Livin' What You're Given

After decades of writing award winning nonfiction books as well as articles for such publications as In Touch Magazine, Our Daily Bread, Guideposts and many more, Patricia Raybon decided to finish a novel she had stared years before the 2020 COVID lock down. This novel is a Christian fiction mystery about a clever, black, female theologian who takes on the daring challenge of solving crime in the 1920s KKK era in Denver, CO.

In this interview, Patricia tells us why she chose to pivot genres, what she is hoping will come from this book, which is based on research of the time period, and how she sees this as being right in line with her mission of writing at the dangerous intersection (especially today) of faith and race.

Her journey is one of saying, "Yes" to God and taking a leap of faith. To find where to buy this new book, "All That is Secret", as well as connect with Patricia on various platforms, see her information below.


Website for Patricia Raybon at patriciaraybon.com 
Twitter at twitter.com/PatriciaRaybon and Facebook at Facebook.com/PatriciaRaybonAuthor
On my Faith Journey Newsletter at http://bit.ly/2jgpasW
Also find her work at Our Daily Bread, Be Encouraged for Day Spring.


The website for Stephen Ray Watts and the band Dotsero   https://dotseroband.com

The website to connect with Laura Padgett https://lauralpadgett.com 

Calling all creatives. If you have ever been in an audience for one of Allen Arnold's presentations, you will know that his words, his work and his honest accounting of his own life is a blessing of inspiration and encouragement. He invites us to offer our storytelling as a way to "nudge people toward a welcome awakening." 

If you have never been in one of his presentation audiences, here is your chance to listen to a man whose life is spent helping others bring their creative gifts forth not only for God, but with Him. Allen welcomes us into a world of God's promises by telling us to just have a desire, voice our willingness and get excited about God's plan for us when we enter into life of creativity with expectancy. Then sit back and watch God do more than we ever expected or could have ever dreamed of. 

‎While discussing the invitation in his latest book, "Waves of Creativity", Allen shares many nuggets of how to live into a mystery that hold no guarantee other than God. He encourages us not to settle for anything less and to reject living in a small story life.

To find books by Allen Arnold go to Amazon.com and look for "The Story of With", "Chaos Can't", and "Waves of Creativity". 

Connect with Allen on his website at www.withallen.com 

The website for Stephen Ray Watts and the band Dotsero   https://dotseroband.com 

The website to connect with Laura Padgett https://lauralpadgett.com

It would not be uncommon for a person blessed with multiple gifts and talents to use those for their own fame, calling attention to their accomplishments. But that is simply not the case or intentions of my guest today, Deonte Bolden.

This actor, author, play write, producer and podcaster has a completely different take on how his gifts should be used. And he shows that in his many productions and two books. In discussing his latest book with me today on my podcast he explains that the real fulfillment for him comes when he hears or sees that his work has made a difference in calling attention to and raising awareness of issues we need to address in our societies.

His latest book, “Differently Abled” does just that. Relating his own experiences of watching what life was like for his older brother, Jaquan, Deonte chronicles truths, dismisses myths and encourages readers of all ages to understand that people with disabilities “Have big hearts, are intelligent and have feelings too.” Although a children’s book by design, this work and his words call all of us at any age to begin pivoting our attitudes while modeling that bullying and exclusion are unacceptable.

To find more on Deonte including where to buy his books go to

Instagram.com/DeonteBoldenProductions

Facebook.com/deonteboldenproductions

www.deonteboldenproductions.com 


The website for Stephen Ray Watts and the band Dotsero https://dotseroband.com 

The website to connect with Laura Padgett https://lauralpadgett.com

Stephen Watts and his wife  owned a successful jazz club in Downtown Denver.  He also was a successful musician, touring with a band he helped create. He and his wife hosted multiple international events in their club. Then COVID hit.  Suddenly his  opportunities  to tour, play music and run his business went away. He and his wife struggled to keep their business viable.  But like so many others, they had to close.

With few options for work, he had to find a way to pay bills. He accepted a job or "side hustle" as he calls it. He began delivering flowers. During one delivery he found a new opportunity to do his unique ministry of speaking to and helping other alcoholics begin their journey of recovery, as he had done many years before.

In this interview, Stephen unpacks some of the gifts he received even in a time when the world, his in particular, seemed to be disintegrating before his eyes. His words of encouragement, inspiration and faith are a wonderful example of how to look, even in the dark times, for the gifts God is offering. His gifts are always perfect.

If you wish to check out some of Dotsero's music, see below.



The website for Stephen Ray Watts and the band Dotsero   https://dotseroband.com

The website to connect with Laura Padgett https://lauralpadgett.com 

Jerry Schemmel told himself, "If you are dead, you are not going to be able to do anything. But if you are not, if you happen to survive and are not hurt seriously, don't panic. Don't flee the plane but try to help other people and stay calm." 

Those were his thoughts the last two minutes before the plane crashed. He did survive, and he did help others out. But he also witnessed the death of many around him.

In this episode Jerry relates what it was like to spend forty-five minutes knowing that the plane was going to crash, and not everyone was going to walk away. He talks about survivor's guilt, dealing with the post traumatic effects and how he pivoted in his life into a ministry to take his story to others who have suffered trauma.

He also encourages others in his book, "Chosen to Live: The Inspiring Story of Flight 232 Survivor, Jerry Schemmel." You can find that at Amazon Books.com

 "The Pivot" composed and performed by Gabriel Tafoya. You can reach him at [email protected] 

The website to connect with Laura Padgett is https://lauralpadgett.com 

What is the cave? According to Pastor Scott Distler, the cave is that place in your life where you retreat when you have been hurt. In his book, The Cave: When Ministry Becomes Misery, Scott shares the story of being betrayed heading into the four signs that can signal we are heading into the cave. The four signs he talks about are fear, isolation, self pity, hopelessness. He introduces us to those well-intentioned dragons who believe they are on a mission of good but can do great harm.


But he also wants us to know what he learned in the cave and how he pivoted out by involving his wife with sharing his authentic feelings, looking for and reaching out for help, offering specific prayers, looking for the fingerprints of God along the journey and walking into forgiveness. 

Whether you are a person who has a paid position as a pastor, you are a lay minister or you find yourself being betrayed and hurt by someone in any situation, this book will help you to walk in, through and out of that cave in healthy and authentic ways. A gift for your mental and spiritual health when the dragons come calling.


To find this book from Pastor Scott Distler go to https://www.amazon.com/Cave-When-Ministry-Becomes-Misery
Also available from Barnes and Noble
Go to your local bookstore and ask for the title and author.

The website for Stephen Ray Watts and the band Dotsero   https://dotseroband.com

The website to connect with Laura Padgett https://lauralpadgett.com 

In part two of our two-part interview, Karen DeArmond Gardner talks about life after she left her abusive marriage of thirty years. She tells us that leaving is just the beginning and not the end on the road to healing from domestic abuse. As she discusses various aspects of seeking help from God and her family, she tells us about writing and publishing her book, Hope for Healing from Domestic Abuse: Reaching for God's Promise of Real Freedom.

Karen says this is not a self help book but a book to help women who have escaped domestic abusers learn to love, rely upon and trust again, starting with their relationship with God. By her own account she is a myth buster, truth teller and freedom fighter. And her words in this interview as well as her book prove that to be exactly who she is. Founder of Another One Free Organization, she will inspire you to listen to, learn from and believe the women who are in abusive relationships. Even if you are not in this situation, chances are you know someone who is. Her contact information for her book and website are below. 



The Safe House – Your Safer Place app is on both IOS and Android. 
Hope for Healing from Domestic Abuse: Reaching for God's Promise of Real Freedom by Karen DeArmond Gardner is available at Amazon.com.  
Another One Free website https://anotheronefree.com


The website for Stephen Ray Watts and the band Dotsero   https://dotseroband.com

The website to connect with Laura Padgett https://lauralpadgett.com  

Karen DeArmond Gardner is an authentic voice in the area of domestic abuse, having lived thirty years in a marriage where her husband was verbally, emotionally and physically abusive. In this first of a two part interview, she shares what she learned, when she decided to leave but mostly how she, with the love of her family and relearning about the  love of God, began her healing journey. Today she is living a life of freedom in a new marriage of eleven years, and  is helping educate and advocate for those still living in intimate terrorism.

Karen tells of the defining moment when she realized she had had enough and that she needed to get out of the home. She helps us understand what domestic abuse or intimate terrorism really is, why we cannot always recognize it and in what ways the church and society fail women due to distorted doctrine and lack of resources. According to Karen, leaving is just the beginning and not the end of healing from the trauma of an abusive marital relationship. 

Tune in as she candidly unpacks the truths, myths and processes in the traumatic time after making the decision to leave. She has written a book that she states is not a how to book. Rather it is a Biblical-based guide to rediscovering the love of God and relearning that He indeed loves us and can be trusted to keep His promises.

The Safe House – Your Safer Place app is on both IOS and Android. 
Hope for Healing from Domestic Abuse: Reaching for God's Promise of Real Freedom by Karen DeArmond Gardner  available at Amazon.com
Another One Free website https://anotheronefree.com


The website for Stephen Ray Watts and the band Dotsero   https://dotseroband.com

The website to connect with Laura Padgett https://lauralpadgett.com 

In my next installment in the series about pivoting, author Deb Hall talks about the various pivot points of not being able to conceive or give birth to a biological child. Infertility is a subject few people are brave enough to talk about outside of close family circles and support groups. But Deb has written a book that openly deals with the pain, frustration and feelings of hopelessness that can be part of this journey. It is her hope that this work will help others to no longer feel alone on this path.

In her book Barren and Beautiful: Discovering Joy and Healing in the Wake of Infertility, Deb shares her own story of pain, loss, healing, and eventually the realization of blessings and gratitude for the joy she has found in her own life and in the process of adopting two boys. Her authentic, tender approach to helping readers find hope and healing is a work inspired by her faith in God and a desire to help others find ways to heal and thrive. Even if this is not a subject you have dealt with personally, perhaps this book will be of value to someone you may know. 


Available at  Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Barren-Beautiful

To connect with Deb Hall go to http://thewriteinsight.com/
Email is [email protected]

 The website for Stephen Ray Watts and the band Dotsero   https://dotseroband.com

The website to connect with Laura Padgett https://lauralpadgett.com 

Years invested in education and experience can author the message that we are stuck in a profession or relationship because of our investment. But sometimes we have to make the decision to pivot out and into something that feeds our soul, encourages our true  mission and ministry and feeds that creative soul God gifted us with.

Join Dr. Don Owsley as we explore the paths of pivoting when necessary and what that may look like as we yield to the God who paves our way and determines what we are to do with our lives and for others.

A story of walking through the fears of rejecting the images others promote for us to conform to. If you are considering a new path, a new direction or a new way to serve others, this story is for you.

References mentioned:

Don Owsley website: https://www.relavate.org/  where Don blogs and offers services information on his books.

Website for Stephen Ray Watts and the band Dotsero   https://dotseroband.com

Website to connect with Laura Padgett https://lauralpadgett.com