Thoughtful Thursdays

Musings on faith, family, & fiction

The Magic of Bookstores
I live in a rural area. There are towns here and there, but shopping in these towns is hit or miss. We haven't had a Christian bookstore anywhere in the area for decades. And even regular bookstores are few, far between, and often the size of a postage stamp. Because...
Let Peace Begin with Me
“Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me.” As the world greets us with new violence, new tragedy every day, this is the song that keeps popping into my mind. It sounds trite, doesn’t it? A sweet, simple melody for sweet, simple words. But those words...
What We Read
Many, many years ago, I joined an online group of other Christian writers, many of whom who were far more established than I was (they still are!), and I was amazed to learn in a conversation what kind of books all these amazing Christian novelists were reading. See,...
Musical Thoughts
What kind of music do you favor? A couple weeks ago, during one of my Tea Party Book Clubs, one of my lovely reader friends asked if I listen to a contemporary Christian music group, and I admitted that I rarely listen to modern music at all. Oh, I know a lot of the...

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.

What We Read

What We Read

What kind of books do you choose to read? For me, the answer has changed over time.

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Time to Vacate

Time to Vacate

I’ll be leaving soon for vacation…but let’s look at what “vacation” means to my family.

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Catholicism in My Fiction

Catholicism in My Fiction

Why I will NEVER apologize for characters from historically Catholic nations being Catholic…and why your reviews don’t need to either.

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43 Things

43 Things

Today I turn 43! So here are 43 things that have proven important to me in the last year.

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Rearranged

Rearranged

Rearranging our lives–externally AND internally–can be a challenge…but also a cause for joy.

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One Year

One Year

It’s been a year since I began my cancer treatments. Now I’m done…and reflecting on all I’ve learned and been through.

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How to Have a Conversation: A Primer

How to Have a Conversation: A Primer

The art of conversation is one that humanity developed at the start…and forgets regularly. So let’s take a lighthearted approach to how to talk to people without wanting to bob ’em upside the head.

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Grappling

Grappling

I have a hard time grappling with it when facts don’t bear out something I want to be true. I suspect I’m not alone. So what can we learn from it?

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Canceled

Canceled

Is the correct push-back to ‘cancel culture’ to…cancel it?

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Strength Vs. Power

Strength Vs. Power

So often when we feel helpless, we seek power…but really, what we should be seeking is strength. Let’s examine the difference.

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Not for Us

Not for Us

When God appears, it’s never for the sake of that one person–and always because He’s calling them to help others.

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Just a Few Words

Just a Few Words

All it took for Paul’s conversion were a few words from Jesus. Are our hearts as easily turned toward Him?

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Soft Start

Soft Start

My 2025 is getting off to a soft, slow start…but now that radiation is complete, I’m diving in for real!

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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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