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It's a symbol of love, of forgiveness, of salvation.

It's a reminder of violence, of blood, of death.

It's a trinket dangling from a rear-view mirror, an ornament to dress up an outfit.

It's a centerpiece in a house of worship.

It's a gift. It's an offense.

It's a reminder, in the ...

In The Fortunate Ones (the Atlantic), Graeme Wood reports on a recent study that demonstrates how excessive amounts of wealth can't buy happiness. They can't even buy a sense of security. It's hard to believe that the super-rich feel insecure in life and about money in general, ...

Three stories that couldn't be more different. One abortion. One orphan denied a family. And one grandmother who shares the gift of her granddaughter. And yet in each case, the child in question has Down syndrome.

The first came from Babble, a parenting website. (I will include ...

What books are you reading lately? Are they hopeful and truthful at the same time?

I ask because a friend who reads this blog wrote me last week with the following comments:

"I've been thinking lately about fiction and Christian writers. With my recent book choices I've read some ...

I wrote last week about the way William is teaching me to love music. Earlier this week, Peter took him to see a string quartet and they happened upon the orchestra playing nearby. Click here to hear and see William talk about it.

I was asked to participate in the current Patheos Book Club discussion about The Language of Science and Faith. In addition to my own reflection, posted below, I invite you to read an excerpt, read an interview with Karl Giberson, and look at other reviews of the book itself. ...

My husband, a Christian, volunteered to be the faculty sponsor of the atheist club on his school campus. Although he believes that Christianity is true (not just true-for-me but true with a capital T), he also believes that everyone has the right to express ideas and to think ...

A little boy died on Monday. His name was Francis, and he had Down syndrome. When he died he was wearing a blue onesie that once belonged to William.

Last week I spent some time going through Penny's old clothes to see what would fit Marilee. I found myself in tears as each item ...

"Perfectly Human" is a series of guest posts that runs every Wednesday afternoon. Today Mica May, mother to Jackson, a two-year old with Down syndrome, shares her reflections from Down Syndrome Awareness Day. Mica has written for Perfectly Human before (See "My Jackson"), and ...

Update (posted April 6): Caryn and Casey have won copies of Half the Church. Thanks to all who participated!

Let's begin with a question: what has been your experience of women in the church? Comment below and enter to receive a free copy of Half the Church.

Carolyn Custis James' ...

Every so often I happen upon a blog of someone who epitomizes stay-at-home-mom. She bakes fresh bread. She thinks of creative art projects with her children. She decorates her home, with her children, for every holiday. She definitely has a garden with both flowers and vegetables. ...

At just about the time I was moving my blog to beliefnet, I received an email from Deborah Arca, editor of the mainline Christian portal at patheos. She invited me to participate in a "theoblogger challenge" by writing an answer to the question "Who Is God?, in 100 words or ...

This weekly feature is intended to provide a picture of life with a disability in all its possibilities and limitations, gifts and struggles. The title of this feature comes from the Greek word telos, which can be translated as "perfect" but which also can be defined as, "the ...

For most of my adult Christian life, I've been trying to understand what happened on the cross. I used to give the stock Christian answer: "Jesus died on the cross for my sins." I still think that statement is true, but I've become less and less clear on exactly what it means. ...