Dearest Rachel – Weekends are the ‘slow news days’ of my life; and while we need days like that on a regular basis, it does cut into anything that I might have to tell you about. There is the fact that five out of six of us managed to get together yesterday afternoon at aContinue reading “Susan Amid the Wreckage”
Tag Archives: heaven
from Rachel: Time Gives Way to Eternity
Please read Revelation 20:1-6 and answer the following questions: Where will Satan be during the thousand-year reign of Christ? “the Abyss” Many people of God will be martyred during the terrible time of tribulation. List everything this segment of Scripture tells you about them. “They had been beheaded because of their testimony for Jesus (20:4),Continue reading “from Rachel: Time Gives Way to Eternity”
from Rachel: The Everlasting Kingdom
from Rachel: The Everlasting Kingdom – It’s weird, now that you’re already there, to see your comments on what you imagine heaven to be like, and what you most look forward to about it…
from Rachel: Set Your Mind
Looking back on your life journey, which season or moment do you most hope God will show you ‘behind the scenes’? “Perhaps the answer to ‘Why me? Why this?’ on various health/accident issues, but I think I’d most like to know about many little moments – brief encounters with people – what became of peopleContinue reading “from Rachel: Set Your Mind”
from Rachel: A Man Dressed in Linen
I can’t wait. So without delay, please read Daniel 10:4-12 very carefully. How is Daniel’s riverbank encounter described in verses 4-6? “It sounds like a man too painfully bright to look at and painfully loud to listen to.” Who saw the vision? “Daniel only, not those with him” The original Hebrew is extremely emphatic: “IContinue reading “from Rachel: A Man Dressed in Linen”
from Rachel: What on Earth is a ‘Rapture’?
…Glance at the segment on week 7, day 5, then write a brief synopsis of pre-millennialism in this space: “After a seven year tribulation, Christ will return, bind Satan, rule for 1,000 years with the martyred saints, loose Satan, have a final battle, conduct final judgment, and usher in eternity” Please read the following primaryContinue reading “from Rachel: What on Earth is a ‘Rapture’?”
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”
Won’t Be’s in Heaven
Dearest Rachel – We’ve been taught since time immemorial that everything that exists as part of our ecosystem does so for a reason. Call it God’s plan or the great circle of life as you will, but supposedly, every organism (or family of organisms) serves a purpose within the natural world, even if we don’tContinue reading “Won’t Be’s in Heaven”
The Sunshine’s Gone
Dearest Rachel – I don’t know how it came to be that I was waiting for you last night on what seemed to be the concourse at O’Hare airport; chalk it up, I suppose, to the usual dream logic. Most of the other aspects of our current reality seemed to apply, such as the factContinue reading “The Sunshine’s Gone”
Singing Through Clenched Teeth
Dearest Rachel – With the multi-front war going on in the Middle East, it was determined the other Sunday to make the weekly communal moment of prayer about the situation. The thing is, given the fog of war, it’s hard to know what, exactly, to ask God for; aside from the question of the goodContinue reading “Singing Through Clenched Teeth”
from Rachel: God Talks Back
On a scale of 1 to 10, how convinced are you that your prayer time is an honest-to-goodness two-way communication? “10 – how convinced I am“7 – how often it actually is… (or maybe 6?)” If we don’t ‘ask or imagine,’ what does God have to out-do? Glance at the first half of [Psalm 132]Continue reading “from Rachel: God Talks Back”
from Rachel: At His Footstool
In one sentence, what does Psalm 132:1-10 recall? “It recalls David[’s] vow to God to begin the construction of the Temple immediately” In a word, how would you describe King David’s tone in these verses? “urgent” Associated with the Shekinah glory of God, the ark was the central location of worship in the Old Testament.Continue reading “from Rachel: At His Footstool”
Street Cred
Dearest Rachel – Well, it’s happened again; I don’t know if you’ve found out about Josh, as I don’t know how time works up there, nor how new entrants are welcomed by those who have gone before. If it’s just a case of being ‘asleep’ until summoned by the trumpet at the end of days,Continue reading “Street Cred”
The Womb and the World
Dearest Rachel – So the men’s Bible study is back on its regular Saturday schedule – at least for the moment, since next week will be taken off due to what they refer to as “Man Camp” next weekend (which I suspect you’d be pushing me to go to, but I still think there areContinue reading “The Womb and the World”
Pondering This Morning’s Earworm
Dearest Rachel – It seems apropos of absolutely nothing, but that’s pretty much how earworms work; like dreams, they aren’t required – or even expected – to make much sense. And yet, in some ways, it gives one something to think about, even if it’s only the obvious (and somewhat unanswerable, given the previous statement)Continue reading “Pondering This Morning’s Earworm”
Blanket Approval
Dearest Rachel – It was like walking in on a rehearsal in a Broadway theater. It seemed like you were playing the lead role; something that quite literally was out of character for you, but somehow looked like you were perfectly comfortable with. It wasn’t long, however, before you noticed me in the empty audience,Continue reading “Blanket Approval”
Festive Dream
Dearest Rachel – I’ve got to admit, I’ve been having a pretty active dream life lately. As I understand it, this is supposed to mean that I’m getting more than an adequate amount of sleep, despite the fact that I’m still waking up within an hour or so after the fitness center opens up –Continue reading “Festive Dream”
For the Rough Men
Dearest Rachel – Some days – rather a lot of days, come to think of it – I have difficulty coming up with something to write you about, apart from the events of the day, which, unless I’m doing something extraordinary (such as during the last three months), aren’t generally the sort of things proverbiallyContinue reading “For the Rough Men”
from Rachel: The Lord is Your Shelter
What do the following Scriptures say about ways people can be of authentic help to one another? Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 – “‘Two are better than one…’ ‘If one falls down, his friend can help him up.’”2 Corinthians 1:10-11 – “We support each other with our prayers” How about you? Name a few people who are aContinue reading “from Rachel: The Lord is Your Shelter”
from Rachel: Worship on the Way
What does 1 Peter 5:6 say to you? “If I humble myself under God’s mighty hand, He will lift me up when the time is right.” What brings you to this study? “Convenience of schedule. I still have to rearrange a little, but mornings are still much better than evenings. I know I need aContinue reading “from Rachel: Worship on the Way”
from Rachel: The Display of His Presence
Please write benefit 5… from memory. “To enjoy God‘s presence” Read the familiar words of Isaiah 40:28-31 and savor every word. Write your favorite part of these verses. “31 ‘…but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles…’” I believe Isaiah 40:28-31 tells us exactly whatContinue reading “from Rachel: The Display of His Presence”
The Sea You Always Wanted
Dearest Rachel – Maybe this was due to us having to charge out, hell bent for leather, from the Bay of Islands in order to make up for lost time in our attempts to stick to the original schedule. Maybe it was a cell of bad weather than the captain simply couldn’t navigate around (atContinue reading “The Sea You Always Wanted”
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”
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”
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”
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”
from Rachel: To Live Happily Ever After
What has God done in your life that has exceeded anything you had seen, heard or imagined? “He has blessed me with a wonderful husband with a great extended family, a wonderful son, a nice house, parents who are both healthy, and many good friends.” Read Isaiah 61:1-3, and fill in the blanks: “The SpiritContinue reading “from Rachel: To Live Happily Ever After”
from Rachel: To Be Beautiful
List the four girlish dreams in our lesson yesterday. Place a check beside each of the dreams you remember having as a little girl. 1. “to be a bride 2. “to be beautiful √3. “to be fruitful 4. “to live happily ever after √” “As a child I knew other children who couldn’t wait toContinue reading “from Rachel: To Be Beautiful”
What it Means to be Home
Dearest Rachel – I’ve told you before about how I’ve been trying to expand the assortment of music I’m exposed to, if for no other reason than that to dilute the frequency I have to deal with songs that we would have considered ‘ours,’ whether or not they were part of our mix tape collectionContinue reading “What it Means to be Home”
Heat
Dearest Rachel – Given its immense breadth – from the depths of absolute zero, where motion stills, even down to the subatomic level, to the eight- and nine-figure temperatures of stellar cores – it’s amazing to think about how little of the range of temperature is comfortable for us humans, or even survivable. With properContinue reading “Heat”
On Disgust and Fear
Dearest Rachel – There are so many reasons why I wish I could have you back here with me. Most of them are perfectly obvious; I miss all the things we used to do together – and would like to continue to do them with you, rather than do them alone, or try to findContinue reading “On Disgust and Fear”
“When?”
Dearest Rachel – There’s a scene near the beginning of the movie Blazing Saddles which serves as an establishing character moment for Gene Wilder’s Waco Kid. After being offered something for breakfast by Sheriff Bart (and turning it down, claiming “food makes me sick”), he takes yet another long swig from his whiskey bottle, muchContinue reading ““When?””
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”
from Rachel: My Favorite Things
Please fill in the blank with the appropriate response. Favorite colors: “purple, then yellow, then green” Favorite type of music: “40’s” Favorite travel destinations: “Middle Bass Island, Ohio; foreign lands – Japan, Italy, Greece” Favorite foods: “BLTs, sweet & sour, crab in alfredo sauce” Favorite desserts: “chocolate anything, cheesecake” Favorite influential people: “C. S. Lewis,Continue reading “from Rachel: My Favorite Things”
Who Knows You
Dearest Rachel – There’s a cynical saying that’s gone around for generations that “it’s not what you know, but who you know.” Essentially, all the education in the world won’t necessarily get you as far as having certain contacts. And, depending on the field you’re trying to break into (and your definition of success) thatContinue reading “Who Knows You”
How Long Until You Knew?
Dearest Rachel – Just think, it was only yesterday that I was congratulating myself for having reacclimatized to the local time zone. I really should have known better. But last night, I had already woken up once, at three, so I was mildly disgusted with myself about that. At the same time, my head wasContinue reading “How Long Until You Knew?”
Plus Ultra
Dearest Rachel – No, honey, this letter has nothing to do with My Hero Academia, despite that anime making a catchphrase out of this Latin motto. I don’t know enough about the series to comment upon it; I may have been the first otaku in the family, but I know better than to get involvedContinue reading “Plus Ultra”
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”
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”
The Lifeline to ‘One’
Dearest Rachel – Along with Nightelf, whose tales of balancing personal life amid the chaos of being a professional academic, she was my inspiration for putting together this collection of letters to you for in the first place. She has a knack for taking mundane vignettes of her life, and making them amusing in aContinue reading “The Lifeline to ‘One’”
Late Night Talk
Dearest Rachel – It may have had something to do with our discussion en route to last night’s Bible study. I don’t know how the subject came up but Daniel and I were sharing about how late night talk show hosts just aren’t what they used to be. For my part, I never took aContinue reading “Late Night Talk”
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”
It’s Just Another Day, Innit?
Dearest Rachel – I still have that balloon that Our Father allowed to drop on our driveway last year at this time, and let me pretend was from you. It’s long since gone flat in a bin in the basement, but I can’t help but treasure it, as I don’t think I can expect suchContinue reading “It’s Just Another Day, Innit?”
from Rachel: What On Earth Am I Here For?
“Memory verse: For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10 “Being holy doesn’t mean a perfect ‘goody two-shoes’, but being committed and focused and skilled at showing Jesus to others (‘showing others what God is like’)” a reference toContinue reading “from Rachel: What On Earth Am I Here For?”
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)”
Present People
Dearest Rachel – I’ve mentioned before to you that I’ve had some difficulty with regard to the traditional gift exchange that is a part of Christmas: what do I want, or more to the point, what can they get for me? Materially speaking, I have pretty much anything I need, and if Daniel or IContinue reading “Present People”
Triple Feature
Dearest Rachel – It was so good to see you last night, and so many times, and through so much. If only I could convince anybody that you were there. Everything started off with a rather kinetic, video game feel to it. You and I were trying to get through a maze, and sort ofContinue reading “Triple Feature”
Do You Miss Anyone?
Dearest Rachel – One of the reasons you were so concerned about your folks as they gradually moved into their twilight years was that – as far as you could see – their lives gave no indication of the salvation they supposedly had. Sure, they were in church every Sunday, and put their few bucksContinue reading “Do You Miss Anyone?”
Overlooked Traumas
Dearest Rachel – So last night at Grief Share, the subject under discussion was that of trauma. And while it could be argued that any loss can be considered traumatic from a certain point of view, tonight’s session dealt somewhat specifically with the likes of the more sudden variety – murders, suicides, multiple deaths (suchContinue reading “Overlooked Traumas”
Time-Released Time
Dearest Rachel – I think I remember your roommate (and eventual maid of honor) Elizabeth talking about how, when she was young, she would occasionally find herself scared sleepless pondering the concept of eternity. The idea of time going on, and on, and on forever without an end terrified her. What would you do withContinue reading “Time-Released Time”
How Much Will Be Carved Away?
Dearest Rachel – Occasionally, I will spot something or other left behind by Chompers that I have yet to give away. Kris took a number of things to give to her daughter (I think it was; it’s been well over a week since she was last by) to use with her own dog, but hisContinue reading “How Much Will Be Carved Away?”
The Glamour of the Rustic
Dearest Rachel – In the mornings when she comes over to work on this or that room, Jan usually arrives a half an hour before her official schedule. What I mean by this is, when she says she’ll be here by nine, she’ll generally arrive around eight- thirty. It’s the sort of hyper punctuality thatContinue reading “The Glamour of the Rustic”
Aunt Ellie
Dearest Rachel – So I got myself home early the other afternoon to find a letter to ‘Jo Brunner’ in the mail. These days, I don’t generally bother with any mail addressed to either of your parents; rather than bothering with them, I just toss them in the recycling bin straightaway. I mean, if it’sContinue reading “Aunt Ellie”
from Rachel: Spiritual Birthday
“I did so (eleven) years before my biggest sin. I know He forgave my past, present and future sins when I asked Jesus to come into me heart April 22, 1984.” “Thank You God for loving me. Thank You for always making me feel like the apple of Your eye – special and precious. ThankContinue reading “from Rachel: Spiritual Birthday”
Hūsker Dū?
Dearest Rachel – For all the games you collected during your childhood, and all those we added throughout our married life… …we never owned this one: Actually, I vaguely recall my grandmother and grandfather having a copy of this game – which amounted to a glorified version of Concentration, when all was said and doneContinue reading “Hūsker Dū?”
Letters to Rachel 