Cape woman writes evangelism book

People often say there isn't enough time to do all God wants them to do. But Cape Girardeau author Pat Renner believes "we can do all God has called us to do if we keep God at the center of our lives." That is the main premise of Renner's first book, "Live Life Fully: Make Every Day Count By Centering on God," which was released Feb. 7.

Renner, a resident of Cape Girardeau since age 8, has been married for 46 years and has two married sons and three grandchildren. She is active in her community and with Stonecroft Ministries where she travels an eight-state area speaking to women about Jesus.

"I want to be like what God has made me to be," Renner said. "He has something for all of us if we listen to the call."

She does not consider herself a writer and says it was "God's pen" that got her started.

"It is God's book. I wrote it because I was supposed to," Renner said.

After she began writing in 1994 it became easier. Writing mostly at night, Renner started with little stories taken from her life. She wrote about the 14 years she spent ministering to female inmates at the Cape Girardeau County Jail in Jackson and the city jail in Cape Girardeau. Some of the stories are based on her own battle with chronic illness as well as the loss of three family members within nine months of each other.

After having written these stories, Renner challenged herself to write a 190-word devotion based on John 3:16. When she finished that she wrote a devotion for all the 3:16 verses in the New Testament of the Bible. The next thing she knew she was putting it all together and writing a book.

The concepts in the devotions make up the chapters found in her book and the stories are shared throughout. After finishing the book she decided she would try submitting it to one publisher and it was accepted.

The inspirational book published by Tate Publishing and Enterprises is primarily about Renner's walk with God. The 216-page book is divided into topical chapters where she talks with candidness and a touch of humor about "how God is involved in everyone's life."

Renner said the book is targeted toward "Christians who want to live a fuller life living out their call from God as well as those who do not know Jesus yet." She considers it an evangelism book.

Renner has speaking engagements and book signings scheduled throughout Southeast Missouri and Southern Illinois over the next several months. The first event will be 1 p.m. Wednesday at Hanover Lutheran Church in Cape Girardeau. Specifics on dates, times and locations for other events can be found at www.patrenner.tateauthor.com.

"Live Life Fully" can be purchased nationwide at Hastings bookstores, www.barnesandnoble.com, www.amazon.com or www.tatepublishing.com/bookstore. The book is also available in e-book format.