Author: RJ Walters

I am an Independent thinking, highly functional person who is deaf and has some unique views and challenges in life. Like all of us, I am a person who is composed of all my life experiences and that is what I write about here.
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Jubilee

RJ Walters

With tomorrow being the beginning of yet another year I thought it would be appropriate to talk a little about the concept of Jubilee. Here is some info about Jubilee from Wikipedia. a Jubilee year is mentioned to occur every fifty years, in which slaves and prisoners would be freed, debts would be forgiven and the mercies of God would be particularly manifest. Jubilee was an ancient Jewish tradition. It mainly mentioned in the Old Testament in Leviticus but Jesus referred to it as the year of the Lord’s favor in Luke 4 “The Spirit of the Lord is on … Continue reading Jubilee

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Service Mentality

RJ Walters

  Matt 20:26-27 Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave Jesus certainly had the service mentality. The ultimate service was for him to take human form and come to earth for us. He showed service mentality numerous times throughout the gospels. The apostles did not understand this. But, I think maybe when he insisted on washing their feet they finally “got it” or at least a little of it. Of course a central aspect of service is humility. We Christians should never think more highly … Continue reading Service Mentality

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The Pope’s Christmas Message

RJ Walters

On this blog and in my life I try to learn the Lord’s message wherever I can find it. I am just not one to cling to one particular denominational line of thought. I found some inspiring words from Pop Benedicts Christmas message yesterday. He said “wherever an increasingly uncertain future is regarded with apprehension, even in affluent nations.” “In each of these places may the light of Christmas shine forth and encourage all people to do their part in a spirit of authentic solidarity,” “If people look only to their own interests, our world will certainly fall apart.” About … Continue reading The Pope’s Christmas Message

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About Christmas

RJ Walters

Most of the information about Christmas is found in the Gospel of Luke. Luke was probably a gentile by birth and was believe to be well educated in Greek culture. He was a physician and was probably a good friend to Paul. Luke’s account was believed to be the most accurate historically; it seems he took extra pains to be sure that everything was just right. It would be interesting to learn where he got the Christmas information. Did he get it from on of the apostle’s lips, strictly from divine inspiration, or from verbal accounts of others? We will … Continue reading About Christmas

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Be Content

RJ Walters

Today I am going to divert from the red letters to talk a little about St. Paul’s letter to the Philippians. Being content this is something we Americans never seem to be able to do! Being content means not worrying whether our neighbor has a newer car than you, or … These words were spoken by St Paul while he was imprisoned in Rome. This is kind of an unusual letter as Paul’s letter seem to go. He basically just wrote it to thank the Philippians for a gift. But it does show us some more about what he considers … Continue reading Be Content

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Hometown Boys never get respect.

RJ Walters

  Here are the red letters for today. Matt 13:53-58 When Jesus had finished these parables, he moved on from there. Coming to his hometown, he began teaching the people in their synagogue, and they were amazed. “Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?” they asked. “Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother’s name Mary, and aren’t his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? Aren’t all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?” And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, “Only in his hometown and … Continue reading Hometown Boys never get respect.

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Do What I Say

RJ Walters

Matt 7:24-27 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it … Continue reading Do What I Say

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Does Jesus know the end times?

RJ Walters

 In the last post I let my overactive imagination maybe get away from me about the end-times. This time I want to study some of the red letters that I think refer to the end times and bring up some personal questions about them. I have pulled out four sections of text that I want to discus. Matt 24:36-37  “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son,  but only the Father. Matt 16:28-17:1  I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the … Continue reading Does Jesus know the end times?

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End Times – My Version!

RJ Walters

Today I am feeling a little silly so I am going to give you my version of the end time. I’m not going to quote any Bible verses to back up what I am going to describe. I doubt I could find them even if I wanted. We all know there is quite a bit in the Bible about this topic in Matthew 24 but is seems to be pretty general and not attuned to our 21st century mind. Being “green” and a techie here is my version of the end times in a little more detail.  <<< Eerie music … Continue reading End Times – My Version!

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Are we Christians accountable on Judgment day??

RJ Walters

Here are the red letters for today’s study:  Matt 12:36-37 But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”   These word from Jesus were spoken during a heated discussion with the Pharisees but I believe they are intended for all of us. The Pharisee were part of the religious establishment at the time of Jesus. St. Paul was thought to be part of this group before his conversion. The Pharisees … Continue reading Are we Christians accountable on Judgment day??

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Whose Got it Right ??

RJ Walters

subtitle: [33,000 Christian Demoninations] Here are our red letters for today. John 17:20-21 “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.  Jesus told us that through unity, we would affect believers outside the faith by showing them the mission of Christ. He wanted us to stay in the faith as one group united together. … Continue reading Whose Got it Right ??

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Love your Enemies??

RJ Walters

 Here are the red letters I will concentrate on for today’s posting. Since I haven’t learned how to make actual red letters in WordPress yet they are actually in black. But, what the heck.   “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love … Continue reading Love your Enemies??

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A Thanksgiving Prayer

RJ Walters

Thanksgiving is tomorrow so I thought this would be the most appropriate time to share with you a prayer that I have been using the last few years. It is definitely appropriate for tomorrow but can really be used almost any day of the year. The author of the prayer is Samuel F. Pugh. He died just before Christmas 2007 at the age of 103. He spent more that 70 years of his life in Christian ministry. He was also a renowned poet and author. Let us all be truly thankful for everything we have and also aware that there … Continue reading A Thanksgiving Prayer

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An Ordinary Radical??

RJ Walters

Let me start out by telling you that this post is not about Jesus being a radical but there is definitely some truth to that statement and I will address that in a future post. I know this title is kind of confusing. Is there really such a thing as an “ordinary” radical. I don’t know but that is what Shane Clairborne calls himself. Shane is one of those few people who really seems to live out the words of Jesus Christ. Yes, he is an out-of-the-box thinker and doer who is part of an organization called “The Simple Way”. … Continue reading An Ordinary Radical??

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Christians trashing Christians??

RJ Walters

 Maybe in the blogosphere the word trashing should be replaced with snarking but that is another issue. Let’s hit this head on. If you search the words “red letter Christian” on WordPress and  other blogs you will find several sites by fellow Christians that are antagonistic to that phrase or even to the concept of using red letters. I must admit the word “trashing” might be a little strong for most of these criticisms but not all. People opposed to this concept seem to think that somehow if you concentrate on the red letters (i.e. the words of Christ)  you … Continue reading Christians trashing Christians??

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Jesus was Anti-Stuff

RJ Walters

 Ok this maybe anti-American but Jesus was definitely anti-stuff.  When Jesus sent out his disciples to spread the Word he told them to take nothing with them. They weren’t even allow to take and extra pair of sandals for their long walk and they did a lot of walking in those days! And then remember the rich man who approached Jesus to learn how to get to heaven. That ended up with Jesus telling him to sell everything he owned and give the money to the poor and then follow Jesus and his ragtag team.  Of course the rich man, … Continue reading Jesus was Anti-Stuff

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Just What is Red Letter Living?

RJ Walters

In general red letter living is just plain old Christians living but concentrating on the actual words of Jesus for the primary lessons in life.  To me some of the most significant red letters comes from the Sermon on the Mount. But, there are many other lessons that I am sure are almost as valuable. Red letter living serves three purposes: one is to thank God for His saving grace through Jesus Christ as shown by our compassion for others. The second it show us how to live while we are on this earth and how to treat each other. … Continue reading Just What is Red Letter Living?

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Why a Red Letter Living Blog?

RJ Walters

I am bringing up this blog for several reasons.  I am an evangelical Christian who doesn’t like how I am generally portrayed in the mainstream media. I admit that I am a more progressive Christian than perhaps most. I readily call myself a “bleeding heart”.  I want to let the world know that there are Christians around who believe and vote on more than one or two issues. I hope by opening this blog I can find and share views with like minded people ( and even those who are not so like minded as long as they keep the dialog civil). … Continue reading Why a Red Letter Living Blog?