Tag Archives: Forgiveness

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

A Father Who Stays

Posted on June 16, 2013 by richrockwood

For over forty years, I carried the weight of unforgiveness for my dad. He had deserted our family when we needed him most.  He had not been there for me to show me things I thought males were expected to … Continue reading →

Posted in Disappointment, Family, Father's Day, Fathers, Forgiveness, God, Heavenly Father, Letting Go, Parenting, Peace | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

If Jesus Were a Contemporary Writer

Posted on May 29, 2013 by richrockwood

While my wife was reading the story of the Prodigal Son to me, I was struck by the powerful dialogue, the structure, and the twist at the end.  Granted it was only a parable, the impact was still stunning.  This … Continue reading →

Posted in Christ, Drama, Eternal Life, Family, Father's Day, Fathers, Fathers and Sons, Fiction, Forgiveness, Inspiration, Novel, Parenting, Problem Children, Prodigal Son, Reconciliation, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Good Friday

Posted on March 29, 2013 by richrockwood

What is happening:  Jesus was interrogated last night before the ruling body of Elders, the Sanhedrin, where they tried to figure out what to do with him.  Finally he was locked away in a dungeon at the home of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Accomplishment, Adversity, Atonement, Bible, Courage, Crucifixion, Darkness, Evil, Faithfulness, Good Friday, Holy Week, Jesus, Manliness, Mission, New Covenant, Passion, Perseverance, Priorities, Prophecy, Rejection, Sacrificial Lamb, Salvation, Suffering | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Holy/Maundy Thursday-New Covenant

Posted on March 28, 2013 by richrockwood

What is Happening:  We don’t know anything about what happens earlier in the day other than Jesus is focusing on the Passover Meal (start reading at Matthew 26:17).  At some point his disciples come to him and ask where he would … Continue reading →

Posted in Accomplishment, Atonement, Belief, Bondage, Christ, Communion, Darkness, Evil, Grace, Happiness, Healing, Jesus, Maundy Thursday, mercy, Messiah, New Covenant, Passion, Passover, Sacrificial Lamb, Salvation, Suffering, Thankfulness | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Denial

Posted on March 23, 2013 by richrockwood

The final part of a daily devotional series at Words of Hope (https://woh.org/word/devotionals/2013/03/23) looking at how people in the Bible handled tough situations: Read Matthew 26:31-35 Have you ever denied you are a follower of Jesus? In many countries a … Continue reading →

Posted in Courage, denial, Faithfulness, Forgiveness, Healing, Identity, Peer Pressure, Perseverance, Perspective, reinstatement, relationships, Repentance, Restoration, Social Pressure, Spirituality, Trials, Witnessing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a 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

Locked Up in Prison

Posted on March 21, 2013 by richrockwood

Part of a daily devotional series at Words of Hope (https://woh.org/word/devotionals/2013/03/21) looking at how people in the Bible handled tough situations: Read Acts 12:1-17 Hoping for a higher popularity rating, King Herod ordered the arrest of some Christians. He had … Continue reading →

Posted in Addiction, Adversity, Alcohol, Bondage, Claustrophobia, Darkness, Drugs, Eating Disorder, Fear, Food, Freedom, Gambling, Grace, Habitual Sin, Healing, Jail, Life, Morale, Persistence, Prayer, Prison, Repentance, Sex, Sex Addiction, Sleeplessness, Social Pressure, Wisdom | 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

The Past is Past

Posted on December 31, 2012 by richrockwood

Lessons from Life:  No one has yet invented a time machine that will allow us to travel forward or backwards in time.  I doubt they ever will because, as I understand it, you have to exceed the speed of light … Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, Appreciation, Enjoyment, Feelings, Gifts, Happiness, Holidays, Life, love, Memory, Principles, Reality, relationships, The Past, Time, Wisdom, Youth | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment