I’d like to suggest something as we approach Advent and Christmas. It’s to make your faith visible. I don’t just mean with words and deeds—although that is very important too. What I mean is including visible faith-based objects in your celebrations. What about a nativity scene? Or an Advent wreath? What about putting up a … Continue reading Standing out and standing firm
Author: Matthew Ruttan
Introducing NIGBY-ism
Sometimes it’s hard to know what to do; it can be hard to know what will honour God, especially if you’re wrestling with a decision with no easy answer, or a situation with no simple solution. But sometimes it is. Like picking up some garbage. I know, I know: That suggestion doesn’t sound very “fancy” … Continue reading Introducing NIGBY-ism
God’s grip on you—kind of like a sleepwalking rope
No matter how often we’re told otherwise, it’s easy to slip back into the thinking that God only loves us if we do a really, really good job of loving him back. All the time. ‘If we’re really bad,’ we think, ‘he won’t forgive us.’ ‘If we miss the mark, have an off day (or … Continue reading God’s grip on you—kind of like a sleepwalking rope
Since God hasn’t given up on the world
Someone wrote to a denominational magazine and asked, “Why are there so few sermons in our churches on the Second Coming? Is this part of our belief or not?” The wise “answer person” replied this way: “Not all Christians think alike on matters of theology, but it would be hard for someone to feel at … Continue reading Since God hasn’t given up on the world
Take the word with you
Today I’d like to offer a very practical, super-simple, down-to-earth, easy-peasy, knock-it-out-of-the-park idea: Take your Bible with you. Let me explain. Followers of Jesus think the Bible is very important. It’s the primary place where we learn about God’s will and wisdom for our lives. Many of us hold the conviction—as I hope you do—that … Continue reading Take the word with you
A FROG in your heart
I was visiting a woman in a nursing home. She has aches and pains. She’s had more than her share of heartache. Through it all she’s had an enduring faith in Jesus. On this particular visit, she told me her outlook on life: F.R.O.G. Um, pardon? Then she explained it: “Through every stage of life … Continue reading A FROG in your heart
It’s not imposing, it’s loving
To the Colossians, Paul wrote: “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone” (Colossians 4:6). Keep that in mind for a moment. There’s a story about a man who went to India and struck up a friendship with a woman. She had never … Continue reading It’s not imposing, it’s loving
The dangers of the ‘prosperity gospel’
Some people think that if you believe in God, your life will always prosper in a very material way. You’ll always have success, abundance, a plump bank account, a clean bill of health, clear skies, and a lack of hardship. This thinking comes in a variety of forms, sometimes called the “prosperity gospel.” But it’s … Continue reading The dangers of the ‘prosperity gospel’
Head held high in hope
The. World. As. We. Know. It. Will. End. Did you know that? These days, we mostly hear about end-of-the-world speculation in Hollywood movies. Remember Armageddon starring Bruce Willis? Apparently, a lot of people also ask their smartphones about it. Someone asked Siri, “When will the world end?” Here’s what she said: “Whenever they start building … Continue reading Head held high in hope
Pretending to be perfect
Today I’d like to ask you this: If you’re going through something really tough, have you talked to someone about it? Talking to someone about your situation can be hard. It can be difficult to verbalize your feelings. Or maybe you doubt if it will do any good. But one of the reasons I think … Continue reading Pretending to be perfect
