Gò0dNew s
Fill your life with more living .
Overcoming cancer gave Jaime a new outlook on life. But it was support from friends, family, coworkers and strangers that made her feel the most alive. In the toughest times, Jaime rediscovered all the good around her, and all the hope left to be found.
About Us
WRITERS
Ande Frazier
Antonio Bravo
Bill Silvers
Chaplain Filip Brunner
Dr. Jeff Dabbs
Garrett Nudd
Hayden Lanier
Jan Merop
Jennifer Govea
Judy Hood
Karen Jeffery
Wendi Corn
SALES
Matthew Ruckman goodnewstn@gmail.com 423-503-1410
DESIGNERS
Riley Evans art.goodnews@gmail.com
Caleb Prytherch art.goodnews@gmail.com
PHOTOGRAPHER
Kate Walton kate@studio-kate.com
EDITOR/ARTICLE COORDINATOR
Sandra Gilmore articles.goodnews@gmail.com
PUBLISHER
Matthew and Bethany Ruckman goodnewstn@gmail.com 423-503-1410
OFFICE
423-790-5378
WEBSITE goodnewscm.com issuu.com/goodnewsrome SOCIAL MEDIA
f GoodNews Rome
Hello Friends,
We want to take a moment to tell you who we are and what we are about. Our names are Matt and Bethany Ruckman and we have six beautiful children, Brendon, Kailey, Andrew, Leah Jean, Emma, and Cooper. We live in Cleveland, Tennessee, and love what this town has to offer! We have started GoodNews Christian Magazine because we feel that when God, family, and community are combined, lives will be changed.
GoodNews Christian Magazine is a complimentary, Christian lifestyle publication. You can find us throughout the community in retail establishments, churches, restaurants, and more. Our magazine opens the door for Christians to work together to grow and strengthen our community through relevant editorial and effective advertising.
GoodNews Christian Magazine is written by men and women in the community who love and serve the Lord. Our hearts are open and willing to be used by God to reach out to the community to spread the GoodNews!
Disclaimer
All of the content in the GoodNews Christian Magazine is for general information and/or use. Such contents does not constitute advice and should not be relied upon in making (or refraining from making) a decision. Any specific advice or replies to queries in any part of the magazine is the personal opinion of such experts/ consultants/persons and is not subscribed to by GoodNews Christian Magazine. The information in GoodNews Christian Magazine is provided on an “AS IS” basis, and all warranties, expressed or implied of any kind, regarding any matter pertaining to any information, advice or replies are disclaimed and excluded. We reserve the right to refuse any advertisement or article we deem inappropriate.
from the Pastor’s Desk
Raising Children in a Digital Age
by Dr. Jeff Dabbs
When you were a kid, “screen time” probably meant Saturday morning cartoons or an occasional movie. I remember the thrill of Saturday mornings, curled up on the couch with a big bowl of cereal watching Scooby Doo and Tom and Jerry. Then we would go outside for hours. Today, screens are everywhere—phones, tablets, laptops, TVs and even watches. Yes, I remember those watches on the Dick Tracy comics. Children are growing up in a digital age unlike anything we could have imagined just a few generations ago.
Technology isn’t all bad. It allows us to stay connected with family, access information instantly, and even share the gospel to the ends of the earth. For parents, it also raises serious questions: How much screen time is too much? How do we guard against harmful content? How do we help our kids develop healthy habits when the digital world is always calling for their attention?
The Bible may not mention TikTok or YouTube but it gives us timeless wisdom for raising children in a digital age.
Deuteronomy 6:6-7 NASB reminds parents of their first responsibility: “These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up.”
Parenting now requires more than setting time limits on devices. It means seizing everyday moments to point our kids toward God’s truth. Screens will try to disciple them one way; we must be intentional about discipling them in Christ. There is nothing stronger than the power of example. Children don’t just listen to what we say — they imitate what we do. If we want our kids to put down their phones, we may need to put down ours first. Paul urged believers, “Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1 NASB).
That doesn’t mean we need to abandon technology altogether, but it does mean modeling balance. Read a book. Take a walk. Eat meals together without devices. When children see us making space for real conversations and genuine rest, they learn to do the same.
4:23 NASB says, “Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life.” In the digital age, guarding hearts often means guarding screens. The internet can expose children to dangers—pornography, bullying, predators, and addictive behaviors. Wise parents use filters, check histories, and set boundaries.
Even more important than guarding the device is shepherding the heart. Talk openly with your children about why certain content is harmful. Remind them that God created them in His image and calls them to live with purity and purpose.
Help your children build habits for a lifetime. Set them up for success. For example, set screen-free times and zones. Encourage real-world activities like sports, hobbies, and face-to-face friendships. Use the technology together such as playing games or researching a topic as a family. Make screen privileges something that is earned through obedience, chores, and trustworthiness.
Help your children find joy beyond the screens.
The digital age may feel overwhelming, but God has not left parents without help. His Word provides the wisdom we need, and His Spirit provides the strength we lack. Our children don’t need perfect parents—they need present parents who are committed to pointing them to Jesus.
The goal isn’t simply raising kids who can manage technology—it’s raising kids who love the Lord with all their heart, soul, and strength.
Dr. Jeff Dabbs is the senior pastor at Spring Creek Baptist Church, Rome, Georgia. He has authored Sunday School material and several books.
Proverbs
Gò0 dNews for Everyone
To All Who Doubt or Don’t Believe
by Hayden Lanier
“Ibelieve Christianity is an evil that needs to be destroyed.”
This is not something I believe or would ever say. It was said to me one time on a mission trip. I struck up a conversation with a young man—for the purposes of this devotional, we’ll call him Kevin—who knew I was a Christian. Kevin, however, was an atheist. We had a lengthy conversation that covered our differing perspectives on objective morality and who Jesus is, as well as trivial matters like the history and folklore of the country Kevin is from.
However, the part of the conversation that stood out to me the most was something Kevin said about his worldview. He said that, for most atheists, there comes a startling moment when they realize they are going to die. He said that for him, this came at around age 11 or 12, and that there are even entire organizations dedicated to helping atheists when they come to this moment of crisis. Kevin told me that he understands why people believe in Jesus, life after death, and have religion. He said that the promise of seeing your loved ones again is beautiful. It broke my heart to hear him say these things, that he sees why people believe and find comfort in faith, but that he doesn’t believe himself.
I would love to share with you that during this conversation, Kevin turned to Christ in faith and is now a Christian. This, however, did not happen that day. But I was able to share the gospel with Kevin. I told him about how I believe that Jesus came to earth and died so that we can be forgiven of what we have done wrong and live forever with Him. I told him of how I have experienced God’s peace and presence personally in my life and that I honestly could not have made it through these difficult times without my belief in Jesus.
I share all of this not to pat myself on the back or to hold this story up as a great example of evangelism. Truth be told, I am ashamed of the times I have not shared the gospel and let my fear keep me from obeying this command. No, I write and share this story with you for a couple of reasons.
First of all, if you do know Jesus but wrestle with doubts about your faith, I want you to know that Christ is real. He loves you, and He died for you. I don’t have the knowledge or the space to delve into this specific sea of knowledge, but there is a wealth of evidence supporting the Bible and the historical truth of Jesus. Our faith is not a set of cleverly devised myths, but we have eyewitness accounts of Jesus’
life and majesty (2 Peter 1:16). So if you ever struggle with your faith, I encourage you to think about the logical reasons to believe in Christ but also look back on how He has shown His power in your life. If you know Him, you have no doubt experienced His power and strength in many ways.
But if you, like Kevin, do not believe in Jesus, please seek Him out with an open heart. Do some research, talk to a Christian friend, or read the Bible for the very first time! Life may seem pointless or hopeless, but Jesus gives purpose and hope to all who turn to Him.
“You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:13 ESV).
See www.setyourmindabove.com for more from Hayden Lanier.
Hayden Lanier is a follower of Jesus, a graduate of Shorter University, and he works as an elementary school teacher.
If you've spent more than five minutes on social media lately, chances are you've been told you're overpaying your taxes.
There's no shortage of influencers promising "legal loopholes" and "secret strategies" that the wealthy supposedly use to avoid taxes altogether. It's packaged as empowerment. It sounds smart. And let's be honest, it's incredibly appealing.
Because who doesn't want to pay less in taxes?
Here's the problem: what's being marketed as a "tax hack" is often just misunderstood, misapplied, or missing a few very important details. And those details? They matter. Take the idea of writing off a luxury vehicle as a business expense. You've probably seen this one. Buy a heavy SUV, use it for your business, and boom, massive tax deduction. What's not being said is that the deduction depends on legitimate business use, proper documentation, and specific income circumstances. It's not a free pass to turn a personal purchase into a tax strategy. Done incorrectly, it's not a hack. It's an audit waiting to happen.
What about the classic: "Just start an LLC and save on taxes"?
An LLC is a legal structure, not a tax strategy. On its own, it doesn't magically reduce your tax bill. Set up without a clear purpose or the income to support it, it adds complexity without benefit. But that nuance doesn't fit neatly into a 30-second video.
Then there's real estate, often positioned as the ultimate tax shelter. And to be fair, there are legitimate advantages. But the rules around losses, depreciation, and income thresholds are layered. What works for a full-time real estate professional with significant holdings may not apply to someone with a single rental property on the side.
This is where things start to go sideways.
Tax Hacks or Tax Traps? Money Moves Ande Frazier with
Most of the advice circulating online isn't necessarily wrong, it's incomplete. It's presented as universal, when it's anything but. And when you apply a partial strategy to a full financial life, you can create more problems than you solve.
Saving money on taxes isn't about finding a loophole. It's about understanding the rules well enough to use them intentionally, and that requires context. Your income, your profession, your stage of life, your goals: these all determine what strategies actually make sense for you. A move that creates significant tax savings for one person could have little impact, or even negative consequences, for someone else.
It's also worth remembering that not all tax savings are good savings.
People make financial decisions solely to chase a deduction, only to realize later they've limited their flexibility, reduced their liquidity, or created a bigger tax issue down the road. When the strategy becomes more important than the outcome, it's easy to lose sight of the bigger picture.
Social media rewards confidence and simplicity. The louder the message and the cleaner the promise, the more it spreads. But good tax planning isn't loud, and it's rarely simple. It's thoughtful. It's coordinated. And it's designed to work over time, not just in one tax year.
So, before you take tax advice from someone whose primary credential is a ring light and a strong opinion, pause. Ask whether the strategy actually applies to your situation. Ask what's missing from the conversation. And ask what the long-term impact might be, not just the immediate savings. Better still, speak to a financial professional who truly knows the answers.
Because the goal isn't to pay the least amount of taxes this year. The goal is to have a strategy that works for your life.
for Everyone
The Four Elements of Prayer
by Jennifer Govea
Since Jesus is part of the Trinity – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – He has no needs. He is the Creator and existed before the world began. He is Alpha and Omega and will exist after the world ends. But Jesus chose to become the Son of Man and walk among us. He chose to put on physical flesh and experience our wants and needs so that we can see that he truly understands us. He did not need to eat, drink, work, rest, get baptized, or pray, but He did all this and more to model these daily habits for us. Dr. Adrian Rogers uses his sermon entitled How to Connect with God through Prayer to explain, “We do not pray to impress or inform God, but to invite Him...to fellowship with God, so He can develop and grow us.”
God and feel some sort of barrier between us that I realize I have something I need to confess.
The Lord’s Prayer, featured in Matthew 6 and Luke 11, is an outline that Jesus gives us for what elements should be included in our conversations with God. A common way to remember the four parts is the acronym ACTS –Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication.
Adoration means to praise God. Jesus starts His prayer with, “Our Father in heaven, may your name be honored.”
Confession means to lay before Him any sin you have said, done, or thought. Jesus says, “and forgive us our sins, just as we have forgiven those who have sinned against us.”
Thanksgiving is thanking the Lord for all His many blessings.
Supplication is sharing your needs with God and asking Him for help. Jesus puts it this way, “May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done here on earth, just as it is in heaven. Give us our food for today… And don’t let us yield to temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”
If I am being honest, my prayers are usually ATS, and I accidentally leave out the C. It’s not until I am talking to
Here is an example of what ACTS looks like in everyday life:
A - God, you are the Creator of the Universe. You are Maker of Heaven and Earth, and your reign never ends. There is no one like you!
C – I was impatient this morning with my son, and I’m sorry for my harsh words to him. Lord, I confess that I have a short fuse and need help controlling my emotions.
T – Thank you for another day to glorify you. Thank you that my son has been accepted in the school we enrolled him in. Thank you for bringing my husband home safely from work.
S – It’s hard parenting a teenager, Lord. Please give me wisdom, kindness, and compassion when interacting with him. Please help him to look to you for guidance and direction. In Jesus’ name, amen. There is no magic formula, and they don’t have to be in that order. And even if you don’t include or forget one, that doesn’t mean that God will not hear you and will not respond. It’s just a good way to properly focus on the reason for prayer.
Cuatro elementos de la oración
por Jennifer Govea
Ya que Jesús es parte de la Trinidad —Padre, Hijo y Espíritu Santo—, él no tiene necesidades. Él es el Creador, y existía antes de que el mundo comenzara. Él es el Alfa y la Omega y existirá después de que el mundo termine. Pero Jesús eligió convertirse en el Hijo del hombre y caminar entre nosotros. Él eligió vestirse de carne física y experimentar nuestros deseos y necesidades para que podamos ver que él realmente nos comprende. Él no necesitaba comer, beber, trabajar, descansar, bautizarse u orar, pero hizo todo esto y más para modelar estos hábitos diarios para nosotros. El Dr. Adrián Rogers utiliza su sermón titulado Cómo conectarse con Dios a través de la oración para explicar: “No oramos para impresionar o informar a Dios, sino para invitarlo... para tener comunión con Dios, de modo que él pueda desarrollarnos y hacernos crecer.”
El Padre Nuestro, presentado en Mateo 6 y Lucas 11, es un esquema que Jesús nos da sobre qué elementos deben incluirse en nuestras conversaciones con Dios. Una forma común de recordar las cuatro partes es el acrónimo ACTS: Adoración, Confesión, Acción de gracias (Thanksgiving) y Súplica.
La Adoración significa alabar a Dios. Jesús comienza su oración con: "Padre nuestro que estás en el cielo, santificado sea tu nombre".
La Confesión significa poner ante él cualquier pecado que hayas dicho, hecho o pensado. Jesús dice: " Perdónanos nuestras ofensas, como también nosotros hemos perdonado a nuestros ofensores".
La Acción de gracias es agradecer al Señor por todas sus muchas bendiciones.
La Súplica es compartir tus necesidades con Dios y pedirle ayuda. Jesús lo expresa de esta manera: " Venga tu reino. Hágase tu voluntad en la tierra como en el cielo. Danos hoy nuestro pan cotidiano… Y no nos dejes caer en tentación, sino líbranos del maligno".
Si soy honesta, mis oraciones suelen ser ATS, y accidentalmente dejo fuera la C de confesión. No es hasta que estoy hablando con Dios y siento algún tipo de barrera
entre nosotros que me doy cuenta de que tengo algo que necesito confesar.
Aquí tienes un ejemplo de cómo se ve ACTS en la vida cotidiana:
A – Dios, tú eres el Creador del Universo. Hiciste el Cielo y la Tierra, y tu reinado nunca termina. ¡No hay nadie como tú!
C – Fui impaciente esta mañana con mi hijo, y lamento mis palabras duras hacia él. Señor, confieso que tengo poca paciencia y necesito ayuda para controlar mis emociones.
T – Gracias por otro día para glorificarte. Gracias porque mi hijo ha sido aceptado en la escuela en la que lo inscribimos. Gracias por traer a mi esposo a casa sano y salvo del trabajo.
S – Es difícil ser padre de un adolescente, Señor. Por favor, dame sabiduría, amabilidad y compasión al interactuar con él. Por favor, ayúdalo a buscarte para propósito y dirección. En el nombre de Jesús, amén.
No existe una fórmula mágica y no tienen que estar en ese orden. E incluso si no incluyes uno o te olvidas de alguno, eso no significa que Dios no te escuchará y no te responderá. Es simplemente una buena manera de enfocarse adecuadamente en el motivo de la oración.
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
Apostolic
First Apostolic Church of Rome
3213 Cave Spring Rd Rome, Ga 30161
706-235-9551
Assembly of God
Redemption Church
105 Broadus Road NE Rome, Ga 30161
706-232-0277
Baptist
Antioch Baptist Church
4526 Big Texas Valley Rome, Ga 30165
706-232-7248
Armuchee Baptist Church
6648 Big Texas Valley Rd NW Rome, Ga 30165
706-235-3169
Berean Baptist Church
8 Skyline Dr Rome, Ga 30161
706-295-9832
Blue Pond Baptist Church
1291 Morrison Campground Rome, Ga 30161
706-235-3296
Bryant Chapel Baptist Church 24 Shady Lane Rome, Ga 30161
706-235-9768
Bush Arbor Baptist Church
3290 Black Bluff Rd Rome, Ga. 30161
770-885-0779
Calhoun Avenue Baptist Church 1021 Calhoun Ave Rome, Ga 30161
706-234-4431
Calvary Baptist Church
101 Broadus Rd NE Rome, Ga 30161
706-291-1461
Cedar Creek Baptist Church
3219 Fosters Mill Rd SW Rome, GA 30161
Cedar Valley Baptist Church 3024 Cedartown Hwy SW Rome, Ga 30161
706-295-0978
Community Chapel Baptist Church
3733 Black Bluff Rd Rome, Ga 30161
706-232-4070
Desoto Park Baptist Church
1107 Cave Spring Rd. Rome, Ga 30161
706-232-6207
Dykes Creek Baptist Church
3181 Kingston Hwy NE Rome Ga, 30161
706-291-7790
East Rome Baptist Church
601 Cedar Ave Rome, Ga 30161
706-234-8553
East View Baptist Church
901 Kingston Ave Rome, Ga 30161
706-291-8250
Eden Valley Baptist Church
348 Eden Valley Rd Rome, Ga 30161
770-608-8168
Emmanuel Baptist Church 1414 Old Dalton Rd Rome, Ga 30165
706-232-3939
Enon Baptist Church 3105 Turkey Mountain Rome, Ga 30161
706-295-5052
Fairview Baptist Church 2348 Old Cedartown Hwy SE Lindale, Ga 30147
Fellowship Rome Baptist Church
314 Burnett Ferry Rd Rome, Ga 30165
706-234-9416
First Baptist Church 100 E 4th Ave Rome, Ga 30161
706-291-6850
Flatrock Baptist Church 848 Cunningham Rd SW Rome, Ga 30161
706-234-9976
Flint Hill Baptist Church 3578 Wax Rd SE, Aragon, GA 30104
706-232-8121
Friendship Baptist Church 2283 Calhoun Rd NE Rome, Ga 30161
706-295-4803
Garden Lakes Baptist Church 2200 Redmond Cir Rome, Ga 30165
706-234-6615
Greater Mount Calvary Baptist 445 East 14th St Rome, Ga 30161
706-234-5047
Hill Crest Baptist Church 2202 N Broad St Rome, Ga 30161
706-291-8806
Hollywood Baptist Church 112 Lombardy Way Rome, Ga 30161
706-234-6642
In Focus Baptist Church 12 N Hughes Rome, Ga 30165
706-234-8963
Lakeview Baptist Church 80 Salem Dr Rome, Ga 30165
706-235-2149
Lovejoy Baptist Church 436 Branham Ave Rome, Ga 30171
706-232-1917
McFall Baptist Church 3011 Rockmart Rd SE Rome, Ga 30161
706-235-5673
Mount Alto Church 1915 Huffaker Rd NW Rome, Ga 30165
706-232-6222
Mount Carmel Baptist Church E 20th St Rome, Ga 30161
706-232-8777
Mount Olive Baptist Church
17 E Pennington Rome, Ga 30161
706-234-6413
New Antioch Baptist Church 4553 Calhoun Rd NE Rome, Ga 30161
706-295-2248
New Bethel Baptist Church Weathington Dr Rome, Ga 30161
706, 291-8939
New Canaan Baptist Church
3 Excelsior St Rome, Ga 30165
706-291-1984
New Hope Baptist Church Hwy 156 Rome, Ga
706-235-0250
New Hope Baptist Church 399 Moran Lake Rd Rome, Ga 30161
706-290-0507
North Broad Baptist Church 1309 N Broad St Rome, Ga 30161
706-295-2100
Northwood Missionary Baptist 4076 Calhoun Rd NE Rome, Ga 30161
Park Ave Baptist Church 531 Park Ave SE Lindale, GA 30147
Parkview Baptist Church 4 Wesley Drive Rome, Ga 30165
706-232-4431
PisGah Baptist Church Alabama Rd Rome, Ga 30161
706-232-4431
Pleasant Hope Baptist Church 5935 Rockmart Road SE Silver Creek, Ga
706-235-2800
Pleasant Grove Baptist Church 500 N Division St Rome, Ga 30165
706-235-0731
Pleasant Valley North Baptist 735 Old Summerville Road NW Rome, GA 30165
706-232-6426
Pleasant Valley South Baptist
702 Pleasant Valley Rd SE Silver Creek, Ga 30173
706-234-1841
Providence Baptist Church 17 Burnett Ferry Road SW Rome, Ga 30165
706-291-0689
Riverside Baptist Church 48 Ash Street Rome, Ga 30161
706-291-8114
State Line Baptist Church 8536 Black Bluff Road
Cave Spring, Ga 30124
678-988-0339
Saint Paul Baptist Church Pleasant Valley Rd Rome, Ga 30161
706-235-5037
Second Avenue Baptist 823 E 2nd Ave Rome, Ga 30161
706-232-3663
Shannon First Baptist Church 400 Fourth Street, PO Box 997, Shannon, GA 30172
Sherwood Forest Baptist Church 1 Goodman Rd Rome, Ga 30161
706-291-6174
Shorter Avenue Baptist Church 1410 Shorter Ave Rome, Ga 30165
706-234-8266
South Broad Baptist Church 508 South Broad St Rome, Ga 30161
Spring Creek Baptist Church 2636 Chulio Rd SE Rome, Ga 30161
706-234-1220
Springfield Baptist Church 113 Smith St Rome, Ga 30161
706-295-7217
Thankful Baptist Church 935 Spider Webb Dr Rome, Ga 30161
706-291-8132
Three Rivers Church 2960 New Calhoun Highway NE Rome, Ga
706-766-0942
Trinity Baptist Church 1728 Calhoun Rd NE Rome, Ga 30161
706-295-3368
Turner Chapel Baptist Church 756 Turner Chapel Rd Rome, Ga 30161
706-235-8682
Unity Baptist Church 2261 Pleasant Valley Rd Rome, Ga 30161
706-232-2184
West End Baptist Church 107 Mississippi Dr Rome, Ga 30165
706-235-1971
West Rome Baptist Church 914 Shorter Ave Rome, Ga 30165
706-232-9722
Wilkerson Road Baptist Church Wilkerson Rd Rome, Ga 30161
Woodlawn Baptist Church 1649 Cartersville Hwy SE Rome, Ga 30161
706-232-4171
Word & Way Baptist Church New Rocketmart Rd Rome, Ga 30161
706-234-8729
Catholic
Saint Mary Catholic Church 911 N Broad St Rome, Ga 30161
706-295-7014
Christian & Missionary Alliance
Missionary Alliance 306 Coker Dr Rome, Ga 20165
706-235-9190
Church of Christ
Church of Christ 108 E Callahan St Rome, Ga 30161
706-291-0675
Lindale Church of Christ
3035 Maple Road Lindale, Ga 30147
706-234-3027
Oak Hill Church of Christ
1500 Martha Berry Hwy Rome, Ga 20165
706-291-0351
Rome Church of Christ 121 Primrose Road
Rome, Ga 30161
706-234-4444
Church of God
Armuchee Church of God
4974 Martha Berry Hwy Rome, Ga 30165
706-232-4414
Church of God of Prophecy 94 Huffaker Rd. Rome, GA 30165
706-528-4225
Lindale Church of God
585 Park Ave Lindale, Ga 30147
706-232-5676
New Life Church of God
210 E 18th St Rome, Ga 30161
706-232-0704
New Hope Overcoming Church of God 200 Nixon Ave Rome, Ga 30161
706-234-4695
North Rome Church of God 1929 N Broad St Rome, Ga 30161
706-291-6687
Rome AOH Church of God 504 Decatur St Rome, Ga 30165
706-295-2999
West Rome Church of God UA 2827 Alabama Hwy Rome, Ga 30165
706-880-6895
Church of God in Christ
Great Joy Church of God in Christ
60 Shorter Industrial Blvd Rome, Ga 30161
706-766-6148
Disciples of Christ
First Christian Church
209 E. Second Ave, Rome, Ga 30161
Episcopal
Saint Peter’s Episcopal Church 101 E 4th Ave Rome, Ga 30161
706-291-9111
Foursquare
Rome Foursquare Church
308 Reservoir St NE Rome, Ga 30161
Full Gospel
Christ Gospel Church
619 Chulio Rd SE Rome, Ga 30161
706-234-7744
Independent Bible
Grace Bible Church 614 Dalton Rd NE Rome, Ga 30165
Interdenominational
Cornerstone Church
324 Mathis Dr Rome, Ga 30165
Ministerios El Vino Nuevo
4216 Alabama Hwy NW
Rome, Ga 30165
706-291-0500
Renovation Church 13 Redmond Ct. Rome, Ga 30165
706-314-9084
Latter-day Saints
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
3300 Garden Lakes Pkwy Rome, Ga 30165
706-235-2281
Lutheran
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church
3000 Garden Lakes Blvd Rome, Ga 30165
706-232-7257
Methodist
Beech Creek Methodist 2972 Alabama Hwy, Rome, Ga 30165
706-506-8980
GracePoint Rome 43 Chateau Court
Rome, Ga 30161
Holsey Sinai CME Church
1233 Martin L King Rome, Ga 30161
706-295-7265
Lindsay Chapel UMC
9 College Park Dr SW Rome, Ga 30161
Metropolitan UMC
700 Broad St Rome, Ga 30161
706-291-8660
Mt Pleasant Church 4782 Alabama Hwy Rome, Ga 30165
706-232-4350
New Bethel Methodist Church Reeceburg Rd Rome, Ga 30161
706-235-9700
Oostanaula UMC
74 Battey Farm Rd Rome, Ga 30161
706-292-0084
Rome First UMC 202 E 3rd Ave Rome, Ga 30161
706-291-8590
Rush Chapel UMC 1225 Rush Chapel Rd Rome, Ga 30161
706-291-7986
Scott Chapel UMC
3 Chambers St NE
Rome, Ga 30161
Second Avenue UMC
801 E Second Ave SW Rome, GA 30161
Silver Creek UMC
36 Reeceburg Rd SE Silver Creek, GA 30173
706-234-2518
Trinity By The River, Global Methodist 606 Turner McCall Blvd SW
Rome, Ga 30165
706-291-0033
Wesley Chapel UMC
9 College Park Dr SW
Rome, Ga 30161
West Rome UMC
1003 Shorter Ave PO Box 2247 Rome, GA 30164
706-234-6214
Messianic
Congregation Hallelu HaShem 1869 Floyd Springs Rd NE, Armuchee, GA 3105
706-936-6711
Nazarene
Rome First Church of the Nazarene 20 Glenda Dr Rome, Ga 30165
706-234-5023
Non-Denominational
Access Church
1905 Calhoun Rd Rome, Ga 30161
705-584-7497
Christian Church at Rome 2417 Shorter Ave Rome, GA 30165
706-235-0501
Glorious New Jerusalem Church 537 W 12th St Rome, Ga 30165
706-295-2045
Glory Tabernacle Church
300 Watson St Rome, Ga 30165
706-235-0888
Gospel Harvester Church 1246 Cartersville Hwy SE Rome, Ga 30161
706-290-9858
Greater Refuge Ministries 1604 North Broad St Rome, GA 30161
706-622-2448
Legacy Church 524 Avenue A SW Rome, GA 30165
LIFE Church of Rome 19 John Davenport Drive Rome GA 30165
706-728-3166
Lighthouse Church of Rome
Lighthouse Dr SE Rome, Ga 30161
706-291-0864
New and Living Way Bible Church 59 Dykes Creek Rd Rome, Ga 30161
706-233-9200
Northside Church
75 N. Floyd Park Rd. Rome, Ga 30165
706-233-9896
Rally Up International Ministries 2460 Shorter Avenue Rome, Ga 30165
706-235-8561
Shannon Community Church
600 First Street Shannon, GA 30172
706-491-7112
Solid Holy Rock Deliverance Tabernacle
700 Kingston Ave Rome, Ga 30161
706-291-8948
The Church at Rome 1649 Cartersville Hwy SE Rome, Ga 30161
706-346-2733
Trinity United Christian Church
6 Deer Run Trail Rome, Ga 30165
706-204-8270
We The Church 1818 Kingston Hwy Rome, Ga 30161
Wilderness Church Rome 2730 Martha Berry Highway NE Rome, Ga 30165
706-237-6395
Words of Faith Tabernacle 3134 Rockmart Rd Rome, Ga 30161
706-314-9158
Orthodox
All Saints Church 615 Cleveland Ave Rome, Ga 30165
706-378-4474
Pentecostal
Cannon Temple Holiness Church 308 Porter St Rome, Ga 20161
706-233-9001
Christ Temple Holiness Church 1321 Martin L King Rome, Ga 30161
706-235-3787
Victory Temple Of Joy 118 Williamson St. Rome, Ga 30165
706-766-3865
Presbyterian
First Presbyterian Church EPC 101 E 3rd Ave Rome, Ga 30161
706-291-6033
Seven Hills Fellowship 530 Broad Street Rome, GA 30161
706-530-1630
Silver Creek Presbyterian Church 6 Old Rockmart Road Silver Creek, Ga 30173
706-234-6862
Westminster Presbyterian Church 1941 Shorter Ave Rome, Ga 30165
706-235-8561
Seventh-Day Adventist
Rome Bethany Seventh-Day Adventist Church
307 E 14th St SW Rome, Ga 30161
706-292-0067
Seventh-Day Adventist Church 2526 Cedartown Hwy SW Rome, Ga 30161
706-234-4117
Cave Spring Church Directory
Cave Spring Church of God 19 Mill Street
Cave Spring, GA 30124
706-777-8348
Grace Fellowship Baptist Church
6635 Blacks Bluff Rd SW
Cave Spring Ga 30124
706-346-9786
Live Oak Baptist Church
5506 GA-100 Cave Spring, GA 30124
706-777-8566
The Empty Tomb 5630 Fosters Mill Rd SW
Cave Spring, GA 30124
Rehoboth Missionary Baptist
6 Rehoboth Rd SW Cave Spring, GA 30124
706-777-3313
First Baptist Church 4 Old Cedartown Rd.
Cave Spring, GA 30124
706-777-3566
Cave Spring UMC
30 Alabama Street Cave Spring, GA 30124
706-777-8624
Jackson Chapel UMC
301 Jackson Chapel Rd
Cave Spring, GA 30125
706-777-3750
I Love That Song
by Chaplain Filip Brunner
The world of music is as diverse in sounds as it is in the messages it brings to our ears. There are a myriad of styles of music to choose from. But what does that mean for the believer in Christ?
Forgive me, but I tend to be a purist when it comes to the message. The Bible makes it clear that the Word of God is to be handled with a certain respect and decorum.
Making a living is important. Everyone who is able needs to work in order to make a living. Herein lies the rub. When I wrote my first book, the question, “Will this sell?” was on my mind. On the one hand, I wanted it to be used of God. On the other hand, we had bills to pay. The music industry is not any different.
There seems to be an influx of what some would call “campfire songs.” These are songs that are fun to listen to but have very little in the way of Biblical teaching or doctrinal potency. They will most likely sell.
On the opposite side of the musical spectrum are the boring old hymns. Even those can be filled with ideologies extraneous to Biblical soundness. But for the most part, hymns are rich in sound doctrine. So where is the bridge we are looking for? No pun intended.
I am not sure there needs to be a bridge. What is needed is called due diligence. Play the music you enjoy, and
make sure the lyrics are not only based in the Word of God, but sound and in the correct context. Write the words first, and then write the music around them. Pray over the work. Ask for the Holy Spirit to give you clarity as you write. Ask for potency within the framework of Biblical excellence.
“Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest” (Ecclesiastes 9:10 KJV).
What do you want to be remembered for? Do you want people to say, “He sang a bunch of funny, mediocre songs.” Or do you want people to say, “She sang songs that had deep meaning that brought people to the truth and love of Christ.”
On a personal note, I love churches that feature a good mix of worship music, especially when the music, the singers, the musicians, and sound people are bathed in prayer. I love concerts. Many contemporary Christian bands are awesome. The music and songs are uplifting and well thought out. But consumers be warned, not all Christian music is created the same. Know what you believe the Bible teaches. And when your values and their values are not the same, determine beforehand how much “campfire songs” you are willing to listen to.
Pray for your pastors, your music and worship directors, and your ministers. Worship is about God first. Amen.
Filip Brunner is married to his wife, Dr. Kim Brunner and together they have six children. He is a writer, author, and artist.
Praise: Our Daily Choice
by Karen Jeffery
Psalm 103:2-4 ESV reads: “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy.”
As we come into the presence of our King, He will not hold back His goodness. “Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise! Give thanks to Him; bless His name! For the Lord is good; His steadfast love endures forever, and His faithfulness to all generations” (Psalm 100:4-5 ESV).
God dwells close to us when we praise Him, and we are strengthened by His peace.
“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27 ESV).
People’s lives are affected and changed when they praise.
“You will show me the path of life in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore” (Psalm 16:11 NKJV).
Being a testimony to others and always telling them of God’s goodness has a way of helping to lift the spirit of others. Today, we are living in uncertain times, with rumors of wars, earthquakes, and diverse places. Every one of us has been affected in one way or another by viruses or other factors that we are experiencing. Perhaps you know someone who has lost their job. Maybe you are among
those who have lost homes. These are just a few of many challenges people face every day, but it is up to us to decide how we want to handle what comes our way.
We can praise the Lord because we love Him. We can be grateful for the opportunity to be able to do what we want to and accomplish so much in our lives with Him leading us on our journey.
We have a choice every day in this life. We can choose to live our lives absorbed in worry and stress. We can choose to ask God to help us take our eyes off all that may be swirling around us. We can also choose to look to Him, the One who holds it all together, the One who holds us in the palms of His hands.
God desires our whole heart. He desires our praise. He longs for us to acknowledge the power of His presence over our lives. He desires to bless us more than we could imagine. His Spirit urges us onward, calling us closer.
Every day, we should take Psalm 150:1-6 KJV to heart and make it a part of our daily experience, especially through these difficult times.
“Praise ye the Lord. Praise God in His sanctuary. Praise Him in the firmament of His power. Praise Him for His mighty acts: praise Him according to His excellent greatness. Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet. Praise Him with the psaltery and harp. Praise Him with the timbrel and dance. Praise Him with stringed instruments and organs. Praise Him upon the loud cymbals: praise Him upon the high sounding cymbals. Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord!”
To all who are reading this today, take Jesus' words to heart. Every chance you get, praise the Lord. In good times and bad, praise the Lord. In sickness and health, praise the Lord. With or without a job, praise the Lord. Let every thing that has breath, praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord!
Karen Jeffery attends Gospel Light Tabernacle on Sheridan Ave, Dalton, Georgia. She declares, “I’m glad I can say I am a child of the Most High King!”
wHydrate: Real Support for Real People
wHydrate Rome is more than a storefront at 315 Riverside Parkway—it is the living expression of a mission that began long before the doors ever opened.
In recent years, the medical spa and wellness industry has grown rapidly. New concepts, new services, and new businesses seem to appear every day. But wHydrate was never created to follow a trend or chase a moment. It was built from something much deeper—a desire to serve, to connect, and to create something meaningful within the communities we are a part of. Nowhere is that more evident than in Rome.
Lexi, Regional Director, explains, “Rome isn’t just another market to us. It’s home. It’s relationships. It’s familiar faces walking through the door and trusting us with their time, their health, and often their stories. And that’s something we don’t take lightly.”
What makes wHydrate Rome special starts with its ownership. This is not a distant, corporate-backed concept. It’s locally rooted, led by individuals who have already invested their time, energy, and heart into this community.
Doug brings a unique perspective shaped by years as an NCAA basketball referee and a respected businessman. He understands performance at a high level—what it takes physically and mentally to keep going, to recover, and to show up consistently. He’s
seen firsthand the demands placed on athletes, and that insight translates into a deep understanding of the importance of recovery and wellness.
Keith is already a familiar name to many in Rome through Spartans Smoothies and Nutrition. His presence in the health and wellness space didn’t begin with wHydrate—it’s something he’s been building and living out for years. He understands this community because he’s been part of it, serving it, and growing alongside it.
Finally there’s Christian, the founder of wHydrate. His journey started in the United States Marine Corps, where service, discipline, and commitment were not just values—they were a way of life. After his time in the military, he went on to build multiple businesses, but the heart behind wHydrate became something different. What may have started as a strategic opportunity evolved into a purpose-driven mission—one centered around helping people feel better, live better, and take back control of their health in a supportive and approachable environment.
Together, this team represents more than experience. Lexi continues: “At wHydrate, we don’t just see clients— we see people. People who are tired, stretched thin, pushing through, and often putting themselves last. Sometimes, what they need most isn’t just a service —it’s a moment.
A moment to sit down, a moment to breathe, a moment to be taken care of.
“Maybe it’s a mom who hasn’t had an hour to herself in weeks, constantly giving to everyone else around her. Maybe it’s a professional juggling responsibilities, deadlines, and expectations, running on empty but still showing up every day. Maybe it’s an athlete training hard, chasing a goal that requires everything they have to give. Or maybe it’s someone quietly dealing with fatigue, discomfort, or a condition that makes daily life more difficult than most people realize."
Lexi assures: “We meet all of them where they are.
“While many people initially walk through the doors out of curiosity or for general wellness, a significant portion of our clients come to us because they truly need IV therapy. We’ve seen a noticeable increase in individuals managing conditions like POTS, where proper hydration can play a meaningful role in improving daily quality of life. For those individuals, this isn’t about convenience or luxury—it’s about function. It’s about getting through the day with a little more stability, a little more energy, and a little more control.
“We have also worked with individuals navigating chronic discomfort and ongoing health challenges. For them, the journey can feel long and, at times, discouraging. Our role is not to promise outcomes or position ourselves as a cure—but to be part of their support system., to offer options, to provide care in a way that is safe, thoughtful, and grounded in professionalism. Your experience is delivered by a professional clinical team. Clients are seen by licensed healthcare professionals, with clinical oversight
provided by nurse practitioners and our medical director. As an elective service, this structure supports a safe and professional experience without replacing primary medical care.
“Services like NAD+ therapy have become increasingly popular, often discussed in the context of energy, recovery, and overall wellness. While many people are familiar with supplements, IV therapy offers a different approach—delivering nutrients directly into the bloodstream and bypassing the digestive system, allowing for full absorption. It’s not about replacing everything else, but about offering another tool —one that can be used intentionally as part of a broader wellness plan.
“And that’s really what wHydrate is about: not quick fixes, not empty promises, just real support for real people. Everything we do is grounded in care—care for the individual sitting in front of us, and care for the community we’re a part of.
“As we continue to grow, that mission doesn’t change. In fact, it becomes even more important. Growth, to us, isn’t about how many locations we can open or how quickly we can expand. It’s about finding the right people. Individuals who believe in what we’re building and want to bring that same level of care and connection to their own communities. Franchising with wHydrate isn’t just a business opportunity. It’s a chance to be part of something that matters. It’s about creating a space where people feel seen, supported, and valued. It’s about showing up consistently, building relationships, and becoming a trusted presence in your community.
“We’re looking for partners who believe business is built on more than transactions.
People who take the time to truly listen.
People who lead with integrity, consistency, and purpose.
People who value relationships just as much as results.
“We want to build something that lasts—not only financially, but through trust, community, and meaningful connections that continue to grow over time.
“Because at the end of the day, wHydrate isn’t defined by IV bags or services. It’s defined by the people we serve and the impact we have on their lives.
“It’s in the quiet conversations, the moments of relief, the small but meaningful shifts that help someone feel just a little bit better than they did before they walked in.
“That is what drives us. That is what keeps us grounded. That is what we’re continuing to build—right here in Rome, with roots that go deep and a purpose that goes even deeper."
Honor Your Father and Mother
by Judy Hood
With celebrations this time of year for Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, it brings to my mind what the Bible says about honoring one’s parents. Have you ever looked at what the Scripture says? It’s quite interesting.
As we read the fifth commandment in Exodus 20:12 CSB, it says to “Honor your father and mother so that you may have long life in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.”
To be honest, you shouldn’t only honor your mother and father, you should honor all your elders to show respect. What a wonderful place this world would be if everyone showed each other respect. The next step would be to love.
People talk about love and being kind but how many actually live by love and kindness? Proverbs 10:12 KJV tells us, “Hatred stirs up strifes: but love covers all sins.” Can you imagine helping your brother or sister through their sins, instead of gossiping about them and beating them down
God is telling us to not only honor our mothers and fathers when we’re young, but to honor them all the days of our lives. We are also required to take care of them as well as we can.
Back in the days of old, families took care of their own. There wasn’t a place you could take your loved one and leave them in someone else’s care. Everybody had to chip in and help.
In a world filled with so much hate and lack of respect for our elders we need to start changing our ways and ask the Lord to fill our heart with His love. So many of our parents have just been forgotten, left alone to get by the best way they know how. If you would like to be blessed, then honor your parents. God loves obedient people.
To get back to mothers and fathers though. Read again what the first paragraph in this article says: “So that you may have long life.”
A quick internet search reveals statistics that make one pause and wonder. For adults ages 25-44, 62% of deaths in this age category are considered preventable. It makes one stop and think about the Bible verse.
In other words, it’s saying that you can cut your life short by not treating your parents right. Just think how hard they had life raising you with tender, loving care. Ask yourself, would I want my children to treat me as I treat my parents?
Fulfill their wishes, if you can. Your parents will not be around forever. Then when they are gone, you can feel good about the way you treated them. Fill their life with love.
For those who truly did not have a sound, healthy, Bible-based childhood, and find it hard to honor a mother and father who let you down, then honor the Father. He loves you genuinely and unconditionally. Serve Him with all your heart and honor Him all the days of your life.
You can get Judy Hood’s poetry books at the Cleveland Public Library.
Shimmer’s Discovery
by Jan Merop
The fluted flowers in the garden were filled with sweet nectar. I may be among the smallest of birds, but I hovered over the flower like God’s little helicopter.
I am a hummingbird (known for the humming sound created by my rapidly beating wings). I fly forward, sideways, up, down, and even backward! That’s pretty miraculous.
This particular backyard was a happy place with children, lots of flowers, and a hummingbird feeder. The family loved me.
Then for a while. I saw lights on inside the house, but the family rarely came out on the deck. I missed their children, especially sweet Lily. Some months later, I saw Lily again, who used to run and play. Now, she is in a wheelchair. I heard her parents say that an accident had hurt her legs.
Just as I was performing all sorts of maneuvers to get her attention, I heard her say, “Look, Mommy! There’s the hummingbird.”
She had always enjoyed seeing me, but also kept busy playing with her sisters. Now, all of a sudden, she was still and really watching me.
She saw how the sun shimmered off my iridescent feathers. She giggled as I flew up, down, and backward. God made me with so many talents and blessed me with feathers that glimmer different colors.
So, briefly at first, I landed gently on her hand and took a drink. I noticed how she cared for me and wouldn’t hurt me. That’s when she saw how the sun reflected the colors of my feathers.
She was so still and patient until I flew away. Then she squealed with delight and said, “I’m going to call my hummingbird, Shimmer, because her wings twinkle like fairy wings!”
“Shimmer is a perfect name,” said her Daddy. “And do you know what? Shimmer had to learn to trust you so she could be nourished and able to fly in all directions. Now it’s your turn to trust God and your therapist to help you walk, run, and play again.”
One day, her Daddy set up his tripod with his camera and sat there patiently with Lily. Because of their stillness, I’d fly over to investigate the red strap on his camera. Her Daddy saw this and got an idea.
He put a little of the red hummingbird liquid into Lily’s hand. She sat very still with her hand out.
I looked at her hand and the food, but went back and perched on the feeder, watching her from the corner of my eye. I flew back and gently landed on her hand again skeptically. From what I had overheard, Lily was also having trouble trusting her therapist to help her walk again.
Suddenly, I had an idea. If I showed Lily I trusted her, she might be willing to trust her therapist.
Lily was gone several hours a day. But she continued feeding me out of her hand when she was home. In a few weeks, she was standing by the deck rail. And then she was running down to the grass and holding out her hand.
Fear stops us from experiencing new and exciting things. When we trust, we’re set free.
Exploring Truth Through God’s Creation
“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear” (1 John 4:18 NKJV)
“And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32 NKJV).
The Hummingbird and You
Lily was afraid to trust the one person who could help her walk again.
Fear was telling her lies Jesus will never leave you or forsake you. He sets us free from lies that lead to fear. His love never fails.
There’s a dusty dirt road off in some fields that looks like any other road of its kind in the South. But, it’s truly not the same. It’s not the length or the condition or the age of this road that makes the difference, it’s the destination. This road leads to hope. There’s hope along that dusty dirt road because Safe Haven Ranch for Boys is waiting at the end of it.
Jason Slaughter of Community Share Ministries describes the road building, “We are building roads to make room for what God’s got coming. We don’t know just who or just when but we know the children are coming. We know God’s got something He’s working on and we’re making room for it.”
The Safe Haven Boys Ranch is nestled in the former Corn family farm. The Corn family never raised children there. They raised animals and vegetables and eventually, they’ve raised hopes. The Corn family bestowed the farm into the care of Jason and Ginger Slaughter of Community Share Ministries who saw a vision for helping boys on a working farm throughout their childhood by providing a caring environment, a sound education both academic and practical, and a sense of true belonging in a community through a family both at home and a welcoming church family.
Jason continues, “We have been called by God to take care of the children who have known great suffering and
have no place to call home. Safe Haven Ranch is dedicated to demonstrating Christ's love by creating a nurturing environment for children who have known great suffering. Our mission is to address both the physical and spiritual needs of these children, providing them with the tools to overcome emotional and mental health challenges while sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ.
“We aim to inspire and instill hope in the children we serve, empowering them to grow and heal despite their difficult circumstances. Our organization believes in building a strong sense of community and providing a safe haven for children in need. Through our efforts, we strive to make a positive change in the lives of the children and families we serve, embodying the love of Christ in all that we do.”
Making a Difference
The Safe Haven Boys Ranch has plans to provide a long-term home to more than 70 children over its course, not including nine children who have already found their forever homes.
What Role Do You Play in Making a Difference?
Are you ready to make room, make a way, and make a difference? When you take the journey down the dusty dirt road to Safe Haven Boys Ranch you are immediately impacting children and nurturing not only the lives of these young people but the life of the community as well.
At 87, Why Do I Run?
by Bill Silvers
At 87 years old, I'm part of a very small group, roughly the top 1.5% of the oldest Americans by age. And yet, in June 2025, I competed in my first National Track and Field Championship, running the 200-, 400-, 800-, and 1500-meter sprint races – and won medals!
When most others have slowed down, people ask me, “Why do you run?”
Observing the details of my life, I’m just a regular guy. Although I moved to Ellijay, Georgia, a few years ago, Murray County will always be my home. I’m actively involved in my church, serving on the Administration Committee and as the Evangelism Chairperson. I shop at local stores and get my car serviced in Chatsworth. If you followed me around, you might even get a tad bored.
Until… I start running.
At age 81, God led me to start running 5k races. I’m not a runner. I don’t even like to walk!
God called me to race. He also met with me in the training. I felt closer to God during my training. I trained for six weeks, six days per week. I spent one and a half to two hours, five to six days per week, at the gym. I also spent one hour per day at the basketball court.
Four to five days per week, I walked in the beautiful North Georgia mountains. It gave me the opportunity to see the beauty of nature that God has created.
I spent more time praying in the mountains than I did in church on Sunday. I also learned a better way to pray during that time. My prayers had always been a little one-sided. When you are walking in the mountains for hours at a time, you start to listen.
Running has become a ministry for me. Whether I’m at the starting line or the finish line, I hope others see a testimony of what God can do through someone who trusts Him.
This Scripture beautifully captures the essence of why I run: to foster a disciplined life that mirrors the steadfastness of Christ, constantly looking to Him as the ultimate guide and motivator.
Running reflects the Scriptural call to aim for more than just earthly achievements. As Paul explains in 1 Corinthians
9:24–25 NIV, “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.”
This passage reminds me that while running, I am not just training my body but also cultivating spiritual virtues like self-control and determination, aiming for an imperishable reward in heaven. Each step becomes a reflection of my commitment to live according to God’s will, striving for the incorruptible.
The vitality and endurance found in Isaiah 40:31 NIV inspire my running journey: “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
This promise of divine empowerment sustains me, even through fatigue and challenges. Running becomes a celebration of the strength of spiritual truths, reinforcing my resolve to run my earthly race with the energy, courage, and joy that comes from my faith in Christ.
Bill Silvers from Ellijay, Georgia, began running competitively at age 81. He runs to the glory of God!
for Discovering More
Reaching for MORE THAN
by Garrett Nudd
The crowd pressed in as Jesus passed by a woman who was sick and bleeding. For twelve years, she had been considered unclean. She had seen doctor after doctor, spent every penny she had, and tried absolutely everything. But her condition progressed. She was an embarrassment and an outcast, hideous, and unsanitary.
She heard Jesus was coming. She knew it was her big chance to experience MORE THAN.
The crowd that gathered was so much bigger than anyone expected. Shoulders bumping, everyone pushing to try and get a closer look at Jesus. To try and steal a smile from Him, make eye-contact with Him, and maybe even touch Him.
A guy named Jairus got to Jesus first. His sick daughter was dying, and he begged Jesus to come to his home and heal her. Jairus was an official from the synagogue. He had status, notoriety, and people assigned to him.
But in the midst of the chaos, the desperate, invisible woman reached toward Jesus. She was reaching for MORE THAN. As the story goes, she didn’t actually touch Jesus’s person, just His robe. Even though Jesus didn’t see her, He felt her.
Jesus asked, “Who touched my garment?”
Jesus asked the question, not because He didn’t know the answer. Jesus not only felt her touch, He felt her reach. His question was a test of faith. With all eyes on her, would the sick, unclean, outcast identify herself and bear her brokenness trusting the Master Healer could heal her?
She fell down before Him, exhausted from the wretched and wounded life she’d been living. With all eyes on her, she said, “It was me. I reached for you. I touched you. And I have faith. I’m exposing my pain. I’m putting it all on the line because you are my only hope. I’m giving it all to you.”
Imagine Jiarus during this scenario. Jiarus had Jesus’ attention first. Then Jesus gets distracted by the woman in need.
Jairus was a leader and the kind of guy who has backstage passes. He’s the kind of guy who gets invited to sit at the VIP table with Jesus.
Notice, if you’re comparing Jairus and the bleeding woman, as far as society goes, Jairus is up here and she’s
down here.You know what? Jesus didn’t really like sitting at the VIP table.
I can just see Jairus wrapping his arm around Jesus’s shoulder like they’re bros. “Come on, Jesus, we were going this way.”
And Jesus says, “Wait, I know your situation is dire but I’m going to take care of her first.”
And Jairus pleads, “but Jesus, it’s my daughter. She’s sick and she’s got her whole life ahead of her. And this woman, I mean, she’s old, and well…..”
We’ve all been there. We’ve all been Jiarus. How dare they cut in front of me when I was here first? How dare they get the promotion when I did all the work? How dare their child gets picked over mine?
Jesus responds with, “Easy now, I got this. Don’t you know who my Father is?”
Jesus not only healed the bleeding woman, He went and woke Jairus’ daughter from death’s sleep.
Could it be that Jesus is so in tune with our needs that He feels them as well?
Could it be that it’s not the touch that matters as much as the reach?
Could it be that Jesus knows exactly when we need MORE THAN, but He’s simply waiting for us to reach out?
Gò0 dNews for your Taste Buds
Blackberry Cobbler in a Cast-Iron Skillet
June in the Smoky Mountains feels like the world leaning into summer. The fields are greener, the air is thicker, and the forest paths come alive with honeysuckle and bird song. It’s a season of abundance, and one of the first real gifts it brings is wild blackberries—ripe, juicy, and just waiting to be picked.
In Appalachian families, blackberry cobbler isn’t just a dessert; it’s an early-summer ritual. No need to use a complicated recipe—just a few pantry staples and those tart, sweet berries brought home in buckets. What makes this special is the way the batter rises up around the fruit, crisping at the edges while the berries bubble up like little pockets of jam. Let it cool just enough before serving, and gather around the kitchen table or on the porch, with spoons in hand, ready to taste the first true dessert of summer. Cobbler like this is part of the Appalachian rhythm—simple, resourceful, and rooted in the land. It’s what happens when you mix what you have with what the earth gives. And in June, the earth gives blackberries.
Ingredients:
• 1 stick (½ cup) unsalted butter
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup sugar (plus 1–2 tablespoons for sprinkling)
• 1½ teaspoons baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup whole milk
• 2 cups fresh blackberries (or frozen, thawed and drained)
• Optional: a squeeze of lemon juice or a pinch of cinnamon
Instructions:
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Place the stick of butter in a 10-inch cast-iron skillet and let it melt in the oven while you prepare the batter.
2. In a medium bowl, mix flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Stir in the milk until smooth—don’t overmix.
3. Carefully remove the hot skillet from the oven. Pour the batter over the melted butter; do not stir.
4. Scatter the blackberries evenly over the batter. If desired, drizzle with a little lemon juice or sprinkle with cinnamon. Top with an extra tablespoon or two of sugar for a crispy top.
5. Bake for 40–45 minutes, or until golden brown and bubbly around the edges.
6. Let cool slightly before serving. Best enjoyed warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
This blackberry cobbler is more than dessert—it’s a tradition passed down like a family song, reminding us that the simplest ingredients often hold the most flavor, and that June always has something sweet in store.
Everything is Twisted
by Chaplain Filip Brunner
I wrote the poem “Twisted” when my stepfather died at the beginning of July 2025.
Everything is twisted. Nothing is right.
Everything is twisted. My life is falling apart. Twisted, twisted. Twisted!
Nothing, nothing is right.
Heaven does not answer when I cry and hell accuses me “of being alive.”
Everything is twisted.
The road before me, but not where my feet have already trod.
Everything is twisted.
The sea before me, the waves toss me about. All is glass when I dare to glance behind.
Everything is twisted, the mountain tall, the valley steep, the bridges, the tunnels, the chasms, the peaks.
Everything is twisted. Nothing is right.
Heaven does not answer when I cry and hell accuses me: “of being alive.”
Must I drown in sorrow? Oh, maker of all?
Down, down. Down!
I drown. I drown. I drown!
Everything is twisted.
Nothing is right, apart from “The One.”
“I have heard of You with my hearing. But now I see.”
Everything IS twisted. NOTHING is right.
But now I see my Maker. He speaks to me in gentle rebuff.
Have you ever wondered what feelings Job experienced when his world came crashing down around him? Or perhaps you and I have experienced similar sorrow and wondered why everything in life seems twisted, and God seems so far away, and the devil’s chief accusation is that we are alive at all.
Then the small still voice of God came to Job and still comes to us, “Then the LORD answered Job out of the
whirlwind, and said, ‘Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge? Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me. Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? Declare, if thou hast understanding. Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it?’” (Job 38:1-3 KJV).
Where were you when God created ALL?
Our God is not limited in any way. Sometimes He wants the accuser of the brethren to know what metal we are made of. Paul has a deeper understanding about suffering when he speaks about fellowship with Christ: “That I may know him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death” (Philippians 3:10 KJV).
What suffering did Jesus endure and why would anyone want to have fellowship with it? While the cross would be the obvious answer, may I suggest something that brings suffering and fellowship together?
“…who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2b KJV).
His joy is twofold. First, there is the reconciliation of sinners. That's us, in right standing and fellowship with the Father. Secondly, there is His elevated position at the right hand of the throne of God. Therefore, when all things are twisted, let us look unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2a). Amen.
Filip Brunner is married to his wife, Dr. Kim Brunner and together they have six children. He is a writer, author, and artist.
The Trip You Keep Postponing Is the One You'll Regret
by Wendi Corn
Stop Dreaming. Start Going.
Somewhere, you probably have a list: Paris, Alaska, the Greek Islands, a Caribbean resort where the water is so blue it almost doesn’t seem real. Most people have that list. I have been a travel advisor for over seven years, and the most common thing I hear is some version of: “I’ve always wanted to go there someday.” Someday, that word has kept more people from their dream trips than anything else I can think of. Not because the trip was impossible, but because life keeps moving and the right moment never quite arrives. Here is what I want you to know: the moment is right now.
The Problem with Waiting
The answer is not to dream smaller. It is to plan smarter. A realistic travel wish list is not a compromise — it is a strategy that actually gets you to more places, more often, with far less stress.
I saw that firsthand last year hosting 32 guests on an Alaskan cruise. I went in with high expectations, and Alaska still managed to clear every one of them. One afternoon, a pod of whales moved right alongside the ship — slow, unhurried, completely indifferent to us. I stood at the railing and could not find a single word. You cannot plan a moment like that. You just have to be there.
You Can Always Make More Money. You Cannot Get Time Back.
I walked away from a recent industry conference with one thing on my mind — and honestly, I haven't been able to shake it since: expedition travel. It’s not a floating resort with a pool deck and nightly shows. This is something different. It's for the person who wants to come home genuinely changed.
Take the Galápagos Islands where wildlife has simply never learned to fear people, for example, or Antarctica where brave souls take the legendary polar plunge just to say they did it. Greenland. Norway’s fjords. The Alaskan wilderness explored from Zodiac boats that take you right to the edge of the wild.
Only about one percent of the world’s population will ever visit places like these. Here is what surprised me: expedition travel is not just for adventurous couples or seasoned world travelers. The top expedition lines have
a real commitment to families, which got me thinking — what if grandma has always dreamed of seeing the Galápagos? What if her grandchildren are exactly the right age to have their minds completely blown by a place like that?
Instead of a birthday check, she gathers the whole family and says, “We are going together. This will be a trip every single person will talk about for the rest of their lives.”
Pick a Destination and a Time, and Let's Build the Rest Together
A search engine can find you a flight. But it can’t fight for you when something goes wrong, know that you hate early mornings, or remember that last time you said never again to eating at a buffet. As a travel advisor, we do all of that — and then some. We are not just booking trips. We are listening for the things you didn't even know to ask about — so when I tell you something is worth it, I mean that from experience, not from a brochure. That is something a search engine simply cannot offer.
I am Wendi, and I want to help you travel. Whatever destination is on your heart right now — let’s make it happen together.
Are You Working Out Only For Appearance?
by Antonio Bravo
How often do you come to the gym just to look like that magazine model, or that personal trainer you watch on social media? According to research published in the journal Psychology of Sport and Exercise, despite the health benefits associated with regular physical activity, exercise motivated by appearance reasons can lead to poorer body-image in lots of people. Popular blogger and “anti-diet” dietitian, Taylor Wolfram, recognized this when she said, “The truth is when you hinge exercise on your appearance, you are less likely to have a positive relationship with it.” Let’s look at issues around selfacceptance and exercise.
Inner Fitness
Focusing on physical changes before healthy mental changes is like worrying about the paint from your car before your oil change. Working out is more than a dress size and you are more than what you weigh!
Working out is passion, energy, and a feeling of satisfaction by acquiring health and wellness. But what many of us need before going to the gym and working on our physical fitness, is a quiet time and a journal to do the needed “inner work” that will help us to be fit on the inside. A pioneer in this area is “Inner Fitness” Trainer and CEO of the Inner Fitness Project, Tina Lifford. She says, “Inner fitness means developing the mental, emotional, spiritual skills, and practices that foster resilience. I’d like to see the idea of inner fitness become as ubiquitous, well understood, and actionable as physical fitness.” Activities like Tai Chi, meditation, thankfulness, journaling, and prayer can really help. And though it
is working from “the inside out,” developing inner fitness has actually been shown to improve both inner AND outward physical health.
Obsession for Perfection
How many times do I have to stare at the mirror to see the results? Do I have to step on the scale and weigh myself every day? We all try to get in shape so fast that we don’t pay attention to the damage and disorders we could be doing to our mental and physical health—things like behavioral addictions, eating disorders, anxiety, body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), or even physical damage. Instead of believing that our aesthetic beauty and how we look is the primary benefit of exercise, we could prize many other benefits. Emotional health, improved mood, greater bone density, increased energy, physical strength, and sleep improvement are just some of them.
Social Media and Expectations
There will be a time frame when we can feel the results from all the hard work we put into our efforts. But this time frame and the ultimate results will differ because we are all genetically unique. Therefore, we should NEVER compare our results with others. Doing this leads to unhappiness and low self-esteem since results vary from person to person. Social media sites project perfect lifestyles and bodies for their viewers, trying to convince their audience to be a certain way or that there is only one body type. We need to be accepted and reach out.
Nevertheless, we are perfect just the way we are. We each have different family and work obligations, needs, goals, and priorities. Therefore, our fitness journey is different from others. Physical changes will happen, slowly but progressively with the right training and nutrition, but always prioritize your health and wellness above body image—if you want to be healthy both inside and out.
Embrace your progress. Your fitness goals by nature and results will be different from others. As breakout literary phenomenon, Rupi Kaur has said, “How you love yourself is how you teach others to love you.” Love yourself well.
Antonio Bravo is a Fitness Consultant with Bradley Wellness Center as well as a Group Fitness Instructor. He instructs Liquid Fitness, Cardio Dance, and Tabata.
Mission Statement:
We believe when people are equipped, motivated, and passionately engaged in living out their faith in Jesus Christ they 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.
Writer Guidelines:
Who: Our writers range from pastors, professors, and professional writers to stay at home moms and dads, business professionals, and others who have a desire to 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 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.
Memory Care at The Spires at Berry College has been intentionally designed to provide a specialized, secure and supportive environment for those with memory loss. Every day is full of opportunities for a more connected, more purposeful way of life — not to mention expert caregivers and a progressive care curriculum. Discover the many ways your loved one can benefit from Memory Care at The Spires:
• Family-style dining featuring multiple entrée selections with fresh, wholesome ingredients
• Dedicated horticulture therapist–led gardening programs with hands-on activities in the courtyard
• Emphasis on individualized attention and family involvement
• Secure outdoor courtyard featuring winding paths, raised garden beds and inviting seating areas
• Purposeful programming that incorporates art, music and personal interaction
• Intuitive neighborhood design promoting safety, comfort and easy navigation