Dearest Rachel – There are times when I imagine you, like my paternal grandfather before you (who you never met, although I think you met my grandmother), either filling in for Saint Peter or standing alongside him at his post, welcoming the new arrivals as they appear at the gates each constructed of individual pearls.Continue reading “Cruel Silence”
Tag Archives: God's will
from Rachel: If He Does Not
In your opinion, what is most amazing about the event in Daniel 3:24-30? “Only their bonds burned, and there was not even a smell of smoke or fire on them.” Scenario A: “We can be delivered from the fire.”Dividend: “Our faith is built.”Scenario B: “We can be delivered through the fire.”Dividend: “Our faith is refined.”ScenarioContinue reading “from Rachel: If He Does Not”
Molding Fired Clay
Dearest Rachel – It’s axiomatic that, somewhere along the line, every analogy breaks down at some point; the trick is to try and figure out where that breakdown point is. And while I don’t know where that point is on this particular topic, it’s entirely possible I’ll be able to figure it out as IContinue reading “Molding Fired Clay”
from Rachel: From “He” to “You”
Which parts of Harper’s definition of ‘providence’ mean the most to you? “‘The will of the Creator who is actively involved…’” Now, return to Daniel’s proclamation of praise in 2:20-23. Note specific ways these verses express God’s sovereignty and providence. “‘He removes kings and establishes kings’” How does the sovereignty of God described in theseContinue reading “from Rachel: From “He” to “You””
A Hundred Lies and the Truth
Dearest Rachel – You probably remember how, after Sunday services, over dinner either between the three of us or (more often, since that used to be how we all got together every week) the entire extended family, we would discuss what had been spoken about in the sermon just a little while before. It wasn’tContinue reading “A Hundred Lies and the Truth”
from Rachel: Things Too Great
At second and third glance, you’ll see that Psalm 131:1 bulges with potential discussion. But at first glance, what does Psalm 131:1 say to you? “Lord, I try to stay out of trouble. I try not to get a swelled head because I know there’s a lot of stuff I can’t do (e.g., unlike Tomo-chanContinue reading “from Rachel: Things Too Great”
from Rachel: Full Redemption
Name a few other things that lead to hopelessness: “I think the biggest is the death of someone who almost certainly was not a believer. Leading up to that, a friend or family member who refuses to believe.” For I know the plans I have for you – plans for your welfare, not for disaster,Continue reading “from Rachel: Full Redemption”
To Talk to Him as I Should
Dearest Rachel – I honestly forget which service I was at this weekend where I heard about it, but one of the pastors I listened to described a cartoon of God, sitting at an ornate cloudy desk, as might be found in a heavenly office. One’s focus wasn’t so much on Him and what HeContinue reading “To Talk to Him as I Should”
from Rachel: Olive Shoots Around Your Table
Write Hosea 14:9 from day 2 as a great reminder as we prepare to put both feet on Psalm 128. “Let whoever is wise understand these things, and whoever is insightful recognize them. For the ways of the Lord are right.” Read from day 2 Psalm 128: 1-4,6 in either version. How does it depictContinue reading “from Rachel: Olive Shoots Around Your Table”
from Rachel: Vain Labor
“[Verse 5 is] very different [between the NCV and HCSB translations]: warfare vs. vocal confrontation” Glance at the headings under both translations. To whom is this psalm attributed? “Solomon” In Hebrew, the words are actually the name of God gave Solomon according to 2 Samuel 12:25: Jedediah, meaning ‘Beloved of Jehovah.’ The tone of theContinue reading “from Rachel: Vain Labor”
from Rachel: Praise the Lord
Has Satan effectively tempted you to oppose your own best interests? “yes” If so, did you did you get fed up with being your own worst earthly enemy and decide to let God bring you some healing? “yes and no – lots of times – never permanently” In our introductory session, we talked about threeContinue reading “from Rachel: Praise the Lord”
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: God’s Rule is Right
What are our options [regarding mastering our own lives/destinies] according to Romans 6:16? “being slaves to sin or slaves to obedience and righteousness.” The One who has a right to rule is also the One whose rule is right Do you have authority problems? “No” How about God’s authority? How convinced are you that youContinue reading “from Rachel: God’s Rule is Right”
from Rachel: God’s Right to Rule
What does 2 Corinthians 3:17 tell you about freedom? “It is where the Spirit of the Lord is.” Now compare John 1:12; Romans 8:15; and 1 Corinthians 2:12. What common denominator ties each of them together? “The gift of the Holy Spirit ‘received’” How did Christ explain this idea in John 14:15-18? “Jesus would comeContinue reading “from Rachel: God’s Right to Rule”
from Rachel: Hearts Mended by Truth
Children are… “the apple of Christ’s eye” Children are uniquely… “accompanied by Christ” Abuses to children may as well have been… “personally applied to Christ” Christ is never… “the author of abuse” Paraphrase Lamentations 3:58-59 in your own words. “Oh, Lord, you are my Counselor and my Savior. You are also a witness to theContinue reading “from Rachel: Hearts Mended by Truth”
from Rachel: Straight to the Heart
What was your first real heartbreak in life? “The only one I can recall was being rejected by all five sorority houses.” In the following passages, record the circumstances involved, and how God bound up the brokenhearted. Reference: Genesis 16:1-13Circumstances: “Hagar, a maidservant (slave?), was forced to carry the baby of her mistress’ husband. UnderContinue reading “from Rachel: Straight to the Heart”
When He Gives A Sign…
Dearest Rachel – There’s something mildly ironic about the fact that I just put out a study that you did (like I do most Sundays), and in my comments about it, questioned how we can know whether our choices glorify God. Most of the time, it’s because the decisions we face appear, even to ourselves,Continue reading “When He Gives A Sign…”
from Rachel: The Reign of Christ
Although we need to be saved from eternal separation from God only once, Christ continues His saving work in us for the rest of our lives. “(Sanctification)” Can you think of a few potential disasters from which Christ saved you since your initial experience of salvation? “Maybe He protected me from greater harm during myContinue reading “from Rachel: The Reign of Christ”
from Rachel: Asking According to His Will
Based on your experiences, are you fearful to continue hoping in prayer based on an ‘unanswered’ prayer? Do you doubt your amount of faith? Do you think if you’ve been more disciplined in prayer God may have responded more favorably? “No, it’s more that God already is going to do what He’s going to doContinue reading “from Rachel: Asking According to His Will”
The Malevolence of God
Dearest Rachel – It would be understandable for you to think that my biggest issue with God would be the fact that He took you from me. After all, your absence has left a hole in my life (and Daniel’s, and really, everyone you ever touched, to a certain extent) that has yet to beContinue reading “The Malevolence of God”
The Illusion of Choice
Dearest Rachel – I’m not entirely sure how it is that my mind found itself pondering this concept throughout the course of the last night. Quite possibly, it was due to the video I saw that was reviewing Kurt Vonnegut’s book Slaughterhouse Five. I had read the book (and watched the film, for that matter)Continue reading “The Illusion of Choice”
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”
from Rachel: Surrender
If God is stronger than everything, and He is, then why do so many believers still live in tragic weakness? “Some are more comfortable there, others don’t have because they don’t ask, and still others try but struggle with the ‘trust fall’ of surrendering their power and control for His.” Beside each of these… steps,Continue reading “from Rachel: Surrender”
from Rachel (and family): Why?
“The ‘therefore’ in verse 10 is ‘dia touto,’ which is not the Greek word that refers back to the previous point; it is more like, ‘so, here’s what I’m saying… “Verses 11-13 were probably either the lyrics to an early Church hymn, or a creed the assembly would recite together. “Do I deny following JesusContinue reading “from Rachel (and family): Why?”
from Rachel: Using What God Gave You
Question to consider: How can I make the best use of what God has given me? “5/21 “What am I good at? (I see arguments and weaknesses in every area I think of – am I truly good, or even fair, at anything?). Shortfalls aside, here goes: Organization (when boundaries are clear – e.g., ABCs)Continue reading “from Rachel: Using What God Gave You”
Laying Out a Fleece
Dearest Rachel – Considering all the concerns I’ve voiced about Ruby, you’ll probably find it weird but we still haven’t made arrangements to at least meet face-to-face and determine once and for all whether we’re right for each other. That’s the trouble with that kind of distance; even though we’re still in the same county,Continue reading “Laying Out a Fleece”
from Rachel: Transformed by Truth
Question to consider: What has God already told me to do in His Word that I haven’t started doing yet? “May 16 (late Sunday night) “(Sure enough, ACen kept me busy all through Saturday and Sunday) “What God has been trying to drive home to me in BSF, just as in chapter 24, is theContinue reading “from Rachel: Transformed by Truth”
from Rachel: How We Grow
Question to consider: What is one area where I need to stop thinking my way and start thinking God’s way? “May 14 (or 15, because it’s 1:00 a.m.) “ I can’t think of a specific area right now.” “(Later) I suppose the area (which I really hate to admit and don’t want to surrender) wouldContinue reading “from Rachel: How We Grow”
The Imperative of ‘Be Still’
Dearest Rachel – For all the suggestions I made in my last letter about how to keep oneself sane and on an even keel throughout a situation such as mine, I mentioned reading and keeping up with the news, but I neglected to mention reading the most important thing of all. Maybe it’s so muchContinue reading “The Imperative of ‘Be Still’”
from Rachel: Cultivating Community
“May 11 “I think as a group and as a church we are doing pretty well at having ‘real community.’ For my part, I need to work harder on being honest – I only like to dig so deep into myself, sharing everything is too much to ask. I also need to be humble inContinue reading “from Rachel: Cultivating Community”
from Rachel: What Matters Most
“I feel the need to disagree with the author to a certain extent. I agree that relationships are very important and should be a top priority. I agree that in every situation the best way to treat everyone is with love. However I am a very social creature already and do lots of things thatContinue reading “from Rachel: What Matters Most”
Good Men and Rules
Good men don’t need rules. Today is not the day to find out why I have so many. The Doctor (Matt Smith), Doctor Who S06E07, “A Good Man Goes to War” Dearest Rachel – In the days when your beloved Doctor was “all teeth and curls,” as a previous incarnation snidely put it, he wouldContinue reading “Good Men and Rules”
But Father, By Your Grace
Dearest Rachel – I almost feel the need to apologize for upstaging you today; this being Sunday, I would be posting (and I have posted) some of your notes from the Purpose-Driven Life journal you were working on in 2004. But this is likely to overshadow it, I’m afraid. Of course, why shouldn’t it? MarathonContinue reading “But Father, By Your Grace”
The Pointlessness of it All
Dearest Rachel – It hasn’t been the easiest night for sleeping, and I’m not entirely sure why. Maybe it’s because I allowed myself to fall asleep in the chair yet again – I’ve really got to stop doing that – but considering how short a period of time it was that I slept there, itContinue reading “The Pointlessness of it All”
Catching Up And Running Ahead
Dearest Rachel – For all the Bible studies you went through several times a year… I know you were rarely one to keep up with the every day assignments. I remember you sprawled out on the bed or the couch in the family room, catching up on the daily questions the evening prior to theContinue reading “Catching Up And Running Ahead”
from Rachel: What Makes God Smile?
“The smile of God is the goal of my life. “I need to trust God more whenever I have a chance to indulge in a fun leisure activity but I know it’s really not the best time for it and I ought to wait for a better time (Usually either because there are chores IContinue reading “from Rachel: What Makes God Smile?”
The Point of the Tree
Dearest Rachel – I have a lot of questions for God. And this is despite the fact that I know that I have no more right to ask them that Job did. Actually, probably considerably less right, given that even God himself referred to him as ‘righteous,’ which most likely could not be applied toContinue reading “The Point of the Tree”
from Rachel: Planned For God’s Pleasure
“4/24 “I could and should start doing house work as if I were doing it for Jesus. Especially the jobs I don’t like and generally procrastinate; washing dishes, hanging up clothes, and sorting and cleaning up messy piles.” Dearest Rachel – Interesting to see this entry now, just as I’d been learning about ‘secondary losses’Continue reading “from Rachel: Planned For God’s Pleasure”
Worshiping Golden Calves
Dearest Rachel – There’s a bit of Sunday school jokelore, wherein a young boy is asked about his favorite story from the Bible. “I like the part where Moses breaks all the Ten Commandments!” is the enthusiastic response. Well, he’s not exactly wrong. File this under r/technicallythetruth. Yes, honey, this is the sermon this weekend,Continue reading “Worshiping Golden Calves”
The Lord Never Spoke to Me (part three – Chris)
Dearest Rachel – The most amazing thing about my relationship with you was the fact that you had never really been interested in boys prior to me writing to you after graduating from college. Granted, this is getting slightly ahead of myself, but this is a situation that I know is unique and remarkable. Oh,Continue reading “The Lord Never Spoke to Me (part three – Chris)”
The Lord Never Spoke to Me (part two – Major)
Dearest Rachel – So yesterday, I mentioned how I rarely ever consulted with God about my plans for the future – or at least, I don’t really recall having engaged in in deep, prayerful discussions with Him on the subject. I know I never heard His voice on any major decision or turning point inContinue reading “The Lord Never Spoke to Me (part two – Major)”
The Lord Never Spoke to Me (part one – Introduction)
Dearest Rachel – Looking back over a number of these entries, it’s somewhat embarrassing to see how often everything is peppered with first-person pronouns. “I,” “me,” “my,” and the like are spread all over the place, when this is supposed to be about you. And yet, just about everything I know about you comes fromContinue reading “The Lord Never Spoke to Me (part one – Introduction)”
Letters to Rachel 