Category Archives: Identity

Never Alone

Posted on April 9, 2025 by richrockwood

Regardless of how I feel, I am connected.  I am connected visually to those who see me at any given moment in time.  I am connected by line of sight to everything I can see outside my windows.  I am … Continue reading →

Posted in Acceptance, Connection, Culture, Family, Friends, Identity, Life, Loyalty, Perspective, relationships, Sibling | Leave a comment

Six Pointed Star

Posted on July 2, 2023 by richrockwood

The six-pointed star is a symbol seen throughout the world since the beginning of history. It has had different names, depending on what religion or belief system it appears in. In the book “Symbols: Signposts of Devotion,” Dr. Ratha Doyle … Continue reading →

Posted in Appreciation, Belief, Bible, Creation, Culture, Faith, Holocaust, Identity, Religion, Religious Heritage, Suffering, Symbols, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

A Fish

Posted on June 7, 2023 by richrockwood

According to “Symbols: Signposts of Devotion,” by Dr. Ratha Doyle McGee, the connection between the symbol of fish and scriptures is “somewhat obscure.”  It might connect to the story in Luke Chapter 24 where Jesus is eating a piece of … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventures, Attitude, Belief, Bible, Car, Christ, Courage, Eternal Life, Eternity, Faith, Faithfulness, God, Identity, Jesus, Loyalty, New Covenant, Praise, Pride, Principles, Priorities, Religion, Salvation, Spiritual, Spirituality, Symbols | 1 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

The Road Less Desired

Posted on November 25, 2016 by richrockwood

If I could have before me the path I took at age 40 or an alternative, which would I take? I now have walked the path I’m on for thirty years, so I am somewhat familiar with it. Imagining another … Continue reading →

Posted in Acceptance, Accomplishment, Adaptability, Appreciation, Belief, Choices, Church, Commitment, Contentment, Creativity, Disappointment, doubt, Employment, Faith, Feelings, Focus, God, Happiness, Identity, Letting Go, Life, Memory, Mission, Old Age, Passion, Perseverance, Perspective, Priorities, Questioning, Religion, Retirement, Self-Discovery, Self-Worth, Spirituality, Status, Stress, Study, The Past, Trust | 4 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

Denial

Posted on March 23, 2013 by richrockwood

The final part of a daily devotional series at Words of Hope (https://woh.org/word/devotionals/2013/03/23) looking at how people in the Bible handled tough situations: Read Matthew 26:31-35 Have you ever denied you are a follower of Jesus? In many countries a … Continue reading →

Posted in Courage, denial, Faithfulness, Forgiveness, Healing, Identity, Peer Pressure, Perseverance, Perspective, reinstatement, relationships, Repentance, Restoration, Social Pressure, Spirituality, Trials, Witnessing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Cultural Differences

Posted on March 16, 2013 by richrockwood

Part of a daily devotional series at Words of Hope (https://woh.org/word/devotionals/2013/03/16) looking at how people in the Bible handled tough situations: Read Matthew 8:5-13 What made this man think that a Jewish rabbi—reported to have miraculous powers—would help him? He … Continue reading →

Posted in Acceptance, Adaptability, Appearance, Christ, Culture, Diversity, Ethnicity, Faith, Focus, Foolishness, God, Grace, Healing, Health, Humanity, Identity, Perspective, Politics, Principles, Priorities, Race, relationships, Religion, Spirituality, Unity | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

I Was a Pioneer

Posted on February 22, 2013 by richrockwood

Living in the Past:  I was a pioneer in the Autumn of 1963, a member of the first and only class, entering Grand Valley State College, the newest in Michigan, walking in brand new buildings, enjoying a complete lack of … Continue reading →

Posted in Accomplishment, Adaptability, Adventures, Appreciation, Choices, Claustrophobia, Courage, Education, Faith, Fear, Focus, Grand Valley State University, GVSU, Identity, Letting Go, Life, Passion, Perseverance, Principles, Priorities, Resolutions, Self-Worth, Soldier, The Past, Trust, Youth | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Everything Seemed Smaller Now

Posted on January 25, 2013 by richrockwood

Experience as a Flashlight:  A number of years ago, I had the opportunity to travel back with my brothers to our boyhood town.  It’s a small town in a largely agricultural area of Wisconsin.  Our dad had moved us there … Continue reading →

Posted in Acceptance, Aging, Appearance, Contentment, Feelings, Identity, Letting Go, Memory, Old Age, Perseverance, Perspective, Reality, Self-Worth, Thankfulness, Time, Wisdom | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment