Category Archives: Healing

“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

“It’s Just Not Fair”

Posted on April 14, 2025 by richrockwood

      How many of us, having suffered for something we didn’t do or subjected to a gross mistreatment we didn’t deserve, have ever said “It’s just not fair?” I confess that I have thought or said it more … Continue reading →

Posted in Acceptance, Adversity, Anger, Attitude, Belief, Charity, Choices, Conflict, Crucifixion, Disappointment, Forgiveness, Good Friday, Healing, Holy Week, Jesus, Letting Go, Life, Palm Sunday, Prayer, Reconciliation, Rejection, relationships, Restoration, Spiritual, Suffering, Trials | Tagged , , , , | 1 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

Bread Used in Worship

Posted on May 3, 2023 by richrockwood

According to Wikipedia “Bread is a staple food prepared from a dough of flour (usually wheat) and water, usually by baking. Throughout recorded history and around the world, it has been an important part of many cultures’ diet. It is … Continue reading →

Posted in Atonement, Bible, Christ, Church, Communion, Crucifixion, Culture, diet, Eternal Life, Faith, God, Grace, Healing, Heavenly Father, Holy Week, Jesus, love, Maundy Thursday, Messiah, Miracles, New Covenant, Praise, Prayer, Religion, Religious Heritage, Restoration, Sacrificial Lamb, Scripture, Sin, Spiritual, Symbols, Thankfulness | Leave a comment

A Second Look

Posted on December 5, 2016 by richrockwood

While I traveled through The back pages of my mind In search of something meaningful To calm my awareness of failure, I realized under layers of Forgotten dreams That my heart had been disappointed To the Point of Despair   … Continue reading →

Posted in Acceptance, Adversity, Belief, Choices, Claustrophobia, Courage, Darkness, Depression, Faith, Fear, Feelings, Grief, Healing, Identity, Learning, Letting Go, Life, Memory, Morale, New Covenant, Peace, Perseverance, Persistence, Perspective, Quiet Time, Resolutions | Leave a comment

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

I Put Your Hand in Mine

Posted on May 15, 2013 by richrockwood

To my dear wife:  I feel a rolling warmth through my being every time I put your hand in mine.  First I feel connected to you and then surrounded by you.  Why should this be if I am claustrophobic?  I … Continue reading →

Posted in Contentment, Despair, Feelings, Gifts, Grace, Grief, Happiness, Healing, Life, love, Marriage, Memory, mercy, Miracles, Perspective, Praise, Prayer, Priorities, relationships, Restoration, Sleeplessness, Thankfulness | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

A Second Look at Life-Every Sunrise Brings a New Day

Posted on April 25, 2013 by richrockwood

An experience with despair need not end there.  Every sunrise brings a new day. A Second Look While I traveled through The back pages of my mind In search of something meaningful To calm my awareness of failure, I realized … Continue reading →

Posted in Acceptance, Adaptability, Adventures, Adversity, Appreciation, Contentment, Creation, Darkness, Depression, Despair, Enjoyment, Feelings, Grief, Healing, Letting Go, Life, Miracles, Morale, Perseverance, Perspective, Providence, Restoration, Spirituality, Stress, Suffering, Worry | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Alive Again!

Posted on April 1, 2013 by richrockwood

What is happening:  the followers of Jesus are taking in this startling reality.  He is alive!  He is back with them!  They can see Him!  He is eating with them!  He is alive. Ironically, I was unable to finish the … Continue reading →

Posted in Appearance, Easter, Happiness, Healing, Jesus, Messiah, Restoration, Resurrection, Witnessing | 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 , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment