March 2023

About Us

WRITERS

Beth Penny

Brenda Dedmon

Brian Johnson

Chase Holtzclaw

Detrick Redding

Diana Fain

Granger Hughes

Judy Hood

Karla Smedley

Katie Hughes

Kristen West

Matt Jensen

Susan Lavigne

Zebbie Brewster

SALES

Matthew Ruckman

423-503-1410

Email: goodnewstn@gmail.com

DESIGN

Caleb Prytherch

Email: art.goodnews@gmail.com

PHOTOGRAPHER

Melanie Abney

706-844-3818

FACEBOOK

GoodNews Rome

DISTRIBUTION

5000 Monthly

EDITOR/ARTICLE COORDINATOR

Jodi Varnado

Email: articles.goodnews@gmail.com

PUBLISHER

Matthew and Bethany Ruckman

Cell: 423-503-1410

E-mail: goodnewstn@gmail.com

OFFICE

423-790-5378

WEBSITE goodnewscm.com issuu.com/goodnewsrome

Hello Friends,

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

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

GoodNews Christian Magazine is written by men and women in the community who love and serve the Lord. Our hearts are open and willing to be used by God to reach out to the community to spread the GoodNews!

Don’t Compromise

by Detrick Redding

To compromise is to lower one standard for the sake of agreeing with others. We do not need to compromise our standards, especially in the day we are living. This is literally damaging for a child of God. We must stand our ground in love but with true conviction. The enemy of our faith has tried to weaken the Church, and it’s sad to admit he has succeeded on some occasions. We are now at a pivotal time and we must stand for what we know.

must not let it slip. We cannot bow down to the enemy, to false ideologies, to extreme narratives, or simply to the lies of the devil. However, when an alternative message comes to us that opposes our faith, we must settle it in our hearts that we will not transcend, nor will we relinquish our convictions to any other. Even Jesus said, “My sheep know my voice and the voice of a stranger they will not follow!”

(John

10:27).

He was confident in us as His disciples. He knew that His voice, spoken or read by us, carried the very essence of life. His voice carries strength, power, healing, peace, direction, authority, and much more. Therefore, any other voice is minimum to His voice. And once disciples truly identify with His voice, no other voice compares. Therefore, we will not follow them because we are following His. We are to deliberately shut out all other voices and follow His.

The compromising believer is also described as the double-minded in the book of James. He gives a profound revelation concerning those who are double-minded. He said that a man/woman should not even think they shall obtain anything from the Lord. Compromising makes one unstable in life. The foundation of their stand is now on two different platforms. Because of the unsettled foundation, the winds of opposition can easily bring detriment to them. We must have a sure foundation, and we must not compromise.

The gospel message is the most crucial message of all times. We carry this message; we carry the Good News. We

King Saul compromised and was expelled from kingly duty. Daniel didn’t compromise and was promoted in the kingdom. Samson compromised, and his life and ministry was cut short. Esther didn’t compromise and was used to save her whole nation. Her uncle was promoted in the kingdom, too. Ananias and Sapphira compromised in the New Testament Church and fell dead right where they stood. Paul didn’t compromise and was used to right 2/3 of the New Testament, and his ministry is still building the Body of Christ right now.

Will you be named among those that refuse to compromise?

Detrick Redding, born and raised in Rome, Georgia, is a husband to Toris and father to 4 children. Called to pastor at an early age, he currently pastors at Rally Up International Ministries in Rome, Georgia. Detrick has a deep passion for not only seeing people born again, but knowing their true identity and what is made available to all in Jesus Christ.

I Wish

by Brenda Dedmon

“We all have the power to make wishes come true as long as we keep believing.”—Louisa

May Alcott

Have you ever said to your parents or teachers: I wish I would get an A on this test or I wish I could be a starter on the team? It is good to have wishes about what we want, however, only wishing will not make them happen. The following activities will be a way to help you accomplish your wishes and turn them into achievable goals for you to reach.

It is very important that you ask your parents to help you with these ideas so that you can begin making your wishes happen. Tell your parents that you would like to have family time to talk about the things that you “wish” you could do.

For the family time, have paper and markers to record your ideas. Talk with your parents about what is important to you, for example: sports, dance, school, friends, family, or any ideas in which you are interested. Write down in order of which is the most important to you and what you “wish” you could do in each area.

As you think about these wishes, discuss with your parents what you can do to help make those wishes become real. Remember, this may require you to do things to turn that wish into reality. If you wish you could be in the spelling bee at school, then you will have to set goals. It would be necessary for you to learn ways

that you can learn to be a good speller. You would need to decide how much you were willing to study and spend the time to make sure you were prepared for the spelling bee.

As you continue to work through your list, remember that there is more than one way to make a wish come true. You can make a list of things that you feel would help you reach your goal and a list of things that you feel may make it impossible to reach. Invite your parents to give you suggestions about the things that are most important to you so that you can make your wishes come true. You may choose to invite your teachers at school and church to give you ideas in reaching your goals.

One of the most important things you need to remember in making your wishes come true is that God has a plan for you. I would suggest you learn these verses to help you remember God will take care of you and help to make your wishes come true.

“I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hoped for” (Jeremiah 29:11, MSG).

“Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4, RSV).

“May He grant the dreams of your heart and see your plans through to the end” (Psalm 20:4, The Voice).

Written by Rev. Brenda Dedmon, retired director of Children’s Learning Center, First Baptist of Dalton and an avid Roll Tide fan.

Is An Annuity Right for Me?

Money Matters Granger Hughes with

Driven by a passion to educate, inform and prepare future retirees, Mr. Hughes works with his father to help provide educational opportunities for clients as well as others in the community. He feels a responsibility to help inform those who may otherwise not be aware of strategies, changes, and opportunities available to them when it comes to their financial well-being.

Alot of people ask this question, and as we approach retirement, we probably hear more and more about it. The biggest thing with any retirement tool is understanding if that tool is right for you. We’ve all heard the saying if all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail. As fiduciaries, this is something we avoid when working with clients, as annuities aren’t as bad as you have heard, and they aren’t the answer to all your financial problems, but they can be a valuable tool for a retiree.

Let’s look at some types of annuities. One of the most common that we use is called a fixed indexed annuity. This means it’s linked to an index such as the S & P, but the fixed component means that the principal (the portion you put in) is safe. Taking that into consideration, the next step is what am I trying to accomplish?

1). Do I want to protect a portion of my portfolio?

2). Do I need an income stream?

3). Is there a Long-Term Care need?

1). Annuities in today’s day and age can be structured based on the need for protection. For instance, let’s say you want to take some risk out of your portfolio by purchasing an annuity. There are annuities in this current environment that will actually give you a bonus when you purchase one! This is one of the benefits in a rising interest rate environment that is actually a benefit to those who don’t want to risk their money in the market and want to save in a safer environment. In addition, there are no fees with this strategy, and as mentioned before, you would be linked to the S & P, which means if the S & P does x percentage, you would receive a portion, but if the S & P loses money, your principal is still safe. One of the potential drawbacks is liquidity (access to your money). Typically, a lot of carriers will give you 7% to 10% a year penalty free. But if you wanted to take out all your money, you could face a penalty of 10% as well, so you need to make sure that the annuity is a piece of your overall portfolio and not your only option for withdrawals. Contracts also differ on length, though its common to see 7 to 12 years. Some misconceptions could be if I pass away, my beneficiary will have to pay penalties and that is not the case. The annuity would be liquid to them, though tax liability could potentially ensue, as will most accounts. In addition, a lot of annuities will allow a higher percentage of access should you need long term care or have a chronic or terminal illness. Once again, it’s important to know your options and find the annuity that suits your needs the best.

2). Another option is creating an income stream. Let’s say you have a portion of a 401k, for example $300k. The positive about this example is that you are basically going to have two accounts, a lifetime income (LTI) account and a life time income base. The income side will be credited with a bonus up front in a lot of cases. For this example, let’s use 20%. The income side has grown to $360k day one. In addition, every year that we wait to take that income, they would give us an additional 8%. After five years, your income account would be close to $530k. If you decided at that point that you wanted to activate the LTI, the payout would be based on a mortality table at that time. Meaning if you were 70, that percentage would be 6%. This would create $31k of annual income for the rest of your life. If you passed away, your spouse would have the option of taking a lump sum or continuing that stream of income. One common misconception is that if both spouses pass, the money is gone and that isn’t necessarily the case. As mentioned earlier, there are two accounts, the income account and the actual account value. Should both husband and wife pass away, whatever is left in the account value would be distributed to the beneficiaries you had selected.

3). The third option is creating some support for Long Term Care (LTC). This option will piggy back off of option 2. Let’s go back to the previous example and say we have created a stream of income annually of $31k. This strategy would actually double that income to $62K, should you need LTC. The key here is, are you able to perform the activities of daily living (ADL)? If you can’t perform two of the six, for example you can’t feed or bathe yourself, the LTC option would be eligible to be activated. All you would need is a doctor to sign off stating that you can’t perform two of the six ADLs. This can help provide some much-needed support, as the likelihood of us needing some form of LTC as we get older increases drastically. The positive aspect of this strategy is it is your money, and you can use it how you want to. You don’t have to go into a facility, you can make your home handicap accessible, hire a nurse etc., whereas a lot of traditional LTC policies only give you the option to use an actual facility.

The key is to look at what options and tools you have in retirement. An annuity can be a great tool and can be structured in different ways to meet your specific needs. They aren’t going to suit everyone’s needs and desires, but it is important to know what your options are entering into retirement and how each tool can help protect and preserve what you have made throughout your working years.

Stay on the Ride

by Brian Johnson

We don’t like trials. I think that goes without being said, but it’s one of the methods God uses to conform us to the image of Christ James 1:2 says, “…count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations.” Paul says, in Romans 5:3 that “…we glory in tribulations…” and they eventually end up with hope in verse 4. How can that be? How can a difficult beginning end in hope? Let’s discuss.

I love roller coasters. So, I was excited to take my oldest son on his first roller coaster when he was nine years old. While we waited in line for about an hour, I checked with him frequently to make sure he was still okay with the ride. He assured me he was. As coasters typically do, it started slowly creeping up the first hill, creating anticipation for the first dip. We got over the hill and started to come down when, all of a sudden, the ride stopped. We were stuck on the ride, strapped in our seats in a declined position.

Obviously, I was concerned about my son. A couple of workers walked up the stairs to let us know they were working on the ride. I asked one of them if they wouldn’t mind taking my son back down with them. He said to me, “Once we get the ride going again, it’s actually safer to go through it.” I said okay, and after a few minutes, they got things going, and everything ended up okay.

When difficulty comes into our lives, our natural inclination is to get away from it as quickly as possible. That’s understandable. We want off of the ride. But, if you’ve prayed about it and God still allows it, trust that He knows what He’s doing. 1 Peter 5:10 says, “But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ

Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.”

God doesn’t promise that we won’t go through suffering. In fact, He tells us we will. But, after that suffering, we gain so much and become more like Christ in the process. That’s why we can have hope. When God continually shows His power in our lives by bringing us through trial after trial as we trust Him, we become

spiritually mature, established, settled, and hopeful regardless of the circumstances. The hope that’s developed gives us the ability to have peace that passes understanding in the midst of the ride and will give us a testimony to share about the power of God in our lives.

The ride that God takes us on isn’t smooth, but if you stay on, He’ll be able to take you to places and work through you in ways you never would’ve imagined. Trust Him in the trial. Stay on the ride. By the way, my son is 22 now and still likes roller coasters.

Brian Edward Johnson is a deacon at his church and a nurse by vocation. He wants to do the best he can to teach people to trust God, for their eternity and for each day.

One Track Mind

by Katie Loveless

Ihave fond memories of my childhood playground on Arista Mountain in West Virginia. My grandparents lived there, and we visited often. The memories are so prominent for me that I can remember the backdrop of the cool blue sky that hovered like a canopy, a dinosaur-like mountainside by the clothesline, and the sounds of singing birds like wallpaper in my mind.

There was ample opportunity to explore and shake hands with nature. Walking to the forks of the road with my siblings and grandfather is one of many fond memories as

that all these years later, I still stand in the flow of His goodness and trust Him to wash me and make me clean. It’s a miracle that He can take the potsherds of my life and make them beautiful and functional again.

I think about Job and how he sat among ash and broken pottery as he was reeling from grief, unspeakable loss, and physical affliction (see Job 2:8). I consider how he lanced his own weeping wounds with shards of broken pottery to bring relief. We are not so different. We try to foster healing in the necrotic places of our hearts by introducing them to the broken places and we marvel why it doesn’t work. Neither one can cure the other. Brokenness alone won’t heal the stench of death in me. I need my brokenness and humility to be coupled with God’s power and grace like a hitch to get anywhere at all.

we interacted with the lush landscape. It is a place where the power to choose is outwardly evident. In fact, it was during one of those walks that my grandfather talked with me about the temporary nature of the human life. He was a new Christian and eagerly commented on how the human life is like vapor that disappears, grass that withers, and a puff of smoke that wafts away. My young mind whirred to connect the dots at the forks of the road in that moment, but the conversation remains with me to this day.

There isn’t time to waste on indecision. Entertaining doubt is an expense much too extravagant. We can’t afford it. With my childhood sprinkled with poverty at times, I understand the importance of making even a little count and stretch. Little is much when God is in it.

As I pray for bystanders refusing grace’s invitation, I consider the frailty of my own decisions. I simply can’t make good ones without God’s continual aid. It’s a miracle I ever chose to surrender my life to God at all. It’s a miracle

As my heart is joined with His, I am in a position to make better choices, more redemptive ones. I begin to meditate on His goodness with the stamina of a one-track mind like a locomotive. And with that, my mind is kept in perfect peace. The peace is not a stagnant pond with life ebbing away. Instead, it is a river that is moving, productive, life-giving, and never will run dry.

I hear a train whistle blaring near my home as I write. Have you ever wondered what it takes for a train to switch tracks or make a turn among two divergent paths? A train conductor cannot make a detour independently. He relies on the flip of a switch to elevate the chosen path. This process means that the old, forgotten path is seemingly recessed in the earth, and the new, chosen path is elevated, making it the only way to go.

The Holy Spirit will do that for you. He will be your switch operator if you allow it. He will elevate righteousness for you and make that path the only way to go. He will give you a one-track mind. “Righteousness shall go before him, and shall make His footsteps our pathway,” (Psalm 85:13, NKJV).

Katie Loveless is a social worker, wife, and mother of five boys. She is a student of grace who enjoys writing, gardening, and empowering others to pursue stability.

PROUDLY BUILT IN ROME, GEORGIA

SUZUKI KINGQUAD ATV. AMERICAN STRONG. JUST LIKE THE PEOPLE WHO BUILD IT.

American work is at the heart of what makes the KingQuad trusted, rugged, and reliable. That’s why we’ve been assembling KingQuad ATVs in Rome, Georgia for 16 years. Raw, high-tensile steel from local suppliers is cut, bent, and welded into frames, and our engines are built using precision tools and techniques that continue Suzuki’s legacy of performance and reliability. The in-house plastic molding of fenders and application of the elements-resistant powder coating are fitting testaments to Nothing’s Built Like a KingQuad® . The end result is an ATV that’s more than strong – it’s KingQuad strong.

Suzuki, the “S” logo, and Suzuki model and product names are Suzuki Trademarks or ®. © 2017 Suzuki Motor of America, Inc.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Methodist

GracePoint Rome

43 Chateau Court

Rome, Ga 30161

Holsey Sinai CME Church

1233 Martin L King

Rome, Ga 30161

706-295-7265

Lindsay Chapel UMC

9 College Park Dr SW

Rome, Ga 30161

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

Nazarene

Rome First Church of the Nazarene

20 Glenda Dr

Rome, Ga 30165

706-234-5023

Non-Denominational

Access Church

1905 Calhoun Rd

Rome, Ga 30161

705-584-7497

Beech Creek Church

2972 Alabama Hwy, Rome, Ga 30165

706-346-1018

Christian Church at Rome

2417 Shorter Ave

Rome, GA 30165

706-235-0501

Glorious New Jerusalem Church

537 W 12th St

Rome, Ga 30165

706-295-2045

Glory Tabernacle Church

300 Watson St

Rome, Ga 30165

706-235-0888

Gospel Harvester Church

1246 Cartersville Hwy SE

Rome, Ga 30161

706-290-9858

Greater Refuge Ministries

1604 North Broad St

Rome, GA 30161

706-622-2448

Legacy Church

524 Avenue A SW

Rome, GA 30165

LIFE Church of Rome

19 John Davenport Drive

Rome GA 30165

706-728-3166

Lighthouse Church of Rome

Lighthouse Dr SE

Rome, Ga 30161

706-291-0864

New and Living Way Bible Church

59 Dykes Creek Rd

Rome, Ga 30161

706-233-9200

Northside Church

75 N. Floyd Park Rd.

Rome, Ga 30165

706-233-9896

Rally Up International Ministries

2460 Shorter Avenue

Rome, Ga 30165

706-235-8561

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

Trinity United Christian Church

6 Deer Run Trail

Rome, Ga 30165

706-204-8270

We The Church

1818 Kingston Hwy

Rome, Ga 30161

Words of Faith Tabernacle

3134 Rockmart Rd

Rome, Ga 30161

706-314-9158

Orthodox

All Saints Church

615 Cleveland Ave

Rome, Ga 30165

706-378-4474

Pentecostal

Cannon Temple Holiness Church

308 Porter St

Rome, Ga 20161

706-233-9001

Christ Temple Holiness Church

1321 Martin L King

Rome, Ga 30161

706-235-3787

Victory Temple Of Joy

118 Williamson St.

Rome, Ga 30165

706-766-3865

Presbyterian

First Presbyterian Church EPC

101 E 3rd Ave

Rome, Ga 30161

706-291-6033

Seven Hills Fellowship

530 Broad Street

Rome, GA 30161

706-530-1630

Silver Creek Presbyterian Church

6 Old Rockmart Road

Silver Creek, Ga 30173

706-234-6862

Westminster Presbyterian Church 1941 Shorter Ave

Rome, Ga 30165

706-235-8561

Seventh-Day Adventist

Rome Bethany Seventh-Day Adventist Church 307 E 14th St SW

Rome, Ga 30161

706-292-0067

Seventh-Day Adventist Church

2526 Cedartown Hwy SW

Rome, Ga 30161

706-234-4117

Cave Spring Church Directory

Cave Spring Church of God

19 Mill Street

Cave Spring, GA 30124

706-777-8348

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

All Things Are Possible

by Kristen West

Have you ever noticed that the Bible is full of “impossible” stories? Had they been published in an ancient newspaper, I can imagine some of the bold headlines reading:

Noah and His Family Survive Destructive Worldwide Flood!

Puny Shepherd Boy Annihilates Battle-Hardened Giant!

Man Trapped Overnight with Lions Lives to Tell About It!

EMPTY Tomb Discovered?!?

You’d be hard pressed to find a story in the Bible where a country, a people, or an individual wasn’t boxed in at one time or another. Solutions proved to be out of their reach. Their circumstances seemed bleak. It always appeared like the end was near, unavoidable, and without hope.

Yet, time after time, these stories get to a point where all the struggles, white-knuckle moments, and intense perplexity and pain is turned on its head as God moves, intervenes, and does the impossible.

The Bible—God’s incredible written Word to us—is a faithbuilding book. From cover to cover, it is packed with stories intentionally meant to grow and challenge us in our daily spiritual walk. The crux of every impossible story, when believed, continually reminds us that in our own strength, we are powerless. But God is not. “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26).

Maybe you feel like you’re drowning in your own personal flood right now, unable to see how things will ever get better. Perhaps you are facing your own personal giant who challenges you with taunts, guilt, and ridicule as he tempts you to think you’ll never get passed him. God knew we would need those faithboosting stories (and promises) about the impossible to spur us on in our own lives.

What is your “impossible” today, friend? Whatever it is, He already sees, cares, and is there with you. Roll

up your sleeves and dig in to some of those incredible faith-boosting stories so that just like Noah, David, Daniel, and Jesus, you can face your impossible with utter dependency on God as you believe today that with Him all things ARE possible!

A New Life is Here for You!

The Herb Shop On Broad

Health and wellness are popular buzzwords in today’s society, but for The Herb Shop on Broad, it’s more than just a catchy phrase; it’s a way of life.

Larry and Linda have run The Herb Shop since 2013, and both are dedicated to helping people feel better about themselves and live healthier. “It’s a way of life I love and enjoy,” said Larry, who has been interested in natural vitamins and supplements since high school. Linda has had an inherent passion for vitamins and herbs for many years, and she learned more about the body and the benefits of supplements while becoming a foot reflexologist.

The Herb Shop offers a large and varied selection of products: whatever a customer might want. They carry multivitamins and supplements that support almost any brand, any function, and anything a person would need to be healthy. Linda offers foot reflexology treatments by appointment, and the store also provides ionic foot baths, which can attract positively charged ions in the body, helping it to heal itself faster.

Linda said that the most common reason customers come in is for supplements that boost the immune system,

especially with the recent arrival of COVID-19, and the store offers many products to help this recurring issue. The Herb Shop also carries products that can help alleviate other common problems, such as general aches and pains and trouble sleeping. Some of the more popular remedies they offer for these particular problems are passionflower, L-theanine, and several other homeopathic remedies as well.

The Herb Shop buys products directly from the companies that create them. In fact, they also sell some products which are specially formulated for their store (while still being rigorously tested for quality). These one-ofa-kind products include an apple cider vinegar product that aids in weight loss, a formula that helps control cholesterol, and another that aids in blood pressure support.

If you’re unfamiliar with natural remedies or herbbased supplements and don’t know where to begin, don’t worry! Linda said that many customers come in with a central complaint—not having enough energy—and she recommends a good, simple multivitamin by Life’s Fortune that customers can actually sample for three days before they decide to purchase it. “Honestly, when we give the

samples out for three days, people come back and buy it because they feel better,” said Linda. It’s plant-based, contains several important enzymes, and customers routinely come back to purchase the product because they have more energy after just three days. You can buy a month’s supply of that specific product for just $29.99 or a two-month supply for $49.99, smoothly taking the load off your body without lightening your wallet.

Today, more and more people are becoming aware of natural vitamins and herbs versus taking chemical medication. When a customer comes in and sees that an herb works for what they need, they’d much rather take it than a prescription, whatever their problem may be. However, The Herb Shop ensures all of its products are routinely tested for quality by the manufacturers on a regular basis. Linda said, “We don’t sell anything that’s just randomly tested.” This focus on safety and excellence is what makes their products better than traditional options. If you’ve been wanting to try something other than traditional chemical medication, as many people across the nation are nowadays, The Herb Shop is here to help you choose a product that will work for you. As Linda put it, “We just want [customers] to achieve good health, and if we can help, that’s what we’re going to do.”

If your old car is filled with rust, it won’t run properly, and your body is no different. The Herb Shop on Broad

is ready to help clear out anything that might be holding you back, from aches and pains to a weak immune system to a general lack of energy. The Herb Shop offers veteran, teacher, and healthcare professional discounts, in addition to a special “family and friends” discount for long-time, repeat customers—whether it be seniors or teens—as a way of rewarding that loyalty. Larry said, “We’re grateful for our customers and thankful for their business. We’ve done quite well and business has thrived because of our customers.”

If you’d like to become one of their many satisfied shoppers, you can visit their Facebook page, @ theherbshoponbroad, call (706) 232-4447, or stop by the store at 103 Broad Street Rome, GA 30161. Come by The Herb Shop today, and discover a healthier, happier you!

Friendship

by Chase Holtzclaw

Jesus gives us the best example of friendship. Jesus shows us how to love others and be there for them. He tells us to lay one’s life down for a friend. In John Chapter 13, Jesus tells His disciples He leaves them with a new commandment: to love one another just as He has loved them. This is the perfect example of how to love your friends. Jesus knew that following Him would take more than followers; it would take leaders. Not many of Jesus’s disciples showed leadership qualities at first. He had to show them how to become leaders, love people, and love each other. He showed them how to truly become a friend with their neighbor.

What does it mean to be there for someone? What does it mean to be there for a friend? How can we accomplish these things when we are busy and can’t find the time? It’s just like anything else—if we can find time to watch TV and movies or goof off and flip through TikTok and Facebook, then we have enough time for our friends. We have enough time to call our friends and ask them how they’re doing. That could mean the world to them. It can change their entire day, and it can also change your entire day. What we do with our time is very important. If we spend it with those we love, it will be even more important. We might even find that we become a little happier knowing that we talked to our friends.

Life’s not easy, and it never has been. But what does make it easier is having those around us that love us and that we love. Jesus knew that we would need each other and that life would not be the same if we did it ourselves. That is why Jesus chose His disciples. He knew they would all need one another. Jesus wanted to give us an example of love to show us how to love and explain why it is so important. He said the greatest thing was love and that we must learn to show love to our neighbors just the same as we love

ourselves. We are to love the Father above all things, and how we love the Father is to give Him glory. Jesus says, “If you love me, you’ll keep my commands” (John 14:15). Love is one of the main themes of the Bible. It shows God’s love for us, that He sent His only begotten Son, that whosoever shall believe in Him will have eternal life.

The benefits of being a good friend can change the outcome of your life. It can make your life abundant when

you fill those friendships with love. When you don’t show love, your life will reflect that as well. Following the life of Jesus while He was on this earth is one of the best ways of learning how to become true friends with others. Following the example that Jesus gives us is the only way of having a true friendship and showing love to those close to you. Let us, as Christians, be the walking-talking example of Jesus and express love to everyone around us. Let us be more than Christians. Let us be Christ-like in everything we do. Let us love like Jesus and not walk another day on this earth wishing we could have loved better.

Chase Holtzclaw has three wonderful kids. God saved Chase’s life by showing him He has a better way. Chase prays that he can show his children how to love God above everything and to love their neighbor as themselves.

Church Activities & Events

Berry College

Berry Half Marathon

Saturday, March 11 | 2PM Rome, GA

The Refuge Church

Bible Study

Wednesday, March 15

1771 Wax Rd SE, Silver Creek, GA

Rome City Auditorium

The Inspirations

Saturday, March 18 | 6PM 601 Broad St, Rome, GA

LIFE Church

Disney’s The Lion King Jr

Thursday, March 23 - Saturday, March 25

19 John Davenport Drive NW, Rome, GA

Marriage—A Profound Mystery

by Matt Jensen

“Therefore, a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the Church” (Ephesians 5:31-32).

Family is the most important unit in society and the Church. Societies and churches are made up of families. Marriage—the covenant bond between one man and one woman until death—is the most important unit of the family. Without biblical marriage, families derail from God’s good

Women have an indispensable role in this task (1 Corinthians 1:11-12). Finally, marriage is a supremely intimate relationship. It’s described as being naked and unashamed (Genesis 2:25). To know and love another completely in a physical and spiritual sense. To be one in communion even as you are one in union. This is the marvelous intimacy of a godly marriage. Paul can only call it a mystery! This mystery calls us to action.

A man must leave his father and mother. Not in an absolute sense, as if he can’t have anything to do with them anymore. It means that he leaves the authority of his parents’ house to become the head of a new family. This doesn’t exclude seeking advice, but much damage is done when a man slavishly follows the wishes of his parents to the detriment of his own family. Likewise, a woman is to leave her parents, and the two are to hold fast to one another. The moment you say, “I do,” your relationship with your spouse becomes your highest priority, second only to your relationship with God. It’s more important than your relationship with your work, parents, or even your kids. This is what it means to leave and hold fast to your spouse.

design. When families derail, societies and churches derail. There is much at stake here!

Not unhitching himself from the Old Testament, Paul quotes Genesis 2:24, saying, “Therefore, a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” The context of Genesis 2:24 reveals some important things about marriage.

First, God made man and woman in His own image (Genesis 1:27). Maleness and femaleness are not fluid. They’re not socially constructed. Maleness and femaleness are God’s chosen way of manifesting His own glory in and upon human beings. Secondly, woman was created as a suitable helper for man (Genesis 2:23). The task of filling and subduing the earth was primarily given to man; thus, the responsibility falls more heavily upon his shoulders. However, man can’t do it alone.

The staggering mystery and dignity of marriage is that it “refers to Christ and the Church.” It’s not merely for human flourishing. It’s a picture or living representation of the relationship between Christ and his Church. Christ was born, lived, died, and rose again for his Church. He enters an unbreakable covenant with Her sealed with His own blood and merit. The marriage has been established (union), and life with Christ has begun (communion). Christian, Christ knows everything about you and loves you! You may be reading this because you’re interested in marriage, but if you don’t know Christ, that needs to be your top priority. Knowing Christ is not the means to a good marriage. Marriage—as wonderful as it is—points to something greater than itself—a union and communion with God that is not ‘til death do us part. Death only ushers in the eternal celebration (Revelation 19:6-9)! Repent and believe the gospel.

Matt Jensen is a missionary from Reformation Baptist Church in Dalton, Georgia. He and his wife, Danielle, are preparing to move to Thailand soon with their son, Judah. They are also anticipating the birth of another son, Gabriel.

The Phone Call

by Zebbie Brewster

Iwas thanking God for a Monday off work. I am retired from my full-time job, working part-time during the week for a couple of hours. They say if you love your job, it isn’t really work. I love my job, but I still have a hard time getting up on Monday mornings. My mom, who is still struggling with declining health, had asked me to call her in the mornings. I was trying to figure out the best time to do so. I made my call this morning, and she did not answer her phone. That always scares me. I was thankful that in about five minutes, she called me back. My mom said that she and her dog, Sunshine, are doing fair. She had gotten some of what she needed to do done and was going to try to lay down and rest. She is dealing with so much pain that to be able to sleep is a blessing from the Good Lord.

My mom always asks for prayers when people ask how she is doing. She misses not being able to go to church and worship with her church family. As far as I can remember, my mom has been active in the church. God blessed her with the gift of teaching Sunday School. I got to sit under her teaching. She loved the ladies in our class, and they always shared prayer requests. So many of the ladies have now gone on to be with their Lord. I would say that the ladies in that class shared a special sisterhood. Most of them had already raised their families and were widows alone at home. We all go through seasons in our lives and it is God who puts those special people we need for that season in our life.

It seems only yesterday that I was sitting next to my grandmother in church as a child. My grandmother was

a worker in the church also. She taught Sunday School and loved her church family. I am thanking God for the godly women God has put in my life. I have a daughter, granddaughter, and even a great-granddaughter now that will always need prayer and encouragement in the Lord.

As Christians, we lift each other up in the Lord. When we may feel that we are limited in what we can do to help

others, we can still fervently pray for them. James 5:16 says, “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availed much.” God is an ever-present help in our time of need, and I thank Him for that. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1). I pray that God will encourage you today as you continue to trust your life to His loving care. He is indeed trustworthy.

Zebbie Brewster resides in Summerville, Georgia. She is an active member at Perennial Springs Baptist Church.

On My Mind

by Judy Hood

I woke up this morning with you on my mind

My feelings for you I just cannot hide

My faith grows stronger with each passing day

From your word, it’s my manna, you made a way

I look to the heavens looking for you

But there you are right beside me in everything I do

I will not fear as I walk through this life on earth

What can man do to me? You knew me before birth

Lord, you have loved me with an everlasting love

I can’t wait to get to heaven to give you a long-lasting hug

My love for you I’ll not be able to control as we stroll down those streets of gold

And I look upon your face your radiance to behold

What Are You Thinking?

by Susan Lavigne

Maybe you are like me and have a hard time anticipating a positive outcome to an event. My mind can easily lapse into negative thinking. While I was teaching a conflict management class, I learned that actions are rooted in thoughts that happen so quickly that we sometimes act “without thinking” or analyzing our thoughts. I realized that if I could consciously change my negative thoughts to positive ones, my actions and reactions would also be more optimistic. When we slow down our thinking, there are basically three steps that lead to our actions.

Step by Step:

1. Facts: We see and hear what is going on.

2. Story: Then, we tell ourselves a story about the facts based on our beliefs.

3. Action: Then, based on our story, we respond.

Of these three, the key step is the story we tell ourselves. Our story is influenced either positively or negatively by our prior experiences or our beliefs. However, I have discovered that I can tell myself a different story if I choose. Here’s an example from my own life.

Presently, I am a member of the Rome Toastmasters group. In 2000, the group encouraged and selected me to participate in a speech contest. There were two other competitors from different Toastmaster’s clubs also participating. When the winners were announced, I came in third out of the three participants. My step-by-step reaction was:

1. Facts: I came in third with three competitors.

2. My Story: “I am a total loser and terrible speaker.” (Negative view)

3. My Action: I was discouraged and didn’t compete in another speech contest for four years.

Now, I could have told myself a more positive story from the same set of facts. I could have encouraged myself

knowing that my club selected me to represent them at this contest because they had confidence in my ability. I could have further built myself up by realizing that each person competing came from clubs comprised of 25 members like my club, so that I actually came in third out of 75 members. That is a much more positive perspective! Also, I could have commended myself for even having the courage to compete in my very first speech contest.

Maybe it’s time to pause and think about what we are thinking. When I came in third at the speech contest, I initially told myself that I was a loser, but today I will follow Paul’s instructions in Romans and tell myself a different story. Romans 12:2 says, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (NKJV). God desires for us to examine our thoughts and tell ourselves a positive story based on “His good and perfect will” for our lives.

Susan Lavigne attends Cornerstone Church. She is a Christian speaker and songwriter. Feel free to contact her at susanclavigne@gmail.com.

No Man Is an Island

by Beth Penny

The phrase “No man is an island” was coined by scholar and poet turned church cleric, John Donne, in his poem: “No man is an island; entire of itself. Every man is a piece of a continent; a part of the main…” His argument is people are at their best when working with others rather than in isolation. Every person is an individual piece of humanity. Look ahead 200 years to 1816, and 18-year-old Mary Shelley pens Frankenstein, which is not the story of an iconic horror monster who has bolts in his neck and walks stiff-legged with outstretched arms. It is a classic story of companionship versus isolation. Stories of friendship and camaraderie are as old at time…for a reason.

Companionship is a basic human need right behind food, water, and shelter. God perfectly designed us that way. In the very beginning, Genesis

2:18 reminds us that God created woman as a companion for man. “Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him.” God created Eve not only as a wife for Adam but also as a companion. There are so many sociological theories on the importance of relationships. Helen Fien, a sociologist specializing in human rights and genocide relating to the Holocaust, put forth a theory of human behavior called The Universe of Obligation. This describes a hierarchy of caring. Who belongs in your “inner circle,” and who do we have a responsibility to in our ranked circles?

We see many times throughout the Bible how all different relationships are so important. We see not only examples of marriage relationships but also familial and friend relationships: Ruth and Naomi, David and

Jonathan, Elijah and Elisha, Paul and Timothy, Moses and Aaron; the list goes on and on. Lasting bonds in all relationships are created through trust and loyalty. Proverbs 17:17 advises us, “A friend loves us at all times; and a brother is born for times of need.”

That’s companionship in the condensed version. We need a circle of friends, family, and loved ones around us to share in times of joy and need. There are always both happiness and struggles, and having more than one

person to share a burden lightens the load and allows more for a joyful celebration.

Remember how important all your relationships are in your everyday lives. Take care of your circle and treasure those around you. “Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself’” (Matthew 22:37-38).

Beth Penny has taught English at Model High School since 1997. There she is also the Yearbook adviser and the Special Education Department Chair. She and her husband, Chad, have four children.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE, JUDE 1:22

Eradicating poverty involves an integrated approach, which Community Share Ministries is committed to providing for our local communities. It isn't enough to simply provide food and clothing to people during difficult times, but is essential to tackle all of the core issues impacting families. We believe in doing our part to make the world a better place for all within our community and the communities surrounding. We do this through feeding, clothing, and housing people in need. We exist to make a difference. helpcommunityshare.com

Sitting Duck

by Karla Smedley

How ignorant are we to simply sit stagnant, making us an easy target to be tempted by Satan? God’s Holy Word states no one is immune to the temptations of Satan, and yet, we often sit still, like a duck waiting for the hunter to take his shot. Will you sit like a dumb duck, or will you take action and protect yourself?

Take A Page from Dobson’s Book

Have you ever read a line that sticks with you forever? I gleaned one such thought that has resonated with me for over twenty years. In James Dobson’s book, Coming Home: Timeless Wisdom, he creates the image of a couple sitting on a lake in separate row boats. As the title indicates, he shares wise words, hoping the reader will apply them to his/her own life. He draws the picture of the separate boats drifting apart because neither of the rowers are willing to put in the effort to move toward one another—just sitting like ducks with a target on their backs. While motionless, Satan will tempt them, and if they act upon these temptations, they will actually shift further away in the opposite direction. He suggests that both are in control of their boat and should pursue action, intentionally rowing to one another.

Applying to My Relationship with God

What a wonderful comparison for a stagnant marriage. However, couldn’t this be said about our relationship with God? God does pursue us. In the book of Matthew, he shares the parable that Jesus told concerning the shepherd’s willingness to leave the ninety-nine, seeking to gather the one sheep that is lost! Yes, God would row towards me while I chase after a temptation that Satan has baited me with. Sometimes, I fall for his methods: hook, line, and sinker. More often though,

I find myself just sitting there like that ignorant duck resisting Satan’s blatant temptations, but making no movement toward God. Thus, I drift away from Him whenever Satan tosses a pebble, one of his less subtle allures, in the pond, causing me to drift with the ripples. When I give in to his coaxing, my boat weighs more, producing increased difficulties in managing the oars to draw closer to Him.

The Good News

There is a way to find my way back to God. Dump the contents of my sin out of my boat, and turn toward Him.

• Ask for forgiveness and repent

• Know that God forgives as far as the East is to the West

• Remember God loves me

• Pray, asking God to help me feel His presence

• Read His word and seek His wise ways

• Apply this wisdom to my life, overcoming my consequences

• Learn from my mistakes and strive to live like Jesus more each day

Ditch that sitting duck attitude and migrate towards the Lord. You will be surprised by the peace you will find when you cultivate your relationship, rowing toward God every day.

Karla Smedley lives in Dalton, Georgia, where she has taught 5th through 8th grade for the past twenty-four years. She is a member of Emmaus Baptist Church and has two grown children. She enjoys singing with the praise team at church, and she writes a Christian blog, Smorgasbord of Sisterhood, with her cousin Donna. About The Author

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 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.

Feed the Need

Thirteen years. 2,340 days. 16,380 hours. Before graduating high school, a child will spend 16,380 hours at school. With the addition of extracurricular activities, a child may spend up to 30,000 hours inside the walls of their school before they graduate.

What can you do in 30,000 hours?

Unity Christian School views these hours as an opportunity to cultivate meaningful relationships with students by disciplining them through academics, athletics, and fine arts. For 25 years, Unity Christian School has been investing in young leaders in the Rome community by providing a rigorous, college-preparatory education that focuses not only on developing critical thinking skills but also wisdom and virtue through its emphasis on the four pillars of academics, fine arts, athletics, and spiritual formation. Unity invests in its students through Gospel-saturated, relational teaching, and a vertically-aligned curriculum, recognizing that God has a unique call on the life of each student.

While each child has a unique call for his or her life, God calls all His children to serve others. To that end, Unity Christian School promotes service projects within classrooms, student extracurricular groups, and athletic teams. From yearly participation in Samaritan’s Purse ministries to the Salvation Army’s annual can drive, Unity provides opportunities for its students to connect with organizations in our community that are actively serving God’s children, both locally and globally.

At the annual State of the School event on Friday, March 3, Unity launched a unique fundraiser called Feed the Need. In partnership with Birmingham-area consulting firm, The Champion Group, Unity administration shared the goals of Feed the Need with its families. As Unity is committed to providing a highquality, college preparatory, Christ-centered education to families regardless of their financial means, annual fundraisers bridge the gap between tuition revenue and operational expenses while allowing Unity to invest in the future of the school. Typically, with fundraising events, a portion of the funds raised goes toward the event itself, such as banquet food, auction items, and a venue. What makes Feed the Need unique is that Unity will invest the typical fundraising overhead into serving those with food insecurity. On March 31, 2023, all 363 students at Unity Christian School will gather to pack 10,000 meals. These meals will then be distributed both locally via Community Share Ministries,

Northwest Georgia Hunger Ministries, and the Anti-hunger Initiatives to meet the needs of our neighbors with food insecurity and internationally via Unity’s partnership with a mission organization in Eleuthera, Bahamas.

Not only will all Unity faculty and students serve through packing meals, but Unity’s students will also have the opportunity to distribute the meals in Floyd and Polk County. This past summer, the high school mission trip distributed meals in Eleuthera to a Haitian refugee group. Our students look forward to this opportunity again in summer 2024.

“Service is an integral part of Unity’s mission,” said Head of School Eric Munn. “Our mission statement specifically states that we partner with parents in preparing their children to impact the world for Christ by pursuing their God-given gifts in academics, leadership, and service. While we have traditionally invested a great deal of energy in service projects by class, Feed the Need allows us to incorporate the service mandate specifically into our fundraising efforts. By doing this, we hope to live out the Gospel message for our students, teaching them that all good gifts come from the Father and that He calls us to give of our time, talents, and finances to meet the needs of His children in the community in which he has planted us.”

To learn more about Unity’s impact in Northwest Georgia or to find out how you can be a part of Feed the Need, please contact Jeannie King, at jking@unitychristianschool.org.

Don’t Look Back

by Diana Fain

The word of God instructs us in many scriptures about looking back, but many of us find ourselves going back over our past hurts, wrongdoings, or even failed relationships. God warns us about not looking back because we can sometimes find ourselves back in those same situations that He has delivered us from (Genesis 19:26).

Luke 9:61-62 says, “And another also said, Lord, I will follow You, but let me first go and bid them farewell who are at my house. But Jesus said to him, no one having put his hand to the plow and looking back is fit for the kingdom of God.” We can see from this Scripture that we cannot keep looking back and do what God has called us to do. This is because looking back can be a distraction and can often cause us to get off track from our Godgiven purpose.

Hebrews 10:39 says, “But we are not of these who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.” We do not go back to willingly sinning once God has delivered us. This is especially important to remember when we find ourselves in difficult situations, because it is during those times, we can often think about going back to what worked for us in our past. Although it may not be the best course of action for us, it may be our comfort zone. The enemy loves to keep us in our comfort zones because we will never step out and trust God.

Ecclesiastes 7:10 says, “Do not say, why were the former days better than these? For you do not inquire wisely concerning this.” The enemy would have us believe that our former days before we received salvation were better than the life we now live for Christ, but that is a lie. Matthew 19:29 lets us know that whatever we left or lost in our

former lives to follow Christ, we will receive a hundredfold in return and eternal life. So, the life we live for Christ is a 100 percent return on investment on whatever we think we left or lost.

2 Peter 2:20-22 tells us, “For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning. For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness than having known it, to turn from the holy commandments delivered to them.” We can again become entangled in sins we were once delivered from. This is why we shouldn’t look back.

Isaiah 43:18-19 says, “Remember not the former things nor the things of old.” We do not have to dwell on our past failures or mistakes. God is ever faithful and forgiving. He does not want us feeling guilty for things that He has already forgiven us for. Our past is indeed in the past, so we do not need to go back and pick those things up.

My name is Diana Fain, and I am from Rome, Georgia. I have worked in healthcare for many years and enjoy being of help to others. I also love to garden, travel, and write; thus, when God

“WE ARE HERE TO SERVE YOU, AND GUIDE YOU AS TO YOUR SPECIFIC SITUATION.” —MICHAEL MINTER

Greenway Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM of Rome, Georgia, is enthusiastic