books
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Book Review: “Send: Loving Your Church By Praying, Giving, or Going”
In Send: Loving Your Church by Praying, Giving, or Going, pastor and church planter Jim Essian identifies God’s vision for his global kingdom and helps Christians discern how they and their churches are equipped to fit into this vision. From sweeping panoramas of international missions to practical advice for serving our local communities, Send is Continue reading
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Finding Comfort in Smallness: Lessons Among the Oak Trees
I needed to go stand beneath my oak trees today, to be reminded of my smallness. No, to be reassured of my smallness. You see, I spend the bulk of my days alone: tidying my house, running, practicing music, planning services, reading, and, of course, writing. I love my life. It is ideally suited to Continue reading
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How to Read More Jane Austen
I’ve always professed a love for Jane Austen’s novels, but I admit that, at first, my love was feigned. Before college, I loved to be seen reading Jane. I did genuinely enjoy Emma and Pride and Prejudice, but often the effort outweighed the joy. In the last few years, though, I’ve found myself devouring Jane Continue reading
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Publication Update
The last few months have brought wonderful opportunities for writing. Among these was the opportunity to pitch and write an article for The Gospel Coalition. I’m so honored that TGC chose to publish my little article and hope it encourages readers that a simple way to build one another up is to sing more old Continue reading
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5 Times Flannery O’Connor was an Introverted Icon
Last year, I read Brad Gooch’s marvelous biography of Flannery at a time when I felt (to be honest) very crummy about my writing. It was exactly the encouragement I needed. For instance, I found out that when someone asked O’Connor what if she collected anything, she replied, “Rejection letters.” Her bluntness was balm to Continue reading
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The Bookish Quote That Isn’t Actually Bookish
I am rereading Pride and Prejudice for probably the sixth time for an independent study project. At the risk of sounding like Meg Ryan in You’ve Got Mail, I really don’t think you can read this book too many times. Every time I revisit it, I enjoy it with greater relish: the wit strikes deeper, Continue reading
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All My (Author) Friends Are Dead – A Reflection and Update
First of all, if you got the reference from this post’s title, let’s be friends; we clearly went to junior high in the same era. Alright, moving on. Last month, I received some long-awaited and long-prayed-for news. When I opened the fateful email, I ran screaming across the house to tell Billy. “Crsweryawfurrmuncnterct!!!” He thought Continue reading
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Christmas Letter – 2023
I am terrible at keeping track of people’s addresses, and this is the worst time of year for me to add another to-do, so consider this post my digital Christmas letter. Do you like the photo I chose? Billy and I have had another lovely year of long runs, strong coffee, good books, and more Continue reading
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Reading Roundup: My Favorite Books from 2023
I set a GoodReads goal of reading 60 books this year. Admittedly, I chose this number because I knew I could hit it and wanted that victory. Thanks to unexpectedly starting school again, I ended up reading 82 books (and counting). My reading habits are eclectic, to say the least. From sci-fi to Christian living, Continue reading
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7 Similarities Between Christian Encouragement and Spirit-filled Singing
As I’ve plunged into the deep end of exegesis and research this week, I’ve found even more similarities between encouragement and singing than I expected. These are not fully developed premises, but I hope these basic points and scripture citations inspire you to dive in for yourself. Encouragement and singing are both:1. Characteristic of God Continue reading
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Social Media and Sabbaths
It’s Saturday evening, and I am filled with relief. Tomorrow, at last, is a Sabbath. Sundays are not restful for me. I rise earlier than other mornings and practice for an hour or so before my first church service, where I play the organ and direct the choir. After this, I snatch a few donut Continue reading
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Reading Roundup: February 2023
I read ten books in February and, as usual, my reading tastes are unpredictable. The genres I enjoyed range from speculative fiction to poetry to journalism and nonfiction to historical biblical fiction. It would be a wild ride if I weren’t, well, sitting comfortably on my couch with a cup of coffee and a blanket. Continue reading
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Ryanne Molinari 