Deanna Doss Shrodes

If you want to stand out, simply keep your word. Apparently it's not quite that simple. By all indications this is a really hard thing to do since so many people don't do it. Which means if you do keep your word, you are a hot commodity! Over the last 25 years time I've had considerable experience mentoring others. I also am in connection with lots of other leaders who are involved in the same thing. What's surprising to many of us is how rare word-keeping is. Who would have ever thought that people would be amazing simply for showing up?  That's pretty mind boggling to think about...that just being present would be all one would have to do to stand out above the rest. But it's true! If I'm helping someone who happens to be looking for a job and I notice they keep their word, I always find ways to include this on their resume and underscore the importance of communicating this aspect of their character in an interview. Keeping your word is so r...

Years ago when I was first starting out in the ministry an older minister took me aside and sternly said these exact words: "Deanna, if you're ever going to be successful in the ministry you're going to have to learn to suppress yourself." I knew what the word suppress meant but just to get a fuller picture I went home and looked it up in the dictionary.   Sup·press     [ s uh - pres ]   verb (used with object) 1. to put an end to the activities of (a person, body of persons, etc.): to suppress the Communist party. 2. to do away with by or as by authority; abolish; stop (a practice, custom, etc.). 3. to keep in or repress (a feeling, smile, groan, etc.). 4. to withhold from disclosure or publication (truth, evidence, a book, names, etc.). 5. to stop or arrest (a flow) After this comment was made I quickly decided to suppress anything that person ever said to me again by stopping it ...

Irene Porto, Founder and President at Career Integrity Recruitment and Coaching published the following on her Facebook status yesterday: How to set goals for 2012~  Step 1: Take stock of what went well and what didn't go well in 2011. What successes did you have in 2011? Why do you think you succeeded? What didn't you accomplish in 2011? Honesty will get you closer to putting these goals back on the list for 2012. Don't give up, recommit. Why do you think you fell short? What did you learn from the experience and how can you do better in 2012? I'm sure she'll share more as the week unfolds, but this first post gave me a lot to think about. Actually I was already considering what my goals for the year are going to be. There are years I have dispensed with "New Year's Resolutions" altogether, believing they are mainly unrealistic goals people aspire to that never quite get off the ground. They sort of limp year to year with the same old goals that ...

Healthy relationships and organizations are ones where nothing is off limits to talk about. Last night I spoke about this in our Fusion service.  We want to be a healthy church so there's nothing off limits for discussion at Celebration. Many believe that some things are better left unsaid, and that less communication is better.  Healthy people are aware of the destructive nature of secrets or a lack of communication.  Those walking in wholeness get the fact that environments where honest conversation is taboo or avoided are sick places and those who perpetuate such behavior are sick people.

So often a solution is within our reach and we just don't take time to utilize it on behalf of another person. There are a lot of ills in the world.  Most of them stay that way because people aren't willing to go the extra mile. Here's the truth in a nutshell.  It takes SO LITTLE to be above average. It takes a relatively small amount of effort to make a huge difference in another person's life. There are no traffic jams on the second mile. Hebrews 13:16 "And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased." If you really want your life to take on a whole new meaning just step out and commit to do one thing for somebody, every day, that is within your power to do.   The cool thing I've found is that when I do this, God steps in and adds His supernatural power.   All of a sudden, miracles start happening.   This is the supernatural life.

<p><p><br><br><br><br><br>I'm b<br></p></p> I'm burning. I hope you are too. The world needs you to BURN. "If you catch on fire, people will come to watch you burn."  ~ John Wesley

"Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind."  Dr. Suess I have few regrets in life, but I'm about to disclose one of my biggest. I caved to what I would now consider bullying and sold my personal  values for continued opportunity and a small amount of money.  Before the days of blogging, I had an article published on one of my websites.  An editor of a magazine I was writing for called me about a particular piece, upset.  I had no idea this was coming - otherwise I never would have responded as I did.   She was alarmed at the frankness with which I wrote this particular piece, one that contained interviews with pastor's wives who had been abused,  and demanded that I delete it.   My writing was too forthright for her tastes and her exact words were, "if you are going to keep writing for us, we demand that you delete that, right now."   She was alarmed by my...

If you are a single believer who desires marriage, one of the most important things to look for is someone who is  sensitive to the things of God.    I wish every unmarried believer who is seeking would realize the importance of finding someone who belongs to Jesus wholeheartedly , who listens to His voice, who finds their sustenance in Him.   We pastored one young man who had a wish list of attributes that he wanted his future wife to have.  The list included that she love to ski, be an avid rollercoaster fan, and have at least a size "C" bra size.  Somehow being a woman of prayer didn't make the list among the amusement parks and  tata's.  Believe me it takes more than that to get you through the storms of life.   Proverbs 31 says that charm is deceptive, beauty fades away but a woman who fears the Lord is greatly to be praised. I got to thinking about this on our anniversary yesterday ...

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:  ...

1) Time alone. Space. Breathing Room.  2) At least one date a week with Larry. 3) Lots of hugs from those I love. 4) Time to write. 5) Reading time. 6) The Word of God. 7) Exercise. 8) A friend's listening and non-judgmental ear - somebody to understand. 9) Grace. 10) Creative outlets. And I probably should add - freedom in creating without judgment - at least at first. Usually when I first create something, people go, "what in the heck is that ?"  

This questionnaire was on another pastor's wife's blog and I found it interesting, so decided to copy it here and answer it, just for the fun of it. Reflecting is fun, at least I find it to be. Happy Sunday everbody! Let's seize this day for all it's worth! This IS the day the Lord has made and I for one am believing for BIG things to happen. Okey dokey here we go with reflections...  1. What’s the most fun work you’ve ever done, and why? For the majority of my ministry, my work has always been fun. Even when in an abusive church situation, aside from the difficulties with a few people, the work of the ministry that I love so much was always fun. This is because I truly believe if you REALLY love what you do and are passionate about it, you'll never work a day in your life!   2. Name one thing you did in the past that you no longer do but wish you did? Oh wow. Well the truth is, most things I want to do, I do. I go after them. I guess if I had to name someth...

Well a few months ago in a blog post I promised more of the "core values" that define who I am. Here we go...since I'm in a "core value mood" tonight. (you didn't know there was such a thing, did you?) My very own core value manifesto for today, January 25, 2007. To change a situation - simply change yourself. That way something is guaranteed to change - the very thing you CAN control - You! Don't be afraid to go to the wall for things you really believe in, such as...your core values. I did that just today with somebody, and I'm so glad I did. Otherwise I'd be sitting here stewing and fuming over what I didn't say. Let everything that comes to you from someone go through the filter of the Word of God. If it's scummy and doesn't make it through the filter, don't take it into your spirit. Let it wash away. Determine to be a different person - for the better - every single year. Never make excuses for som...

Okay, I have an earth shattering revelation for all of you out there in cyber space. I am different. You read it here first! Okay, so for all of you who are going, "duh, we knew that..." let me say that most of the time I forget this fact. I go around just thinking I am living life, that I'm a "normal woman" and then something comes back around to slap me upside the head and remind me, "Girl...you are one unique chick..." I do have some things in common with other women such as hating to shop for a bathing suit, or having to watch my weight. I love tea shops and Starbucks, and getting new shoes. I love Lifetime TV and sitting on the beach with my toes in the sand. There's a lot of things I am crazy about that plenty of other women are. But when it comes to my call to leadership, my drive and passion and the way I live out the call of God, I am most times out there alone on a limb. All of those other things are fun, but what gets me up in ...

I saw this on someone’s blog today with their answers and though I never met the person I was very intrigued by what they had to say. So, here I go with my own answers…….maybe somebody out there in cyber space who has never met me will read and go …”hmmmmm….this Deanna chick has some depth to her and maybe if I’m ever in Tampa I’ll look her up and have a latte with her…”   What has God truly called me to do? write and pastor What is my calling? writing, pastoring, coaching/mentoring Is there a call on my life? absolutely What are my 5 greatest wishes? to write to grow old with my husband to see my children serve God all their lives and walk in their destiny to mentor women to be myself always What are 5 short term goals? write more articles lose 10 more pounds wake up ½ hour earlier each day finish recording my CD get through the holidays without stress this time What are 5 long term goals? get a book proposal accepted save more for a rainy day (don’...

Really great day in God's house today...just an all around positive time. God is good. Attendance slightly down with the holiday weekend, but only slightly, and the important thing is - His presence was there. Had the vision meeting at our house tonight and it was a good time of re-counting God's many blessings of the past year and strides made. I have just been seeking the Lord as to different steps He now wants me to take as we get to the end of the year and look forward to the future. Reading in God's Word in Proverbs 12 today and so many things from it really spoke to me. Everywhere I turn, things are speaking to me about my core values. I found a quote/poem today that says: I am only one,But still I am one I cannot do everything,But still I can do something.  And because I cannot do everything I will not refuse to do the something that I can do. - Edward Everett Hale I am resolute more than ever about the fact that at the very core of my values is commit...