Category Archives: Life

“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

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

Appreciating the Human Body

Posted on January 1, 2025 by richrockwood

I don’t understand why but for the last year or so I have become fascinated with the things my body is able to do. I see these abilities as insights into the genius of our Creator. The first one I … Continue reading →

Posted in Adaptability, Aging, Appreciation, Belief, Computer, Creation, Exercise, Gifts, Humanity, Life, Medical, Memory, Old Age, Providence, Self-Discovery, Self-Worth, Spirituality, Thankfulness | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Happy? New Year

Posted on December 27, 2024 by richrockwood

We’re here again-at the start of another new year. The typical greeting (or is it a wish?) we give each other is “happy new year.” Is that what we all really want? To be happy, according to the Apple Dictionary … Continue reading →

Posted in Acceptance, Adaptability, Adventures, Attitude, Balance, Challenge, Choices, Courage, Fear, Holidays, Learning, Life, New Year, Perseverance, Prayer, Spirituality, Stress, Tests, Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Places and Faces

Posted on December 24, 2024 by richrockwood

Over the course of my almost 80 years I have come in contact and interacted with many places and faces. I have lived in Wisconsin, Michigan, New York, California, Washington State, Kentucky and Korea. In the last two I was … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventures, Aging, Appreciation, Attitude, Family, Friends, Humanity, Life, Milestones, Old Age, relationships, Thankfulness, travel, Writing | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Looking for Restful Sleep

Posted on March 7, 2024 by richrockwood

Say a prayer before you sleep. Let His gracious love surround you as, without a care, you drift into sleep. This is your time now to revitalize your mind, body and soul. All the thoughts that directed your words and … Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, Life, Night, Old Age, Perspective, Prayer, Quiet Time, Relaxation, rest/sleep, Sleeplessness | 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

What is My Brother to Me

Posted on February 16, 2023 by richrockwood

(An excerpt, by this writer, from a new book coming out soon “Imaginative Plunges Into Sacred Scripture”) Cain, the older brother, strained as he dragged fresh vegetables and fruit down into the valley on two huge, leafy branches. It was … Continue reading →

Posted in Anger, Family, Forgiveness, Life, Murder, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Before Creation Care

Posted on August 2, 2019 by richrockwood

I am in the habit of reading bits from “Institutes of the Christian Religion” by John Calvin whose careful use of words is noteworthy.  Here is a clip about God’s habit of showing in creation some of his nature. …he … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Creation, John Calvin, Life, Nature, Orderliness | Leave a comment