From Now Til 2025

For those of you who pray for my writing ministry (whom I TRULY appreciate!), I thought you may be interested in my list of long-term projects. Here are a few things I’m working on, projecting through a rough-out schedule of the next 5½ years (when I turn 80 in June 2025).

This list is pretty random. Certainly not in any logical prioritized order. Just a list. 🙂

1. My current work-in-progress is not really something for publication, but is important to me to get it done. Many years ago when our children were young, my wife Ruth and I created a Pathfinder Club version of 4-H. The members were recognized both as Pathfinders and 4-Hers. I was asked a couple of years ago to write a history of this idea. We called it the “Pathfinder GEM” program. “GEM” was an acronym for “Growth–Excellence–Ministry.” I’ve made a good start on this writing project. Now to get it finished and out of the way!

2. “Border Children” tells how my siblings and I learned to relate positively to a wide variety of other people from significantly different cultures. “BC” is a family history, but focuses on life-lessons of coping, adjusting, and moving forward with grace in the face of sometimes difficult challenges.

3. “The Daisy Gate” is a 50k word novella, along the genre lines of Ken Blanchard’s business stories. I’ve been working on this book off and on for more years than I want to remember. It’s time to get this one finished soon!

4. “Tarida Springs” follows the adventures of four boys in their early teens after they make a fantastical discovery in a forest clearing near their small country hometown. I still don’t know how this one ends!

5. “Discipleship: A Christian’s Journey” is targeted to be a small booklet with 5 chapters. Based on a sermon series.

6. I’ve also got another “Whimsi” book under my hat. Would be good to get that one out without too much delay. 🙂

7. Interspersed with these large and semi-large projects, I also have a few serious articles, children’s stories, and other smaller pieces waiting in the wings for their turn on my computer screen.
About three years ago I realized I was not going to get ANY of my projects finished if I kept dabbling with them all, all the time. So, I did what I realized must be done. I set them all aside, and began to focus on one task at a time. Since then, I have finished/published three books and several stories. I am really serious about this writing ministry. I believe it is the major focus of what God wants me to do during these years of retirement from active pastoral work. I enjoy the work, and I am excited every time I see progress happening.

Thank you for your prayers. As I said at the very top of this note, they are very much appreciated, indeed.