At 8 AM on September 11th, 2001, I sat in the ANTS Colby Chapel for the New Student Orientation “Call to Worship.” The Rev. Dr. Sharon Thornton, Professor of Pastoral Theology, welcomed all of us and began to share a story that united us, that had brought each of us to that very moment—a story … Continue reading “Add to Your Faith, Goodness” Part 3 [Mth 4-Day 12-Post 34]

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]