Gò0dNews November 2022
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About Us WRITERS
Dr. Alan Hix Beth Penny Brent Goodge Detrick Redding Granger Hughes Jodi Varnado Judy Hood Karla Smedley Katie Loveless Kaye Stein Kristen West Matt Jensen Regina Law Smith Sandra Gilmore Stephanie Daniels Terrie Ruff Zebbie Brewster
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Matthew Ruckman 423-503-1410 Email: goodnewstn@gmail.com
DESIGN
Caleb Prytherch Email: art.goodnews@gmail.com
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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,
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EDITOR/ARTICLE COORDINATOR
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Jodi Varnado Email: articles.goodnews@gmail.com
PUBLISHER
strengthen our community through relevant editorial and effective advertising. GoodNews Christian Magazine is written by men and
Matthew and Bethany Ruckman Cell: 423-503-1410 E-mail: goodnewstn@gmail.com
women in the community who love and serve the Lord.
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Contents NOVEMBER 2022
GoodNews from the Pastor’s Desk
6 The Art of My Thanksgiving by Detrick Redding
GoodNews for Kids
8 Count Your Blessings by Katie Loveless
GoodNews Money Matters
10 How Long Will
My Money Last?
by Granger Hughes GoodNews for Men
12 Did God Really Say...? by Brent Goodge
GoodNews for Women
14 Living Abundantly by Kristen West
GoodNews for Grandparents
18 Thank You Lord
by Zebbie Brewster
GoodNews for Everyone
20 A Thankful Heart, For Real by Kaye Stein
GoodNews Cover Story
22 Five Decades of Five-Star Service Toles, Temple & Wright, Inc. Real Estate
GoodNews for Everyone
24 Objects In the Mirror Are
Smaller Than They Appear
GoodNews for Everyone
26 PS138V8
by Regina Law Smith
GoodNews Poetry
28 Thanksgiving Day by Judy Hood
GoodNews for Everyone
30 Best Plan: God’s Way by Karla Smedley
GoodNews for Everyone
32 I Finally Got Over Myself!
6
by Terrie Ruff
GoodNews for Everyone
34 Are You Tilting at Windmills? by Dr. Alan Hix
GoodNews for Everyone
36 Is God One Person? by Matt Jensen
GoodNews for Everyone
38 While He Was Thinking by Sandra Gilmore
GoodNews for Everyone
40 Rejoice In Your Harvest
22
by Stephanie Daniels
GoodNews for your Taste Buds
42 Thanksgiving Sweet Potato Casserole Boats
by Jodi Varnado
by Beth Penny
40
Gò0dNews from the Pastor’s Desk
The Art of My Thanksgiving
A
by Detrick Redding
s we go into a very traditional and festive season
pressures of life are weighing us down, we are to still
of Thanksgiving, we are readily preparing for
mustard up thanksgiving.
the family gathering. Many of us are preparing
Now, what is thanksgiving according to Scripture?
a big meal for our family and friends—from turkey, ham,
Looking at Luke 17:11-19, we find that there are ten lepers
dressing/stuffing, sweet potato souffle, deviled (or as we
that desired to be healed. When they saw that Jesus
called them, angel) eggs, and so much more. It’s a family
was present, they all beckoned for the cleansing of the
tradition for us to come together to celebrate the year, to
leprosy. Jesus, a Spirit-filled man full of compassion gave
reminisce on accomplishments and even failures. I am
instructions for them to go show themselves to the priest.
personally reminded of a family member that has passed
This was an instruction to activate their faith, and it was also, at the very same time, a testimony of their coming healing. You see, the priests were the only ones that could verify the cleansing away of leprosy. So, as they went, they were all cleansed. Isn’t that exciting! I know that they all were happy, as they could finally be moved back into the population. I’m sure they were excited to be free to live again like a normal citizen. However, one of the lepers turned and went back to give acknowledgment to the one who had performed the miracle. Jesus said, where are the nine…only one has come back to give (me) thanks. That’s the difference, appreciation of the act that was done. As we enter Thanksgiving season, we need to embrace the art of thanksgiving. It’s time to be deliberate in our knowledge of God. God is the source
on, even on the night of Thanksgiving, my mom. However,
of our provision, our healing, our deliverance, and so much
during this time, we find comfort in the gathering of family
more. All ten lepers received a miracle. All ten lepers walked
and friends.
free from leprosy. All ten got delivered. All ten—but only
Let’s look at the Word of God concerning this, 1
one entered the true realm of thanksgiving. Those of us
Thess. 5:18 tells us, “In everything give thanks…!” Wow,
that are believers, let’s stay in this realm. We must always
in everything? Yes, we are encouraged to give thanks in
acknowledge that God is the source of our praise. Don’t get
everything—good, bad, and even the ugly. That sounds
caught up in the acts that have transpired because of God
almost impossible, but it is not. Paul continued to tell
and not even recognize God. Psalms 100:4 says, “Enter into
us that this is the will of God for us. Thanksgiving is a
His gates with Thanksgiving and enter into His courts with
commandment. Now in Eph. 5:20, Paul tells us that thanks
praise, be thankful unto Him and bless His Name!”
should also be “for all things.” I know that can seem will of God for His children. That means even when things are opposing our desires, thanksgiving is to be done. When
6 // November 2022
About The Author
challenging to some of us. This act of thanksgiving is the 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.
Your One-Stop Shop For Insurance Ben McWhorter
601 E 1st St. Rome, GA 30161-3143 (706) 234-8686 BMcWhorter@alfains.com
Gò0dNews for Kids
Count Your Blessings
H
by Katie Loveless
ave you ever heard the expression attitude is
Challenge 1 Kids: Explore in your yard, at a park, or
everything? Attitude really is important. The Bible
help a grown-up tend to a houseplant. As you do, take note
says so in Proverbs 23:7, where we gain the phrase
of the shapes and edges of the foliage around you. Count
adapted from the KJV, “As a man thinks in his heart so is
your blessings for every point. For a leaf with 3 points,
he.” We can believe the Bible. It tells us what is true about
identify 3 things you are grateful for. For a leaf with 5
God and ourselves. The Bible tells us that the way we think
points, name 5 things you like.
will shape who we become and what we do. In other words, our thinking steers the direction of our hearts. My middle son, Sawyer, came into my room with a Scholastic book. The book is written about different types of animal feet and has a very interesting cover of a boy with aardvark feet. Sawyer cannot yet read at four-years-old. He made an assumption about truth based on what he saw on the cover. He pointed at the animal feet, the boy on the cover, and the aardvark. He assumed the boy turned into an aardvark by touching the animal’s feet. That is not at all what the book says. The book actually presents interesting facts about
Challenge 2 Jewels: Find a verse in the Bible that
animal feet and stirs your imagination to think about
mentions counting, thankfulness, or discovery. What
what it would be like to have animal feet. In the case of
treasure did you find? What is the truth you found and want
the boy with the aardvark feet, he could quickly unearth
to keep?
buried treasure. However, we don’t need animal feet to
Challenge 3 Keepers: Keep it in your heart. Pray
uncover treasure. We can find it in our hearts by letting
about a person or thing you counted as a blessing. Make
Jesus in. We can even find it in our own backyard by
this month one where you ask God to bless and protect
taking time to count our blessings.
someone or something you discovered is a blessing in your
My prayer for you as you take time to do this is for you
life. Partner with a grown-up to help you pray or to talk
to ask God to help you unearth truth. I pray you will dig
about what God has put on your heart in prayer. Consider
into the word. I challenge you to learn from the Bible and
whether God is prompting you to serve with an act of
its teachings so you can read for yourself what is true about
kindness to keep the blessings coming.
are ready for adventure, take the 1, 2, 3 challenge below!
8 // November 2022
About The Author
God and you. Finding the truth is as simple as 1, 2, 3. If you 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.
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How Long Will My Money Last? Money Matters Granger Hughes
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.
T
his is a tough question many of us will ask at some point in our
perform two of those six ADLs, your check would double to $4,000 a
lives as we face many obstacles when planning for things like
month for up to five years.
long-term care, taxes, potential market downturns, and even
Taxes
longevity risk. Men at age 65 today can expect to live until age 84 on average, and
We’ve been hardwired to reduce taxable income by loading our 401(k)s and other tax-deferred accounts, forgetting about our silent
women on average, until age 87. About one of every four 65-year-olds
partner: the IRS. We must realize the risk of future tax hikes we may
today will live past age 90, and one of ten past 95.1
encounter with deferred funds due to outstanding and ever-increasing
This poses a problem our parents or grandparents didn’t face—it’s
national debt. Here are some brief solutions.
a good problem, but a problem nonetheless. Let’s address strategies
Roth Conversion
to combat these realities and work toward making your retirement
You can convert money in a deferred account to pay the taxes now
income last 20 to 30 years!
rather than later. There are no income limits to do this, but remember,
Long-term care (LTC)
you have to pay these taxes eventually!
The average annual cost of LTC is $108,405.2 Someone turning 65 today has a 70% chance of needing some type of LTC.3 This means
Roth IRA This takes a while to build up at $7,000 a year for those over 50
LTC is worth accounting for in our retirement plans. Let’s look at a few
and comes with income limitations, which could be difficult for high-
ways to do this.
income earners.
Indexed universal life policy
Life Insurance Retirement Plan
This allows you to access the death benefit in the event you
This can be indexed and there are no contribution or income
need LTC and are unable to perform two of the six activities of daily
limits. Also, when you need the money, it can be withdrawn tax-free, if
living (ADLs), like feeding, bathing, toileting, etc., and aren’t tied to
done correctly.
certain care facilities. This money can also be used to build a handicap
Market downturn
accessible home if you’d rather — it’s your choice.
If you’ve been contributing to your retirement income for any
Traditional LTC policy
amount of time, you know market downturn is always a risk. To better
This is a “use it or lose it” product with the potential of wasting
create a retirement income plan, it’s important to assess your risk
money on something you may never need. A lot of these policies also
tolerance by having your portfolio tested to discover your statistical
restrict which care facilities you can use, which might be problematic
risk versus reward. If you haven’t tested your portfolio, now is the
for some.
time to do it. Many of us could be positioning ourselves to experience
LTC-focused financial vehicles This would be utilizing an annuity with an LTC rider. This is a good option for someone who doesn’t want the “use it or lose it” strategy. The key here is you aren’t qualifying from a health standpoint;
another 2008 and don’t even know it. These are three key components to help ensure that we don’t run out of money. I urge you to take all into consideration when developing your retirement plan. Working alongside an experienced
however, if you tried to purchase an annuity and couldn’t perform two
financial professional can help you explore your options and develop a
of the six aforementioned ADLs before you purchased it, the LTC rider
plan that works for your retirement needs.
wouldn’t be an option. For example, let’s say you invested $300,000 that generated a lifetime income check of $2,000 a month. In the event you couldn’t
10 // November 2022
Remember: It’s not what we make, it’s what we keep that counts! __________________ 1. https://www.ssa.gov/OACT/population/longevity.html 2. https://acl.gov/ltc/basic-needs/how-much-care-will-you-need 3. https://www.medicaidplanningassistance.org/nursing-home-costs/
( 423) 6 6 4 -4 2 0 3 HughesRetirementGroup.com
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Gò0dNews for Men
Did God Really Say…?
T
by Brent Goodge
here’s a story at the end of the book of Jeremiah
Jeremiah promised to bring them God’s word, they added,
that doesn’t often make it to the Bible bedtime
“Let the Lord be a true and faithful Witness between us…
storybooks. The story is touched on in five verses
whether it is pleasing or displeasing, we will obey the voice
of 2 Kings (2 Kings 25:22-26), and the Chronicles don’t mention it. It’s the story of the “fortunate” Jews who
of the Lord our God” (Jeremiah 42:5,6). Ten days later, Jeremiah brought them the word of the
survived the siege of Nebuchadnezzar and were not
Lord. God instructed that the people stay in the land of
carried off to Babylon.
Judah. God would move the heart of Nebuchadnezzar to
By direct order of Nebuchadnezzar himself, Jeremiah
spare them. Conversely, if they chose to go to Egypt, hardly
was released from prison after the Babylonian army took
any of them would survive to return. The devastation they
Jerusalem. Given the choice to travel to Babylon as a
were desperate to escape would find them in Egypt.
guest of Nebuchadnezzar or to stay behind with the other
The leaders of the people, having already made up their
remaining Jews, Jeremiah chose to remain in Judah. He
minds to go to Egypt, proclaimed, “You speak falsely! The
moved to Mizpah to live. There he joined Gedaliah,
Lord our God has not sent you to say, ‘Do not go into
whom Nebuchadnezzar had appointed governor of the remaining people. Read Jeremiah chapters 40-45 to get the entire story. In short, Gedaliah was murdered and the Jews remaining were at a loss for what
Egypt’” (Jeremiah 43:2). Having already promised to accept the word of the Lord through Jeremiah, they denied that God actually inspired the words His prophet was sharing with them. There is a much older story that reveals
to do. Some favored staying in Judah. Others
where this attitude originated. About 3,500 years
favored escaping to Egypt in fear that Babylon
before Jeremiah, a snake waited in a tree. The
would come to destroy them for the murder
snake was eating fruit that Adam and Eve had
of Gedaliah.
been forbidden to partake of. His conversation
Thankfully, Jeremiah was yet among them, and he could relate God’s instructions to them. Their
began with “Did God really say…?” and quickly moved to “You shall not surely die,” in direct contradiction to the
request to Jeremiah could
word of God. Then he added that,
hardly have been more
through disobedience, Eve could
respectful. “Please let our
become like God (Genesis 3:1-
petition be acceptable to
5). Satan inspired the Jews who
you, and pray for us to
rejected the word of Jeremiah.
the Lord your God…
Satan inspires all those today
that the Lord your
who, by their words and deeds
God may show us
implies the question, “Did God
the way in which
REALLY say…?”
we should walk and do” (Jeremiah 42:2,3). When
12 // November 2022
About The Author
the thing we should Brent Goodge lives in Whitfield County, and he wants the quote of his life to be like Jesus, “It is written…” rather than “Did God REALLY say…?”
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Gò0dNews for Women
Living Abundantly
O
by Kristen West
nce upon a time, I was a single mother. Living
The abundance Jesus is referring to here is the abundant
paycheck to paycheck was the norm, ramen
life that can be found in Him. Abundant joy, abundant
noodles was a gourmet meal, and thrift store
peace, abundant wisdom, and an abundance of God’s
clothing filled our closets. Taking care of my children’s basic necessities was my sole focus. I didn’t have the
Spirit dwelling in us as we believe in Him. And, herein lies the secret of how a single mother
margin to lavish them with the hottest toys, coolest
on welfare or a family living below the poverty line can
snacks, or nicest clothes. Our needs were always met.
have joy unspeakable and live from a spiritual place that surpasses the amassed prosperity of those on the Fortune 500’s Most Wealthy People in the World list. Abundant life comes as we learn there is no worry He cannot carry, no heartache He cannot mend, and no fear He cannot handle. Yet, how often do we find ourselves acting like He’s the God of scarcity? The God of barely enough and meager handouts? The God who has control of the faucet but only turns it on enough to give us a trickle?
We just didn’t have the extra. It was during this season,
Ephesians 3:20 says, “…to Him who is able to do
though, when God taught us about abundance. It seems
exceedingly abundantly above all we ask or think…”
contradictory to the natural mind, I know, but with God
Don’t settle for scarcity of peace, joy, or hope today,
all things are possible, right?
friend, when we serve a God who came to give us life
In John 10:10, Jesus proclaims that He came to give us
more abundantly! Your bank account will never give
life. He didn’t stop there, though. He went on to add that
you that. Doctor’s reports can never give you that. The
He would give us “…life more abundantly.”
newest, nicest, and best can never give you that. Only
So often, American Christianity has interpreted this
Jesus Christ can give you that.
of the Year’s most trendy vehicle. But this promise goes so much deeper than the external abundance of possessions.
14 // November 2022
About The Author
verse to mean stacks of cash, the finest of clothes, and Car Kristen West works at Rock Bridge Community Church with a heart for staff leadership, development, and care. She is a communicator with a passion to inspire, encourage, and challenge others in their daily walk with Christ. She writes and publishes weekly content on her blog at kristen-west.com.
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Rome Church Directory
African Methodist Episcopal Bethel AME Church 22 Nichols Rd Rome, Ga 30161 706-295-0019 St. James AME Zion Church 3 Maxwell Lane Rome, GA 30165 404-307-7396 Summer Hill AME Church 1981 Kingston Hwy NE Rome, Ga 30161 706-235-7113
Anglican
St. Andrew’s Anglican Church 42 Ash Street Rome, Ga 30161 706-235-5892
Apostolic
First Apostolic Church of Rome 3213 Cave Spring Rd Rome, Ga 30161 706-235-9551
Assembly of God
Redemption Church 105 Broadus Road NE Rome, Ga 30161 706-232-0277
Baptist
Antioch Baptist Church 4526 Big Texas Valley Rome, Ga 30165 706-232-7248 Armuchee Baptist Church 6648 Big Texas Valley Rd NW Rome, Ga 30165 706-235-3169 Berean Baptist Church 8 Skyline Dr Rome, Ga 30161 706-295-9832 Blue Pond Baptist Church 1291 Morrison Campground Rome, Ga 30161 706-235-3296 Bryant Chapel Baptist Church 24 Shady Lane Rome, Ga 30161 706-235-9768 Bush Arbor Baptist Church 3290 Black Bluff Rd Rome, Ga. 30161 770-885-0779 Calhoun Avenue Baptist Church 1021 Calhoun Ave Rome, Ga 30161 706-234-4431 Calvary Baptist Church 101 Broadus Rd NE Rome, Ga 30161 706-291-1461 Cedar Valley Baptist Church 3024 Cedartown Hwy SW Rome, Ga 30161 706-295-0978 Community Chapel Baptist Church 3733 Black Bluff Rd Rome, Ga 30161 706-232-4070 Desoto Park Baptist Church 1107 Cave Spring Rd. Rome, Ga 30161 706-232-6207 Dykes Creek Baptist Church 3181 Kingston Hwy NE Rome Ga, 30161 706-291-7790
16 // November 2022
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 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
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
Methodist
Cornerstone Church 324 Mathis Dr Rome, Ga 30165
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
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
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
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 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
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 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 Grandparents
Thank You Lord
I
by Zebbie Brewster
had gone to my husband’s doctor’s appointment with him. As I followed behind him, trying to find his doctor’s office, a sign in another doctor’s office
caught my eye. It was a simple sign, but to me, it spoke volumes. It said, “Work Hard, Stay Humble, Be Kind.” I thought to myself, is that the secret to a successful life? I knew in my heart that I had fallen way behind in following those simple directions. The Bible tells us in Matthew 6:33, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” Seeking God’s way for my life was always the right road to travel on, even though I knew there had been times I had veered off that path. My grandfather set the example for me as a child for how to walk with God and be successful for God. My grandfather was always working hard at whatever job he was doing. From working in the hay field, to cutting fire wood, he worked hard at it. He was no shirker and got the job done. I loved to listen to him talk to God in prayer. He always said, “Thank You Lord, that everything is as well with us as it I never fully understood the meaning behind it. Life was not always easy, yet God was real in my grandfather’s life. He loved God and his family, and stayed faithful to the God who was faithful to him. I remember how he would often visit my family after I had a family of my own. It seems that he would often forget his hat, which he always wore. That gave him an excuse to come back to get it and visit again. My mom told me that she and her dad were prayer partners. They would meet and have
18 // November 2022
prayer together. What a blessing that was to hear about! Praying for them was important. It also helped increase our faith as we saw their prayers come to fruition. I am thankful God blessed me and allowed me to be born into a Christian home. Thank You Lord, that everything is as well with us as it is. For Lord, You truly are worthy of all our love and praise.
About The Author
is.” As a child, hearing him say that in his prayers,
Zebbie Brewster resides in Summerville, Georgia. She is an active member at Perennial Springs Baptist Church.
Church Activities & Events Cornerstone Church Men’s Tailgate Event
Saturday, November 5 | 12PM 324 Mathis Dr NW, Rome, GA
Rally Up Ministries Reset 22
Saturday, November 12 2460 Shorter Ave NW, Rome, GA
Northside Church Daniel Crews
Sunday, November 13 | 10:45AM 75 N Floyd Park Rd, Rome, GA
Trinity United Methodist Small Group Study
Sunday, November 13 | 3PM - 4PM 606 Turner McCall Blvd, Rome, GA
Gò0dNews for Everyone
A Thankful Heart, For Real
N
by Kaye Stein
ovember—the month we are most thankful in!
and loving on our people? Are we showing a thankful
Raise your hand if you’re guilty. Can you see
heart towards the people God has put in our lives? It’s
mine? My hand is up. At my age, I’ve celebrated
okay to start with small steps, maybe even better. Try
so many Thanksgiving meals in so many different homes,
listing your gratitude. Or when you sit down at the
and with so many different people, that I can’t say I have
table with others, have everyone say something they are
a tradition. But that’s okay. I moved around, living in
thankful for.
several different states and I wasn’t always able to get
Being thankful is an action and showing thankfulness
back home. So, I guess my tradition is that I don’t have
can be a little difficult or even scary at times. Letting go
a tradition. Don’t get me wrong, I do have a meal with
of bad history can possibly require much more effort, so start small. Say like, learning to be thankful for yourself! Be thankful for the way God made you—all the way down to your nose hairs! I’m sure you have heard the saying, “you must learn to love yourself before you can love someone else!” It is very true. Your nose hairs have a job to do even though it’s not a major part of you. But just the same, they have a purpose. It may not be as significant as the iris in your eye, but every part of you is made to perfection to do your Lord’s work. I know it’s kind of a funny analogy, and not too glamorous to think about nose hairs, yet every part of you is put together by God. Likewise, He put together each one of us to fulfill His purpose and bring Him glory!
family, but it’s been a changing dynamic. I’m sure there
Ephesians 3:19, “May you experience the love of
are plenty of you who have been in the same place in life.
Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then
Dynamics change for different reasons, and we could go
you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and
on and on listing them, but that’s not the point we need to
power that comes from God.” So, shout your praises to
dwell on. The point is, are we thankful and ministering to
the God almighty and be thankful for His love for you!
the ones God gives us during the time we have?
Let that joy and peace permeate your being, and that joy
Jesus’s ministry took Him to many places, but
will spread to the people in your life!
His focus stayed the same. Everywhere He went He work. All throughout the New Testament, there are stories of His love for us! Are we following in His steps
20 // November 2022
About The Author
ministered to people and was focused on His Father’s
Kaye Stein lives with her amazing husband, Mike, in Rome, Georgia, and attends Pleasant Valley North. She loves learning about God in Bible Study Groups and Sunday School in the Woman’s Class. She loves her family, especially her grands! She is retired and is starting her bucket list travels.
K E L L I D G O N Z A L E Z C PA certified public accountant
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FEATURED COVER STORY
Five Decades of Five-Star Service Toles, Temple & Wright, Inc. Real Estate
I
A Second-Generation, Family-Owned Small Business n 1972, a new chapter in Rome-Floyd County real estate began. Emerging on the market for the first time as Toles, Temple & Wright, Inc., the company has a rich history in the Rome-Floyd landscape. While the modern company finds much of its beginnings in Covington & Toles, Toles, Temple & Wright, Inc. (TTW) can actually trace back its roots more than 72 years to 1949 with Adrian Howell & Company, and eventually, Adrian Howell & Covington. Although the organization naturally evolved over time, the practice of marrying a traditional brokerage with real estate development and new construction remains the same. Fifty years ago, C. Max Toles hired Brooke J. Temple, and together they recruited Sara Wright as their Associate Broker. TTW was born from these three entrepreneurial and established leaders in the community. “Max was one of the best, sharpest sales people I’ve ever known, and Sara was beyond belief,” said Brooke J. Temple, Co-founder, President, and Principal Broker. “Throughout the long history of our company, the strategy has always been to keep our eyes and ears on the movements and trends affecting local real estate, and to methodically hire agents that deliver only the best experience for our clients.” In 2002, TTW formally became a second-generation family business. Brooke J. Temple’s son, Bill Temple, joined
22 // November 2022
the company as Vice President and Associate Broker. This addition further showcases TTW’s commitment to build and sustain a business that serves their community with intention and care. Many sales associates— past and present—have served the agency for years in response to the fast-paced work environment that positively encourages and promotes longevity. TTW continues to maintain its headquarters out of the familiar Georgian-style brick building in the heart of Rome.
Developing Relationships and Developing Communities The early reception, success, and momentum created from TTW’s predecessors, including landmark neighborhoods such as Fieldwood, Horseleg Estates, Maplewood Square, North Hills, and Saddle Mountain, have helped the modern leaders of the agency cement themselves as a champion for future developments. “Our story and our legacy will always be one of seeing a need in the community—a void—and filling it with a quality product,” said Temple. In addition to supplying the Rome-Floyd area with essential housing, developments including Huntcliff, Hunters Glen, River Place, and Woodfin Estates have provided a positive economic impact. These early subdivisions paved the way for later successful firsts in the area: The Oaks at Collinwood, the area’s first gated cluster home development; Hamilton Ridge, one of the first luxury apartments in Rome; Berry Forest, one of its first true golf course communities; as well as later phases in Maplewood East, transforming the neighborhood into Rome’s first swim and tennis community. From residential and commercial real estate to commercial leasing and business brokerage, TTW has more than 40 REALTORS that collectively represent different specialties with licensures in Georgia, Alabama, and beyond. Every agent is an active member of the Greater Rome Board of REALTORS, Georgia Association of REALTORS, National Association of REALTORS, and Rome Floyd Chamber of Commerce. These sales associates are not only experts in their fields, but experts in the Rome community. TTW agents live locally and care deeply for the community’s unique quality of life. Agents foster long-lasting relationships with their clients and treat each individual and family with the time and care they deserve. They volunteer as individuals and as groups for causes like Adopt-a-Mile, Brighter Birthdays, and the P.A.W.S. animal
shelter, as well as in various civic clubs and non-profit and governmental boards and committees throughout the area. “Whether working on the behalf of clients to get them the best property for their needs, round-tabling new construction and laying out the plans for a subdivision, or the giving of our time and talent for an important cause or event, 50 years later we remain committed to developing relationships and developing communities,” said Temple, who was officially recognized this year with a ceremonial Key to the City of Rome. “This is how we support and strengthen our area’s quality of life, and we are sincerely grateful to our clients past and present for the opportunity to serve them and their real estate needs.” Celebrating a Golden Anniversary TTW is proud to have served the Rome-Floyd community for 50 years! To learn more about the brokerage’s history, meet the Co-founders, access a dynamic timeline with archival materials, and find additional information on the golden anniversary, visit www.TolesTemple.com/50years and search the hashtag #TTW50 on social media. Whether you are starting a new chapter or closing another, Toles, Temple & Wright’s close-knit family of Rome-based realtors are committed to using their expertise to help you write your story. Working together with their clients to meet their real estate goals is how they ensure a storybook ending for everyone at the closing table. If your roads lead to or from Rome, TTW is here for every new chapter in real estate. TTW is located at 611 Turner McCall Blvd NE, Rome, GA 30165. To set up an appointment with a TTW agent or for more information, call 706-291-0202.
goodnewscm.com // 23
Gò0dNews for Everyone
Objects In the Mirror Are Smaller Than They Appear
T
by Beth Penny
here are so many pivotal moments in our lives
forward and move forward as we understand that the
that imprint on our memories. One of those for me
past has a presence in our future but does not control it.
will always be the day I turned sixteen and got my
My advice is to live life as you would drive a car. Look
driver’s license. For me, as for so many others, being able
forward and move on from what mistakes or errors you
to drive alone was the first step in young freedom and
have made in the past. Look forward and remember
independence. It signified so much more than that little
that God is always above. An old adage says, “If what is
piece of paper you receive that says you passed a test.
ahead scares you and what’s behind hurts you, just look
But learning to drive, on the other hand, was full of so
up. He never fails to help you.”
many more issues. Learning to be totally aware of your surroundings proves difficult until it becomes second nature. One of the first driving lessons my dad gave me was learning to use the mirrors. The side mirrors and rearview mirror have their own purpose, and we have to learn to use them to aid the process of driving. However, they aren’t the most important thing to help us drive. As we drive, we glance in the mirrors to look for things beside us, right behind us, or even further behind us. We use those to help us know our
Those words ring true. Just as the words in Psalm
surroundings or potential dangers. We don’t, however,
121, “Look up to the mountains—does my help come
continuously drive while looking through the rearview
from there? My help comes from the Lord, who made
mirror. There is a reason the windshield is bigger than
heaven and earth…The Lord himself watches over you!
the rearview. We always have to look forward to where
The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade”
we are going and be aware but not focused on what is
(1-2, 5). Don’t let mistakes of the past guide what you can
behind us.
accomplish in the present. Remember that the windshield
In life, we have to remember the same lessons. We
is bigger than the rearview.
control what is in front of us. We have to continue to look
24 // November 2022
About The Author
have to be aware of what is behind us but not let it Beth Penny has taught English at Model High School since 1997. There she is also the Yearbook adviser and the Special Education Department Chair. She and her husband, Chad, have four children.
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Gò0dNews for Everyone
PS138V8 by Regina Law Smith
I
have always believed that God provides everything we
ways,” he said. “I had been praying for some extra money
need. He may not answer our prayers in the ways we
for my business license and insurance, with no idea where it
want or on the timelines we expect, but He does answer.
was going to come from. Today, I went to the mailbox and
And every now and then, in the midst of daily living, we are
found a check for $2,000 from online classes I had dropped
allowed a powerful glimpse of our Father’s hand at work.
weeks after the refund date. But somehow, someway, the
I’ve certainly seen His hand in my life. One morning
refund was processed and sent to me. Prayer is an amazing,
on my way to work, I was troubled and crying so hard
amazing thing!” The assurance that your children know
I was heaving. Suddenly, a car swerved in front of me. I
God is priceless.
can’t tell you the make, model, or color of the car, but I’ll never forget the license plate: PS138V8—Psalm 138, Verse
I was most aware of God providing for my needs one December long ago. It was one of those months when
8—which says, “The Lord will perfect that which concerns me”
there was more
NOV
G A
month than money, and I knew with Christmas just
(KJV). Well, what
a week away, I
else could I do but
wouldn’t have
dry my eyes, blow
the means to buy
my nose, and give
presents for my
a prayer of thanks
young sons. I spent
to God?
the night pondering
He is present in
ways to help them
the workplace, too.
understand that
My niece, a single mother of two, arrived at work not long
the birth of Jesus Christ is the true meaning of Christmas
ago with her gas tank on empty. “Okay, God,” she prayed
and the only gift we need. The next morning, a friend from
at her desk. “You promised to take care of my needs, and I
church called and said, “Just hear me out. My husband and
need gas!” Before my niece could complete her prayer, a co-
I want to give you $250 to help with Christmas for your
worker asked for a lift home that entire week. In exchange?
boys.” Through my tears, I whispered, “Thank you” to my
The co-worker offered to fill up the gas tank.
friend—and to my Father.
God has been active in my co-workers’ lives as well.
It was I, not my sons, who needed to understand the
When I was on an out-of-town training assignment, a
true meaning of Christmas that year. I was reminded in a
colleague became disoriented. Two other co-workers took
powerful way that God knows our needs more than we do.
her to the emergency room. One co-worker recognized her
And, through the birth of Jesus Christ, He has a divine plan
symptoms as those of a stroke, and the other knew just
to provide for all of them—in ways that are beautifully clear
where to find the nearest hospital. My ailing colleague made
to our humble human hearts.
by God in her path that day. It warmed my heart recently to receive this voice message from my grown son: “God works in mysterious
26 // November 2022
About The Author
a full recovery, and says we were her “angel family” placed Regina Law Smith is presently married and God blessed her with the opportunity to raise six sons and one daughter. Her life experiences are of immeasurable value to this world and her community. It is no surprise that her favorite quote is, “Believe what you want to believe, but know the Truth.”
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Gò0dNews Poetry
Thanksgiving Day by Judy Hood
On this day of Thanksgiving I thank you Lord for all you have been giving I thank you for the air I breathe That gives life in and through me If you had not given your life for me I would cease to exist, you see I know my mom gave me birth But you gave me rebirth To save my soul And make me whole I wish everyone would give their life to you But some people act like they don’t want any part of you I’m glad we have a Thanksgiving Day To thank you for each and every day As I look up into the sky to praise you for being so good to me I honor you, for without you, I don’t know where I would be I know I have made many mistakes along the way But I serve a big God that forgives me and brightens my day So, “Happy Thanksgiving,” Lord, thank you, for all you do Remind us before we judge people to try our foot in their shoe 28 // November 2022
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Best Plan: God’s Way by Karla Smedley
I
like to be in the know! I dream of my future, whether it
the bed and pull the covers over my head. Life can just
be the events of the current day or the upcoming years. I
happen to me; I am too tired to try anymore. That is my
enjoy designing what’s to come.
Plan D—no plan at all! Que Sera Sera; whatever will be
Plan A: My Plan, Ideal Target In my mind’s eye, I see how my day will play out. I rise, I dress, I forge ahead. I strive to move toward my target. Then life happens. When I am distracted and forcefully navigated in a different direction with the world’s twists
will be. The world is in control of my life. Like a sky dance, that inflatable tube advertising wacky waving thing, I will just flail around, getting slapped in the face as life comes at me! What’s the point? Then suddenly as I am flailing . . . God allows a wind of wisdom to slap me
and turns, I am left frustrated and confused because my
across the face! I remember . . .
mental perception of what I wanted gets delayed.
God’s Plan: Thriving, Not Just Surviving
Plan B: My Back-Up Plan, Let Down, but Keep Trucking I tweak my course of action for a better chance of success, beginning to diagram long-term details for my life,
What am I trying to do? Live my life – doing it my way? Don’t misconstrue my words, I believe it is actually good to think ahead, to be prepared. However, we must
desiring to be in control of my future. The day is foggy with interruptions, so I visualize the month, the year, and even decades ahead. And without even realizing, I have created an expectation of what lies ahead. At times, I act like a fortune teller in my own life, creating and forecasting through my own crystal ball. I know that life takes perseverance, so I press on. Again, developing my idea of what is to come. Wouldn’t you know it, life happens again. I seem to be even further from my goals. The envisioned masterpiece in my mind becomes dented all the more. Tired and a bit weary, I pick up a hammer and try to bump the indentions back in place. Plan C: My Back-Up for the Back-Up Plan, Deflated and Struggling to Survive I now handle my quest with tunnel vision. Droning
stay in fellowship with God and allow Him to guide us with His intentions for our life. How do we do this? Prayer. Ask for forgiveness of sins and guidance. He will
forward, I have become obsessed with acquiring my desired
take us by the hand and lead us through life, if we will
vision into reality. All the while, the uncompromising
allow Him. “Lead me in the right path, O Lord, or my
stomps towards my target may cause me to miss something
enemies will conquer me. Make your way plain for me to
around me.
follow” (Psalm 5:8).
It’s time to wave the white flag. Throw in the towel. The uncontrollable is too much. It’s time to climb in
30 // November 2022
About The Author
Plan D: I Give, Simply Flailing in the Wind 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.
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Gò0dNews for Everyone
I Finally Got Over Myself! “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30).
I
by Terrie Ruff was so happy to see my friend Trish today! Her
Wow! Like Trish, I want to follow the example
bright and cheerful smile is such a refreshing
that Jesus left for us. He gave all as He poured
greeting as I pass by her department or as she
out His life to fulfill God’s plan for the salvation
enters my office. The joy of the Lord is all over
of humanity. He got over Himself and His sole
her! As we made plans for lunch, I was excited because whenever I spend time with her, I always walk away with food for thought, and today would be no exception. In a timely manner, I completed my morning tasks and hurriedly gathered my lunch bag and headed towards Trish’s office. From there, we made our way to a quiet spot in the cafeteria. As we sat down, she began sharing how God had been blessing her and her husband. He had been leading and guiding them as they were making life-changing decisions. She talked about wanting to do more
purpose was to glorify His Father and edify
for God and how she was more ready now to do
others. I, too, have determined to get over myself
whatever He asked of her, to go wherever He
in surrender to God’s purpose for my life. Daily,
asked her to go, and to be bold for Him and not
I give Him all. Daily, I die so that I can live for
concerned with what others thought. Wow! I look
Him. Trish, I get it, and like you, I finally got over
at her enthusiasm with amazement, and before I
myself too!
could ask her the “how” question, she answered
Humility! What does it look like in your life? Do
my silent questioning. “Terrie, I finally got over
you think of others before yourself? Do you serve, pray
myself. Now I can really serve God.” Her laugh
or worship in a spirit of humility? Reflect on ways
was evidence of the new found freedom and joy
that you can develop a humble spirit in practical,
she had in emptying herself completely for God to
everyday ways.
and used as He pleased.
32 // November 2022
About The Author
fill her to overflow, so that she could be His vessel
Terrie E. Ruff is a public speaker, soloist and inspirational author. She is an active member of the Orchard Park SDA Church in Chattanooga. Terrie can be contacted at Terrie.Ruff@lpnt.net.
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Are You Tilting at Windmills?
A
by Dr. Alan Hix
s we approach Thanksgiving, are the day-to-day
challenges of a stressful work environment, difficult family
challenges of life making it hard for you to get in a
situations, unrealized expectations, and a host of other
thankful mood? Let me tell you a story.
things we pursue as we search for meaning and purpose
Don Quixote is a novel written by Miguel Cervantes in
in life, we imagine that this is what brings meaning and
the early 17th century. In the story Alonso Quixano is a low-
purpose to life, and we lose sight of God’s blessings and
ranking member of the Spanish nobility. As he approaches
provisions. And like Alonso, we end up tilting at the
middle age, he imagines a life far more exciting than his
windmills of earthly things that have no eternal value. No
mundane existence. Alonso dons a suit of armor and takes
wonder we feel unfulfilled.
up a lance. In his new imagined life, he is a knight errant in search of adventure and glory. In his quest for meaning and purpose, Alonso challenges peasants to duels and views inns as castles. In one of the more well-known parts of his story, he comes upon a group of windmills. However, for Alonso, they are giants that need vanquishing, so he charges them with his lance. You can imagine the outcome was not what he intended. Having been unhorsed, he believes that magicians changed windmills into giants to thwart his noble quest. While we smile and chuckle at Alonso’s passion for a noble quest that exists only in his imagination, I wonder if sometimes we might find ourselves on an imagined quest of our own. I recently read a blog in which the author proposed that many Christians prefer a “comfortable”
However, a thankful heart has a whole new set of
Christianity. He went on to argue that this longing for
priorities. When the Apostle Paul writes to the Colossian
“comfort” can result in believers not being particularly
believers, he gives them—and us—a picture of what a life
excited about heaven or seeing God face to face.
focused on eternal things looks like:
I found myself saying, “Wait a minute; you can’t be
And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which
serious?” However, the author argued that many Church
indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the
members are too busy setting up their own “heaven on
word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one
earth,” that they don’t have time to think about eternity.
another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual
They busy themselves trying to check all the boxes on what
songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you
they want out of life—impressive career, great marriage,
do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus,
good kids, perfect home, and countless other things. They
giving thanks to God the Father through him (Col. 3:15-17).
find themselves imagining this is what life is all about.
Now are you in the mood for Thanksgiving?
Heaven and an eternity with God seem so distant that the As I sat down to write about Thanksgiving, this blog came to mind. When we focus on getting through the
34 // November 2022
About The Author
issues of the moment take center stage in our lives.
Dr. Alan Hix is an Associate Professor of Christian Studies at Shorter University. In addition to being and educator, he has served churches as a pastor, been involved in mission trips to Africa, Canada, and Alaska, and participated in archaeological excavations in Israel for several years.
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Is God One Person?
M
by Matt Jensen
onotheism–the belief that there is only one God–has
◦ Is neither the Father nor the Son
always been essential to the Christian faith. The early
◦ Therefore, He is truly the Holy Spirit
church steadfastly defended monotheism but ran into a
difficulty–Jesus is equated with God in the New Testament. In fact, the deity of Jesus was a major reason that people wanted to kill Him (John 5:18; 8:58-59; 10:30-31). Desiring to hold to monotheism, some denied the full deity of Jesus. However, others desired to hold to monotheism and the full deity of Jesus. One solution proposed by men like Sabellius, Noetus, and Praxeas, was to say that the Father and the Son are actually not distinct persons. Like an actor playing different characters, God plays
It’s terribly important to confess that God is one God, but it’s vitally important to confess that this one God eternally exists in three persons, too. Here are a few reasons why: It’s biblical – “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1). Sabellianism and orthodoxy agree that the Word was God (i.e. the one divine nature). However, Sabellianism can’t explain how the Word was with God. They must say something like “The Word appeared to be with God.” Orthodoxy can say that the
Father and then Son. This became known as
Word was God (divine nature) and with
the heresy of Sabellianism. Many strains
God (person). Sabellianism also can’t
of this error have surfaced over time,
account for passages such as Matthew
but its distinctive feature is that God
3:16-17. Orthodoxy can say that Jesus
is unipersonal. In other words, God
was baptized, the Spirit descended,
is one God existing as one person,
and the Father spoke. Sabellianism
sometimes acting as different
turns the events of this passage into
persons. Against this, orthodoxy
a charade.
confesses one God eternally
God’s worship – This is the
existing in three persons. Here is what
greatest reason. God has revealed
orthodoxy confesses.
Himself as one God eternally existing in
God is one divine nature.
three persons. Therefore, we must worship
• The divine nature is not shared by
Him as one God eternally existing in three
anything in creation.
persons. The most serious theological errors we
• The divine nature is not divided among the
three copies of the same picture). God eternally exists in three persons. • The person of the Father: ◦ Is unbegotten – He has His person from none ◦ Is neither the Son nor the Holy Spirit ◦ Therefore, He is truly the Father • The person of the Son: ◦ Is eternally begotten – He has His person from the Father alone ◦ Is neither the Father nor the Holy Spirit ◦ Therefore, He is truly the Son • The person of the Holy Spirit: ◦ Is eternally proceeding – He has His person from the Father and the Son
36 // November 2022
unipersonal God of Islam, but the blessed Trinity in unity and unity in Trinity. Our salvation and communion with God – Was it really the Son who came to save us? Was it really the Father who gave a people to His Son? Is it really the Holy Spirit who applies Christ’s redemptive work? Sabellianism must say, “No.” Can we really believe in Jesus (John 6:29)? Can we really pray to our Father in heaven (Matthew 6:9)? Can we really walk by the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:16)? Sabellianism must again say, “No.” If Sabellianism is true, our salvation and communion with God cannot be Trinitarian. We would be saved and commune with a God who is one person having multiple personalities. Thankfully, that is not the God who reveals Himself to us in the Bible. The one true God eternally exists in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. About The Author
persons (like three pieces of the same pie). • The divine nature is not cloned three times (like
can possibly make concern God. He is not the
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.
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Gò0dNews for Everyone
While He Was Thinking
H
by Sandra Gilmore
ave you been following this series? Check each month as
dream. This messenger delivered stout answers to Joseph’s
we explore often-overlooked connections to Christmas
sticky questions.
and wind our way back to this sacred event.
His mind was anywhere but there. What was he going to do?
How could he get out of this pickle? He was a craftsman. Years of working with resistant
Matthew 1:20 states, “But while he thought on these things, behold an angel appeared unto him in a dream.” The angel assured Joseph about following through with his marriage to Mary, even affirming the child was indeed the Son of God.
materials had taught him a few things. He envisioned a use for a material that the material couldn’t even see for itself. He shaped the stone. He carved the wood. He avoided the delicate areas that could crack later, relying on the strength around it to achieve the goal, which was to transition something typically left alone or behind into something that would serve, something that would become a part of daily life. His work would bear his mark. His design and years of training, planning, working, and re-working would all be reflected in the craftsmanship of the final product. Still, his day was ordinary. To a casual onlooker, his day would have seemed routine, no fuss, nothing unusual, until
The original language gives us insight into Joseph’s
that evening. During the day, his hands were busy with the
ponderings. This verb can be translated ponder, deliberate,
wood. He was carving, pounding, shaving, clearing shavings,
and revolve in the mind. Another passage in the book of Acts
staining, expertly crafting a resistant material into what he
describes, “While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said
envisioned it to be. After years of honing his trade, his hands
unto him…” These two examples highlight the promise in
could maneuver without his mind engaged. And on that day,
Isaiah 26:3: “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is
his thoughts took the focus while his craftsmanship ebbed out
stayed on you.”
on autopilot. Joseph had questions, sticky questions directed by society’s
Do you ever ponder with your mind stayed on the Lord? Does your heart yield to The Master Craftsman? Or do you
mores and religious considerations. He just couldn’t see a way
worry with your mind focused on other things with a heart
out or a way in, for that matter. He was stuck with an urgent
resistant and stiff? With our minds stayed on the Lord, we can
desire to run. He was running with a sincere desire to stay
invite the Holy Spirit to give us insight, answers, and direction.
committed. What should he do? Everyone would know the baby
He brings peace. When we worry, we give the enemy of our
wasn’t his. But he didn’t do anything wrong. And this girl genuinely
souls an invitation to weigh us down, confuse us, or stagnate
believed God gave her this baby!
us. As we enter this season of thanksgiving soon followed by
That evening The Master Craftsman worked with an
Christmas, the Lord is indeed our Immanuel, God with us. We can ponder, wonder, and even question with renewed hope
man who could have possibly been left behind by history into a
and peace!
role that would enter daily life for centuries to come. According to Matthew Chapter 1, the Lord sent an angel to Joseph in a
38 // November 2022
About The Author
immalleable material. The Lord expertly crafted the heart of a
Sandra Gilmore serves the Lord as wife, mom, and encourager, mostly through writing and speaking, occasionally through cooking, rarely through anything athletic and only because of the mercy and grace of Jesus. You can reach her by email: tandsgilmore@yahoo.com or her website: www.sandragilmore.org
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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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Gò0dNews for Everyone
Rejoice In Your Harvest
F
by Stephanie Daniels
armers are intentional about the seed they sow and
to give monetary gifts to your local churches, charities, or
the harvest they reap. They don’t plant apple seeds
alms, giving wherever you see a need.
and expect cabbage. They put a specific seed in the
Everything we do is a seed sown. “Do not be deceived,
ground and patiently wait for harvest season. They nurture
God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will
and water the seed, then at the right time, a harvest grows
also reap” (Galatians 6:7). One of the wisest things we
up out of the fertile soil. Many people don’t realize how
can do is sow good seeds. Sowing seeds of faith into the
much our lives are like farming. Seed time and harvest time
lives of others not only blesses them but it impacts us as
are a part of life. We sow seeds daily. The harvest we receive
well. Psalms 107:37 reminds us, “They sowed fields and
is based on what was sown.
planted vineyards that yielded a fruitful harvest.” We can ensure a good crop of favor and blessings in our lives by simply being intentional about what we say, do, and think. The word of God says, “As a man thinks so is he” (Proverbs 23:7). When we continuously think negative thoughts, it is just a matter of time before we speak negative things, which can result in negative actions. Negative thoughts, words, and actions can produce bad fruit in your life. Speak life over yourself and others, and meditate on the word of God to help keep your thoughts pure. These are just some of the things that can help
As we reflect on our lives over the course of the
produce a good harvest in your life.
year, we can anticipate a harvest of all we have done.
So, whether you have sown time, money, shared your
The greatest harvest of all is a harvest of souls into the
faith or planted a garden, expect God to give you a bountiful
kingdom of God. Jesus sowed His life so that anyone
harvest. The apostle Paul explains that our righteousness
who calls on His name shall be saved. We can play a part
comes from God, and He is faithful to provide seed to
in that wonderful harvest by simply sharing our faith.
the sower. “Now He who supplies seed to the sower and
Sowing seeds of faith can be one of the most rewarding
bread for food will also supply and increase your store of
things a person can do in their lifetime. Matthew 9:37-38
seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness”
tells us, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.
(2 Corinthians 9:10). It is never too late to sow seed with
Therefore, pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send
intention and purpose. In this harvest season, expect God’s
out laborers into his harvest.” Another way to sow seed is
goodness and mercy to overtake you.
40 // November 2022
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Gò0dNews for your Taste Buds
Thanksgiving Sweet Potato Casserole Boats by Jodi Varnado
I
love gathering around a table with good food and good company. The Thanksgiving holiday grants us the perfect opportunity to foster this connection and fellowship. This twist on the classic sweet potato casserole only enhances the experience! This recipe is sure to bring comfort to your friends and family this Thanksgiving dinner. With only eight ingredients and one pan, you can present this sweet side dish and leave your guests impressed. (And don’t worry, they won’t know how easy it was it prepare. Your secret’s safe with me.)
Ingredients • 4 medium-large sweet potatoes or yams • 1 tablespoon of neutral oil
Toppings • 2 tablespoons of butter • ¾ teaspoon of ground cinnamon • 2-3 tablespoons of brown sugar • 1 cup of raw pecans, roughly chopped • 2-3 tablespoons of maple syrup • 1 cup of mini marshmallows
42 // November 2022
Instructions 1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F.
2. Slice the sweet potatoes in half, but leave the skin on. Rub both sides with oil and arrange cut-side down on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. 3. Use a fork to poke holes in the back sides of the potatoes, then bake for 25-35 minutes.
4. Once tender, remove potatoes from the oven and let cool for 5 minutes. Then carefully flip the potatoes over. Use a fork to gently mash the insides of the potatoes until they are slightly pressed down and the surface is flat.
5. Swipe the top of each potato with butter. Then, shake a light dusting of cinnamon on each potato, followed by brown sugar, pecans, and maple syrup. Top with mini marshmallows. 6. Return to the oven for 8-10 minutes or until the toppings are slightly toasty! 7. Remove from the oven and serve immediately.
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