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Lent

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March 4, 2024

Denying ourselves and carrying our crosses

By Bob Sitze
In Current Events, Lifework, Soul Searchings, Words
March 4, 2024
2 Min Read
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04March

My climate anxiety peaks periodically. When that happens, Luke 9:23b (KJV) pops into my memory—“Deny yourself and take up your cross”—as one possible part of the solution to global warming. I wonder if a society-wide ascetic mindset—although not easily engaged—might tamp down the factors that are causing our planet’s ecosystems to unravel. That theology feels hard to put into practice. If I’mMORE...

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March 18, 2022

Lent in earnest

By Bob Sitze
In Current Events, Soul Searchings
March 18, 2022
2 Min Read
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18March

This year, Lent is front-and-center for me. Not just the themes—self-examination, repentance, self-sacrifice, Jesus’ suffering and death—but also the emotions and actions that accompany those ideas. The cruel barbarism of the Russian Federation’s invasion of Ukraine evokes my condemnation for this once-mighty country’s leader. The relentless, random bombardment of civilians recalls all theMORE...

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February 11, 2022

Kenosis all around?

By Bob Sitze
In Current Events, Lifestyle, Soul Searchings, Words
February 11, 2022
2 Min Read
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11February

During Lent, one of the things we acknowledge and celebrate is Jesus’ willingness to *empty himself completely in order to take on human form. In the Greek, this is called kenosis, literally a “pouring out”. I may be stretching the point, but there seems to be a lot of this kind of behavior almost everywhere I look. People who are giving up almost everything in order to care for others, to liveMORE...

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February 3, 2022

Smile!

By Bob Sitze
In Arcania, Current Events, Lifestyle, Mind/Body, Pleasure/Pain
February 3, 2022
2 Min Read
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03February

It occurred to me recently that I haven’t been smiling as much as I used to. (Part of my older gentleman’s wrinkles have for *years included the tell-tale creases of repeated beaming.) Noting this possible rumple in my attitude/behavior character traits, I add these few thoughts…. These recent years have seemed full of nonstop, smile-diminishing anxiety. But despite war rumbles, continuingMORE...

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January 22, 2022

Getting ready for Lent

By Bob Sitze
In Current Events, Soul Searchings
January 22, 2022
2 Min Read
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22January

  Don’t look now, but pre-Lent Sundays are heading your way. Formerly known by their numerical designations—e.g., Septuagesima—these days were markers for what was surely coming: The tones and tunes of Lent.  Those names may have been removed, but not the themes: “Get ready! Lent is coming!” For a couple of years now, I have had conversations with a team of remarkable *consultants. TheirMORE...

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March 15, 2021

Lent unlike any other?

By Bob Sitze
In Current Events, Lifestyle, Time
March 15, 2021
2 Min Read
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15March

This time around, Lent seems more focused, more tangible—perhaps more real?—for me. Almost like I’ve come back to Lent’s original nature or purpose. I’m tempted to think that this is especially true for older adults, but that’s probably not accurate: This time around, Lent is for all of us. Lent-like thoughts and feelings seem to have been tagging along with me for the past year. Deep sorrowMORE...

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March 16, 2020

Viral Lent

By Bob Sitze
In Current Events, Death/Dying, Lifestyle, Soul Searchings
March 16, 2020
3 Min Read
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16March

I don’t know if it’s just me, but this year’s Lenten season seems especially essential, relatable and inviting of my spirit. Lent themes and emotions seem strongly connected to current events almost everywhere I look. Thoughts arising out of the *COVID-19 outbreak are a good example. Perhaps Lent has gone viral? Lent calls me to confess my sinfulness, to seek forgiveness and to hope dearly forMORE...

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February 7, 2018

Full of what?

By Bob Sitze
In Lifework, Personal Power, Relationships, Time
February 7, 2018
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07February

Late in his life, my father would often comment, “Getting old isn’t for sissies.” This was his way of reminding himself and the rest of us that fullness of years isn’t a walk in the park. It was my father’s voice—and witness—that came to mind when I started these blogs. It would be easy to think of fullness-of-years as code language for an older-adult version of the prosperity gospel—as thoughMORE...

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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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