Running on Empty and Looking for the Next Exit: How Smart Women Learn to Cope With Everyday Life

Are you so busy you aren't getting anything done? Maybe even too busy to read this book?

With humor and a "been there, done that" empathy, the author of Smart Women Keep It Simple pulls up the shades on her own life to encourage and challenge Christian women in today's hectic world. From her own experience and interviews with dozens of women, Annie Chapman knows that the demands and expectations of everyday life have become more insistent, more impatient and they won't go away by themselves. Your world won't let you simply stop what you're doing and shift into park. If you feel like you're running on fumes, it's time to check where your life is headed and to look hard at the resources you have and those you need.

Running on Empty and Looking for the Nearest Exit explores

Why it's hard to ask for help when you're wearing down

How to evaluate your needs and expectations

Who you can look to for help

Why you may overcommit in the first place

And how to find a refreshed life of new peace, less frenzy, and more meaning.

Along with her husband, Steve, Annie Chapman has been ministering through music and speaking for many years. Annie's life and writing overflow with humor, the principles of Scripture, and great practicality.

Dozens of Insights and Creative Ways to Stop Life From Running You Ragged

Born in West Virginia, Annie Chapman began studying music while attending Moody Bible Institute. Later she changed her major to Home Missions. Little did she know that the Lord would lead her into a highly successful music ministry to the family. A ministry that would include writing and singing songs that deal with interpersonal relationships, using Scripture and personal testimony as its source.

In her early teens Annie met her future husband Steve. They grew to be good friends throughout junior and senior high school and shared a special bond as born-again believers. Three years after graduating from Moody Bible Institute, Steve and Annie were married and became a part of the popular singing group "Dogwood." Annie toured with the group for three years before devoting herself full time to being a mother.

Annie never lost the desire to minister with her husband and in 1981 the Lord granted Steve and Annie's vision. Says Annie, "Ever since we were married, we wanted to be able to work together, so it was a nice transition for us to gradually develop our ministry."

Now her two children, Nathan and Heidi, contribute talent to their parents' ministry. Not only do they sing and record with Annie, but Nathan wrote a poem to his sister that was put to music and became a touching song about sibling love.

Since 1981 the Chapmans have recorded several albums (including a "musical" focusing on family commitment) in national distribution-all dealing with real-life situations, such as meeting the needs of one's spouse, rekindling the romance in marriage, parenting and its challenges, and "dating" from a biblical perspective. Annie and Steve not only sing together but have written Married Lovers, Married Friends and Gifts Your Kids Can't Break with Maureen Rank. Another of Annie's books, Smart Women Keep It Simple, is also co-authored with Maureen Rank.

The Chapmans have appeared on several television shows, including the Billy Graham Crusade. Steve and Annie were also featured guests of Dr. James Dobson in his film series "Turn Your Heart Toward Home."

size : 5.4 x 8.2