• Not just what you say, but how

    I’ve spoken with dozens of people looking for advice about how to speak more confidently about their faith—more specifically, to those who don’t share that same faith. Jesus is very special to us. So we want to speak of him well, and to say something that is compelling to others.… Listen ⇢

  • There is hope for you too

    After looking in the tomb where Jesus’ body had been (and not finding it), Luke 24:12 tells us that Peter “went away, wondering to himself what had happened.” The word for “wondering” could also be translated as “marveling.” He was marveling at the events. At this point in the story… Listen ⇢

  • Real hardship and real hope

    The resurrection of Jesus transformed the apostles.  Initially, they were sad and dejected after the crucifixion. They were probably also traumatized from what they had seen, and perhaps even ashamed since some of them had denied or abandoned Jesus. But then they saw him alive again. It turned them into… Listen ⇢

  • Fighting forgetfulness: God’s power then and now

    A friend of mine was clearly upset. We were classmates. He was no stranger to life’s troubles, and was also very insightful. It was as if he could perceive the meaning of things on multiple levels at the same time. He was sitting in a study carol in the library… Listen ⇢

  • Celebrating resurrection! (when you don’t feel like it)

    Last week my wife, Laura, was talking to a man in the grocery story about Easter. At the end of their conversation she said, “Happy Easter!” He replied, “I doubt it.” Listen ⇢

  • You are in good hands

    I was talking with someone who was feeling uncertain before a big operation. Fair enough. But then they met the doctor. He took extra time, explained what was going to happen in understandable terms, said he had performed this operation many times, showed that he cared, and even offered to… Listen ⇢

  • The cost of rushing

    What was the fastest thing in the world when Jesus walked the earth? It couldn’t have been a jet or car because they weren’t invented yet. So it was probably an animal or a ship. Of all the things life would surely have been, it would definitely have been… slower.… Listen ⇢

  • Are others as messed up as you?

    Being aware of your own sin can improve your relationships. I realize that might sound counter-intuitive. When we think of sin we tend to think about how it makes things worse, not better. Yes, I understand that. But those who appreciate the gravity of their own brokenness tend to be… Listen ⇢

  • True greatness

    Servant-hood lies at the heart of true greatness. What? Hold on a second. Didn’t you mean to say bravado, courage or super-sized intelligence lie at the heart of true greatness? As good as those things can be, no. Jesus’ disciples were jockeying for positions of prestige. Seeing what was going… Listen ⇢

Meet the producer, Matthew Ruttan.

Matthew is a disciple, pastor, husband, and dad of three who lives in the psalms.

The Up Devotional

Your 1-minute shot of soul espresso

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