Thoughtful Thursdays

Musings on faith, family, & fiction

Thoughtful Thursday – My Peace I Leave You
Original post published May 19, 2022 “Peace I leave with you,my peace I give to you.Not as the world givesdo I give it to you.Do not let your hearts be troubled;be not afraid. ~ John 14:27 What is peace? Jesus promises to leave us with it--not just any peace, but His...
Poets
Did you ever watch the movie Dead Poets Society? It came out when I was in high school...or at least, I watched it when I was in high school. I don't remember much about the movie, honestly, except that part of the premise was that the kids at some private school...
Writing Retreat 2024 is Here!
It's here, it's here! My 2024 writing retreat IS HERE! Writing retreats with my best friend Stephanie are always something to look forward to. But this year? This year it's especially special, because I didn't think I'd be able to do it. I thought we'd have to...
Inspiring
At one point over the summer, I found myself on a breast cancer forum on Reddit. It started as I looked for answers as to whether a side effect was common and what solutions others had found for it, but we all know how those can rabbit-trail, right? I ended up reading...

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.

Thoughtful Thursday – My Peace I Leave You

Thoughtful Thursday – My Peace I Leave You

Original post published May 19, 2022 “Peace I leave with you,my peace I give to you.Not as the world givesdo I give it to you.Do not let your hearts be troubled;be not afraid. ~ John 14:27 What is peace? Jesus promises to leave us with it--not just any peace, but His...

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Poets

Poets

When we let Jesus take full possession of our heart, He does amazing things.

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Inspiring

Inspiring

When we let Jesus take full possession of our heart, He does amazing things.

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42 Things

42 Things

Today I turn 42! So here are 42 things that have proven important to me in the last year.

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Happy Endings

Happy Endings

I love stories with happy endings…but sometimes I need the stories with rocky middles too.

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Why?

Why?

“Why?” may be one of the fundamental questions people ask…but it’s only helpful when approached in the right way.

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These Bodies

These Bodies

Sometimes we fall into the trap of thinking are bodies are less important than our souls. But Christ defies that reasoning.

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The Passover Seder

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.

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Jesus and Traditions

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?

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Why the Passover?

Why the Passover?

It’s no coincidence that Jesus died and was resurrected during the Passover. Let’s explore why it’s so important.

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A World of Black and White

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.

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The Constant Plank

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.

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Not Inspired

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.

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Because You Ask Not

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?

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A Soft Answer

A Soft Answer

I always thought I knew what the proverb “A soft answer turns away wrath” meant…but there’s more depth there.

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Advent – The Savior Will Come

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.

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Sometimes We Forget

Sometimes We Forget

Sometimes we forget things about the people closest to us. Sometimes we forget who we are in the eyes of God.

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A Gratitude Challenge

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...

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YOUR Creativity!

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!

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Choosing a Word of the Year

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...

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Professional

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.

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Drought

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.

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41 Things

41 Things

Today I turn 41! So here are 41 things that have proven important to me in the last year.

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