Gò0dNews Complimentary
April 2017
Christian Magazine
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About Us
Writers
Alicia Klepper Andrew Lee Bethany Ruckman Caleb Prytherch Carl Corser Charles G. Laws Charlton Lewis Darren Schalk Deana Thompson Delaney Walker Destiny Hope Shreve Don Smith Esmerelda Lee Dr. James White Julius McCarter Dr. Katherine Hall Kelly McDonald Jr. Kenneth Ware Mike Shreve Robert Green Rusty Asble Shane Franks Thomas Morrison William Lamb
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Hello Friends, We want to take a moment to tell you who we are and what we are about. Our names are Matt and Bethany Ruckman and we have four beautiful children, Brendon, Kailey, Andrew, and Leah Jean. We live in Cleveland and love what this town has to offer! We have started GoodNews Christian Magazine because we feel that when God, family, and community are combined, lives will be changed. GoodNews Christian Magazine is a complimentary, Christian lifestyle publication. You can find us throughout the community in retail establishments, churches, restaurants, and more. Our magazine opens the door for Christians to work together to grow and strengthen our community through relevant editorial and effective advertising. GoodNews Christian Magazine is written by men and women in the community who love and serve the Lord. Our hearts are open and willing to be used by God to reach out to the community to spread the GoodNews!
Letter from the Editor
C
ommunications experts tell us that the average person speaks enough words to fill twenty single-spaced, typewritten pages every day. This means our mouths crank out enough words to fill two books of 300 pages each month, twenty-four books each year, and 1,200 books in fifty years of speaking. Thanks to phones, voicemail, and face-toface conversations, words comprise a large part of our lives. So the kinds of words we use are important. I read where there are more than 800,000 words in the English language, but 300,000 of these are technical words and scientific jargon used only by specialists in various fields and disciplines. That leaves you and me with 500,000 words to communicate in our daily lives. Of course, nobody has a vocabulary of half-a-million words. In fact, the average person knows only about 10,000 words and uses only about 5,000 of them in everyday speech. That’s it—just 5,000 commonly used words to communicate a universe of ideas, emotions, events, and desires.
Soft words sung in a lullaby will put a baby to sleep. Excited words will stir a mob to violence. Eloquent words will send armies marching into the face of death. Encouraging words will fan to flame the genius of a Rembrandt or a Lincoln. Powerful words will mold the public mind as the sculptor molds his clay. Words, spoken or written, are a dynamic force. The articles I edited in this month’s issue have powerful words of the good news that can transform our lives.Mike Shreve’s wellchosen words describe three key ingredients that make up a happy marriage (see page 32). Love, friendship, laughter, and virtually every emotion we feel is inspired by words. Unfortunately, fear, anger, frustration, and hatred are also invoked by words. Every word and sentence we use has the power to shape how others see us and how they see Christ in us. Our words have the power to bless or curse—to “sentence” others to healing and hope or gloom and despair; forgiveness and freedom or guilt and bondage; blessings and applause or discouragement and despondency. Beginning today, let’s resolve to speak words that bring blessings, peace, and hope to everyone in our lives.
Disclaimer All of the content in the GoodNews Christian Magazine is for general information and/or use. Such contents does not constitute advice and should not be relied upon in making (or refraining from making) a decision. Any specific advice or replies to queries in any part of the magazine is the personal opinion of such experts/consultants/persons and is not subscribed to by GoodNews Christian Magazine. The information in GoodNews Christian Magazine is provided on an “AS IS” basis, and all warranties, expressed or implied of any kind, regarding any matter pertaining to any information, advice or replies are disclaimed and excluded. We reserve the right to refuse any advertisement or article we deem inappropriate.
Contents 14
30
46
JON GORDON GoodNews from the Pastor’s Desk
6 An Unsolicited Letter to a New Pastor
by Julius McCarter GoodNews for Kids
8 A Changed Person by Charles G. Laws GoodNews on Money Matters
10 “Taking the Fun out of your Refund”
by Andrew Lee GoodNews for Men
12 Dear 19-Year-Old Me by Darren Schalk GoodNews for Women
14 Step Away from the Measuring Stick! by Alicia Klepper GoodNews for Parents
20 Paying Our Dues by Bethany Ruckman GoodNews for Life
22 Opening Lines- An Old Travesty in a New Wrapping by Delaney Walker GoodNews for Health & Fitness
24 Are You Really Healthy? by Thomas Morrison
GoodNews for Teens
26 Are You Tired? by Caleb Prytherch GoodNews for Women’s Health
28 Vein Blood Clots
by Dr. James White GoodNews Cover Story
30 The Fellowship of Christian Athletes by Robert Green GoodNews for Couples
32 Three Ingredients for a Happy Marriage by Mike Shreve GoodNews for Seniors
34 Finding That Special Caregiver
by Esmerelda Lee GoodNews for Everyone
36 April Showers Bring May Flowers by Destiny Hope Shreve GoodNews for Everyone
38 Ain’t Never Been This Low Before by Charlton Lewis GoodNews for Everyone
40 Christian Zombies by Don Smith
GoodNews for your Taste Buds
42 Embrace a More Abundant Life
by Deana Thompson GoodNews from the Physician’s Desk
44 Allergy Season Is Upon Us by Dr. Katherine Hall GoodNews for Everyone
46 Friends and Butterflies
by Carl Corser GoodNews from the Outdoors
50 Confessions of a Turkey Hunter - Part 1
By Rusty Asble GoodNews for Everyone
52 What Will You Leave Behind? by Kelly McDonald Jr. GoodNews for Everyone
54 A Memory Worth Keeping by William Lamb GoodNews for Everyone
56 Seeking God’s Direction for Generation X by Shane Franks GoodNews for Everyone
58 The Plasma of the Cross by Kenneth Ware
Gò0dNews from the Pastor’s Desk
An Unsolicited Letter to a New Pastor
D
Be sure God has called you, gifted you, and graced you for the task. by Julius McCarter
ear sister or brother in Christ:
contemporary mainline church is that you can have a normal
I was ordained to pastoral ministry in 1997. I
forty-hour week professional life and be a faithful pastor.
have been a pastor now for half the time I have been
It isn’t true. The pastor and his family are involved in the
on earth, which means I’ve learned a lot of hard lessons, I
community of the congregation in season and out of season.
want to share.
Sometimes this is wonderful; other times it isn’t. If you are not
Too many of our new pastors leave the ministry after
called to pastor, it is something you really don’t want to do.
a few years. It’s bad for them and bad for the church, and
When I started as a pastor, I was well-trained and well-
it is bad stewardship to train someone who only serves a
educated and didn’t have a clue what I was really supposed to
short time. Some of these ministers never should have been
do. I learned quickly. One of the things I learned was that you
ordained in the first place, and the gatekeepers didn’t do their
have to love your congregants—even the unlovable, which are
due diligence. Some were lacking the necessary gifts and
far too many and who take up a good deal of your time. When
graces for ordained ministry, which doesn’t mean they didn’t
you find yourself loving them, you know you are on your way
have a different and effective ministry in the church. There
to really being a pastor.
are far too many sad situations where a ministry fails for one
I also learned you can’t be a prophet until the people
reason or another, where hopes are shattered, and a young (or
learn to trust you. This means years of marrying, burying, and
not so young) person is saddled with a financially crippling
sitting by sick beds in hospital rooms. If you can do this, they’ll
debt for loans they had in seminary.
grow to hear the really hard words from the pulpit. But they
Being a pastor of a church is a hard job. Despite the nonsense being promulgated by the “experts,” faithful
may not. Even Isaiah’s words fell on deaf ears. Perhaps the most important advice I can give you is that
pastoring is not a matter of working a certain number of hours.
you’ll grow into being a prophet only by being a pastor. And
It’s a vocation that takes up most of your waking hours. When
you’ll be a pastor only because God has called you, gifted you,
a congregant really needs you, it doesn’t matter whether it is
and graced you for the task. It won’t be easy, but if you always
your day off. If you asked me how many seasoned pastors are
lean on the grace that has made you who you are, you’ll be
burned out to one degree or another, I would say, “All of them
surprised by the good things God does in and through you.
if they are really doing their job.”
That’s the gospel: God working to create new people who do
That is why pastors need to exercise radical self-care, to
new things all for the glory of God’s in-breaking Kingdom.
pray constantly, and accept the fact that they cannot do all that is demanded of them. There is some truth to the whole taketime-for-yourself movement, but like all partial truths; it is not the whole truth. The church once had a useful word (now much out of favor) for when one piece of the truth gets blown out of proportion. The word is heresy. A modern heresy of the
6 // April 2017
The Reverend Julius McCarter, Ph.D., is a minister and spiritual director who lives in Loudon, TN. He is the author of eleven books—most recently a theological commentary on the Book of Revelation. His ministry, Sunergoi Ministries, maintains a blog at www.the-little-friar.blogspot.com.
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Gò0dNews for Kids
A Changed Person
T
As a child I realized that the patterns and regularity of nature were not by chance; there had to be a God who controlled the perfect timing of it all. by Charles G. Laws
he earliest recollection I have of my life was
Him. Could a human, just a little boy (or anyone for
when I was six or seven years old. I loved
that matter) come to know this Being who created the
playing outside with bushes, flowers, and nature
universe and controlled it?
around me—a trait that has followed me throughout
My family did not go to church, and I had no
my life. I enjoyed nature and did much thinking about
knowledge about what church was about. Several years
how things came to be. I knew that it was not by chance
later a lady, Mrs. B, came around the neighborhood,
and observed how nature followed cycles—cycles
which was largely unchurched, asking children to go
of beginning, cycles of growth, and cycles of death.
to church and Sunday school. She would pick them up
I looked into the skies many times and observed the
and bring them back home after it was over. I gladly
patterns there. I watched the moon as it went through
volunteered to go. Maybe I would learn of this God that
its phases and revolved around the earth, held in its
I believed existed! It wasn’t long before I encountered
position by some unknown force. The sun rose in the
John 3:16-17, the most profound statement I had ever
east and set in the west daily. The hours of daylight
heard: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one
changed from long days of sunshine to very short days
and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not
of sunshine, and the moon varied accordingly.
perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his
I looked into the night skies and saw the stars, each one following its pattern with regularity. All of this beauty and regularity could not be by chance, so I arrived at a premise that if all the patterns and regularity were controlled, there had to be a God—an all-powerful Being, who created all of this beauty
Son into the world to condemn the world but to save the world through Him” (NIV). Here the words God and Son are capitalized, meaning that not just any god, but the God who created all things. The teacher went on to explain that God sent His Son into the world to save it and gave Himself as a sacrifice because we all had sinned and come short of the glory of God. The fact that “whoever believes in him shall have eternal life” was also profound the first time I heard
and controlled
it and it still is today. The teacher gave an “altar call”
the perfect
right there in the Sunday school room to accept God’s
timing of it
Son as Lord and Savior. I thought, If someone would die
all. I knew of
for me, forgive me of all my sin, and give me eternal life, then
this God, but I
He is certainly worthy of my accepting Him. I accepted
did not know
Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior that morning. I became a changed person because now I not only knew of God and his Son, but I knew Him!
8 // April 2017
Charles G. Laws is a member of Cleveland First Church of the Nazarene. He has a B.A. degree with a major in mathematics and minors in physics and education from Austin Peay State University in Clarksville TN and a M.A. degree with a major in mathematics from The University of Tennessee (UTK). He enjoys reading, chess, walking and listening to music.
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“Taking the Fun out of your Refund” MONEY MATTERS WITH DR. ANDREW LEE
Dr. Andrew Lee is professor of English at Lee University. He also serves as a coordinator for Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University. He and his wife Esmerelda have three children.
I
realize my title for this column may seem
cash in a savings account solely for emergencies
depressing, like an old spinster schoolmarm
(new tires, fix the car’s alternator, buy the
carrying a ruler and patrolling the aisle of the
children’s medicine which your insurance
classroom, ready to whack any inattentive student.
won’t cover). Once you have that first thousand
But hear me out, please. A quick search online reveals
dollars in this emergency account, you should
that the average tax refund this year is $3000 per
work on saving a full three to six months’ of
taxpayer. For a married couple with two incomes,
living expenses in this same account in case of
you can do the math—quite a nice “windfall” every
a job layoff or short term disability. For most
spring. But there’s the problem. Remember that a tax
people, this would mean a cash account of
refund is not a gift; it’s your money that you allowed
between $8,000-$12,000 dollars. This allows you
the government to keep all year without paying you a
to quit using credit cards for emergencies and
cent of interest. The IRS is simply returning your own
finally cut up those cards.
money to you, yet many people are giddy over their
2. Pay off debt. In my last column, I described the
refunds as though they’d won a small lottery prize.
awkwardness of loaning your relative or friend
That attitude explains why many of us are tempted
some money, and then watching as they go on
to splurge and spend every nickel of it. Rather than
a shopping spree. If you’re the debtor, use your
going on that cruise, buying that couch or computer
refund to actually pay off your loans.
or new cell phone, I’d like to offer the following
3. Start your retirement account or kids’ college
suggestions for your tax refund (and if you’ve
fund. By depositing that tax refund into an IRA
already spent your refund on that cruise, make a
or college savings plan, you’d be amazed at the
resolution next year, to try one of these more practical
results nearly two decades later.
ideas instead). 1. Build up your emergency cash account, save it. Everyone needs at least one thousand dollars
10 // April 2017
Remember Proverbs 21:20, “a foolish man devours all he has.”
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Gò0dNews for Men
Dear 19-Year-Old Me by Darren Schalk
D
ear Nineteen-Year-Old Me, Last night I played softball for the first
time in several years. It wasn’t pretty. And a
I miss your smooth, unwrinkled face and fluid joints. I miss your ability to eat everything and not gain a pound. I miss your head full of hair and your hairless
friend who’s only slightly older than me went down
nose and ears. Makes me wonder what else happened
hard with a pulled hamstring. I was not so unfortunate,
while I was sleeping. Have I shrunk a couple inches?
although my hamstrings are screaming at me today.
Did my IQ drop? If so, how would I ever know? Have my
Which reminds me, who decided to call them hamstrings? I always picture a bunch of pigs playing stringed instruments when I hear that word—like a piggy string
fingernails stopped growing? Do I no longer love duck-billed platypuses? (We can safely rule that one out, I still love them—dodged that bullet.) This whole aging thing is scary.
ensemble.
So, how does one age
Today I had to take
gracefully? Seems like it’s
several headshots for
an impossibility to me. An
upcoming events. When I
improbable equation. I will
had the chance to review
most definitely not be aging
them, I was not pleased.
gracefully, but maybe you
I looked old and chubby.
can. I will go down into
What happened to you,
the annals of life kicking
nineteen-year-old me?
and screaming. Of course,
When did these wrinkles
it probably won’t last long
around my eyes become so
because I’m sure as I kick, I
pronounced? When did my
will pull a hamstring while an
gut start poking out? When did hair start leaving my head and migrating south to my ears and nose? When did I start grunting every time I stand up? When did you become me? Last week I started performing interviews for an
ensemble of pigs plays Beethoven in the background. But I won’t be able to hear them. My hearing will be gone by then. Aging disgracefully, Thirty-something-year-old you
assistant. When did I become a professional, conducting interviews and searching for assistants? When did
Adapted from Darren’s book, Dear God We Need To Talk
life creep up on me? When did I cross the line from
Permission granted by Charisma House Media©
“boydom” to manhood? It all apparently happened
Available on Amazon or locally at White Wing Bookstore
while I was sleeping, unbeknownst to me. I thought I was still you, nineteen-year-old me. But I’m not you anymore. Now I’m me. And I really, really miss you.
12 // April 2017
Darren Schalk is lead pastor of Keith Street Ministries, curriculum editor for the Church of God of Prophecy, and the author of Dear God We Need To Talk. He has been featured on radio and television programs across the nation discussing topics of faith and discipleship. Find out more at DarrensChalk.com or ksm.church.
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Gò0dNews for Women
Step Away from the Measuring Stick!
Accepting God’s Word and His presence recalculates all of our self-inflicted benchmark values. by Alicia Klepper measure—dollars, sometimes cents, jean size,
W
declares, "God is who He says He is! God can do what
height, time of the day, people who like us;
He says He can do!" is the only meter we need to be
ith so many quantities and things to
Faith—that pure, sometimes wobbly, position that
and people who don't. Then contributions, donations,
reading. So when the scales, the budgets, the sizes,
gas in the tank, vacation days, disposable incomes,
the incomes and the reports, and the numbers don't
overwhelming outcomes appraisal of a home, and upside
measure up to what we were expecting or hoping for,
down value of a car are enough to leave even the blessed
let's appraise it all next to the magnitude of our God.
of the blessed feeling like they're always coming up
The One who measures limitless in His faithfulness,
short. Who said all that mattered anyway? Since when do
infinite in His love, immeasurable in His ability,
numbers hold value over God's words? And if you have
unceasing in His mercy, and boundless in His provision.
reached the mature place where none of it gets to you, I
Instead of gauging what we see with the instrument of
can't relate. But I hope to meet you there one day. Save
our feeble perspectives, let's calculate our circumstance
me a seat, I'm on my way.
next to a God who can't be measured.
Occupied with not measuring up in a particular area,
A wise woman once comforted me with these
I came across a sign that read, "God's not checking your
words: "It's only numbers. And they all belong to Him
bank account, He's checking your faith." This made me
anyway," (Carol Oswalt, my mom).
realize that's it's not only my figures that are skewed, but I'm gauging the wrong things entirely. Even if every measuring stick we carry around in our minds lined up to our ideal expectations, we are still completely and
So let's step away from our measuring stick of how things should look and how they don't by picking up God's Word, the only genuine standard of measurement for our lives. When we accept it,
sorely lacking if faith isn't our exclusive mile-marker and
His word and His presence recalculates all of
God isn't our sole source of satisfaction.
our self-inflicted benchmarks of value, so that we will come to see that what is of worth is found completely in Him. “And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep His love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. Now all glory to God, who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to Him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen” (Eph. 3:18-21 NLT).
14 // April 2017
Alicia Klepper and her husband Mark have been married for 15 years. They have 3 children and are active members at Peerless Road Church of God of Prophecy.
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Cleveland Church Directory
Assembly of God
Grace Assembly 1976 Westland Dr SW, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 472-7729 Triune Assembly 301 Sunset Drive Cleveland, TN 37312
Baptist Beacon Baptist Church 505 Corvin Rd NE, Cleveland, TN 37323 Big Spring Baptist Church 1415 Hardwick St SE, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 472-1101 Bellefounte Baptist Church 132 Bellfounte Rd NE, Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 336-2312 Bethel Baptist Tabernacle 3165 Buchanan Rd SE, Cleveland, TN 37323 (423) 479-5820 Blue Springs Baptist Church 699 Blue Springs Church Rd SW, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 472-0932 Candies Creek Church 294 Old Eureka Rd Charleston, TN 37310 423-479-3731 candiescreekchurch.com Candies Creek City Church 850 17th St. NW Cleveland, TN 37311 423-458-4405 Cedar Springs Baptist Church 723 Cedar Springs Church Rd SE, Cleveland, TN 37323 Center Point Baptist Church 1205 Lower River Rd NW Charleston, TN 37310 Cleveland Cowboy Church 3040 Blythe Rd. Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 476-7936 or clevelandcowboychurch.com Cloverleaf Baptist Church 2290 Waterlevel Highway Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 339-3617 Clingan Ridge Baptist Church 2412 Georgetown Road, NW Cleveland, TN 37312(423) 472-3511 or www.clinganridgebaptist.com Church At Grace Point 2595 Old Freewill Rd NW, Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 728-5050 or grace-point.com Covenant Baptist Church 249 Calhoun Rd SE, Cleveland, TN 37323 (423) 559-2653 Dalton Pike Baptist Church 3055 Benton Pike NE, Cleveland, TN 37323 (423) 472-7606 Elkmont Baptist Church
16 // April 2017
4030 Old Freewill Rd NW, Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 479-4600 Emmanuel Baptist Church 1227 Powerline Dr NE, Cleveland, TN 37323 East Cleveland Baptist Church 1145 Arnold St NE, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 472-8728 Farmland Community Church 1675 Greendale Dr. SE Cleveland, TN 37323 (423) 473-9891 Fairview Baptist Church 5545 Runway Dr NW, Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 790-5353 First Baptist Church 1275 Stuart Road Cleveland, Tennessee 37312 (423)709-9100 or clevelandfbc.com Galilee Baptist Church 665 Old Chattanooga Pike SW, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 496-2019 Henegar Baptist Church 7423 Mouse Creek Rd. Cleveland Tn 37312 Hopewell Baptist Church 188 Old Georgetown Rd NW, Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 479-3763 The Journey Church 1668 S Lee Hwy, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 728-4100 Lebanon Baptist Church 1411 Old Parksville Rd NE, Cleveland, TN 37323 (423) 479-6700 Macedonia Baptist Church 3119 Spring Place Rd SE, Cleveland, TN 37323 (423) 479-1713 Maple Street Baptist Church 1700 Maple St NE, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 478-3622 Maranatha Baptist Church 453 Blue Springs Ln SE, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 614-8991 Michigan Avenue Baptist Church 2741 Benton Pike NE, Cleveland, TN 37323 (423) 472-8891 Mt Carmel Baptist Church 7619 Blue Springs Rd, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 479-1620 New Friendship Baptist Church 1344 Chatata Valley Rd NE, Cleveland, TN 37323 (423) 476-6007 North Cleveland Baptist Church 2815 Ocoee St N, Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 476-8524 or northclevelandbaptist.org Oak Grove Baptist Church
4452 Bates Pike SE, Cleveland, TN 37323 (423) 479-9125 Old Pathway Baptist Church 224 Rymer Rd NE, Cleveland, TN 37323 Parkway Baptist Church 185 Meadow Ln SE, Cleveland, TN 37323 (423) 339-5522 or www.parkwaybaptist.info Philadelphia Baptist Church 910 30th St SE, Cleveland, TN 37323 Philippi Baptist Church 2325 Old Harrison Pike NW, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 479-5385 Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church 799 Inman Street East Cleveland, Tennessee 37311 (423) 476-4081 Ridgeview Baptist Church 1501 S Ocoee St, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 472-5119 Samples Memorial Baptist Church 371 Samples Chapel Rd SE, Cleveland, TN 37323 (423) 476-2329 Shenandoah Baptist Church 138 Osment Rd Se, Cleveland, TN 37323 (423) 339-0103 or www.sbcministries.com Shiloh Baptist Church 3406 Blair Rd NW, Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 479-5755 Tasso Baptist Church 164 Old Charleston Rd NE, Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 559-2114 Temple Baptist Church 3070 Harrison Pike, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 476-6813 Thompson Spring Baptist Church 5660 Bates Pike SE, Cleveland, TN 37323 (423) 790-1823 Union Baptist Church 797 Hughes Lake Rd SE, Cleveland, TN 37323 (423) 559-1720 Valley View Baptist Church 4657 Spring Place Rd SE, Cleveland, TN 37323 (423) 472-7707 or vvbaptist.org Washington Avenue Baptist Church 1720 Perry St SE, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 472-0489 Waterville Baptist Church 4555 Dalton Pike SE, Cleveland, TN 37323 (423) 472-5582 or watervillebaptistchurch.org West Cleveland Baptist Church 1959 Westland Dr SW, Cleveland, TN 37311
(423) 472-8927 Westwood Baptist Church 4001 Georgetown Rd NW, Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 472-1534 or www.westwoodlife.org White Oak Baptist Church 2043 White Oak Valley Rd NW, Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 559-2359
Catholic
St Therese Catholic Church 900 Clingan Ridge Dr NW, Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 476-8123
Charismatic
Cleveland Christian Fellowship Pastor Mark Strickland 695 S Ocoee St, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 476-2642 or ccfchurch.us
Church of God
Agape Place Church of God Pastor John and Melanie Arias 2611 Blue Springs Road SE Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 476-8691 Cornerstone Church of God Pastor Rick and Lori Sentell 2823 Lee Hwy, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 478-0006 Church of God Sanctified, Inc. 746 First Street N.E. Clevela nd, TN. 37311 (423)479-3895 East Cleveland Church of God Pastor John A. Lombard Jr. 900 15th St NE Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 479-3389 Fellowship of Praise Church of God Pastor Selma Hall 931 Inman Street East Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 479-3121 or fellowshipofpraisecog.org Grace Community Church of God Pastor Kevin Mendel 4745 Mouse Creek Road NW, Cleveland, TN 37312. (423) 614-0708 or www.gracecleveland.org Heritage Fellowship Church of God Pastor Robbie Crisp 4635 S Lee Hwy McDonald, TN 37353 (423) 476-6316 International Worship Center Centro Internacional de Adoraciรณn 533 Central Ave. NE, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 476-1977 or www.iwcchurch.com Lakeview Churc h of God Pastor Dustin Wilds 105 Pound Street S.E. Cleveland, TN 37323
(423)-790-5805 or lakeviewcog.org North Cleveland Church of God Dr. Mark Williams 335 11th St NE, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 476-5513 or nccog.org Michigan Avenue Church of God Rev. David B. Boles 515 Minnis Road N.E (423) 584-3663 Mt Olive Church of God 3522 Harrison Pike, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 479-3381 Mt View Church of God 210 Roadway Dr SE, Cleveland, TN 37323 (423) 472-6925 South Cleveland Church of God Pastor Edwin Lipsey 1846 Volunteer Dr SW, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 476-6382 or southcleveland.org Westmore Church of God Pastor Kelvin Page 2412 Wolfe Dr NW, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 559-9646 or www.westmorecog.org Zion Assembly Church of God Pastor Kim Erwin 5512 Waterlevel Hwy, Cleveland, TN 37323 (423) 476-3337 or zionassemblychurchofgod.com
Church of God of Prophecy Cleveland Spanish COGOP 2610 Grove Ave. Cleveland, TN 37312 (423)473-7199 Durkee Road COGOP 201Durkee Rd. Cleveland, TN37312 (423) 472-4384 Keith Street Ministries COGOP 4000 Keith ST. NW Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 476-2448 Peerless Road COGOP 3301 Peerless Rd. NW Cleveland, TN 37312 (423)303-2680 Spring Place COGOP 2530 Spring Place Rd. Cleveland, TN37311 (423)476-6414 Union Grove COGOP 533 Union Grove Rd Charleston, TN 37310 (423) 479-5357 Wildwood COGOP 140 Wildwood Ave Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 479-6584
Disciples of Christ
First Christian Church 3925 N. Ocoee Street Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 472-6682
Episcopal
Saint Luke’s Episcopal Church 320 Broad St NW, Cleveland, TN 37311
Lutheran
First Lutheran Church 195 McIntire Ave NE, Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 472-6811
Latter-day Saints
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 4200 Pryor Rd N.E. Cleveland, TN 37312 423-503-6394
Methodist
Big Spring United Methodist 1196 Hardwick St SE, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 476-5242 Black Fox United Methodist 1820 Old Chattanooga Pike SW, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 339-1908 Broad Street United Methodist 155 Central Ave NW, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 476-5586 First United Methodist Church 3425 Ocoee St N, Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 476-4504 S. Cleveland United Methodist 1165 Church St SE, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 507-5760 Tasso United Methodist 1106 Tasso Ln NE, Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 479-4457 Trinity United Methodist Church 731 1st St SE, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 614-7900 Valley Head Methodist Church 920 Mouse Creek Rd NW, Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 472-0575 Wesley Memorial Methodist 3405 Peerless Rd NW, Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 472-9578
Pentecostal
Faith Memorial Church 910 17th St NW, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 476-6281 First United Pentecostal Church 4095 Peerless Rd NW, Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 476-9436 Full Gospel House of Prayer Pastor Michael Ferree 1500 Wildwood Ave. Cleveland, TN Set Free Christian Fellowship 1175 King Edwards Ave. Cleveland, TN
Nazarene Cleveland First Church Of The Nazarene
2712 Henderson Ave. Cleveland, TN 37312-5225 423-472-7371 New Hope Church of the Nazarene 2018 Washington Ave Cleveland, TN 37364 (423)479-7343
Non-Denominational Christian Fellowship Ctr 895 6th St NE, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 479-9591 Church Alive Ministries Cleveland, TN 37353 (423) 559-1371 Cleveland Community Chapel Pastor Tazz Reid 1823 Forest Ridge Dr. Cleveland, Tn. 37311 Cleveland Cornerstone Church 533 Broad St NW, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 479-1775 Cornerstone Family Church 4997 N. Lee Highway Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 380-9160 cfctn.net Community Hall Church 1305 6th Street Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 472 2178 Dwelling Place Church Pastors Jamie and Judy Jacobs Tuttle 523 Urbane Rd. NE Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 790-5200 DPCI.TV Evening Light Gospel 200 20th St SE Cleveland, TN 37311 Freedom Fellowship Church 3555 Blue Springs Rd, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 478-0654 God’s Family Fellowship 197 Neely Circle NE Cleveland, TN 37312 Phone (423) 790-7533 www.godsfamilyfellowship.net Graceway Chapel 221 14th St NW, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 728-2226 International House of Fire 1701 South Lee Hwy Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 790-0772 Living Word Church Pastor Evan Cockerham 930 25th Street, NW Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 339-3028 or thelovingchurch.com Norvel Hayes Ministries 155 S Ocoee St, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 472-3882 Restoration Fellowship 211 Trewhitt Dr SE, Cleveland, TN 37323 (423) 479-4249 The Simple Gospel 850 Elrod St SE Cleveland, TN 37311
(423) 650-9572 www.pointing2jesus.com Shema Israel Ministry 850 Elrod St SE Cleveland, TN 37311 423-994-8553 Tasso Christian Church 1135 Tasso Lane, Cleveland, Tn. 37312 (423) 479-2705 The Sanctuary Pastors Mike & Elizabeth Shreve 1203 Smith Dr. Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 478-2843 / shreveministries.org United Christian Church Pastors Charles and Margie Poteat 2200 Peerless Rd NW, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 479-4277 Unity Christian Ministries Pastor Aubrey Ector 2419 Georgetown Rd NW 37312 (423) 473-9338 Walker Valley Community 787 Lauderdale Memorial Hwy Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 336-9696
Presbyterian
Charleston Cumberland Presbyterian Church 8267 N Lee Hwy, Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 336-5004 First Cumberland Presbyterian 161 2nd St NE, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 476-6751 First Presbyterian Church 433 N Ocoee St, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 476-5584 Flint Springs Cumberland Presbyterian Church Rev. Kevin Wilson 515 Flint Springs Rd Cleveland TN. 37323 (423) 284-6397 Prospect United Cumberland Presbyterian Church 310 New Murraytown Rd., NW Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 476-6181 St James Cumberland Presbyterian 151 Short St NE, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 472-5762 Trinity Presbyterian PCA 1780 Stuart Rd NE, Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 559-9595
Seventh Day Adventist
Ladd Springs Seventh-Day 5860 Bates Pike SE Cleveland, TN 37323 (423) 476-1889 Bowman Hills Adventist 300 Westview Dr NE Cleveland, TN 37312 East Cleveland Seventh-Day 801 Howard Circle SE Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 476-9299
issuu.com/goodnewscm // 17
Athens Church Directory
Baptist
Antioch Baptist Church 218 Canal St. Athens, TN 37303 423-745-3332 Central Baptist 13 Nash Dr. Athens, TN 37303 423-745-0400 Clearwater Baptist 964 County Rd. Athens, TN 37303 423-744-7147 Covenant Baptist 241 County Rd Athens, TN 37303 423-263-1569 East Athens Baptist 301 Central Ave Athens, TN 37303 423-745-1394 Fairview Baptist 251 County Rd. 128 Athens, TN 37303 423-649-0346 First Baptist 305 Ingleside Athens, TN 37303 423-745-5441 First Bible Baptist 1819 Old Niota Athens, TN 37303 423-745-0765 Freedom Baptist 2207 Velma Rd Athens, TN 37303 423-746-0193 Mount Pleasant Baptist 414 Chester St. Athens, TN 37303 423-745-6510 Idelwild Baptist 118 county rd Athens, TN 37303 423-746-0002 Lakeview Baptist 182 County rd. 126 Athens, TN 37303 423-745-0451 Mount Pleasant Baptist 414 Chester St. Athens, TN 37303 423-745-6510 Mount Verd Baptist 251 County Rd 249 Athens, TN 37303 423-507-1286 New Hopewell Baptist 197 County Rd Athens, TN 37303 423-744-0940 New Zion Baptist 393 County Rd 616 Athens, TN 37303 423-263-9841 North Athens Baptist
18 // April 2017
402 Tellico Ave Athens, TN 37303 423-745-3813 Oak Grove Baptist 1212 County Rd. 100 Athens, TN 37303 423-744-9986 Parkway Baptist 1701 Velma Rd Athens, TN 37303 423-745-9709 Rocky Mount Baptist 1002 Rocky Mount Rd Athens, TN 37303 423-745-8758 Rogers Creek Baptist 510 County Rd 180 Athens, TN 37303 423-744-0295 Short Creek Baptist 892 County Rd. 50 Athens, TN 37303 423-336-5089 South Liberty Baptist 505 County Rd 655 Athens, TN 37303 423-745-5124 Union Hill Baptist 258 County Rd Athens, TN 37303 423-745-1241 Unity Baptist 162 County Rd 750 Athens, TN 37303 423-744-0420 Valley View Baptist 323 County Rd 370 Athens, TN 37303 423-745-5159 West End Baptist 803 Clark St. Athens, TN 37303 423-744-8274 West View Baptist 2707 Highway 39 Athens, TN 37303 423-745-2193
Catholic St. Mary Catholic Church 1291 E. Madison Ave. Athens, TN 37303 423-745-4277
Christian
Athens Christian Church 802 S Matlock Ave Athens, TN 37303 423-745-5791
Church of God
Aoh Church Of God 501 Ohio St Athens, TN 37303 423-745-1279 First Church of God 200 Fisher St.
Athens, TN 37303 423-887-5855 Woodward Church of God 507 Woodward Ave Athens, TN 37303 423-745-1618
Community
Christ Community Church 14 Congress PRKY S. Athens, TN 37303 423-745-8185
Latter-day Saints
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) 508 Cedar Springs Rd Athens, TN 373 423-745-0102
Nazarene
Athens Church of the Nazarene 1908 W. Madison Ave. Athens, TN 37303 423-744-3017
Episcopal
St Paul Episcopal Church 123 S. Jackson ST. Athens, TN 37303 423-745-2224
Lutheran
Athens Lutheran Church 710 Forrest Ave. Athens, TN 37303 423-745-9419
Methodist
Allen Memorial UMC 800 Decatur Pike Athens, TN 37303 423-745-1560 Keith Memorial UMC 600 W Madison Ave. Athens, TN 37371 423-745-2612 Piney Grove UMC 767 County Rd. 750 423-462-2130 Athens, TN 37303 Riceville 2519 Cindy St Athens, TN 37303 423-462-2130 St. Mark Ame Zion Methodist 707 N. Jackson St Athens, TN 37303 Tranquility UMC 135 County Rd. 177 Athens, TN 37303 423-334-3062 Trinity UMC 100 E. College St Athens, TN 37303 423-745-0452 Vine Grove UMC 517 County Rd. 778 Athens, Tn 37303 423-507-5760
Non- Denominational
Ascension Life 935 Rocky Mount Rd Athens, TN 37303 423-829-5102 Christian Freedom Worship Center 109 Cherry St Athens, TN 37303 423-745-8999 Calvary Tabernacle of God 2820 Hwy 11 Athens, TN 37303 423-744-7159 Emmanuel Church 1905 Congress Parkway S. Athens, TN 37303 423-745-0851 Great Deliverance Ministries 2329 Clearwater Rd Athens, TN 37303 423-745-7575 Liberty Church 3328 Hwy 11 Athens, TN 37303 423-745-9248 Overcoming Faith Christian 14 Carter Rd Athens, TN 37303 423-745-3105 Restoration Church 3115 Hwy 39 Athens, TN 37303 423-745-7777 Sanctury 9 S. Kilgore St. Athens, TN 37303 423-745-8900
Pentecostal
Crosslife Ministries 817 S. White St Athens, TN 37313 423-368-7197
Presbyterian
First United Presbyterian Church 321 N. Jackson St Athens, TN 37303 423-744-9073 Freedman Chapel C.P.C.A. 415 Cleveland Ave. Athens, TN 37303 423-252-0159 Mars Hill Presbyterian 205 N. Jackson St Athens, TN 37303 423-745-1403
Seveth-Day Adventist
Seveth-Day Adventist 230 New Englewood Rd Athens, TN 37303 423-745-2335
Church Activities & Events Living Word Church
North Cleveland Church of God
Men’s Encounter is April 7-9! Make plans for a lifechanging weekend with Father and iron-sharpeningiron with brothers. The cost is $75 for the weekend. Please RSVP if you are planning to attend, or see Darrell for more info at the Encounter table this Sunday!
April 7 6:30am - 8:30pm • Children- $6 • Adults- $12 Contact Dusty Clayton at 423-476-5513 for more information!
Men’s Encounter
First Baptist Cleveland Field, Woods, Water
Friday, April 7, 5pm - 9pm, Cost is $10.00. This April 7, combine faith and a love of the great outdoors during a night of food, encouragement, and Talk & Teach demonstration exhibits. Special Guest Jimmy Sites. Jimmy Sites is host of Spiritual Outdoor Adventures, a national award-winning television show, and a leading speaker and outdoors advocate.
Wesley Memorial Church Easter Is More Than a Day
Passion - 6 Nights, 1 Purpose • April 9 - 14. Join with us this year as we celebrate the power of God’s passion for us, and challenge ourselves to commit our passion to God’s kingdom! There will be six nights of special worship, featuring speakers, music,and a special seder meal on Good Friday. We encourage you to make God’s passion your priority this Easter season and worship with us!
First United Methodist Church Worship & Lunch
Join us everyday during Holy Week April 10-14 at 12:00pm Lunch is $3 or bring your own (perfect for lunch breaks).
Clingan Ridge Baptist Church Easter Sunday - April 16, 2017
This Easter, join us to celebrate Jesus’ resurrection from the dead, and the new life we can have because ofHis victory over the grave! Easter Service Schedule: 7:30 a.m. - Sunrise Service, 8:30 a.m. - Breakfast, 10:00 a.m. Sunday School, 11:00 a.m. - Easter Celebration Service
Purity Princess
Peerless Road Church Men’s Breakfast
April 8 at 9:00am in the Hospitality Room. Guest Speaker: Bishop Joe Parker, Retired State Overseer for the Church of God of Prophecy.
Egg Hunt & Cookout
April 12th - Easter Celebration at 6:45pm
Gò0dNews for Parents
Paying Our Dues
“A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” —Proverbs 15:1 NKJV
“S
by Bethany Ruckman
o then, my beloved brethren, let every man
that dodge ball is over and we are going to get started,
be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath;
one of my precious children just had to take that one last
for the wrath of man does not produce the
shot. Bam! Nailed him right in the eye. Let's just say one
righteousness of God” (James 1:19-20 NKJV). I often start my day with this passage from James,
because let's be honest, I naturally do the opposite. Being quick to listen and slow to speak is just about as natural
thing led to another and I forgot the part about being slow to become angry, and ended with "sit down, shut up, and open your Bible!" Yikes, Mom failed. I just went ahead and dictated my
as my hair color these days. Each day I have to purposely
way into our devotional that day. To top it off, we really
stop, breathe, breathe again, and maybe one more time,
do not like the words, “shut up,” spoken by anyone in
then try to think of something rational to say after one of
our family. We actually put money into a jar for what we
my children decided that he or she was going to test my
consider harsh or rude words such as shut up. Yes, they
ability to follow the advice of James.
shouldn't have started the game of dodge ball when they
Here is a recent scenario. Typically, I start homeschool
should have been ready to sit and listen. Yes, they should
at 8:30 with a devotional with all four of the kids. Everyone
have obeyed instantly, but what message am I sending
is supposed to come into the school room, sit down, and
when I throw a fit when I don't get my way?
be ready to listen. On this particular day, when I walked
I will never be a perfect parent; I prove that often. I do
into what I thought was my school room, I'm pretty sure I
feel it is imperative for parents to humble ourselves before
lost my way and ended up in the chimpanzee exhibit at the
our children and seek forgiveness when we stumble. Don't
zoo. First of all, it smelled terrible. Apparently, my children
get me wrong, I’m not saying that our children shouldn't
do not have sensitive noses because the baby had a blow-
be held responsible for disobeying, but it is our job as
out and that didn't seem to bother anyone, or maybe they
parents to correct poor behavior. What I am saying is that
didn't notice because they were in a very intense game
it is okay to admit when we just flat-out handled some-
of dodge ball. As a mom with four children, I can cherish
thing wrong and are willing to seek forgiveness. Just as we
the moments when I stumble upon the children laughing
expect our children to put money in the jar, our children
and playing together. It's when I see them getting closer
must see that we humbly pay our dues as well.
and closer to not laughing anymore that I cringe. So as I anticipated this happening and calmly instructed them
20 // April 2017
Bethany Ruckman is a wife, mom of 4, and a registered nurse. She can be reached by email at sunbird9922@hotmail.com.
Challenge! OUR TEACHERS WILL SEE YOUR CHILD FOR WHO THEY ARE AS WELL AS WHAT THEY COULD BE.
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Gò0dNews for Life
Opening Lines—An Old Travesty in a New Wrapping “The world is a dangerous place to live, not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don’t do anything about it.” —Albert Einstein
R
by Delaney Walker
ecently, New Hope received an odd piece of mail
intact embryonic cadaver ($400 and $600). By far, the highest
inconspicuous in packaging, but offensive in content.
priced part is an unborn baby’s brain aged less than eight
Inside the envelope was a single folded-up sheet of
weeks, $999. This last one also comes with a guarantee: 30
paper. Upon further inspection, it turned out to be a pricing pamphlet for “Opening Lines,” a division of Consultative and Diagnostic Pathology, Inc. Sounds harmless, right? It turns out a well-written name can cover a multitude
percent discount if significantly fragmented. There was no return address on the envelope and the only personal touch to the pamphlet was one highlighted line: Prices in effect through December 31, 1999. I have no
of sins from the general
idea what the sender wanted
populace. Opening Lines
New Hope to do with the
was established “in order to
information. Maybe it was
provide a convenient and
a taunt, or perhaps he or
efficient way for researchers
she wanted to share the
to receive fetal tissue without
information. Whatever the
a lot of bureaucracy.” In
intention, it has served as a
case the reader misses the
reminder to me.
fine print, the pamphlet
Planned Parenthood has
dedicated an entire page
been in the news as of late
to the following: “FRESH
for its sale of unborn baby
FETAL TISSUE harvested and
parts taken from abortions.
shipped to your specifications
It would be easy for people
where and when you need it!”
to believe this is a new evil,
The company boasts of
but, as the pamphlet makes
its wide array of “specimens,” including livers, spleens,
clear, Planned Parenthood’s actions are an old travesty in a
pancreases, lungs, heart blocks, and spinal columns. In an
new wrapping. A country and a people with a moral code
effort to sweeten the deal, Opening Lines promises discounts
that not only supports abortion, but also celebrates it as an
for “specimens significantly fragmented.” How could a
action of empowerment, should not be surprised by the
research facility resist; especially when promised the service
dismemberment, sale, and dispersal of its weakest members.
fee is “lower than the industry average.” The service fees range in amounts from $50 to $999 and
One question haunts me after looking through this pamphlet: what could have been different? This pamphlet
distinguishes between unborn baby parts that are younger
was supposedly printed around 1999. That was eighteen
and older than eight weeks (the former being the more
years ago. This evil was known eighteen years ago and yet
expensive of the two). The parts up for sale include, but
we still struggle with the sale of “specimens” today.
are not limited to cord blood ($125), thymus ($75 and $100
I do not want to look back in eighteen years with the
respectively), ears ($75 and $50), eyes ($75 and $50 with a 40
knowledge I could have done more to make this world
percent discount for a single eye), and bone marrow ($350
a safer place for our weakest, most fragile members, but
and $250).
instead stood on the sidelines.
Although a majority of the unborn baby parts are priced at $350 and below, a handful cost more, including gonads ($550), an intact trunk with or without limbs ($500), and an
22 // April 2017
Delaney Walker is the development director at New Hope Pregnancy Care Center. She is an avid fan of reading, exercising, and making silly faces at babies in the grocery store.
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Gò0dNews for Health & Fitness
Are You Really Healthy?
The World Health Organization defines health as: “A dynamic state of complete physical, mental, spiritual and social wellbeing and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”
H
by Thomas Morrison
ow do you define health? Are people healthy if they do not feel sick? Consider Joe, who has felt in reasonably good health for sixty-five years. He hasn't
had his health checked or been to a doctor in
regular helper at her church. Is Linda healthy? I hope my short stories are helping you to reaffirm that we are truly fearfully and wonderfully made. Health is not simply a physical commodity; it is much broader than that.
more than ten years, but this year his wife
Since it is dynamic, health is subject
Margaret convinced him to go. The
to change, and that should bring
doctor said she was fine, but, Joe
great hope. Since it includes
over the last ten years, had
every part of us and not just
developed elevated blood
the physical, it means your
sugars and hypertension. His
health is more than what
cholesterol also looked high, and
you eat and whether or not
there was a problem with his colon.
you exercise (though that's
Shortly thereafter, Joe is rolled into
included). It also includes
surgery to have a cancer removed from
your spiritual and mental
part of his colon. Now, I ask you, “Was Joe
state. Are you able to see and
really healthy?” After all, he felt fine.
encourage the good in people,
What about Chris? Chris is a triathlete.
or are you always cynical and
He is totally dedicated to his sport, and he runs, bikes, and swims miles every week. His latest checkup showed excellent heart health, and he is
negative? The quality of time you spend with family, with friends, and with God are perhaps the greatest measure of your personal
physically healthy in every way. Unfortunately,
well-being and health. How skilful you are at
his commitment to his training has been so
handling those relationships positively will affect
total that he has often had to miss his children's
the satisfaction of your life more than anything
school events, and his wife finally became so
else.
fed-up with his lack of attention that she left him. Is Chris healthy? Or how about Linda? Her husband has
As you think about the physical, mental, and relational areas of your life, are you really healthy, or do you have areas that need work?
Parkinson's disease, and in the last several
You cannot change your destination overnight,
years, her physical health seems to have taken
but you can change your direction overnight.
a downward turn as arthritis pain has flared up, and she has had a couple of operations, including a
We here at the Bradley Wellness Center would consider it an honor to partner with you in helping
hip replacement. Nevertheless, she always has a smile for you
you with those changes. Contact us at 706-278-WELL to start
and an encouraging word. She never seems to have a bad thing
a healthier lifestyle today!
to say about anybody. Rather than being slowed down by her operation, aches, and pains, she seems to be doing more than ever. She's a volunteer for several community groups and a
24 // April 2017
Thomas Morrison is the fitness coordinator and a personal trainer at Bradley Wellness Center in Dalton, GA, where he has served for the past 15 years. You can find out more about him and his other writings at www.bradleywell.com.
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Gò0dNews for Teens
Are You Tired?
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” —Galatians 6:9 NIV
H
by Caleb Prytherch
ave you ever been tired? Now I know that we all have
of meeting to speak to the Lord and pleads to God on behalf
been physically tired before, but have you ever felt
of the Israelites. Moses asks God to show him His ways, so
so tired that you weren't sure how you were going to
that he can properly lead the people. I believe Moses must be
make it? Has it ever gotten to the point to where you almost
feeling pretty tired at this point and truly may not know how
felt as if you could never make a quick/easy decision? There
he is going to make it. Then the Lord speaks to Moses and
are so many things that we can have going on in our lives that
verse 14 says, “My presence will go with you, and I will give
we often feel as if we won't be able to survive one more day.
you rest” (NIV). Here, Moses is trying to figure out exactly
We have things like school, family, friends, work, and maybe
how he is going to lead the Israelites, and the Lord reminds
even sports that weigh us down and make us feel very, very
Moses that He is always with him and He will give him rest.
tired. Often times this tiredness makes it seem as if we are helplessly drowning. Not only can tiredness be from physical things, but we also can allow this tiredness to creep into our spiritual lives as well. We may
How many times do we often feel like Moses, struggling with where we are and with what we are doing? Maybe we desire to fulfill God’s will for our lives, but we have become weary and very tired trying to do so. Maybe we have allowed things to creep into our lives that have taken us
go to church or be involved with our
off the path and made us very tired. We may feel like
youth group and at first it is all going
we won’t be able to make it through one more day,
well, but over time we allow the
but God gives us hope. I believe God is reminding us
things of this world to burden us to the point that we lose sight
today, just as He reminded Moses, that He will be with us and He
of why we really are going
will not fail us, but rather,
to church. We become so
He will give us rest. We
tired physically that we
need to rest in the peace
drown out the things
of God and allow Christ
of God in our lives
to give us the rest that we
and we miss what God
need. Our burdens are
desires to do in us and
not our own to bear, but
through us. This is not
rather Christ’s. Therefore,
a healthy way of living; in fact, it could lead to devastating results if we keep up the same pace. In Exodus 33, we find the Israelites in the wilderness after they had built the golden calf.
let’s give our burdens/ weariness to Christ and allow Him to do some amazing things in our lives.
The Lord spoke to Moses and told him that the Israelites needed to leave and pursue the land where God had told them to go. The Lord, however, is not happy with the Israelites and how they had sinned. So Moses goes to the tent
26 // April 2017
Caleb Prytherch is a graphic designer and he designs GoodNews Christian Magazine. He is married to his beautiful wife, Bekah and he is currently working on completing his bachelor’s degree in pastoral ministry from Lee University. He is passionate about ministry and seeing others reach their full potential through Jesus Christ.
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Gò0dNews for Women’s Health
Vein Blood Clots
W
The best way to evaluate and diagnose SVT and DVT is by physician review and immediate ultrasound examination. by Dr. James E. White hile many still perceive varicose veins as nothing
hospitalization with surgical intervention by vena cava filter
more than a superficial problem and cosmetic,
placement may be necessary for large unstable DVTs.
this unsightly condition may be accompanied by
Prevention
more serious medical ramifications. The onset of superficial
To prevent the formation of SVT and DVT, consult with
vein thrombosis (SVT) and deep veins thrombosis (DVT) go
a physician who specializes in vein disease for review and
hand in hand. Affecting more than 2 million Americans per
options. Other proactive measures include wearing medical
year, the formation of clots (or thrombosis) can result from a
grade compression stockings, staying physically active, and
failure to address and treat symptomatic varicose veins of the
maintaining adequate hydration. The use of compression
lower extremities.
stockings and low-grade blood thinners during surgical
SVTs are thrombosis in the more superficial veins. They can occur in the extremities, abdominal wall, and the breast.
procedures decrease SVTs and DVTs in patients undergoing surgery with general anesthesia.
SVTs do cause tremendous
Risk Factors
pain and discomfort; but are
Certain factors can
usually not life threatening.
contribute to the risk of
DVTs can be life threatening.
developing SVT and DVT.
DVTs are blood clots
To name a few, varicose
occurring in the deep veins
veins, surgery (especially
most common in the pelvis
orthopedic surgery of
and lower extremities. Due
the lower extremities),
to the location and size of
prolonged bed rest,
the thrombus, a DVT blood
malignancy, and injury can
clot can potentially break
all increase the likelihood
loose and travel to the lungs,
of SVT and DVT. Some
resulting in a pulmonary
patients may have family
embolism (PE). Suspicion
genetic tendencies for
of DVT requires immediate
thrombosis—coagulopathy.
medical attention. In fact, each year, an estimated 200,000 people
Coagulopathy can be screened by a battery of blood test as well
die from PE as a result of the detached blood clot DVT blocking
as a genetic screen.
blood flow to the lungs as a PE. Symptoms and Treatment When the presence of varicose veins are accompanied by
With today's advancing technology, patients with vein disease have many options. Minimally invasive vein treatments like Radiofrequency vein closure (VNUS) and endovenous
symptoms such as pain, swelling, redness, or a sensation of
laser ablation (EVLA) have almost eliminated the need for more
warmth in the lower extremities, it is possible SVT or DVT are
invasive procedures such as painful vein-striping surgery to treat
present. SVT, DVT thrombosis can only be detected through a
and eliminate varicose veins. Even better, these procedure are
physical exam involving focus venous ultrasound examination
covered by most major insurance providers when varicose veins
by a physician skilled in ultrasound interpretation and treating
cause symptoms addressing medical necessity. Call 423-648-4011
venous disease. Treatment of SVT is usually local care with
or visit www.advsurgical.com for a complimentary consultation.
moist heat, along with Aspirin, and NSAID medications like Motrin. Some advanced techniques can reduce the clot burden and decrease pain symptoms overnight. Treatment of DVT typically includes prescribing blood-thinning agents such as Lovenox and Coumadin. In more serious but rare cases, however,
28 // April 2017
Dr. James E. White is a board-certified general surgeon by the American Board of Surgery. He is a Fellow of the prestigious American College of Surgeons. His office, Advanced Surgical Concepts (ASC) is located at 2290 Ogletree Ave, Suite 112 in the Hamilton Office Park across from the Hamilton YMCA. ASC offers a variety of cosmetic procedures including varicose vein procedures, laser skin resurfacing, facial fillers, minimal invasive surgery, and liposculpture.
FEATURED COVER STORY
The Fellowship of Christian Athletes
“It’s astounding how the Fellowship of Christian Athletes continues to RISE in the hearts of coaches, athletes, and all whom they influence as it alters the trajectory of not only their eternity, but their now.”
S
by Robert Green
ince 1954, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes has
better or worse, and we’ve made it a priority to pour into our
challenged athletes and coaches to impact the world
coaches and see them transformed and become passionate
for Jesus Christ. FCA is cultivating Christian principles
about the sphere of influence where God has placed them.
in local communities nationwide by encouraging, equipping,
In 2016, we saw an incredible impact with a record 1,190
and empowering others to make a difference. Reaching over
certified Coaches Huddles. In our area alone we moved from
two million people annually on the professional, college, high
influencing four to five coaches weekly to more than eighty
school, junior high and youth levels, FCA has grown into
coaches through our 3Dimensional coaching studies held at
the largest interdenominational sports ministry in the world.
area schools.
Through this shared passion for athletics and faith, lives are changed for current and future generations. True to this year’s RISE theme, never before have coaches,
When coaches become followers of Jesus Christ, their character, relationships, and approach to coaching authentically pours from the way they act, live, and speak.
athletes, and other leaders in the sports world been so bold
FCA walks them through this journey by providing
and courageous to change their lives and dig deeper into the
coaches Huddles and conventions with in-depth training
grace of God. FCA had the privilege of coming alongside
and redesigned 3Dimensional Coaching. The resources
these leaders to equip, serve, and strengthen their faith in
and retreats build up their hearts and energy in and out
God. The year, 2016, saw a record-breaking year across the
of coaching so they can be at their best to shepherd teams,
globe and right here in our area. The way we accomplish this
athletes, and their staffs most effectively.
is through a mission strategy we call the 4 C’s.
Campus
Coaches
FCA’s vehicle for ministry to the campus and the
The Campus Ministry is a certified ministry that is
initiated and led by student-athletes, sponsored by coaches,
community is the coach. To be effective at fulfilling our
and supported by staff. Established on middle school, high
mission we believe it must be “to and through the coach.”
school or college campuses, they meet on a regular basis. The
There’s no telling what could happen when a coach’s heart is
types of Campus Ministry are Multi-Sport Huddle, Team
set on fire for Christ. As one of the major influencers around
Huddle, and Coaches Huddle.
the world, coaches have the ability to alter lives for
30 // April 2017
Campus is one of the most strategic mission fields with most youth passing through this portal. FCA focuses on
equipping, enabling, empowering, and encouraging student-
And there is power in our one great God who transforms
athletes, coaches, and adult leaders to influence their campus
hearts and brings victory in our lives. When Christian athletes
for Christ.
stand together with one passion, one power, and one purpose,
In 2016, 17,376 students were reached on certified
there is great impact! “I will know that you are standing
Campus Huddles worldwide. In the Ocoee region, we
together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for
expanded our influence to twenty-one schools hosting nearly
the faith, which is the Good News” (Phil. 1:27 NLT).
thirty-five FCA teams, coaches, and campus huddles.
Cash
Community
Okay, I added this fifth one to solicit your help! So
During the twelfth annual Fields of Faith event, more
how do we fund this vital ministry for our region? It’s
than 192,000 students gathered on 519 fields to worship
accomplished through individual and corporate donors,
and hear peers share how Jesus has affected their lives.
grants and foundations, and annual fundraising events. FCA
Prayer at the end of the evening ushered in 7,414 first-time
has benefited tremendously from its partnership with the
dedications, 8,612 student recommitments to Christ with
United Way of the Ocoee Region and CSI (Center for Social
8,781 making a pact to read their Bibles. The Ocoee Region,
Impact). One of these events is to be held in the spring on
with the partnership of the Youth Ministry Network and
Thursday, April 20 at First Baptist Church in Cleveland.
Bradley Baptist Association, witnessed tremendous growth in
The Ocoee Region FCA annual spring banquet will host a
attendance moving from 150 students five years ago to more
special guest, Jon Gordon, whose best-selling books and talks
than 3,000 with hundreds committing their lives to Christ
have inspired readers and audiences around the world. His
each year.
principles have been put to the test by numerous NFL, NBA,
We also partnered with schools across our region to host
MLB coaches and teams, Fortune 500 companies, school
Character Education assemblies by bringing some of the
districts, hospitals, and nonprofit organizations. He is the
nation’s best communicators to tackle issues teens face today.
author of numerous best-selling books including The Energy
The assemblies were exceptional, and school administrators
Bus, The Carpenter, Training Camp, The Seed, You Win in the
have asked us to return each year. The number of students who
Locker Room First, and The No Complaining Rule.
received these positive messages soared into the thousands.
Camps
Camps are a time of “inspiration and perspiration”
for athletes and coaches who want to reach their potential through comprehensive athletic, spiritual, and leadership training. The Ocoee Region FCA hosts a one-of-a-kind outdoor leadership camp designed to introduce students to the outdoors including mountain biking, rafting the Ocoee, rock climbing, hiking, fly fishing, and team building. The camp builds leadership skills while using a challenge-bychoice program. The 2017 camp theme is ONE—The Power of One. One passion, one purpose, and one goal can drive an athlete, coach, or team to be their very best. One player, one play, and one gamechanging moment can transform the course of competition and bring victory. Everything comes down to One. There is power in one Gospel. There is power in one truth.
We extend an invitation to the entire community to support Ocoee FCA at this annual banquet or set up a meeting with me, the area director, to invest in our student athletes and coaches. For more information, prices, and reserved seating, please go to our website at ocoeefca.org.
issuu.com/goodnewscm // 31
Gò0dNews for Couples
Three Ingredients for a Happy Marriage Having the right ingredients for a thriving marriage does not happen automatically. by Mike Shreve
W
hen it came to making lemon meringue pies, my mother was the absolute best. For many years, whenever I traveled to Florida,
if possible, I would stop by my parents’ home in Winter Park to visit. Usually, I called ahead to let them know I was coming. Invariably, I would hint at how nice it would be for Mom to make one of her special creations. Almost always, she happily complied, but on rare occasions she would say, “I’m sorry; I don’t have one of the main ingredients.” Eventually, I learned my lesson and began strategically phoning far enough in advance to give Mom ample time for a trip to the grocery store. Having all the right ingredients is an absolute necessity—and that’s true for anything in life. It doesn’t work without advance planning. With regard to marriage, there are three ingredients you can’t leave out. Keep them stored in the “cabinet” of your heart.
Ingredient 1: Marry a person, not an image. Many singles have an image in their minds of the
perfect spouse. After finally exchanging “I do’s” with the person of their dreams, at times they realize with surprise, the person they married doesn’t exactly match the image they have in their minds. So the next couple of years are spent sculpting, daily “chiseling”—chipping away at character flaws or areas that need improvement— so the person will match the image more perfectly. At a certain point, if the marriage is going to survive—more importantly, if it’s going to thrive—the aspiring sculptor must throw away the image and simply love the person.
32 // April 2017
Ingredient 2: Always publicly praise.
How many times have I been regretfully pulled into
some conversation with a married couple that began as a pleasant walk through the park and ended up with all of us dodging bullets in a war zone? It starts off benign, talking about pleasant things—then with no warning, some husband or wife begins to unload negative statements that sound like an echo of complaints that have been uttered hundreds of times. Then I realize I’m being used as a sounding board for internal frustrations that should have been worked out privately, not vented to someone outside the relationship. It causes immediate embarrassment that often evolves to anger. There is an important rule to go by in a marriage relationship: When faults need to be pointed out, do so privately. When other people are around, point out the good and praiseworthy things in your spouse.
Ingredient 3: Practice random acts of kindness. Don’t reserve acts of kindness for just birthdays,
anniversaries, or public holidays (Father’s Day or Mother’s Day). Instead, find random ways to express appreciation and affection to your husband or wife—not just in words, but in deeds. Start and end every day with affirmations of loving commitment, but go beyond words to tangible acts you might call “random acts of kindness.” Try doing something special every day for the husband or wife who has partnered with you in life with no motive except to express love. Mike Shreve has been teaching God’s Word since 1971. He has authored 14 books including the best-selling “65 Promises from God for Your Child” and a new book on the names and titles of God’s people, titled “WHO AM I? Dynamic Declarations of Who You Are in Christ.” He and his wife, Elizabeth, pastor The Sanctuary in Cleveland, TN. www.shreveministries.org
Gò0dNews for Seniors Gò0dNews for Seniors
YearsCaregiver Strong FindingSeventy that Special
I I
Staying involved with their church, their work in the community, byfamily Esmerelda Leethis couple’s love strong! and their has kept
have been asked over and over again, “Where do you find
by Esmerelda Lee
Cons: Most agencies control their employees, limiting the
enjoy an inspiring old love stories. Favorites like adhere to a strong work ethic. Mitchell attributes his such special caregivers, people that anticipate needs, truly control of the family member/patient. When you hire directly, An Affair to Remember, Love is a Many Splendid sons’ successes to their mother. He did say that he love, genuinely careand and are greatmove at whatme theymore do?” than The someit is less expensive sincebelieved agencies normally addtheir a surcharge to “some Thing, others and Betty in giving children of the modern-day onofthe Hallmark good lickings,” that helped too. healthcare industry at large is facedlove with stories the plight finding the actual caregiving rate. Channel. There is something to be said about the In a world where soanmany on their caregivers. As our nation’s aged population grows, this topic Interview: Whether you are using agency,people living infocus a purity and innocence of the courtship and love own happiness and make life-altering decisions continues to be paramount to those caring for their loved ones senior living community or hiring someone directly for your depicted through old movies. I am also honored to based on these motives, I asked Betty and Mitchell in a senior living facility and those caring for them at home. I home, the interview process is crucial. I always trythe to involve a see these love stories played out in real life through if they were happy throughout sixty-nine years would like to shareadults. a few Couples that fell in love and stayed You older of marriage. “We alwaysresident/patient. worked it out, and if we through a world war, the Depression, life didn’t laugh at each other, or of the tips Iin amlove learning maywe be afound skilled someone execuchallenges, raising and burying loved ones are something to laugh about. You’ll have problems in along my eighteen-yeartive, leading businesscouples that loved for life. marriage, but who doesn’t? You just have to talk it old healthcare career man etc. However, if Bettyinand Mitchell Lyle are a local Cleveland out,” Mitch replied. the hopes that whether you are not if thethey actual couple that met in the first grade at When I asked ever fought, Arnold Memorial School. For Mitchell it they looked puzzled. “Who you are looking for a recipient of care, your doesn’t at first sight. Betty believes that fight? Weassessment are bothissosecondary different, and caregiver atwas homelove or for the grinning first-grader grew on her we like different things. When we your own community, to the primary recipient over time. According to Mitchell, they fought, the one with the strongest these suggestions of that care. Involve the were would “sweet” on each other but did not case won.” Mitchell also added, “We compromised, but Betty be of some get help.serious until after World War II. person being cared for. made Mitchell enlisted in the Navy in 1943 the most compromises. I Know your needs: Assemble Your am still and stayed out to sea for most of that surprised that she chose me.”In Before searching for Care Team: Whether time. He remembers a year and half Betty’s much softer voice, she said, a caregiver, going I wouldby before his feet even touched are caring forto fight about, “If there you is something consider executing a But each week when mail someone at home or saving.” in dry land. there is something worth was delivered to his aircraft carrier, On August 22, 2016, Betty needs assessment. Hiring a senior living commu- and Betty’s unrelenting letters and her faith Mitchell Lyle will celebrate their someone to cook, and run nity, understanding the that he would return home kept their love strong. seventieth wedding anniversary. Today, these errands is very different care team, having Plaza at When Mitchell and Betty were finally reunited lifelong Cleveland residents live and at Garden than hiringafter someone experience in grooming and bathing. communication and an interdisciplinary is so impor-has little thewith war, they dated for eight short months Cleveland Senior Living.approach Their apartment before they were married. After graduating college, awards they won from serving in their Briefly write down your expectations: It is important to tant. Caregivers need to know that they are not alone. Theyvocations schoolThere teacher withlike Cleveland City to know and intheir theirfunction community, war-torn photographs briefly writeBetty downbecame what youaexpect. is nothing going need that is making a rewarding impact. Schools, and Mitchell went to work for the railroad. of family members, and beside each recliner is a through the entire process of hiring someone, only to find out cause people to choose caregivers out of Later he became one of the members of our City Crisis situations tattered and worn Bible. that he or she does not meet your expectations. Be realistic. necessity. Through mystill experience, I would through Council. They laugh at eachrather othergoand with each When whatvswas thethem secret to loving months of purposeful other. There areofalso days where the laughter and The decision to hire asked an agency hiring yourself pursuit the special caregiver than to each other through sixty-nine years of marriage, the talking are silent. On those days, Fox News Pros: Most agencies have a vetting process. They intersettle. I am constantly reminded that I am NOT the recipient they both stated, “Stay busy so you don’t get into anchors are the only voices heard in the apartment. view, perform background checks and drug screens. They of the care; however, one day I could be. And to that end, I am trouble!” Betty and Mitchell were married at First Mitchell said it best, “What she forgets, I can can also provide a back-up for the caregiver should sickness driven by the words of our Lord, “Do others, as you wouldand even Baptist Church in 1946, and were always involved in remember. When she unto laughs, I am happy, arise. Assisted communities also have a built backhave them do unto you. theirLiving church, work, and family. Theyinhad two sons. though there were days she didn’t like me, she Both Tony and David were strong boys, raised by always loved me.” up for care giver call-in. The agency or community provides a strong, no-nonsense working mother. Betty was workers compensation liability and manages payroll and Esmerelda loving, but she always made it clear that her sons EsmereldaLee Leeisiscampus campusmanager manager for Garden taxes of thewould employee. for Garden Plaza of an Plaza of Cleveland,Cleveland, an independent and assisted love education like she did, and they would
34 // April 342017 // March 2016
independent facility living facilityand forassisted seniors.living She and her husband for seniors. She and her husband Andrew have three children. Andrew have three children.
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The more you pray, the less you’ll panic. The More your worship, the less you worry. —Rick Warren by Destiny Hope Shreve Gò0dNews for Everyone
A
April Showers Bring May Flowers
God’s commandments, panic sets in, and questions swirl lmost everyone goes through the typical New in the like,and Am gone. I going to get caught?—Will God forgive Year’s cycle—making resolutions, then struggling “For lo, the winter is past, the rainmind is over The flowers Sound appearfamiliar? on the earth; the time this of singing . .” Psalm 38:18 warns, “I me?—Is going to has ruincome. my future? to keep those commitments. —Song Solomon 2:11-12 myNKJV sins; they fill me with anxiety” (GNB). Doing this can produce a lot of negativity and causeofyou to confess by Destiny Hope Shreve start off your year feeling like a failure. This is not a good
W
Gò0dNews for Teens
hen someone the first word that mindset to carry with you intosays, theApril, future. comes to my mind is showers because that’s For the past few years, one of my resolutions has what happens this time of year. Rain and lots of rain. always involved overcoming anxiety. I make the decision Occasionally, you walk outside and hundreds of droplets to stop worrying so much and it usually works—but only soak your hair, drench your clothes, drip off your forehead,
for a little while. Thenonthe familiar problems andin the and then splash theold, ground. Cloudy skies, thunder challenges gather over myofhead like dark things clouds a rainy distance, and flashes lightning—these areon simply onInature’s as it presents production day. Thisprops year, intendstage to succeed. But atomajor do so, I need to called spring. In the minds of most people, this opening identify clearly the problem areas and the solutions. scene
The Consequence of Anxiety
fall just like raindrops until deep down in our hearts, seeds
There are many consequences of anxiety, but the following three are somedecisions of the most destructive: come to the surface. We make to change for the said, “Our better,Weakness—Charles to be the kind of people Spurgeon we were meant to be, the anxiety people Godempty plannedtomorrow for us to be. of Newly sprouted plants begin does not its sorrows, but only their journey upward, pushing through soil. Theus curtains empties today of its strength.” It the weakens mentally and close and the third act, titled “The Light” is about to begin. emotionally so that we cannot deal effectively with life’s No plant will ever reach maturity without the light of challenges. are awakened. Dreams and desires that have been suppressed
the sun, and no inspired dream will ever be accomplished
Misery—Proverbs 12:25 says, “Anxiety in the heart of The Cause Anxiety man causes darkens our minds with a sense at least forof the duration of the storm. However, those who and Malachi 4:2depression.” reveals Jesus is It the “Sun of Righteousness.” There are many anxiety, one of thephase of sadness and understand thecauses process of of life realize but this unpleasant When we allow Hishopelessness. brightness to shine in our hearts, we begin is a necessary step. These dreadful weather conditionsfear are to blossom with praiseanxiety and develop the fruit of the Spirit insuggests, worst culprits is fear—fear of failure, fear of change, Anger—One management website merely setting the stage for the next act we could title “The our relationship with God and with others. He talks about this of rejection, fear of temptation, and fear of the future. “Anxiety causes severe, constant stress. That means that “Getting over a painful experience is much like crossing monkey bars. "For You have let go at some point in the snow Awakening.” in Isaiah 55:10-11: as thetorain comes down, and We tend to fear what we think we cannot control. Jesus you become irritable easier.” Sometimes the reason people order to move forward.”—C.S. Lewis Under the ground are dormant seeds. They appear from heaven, and do not return there, but water the earth, dealt with this issue in His first get angry is due to a deeper inner conflict that triggers by Destiny Hope Shreve lifeless, motionless, even worthless. However, hidden deep and make it bring forth and bud . . . So shall My word be that main message. He worry orfrom nervousness. twist, and turnMy in unpredictable ways? That’s when he season is beginning to shift. Fallwatered. is in the air; inside is undeveloped potential just waiting to urged be goes forth mouth; It shall not return to Me void, but you invite God into the situation; and if you believe, leaves are beginning to make their switch from His disciples not to worry One drop of moisture is enough to cause a tiny apple seed it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the ofofAnxiety He willCure take control every circumstance and make vibrant greens to autumn hues. Every time I look The to burst fortharound into a large tree covered with delicious fruit. for which sent it”for (NKJV). about food “all things workItogether good” (Rom. 8:28 NKJV). I see changes taking place;and and clothing, while I love this thing There are many cures for anxiety, but usually God is In a similar way, we can go forand months, even years, not At the finale of this symbolic play,can we be will realize that That’s when you discover that change greatly seasonal transition, other types of change can make me then He said: the source. One of my favorite scriptures is from beneficial, and here’s a few key reasons why: anxious and even upset. I have a love/hate relationship with fulfilling our whole potential with it buried in responsibilities, everything we went through was a part of God’s perfect planProverbs “Do not Changes can make you more flexible. Being change. If things stay the same forbe too anxious long, I get terribly 31. itThat chapter describes characteristics of a godly necessary tasks, and the routine of life. and all works together for our good. resistant to new things can make a stressful situation bored. But when too many thingstomorrow; evolve all at once, about forI find Then onethat day, a storm hits,seeking and dark clouds our sky. It woman. VerseFacing 25 says, “She is clothed with feel even worse. changes in life teaches you to be strength and I am desperately shelter in thefill familiar. tomorrow shall be in more fluid and able to “go with the flow.” Around three months ago, us myto life was Teardrops altered drives us to desperation and then pushes pray. dignity and she laughs without fear of the future” (NLT). Change can make you more intelligent. If there were major ways. People I thought would be its friends forever anxious for own you demands put your faith intransitions, God andyou commit no difficult or awkward would your life suddenly deserted me. It was a chaotic week full of tears Once things. Sufficient to never learn new things or have experiences that about tomorrow, and pain. Afterwards, I understood it all happened for totally to Him, there is nonew need to worry a reason (like the often quoted scripture, “Toevil everything awaken your hidden potential. the day is the it’scan in make His hands. Change you grow in faith. Think of there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven” Eccl. because it”actually (Matt.God 6:34 all the biblical examples, like Abraham leaving his 3:1 NKJV). I realized that itof was who took Philippians 4:6 commands, “Be anxious for nothing, homeland, Moses leaving his prestigious position, the those people out of my lifeNKJV). to make sure I didn’t follow but in everything by prayer andofsupplication, with children of Israel leaving the bondage Egypt, David the downward path they were pursuing. cause leaving his sheep, Esther leaving an ordinary life, and Then I began to see changeAnother for the better. I thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God” enrolled in Cleveland Highof School, reconnected anxiety is sin. with Peter leaving his fishing nets. We remember these Bible (NASB). the primary answer totheovercoming anxiety old friends, and got transformed at the two church charactersSo because of their courage to face unknown. When people knows? You might be nextwas on God’s list. camps I attended. All of this was great, but there isWho prayer. “When anxiety great within me, Your were times I felt like I was on aintentionally roller coaster and consolation brought joy to my soul” (Ps. 94:19 NIV). not strapped in well. Because I was fearful of new rebel against challenges I had never faced before, I wanted to go is too somber. Rain has a way of causing a gloomy outlook,
without the help of God. First John 1:5 says, “God is light,”
The Challenge of Change
T
back so badly to the familiar. Thankfully, I pushed through. Have you ever felt that way . . . like your life was poised at the top of a track, about to quickly plunge,
36 // April 2017 38 // January 2017 26 // October 2016
Destiny Shreve Hope Shreve the daughter Mike Destiny Shreve isisthe daughter of Mike Destiny is the daughter ofofMike and and Elizabeth and Elizabeth Shreve, pastors of The Sanctuary. Elizabeth Shreve, pastors of The Sanctuary in Shreve, pastors of The Sanctuary in Cleveland. She She will be a junior at Cleveland High School, Cleveland. She is acurrently a junior in High high school, hopes to have career inCleveland journalism.. isand currently attending School as a and hopes to hopes work into thework field in of journalism. junior and the field of journalism.
Gò0dNews for Everyone
Ain’t Never Been This Low Before Whether I choose to try to hide from God because of my wrongdoing or whether I think He is hidden from me because of present circumstances, the good news is that in neither case can I ever be away from His Presence. by Charlton S. Lewis
T
he title of an old song laments, “I Ain’t Never
and hold him. And even in the darkness, he cannot hide
Been This Low Before.” The writer further
from God.
wallows in self-pity with a line that says, “There
If I have guilt and remorse that makes me want to
ain’t no place for me to go but to crawl up on the floor.”
hide from God, it is wonderful to know there is no place
How self-debasing can one get?
that I can go where He is not there. My “Wanted Dead
We all may feel at times that we are as low as we
or Alive” image remains forever etched in His heart
can go. No one else knows what we are going through;
and will never be erased. David says in verse 17: “How
it seems that no one else cares. We are at the end of our
precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!” (NKJV).
rope, in the bottom of a horrible pit. But the good news
Not only does He know where I am, but He is also
is there is Someone who knows where we are at all times.
thinking about me.
Then there are times we soar on top of the world.
If I feel like I am so low that I have to “crawl up”
We are in our own seventh heaven and think no one can
to get on the floor, my feeling is irrelevant because
touch us. Everything is great and we love everybody.
He knows where I am. I cannot go so low that He
We imagine nothing could be finer. But the good news is there is Someone who knows where we are at all times.David writes in Psalm 139:8: “If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there”(NKJV). He continues to say if he
doesn’t know where I am, even when I think I am hidden out of His sight. His hedge is behind me and before me, and His hand is upon me. It is wonderful to know that He knows my thoughts. I can hardly comprehend it! Being fearfully and wonderfully made, my well-being is of
takes the wings of the morning to the
utmost interest to Him, and He will care for
depths of the sea, God’s hand will still
His creation.
lead him
May David’s prayer become my own: Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting (Ps. 139:23-24 NKJV).
38 // April 2017
Charlton S. Lewis is a retired civil engineer from the USDA Forest Service. He and his wife Paulette have 3 daughters, 7 grandchildren, and 2 great grandchildren.
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Gò0dNews for Everyone
Christian Zombies
“ I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.” —Galatians 1:6-9 NKJV by Don Smith
I
n this letter the apostle Paul has heard that these Christians, whom he had discipled and invested in were going back on their original conversion. This apostle had been with Jesus and had heard the Master say, “Why are you coming against me?” And from that day on, Paul turned around and moved toward Jesus. These Galatians were turning away from the gospel of Christ, to another “gospel.” The thing about Zombies is that they are supposed to be dead people who are still living. They are presented as looking like humans, kind of acting like humans, but always on the hunt to “infect” others with their disease of zombieness. These folks who started out in the faith of Jesus were attempting to finish in their own strength, their own works, and their own perceptions. Why, after being born-again to life would you want to go back to death? Why go back to the weight of the law when Jesus gave us life and a light load? They had become so misguided that they viewed their position as truth. There is only one truth: that truth is Jesus. Throughout Christian history, mankind has been trying to circumvent the path that Jesus blazed. They have been attempting to find another path to salvation. The root of this is human pride. We don’t want someone else’s path to work for us. We want to choose our own way. Why do I have to follow this Jesus guy?
40 // April 2017
Maybe there’s another way and I’m going to find it. Since Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection, there have been many who have contrived multiple different ways to heaven. Christ said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6 NKJV). If that is the case, what are we doing? There is a philosophy today that says there are many ways to God. Let me tell you; there are many ways to God. Individuals have a life and a path they have walked that gets them to the place where they recognize they need God; however, there is only one way to find His salvation, the man Christ Jesus. Paul said it quite clearly, Peter stated it very clearly, and Jesus said it emphatically. There is but one way to enter heaven, and one relationship with God, which is by accepting Jesus Christ as Savior and Redeemer. If you accept Him, then you will follow Him. If you accept Him, you will obey Him. If you accept Him, you will tell others how He changed your life and that He can change other’s lives if they will surrender to Him. My question is: Are you going to infect someone with the disease of the zombie, or are you going to tell the good news that Jesus redeems, restores, and makes us new? Are you going to proclaim truth or your version of a truth? Donald E. Smith Jr. M. Div., D.Min. He is executive director of Hearts Set Free. donsmith@heartsetfree.org
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Gò0dNews for your Taste Buds
Embrace a More Abundant Life
“I
by Deana Thompson
have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10 NKJV). That is the reason Jesus came as an infant on that
night so long ago: that they (we) may have life; and that it wouldn’t just be a barely-making-it life or a run-of-the-mill life, but that it would be a life more abundant than anything we have ever heard about or experienced. He came so that we would not have to go through life dead on the inside, either because people have snuffed out our desire to live through their words or actions, or because we have chosen to let our feelings, our emotions, our life, die so that we don’t have to feel the pain anymore. That is not how Jesus wants us to live. He left heaven to experience this fallen, sin-sick world so that we may have abundant life. He was executed so that we may have abundant life. And, as we will celebrate this month, He was resurrected by the power of God (see 1 Cor. 6:14) so that we may have abundant life. His resurrected life is infinitely more than the mere rabbits and dyed chicken eggs that people have attempted to associate with Easter. Because He lives, we also live (see John 14:19). This abundant life, however, does not end when we take our last breath. As He told Martha before His death,
Chicken Gnocchi Soup 1 Tbsp. olive oil
1 Tbsp. unsalted butter 1 medium onion, diced 3 stalks celery, diced 2 carrots, grated 2 garlic cloves, minced 6 c. chicken broth 1 lb. cooked chicken (3 c.), cut into bite-sized pieces ½ tsp. salt ½ tsp. freshly-ground black pepper 1/8 tsp. poultry seasoning 1/8 tsp. sage 1/8 tsp. dried basil 1/8 tsp. dried oregano 16-oz. pkg. gnocchi 6-oz. pkg. fresh baby spinach, coarsely chopped 2 c. evaporated milk 4 Tbsp. cold water 4 Tbsp. cornstarch
Directions:
1. In a large pot, heat the olive oil and butter. Add the
“I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me,
onion, celery, carrots, and garlic.
though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and
utes until tender.
believes in Me shall never die” (John 11:25-26 NKJV). The
Sauté 3-4 min-
2. Add the chicken broth, cooked chicken, spices, and
abundant life doesn’t stop; it just changes location. Don’t
gnocchi. Boil slowly for 3-4 minutes until the gnoc-
let His coming be for naught in your life. Embrace life.
chi float. 3. Add the spinach and evaporated milk, stirring well. 4. In a small bowl, combine the cold water and cornstarch and stir until smooth. Pour into the soup and heat until thickened.
42 // March 2017
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Gò0dNews from the Physician’s Desk
Allergy Season Is Upon Us
Y
Tips to Keep Your Sniffling and Sneezing in Check by Dr. Katherine Hall
ou know what they say: April showers bring May flowers. But they also bring pollen, ragweed, and a slew of other wheeze-, sneeze-, and sniffleinducing allergens. At Starr Regional Medical Center, we are committed to making communities healthier, and one way we do that is by helping you manage your springtime allergies. So, what causes springtime sniffling and sneezing? According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI), allergies develop when the body’s immune system becomes sensitized and overreacts to something in the environment that does not cause a reaction in most people. For an estimated 40 million Americans, that “something” is often one of Mother Nature’s springtime gifts—ragweed, pollen, grass and mold, to name a few. While some won’t notice the increase in common allergens, others will be left with a number of unpleasant side effects, such as the following: • Sneezing • Itching of the eyes, ears, nose or roof of the mouth • Runny nose, nasal congestion • Watery, red or swollen eyes • Occasionally, a sore throat, cough, or general fatigue and weakness. If you find yourself in the “suffering” category, there are a number of ways to manage your symptoms and ease your symptoms. 1. Know your triggers. The ACAAI says that more than two-thirds of spring allergy sufferers actually have year-round symptoms, just not as prevalent during
44 // April 2017
other seasons. An allergist can perform tests to help you determine what is triggering your allergy attacks and develop a care plan to minimize your symptoms. 2. Watch the weather. Many local news outlets provide a daily/weekly pollen and mold count. Keeping an eye on this report can help you know what to expect when you head outdoors, as well as if there are certain days or times you should avoid going outside. 3. Hit the shower. As simple as it sounds, taking a shower, washing your hair and changing your clothes after outdoor activities helps minimize exposure to allergens. Similarly, for those with primarily nasal symptoms, utilizing saline nose sprays or rinses can help minimize the exposure time to various allergens by “washing” them from your sinuses. 4. Defend yourself. If you know you are going to be outdoors for extended periods, or doing activities like mowing the lawn, consider wearing a mask to reduce the amount of allergens you inhale. You may also consider taking appropriate, over-the-counter medications before you head outside. If these tricks don’t provide the relief you need, talk to your primary care doctor. He or she can help you develop a more thorough care management plan, which may include various medications or support from an allergist. If you don’t have a primary care doctor, visit www.StarrRegional.com and use our Physician Finder to select a physician in the area who best meets your needs.
Dr. Katherine Hall is a provider at Athens Family Practice at 711 Cook Drive in Athens, Tennessee.
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Gò0dNews for Everyone
Friends and Butterflies
Making new friends will have a positive impact upon your life and others around you. by Carl Corser
Y
ou may ask what these two
F - fellowship
creatures might have in
R - relationship
we will have invested, talked, walked,
common? There is a process
I - intimacy
and interacted enough to truly
of development for both creatures
E - encourager
become devoted to our new friend.
that ends so beautifully when both are
N - nurturer
Commitment and devotion must be
allowed to develop and mature. God's
D - devotion
present for the continued deepening
plan for both is absolutely beautiful.
A friendship cannot be developed
development of a friendship for life.
Friendship is like the
without fellowship. Fellowship is the
At this point in the relationship,
Yes, butterflies are truly a
metamorphosis process of a butterfly.
first part of the development process
beautiful part of God's awesome
When well developed, it turns into
in making a new friend. Spending
Creation, but just as God said we are
a lasting beautiful relationship.
time together, investing, exploring,
much more valuable than the sparrow,
Butterflies are so beautiful as they
investigating, and getting acquainted
so it is true that we are much more
dance from flower to flower in the
with each other is so important.
valuable than the beautiful butterfly.
spring breeze. It's amazing the color
A relationship has to be built by
When two individuals connect
variances and coordinates that our
connecting over a span of time and
and become friends in God's timing,
Creator displays in His Creation,
fellowshipping together. Friends
do you suppose His smile is as big as
butterflies. What would happen if the
for life is a relationship being built
ours when we see a really beautiful
development process from the worm,
continually through life.
butterfly? God never intended for us to
to the cocoon, to the adult butterfly,
Intimacy begins to develop as
go through life alone.
was cut short? We would be missing
friends build that relationship to a
the beauty God intended for our eyes
level of depth, allowing room for
friends must show themselves
to behold.
confidence and trust to grow. Once
friendly. As you show yourself
intimacy deepens and continues as
friendly, putting yourself out there
wrapped up in the word friend as
both individuals keep investing into
and opening your heart, know that
we make our decisions in choosing
each other with each friend becoming
there is a friend who is devoted to
our friends.
an encourager of each other.
you more than a brother (see Pro.
How about considering what is
As we encourage each other, we begin to assume the roll of
A man or woman who has
18:24). That friend has your back. Could friendliness be the antidote
the nurturer in the relationship.
for loneliness? What do you have to
Through this we make a difference
lose? Loneliness.
in each other’s lives as mentioned
Friends and butterflies are both
in Proverbs 27:17: "Iron sharpeneth
beautiful. Blessings as you enjoy both
iron; so an individual can sharpen the
of them all of your life.
countenance of his friend" (KJV).
46 // April 2017
Carl Corser is an ordained bishop, vice president of the Gideons Cleveland North Camp, Peach State board of directors and Chaplin, owner of Corser Enterprises Roll-Off and A+ Sheet Metal.
ò0 Mission Statement:
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e believe when people are equipped, motivated, and passionately engaged in living out their faith in Jesus Christ they have the potential to be world changers. Our mission is to bring people into a dynamic relationship with Jesus Christ—a relationship that empowers them to see how God can work through individual personalities, situations, and talents. Christ was an activist, he did not neglect the needs of the people as He brought His message. We strive to encourage everyone to look more like Christ by reaching outside of themselves to serve the needs of others—at home, at school, in communities, and across the world.
Christian Magazine
Writer Guidelines: Who: Our writers range from pastors,
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What: We believe that it is important to laugh
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Where: Please send submissions to brooke.goodnews@gmail.com Why: Because God has not intended for us to
just survive. We believe that we are intended to reach out to love and encourage each other. God has brought each of us through tough times, blessed us, and made the “impossible” possible. Let’s, together, share the love of Jesus Christ.
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48 // April 2017
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Gò0dNews from the Outdoors
Confessions of a Turkey Hunter: When Opening Day Does Not Go As Planned. (Part 1) Taking Faith to the Field
T
he excitement was building as I gathered my turkey hunting equipment: calls . . . check, shotgun shells . . . check, vest . . . check, hunting license . . . check, and gun . . . check. I had everything laid out and ready to go for the next morning. Spring break was in full swing and the family had been sick with the stomach flu. I was fortunate to not encounter this sickness this time. About 5:00 a.m. opening morning of the 2008 season, I was awakened by my beautiful, sweet wife in our bathroom as she was suffering from the stomach flu. As I rolled over, I offered my assistance and waited for her footsteps as she headed back to bed. Honestly, there is really no way to go back to sleep after something like that, so around 5:45 a.m. I got up and sheepishly inquired if I could still head to the woods. A quiet “That’s fine” was her reply. It was an overcast morning with no moon visible. The weather forecast was for rain beginning around noon. I stopped the truck and began to load up for a quiet, dark walk to the “turkey spot” on the field edge. Going through my mental equipment checklist, I decided all was there and I was ready to go. Walking about ten steps from the truck, I felt something wasn’t right. I sprinted back to the truck, grabbed
50 // April 2017
by Rusty Asble the toilet paper from behind the backseat, and barely made it to the small oak tree nearby. The stomach flu hit me in full force. This was just great and then what? Yep, the rain had come early. Slowing making my way back to the truck, I decided to continue with the hunt. This time I put my rain suit on and headed across the field. After making it 200 yards across the field, I rested under a cedar tree that was repelling water better than my rain suit. I was not there more than five minutes when—BOOM! Lighting struck very near and I almost set the world record in the standing long jump. Now I don’t know if it was the lighting, nerves, or what, but the second part of this new-found stomach flu hit me at that moment. Going down on all fours, I mimicked my wife’s stomach production I had witnessed an hour earlier. Wanting to run back to the truck because of the lighting, all I could do was sit against the tree. The skies soon became quiet, and the steady rain filled the morning woods. Beginning to feel much better, I made my way to my original destination. As I sat and was ready to go, I watched the sun come up over the ridge. Waiting for the distant gobble and soft yelps from the nearby roost spot, I heard
only exposed vacant limbs and lonely, strutting edges. After about another 45 minutes, I heard rustling in the fallen leaves to my right. Excited about the quiet sneak those little rascals had pulled over on me, I waited to see heads pop up over the hill in my direction. Slowly, they came. What? Four young cows had escaped the fenced pasture I had crossed earlier. Now as I sat stone still in full camo, these cows had no clue about this hunter watching them. Realizing that I had the neighborly responsibility to assist the landowner in getting her cows back through the broken fence, I stood up to drive them back through. This seemed logical to me, but I did not consider the situation from the cows’ perspective. All I can remember is that four balls of blackhoofed fury and fear stampeded around me. Yes, they made it back through the fence shortly after I saw my life blaze before my eyes. After gaining my composure again, I realized I had succeeded in my task and sat down on the hillside soaked, cold, and with uuuuggggghhhhh—my stomach gurgling.
Rusty Asble is the associate pastor of recreation administration at First Baptist Church, Cleveland, TN. He and his wife Stacy have three children: Ridge, Garrett, and Susie. They reside in Cleveland.
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Gò0dNews for Everyone
Listening Is a Leave Learned Trait What Will You Behind?
W T
“A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, Kelly McDonald Jr. and gold” and loving by favour rather than silver My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be —Proverbs 22:1 quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry because human by Kelly McDonald, Jr. anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.
—James 1:19-20 NIV hen you die, what will you leave behind? Because you were dedicated to God during your life, He
here What is a difference hearing for? and do you wantbetween to be remembered listening. Hearing is just allowing words people strive for worldly fame. They to goSome through your ears. Listening is an want to accumulate as many material possessions in this active process where you are considering the words being spoken andseek taking them to heart. life as they can. Other people achievements. You Your response should be geared toward the can have all of these things in life, but when you pass message that another person is conveying to away, what will be left? you. A conversation is defined as a message If you areThat famous or have aislot of wealth, your received. message processed, and an hometown might name a building or a street you appropriate response is issued. In a after world of texting, emails, and cell phones, we want when you have been gone for a while. Your college instant gratification. We want to say what we might dedicate a want our way, but this is not God’s way. God room or us wing wants toof be good listeners. He wants us ato building in your listen to others and to Him. Everyone has something to contribute in a conversation. honor. At the end Ecclesiastes 3:7 tells us that there is “A time to of the day, is that be silent and a time to speak” (NIV). all you want to be In the process of listening, we must guard remembered for? ourselves against anger. James mentions this It is verses above. Often we in the important for things in the hear about world or in church, and we us to consider get angry. what we willThis anger brings us to the brink of actions leave behind when we die. When you die, you will take that are contrary to God’s nothing with Money, fame, and possessions will purpose in you. the world. Inbeour premature all left here on earth. It will all eventually fade away. anger, we can or that will impact others? What can we leavesay behind do things that we later You can leave behind a good name. According to the regret. We should be Bible, greater worth than silver and gold! When quickthis to has listen to the we deal matter honestlythat withis other people and live a Christentire
presented people. Even more will grant favorby to other your family after you are gone.
so, we should be quick to listen to the voice and There is more Biblical evidence to support this! discernment of God so that we can properly Abraham a manman who obeyed God “If andyou left aare good respond.was A wise once said, always talking, will only name. In fact, he is then calledyou the father of therepeat faithful what (see you already know. But if you listen, you will Rom. 4:1-12, Gal. 3:29). Many times when the children have everything you currently know and learn of Israel were in trouble, God would have mercy on what someone else knows at the same time.” them because God recalled Abraham’s obedience (see 2 One time in particular when we want Kings 13:23). David was called a man to guard our words is when weafter are God’s in theown heart (see Acts 13:22).Solomon After David’s death, God did presence of God. wrote, “Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Go special acts in memory near to listen rather than toofoffer thededication sacrificeto David’s of fools, who do not know that they do wrong. (see 1 Kings 11:33Do not be quick with yourHim mouth, do not be 2 Chron. 21:7). hasty in your heart to utter34,anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on Whether weearth, so let your words be few” (Eccl. 5:1-2 NIV). discuss Abraham or Sometimes we are so busy talking that we miss David, these were God’s voice. We can miss His written Word humans who as well. made mistakes just In Job 34:3-4, Elihu said, “For the ear as you and I do. tests words as the tongue tastes food. However, they is still Let us discern for ourselves what let to usthe learn what is had a heartright; dedicated Lordtogether and were surrendered good” (NIV). Let’s listen, taste to Him. Long after you are gone, God can recall yourthe words given, and give a proper dedication to Him and act on behalf of your descendants response from God. Let’s listen to to watch over them. so we can listen to God and others, When you take the to deal honestly with be used oftime God.
like life, it will leave behind a spiritual heritage. A good
name for generations to come.
name allows your children and grandchildren to have
“What doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly,
favor and opportunities that might not exist otherwise.
and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?”
Because people trusted you during your lifetime, they
(Micah 6:8 KJV).
others, you are investing in people. This is a great act of service. It will live on behind you and leave a good
will be willing to trust the family that survives you.
52 2017 50 // // April March 2016
Kelly KellyMcDonald, McDonald,Jr. Jr.isisan anordained ordained evangelist evangelistwith withHungry HungryHearts Hearts Ministries. Ministries.He Hehas haswritten written15 15books books and andbooklets bookletson onChristian ChristianLiving. Living. www.hungryheartsministry.com www.hungryheartsministry.com
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Gò0dNews Christian Magazine
Gò0dNews for Everyone
A Memory Worth Keeping
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things” —Philippians 4:8 NIV.
by Dr. William Lamb
I
like doughnuts. That is an understatement. I LOVE
(as if they carried resurrection power). It was a long
DOUGHNUTS! That sounds about right. But not just
thirty days seeing my dad leave us, but the memory of
any doughnut—it must be the best. You know the
my dad did not die.
kind: glazed cruller, chocolate-glazed cruller, chocolate-
My kids are adults now, but any of them would
iced glazed, chocolate-iced with sprinkles, original
join me in eating our share (and maybe somebody
glazed, or chocolate-iced with kreme filling. If you
else’s share) of the original hot, glazed doughnuts.
know doughnuts, you know the kind I am speaking
Why? Because they too have memories of my dad and
of—Krispy Kreme! I know there are other doughnuts
memories of our family sitting around the conveyer belt
out there, but these are my favorites.
waiting for our own box of glazed goodness.
Maybe it is because they are the melt-in-your mouth type or maybe because I have eaten more of these than the competing brands. Perhaps it is because they are
Here are three simple ways to keep the good memories alive: 1. Talk about it. Traditionally in the Old Testament,
the favorite of my family. When I was a child, my dad
parents would talk to their children daily about the
would take us to Krispy Kreme in Macon, Georgia,
scriptures and law of God. Talk with your family and
twice a month. My favorite seat was next to the glass
friends about the good memories and keep them close
window where I could watch the conveyer belt of doughnuts
for sharing. 2. Cherish it. Memories
carry the piping hot circles of
belong to you. Nobody can take
perfectly fried dough beneath
them away and nobody can make
the sugarfalls (my word). I
you forget them. You control those
liked it best when the dozen
yourself. This is even true for bad
would be packed seconds after
memories. Take time today to think
the sugar bath, caramelizing the
through the good and the bad.
hot sugar on the hot dough. I bet
Focus on the good memories and
you can taste them now. I may or
not the bad.
may not have devoured a dozen of these doughnuts in one sitting. In 1994, my siblings and I said
3. Make it a tradition. I am not a fan of tradition for the sake of tradition, but at times, tradition
good-bye to our dad while we were
does help keep memories alive. So
standing by his hospital bed only a
the next time you have a memory
few miles from the Macon, Georgia,
worth keeping, turn it into an
Krispy Kreme. At one point during
activity worth repeating.
his lengthy journey from pain to heaven, I even said to my brother “Let’s go get Dad some hot, glazed doughnuts; that will wake him up”
54 // April 2017
Dr. William Lamb is a member of the administrative staff at Lee University (Cleveland, Tennessee) where he leads a “service-learning” program for college students. He is founder and host of Servecast, a bi-weekly podcast available on iTunes. He is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps. William and his wife Angela, along with their children Tyler and Megan, Nick, and Ben, reside in Cleveland, TN.
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Gò0dNews for Everyone
Seeking God’s Direction for Generation X If God be not praised, the rocks will cry out!
G
by Shane Franks
eneration X is what my generation is called—a
Before we took our positions as youth pastors, God
generation without an identity! Perhaps that
told me they would be called The Remnant, and that
is fitting! It’s a generation that has attempted
is who they are and what they are—a people set aside
in every way to erase the very thought of Jesus from the
for God’s high calling and higher purpose! It’s even
minds of students by reprimanding them for praying to
amazing to see how God is bringing some of us together
their Creator in school. This generation is without an
as leaders, who in the past, has had differences. Now
identity because its members’ identity has been lost due
God is forming such amazing bonds and relationships.
to their forgetfulness of who they are in God!
After all, that is who God is and what He does!
God has recently reassigned my wife Liz and me
If we as the body of Christ (community wise) could
to this cause! We were associate pastors at a small, rural
put aside our theological differences and break apart
church across the street from a state prison in Walker
our cliques in the church to whom God himself isn’t
County when it was prophesied to us that changes in
allowed to be a part of, then amazing things would
our ministry were on the horizon. I never guessed that
begin to happen and years of old bondages would be
it would mean being presented five days later with the
decimated before our very eyes! It is imperative that
position of being youth ministers at a Spanish church to
this happens now! We need a move from God, and the
whom my in-laws pastor! They knew we were already
world needs God more than ever! If these kids from
about God’s business, but they said that God would not
Fuente De Vida (Fountain of Life) can find that hunger
lift it off their hearts!
for God and seek His face and not only His hand, then
After praying about it for some time, my father-in-
we in the adult world who are supposed to be the ones
law finally asked us in front of the whole church one
teaching them have no more excuses! So let us open
morning what our answer was! And we have been there
ourselves before an almighty God who already knows
ever since! But God has been moving! There is something
us inside and out and ask for His direction. God, what
powerful about aligning our desires to His will! When
will you have me do? Make yourself available, and He
our priorities become His vision, things begin to happen!
will put you to work!
I have never seen a youth group so hungry for God and willing to lay it all down for God’s glory!
56 // April 2017
Shane Franks and his wife Liz are youth pastors at Funte De Vida in Dalton Ga. Before God called them to youth ministry they were associate pastors at Battlefield of Life in Rock Spring. Shane has been a Community Living Support Specialist for 9 years working with special needs.
Gò0dNews for Everyone
The Plasma of the Cross
J
The shed blood of Jesus Christ is a symbol of his violent substitutionary death for the forgiveness of sins. by Kenneth E. Ware
esus Christ shed His blood and sacrificed His body to save sinful mankind. Those who have trusted in Christ have been set free from the penalty of sin and hell. Had it not been for Him who died in our stead, we would all perish in our sins. The plasma of the cross reveals to us the transcendent power of the blood of Jesus Christ. 1. The Blood of Cattle (Hebrews 9:11-13) Heaven is a greater more perfect tabernacle (v. 11). The earthly tabernacle was temporal, The heavenly tabernacle is eternal. The earthly tabernacle was the prototype of the heavenly tabernacle. The earthly tabernacle had furniture but no chair. The heavenly tabernacle has a chair, a throne on which the Lord sits. The Scripture says, “But He, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, sat down at the right hand of God” (Heb.10:12 NASB). Animals were sacrificed for the forgiveness of sins (vv. 12, 13). In the Old Testament, goats, calves, and bulls were sacrificed for the high priest as a sin offering. Other animals were sacrificed daily and yearly for the forgiveness of mankind’s sins. Jesus, the Lamb of God, offered Himself without blemish to God once for all (see Heb. 9:12-13). 2. The Blood of Christ (Hebrews 9:14) Jesus is a better high priest. As a high priest of a better covenant, there are several things He has done and is doing for the saints of God. First of all, He has offered Himself as a lamb for all sin. Secondly, He sat
58 // April 2017
down next to God the Father, (which is something earthly high priests could never do, for there was no chair in the Tabernacle to sit upon). Finally, He intercedes for the saints (see Rom. 8:24; Heb. 7:25). Thus, Jesus is a better high priest. The blood of Jesus Christ cleanses man from all sin. Neither good works nor religion can cleanse a man’s sinful nature. Only the blood of Jesus has the power to wash away sin. It is the blood that . . . • Saves—“But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ” (Eph. 2:13 NASB). • Cleanses—“But if we walk in the light as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His son cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:7 NASB). • Justifies—“Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him” (Rom. 5:9 NASB). Friend, by grace though faith, let Jesus Christ become your Lord and Savior now by trusting in the plasma of the cross for the forgiveness of your sins.
Kenneth E. Ware, M.Div., Hamilton County Baptist Association, is a graduate of Temple Baptist Seminary. He served as senior pastor of New Sholar Avenue Baptist Church in Chattanooga, Tennessee, for more than fifteen years and professor of theology at Grace Bible Institute in Chattanooga, Tennessee, for more than five years. Contact: anewcreature@gmail.com or call 423-463-8992.
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