RECENT POSTS

Penny’s Gift of Encouragement is a Gift to Me
Penny’s gift of encouragement is a joy to receive! I received some disappointing news this week (unrelated to the coronavirus) and took out my phone

Coronavirus Crisis and What the Bible Has to Say {New Podcast Season}
The coronavirus and the Bible are separated by centuries. Yet, amidst stock market plunges and coronavirus, the Bible’s ancient wisdom shows us love is stronger

Fear, Fearing the Lord, and Walking in Love
Any biology textbook can tell us that fear brings a lot of energy. In the face of threats (or perceived threats), adrenaline courses through our

How Can We Love Our Neighbors in a Time of Coronavirus?
What does it mean to love our neighbors in a time of coronavirus? Like many Americans, I’ve paid increasing attention these past few days to

Almost-Forgotten Women and Undoing Injustice
Most Americans will never know their names, yet many women, through their actions, have contributed to the undoing of injustice. When we traveled to Montgomery,

A Community’s Work to Participate in Healing
It was a dreary night outside, and a warm welcome inside the library of Trinity Episcopal Church in Southport, CT Tuesday night. After a winter

How to Receive God’s Love
Request Your FREE RESOURCE: 5 Ways to Experience God’s Love and Practice Peace I wrote earlier this week about what a difference it makes when

What Having a Baby with Down Syndrome Taught Me About Distraction, Fear, and Love
When our daughter was diagnosed with Down syndrome, we felt fear for her future, but love carried us all. I’m increasingly convinced that one of

Love: Sentiment or Commitment
“Love is not a sentiment. It is a commitment…” As I drove home from a beautiful weekend in Richmond at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, I

Journaling with My Non-Dominant Hand and What I Learned
I’ve been meeting with a spiritual director once a month for the past few months, and recently she challenged me to observe the season of

Jean Vanier and Abuse: Is His Work Discredited?
Jean Vanier, founder of the L’Arche community, beloved author, speaker, teacher, and mentor to thousands, winner of the Templeton prize—sexually abused multiple women over the

The Truth About Disability and Siblings
“How do your other children react to having a sister with Down syndrome?” People ask this question frequently, both out of curiosity and also from

How to Start Reading the Bible
Download E-Book I remember when I was in high school and I first wanted to read the Bible. I wasn’t sure what I believed about

Is Not Wearing a Bikini an Act of Modesty or Shame
Is not wearing a bikini an act of modesty or shame? I really don’t like wearing bathing suits. I’m not even talking about bikinis. One-piece

The Ethics of Abortion
The ethics of abortion. Twice a year, I Skype with a class of high school students in New York City during their unit on abortion

A Model for Race and Justice Events
A MODEL FOR RACE AND JUSTICE EVENTS—It was a tremendous honor to stand alongside my friend and colleague Natasha Sistrunk Robinson last Thursday night at

Race, Sex, Faith, and the Halftime Show
The Superbowl halftime show: salacious or celebratory? Empowering or objectifying? After the halftime show last Sunday, and after noticing really different reactions to it from

Really Good Bacon and the Expansive Love of God
The expansive love of God filled my weekend with the women of White Memorial Presbyterian Church at a retreat in Pinehurst, NC. It was such

Caregiving: The Humble Act of Bathing
In caregiving, the humble act of bathing requires deep trust and deep care. Here’s what it taught me about God. Have you ever washed another

AJB Recommends: Privilege and Race Podcasts
Amy Julia Recommends is a new feature on my blog where I’ll compile recommendations for podcasts, books, articles, etc., that I’ve shared on my social

AJB Recommends: Faith and Family Podcasts
Amy Julia Recommends is a compilation of recommendations for podcasts, books, articles, etc., that I’ve shared on my social media platforms. This edition of Amy