Dearest Rachel – It’s about time, none too soon and all that. Winter may be months away yet, but construction season has been quite literally at our doorstep since I returned from the cruise – and if Daniel is to be believed (and why wouldn’t he? We’ve known that since birth, he’s no good atContinue reading “Roll Up the Barrels”
Monthly Archives: September 2024
from Rachel: At His Footstool
In one sentence, what does Psalm 132:1-10 recall? “It recalls David[’s] vow to God to begin the construction of the Temple immediately” In a word, how would you describe King David’s tone in these verses? “urgent” Associated with the Shekinah glory of God, the ark was the central location of worship in the Old Testament.Continue reading “from Rachel: At His Footstool”
Street Cred
Dearest Rachel – Well, it’s happened again; I don’t know if you’ve found out about Josh, as I don’t know how time works up there, nor how new entrants are welcomed by those who have gone before. If it’s just a case of being ‘asleep’ until summoned by the trumpet at the end of days,Continue reading “Street Cred”
Sunshine Taken Away
The other night, dear, as I lay sleeping,I dream’t I held you in my arms.When I awoke, though, I was mistaken,And I hung my head, and cried. Dearest Rachel – I have always hated the song “You Are My Sunshine,” for reasons that should be obvious from the very first verse (no, not the factContinue reading “Sunshine Taken Away”
To Hear Your Opinion
Dearest Rachel – Look, I do try my best to not talk about politics (or current events in general) when I write you – and when I do, I try (and probably fail) to appear somewhat neutral in what I speak of. I’ve learned, for instance, to avoid dropping the names of the players involvedContinue reading “To Hear Your Opinion”
Why In the Dead of Night?
Dearest Rachel – In Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, the story kicks into gear with the first of the spirits arriving at Scrooge’s bedside over the night before Christmas. Despite having been warned of both the fact (which, to be fair, he disbelieves at first) and the timing of this visit, Scrooge isn’t in the moodContinue reading “Why In the Dead of Night?”
Puzzling Dissatisfaction
Dearest Rachel – Two hundred ten point five. That’s what I was looking at this morning when I first woke up; before making my way to the gym to work out. Yesterday aside, I’d only seen that number after a hour or more of vigorous exercise, and only a couple of times before bobbing backContinue reading “Puzzling Dissatisfaction”
Walking On Fumes
Dearest Rachel – When I got up this morning at 3:30 (I have no idea why or how – I was up until 10:30 last night watching videos with Daniel, so it’s not like I had what I would call an early bedtime. Yes, I know you’d call it that, but five hours isn’t aContinue reading “Walking On Fumes”
from Rachel: Like a Weaned Child
What do you think Peterson meant by ‘neurotic dependency’? “Maybe whiny insecurity, coming to God as our therapist (??)” Offer a scenario depicting a way this could happen: “An idea, plan, event, etc. that really feels like God’s will fizzles, gets canceled, causes controversy, etc.” God‘s goal is not children scared into silence, but thoseContinue reading “from Rachel: Like a Weaned Child”
The Womb and the World
Dearest Rachel – So the men’s Bible study is back on its regular Saturday schedule – at least for the moment, since next week will be taken off due to what they refer to as “Man Camp” next weekend (which I suspect you’d be pushing me to go to, but I still think there areContinue reading “The Womb and the World”
Banner Day
Dearest Rachel – Well, after telling you a couple weeks ago about the several irons I had in the fire regarding this project or that idea, I can finally go into detail about one of them, seeing how I’ve basically done all I can do on it (or possibly not; more on what I meanContinue reading “Banner Day”
Am I Really Okay?
Dearest Rachel – You already know I started writing these letters to you to try and remember this or that incident in our lives together and attempt to commit them to paper (or at least pixels) before they were erased from mind and memory like words written in the sand on a tide-washed beach. However,Continue reading “Am I Really Okay?”
Without Consultation
Dearest Rachel – So the fellow from the HVAC company came over yesterday; I showed him the old system we had on the side of the house, and he agreed that it’s past its time. Apparently, air conditioning systems have an expected life between eighteen and twenty years. That we got over twenty-five years outContinue reading “Without Consultation”
Housework Day
Dearest Rachel – Maybe I can get away with this kind of thing because I’m a bachelor of fairly recent vintage. I’m not expected to know – or necessarily to care, even – about the various tasks that need to be done around the house from day to day, whereas the typical housewife would considerContinue reading “Housework Day”
The Wind in My Ears
Dearest Rachel – I did my best to sleep past it, but this morning found me lying in bed at four-thirty, staring at the dark ceiling with the fan spinning down on me, and listening to the (relatively) loud hum of the tower fan blowing on me. Daniel had turned that one on last nightContinue reading “The Wind in My Ears”
from Rachel: Things Too Great
At second and third glance, you’ll see that Psalm 131:1 bulges with potential discussion. But at first glance, what does Psalm 131:1 say to you? “Lord, I try to stay out of trouble. I try not to get a swelled head because I know there’s a lot of stuff I can’t do (e.g., unlike Tomo-chanContinue reading “from Rachel: Things Too Great”
The Place to Gather… Eventually
Dearest Rachel – Well, I think you’d be mildly pleased that the house is still a gathering place for the old gang… eventually. It may be as a last resort, but that it’s still considered as such is enough for me to consider it a win in my book. The situation started nearly a weekContinue reading “The Place to Gather… Eventually”
I’ve Lost the Taste for Mac’n’Cheese
Dearest Rachel – I know I really don’t have the right to complain about this. There are plenty of times where I don’t feel like cooking – most recipes are made for at least a family of four, anyway, which, now that I think about it, must have irritated you no end in your ownContinue reading “I’ve Lost the Taste for Mac’n’Cheese”
The Reminder
Dearest Rachel – Thanks to the fact that “some people did something” (to quote a certain congressperson whose constituency guarantees that she will never have to regret her choice of words; indeed, they all but celebrate such a callous attitude toward that day), twenty-three years ago yesterday, it’s impossible for me to forget about ourContinue reading “The Reminder”
The Best We Can Do
Dearest Rachel – Obviously, from my side of the veil, I have no idea how you perceive time and events on this side anymore – assuming you could, or even would want to. There are those who claim that you and everybody else are asleep until the day the trumpet sounds, and we will allContinue reading “The Best We Can Do”
Not At This Hour
Dearest Rachel – I found myself awake this morning in pitch blackness, and upon checking the time, saw that it was barely four in the morning. I did get to bed shortly after we got home from Sparks – relatively speaking – but I wouldn’t say that ten o’clock was particularly early, given this situation.Continue reading “Not At This Hour”
To Descend Without Stumbling
Dearest Rachel – I’ll say one thing for these weekends in which I’ve purposed myself to go without eating for forty-plus hours; they make Monday that much more bearable (even setting aside the fact that I don’t have to worry about going to work anymore). At least this morning, I can finally allow myself somethingContinue reading “To Descend Without Stumbling”
from Rachel: Full Redemption
Name a few other things that lead to hopelessness: “I think the biggest is the death of someone who almost certainly was not a believer. Leading up to that, a friend or family member who refuses to believe.” For I know the plans I have for you – plans for your welfare, not for disaster,Continue reading “from Rachel: Full Redemption”
Dreams of Dixie
Dearest Rachel – I dreamed of Dixie last night. I’m not entirely sure why. I don’t hold to the romanticism of the Lost Cause – or any lost cause, for that matter. I try my level best to forget the girls I had crushes on (and behaved as stupidly over them as any mid-teen boyContinue reading “Dreams of Dixie”
Phone Book Paranoia
Dearest Rachel – I know a few people who are into the “true crime” genre of entertainment; heck, to a certain extent, I’ve started to follow a few YouTubers whose focus is in the genre (which – and I may have asked this of you in previous letters – I’d have been curious as toContinue reading “Phone Book Paranoia”
It Could Happen in Any Neighborhood, Now
Dearest Rachel – I’ve been meaning to write out the usual stipend to Twofeathers ever since the holiday weekend marked the turn from one month to the next. I admit that I’m nowhere near as faithful – or should I say punctual – as I was when it came to paying the mortgage to yourContinue reading “It Could Happen in Any Neighborhood, Now”
Observable Increments
Dearest Rachel – Well, it seems like you can strike what I said yesterday about things not having changed from year to year at our Awana club. There are, in fact, a few fairly drastic changes this time around. In fact, I may be out of my usual job entirely – they seem to haveContinue reading “Observable Increments”
Full Circle
Dearest Rachel – Another day, another letter where I don’t know what to tell you about. Not that I’m exactly short on topics, as much as the topics themselves are a little short, in terms of what I have to say. Some of them are due to a lack of details (including one about someoneContinue reading “Full Circle”
Taking Compliments
Dearest Rachel – Yesterday had me breaking my weekend fast at a holiday party at Jeff and Julie’s place; ironically, my last meal had taken place Saturday morning with Jeff in attendance as well, so he probably thinks I eat a lot more often than I do. I can’t recall at this point if you’dContinue reading “Taking Compliments”
from Rachel: If You Kept a Record
How are the names translated into English…? “Yahweh (YAHWEW) Adonay (ADONAY) Yah (YAH)” Can you think of any reason the psalmist might have addressed God by both titles in this context? No right or wrong answer exists. Imagine you were the psalmist; then offer your thoughts as to why you used both names: “The worshipContinue reading “from Rachel: If You Kept a Record”
Letters to Rachel 