In mid-October I hosted a luncheon
to connect with leaders in the LA area. 
We had a great time.
It was affirming to see their attentive receptiveness
to the message the Lord has given me
about the transforming power of stories.
(Of course, I was delighted, too,
that each of those who had never read my novels
purchased both my books. 
Nothing convinces people of their value like reading them!)

About two weeks after the event,
I contacted one attendee, a chaplain from a large medical group.
He hadn’t had a chance to start reading either of the books,
but he was excited to tell me what happened
in several instances where the Lord prompted him to tell stories,
reminding him of what I had said about their exceptional power.


“Since the luncheon,” he said,
I encountered three separate men in emergency
who were extremely angry, highly violent. 
One even threw urine at the nurse. 
All three had to be restrained and the police called.
When I entered the room, I asked,
‘Can I tell you a story?’
In all three situations, the men were willing to listen.

“I told them a story I usually pass out in printed form,
a story I found on the internet in 2005.
‘A Native American grandfather once told his two grandchildren a story.
“There are two wolves fighting inside you,” he said.
“One is kind and cares about others.  The other is hateful and violent.”
One of the children asked, “Which one wins, Grandfather?”
“The one you feed,” he answered.’

“After hearing the story,
all three men became calm
and were able to have their restraints removed,”
the chaplain told me.

Wow!    
What would happen if all of us used stories more often,
more effectively?

I would appreciate your prayers
as I endeavor to share what the Lord has been teaching me
about this underused key in changing lives. 
If you know of a group who would be interested
in having me come to speak about this,
contact me at the tab at the top of this page.

In the mean time, follow Jesus’ example and tell stories!

"Jesus . . . never said anything to them without using a story.”
Matthew 13:34   (Ussery Paraphrase)

If you never read my first blog posted on 8-14-2010,
NOVELS: TRASH OR TREASURE,
you might want to check it out.

I hope you enjoy my blogs!
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