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About Us
WRITERS
Dr. Alan Hix
Brenda Dedmon
Dr. Brent Madaris
Candyce Carden
David Huff
Filip Brunner
Garrett Nudd
Granger Hughes
Hayden Lanier
Jamie Renee Hill
Jan Merop
Mary Wanda Lindsey
Zebbie Brewster
SALES
Matthew Ruckman
423-503-1410
Email: goodnewstn@gmail.com
DESIGN
Caleb Prytherch
Email: art.goodnews@gmail.com
PHOTOGRAPHER
Melanie Abney
706-844-3818
GoodNews Rome
EDITOR/ARTICLE COORDINATOR
Sandra Gilmore
Email: articles.goodnews@gmail.com
PUBLISHER
Matthew and Bethany Ruckman
Cell: 423-503-1410
E-mail: goodnewstn@gmail.com
OFFICE
423-790-5378
WEBSITE goodnewscm.com issuu.com/goodnewsrome
Hello Friends,
We want to take a moment to tell you who we are and what we are about. Our names are Matt and Bethany Ruckman and we have six beautiful children, Brendon, Kailey, Andrew, Leah Jean, Emma, and Cooper. We live in Cleveland, Tennessee, and love what this town has to offer! We have started GoodNews Christian Magazine because we feel that when God, family, and community are combined, lives will be changed.
GoodNews Christian Magazine is a complimentary, Christian lifestyle publication. You can find us throughout the community in retail establishments, churches, restaurants, and more. Our magazine opens the door for Christians to work together to grow and strengthen our community through relevant editorial and effective advertising.
GoodNews Christian Magazine is written by men and women in the community who love and serve the Lord. Our hearts are open and willing to be used by God to reach out to the community to spread the GoodNews!
Disclaimer
All of the content in the GoodNews Christian Magazine is for general information and/or use. Such contents does not constitute advice and should not be relied upon in making (or refraining from making) a decision. Any specific advice or replies to queries in any part of the magazine is the personal opinion of such experts/consultants/persons and is not subscribed to by GoodNews Christian Magazine. The information in GoodNews Christian Magazine is provided on an “AS IS” basis, and all warranties, expressed or implied of any kind, regarding any matter pertaining to any information, advice or replies are disclaimed and excluded. We reserve the right to refuse any advertisement or article we deem inappropriate.
Unleashing the Power of Prayer: Exploring Jeremiah 33:3
by Dr. Brent Madaris
*Jeremiah 33:3 KJV, “Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.”
Wow! What a promise!
Jeremiah chapters 30-33 are known as “the book of consolation.” This final chapter (33) of the Book of Consolation continues the themes of destruction and restoration. The words in chapters 30–33 would give hope and comfort to the exiles even during their experience of punishment (Psalm 137).
God’s love and grace are so great that even in exile He gave His people hope for the future. Ultimately, their hope was found in a hope for the Messiah (vv. 14–16) who would deliver and redeem them.
Although the city would be devastated (vv. 2–5), God would bring “health” and “peace” back to it (vv. 6–9). Verses 10–26 focus almost entirely on the future restoration of Judah. Notice first, that Jeremiah was facing a very large and difficult situation: Jeremiah was under house arrest for his preaching.
Jeremiah 33:1, “while he was yet shut up in the court of the prison.”
Not only was the prophet Jeremiah in prison but Judah was besieged by the Babylonians (Jeremiah 32:32 and 33:45), they were just about to be attacked and carried away into Babylonian captivity.
These are major problems, but in the midst of this desperate situation, there is a much larger and more powerful hope.
Read with me Jeremiah 33:2, “Thus saith the Lord the maker thereof, the Lord that formed it, to establish it; the Lord is his name.”
The words of praise for God as Creator in verse 2 are not unrelated to the context but serve as a reminder that He who created this world has the power to restore Israel and Judah. That same God has the power to hear and answer your prayer!
Consider if a friend gave this same promise to you. Debt? (Call upon me...) Sickness? (Call upon me…) Confusion? (Call upon me…) Despair/Depression? (“Call upon me...)
But how much larger the offer when we realize it is not human frailty that offers, but Divine Immensity and Omnipotence!
To some, it is just a doctrine...a teaching...a cold and lifeless thing…or perhaps a warm and fuzzy feeling! But no reality. No experience!
To some, it is a mirage or a dream! Does He really mean to state that whatever we ask in prayer we are to receive?
Have you learned the art of truly believing on Christ? You may have faith in Him for salvation, but do you have faith in Him for daily life and living?
Matthew 17:20, “And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove, and nothing shall be impossible unto you.”
You say, “Yes! That is what I want: mountain moving prayers!” Well then, there is something to be understood concerning mountain-moving faith! The Bible speaks of:
• No faith - Mark 4:4.
• Little Faith - Matthew 14:31.
• Great Faith - Matthew 8:10.
So then we can all look to ourselves and ask the question: “What level of faith do I have?” We all need to pray this prayer from Luke 17:5, “ …Lord, increase our faith.”
*All Scriptures are from KJV.
Surprises. Triumphs. Breakthroughs. For every moment when words just won’t do, we give it our all so you can, too. Because there’s a whole lot of life to love, and the joy’s worth the journey. As you strive for what makes you come alive, we’ll be here seeing, hearing and helping you feel whole.
for Everyone Like a Dog
by Hayden Lanier
My family has two beagles, and I have learned much from our family dogs. One of the main things they have taught us is that dogs have some unusual habits. Our beagles make it their mission to sniff every blade of grass in our yard, chase every other living creature they see, and mark their territory about ten times on every walk.
The book of Proverbs highlights one peculiar habit of dogs in a somewhat grotesque analogy. Proverbs 26:11 ESV says, “Like a dog that returns to his vomit is a fool who repeats his folly,” It is easy for us to look at an animal and
sorrowful, hurt, and having hurt others. The Bible was right when it spoke of “the fleeting pleasures of sin” (Hebrews 11:25 ESV), for sin is only pleasurable for a short time. Then, we are hit with the realization that we have returned to our vomit.
But we go back again and again and again. Some sins become habits that we feel unable to break. We begin to believe that, although we are in Christ, sin has us in its grasp, and we are unable to break free of obeying its every whim.
see the disgusting nature of it returning to its vomit, but the reality is that when we go back to the foolishness of our sin over and over, knowing that it is wrong, we do the same thing.
Sin is appealing, and there is no doubt about that. Though it has horrible consequences, when we are in a moment of temptation, we often do not stop to consider the damage of sin. Instead, we are allured by the momentary pleasure of lust, telling someone off, or speaking a lie. But in the aftermath of our sinful choices, we are left empty,
But, friend, this is not the truth. Jesus said in John 8:34 ESV, “Everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin.” All of us know this to be true from our personal experience, and if this verse stopped there, this would be bad news with no hope of solving the problem. But Jesus continues, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36 ESV). Jesus offers freedom from sin. We don’t have to keep returning to our folly like a dog; instead, we can leave that putrid mess behind.
So, if you know Jesus, there will be times you struggle with sin. There may be foolish habits you don’t want to keep returning to but find yourself repeating time and time again. Know that Jesus purchased your freedom at the cross and gave it to you when you accepted His gift. Turn to Him and trust in His power to make you more like Him as you seek to end the sinful cycles in your life.
But if you do not know Christ, turn to Him. If He sets you free, you will be free indeed! Only with Jesus can we stop returning to our sins. Trust in Him and His freedom.
FShadows and Uncertainties
Money Matters Granger Hughes with
Driven by a passion to educate, inform and prepare future retirees, Mr. Hughes works with his father to help provide educational opportunities for clients as well as others in the community. He feels a responsibility to help inform those who may otherwise not be aware of strategies, changes, and opportunities available to them when it comes to their financial well-being.
ebruary starts us thinking about winter, spring, and a furry little groundhog that is supposed to predict the weather. If he emerges and sees his shadow, then six more weeks of winter! If he does not, early spring is predicted. The weather in Pennsylvania is not the same as in Florida or California, and still, the whole country monitors what Phil the Groundhog will do. We are accustomed to Groundhog Day and the shadow of a rodent giving weather advice!
The humor in this made me think about one’s retirement and financial planning and how often people rely on myths, outdated methods, and a blanket approach to investing. This is where the importance of having a financial advisor who truly knows you, your situation, and your goals makes a difference in developing your personalized retirement game plan. It’s not the same as your friends’ and neighbors’ plans, just like the weather is not the same in Tennessee as in Pennsylvania.
Retirement planning doesn’t start at retirement. During your working years, you are in what we call the accumulation phase. This is when you are investing and saving towards retirement. During this phase, investors tend to tolerate risk more based on the number of years until retirement. It is still a time to be proactive in managing those investments. The dated method of Buy and Hold may or may not be the best approach for everyone during this time. Actively monitoring your investments, making changes and adjustments when needed, and meeting with your advisor during these years are just as important to your success as doing these things post-retirement. A Roth Conversion might be a topic to discuss with your advisor while still working to better manage taxes before retirement. If your employer offers a retirement plan such as a 401k, working
with your advisor to ensure you are taking advantage of all matching and tax deductions available is a huge piece of the accumulation phase as well.
As you near retirement age, your risk tolerance would most likely be reduced to a less aggressive number to prepare for the distribution phase. This is also a time to look at income tax planning and how where you draw funds from will impact your overall income tax situation. Your specific situation and need will also determine when you should start drawing Social Security and how any other income may impact the taxable amount of your Social Security. For those who retire before age 65, the cost of health insurance should be discussed in detail as it will have an impact on your budget until you reach Medicare age. Some don’t retire until age 65 or after. Did you know that you could be charged a Medicare income-related monthly adjustment or IRMAA fee on Medicare Parts B & D if your income for the past two years is above a certain amount?
All these various moving parts are why having a relationship with an advisor whom you trust, and who customizes each retirement plan to each client is crucial to your success in retirement. A one-size-fits-all plan by an advisor who doesn’t act in a fiduciary capacity, without a toolbox of various investment options, (i.e. Punxsutawney Phil predicting the weather for the entire country) can’t tailor a plan to your exact situation.
No matter what stage of retirement planning you are in, we would welcome the opportunity to sit down and learn your unique situation and goals. HRG’s goal is to help create your Retirement Playbook™ by developing your game plan and coaching you through your retirement season.
Hide and Seek
by David Huff
As a kid growing up one of my favorite games was hide and seek. However, being an only child, I did not get to play often unless I went over to someone’s house. This had many advantages and many disadvantages. One of the advantages was that I lived in the middle of the country and there were a lot of woods all around us. As a result, I spent a lot of time alone in the woods learning to be quiet and to listen to the smallest of noises happening around me. As a result, I learned well to listen to the little breaks of leaves and twigs around me. This gave me an advantage in playing the game hide and seek.
In Genesis 3 after Adam and Eve sinned against God, we see a form of hide and seek taking place. However, there is also another meaning to this. Verse 8 says “Toward evening they heard the Lord God walking about in the garden, so they hid themselves among the trees. The Lord God called to Adam, Where are you?’ Now God knew where Adam and Eve were but He wanted to call to them to get them to answer. In doing this God proves two things. First, He wanted Adam and Eve to admit where they were hiding and why they were hiding. Secondly, He wanted them to know He would always seek them.
Many times, we as men play hide and seek with our hearts. We allow God to touch so much, but not the places that we are holding onto by blaming someone else. It was this person’s fault or that person’s fault why this is happening. When honestly, like Adam, we have the opportunity to say, “It is my fault” and move on. Accepting the fault does not always mean that we admit that we are wrong. No, it means we are in control of the things that we are holding onto. The things that are being used to make us hide from God.
Adam and Eve had just changed the world from a state of peace and harmony. Now the world would no longer be the same, but God allowed Adam the opportunity to possibly change the course. Unfortunately, we will never know. Instead, Adam began to point his finger and place blame on everything but himself. He first said that it was Eve's fault by placing the blame on her, and then of all things he tried to blame God. “It was the woman’s fault that you gave me.” The rest is history.
Adam responded to God by saying “I hid because I was naked.” When we strip ourselves down and take the blame, no matter how small or big, this is what we are doing. We are presenting our hearts naked to God. Taking the blame does not mean the other person is innocent. It means that we are big enough to release our pride and walk free from the situation.
David Huff and his wife, Brittany, have five wonderful kids. Their family attends Rock Bridge Community Church Calhoun where David serves on the production team. David is a graduate of Liberty University and is currently studying for his MBA at Shorter University.
A Heart’s Desire
by Zebbie Brewster
Have you ever desired something deep down in your heart and hoped that one day you could see it come to fruition? I graduated from college in 1977. I remember one of the classes I took in physical ed was creative dance. I loved it with all my heart! Our class in the gym gave us plenty of room to move around and really feel the music. I do remember that we had to take a song and lead the class in exercise to it. If I am not mistaken the Bee Gees were popular back then and so was the song “Staying
I am so thankful to God for the people He has allowed to come into my life who became friends. A friend is a gift you give yourself and the one who comes in when the rest of the world has gone out. Just thinking of that special friend can make you smile. You could say that to have a good friend is delightful! Webster defines delight as to give great pleasure, the source of pleasure, great satisfaction, or joy.
In studying my Sunday School lesson I was referred to look at the 37th Chapter of Psalm, A Psalm of David. I was encouraged to read the whole 37th chapter. The title in my KJV Bible says the chapter speaks of God’s lovingkindness and how the righteous are blessed.
Alive.” It seems just like it was yesterday that I was leading the exercise and thinking how much I loved doing it. I never thought that God would allow that heart’s desire to come to me in the winter season of my life. I am so blessed to get to instruct an exercise class for senior citizens. Our time together is such a blessing. I have learned so much from them. They always have wise words to share with me.
One day as I walked around the room before class trying to speak to everybody I overheard a beautiful lady bragging about her special friend. He had always been with her and His love had brought her through so much. She was bragging on Jesus. That made my heart smile for I know her special friend. He has been faithful to me also. Hopefully, we all have at least one special friend that we can brag on. I hope it, too, is Jesus.
Verse 3 says, “Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Delight thyself also in the Lord; and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in Him; and He shall bring it to pass. And He shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.”
Look with me at Verses 23 through 25. “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighted in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand. I have been young, and now am old; yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.”
Look even further ahead to verses 39 and 40. “But the salvation of the righteous is of the Lord: He is their strength in the time of trouble. And the Lord shall help them, and deliver them: He shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in Him.
The Psalmist David was truly bragging on His great friend Jesus. His words still encourage hearts today!
Zebbie Brewster resides in Summerville, Georgia. She is an active member at Perennial Springs Baptist Church.
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
404-307-7396
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
Bush Arbor Baptist Church
3290 Black Bluff Rd Rome, Ga. 30161
770-885-0779
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 3219 Fosters Mill Rd SW Rome, GA 30161
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. 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
Eden Valley Baptist Church
348 Eden Valley Rd Rome, Ga 30161
770-608-8168
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
706-291-6850
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
Park Ave Baptist Church 531 Park Ave SE Lindale, GA 30147
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
Shannon First Baptist Church 400 Fourth Street, PO Box 997, Shannon, GA 30172
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
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
West Rome Church of God UA 2827 Alabama Hwy Rome, Ga 30165
706-880-6895
Church of God in Christ
Great Joy Church of God in Christ
60 Shorter Industrial Blvd Rome, Ga 30161
706-766-6148
Disciples of Christ
First Christian Church
209 E. Second Ave, Rome, Ga 30161
Episcopal
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
Ministerios El Vino Nuevo
4216 Alabama Hwy NW
Rome, Ga 30165
706-291-0500
Renovation Church 13 Redmond Ct. Rome, Ga 30165
706-314-9084
Latter-day Saints
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
3300 Garden Lakes Pkwy
Rome, Ga 30165
706-235-2281
Lutheran
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church
3000 Garden Lakes Blvd
Rome, Ga 30165
706-232-7257
Methodist
GracePoint Rome
43 Chateau Court Rome, Ga 30161
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
Metropolitan UMC
700 Broad St
Rome, Ga 30161
706-291-8660
Mt Pleasant Church
4782 Alabama Hwy Rome, Ga 30165
706-232-4350
New Bethel Methodist Church
Reeceburg Rd Rome, Ga 30161
706-235-9700
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
Silver Creek UMC
36 Reeceburg Rd SE Silver Creek, GA 30173
706-234-2518
Trinity By The River, Global Methodist 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
Messianic
Congregation Hallelu HaShem
1869 Floyd Springs Rd NE, Armuchee, GA 3105
706-936-6711
Nazarene
Rome First Church of the Nazarene
20 Glenda Dr Rome, Ga 30165
706-234-5023
Non-Denominational
Access Church
1905 Calhoun Rd
Rome, Ga 30161
705-584-7497
Beech Creek Church 2972 Alabama Hwy, Rome, Ga 30165
706-346-1018
Christian Church at Rome 2417 Shorter Ave Rome, GA 30165
706-235-0501
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
Greater Refuge Ministries 1604 North Broad St Rome, GA 30161
706-622-2448
Legacy Church 524 Avenue A SW Rome, GA 30165
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
Rally Up International Ministries 2460 Shorter Avenue Rome, Ga 30165
706-235-8561
Shannon Community Church
600 First Street
Shannon, GA 30172
706-491-7112
Solid Holy Rock Deliverance Tabernacle
700 Kingston Ave Rome, Ga 30161
706-291-8948
The Church at Rome 1649 Cartersville Hwy SE Rome, Ga 30161
706-346-2733
Trinity United Christian Church 6 Deer Run Trail Rome, Ga 30165
706-204-8270
We The Church
1818 Kingston Hwy 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
First Presbyterian Church EPC 101 E 3rd Ave Rome, Ga 30161
706-291-6033
Seven Hills Fellowship 530 Broad Street Rome, GA 30161
706-530-1630
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
Grace Fellowship Baptist Church
6635 Blacks Bluff Rd SW
Cave Spring Ga 30124
706-346-9786
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
Jackson Chapel UMC
301 Jackson Chapel Rd
Cave Spring, GA 30125
706-777-3750
Adventures in Europe: A Spiritual Reset
by Candyce Carden
Michael and I were headed to Florence, Italy with great anticipation. Our adventure thus far had offered a relaxing pace. That was about to change Awes and Ughs
Our visit was well-researched and over-planned with so much to see and do. One challenging day started extremely early. We found our way to a meeting spot for back-toback tours of the Academica and then the Uffizi Museums. We even had “Skip the Line” tickets! But our expectations fizzled when the check-in was unorganized and lengthy.
Being short on sleep, caffeine, and food is not a good combination. A “guide” lined us up and snaked our group along a sidewalk to tack us onto a line of other groups ahead of us. Apparently, our “skip the line” tickets simply meant we avoided the line to buy tickets the morning of.
Once inside Academica, we were awe-struck and spent a couple of hours wandering through the various rooms marveling at the great artworks. Unfortunately, the audio tour app provided by our “guides” didn’t work. We were totally on our own, along with about 2,000 other people.
After more waiting, it was time to enter the Uffizi. When I presented my ticket to the doorkeeper, a miscommunication led me to believe he was barring my entry. I lost it. He bore the brunt of my frustrations from the entire morning. Once inside this museum, we were also blown away by even more masterpieces. By now, I was a bit deflated. Ashamed I’d lost self-control with the ticket agent, it was time to push the reset button.
The Holy Spirit’s Tug
I was in Italy, one of the world’s leading fruit producers— grapes, apples, olives, hazelnuts, strawberries, and kiwifruits—but I was not producing the fruit of the Spirit this morning.
I turned to God. He welcomed me with a spiritual hug. I took some deep breaths while lingering in His embrace. He calmed my mind and cleared my focus. I had memorized the fruit of the Spirit some time ago.
Falteringly, I began: “Holy Spirit, fill me with Your love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, and self-control today and every day” (Galatians 5:23-23). I
repeated the request a few more times, each time growing more confident in the prayer.
Later, my Bible reading included a portion of Paul’s letters to the church of Thessalonica. One section in particular spoke to me. Paul urges the Thessalonians to live out the principles he has already addressed. It’s a summary of what our conduct should look like today (1 Thessalonians 5:12-22).
This direct sentence leapt from the page: “Do not quench the Spirit” (1 Thessalonians 5:19 NIV). Other versions use the words ‘stifle’ and ‘extinguish’ rather than ‘quench.’ The meaning is clear. We are not to extinguish the influences of the Holy Spirit in our hearts.
The three verbs suggest an allusion to fire on an altar. The fire was to be kept burning at all times. Likewise, the Holy Spirit must be fed with a fuel supply to keep it active in our souls.
I didn’t start the day by fueling the Spirit with prayer and devotion. I’d prioritized my daily agenda over my time with God. My grumbling attitude quenched the Spirit, and my behavior contradicted my belief.
Throughout the rest of this amazing trip, I called on God to fill me with a renewed awareness of His presence throughout each day. I took care not to quench the Spirit so I would produce and exhibit His fruit.
What strategies work for you when you need a spiritual reset?
Unity Christian School: New Chapter, New Opportunities
Each week, most school-age children spend half of their waking hours inside a school building. They are surrounded by peers from various backgrounds and worldviews and, if they are in a public school, supervised by adults who are restricted by law from praying with students, sharing their faith, and teaching Truth from the Bible. With a secular public school environment that daily seems to grow more hostile toward Christian students and parents, Christian parents face a fierce battle for the hearts and minds of their children.
As families at Unity Christian School readied for fall break in October 2023, David and Sandra Sandi parked in the front parking lot. They had never been on Unity Christian School campus and did not know anyone inside the walls of the school. As they entered the front doors, David shared that their 10th grader felt enormous pressure to “fit in” at her public school and much of the pressure was directly opposite of their Christian faith and values. Their daughter was beautiful and smart and had succeeded in school all these years, but this peer pressure and conflict was taking its toll on their daughter, challenging her worth, and how she saw herself. This mother and father wanted to know “would moving her to Unity help her with these struggles?”
Five months later, the Sandi family has experienced the Unity community, the comfort of knowing that each day, their daughter walks into a school where their values and their
worldview are taught and affirmed. Unity was new; Unity was challenging, and yet Unity was the right decision.
Unity’s mission is to partner with Christian parents in preparing their children to impact the world for Christ by pursuing their God-given potential in academics, leadership, and service. This mission is accomplished while providing a Pre-K3 through 12th-grade education with an emphasis on college preparation and Biblical worldview integration. Unity is on the frontline of the battle for the hearts and minds of children in Christian families. While most schools define success as top test scores or sports championships, Unity defines success as when a graduate is not only equipped with the academic skills to be successful in whatever road they take following graduation, but also as knowing their identity in Christ and understanding how to communicate their faith to the world around them – particularly in the face of adversity.
New Chapter
As Unity began its twenty-seventh year, it welcomed Dr. John Barge as the new Head of School. Dr. Barge brings 34 years of experience as a leader in Georgia’s education system. Dr. Barge holds a Doctorate degree in Education Leadership from the University of Georgia, and Specialist and Master’s degrees in Educational Leadership from the University of West Georgia. He obtained his undergraduate degree in Communications/Public Relations with a minor in journalism at Berry College.
His distinguished background in education included serving as Georgia’s State School Superintendent, McIntosh County School Superintendent and Director of Georgia’s Career, Technical and Agriculture Education. Prior to these roles, his teaching career ranged from high school English teacher, middle school Spanish teacher, assistant principal, principal, and system curriculum director. With a heart for Jesus Christ and a passion for students, Dr. Barge is committed to Unity’s covenant mission and purpose to guide students to discover their identity in Christ through biblical discipleship and academic excellence by cultivating critical thinking in students through biblically integrated learning experiences.
What makes Unity different and worth the financial sacrifice? Ecclesiastes 4:12 says, “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” Christian parenting, the Church and Christian Education serve as a three braided cord providing strength to our children in an ever-growing hostile world. Unity Christian School has the honor of being part of the three-braided cord, providing strong Christian Education through integration of Christian worldview into each class as well as daily discipleship and Christian fellowship.
New Opportunities
Unity Christian School is excited to announce its official approval as a participating private school for the Georgia Promise Scholarship. Beginning in the fall of 2025, this transformative program will provide up to $6,500 per student annually to cover nonpublic education expenses, including private school tuition.
“We are already hearing from numerous families who intend to use the Georgia Promise Scholarship to enroll their children at UCS this fall,” said Head of School Dr. John Barge. “This scholarship will help parents make the crucial choice for what education delivery model best suits their children.”
UCS is currently accepting applications for the 2025-2026 academic year. UCS holds dual accreditation from Cognia and the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI),
making it one of only six schools approved for the Georgia Promise Scholarship with this distinction.
Serving PreK3 - 12th grade, UCS currently enrolls 369 students from seven counties in Northwest Georgia and Northeast Alabama. “The 2024 average SAT score for Unity students was 1141, the highest among all public and private schools in Floyd County. Superior academic preparation, combined with our highly successful athletic program and our unwavering commitment to integrating a Biblical worldview into education, make a Unity education unique,” said Director of Admissions Michelle Roll. “We anticipate a notable increase in families choosing Unity for their future.”
The Georgia Promise Scholarship is open to Georgia residents who attend public school or are entering kindergarten and live in the attendance zone of a "lower-performing school," as determined by the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement. Eligibility is not dependent on household income or prior academic performance. Families qualifying for the scholarship can receive up to $6,500 annually to enroll their child in an approved private school of their choice. The scholarship application period opens on March 1, 2025, and applications can be submitted at www.mygeorgiapromise.org.
If you would like to know more about Unity Christian School, please visit the website www.unitychristianschool.org, or contact Director of Admissions Michelle Roll at 706-292-0700 / mroll@unitychristianschool.org. If you would like to financially support the mission of Unity Christian School, a non-profit organization, contact the Director of Advancement Emily Matson also at 706-292-0700 / ematson@unitychristianschool.org.
Unity is currently enrolling new students for the 2025-2026 school year and invites prospective families to attend OPEN HOUSE on February 11th at 6:00 p.m.
Unity Christian School is located at 2960 New Calhoun Hwy NE, Rome, Georgia 30161.
for Everyone
Treading on the High Places
by Dr. Alan Hix
Have you ever felt so burdened by life’s struggles that you convinced yourself that you could never become the disciple God has called you to be?
Hannah Hurnard's allegory, “Hinds' Feet on High Places,” takes readers on a journey with Much-Afraid, a crippled and fearful character. Born into difficult circumstances and forced to live with two physical disabilities that hinder her ability to walk and to speak clearly or smile, Much-Afraid wants nothing more than to be physically healed and to be given “hinds’ feet” (an ancient term for deer) in order to venture into the mountains and follow the Shepherd during his journeys up to the High Places.
Her journey begins in the Valley of Humiliation, and she is given two traveling companions: Sorrow and Suffering. With their gentle, loving guidance, Much-Afraid learns how to submit her own will to that of the Shepherd, and finally comes to embrace them as friends.
On the journey, Much-Afraid encounters altars of sacrifice and surrender, and at the place of anointing, she offers her whole life. She then wakes to find that she is healed of her deformities, she is finally given hinds’ feet, and she has a new name: Grace and Glory. Sorrow and Suffering have also been transformed and are now named Love and Joy.
Hurnard’s story was inspired by Habbakuk 3:19 KJV, “The Lord God is my strength, And He will make my feet like hinds’ (deer’s) feet, And He will make me to walk upon mine high places.”
Remembering God’s deliverance of His people in the past, Habakkuk asks God how long He will allow His people to suffer under the rule of the Assyrians and later the Babylonians. In spite of this bleak picture, he declares that even though there seems to be no hope in the present, he will rejoice in the God of his salvation. He looks forward to the time on the other side of the struggle when God will transform him so that he will tread the high places of the Lord.
How often do we find ourselves longing to be free of the struggles of life? How often do we say, “If only life could be
free of suffering, I could be happy and fulfilled.” However, the author of Hebrews reminds us that even Jesus faced suffering during his time on earth.
Hebrews 5:8–9 NIV, “Son though He was, He learned obedience from what He suffered 9 and, once made perfect, He became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey Him.”
Throughout the Scriptures, we find that struggle prepares us for something more: the Israelites had to go through the wilderness before they could enter the promised
land, and Jesus faced temptation in the wilderness before He began His public ministry. The Apostle Paul addresses this same issue in Philippians 3:8, ESV “For his [Jesus’] sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ.”
God’s word reminds us that not only does suffering prepare us for blessing, but the struggles we face are a part of God’s work to shape us into the image of Christ. And because they are His work, they are under His control, and He is present with us every step of the way.
When we encounter the inevitable struggles of life, asking two questions will help us put things in the right perspective. The first is, “Father, what do you wish to teach me through this trial?” The second is, “God, what aspect of your character do you wish to reveal to me through this struggle?”
About The Author
is
In addition to being and educator, he has served churches as a pastor, been involved in mission trips to Africa, Canada, and Alaska, and participated in archaeological excavations in Israel for several years. 22 // February 2025
Dr. Alan Hix
Professor of Christian Studies at Shorter University.
Rules, Rules, Rules
by Brenda Dedmon
Life is controlled by rules. Some rules came to us as children, some set by others, some by government, workplace, and the rules in the Bible. People often feel the rules should not apply to them or just choose to ignore the rules. However, we know that rules are necessary to maintain stability and order in life. Parenting requires you to establish rules for your family to maintain stability and safety for your children.
A friend shared rules her seven-year-old granddaughter wrote for her two-year-old cousin for playing at her house. I thought they were insightful and even an appropriate guide for parents in setting rules for family. Let us explore her rules:
1. Stay close to me. This is an important reminder that your home should always be a safe place. In being close to you, they will see an example of how life should be lived. The Bible reminds us that we have a safe place with His presence and your child should feel the same way with you. “But the closer I am to You, my God, the better because life with You is good. O Lord, the Eternal, You keep me safe, I will tell everyone what You have done” (Psalm 73:28 The Voice).
2. Listen to me. Your voice is the first and most important voice your child will recognize. The words you
speak should be out of a heart of love and respect. Jesus, in the book of John, gives instructions on how to live out this love. “So, I give you a new command: Love each other deeply and fully. Remember the ways that I have loved you and demonstrate your love for others in those same ways” (John 34:34 The Voice). It is in listening to your positive voice of guidance that they will learn to develop their own voice.
3. Stay in the yard. Boundaries are important for children to feel secure. Boundaries provide emotional stability to help develop self-esteem for your child.
Boundaries will allow your child to know their words are always safe with you. Developing boundaries will allow your child to develop trust in you as well as trust in God. “Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he is the one who will keep you on track” (Proverbs 3:5 The Message).
4. Don’t bang on stuff. There are bad days when banging on something feels good. It is important for children to know that it is ok to not feel ok right now. Help children find ways to express their feelings in appropriate ways by using their words, pounding playdough, or doing physical activities. Teaching self-respect and respect for others is essential in expressing feelings.
“Be loving toward one another, be gracious, and be kind” (1 Peter 3:8 MEV).
Family Guidelines:
Plan a fun family time and have conversations about the rules of your family. Involve your children in what rules they like and those they do not like. Tell your children because you love them you have rules. Write out the rules and the reasons for the rules. Use the scriptures above to share that God will always be with them. Have a prayer time for your family.
Rev. Brenda Dedmon, retired director, Children’s Learning Center, First Baptist of Dalton, and an avid Bama fan.
Nature’s Little Bandit
by Jan Merop
Hi! I’m Ricky Raccoon. These are my shy babies, Rascal and Riddle. It won’t be long before their curiosity will get the best of them. We’re inquisitive critters and always check out nearby smells.
My great Creator, the Lord Jesus Christ, made me so unique and cute (if I do say so myself).
Raccoon means “the one who rubs, scrubs, and scratches with its hands.” I rub against trees, logs, or other objects. I scrub my face and body clean and scratch at things if they’re in my way of getting food.
Your garbage pail is one of those places I would like to investigate. If it’s not locked tightly, I will have found my restaurant.
You see, my front paws are very dexterous. That means my hands are skillful with a keen sense of touch as I cleverly use them in ways most humans wouldn’t expect. I hold food, examine it to remove unwanted parts, and wash it in nearby water.
I can open jars, locks, car latches, and many other manmade devices especially those garbage can lids. Imagine this: I’ll unlace a shoe, unlatch a cage, and carefully pull a thin dime from your shirt pocket!
Thanks to my Creator, two-thirds of my brain is designed for figuring out the things I touch. Do you believe how special God made me?
God even gave me little hairs near my claws that are like whiskers. That means I can figure out what an object is before I touch it.
One day, a woman opened the shades of her family room to find me enjoying breakfast while sitting on the squirrel baffle of the bird feeder. (They may have baffled the squirrels, but not sharpwitted me.) She called her husband to come quickly so they could watch me and
my mate, who was feeding at the bottom. We high-tailed it out of there!
My face looks like I’m wearing a mask like the little bandit I am. Mostly, I’m nocturnal, coming around at night while you sleep. But sometimes I wander around in daylight.
I’m very adaptable, but I especially like to be in the forest and near water, where I swim and fish staying in the water for hours. You may see my house in hollow trees, rock crevices, or a den in the ground. Just look for fresh claw marks or worn bark.
Believe it or not, I can climb down a tree headfirst by rotating my hind feet so they point backward. Can you turn your feet around?
Do you like to sing and whistle? I do, but I also can purr, growl, hiss, scream, and whinny like a horse!
Now it’s your turn. Are you thankful for how special God made you?
Exploring Truth Through God’s Creation
“I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well.” Psalm 139:14 NKJV
The Raccoon and You
Have you thought of the many special gifts God has given you?
He created you in His image with a soul that will live forever. He gave you a good mind to think, figure things out, learn, and teach others.
He’s given you eyes to see, ears to hear, a mouth to speak, sing, and laugh.
He’s given you strong legs to run and hands that can help and be creative.
And most of all, a heart where He will live if you invite Him in. Ricky Raccoon is one of God’s magnificent creatures. But you are by far His star, the crown of His creation— His very own child!
This One Thing I Do: Be Dedicated Like Jesus
by Mary Wanda Lindsey
Some great examples of dedication to the Lord are found in the scriptures. The Apostle Paul worked for more than thirty years bringing people to Christ. As one of the greatest missionaries who ever lived, he declared, “This one thing I do” (Philippians 3: 13 KJV). He was following his master's example in dedicating himself to the greatest cause on earth.
The Lord Jesus Christ wants you and me to do the same, to dedicate ourselves and focus our lives on the things that matter most – the things of eternity. Jesus taught in the scriptures that He is our light, so our whole life can be filled with His influence, and no darkness will persist in us. He also taught in *Matthew 6: 19-34 and Luke 12: 33-34 that He wants our hearts focused on Him and on His work so that His work and glory become our work and glory. Exodus 30:3, Deuteronomy 6:5, and Mark 12:30 teach that our top priority has always been to love God above all other things and before all other persons.
One of my favorite poems by Christina Rossetti states this principle so simply:
What can I give Him?
Poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb. If I were a wise man, I would do my part, Yet what can I give Him? Give my heart.
Christ knows the Father's plan is the only way to eternal happiness and fulfillment, and there is no way to come unto the Father except through Him, our Savior. It is to our everlasting advantage to set our hearts on Him!
Another great example in the scriptures of dedication to God is the example of Enoch. “Enoch lived sixty and five years and he walked with God and all the days of Enoch were three hundred and sixty and five years. Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.” (Genesis 5:
21-24). After 365 years on earth, God “takes (him) away”. The verb “take” appears to mean snatched up or carried away. Enoch is not the only person taken straight to heaven. Elijah also appears to be taken straight to heaven without having to experience death.
We see Enoch later in the “Hall of Faith” in Hebrews 11. You may ask the question, why did Enoch escape death? I believe it was because of his great faith. (see www. Christianity.com for more on this subject.) I would add that it was because he was dedicated to God in everything he did!
Jesus said to the Father, “I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do” (John 17:4). The Father has given us work to do also, and someday we can return and report to Him that we finished our work.
The English name Enoch in Hebrew is Henoch which literally means “dedicated.” You might recognize this name as the root of the word for the Jewish holiday Hanukkah which means “dedication.”
The scriptures offer us a personal invitation to feast upon the words of God daily. We can commune with all the noble and great ones and become a Henoch, a soul fully dedicated to the work of the Father as Jesus was.
Be dedicated! This is my prayer and my invitation to you.
*All Scriptures KJV.
for Discovering More
Just Start, Then Keep Going
by Garrett Nudd
Not long ago it was time to replace my car. The Toyota Camry that I was driving had close to 300,000 miles and the radiator had developed a nasty habit of smoking like a small brush fire. I decided I should get a Honda Accord—dependable, long-lasting, and practical, respectably nice but not too flashy.
A large car dealership was located two blocks from my office, so one morning when my schedule was clear I stopped in to check out their fleet of used cars.
I slowly drove past rows and rows of sedans and eventually noticed two Honda Accords sitting in the line. I parked my smoking Toyota Camry and walked over to the first Honda. Within minutes a sales associate headed my way.
He eagerly introduced himself and asked me if I had any questions. Before I could think of anything to ask, he said, “Let me run inside and grab the keys for this one.”
A few minutes later he returned and said “Okay, let’s go.”
This wasn’t my first time test-driving a vehicle. But it was the first time I’d seen the sales associate get in the driver’s seat. I walked around and sat in the passenger side.
“Don’t I get to drive the car?” I asked a bit confused.
“Sorry,” he said. “They want us to pull the cars off the lot and then we can switch and you can drive.”
“That’s fine, how come?” I asked.
“It’s for liability,” he replied.
I thought that was a strange answer, but whatever.
After adjusting the rearview mirror and the side mirrors he put the car in reverse and backed out of the space, across
the lot, and into the car behind us. BANG! It was a pretty hard bump.
We both jumped out of the car and walked around to the back where we discovered a couple pretty sizable scratches. I couldn’t believe what was happening.
He anxiously looked around and said, “Let’s go.” At this point, his enthusiasm from a few minutes ago had disappeared. We made it off the lot without any other incidents and then he pulled over into an empty parking lot and asked me if I wanted to drive.
“So how long have you been selling cars?” I asked.
“Well, today’s actually my first day,” he replied. “I’m sorry that I’m so nervous and I’m sorry that I backed into that car,” he continued. “What a first day!” He shook his head. Then he said, “It would really help me out if you’d buy this car.”
Starting isn’t easy. How many times have you started something only to be met with disappointment and discouragement? Sometimes you’re anxious—wondering if you’ve made the right choice and wondering if you have what it takes to be successful. You’re hoping you don’t disappoint others or yourself.
But it’s in starting that you take the first step. And in continuing you take the second, third, fourth, and fifth steps. And that’s when you experience growth. And growth is beautiful.
I don’t know if the young man continued selling cars or if he gave up after a tough first day. I hope he kept going.
When you face challenges or discouragement along your journey—whether it’s the start, the mid-point or at the finish line, I hope you remember God’s promise found in Jeremiah 29:11 NIV, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord. “Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future.”
Just start. And do so with confidence. Then keep going. God will be with you. And He has your plans all mapped out.
Gò0 dNews for your Taste Buds
Cinnamon Spiced Apple Crumble
Serves: 6 | Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cook Time: 40 minutes
Ingredients
For The Filling:
• 6 medium apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and sliced
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
For the Crumble Topping:
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup rolled oats
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
Instructions
1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Prepare the Filling: In a large bowl, combine the sliced apples, granulated sugar, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, lemon juice, and cornstarch. Mix well to coat the apples evenly. Transfer the mixture to a 9x13-inch baking dish.
3. Make the Crumble Topping: In another bowl, mix together the flour, rolled oats, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and ground cinnamon. Add the cold, cubed butter to the mixture. Using a pastry cutter or your fingers, work the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
4. Assemble the Crumble: Sprinkle the crumble topping evenly over the apple filling in the baking dish.
5. Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apple filling is bubbling.
6. Cool and Serve: Remove the crumble from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving. The apple crumble is delicious served warm, topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
Tips
• For an added crunch, mix in 1/4 cup chopped nuts (such as walnuts or pecans) into the crumble topping.
• For a gluten-free version, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
• The filling can be made a day ahead and stored in the refrigerator until ready to use.
No Greater Love
by Jamie Renee Hill
There’s no need to worry.
There’s no need to fret.
The God I serve is able.
He hasn’t failed me yet.
People are searching for answers, A way out of their pain, And Jesus is the answer, Over and over again.
There is no greater love. He pours His love out. There’s no shadow of a doubt That He cares.
No greater love is this: Than a man give up His life For all of mankind.
He didn’t come to divide, But create unity For all humanity.
God is the essence of love. He’s hope from above, Sent His Son down like a dove. There is no greater love.
dNews for Everyone
Study in Genesis: The Creation of Humans
by Filip Brunner
“And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth” *(Genesis 1:26 KJV).
Let’s Focus on Verse 26
God speaks. He issues a command as before and nothing happens. So, what is going on?
Man is a special creation different from anything else God has created thus far. The creation of Humankind requires additional steps.
1. Making of the human male was first. God makes the man out of dust. “And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul” (Genesis 2:7a).
of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die” (Genesis 2:16-17).
God is the potter: “But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand“ (Isaiah 64:8).
God gives a clear understanding that He wants our relationship with Him to be a personal and intimate one. As the Potter, God molds and shapes us into the thing of beauty He desires us to be. He takes time to remove impurities from the clay. He adds water and pressure to make of us a fitting image and likeness of His dear Son.
“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10).
2. The man is given responsibility by his creator.
A. For physical labor: “And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it” (Genesis 2:15).
B. For spiritual initiative: “And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat
C. For intimate socioeconomic and emotional union: “And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man” (Genesis 2:22).
The creation of the woman is unique in that she is taken out of the man. There is a special connection between a man and a woman.
The creation of man and woman completes the creative work of God. While the creation of the man and the woman is different for both of them, the fact remains that humankind bears the image of God who created us. Their union as husband and wife is blessed by God with these words: “And God blessed them, and God said unto them, ‘Be fruitful, and multiply’” (Genesis 1:28a).
May this prompt you to continue to read and study about Creation. As the new year begins, renew your commitment to studying the Scriptures.
*All Scriptures are KJV.
Filip Brunner is married to his wife, Dr. Kim Brunner and together they have six children. He is a writer, author, and artist.
Surrounded by natural splendor on the banks of Eagle Lake, the simple things in life are made even better at The Spires. With all the serenity of our 27,000 wooded acres yet all the vitality of our location at Berry College, it’s second nature to explore new opportunities and make genuine connections when you’re here.
This spectacular setting is brought to life by resort-style amenities, chef-prepared dining, friendly neighbors and a carefree lifestyle — plus the assurance of quality care available on-site if ever needed.