March 2015 Complimentary Christian MagazineGò0dNews

Dalton

• • What Do You What Do You See? See? p. 6p. 6

• • Faith Development in Faith Development in ChildrenChildren p. 20p. 20

• • Two Important Tips for Two Important Tips for a Leaner & Fitter Youa Leaner & Fitter You p. 24p. 24

KenKenSparksSparks

priced to drive $20,777*

NEW 2015 CAMRY SE

1-800-762-1097 • 706-278-13221510 East Walnut Ave., Dalton, GA

www.NorthGeorgiaToyota.com

*Total selling price listed excludes tax, title, registration, and includes dealer fees. Special Dealer pricing may not be combined with special finance or lease programs. All pricing subject to final verification by dealer. Several to choose from. Expires 04/02/2015.

3830

6244

We Accept All Major Insurance Plans t County Wide Delivery

PROFESSIONAL PHARMACY

• Flu Shots • Full Service Gift Shop

Specializing in Newborn Gift Baskets • We Accept Flexible Spending Account

(FSA) and Benny Cards • We Offer Professional Counseling

on all Medications • We Offer Diabetic Education

Our Pharmacists: Dr. Jason P. Sneed, Pharmacy Manager • Cookie Cook, RPh. • Mark Smith, RPh. • Dr. Tammy Houston

www.professionalpharmacydalton.com

Come by and see us for all your prescription needs and let us become

your Hometown Independent Pharmacy!

Dalton’s Preferred Pharmacy for Over 50 Years!

Se Habla Español (Speak Spanish)

Open when you need us 365 days a year! Monday thru Friday 8 am - 8 pm, Saturday 9 am - 8 pm - Sunday 11 am - 7 pm

1100 Burleyson Road • Dalton, GA (706) 278-2490

Full Service Compounding Center Offering

Specialty Drug Compounding and Veterinary Drug

Compounding

Diabetic Footwear. Offering Free

Custom Fittings and Foot Exams

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 three beautiful chil-dren, Brendon, Kailey, and Andrew. We live in Cleve-land and love what this town has to offer! We have started GoodNews Christian Magazine because we feel that when God, family, and community are com-bined, lives will be changed.

GoodNews Christian Magazine is a complimen-tary, Christian lifestyle publication. You can fi nd 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!

About UsGod Bless You and

Th ank You!Writers

Pastor Brian BranamAndrew Lee

Darren SchalkDavid Gray

Dr. James MarcumJamie NicholsKelly Hixson

Samuel BurgerAndrew Shaff er

Thomas MorrisonBrenda Dedmon Jennifer Govea

DeliveryCharlton & Paulette Lewis

SalesChris Isbill

(423) 716-3561Greg Prytherch(423) 463-4620

Phone #: 423-503-1410 E-mail: goodnewstn@gmail.com Website: issuu.com/goodnewschatt

FacebookGoodNews Christian Magazine

Dalton

Distribution 5000 Monthly

EditorWanda Griffi th

DisclaimerAll 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 specifi c 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. Th e 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.

DesignCaleb Prytherch

PublisherMatthew and Bethany Ruckman

March 2015

DisclaimerAll 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 specifi c 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. Th e 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.

G dNewsChristian Magazine

ò0

Pg 16-17

Pg 4 About Us Pg 6 GoodNews from the Pastor’s Desk What Do You See? by Pastor Brian BranamPg 8 GoodNews for Kids I Only Asked for a SinglePg 10 GoodNews on Money Matters A Day Late and a Dollar Short by Andrew LeePg 12 GoodNews for Men Father Knows Best: by Darren Schalk Pg 14 GoodNews for Women Spiritual Gift s by Jennifer GoveaPg 20 GoodNews for Parents Faith Development in Children by Brenda DedmonPg 22 GoodNews for Life Healing, one journal post at a time. by Kelly HixsonPg 24 GoodNews for Health & Fitness Two Important Tips for a Leaner & Fitter You by Th omas MorrisonPg 26 GoodNews for Teens Show Up by Andrew Shaff erPg 28 GoodNews for Seniors Lessons from the Shamrock by Jamie NicholsPg 30 GoodNews from the Physician New Weight-Loss Medications by Dr. James MarcumPg 32 GoodNews for Couples Th e DVR Saved Our Marriage by David GrayPg 34 GoodNews for Everyone God Wants the Best for You by Samuel Burger

Pg 18-19Pg 18-19

Ken SparksKen Sparks

Gò0dNews from the Pastor’s Desk

6 // March 2015

The prophet Jeremiah is unusual. He is unusual not because of some sort

of wild, outlandish visions or miracles. He is unusual because of his total lack of them. Ezekiel saw flaming wheels. Isaiah saw God on His throne. Daniel re-ceived visions that are more like comic books than sermons. Yet Jeremiah, saw nothing until the day God told him to take notice.

In Jeremiah 1 God asks the prophet a most profound ques-tion: “What do you see (Jer. 1:11)?” Jeremiah then begins to describe to God things that he sees every day. “I see an almond tree.” “I see a man pouring out a boiling pot of water.” Perhaps Jeremiah’s most well known prophecy is that of the potter’s wheel (Jeremiah 18). It is life changing vision inspired by a day at the potter’s shop, watch-ing a master at his craft. The message of Jeremiah that shook a nation came about by him simply taking notice of what was there as he walked.

He saw those things every-day, but when God told Jeremiah to notice them, the prophet never

saw them the same way again.What do you see? I have a smartphone, so I can

say this with authority. Tech-nology is sucking the life out of our souls. We need to take less notifications and we need to take more notice. Our smartphones dumb us down with constant interruptions. Instead of time with God first thing in the morn-ing we have to check email and receive status updates. Most of us can no longer sit still at a red light. Once the car is stopped, even for a minute or two, we im-mediately start flipping through apps and perusing our notifica-tions. We receive more informa-tion at an intersection than our grandparents did in their life-times.

We get a lot of information but have lost the art of medita-tion. We know what is happen-ing, but think very little of what it means. Those who want to go further in life must also go deep-er. Like Jeremiah, we have to no-tice the almond trees. When was the last time you read something from the Bible and thought about it the entire day? When was the

last time something you read in the Bible changed the way you saw things throughout the day? If the brain is constantly inter-rupted by notifications, giving proper attention to deeper truth is impossible.

Because we are at a place in time and technology in which we want to know so much, we have reached a place in which I believe we know too much. The fast pace at which we receive no-tifications is causing the erosion of one of our greatest God given abilities - the ability to think. We no longer take time to think about what we know.

Isaiah 26:3 says, “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” With constant notifications we are not at a pace for peace. It is difficult to get our minds to “stay” on the Lord when it strays after every vibra-tion and alert that comes through our smartphone. Set a pace for your day that will train your mind to “stay.”

What Do You See?

Brian Branam is the senior pastor of Liberty Baptist Church in Dalton, GA. He is the author of TheWalk and posts frequently at www.FeelMyFaith.com.

by Brian Branam

4/1/15

4/1/15

30

GoodNews Christian Magazine

GoodNews Christian Magazine

Gò0dNews for Kids

8 // March 2015

The first year Dirk played Little League base-ball he was the youngest player on the team. When he got to play in a real game he was

always in right field. Very few balls were knocked to right field. When one did come his way, Dirk seldom caught it. When Dirk got to bat, he almost never hit the ball. When he did hit it, someone always caught the ball and put him out.

"Dad," said Dirk as they walked home from a game, "I learned a Bible verse in Sunday school that is not true."

"Which verse, son?" his father asked.

"Jesus said, 'Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you' [Matthew 7:71," quoted Dirk. "But when I prayed that I would hit the ball, I didn't get what I asked for."

"I'm glad you prayed for help," said his father. "Maybe God has a different way of answering your prayer."

"But I don't want a different answer," said Dirk. "I want to make a run. And I asked."

"Don't quit praying just because God doesn't an-swer the first time," his father said. "I still believe what Jesus said."

Dirk and his father talked about prayer several times during the year as the boy continued to play ball-and Dirk became a much better player. Three years later Dirk was one of the older mem-bers of the team. He was one of the team's pitch-ers. At the first game of the season, all of the teams were there. The seats were filled with parents and friends.

When Dirk got up to bat, the bases were load-ed. He missed the first pitch. But he hit the second, and he hit it hard. It was a home run! The coach awarded the home-run ball to Dirk. All his teammates had signed it. As he and his father walked home, Dirk said, "Dad, I only prayed for a single!"

Some Questions• Have you ever asked God for something that

you did not receive? • Have you ever asked Cod for something and

received more than you asked for? • Does God answer some prayers in ways you

don't expect?

A Prayer Thank you, God, for listening to all my prayers. Help me keep my eyes and ears open so I can see and hear the wayYou answer prayers. In Jesus' name. Amen.

I Only Asked for a SingleHebrews 10:35-36

CHILDREN’S LEARNING CENTER“Where Great Things Begin”

FIRST BAPTIST OF DALTON311 N. Thornton Avenue • Dalton, GA 30720

706-226-3906

14th AnnualPEACE OFFICER’SMEMORIAL GOLF CLASSIC

APRIL 10, 2015

BROWN ACRES GOLF COURSE | CHATTANOOGA, TN

Visit www.FCPO.org For More Information

Bobbie’s Florist706.278.2526

3007 E. Walnut Ave Dalton, GA 30721

bobbiesfloristdalton.com

1 Dozen Roses$44.99

Expires 04/01/15 • Bobbie’s Florist

$10 OFFA Purchase of $50.00 or More

Expires 04/01/15 • Bobbie’s Florist

$5 OFFA Purchase of $30.00 or More

Expires 04/01/15 • Bobbie’s Florist

Gò0dNews on Money Matters

10 // March 2015

by Andrew Lee

Dr. Andrew Lee is associate 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.

Recently, while listening to “On the Money,” a financial radio talk show, I heard a

cautionary tale that I’d like to share. The host was interview-ing a realtor in Florida who told about a client’s experience while buying a home. This client thought he had crossed his “t’s” and dotted his “i’s” in terms of getting his finances in order so that he could close on the pur-chase of the home he desired. But one little mistake turned into a huge headache. Here’s what happened.

The man wrote a check to pay off (in full) his monthly American Express credit card. But he inadvertently wrote a check that was $1.86 too short. You read that right—the check he mailed in to pay the bill was $1.86 less than what he actually owed. The man had no idea he had written the wrong number and had uninten-tionally failed to pay

the credit card bill in full. As a result, American Ex-

press deemed his account pay-ment to be “late” since it wasn’t paid in full but still had an out-standing balance of $1.86. So the AmEx folks immediately charged the man a $35 late fee, making his current balance now $36.86. But that was only the beginning of this man’s troubles. The late fee caused his FICO credit score to drop from a score of 711 to 640. (My article from last month gave an overview of the FICO score, but I confess I am baffled how one minor transaction like this could lower one’s credit score by so much so quickly).

Can you guess what hap-pened next? As a result of his lowered credit score, the man received a call from his mortgage

lender saying they had changed their mind and were deny-

ing his mortgage loan. As a result, he was un-

able to purchase his dream home—all because of $1.86.

If this sounds a bit like an episode of “The Twilight

Zone,” it should give us pause as consumers. Because I am a Dave Ramsey advocate, I would discourage the use of credit cards entirely. But if you’re determined to use credit cards, be aware of how late fees or other inadver-tent, seemingly minor transac-tions, can affect your financial situation. When I was leading a Financial Peace University class at my local church, I had a couple describe how their credit card company imposed a $35 late fee because, according to the customer-service person, their check had arrived in the com-pany’s mail room thirty minutes late. They had mailed a check to pay off the balance in full, which was only $6, but they were slapped with a $35 late fee for being thirty minutes late. In this case, the couple swallowed hard, paid the late fee, and immediate-ly cancelled their credit card.

I wonder if the fellow who lost out on buying his dream home did the same by canceling his AmEx card? We might do well to remember Christ’s words in Matthew 10:16: “Be ye there-fore wise as serpents and harm-less as doves . . .” (NKJV).

A Day Late and a Dollar Short

1509 N. Thornton Avenue • Dalton GA 30720 706-272-3336 | habitatdwm.org

Store Hours:Tuesday - Friday 9AM-5PM

Saturday 9AM-1PM

•High Quality Laminate Flooring•High Quality Paint & Supplies•Carpet Tiles•Gently Used Furniture•Appliances

•Rugs•Office Items•Lighting•Plumbing Materials•Bathroom & Kitchen Fixtures

What We Sell:

All proceeds of our sales go toward building homes for low-income families in our community.

*Look for deep discounts for items that have been in our store over 30 days.*

*Individuals and businesses can donate items & discontinued inventory to our ReStore. Call

706-272-3336 to schedule a donation pick up.*

Gò0dNews for Men

12 // March 2015

As I was putting my son to bed recently, he looked up at me from under the covers and

asked, “When can we spend more time together, just you and me?” Al-though I quickly realized that he was trying to manipulate me into letting him get out of bed so we could play video games together, the question still rang loudly in my ears.

I have three kids. My son is ten, and my identical twin girls are eight. I work full time in a ministry posi-tion that requires a bit of travel that at times can be time consuming, and I have a book out with a major pub-lisher. I’m learning to navigate the waters of job, travel, family, and book promotion as best as I can, but at times I’m certain I don’t find the right bal-ance—especially during the summer months when my kids are home every day and they realize that I’m not.

So, how do I make sure my wife and kids get the time they need and deserve?

My dad was a pretty busy guy. He was a pastor, so he was always on call. He was a good shepherd of his congregation, and when someone needed something, he was there to help. Although I recall him being gone quite often from our home, I never felt left out or abandoned in any way whatsoever. So I’ve considered how he managed to balance his time, and realized a few things that I’m trying to implement with my kids, as well.

1. If it was important to me, it was

important to him. I was involved in a lot of sports, and Dad attended every event he possibly could. If he missed one every now and then, he would be sure to find out all the details of what happened. And he rooted me on. He even coached many of the teams I played on over the years.

2. He invested time in helping me be better. I remember Dad often dragging my brothers and me out of bed on Saturday mornings to haul us over to the ball field and hit a few grounders our way. Some days I would moan and groan about it, but looking back, it meant a lot for him to take the time to do that. It was only a few hours on a Saturday for him, but I still carry the memory.

3. At key moments, he showed me I was number one. We attended church every time we had the chance (but we didn’t have much choice considering Dad was the pastor). But I can recall a few times when Dad let me skip church for a game or even a night out with friends. This may not sound like much now, but there was a different mindset when it came to church atten-dance back then. This simple act that happened only a handful of times over my younger years let me know that the church (ie, Dad’s employer) was not more important than me.

4. When he did wrong, he apologized (once). There’s no doubt Dad made his fair share of mistakes, but the one that stands out the most isn’t because of the mistake, but because of the apol-

ogy. We were an avid hunting family, and one year I received a permit to turkey hunt and Dad did not. He took me hunting and I got a turkey, but in his eagerness and desire to hunt, he also got a turkey. Thus, we ended up with two turkeys—one legal, one less than legal. (There’s a good joke in there somewhere.)

Later that afternoon he called me out on the porch and apologized for his actions, informing me that in his excitement he had acted improperly. I would have never thought twice of the incident, but that apology taught me a huge lesson. When we make mistakes (and we all will) be sure to right the wrongs. It also made me feel pretty important—DAD apologized to ME.

These are just a few things I’m trying to do with my kids. I fail regu-larly, but, hopefully, I can let them know over these few years that I have with them that they are truly impor-tant to me, and I value every second I have with them.

We’re all busy, and time is fleet-ing, so pick your moments wisely and intentionally. Make sure the memo-ries they have aren’t of the times you were gone, but of the times you were present—not only physically, but also mentally and emotionally.“Make the most of your opportunities because these are evil days” (Eph. 5:15 GWT).

Father Knows Best:Four Parenting Tricks I Learned from My Dad

by Darren Schalk

Darren Schalk is curriculum editor (One Accord Resources, Inc.) at White Wing Publishing House, Church of God of Prophecy International Offices. dschalk@cogop.org

Camp JabezRETREAT CENTER

Located in the Mountains of North Georgia

706.374.6374campjabez.com

B&B Tractor706-259-9629

1106 Good Hope Rd.Dalton, GA

BEEF • PORK • CHICKENFRESH DAILY

BRYMAN’S PLAZA • DALTON, GA706-229-9377

$5.00 OFF$25.00 OR MORE

EXPIRES 04/01/15NOT AVAILABLE WITH ANY OTHER OFFERS/DISCOUNTS.

Gò0dNews for Women

14 // March 2015

Spiritual GiftsA couple of weeks ago, I was watching Lab

Rats with my six-year-old son. The three bionic teenagers were bored with their

distinctive powers so they wanted to switch them around. After they secretly exchanged their pow-ers of speed, strength, and smarts, their “owner” cautions them to never do such a thing because each of them was specifically created for the special power that they have. Once he leaves the scene, the teenagers scoff at his warning and are sure that nothing bad will happen. Mayhem en-sues and they learn the hard way that the powers they were originally given are the ones for which they were designed.

As a girl, I envisioned the perfect Christian couple as one being able to play an instrument or two and the other with the gift of singing. The day I met my future husband, he was leading worship at a Bible study by playing the guitar and singing. That impressive combination intimidated me be-cause it meant I needed to be able to either sing or play an instrument. My piano and organ lessons many years prior coupled with guitar lessons at summer camp helped me to read music, but I was not a natural. What was I going to do? My hus-band was

the perfect Christian man who could sing, play, teach, and disciple, but I did not do any of those things.

For 13 years, I struggled with feeling inad-equate as a Christian wife whose husband was in church leadership. It wasn’t until a month ago when I finally realized the gifts God gave me perfectly compliment my husband’s calling. That realization liberated me1! My husband is the discipleship pastor at our church and oversees everything from small groups and membership to baptisms and community outreach for four cam-puses. I am deeply involved in his ministry as I serve God by being my husband’s administrative assistant. I absolutely love working side by side with him all day long.

I am no longer jealous of musical wives on stage nor covet their beautiful voices. My gifts of writing, encouragement, and serving others are unique to me. When I use them for God, He is glorified.

What about you? You are fearfully and won-derfully made.2 What special skills and talents do you have that God wants to use to serve oth-ers? Is it through organizing, public speaking, listening, cooking, caring for babies, construction, styling hair or cleaning? The wonderful news is that whatever your passion, God intentionally designed you that way to glorify Him. You do not need to be like anyone else. Just be open to making God’s name great, and He will use you in

a special way.PS I may not be a good singer, but

my husband loves when I sing to him and that is all that matters!

For further reading, please see: Ro-mans 12:3-8; Ephesians 4:11-16; 1 Peter 4:8-11; 1 Corinthians 12; 1 John 8:32; 2 Psalm 139:14

Jennifer Govea is a bilingual editor and former missionary in Latin America. She and her husband currently work at Rock Bridge Community Church and have a six-year-old son.

by Jennifer Govea

111 W Gordon St Dalton, Georgia(706) 529-5683

$5 OFF$25 or more

Exp. 4/1/15

Milynn’s

2515 Cleveland Hwy. Ste 1 Dalton, GA 30721

706-428-3074

We have up to date fashions for all Women. Misses, Plus & Maternity styles are current and affordable for all.. We get new Inventory weekly. We carry Handbags and Accessories. We are also home of the famous WubbaNubs!!

$5 OFF Exp: 4/1/14$25 or more

Tending to the newFashionista in you.

Dalton Church Directory

16 // March 2015

Apostolic The Bridge, An Apostolic Church715 College Dr, 30720706-280-0541

Assembly of GodNew Life Baptist Church2620 Old Grade Rd, 30721Calvary Assembly of God515 Reed Rd NW, 30720706-259-0045First Assembly of God508 Sheridan Ave Dalton, GA 30721706-226-7743

BaptistHopewell Baptist Church3527 Airport Rd, 30721706-226-5987Eleventh Avenue Baptist Church 2550 South Dalton Bypass, 30722706-278-7020Good Hope Baptist Church2521 Lake Francis Rd, 30721706-259-3719Grove Level Baptist Church2802 Cleveland Highway, 30721 706-259-8519Kinsey Drive Baptist Church2626 Kinsey Dr, 30720 706-277-3505Whitfield Baptist Church 2134 Dug Gap Rd, 30721706-278-6776

Harmony Baptist Church187 Lower Dawnville Rd, 30721706-226-5521Eastbrook Baptist Church204 Hill Rd, 30720Maple Grove Baptist Church 347 Maple Grove Rd, 30720706-259-3927Northwest Georgia Baptist Church222 North Pentz St, 30720706-463-3490Olivia Baptist Church1817 Guy St, 30720706-278-3507Abundant Life Baptist Church811 J and J, 30721706-278-5289Beaverdale Baptist Church2496 Beaverdale Rd NW, 30721706-259-7089Calvary Baptist Church2115 Chatsworth Rd, 30721706-278-6324Carolyn Baptist Church2305 Cleveland Highway, 30721706-259-8142Cove Baptist Fellowship Church 461 Carbondale Rd SW, 30721706-277-3484

Dalton Second Baptist Church502 West Tyler St, 30720706-278-7422Deep Spring Baptist Church1449 Beaverdale Rd NE, 30721706-259-3255Eastside Baptist Church913 East Morris St, 30721706-278-8553First Baptist Church802 Kenner St, 30721706-226-9681First Baptist Church of Dalton311 North Thronton Ave, 30720706-278-2911Good Samaritan Baptist Church3137 Cleveland Rd, 30721706-259-7239Gospelway Baptist Church336 Jupiter Cir, 30721706-278-1424Harvest Baptist Church1499 Riverbend Rd, 30721706-278-1837Lakeshore Park Baptist Church 12 Crescent St, 30720706-275-6050Liberty Baptist Church506 South Pentz St, 30720706-226-5535Liberty Baptist Church4443 Tibbs Bridge Rd, 37021

706-226-4936Macedonia Baptist Church1355 Dawnville Rd NE, 30721706-259-9220McFarland Hill Baptist Church307 Brickyard Rd, 30721706-277-5521Mount Rachel Baptist Church1600 Haig Mill Rd, 30720706-278-5192Mount Ridge Baptist Church308 East Matilda, 30721706-278-0335New Hope Baptist Church900 Roan St, 30721706-226-2093Poplar Springs Baptist Church897 Poplar Springs Rd, 30720706-259-8727Salem Baptist Church 1448 Pleasant Grove Dr, 30721706-259-7045Shiloh Baptist Church2014 East Waugh St, 30721706-226-5981Temple Baptist Church2310 South Dixie Rd, 30720 706-226-6785Unity Baptist Church1008 Burleyson Rd, 30720

FREEAdd/Update

ChurchDirectory Listings Today!

issuu.com/goodnewsdalton // 17

706-226-3026Valley Baptist Church 2907 Old Rome, 30720West View Baptist Church104 Emma St, 30721706-226-1219

BibleFellowship Bible Church 2044 Dug Gap Rd, 30720706-278-6269

CatholicSaint Joseph Catholic Church623 South Thornton Ave, 30720706-278-3107

Christian First Christian Church1506 Dug Gap Rd, 30720706-278-7244

Church of ChristCentral Church of Christ214 West King St, 30720706-278-8051Highland Church of Christ901 Chester Hill, 30721706-226-4126South Whitfield Church of Christ118 Maurine Dr, 30720

Church of GodCedar Valley Church of God2744 Cleveland Highway, 30721706-259-0016Church of God of Union Assembly2311 South Dixie Rd, 30720706-275-0510City View Church of God1814 City View, 30720

706-226-6686Crosspointe Christian Centre1007 Underwood St, 30721706-278-2649

Community Rock Bridge Community Church100 West Gordon St, 30720Community Fellowship Church409 North Fredrick St, 30721706-278-3204

Episcopal Saint Mark’s Episcopal Church901 West Emory St, 30720706-278-8857

MethodistBethel UMC123 Bethel Church Rd, 30721706-278-3309 Dalton First UMC500 South Thornton Ave, 30720706-278-8494Dawnville UMC1529 Spring Ln NE, 30721706-259-5342Evangelical Methodist Church1035 Abutment Rd, 30721 706-278-9208Five Springs UMC2823 Five Springs Rd, 30720706-277-3928New Haven UMC4040 South Dixie High-way, 30721706-277-3338

Pleasant Grove UMC2701 Cleveland Highway, 30721706-259-3141Sugar Valley UMC503 Murry Hill Dr, 30720706-280-9112Trinity UMC901 Veterans Dr, 30721706-278-4042United Methodist Church1700 Beverly Dr, 30720706-278-3954Wesley Chapel UMC808 Jamestown CT, 30721706-270-2331

NazareneFirst Church of the Naza-rene2325 Chattanooga Rd, 30720706-278-8428Grace Church of the Nazarene1111 Nelson St, 30721706-278-1171

Non-Denominational A New Beginning Full Gospel Church2110 Antioch Rd, 30721706-602-8998River of Life Church of Dalton2919 East Walnut Ave, 30721706-965-6683Cornerstone Family Church1240 Dawnville Rd, 30721706-259-8509Good Neighbors Church910 South Thornton Ave, 30720706-226-0846

Saint James Overcoming Church400 North Fredrick St, 30721706-278-0319

Pentecostal True Gospel Pentecostal Church109 South Henderson St, 30721706-278-5696

Presbyterian First Presbyterian Church510 South Tibbs Rd, 30720706-226-5437Grace Presbyterian Church2107 East Dug Gap, 30720706-226-6344

Seventh Day Adventist3 Angels Hispanic Sev-enth Day Adventist Church701 E Morris St, 30721706-618-1182 Dalton Hispanic Seventh Day Adventist Church112 W Long St, 30720706-275-0523Seventh Day Adventist Church300 South Tibbs Rd, 30720706-226-2166

18 // March 2015015

As Ken Sparks embarks on his 35th season he does so continuing a ba� le with a cancer that was diagnosed on June 30, 2012.

Christian principles have been the driving force behind Sparks’ coaching career. It was his faith that brought him to Carson-Newman in 1980 and it is his faith that will see him through this latest chal-lenge.

He is the winningest active head coach in the country with 318 wins, 86 loss and two ties. He needs one victory to tie Pop Warner for sixth on the all-time wins list and six to catch Bear Bryant.

In 2012 Sparks made history, becoming only the 11th man in college football to record 300 wins. The coach is reluctant to shine the spotlight on himself and his accomplish-ments. Sparks would instead rather be measured by his impact in the lives of the young men and coaches who’ve been a part of his Carson-Newman family.

For Coach Sparks, football is a laboratory of learning where he and his staff strive to develop the whole person – educationally, socially, athletically and spiritually. Along the way, Sparks has developed one of the winningest football programs in the history of the sport. The Eagles have won fi ve NAIA National Titles and played for it six times. A move to NCAA Division II didn’t slow Sparks’ Carson-Newman squad down. The Eagles played for the D-II National Title three times and were a semifi nalist in 2009.

The rest of the numbers speak for themselves as Sparks has recorded 21 South Atlantic Confer-ence Championships, 24 NCAA or NAIA playoff appearances and a 308-83-2 record. Sparks holds the all-time record for wins in NCAA Division II and, with the recent retirement of St. John's (Minn.) John Gagliardi and Mount Union's Larry Kehres, Sparks is the activce leader in coaching wins. In fact, at the start of the 2013 season, he was the only active head coach with more than 265 wins.

Sparks was inducted into the inaugural NCAA Division II Hall of Fame Coaches Class in 2010 along with Northwest Missouri State’s Mel Tjeerdsma and West Alabama’s Bobby Wallace.

Coach Sparks is also a member of the South Atlan-tic Conference Hall of Fame, the Knoxville Sports Hall of Fame, the Carson-Newman Athletic Hall of Fame, the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame and the NAIA Hall of Fame.

Sparks has been honored with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Lifetime Achievement Award and National Coach of the Year. Sparks was elected president of the American Football Coaches Asso-ciation in 2007. In 2002 Sparks received the All-American Football Foundation’s Johnny Vaught Lifetime Achievement Award.

Coach Sparks earned NAIA Coach of the Year honors in 1984. He’s been voted SAC Coach of the

Year 12 times. Sparks is a two-time winner of the Tennessee Sportswriters Coach

of the Year in 1999 and 2002 and was also named Division II Coach of the Year by American Football Coach Magazine.

In 2010, Sparks received the prestigious General Robert R. Neyland Trophy, presented by the Knoxville Quarterback Club for

contributing greatly to intercolle-giate athletics.In 2013 he was named Jeff erson

Countian of the Year by the Jeff eerson County Chamber of Commerce for outstanding commi� ment to the area. Following that he was presented the Uncommon Award by former NFL coach Tony Dungy for "uncommon leadership through character and faith." Sparks has called the Uncommon Award one of the most meaningful of his career along with the lifetime achievement award from the FCA because of what they stand for.

The Eagles’ postseason run under Sparks began in 1982, when he guided the Eagles to a 10-2 record and an NAIA playoff berth in his third season. Carson-Newman lost in the opening round of the playoff s that season, but the culture of the Eagles program was forever changed. The next season, C-N won its second-straight SAC-8 title, then cap-tured its fi rst national football title in school his-tory, beating heavily-favored Mesa State 36-28 in the NAIA Champion Bowl.

The Eagles brought home four more titles

Coach Ken Sparks

e theplish-r

s

.ed rams in

Year 12 timof the

of talY

Kco

giaIn

Countian

beginning with a 19-19 tie with Central Arkansas in 1984. Carson-Newman shutout Cameron 17-0 in the 1986 championship game, blew out Adams State 56-21 in 1988 for the title and cruised to a fi fth in 1989 with a 34-20 win over Emporia State.

In 2009, After opening the season 0-2, the Eagles reeled off 11 consecutive victories, including a per-fect 7-0 mark in the SAC to claim their 21stconfer-ence title. C-N fell a game short of making its 11th national title game appearance, falling to Grand Valley State in the Division II semifi nals.

2012 went down similarly for Sparks' Eagles. Af-ter stu� ering to a 2-2 start, the Eagles reeled of seven consecutive victories to earn a fi rst round bye. C-N came out in round two and took the SAC champi-ons, the Lenoir-Rhyne Bears, out of the playoff s with a 38-35 victory. Carson-Newman would fall just shy of the semis against eventual national champions Valdosta State.

A native of Knoxville, Tenn., Sparks began his coaching career at Gibbs High School in Knoxville, restarting the football program with a winning season. A year later Sparks coached quarterbacks and wide receivers at Tennessee Tech while earning his Master’s Degree. He coached Morristown East High School for one season before returning to his alma mater, Carson-Newman, to serve as off ensive coordinator for then-Carson-Newman head coach Dal Shealy and oversee the track program. Sparks served both teams with distinction, receiving South-ern Collegiate Track Coach of the Year honors in 1977. With Sparks running the off ense, the 1972 Eagles advanced to their fi rst-ever NAIA Cham-pion Bowl, falling to East Texas State.

Sparks took over the Farragut High School football program in 1977, guiding the Admi-rals to a 29-5 record. Sparks was twice-voted KIL and KFA Coach of the Year. After three seasons, Sparks was asked to take command of the Carson-Newman football program.

Coach Sparks is a sought-after public speaker and motivator, delivering speeches a coaches clinics, church groups and civic organizations. He is a member of Manley Baptist Church of Morristown, along with his wife Carol, and is heavily involved in multiple Christian organizations.

You can hear more about Ken Sparks’s inspirational story on Tuesday, March 17 at the NW. Georgia Trade & Con-vention Center for the Annual FCA Celebration Dinner. For more infor-mation about tickets to the event visit www.ngafca.org or contact David Grusnick at 706-226-5144.Email: gshoates@fca.org

FEATUREDCOVER STORY

issuu.com/goodnewsdalton // 19

Gò0dNews for Parents

20 // March 2015

“For You shaped me, inside and out. You knitted me together in my mother’s womb long before I took my first

breath. I will offer You my grateful heart, for I am Your unique creation, filled with wonder and awe. You have approached even the smallest details with excellence; Your works are wonderful; I carry this knowledge deep within my soul (Psalm 139:13-14).

This scripture is a reminder that God had a plan for us even before we were born. Each person is unique and one of a kind. Parents have a respon-sibility to help their children come to an under-standing of who God created them to be and to fulfill their potential.

There are four basic concepts about God that parents should teach their children to encourage them in their faith journey.

1. God is love. How do we teach this? Simply by loving them. Love is more than a feeling; it is an action. A calm, loving spirit, holding a hand that needs help walking, being generous with hugs and encouragement are ways to teach love. Children who experiences this kind of love will be able to believe when they hear, “God loves you.” In early faith development, it is important to have a loving

environment to develop trust. Learning to trust parents is a step in trusting God. A friend shared this definition of love for God? “There is nothing we can do to make God love us more; there is nothing we can do to make God loves us less. He just loves us.”

2. God is forgiving. When a child learns forgive-ness from adults, the child will develop a belief that God is forgiving. A forgiving parent does not hold a grudge and begins each day with a fresh approach. It is important to guide a child to change inappropriate behavior, but it is just as important not to hold past failures against the child.

3. God is ever-present. God is with us daily in every circumstance of our journey. Parents need to be present in their child’s life by communicat-ing and being available. When parents consistently say, “not right now” or “later,” the child develops insecurity and a lack of trust. A child needs to feel the presence of a parent that will help him or her develop an understanding of the ever presence of God in their lives.

4. God is faithful. Parents teach faithfulness by being faithful. Faithfulness is demonstrated by meeting the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of a child. A definition of commitment is “Doing what you said you would do when the feeling you had when you said you would do it is gone.” Ephesians 5:1 is a guideline to follow in teaching faith values: “Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love” (NKJV). Developing these faith values will enable your chil-dren to become what God created them to be.

Faith Development in Childrenby Brenda Dedmon

Reverend Brenda Dedmon is director of Children’s Learning Center, First Baptist Church of Dalton, Dalton, GA

CHILDREN’S LEARNING CENTER“Where Great Things Begin”

FIRST BAPTIST OF DALTON311 N. Thornton Avenue • Dalton, GA 30720

706-226-3906

AGES: 2 YEARS - 4 YEARS FULL DAY CARE

7:00AM - 6:00PM

SUMMER PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN COMPLETED KG - 3RD GRADE

MAY 26 - JULY 24, 20157:30AM - 6:00PM

Activities include drama, crafts, cooking, music, & field trips.Total cost: $1,080.00 due in 3 payments of $360.00

Registration Fee: $50.00

MORNING PRESCHOOL 8:45AM - 11:45AM

2’S Tu-W-Th, 3’S Tu-W-Th, 3’S M-F, 4’S M-F

REGISTRATION FOR THE 2015 - 2016 SCHOOL YEAR, NOW OPEN!

Gò0dNews for Life

22 // March 2015

Kelly Hixson is a teacher at Black Fox Elementary. You can follow her “Glimpses” on Facebook or email her at kellyhixson2@gmail.com

It was exactly a year ago that I began my healing process for depression. I had allowed Satan to steal life from me. Little things such as the green

grass, the blue sky, a sunny day, or from the big things, such as my children accomplishing some-thing great or needing me just to be a Mom. I was so deep in that dark pit of despair that I never saw a way out until one day during my prayer time, the Lord spoke to my heart. He said “Enough! I have a purpose for you and if you don’t stop, you will miss it. Start looking for Me in each day.”

So I did, I stopped wallowing in my muck and mire and obeyed. I began journaling about one good thing that happened to me each day, and I used my Facebook page to hold me accountable. Little did I know that my first posting would be the gateway to my healing, helping others and realizing I had the gift of writing hidden deep inside me I never knew I had.

God did have a purpose for me, but Satan had a plan as well. God’s purpose was to use my depression to help others through my writing and Satan’s plan was to keep me in my muck, stealing my life. Today I am so grateful God gave me the strength to obey His command, and I can write this article as just another girl hanging on to the hem of His garment set free, smiling, laughing, and enjoying the ride. If you find yourself suffer-

ing in that same pit I was in, there is hope for you. Start looking for Him in each day, and you will find Him. He will make you smile.

Here is my first post on my Facebook page that started my healing.February 4, 2014—A Small Glimpse of heaven to Me Today. I was helping a child read today, and she was coming up shy of meeting her goal each time she read. I could tell she was getting a little discouraged, so I looked at her with a smile, ad-justed her hair back in a head band, and fixed her glasses, and said, “You look so beautiful today.

She said, “Do you like my shirt?”“I love your shirt! I believe in you. Do you

believe in yourself?” She shook her head yes with a smile!

“Okay, let’s read and pass your goal.” She began to read, and as she realized she

was getting close to passing her goal, she had the biggest grin on her face as she was reading! She passed her goal, and we celebrated with hugs and a piece of candy! Her smile is “heaven” to me today!

“He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along” Ps. 40:2 (NLT).

A Glimpse of Heaven to Me Today . . .Healing, one journal post at a time.

by Kelly Hixson

LIST YOURChurch Activities & Events

Help us get our communities connected. We off er Free Church listings, and monthly activities and event listings.

Special Events:Please submit events for September by August 15th.

-Revival-Cook Outs-Concerts

-FundraisersAnd anything else you have during the month.

24 // March 2015

Gò0dNews for Health & Fitness

Two Important Tips for a Leaner & Fitter You

Have many of you will have made resolutions to start exercising, eat better, or lose some weight this year? Now that it is March. Here

are two important tips that you can use right away to continue living your healthiest and happiest in 2015.

1. Do less. Many “secrets” of body transforma-tion are actually counter-intuitive, leading many astray. Doing the opposite of what so many others try to do can lead to success. Since about 95 to 98 percent fail in long-term weight loss, you really need to pay attention to those in the 2 to5 percent group!

I’ll let you in on one secret right here: To achieve more, you need to do less. People make change too hard on themselves by attempting to change too many things at once. Weight loss or muscle gain is a multi-faceted endeavor that will impact a number of different areas in your life. Too many try to change what, when, and how much they eat, including their exercise hab-its, and negative self-talk all at once. Frankly, each major area of weight loss or muscle gain (diet, exercise, thoughts and attitude, social support) can involve a number of smaller behaviors that have to change. Going for it all at once is a big mistake.

Newly emerging research and the experiences of count-less people reveal that change is typically most success-ful when engaged in only one behavior at a time. The problem? We are all human beings and human nature is impatient! We want to know everything and get every-thing working the way it

should quickly. But you see—that is the problem! It’s what everyone tries to do. Every year in Janu-ary, people make resolutions and are sure that they will work out regularly, get their diet in order. and finally get in shape. And every year, only a tiny percentage actually make it to summer and attain their goals. Will that be you? Accept the fact that you can only change a little at a time to fully suc-ceed. Trying to change more than one thing at a time equals failure. It really is that simple.

2. Get a mentor or coach. The one who can help us the most when embarking on something new, whether losing excess body fat or building up skinny muscles is a mentor or coach. Find, some-

one who has been where you are and achieved what you would like to, or has helped others to. When you find someone like this, simply listen and follow in his or her footsteps. That is what a mentor or coach is for! What cham-

pion athlete or sports team tries to success-fully compete without a coach?

In every profession, those who want to improve and go higher

actively seek mentorship and sup-port. It is necessary. If not just

for the knowledge that can be gained, it is necessary to provide the structure and accountability that is needed to stay focused enough to accomplish the goal. Making the effort to find a suit-able mentor or coach and then making the commitment to be accountable to them is the surest

path to success!Be your best by summer—give

us a call today!

by Thomas Morrison

Thomas Morrison is a personal trainer at Bradley Wellness Center. For more in-formation, call 706-278-9355 and ask to speak with a personal trainer. They will give you a complimentary assessment to learn more and to see if one of their coaching packages are right for you.

Offer includes 2 Adult Buffets and 2 Small Drinks.$11.99

(706) 278-24241345 W. Walnut Ave. Dalton, GA 30720

2 Large, 1 Topping Pizzas

$10.00 plus tax

Carry Out Only.

2404 East Morris St. Dalton, GA

(706) 226-3097

Gò0dNews for Teens

26 // March 2015

It’s 6 p.m. Wednesday; do your youth members know where you are?We are being watched. Omi-

nous, I know, but let me explain. Youth notice things. Adults, especially parents, who interact with youth are watched. They notice who’s around and who isn’t. We all know stories about adults who are the greatest, or even the worst, but in the best way possible, stories that will end up as youth group lore for years to come. These adults have a secret to becoming legendary: show up. We’re being watched, so let’s be seen.

Easy, right? But how do we find time? We know how busy we are. We’ve seen articles about multisport kids, we know about extracurricular and college ap-plications. We’re over-connected and overscheduled, and so have our kids; it’s contagious and we’re all suffering. Sabbath isn’t just something for Pharisees to argue about, it’s what we need. Slow down and rest, recharge the batteries and other clichés. Quit adding more stuff and find out what takes precedence. Step out of the hurry and prioritize. That account is important, but what are we sacrificing? Youth learn priorities from us, and if faith development and church com-munity lose out to other things, those priorities are communi-cated clearly.

Baby StepsNow get interested. Hey

man, how’s your walk? Do we know what our kids are doing in school? Do we ask them? Of course. We should apply every-thing to faith too! I had a friend in college who would randomly ask me, “Hey man, how’s your walk?” It was really irritating at first, but honestly, it became refreshing. Let’s make discus-sion about faith a thing. Let’s talk about our own faith and ask our kids about theirs. I’m not say-ing evangelize the family dog or shout down the perceived heresies of neighbors, but what if we get interested in hearing each other’s thoughts on the week’s Bible study, or encourage ques-tions on developing faith? We might not have all the answers, but creating a space to seek those answers does more for growth than we can imagine.

Fostering family discussion

can be more complicated than in-terpreting a text made of nothing but smiley faces, but as with text-talking, faith gets easier when we get involved. Be present. Be con-nected. Obviously, youth aren’t always stoke to have the parental units everywhere they are, and let’s be honest, neither are par-ents. You know who is, though? Other youth. Odds are your story speaks uniquely to a youth and vice versa. Cook a meal, drive a van. Mentoring happens in some of the most unexpected places, but first we have to show up. One of the greatest moments a youth can have is realizing that an adult, (1) is a human and (2) really does care about her or him. Seriously, they make movies about it.

So as I said: We’re being watched. We can show our youth empty chairs and better things to do, or we can show someone who’s in their corner.

Show Upby Andrew Shaffer

Andrew Shaffer is the minister to youth and their families at First Bap-tist Dalton, GA. He is a graduate of Mississippi State, Samford and Truett Seminary. He has worked in youth ministry one way or another since 2000, and has been bitten by an otter.

DE

GR

EE

CO

MP

LE

TIO

N

FINISHYOUR

RACEDegree completion with a Christian worldview. This is your opportunity to complete your undergraduate education on your terms in our online program designed for working adults.

423-614-8370 dal@leeuniversity.eduwww.leeuniversity.edu

Apply today at www.applyatlee.com

DE

GR

EE

CO

MP

LE

TIO

N

FINISHYOUR

RACEDegree completion with a Christian worldview. This is your opportunity to complete your undergraduate education on your terms in our online program designed for working adults.

423-614-8370 dal@leeuniversity.eduwww.leeuniversity.edu

Apply today at www.applyatlee.com

Gò0dNews for Seniors

28 // March 2015

by Jamie Nichols

This month we will see many Irish symbols,

such as pots of gold, red-bearded lepre-

chauns, and shamrocks as we celebrate

St. Patrick’s Day. There will be talk of “good luck

charms.” A four-leaf clover is considered by many

to be good luck. What many people do not know

is that the three-leaf clover, or shamrock, has a re-

ally interesting story attached to it. It has been said

that St. Patrick used the clover to make a beautiful

point about the Holy Trinity.

One day, he was approached by a group of

people trying to understand the concept of “three

as one.” The idea that there is the Father, the Son,

and the Holy Spirit— three entities

that are all one—was dif-

ficult for many newly

converted Chris-

tians in Ireland

to understand.

That day,

St. Patrick

bent over,

plucked a

shamrock and

held it up. He

pointed out that even

though the shamrock had

three different leaves, it was one plant. This visual

example helped solidify the idea of unity. So, in a

way, the shamrock did become a good luck charm

for St. Patrick and the people of Ireland.

The shamrock can also be a reminder for us

about the unity of humanity. We all have differ-

ent backgrounds, political views, and beliefs. We

are beautifully diverse individuals, yet we are all

human. We are different branches on the same tree

and, like the clover, different leaves on the same

plant. My hope is that when you see the decora-

tions celebrating St. Patrick’s Day being displayed,

or when you are out in nature and see a shamrock,

that you are reminded of the Holy Trin-

ity that watches over us all and

the unity that connects

our beautifully diverse

world.

“Finally, all of

you, live in har-

mony with one

another; be sym-

pathetic, love as

brothers, be compas-

sionate and humble”

(1 Peter 3:8 NIV).

Lessons from the Shamrock

Fields of the Wood10000 HWY 294 Murphy, NC | 828.494.7855

2015 Easter CelebrationApril 4th, 2015

•1pm - Easter Egg Hunt•2pm - 6pm Gospel Singing•6pm - Passion Play performed by Bethlehem Baptist Church from Madisonville, TN•Gospel music till 10pm

April 5th, 2015•6am - Easter Sunrise Service•Pastor Terry Bailey | Decatur, TN

Gospel Singers•The Jamerson’s•Higher Vision•Sinards•Wauka Mountain Boys•Illuminated Drama TeamCamping Available Saturday Night - 4th.Rv’s & Tents Allowed.No Electric or Water Hook-up.

Gift Shop & Cafe Open Saturday, April 4th • 10am - 10pm | Fields of the Wood / Burger Mountain Cafe

(Cafe will be Open for Breakfast)

holestogo.com423.805.0675

Churches • Birthday Parties • FundraisersCarnivals • Social & Corporate Events

Portable Miniature Golf Course RentalsGreat For Your Youth Group!

Offer includes 2 Adult Buffets and 2 Small Drinks.$11.99

(706) 278-24241345 W. Walnut Ave. Dalton, GA 30720

2 Large, 1 Topping Pizzas

$10.00 plus tax

Carry Out Only.

30 // March 2015

Gò0dNews from the Physician

I want to lose weight fast. What do you think about the new weight-loss medications?

Two new weight-loss medications have recently been approved by the FDA. Qsymia was the first, and the second release, Belviq, was re-

leased in July 2012. There are other non-approved substances released for weight loss. It is no wonder that pharmaceutical companies would want to release more weight-loss drugs. In America, ap-proximately 30 percent of the population are now obese and a total of 60 percent are overweight. Extra weight is a worldwide problem as well. This amounts to many potential customers. At an esti-mated $6 a pill, there will be much money made.

Obesity not only affects adults, but the rate of obesity in children is also growing (excuse the pun). This market could be a gold mine for the pharmaceutical industry, but does taking medica-tions or chemicals for weight loss for obesity make sense?

Fat cells are an organ in and of themselves. This system is called the endo cannabinoid system. Fat makes a host of chemicals that make us hungry, increases stress chemicals, makes estrogen, which increases the risk of cancer and makes inflammatory chemicals that damage the entire body—including the brain. As you can see, extra weight is not good. Many of our chronic medi-cal problems have extra weight as the cause. As the world’s population gains weight, it is only natural to want a quick fix.

Previous medications for weight loss have been removed from the market. Ephedra-based weight-loss medications have been removed as ephedra has increased the risk of abnormal heart rhythms. The first weight-loss medications in the ’50s and ’60s were amphetamine-based compounds. Am-phetamines speed up the metabolism.

The combination of Phentermine and Fenflura-mine has been removed from the market because of the concern for heart valve abnormalities. Both Fenfluramine and Dexfenfluramine were removed in 1997. Sibutramine (Merida), another weight-loss medication, has been removed form the market. So far, there has been no quick fix.

Qsymia, one of the new weight-loss medica-tions, has as a component called phentermine. The other component is a medication used for seizures, topiramate. Some of the known problems are increased heart rate, birth defects if taken during pregnancy, and cognitive defects.

Thus far, in the weight-loss world, there has been no quick fix. Extra weight changes the me-

tabolism of the body. Now we are throwing in another chemical to “fix” the problem. It just does not make sense to me. I expect these new medications to have a greater

risk than a benefit. As to your question, I do not think these new medications will

be the answer.

New Weight-Loss Medicationsby James Marcum M.D.

Dr. James Marcum is speaker/director of Heartwise Ministries. He is a cardiologist practicing with the Chattanooga Heart Institute. He is very active in the television, radio, and print arm of Heartwise Minis-tries. He is married to Sonya and has two children, Kelli and Jake. He enjoys music and outdoor activities.

“Transforming Lives in the Face of Persecution”FEATURING

Os Guinness(D. Phil. Oxford University) Social critic and author of The Call, Godin the Dark, The Global Public Square, Renaissance: The Power ofthe Gospel However Dark the Times, and over 20 other books.

Thursday, March 26, 2015 6:30 p.m.Chattanooga

Convention CenterTickets: $40 (includes dinner)Table for eight: $300

Join us for this unique opportunity to advance the Gospel

through national workerswho faithfully proclaimChrist in their native languages and home cultures around the world with AMG.

To learn more and register:Visit amgbanquet.org or call (423) 894-6060, ext. 261

PRESENTS

Gò0dNews for Couples

32 // March 2015

by David Gray

David Gray is the store man-ager at Habitat Restore on Grove Ave. He and his wife Kendra have four children and two grandchildren.

I don’t know how we survived before DVR technology. For all you youngsters out there,

back in the day, we actually had to watch commercials! That’s shocking and slightly unbeliev-able I know, but it’s true. And, if we thought we were going to miss our favorite show, we had to program our VCR’s ahead of time to record it. This task was fraught with difficulty. And even if we had the technological prow-ess to figure it out at all, it would rarely catch the whole program.

Then, one glorious day, someone invented the DVR. Press a couple buttons on the remote and presto, favorite pro-gram lodged into the mechanical memory banks forever. The DVR had another consequence. Before DVR, husband and wife both come home from long, stressful days at work. Husband wants to plop down in front of the TV to hide in his mental cave and de-stress. Wifey wants to share—ev-ery detail of every conversation and every emotion of the day. Unending details of the lives of people husband has never met and doesn’t care to know.

All seems well and good until you realize, these are hap-pening at the exact same time. Husband gets frustrated because wife talks over the TV. Suddenly, he feels his wife doesn’t respect him or doesn’t care that he’s had a long day. Simultaneously, wife assumes he is selfish, especially when he doesn’t even turn his head to look in her direction. She feels ignored, uncared for, and unimportant.

How does a couple solve this great dilemma? Enter the DVR? Οne of the greatest things that has ever happened in our home was the first day that I simply paused the TV when my wife wanted to unload. Now I can give her my full attention with-out feeling like I am losing any-thing. But, the DVR is not even the point. The truth is that my wife is far more important than whatever is on the TV. She is the most important person in my world, the one I’m committed to spending the rest of my life with. She deserves my undivided at-tention.

The point is that listening communicates value, comfort,

affirmation, and understanding. Paul Tillich mused, “The first duty of love is to listen.” James put it like this, “Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry” (James 1:19).

Our spouses deserve our best. Listening isn't necessarily about agreeing with the other person, it is about understand-ing them emotionally. Listening might be the most powerful way to say, “I believe in you!” Listen-ing is the best way to get your spouse to open his or her heart and be vulnerable. The opposite is also true: Not listening is the quickest way to get your spouse to close off emotionally.

So I challenge you today, pause the TV, maybe even shut it off. Put the kids to bed. Put away the smartphones. And listen—re-ally listen. Listening communi-cates value, love, and care far more than a few flowers or a box of chocolates. Taking the time to simply listen, might be the most important thing you can do for your relationship.

The DVR Saved Our Marriage

4/1/15

4/1/15

30

GoodNews Christian Magazine

GoodNews Christian Magazine

1509 N. Thornton Avenue • Dalton GA 30720 706-272-3336 | habitatdwm.org

Store Hours:Tuesday - Friday 9AM-5PM

Saturday 9AM-1PM

•High Quality Laminate Flooring•High Quality Paint & Supplies•Carpet Tiles•Gently Used Furniture•Appliances

•Rugs•Office Items•Lighting•Plumbing Materials•Bathroom & Kitchen Fixtures

What We Sell:

All proceeds of our sales go toward building homes for low-income families in our community.

*Look for deep discounts for items that have been in our store over 30 days.*

*Individuals and businesses can donate items & discontinued inventory to our ReStore. Call

706-272-3336 to schedule a donation pick up.*

Gò0dNews for Everyone

34 // March 2015

Did you know God wants you to succeed in life? You may say,

“I’m not sure about that. If you knew the bad things I have done, you wouldn’t say such a thing.” Actually, I would say such a thing because where sin increases, grace increases much more! (see Rom. 5:20)

Friends, God wants you to suc-ceed in your relationships, fi nances,

family, and career. What if you made the decision to start

believing God’s defi ni-tion about you? I know what would happen! You would experience the goodness of God in your life. See, when it comes to God, you have to believe how He really sees you!

You don’t have to work your way up the ladder with God. Jesus did that for you! What you do will never obtain God’s best for you. Only what Jesus has done will release

the best God has for you. Did you know that if you try to get God’s best with your works, you will become tired mentally and physically? In your eff ort to get God’s best, you will fall short every time.

God judges you based on the fi nished work of Jesus Christ. You need to realize that God’s best is so valuable; He doesn’t want you working for it! Hallelujah! You may say, “Isn’t what I do important?”

Of course it is! But did you also know that works are the opposite of God’s best? Romans 11:6 reminds us, “But if it is by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no

longer grace” (11:6 NKJV). God’s best is not about what you

do, it’s about Jesus and the free gift of His over-abundant favor! God does not defi ne you by what you do; He defi nes you through what Jesus has done. I know it may be hard for some of you to grasp this point, but God looks at you just like He looks at Jesus. That’s why the work of Jesus is so powerful!

We don’t need to work harder, we need to have greater gratitude of God’s over-abundant favor which is God’s best! You can be at ease because as Jesus is, so are we in this world! (see 1 John 4:17) I have three questions for you:

1. Do you get God’s best by what you do before you get saved?

2. Do you get God’s best by what you did when you got saved?

3. Do you get God’s best by what you do after you get saved?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you have missed God’s desire for you. God’s best for you is received by faith alone. His best is Jesus, and Jesus wants to have a relationship with us and make us a success! So what’s the application?

1. Believe how God defi nes you without your works.

2. Confess God’s opinion of you.

3. Feed on God’s promises instead of negative self-talk

Samuel Burger is the pastor of Chestuee Baptist Church. Feel free to contact him via email samuel-brgr@yahoo.com.

God Wants the Best for Youby Samuel Burger

The flagship affiliate for Hamilton Health Care System, Hamilton Medical Center is a 282-bed regional acute-care hospital that offers major medical, surgical and diagnostic services, including:

• Accredited Chest Pain Center• Primary Stroke Center through The Joint Commission• Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)• Level II Trauma Center• Hip and Knee Replacement program certified by The

Joint Commission• Breast Imaging Center of Excellence through the

American College of Radiology

Hospital in Georgia#1 Mid-size Category

hamiltonhealth.com • 1200 Memorial Drive • Dalton, GA

something for everyone in the family...

fitness Family

bradleywell.com • 706.278.93551225 Broadrick Drive, Dalton