Frederick Buechner was upset about his daughter’s illness. If you’ve ever worried about a sick child maybe you can relate to that gut-wrenching reality. He was sitting at the side of the road parked in his car depressed and afraid. All of a sudden, another car came up from behind him as if out of nowhere … Continue reading A licence plate or a message from God?
Author: Matthew Ruttan
The Triangle of Discernment
Have you ever asked God for sign? After all, life overflows with difficult decisions, ambiguous pathways, and sundry uncertainties. That’s why asking God for some kind of clarity or confirmation can be so enticing! There’s good news: God has already given us direction about how to clarify his will for our lives. Let me suggest … Continue reading The Triangle of Discernment
The furniture of our lives
This is what Jesus says in Matthew 6:19-21: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth... But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven... For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Recently I was reading a word by John Chrysostom that is over 1600 years old. It’s a beautiful commentary on … Continue reading The furniture of our lives
An accurate view of yourself
Some people have too HIGH a view of themselves. They think they’re always right and others are always wrong. They think it’s a privilege for you just to be in their presence. They think they’re the best thing since sliced bread. Others have a too LOW a view of themselves. They think they’re good for … Continue reading An accurate view of yourself
A willing spirit
In Psalm 51:10 David asks God to renew him. Then in verse 12 (CSB) he says, “sustain me by giving me a willing spirit.” The idea of a "willing spirit" resonates with me because it’s something I also want… especially on those days when my spirit is stubbornly UN-willing! An UN-willing spirit neglects God, neglects … Continue reading A willing spirit
Your elders
Let me suggest something that is a part of your faith—but you’ve maybe never thought of it that way: Respecting your elders. An ancient law in Leviticus 19:32 says, “Stand up in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God.” It easy to lose sight of this kind of … Continue reading Your elders
The pleasure button
Hi everyone! As many of you know, I’ve been on vacation. And after a two-week break the Up! devotional is back! On this last Monday in August let me share a thought: Dr. Robert Galbraith Heath did some research on human behaviour. Electrodes were placed on areas of patients’ brains. When a button was pushed, … Continue reading The pleasure button
How to handcuff the present
I’m no stranger to nostalgia. I like looking back and remembering the good ole days. But is there a point when looking back too much is harmful? I believe that if you glorify the past you handcuff the present. In other words, if you put too much stock in what has happened in the past, … Continue reading How to handcuff the present
Your soldiers for the battle
Why have many of us bought the lie that life is supposed to be easy? Maybe it's tempting to believe all the shiny, happy people in the TV commercials. But no. Life is a... Battle. In this country, 1 in 4 are "very stressed" at work. 1 in 8 families struggle to put food on … Continue reading Your soldiers for the battle
When you feel defeated
I think there can be a darkness within each one of us that loves to reach up, take hold of our confidence, and pull it down into an abyss of self-pity. You know the days. The bad thoughts or feelings start to steamroll. It’s the opposite of positive momentum. You feel deflated. Then you catch … Continue reading When you feel defeated
