Category Archives: Service

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

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

Imagining the Call of Elisha the Prophet

Posted on December 1, 2016 by richrockwood

The First Meeting It is a scene played out somewhere in this agricultural land. A tanned, muscular young man, is plowing a field, just one of many laborers that day. Suddenly he stops to remove an obstacle. He notices a … Continue reading →

Posted in Adventures, Bible, Courage, Faith, Faithfulness, Fathers and Sons, God, Heaven, Imagination, Inspiration, Miracles, Passion, Priorities, Prophecy, relationships, Service, Spirituality, Tests, Witnessing, Word of God, Work | Leave a comment

Thoughts on Memorial Day 2013

Posted on May 27, 2013 by richrockwood

It is my family’s custom to go out to breakfast on all holidays so today was no different.  On my way home, I thought about my observance of Memorial Day.  I hoped I could find a service somewhere either in … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Appreciation, Bravery, Choices, Commitment, Country, Courage, Faithfulness, Fear, Freedom, Holidays, Life, love, Loyalty, Memorial Day, Military, Mission, Patriotism, Prayer, Quiet Time, Service, Soldier, The Past, Values | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Homeland in Ruins

Posted on March 14, 2013 by richrockwood

Part of a daily devotional series at Words of Hope (https://woh.org/word/devotionals/2013/03/14) looking at how people in the Bible handled tough situations: Read Nehemiah 2:1-20 The closest I have come to a natural disaster was in Mississippi, six months after Hurricane … Continue reading →

Posted in Acceptance, Accomplishment, Adaptability, Adversity, Appearance, Charity, Country, Courage, Creativity, Faithfulness, Focus, Grief, Healing, Job, Morale, Perseverance, Prayer, Priorities, Repentance, Service, Tasks, Volunteerism, Work | 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

Being Bed Bound and Alone (I Need Someone To Care)

Posted on January 11, 2013 by richrockwood

Experience as a Flashlight:    During the winter of 1985, I contracted Hepatitis A virus which spreads when an infected person does not wash his or her hands after using the bathroom and then comes in contact with someone else.  I had … Continue reading →

Posted in Bed-ridden, Claustrophobia, Faithfulness, Feelings, Friends, Grace, Happiness, Healing, Health, Hospital, Identity, Life, love, Medical, mercy, Morale, Perspective, Priorities, relationships, Service, Sickness | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

In the Military Service for the Holidays

Posted on November 28, 2012 by richrockwood

Living in the Past:  As I’ve already shared, I was in the US Army during the 1960’s.  One of the things I wondered about when I was away from home was whether the folks back home knew what I was … Continue reading →

Posted in Country, Creativity, Faithfulness, Feelings, Focus, Military, Morale, Patriotism, Perspective, Politics, relationships, Service, Soldier, Volunteerism, War | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

On Alert After Martin Luther King Jr.’s Assassination

Posted on November 16, 2012 by richrockwood

Living in the Past:  The reader needs to know that I am not a violent man.  I have had only one fight in my life.  I avoid physical confrontations because of some difficulties I have with my anger.  In the … Continue reading →

Posted in Country, Courage, Eternity, Faith, Fear, Feelings, Legal, Life, Memory, mercy, Military, Morals, Patriotism, Peace, Perseverance, Perspective, Politics, Principles, Priorities, Service, Soldier, Trust, War, Wisdom, Youth | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

How To Get Started

Posted on November 5, 2012 by richrockwood

Lessons From Life:  When I was working in an office, I learned an important lesson about motivation from a man I would see from time to time on the bus.  He used to say if you have a lot of … Continue reading →

Posted in Accomplishment, Adaptability, Aging, Contentment, Enjoyment, Feelings, Focus, Friends, Happiness, Life, Orderliness, Organization, Peace, Perseverance, Perspective, Priorities, Service, Stress, Tasks, Wisdom, Work, Worry | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment