The truth remains: Words enable or form thoughts. No words, no thoughts! This category contains Full of Years blogs that play with words. Those associated with old age, and those that add zest to living fully.
Recently our congregation said goodbye to our interim pastor, Rev. Wende West. In one of her last sermons, she approached the Gospel (Matthew 11:16-19; 28-30) in her usual fashion, digging under the obvious to find useful Good News. Here Jesus encourages us to “take my yoke upon you, and learn from me.” He also says that his yoke is easy. Hearing that idea again, I wondered, “What’s this ‘easy’MORE...
(This motto of the United States Coast Guard is an attitude and a promise that might keep us safe at this time in history.) Being prepared is a personal trait—some would say a quirk—that’s been a part of my personality since my teenage years. At the risk of overdoing this thought pattern, I try to be vigilant about matters that may suddenly require attention. What’s semper paratus look like in myMORE...
My father taught me the value of insurance. Over the years, I’ve relied on the blessed assurance that our insurance policies would continue to serve as practical and emotional backstops to most losses we might incur. Now I’m not so sure…. A few weeks ago, several major insurers pulled back from their coverages. In California, it was new home owners policies. In Florida, both auto and home ownersMORE...
As I write this, entertainment industry workers continue their strike. Threatened by economic and technological changes, they fear that their work may disappear. Legendary entertainment tycoon Barry Diller has warned that these strikes threaten to collapse the entire industry. Those stories may be good reason(s) for us to get ready for the slow changes to *entertainment as we know it. Perhaps weMORE...
This holiday offers us an opportunity to celebrate the example of national heroes, the people who we can hold up as truly great patriots. One problem, though: Some of our forebears were not saints. Thus this idea: Why not also think about truly admirable saints on this day? Unless you’re part of Roman Catholic traditions, you may not be aware of the multitude of named saints who have been part ofMORE...
Chris recently found a little pocket journal I kept when I was in 7th grade. Holding some of my early-teen immaturities, this small diary also reminded me about the ways in which someone gave me a start. Offered me an opportunity. Invested in me. Showed light on the future. That year I played left defensive end on our parish school’s touch football team, started pipe organ lessons, enteredMORE...
A few weeks ago, it struck me as linguistically correct that the people—mostly women—who take care of the many tasks associated with worship logistics are in many congregations called the Altar Guild. Some of the characteristics of Medieval guilds might also fit the skilled, knowledgeable people who make sure that all worship-related matters are done well. As I think more about it nowMORE...
Recently, the State Farm Insurance Company announced its decision to stop writing new protection policies for owners of businesses and homes in California. That got me to playing with the metaphor of “the canary in the coal mine,” an allusion to their warning coal miners about the presence of deadly gases. Because State Farm is a venerable enterprise—over 101 years old—that thought led to theseMORE...
The celebration of Pentecost may have come and gone, but its meaning and influence remain. This song comes from that Sunday’s worship at Faith Lutheran Church in Glen Ellyn, IL, whose spoken, written, musical and visual Pentecost languages revolved around the following evocative possibility. What do we usually sing about at Pentecost? How the Holy Spirit worked mightily on the hearts ofMORE...
This entry completes a series of entries about my reactions to the remarkable insights in a *new book about awe. Today: What’s the big deal, anyhow? I owe you an explanation about what lies under my perhaps-dispassionate reporting about awe and wonder. I’ll be direct: As desirable and practiced attitudes, awe and wonder may hold promise as solutions—or at least corrections—to some of theMORE...
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.