; all these opened the door to music for me. Today music is an indispensable part of my life. I feel the presence of God through music as it gives words to my feelings and emotions. It enters into my worship and praise for my Savior. Music relieves the stresses of life and helps express love and admiration for those dear to me. As I sing the HymnsCompositions written directly to God, the songs of the Psalms, and the spiritual songs about the Christian life, I am once again reminded of all God has blessed me with.

One of my favorite ways of enjoying music is with children, especially preschoolers. They express music with their whole being! They are honest and uninhibited in their joy and expression of music. A preschooler who senses the wonder of their surroundings, of God’s creation, and expresses their feelings about God through music is worshipping!

A recent experience that drew me into worship of my Savior took place in my own family room. My three preschool grandsons were visiting and were playing with Legos when out of the blue Brody begin to sing the chorus of “Lord, I need You” and his twin brothers fell into step singing along. As I listened to those little voices singing “Lord, I need You, Oh I need You, Every

40 // February 2019

hour I need You, My one defense, my righteousness, Oh God, How I need You,” I felt the presence of God as He tugged at my heart for me to take a moment to express that very thought back to Him. That sweet refrain from little voices fostered a moment of worship in my heart that crescendoed throughout the day. My soul was calmed and I was reminded of the power of music to speak to the soul all while engaging in the simplest tasks of the day.

As you go through your day embrace music, let God speak to you, let your voice give Him praise and thanksgiving for all He has done and is doing for you. 1 Chronicles 16:9 says, “Sing to Him, sing praise to Him, tell of all His wonderful acts.” Johann Sebastian Bach said it best, “The aim and final end of all music should be none other than the glory of God and the refreshment of the soul.”

Let music express the thoughts of your heart today!

About The Author

M

by Glenda Prichard

Glenda Prichard is a preschool and children’s specialist. She is passionate about using her skills and talents with preschoolers and children. Glenda is married to Phil Prichard and they have two sons (and daughters-in-law) and five grandchildren. Glenda and her husband are members of East Athens Baptist Church in Athens, TN. Glenda can be reached at littlehouseinthebigwoods.pg@gmail.com.

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Gò0dNews for Everyone

But God

O

by Ginger Smith and Walter Posey

n December 10th, 1986, I was in the shower when

He had a traumatic brain injury and his brain was

someone was banging on my door and wouldn’t

swelling. We were told not to touch his head. His right arm

stop. It was my neighbor informing me that my

required surgery with pins and screws. His belt buckle cut

brother had been in a car wreck and they were sending him

into his stomach where the steering wheel pinned him.

to Erlanger. My mother was on her way to pick me up.

Our entire family slept in the waiting room just praying.

There wasn’t a life flight back then. Erlanger meant it was serious, but it still hadn’t sunk in. Riding down APD 40, I saw his car which had just been towed. He went down a

As days passed, he wasn’t getting any better, but he wasn’t any worse. At some point they put him in isolation.

He came home sometime in February and we

200 foot embankment. The battery was thrown from the car.

celebrated Christmas. When they sent him home the

He sideswiped a guardrail on the driver’s side, a tree on the

doctors said he would never get any better. But by the

passenger side, and another tree head on. The motor was in

grace of God he did get better! The first time he tried to

the front seat, literally. The steering wheel had him pinned.

walk, he fell down the steps and busted his chin open

The brakes were pinning his feet. He was in a fetal position

and it required stitches. He never gave up and we never

and couldn’t get out even if he has the strength to try.

stopped praying.

We still don’t know how anyone spotted the car.

There were no visible lights and it was so far down the

He was on disability, but he got better and found a job.

He met a woman and got married. They had a son. He had his last job for 19 years until the plant closed. He does have injuries from that wreck that prevent him from working now. He’s not as fast as others. He can’t run. His back is in horrible shape. He’s not good with words or remembering.

He doesn’t have good balance and he drags his right foot, but thank God, he’s alive.

When he was found pinned in that car, there was just enough room for him to be in a fetal position. Who knows how long he had been there. How did anyone know he wrecked? There had been an anonymous phone call to my uncle that made him call the police to go look. God

embankment it couldn’t have been seen from the roadway.

had him. If I had ever doubted that there was a God, I

Ira Cox was the first one on the scene. There was nothing

would never doubt again. God rode with my brother that

he could do. My brother was unresponsive. Ambulances

night and spared his life. He now has two grown sons.

and fire trucks responded quickly, but it took 45 minutes

Something we never even dreamed of. He was baptized in

to cut him out of the car. We were told that he died three

2016 and he now lives for the Lord.

times in the ambulance.

When my mother and I arrived at the hospital, I knew

In my brother’s words: I know there’s a God because if there wasn’t, I wouldn’t be here. The doctors said I would

it was really bad when I saw my male cousins and my

never get better, but I have two sons and kept the same

brother’s friends in tears, unable to speak. We walked

job for 19 years. Doctors don’t know everything. I showed

in and I saw one of my uncles squalling his eyes out.

them! I’m thankful for being here and finding God.

unrecognizable. He said it was bad and he may not make it.

It seemed like forever before I even got a glimpse of him.

42 // February 2019

About The Author

He didn’t want me to see him because he said he was Walter Posey and Ginger Smith are brother and sister. They are natives of Cleveland, TN and sharing their story of God’s grace. Walter enjoys old cars, fishing and some Hank Williams Jr.

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