Grace & Gumption
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Groundbreaking: Pride Identifies as Fruit of the Spirit
Los Angeles, June 2021 (because that tends to be where this sort of thing happens) In a moment of laudable boldness, Pride has left its longtime association with the deadly sins and has, instead, announced his real identity as a fruit of the Spirit. “As you know,” said Pride in a recent interview for The Continue reading
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Proverbs 10:8
I struggle with scripture memorization; however, turning it to English poetry helps me recall the passage and concept with better clarity. “The wise of heart will receive commandments, but a babbling fool will come to ruin.” Proverbs 10:8, ESV A babbling brook without a springIs he who speaks on all but nothing. That’s all! Nothing Continue reading
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On Dying Arts and the Art of Dying
“Do churches even still have organs?” asked a woman yesterday when I told her about my job. I was unsurprised by her incredulity, for I am often struck that the work I do for a living is a dying art. My life, it seems, as an organist and writer, centers around such “dying” arts. The Continue reading
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The Aisle
I have walked down the aisle many times throughout my life: when leading a children’s processional, rushing to a band practice, or walking with dignity to the choir loft. I remember, most strikingly, the first time I walked down the aisle at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in St. Andrew’s, Scotland. I was one of a Continue reading
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Feet
I’ve begun rereading Exodus for my devotions and am struck again and again by the motifs that are fulfilled in Christ, often in unexpected ways. For instance, when the Lord commands Moses to remove his sandals because he is standing on holy ground… How great the place of Holy Flame Where His fire warns, “Draw Continue reading
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Were You There?
One of my favorite Passion Week hymns is “Were You There?” I have formative memories of it being sung by a lone baritone in a darkened church, the haunting postlude to a Tenebrae service. Today, as I listened to the provocative question sung once more on a “Holy Week” Spotify playlist, I felt an answer Continue reading
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Exchanging Rest for Restlessness
Recently, I was saddened to hear of yet another professing Christian artist, Audrey Assad, renouncing the faith she formerly professed. It seems that the past year has been something a winnowing fork, by which the winds of culture have threshed the proverbial chaff from the wheat (Matthew 3:12). Indeed, rather than settling into the solidity Continue reading
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When the Race is a Relay
I love to run, often using it as a time of prayer and contemplation. (Admittedly, such prayers are sometimes something along the lines of, “Please help me catch my breath…”) Running, often used as an analogy for the Christian life, has taught me many lessons. Aside from the physical and mental benefits, much of my Continue reading
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Starvation
I’ve written before about my past struggles with eating and body image. One of the most valuable lessons I learned through this issue, though, is this: The starving man (or woman) does not always know that he is hungry. The starving man does not always know that he is hungry. When hunger is ignored long Continue reading
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Accepting Ministry as Ministry
I have served as a church musician for as long as I can remember and, although I am passionate about this ministry for many reasons, I admit that part of why I enjoy it so much is that it provides a clear role for me during worship services. As I wrote in an early post, Continue reading
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I. The Man with the Withered Hand (Mark 3:1-6)
My bones ache with hunger.My eyes strain from seeking.But seeking what? Waiting for what?For nothing,For who would help me today?This is the sad irony of the Lord’s Day. Synagogues bustle and pockets are heavy,But hearts remain empty—Even more empty than my hand, For at least I would seek to fill mine. Another sad irony.I cannot.I Continue reading
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Immediately: Poetry for the Gospel of Mark
In studying the Gospel of Mark in college, I was struck by the recurrent use of the word “immediately” and turned to poetic reflection. Now, as both of my churches journey through Mark, I am again encountering the immediacy of the Incarnate Word. The Gospel of Mark presents Jesus in the fulness of mystery and Continue reading
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Ryanne Molinari 