RECENT POSTS
God Didn’t Create Any Ugly Humans
A prominent pastor and theologian spoke at length earlier this week about why God might make some people unattractive. He lumped together “ugliness” with disfigurement
Grateful I Get to Do This Work
When I receive responses like this, I can only feel grateful that I get to do this work: “My daughter and I thoroughly enjoyed your
Filled with the Fullness
A font of overflowing water. That’s the image that comes to mind when I read Ephesians 3 and Paul is praying that we could grasp
S5 E5 | The Enneagram: A Tool for Healing with Suzanne Stabile
In a society filled with disconnect and division, how can the Enneagram guide us toward compassionate living within our communities? Suzanne Stabile, teacher and author
We Are Not as Divided as We Think We Are
We are not as divided as we think we are. Climate Change Katharine Hayhoe, a climate scientist and an evangelical Christian, mentioned on a podcast
3 Quirky Things About Me!
Three quirky things to know about me: My wardrobe is becoming entirely composed of white and navy blue. When I traveled to Florida to speak
Friday Favorites: The Best of Enemies
If you like true stories that are also inspirational and suggest that love really can overcome hatred and fear, you have to watch The Best
Small Talk Book Birthday
I got to hold a baby yesterday. A bright-eyed baby who smells soft and sweet (I know—how does someone smell soft, but she really did)
Why I Need to Follow Black Jesus
For years, the idea of “Black Jesus” confused me. I understood why we needed to subvert the all-too-familiar image of Jesus as blonde-haired and blue-eyed.
Down Syndrome Awareness Month: Awareness Would Be Enough
I used to think that “awareness” was too small a word for what we need in order to change the perceptions and reality for people
God Works in Small, Hidden Ways
Slow, local, messy. Small, hidden, unnoticed. Patient, gentle, kind. These are the words I tend to use to describe the work of God’s Spirit in
Waiting and Sharing and Parenting
“I really need my own laptop for school.” I’m not going to name which child uttered these words, because they each feel the same way.
A Few of My Favorite Things: Week 10 | Three New Books
Ending the day without anxiety. Receiving spiritual truth and practical wisdom from another mother of a child with a disability. And entering into a story
Down Syndrome Awareness Month: The Apple Doesn’t Fall From the Tree
“The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.” That’s what my sister wrote to me after I showed her an email from Penny. Penny, unprompted,
Advent Devotional: Prepare Him Room
I love the spiritual side of Christmas. I’d love to offer you a way to remember and reflect on the spiritual side of Christmas this
S5 E4 | What’s So Controversial About Critical Race Theory? with David Bailey
We’ve heard the rhetoric that demonizes Critical Race Theory. But should citizens of the Kingdom of God have a different response? David Bailey, executive director
How Can We Be Both “Broken” and “Wonderfully Made”?
How we can be both broken creatures and creatures who are “fearfully and wonderfully made” all at the same time? I’ve been thinking a lot
Slowing Down in Our Family’s Fast-Paced World
We’ve overbooked everyone. For the grownups: traveling for work, meetings for church, parent-teacher conferences, volunteer commitments, and the day-to-day of professional obligations. For our kids:
A Few of My Favorite Things: Week 9 | Pleasant Surprises in Podcasts
Last week, Peter asked us all to go around the table and list one “pleasant surprise” from our day. I talked about Ezra Klein’s interview
Penny in Her Own Words: Down Syndrome, School, and Friends
My name is Penny and I have an extra chromosome because I have Down syndrome. In my daily life I wake up independently, make breakfast,
Talking About Disability
I remember this time, back when Penny was really little, when we were at a birthday party together and another mom was there with her
