Gary Neal Hansen

Theology. It's good for you.

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You are here: Home / Archives for Journals

A Free Gift! Now That’s Something to Be Thankful For

February 27, 2014 by Gary Neal Hansen Leave a Comment

Nothing sparks gratitude in my heart like a free gift. Well, maybe not just any free gift. Lots of things are given away because people don’t want them — take a look at your local Goodwill drop-off station. Then there are those gifts that seem free but you know they have a hidden price — […]

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

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

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

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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