Category: Uncategorized
What Inspires a Writer
I often get asked the question by readers, “What inspired you to write this novel?” And my answer is usually the same each time. “Life.” So, so many things in life have inspired my novels. My first novels, a trilogy, were inspired by the Huguenot cross, the first Protestant cross made in France in the late 1600s. Having recently arrived in France, I … Read More What Inspires a Writer
Letters to the Lord: What I Want for 2021-A Prayer
Dear Lord, In 2021, I want to worship more and worry less. Worry less about the world, about my family and my writing and our workers and whatever else comes to mind (there is so much to worry about right now, Lord!), and instead, trust, trust, trust You with these things and these people. And then I want to ENJOY the life You have … Read More Letters to the Lord: What I Want for 2021-A Prayer
Letters to the Lord: Press On
“Brothers and sisters, I do not regard myself as having taken hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3: 13-14 Everyone has waited with bated breath for 2021 to arrive. But now … Read More Letters to the Lord: Press On
Letters to the Lord: The Messiah’s Invitation
For the past several years I have been greatly blessed by The Advent Project, part of Biola University’s Center for Christianity and the Arts. The following is a devotional from December 15, 2020 which greatly encouraged me, and I pray it will be sweet for your soul, too. I have scattered photos above and throughout the post of my beloved French santons, carrying their … Read More Letters to the Lord: The Messiah’s Invitation
Letters to the Lord: How Will Christmas Come?
The tree is decorated, looking perfectly gorgeous with our imperfect and oh-so-special ornaments. The needlepoint stockings, those blessedly brought back by the angel of lost things, adorn the hearth, and this year I have added a green garland, little white lights, candles, and shiny balls there too. This feels festive and sweet and happy. Mamaw’s straw angels sit beside the fireplace on one side, … Read More Letters to the Lord: How Will Christmas Come?
Letters to the Lord: Joy of Every Longing Heart
Today I’m delighted to have Margaret Kirby as my guest on Letters to the Lord. I met Margaret over email this summer as she and her best friend were reading my novel, The Swan House. Margaret is a gifted young writer whose post today gives us much to ponder as we begin the glorious Advent season. Welcome, Margaret! Yeats told me once that things … Read More Letters to the Lord: Joy of Every Longing Heart
Letters to the Lord: The Turkey Trot
I’m interrupting my last post about my Digital Camino experience to repost this Thanksgiving reflection from a few years back. I think we could all use a good laugh this year, and a chance to remember that a perfect Thanksgiving can be seen in many different ways. I’m praying for us all to find deep thankfulness this Thanksgiving for the fact that we are … Read More Letters to the Lord: The Turkey Trot
Letters to the Lord: Camino Walk #4~Perseverance
My Fourth Camino walk centered on the theme of perseverance. Oh, don’t we all need perseverance in this seemingly never-ending season of Covid-19 and other 2020 Craziness? Again the questions are in bold, with my answers below. Where do you need perseverance in your life right now? Where do you dig up the perseverance necessary to push past your limitations? In my darker moments, … Read More Letters to the Lord: Camino Walk #4~Perseverance
Letters to the Lord: Camino Walk #3~Hospitality and Generosity
This third Camino Walk, Lord, centers on the themes of Hospitality & Gratitude. I first listened to the Camino podcast for Week 3 while walking near my home in France in late July of this year. Here were my thoughts: One of the Bible passages that was from John 12:1-8 where Mary shows extravagant hospitality, gratitude, and generosity. “1 Six days before the Passover, … Read More Letters to the Lord: Camino Walk #3~Hospitality and Generosity
Letters to the Lord: Camino Walk #2~Presence
It’s launch day for The Promised Land and what a day to launch a novel about loss of control! Don’t we all feel like life is out of control? How I’ve needed to take deep breaths and concentrate on today’s Camino Walk theme: Presence. Again the reflection questions, Bible verses, and poetry are in bold with my responses after. The place where God meets … Read More Letters to the Lord: Camino Walk #2~Presence
Letters to the Lord: Camino Walk #1~Simplicity
For the past two weeks I’ve been doing a Digital Camino with InterVarsity. Lord, You know how I’d loved the experience in the summer, so when it was offered again in October, I signed up. With an added bonus. I invited readers to join me on the journey. And half a dozen readers did sign up. So for twelve days each of us immersed … Read More Letters to the Lord: Camino Walk #1~Simplicity
Letters to the Lord: Jesus, the Refugee
It’s always a big deal for an author to get a nice review from Publisher’s Weekly. So when this one for The Promised Land popped into my inbox a few weeks ago, I was delighted. “Characters from Musser’s The Long Highway Home return in this touching story of four pilgrims walking the French Camino… (see image below for more of the review). Of course, … Read More Letters to the Lord: Jesus, the Refugee
Elizabeth Musser 