Here’s where the roving eye of Bob Sitze lands on interesting or important events, trends, discoveries, opinions or research that are part of contemporary life. Sometimes missed in spiritually oriented utterances, the stuff of life consists of all the places where God’s hand stirs, supports or motivates. These blogs may also include links for further information or action.
Not me. Not as much. I’ve composed this two-part blog in the hopes that my experiences might help you deal with the worrier inside of yourself. In the previous entry I admitted that I worry too much about too many things too much of the time. Today: the non-anxious side of my spirit. After too many months of unhealthy worrying, I’ve come to the realization that I am also capable of settingMORE...
Yes, me. Worry. I’ll admit it: I worry too much about too many things too much of the time. I’ve composed this two-part blog in the hopes that my experiences might help you deal with the worrier inside of yourself. For most of my life, anxiety has remained one of my most persistent character traits. In recent years, worry in all its manifestations has seemed to increase. Two major worry-seedsMORE...
Today’s entry is part of an occasional set of observations about changes in the world’s climate that will affect all of us, old and young alike. The series bends toward a key question: As God’s people, how should we respond? Today’s entry: Taking action, even though it may be difficult. As I’ve noted in previous Climate Conversations, the scientific evidence regarding global warming makes it moreMORE...
For the past few years, I’ve been a tutor in an English as Second Language (ESL) program. Our congregation houses one of the ESL sites of a local non-profit; we work mainly with refugees and other immigrants. Many of the students have come through extremely difficult circumstances to arrive at this point in their lives. All of them see English proficiency as a major key to their well-beingMORE...
Today’s entry is part of a periodic series of observations about changes in the world’s climate that will affect all of us, old and young alike. The series bends toward a key question: As God’s people, what can we think or do about these matters? Today’s entry: How to pay attention to these facts? The stark conclusions of the *Fourth National Climate Assessment (NCA), Volume II seem so astoundingMORE...
Today’s entry is part of a periodic series of observations about changes in the world’s climate that will affect all of us, old and young alike. The series bends toward a key question: As God’s people, what can we think or do about these matters? Today’s entry goes to the heart of the matter: This has to do with our faith lives! It can be comforting to worship during Advent…. If you’re at allMORE...
Today’s entry is part of a periodic series of observations about changes in the world’s climate that will affect all of us, old and young alike. The series will lean into the basic question: As God’s people, what can we think or do about these matters? Today I offer a summary of some essentials. “Earth’s climate is now changing faster than at any point in the history of modern civilizationMORE...
In yesterday’s entry I shared some of my memories of childhood Christmas celebrations and traditions. Today I’d like to think alongside you about engaging in similar recollections with your beloved elders—one way to bring them the gift of your presence! As I was assembling yesterday’s thoughts, I started to wonder how you and I could engage our beloved elders in satisfying conversations aboutMORE...
Those of us who are older bring to this season strong memories of Christmas Past—for most of us nothing to be afraid of…. The nostalgia that Christmas brings might be an especially fruitful place to visit alongside older friends and relatives. “How did you used to celebrate Christmas?” can call forth a wonderful array of customs and activities, each wrapped in fascinating stories that drawMORE...
One of Advent’s most haunting texts is the one about “A voice crying in the wilderness, ‘Prepare ye the way of the Lord!’” This quiet passage (Isaiah 40:3) has always tugged at my soul because I’ve imagined some person out there in the middle of nowhere—wildernesses are tough places to live—yelling out loud about something important. In the outback places of life—any wilderness is out thereMORE...
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.