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love

Good kinds of hurt?

March 22, 2021March 18, 2021 / MatthewRuttan / Leave a comment

This might sound strange, but there are good kinds of hurt. Obviously, not all hurt is good, but some of it can be. Here’s what I mean.  What I’ve just said is very counter-cultural. A case could be made that our society is highly hedonistic. That’s where the pursuit of pleasure and happiness is the … Continue reading Good kinds of hurt?

Forgiven people love people

February 11, 2021February 10, 2021 / MatthewRuttan / Leave a comment

In Luke 7:41-42, Jesus told a story about two people who had their debts forgiven. One of them had a particularly big debt erased. As a result, they reeeeeeaaaally loved the person who forgave them. No kidding! In verse 47, Jesus summarized his point like this: “whoever has been forgiven little loves little.” Or, put … Continue reading Forgiven people love people

People of patience sleep on it

November 20, 2020November 19, 2020 / MatthewRuttan / Leave a comment

1 Corinthians 13 is well-known for its profound description of love. There is so much wisdom jam-packed into that one short chapter that many of the words get leap-frogged and passed over. So let’s pause for a moment on these three: “Love is patient…” (verse 4) Here’s a very practical application about how to be loving … Continue reading People of patience sleep on it

Playing Favourites

October 6, 2020October 5, 2020 / MatthewRuttan / Leave a comment

James 2:1 makes it clear: “believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism.” But what is favouritism? It’s showing preferential treatment to someone based on status or outward appearances. James gives the example of two men coming into a meeting. One has fancy clothes and the other has “filthy old clothes.” If … Continue reading Playing Favourites

Giving Grace

September 29, 2020September 28, 2020 / MatthewRuttan / Leave a comment

Things are crazy right now. Can I get an Amen? Remember when the pandemic started and everyone was very supportive of one another? Fast forward to today and we’re all wearing thin. We are stretched. We are tired. We are weary. We are impatient. We are bombarded by news reports, conspiracy theories, and decisions which … Continue reading Giving Grace

Not everything, but something

September 9, 2020September 8, 2020 / MatthewRuttan / Leave a comment

“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21). Tony Campolo was doing work for an organization that does amazing things over the world, including Haiti. One night he was going into his hotel in Port-au-Prince when he was approached by three girls in their early teens. They indicated that he … Continue reading Not everything, but something

Flavour your country with this

July 1, 2020June 30, 2020 / MatthewRuttan / Leave a comment

For those of you living in Canada, happy Canada Day! And for those of you in America, please accept my best wishes for a happy Independence Day on July 4th! Did you know that followers of Jesus are actually citizens of two different places at the same time? Here’s what I mean. I’m a citizen … Continue reading Flavour your country with this

Lukewarm or loyal?

May 7, 2020May 6, 2020 / MatthewRuttan / Leave a comment

In the Bible, the word “love” is close to what we mean today when we talk about “loyalty.” To love God is to be loyal to the God who made us, saves us, provides for us, and guides us no matter what we’re going through. Consider Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. In Daniel 3 they were … Continue reading Lukewarm or loyal?

Today is Maundy Thursday. Here’s why

April 9, 2020April 8, 2020 / MatthewRuttan / Leave a comment

Maundy Thursday is one of those days that leaves a lot of people scratching their heads. What does the name mean? Why do some churches hold special services? The word “Maundy” comes from Jesus’ words in John 13:34. Although he spoke Aramaic, the oldest records of his words are in Greek. Those words have been translated … Continue reading Today is Maundy Thursday. Here’s why

Blessed people bless people

March 17, 2020March 16, 2020 / MatthewRuttan / Leave a comment

A lot of people are feeling overwhelmed. It’s understandable. After all, there’s a pandemic going on. It’s easy to feel out of control, uncertain, or even paralyzed. But although you don’t have much say about what happens to you, you do have a say in what happens through you. God’s people can be proactive about … Continue reading Blessed people bless people

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