RECENT POSTS
The Healing Work of Salvation
How is salvation “healing work”? Early on in Matthew’s Gospel, he writes that the angel told Joseph to name Mary’s son Jesus because he would
AJB Recommends: All the Fascinating Ideas
I have so many fascinating ideas to share for you to consider! I took the whole week of Thanksgiving off. I shut down my laptop
The Power of Saying “I’m Sorry”
Is there power in saying, “I’m sorry”? The nurse at Penny’s school called me to tell me that Penny had a sore throat and a
I’m Writing a New Book! Really and Truly!
So I’m really and truly working on a new book after letting it simmer in my brain and heart for the past few years. I
Rest Beside This Weary Road
When the kids were little, we got in the habit of singing “Christmas church songs” before bed. We no longer sing these songs all year
AJB Recommends: Gifts for People Who Already Have Everything
For the past three years, I have taken Marilee with me on the annual trip to buy gifts for her eleven cousins. This year, she
Advent, Hope, and Canceled Parties
This year the calendar walks us through a season of Advent, hope, and canceled parties. The weird thing about being a practicing Christian in America
Walk With Me Through Advent
The Christmas decorations took over our local CVS months ago, and our kids made their annual transition from constant conversation about Halloween costumes to constant
Thankfulness or Toxic Positivity?
Many of us are away from family and friends at a time of year when we usually gather together. I don’t want to be too
A Series on Gratitude
In 2019 I wrote a series of posts on gratitude. Thanksgiving feels different this year, and I’m finding I need reminders of the truths I
Pointe Shoes and Developing Perseverance
Penny got new pointe shoes last week. For a long time, I thought pointe—which requires strength in both the feet and ankles that I didn’t
Love Your Enemies
Imagine being a leader of a school or a church or a community with a staff that included a white man wearing a MAGA hat
AJB Recommends: How to Love Across Divisions
I’ve been thinking a lot about what it means to love people across the various divisions we experience right now, and these podcasts and articles
Coming Home to Love
In this season, can we say we are coming home to love? One of the commands in the New Testament is to “abide” in God’s
My High Schooler’s Independence
I was recently reminded of my high schooler’s independence. Last week I left the girls home alone together while I went to the grocery store.
S3 E20 | When Love Is Our Home, Healing Begins
Do we want to get well? Within the reality of the harm of privilege and ongoing division, Amy Julia concludes this season of the podcast
Am I God’s Puppet?
Am I God’s puppet? What about free will? I was reading a book about prayer the other day where the writer told a cool story
AJB Recommends: Podcasts Processing the Election
On election day, I felt as if a band of pain had stretched itself above my eyes and across my forehead. It wouldn’t go away.
Inviting God Into My Constraints
This is a season of constraints. Remote learning at home. Social distancing. Celebrating holidays during a pandemic. Navigating a contentious election. This week, our kids
Advent Reflections: Prepare Him Room
I’m excited to let you know that the revised edition of my devotional Prepare Him Room: Advent Reflections on What Happens When God Shows Up
S3 E19 | Loving Our Enemies in a Nation Divided with David Bailey
The presidential election does not change the church’s assignment. David Bailey, the executive director of Arrabon, talks with Amy Julia about the practices of reconciling
