I’m not religious, but I’m certainly not spiritual either

Last updated on: January 20, 2010 at 9:20 pm By David Rupert

Have you noticed how acceptable the “spiritual” label is in today’s culture? “I’m not religious, but I am spiritual,” tumbles out of people’s mouths and others nod in serious-looking agreement. It’s very cool to be spiritual – taking long walks on Sunday mornings, burning bohemian scents in your living room, or connecting to unseen planetary energy. And spiritual people have awesome pets. Spiritual people love the stars and the stillness of night, and yet never wonder about what or Who... Read more

There’s no such thing as “all of a sudden”

Last updated on: January 17, 2010 at 6:42 pm By David Rupert

When personal tragedy hits, we often are shocked to the core. Where did that come from? When we are hit with a failed relationship or a big bill or the loss of a job, we go into a nerve-rattling state of unbelief. Who could have seen that one coming? But the truth of the matter is that there really is no such thing as “all of sudden.” When we objectively look back at our past, we can see the missteps,... Read more

Responding to disaster

Last updated on: January 14, 2010 at 12:39 pm By David Rupert

What is the proper “Christian response” to disaster? As Red Letter Believers, those who strive to believe, follow and live the words of Christ, how should we react to tragedy in different countries.? 50 years ago it would have taken a few days for us to hear about such things. 100 years ago it would have taken weeks. And the churches response was naturally slow and laborious. But today, we get the news instantly as the images are played on... Read more

Coming Clean: Mark McGwire admits he cheated

Last updated on: January 11, 2010 at 5:49 pm By David Rupert

Even if you aren’t a baseball fan, you still need to read this. Mark McGwire, the big first baseman who played St. Louis Cardinals and Oakland Athletics revealed a secret that he has kept to himself for 11 long years. He cheated. Image by Getty Images via Daylife In 1998, McGwire broke Roger Maris‘s single season home run record by clubbing 70 round-trippers. Today, he admitted that he did so while on steroids, enhancing his performance. McGwire retired in 2001... Read more

Fault Lines

Last updated on: January 10, 2010 at 8:09 pm By David Rupert

Image by sevenblock via Flickr Earthquakes come suddenly and without warning. Scientists with all of their sophisticated equipment still can’t predict when one will occur. They only know that earthquakes will hit at some point but they can’t say when. A couple of big California earthquakes reminded us of this fact last week.And like earthquakes, so is life. “Life happens.” We can expect to have our fair share of pain and anguish because that’s just part of the equation. But... Read more

Christian party poopers

Last updated on: January 6, 2010 at 8:21 pm By David Rupert

‘One man’s theology is another man’s belly laugh.’-Robert A. Heinlein There far too many dour – yet sincere – Christians, who only know the life of sorrow and penitence. They are permanently prostate –– repenting of unknown sins, confessing long-forgiven attitudes and humbled because of their own humanity. Red Letter Believers are people who know how to celebrate. Jesus says to you, ‘Get up! I have come to give you joy. I have come to give life — in abundance.’... Read more

Were you born for this?

Last updated on: January 3, 2010 at 5:40 pm By David Rupert

What if you could not only witness the miraculous, but because of your obedience, could actually help to make it happen? I’m about 3/4 of the way the Bruce Wilkinson book, “You Were Born for This.” Wilkinson, of “Prayer of Jabez” fame, writes in ways that force you to think outside of your own personal Christian experience and to ‘push God’s limits,’ so to speak. The premise in this book is that as Christians, we are often too content to... Read more

RLB on Facebook

Last updated on: January 2, 2010 at 5:01 pm By David Rupert

Join Red Letter Believers on Facebook Click here Please, share with a friend if you feel moved. Read all past issues at http://www.patheos.com/blogs/davidrupert Read more

The Hound of Heaven never quits, so why should I?

Last updated on: January 1, 2010 at 4:09 pm By David Rupert

Francis Thompson was a brilliant man. Born to successful parents, he first studied for the priesthood then later earned a medical degree. His mind was engaging and captivating. He could write the most beautiful verse that touched on many hearts. He was also an opium addict. You see, despite his privilege, his education and his ticket to wealth, his addiction forced him to the streets and he took to selling matches and newspapers for a living. He lived in filth... Read more

The Lights of Christmas

Last updated on: December 24, 2009 at 1:40 pm By David Rupert

Christmas is a season of bright lights. They adorn our windows and our homes. Strings of multicolored lamps festively dance on trees flashing in a thousand combinations. Some blink in reckless abandon, while others flow in majestic choreographed ballets. Some neighborhoods flash like carnivals, while others glow with peaceful serenity.For me, these millions of bulbs are blessed reminders of hope. They are unwitting participants and visual reminders of the message of Christmas. The first Christmas lights were the bright heavenly... Read more