Stuart Wood was born in
Derby, UK, at the end of 1958, and is married with two children.
Although he holds a doctorate in science, he is also passionate
about the creative arts and music, and is a gifted drummer
and percussionist. In 1998 he released his acclaimed
debut CD, Soundscapes, on which percussion and
drums paint "sound pictures" of biblical passages
and stories. In his 'spare' time, Stuart runs a number
of websites, including one which helps others to set up their
own internet businesses (check out Tools4Webs.com) and another
dedicated to helping drummers and percussionists (find
out more at waywood.com).
During his work in science,
medicine, music and the church, and also through his many
personal friendships, Stuart has gained a great breadth of
experience and understanding of relationships and friendships.
He has also made some big mistakes and suffered serious illness,
during which relationships and friendships were often tested
to the limit. However, through these experiences he
began to understand more deeply about relationships and their
immense influence on our lives. He also began to understand
how our relationships with others are influenced, for better
and for worse, by our own sense of worth and security.
Friendship is a Verb
(in a hurting world) was born out the experiences of Stuart
and close friends. His natural ability to communicate
difficult and often painful issues, sensitively yet directly;
simply yet honestly, oozes from every page. Whether
Stuart writes commentary or poetry, the same transparency
and challenge is there. He does not believe in
trying to give simple answers where there are none.
However, he does believe that it is important to speak up
for those who have no voice, and that it is important to challenge
those in a position of power or influence to carefully measure
their words and actions.
Stuart never deviates from
challenging us all to consider our friendships and relationships
as the basis, building blocks and cement in our daily lives,
so that everything we do is based on the best foundations.
He has learnt that 'relationship' and 'friendship' are not
objects (nouns); they must be verbs (actions) for us to really
meet needs in our hurting world. Look out for Stuart's
new website friendshipisaverb.co.uk.
