I am excited today to introduce you to Lori Roeleveld and her book Running from a Crazy Man. Title sound unusual? Well this book is not your ordinary devotional book! I need to tell you right here in the beginning, if you like things sugar-coated, you will probably not like this book. It is real. It is truth. And it is a challenge to Christians to step it up and live as we are called. There are 70 short chapters, or days to read. If you are like me you won’t want to stop with just one day. But I encourage you to take your time with these words and really let them sink into your life. There are so many lessons and nuggets of wisdom in these pages I can not begin to pick a favorite or one that spoke to me the most. You need to grab a copy. No matter where you are in your walk with Christ this book will speak life into your spirit and push you to that next high place with Him. I am honored to introduce you to Lori today, and I hope you will take a few minutes to learn a little more about her and her books!
Tell us about your book! 
You’re restless. Trouble has you gasping beside the narrow road. This is your invitation back to the adventure. Some Christians leave their relationship with God in a sealed box like a collectible that will be worth something “someday.” Not you. You wholeheartedly answered the call to follow Jesus. Then, something happened. Now you’re gasping beside the narrow road. You thought you were on the God adventure but now it feels as if all you’re doing is running from a crazy man. Still, you seek the strength to continue the journey.
This isn’t reading for the happily comfortable. These are words for the restless Jesus lover, the longsuffering disciple, the openhearted believer. Be forewarned. The challenges inside are designed to unsettle as well as to incite you to relish the narrow road even when trouble is your travel companion. Running from a Crazy Man (and Other Adventures Traveling with Jesus) is a siren call to the modern believer that the God-adventure can happen even when, like King David, you’re running from a crazy man.
How long did it take you to write the book?
I developed Running from a Crazy Man from blog posts I wrote over a several years. Once LPC accepted the book for publication, it took me about two months to choose the posts, rewrite them into a format that would work as a book, and do an initial edit before submit it to them. Then I spent another several weeks working on edits with my amazing editor, Denise Loock. From the time of submission to official release took about a year.
What was your favorite chapter or part of the book to write and why?
I think that would be a tie between the chapter titled “Cheeseburger Jesus” because that’s a vivid memory for me of worship and “Clean-Up on Aisle Three,” also a vivid memory of worship only not as positive. I also love the chapters based on quirky pop culture references like “What Does a Yellow Light Mean?” (Taxi) and “The Faith of the Redshirts.”(Star Trek) All four of those chapters are strong encouragements to me that God is willing to use all my strangeness to glorify Himself.
What was your biggest challenge or hurdle in writing and publishing your book?
It’s very hard these days for writers with small platforms to find a publishing house willing to risk signing them. I’m forever grateful to Eddie Jones and Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas for investing in me and in Crazy Man.
What is the one thing you hope your readers will walk away with after reading your book?
A renewed hunger for God, a sense that they aren’t alone, a reminder that this long walk to God’s great heart requires endurance and sometimes passes through dark trials but it’s worth making.
If you could go back through the writing, publishing, and marketing experience would you do anything differently?
I’d spend more time early on considering my reader, praying about who that reader is and praying for those readers – even before they knew my writing. In the past several years, I’ve had a stronger sense of who it is I’m writing for and I pray for them daily.
Do you have any suggestions to help others become better writers? If so, what are they?
I believe Christian writers and other creative Christians benefit from having a “double” devotional life. I spend time in God’s Word seeking Him as a follower but then I spend time there “watching Him, observing His creative choices.” When does He use poetry? When parable? When does He shout? When does He whisper? I learn so much about writing from the Author of our faith.
What other writers/books inspire you?
I love the imagery in James L. Rubart’s fiction. I’m inspired by Jerry B. Jenkins’ and Alton Gansky’s work ethic. So many writers inspire me and I’ve been effected by their writing – Safely Home by Randy Alcorn, every book by Stephen Lawhead, Lewis, Tolkien, Oswald Chambers, and Richard Foster.
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
I knew as a child I wanted to be a writer. I grew up in a small town in the smallest state. I had early college entrance and when my guidance counselor was advising me about majors he said “Little girls from Hope Valley don’t grow up to be writers. Choose another major.” So, I chose Psychology and Biblical Studies. The dedication of Crazy Man is to my parents and includes the phrase “I guess little girls from Hope Valley do grow up to write books.”
What do you like to do when you are not writing?
I love movies, reading, being outside, spending time with my adult children and my parents, eating out.
What is your favorite quote and/or Bible verse?
Hebrews 10:35-39 “Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. For, “Yet a little while, and the coming one will come and will not delay; but my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.” But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.”
Chocolate or Vanilla?
Vanilla
Do you like jokes? If so tell us your favorite one.
I like Steven Wright’s quirky comedy with one-liners like “I’m a peripheral visionary; I see the future just way off to the left.”
Are you a person who makes their bed in the morning, or do you not see much point?
I make my bed every morning (or my husband makes it – whoever gets up last.)
In regards to toilet paper, over or under?
Over
Is there anything you want to say to your readers?
Apparently, I have so much to say to my readers I need a blog and several books. Seriously, I want every reader to know they are known to God, by name, and are invited into this amazing adventure if they are willing to go deeper. Stay the course and keep your eyes open.
Where can we buy your book?
Ask at your local Christian bookstore, go to the Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolina’s site or Amazon and Barnes and Noble on line.
Where can we connect with you?
www.loriroeleveld.com, at the website you’ll find my blog as well as all the links to me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Goodreads, and YouTube. I’m also on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Google+
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