Feeling Guilty About the Hours You Work?

Last updated on: July 12, 2012 at 1:56 pm By David Rupert

Ever wonder what’s the right balance between work, family, church and personal time? You’re not alone. One trend from the current economic downturn is that we are working longer hours. Companies are hiring less, choosing to demand more from their current employees. And that often creates a crisis at home, with family time limited and self-development challenged. The ever-thoughtful Tim Challis explores the complicated balance of fulfilling the number of hours required to earn a living and spending time with... Read more

Guest Post: Sam Van Eman: “Don’t Whistle While You Work.”

Last updated on: July 11, 2012 at 5:30 am By David Rupert

The delightful Sam Van Eman is a kindred spirit of mine. He is the author of On Earth As It Is In Heaven, is an editor at The High Calling, and blogs at New Breed of Advertisers. He has a unique combination of wit, compassion and zeal. Love this piece that he shared here.I banged on the insulated door but had known as soon as the latch clicked behind me that I’d have to get out of the refrigerator another... Read more

Guest Post: Sandra Heska King, “You Can Dish It Out”

Last updated on: July 9, 2012 at 5:36 am By David Rupert

I hope you have been enjoying these “First Job” posts this month. Today, writer, photographer and poet Sandra Heska King tells us about her first job, working as a waitress. Her web site, Sandra Heska King, is always a delightful smorgasorg. Her moniker is creative. “Inspirational Writer and Deep See Diver.” You Can Dish It Out, But… My grandparents owned a small restaurant called the Airport Grill in Waters, an eye blink of a town a couple miles up the road.... Read more

Guest Post: Charity Singleton, “When It’s Wrong, It’s Wrong.”

Last updated on: July 6, 2012 at 5:05 am By David Rupert

This month, I’ve felt like a top 40 radio station. The hits just keep coming. Great writers, sharing their memories on this site. What a pleasure it has been. Catch up on all the previous posts, linked just to the right of this. Today, I’m happy to bring Charity Singleton, who writes over at Wide Open Spaces. Spend a few minutes over at her site and you’ll know she has keep insight, a tender heart toward those in the world,... Read more

Guest Post: Leslie Rowe, “Shakin it Up”

Last updated on: July 5, 2012 at 5:15 am By David Rupert

Leslie Rowe is a writer from Sarasota, FL, who works at Great Words. I first read her piece at Bible Dude on her Journey to the Lost Things in Life and was blown away at the insight. Were honored that she shared here, and I encourage you to visit her site at leslierowe.com. My mom hired me to iron. I don’t count that as my first job. I hate ironing to this day and I’m sure it has something to... Read more

Guest Post: Diana R.G. Trautwein

Last updated on: July 2, 2012 at 5:34 am By David Rupert

I first meet Diana Trautwein at Laity Lodge and found her to be a warm,wise and genuine woman. She blogs over at Just Wondering, where she reflects on retirement, photography and continued learning.Window Coverings, Riding the Bus & Growing Upby Diana R.G. TrautweinI’ve had a lot of different jobs in my life – babysitter, lawn-waterer, house-tender, school teacher, stay-at-home-mom, administrative assistant, florist, teaching assistant, staff pastor, curriculum writer and spiritual director. But the year I turned 15, I got my... Read more

When there are no answers

Last updated on: June 30, 2012 at 6:00 am By David Rupert

There are times in everyone’s life when things just happen and you can’t do a thing about it. Like when you slip on an icy sidewalk and everything flings out of your hands while you fall flat on your back. Or when the car spins out in front of you and you can’t maneuver around it. Or when you stand at the edge of the emotional tsunami, mouth wide open and arms pushed forward in hapless defense. Some things you cannot fight. Some... Read more

Fire on the Mountain

Last updated on: June 28, 2012 at 7:43 am By David Rupert

My eyes hadn’t even opened and yet, with the first breath of the day, I knew something was wrong. The acrid smell was smoke, infiltrating the air like a distant campfire. But this was no toasty occasion for s’mores and laughter around dancing flame. The mountain was on fire. And the city next to it. Whipped by dry winds that carry no clouds, the rain-starved land bowed in surrender to the advancing flame. It’s not the first fire, and it won’t be the last. Almost... Read more

Guest Post: Simply Darlene, “Working at Home is a Job, Too!”

Last updated on: June 27, 2012 at 5:55 am By David Rupert

This month we have had great posts from writing friends far and wide. Go back and catch up on all of them, as they reflect on “What I Learned From My First Job.” Today, Simply Darlene tells us about her first job — helping out at home. If you don’t know Darlene, you should. She takes photos, writes and reflects at Simply Darlene with the tagline, “Just a simple country girl trying to make it God’s big ole world.” Care... Read more

Guest Post: Nancy Franson, “Double Pepperoni”

Last updated on: June 25, 2012 at 5:30 am By David Rupert

We are continuing our series of, “What I learned From My First Summer Job.” Today, we are in for a treat. Nancy Franson blogs at Out of My Alleged Mind. She sees a world that needs a little laughter, and she does so with style,wit and poignant spiritual application. Here’s her terrific piece about her job at the pizza palace. A Cultural Shock“Hope you’re keeping cool in here,” I said as the teen girl handed my dry cleaning over the counter.... Read more