I’ve been reading through I & II Kings lately and am astonished at how many pagan practices God’s people adopted. Depending on the king and whether he submitted to the law of the Lord or not, the people often threw their children into Molech’s fiery mouth or set up idol worship in their own homes. […]
Natural Hygiene and Beauty Products That Won’t Break the Bank
Soaps: I love the Activated Charcoal, Tea Tree Facial Bar by Aunti Zibbas Handcrafted Soap, and Cornerstone Soapworks also has deliciously fragrant homemade soaps. I’ve used so many products over the years, but nothing keeps the bacteria at bay without drying out my skin like activated charcoal and tea-tree soap. The soap lasts a long […]
You Belonged to Me Before You Belonged to Anyone Else
We all belong to someone: even if your life is so broken, you can only claim the foster system or the government, you are associated with another entity besides yourself. Sadly, we identity ourselves by tag lines that don’t give us a complete or accurate picture of who we truly are:_______’s spouse, ___________’s daughter, __________’s […]
A Marriage of Compliments & Challenges
This morning, I woke up unusually early, in part because my body was hurting and in part because I heard Aaron’s alarm. I rarely want to engage, converse, or even move much before 8:00, but my husband bursts into his day with enthusiasm, energy, and a talkative spirit he doesn’t always possess in the evening. […]
Rethinking Mondays and House Size
Recently, my family made the trek to Oklahoma to visit my husband’s extended family. Four generations of Hanley men in one house was a precious and rare privilege. Ralph Hanley, my husband’s grandpa, raised up a heritage of men and women who then raised up a generation of men and women who love and serve […]
I Don’t Want to be in This Place Anymore…Or Do I?
The two words God keeps putting before me are “surrender” and “process”. Of course, I feel uncomfortable with both. I am a take-charge, make-it-happen kind of girl and those words require patience, humility, and the forbearance to accept yourself when you don’t get it all right–or even part right. My husband and I are currently […]
3 Reasons We Resist Surrender
Even though I’ve been a believer for 30 years, I still have a rather dense skull when it comes to hearing God’s voice. Sadly, God has to beat me over the head with a message several times before I’m enlightened. “Oh, I see, Lord.” The last week, I started reading a Jennie Allen book called […]
Paralyzed by Indecision
“Too many options can flood someone, yet their inability to choose may be directly tied to their fear of making a mistake. This is exponentially increased if they have had a history of being corrected when they were making a choice—or always being told what to do and what to want. Both extremes create self-doubt and the […]
Reconciling the Various Stages of Who We Are and Who We Become
Because the kids spent the night with grandparents into Labor Day, I had the rare opportunity to wake up to an empty house Monday and then spend the whole day alone. I can’t recall when that happened–not one person for 8 whole hours. The house was so quiet, I heard noises I’m not usually able […]
Reminders from the Community Theatre
This past weekend, I had the opportunity to go see a play with my friend Kaylene. Another friend, Julie, was playing Clairee in the theatre production of Steel Magnolias. In case you haven’t seen the film, starring Julia Roberts, Sally Field, and many others, this story circulates around the community of six women, bonded by […]