RECENT POSTS
Hope Heals | And You Will Be Blessed
I had a chance to write an essay (And You Will Be Blessed) for the Hope Heals blog. (And if you don’t already know about
Books About Disability and Theology
DOWNLOAD FREE RESOURCE The “theology of disability” is a topic that might sound obscure or abstract, but it has been life-changing for me. The theology
S6 E10 | How to Receive the Time We’re Given with Jen Pollock Michel
Does anxiety characterize your relationship with time? Author Jen Pollock Michel talks with Amy Julia Becker about our posture towards time and her new
Time and the Luxury of Ethics
“Ethics becomes a luxury as the speed of our daily life increases.” – Judith Shulevitz talking to Ezra Klein (Episode: Sabbath and the Art of
Overheard on the Trail: Best Brother
“You’re my only brother. But you’re the best brother.” We took a hike as a family over the winter break. It was mostly up a
Vulnerable Humanity
“Curing is a physical process; it’s individual, usually (fairly) rapid, and concentrates on eliminating disease. Healing is a sociocultural process. It focuses on restoring interpersonal,
Small Group Lenten Guide
GET THE FREE LENTEN SMALL GROUP GUIDE If you, like me, are looking for ways to be more intentional with prioritizing contemplation, patience, and deliberate
2 Intentions for 2023
Did any of you make New Year’s resolutions? Or answer copious questions for reflection from 2022? I started down that road, but it overwhelmed me.
Curated Reading: Putting Down the Algorithm
I recently enjoyed a New Yorker essay about Metallica. That’s right, the heavy metal band that my mother’s friends fretted about during the “Satanic panic”
The Blessings of a Small Church
One Sunday morning, I walked in late to church, looking for our family. I spotted Peter’s head and joined him and Marilee in the pew.
Happy 17th Birthday, Penny!
Penny turns 17 today! Happy 17th birthday, Penny! A few nights ago at a family dinner, I asked everyone to name something they sincerely appreciate
Favorite Books I Read in 2022
Here are some of my favorite books that I read in 2022: My favorite novel My favorite novel was The Midnight Library. I’ve spent a
6 Favorite Shows and Movies We Watched in 2022
Our favorite shows and movies that we watched in 2022: Abbott Elementary Our whole family has enjoyed this quirky mockumentary about an elementary school in
S6 E9 | Spiritual Timekeeping in a New Year with James K. A. Smith
Do you feel like there isn’t enough time or wish you could just get a better hold on time? This episode is a chance to
Love Entered In
When I don’t understand someone, and when I can’t get them to understand me, I tend to move away. I judge and worry and retreat.
God Enters Into the Messiness of a Broken World
The family of God is a family with sex scandals and petty infighting and alcoholism and abuse. With disease and suffering and betrayal. With rejection
Jesus Came From a Dysfunctional Family Too
Jesus came from a dysfunctional family. I wrote those words for the first time a few years ago, and I remind myself of them every
Christianity Today | From Holistic Health to a Holistic Gospel
Wellness is a buzzword, and it’s a buzzword I kind of appreciate. I like expanding our notion of health beyond medication. It’s important to be
On Pointe, Step by Determined Step
Penny performed on pointe in the Nutcracker this past weekend (video below). And maybe that doesn’t seem like a big deal or something to write
Why Do We Know So Much About Mary?
Why do we know so much about Mary, the mother of Jesus? Why do we still have a record of this young, poor, Jewish woman
In Good Time
One of my biggest spiritual struggles is with time. There are times when I treat time as a god. As if I can appease time
