Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Interview with Christian Author, Carrie Robinson

Today, I'm delighted to post the following interview with Christian author, Carrie Robinson.  Carrie has a heart-warming story to tell, as well as an interesting ministry.  I enjoyed and appreciated her honesty in answering my questions, and I'm sure you will too.  Also, as part of her online book tour, Carrie will be giving away two signed copies of her book, so be sure to sign up at the bottom of this post.


THE INTERVIEW

1. First off, would you please tell us a little about yourself?

I was born, 46 years ago now, in a city called Gulfport, Mississippi. My parents were not married. I am the youngest of four children, and at the time my mother was living with her mom. My mother gave me up for adoption and I was raised by my father’s mother and her husband. My childhood was pretty normal, until my Papa died, then all hell broke loose. (You can read what happened in my book, Trusting In The Father’s Love.) Suffice it to say, I have been through the fire and have come out without the smell of smoke. God has blessed me with a wonderful husband, and we celebrate our marriage of 20 years. I have a Master’s in Nursing and teach Maternity at our local college. I am also blessed with two sons and a grandson. As a writer, of course I love to read. I also enjoy word puzzles, spending time with family and friends, vacationing in the mountains, and riding my motorcycle, a Kawasaki Vulcan 750.

2. As a fellow Christian, I would love to hear your testimony.

My testimony is that the love of God captured my heart and delivered me from years of bondage and self-hate, and His love continues to develop me into the woman He desires me to be as I fulfill my destiny in Christ. As far as the details, it can be found in my book, Trusting In The Father’s Love.


3. As I understand it, you are a relationship mentor. Could you explain to the readers what that means and what exactly your ministry entails?

A mentor can be defined as a guide, advocate, listening ear, friend, trusted counselor. As a relationship mentor, I help women, primarily, first develop themselves as a strong woman walking in the Word, second, build and develop the relationships that she may currently be involved in and thirdly, have the ability to build, strong relationships in the future.

What I do as a business is a ministry and vice versa. I am about my Father’s business of developing people. Jesus spent the last 3 years of His life developing the 12 by pouring into them and spending time with them. That is what I am called to do.

4. What is your book about? Is it a devotional book?

My book is a love story about rejection, abuse, a lost young woman coming to trust in the God that she knew from the time she was a little girl. I am just completing my second book, which is a devotional/workbook that we hope to have out in the Spring of 2013.

5. Is this your first book?

Yes, my first published book. I have always been a writer. I wrote articles for the local newspaper in high school and have always kept a journal. I am an avid bookworm by heart. I love the paper in the old books. One of my favorite’s pastimes is going to the local library book sales and smelling the old books. There is no paper like that old paper. It is somehow soothing to me. Weird, huh?

6. What has been the most difficult part of writing?

Sitting down to my computer and doing it. The ideas always come, for me it’s having the discipline of sitting down and getting it all out. The work begins with editing, proofing and such. Marketing and promotion are also very time consuming, and I had no clue…that’s why God did not tell me.

7. Has there ever been a time in your ministry (writing or mentoring) when you felt that your efforts were in vain? If so, what did that feel like, and how did you pull yourself out of the slump?

Yes, and it has been the comments of my readers that have pulled me out of the slump every time. When a woman comes up to me and tells me how my book/story impacted her life, I literally want to go somewhere and cry…it makes it all worth it. Also, in my quiet times with God I get confirmation that I have been called to this.
8. Why did you decide to write this book? After all, as a fellow Christian writer, I can testify that there's not a lot of money to be made with Christian works unless you have a well-established name. What was your motivation?

Fear…honestly. The fear of not being able to walk completely FREE in Christ was part of my motivation. I meet so many bound women as I, too, once was, and I came to a point where I refused to be bound by fear, unforgiveness or anything the devil wanted to dish out to me. So I put what had held me in bondage on paper, and here it is for the entire world to see. I am freer that I have ever been in my life. Free to live, love and laugh!

9. When writing a book, I often feel that I am learning much more than my readers will. Do you feel the same? If so, what lessons do you feel you've learned through writing Trusting in the Father's Love?

Laughs…I have and am still learning as I speak with women of all walks of life that we are all the same. We may look different on the outside, but on the inside we all want to be loved and accepted for who we are. Regardless of color, size, whatever...we want unconditional love. I found that unconditional LOVE is only found in JESUS. He is the one who set me FREE to be me. No one else can do that, not even my darling husband.

10. Is there anything else you would like to say?

I want to say to the hurting women, God desires you to LIVE and LIVE abundantly. No matter the situation or circumstance, your life is NOT over. After all that happened to me, I am still here and stronger and better than I ever was. You can DO this thing called LIFE. You are not alone, GOD IS with you, and He loves you. You can trust in HIS love for your life!  Thank You.


ABOUT THE BOOK

Sharing lessons learned from her own life, Carrie Robinson shares how years of rejection propelled her into a Love and Trust relationship with God.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Southern charm, love, and hospitality are words used to describe Carrie. With over twenty years in ministry, she is passionate in developing relationships and teaching others how they can enjoy strong, healthy and lasting relationships by walking in the God kind of love.
A relationship mentor, Carrie inspires women to joyfully participate in living life to the fullest. Through writing and speaking, she encourages women and supports leaders by helping create a culture of joy to face storms with strength. Carrie knows how to encourage women to pursue their passion, while trusting in God for the outcome. She is skilled in handling difficult people in love, and motivates others to do the same.
Carrie has been married to her husband, Michael for twenty years. They have two sons, Christopher and Coleman and a grandson, Chris Jr.  She and Michael serve as Elders to Pastors Anthony and Margo Wallace of Crossroad Christian Church. They also head up the Marriage Ministry.  Carrie has a Masters in Nursing and is employed as a Nursing Instructor.  She and Michael are Certified Prepare/Enrich Counselors.
Carrie currently resides in Delaware and loves spending time vacationing, with her family, in the Shenandoah Mountains of Virginia. It is here she spends time writing. She also enjoys reading, traveling, and cruising on her Kawasaki Vulcan 750!
Let Carrie show you how with God's power, you can overcome personal challenge and develop strong, healthy, and lasting relationships through walking in love.


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