Gò0dNews November 2023
Complimentary
Christian Magazine
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ROME
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About Us WRITERS
Abdiel Medina Dr. Alan Hix Charles Finney Courtney Fox Danette Reeves David Voyles Detrick Redding Donald Cantrell Granger Hughes Jenice Saint Jennifer Cobb Sheneka Land Sierra Chess Tammy Madden Tom Gilmore
SALES
Hello Friends, We want to take a moment to tell you who we
Matthew Ruckman 423-503-1410 Email: goodnewstn@gmail.com
are and what we are about. Our names are Matt
DESIGN
children, Brendon, Kailey, Andrew, Leah Jean,
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PHOTOGRAPHER
and Bethany Ruckman and we have six beautiful Emma, and Cooper. We live in Cleveland, Tennessee, and love what this town has to offer! We have started
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when God, family, and community are combined, 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!
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Contents NOVEMBER 2023
GoodNews from the Pastor’s Desk
6 Faithful and Grateful by Detrick Redding
GoodNews for Everyone
8 Thanksgiving Scriptures by Tammy Madden
GoodNews Money Matters
10 Essential Financial
Documents to Begin Gathering for Filing Your Taxes
by Granger Hughes GoodNews for Men
12 What’s our Main Purpose? by Dr. Alan Hix
GoodNews for Women
14 “I Can Do All Things...” But Not Everything
by Jenice Saint
GoodNews for Relationships
18 Going Back to Move Forward
by Sheneka Land GoodNews Cover Story
20 Savoring Commitment
to Quality, Convenience, and Community: Honey Baked Ham in Rome, GA
GoodNews for Grandparents
22 Out of the Mouths of Babes by Donald Cantrell
GoodNews for Homeschool Moms
24 Gratitude in Motherhood by Jennifer Cobb
GoodNews for Kids
26 Brave Believers: Even Me! by Sierra Chess
GoodNews for Everyone
28 Thank Him through the Fog!
6
by David Voyles
GoodNews for Everyone
30 Thanksgiving with Psalm 131 by Danette Reeves
GoodNews for your Taste Buds
32 Mama’s Banana Pudding by Tom Gilmore
GoodNews Poetry
34 The Thanksgiving Turkey BBQ Test
by Charles Finney GoodNews for Teens
20
36 Grateful for Love by Abdiel Medina
GoodNews for Health & Fitness
38 Handling the Holidays (Without Overeating)
by Courtney Fox
34
Gò0dNews from the Pastor’s Desk
Faithful and Grateful
R
by Detrick Redding
ecently, I was reading in the book of Ephesians. Paul
people. Our loyalty to His Kingdom is something that I do
addressed these believers as faithful and he blessed
believe the King is looking for. We must also know that
them for it. The word faithful was the word that stuck
loyalty also includes the obedience of the believer and the
out to me. Their faithfulness was seen and reported back to
heart of the believer. Isaiah said it like this: “willing and
Paul in prison.
obedient” (see Isaiah 1:19). Just because we are obedient
Let me share with you what the Lord has impressed
doesn’t mean that we are loyal. The heart posture of the
on my heart. He is calling for us to be faithful. We are
believer must be examined. We might ponder: “Do I want
living in a time where there are so many distractions and
to do this thing that I’m supposed to do? Do I want to say this thing that I’ve been asked to say? Do I want to handle things the way that it’s required of me?” Or better yet, “Do I want to do what’s right because it's right?” The “want to” of our hearts must be examined regarding loyalty. Not only did the definition say loyalty but it also said “steadfast.” I like to say it this way, consistent throughout time, under pressure, and even through pain. Again, let’s look at Jesus first. He has always been steady towards us in all things, never leaving us, nor forsaking us! Even His love is steadily being shown to us. Shouldn’t we in return give back that kind of love, support, and service to God and His Kingdom? Many have let the pressures of life dictate
diverse opinions. Many are drawn away by the cares of
their actions. Others have let the concept of time deliver
life and negating the call of God for the church. The work
them up to pleasures over God, not that God is against
of the ministry has become an option that is rarely chosen.
our enjoyment of life. However, do we prioritize our joy
Have we considered the heart of God in reference to this
experiences over His Kingdom’s will?
behavior? Shouldn’t we prioritize His agenda since we are here for His glory anyway?
How can you start being faithful? One way to start is to be thankful. Gratitude creates a focus in us that isn’t
Apostle Paul commends the believers in Ephesus
easily shaken. At this time of year, we focus on all the
because they were faithful to God. What does it mean to be
things we are grateful for, especially that the Lord has
faithful? It means to be loyal and steadfast. This is needed
remained faithful to us. When we see His faithfulness in
in the Body of Christ today. We are serving a faithful God;
our lives, it becomes much easier to be faithful to Him.
shouldn’t we be faithful to Him?
As this year comes to a close, resolve yourself to walk in
First, looking at loyalty, it is an honor issue. So many
faithfulness to God.
with things that are not popular or not tailored to our preferences. This is a very big concern to God for His
6 // November 2023
About The Author
have failed the honor test. It is tested when we are faced 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.
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Gò0dNews for Everyone
Thanksgiving Scriptures
A
by Tammy Madden
s I sat down to write today, I began to think about
for. Please take a minute and read the verses below. If you
how precious life is and how so many of us take
haven’t already, start giving thanks for what you do have.
things for granted that God gives us on a daily
This Thanksgiving, ponder the following verses, then bow
basis. Yesterday as my husband and I were coming home,
your head, and pray. Give thanks for all you have.
we saw a lady sitting on the curb in the hot Georgia sun
Psalms 95:2 NIV
with all she owned in a shopping buggy. I began to think about how thankful we all should be. Then my mind took me to Jesus hanging on that cross for us. We all should take a minute and thank Him for how unselfish He was that day, knowing ahead of time what
Let us come before Him with thanksgiving and extol Him with music and song. Colossians 3:17 NIV And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. Psalms 100:4 NIV Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name. Hebrews 12:28-29 NIV Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom they cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our "God is a consuming fire." Colossians 2:6-7 ESV Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk
was about to happen. Yet, He still laid down His life for us. There is nothing in this world I am more thankful for than the gift of Salvation! How often do you actually stop and tell Him thank you? My daughter sustained a brain injury at 14 months old. We were told her life would be "worthless." Oh but God! We give thanks every day for how far God has brought her
in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. 2 Corinthians 9:11 KJV Being enriched in everything to all bountifulness, which causeth through us Thanksgiving to God. 1 Timothy 4:4-5 KJV For every creature of God is good and nothing to be
through FAITH! Every night before we lay our heads to
refused if it be received with thanksgiving: for it is sanctified
rest, we all three pray as a family. We give thanks for our
by the word of God and prayer.
give thanks for the valleys that we go through to get to our mountain tops! Look around you every day–really look at all you have–and realize that we all have something to be thankful
8 // September 2023
No matter who you are or what you have– or don’t have –there will always be something in your life to be thankful for! About The Author
home, our food, our clothes, our beautiful daughter and we
My name is Tammy Madden. I live in the beautiful foothills of North Georgia in Chatsworth. I am married to my amazing husband, Gene and we have a beautiful daughter named Megan.
Join Us for the Holidays!
The Rink at Ridge Ferry Park
Christmas Parades
Nov 23 - Jan 15 Ridge Ferry Park Holiday ice skating and holiday fun in a covered outdoor arena, open rain or shine
Victorian Christmas Trolley Tour
Dec 15 Departs from Rome Area History Center, Downtown Rome Learn local holiday lore and history as you tour the historic districts decked out for the holidays
Winter Wonderland 2023 Nov 24-Dec 30 AdventHealth Stadium Ice rink, light displays, snow experiences and more
Rome Christmas Parade
Nov 28 Downtown Rome Largest Christmas parade in the state
Live Holiday Performances
Victorian Trolley Tours A Kenny & Dolly Christmas Tribute
Dec 1 Rome City Auditorium
Born Wild
Old Time Christmas Concert Dec 2 Bluegrass, gospel & barbershop quartet Rome City Auditorium
Ice Skating Dec 1, 7 pm
Forum River Center Bareback Rider, Todd Pierce demonstrates the power of God’s love through this living illustration of an unbroken horse demonstration
Winter Art Market
Snow experiences
Dec 2, 10 am - 4 pm Rome Civic Center Indoor/outdoor holiday market features area artisans and crafters, free admission
ELF The Musical Dec 1-10 (Fri-Sun) Rome Little Theatre Historic DeSoto Theatre Christmas Back Home Concert Dec 8-9 Downtown Rome Holiday Fun Rockin’ Christmas band with Scott Thompson and friends Rome City Auditorium
Cave Spring Christmas in the Country & Parade Dec 2 Downtown Cave Spring Annual arts and crafts festival and Christmas Bazaar
Downtown Rome
Shop & dine historic downtown Rome for fun Christmas displays and holiday festivities
Scan for event info: RomeEvents.org
A Very Brassy Christmas Dec 17 Rome Symphony Orchestra Rome City Auditorium
Christmas Tree Farm
Opens Nov 24 Silver Creek Christmas Tree Farm Bring the family to pick out your own perfect tree and create holiday memories
with
Essential Financial Documents to Begin Gathering for Filing Your Taxes
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.
F
iling taxes is an annual responsibility that can be daunting if you're not adequately prepared. To ensure a smooth and accurate tax-filing process, it's crucial to gather all the
necessary documents well in advance. This guide will help you identify and organize the essential documents related to your income and your investment accounts needed to file your taxes. Income Documents: Income is the cornerstone of your tax return. To accurately report your earnings, gather the following incomerelated documents: • W-2 Forms: If you're employed, your employer will provide you with a W-2 form, summarizing your wages, tips, and withheld taxes. You should receive this form by the end of January. • 1099 Forms: If you work as an independent contractor or received income from other sources like investments or freelance work, you'll receive 1099 forms. Common types include 1099-NEC for non-employee compensation, 1099DIV for dividends, 1099-INT for interest income and 1099-R for income from retirement accounts. • 1099-MISC Forms: These forms are typically used to report miscellaneous income, such as rent, royalties, or income from self-employment. • K-1 Forms: If you're a partner in a partnership or a shareholder in an S corporation, you'll receive a Schedule K-1. This form outlines your share of the business's income and deductions. Investment and Financial Documents: If you have investments, gather these documents to accurately report your gains and losses: • Bank Statements: Gather your bank statements from all your accounts, including checking, savings, and certificates of deposit (CDs). These statements will help you report any interest income and track your account balances throughout the year.
10 // November 2023
• Investment Account Statements: If you have brokerage or investment accounts, collect your quarterly or annual statements. These documents provide insights into your investment activity, including dividends, capital gains, and interest earned. They can also help with determining the cost basis that may be needed. • Retirement Account Statements: If you have an Individual Retirement Account (IRA), 401(k), or other retirement accounts, gather the annual statements. These documents detail your contributions, withdrawals, and any tax-related information. • Foreign Account Reports: If you have foreign financial accounts, you may need to file the Foreign Bank Account Report (FBAR) separately. Consult with a tax professional to ensure compliance if you have offshore accounts. • Rental Property Records: If you own rental properties, gather all relevant financial documents, including rental income records, expense receipts, and records of any improvements made to the property. • Business Financial Records: If you own a business, ensure you have all financial records related to your business operations. This includes income statements, balance sheets, and expense records. • Miscellaneous Financial Documents: Don't forget any other financial documents that may impact your tax situation, such as records of alimony received or paid, gambling winnings and losses, and records of any large financial transactions. Filing your taxes becomes less daunting when you have all the necessary documents organized and ready to go. Start gathering these documents as soon as you can to avoid last-minute stress and potential errors. Remember that keeping records of your financial transactions throughout the year can make the tax-filing process much smoother. When in doubt, consulting with a tax professional and investment advisor can help ensure you're taking advantage of all available deductions and credits while staying compliant with tax regulations.
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Gò0dNews for Men
What’s our Main Purpose?
W
by Dr. Alan Hix
hat is it that defines us as men? In Western
of his life, Joshua can look back over a great legacy marked
society, there are numerous definitions that
by faith and trust in God. Chapter 2 of the book of Judges
follow the ebb and flow of our culture. I
describes Joshua’s death and burial. Following this we find:
discovered a simpler approach when I spent some time with
“That whole generation was also gathered to their ancestors.
Maasai warriors in Kenya. Adulthood for males is marked
After them another generation rose up who did not know the
by a young man going out into the bush alone and killing a
Lord or the works he had done for Israel” (Judges 2:10 CSB).
lion. What could be simpler than that? It kind of makes you
In spite of the great legacy of faith demonstrated in
think twice about being in a hurry to grow up!
Joshua’s generation, that faith did not get passed on to
Rudyard Kipling sought to answer the question, “What is a man?” in his poem “If.” If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs and blaming it on you, . . . If you can wait and not be tired by waiting. . . . If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew to serve your turn long after they are gone, and so hold on when there is nothing in you except the Will which says to them: “Hold on!” With this and many other admonitions, Kipling concludes that if you do all these things, You’ll be a man, my son! Kipling’s message is that a man is defined by his ability to persevere in the face of adversity. In Proverbs 31, we get a very detailed picture of the ideal wife and mother. So, where is our equivalent to Proverbs 31? Unfortunately, there is no one place in Scripture that gives a list of qualities for men similar to what the ladies get. So where can we go to get a sense of our main purpose as men? To find a solution to that question, we often cobble together ideas and traditions from our own family, friends, culture, and, of course, a whole list of YouTube videos. We convince ourselves that if we just work hard enough, we will be able to provide social and economic security for our families. We conclude that if we accomplish that, then
the generation that followed them. This checkered history may have been in the mind of the author of Proverbs when he wrote: “When I was a son with my father, tender and precious to my mother, he taught me and said, ‘Your heart must hold on to my words. Keep my commands and live’” (Proverbs 4:3–4 CSB). In spite of how culture tries to define us, our most important purpose as men of faith is to make sure that our faith is planted and nurtured in the hearts of our children. The faith we pass on must be anchored in God’s word and lived out in our lives. When our children see in us hearts surrendered to God, they will get a picture of what real faith looks like and hopefully want that faith for their own.
everything else will take care of itself. across the Jordan River and directed them in conquering and possessing the promised land. As he comes to the end
12 // November 2023
About The Author
Taking over after Moses, Joshua led the children of Israel
Dr. Alan Hix is 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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Gò0dNews for Women
“I Can Do All Things...” But Not Everything
P
by Jenice Saint
riorities...easy to accumulate, but not always easy to
With God as the priority in our lives, I believe our next
navigate. We women sometimes find that our priorities
priority should be family. God places importance on the family:
list has grown too long. How can we then best honor God
“Honor your father and your mother” (Exodus 20:12). “Children's
with our lives? God should always be first priority. Mark 12:30 NIV directs
children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children” (Proverbs 17:6). The priority of family in the Christian
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with
life should not be taken lightly. We have responsibility for those in
all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.”
our household, to love and care for them, protect them, pray for
For women in ministry, sometimes this can be challenging. We
them, and be the Christian example for them. Similar to serving in church or other ministry, serving in the family can also become overwhelming if we over-commit. We can certainly enjoy all of the wonderful activities of a family (ball games, gymnastics classes, etc.), but we should be careful not to fill our lives with so many activities that we lose the joy of the activities. Sometimes it's necessary to re-evaluate all that we do and re-prioritize. Days don't have to be filled completely with activities. It's good to work and play, but a time of rest is also needed. Rest is not just when you go to bed exhausted after a day full of activities, but it's also just a time to get alone for a while and "chill" and have some quiet time. Psalm 46:10 directs “Be still, and know that I am God.” Spend time reflecting on God's goodness to you and your family. After prioritizing God and family, allow the Lord to direct what your additional priorities should be. A work/life/family balance is important in order for you to not become overwhelmed. We were not created to be super-women nor to be all things to all people. For us to be effective in ministry, in family, and in our daily lives, we also need to take care of our own spiritual and emotional needs and allow God to lead us in all that we do.
can feel the pressure to say “Yes” to every request or need that
Over-committing can ultimately lead to burnout and the danger
we encounter in ministry, often to the point that we over-commit
of becoming ineffective or even bitter. Philippians 4:13 says, “I
because we are sympathetic to and passionate about the cause of
can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” We can do
Christ and we want to do all that we can do to further the Gospel,
all things that He has called us to do, but we are not called to do
the good news of Jesus, and to help people in need. If we're not
everything. Christ graciously empowers us to accomplish all that
careful, we can become overwhelmed with responsibilities and
He wills for us to accomplish. Love the Lord, do His will, and pray
become too distracted to pray, worship, and read the Scriptures.
for direction in establishing priorities for everything else.
do, so that we're able to worship God with our service and not just perform tasks out of obligation.
14 // November 2023
About The Author
It is important to exercise good judgment in what we commit to Jenice Saint is a graduate of Lee University with a degree in Accounting. She resides in Cleveland, Tennessee with her husband, Ranny, and her German shepherd, Sheba.
152 SHORTER AVE. ROME, GA 30165 (706) 676-5279
223 Turner McCall Blvd, Rome, GA (706) 291-8899 2519 Redmond Circle, Rome, GA (706) 676-2162
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 2023
East Rome Baptist Church 601 Cedar Ave Rome, Ga 30161 706-234-8553 East View Baptist Church 901 Kingston Ave Rome, Ga 30161 706-291-8250 Eden Valley Baptist Church 348 Eden Valley Rd Rome, Ga 30161 770-608-8168 Emmanuel Baptist Church 1414 Old Dalton Rd Rome, Ga 30165 706-232-3939 Enon Baptist Church 3105 Turkey Mountain Rome, Ga 30161 706-295-5052 Fairview Baptist Church 2348 Old Cedartown Hwy SE Lindale, Ga 30147 Fellowship Rome Baptist Church 314 Burnett Ferry Rd Rome, Ga 30165 706-234-9416 First Baptist Church 100 E 4th Ave Rome, Ga 30161 706-291-6850 Flatrock Baptist Church 848 Cunningham Rd SW Rome, Ga 30161 706-234-9976 Flint Hill Baptist Church 3578 Wax Rd SE, Aragon, GA 30104 706-232-8121 Friendship Baptist Church 2283 Calhoun Rd NE Rome, Ga 30161 706-295-4803 Garden Lakes Baptist Church 2200 Redmond Cir Rome, Ga 30165 706-234-6615 Greater Mount Calvary Baptist 445 East 14th St Rome, Ga 30161 706-234-5047 Hill Crest Baptist Church 2202 N Broad St Rome, Ga 30161 706-291-8806 Hollywood Baptist Church 112 Lombardy Way Rome, Ga 30161 706-234-6642 In Focus Baptist Church 12 N Hughes Rome, Ga 30165 706-234-8963 Lakeview Baptist Church 80 Salem Dr Rome, Ga 30165 706-235-2149 Lovejoy Baptist Church 436 Branham Ave Rome, Ga 30171 706-232-1917 McFall Baptist Church 3011 Rockmart Rd SE Rome, Ga 30161 706-235-5673 Mount Alto Church 1915 Huffaker Rd NW Rome, Ga 30165 706-232-6222 Mount Carmel Baptist Church E 20th St Rome, Ga 30161
706-232-8777 Mount Olive Baptist Church 17 E Pennington Rome, Ga 30161 706-234-6413 New Antioch Baptist Church 4553 Calhoun Rd NE Rome, Ga 30161 706-295-2248 New Bethel Baptist Church Weathington Dr Rome, Ga 30161 706, 291-8939 New Canaan Baptist Church 3 Excelsior St Rome, Ga 30165 706-291-1984 New Hope Baptist Church Hwy 156 Rome, Ga 706-235-0250 New Hope Baptist Church 399 Moran Lake Rd Rome, Ga 30161 706-290-0507 North Broad Baptist Church 1309 N Broad St Rome, Ga 30161 706-295-2100 Northwood Missionary Baptist 4076 Calhoun Rd NE Rome, Ga 30161 Park Ave Baptist Church 531 Park Ave SE Lindale, GA 30147 Parkview Baptist Church 4 Wesley Drive Rome, Ga 30165 706-232-4431 PisGah Baptist Church Alabama Rd Rome, Ga 30161 706-232-4431 Pleasant Hope Baptist Church 5935 Rockmart Road SE Silver Creek, Ga 706-235-2800 Pleasant Grove Baptist Church 500 N Division St Rome, Ga 30165 706-235-0731 Pleasant Valley North Baptist 735 Old Summerville Road NW Rome, GA 30165 706-232-6426 Pleasant Valley South Baptist 702 Pleasant Valley Rd SE Silver Creek, Ga 30173 706-234-1841 Providence Baptist Church 17 Burnett Ferry Road SW Rome, Ga 30165 706-291-0689 Riverside Baptist Church 48 Ash Street Rome, Ga 30161 706-291-8114 State Line Baptist Church 8536 Black Bluff Road Cave Spring, Ga 30124 678-988-0339 Saint Paul Baptist Church Pleasant Valley Rd Rome, Ga 30161 706-235-5037 Second Avenue Baptist 823 E 2nd Ave Rome, Ga 30161 706-232-3663 Shannon First Baptist Church 400 Fourth Street, PO Box 997,
Shannon, GA 30172 Sherwood Forest Baptist Church 1 Goodman Rd Rome, Ga 30161 706-291-6174 Shorter Avenue Baptist Church 1410 Shorter Ave Rome, Ga 30165 706-234-8266 South Broad Baptist Church 508 South Broad St Rome, Ga 30161 Spring Creek Baptist Church 2636 Chulio Rd SE Rome, Ga 30161 706-234-1220 Springfield Baptist Church 113 Smith St Rome, Ga 30161 706-295-7217 Thankful Baptist Church 935 Spider Webb Dr Rome, Ga 30161 706-291-8132 Three Rivers Church 2960 New Calhoun Highway NE Rome, Ga 706-766-0942 Trinity Baptist Church 1728 Calhoun Rd NE Rome, Ga 30161 706-295-3368 Turner Chapel Baptist Church 756 Turner Chapel Rd Rome, Ga 30161 706-235-8682 Unity Baptist Church 2261 Pleasant Valley Rd Rome, Ga 30161 706-232-2184 West End Baptist Church 107 Mississippi Dr Rome, Ga 30165 706-235-1971 West Rome Baptist Church 914 Shorter Ave Rome, Ga 30165 706-232-9722 Wilkerson Road Baptist Church Wilkerson Rd Rome, Ga 30161 Woodlawn Baptist Church 1649 Cartersville Hwy SE Rome, Ga 30161 706-232-4171 Word & Way Baptist Church New Rocketmart Rd Rome, Ga 30161 706-234-8729
Catholic
Saint Mary Catholic Church 911 N Broad St Rome, Ga 30161 706-295-7014
Christian & Missionary Alliance
Missionary Alliance 306 Coker Dr Rome, Ga 20165 706-235-9190
Church of Christ
Church of Christ 108 E Callahan St Rome, Ga 30161 706-291-0675 Lindale Church of Christ 3035 Maple Road Lindale, Ga 30147 706-234-3027 Oak Hill Church of Christ
1500 Martha Berry Hwy Rome, Ga 20165 706-291-0351 Rome Church of Christ 121 Primrose Road Rome, Ga 30161 706-234-4444
4216 Alabama Hwy NW Rome, Ga 30165 706-291-0500 Renovation Church 13 Redmond Ct. Rome, Ga 30165 706-314-9084
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
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 3300 Garden Lakes Pkwy Rome, Ga 30165 706-235-2281
Church of God
Latter-day Saints
Lutheran
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church 3000 Garden Lakes Blvd Rome, Ga 30165 706-232-7257
Methodist
Cornerstone Church 324 Mathis Dr Rome, Ga 30165 Ministerios El Vino Nuevo
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
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
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
Messianic
Congregation Hallelu HaShem 1869 Floyd Springs Rd NE, Armuchee, GA 3105 706-936-6711
Nazarene
Rome First Church of the Nazarene 20 Glenda Dr Rome, Ga 30165 706-234-5023
Non-Denominational
Access Church 1905 Calhoun Rd Rome, Ga 30161 705-584-7497 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 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 Relationships
Going Back to Move Forward by Sheneka Land
D
o you ever have days that are particularly difficult
the past, I felt that letting go of the prison bars was too risky and unfamiliar: an agony of change. I feared the cost of emotional risks that could lead to my becoming authentic and whole so I could develop healthier relationships with myself, others, and God. Together, my friends and I found hope as we examined ways in which we could become “…transformed by the renewing of our mind” as found in Romans 12:2. For me, a major, life-changing discovery came when I decided to believe and act as if I was no longer a victim of past unhealthy relationships. Out of fear and self-protection, I had been transferring old feelings and attitudes onto here-
when painful memories from the past rest heavy on your mind and heart? Do you feel you are
drowning in a sea of emotions you have come to despise? Just when you think you have “gotten over it,” a trigger comes uninvited, assaulting your peaceful state? It’s indescribable anguish, often revealing the need for increased healing: an invitation to revisit chapters in life to grieve at a deeper level, in a different way. Truly, if we do not grieve traumas and losses adequately, allowing ourselves to connect with every emotion felt at the core of our being, we can become caught up in a storm of feelings denied which threaten to steal our lives and relationships. One year in particular, I learned the value and necessity of revisiting certain seasons of my life which were continuing to influence me in negative ways. No stones were left unturned as ministry colleagues and I took this same journey together, helping one another to identify and expose false beliefs we had about ourselves and some of our past and present relationships. Sometimes, hidden stories we tell ourselves and our unprocessed emotions serve as invisible reins that keep us attached to equally invisible prison bars, forbidding us to enjoy the freedom of being our true selves, without the ability to enjoy others. Psychologist, author, and personal growth specialist, Dr. Leonard Felder, says, “Most people are more comfortable holding onto their emotional enslavements than risking something new and uncertain.” For me, it seemed I was
and-now people who had no intention of doing me harm. Rather, they were on my side, wanting to join alongside me on the road to growth and success. In many ways, these individuals resembled those who had hurt me in the past, but in truth, they were very different. Taking the risk to be in relationship with them brought much-needed healing from the past as I experienced their love and support in ways unexpected. How? They took me back to those broken places and helped me to re-see the past so I could move forward into the future. And in fact, just as God’s Word promises, I am transformed by the renewing of my mind! My prayer is that your journey will bring you transformation as well as you trust the Lord and His Word.
become unstuck from the mire of distorted thinking. Fearful of my future due to hurtful relationship experiences from
18 // November 2023
About The Author
always holding back right at the edge of my freedom to
Sheneka Land is an ordained minister, having earned her MDiv at the Pentecostal Theological Seminary. She currently serves as a chaplain at CHI Memorial Hospital in Chattanooga, TN. She is coauthor of From Rejection to Validation (pathwaybookstore.com). Sheneka and her husband, Jon, reside in Cleveland, Tennessee, with their beloved chihuahua, Pedro.
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goodnewscm.com // 21
Gò0dNews for Grandparents
Out of the Mouths of Babes by Donald Cantrell
I
t was about four years ago that I was talking to my
When the contestants are up against it, they will use
granddaughter and something was going on, so I was
this lifeline. The person on the other end of the phone is
asking her to pray for someone. As we were talking, I
given the choices, then the person has so many seconds to
asked Kinsley, “You all do pray at night before going to
pick their answer. As believers, we are given the lifeline of
bed, don’t you?” Then she said this: “Not right now, there is
prayer, and the person on the other end of the call is God.
nothing sad going on.”
He has knowledge of everything. We can rely upon Him.
I about lost it, as I had to walk away, holding my laughter. This was one of the sincerest, yet serious statements I have ever heard from her. How often do we have that same mindset of prayer, of the church, and of God? If we need God, then we will pray and if we really need God, we will go to church. Is it possible, that many people use God, use prayer, and use the church as if they were “spare tires”? You know where the spare is, but you only have need for it in case of an emergency, so then you pull it out. If something is going on in our lives and we are sorrowful, then we pray. God has given us the gift of prayer and we are to use it all the time. Prayer should be a normal part of our lives, just as eating, bathing, or
If you become familiar with prayer, you will not feel
talking. The beauty of prayer is that it is free and doesn’t
uneasy the next time you have to pray, seeking an answer
cost the user anything at all. It is one of the benefits of being
from heaven. Prayer is man’s lifeline to God. We should
a Christian; we have the tool of prayer.
become familiar with it, praying daily and deliberately.
“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and
Sometimes we pray for wisdom; we pray for needs; we
supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made
pray for others. But often we should just pray so that we
known unto God” (Philippians 4:6 KJV).
can talk to God. That is where we find our peace. There is
“And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through
nothing like talking to God, knowing that He lends His ear to our needs.
Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7 KJV). Prayer is our heavenly lifeline and it should be used
Hopefully, you don’t have to be sad to pray, out of the mouths of babes!
freely and faithfully. I love the game show “Who Wants to be a Millionaire.” One of the lifelines that the contestants The contestants usually pick a friend who is knowledgeable in many subjects.
22 // November 2023
About The Author
have in trying to win the game is a phone call to a friend.
Donald Cantrell is a lifelong native of Murray county and has been pastoring and preaching since 1980. He has had the honor of publishing over thirty books and his sermon material is sold all over the world by various online companies. If you visit his house any weekend in the fall you will find them watching the “Florida Gators or the New England Patriots… Chomp Chomp.”
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Gò0dNews for Homeschool Moms
Gratitude in Motherhood by Jennifer Cobb
A
Recently, my oldest daughter and I have had helpful discussions about how I feel anxious about situations because of how I want to protect everything and yet, there are sometimes things out of my control. My daughter then opened up to me about several of her fears, and we worked some different things out together that we may need to work on with Jesus to make sure we live life to the fullest of our abilities.
s a young girl, I was very social and enjoyed
As a mother, (who homeschools and, as stated
doing new things. I would be the first up for a
before, doesn’t really get away much) there are days
silly dare or a surprise random weekend trip.
that are exhausting mentally and physically. It takes
I could (but not very well) parallel park and even drive
a lot in today’s generation to make sure that I am
myself through downtown Atlanta with no issues.
equipping my children with the love and the grace of
Fast forward to the present day, and add in a
God in a culture that tells them He isn’t important. But
few children. Once there was someone in the car
one of the many simple pleasures of motherhood is
with me, that I loved more than any other person,
that I am grateful for children who help grow me as a
my fears became completely magnified. I trusted
woman of God that they can hopefully choose to look
my driving and my abilities, but all these other
up to as they mature in His goodness. My children encourage me to be a beautiful representation of a bolder, happier version of myself that I don’t always see, yet they seem to see in me. Being grateful for motherhood is an easy task, but not allowing fear to govern your motherhood is a harder feat to conquer daily. So I will have you know, we recently went out as a family to our local thrift store. We each picked out different silly outfits for one another that we agreed beforehand had to be worn at a future location. We took the outfits home for me to wash, and we plan on going cosmic bowling with our fashionable attire soon. Silly, fun, and not worth stressing about since I am choosing to
people who like to drive on the road? Not a chance.
embrace these amazing little people and their ideas on
Over time, my, “fun self” got so bogged down with
how to be a better mom who can appreciate the small
the What If’s that I played out in my mind. I now
experiences in life.
kids, and I absolutely will not drive through Atlanta unless it is a life-or-death emergency.
24 // November 2023
About The Author
don’t go on trips very far without my husband or Jennifer Cobb is a stay at home Mom to two beautiful girls and wife to her Godsend. She enjoys coffee and nature walks.
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Gò0dNews for Kids
D
Brave Believers: Even Me! by Sierra Chess
o you remember the story about David and
example to others by how we act, talk, and follow
Goliath? (See 1 Samuel 17). David was young
God. Don't be scared, but follow God's instructions
when he took some food to the camp where
and directions.
his brothers were with the army. Their army was
Sometimes, this might be hard and scary, but
fighting an enemy army that included none other
God walks with us through every situation. We
than a giant! David obeyed God and slew the giant.
never know what God has in store for our lives.
David was a brave believer!
David simply obeyed his father and took some food
As David got older, he continued to face
to his brothers. He wasn’t thinking about slaying
challenges in his life. But, no matter what he faced, he
a giant that day. He was probably thinking about
trusted God. Because of this, God allowed David to
how much he needed to get back to his sheep.
become KING! He ruled for many years and did what
David showed his love for God by loving his dad
God asked him to do.
and following instructions. He knew his dad was
As children, we sometimes think that we are too young to fulfill the calling that God has given us. Do
trustworthy. By obeying his dad’s instructions, David felt he was obeying God too. Daniel and his friends
you feel God has called you to sing, teach, dance, or even clean your church? David teaches us that we are
were young when they
never too young to start doing these things for God.
obeyed God by not eating
God Tells us in 1 Timothy 4:12 NIV, “Don’t let
the king’s food or bowing to the
anyone look down on you because you are young, but
king’s idols. The Lord blessed them
set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct,
with special knowledge and skill. They
in love, in faith,
had favor on their lives. (See the book of
and in purity.”
Daniel in the Bible.)
This means that
Another youngster gave his lunch to Jesus.
no matter how
With five loaves of bread and two small fish,
young you are,
Jesus performed a miracle and fed a crowd of
God wants to
more than 5,000 people who had been listening to
use you to bring
Him teach. (See John chapter six).
glory to His
One thing we can know for sure is we are never
kingdom. We
too young – or too old– for God to use us. He will
can set an
always bless us as long as we follow Him! Did you
26 // November 2023
About The Author
like this story? Be a brave believer just like David!
Sierra Chess is the Children’s Pastor at Lakeview Community Church in Cleveland, Tennessee. Her mission is to see children come to the Lord through the Word.
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Gò0dNews for Everyone
Thank Him through the Fog! by David Voyles
I
t's easy to be thankful when we feel happy and blessed, but what about those times when our whole world is falling apart? Paul the apostle says in 1 Thessalonians
5:18 NIV “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” While it is biblical to be thankful in the good and bad times, it's not always easy to do. However, I have found my weakest moments and hardest struggles are the times I ended up being most thankful for. This may seem counterintuitive, but it’s these experiences that build and strengthen our minds, bodies, and spirits. These are the moments that will bring us closer to our Lord and provide a glimpse into the awesome power of prayer and gratitude. That is why it is so important to be thankful and rely on Him during our worst moments.
this one. I will leave you with a poem I wrote as a teen when
Thank Him when the fog is thick and the answers are not
I was at a dark place in my life. This poem was my way of
clear. Ultimately, our thankfulness will reveal and confirm
praising God even when I didn’t always know there would
our faith in the Savior and teach us what it is to share our
be a better day tomorrow.
God doesn't promise to never give us more than we can handle. In fact, it's quite the opposite. He wants us to seek Him in the difficult times and crave His intervention. While He may not immediately lead us out of the darkest moments, He will walk beside us through the fire and difficulties. He will share the burden with us and sustain us through it all. The Word says in Psalms 55:22 CSB “Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you.” Next time you think everything is lost, take a step back and look at the blessings you possess. For each breath you take to each step you make, God should be thanked and praised. Without Him, none of it would have been possible and there would be no opportunity for a better tomorrow or a better life after this one has run its course. There truly is so much we can be thankful for if we just open our eyes a bit wider and look deeper into our hearts. We can be thankful because God is worthy of our praise. God has blessed us. God gives us hope. God grows us through our challenges. God Gives us strength. God has provided a better life after
28 // November 2023
As I felt that the world would never let me be, He was there to hide me so no one could see. As I lost all hope for a world full of hate, He showed me so quickly it's never too late. As I shed many tears for all love that had passed. He shared His love, more than one could ever ask. As I thought I walked alone in a life dark and gray, He was there the whole time leading the way. God, thank you for being my hope. Dear God, thank you for teaching me to cope. Thank you for lifting me up. Dear God, thank you for overfilling my cup. Thank you for easing my fears. Dear God, thank you for drying my tears. I wish to thank you God for all the help. If life is a dance, please continue to show me the steps. Happy Thanksgiving Everyone! About The Author
burden with Him.
David Voyles loves Jesus, his family, cars of all sorts, and folks of all sorts. That’s why he is sharing this message about the love of Jesus with you.
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A P P LY
B E L O W
Gò0dNews for Everyone
Thanksgiving with Psalm 131
“A
by Danette Reeves
DONAI, my heart is not proud, nor my eyes
her to meet them. What a peaceful place! “Like a weaned
lofty, nor do I go after things too great or too
child is my soul within me.” David trusts God. God’s
difficult for me.” David certainly captured
presence is his comfort, security, and provision. God has
much growth and wisdom in this Psalm. “My heart is not
become his all in all. No need to scream, beg, whine, or cry.
too proud” shows his rejection of pride in his position,
David has come to a place of loving God for who He is, just
achievements, and possessions. “My eyes are not lofty—
like a weaned child comes to love his mother, not for what
what a lesson to learn.” Lofty eyes are beyond pride; they
she gives him, but because of who she is. This verse should
look down on others. It’s the attitude of being better than
make our hearts well up with thanksgiving to ADONAI for
someone else. “…I do not go after things too great or too
the relationship He invites us to have with Him. “But I have calmed and quieted my soul.” Calm and quiet are two values for which we should be very thankful. Amid utter chaos, we can take hold of our emotions and fears because of our relationship with ADONAI, calming and quieting our souls. We can grow past the demanding and begging that God do what we want (like a dependent baby) into a relationship of trusting Him to do what is best (like a weaned child). We can quiet our souls because ADONAI is sovereign over life. Circumstances may not be easy. They may be horrid, but they do not change Who He is—Sovereign, Powerful, Almighty, Majestic, Holy God Who is
difficult for me” is a place of contentment that one can only find knowing you are exactly where God wants you, doing exactly what He has called you to do. You are satisfied. “But I have calmed and quieted my soul—like a weaned
above our circumstances and faithfully loves us. “O Israel, put your hope in ADONAI from this time forth and forever.” As a Gentile grafted into Israel (see Romans 11:16-24), God says, “Child of My heart, put your hope in
child with his mother, like a weaned child is my soul within
Me now and forever. Calm and quiet your soul. Rest in My
me.” When a baby is born dependent on his mother for all
love.” This Thanksgiving, thank God for the relationship that
nourishment and protection, he fights for the security of
offers such beautiful rest in this world of unrest.
being near her. Sometimes, nothing else will do except his
*All Scriptures quoted from the Tree of Life Version.
mother. The baby cries, whines, and is agitated, demanding is comforted by the presence of his mother. He no longer questions “if” someone will meet his needs. He now trusts
30 // November 2023
About The Author
the fulfillment of his desires. This same child, now weaned,
Danette Reeves and her husband, Charlie, live in Cleveland, TN. They attend The Church at Grace Point. One of their joys is being Oma and Opa to four grandchildren. Her heart’s desire is to be a student and a teacher of the Word, and a consistent follower of Jesus.
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Gò0dNews for your Taste Buds
Mama’s Banana Pudding
In memory of Mary Bess (nee South) Gilmore (November 16, 1941 - February 11, 2014) by Tom Gilmore
I
t’s November and that means Mama’s birthday month. Nothing brings my mama to mind like the sweet, warm
Instructions
smell of her banana pudding rising from the stovetop. It
rarely made it to the serving dish! We’d pull bowls from the cupboard as soon as we knew she was headed to the kitchen
• 1/8 to 1/4 cup of sugar
with this comfort-food recipe as her goal.
• 1 can sweetened condensed milk, pour into saucepan. With the empty can from the sweetened condensed milk, measure 1 can of regular milk.
Sweeter still were the conversations we held while she was at the stovetop and we kids were perched at the kitchen bar. Dialogue ping-ponged with questions and answers, silly tidbits of local happenings, and announcements of
• 2 eggs
upcoming events or projects at school that concluded with
• 2 tablespoons of sifted flour
a proud mark or accolade. Nothing was off limits in the conversations while Mama stirred. She stirred our hearts too, with her sage advice, her clever wit, and her downhome affirmations that we could and would tackle whatever came our way. She was our best cheerleader. Happy Birthday, Mama!
• Combine ingredients in a saucepan and cook to desired thickness. • Then add 1 tsp vanilla and 1 tbs melted butter, stir well. • In a baking dish, layer a bag of vanilla wafers and 3-4 ripe bananas sliced in rounds. • Pour cooked mixture over the wafers and bananas. Serve warm or chill if desired. • Top with whipped cream or non-dairy topping, sprinkle with cookie crumbs or even chocolate, just whatever you like. We never got that far. It was usually served warm and gone in a few seconds.
About The Author
• We don’t know how many servings this yields. It was always eaten before we thought to count!
32 // November 2023
A transplant from Corinth, MS, Tom Gilmore and his wife Sandra reside in Cleveland, TN. He does the best he can while loving Jesus, loving his family, and living to honor his mama.
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Gò0dNews Poetry
The Thanksgiving Turkey BBQ Test
I
by Charles Finney
n a quaint little country town,
The old folks hesitated, their tradition at stake,
Where the old folks always wore a frown,
But when the smell of barbecue started to make,
Thanksgiving arrived with joy and cheer,
They agreed to Uncle Bob's bold request,
But it brought a comical twist this year.
And soon the turkey was put to the test.
They gathered 'round, with Bibles in hand,
With barbecue sauce and a sizzling flame,
Ready to bless the fertile land,
The turkey turned juicy, it was never the same,
But the pages were wrinkled, yellow, and torn,
The old folks gathered 'round the grill with delight,
So they hoped the good Lord wouldn't be too forlorn.
As the scent of smoked turkey took flight.
The kitchen bustled with pots and pans, As Grandma cooked with her secret plans, The turkey sat plump, all brown and round, Unaware of the laughter that would soon abound. The family arrived, a rowdy bunch, Kids running wild, what a noisy hunch, Cousins, twice-removed, claimed their fame, While others, who knows from where they came?
They laughed and they sang, forgetting their frown, Thankful for a Thanksgiving that turned upside down,
As the feast was laid out, a sight to behold,
For sometimes tradition needs a little tweak,
There was stuffing, cranberries, and pies untold,
To make memories that are unique.
But the turkey seemed to tremble with fear, For he knew his fate was oh so near.
So, remember this tale of a country Thanksgiving, Where the Good Book and the good meal were living,
Then came Uncle Bob, the grill master supreme,
But in the end, it was the laughter and glee,
He looked at the turkey, and he let out a gleam,
That made it a day of true family glee.
No need for ovens, let's have a turkey grilled fast!"
34 // November 2023
About The Author
"Enough of this fuss, let's have a barbecue blast, Charles Finney—minister of inspirational Good News, retired various positions and industries, management and operational, freelance writer, author of “Grandpa-Good News From The Good Feel Cornfield.” Writings are a remembrance of family, farm life and church upbringing to be a blessing to all!
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Gò0dNews for Teens
Grateful for Love
T
by Abdiel Medina
ake a minute and think: How has your parent
After getting to see some of the campus and my sister
helped you, and when was the last time you
getting her belongings settled into her dorm, it was time for
showed your appreciation? This question and the
farewells. My eyes were watering up; I was caught up in a
thoughts on parenthood and expressing gratitude that
mixture of emotions of sadness and happiness for my sister.
I share in this article could also correspond to a legal
Of course, my parents also felt a wave of emotions, yet
guardian or mentor you have in your life.
during the farewell they gave comfort and encouragement.
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it
Sharing the love of God, they let my brother and I know
does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor
that it was okay to recognize any sad emotions and also
others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it
feel excitement at the new journey she was beginning.
keeps no record of wrongs, but rejoices with truth”
I am thankful that through any hardships or emotional
(1 Corinthians 13:4-8 ESV). In love, countless parents selflessly give to provide for their children’s needs. Additionally, whether their child is entering their teenage or young adult years, they have helped the child to grow in spiritual maturity and independence. There are different ways this happens, such as a parent driving their middle schooler to school, teaching their high school student to drive, or reminding their college student to always keep jumper cables in their car just in case of emergencies. People may also relate to moments of emotional hardships or anxiety where the warm hug, prayer, or encouraging words of a parent helped them in the tough moment. Personally, I could never repay my parents for the love, support, and encouragement that they have provided my siblings and me. One example of this was a few weeks ago
challenges they themselves may experience, my parents strive to take care of our family. A parent is more than someone with a responsibility
when my family drove down with my sister to drop her
to provide, help, and take care of a child. A parent is a
off at Texas Tech. She had recently obtained her bachelor’s
human being who chooses daily to sacrificially give out of
degree at Lee University and was going to continue her
love. Therefore, I encourage you to take the time to show
academic endeavors by pursuing a master’s degree at Texas
appreciation to your parents or whoever else has poured
Tech. My siblings- my brother Daniel and sister Ariana-
into your life.
Consequently, the drive from Tennessee to Texas Tech felt both long and emotional.
36 // November 2023
About The Author
are my best friends and my family is close to each other. Abdiel Medina is a young writer who is a student at Lee University. He loves God, his fam, and church fam at Keith Street Ministries!
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Gò0dNews for Health & Fitness Handling the Holidays (Without Overeating) his time of year, there is so much to be thankful for. Some of us might get to see loved ones that we don’t often get to see throughout the rest of the year. Because of this, we are reminded why community and fellowship are important in our spiritual walk with the Lord to stay encouraged and unburdened. The holiday season can bring a few extra enticing opportunities to overeat. If you’re trying to live healthier, some of the things I share might be helpful in making you more aware of how to talk to yourself and strategies you can use to be smart on your journey to healthier living.
Make a list of why you love the holidays. If you listed food, genuinely ask yourself why. Is it something like how you love it when your grandkids are all in one room, drinking hot cocoa, and decorating cookies? Sometimes happy memories incorrectly get associated with food, not with the people we’re sharing the memories with. The good news is that we can learn to redirect our thinking. Get aware of how many meals during the holidays you won’t have control over. We all know there might be a few dinners out, a work party or two, and/ or a special family trip. If a list were made, are there more than a handful of times for festive eating? It helps to journal sometimes. Ask yourself some of these questions as you write: • What’s my goal during the holiday season: to lose weight? Or to maintain my current weight? • What excuses come up during this time of the year around food? • In the past, how have food cravings and urges been handled?
38 // November 2023
• In the future, what can be my ‘why’ for staying motivated even when it feels hard? • What is the Lord trying to teach me during this season? Make some decisions beforehand about what’s worth it to you. Store-bought frozen rolls don’t compare with homemade cornbread cooked in that 50-year-old cast iron skillet of grandma’s served with some locally made honey butter. Remind yourself before going to a holiday event or gettogether that there are things you can control around food: • Drinking water and staying hydrated. • Waiting until you’re actually hungry to start eating. Then stopping when you’re satisfied. • Consistently taking your vitamins, supplements, and/ or probiotics if you have incorporated those practices into your life. • Taking part in fun activities such as walking, looking through some family photos, or playing a board game instead of mindlessly snacking in the kitchen. Proverbs 25:16 NLT says, “Do you like honey? Don’t eat too much, or it will make you sick!” The Lord explains everything needs to have balance. He warns us of the temptations to overindulge but also the practicality of not overindulging. If this is truly something you’re working on, go to the Lord in prayer about it. Ask for guidance and self-control, and how you can respect your goals. Allow yourself to get plenty of rest so this can be a restorative time. Make opportunities to have meaningful conversations with the people you love, really checking in and asking them how life is going. Focus on your interactions with people, not your interactions with food. I hope I have given you some realistic and helpful strategies to move forward with an optimistic mindset so you can conquer all those thoughts about tailgate appetizers, Halloween candy, Thanksgiving side dishes, and Christmas cookies. Enjoy the precious time with your people- that is what really matters. About The Author
T
by Courtney Fox
Courtney Fox is a nurse supervisor for the Bradley County Health Department. She recently ran and completed the Chattanooga marathon! She and her husband Cory Fox are raising two beautiful girls. She enjoys fitness and prays you will too.
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