Tag Archives: church

So… How Did We Get Here?

Dearest Rachel – I feel like you might want to know about how things went yesterday afternoon, considering I’d mentioned it the other day, particularly regarding how I had to adjust my schedule in order to attend. And yet… there’s not all that much to tell you about it. I’d been asked by email aContinue reading “So… How Did We Get Here?”

No Thought ~ Action!

Dearest Rachel – I’m going to start off this letter describing the events of last night, with an admission that may seem completely unrelated to those events; I have never read any of the works of Yukio Mishima. I know that your parents had a copy of The Sailor Who Fell from Grace with theContinue reading “No Thought ~ Action!”

from Rachel: With Us

Out of the three sensory interactions, John had with Jesus, which would mean the most to you with this place in your life. To see Him? Touch Him? Hear Him? (I realize some of these naturally overlap but don’t get too technical.) “I love hugs, so as great as all three would be, I thinkContinue reading “from Rachel: With Us”

Talking Myself Down

Dearest Rachel – So. After two months since the last time, I’m on my way back to the local mega church for their monthly singles get together. This time, I’ll actually be able to meet Lisa, the woman who got me set up, both in terms of registering and doing a bit of volunteer workContinue reading “Talking Myself Down”

Not All Together

Dearest Rachel – I know that I used to rely on you a great deal back in the day to keep our calendar organized. You knew what we were doing on this day or that, and we rarely had to worry about double-booking ourselves thanks to you (of course, our relatively limited friend circle, andContinue reading “Not All Together”

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…”

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”

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”

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”

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”

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”

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”

Box Canyon Blues

Dearest Rachel – I don’t mind the time I spend in the video booth during church, even if it does occasionally require waking up at what seems to be (and I know you’d agree, with your circadian rhythm) a ridiculous hour. I find the need to keep busy, even (especially?) on the weekend, to keepContinue reading “Box Canyon Blues”

The Farce is Strong with This One

Dearest Rachel – Saturday, July 9 (3pm) I have so many potential titles for this letter, but it may have to wait to see how things play out, which means that this will need to carry over through tomorrow, because it’s not going to be able to be wrapped up today. However, today is notContinue reading “The Farce is Strong with This One”

Too Timid to Talk

Dearest Rachel – This past Sunday was a bit unusual for me, and yet, at the end of the day, it really didn’t make all that much difference. I mentioned that Daniel wasn’t with me, you might recall. He’d gone with Kerstin to the Saturday service (and met the folks there as well, who wereContinue reading “Too Timid to Talk”

Where You Don’t Want to Go

·I tell you the truth [L Truly, truly I say to you], when you were younger, you ·tied your own belt [dressed yourself] and went where you wanted. But when you are old, you will put out your hands and someone else will ·tie [dress] you and take you where you don’t want to go.” JohnContinue reading “Where You Don’t Want to Go”

Empty

Dearest Rachel – One of the problems with relating someone else’s story is that you can’t always expect to get all the details right. Indeed, if the characters involved are too far removed, you can’t even be necessarily sure that the interaction even happened. But sometimes, as the saying goes, you can’t let facts getContinue reading “Empty”

Yes, It Is; No, I’m Not

Dearest Rachel – I’ve known about this for the past two weeks, although I haven’t really bothered to actually watch it. But there it is; or more to the point, there I am. When Dinu saw me after the service Saturday evening, he had to ask whether that was really me or not, and IContinue reading “Yes, It Is; No, I’m Not”

And So It Continues…

Dearest Rachel – It’s tricky writing to you from the A/V booth, especially during rehearsal. Never mind the fact that dictating to Siri is basically impossible (and even if I tried to do it, it would still be kind of rude); I basically need to be reacting to the band’s needs at any given momentContinue reading “And So It Continues…”

Little Dollops of Catch-Up

Dearest Rachel – I’ve been amazed some days about how often I’m able to come up with a topic – or two, or three! – to talk to you about. It’s gotten to the point where, if I can’t come up with anything to relate, I get a little concerned. This is one of thoseContinue reading “Little Dollops of Catch-Up”

A Question of Timing

Dearest Rachel – So often in life, things turn on a matter of timing. We are in the middle of the Olympics at the moment – not that anyone’s watching, as it seems to have been determined that neither China nor those that kowtow to it are worthy of support – where the difference betweenContinue reading “A Question of Timing”

Kidding Aside

Dearest Rachel – Well, that was an odd end to the day. The Sparks club activities, from my limited perspective, went fairly smoothly. We were doing the usual wrap-up; putting away chairs and tables and the like. You remember the drill. Once we would finish, we’d head over to the Cubbies room, where Ms. CContinue reading “Kidding Aside”

Followers, Fans and Flings

Dearest Rachel – The message at church this weekend centered around the sixth chapter of John. The basic gist of it was about how Jesus was showing the crowds just how narrow the path toward salvation could be, and questioning whether they were willing to take it. Most weren’t. In fact, the mass departure gotContinue reading “Followers, Fans and Flings”

The Visitation

Dearest Rachel – I’m told there was a French king who had been raised Protestant – a dangerous thing to be, when the deeply Catholic country was persecuting Huguenots, and your faith was pretty much inextricably linked to your patriotism (one more reason America deliberately decoupled church and state). Upon the death of his predecessor,Continue reading “The Visitation”

from Rachel: Understanding Your Shape

Question to consider: What God given ability or personal experience could I offer to my church? “5/20 “I don’t know. I’m good at correcting grammar, but I don’t think the church needs a proofreader. I love math, but I’m not an accountant or anything. I suppose I could tutor kids but I’m not sure IContinue reading “from Rachel: Understanding Your Shape”

Getting A Jump On Notes

Dearest Rachel – There are times when I think I may have been part of a rollout test… but only in retrospect, of course. When I was in second grade (and an almost obnoxiously precocious kid), I would see my Dad heading off to serve as a leader in the church’s Awana club, and insistContinue reading “Getting A Jump On Notes”

So… Darned… Close

Dearest Rachel – I’ll give Ruby credit, she’s making the effort to keep in touch with me, contacting me every day while she’s supposedly down in Phoenix with her siblings. She’s also informed me that she’s told her mom (who I guess is down there with her siblings? In which case, shouldn’t she have mentionedContinue reading “So… Darned… Close”

Fifty-Two Weeks Ago (part three)

Dearest Rachel – I hadn’t anticipated writing a third part to this, but the way certain parts of my life have come full circle – and so many all at once – it’s a wonder I don’t get dizzy. The folks even pointed it out to me as they extended the invite last night. EvenContinue reading “Fifty-Two Weeks Ago (part three)”

Picking at the Wound

Dearest Rachel – You would think that, because I’m writing you every day, I’d be constantly marinating my soul in the sensation of having lost you. Even as I’m chatting with others – even with possible candidates to fill the empty spot in our house and lives – when they ask what I do, IContinue reading “Picking at the Wound”

Fifty-Two Weeks Ago (part two)

Dearest Rachel – I’m not going to go so far as to give Mike credit for remembering; he juggles dozens of volunteers across three campuses, and all of their attendant schedules. I’m sure he’s just slotted me where and when he needed me to be, especially after giving me an extended break after working allContinue reading “Fifty-Two Weeks Ago (part two)”

from Rachel: Accepting Your Assignment

Question to consider: What’s holding me back from accepting God’s call to serve Him? “5/18 “I don’t appreciate the implication that I am failing to serve Him currently. This Sunday I actually have three different roles on the platform: choir, ensemble and drama. I am just wrapping a busy schedule of Awana, babysitting, choir practiceContinue reading “from Rachel: Accepting Your Assignment”

Keep the Bar Low

Dearest Rachel – In all the letters that I’ve written to you since I’ve started doing this, I’ve mentioned several times about your parents’ astonishingly low expectations for the two of us; how they were afraid that ours was no more than a ‘starter marriage,’ whatever that is, and how they were pleasantly surprised atContinue reading “Keep the Bar Low”

What Can I Say?

Dearest Rachel – I suppose I really should come right out and admit it: I’m a morning person. I would always excuse myself by saying it was out of necessity that I was waking up as early as I did, that I needed to read and wash up before getting myself out the door toContinue reading “What Can I Say?”

Time and a Half

Dearest Rachel – Back when I was studying calligraphy in junior high, I drew up a motto for my great-aunt Belva that read “Keep serving the Lord: the pay may not be good, but the retirement plan is out of this world.” I’m sure it was lost in the cleanup after her passing (amazing toContinue reading “Time and a Half”

from Rachel: Protecting Your Church

Question to consider: What am I personally doing to protect the unity in my church family right now? “May 12 “I don’t know, I suppose being loving and compassionate to many and to a few in particular. I suppose by generally not gossiping or hanging out with women who do (Though off hand I can’tContinue reading “from Rachel: Protecting Your Church”

from Rachel: A Place to Belong

“May 7 “Yes, I feel it does. On Monday nights I am a Sparks leader and have been the song leader. On Tuesday mornings I babysit the children of any moms who choose to attend the Bible Study. I take home all of the office’s paper trash for recycling. Wednesday night we have choir orContinue reading “from Rachel: A Place to Belong”

Pumpkin Spice Pegboard

Dearest Rachel – You can add pumpkin spice to just about anything these days. Including a pegboard, as it turns out. This will probably need some backstory for everybody else that might be reading this. Since Halloween is on a Sunday this year, our church is holding what they refer to as their Family FunContinue reading “Pumpkin Spice Pegboard”

As Lazy as the Sun

Dearest Rachel – There is a disadvantage to untethering ourselves from the likes of alarm clocks and whatnot, relying solely on our own circadian rhythms to determine when to wake up. As the days grow shorter, and the sun gets up that much later every day, so we find ourselves sleeping in as well, becomingContinue reading “As Lazy as the Sun”

Woefully Unprepared

Dearest Rachel – I imagine that this a sensation you were quite familiar with in your day; I woke up this morning realizing I haven’t done my homework for a long time – well, at least for this week. And as a result, I’m going to show up at the Bible study woefully unprepared forContinue reading “Woefully Unprepared”

The Need for More Patience

Dearest Rachel – I really didn’t want to write this letter to you. This feels like airing my dirty laundry – and yes, it’s more “my” than “our,” because it’s gotten considerably worse since you left, and the fact that I don’t know how to deal with it has probably only exacerbated things. But today,Continue reading “The Need for More Patience”

Group Therapy

Dearest Rachel – It’s surprising to consider how busy my weekends are, especially when I’m getting questions from strangers about whether or not I’m free, and I have to answer ‘well, no, not really.’ Today has been a little bit more than usual, however. For what it’s worth, Pastor Joel seems to think I’m readyContinue reading “Group Therapy”

Tetris Skillz

Dearest Rachel – “Use your Tetris skills!” Jeff says. You have no idea how much I miss you right now. There must be about a dozen of us here, guys coming straight from the Saturday morning Bible study, to help a couple move out. All this stuff is going into storage, at least for theContinue reading “Tetris Skillz”

Culture Is Not Forever

Dearest Rachel – There have been a number of days when I’m literally writing to you at the last minute, standing around waiting for Chompers to do his business, or waiting for him to finally succumb to sleep. And as I wonder what topic to discuss with you, I can think of nothing else toContinue reading “Culture Is Not Forever”

No Ticket to Oz

Dearest Rachel – It was storming terribly last night, dear. Our home security system by the front door was beeping like a combination alarm clock and a forklift stuck in reverse, and no amount of money going forward and typing in the password which shut it up for more than five minutes, before it wouldContinue reading “No Ticket to Oz”

In Lieu Of…

Dearest Rachel – I’m really not entirely sure if this is the week that Anime Central was supposed to happen. However, since the annual celebration for the church is happening today, I’m going to assume it was. After all, the church had a knack for holding the annual celebration on the same weekend as ourContinue reading “In Lieu Of…”

from Rachel: Soul Memoirs

(Note: Honey, this post is taken verbatim from a file found on one of your computers the other day. The file itself dates from October 2011, as you were intent on putting together an explanation of your faith journey in order to reach out to your parents, whose spiritual position you were beginning to haveContinue reading “from Rachel: Soul Memoirs”

Diamonds and Ash

Dearest Rachel – I would say “I wish you had been there” for this year’s Mother’s Day sermon, but when I am always wishing you were here as it is, it really doesn’t carry the weight that I mean for it to. The thing is, as a general rule, we don’t really have a sermonContinue reading “Diamonds and Ash”

from Rachel: Ministering to Other Mothers

Think of a time when God hinted that He desired to use you in His kingdom purposes. Describe what He laid on your heart. “I can think of several. Every ministry I’ve been involved in has a moment like that. Generally I say ‘Yes!’, occasionally ‘No!’ “One slightly different one that comes to mind wasContinue reading “from Rachel: Ministering to Other Mothers”

The Return

Dearest Rachel – So, this morning, I’ll be heading up to Camp Awana to discuss the budget. Scott, Brian and I have been planning to do this for the last two weeks: each time, there’s been a health issue that’s gotten in the way. Given the tenor of the times, I probably don’t have toContinue reading “The Return”

My Darling Raven

Dearest Rachel – I will never stop saying it, because it will never not be true: it’s the little things that you miss the most, now that you’re gone. This morning, I’m working in the booth at church. Not for the first time since you left, but every time has its little differences. This time,Continue reading “My Darling Raven”

Snow Angels

Dearest Rachel – It’s such a cliché when people come up to you in the receiving line at the visitation, and tell you, “If there’s anything you need…” “If there’s anything I can do for you…” Look, I’m not saying these sentiments aren’t genuine. But you wonder, do people really mean it when they sayContinue reading “Snow Angels”