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For we live by faith, not by sight. –2 Corinthians 5:7
This is the story of a man who was called onto two diverging paths and learned to walk them both.
Author Thomas Fargnoli has lived a remarkable life, serving as a deacon in the Catholic Church and also as a professional magician. These two paths might seem very different.
But for Thomas Fargnoli, they come together in his writing.
His books explore faith, mystery, and the search for peace in a busy world, using stories intimately inspired and informed by his own life to show that God works in surprising ways.
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Finding Wisdom in Simple Things
Thomas Fargnoli writes books that are accessible and full of truth, using simple stories taken from his experiences, often starting with small moments before showing the bigger lessons tucked inside.
Wisdom from the Wick: Lessons from a Burning Candle
In his book Wisdom from the Wick, Thomas Fargnoli uses the candle as the basis for a lot of important lessons, observing the way the candle burns and analogizing it to the ebb and flow of our own lives.
“The wick, when lit, gives of itself sacrificially to produce the light.”
Just like the wick burns to make light, people are called to give of themselves. The candle’s need to be still to burn brightly is akin to our need for quiet time, so we too may brighten the world with our presence.
Thomas Fargnoli says we must keep still so our inner light shines outward. This quiet time is when we can talk to God and find peace.
The Stream: Keys to Peace: To Let Go of Worry
The Stream: Keys to Peace, at its most basic, is about the symbolism of the stream and the many lessons we can glean from careful consideration of it. The water flows easily around rocks and sticks, neither fighting nor lingering around them. Thomas Fargnoli says we should be like the stream.
We often hold onto things that hurt us. These can be seen as like rocks in the stream. We hold onto anger, worry, or fear.
Thomas Fargnoli teaches that peace comes from letting go. We must let God help us move past these hard things. Just like the stream keeps flowing, we can find a way forward. The key is trust because letting go “unlocks a peace that can’t be found anywhere else.”
A View of Heaven: “Magnolia” and Stories of Hope
A more personal story is about a magnolia tree in Magnolia: A View of Heaven. This story is about loss, hope, and signs from God.
Thomas Fargnoli once loved a beautiful magnolia tree: vast and full of pink flowers every spring. To him, it was a masterpiece of God’s creation and constantly felt like a little piece of heaven on Earth.
Then, a terrible storm came and struck the tree, damaging it beyond healing; sadly, it had to be cut down.
Fargnoli was heartbroken because it felt like he had lost something sacred in his earthly life. But then, something amazing happened.
A new sprout began to grow from the old stump. The tree that seemed dead was coming back to life.
This was a lesson about resurrection—new life after death.
The magnolia tree had become a sign of hope, a reminder to Fargnoli that beauty was still possible through God despite the brokenness.
Magic, Faith, and Mystery
You might wonder: how does magic fit with faith?
For Thomas Fargnoli, magic is not deception; it is more so a showcase of wonder, where people are led to ask themselves how these things are possible.
Faith also involves a not insignificant amount of wonder. We cannot see God, but we believe in His presence. We are reinforced in this belief through the mystery of the world around us.
Thomas Fargnoli uses his magic to point people toward the greatest mystery of all—God’s love.
In his performances and his writings, he invites people to look beyond what they see on the surface, encouraging them to be open to the wonders of life and of faith.
His life as a deacon taught him about the soul. His life as a magician taught him about the heart. Together, they help him write books that speak to both.
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Acknowledging that Peace is Possible
The main message in all of Thomas Fargnoli’s works is simple: you can find peace everywhere you look. Life is often stressful and confusing. We carry heavy burdens.
But we don’t have to stay stuck.
Fargnoli gives practical ways to find calm through his stories:
- Be like the candle and find quiet time to be still to let your light shine outward and through you.
- Be like the stream and let go of the rocks of anger and worry. Trust God and keep moving through your tribulations.
- Be like the magnolia and havehope. Even when things seem broken, new life can still grow out of the ruin.
Faith, for Fargnoli, is not just for the church; it is for every moment.
You can see God’s lessons in a burning candle, a flowing stream, or a damaged tree.
Author Thomas Fargnoli opens our eyes to these everyday miracles.
Why You Should Read Thomas Fargnoli
Thomas Fargnoli’s books are for everyone: for people who feel busy and tired, for people seeking hope, or for anyone who just wants to feel closer to God but isn’t sure how to go about the procedure.
His prose is simple and unadorned, more a conversation with a wise friend, honest and gentle, than a structured narrative as he shares his own doubts and struggles. This renders his advice real and relatable.
If you are looking for a way to slow down in life, to take a moment and breathe, and to find a deeper peace, start with Fargnoli’s works.
The wisdom of Thomas Fargnoli is waiting for you in the pages of his books.
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. –John 14:27
Visit Thomas Fargnoli’s website and buy his inspiring books to begin your own journey toward a more peaceful life.
