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.