Words

February 28, 2022

Putting away the Alleluias

By Bob Sitze

In Current Events, Lifework, Words

February 28, 2022

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28February

Our congregation has a Transfiguration Sunday tradition that was especially meaningful this year. It involves a large trunk placed in front of the altar for all to see. During the time for the children’s message, the kids are each given an Alleluia Page, and tasked with the job of writing or drawing their ideas about this word. They are told that during Lent we’ll not be hearing any alleluias inMORE...

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February 11, 2022

Kenosis all around?

By Bob Sitze

In Current Events, Lifestyle, Soul Searchings, Words

February 11, 2022

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11February

During Lent, one of the things we acknowledge and celebrate is Jesus’ willingness to *empty himself completely in order to take on human form. In the Greek, this is called kenosis, literally a “pouring out”. I may be stretching the point, but there seems to be a lot of this kind of behavior almost everywhere I look. People who are giving up almost everything in order to care for others, to liveMORE...

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January 28, 2022

Preserving perseveration

By Bob Sitze

In Arcania, Personal Power, Relationships, Soul Searchings, Words

January 28, 2022

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28January

Every so often I encounter someone who’s stuck on a story or viewpoint. The phenomenon is called 1perseveration, and we might mark this behavior as slightly problematic in most social settings. The tendency to revisit the same matters unceasingly can be a sign of mild cognitive decline. (One verbal clue: “Have I ever told you about the time when….?”) I’ve been around plenty of worry-proneMORE...

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January 25, 2022

Words looking for an idea

By Bob Sitze

In Mind/Body, Personal Power, Words

January 25, 2022

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25January

Does this ever happen to you: Your mind fills with words that don’t seem to have anything to attach to. Whether vocalized or unspoken, these random vocabularies don’t quite coalesce into an idea that might give them shape. So they just roam around, as though looking for a home. Added to this feeling is the possibility that, without a way for them to gather together, these words might splash andMORE...

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January 13, 2022

Dispersed and disbursed?

By Bob Sitze

In Lifestyle, Time, Words

January 13, 2022

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13January

(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.) The Church has always kept its vitality because of its capacities to draw people into the realm of God’s love, and then to send them out to preach and live that Gospel. But as an institution, the Church hasMORE...

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January 4, 2022

Palindrome people

By Bob Sitze

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

January 4, 2022

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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 16, 2021

Let’s get serious!

By Bob Sitze

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

December 16, 2021

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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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November 26, 2021

Servanthood revisited, Part 2

By Bob Sitze

In Current Events, Lifestyle, Mind/Body, Soul Searchings, Words

November 26, 2021

3 Min Read

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26November

(The following thoughts continue a three-part consideration of the theme: Christians are called to servanthood. Today, the possibility that we may be unwilling servants of those who are extraordinarily wealthy.)   It’s possible that the Church’s current usage of “servant” may be more of a widely accepted 1metaphor than an exact match to biblical roles—perhaps an idea that also calls forMORE...

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November 23, 2021

Servanthood revisited, Part 1

By Bob Sitze

In Current Events, Lifestyle, Soul Searchings, Words

November 23, 2021

2 Min Read

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23November

  (The following thoughts begin a three-part look at the theme: Servanthood among Christians. The subject may fea ture some unusual edges that are worth exploring,) This theological catch-phrase seems to have wide acceptance currently: We are called to be servants. Scriptures seem to invite that identity and it makes sense: Love your neighbor as yourself. Serve others as Jesus served. LetMORE...

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November 11, 2021

Not buying it, Mark!

By Bob Sitze

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

November 11, 2021

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11November

Hey, Mr. Z! I thought you should know that I’m not buying into what your new Meta proposes, or what you’re trying to sell. Here’s the deal…. Your other enterprises have always felt like traps to me—seemingly innocent entertainments with seeming social benefits that may also be clever ways to insinuate your way into people’s  decisions, life purposes and identities. Meta feels the same way. IMORE...

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