Seeking Distractions

Dearest Rachel – Another morning dawns, and with it, the realization that I can’t have a day that passes for normal just yet. Woke up before two with a coughing jag, and took a little more medicine to allow me to go back to sleep, and managed to eke out another five hours worth, inContinue reading “Seeking Distractions”

Returning from the Woods

Dearest Rachel – As she attempts to recover from her unplanned tryst with Prince Charming late in the second half of Into the Woods, the Baker’s Wife sings “back to life, back to home, back to child, back to husband… you can’t live in the woods.” Of course she doesn’t get back to all thoseContinue reading “Returning from the Woods”

Working From Home

Dearest Rachel – Were I still gainfully employed, and deriving my living from so being, this would be a debilitating quirk of mine, this insistence that I be at home when Kris comes over to clean the house. It’s not out of any desire to supervise her or her work; even if she didn’t alreadyContinue reading “Working From Home”

Deadlines and Promises

Dearest Rachel – I’m sure I’ve mentioned it over the past couple of years worth of letters, but you’ll remember either way how it was a running joke within our little family that the three of us always got the same amount of cold when it swept through the house; we just got it overContinue reading “Deadlines and Promises”

No End of Distractions

Dearest Rachel – Once again, it’s a good thing I have this area in my folks’ basement to ‘work’ in, or I’d never get anything sent off to you. It’s bad enough that, in order to ‘contact’ you, I have to do so by computer, which by dint of being connected to the internet, hasContinue reading “No End of Distractions”

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”

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 Effects of Bingeing

Dearest Rachel – I think I’ve filled you in several times already about my new tradition of fasting on Sunday on the weekends when I’m working in the booth. In fact, it wouldn’t surprise me if you’ve gotten tired of hearing about it; there are times when I get tired of describing what I haveContinue reading “The Effects of Bingeing”

from Rachel: The Obstacle of Legalism

Write Isaiah 64:4 from memory (compare 1 Corinthians 2:9): “Since ancient times, no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides You who acts on behalf of those who wait for Him.” What is Benefit 5? “to enjoy God’s presence” Many elements or conditions can keep us from trulyContinue reading “from Rachel: The Obstacle of Legalism”

Mister and Missus?

Dearest Rachel – Yes, that’s how Daniel and I were addressed as the tour guide called out people’s names, to confirm everyone was present and accounted for.  I realize that most of the tourists are couples, and Danielle could be interpreted as a feminine name, but really? I don’t see how we could be mistakenContinue reading “Mister and Missus?”

Scraping By Without Patience

Dearest Rachel – Life is something of a whipsaw between having seemingly all the time in the world and suddenly running out, and having to transition from dawdling to running full pelt in the blink of an eye. What happened to you was an extreme example, of course, but it’s a situation we all dealContinue reading “Scraping By Without Patience”

Of Horses, Birds and Muffins

Dearest Rachel – I came up to the home office to update my weight chart (I seem to be once again stuck at a plateau, unable to move the needle unless I cut back down to no more than a single meal a day. Still, at least I’m staying a long way from where IContinue reading “Of Horses, Birds and Muffins”

Distance and Distraction

Dearest Rachel – I feel like I should feel worse about the situation regarding Kevin’s accident, but it’s not coming to me at this point. I haven’t been able to shed a single tear about him, and that rather upsets me. it just doesn’t seem right. And yet, I’m aware of many different things thatContinue reading “Distance and Distraction”

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”

Palm Tuesday

Dearest Rachel – So, I stayed home yesterday in order to be with Daniel, and to make his day special. Far be it from me to claim that was a mistake; while there were still times that he seemed to need his space – and let me have mine – I think things worked outContinue reading “Palm Tuesday”