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Jen Bradbury
Jan 09 · 5 min read

12 Books You Should Read

Filed in Recent Reads and Book Review

In 2023, I read 140 books, not including most of the picture books I read to the girls. The vast majority were physical books, but I also  listened to a fair amount of audiobooks (for the first year ever.) Doing so upped the volume of books I...

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#books

Jen Bradbury
Jul 17 · 5 min read

On not being welcomed at church

Last Sunday during worship, I sat in the comfort room with my two-year old, Kendall, in tears.

To be clear, I was the one in tears, not her.

We’d gone into the cry room to nurse. When we returned to the sanctuary, she started chattering. A LOT...

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#toddlers #parenting #church #worship #breastfeeding #baptism #books #youth ministry #Community #student leadership #culture of welcome #Pandemic

Jen Bradbury
Feb 23 · 5 min read

Notes from the Pandemic: Pandemic Babies

NBC news has recently been airing a series of reports about the mental health toll of the pandemic on young people. As a youth pastor, I’m well aware of these. I’ve seen the toll this pandemic has taken on the young people in my ministry. I’ve...

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#youth pastor #children #Pandemic #marriage #parenting #books

Jen Bradbury
Feb 22 · 5 min read

3 educational priorities

It’s school enrollment season and as the parent of a kindergartener, I’ve been thinking about education a lot.

A few weeks ago, I listened to a podcast by The Mom Hour in which they reflected on their school priorities. That got me thinking about...

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#Teaching #youth pastor #children #diversity #education #parenting #books

Jen Bradbury
Feb 11 · 5 min read

How the Bible Ruined the Berenstain Bears'

I have fond memories from my childhood of curling up in my mom’s lap, in her big (ugly) green recliner and reading the Berenstain Bears’ books. They were classics that every kid my age loved.

I’ve loved introducing these books to my own girls,...

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#Community #scripture #children #diversity #Jesus #books

Jen Bradbury
Feb 08 · 5 min read

Review: How to Listen So Your Kids Will Talk

Filed in Book Review

I’m an introverted youth pastor who has, for years, considered myself to be a pretty good listener. Sadly, I fear that I sometimes listen BETTER to other people’s kids than I do my own. Having recognized this in myself, I was excited to read Becky...

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#books #introvert #youth pastor #parenting #children's ministry #children #Pandemic #conflict

Jen Bradbury
Jan 15 · 5 min read

The story behind CALLED

Two and a half years ago, I transitioned out of a 10-year call that I loved.

The decision to leave was NOT an easy one. It’s one I struggled with a lot… And along the way, I did what I always do: I turned to books for guidance.

I dutifully read...

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#transitions #vocation #youth ministry #Called #books #The Youth Cartel #breastfeeding #maternity leave #Pandemic #death #baptism #church #marriage

Jen Bradbury
Dec 22 · 5 min read

Review: Defiant by Kelley Nikondeha

Filed in Book Review

I’ve had the pleasure of hearing Kelley Nikondeha speak a couple of times, first at the women’s’ retreat she mentions often in Defiant, and more recently at Evolving Faith. Having heard Kelley in person and experienced first-hand her heart for the...

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#hope #justice #scripture #books

Jen Bradbury
Dec 21 · 5 min read

Review: All the Colors of Christmas by Matthew Paul Turner

Filed in Book Review

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: I’m a fan of Matthew Paul Turner’s children’s books. Matthew's most recent book, All the Colors of Christmas did not disappoint. 

All The Colors Of Christmas

There are four reasons I loved this book:

1. It rhymes…...

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#books

Jen Bradbury
Dec 18 · 5 min read

Review: Don't Overthink It by Anne Bogel

Filed in Book Review

I’m type A.

I have an engineering degree.

I’m also an introvert.

All of these things contribute to the ways in which I overanalyze EVERYTHING. (And I do mean everything!) Why make a decision in 5 minutes when you can take 5 weeks?

My desire to...

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#introvert #books

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Tags

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Latest Posts

  • 12 Books You Should Read
  • On not being welcomed at church
  • Notes from the Pandemic: Pandemic Babies
  • 3 educational priorities
  • How the Bible Ruined the Berenstain Bears'
  • Review: How to Listen So Your Kids Will Talk
  • The story behind CALLED
  • Review: Defiant by Kelley Nikondeha
  • Review: All the Colors of Christmas by Matthew Paul Turner
  • Review: Don't Overthink It by Anne Bogel

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