Tag Archives: Identity

“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

Favorite Bible Verses

Posted on July 29, 2013 by richrockwood

The verses lay hidden in the passage.  They were words that would envelope my life.  They were words that would put into precise expression my new feelings for Christ. I can no longer remember what I was doing when I … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Christ, Courage, Faith, Faithfulness, Fear, God, Life | Tagged , , , , | 2 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

I Put Your Hand in Mine

Posted on May 15, 2013 by richrockwood

To my dear wife:  I feel a rolling warmth through my being every time I put your hand in mine.  First I feel connected to you and then surrounded by you.  Why should this be if I am claustrophobic?  I … Continue reading →

Posted in Contentment, Despair, Feelings, Gifts, Grace, Grief, Happiness, Healing, Life, love, Marriage, Memory, mercy, Miracles, Perspective, Praise, Prayer, Priorities, relationships, Restoration, Sleeplessness, Thankfulness | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Spy Wednesday or Holy Wednesday

Posted on March 27, 2013 by richrockwood

What is Happening  On Wednesday Jesus remains in Bethany.  According to Wikipedia “Bethany has traditionally been identified with the present-day West Bank city of al-Eizariya (Arabic (العيزرية), meaning “Place of Lazarus”), site of the reputed Tomb of Lazarus, located about … Continue reading →

Posted in Adaptability, Adversity, Belief, Bible, Bondage, Christ, Darkness, Focus, Guidance, Holy Week, Jesus, Mission, Peace, Perseverance, Perspective, Prayer, Priorities, Suffering | 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

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

Not Chosen

Posted on March 17, 2013 by richrockwood

Part of a daily devotional series at Words of Hope (https://woh.org/word/devotionals/2013/03/17) looking at how people in the Bible handled tough situations: Read Matthew 15:21-28 As I became a better hitter in baseball, I felt good when I was among the … Continue reading →

Posted in Adversity, Faith, Life, Outsider, Persistence, Rejection | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Spiritual Pandemic

Posted on March 13, 2013 by richrockwood

Part of a daily devotional series at Words of Hope (https://woh.org/word/devotionals/2013/03/13) looking at how people in the Bible handled tough situations: Read 2 Kings 23:1-25 In the 21st century the world has learned a new term: pandemic. A virus that … Continue reading →

Posted in Adaptability, Adversity, Belief, Country, Courage, Darkness, Evil, Faithfulness, Fear, Life, Materialism, Morale, Morals, Patriotism, Peace, Prayer, Priorities, Spirituality, Values | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Connecting with Old Friends

Posted on March 8, 2013 by richrockwood

Connections A blessing breeze blew through my life the day I connected with someone I had known many years ago.  We were in school together and had shared common interests.  He was older, wiser I felt, and an accomplished organist.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Accomplishment, Aging, Appreciation, Choices, Faithfulness, Friends, Memory, Old Age, Perseverance, Perspective, relationships, Retirement, Self-Worth, The Past, Values | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment