Current Events

January 1, 2024

An old man, a baby and a two-faced god

By Bob Sitze

In Arcania, Current Events, Soul Searchings, Time

January 1, 2024

2 Min Read

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01January

When it comes to popular media’s metaphors for the turning of a year, I am presented with two familiar choices: An old man and a baby greeting January 1st together, or the ancient Roman god Janus, looking both ways. Neither symbolic representation quite matches what tugs at my spirit. The old man—Father Time?—and the unnamed baby/infant raise a critical question: Who will pass on the wisdomMORE...

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December 28, 2023

Fast away the old year passes

By Bob Sitze

In Current Events, Soul Searchings, Time

December 28, 2023

2 Min Read

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28December

2023 has zipped by quickly. This annum may go down in long-view history as out-of-place in the parade of venerable years. but I don’t see much value in marking any year of my life as undesirable or regrettable. For its duration, this year has been part of God’s gift of life. God has been active, perhaps in ways I don’t yet see. I’ve lived within the confines of this year’s seasons, and haveMORE...

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December 25, 2023

Prince of Peace?

By Bob Sitze

In Current Events, Words

December 25, 2023

2 Min Read

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25December

It sees odd that for years I’ve underestimated one name of Jesus—as Baby or as Messiah—that’s the most striking, most radical, and yet the most necessary: Prince of Peace! I might need to reassess my too-easily overlooked part of Jesus’ work. In biblical history, what king (or prince) was known primarily as a peacemaker? What I see in the Bible’s kings is exactly the opposite. Those rulers—mostMORE...

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December 21, 2023

Over the Babel sounds

By Bob Sitze

In Current Events, Soul Searchings

December 21, 2023

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21December

In his beloved hymn, It Came Upon a Midnight Clear, the 19th century pastor and hymnwriter Edmund Sears wrote that the angels sang “o’er the Babel sounds.” That short phrase strikes me as a hopeful note within the tumult of current news events and trends. (Wars, loudly ranting politicians, relentless climate change and AI’s rampaging all come to mind.) What Sears recalled was an angelic lateMORE...

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December 7, 2023

Hopeful musings

By Bob Sitze

In Current Events, Soul Searchings

December 7, 2023

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07December

Advent weather in the Northern hemisphere—darkness, cold, mixed precipitation, etc .—invites me into cozy caves of theological thought that I trust will eventually emerge as something useful. Today, two musings scrawled on the walls of this temporary hiding place: Hope and creativity, and End Times hope…. Chris and I are part of a congregation where creativity— demonstrated by pastors, staffMORE...

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November 27, 2023

A season for waiting

By Bob Sitze

In Current Events, Soul Searchings, Time

November 27, 2023

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27November

In its original manifestation—4th century CE—Advent was the time for converts to Christianity to prepare themselves for their baptisms at Epiphany. That ancient practice might be helpful as we try to wrestle with the current state of the world, and our place in it. Some personal thoughts…. Back in my halcyon days, waiting could feel like a waste—”So much to do and so little time.” IMORE...

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November 20, 2023

Numbering our days

By Bob Sitze

In Current Events, Lifestyle, Pleasure/Pain, Soul Searchings

November 20, 2023

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20November

(As this year’s calendar winds down, I hearken back to Psalm 90 , a lifelong favorite. One of its  thoughts has stayed with me all my life: “So teach us to number our days, that we might apply our hearts unto wisdom.” [KJV}  Today some thoughts about day-numbering.) As I’ve grown older, I’ve often found myself “numbering my days.” For me, that means taking stock of how time is passing, perhapsMORE...

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November 16, 2023

Thankswriting

By Bob Sitze

In Current Events, Lifestyle, Personal Power, Words

November 16, 2023

2 Min Read

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16November

One of Chicagoland’s best newspaper columnists is a guy named *Neil Steinberg. Like all good writers, he’s nimble with words. His faith, heritage and life experience have rendered him wise, empathetic and honest. His columns consistently shine light on difficult subjects, and he showers kindness on under-appreciated facets of civic life. He’s transparent about his emotions, his struggles and hisMORE...

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November 6, 2023

Staying on track

By Bob Sitze

In Current Events, Mind/Body, Soul Searchings

November 6, 2023

2 Min Read

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06November

Lately I’ve felt nudged towards thoughts and attitudes that in other times I would have called unhinged. Chaotic international and domestic events highlight supposed leaders whose pronouncements seem deranged. (For example, competing national leaders trumpet the supposed benefits of oppression and/or aggression. Incoherently angry people gather followers and legitimacy. Self-destructiveMORE...

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October 26, 2023

Off-the-rails ministry

By Bob Sitze

In Current Events, For Caregivers, Personal Power, Relationships

October 26, 2023

2 Min Read

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26October

  It’s difficult to be a pastor in normal times, but that ministry may be even harder right now: Some members and their enterprises are coming undone. Those of us who try to care for others may encounter individuals whose mental states seem to be coming off the rails. As your pastor may be experiencing, that’s tough work. What, then, can we do for our cherished leaders? A few thoughts comeMORE...

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