GOODlife Magazine January/February 2019 - David Crowder

Unbroken Lessons from Billy Graham Christian University Guide

David Crowder

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CONTENTS 08

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PRAYER FOR THE NEW YEAR Making resolutions that are not of our own resolve

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CHILDREN NEED A CRISIS OF FAITH Seven lessons from parenting through doubt

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BIGGEST QUESTION COLLEGE STUDENTS FACE Its ultimate source: fear of failure

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UNBROKEN LESSONS What Will Graham learned portraying his iconic grandfather in Unbroken

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CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY GUIDE Find the right college for your academic and spiritual education NEVER ALONE One young woman’s path to complete reliance on God GOODLIFE TRAVEL Four ways to experience Chattanooga, Tennessee

17 FEATURED COVER: DAVID CROWDER Pull up a chair and join in on our “open-handed” conversation with the award-winning artist, local Atlantan, and beard-bearing icon.

Publisher / Editor Kristen Bland

Creative Director Gabriel Bland

Contributing Writer Sharita Hanley

Assistant Editor Autumn Burr

Advertising James Slaughter Jslaughter@goodlifemagazine.org 678.222.8212

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EVENTS Johnny Hunt Men’s Conference – Game Plan January 25-26 First Baptist Church Woodstock A weekend just for men to discuss many of life’s situations that hold us back and learn how to develop a game plan that honors God above all else.

fbcw.org/event/johnny-hunt-mensconference Chick-fil-A Daddy Daughter Date Night

February 2 Enjoy an evening out with your little girl at your Atlanta area Chick-fil-A restaurant. Go online to RSVP your time and location.

atldaddydaughterdate.com Night to Shine

February 8 from 6-9pm First Baptist Church Atlanta First Baptist Church Cumming First Baptist Church Woodstock First UMC Cartersville NorthStar Church, Kennesaw Powder Springs First UMC West Ridge Church, Dallas Night to Shine is an absolutely unforgettable prom night experience, centered on God’s love, for people with special needs ages 14 and older. Over 600 churches from around

the world come together to host Night to Shine for approximately 90,000 honored guests through the support of 175,000 volunteers!

timtebowfoundation.org/ministries/ night-to-shine Tim Hawkins LIVE

February 8 at 7pm Community Bible Church, Stockbridge or February 10 at 7pm Christ Place Church, Flowery Branch Enjoy a night of laughter with Tim Hawkins performing live, and also featuring Jonnie W.

timhawkins.net/pages/tour-dates North Atlanta Home Show

February 8-10 Infinite Energy Center, Duluth North Atlanta Home Show is an event that illustrates products and services for kitchen & bath, landscaping, interior design, pool & spa, building products, energy saving solutions, home decor items, garden types of equipment, home remodeling gardening accessories, lawn and garden equipment, household furniture, home furnishings, energy saving products, and patio furniture.

northatlantahomeshow.com

The Encounter Tour, Powder Springs

February 15 at 7pm Burnt Hickory Baptist Church, Powder Springs Lysa Terkeurst, Levi Lusko, and worship leader Mack Brock bring unapologetic biblical teaching and authentic worship together for a one-night event where people come away with a renewed desire to engage with God in their everyday lives.

burnthickory.com/event

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TobyMac in Concert

February 16 at 7pm Infinite Energy Arena, Duluth TobyMac’s popular “HITS DEEP Tour” with Jeremy Camp, Jordan Feliz, Ryan Stevenson, We are Messengers, and Aaron Cole

www.TobyMac.com

Polar Plunge for Special Olympics February 23 Plungers will have the opportunity to jump into icy waters in the middle of winter to show their support for Special Olympics Georgia athletes! Acworth Beach will once again be the backdrop for a day of chilly fun including live music, food and prizes.

specialolympicsga.org/polarplunge-2019

Go Be Love Conference

February 28 - March 2 Piedmont Church, Marietta A comprehensive 3-day conference designed to equip churches, organizations, and individuals on how to engage in best practices on the mission field. This conference is for anyone who has a heart for excellence in short-term missions. Bob Goff, author of Love Does and Everybody, Always will be our keynote speaker, plus we have an amazing lineup of main session and breakout speakers.

gobeloveinternational.org/ conference2019

Glory Haus Field Trip after Go Be Love Conference

March 1 from 5-7:30pm Glory Haus, Marietta As part of the Go Be Love Conference, limited spots are available for a unique “field trip” breakout session hosted by the title sponsor, Glory Haus, Inc. Participants will gather for a casual meal at the Glory Haus headquarters, tour their “Repurposed on Purpose” workroom, have an opportunity to design their own “repurposed” creation, hear about Glory Haus’s work to empower women with fair trade products, and participate in a private shopping experience.

gobeloveinternational.org/ conference2019

Palmiotto and the Mount Paran Family Ministry will be sharing tips to help you start or improve your church’s special needs ministry.

mountparan.com

She’s Still There Tour – Chrystal Evans

Hurst and Anthony Evans March 9 at 6pm McDonough Road Baptist Church, Fayetteville Bestselling author and speaker Chrystal Evans Hurst will team up with her brother, worship leader Anthony Evans, for an experience aimed at

ur o T am J 019 r 2 e r t Win tacula pm ts at 3:30 r a t s n c o i t Spet 6pm, and JamNa sa, Rend

a di tlanta March 16 key, Man ane Black, Ty A o , G a y n e n r n Da mA e, Z State Far ewsboys, United, are2Shar D , n y ll o N gee. ,H Featuring edger, NewSong nes, and Adam A e, L em Collectiv ic, Drive, Dan Br n a Brasel, M m

tour.co m a j .

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Steven Curtis Chapman in Concert

March 2 at 7:30pm Center Stage Theater, Atlanta Live performance as part of the SCC Solo Tour

stevencurtischapman.com/tour Special Needs Ministry Conference 2019

March 9 from 8:15am-4pm Mount Paran Church, Atlanta Open to all special needs ministry leaders, children’s and youth pastors/directors, church staff, volunteers, and parents. Jillian

women, focusing on re-discovering who they are.

compassionlive.com

Georgia Bridal Show

March 10 from 12-5pm Cobb Galleria Centre, Atlanta Your dream wedding…begins here! You’ve been online searching wedding ideas and trends. Now, it’s time to see all of this come to life at the Georgia Bridal Show! Meet face to face with wedding professionals and find everything you need in one place and in one day.

GeorgiaBridalShow.com

january/february 2019

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Lessons from Billy Graham: What I Learned Portraying my Grandfather in Unbroken

By Will Graham

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n 2014, Angelina Jolie directed an awardwinning film called Unbroken. It tells the incredible true story of Louis Zamperini, a juvenile delinquent turned Olympian and war hero. After Louis’ WWII plane crashed in the Pacific, he floated at sea for 47 days before being captured and ruthlessly tortured by the Japanese. He survived unimaginable atrocities and starvation, finally making it home to his family after the war.

That was where Unbroken ended, and it was a great high point. But that’s not where Louis Zamperini’s story ended. In fact, the struggles were just beginning.

After returning home, Louis’ life looked great on the outside. He was a celebrity, he married a woman whom he dearly loved, and they had a beautiful little baby. On the inside, however, Louis was sinking into a dark well of despair.

He suffered from what we now know as PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), was haunted by nightmares, was on the verge of divorce, and had become an alcoholic.

He had survived the ruthlessness of war, but was now on the road to destruction in peacetime.

This second part of Louis’ story is told in the Universal Studios film Unbroken: Path to Redemption, released in September of 2018. In it, we witness Louis in all of his heartache and pain, but we also get a glimpse of the answer to his struggles.

You see, Louis only found true and lasting peace when he surrendered his life to Christ at my grandfather’s historic 1949 Los Angeles Crusade.

After beginning a relationship with Jesus, Louis never had another nightmare or took another sip of alcohol, and his marriage was restored.

Early in 2017, I was approached with the unique and unexpected opportunity to portray my grandfather in the film. I’m not an actor, but I prayerfully decided to accept this role. It was a nerve-wracking experience that took me far out

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of my comfort zone, but it was also an incredible blessing.

The biggest impact for me came from deeply studying my grandfather in preparing for the role, immersing myself in his early sermons.

First, I was reminded of my grandfather’s deep love for—and reliance upon—the Bible. He quoted scripture repeatedly and at length throughout his messages. His most commonly used phrase was, “The Bible says…” He knew that the Bible was the divine, powerful, living Word of God, and it pierced the hearts of those hearing it.

Second, my grandfather preached with a sense of urgency. He knew that heaven and hell hung in the balance. Decisions made in that massive tent on the corner of Hill and Washington streets in Los Angeles would not only affect lives, but eternities as well.

Third, my grandfather didn’t just ask people to respond to the good news of Christ. He commanded them with an authority that could come only from God. “This may be your only chance. Come now!” he would call out. Of course, those in the audience had the free will to walk forward or not, but my grandfather made it very clear that this was their opportunity to begin a new life with Jesus.

Looking back on it, we now know that Louis Zamperini was one of those who responded to the call, and he was radically changed and saved. That was 1949, but today there are just as many—if not more—people like Louis out there, people who are lost and struggling, who have no hope or peace.

Will you be like my grandfather, holding tight to the Scripture as you share the hope that you have with urgency and authority? I’ve committed to doing so, and I hope you will too.

“His most commonly used phrase was, ‘The Bible says…’ He knew that the Bible was the divine, powerful, living Word of God, and it pierced the hearts of those hearing it.”

Will is the third generation of Grahams to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ under the banner of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA). He also serves as vice president of the BGEA, and as executive director of the Billy Graham Training Center at The Cove in Asheville, N.C.

MY PRAYER THE NEW YE

By Marshall Segal

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hat dreams do you have for the new year? What do you wish would be different about you, your marriage, your family, your job, or your ministry?

“If you don’t resolve to do anything else this year, resolve to pursue change and growth through prayer and not through your own resolve.”

Some of us may have been thinking about this since late last January when our shiny new resolutions had already grown stale and started to mold. Why do our good resolutions seem to go bad faster than a quart of milk or a carton of eggs?

Far too many resolutions fail because we fail to pray. We set out with courage, ambition, and even some exhilaration. We might pray over our resolutions on that first day of January, like praying in the driveway before a long car ride. But before we’ve even made it out onto the highway of another year, we’ve already left prayer behind, and with it, the power needed to persevere in any new habit or pattern.

Without prayer for God’s help, our most meaningful resolutions will either fade and fail altogether, or even worse, seem to succeed, but fail to say anything significant about God. Before you make any new resolutions, resolve to pray. If you don’t resolve to do anything else this year, resolve to pursue change and growth through prayer and not through your own resolve.

At the dawn of a new year, I’m thinking less about what I will do differently and more about all that God might do in me and through me. The changes I need most in my life—my devotional life, my marriage, my eating habits, my exercise routine, my ministry—can’t start or end with me, so I must pray.

My new prayer, over every other prayer for the coming year, is this:

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Lord, teach me more about yourself than I already know, humble me again with all that I do not know, and make what I do know more alive and real in my heart and life.

R FOR EAR

Satan spends every second of every day lying to us about God (Revelation 12:9). We expose and defeat him with “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit” (Ephesians 6:17–18). Ask God to show you more of himself in his word this year than you’ve ever seen before.

LORD, REVEAL JUST HOW LITTLE I KNOW OF YOU. Satan is so devious that he turns even our knowledge of God into a temptation to sin. Ignorance of God will always lead to evil, but even knowledge of God can become ungodly. We may know enough about God to be saved, but most of us also know plenty to become proud.

As the apostle Paul warns, “Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know. But if anyone loves God, he is known by God” (1 Corinthians 8:1–3). It is tragic when the theology that should utterly humble us strangely causes us to think more highly of ourselves than we ought to think (Romans 12:3).

LORD, HELP ME SEE MORE OF YOU THAN EVER BEFORE. Every new day and every new year begin with the same petition, “Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law” (Psalm 119:18). With the Spirit in us and the infinite wonders of the very words of God himself before us, we never have any reason to be content with what we already know. Without a doubt, we should expect to see and understand things about God this year that we’ve never seen before.

True theology—however refined, however developed, however articulate—sounds like worship: “When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him” (Psalm 8:3–4). As God shows you more of himself, ask him to help you to see just how little you know and just how little you deserve to know what you do. Ask him to make you humble.

We never stop praying that God might “give [us] the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of [our] hearts enlightened,” that we might know more of him—his hope, his wealth, his power (Ephesians 1:17–18).

“Ask God to show you more of himself in his word this year than you’ve ever seen before.” january/february 2019

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LORD, MAKE WHAT I DO KNOW OF YOU MORE REAL IN MY HEART. The world teaches us from an early age to measure progress in all the wrong ways. We spend years learning a little more math, a little more history, a little more science—and we measure ourselves year after year by test scores and final grades. But the Christian life is not simply a Systematic Theology course. Maturity is measured by a spiritual heart monitor, not a theological Scantron; by character, not head knowledge.

“As the sun sets on another year, may the Son rise like never before on the horizon of our hearts.”

How do we turn what we know into true Christian growth?

Through prayer. Prayer is the match that lights the kindling of knowledge we’ve gathered over time. Tim Keller writes, Prayer turns theology into experience. Through it, we sense his presence and receive his joy, his love, his peace and confidence, and thereby we are changed in attitude, behavior, and character. . . . Prayer is the way that all the things we believe in and that Christ has won for us actually become our strength. Prayer is the way that truth is worked into your heart to create new instincts, reflexes, and dispositions. (Prayer, 80, 132).

Too often we have loved what we’ve learned about God more than God himself, and when we do, our lives remain essentially the same. We learn more and more, but never change. But if we never really change, have we really known God at all? Keller continues, drawing on John Calvin, “You may know a lot about God, but you don’t truly know God until the knowledge of what he has done for you in Jesus Christ has changed the fundamental structure of your heart” (78).

More of God, less of pride, and more like Christ. As the sun sets on another year, may the Son rise like never before on the horizon of our hearts.

Marshall Segal (@marshallsegal) is a writer and managing editor at desiringGod.org. He’s the author of Not Yet Married: The Pursuit of Joy in Singleness & Dating. He graduated from Bethlehem College & Seminary. He and his wife, Faye, have a son and live in Minneapolis.

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CHILDREN 7 LESSONS from Parenting Through Doubt

NEED A CRISIS OF FAITH

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y y wife and I have five children.

Our oldest two have exited childhood and are adventuring into the uncharted territory of their young adulthood. Our younger three are navigating the tricky waters of adolescence.

As parents, we have the sacred, marvelous, daunting, and sometimes painful privilege of sharing in all these unique life-journeys As a rule, I am slow to offer parenting advice. We are still too much in the thick of it to be qualified experts. Most of the time we’re looking to receive, not dispense, counsel.

One wonderful new source of counsel we’ve discovered is our (now) adult children. Their experiences of childhood and adolescence, and the good and notso-good ways we parented them, are still fresh. But there’s sufficient distance for them to maturely reflect on their experiences and enough trust between us

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BY JON BLOOM

(thank you, God!) for them to share with us honestly. It’s precious and humbling when your child matures into your counselor.

Where It All Begins for Children Recently, my wife was sharing with one of our adult children some of the spiritual wrestlings and questions of their younger siblings. Our adult child replied, “That’s where it all begins.”

This was the wise reply of one whose wisdom was hard won. They spoke from experience, having endured difficult and sometimes dark seasons of profound spiritual struggles during their own adolescence. And they discovered in these seasons what nearly all saints discover sooner or later: the Light of the world shines brightest in the darkness—in our own darkness (John 1:5). Coming to really see, savor, treasure, and trust Jesus Christ almost always begins in a crisis.

And this has unnerving implications for Christian parents: if our children are going to see the Light, they very likely must endure darkness—which means we will endure it with them, and experience

a powerlessness over the outcome we find hard to bear.

As parents, we spend a lot of time and energy trying to protect our children from the forces of evil and sin in the world, which we should. And we try hard to point them to the gospel so they escape the horrible slavery of their own sin, which we should. We comfort, reassure, and counsel; we admonish, reprove, and rebuke, which we should.

But all the efforts we pour into protecting and teaching our children can make us susceptible to the deception, even if we know better, that if we do our job right, our children will sail from young childhood into adulthood on untroubled seas, arriving with a robust faith in Christ. We forget that this wasn’t even Christ’s own experience in “parenting” his disciples. It was on the troubled sea, not on tranquil waters, where the disciples began to grasp what faith really means (Luke 8:22–25).

Our children may have to ride on a violent sea, one we fear will swallow them, before they really learn to fear and trust Christ.

As parents, then, we must prayerfully prepare for when those sea billows roll because it will be a scary ride for us too.

Faithfully Parenting While I’m reluctant to give parenting advice, my wife and I have ridden enough waves with our children that I am able to share some lessons, not as an expert on parenting through a child’s faith crisis but as a fellow sojourner sharing from my experience—my own faith crises, as well as my children’s.

2. Expect your child’s crisis will be different from yours.

4. Seek to be a safe place in a crisis.

God has taught you to walk by faith, and not by sight, in particular ways. But it’s likely that he will deal differently with your children. They may struggle in ways and over issues and questions you haven’t. The unfamiliar may seem frightening. But it’s not unfamiliar to God.

During one point of crisis, one of my children confided that they didn’t feel safe discussing with me certain theological questions they were wrestling through.

Their dad was a ministry co-founder and bi-vocational pastor at our church. It felt like there was only one acceptable place to land.

1. Expect your child to experience a faith crisis.

3. Expect to feel somewhat helpless.

Actually, do more than expect it; pray for it. By “faith crisis,” I don’t mean the loss of faith—a period of apostasy—though, for some, that may be what a crisis looks like. What I mean is whatever events God knows are needed to call forth real faith in each of your children—a season or set of circumstances when they are faced with a crisis that forces them to exercise their own faith and experience for themselves that God exists and is the rewarder of those who seek Him (Hebrews 11:6). Praying for your children’s faith crisis sounds strange, I know. But if we want our children’s deepest joy, we will pray for the testing of their faith (James 1:2–4).

There comes a point when God decides to use means quite apart from us to teach our children to trust him. He doesn’t typically inform us in advance when he begins.

We just rather suddenly find ourselves on the periphery of our children’s struggles, not allowed the same access or influence we used to have (or thought we had).

We’re unsure where this car is going, and it’s not in our power to steer it. We must resist panicking or the urge to try to seize the wheel, both of which only tend to make things worse. Such a moment often becomes a faith crisis for us too, when we must learn to trust God with our children in whole new ways.

Since then, I have tried to share with all my children more of my own faith journey, crises and all, that brought me to where I now am. And I’m seeking to be more explicit with my children that, while I hold my theological convictions sincerely, I do not expect them to uncritically adopt them from me, or necessarily arrive quickly in adolescence where it’s taken me years, and plenty of testing, to reach.

We can’t always control whether we are perceived as a safe place to our children, but as much as possible, we must seek to be a safe place for them to discuss hard questions and to be in process without judgment. It’s not easy for an invested parent. But we must strive to be (especially) quick to hear and slow to speak. january/february 2019

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5. Do not mistake a chapter for the story.

We must try to keep our children’s faith crisis in perspective—no matter how long. We are not God. We do not have foreknowledge. We must not assume we know how the story will end. Most biblical characters had life chapters that looked like their train was going off the rails at some point.

6. Aim for faithfulness.

We are not the authors of our children’s story. Neither are they. God is the Author. God does not call us to determine the outcome of our children’s faith. He calls us to “dwell in the land [of parenting] and befriend faithfulness” (Psalm 37:3). Our aim is to follow Jesus faithfully, to speak what he gives us to say faithfully, and to love the children God gives us as well as we can, come what may.

7. Pray without ceasing.

Part of faithfulness is not to cease praying for our children to be “born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1 Peter 1:3) and filled with the knowledge of God’s will with all spiritual wisdom and insight (Colossians 1:9).

Trust God This is the beginning and the end of parenting our children, whether on stormy waves or still waters. We want our children to reach maturity in Christ. “For this [we] toil, struggling with all [God’s] energy that he powerfully works within [us]” (Colossians 1:29). But we do not trust ultimately in our toil; we trust ultimately in God’s power. And when our children endure various crises of faith, we “wait for the Lord” (Psalm 27:14).

Where It All Begins So much more can and should be said. I’m very aware that our children’s faith crises, and what has precipitated them, and how long they last, are as varied as people and experiences vary. I know, as parents, these can be frightening moments because, for some, a crisis results in the rejection rather than the realization of faith. But even then, it’s not the end of the story.

Parenting is not for the faint of heart. It’s for the heart of faith. It’s for those for whom God is the strength of their heart (Psalm 73:26). He is the author and perfecter of our faith—and our children’s faith (Hebrews 12:2). As the great cloud of biblical and historical witnesses remind us (Hebrews 12:1), often, when a crisis hits, that’s where it all begins.

Jon Bloom (@Bloom_Jon) serves as author, board chair, and co-founder of Desiring God. He is author of three books, Not by Sight, Things Not Seen, and Don’t Follow Your Heart. He and his wife live in the Twin Cities with their five children.

FEATURE

R E D W O R C OPEN-HANDED

An “Open-Handed” Conversation with Award-Winning Artist, Local Atlantan, and Beard-Bearing Icon,

DAVID CROWDER Written By: Gabriel Bland

january/february 2019

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W

hen you hear the name David Crowder, you may immediately think of either his sixteen-year stint as the lead singer of the former David Crowder Band or his solo music career since 2012 under the title “Crowder”—or perhaps, if you’ve seen him in person before, your first thought might be, “Oh look, it’s that crazylooking Jesus-loving bearded guy!” But even if you don’t recognize the name or the face, if you are familiar at all with contemporary Christian music, the odds are extremely high that you’ve been impacted in some way by this accomplished musical artist. With well-known worship songs like “How He Loves,” “Come as You Are,” and “I Am,” many of which he has personally penned, David has both directly and indirectly led millions of believers in the worship of Jesus Christ. One of his latest songs storming Christian radio, “All My Hope,” co-written with Ed Cash, was recently nominated for two 2018 Gospel Music Association Dove Awards, including Song of the Year.

In fact, David is no stranger to receiving awards and accolades.

Since the moment twenty-three years ago that he took his first step down the path God was calling him on, he has won thirteen Dove Awards, has been nominated for even more, and has even received a couple nominations for a GRAMMY Award. This kind of success can make it seem that David is at a place distant and removed from the everyday believer. But the truth is simple: David is a humble, ordinary man with giftings from the Lord that he has had to steward and cultivate in a way to dutifully walk out that calling on his life. He faces the same transformational process that each and every believer goes through of seeking God and growing to know Him more.

To help everyone get an inside look into the life and heart of this extraordinary but also very ordinary guy, we caught up with David, who is also a fellow Atlantan, for a little heart-to-heart chat.

What has God been putting on your heart lately?

David: This is a really bizarre place to go with that, but it’s exactly what’s happening in my chest right now. We were just on this tour called Big Church Night Out, and as a tour, we are going through this study together and, bizarrely, it’s about giving.

I know that’s such a weird thing. It’s a bunch of different bands on this tour, which are hoping to be a reflection of how diverse the Church is. So, we are just going through this Bible study which is based around this book called The Blessed Life. And of course, any time you start talking about money around people in the church, everybody gets a little nervous. But it’s so great, man. I’ve loved it just because it affirms what I know to be true about any type of gifts that God places in your hands. It’s like the best way to go about giving is to keep your hands open, and He’ll put things in them and He’ll take things from them. As long as you keep your hands 18

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“He is jealous for me Love’s like a hurricane, and I am a tree Bending beneath the weight of His wind and mercy” “So lay down your burdens Lay down your shame All who are broken Lift up your face Oh wanderer come home You’re not too far So lay down your hurt Lay down your heart Come as you are” “I am Holding on to You I am Holding on to You In the middle of the storm I am holding on I am ”

open, it’s just a wonderful, blessed way to live. It’s expanded the way I’ve thought about not just finances, but the gift of communication.

The person in front of me across the counter at the Taco Bell…like, I’m just trying to get a taco, but maybe, just maybe, if I keep my hands open, there’s something else that’s supposed to be transacted there. It’s just helped me evaluate moments in a way that creates value, evaluating them in such a way that I’m responsible for every breath. And that is what my inheritance is that He’s given, especially if I’m carrying the story of God. Just keeping my hands open in the little moments, as well as the ones where you’re gonna sit down with family and plan out the year financially and then ask Him to also tell you what’s next from that as well. That part has been really, really beautiful in this current season for me.

At times, you have focused on this idea of “What if we actually believed?”—that if we actually believed what we say we believe, it would lead to a change in our actions. How does this relate to giving?

David: Well, I think that what’s amazing about [giving] is that if you believe it and act on what you read and think to be…revelation... that there is this immediate return. And that’s not the point of it; the point of it is to act. The point is to keep your hands open, which is the most difficult part, but as soon as you do, it’s crazy how quickly it’s proven to be true…

You know how everybody talks about, “Man, when the going gets hard, that’s when you find God, and that’s when you grow the most”?

We know that to be true, but when it gets hard, you sure don’t feel like that’s where you want to be. Everybody is like, “Oh I want to grow. I want to grow in my faith. Just don’t make it hard.” You know? But then, sure enough, when you’re in that dark moment, that dark night of the soul, and you come out of it, and you realize, sure enough, that’s exactly when I grew.

I just love that God proves His truths to be true over and over and over, and that causes more belief. It kind of snowballs on itself, and you start going, “OK, I’m gonna believe this. And today I’m gonna believe it and I’m gonna act on it.” And then when you act on it, it’s like “Yep, that was true!” And then your belief expands because you have faith, and you saw something planted that grew and it might have looked dead for a while, but it was just in the ground briefly.

Then all of the sudden, it came sprouting up and flourishing. There is a field of what’s behind you. That’s why I love it. You’re constantly affirmed and encouraged in your risk of belief.

What is something you can tell us about yourself that would help people see the real David Crowder?

David: Well, I will say this—no one would ever suspect this—I never talk about it, but I’ve got super hyper, but not medically in need of treatment, OCD [Obsessive Compulsive Disorder]. If you go to my refrigerator or my cabinet…all the labels are turned the right way. I’ll wash Coke cans before I open them up, like in the faucet and scrub them and stuff. No one would think that because I’m like this rowdy-looking beard dude, but hey, I can be that as long as my Coke cans are straight and facing the right way—you know, as long as the labels are facing the direction you can read them to know what you’re getting into. I need order, and I love that you can exercise a little effort and you can order your life in a way that if you take care of the little things and the rest of it you can’t handle, it’s way less stressful. So, I am super attentive to little bitty things.

No one would suspect that my sock drawer is the neatest thing you could ever open. If you pulled it open, you’d be like, “What in the world? Am I at the Gap?” Every sock is perfectly displayed. No one would think that, yet that’s my sock drawer.

What is your “I just got back home in the ATL from tour” place that you are craving to get a bite to eat?

David: This is so disappointing for anyone reading this because I’m not a foodie guy. I eat like a four-year-old. My favorite place in Atlanta, if I’ve just landed, I’m going straight to Uncle Julio’s, which is a Tex-Mex restaurant. There was a family that split; there is Pappasito’s and there is Uncle Julio’s. And the only difference between Pappasito’s and Uncle Julio’s—now, they would argue about this—but the salsa is hot, like temperature hot at Pappasito’s, and it’s cold at Uncle Julio’s. There’s this crispy ground beef taco there—now, granted, you’ll smell like that taco for about three days, but it’s well worth going in! january/february 2019

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A Question The Biggest College Students face

By Mason Tanner

re you a college student?

If so, you probably have plenty to worry about, plenty to do, and even more opportunities that you must seize. Your mantra is Carpe Diem, even if the greatest feat you are going to achieve today is getting out of bed or reading this article or maybe even making it to class on time! Kudos to you. You are at the pinnacle of your life thus far. But maybe, from time to time, questions fill your mind. Actually, I am certain they do.

Over the last few weeks, I have asked some of the college students I know what the biggest question they face as a college student is. Overwhelmingly, the response has been, “Why on earth did I go to college?” Although this is something we may often joke about, it comes from a place in our hearts and minds that poses another question, “When am I going to know my future?”

And maybe an even deeper question, “Where is God, and why won’t he help me know my future?” All of these questions are driven by one thing: fear of failure.

I’ll bet these questions, and the fear behind them, have been on your mind—if not in the forefront, then at least wandering around in there somewhere—every once in a while causing you to lose some of the sleep you so desperately need. A close friend who is a student asked me, “Why should I go to college and get in debt and work really hard for a degree when I most likely won’t get a job in a related field?” This question has kept him up at night and has made me start to think about the race that young adults have to run in today’s culture.

We, as a culture, are a people who love exceptions but hate failure. Often we want to see the grandiose play out in our lives. We long to be the self-made person who is bound by no rules and no formulas. We glorify those like Henry Ford, Ted Turner, and Steve Jobs, all who did not graduate from a

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“The most successful people in the world’s history have all failed, but what makes them exceptional is that they never gave up.” university but were highly successful.

We all desire to be an exception, but by nature, exceptions are rare. We often try to develop formulas out of people’s success in hopes that we can become as accomplished as they are, without having to endure the trials.

In reality, those people we admire were already exceptional people who fought through hardships, and success was just the outcome of their being themselves. I have good news: you cannot be them, just as they could not be you. So, rather than trying to be someone else, we should be asking ourselves, “How can I be me at my best in this season of life, no matter how difficult it might seem?” This is a vital question to how we walk into the next chapter of our lives.

“Mason, I hear what you are saying, but what about my future? I don’t know if this is the path that I am supposed to be on. And what if I get into a field of work, and I fail or have to start over?” I have more good news for you: you probably will fail at some point, and you probably will start over at some point, but failure is often the greatest stepping stone to success. Henry Ford went bankrupt twice before relaunching his business for a third time, the company we all know and love, Ford Motors. Thomas Edison had over 1,000 failed attempts at harnessing light before he was able to invent the little contraptions we all use today, light bulbs. Even Michael Jordan was cut from his high school basketball team before becoming perhaps the most well-known professional basketball player of all time. The most successful

people in the world’s history have all failed, but what makes them exceptional is that they never gave up. Whether it’s is a challenging job, a friendship on the rocks, or a chemistry class (speaking from personal experience), don’t give up. Remember that the race you are running often is not as important as how you run it. So run well. In college, you will be required to do things that you don’t want to do. If you will push through and work hard, you will learn a lesson in humility, perseverance, and patience that Christ will use in the many seasons of life that you still have ahead.

You were not made to be mediocre; you were made to carry the image of God. And He is writing a story with your life.

Don’t let your fear of failure get in the way of your story.

Mason is a husband, a father, and founding Pastor of Dwelling Place College and Young Adults Ministry. Mason received a B.A. in Philosophy and Religion from Auburn University and an M.A. in Intercultural Studies and Church Planting from Asbury Theological Seminary. He is passionate about the Gospel spreading through the avenues of media and seeing young people come alive in Christ.

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GOODlife

UNIVERSITY Guide

Finding the right university can be a daunting task. Whether or not you are exclusively considering colleges that are based on Christian values, it’s always beneficial to know your options when it comes to environments that will not be antagonistic to your faith but rather will encourage academic excellence while providing numerous opportunities for you to grow in spiritual maturity.

This guide offers a varied list of universities In the Southeast and beyond that are founded on Biblical principles.

Each institution’s profile provides a brief overview to aid you in your preliminary attempts to find the university that best suits you.

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BERRY COLLEGE Location: Birmingham, Alabama Online University Available: No

Location: Atlanta, Georgia; Dalton, Georgia; Chattanooga, Tennessee

Annual Full-time Tuition:* $14,374

Online University Available: Yes

Top Majors: Master of Divinity, Master of Arts in Theological Studies, Doctor of Ministry

Annual Full-time Tuition:* $24,950

Student/Teacher Ratio: 7:1 Religious Affiliation: Interdenominational (20 Protestant denominations represented) Website: beesondivinity.com

Top Majors: Master of Business Administration, Master of Science in Leadership, Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies Student/Teacher Ratio: 12:1 Religious Affiliation: Non-Denominational with Presbyterian ties

Website: atlanta.belhaven.edu Beeson Divinity School is or an interdenominational chattanooga.belhaven.edu evangelical divinity school committed to Belhaven is a nontraining God-called profit, private Christian men and women in an University. The faculty in-person, face-to-face know their students’ environment to equip names and their lives them for in-person, face- and understand that the to-face gospel ministry students must be able to in the church of Jesus work full-time, handle Christ. the adult responsibilities in their lives, and earn a solid education all at the same time.

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Location: Rome, Georgia Online University Available: No Annual Full-time Tuition:* $34,950 Top Majors: Animal Science, Psychology, Exercise Science Student/Teacher Ratio: 12:1 Religious Affiliation: Christian Website: berry.edu Berry College unites challenging intellectual inquiry with practical learning in a culture that values mentoring. The goal is for students to graduate with a sense of direction, conviction about what matters, and confidence as they move forward. To achieve this goal, the college has established a number of innovative programs, including paid on-campus work experiences.

Location: Louisville, Kentucky

Location: Dayton, Tennessee

Online University Available: Yes

Online University Available: Yes

Annual Full-time Tuition:* SBC churches: $11,970; Non-SBC members: $23,940

Annual Full-time Tuition:* $27,900

Top Majors: Biblical and Theological Studies, Teacher Education, Business Administration Student/Teacher Ratio: 18:1 Religious Affiliation: Southern Baptist Convention Website: boycecollege.com At Boyce College, the theological core, community of discipleship, and wide range of opportunities to grow and serve provide an experience that goes beyond education.

Expect all of who you are and what you do to be transformed by the power of the gospel.

Top Majors: Business, Psychology, Education Student/Teacher Ratio: 14:1 Religious Affiliation: Christian, Nondenominational Website: Bryan.edu Bryan College is a Christian liberalarts college founded in honor of William Jennings Bryan. Earn your bachelor’s degree at Bryan, and you could earn a FREE master’s degree.

* Approximate annual tuition, not including mandatory fees or room/board and not factoring in financial aid. Note that many of these institutions award scholarships and financial assistance to a high percentage of their students. Consult their websites and admissions offices for more details.

Location: Jefferson City, Tennessee

Location: Charleston, South Carolina

Location: Lookout Mountain, Georgia

Online University Available: Yes

Online University Available: Yes

Online University Available: No

Location: Montgomery, Alabama (Extension campuses in Mobile, Birmingham, Huntsville)

Annual Full-time Tuition:* $33,360

Online University Available: Yes

Annual Full-time Tuition:* $26,700

Annual Full-time Tuition:* $25,500

Top Majors: Business, Nursing, Education

Top Majors: Nursing, Biology, Kinesiology

Top Majors: English, Biology, Education

Annual Full-time Tuition:* $19,800

Student/Teacher Ratio: 13:1

Student/Teacher Ratio: 14:1

Student/Teacher Ratio: 13:1

Religious Affiliation: Baptist

Religious Affiliation: South Carolina Baptist Convention

Religious Affiliation: College of the Presbyterian Church of America

Top Majors: Business, Education, Bible, Health Sciences

Website: CN.edu Carson-Newman is a private, Christcentered, liberal arts university. With a strong academic reputation, the university’s campus is ideally located in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, where students have the opportunity to hike, bike, or raft, and is just minutes from city life in Knoxville.

Website: CharlestonSouthern.edu Charleston Southern University’s mission is to promote academic excellence in a Christian environment.

The vision is to be a Christian university nationally recognized for integrating faith in learning, leading, and serving.

Website: covenant.edu Covenant College educates Christians to engage culture and cultures, to examine and unfold creation, and to pursue biblical justice and mercy in the community.

Covenant equips biblically grounded men and women to live out extraordinary callings in ordinary places.

Student/Teacher Ratio: 14:1 Religious Affiliation: Churches of Christ Website: faulkner.edu Faulkner is an accredited, Christian liberal arts university. With a mission to provide an education anchored not only by intellect but also by character and service, the Faulkner experience aims to educate the whole person. It offers students more than 100 degree offerings.

Location: Pasadena, California; Houston, Texas; Phoenix, Arizona Online University Available: Yes Annual Fulltime Tuition:* Certificates: $9,960; Masters: From $29-50K; Advanced: $20-158K (for entire program) Top Majors: Master of Divinity, Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy, and Master of Arts in Intercultural Studies Student/Teacher Ratio: 25:1 online; 8:1 on campus Religious Affiliation: Multidenominational Website: fuller.edu Fuller Theological Seminary is one of the world’s most influential and notable evangelical institutions, the largest theological seminary, and a leading voice for faith, civility, and justice in the global church and wider culture.

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Location: Conway, Arkansas

Location: Cleveland, Tennessee

Location: Lynchburg, Virginia

Location: West Point, Georgia

Location: Waleska, Georgia

Online University Available: No

Online University Available: Yes

Online University Available: Yes

Online University Available: Yes

Online University Available: Yes

Annual Full-time Tuition:* $45,440

Annual Full-time Tuition:* $17,040

Annual Full-time Tuition:* $23,800

Annual Full-time Tuition:* $22,400

Top Majors: Psychology, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, and Biology (based on class of 2018)

Top Majors: Nursing/ Pre-nursing, Psychology, Business Admin (Management)

Top Majors: Health Sciences, Business, Divinity

Annual Full-time Tuition:* $19,500; Online and Blended Undergraduate: $395/ credit hour; Online Graduate: $450-515/ credit hour

Student/Teacher Ratio: 10:1 Religious Affiliation: United Methodist Website: hendrix.edu Hendrix College consistently earns recognition as one of the country’s leading liberal arts institutions and is featured in Colleges That Change Lives: 40 Schools That Will Change the Way You Think About Colleges. Its academic quality and rigor, innovation, and value have established Hendrix as a fixture in numerous college guides, lists, and rankings.

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Student/Teacher Ratio: 17:1 Religious Affiliation: Church of God Website: leeuniversity.edu Lee is a private, comprehensive, and Christ-centered university. Lee is emerging as a leader in higher education in the southeastern region and is consistently ranked in lists of best colleges, including the “Top Tier” in the South

by U.S. News & World Report (Comprehensive Medium-Size Universities).

Student/Teacher Ratio: 19:1 Religious Affiliation: Non-Denominational Website: liberty.edu Liberty trains champions for Christ with the values, knowledge, and skills essential for impacting tomorrow’s world. The university is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate, bachelor’s, master’s, specialist, and doctoral degrees.

Top Majors: Exercise Science, Business Administration, Management Student/Teacher Ratio: 17:1 Religious Affiliation: Nondenominational Website: Point.edu Point University offers the best college choice for those seeking an affordable, close-knit Christian community in which faith is fully integrated into the entire educational experience.

Students enjoy a quality education within the context of a Christian worldview, through 79 programs of study.

Top Majors: Business, Nursing, Performing Arts/Music Student/Teacher Ratio: 12:1 Religious Affiliation: United Methodist Website: Reinhardt.edu Reinhardt is a private, comprehensive institution grounded in the liberal arts with more than 40 undergraduate, graduate, and online programs. The University consistently garners prestigious awards and rankings, including #25 in U.S. News & World Report’s Best Regional Colleges South in 2018-19.

* Approximate annual tuition, not including mandatory fees or room/board and not factoring in financial aid. Note that many of these institutions award scholarships and financial assistance to a high percentage of their students. Consult their websites and admissions offices for more details.

Location: Atlanta, Georgia

Location: Birmingham, Alabama

Location: Jackson, Tennessee

Location: Lake Wales, Florida

Online University Available: Yes

Online University Available: No

Online University Available: Yes

Online University Available: Yes

Annual Full-time Tuition:* $22,400 (military discount available)

Annual Full-time Tuition:* $30,800

Annual Full-time Tuition:* Traditional Undergraduate: $32,6500/Graduate Programs vary

Annual Full-time Tuition:* $21,440

Top Majors: Business Administration, Criminal Justice, Sociology Student/Teacher Ratio: 15:1 Religious Affiliation: Catholic Website: saintleo.edu A leader in adult and continuing education, Saint Leo understands life’s demands— balancing family and work while pursuing a college degree. To meet those challenges, the university is dedicated to providing students with highly personalized attention and flexible learning opportunities.

Top Majors: Pharmacy, Nursing, Business Student/Teacher Ratio: 13:1 Religious Affiliation: Baptist Website: samford.edu

Top Majors: Pharmacy, Nursing, Education Student/Teacher Ratio: 10:1 Religious Affiliation: Southern Baptist

Samford University is Website: a premier nationally uu.edu ranked Christian university. Samford Union University reaps enrolls 5,619 students national honors for from 44 states academic excellence, and 30 countries in its 10 classroom teaching, academic units: arts, arts and community service. and sciences, business, Students are mentored divinity, education, and taught by some health professions, law, of the nation’s leading nursing, pharmacy, and Christian intellectuals. public health.

More than 4,000 students choose from over 100 programs of study.

Top Majors: Business Administration, Exercise and Sports Science, Agriculture Student/Teacher Ratio: 16:1 Religious Affiliation: Church of God (Anderson, Indiana) Website: warner.edu Warner University is committed to guiding individuals toward Christ-like character and intellectual maturity and equipping them to serve. The faculty seeks to challenge and support students academically, socially, and spiritually.

Warner offers over 40 majors and minors and has small class sizes.

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Nysi Kilgore: Never Alone

By Sharita Hanley

A

t first glance, Nysi Kilgore had it all.

She was the youngest person to ever graduate from her high school, was the class valedictorian, and was licensed and ordained as a minister when she was only sixteen years old. Simply put, she made success look easy. So, as she prepared for college, she had no reason to expect anything different. “I went to college expecting the four best years of my life,” she explains. What she experienced instead was nothing short of a culture shock.

An Unexpected Culture Shock It didn’t take long for anxiety and stress to take their toll. “I had a few moments in college when I felt like I was struggling,” she admits. “However, there is one specific moment that always comes to mind.” She was in her second year at Lee University and had begun taking higher-level classes.

She was also working with Residential Life and Campus Ministries, in addition to her job as a part-time driver for her professor’s legally blind husband. Despite overwhelming demands, Nysi kept her focus, working hard and studying diligently. But then life happened.

“Part of my job [as a Residential Chaplain] was to interview people to conduct small groups. I was running a bit behind for my interview when I ran into one of the other chaplains who was also late. I offered her a ride to the building where we were conducting the interviews,” she explains, mentioning she had to move a few groceries from the front seat to the trunk of her car. “In my rushing, I apparently forgot to latch the trunk’s hood. As I was placing the groceries in the trunk, the hood came crashing down on my head.

My ears started ringing, and I immediately became dizzy.”

“I still have the dent in my head to this day,” Nysi divulges, admitting that sometimes things are still a bit spotty for her. From

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that moment on, everything shifted. “I was diagnosed about three weeks later with post-concussion syndrome and a traumatic brain injury.”

“There were days when I would wake up not knowing my name. I couldn’t retain anything long term. I was two hours away from my entire family and completely overwhelmed. I went from excelling in all of my classes to failing everything— literally. I remember there being a night where I was sitting in the living room of my apartment sobbing because of how overwhelmed I was. I was questioning how I was going to get everything done, if I was

going to be able to graduate on time…”

That’s when God reminded Nysi that she was never alone.

“In the middle of doubting myself about why I couldn’t do it all, I felt the Holy Spirit gently whisper to my heart, ‘You can’t do it all—but I can.’ I realized at that moment that I had been depending on my own strength to accomplish it all and had not even invited God into my situation.”

But God Is… Relinquishing control, Nysi began relying on God. No, her life didn’t immediately change, but step by step, she realized the

truth of the Lord’s words: “Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit” (Zechariah 4:6). “I had to learn that because I serve a perfect God, I do not have to be perfect,” she recalls. Every step forward was a different lesson about who God is. Everything she needed, He was and is. As the magnitude of that truth sunk in, she began writing her experiences down. Her book, God Is...

Lessons I Learned about God in College, is a testament to that trying but empowering time. “I didn’t sugar coat anything,” she says, describing the book as “raw.”

Rooted in Community Today, Nysi has launched not one but two businesses focusing on the communal nature of God: Rooted Anchor and Compassion in Crisis. “The key to a healthy and effective community,” she explains, “is transparency. Even when someone is really involved in many clubs or organizations, if they are not being honest about where they are mentally, emotionally, or spiritually, there is still a level of isolation.”

“There are often lots of reasons why people are afraid to be transparent,” she continues. “Sometimes, it’s the fear of being misunderstood or feeling as if no one will understand, but [just] imagine if everyone feeling that way chose to share and be vulnerable? I believe we would realize that we are not alone in our struggles. There is comfort and connection in the simple act of being understood and heard.” That’s where Nysi’s heart is and what God has called her to do.

Whether she’s mobilizing a group of college students on the Rooted Anchor platform or helping to uplift those in crisis, Nysi’s mission is to remind each and every one of us that, despite our circumstances and the number of people or lack thereof we have around us, we are not alone. It’s evident in everything she does, even her academic studies.

“I love people so much,” she exclaims.

“God’s heart is for people, and my goal is to mirror His heart so I love them too.”

It comes as no surprise that she holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology.

But she’s not planning to stop there. In fact, Nysi is continuing her studies at Lee

University, pursuing a Master of Science degree in Marriage and Family Therapy.

“I remember that moment in counseling when the broken pieces of my life began to make sense, and I began to feel whole again. I remember the feeling of relief and gratitude I felt to my counselor for not necessarily giving me all the answers but setting me on a path to resilience.” That’s what Nysi wants to do for others.

“I knew after that experience that I wanted to help people find that feeling, that hope, that resilience for the rest of my life. The best way to help change lives is to give people the tools to survive, even when no one else is [physically] present.

Struggle is inevitable, but survival through the struggle is determined by the tools a person has.”

By His Spirit Nysi Kilgore’s life is a living example of Zechariah 4:6. Everything she has accomplished in her young life has been by the Spirit of God. That’s the hope she wants to give to others—the simple, but

life-giving reminder that we are never alone and that, by His Spirit, we can and will accomplish all that He has called us to do.

Message to Readers “I think the one message that everyone, young and old, needs to hear is that they are loved and valued. You matter, and what you bring to the table is so important. All that you are is cherished deeply by not only the Creator but by the people around you [as well]. Your God is able to catch you when you feel like you are falling—and with Him, through Him, failure isn’t even on the radar.”

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DESTINATION: CHATTANOOGA Looking for a weekend away without the hassle of excessive travel?

Whether you’re seeking some special time with your spouse, some hangout time with your family or friends, or a much needed personal self-care weekend, Chattanooga, Tennessee has an array of options to appeal to your needs. Situated just over the Georgia-Tennessee line, the charming town has become quite the destination. With less than a two-hour drive from Atlanta, you can arrive at and begin enjoying your escape all in the same day.

Here are a few suggestions to help you plan your best getaway:

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ROMANTIC GETAWAY Take in the beauty of downtown Chattanooga as you walk the riverfront and enjoy local coffee shops, the many ice cream parlors, and unique boutiques and stores. Relax and enjoy the views from a horse drawn carriage.

Then, board the Southern Belle Riverboat for a whole new perspective as you take a tour down the Tennessee River. Be sure to leave time for a trip to the Hunter Museum of American Art before your dinner reservation at Hennen’s Steakhouse, where you can enjoy a romantic fine dining experience together. End your day by watching the sunset from the Walnut Street walking bridge or from a blanket in Coolidge Park, all set on the beautiful backdrop of the Tennessee River. Finally, retire to your hotel for a luxurious evening at the Chattanoogan.

CHATTANOOGA TN

FAMILY FUN

AN ADVENTURE

CASUAL DAY TRIP

You can’t take your family to Chattanooga without stopping to explore at least some of what Lookout Mountain has to offer. With Ruby Falls, Rock City, and the Chattanooga Incline Railway alone, you have plenty to keep your family entertained for quite a while. But be sure to plan time to spend downtown at a couple can’tmiss attractions. Explore one of the world’s largest fresh water aquariums, The Tennessee Aquarium! Just down the street is the Creative Discovery Museum, a sensational hands-on play learning museum where the kids (even up to age twelve!) will want to spend all day checking out the plethora of fun exhibits. A few more key places to note: the Chattanooga Zoo, the Chattanooga Ducks river duck boat tour, and the Chattanooga Choo Choo.

All around the Chattanooga area are unique and exhilarating adventures just waiting for you—from the Lost Sea, where you can enjoy a boat ride on America’s largest (four-and-a-half acre) underground lake, to Raccoon Mountain, Tennessee’s highest-rated cave experience. Pan for gemstones or relax by a campfire while taking in spectacular views of the mountains.

Wanting to stick to the downtown Chattanooga area? Then, be sure to check out High Point Climbing, River Drifters Chattanooga, and especially Adventure Sports Innovations (ASI).

Utilizing technology in incredible ways, ASI allows you to experience Chattanooga like never before: drive a quiet electric ATV over obstacles, ride electric Personal Transportation Devices in local parks, or enjoy Virtual Reality hang-gliding and more.

For a getaway that’s not overly planned, a day full of enjoyment is all within walking distance. The downtown Chattanooga area is filled with fun shops, delicious restaurants, scenic views, public parks, an art district, and much more. You can explore all on your own or ensure that you do not miss a thing by booking one of many tours of the Chattanooga area, where you can be led around on foot, Segway, group bike, or carriage. For the history enthusiasts, there’s a litany of options to choose from. The town’s rich history lends every block to have a special story behind it, not to mention that Chattanooga is home to a wide selection of museums, ranging from the International Towing and Recovery Museum to the Songbird’s Guitar museum. january/february 2019

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Tex-Mex Shrimp Tacos Light and healthy seafood tacos are so refreshing and fun. Fresh greens and herbs top the delicately spiced shrimp, while the white sauce keeps it all cool.

Ingredients 3 cups Tex-Mex Shrimp*, warmed and chopped 8 (6-inch) fresh corn tortillas, warmed 1 Tbsp chopped fresh cilantro 2 cups chopped mixed greens 1/2 cup Mexican White Sauce** Directions 1. To build the tacos, divide the Tex-Mex Shrimp equally among the tortillas.

2.

Top the tortillas with cilantro and greens, Ingredients drizzle with sauce, and fold in half.

1 Tbsp Creole Seasoning

p

3 cloves garlic, minced 1/4 tsp kosher salt Juice of 1 lime 2 Tbsp olive oil 30 medium shrimp, peeled and deveined

*Te xMe xS hr

im

Directions 1. Preheat broiler, with rack set 3-4 inches from heat element.

2. In a large bowl, whisk together Creole seasoning, garlic, salt, lime juice, and olive oil.

3.) Add Shrimp to mixture, and toss gently until well coated.

4.) Spread shrimp in a single layer on baking sheet.

5.) Broil shrimp 2-3 minutes. Using tongs, turn each shrimp over and broil 2-3 minutes more, until pink and opague.

uc Sa te hi W an

**M ex ic

A three-course meal from Tex-Mex Diabetes Cooking by Kelley Cleary Coffeen, PhD.

e

EAT HEALTHY AND KEEP THE FLAVOR

Ingredients 3/4 cup reduced-fat mayonnaise 1/2 cup fat-free plain yogurt 2 Tbsp fresh-squeezed lime juice (about 1 lime)

Directions 1. In a medium-sized bowl, combine mayonnaise and yogurt. Add lime juice and whisk until smooth.

2. Refrigerate in an airtight container or squeeze bottle, stirring occasionally, for 1 hour or for up to 4 days.

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n ee Gr i Ch

le

Ingredients 2 Tbsp olive oil 3 cloves garlic, minced 4 cups frozen corn kernels 2 large zucchini, chopped into 1/4-inch pieces 1 cup chopped roasted green chiles 2 cans (10.75 oz each) reduced-calorie, reduced-sodium condensed cheese soup 1 can (use soup can) water 2 1/2 cups fat-free half-and-half 1 cup shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese

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Directions 1.In a large skillet, heat oil and add garlic, corn, zucchini, and chiles. Sauté over medium heat, stirring often, until zucchini starts to soften, 10–12 minutes. Set aside.

2.In a large pot, combine condensed soup, water, and half-and-half. Simmer, stirring occasionally, for 8–10 minutes.

3.Add corn mixture to chowder. Simmer, stirring, until heated through, 10–12 minutes.

4.To serve, ladle into individual bowls and garnish with cheese.

Ingredients 1/4 cup reducedcalorie sweetened condensed milk 1/4 cup evaporated skim milk 1/2 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk 2 cups strawberries, chopped 2 cups blueberries 1 medium-sized store-bought angel food cake or loaf, cut into 32 (1-inch) cubes 4 Tbsp sweetened whipped cream Zest of 1 small lemon Directions 1. In a medium-sized bowl, combine sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, and almond milk. Mix well.

2. Combine strawberries and blueberries in another bowl.

3. Place 2 cake cubes in each parfait glass. Top with 1/2 cup of berries. Place 2 cake cubes on top of berries.

4. Top each with 2 Tbsp sauce and 1/2 Tbsp of whipped cream.

5. Garnish with lemon zest.

january/february 2019

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