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.
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.
Lessons Learned from My Gamer Son
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.
Do the Work
While we can never discount “lightning strikes,” most success–in life, in our jobs, even in our faith–comes from doing the work.
Seasons
I love watching the seasons roll, one into another. I love the liturgical calendar, living the life of Christ. But there’s more, too.
Converting to True Conversation
We’ve forgotten how to talk to each other…we forget that it’s not about being right, but about learning from each other.
Mental Congestion
Ever have those nights when you can’t shut off your brain? When your thoughts are so busy, sleep eludes you?
Judgment Call
When we think of “judgment” we think of deciding if something is good or bad. But with God, there’s never a question.
Reproached and Redeemed
He gave us the world…we gave Him the cross. Yet by that cross, He gave us Heaven. We treat Him poorly. He loves us forever.
Forgiving Their Joy
We’re told to pray for our enemies, for those who persecute us. Sometimes, that looks like forgiving friends for their joy.
Suffering United
How can we unite our suffering to Christ’s? And how does doing so serve as a testament to our redemption through Him?
The Darkness in the Light
We are the light of the world. We know it's true because Jesus, the true Light, told us so. We know it's true because He gives us His light. Why? To shine it. To scatter the darkness. To light the Way to Him, to the Father. To guide the people stumbling around in the...
The Beloved Charter
I hope everyone has enjoyed the other Spiritual Formation exercises I've shared, courtesy of Laura Heagy and her insightful direction. The most recent exercise she's shared with the Patrons & Peers group is called "Drafting a 'Beloved Charter.'" She sent us a...
The Poor in Spirit
I've always found the Beatitudes--the Sermon on the Mount beginning in Matthew 5--to be a beautiful redefinition of what life should be about. What we should be striving for. There are so many lines in it that make me pause and reflect and ask myself, "Am I doing...