Gary Neal Hansen

Theology. It's good for you.

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You are here: Home / Archives for Gary Neal Hansen

Are You God’s Self-Portrait? Heidelberg Catechism Q. 6

March 14, 2014 by Gary Neal Hansen Leave a Comment

You sit down with your journal to do some Lenten reflection. You start thinking about your life, your relationships, your faith. You are probably aware of some places where you wish things were different — that’s the point, of course. But then you look back and wonder: “Hasn’t it always been this way?” Unless you […]

Filed Under: Heidelberg Catechism, Theology Tagged With: heidelberg catechism, Lent, Self-examination, Self-portrait

Quick Note to My WordPress Subscribers

March 11, 2014 by Gary Neal Hansen Leave a Comment

If you have stopped by GaryNealHansen.com recently you know that I’ve been upgrading the site like a wild thing. One change is that I’ve moved the subscription process to MailChimp. If you subscribed to my blog through a WordPress account, I’m sorry to say that you’ll have to subscribe again to continue receiving my posts. […]

Filed Under: Uncategorized

The Secret to a Life-Giving Lent

March 11, 2014 by Gary Neal Hansen Leave a Comment

Here’s the paradox: Lent is a serious season, but it is part of a joyful process.  Here’s the problem: The stereotypical approach to Lent does nothing for either side of the paradox. You know what I mean. People pick something to “give up for Lent” and they are done. Nothing very serious. Nothing very joyful. […]

Filed Under: Prayer, Theology Tagged With: Accounting, Diaries, Diary keeping, John Beadle, Journal keeping, Journalling, Lent, Puritans, Self-examination, Thomas Hooker

The Joy of Lent — via Heidelberg Catechism, Q. 89

March 7, 2014 by Gary Neal Hansen Leave a Comment

So why, you ask, do Christians keep an annual season — 40 days — devoted to self-examination and repentance? Isn’t that a bit of a downer? Not really. But then, I’ve always liked washing windows. I don’t wash them nearly often enough, but that’s another story. When I do, it is fantastic. I usually start when […]

Filed Under: Heidelberg Catechism, Theology Tagged With: heidelberg catechism, Joy, Lent, Repentance

Vocabulary Lesson: “Lent,” “Ash Wednesday”

March 5, 2014 by Gary Neal Hansen 4 Comments

Today is “Ash Wednesday,” the beginning of the most serious season in the Church’s year: the forty days, not counting Sundays, leading up to Easter. We call the season “Lent.” For non-native speakers of Christianity, here are a couple of vocabulary lessons: Lesson 1: “Lent” comes from a medieval English word meaning “Spring,” from source […]

Filed Under: Church Year, Faith, Heidelberg Catechism, Theology, Vocabulary, Worship Tagged With: Ash Wednesday, Church year, Lent, Penitence, Repentance, Self-examination

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Theology. It’s good for you.

I'm a Church historian by trade. My writing, speaking, and teaching explores the Christian past to equip today's disciples. Join me here for regular posts on the best of theology, spirituality, community, and ministry. read more…

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