Entries in this category probe deeper thoughts about old age. Spirituality, self-image, relationships, hopes and yearnings — all the stuff of self-talk and core meaning for people who are older.
I’m not sure, but this year’s annual celebration of Black History Month has felt different. “Persuasive”, “humbling” and “evocative” come to mind, too. Certainly informative and necessary.. A few weeks ago, President Biden voiced one reason for his hope in this country’s future: “Have you seen the TV commercials?” he asked. “All the racially diverse couples?” After he made that observation, I sawMORE...
1 Individualism took a hit in Texas this past week. Alongside the punishing circumstances of power outages and bursting water pipes was the realization that disregard for the common good eventually hurts everyone. Even those who thought of themselves as rugged or self-sufficient were brought to their knees—a distressing posture when your power is out and your knees are deep in freezing waterMORE...
After months of deleting unwanted e-mail messages and texts—like swatting at gnats while walking through a swamp—I recently decided to start removing myself from both the swamp and the gnats. The folks sending me information have been gracious in removing me from their mailing list. Because I spent much of my professional life distributing what I hoped was useful information to congregationalMORE...
1Tepid 2Torpor I’m not sure what comes first: 3isolation, boredom or apathy. I am fairly certain, though, that all three have been working together to lull me into something close to torpor: a physiological condition best described as prolonged inactivity. Mostly I’m not a 4torporous guy. With Chris, I walk or exercise every day. Zoom-enabled worship and Bible study are part of my life. I keep upMORE...
Sometimes it makes sense to let someone else do the writing—in this case, someone from almost 400 years ago. His name was Martin Rinckart, a Lutheran musician/pastor in Eilenburg, Germany. This fortress town was a haven for refugees from the Thirty Years War that raged during Rinckart’s entire career. It didn’t take long for famine, disease and war to take their toll on the population. When heMORE...
It may be too soon, but I’m ready to greet–and continue–each new day with deep-breathing—not holding my breath until I check news feeds or e-mail from overnight. Real breathing, too, not the short inhaling and exhaling that’s a sign of anxiety or stress. What kind of breathing? Deep, slow respiration that exchanges oxygen for CO2. Breathing that replenishes every cell in my body andMORE...
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...
One of the truisms of my life is that I can learn from the past. When it’s my own history, I rely on my memories to influence my decisions about present and future moments. That may not always be enough guidance, though. As a post-pandemic world emerges—and I want to cast out in new directions, adjusting to present circumstances in a new way—I will need sources other than my own perhaps-limitedMORE...
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.