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Articles by Drew Hensley
Purpose and Promise
As soon as things go sideways, God makes it clear that He has a plan to put everything back in order. It won’t come through a bolt of lightning, a reset of humanity, or a divine re-ordering of creation, it will come through this unnamed “He.” Who is this He that will crush the head of Satan, putting death to death once and for all?
It’s Okay to Not Be Okay - Key Life
Infertility, this was the invisible grief that was dropped into our lives. It took me three years to actually sit with the pain and loss in an honest way, without running (either to quick solutions or alcohol) or laughing it off to avoid actually feeling much at all. So what happened three years later? A friend asked if I would drive him to the airport. I readily agreed, even though I remember it had been a really, really hard day. I had gone for a run earlier around Green Lake Park near our home.
The Words That Form Us: How Language Shapes Discipleship Culture
Language creates culture. Every society on earth proves it. Anthropologists have long noted that culture and language are inseparable—what people say shapes what they see, value, and become. In parts of Africa, there are regions where eleven distinct languages are spoken in a single area. Those languages don’t just sound different—they form different worlds. They shape community, hospitality, art, and imagination. Language is the lens through which people experience reality.
The Quiet Frenzy - Key Life
We’ve been told for years that young people are leaving the church in droves—apathetic, distracted, unimpressed. And sure, some of that is true. But the longer I pastor, the more I’m convinced that this well-rehearsed narrative is only half the story. Because beneath the noise, there’s something else happening. Something quieter. Hungrier. Something nobody really planned. A quiet frenzy. No fog machines. No glow sticks. No TED-Talk sermons with Bible verses sprinkled like seasoning.
Don't Silence the Saints - Key Life
The church cannot afford to silence the saints. We need them. We love the energy of youth. And rightly so. The church should be full of young voices, fresh ideas, and passionate discipleship. We talk a lot about “raising up the next generation,” and that’s biblical and good. But here’s the danger: when we only look ahead, we risk neglecting the very people who have already walked the long road of faith before us.
The Garden and the Gospel: Raising Kids Who’ll Never Go Spiritually Hungry - Key Life
I’ve been teaching my six-year-old son, Silas, how to fish and how to garden this summer. It’s a slow, patient process—if you’ve ever taught a young child how to cast a line or spread soil, you know what I mean. Hooks end up in trees. Dirt ends up in socks. A few weeks ago, I posted some pictures of our time at the pond and in the garden.
Grieving What Ministry Could Have Been - Key Life
Worn out, burned out, anxious, restless, wounded, disappointed, done. I’ve been there. I will be there again. And likely, so will you. Whether you’re the lead pastor, an associate or assistant pastor, or planting a new church, things often unfold in ways we don’t anticipate. The minister’s journey is often a painful one. Plans fail. Dreams drift out of reach. We find ourselves grieving at the broken altar of unmet ministry expectations.
He's in the Waiting - Key Life
You are loved in the waiting. And that makes all the difference. “But they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” — Isaiah 40:31 Last week I went back to Missouri for a funeral. While I was there I visited the graveyard where my grandfather, grandmother, aunt, and cousin are buried.
Grieving What Ministry Could Have Been
Ministry doesn't always unfold the way we dreamed. But even in the ache of unmet expectations, grace meets us where we are. Worn out, burned out, anxious, restless, wounded, disappointed, done. I've been there. I will be there again. And likely, so will you. Whether you're the lead pastor, an associate or assistant pastor, or planting a new church, things often unfold in ways we don't anticipate. The minister's journey is often a painful one. Plans fail. Dreams drift out of reach.
What If Everyone Ended Up In Heaven? - Key Life
What if everyone ended up in Heaven, would you be okay with it? Not from a theological point of view but on a more personal, emotional level? If you found out today that God in His kindness and grace is allowing everyone into His presence and that no one will be suffering an eternity of darkness, what would the look be on your face? Would it be a grin, would it be a scowl, would it be a cheek to cheek smile, or would it be filled with rage?
6 Characteristics that Make You a Successful Custom Product Designer
In the ever-evolving world of custom product design, success isn't just about having a good eye for aesthetics or mastering the latest design software. It's about possessing a unique blend of skills, mindsets, and approaches that set you apart in this competitive field. Whether you're designing custom t-shirts, phone cases, or any other personalized products, these six characteristics will help you thrive and make your mark as a custom product designer.
Of Ghosts and Grace - Key Life
I believe in ghosts. Not the ghosts of other people, but the ghosts of our past. Ghosts named regret, shame, humiliation, abuse and brokenness that come back to haunt us and tempt us with their well crafted lies that come wrapped up as indefensible truths. We all have a past and that means we all have ghosts to defend against; not with some self-help jargon, white-knuckling fortitude, or three-step process, but with the unmovable power of grace.
When God Missed Parent’s Day
When a parent doesn’t show up on an important day, it’s a big deal. I learned this in third grade. My friend Derick had a difficult relationship with his father. His parents were divorced and meaningful time with his dad was something Derick valued more than anything. Even as a third grader I knew this because of how much he talked about his dad and how amazing he was. So when Parent’s Day rolled around, Derick was bouncing off the walls because his dad promised he would be there.
Invisible Grief - Key Life
When I was 11 my grandfather died; it was the first time I came face to face with death and this thing called “grief.” I obviously didn’t understand everything happening but I did understand I lost something, more than that, someone that I really loved. It was a sad time, but there was also a sense of peace and closure once we buried my grandfather, shared memories, and consoled one another. At 31 my wife and I found out we couldn’t have children.
“What Difference Does it Make?” - Key Life
It’s hard not to get overwhelmed by the immense level of brokenness all around us. We see it on display like clothes on a mannequin in a store window. Poverty, hate, sickness, abuse, disasters, and death (to name a few) are plastered across our screens and dropped into our lives. “I need to do something” shouts out in my mind, but is quickly followed up by “what difference would it really make?” with an even louder and more definitive voice.
Attention Addicts - Key Life
I recently heard a comedian say that our greatest addiction in America isn’t to a substance and isn’t to habit. “America’s greatest addiction is to attention.” Sadly, he’s right. For many of us we won’t stop until we get enough and we will never get enough to stop. But attention isn’t bad in and of itself. In fact, it’s built into our DNA. We are wired for attention, to be seen and to be known. I see this in my 4-year-old son every single day. He desperately wants to get and keep my attention.
Don’t Speak Too Soon: Helping The Hurting Without Minimizing Pain - Key Life
I’ve learned the hard way. In my marriage I was far too quick to offer solutions to painful situations and occasionally still am. For the first 5 years, I thought this was the best way to care for my wife and quickly applied it to pastoral care as well.
The Overlooked God - Key Life
It’s easy to take for granted or underestimate what we don’t understand. I found this out the hard way during the fall of 2007. I had recently purchased a 1965 Ford Mustang that was barely functional (not the wisest purchase). As I turned to pull onto our street after work on a seemingly normal day, I started to press the brakes…and nothing happened. I pressed again and quickly realized my brakes weren’t working.
Be Still and Know - Key Life
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” – Psalm 46:10 Yesterday, one of my pastor friends from Atlanta, Dr. Crawford Loritts, preached a sermon from Psalm 46. His main point was that, “sometimes it takes more faith to sit still than it does to move forward.” There’s no doubt in my mind that these past two months have tested our faith.
Sleep Well - Key Life
In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety. – Psalm 4:8 My wife and I recently adopted our first son, Silas. Having never been parents, we had a lot of questions and anxieties. We wanted to make sure that we were doing everything we could to ensure his health and safety. During the first week of his young life, I took night duty with the little guy. Everything we read said to sleep when your baby is sleeping but for that first week, no way.
I'm Sorry, Silas - Key Life
I was an 80’s and 90’s kid and parents telling their children “I’m sorry” wasn’t the norm. The idea that an adult would ask a child to forgive them was unheard of, at least in my observation. I was an 80’s and 90’s kid and parents telling their children “I’m sorry” wasn’t the norm. The idea that an adult would ask a child to forgive them was unheard of, at least in my observation.
The Unique Gift of Grief - Key Life
How can something so painful be of any benefit...ever? This is a legitimate question. It doesn’t square well with the fragility of our hearts or make sense on paper. The idea that what may very well be the most painful reality/season in our life actually comes bearing gifts can seem very foreign.
Jesus Loving Pharisees - Key Life
Do you ever feel like your head is on straight, but your heart is upside down? I’ve been walking with a group of men through the book of James on Tuesday mornings and it’s been revealing. What it revealed the most for me is the disconnect that often occurs between our mind and our hearts.
It’s Not Too Late - Key Life
I sat down with a man in his late 50’s at a local coffee shop. This meetup didn’t have an agenda other than connection. He was newer to our congregation and we were simply meeting to get to know each other a bit better. From the outside looking in it seemed like he had the “Midas touch,” everything he did turned to gold. He was self-made and very well off but I could see on his face and sense in his demeanor, he was uncomfortable and dejected.
Pain & Redemption - Key Life
By Drew & Laura Hensley Joy and grief are not mutually exclusive. This is the human experience. My wife and I were invited to share the story of our journey toward parenting this Mother’s Day at our home church of ONE Fellowship in Charleston, SC. While this is a day filled with joy for us now, for 7 long years this day along with Father’s Day were the hardest of the year. It felt like a cruel reminder that our desire to grow our family was still going unmet.
Let’s Be Honest: Coming Out of the Shadows
A few years ago I experienced something I’ve never experienced before; a crippling panic attack. I can honestly say without a doubt I thought I was going to die. My heart was pounding and racing and my head was all over the place. For the next 7 weeks I experienced a rare form of anxiety known as “Derealization.” Nothing around me felt quite right; it was like living every day behind a hazy glass wall. I was having trouble discerning what was real and what was just in my mind.
Immunization Laws and Policies Among U.S. Institutes of Higher Education
1. Marcus, M. , “Mumps cases at a 10-year high, colleges hard hit,” CBS News, December 12, 2016, available at <http://www.cbsnews.com/news/mumps-cases-10-year-high-college-outbreaks-vaccination/> (last visited March 12, 2019). Google Scholar 2. Scutini, S. , “CDC Recommends Booster Shot of MMR Vaccine During Mumps A solution to weak and inconsistent vaccine laws and policies among higher education institutions is to ramp up such requirements uniformly across the country. It is not that easy, however.
The Opioid Crisis Response Act: Looking Ahead, Ignoring the Present
JURIST Guest Columnists, James G. Hodge, Jr., Chelsea Gulinson, and Drew Hensley of the Center for Public Health Law and Policy, Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law, Arizona State University, examine the pros and cons of the current version of the Opioid Crisis Response Act of 2018... On September 17, 2018, the U.S. Senate voted overwhelmingly (99-1) in support of the Opioid Crisis Response Act (OCRA) of 2018.
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