If FDR was right about “the only thing we have to fear is fear itself,” it seems that we might have every reason to be fearful right now. This possibility became evident to me a few days ago after a seniors exercise session. One of the participants wanted to tell a few of us how the rioting and looting of recent months had convinced her that total chaos would come after the November election. IMORE...
Jesus appears especially appreciative of birds as lifestyle exemplars. (See Matthew 6:25ff.) He notes God’s providence for these delightful creatures, reminding us not to let worry take over our brains and bodies. Because I have frequent opportunities to observe birds in their natural habitat, I offer these extra-biblical observations—what we can learn from the birds. When they are nestingMORE...
My wife and I will soon mail out hand-written postcards to remind voters about the importance of the coming election. As we do this work, we find ourselves reflecting about more than getting the addressee’s names written correctly and writing the same message over and over legibly. This might seem like mindless work, but it isn’t. Chris and I have noticed a definitely spiritual cast to what we’reMORE...
At a racial unity Bible study a few nights ago, I learned a new way to think about the power of older Christians to bring people together. Pastor and author *Tony Evans has offered the metaphor of **emulsion to describe how God’s people can bring together disparate or disagreeing groups of people. As I understand the chemistry, emulsifiers enable the identities of two different substances to beMORE...
As a member of the daily newspaper puzzle cult, I enjoy the challenges of solving a variety of word-related brainteasers. And because of this daily routine, I also see puzzle comparisons everywhere I go and in everything I do. The obvious ones stand out like gold nuggets in a streambed: I am improving my older adult cognition. I surmount mental challenges that are involved in choosing the rightMORE...
In my neck of the woods, a steady, gentle rainfall has been falling for several days. Years ago, some Midwest farmers would have named this kind of weather as a “million-dollar rain” because it helped assure a bountiful crop, rescuing them from financial ruin. This week’s precipitation will save crops that have been threatened by a lingering drought. Rural economies will not fail, the land willMORE...
I see a lot of “Heroes work here” signs around town. The banners and signboards spotlight ongoing appreciation and gratitude for workers whose daily vocations are laudable. Sometimes, though, the intended recipients seem limited to predictable categories: Law-enforcement and medical workers. Although they certainly are heroes, these aren’t the only people whose work is essential to society’sMORE...
I’ve always been fascinated by rocks–touchstones, stones for skipping in ponds, brightly colored pebbles in streams, and boulders whose heft is humbling. I like rocks so much that I once taught a short summer school college course whose textbook was *The Incredible Thrilling Adventures of the Rock! What recalled all my rock-loving was the Gospel on a recent Sunday morning. (See MatthewMORE...
This entry is part of a blog series, Time Capsules, in which I think about the places in our home where the blessings of our history are evident in stored artifacts. Today, I invite you to look with me at stories that adorn the walls and shelves in our home—Items perhaps similar to those looking out at you right now! Although not literal capsules or containers, the walls and shelves throughoutMORE...
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.