Experiencing God
Bright Mystery, self-published (2025)
“It’s simple, really: when something cries out, it wants to be held.”
Deep Thoughts about the Meaning of Life, Christian Scholars Review (2023)
“Christian practices are slow, not fast. They are rooted in tradition, not innovation.
We do them best together and in person, not alone and on screens.”
Good Girl, self-published (2025)
“The only word I spoke to God was, ‘Orange.’”
Helping and Healing: The Link Between Personal Suffering and Social Action, PRISM (2004).
“If, like Martin Luther King Jr., we remain open to the creative potential of suffering, we can both experience personal healing and contribute to social transformation.”
Disorderly Disciplines, Christianity Today (2007)
“Practicing conventional disciplines, when we’re able, prepares us to simply practice the presence of God – to borrow a phrase from Brother Lawrence – in seasons of life filled with disorder.”
Why I No Longer Live in a Community, Regeneration Quarterly (1999)
“There are many parts in the body, and many ways to live for the common good.”
Do Less for God, The Other Side (1999)
“Though I was stressed and overworked, I felt secret delight in doing so much – and in being praised by others for doing it.”
What to Expect When You Tell the Truth: A Guide for Prospective Whistleblowers, Patheos (2014)
“Deviants abound, but so do heroes; people who insist on bringing the truth to light.”
I Command You to Love, The Sunday Sentinel (2015)
“When told to tolerate abuse – to pray instead of taking action to protect ourselves, we often do.”
Pondering Christian Faith
Experimenting With Sin, Good News Magazine (2012)
“How frequently do I sin?”
Should We Save Our Children from the Flames of Hell? Patheos (2013)
“There’s something even better than fire insurance against Hell.”
Santa v. God, Patheos (2010)
“Santa and God are in direct competition, and it seems that Santa may have the upper hand.”
Sheep Among Wolves, chapter in Results May Vary (2013)
“When even the shepherd turns out to be a wolf in disguise, it’s time for the sheep to wise up.”
Why I Am a Cultural Evangelical, Christians for Biblical Equality (2008)
“Is it really so bad to be a cultural Christian?”
Love Beyond Romance, Christians for Biblical Equality (2006)
“Should I date God?”
Teaching with A!ia, Collegeville Institute Bearings (2017)
“What keeps a teacher’s heart in the game?”
Memo to the Masses: Withhold Consent from Christian Sexism, Patheos (2012)
“Why debate what should be dismissed?”
Mothering in the Valley of the Shadow of Death, co-authored with Janel Kragt-Bakker, Perspectives: A Journal of Reformed Thought (2015)
“Crises of faith in the wake of tragedy are both normal and potentially constructive. New and renewed insights and commitments can emerge in grief but only when what was lost is given its due.”
When Mother’s Day is Hard, Christianity Today (2004)
“Holidays are frequently hard for bereaved people, especially the holidays that celebrate the very someone you've lost.”
Brokenhearted Online, co-authored with Janel Kragt-Bakker, Bearings Online (2015)
“Stillbirth and neonatal death often trigger immense and long-lasting grief in parents. These life-altering losses both call upon and call into question parents’ religious beliefs and practices.”
Comic Relief
The Beet Goes On, self-published (2025)
“Last week I came into possession of eight beets.”
Responding to Student Excuses with the Wisdom of Solomon, Christian Scholars Review (2021)
“Each student excuse is a spiritual opportunity for both students and professors.”
I Have Climbed That Mountain, self-published (2025)
“A mountain of laundry; mine to climb!”
New ways to lose your lunch, The Morning News (2005)
“Here is the beginning of my dictionary of vomit.”
Notes from a Working Out Mom. Working Mother (2015)
“I wanted to be seen in my new yoga pants, designed and purchased in this century.”
Nobody Cares What I Think, self-published (2025)
“Nobody cares what I think anymore, but that doesn’t mean they don’t care at all.”
Sometimes You Have to Walk Alone, self-published (2023)
“Hear ye! Hear ye! My son has placed into Accelerated P.E.!”