About me
Welcome — I’m Raymond Smith, and I’m honored you’re here.
I’m an author, Bible teacher, and follower of Jesus who’s learning (sometimes the hard way) what it means to walk faithfully through both joy and sorrow. I don’t write from a stage — I write from real life: porch prayers, quiet grief, and breakthroughs that came after breakdowns.
My books are written for everyday Christians who want to grow — even if they don’t have it all together (spoiler: neither do I). Whether you’re navigating loss, learning to pray, or just trying to follow Jesus in a noisy world, I hope you find encouragement, truth, and even a little humor in the pages I’ve written.
That heart extends beyond the books. I started DiscipleBlueprint.com to help believers build real spiritual momentum — with practical tools, Bible study resources, and honest encouragement rooted in Scripture. It’s more than a website — it’s a growing community of people learning how to walk with God in the real world.
If you’re looking for discipleship that’s authentic, biblical, and personal, you’re in the right place. And if you’ve ever felt like a spiritual benchwarmer, trust me — there’s a spot for you on the field.
God doesn’t need Hall of Famers — He just needs people willing to show up for practice.
Coach Blaze, Confessions of a Pray-er To Be Name Later
The story of
Raymond Smith
The Story of Raymond Smith
This all started with a silver Mustang convertible, a quiet porch, and a heartbreak I never expected.
When I lost my wife Wendy, everything changed. I wasn’t just grieving the love of my life — I was also wrestling with God. Then, just months later, I lost my job. The two most stable things in my world — my marriage and my career — were gone, and I found myself completely unanchored. Prayer was hard. Faith felt fragile. And honestly, I didn’t know what came next.
But in that silence, God started whispering something new.
That’s what led to my first book, The Greater the Love, The Deeper the Grief, and what eventually gave birth to Confessions of a Pray-er To Be Named Later. Writing became a way to process, to heal, and to point others back to the only One who could carry me — and maybe carry them too.
In the middle of that storm, I launched DiscipleBlueprint.com. It wasn’t part of my career plan — it was part of God’s recovery plan. I didn’t set out to start a ministry, I just wanted to help others grow in their faith in real, practical ways — the same way God was growing mine.
I believe discipleship should be honest, accessible, and rooted in the reality of everyday life. This isn’t about having all the answers — it’s about being willing to keep showing up, even when you don’t. It’s about getting off the bench and back into the game — one prayer, one scripture, one act of obedience at a time.
If you’re grieving, doubting, or just trying to make sense of your story — you’re not alone. I’ve been there. And I believe God still uses broken seasons to build strong faith.