More is the New Less

Last updated on: September 5, 2012 at 5:32 am By David Rupert

There’s one word that marks my life. It’s the word, “no.” Trying to live the disciplined life is a constant struggle that primarily centers around denial. It’s the method taught to me for decades first from my parents, later from the pulpit, and then from family members mesmerized by the lure of legalism. The true mark of obedience, as the thinking goes, is to simply say “no.” With any diet, you’ll find a whole list of no-nos. Less transfats means cutting... Read more

Guest Post: Jody Collins, “My First Job”

Last updated on: September 3, 2012 at 5:54 am By David Rupert

Jody Collins is guest posting today, on this Labor Day. She is giving her memories on her first job. Jody blogs at Three Way Light. She’s a retired teacher and married for 39 years, so she has scads of experience in wisdom. I was born and raised in Southern California, and for many years lived within fireworks-watching-distance of Disneyland.The summer I was 15-going-on-16, (the oldest of 5 children), my mother became a single parent. It was 1968; she was barely... Read more

Speeding past the scenic overlook

Last updated on: August 31, 2012 at 5:00 am By David Rupert

Like many of you, I’m generally right on the edge for getting to work. I sit down at my desk with little time to spare. Mornings speed by too quickly and I make a beeline to the office.For years now, I’ve driven right past an exit marked, “scenic overlook.” I’ve never really been concerned about what I was missing, after all, there are places to go and precious little time to get there. But one day, I was actually a early... Read more

I walk the road

Last updated on: August 27, 2012 at 5:27 am By David Rupert

The long, winding road toward eternity is often filled with potholes and pitfalls, disappointment and despair. It’s fraught with unmet promises, unfaithful friends, and sadness. But not every step in the journey is difficult. In fact, most are light and easy and joyous. But when the road narrows and the fear creeps in, suddenly you wonder. “Should I turn back.” There’s still a distant light that beckons me The road can be a lonely one. Friends will disappoint. Lifetime partners can abandon... Read more

“As long as you’re happy” and other lies

Last updated on: August 22, 2012 at 6:27 am By David Rupert

I must confess that I have an aversion to the term, “pursuit of happiness” and I bristle when people use it to justify their behavior. Happiness, although thrown into the Bill of Rights by Thomas Jefferson, is not really a Christian imperative. We act like it is – using it as an excuse to leave a spouse, to buy unnecessary possessions,or to gorge ourselves at the buffet line of life. I am a “happy” person – and I consider my outlook... Read more

Critic’s Choice

Last updated on: August 20, 2012 at 5:39 am By David Rupert

We live in a cynical world. Just look at the level of snarkiness, distrust and complaint at every level. The political stage is ugly, but it doesn’t stop there. The online world is full of anonymous typists who spill destructive words by the millions. I’ve received a few myself. Civility is a lost quality, as people push in front of others in lines, zip from lane to lane on freeways, and freely curse complete strangers. I have worked with a self-appointed critic, a... Read more

Just Give Me a Sign

Last updated on: August 16, 2012 at 5:24 am By David Rupert

I stood in the deepening dark of the night. The moon was nowhere to be seen. A thousand stars – maybe more, blinked in chaotic poetry. I had to absorb the news of the day – of a lifetime. Swirling in my head, there were no answers. Just questions. That awful question. Why? I needed clear guidance, and not finely parsed words. I didn’t want nuance, or philosophy. I wasn’t interested in theology. I’ve sat through a thousand sermons and... Read more

All this work, for nothing

Last updated on: August 14, 2012 at 5:41 am By David Rupert

The Olympics are filled great success stories of athletes who gave their whole efforts to represent a nation in athletic pursuit. The winners are wrapped in flags and doused with hugs and kisses, tears and smiles. Most were humbly gratified, amazed at the moment. But no one lavishes the loser, the one disqualified from the race. This year’s Olympians saw athletes disqualified over throwing matches, played poorly on purpose to secure a more favorable position. There was a judo player... Read more

On Being Found

Last updated on: August 10, 2012 at 5:35 am By David Rupert

On Wednesday, I wrote about my adventures with Hide and Seek. Being “it” was thrilling at first, until you weren’t found. And then panic and fear would set in. Some, spend their whole lives getting lost, soaking in the familiar waters of isolation. It’s a world I don’t understand. Lyla Lindquist is one of the most insightful writers I know, and she regularly writes at A Different Story. She had a different recollection of getting lost. Recently she wrote about losing... Read more

Isaiah 58:9-12

Last updated on: August 8, 2012 at 8:02 am By David Rupert

Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.“If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk, 10 and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday. 11 The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy... Read more