Deanna Doss Shrodes

So today I'm just once again thinkin' about friends.  Because so many times friends are what make my world go round. Friends save me from insanity... Friends put a smile on my face... Friends let me know that I'm not in this by myself.  Having a hand to hold (especially in the dark times) makes all the difference.  This past week as we were riding along talking for about 20 hours when you add up all the trips back and forth combined, my friend Tammy made an observation.  After a few hours of deep conversation baring our souls she said  "our friendships are so important because they let us know that we're not alone and we're not crazy."   She's so right. I often tell young ladies that during the time they date or get engaged they need to be careful to continue to nurture their female friendships.  Don't let them go!  Cultivate them...continue to grow.  Develop very deep female friendships for there are some things guys just can't or wo

I recently took note of something I believe probably  happens with every leader.  At some point you will be really surprised that some of the people you most expected to be faithful or helpful will not be , and those you least expected to will surprise you and end up being some of the greatest supporters. If you are a leader, have you noticed this?  Just shows, we should never judge a book by it's cover.

God is pleased with my choices today. I can make a difference in someone's life today. The rest of Becca's funds for her ticket come in today.  She's just a few hundred away, if prices stay the same!!!  (The big "if"!) We need to get the tickets asap and have just been praying in every dollar. I hate the fact that tickets to Africa are so darn expensive.   My doctor's appointment  goes well this morning. My house becomes clean and stays that way this week.  (I can not only hope, but dream, lol?) Dustin's truck keeps running (broke down last night, had to be towed home, then started again) Everything goes smoothly with church Easter plans. I can be more spirit led in my daily choices. "But as for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more." Psalm 71:14

What I did to deserve such good friends I will never know. I've been sick all weekend and by a sheer miracle of God stood up and got through a 45 minute message three times on Saturday.   My friends (who are also speakers on the tour) took care of me --  spoke words of life, prayed for me, rubbed my back, covered me with blankets, tucked me in, and spoke more words of life. Don't ever underestimate the value of friends.  For probably only the fifth time in my life (that I could recall or count) I stayed home from church today.  I have a doctor's appt first thing in the morning. When I woke up Saturday morning at the hotel and every fiber of my being wanting to stay in bed, I asked God to reveal to me in some way that it was worth pressing through instead of giving up and laying down somewhere until it was time to go home.  So many times we don't know the impact we make until years later, and in some cases we may not know until we get to heaven.  But Saturda

The trip to Jacksonville went very fast yesterday because I was with such good friends. (Tammy and Tina)  However,  I am not feeling well AT ALL and ask for anyone reading this today to PLEASE pray for me.  Last night my only thought when I was feeling so poorly was, "how am I going to get up and speak THREE times tomorrow if I don't feel better?"   Thank heavens I have such good friends with me who not only prayed powerful prayers for me, but they helped me in other very practical ways as well.   Normally I'm very talkative and really enjoy times out with my friends laughing to the top of our lungs and stuff like that,  but last night I was so out of it, they could all tell I was just not myself.  We went to Longhorn Steakhouse to eat and the first half of the evening I probably didn't say two words.  Tammy was so good to sit there and rub my back and Tina just spoke life into me.  What friends.  I am so blessed, I cannot even describe it it adequately. I know

This morning I'm leaving for Jacksonville to speak on the Hope Tour again.  The part I'm most excited about right at this moment is the ride with my friends Tina and Tammy .  I'm telling you, we just kept it real last time and let our hair down!  To keep my sanity in the ministry I really need FUN in a SERIOUS way, just in case you haven't noticed.    Last night after work at the church I called my nail shop and said, "can I stop by for you guys to do a fill and polish change for me super quick?"  (After my work at church, I was working for NextJob and had to get home to my appointment. However, I was also a week and a half over due for a fill and didn't want to go out of town with my hands in that bad of shape let alone have church that way Sunday.  Yeah, I'm picky about how my hands look.) Tony and Lisa said, "sure come on over" (of course!) for their fav client.  When I got there, THREE people started immediately working on me to ge

But if you make yourselves at home with me and my words are at home in you, you can be sure that whatever you ask will be listened to and acted upon. John 15:7 (The Message) This week I've been reading through the book of Philippians in my quiet time.  However, after reading Philippians 3, as I was listening yesterday, the Lord led me to flip over to John 15.  I love this chapter for countless reasons and have preached from it many times.  I found myself doing something I do a lot which is go to Bible Gateway and look it up in my favorite three versions (NIV, NLT, Message) and this one just jumped out at me in the Message.  Make yourselves at home with Him, and make sure His words are at home in you... I've read and listened to so much of the Word over my lifetime but have renewed passion to get all the Word in me that I possibly can.  And not just "get it in" as in knowing it or memorizing it, but have it at home in  my heart where my flesh lines up with my spir

So here on my blog I write about life at the intersection of marriage, family, ministry and career.  Part of my life admist all that is that I struggle with treating my body really poorly at times.  In trying to navigate all my roles, I have lived on Hershey bars and lattes, skipped exercise and tried to keep it all going. My weight has yo-yo'd.   Anyone who has known me for very long knows I don't act like I have it all together here or anywhere else, and readily admit that yes, I do get a whole lot accomplished in my life but it's not without stress .  Ways I have dealt with that stress have not always been positive.   People who live or work with me up close and personal can tell when things aren't going well by what's on my desk.  Lately things like bananas and water have been on it.  Well, I'm happy to report that I've been "losing it"...weight that is!!!  Yay for me. I've lost 10 pounds in the last few weeks.  I'm so proud of mys

While the purpose of my post today is not to debate what is happening in the political realm, I simply want to  make the point that I believe with each day that passes, America becomes more ripe for a spiritual awakening. Often, it is not until people get to a desperate point that they realize they need God. Independent. Self sufficient. Smug.  Not knowing what it is to do without. That's all changing, like it or not.  And when the change has run it's course, we willl know how it is to live in countries that have always been less fortunate. Why do we see signs, wonders and miracles in foreign countries, ALL THE TIME?  Why are places like Africa absolutely exploding with a spiritual awakening?  They live in an atmosphere where they need one or else and other options have run their course.  We have never known that in our country.  It's interesting to me that when I go to minister to people in the neediest parts of the world none of them get into an intellectu

"God honored the Master's body by raising it from the grave. He'll treat yours with the same resurrection power. Until that time, remember that your bodies are created with the same dignity as the Master's body. You wouldn't take the Master's body off to a whorehouse, would you? I should hope not."  I Corinthians 6:14   The Message Most of us do not literally "prostitute" our bodies but think about the fact that we do allow ourselves to be "used" by others many times at harmful expense to our bodies.  Time and again I have been guilty of putting my body last on the list. Sometimes God has to give a wake up call. I have had one and have been treating my body with dignity and am resolute to continue.  I can't ever afford to get off track again and allow it to be used for anything other than the purposes of God. "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy an

I didn't blog this morning because last night I got home from Lake Worth at 12:10 am.  I was physically and emotionally exhausted.  But it was well worth the trip.  What an amazing time of ministry!!! Lake Worth is A LOT further away than I thought, and I am not alone in that discovery.  All of my friends made the same observation.  We had a tremendous crowd, much more than we expected.  It was awesome and the speakers just threw down.  I mean, we were really flowing under the anointing.  I was just amazed at how one thing just flowed into the next and lives were changed.  Something happened in the last service with Dawnita Istre who was the speaker.  Marsha had asked me to head up the altar workers and organize things with that, so I was standing behind the person Dawnita she was praying for, to assist her.  All of a sudden Dawnita switched from her to me and began an entire prophecy about Dustin!!!  (He wasn't there, he was a counselor at PK retreat this weekend.  But Daw

As promised yesterday here are some photos from Jordan's birthday dinner on Thursday night.  Right now I'm still in Lake Worth speaking on the Hope Tour (will be away next weekend too doing the same...) and will probably post some reflections from the conference events at some point tomorrow.  Enjoy ~ We went with his "second family" ~ the Riveras, to our family favorite for birthdays, Kobe Japanese Steakhouse.  Left to right ~ Eddie, Candy, me, Larry, Jordan, Eddie Jr. and in back to the left Savanna, and Elijah. Jordan with his little birthday cupcake.  He loves to play with the little umbrella, still at 19... Savanna watches the chef cook the veggies Where there's smoke, there's...fire! A good time was had by all...Jordan is 19 and it's so hard to believe!  Just yesterday I was putting him in his carseat and rocking him to sleep.

Being on the road is perfectly fine, because I love to travel, and my family understands. I also love to be at home just as much.  This means I live the best of both worlds. This morning is sectional council and just as soon as it's over I'm jetting off from there quickly to travel down to Lake Worth, FL to speak on the Hope Tour again this weekend.  Going to travel along with my good friends Tina Blount and Tammy Young , and that will make the ride much more fun, indeed. Speaking of travel -- really getting excited about the Africa trip!  I'll be going June 1-8 or 9 (not sure yet what day I'm coming back, still working that out) but it's coming quickly, for sure.  I have been thinking and praying about the messages to bring there as that is always something I start early in seeking God for just the right messages.  I believe we are going to have an absolute Holy Ghost explosion!!!  If you are a person of prayer, please join me in believing for amazing things. 

Today is Jordan's birthday.  He is 19 years old today and will be leaving for boot camp on May 25.   We are having a family birthday dinner tonight at Kobe, which is our official family birthday spot when we go out.  (Sometimes I do a special dinner for the kids at home -- it just depends on what they want.)  Today is happy and also sad.  It's a special time in that we are celebrating 19 years of life with him, sad in the way that I am not sure how many birthdays we will actually be with him for in the future, depending on where life takes him.  I look at things in terms now of, " one more Thanksgiving," and " one more  Christmas"  (just had those) and now " one more birthday".  Not that it's the last one forever but you know -- he could be overseas, or just unable to be with us for whatever reason.  So I do treasure these "one more's".   Today I thought in honor of his birthday I'd share some of the excerpts from the jour

Many times I've come across women who are very dogmatic about laying down their identity, goals and desires for the man they are married to.  (The man becomes their identity, goal and desire.)  Or they are strong believers in the whole, "my husband leads me in my walk with God" way of thought.  There are countless sermons or articles supporting this view and many well known and respected ministries teach this.  For a long time I've believed that good marriages exist with a foundation of mutual respect, and each person keeping the other's dreams, goals and desires as important as their very own.  There are shared goals and dreams, of course.  But there are also personal ones, and I do not believe a marriage license automatically means you abandon them.  Dr. Stephen Betchen , marriage therapist says, ""You need to maintain appropriate boundaries, allow each other a sense of individuality and independence. Support each other's hopes and dreams."

The Weightman Middle School office staff has now seen me without a bra on. Lovely.  And to further give TMI, I am one of those people that it is noticeable should I not be wearing a bra. [Sigh]  Please relax:  I was wearing a shirt of course, just not the proper undergarments.  :)  But still!!! What a crazy morning I had yesterday.  It was THE Monday of all Mondays.   I woke Savanna up for school. Unbeknownst to me she went back to sleep, which never happens. I mean, the girl is up like clockwork, actually EXCITED to go to school EVERY BLESSED DAY OF THE SCHOOL YEAR.   I'm so blessed that she is a kid who loves school and absolutely hates to miss, and can't wait to get there!  She's on the honor roll too, every quarter.  (Go, Savvy!  So proud of my girl!)  Well, for once in her life, she went back to sleep.  Probably has something to do with the fact that we waited to adjust to daylight savings time on Monday instead of Sunday!  :)   I truly am not upset with her for

Yesterday was a real emotional day for me and for a lot of other people as we said farewell to Pastor T and Misty , and their children Nate and Celeena.  They are more than staff members -- they are truly our family and will continue to be. Larry and I have told the congregation countless times how much we appreciate the Mackleys so much because they have been our most loyal staff members , EVER.  I cannot underscore that enough.  Look up "loyal staffer" in the dictionary and their picture is there.  :)  Finding folks like them is like finding a needle in a haystack and we could not be more grateful for five wonderful years they gave us.  They know that Larry and I can be counted on to help them with anything in the future, in helping with  whatever they need  in life or ministry in exchange for the wonderful trust they have built with us and the way they were so  honorable with our people.  (That's not to be taken lightly - we don't extend that to everyone, onl

The LORD said, "Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by."  "Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.  Then a voice said to him, "What are you doing here, Elijah?"  1 Kings 19:11-13                                        Notice how God came to Elijah...in a whisper. This weekend I've needed that in my life.  I was pretty overwhelmed Friday with a bunch of things that went wrong not to mention it was my only day off for the next three weeks.   I had high expectations and they were pretty quickly being dashed to pieces.

Why some things seem so close together -- yearly physicals, dentist appointments, pap smears, mammos, birthdays, Christmas -- while other things like vacations, visits with close friends, having grandchildren --  seem so far away? What the next big invention that is going to change the world will be? What caused the first person who ever milked a cow to think of doing so in the first place? Who thought up the idea of Jello?  Hey, let's make some translucent colored rubbery stuff and try eating it... What the women on the show Survivor do when it's "that time of the month"?  They aren't allowed to bring anything but one item on the show with them and I have never seen a contestant choose a pad or tampon.  So...???  How I am going to be different this time next year than I am now?

The following hysterical stories were sent to me this week from my dear friend, Pastor Sandy Phinazee .  She sent them along with a note that said, "please tell me this won't happen to us!!!"   Enjoy!!! **************** An elderly Floridian called 911 on her cell phone to report that her car has been broken into. She is hysterical as she explains her situation to the dispatcher:  'They've stolen the stereo, the steering wheel, the brake pedal and even the accelerator!' she cried. The dispatcher said, 'Stay calm.   An officer is on the way.' A few minutes later, the officer radios in 'Disregard.' He says. 'She got in the back-seat by mistake.'  ***************** Three sisters, ages 92, 94 and 96, live in a house together. One night the 96-year-old draws a bath. She puts her foot in and pauses. She yells to the other sisters, 'Was I getting in or out of the bath?' The 94-year-old yells back, 'I don't know. I'll c

Jordan went to his  Commander's Call  for the Air Force yesterday and they have a job for him now, and he signed his contract.  He leaves on May 25.  It's really surreal.  I haven't even really wrapped my head around the fact that he's leaving yet, but in just a few weeks it will be upon us.  My first little bird will be flying the nest.  Yeah, I know he's almost 19 but he will always be my little one.  :)  Boys always need their Momma too, no matter how old they are -- or so I'm told. It really does seem like yesterday that I was... birthing him in Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton, Ohio... holding my precious little one wondering what life would hold for him, and for us... then shortly after chasing him all around trying to keep him safe... his Daddy bringing him safely down from McDonalds roof... watching him learn to play the drums and become really good at it , exceptionally good... seeing him graduate from high school ... helping him thro

As my profile to the right hand side of the blog says:  "I'm a daughter of God, wife, mother, friend, pastor, career coach, freelance writer, musician, songwriter, worship leader, conference speaker and more... all at the same time. I write here about how all these roles in my life intersect since this juggling act seems to be what people ask me about most." Women in particular, do ask me about this more than anything.   "How do you do it all?" is the most repeated question.  Many times I tell them things like:   "I don't know."  Or... "Some things don't end up getting done on any given day and I have to prioritize and table some things for the next day."  Or... "Grace, only God's amazing grace!"  Or... "Well, I'm a list maker and very vigilant with my to do list." These are just a few of my answers that I've given to their question but this week I realized something else about me and that is: