What Santa School Can Teach Me About God

Last updated on: December 1, 2012 at 7:00 am By David Rupert

If you have any aspirations about donning a suit and a beard and playing Santa, you might want to think about some proper training. Who knew? The Charles W. Hard Santa Claus School in Midland, Michigan is the nation’s oldest — and best — at putting the ho-ho-ho in the heart of would-be Santas. For 75 years they have been teaching the tricks of the trade. And apparently, business is booming. With 8 percent unemployment, the Santa gig is good work for a least a few months. The tuition is... Read more

Don’t be a Stranger to Danger

Last updated on: November 27, 2012 at 7:00 am By David Rupert

It looked bad, as he clutched his wrist and grimaced in pain. Joshua,was just 11, and he was all boy. He had been stunt-jumping on his bicycle and had “biffed it,” adolescent talk for “had a major accident and lived to tell.” This was a familiar path we trod to the Emergency Room. I don’t how many, but it was at least 10. And we even had a nurse in the house to mitigate some of the emergencies, but still... Read more

Thanksgiving for Those Who Have Lost

Last updated on: November 21, 2012 at 7:00 am By David Rupert

You don’t reach midlife without loss — the loss of a loved one, a friend, a job, a few more follicles each morning. But it’s not so bad. Loss is a necessary ingredient in life. Usually, we’ve had to give up something to receive something else. Throughout life, I’ve given up cherished things so I could move ahead financially, mentally, or spiritually. I’ve quit jobs, relocated to different towns, and found different circles of friends. I wasn’t always happy to renounce these things. I’m quick to thank God for the... Read more

What to do when you feel like you are in a losing battle

Last updated on: November 19, 2012 at 7:15 am By David Rupert

Do you think that your identity is being sucked away by the culture? Do you hurt for a world that is set up to fail, and you don’t see any answers? Then read on...Estonia is an country in the Baltic region that for much of it’s history has actually been part of someone else. The list of occupiers is a long one, as they were pawns in power struggles between Vikings, Swedes, Normans, Germanics, and a host of others. During World... Read more

Justice

Last updated on: November 15, 2012 at 3:50 pm By David Rupert

Isaiah 58:10 New International Version (NIV) 10 and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,<sup value='(A)’>then your light<sup value='(B)’> will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday. Read more

Last updated on: November 15, 2012 at 12:59 pm By David Rupert

Where Does Success Come From? by David Rupert I remember my first raise. I was working as a busboy and I got a bump in pay from $2.10 an hour to $2.20 an hour. It was a merit raise, given to me from my boss for a job well done. I was riding high, and my ever-wet rag wiped tables with new enthusiasm. God didn’t get any praise that day. In my mind, I worked hard and I deserved that raise.... Read more

Till Death Do Us Part: Is Retirement an Option Anymore?

Last updated on: November 13, 2012 at 6:49 am By David Rupert

“Linda?” She heard my surprise as I approached her behind the counter at the locally-owned fast food restaurant. This was the same white-haired woman from my church with the smile that matched her oversized glasses, the lady who handed out bulletins and fussed over the communion cups and smoothed the curtains in the sanctuary after the wind tousled them. Here she was with her trademark infectious, enthusiastic spirit, only now she was asking people what they wanted for lunch. I stumbled... Read more

I wonder while I wander

Last updated on: November 8, 2012 at 6:44 am By David Rupert

I wasn’t happy about having to walk to work. But the family was short a car and the schedules just didn’t match up. It was that big of a deal, as the office was just a mile and half away. I needed the exercise and on a crisp fall morning, there was really no excuse. My grumbling spirit soon gave way to amazement. Suddenly, my eyes were open. I saw so many things at three miles an hour I would have... Read more

Think on these things

Last updated on: November 5, 2012 at 12:05 pm By David Rupert

If you watch political ads for long, you’ll start to take on a cynical view of this world. You’ll find that the skies will seem a little darker. You’ll trust your neighbors a little less. Your idea of the future will be decidedly negative. Monarch Butterfly, Photo by D. Rupert The foreboding figures that are presented seem to be more out of a Hitchcock movie than reality. Both sides are much better at painting the other side in ugly shades rather... Read more

Looking for the story in the moral

Last updated on: November 4, 2012 at 9:43 pm By David Rupert

Please, share with a friend if you feel moved. Read all past issues at http://www.patheos.com/blogs/davidrupert Read more