March 2021

Gò0dNews March 2021

Complimentary

Christian Magazine

®

ROME

Good Shepherd Funeral Home

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Life is Better on a Honda

Gifts That

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About Us WRITERS

Dr. Alan Hix Andrew Lee Bekah Prytherch Brenda Dedmon Caleb Prytherch Chad Hess David Thompson Erin Clay Heather Tate Johnny K. Hughes Laura Perdue Mary Anderson Beard Megan VanMeter Monica Gambrell Nadolyn Lee Dr. Ralph Jenkins Zebbie Brewster

SALES

David Kirk 770-546-0150

DESIGN

Caleb Prytherch

PHOTOGRAPHER Melanie Abney 706-844-3818

Hello Friends, We want to take a moment to tell you who we are and what we are about. Our names are Matt and Bethany Ruckman and we have six beautiful children, Brendon, Kailey, Andrew, Leah Jean, Emma, and Cooper. We live in Cleveland, Tennessee, and love what this town has to offer! We have started GoodNews Christian Magazine because we feel that when God, family, and community are combined,

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lives will be changed.

DISTRIBUTION

Christian lifestyle publication. You can find us

GoodNews Rome 5500 Monthly

EDITOR

David Thompson

PUBLISHER

Matthew and Bethany Ruckman Cell: 423-503-1410 E-mail: goodnewstn@gmail.com

OFFICE

423-478-6484

WEBSITE

goodnewscm.com issuu.com/goodnewsrome

GoodNews Christian Magazine is a complimentary, throughout the community in retail establishments, churches, restaurants, and more. Our magazine opens the door for Christians to work together to grow and strengthen our community through relevant editorial and effective advertising.

GoodNews Christian Magazine is written by men and women in the community who love and serve the Lord.

Our hearts are open and willing to be used by God to reach out to the community to spread the GoodNews!

Disclaimer All of the content in the GoodNews Christian Magazine is for general information and/or use.

Such contents does not constitute advice and should not be relied upon in making (or refraining from making) a decision. Any specific advice or replies to queries in any part of the magazine is the personal opinion of such experts/consultants/persons and is not subscribed to by GoodNews Christian Magazine. The information in GoodNews Christian Magazine is provided on an “AS IS” basis, and all warranties, expressed or implied of any kind, regarding any matter pertaining to any information, advice or replies are disclaimed and excluded. We reserve the right to refuse any advertisement or article we deem inappropriate.

Contents MARCH 2021

GoodNews from the Pastor’s Desk

6 What A Wonderful World This [Can] Be...

GoodNews for Kids

GoodNews for Marriage

26 Knock, Knock

by Laura Perdue

GoodNews for Everyone

8 Have You Ever Felt Too Young? 28 An Earthen Vessel

by Bekah Prytherch

GoodNews on Money Matters

10 The 12-Week Year

by Andrew Lee

GoodNews for Men

12 Jesus, The Gardener of My Soul

by Dr. Ralph Jenkins GoodNews for Women

14 God Hears

by Zebbie Brewster

GoodNews for Everyone

18 Strong Women

by Megan VanMeter

GoodNews for Everyone

20 The Pledge of Allegiance

by Monica Gambrell

GoodNews Cover Story

22 Good Shepherd Funeral Home

by David Thompson GoodNews for Everyone

24 Re-Dig The Wells

by Johnny K. Hughes

by Chad Hess

GoodNews for Parents

30 Home Is Where Your Story Begins

by Brenda Dedmon GoodNews for Everyone

32 My Daily Bread

6

by Nadolyn Lee

GoodNews for Everyone

34 Spring Free In Faith

by Heather Tate

GoodNews for Teens

36 Peace In The Midst of Troubles

by Caleb Prytherch GoodNews for Everyone

38 What Time Are You Living In?

22

by Dr. Alan Hix GoodNews for Everyone

40 What’s In Your Heart Will Come Out

by Erin Clay

GoodNews for your Taste Buds

42 Key Lime Pound Cake

by Mary Anderson Beard

34

Gò0dNews from the Pastor’s Desk What A Wonderful World This [Can] Be…

…T

he more God’s love defines humanity (1 Corinthians 13:1-8a). #1. Love is extremely slow to lose

patience: “I am content to wait without becoming sinfully

#11. Love has staying power under pressure: “When the easier route would be to abandon benevolence, I will persevere on the right road.” #12. Love extends the benefit of the doubt: “I quickly

angered when others fall below the godly expectations I

discount rumors and gossip to continue believing the best

have set for them.”

unless such later proves to be true.”

#2. Love is kind and constructive: “I am cautious in my judgments of others and honestly seek to heal rather than hurt.” #3. Love is not possessive: “I don’t have to be in control

#13. Love sees with eyes of hope: “I’m optimistic to consider people’s potential and will help them reach it. #14. Love refuses to quit: “When I’m tempted to give up on a person, I will pray for more strength and wisdom.”

of conversations, circumstances, events, etc.” #4. Love is not anxious to impress: “I can relax and feel secure in my spirit for who I am.” #5. Love is not arrogant and egocentric: “I won’t hold an inflated view of my own importance but will instead focus on lifting others up.” #6. Love has good manners: “I respect the dignity and rights of others.” #7. Love is not selfish: “I will preference their interests over my own.” #8. Love is not touchy and resentful: “While I value myself, I try not to take myself too seriously. I’ll forgive offenses.” #9. Love finds no delight in the sins and shortcomings of others: “I won’t let pride puff my ego by reflecting on the flaws in others. I will pray over my faults.” #10. Love rejoices when right reigns and truth

A bonus Bible study: Acts 2:38; Romans 8:29.

“What do God’s redeemed people owe each other?”

Love (John 13:34-35), Service (Galatians 5:13; Matthew 20:26-27), Comfort (1 Thessalonians 4:13, 16-18), Exhortation

prevails: “I am zealous to help correct injustices and to

(Hebrews 13:22; 3:12-13), Consideration (Hebrews 10:24),

reconcile relationships.”

Confession (James 5:16a), Prayer (James 5:16b), and Hospitality (1 Peter 4:9).

6 // March 2021

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Gò0dNews for Kids

Have You Ever Felt Too Young?

H

by Bekah Prytherch

ave you ever felt that you were too young?

and you mean so much to Him! Even though you

That you couldn’t do something great for

may be younger, you can still do amazing things

God? Sometimes when we are younger we

for Him!

feel like we cannot do the great things that grown-

There is a story in the Bible where Jesus was

ups can do. But, did you know for the kingdom of

teaching people and some children ran up to

God it doesn’t matter how old you are? No matter

Him. But, the disciples did not want Jesus to be

how old you may be, you can still do amazing

bothered with children while He was teaching.

So the disciples tried to shoo the children away, but Jesus did something amazing.

He said in Matthew 19:14, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

Jesus wanted the children to come to Him just like he wants you to come to Him now! Through praying and reading your Bible

things for God at a very young age! Whether it

you are able to come to God. He is always there,

be helping out a friend at school or being kind to

He is always listening and willing to help you. God

someone that is being bullied. Maybe its helping

sees you and everything you do. He cares about

your grandparents, helping your mom and dad

you, just like Jesus cared about seeing the little

around the house, or helping a neighbor. Or maybe

children! You can do BIG things for God no matter

its just being a kind friend to somebody in need.

your age.

you are, you can do great things for God. God sees you and everything that you do. He loves so much

8 // March 2021

About The Author

You see, no matter how old you are or where 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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The 12-Week Year 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.

O

n a recent edition of the Bigger Pockets podcast

3. If you haven’t set up a Roth IRA account online, log

(highly recommended), author Brian Moran spoke

onto Vanguard.com or Fidelity.com and do it immediately.

about his book The 12-Week Year. With new year’s

Then set up auto-drafts from your checking account to

resolutions barely two months behind us, the idea behind

be deposited into your new Roth IRA every month, even

this book is to start thinking of our yearly goals in terms of

if it’s only $25-$50 per month. Have the Roth account

twelve weeks instead of twelve months. The implications of

invested in a broad U.S. and global stock account(s) and

this mindset shift are tremendous (and exciting).What if you gave yourself only twelve weeks to accomplish your new year’s

leave it alone for at least a decade. Watch it grow!

4. If you are married and/or have children who are

resolutions? How would that look, and what might result?

dependent on your income, get a “term” life insurance

Remember that in Stephen Covey’s best-selling book The Seven

policy immediately. Go online to compare insurance

Habits of Highly Effective People, the very first habit is to be

policies and premiums (Selectquote.com or Policygenius.

“proactive.” Thinking of the year has having only twelve weeks

com) and buy enough insurance to take care of your

will definitely help us to stop procrastinating and to get to

family if something should happen to you (usually ten

work on our goals and start taking action now.

times your annual salary is recommended as the proper

Regarding your finances and financial goals and resolutions, change your thinking from “I have until later this

amount of life insurance to buy).

5. If you are married and/or have children, make a Last Will

year to start . . .” to “I have to get this done in three months or

immediately. You can do this online at any number of sites

ninety days!” How would that look, practically speaking? Here

that will prepare a Simple Will using your state’s laws,

are some scenarios, and if you still haven’t done all of these,

with all the legal forms that you simply fill-in the blanks

what are you waiting for? Twelve weeks from this article’s publication is early June, so hop to it!

and print off. Or you can use a local attorney if you prefer.

6. “Learn more” to “earn more.” Immediately search

1. Do a “net worth checkup” by listing all your debts and

through a list of financial Podcasts on your phone (free)

all your assets. See how much you “owe” versus how

and start subscribing to the ones that interest you. Start

much you “own”. Then google to see what’s the median

listening and learning! Click off the music and turn on

net worth for someone in your age group. See how you

the podcast as you drive around town or while walking,

stack up and how to improve your net worth.

jogging, or cleaning house. You’ll be amazed how fast

2. If you aren’t contributing to your employer’s taxdeferred retirement plan in order to get the employer’s matching contribution, contact your Human Resources

you learn. This will motivate you to take additional steps toward financial success.

Remember, this is a to-do list for the next twelve weeks.

department and sign up immediately for payroll

There are six items on this list, so if you accomplish one of these

deduction to begin doing this.

every two weeks, you’ll be done in twelve weeks and will have made significant progress toward financial security for you and

10 // March 2021

your family.

Expect More

Physical and Occupational Therapy are designed to help you heal, but at Floyd, you can EXPECT MORE. Our team of certified specialists have MORE training so that you can GET THE MOST out of your therapy.

Andy Alisago, PT Board Certified Hand Therapist

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Larken Logan, PT Board Certified Orthopedic Specialist

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Darius McAphee, PT Board Certified Orthopedic Specialist

Carol Richardson, OT Board Certified Hand Therapist

For more information visit floyd.org or to schedule an appointment call 706.509.3400. *Less than 10 percent of therapist achieve specialty certification.

Gò0dNews for Men

Jesus, The Gardener of My Soul

L

by Dr. Ralph Jenkins

uke 13:6-9: “Then Jesus told this story: ‘A man planted

Tammy and I plant a garden every year, but before we plant

a fig tree in his garden and came again and again

that first seed, we have to toil or till the ground: we have to

to see if there was any fruit on it, but he was always

break up the hard soil. Before God can use us in still greater

disappointed. Finally, he said to his gardener, “I’ve waited

ways, He must break up the fallow ground in our lives, and

three years, and there hasn’t been a single fig! Cut it down.

tribulations and sorrows have a way of doing that.

It’s just taking up space in the garden.” The gardener

God is sovereign over my life. I’m the garden, and

answered, “Sir, give it one more chance. Leave it another

He is the gardener. He sees the harvest of my life in the

year, and I’ll give it special attention and plenty of fertilizer.

end, and only He knows what it will take to produce the

If we get figs next year, fine. If not, then you can cut it down.”’”

Tammy and I planted four peach trees four years ago.

We planted them, we watered them the first three years, and we fertilized them twice a year.

Last year, they bore fruit. We had hundreds of peaches on each tree, but they were all very small. What we didn’t know was we had to cull half of the fruit so the rest would grow bigger and sweeter, and we had to trim the trees of excess limbs and shoots. We had to cut them back in order to get bigger and sweeter fruit.

It’s not so different in our spiritual walk with the Lord.

fruit He desires. He knows when I need to be fertilized,

We need to be planted (saved). We need to be fertilized and

watered, and pruned in order to produce the best fruit

watered (the Word of God), and though we may not like it,

possible for His purposes.

we need to be trimmed or pruned (tribulation and trials) to

Don’t resist in times of tribulation. It may be that God is

produce fruit that is sweeter and better. It is necessary for

preparing you for something very special for His glory and

us to grow into a tree firmly planted, strong and healthy,

for your life. Simply submit to God, trust Him, commit to

bearing the fruit our Master desires.

Him, and delight in Him, and He will give you the desires

“The tribulations and troubles of life may simply be

of your heart (Psalm 37:3-5).

God fertilizing your spirit so you may grow in your faith God can’t use me until He breaks me. Break me, O God, and give me a living faith that has a heartbeat for you.

12 // March 2021

About The Author

and produce better, bigger, sweeter fruit.”

Dr. Ralph W. Jenkins is a native of Rome, Georgia.

He and His wife Tammy have served the Lord in ministry for over 25 years and has pastored several churches. He loves to win souls, preach the gospel, shepherd God’s people, and work on the farm.

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Gò0dNews for Women

God Hears

A

by Zebbie Brewster

s I was sitting in the doctor’s office waiting

man’s wisdom teacheth , but which the Holy Ghost

to be called back, I was looking again at the

teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But

Scripture related to the Sunday morning

the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of

Bible study.

As I read over it again, I was amazed to see again

God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”

the mighty workings of God in the people’s lives. This was not the first time I had read this Scripture, but the words now spoke to my heart in a different way. God knows what our needs are at all times. Hey, as a Christian, we are His children, and He is that loving Father who listens as we commune with Him in prayer. We read His Word as He speaks to our hearts. It is spiritually discerned and comes alive to the believer as the Holy Spirit helps us to discern it. God speaks, and we are wise to listen. It is life to our weary souls. It is hope for the lost soul to find their way in our downtrodden world.

What is God speaking to you today?

1 Corinthians 2:9-14: “But as it written, Eye hath

Let me encourage you to take time and read God’s Word today. Let it speak to your heart as only His Holy Word can. Then speak back to Him in prayer.

not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the

You will find no sweeter relationship than what will

heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for

be found in spending time with your blessed Savior,

them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto

Jesus Christ.

us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea,

James 4:8: “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw

the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the

nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and

things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him?

purify your hearts, ye double minded.”

even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received not the spirit of

I’m praying you find that perfect peace today in Jesus Christ.

know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which

14 // March 2021

About The Author

the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might 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 // March 2021

East Rome Baptist Church 601 Cedar Ave Rome, Ga 30161 706-234-8553 East View Baptist Church 901 Kingston Ave Rome, Ga 30161 706-291-8250 Emmanuel Baptist Church 1414 Old Dalton Rd Rome, Ga 30165 706-232-3939 Enon Baptist Church 3105 Turkey Mountain Rome, Ga 30161 706-295-5052 Fairview Baptist Church 2348 Old Cedartown Hwy SE Lindale, Ga 30147 Fellowship Rome Baptist Church 314 Burnett Ferry Rd Rome, Ga 30165 706-234-9416 First Baptist Church 100 E 4th Ave Rome, Ga 30161 706-291-6850 Flatrock Baptist Church 848 Cunningham Rd SW Rome, Ga 30161 706-234-9976 Flint Hill Baptist Church 3578 Wax Rd SE, Aragon, GA 30104 706-232-8121 Friendship Baptist Church 2283 Calhoun Rd NE Rome, Ga 30161 706-295-4803 Garden Lakes Baptist Church 2200 Redmond Cir Rome, Ga 30165 706-234-6615 Greater Mount Calvary Baptist 445 East 14th St Rome, Ga 30161 706-234-5047 Hill Crest Baptist Church 2202 N Broad St Rome, Ga 30161 706-291-8806 Hollywood Baptist Church 112 Lombardy Way Rome, Ga 30161 706-234-6642 In Focus Baptist Church 12 N Hughes Rome, Ga 30165 706-234-8963 Lakeview Baptist Church 80 Salem Dr Rome, Ga 30165 706-235-2149 Lovejoy Baptist Church 436 Branham Ave Rome, Ga 30171 706-232-1917 McFall Baptist Church 3011 Rockmart Rd SE Rome, Ga 30161 706-235-5673 Mount Alto Church 1915 Huffaker Rd NW Rome, Ga 30165 706-232-6222 Mount Carmel Baptist Church E 20th St Rome, Ga 30161 706-232-8777 Mount Olive Baptist Church 17 E Pennington Rome, Ga 30161

706-234-6413 New Antioch Baptist Church 4553 Calhoun Rd NE Rome, Ga 30161 706-295-2248 New Bethel Baptist Church Weathington Dr Rome, Ga 30161 706, 291-8939 New Canaan Baptist Church 3 Excelsior St Rome, Ga 30165 706-291-1984 New Hope Baptist Church Hwy 156 Rome, Ga 706-235-0250 New Hope Baptist Church 399 Moran Lake Rd Rome, Ga 30161 706-290-0507 North Broad Baptist Church 1309 N Broad St Rome, Ga 30161 706-295-2100 Northwood Missionary Baptist 4076 Calhoun Rd NE Rome, Ga 30161 Park Ave Baptist Church 531 Park Ave SE Lindale, GA 30147 Parkview Baptist Church 4 Wesley Drive Rome, Ga 30165 706-232-4431 PisGah Baptist Church Alabama Rd Rome, Ga 30161 706-232-4431 Pleasant Hope Baptist Church 5935 Rockmart Road SE Silver Creek, Ga 706-235-2800 Pleasant Grove Baptist Church 500 N Division St Rome, Ga 30165 706-235-0731 Pleasant Valley North Baptist 735 Old Summerville Road NW Rome, GA 30165 706-232-6426 Pleasant Valley South Baptist 702 Pleasant Valley Rd SE Silver Creek, Ga 30173 706-234-1841 Providence Baptist Church 17 Burnett Ferry Road SW Rome, Ga 30165 706-291-0689 Riverside Baptist Church 48 Ash Street Rome, Ga 30161 706-291-8114 State Line Baptist Church 8536 Black Bluff Road Cave Spring, Ga 30124 678-988-0339 Saint Paul Baptist Church Pleasant Valley Rd Rome, Ga 30161 706-235-5037 Second Avenue Baptist 823 E 2nd Ave Rome, Ga 30161 706-232-3663 Shannon First Baptist Church 400 Fourth Street, PO Box 997, Shannon, GA 30172 Sherwood Forest Baptist Church 1 Goodman Rd Rome, Ga 30161

706-291-6174 Shorter Avenue Baptist Church 1410 Shorter Ave Rome, Ga 30165 706-234-8266 South Broad Baptist Church 508 South Broad St Rome, Ga 30161 Spring Creek Baptist Church 2636 Chulio Rd SE Rome, Ga 30161 706-234-1220 Springfield Baptist Church 113 Smith St Rome, Ga 30161 706-295-7217 Thankful Baptist Church 935 Spider Webb Dr Rome, Ga 30161 706-291-8132 Three Rivers Church 2960 New Calhoun Highway NE Rome, Ga 706-766-0942 Trinity Baptist Church 1728 Calhoun Rd NE Rome, Ga 30161 706-295-3368 Turner Chapel Baptist Church 756 Turner Chapel Rd Rome, Ga 30161 706-235-8682 Unity Baptist Church 2261 Pleasant Valley Rd Rome, Ga 30161 706-232-2184 West End Baptist Church 107 Mississippi Dr Rome, Ga 30165 706-235-1971 West Rome Baptist Church 914 Shorter Ave Rome, Ga 30165 706-232-9722 Wilkerson Road Baptist Church Wilkerson Rd Rome, Ga 30161 Woodlawn Baptist Church 1649 Cartersville Hwy SE Rome, Ga 30161 706-232-4171 Word & Way Baptist Church New Rocketmart Rd Rome, Ga 30161 706-234-8729

Catholic

Saint Mary Catholic Church 911 N Broad St Rome, Ga 30161 706-295-7014

Christian & Missionary Alliance

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

Church of Christ

Church of Christ 108 E Callahan St Rome, Ga 30161 706-291-0675 Lindale Church of Christ 3035 Maple Road Lindale, Ga 30147 706-234-3027 Oak Hill Church of Christ 1500 Martha Berry Hwy Rome, Ga 20165 706-291-0351

Rome Church of Christ 121 Primrose Road Rome, Ga 30161 706-234-4444

Church of God

Armuchee Church of God 4974 Martha Berry Hwy Rome, Ga 30165 706-232-4414 Beech Creek Church of God 3000 Alabama Hwy NW Rome, Ga 30165 706-234-7466 Church of God of Prophecy 94 Huffaker Rd. Rome, GA 30165 706-528-4225 Lindale Church of God 585 Park Ave Lindale, Ga 30147 706-232-5676 New Life Church of God 210 E 18th St Rome, Ga 30161 706-232-0704 New Hope Overcoming Church of God 200 Nixon Ave Rome, Ga 30161 706-234-4695 North Rome Church of God 1929 N Broad St Rome, Ga 30161 706-291-6687 Rome AOH Church of God 504 Decatur St Rome, Ga 30165 706-295-2999 West Rome Church of God UA 2827 Alabama Hwy Rome, Ga 30165 706-880-6895

Disciples of Christ

First Christian Church 209 E. Second Ave, Rome, Ga 30161

Episcopal

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

Foursquare

Rome Foursquare Church 308 Reservoir St NE Rome, Ga 30161

Full Gospel

Christ Gospel Church 619 Chulio Rd SE Rome, Ga 30161 706-234-7744

Independent Bible

Grace Bible Church 614 Dalton Rd NE Rome, Ga 30165

Interdenominational

Cornerstone Church 324 Mathis Dr Rome, Ga 30165 706-234-4923 Renovation Church 2601 Shorter Ave. Rome, Ga 30165 706-936-1380

Latter-day Saints

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 3300 Garden Lakes Pkwy Rome, Ga 30165 706-235-2281

Lutheran

Holy Trinity Lutheran Church 3000 Garden Lakes Blvd Rome, Ga 30165 706-232-7257

Methodist

Beech Creek UMC 2972 Alabama Hwy, Rome, Ga 30165 706-235-4973 Chapel Hill UMC 1818 Kingston Rd Rome, Ga 30161 706-232-9177 Holsey Sinai CME Church 1233 Martin L King Rome, Ga 30161 706-295-7265 Lindsay Chapel UMC 9 College Park Dr SW Rome, Ga 30161 Livingston UMC 21 E Lakeshore Dr SE Rome, Ga 30161 Metropolitan UMC 700 Broad St Rome, Ga 30161 706-291-8660 Mt Pleasant UMC 4782 Alabama Hwy Rome, Ga 30165 706-232-4350 New Bethel Methodist Church Reeceburg Rd Rome, Ga 30161 706-235-9700 North Rome UMC 706-291-6704 Oostanaula UMC 74 Battey Farm Rd Rome, Ga 30161 706-292-0084 Rome First UMC 202 E 3rd Ave Rome, Ga 30161 706-291-8590 Rush Chapel UMC 1225 Rush Chapel Rd Rome, Ga 30161 706-291-7986 Scott Chapel UMC 3 Chambers St NE Rome, Ga 30161 Second Avenue UMC 801 E Second Ave SW

Rome, GA 30161 Shannon UMC 600 First Street Shannon, GA 30172 706-491-7112 Silver Creek UMC 36 Reeceburg Rd SE Silver Creek, GA 30173 706-234-2518 South Broad UMC 546 S Broad St Rome, Ga 30161 706-232-5230 Trinity UMC 606 Turner McCall Blvd SW Rome, Ga 30165 706-291-0033 Wesley Chapel UMC 9 College Park Dr SW Rome, Ga 30161 West Rome UMC 1003 Shorter Ave PO Box 2247 Rome, GA 30164 706-234-6214

Nazarene

Rome First Church of the Nazarene 20 Glenda Dr Rome, Ga 30165 706-234-5023

Non-Denominational

Access Church 1905 Calhoun Rd Rome, Ga 30161 705-584-7497 Christian Church at Rome 2417 Shorter Ave Rome, GA 30165 706-235-0501 Glorious New Jerusalem Church 537 W 12th St Rome, Ga 30165 706-295-2045 Glory Tabernacle Church 300 Watson St Rome, Ga 30165 706-235-0888 Gospel Harvester Church 1246 Cartersville Hwy SE Rome, Ga 30161 706-290-9858 LIFE Church of Rome 19 John Davenport Drive Rome GA 30165 706-728-3166 Lighthouse Church of Rome Lighthouse Dr SE Rome, Ga 30161 706-291-0864 New and Living Way Bible Church 59 Dykes Creek Rd Rome, Ga 30161 706-233-9200 Northside Church 75 N. Floyd Park Rd. Rome, Ga 30165 706-233-9896 Rally Up International Ministries 1941 Shorter Avenue Rome, Ga 30165 706-235-8561 Solid Holy Rock Deliverance Tabernacle 700 Kingston Ave

Rome, Ga 30161 706-291-8948 The Church at Rome 246 North 5th Avenue Rome, Ga 30165 706-346-2733 The Place Global 1107 Calhoun Ave Rome, Ga 30161 706.802.2059 Trinity United Christian Church 6 Deer Run Trail Rome, Ga 30165 706-204-8270 We The Church 810 East 2nd Ave Rome, Ga 30161 Words of Faith Tabernacle 3134 Rockmart Rd Rome, Ga 30161 706-314-9158

Orthodox

All Saints Church 615 Cleveland Ave Rome, Ga 30165 706-378-4474

Pentecostal

Cannon Temple Holiness Church 308 Porter St Rome, Ga 20161 706-233-9001 Christ Temple Holiness Church 1321 Martin L King Rome, Ga 30161 706-235-3787 Victory Temple Of Joy 118 Williamson St. Rome, Ga 30165 706-766-3865

Presbyterian

Covenant Presbyterian Church EPC 1645 Cartersville Hwy. Rome, GA 30161 706-767-8373 First Presbyterian Church EPC 101 E 3rd Ave Rome, Ga 30161 706-291-6033 Seven Hills Fellowship 530 Broad Street Rome, GA 30161 706-530-1630 Silver Creek Presbyterian Church 6 Old Rockmart Road Silver Creek, Ga 30173 706-234-6862 Westminster Presbyterian Church 1941 Shorter Ave Rome, Ga 30165 706-235-8561

Seventh-Day Adventist

Rome Bethany Seventh-Day Adventist Church 307 E 14th St SW Rome, Ga 30161 706-292-0067 Seventh-Day Adventist Church 2526 Cedartown Hwy SW Rome, Ga 30161 706-234-4117

Cave Spring Church Directory

Cave Spring Church of God 19 Mill Street Cave Spring, GA 30124 706-777-8348 Cedar Creek Baptist Church 5440 Black Buff Rd Rome, Ga 30161 706-777-8360

Live Oak Baptist Church 5506 GA-100 Cave Spring, GA 30124 706-777-8566 The Empty Tomb 5630 Fosters Mill Rd SW Cave Spring, GA 30124 Rehoboth Missionary Baptist

6 Rehoboth Rd SW Cave Spring, GA 30124 706-777-3313 First Baptist Church 4 Old Cedartown Rd. Cave Spring, GA 30124 706-777-3566 Cave Spring UMC

30 Alabama Street Cave Spring, GA 30124 706-777-8624 Jackson Chapel UMC 301 Jackson Chapel Rd Cave Spring, GA 30125 706-777-3750

goodnewscm.com // 17

Gò0dNews for Everyone

Strong Women

A

by Megan VanMeter

s I searched for a topic for this month, I came across a quote by Kavita Ramdas that resonated with me. She writes, “We need women who are so

strong they can be gentle, so educated they can be humble, so fierce they can be compassionate, so passionate they can be rational, and so disciplined they can be free.” A strong woman stands up for the meek when no one else will. She is compassionate and understanding but does not let anyone take advantage of her. A strong woman loves deeply, and her laughter is abundant. She allows her tears to flow freely from the pain she feels; she may bend but never breaks. A strong woman is a gift to the world.

There are so many women in the world who are mistreated and become the victim. However, women do not have to remain a victim. They can overcome with the proper help and the Word of the Lord. Isaiah 40:29 states, “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.”

All we need to do is call out to the Lord for help. I have been in dark places where I felt weak and alone, but I trusted in the Lord and His Word. I allowed Him to refresh my spirit and replenish my strength so that I could face another day.

In times of despair, it is not always easy to think beyond our toward God just as we used to run toward our earthly father when we were children.

I think at some point, we have all struggled with fear.

Fear is a powerful negative emotion and can steal our strength and passion, and some of us may not know how to overcome the pain. Once again, we look to Scripture for our answer. God’s Word is faithful and clear: “There is no fear in love. But perfect loves drives out fear because fear has to do with punishment” (1 John 4:18). In all things, seek the message of the Father before acting; go to Him in prayer for all your concerns and fear will not have an opportunity to invade your thoughts and emotions.

18 // March 2021

Because we can stand on the Word, be that fearless woman who people knew would accomplish her goals. Be the strong woman who dares to accept the challenges of an uncertain future. Be strong in your approach to everything, gain strength from your past experiences, and do not let your future be guided by your past. You are not who you were yesterday, and by the grace of God, you will not be the same person you are today. Grow in your faith, guard your heart against fear, and be courageous and strong, for you are a gift to the world.

About The Author

situation, but it is at these times when we should be running

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.

Church Activities & Events Rome City Auditorium The Collingsworth Family Saturday, March 13 | 6PM 601 Broad Street, Rome, GA

First Baptist Church of Lindale Brotherhood Boil w/Rick Burgess Saturday, March 27 – Sunday, March 28 9 Park Ave SE, Lindale, GA 30147

Trinity United Methodist Church Easter Sunday Service

Sunday, April 4 | 11AM 606 Turner McCall Boulevard, Rome, GA, 30165

Gò0dNews for Everyone

The Pledge of Allegiance

L

by Monica Gambrell

ike all dedicated parents, my husband and I tried our best to attend as many of our children’s extracurricular activities as possible. It was darned near impossible to do them all, with so many children doing different things, but as the older ones moved out, it was easier to spend more time with the younger ones. Four of my five children played the trombone in the school band, and when my middle child, Sarah, marched in the high school band, we volunteered to run the concession stand at all of the home games.

Boy, were we dumb! Just kidding: we actually had a good time doing it, for the most part.

On one particular day, I learned a very valuable lesson (which is almost always at a dear cost). Since I had the most gregarious personality, I was the front-person. Like a true carnie, I would screech from the confines of the concession stand, “Get your hotdogs, popcorn, and cold drinks here!” To everyone’s delight, the sales were always at their peak when I “encouraged” passers-by to partake of our delicious wares. This day was excruciatingly hot, and we really wanted to sell a lot of our frozen drinks. They had a great profit margin, and I was willing to do whatever it took to make more money for our band students. I felt indebtedness to the band that had on so many occasions allowed my children, who could not afford the uniforms, training camps, and annual competition trips, to partake just as if they could afford it. I truly felt obligated to put as much money back in the coffers as I possibly could to repay what had so graciously been given to my children.

They benefitted in many ways: from the camaraderie and striving for common goals to the search for their place in the world. I felt an allegiance to this school band.

I was having the time of my life yelling at the top of my lungs to anyone who would listen when I was struck by the sudden silence and stillness of everyone around me. They were in a sort of reverent stance, and they were all facing me! What had I done? I cannot even begin to tell you how mortified I was to learn that everyone’s sudden

20 // March 2021

reverence was in fact geared toward the flagpole mounted on the hill behind the concession stand. They had all stood silent before reciting the pledge of allegiance to the flag of our country! My shouts had reverberated in their sudden silence, and I wanted to crawl beneath the closest rock and hide.

Like my allegiance to the school band, I feel an even stronger allegiance to my country, so I was mortified at my own dishonor of this moment. Now, though, my heart is pondering a different question. Do I revere and give honor to the allegiance I have to my Lord? Do I, in every circumstance, stop everything to set aside a time in every day in which I honor my Lord? Does my allegiance to my Lord bring me to tears like my allegiance to my country?

Do I stand proudly to declare my allegiance and invite others to do the same? Let us shout a resounding “yes” to Him who deserves our allegiance. Let us never forget our allegiance to Him. “Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: As surely as I live, I will bring down on his head my oath that he despised and my covenant that he broke. I will spread my net for him, and he will be caught in my snare. I will bring him to Babylon and execute judgment upon him there because he was unfaithful to me” (Ezekiel 17:19-20).

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FEATURED COVER STORY

Good Shepherd Funeral Home

“I

by David Thompson

t is better to go to the house of mourning than to

of 17. In 2008, the two were reunited when Bobby accepted

go to the house of feasting, for this is the end of

the position as manager at Good Shepherd Funeral Home.

all mankind, and the living will lay it to heart”

“He’s like a father to me. He raised me in this business,”

(Ecclesiastes 7:2).

For almost 100 years, the Jennings family has been

said Bobby about Parnick. “Mr. Jennings is a good Christian man, and he and his wife have made it possible for us to

ministering to the people of Rome in their time of loss and

help families that are in need. He’s probably the best funeral

grief. Good Shepherd Funeral Home, owned by Parnick

director I’ve ever seen, and taking his traits and being given

Jennings Sr., is a continuation of this legacy of care.

the leeway to do things his way—the Jennings way—has

Parnick Jennings’s father, James William Jennings, opened his first funeral home in Tennessee in the 1920s. In

been a big influence.”

The principle behind “the Jennings way” is simple:

1930, he moved his family to Rome and opened Jennings

treat every family the same and follow the Golden Rule.

Funeral Home. Parnick joined his father as a partner in the

“We treat everyone here at the funeral home like they’re our

business during the 1950s and helped run the funeral home

family. We treat them just like we’d want our family treated

until they sold their firms in 1988. In 2007, Parnick reopened

if they went through this,” said Bobby. “It doesn’t make a

his own firm, now known as Good Shepherd Funeral Home.

difference whether they have a lot or don’t have anything.

Today, even at the age of 90, his influence and legacy still

We’re glad to listen, help them, and find organizations that

affects and helps guide everyone involved.

they can go to for help if they’re having a hard time with the

Bobby Don Rogers is Good Shepherd Funeral Home’s general manager. He has been in the funeral service

grief and emotional stress.”

One unfortunate reality about funerals is that people

industry since 1973, when he started out with Parnick at

often don’t think about cost until they have to pay for one,

Jennings Funeral Home on North Broad Street at the age

and that’s when they find that funerals can sometimes be

22 // March 2021

much more expensive than expected. But Good Shepherd Funeral Home is firmly committed to providing you with an affordable funeral so that you can focus properly on your loved one’s legacy in a time of loss. With the Good Shepherd Family Package, you can have a service for as low as $5,000, and the package is adjustable and customtailored to your desires. You pick and choose what you do and don’t want in the service, and they’ll often add extra services back in for free. Bobby explained his goal of ensuring that everyone, regardless of their financial status, is able to afford a quality funeral: “We keep our prices where we can accommodate families that are in need of help financially. We have a great staff, a compassionate staff, and it all goes back to Mr. Jennings.”

Being a funeral director and working in the funeral profession is, as Bobby described it, “a calling.” The emotional stress of being in the funeral profession is enormous, and it’s not for everyone, but Bobby and the rest of the staff at Good Shepherd Funeral Home don’t do it for themselves; they do it for the families they serve, to help those who are in mourning through the grieving process. Most importantly, they do it to show Christ through their actions, so that it brings glory to God. Bobby said, “Get right with the Lord, and you don’t have to worry about a thing. The grieving process is still hard, but without the Lord, people couldn’t get through it.

Don’t spend your life in a house of feasting only, and don’t put off planning for a funeral until the day it arrives. Visit goodshepherdfh.net or call 706-234-9622 to find out how Good Shepherd Funeral Home can walk you through the toughest time in a person’s life. Talk to them about prearranged funeral services, resources to help you

heal, and how to navigate insurance and Social Security after a loved one’s passing. At Good Shepherd Funeral Home, you’re a part of the family, and you’ll receive the highest level of care and compassion available from a staff who treats you the way they want to be treated: the Jennings way.

Good Shepherd Funeral Home goodnewscm.com // 23

Gò0dNews for Everyone

Re-Dig The Wells

T

by Johnny K. Hughes

hroughout history, wells were often the source of

opposition. He moved ahead and reopened another

contention and power struggles, and in the Book

well. We must be persistent in the face of our enemy

of Genesis, we see where Israel’s enemies were

and continue moving forward. Following the digging

notorious for filling in wells with dirt. In Genesis 26, we read

of the Rehoboth well, Isaac received the confirmation of

where God tells Isaac not to go to Egypt during a time of

his father’s promises upon his life, and there he built an

famine. He instructed him to stay in the place where He had

altar. Proverbs 22:28 states, “Do not remove the ancient

placed him and to plant his seed for a harvest. God blessed

landmarks which your fathers have set.” It is important

him with a bounty of crops and herds.

to mark the places of our victories and build an altar

The Philistines became very jealous of Isaac, and they filled all the wells with dirt. These were the wells that the

of remembrance, and by doing so, we are able to take authority over the pushback of the enemy.

servants of his father, Abraham, had dug many years earlier. After his bountiful harvest, Abimelech, king of the Philistines, asked Isaac to leave the country, stating, “You are mighty, and have become too rich and powerful for us.”

Isaac moved to the Gerar Valley and began to re-dig the wells of Abraham; however, as he opened the first well, local shepherds came and claimed the fresh water as their own. Isaac’s servants then opened another well, and again, there was a fight over the rights of the water.

Abandoning that well and moving on, they reopened a third well, and the local people left them alone. Isaac named this well Rehoboth, meaning “Room Enough,” for God made room for them to thrive.

As I was reading through these Scriptures, I realized

Stand your ground and know he cannot push you past your last victory over him. Persistence keeps the flow of God’s Spirit alive in our lives. Remember the victories of

the same thing happens in our spiritual lives. Following a

your past. There is an enemy waiting to fill your wells with

spiritual breakthrough or victory, our spiritual enemies will

debris of human traditions, but we must look back past the

immediately begin to disrupt the flow of fresh, invigorating

reformers, denominationalism, and religious actions. Tap

water with the garbage from the world; likewise, the enemy

into the crystal-clear flow released by the Lord in the first

will also try to fill the spiritual wells of our ancestors that

century, pulling that past into our present. Guard your wells

are rightfully ours. These wells represent the living waters

and rebuild the fallen altars!

It takes persistence to see the promises of God become reality. Isaac didn’t stop digging when he encountered

24 // March 2021

About The Author

of their past ministry, as well as their unfulfilled promises.

Johnny K. Hughes is the executive director of Indian Ministries of North America, Inc.

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Success Mortgage Partners, Inc supports Equal Housing Opportunity. NMLS ID# 130562. This is informational only and is not an offer of credit or commitment to lend. Interest rates, products, and loan terms are subject to change without notice and may not be available at the time of loan application or loan lock-in. Contact Success Mortgage Partners, Inc to learn more about your eligibility for its mortgage products. Loans are subject to buyer and property qualification. Cash reserves may be required. Success Mortgage Partners, Inc is not acting on behalf of or at the direction of HUD/FHA or the Federal Government. (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org)

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Gò0dNews for Marriage

Knock, Knock

K

by Laura Perdue

nock, Knock. Hello, are you in there? How many times in

prayer. The order we should pray in and the three aspects of prayer:

life have you found yourself standing at a door knocking but

content, persistence, and God’s faithfulness.

no one seems to answer? You ring the doorbell, but still no

When we pray how many of us can admit that our prayers are

answer? You bang on the window, but still no response. So, what

more like a shopping list versus a conversation with him? It sounds

do you do? You just give up and move on to the next business of

more like God I need this, this, and well throw this into the mix while

the day. Parents, how about a time when your child really wanted

you are at it, but we never stop to thank Him and praise Him for all

something? They didn't just ask one time and walk away when you

that He has already done for us. If we flipped the script of our prayers

said no. They probably kept saying “Momma, Momma, Momma,”

and thanked Him first, then made our requests known to Him, what

and when that didn’t work, they pitched an all-out temper tantrum

frame of mind would this put us in? For me, I believe it would open a

until they got your attention or they got what they wanted. Am I

more intimate conversation with Him. Sometimes I personally feel like

right? Maybe it is a different scenario, or maybe you really needed

the selfish child who just goes to God and says “Okay, give me this,

your spouse to help you with something or needed their listening

but I fail to show Him how grateful for all that He, daddy God, has

ear, however after asking and feeling no response you get frustrated

already given me.

that you just quietly walk away.

How about our persistence? Remember the scenario’s I mentioned in the beginning of the article? What have you been asking and believing God for that just because He has not answered, you just stopped asking, just gave up, and stopped being persistent in your prayers? When we pray, we expect God to answer right away, but what we must learn about prayer is that God’s provision is daily, not all at once. We cannot store it up and then cut off communication with God just because he does not answer right away. It’s time to be persistent and get your child-like faith fight back by asking God for what you need!

We need to stop being so fast-food minded when it comes to God’s promises and His Word. Many times we want it fast and our

One morning recently, I felt a tugging of the Holy Spirit and

way, but when we are in such a hurry, we lose the quality of what we

it was so strong to the point I could not get comfortable enough to

would have received if we would have just waited a little longer. Sit at

go back to sleep. So, I grabbed my devotional, a fresh cup of my

the Lord’s table, let God know what you need, wait on Him to bring it

favorite caramel coffee, my Bible, and turned on my prayer time

to you, and when He finally delivers, sit in a posture of thankfulness

playlist. I must admit that I have not been as faithful in my prayer life/

for His faithfulness to you, and enjoy! Have peace with what Jesus

devotional time these past few months as I should be. I have found

promises in His Word in Luke 11:9-10 “So I say to you: ASK and it

myself stressed out, fatigued, and running on empty, like an emotional

will be given to you, SEEK and you will find, KNOCK, and the door

train wreck going nowhere. Guess that is what happens when we

will opened to you. For EVERYONE who asks receives, he who seeks

don't make time for the one who is the SOURCE of all we need.

finds, and those who knock the door will be opened.”

Now, back to knocking on a door and no one answering. How

Today, if you are fatigued and feel like you cannot go any further

can we relate that concept to our marriages? This morning the topic of

in life, ask yourself—how long have I been away from the Source?

my devotional was on “morning.” It was talking about the principle

How long have I neglected putting my marriage and my commitment

that we start our morning by. Some start it by reading social media,

to God first? When you pray for your marriage, do you complain more

checking emails, checking bank balances, etc. Then there are those

than you ask God to restore? When we pray and apply the order that

that start it off by indulging in God's Word, worship, and prayer time.

God has set forth for us in how to pray, what a difference I believe we

I am guilty of being one of the first groups of people. The devotional

would see. Challenge yourself this year to knock on Heaven's door

was considerably basic talking about how important it is to start your

until your marriage is restored!

receiving the manna He is ready to supply. It did not stop there. What really got me into my spirit this morning was the scripture reference, Luke 11:1-13. In these passages God is teaching His disciples about

26 // March 2021

About The Author

morning off by turning God's Word up like a breakfast bowl and My name is Laura Perdue and I am married to my best friend, Brian Perdue. God has truly blessed us both and I could not imagine life without my prince, My promise.

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Gò0dNews for Everyone

An Earthen Vessel

by Chad Hess

I

n the Book of John chapter 14, we are blessed generation

is no need to have fear and anxiety. We cannot add even one

after generation to hear our Lord Jesus reveal truth

day to this life in this earthen vessel by worrying. Today,

after truth about Himself and ourselves as believers and

take hold of the promise. See yourself in Him and He in you.

followers of “the Way.” In verse 2, He tells the disciples and

Know that even a fatal blow to this body cannot separate

us to not “let our hearts be troubled.” Why? Jesus goes on

you from the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. You are

to tell us that His Father’s house has many rooms, and He is

already there! Remind yourself of this promise moment by

preparing a place for those who believe in His name. Jesus

moment and day by day. When you feel afraid or anxious,

then goes on to say in verse 6, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

All of this is really good news. All we have to do is believe what Jesus said about Himself. Truly believe in Him and follow His way, and we are already heirs to the Kingdom of God. (There is so much in this chapter that years have been spent by theologians unpacking it all. It cannot be covered in this article. Please re-read the chapter with fresh eyes to see all the good news that is there).

Now, for the purpose of this writing, is where John 14 gets really good. Jesus tells us in verse 19 that He will be leaving this realm to

stop and remind yourself that you are a child of God and an

return to the Father. He goes on to say, “But you will see me.

heir to His Kingdom.

Because I live, you will also live.” Verse 20 is the promise

Knowing the truth about yourself, the only things that

that is often missed by those of us trudging through this

matter are the things of the Kingdom. The most important

fallen world. Jesus says, “In that day you will know that

thing in the Kingdom is knowing Jesus and following Him.

I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you.” Did you

Tell everyone about it. Pray for those who don’t know about

catch it? He said He would be in the Father, and we would

it. Pray that God would put you in places to tell those who

be in Him and He in us. The Kingdom of Heaven is here

don’t know about it. Remember, this body, this earthen

right now.

vessel, is just that: a temporary, alternate dwelling that will

Jesus is telling us the good news that we are in Him and

pass away because it’s not needed. We’re already with Him

He in us. We are already seated with Him in the heavenly

and in Him, and He is in us. And finally, rest in the truth

places. It is difficult, I know, to remember this promise and

and promise. We are children of the Living God and heirs to

this fact in the world we currently live in. We see things

the Kingdom, and the Kingdom is already here.

the current state of the country and the world), but it’s right there in verse 20. You, as a believer, are already there. There

28 // March 2021

About The Author

through a dark glass, and it is easy to forget (especially with Chad Hess is a husband, father and Army Veteran. He is a parishioner at Saint Andrews Anglican Church in Rome, where he is involved in lay ministries.

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Gò0dNews for Parents

Home Is Where Your Story Begins

by Rev. Brenda Dedmon

I

have a print hanging in my home that reads, “Home Is

a few seconds between the end of one person’s

Where Your Story Begins.” Just recently, I have looked at

sentence and the beginning of the other person. This

that print and thought about memories of my home as a

gives time to absorb what is said and have empathy,

child. I have so many fun memories of my childhood. We

and it gives an opportunity to understand their view

did not have a lot of money, but I knew I was loved, and we

and then respond.

had a lot of fun as a family.

My reflection as an adult makes me realize my life story did begin at home. I think my parents put into practice the

• Take an interest in your child’s interests. Your child’s favorite toys, hobbies, or interests are things they are strongly attached to. If you show no interest in

Scripture in Proverbs 22:6: “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” Connection is the relationship you have with your child. When you take the time and make an investment in being intentional in building a relationship, you gain the power of influence over your child that cannot be matched by any other parenting effort. The following are a few suggestions I believe will get you started in the right direction: • Learn and speak your child’s love language. “The 5 Love Languages of Children” by Dr. Gary Chapman and Dr. Ross Campbell describes the ways children need to be loved. One example is if you constantly tell your child all the nicest things

their favorites, they may think you do not like them.

about them in passing, but their love language is

You do not have to love what they love, but you do

Quality Time. If you are not having enough alone time

have to show an interest. Allow them to talk about

with them, those nice things mean less. If you discover

what they love and why they love it. This will help

that inner language, you will have a greater impact.

your child feel a sense of belonging and is the kind of

• Listen more than you speak. God gave us two ears

bond needed for a relationship that leads to a positive

and one mouth, so perhaps we need to listen more than we talk. Everyone wants to be heard, even

parental influence.

As you put these ideas into your relationship with your child, you are building trust between you and your child.

emotions, and their opinion. Children feel value

One day, your child will recognize how you did point them

when we listen to them actively. Actively listening is

in the right direction, and they will realize that home is

listening without thinking about what you are going

where their story did begin.

to say. Train yourself and your children to pause

30 // March 2021

About The Author

children. We should value their thoughts, feelings,

Rev. Brenda Dedmon is the retired director of the Children’s Learning Center, First Baptist of Dalton. She is also an avid Bama, Roll Tide Fan!

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Gò0dNews for Everyone

My Daily Bread

A

by Nadolyn Lee

waiting a train, I was sipping coffee and

I always come back to this verse in Proverbs when I

having a pastry when I noticed a public piano

need reminding that there is grace in being given only

in the station. I had time to kill, and I hadn’t

what I need. “Give me neither poverty nor riches, but

had a chance to tickle the ivories in a couple of weeks.

give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have

The sparse number of slow-moving passengers in the

too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’

station reflected just how early it was. At the piano, I

Or I may become poor and steal and so dishonor the

played and softly sang a few praise songs when my

name of my God” (Proverbs 30:8-9).

husband passed by as if he were a stranger. In an effort to be cute, he placed a coin on top of the piano.

We were in a foreign country, so I didn’t realize exactly how cheap he was being with his tip.

As I continued to play, a man came up to me and asked for money.

My wallet was tucked away in my luggage, so I grabbed the coin on the piano, handed it to the man, and told him to have a nice day.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw him take a few steps, shake his head in disgust, turn back around, and slam the coin on the piano.

I was glad he spoke a different language because I

There is marvel to be found somewhere in the

don’t think the words he muttered would have gone

middle. When God grants us what we need for each

very well with my praise song.

day, do we gratefully grab hold in thanksgiving, or are

Well, ouch! That didn’t feel great. I replayed that

we more likely to slam the coin on the piano and search

scene over in my head on the train ride and began to

for greener pastures? Recall the rich man who built an

consider how the Lord must feel when I refuse His

even bigger storehouse to hoard his wealth for a rainy

gifts or am ungrateful for them. He is a good, good

day. He didn’t wake up the next morning to enjoy even

Father, and He showers us with gifts every day.

his daily bread (Luke 12:16-21). Let us wake up each

Sometimes, though, I fail to see the gift at all. Like the

day and ask, Lord, give us this day my daily bread.

on to something or someone else that I feel will better satisfy my desires.

32 // March 2021

About The Author

man in the station, I rely on my own resources to move Nadolyn Lee is a graduate of Berry College with her Masters and Education Specialist Degree from LMU. She has taught elementary music for twenty-three years in the North Georgia area. Creator of ‘Dirt Road Believer’ YouTube Channel, Nadolyn produces Christian devotions every Tuesday and Thursday. She is an author, songwriter, and director for children’s musical theater in her community of Summerville, GA. She and her husband of eighteen years, Adam, have four teenage children. Nadolyn co-founded and runs the local chapter of Helping Hands Ending Hunger, INC that feeds hungry students and their families over the weekend.

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Gò0dNews for Everyone

Spring Free In Faith

​A

by Heather Tate

round this time of year, I often hear the buzz of

that I am His, and He is mine; I am never without His love,

people saying, “It’s time for spring cleaning!”

mercy, and grace.

I’ve never been one to enthusiastically approach

If you are struggling with a difficult task, a difficult

cleaning. I’ll admit, I struggle in this area. I have spent some

decision, or a significant need, I would encourage you to

time over the past months working on improving those

talk to God and then trust that He holds you in His hands

efforts. The work ahead of me was not easy, and I often felt

(Psalm 139:10). I would also encourage you to seek the

overwhelmed when considering the depth of what I had

counsel of your pastor, a counselor, or a close friend for

to do. I found that when I was struggling, if I took a deep

guidance. When we are faithful in obedience and service to

breath and said a prayer for God to give me the strength and

the Lord, He will bless our efforts.

the will to press on, He would. The result was progress! The great thing about progress is that it inspires further action and leads to success.

The verse that appeared in my devotional today is Hebrews 11:1: “Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen.” This verse is the perfect example of my hope when I ask God to intervene during my struggles.

I can trust His faithfulness. As I continue to work on spring cleaning, I can focus on this verse reminding me that faith is trusting what I cannot see. My goal this spring is to spring free in faith. Learning to trust God when I feel like I am incapable of completing any task sets me free from self-burden.

This concept applies to so much more than spring

M​ay the promises of the Lord be a blessing to you in any time of struggle. You are one of His chosen, and because

cleaning. When I commit to trusting God in every action

you are chosen, you are also empowered to spring free in

throughout each day, I am free to do the work (have faith)

faith (Ephesians 1:3-4)!

difficult times in my life where God’s faithfulness was clear, even if it took some time for me to see it. I can rest knowing

34 // March 2021

About The Author

without worrying about the outcome. I can look back at Heather Tate is the founder and president of Intricate Umbrella Inc, a Public Relations and Communications company. Heather’s desire is to help anyone fulfill their true purpose in life through education and personal development.

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Gò0dNews for Teens

Peace In The Midst of Troubles

T

by Caleb Prytherch

here’s a lot of things that can cause us to feel helpless, hopeless, and lost. Many things go on in our world and in our lives that are not always great. If we focus

on what is going on in the world around us, often times we can become so consumed by all the negative things happening, that it’s all we tend to see and think about. It’s like a control over our hearts and minds, that we cannot seem to get away from.

While the world is filled with problems and we may have situations that are difficult in our personal lives, that does not mean that there is no hope. In fact, you can find peace and hope in the middle of what seems to be some of the most difficult circumstances you’ve ever faced. In John 14:27, Jesus says, “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don't be troubled or afraid.”

We all love gifts. Gifts are fun and I truly haven’t met a person who doesn’t like to receive a gift. Gifts are not something that we ourselves have to pay for, but the fact is that someone did have to pay for that gift that we received.

It is the same with the gifts that God gives. We don’t have to pay for them, we don’t have to wait to earn them, because He gives them freely. However, Jesus did pay the ultimate price and gave His life for you and me, just so we could have life and life more abundantly. When we accept the gift the gift of salvation that God gives, then we can experience true peace that only comes from Jesus Christ alone.

The answer to the problems in our world is Jesus. The answer to the restlessness and hopelessness that you may be feeling is Jesus. The love that you are looking for in all the wrong places is found in Jesus. He is the hope of the world. He is the only one to where we can find our peace at. He’s the only one who can help you overcome whatever circumstances you may be dealing with.

over every situation in your life, He will give you a peace that no parent, friend, boyfriend, girlfriend, or any other person can give or take away. We need to remember that while we are in this world, we don’t have to live in fear thinking that the world is our only hope, because ultimately our hope is not in the kingdoms of this world, rather our hope is found in the Kingdom of God. So, if you have Christ living inside of you, then you need to realize that Christ has given you a gift that is full of hope, life, joy, peace, and love.

No other person can give such a gift and no other person can take it away. Therefore, stand firm on His promise and walk in perfect peace, even if everything around you seems like it is falling apart.

no way out, with no hope, no peace, no joy. But there is hope and if you turn to God and allow Him to have control

36 // March 2021

About The Author

The enemy wants you to feel like you are trapped with

Caleb Prytherch is the student pastor at Heritage Fellowship Church of God in McDonald, Tennessee. He is a graduate of Lee University, holding a Bachelor’s degree in pastoral ministry and a Master’s degree in practical theological studies. He is married to his beautiful wife, Bekah, and together they have a passion to see peoples lives be changed and transformed through the power of Jesus Christ.

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Gò0dNews for Everyone

What Time Are You Living In?

T

by Dr. Alan Hix

his month, we turn our clocks forward in our bi-

beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man’s

yearly ritual of shifting from one time to another.

heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done

Schoolchildren will no longer have to wait for the

from the beginning to the end.”

bus in the dark, and we can start planning to fire up the

Solomon acknowledges that God’s creation is beautiful,

backyard grill for a pleasant evening outdoors. (We’ll not

but it was created with an expiration date—it has an end.

talk about losing that hour of sleep!)

Not so with humanity. Because we live within time, we

As human beings, we spend much of our life

cannot see all that God has planned. And there is the

looking forward to something—a new job,

tension—we are created for eternity, but

graduating from school, finding our

we currently live within time. As a

life partner, or retirement. In this

result, we feel out of sync with

current season, most people

time because we were made for

are looking forward to a time

something more. The Apostle

when we can “get back to

Paul addressed this in 2

normal.” On the other

Corinthians 5:2: “We grow

hand, some people seem

weary in our present

to be haunted by events

bodies, and we long to

in their past. Either way,

put on our heavenly

we are creatures of time.

bodies like

Over the past year, as we

new clothing.”

have struggled our way

So, as you turn

through the pandemic,

your clocks ahead,

part of that struggle has

mourning the loss of an

been with time. Many

extra hour of sleep, let that

people have had to rearrange

remind you to look beyond

schedules to work from home,

time—toward eternity. An

teach their kids at home, look after sick

eternal view changes the way we

family members, and wrestle with paying bills. Because of the quarantine, we shop from home

look at everything in life—our jobs, our finances, our family, and current affairs. It brings

and find ourselves waiting on packages from an overloaded

us hope, hope that is based on God’s grand purposes and

postal system. We think, “If I only had more time…”

the promise of eternity in His presence for those who trust

Our frustration is born out of a sense that we simply

in Him. “Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope

do not have enough time. We long for something more.

we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise”

The problem is that we think this time in which we live is

(Hebrews 10:23).

the only time we have. What we have forgotten is that, as eternity, not for time.

King Solomon struggled to understand this, and he wrote in Ecclesiastes 3:11, “He (God) has made everything

38 // March 2021

About The Author

creatures made in the image of God, we were created for

Dr. Alan Hix is an Associate Professor of Christian Studies at Shorter University. In addition to being and educator, he has served churches as a pastor, been involved in mission trips to Africa, Canada, and Alaska, and participated in archaeological excavations in Israel for several years.

Gò0dNews

Christian Magazine

Mission Statement:

W

Writer Guidelines:

e believe when people are equipped,

Who: Our writers range from pastors, professors, and

motivated, and passionately engaged in

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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 Everyone

What’s In Your Heart Will Come Out rowing up, my mom would always tell me that whatever I put in my heart and mind would eventually come out. She was usually referring to what I was watching on television or the music I was listening to. I knew she was right, but my teenage self just did not want to hear that about my favorite show or song. She often used Scripture to help steer me in the right direction growing up. This was something that I did not fully appreciate until I was the parent of a teenager myself. I wish I were as bold as her. She did not care if it was just me and my brother in the house or half the neighborhood; she got out the Bible and showed me the error of my ways.

I do believe that whatever we fill our minds with is what will come out. It will be revealed in our vocabulary, our responses to different situations, our habits, and our beliefs.

It will also be reflected in how we treat others. We have all known people who are full of happiness. Joy seems to pour out of them no matter the situation. We have also known people who are negative and grumpy. These people typically make everyone around them miserable and uncomfortable.

In Philippians 4:8-9, Paul was writing to the congregation of the church of Philippi in Greece. He says, “Finally, my brothers and sisters, always think about what is true. Think about what is noble, right, and pure. Think about what is lovely and worthy of respect. If anything is excellent or worthy of praise, think about those kinds of things. Do what you have learned or received or heard from me. Follow my example. The God who gives peace will be with you.”

Recently, my 16-year-old son and I were having a conversation about inappropriate situations in movies and on TV. He brought up a scene in a movie that implied what was happening but did not show the act. I told him that it was wrong and that he should not watch it. He said, “Well, you let me watch it in a different movie.” That was like a punch to the gut! I had to admit that I was wrong in letting him do so and that it was not about his age because I should not have watched it either.

In today’s world, it is harder than ever to protect ourselves from the ugliness of the world. We must be diligent and stay on guard. We need to practice paying

40 // March 2021

attention to what we watch on TV, listen to, and search for on the Internet. We also need to be mindful and set a good example for our kids.

I have been thinking about what we fill our lives with a lot lately. I have (sadly) been able to observe two elderly family members who have dementia setting in, and now they do not have control of their thoughts and minds. Each lived their life completely differently from the other. What they have filled their hearts with is overflowing. One lived a life of love and kindness, and it is now being reflected in her through laughter and joy. The other lived a self-centered and off-colored lifestyle, which is now being reflected in inappropriate and trying behavior.

Watching these two ladies has been an eye-opening experience that makes me think about what I put in my own heart. I want to fill my life with goodness and love. I want to fill my heart and mind with things that are pleasing to God so that what flows out of my heart is good and uplifting.

About The Author

G

by Erin Clay

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.”

Gifts That

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Find the new Honda that will multiply the fun, share the excitement, and increase the number of hours you spend riding. Then, show someone special why life is better on a Honda.

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on a Honda powersports.honda.com Talons are only for drivers 16 years and older. Multi-purpose utility vehicles (side-by-sides) can be hazardous to operate. For your safety, drive responsibly.

Always wear

a helmet, eye protection and appropriate clothing. Always wear your seat belt, and keep the side nets and doors closed. Avoid excessive speeds and be careful on difficult terrain. We recommend that you Find the new Honda that will multiply the isfun, share the excitement, andread the owner’s manual before operating the vehicle. Never drive after complete the Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle (ROV) E-course.

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All SxS drivers should consuming drugs or alcohol, or on public roads.

Driver and passengers must be tallriding. enough forThen, seat belt toshow fit properly and to brace themselves with both feet firmly on the floor. Passenger must be able to grasp increase the number of hours you spend someone special the grab bar with the seat belt on and both feet on the floor. Respect the environment when driving. Talon® is a registered trademark of Honda Motor Co., Ltd. ©2020 American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (11/20)

2595 Shorter Ave SW • Rome, Gifts GA That 706.232.2624 • hondaofrome.com why life is better on a Honda.

14465_4C MY21_Gifts That Go Holiday Promo Amats 7.625” x 5.25” MODEL: TALON Category: SXS powersports.honda.com Talons are only for drivers 16 years and older. Multi-purpose utility vehicles (side-by-sides) can be hazardous to operate. For your safety, drive responsibly. Always wear PAGE 1 November 6,appropriate 2020 9:20 AM a helmet, eye protection and clothing.

Always wear your seat belt, and keep the side nets and doors closed. Avoid excessive speeds and be careful on difficult terrain. We recommend that you

complete the Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle (ROV) E-course. The free course is available at www.ROHVA.org. All SxS drivers should read the owner’s manual before operating the vehicle. Never drive after consuming drugs or alcohol, or on public roads. Driver and passengers must be tall enough for seat belt to fit properly and to brace themselves with both feet firmly on the floor. Passenger must be able to grasp the grab bar with the seat belt on and both feet on the floor. Respect the environment when driving. Talon® is a registered trademark of Honda Motor Co., Ltd. ©2020 American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (11/20)

Gò0dNews for your Taste Buds

Key Lime Pound Cake

N

by Mary Anderson Beard

o matter what time of year it is, being in my kitchen always reminds me of my grandmother. We would stay in there for what seemed like hours. We would

sing songs, talk about school, and sometimes even talk about boys! We talked about heaven and who we hoped to see there: just about anything that you could imagine, we talked about it! (We even cooked and baked a little too!) I pray that one day I will have those special talks with my grandkids too! My 4-year-old grandson already has the same love of the kitchen that we did!

My favorite place to be is in the kitchen baking, no matter what time of year. I LOVE making special desserts that coincide with the time of year it is. In February, I like to make pink or red; in March, I like to make green or yellow; in April, I like to make pastels; you get my drift. Since March and April are both great months for something GREEN, I wanted to share this delicious and easy recipe with you. It’s perfect for a little green to keep from being pinched on the 17th or delicious as a dessert with your Easter dinner.

Ingredients/Instructions • 1 box white cake mix • 1 cup whole milk • 1 stick butter, melted • 3 large eggs • 2 tsp. pure vanilla extract • 1 Tbsp. lime juice • 1 small box lime Jell-O mix Mix all ingredients together and bake in greased Bundt pan for 40 minutes or until done. Let cool completely.

Frosting/Glaze: • ½ stick butter, softened • 4 oz. cream cheese, softened • 2 cups confectioner’s sugar • 1 tsp. vanilla • 1 Tbsp. lime juice • 1-2 Tbsp. milk or water (or more if you want a thinner frosting/glaze)

About The Author

Mix all ingredients together with mixer until smooth. Spread or drizzle over cake. Store in fridge. **You can garnish with lime zest, lime slices, strawberries, toasted coconut, slivered almonds, etc.

42 // March 2021

Mary Anderson Beard lives in Rome with her husband, Brian. They have three beautiful, grown children and soon will have three amazing grandchildren! She enjoys being active in their church, Wilkerson Road Baptist Church. Aside from baking, she enjoys getting together with friends and family. She also enjoys writing for my very fun food and recipe blog—Yaya’s Kitchen!

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