Simon - By Tyler G. Mower
In this historical-fiction, Simon of Cyrene is placed as a husband, father, and leader of a bourgeoning business. What will become of Simon, his family, and entrepreneurial legacy when everything comes crashing down as he is pulled from the crowd in Jerusalem and compelled carry a cross for a stranger? Will he be able to piece together his shattered life? How will he react to his personal walk with the Savior of the world?
The story of Simon ignited in my mind as I watched a film depicting the crucifixion of Christ. Simon of Cyrene was a man simply passing by when he was pulled from the throng and compelled to carry Jesus’s cross. Talk about being in the wrong place at the wrong time!
Or … what if he was in the right place at the right time?
As one learns about the mortal life of Christ it becomes apparent that His interactions with others are not by chance. His work serves a greater purpose: to build faith, admonish repentance, strengthen, heal, encourage, express love, and greatest of all to be our Savior.
“Simon” is about the social, political, and spiritual journey Simon of Cyrene experienced leading up to, during, and after his short walk with Christ on the road to Golgotha.
It is my hope that as you read “Simon”, you will feel a closeness with our Savior and consider what His sacrifice means to you.
For myself, writing this story caused me to examine what Christ may have been going through from the time he exited Pilate’s court to the moment he declared “It is finished” and how those few hours may have altered the life of Simon of Cyrene, and most definitely how those few hours have impacted my own life.
Fun fact, the design on the cover is one of my own pieces of art. Check it out over on my Artwork page! This design was done 100% by hand, in ink, without any preplanning or sketching. It was one of those moments where the design seems to find you rather than you discovering the design.
The Backbone of Success by Tyler G. Mower
This is my historical thesis on the crew of Captain James Cook’s third voyage of discovery from 1776-1780.
Somewhere between spending hours on beaches during family vacations looking off toward the blue horizon where ocean and sky meet, smelling the salty spray of the incoming tide, hearing the rustling of palm leaves in the breeze, and progressing through my undergraduate history degree I became intensely fixated on the golden age of discovery. I read books like "A Pirate of Exquisite Mind”, “Under the Black Flag”, and the journals of explorer Captain James Cook. I had to know more about the age in history dominated by sails set for distant shores.
What an exciting time, no emails, no cell phones, no fax machines, no Google to quickly tell us the answer to any question. The only way to see what was over the next hill or ocean swell was to physically go there and take a look. Challenges and dangers abounded. The unknown was not for the faint of heart. Lore of sea monsters, inhabitants that danced with fire, exotic locations, magnificent lands flowing with milk and honey excited and frightened the masses.
It was an age of expansion. An age of curiosity. An age of secret missions. An age of science, botany, biology, astronomy, anthropology. An age of kings & queens. The world was changing, transitioning from old to new technology. Unmapped corners of the globe were filled in. That which seemed unreachable, was at the fingertips of those who ventured across the vast expanse of waters.
The world was ruled by royalty, nobility, and the upper class. However, their success was dependent upon the labour of working men and women. These skilled craftsmen should be commemorated for their dedication, expertise, fortitude, and abilities. Though ofttimes rough around the edges and lacking “gentlemen” qualities, the school of hard knocks gave them the expertise to do what the elite could not or would not do. Such is the case with the sailors of Captain Cook’s crew. They are the backbone of the voyages success, the structure upon which all else was connected.
The Presidential Inaugural Addresses - Compiled by Tyler G. Mower
This is a compilation of the Presidential Inaugural Addresses from George Washington to Joe Biden. I was inspired to put this together as a way to know more about what our Presidents have said after hearing a couple discourses by David McCullough.
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all [mankind] are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
That bold statement, officially declaring independence from the crown of England nearly 250 years ago, is still the foundation of the American Dream. Of the many dreams of U.S. citizens there is one that many think about, few pursue, and less still who achieve. This is the office of President of the United States.
To date, 45 men have held the highest office of the land. They have come from all walks of life. They come with their own beliefs, hopes, and ambitions for the country. Some left legacies that will never die. Some will be honored for eternity.
Despite the diversity of their politics and agendas, the Presidents of the United States have held one thing in common. At the beginning of their presidency, in their inaugural addresses, they speak of the greatness of America, our bright future, and the potential we can achieve. In essence they express the continued spirit of the Declaration of Independence.
Let us learn from their inaugural addresses and seek to keep the American Dream alive in ourselves, across our communities, and throughout our country.
“The journey of creating a literary work is a complete delight, as well as a constant nightmare.”
- Tyler G. Mower
Image taken at Land’s End Cabo San Lucas - Mexico