Category Archives: Christ

The Only Thing That Counts is Faith Working Through Love

Posted on January 26, 2017 by richrockwood

“For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything; the only thing that counts is faith working through love.”  (Galatians 5:6 NRSV) I have had pride over some of my accomplishments in the past.  I was in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Accomplishments, Background, Belief, Bible, Choices, Christ, Faith, God, Grand Valley State University, Perspective, Spirituality, Values | Leave a comment

This Time of Year

Posted on December 23, 2016 by richrockwood

This time of year must surely lift us The annual joyful event called Christmas Forget this year, this weird election Instead we need sincere reflection A blinking star still lights the way To feeding trough where a baby lays The … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Baby Jesus, Belief, Bible, Christ, Christmas, Darkness, Faith, Fear, Feelings, Freedom, God, Humanity, Imagination, Jesus, Letting Go, New Year, Patriotism, Peace, Perseverance, Perspective, Politics, Prophecy, Religion, Scripture, Spirituality, Stress, Thankfulness, The Past, Values, Word of God | Leave a comment

Favorite Bible Verses

Posted on July 29, 2013 by richrockwood

The verses lay hidden in the passage.  They were words that would envelope my life.  They were words that would put into precise expression my new feelings for Christ. I can no longer remember what I was doing when I … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Christ, Courage, Faith, Faithfulness, Fear, God, Life | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Why Attend Church With the Good, the Bad and the Ugly

Posted on June 24, 2013 by richrockwood

Many people are turned off by church people and so don’t attend.  Although I attend, my feelings run in different directions because of my experiences: a.   Church people have been unusually nice to me, visiting me in the hospital, … Continue reading →

Posted in Acceptance, Adaptability, Belief, Bible, Choices, Christ, Church, Commitment, Communion, Despair, Diversity, Eternal Life, Faithfulness, Feelings, God, Grace, Healing, Identity, Music, Peer Pressure, Perfectionism, Perseverance, Persistence, Perspective, Praise, Reconciliation, relationships, Religion, Social Pressure, Spirituality, Worship | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

If Jesus Were a Contemporary Writer

Posted on May 29, 2013 by richrockwood

While my wife was reading the story of the Prodigal Son to me, I was struck by the powerful dialogue, the structure, and the twist at the end.  Granted it was only a parable, the impact was still stunning.  This … Continue reading →

Posted in Christ, Drama, Eternal Life, Family, Father's Day, Fathers, Fathers and Sons, Fiction, Forgiveness, Inspiration, Novel, Parenting, Problem Children, Prodigal Son, Reconciliation, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

How Do You Set Up a Household?

Posted on May 27, 2013 by richrockwood

I have been asking myself this question lately, because my home feels comfortably set up.  Next month I will be married three years to Cindy.  Let me see if I can recall the steps involved in our setting up this … Continue reading →

Posted in Accomplishment, Adaptability, Adversity, Appearance, Christ, Contentment, Eternal Life, Grief, Heaven, Home, Household, Marriage, Peace, relationships, Seasons, Spiritual, Spirituality, Thankfulness, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Holy/Maundy Thursday-New Covenant

Posted on March 28, 2013 by richrockwood

What is Happening:  We don’t know anything about what happens earlier in the day other than Jesus is focusing on the Passover Meal (start reading at Matthew 26:17).  At some point his disciples come to him and ask where he would … Continue reading →

Posted in Accomplishment, Atonement, Belief, Bondage, Christ, Communion, Darkness, Evil, Grace, Happiness, Healing, Jesus, Maundy Thursday, mercy, Messiah, New Covenant, Passion, Passover, Sacrificial Lamb, Salvation, Suffering, Thankfulness | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Spy Wednesday or Holy Wednesday

Posted on March 27, 2013 by richrockwood

What is Happening  On Wednesday Jesus remains in Bethany.  According to Wikipedia “Bethany has traditionally been identified with the present-day West Bank city of al-Eizariya (Arabic (العيزرية), meaning “Place of Lazarus”), site of the reputed Tomb of Lazarus, located about … Continue reading →

Posted in Adaptability, Adversity, Belief, Bible, Bondage, Christ, Darkness, Focus, Guidance, Holy Week, Jesus, Mission, Peace, Perseverance, Perspective, Prayer, Priorities, Suffering | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Cleaning Up The Place of Worship

Posted on March 25, 2013 by richrockwood

What’s happening:  It’s now Monday.  He is walking back to Jerusalem, this time traveling the few miles on foot.  No crowds are waiting, so he makes His way inside the city to the Temple.  The sprawling edifice is still under construction, … Continue reading →

Posted in Addiction, Belief, Bible, Christ, Courage, Holy Week, Humanity, Love of Money, Materialism, Meditation, Money, Passion, Prayer, Priorities, relationships, Religion, Repentance, Spirituality, Values, Word of God, Worship | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Riding Under A Shell of Empty Praise

Posted on March 24, 2013 by richrockwood

What’s Happening:  Today Christians mark the day of Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem, the first day of the last week of Jesus’ life before the Cross.  We call it Palm Sunday. Let’s go with him today and through this week … Continue reading →

Posted in Atonement, Christ, Courage, Faithfulness, God, Healing, Holy Week, love, Messiah, Palm Sunday, Passion, Perseverance, Prophecy, Salvation, Word of God | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment