Mitch Carnell

On this Thankful Thursday I am grateful for the life and contributions of E. Glenn Hinson to my life. Carol has read his autobiography, Miracle of Grace, to me in daily installments. I wish that I could express my faith and Baptist heritage with such eloquence. He spoke at the Hamrick Lectures at First Baptist of Charleston in 2002. What a wonderful week-end. Glenn epitomizes my grasp of Baptist theology before the conservative shift of the Southern Baptist Convention in 1979. In addition to his book Dr. Monty Knight and Bruce Jane give me more details and great stories about Dr. Hinson.  Dr. Molly Marshall is also a great devotee of his. Dr. Hinson’s life is a testimony to his successful struggle to make a life for himself that his early years would not have predicted. He has handled his hearing impairment with  grace. His autobiography is filled with details, but is absolutely thrilling. His leadership in ecumenicalism and spirituality is legendary. His devotion to academic freedom is unwavering. Since he was in Charleston, we have maintained contact through email. What an experience it must have been for those who had this man as a professor and mentor. I will be forever grateful that he crossed my path. On this Thankful Thursday I say thank you to E. Glenn Hinson.

Thankful Thursday is a day set aside to thank those women and men who have made contributions to our lives. Let her or him know of your gratitude. Develop an attitude of gratitude. You will be glad that you did.