Gary Neal Hansen

Theology. It's good for you.

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You are here: Home / Archives for Prayer

Lessons in Thankfulness: Teachers

February 18, 2014 by Gary Neal Hansen Leave a Comment

Restored Schoolhouse, Donald Lee, used under cc license

When you are a kid, your teacher makes a world of difference in your life. I have some vivid memories of the horror that was first grade. I was a bright kid, but I had a teacher whom I can’t help but remember as a not-so-green version of the witch from the Wizard of Oz. […]

Filed Under: Prayer, Theology Tagged With: Diaries, Diary keeping, Gratitude, John Beadle, Journal keeping, Journals, Teachers, Thankfulness

The Little Known Secret to Seeing God at Work

January 30, 2014 by Gary Neal Hansen Leave a Comment

Last week I posted on John Beadle, the English Puritan who wrote the first book on journal keeping as a spiritual discipline back in 1656. It is an odd book — Beadle could have used a good editor. It is also a wise book — he has excellent advice that can make journaling a fantastic […]

Filed Under: Prayer, Theology Tagged With: Diary keeping, Joel Montes de Oca, John Beadle, Journal keeping, Prayer, Puritans, Seeing God at work

One Key Step toward a Life of Gratitude

January 24, 2014 by Gary Neal Hansen Leave a Comment

In 1656, English Puritan John Beadle published a book on keeping a journal as a spiritual discipline: The Journal or Diary of a Thankful Christian. To his knowledge and mine, his book was the first on the topic. Ever since, I suppose, Christians have fallen into two camps: Those who like to write in journals and those […]

Filed Under: Prayer, Theology Tagged With: Diaries, Gratitude, John Beadle, Journal keeping, Journals, Praying with a pen, Puritans, Spiritual disciplines, Thankfulness

Want a Simple, Focused Christian Life? — St. Anthony of Egypt

January 17, 2014 by Gary Neal Hansen 1 Comment

Today is the memorial of St. Anthony of Egypt (c. 251-356), aka “Anthony the Great,” the prototypical “desert father.” I wanted to share a story about him that shows his character and priorities. Someone asked Abba Anthony, ‘What must one do in order to please God?’ The old man replied, ‘Pay attention to what I […]

Filed Under: Monasticism, Prayer, Saints, Theology Tagged With: Abba Anthony, Antony the Great, Benedicta Ward, desert father, Desert Fathers, Monasticism, Sayings of the Desert Fathers, St. Anthony

Why I Love St. Teresa of Avila

October 17, 2013 by Gary Neal Hansen 4 Comments

It is my Breviary that most often reminds me of various saints being commemorated by the Church around the world. So when I have a day or two when something bumps my attention away from praying the Divine Office, someone I love as dearly as St. Teresa of Avila can sneak by completely unnoticed. Her […]

Filed Under: Prayer, Saints Tagged With: Jesus, Prayer, Saints, Teresa of Avila

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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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