Newsletter Archive

Just when it feels like its over, and I’ll never make it alone

March 26, 2026

We have been discussing the song or hymn, Tenderly Calling, in the last two newsletters. We are ready now to dive in a little deeper. Again, my favorite version is by the Bluegrass band Hot Rize, on their album Take It Home. You should be able to find it on any music streaming service. Please…

God has a special purpose for everything He made, including you.

March 17, 2026

We started last time with a song, a hymn, Tenderly Calling. I have spoken to a number of people since this was posted who knew of Fanny Crosby. I had never heard of her until I looked up this song. Her story reminds me of Helen Keller, who also refused to be held back by…

Home, come one home. Those who are weary come home . . .

March 3, 2026

I’d like to start this time with a song, a hymn, that is old enough to be in the public domain. Which means we can quote it word for word without having to have permission from someone! Fanny Crosby (1820-1915) was a 19th century hymn writer. I found a short but informative article on her…

Do our deepest wounds have to continue to define us, or can we embrace the possibility that with God’s grace we can finally them go, and as image bearers, love and be loved, the very thing we need more than anything else in this life?

February 16, 2026

We have been discussing the movie Good Will Hunting. It is one of those stories where the issues are very clear, and it asks the question, although much in the movie also points to the best answer: What is more important, success in a career and all the trimmings that can come from that; or…

What do you believe will bring you the most happiness or fulfillment in this life: Success in a career . . . or loving one person as much as you possibly can?

January 27, 2026

I ended last time by asking, simply, what is the story Good Will Hunting saying to us? How about this? What do you believe will bring you the most happiness and fulfillment in this life? – Success in a career, and the wealth and possibly fame that can accompany this? Is this what makes you…

We are all broken, yet we all can offer something very valuable to someone else, no matter how broken we are.

January 21, 2026

We have been talking about the movie Good Will Hunting, which focuses on the relationship between a young man and his psychotherapist. Some of the best stories I know are about the relationship between two people, one older and one younger, a mentor and a mentee. The mentor is very experienced and has a lot…

Good Will Hunting – or hunting for the good in Will

January 5, 2026

I apologize if last time I became a little too dense or intellectual. I believe it could have been more clear. And I have realized, once again, that it always helps to have an example to use, an anecdote, or even better – a movie!!!! We have been talking about the fact that there are…

The real problem of humanity is just this. As it turns out, there are two worlds, or kingdoms, in this life. Not just one.

December 15, 2025

Last time I mentioned again something that has become very dear to me. It is on the back cover of both of my short story volumes and will be on the back cover of my third, due out in 2026. It is just this: Stories have always been about us, a mirror in which we…

“If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.” Matthew 16:24-25

November 28, 2025

“If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.” Matthew 16:24-25 Last time I let my mind and heart wander and roam a little,…

Where will stories lead us next?

November 10, 2025

It is hard to believe, but just over two years have gone by since I started writing these newsletters, right after the first Once Upon A Time was released. The very first newsletter was posted on August 15, 2023. There have been forty-seven since, almost two every month. I was advised by folks in the…

Welcome, I'm Sam!

A fellow traveler on this journey we call life and this path we call the Christian faith, wanting to share the incredible things God chose to reveal to me. Stories have always been a mirror in which we can see ourselves, if we only look more closely. We are all like the children of Israel in the wilderness, wanting and needing to establish ourselves in the promised land. Stories can help us to get there, and to flourish there.

I can't wait to get to know you!

Best,
Sam

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