Category Archives: Religion

Happy? New Year

Posted on December 27, 2016 by richrockwood

We’re here again-on the verge 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 Adaptability, Adversity, Balance, Bed-ridden, Belief, Contentment, Depression, Despair, Disappointment, Education, Fear, Feelings, Learning, Life, Loss, Milestones, Miracles, New Year, Perseverance, Persistence, Perspective, Questioning, Religion, Self-Discovery, Service, Values, Wisdom, Worry | Leave a comment

This Time of Year

Posted on December 23, 2016 by richrockwood

This time of year must surely lift us The annual joyful event called Christmas Forget this year, this weird election Instead we need sincere reflection A blinking star still lights the way To feeding trough where a baby lays The … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Baby Jesus, Belief, Bible, Christ, Christmas, Darkness, Faith, Fear, Feelings, Freedom, God, Humanity, Imagination, Jesus, Letting Go, New Year, Patriotism, Peace, Perseverance, Perspective, Politics, Prophecy, Religion, Scripture, Spirituality, Stress, Thankfulness, The Past, Values, Word of God | Leave a comment

A Model Priest

Posted on December 12, 2016 by richrockwood

My favorite clergyman was Fr. Malloy of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin, a small community of about 15,000 people.  St. Joseph’s church had two priests, Fr. Zander and Fr. Malloy.  Although the pastor, Fr. Zander, was friendly … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventures, Charity, Church, Clergy, Education, Extravagance, Faithfulness, Grace, Guidance, Learning, Memory, Religion, Service, Spirituality, Testimony, Work, Youth | 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

Cleaning Up The Place of Worship

Posted on March 25, 2013 by richrockwood

What’s happening:  It’s now Monday.  He is walking back to Jerusalem, this time traveling the few miles on foot.  No crowds are waiting, so he makes His way inside the city to the Temple.  The sprawling edifice is still under construction, … Continue reading →

Posted in Addiction, Belief, Bible, Christ, Courage, Holy Week, Humanity, Love of Money, Materialism, Meditation, Money, Passion, Prayer, Priorities, relationships, Religion, Repentance, Spirituality, Values, Word of God, Worship | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Religious Upbringing

Posted on March 22, 2013 by richrockwood

Part of a daily devotional series at Words of Hope (https://woh.org/word/devotionals/2013/03/22) looking at how people in the Bible handled tough situations: Read Philippians 3:4-14 When it came to belief in Jesus, Paul’s religious background was an obstacle. He had a … Continue reading →

Posted in Accomplishment, Atonement, Background, Belief, Bible, Faith, Forgiveness, Freedom, Healing, mercy, Messiah, Peace, Perspective, Pride, Religion, Religious Heritage, Repentance, Self-Worth, Spirituality, Values, Word of God | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Position

Posted on March 19, 2013 by richrockwood

Part of a daily devotional series at Words of Hope (https://woh.org/word/devotionals/2013/03/19) looking at how people in the Bible handled tough situations: Commenting on Nicodemus’s visit to Jesus, Alfred Edersheim (The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah) wrote: “It must … Continue reading →

Posted in Adaptability, Courage, Faithfulness, Job, Materialism, Peer Pressure, Priorities, Reality, relationships, Religion, Social Pressure, Status, Values, Witnessing, Worry | 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

A Powerful Force for Getting Things Out of My Way

Posted on March 1, 2013 by richrockwood

Providence at Work?  Two days ago in my part of Michigan, I awoke to a substantial amount of snow which needed to be removed before my wife could get out of our driveway.  I was fortunate in that when she moved … Continue reading →

Posted in Acceptance, Accomplishment, Adaptability, Appreciation, Belief, Contentment, Faith, God, Guidance, Heaven, Letting Go, Morale, Perseverance, Providence, Religion, Service, Snow, Thankfulness, Trust, Values, Winter | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments