In this episode of Curious for Christ, I welcome Jennie Goutet, an accomplished author of over 13 historical romance novels, to discuss her journey of faith, creativity, and life in a small town outside Paris. Jennie shares her remarkable story of discovering Christ, her marriage, and how her experiences across the globe shaped her relationship with God.

The conversation delves into Jennie’s writing career, from penning her memoir Stars Upside Down to becoming a full-time novelist. Jennie opens up about how her Christian faith influences the depth of her characters and stories, emphasizing love, goodness, and integrity. She also provides valuable advice for aspiring Christian writers, balancing authenticity and creativity in a world that often challenges faith-based values.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:
1. Jennie’s journey to Christ through moments of humility and divine intervention.
2. How a dream of marrying a Frenchman led Jennie to meet her husband on the first day they attended church.
3. The inspiration behind Jennie’s writing and how grief propelled her into storytelling.
4. The influence of author Georgette Heyer in Jennie’s transition to historical romance.
5. How Jennie’s faith shapes her creative process and the values in her novels.
6. Advice for aspiring writers, including the importance of persistence, discipline, and trusting God’s guidance.
7. Jennie’s thoughts on navigating the secular literary world while maintaining integrity.

Resources Mentioned:
• Jennie’s blog: A Lady in France (faith articles available).
• Get Jennie's books: https://jenniegoutetbooks.com/
• Join Jennie's Reader Facebook Group

Connect with Jennie Goutet:
• Website: https://www.jenniegoutet.com/
• Sign Up for Jennie's Newsletter
• Follow Jennie on BookBub


Episode Takeaways:
1. God is the ultimate storyteller, and He is the author of each of our lives.
2. God has placed dreams in our hearts, according to His divine plan, and only through Him can we see how our story unfolds. These dreams ultimately draw us closer to Him, as our greatest dream is to know God and have an eternal relationship with Him.
3. God’s plan for our lives often emerges through seasons of grief or hardship.
4. While not explicitly Christian, the qualities we admire in characters and heroes in any story actually stem from the fruit of the Spirit, such as love, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, loyalty and faithfulness
5. Prayer is an invitation to bring God into every aspect of your life and work.
6. Creative tip: First, create, then edit. These are two distinct processes that require different mindsets.
7. Matthew 12:36 says that everyone will have to give an account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken - this reminds us that whatever we do, we should do it to honor God.
8. Ultimately, God is our King and our greatest reward, far beyond any success we might gain in this world!


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- Start living a life built on the unshakable foundation of God: Connect with me today!

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In this episode of Curious for Christ, we explore how seemingly harmless spiritual practices, often rooted in New Age philosophies, can subtly pull us away from a Christ-centered faith. From manifestation techniques to energy healing, we discuss how to discern these influences and realign with God’s truth. Using biblical examples and practical tools, we uncover how to confidently walk in obedience to Christ in a culture filled with mixed messages.

Key Points:
1. What Is New Age?
• The New Age movement blends spiritual ideas like self-enlightenment and universal energy, often contradicting Scripture.
• Examples include astrology, crystals, and visualization techniques.
• Biblical Anchor: “You shall have no other gods before me.” (Exodus 20:3)
2. Blurred Lines – Harmless or Misleading Practices?
• Manifestation vs. Trusting God’s Will (James 4:2)
• Astrology and Horoscopes vs. God’s Guidance (Leviticus 19:26b)
• Crystals for Healing vs. Trusting God (Psalm 121:2)
3. Biblical Examples of Straying and Realigning with God
• The Golden Calf (Exodus 32): Fear and impatience led to idolatry.
• Simon the Sorcerer (Acts 8:9-24): Misunderstanding God’s power led to repentance.
4. How to Discern New Age from Faith-Based Practices
• Key Questions:
• Does this practice lead me to trust God or myself?
• Does it point to Christ or other sources of power?
• Biblical Anchor: “Test all things; hold fast what is good.” (1 Thessalonians 5:21)
5. Practical Steps to Align with Christ
• Renounce unbiblical practices (1 John 1:9).
• Seek Scripture-based alternatives like biblical meditation (Psalm 119:15).
• Surrender your plans to God’s will (Proverbs 16:9).

Reflection Verse:
“Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139:23-24)

Join the Conversation:
• Facebook Community: Connect with others for support and accountability.
• Resources Mentioned: Listen to Episode 59 on Sabbath rest for practical guidance.


Stay Connected:
Thank you for tuning in! Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with friends. See you next week as we continue to explore faith, truth, and a Christ-centered life.

Thanks for listening! Your support means the world. Join our Curious for Christ Facebook Group and become an Insider for weekly inspiration and encouragement.

In this episode, I am joined by Joel and Christy Peed who share their remarkable journey in ministry, from their early days in the campus ministry to church planting, and the invaluable lessons they’ve learned along the way. With honesty and wisdom, they discuss the challenges they faced, including burnout, people-pleasing, and the importance of prioritizing a healthy spiritual life. Joel and Christy delve into how they found balance between ministry work, marriage, and family life, emphasizing the need to stay connected with God and follow His guidance.

Some Key Takeaways:
• Understanding Sabbath: the Sabbath’s deeper purpose is to provide a time for rest, delight, and communion with God. Rather than merely a day off, Sabbath is a gift designed to nourish every part of our humanity, drawing us closer to God’s presence.
• Sabbath as Liberation: Sabbath observance helps free us from the “Pharaonic” mindset of productivity and work-centric value. By embracing Sabbath, we resist worldly pressures, find peace in God’s presence, and bring joy to our lives.


Quote to Reflect On:
• “Bible eats first.” – The importance of putting God’s word at the forefront of our day-to-day lives.


Connect with Joel and Christy:
Joel and Christy founded The Eremos Way, a ministry focused on guiding believers toward a life enriched by Sabbath principles and spiritual rest. To learn more about The Eremos Way, their books, and resources on practicing Sabbath rest, visit their website.
You may also find Joel's book A Sabbath Map HERE - for practical guidance to help Christians find rest amidst modern-day restlessness.


Call to Action:
Plan your week ahead and select a time when you will cease work and reflect on Matthew 11:28-30.

- Email me at hello@alexandraalvarezcoaching.com to share your experience with Sabbath!

- Ready to start living a life built on the unshakable foundation of God? Connect with me today!

Thanks for listening! Your support means the world. Join our Curious for Christ Facebook Group and become an Insider for weekly inspiration and encouragement.