faith – The GRIP

Kemp urges Georgians not to attend in-person religious services

April 10, 2020 by Sheila Mathews Leave a Comment

STAFF REPORT ::: Governor Brian Kemp is urging Georgians to not attend religious services, including Easter services, even those that are described as “drive-in.” Authorities say law enforcement agencies have received reports that participants of drive-in religious services are not staying in their vehicles, but are instead leaving them to allow children to play, use […]

Filed Under: Government, Health, Religion, Top Stories Tagged With: coronavirus, COVID-19, easter, faith, Georgia, Governor Brian Kemp, Griffin, religion, shelter-at-home, spalding county, worship

“I know” always stops the flow

April 27, 2018 by Sheila Mathews Leave a Comment

This editorial column by Dusty Takle was previously published in the print edition of The GRIP. “I know.” I can remember growing up responding to my parents with “I know” when they would say something to me. Every time, my dad would say, “Don’t say ‘I know.’ Say, ‘yes, sir’ or ‘yes ma’am.’” I had […]

Filed Under: Lifestyles, Top Stories Tagged With: Dusty Takle, faith, family, Griffin, Lifestyles, parenting, Personal Growth, relationships, spalding county

Sometimes parents need tweaking

April 12, 2018 by Sheila Mathews Leave a Comment

This editorial column by Dusty Takle was previously published in a print edition of The GRIP. I have found myself the past few weeks correcting Jett and how he responds to me. “Remember who I am,” I’ve told him. “You are not allowed to talk to me like that,” I’ve told him. This has not […]

Filed Under: Arts and Entertainment, Top Stories Tagged With: children, faith, Families, Griffin, Lifestyles, parenting, relationships, religion, spalding county

Learn to love yourself

March 11, 2018 by Sheila Mathews Leave a Comment

This editorial column by Dusty Takle previously appeared in the print edition of The GRIP. Matthew 22:36-40 36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 37 Jesus replied, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and […]

Filed Under: Lifestyles, Religion, Top Stories Tagged With: Dusty Takle, Encouragement, faith, Lifestyles, Love, religion, sacrifice, self-care, support

What are you allowing to master your life?

February 18, 2018 by Sheila Mathews 2 Comments

This editorial column by Dusty Takle was published in the previous print edition of The GRIP. What Is Mastering Your Life? We are created in the image and likeness of God. This is your inherent DNA. It’s mine. There is no getting away from it. There is no getting out of it. There is nothing […]

Filed Under: Lifestyles, Religion, Top Stories Tagged With: Dusty Takle, faith, Griffin, Lifestyles, mastering life, relationships, religion, spalding county

Remember that every disappointment in life is an appointment with God

December 11, 2017 by Sheila Mathews Leave a Comment

This editorial column written by Dusty Takle was previously published in the most recent edition of The GRIP. It is honestly hard to be as raw and real as this post will be. Because, I am a positive girl. I take captive thoughts that drain me, that aren’t good for me, and I’m usually really […]

Filed Under: Lifestyles, Top Stories Tagged With: disappointment, Dusty Takle, Encouragement, faith, God, grief, Griffin, Lifestyles, relationship, spalding county

Real hope is the anchor to our souls

November 29, 2017 by Sheila Mathews Leave a Comment

This editorial column by Dusty Takle was published in the most recent print edition of The GRIP. The word hope has come alive for me. Amidst the tragedies and heartbreaks we’ve all experienced this year in our nation, hope is something we all need to renew. Mass shootings make us cry out for peace and […]

Filed Under: Lifestyles, Religion, Top Stories Tagged With: Dusty Takle, faith, Griffin, Hope, relationships, religion, spalding county

Rushton’s Hope serves the least among us in the community, giving love and grace

November 13, 2017 by Sheila Mathews Leave a Comment

RON COOK ::: Special Contributor to The GRIP I don’t know what to do! I don’t know where to go! I don’t know who to turn to! I am at the end of my rope! You’re my last hope! For the last 10 years, Rushton’s Hope has been responding to statements such as these, and […]

Filed Under: Community, Top Stories Tagged With: charity, faith, giving, Griffin, need, Ron Cook, Rushton's Hope, service, spalding county

Whatever you do, DON’T. GIVE. IN.

October 2, 2017 by Sheila Mathews 1 Comment

This editorial column written by Dusty Takle was previously published in a print edition of The GRIP. For the past six months, I’ve watched a very close family friend navigate through his third bout with cancer….his second with bone cancer. For those of you who’ve experienced or watched someone go through this kind of pain, […]

Filed Under: Lifestyles, Top Stories Tagged With: Dusty Takle, faith, family, Griffin, Inspiration, Lifestyles, Love, Mike Thompson, perserverence, spalding county

Decide what, who, how and do it

September 14, 2017 by Sheila Mathews Leave a Comment

This editorial column written by Dusty Takle appeared in a recent print edition of The GRIP. Decide. The word decide came alive for me not long ago. I was sitting up in my bed, scrolling through social media and came across a video on positive thinking posted by a dear friend. In the video, several […]

Filed Under: Lifestyles, Top Stories Tagged With: creating, Dusty Takle, faith, family, Griffin, Lifestyles, possibilities, spalding county, vision

Live around the banquet table

August 18, 2017 by Sheila Mathews Leave a Comment

This is an editorial column written by Dusty Takle that previously appeared in the print edition of The GRIP. The church I attend and serve has focused the entire year around the banquet table. Our initial scripture that inspired the theme was from Luke 14:23, So his master said, ‘Go out into the country lanes and behind the […]

Filed Under: Religion, Top Stories Tagged With: Dusty Takle, Encouragement, faith, family, Griffin, Lifestyles, religion, spalding county

Like life to be a well digger

June 25, 2017 by Sheila Mathews Leave a Comment

An editorial column by Dusty Takle We live on a farm in a very rural area. We have satellite internet (oh, the humanity); we have dirty cars because of dirt roads; and we have a well. I’ve adjusted fairly well to rural living and often remind myself that the reward is greater than any inconveniences […]

Filed Under: Lifestyles Tagged With: Dusty Takle, Encouragement, faith, Lifestyles

Discipline your mind to destroy those thoughts not from God

December 15, 2016 by Sheila Mathews 3 Comments

DUSTY TAKLE – RELIGION COLUMNIST ::: I have moments where I worry just like you. I let my thoughts run wild. I don’t discipline them, and before I know it, I find myself awake in the middle of the night doing the exact opposite of what I tell other people to do. Anxiety fills me. Fear […]

Filed Under: Lifestyles, Religion Tagged With: arguments, discipline, Dusty Takle, faith, Griffin, mercy, religion, spalding county

Keep calm and eat bacon

March 18, 2014 by Sheila Mathews Leave a Comment

DUSTY TAKLE ::: In England, tea is the answer to all life’s woes. In my world, it’s bacon, but when bacon isn’t available, I have to make a choice to be calm. I have to choose calmness. I have to choose peace. We can choose to be calm at any given moment. We have trained […]

Filed Under: Lifestyles, Religion Tagged With: calm, children, Dusty Takle, faith, family