September 2022

Gò0dNews September 2022

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Contents SEPTEMBER 2022

GoodNews from the Pastor’s Desk

6 We Don’t Talk About Bruno (or Melchisedec!)

by Rev. Reagan Marsh

GoodNews for Kids

8 More-ish

by Danny Hesterly

GoodNews Money Matters

10 “ABOUT THAT ONE

MILLION DOLLARS...”

by Dr. Andrew Lee GoodNews for Men

12 Who is Your Superhero?

by Dr. Alan Hix

GoodNews for Women

14 Worship 24/7

by Kristen West

GoodNews for Everyone

18 Is Obedience Necessary?

by Danette Reeves

GoodNews for Everyone

20 Pleasures Forevermore

by Greg Grotewold

GoodNews for Everyone

22 Walking With Molly: Part 3

by Shelley Knick

GoodNews Cover Story

24 Coosa Valley Fair Association

by Phillip Burkhalter GoodNews for Life

GoodNews Poetry

28 Thinking Of Me and You

by Judy Hood

GoodNews for Parents

30 From Tents to Tweens

by Donald Cantrell

GoodNews for Everyone

32 Enjoying Our Differences

by Susan Lavigne

GoodNews for Everyone

34 Who’s Watching?

6

by Monica Gambrell

GoodNews for Everyone

36 A Family-tree Hugger

by Sandra Gilmore

GoodNews for Students

38 Courage to Write

by Abdiel Medina

GoodNews for Everyone

40 Here Today. Gone Tomorrow.

by Cheryl L. Dunson

GoodNews for your Taste Buds

42 Apple Streusel Cake

24

by Pam Wattenbarger

GoodNews for Everyone

44 Be Sober

by Brent Goodge

GoodNews for Everyone

46 Disappointed

by Karen Jeffery

26 God’s Story

by Linetta Cain

42

Gò0dNews from the Pastor’s Desk We Don’t Talk About Bruno (or Melchisedec!)

A

by Rev. Reagan Marsh

s a pastor for nearly 25 years, I often receive thoughtprovoking questions about the Bible. Here’s an interesting one—I hope it’ll be helpful for you!

Q: How are we supposed to think about Melchisedec?

He’s pretty difficult to understand.

A: The recent film Encanto has a catchy tune: “We don’t talk about Bruno, no, no…” It seems that’s also how we treat certain people in Scripture—Melchisedec among them! Some think he’s Jesus making a brief OT appearance (theologians call these “Christophanies,” lit. “Christ-sightings”); others aren’t so sure.

But Scripture gives answers!

Genesis 14:18-20 shows he’s a priest and king (v. 18): 1. The plain description of him as a man, v. 18; “he,” v. 19; “he…him,” v. 20 (Hebrews 7:4 names him “this man”).

2. The geographical location of his home: “Salem,” v.

So, Scripture presents Melchisedec as a “type” (that is, a foreshadowing, or pointing-forward-to) of Christ. Hebrews

18. Christophanies don’t typically mention a home or

7 speaks of Jesus as being better than Melchisedec, arising

“roots” (see, for example, Joshua 5:13ff).

in his likeness, and having a superior priesthood. If Jesus

3. The physical nature of Melchisedec bringing out food, v.

18.

is better than himself, in his own image, and improves on his prior ministry, then there’s contradiction and change in

4. The genuine concern for Abram’s well-being, v. 20:

the unchangeable God…and that’s impossible (Malachi 3:6;

“God…has delivered your enemies into your hand.”

Hebrews 13:8). Further, Hebrews 7 records that Melchisedec

Melchisedec is a man like us. This isn’t a Christophany, but there are strong pointers to Jesus: 1. Eternality (v. 18). Melchisedec just appears on the scene unannounced. Hebrews 7:3 explains this, showing how his entering the scene with no introduction (simply Moses using a literary device) points to the Eternal One. 2. Communion with God (v. 18). It’s no mistake that bread and wine are used: a man justified by faith alone (James 2:23) enters God’s presence through God’s priest. This priest embodies God’s righteousness (Hebrews 7:2) brought near to him (incarnation!) This certainly points us to the Lord’s Supper, and ultimately to the end of the age, when Christians “will be forever with the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 4:17).

3. Worship (v. 19). Abram receives God’s blessing from him—while Melchisedec leads in God’s worship (vv.

19b-20).

died (v. 23). Take that to its local end: if Melchisedec is the preincarnate Christ, then Jesus died twice, Hebrews 7:24-25 is utterly false, and “your faith is futile” (1 Corinthians 15:17).

It’s a fascinating question to work out biblically, but wellworth our consideration—because Jesus, the only Son of God, has indeed come for sinners like Melchisedec, and Abram… and you and me. He showed by his life, death, and resurrection that he is the Eternal One who alone can forgive sin, bring fellowship with God the Father, and make us true worshippers by his Word and Spirit. “Types” like Melchisedec point us forward to the day when “we shall see him as he is” (1 John 3:2), “face to face” (1 Corinthians 13:12), forever. That’s the best news I’ve ever heard!

We might not talk about Bruno…but we should talk about Melchisedec, because he helps us talk about Jesus. Feel free to send in your questions at reformationdalton.com, and I’ll do my best to answer them biblically! Grace to you.

character in his attributes (v. 19b) and mighty acts (v. 20).

6 // September 2022

About The Author

4. Special revelation (vv. 19b-20). God’s word reveals God’s Reagan Marsh is husband to Kara, daddy to RG and AG, and founding Pastor-Teacher to Reformation Baptist Church. A biblical counselor and Th.D. student in Puritan Studies, he has served in gospel ministry since 1998. Learn more at reformationdalton.com.

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Gò0dNews for Kids

More-ish

T

by Danny Hesterly

his may not seem all that impressive to a 10-year-

grandkids, but it’s nice to have Erin’s family close by—

old, but I’ve been married for 6,570 days. I’ve

especially because Mimi (Erin’s mom) makes some of

known people who have been married 3 times

the best desserts in Ringgold, GA (some might even say

that number (I know, I’ll stop with the math but if you want to get some practice in, what is 6,570 x 3 =?).

One of the best things about being married to Erin is getting to be a part of her family.

the world).

Have you ever had a piece of chocolate pie or a snickerdoodle cookie or an apple turnover, where when you finish the late bite, you’re going for more? It

Quick story: When I was growing up in Southern

happens to me every time. Every dessert Mimi makes

Illinois, my mom and dad would tell me, my brother,

is from scratch (never from a box) and is full of love,

and my sister that when we all grew up, they would

which makes it out-of-this-world-yummy. We always say her desserts have a “more-ish” taste.

In Psalm 34:8 it says, “Taste and see that the LORD is good! How blessed is the person who trusts in him!”

We see in the passage that God is good.

Just like my Mimi’s desserts have a “moreish” taste, you can never get enough of God’s goodness in your life. Now, we don’t taste God in the same way we eat food, that’s just funny. But we do experience His blessings every day in our lives. Think about it, when do you experience the goodness of God? How about a wake-up hug, or when you eat lunch with a friend, or get a high five on the

sell everything and move to Korea. My mom is from

playground? How about when you do something wrong

Seoul, South Korea, and hasn’t been home in a long

and you ask God to forgive you? God’s goodness is all

time. My parents said this ALL the time. I never thought

around you all the time.

they’d actually do it. When I was twenty-nine, they sold

So, the next time you have a cookie and you think

everything and moved to Korea! They actually did it.

to yourself, “I could eat another one!” think about

I’m so happy my mom is reunited with her family and

how much better the goodness of God is in your life.

my dad gets to eat all the good Korean food all the time.

I promise you’ll never get enough of the “more-ish”

Done with the quick story.

blessings He has for you.

became an important part of my life. I still talk with my parents over video calls and they get to talk with their

8 // September 2022

About The Author

When my parents moved to Korea, Erin’s parents Danny Hesterly lives in Chattanooga, TN where he spends most of his days in coffee shops helping others discover their part in God’s amazing story.

Danny has two children (12, 10) and has been married to his lovely bride for 17 years.

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“ABOUT THAT ONE MILLION DOLLARS...”

MONEY MATTERS

WITH DR. ANDREW LEE

I

n Frank Capra’s classic Christmas film, It’s a Wonderful Life, young George Bailey walks up to the soda counter in the drug store, pulls the handle on the whatchamacallit, and exclaims, “I wish I had a million dollars!” When the lighter ignites, he shouts, “Hot dog!” In 1946, one million dollars seemed like an enormous sum. But one million of those 1946 dollars would be worth about $66,000 today, all because of that dreaded word that’s all over the financial news this year: inflation. Inflation isn’t just what Uncle Bob’s waistline experiences after Thanksgiving dinner. Rising costs mean that our money buys less with each passing year, especially when the reported inflation rate has reached 9.1 % as of summer 2022.

Yet, the idea of accumulating a retirement nest egg of one million dollars continues to tantalize us as being the “magic number,” while also discouraging many who view that magic number as out of reach and unrealistic. What would a one-million-dollar nest egg look like today, in terms of sustaining someone’s retirement? Let’s start with the “4% Rule.” This is a phrase coined by Bill Bengen around 1994; Bengen used decades of historical data to conclude that investors could withdraw 4% of their nest egg every year during retirement and never run out of money, assuming that the nest egg is invested in fifty percent stocks and fifty percent bonds. Taking into account historical periods such as bear markets, recessions, and pandemics, the 4% withdrawal rate should ensure that you don’t outlive your money in retirement. Granted, there are those who feel differently, arguing for a 3% withdrawal rate (let’s call them “Negative Nancy”) or a 5%-6% withdrawal rate (“Optimistic Oscar”), but for illustration purposes, let’s use the wellknown 4% Rule.

10 // September 2022

Dr. Andrew Lee is professor of English at Lee University. He also serves as a coordinator for Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University. He and his wife Esmerelda have three children.

Withdrawing 4% of your one million dollars means you’re living on $40,000 per year, or $3,333 per month. But don’t forget about taxes: if your retirement account was tax-deferred like a 401(k) account, you’ll be taxed on each withdrawal during retirement. So that $3,333 income per month is really looking more like $3,000 (or less) per month.

Suddenly that one-million-dollar nest egg is providing less income per month than you were likely bringing home while working (shucks)! The good news, however, is that you should be getting something from Social Security, perhaps between $1,000-$2500 per month, and your monthly expenses might well be lower during retirement, if for instance, you have paid off your home mortgage by the time you retire. The 4% Rule adjusts for inflation each year, so if inflation is 3% during your second year of retirement, you’d withdraw $41,200 that following year, and so on. Hitting that milestone of $1 million isn’t impossible: by investing only $200 per month in the stock markets from age 25-65, you’d have $1 million at retirement (at a historical 10% rate of return each year).

So, George Bailey’s one million dollar wish in 1946 would be worth only $66,000 in today’s buying power.

But conversely, you’d need $15 million in 2022 to have the equivalent buying power of $1 million in 1946. What would the 4% Rule look like on a nest egg of fifteen million dollars?

You’d be withdrawing $600,000 per year, or $50,000 per month (and that’s not including any Social Security check).

But don’t forget about paying income taxes at the current top rate of 37% (ouch). After taxes of $18,500 per month, you’d be forced to scrape by on a paltry $31,500 per month.

Still, that’s a lot of Grey Poupon mustard. So make a plan now. “He who is noble plans noble things, and on noble things he stands” (Isaiah 32:8).

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Gò0dNews for Men

Who is Your Superhero?

hen we watch old family videos, we experience a range of emotions. We might smile at some memories and cringe at others. Other memories may make us wistful or nostalgic for things past. We may even ache for people we see who are no longer with us.

One of those memories from my family’s videos that makes me smile comes from a Christmas morning when I was around four. Of all the presents I received that morning, my favorite appears to have been a Superman costume.

There is ample footage of my pretending to fly like my hero. My best friend, who received a similar outfit, took that a bit further and somehow got up on the roof of his house, proclaiming he was going to fly off. Fortunately, his parents were able to talk him down. Imagining ourselves as Superman made us feel invincible.

For the last decade or more, our culture has been enamored with superheroes. Movie block busters abound, and new streaming shows appear with increasing frequency. I have wondered what it is about superheroes that continues to draw us? Why do fans attach themselves to a particular character, rejoicing or crying over events in that character’s story arc? Is it because we feel powerless in a chaotic world, and our character has the strength we long for? Some fans will go as far to imagine themselves as that character as the character’s story plays out in movies or video games.

This desire to live our lives through another more powerful character is counter to what we find in Scripture.

In fact, the Bible talks about the reverse. In Ephesians 3:1617, the Apostle Paul writes that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. Our ability to face a troubled and chaotic world with confidence and strength comes from Christ’s indwelling presence as He lives in and through us. We don’t have to look for some other outside power to rescue us, for Christ has already done so and more.

Paul concludes this section of his letter with these words: Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,

12 // September 2022

to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever.

When we remember that when Paul wrote these words, he was in prison in Rome awaiting a trial before the emperor, his declaration is a manifesto of confidence and hope. He remembered that the God who lived within him was the creator of the universe, and that understanding allowed him to view the world around him from a completely different viewpoint—an eternal one.

We live in a time in which the institutions and people we have previously looked to for encouragement, stability, and strength have crumbled around us. I know people who have given up and resigned themselves to a fatalistic hopelessness. Do you feel powerless against the forces swirling around you? Do you long for a superhero to come and rescue you?

While superheroes only save us from the fleeting crisis of the moment, God not only saves us, He transforms us into eternal creatures who are no longer prisoners of a fallen world. From that perspective, Paul encouraged the Roman Christians in this way: For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us (Romans 8:18).

About The Author

W

by Dr. Alan Hix

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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Gò0dNews for Women

Worship 24/7

T

by Kristen West

here I was, sitting in the extremely cushy spa chair.

and pleasing to God; this is your true worship” (HCSB).

A very sweet lady kindly worked away on my

Elsewhere, the Scriptures say, “…whether you eat or

pedicure while I completely relaxed and sunk into

drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1

this moment of self-care. As I flipped through the color

Corinthians 10:31, ESV).

book trying to decide on which shade of pink polish to get,

Whatever you do…sitting at the park during a

I worshipped. (Perhaps you’re scratching your head and

lunchbreak = worship. Playing with your kids = worship.

thinking, “Wait…what??”) The truth is, we don’t tend to

Enjoying some date time with your spouse = worship.

equate getting our nails done as an act of worship, do we?

Spending quality time with great friends = worship.

For most, the word worship evokes thoughts of

Walking next door to meet the new neighbors = worship.

church attendance and singing hymns or praise songs to

Taking some time for self-care = worship. Sleeping at night = worship. See the pattern?

Everything—every breath, word, and action—is worship because, as Christ-followers, we are saying or doing those things to ultimately glorify God! We are living, breathing vessels that have come alive by the Spirit of God. Our lives are now on display as an unbroken act of worship (Ephesians 2:1-10)!

Sometimes, in religious circles especially, we can get derailed thinking worship is a special act or work. That we need to have a certain feeling or be in a specific

God. And while both of those things are absolutely true,

posture. Not true. Jesus gave us an incredible example

I would challenge us to go even deeper than that. By

to follow. He modeled a life of worship for us—every

relegating worship to just a Sunday morning experience,

minute of His day was poured out as a living sacrifice in

we really limit our application of what God intends true

reverence and adoration to His Father. Whether He was

worship to be.

having dinner at a stranger’s house, speaking to thousands

The simple dictionary definition of worship is “to

from a hilltop, attending a wedding, or hanging out at the

show reverence and adoration for God.” As Christ-

beach with His friends, His life was worship 24/7. He was

followers, don’t we do that just by being alive? Aren’t

worshipping just by being alive! So. Are. You.

minute of every day? Romans 12:1 says it this way, “…I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy

14 // September 2022

About The Author

our transformed lives an expression of worship every 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 // September 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

Beech Creek UMC 2972 Alabama Hwy, Rome, Ga 30165 706-235-4973 Chapel Hill UMC 1818 Kingston Rd Rome, Ga 30161 706-232-9177 Holsey Sinai CME Church 1233 Martin L King Rome, Ga 30161 706-295-7265 Lindsay Chapel UMC 9 College Park Dr SW Rome, Ga 30161 Livingston UMC 21 E Lakeshore Dr SE Rome, Ga 30161 Metropolitan UMC 700 Broad St Rome, Ga 30161 706-291-8660 Mt Pleasant UMC 4782 Alabama Hwy Rome, Ga 30165 706-232-4350 New Bethel Methodist Church Reeceburg Rd Rome, Ga 30161 706-235-9700 North Rome UMC 706-291-6704 Oostanaula UMC 74 Battey Farm Rd Rome, Ga 30161 706-292-0084 Rome First UMC 202 E 3rd Ave Rome, Ga 30161 706-291-8590 Rush Chapel UMC 1225 Rush Chapel Rd Rome, Ga 30161 706-291-7986 Scott Chapel UMC 3 Chambers St NE Rome, Ga 30161 Second Avenue UMC 801 E Second Ave SW Rome, GA 30161 Shannon UMC 600 First Street Shannon, GA 30172

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

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

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

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

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

Access Church 1905 Calhoun Rd Rome, Ga 30161 705-584-7497 Christian Church at Rome 2417 Shorter Ave Rome, GA 30165 706-235-0501 Glorious New Jerusalem Church 537 W 12th St Rome, Ga 30165 706-295-2045 Glory Tabernacle Church 300 Watson St Rome, Ga 30165 706-235-0888 Gospel Harvester Church 1246 Cartersville Hwy SE Rome, Ga 30161 706-290-9858 Greater Refuge Ministries 1604 North Broad St Rome, GA 30161 706-622-2448 Legacy Church 524 Avenue A SW Rome, GA 30165 LIFE Church of Rome 19 John Davenport Drive Rome GA 30165 706-728-3166 Lighthouse Church of Rome Lighthouse Dr SE Rome, Ga 30161 706-291-0864 New and Living Way Bible Church 59 Dykes Creek Rd Rome, Ga 30161 706-233-9200 Northside Church 75 N. Floyd Park Rd. Rome, Ga 30165 706-233-9896 Rally Up International Ministries 2460 Shorter Avenue

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

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

Nazarene

Non-Denominational

Orthodox

Pentecostal

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 goodnewscm.com // 17

Gò0dNews for Everyone

Is Obedience Necessary?

“A

by Danette Reeves

nd Samuel said, Has the Lord as great delight

than reading my Bible verse and saying a quick prayer. It is

in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying

my heart, my inner being, my whole life. It is Jesus calling

the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is

me to follow Him closely, living out His ministry His way

better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and presumption is as iniquity and idolatry” (1 Samuel 15:22-23a, ESV).

When I was in college, Keith Green sang a song about

and denying myself.

If I truly believe Jesus is coming soon, will I not throw off all distractions and run to follow Him? What does that even look like? 2 Peter 1:5-11 tells us to “make EVERY

obedience. I remember thinking at that time that it was harsh. In all honesty, sometimes I still do. Even though I may not agree with all of the lyrics, he wrote some very thought-provoking words: “To obey is better than sacrifice. I don’t need your money; I want your life. And I hear you say that I’m coming back soon, but you act like I’ll never return.”

Another portion reads: “Well, you speak of grace and my love so sweet. How you thrive on milk but reject my meat!”

I was a young Christian then and had not been taught about obedience to God’s Word. I spent many years feasting on milk and accomplishing my daily check-off list: Read my Bible verse, pray, thank God, ask forgiveness, forgive

effort to supplement our faith with virtue, and virtue with

others, tell Him what I want, and do it again the next day.

knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-

When one is a student of the Word, we see that the

control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness,

Bible teaches obedience is central to our Christian life and

and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly

goes far beyond milk and the easy fluff. Jesus calls us to

affection with love.” He says that if we are growing in these

the hard stuff when He says, “If anyone would come after

qualities, we will be effective and fruitful. In other words,

Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow

we will take up our crosses and follow Jesus. Obedience. Is

Me” (Matthew 16:24; Mark 8:34). In Luke, He states it even

it necessary?

firmer, “If anyone would come after Me, let him take up his

Jesus states in Matthew 10:38, “And whoever does not

cross DAILY and follow Me” (Luke 9:23). Take up my cross

take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of Me.” Yes,

DAILY? Really?

obedience IS necessary.

That is the call to obedience. To live daily, hourly, feet hit the floor in the mornings, and I realize this is more

18 // September 2022

About The Author

minute-by-minute, following Jesus. It sounds great until my

Danette Reeves and her husband, Charlie, live in Cleveland, Tennessee. 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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Church Activities & Events Rome Area History Center

Coosa Valley Praise and Worship Center

Downtown Rome Georgia History Tour: Places of Worship

Clearvision Music Ministries

Oothcalooga Baptist Church

The Refuge Church

Saturday, September 10 | 9AM - 1PM 10 Woody Rd, Adairsville, GA

Wednesday, September 28 | 2:30PM - 3:30PM 1771 Wax Rd SE, Silver Creek, GA

Saturday, September 3 | 9:45AM - 11:45AM 305 Broad St, Rome, GA

Ladies Conference

Saturday, September 24 | 7PM 10 General Ave, Rome, GA

Bible Study

Gò0dNews for Everyone

Pleasures Forevermore

by Greg Grotewold

I

n an age where hyperbole and amplification run amok, assessing

dependent upon happy circumstances. In fact, the primary reason

the true value of an object has become a challenging proposition.

it’s considered full or complete is because there isn’t a circumstance

The culture’s propensity to inflate reality impacts our ability

that has the power in and of itself to penetrate and thus disrupt

to make necessary distinctions between competing items. As we

the peace He offers. Jesus is an immutable rock whose sovereign

artificially elevate the common, we conceal the uniqueness of the

mercies never wane.

uncommon and our adjectives lose their relevancy. Good gets

It was this very same Godly joy that sustained Jesus Himself at

lumped together with legitimate greatness, dumbing down the

Calvary. “Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith,

entire category.

who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising

This is not without consequence. It’s important to recognize that at our very core we are worshippers. We are wired to exalt.

the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2, ESV). And it’s the same hope that will sustain and

Whether it’s a sports team, a loved one, or some other aim of our affection, we have a need to lift up that which is meaningful to us.

It’s who we are and what we do. But here’s the issue. Our worship of an item is a function of its perceived worth. Perceived worth is, in large part, a derivative of the language we use in describing it.

And when that language becomes factitiously inflated, so does our praise. The result is inescapable. As the object inevitably fails to produce a blessing that is commensurate with the worship offered, we are left at best disappointed.

There does exist, however, a target where there is no such thing as overinflating its value and thus overextending our worship. Exaggeration doesn’t apply for anything said, regardless of how outrageously wonderful it may sound, would be true. The target’s glorious reality exceeds our ability to adequately describe it; the English language is simply ill-equipped to do so.

That glorious reality is Jesus Christ. As the audacious assurances the Lord provides in Scripture indicate, He is in a

prosper us too in all seasons of life. “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope” (Romans 15:13, ESV).

category all of His own. Jesus carries not only the might to pull off

We are wired to worship. More pointedly, we are wired

these precious guarantees, but equally as important, the desire. He

to worship Jesus. He is the One who in fact did the electrical

is both all-powerful and all-loving, an awe-inspiring combination

work and gave us not only the desire for joy but the primary

as He fulfills His promises. There is good, there is great, and then

mechanism from which to receive it: Himself. While there is

there is the Risen Lamb.

nothing wrong with gaining a degree of pleasure from the good

While the assurances are as widespread as they are glorious,

things of this world, don’t mistake them for anything more than

there’s one in particular that should cause us to take note. It

they are—inferior forms of delight. Humble yourself before

surrounds a key reason we worship in the first place: joy. We

Jesus, the true treasure, and make Him the primary object of your

elevate that which is meaningful in large part because of the

affection. You will not be left disappointed. At His right hand are

delight produced. Jesus promises a delight that has no parallel.

pleasures forevermore.

is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore” (Psalm 16:11, ESV). Unlike what the world offers, His isn’t

20 // September 2022

About The Author

“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there Greg Grotewold lives in Oakdale, MN, with his wife, Sandi, and their two sons, Luke and Eli. He is a deacon in his local church and greatly enjoys serving in this capacity.

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Gò0dNews for Everyone

Walking With Molly: Part 3

S

by Shelley Knick

o much has changed since Molly left. When she passed,

So, we walked. I dictated the pace and tempo. I used

I knew that she had come to mother me. Odd, however,

specific physical pressures with leash and collar to prompt and

because I have a mother. A great mother! But at that time

remind her to focus on me. I made audible sounds to signal her

in my adult life, I needed an unrealistic level of attention. My

to listen to my voice. I even adjusted my placement next to her

friends, husband, and family members couldn’t fill the crack in

to train her to keep a constant awareness of my presence. This

my leaky bucket, and I know this because I tried to consume

was because her attention had to be anchored in her Alpha.

them as if they could.

So, I consumed God instead, and He responded in abundant grace—with a touch of humor. In a type of poetic justice, He delivered a tongue in cheek response to what I needed: A soul who literally had nothing to do but spend her waking hours watching me, waiting for me, and walking with me. Albeit needy, without judgement, God simply met my need.

Since she left, we moved three times, fell into pits of ridiculous tragedy, and summited mountains of miraculous victory. The groundwork laid during our time together proved to be instrumental to thriving during the chaos. As the saying goes, “suffering vines makes great wines.” She taught me about calm submission and divine harmony, both about which I have previously written. Lastly, she trained me to focus when walking the gauntlet.

The road we walked was perfectly straight, with a cul de

I would intentionally fade from her when I could see her

sac at one end and a 90-degree bend at the other. It was lined

attention had been hijacked. When I could tell she was locked

with twenty-four, five-acre properties. Almost every house had

into the opposition, I would drift back. When it was evident

a dog. For properties with perimeter fences, the resident dogs

that she wasn’t aware, I would purposefully take off running

behaved like savages. They would run full force and charge the

in the opposite direction, which provided a quick choke. It also

fence when we walked by. The barking, the growling, and the

snapped her out of that state and returned her awareness back

fury could make any pulse race. If I could feel it, imagine what

to my presence. With her attention back on me, we continued,

it did to Molly’s primal nature.

and she would obsessively verify my location. This pattern

The upside-down fact in her training was that while

repeated to strengthen her bonded attention.

primal, she wasn’t allowed to behave primally. As unfair as it

Fixing our eyes on Jesus is about our attention. The training

sounds, I was calling her to be more than a beast. Rest assured,

isn’t punishment. The distractions might be strategically placed.

the blood bath that could erupt if she were given the chance

Our repetitive return to the gauntlet could be exactly what will

to unleash was unquestionable. Regardless of her capability to

bond our attention to an invincible state, thereby proving that

dominate, those neighbor dogs existed to make her who she

the daily walk is a vehicle for God’s compounding affect.

gauntlet. It was every bit the technical meaning of the word: Two rows of characters lined up on opposite sides of each other to assault the one who traveled the space between them.

22 // September 2022

About The Author

was meant to be with me. We walked that road like it was the Shelley is an aspiring writer. She is also a nurse, a wife to her high school sweetheart of 22 years, a brand-new mama to their miracle baby, and a new resident of Rome after moving from Washington state.

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FEATURED COVER STORY

Coosa Valley Fair Association

I

by Phillip Burkhalter, 2022 President

t is summer in Rome, GA. However, fall is just

performance, comedy juggling, and motorcycle

around the corner and the Board of Directors

globe of death; (2) Circus Incredible, a show of

of The Coosa Valley Fair Association are hard

airborne acrobatics and precarious balancing

at work preparing for “Fall’s Finest Festival,” The

acts, and consists of a seventh-generation circus

Coosa Valley Fair. This year will bring thrills and

performer of the renowned “World Famous

chills with rides and acts that promise to have

Wallenda Family,” and (3) Michael Frisbee,

something for everyone, young and old.

Magician, Comedian, and Entertainer.

Wade Shows will return with dozens of rides

Rome City Schools and Floyd County Schools

and carnival games that will challenge everyone’s

students will be displaying art and pottery pieces

gaming skills. Wade Shows is a national carnival

that showcase our local hometown artistic talent.

provider that has worked with The Coosa Valley

We also will be showing local photography of

Fair for decades, bringing safe, exciting carnival

various age groups and skill levels that encourages

rides and shows to Rome.

participation from everyone in our community. You

This year, Camp Carousel Petting Zoo will

do not have to be a professional to enter any of our

be available on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday

exhibits, you need only to have a desire to show

after the livestock events have concluded. Other

your stuff.

special events scheduled are: (1) Space Adventures

Our Community Building will be full of live

Thrill Show, which features a trampoline wall, fire

flowers, canned goods, local vegetables, quilts,

24 // September 2022

garments, and toys, all of which are made by

through Saturday,

local folks for local competition. The Coosa Valley

October 8, 2022.

Fair is not just a county fair, it is a regional fair

Bring your family

showcasing Northwest Georgia’s talent across

and friends to enjoy

every imaginable spectrum.

the rides, shows, fair

Our Village Building will once again be full of local

food, and fellowship

businesses that want to show you what they have to

as we celebrate our

offer and to give fair-goers a chance to see the myriad

73rd Annual Coosa

of opportunities that are available in our hometown.

Valley Fair.

As we began as an Agricultural Fair, we have

The Coosa Valley

not forgotten our roots. We will have cows, horses,

Fair is located at 1400

pigs, goats, sheep, lambs, and probably a donkey or

Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Rome, GA 30161. Visit

two. This will showcase what our local farmers and

www.coosavalleyfair.com for more information.

Phillip Burkhalter, 2022 President

ranchers do every day. Be sure to catch the “Lamb Show,” where youngsters try and make their prize lambs pose for judging. It is truly worth taking the time to enjoy an event that one will not soon forget.

I am personally inviting you to attend this year’s Fair which begins on Tuesday, October 4 and runs

goodnewscm.com // 25

Gò0dNews for Life

God’s Story

by Linetta Cain

I

remember, as a teenager, hearing my mom tell the stories

my numbers were declining each visit. Now stage 5, dreading

of my childhood health difficulties. A bad UTI once landing

the thoughts of possible dialysis. You see, for 23 years, I had

me in Children’s Hospital, Cincinnati, Ohio. She would

always said I would not need dialysis or transplant because

then proceed to tell of how God healed me, and there were no

God was going to heal me. I kept my strong faith, but where I

complications after that.

went wrong was predicting what God was going to do.

Fast forward to the year 1997. Just twenty-one years old, young, happy, my whole life ahead of me! It was my first annual exam. I’m so thankful for the doctor God placed in

He was writing another story—a painful experience with a beautiful ending.

By 2021, I had been on Vanderbilt’s kidney transplant

my life at that moment. She took what she saw seriously and

list for almost five years. For the first time that summer, I

referred me to Shands Nephrology in Gainesville, Florida,

was feeling the symptoms of kidney failure—metal taste,

where I lived at the time.

chronic fatigue, decreased concentration. During my August

After numerous tests and labs, I was diagnosed with Chronic Kidney Disease or CKD. There are five stages of CKD, and I was already showing at stage 2. How did this

nephrology appointment, I said those words I had hoped to never have to say, “Doc, I think it’s time.”

On September 6, 2021, I went to my first dialysis

happen? Why me, God? Please heal me, Lord, was my cry. It

treatment. I was terrified! My dad drove me and prayed with

was a devastating moment filled with questions, fears, and

me. I remember crying in fear, like a child again. It was rough!

tears. I felt so alone. What was this degenerative disease going

But each week improved, and I started to feel better. The team

to do to my future? Would I still be able to have children? The

at my center were now great friends that I looked forward to

list went on.

seeing three times a week. By week four, I was in a routine I

Then, that warrior spirit rose up within me. I still remember the day. After much research, I created a meal

could handle!

A phone call I received on December 2, 2021 changed

plan that would hopefully help improve creatinine and

it all. “Mrs. Cain, we have a match for you!” The call from

slow the progression of CKD. It did work, and my lab

Vanderbilt I had waited on for almost five years was here!

work started looking better. By 2005, I was only stage

One day short of 13 weeks on dialysis and without it, I wouldn’t have been as prepared. On

3 and stable. I had moved to the Cleveland area and married. Life was an adventure, but my CKD was always in the back of my mind. I prayed every

God’s Story...

December 3, 2021, after all tests were run to determine a “perfect match,” I received my gift! God ceremoniously

day for healing and truly believed

orchestrated every step. I’m forever

it would be divine.

grateful to my donor’s family that

Having our daughter in 2009 lowered my kidney function some as expected, but what a blessing

chose to donate life in the midst of their heartache.

Have there been challenges since?

from God! Each nephrology

Oh yes! But I see the big picture

appointment, I would hold my

now. A 25-year puzzle pieced

breath, anticipating results. I

together. God’s story!

would picture, in my mind, the My faith was strong! By 2020,

26 // September 2022

About The Author

doctor being amazed by them.

Linetta Cain is wife to Greg, mother to Abigail, and 18-year resident of Cleveland, TN. Her family attends Mt Olive Church of God. Growing up in a minister’s home, Linetta learned at an early age to adapt to change and challenges.

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Gò0dNews Poetry

Thinking Of Me and You

by Judy Hood

He painted the sky so blue

He was thinking of me and you

And the trees so green

When he sent his Only Son

He was thinking of me and you

Who gave his life for me and you

Looking over earth’s beautiful scene

So we could smell the morning dew

He made the ocean so big and wide

He’s coming back someday

When he made the birds to fly

He’ll soon be on his way

He made them to fly, oh, so high

To take his bride to a better place

As they perpetually glide

For the ones who served and won the race

28 // September 2022

You can get Judy Hood’s newly released book, But For The Grace Of God Go I, through Amazon, Barnes & Noble or ebooks.

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Gò0dNews for Parents

From Tents to Tweens

I

by Donald Cantrell

find it amazing to watch my nine-year-old

words. I tried with all my might to teach her to say poppy

granddaughter go from stage to stage in her life. In

first. I was the one that took her to most of her doctor’s

all honesty, I was not the best dad in helping my wife

appointments and eventually dental appointments.

with our daughter. Oh, I was there, but I was young and

In time she began to go to preschool and then to

clueless, so I was not that great at changing diapers and

kindergarten, where she literally cried until around

feeding. Sadly, I missed out on the bonding that takes

Thanksgiving, day in and day out. I watched her as she

place in those early years of her life.

battled the loneliness of having to take online classes

So, I made up my mind that I would not do the

during the pandemic and saw the joy on her face as she

same as she began growing up, entering school, going to

was able to return to school full time again. It has been the

dance classes, recitals, and cheerleading. It was during

most awesome opportunity that this poppy has ever had.

those years that I stepped up to the plate and became the dad that I should have always been, and I thoroughly enjoyed the journey. I was even the chaplain for some of her middle school football and basketball teams—what a joy it was to be so involved in her life during those years.

Then came along my granddaughter, who decided to try and enter into this life nine weeks early. So, the doctor put my daughter in the hospital for two weeks before allowing her to have Kinsley seven weeks early. She came into this life with bright blue eyes and dark hair, she weighed in at 3.10 pounds, and I was immediately in love and began to understand why they called them “grand.”

My daughter went back to work after staying home

Now my little girl is merely six months from being a

for four months, and guess who volunteered to keep our

tween. Just this past week, my wife and I saw her go from

most precious commodity of life—yes, it was me, and

sleeping in her little blanket and pillow fort—as I slept on

obviously they had no other options, so they hesitantly

the bed beside her—to sleeping by herself on her bed with

placed that precious little girl into my care. I quickly

the door closed. Each and every day we are witnessing

learned the art of feeding and changing diapers, along

her growth, and sadly we cannot slow it down. She will

with our poodle Coco, who loved her as much as we did.

soon be a tween, then a teen, and I will still want to see

Over the past nine years, I have literally witnessed

her in her fort.

from step to step. I was there when she rolled over, when she took her first steps, and when she uttered her first

30 // September 2022

About The Author

every moment that mattered in her life as she progressed 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 Everyone

Enjoying Our Differences

A

by Susan Lavigne

re we really so unaware of how different we

setting ourselves up to be disappointed. Our greatest

are from each other? That may sound like a

disappointments normally start when we don’t talk

silly question, but how many times are we

about our expectations. Sadly enough, most of the

disappointed when someone doesn’t act in a way

time, we don’t even realize we have expectations

similar to us or in a way we expect?

until we get disappointed. (I thought you were going

When I was in college, my roommate and I decided

to stay at home tonight with the kids)! These unspoken

to paint our dorm room. I had been taught in my youth the “proper” way of painting with even strokes of the roller up and down. Meanwhile, on the opposite wall, my roommate was being a free spirit. She was creatively making circles. She was having fun, and I confess, I was angry. In my mind, she wasn’t doing it “right.” But who is to say what is right or wrong in this situation or in a lot of situations we face? The end product was what mattered most, and in this case, the room got painted. There are many situations in our lives where as long as the task gets completed, does it really matter how it gets done?

Now, think about some of the struggles with which you deal. Are the conflicts in your life about little things that really don’t matter? Is your child not cleaning his/her room exactly the way you would like? Is your spouse not doing the household repair/ task exactly how or when you would like it done? Are you upset because maybe the dinner is not the way

expectations occur when we don’t inform the other

your mother used to make it? How hard is it to let go

person of our expectation and just assume they should

of our expectations and let others be who God created

know. (I shouldn’t have to ask. You should have known that

them to be? What about you? Are you too hard on

I wanted flowers for my birthday).

yourself? Are you trying to live up to an unrealistic standard of perfectionism?

Despite popular belief, most people are not

So, what is the best way to deal with our differences? Talk about what we want and make sure it’s fair and agreed upon by everyone. Once we do this,

trying to be difficult. They are just different. When

we will really start to enjoy our differences and our

we open our minds to this concept, we will have less

lives more.

of others or compare ourselves with others, we are

32 // September 2022

About The Author

conflict and more peace. When we have expectations Susan Lavigne attends Cornerstone Church. She is a Christian speaker and songwriter. Feel free to contact her at susanclavigne@gmail.com.

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Gò0dNews for Everyone

Who’s Watching?

M

by Monica Gambrell

y husband and oldest son, Daniel, were always

hands and leisurely walked. One Sunday morning a visitor

known for their lack of physical grace. Countless

approached me and told me something that just blew me away.

times they seemed to trip over thin air. One fine

She and her husband had been going through some challenging

morning I joined their ranks. I was heading out the door to

times, and were even considering divorce. Their daily trek took

work and was met by a cold, stiff wind. I hadn’t realized that

them past the track almost every day. She said that the sight of

it was going to be so cold. As usual, I had both hands full; a

us enjoying one another so completely made her believe that

briefcase in one hand and a cup of hot tea in the other. We had

they could revive their marriage. How humbling! Others are

nine or ten steep wooden steps leading from the porch to the

watching us, but most importantly, God is always watching us.

sidewalk. It was impossible to detect, but there was a thin layer of ice on the stairs, and my first step became my only step as I tumbled thumpity-thump down to the sidewalk. It must have

“The eyes of the Lord are in every place, watching the evil and the good” (Proverbs 15:3).

“Therefore, since we also have such a great cloud of

truly been a hilarious sight. If I had been watching, I don’t

witnesses surrounding us, let’s rid ourselves of every obstacle

know if I could have stifled my laughter. I don’t know why it

and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let’s run with

was so immediate and instinctual to look up for witnesses, but

endurance the race that is set before us, looking only at Jesus,

it was.

the originator and perfecter of the faith, who for the joy set

I didn’t even take time to survey and assess the damages

before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat

before I scanned the neighborhood to see who might have been

down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:1-2).

watching. Our house was on a very high hill. We could see a lot

“God, You are my God; I shall be watching for You; My

of the city from the porch. Every other house near us, save one,

soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You, In a dry and

was twenty or more feet lower than ours, so it would surprise

exhausted land where there is no water” (Psalm 63:1).

me to know that no one witnessed the event. I didn’t have any

Father God, we must be more cognizant than ever that

broken bones, but I was bruised and bloodied. I had to climb

every thought, word, and deed are in full view of You. May I

back up those icy stairs in order to change my torn and now

live in such a way as to be fully invisible so that You are visible

stained clothing. You can be sure I was much more careful on

to those whom You place in my path. Every heartbeat brings us

my way up than I was on my way down!

closer to the moment when we will be at the judgement seat

In our hometown there was a neighborhood walking track my

of Christ. May I truly feel the urgency to sow seed in as

husband and I frequented

many souls as possible,

often. The children played

that they might

on the playground equipment in the

enjoy both relationship

center of the track

and fellowship

while we held

with You.

34 // September 2022

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Gò0dNews for Everyone

A Family-tree Hugger

H

by Sandra Gilmore

ave you been following this series? Check each

number of people represented is 4,096! Only an Almighty Hand

month as we explore often-overlooked connections to

could and would create a family tree leading to Emmanuel

Christmas and wind our way back to this sacred event.

while narrating it with their names all the way to “God with

George Santayana almost got it right when he mused, “The

us,” the ultimate Christmas gift. He dwelt among us. He

family is one of nature’s masterpieces.” In fact, the family is one

provided our salvation on the Cross. Then, Holy Spirit was sent

of God’s masterpieces. When I was younger, I thought little of

as our ever-present Comforter.

genealogy, meaning ‘not often’ as well as where it fell on the

You are significant in your family tree as well. You carry

roaster of priorities. Folks who were family-tree huggers were

position and purpose in God’s grand plan. Have you heard the

not on my “want-to-be-like-them-when-I-grow-up” target.

saying “You’re one in a million!”? Consider this: if you allow

Have you given much thought to the Begats chapters in Scripture? Me neither, at one time. What changed my perspective?

for 25 years between each generation, 500 years ago there were 1,048,576 people involved in creating you!

Bible study, particularly in the books of Matthew and Luke.

Consider the uniqueness of your family tree. It’s like no

Just like re-wiring an old lamp or re-finishing a stately

other in history and will remain unique no matter how many

sideboard, the Begats can be seen through a fresh perspective

generations follow you. Yet, branches upon branches are spread

with a little study. Have you read through the names not as

out across the globe, intertwined with other unique family trees

names but as definitions?

functioning, networking, supporting, supplying each other

Here’s a sample:

through seasons as life carries on—all to the glory of God!

Abiud (My Father is Glorious!) Eliakim (My God will raise up) Azor (a helper) Zadok (the Just One)

Application: Read through the first chapter of Matthew once again. Consider your own family line with

Akim (will the Lord raise up) Eliud

generations before you and ones

(My God is my praise) Eleazar

still branched out today. Here

(God will help) Matthan (May

are some potential prayer

the gift of) Jacob (Jacob)

points: Pray for your family

Joseph (increase in greatness)

members, far and near. Pray

Emmanuel (for God is with

for their salvation. Forgive

us, our Messiah and Savior)!

those who have fallen

Wow! Each person’s

short. Praise the Lord for

position in the family

His gifts of talent and

tree of the Messiah is

abilities granted to your

significant. Each person

family line. Praise the

carries purpose, starting

Lord for their influence

with his name, the first

on your life. Ask the

gift we receive in this

Lord to draw them

world. When we consider

closer to Him. Ask for

the magnitude of how

opportunities for them to

many grandparents are

impact their communities for the

represented by one person, we

sake of the Good News.

Hand. Just how does this look in practical terms?

Given calculations to the 10th great-grandparent level, the

36 // September 2022

About The Author

can see the orchestration of an Almighty 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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Gò0dNews for Students

Courage to Write

A

by Abdiel Medina

ny of my teachers from elementary to college

appreciation deeply needed. I’ve been blessed that

would agree that I have bad writing. I even

through writing, God has enabled me the opportunity

used to consider writing an unenjoyable,

to use GoodNews Magazine as a platform to encourage

tedious task. Despite my negative perspective on

and share God’s truth with my fellow citizens here in

writing, it became a passion that God ingrained in my

Cleveland.

heart all the way back when I was in the 7th grade.

Proverbs 3:5-6 declares, “Trust in the Lord with all

Honestly, I was surprised when God put a passion in my

your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in

heart for writing, and it would take me a while to begin

all your ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct your

to understand the impact God would have in my life

paths.” Back when I was a 7th grader, I never envisioned

through it.

For example, writing became an outlet for me to live out my faith and go into a deeper relationship with God. During my time in middle school, I was uncertain about what I should be doing as a Christian. So, during my time at lunch, I would read my Bible and write about what I read and songs of praise.

My writing was not deep or profound, but it enabled me to have a platform to worship God and dig into His Word.

Because God gave me a desire to write, it also served as an outlet to express my struggles. Vulnerability has never been easy for me, and during middle school, there were some personal struggles I was going through. Writing became a way for

that God would use my passion for writing to help me

me to be vulnerable with God about my struggles.

grow as a Christian, endure tough trials, and positively

Finally, I want to share how writing has become a

impact several lives. Therefore, I want to encourage you

tool for me to encourage and show my appreciation for

that if you feel uncertain or confused about a prompting

others. During my time in high school, I started trying

from the Lord or where He may be leading you, do not

to be intentional about writing letters of encouragement

be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. Lean onto

and gratitude to others. Throughout my years of doing

God beyond your own understanding, and even if it

so, the impact that it can have on a person’s life has

takes a couple of years, you will be grateful for where

amazed me. Sometimes, I may not know what a person

God will take you.

wrote to provide the person with encouragement or

38 // September 2022

About The Author

may be going through, but God will use the letter I

Abdiel Medina is a young writer working on his second year at Lee University. He loves God, his fam, and church fam at Keith Street Ministries!

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Gò0dNews for Everyone

Here Today. Gone Tomorrow.

T

by Cheryl L. Dunson

his year marked the 10th anniversary of my

a flower quickly fading, here today and gone

father’s homegoing, but it only seemed like

tomorrow, a wave tossed in the ocean, a vapor in

yesterday when he passed from this life into

the wind…”

the arms of Jesus. It made me mindful God is not limited by time, but I am.

Realizing life is short should help us use the little time we have here on earth more wisely

During a recent Sunday school lesson, my

and for eternal good. One of the most profound

teacher used a scripture to emphasize a thousand

moments in my life was when a local pastor told

years are like a day to the Lord. In Psalm 90, Moses

members of my Rotary Club, “You have been

wrote, “For a thousand years in your sight are like

blessed to be a blessing.” Those words totally

a day that has just gone by or like a watch in the

changed my perspective on life and how they

night. You sweep men away in the sleep of death;

compel me to ask myself on a daily basis, “What

they are like new grass of the morning—though in

do I want to see happen in my life before I die?

the morning it springs up new, by evening it is dry

What small step or action can I take towards that

and withered.”

purpose today? How can I use my blessings to

In 2 Peter 3:8, we read, “But do not forget

bless others?”

this one, dear friends: With the Lord a day is

Because our days are numbered, we should

like a thousand years and a thousand years are

want to make our work count, to be effective and

like a day…”

productive Christians. Life is short no matter how

One of my favorite songs is Who Am I by

many years we live. It’s easy to be deceived into

Casting Crowns. The first time I heard the song

thinking we have lots of remaining time to live for

was shortly after my father died. The lyrics

Christ, enjoy our loved ones, or do what we know

reduced me to tears because they reminded me

we should do.

how fleeting and fragile life truly is: “…I am

Before he retired, my pastor eloquently reminded us to live for God today and do so with excellence. Then, no matter when our life ends, hopefully, we have fulfilled God’s plan for each of our lives.

40 // September 2022

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Gò0dNews for your Taste Buds

Apple Streusel Cake

by Pam Wattenbarger

T

ake advantage of apple season with this semi-homemade cake. It uses a boxed cake mix as a base, along with an easy filling

prepared from fresh apples. Perfect for tailgating, brunch, or dessert, this cake is delicious served warm. Any type of baking apple will work well in this recipe. Good choices include Honey Crisp, Jonathon, Granny Smith, Fuji, Gala, or Pink Lady.

Ingredients

Apple Filling: 1 ½ cups baking apples, peeled and diced 1 tablespoon flour ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 1/8 teaspoon salt ½ cup packed brown sugar 2 tablespoons butter ½ cup chopped pecans, toasted Streusel Topping: ¾ cup packed brown sugar 1 tablespoon flour 2 tablespoons butter, melted Powdered Sugar Glaze (optional): ¾ cup powdered sugar ½ teaspoon vanilla extract ½ teaspoon almond extract 1 to 2 tablespoons milk

42 // September 2022

Instructions 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spritz a 9” by 13” baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. In a large bowl, combine cake mix, pudding mix, eggs, sour cream, and oil on low speed for 2 minutes. Pour ½ of the cake mixture into the baking dish. Set aside.

2. In a medium bowl, stir flour, nutmeg, cinnamon, salt, and brown sugar until blended. Add in the diced apples and stir to coat.

3. In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add apple mixture and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to simmer, and simmer 3 to 4 minutes or until apples are tender. Spread apple mixture over the cake batter and top with pecans.

Spread remaining cake batter over the apple mixture.

4. In a small bowl, mix brown sugar, flour, and butter until small clumps form. Sprinkle the brown sugar mixture evenly over the cake.

5. Bake the cake for 40-45 minutes or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Begin testing the cake after 35 minutes.

6. In a small bowl, mix together the powdered sugar, almond extract, vanilla extract, and milk until blended. Use a spoon to drizzle the glaze evenly over the cake.

About The Author

Cake: 1 (18-ounce) box white cake mix 1 (3-ounce) box instant vanilla pudding mix 4 eggs 1 (8-ounce container) sour cream ½ cup vegetable oil

Pam Wattenbarger is the author of The New Southern Cookbook: Classic Family Recipes and Modern Twists on Old Favorites & The Southern Air Fryer Cookbook. Find her recipes and more at SimplySouthernMom.com.

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Gò0dNews for Everyone

Be Sober

A

by Brent Goodge

t Mount Sinai, a select group of leaders were

in accordance with His will, guarding them from spiritual

given an utterly amazing privilege. “Then Moses

harlotry (Numbers 15:39, 40).

went up, also Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and

Through His precious blood, Christ has made us “kings

seventy of the elders of Israel, and they saw the God of

and priests” unto God (Revelation 1:6). Revelation tells us

Israel” (Exodus 24:9, 10). Wow! But just a few months later,

that spiritual harlotry in the last days will seek to have the

tragedy struck. Nadab and Abihu got drunk. They became

world drunk with the spiritual wine of Babylon (Revelation

intoxicated and decided to serve in the tabernacle with

17:2). Those intoxicated will be unable to distinguish the

unholy fire in their censers. Coming before the Lord with strange fire cost Nadab and Abihu their lives.

Speaking to the priestly family after the death of the two brothers, God instructed Aaron and his remaining sons to avoid alcohol when serving in the tabernacle, on pain of death, “that you may distinguish between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean” (Leviticus 10:9, 10).

Around a thousand years later, King Belshazzar of Babylon saw the hand of God writing on the wall during an idolatrous party. The partygoers had blasphemously used the holy vessels of God’s house to drink the wine of Babylon. When called to interpret the writing on

holy from the unholy, and they will forget the law of God.

the wall, Daniel reprimanded the king. “You have praised

The wine of Babylon is not fit for God’s kings and priests.

the gods of silver and gold, bronze and iron, wood and

Have you ever noticed that the harlot of Babylon is

stone, which do not see or hear or know; and the God who

dressed in sanctuary colors? She wears purple and scarlet

holds your breath in His hand and owns all your ways, you

and is decked with gold (Revelation 17:4). But she is missing

have not glorified” (Daniel 5:23). King Belshazzar died that

blue and white, representing the law of God and the clean

very night.

and holy righteousness of Jesus Christ (Revelation 7:14).

Solomon wrote, “It is not for kings, oh Lemuel, it is not

Isn’t it interesting that Revelation identifies the kings and

for kings to drink wine, nor for princes intoxicating drink,

priests of God as those who keep the commandments of

lest they drink and forget the law” (Proverbs 31:4, 5).

God and have the faith of Jesus? (Revelation 14:12).

The men of Israel were to wear a thread of blue on the

“Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil

hem of their sleeves and of their robes so that when they

walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may

reached out their hand or watched their steps, they would

devour” (1 Peter 5:8).

were reminded to evaluate if their plans and actions were

44 // September 2022

About The Author

see the blue thread and remember the law of God. They

Brent Goodge lives in Whitfield County and prays God’s people will practice temperance in all things.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE, JUDE 1:22

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

h elp com m u n it ysh a re . c om

Gò0dNews for Everyone

Disappointed

by Karen Jeffery

I

t’s often easy to have disappointments and challenges in

in reality, they are mostly always there when we greet the

life. Without realizing it, our hearts become heavy and

new dawn. With God, He can give us the experience of real

our hope for a fulfilling life turns sour and gets lonely.

strength. It will not be because you finally tapped into your

But we can always count on the Lord to see us through all

strength, but because you finally gave up relying on your

trials and tribulations. In His Kindness, God has provided

own strength and gave it all to Him.

uplifting promises to help and encourage His children.

Within the Bible, we can find scriptures and the principles

Today’s society may want you to believe you’re filled with unbound potential to accomplish the impossible. But

we need to get us through all the issues life throws at us.

Psalms 27:1 tells us, “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”

This is a very encouraging verse because when we have the Lord on our side, we don’t have to fear anything. But we do have to follow His Word.

James 4:7-8, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.

Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.” Again, Jesus is asking us to live every day to our best and give Him our whole heart, that we might become established in His true wisdom and righteousness.

Psalms 138:7-8, “Though I walk in the midst of trouble,

the key to achieving anything truly meaningful or lasting is realizing we will not achieve anything truly meaningful or

thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand

lasting on our own. If you feel weak, you do not need more

against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall

of you, you need more of God. He is only a prayer away.

save me.” Where do we find our strength? That is necessary for each day.

God fills us with His strength and issues us with armor for more than the eye can see. He is not simply preparing

Psalm 46:1-3, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-

us to survive another day of work, or marriage, or family,

present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though

or even ministry. He’s preparing us to defeat the devil, to

the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of

stand in His strength against evil deceiving us from within,

the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains

and the evil attacking us from without. If you try to battle

quake with their surging.”

Satan and his demons on your own, burnout will be the

When we begin to feel weak or exhausted, it may be that we’re physically worn out from work, from relationships,

least of your problems. Let it go and let God handle all your problems. He’s definitely a way maker.

we could go to sleep and let all our troubles fade away, but

46 // September 2022

About The Author

from parenting, from life. We all have those days where

Karen D. Jeffery lives in Chatsworth, Georgia, and loves the Lord. He is first in her life.

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