The following letters have been sent to me by various discerning Beachys desiring my sagacious advice in these deep and important issues of life. I have attempted to be a good example to the blogging community and desire to continue to share my heart with the masses of Beachys that need good counsel.

 

Dear HBB,

I’m a guy and although some people think it’s weird, I like to keep a diary. I used to use an old day planner and now I use an actual diary and I write about everything that happens to me. I would say that over the last year I wrote my whole life down in a notebook. I don’t think its weird, but I have begun to think of my diary as an actual person with actual feelings and emotions. If I miss a day writing in my diary, I apologize profusely, because I’m sure he misses me. My brother says I have severe problems. Is what I’m doing normal? Please keep my name secret, I don’t want my diary to know I’ve been writing somewhere else.

 

Diary Keeper

 

Dear Diary Keeper,

Let me start out by saying that it is not weird for guys to keep journals. But please do not call them diaries. Guys keep journals, girls keep diaries. However, I would tend to agree with your brother, you do have some serious issues. First of all, you need to get out more. I was caused to wonder if you are homeschooled and so hungry for some type of human interaction outside your own home that you have created an imaginary journal friend to help you cope. If so, you must get help immediately. If your journal is taking over your life, the thing you need to do is burn it right now! Or maybe you could tell it you found a younger, more sensitive journal to write in. The bottom line is that you need to get free now, because it’s not going to get any easier. I hope that I have been helpful. Regards, HBB

 

Dear HBB,

I am a Beachy young person who attends a Beachy high school. I am good friends with another family in the church. We hang out together, go out to eat together, and sit together in church. The problem is that I am a guy and there is a girl that is about my age in that family. That wouldn’t be a problem except that lots of the people at school are teasing us and have even gone so far as to make up songs to sing about us. It’s annoying to me, but it’s really hard on her. Just yesterday, she came up to me almost in tears and said, “Do you think it’s nice of them to be making up songs about you and me?” As I said, I’m good friends with the family, and that’s all. What can I do about this tenuous situation?

 

Stuck in a Dilemma

 

 

 

 

Dear Stuck,

I can feel for you in your dilemma. You are really stuck. But it is partly your making. You say that you are “friends with the family.” My brother says that if you are friends with a guy in a family, you say that you are friends with that guy. But if you are friends with the girl, you say that you are friends with the family. I think you need to examine your motives in this friendship. Furthermore, why is she coming to you for advice, council and comfort? And why do you feel the need to comfort her? Are you, as you claim, just friends, or is there more? Also, you say that you “sit together in church.” Is that allowed in Beachy churches? I thought that Beachy churches require segregated seating. But maybe it is different in your church.

Finally, if you do not like to be teased, do not give people a reason or excuse to do it. Other than that you cannot stop them, unless you are willing to sacrifice your convictions regarding nonresistance. If you are willing to sacrifice those, there are a number of things you can do, most of which involve breaking bones. But that is your decision and I would not approve of it. Hope this helps. Regards, HBB

 

 

 

Dear HBB,

I am a member of a small Beachy outreach several miles south of Knoxville. We have a small choir which has traveled all over the area, singing in prisons and hospitals, as well as a variety of churches. I’m involved in the choir, and I believe that it is a great ministry, but sometimes I feel like I’ve been singing to every soul in Tennessee. We go and sing on street corners, but nobody seems to listen. No one ever smiles. Should we continue on or should we cut our losses and give our energies to quilting? I hope you will answer this question, because I don’t know anyone who can answer questions the way that you do.

 

Choir Member in Knoxville

 

Dear Choir Member,

You have asked a very thought-provoking question and one for which I have no ready answer. I cannot tell you how you can know when to cut your losses, but I can tell you that you should not give your energies to quilting. Crocheting is far more profitable. What kind of songs are you singing? Are you giving trite shallow testimonies all through your programs? Also, are your songs shot through with solos, duets, and other special arrangements? If so, you are drawing far too much attention to your voices and talent instead of directing attention to the message of the Gospel, as well as the Beachy doctrine of four part harmony. Furthermore, when you sing Gospel songs you should sing the pure songs, instead of doctoring them all up and ruining them. If the people listening wanted to go to an opera, they would go there and not come to your program anyhow. Perhaps that will help. Regards, HBB

 

 

Dear HBB,

I have harbored dreams of singing professionally for many years. I realize that it is not a good Beachy thing to do, but I really love music. Recently, though, I decided that I didn’t have what it takes to sing professional Contemporary Christian music. So I guess you’ll never hear me on the radio. I’m not sure what to do now, because I have put so much thought into this part of my life, and I’d give up this crazy dream of mine, if I just knew what to replace it with. I used to sing in my church choir, but they didn’t recognize my talent, so I quit. What should I do?

 

Dreamless in Dixie

 

Dear Dreamless,

 

Let me make something clear to you. Even if you did make it into the music industry, I wouldn’t hear you on the radio, because I don’t listen to the radio. I’d have to buy your CD. Only I wouldn’t do that because I don’t really like contemporary Christian music. But be that as it may, I would advise you to get re-involved in your church choir. If your church has a choir like my church’s, they are very professional. If you have a very showy voice, they might give you lots of solos. I’m sure that if you would just show off your flashy style, your choir director would be very glad to see you once more. You might also contact the Beachy outreach in Knoxville, I’m sure they could use a choir member such as yourself. Regards, HBB

 

We hope you’ve enjoyed these letters from readers across the Beachy community. We welcome your questions and comments as we continue this blogging ministry.

 

Regards, HBB

 

The letters in this post were fictional. This advice is not to be taken seriously. If you take this advice seriously, the Beachy Complex does not assume responsibility for the results. Thank you.