Why God Matters: How to Recognize Him in Daily Life

Do you feel distant from God? Do you want a closer relationship with him? God is with us always, sometimes in ways we don't even realize. Deacon Steve Lumbert and his daughter Karina Fabian share their stories of how God led them from casual belief to deep devotion, and offer tips and exercises to help you see God's hand - and take it.

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 Lumbert nor Fabian 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.

The book marks a series of firsts for the father-daughter duo. This is the first book that the two have written together, although Fabian is well published in the science fiction and fantasy arena. While Fabian does write articles for magazines and diocese newspapers, this is her first nonfiction book. This is Lumbert's first book ever.

One thing this is not, however, is their first collaboration. From planning club fundraisers to building basements, the two have worked together on many projects. However, working on this book brought a new level to their relationship. "We were sharing some personal stories, some we'd never talked about before," Fabian said. "I learned things about my dad's past that had only been hinted at as I was growing up. I also learned a little more about how he thinks. Writing this book helped me know my father better."