The Creative Path That Led to Writing
I have morphed from one hobby to another. First, it was art. I tried my hand at acrylic painting. My 1960s hippy-era interpretations were not very memorable. Then, I tried my hand at embroidery. I thought I was man enough to try if Mean Joe Green could do it. Then came woodworking. During this phase, I created a poster bed, a dining table, and several other pieces. Golf was my next addiction and torture. The ever-growing expense of a game I could not master finally disqualified me.
Reading was a hobby I thoroughly enjoyed with my first wife, Robin, who died of ALS. We’d spend our late hours reading ourselves to sleep. Finally, I discovered that I liked to pen my thoughts instead of reading the ideas of others. Writing became the addiction (or was it a calling?) that finally stayed with me. The possibility of forming and inhabiting worlds with characters that appealed to me was like an outlet for my creative nature. It has remained with me to this day.
A Life Built on Love and Legacy
Thankfully, my wife Robin and I raised our two children to adulthood as a couple who loved and honored one another with no signs of marital discord. Two years after her passing in 2008, I was introduced to Melissa at the church where I went to serve as pastor. Their unofficial “marriage selection committee” made sure that we married in 2011.
Now that we are retired, we serve as volunteers rather than leaders in our local church. After 14 years of marriage, we have arrived at that treasured place where our joy and calling are to spoil our grandchildren as often as possible.
Turning Life's Trials Into Spiritual Nourishment
Stories Inspired by Life
Stories Aren’t Born in a Vacuum
Most of my works are drawn from my everyday life and experience. For example, My Father’s Friend resonates with me in the manner in which my wife died and stirred within me the desire to continue living with the Lord. Her Sacrificial Gift points to how I gave up everything to become a missionary and my work as a pastor. Snatch Them In Pity illustrates the misfortune my siblings and I had of being raised by a mentally ill father who was diagnosed with and treated for paranoid schizophrenia. Each of these backgrounds plays a part in the evolution of the stories I have written for your spiritual nourishment and entertainment.
Looking Ahead...
My journey as an author is far from over. I have manuscripts to refine and countless ideas waiting to come to life. Stay tuned for more stories that will challenge, uplift, and entertain. Sign up for my newsletter and return often to read my latest blog posts. My prayer is to open the eyes of your faith and bring light to your spiritual journey.
"I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people."
Ephesians 1:18
Forty Years of Faithful Ministry Across the Globe
I am a retired minister with over forty years of experience in pastoral ministry, serving in the Congregational Methodist Church, Independent Methodist Church, and United Methodist Church.
My calling took me to Alabama, Mississippi, Texas, Florida, and even to Barcelona, Spain, where I worked with World Gospel Mission. Today, my wife Melissa and I call Tampa, Florida, home, sharing our lives with our beloved dogs, Gertie and Eddie.