Full of Years

If you value people who are older—and also your own aging—these entries will help you rejoice in the fullness of this stage of life: its gritty realities, secret joys, hidden spirituality and cherished moments—reasons to be grateful that old age is always a gift from God!

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Latest Entries

September 27, 2022

The watchers and the watched

By Bob Sitze
In Current Events, Soul Searchings
September 27, 2022
3 Min Read
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27September

Occasionally, Sunday mornings at our congregation approach transcendence—as in “beyond here-and-now,” or “burrowing into our souls.” This past Sunday was one of those times. The texts for Pentecost 26 (Cycle C) matched the parable of Lazarus—a rebuke of clueless wealthy folks—with Amos’s condemnation of those whose lifestyle rendered them blind to the plight of people who are poor. That familiarMORE...

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September 22, 2022

A theology of geology?

By Bob Sitze
In Arcania, Soul Searchings, Time
September 22, 2022
2 Min Read
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22September

Each month I read Scientific American, cover to cover. Those explorations almost always lead me down spiritual paths. The same reaction occurred recently as I dug through *Timefulness: How Thinking Like a Geologist Can Help Save the World, a fascinating read authored by geology professor Marcia Bjornerud. Her scientific insights complement biblical theology that I hold dearly. That I find helpfulMORE...

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September 19, 2022

While folding fitted sheets

By Bob Sitze
In Current Events, Lifestyle, Personal Power, Relationships, Soul Searchings
September 19, 2022
2 Min Read
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19September

  Just now I was grappling with the task of folding fitted bed sheets neatly—something I try to do when I’m not writing. As a momentary sabbatical from impossibility, let me offer you the encouragement and wisdom of a newsletter specifically focused on the process and reality of elderhood. The resource is called Rich and Charlie Resources, and it arrives on your e-doorstep the first day ofMORE...

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September 15, 2022

Elliptical thinking…

By Bob Sitze
In Arcania, Words
September 15, 2022
2 Min Read
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15September

You may have noticed that I frequently use ellipses—three dots in a row—as part of my writing style. (I am also indebted to em dashes [–] to bracket my digressions.) Both punctuation conventions can raise eyebrows among highbrow writers—I am not worthy of that designation—as excuses for less-than-adequate writing. I understand that opinion, and try to keep my use of these devices to aMORE...

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September 12, 2022

“Whose god is their stomach….”

By Bob Sitze
In Arcania, Lifestyle, Soul Searchings
September 12, 2022
3 Min Read
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12September

Over the years, I’ve wondered just what stomach-as-god religiosity would entail. Today I direct my usually serious spiritual nature towards that matter—a religion centered on stomachs. First, the name. I’m thinking maybe Bellyacity, 1Vagalanity, Tummyology or the more elegant Abdomenalism. Other beliefs and practices would fall into place: Chefs would be admired as holy women and men, restaurantsMORE...

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September 9, 2022

Strange metaphors V

By Bob Sitze
In Arcania, Words
September 9, 2022
3 Min Read
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09September

This entry is part of an occasional series in which metaphorical ideas find their way onto your screen. Its roots are simple: When you look with fresh eyes, there may be life lessons to find in just about anything. Today: When are rocks not solid? Is “rock-solid” a reliable part of your metaphorical vocabulary? If so, you might want to think again!  It turns out that granite—one of our all-timeMORE...

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September 6, 2022

Natal feast ruminations

By Bob Sitze
In Arcania, Personal Power, Soul Searchings, Words
September 6, 2022
2 Min Read
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06September

In less time than it takes to parse “I ain’t no whippersnapper, Sonny,” I’ll be observing a birthday whose number is linked in *Scripture with being strong. When my father reached that milestone, his birthday card included my simple message: “You made it!” I went on to extol the continuing strengths I saw in him. As I approach that same number of years, I know that I can’t credit my well-being toMORE...

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September 2, 2022

The actual Big Lie

By Bob Sitze
In Current Events, Lifestyle, Soul Searchings, Words
September 2, 2022
2 Min Read
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02September

  Lying might seem like a necessary social skill. But not when it runs amuck among or inside us. When that happens, lying can careen out of control as it infects more and more of our soul. And what’s “The Big Lie?” That lying accomplishes more than it harms. Lying damages liars. One deception eventually requires a supporting cast of falsehoods that becomes too complex. Liars begin to believeMORE...

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August 30, 2022

Original antigentic sin

By Bob Sitze
In Arcania, Current Events, Personal Power
August 30, 2022
2 Min Read
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30August

News you may have missed: The default tendency of our bodies’ *antigens to combat previously known invaders, but not necessarily their newer mutations. An example: Those infected with earlier forms of COVID19—or immunized against Delta, Omnicron and their viral cousins—might not develop or maintain the antigens necessary to combat newly emerging variants. Epidemiologists have dubbed thisMORE...

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August 26, 2022

(Not) obvious?

By Bob Sitze
In Lifework, Personal Power, Relationships
August 26, 2022
2 Min Read
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26August

I sometimes award myself the imaginary degree, an MA in Obvious. It’s my way of reminding myself how unhelpful it can be to speak or write about matters already well-known, perhaps insulting the intelligence and insights of readers and listeners. This tendency may be a personality trait among those of us who have lived longer. Accumulating experience and expertise over our lifetimes—and with anMORE...

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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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