Category Archives: Faith

“Fire and Forgiveness” A Mix of a Boy’s Fascination with Fire and Problems That Never Seem to Go Away

Posted on October 2, 2026 by richrockwood

My three volume novel is a story about the struggles of Barry Brown, a Catholic boy’s fascination with candles and other sacred objects causing him many problems. It started when he served his first Mass. He had been excited to … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Anger, Attitude, Challenge, Choices, Faith, Fathers, Fathers and Sons, Forgiveness, Friendship, Grief, Healing, Life, Loss, Parenting, Peer Pressure, Prayer, Reconciliation, Rejection, relationships, Religion, Religious Heritage, Right Standing with God, Self-Worth, Sin, Symbols, Thankfulness, The Past | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Guest Blog from Dave Reichert

Posted on August 31, 2025 by richrockwood

Dave was a young Christian who witnessed the Gospel to me in a way that made sense and met me where I was in my life. Rather than telling me I needed to get my life together, Dave said the … Continue reading →

Posted in Belief, Bible, Christ, Faith, Gospel, Jesus, Peace, Praise, Providence, Restoration, Right Standing with God, Salvation, Work | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

The Right Kind of Faith Makes Life Easier

Posted on February 11, 2025 by richrockwood

I have been walking the road of faith since May of 1977. Prior to that, I was walking a road which I thought was faith, but actually was quite off the mark. Growing up in church, I accepted its set … Continue reading →

Posted in Belief, Bible, Church, Contentment, Faith, Fear, Feelings, God, Grace, Guidance, Heaven, Letting Go, Materialism, Perfectionism, Persistence, Providence, Religion, Spirituality, Trust, Values | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

The Realities of Getting Old

Posted on January 13, 2025 by richrockwood

Someone once said “getting old is not for wimps.” As I approach my eighth decade of life, I can wholeheartedly agree with the statement. Thoughts about it started with my first warning about old age: “old people do not regularly … Continue reading →

Posted in Acceptance, Aging, Appearance, Contentment, Faith, God, Health, Memory, Old Age, Reality, Retirement, Spirituality, Time, Worry | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Living the Ideal in the Real World

Posted on January 8, 2025 by richrockwood

In my life, there has been one large, painful lesson to learn. A problem appears when something in life affects me in a manner that does not match my ideal. Starting at an early age, I was taught to be … Continue reading →

Posted in Acceptance, Adaptability, Addiction, Adversity, Alcohol, Attitude, Belief, Bible, Choices, Christ, Conflict, Faith, Feelings, Letting Go, Peace, Persistence, Relaxation, Religion, Scripture, Spirituality, Suffering, Trials, Wisdom | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

A Shepherd’s Rhyme

Posted on December 25, 2024 by richrockwood

A Shepherds Rhyme I stared up at the fog filled, hazy sky And wondered if there was something in my eye A cloud of haze: eased past with little motion Perhaps a sign that called for some devotion We’d waited … Continue reading →

Posted in Appreciation, Baby Jesus, Bible, Christmas, Faith, Forgiveness, Gifts, God, Grace, Jesus, Messiah, Prophecy, Religion, Religious Heritage, Salvation, Spirituality, Worship | Leave a comment

A Christmas Fable

Posted on December 4, 2024 by richrockwood

I just Might Believe in Santa Claus Again. Something happened to me this year that may cause me to believe in Santa Claus again. It all started one afternoon this month.  I was walking into my pharmacy when I saw … Continue reading →

Posted in Appearance, Baby Jesus, Belief, Christmas, Depression, Despair, Faith, Fiction, Humanity, Santa Claus, Testimony, Uncategorized | Tagged | Leave a comment

Snake Wrapped Around a Staff

Posted on August 16, 2023 by richrockwood

A reader of my blog posts asked if a serpent wrapped around a staff in a doctor’s office is related to the ancient healing practice used by Moses for everyone bitten by serpents. “Then the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Attitude, Belief, Bible, Christ, Clergy, doubt, Eternal Life, Eternity, Faith, Fear, Focus, God, Healing, Health, Heaven, Hospital, Letting Go, Medical, Morale, Peace, Prayer, Providence, Relaxation, Religion, Salvation | Leave a comment

Cross/Crucifix

Posted on August 2, 2023 by richrockwood

“The cross is one of the oldest and most universal of all symbols [for Christians]. It is, of course, the perfect symbol of Christ because of his sacrifice upon the cross. In a broader sense, however, the cross has become the … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Atonement, Belief, Bravery, Choices, Christ, Commitment, Courage, Crucifixion, Death, Evil, Faith, Good Friday, Jesus, Letting Go, Materialism, Passion, Pride, Priorities, Spirituality, Suffering, Testimony | Leave a comment

Easter Lilies

Posted on July 19, 2023 by richrockwood

Why do Christians use lilies at Easter in their churches and even in their homes? As a minister, every Easter the front of our church held a number of Easter Lily’s in full bloom. They gave off a strong fragrance … Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, Bible, Church, Crucifixion, Easter, Eternal Life, Eternity, Faith, Good Friday, Heaven, Life, Old Age, Religion, Resurrection, Resurrection of Jesus, Symbols, Trust, Wonder, Word of God, Worry | Leave a comment