Janet F. Salazar

From Religiosity to an

Authentic Relationship With God

Janet’s Rocky Path to Faith

Janet F. Salazar is not your typical nonfiction author. With a warm laugh that fills a room and a heart relentlessly seeking truth, she has walked the long road from rigid religiosity to vibrant, soul-deep faith—and now she’s passionate about helping others find the same freedom.

Raised in a Christian home and educated in faith-based schools through her Master’s degree, Janet spent decades longing for a real connection with God but feeling like she was missing something essential. She kept all the “rules” and maintained the appearance of strong faith, yet her heart felt dry and distant. Like a thirsty traveler in the desert, she listened eagerly to anyone willing to share how they had found God—even while inwardly wondering if the kind of personal relationship they described was truly real.

It wasn’t until her 40s—motivated in part by a desire not to pass on her struggles to her two children—that Janet took a radical turn. She set aside her preconceived ideas and began reading the Bible, not to reinforce doctrines or check boxes, but to discover who God really is. That simple but profound shift transformed her life. Scripture came alive in a way it never had before, and she began experiencing the deep relationship with God she had always longed for.

Janet’s trademark honesty runs through everything she writes. When she makes a promise, she follows through—whether in her commitments or in her plainspoken approach to faith. Her unique mix of thoughtful reflection and warm connection gives both her writing and speaking a rare balance: she engages deeply with Scripture while also meeting readers where they are.

Her journey to becoming an author started young, fueled by an insatiable love for books. From speech competitions to storytelling performances, to writing Bible-based reader’s theatre for her husband’s church, her creative gifts kept finding outlets. After years of encouragement from audiences and readers—many asking when she would finally write a book—Janet embraced her calling as an author. Her first book, Engaging with God: From Pharisee to Disciple, was born out of this journey, though not without its share of challenges and moments of wanting to quit.

What makes Janet’s writing distinctive is her ability to bring fresh perspective to familiar biblical narratives. Her naturally inquisitive nature helps her dig deep into Scripture, uncovering unique insights that make ancient texts feel alive and relevant. Whether through her Spiritual Growth Roadmap, her verse-by-verse study of 1 Corinthians, or her practical articles on developing an authentic relationship with God, she seeks to help others move beyond information and into transformation.

Because Janet’s message grows out of her own journey, she writes with honesty about both her struggles and God’s faithfulness. In one of her most personal articles, she shares how a lifelong battle with anger ultimately led her to discover the life-changing power of daily communion with God. She knows every spiritual journey is unique, and she writes as a fellow traveler sharing what God has taught her along the way.

Today, Janet lives in Maryland with Rudy, her husband of nearly four decades. When she’s not writing or speaking, you’ll find her and her husband exploring new places, enjoying table games with friends, or hunting down great vegetarian restaurants. Her mission remains simple and steadfast: to help others step out of dry, duty-bound religion and into the vibrant, abundant faith life God has waiting for them—not as someone with all the answers, but as one who has found hope and wants to point others toward it.

Start Exploring

• New here? Start with the Spiritual Growth Roadmap.
• Enjoy Bible study? Explore the 1 Corinthians Bible Study.
• Want to know Janet’s story? Read I Want to Change, But How?

No spam. Just thoughtful encouragement and practical spiritual growth.