Category Archives: Religion

“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

A Universal Point of View?

Posted on March 5, 2025 by richrockwood

We each have our individual point of view which is of course limited by only what we see. Wouldn’t it wonderful if we could see things from a universal point of view…like God has? “Vantage Point” was a 2008 American … Continue reading →

Posted in Acceptance, Adaptability, Choices, Diversity, Humanity, Letting Go, Politics, Religion, Unity | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

The Right Kind of Faith Makes Life Easier

Posted on February 11, 2025 by richrockwood

I have been walking the road of faith since May of 1977. Prior to that, I was walking a road which I thought was faith, but actually was quite off the mark. Growing up in church, I accepted its set … Continue reading →

Posted in Belief, Bible, Church, Contentment, Faith, Fear, Feelings, God, Grace, Guidance, Heaven, Letting Go, Materialism, Perfectionism, Persistence, Providence, Religion, Spirituality, Trust, Values | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Living the Ideal in the Real World

Posted on January 8, 2025 by richrockwood

In my life, there has been one large, painful lesson to learn. A problem appears when something in life affects me in a manner that does not match my ideal. Starting at an early age, I was taught to be … Continue reading →

Posted in Acceptance, Adaptability, Addiction, Adversity, Alcohol, Attitude, Belief, Bible, Choices, Christ, Conflict, Faith, Feelings, Letting Go, Peace, Persistence, Relaxation, Religion, Scripture, Spirituality, Suffering, Trials, Wisdom | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

A Shepherd’s Rhyme

Posted on December 25, 2024 by richrockwood

A Shepherds Rhyme I stared up at the fog filled, hazy sky And wondered if there was something in my eye A cloud of haze: eased past with little motion Perhaps a sign that called for some devotion We’d waited … Continue reading →

Posted in Appreciation, Baby Jesus, Bible, Christmas, Faith, Forgiveness, Gifts, God, Grace, Jesus, Messiah, Prophecy, Religion, Religious Heritage, Salvation, Spirituality, Worship | Leave a 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

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

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

Dove

Posted on June 15, 2023 by richrockwood

According to Apple Dictionary, a dove is “a stocky seed- or fruit-eating bird with a  small head, short legs, and a cooing voice. Doves are generally smaller and more delicate than pigeons, but many kinds have been given both names.” … Continue reading →

Posted in Acceptance, Addiction, Adversity, Appreciation, Art, Belief, Diversity, Eternal Life, Faith, Faithfulness, Focus, God, Grace, Guidance, Inspiration, Jesus, Pentecost, Quiet Time, Relaxation, Religion, Spirituality, Trials, Values, Word of God | 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