Faithful Hope

In the March/April issue of Christianity Today, Russell Moore shares an interaction he had with a person from a prosperity gospel background who had been told it was her lack of faith that was the reason for her sickness and poverty. Because of the misconception of what faith means, he told her, “Why don’t we forget faith for a little while and just trust Jesus?” The article then goes on to clarify a similar misconception about the word hope. “When pressed to define what they mean, [many] ultimately describe what they’re seeking as measurable reassurance—the calming word from an authority that everything will turn out okay… The problem, though, is that this kind of hope disappoints.”

Faith and hope both require trusting Jesus to do what He has promised—nothing more and nothing less. It’s true that “God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:19), but it is also true that we often fail to accurately discern between wants and needs (as I noted in my last post). We hope to see churches that are growing in numbers and activity, but it may be that God’s work is not quite that evident or tangible. We love freedom of religion, but God loves sufferers and sinners.

I’m reminded of the Bob Marley song “Three Little Birds” that says, “Don’t worry about a thing, ‘cause every little thing gonna be alright.” While that is an appealing idea, it’s balderdash from a human perspective. Everything is not going to be alright in this world. There will be sickness, suffering, destruction, deception, wars and rumors of wars. Jesus said, “All these are but the beginning of the birth pains” (Matt. 24:8), and Paul added, “the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies” (Rom. 8:22-23). All the pains won’t dissipate until Christ returns, so we can’t pin our hope on measurable results or make those results the proof of our faith.

Ultimately, what matters is not statistical growth or visible results, but the fact that Jesus died, rose from the dead, and is coming again. That’s where our faith and hope must dwell. Everything will be alright only after Jesus has returned, the final judgment is completed, and we have access to the new heavens and new earth in which righteousness dwells (2 Pet. 3:13).

“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful” (Heb. 10:23).

© 2026 Dawn Rutan. Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture are ESV and all images copyright free from pixabay.com. The opinions stated do not necessarily reflect the views of my church or employer.

Now and Then

Happiness. Contentment. Belonging. Acceptance. Ability. Productivity. Confidence. Those are all good things, right? Things we ought to pursue? Maybe not. As many have said, when good things become “god things” we’ve got a problem, and that problem is idolatry. Most of us would agree that our modern culture pursues all those things by focusing on self. Many think “If it makes me feel good, it must be good.” And a parallel thought is, “If you make me feel bad about myself, you must be bad.”

Sometimes I wonder if God is shaking His head and saying, “Why do you think you are in charge?” From Genesis 3 onward, mankind has assumed that we know what’s best for ourselves. Even some segments of the Church have decided they can pick and choose what parts of Scripture they can discard, because surely “God wants me to be happy!” Jesus had a different perspective:

“If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? For what can a man give in return for his soul?” (Mark 8:34-37).

God didn’t promise us happiness, acceptance, or self-confidence in this life. Quite the opposite, in fact. Jesus said the truly blessed are those who mourn the state of this world, who recognize their limitations, who pursue righteousness, and may be persecuted for the sake of righteousness (Matt. 5:3-12).

Unfortunately, there are many people in the world who are pursuing temporal satisfaction at the expense of eternal joy and peace, and who will one day hear “Depart from Me, I never knew you.” Christians can, and must, point to God as the ultimate authority over every life and to Jesus Christ as the only One who can redeem us from our sinful state. At the same time, we recognize that we cannot change hearts and minds by our own abilities. It is up to the Holy Spirit to open blind eyes and bring about conviction, repentance, and true belief. The Apostle Paul reminds us:

“But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies” (2 Cor. 4:7-10).

One day we will enjoy perfect joy, contentment, belonging, love, peace, and rest, but that Day has not yet come in its fullness. For the time being, we remind one another that “this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison” (2 Cor. 4:17). Every sacrifice, suffering, and struggle for holiness in this life will be more than worthwhile when that final Day comes. Keep holding on to what you know is true in Christ!

“And this is eternal life, that they know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent” (John 17:3).

© 2026 Dawn Rutan. Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture are ESV and all images copyright free from pixabay.com. The opinions stated do not necessarily reflect the views of my church or employer.

Our Father

In recent years I’ve been listening fairly regularly to the Daily Office Podcast based on the Anglican Book of Common Prayer. I used to think that the rote repetition of the Lord’s Prayer and other prayers was kind of a waste of time since it can be done without engaging our minds. However, my perspective is changing, in part because I noticed that my mom can still sing some hymns even though she can’t really communicate due to dementia.

As I mentioned in my last post, the things we think about repeatedly can literally reshape our brains. We need regular doses of truth and goodness to offset the many negative influences of our culture and habits. And when our thoughts start to slip away, the most-traveled mental paths will last longer.

There have been many times when phrases from the Lord’s Prayer have come to mind when I needed them, which has resulted in the following meditation.

“Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name,” You are the Creator, Sustainer, and Redeemer, and yet You invite us into Your family. You have supreme power, but we can call You “Abba, Father.” What a privilege it is to belong to You! Why would we ever want to turn to anyone else?

“Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” In these troubled times and this broken world, we desire Your kingdom more than ever. We don’t know why You allow sin and destruction to continue, but we ask for You to change hearts and lives to follow You. Limit the impact of those who rebel against You and Your will. May we see how You are at work.

“Give us this day our daily bread.” Most of us don’t feel our neediness, because You have blessed us with the ability to earn a living to sustain us. Yet every good gift comes from You, and apart from Your provision we would have nothing. Keep us conscious of that fact so that we would be quick to share with those who need aid, whether next door or around the world.

“And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.” It’s hard to admit when we’ve sinned or even just made a mistake, and yet we’re inclined to judge those around us for every perceived infraction. Help us to forgive everything from harsh words, rudeness, poor choices, emotional and physical attacks, to even persecution and senseless murder. While we were yet sinners Christ died for us, so we are enabled to forgive others as You have forgiven us.

“And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” Thank You that You don’t just forgive us when we sin, but You actively lead us away from temptation. We don’t have the strength in ourselves to resist all the schemes of the world, the flesh, and the devil, but by Your Spirit we can find the way of escape. Remind us to look to You for that grace.

“For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever.” It is not our kingdom or power that will prevail in the end. Help us to remember Who is really in charge. Because You are sovereign, we submit to Your power so that You will be glorified now and forever. Amen.

© 2026 Dawn Rutan. Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture are ESV and all images copyright free from pixabay.com. The opinions stated do not necessarily reflect the views of my church or employer.

Every Thought

It was once thought that by the time you reach adulthood, your brain does not change except that cells begin to die off. That has been repeatedly disproven, and neuroplasticity is the term for the constant change and rewiring that our brains do throughout our lives. Psychologists and theologians alike are realizing what implications this has for the way we think. Hebb’s Rule is that “the neurons that fire together wire together.” In other words, the more you think or behave a certain way, the more likely you will continue to do so.

In his book. The God-Shaped Brain, Dr. Timothy Jennings notes the profound impact our thoughts can have. He gives examples of those who have died of imagined diseases (such as a curse) or of diseases that the person thought were more serious than they really were. And in a recent podcast, Dr. Lee Warren advises that we need to rewire our brains by taming our self-talk, because we start to believe what we tell ourselves.

Scripture supports these concepts. “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer” (Psalm 19:14). It’s not just what we say aloud that matters, but what we think about. In Matthew 5, Jesus says that it is not just outward behavior that counts as sin, but also the angry or lustful attitudes in our hearts. We can be enslaved to sin without it ever showing outwardly (Rom. 6:16).

We can also be incredibly unloving, not just to others but to ourselves as well. I know I am much harder on myself than I ever would be on someone else. And yet, I am just as much God’s beloved child as they are. If God has forgiven us and does not condemn us, we should not condemn ourselves either (Rom. 8:1).

The Apostle Paul wrote, “We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ” (2 Cor. 10:5). He probably wasn’t thinking about neuroplasticity, but the concept still applies. When we notice the pattern of our thoughts, we have an opportunity to redirect them in ways that honor Christ as our Lord and Savior. It’s not always easy or quick, but over time we’ll see a change becoming embedded in our brains.

No doubt this is why we are told, “whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you” (Phil. 4:8-9). We need constant practice in monitoring what goes into our brains as well as what comes out of them. The things that we meditate on, either good or bad, impact our views of God, self, and others (Rom. 1:21).

Although I don’t generally make New Year’s resolutions, my hope and desire for the year ahead (and for the rest of my life), is to take every thought captive to obey Christ so that the meditation of my heart will be acceptable in His sight. That’s a path where ongoing growth is always possible because it is God’s desire for each of His children.

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Rom. 12:2).

© 2026 Dawn Rutan. Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture are ESV and all images copyright free from pixabay.com. The opinions stated do not necessarily reflect the views of my church or employer.

Light in Darkness

This time of year can be difficult for many people. The days are shorter and the weather colder. There are many social expectations for the holidays with parties and sometimes tense family gatherings. We’re preparing to close out one year and start another. And in the midst of it all, we’re supposed to be extra thankful and joyful as we remember the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Sometimes it just feels like too much. It’s no wonder that Seasonal Affective Disorder returns for a significant percentage of people.

I’ve mentioned before that one of my favorite songs of the season is Merle Haggard’s “If We Make It Through December.” It’s a reminder that this is not always a happy time for everyone, but it also reminds me that the seasons of life keep changing and could feel significantly different a few months from now.

Some of the “darker” Christmas songs* don’t get much airtime. A small group at my church recently discussed the song “O Come, O Come Emmanuel.” While it references some of the prophecies fulfilled by Jesus, it’s also realistic about the fact that we live in the “already but not yet.” We don’t yet experience the fullness of freedom from captivity, mourning, death, envy, and strife. Although God came to be with us, we wait for the day when He will come again to make all things new.

I’ve been reading a chronological Bible this year, and it’s been interesting reading Revelation during Advent season. Contrary to the beliefs of some, the world is not going to get progressively better until the end of time. There will be war, plagues, death, and destruction, but all God’s people will be preserved for eternity with Him.

Earlier this year there was an episode about Revelation on the Being Human podcast that I skipped over because I figured I’d disagree with some eschatology. However, I listened to it this week and found it uplifting. They note that the point of Revelation is not to outline the specific details of the end times, but to encourage those who are living through it. Like all of Scripture, it points us to our Creator and Redeemer, and gives us reason to endure to the end.

We may not always see great beacons of light in the darkness, but there are always pinpoints directing our attention to God and the path He has laid for us. We may go through dark valleys, but He is always by our side.

In an episode of the CCEF podcast on gratitude, they noted that “gratitude is actually meant to coexist with sorrow, not replace it.” It’s possible to live in seasons of darkness, difficulty, and mourning and still find reasons for gratitude in what God has done, is doing, and will do.

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it… And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:5, 14).

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* Listen along:

In the Bleak Midwinter

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day

© 2025 Dawn Rutan. Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture are ESV and all images copyright free from pixabay.com. The opinions stated do not necessarily reflect the views of my church or employer.

Out of Balance

I’ve often heard it said that in most churches, 10-20% of the people do 80-90% of the work. That may be more perception than reality; however, as the one who reviews every church report submitted to the denominational office, I can attest how infrequently I have to change the church officers and committee heads listed in our database. I think there may be several reasons for this trend, some good and some not so good, and probably some I have not yet thought of.

• Some people are genuinely gifted and called to fill a particular role. I particularly give thanks for those who are skilled to serve as church treasurers, because that is more complicated than just balancing a checkbook.
• Some people don’t know how to say no. I’ve heard it said that if you want to find people for a committee, look at the ones who are already serving in multiple roles, because they’ll probably say yes. That doesn’t mean they are necessarily the best person for all those positions.
• Some people desire control or recognition. They hold onto roles because they don’t trust others to do things the way they think they should be done, or they want their name attached to some success.
• Some people say, “I’ve served my time, find someone younger.” Retirement from all forms of service is not a biblical concept. Although the Levites were allowed to change roles at the age of 50 they didn’t stop serving (Num. 8:23-26). Certainly there are physical or mental limitations for some people, but often that is not the reason for the excuse.
• Some people have never been asked where they might be willing and able to serve. One reason that young people leave the church is that they don’t feel they belong or are useful to the ministry. They may need a little training, but that’s how the church continues to function and grow.

I do want to address the second category—those who don’t know how to say no, because I am often one of them. I didn’t think that was the case until I started noticing the things that frustrate me, and it’s often stuff I don’t really want to do but feel obligated. How many times do our relationships suffer because we are too busy doing what other people want? Pastors and leaders burn out, kids and spouses feel neglected, and we start to resent the very people we think we are serving.

One way to address the problem is to ask yourself some questions: What is my motivation for doing or not doing this particular job? Am I doing it to serve God, or just because someone asked me? Am I trying to fill some underlying need for approval or recognition? What might this cost me in terms of time, energy, aggravation, rest, and peace? Is there someone else who could do the job better, or who could use the experience? Have I actually prayed about this?

There will be times when personal sacrifice is necessary, but that is not always the case. An old song says it’s better to burn out than to rust out, but I don’t believe God wants us to do either one. When Jesus was on earth, He took time off to pray (Luke 5:16), spend time at a wedding (John 2:2), and sleep in the boat (Matt. 8:24). He did spend a lot of time teaching and healing the sick, but He also knew when to say no in order to focus on His priorities (Mark 1:35-38).

It’s tempting to say that motives don’t matter, only results matter. But God knows our hearts better than we do. Laboring for selfish reasons and impure motives will be revealed in the end.

“Each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire” (1 Cor. 3:13-15).

All those plaques and recognition awards we receive will probably be found in the firewood in the end, and that’s not a bonfire I want to fuel! Read through Matthew 6 and note how many times the word “reward” shows up, and how our heavenly Father takes note. May we serve Him alone.

“He died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who for their sake died and was raised” (2 Cor. 5:15).

© 2025 Dawn Rutan. Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture are ESV and all images copyright free from pixabay.com. The opinions stated do not necessarily reflect the views of my church or employer.

In His Time

This blog is an unexpected postscript to yesterday’s post.

I was reading an article in a secular magazine where a man was recounting his travels in Europe. In the middle of the article he commented, “I’ve chosen to eventually pursue a medically assisted life exit.” (I had to wonder why he was buying souvenirs on his trip!) His blasé attitude toward death disturbed me more than I expected. We’ve all heard of people who have committed suicide in order to escape a devastating disease (muscular dystrophy in this man’s case), but I don’t think I’ve ever heard of anyone planning their farewell tour in this manner. I don’t know anything about this person or what he believes about life and death, but I prayed that he would encounter God’s arresting presence.

For the Christian, there is no easy way to ignore Scriptures such as 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” And from one of my favorite chapters, Psalm 139:16, “Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in Your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.” Choosing death is a denial of God’s authority as both our Creator and Redeemer. It is sin (though not unforgivable as some believe), and it is hurtful to those who love us.

It's easy to wish for a way out from the challenges of life, but I know I could not choose that because of how it would impact friends and family. Even the Apostle Paul desired to depart this life, but knew he needed to remain as long as God had determined (Phil. 1:23-26). None of us want to live with broken bodies and minds, but we are not the ‘master of our fate or the captain of our soul.’ There is only One who can claim that role, and He recorded our days long before we were even a glimmer in the eyes of our parents. If He desires for us to go on living, He will provide the strength to endure. Our job is to “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness” (Matt. 6:33), not our own comfort or expediency. By His grace He has given us life, and by His mercy He has determined our days.

May we never be inclined to second-guess our Creator and Sustainer!

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. ‘The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘therefore I will hope in Him’” (Lam. 3:22-24).

© 2025 Dawn Rutan. Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture are ESV and all images copyright free from pixabay.com. The opinions stated do not necessarily reflect the views of my church or employer.