Today we welcome multiple-award winning author Deborah Raney to my blog. Welcome Deborah! First off, tell us about your most recent published book or your most recent work in progress. Just yesterday, I turned in the rewrite for my October release, Reason to Breathe, the first book in my new Chandler Sisters Novels series. Being the oldest of four sisters, …
Any Stress in Your Life?
How do you deal with stress? I’ve been through my fair share, and I have to admit, I haven’t always dealt with it in a godly way. I would either strong-arm it and push through, pretending everything was okay (while not sleeping, not eating and sniping at unsuspecting victims) or I would talk about it ad nauseam to anyone unfortunate …
Battle-Grounds
Over the weekend, my husband and I saw the movie War Room. We weren’t sure what the theme was, but we’d heard it was a very good Christian film. Much to our surprise, Priscilla Shirer played the lead character. In case you’re unaware of who she is, Priscilla is an inspiring speaker, author and women’s Bible study teacher. But who …
Divergent Paths
Back in February, I stepped into what I thought was a temporary position (no more than two months) at my husband’s office. I was nervous because I didn’t know if I would be more help or hindrance. Running the front desk at a busy chiropractic practice wasn’t exactly one of my goals in life, nor did I think I’d be …
Metaphors
I truly love how the Bible is the living, breathing Word of God. When I hear comments that it’s an ancient book that has no bearing on our lives today, I’m stunned. Those who can make such claims surely haven’t delved into the rich history, divine guidance and timeless lessons that can be gleaned each time its tissue-thin pages are …
Stepping Out
Although many of my friends find it hard to believe, I’m an introvert by nature. I think most people don’t understand what constitutes introversion and extroversion. It’s not that an introvert sits huddled in a corner, unable to socialize and an extrovert is a party-hardy type. Rather, an introvert regains his/her energy by being alone while an extrovert is energized …
Detours
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds…” James 1:2. I love the book of James, although I will admit the above verse has confounded me in the past. Joy when facing a trial? Is that even possible? I believe it is, when we have the right perspective—and it isn’t ours. Less than two weeks …
Cheap, Plastic Beads
Last year, my husband and I did a couples’ study of Romans 12 with Chip Ingram. In one of the DVD’s he told a story of a little girl who vacationed with her family at the beach. Around her neck, she wore cheap, plastic beads, which she treasured. There was an old fisherman who noticed her love for these beads. …
To Snipe or To Serve
It was on Sunday, during the first session of a Bible study my husband facilitates on marriage, that it struck me—I am a nitpicker. The book we’re studying is Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas. His premise is that God created marriage to make us holy more than to make us happy. Nitpicking is definitely not an attribute of holiness. And, …
The Art of Wasting Time
Most people who know me see me as a disciplined person. I spend time in the Word each morning, work out every day, and aside from the occasional chocolate indulgence, eat healthy. I’m not making this claim to toot my own horn—believe me, some of these practices come from psychologically unhealthy motives. But I want to set the stage, so …
