When I look back on my time in christian culture, I feel embarrassment. I pushed away people and thought I was "right" in my stubborn pursuit of religion. I failed to see what I was doing. It was foolish, misunderstanding the moral of God (however you classify them/it). I look back and wonder how life … Continue reading J’espère
Author: mattsimonblog
Take a Beat
"A blazing fire makes flame and brightness out of everything that is thrown into it." - Marcus Aurelius It is strange how time makes the crooked experiences of our lives straight? With enough time, tragedies of life gain a double purpose. Our relationship changes with them. Sure, no sane person would want to relive them, … Continue reading Take a Beat
They Will Not Win
There is a tension within. The mood has shifted in the last few months and is palpable. To those who are tuned in, the change is obvious. We live on shaky ground, not knowing what to expect or where the next fright will come from. The mass avalanche of news and tragedies overwhelms us. This … Continue reading They Will Not Win
The Kingdom of God
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7GY1Xg6X20 "The Great Dictator was Chaplin’s first film with dialogue. Chaplin plays both a little Jewish barber, living in the ghetto, and Hynkel, the dictator ruler of Tomainia. In his autobiography Chaplin quotes himself as having said: “One doesn’t have to be a Jew to be anti Nazi. All one has to be is a normal … Continue reading The Kingdom of God
On “Pro Life”
With this post, I attempt to find a deeper understanding for the "Pro Life" movement. As someone who has been steeped in Christian ministry, I feel it necessary to speak on what appears to be the future of law on abortion. As someone who is largely frustrated with the leadership and political leaning of the … Continue reading On “Pro Life”
Mourning the pandemic
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted - Matthew 5:4 Lately I have been thinking a lot about the reasoning of suffering. Within the context of the last two years, facing with struggle and sadness has been inescapable. Yet, I look for some sort of structure to the chaos - a form … Continue reading Mourning the pandemic
You Never know
I have always had great difficulty in believing in a higher power. Yet, this has not made it a topic that I meet with any indifference. The truth is, there is nothing I think of more - with both angst and dismay. How you put meaning into your life, centers around how you answer the … Continue reading You Never know
7 Words of Easter: Commit
46“Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” - Luke 23:46 Today, we wrap up our look at the 7 words or phrases of Jesus at the cross. It is a very un-Easter thing to look at words of Jesus from the crucifixion - these coming at the moment of His last earthly breath. Yet, … Continue reading 7 Words of Easter: Commit
7 Words of Easter: Finished
30 When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. - John 19:30 Today we continue to lean into the 7 words or phrases of Jesus at the cross. We are all Easter Saturday people. Living in a time after death and before resurrection. A … Continue reading 7 Words of Easter: Finished
7 Words of Easter: Thirst
“I am thirsty.” - John 19:28b As the Lent season meets it's end with the resurrection of Christ, we reflect on Good Friday first. This day is met with bittersweet feelings, as our God was murdered for the salvation of all. This week, we have been going through what is referred to as the "Seven … Continue reading 7 Words of Easter: Thirst