Dearest Rachel – After lunch at Caesarea Philippi, we take an hour-long ride into the Golan Heights (still a part of the Galilee region), to a town called Gamla. You would think that a nation barely the size of Rhode Island wouldn’t have such long drives from place to place, and yet, here we are.Continue reading “A Light from the Heights”
Author Archives: randy@letters-to-rachel.memorial
Dan in the North
Dearest Rachel – No, this has nothing to do with Daniel being with me as we head to the northernmost point of Israel (at least, not at first); this area was named Dan long before that. I should point out that I haven’t been bringing our itinerary with us; since I’m not the one driving,Continue reading “Dan in the North”
Blessed Are…
Dearest Rachel – After barely making the bus (it looks like I’m starting to fall into your habits, sweetheart), we listen to a little recent history from Yael as we travel to the Mount of Beatitudes, overlooking the Sea of Galilee; basically, that of the two-state proposal as drawn up in 1948 (and summarily rejectedContinue reading “Blessed Are…”
Too Harsh for a Laugh?
Dearest Rachel – You’ll remember staying at the one in Jerusalem; now we’ve gotten ourselves moved into a room at one in Nazareth. And for whatever reason, I can’t help but be reminded (as unfairly as it might be applied to them) by this song: I’m pretty sure you would have shared in the giggleContinue reading “Too Harsh for a Laugh?”
On the Edge of Shabbat
Dearest Rachel – For all our familiarity with certain Jewish traditions – and ever more so, now that Logan is living with us (although he cheerfully agrees with my assessment of him as a ‘cheeseburger Jew,’ which is to say, rather loose with regard to the strictures of his religion) – Israel proper takes whatContinue reading “On the Edge of Shabbat”
The Site of Armageddon?
Dearest Rachel – It’s a strange thing to consider; while we’re well aware that the name Armageddon comes from a specific place – the valley of Megiddo, where we are now heading to – it goes against our understanding to think of the end of the world happening in a single specific place. Armageddon seemsContinue reading “The Site of Armageddon?”
Caesarea Maritima
Dearest Rachel – For all that we bother to head back upstairs after breakfast to brush our teeth and make sure we’ve gotten everything out of the hotel room, we’re still not the last ones down to the bus. Granted, it looks like we are, as the lobby is all but empty as we passContinue reading “Caesarea Maritima”
The Difference in Mornings
Dearest Rachel – It says something good about a hotel bed when you wake up in it thinking year at home in your own – although I think it may have had more to do with the ambient traffic noise that I’m so used to back there. It’s less complementary when you check the alarm,Continue reading “The Difference in Mornings”
A Rest Arrested, A Connection Made
Dearest Rachel – I really thought I’d be better at this; given that I was yawning like crazy even as the folks were driving Daniel and I to the airport, I assumed I’d be able to fall asleep on the plane without any difficulty. It was certainly late enough in the evening, and I hadContinue reading “A Rest Arrested, A Connection Made”
“I Was Told There’d Be Outlets”
Dearest Rachel – I’m not sure that I want this to become frequent enough to be routine; there’s a certain point at which, I’m sure, travel loses its luster. That being said, I would certainly prefer to be sufficiently accustomed to the process to not feel so queasy every time I arrive at the airport.Continue reading ““I Was Told There’d Be Outlets””
Pa(ni)cking
Dearest Rachel – In the eponymous book describing it (and the many adventures Arthur Dent takes under its influence), The Hitchhikers’ Guide to the Galaxy has emblazoned on its cover two critical words: “Don’t Panic.” In theory, it’s good advice for the traveler, whether you’re escaping a planet that’s about to be destroyed, or justContinue reading “Pa(ni)cking”
The Point of Power
Dearest Rachel – As soon as I wrote it out, it occurred to me that someone might read the title and assume it was something like the Five Point Palm technique from Kill Bill or some such. And while I understand that something along these lines actually exists among certain aboriginal tribes in Australia –Continue reading “The Point of Power”
He Steals for Us
Dearest Rachel – I’m sure I really should be focusing on our preparations for our flight out tomorrow evening to Israel, but my mind is preoccupied with other things at the moment. Sure, there are personal things that I need to attend to, but today, the events of the world at large – or atContinue reading “He Steals for Us”
One’s Soul For One’s Country
Dearest Rachel – When one thinks of things one would be willing to sacrifice one’s life for, thoughts tend to run toward the things one loves. If there is to be anything worth dying for, it would be (ironically) the things that make life worth living. Possessions rarely fall into that category, although some thingsContinue reading “One’s Soul For One’s Country”
The Value of Sacrifice
Dearest Rachel – It may have been last night’s game of Civilization between Kevin and myself, which, upon being joined on the line by Erin, I found myself explaining my mild fascination about history, and the great men (and women) throughout it that helped to sculpt the world into the shape it is in, forContinue reading “The Value of Sacrifice”
from Rachel: Grumbles in the Thought Closet
Think about what you say when you talk to yourself. Do you ever grumble? If so, about what? “Yes, petty annoyances.” According to Philippians 2:3, how much are we permitted to do from selfishness? “nothing” Rather than out of selfishness, we are to act with what? “humility” Are your grumbles more justified than theirs were?Continue reading “from Rachel: Grumbles in the Thought Closet”
The New Saturday Routine
Dearest Rachel – I think you might remember me telling you back in the day how odd it was that, once I was able to retire, I only ever had to set my alarm on Sunday mornings. Of course, that’s to be understood; when we volunteer to work at all three services on a givenContinue reading “The New Saturday Routine”
Tapped Out (for the Moment)
Dearest Rachel – There are days when the slightest thing can trigger a flood of memories for me to write you about. Like Marcel Proust going on for pages about the shape, texture, and mouthfeel of a madeleine cookie, there are days when I could write for ages on the smallest thing, if I feltContinue reading “Tapped Out (for the Moment)”
An Unexpected Choice
Dearest Rachel – Well, that serves me right for trying to draft a letter to you while waiting for things to shake out. It’s amazing how much things can change in a matter of a few hours. I’ll start at the beginning, as best I can, since it’s not really my story – I’m justContinue reading “An Unexpected Choice”
The Pile of Questions
Dearest Rachel – I’m sure that you would tell me that I’m a too bit free-spending these days, dropping money on frivolities that I neither need nor even want, if I really were to think about it. Granted, part of it could probably be attributed to the combination of prices going up as our portfolioContinue reading “The Pile of Questions”
Water, Oil and Wine
Dearest Rachel – I don’t know how my mind can go from black-and-white line drawings one night to full (if dimly lit) color and tactile sensations, but it was good to see and hear from you last night, even if it left me with more questions than answers – and I still had to letContinue reading “Water, Oil and Wine”
La Ofrenda Inadvertida
Dearest Rachel – It’s the sort of thing to only think of talking about today, on what would be the Día de Muertos if we were of the sort to commemorate that. Certain concepts only come to mind at certain times of the year, prompted by seasons or holidays, and this is definitely one ofContinue reading “La Ofrenda Inadvertida”
Mercy, Grace and Pity
Good morning, honey – This morning’s visions are going to be considerably more disjointed than most – dreams can be like that, after all – but it’s the sort of thing you’d likely be telling me about if it happened to you, so I think it’s only fair. This letter might also be the sortContinue reading “Mercy, Grace and Pity”
Not Suited for the Season
Dearest Rachel – Halloween was never celebrated much at our place, was it? What with it being on a major thoroughfare, our house was only ever visited a handful of times at best on any given year. and that was before we were dealing with things like the pandemic and social distancing and the polarizationContinue reading “Not Suited for the Season”
The Fortress With Two Open Doors
Dearest Rachel – Evenings at the house, if they weren’t falling into something of a routine, and thereby likely to be considered to be ‘normal,’ are, I suspect, anything but that, when observed objectively. While it’s understandable that the boys would hang out together – and that I should stay out of their way, muchContinue reading “The Fortress With Two Open Doors”
from Rachel: I Will Remember
Rate your memory by circling the number that most closely matches you – 1 being poor, 10 being excellent. “7” When it comes to criticism or past failures, rate your ability to remember. “8” When it comes to successes, compliments, or God’s benefits, how good is your memory? “7” What do the circled numbers inContinue reading “from Rachel: I Will Remember”
Taking A Ribbing
Dearest Rachel – On my way home from the Halloween festival at church, I stopped at several different places to pick up lunch for the boys. Some things never change; even if they’re able to agree on a place they’re both willing to eat from – and unlike the three of us, they can usuallyContinue reading “Taking A Ribbing”
The Pull of Responsibility
Dearest Rachel – While you spent much of your life trying to maintain a certain level of childhood (and fairly successfully, I might add – certainly in comparison to myself or nearly anyone else we knew), there are certain aspects of that station in life that leave one longing for the joys of the imaginedContinue reading “The Pull of Responsibility”
Preparations and Purchases
Dearest Rachel – You were instructing me to help you out in finding a protective screen for your touchscreen computer, as you were planning on taking it with on our travels. You seemed to be looking forward to the trip. For my part, I didn’t know how to react to your request. I hadn’t intendedContinue reading “Preparations and Purchases”
Untouchable
Dearest Rachel – In a few ways, I was actually quite prepared for life on my own. Thanks to our vastly different sleep schedules, I was already used to retiring to an empty bedroom. Similarly, the quiet mornings on my own aren’t that much different than before, apart from the fact that they’re not nearlyContinue reading “Untouchable”
Spoiled
Dearest Rachel – For all the improvements to the house over the past few months, you would think I would be satisfied with everything, now that the dust has settled. But not necessarily; after getting myself dressed, and heading to the dining room to get myself a bowl of cereal to start the day with,Continue reading “Spoiled”
Between Fashion and Utility
Dearest Rachel – I don’t know what prompted the images of last night’s dream – and they were mostly images, rather than any sort of coherent storyline – but I suppose that dreams, by their very nature, don’t require a logical explanation. My best guess, however, is that of various memelords and other Photoshop experts,Continue reading “Between Fashion and Utility”
What Other People Think
Dearest Rachel – After heading downstairs from the home office (a bit on that near the end, by the way), getting ready to have breakfast and start my day, I realized that Daniel was awake, and listening to some of his usual stuff. Granted, this morning it seemed to be some sort of news report,Continue reading “What Other People Think”
The Benchmark
Dearest Rachel – I’d fill you in about last night’s dream – something about the Incredibles, with the kids more or less grown up, duking it out against a league of supervillains basically representing the Seven Deadly Sins (honestly, what is it about supervillains that compels them to a.) insist on some sort of themeContinue reading “The Benchmark”
Just to Let You Know…
Dearest Rachel – To a certain extent, this particular letter might seem a bit perfunctory. After all, what’s the point of commemorating something when I’ve already missed a month? It isn’t as if there’s a streak I need to keep up, nor would you hold it against me – or even be aware; I’m neverContinue reading “Just to Let You Know…”
from Rachel: The Library in Your Mind
Pour yourself a cup of coffee (ha!) and turn to Psalm 103. What did the psalmist say to his soul in verse 2? “Bless the Lord“Forget none of His benefits” What do you think makes the difference between the memories becoming friends or foes? “Which ones we dwell on, what effect they have on us,Continue reading “from Rachel: The Library in Your Mind”
Don’t Know What I Expected
Dearest Rachel – “Are you… Dave?” I was to meet a fellow by that name, according to Lisa, and he would direct me and the other volunteers as far as setting up the room for last night’s activity. In fact, she even gave me his contact information, just in case I arrived too early, andContinue reading “Don’t Know What I Expected”
The Squeaky Wheel
Dearest Rachel – I never intended to make this story into a multi-part tale. I fully expected to be telling you about what happened (or, more to the point, what didn’t happen, as I’ve no expectations that anything will come of tonight’s get-together, any more than anything has come of my attempts at online dating,Continue reading “The Squeaky Wheel”
Can’t Help But Compare
Dearest Rachel – Waking up ridiculously early this morning isn’t anywhere near as unpleasant as it has been, now that the fan motor has been replaced in the bedroom space heater. Still, without an immediate topic at hand to talk to you about today (since by waking up, I seem to have completely punctured whateverContinue reading “Can’t Help But Compare”
A Second Adolescence
Dearest Rachel – It’s been long said that senility and dementia result in something that is referred to as a ‘second childhood’. You no longer know the things you used to know, so you’re about as ignorant and helpless as you were as a little child. You remember how this was, especially with your mom’sContinue reading “A Second Adolescence”
Cringe
Dearest Rachel – I woke up rather a bit too early this morning; while I wanted to get an earlier start on the day because of various errands I need to take care of, five a.m. is a bit too much. But upon attaining consciousness, my mind started rifling through various topics to write youContinue reading “Cringe”
For the Sake of Former Adversaries
Dearest Rachel – Back in the day, I rarely had nightmares about work – or at least, not that I can remember. After all, I would wake up a little after five in the morning in order to begin preparations to get myself ready for work, and the alarm would essentially interrupt any dream thatContinue reading “For the Sake of Former Adversaries”
Barely Even Half
Dearest Rachel – On the mornings you would wake up without having had a dream to relate, you would often have a song stuck in your head. Now, you and I had different methods for expelling earworms; if mine was annoying enough, I would usually try to conjure something else up in my head toContinue reading “Barely Even Half”
from Rachel: Fire in the Closet
What does James 4:1 say about our fiery potential? “They ‘come from desires that battle within you.’” What kind of words ignite your anger? “Mostly actions spark my anger, but I do feel righteous indignation over false accusations, especially when my self-defenses are dismissed without the slightest consideration.” What situations trigger frustration or ignite anger?Continue reading “from Rachel: Fire in the Closet”
Cold Open
You know how it goes; you remember how the episodes began when the revival fired up. It’s the top of the hour, and what you’re watching is too good, too professionally produced to be a commercial. The visuals are stunning, and the action has you already hooked on what’s going on. But there’s been noContinue reading “Cold Open”
If You Could Read My Mind…
Dearest Rachel – I think I’ve told you a couple of times about how easy it is to write by dictating to Siri. Rather than bothering to find every letter on the keyboard, I can just talk to her, and everything shows up pretty quickly thereafter. Sure, there are moments when I have to stopContinue reading “If You Could Read My Mind…”
More Nothing Than I Know What to Do With
Dearest Rachel – For the most part, yesterday was my own fault, so I really have no right to complain about what happened – or rather, what didn’t happen. To be fair, I enjoy my retired life; the lack of deadlines and responsibilities to a boss, the (admittedly somewhat theoretical) freedom to do or goContinue reading “More Nothing Than I Know What to Do With”
Like a Drunken Sailor
Dearest Rachel – Most people would rather not be thought of as profligate when it comes to their spending habits; I certainly don’t. Sure, my family raised me to be generous with regard to giving (and I’ll get to that later on), but they also taught me to be prudent with what money came myContinue reading “Like a Drunken Sailor”
Bolt From the Black
Dearest Rachel – It was half past three; I checked almost immediately after it happened. My mind was just wrapping up a dream about a flight that was forced to land in the packing lot of our church’s Des Plaines campus when there was this thunderous explosion, as if it was coming directly from ourContinue reading “Bolt From the Black”
Filling A Need
Dearest Rachel – For all the mornings I talk to you about meaningless things like my dreams from the previous night, you’d think I’d take the time now and again to fill you in on the more important things that are actually happening in and around my life. Monday nights would be a particular sourceContinue reading “Filling A Need”
Another Weight Lifted
Dearest Rachel – One of the advantages of being confined to the bedroom while the boys are watching anime in the family room is that, if I get tired or bored, I can just shut my eyes and I’m already in bed. As a result, I’m pretty sure I was asleep before ten last night.Continue reading “Another Weight Lifted”
Girls and the Golden Cocoons
Dearest Rachel – This letter will have to wait for a couple of days; as I mentioned in the last one I wrote you, I had to do some shopping for my sister’s birthday present, so this needs to wait until I’ve actually given it to her, lest I run the risk of spoiling theContinue reading “Girls and the Golden Cocoons”
from Rachel: Be Still, My Soul. Calm Down
Turn to Psalm 131:2. What did David say he had done? “He had stilled and quieted his soul.” This phrase within this particular song of ascent compares David’s soul stillness to what? “A weaned child” What do you think he meant? “With calm composure and peacefulness of an older child rather than the pig-like rootingContinue reading “from Rachel: Be Still, My Soul. Calm Down”
What Lamech Learned from Great-Grandpappy
Dearest Rachel – This letter, and the one preceding it, have got to seem to be a little strange to you, I’m sure. What are these about? Did something happen in my life that I’m trying to allude to in the most oblique of terms, lest I upset someone with murderous intent on me (orContinue reading “What Lamech Learned from Great-Grandpappy”
On Seth and Cain
Dearest Rachel – These characters aren’t the ones I saw as I was climbing from the depths of sleep in the chair in the family room the other night. Their living conditions were most likely as primitive as those you might picture from the stone age, whereas I envisioned scenes from a mansion with aContinue reading “On Seth and Cain”
If You Seek A Devil…
…you’ll surely find one. Dearest Rachel – This isn’t the sort of letter I really enjoy writing, but it’s a frustrating situation I feel I have to share with you. You’ve heard me tell you plenty about Daniel, and the prophets and pundits he prefers to listen to over me or anyone else in hisContinue reading “If You Seek A Devil…”
Hadn’t Heard Your Voice in So Long
Dearest Rachel – Wouldn’t surprise you to know that I’ve started to forget what your voice sounded like? For all that I’ve kept your cell phone – and still continue to pay a nominal fee for it – it’s been ages since I’ve called it to hear you say how you ‘can’t come to theContinue reading “Hadn’t Heard Your Voice in So Long”
In No Mood to Get Up
Dearest Rachel – It’s six in the morning, and for whatever reason, I’m awake. It’s not quite pitch black, but it’s pretty thoroughly dark out yet. Several muscles surrounding my Achilles’ tendon are still screaming at me, despite my attempts to stretch them ex post facto. And I’ve just woken from a dream in whichContinue reading “In No Mood to Get Up”
Running from Responsibility?
Dearest Rachel – I woke up this morning, wondering why I might be imagining myself as a runaway staying at some halfway house on the outskirts of an actual city, rather than as I am, a homeowner in the suburbs, supposedly in charge on my own destiny. I know I have this mental picture ofContinue reading “Running from Responsibility?”
One Feature After Another
Dearest Rachel – There are some mornings when I wonder what I’m going to tell you about; there are others where I have the odd dream or two. And then there are mornings like today. I’m just hoping I can remember everything that passed before my eyes last night, and write them all down beforeContinue reading “One Feature After Another”
Status Quo Ante
Dearest Rachel – Monday morning. A new day, a new week, a new month – for all intents and purposes – and, for those who bother to keep track, a new quarter. Just about everything is new today. And yet, it’s back to the same old, same old. After a week away from the ‘office,’Continue reading “Status Quo Ante”
Between the Skydancer and the Statue
Dearest Rachel – So… it happened again. We’ve been asked to move, and while I understand the reasoning behind it (and evidently, Daniel’s not bothered by it), I’m not exactly thrilled. The thing is, the request was made with deliberate care so as not to upset us – and I think it worked on DanielContinue reading “Between the Skydancer and the Statue”
from Rachel: Fortifying Your Thought Closet
What did Jesus tell his disciples (Matthew 26:41)? Why? “Watch and pray – to avoid falling into temptation” Seriously, do you recognize your temptation trouble spots? “Yes” What are they? “Too much gaming, especially after midnight, but in the daytime and evening as well; too much TV – more that I want to watch thanContinue reading “from Rachel: Fortifying Your Thought Closet”
Forgoing Breakfast For Going to Breakfast
Dearest Rachel – There are mornings when I don’t know what to tell you about. Not for lack of things to talk about, necessarily (although there are some days like that), as much as what to focus on – and in some cases, what not to focus on. There are mornings when I stand inContinue reading “Forgoing Breakfast For Going to Breakfast”
Battle Plans
Dearest Rachel – I can’t guess as to how much you still remember of your past life on this plane – especially things from so long ago (although, for all I know, you might be able to see the distant past just as well as the relatively recent, from your perspective), but I’m reminded today,Continue reading “Battle Plans”
Slacking Off
Dearest Rachel – I have often commented, when we would visit Kevin or vice versa, that we aren’t exactly the best influences on him. You know that he’s been trying to watch his weight; keeping tabs on calories consumed, sodium intake and the like at various time in the past few years. And you, inContinue reading “Slacking Off”
Too Soon Awake, With Too Strange Thoughts
Dearest Rachel – It’s another morning, and I don’t dare emerge from the bedroom, lest I run the risk of running it to somebody else. So, I might as well spend some time trying to talk to you. However, the most likely topic of discussion –my dreams – is somewhat out of the question, becauseContinue reading “Too Soon Awake, With Too Strange Thoughts”
And Another One Down
Dearest Rachel – Yep; another one bites the dust. Thanks to Logan’s image lookup technique, I have spotted a problem with Aileen. Shortly after she was allegedly assigned to the San Diego naval base, she sent me a picture purporting to be of herself in front of her barracks, wearing what she claimed to beContinue reading “And Another One Down”
The Frantic Chaos of a Restful Night
Dearest Rachel – What with having Kevin over, I confess that I will be hard-pressed to keep in touch with you every day. And while been given dispensation to skip a day here and there, as I’ve built up a number of consecutive days of writing you, it gets that much harder to give upContinue reading “The Frantic Chaos of a Restful Night”
Lessons from Logan
Dearest Rachel – When I agreed to allow Logan to move in with us, there were a few things that I was considering in the back of my mind. It certainly wasn’t that we needed the rent money – although, with that being said, we may well have deprived someone else that needed it moreContinue reading “Lessons from Logan”
from Rachel: Tuning Into the Lion at Your Thought Closet Door
Do you tend to find yourself grabbing lies and shoving them into your thought closet door every now and then? If you still grab lies from time to time, what triggers you to do so? “Willful desire – I want to do a little of what I know I probably shouldn’t, mostly because a littleContinue reading “from Rachel: Tuning Into the Lion at Your Thought Closet Door”
Going South (featuring Alexa Brandy)
As promised, honey, this was the chat between me and Alexa once I arrived at the hole-in-the-wall place I’d suggested we meet at, and you can watch as it all fall apart. I want to believe I tried to be as much of a gentleman as possible, without letting on that I was suspicious ofContinue reading “Going South (featuring Alexa Brandy)”
Walking the Fine, Fine Line
There’s fine, fine lineBetween love… and a waste of your time “There’ s A Fine, Fine Line,” sung by Kate Monster (Stephanie D’Abruzzo) in Avenue Q Dearest Rachel – Well, I got what I expected to out of yesterday’s adventure. I didn’t actually have a lunch date (in fact, I didn’t have lunch there atContinue reading “Walking the Fine, Fine Line”
Another Step Forward… Two Steps Back
Dearest Rachel – It’s just about nine in the morning, and I need to head out to the ‘office.’ But I can’t exactly say my mind is entirely on my ‘work.’ My mind is somewhat preoccupied with what’s going on later today. It almost seems inappropriate for me to be going on a date thisContinue reading “Another Step Forward… Two Steps Back”
I Want to Believe
Dearest Rachel – You might dimly remember this slogan; it was the motto of “The X-Files,” which, for all your love of the science fiction and horror genres, you never seemed to get into. Maybe it was just having our hands full with a new baby; maybe it was the fact that we could onlyContinue reading “I Want to Believe”
A Message to the Newlyweds
Dearest Rachel – Believe it or not, I found myself dealing with a couple of dreams last night, both of which I thought you might as well hear about. To be sure, the first was a little more than an ironic bit of punishment visited upon some quack con man, but the whole concept behindContinue reading “A Message to the Newlyweds”
Cultivating Karma
Dearest Rachel – There wasn’t much to remember about last night’s first dream, only a news item. Still, it was sufficient to take into consideration, and perhaps turn into an essay of sorts. It would seem that this fellow, whose name I can’t remember, and may never have been dropped (since it didn’t really matterContinue reading “Cultivating Karma”
What Do I Miss?
Dearest Rachel – After the past weekend, I realize I’ve been belaboring the fact that I’ve been dealing with a torrent of utterly unsolicited text messages from a surprising number of (alleged) girls online. Please don’t feel jealous; if you were still around, you know I wouldn’t be putting myself in situations where this sortContinue reading “What Do I Miss?”
Turning Away More Than Wrath
Dearest Rachel – So… I’ve gone into great detail to you about my many adventures – and misadventures – in trying to meet people online. Not complete detail, mind you – that won’t happen until the last of them stops ‘sliding into my DMs,’ as I understand the expression goes. I’m ambivalent about that day,Continue reading “Turning Away More Than Wrath”
Fending Off the Flood
Dearest Rachel – You’re probably aware that I have this sort of open door policy towards social media. While I’m not about to set up a profile on Facebook, I exist on several other sites, and I’m willing to take friend requests from whoever asks. I don’t know who first said it, but the phraseContinue reading “Fending Off the Flood”
from Rachel: Awake My Soul, Tune In!
What does 2 Corinthians 5:7 say about your status now that you are in Christ? “I am a new creation.” Scripture says that accessories come with your “newness.” What are they? On the following thought closet bins write a truthful statement you can say to your soul to reinforce what God has given you. “ItContinue reading “from Rachel: Awake My Soul, Tune In!”
Back, But on Borrowed Time
Dearest Rachel – Look, honey, I understand that we’re all on borrowed time, from the day that we’re born. But last nights dream (okay, so it was definitely this morning’s, but you know what I’m talking about) was that much more so than usual. We all seemed so much younger than we have been inContinue reading “Back, But on Borrowed Time”
Back to the N.C.E.R.
“You don’t know how lucky you are, boys…” Dearest Rachel – This morning, there was a bit of a change in plans. I had originally intended to walk to the ‘office,’ in order to get in my ten thousand steps (which is the subject of another letter I’ll have to owe you for later), butContinue reading “Back to the N.C.E.R.”
Disasters
Dearest Rachel – There are a lot of ways to go that I don’t want to experience – yours, in retrospect, wasn’t so bad, being so sudden you probably didn’t see it coming until it was upon you – and last night included quite the collection of possibilities. Most of them seemed to involve islandContinue reading “Disasters”
#NoFilter No More
Dearest Rachel – You may not believe this, but I do have some rules that I try to adhere to with these letters I write to you. I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but I try to aim for about a thousand words with each letter (give or take a few hundred); enough to giveContinue reading “#NoFilter No More”
Time to Shop
Dearest Rachel – It’s one of those things that I’ve never really gotten a good handle on, despite having had the need to since your absence. Usually, if I’m going shopping, it’s just for one or two things in particular, not a whole list of them. And, as I’ve pointed out before, I usually findContinue reading “Time to Shop”
We Need Something New, Though the Truth’s Always True
Dearest Rachel – I’m not sure why, but I woke up this morning with the tune of “He Lives” running through my head. I can’t be quite sure of which lyrics, but I think I recall hearing the first (“I serve a risen Savior, He’s in the world today.”) and third (“Rejoice, rejoice, O Christian,Continue reading “We Need Something New, Though the Truth’s Always True”
On the Last Few Pages
Dearest Rachel – After spending Sunday driving home from camp, showing up at church without even bothering to stop at home first, spending the rest of the day resting up from the weekend, and then yesterday trying to get back into my routine in order to set aside what the day represented in terms ofContinue reading “On the Last Few Pages”
A Milestone Missed
Dearest Rachel – There’s not much for me to do today, in terms of commemorating our thirtieth anniversary. I’ve already posted our wedding video, and that game show we participated in on the cruise we took to celebrate our twenty-fifth (it’s shocking to consider how much has changed in the span of less than fiveContinue reading “A Milestone Missed”
from Rachel: Speaking Truth to Your Issues
What kinds of issues are crowding your thought closet? “friends’ problems, procrastinated chores/house projects, concern for parents, and silly virtual deadlines” Let’s get to know this woman in Mark 5. What was her primary issue (Mark 5:25)? “a bleeding disorder” Which of her descriptions best expresses the result of your issue? “I suppose strained herContinue reading “from Rachel: Speaking Truth to Your Issues”
The Love of the Legend
Dearest Rachel – As much as I might complain about not meeting people on this weekend’s camping venture, I happen to know that a lot of it is my own fault. You’ve already heard about how I hadn’t felt comfortable talking to the ‘guests’ as a mere worker, but that sort of reticence applies toContinue reading “The Love of the Legend”
My Shoulders and the Wheel
“Ssssoooo…” the voice to my left hissed into my ear, smug and self-satisfied, “how was your weekend with the LAY-deeeez?” There was a singsong note to his question, as if he was mocking me about it – which, let’s face it, he was. He’d conned me into agreeing to go up to camp, every bitContinue reading “My Shoulders and the Wheel”
The Lonely Cricket
Dearest Rachel – It seems that there is a cricket that lives inside the workers’ cabin. I say that because it’s too loud to be coming from outside when I’m sitting in the cabin, trying to stay out of everybody’s way. And while one might think that the chirping is too much to be comingContinue reading “The Lonely Cricket”
More Like The Painting
Dearest Rachel – After two or three hours of rinsing off pots and pans to be put through the sanitizer (using nothing but cold water, since otherwise it wouldn’t be enough hot for the sanitizer, so… that was fun), I joined the rest of the guys in setting up the dining hall for some kindContinue reading “More Like The Painting”
…And Always Too Soon
Dearest Rachel – I’m not entirely sure why Lili von Schtupp’s solo number from Blazing Saddles is running through my head. It seems that both of my letters today are inspired by one song or another (not that this one is at all relevant to the situation at hand). It’s probably due to the factContinue reading “…And Always Too Soon”
The Way of the Wayward Son
You know the rules. Driver picks the music; shotgun shuts his cakehole. Dean Winchester (Jensen Ackles) to his brother Sam (Jared Padalecki), as they begin their adventure, in Supernatural Dearest Rachel – I never got into the series; it was something you would watch as you were doing your chores or whatever it was youContinue reading “The Way of the Wayward Son”
As Done As We Can Be, For Now
Dearest Rachel – I haven’t been telling you about what’s been going on at the house this past week, even though it’s probably the most momentous bit of news for the rest of the year pertaining to it; we’re finally done with the remodeling process. For now. The painters have come, starting Tuesday, and theyContinue reading “As Done As We Can Be, For Now”
A Hole In Space
Dearest Rachel – Well, honey, I got my assignment in my email yesterday evening, and it turns out I’ll be spending most of the weekend in the kitchen just as I expected to. What I hadn’t expected (but probably should have) is that most of my time there will be spent handling cleanup rather thanContinue reading “A Hole In Space”
The Things You Don’t Expect
Dearest Rachel – When I agreed to take Logan in as a roomer for the next six to twelve months, I asked my folks for advice on what I needed to do to make things official. Some of the things they had to say made sense, and I adopted them, such as restricting the lengthContinue reading “The Things You Don’t Expect”
To What Use…
Follow me, and I’ll show you to what good use… these wares can be put. Spirit of Christmas Present (Edward Woodward), to Scrooge (George C. Scott) in the market, from the telecast of A Christmas Carol (1984) Dearest Rachel – You’ll probably remember that, when we were looking to move out of the condominium andContinue reading “To What Use…”
Letters to Rachel 