July 2021 by GoodNews Rome

Gò0dNews July 2021

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Contents J U LY 2 0 2 1

GoodNews from the Pastor’s Desk

6 Each Other’s Help to Grow GoodNews for Kids

8 God’s Power

by Bekah Prytherch

GoodNews on Money Matters

10 Too Close for Comfort by Andrew Lee

GoodNews for Men

12 Fire-Works!

by Tom Bowen

GoodNews for Everyone

14 Keep On Praying by Zebbie Brewster

GoodNews for Family

18 Summer Memories by Linda Tinney

GoodNews for Everyone

20 Relationships Hurt, Relationships Heal

by Heather Medley GoodNews Cover Story

22 Bruce Epperson

First Community Mortgage

GoodNews for Everyone

24 God’s Renovation by Tia Wheelus

GoodNews for Everyone

26 My Only Source

by Joseph Robinson

GoodNews on Identity

28 Who am I?

by Sarah Gizzard

GoodNews for Teens

30 Advice to Graduates by Abdiel Medina

GoodNews for Everyone

32 Life as a Testimony

by Erin Clay

GoodNews for Everyone

34 Like Water Off a Duck’s Back by Beth Penny

GoodNews for Everyone

36 God Can Use Your Tragedy by Bill Fortenberry

GoodNews for Everyone

38 Eight Things Women Need to Remember

by Megan VanMeter GoodNews for Everyone

40 How y’all been doin’? by Deck Cheatham

GoodNews for your Taste Buds

42 Banana Spice Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

by Pam Wattenbarger

Gò0dNews from the Pastor’s Desk

Each Other’s Help to Grow

need your encouragement.

Approachable, Insightful, Tender, Happy, but not

“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful

Frivolous, Enthusiastic, but not Frenzied, Serves, but is

servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will

not Servile, Sound, but not Radical, Visionary, but not

put you in charge of many things. Come and share your

Unrealistic, Serious, but not Somber, Conscientious,

master’s happiness” (Matthew 25:21).

but not Extreme, Firm, but not Unkind, Loving, but not

Wow! Okay then. Ummmmm. It looks like I’m going to need a little help here! I want to hear the words “Well done, good and faithful servant.” While faithful living and the demonstration of agape love is the context of this passage, every redeemed child of God wants to mature

Indiscreet, Cooperative, but not Vacillating, Humble, but not Timed, Bold, but not Brash, etc.… As you see, it looks like I am going to need a little help here! What about you? As we look toward the future, never forget how far we have come in our spiritual journey. We must not let

in His righteous virtues. Viewing this list below always reminds me of just a few things I still need God’s daily help to improve on and live by. How are you doing with these? Kind, Diligent, Faithful, Joyous, Patient, Peaceful, Good, Godly, Gentle, Self-Controlled, Virtuous, Knowledgeable, Generous, Observant, Obedient, Reliable, Respectful, Friendly, Moral, Ambitious, Content, Adaptable, Cheerful, Prompt, Punctual, Able to Plan Ahead, Loyal, Courageous, Transparent, Trustworthy, Honest, Resolves Conflict, Hardworking, Optimistic, Hopeful, Accountable, Reliable, Godly-Speech, Competent, Industrious,

a zealous past deceive us into refraining from giving

Discerning, Foresight, Resourceful, Sincere, Passionate,

our current best in service to God. I mourn that too

Reverent, Resolved in Purpose, Merciful, Forgiving,

many seem content to “give God the scraps” regarding

Attentive, Tactful, Benevolent, Comprehensive, Direct,

stewardship of talents and resources to mature His

Hospitable, Cautious, Grateful, Honest, Helpful, Proper

body—the Church. God has given us Truth. If we study

Thinking, Sympathetic, Truthful, Courteous, Selfless,

and live by it, we are promised the spiritual increase. It

Spiritual, Meek, Genuine, Makes Peace, Takes Action,

is not easy on our own, is it? Christianity is not meant to

Delegates, Preserves, Welcoming, Prefers Others,

be a solo trip. One resource God gives to help us excel in

Prayerful, Watchful, Stable, Flexible, Encouraging,

our Christian living is members within His Body—each

Worshipful, Participates, Vigilant, Committed,

other! Let us give God our best and make plans to utilize

6 // July 2021

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Gò0dNews for Kids

God’s Power by Bekah Prytherch

ne of my favorite stories in the Bible is

good guys and the bad guys—and that He was

about the Israelites being freed from

in control!

Pharaoh’s control in Egypt. This story is

I am older now, but as a child I loved this story.

filled with amazing things that God did to show

I never really thought about it until recently, but

His power to the Israelites—like all of the plagues!

there were children who experienced this. They

Then, He shows them His power again by parting

saw all the plagues that took place, they saw their parents and themselves being

the Red Sea and letting His

enslaved, and they also

people go.

saw the hand of God upon them by being

“Then the Lord said to

led out of slavery! All

Moses, ‘Why

the powerful things

are you crying

that God did to

out to me? Tell

get them free—I

the Israelites to

cannot imagine

move on. Raise

being a child

your staff and

who is able to

stretch out your

walk through

hand over the sea

water, and seeing the walls of water

to divide the water so that the Israelites can go

surround me!

through the sea on dry ground. I will harden

God did some pretty

the hearts of the Egyptians so that they will go in

amazing things for the Israelite

after them. All I will gain glory through Pharaoh

children, just as He did for their parents. He is

and all his army, through his chariots and his

the same God that He was for the Israelites as He

horsemen. The Egyptians will know that I am

is for us today! He can take us to some amazing

the Lord when I gain glory through Pharaoh, his

experiences in our life today, as long as we keep

chariots and his horsemen” (Exodus 14:15-18).

our focus and our eyes upon Him!

is that God continues to show His power to the 8 // July 2021

About The Author

One of my favorite things about this story

Bekah Prytherch is the children’s pastor at Heritage Fellowship Church of God in McDonald, Tennessee. She is married to her husband, Caleb, and they live in Cleveland, Tennessee.

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Too Close for Comfort 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.

ecently, I met a former student of mine for coffee and financial discussion. Brad Perkins is a financial advisor with Raymond James, and like me, he’s always reading financial books to learn more and educate himself. During our conversation we discovered that we shared a peculiar irony: namely, that as Jesus observed, “A prophet is not without honor, except in his own hometown” (Mark 6:4). In other words, both of us had tried in vain to help close relatives or friends by advising them not to continue down the path of unwise financial decisions, but our advice was dismissed or rejected out of hand, falling on deaf ears. Yet, we have both been contacted at various times by complete strangers who solicited our financial opinions and listened to us attentively. (Obviously, Brad is a licensed professional who is qualified and certified to dispense this advice in a fiduciary role, whereas my opinions are informal and more general, and I am not engaged in dispensing any legal or professional advice). But this situation presents a very perplexing paradox, indeed. Why do close relatives and friends often reject unsolicited advice, especially anything related to personal finance? The answer lies in the word “unsolicited.” Your friends and relatives may feel you are judging them somehow and perhaps even condemning their financial choices, which in their mind might jeopardize your relationship, as though you don’t respect their right to make their own decisions. Alternatively, it may simply be a question of personal values—some of our relatives and friends may feel that driving a leased luxury car or flaunting designer labels on clothing and handbags is essential to their sense of identity and self-esteem, regardless of whether they can afford these luxuries—and they don’t want to hear any

10 // July 2021

advice to the contrary. But still, you may feel the urge to “show them the error of their ways.” What to do? The easy answer is to do nothing; just hold your tongue; try to grin and bear it. This is America, after all, and our loved ones are free to do as they please, for the most part. However, perhaps you might suggest a helpful financial book like Dave Ramsey’s The Total Money Makeover, or maybe a helpful financial podcast offering practical advice regarding spending and investing such as The Mad Fientist or Talking Real Money or Stacking Benjamins or The Broke Millennial Podcast. Make a note of what seems to be important to this person in terms of spending or financial goals—saving for a child’s college education? Paying off credit cards? Golfing one day each week? Look for ways to inspire this person (or persons) to better manage money in order to reach these goals. In the spirit of “show, don’t tell,” be sure you model good behavior in subtle ways without being obnoxious. For instance, by always using cash or debit card at restaurants instead of a credit card, or by suggesting enjoyable activities that don’t involve spending any money, you are modeling wise financial practices without being “preachy” or “talking down” to someone. There’s a saying that “more is caught than is taught,” and through the process of observing your consistency and financial discipline, you never know the extent to which you can be a positive influence. Now, when it comes to your children, feel free to be more blatant and teach money lessons regularly and intentionally. But with adults, that approach is often too heavy-handed. God’s Word reminds us, “Whoever would foster love covers over an offense” (Proverbs 17:9a), so be patient and allow God to guide your advice and ensure your motives are pure.

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Gò0dNews for Men

Fire-Works!

by Tom Bowen

ith us being well into the summer season, I

has been in the Family of God for most our lives—goes into

noticed firework stands popping up at the

auto-pilot and we don’t celebrate the movement of God in

beginning of June! When I think of fireworks,

our lives like we used to.

I think of two holidays: July 4th and New Year’s Eve. One

I have more than one prayer list. One is the everyday

celebrates freedom and the other celebrates the cycle of a New

list, the other is the not everyday list. With this list I realize

Year. Both celebrations seem to be something a lot of people

that my conversations with God become a little self-

share—ones where people gather in groups to acknowledge.

centered. I ask for a reminder of all the things God has

I was so glad to celebrate the end of 2020, along with all the change, stress and loss associated with that time. I know I was not alone in my desire to face a new year. However, 2021 began with additional problems and stresses. I felt stranded and disillusioned in my hope for 2021. Celebrations can be hard to maintain when life has to move forward. Luke 24:13-35 includes a story about two of Jesus’s disciples that had left the group and headed home on the Emmaus Road. They felt grief, loss and a lack of physical energy after being drained of all hope and expectation with the abuse and crucifixion of Jesus. They did not have the desire, energy or any reason to celebrate. They had heard the news of the

done for me and the people that I love. I also ask God for a

resurrection, but their personal experience left them feeling

spiritual awakening. I pray that God moves in a powerful

nothing. They slowly headed back home and onto their

way in our community.

daily life. Jesus joins them, reminds them of scriptures

I forget to celebrate all the ways God has, is and will

and eventually reveals himself to them and POW—their

move in the resurrection of Jesus. I feel the need to pray that

minds exploded by the presence of Christ, their energy was

God will renew the spark of revival in my heart. I also pray

restored and they ran back to Jerusalem.

that the Lord will do the same for all Christians locally and

That is the kind of celebration—the fireworks—I

around the world. As a result of what our Lord has already

want to witness and experience as often as I can. I want to

done, we should be encouraged to give off sparks of light and

experience my heart burning within me as the Holy Spirit

pops of praise. We should be encouraged to be a part of the

fans the fire that energizes me with new and renewed

fire that the Holy Spirit enables in the children of God.

Sometimes the fire in people like myself—someone who

12 // July 2021

About The Author

excitement. The fire of the Spirit works in the lives of people. Rev. Tom Bowen, Ordained Elder in the CMC Methodist Church, Rome, Georgia.

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Gò0dNews for Everyone

Keep On Praying

by Zebbie Brewster

he summer months, particularly May, have always

ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies of the

been special to me. My grandparents celebrated their

gate” (Psalm 127:3-5).

birthdays just days apart. It was a joy to get to

celebrate those special days with them. I was so very blessed to live next door to them growing

I also love Proverbs 31, where it talks about how a Godly woman looks to the needs of her family. “She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is

up—there was a trail from our house to their house. They

the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her

spoiled me and my two brothers…just a little. We could find

household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her

a box of vanilla wafers in their cupboard and half a gallon

children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also,

of ice cream in their freezer on the back porch. We would

and he praiseth her” (Proverbs 31:26-28).

ask our aunt if we could have some ice cream—with the big kitchen spoon she would spoon us out a serving. I was always amazed at how the spoon would bend because the ice cream was so frozen. My aunt would just bend the spoon back into place. My grandparents and aunt were so very patient with us. Looking back on those times in my life, I can say that we were truly blessed to have each other. We needed them and I know without a doubt that they loved and needed us too. If we have family in our life, we are so richly blessed!

We need to always pray for our family. They are indeed

My mom also remembers them as being her wonderful

a blessing from God! I remember when we were taught

Godly parents. We cannot choose the family into which we

about the importance of prayer. Hopefully, we will keep

are born. Yet, God blesses us with family! The Bible talks

praying now in this day and time in which we live. Prayers

about children as a heritage from the Lord.

have helped us make it this far and they will help us finish

“Children are a heritage of the LORD and the fruit

our journey home.

a mighty man, so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be

14 // July 2021

About The Author

of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of Zebbie Brewster resides in Summerville, Georgia. She is an active member at Perennial Springs Baptist Church.

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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 // July 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 Family

Summer Memories by Linda Tinney

t is that time of year when families begin planning for

time with our lake family while relaxing and de-stressing

their summer vacations. Due to COVID last year, there

from the week. Every Sunday morning my husband and

were lots of missed vacations. There was still plenty of

I have made it a priority to eat breakfast together outside.

family time at home—although a different kind family

This breakfast date gives our 12-year-old time “away” from

time. Kids started their summer vacations early and parents

his parents. Let’s face it, we all need a break from life, no

worked from home. This year, things seem to be getting

matter how young or old we are! The take away here is that

back to normal.

life is about making memories.

When I was a child, we were treated to a beach trip

As my family has gotten older, we have a harder time

every year. It would take a few months of planning to make

planning the annual beach trip together. No matter how old

sure we had the right vacation rental on the beach in the right beach town. We would leave around 5:00 AM while it was still dark. The excitement was in the air—a whole week at the beach with our family! It seemed like it took an eternity to get there. We always stopped at Dobb’s BBQ in Dothan, Alabama, either for lunch on the way or on the way back. If you haven’t been there, you have got to try their strawberry shortcake for dessert. I can still taste it! We would always have such a fun week with our family—sleeping late, spending all day on the beach, swimming, eating our

we get, we still will have those memories to take us through

weight in fresh seafood, playing putt-putt, and going to bed

our lifetime. I hope that when our son becomes an adult

later than our normal bedtime. The memories that we made

he will look back and see the fun times we had during the

will be with me forever.

summers. After all, children only have a short amount of

As a parent with one child of my own, I hope that my

time with their parents before they have their own routines,

husband and I can instill in him those same memories that

schedules, etc. I hope that we will make the best of it for

we had growing up. We spend a lot of time as a family

him—as my parents did for me! One of my favorite quotes

outdoors and have passed on that love to him (or at least,

is: “sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it

I hope we have)! You can usually find us at one of the local

becomes a memory.”

hiking, etc. There’s nothing that we love more than spending

18 // July 2021

About The Author

lakes spending time boating, cooking out, swimming, Linda Tinney is employed as a career transitions specialist at GNTC. She is wife to Neil and mom to Chason, a 5th grader She attends The Church at Rome.

Church Activities & Events Pleasant Valley North Baptist Church WinShape Camps for Communities

Monday, July 5 (8:00 AM) – Friday, July 9 (1:00 PM) 735 Old Summerville Rd NW, Rome, GA, 30165

First Baptist Church VBS: Rocky Railway

Sunday, July 11 (3:00 PM) – Wednesday, July 14 (11:30 AM) 100 E 4th Ave, Rome, GA 30161

Darlington School Camp Delightascope

Session 1: Monday, July 5 – Friday, July 9 (9:00 AM-12:00 PM) Session 2: Monday, July 12 – Friday, July 16 1014 Cave Spring Rd SW, Rome, GA 30161

Latin American Missions

Evangelistic Campaign / Austin Fowler

Saturday, July 24 (8:30 AM) – Thursday, July 29 (9:30 AM) 4263 Inner Perimeter Rd, Valdosta, GA 31602

Gò0dNews for Everyone

Relationships Hurt, Relationships Heal

by Heather Medley

y no-nonsense grandmother used to

fools suffers harm.” Proverbs 18:24 reads, “One who has

say, “Heather, choose your friends and

unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend

loves with care because if you run with

who sticks closer than a brother.”

wild animals, you too may get fleas.” Although her

Neuroscience and scripture agree that relationships

sentiment sounded harsh to my adolescent ears,

impact who we are and who we become. As children,

neuroscience has affirmed that her words actually hold

we were influenced by the limbic connections we had

scientific truth. One person’s nervous system is greatly

with our parents, teachers, caregivers and early peers.

impacted by another’s—those we love and spend time with greatly impact the person we become. Here is a simple explanation how. The human brain has these amazing parts called mirror neurons. There neurons “mirror” the observed behavior of another back to you so that it is as if you have experienced what you are seeing. This important fact reveals that the relationships you have and what you observe in others, impacts the neural pathway within your brain. Another term that neuroscientists use is limbic revisioning. This term

Those relationships are ones we typically did not

implies that consistent attuning and care from one

choose, yet were greatly impacted by—some of which

limbic system to another’s can establish an internal

could have been negative or traumatic. As we grow

sense of safety to help heal a traumatized brain.

older, we have more choice in our relationships, and

Crazy, right!?

therefore, more agency in healing.

What is even crazier is that these scientific

As my grandmother was trying to relay to me all those years ago: relationships can hurt us. The good

neuroscience even existed. Proverbs 22:24-25 reads,

news is that relationships can heal us too. Thankfully,

“Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not

both neuroscience and scripture agree that it is never

associate with one easily angered, or you may learn their

too late to heal.

ways and get yourself ensnared.” Proverbs 13:20 reads, “Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of

20 // July 2021

About The Author

findings were written about in the Bible long before

Heather Medley is a licensed professional counselor, speaker, and published author. She loves neuroscience research papers, bargain shopping, and laughter. She resides in Rome with her delightful kiddos and steady husband.

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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to become a bank president. Now, he has found passion in

Who is Bruce Epperson?

ruce Epperson served in the United States Air Force for ten years and is married to Annette, who he met in 2012. They have three wonderful daughters,

the housing industry. Earning his Real Estate Associate Brokers license and insurance license at a young age, Epperson is different from

Melanie, Heather, and Andrea, along with two fur babies,

the average Mortgage Loan Originator. Upon receiving

Dexter and Hank Williams, who are both energetic

great mentorship, Epperson has been in the mortgage

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industry for thirty-four years. Filled with excitement from

In his downtime, Epperson and his family enjoy taking the camper out to the North Georgia mountains to enjoy a peaceful family retreat, including going to the beach and attending local car shows.

new challenges every day, he continues to enjoy helping others build their wealth through real estate. “The housing market has changed a lot over the past thirty-four years, and even more so in the past year, but

A Marietta, Georgia, native, Epperson has always

I am ready to roll with the punches! After all, we grow

possessed an interest in the real estate market. As a child,

by becoming comfortable with being uncomfortable and

Epperson collected and studied American coinage. When

accepting the unexpected,” said Epperson.

he was twelve years old, he would go through bank rolls of coins from his local bank. Epperson’s childhood dream was

22 // July 2021

Now based in Rome, Georgia, Epperson has served Rome, NW Georgia, and the Metro Atlanta areas in

others achieve the American Dream of homeownership,” said Epperson. As the first line of defense in the home buying process, Epperson can help you understand your purchasing power, give tips on credit scores, and celebrate a new home in record closing time. “You are all unique with different dreams and I promise to help you learn about your mortgage, discover your options, and provide you with a customized home buying experience,” said Epperson. If you are ready to formulate your perfect and personalized plan to purchase or refinance your home, residential mortgage lending since 1986. As a First Community Mortgage Loan Originator, Epperson can originate loans in over half the country, including all of the Southeast. What is First Community Mortgage? Based in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, First Community Mortgage is a leading lender able to originate loans in forty-six states. Since 2002, First Community Mortgage’s mission has been to help first-time homebuyers and those

you can find Epperson in his office located at 504 Riverside Parkway, Suite 402, Rome, GA 30161. You can also give Epperson a call at 770-548-4550, or send an email to Bruce. Epperson@fcmhomeloans.com. “I would love to hear from you and look forward to building our friendship,” said Epperson. First Community Mortgage is a Proud Equal Housing Lender. Bruce Epperson NMLS ID 145526. FCM NMLS ID 629700. FirstCommunityMortgage.com/BruceEpperson.

who have purchased several homes achieve the best home buying experience possible. According to First Community Mortgage, “When people have a home, it gives them a foundation from which to grow, to do bigger things and, in turn, build better communities.” First Community Mortgage is a proud supporter of the American Dream, no matter what your dream may be. Epperson focuses on excellent customer service and believes education holds power in decision-making. “If you do not know much about mortgages, rates, and what options are out there, I am happy to discuss all of this with you! I live every day for God and wish to help

goodnewscm.com // 23

Gò0dNews for Everyone

God’s Renovation

by Tia Wheelus

ecently, my sister and her husband started renovating

Paul alludes to the fact that we cannot know and understand

their kitchen. I was staying in their guest room,

the mysteries of God in its fullness. When we reach Heaven,

along with all the dust that had seeped in from the

we will. We will not only see Jesus face to face, but we will

walls being knocked down. When I looked around the

know why every detail of our lives did or did not work

unorganized room, I spotted drills and building materials

out. We will know why God allowed or did not allow

lined up along the walls and scattered all around. While

certain situations to happen. At the same time, we will be so

I was watching this construction go on, the Holy Spirit

enamored by His glory and who He is, that we will fall on

allowed me to see a spiritual perspective that I would like to

our faces in praise to the One who deserves it the most.

share with you. Many things in our lives need renovating. It could be a sin that you haven’t overcome, a relationship that is broken, or even a decision that you are not sure how to make. If you know Jesus personally, you know that the word sanctification implies that we continue to grow more and more like Christ throughout our lifetime. Jesus begins renovating our hearts and our lives the moment we trust in Him. From that moment, He continues to knock down walls within us that hinder us from living with and for Him. The Lord says, “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh” (Ezekiel 36:26). Just like anything under construction, it may take longer for supplies and appliances to arrive than you originally anticipated. It is the same with God. Everything that is taken

What is God renovating in your life right now? What are you holding onto that He wants you to let go of? Who has He told you to forgive or to make amends with? Trust that His goodness in your life is not only because

away from us during the renovation of our lives will be

of Him and His glory, but for your good too. “Behold! I

replaced with something better. The “something better” may

tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be

be completely different than what your original idea of what

changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last

“the best” looks like. We may not see it now, but on His

trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised

time, He will rebuild, restore, and replace anything that He

imperishable, and we shall be changed” (1 Corinthians 15:51-52).

In 1 Corinthians, Paul speaks about spiritual gifts and how they ought to function within a church. In Chapter 13,

24 // July 2021

About The Author

chooses to remove from our lives. Tia Wheelus found her love for writing at a very early age. She is a victim advocate at the Sexual Assault Center of NWGA and works as the director of marketing for a missions organization named Global Year.

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Gò0dNews for Everyone

My Only Source

by Joseph Robinson

ince I entered the workforce over forty years

I have spent several years working with adults

ago, I have been blessed with many diverse

who are intellectually disabled. I took a personal

employment opportunities. Using my voice has

interest in each of my clients, which hopefully made a

always been my passion, and consequentially, I spent

difference in their lives. This past August, I embarked

eleven years working in radio broadcasting. I have

on a totally different career path—a substitute teacher

since worked on freelance voice acting, recorded some

in county elementary schools. This has been one of

commercials for Beach TV, and provided narration

the most fulfilling positions I have ever had. Recently,

for the Rome Passion Play. However, my life has also

I accepted a position to start teaching a driver’s

taken me in many different directions.

education course for Georgia Northwestern Technical College. I am looking forward to interacting with the students in my class. During the Christmas season, I have followed in my dad’s footsteps by occasionally portraying Santa Claus for various church and family events and reunions. I relish the chance to bring joy to the children and to see their faces light up with excitement. So many blessings have chased me down over the years, including the recent opportunity to be involved in

I have been a forklift operator in a warehouse, a grain elevator operator in a flour mill, and I have spent over a decade delivering and setting up home

building a local church. I have seen the Lord work in the lives of many people there. As I reflect on my various work history, I realize

oxygen and other medical equipment—taking me into

that the good Lord has truly ordered my steps—

hundreds of homes over an eleven-county area. I also

opening and closing doors in His timing. Through it

spent almost 6 years working for a local funeral home.

all, I am learning to completely lean on Him as He is

Through my time at a funeral home, as well as in the

my source—my only source.

medical field, I was blessed with opportunities to interact with and minister to the sick and the bereaved.

26 // July 2021

“And we know that God causes all things to work together for the good of them who love Him and are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).

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Gò0dNews on Identity

Who am I? by Sarah Gizzard

ho am I? I am going to be honest with you. I have been struggling with an identity

anxiety became ever-present in my daily life. Where I once knew my purpose, there was doubt and fear. It seemed as though I had lost my identity.

crisis for the last year. When the Covid-19 pandemic

So, who am I?

hit, the busy coming-and-going life at the Grizzard

I received an important reminder from a friend.

house came to a grinding halt, as I am sure many of

She said, “it’s not who we think we are that is

you experienced also. Suddenly, there was no more

important, it is who the Lord says we are that is

going to school, no more piano lessons, no more band

important.” Within the Word of God, we find many

practice, and no more church. What did this mean for us? This meant that everything was now going to happen at home. This meant that I assumed the role of school teacher, piano teacher, band director, and worship leader—all while also working my full-time job from home. Along with these new roles were the old roles of mother, wife, daughter, and neighbor that I still needed to fulfill daily. As I look back on those first few months, all I can think of is the daily chaos that ensued at the Grizzard house and the many hats that I needed

reminders of who we are. In Genesis, we are told

to wear daily. It was difficult for me to differentiate

that we are created in His image. Psalm 139:13-14

between the teacher hat and the mother hat. I needed

tells us that we are fearfully and wonderfully made.

to throw on the full-time employee hat and have a

John 1:12 tells us that we are children of God. When

Zoom meeting, while making sure the kids were

the insecurity and fear resurface, I only need to

doing their schoolwork. Throughout the day, it was

remember who created me. My comfort comes from

a constant interchanging of hats as I took on one role

knowing who the Lord says I am. My identity is only

after another. Pretty soon all the roles were blending

found through Him.

the end of most days, I was left feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, and sometimes broken. Insecurities and

28 // July 2021

About The Author

together and it was hard to keep up each day. At Sarah Grizzard is a wife to William and mother to Patrick and Wesley. She works for WinShape Foundation Teams Ministry.

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Gò0dNews for Teens

Advice to Graduates

by Abdiel Medina

fter 1 year of preschool, 5 years of elementary school,

what you need to hear. Our Father knows what we need

3 years of middle school, and 4 years of high school,

to be uplifted spiritually and emotionally, so let God work

I have finally graduated. It feels like time has flown

through you to encourage others.

by fast, but a lot has happened in the process—especially

Here is an example of how God has worked through

surviving a pandemic! When I reflect upon my journey in

others to encourage me. I was recently recognized as the

high school, something I take away is that we need to seek

Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) Athlete of the Year

opportunities to encourage people daily. Every day there are

from a group of 7 schools. I also had the honor of receiving

people struggling and hurting around us. Even in Cleveland,

the Chris Leggett Memorial Scholarship. What people may

the “Bible Belt,” there are a lot of teens struggling with adult-

not know is that throughout the school year, there were

sized problems. We cannot afford to wait until we start seeing

many times I almost gave up on the FCA Ministry.

red flags in a person to intervene—it could be too late. The encouragement of others needs to start today. You do not need a fancy sermon or any special words to

I was passionate about the FCA—a calling God had placed on my heart. However, it was a big challenge because I had stepped up as president and had to learn how to lead

encourage someone. The key is to be genuine and let God

the FCA amidst a pandemic and Covid protocols from the

speak through you. If you are fake with the words you use,

school. I am grateful that God placed Coach Eric Phillips

it could actually hurt the person instead of helping them.

in my life. He served as my FCA sponsor and would

Furthermore, our Holy Father knows the words a person

constantly encourage and believe in me. My family was

needs to hear.

also a big encouragement to me throughout the FCA, they

Hebrews 4:12 declares, “For the word of God is living and

helped carry the burden of stress from the overwhelming

active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division

times I experienced. Due to the encouragement they

of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the

gave me, I was motivated to keep on going with the FCA

thoughts and intentions of the heart.”

Ministry. I had many opportunities to share Christ with

God knows all of the thoughts of our heart and how to connect with us on a personal level. When you pray to

people at my school and help Christians grow as leaders and in their walk with Christ. After reflecting upon my journey in high school and

is amazing the impact it can have on a person. I am sure

the FCA, I have come to recognize the great need for us to

everyone has experienced moments when someone has

encourage others and to be around people that encourage

wrote you a letter, sent you a text, or maybe you are just

us. By doing so, we are demonstrating God’s love and

listening to worship music on the radio and it is exactly

helping fight the good fight.

30 // July 2021

About The Author

Him to give you the words of encouragement to share, it

Abdiel Medina is an energetic nerd, CHS Alumni, and college bound for Lee University! He desires to pursue Christ, and help others grow as leaders and in their walk of Christ!

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Gò0dNews for Everyone

Life as a Testimony

by Erin Clay

very day we face joys and struggles, getting

It is hard to live a life that honors God when you live

through life the best way we know how. Do you

in a world that praises sin. Romans 12:2 tells us, “Do not

ever stop to think about how your daily life can be a

be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal

testimony to others? One Sunday morning before church, my husband

of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

and I were talking with a friend. She was speaking to us about the challenges she is facing in her life. She said something that hit me like a ton of bricks. She said she “sees us.” She was talking about how she sees the way my husband and I live our lives. She is watching us as we experience triumph and heartbreak. It was an honor to hear her say this, but also a little terrifying. It was also precisely what I needed to hear. I typically feel like I am being judged, instead of viewing my life as a testimony to others. My life has had ups and downs, and I have made choices that I regret and wish I could undo. Her simple comment reminded me that

We should live our lives so that we honor God. For

people watch how I handle the difficult times as well as

me, it takes a conscious daily decision to do so. Some

the joys in my life.

days it is hard, and most of the time, I feel like I fail. In

It was reassuring to hear her say that she sees our lives

those times, I look to Psalm 37:23-24 for encouragement.

in a positive way instead of the negativity that most people

It reminds me that “The Lord directs the steps of the godly.

focus on. As Christians, we should work to build each

He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble,

other up instead of tear each other down. When you notice

they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand.”

someone doing a great job, tell them! Tell the new parents

Live your life and remember that people see you. In

in the church (or even the supermarket) that they are doing

their hard times, people may look to the example you

a fantastic job. Tell the pastor he is terrific. Tell the Sunday

set. When you feel like what you do or how you react

School teacher that you are learning a lot from their lessons.

doesn’t matter, take heart and know that it does. Even in

“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and

the little things, live your life as a testimony!

some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near” (Hebrews 10:24-25).

32 // July 2021

About The Author

good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of My name is Erin Clay, and I am a wife, mom, and stepmom. My husband and I are Sunday school teachers at Calvary Baptist Church. I’ve lived my whole life in Rome, Georgia, and I own the travel blog titled “When In Rome, Georgia.”

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Gò0dNews for Everyone

Like Water Off a Duck’s Back by Beth Penny

ow many of you have a “list?” Do not pretend you do

takes over your entire body. There is enough negative in

not know what “list” I am referring to. Everyone

the world without you actively creating a dark spot on your

has one. A list of wrongs...grudges. It depends on

soul. In reality, who is that resentment hurting? Not the person

how old you are, but those could be grudges you have held

that committed the “perceived” wrong. I say “perceived”

onto for more than thirty years. We may not remember what

because there are times when the other person does not even

we ate for supper the night before or what errand we are

know they have wronged someone.

supposed to do after work, but we remember who pushed

What do we do to prevent resentment (either real or perceived)

us down on the playground in 2nd grade, who made fun

from taking over our lives? The idiom “water off a duck’s

of the Hello Kitty trapper keeper we so painstakingly chose

back” is the perfect solution. In God’s perfect way of creating nature, duck feathers are coated with a special oil that repels water, like a new car with a great wax job. Water just rolls off when they are paddling around and diving for fish. Let those resentments roll off you in much the same way. Paul told the church at Ephesus the same thing: “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God has forgiven you” (Ephesians 4:31-32). If you are not careful, bitterness can be a cancer that can overtake your soul. When we spend more time counting wrong than spreading good, our souls become stained, and it is much harder to overcome. Paul also had the remedy for a darkened soul when he addressed the Romans: “Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written,

when shopping for school supplies, and who laughed at the

‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord. To the contrary,

hand-me-down blue jeans we wore in high school. We all

‘if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty give him

have that mental list of those who we perceive as wronging

something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals

us. But why? Why hold onto the grudge? In the big picture of life,

on his head.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with

does it really matter?

good” (Romans 12:17-21).

A wise friend reminded me of a perfect analogy for

Take that imaginary list, ball it up, and burn it or toss it

resentment. She said, “Holding a grudge is like drinking

in the garbage. God does not keep a list of our wrongs. Why

poison every day and hoping that it will eventually hurt

are we wasting our time maintaining our own lists?

soul. It is the bad cell that begins to grow and eventually

34 // July 2021

About The Author

someone else.” Holding a grudge is like cancer for your 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.

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Gò0dNews for Everyone

God Can Use Your Tragedy

by Bill Fortenberry

bout fifty years ago, a woman I never met visited

Fifty years later, that student is still a student of God’s

her doctor and learned of a life-altering diagnosis—

Word. He is a father, grandfather, business owner, Bible

she had breast cancer.

study leader, mentor, prayer warrior and encourager. He is

Knowing the difficult road that lay ahead, the woman

the friend who is willing to ask the hard questions—always

and her husband—a pastor we will call Jerry—made a

in love. The Bible study he leads is making a difference

difficult decision. Before he had led churches, Jerry had been

across the community. He keeps a list of people and things

a teacher. The couple needed medical benefits. Yes, they

to pray for, and on his lunch breaks he drives to a quiet

were trusting God, but that teaching certificate was a ready

place and prays through the list.

resource in a time of need. Jerry hung up his pastor hat and took on the role of teacher. The high school where he was hired was in dire straits. Still adjusting to national school desegregation mandates, the school was violence-filled and lawless. Students did not respect each other or their teachers. Jerry must have felt he had left a pasture of grazing sheep for a den of wolves, but you would never know it. He led his class like he led his church. He prayed every day for his work, his fellow teachers and his students. He started a Bible study where both students and teachers could attend. Things began to change and the Bible study grew. Within a year, the violence had subsided. In fact, the

In Genesis Chapter 50, Joseph told his brothers what

two students who had been butting heads and picking fights

they had meant for evil, God had meant for good. In his

had even sat together at a school assembly. Teachers and a

letter to the Romans, Paul challenged them to remember that

legion of students came to follow Christ.

“all things work together for good, for those who love God

One of those students had been kicked out of

and are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).

classrooms left and right. He was a troublemaker, an

If you are in a difficult season, know this: God is at

instigator who had tested the patience of every teacher

work. He is doing something bigger and more far-reaching

who had been asked to teach him. He was smart—brilliant

than you can imagine. You can cry that it is not fair, or you

really—but life’s hard hand had made him bitter. In a

can trust God. Your decision could make a difference in

last-ditch effort to help him graduate, he was assigned to

thousands of lives for generations to come.

the pastor’s class. Before the year was up, the heart of that led him to putting his faith in Jesus.

36 // July 2021

About The Author

bitter teenager had softened. It was Jerry who pointed and

Bill Fortenberry worked 17 years as a newspaper reporter, editor and columnist, and has worked in healthcare communications since 2001. Bill serves as the chairman of the board of managers of Haven Health Clinic for Women and is a men’s ministry leader and small group facilitator at his church, HBC Rome. He and his wife, Lisa, have two children, Ethan and Autumn. A storyteller at heart, Bill writes an occasional blog at kudzudad.blogspot.com.

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Gò0dNews for Everyone Eight Things Women Need to Remember by Megan VanMeter

n all the busyness of the day we encounter, women tend

held tightly to circumstances and letting them go. The hard

to lose sight of the eight things God promises. You can

part is not taking the circumstances back and repairing

find these eight promises in Psalm 139. They can be

them once you have surrendered them to God. Remember,

drawn upon when times become overwhelming.

God’s timing is not our timing. We lose patience because we

God knows you Psalm 139:1 God understands you Psalm 139:2-4 God protects you Psalm 139:5-6 God is with you Psalm 139:7-12 God created you Psalm 139:13-16 God has a plan for you Psalm 139:16-18 God will test you and guide you Psalm 139:19-24 God LOVES you God knew you before you were born. He created you in His likeness. He understands every emotion you experience

want answers in our time. Trusting God is a massive part of surrendering—giving up the kingdom of this world and surrendering yourself.

throughout your day. He will guide you every step of the

There are five ways to surrender to God and enjoy peace.

way if you will only surrender your circumstances to Him.

1. Let go of control and surrender to God’s plans and purposes.

Through complete surrender, we understand the plan that

2. Let go of worry and surrender in faith.

God has for us. It is a better plan than anything we can

3. Let go of the past and let God heal your heart.

imagine. He will help you use the gifts He has given you for

4. Let go of impatience and trust God’s timing.

the Kingdom’s work. When we begin to grasp the concept

5. Let go of willfulness and surrender to God’s commands.

of true surrender, the eight promises are clearly understood.

To summarize, surrendering means to relinquish our

These promises can be held deep within our hearts for comfort

rights and will. Surrender yields your thoughts, actions,

and strength, and you can take them wherever you go.

and life to God by opening a closed, tight-fisted control over your circumstances—giving up the kingdom of worldly

the promises of God. We can rejoice in knowing He is the

treasures for Heavenly treasures. If we want to enjoy all

almighty Father that loves us more than any human could

that God has for us, surrender is necessary. There is a more

fathom. God takes care of the animals He has created.

peaceful, fulfilling life waiting for each of us on the other

Therefore, we should not doubt that God is for us. He will

side of surrender.

protect us and He will provide for all of our needs. Total surrender to God is the opening of your hands that have

38 // July 2021

About The Author

It is in the quiet, peaceful times that we can remember

Megan VanMeter is on staff at West Rome Church. She finds joy in helping others. She is a grandmother of two and loves making memories for her family.

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Gò0dNews for Everyone

How y’all been doin’?

by Deck Cheatham

hroughout the year of Covid-19, I missed those

and ancestry. We know we have been fed by more than

four walls called church. You can imagine my

the fixins, Aunt Dot’s squeeze, the “Do you remember?”

delight when, taking respite up on the mountain,

conversations, and the “Good to see y’all” goodbyes. Maybe

N. and I heard music coming from across the street at

that is why newcomers come away using the cliché—

a church. Seeing everyone gathering outside, we were

southern hospitality. To us, with all the ritual and dogma and

enjoined to mosey across the lawn and sit down. Welcomed

warmth, gathering is church without the four walls and

by sunshine, leaves whisking on the breeze, and good

steeple. Sometimes, it is that too.

conversation, a friendly usher crossed the street to say hello. We heard a good sermon and witnessed their ceremonial burning of the mortgage on a new Fellowship Center. Gathering together—even as a stranger—feels like home. I left fed and full. Sensing I had entered a desert in my devotion time, stumbling into this church service was a needed tonic. My morning devotions had become a bit like week-old-bread—not worth eating and best thrown out for the pigeons. So, to change things up, instead of reading to feed others, I decided to be fed. If anxiety is a response to the unknown, God answered my prayer. Allow me to give thanks to Henri Nouwen for giving me four words used in communion—taken, blessed, broken and given—to help me

I am convinced that Covid-19 will pass. There will

understand that God’s children live in His belovedness.

come a day when we say, “Do you remember the year...?”

As those words sank into my consciousness, this old

We will look back and be glad it is over. Gathering will

southerner realized that God’s people are a gathering

again bind us in God’s belovedness and feed us with good

people. Without investigation, gathering may or may

feelings. Until then, Christians should know that God has

not have been invented by southerners. Honed, chiseled,

the unknown in hand. We can go on loving our neighbors

sharpened—a southern gathering is so refined it is hard

and God with all our strength. We can gather with God each

to tell the difference until you either hear, “how y’all been

morning and give thanks for answered prayers.

doin’,” “you may kiss the bride,” “let’s remember Bubba’s life,” or “Go Dawgs, Tigers, War Eagle, Roll Tide or wait until next year.” Sometimes you hear them all. Southerners know that when the gathering is over, those

While Covid-19 demands me to give up gathering for now, I will not give up being a southerner anytime soon. “Those who have ears to hear, let them hear” (Matthew 11:15).

of a common table, of soil and seed and season, of name

40 // July 2021

About The Author

good feelings felt by all come from the familial binding Deck Cheatham has been a golf professional for some 40 years. He lives with his family in Dalton. He is a guest columnist for the Rome News Tribune, The Daily Citizen, and the Calhoun Times. Email him at pgadeacon@gmail.com.

Gò0dNews

Christian Magazine

Mission Statement:

Writer Guidelines:

e believe when people are equipped,

Who: Our writers range from pastors, professors, and

motivated, and passionately engaged in

professional writers to stay at home moms and dads,

living out their faith in Jesus Christ they

business professionals, and others who have a desire to

have the potential to be world changers. Our mission is to bring people into a dynamic

relationship with Jesus Christ—a relationship that empowers them to see how God can work through individual personalities, situations, and talents. Christ was an activist, he did not neglect the needs of the people as He brought His message. We strive to encourage everyone to look more like Christ by reaching outside of themselves to serve the needs of others—at home, at school, in communities, and across the world.

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reach out to people through words of encouragement. What: We believe that it is important to laugh together, praise each other, encourage one another, and to offer biblical advice. Articles can be directed toward everyone, or from woman to woman, or man to man. We love to share recipes and family traditions as well. We ask that articles be kept to a 500 word maximum. We’d love to hear from you! Where: Please send submissions to articles.goodnews@gmail.com Why: Because God has not intended for us to just survive. We believe that we are intended to reach out to love and encourage each other. God has brought each of us through tough times, blessed us, and made the “impossible” possible. Let’s, together, share the love of Jesus Christ.

Gò0dNews for your Taste Buds Banana Spice Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting by Pam Wattenbarger

eminiscent of that Southern summer classic, Hummingbird Cake, this version comes

together easier and quicker thanks to starting with a boxed mix. The uniced cake layers can be frozen up to three months by following these instructions. Allow the cake to cool completely. Wrap the layers tightly with plastic wrap. Wrap these layers in aluminum foil and place in an airtight container. This technique prevents the cake from absorbing moisture and becoming freezer-burned.

Ingredients For the cake: • 1 (15.2-ounce) box spice cake mix • 1 cup milk

Instructions • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, place the spice cake mix, milk, butter, and eggs. Using a mixer, stir until blended. • Add in the mashed bananas and beat until the mixture is well blended.

• 4 large eggs

• Pour the batter into a greased 9” by 9” baking dish. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until a knife inserted into the middle comes out clean. Remove cake from oven and allow to cool completely before frosting.

• 3 bananas, peeled and mashed

To Make the Frosting:

• 1 stick of butter, melted

For the frosting: • 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese • 1 teaspoon vanilla • 2 cups confectioner’s sugar

• Place melted cream cheese into a large mixing bowl. Add the vanilla and powdered sugar. Mix on medium speed until mixture is blended, 1 to 2 minutes. • Slowly add the cream, beating constantly, until the frosting is the desired consistency. Spread the frosting on the cooled cake. Store the iced cake in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

42 // July 2021

About The Author

• 1/4 cup heavy cream (or as needed) Pam Wattenbarger is the author of The New Southern Cookbook: Classic Family Recipes and Modern Twists on Old Favorites & The Southern Air Fryer Cookbook. Find her recipes and more at SimplySouthernMom.com.

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