Focus on 1 Thessalonians 2:1-4. How had the Thessalonians become ‘imitators of God’s churches in Christ Jesus that are in Judea’? “through their suffering at the hands of their own countrymen” Share about a time when you experienced some form of persecution because of your belief in Jesus. “I haven’t experienced much persecution. (I tendContinue reading “from Rachel: The Solidarity of Suffering”
Monthly Archives: October 2026
Broken Hearts Atop the World
Dearest Rachel – Since I can’t seem to bring myself to do so at any other time of the weeks, the weekends are my opportunity to try to fast. Purely from a weight-loss perspective, as I have difficulty focusing on spiritual things when I’m hungry (or any other time, for that matter). I need toContinue reading “Broken Hearts Atop the World”
Not Ready For The Cold
Dearest Rachel – Last week, the sun was out, and the days were in the eighties. I could work up a sweat walking through the forest with Lars (and probably needed to). Last night, I was wearing three layers to go to bed comfortably, even with the one space heater on. Such is weather inContinue reading “Not Ready For The Cold”
Plans to be Made
Dearest Rachel – Ask, the saying goes, and you shall receive. No sooner do I put pixels onscreen fretting over the fact that my days lack anything unique worth telling you about, and suddenly I’m flooded with news about one thing or another; most requiring action on my part, and soon. Granted, most of thisContinue reading “Plans to be Made”
Instagramming Myself
Dearest Rachel – I woke up this morning from what felt like a dreamless sleep – by which I mean that I can’t remember a single thing that I saw last night, even though I’m pretty sure there was something of a phantasmagoria that I wandered through – and wondering what exactly I could tellContinue reading “Instagramming Myself”
The Notice That One Needs
Dearest Rachel – So I mentioned yesterday that I would let you know about how our errands that afternoon would go if I thought they were interesting enough to relate. And they held up part of that bargain, I suppose – although it may be more a case of them being the most interesting thingContinue reading “The Notice That One Needs”
Sleeping Up A Sweat
Dearest Rachel – I won’t go so far as to say that you would be proud of the two of us – if nothing else, I can’t verify that I was conscious the entire time – but I did manage to stay up with Daniel until well past eleven last night. This, after a mildlyContinue reading “Sleeping Up A Sweat”
Holiday Monday
Dearest Rachel – I wish I could tell you more about last night‘s dream; it felt like I was scrambling to purchase a few more souvenirs before I had to leave town. It kind of resembled the day that Daniel and I were on our way out from Otaru earlier this year, but somewhat moreContinue reading “Holiday Monday”
from Rachel: A Theology of Walking
What action verb is used in 1 Thessalonians 2:12 and 4:1 to describe how we journey with God? “walk” Look up Genesis 3:8 and record the context. “Adam and Eve heard God as He was walking in the garden.” Look up each of the following and record who is walking and where. Leviticus 26:12 “GodContinue reading “from Rachel: A Theology of Walking”
Meatloaf and Eggshells
Dearest Rachel – Not ever being one to enjoy grilling myself – as you might remember, or not, since I don’t think your dad was into it either, thereby precluding you from recognizing the practice as a requisite of manhood – I don’t understand why Logan got such a bee in his bonnet about gettingContinue reading “Meatloaf and Eggshells”
Financial Heretic
Dearest Rachel – Last night, after our typical Thursday night dinner at Meema’s (she claimed to not have a lot of time to throw anything much together, so she made taco bake, a favorite of Daniel’s going back I think far enough that even you might remember it), we headed out in plenty of timeContinue reading “Financial Heretic”
The Return of the Non-Native
Dearest Rachel – It should hardly come as a surprise to you that, even after all this time, I really don’t like going to the gym. It’s an obligation at the best of times, in order to stay in shape; more often than not, it feels like a punishment – or at least, penance –Continue reading “The Return of the Non-Native”
Bullpen Morning
Dearest Rachel – Now, you were never much for sports yourself, so I probably don’t have to work too hard to disabuse you of the notion that this has nothing to do with baseball and pitching – although now that I’ve brought it up, maybe you’d have to have me explain why I make theContinue reading “Bullpen Morning”
Why I Don’t Trust My Instincts
Dearest Rachel – So last Thursday evening, as I was preparing myself for bed, I sat down to use the toilet, when I noticed a strange sensation on my bare foot; the bathroom rug was damp, as was my foot. I quickly got up to inspect the situation, as that needed to be dealt withContinue reading “Why I Don’t Trust My Instincts”
What He Wanted
Dearest Rachel – If it hadn’t been for the fact that it was so undiplomatic, I would’ve been pleased that Daniel actually knew what it was he wanted, and said so. He’s usually so indifferent to options offered to him, that this is actually worth telling you about. And in the end, it wound upContinue reading “What He Wanted”
from Rachel: Dear to Us
List every area of exploitation they’d [Paul, Silvanus and Timothy] tried to avoid.“flattery, masking of greed, being a burden (seeking praise?)” Using people. It’s the default mechanism of our sinful nature. If we’re not fighting it, we’re doing it. And the key to how well we’re doing it is how well we’re hiding it.To flatterContinue reading “from Rachel: Dear to Us”
A Thousand Steps Around the Parking Lot
Dearest Rachel – I’ve probably mentioned the proverb in one paraphrase or another several times over the course the last five or six years, honey, but it’s constantly being proven true; there’s nothing the Lord finds funnier than a plan we humans can come up with. The most obvious examples are those elaborate, Pinky-and-the-Brain styleContinue reading “A Thousand Steps Around the Parking Lot”
Putting It Right? Yeah, Right…
Dearest Rachel – There are days when I’m driving around, and a song from our day comes back to me on my feed that I just have to talk about; this is one of those days. I hope you don’t mind, but it’s not as if every day has something happening to me personally (orContinue reading “Putting It Right? Yeah, Right…”
In Due Time
Hey there, Pop – I know, I know; normally I would be writing Rachel about the goings-on around here. But it’s been a while since I’ve been able to talk to you now, and since this would be going to approximately the same address (although what do I know? Heaven is undoubtedly larger than theContinue reading “In Due Time”
Workout at Woodfield
Dearest Rachel – For all that our walks take up a large swath of time in a given day, there’s not a whole lot to be related to you about when Lars and I get together. On the contrary, there’s generally something of a “what happens here stays here” ethos to it all, where what’sContinue reading “Workout at Woodfield”
