Dearest Rachel – I really need to start getting these reports prepared beforehand a little more; best to use the sea days while I have them, as they’ll be much fewer and farther between once we arrive in New Zealand. Sure, the trip from there to Australia will take a day or two of sailing,Continue reading “Auckland”
Author Archives: randy@letters-to-rachel.memorial
A Place to Focus
Dearest Rachel – After so many days at sea from L.A. to Hawaii, from Hawaii to Polynesia, and now from Polynesia to New Zealand, I’m starting to become aware of just how much of that time I’m spending in my stateroom, rather than getting out and wandering amongst the crowds, such as they are (thisContinue reading “A Place to Focus”
How Time Flows
Dearest Rachel – You’ve heard it from me before, but as long as I can’t get a definitive answer (from you or anyone else), I ’m going to keep asking it; how is it that time flows on your side of eternity? Paul talks about the day when we all will be raised, the deadContinue reading “How Time Flows”
Burning Daylight
Dearest Rachel – Well, honey, it’s official: we are clearly in summer. Not just because it’s so warm out (that could just as easily be attributed to the fact that we’re not that far from the equator, although we’re moving further away from it by the minute), but because it’s light out even at theContinue reading “Burning Daylight”
Sadly Waiting For Me
Dearest Rachel – Last night found me waking up in pitch darkness; not an unusual occurrence here, as I’ve mentioned before. I do think that it’s not so much a case of “still being on Central time,” as I’ve claimed in the past. I think my routine of working out right after dinner, while conscientiousContinue reading “Sadly Waiting For Me”
Time to Waste
Time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time. Attributed to Bertrand Russell, Lawrence Peter, and John Lennon, among others Dearest Rachel – The above quotation, whoever is said to have coined it, is a phrase that you and I lived by as much as possible. Given our schedules, idle hours were a few and farContinue reading “Time to Waste”
Attempting to Drift
Dearest Rachel – Even though I’m still feeling like I’m on Central Time to a certain extent, just because I managed to wake up early enough to watch the ship come in doesn’t mean that I’m actually productive at such an hour. Or rather, it’s not a complete form of productivity; I managed to compile and uploadContinue reading “Attempting to Drift”
What Happens Next
Dearest Rachel – After that long wait to get myself on a tender, several of the crew came up from the gangway deck to let us know that tender #15 had space for just ten more people. I was among the ones who volunteered, and literally was the last person on. It was either thatContinue reading “What Happens Next”
Pape‘etē (Tahiti)
Dearest Rachel – Well, this destination is more familiar than that of Mo‘orea, but not by all that much, to be honest. I know of it as the island of temptation that caused the mutineers of the Bounty to revolt against Captain Bligh (and that, based on historical record, he was actually too lax withContinue reading “Pape‘etē (Tahiti)”
Hurrying Nowhere
Dearest Rachel – You know me, honey. You know that when I travel, I tend to prefer being in the middle of a city; there’s so many things there to see and do. A stop like this, much like anywhere in the Caribbean, feels like being in the middle of nowhere, with the few peopleContinue reading “Hurrying Nowhere”
from Rachel: Taking Thoughts Captive
What is God’s goal for our thought life? “to think with the mind of Christ” In our previous lesson, we cited a possible reason why God usually does not simply remove temptation from us. What was it? “We would then still be just as vulnerable to all the similar attacks in the future.” Read PsalmContinue reading “from Rachel: Taking Thoughts Captive”
Mo‘orea
Dearest Rachel – This particular port is likely going to be the most difficult for me to write about. Not only do I know next to nothing about it, there’s nothing for me to anchor onto, in terms of a city located on the island or anything. It’s just… the island of Mo‘orea, and untilContinue reading “Mo‘orea”
Tanning Bed
Dearest Rachel – I hardly need to tell you that I’m nobody’s sun worshiper. Ra, Aton, Helios… they’re all utterly foreign to me. That being said, I understand the need to get oneself the proper amount of vitamin D even if I don’t always remember the proper dosage; when I went to restock my pillsContinue reading “Tanning Bed”
Three Different Stories Every Day
Dearest Rachel – Unlike some of our travels in the past – Israel comes to mind in particular, with our guides often making it explicitly clear that “this is a tour, not a vacation,” as it’s a spiritual learning experience as opposed to one for relaxation – this trip is supposed to be a vacation,Continue reading “Three Different Stories Every Day”
Red Skies, Rough Seas?
Dearest Rachel – I still haven’t gotten the point where I’m quite accustomed to the time zone. It’s probably not helped by the fact that I don’t see myself as having much to do after dinner, since I’m not the club type. Last night, after wrapping up, assembling a couple of videos from the day,Continue reading “Red Skies, Rough Seas?”
Another One Rides the Bus
Dearest Rachel – I will freely admit, honey, that, since we were going to be staying in Honolulu overnight, I was hoping to do what I could to get out and see the nightlife. Even though dancing and clubbing aren’t generally ‘my thing,’ how often do I get the chance to do this? Those plansContinue reading “Another One Rides the Bus”
Mall Walking
Dearest Rachel – It’s something I’d never think of doing at home – at least, barring extreme circumstances, such as losing a tire outside of one and having to walk home in a light snowstorm (yes, I remember that trip, even to the point of one of us observing that Chompers would be getting franticContinue reading “Mall Walking”
Trying to Keep Up in Oahu
Dearest Rachel – I promise this will be my last reference to Peppo’s Pidgin To Da Max, but this morning has me remembering a cartoon of a bright and cheery bus driver addressing his load of tired tourists with a clearly booming “Aloha, keiki! Get da kine makapiapia outta you eyes! We get plenny fo’Continue reading “Trying to Keep Up in Oahu”
I Didn’t Forget… Quite
Dearest Rachel – There’s something about being on vacation that… I won’t say “upsets one schedule,” because that’s kind of the whole point. Not all travel is meant to be relaxing – and, as I’ve discussed before about the word’s origins, it wasn’t considered to be at all back in the day – but leisureContinue reading “I Didn’t Forget… Quite”
Honolulu
Dearest Rachel – For all that this trip is meant for me to visit a whole, erm, boatload of places that I’ve never been to before (and most likely, never will again – it’s nothing personal, after all, as the opportunity doesn’t arise that often. I’m still kind of surprised to find myself on myContinue reading “Honolulu”
A Record, However I Can
Dearest Rachel – So this morning, just before I set out to wander around the port (as of 7:30, the call went out that anyone could hop on the tenders, regardless of what number their ticket said – or, in my case, the scheduled meeting time of my shore excursion – because there were soContinue reading “A Record, However I Can”
from Rachel: Deprogramming and Reprogramming
first image: “Recognize the Captor / Bowing to thoughts”second image: “Stand in agreement with God / No longer bowing to thoughts” Satan lacks the authority to lock believers in a prison of oppression, so he works overtime to talk us into staying. Meditate on 2 Corinthians 11:1-3 for a moment. Based on these three verses,Continue reading “from Rachel: Deprogramming and Reprogramming”
Kailua-Kona
Dearest Rachel – Since the Big Island is somewhere between the respective sizes of the states of Rhode Island and Connecticut, we won’t be doing anywhere near the amount of sailing as we have been for the past six days; all we have to do is to just go halfway around the island to itsContinue reading “Kailua-Kona”
Back On Dry(?) Land
Dearest Rachel – After five whole (and two partial, if you count Sunday afternoon and the wee hours of this morning) days at sea, I’m looking forward to getting back onto dry land. I realize that the term ‘dry’ is a relative term, given that the morning is expected to be rainy –maybe it couldContinue reading “Back On Dry(?) Land”
Hilo
Dearest Rachel – Between the events – or perhaps more accurately, the lack thereof – of my first trip on my own, combined with the fact that our first port of call was scratched due to the fire last summer (you’d think that Lahaina could use tourism money that much more these days, in orderContinue reading “Hilo”
More Hours in the Day…
Dearest Rachel – It’s considered to be an axiom of travel that, for every time zone that you cross in your journeys, you need a day in which to recover from the change. It doesn’t matter whether you’re ‘springing forward’ or ‘falling back’; any change in time causes a certain amount of disorientation that onlyContinue reading “More Hours in the Day…”
Blood Signal
Dearest Rachel – Well, this turned out to be something of a shaggy dog story; one of those things that get started, meanders about a bit, and finally resolves without much actual participation on my part. But it’s something that doesn’t happen every day – even (especially?) on a cruise ship –so I might as wellContinue reading “Blood Signal”
The Golden Apples
The right word spoken at the right time is as beautiful as gold apples in a silver ·bowl [L setting]. Proverbs 25:11, Expanded Bible Dearest Rachel – There’s a story in ancient Greek mythology of a girl born to the King of Arcadia who was given the name Atalanta. I’m not sure why his majesty King Iasus took the trouble toContinue reading “The Golden Apples”
The Holiday and the Holy Day
Dearest Rachel – Let me get the aside out of the way first, as it’s a matter of mild frustration. I recorded a few comments about the confluence of Valentine’s Day and Ash Wednesday, and after shutting off the camera, realized there were so many other things I wanted to say, but couldn’t think ofContinue reading “The Holiday and the Holy Day”
Pulled From My Stateroom
Dearest Rachel – As comfortable as I am in my stateroom – and as much as I know I’m going to be familiar with every inch of this ship soon enough – I have this sense that I can’t simply stay in my room all the time. If nothing else, my attendant, I Komang, isContinue reading “Pulled From My Stateroom”
Settling In; Will I Stay Settled?
Dearest Rachel – Aside for the fact that this “at sea” portion of this leg of the cruise is going to go on for nearly a full week, there’s nothing particularly out of the ordinary about moving into my cabin. You and I cruised together (mostly with family, of course, but occasionally on our own) maybeContinue reading “Settling In; Will I Stay Settled?”
No Ragarts
Dearest Rachel – I’m giving myself just a little more than two hours from check-out at the hotel until my pick up for the cruise port. As I’m scheduled to show up for check-in at two, that gives me 45 minutes to ride those six miles, which may be absurdly too much time to getContinue reading “No Ragarts”
Morning Meanderings and Meals
Dearest Rachel – Morning, and with it, the acknowledgment that this ocean view isn’t all that bad, after all. While you probably already know it from the fact that it’s smokestacks aren’t what you should be looking for, that ship docked across from our hotel is not the one that’s “come in” for me. ThatContinue reading “Morning Meanderings and Meals”
from Rachel: Tearing Down the High Places
What do you see as the differences between casual thoughts and captivating thoughts? “I see the difference as how often they keep recurring and whether or not they return unbidden when I’ve decided to stop thinking about them.” So we can begin to think in applications from the start, describe two situations that could easilyContinue reading “from Rachel: Tearing Down the High Places”
The Pilgrimage
Dearest Rachel – The plane trip was uneventful, which is just the way it’s supposed to be. After touching down at LAX and collecting my bags (they showed up one right after the other, so that was convenient), I concluded that I’d need to summon an Uber to get me to the hotel. It’s a littleContinue reading “The Pilgrimage”
Preparing For Takeoff
Dearest Rachel – It’s not like I haven’t been to an airport – or told you about it – since you had to go. In fact, I’ve done a lot of traveling since your departure, and consequently seen a lot of airports: Denver International, Amsterdam/Schiphol, EuroAirport Basel Mulhouse Freiburg, Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International, Istanbul, Ben Gurion (Tel Aviv),Continue reading “Preparing For Takeoff”
Am I Missing Anything?
Dearest Rachel – I wonder if this trip would have driven you crazy; the answer to the above question is, of course I am. I’ve limited myself to a single suitcase (which itself is limited to fifty pounds) as well as my electronic items in my carry-on backpack (while the suitcase Kerry and the travel agencyContinue reading “Am I Missing Anything?”
Obeying Whose Orders?
Dearest Rachel – In retrospect, it probably wasn’t the best choice for me to be watching while I was waiting for the girls to show up last night. For all intents and purposes, I really should be talking to you mostly about the dinner we had last night; one last get-together before I ship out. AboutContinue reading “Obeying Whose Orders?”
Not So Easily Said
Dearest Rachel – As much as I’m not particularly fond of their attitudes, I have to give the TikTokers their due. Being able to talk straight through everything, without hesitation, without self-consciousness – I’d say it was easier said than done, but the whole point is that it’s not so easily said at all. For me toContinue reading “Not So Easily Said”
Improbable Hand-Me-Downs
Dearest Rachel – I know that, over the past year or so that I’ve combined watching what I eat with a regular pattern of exercising, I’ve managed to get myself down to a reasonable (if not yet necessarily ideal) weight. I’ve shed more than fifty pounds, to the point where I’ve spent the last couple ofContinue reading “Improbable Hand-Me-Downs”
How Broken Am I?
Dearest Rachel – As much as I admit there are things that I need to get done before the end of this week and I head out, there are times when I’m just not motivated to do so. Daniel and I get home from our night working at Sparks, Logan comes down from his room toContinue reading “How Broken Am I?”
Go Pro Envy
Dearest Rachel – So yesterday found me saying one last goodbye to the gang in the booth, as well as the praise team, over the weekend. As I spend more weekends working the booth than not, it’s going to be weird not doing so for at least thirteen straight weekends. While hanging out in the greenContinue reading “Go Pro Envy”
from Rachel: A View from the New
When did you last try to break a stronghold in your own strength and end up feeling powerless and totally defeated? “I suppose it was in October 2008 when I tried to clean up because my parents were coming, or November when I tried to keep it looking nice.” Think about a stronghold you’ve experienced.Continue reading “from Rachel: A View from the New”
Sometimes There’s A Reason
Dearest Rachel – There are people who have made their careers making fun of the stupid things that others do, say and, particularly in this case, ask. MAD Magazine’s late Al Jaffee (would you know if he’s up there with you? Would you recognize him if he was?) had his collections of “Snappy Answers to StupidContinue reading “Sometimes There’s A Reason”
Snippets for the Future, Nothing for the Now
Dearest Rachel – One of the problems with spending so much of one’s waking thoughts on a big event in the future is that there’s not much thought being put into what’s going on around one in the present. To be sure, it may well be that most people aren’t trying to document their lives likeContinue reading “Snippets for the Future, Nothing for the Now”
The Last Thing That I Need
Dearest Rachel – I suppose it could be worse; at least this way, I’ve got just enough time to let it run its course before I head out. This morning saw me waking up at about three-thirty to a very unpleasant sensation; not so much for the sensation itself, as what it represented. Lying there, tryingContinue reading “The Last Thing That I Need”
The Odd Preparations
Dearest Rachel – I don’t think I’ve completely shaken off Basel Syndrome (which, upon re-reading that letter to you, I was surprised to discover that I’d defined it as more of an irrational preference for staying in my hotel room/cabin rather than going outside of it; whereas now, I think of it as a fearContinue reading “The Odd Preparations”
Just Another Clout-Chaser
Dearest Rachel – I wasn’t the one to bring it up to my dad when I visited him yesterday, but I’d already read the news item about the fellow when Dad broached the subject. Not that it should surprise me (although it did, since I assumed that most of the folks there would likely be myContinue reading “Just Another Clout-Chaser”
Publication Jitters
Dearest Rachel – When I first set this website up, and decided to write you daily letters, I found myself having to think long and hard about nearly every word that I wrote down. In fact, the first few letters were almost completely written out in longhand on paper before I ever committed anything to theContinue reading “Publication Jitters”
from Rachel: A View From the Old
Pause and ask God to give you deep insight into His Word today. Now read Isaiah 26:3-6 and 2 Corinthians 10:3-5. Note every concept the two passages have in common. “demolishing strongholds and bringing them to utter destruction.” Note how the [following] three passages demonstrate that Satan deals directly with the human mind. Mark 4:15 – “HeContinue reading “from Rachel: A View From the Old”
Accidental Mimosa
Dearest Rachel – There’s a place on the thoroughfare between our house and the folks’ place (as well as the church and the convalescent home Dad’s staying at) called Big Ange’s. It’s an authentic barbecue place, right down to the fact that it’s had its own smoker in the front of their parking lot for theContinue reading “Accidental Mimosa”
Proof of Concept
Dearest Rachel – I’ve concluded that there’s no way that I’m going to be able to tell you everything about my upcoming trip in so many words; pictures are going to be necessary, and perhaps moving pictures even more so. So between one thing and another, I’ve decided to put together short video letters to tellContinue reading “Proof of Concept”
A Future on This Planet
Dearest Rachel – This isn’t exactly breaking news, as far as today or yesterday goes; it’s been gradually getting to this point over time (albeit a relatively brief period of time). But I submit it to you as further proof of Dad’s improvement with regards to his health; when I’m visiting him, he likes toContinue reading “A Future on This Planet”
Getting Things in Order
Dearest Rachel – It’s incredible to realize that only a month ago, we were all gathered at dad‘s bedside while he went over with us where he kept instructions pertaining to his funeral. We really thought – as did he – that he would hang on just long enough to see his way through ChristmasContinue reading “Getting Things in Order”
To Commemorate the Year Gone By
Dearest Rachel – It’s been three years now. You’d think I would know how to deal with these anniversaries by now, but I don’t. And I wonder if I ever will. At this point, it’s gotten to where I’m treating the moment as if it were a second New Year’s, a time to reflect on theContinue reading “To Commemorate the Year Gone By”
Back in the Balcony
Dearest Rachel – It seems like half a lifetime ago (possibly because, when you come down to it, it was) that you and I would find ourselves in the church balcony of a Sunday morning. It wasn’t so much a matter of trying to be inconspicuous (although, when you’re carrying a small baby who mightContinue reading “Back in the Balcony”
from Rachel: The Fruit of Unfailing Love
Give at least five endings to the incomplete sentences, offering your own thoughts contrasting two children: one who believes he or she is loved and the other who does not. A child who believes he or she is loved… – “has confidence to go out into the world– “knows they can come home and beContinue reading “from Rachel: The Fruit of Unfailing Love”
The Sign of Jonah
·Evil and sinful people [L An evil/wicked and adulterous generation] ·ask for [seek; demand] a miracle as a sign, but they will not be given any sign, except the sign of Jonah [see 12:40; Jon. 1:17].” Then Jesus left them and went away. Matthew 16:4, Expanded Bible Dearest Rachel – To be sure, when Jesus invoked the name of Jonah, as aContinue reading “The Sign of Jonah”
What the Camera Can’t Catch
Dearest Rachel – I think it was one of the early Torchwood episodes – you’d actually remember it better than I would, since you were the Doctor Who fan of the family – that had a character wear a pair of contact lenses that would essentially livestream what they were seeing to the main groupContinue reading “What the Camera Can’t Catch”
Frozen, Not Forgotten
Dearest Rachel – Forgive me, honey, but I didn’t put out the garbage this week. The thing is, it’s not that I forgot to, as such… …it’s that it wouldn’t have mattered. You’ve heard me tell you several times over the past few days about how it’s been so absurdly cold, right? And of course, up untilContinue reading “Frozen, Not Forgotten”
The Hero’s Journey
Dearest Rachel – So, while I thought I had a moderately interesting real life story to tell you about from yesterday, I woke up this morning, knowing that I had to put it on hold, because what I saw last night just had to be told (before I forget it). Let’s start with the factContinue reading “The Hero’s Journey”
What Can You Do About the Weather?
Dearest Rachel – I’m pretty sure he wasn’t the first one to say it, but Mark Twain might have at least been responsible for popularizing the saying that “Everybody talks about the weather, but nobody does anything about it.” To be sure, it isn’t as if there’s a whole lot one can do about it; apartContinue reading “What Can You Do About the Weather?”
On the Same Frostbitten Wavelength
Dearest Rachel – It would seem that, intentionally or not, the gang has (mostly at my insistence) developed something of a habit of getting together at a splashy restaurant on or about the first of the year since you’ve been gone. It hasn’t been the same one each time – indeed, it’s been somewhere different everyContinue reading “On the Same Frostbitten Wavelength”
from Rachel: Failure to Believe God’s Unfailing Love
Why should not believing God personally and lavishly loves us be considered a sin? “Perhaps, again (see page 177) the extreme pridefulness of thinking one can out-sin God’s love, or maybe it’s belittling Him and the size of His love.” Think of someone (besides God) you are absolutely positive loves you. Who is this person? “Randy” ListContinue reading “from Rachel: Failure to Believe God’s Unfailing Love”
The Climbing Belt
Dearest Rachel – Not all nightmares could be considered universal; I’m pretty sure that my dream last night would have been enthusiastically embraced by at least one person I know, but the very idea scares the fertilizer out of me. I literally had to be coerced into doing it because if I didn’t, someone I knewContinue reading “The Climbing Belt”
Backing Away From the Brink
Dearest Rachel – The other day, after our usual walk from Harms Woods to New Trier H.S. and back, Lars and I decided to revisit a place we’d been to once before the holidays. It’s in his neck of the woods, but he’s not ordinarily a fan of what it offers – although in fairness toContinue reading “Backing Away From the Brink”
Still A Long Way From Normal
Dearest Rachel – It occurs to me that you’ll see that title, and assume I’m talking about how I’ve given up traveling downstate to visit your old home (and Twofeathers, who we gave possession of it to in thanks for the care she gave your folks – your mom in particular –in their final years,Continue reading “Still A Long Way From Normal”
Before I Dig Myself A Hole…
Dearest Rachel – And to think, I was going to send you a letter yesterday, griping about how the weather folk had thrown us all into a panic Monday night by claiming we were on the verge of getting hit by a Blizzard (yes, the capitalization is intentional – that’s the kind of storm theyContinue reading “Before I Dig Myself A Hole…”
In Limitations, There Are Strengths
Dearest Rachel – To be honest, honey, this letter is probably more geared for Dad than it is for you. When I left his room yesterday afternoon – because I had to collect Daniel and grab an early dinner before the evening’s Awana club – he insisted that I present him with a full reportContinue reading “In Limitations, There Are Strengths”
Easy On the Envelope
Dearest Rachel – On paper – or on the calendar, anyway – I gave up this weekend; I didn’t manage to fast at all. Both days saw me eating something, despite the fact that, apart from December (because, you know, parties and other holiday get-togethers), I’ve been trying to go without when I’m working the boothContinue reading “Easy On the Envelope”
from Rachel: The Fullness of Unfailing Love
Read 1 John 4:13-15. What happens when someone acknowledges that Jesus in the Son of God? “God lives in him (and he in God).” Can you think of a time when you were suddenly awash with the magnitude of God’s love for you personally? Describe it. “Beth’s story reminds me of [singing] ‘How Great Thou Art’ inContinue reading “from Rachel: The Fullness of Unfailing Love”
An Imbalance of Humours
Dearest Rachel – This is something of a delicate topic of discussion, but it is rather the one unusual thing that’s been going on within me – quite literally – the last couple of days, so I’m going to try to tread as carefully as I can in describing the situation. I’m not going toContinue reading “An Imbalance of Humours”
I Just Can’t Even “Imagine”
Dearest Rachel – I’m pretty sure that, once upon a New Year’s Rockin’ Eve of yore, when we actually watched those sorts of things live on the television rather than on some stream across the internet, you and I saw, just before the ball began its minute-long decent to the roof of the Flatiron Building,Continue reading “I Just Can’t Even “Imagine””
As Long as They’ll Let Me Show Up
Dearest Rachel – My scale didn’t groan when I stepped on it – after all this time, it’s certainly seen (and felt) much worse – but I rather did inwardly to see my highest weight of the year. And yes, I know that’s a ridiculously short span of time, which sounds longer than it is (hadContinue reading “As Long as They’ll Let Me Show Up”
Of Salt Cellars and Selfie Sticks
Dearest Rachel – I realize I’m not the easiest person to shop for, in terms of Christmas presents. It’s even worse when I come up with ideas that are either too late or too esoteric (or both) to hunt down in time. But sometimes, that’s what happens; I come up with an idea long after I should,Continue reading “Of Salt Cellars and Selfie Sticks”
When a Holiday Isn’t
Dearest Rachel – Every so often, I’m struck by the surprising fact that most of our holidays actually still track with the origin of the word – “holy day.” Sure, almost all of them have been secularized and commercialized within an inch of their lives, but many of them still can trace their roots to aContinue reading “When a Holiday Isn’t”
Sub-Celestial Homesick Blues
Dearest Rachel – I’m not sure when exactly we got into listening to Bob Dylan; certainly, it was long after his real moment had passed (although considerably before the Nobel Committee noticed him, so we were at least ahead of those old fogies). Not that we could help it; his peak was before we wereContinue reading “Sub-Celestial Homesick Blues”
Don’t Make Him Tap the Sign
Dearest Rachel – It’s said that there are no such things as coincidences; only moments in which God decides, for whatever reason, not to sign His name to events. We’ve had a few of them in our time, such as that one major windfall shortly after catching up on our pledges to a certain missionaryContinue reading “Don’t Make Him Tap the Sign”
from Rachel: The Freedom of Unfailing Love
Why do you think we readily accept God’s love for others but struggle with the belief that He loves us equally, radically, completely, and unfailingly? “Maybe low self-esteem, perhaps because we know first-hand how big our own sin (does that mean we at least have the plank in the eye lesson mastered, or is itContinue reading “from Rachel: The Freedom of Unfailing Love”
Exhausted by Everything
Dearest Rachel – For all that Dad insists that he’s “ready to go,” and he’s “so weak,” especially after being put through his paces in terms of exercise, the fact remains that he goes through with them and does them without complaint. Well, without much complaint, anyway; the bedsores on his backside, while slowly diminishing,Continue reading “Exhausted by Everything”
And There Will Be Joy!
Dearest Rachel – I know that it was one of our favorite films, but do you remember the last words of the King of Florin? It’s a fairly obscure line in the midst of a scene that memorable for other reasons, but let me see if I can’t refresh your memory (there’s a lot going onContinue reading “And There Will Be Joy!”
God’s Veto Power
Dearest Rachel – You would have never countenanced it: “Son, when you leave, can you take that out of here? It’s been in the corner for too long already, and I don’t feel like looking at it anymore.” “Okay, sure, Dad; I’ll bring it back to the house.” “No, don’t bring it back to my house.”Continue reading “God’s Veto Power”
The Anachronistic Call
Dearest Rachel – It all felt so real in the moment, honey. Dreams often do, I guess; it’s why you used to tell me yours so many mornings, and why you would ask me if I’d had any in turn. It was a middle school field trip; we were visiting a local theme park, althoughContinue reading “The Anachronistic Call”
Therapeutic Misfire
Dearest Rachel – I’ve referred in the past to shopping as a form of ‘retail therapy,’ although this probably comes as no surprise to you and your girlfriends. At the risk of making some sort of sweeping sexist statement, women have known the value, in terms of mental health applications, of shopping as long as theContinue reading “Therapeutic Misfire”
Last Christmas
Dearest Rachel – To say that this Christmas was different than most would be a blinding understatement. So perhaps I should go into the ‘why’ and ‘how,’ rather than just settling with a single, over-generalized statement like that. After all, if you look closely enough, every day is different from its fellows, so why wouldn’t one ChristmasContinue reading “Last Christmas”
Last-Minute Preparations
Dearest Rachel – As embarrassed as I may be to relate this to you, at least I can take comfort in the fact that you wouldn’t be giving me grief about it, as you were every bit as prone to procrastination (on a regular basis, I might add) as I have been this Christmas season.Continue reading “Last-Minute Preparations”
from Rachel: Finding Unfailing Love
Read Psalm 136. What is the obvious point of the chapter? “His love endures forever.” Write a phrase and reference from each of the 26 verses of Psalm 136. For example, verse 1, “He is good,” shows His compassion. 1. God the Creator“4 – does great wonders“5 – made the heavens“6 – [made] the earth“7 – madeContinue reading “from Rachel: Finding Unfailing Love”
When Everything is Trivial…
Dearest Rachel – While the crisis has passed for now – Dad is settled in a nearly convalescent home, and undergoing physical and occupational therapy, such that he neither requires nor necessarily event wants too many people around him for too long thereafter, as he’s too tired to socialize, and will say so – thereContinue reading “When Everything is Trivial…”
The Important Out of Focus
Dearest Rachel – Given the situation that’s been more or less dominating our lives for the past two weeks, even overshadowing the Christmas season and its attendant hustle and bustle, you would think that I would have more to say about Dad at this point. If nothing else, I’m pretty sure I’d given you the impressionContinue reading “The Important Out of Focus”
A Fever Dream of Dream
Dearest Rachel – I think I may have the bed piled with too many ‘reindeer skins.’ Oh, it’s a comfort in the evening, when it’s just a little too cold to just sit around in, but by two o’clock this morning, I was waking up in a sweat. Then, again, it may have been theContinue reading “A Fever Dream of Dream”
Postcard Confessions
Dearest Rachel – In the midst of some of my worst days at work, I would occasionally spend my lunch breaks cruising through a site called PostSecret. It was – and is – a combination worldwide art project, confessional and therapy session. You might recognize some of the material that has been sent anonymously toContinue reading “Postcard Confessions”
Can’t Fix What You Can’t Find
Dearest Rachel – The Seventh Doctor was probably quoting someone else (actually, many someones else, I’m sure – it’s undoubtably a very common saying, now that I think about it) when he observed that “the difference between comedy and tragedy is a fine one; it’s only a matter of timing.” At the time, he was (characteristically)Continue reading “Can’t Fix What You Can’t Find”
Well, Ain’t This a Crock
Dearest Rachel – Even before you had to go, I’d been known to say that misadventures make for the best stories. They aren’t fun when you’re in the middle of them, but some of the ‘best’ (if you can call them that) ones make for uproarious tales, at least in retrospect. Most of them have to doContinue reading “Well, Ain’t This a Crock”
from Rachel: God’s Daily Rule
Explain why Jeremiah said [in 29:11-13] walking with God is so much wiser and personally fulfilling than asking God to walk with us. “God‘s plans are to prosper us and give us hope and a future.” “Father, what are those golden treasure boxes on certain days?” “Blessings, My child, I had for you along theContinue reading “from Rachel: God’s Daily Rule”
A Full Dance Card
Dearest Rachel – I was never the type who would have felt comfortable at a cotillion. Not only was dancing long disapproved of by my extended (and church) family – “a vertical expression of a horizontal desire,” it was described as, and given how I’ve often pointed out how my name is frighteningly apt, I wouldn’tContinue reading “A Full Dance Card”
Given the Chair
Dearest Rachel – For dad, progress continues apace. Yesterday morning, for whatever reason, he was uncomfortable with just lying in his bed, and was begging Mom to summon the nurses to help him to sit up, if just for a few minutes. Naturally, we considered this to be wonderful news, although his insistent request seemed aContinue reading “Given the Chair”
Work Stories Lost: the Empathy of Experience
Dearest Rachel – I forget whether your folks ever insisted you get a job during the summer when you still lived with them. When I was in high school, mine never did; they understood that the regular practice for marching band was more than enough to keep me occupied. Never mind that I wouldn’t beContinue reading “Work Stories Lost: the Empathy of Experience”
The Call in the Middle of the Night
Dearest Rachel – It seems silly to marvel at the accuracy of scripture sometimes. I find myself reminded of some after-dinner speaker who is said to have begun a speech by pompously intoning, “As God said, and I think rightly…” One can only hope he was joking with such a line, but it’s just plausible that itContinue reading “The Call in the Middle of the Night”
On Speaking Terms
Dearest Rachel – It would seem that this morning, my mother – who had gone home last night to actually sleep in her own bed, at the urging of pretty much everyone except possibly Dad himself – got a call at about seven in the morning, after sleeping for some ten hours straight. It was fromContinue reading “On Speaking Terms”
Hope Spot
Dearest Rachel – It’s happening again, honey. He’s gone through a low ebb where it basically looks like only a matter of time. And yes, I realize it’s only “a matter of time” for all of us before we join you and everybody else in the hereafter. You know what I mean – at a certain point, there’sContinue reading “Hope Spot”
Letters to Rachel 