Archive

August 2020

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(FAKE) Medical Alert

I would like to take these few moments to alert you to a physical condition that could be significant for older adults. What I describe here is known as asymmetric facial wrinkles, a possible disorder that I have recently noticed while scraping pesky hair-nubs off my face in the morning. In my case, the imbalance of facial wrinklehood occurs on my ear lobes and in the muscles that help me smileMORE...

Render unto Caesar?

With growing evidence that the Caesars of our era are corrupting the world—Jesus’ sentiment about *Caesar-rendering doesn’t sit comfortably in my soul. A quick look at the matter follows…. I understand the setting for Jesus’ answer to his detractors’ tricky question. (See Matthew 22:15-22. )And I know that Paul’s announcement—“The powers that be are ordained of God” (Romans 13:1ff)—is part ofMORE...

Back to work

With a little over two months until the November election, Chris and I are back to work as campaign volunteers. I write this entry to invite you to join us in this essential part of our lived-out faith. During the last election runup, we participated in several tasks, including sending postcards, delivering yard signs, phoning voters, marching in parades and canvassing door-to-door. During GetMORE...

The bin of music

This entry is part of a series, Time Capsules, in which I think about one or more of the places in our home where my history—and my future?—are evident in stored artifacts. Today, I share my thoughts about one of the ways in which I was once quite skilled. Deeply buried in one of our basement closets is a large plastic bin that holds organ, piano, vocal and recorder pieces from the many years inMORE...

Encouraging the encouragers

Today, I offer a thought that could easily get lost in the dust storm of anger and anxiety that comes at us every day: Our society’s encouragers could use some encouragement themselves, and you and I could be just the ones to do that! I regularly write letters to a variety of political and societal leaders, usually critical in a nice way. It occurs to me, though, that positive letters—we’ll callMORE...

Time capsules

I think that our home is actually a collection of time capsules—bins and boxes that hold our shared history. While rummaging around in our basement recently, it occurred to me that these containers of artifacts might be useful. Perhaps I could spend time among our life history-holders—reminding myself about the long arc of our lives, and of the durable identities that still characterize us. As IMORE...

A thought experiment

Let me invite you into a thought experiment that might be useful. Some background first. “What’s next after COVID-19?” is coming our way.  Although none of us can accurately predict the future, envisioning specific potentials can work alongside nimble, skillful reactivity. We trust God’s providence, however it might unfold. The experiment starts with questions like these: What do you think willMORE...

Parenting that never stops

My parents always worried about me. (After Chris and I were married, those thoughts included her.) My father’s key question was usually, “Do you have enough money?” and my mother’s queries usually centered on being healthy. They held onto those parenting instincts throughout my adulthood. The present situation—the economy, COVID-19, the political maelstrom—seems to be heightening my own olderMORE...

Bob Sitze

BOB SITZE has filled the many years of his lifework in diverse settings around the United States. His calling has included careers as a teacher/principal, church musician, writer/author, denominational executive staff member and meat worker. Bob lives in Wheaton, IL.

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