The Trojan Horse was a wooden horse which concealed Greek soldiers. After the horse was taken within the gates of Troy, the soldiers emerged under the cover of night to lead an ambush on their unsuspecting Trojan foes. Today, when someone calls something “a Trojan horse,” they are referring to hidden strategy to take down … Continue reading The Trojan screen
Author: Matthew Ruttan
Some are okay; many are not
Everyone isn’t in the same “place” as you are. That statement is true physically, but also mentally. We are scattered all over the geographical map. But we are also experiencing different stresses, strains and emotions right now. I think that’s just good to remember. Why? Because it changes our behaviour toward others. At the start … Continue reading Some are okay; many are not
One set of footprints—for when you fail
There’s a famous poem called Footprints in the Sand.* Someone has a dream and is walking along the beach with the Lord. Scenes from their life flash across the sky. The person looks back at their footprints and notices that during sadness there are only one set of footprints. The dreamer concludes that the Lord … Continue reading One set of footprints—for when you fail
Praying out loud
“Praying is just so hard.”“I always lose my focus.”“I don’t know what to say.” As a child of God there are times when praying is easy. There are also times, perhaps, when it’s not. In The Up Devotional I often provide you with ideas that I think are practical and down-to-earth. They are intended to … Continue reading Praying out loud
A God greater than our senses
When I’m going through something difficult—whether it be a period of anxiety, worry about a particular situation, or a global pandemic—I find it deeply reassuring to reflect upon the character of our God. He is bigger than our situation. He is bigger than our perspective. And he is bigger than our senses. And that, my … Continue reading A God greater than our senses
What do you need the most?
In an impoverished village in India, a missionary and his co-workers were trying to improve the living conditions of the locals, including securing clean drinking water. Through an interpreter he asked a young girl a question: “What do you need the most?” She was about nine or ten years old, covered in dirt, and didn’t … Continue reading What do you need the most?
Glad and sincere hearts
There is something very attractive and very compelling about true goodness and godliness in action. Consider this picture of the church in Acts 2:46-47: “They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number … Continue reading Glad and sincere hearts
Walking in the presence of God, then and now
Consider this scene between the risen Jesus and the two disciples on the road to Emmaus: “When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. They asked … Continue reading Walking in the presence of God, then and now
Not what you have, but who
A lot of people are dis-content. They are always searching. They are never satisfied. They are never at peace. As a result, they try to fill their void with various things or experiences. Some people think that if they only gain the approval of others and get others to like them, then maybe, just maybe, … Continue reading Not what you have, but who
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. This can be especially hard … Continue reading Not just what you say, but how
