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faith

When the feeling of love is lacking

April 14, 2018April 13, 2018 / Matthew Ruttan / Leave a comment

I think I’m a pretty loving person. Usually. As long as I’m well-rested, un-rushed, and not feeling overwhelmed by my life! But as soon as I’m tired, rushed, and overwhelmed, I’m a lot less loving! But even in those moments we are called to be the hands and feet of Christ to one another. Even … Continue reading When the feeling of love is lacking

The right things or the wrong things?

April 13, 2018April 12, 2018 / Matthew Ruttan / Leave a comment

We all want things. But what kinds of things do you spend your time and energy wanting? Exodus 20:17 says, “You shall not covet…” It’s a command against obsessing about things you don’t have. After all, if you keep mentally drooling after other people’s things, it undermines your belief that God can and will provide … Continue reading The right things or the wrong things?

You don’t die for a lie

April 12, 2018April 11, 2018 / Matthew Ruttan / Leave a comment

The famous mathematician and physicist Blaise Pascal said: “I [believe] those witnesses that get their throats cut.” He meant that people who are willing to die for their beliefs are more likely to be telling the truth. In other words, people don’t tend to die for a lie. People will, however, give their lives for … Continue reading You don’t die for a lie

Reasons for the resurrection

April 11, 2018April 10, 2018 / Matthew Ruttan / Leave a comment

The resurrection of Jesus is central to the Christian faith. It’s not in the outfield somewhere picking at ant hills. It’s home plate. So whether or not you take it seriously is VERY important. In fact, in 1 Corinthians 15:17 Paul said that “if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile.” Futile. So … Continue reading Reasons for the resurrection

For Humboldt

April 10, 2018April 9, 2018 / Matthew Ruttan / Leave a comment

Last Friday, a Junior hockey team in Saskatchewan, Canada called the Humboldt Broncos got into a massive bus accident. 15 people died, 13 of them were players. When I heard about it, I was shocked, and then sad—for the horror of it all, for the loss of life, and for the families and friends whose … Continue reading For Humboldt

The gold is in the giving

April 7, 2018April 6, 2018 / Matthew Ruttan / Leave a comment

I was recently talking with someone about how we live in a “consumer culture,” and about how deeply that kind of thinking has burrowed its way into our hearts and minds. It’s hard to escape. We consume. Products, plastics, food, ideas, even people sometimes. We spend our days being battered by advertisements and promotions which … Continue reading The gold is in the giving

Despite your circumstances

April 6, 2018April 5, 2018 / Matthew Ruttan / Leave a comment

Viktor Frankl was a psychiatrist and Holocaust survivor. In World War Two he was in a concentration camp serving voluntarily as a doctor to his fellow prisoners. Some men approached him because they thought they found a way to escape. They wanted to know if he wanted in on the plan. He thought about it… … Continue reading Despite your circumstances

For the praise of God, or the praise of others?

April 5, 2018April 4, 2018 / Matthew Ruttan / Leave a comment

Would you rather praise God or be praised by others? Let’s be honest. Getting a pat on the back feels good. I’m not knocking that. But we shouldn’t be so obsessed by the praise and approval of others that it eclipses the priority of putting God first. So here’s something you and I can do … Continue reading For the praise of God, or the praise of others?

Bystander Syndrome

April 4, 2018April 3, 2018 / Matthew Ruttan / Leave a comment

In 1964 in New York City, Kitty Genovese was attacked for 30 minutes outside her apartment building. She died as a result of the brutal assault. A police investigation revealed that there were 38 witnesses. These were people watching from their apartment windows. But not a single one called the police. Even as the attack … Continue reading Bystander Syndrome

The hope of tomorrow today

April 3, 2018April 2, 2018 / Matthew Ruttan / Leave a comment

Remember the movie Back to the Future? I think it was so popular because people loved the idea of time travel and guessing what the future would be like. Well, we don’t know much about flying cars (yet), but we actually do know what the future is going to be like. We know it because … Continue reading The hope of tomorrow today

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