In James 1:2-3 we read: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” Wow, that’s heavy. But what is a “trial,” anyway? A trial is a difficulty we face on the path of life which, in how … Continue reading They refine you
Author: MatthewRuttan
Dirty windows
Someone shared a newspaper clipping with me.* It told about a young couple who had moved into a new home. Every so often the wife would look out the window and see her neighbour hanging her laundry out to dry. “That laundry is not very clean; she doesn’t know how to wash correctly. Perhaps she … Continue reading Dirty windows
Collateral goodness
Collateral damage is damage that is considered to be secondary or incidental. For example, if civilians are killed by a bomb that was meant to hit a military target that is sometimes called “collateral damage.” A less severe example might be getting hit with a foul ball at a baseball game. Someone might also call … Continue reading Collateral goodness
Blurry thinking
The prophet Elijah was scared. Queen Jezebel had threatened his life. As a result, he fled about 600 kilometres to a cave at Mount Horeb. “What are you doing here, Elijah?” God asked. “He replied, ‘I have been very zealous for the LORD God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and … Continue reading Blurry thinking
The God of pursuit
God said to Jonah, “Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me” (Jonah 1:2). Jonah didn’t go to Nineveh—at least not at first. He ran away and went to Tarshish (verse 3). But God didn’t throw his hands up and move on to someone else. … Continue reading The God of pursuit
Not disqualified
When we’ve made mistakes or experienced failure in the past, we can mistakenly think that we are defined by those experiences on an ongoing basis and that God has no further use for us. But as I said yesterday, God is not limited by your limitations. To think that your previous failures handcuff God’s power … Continue reading Not disqualified
Failure is never final
“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever” (Psalm 73:26). Have you ever felt like a failure? We can feel like we’ve failed when our lives are not what we had wanted them to be, or when we haven’t handled a certain relationship well, … Continue reading Failure is never final
Worth chasing or worth missing?
“I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways” (Psalm 119:15). What would you do if you were walking down the road, and all of a sudden everyone around you snapped to attention and started running after something down an adjacent street? I’m guessing that you’d be really intrigued. I’m also … Continue reading Worth chasing or worth missing?
Opportunities to connect
One of the things COVID-19 has made me appreciate—even more than before—is the importance that other people play in our faith. I miss having our church family all together at the same time. When we would go to a worship service, we would primarily worship God, of course. But we would also talk, encourage one … Continue reading Opportunities to connect
Not everything, but something
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21). Tony Campolo was doing work for an organization that does amazing things over the world, including Haiti. One night he was going into his hotel in Port-au-Prince when he was approached by three girls in their early teens. They indicated that he … Continue reading Not everything, but something
