The Raven's Round-Up
The Top Articles of the Year From the Raven's Writing Desk
Last week, I sent out a list of my top eight favourite articles from around the web. There are so many excellent writers out there, all of whom deserve more attention than they currently have. I hope that newsletter helped to move the dial, even 1% of the way.
This week, I thought I’d share your favourite articles from the year…at least, your favourites from here at the Raven’s Writing Desk. This is always fascinating for me personally, as many of the articles that take off, so to speak, aren’t the ones I would have guessed. This year is no different. This list includes travel writing, an article about the book of Leviticus, and even one about prayers from the reformation!
I’m so thankful for all of you who read, like, comment, and share these articles each week, and I can’t wait for you to see what I have planned in 2025!
So let’s get to it!
#8 - Three Preachers You Should Be Listening to Right Now
This article was about two years in the making. On the face of it, it is a fairly simple idea. Listen to your pastor, listen to church history, and speak truth over yourself. In reality though, this is actually quite countercultural. It took me this long to write, edit, and send it, because I worried that it would rub people the wrong way. To my surprise, and my joy, I received a bunch of really positive feedback. This is one of those articles that will be just as applicable in twenty years time, let alone two months later.
#7 - Spoons: Pain and Perseverance
For those of you who don’t know, I suffer from a number of illness and conditions that affect me constantly. The only thing more constant than my pain, is God’s steadfast love. This article talks about some of the lessons I’ve learned in the midst of those two constants.
#6 -
Lexham Press are a fantastic publisher, and this book was no different. Prayer books play a significant role in my devotional life, and in our bedtime routine, so this review is rather more practical than others I’ve written.
#5 -
Speaking of book reviews. What happens when a writer becomes disillusioned with the purpose of reviews? Are they important? Are they helpful? Do they edify the reader, or just give them a sense of FOMO? I spent about a year really digging into the “why” and the “how” behind reviews. These were my findings.
#4 -
I swear. Sometimes. Thankfully, not like I used to, and I’m growing out of it every day. I call it my sin of least resistance. We all have them, I think, but for you it might be something different. Gossiping, lying, drinking to excess. There are always certain sins that we feel like we have to struggle with alone. Is that really what self-control is all about though?
How do we grow in, and exercise this fruit? It’s a good article, I swear.
#3 -
If you’d told me a year ago that my third most popular article of the year would be about the book of Leviticus, there’s no way I would have believed you. So much work has been done to discourage people from reading, and enjoying, this book of the Bible that I worried no one would even open this email! What’s more, the original version of this article was nine points long! Edit #1 got rid of two, my second round whittled it down further, and then just before I sent it out, Mrs R suggested I combined two of the remaining points. I’m glad I stuck with four.
No One Wants to Preach this Book of the Bible
The doorbell rings, you open up to two of your closest friends and invite them to join you at the table. Yesterday, your family gathered around that same table for a regular midweek meal, and ate the most decadent food you’ve ever cooked in your life. You enjoyed oysters for a starter, followed by perfectly cooked steaks and rich creamy sauces over a bed of couscous and pomegranate seeds. For dessert you prepared homemade filo pastry parcels, filled with freshly blended pistachio cream...
#2 -
I’m not a travel writer. In fact, I’m not much of a traveler. I am still learning what it means to enjoy holidays, and so I thought I’d share some of that with you. I thought I’d go with something light. Prostitutes and brothels, and what that has to tell us about the church and the world, all whilst recounting the highlights of my trip to the Netherlands.
Brothers and Brothels: Knock and the Door Will Be Opened
The Amsterdam I know no longer exists, in fact, it hasn’t for over a century...
#1 -
This isn’t just my top article of the year, it is the most popular article I’ve ever written.
I’m grateful, and saddened by that reality. It means that I’m not alone in wrestling with this, and honestly, I wish I was. I spoke with some friends just yesterday who were lamenting this very same reality in their own lives. Maybe you are too.
I hope that this piece brought fresh fire to empty furnaces.
If your pen has sat unmoved for some time. This is for you.
Thanks so much for reading my work this year, I’m forever grateful for the support and the encouragement that you give me. I don’t know exactly what 2025 will hold, and I suppose I will be just as surprised when I release a similar run-down next year.
Stay unpredictable, dear reader.
Grace and Peace,
Recommended Media of the Week
God filled the world with unnecessary beauty.
knows something about emulating that. Some things don’t need to be necessary to be important.
If you’ve been looking over at that empty suitcase this week, just wondering what to pack for the Christmas break, this one is for you. I said before that I’m a poor excuse for a traveler, but
is an expert. Check out her method for preparing for big trips, it might give you some ideas.
A great selection of your work! I look forward to revisiting ( although some I've not had the privilege of reading yet) these articles.
I loved this roundup. And thank you so much for the kind shoutout!