full of years

January 10, 2022

Holding up Moses’ arms today

By Bob Sitze

In Arcania, Current Events, Personal Power, Relationships, Time

January 10, 2022

3 Min Read

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10January

It’s that time of year when leaders might need some help. Perhaps those of us who are full of years might be the ones to *hold up our Moses’ arms! Post-holiday realities are galumphing back into leaders’ priorities: Future planning, fiscal years wrapping up, performance reviews, annual meeting reports. Some leaders might be nearly overwhelmed by start-of-year tasks, roles or responsibilities; theMORE...

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January 7, 2022

Twitter trees?

By Bob Sitze

In Arcania, Lifework, Personal Power, Relationships

January 7, 2022

2 Min Read

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07January

(This entry is part of an ongoing collection of blogs that examine the future of congregations post-COVID19. Each entry forms itself around a question looking for clarity or answers.) Two cedar trees in my front yard regularly host a large-group gab session for sparrows, also protecting them from predators. The birds seem to derive pleasure from their flitting and chirping. They return to theseMORE...

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January 4, 2022

Palindrome people

By Bob Sitze

In Arcania, Current Events, Soul Searchings, Time, Words

January 4, 2022

2 Min Read

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04January

At this time of year, I’m happy to join the throng of 1palindrome-named people—those whose names can be read backwards and forwards—carrying out our special responsibility to examine both the previous and coming years with discernment. (Ada, Reinier, Eve, Otto, Anna, Aoloa, Elle, Nolon—you know what I’m talking about, right?) These first days of a new year are the time when 2Janus-likeMORE...

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December 30, 2021

Out to pasture/pastor/Pasteur?

By Bob Sitze

In Arcania, Current Events, Lifework, Personal Power, Time

December 30, 2021

2 Min Read

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30December

(This entry is part of an ongoing collection of blogs that examine the future of congregations post-COVID19. Each entry forms itself around a question looking for clarity or even answers.) I wonder who will do the necessary work of bringing congregations into the new post-COVID contexts for churches. Some possibilities… People out to pasture An interesting idiomatic expression, hmm? Horses andMORE...

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December 27, 2021

Like an older Smartphone

By Bob Sitze

In Arcania, Lifestyle, Mind/Body, Time

December 27, 2021

2 Min Read

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27December

My *elderly iPhone is showing its age. Its *battery health has been waning recently. It’s moving more slowly, not loading its featured programs as quickly. It takes longer to fully charge this sturdily useful piece of technology. As an artifact within my own elderhood, this phone may be like me in some ways—losing some energy, but still looking forward to more years of sturdy usefulness. InMORE...

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December 23, 2021

It’s (about) time!

By Bob Sitze

In Current Events, Mind/Body, Soul Searchings, Time

December 23, 2021

2 Min Read

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23December

Over the centuries, God’s people have pleaded, “How long, O Lord?” God’s answer? When *the fullness of time had come, God sent Jesus to save and rescue the world. During Christmastide, we might characterize that pleasant-sounding fullness as the result of God’s careful planning—choosing the perfect moment, when all the right conditions were in place for Messiah to arrive. The contexts surroundingMORE...

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December 20, 2021

He is rising!

By Bob Sitze

In Mind/Body, Soul Searchings, Time

December 20, 2021

2 Min Read

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20December

It’s way too early to celebrate Easter Sunday. On the other hand, if every Sunday’s worship remembers this central event in Jesus’ life, then Easter-inspired ideas and emotions could also be embedded in Yuletide celebrations. Then Christmas is also “Alleluia!” time. The evidence to the contrary seems strong right now—self-serving impulses driving the false promise of materialism; COVID’s gripMORE...

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December 16, 2021

Let’s get serious!

By Bob Sitze

In Current Events, Lifework, Personal Power, Soul Searchings, Time, Words

December 16, 2021

2 Min Read

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16December

From my vantage point, Advent’s ideals don’t suggest a whole lot of frivolity. The season’s sharp focus on present and future realities tugs at something else inside my spirit, reminding me that “celebration” may not be the highest manifestation of spirituality. Seasonal Scriptures remind me about God’s action in history and what surely is coming, perhaps soon. “Get serious” is what I hear. ThisMORE...

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December 13, 2021

Let’s get real!

By Bob Sitze

In Lifework, Soul Searchings, Time

December 13, 2021

2 Min Read

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13December

One lively feature of Advent is its attention to reality. The season’s down-to-earth emphases course through prayers, texts, hymnody and sermons. These themes, stories and invitations seem more tangible, more connected to the emotions that live inside me right now. Advent’s warnings, hopes and promises don’t mince words. I am less moved to stand or stare in wonder—that will come soon enough atMORE...

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December 10, 2021

Repurposed churches?

By Bob Sitze

In Current Events, Lifework, Relationships, Soul Searchings, Time

December 10, 2021

2 Min Read

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10December

(This entry is part of an ongoing collection of blogs that examine the future of congregations post-COVID19. Each entry forms itself around a question looking for clarity or even answers.) It may be so obvious that you might miss it: Post-COVID, our congregations will retain their place as centers for social intelligence. You may think about that fact in different terms, but what takes place inMORE...

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