Dear Friends, it’s my pleasure to introduce you to Judith Rolfs! Judith is not only a Christian author, she’s also an amazing person! I met her through Prism Book Group, and I’ve been impressed with her intelligence, her compassion, and her love of the Lord. I feel honored to have her on my blog!

Danele: Judith, I’m so glad that you’re able to be with us today!

Judith: I’m delighted to be with you, Danele, and I’m excited to have this opportunity to meet your readers.

Danele: I’m sure my readers are excited to learn more about you—I know that I am! Judith, can you tell us when you gave your heart to Christ? What were the circumstances surrounding your decision?

Judith: In my thirties, I’d been an automatic churchgoer simply because it seemed to be the thing to do, not because my heart was it. My family life seemed very complete, but I still had a deep gnawing that there must be something more. I began to explore the complexity of the natural world around me – I always loved nature – and also I began studying all religions. One night, I actually had an experience of the Holy Spirit whom I’d been studying in Scripture when I was home alone – my husband traveled a lot for his work – I can best describe it as a simultaneous feeling of peace and deep joy. This experience along with my intellectual assent from my studying moved me from agnosticism to faith in God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. I love observing the fascinating features of each human being’s life and the way God orchestrates individual lives.

Danele: It’s so amazing how God meets each of us in unique and powerful ways. My illness taught me the importance of trusting God.  Have you had a situation in your life when you needed to totally rely on God?

Judith: I depended on God to get me through treatment for active Hepatitis C and two macula hole surgeries that required being still and face down for three weeks each time. Soon after, I developed Lyme’s disease and was ill for one and a half years. By God’s mercy and grace I am completely restored.

Danele: That’s amazing, Judith! I’m so glad that you’re well again!

Judith: God is still a healing God. I pray for His complete healing for you as well, Danele. I know you’ve gone through some very challenging health situations.

Danele: Thank you! I really appreciate your prayers! I think that’s one of the nicest things about you, Judith, you really care about the people you encounter. Thank you for partnering with me in prayer!

Judith: You’re welcome.

Danele: It amazes me how God teaches me new things every day. Has God ever taught you an eye-opening lesson?

Judith: Yes, He taught me to trust Him always because ultimately He works all for good as we trust in Him.

Danele: That’s so true! That’s the promise of Romans 8:28. Hearing about your health struggles and how God has restored you, has just given me more proof that Romans 8:28 holds true. On another subject, why do you think it’s important to sing praises to God?

Judith: I truly believe God inhabits the praises of His people. I laughingly tell my four children and seven grandchildren God always knows how grateful I am because it’s my delight to thank Him daily for everything – the streaks of sun entering a window, the intricate beauty of a weed. I’m all about gratitude!

Danele: Singing praises is incredibly important and so are personal devotions. Can you describe your devotional routine?

Judith: First thing out of bed, I drop to my knees and pray that everything I think, do, and say this day will be pleasing to God. I have low blood sugar so I need breakfast quickly – I often spend time with the Lord and my husband if he’s home. Scripture comes next – usually three chapters. I also journal, and lastly, I pray for my family members and friends’ needs.

Danele: I usually have my devotions in the morning too. There’s something satisfying about starting the day in the Lord’s presence. Right now, I’m studying Psalms. Do you have a favorite Psalm?

Judith: May I pick two favorites? Psalm 91 and Psalm 34. My husband and I prayed Psalm 91 continually as God healed our eighteen-year-old son from terminal cancer and from being hit by a drunk driver within the same year. And I autograph every women’s book with Psalm 34 because it’s so full of hope and promise.

Danele: I love both of those Psalms too! They’re fantastic! Speaking of fantastic things, what do you think heaven is going to be like?

Judith: Amazing! I already have a twenty-four year old grandson in heaven who has added his musical and artistic gifts to the scene. I’m ready when God says, “Go.”

Danele: Oh, Judith, I’m so sorry for your loss! But what you said is so true; you’ll have a lovely reunion waiting for you. I have many loved ones in heaven too, and I can’t wait to see them again! Sometimes, life can be incredibly painful. There are so many people hurting in this world. What would you like to say to them?

Judith: God has intentionally created your life for your wholeness and purpose as you use your God-given gifts in some way to bless yourself and others. He loves you personally and never takes His eye off you. Keep your eyes on Him and His word and you’ll be amazed at how you’ll begin to enjoy your life.

Danele: That’s beautiful! Thank you for sharing your heart, Judith! Is there anything else that you would like to say to us?

Judith: As a professional marriage and family counselor and now full-time author/speaker, I’m dedicated to helping people live their best lives. That’s why I always weave Scriptural principles about family and relationships in my fiction and non-fiction – whatever the genre – in my children’s fantasy mystery novels, how-to books for men and women’s relationships, parenting, devotionals like Breathless, Minute Meditations, and God Thoughts and recently my adult mystery thrillers: Directive 99, Bullet in the Night, and Never Tomorrow. God’s Word and ways are powerful and never return void.  In fact, I recently got an email from a man in his seventies who read my latest mystery about a female serial killer (although it’s not graphic in any way or offensive to readers) and he said he had a spiritual reawakening after reading it. Only God!

Danele: That’s wonderful! Writing really does give a person a unique place of ministry. Besides ministering, what do you like the most about writing?

Judith: As a writer, I have the best job in the world. I meet amazing people every day and some are even real. I’m never bored.

Danele: Oh, Judith! You just made me smile! Before I let you go, please tell us about your latest book release, Never Tomorrow.

Judith: I’m excited about the response to Never Tomorrow, my recently released mystery. It is being endorsed by best-selling New York Times author Pat Gussin who said: “Layer upon layer of intrigue—laced with murder–propels this novel to the pinnacle of suspense. An ingenious plot, dynamic and complex characters, and an insight into the troubled avenues of human behavior rarely exposed make NEVER TOMORROW a stand-out for readers of mysteries, thrillers, and suspense.”

Danele: That’s marvelous! I’ve heard that Never Tomorrow has been getting rave reviews.

Judith: In the first two months, it received twenty reviews of four and five stars.

Danele: That’s fabulous! Can you tell us more about it?

Judith: The theme of Never Tomorrow is the aftermath of divorce on the participants and family members. Who hasn’t been impacted by divorce in some form? Also, what woman has never experienced depression? I wanted to write a mystery and a love story that would give readers deep insights, so I wove in ideas that help men and women forgive, heal, and move on to enjoy a happy marriage or contented singlehood. It’s important to me that my mystery be as compelling and flawless as I can make it. I wanted an original plot, and I believe God gave it to me. Readers say they don’t figure out the killer until the last page, which thrills me.

Danele: Can you share the back cover copy for Never Tomorrow and a purchasing link?

Judith: Journalist Whitney Barnes investigates the mysterious death of her mother and three women from Cortland City seeking the thread that links them to an enigmatic killer. Why are women being murdered with no apparent motives for their death? Police are mystified at the lack of clues and a growing sense of fear surrounds the community. Who will be the next victim? Determined to find the killer, Whitney discovers these women were dealing with wounds from their troubling pasts, but what was their connection? She teams up with Dr. Sarah Stevens, an expert on women’s issues, to ferret out information while TV talk show host, Rich, and real estate broker, Jordan, vie for Whitney’s affection. Whitney discovers new strength within her but is it powerful enough to cope with this dark force of evil? Suspense escalates, as Whitney becomes the killer’s next target.

Never Tomorrow, and all my books, are available on Amazon and at Barnes & Noble. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01E7LL3IU/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1

Danele: Thank you for talking with us, Judith! I’ve really enjoyed it!

Judith: The pleasure was mine – it’s been a delightful experience. Thank you for inviting me, Danele.

 

Friends, Judith Rolfs is a TERRIFIC person! I’ve really enjoyed getting to know her! If you would like to learn more about Judith or her books, please follow the links below. I hope you have a wonderful day!

www.judithrolfs.com

www.judithrolfs.blogspot.com

www.facebook.com/judithrolfs