{"version":"https://jsonfeed.org/version/1","title":"River of Life Church of God, Rutland, Ohio","home_page_url":"https://riverofliferutland.com","description":"River of Life Church of God, Rutland, Ohio","author":{"name":"River of Life Church of God, Rutland, Ohio"},"items":[{"id":"https://riverofliferutland.com/f/what-happens-when-every-church-gets-a-new-pastor","html_content":"

It’s well known that there is a typical growth-and-contraction cycle for a church that is going through a leadership transition. This cycle is best understood by first recognizing the differences among a few predominant ...

","url":"https://riverofliferutland.com/f/what-happens-when-every-church-gets-a-new-pastor","title":"What Happens When EVERY Church Gets a New Pastor","summary":"It’s well known that there is a typical growth-and-contraction cycle for a church that is going through a leadership transition. This cycle is best understood by first recognizing the differences among a few predominant ...","date_modified":"2026-06-22T22:13:39Z"},{"id":"https://riverofliferutland.com/f/can-we-heal-our-national-division","html_content":"

No. But God can. I know it sounds cliché, but think about human nature for a moment. Human beings have a natural tendency to believe that anyone who disagrees with them is, at best, misguided and, at worst, a fool. This ...

","url":"https://riverofliferutland.com/f/can-we-heal-our-national-division","title":"Can We Heal Our National Division?","summary":"No. But God can. I know it sounds cliché, but think about human nature for a moment. Human beings have a natural tendency to believe that anyone who disagrees with them is, at best, misguided and, at worst, a fool. This ...","date_modified":"2026-06-22T22:09:48Z"},{"id":"https://riverofliferutland.com/f/gossip-stinks","html_content":"

When Christ and the Apostles talked about gossip, it was never categorized. It was never said that if the gossip was “the truth” it was somehow ok. Why? Because “truth” is a highly subjective thing. You think you’re tell...

","url":"https://riverofliferutland.com/f/gossip-stinks","title":"The Best Way to Kill a Church - Gossip","summary":"When Christ and the Apostles talked about gossip, it was never categorized. It was never said that if the gossip was “the truth” it was somehow ok. Why? Because “truth” is a highly subjective thing. You think you’re tell...","date_modified":"2026-06-22T22:09:03Z"},{"id":"https://riverofliferutland.com/f/is-the-church-just-out-for-your-money","html_content":"

It’s one of the biggest criticisms leveled against the church: that it’s just after your money. Given the headlines about financial scandals, it’s an understandable concern. But what if the conversation about money in ch...

","url":"https://riverofliferutland.com/f/is-the-church-just-out-for-your-money","title":"Is The Church Just Out For Your Money?","summary":"It’s one of the biggest criticisms leveled against the church: that it’s just after your money. Given the headlines about financial scandals, it’s an understandable concern. But what if the conversation about money in ch...","date_modified":"2026-06-22T22:08:16Z"},{"id":"https://riverofliferutland.com/f/how-to-forgive-those-who-never-apologize","html_content":"

How to forgive someone who never apologizes.

","url":"https://riverofliferutland.com/f/how-to-forgive-those-who-never-apologize","title":"How To Forgive Those Who Never Apologize","summary":"How to forgive someone who never apologizes.","date_modified":"2026-06-22T22:07:14Z"},{"id":"https://riverofliferutland.com/f/am-i-really-a-disciple","html_content":"

I just read an excellent article about the need for the church to make disciples above all else. I could not agree more, so I have a question, “are you a disciple?” Or are you merely a follower?

","url":"https://riverofliferutland.com/f/am-i-really-a-disciple","title":"Am I REALLY a Disciple?","summary":"I just read an excellent article about the need for the church to make disciples above all else. I could not agree more, so I have a question, “are you a disciple?” Or are you merely a follower?","date_modified":"2026-06-22T22:06:25Z"},{"id":"https://riverofliferutland.com/f/smoke-pot-or-not","html_content":"

I’ll go on record as saying I am concerned that much of the supposed “medical” use of pot is an excuse to use it recreationally. I say this because I come from a family with a long and storied history of drug use and hav...

","url":"https://riverofliferutland.com/f/smoke-pot-or-not","title":"Smoke Pot or Not?","summary":"I’ll go on record as saying I am concerned that much of the supposed “medical” use of pot is an excuse to use it recreationally. I say this because I come from a family with a long and storied history of drug use and hav...","date_modified":"2026-06-22T22:05:25Z"},{"id":"https://riverofliferutland.com/f/am-i-unfit-for-ministry","html_content":"

Prior to leaving social media, I was reading something an author I really admire wrote, so I decided to go and google him to see if I could find a message he had written on a topic I was interested in. So I typed in his ...

","url":"https://riverofliferutland.com/f/am-i-unfit-for-ministry","title":"Am I Unfit for Ministry?","summary":"Prior to leaving social media, I was reading something an author I really admire wrote, so I decided to go and google him to see if I could find a message he had written on a topic I was interested in. So I typed in his ...","date_modified":"2026-06-22T22:04:50Z"},{"id":"https://riverofliferutland.com/f/loyalty","html_content":"

We need more loyalty in our world. I think it’s time to craft a Sunday message on this topic. I recently had to hear how a dear friend of mine was treated by someone and it really breaks my heart and quite frankly ticks ...

","url":"https://riverofliferutland.com/f/loyalty","title":"Loyalty","summary":"We need more loyalty in our world. I think it’s time to craft a Sunday message on this topic. I recently had to hear how a dear friend of mine was treated by someone and it really breaks my heart and quite frankly ticks ...","date_modified":"2026-06-22T22:03:23Z"},{"id":"https://riverofliferutland.com/f/running-from-what-you-need-most","html_content":"

Human nature is a strange thing. Our nature often works contrary to our personal good. This is most obvious when it comes to how most Christians respond in times of duress. I have observed that more often than not, when ...

","url":"https://riverofliferutland.com/f/running-from-what-you-need-most","title":"Running From What You Need Most","summary":"Human nature is a strange thing. Our nature often works contrary to our personal good. This is most obvious when it comes to how most Christians respond in times of duress. I have observed that more often than not, when ...","date_modified":"2026-06-22T22:02:40Z"},{"id":"https://riverofliferutland.com/f/anger-and-offense","html_content":"

Here’s a simple observation. You don’t even really need to wrong someone for them to be angry with you. And once the anger starts, watch out!

","url":"https://riverofliferutland.com/f/anger-and-offense","title":"Anger and Offense","summary":"Here’s a simple observation. You don’t even really need to wrong someone for them to be angry with you. And once the anger starts, watch out!","date_modified":"2026-06-22T22:01:50Z"},{"id":"https://riverofliferutland.com/f/what-is-a-pastors-wife","html_content":"

What is a pastor’s wife? In most church circles, there is an expectation thrust upon the woman who is married to the pastor. We call her “the pastor’s wife”. In some circles she’s known as “the First Lady”. In other circ...

","url":"https://riverofliferutland.com/f/what-is-a-pastors-wife","title":"What Is a Pastor's Wife?","summary":"What is a pastor’s wife? In most church circles, there is an expectation thrust upon the woman who is married to the pastor. We call her “the pastor’s wife”. In some circles she’s known as “the First Lady”. In other circ...","date_modified":"2026-06-22T22:00:19Z"},{"id":"https://riverofliferutland.com/f/at-all-cost","html_content":"

Job said “Though He slay me, I will hope in Him.” I have had reason as of late to really ponder those words. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t compare my life to Job, that would be silly. Compared to the persecution of our bro...

","url":"https://riverofliferutland.com/f/at-all-cost","title":"At All Cost","summary":"Job said “Though He slay me, I will hope in Him.” I have had reason as of late to really ponder those words. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t compare my life to Job, that would be silly. Compared to the persecution of our bro...","date_modified":"2026-06-22T21:59:09Z"},{"id":"https://riverofliferutland.com/f/legalism-kills","html_content":"

I count myself fortunate to have experienced many different modes of church. In my early life I was part of a fairly liberal church where, with the exception of church traditions such as the way you dress, and the typ...

","url":"https://riverofliferutland.com/f/legalism-kills","title":"Legalism Kills","summary":"I count myself fortunate to have experienced many different modes of church. In my early life I was part of a fairly liberal church where, with the exception of church traditions such as the way you dress, and the typ...","date_modified":"2026-06-22T21:58:37Z"},{"id":"https://riverofliferutland.com/f/living-life-to-the-fullest","html_content":"

I’ve had a lot of time recently to reflect on what it means to live life to the fullest. There are 2 main reasons I think it’s hard for many to live life to the fullest.

","url":"https://riverofliferutland.com/f/living-life-to-the-fullest","title":"Living Life to the Fullest","summary":"I’ve had a lot of time recently to reflect on what it means to live life to the fullest. There are 2 main reasons I think it’s hard for many to live life to the fullest.","date_modified":"2026-06-22T21:57:51Z"},{"id":"https://riverofliferutland.com/f/for-pastors-dealing-with-difficult-people","html_content":"

Dealing with Difficult People

","url":"https://riverofliferutland.com/f/for-pastors-dealing-with-difficult-people","title":"For Pastors: Dealing with Difficult People","summary":"Dealing with Difficult People","date_modified":"2026-06-22T21:56:33Z"},{"id":"https://riverofliferutland.com/f/house-md-on-gossip","html_content":"

One of the most profound quotes I've ever heard came from an unexpected source: the TV show House M.D. While many remember the cynical remarks of Dr. House, it was his friend, Dr. James Wilson, who offered this piece of ...

","url":"https://riverofliferutland.com/f/house-md-on-gossip","title":"House M.D. On Gossip","summary":"One of the most profound quotes I've ever heard came from an unexpected source: the TV show House M.D. While many remember the cynical remarks of Dr. House, it was his friend, Dr. James Wilson, who offered this piece of ...","date_modified":"2026-06-22T21:56:03Z"},{"id":"https://riverofliferutland.com/f/excellent","html_content":"

Note: This article was written at a previous ministry posting and references building renovations at that church, not my current one.

","url":"https://riverofliferutland.com/f/excellent","title":"Ministry Should Be Excellent!","summary":"Note: This article was written at a previous ministry posting and references building renovations at that church, not my current one.","date_modified":"2026-06-22T21:49:13Z"},{"id":"https://riverofliferutland.com/f/down-the-rabbit-hole","html_content":"

Down the Rabbit Hole - Falling into the Theological Abyss.

","url":"https://riverofliferutland.com/f/down-the-rabbit-hole","title":"Down the Rabbit Hole","summary":"Down the Rabbit Hole - Falling into the Theological Abyss.","date_modified":"2026-06-22T21:47:09Z"},{"id":"https://riverofliferutland.com/f/when-ministry-is-harder-than-you-ever-imagined","html_content":"

I’ve avoided writing and even preaching about this for more than a year and a half now. In truth, I haven’t had the words and haven’t wanted to even think much about how difficult this past ministry season has been. I’ve...

","url":"https://riverofliferutland.com/f/when-ministry-is-harder-than-you-ever-imagined","title":"When Ministry Is Harder Than You Ever Imagined","summary":"I’ve avoided writing and even preaching about this for more than a year and a half now. In truth, I haven’t had the words and haven’t wanted to even think much about how difficult this past ministry season has been. I’ve...","date_modified":"2026-06-22T21:46:13Z"},{"id":"https://riverofliferutland.com/f/are-you-afraid-of-the-gifts-of-the-spirit","html_content":"

There was a time when the notion of the Gifts of the Spirit seemed like a bunch of emotional hype and nothing more. I recall vividly attending a Pentecostal church when I was about 20 and thinking to myself that these pe...

","url":"https://riverofliferutland.com/f/are-you-afraid-of-the-gifts-of-the-spirit","title":"Are You Afraid of the Gifts of the Spirit?","summary":"There was a time when the notion of the Gifts of the Spirit seemed like a bunch of emotional hype and nothing more. I recall vividly attending a Pentecostal church when I was about 20 and thinking to myself that these pe...","date_modified":"2026-06-22T21:45:22Z"},{"id":"https://riverofliferutland.com/f/a-practial-approach-to-the-calvinism-arminianism-question","html_content":"

With every generation, the whole Calvinist/Arminian debate seems to flare up. It’s always there under the surface, but there are recurring periods of intensity and animosity with the arguments. It’s deeply troubling to m...

","url":"https://riverofliferutland.com/f/a-practial-approach-to-the-calvinism-arminianism-question","title":"A Practial Approach to the Calvinism & Arminianism Question","summary":"With every generation, the whole Calvinist/Arminian debate seems to flare up. It’s always there under the surface, but there are recurring periods of intensity and animosity with the arguments. It’s deeply troubling to m...","date_modified":"2026-06-22T21:43:52Z"},{"id":"https://riverofliferutland.com/f/hope-lives-here","html_content":"

In recent months I’ve had the chance to undergo a lot of reflection about how Christians are responding to the insanity that has lit our world on fire. Let’s face it, the world has become more dangerous as wars break out...

","url":"https://riverofliferutland.com/f/hope-lives-here","title":"Hope Lives Here","summary":"In recent months I’ve had the chance to undergo a lot of reflection about how Christians are responding to the insanity that has lit our world on fire. Let’s face it, the world has become more dangerous as wars break out...","date_modified":"2026-06-22T21:41:31Z"},{"id":"https://riverofliferutland.com/f/good-doctrine-matters","html_content":"

I recognize as I look at the title of this post that to many, good doctrine is a highly subjective thing. Good doctrine to most depends greatly on their personal bias, church experience, and even their upbringing. Howeve...

","url":"https://riverofliferutland.com/f/good-doctrine-matters","title":"Good Doctrine Matters","summary":"I recognize as I look at the title of this post that to many, good doctrine is a highly subjective thing. Good doctrine to most depends greatly on their personal bias, church experience, and even their upbringing. Howeve...","date_modified":"2026-06-22T21:40:45Z"},{"id":"https://riverofliferutland.com/f/church-change","html_content":"

Change is an inevitable, and often difficult, part of life, but the rewards are eternal.

","url":"https://riverofliferutland.com/f/church-change","title":"Church Change","summary":"Change is an inevitable, and often difficult, part of life, but the rewards are eternal.","date_modified":"2026-06-22T21:33:12Z"},{"id":"https://riverofliferutland.com/f/hey-yall-i-moved-south","html_content":"

What Have I Learned Since Moving to Southeastern Ohio?

","url":"https://riverofliferutland.com/f/hey-yall-i-moved-south","title":"Hey Ya'll I Moved South","summary":"What Have I Learned Since Moving to Southeastern Ohio?","date_modified":"2026-06-22T21:28:22Z"}]}