Roger Bruner is the author, along with his daughter Kristi Rae Bruner, of "Found in Translation" and its sequel, "Lost in Dreams." Both books were published by Barbour in 2011!
I met Roger through some online groups, including ACFW. He is a member of our MidAtlantic Zone.
Roger, welcome to Overcoming Through Time. Would you share either the most difficult thing in your life you have had to overcome, with God’s help, or the most tragic situation or circumstance one of your characters has had to get past?
If you’ll forgive me, I want to share three of the most difficult things in my life—from my teen years, my thirties, and my fifties. When I was in the 8th grade, I had acute viral encephalitis. I was in a coma for several days, and the doctors said that—if I survived—I might very well end up a vegetable. As you can see, I make a pretty poor vegetable. I attribute my complete recovery to the prayers of many people.
Probably the most difficult thing in my younger adult life was the death of a baby when she was three days old. Beth’s heart was not properly formed. She should have died at birth, but for some miraculous reason survived those three days. Anyone wanting to know more about that might want to read the article at http://rogerbruner.com/beth.shtml.
The most difficult thing in my more recent life was downsizing from my job in IT about nine years ago. I wasn’t old enough to retire, but too worn down to keep up with the changes in computer technology. So I actually ended up on the register at a Target Store for several years. I retired at sixty-two to write full-time.
What is your favorite bible verse and why?
It’s a toss up. One verse is Isaiah 40:31. “All those who wait upon the Lord shall have their strength renewed. . .” It was a very important Scripture at the time of Beth’s death and many times since. Romans 8:28 is another one. “God causes all things to work together for good. . .” I don’t see how anyone can survive day-to-day trials without taking comfort in that.. Finally, there’s Philippians 4:6 . “. . .with thanksgiving let your wants be made known unto God.” That verse has helped to make my prayers times of gratitude. Incidentally, I’ve written songs based on the Isaiah and Philippians passages. And Romans 8:28 could be the theme verse for Found in Translation.
Is this latest release available in audio format or do you have any other works available on audio? Neither book is available on audio as such, although the Kindle version of Found in Translation is text-to-audio enabled, and I assume that will be true of Lost in Dreams as well.What has been the most important thing you hope your readers will get from your books and why?
I want my readers to get a sense of their need for God’s leadership in their lives. One thing my wife and I discuss frequently is how non-believers survive the stresses of modern life. Another important thing for my readers to get is the importance of forgiveness—forgiving others and learning to accept God’s forgiveness themselves.
As you researched your books, did you learn anything that particularly touched your heart?
I don’t do much research for my books. I like to use my imagination to the max. However, I’ve written a prequel to the Altered Hearts series, which required me to research spina bifida pretty thoroughly. I’m thankful to have a real appreciation for that problem.
In this latest work, do you have any topics useful for bibliotherapy, or therapeutic influence through reading about a disorder or situation?
One topic that is common to both of the Altered Hearts books is learning to forgive oneself.
Roger's books are available for purchase through CBD. Link:
http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/easy_find?Ntt=roger+bruner&N=0&Ntk=keywords&action=Search&Ne=0&event=ESRCN&nav_search=1&cms=1&search=
Thank you , Roger, your answers once again reinforce why I do this. So many people have been enable by God to overcome through time. This blog is a testimony to that. I switched to this format of interview several months ago when God touched my heart about doing that. I am sorry for your losses and I give praise for how God brought you through your difficulties, and love that God knows best, not the doctors predicting you would be incapacitated. Blessings!
GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment and your email for a chance to win a copy of "Lost in Translation".
GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment and your email for a chance to win a copy of "Lost in Translation".
Carrie, thanks so much for this interview. The questions were meaningful to me and--I hope--to your regular readers as well. One thing I'd like to add: I don't pray for the "success" of my books, but I pray daily for my readers--that each of them may receive the message God intends for her to receive. :-)
ReplyDeleteThat is a wonderful and humble prayer, Roger! Thank you for sharing it! So glad to have you here.
ReplyDeleteRoger, Thank you for sharing difficulties from your life in this interview and your faith. Inspiring.
ReplyDeletesequoiajoy@gmail.com
Connie, I honestly don't know how people survive day-to-day problems (much less the major ones) without God's help. One of the songs we sang at church Sunday was "People Need the Lord"; I can't sing it--or even think about it--without getting teary-eyed about how true it is.
ReplyDeleteHi, Roger. It's so nice to meet you here! You are definitely an author after my own heart in that you said you don't do much research for your books. I would truly dislike that part, were I ever to write a book, although alot of authors thrive on it! Strange... Thank you for sharing your testimony of overcoming those three major trials in your life by God's strength and help.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad God has the final word and not the dr, because a vegetable can't write good Godly books...unless it's Veggie Tales. Sorry, I couldn't resist that.:-) I'm not making light of what you had to go through, just thought that might make you smile. God bless you in all your endeavors!
Roger is a doll and smiles a lot, even in his emails! I love how he encourages others and puts grins in there even when I mess things up!
ReplyDeleteDiana, you don't happen to be from the Eastern Shore of Maryland, do you? When I was teaching school, Tom Flowers was my Board of Ed-level supervisor. I taught his daughter, Jane. One smart cookie. *G*
ReplyDeleteI was glad to share about those three trials. That kind of sharing helps others to appreciate just what God has done in and through my life. :-)
Your Veggie Tales joke definitely made me smile. In fact, I'm still smiling. Don't worry. I would never have thought you were making light of those three problems.
Hopefully the Facebook friendship request I just sent went to the right Diana Flowers. I picked the one that is a friend of Carrie's. *big grin*
Carrie, I've made too many mistakes in my life to fail to encourage others now. I'm so very thankful that God has not only forgiven the sins, but helped me put behind me many of the thoughts about mistakes that weren't really sinful. *big smile*
Roger this is from Kate Dolan. It accidentally got posted elsewhere. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteKate Dolan has left a new comment on your post "javascript:void(0) http://colonialquills.blogsp...":
Beautiful cover, but from the interview, I'm guessing the inside is the best part. Thanks for sharing your trials and the words of wisdom that saw you (and can see us) through.
Posted by Kate Dolan to Overcoming Through Time at July 5, 2011 6:30 PM
Kate, we join Barbour in being very proud of that cover, but you're right about the best being inside. You're welcome for my sharing. And thank you for your encouragement. *big smile*
ReplyDeleteRoger, thank you for the friend request! I was a Taylor and married a Flowers. Actually, he has a brother named Tom Flowers, isn't that odd? But, none in MD that I know of. We are all in the deep south...SC to be exact. Alot of Flowers in the south, but not elsewhere, so am surprised there are some or at least one in MD. His brother, Tom Flowers is a civil engineer and he is a smart cookie as well!:-)
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for the encouraging interview. God is so faithful and His grace is so amazing. It is so wonderful to hear of his miraculous healing in your life Roger. Thanks for the chance to win one of your books! :) tsmathews61@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteGood to see you here, Teresa! God is so good. We will enter you in the drawing, too.
ReplyDeleteRoger, this comment was left on the wrong post.
ReplyDeletePatricia Cornelius has left a new comment on your post "javascript:void(0) http://colonialquills.blogsp...":
Sounds very interesting. Agree the cover is interesting. Would draw me right to it
Patricia Cornelius
Posted by Patricia Cornelius to Overcoming Through Time at July 6, 2011 11:38 AM
Roger, LadyJo also left a similar comment as Patricia but on the previous post. Blogger keeps moving my comments link back to the top of the post instead of keeping it at the bottom.
ReplyDeletePatricia, LadyJo, and Teresa, thank you for your kind words. When and if you read one or both of my books, please let me know what you think. *big smile*
ReplyDeleteOh, and thanks for the Flowers response, Diana. That was interesting. :-)
Congratulations to Connie Walsh Brown, who won this book! Thanks so much Connie for coming by! Thanks Roger for this interview, and Diana my colleague, and our visitors for all your kind words! Have a blessed day!
ReplyDeleteCongrats to Connie and a big thank you to my new friend, Roger Bruner!
ReplyDelete