The Hanley family has talked for years about the fun memories made camping and how we want to carry that legacy on with our kids. After 14 years of marriage and several kids later, we finally said, “This is the year we vacation together.” Picking a spot somewhat in the middle, we scheduled our camping […]
Spiritual
When Worship Songs Become More about Me Than God
Back in the early nineties, traditional churches started transitioning from the hymnal to what we termed praise choruses: “As the Deer,” “Shine, Jesus, Shine,” “Jesus, Lover of my Soul,” “Awesome God,” “Lord, I lift Your Name on High,” and more pop into my mind. We added these songs gradually, because many Southern Baptists struggled with […]
My May Reads and a few other random thoughts…
How is this possible? May 31st is here already…and I made it! Felt like I had a foaming tiger by the tail a few times, but I ran alongside, panting and gritting my teeth. I even got to wave and smile and enjoy the scenery a few places. By the time I could let go, […]
A Mother’s View
Many people have contemplated Mary’s perspective regarding the birth of the Savior. After all, verses are dedicated to her thoughts and feelings in response to His arrival, but what about when her son, the promised Messiah of the world, was beaten and hung from a tree? What was she pondering in her heart in those […]
My March Reads
This month and the next will be demanding more of my time than usual, but I’m still trying to get some good books in–often from 10:30-midnight. 🙂 The Rock, the Road, and the Rabbi by Kathie Lee Gifford, with Rabbi Jason Sobel, takes you through Israel to the various places mentioned in Scripture and gives […]
Changing Your Life with Two Words
Last Sunday, Joe White spoke at our church. The central theme of his talk could be extracted down to two words: I’m third. His stories demonstrated the impact of infusing this mentality into everything a person does. All week, I contemplated the power of living a life as “I’m third” and how that would realign […]
Who am I Impressing and Why?
My nature, I’m not a people pleaser, but I don’t like failing either. I set goals, and if I’m honest, I find too much satisfaction in impressing others with my responsible and proactive nature. Recently, God has been asking me, “Who are you trying to impress here?” Last night, I read in Priscilla Shirer’s book, […]
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My February Reads
Well, I must confess I have started more books this month than I’ve finished. I began reading a biography on Leonardo Da Vinci, but the author quickly fixated on the possibility of Da Vinci’s homosexuality and I got annoyed with his obsession to prove it, ignoring the aspects of the inventor and artist that makes […]
Holding Onto Unwavering Love Even When You Don’t Feel It
Last week, I stood in my kitchen, doing dishes while listening to a John Piper message on Romans 5. His opening prayer prompted a volcano of tears and the mountain kept gushing over the next 38 minutes. Despite all my training and rational understanding, my heart doesn’t always incline itself toward the love of God. […]
Common Sense Has Left the Building
Imagine your neighbor comes over and plants a rose seedling in your yard. You don’t notice it right away, but even after you do see it start to develop and grow, you think, “Man, this isn’t a convenient time to have a rose bush. What do I know about growing and maintaining roses and do […]