Music
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Stopped Pipes & Stubborn People

Pipe organs are temperamental instruments. True to their name, they seem to live—and die—like biological beasts. They fluctuate with humidity and temperature. The smallest bits of dust can set them wheezing. Occasionally they refuse to play—or to stop playing—for no clear reason, and never when convenient. Knowing that a freshly-tuned organ awaited me, I was Continue reading
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We Sing!

If you’ve been reading my blog for any amount of time, you know how passionate I am about congregational singing. You might also know that, as I’m expecting my first child, I’m joyfully building up my library of children’s books. When looking through Crossway’s latest releases earlier this month, how could I possibly resist this Continue reading
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For Narnia and for Aslan: Reclaiming Running as Play

I run nearly every day, which leads many people to assume that I have always been into fitness. While I have always enjoyed a good walk or hike, it might surprise you to discover that I am not naturally athletic. My mom once jokingly described me as “an indoor cat,” and some of my earliest Continue reading
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Resolve to Sing Pt. 5 – Final Encouragement!

Throughout this five-part series, I have sought to convince you that singing more is a worthy resolution. We’ve examined singing as an activity that uniquely unites other spiritual disciplines such as prayer, Bible study, and fellowship. We have considered our creation as singing creatures and Christianity as a singing faith. We’ve consider singing as not Continue reading
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Resolve to Sing Pt. 4 – Singing Advice for Non-Singers

If you have yet to read the first posts in this series, you can access them using the following lints: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3. From One Self-Conscious Singer to Another… Having read the first three posts in this series, you may be convinced that singing is an essential and enjoyable discipline…in theory. But Continue reading
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February (& Snow Day) Recommendations

It’s snowing lovely fat flakes, which always makes me want to curl up with good music, a good book, and a good snack. Whatever the weather is where you are, the following recommendations are sure to brighten up the rest of your February! This Perfect Cozy Series Snow always makes me want to reread James Continue reading
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January Recommendations

It’s a beautiful sunny day in Iowa—if you don’t step outside, that is. To help you get through the winter blues, here are a few recommendations for reading, listening, and learning. 1. This podcast that sparked my theological imagination. I regularly listen to Think Biblically, a podcast by my alma mater, Biola University. In a Continue reading
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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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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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