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perspective

Talking to your problems about God

January 5, 2023January 3, 2023 / MatthewRuttan / Leave a comment

Do you have problems? I’m sure you do. If so, you’ve probably been talking to God about them.  I recently came across this statement by Mark Batterson: “It’s okay to talk to God about your problems, but at some point you need to talk to your problems about God.”* At first it didn’t sit well … Continue reading Talking to your problems about God

The rock that is higher than I

December 19, 2022December 13, 2022 / MatthewRuttan / Leave a comment

Non-stop news. Overflowing schedules. Phones that won’t stop dinging. Mental and emotional frakis. You're right, "frakis," isn't a word, but you get the gist. Not everyone’s life is like this. But for a lot of people this is a daily reality. One of my favourite verses from the psalms is Psalm 61:2. David says: “lead … Continue reading The rock that is higher than I

When you’re feeling low

November 7, 2022November 3, 2022 / MatthewRuttan / Leave a comment

Recently I was feeling a bit low about some things. As I folded my hands to pray, I felt as if God shoved into my mind a long list of blessings he had poured into my life—things, experiences, opportunities and people from my childhood, to my early adulthood, and to now. It was as if … Continue reading When you’re feeling low

Joy, even after watching his house burn down

January 28, 2022January 27, 2022 / MatthewRuttan / Leave a comment

I recently had the privilege of interviewing Dan Scott, the national Moderator of The Presbyterian Church in Canada. [Link below.] When he was a boy, he watched his house burn to the ground in an act of arson. The next morning his father read James 1:2-3 to him and his siblings: “Consider it pure joy, … Continue reading Joy, even after watching his house burn down

The greatest inheritance

October 15, 2021October 13, 2021 / MatthewRuttan / Leave a comment

Several years ago there was a winner to the Mega Millions lottery. Actually, there were three winners.  Three teachers had gone in together to buy a ticket and had won. Put yourself in their shoes. Imagine how your life would change. However, they didn’t claim their prize for a full ten days. They waited. They … Continue reading The greatest inheritance

Great is your reward… in heaven

July 23, 2021July 21, 2021 / MatthewRuttan / Leave a comment

Jesus said: “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven…” (Matthew 5:11-12). I’d like to share a comforting thought. You might not think it’s very comforting at first, but hear me … Continue reading Great is your reward… in heaven

I look for the good things

July 16, 2021July 15, 2021 / MatthewRuttan / Leave a comment

I know someone who seems incapable of seeing anything in a positive way. Cynicism is the air they breathe—both in and out. They even seem to think that their tainted outlook makes them wise. But it doesn’t. If you’re like the rest of humanity, this most recent chapter of life hasn’t been ideal. That’s why … Continue reading I look for the good things

A God greater than our senses

April 16, 2021April 16, 2021 / MatthewRuttan / Leave a comment

When I’m going through something difficult—whether it be a period of anxiety, worry about a particular situation, or a global pandemic—I find it deeply reassuring to reflect upon the character of our God. He is bigger than our situation. He is bigger than our perspective. And he is bigger than our senses. And that, my … Continue reading A God greater than our senses

Sinicism

November 30, 2020November 27, 2020 / MatthewRuttan / Leave a comment

Sinicism.  You’re right. It’s actually spelled with a C. Cynicism. But lately I’ve been thinking that an overly cynical view of the world is sin—hence, sin-icism. Let me explain. When it comes to plain old cynicism, I get it. There is a lot we could be cynical about. I mean, a lot. Have you watched … Continue reading Sinicism

The more you stare at the problem

November 18, 2020November 17, 2020 / MatthewRuttan / Leave a comment

When troublesome thoughts wedge their way into your brain, it’s hard to dislodge them. They sit there unwelcome—kind of like a smelly squatter who refuses to leave your house and even claims that it somehow belongs to him! Lysa TerKeurst is the President of Proverbs 31 Ministries. She says, “The more you stare at the … Continue reading The more you stare at the problem

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