Sawdust and Soul

Book cover for Sawdust and Soul

Sawdust and Soul: A Conversation about Woodworking and Spirituality arose from many conversations and joint woodworking projects I have had over the years with John de Gruchy — friend, theologian, and woodworker who lives in South Africa’s Western Cape but who has also spent extensive time in the US.

We’ve talked a lot about our wood projects and how this traditional practice of turning trees into useful and artistic pieces shapes as well as expresses our deepest values and approaches to life as well as its transcendent source. These are conversations about woodworking and spirituality.

We’ve included a bunch of pictures of our work as well as some line drawings and poetry by John’s wife Isobel. And yes, our children get in some words along with the woodworkers who have been part of our community of inspiration and support.

Our topics range from the shaping of a sense of balance in our lives to dealing with loss, memory, and our wonder as creatures in the midst of an amazing abundance of life and artful design. Whether you’re a tree-hugger, an all-thumbs reader, or an honest-to-goodness woodworker, we invite you into the conversation. View video clip on YouTube.

Download an EXCERPT from the book, by permission of Wipf and Stock Publishers.