Last night I sat with a group of wonderful people who were basically, a collection of misfits, walking wounded and broken pieces of humanity. And I wouldn’t have traded it for the world. Photo courtesy jennijumble I’m at the Laity Lodge writer’s retreat and I with some amazing craftsman. On one hand, they are the titans of wordsmithing. On the other, they are one messed up bunch of people. As we shared our stories, there was a common theme of shattered... Read more
I’m a great Starter. I have books with bookmarks carefully marking the last time I opened the book – months ago. I have a garage full of tiles, all measured with a new tile saw and glue. The kitchen floor still has the old lineoleum, dirty looking, torn on the edges. I have big ideas for books, articles and studies that fill notebooks. I’ve sold a million copies – in my mind. At work I have initiatives, projects and enhancements,... Read more
Is it possible that we could see the end of extreme poverty in just a generation? According to Dr. Scott Todd, of Compassion International, it is entirely possible. He listed some amazing trends: Currently, 1.4 billion people on earth live in extreme poverty, not having access to medical help, healthy food, clean water and who experience many other issues that plague those caught in poverty. But this is a number that has been cut in half since 1980! In 22... Read more
The gift of laughter is perhaps life’s most precious gift – short of life itself. The ability to turn the edges of the mouth up with a twinkle in the eye starts at the first congnitive stages of a baby’s life. She looks into your faces and waits for a sign of joy, and then she lights up. Throughout life we pay people to entertain us, we gravitate toward those who make us happy, and we find ways to sharpen... Read more
I have a busy life.Church. Writing. Teaching. Fellowship.Much of it centers around what I think are righteous, moral things.I’ve been a good neighbor. I mow my yard. I painted my peeling trim. I pull my trash cans in at night.I’ve been a good husband, kind and gracious, patient and loving.I’ve been a good father, listening and instructional, not exasperating my children.I’ve been a good worker, listening to my boss and helping my company with its goals.But the truth is that... Read more
We live in a society that needs to warn us about every danger out there. If every contingency isn’t covered, and you do something stupid, you can always sue. The Michigan Lawsuit Abuse Watch monitors how silly this can become with its Annual Wacky Warning Label Contest. The competition reveals how the lawsuits have created a need for warnings that really should be just common sense. Here are some of the winners over the years: A label on a baby... Read more
Please, share with a friend if you feel moved. Read all past issues at http://www.patheos.com/blogs/davidrupert Read more
Extreme ironing From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jump to: navigation, search The examples and perspective in this article may not represent a worldwide view of the subject. Please improve this article and discuss the issue on the talk page. (December 2010) Starch Extreme Ironing on Rivelin Needle.Rivelin Rocks, United Kingdom Extreme Ironing (or EI) is an extreme sport and a performance art in which people take an ironing board to a remote location and iron items of clothing. According to... Read more
“One man’s theology is another man’s belly laugh.”-Robert A. Heinlein I was recently reminded by an old friend of some old sins of mine — some things that I did a long time ago. In my past I’ve lied, stolen, cheated and by association, committed adultry and murder. I have lived out the consequences of those failures, admitted them and taken action to prevent a reoccurence. This is what God calls ‘repentance.’ But all of that wasn’t enough for this person.... Read more
(You can read this full post today over at The High Calling. What follows is an abbreviated version) When I was a kid, I loved Slinkys. I still do. So I was intrigued to read about the inventor, Richard James. It was the waning months of World War II and he was working on a power monitor meter for a naval battleship. One of the tension springs he was fitting accidentally fell to the ground. It bounced, righted itself, and then began to... Read more
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