by Cathy Bryant
Walking by faith,
Cathy
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About the Author
Cathy Bryant is a former public school teacher who handed in her chalk for a private music studio and writing career. Her passion is to write heart-stirring stories that show God’s life-changing grace. Her debut novel, Texas Roads (a 2009 ACFW Genesis finalist) released in early 2010. A Path Less Traveled, the second book in the Miller’s Creek novels, was launched in the fall of 2010. The Way of Grace (book three in the series) will be available in 2011.
Cathy is the owner and editor of the popular blog, WordVessel, and has written devotions for The Upper Room devotional magazine, and for two devotional books, Spirit & Heart: A 30-Day Devotional Journey and Faith & Finance: In God We Trust. She’s the wife of a music minister, the mother of two grown sons and a beautiful daughter-in-love, and the Nana of Harrisen. A Texas gal since birth, she lives in a century-old Texas farmhouse with her husband and a phobia-ridden cat.
Visit her website at www.CatBryant.com.
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Book Club Discussion Questions
1. Personal hardships often make celebrations difficult to bear, as we see in the opening of the story. How does Dani and Steve’s wedding affect Trish? Can you relate to Trish’s struggle? How?
2. Most of us have lies from the past that haunt us. What is Andy’s lie? What is Trish’s lie? How do lies from your past affect you? How has God’s truth helped you overcome Satan’s lies?
3. Trish covers up her financial difficulties with little white lies. Is it ever okay to lie? Why or why not? What are some of the consequences for Trish’s lies?
4. Post-traumatic stress disorder is usually associated with soldiers returning from battle, but it can also affect anyone who’s experienced a devastating trauma. What symptoms of PTSD does little Bo exhibit?
5. What signs of grief do you see manifested in Trish’s life? How does having a traumatized child to care for affect her grieving process? How do you think witnessing the accident and her husband’s vegetative state affected the process?
6. How do baseball and horses become a healing factor and point of connection for Andy, Trish, and Bo?
7. How do Trish’s paintings, interior design work, and cottage serve as symbols of her life? What other symbols in the story are metaphorical in relation to Trish’s struggle?
8. What incident in the story serves as a metaphor for Andy’s fear of being hurt? Could any of your fears serve as a metaphor for your life?
9. It’s often difficult to know how to interact with those who have suffered a devastating loss. Why? Can you think of specific examples in the story where others related to Trish and Bo in a positive way? Negative way?
10. Why does Trish assume that the path God wants her to take involves her interior design career? How does our human understanding of a situation sometimes contradict God’s plan for our lives? What is the remedy?
11. How does Andy’s desire to fix things cause conflict between him and Trish? Where do you think this desire comes from?
12. It’s hard to understand why innocent children are subjected to difficult situations. How did Andy’s childhood shape his character? What role did others play in influencing his life? Can you think of a role model or mentor who has influenced you? Can you think of a child who needs your influence?
13. Trish is determined to make it on her own. How does asserting her independence affect her relationship with God, Andy, and her family?
14. Much of Trish’s dilemma deals with God’s timing. Name examples where Trish should wait on God, but moves ahead on her own. Name examples where her fear keeps her from stepping out in faith. How does God’s timing come into play with Trish’s opposition to the relationship between her father and Mama Beth?
15. Our lives rarely turn out the way we plan. How has Trish’s life turned out differently in both negative and positive ways? Andy’s life? Your life?
16. How does Trish struggle with allowing God to direct her path? Why does she struggle? Why is it difficult to relinquish control of our paths to God? Why do we sometimes miss His path?
17. Hindsight is always 20/20, but our lives are spent stepping out into the unknown. Looking back on your life, do you see specific examples of your baby steps of faith and God directing your path?
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COMING IN 2011
The Way of Grace
Book 3 in the Miller’s Creek novels
When freewheeling Matt Tyler moves to Miller’s Creek, he throws Grace Soldano’s perfect world into a tailspin. Caught between a dream and a nightmare—and between law and grace—which of them will become her reality?
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ALSO AVAILABLE:
TEXAS ROADS
Book 1 in the Miller’s Creek novels
2009 ACFW Genesis Finalist
One secret kept, another uncovered . . .
Dani Davis longs for a place to call home. With quirky residents, quaint country charm, and loads of business potential, Miller's Creek Texas seems like the perfect place to start over . . . except for the cowboy who gives her a ride into town. Then malicious rumors and a devastating discovery propel her down a road she never expected to travel.
Available online & at other leading retailers
CONNECT WITH CATHY ONLINE:
Website: http://www.CatBryant.com
Blog: http://WordVessel.blogspot.com
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