My latest thoughts on
faith, family, disability,
privilege, and healing
An Introduction
There are so many wonderful new people in this space these days, so I wanted to take a moment to introduce myself to you. In
AJB Recommends: 3 Newsletters That Offer Wisdom and Insight
We all have way too much information coming at us all the time on way too many channels and platforms. In the midst of this
In Her Own Words: Penny’s Advice to a Student Beginning Ninth Grade
I asked our daughter Penny to take a few moments to reflect on her experience in ninth grade. We talked about how there are all
The Quartet of the Vulnerable and Justice
Derek Chauvin will come before a judge for sentencing later this week. He, and we, will learn how much time he will spend behind bars
Body Prayer: Shoulders
When I was in high school, my shoulders were so tight that I asked my mother if we could go to the doctor. I wanted
Revelation: I Have Needs
It has been a revelation to me to discover that I have needs. Not just that my kids have needs and my husband has needs
Happy Father’s Day
“I’m fiercely proud of Penny and her two young siblings. They bring the full range of emotions into my life. My particular pride and joy
On Juneteenth, Beyond Anti-Racism
Today is Juneteenth, a holiday that commemorates the day the news of the Emancipation Proclamation reached Galveston, Texas. It is a day to lament the
AJB Recommends: 4 Great Novels by Mildred Taylor
Summer reading recommendation: check out Mildred Taylor’s lesser-known novels. Novels by Mildred Taylor Many people have heard of Taylor’s Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry,
Ableism: 3 Reasons Why I Don’t Use That Term
I think it’s important to use language with intention and care. I think language reflects reality, but I also think language can shape reality. For
Body Prayer: Knees
Sometimes I am afraid of the future. And afraid that my future will be harmed or diminished if my husband’s future goes well. One time,
AJB Recommends: Learning About Uncoupling Dignity From Achievement
“I want to sever the connection between dignity and accomplishment altogether.” So says Justin Hawkins on The Lucky Few Podcast last week. Uncoupling Dignity from
Learning Science as a Teen in High School With an Intellectual Disability
Should Penny take Chemistry next year, as a tenth grader with an intellectual disability? This is the question set before us as we began to
Englewood Review of Books Podcast: Disability and Limitations
“Limitations are so often what lead to love because if we can freely offer ourselves as both gifted and limited people, and receive other people
Body Prayer: Feet
The bottoms of my feet just ached. At the time, things felt kind of shaky. It was early on in Covid, when there was so
Compassionate Anti-Racism
A lot of white people are afraid to get involved in anti-racism work. Many of us are afraid to claim association with #BlackLivesMatter. We’ve heard
Have a Frustrating and Boring Summer!
“So you want me to be frustrated, and Dad wants me to be bored?!? That sounds fun.” Yes, a boring summer! These were Marilee’s words
AJB Recommends: Resources About Critical Race Theory
Parents are worried about their kids learning Critical Race Theory in the classroom. Some are concerned about indoctrination. Some are worried about kids only learning
Body Prayer: Prayers for When Your Body Hurts
Over the past few years, I’ve experienced repeated physical healings that I have connected to body prayer. I’m not talking about healing from grave diseases
Remembering the Tulsa Race Massacre 100 Years Later
In order to understand the Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921 and the destruction of “Black Wall Street” one hundred years ago, I needed both a
I’m Writing a New Book! Signed the Contract!
I just signed the contract to make it official! My next book, To Be Made Well: An Invitation to Wholeness, Healing, and Hope, will be
The Language of the Body
What if our everyday expressions could help us experience less physical pain? Our language connects our bodies to our feelings, even when we refuse to
Public Service Announcement: How to Talk to a Person With an Intellectual Disability
When Penny sat down to receive the shot for her Covid-19 vaccine, the nurse looked at her directly and asked, “Full name? Date of birth?
AJB Recommends: When Is Healing a Placebo?
Emotional, social, and psychological stress causes a lot of pain and illness. Migraines, backaches, auto-immune disorders, skin conditions, gastrointestinal distress—all of these can arise from
Black Lives Matter: Did We Mean It?
One year ago, it would have been truly remarkable to run past a Black Lives Matter sign on a Saturday morning in my predominantly white,
3 Things I’ve Learned One Year After George Floyd’s Death
At this time last year, I thought George Floyd’s death would be like the deaths of Michael Brown and Trayvon Martin and Eric Garner and
Welcome to This Online Community!
Hello friends! Welcome to this community! For those of you who are new around here, I thought I’d introduce myself. Here are three things you
Laughter Is Carbonated Holiness
In our household, laughter doesn’t happen every day. Our kids get annoyed with each other. They are self-conscious and defensive. What used to provoke giggles
AJB Recommends: Healing From a Year of Covid-19
I’ve read several resources lately about healing from a year of Covid-19. Did you see that New York Times article about languishing? Multiple friends sent
We Need Humility for Healing and Life
We need humility for healing and life. “I’d rather hang out with a humble conservative than a self-righteous liberal. And I’d rather hang out with
