literary living
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Final Words & Parting Gifts: Thoughts on Pre-Selecting Funeral Music
Earlier this week, I played for a funeral. Although this is a regular part of my job as a church organist, this particular service was uniquely encouraging. The departed was clearly a remarkable lady. Her children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren sang the hymns with incredible confidence, leading me to believe she has left behind a Continue reading
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Review: The Story of Katie Luther
About The Story of Katie Luther: The Nun Who Escaped to True Freedom by Gretchen Ronnevik is a brief, accessible biography of Martin Luther’s bold, resourceful, faithful wife. This book is part of Crossway’s “Lives of Faith & Grace” series, which “engages middle-grade readers (ages 8–13) with the real-life stories of Christian men and women Continue reading
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Reblog & Reflection: After a Children’s Christmas Service
I just finished playing for another children’s Christmas service which, as usual, was full of joy and cuteness and more than a few muffled laughs. Highlights of the evening included my organ student accompanying hymns with excellence, little voices reading big words from Scripture, and pews full of beaming parents and grandparents. Humor from the Continue reading
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“Stop”: Christmas Lyrics Based on the Book of Job
Earlier this autumn, I got to play Dan Forrest’s Requiem for the Living with one of the choirs I accompany. I’ve written before about how much I love playing Forrest’s music. A pianist himself, he writes choral music that requires accompanists to be genuine collaborators. His piano parts tend to be equal parts intuitive—fitting perfectly Continue reading
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Worship Leader, Are You Using the Wrong Metric?
It’s Advent, a season of special services and rousing carols. Even people who rarely listen to traditional worship music will find themselves humming along to “What Child is This?” or belting out “Glo-o-o-o-o-oooo-o-o-o-o-ooooo-o-o-o-o-ooo-ria!” when “Angels We Have Heard on High” plays. For contemporary and traditional worship leaders, the pressure is on. It may be a Continue reading
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On Piano Lessons: Reasons to Start and to Stop
Today was my last day of teaching piano—at least for now. I’m continuing to teach organ on the side, but needed to refocus my priorities in anticipation of my book’s release, dissertation prep, and increasing ministry commitments. This season of teaching ended in the best possible way: one of my students performed his first recital Continue reading
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Early Christmas Gifts + Road Trip Entertainment
Happy Thanksgiving week! Since this week marks the start of the Christmas season for many of us, I wanted to share a few recommendations to get you in the holiday spirit and—for those of you who are traveling—to help pass the hours. In the spirit of early Christmas, I’d like to give you a few Continue reading
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Review: “Ecclesiastes: Finding Meaning When Life Feels Meaningless” by Lydia Brownback
Ecclesiastes: Finding Meaning When Life Feels Meaningless is part of Crossway’s Flourish Bible Study series. The series author, Lydia Brownback, is an accomplished writer and conference presenter. Accordingly, she writes like a speaker—with a friendly and clear tone. She distills biblical information into an understandable and applicable format, making this study on Ecclesiastes a great Continue reading
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Core Memories, Weird Hobbies, and a High-Brow Christmas Bop
In graduate school, I was plunged into the deep end as my peers casually threw around words like “apophatic” and I wondered what on earth I’d gotten myself into. Fortunately, I found my footing and had a wonderful experience after that initial disorientation. One of my professors, an expert on theology and music, was known Continue reading
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Reblog: On the Journaling Life
Yesterday on a whim, I rearranged my office bookshelf. I was astounded by the number of journals I have filled since I began writing in 2010. I took a few minutes to skim a few entries at random. As I read, I saw the intricate weaving of my life’s various threads. It was a beautiful Continue reading
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Review: “The Sacred Flame”
The Sacred Flame by Kevin Belmonte is a new biography of Hannah More. First of all, what an amazing woman! A writer, an educator, and a human rights advocate, More is a pillar of faith and courage well worth our attention. I relished learning about her life and writing. It was also fascinating to discover Continue reading
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Post-Election Reflection: “Return to the Gate”
My women’s Bible study is walking through Esther, which is a political tale if there ever was one. Covert plots, the rise and fall of leaders, executions, royal edicts, justice—this little book has it all! As we discussed chapter 6 today, I was struck by the following verse: “Then Mordecai returned to the king’s gate. Continue reading
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Ryanne Molinari 