RECENT POSTS
White Picket Fences Turns Two {And a Giveaway!}
White Picket Fences turns two today! Yes, this book that almost-never-was—not only did it get published, but it has stayed “alive” for two years because
My Daughter With Down Syndrome Helped Me Understand Racism
How did disability help me understand racism? I am white, married, educated, and affluent. Our daughter Penny was born into many of these same categories,
Three Harms of Privilege
The harm of privilege is exclusion, injustice, and isolation. When I say the word privilege, I’m talking about a set of unearned social advantages given
S3 Bonus | What Is Privilege?
What is privilege? What is it not? How does privilege cause harm? In this bonus episode, Amy Julia describes her working definition of privilege, the
God Is Always Doing a New Thing
“There is nothing new under the sun.” It’s such a depressing line from Ecclesiastes, and it reads as depressingly true right now. Futility of Life
AJB Recommends: Resource to Learn More About Prison Reform
What do you know about the prisons and prison reform in your local community? After I interviewed Dominique Gilliard for the podcast, I was struck
Blessed Are Those Who Thirst for Justice
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for justice.” I’ve always heard this verse from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount translated as “Blessed are those
Faith Is Trusting in the End of the Story
How do we have faith that a good ending is coming? I know lots of people in pain right now. Some are in physical pain—my
S3 E13 | Privilege, Wealth, and the Christ-Shaped Life with Paul Miller
How does the pattern of Jesus’ life reshape privilege, wealth, and community? Paul Miller, author of “J-Curve: Dying and Rising with Jesus in Everyday Life,” talks
Entrusting vs. Letting Go
I used to think about “giving over” parts of my life to God as letting go. I saw my hand clutching tightly to various aspects
AJB Recommends: Resources to Learn More About Criminal Justice
Anyone paying attention to the news in recent months will know there’s a huge debate raging over the role of the police in society. This
The Spiritual Problem of Racism Calls for a Spiritual Solution
When I look at the history of social divisions and inequities within our nation, I see at least three different ways people have tried to
Breaking Ground: Is God Antiracist?
I first heard the word “antiracism” a few years ago. At first, I didn’t know what it meant. And I wondered why a new term
S3 E12 | What Is Unjust About the Criminal Justice System with Dominique Gilliard
What would it mean for the criminal justice system to be unjust? And if it is, what should Christians do about it? Dominique Gilliard, author
Privilege and Planning
Today, all three of our children are going to school, in person, for a full day. (Last week, they had a variety of half days
AJB Recommends: The Sun Does Shine
I have gone to bed late every night this week because I stay up to read more of Anthony Ray Hinton’s new memoir, “The Sun
S3 E11 | The Black Church’s Gift to Christianity with Esau McCaulley
The Black church has a gift for American Christianity. Are we all willing to receive it? New Testament scholar Esau McCaulley, author of “Reading While
When Grace Runs Dry
For our family, summer has been a relief. Marilee played softball and William played baseball and Penny went to summer school, in person. We spent
In Her Own Words: Penny on Being a Bridesmaid
Penny and I got to be bridesmaids together last weekend in my sister’s wedding. I’m going to let Penny tell you about it in her
William Recommends: Books About Racial Injustice for Middle Schoolers
Anyone looking for great books for middle schoolers that address issues of racial injustice? I asked William to share a few recommendations for books for
Finding Freedom From the Condemnation of Comparison
A few weeks ago, I found myself in a swirl of self-righteousness and self-condemnation and comparison. It happened like this. I was heading into my
