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.
I want to be one of the avengers. That feeling is especially strong today, as our nation waits to see what further acts of insurrection will occur at the hand of political insurgents—and their behind-the-scenes enablers. These folks deserve retribution—punishment that matches their injustices. I’ll admit it: I’d like to be part of that payback. Some deeper truths bring me up short, though…MORE...
It would be easy to react to last week’s attempted insurrection with righteous anger. I don’t think that’s enough, though. Part of being an older adult is to learn from what occurs around me and inside me. It’s necessary for me to build on and use whatever wisdom might come from reflecting more deeply. Some examples…. I saw people holding onto identities made from muddy lies. Because lieMORE...
There are some parallels between the post-Christmas work of Jesus’ parents and the work that lies before us in these times. Salvation has come upon us—perhaps seen in the results of this past election—yearnings for righteousness to return. We’ve prayed for rescue from evil and oppression, and now that seems possible. The message of Christmas has assured and calmed us once again. Like Mary andMORE...
The New Year is upon us, ye lads and lasses—a good time to be jolly! Fast away the old year has passed, so it’s time to hail the new year—regardless of wind or weather! Let’s get right to it…. It was an “old year”, wasn’t it? In too many ways, the events of the year—and the folks that concocted them—made us old, or at least older than we wanted. Whatever’s not good about being old—there it wasMORE...
Christmas is upon us, with its insistent question, “What do you want to do about all of this?” Another question tags along: “How would any of us welcome a baby who came into our homes?” At the beginning of Advent we were comforted with the words of Isaiah about a child—a babe—being born to a virgin. A perhaps-small reason to hope during our own troubled times. But we knew, we believed, and weMORE...
Over the centuries, Advent has been a time of expectant repentance—part of our preparation for Christ to come into our lives. Today’s final blog in the series focuses on single-minded attention only to our own needs. Händel’s Messiah includes the spirited “All We Like Sheep”, based on Isaiah 53:6. The chorus romps through somber matters that seem to call for repentance instead: We areMORE...
Help is close at hand It may seem impossible to pry loved ones from continuing anger—especially if they’re deeply habituated or addicted to the presence of feel-good neurotransmitters that flood their brains when they’re furious. Thankfully, help is close at hand. Although there’s no magic treatment for perpetual outrage, there may be remedies that we can use with individuals whom we want to freeMORE...
Life-as-we-have-known-it is slowly coming back, with perhaps one lingering exception: Anger is still roaming our nation, clawing for a place in the national discourse and identity. From everything I know about this powerful emotion, it’s not a helpful part of our lives. Especially dangerous when it becomes addictive, anger ruins relationships as well as the individual and collective brains thatMORE...
Over the centuries, Advent has been a time of expectant repentance—part of our preparation for Christ to come into our lives. Today’s blog continues that theme, this time focused on the eventual outcomes of a life of continuing lying. I don’t always tell the truth. No matter what other names I attach to this behavior, it’s still always lying. In some parts of my life I’ve assembled fortresses ofMORE...
Over the centuries, Advent has been a time of expectant repentance—part of our preparation for Christ to come into our lives. Today’s blog continues that theme, this time focused on my sometimes unwillingness to take responsibility. One part of being sinful is not doing what needs to get done. “Sins of omission” is the doctrinal term. In the Confession of Sins at the start of worship, this matterMORE...
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.