Gary Neal Hansen

Theology. It's good for you.

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You are here: Home / Archives for Thankfulness

From Gratitude to Obedience: Can We Get There from Here?

November 24, 2014 by Gary Neal Hansen Leave a Comment

You’ve probably heard the joke about the fellow who asked for directions only to be told “Sorry. You can’t get there from here.” In the Reformed tradition we think gratitude leads us to obey God’s expressed will. But as a comment in last week’s post on the life of gratitude asked “…it seems like a stretch to […]

Filed Under: Bible, Theology Tagged With: Gratitude, Ten Commandments, Thankfulness, Thanksgiving, Westminister Larger Catechism

What Does The Life of Gratitude Look Like? (Heidelberg Catechism, Q93)

November 21, 2014 by Gary Neal Hansen Leave a Comment

Thanksgiving is coming next week! I love having a day that almost requires me to say “Thank you!” to God and to people around me. I want my whole life to focus on giving thanks. What does a thankful life look like? If you have been here before you know that I often post about […]

Filed Under: Bible, Heidelberg Catechism, Theology Tagged With: Decalogue, Gratitude, Ten Commandments, Thankfulness, Thanksgiving, Two Tables, Two Tablets

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

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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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