My latest thoughts on
faith, family, disability,
privilege, and healing
A Few of My Favorite Things: Week 2
Some of my favorites…a new recipe, a book, and a podcast! Recipe Favorite new recipe: I made this one up when we were trying to
Is Meritocracy Part of the Problem?
In the recent clashes in churches and schools and everywhere else over critical race theory, people are debating meritocracy: Is America a nation where anyone
Body Prayer in Action
A friend of mine just asked this question: ”Also, since this has been your jam lately, can you pray for me and/or send any thoughts
Clenched Fist or Open Palm
“It was as if I started off with my fist clenched tight around a vision of a child and, as Penny grew, I slowly opened
Blurring the Lines of Disability
I love that at Hope Heals Camp several weeks ago, people with disabilities served as volunteers. And lots of able-bodied people came as campers (who
An Introduction: Skills I’ve Learned (Or Not)
It is so fun that this community of people keeps growing, and I love it when I have a chance to get to know you!
A Few of My Favorite Things: Week 1
Week 1 of sharing with you a few of my favorite things, which this week include a place, a resource, two essays, and a TV
Dance Like Everybody’s Watching (and Celebrating What They See)
On the second night of Hope Heals Camp, there’s a Talent Show. And on the last night, there’s a dance party. From babies to grandparents,
Anxiety Is Fuel for Achievement
“Anxiety has served me as a fuel for achievement, but it has failed me as a guide to getting well.” – To Be Made Well
Body Prayer: A Guide
Over the past few weeks, I’ve shared stories of various parts of my body. When my body aches, or when I get sick, I have
Emotional Disability
Is it possible that many adults in America have an emotional disability? That we have been taught to repress our feelings and rely on our
How My Lack of Faith Got Us to Hope Heals Camp
Back in December, Marilee and I were snuggled on the sofa, internet shopping for Christmas presents. We picked out a few ornaments from Hope Heals.
AJB Recommends: Kids’ Books About Disability
If you’re looking for some books to read with your kids that introduce them to characters with disabilities, here are my top three for upper
Labyrinths, Prayer, and Life
Marilee and I walked this labyrinth together a few weeks back. I wanted to linger. She zipped along. I explained that labyrinths aren’t the same
The Hidden Impact of Abled Privilege in the Church | Faithward
“One of the insidious harms of privilege is the subtle way it convinces people that some are more valuable and necessary to the body of
Body Prayer: Throat
I used to “lose my voice” often when I needed to speak in public. I canceled multiple events because I couldn’t creak out the words
Why Christians Must Fight Systemic Racism: NYT Essay by Esau McCaulley
“Many fear that Christians who speak out against racism want to tear down America. That is not true; we are the fools who believe that
Volunteering at Hope Heals Camp
Penny, Marilee, and I were excited to volunteer at Hope Heals Camp this week! A little background…Hope Heals Camp was started by Katherine and Jay
AJB Recommends: Movies for Family Movie Night
Family movies get harder as kids get older. We’ve chosen lots of inappropriate movies that we remember only for their humor or poignant moments. We’ve chosen
Tired of Myself, but God Is Not Tired of Me
I make the same mistakes, commit the same sins, turn back to the same unhelpful habits over and over again. For me, these repetitive issues
Draw Near to Disability, Draw Near to Humanity
“When you push away disability, you also push away your humanity. When you push away any fissure of vulnerability, you also push away the tender
Body Prayer: Nose
I started sneezing when we were driving home from an end-of-the-summer vacation. I sneezed maybe a dozen times? I said out loud, “Am I suddenly
To Be Made Well Has a Cover!
We have a book cover for To Be Made Well! I love it. It makes me think of water and cleansing and responding to the
3 Things I Learned on Family Vacation
We took a vacation out west recently to the 5 National Parks in Utah and then to a ranch in Wyoming. In addition to startling
AJB Recommends: The Gifts of Imperfection
As a recovering perfectionist, I don’t know why I had never picked up Brené Brown’s The Gifts of Imperfection. I wrote my own memoir about
When You Say the Wrong Thing
I messed up in my last conversation about social justice and racism. I was talking with a white man from New York who grew up
Truth Can Feel Miserable
“Before ‘the truth sets you free,’ it tends to make you miserable.” —Richard Rohr, Falling Upward Truth can feel miserable. I don’t like seeing the
Body Prayer: Back
A few months into the Covid-19 pandemic, my back became a board. So tight I thought it might just crack open. And all my friends
Pain Is Like a Flashing Light
Pain is like a flashing light, and sometimes, if I pay attention to the message it is sending, the light stops flashing. My physical pain
Christianity Today: Independence Day Calls Us to the Holy Work of Repair
As we approach this Fourth of July, I am thinking about those tattered and threadbare flags that led to an empty flagpole. I am thinking
