If you’ve felt a nudge to share your story but haven’t known where to begin, this may be just what you need.
My friends CJ and Shelley Hitz are hosting a brand-new live workshop to help you write a short testimony book that points others to Jesus—without overwhelm.
It’s called the Tiny Testimony Book Workshop, and it’s happening live on:
Wednesday, August 6th at 11am Eastern Hosted on Zoom (replay included) Just $27 (early-bird pricing ends when we go live)
This 90-minute session will guide you through:
A prayerful process to help you clarify the story God is leading you to tell A mapped-out 6-chapter outline using one of 3 short-book frameworks One section of your book already written The clarity and confidence to keep going—without pressure or perfectionism
Plus, your $27 ticket includes 3 free bonus resources:
Tiny Testimony Book Map – Your step-by-step worksheet from the workshop
Story Structures for Testimony Books – Printable list of frameworks and when to use them
Tiny Testimony Book Titles – Title + subtitle inspiration to help you name your book
“If you ever get to Italy, go to Florence. You must see Michaelangelo’s David.” My art history professor said it more than once while I attended his classes. So when my daughter invited us to accompany her on a trip to that country to celebrate her 40th birthday, the first thing I put on my list was “See the David.”
I was not disappointed. We entered the Accademia Gallery with a huge tour group (they estimate 6,000 people view the statue every day) and when I turned my head as we entered, I caught my breath and whispered, “there it is.” We were some distance away but even so, standing at 5.17-metres (17 ft) tall, the statue was impressive. The tour guide explained that the hands and feet are disproportionately large because it would be viewed from below.
Originally it was commissioned for the front of the cathedral in Florence but was instead placed in the public square in front of the Palazzo della Signoria, the seat of civic government in Florence, where it was unveiled on 8 September 1504.
I can’t pretend to know what was in Michaelangelo’s mind when he created his masterpiece. I would hope his intention was to depict a young boy, the least of his brothers, who was not even counted worthy enough to be presented to the prophet when he came to anoint Israel’s new king. That depiction would have been true to scripture. (1Samuel 16:1-13).
But other forces held sway. We know what was in the minds of the men who commissioned the statue. They wanted a representation of a virile, heroic man, to symbolize the power and might of their city. It seems their intention had nothing at all to do with the Biblical character of one of God’s most beloved servants.
This certainly would not be the first nor last time that God’s intentions were usurped by the political desires of men of power. It is a familiar ploy of Satan, to take what God intended to be good, honourable and holy and twist it into something totally disconnected from those sentiments.
God’s most precious and powerful tool, the Bible itself, has been used in that way, used to justify despicable acts, used in the hands of dishonourable men as a symbol of their fake allegiance to the God of the Bible.
But …
“Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life” (Galatians 6:7,8).
The lies men perpetuate will come back to haunt them. They too will stand before God and be judged, as will we all. We all should heed the warning of Galatians 6.
Hi everyone – For those who have been following me for a while, you may remember that I ran a fundraiser for the Pregnancy Care Centre in Red Deer Alberta several years ago. That fundraiser went well so, since I’ve just celebrated another birthday, I’m taking a cue from others on Facebook, to do a fundraiser for the Mainsprings pregnancy and family support centre in Calgary.
I have been impressed with the work they do, including free pregnancy tests, information and education on all pregnancy-related options, advocacy and peer support, prenatal and parenting classes, practical support services, referrals to other agencies, birth family support (adoption), post-abortion support, and counselling.
They also provide baby clothes, diapers, baby furniture and all the necessities for these young moms. I hope you will participate in this fundraiser and help ensure that these programs will not have to be cut back or curtailed.
When my first grandchild was born we were all overjoyed. Sadly, for many young women who find themselves pregnant, that is not the case. It is a time of stress and anxiety. It is the goal of Mainsprings to relieve that stress by offering a multitude of services that help. Just go to their website to read the testimonials of the hundreds of young women who have been helped there.
Of course all of these things cost money. That’s why I’ve decided to set up this fundraiser. This is how it will work –
For the next 3 months, July 14th to August 4th, purchase a copy of my novel, A Tumbled Stone, for $25.00. This book was on a short list for an award at Write Canada and has had some great reviews from readers. It is a story about a young woman who finds herself in a crisis pregnancy situation. If you already have a copy, consider purchasing one to give away, (just send me the address and I’ll mail it for you), or donate a copy to your local library.
$6.00 from each book sold will go directly to Mainsprings. The remaining funds will go toward the cost of shipping the books, paypal fees and a small amount to defray my costs for the books. My goal is to sell a full shelf of 50 books which will give Mainstreams $300.00
Just click on the link below to purchase the book, fill in the form with your Canadian mailing address with postal code, and A Tumbled Stone will be on its way to you ASAP.
If you have any questions don’t hesitate to contact me at my email address
Thank you for your trust, your support, and your generosity.
Feel free to share this link with friends and family!
Hello everyone! It’s a lovely spring day here in Southern Alberta. After a short dip back into snow, it’s warming up again, which makes the dog walking a lot easier! 🙂 I hope you’re enjoying fine weather wherever you are.
As you saw in my last post, Pond’rings, my writer’s memoir, was well launched on March 15th. If you have already purchased a copy, I thank you! If you enjoyed it, I have a favour to ask. Please post a review. 🙂
Posting a review on Amazon and Goodreads is a wonderful way to support your favourite writers. The Reviews draw Amazon’s attention and then they begin to recommend the book. Without reviews, the book goes unnoticed. It takes at least 25 reviews, or more (some say at least 50), before this happens. So as you see, I have a ways to go!
To make it a bit easier, I’ve attached a link to the cover image. Just click on it and it should take you directly to the form to fill out a review. If that doesn’t work, simply scroll down to where the reviews are listed and you’ll see a link or button that says, Write a Review.
Here are a couple of reviews that have already been posted on Amazon –
Laycock writes beautifully. In this writers’ memoir, she chronicles her journey as a Christian who has struggled with self-doubt and discouragement in her calling to write. Rather than providing pat answers or perscriptions, she shows how God lead her and accomplished His purposes for her work, ultimately allowing God to touch many lives with her work. Her memoir serves well as a devlotional for writers who sense God call to write Christian fiction and non-fiction.
“Pond’rings” details the author’s writing journey from childhood when she chronicled her thoughts in a journal to becoming a multi-published author whose books bless readers far and wide. Her story is a beautiful tapestry that shows how God has shaped and refined her message over time and through life experiences and how He has led her and opened doors for her work. It’s a testimony, really, to His faithfulness and to the importance of following His lead and sovereignty. As a published author myself, I found this book inspirational and filled with wisdom not just for writers, but for all believers who struggle with self-doubt when God calls them to a task that seems too big. A must-read.
****
Thanks SO much for helping me spread the word about this little book. Please pray that God will use my words to encourge those who read it to draw closer to Him.
IN OTHER NEWS:
I tried to run my 5 Day Easter Devotional Writing Challenge, scheduled at the beginning of the month, but sadly I came down with a flu virus and could not continue the teaching. My wonderful publisher, Colleen McCubbin, filled in for me and the replays showed it was a wonderful time for all. I was able to jump back in for those who purchased the next level, the Devotional Cohort, and we had some wonderful discussion through the week, then shared what we had written during the final session. I love hearing from these writers. Their comments are always full of rich insight.
I’m looking forward to the next two teaching events coming up in May and June –
5 Day Fiction Camp – May 19 – 23, windup 24th
5 Day Poetry Camp – June 2 – 6, windup 7th
I’ll be sending out the links for those sessions soon. If you’d like to receive a personal notification just email me – vinemarc@telus.net
****
I so appreciate your interest in my work. As Easter approaches I wish you many epiphanies. Here’s a short devotional to ponder.
“I think I’m having an apostrophe!” The character, Smee, in the movie Hook, had his words a little mixed up. He meant to say he was having an epiphany. My old Webster’s Dictionary defines the word Epiphany as a religious feast, celebrated January 6, to commemorate the manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles, through the visitation of the Magi. A more modern dictionary goes on to say it is a “sudden manifestation or perception of the essential meaning of something.”
I think I’ve had an epiphany. In fact, I think I’ve had several in my life. No doubt you have too. They have happened to me at the most unusual of times, and at the most ordinary of times, but they always leave me with a sense that there is something beyond the surface of things, something eternal. They have been sparked by a manifestation of love, the touch of a husband’s hand on his disabled wife’s cheek, and by beauty, a moment when I saw something so exquisite it took my breath away. They have happened in times of unutterable sadness, at the deathbed of a loved one, and at times of intense joy, at the births of our children. They have happened in times of quiet contemplation at home as I’ve read the Word of God, and in a canoe, drifting alone on the Yukon River. These moments stop time. They cause our whirling world to come screeching to a halt. They are gifts from the hand of God. He cracks a window into the spiritual realm and allows us to peek through.
In these moments of deep understanding, God reveals something of Himself. We have a choice at that moment, to open our eyes and see, or to shrug and return to our everyday lives without being touched. If we choose the former, each epiphany is like a re-birth. It is a new start, a new day and each one can lead to a greater understanding of the ultimate in epiphanies – the resurrection.
There has never been, nor will there ever be, a day that caused time to stop and humankind to stand in awe, as the day Jesus stepped out of his own grave, reborn, renewed, and resurrected. There was no cracking of a window on that day. The door was flung wide and all were invited, not just to have a peek, but to enter in. Jesus was the manifestation of God and proved it on that first Easter day.
Epiphanies lead us to Easter. We all have a choice, to pause and be captivated by the enormity of that true epiphany, or shrug our shoulders and go on with life as we know it. Christ resurrected is the manifestation of the essential meaning of life, not as we know it, but as it truly is. Will you step through the door He has opened, or turn away?
More than 30 people came to my home to help celebrate the launch of Pond’rings, my writer’s memoir. I was so blessed by the turnout and the enthusiasm everyone showed for the book. More than a full case went out the door and I was kept busy signing books for everyone.
A Big Thank You to Blitz Print in Calgary, and to my publisher Colleen McCubbin for getting the books to me on time! I still have many copies now stacked in my office, so if you would like a signed copy just let me know. Cost is $20.00 plus shipping ($6.00 in Canada) or I can deliver in the High River and South Calgary areas.
If you are in the USA just click the links below to order –
Amazon.com – Kindle ebook + Print book both available
When I told my mother that my husband was going to be a pastor she said, “Well, you’ll never be rich. She was right. But she was also wrong. When we sold the log house we’d built on the banks of the Klondike River near Dawson City Yukon, to attend Bible College in Saskatchewan, I thought, well, we’ll probably never own another home. And I thought our travelling days were over. God had other plans.
I love travelling. The ability to go off to foreign places has been one of God’s gifts to me over the years, in spite of our lack of finances and my lack of faith. My first adventure came during university when a friend urged me to put my name on the list for a trip to Spain being organized by the faculty of Geology. I balked at first. “Impossible. There’s no way,” I told her. It was almost the end of the year and I was almost broke. But when extra seats opened up and I was offered one, the pieces fell into place and off I went. Travelling around Spain, Portugal, France and Switzerland opened my eyes to the wonders of Europe and gave me a thirst for more.
Then I found myself in the Yukon and travel to anywhere was expensive. “But everyone has to have a honeymoon,” my new husband said, so off we went to California, arriving in San Francisco on Chinese New Year. Now that was a cross cultural experience!
Not long after, we made the leap of faith, landed in Bible College on the flat Canadian prairie and then moved one province to the west to begin ministry in our first church. I thought our travelling days were definitely over. But God had more in store for us.
After seven years it was time for a year-long sabbatical. “Papua New Guinea,” a missions expert advised us, “That will be a good place for you to go.” I wasn’t even sure where PNG was, and I wasn’t sure I could take the heat of a tropical climate, but God made the doors open and before I could voice all the ‘what ifs’ we were there. Life in the third world was both challenging and exhilarating as God opened our eyes to the need to trust Him every moment of the day. Coming home was harder than going, but slowly God worked on our hearts and minds and souls and we adjusted once again to life in Canada.
We received a call from the head of our church’s association one day. “How would you like to go to Israel?” Impossible! But he explained it was sponsored by the Israeli government and a tourism organization, which made the price too good to refuse. Walking the land of the Bible was a profound experience.
Then seven years later God moved us from our comfort zone, where we’d pastored for 20 years, to begin a new work in a small community. My husband’s salary dropped into the bottom of the barrel once more. And once again, I thought our travelling days were over.
But God had another plan. It included eighteen months of cancer treatments and a slow recovery. “Take your wife somewhere warm,” the doctor said. Impossible, I thought, but before I could list all the reasons why not, we were walking on the warm sands of the Caribbean.
A cruise was not something I had ever envisioned in my future but when my husband’s mother turned 90 she decided she wanted to celebrate with the whole family – on a cruise ship off the coast of Alaska. All 23 of us wandered around the ship wearing pink Tshirts that said, ‘Betty’s Birthday Bash.’ It was indeed! When she turned 92 there was one more trip on Betty’s bucket list – the long cruise to Hawaii, and she wanted me to go with her. I had to think about that for just a second or two.
Last year my oldest daughter turned 40. She decided she wanted to celebrate in Italy and convinced a friend to go with her. The friend had to back out at the last minute and when K said she was going alone, I voiced my objections. “Then come with me,” she said. Impossible, I thought. But I remembered my art history professor telling me to put seeing Michaelangelo’s David on the top of my bucket list. Apparently, God thought that was a good idea. The David was amazing. St. Peter’s Bassilica was a highlight as a booming voice chanted, “Laudate Dominum, Laudate Dominum, Laudate Dominum.” Praise God, Praise God, Praise God. Indeed!
Spain, Portugal, France, Switzerland, the Yukon, Alaska, Papua New Guinea, the Caribbean, Hawaii, Itady. Not bad for someone who thought she’d never leave the borders of her own province, let alone her country.
Yes, it’s been a joy to see it all, to experience so much. But even more, it’s been a blessing to see what God wanted to teach us through it all. There have been many lessons about trust, about His provision, about His generosity and exceptional love. With every adventure we learned more about Him.
“Surely you have granted (us) unending blessings and made (us) glad with the joy of your presence.” Psalm 21:6
A friend of mine once revealed his hidden talents. He sent us a Christmas card with a picture of a painting he created some time ago. The card sat on our table for quite a while after the season was past, because I loved the image. It’s a winter scene of a tiny bird sitting on the curl of a barbed wire fence.
As I stared at it one day it made me think of how true a representation of life it is. There are so many contrasts in our lives – many things that are beautiful, soft and fragile like that tiny bird, and many things that are hard, hurtful and ugly, like that strand of barbed wire. Though the two seem to be so opposite, they both have purpose. That tiny bird is part of a huge eco-system that is finely tuned and elegantly balanced. Its song adds to the air of our existence and its beauty gives us pleasure. Tiny birds are examples of God’s goodness to us – that he would give us such things just to make us smile and turn our world toward harmony.
And that barbed wire – the cold, sharp and ugly wire – has a purpose too. Just ask any farmer who has stock to control. Without barbed wire, animals would wander, perhaps into dangerous places. Without the boundaries that wire represents there would be a lot of chaos in our world.
Several people we know have gone through some hard and ugly things lately. Some of those things are ongoing. It’s hard to see purpose in them, hard to see that there will be any good come of these things, yet we know some day there will be. Some day we may even see and understand. We know that, because we know our God. He is a God of order and balance and beauty who sees all things – the greater good, the bigger picture, the expanse of the eco-system He created – and He is in control of it all. We can know He is working all things out according to His purposes.
I was teaching a group of children about this recently. We were studying the story of Joseph in the book of Genesis – that young boy who was so loved by his father and so hated by his brothers. We talked about the hard and ugly things Joseph went through – betrayal by family, slavery, wrongful imprisonment. But finally we came to those famous words Joseph spoke to his terrified brothers –
“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives” (Genesis 50:20 NIV).
God was, is, always will be in control. He told his disciples as much, and He has told us –
“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 NIV).
As we launch into a new year – 2025! Can you believe it? – Knowing God is in control is a great comfort to all believers. If you have not yet received that gift, but want to, please contact me. vinemarc AT Telus dot Net
marcialeelaycock.com 