Time

September 4, 2023

Time may be growing shorter

By Bob Sitze

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

September 4, 2023

2 Min Read

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04September

Another birthday’s edging this way, and once again I’ve noticed the small voice inside of me that marks the scope of my life. Unlike when I was younger, I’m not looking at a faraway horizon, an unimaginable ending. (I’m not anticipating my immediate demise, either.) These thoughts are somewhere in-between—more like measuring the present against the backdrop of time writ large. My lifespan as aMORE...

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August 3, 2023

What’s there to love?

By Bob Sitze

In Lifestyle, Personal Power, Time

August 3, 2023

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03August

Happily so, several older adults in our church have found new love—friendships, marriages—to replace the possible isolation of divorce, a spouse’s death or illness. At a stage in life when it might seem unlikely, love re-emerges as a wonderful part of their lives. I’m glad for them, and also wonder, “What’s there to love?” That question is not necessarily out-of-hand. In today’s hyper-sexualizedMORE...

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April 3, 2023

Good Fridays ahead

By Bob Sitze

In Current Events, Lifestyle, Soul Searchings, Time

April 3, 2023

2 Min Read

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03April

Along with Holy Cross Day (September 14), each Good Friday is a good time to contemplate the meaning of the cross in our lives. That reflection includes remembering with both sorrow and gratitude Jesus’ redemptive death by gruesome torture—nails in his wrists, thirst/hunger, exhaustion and his slow death by asphyxiation. In his suffering and dying we are granted forgiveness and salvation—aMORE...

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March 30, 2023

Maundy mandates

By Bob Sitze

In Death/Dying, Lifestyle, Soul Searchings, Time, Words

March 30, 2023

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30March

  A few days ago, I re-read the red-letter chapters (13-17) of John’s gospel. Jesus is talking with his disciples on the night of his betrayal, after the Passover meal and after Judas’ exit towards treachery. Jesus knew what was coming, so this was his last opportunity for transferring his heartfelt instructions and observations—even some *mandates—to the folks who would carry on after himMORE...

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March 27, 2023

Now what?

By Bob Sitze

In Current Events, Soul Searchings, Time

March 27, 2023

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27March

  We live in confusing times—perhaps also vexing, anxious, over-stuffed or dangerous? Two questions dog our days: “What’s going on?” And *“Now what?” (The first one’s too complex for these few lines, so let me concentrate on the second one.) In some situations, our well-being and safety hang in the balance. After divorces, accidents, economic downturns, medical emergencies, disasters orMORE...

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March 20, 2023

Frailments (Revisited)

By Bob Sitze

In Lifestyle, Mind/Body, Personal Power, Soul Searchings, Time

March 20, 2023

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20March

Previously I wrote about coming frailties, from the viewpoint of someone not-yet-there. Today a few additional observations about this eventual part of aging, from perhaps other points-of-view.   It’s probably useful to push back against imagined frailties. Giving up on God-given strengths and capabilities doesn’t feel quite right. But that might be more difficult to consider when there areMORE...

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December 26, 2022

The quiet family

By Bob Sitze

In Current Events, Lifestyle, Soul Searchings, Time

December 26, 2022

2 Min Read

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26December

Today might be a good time to start thinking about this coming Holy Family Sunday: Imagine how it might have felt for Mary and Joseph after the shepherds had headed back to their flocks. This new family was alone once again. Their makeshift maternity ward was still a stable. They were still political pawns in Rome’s bean-counting census. They were still strangers in this village far away fromMORE...

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December 15, 2022

The last time

By Bob Sitze

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

December 15, 2022

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15December

One Advent theme that doesn’t get much attention comes from the idea that we live in the last times. That the world will end, perhaps soon and perhaps suddenly. The connected thought: As we head toward the end of our lives, there will be a host of “last times”—final events, thoughts and relationships that have graced our lives. Examples: The last Christmas involving your whole family; yourMORE...

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December 5, 2022

The answer to “How long?”

By Bob Sitze

In Current Events, Time, Words

December 5, 2022

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05December

During difficult times, God’s people have repeatedly prayed, “How long, dear Lord? How long?” This plea for rescue from overwhelming circumstances has been an integral part of Jewish spirituality. That prayer may have applied to us, too. Especially recently. It’s also an Advent theme: We await a final rescue, the defeat of enemies who have oppressed all of us. We’re bold to send Heavenward ourMORE...

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November 28, 2022

Signs and wonders

By Bob Sitze

In Arcania, Current Events, Time

November 28, 2022

2 Min Read

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28November

The Advent lectionary sometimes includes Jesus’ comment about signs and wonders that will announce his Second Coming. (See Matthew 24 as an example.) Those omens will include natural disasters as well as human-caused catastrophes. These dark, foreboding omens signal world-ending events God’s people might expect. Today I offer a slightly contrarian view: That some of our contemporary signs andMORE...

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