Renee Johnson interview and blog tour

Renee Johnson (a.k.a. Devotional Diva) asked me to participate in her book, blog tour. I don’t even know what that means. I’ve never participated in one before. So of course, my hand shot up (then I had to tweet back because she couldn’t see my hand).

Renee Johnson has been writing devotions for young adults for a while (like years). Now, though, she has her first book coming out, which… well, I’ll let her introduce you to it.

What I really liked about Renee when I began learning more about her was that she took what she enjoyed and turned it around to help others. In many of her interviews (which you can check out here by the way), she talked about how she was inspired to write devotionals after she had read through a number of them herself. She realized there was a need for devotionals that dig deeper and aren’t so cheesy. I can relate.

I liked, though, that Renee decided to do something about it, to actually start writing devotions of her own to share.

Finally, she compiled these devotions into her book, Faithbook of Jesus, and that’s what this tour is about. Renee’s letting me post a whole devotion right here for you to check out. She was also gracious enough to answer some quick questions (it’s not really an interview because I don’t know how to interview either). So with that, I’ll let her introduce you to her book.

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In one (perhaps) run-on sentence, how would you describe Faithbook to someone who’s unfamiliar with your writing?

Faithbook is like facebook only with a lisp, which includes a wall post (daily devotional), comments (including prayer), tag (quotes from other 20-somethings), and a link to an online community (faithbookofjesus.ning.com).

I heard that you were homeschooled (I was too) and started out as a math major in college. How did that background birth an author?

I never thought I would be a writer until one day sitting at the newspaper where I was working, they asked me to be the music columnist because I took a history of rock and roll class. I never looked back. Plus I got a C in Calculus 2, and I never get C’s.

That’s quite the turn around. So what made you write this book – what one thing do you want readers to take away from your it?

How to have daily time with God that’s fun, meaningful, and changes their life in a positive way.

I like carrot juice. Knowing that, fill in the blank: Marshall is to carrot juice as Renee is to _______.

…cheese.

Nice. Finally, what question do you wish everyone asked you but no one does (and how would you answer it)?

I love this! I wish everyone asked me how introverted I was instead of assuming that I’m this huge extrovert. I grew up shy, homeschooled, and I journaled every day asking God to heal me. And now that He has, people don’t see where I’ve come from but only a product of God’s healing. So as touched as I am that people don’t ask – I still wish they would.

Right on, Renee. Thanks so much for sharing.

Faithbook excerpt

All right, here’s one of Renee’s devotions for you to get a feel for the Faithbook. I particularly like what she says about praying with Thank You’s. Perhaps I’m biased though.

Desperate Prayer Lives

“This, then, is how you should pray . . .” — M a t t h e w 6 : 9

What do you consider praying? There can be many reasons why you pray, but the best reason of all is to talk with Jesus as you would your best friend. Here are four examples of how to know Jesus more personally today:

1 . Pray with Please and Thank You

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).

2 . Pray About Anything

“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints” (Ephesians 6:18).

3 . Pray in Secret

“But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you” (Matthew 6:6).

4 . Pray as Jesus Did

“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one” (Matthew 6:9-13).

• Sheri, 23, said that prayer “is a place of quiet waiting on God. Other times it is requests for direction, healing of hurts, for Jesus to bring freedom to lives of friends, family, and for the many who do not know him.”

• Dear Teacher Jesus, Thank you for the privilege of knowing you. Teach us how to pray. Give us prayer lives that are desperate for more of you each day. Amen.

• What’s your desperation story? Think about a time in your life when God answered the cries of your heart. Please visit www.faithbookofjesus.com and click on “Community” to share.

• To Read Further: Matthew 6:9-15

And that, my friends, is a small glimpse into Faithbook and its author. I hope you enjoyed it.

Serving Suggestions:

(1) Visit Renee’s blog. She’s been posting daily devotions like the one you just read. You can sense her energy and enthusiasm when you get to know her more. If you enjoyed what you just read, show her a little support by leaving a comment on her blog or…

(2) Check out here book, Faithbook of Jesus, due out in March. You can get more information about it at www.faithbookofjesus.com.