Resources on Debra Rienstra

Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue Practical How-To by Ron Rienstra http://worship.calvin.edu/resources/resource-library/something-old-something-new-something-borrowed-something-blue-principles-for-renewing-language-in-worship Practical How-To by Ron Rienstra Topics: Pastoral leadership , Worship , Language , Worship Planning Source: Calvin Institute of Christian Worship This audio workshop offers tools and ideas for creating balanced language in worship. Panel participants explore principles for welcoming traditional language gracefully, composing or improvising elements in fresh language, and using global prayers and songs.

Any Tenderness? Article by Debra Rienstra https://blog.reformedjournal.com/2017/08/26/any-tenderness/ Article by Debra Rienstra Topics: Women , Mother , Culture , Longing Source: The Twelve Debra Rienstra reflects on a TV show "Call the Midwife", and how this historical drama full of nuns and babies makes her think about longing and tenderness.

Further Up and Further In Article by Debra Rienstra https://blog.reformedjournal.com/2012/07/14/further-up-and-further-in/ Article by Debra Rienstra Topics: Heaven , C. S. Lewis , Imagination Source: The Twelve Debra Rienstra offers some musings about what heaven might be like. In doing so, she follows C.S. Lewis, whose imaginative depictions of paradise help address our human need for concrete images of the afterlife.

The Resurrection of the Mind Commentary/Exegesis by Debra Rienstra https://blog.reformedjournal.com/2012/05/05/the-resurrection-of-the-mind/ Commentary/Exegesis by Debra Rienstra Topics: Resurrection , Suffering Source: The Twelve Debra Rienstra's commentary on Mark 5:1-18 and 1 Corinthians 15:42 notes the prevalence of mental suffering and makes a case that belief in resurrection would include "a full transformation of each mind into its full glory."

Preparedness is Key Sermon Illustration by Debra Rienstra https://blog.reformedjournal.com/2017/05/20/preparedness-is-key/ Sermon Illustration by Debra Rienstra Topics: Apocalypse , Humor , Preparation Source: The Twelve Debra Rienstra offers humorous advice on preparing for an apocalypse, playfully echoing Jesus' various warnings to "stay awake" and "keep watch."

Little Pagans Article by Debra Rienstra https://blog.reformedjournal.com/2011/12/03/little-pagans/ Article by Debra Rienstra Topics: Advent , Culture , Holiness Source: The Twelve Debra Rienstra reflects on the spiritual power of habit, wondering hopefully if the rituals of Advent have the power to undo the pagan habits of consumerism, etc.

Vocation: Bah, Humbug Article by Debra Rienstra https://blog.reformedjournal.com/2012/01/14/vocation-bah-humbug/ Article by Debra Rienstra Topics: Calling/Vocation , Discipleship Source: The Twelve Debra Rienstra argues against common notions of vocation, suggesting instead that we speak of the general vocation of discipleship and think about "guidance" when we need to get into specifics.

Thin Places Sermon (Complete) by Debra Rienstra https://blog.reformedjournal.com/2013/02/09/thin-places/ Sermon (Complete) by Debra Rienstra Topics: Epiphany , Theophany , Transfiguration , Work Source: The Twelve Describing the numinous and theophanic experiences that accompany the Transfiguration account in Matthew 17:1-23, this sermon by Debra Rienstra discusses the purpose behind epiphany and extraordinary revelation in providing motivation for future work.

A Wise Approach to the Rituals of Spring Article by Debra Rienstra https://blog.reformedjournal.com/2016/05/27/pious-petunia-ponders-the-rituals-of-spring/ Article by Debra Rienstra Topics: Parenting , Wisdom Source: The Twelve In this advice column, Debra Rienstra, writing as "Pious Petunia," answers questions about how Christians can act kindly and faithfully in scenarios like senior prom, graduation parties, and patriotic church events.

Slouching Toward Diligence Day Article by Debra Rienstra https://blog.reformedjournal.com/2012/11/17/slouching-toward-diligence-day/ Article by Debra Rienstra Topics: Thanksgiving , Virtue , Holiday , Thanksgiving Day Source: The Twelve In this Thanksgiving blog post, Debra Rienstra offers a humorous reflection on the virtues and their opposing vices by imagining holidays dedicated to each.

Doubting Thomas and Story as Sign Article by Debra Rienstra https://blog.reformedjournal.com/2013/04/06/low-sunday-doubting-thomas-and-story-as-sign/ Article by Debra Rienstra Topics: Doubt , Thomas , Faith , Metaphor Source: The Twelve In this blog post on John 20:24-31, Debra Rienstra reflects on the story of "doubting Thomas" and the way that signs point us toward belief. Thomas, and believers today through stories like that of Thomas, come...

Sin and Wrath in My Back Yard Article by Debra Rienstra https://blog.reformedjournal.com/2013/08/10/sin-and-wrath-in-my-back-yard/ Article by Debra Rienstra Topics: Sin , Sanctification , Worry , Discipline Source: The Twelve Taking inspiration from Genesis 3:17-19, this article by Debra Rienstra reflects on how gardening is a metaphor for sin. Rienstra discusses the infiltration of sin, God's purging of sin through suffering, worry, destruction, and wickedness.

In Celebration of Marriage as Covenant Sermon (Complete) by Debra Rienstra https://blog.reformedjournal.com/2015/07/10/in-celebration-of-marriage-as-covenant/ Sermon (Complete) by Debra Rienstra Topics: Wedding , Marriage , Covenant , Liturgy Source: The Twelve Discussing marriage as a covenant, this wedding sermon collected by Debra Rienstra discusses the purposes of marriage as consisting of mutual support, identity as husband and wife, belonging and vocation.

Retreat Article by Debra Rienstra https://blog.reformedjournal.com/2012/02/11/retreat/ Article by Debra Rienstra Topics: Death , Heaven , Metaphor , Memory Source: The Twelve In this blog Debra Rienstra reflects on the mystery of our loved ones, who have died, being with God. The metaphors, the promises "aren’t understood or described so much as passed into."

Get Out Much? Article by Debra Rienstra https://blog.reformedjournal.com/2014/01/11/get-out-much/ Article by Debra Rienstra Topics: Abraham Kuyper , Institution , Pluralism Source: The Twelve Reflecting on the teachings of Abraham Kuyper, this article by Debra Rienstra discusses both the importance of Christian institutions in a pluralist society and how to ensure that Christian institutions engage with people in secular society.

Saturday of Harrowed Hearts Sermon Illustration by Debra Rienstra https://blog.reformedjournal.com/2015/04/03/saturday-of-harrowed-hearts/ Sermon Illustration by Debra Rienstra Topics: Jesus , Hell , Holy Saturday Source: The Twelve Reflecting on the liminality of Holy Saturday between Good Friday and Easter, this article by Debra Rienstra discusses both God's death and how Christians have traditionally interpreted Jesus' activities in Hell while dead.

Notes from the Lament Team Sermon (Complete) by Debra Rienstra https://blog.reformedjournal.com/2017/02/24/notes-from-the-lament-team/ Sermon (Complete) by Debra Rienstra Topics: Funeral , Lament , Death , Memory Source: The Twelve Drawing on her experience of how funerals seem inadequate for expressing a deceased person's life, this sermon by Debra Rienstra on Ecclesiastes 9:5-6 reflects on the fragility of remembering someone after death. We are all forgotten.

Witty Whimsical Advice for Lent and Easter Article by Debra Rienstra https://blog.reformedjournal.com/2015/03/20/pious-petunia-strolls-gracefully-down-the-via-dolorosa/ Article by Debra Rienstra Topics: Ash Wednesday , Easter , Lent Source: The Twelve This whimsical yet theologically and biblically sharp advice column written by Debra Rienstra, under the pseudonym Miss Petunia, offers a perspectives on things like giving-up sugar for lent and the Lent-to-Easter worship planning frenzy.

Austerity Measures Article by Debra Rienstra https://blog.reformedjournal.com/2017/12/23/austerity-measures/ Article by Debra Rienstra Topics: Christmas , Advent , Judgment , Christmas Carols New and Old Source: The Twelve A blog post by Debra Rienstra about the balance between judgment and rejoicing in Advent. Rienstra explores how Christian ritual combines both because its concern is not feeling but reality.

A World Still Stirred Article by Debra Rienstra https://blog.reformedjournal.com/2017/09/09/a-world-still-stirred/ Article by Debra Rienstra Topics: Reformation , Martin Luther , Church History , Eschatology Source: The Twelve ... encountered during the Protestant Reformation, this article by Debra Rienstra discusses theological themes portrayed in German woodcut engravings ...