Author Archives: Chad Hensley

With by Skye Jethani – Book Review

Skye Jethani’s “With” offers a transformative framework, contrasting deficient postures toward God with the desired relational dynamic, “Life With God,” which emphasizes communion, trust, and love over transactional or performance-based approaches.

The Future is Local

The Problem If you haven’t read Jonathan Haidt’s excellent book, The Anxious Generation, I highly recommend it. I reviewed it last year, here. This book and the research behind it have helped lead the charge to make some significant changes in society to help with the growing mental health crisis in our world. The basicContinue reading “The Future is Local”

Living in Divine Communion Amidst Digital Distractions

In an age where our attention is shattered by a ceaseless barrage of notifications, screens, and digital noise, the timeless message of Brother Lawrence’s The Practice of the Presence of God emerges as a refreshing and vital call. This 17th-century classic, centers on the simple yet profound discipline of living constantly aware of God’s intimateContinue reading “Living in Divine Communion Amidst Digital Distractions”

Cracking the Relational Algorithm

In “The Accountant 2,” Ben Affleck’s character Christian Wolff attempts to navigate dating like a puzzle, leveraging data analysis to manipulate outcomes. However, his approach fails to foster genuine connections. The narrative contrasts his method with biblical principles of love, emphasizing that true relationships thrive on grace, humility, and selflessness rather than strategy.

What is Love? It Matters Who You Listen Too

The world is telling you a message every day and everything you consume will tell you what love is, including the music you listen to. How does that differ from God’s Word?

Is Positive Thinking Enough?

James Allen’s As a Man Thinketh is a classic in the self-help genre, originally published in 1903. Drawing inspiration from Proverbs 23:7—“For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he”—Allen explores the profound connection between thought and character, arguing that the quality and direction of our inner thinking shapes our lives. The book’s enduringContinue reading “Is Positive Thinking Enough?”

Toxic Empathy by Allie Beth Stuckey – Book Review

Allie Beth Stuckey’s “Toxic Empathy” critiques how progressive activists exploit Christian compassion to manipulate beliefs on contentious issues like abortion, gender, and immigration. She argues that true empathy must align with biblical love, warning against the dangers of emotional slogans that bypass critical moral inquiry. The book encourages discernment and genuine compassion among Christians.

The Desire to be on the Inside

The pursuit of belonging in exclusive social circles, termed “inner rings,” often leads to self-deception and compromise. C.S. Lewis warns that these groups are more about exclusion than genuine connection. Instead of chasing status, individuals should focus on developing real skills and authentic relationships, cultivating true belonging and enlightenment through genuine efforts.