Anthony Ross was a famous Scottish priest, also known as a preacher. He had a stroke which left him wordless. For a man whose work was so closely tied to his use of words, it was a big blow. The doctor actually told Anthony that he wouldn’t be able to speak again. In response, he … Continue reading Words that build up
Author: Matthew Ruttan
Not just for your soul, but your brain
The American Bible Society conducted a survey. They found that there was a correlation between engaging with the Bible and having lower anxiety levels. This correlation exists, they said, among all Americans “but is especially evident among Gen Z.” “Young people who identified as “Bible Engaged” had an anxiety score of 3.4, while people in … Continue reading Not just for your soul, but your brain
A prayer for all Christians
“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours” (Mark 11:24). There are different types of prayers. Free-form prayers are prayers you say as the words come into your mind. There are also set prayers. These are where the words are always the … Continue reading A prayer for all Christians
The slavery of sin
An angel told Joseph something significant about Jesus’ role: “[Mary] will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). What does it mean for Jesus to save someone from their sins? Firstly, he saves us from the “consequence” … Continue reading The slavery of sin
The Messiah’s (questionable) family tree
Matthew’s Gospel begins with a genealogy. By today’s standards, that’s not a particularly exciting way to begin. Wouldn’t you rather start with something attention-grabbing? But in Jesus’ time, it would have accomplished just that. In the ancient world, a genealogy functioned somewhat like a resume. If you wanted to know what someone was really liked … Continue reading The Messiah’s (questionable) family tree
Who’s changing who?
You sometimes hear it said that as Christians we have three enemies—the world, the flesh and the Devil. The Devil is the Devil. That’s pretty clear. No ambiguity there. The “flesh” is a reference to the internal battle we experience with our own sin and temptation. The “world” is perhaps less understood than the previous … Continue reading Who’s changing who?
Friday the 13th
“Yet not one of [these sparrows] will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care” (Matthew 10:29). Today is Friday the 13th. Oh no, lookout! Some people think that Friday the thirteenth is unlucky. Why? I never knew the reason. After a quick google search it seems that there isn’t a clear answer. Today provides … Continue reading Friday the 13th
Bringing heaven home
We’ve spent some time thinking about our true citizenship. Paul says that “our citizenship is in heaven” (Philippians 3:20). That reality has implications for the lives we are leading right now. The ancient city of Philippi was a Roman colony. Rome had tonnes of people, including retired soldiers. The city was too small to support … Continue reading Bringing heaven home
A colony of heaven
Let’s begin with two ideas. I’ll explain them and then bring it all together at the end. First, speaking to fellow Christians, Paul explains that “our citizenship is in heaven” (Philippians 3:20). We may be from Canada, Cambodia or Cameroon, but if we follow Christ, our true citizenship is in heaven. Second, Eugene Peterson explains … Continue reading A colony of heaven
Whose kingdom?
Herod Antipas decapitated John the Baptist. In short, Herod married his brother’s wife, Herodias. This was contrary to biblical law. John the Baptist criticized him for it and was thrown in jail. During his birthday party, Herod made a lavish promise to his stepdaughter: “Whatever you ask I will give you, up to half my … Continue reading Whose kingdom?
