literary living
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Insignificant in Life, Glorious in Death
There’s a tree at the end of my street that is unfairly beautiful right now. It’s nice enough throughout the rest of the year, but in the early autumn it turns a vibrant red. I slow down whenever I drive past just to marvel at it. There’s something somber about this tree. It spends its Continue reading
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Therapy is Cheaper
“Cheaper than therapy” is a common caption for images of hiking trails, steaming cups of tea, plates of comfort food, running shoes, and so on. In these instances, it’s not wrong. It definitely is cheaper to exercise or enjoy a treat than it is to pay a mental health professional. But it is troubling when Continue reading
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The First Day of Christmas
Each week, I have anywhere between six and eleven rehearsals. Yesterday, however, was my favorite of the entire year: the first Christmas rehearsal. I realize it is only mid-October, but for musicians it might as well be the first day of Christmas. Spooky season and Christmas tend to blend together if you’re a musician…or Tim Continue reading
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Seven More Books for Spooky Season
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Seven Books for Spooky Season
Autumn is upon us, which means I am devouring mystery novels. Here are a few of my favorite spooky season reads: Continue reading
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Reader’s Slump: Causes, Symptoms, & Treatments
There is no greater affliction in the bookish life than the reader’s slump. This nonfatal but distressing issue is frequently caused by excellent books. For instance, one patient succumbed to reader’s slump after binge-reading Eric Metaxes’ biography of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Because of the brilliance of this book, the patient was unable to find any other Continue reading
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Wednesday
Wednesday is a day of reorientation. Monday and Tuesday, I reflect on Sunday’s services. What went well? How did the music interact with the message? Was my preparation enough? On Wednesday, I turn my gaze toward the coming Sunday. I finalize my service binder, confirm my prelude and postlude, and rehearse with the choir. I Continue reading
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2022 Reading List
This weekend, I had the privilege of attending the Maranatha Christian Writers’ Conference. Perhaps the most invigorating part of this experience was swapping book recommendations. This inspired me to update my abandoned GoodReads account. This year has been a good one for reading and writing. I’ve finished my first draft of Fruitful Worship and, in Continue reading
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Three Things 8/21/22
Something Good: A lady in our congregation turned 99 years old this weekend. We took time during announcements today to sing “Happy Birthday” and to celebrate with her. This is what we noticed immediately when we visited Prairie Bible Church: it’s a family. Our church has grown a lot in the past year, but I Continue reading
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Three Things 8/20/22
1. Something Good: I recently watched Thirteen Lives and was utterly riveted. This remarkable true story captures the reality of common grace—of sacrifice, courage, ingenuity, and community. (Available on Prime Video) 2. Something True: I’m reading The Footsteps of the Messiah by Dr. Arnold G Fruchtenbaum. I’d never done a deep dive into eschatology and Continue reading
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Publication Update
I’m thrilled to share that two of my poems, “Pastor’s Wife” and “Gardening Advice” have been published by ClayJar Review in their second issue. You can read it here: https://clayjar.review/issues/wise-and-gentle Continue reading
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Three Things 8/13/22
Something Good: My arms are covered in small welts from wresting my squash vines into submission. What began as tiny, withered seedlings are now sprawling plants that are determined to put forth roots in our lawn. Billy was not on board with my idea of opening a pumpkin patch, a business venture born of my Continue reading
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Ryanne Molinari 