Gò0dNews January 2021
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About Us WRITERS
Dr. Alan Hix Alison Nichols Andrea Kellum Andrew Corbin Andrew Lee Angie Bishop Forsyth Beth Penny Chris Jarrell Eddie Turner Filip Brunner Janise Copeman Karen Jeffery Kaye Stein Megan Van Meter Pam Wattenbarger Shane Clements Zebbie Brewster
SALES
David Kirk 770-546-0150
DESIGN
Caleb Prytherch
PHOTOGRAPHER Melanie Abney 706-844-3818
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.
DISTRIBUTION
Christian lifestyle publication. You can find us
GoodNews Rome 5500 Monthly
EDITOR
David Thompson
PUBLISHER
Matthew and Bethany Ruckman Cell: 423-503-1410 E-mail: goodnewstn@gmail.com
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423-478-6484
WEBSITE
goodnewscm.com issuu.com/goodnewsrome
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. 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.
Contents JANUARY 2021
GoodNews from the Pastor’s Desk
6 New Year, New You? by Chris Jarrell
GoodNews for Kids
8 What Shall This Man Do? by Filip Brunner
GoodNews on Money Matters
10 Wealth is What You Don’t See
by Andrew Lee GoodNews for Men
12 Seven Keys To Biblical Leadership
by Shane Clements GoodNews for Women
14 The Sweetest Love by Andrea Kellum
GoodNews for Everyone
18 Checklists And New Year’s Resolutions
by Janise Copeman GoodNews for Everyone
20 Take Time
by Zebbie Brewster
GoodNews Cover Story
22 Truett’s Chick-fil-A Of Rome GoodNews for Everyone
24 Don’t Give Up
by Alison Nichols
GoodNews for Everyone
26 How Can We Sing the Lord’s Song in a COVID-19 Land?
by Dr. Alan Hix GoodNews for Everyone
28 Tidal Waves of Hope by Beth Penny
GoodNews for Everyone
30 Living Water
by Karen Jeffery
GoodNews for Everyone
32 Two Witnesses
6
by Eddie Turner
GoodNews for Everyone
34 Getting Back On Track by Andrew Corbin
GoodNews for Everyone
36 He Restores My Soul by Megan Van Meter
GoodNews for Everyone
38 Plans Change
by Angie Bishop Forsyth
GoodNews for Everyone
22
40 Know Yourself by Kaye Stein
GoodNews for your Taste Buds
42 Homemade Cream of Tomato Soup
by Pam Wattenbarger
40
Gò0dNews from the Pastor’s Desk
New Year, New You?
A
by Chris Jarrell
s a new year comes upon us, most will find the call
powder. Of course my water intake increased. How could
to declare New Year’s resolutions irresistible. Lose
it not? It was either drink or choke. “Meal” finished. And
weight? New job? Save more? Eat better? Exercise
I’m still hungry. It’s okay. I’ll just drink more water. Only
more? Stop procrastinating? I tend not to make resolutions because I know that most
people will not keep them, and I am “most people.” Last
two more hours until the next “meal” of a granola bar, or a shake, or some healthy chips. I can do this. Just drink water. Now, there was also a larger meal that I could prepare
year, I decided I wanted to lose weight, but I did not make
myself and measure out. I longed for those. I learned to eat
the decision as a New Year’s resolution. I decided I would
salad. And lots of tuna. And drink water. Lots of water. Eight
wait until I could afford a diet program and try it then. My
8-ounce glasses? Before the diet, that seemed impossible. I had tried, and it seemed like I never left the bathroom. Now I was drinking three times that amount of water! And yet I was always hungry! I started getting emotional. Grouchy. I would snap at people for the littlest things. My family finally declared an intervention. Enough was enough! Go back to eating normally. After a couple of days, I was back to my normal, cheerful self. Start to finish of my ordeal? Two weeks. Stop laughing. Yes, I only made it two weeks. But I discovered I do not like the taste or consistency of pre-packaged diet food.
chance came just as governments were shutting down the economy for COVID. At least I had a huge box of diet food, so I was set, right?
And I definitely don’t like to be hungry. I get “hangry.” But I also discovered that trying to change you when you’re happy with you is a waste of time. Sure, there are
I read all the testimonials. I listened to the coaches. I
often things that we do need to change. But there will be
had friends on the plan. I chose wisely. I could eat multiple
no lasting change unless we want to change. Wanting to
times a day, and if I ever got hungry, just drink more
conform to what society wants from us will ultimately fail.
water. I could do this. After all, the food tasted great, or so I was told.
As believers, we know that true and lasting change is only possible with God. With God, sinners become saints.
So I began. The food did indeed taste great—for the
So this year, there are no resolutions for me other than this:
first bite. Then it dissolved into the consistency of talcum
whatever you want, God, I yield to you. Thy will be done.
6 // January 2021
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Gò0dNews for Teens
What Shall This Man Do?
T
by Filip Brunner
he answer given to Peter by Jesus should not surprise
In a perfect world where everyone believed in Christ,
us, but it does more than we would want to admit.
we would submit to the calling on our lives. Being poor or
“Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and
being rich has no bearing on our eternal destination. When
what shall this man do? Jesus saith unto him, If I will that
it speaks of our socioeconomic reality, the Bible makes it
he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me”
clear that the worker and the owner of the business and
(John 21:21-22). Jesus’ answer is echoed by the country
the destitute and the rich have certain obligations. The
music mantra: “Mind your own business; you sure won’t be
worker is to work as if he is working directly for the Lord.
minding mine” (Hank Williams). This could end here, but NO. The main point of this discourse deals mainly with whether we have enough love for Jesus to minister to others in the way He wants us to. Verses 15-17 convey the three times Peter was asked, “Do you love me?” and told, “…feed my lambs, feed my sheep.” Verse 18 speaks to how Peter’s death will glorify God. The revelation of, “This is how you will die and glorify God by your death,” must have been a bit disturbing to Peter. “What shall this man do?” deflects the attention from Peter to someone else.
The business owner is to treat his workers in the same way
When we get uncomfortable, we want to gain egress
Christ would treat them. The poor and destitute need to
from the uncomfortable situation. In the case of dangerous
“glean the corners of the field.” The rich need to break the
situations, this is a God-given defense mechanism we call
roof of the house apart in order for the paralytic to be able
fight or flight. But when it comes to future events, especially
to experience the healing power of Jesus. Yes, I want to be
seeing as how we do not have the same glimpse into the
rich. The question is not, “Can I become rich?” but, “Why
future as Peter did, we become apprehensive. The reaction
do I want to be rich?” The answer needs to be, “For the
is a natural one. Where it gets into the realm of sin is when
furtherance of the Kingdom of God,” whatever shape and
money comes into play. We see this in our society today in
form that might take. In conclusion, take care of what Jesus
the attitudes of people who picture themselves as “poor”
wants YOU to do. Your ministry is yours.
shall this man do?” gives us an insight into how Jesus sees this social enigma.
8 // January 2021
About The Author
and spew hatred against people they see as “rich.” “What Filip Brunner is married to his wife, Dr. Kim Brunner and together they have six children. He is a writer, author, and artist.
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Wealth is What You Don’t See 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.
I
n previous articles, I’ve briefly mentioned the difference
car.” In case you’re still not getting the message here, Housel
between “rich” (high income) and “wealthy” (high net
is even more blunt: “Wealth is the nice cars NOT purchased,
worth), and I’ve shared real life examples of how “rich”
the diamonds NOT bought, the clothes forgone, and the
and “wealthy” don’t always coincide. There are some
first-class upgrade declined.” Wealth is money not spent but
who earn high incomes (entertainers, athletes, doctors,
instead invested. Finally, Housel reminds us that “When most
executives) who aren’t wealthy because they spend the
people say they want to be a millionaire, what they might
money as fast as it comes in. Chapter nine of Morgan
actually mean is I’D LIKE TO SPEND A MILLION DOLLARS.
Housel’s new book The Psychology of Money (which I highly
And that is literally the opposite of being a millionaire.”
recommend), illustrates this paradox perfectly. Housel
When explaining wealth and investing to my students,
describes how music superstar Rhianna nearly went
I sometimes use an analogy of an electric “money tree.” The
bankrupt due to her lavish spending sprees, and then the
minute you start investing money (stock market, retirement
singer sued her financial advisor whom she blamed for
account, real estate, etc.) your money tree is “plugged in”
allowing her to spend so much money. Her financial advisor
and starts to grow more money. As long as you keep the
asked incredulously, “Was it really necessary to tell her that
money invested, the money tree keeps growing. But once the
if you spend money on things, you will end up with the
investments are withdrawn, the money tree is unplugged; it
things, and not the money?” This is very instructive indeed.
stops growing money, and the money starts disappearing as
In speaking of the difference between the appearance of
it is spent. Back to Housel’s point, nobody sees your “money
“rich” and the reality of real wealth, Housel writes, “We tend
tree” and likely nobody knows you have one, except for
to judge people based on what we can see . . . cars, homes,
your banker, accountant, or investment advisor. One of the
Instagram photos.” But we can’t see their bank accounts,
best-known examples of wealth being unseen was the life of
investments, or personal financial statements to know their
janitor and gas station attendant Ronald Read. Read made
true level of wealth. And appearances can be deceiving.
international news after his death at age 92 in 2016, when it
Years ago, Housel worked as a valet in Los Angeles, parking
was discovered that he had left $8 million to his local library
an enviable assortment of luxury cars, some costing well
and hospital in his will. Though he never earned much
over $100,000. But every so often, a regular customer
money during his lifetime, by regularly investing a significant
would arrive in a used economy car rather than their usual
amount of his income, his wealth grew to millions. Jeremiah
Lamborghini, and Housel later learned their dream car had
9:23 admonishes, “let not the rich boast of their riches” but
been repossessed for failure to make the car payment. Housel
rather boast about knowing the Lord. Personally, I’d like to
observes, “The only data point we have about the wealth of the person driving the Lamborghini is that he or she is $100,000 less wealthy than they were before they bought the
10 // January 2021
build wealth in order to give generously while I’m alive and can see the results of some of my gifts, and still be able to leave a legacy behind once I’m gone.
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Gò0dNews for Men
Seven Keys To Biblical Leadership n 2 Timothy Chapter 2 starting in verse 14, the Apostle Paul sets forth seven things that are imperative for biblical leadership and encourages Timothy, and those that he is training, to chase after them. “Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers. Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some” (2 Timothy 2:14-18). “Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work. Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes. And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will” (2 Timothy 2:19-25). 1. Don’t Fight Over Words — Squabbling over semantics has proven time after time to be unproductive and can be harmful to your testimony to both those in and outside of the faith. 2. Work Hard For God’s Approval — Make sure you study deeply to teach and preach God’s Word accurately. Provide facts from reliable sources when needed and don’t make misleading or exaggerated claims. 3. Avoid Profane and Foolish Discussions — This would eliminate the majority of what takes place on Twitter and Facebook in the name of ministry and theological discussion if believers would allow themselves to follow this simple piece of advice.
12 // November 2020
4. Avoid the Passions of Youth — Paul feels it necessary to caution young Timothy to be aware of and to flee from youthful lusts. These are the lusts of the flesh and Paul goes on to prescribe the best way to flee from them is to follow after something better.
5. Follow After Righteousness, Faith, Charity, and Peace — Pursuing these will be the perfect antidote for fleeing youthful lusts. 6. Don’t Get Into Foolish Debates — Steer clear of arguments and disputes that continue to go around in circles. The only thing they are good for is getting everyone upset, causing all involved to lose their temper. 7. Be Gentle — Paul’s urges Timothy to be gentle to all people, not just the ones that it is easy to be gentle with. I understand that there are some people that you would rather just slap upside the head, but being able to deal with those types with gentleness and a humble spirit will allow you to teach them and patiently direct them toward the truths of God. You don’t know how or when God will use that to deal with them, change their heart, and reconcile them unto Himself. Learning these lessons is never easy. However, they are necessary if we are to move on from the routine tasks and get ready for the far-reaching eternal ones. The irony is, though, that the Kingdom tasks are often the ones that almost nobody ever sees. About The Author
I
by Shane Clements
Shane Clements C.Ht is a minister of 30+ years serving as a pastor, missionary to the deaf, and evangelist. He is a Board-certified Clinical Hypnotist and founder of Northwest Georgia Coaching & Hypnosis. He loves spending time with his wife Kimberly, their five children, and spoiling his grandbabies.
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Gò0dNews for Women
The Sweetest Love
T
by Andrea Kellum
here I was, bundled in a blanket, sneezing and
His only son, Jesus Christ, to die for us (Romans 5:8). Those
sniffling with a cold. My hair was freshly washed,
verses remind us of the blessed assurance of His love: real,
but it lacked tender loving care for far too long and
eternal, unconditional love.
still desperately needed color to cover up my shiny gray roots. My nose was red from too many tissues, my face wore no makeup, and I was feeling the most unpretty I could possibly feel. Then, my sweet husband looked over and said, “You sure are pretty to me.” I giggled. I most certainly did not feel pretty. I definitely knew I wasn’t looking my absolute best, yet he saw something I didn’t see. He saw me for who I was, not what I looked like. In his eyes, my beauty wasn’t based on my outward appearance but rather on his understanding of my heart. And in that delicate moment, the Lord reminded me that this is exactly how He sees me. He is Jehovah-Roi, the Lord who sees me, just as He saw Hagar crying by the well in Genesis 16. Not only did God remind me that
It’s impossible for me to fully understand in my finite
He sees me, but He also reminded me that He knows my
mind how the God I serve knows all my sinfulness and still
heart, and His judgment of me is made clear in 1 Samuel
sent His only Son to die for me. Jesus didn’t come just for
16:7: “Man judges by the outward appearance, but the Lord
me; He came for you too! If you’re feeling a little less pretty
looks at the heart.”
than usual, remember that God sees all of your unpretty
God knows my good hair days and my bad hair days.
moments, and yes, He even sees you with frizzy hair, a
He sees my messy face and my clean face. He knows when
snotty nose, and two-day-old pajamas, and He still has the
my heart is sincere and when it needs a little more of His
sweetest love for you! “But God demonstrates His own love
refining fire to purify me again. He knows everything that
toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for
could cause others to see me as ugly, yet He still thinks I am
us” (Romans 5:8).
pretty: not my face but my heart, just the way my husband says He loved us first (1 John 4:19), He wants good for us (Romans 8:28), and that while we were still sinners, He sent
14 // January 2021
About The Author
does. Do you know how I know this? Because His word
Andrea Kellum is a former internationally recognized pageant coach who upon a call from the Lord, closed her business to begin teaching God’s Word. She is a devoted wife, homeschool mom, the Founder of Changing Crowns Ministries, author of Warrior Women Prepare For Battle, and the producer and host of Changing Crowns, a discipleship training TV show now airing on the Life Network For Women network available on Roku, Amazon, Apple, and Android devices. You can also follow Andrea’s ministry at ChangingCrowns.com
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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 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
16 // January 2021
East Rome Baptist Church 601 Cedar Ave Rome, Ga 30161 706-234-8553 East View Baptist Church 901 Kingston Ave Rome, Ga 30161 706-291-8250 Emmanuel Baptist Church 1414 Old Dalton Rd Rome, Ga 30165 706-232-3939 Enon Baptist Church 3105 Turkey Mountain Rome, Ga 30161 706-295-5052 Fairview Baptist Church 2348 Old Cedartown Hwy SE Lindale, Ga 30147 Fellowship Rome Baptist Church 314 Burnett Ferry Rd Rome, Ga 30165 706-234-9416 First Baptist Church 100 E 4th Ave Rome, Ga 30161 706-291-6850 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 Beech Creek Church of God 3000 Alabama Hwy NW Rome, Ga 30165 706-234-7466 Church of God of Prophecy 94 Huffaker Rd. Rome, GA 30165 706-528-4225 Lindale Church of God 585 Park Ave Lindale, Ga 30147 706-232-5676 New Life Church of God 210 E 18th St Rome, Ga 30161 706-232-0704 New Hope Overcoming Church of God 200 Nixon Ave Rome, Ga 30161 706-234-4695 North Rome Church of God 1929 N Broad St Rome, Ga 30161 706-291-6687 Rome AOH Church of God 504 Decatur St Rome, Ga 30165 706-295-2999 West Rome Church of God UA 2827 Alabama Hwy Rome, Ga 30165 706-880-6895
Disciples of Christ
First Christian Church 209 E. Second Ave, Rome, Ga 30161
Episcopal
Church of the Transfiguration 304 Coker Dr Rome, Ga 30165 706-234-0197 Saint Peter’s Episcopal Church 101 E 4th Ave 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
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
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 36 Reeceburg Rd SE Silver Creek, GA 30173 706-234-2518 South Broad UMC 546 S Broad St Rome, Ga 30161 706-232-5230 Trinity UMC 606 Turner McCall Blvd SW Rome, Ga 30165 706-291-0033 Wesley Chapel UMC 9 College Park Dr SW Rome, Ga 30161 West Rome UMC 1003 Shorter Ave PO Box 2247 Rome, GA 30164 706-234-6214
Nazarene
Rome First Church of the Nazarene 20 Glenda Dr Rome, Ga 30165 706-234-5023
Non-Denominational
Access Church 1905 Calhoun Rd Rome, Ga 30161 705-584-7497 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 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 1941 Shorter Avenue Rome, Ga 30165 706-235-8561 Solid Holy Rock Deliverance Tabernacle 700 Kingston Ave
Rome, Ga 30161 706-291-8948 The Church at Rome 246 North 5th Avenue Rome, Ga 30165 706-346-2733 The Place Global 1107 Calhoun Ave Rome, Ga 30161 706.802.2059 Trinity United Christian Church 6 Deer Run Trail Rome, Ga 30165 706-204-8270 We The Church 810 East 2nd Ave Rome, Ga 30161 Words of Faith Tabernacle 3134 Rockmart Rd Rome, Ga 30161 706-314-9158
Orthodox
All Saints Church 615 Cleveland Ave Rome, Ga 30165 706-378-4474
Pentecostal
Cannon Temple Holiness Church 308 Porter St Rome, Ga 20161 706-233-9001 Christ Temple Holiness Church 1321 Martin L King Rome, Ga 30161 706-235-3787 Victory Temple Of Joy 118 Williamson St. Rome, Ga 30165 706-766-3865
Presbyterian
Covenant Presbyterian Church EPC 1645 Cartersville Hwy. Rome, GA 30161 706-767-8373 First Presbyterian Church EPC 101 E 3rd Ave Rome, Ga 30161 706-291-6033 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 Cedar Creek Baptist Church 5440 Black Buff Rd Rome, Ga 30161 706-777-8360
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
goodnewscm.com // 17
Gò0dNews for Everyone
Checklists And New Year’s Resolutions
W
by Janise Copeman
e all fall to this. As a recovering perfectionist,
allowed those things to take top priority in my life instead
I can’t tell you enough how my life was so
of allowing the Lord to show me what is a priority and what
controlled by endless lists and letting my
is not. We are called to seek first the Kingdom of God, but if
confidence be ruled by obsessive actions. Now, don’t get me
we are so busy trying to fulfill our own checklists, how can
wrong: I am still an organized person, and I have checklists
we win souls for God’s Kingdom?
here and there, but the Lord balanced some things in my life.
Every day that we have been given is an opportunity
He has now taken control and turned those obsessive habits
for us to spread seeds for the Kingdom of God. We must be
into gifts for me to use in a constructive and healthy way.
about the Father’s business versus fulfilling temporal things.
When it comes to the New Year’s resolutions on people’s
Sometimes, the Lord has me be quiet and sit, rest, and enjoy
minds, people often want to do a do-over with past failures
His creation because I am so busy running and doing. It is
or lessons. And let’s face it: this past year has been a crazy
in those quiet, still moments that He whispers some new
one, filled with many things that we can learn from.
revelation and allows me to truly rest in Him. So I challenge all of us, including myself, to not make another endless list of resolutions this New Year’s. Instead, sit down with the Lord and have Him prioritize things in your life. Ask the Lord to remove things from your list that are not healthy or those things that really are not that important. Allow the Lord to rewrite your life and goals with Him at the center of them all. If you feel like your life is out of sorts or if your past resolutions have fallen to the wayside, I encourage you to simply reach out to the One who gives you each breath to live and each day to live out what He has for you.
I now look at my lists from a more eternal perspective
He has a great plan and purpose for your life, and He
versus a temporal one. We all have cares of this life and
may just blow your mind because the goals/dreams you
responsibilities that must be taken care of. But we must
had for yourself are nothing compared to what He has in
learn how to balance the cares of this life and the important
store for you.
things that truly matter. For instance, if I don’t pray first or
If you have never experienced a personal relationship
talk to God first about my day, things tend to fall behind, or
with the One who created you and formed you, then it is
unimportant/wasteful things are done first, and I don’t have
never too late to start over. So why not start this year?
In the past, my goals were that of work, my health/ weight, cleaning and chores, or endless hours of errands. I
18 // January 2021
About The Author
time left to do the important things. Janise Copeman lives in Trion,Georgia, is 49 years old, and she is blessed to be married to her soulmate for 26 years. She enjoys reading, writing, and encouraging others by spreading joy and love in the Lord.
LIST YOUR CHURCH ACTIVITIES & EVENTS Such As:
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Gò0dNews Christian Magazine
Gò0dNews for Everyone
Take Time
P
by Zebbie Brewster
salm 118:24: “This is the day which the Lord hath
yard. I remember saying to myself that I need to stop by and
made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”
visit with him. I am sure that would have made his day. The
How many people love a cool morning in the
most important thing that we can give people is our time.
South? I do for sure! I love walking in the morning before
Take time to make that phone call, write that letter, or make
I start the rest of my day. I am fresh with revived energy,
that visit. In doing so, you show them that they are valuable
and the coolness will surely get my blood to pumping. My
to you. God visits us each and every day. The Bible says that
cat knows that I am out, and she usually comes to me to let
His mercies are new every morning.
me know she has needs also. I try to always have her food fixed and ready to feed her when she comes to me to let me know she is ready to be fed. I’m thankful that she usually catches me at a good time in my walk. I put the food out for her, and she usually will start eating after I have given her a good back rub. Today, as I started back on my walk, I looked up to see her running after me. So today, it was more important that she have my attention than for her to eat. So as I finish up my walk, she flits about me, letting me know that she is still there. As I end my walk, I find steps to sit down and rest on in the
Lamentations 3:22-23: “It is of the Lord’s mercies that we
morning sun. She comes and stretches out beside me on the
are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They
steps. She loves the petting I give her as we just enjoy the
are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness.”
beauty of the moment. It seems that it hasn’t been that long
Believe me, I need God’s mercies and forgiveness every
ago that I would be so busy getting ready to go to work that
day. God also gives us many blessings. Just look at His
this quiet moment I was having was only a hopeful dream.
beautiful creation, and your heart will rejoice! I pray that
That was now nine years ago, and I can’t believe how fast
today, you will take time to enjoy the beauty of the day
that time has passed.
which the Lord hath made. Your heart will be filled with joy
I had some plans for my retirement, and I am still
in doing so.
hopeful to get to do some of those things. However, I from work and see my grandfather sitting out in his front
20 // January 2021
About The Author
remember when I was still working, I would drive home
Zebbie Brewster resides in Summerville, Georgia. She is an active member at Perennial Springs Baptist Church.
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FEATURED COVER STORY
Truett’s Chick-fil-A Of Rome
T
by David Thompson
ruett’s Chick-fil-A of Rome is here for you! It goes without saying that 2020 has been a
crazy, bumpy year. From one major, world-changing
hurdle to another, it seems that nothing lately has been
face ordering for drive-thru guests who will find a drivethru door instead of a window to allow team members to deliver orders to vehicles. Chick-fil-A is keeping its customers and employees well
normal. Fortunately, Truett’s Chick-fil-A of Rome is still
through safe service. Employees regularly disinfect high
here to give you the same high-quality level of food and
touch point surfaces throughout the restaurant, such as
service you’ve come to expect and love, and they’re also
the team member break area, drive-thru cockpit, scanners,
making sure that your new year is a safe one.
headsets, iPOS tablets, restrooms, and all handles, light
Truett’s Chick-fil-A of Rome has kept its dining
switches, and mobile devices. At the beginning of every
room closed to help prevent the spread of COVID in our
shift, all employees undergo a team member health screen.
community. Instead, customers are encouraged to use the
Their temperature is taken, and they are then asked various
drive-thru, curbside delivery, or DoorDash delivery service.
questions regarding their wellness. Employees are required
The two-lane drive-thru merges into a single pick-up point
to wear face masks during their entire shift. This reduces the
and can handle upwards of 200 cars an hour, so they’ll make
number of contagious particles in the air and makes guests
sure you get your food while it’s still piping hot. The lanes
feel safer. Also, team members are required to wash their
are partially covered and feature heaters to facilitate face-to-
hands every 60 minutes and when entering the kitchen, after
22 // January 2021
using the restroom, after break, after glove changes, and in
its original chicken sandwich, Chick-fil-A serves freshly
between task changes.
prepared food in more than 2,600 restaurants in 47 states
Chick-fil-A also encourages customers to use
and Washington, D.C. Chick-fil-A reported more than $9
payment methods that do not require person-to-person
billion in revenue in 2017, which marks 50 consecutive years
contact, such as the Chick-fil-A app, mobile orders, Apple
of sales growth.
Pay, and Doordash. No matter how you decide to order
A leader in customer service satisfaction, Chick-fil-A,
or pay, though, Chick-fil-A is thankful for your business:
Inc. was voted fourth out of 100 by consumers in Harris
“From the shutdown of our store in March to the reopening
Poll’s 2018 annual corporate reputation survey. Chick-fil-A
of just our drive-thru, our community has been such a
was also recognized for customer experience again in the
blessing. We are grateful for how Rome has continued to
2018 Temkin Experience Ratings survey, was named “Best
support us during this uncertain time.”
Franchise Brand” in 2018 by Airport Revenue News, and
Come by Chick-fil-A, and make your new year just a
was acknowledged as one of the top 100 best places to work
little bit more normal again. Truett’s Chick-fil-A offers a full-
by Glassdoor in 2017. More information on Chick-fil-A is
service menu with a variety of healthy and dietary options.
available at www.chick-fil-a.com.
The restaurant is open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day except Sundays. Atlanta-based Chick-fil-A, Inc. is a family-owned and privately held restaurant company founded in 1967 by S. Truett Cathy. Devoted to serving the local communities in which its franchised restaurants operate, and known for
Rome, goodnewscm.com Georgia // 23
6am-10pm Closed Sunday
Gò0dNews for Everyone
Don’t Give Up
“T
by Alison Nichols
hree, two, one, Happy New Year!” we
time. While it may feel easy to reach for negativity or
all shouted as the clock hit midnight. As
fear, be positive. Be love to others. Be different.
2019 became a distant memory, we were
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be
unaware of the journey that lay before us in 2020. We
transformed by the renewal of your mind” (Romans
have experienced quarantine, social distancing, the
12:2). Furthermore, we are commanded to love our
scarcity of toilet paper, and face masks. This past year
neighbors. That does not mean just the people who
has been different, to say the least. These challenges
share our way of thinking, but every single person.
seem to have accompanied us longer than we might
When we position ourselves this way, we are setting the stage for God to show up and show off in big ways. So why not? Why not love those around you? Loving others takes a little extra effort, but you may be the only love someone experiences daily. In the book Love Does by Bob Goff, Goff conveys how we should love others in such a profound and intentional way. “ …love is never stationary. In the end, love doesn’t keep thinking about it or keep planning for it. Simply put: love does.” Take this moment to open your
have hoped. But we must remember that 2020 was not
eyes to those around you. Listen to their stories. Send
a waste.
them an encouraging note. Smile, even if it is behind
In a time such as this, we tend to find ourselves looking ahead to the days of 2021. It is in those
your mask. The late S. Truett Cathy once said, “How do you
moments that we must strive to press pause on that
know if someone needs encouragement? If they’re
mindset. Be here. Be fully present where the Lord has
breathing.” So take the leap, love, and put others first.
show the world what they are desperately searching
Investing in the lives of those around you is always
for: hope and love. All of humanity is collectively
time well spent.
walking through the exact same storm at the same
24 // January 2021
About The Author
placed you. We have an incredible opportunity to
Alison Nichols is a member of Fellowship Baptist Church in Rome,Georgia. She enjoys crafting, vintage clothing, spending time with family and her boyfriend, Kal.
Come in on your birthday and receive a free pasta dinner, including our famous house salad and garlic rolls, with spumoni ice cream for dessert.
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GA Residential Mortgage Licensee #26807 NMLS#: 145526 Cell: 770-548-4550
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bepperson@smprate.com Cell: 770-548-4550 Cell: 770-548-4550 bruce.epperson@fcmhomeloans.com 504 Riverside Parkway, Suite 402 & 404 bepperson@smprate.com 504 Parkway, Suite 402 & 404 Rome,Riverside GA 30161 Rome, GA 30161 504 Riverside Parkway, Suite 404 Success Mortgage Partners, Inc supports Equal Housing Opportunity. NMLS ID# 130562. This is informational only and is not402 an offer & of credit or commitment to lend. Interest This is informational only and is not an offer of credit or commitment to lend. Loan terms are subject to change without notice and may not be available rates, products, and loan terms are subject to change without notice and may not be available at the time of loan application or loan lock-in. Contact Success Mortgage at the time loan application. Loans are subject to buyer and property First Community Mortgage, Inc. Cash is notreserves acting on behalf of or at Success the Partners, Inc of to learn more about your eligibility for its mortgage products. Loansqualification. are subject to buyer and property qualification. may be required. Rome, GA 30161 direction Partners, of HUD/FHA or the Government. Mortgage Inc is not Federal acting on behalf of or at the direction of HUD/FHA or the Federal Government. 504 Riverside Parkway, Suite 402 & 404 Rome, GA 30161
Success Mortgage Partners, Inc supports Equal Housing Opportunity. NMLS ID# 130562. This is informational only and is not an offer of credit or commitment to lend. Interest rates, products, and loan terms are subject to change without notice and may not be available at the time of loan application or loan lock-in. Contact Success Mortgage Partners, Inc to learn more about your eligibility for its mortgage products. Loans are subject to buyer and property qualification. Cash reserves may be required. Success Mortgage Partners, Inc is not acting on behalf of or at the direction of HUD/FHA or the Federal Government. (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org)
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Success Mortgage Partners, Inc supports Equal Housing Opportunity. NMLS ID# 130562. This is informational only and is not an
Gò0dNews for Everyone
How Can We Sing the Lord’s Song in a COVID-19 Land?
A
by Dr. Alan Hix
s we stand at the threshold of the year 2021, we do
However, in the next two verses, they express that
so with both hope and fear. We dare to hope that
their memory of Jerusalem brings them the greatest joy!
this new year will see an end to the exhausting
Jerusalem for them, was more than just a place—it was
struggles of 2020. We also stand in fear, because we are still
where God lived. That sense of joy is reflected in Psalm 136
in the middle of a pandemic world. We long for an end to
verse 26, which was also written about the same time. “Give
our struggle and a return to the world we left behind.
thanks to the God of heaven, for his steadfast love endures
After years of captivity in Babylon, the Israelites
forever.” Here they remembered their lives were dependent,
were finally allowed to return home. They returned to
not on the circumstances of life, but on the character of
a devastated land and a destroyed city. They expressed
God. Ten years ago during Christmas, I found myself
their heartbreak in Psalm 137. The first four verses take them back to what they suffered during their exile. “By the waters of Babylon, there we sat down and wept, when we remembered Zion. On the willows there we hung up our lyres. For there our captors required of us songs, and our tormentors, mirth, saying, “Sing us one of the songs of Zion!” How shall we sing the Lord’s song in a foreign land?” (ESV). In his hymn based on this Psalm, Charles Wesley captured some of the emotion that must have been in the hearts of these discouraged people. “We dropp’d our weary limbs and cried in deep distress,” and “Our harps, no longer vocal now, we cast aside untuned, unstrung.” The returning
beside my wife’s hospital bed in ICU. She had a debilitating
Israelites remembered the time in Babylon when they had
lung disease and for a month she barely held her own. On
nothing to hope for and no song left to sing. When their
New Year’s Eve, she woke up and started a slow recovery.
Babylonian captors mocked them demanding they sing
During those dark hours, my source of strength and hope
joyful worship songs, they cried, “How shall we sing the
was a conviction of the character of God as faithful, loving,
Lord’s song in a foreign land?”
compassionate and just. Psalm 136 calls us to remember
For many of us as we emerge from 2020 into 2021, we
the Lord for who he is. He is not altered by illness or even
might feel the same way. For a time, in the early days of the
death. So, as we face this new year, be encouraged that we
pandemic, we could not meet for worship, and even though
can sing the Lord’s song in a COVID-19 land because of who
many have returned in some fashion, it’s not what we
God is!
remember. Church is not the same. Work is not the same. we are living in a strange land. We, like the Israelites of old, might be tempted to lament as they did, “How can we sing the Lord’s song in a foreign land?”
26 // January 2021
About The Author
School is not the same. Life is not the same. It feels to us like
Dr. Alan Hix is an Associate Professor of Christian Studies at Shorter University. 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.
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Gò0dNews for Everyone
Tidal Waves of Hope by Beth Penny
I
’m not a Star Wars groupie. I’m also not passing judgment
the darkest times of our lives and reminded us that God is in
for those who are. But,George Lucas, who actually wrote
control while we are not.
the script himself for the Star Wars: The Phantom Menace,
No matter what the world throws at us: politics,
made an impression on me with a single line. With his
sickness, pandemics, riots; God is still in control. When
one liner, he offers what all of us need today...HOPE. Not
things seem hopeless and out of our control, remember the
only does the line offer hope, but actually what could be
mantra from George Lucas, “Your focus determines your
a tidal wave of hope. Think about what a tidal wave is. A
reality.” Hope looks beyond the moment and tells us we can
tidal wave engulfs everything in its path. It saturates anything it touches. It pushes everything out of its way to flow and continue its movement forward. Right now in our world that can seem hopeless, we all need that tidal wave of hope to wash over us. What is the line that offers so much? “Your focus determines your reality.” Your focus DOES determine your reality. It’s a glass half full kind of situation. We are living in trying and desperate times. Times that we never thought we’d see in our lifetimes. We long for the way things used to be, and we kick ourselves for not appreciating life as it was. But out of what could be seen as desperation blooms that glimmer of a light at the end of the tunnel. In a word, we have hope. Hope that God has promised us. Life happens and situations out of our control cause us to forget the promises that God made us. As
not only face, but overcome, these “momentary” adversities.
our pastor recently said in his sermon, “Hope is more than
Psalm 130:5 reminds us, “I wait for the Lord, my whole
an emotion; it is a discipline. Believe in the beauty and power
being waits, and in His word I put my hope.” All of our
of hope.” In a nutshell, we have to remember to put our faith
peace, strength, joy, and HOPE come from God. Let “your
and hope in what is greater than ourselves. Quoted often,
focus determine your reality” when you remember. Romans
Jeremiah 29:11-12, gives us the certainty that we need. “For
15:13, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace
I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to
as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by
prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope
the power of the Holy Spirit.”
will listen to you.” Those verses have led some of us through
28 // January 2021
About The Author
and a future. Then you will call on me and listen to me, and I Beth Penny has taught English at Model High School since 1997. There she is also the Yearbook adviser and the Special Education Department Chair. She and her husband, Chad, have four children.
LAWNMOWER SHOP 23 Alabama Street Cave Spring, GA 706.777.8877
Gò0dNews for Everyone
Living Water
T
by Karen D. Jeffery
his is the story of the Samaritan woman Jesus gave living water to. As we read the story of the Samaritan woman
Then Jesus presented Himself to the Samaritan woman as the source of the living water for her inward Spirit that her body and soul desired.
in the Bible, she showed she had a strong and desperate
2 Peter 3:2: “That ye may be mindful of the words
need. What she was looking for was something to fill her
which were spoken before by the Holy prophets, and of the
spiritual desires. Her body was in need of the everlasting
commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour.”
water that would fill her from the inside out, and she found
The water Jesus gives will satisfy not just one time but can
out only Jesus could do that.
become a well or spring that will be as everlasting, life-
John 4:10-11: “Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou
giving peace. That does not mean that He will remove all the
knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee,
temptations and trials we face in this life. We are just living
Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he
in a human body here on Earth. But through daily prayer,
would have given thee living water. The woman saith unto
fasting, and reading His Holy Word, then will we be able to
him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is
taste the living water.
deep: from whence then hast thou that living water?”
John 7:38: “He that believeth on me, as the scripture
But Jesus explained in the next verse what He was
hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.”
talking about: “Art thou greater than our Father Jacob,
Let’s always have the soul satisfaction that we are filled
which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his
with the living water that comes from the throne of grace.
children, and his cattle? Jesus answered and said unto her,
To all who thirst will thirst no more
whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw” (John 4:12-15).
30 // January 2021
And all who search will find what their souls long for The world will try, but it can never fill Leave it all behind, and come to the well. This year, leave behind all the things that have held you back in 2020. Push forward in 2021! Let’s make a difference.
About The Author
Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But
Karen D. Jeffery loves the Heavenly Father, her family, and her church. Keep looking up Jesus is coming soon.
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Gò0dNews for Everyone
Two Witnesses by Eddie Turner
I
n multiple visions described in the Bible, two human men
“Behold, I am going to send you Elijah the prophet
were seen in God's throne room. Keep in mind that these
before the coming of the great and terrible day of the LORD”
men appeared only in visions. Whether they were actually
(Malachi 4:5).
there is open for debate. While the Bible does not give us their
So why are these guys coming back to earth? Their purpose
names, we're not without clues to their identities. Let's get to
is to preach the gospel. More specifically, they will be preparing
know these two mysterious fellows, who seemingly appear out
missionaries for the second half of the tribulation period.
of nowhere during the tribulation that is to come.
Where do these missionaries come from? They come from
“These have the power to shut up the sky, so that rain will
Israel. If the idea of Jews preaching the gospel sounds odd,
not fall during the days of their prophesying; and they have
just picture Jesus, who pioneered this movement. Being Jews
power over the waters to turn them into blood, and to strike the
themselves, Moses and Elijah will be given the hefty task of
earth with every plague, as often as they desire” (Revelation 11:6).
leading 144,000 Jewish men and woman to Jesus. “And I heard the number of those who were sealed, one hundred and forty-four thousand sealed from every tribe of the sons of Israel” (Revelation 7:4). When Moses and Elijah arrive on the scene in Jerusalem, it will be during a time of peace. At first, these Old Testament icons will likely be dismissed as homeless street preachers, given their sackcloth attire. But as their teaching gains momentum, I suspect their notoriety will progress from a minor annoyance to a newsworthy spectacle. If history has taught us anything, it's that rogue teachers of the gospel in Israel will eventually be seen as a threat. “And if anyone would harm them, fire pours from their mouth and consumes their foes. If anyone would harm
Here we learn that these men will have the power to do
them, this is how he is doomed to be killed” (Revelation 11:5)
two things—turn water into blood and stop the rain during
If Moses and Elijah had not gained the entire world's
their ministry, which spans the majority of the first half of
attention before this, we know they will have after displaying
the tribulation period according to Revelation. In the Old
this supernatural power that ensures their ministry will not be
Testament, we read about two men who did these same things.
interrupted. No doubt, there will be many who strategize over
Elijah stopped the rain for three and a half years (1 Kings 17-
ways to take these fire breathing preachers out. As hostility
18), and Moses is known for having turned water into blood
toward them increases, however, so do the intimidating
(Exodus 7).
displays of God's power. By the time their mission is complete,
Being that both men were present during Jesus'
they'll be responsible for the deaths of their attackers, a major
transfiguration (Mark 9), this would be their second
drought in the Middle East, and the poisoning of clean water
reappearance on the earth. And so, while these men are merely
sources with blood.
speculated to fill the roles of Revelation's two witnesses, I'll
The two witnesses are part of the wonderful end times
be referring to them as Moses and Elijah. I'm actually more
drama that places God's grace front and center. With the
confident in pegging Elijah than Moses because of this next
church having been removed from the earth via the rapture,
verse, but I'm good with both of them.
it's wonderful to know of God's plan to continue spreading the
32 // January 2021
message of Jesus Christ among those who are left behind.
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Gò0dNews for Everyone
Getting Back On Track
I
by Andrew Corbin
n this passage of scripture, we find the prophet Elijah getting things back on track with the Lord. Elijah found himself in a cave of depression. After
Elijah had experienced the Lord meet his need at the Brook Cherith, after the Lord commanded the widow woman at Zarephath to sustain him, and after he saw that same widow woman’s son be raised from the dead, Elijah struggled with his trust in the Lord. After he was reassured and strengthened from the Lord, the Lord told Elijah to “Go, return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus” (1 Kings 19:15). The Lord basically told him to go back to where you started, or go back where you left the Lord. Just like Elijah, when we get out of the will of God and out of touch with the Lord, we need to go back where it started or go back to the place where we left the Lord. When we get out of the will of God, it isn’t the Lord’s fault. The Bible says in Malachi 3:6 “For I am the LORD, I change not” and in Hebrews 13:8 “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever.” If there is any changing or any missteps, it is our own fault. In order to get back on track with the Lord, we have to go back to the place where we left him. If it seems as if we can’t find the Lord in our lives, we need to do what we would do if we lost something valuable in our life, we need to try to look for it. When we begin searching for the Lord, before too long, we will find him. Jeremiah 29:13 says “And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.” The Lord may have written that to the Children of Israel, but just because it wasn’t written to us doesn’t mean we should ignore it. To
mouth which hath not kissed him.” Elijah could have disobeyed what the Lord told him to do and stayed in the cave of depression, and if he would have that done, those seven thousand might have ended up bowing a knee to idol god Baal. When you are in God’s will or when you aren’t in God’s will, it will always affect other people. We need to get back on track with the Lord not only for ourselves, but also for the other people in our lives.
get back on track with the Lord, we have to seek him. Kings 19: 18 “Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every
34 // January 2021
About The Author
After the Lord reassured Elijah, he told him in 1 Andrew Corbin is the husband to Amber, father to Reed, and pastor of Maranatha Baptist Church in Chatsworth, Georgia. The Church’s address is 3155 Hwy 225; Chatsworth, Georgia 30705.
423-503-1410
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Gò0dNews for Everyone
He Restores My Soul
“T
by Megan Van Meter
he Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He
our soul and give us rest and peace. He never gives up
makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads
on us and is always there to protect, guard, and comfort
me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.
us. All we must do is be obedient to His soft words and
He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake”
gentle prompting. I am reminded of a story written by W.
(Psalm 23:1-3).
Phillip Keller about a shepherd who tended diligently to his
We are but sheep in the flock of the Father, and like
flock. He tells of the one ewe that was bad and cast down
sheep, we tend to lose our way and become vulnerable to
periodically. Sheep which cast, or lie, down and roll over on
Satan’s attacks. A good shepherd is constantly watching and
their backs can die. As they lie on their backs, gases build up and eventually cut off the blood supply to their extremities, and within hours, they can die if the shepherd does not locate them quickly and turn them back over. Sheep cannot right themselves once they are on their backs. The sheep are left on their own, and vultures and other animals of prey soon realize the dire situation of the sheep and will attack. The Father is diligent to watch over us, and just like the ewe, He will right us again, put us back on our feet, and point us in the proper direction for His glory’s sake. He shields us from the attacks of the enemy just as any good shepherd would. When
guarding his flock. As sheep, we would be lost without the
you feel those attacks of vultures and animals of prey and
direction and care of the Father. There is nothing we face
life seems unmanageable, know that you have a Good
that God will not go before us and make a way. As we read
Shepherd, and you will always find rest in Him. Rejoice
and meditate on this Scripture, we see the goodness of God;
in the name of the Father when it seems the weight of the
we lack for nothing. God will always provide for every need
world is upon you. Rejoice in times of struggle. Rejoice
we have. I have had some challenges in my life over the last
when you do not feel you can take another step. Rejoice
month, and God has supplied everything to meet the needs
because you are loved, you are worthy, and you serve an
of my family; I have wanted for nothing. If we put our trust
awesome God who will never leave you nor forsake you and
and faith in the Lord, we will see mighty and powerful
will always be in control.
When we are lost and do not know where our strength will come from, He leads us to a place where He can restore
36 // January 2021
About The Author
things take place. Megan Van Meter has been on staff at West Rome Church for 8 years. She finds joy in helping others. She is a grandmother of 2 and loves making memories for her family.
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Gò0dNews for Everyone
Plans Change
W
by Angie Bishop Forsyth
e all make plans in our lifetimes. As children,
a simple life—with the small-town existence and normal
we plan to get through school, start a career,
family—never materialized, but instead, his life was much
and maybe get married and have a family. We
harder than and different from what he planned.
also make plans daily, and all go with the expectations that
And how about Jesus’s aunt and uncle, Elizabeth and
those plans will be carried out just as we imagined them.
Zechariah? They were a couple who could see a future
But what if we were born and knew from the start, as Jesus
together with a house full of children, but it didn’t quite play
did, the plans the whole time?
out as they had planned. Years kept passing, and no children
My guess is we’d try to outrun those plans, especially
came, but heartache, despair, and doubt did, until one day,
knowing the outcome could be painful and hard. Let’s take
God blessed them with a son named John the Baptist. The
a look at how plans changed for Jesus’s family from what
two found joy in John but never planned life to go the way
they themselves thought it would be. Take Joseph, Jesus’s
it did. As John grew into a man, his plan in life was to serve
earthly father. Joseph had plans to marry the love of his life,
and baptize those in Jesus’s name. John, Jesus’s cousin, never
Mary. Imagine the shock he got when, during the courtship,
planned to suffer and lose his life for that very cause.
Mary came and told him she was with child and how the
Then we have James, Jesus’s brother, a boy who loved
angel of the Lord came to him and backed up that truth.
his older brother and planned out a life alongside him doing
That changed the whole course of Joseph’s plan, and near
brotherly things. James couldn’t wrap his head around Jesus
the end of his life, he knew that what he had imagined as
one day going off the deep end, claiming to be the Messiah. What? That wasn’t right! And their precious mother, Mary, who from the very beginning never planned on birthing the Savior of the world, much less having to watch him suffer and die for it: this whole entire family of Jesus’s had dreams and plans, yet life for all them went drastically differently! Though different from what they had planned, they all experienced a life that was richer. In my own experiences in life, I too have made plans. Some have gone according to my plan, but many have gone astray. I realize in those that have gone very differently than what I had planned, I see God had His own plan the entire time: a plan in shaping and making me into who He wants me to be. And like the family of Jesus, I endured hardships, suffering, doubt, and despair, but like the family of Jesus, I also got to experience a richer, fuller life in Christ, my Savior and friend, who has had His own plan from which He has never wavered. I’ll forever
38 // January 2021
About The Author
praise Him for that!
My name is Angie Bishop Forsyth. I am a local of Rome, Georgia, now for 30 + years. I’m just a simple lady with heart that chases after God! I love to share about him anywhere I can. To me there’s no one or no thing on this earth, greater to talk about! God has blessed me in tremendous ways and I not only love to tell about it, but I live to tell about it!
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Gò0dNews for Everyone
Know Yourself
Y
by Kaye Stein
es, hallelujah! Goodbye, 2020! We pray 2021 will be
significant? Do I like the King James Bible, or do I prefer
a better year. History tells us that unless we learn
the ____ version, and why? It really isn’t significant what
from our mistakes and failures, we will be doomed
questions you ask yourself but that you are seeking to learn
to repeat them, but the pandemic brought on new normals
who you are in a real sense. It’s being honest with yourself!
and new habits. We’ve learned to think outside the box, so
Ask yourself those difficult questions too; don’t just
let’s look at how this new thinking can help us with our
ask the questions that have the easy answers. Search your
New Year’s resolutions.
soul! Being real with yourself should lead you to more
It’s hard to keep New Year’s resolutions, and studies
questions, and that’s good because you are actually seeking
show that the majority of people do not stick to their goals.
to understand yourself, and that’s the whole idea of learning who you are. Until you know more about yourself and understand how you think, learn, and grow, you will likely repeat mistakes. When you figure out what makes you tick and react, then you can create more significant goals with better, more predictable outcomes. A tool that many use is the SMART goals acronym, which can be googled for more info. One resolution that is life-changing is reading your Bible but also being able to understand it. In Acts 8, the Ethiopian was reading the Bible but didn’t understand it until the Holy Spirit led Philip to him. The Ethiopian was a believer, but that alone wasn’t enough. I had to learn and accept
The KEY to success is knowing yourself! If you are
that I had difficulty understanding the King James Version
setting goals, then you need to know more about yourself so
and that I have difficulty following along with preset Bible
that your goals are uniquely attainable and specific to you.
studies. I finally found the one that works for me, so do not
Have you ever embarked on a journey to learn who you
give up on reading the Bible. When you come to understand
are and why you are? This can be a multifaceted event in
yourself, your world will open up for you. The words of the
your life but one well worth taking. To get to the real you,
Bible will come alive! There will be healing in God’s words.
it’s going to take effort, but what’s effort when you’re the
In life, there will be more opportunities, and you will be
one who will benefit in every way? You will need to ask
more suited to achieve, accomplish, and thrive. Looking
yourself many questions: some important and some just
ahead to the new year will be even greater!
plain fun. Here are some examples of questions to get you started: What was I like as a child? What did I like about school,
Revelation 1:3: “God blesses the one who reads the words of this prophecy to the church, and he blesses all who listen to its message and obey what it says, for the time is near.”
why? Reading or hiking? Scrambled or poached eggs? What events do I remember as a child, and why were they
40 // January 2021
About The Author
and why? Am I more adventurous or more cautious, and Kaye Stein, native of Chatsworth, residing in Rome is a nurse of 40 years, a mom, and a Nana. A published author who enjoys reading and learning, but mostly family and laughter!
PrimeCare provides in-home services and personal care, so you can
stay in the comfort of your own home. PrimeCare provides quality one-on-one care to clients requiring assistance in the home, hospital, nursing home or assisted living facility. We provide care from a one time visit to twenty-four hours, seven days a week. Sometimes just a little assistance can help avoid a decline in health or independence. Others need help to continue living safely at home or to recover from injury, illness or surgery. Individuals have different needs and PrimeCare specializes in designing a unique care plan for each client. RNs and LPNs supervise all services and are available for consulting or problem solving 24 hours a day. We coordinate client care by maintaining open communication with the referring physician, the client and the family.
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Gò0dNews for your Taste Buds
Homemade Cream of Tomato Soup by Pam Wattenbarger
T
his comforting soup is the perfect pickme-up on cold winter evenings. Preparation time is minimal and it uses common pantry ingredients. If you prefer, vegetable broth can be substituted for the chicken broth, and half-and-half can be substituted for the heavy cream. Serve the soup with a loaf of crusty bread or grilled cheese sandwiches for a true comfort meal.
Ingredients • ½ cup (1 stick) butter • 1 medium onion, diced • 2 cups Chicken Broth • 2 cans (28 ounces each) diced tomatoes, undrained • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning • ½ teaspoon salt • ½ teaspoon pepper
Instructions 1. In a large saucepan, over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the chopped onion and cook, stirring often, until the onion is transparent, about 5 to 7 minutes. 2. Add the chicken broth, crushed tomatoes, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and sugar, if using. Bring the mixture to a boil.
3. Stir in the heavy cream. Reduce the heat to simmer. Simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• 2 cups heavy whipping cream 42 // January 2021
About The Author
• 1 tablespoon sugar (optional) Pam Wattenbarger is a cookbook author whose newest book, The Gluten-Free Meal Prep Cookbook, was released December 22nd, 2020. Find her online at simplysouthernmom.com.
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