Thoughtful Thursdays
Musings on faith, family, & fiction
Though a novelist by trade, one of the trademarks of my books is the spiritual depth and exploration I includes as my characters work through what it really means to walk out their faith. Faith, in fact, is one of the things I like to ponder most. In these once-a-week articles, I gets thoughtful at the crossroads of faith, family, and fiction.
Happy Endings
I love stories with happy endings…but sometimes I need the stories with rocky middles too.
Why?
“Why?” may be one of the fundamental questions people ask…but it’s only helpful when approached in the right way.
Peace: Keeping or Making?
We’re called to be “peacemakers”…but what does that really mean?
Reaching Perfection
There’s more to falling short of–or attaining–perfection than we might think.
Halfway through Chemo!
An update on Roseanna, halfway through her scheduled chemo treatments
Faith Is a Verb
Did you know that the Greek word for “faith” isn’t just a noun…it’s a VERB?
Poor Marmalade
A post of inside jokes
Take Up Your Sword
Why did Jesus tell the disciples in Luke to take up their swords?
Pink Isn’t My Color
How do we decide what becomes part of our identities?
Update on Roseanna
My reflections, 10 days post chemo-round-1
These Bodies
Sometimes we fall into the trap of thinking are bodies are less important than our souls. But Christ defies that reasoning.
The Passover Seder
We read about the Last Supper, but until we understand what the Jewish Passover Seder was like in the time of Christ, we can’t really grasp what He was doing when He instituted communion.
Jesus and Traditions
We know that Jesus shook up and challenged a lot of “added” traditions. But did you know He fulfilled a lot of those “man-made” expectations too?
Why the Passover?
It’s no coincidence that Jesus died and was resurrected during the Passover. Let’s explore why it’s so important.
Our Daily Bread
When Jesus told us to ask for our “daily bread,” what was He really talking about?
A World of Black and White
I hear so many people talk about how right and wrong ought to be black and white, not with shades of gray. But we seem to be forgetting something important…that God made the world in COLOR.
The Constant Plank
What does it really mean to have an open mind? It might look a lot like taking the plank out of your eye.
The Lamb in the House
The first step of preparing for Passover was to bring a lamb into your house. How are you inviting Christ in today?
The Praise and Faith of Despair
Sometimes all we can do is cry out, “Are you there, God?” But even that action is praise.
Why Do I Love You?
Why do I love you? There’s no counting of the reasons. There’s simply the fact that I do.
Not Inspired
Let me tell you a secret. I’m not always INSPIRED when I sit down to create. But I do it anyway…and the inspiration follows.
Reach Farther
We all have limits…but in order to grow, we need to stretch them.
Complicated, Imperfect Grief
We all have limits…but in order to grow, we need to stretch them.
Because You Ask Not
Jesus tells you, “You have not because you ask not.” But it FEELS like we’re asking…so what are we doing wrong?
A Soft Answer
I always thought I knew what the proverb “A soft answer turns away wrath” meant…but there’s more depth there.
2024 Word of the Year – (Re)Discover
As 2023 draws to a close, it’s time for me to reflect on the Word of the Year I’d chosen and how it played out in my life: LINGER.
2023 Word of the Year Reflection – Linger
As 2023 draws to a close, it’s time for me to reflect on the Word of the Year I’d chosen and how it played out in my life: LINGER.
Sing We Now of Christmas
Did you know WHY we sing so many catchy songs at Christmas? The answer goes back centuries!
Advent – The Savior Will Come
Though Christ has already been born in that stable, in this season, we dwell on yearning for Him, longing for Him like the world did leading up to that miracle.
Questions Unite, Answers Divide
As we head into a season of visits and activities, let’s remember this vital truth.
Sometimes We Forget
Sometimes we forget things about the people closest to us. Sometimes we forget who we are in the eyes of God.
A Gratitude Challenge
Last year I presented this challenge to you. It's a new year, a new November, and I wanted to challenge you again with this. Original post published 11/3/22. It's November. Every November, as I scroll through social media or blogs, I see people posting about what...
YOUR Creativity!
A while back, I asked you all what your hobbies are. As I think about creativity in our lives, I thought it would be fun to share!
Creativity and Friends – The P&P Retreat
When I was 8 or 9, we went through a bad drought. I still think of those days…and what it taught me about prayer.
Choosing a Word of the Year
Although we still have 3 months left in 2023. I wanted to re-share this post on HOW to choose a word of the year now. This will hopefully spark ideas and help guide you to choosing a word for 2024. I also wanted to remind you to check in with your word this year. How...
Professional
When I was 8 or 9, we went through a bad drought. I still think of those days…and what it taught me about prayer.
Drought
When I was 8 or 9, we went through a bad drought. I still think of those days…and what it taught me about prayer.
Thoughts on AI
Sometimes when there are big changes, it’s the little things that bring them home.
Forks…and Sharing Dreams
Sometimes when there are big changes, it’s the little things that bring them home.
41 Things
Today I turn 41! So here are 41 things that have proven important to me in the last year.
The Weeds Within Us
God created us to work, and to reap the fruits of our labor. Are we valuing each other’s work enough?
The Value of Our Work
God created us to work, and to reap the fruits of our labor. Are we valuing each other’s work enough?
Proof
In Exodus three, God’s proof to Moses of His presence is “that you will worship God on this very mountain.”
Themes for Seasons
Have you ever noticed how we keep running into the same themes wherever we look sometimes?
The Water Before Us
How often is our salvation right before our eyes, but we’re too blinded by fear to see it?
Throwback Thursday – Being Good
There’s a power in being seen by someone, in being understood. It doesn’t fix the problem…but it still heals our hearts.
Throwback Thursday – Capability
There’s a power in being seen by someone, in being understood. It doesn’t fix the problem…but it still heals our hearts.
When We’re Seen
There’s a power in being seen by someone, in being understood. It doesn’t fix the problem…but it still heals our hearts.
Onward and Upward
It’s easy for us to judge and dismiss younger generations’ hobbies…but when we look, there’s a lot to learn from them too.
Life-Giving and True
It’s easy for us to judge and dismiss younger generations’ hobbies…but when we look, there’s a lot to learn from them too.