Dearest Rachel – This morning, when I woke up and reached for my phone (to see what time it is, honest! I’m not gonna look through my news feed until I know I’m not going to go back to sleep, and need to use the washroom. Yes, that happened this time around, and yes, itContinue reading “Constructive Notice”
Tag Archives: spiritual walk
Righteous But Ribald
Dearest Rachel – I’m not sure where to begin with this particular topic; it feels almost awkward to bring up, let alone explain what brought it to mind. Then again, I could argue that the way we would spend Saturday mornings make this topic the most natural thing to discuss every now and again. ButContinue reading “Righteous But Ribald”
Satisfaction in the Small
Dearest Rachel – There’s an old story, most likely apocryphal, but ordinary and plausible enough to have a grain of truth at its core. When I say “old,” I mean nearly a millennium since it is said to have happened, as a matter of fact; you’ll recognize it as we go along. The story centersContinue reading “Satisfaction in the Small”
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: 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”
from Rachel: To Experience God’s Peace
According to 2 Thessalonians 3:16, how often and in how many areas of life does God desire to give you peace? “at all times, and in every way” Identify what each of the following passages teaches you about peace; watch for hints of a common denominator between many of them. Isaiah 9:6,7 “Jesus is theContinue reading “from Rachel: To Experience God’s Peace”
Essay Test
Dearest Rachel – It’s something of an axiom these days to compare dating with a job interview, especially given the line of questioning one winds up dealing with under the guise of small talk. At least one comedian I know of has suggested that the only difference is that you’re much less likely to windContinue reading “Essay Test”
from Rachel: To Glorify God
Based on your recollection of day 1, check the five primary benefits we are free to enjoy as children of God. Review for any you missed.– “experience God’s peace– “enjoy God’s presence– “know God and believe Him– “find satisfaction in God– “glorify God” Drawing from your memory as much as possible, what is our definitionContinue reading “from Rachel: To Glorify God”
from Rachel: To Know God and Believe Him
֍A Christian is held captive anything that hinders the abundant and effective Spirit-filled life God planned for her֎ Circle what Paul added in 1 Corinthians 2:9 to Isaiah’s description“no mind has conceived.” Why have we been “chosen” (Isaiah 43:10)?– ”so we may know God– ”so we may believe God– ”so we may understand He isContinue reading “from Rachel: To Know God and Believe Him”
from Rachel: Walking in the Light
Read 1 John 1:5-7 three times through, briefly recording something different that stood out to you after each reading. First Reading: “Jesus is the light.”Second Reading: “Correction: God is light”Third Reading: “We have fellowship with Him when we walk in the light.” While John doesn’t explicitly say what walking in the darkness means here, heContinue reading “from Rachel: Walking in the Light”
Barely Even Half
Dearest Rachel – On the mornings you would wake up without having had a dream to relate, you would often have a song stuck in your head. Now, you and I had different methods for expelling earworms; if mine was annoying enough, I would usually try to conjure something else up in my head toContinue reading “Barely Even Half”
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?”
The Bitter Taste of Flavor-Aid
Dearest Rachel – I mentioned that the story of my conversion is ridiculously unremarkable; in comparison, it seems like almost everyone I know at church has a turnaround moment in their life that is leagues more dramatic than mine. Even you, while brought up in the church so as to have a faith-based anchor inContinue reading “The Bitter Taste of Flavor-Aid”
Aniki no Yuutsu
Dearest Rachel – So, yesterday morning, as part of the Sunday service, our worship pastor, Jansen, was ordained. It’s something of a requirement for pastoral staff and elders (as you well know, since I went through the same theological training in those last few years before your accident, although I wasn’t required to write aContinue reading “Aniki no Yuutsu”
from Rachel: It Takes Time
“May 20 “I need to be more patient and persistent in trying to establish a daily routine of spending a few minutes with Jesus first thing in the morning. I manage most days for a week or two, but it doesn’t start to immediately become a comfortable habit or something I miss if I don’tContinue reading “from Rachel: It Takes Time”
from Rachel: Defeating Temptation
Question to consider: Who could I ask to be a spiritual partner to help me defeat a persistent temptation by praying for me? “May 19 “If I really want to be sure to be held accountable and be prayed for, I tell Susie and ask her for prayer. Unfortunately, since I don’t like to feelContinue reading “from Rachel: Defeating Temptation”
Letters to Rachel 