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Angela Thomas
Angela Thomas is the mother of four children, speaker, teacher, and best-selling author of PRAYERS FOR THE MOTHER TO BE, PRAYERS FOR MOTHERS OF NEWBORNS, TENDER MERCY FOR A MOTHERS SOUL, DO YOU THINK IM BEAUTIFUL?, and A BEAUTIFUL OFFERING. Angela has a passion for encouraging women, who are drawn to her because of her honesty, humor, conversational style, and storytelling ability. Angela received her masters degree from Dallas Theological Seminary. For more information, visit .
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Angela Thomas Answers The Faithful Fifteen
September 2005
 Angela Thomas is the author of such books as PRAYERS FOR MOTHERS OF NEWBORNS, DO YOU THINK I'M BEAUTIFUL? and her newest, WHEN WALLFLOWERS DANCE. In this interview she shares her desire to nurture the spiritual lives of women through her writing and discusses her latest book's message of overcoming emotional numbness through the power of faith. Read on to learn more about this author, speaker, teacher and mother of four's devoted prayer and Scripture-reading habits, and the unique ways in which readers respond to her writings.
FaithfulReader.com: What kind of testimony to your faith are you demonstrating in this book? If you are writing fiction, do you write fiction that is based upon your faith, or that has a message for the reader? Is you goal to demonstrate your faith in your writing?
Angela Thomas: In my book, WHEN WALLFLOWERS DANCE, I believe the testimony is the power and freedom of spiritual maturity. Life for many of us becomes a mental, emotional and physical challenge for survival. In the surviving, the spirit can become numb and without passion, just to get through the next encounter or get to the next day.
But when a woman begins to grow up in her faith, Making her spiritual and emotional health a priority, there is a God-given power and confidence that is transferred in His presence.
I can only write from this place because I lived at least 15 years as the un-woman, just breathing and trying to stay numb to get by. The journey toward maturity and strength has been a conscious, I-have-to-choose-this-every-day kind of battle and this book is the record of my growing so that other women might find their way.
FR: When did you come to a saving knowledge of Jesus? Where are you today in your walk? Is your faith an important part of what you do?
AT: I came to know Jesus as Savior as a teenager, but grew radically in my faith through FCA in college. As my girlfriend, "I am so codependent on Jesus." Every part of my life is built around him.
FR: Tell us about your church experiences, how you grew up (or maybe didn't grow up) in the church, where you attend now, your involvement in your local assembly, etc.
AT: I grew up in a sweet Methodist Church in NC. I have never known a day without Jesus being spoken over me or in our home. My parents came to know Jesus as their Savior very early in their lives and so their beautiful heritage was passed to me and my brothers. I am so grateful for the sheltered, protected home and church I grew up in.
I now attend Two Rivers Evangelical Free Church in Knoxville, TN. My children and I are very involved with the student activities and the ministries there.
FR: Tell us about your current church family/fellowship. How does it influence your work?
AT: I am a single mom with four children. At this writing, they are 7, 9, 12 and 15. I am trying to save my best for them. It's a busy, wonderful life and caring for them impacts every single thing I do. Mostly I miss my deadlines because of them, but my dad told me they'll be grown soon and I can get my work in early then. I'm going with his wisdom in these years.
FR: Who are your spiritual mentors? Your professional mentors?
AT: I have a couple of spiritual mentors. Dennis Larkin is a pastor in California. He has been pouring into my life since I interned for him in seminary. Dr. John Martin was one of my Bible professors and has given me some very wise guidance in the past years.
FR: Discuss your calling/mission --- as a writer, and as a Christian.
AT: My heart's desire is that women would come to a deeper faith in God because they have been taught the Scriptures in fresh, challenging, creative ways. I love having written a story that illustrates a truth from Scripture and makes me laugh out loud every time I read it. It's kind of rare, but I also love reading a chapter two years later and still liking it.
As a speaker, the best part is the amazing people I meet, the places I go, and the flat-out fun of bringing a message to life --- watching passion fill up the whole room.
FR: What are your Scripture reading habits?
AT: I keep a Bible everywhere --- in the car, kitchen, and my work bag. I try to read the Bible first thing everyday and then get back to it as often as possible the rest of the day. Since I am a Bible teacher and almost always studying the Word, I have realized that studying for writing is not personal meditation. Sometimes I have to stop and read just for me.
FR: What books have most influenced your work?
AT: The truth of Scripture to transform lives has been the most influential writing for my work. But I love to recommend THE RAGAMUFFIN GOSPEL by Brennan Manning and BLUE LIKE JAZZ by Donald Miller.
FR: Do you read secular fiction at all? If so, who are your favorite authors, and why?
AT: I wish I had more time for fiction, but I always read Grisham first when I can get to secular story.
FR: What are your other media habits --- television, movies, music, etc.?
AT: I'm sorry to say that I don't have very much time for television or movies. I see the things the kids want to see and we try to watch Extreme Makeover Home Edition when we can. The boys are usually looking at me asking, "Are you crying yet?"
My musical tastes are varied. I listen to everything: classical, bluegrass, pop and some of the best Christian music on the planet.
FR: Do you and your family have any special faith-based traditions?
AT: I try to make a very big deal out of holidays and birthdays. I want to teach them to celebrate and that we serve a God that we can celebrate.
FR: Tell us about your prayer life and habits.
AT: I try to get alone, on my face, at some point everyday for prayer. Usually I end up on the carpet in my walk-in closet just to take away the distraction. There is something that happens for me when I lay before the Lord. My perspective is realigned and it's easier to remember who God is and who I am not.
FR: Describe what you believe the role of writing in religion is.
AT: The Word of God is alive and living. There is nothing I will ever do to add to it or take away from its power. But if my stories can help someone to apply the word or desire God's word more, then I feel like I've used my gifts for His glory.
FR: Tell us about one or more of your favorite encounters with readers.
AT: I get to meet readers every weekend and I have to tell you, it's a thrill. Women are so amazing and creative. They will tell me about applying what I have shared in their lives and it's always a hundred times better than anything I thought of. I write about being the bride of Christ, so women have wedding ceremonies, wear veils and write their vows to God. Others make and wear jewelry that reminds them of something I've said. Every story is unique and exciting to hear how God is working.
FR: Would you share a story about someone you've brought to Christ or share how your writing has helped someone?
AT: The women who take my breath away are the ones who tell me they have never understood the grace of God or His deep love until they read or listened to my message. They'll go on to tell me how His mercy is transforming their private lives or their marriage or the way they raise their kids, and I am so grateful that God let me get in on a Holy Spirit work. Every time someone encounters God in my writings, I am so very thankful and awestruck by His goodness.
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Bibliography
- WILD ABOUT YOU, Teenage DVD Bible Study Curriculum (LifeWay)
- WHEN WALLFLOWERS DANCE (Thomas Nelson, Nelson Books)
- LIVING YOUR LIFE AS A BEAUTIFUL OFFERING, DVD Bible Study Curriculum (LifeWay)
- A BEAUTIFUL OFFERING (Thomas Nelson, Nelson Books)
- BEAUTIFUL: SEEING YOURSELF THROUGH GOD'S EYES (Thomas Nelson, Transit)
- DO YOU THINK I'M BEAUTIFUL? (Thomas Nelson, Nelson Books)
- DO YOU THINK I'M BEAUTIFUL? Bible Study and Journal (Thomas Nelson, Nelson Books)
- TENDER MERCY FOR A MOTHER'S SOUL (Focus on the Family/Tyndale)
- PRAYERS FOR THE MOTHER-TO-BE (Thomas Nelson, Nelson Books)
- PRAYERS FOR MOTHERS OF NEWBORNS (Thomas Nelson, Nelson Books)
Faithful Fifteen Main Page
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WHEN WALLFLOWERS DANCE: Becoming a Woman of Righteous Confidence
