Author/Speaker Derek Maul writes regular columns for a number of news outlets, journals, and magazines. His commentary and features have appeared in Newsweek, USA Today, The Christian Science Monitor, Presbyterians Today, Guideposts, Chicken Soup for the Soul and many other print and online publications.
Derek’s most recent book is also his first novel. Suddenly the Light Was Gone: a novel of WW2 is now available at Amazon.com.
Pilgrim in Progress: notes from the journey, was released in late 2015. Other titles include: “10 Life-Charged Words: real faith for men” (2012), “Reaching Toward Easter: devotions for Lent“, “GET REAL: a spiritual journey for men” (2007); In My Heart I Carry A Star: stories for Advent” (new edition); and “The Unmaking of a Part Time Christian” (2009). Click here for his author page at Upper Room Books – or his Author Page at Amazon.
Derek is married to Rebekah, a Presbyterian pastor. They have two children, Andrew (who teaches internationally with his wife, Alicia, and their son) and Naomi (who lives in Florida with her husband Craig Campbell and their three children). The Mauls share their empty nest with a huge galumphing Golden Retriever named Max.
Before becoming a full-time writer, Derek taught public school in Florida for eighteen years, including cutting-edge work with autistic children. He holds bachelor’s degrees in psychology and education from Stetson University and the University of West Florida.
Derek is active in teaching at his church: adult Sunday school, small-group ministry, and men’s Bible study. He enjoys the outdoors, traveling, photography, reading, cooking, playing guitar, and golf.
Derek,
Thank you for the writing about your trip and visit with Geoff. We so appreciate your thoughts and Geofffs ‘ sharing of his situationI It comes at time that is similar situation within our family. We too are struggling for how best to come to terms with it all. It is soul searching and bleak. Am trying to find the words to comfort my cousin. Thank you for yours.
Clara
witt
I take it you’re on the west coast of Fla. Here on the east, I’m hoping to interview what WW2 vets I can find. Good blog.
Yes, here in the Tampa area. Thanks for our comment. Don’t wait too long to gather the stories.
– DEREK
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Dear Mr Maul,
Many years ago I had copied a passage by a Derek Maul, probably from the a publication of the Worldwide Church of God. I give that passage below. If you are the author, then I would like to seek your permission to reproduce it in my forthcoming book on parenting. Please let me know your permission requirements. I am a minister of Christ, and my website (still under development) is pappajoseph.com.
Will appreciate a response to my email id: josephcherian@hotmail.com
In Christ’s service,
Joseph Cherian
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“One day, when I was teaching in a classroom, eleven year old Steven asked me this disturbing question: “Do you want to know how to make a dog mean?”
I didn’t, but I listened anyway. “Well,” he said, “you treat him real nice for a few days, then go out into the yard and beat him for no reason. Then, you have be nice to him again for a while. When he starts to trust you again you have to hurt him real bad. It’s important that he has no idea about what you are going to do. It won’t be long before he’s a mean dog, and he will keep people out of your yard.”
I wondered, of course, if it were really only the dog that he was talking about.
Fact is, inconsistency can be extremely unsettling, whether you are a canine or a human being. And it doesn’t have to be as extreme as the horrible story that Steven told me. The real question is: “Are our families secure and confident in the knowledge of our faithfulness and love?”
If our children have that kind of assurance regarding our commitment to family, it will be a foundation of security that will pay dividends in many ways. Are they secure in our presence, our discipline, our faithfulness, our love? Do they know beyond a shadow of a doubt that we take our responsibility with passion and resolve?
[Derek Maul] ”
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Thanks for the follow Derek. I hope you enjoy your visits.
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Hi, Derek. I just bumped into your site today and I enjoyed every entry I read. I’m definitely gonna read more. Your joy and life-charged heart is contagious. Praise God for your life. Keep blessing others. 🙂
Blessings Derek, and keep on blessings us all.
Derek, I just stumbled across your blogs today and loved them. Thank you for encouraging and inspiring us. Any suggestions or tips you have for my blog would be amazing
Thanks so much!
I will try to take a look sometime this week. Can’t promise, as I’m a few days behind on many projects. But I’ll let you know.
Peace – DEREK
Hi Derek,
I just wanted to ask you a question regarding “excerpts” to be used for sharing on facebook. How do you ensure that the excerpt you choose is used to post to facebook as a “preview”?
In other words, when I post in Word Press, an excerpt is posted in my “friends” at facebook. How can I control which words appear in that excerpt?
Paul (weaga)
Hi, Paul –
I’ve never been able to figure that one out! Facebook also selects the image to feature, and it’s not always the one I would have chosen.
So – when posting on Facebook – I always include my own choice of “excerpt” to post above the link. It’s not a perfect solution, but – as a non-techie – it’s the best I can do!
Peace – DEREK
I think I found the answer to my question. I continue to post my blog the “old” way. (There is a “new” way to post that I haven’t tried yet.)
In the “draft post” page, after having finished writing my post, I push the “sharing” button on the left side margin, a box appears in which to write a summary. (Not sure it’s called “summary.” I believe it’s the “preview” that will appear in my friend’s facebook pages.)
I have used this method for tomorrow’s post. Let’s see if it works!
Peace to you, too!
Paul
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Hi Derek,
I am an editor of a church newsletter and would like to quote from two of your blogs. How may I get permission to do this?
I love your blogs – they are frequently ‘right on target’ for me personally and also for my church audience. St Andrew Presbyterian Church, Sun City Center FL,
Thanks, Dotty!
I love St. Andrews in Sun City – Rebekah preached there a couple of times… and my column used to run in the local edition of the Tribune). You have my permission to quote me… just use my name and either a link to Derekmaul.com or derekmaul.blog
Peace and blessings to you and the church – Derek
Yes, we heard Rebekah preach in the round church in Brandon (Presbyterian Church) and we read your column in The Observer (?). Thank you for your permission. I will add the links.
That seems very good, sharing your faith. We do need to share at every opportunity as Christ means life & love
Derek,
Just met you on zoom in Owego, NY. Thank you for the challenge based on your relationship with Jesus, thank you for your prayers with and for us, and thank you for the beautiful recent photographs on the blog. I have started the day with a God-sighting and an encouraging Spirit-word in my ear.
Stuart
Great to meet you too, Stuart. Thanks for your encouragement, and for being a faithful participant in men’s ministry in Owego. Peace and blessings
Hi Derek, I am on staff at Outer Banks Presbyterian Church and we are in the process of building a new church website. We are hoping for permission to use some of your photos of our church. Would you please contact me at holliewrittenberry@gmail.com. Thanks so much!
Hello. May I have permission to use your Discipleship comparison of a disciple vs a volunteer? I work with ministry at a Catholic parish and would like to use it in explaining the lay persons role in worship.
Absolutely! Thanks for asking. Many blessings on your work in ministry – Derek