Speaking to Inspire

“These quotations and thoughts deserve time to ponder.”
– Lyn Draper, Peterborough

“Lines to Live By is really an excellent book.”
– Vanda Vujtovic, Hamilton

The question was, “What do I do with all the valuable quotations I had collected – make more table mats or a new book? No one needs seventy place mats, and in a book you have everything in one convenient place. Thus I decided on a book – but added a picture (usually coloured) to every page. Perhaps the best of both worlds. When I need a quick pick-me-up, Lines to Live By is one of the first books I reach for.”
– Murray C. Watson

The desserts in this cookbook contain veggies, but you’d never know it! They’re all diabetic-friendly, healthy—and tasty too! Few are dairy. The author, who spent early weeks of life in SickKids Hospital with digestive issues, lists dairy options in the recipes, but uses homemade soy or almond milk himself. Homemade to avoid emulsifiers and stabilizers including guar gum… which can affect the bladder and at night can get you up, and slow the plumbing down.

The book also has vegetarian main dishes, many of them vegan. In Feb. 2017 he was diagnosed with plaque in his arteries. After dropping refined sugar and most saturated fat, ‘going veg,’ and hiding veggies in desserts—he went from 175 down to 145 pounds. And two years later, he’s holding steady. He says, “Yes, chocolate pie does taste good for breakfast! Now I eat what I like and I don’t gain weight. And, no, two years ago I wouldn’t knowingly have eaten zucchini — with a gun to my head!” But he learned that some plants, including cauliflower, celery, chickpeas, eggplant, zucchini, when part of a mixture, absorb flavours without giving their own flavour to the dish. He’s often asked how he gets enough protein. The answer includes legumes, lentils, nutritional yeast, tofu and TVP (textured vegetable protein), the products of the soybean plant which has all 8 amino acids…

Like to try his Chocolate makes-the-world-go-around Mousse, Lemon Tiramisu, Hi-Protein Zucchini ‘Lasigni,’ Magic Self-Crusting Chocolate Chip Pie…? Did I say chocolate? Murray would be glad to send you a copy of this mystery book. 

“This is not your regular collection of Christmas stories. We often choose a heartwarming Christmas book because of its perceived ability to make us feel upbeat and Christmas-y. However, these classics delve into the mystery hidden beneath the celebration — the struggle between disinterest and love, between self-absorption and sacrifice.

Christmas Stories to Warm the Heart will also feed your soul, and help you experience and share the mystery and magic of Christmas.”
– DEBRA DUPREY, author of February Farm and One of Many Perfect Christmas Stories

Murray says, “This little book contains some of my favourite Christmas stories. I say ‘some’ because including them all would have made a big book. Some of us have heard of ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas.’ For me, this book contains The Twelve Stories of Christmas.”

This book highlights the thoughts of three unique Scots from the 19th century — all memorable ministers and prolific writers, all with the Christian name George and surname beginning with M, and all having eyes to see treasure buried in a field. All would say that physical wellness stems from joy and peace of mind. But how does one obtain peace and joy? I think this book, quoting the fantasies, sermons, and novels of our three friends, holds the answer to that important question.

Over the last ten years, these fifteen speeches have been the substance of Murray’s nearly five hundred presentations. They’ve been heard by diverse audiences large and small, from Gananoque to Niagara Falls, from Toronto to North Bay. Among them all, the reader is likely to find what the title says, and maybe what we all need on the road of life — smiles, wisdom and hope.

“Your speeches are so inspirational, and you leave your audiences in good spirits and joy.”
– DEBBIE ANUNZIATA, Fort Erie

“When it comes to credibility, you’ve got it in spades.”
– TERRY CHURCH, St. Catharines

This book is the private journal, or treasure collection, of Pastor Marnie Wilson from the fictional town of Givlok, Ontario. Among its contents are timeless thoughts, sermon snippets, and a raft of recipes (that combine health and mouth-watering taste).

The author says, “This book is designed to hold good news. People who actually record their blessings in a numbered list are often surprised they have an abundance. By writing, reading and, if possible, sharing aloud your journal entries, you will be nurturing the attitude of gratitude, a key to happiness.”

Ten timeless tales from Rabindranath Tagore in India, Oscar Wilde in Ireland, an unknown author in Persia, Leo Tolstoy and Arthur Ransome in Russia, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Raymond Alden and Mark Twain in the United States, and Murray Watson in Canada. The book’s author says, “About them all — fiction though they are — there seems to be something true, gripping, and lasting.”

How to avoid or handle complications ‘in the noisy confusion of life’ by obeying the gentle unerring Voice inside. It quotes ‘mystics’ in Anglican, Quaker (The Religious Society of Friends), and Roman Catholic traditions.

“Your short story is beautifully written…. Such simple words, yet a powerful story and delivery. There were tears in my eyes.”
– audience member at Keynote Speakers Club, General Hospital, Toronto

“It is the kind of story that makes you want to be a better person.”
– MELANIE DUNFORD-ELLIOTT (ME Originals), Trent River

“An incredibly inspiring speech!!! You have a way of mesmerizing the audience with your voice…. Brilliant word usage.”
– GOVERNOR MICHAEL WILSON, Toastmasters International Speech and Evaluation Contest (Area 75, March 2014), Toronto

Contact Murray if you would like him to present this touching, uplifting story to your group free-of-charge.

The author says, “My plan was to write a little devotional book of meditations paralleling Jesus’ 40 days in the wilderness. Although there are now more, each begins with a verse from the Bible and ends with a short prayer. What lies between has something to do with renovating — improving — our day-to-day lives. They include memories of my children, a few lessons life has taught me, and some confessions of my own (there wouldn’t be room for anyone else’s!).”

Murray says, “Do you, or does someone you know, ever feel a need for comfort as you enter or leave hospital? Do you ever feel lost or alone? Discouraged?” This book is intended to convey comfort, guidance, and courage from the Bible as we face life’s difficulties.

Words from the Bible When You Hurt: A Trilogy, was once three smaller books. I wrote them in 1997 on different occasions. I wrote Words from the Bible As You Enter or Leave Hospital when I was unable to find the card I wanted when my wife was entering hospital. The other two followed.

This year (2013), I decided to publish them together. Now readers have all three at their finger-tips. For often the same individual who is feeling fear on entering or leaving hospital, may also be feeling lost or alone, or discouraged.”

“I read it in one sitting — loved the quotes. I would like to pass it along to my Aunt Floss. She is 96 and a member of a really active church in Brantford. I am going to suggest they have you come and speak.”
– JUDY SUKE (Triangle Seminars), Motivational Humorist, Manuscript Developer and Author, College Professor

Murray says, “It turns out that this is my second book of quotations. You may well ask ‘Why?’ After I published my first book — Smiles, Wisdom, and Encouragement: Quotations with Personal Commentary to Lift Your Life — I soon had come across many more pieces I wished I had included. The number kept growing until I knew I would have to do something about it. This calendar-book is that something. Like George MacDonald’s Diary of an Old Soul, it contains 365 pieces — one for each day of the year. Unlike MacDonald’s (which is his own poetry), the good stuff in mine is written by others.”

“Murray, I want to compliment you…. I’ve been battling a medical problem, and have to go into hospital tomorrow, and I haven’t been able to put your book down.”
– LES GROVES (Mr. Hardware), Speaker, Peterborough

Murray says, “This book is about my own experience, about an ancient remedy with no side-effects, a way up for the weighed down, opening your hand to others to open the door out for yourself.”

“I’d like a copy of this book…. Anything to help the Universe.”
– ALVIN PETTLE, M.D. FRCS (C) Author of Rx / My Prescription for Life

Murray says, “This is a collection of inspiration, smiles and spiritual wisdom from ancient to modern times, complemented by unique personal commentary from a present-day ‘philosopher’ who is also an inspirational speaker.”