Deanna Doss Shrodes

Years ago I was in a place of deep depression. I was reading my Bible, maybe more than ever, because I was in such a desperately low place. I was praying daily. I was seeking God. I was not only seeking Him, I was begging Him to help me, to speak to me, to do something that only He could do. In the midst of this, I was the speaker at a women's conference. I've never stopped working or serving for the past thirty years, even when I've been in a low place. Some people might say, "Well, that's your problem, right there!" I guess one could look at it that way. I just see it that even on my worst days I get up, dress up and show up.  And believe me there were plenty of days I didn't feel like doing any one of those three things. On this particular occasion I was the keynote speaker, but the host of the conference was also speaking in one of the sessions. As I sat there, I experienced something that was common for a women's conference or church servi...

THRIVE 2016 is now over and what a time it was! I am trying to be a better leader in the area of what to do AFTER an event that I lead.  For most of my years in leadership and ministry, I would scarcely celebrate or focus at all on what just happened and would go bolting head first into the next event at 500 miles an hour. A few years ago I asked myself why. There was an urgency to get things done and get busy on the next thing. BUT, I realized I was doing myself and my team a disservice by racing into the next thing without celebrating the last thing. This season is particularly challenging because I am leaving in two weeks with members of our team for Africa for 16 days. I feel an urgency to race ahead but I am holding myself back from doing that. Here are five things I've found it's important to do: 1) Celebrate I have observed that Pentecostals in particular seem to be not-so-good at this. I think part of it is the admonition that is banged into all of our h...

Driving along on my journey to preach in Wauchula last week, I came upon this sign. As I often do when traveling and I pass something I want to capture, I stopped to take a photo. Mothers set the temperature in the home. We are the thermostat. Whatever our mood, it impacts the whole household like no other person in the house. While we set the tone, I believe we are also the person in the home who faces the most circumstances with the potential to affect our mood. No one cares about the state of the home more than we do. So, when everything falls apart or piles up, it impacts us like no one else.  None of my other family members seem to notice or care when this happens. But I personally experience a cloud of depression so real I can almost touch it when things aren't right at home.  It's even worse when I clean up the night before and after I go to bed someone messes it up.  I have found if I don't start playing worship music and begin to pray and seek the L...

"People aren't against you. They are just for themselves." Photo Credit: freedigitalphotos.net I've read this saying on leadership and life hack pages a number of times. I don't know who first said it, or I'd credit them. (And yes, I've Googled it.) I believe this statement is true in many cases where people wrongly diagnose themselves as "under attack." Many times leaders aren't under attack -- they're just surrounded by apathetic or selfish people . There is a difference. I wouldn't really call that spiritual warfare, it's just a sucky situation.  When you're leading a team, it's important to find people who are in love with something besides themselves. Look for people with the least selfies on their Instagram . Granted, it isn't always easy to find people who are selfless, sacrificial leaders. Discovering leaders or up-and-coming leaders who are determined to do what is best for the team, the company...

My Celebration Church ladies pray for me.  Fierce 2013 -- our Fall Breakaway for the AG women and teen girls  here in Florida kicks off today!  I'm the rep for the Tampa Bay area and even more than the privilege of serving on this great leadership team, I love being away with our church women and girls.  There is nothing like being a "church mama," and I am one. :)  Have been for 26 years. There is nothing that compares to investing in the lives of people and seeing changes in their hearts. There is nothing I want more than to see our ladies and girls walk in the fullness of God. I'm ready for all that God has for us the next few days. Those of us on the leadership team have been here since 4 pm yesterday, setting up. There's so much amazingness in store for almost 1800 women and girls, they have NO idea!!

I am so grateful for the supernatural power of God and His protection. I am equally grateful for the wisdom He gives us. We live in a fallen world where evil abounds, but God has provided wisdom for us. We can pray for His protection, yes. We can also prepare ourselves utilizing knowledge and resources that He provides.  We hosted a Self Defense Demonstration for the women and teen girls of Celebration Church , last night. We are blessed to have Master Willie Cintron, as a member of our church. He is a certified 5th degree black belt in Korean tang soo do martial arts, and a 9th degree black belt in tang soo Jitsu. He is also certified by the American Federation of Martial Arts. Last night he taught us ladies and girls how to defend ourselves against crime. After teaching us a few things he had me demonstrate it for the ladies. I am organized, and creative and have a plethora of other gifts. Physical coordination hasn't been one of those gifts bestowed upon me so it...

I'm up in the air again this morning, this time flying to North Carolina to serve as the keynote speaker for the "Generations - It's Your Time" Conference at Church Alive in Fuquay-Varina. (Ummmm did I mention Rita Springer is the worship leader for the conference? LOL  Yes....I think I've mentioned that just a time or two. So excited. Loooooove Rita. If she sings, "I Have to Believe" they might have to get somebody else to get up and preach. I may be out under the power, on the floor...where I've been a lot of other times just listening to it on CD.) Even more excited to be with Pastor Laura Lee , one of my favorite people, and the host of this conference. She's a power hitter...someone everyone loves to be around, especially other leaders like me, who can learn from her. One of my favorite things to do is listen and learn from others. Well, my suitcase is packed, I'm on my way to the airport, (or maybe up in the air or arrived in R...

This is what my life feels like this upcoming week and it's not even started yet.  Not complaining! Just sayin'. Thought I'd share and ask for your prayers. I can always use them, but I could REALLY use them in a super-duper way over the coming 11 days. Pray my strength! I just got home from Idaho , and caught my breath and now...

"The Lord told me to share something with you," said a new friend I had just met in Idaho, a precious pastor's wife named Joy Powell. "What did He tell you?" I said. "He said for me to tell you: "Don't underestimate what can happen in just ONE day!" Joy had no idea of what had taken place just the night before on my trip to Idaho...

I'm leavin' on a jet plane super early this morning, for Boise, Idaho!  Never been to Idaho and I'm super excited. I am going for the purpose of being the speaker for the Idaho District of the Assemblies of God women's conference. Their theme for this weekend: GET CONNECTED!  (What a coincidence...I love connecting!) Join me in prayer that the women of Idaho make a major connection with God this weekend. That they have a life changing power encounter!   If the Lord so lays it on your heart please pray all the way through the weekend. I will minister at the women's conference in Twin Falls through Saturday and then be preaching at River City Church in Boise on Sunday. I fly home to Tampa Monday, arriving super late and jumping back into my "normal life" whatever that is. Larry looked at me the other day and said, "Honey, there is no normal with you..." I chose to take that as a compliment. :)  I will greatly miss my family and Celeb...

"Let heaven roar, and fire fall, come shake the ground with the sound of revival!!!" ~Like a Lion I could not be prouder of the women and girls of Celebration Church . Last night many of them came out for W.O.W.W. night at the church (Women of Worship and Warfare) to cry out to God on behalf of our families, our church, our city, our nation and our world.  THEY. WENT. AFTER. IT. Nothing like Pentecostal girls who know how to chase God! Here are some photo highlights of the night -- all photos courtesy of Rachael Rice. What can stop us? What can stand against us? NOTHING. Kaitlyn has such a tender heart. So glad she shares it with us... Sunshine prays over North Tampa... Joining together as a unified force for CHANGE! Cindy knows how to reach God's heart. Love. This. Woman. Angela, sweet Angela...loves God and others, so much. Mary...one of God's gifts to me. So thankful for this lady. Joining together in unity, pre...

Today I'm headed to Ocala, Florida through Saturday   afternoon where I'll be the keynote speaker for The Freedom Conference. Super excited about what God will do! I love Jan McIntyre and can't wait to spend some girl time with her as we lead women in the presence of God this weekend. How blessed are we to get to do this? Please keep us in prayer, for a powerful time.  It's been a challenging week for me, but when great things are about to happen, isn't that pretty much the way it is? New level, new devil.

Tonight was the Tampa city-wide women & teen girls tea at Celebration! It was amazing! I'm on a cloud and don't want to come down. So just leave me here. :) Two of our Celebration members who are professional photographers took a ton of photos but they are not ready to publish them online  yet so all I have are the few I took with my iPhone in between everything else I did which included speaking. :) Here are some highlights of the night...   Most of all, hearts were touched...lives were changed. That's what it's about even more than tea. ** Update below with some photos from Dinah Velasquez of Dinah-mite Photos **