poetry
-
I Was There – Lyrics for Passion Week

A few years ago, I wrote about one of my favorite Holy Week hymns: “Were You There.” Many of us sing this song annually but don’t stop to realize that it is a question we must answer. If we are in Christ, we were there. Rather than restating myself, I encourage you to visit my Continue reading
-
World Poetry Day + Holy Week: Suggested Reading

Today is World Poetry Day, and Holy Week is swiftly approaching. This seems providential, for nothing inspires me to write and read poetry quite like this liturgical season. If you’re looking to celebrate World Poetry Day and to prepare for Holy Week, I’d encourage you to check out the following poems: See also: https://www.ekstasismagazine.com/poetry/2022/sanctification-a-sonnet Continue reading
-
Marvelous (A Song Based on Psalm 139)

On Saturday, I helped a friend lead musical worship for a women’s event. The morning was centered around testimonies, with at least one woman quoting Psalm 139. As I picked out the songs for the morning, I remembered that somewhere in the depths of my old laptop was a song I wrote based on this Continue reading
-
“Lord, Lord” – A Poetic Reflection on Matthew 7:21-23

21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will Continue reading
-
Holy Saturday 2023

I wrote a poem for Holy Saturday 2022 and it was a great creative and spiritual activity, so here’s a poem for this year: The Light of the World has been dimmed but still I rise to switch on the lamp, open the shades, let in the sun —and wait The Bread of Life has Continue reading
-
Love

Foremost and fertile, it images the TrueVine in Whom all things are made and made anew.It is at once the soil and root:Love, agapé, the Spirit’s firstborn fruit. I’ll likely add more to this poem in the future, but it seemed thematic for Valentine’s Day. Did you know that love isn’t merely the first fruit Continue reading
-
Thin Places – Podcast Recommendation and Personal Reflection

I listened to this podcast on my drive today and found it deeply enjoyable and thought-provoking. I am eager to read Tracy Balzer’s books and encourage you to listen as well! The conversation on this podcast also reminded me of my own experiences with “thin places” such as the hike to the Hermitage of St. Continue reading
-
Christmas Trees

I.Beside the road, browning in the breeze,Are th’unadorned and corpselike Christmas trees.Their severed stumps pine for forsaken sod,The rootless forest for a promised Rod. Dangling from a beam of their own bark,They wait in vain for cries of joy or “Hark!”In these rejected trees we find reversedThe truth that He who hangs as such is Continue reading
Recent Posts
- The Freedom of a Lower Reading Goal
- A Little Theology of Exercise: Enjoying Christ in Body and Soul
- Last Things First: December 2025–January 2026
- Reblog: Joseph’s Magnificat
- Why I Still Love “Mary, Did You Know?”
Subscribe for Free
Support
If you enjoy Ryanne’s work and would like to keep the music playing and words flowing, consider buying her a coffee using the button below.



