Debra Rienstra, Author at Debra Rienstra

Postcards from the Festival of Faith and Writing

I report to you late on Friday night after two exhilarating days at the Festival of Faith and Writing at Calvin College. I’m exhausted and happy and there’s still a whole day to go.

Debra RienstraApril 21, 2012

liturgical year spirituality

Holy Saturday: the Liturgical Blank

But then what? In most of our worship contexts today, the church gives us nothing particular to do until Sunday morning, when it’s all trumpets and lilies and pastel Easter frocks. Between Friday at 3 and Sunday at 10 (or 7 if you’re unlucky enough…

Debra RienstraApril 7, 2012

cultural commentary silly

Back in My Day, We Just Didn’t Know Stuff

I admit there’s something romantic about wood stoves and typewriters and horse-drawn carriages and other technologies of the past. For about ten minutes. Then, get me back to my central heating, my laptop, and my minivan. And definitely, definitely: give me the internet. There’s nothing…

Debra RienstraMarch 23, 2012

arts

None But the Angels

Today, I would like to give some grateful public praise to people who put in a lot of none-but-the-angels labor: musicians.

Debra RienstraMarch 10, 2012

cultural commentary liturgical year pop culture

I’m Giving Up Boorishness for Lent

So I wonder if this show is helping us discover what we value after all: modesty, decency, responsibility, honor.

Debra RienstraFebruary 25, 2012

memoir spirituality

Retreat

at do you do when you are old and your friends die, and you are left with that aching, empty space where they used to be?

Debra RienstraFebruary 11, 2012

politics silly

Let’s Give in and Make It Fun

I’m despairing enough about the state of public rhetoric and irresponsible Washington gridlock to agree with this. But if we’re going to change the system, let’s do it right. Debates, however slickly produced, are a bore. Here are some better ideas.

Debra RienstraJanuary 28, 2012

theology

Vocation: Bah, Humbug

I have been a grumpy dissenter on the vocation question for a long time.

Debra RienstraJanuary 14, 2012

college life

Rally Around

We should get riled up about math class. And what’s wrong with a study hall, medieval or otherwise? Colleges exist to… what is it called again? Oh yeah, educate.

Debra RienstraDecember 31, 2011

liturgical year silly

Last Minute Gifts for that Hard-to-Please Calvinist on Your List

If you really want to make an impression in the neighborhood, put some sizzle in your stable scene with these inflatable Reformers: Luther, Calvin, Zwingli, and Knox.

Debra RienstraDecember 17, 2011

Debra Rienstra

Postcards from the Festival of Faith and Writing

Holy Saturday: the Liturgical Blank

Back in My Day, We Just Didn’t Know Stuff

None But the Angels

I’m Giving Up Boorishness for Lent

Retreat

Let’s Give in and Make It Fun

Vocation: Bah, Humbug

Rally Around

Last Minute Gifts for that Hard-to-Please Calvinist on Your List

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