The HSL Blog

Cultural apologetics, functional theology, everyday application, and enough salt to make you want more.

Granite, Graves, and the Grace Required to Grow 3/3

The only thing that separates any of us from being the walking wounded turned walking wounders? Grace. Grace alone. 
READ

Granite, Graves, and the Grace Required to Grieve 2/3

It wasn't until high school or college that I became aware of some of the complex layers and dynamics. I much preferred the obliviousness of childhood.
READ

Granite, Graves, and the Grace Required to Grieve I/3

What do you say when the only true things are hard things and the things that would best be said, are not true?
READ

Last Place Winners

Do you know why the Bible says, "My flesh and heart may fail... BUT God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever?"
READ

The Ancient God of Current Events

Did you wonder if the God of the Bible could still captivate, activate and change the whole world at once? You should not be wondering now.
READ

“Millstones! Get Your Millstones!”

Friends, the clearest and best indicator of the judgement awaiting us is our utter inability to value life or protect children. Millstones! Get your Millstones!
READ

A Holy Hard Pass

Why do we allow ourselves to assume the postures and positions of the guilty or condemned when such a precious price has been paid to make us free? Be done. Gonna be a hard pass here.
READ

Boomers, Groomers, and a Little Perspective on Purity Culture

Beware the progressive voice condemning yesterday's "purity culture," if that same voice is condoning today's radical transgender culture.
READ

Foolish Objections, Charlie’s Chocolate Confections, and the Idiocy of Immorality

This week saw the saintly and censoring eyes of the mob turn to Roald Dahl's smutty books--like Matilda, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and BFG... obviously, very dangerous books.
READ

Fear Not… For Real.

Believer. You are a child of the Most-High God. Pride in being so greatly affected, by so very little... has no place in your heart, mind, mouth, or habits. Build a bridge. Get thee over it.
READ

Billy, Lottie, and the Burden of the Body

How many teenagers are we expecting, encouraging, or equipping as though they will change the entire world?
READ

“Judge Not” Does Not Mean “Have No Discernment.”

It's a thing. You can make observations, valuations... wait for it... differentiations (isn't vocabulary fun?!) WITHOUT BEING GUILTY OF CONDEMNATION.
READ

Cloudy with a Chance of… Coughing, Cancer, and Birth Defects?

The sky turned black in the day, fish floated in streams, animals died in their pins, crops... food... skin... tumors... Plagues in East Palestine?
READ

DANGER! NUCLEAR FAMILY AHEAD!

Take cover! There is a functional, nuclear family ahead... complete with loving marriage between man and wife... the horror!!
READ

Halftime’s Rihanna, Asbury’s Revival, and Our Need to Worship

The young people that we think require the lights, the look, and the loud... to encounter the LORD? Don't.
READ

This Is Worship. Part I

This is the first of two posts on worship, multiple perspectives on one moment. HOW we worship matters to WHO we worship. Here's why...
READ

This is Worship Leading. Part II

This is the second of two posts on worship, multiple perspectives on one moment. HOW we worship matters to WHO we worship. Here's why...
READ

Singing, Satan, Statues Oh My!

With every song, show, and celebration the world broadcasts its depravity loud and clear. Roll out the red carpet, shine the trophies while you can. Rest assured this party ends on earth.
READ

Spy Balloons, Bus Beatings, and Yes… the Body of Christ

You've seen this, right? What do these two things have in common and what does it mean for The Body of Christ? Everything. And everything. Here, watch this...
READ

If Paul Saw the Church in America… We’d Get a Letter

Saw this float around a while back. Let’s clarify a point. This is true indeed. However...
READ

Kingdom Breadlines and the Panhandling Poor

Simmer, simmer... this is not about poverty or the hungry. This is about Jehovah Jireh and His children... who sometimes live like orphans.
READ

Be a Better Disciple Maker with These Three Words

Want a fast, easy way to be a better apologist and disciple maker? These three words make all the difference..
READ

Get Thee Transformed, People.

God intended you do more than dangle in a crusty cocoon. New life awaits! Get thee transformed, people. Pronto!
READ

The Healthy You, Healthy Family Sweepstakes!

It's a new year and a new opportunity to become more healthy. This year, we've decided to help by giving away a healthy Grand Prize valued at $5,000! Enter to win here...
READ

Alabaster Box… of Chicken Sandwiches

We tend to think the stories of the Bible are A) just stories... and B) stories that happened once a long time ago, but never again. Nay, nay weary traveler. Here's a story for you...
READ

The Test of Christianity… Should Probably Include Christ.

Don't convolute a litmus test for what is Christianity with sentiment or kindness. A fruit of the Spirit, or from the Vine, is NOT THE VINE. 
READ

Leaves, Debris, and the Distance In-Between

Close proximity to the vine does not a branch make you. In-ness, not nearness, Friend. Come see the difference.
READ

The Abolition of Absolution

We are the generation dictators desired, without values enough to resist, without history enough to defend, without truth enough to reason... without conscience.
READ

Yay, Insufficiency!

Welcome, fools and failures! God knows our potential and He called us anyway. We are exactly the wrong kinda stuff He desires. And there's more good news...
READ

Faith, Fire… and Football?

Damar Hamlin, stopped and starting hearts... miracles on football fields should look like harvests in spiritual fields. What will we do with this miracle?
READ

We wish you a Merry Christmas… and a “Mary” New Year!

Given enough time and tinsel, anyone can “make merry.” But if making “Mary” is our goal for the new year, we may have some work to do.
READ

For Crying Out Loud… Smile and Say, “Cheese!”

Friend. Take the picture. Mark the occasion even when the occasion is grief, loss, or loneliness. Ask someone to take a picture of you.
READ

HSL Better Than Stuff Series: Give the Gift of Fidelity

What if I told you compromise or a convenient lack of conviction may go further to secure our earthly interests, but the inconsistency it requires damages the Gospel?
READ

What Good Ideas We Are Having!

Grieve and repent. There’s not a way to reframe this narrative to make it less foolish or wicked.
READ

HSL Better Than Stuff Series: Give the Gift of Sabbath Rest

Spiritual disciplines aren’t just for grown-ups. You want wise and mature adult Believers? Start training Believers to be wise and mature when they are children.
READ

Christmas Mortgage Miracle Sweepstakes!

Enter to win mortgage payments for all of 2023! You can enter once per day and earn bonus entries!
READ
Christmas star. Wise men.

Star of Wonder

The wise men weren't the only ones to see the star. They were just the ones WILLING TO FOLLOW IT.
READ

HSL Better Than Stuff Series: Give the Gift of Crazy-Good Skills

Having trouble coming up with gift ideas for your family? Could it be because they don’t truly need anything... or because the stuff they need CAN'T BE BOUGHT?
READ

HSL Better Than Stuff Series: Give the Gift of High Expectations

You can turn this thing around starting today! And you can start with high expectations, lofty goals, and faith that gives a confidence the world can't take away.
READ

HSL Better Than Stuff Series: Give the Gift of Encouragement

This is the season of grand loving gestures and unreciprocated generosity!! (Just ask Jesus.)
READ

Let Every Heart Prepare HIM Room

What is the first message of the manger?? HE will occupy as much room as you give Him.
READ

Why Abortion Isn’t Driving Voters to the Polls… (or Pools)

Grab the vapors and recline if you need to but do let it wash over you, we have actually identified the cause of pregnancy.
READ

Bless the Patriarchy

The idea that patriarchy is inherently bad and must be leveled is a lie from the enemy, intended to destabilize society, deconstruct the family and diminish men.
READ
tiktok

Mirror, Mirror On the Wall… Libs of TikTok is Exposing All

No entrapment or coercion, just curating the liberal lunacy of the left. Brilliant. Now it's still basically the same but with security and attorneys.
READ
Halloween, October, fear

The HSL Guide to Halloween II

You, Believer, can equip others with hope and courage in the form of answers, truth, and scripts that can encourage today and empower tomorrow, whatever battle tomorrow brings. 
READ

Your Friendly Neighborhood Extremist

As for the elephants in the room? There is simply no need for moderate Republicans anymore. There is no such thing as a moderate Democrat to reach across the aisle towards.
READ
Halloween, October, fear

The HSL Guide to Halloween: No Fear Here

What to do with Halloween? Does your house go big or go dark? I'm not a fan of Halloween but something scares me even more. Missed opportunities while my kids are still at home.
READ

The Abolition of Absolution

We are the generation dictators desired, without values enough to resist, without history enough to defend, without truth enough to reason... without conscience.
READ

True Love Waits… for Socialism and Climate Reform

Either He controls wind, wave... and market--or He doesn't. Is Almighty God of the Bible, Lessmighty or just Alrighty God of today?
READ

Crooks, Crowns, and the Libbish Empire

This week was peak royal… self-unaware, self-absorbed, a smidge snobby... and that’s stateside royals, not even the ones with actual crowns across the pond.
READ

Socialism is Great… on Paper!

Socialism would be outstanding in a society free of greed, sloth or sin. In other words, a society of plants. But certainly not sinful man
READ

Mums the Word on Dignity and Reverance

Say what you want about the Queen--but honor, tradition, dignity, and majesty are good and noble things for society.
READ

Christ, Cactus, and College Football

The rest of the world may be unconcerned but there is a prickly situation in Texas, between TCU and Texas Tech. Christ, Cactus, and College Football. Trust me.
READ

Your Majesty

Respect the reverence, the pomp, and pageantry. Then remember--your King, though once buried, lives again.
READ

Little Demon. Big Problem.

You can read exhaustive thoughts on Disney's show Little Demon, but not here. This will just take a minute anyhow.
READ

Rise, Shine, and Give God the Glory, Glory!

For too long we’ve let a broken world determine what it is to be blessed, the Lord sees it much differently.
READ

Forgiving a Debt Doesn’t Make You Jesus

If I had fireworks, I’d light em! Two of my favorite things happening right now… when people who reject my God, His Word, His Son, His Spirit and His authority— try to co-opt that which they routinely mock, to give validity and credibility to sophomoric ideas… and in some way pressure Christians, who they routinely…
READ

The Danger of Social Justice

Same dust, same ashes. Same shed blood covers us, same blood spills out of us. And those are the only colors that should concern us. We start in darkness, we have been offered ruby red redemption and we will end, in either eternal darkness or light. We should at least consider how the enemy has…
READ

That’s Racist: Public Schools to Fire White Teachers First

Seriously. This is actual racism and not the kind that is embedded or systemic, unintentional or unfelt. This is not the kind that you are guilty of by virtue of existence or skin color. This is not even the kind that wasn’t last year but is this year… because triggers or terms are changing daily,…
READ

There’s a Reason Everyone Loved Top Gun 2

There’s a reason everyone loves Top Gun Maverick… aside from the nostalgia for us “seasoned” folks, aside from the G’s, Mach 10, and dogfight (hellooo football) scene… it will make hundreds and hundreds of millions of dollars for this reason: It was JUST entertainment. It didn’t make you feel like garbage about your country, your…
READ

The Guide, The Blind, and You.

I just can’t take my eyes off of this. It’s the best illustration I’ve ever seen— of discipleship. Paralympian David Brown and Jerome Avery. Google them. Watch all the videos. Read all the articles.   That’s what this thing we are doing is. A guided run. Two people willingly bound together, a blind and a…
READ

Take It On the Road

Originally published: Nov 2020 I know everyone wants to talk about the gas, politics, etc. But I just don’t. I don’t have the energy for it. There are, however, several conversations I have been wanting to have over the last few days, but they didn’t seem appropriate or I didn’t want them to get lost…
READ

His Character Trumps Your Coping

Goood Morrrrrning!!! Serving up consistent theology for breakfast. I know, right?! Delish. It almost takes the sadness of intermittent fasting and having to drink black coffee like a trucker away. Almost.  Let’s look at good theology. You’re saved right?  You’ve placed your faith in Jesus, turned from sin and are walking in obedience, right?  Eternity…
READ

Not As Righteous As You Think

I have a feeling it’s gonna be that kinda year… Again. This may be more salt than your Sunday is ready for. You will likely hate everything I’m about to say. The most shocking thing to me is not that there is division or corruption in the nation or in politics. The most shocking thing…
READ

Ain’t Identity Politics Grand?

My favorite thing is when we assign good intentions, moral authority, and integrity based on gender… alone. Especially, when we’ve been told gender is just an imagined, social construct anyway. We live in a time of actual misandry, contempt and prejudice against men, though you wouldn’t know it with everyone screaming “Misogynist!” at every “peeing…
READ

Know Your Stuff.

***This is a perspective post, not a political post. This is Kayleigh McEnany’s binder for daily briefings. And, really that should be understood to be this is the culled down, portable version that represents countless volumes of information and hours of preparation… for every single day.   So… being prepared to give an answer for…
READ

I’m a trained Marxist. -BLM

When someone says “We are trained Marxists.” You need to sit up and take notice. Do you know what that means??   Pointing out self-avowed Marxism isn’t to detract from the reality of racism. It’s not a distraction. It’s not a strategy to blame shift or avoid justice. It IS to sound the alarm, that…
READ

7 Habits of Highly Humble People

What if the habits you are trying to maintain are the exact ones He intends to change? If the Lord intended us to go on as we were… He would allow us to go on as we were. But, oh no sir! He obviously intends we be thoroughly changed. Zero areas have been left in…
READ

The Letting Go

If the Lord wills…. These words said by some of the bravest, closest followers of Christ. Paul and James…men so confident in what they saw and KNEW, that they would leave lives they knew for deaths they didn’t. Men of conviction and clarity. These are the men who ultimately and humbly acknowledged… only the Lord…
READ

The Finisher

This is my girl, Much Afraid. You can see it on her precious face. Scared to the point of tears. That instant where your flesh begs to be bowed to, in relief or rescue. This is that. As, her Mama… I could tell she wanted to bolt and not in the same direction as the…
READ

The God of the Bible

Did you wonder if the God of the Bible could still captivate, activate and change the whole world at once? You should not be wondering now. Do you think COVID was outside of His will or awareness?   Ask Pharaoh. Ask kings and presidents how in charge they felt when The Ruler chose to reign…
READ

Don’t Say Nothing About Nothing

You can’t say anything… you’re not from here. You can’t say anything… you’re a man. You can’t say anything… you’re a woman. You can’t say anything… you’re the wrong color. You can’t say anything… you’re no one. You can’t say anything… you’re someone. You can’t say anything… you are privileged. You can’t say anything… you’re…
READ

Join the Hey Salty Community!

Exciting things are happening at HSL! Subscribe here for news on updates, events, merch, etc!