Books

Encouraging Thoughts is a collection of short stories, essays, and articles that were written to strengthen and challenge the reader to a deeper walk with Christ.

I write about my struggles, doubts, and fears and how God helps me overcome. I want you to see how I interact with God. I try to make the Christian experience real and tangible.

I write about the beach, a place where I feel the closest to the Lord. I share with you how God speaks to me through my surroundings.

If you are an animal lover you’ll enjoy the stories about the animals in my life. I believe you’ll be touched by these personal and true experiences.

Some of the stories come from working in the public schools. So many people think that this generation is out of touch with God, but I see that there are many kids who not only know their creator but want to honor him.

One section of my book deals with the news events from the early 90′s. My most powerful piece was written after the Oklahoma City bombing. It could have been written after any major tragedy, especially 9/11.

I find things in nature very inspiring and there is a section in my book about nature. I believe God is all around us revealing His beauty and creativity, but we are often too busy to notice.

I wrote about my parents’ divorce from my perspective as an adult child. I am painfully honest about what I went through and how I felt. I have given this section of my book to many students who were struggling with their parents’ split and they have been grateful for the help and comfort it offered.

Throughout my writing career I think I have written many columns about holidays. I look for a unique perspective and hope to discover encouraging insights for each one. My child-like heart comes out at the holidays and I enjoy writing about them each year.

Finally, I end the book with a few special pieces, some of which are not necessarily inspiring. They were pieces I wrote and never published in another format. I included them in the book because I liked them and I thought they were fun. The inspirational ones at the end were my favorites, pieces that I promise will touch your heart.

The Bluebird Cafe

Uncle Charlie has devoted his life to helping people deal with the difficult hand that life can sometimes deal us all. He’s the kind of friend we all need, the kind that sees the good in everyone he meets, even if he has to dig deep to find it.

The problem is how will the people in Uncle Charlie’s life deal with the tragedy that is about to befall them? Where will they turn for answers? Will they learn the lessons that he has worked so hard to teach them? Will they find the source of his strength and draw from that life-changing power? Will they be able to follow his example and help others find the good in themselves?

Many people’s paths cross at the Bluebird Café, but the lucky ones cross paths with Uncle Charlie.

Revenge at the Bluebird Cafe

This is a sequel to the Bluebird Cafe. An evil force has moved into town. It’s purpose to destroy good people’s lives. It will use everything in it’s power to take these good people down. Eerything looks hopeless. Nothing and no one can stand in the way of this evil force.

Hate and bitterness want to plant their seeds in the hearts of the innocent who have lost everything. The only solution is for the people to unite and to learn how to forgive and to pray.

Could you forgive someone who is so bent on evil against you? Could you pray for God to forgive this hideous soul? Could you learn to forgive yourself for your own failures and release others who have failed you? Will good win out over evil? 

An EncouragingU Christmas

I believe this book will become a holiday tradition that you will want to share with family and friends.

Five writers have come together to create An EncouragingU Christmas. We each love to write. We look at life and can’t help ourselves, we have to write. We each see God in our everyday lives and hope to help you see Him, too. We each know the power of words to encourage, inspire, and challenge our readers to a closer walk with God.

In these pages you will discover a fictionalized retelling of the birth of Christ, our Lord. You’ll feel the parent’s joy while you smell the hay and hear the baby cry. You’ll read the story of three lost souls who come together and ultimately save each other. If you are looking for a devotional to prepare your heart for the birth of Christ, we have that, too.

We have all written columns for Christmas. Each of us looks at this wonderful time of year from our own unique perspective. You will laugh, sing, and reflect on all the things that make this such a very special time of the year.