Yes, I had grown up going to church with my family, done all the good-church-girl things. Yes, I started writing “Christian” poetry at age 14, which had been published multiple times. But no, I didn’t believe in God. Not until age 16, anyway. Even then, I had no idea what it meant to be a … Continue reading “Add to Your Faith, Goodness” Part 2 [Mth 4-Day 11-Post 33]

There was excitement in the air, a cheery 8 AM, as I began my workday like any other. On that fall morning like many before it, we could feel the anticipation of a new school year about to begin. We had all worked hard throughout the summer preparing for the incoming class and the return … Continue reading “Add to Your Faith, Goodness” Part 1 [Mth 4-Day 7-Post 32]

I am writing this post from the ER at Northside Hospital Forsyth. Alex very painfully pulled a muscle in his right thigh earlier this afternoon, bad enough to warrant this visit. I planned to write a basic “70 in 7” status update tonight; I am thankful that his injury isn’t any worse and that I … Continue reading Reality Sometimes Bites…Into the Wrong Food [Mth 4-Day 6-Post 31]

I had been waiting for him to die. Since I was 17, I had been waiting. I didn’t even meet Alex until I was 24, but something in me just knew—it wouldn’t be long.This gut-level expectation made more sense when I first heard that my husband’s father and grandfathers had already passed away before we … Continue reading The Day My Husband Didn’t Die [Mth 3-Day 30-Post 30]

On the day of my deliverance from depression, I chose to actively participate in my faith, a choice I must repeat every morning. Only when I make that choice does my joy become so real, so immeasurable, so uncontainable that I must share it, just as I am sharing it with you today. I became … Continue reading Ready to Live, Not Relive, Part 5 of 5 [Mth 3-Day 27-Post 29]

Jesus had pursued me; now it was my turn to pursue Him. With the prayer and support of several leaders, I chose a corner of the chapel as my berth. I began on my knees, bent over by sorrow, expecting God to arrive and make His presence known.“Yes, Lord,” I prayed aloud, with honesty, humility, … Continue reading Ready to Live, Not Relive, Part 4 of 5 [Mth 3-Day 23-Post 28]

The next morning I felt compelled to share with some leaders about a dream I recently had: a man casually approached me with a non‐threatening butter knife and silently proceeded to slit my throat without any defensive struggle from me. I simply felt the blood drain from my body until I died—which actually felt like … Continue reading Ready to Live, Not Relive, Part 3 of 5 [Mth 3-Day 23-Post 27]

March of 1993 was the last time that Atlanta had a snowfall like the one it saw in January of 2011. The city shut down for a week or longer in some parts. “What a coincidence,” I thought, as I heard that little tidbit on the radio (knowing full well I didn’t believe in coincidences). … Continue reading Ready to Live, Not Relive, Part 2 of 5 [Mth 3-Day 23-Post 26]

Twenty years ago this past March, I was a shy, 14‐year‐old girl attending a weekend retreat with other teenagers hoping to find God. Instead, I met another girl named Holly who was apparently very popular. So I decided to change my name to “Charlie” to avoid confusion (a nickname originally given to me by my … Continue reading Ready to Live, Not Relive, Part 1 of 5 [Mth 3-Day 23-Post 25]

In 2005 just after Alex and I were married, the Lord spoke to me about the first book I would someday write. He gave me a title that didn’t immediately give away its purpose, but it rolled off my tongue with eloquence and effective inspiration. I pondered and prayed for further insight, coming away with … Continue reading Water into Wine [Mth 3-Day 16-Post 24]