My latest thoughts on
faith, family, disability,
privilege, and healing
Communion: The Simplicity of Abundant and Generous Love
In these pandemic-cautious years, I’ve missed taking communion in the front of the church. Now we sit in our pews and pass individualized cups and
Preparing the Child for the Path
Prepare the child for the path, not the path for the child. I really believe in this parenting wisdom. I want to teach them independence.
Why Changing the R-Word Only Matters So Much
Essay Quick Link: New Proposal In Congress Would Remove ‘Mentally Retarded’ From Federal Law I grew up hearing the R-word from other people. “I’m so
Why AP African American Studies Is Important for All Our Kids
African American Studies benefits all kids. The College Board is piloting an Advanced Placement African American Studies Course, and I hope my (white) children have
S6 E2 | A Curious Faith with Lore Ferguson Wilbert
We may sometimes doubt the importance of our questions, but the practice of curiosity is actually a gift. Author Lore Ferguson Wilbert joins Amy Julia
An Invitation to Healing
If you are in a place of brokenness and heartache right now, the invitation to you is to be honest about that pain and humble
How Do We Love Our Kids for Who They Are, Not for What They Do?
We want our kids to understand they are loved for who they are and not for what they do. But how can we live that
What Math Can Teach Us About the Divine
I am a fan of order. Not hospital corners and Marie Kondo drawers, necessarily. But I like having a cubby for each member of the
Main Characters With Intellectual Disabilities in Chapter Books
Are there any chapter books with a main character who has Down syndrome or other intellectual disabilities? I’m so grateful for books like RJ Palacio’s
Where Have I Tolerated Disease?
I need to have two teeth extracted. Two back molars, to be more precise. It’s a new chapter in an old story. I had root
Hospitality and Welcoming Strangers
I’ve been thinking about philoxenia lately, which is the Greek word for hospitality. It literally means “love of the stranger.” (Contrast it with xenophobia, fear
Hoping FOR vs Hoping IN
There’s a big difference between hoping FOR something and hoping IN someone. I get them confused all the time, and I end up feeling foolish
S6 E1 | Good and Beautiful and Kind with Rich Villodas
Can goodness, beauty, and kindness make any difference at all in a wounded world? Rich Villodas, pastor and author of Good and Beautiful and Kind, talks
When Shame Becomes Joy and Guilt Becomes Gratitude
Sometimes our sources of shame and guilt can become sources of joy and gratitude. It happened again for me recently, when my aunt and uncle
Plaque With KKK Figure Prompts a Question About Remembering History
Various news sources reported yesterday on a bronze plaque at West Point that depicts a hooded figure with the words Ku Klux Klan between other
A Good and Perfect Gift Turns 11!
Eleven years ago, A Good and Perfect Gift was published. I still hear from readers regularly who have discovered this book and reach out to
Northern Complicity in Racial Injustice
There’s a story of racial injustice that still needs to be told in the Northeast. I’ve told a few people about my vision for a
Introducing Season 6 of Love Is Stronger Than Fear
Welcome to Season 6 of Love Is Stronger Than Fear, a podcast about pursuing hope and healing in the midst of personal and social brokenness.
Penny Starts Her Junior Year
And all of a sudden, she’s a junior. A junior who set her alarm and woke up without nudging. Who packed her lunch and her
A Secret Sign for “I Love a Person With Down Syndrome”
I wish there were some sort of hand signal or gesture that meant, “I love a person with Down syndrome.” Kind of like “Honk if
The Song of Our Scars
So many of us are carrying so much pain in our bodies and minds, which may be why I am loving The Song of Our
The False Self is Fragile. The True Self is Vulnerable.
The false self is fragile. The true self is vulnerable. It can be really hard to know the difference. The true self is the part
Fitting Inside God’s Upside-Down Kingdom
“I needed my life to be upended in order for me to fit inside God’s upside-down kingdom.” At one of the leader sessions at Hope
What If We Choose a Different Way?
We live in a culture that values: Productivity over people Intellect over empathy Individual over community Competition over compassion Invincibility over vulnerability Isolated achievement over
Summer Sometimes Feels Wasted, and then…
Summer sometimes feels wasted. There are still chores and appointments and broken refrigerator drawers and grocery lists. And then along comes a spontaneous walk on
Honesty. Humility. Healing.
Be honest. Be humble. Begin healing. Bring healing. I had a chance to preach the final sermon in a series on healing at our church
Bible Studies for Your Group
If you are looking for a way to study the Bible on your own or in a group, here are a few suggestions. Bible Study:
Sharing Some Fun Facts Today!
Every so often, I take the time to introduce myself around here, since there are always wonderful new people joining in on the conversation. Welcome!
When Anger at Others Is Really Anger at Myself
I was so mad at Peter. I had made pulled pork and slaw for the woman at church who fell and broke her elbow. He
The Importance of Diverse Friendships
Friendships that cut across social dividing lines matter more than almost anything else in helping people move from one social class to another, according to
