So, you’ve made it to the end.
But it’s not really the end.
You’ve just read six essays of my new book Permission to Speak Freely: Essays and Art on Fear, Confession and Grace. This is the final one…for today anyway.
There are still 22 essays you haven’t read, plus all the art and poetry and other things that have been compiled into this lovely four-color book.
But fear not, you can pick up a copy of the book here. Or if you’d like an autographed copy, or a T-shirt, you can click here.
Or you can leave a comment below and tell me how you landed here (whose blog did you first stumble on?) and I’ll choose two people to each win a copy of the book on Friday.
Now, without further adieu…the seventh essay.
—–
Essay #7 – Listening
—
Julie and I both had some friends in the Kansas City area. Two of them were in a band, and they drove down to Dallas in their band’s van to help us move. We trekked nine hours back up to the Midwest, where we rented an apartment we had never seen before with a roommate we didn’t know very well.
A few weeks after we moved, their band played at a youth group event at a local megachurch that was Baptist but pretended not to be by calling itself a “family church.” It wasn’t too far away. Since moving, I had developed a huge crush on one of the guys.
We walked in, and Julie went up toward the front. I stayed in the back, with an overwhelming since of panic gripping me. Taking a seat, behind a partition, I rested my head in my hands and attempted to get the sense of dread from overwhelming me. My heart was racing, and I could feel it pulsating through my body.
More clearly than I have heard God in my life, He said, “Remember the letter you wrote to Me when you were sixteen? Remember the times you’ve wondered where I am? I’m here. This is My church, and it’s time for you to be a part of it.”
I told the Voice in my head to shut up. I was probably going crazy. Surely God doesn’t speak like that. I thought back to the last time I had taken one of the many pills I would take to feel normal and wondered if it was still in my system.
But then it happened again.
More loudly.
“HEY! Remember the letter you wrote to me when you were sixteen? Remember the times you’ve wondered where I am? I’m here. THIS IS MY CHURCH, AND IT’S TIME FOR YOU TO BE A PART OF IT.”
Go away! I silently screamed back.
Maybe it was time for another pill. I started to dig through my purse.
A girl with bright red hair who was about my age came up to me between songs. She introduced herself. “Hi, I’m Kristi. I work here. Can I pray with you?”
For some reason, my panic turned into anger. My skin began to crawl, and I wanted to run out the doors of the church and never stop. I didn’t want to let this random girl in on the dialogue that was unfolding between the voices in my head.
Or the fact that I had voices in my head, for that matter.
What? Why? Who is this girl? No. No, you can’t pray with me. I don’t think I still believe in your God anyway. Just because I’m in church doesn’t mean I have to buy into this crap like you do. Seriously!
But acting nonchalant, like people offered to pray with me every day, I shrugged, casually pushed my hair back from my face, and calmly responded, “Sure. I guess so.”
She took my hands, but I pulled back. Instead, she put her hand on my shoulder, which tensed up at her touch. She began praying for me, for my friends, and then she said something that made my pounding heart stop dead in its tracks.
“I pray for Anne’s involvement with church. With this church.”
She wasn’t trying to manipulate me. Her prayer was very genuine. She was very genuine. I started to get a little more nervous as I wondered why in the world she would pray such a thing for a complete stranger. Later on, I asked her. She simply said she felt like that’s what she needed to pray.
Growing up in the South, I learned that even if you don’t agree with someone or like them, you could still be nice. So I responded nicely and said thank you. She asked if I’d be up for getting coffee with her sometime. She gave me her phone number, and a few weeks later I called.
Kristi and I became friends, and eventually I started attending the Baptist Family Church (known from this point on as “the BFC”) with her. She worked on the student ministry staff, I started volunteering at youth functions. Slowly, I began to fall in love with these teenagers. They made me think of myself when I was in junior high and high school. They were seeking a God and a faith they truly believed in. And through them, I remembered what it was like to be found and loved by God and to chase Him on a crazy adventure where anything was truly possible.
I can’t recall a specific moment when I finally chose to surrender my heart to God again. That makes me even wonder if there was a specific moment. Maybe it was just a lot of little moments stacked up on top of each other. God didn’t prove Himself trustworthy to me in one big burning bush. He didn’t guarantee my happiness or take away all my fear in one fell swoop.
But He did find me again.
Or perhaps, maybe I just allowed myself to be found.
——
To read all the essays, you can take the below route. Thank you to each blogger who so generously opened their virtual doors and shared part of the story with you today.
Donald Miller (Essay #1 – The First Brick)
Jon Acuff (Essay #2 – The Final Brick)
Carlos Whittaker (Essay #3 – Losing Faith)
Pete Wilson (Essay #4 – Finding Love in All the Wrong Places)
XXXChurch.com (Essay #5 – Shattered Pixels)
Catalyst Conference (Essay #6 – Ghosts of Churches Past)
FlowerDust.net (Essay #7 – Listening)
Comments
154 responses to “Permission to Speak Freely – Free Excerpt #7”
I love the way this one ends.
I found you through Don Miller’s blog :-)
LOVe your honesty
I found you through Stuff Christians LIke
am i blind or is essay no.4 hiding on pete wilson’s blog?
i dont see it there…
made it here through jon acuff’s SCL.
It is fixed. If you go to http://withoutwax.tv/2010/08/31/permission-to-speak-freely-free-excerpt-4/ that is the correct link. Sorry. We coordinated these things in the middle of the night.
Looks like I’m the only one who did this thing the wrong way around. I arrived at your blog, and then went looking for the others. :-)
But since I read 2,4 & 5 everyday as well, I guess I would have got there eventually.
Except that 4 seems to be hiding. :-(
Yeah – sorry! It is fixed. If you go to http://withoutwax.tv/2010/08/31/permission-to-speak-freely-free-excerpt-4/ that is the correct link. Sorry. We coordinated these things in the middle of the night.
is it just me or are 6 and 7 exactly the same?
4 is indeed hiding, but it takes you to the 404 page and there’s a link there to the hiding spot.
oh, and i started with the first one and made my way through to here…
Seven is fixed (my bad for working on it so late and not paying attention!!)
Four can be found http://withoutwax.tv/2010/08/31/permission-to-speak-freely-free-excerpt-4/
that is the correct link. Sorry. We coordinated these things in the middle of the night.
4 just got put up a few minutes ago, but 6 and 7 are the same essays.
Oh and I got started on Stuff Christians Like.
Seven is fixed (my bad for working on it so late and not paying attention!!)
We coordinated these things in the middle of the night.
I’ve made 7 blog comments today…which is about 7 times more than normal :D. I’m going to go buy the book now and if I win, I know a few people who would enjoy it :-).
God bless you Anne!
I stumbled on this from Jon Acuff’s SCL site, and from there, I read everything.
These are very powerful, thought-provoking essays which I believe everyone should read. I’m from the Philippines, and so this book might not reach my country after a few months more, but if it is finally come here, I’m sure to buy it. I know a lot who would be blessed and challenged by your book.
I’ll check on that for you! thank you.
6 & 7 are the same…I’ll check back later to see if 7 is different.
And I read Don Miller’s blog every day, so I started there!
Different now. My bad :)
Any idea when the book will be released in New Zealand? I was planning on being asleep by now, but got reading and couldn’t stop without finishing the 7. Was a little confused when the 7th was the same as the 6th. But this looks like a book I’d love to read!
I found the 2nd essay first, on SCL, but I read Donald Miller every day, so would’ve got there in the end.
Seven is fixed (my bad for working on it so late and not paying attention!!) So it’s reposted on my blog.
Sorry!
I will check on NZ status for you today.
these are great- i really want to finish the book! i actually started at don’s blog and followed the crumb trail all the way here.
fyi: pete’s blog doesn’t come up, but it offers the link as an automatically generated related post. and this essay is the same one that is posted on the catalyst site. it was worth a second read though :)
Four can be found http://withoutwax.tv/2010/08/31/permission-to-speak-freely-free-excerpt-4/
that is the correct link. Sorry. We coordinated these things in the middle of the night.
I don’t think it is all self-promotion when God is the one that spoke thru you to write this book and help other people. God gives us talents, God gives us courage to share those talents, God gives us the avenues to promote the fruits of the spirit that flow from your words… I don’t think it is “self” promotion. I think it is GOD promotion. PROMOT away Anne. :-)
Thank you so much for sharing these essays! It was a great delight to follow the trail this morning and be blessed at each stop! I started at the Catalyst site and then back-pedaled a bit. I check in at many of the sites daily – your included – Don was just first up this morning! Can’t wait to read the rest of the book!
You have an amazing story. I landed here from stuffchristianslike.net. If I don’t win the book, I will certianly be buying it.
I started at SCL – Jon Acuff
Hoping to see new #7 soon too
I started out at Jon Acuff’s SCL. Thank you for sharing these essays, I can’t wait to pick up a copy of the book!
I started on Stuff Christians Like. If I don’t win, this is going on my amazon wish list.
Congratulations on the “official” release of the book and your successful blog tour. See you in 9 days with my take on it. :)
I found you through Stuff Christians Like.
i found this late last night from Carlos’ blog.
so inspired.
I subscribe to Google Reader’s updates for both Don Miller’s and Jon Acuff’s sites, so I could have stumbled across this either way. I just want to say I love this book! I finished it last night, and want to tell the world. Please note that I read 8-10 books a year and don’t tend to tell everyone to read every book I happen to like. But this one is essential. Here’s why:
I have several articles about various bible topics at http://www.middletree.net. One of them, http://www.middletree.net/hebrews6.asp gets tons of hits and generates countless emails. Most of them are from people who have been broken, either by their own sin or some sin committed against them. Many of them are convinced God won’t have anything to do with them anymore. Just yesterday, a woman referred to herself as “damaged goods.”
The great thing about what you have written, Anne, is that we are all damaged goods, and Christ can undo the damage. This isn’t just a good message; it isn’t just an important message; it’s an essential one. I am immensely blessed by this book, and I know it will bless a lot of others, too.
I found you on Don Miller’s blog this morning and I am blessed that I did. What a powerful story, and a needed one for me this morning. I have been working at the same church for over 10 years and have been finding myself disillusioned a bit more lately about church – although not about God. There is so much more available to us!
I didn’t know what I was in for when I opened Stuff Christians Like today. It isn’t even serious Wednesday. As someone currently stumbling through her own wilderness, the only words I can seem to muster are thank you, so thank you.
Can’t wait to pick up the book! In a skeptical and cynical place right now with “church”… now have Don Miller and Jon Acuff in my reader… found you now and you are in there too… thank you for the essays!
I havent a clue how I got here but your blog has been a welcome voice in my journey.
I found you through Don Miller’s blog and Stuff Christians Like’s blog. Wonderful Excerpts. Im adding this to my wish list.
i found it through stuff christians like…but would also have found it through your blog and donald miller’s blog :)
I found you all via my google reader. :) I loved your first book and now I can’t wait to read this one. Thanks for your honesty, Anne. It’s appreciated and needed.
This came up in SCL, Carlos Whitaker and Donald Miller’s blogs on my reader. Thanks for your honesty and heartfelt words.
Great, couldn’t stop reading! I found you through Stuff Christians Like. What a powerful story!
I found you and your story through Stuff Christians Like.
I am a soooo blessed Subscriber of anything you have, Anne!
I cannot wait to read your new book!! MCD rocked our lives and I just know this one will in an incredible way!!
Found my way here through Dirty Girls E Newsletter but realized I’d visited here awhile back through Ragamuffin Soul. Struggling with my own addictive life so I will visit often and hope to get your book.
Annie thanks for sharing these essays. In a way it seems that you and I lead similar lives. You have now written two books and I feel like you have done so just for me. My wife and I left one church due to burn out and your first book was great for me. It’s one I plan on keeping so I can read it again when I feel like I need to.
I can’t wait to read this one as I struggle with opening up and talking through my feelings. Thanks for your transparency and one day I hope I can be the same.
dj
Oh and as far as how I found this. Hard to say since I follow several of them on twitter. I found one and just jumped to the top and started reading :)
dj
I found you through Donald Miller’s blog. I remember hearing about Mad Church Disease while I was working at a church but didn’t get around to reading it. I know so many people struggling with rediscovering Christianity or being angry at the church right now. I’m still working on getting over my frustration with the church.
Found you on Don Miller’s website. Encouraged by your willingness to be seen and known through these essays. And drawn in by the story of God coming after you in the midst of many abuses to your heart….
Found you through Donald Miller’s blog. Very interesting. Hope I can read your book sometime.
I found you through Stuff Christians Like and was captivated by your essays. I am also a preacher’s daughter and I too have been burned by the church, but really, who hasn’t been? Thank you for your honesty. I will be asking for your book for Christmas since I can’t afford to buy it right now.
I can’t wait to check out the book! Best wishes…
I found the series at Stuff Christians Like first. What a great collection of essays — thanks so much for sharing!
From one pastor’s kid to another – thank you for speaking freely! Can’t wait to read the book. I got here from Don Miller’s blog.
Okay – after reading the various essays, now I *really* have to get this book! I too am from west Texas (well, the Texas Panhandle) and grew up in a Very Traditional Southern Baptist church where the words and actions of people didn’t always line up. Unraveling that church environment with who God really is and developing a personal faith and relationship with him has definitely been a process…
hmm…really great stuff…really touched my heart and made some of my dirty, sinful, hurting past come up…scary…
This was beautiful,
thank you for leading me through your journey… I think the book will help me through mine.
Oh my word. I started reading your essays when I went to read Don Miller’s blog this morning. And I’ve been riveted from your first story about heartbreak right up till you were “found” in Kansas City. I identified with a lot of your experiences – even your addiction to pornography. Anne, can I just tell you how encouraged I am by your story this morning? I absolutely can not wait to read the rest of your essays. Thank you for baring your heart. p.s: I loved the idea of the rabbit trail. It brought me across blogs that I would have otherwise never found.
Oh my word. I started reading your essays when I went to read Don Miller’s blog this morning. And I’ve been riveted from your first story about heartbreak right up till you were “found” in Kansas City. I identified with a lot of your experiences – even your addiction to pornography. Anne, can I just tell you how encouraged I am by your story this morning? I absolutely can not wait to read the rest of your essays. Thank you, thank you, thank you for baring your heart. p.s: I loved the idea of the rabbit trail. It brought me across blogs that I would have otherwise never found.
Wow!! I started reading on Don’s blog as well, and couldn’t stop. I want to go buy the book now! Absolutely brilliant.
I landed here because I follow YOU, Anne! And I follow Donald Miller and Stuff Christians like and Carlos Whittaker and Catalyst…so, lots of opportunities to find you! Thanks for this blog chain, it was awesome and so unique!!
Have you ever wondered why? Why did He seek you out? I ask it all of the time. His Grace shown through the crushing of Jesus for me, but why me? His Grace…
I found you through Don Miller’s blog last night, then on to SCL, and had to wait until this morning to read part 3 on Carlos’ blog. Loved the essays and loved the “progressive reading” experience. So cool that 6 bloggers helped you to promote your new book. Looking forward to reading the rest of it.
Thanks for such a cool journey/story… And the hope that it gives me that whatever you do, He and His love will get to you in the end :) I’m finding myself heading down dark roads and this gives me hope.
I follow you and Los in my Reader.
Thank you for sharing with us. So many parts of the seven essays reminded me of my life…but I’m wondering when I’m going to let God find me again. I’m tired of feeling like I’m forcing it. It’s like I know all the right answers, but it won’t click.
Maybe someday soon.
Thanks again.
This is truly inspiring!!! It was very easy for me to relate to everything. Although I may not have been through the same things, every event in our lives play a large role in who we become or how we react to things. I look forward to finishing your book!!! Thank goodness I happened to be reading Don Miller’s tweet today!!!
found you on Don Miller’s blog. Thanks for sharing!
WOW! I mean, really, WOW! Found you on SLC and just read all seven essays … don’t remember meeting you or telling you my life story! Life-long Southern Baptist preacher’s daughter, born in Haskell, TX (my dad attended Hardin-Simmons and was ordained in Abeline) who told the church to take a hike and went sex-drugs-and-rock’n’roll. But God wasn’t ready to let me go, either. I just ordered your book and I can’t wait to read the rest of my … uh, I mean, your … story! :-)
I started on Stuff Christians Like!
I started at Don Miller’s blog and just read all 7 essays. Looking forward to picking up a copy of your book!
That was so refreshing and real! Thank you for your your humble honesty. (I found you through Stuff Christians Like, by the way)
I have been a follower of your blog, Jon’s and Don’s for sometime..and will continue to be!!!!
Just finished essay 1 …. the memories of being tormented in grade school because of my clothing…which wasn’t stylish enough for the other girls…oh how I hated my mom for making me where knee high socks when the other girls had ankle socks! Funny how the pain, and the memories are so easily surfaced. Looking forward to reading more.
Blessings to you Anne..thanks for letting God speak thru you.
I think I found you through Compassion. I can’t exactly remember, it was a long time ago.
Wonderful stuff, Anne. I’m excited for you in all of this, and I’m praying for joy in the midst of the craziness. :)
Found you on Donald Miller’s blog!
I’ve read all of them… its good stuff!
Love,
Sarah B.
Anne, all of these essays are excellent and so relatable! I am excited to read the rest of your book. I went to college at Hardin-Simmons and I grew-up in Waxahachie, just outside of Dallas and have ventured up to that very church in Highland Village to see my friend from HSU and his church so that, along with your fantastic writing style, will have me glued to your book. I also love how you intro’d the book. I subscribe to Donald Miller’s, Jon Acuff’s and Carlos Whitaker’s blogs and enjoyed seeing how they all wove together and how you picked the perfect passage for XXXChurch. You are brilliant and I look forward to reading more!
Anne, thanks so much for sharing this. I regularly read two of the other blogs that shared your essays, and this is a great way to pull together different parts of online community. I also want to say thanks for being honest and vulnerable about your life. I know that others, like me, will be so encouraged to know they’re not alone.
You have a beautiful way of expressing yourself. You’re very talented along the lines of a Don Miller or Anne Lamott.
I first came across your story over at Ragamuffin Soul.
Hi Anne! I found you through Don Miller and Jon Acuff. I can’t wait to read the book. Thanks for your honesty, and for introducing me to some more great blogs.
I got here via LosWhit’s tweets. Thank you so much for sharing!
I saw your twitter and read all the way through. I’ve read through your story a few times..different parts, various times..as you’ve posted it on your blog in the past..but it was very cool to read it all the way through, again. It’s inspiring me to write out “my story,” although it is still very much in progress. Thanks for sharing your heart again. I can’t wait to read the book!!!
Angie Lomas (formerly, Angie Watts)
I found you through Jon Acuff’s Twitter feed, read the one on SCL, then forwarded to XXXChurch’s which stopped me in my tracks and then decided to read the whole story from Don Miller’s on through. I don’t know your own hurt and betrayal by the church, but I empathize with it and found myself blinking back tears by the end.
My hope is that I can be a “Kristi” to an “Anne” someday.
I received an email about the excerpts from you. And have enjoyed them all. Will be ordering the book shortly.
I read Don Miller’s blog every day, so I started there. Most people are afraid to be transparent, so it’s refreshing when people like you and Don are so raw and honest. I was burned by the church I grew up in, and in response I ran from church and God for a time. Now I’m serving as a youth pastor. Thnaks again for being honest. I would love to read more of your book.
Found your blog excerpt on SCL and was hooked immediately… backed up to Don Miller’s site for excerpt #1… mesmerized for the next 20 minutes jumping from one blog to the next… finished the journey and emailed my closest friends that they HAD to read this… ended the message like this…
“This much I will tell you… it will be painful… it will be scary… it will hit you WAY too close to home at times… it will probably leave you in tears at some point… but it will wreck your day beautifully… Enjoy!”
I, for one, am thankful that you allowed yourself to be found….That in itself is a HUGE step. Prayers to you, and all the folks that read your book!!!
xo
Reese
I found this series from the “Stuff Christians Like Blog” which I read regularly. Thank you for sharing your story. I really want to read the whole book now!
I, luckily, started at the beginning with Don Miller’s blog. I was convinced of the follow through by SCL.
I found this through Donald Miller’s blog this morning and have been reading the rest of the essays at the other blogs throughout the day. Your honesty is refreshing and hits home for me in a lot of ways. Your book is going on my “Must-Read” list now.
Great promotion idea by the way…very creative!
Vulnerability breeds vulnerability, and my hope is that your book, heart, and testimony speak permission into the hearts and lives of others who have given up on God, church, and life…
…the permission to acknowledge pain caused by people who say they represent Christ
…the permission to admit that those who seek to follow Christ (with the best intentions) struggle and doubt and give up
…the permission to question God honestly in the darkness
I started the essay trail with Don Miller and was drawn into your story. Thanks for sharing.
You write with the same transparency that Don does- something that is winsome and life-giving. again, thanks
Found you on Donald Millers blog and read straight through to the end…I read 4 of the 7 blogs regularly. It seems like everybody knows everybody in the blogworld!
Hey Ann
I was trying to figure out how I found you first… I read all the blogs who posted essay excerpts’ of yours, but also the blogs of many frequent commenters here too… I have NO idea how I first found you. (but i know that you’ve introduced me to one person I now “real-life know”)
Anyhow, I’ve been reading your blog for months, and I love it. Thanks for blogging and for writing.
I found your blog after you came to speak at The Walk in Knoxville, TN. It’s awesome it hear people speak biblical truth not blemished by denominational politics!
I found you through Ragamuffin Soul.
Wow. While being totally different, I can relate to so many things in each essay I read. I think I need to go find your book and take it with me on my camping trip this weeken.
I found you through Carlos too….over a year ago, I think.
(I think I’m doing this a bit backwards, but that’s okay)
Loved this series of essays…thank you for your honesty! I started at StuffChristiansLike, then went through and read the rest of them.
Hi there, I came from Don Miller’s blog and I am so glad I found you! Amazing writing. I am an instant fan. You and me, we have a lot in common..
Following your blog now.
Jen
I follow your blog, so I found this through… you. ;)
Wow, what a powerful set of essays. I can’t wait to read them all. I started at Donald Miller’s blog.
I agree. Wow. I’m so glad you listened to God and have now shared your story! so much to think about. I started out at Stuff Christians Like but also saw Donald Miller’s Twitter mention.
I really loved how you posted on all the different blog sites. That was so fun. I found it through this blog and Don’s, since I read both and follow you both on Twitter. I absolutely loved reading your story. Thanks for sharing.
Anne, this was wonderful, and fun to visit all the blogs to read this. I started out with Carlos at Ragamuffin. I am eager to read the rest of your book and your story!
I’m such a dork I subscribed to 5 of the 7 blogs that hosted this. You took over my google reader.
love how you did this. it was fun to read all the essays (and the blogs!) and it was really a great chance to look into my own spiritual journey as well. i’m not there yet, but i’m on my way…
thanks again.
I found you through Don Miller’s blog and enjoyed the journey. I look forward to the book!
I found you by looking for stuff about self-injury and one of your blog posts came up.
Thank you for sharing your story! I started at Carlos’ blog.
I found you from Don Miller’s blog.
I started at Pete’s blog….then wound around until I ended up here! Good words….
Found this through Donald Miller’s blog (fantastic reading! I know what I want for Christmas!)
Been following Anne for quite awhile now and glad that this book is finally being spoken of…freely. Even have the original video and Bible study pdfs of the project when it was kicking off last September. Should be showing up sometime today from Amazon. (And if by chance I get another copy, I plan on handing it off to someone else who can be touched by it.)
I just recently started following our blog because a friend told me I have a lot in common with you as I grew up in West Texas, have been truly hurt by those who ‘follow Christ’, and pray to ride:well tour next summer. Thanks for your writings, it gives me a good outlook on how things could be and what I’m heading for. I’m real grateful for last line of, “But He did find me again. Or perhaps, maybe I just allowed myself to be found.”
Looking forward to reading the book.
i started at Stuff Christians Like….looking forward to reading the book!
i found the series of essays first at Stuff Christians Like…looking forward to reading the book!
I found this through a tweet, (by who?)early this AM that said “TWLOHA honored to be in the new book (sic)” and linked to http://www.permissiontospeakfreely.com/
So, woohoo – got the $2.98 download – THANK YOU! – and began reading the blogs/excerpts.
Very good! I appreciate your letting it all hang out. Am wondering how much I’m missing (artwork-wise) by getting the audiobook.
Thank you so much.
Grace & Peace,
Sandy
I found the excerpts through Jon Acuff’s “Stuff Christian’s Like” Blog. I am now about to go buy the book. My story is so similar to yours, thank you for your beautiful writing.
I love love love these excerpts! I started at Don Miller’s Blog and even though I should’ve been doing homework, I couldn’t stop reading.
I’m not a pastor’s kid but I’ve dealt with the same inconsistencies of the church and it’s so nice to see that I’m not alone in this struggle. Thank you for honest words, a beautiful soul, and the willingness to share.
Jordan
Thank you…whispered through tears…thank you.
Carlos Whittaker
I found you through Don Miller’s blog… also a pastor’s kid… and know the hypocrisy and sin in church. I am grateful, though, for the grace that is there as well. Thanks for sharing!
I followed the trail here thru SCL :) Thank you for writing this book!
I came from Stuff Christians Like – thank you for sharing your story. I saw so many parallels with my life, and even though I haven’t reached where I want to be yet, it gives me hope that it might someday work out.
I read Ragamuffin Soul religiously, and found you there. I also peruse SCL and Don Miller’s blog at times, but missed both of those originally.
Ragamuffin Soul is where I’m from =)
Awww… man… I want to read everything now! I got it from Los’ blog (Ragamuffin Soul)
I loved them all. Although I don’t share the same experiences I share some of the same pain and thankfully the same redemption! I stumbled onto Stuff Christians Like and then stumbled right through the rest of your essays. :) Thanks!
I read through each and every one! I started at Jon Acuff’s blog. Thank you so much for sharing your story so honestly. I look forward to reading the rest in your book.
Great essays. I read about your book on Donald Miller’s blog.
Started on Stuff Christians Like and was so intrigued I had to read the rest. I admire your blatant honesty and now HAVE to read the whole book to find out everything else!
I found you through Carlos’ blog–and I’m so glad that I did. Thank you so much for sharing your story with us.
I started at the beginning and enjoyed working my way through. thanks for starting a much needed conversation.
I found this post when it showed-up in my RSS reader.
Found you at thenines last year and have followed since. Can’t WAIT to read the book!
found you through your blog, but i guess i found your blog through catalyst podcast…they had you on there one day and you talked about your book and i remember feeling kinda bitter and cynical and thinking, she has no idea what i’ve been through and what i feel and there is no breaking free…since then alot has changed in my life. After much much much much deliberate stubborness against God’s will & thinking that i can only be a whore and that’s it. I could never ever ever measure up to be a cute little christian wife with 5 kids and a husband that actually loves “this”. Anyway….its been a long road since then, for the last 10 years of hurt, pain, bleeding, it’s time to break free, and that’s what i’m doing with the help from my very dear close friends and some wonderful pastors and mostly God and his wonderful, awe inspring grace and mercy, and love. Your book, after listening, inspired me to continue on the process of healing and recovery. Thank you. I appreciate your words, thoughts, insights. From the looks of things you and i have alot in common, and i like that. Hope to meet you again. Will you be attending Catalyst East? Thanks, again.
@bcperez
Saw essays on SCL and Don Miller’s site. But I’m a frequent visitor of your blog, too.
Thank you for being so very honest with us. Your courage is encouraging so many on the path of healing. Would love to read the whole book!
I arrived here via a tweet from Mary C. of Giving Up on Perfect. Can’t wait to read the entire book!
I read your blog, so tracked back and read them all. Thank you for your transparency…it’s comforting!
This whole sequence of essay’s mirrors my own story in a way I didn’t think was possible. I’m not a pastor’s daughter, but each post brought flashbacks and memories like I had written it myself. I am thoroughly undone by these and will be getting the book as soon as I can. Thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart, for having the courage to put your story in writing. Your words were perfect.
Still in the midst,
Melinda
I follow you on twitter and saw the tweet a few minutes ago, can’t wait to start reading.
I didn’t read any of essays, but I follow you on twitter as a result of following @tonymorganlive. If I win, I’ll read the whole book.
Wow, can’t remember if it was Donald Miller’s blog or Jon Acuff’s blog that led me to your blog. Been reading yours for a few months now. Such a joy. Feels like my soul’s taking a deep breath. Thanks for everything you share. Permission to Speak Freely is on my Amazon wish list…can’t wait to read the other 22 essays!
I’m going to read this book even if I don’t win this contest. But hey, might as well try for a free one right?
Found via Twitter.
Keep doing exactly what you’re doing Anne.
An inspiration, as always.
– Scott
Beautifully written, Anne.
I saw your book recently at a friend’s house and then at the bookstore a few weeks ago (maybe they released it early?). I have flipped through it both times and I am looking forward to when I get my hands on my own copy.
I found the essays here as I have been a ghost reader for over a year now. I enjoy your posts, even the ones that tend to be what I need but don’t want to hear. Thanks for sharing.
I just came here first. Lovely. Thanks for your bravery.
Jon Acuff’s blog… it was a beautiful journey and I’m adding your book to me “must read” list. Thank you for sharing!
I follow you on twitter and follow just about every link you post on there so I’m guessing that’s how I got here!
I would love a copy of this book! I was following Tom Davis and the trip to Muldova. I saw you on there in the video clips. I was talking to my friends Ruth and Chrystal about it and they said they were following your blog about the trip! So, I came on over! I loved getting to meet you on the Ride-well tour. (you stayed at our church…we had just adopted a little boy from India last year) Thanks for sharing your heart with the world!
Candice
Got here through Don Miller’s blog. I’ve never been on a virtual “treasure hunt” before – Very Cool Idea!
And timely, too. Just yesterday, I sat with a friend whose heart is breaking due to the impact of pornography on those she loves. Your honest, unvarnished picture of God’s grace at work restoring you paints hope into prayers for my friend and her family.
Just found you today on @tonymorganlive’s Twitter feed. Love what I’ve read so far.
I found you through TWLOHA twitter. I can’t wait to read the rest of it!!!
I think I may be six minutes late for the giveaway, but that is completely typical for me. Procrastinate is my middle name. (not really…it’s Lynn) Anyway, Anne, I’m so thankful to have finally gotten to/thru the tour. I’m excited to get the book and eat it up. I’m thrilled for you and for us….this book is going to bring freedom to so many. Thank you.
oh…and um I started at Don’s because of Twitter. Also, has anyone kicked that yp’s ars yet? I volunteer.
I found your blog via Kristi Johnson.
I love this essay. I live in the Pacific Northwest, but I was raised in the South like you, so I get that. And I have also covered my ears when God spoke to me, saying “Lalala, I’m not listening!” So I get that, too! Lovely.
I just finished reading through these essays. WOW. Very moving. Thank you for the honesty and transparency.