Episode 63: Karina Fabian and Dcn. Steve Lumbert on their book There You Are God! (March 28, 2024)

In this episode of The Catholic Bookworm, Kiki Latimer interviews Karina Fabian and Dcn. Steve Lumbert on their book There You Are God! Finding God in the Everyday. A Devotional.Far too often, we expect God to show Himself in grand ways yet ignore when He makes His presence known in the day to day. Neither Deacon Steve nor Karina had dramatic conversions. Rather, God led them into deeper faith through the seemingly minor details of life: pot of rice, a habit of prayer, a frustrating flight home, or a barefooted stranger. This father-daughter team have written a delightful, quick book about finding God in the day-to-day. With thought-provoking quotes, heartwarming stories, Bible verses, passages from the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and simple exercises the reader can fit into his or her daily routine, they help others recognize God's presence. Great for the casual or converting Catholic longing for something more in their relationship with God, or the "advanced" Catholic wanting light spiritual exercise.https://www.amazon.com/There-You-Deacon-Steven-Lumbert/dp/1956489169Karina Fabian is a cradle Catholic and current president of the Catholic Writers Guild. She’s been writing professionally since 1996, writing articles, short stories and novels for Catholic and secular audiences. He has over 40 novels out, featuring dragon detectives, nuns working in outer space, insane psychics, and zombie exterminators. She is the mother of four children, all adults now. She and her husband live in Florida where she writes and he builds rockets. Deacon Steve Lumbert converted to Catholicism in his 40s and dove in whole-heartedly. After being a Colorado State Trooper for 30 years, he turned his service to the Church, becoming a deacon just in time to baptize his youngest grandchild. He spent over two decades in various positions from parish administrator to leading the diaconate program for the Pueblo diocese. Married for 57 years, he and his wife live in Florida where he serves as deacon of St John the Evangelist Parish. Together, they wrote “Why God Matters,” republished as “There You Are, God!” Under the original title, the book received the Catholic Writers Guild Seal of Approval and the Christian Small Publisher Award.Questions: How did you come to write this book?It’s republished with a new title—why is that?Why do you think it’s important to see God’s work in the everyday of our lives?Is this book good for non-Catholics?What do you hope readers get out of the book?What was it like collaborating together?Steve, you’re a convert—what brought you to the Church?Karina, tell us quickly about the Catholic Writers Guild.