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Month: May 2017

The art of slowing down

May 17, 2017May 16, 2017 / Matthew Ruttan / 1 Comment

When you drive through a construction zone you’re bound to see this sign: “Slow Down” But what if instead of referring to the speed of your vehicle it was referring to the speed of your life? What if it was a message from God? 'Hey you, yes YOU: Slow Down.' The problem with speed, hyper-busyness … Continue reading The art of slowing down

They’re standing on YOUR shoulders

May 16, 2017May 15, 2017 / Matthew Ruttan / Leave a comment

It’s an expression many of us have used: “Standing on the shoulders of giants.” It means that someone has benefited from the knowledge or strength of someone who has gone before. And they are simply building on that. Well, I think that you are also standing on the shoulders of giants. People before you have spent … Continue reading They’re standing on YOUR shoulders

What can SOMEONE ELSE get out of this?

May 13, 2017May 11, 2017 / Matthew Ruttan / Leave a comment

A shift in perspective can solve a gridlocked problem. A shift in perspective can lift the soul. A shift in perspective can reveal an answer hidden for years. Yup, a shift in perspective can change things. So today I’d like to offer you a shift in perspective that I think honours God and leads you … Continue reading What can SOMEONE ELSE get out of this?

Deeper and more destructive with time

May 12, 2017May 11, 2017 / Matthew Ruttan / Leave a comment

When I lived in Toronto I marveled at how many statues there were. They were things like warriors riding on horses or heroes from a previous age. From a distance they always looked impressive. But the closer you got, the more cracks you saw. There were fault lines and chips and discoloration. Isn’t that like … Continue reading Deeper and more destructive with time

When strikeouts aren’t strikeouts

May 11, 2017May 10, 2017 / Matthew Ruttan / Leave a comment

I’ve been thinking about baseball lately. Maybe it’s because the weather is getting warmer and my son is about the start little league! Consider this. A decent batting average in the major leagues is .250. That means you consistently get a hit one out of every four times you go to the plate. If you … Continue reading When strikeouts aren’t strikeouts

Baseball, bullfights, or both?

May 10, 2017May 9, 2017 / Matthew Ruttan / Leave a comment

Two groups of people participated in an experiment. The first was a bunch of Americans who had never been to Mexico. The second was a group of Mexicans who had never been to America. The researchers asked everyone to look into some binoculars. But they weren’t normal binoculars. At the end of one lens was … Continue reading Baseball, bullfights, or both?

You are someone’s missing piece

May 9, 2017May 8, 2017 / Matthew Ruttan / Leave a comment

In 1 Corinthians 12:27 the apostle Paul says, “Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” This idea that the church is the “body of Christ” is pretty well-known. In fact, when people say that Jesus is the “head” (boss and brains) of the church, and … Continue reading You are someone’s missing piece

Recycle your pain

May 6, 2017May 5, 2017 / Matthew Ruttan / 2 Comments

I don’t think I’ve met a single person who hasn’t had challenges in their life. Sure, some challenges seem bigger than others. Some people have had children die or been sexually abused or experienced other kids of trauma. But any kind of difficulty—no matter the “size”—can change your life forever. When we’ve gone through something … Continue reading Recycle your pain

Dear You

May 5, 2017May 4, 2017 / Matthew Ruttan / Leave a comment

Recently I was reading Psalm 139:14 where it says, “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made…” I’ve read a lot about this verse. Different scholars say different things. But in and through it all are a few firm facts of modern life: That sometimes you need to acknowledge the dark difficulty of … Continue reading Dear You

Make yourself UNcomfortable

May 4, 2017May 3, 2017 / Matthew Ruttan / Leave a comment

I’m sitting here in a comfortable chair. I’m drinking a flavoured coffee in comfortable clothes. I’m… comfortable! Then I open my Bible and read about the apostles being persecuted for their faith. In Acts 5 they get brought before a tribunal called the Sanhedrin and are ordered to stop teaching in Jesus’ name. The apostles … Continue reading Make yourself UNcomfortable

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