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Welcome to the Thought Sampler! These posts are where I share a few edifying, fun, inspiring, or otherwise thought-provoking morsels from my own writing or life and from around the web.

UPDATE: I recently had an article republished in Eternal Perspective Ministries Magazine, a free publication from Christian author Randy Alcorn. It was a privilege to be a part of this magazine and to share some thoughts on keeping the faith in my article: “Processing the Past with Grace.” You can read it in the online version of the Spring/Summer 2025 Issue. Be sure to read the whole magazine–it’s good stuff. You can also subscribe to the EPM Magazine and get future print issues delivered to your door for free.

PRACTICAL THEOLOGY: Here’s a thought-provoking article from my friend, Tabitha Alloway over at The Writer in the Willows: You Can’t Love If You Don’t Hate.

RECIPE: Two friends brought Gluten Free Oreos to events in the past week, sending me home with the leftovers. I have such thoughtful friends. 🙂 But I definitely don’t need to eat all of the Oreos myself! So I just put a batch of this deliciousness in the oven to take to Youth and Families (adapted for a tart pan so that these soon-to-be Oreo Cheesecake bars will kind of resemble an Oreo cheesecake pie). [Edited to Add: This was a big hit! Yum!]

QUOTE on CHURHC LIFE: From a book I recently finished, Gospel-Shaped Womanhood by Sarah Rice.

“Look for the person sitting alone next Sunday morning, and go say hello. Send the text. Take the meal. Open your home and table often. Serve in the nursery. Start the ministry where you see a void. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Commit to your local fellowship, and don’t church hop at the first sign of trouble. Family life in the local church will never be easy or totally fulfilling this side of eternity. But the imperfections don’t change the beautiful reality God has established or make it any less glorious. You were once far off, but Christ has brought you near to God and his people! Joy will come as you participate in that reality.”

REVIEW: I recently wrote a review of Hinds Feet on High Places over at GoodReads. This Christian classic is an encouraging read, but there are some things about it that discerning Christians ought to consider…

How about you? Found anything worth chewing on lately that you’d like to share?