Blog - Debra Rienstra

By Debra Rienstra In cultural commentary

The Enemy Within

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By Debra Rienstra In nature

On Cicadas, Parasites, and Creepy, Slimy Things

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By Debra Rienstra In memoir

The Remnants of Their Lives: An Ancestry Adventure

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Uncategorized

A Vote is Not a Valentine–Or a Virtue Test

It seems to me people have all kinds of unhelpful notions about what a vote means. And that can lead to them choosing not to vote, usually for either (or both) of two reasons. 1. They don’t think their vote matters. 2. They want to…

Debra RienstraMay 4, 2024

climate change spirituality theology

What Can the Church Offer to a World in Crisis?

What distinctive gifts does the church bring to the table? What can we offer, right now, in this moment in history? What gifts of the church are suited well for what we need?

Debra RienstraApril 6, 2024

cultural commentary pop culture

Messiah Complex

The cinematography is amazing! The production design incredible! The acting top-notch! The directing visionary! Eh. I was bored.

Debra RienstraMarch 23, 2024

liturgical year

Unless a Seed Falls: John 12:20-36

Even I have to admit, it looks terrible: broken, rotting stalks, bare dirt, no happy winged visitors. I tell myself there are over-wintering insects in there, that native roots are strong, that spring is coming. But right now: stillness, death.

Debra RienstraFebruary 24, 2024

liturgical year Pious Petunia silly

Pious Petunia Lifts Us Gently Over a Candy-Coated Lenten Threshold

Miss P recommends relaxed bemusement at the strained and unnecessary efforts of some Christians to claw back holy meaning for Ash Wednesday out of the lacey pink clutches of commercialized romance.

Debra RienstraFebruary 10, 2024

arts theology

Blessed Unrest

We often wonder what God is calling us to do in a particular moment or passage of life. Could we ask ourselves, in such moments, “What is my blessed unrest here?”

Debra RienstraJanuary 27, 2024

Calvin events college life theology

Get Out Much?

Back at work, my job this month is to help new faculty members at Calvin College learn about Calvin’s history and mission, figuring out what it all means for their academic field and for their life in the Calvin … “vortex”? Is that too strong…

Debra RienstraJanuary 11, 2014

liturgical year memoir spirituality

Abide with Me

The year wanes in darkness, at least here in Michigan. Much snow and ice this year. It’s hard not to brood, especially after a year that brought so much sorrow and loss in my circle of acquaintance. A dear colleague, dying suddenly and too young…

Debra RienstraDecember 28, 2013

cultural commentary review

Let It Go, Baby: Frozen and Female Power

At this point, the realization hit me: This is not about sisters. Elsa is up on that mountain, free at last from duties and secrets, and she is finally letting her powers rip, creating a magnificent ice palace, an architectural wonder flourishing right out of…

Debra RienstraDecember 14, 2013

Pious Petunia

Pious Petunia Makes Your List and Checks It Twice

Even wearing out your credit card will not alter this world into a rustic cabin in Maine with fluffy yellow lab puppies by the fire and square-jawed men in creased corduroys casually leaning against the mantle. You can knock yourself out attempting to recreate the…

Debra RienstraNovember 30, 2013

The Enemy Within

On Cicadas, Parasites, and Creepy, Slimy Things

The Remnants of Their Lives: An Ancestry Adventure

A Vote is Not a Valentine–Or a Virtue Test

What Can the Church Offer to a World in Crisis?

Messiah Complex

Unless a Seed Falls: John 12:20-36

Pious Petunia Lifts Us Gently Over a Candy-Coated Lenten Threshold

Blessed Unrest

Get Out Much?

Abide with Me

Let It Go, Baby: Frozen and Female Power

Pious Petunia Makes Your List and Checks It Twice

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