Gò0dNews July 2022
Complimentary
Christian Magazine
®
CLEVELAND
About Us WRITERS
Andrew Lee Brenda Dedmon Brent Goodge Carl W. Corser Cheryl L. Dunson Chris Mullis Christopher Schelich Chuck Cleveland David Huff Dorothy Teague Dr. J. Adam Lowe Jodi Varnado Jonathon Wright Larry D. Hawkins Leah Hadder Linda Ray Center Monica Gambrell Paula Burgner Rhonda Beavers Sandra Gilmore Sue Lavigne
SALES
Bud Kinches 423-650-2801 Email: bud.goodnews@gmail.com
DESIGN
Caleb Prytherch Email: art.goodnews@gmail.com
PHOTOGRAPHER Paula Knipp 423-310-4207
Hello Friends, We want to take a moment to tell you who we are and what we are about. Our names are Matt and Bethany Ruckman and we have six beautiful children, Brendon, Kailey, Andrew, Leah Jean, Emma, and Cooper. We live in Cleveland, Tennessee, and love what this town has to offer! We have started GoodNews Christian Magazine because we feel that when God, family, and community are combined, lives will be changed. GoodNews Christian Magazine is a complimentary, Christian lifestyle publication. You can find us throughout the community in retail establishments,
churches, restaurants, and more. Our magazine opens
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EDITOR/ARTICLE COORDINATOR
the door for Christians to work together to grow and and effective advertising. GoodNews Christian Magazine is written by men and
Jodi Varnado Email: articles.goodnews@gmail.com
women in the community who love and serve the Lord.
PUBLISHER
Our hearts are open and willing to be used by God to
Matthew and Bethany Ruckman Cell: 423-503-1410 Email: goodnewstn@gmail.com
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reach out to the community to spread the GoodNews!
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 J U LY 2 0 2 2
GoodNews from the Pastor’s Desk
6 A Message for Graduates— and Everyone by Chris Mullis
GoodNews for Kids
8 J-U-L-Y = Family Fun by Brenda Dedmon
GoodNews Money Matters
10 Keeping it Real by Andrew Lee
GoodNews for Men
12 The True Measure of a Man by Dr. J. Adam Lowe
GoodNews for Women
14 Choices
by Linda Ray Center
GoodNews for Couples
18 The Red Carpet in Marriage by Carl W. Corser
GoodNews for Everyone
20 Blessing in The Blocking by Leah Hadder
GoodNews for Life
22 Following Doctor’s Orders by Cheryl L. Dunson
GoodNews for Parents
24 Where Your Treasure Is by Rhonda Beavers
GoodNews for Everyone
26 What Matters Most by Chuck Cleveland
GoodNews Cover Story
28 Garden Plaza GoodNews for Everyone
30 Roots and Fruits
by Dorothy Teague
GoodNews for Everyone
32 Let’s Wash Some Feet by Sue Lavigne
GoodNews for Everyone
34 Understanding The Assignment
by Sandra Gilmore GoodNews Campaign Trail
36 Rex Wagner for District 24 GoodNews for Everyone
38 Enoch: The First Old
8
Testament Prophet
by Jonathon Wright GoodNews for Everyone
40 The Potter’s Hands by David Huff
GoodNews for your Taste Buds
42 Creamy Strawberry Milkshake
by Jodi Varnado GoodNews for Everyone
44 What Do We Have Here? by Monica Gambrell
28
GoodNews for Everyone
46 Experiencing God’s Favor by Paula Burgner
GoodNews Poetry
50 The Flag of America by Larry D. Hawkins
GoodNews for Everyone
52 When Obedience Means Death
by Brent Goodge GoodNews for Everyone
54 Belonging With Boldness:
Biblical Community Building
by Christopher Schelich
54
Gò0dNews from the Pastor’s Desk A Message for Graduates—and Everyone y words today are for graduates, but they are really for all of us. We all need to remember what it is to be young and charting the direction of our lives. We also need, at times, to recalibrate our lives to get back on the path of righteousness. Don’t Be a Fool: Luke 12:13-21 The best advice I can give to graduates, to anyone really, is to have a rich relationship with God. So, here’s an important word for you—you’re not doing this all by yourself. Even when you think you are all on your own, your parents, family, and church are still pulling for you. And even if no one else is there, God is surely with you. Don’t be a fool like the man in Jesus’ parable. He was a fool because he was greedy and selfish. Instead of turning to help others who may not have been so fortunate, he thought only of himself and how he could enjoy pleasure in this world. He planned to take it easy saying, “My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come” but didn’t realize he was about to die and lose it all. None of us know how many days we have, and when this life is over, the things of this world will belong to others. Therefore, we should think of others instead of clinging to what we have. We should value our relationship with God above any worldly goods because they are only temporary. Be Generous Proverbs 11:25 says, “The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.” Always remember God is taking care of you, and therefore, you can be a generous person who does what God calls you to do. I’d like to challenge you today to tithe. Tithing helps you remember life isn’t all about you. It helps you guard against greed. It’s also something to help you practice your faith in God’s providence—that He is going to take care of you. Tithing is an exercise of faith that strengthens your trust in God, helping you build a rich relationship with Him while building His Kingdom. The tithe is a win, win, win—a win for the Church, a win for God’s Kingdom, and a win for your spiritual life.
6 // July 2022
Trust God If ever there is a time in life when people need God’s guidance, grace, and help, it is those young adult years. Sadly, these are also the years when most people drift away from church. I know it can be difficult to stay connected in that time of life, but it is so worth it and so needed. I challenge graduates to not drift away but to delve into their relationship with God through the church. Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take.”
Recalibration We all drift off course from time to time. It may not even be by much, but over time a little drift can make you miss the target by a lot. So, it is good for us to stop every now and then and think about it, and commit to do the things we need to do to get back on the right path. What do you need to do today to get back on the right path? Or if you are just starting out, what do you need to do to help you become the person you need to be? I invite you to pray to God about it and ask Him for help. And if you’ve never done it before, I invite you today to accept Jesus’ invitation to come follow Him. About The Author
M
by Chris Mullis
Rev. Chris Mullis is an ordained minister of the United Methodist Church with a Masters of Divinity from Candler School of Theology at Emory University. Pastor Chris’s ministry has spanned twenty years and four different churches in Georgia. Chris is currently serving God as the senior pastor of Pleasant Grove Methodist Church located at 2701 Cleveland Hwy in Dalton, GA.
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Gò0dNews for Kids
J-U-L-Y = Family Fun
S
by Brenda Dedmon
ummer is a wonderful time to spend time with your family. Talk with your parents about doing special fun activities for family fun. The Bible verse Proverbs
17:22 reminds us that being happy is like good medicine. “A cheerful heart is a good medicine.” So, having fun is better than taking medicine, right? Ask your parents to help you plan a few or even all of the following activities for a funfilled July. Remember to take pictures of the fun adventures. • Jubilant Plan a Jubilant July 4! Wear your favorite red/white/blue shirts. Decorate bikes, wagons, or strollers with red/white/ blue streamers and take a walk in your neighborhood. Use red/white/blue chalk and have everyone in the family create sidewalk drawings. Leave a sidewalk message for your mail carrier and put a snack in the mailbox for the next day. Purchase small paper flags and have a “Find the Flag” hunt. Hide the flags in your yard like eggs for easter and have simple fun prizes after the hunt. You may choose to invite your neighbors to celebrate with you. • Unity Discuss with your family how to be a helper in your choose to include are: donate children’s books to a shelter for women/children, volunteer at an animal shelter and play with the animals or read to the animals, purchase and take food to a community food bank, make cards and visit a senior living center. • Letter Scavenger Hunt Provide each family member with a small notebook with their name handprinted on the first page. Then choose a week and have each family member find things that begin with the first letter of their names: objects, foods, animals, and nature items, and write it down in their notebook. Remind everyone while in the car going to all the activities like swimming lessons, ball games or just running errands to be on the outlook for things that begin with the first letter of their name. A bonus would be if you could take pictures of the items. At the end of the week,
8 // July 2022
have a family dinner and share the items that each person found and where they saw the item. • Yummy A family picnic at the park, beach or even your own backyard is a wonderful time for family fun. You may choose to pack a picnic with favorite foods/beverages for each family member or pick up a to-go order from a familyfavorite restaurant. Pack in travel games, a frisbee, and a ball, and do not forget to take pictures of your family fun time! At the end of the month, make a memory book or a memory poster of your fun times using the pictures of your adventures. Write descriptions for each picture and invite your family to record their own statements of the adventures. Your memories of 2022 will be fun to remember in the future.
About The Author
community to promote unity for everyone. Things you may
Written by Rev. Brenda Dedmon, retired Director of Children’s Learning Center, First Baptist Dalton, and an avid Bama fan.
Keeping it Real 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
had a relative (now deceased), an elderly lady who leased
period (April 2007-April 2022). In April 2022, the “typical”
a shiny new Jaguar and parked it in front of her mobile
U.S. home was valued at $344,000—a cumulative increase
home every day. This struck many of us as a rather odd
of 58% from April 2007’s home value of $218,000. This
financial decision (to put it mildly) since her lease payments
increase may look quite attractive, until we break it down
on the Jaguar were far and away her biggest monthly
into an annual rate of return which is roughly 3% per
expense. When someone (not me) had the temerity to ask
year—just enough to keep up with inflation. Compare that
her why she was leasing a new luxury car on her modest
to a diversified global stock market index during this same
income, she told us she hoped to attract a man and one day
fifteen-year period, which increased by a cumulative 139%.
get remarried. We studied her face closely, but she was not
So, while that house increased from $218,000 to $344,000
kidding. Her plan never did pan out, and personally I think
over the past fifteen years, a global stock market index fund
that’s just as well; any man who was with her solely because
would have turned $218,000 into roughly $600,000.
he believed her to be wealthy based on her leased Jaguar is probably not a man worth having for the long term. How often do we know people (maybe ourselves
This is a good reminder of the term “recency bias”—the tendency to believe that just because things are currently or recently one way, they will continue to trend in that same
included) who make financial decisions based on faulty
direction. Housing prices have been climbing since the
narratives or erroneous beliefs? Sometimes, we may
pandemic began eighteen months ago, so we tend to think
wrongly believe that national or global trends accurately
they will continue to climb at a rapid pace. Conversely, the
reflect our own life situation, and vice versa. An article
stock market so far this year has been trending downward,
published this week, based on a study commissioned by The
and we are now in what is known as a “market correction”
Wall Street Journal, revealed that housing prices in 477 U.S.
(decline of 10%-20%). We may or may not be headed for
markets still have not recovered from the 2007-2008 mortgage
a true “bear market” (stock market decline of 20% or
meltdown. In other words, the prices of homes in these
more). As a result of these recent developments, we may
477 markets across the country are lower today than they
be tempted to believe that housing prices have outpaced
were fifteen years ago—a stark reminder that “real estate
the stock market over the past fifteen years, but as the
is local” and varies widely among geographical locations.
numbers above demonstrate, this has not generally been
In Chicago, for example, the typical home price of $314,000
the case. Rather than fretting about whether you should
in 2007 is now $315,000, an increase of merely $1,000 after
own real estate or stock index funds, why not own both?
fifteen years.
Invest regularly and in a disciplined manner, and then relax.
My favorite podcast, “Talking Real Money,” recently
God’s got this! “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything
compared the return on investment between homeowners
by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your
and stock market investors during this same fifteen-year
requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6).
10 // July 2022
Gò0dNews for Men
The True Measure of a Man by Dr. J. Adam Lowe
I
have been blessed with many amazing male mentors and
My grandfather knew this truth and taught it by
figures in my life. Though very different, I have absorbed
example. He knew that his job was to protect others. He
lessons from all of them. To be a student of life is to listen
protected me and that is why I felt safe. I had no doubt he
to those who know better or best. My grandfather was one
could crush anyone who crossed him, but his strength was
such influence. To this day, I hear his voice in very specific
coupled with self-control and compassion. An old adage
moments. His words ring in my head as if he was there
comes to mind: “When daddy stands guard at the mouth of
coaching me in the moment.
the cave, everyone sleeps soundly.”
When I think of the man he was and things about him I want to emulate, I think of his strength. He was a strong
This is the comfort we find in our Creator. He is allpowerful and mighty. He is the Lord of the Earth, yet He
man, not body-builder strong, but “hardened by work” strong. He served in the Army in World War II and spent most of his career as a janitor. As a child, I remember watching him do yardwork or housework. I remember how rough and beaten his hands were and how it seemed like he could muscle through any task. I wanted to grow to be as strong as my grandfather one day. I wanted to be him. My grandfather was also kind. His love was simple. You love God, you love family, and you love others. I witnessed his heart for helping and his inclusive tone, but it left me conflicted. How could a man so strong seem so…soft? Though his hands were rough, I still
describes His love in greater capacity than His strength. We
wanted to crawl into his lap. I was never afraid of him, but
find peace with Him. We find refuge with Him. We find rest
rather, I was drawn to him.
with Him.
What I was coming to realize was that strength
I hope to be as strong as my grandfather and create the
shouldn’t generate fear. Rather, it should generate comfort
same atmosphere of safety. I hope my sons see that image of
and a sense of safety. For many men, masculinity is
God in me. This is the lesson I want them to know, for it is
projecting strength, but what many of those men fail to
the truest measure of a man.
recognize is that true strength is not based in intimidation. domestic violence never learned. It is the lesson some fathers never teach.
12 // July 2022
About The Author
It is based in security. It is the lesson perpetrators of
Dr. J. Adam Lowe is a professor of public policy with Liberty University and an author. His book Naked True: Uncovering Truth in a #FakeWorld can be purchased where books are sold. He resides in Calhoun, TN, with his wife and four children.
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Gò0dNews for Women
Choices
M
by Linda Ray Center
ary and Martha teach us a great lesson
relationship between two people. Our differences are
in Luke 10:38-42 about what is good and
just as God intended. Martha probably thought that
best. Even though the sisters were very
Mary was squandering her time by sitting at Jesus’
different, they complimented each other regarding
feet in my understanding of the sisters’ story. At the
work and worship. The Bible tells us that Mary
same time, Martha worked herself ragged waiting on
spent time sitting at Jesus’ feet to learn from Him.
everyone and seeing to the hospitality duties.
She seems not to have any struggles and portrays a sense of calm throughout her day. Jesus also praised Mary for her decision and called it the better choice. Martha’s invitation to open her home to serve the Lord and guests was a good intention, but her priorities were off worrying about doing, solving problems, and being in charge. Martha had the gift of hospitality and service, while Mary had a hunger to listen and learn. We have two personalities
Their story is an excellent reminder to me to let
here that are valuable and full of purpose to serve
some housework go on occasion so that I can spend
God and others.
more time with the Lord. After all, He created us to
Jesus never condemned Martha for her busy
have a personal relationship with Him. The Lord deals
actions. Instead, He gave her four essential words,
with each of us to balance choosing more worship
“One thing is needed.” In other words, slow down
(the best thing) and prioritizing our workloads (the
and put God first. Likewise, the pressure of doing falls
needed and good thing). That is how we can find the
off our shoulders and makes us mindful of depending
correct balance between good and best choices. How is
on Jesus. When we give Jesus our attention, He
the Lord dealing with you to find the correct balance
empowers us to serve others peacefully and with joy
between good and best choices?
Even though this tale is about two sisters, it could easily have been about two brothers or any other
14 // July 2022
About The Author
instead of becoming anxious and troubled. Linda Ray Center writes about everyday life with God, others, and self, as an author, freelance writer, and blogger at www.lindaraycenter.com. She resides in charming Chattanooga and will showcase her grandchildren’s pictures at any given moment.
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Cleveland Church Directory Apostolic
First Apostolic Church Of Cleveland 4859 Freewill Rd NW, Cleveland, TN 37312 (229) 343-6880
Assembly of God
Grace Assembly 1976 Westland Dr SW, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 472-7729 The Collectives Church 3925 N. Ocoee Street, Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 641-0193 Triune Assembly 301 Sunset Drive Cleveland, TN 37312
Baptist
Beacon Baptist Church 505 Corvin Rd NE, Cleveland, TN 37323 (423) 472-7056 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 Berean Baptist Church 2355 Bucks Pocket Rd SE, Old Fort, TN 37362 (423) 478-1697 Big Spring Baptist Church 1415 Hardwick St SE, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 472-1101 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 Cedar Springs Baptist Church 723 Cedar Springs Church Rd SE, Cleveland, TN 37323 (423) 479-5506 Center Point Baptist Church 1205 Lower River Rd NW Charleston, TN 37310 (423) 336-2133 Cleveland Cowboy Church 3040 Blythe Rd. Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 476-7936 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 Church At Grace Point 2595 Old Freewill Rd NW, Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 728-5050 Covenant Baptist Church 249 Calhoun Rd SE, Cleveland, TN 37323 (423) 559-2653
16 // July 2022
Dalton Pike Baptist Church 3055 Benton Pike NE, Cleveland, TN 37323 (423) 472-7606 East Cleveland Baptist Church 1145 Arnold St NE, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 472-8728 Echos of Mercy Baptist Church 535 Durkee Rd SE, Cleveland, TN 37323 (423) 715-9739 Elkmont Baptist Church 4030 Old Freewill Rd NW, Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 479-4600 Emmanuel Baptist Church 1227 Powerline Dr NE, Cleveland, TN 37323 Farmland Community Church 1675 Greendale Dr. SE Cleveland, TN 37323 (423) 473-9891 First Baptist Church 1275 Stuart Road Cleveland, Tennessee 37312 (423) 709-9100 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 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 New Salem Baptist Church 175 Ladd Springs Rd, Cleveland, TN 37323 North Cleveland Baptist Church 2815 Ocoee St N, Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 476-8524 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 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 Public Church 850 17th St. NW Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 458-4405 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 Shiloh Baptist Church 357 Highway 64 Ocoee, TN 37361 (423) 338-4292 Shiloh Baptist Church 3406 Blair Rd NW, Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 479-5755 Stuart Park Baptist Church 850 17th St NW, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 472-6741 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 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 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 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 695 S Ocoee St, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 476-2642
Church of God
Community Chapel Church of God 807 Blythe Ave SE Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 479-2143 Cornerstone Church of God 1826 SE Dalton Pike Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 478-0006 Church of God Sanctified, Inc. 746 First Street N.E. Cleveland, TN. 37311 (423) 479-3895 East Cleveland Church of God 900 15th St NE Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 479-3389 Fellowship of Praise Church of God 931 Inman Street East Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 479-3121 Grace Community Church of God 4745 Mouse Creek Road NW, Cleveland, TN 37312. (423) 614-0708 Heritage Fellowship Church of God 4635 South Lee Hwy McDonald, TN 37353 (423) 476-6316 International Worship Center Centro Internacional de Adoración 533 Central Ave. NE, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 476-1977 Kinser Church of God 141 Kinser Road Cleveland, TN 37323 (423) 476-7400 Lakeview Church of God 105 Pound Street SE Cleveland, TN 37323 (423)-790-5805 North Cleveland Church of God 335 11th St NE, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 476-5513 Michigan Avenue Church of God 515 Minnis Road NE (423) 284-7573 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 (706) 455-3528 Pine Hill Church of God 1484 Old Alabama Rd McDonald, TN 37353 (423) 488-0939 South Cleveland Church of God 1846 Volunteer Dr SW, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 476-6382 Westmore Church of God 2440 Legacy Pkwy NW Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 479-3415
Church of God of Prophecy
Cleveland Spanish COGOP 2610 Grove Ave. Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 473-7199 Durkee Road COGOP 201 Durkee Rd. Cleveland, TN 37312 (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, TN 37311 (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
The Church of God
The Church of God Jerusalem Acres 1826 Dalton Pike SE Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 472-1597
Community
Fellowship in Christ 1025 Beech Circle NW Cleveland TN 37312 (423) 314-2382
Disciples of Christ
First Christian Church 3625 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 Mount Zion UMC 7223 Germantown Rd NW Cleveland, TN 37312 Pleasant Grove UMC 3043 Pleasant Grove Church Rd SW Cleveland, TN 37311 Red Hill United Methodist Church 527 Red Hill Valley Road SE Cleveland, TN 37323 (423) 728-5413 South 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 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 423-472-7371 New Hope Church of the Nazarene 4514 Waterlevel Highway Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 473-3379
Non-Denominational
Benton Pike House Of Prayer 2615 Peach Orchard Hill Rd, Cleveland, TN 37323 Christian Fellowship Ctr 895 6th St NE,
Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 479-9591 Church Alive Ministries 6315 Mouse Creek Road NW, Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 476-8133 Cleveland Community Chapel 1823 Forest Ridge Dr. Cleveland, TN 37311 Cleveland Cornerstone Church 533 Broad St NW, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 479-1775 Community Hall Church 1305 6th Street Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 472-2178 Crossroads Community Church 1000 South Lee Highway Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 716-2871 Dwelling Place Church International 523 Urbane Road NE Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 790-5200 Evening Light Gospel 200 20th St SE Cleveland, TN 37311 Fairhaven Ministry Center 1807 Blythe Ave. SE, Cleveland TN, 37311 Freedom Fellowship Church 3555 Blue Springs Rd, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 478-0654 God’s Family Fellowship 2823 South Lee Hwy Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 458-4490 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 The Journey Church 3191 South Lee Hwy, McDonald, TN 37353 (423) 728-4100 Living By Faith Ministries 1175 King Edward Avenue Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 457-9072 Living Word Church 930 25th Street NW Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 339-3028 New Life Bible Church 155 S Ocoee St, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 472-3882 Restoration Fellowship 211 Trewhitt Dr SE, Cleveland, TN 37323 (423) 479-4249 Shema Israel Ministry 850 Elrod St SE Cleveland, TN 37311 423-994-8553 The Sanctuary 1203 Smith Dr. Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 478-2843 Tasso Christian Church 1135 Tasso Lane, Cleveland, TN 37312 (423) 479-2705 The TRIBE 1175 King Edward Avenue SE
Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 380-8802 Tri-State Cowboy Church 200 Natures Trail SW, McDonald, TN 37353 (Building 3) (423) 303-8954 United Christian Church 2200 Peerless Rd NW, Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 479-4277 Unity Christian Ministries 2419 Georgetown Rd NW Cleveland, TN 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 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
Bowman Hills Adventist 300 Westview Dr NE Cleveland, TN 37312 Cleveland Fellowship Church 211 Trewhitt Drive Cleveland, TN 37323 (423) 400-7054 East Cleveland Seventh-Day 801 Howard Circle SE Cleveland, TN 37311 (423) 476-9299 Ladd Springs Seventh-Day 5860 Bates Pike SE Cleveland, TN 37323 (423) 476-1889
Zion Assembly
Zion Assembly Church of God 5512 Waterlevel Hwy, Cleveland, TN 37323 (423) 476-3337
List/Update Your Church Listing (423) 478-6484
goodnewscm.com // 17
Gò0dNews for Couples
The Red Carpet in Marriage
H
by Carl W. Corser
ow does a marriage begin? When is its seed
medicine for keeping your marriage healthy. Children will
planted? Ah, isn’t dating a pleasure before
come and too soon be gone, but the number of times we
marriage? Why is dating your future spouse a
retrieve the red carpet will certainly provide for a long-
pleasure? Could it have something to do with the red
lasting marriage. Even through the child-rearing years,
carpet? When the dating has begun, men roll out the red
the red carpet should not be forgotten and left in storage.
carpet. We dress up and put our best foot forward in our
It is understood that life changes as we age, but there’s no
manners, cologne, clean and shining automobile, and gifts
acceptable reason or time to leave the roll of red carpet in
for the one we are beginning a courtship with. We look at
the closet.
her and admire her. We put her first in all of our thoughts
Men, if we are faithful to roll out the red carpet for our
and intentions. We lavish our liking and love on her in as
sweethearts the entire length of our marriage, she will love
many ways as possible. We do everything we can to make
you for life. Now ladies, you may think that you are off
sure we win her heart.
the hook for this article, but not too fast, for you have the
Then comes the biggest red-carpet-moment, as we
responsibility to honor our effects—even though our red
humbly ask for her hand in marriage. As she puts out her
carpet roll out may not always be very impressive. If you
hand for us to carefully slide that gorgeous ring onto her
give honor where it is due, it will encourage your husband
finger—red carpet, yes indeed. Then we roll it out again for
to do it again and stive to do a better roll-out next time.
her to walk on as she strolls down the aisle on that beautiful
There’s the old philosophy of, “He buttered her up and she
day of the wedding. The red carpet of marriage. It’s truly a wonderful thing. The memories are quite pleasant as we think of them. Well, now that the red carpet
egged him on.” How about the back and forth? Men, do not ever forget where the red carpet is stored. Visit that closet often and your marriage and you will reap the
was rolled up after the beautiful
wonderful benefits. Ladies, do not cease to
wedding festivities, where was
egg on your husband when he’s rolling
it stored? How long has it been stored since the last roll-out? What
out the red carpet for you. You too will reap wonderful benefits in your
happened to the intensity of the
marriage. The red carpet in marriage
courtship? Has the red carpet
is a wonderful thing. If yours has
been forgotten?
been stored too long, go find
Yes, the honeymoon will
it, dust it off, and roll it out.
indeed end. It is true that the
You will be rewarded well.
courtship will change. Going
Blessings to all who have
to the storage place and
read this article in rolling
retrieving the red carpet
out your red carpet once
once in a while is good
About The Author
18 // July 2022
again in your marriage.
Carl Corser is an ordained bishop, business owner, farmer, and is the author of the devotion website, www. sundaymorningdevotion.wordpress.com/living.
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Gò0dNews for Everyone
Blessing in The Blocking
N
by Leah Hadder
ever did I think God would speak to me through a
cars could enter or leave. As I turned my body forward, making
garbage truck. I was shocked and disgusted, holding
the trek to the lobby for checkout, I decided to re-visit that thought.
my suitcase in one hand as my plastic-wrapped clothes
With the truck being parked as the trash was loaded no other cars
slipped through my grasp in the other. The sun was scorching
could enter or leave, as in, another car couldn’t pull up beside mine
across the pavement. I was tired, ready to leave, and as some say,
due to the occupied space. There was a chance I could check-in and
“running out of steam.”
out before I was “trapped!” If I hurried to the lobby, I could race
My car was wedged in between two vehicles. The town I was visiting for a work conference overflowed with tourists. In the midst of abundance, there lacked parking spaces. Ironically, it was just as tough exiting as entering. I stood feeling defeated and
out the door and hop into the driver’s side to back out when the truck finished loading. Pacing my steps and controlling my winded breathing, I heard God softly speak to my spirit, “Don’t you know I’ll take care of you in the small things?” For years I’ve heard preachers talk about watching for messages and signs in the practical—birds flying, random calls, seeing shapes in clouds, hearing a passed loved one’s voice, reading a favorite scripture in multiple places across town…the list continues. I have witnessed several instances when I knew God was speaking to me. I just needed to pay attention. Be careful to look at the blessing in the blocking. You never know what He’s doing on the other side. I saw the truck as a huge distraction, but it was serving as divine intervention. I loved hearing the phrase “God never sleeps” when I was little, as mind-blowing as it is, because who can really comprehend it? It was time I was reminded. Today, allow yourself to reflect on Psalm 121:4, ESV, “Behold, he
hopeless, looking at the lifesize puzzle piece within the scenario. It was imperative I get to the event early, and with the car issue, my anxiety steadily began to surface. All it would take was for another car to park near me, and
who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.” He wasn’t sleeping when I needed to leave the hotel. He was consistently watching over His child, and He is watching over you too! Consider your hindrance as a helper, your rejection as
I would be stuck hours from home and on the way to writing
redirection, and your setback as a setup. He was there for me, and
a “Sorry, I couldn’t make it, boss” email. It was a goal to avoid
He is here for you now. And yes, I did make it to the event on time.
writing one at any cost, but it seemed like I was mentally clicking on the new message folder and paying the fee! I thought I was going to run the day instead of it running me. I thought I would defeat the doubts and obliterate the obstacles. Instead, I stoically stood drained and over it. You might as well have swirled the sarcasm and added the cherry on top. I was D.O.N.E.
Actually, I was of the first there. Because of the truck visit and the time I had left, I easily geared my car into reverse, turned the wheel, and merrily rolled out of the lot—gleefully and graciously. Decide in the doubt to believe He will straighten the crooked paths (Isaiah 45:2). Breathe, trust, and relax. Better yet, pray for a truck!
humongous and headed, as you guessed it, straight for my side of the lot. Not only was I worried I wouldn’t make it out on time, I knew that with the truck taking up the vicinity of the lot, no other
20 // July 2022
About The Author
To make matters worse, along came a garbage truck. It was Leah Hadder is a former internationally recognized pageant queen. Now retired from competition, she shares the Good News as a speaker, writer, and content creator for Pastor Paula White Cain’s Life Network for Women. She is a member of Living Word Church in Cleveland, TN. Contact Leah at www.leahhadder.org.
Gò0dNews for Life
Following Doctor’s Orders
A
by Cheryl L. Dunson
careless accident, which led to a life-threatening
much time contemplating the stupidity of my decision to
situation, made me realize how not following a
ignore the doctor’s order. I also had time to reflect on how
doctor’s orders can have the same repercussions as
ignoring God’s will for our lives can lead to tragic results.
not following God’s will for our lives. They can both result
The nurse might have gotten more of my attention
in unsolicited reproach, unnecessary complications, and
if she’d said, “Stay off your foot or you can develop a
unforeseen consequences in our lives.
blood clot.” But, since she was the medical professional,
After running into the house from a rain storm, I
I should’ve heeded her original advice without question.
tripped over a rug. I thought I’d twisted my ankle, but I
Similarly, when we ignore or question God’s direction for
went to the hospital the next morning to be safe rather than
our lives, we’re abandoning our faith in Him and trusting on
sorry. I thought an x-ray would be prudent and rule out a
our own understanding, which is usually never fruitful.
broken bone. Obviously, Dr. Dunson (who has no medical
According to the New International Version Life
training or expertise) was wrong. I learned I’d fractured
Application Bible, persistence is good, but stubbornness is
my ankle.
usually self-centered. Likewise, stubbornness towards God
As the nurse in the emergency room was putting a splint on my leg—and giving me instructions to rest and stay off my feet—I refused the prescription for pain medicine and decided to suck it up. I returned to
is always disobedience. We’re told to avoid disobedience because the consequences may spill onto others or create greater problems (Ex. 8:15). We can choose to be close to God or to go
work the next day and hobbled around. Within a
our own way, but there are consequences
few days, my entire body ached, and a few days
resulting from our choices. Samson didn’t
later, I realized something was terribly wrong
choose to be captured, but he chose to be
with my chest.
with Delilah. Sadly, he couldn’t escape the
A return visit to the emergency room revealed
consequences of his decision (Judges 16:21).
a blood clot in my lung, which I never imagined
Finally, many of the plans we set in
could be the direct result of walking on a broken
motion cannot be reversed. It’s best to think
foot or leg. Instead of a few days off work, I
of the potential consequences before we
was hospitalized and then ordered to two weeks of bed rest. While the outpouring of love and concern from
launch into action we may later regret (Matthew 27:3-4). When I finally returned to work and my boss asked me how I was feeling, I
my friends and church
simply replied, “Not listening
family was emotionally
to the doctor is like not
overwhelming but
listening to God.”
appreciated, I spent
22 // July 2022
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Gò0dNews for Parents
Where Your Treasure Is
I
by Rhonda Beavers
’ve always been amazed by the way that squirrels
conversations with them, pieces of advice they have
bury, presumably, hundreds if not thousands of
given me, and little private jokes between the three
nuts every fall only to rediscover them the next
of us. When I think of something for the first time, it
spring. Some force of a natural tracking system
makes me smile. Each memory is like a shining jewel.
directs them to each little buried treasure which,
Some are tiny rhinestones, and some are as big and
when retrieved, leaves a perfect little round divot
special as the Hope Diamond, and I treasure them all.
where it rested. My parents both had remarkable memories. They could recall events from their childhoods many decades past as if they had happened yesterday. When I had the great joy of becoming their chauffeur about town in their last few years, I was rewarded by being a witness to their thought processes. We would be riding along in silence when one or both of them would spot a funny or possibly even heart moving scene. They would point out the scene to the other passengers, comments from one or all would be entertained, and one of them would begin reminiscing about something similar
When I am in need of advice about this crazy ride
from their past. About my mother’s long walk home
we call life, I often, either voluntarily or involuntarily,
after her school bus broke down miles from home.
go back to my conversations with them looking
About how my father learned how Kennedy had been
for answers. It is a comfort when I find one. “For
killed while he was sitting at the top of a telephone
where your treasure is, there will be your heart also”
pole working as a lineman. About how they went by
(Matthew 6:21). It is also a comfort when a Bible verse
themselves to be married by my mother’s uncle and
comes to mind when I need advice from my Heavenly
about how my dad carved their initials into a nearby
Father. We are instructed to hide the Word in our
tree. I wish I could find that tree, how I wish I could.
hearts. “Thy Word I have hid in mine heart, that I
One of the hardest things about losing them was when I wanted to ask a question, and there was no
might not sin against Thee” (Psalms 119:11). Talk to your father and mother. Listen to their
one to go to. The encyclopedia of their lives was
stories, their memories, and their advice. Hide it in
closed forever, and there is no other copy in the
your memory. Read your Heavenly Father’s Word and
world. I constantly mine the fields of my mind for
hide it in your heart.
24 // July 2022
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Gò0dNews for Everyone
What Matters Most et me begin with a brief story told by my friend Steve Brown, the teacher on the Key Life radio program. I have his permission to share it, and it goes like this: Did you hear about the little girl who was late getting home one evening? Her mother asked her why and she said, “I stopped to help Susie.” Her mother replied, “What happened?” “Well, Susie hurt her doll—the head was broken off.” “Oh, you helped Susie fix the doll.” The little girl answered, “Oh no, we couldn’t fix the doll. I stopped to help Susie cry.” Intrigued by Steve’s story, I began to ask people, “When someone (preferably not your spouse or a parent) was a special friend to you, what exactly did that person do on your behalf? By the way, how would you answer that question? I’ve spoken to 25 to 30 people over the last few years, and the overwhelming majority answered in a similar manner. They cited instances when someone came alongside them when they were confronted with a sick child, the loss of a job, a dying parent, a broken relationship, or some other calamity. When asked if that friend provided advice on how to resolve the crisis, most said no. That was shocking to me. After all, I reasoned, what are friends for, but to help resolve problems? And they’re saying what meant the most to them was just being there. The good news, of course, is that all of us can be there for others. We don’t need to have an advanced degree to listen to those struggling; we don’t even need to be particularly smart to help the hurting. As we can infer from Steve Brown’s story about the little girl who befriended Susie, when we cry with others, they feel genuinely loved and we are greatly enriched. Perhaps the best biblical account of such sharing is that of Job’s much-maligned friends. As captured in the last three verses of chapter two, Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar traveled to Job’s home, where they wept over his distress.
26 // July 2022
Remarkably, they stayed an entire week without speaking to Job, for they saw how much he was suffering. Unfortunately, they eventually opened their mouths, and chapters four through thirty-seven ensued. Despite all that conversation, there was little or no communication—at least on a personal level. Instead, the foursome (and later Elihu) took turns making lengthy theological and philosophical speeches that have little or no effect on each other.
Contrasted to our frequent insensitivity to others, let’s look at the compassion exhibited by the Lord Jesus when he encountered a leper in Matthew 8, Mark 1, and Luke 3: A man with leprosy came to Christ with the expectation that the Lord would heal him if he were willing to do so. Jesus reached out, touched the man, and declared, “I am willing.” Immediately, leprosy left him. In our day, there may not be many lepers, but there is no shortage of loners, and they want someone to be there for them. Given the Lord’s example, should we not go and do likewise? About The Author
L
by Chuck Cleveland
Chuck Cleveland lives in Newnan, GA and has written for three area magazines, as well as the local newspaper. He has been a Christian for over 50 years.
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28 // July 2022
Garden Plaza residents have the luxury
our indoor pool, enjoying award winning
Leave it up to our compassionate concierge
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goodnewscm.com // 29
Gò0dNews for Everyone
Roots and Fruits by Dorothy Teague
I
had the great privilege of growing up in a time when
First Peter 2:9 says, “But you are a chosen generation, a
things were simple. As a child, I got up on Saturday
royal priesthood, a Holy nation, a peculiar people; that you
morning and watched cartoons, the ones that were
should show forth the praises of him who has called you out
meant to entertain children, not push a political agenda or
of darkness into his marvelous light.” In other words, we
indoctrinate kids into a lifestyle apart from the one outlined
should be different, in a good way, and stand out in the crowd
in God’s word. I also watched a lot of “westerns” because
by our behavior and actions. We are not the fruit inspectors
my father liked to watch them. My favorite was Roy Rogers,
for others, only God has the right to judge. Our obligation is
the ultimate “good guy.” Back then, it was easy to tell the
to lead others to Him by the way we live our lives.
good guys from the bad. The good guys wore white hats and black hats were for the bad guys. In real life, sometimes it’s hard to tell the good guys from the bad. There’s a parable in Matthew 13 about the wheat and the tares (weeds) being sown together. The good seed was sown by the owner but as men slept, the enemy slipped in and sowed tares among the wheat. The laborers asked whether they should pull up the tares but the owner said not to because it might disturb the roots of the wheat. The decision was made to leave them growing together until harvest and then the tares were plucked up and burned while the wheat was harvested into the barn. During the growing stages, wheat and tares, or Darnel, as it’s thought to be, look alike, and is hard to tell which is which until it matures. This is a picture of the world and how it’s filled with
One day there will be a Harvest of souls. God will judge all mankind as to whether we have been washed by His blood, believed in Him, and accepted Him as our Savior.
Christians and unbelievers trekking this life together. We
He’s the only one who can see our hearts and know who we
look a lot alike at times and it’s hard to tell who is who by
really are inside. First Samuel 16:7 says that “man looks on
our actions. Some morally great people in this world aren’t
the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”
believers and some believers don’t act morally upright as
At the Great White Throne judgment, God will decide who
they should. But, as we grow and mature as Christians,
are true believers. Revelation 20:15 states that “whosoever
like the wheat, we should be producing fruit of the Spirit
was not found in the book of life was cast into the lake of
(Galatians 5:22-26)—love, joy, patience, kindness, gentleness,
fire.” On that day, the wheat and the tares will be separated
and self-control, just to name a few. We should be firmly
forever and each will go to their eternal destination.
our faith (Colossians 2:7), as well as rooted and grounded in love; love for Him and one another (Ephesians 3:17).
30 // July 2022
About The Author
rooted and grounded in God’s word and strengthened in Dorothy Teague is a Tennessee native, who resides in McMinn County with her husband, Lewis, on their farm. After completing 31.5 years as a teacher in the Bradley County School System, she is active in her church at Eastanallee Baptist Church where she is a member of the choir and praise team.
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Gò0dNews for Everyone
Let’s Wash Some Feet
W
by Sue Lavigne
hen I was in graduate school preparing to
Perhaps, the most important first step is to yield
become a physical therapist, I worked for an
ourselves completely to God. I try to ask the question,
orthopedic doctor who specialized in foot
“How is God calling me to meet the needs of someone else
problems. My job was to make a slipper cast mold of each
today?” People cross our paths every day whether it’s in
of the patient’s feet. So, I rolled up my sleeves, put the cast
our jobs, in our neighborhoods, in the community or even
material in some warm water and gently wrapped it around
in our own families. Each of these situations can provide
the bottom part of each foot. Once the cast dried, I could
opportunities where we can demonstrate the art of “foot
easily slip it off and set it aside. Once I finished, I would use
washing,” which is basically just meeting the needs of another. The task may be as simple as sending an encouraging text to a friend or as difficult as taking a homeless person inside a grocery store to buy some food. Jesus demonstrated foot washing as an example to us of a servant/leader. “The greatest among you must be a servant to all” (Matthew 23:11). Needless to say, serving others can be a very humbling experience. We may be called to wash all “types of feet.” These situations are likely to call us out of our comfort zone to help those who are very different and maybe even difficult to serve.
a warm wet towel to clean the cast residue off the patient’s
When I got laid off from my job, God asked me
feet. While working there, I washed a lot of different kinds
to immediately go back and be a volunteer for that
of feet: small feet, big feet, pretty feet, ugly feet, flat feet,
organization. That was the last thing I wanted to do, but in
ticklish feet, and even some awful smelly feet. I felt a little
being obedient to God, He made a way for me not only to be
like Jesus, washing His disciples’ feet. Although in the days
a blessing as a volunteer, but also to hear from my former
of Jesus, the task of washing feet was a lot dirtier and given
co-workers how much I had blessed them.
only to the lowest servant. I believe the art of foot washing is especially needed
As a Christian, Jesus tells us in John 13:14, “And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to
today. Not the specifics of carrying around a wash basin
wash each other’s feet.” So, are you ready? Let’s roll up our
and washing the feet of strangers, but of stepping outside
sleeves and get started!
than ourselves.
32 // July 2022
About The Author
of our needs and seeking to help someone less fortunate Susan Lavigne attends Cornerstone Church. She is a Christian speaker and songwriter. Feel free to contact her at susanclavigne@gmail.com.
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Gò0dNews for Everyone
Understanding The Assignment
K
by Sandra Gilmore
en’s voice bellowed across the downtown square
overlooked connections to this sacred event and wind our way
where passers-by scurried to appointments or
back to Christmas.
meetings. Standing on the rim of the square’s
A message came from Heaven with Good News!
fountain, his rich baritone voice conveyed the Good News
A savior was born. Simeon spoke of this savior as the
message with an upbeat urgency. He cared about his
“refreshing of Israel,” also translated as the “encourager
fellow citizens. Whether they agreed or not, they knew his
of Israel.” What a magnificent message! In the Christmas
intentions were warm and sincere. He was often dutifully
context, we see two different missions for this message.
poised at this strategic spot during lunchtime sharing the Good News with resounding clarity.
The shepherds couldn’t contain their amazement and excitement about this Good News. They told everyone in the area about the gift from Heaven! The term in the original language means to “publish abroad, make known thoroughly.” It’s the only time in the New Testament that verb phrase is used. What they did was unique and singled out in Scripture! Comparatively, Mary “kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.” The verb meaning “ponder” in the original language includes our concept of “huddling.” It carries the idea of a gathering of ideas or facts from various sources. She conferred with herself about all that was happening. The term “kept” in the original language means to “preserve a thing from perishing or being lost.” Did she ever tell? Scholars say it was Mary
At the corner coffee shop, Kim’s gaze alternated from
who shared enough details for Luke to write his gospel
her laptop screen to Ken’s perch. She soaked in the exchange
book, written as a letter to Theophilus. Letters were the
between Ken and his bustling audience. Some truly ignored
forerunners of our social media. The letters traveled around
him. Some broke their stride to listen intently, however
a good bit.
short their attention span. Some waved to him as they
Are you a broadcaster given to speeches, sermons,
scurried along. She wondered if her online readers had
or lectures? Or do you prefer blogs, emails, or posts?
similar responses.
It’s the Good News that’s at the heart of the message, no
Which communicator are you more like, Ken or Kim?
matter how it’s delivered. Whether vocalizing from the
Do you literally voice your message with preaching or
town square, or huddling with a few friends, we all can
teaching? Or do you prefer quiet methods like articles or
understand the assignment: to know Jesus and to make
conversations over coffee? Which is better or more effective?
Him known!
We can take some lessons from the shepherds and following this series? Check each month as we explore often-
34 // July 2022
About The Author
from Mary way back at Christmastime. Have you been
Sandra Gilmore serves the Lord as wife, mom, and encourager, mostly through writing and speaking, occasionally through cooking, rarely through anything athletic and only because of the mercy and grace of Jesus. You can reach her by email: tandsgilmore@yahoo.com or her website: www.sandragilmore.org
Gò0dNews Campaign Trail
O
Rex Wagner for District 24
ver twenty-five years ago, I opened a law practice that focused on representing working people and disabled citizens of Southeast Tennessee. A law practice is a small business, although a lot of people don’t look at it that way. It has all the responsibilities of a small business but also many obligations that go along with holding a professional license to serve the public and represent clients in state and federal courts. It is a small business, but with a lot of rules, regulations, and procedures. I have been interested in the issues faced by state legislatures for a long time. When I was a student at Cleveland State, our local state representative spoke to one of my classes. He described the work of a legislator. He made it sound interesting even though many of the issues were routine or not well known. I realized how state government impacts many aspects of our daily lives. This year I have become a candidate for the Tennessee House of Representatives in District 24, where I have lived almost all of my life. District 24 includes the City of Cleveland and a large portion of western Bradley County. The state legislature consists of a House of Representatives and the Senate, which pass the laws that operate our state government, regulate commerce, set criminal penalties, and many other things. The legislature also adopts a budget and sets tax rates. A lot of people have asked why I am seeking this position. I simply want to serve my community by advocating for our local needs and helping establish solid and workable public policy across Tennessee. I am not doing this to someday run for another elected office or any other reason. I am running to do the work of being a legislator. I enjoy reading laws, writing legislation, analyzing problem situations, and determining solutions. Many people would find this boring. I think it is very interesting. I also want to see policies and programs put into place that help people
36 // July 2022
build a better life for themselves and their families. We need policies that support and strengthen families because family is one of the foundations of our country. Human life is unique and precious. All men and women are created in God’s image. There needs to be a focus on increasing the respect for the preciousness of life from beginning to end. As a representative, I will work to protect faith, family, life, liberty, and jobs. I was educated at Hopewell School, Bradley Central High School, Cleveland State Community College, and graduated from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga with a degree in criminal justice. I received my law degree from the Cumberland School of Law at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama. Education has had a huge impact on my life. I will work to improve all educational opportunities, whether public, private, charter or home school. Our high schools, community colleges, vocational schools, and universities need to be focused on training our citizens to work in the economy, including adults that need additional training. Before law school, I worked at Bowater for over ten years. I have been an active supporter of the Cleveland State Community College Foundation, Civitan Club, and the Boy Scouts of America. I also completed the Chamber of Commerce Leadership Cleveland program. I am a seventh-generation East Tennessean. I was born, raised, and educated in District 24. It is a great place to live and work. I know this community well. As your state representative, I will work hard to represent all the people of District 24. I would appreciate your vote on Election Day on August 4th. Early voting starts on July 15th and ends on July 30th.
Gò0dNews for Everyone
Enoch: The First Old Testament Prophet
“J
by Jonathon Wright
ared lived one hundred and sixty-two years, and begot Enoch. After he begot Enoch, Jared lived eight hundred years, and had sons and daughters.
So all the days of Jared were nine hundred and sixty-two years; and he died. Enoch lived sixty-five years, and begot Methuselah. After he begot Methuselah, Enoch walked with God three hundred years, and had sons and daughters. So all the days of Enoch were three hundred and sixty-five years. And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him” (Genesis 5:18-24, NKJV). This passage is amazingly brief but still supplies us with some important information about the first legendary prophet in the Old Testament. We learn about his family, character, and influence. First, it reveals some family dynamics in his early life. His father may not have loved God. The name Enoch is a bad reminder of Cain’s family. Why would someone name their kid in Adam’s family after another family’s kid that had hurt them so much? See Genesis 4 and the story of Cain, Abel, and death. The name Enoch would not create good family dynamics for this soon-to-be prophet. I do not think Enoch’s father had any idea what God had in mind to do with his son. Also, there is a prophecy in Jude that helps us recognize the outcry against God during his time. Jude 1:14-15 states, “Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about them: ‘See, the Lord is coming with thousands upon thousands of his holy ones to judge everyone, and to convict all of them of all the ungodly acts they have committed in their ungodliness, and of all the defiant words ungodly sinners have spoken against him” (NIV). Jude was talking about people in his generation who were saying bad things about Christ. But Enoch was talking to his generation about those who were saying bad things about God. Second, we learn about his character and what God did to change his heart. The fact that so many were against God makes it remarkable that Enoch would come to God. What did God do to change his heart? We may not have all the answers to this question. Yet there was something significant about the year he turned 65. This was the year he had his first son and started walking with God. There was something significant
After deciding to walk with God, Enoch remained faithful for the rest of his life. He stayed so close that one day, he and the Lord took a walk-up into Heaven and he was never seen again. This was the greatest blessing and honor given to a man on earth. Only Elijah, in the Old Testament, and Jesus, in the New Testament, had such encounters with God. However, his greatest blessing was peace and eternal life with God. Sometimes we need to remember our greatest blessings come when we leave this world. Thank you, Jesus, for the promise of eternal life. Third, we learn about his influence. No doubt, Enoch leaving this earth in such an incredible way influenced Noah’s father. He raised Noah to fear the Lord and fulfill the plan God had for him and the world. And to think, all this happened because God used one man to influence another, which changed the world. One courageous man who followed God.
God’s love. His father had to wait 165 years to have a son. I do not think that he wanted to wait SO LONG.
38 // July 2022
About The Author
about the timing of the birth of his son that opened his eyes to
Jonathon Wright currently lives in Cleveland, Tennessee, and has been a member of the Church of God for about twenty years. He is a graduate of Lee University and Beacon University where he earned a BA and MA in Biblical Studies. He loves studying the Bible and has done so for over thirty years, but only now has God given him a desire and the opportunity to be a writer. Jonathon hopes to encourage people to read the Bible and take notes. You can find more from Jonathon at amazon.com/author/everydaynotes.
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Gò0dNews for Everyone
The Potter’s Hands
B
by David Huff
ack when I was in school, we had a pottery class where we would make many different things. I remember making a box and a cup that you
could drink out of. We would work and work on the clay, forming it the way we wanted it. And just when we would think we had it perfect, an imperfection would pop into it. So, we would gently start all over again. Instead of throwing the clay away for a new piece, we would simply begin remolding it, forming the bottom and sides once again. God works with us in the same way. In the story of the potter’s house, Jeremiah was sent to watch how the potter worked with the clay. Jeremiah 18:1-4, “This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: ‘Go down at once to the potter’s house, and there I will reveal My words to you.’ So, I went down to the potter’s house, and there he was working away at the wheel. But the jar he was making from the clay became flawed in the potter’s hand, so he made it into another jar as it seemed right for him to do.” When God is working on us, in many times, we allow sin to flaw us. But instead of God throwing us out, He gently starts all over and begins molding and forming us once again. In these moments of molding, it can hurt, and it can seem like God is pouring pressure on us to live a sinless life. While yes, God may want us not to sin, He also knows we are in a human form, and we have a human condition that we have to crucify every day. Knowing this, God simply starts the molding process over, and begins to mold, shape, and form us once again. Isaiah 64:8, “Yet you, Lord, are the Father. We are the clay, and you are the potter; we are all the work of your hands.”
will continue to leak out no matter how you pour into it. Patch and repair the hole, and the vessel will hold what you pour into it. Our hurts, addictions, and flaws are these holes. God wants to repair and heal them so we can hold what He wants to pour into us. So, God continues to mold and repair each and every one of the flaws that we hold inside of us. God wants us to look more like Him and less like the world. Therefore, He continues to pour into us. He continues to mold us with the purifying and healing love that only God can give. Let the potter’s hands work to heal your imperfections and take you into a new life.
forming us is because a clay vessel with a hole in it will never hold anything. The substance that is put inside of it
40 // July 2022
About The Author
The reason that God continues to work at molding and My name is David Huff, and I am married to Brittany and together we have five wonderful kids. We attend Rock Bridge Community Church Calhoun where I serve on the prayer team, host team, production team, and a small group co-leader. I am also a senior at Lee University.
Gò0dNews for your Taste Buds
Creamy Strawberry Milkshake by Jodi Varnado
I
s there anything more blissful than a cold and creamy milkshake after spending a warm afternoon in the sun? Milkshakes are one of my favorite summertime indulgences and in my opinion, a most cheerful way to celebrate a summer day. This Creamy Strawberry Milkshake recipe is the perfect treat for everyone in the family, with easy substitutions for those who
have any dietary preferences or restrictions. I may or may not be blending some up for July 4th (I definitely will be), and I encourage you to join in on this delicious creation!
Ingredients • 1 14-ounce can of full-fat coconut milk • ¾ cup of fresh strawberries (measured after slicing) • ¼ cup of maple syrup (or other sweetener) • ½ tsp of vanilla extract
Instructions 1. Prepare coconut milk ice cubes: Pour 1 can of full-fat coconut milk into a bowl and mix until there is no separation between the coconut cream and water. Then, pour the coconut milk into an ice cube tray and freeze for at least 8 hours. 2. Using a blender, add strawberries, maple syrup, and vanilla extract, and blend the ingredients together until the consistency is smooth and no strawberry slices are visible. 3. After the ingredients are well blended, add 2-4 coconut milk ice cubes into the blender and blend. Then, continue adding ice cubes until you are happy with the creamy consistency (I recommend 10-12 ice cubes). 4. Serve. Throw some fresh strawberries and whipped cream on top, and you’re likely to impress your eagerly awaiting recipient!
42 // July 2022
If you try this recipe at home, please let us know on our Facebook page: @GoodNewsChristianMagazine. Extra bonus points for uploading an accompanying photo!
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Gò0dNews for Everyone
What Do We Have Here?
T
by Monica Gambrell
here was a period of time when my mother actually made valiant efforts to keep her hoard clean. During that time, there was a Saturday regimen that rarely
deviated. We awoke early to the smell of biscuits cooking, and just as we finished eating, my mom would say, “As soon as we’re finished cleaning, we’re going to hit the road!” From top to bottom, we would clean furiously in order to begin our adventure. We never knew where we were headed—and neither did she. There were countless times I heard her say that we would go wherever the road takes us. The point she was driving home to us was it’s not about the destination; it’s about the journey. My mom kept what she deemed to be necessary items in the trunk of her old car at all times. There was a handcrank ice cream maker, rock salt, canned milk, charcoal, matches, aluminum foil and paper goods, and all sorts of non-perishable food items. We were inevitably out during meal-times, so she would open the trunk and ask, “What do we have here?” Once, when we stopped at a state park for an impromptu picnic, she was searching for something to flavor the homemade ice-cream with, and we ended up with peanut butter and jelly flavor. It was amazing! Another time, we were on an old two-lane highway, and it was already dark on the way back from a trip, and we all decided we were hungry. My mom pulled over to the side of the road, lit a fire, and cooked some hotdogs. The police officer who showed up told her she couldn’t do that, but he was empathetic to a single mother’s efforts. That is a memory I won’t soon forget. My mom was an expert at making something out of nothing. She stretched the budget, improvised constantly, and always did her best to make lemonade from the lemons she had. I have every worldly reason to focus on the negative aspects of my upbringing, but I choose not to dwell there. There actually were a few positive memories sprinkled throughout. I hope that my husband and I gave our children some of the same gifts my mother gave me: frugality, a sense of
44 // July 2022
adventure, an innate ability to ask, “What do we have here?” and then make the most of every gift given. Philippians 4:11, “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therein to be content.” Proverbs 15:13, “A joyful heart makes a cheerful face, but when the heart is sad, the spirit is broken.” Father God, when Your joy lives within us, it is easy to find it in our outward world as well. Whether our resources are sparse or abundant, our joy is found in You. That joy may be made evident to those around us through our very countenance. We must imagine someone is watching us at all times and that we are the only Bible they will ever read. What they know of Your nature may partially be found in our words and actions in their presence. Therefore, it behooves us to allow Your indwelling joy to flow through us to those You place in our path. Strengthen us to do so!
Gò0dNews for Everyone
Experiencing God’s Favor
D
by Paula Burgner
o you ever just sit outside and look around
You must change your thoughts and learn to
at things laid out before you? Maybe you see
speak what you seek until you see what you’ve said.
the sun shining brightly on the fresh cut green
Sometimes, it can be hard to let go and not want to
grass. Or maybe, you’re watching birds fly from one tree
take things into our own hands, but you have to have
branch to the other, as if they don’t have a care in the
the faith to know that it will all be okay. When you are
world as to where the next bird feeder will be or if it has
going through tough times, instead of getting down
any food in it. They go through life relying on God to
and discouraged, declare the Word of God, and expect
provide for them in everything they do.
the favor of God to come into your life. So, stay strong
This is a great example of how we should take on life. We must pray and believe with the faith of a mustard seed that God is in control and has everything planned out for us in His time. We need to be in the flow of life, letting things happen in God’s timing, not our own. When we walk in God’s favor, His blessings will chase us down and overtake us with more joy than we could ever imagine. Not only do we need to walk the walk, but we also need to talk the talk. We need to declare favor over our lives, as nothing happens until you speak it into existence. Just as the Bible tells us in Ezekiel 12:25: “For I am the Lord: I will speak, and the word that I shall speak shall come to pass; it shall be no more prolonged: for in your days, O
and keep the faith—morning, noon, and night. Rejoice
rebellious house, will I say the word, and will perform
during times of waiting, and before you know it, you
it, saith the Lord God.”
will see how God is pouring out favor upon you. The
It’s things like this in life that bring peace to your
Bible says in Philippians 4:4: “Rejoice in the Lord
heart and joy knowing that God will always follow
always: and again I say, Rejoice.” Always remember
through with His word. Therefore, it makes us want
when someone tells you how lucky you are, remind
to share the love of God with others and tell everyone
them it’s not luck; it’s God’s favor in your life. “From
about how good God is. The Bible says in Psalm 98:4-6:
the fullness of his grace we have all received one
“Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth; Break forth
blessing after another” (John 1:16).
Lord with the lyre.”
46 // July 2022
About The Author
and sing for joy and sing praises. Sing praises to the Paula Burgner is a very strong willed, outgoing, girl who loves working out, and she believes in her heart that you are capable of doing anything that you put your mind to.
Gò0dNews
Christian Magazine
Mission Statement:
W
Writer Guidelines:
e believe when people are equipped,
Who: Our writers range from pastors, professors, and
motivated, and passionately engaged in
professional writers to stay at home moms and dads,
living out their faith in Jesus Christ they
business professionals, and others who have a desire to
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.
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reach out to people through words of encouragement. What: We believe that it is important to laugh together, praise each other, encourage one another, and to offer biblical advice. Articles can be directed toward everyone, or from woman to woman, or man to man. We love to share recipes and family traditions as well. We ask that articles be kept to a 500 word maximum. We’d love to hear from you! Where: Please send submissions to articles.goodnews@gmail.com Why: Because God has not intended for us to just survive. We believe that we are intended to reach out to love and encourage each other. God has brought each of us through tough times, blessed us, and made the “impossible” possible. Let’s, together, share the love of Jesus Christ.
Gò0dNews Poetry
The Flag of America by Larry D. Hawkins
The Flag of America, how beautiful is its name, Ole Glory, the Bountiful, and the home of the U.S.A. America, the Beautiful, the Land of the Free, The Home of the Courageous where everyone wants to be. The Red, the White, and the Blue, with the U.S. Continental Band, Through wars and battles, and even now, she proudly stands. Yes, when mighty England withdrew her pressing hand, Through God Almighty, America came to shape this land. From the hulls of the ships the cries could be heard, As mighty men sought God’s help from His Holy Word. From hours of praying and pages of scrolls they say, The Mayflower Compact was made with God that day. So, Americans, be thankful you’re in the land of the Free, Instead of a land across the wide and rolling sea. Where there’s fighting and raging along every street, While in America, our peace is sure and liberty is sweet. So, be glad my friend, as our precious flag waves high, That the Red, White, and Blue will forever part the sky. And, if one day, the skies do part and burst with thunder, Then, we’ll stand tall, and heed the call, and Ole’ Glory Won’t go U-N-D-E-R!
50 // July 2022
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Gò0dNews for Everyone
When Obedience Means Death
I
by Brent Goodge
hate snakes. I know they play an important role, but
kind of thinking led Cain to bring a plant-based sacrifice
I hate snakes. The very first promise in the Bible was
and then kill his brother (Genesis 4:3). How many
the promise of salvation through the sacrifice of Jesus
Christians through the ages have excused themselves
on Calvary, that He would crush the serpent’s head
from a known duty to God with the reasoning, “I can’t
(Genesis 3:15).
possibly serve God if I’m dead?”
For the most part, America’s pit vipers aren’t as deadly as some other snakes around the world. When Paul was bitten by a viper on Malta, the natives expected him to die immediately (Acts 28:3-6). Thankfully, venomous bite victims here usually survive. Moses spent forty years as Egypt’s crowned prince. Then, through a rash act, he became an alien shepherd. One day, trying to find water and pasture in the barren land, Moses happened to see a bush on fire. This probably wasn’t uncommon, but desert shrubs should burn rapidly, disappearing in a moment. This bush was not burning up (Exodus 3:2). God was calling Moses to lead Israel out of Egypt. Moses began to make excuses. Why would anyone believe he was called of God? God told Moses to throw down his rod. It became a
Jesus said that to trust in human reasoning over God’s commands is to worship Him in vain (Matthew 15:9). As Christians, we are called to “trust in the Lord
snake. This was likely a desert viper similar to the snake
with all our heart, leaning not to our own understanding”
that bit Paul. Being one of the best-educated men on
(Proverbs 3:5).
earth at the time, Moses did the smart thing. He ran away
Revelation tells us a day is coming when there will
(Exodus 4:3). But God told Moses to stop, turn around,
be only two groups. One group will have the faith of
and pick the snake up by the tail. I have never held a
Jesus and keep His commandments (Revelation 14:12).
venomous snake. I never plan to. But I understand that to
The other group will receive the mark of the beast and
pick one up, you must grab it just behind the head.
sentence the first group to death (Revelation 13:15, 16).
For Moses to obey God’s command meant certain
When following God’s commandments will earn the
death. How easy would it have been for Moses to explain
death penalty, will we be faithful to His Word? Or will
to God why He had a really bad idea? That’s what
we reason that we can’t serve God if we’re dead? “If you
Ananias did when God called him to visit Saul after the
love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15).
it have felt like obedience had Moses bravely gone back to the snake and picked it up from behind its head? That
52 // July 2022
About The Author
road to Damascus (Acts 9:10-16). How much more would Brent Goodge lives in Whitfield County and prays that he will always be faithful to follow the Bible through the power of Jesus Christ.
Gò0dNews for Everyone
Belonging With Boldness: Biblical Community Building
T
by Christopher Schelich
here is a small miracle that I’ve seen growing in Christian communities that has the power to transform hearts, habits, and homes. It sneaks in with subtlety,
but like a strong tide, it sweeps families in an undertow of grace, washing them out to a sea of compassion. It happens in a moment, but the effects last a lifetime. In a decade of unparalleled fragmentation and divide, I’ve seen individuals open their hearts to one another and invite strangers into their families. I’ve seen single mothers and their daughters impacted by the generous love of a friendly couple, families with children and busy schedules
2. Make time for the orphan and widow (James 1:27). Invest in families that you connect with that may not have a father figure around. You are not a superhero, but you may be a help just by being present or assisting when you can. Is there something you excel at that you can include someone in? Do it. Is there a way you can help that just makes sense? Don’t hesitate. If you’ve got enough of a relationship to not overstep, then offer to help. Be prepared to be turned down and be okay. Remember: it’s not about you, it’s about them and your offer may have been all the help they needed.
comforted by experienced parents, and divorcees embraced in their pain and nourished by casseroles and consoling hearts. Say what you will, but I’ve seen families find healing because humble and honest nobodies decided to listen to what the Holy Spirit had for them and in their obedience, they broke walls that had become fortifications to hardened hearts. The boldness it takes to risk caring is no longer normal. you have love for one another” (John 13:35). Men, I believe we can be a catalyst for transformation within the lives of others if we are just stubborn enough to listen to what the Holy Spirit has for us to do. Here are three simple ways to enact just that. 1. Don’t hinder children, help guide them to Jesus (Luke 18:16). Children upturned Jesus’ ministry. As a rabbi, He would have been seen as “too important” to have His time wasted by children, and yet they were one of His top priorities. Help create paths for children to encounter Jesus. Start investing in your own children and those within your family. How can you help guide them to Jesus? For me, it is as simple as a wrestling match with my son or a hike with my daughter; I’ve never regretted investing time in the lives of my own children.
54 // July 2022
3. Don’t do life alone (1 Peter 3:8). I love the book of 1 Peter because the author gives out lists left and right. Here, Peter suggests five things in this one verse: “have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.” Wow, what a game changer! Peter sets us up for a community that is aware of others and internally fortified (here, “tender-hearted” is translated from Greek’s “strong bowels”). You can’t do life alone. There is an essential togetherness that is understood for doing life as Jesus suggested. Men, you play a crucial role in that, just as important as anyone else. Don’t rob yourself of the benefit of brothers in arms. We do life best when we aren’t alone, and you may be the someone else somebody needs. About The Author
“By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if
Chris Schelich serves as the Communications & Public Relations Specialist at Westmore Church as well as the Programming Director at U-Turn Institute. He and his wife, Brooke, and their two children, Sophia and Everett, reside in Cleveland, Tennessee.
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