Gary Neal Hansen

Theology. It's good for you.

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You are here: Home / Archives for Puritans

Journaling for Clarity and Action (The Inner Life of the Writer)

September 12, 2016 by Gary Neal Hansen Leave a Comment

Here’s the writer’s dilemma in a quick haiku: Sit before your screen. An empty file. No words come. You curse the cursor. It is writing that makes you a writer. Having ideas only makes you want to be one. To be a writer you have to make words come out: turn thoughts into letters, string them […]

Filed Under: Prayer, The Inner Life of the Writer Tagged With: John Beadle, Journalling, Puritans, The inner life of the writer, writer's block

Three Keys to Spiritual Maturity: A Lenten Reflection

April 8, 2014 by Gary Neal Hansen Leave a Comment

What qualities define spiritual maturity? It is a good thing to reflect on at any time: know what the target is and you have a better chance of moving toward it. I’ve been recommending people think about the question now, in Lent, following the model of Thomas Hooker, 17th century Puritan and founder of Connecticut. […]

Filed Under: Prayer, Theology Tagged With: Christian maturity, Lent, Maturity, Puritans, Self-examination, The Character of a Sound Christian, Thomas Hooker

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 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

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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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