christianity
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Get of Social Media: Go Grill Some Meat
Yesterday was a tragic day for multiple reasons. It breaks my heart to see someone not only violently murdered but violently treated—whatever his or her political affiliation or personal attitude. Seeing people on the left celebrate the death of a young husband and father made me sick—but so did seeing people on the right mock… Continue reading
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A Prayer for Worshiping Patiently
Funny enough, I thought about not posting a fruit of the Spirit prayer for worship this week. But that wouldn’t be very long-suffering of me, would it? That’s what patience boils down to: long-suffering. Bearing with one another. Enduring. Carrying on. Waiting it out. Persisting. So this weekend, let’s persist in prayer and praise, together.… Continue reading
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Boldly Singing “Son”
We sang “Be Thou My Vision” last week at church and, as always, I was curious to see which version of the second verse we would use. The traditional verse reads: Be thou my vision, and thou my true Word;I ever with thee, and thou with me, Lord.Thou my great Father and I thy true… Continue reading
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Platforms to Pillars: Trading the Burden of Performance for the Freedom of God’s Presence
I’m in the thick of researching platforms—digital and otherwise. As I do so, it is important to me to frame my research according to a biblical worldview. I do not just want to understand the operating systems behind digital platforms and the motivations behind personal platform building. Rather, I want to understand how platforms can… Continue reading
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Digital Liturgies: Rediscovering Christian Wisdom in an Online Age
I’ve been working on my dissertation proposal and have decided to focus on Christian writers maintaining spiritual well-being in the digital age. Where better to start than with this acclaimed book on digital wisdom by author, blogger, and editor, Samuel James? About & Review Digital Liturgies: Rediscovering Christian Wisdom in an Online Age is not… Continue reading
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The Worst Parts of Church Are Why You Need to Go
I recently watched a truly outstanding church live-stream. The camerawork captured the lighting and staging so well that my first thought was, “There is no way the in-person experience is as good as this.” Even the music—notoriously tough to transmit online—was stellar. It was as clear through the speakers of my TV as it would… Continue reading
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Every Careless Word We Generate?
Jesus tells us that, on the judgment day, we will have to give account for every careless word that we speak (Matt. 12:36). I suspect that the words we write will be judged with equal or greater severity, for written words are often more permanent and intentional. If Jesus’s warning against careless words extends to… Continue reading
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When Two Families Meet
At funerals and weddings, two families meet—perhaps for the first time. Such meetings can be either unspeakably sweet or unbearably awkward. I am not merely referring to parents meeting in-laws, but something more significant: the meeting of earthly and eternal families. When we gather to celebrate a marriage or mourn a death, we are confronted… Continue reading
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Simple Advice for Reading Scripture Aloud
My women’s Bible study focused on Revelation this spring. Revelation, the final book in the Bible, opens with this encouragement: “Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near” (Revelation 1:3). Students of… Continue reading
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Worship Leader, Play for Your People Tomorrow
As a worship leader, I am more anxious about Easter Sunday than any other service of the Church Year. I suspect I am not alone in this. On Easter, worship leaders and church musicians often feel pressured to perform for once-a-year crowds. Easter services can feel like our one chance to impress visitors in hopes… Continue reading
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Questioning Easter
Did my title surprise you? No, I’m not questioning the reality of the resurrection or whether Easter was originally pagan or any of the usual questions that pop up this time of year. Instead, I want to question some things we take for granted on and leading up to Easter that deserve more thoughtful examination.… Continue reading
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“O Come, O Come, Behold Emmanuel”: A Sonnet for Good Friday
I was reflecting on the “O Antiphons” today, those ancient prayers that inspired the familiar Advent carol, “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.” As it is Good Friday, though, I began to wonder how the Messianic titles of the “O Antiphons” might inform a consideration of the cross. As so often happens, this contemplative exercise produced… Continue reading
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Ryanne Molinari 