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proverbs

When you don’t FEEL close to God

November 23, 2020November 22, 2020 / MatthewRuttan / Leave a comment

“Pastor, I believe in Jesus and I’m trying to serve God. But I don’t always feel close to him. Is there something wrong with me?” I’ve been asked some version of this question a few different times. Even though the individual is a believer, they wonder if there’s something wrong with them because they don’t … Continue reading When you don’t FEEL close to God

Integrity and mini-putt

October 22, 2020October 21, 2020 / MatthewRuttan / Leave a comment

Craig Groeschel played on his high school’s tennis team. One evening at an out-of-town tournament, the team went mini-putting. At the end of the round, each of the players stole their golf balls as a memento, including Craig. Back at the hotel, the coach saw Craig with his ball and realized he had stolen it. … Continue reading Integrity and mini-putt

Sticks and stones

October 21, 2020October 20, 2020 / MatthewRuttan / Leave a comment

I’ve heard it. You’ve heard it. We’ve all heard it: “Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me.” But of course, it’s a lie. A more accurate rendition might go something like this: “Sticks and stones may break my bones but words may forever hurt me.” We’ve been talking about the … Continue reading Sticks and stones

Be a California Redwood

July 31, 2020July 30, 2020 / MatthewRuttan / Leave a comment

The California Redwoods are massive trees, apparently the biggest living things on earth. Some are higher than 360 feet, and some are more than 60 feet around. Many are over 100 years old, and some are even over a thousand years old. Some of them have even been somewhat burned in forest fires—but they still … Continue reading Be a California Redwood

The prudent give thought to their… clicks

May 14, 2020May 13, 2020 / MatthewRuttan / Leave a comment

This week I wrote an article for The Gospel Coalition Canada titled: “God Cares About Your Well-Being, Even Now.” [If you want to read it, click the link below.] It highlights several ways you can be proactive about your well-being in this crazy time, including this: Adopt a realistic approach to social media. Here’s why … Continue reading The prudent give thought to their… clicks

He just HAD to get the credit. And it cost him.

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

I heard a story about two geese and a turtle. They wanted to go somewhere far. Together. But the turtle couldn’t fly. So he came up with an idea. The two geese could hold the ends of a big stick in their beaks. The turtle could grab the stick in the middle with his own … Continue reading He just HAD to get the credit. And it cost him.

Whatever you do

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

It’s a new year, a new decade, and a new chapter of your life. As you look out over the horizon, and as you think about whatever goals, commitments or resolutions you might have, I encourage you to consider Proverbs 16:3: “Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” Today … Continue reading Whatever you do

The opposite of ‘misery loves company’

October 10, 2019October 9, 2019 / MatthewRuttan / Leave a comment

Have you heard the expression that “misery loves company”? It’s the idea that people who are miserable find some sort of comfort by being around other people who are miserable. I’ve also heard it used to express the idea that people who are miserable find some sort of comfort by sucking other people into their … Continue reading The opposite of ‘misery loves company’

Simply showing up

September 24, 2019September 22, 2019 / MatthewRuttan / 1 Comment

Yesterday I talked about being useful, and asked you this question: How can we be useful to Jesus as his hands and feet in a hurting world by being proactive about the well-being of others? Usefulness is the hands and feet of faithfulness. Sometimes these opportunities to be useful arise through specific initiatives or programs … Continue reading Simply showing up

Are all new ideas good, bad, or something else?

July 9, 2019July 5, 2019 / MatthewRuttan / Leave a comment

Some people think every new idea is a good idea. And others think that every new idea is a bad idea. But it’s not that simple. So let me share something that I think should make us both more humble and more hopeful about how we approach new ideas. Larry Osborne points out that virtually … Continue reading Are all new ideas good, bad, or something else?

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