Ryanne Molinari

An Active & Imaginative Life

cedar rapids

March 31, 2023

The Midwest and Mortality: Reflections after a Tornado Warning

Continuing my latest string of mildly-morbid posts… When I lived in Arizona, I was invincible. At least, that’s how I felt. Sure, we had the odd monsoon and dust storm, but these rarely did anything more than shuffle our garbage bins down the street and coat our pool floaties in dirt. With only two seasons… Continue reading

literary living

blogger, cedar rapids, christian blog, iowa tornado, iowa tornado today, reflections, seasons, tornado, tornado warning iowa, tornado watch, weather, writer, writing
August 6, 2022

Lessons from a First-Year Pastor’s Wife

One year ago yesterday, we closed on our house in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. One year ago tomorrow, our church laid hands upon us, and my husband became a pastor—and I became a pastor’s wife. This year has flown by, and it’s been one of the best yet. I thought my career as a musician was… Continue reading

Faith, Grace & Gumption, literary living

anniversary, Bible church, cedar rapids, church, church life, gardening, iowa, Iowa life, lessons as a pastor's wife, life update, ministry, ministry wife, one year, pastor, pastor's wife, Prairie Bible Church
October 7, 2021

“Water, Water, Everywhere”

The value of poetry is often found in its ability to capture the core of nuanced situations. Prior to moving to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, I did some research on the area and was shocked to discover this article by The Gospel Coalition: It’s an article worth reading, at once eye-opening and encouraging. It lays bare… Continue reading

literary living

author, biblical literacy, blog, blogger, Book, books, cedar rapids, christian, church, church life, coleridge, faith, inspiration, iowa, literacy, literature, living water, midwest, Musing, poem, poems, poetry, ryanne mclaren, study, water water everywhere, writer, writing

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Five years ago, Billy and I were engaged and wondering where the Lord was calling us. We certainly didn’t expect it to be a small church in Iowa—a church that began in a barn and moved into an old acupuncture clinic, that dared to stand for truth even when it was costly, that welcomed us with open arms and lots of chocolate. I admit that I wasn’t sure what would happen to this little church, but God had big plans.

In my experience, pastors and ministry leaders often stock their libraries primarily with prose. Systematic theologies and concordances line my husband’s office. Our basement library is largely populated by Christian living resources, and our upstairs shelves are loaded with volumes on church health.

Have you read “Spirit-Filled Singing” yet? Which fruit of the Spirit do you most associate with musical worship?

From my latest blog post. 💛 May you know the astonishing love of our Lord, whose mercies are new each morning.

Instilling a love of reading as early as possible. 📚 I did have to pause Les Mis, though, because a 10 lb baby and 1,000+ page book were too much for my back to handle just now. 😬

A blessed Ash Wednesday to you all. ✝️

Spent Martin’s first nap of the day making a playlist of hymns I hope he grows to love. Thank you all for the beautiful recommendations! I hope you enjoy. 🩵

Introducing Martin Molinari 🩵

Anyone else get shy when asked to share their “boring” testimony? I hope this post encourages you that there really is no such thing. After all, coming to Christ is not the end but the beginning of the adventure! Read the full post on my blog or Substack (links in bio), and consider supporting my work by subscribing for free.