Thoughtful Thursdays

Musings on faith, family, & fiction

The Danger of Dehumanizing
In the coming weeks, I'm going to be talking a lot about the themes in The Collector of Burned Books. That's gonna cover the obvious (book bans and burnings), but we're going to go deeper than just that. And I wanted to start today with a question I received in a blog...
Theology in Fantasy
 How to Pick Your Fantasy World When I decided to write a fantasy, the first thing to decide was this: Do I set it in a purely fictional world, or one based on our own? Most go the "completely fictional" route. And I can appreciate that, absolutely. I can appreciate...
Purpose and Legacy
A couple weeks ago, my daughter and I were driving out to meet my parents and grandmother for lunch, and we were talking about what Xoe might want to do after college. She still dreams of writing and illustrating, yes, but she knows it could take a while for that to...
Rearranged
When I was a kid, there was little I enjoyed more than rearranging spaces. There was only so much I could do on my own, of course, but as I got bigger, I loved extending it to furniture, not just toys. I couldn't tell you how many times my mom and I shoved couches and...

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.

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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Proof

Proof

In Exodus three, God’s proof to Moses of His presence is “that you will worship God on this very mountain.”

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When We’re Seen

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.

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Onward and Upward

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.

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Life-Giving and True

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.

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Do the Work

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.

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Seasons

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.

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Mental Congestion

Mental Congestion

Ever have those nights when you can’t shut off your brain? When your thoughts are so busy, sleep eludes you?

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Judgment Call

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.

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Reproached and Redeemed

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.

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Forgiving Their Joy

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.

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