Category Archives: relationships

What Do Faith and Works Have in Common?

Posted on June 26, 2012 by richrockwood

“He received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised.” (Romans 4:11 NRSV) In this section of the Bible, there is a lot of heavy language concerning a … Continue reading →

Posted in Courage, Faith, Forgiveness, Guidance, Heaven, love, Perfectionism, Politics, Prayer, Quiet Time, relationships, Religion, Repentance, Service, Stress, Trust, Uncategorized, Wisdom | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Reaching All the Way to Repentance

Posted on June 22, 2012 by richrockwood

In our devotional this morning, we read Psalm 51, David’s words of repentance after his sexual abuse of Bathsheba.  He was the king, she was his subject.  How could she resist his advances, even if they were gentle. It was … Continue reading →

Posted in Bondage, Courage, Faith, Forgiveness, Guidance, Heaven, Laughter, love, Meditation, Night, Perspective, Prayer, relationships, Religion, Repentance, Sleeplessness, Stress, Suffering, Trust | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Have Some Fun…Lighten Up!

Posted on June 20, 2012 by richrockwood

I don’t think I’ve ever thought about it this way.  Here’s the scene:  “At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” (Matthew 18:1 NRSV).  Maybe it was idle chatter, … Continue reading →

Posted in Children, Courage, Faith, Fun, Laughter, love, Meditation, Perfectionism, Perspective, Quiet Time, relationships, Stress, Suffering, Trust | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Blessing of a Father

Posted on June 17, 2012 by richrockwood

Today is Father’s Day in America so many of us are thinking about our earthly father.  In church today the minister invited us to think about all the good lessons our fathers taught us.  What about those of us who … Continue reading →

Posted in Faith, Fathers, Guidance, Heaven, love, relationships, Religion, Suffering | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The World Has Been Crucified to Me

Posted on June 16, 2012 by richrockwood

My wife and I were reading from Paul’s letter to the Galatians this morning and this phrase struck me as odd:  “May I never boast of anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has … Continue reading →

Posted in Courage, Eternity, Faith, love, Love of Money, Materialism, Meditation, Perspective, Prayer, Quiet Time, relationships, Religion, Suffering, Trust | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

An Oracle Within My Heart

Posted on June 12, 2012 by richrockwood

“An oracle is within my heart concerning the sinfulness of the wicked…” (Psalm 36:1 NIV) The term “oracle” takes us back to ancient times and temples.  Then an oracle was a person or place which was thought to have wisdom … Continue reading →

Posted in Faith, Guidance, love, Materialism, Meditation, Perfectionism, Politics, Quiet Time, relationships, Religion, Wisdom | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

My Life is Passing Like a Shadow

Posted on June 10, 2012 by richrockwood

“For who knows what is good for mortals while they live the few days of their vain life, which they pass like a shadow? For who can tell them what will be after them under the sun?” Ecclesiastes 6:12 (NRSV) … Continue reading →

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Planning for the Unimaginable

Posted on June 5, 2012 by richrockwood

One of my readings this morning reminded me of a thought I had a day or two after my wife died unexpectedly:  “When their breath departs, they return to the earth; on that very day their plans perish.” (Psalm 146:4 … Continue reading →

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