Sunlit Stories: Guest Writers’ Summer Sentiments

Julie Fillinger • June 3, 2025

Share this article

Hello readers! 

I am excited to announce the launch of a new summer series called  Sunlit Stories: Guest Writers’ Summer Sentiments . This series is a special collection of reflections from guest authors. I introduce them below with their biography and picture. They will be sharing their heart from impactful or humorous experiences and readings. Each story is a unique glimpse into moments of their lives that offer inspiration and insight. 

Every Tuesday throughout the summer, a guest writer will be featured. Posts will be available on my website, sent out via my email newsletter, and shared on my Facebook page. These stories will not only entertain but also provide encouragement and opportunity for reflection. 

Please join me to engage in these inspiring stories that promise to brighten our summer days. 

Stay tuned and happy reading! 

With my sincere love, 

julie fillinger 

Eric Fillinger

Eric Fillinger, DPM, is a foot and ankle surgeon in North Central Alabama with 27 years of experience. He attended Cedarville University in Cedarville, OH where he excelled in Cross-Country and Track earning All-American status 13 times in his 4-year career. In his senior season he injured his foot which propelled him into his clinical interest of foot and ankle surgery, and he developed a passion for performance medicine. While at Cedarville, he not only earned degrees in Chemistry and Biology, but also minored in Biblical Studies.          

Eric is passionate about God’s Word and has served the local Church by teaching Sunday School and discipleship classes, deacon ministry, committee work, and leadership teams. In addition to his medical practice and faith-based work, he enjoys public speaking, the outdoors, and loves to hike, backpack, hunt, and pursue athletic interests as both a participant and a spectator.       

Eric is married to Julie Bowling Fillinger whom he met at Cedarville. They have been married for 35 years and relish embarking on adventures and supporting their adult son, Drew, in his professional theater career as he performs in various places around the country. 

Eric Fillinger guest author
 
Robin Cook guest author
 

Robin Cook

Robin Bowling Cook is a follower of Jesus, a wife, mother, daughter, sister, and teacher. She holds a  Bachelor’s in Speech from Cedarville University, Master’s in English from the University of Alabama Huntsville and a Master’s in Education from Liberty University. She has worked in both the private sector as a professional recruiter and the public sector as an educator.      

Robin is an avid sports fan and roots for her hometown teams including The Cincinnati Bengals, Cincinnati Reds, and The Ohio State Buckeyes.     

Robin is a huge advocate for the Holocaust Education Center and was named a Belfer Fellow for her work with this organization. She has also been named a Jewish Foundation for the Righteous Fellow and Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial Foundation Fellow.       

Robin is a coach at Cullman High School having worked with the CHS tennis team and the CHS Cross Country teams. She sponsors First Priority (a Christian Outreach organization) on the CHS campus, and is also the proud co-sponsor of the Senior class each year.      

Robin teaches English at CHS and introduces and teaches AP Seminar to 10th graders. She enjoys cooking, gardening, reading, traveling and spending time with her family. 

Joe Johnson

Joe Johnson, MD was born and raised in Birmingham, AL and graduated from WA Berry High School (1983). He then went on to Samford University to graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology (1987). He received his Doctor of Medicine degree from The University of Alabama School of Medicine (1987) and completed his residency in Family Practice at the College of Community Health Sciences from the University of Alabama (1995). He has been practicing Family Medicine in Cullman ever since.

He has been a member of Northbrook Baptist Church for 29 years, has served as a deacon and is now serving as a Bible Study Class leader and as an Elder of the church.  He has been married to Kim since 1989. They have 3 daughters: Natalie, Caroline (Marn Chong), and Mallory, and an 8 month old granddaughter, Phoebe.  

He enjoys fishing, reading, and travelling in his spare time. 

Joe Johnson guest author
 
Katie McGee guest author
 

Katie McGee

Katie McGee is an English instructor at Wallace State Community College’s Oneonta campus. Originally from Cullman, Alabama, she graduated from Cullman High School in 2001 and later earned her Bachelor of Science in secondary social science education from Athens State University in 2013. Her academic journey continued at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where she completed a master’s degree (2017) and an Education Specialist degree (2023) in secondary English language arts education. Katie is excited to pursue a Ph.D. in Educational Studies at Auburn University, with plans to begin in the fall of 2025.     

Before joining Wallace State, Katie taught 7th-grade English Language Arts for nine years at Cullman Middle School. She is a National Board Certified Teacher (2019) and was honored as a Top Four Finalist for Alabama Teacher of the Year in 2023.

Outside the classroom, Katie enjoys spending time with her husband, Adam, and her three children: Juliet (23), Fisher (21), and Emmy (5). She is an active member of First Baptist Church in Cullman and performs as a vocalist with her cover band, The Overtones. In her spare time, she relishes a good cup of coffee and visits to the beach.

Denise Burroughs

Denise Burroughs is a proud mom to three grown and thriving kids: Jesse Burroughs, Libby Burroughs, and Kacy (Brady) Patterson. She has an MA in English, an Ed.S., and is a National Board Certified Teacher. She teaches AP Literature and Composition at Cullman High School and enjoys traveling and experiencing as much of The Lord’s beautiful creation as possible. She has been married to Jeff for 32 years. 

Denise Burroughs guest author
 

Recent Posts

By Julie Fillinger June 23, 2026
Julie Fillinger Sometimes I am guilty of biding my time until I get to heaven. I discovered enjoying God’s presence everyday changes my perspective on how I see suffering, waiting, and the journey ahead. In today’s podcast, I talk about what God used to help me make that shift. The post The Shift That Changes Everything appeared first on julie fillinger.
By Julie Fillinger June 9, 2026
Julie Fillinger Susan Sellers shares a moving testimony of faith, perseverance, and God’s faithfulness through unexpected health struggles. In this Women of Faith episode, she reflects on open-heart surgery, years of complications, and the peace she found by trusting God when life did not go according to her original plan. The post How God Changed Susan’s Plans…And Her Perspective appeared first on julie fillinger.
By Julie Fillinger May 26, 2026
Julie Fillinger In this powerful Women of Faith conversation, Sonya Fortner shares her ongoing grief journey after the loss of her daughter Hannah. Together we discuss quiet courage, forgiveness, faith in suffering, and how God’s grace meets us in heartbreak. This honest conversation offers hope, healing, and encouragement for anyone walking through loss. The post Sonya’s Story of Quiet Courage and the Impact of Forgiveness appeared first on julie fillinger.
By Julie Fillinger May 12, 2026
Julie Fillinger In this Women of Faith episode, Phyllis Smith shares how God shaped her through family life, military moves, community, widowhood, and an ongoing battle with cancer. Her steady perspective—taking each day as it comes—offers practical hope for anyone walking through loss or uncertainty. The post Phyllis Smith: A Life of Faith and Resilience appeared first on julie fillinger.
By Julie Fillinger April 28, 2026
Julie Fillinger Elizabeth Miller shares how true peace and contentment are found not in achievement or status, but in a surrendered relationship with Jesus Christ. Through college challenges, pageant experiences, and career lessons, her story encourages women to fix their minds on Christ and discover lasting purpose, identity, and joy beyond performance. The post From Pageants to Purpose: Elizabeth’s Journey to Peace and Contentment appeared first on julie fillinger.
By Julie Fillinger April 14, 2026
Julie Fillinger In this heartfelt episode, I sit down with my friend Ashley as she shares her story of child loss, faith, and the peace that only God can give. Together, we talk honestly about grief, heaven, and how God meets us in life’s deepest sorrow. The post Ashley’s Story: Turning Pain into Purpose appeared first on julie fillinger.
By Julie Fillinger March 31, 2026
Julie Fillinger Loneliness persists even in busy, connected lives. This message explores why community alone cannot heal the ache within, and how God’s presence transforms isolation into hope. Through Scripture, worship, and Spirit-filled fellowship, we discover true connection, renewed perspective, and the assurance that we are never truly alone. The post The Cure for Loneliness appeared first on julie fillinger.
By Julie Fillinger March 17, 2026
Julie Fillinger We just finished leading our Courage for the Journey Live series, and our hearts are full. Over six Wednesday nights, we explored our view of God, suffering, courage, hope, peace, and prayer together. This recap reflects what resonated, what surprised us, and where we believe God is leading us next in this season.  The post End of the Live Series Recap appeared first on julie fillinger.
By Julie Fillinger March 10, 2026
Julie Fillinger Prayer begins with humility. I come trusting God’s goodness, nearness, and faithfulness.  Even the groans of my spirit and cries of my heart speak to God. As I approach Him with surrender, He meets my dependence with grace, reshaping my heart to trust Him and release the control that wasn’t mine to begin with.  The post The Heart Cries and Groans of Prayer  appeared first on julie fillinger.
By Julie Fillinger March 3, 2026
Julie Fillinger Through faith in Jesus, I have peace with God that steadies my heart when life feels uncertain. This devotional explores the difference between peace with God and the peace of God, showing how trust and prayer replace anxiety with hope and rest, even in suffering. The post Peace With God Is Real appeared first on julie fillinger.
Show More