thoughts on life and faith
27 “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29 If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. 30 Give … Continue reading When To Let Your Pain Talk (And The Super-Villains of Life)
46 “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you? 47 Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like:48 he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood … Continue reading Colorful Blocks and the Life We Build
It's 1:30am and my growing toddler doesn't want to be alone. His year and half on this earth has taught his dad the difference in his cries. Some are more dramatic than others. A born performer, he knows when to lay it on thicker to achieve his desired effect. Tonight however, he gets his sleepy … Continue reading My Son the Alarm Clock Prayer
As I scroll through an endless cycle of updates and meticulously filtered pics, I wonder if there is more to life. The thought occurs to me "if I died right now, would this be my best last activity?" I think about death a lot. Not in a morbid way necessarily, but more in a curious … Continue reading The Ruiner of Plans and Our Final Breath
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God - Romans 3:23 After years of Christian study, I find no sufficient reason for why God allows such evil to thrive in this world. Every answer and hypothesis shared by pulpit and page have only led to more seemingly dead ends. While every … Continue reading On Evil and Hope
30 When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. - John 19:30 There is a dark hope to Good Friday. As Christ followers, the sum of our faith rests on the event it celebrates. Every year we boil down doctrine and belief to … Continue reading Good Friday
34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. - John 13:34 We have mistaken love with indifference and non-judgment with loving action. This current age we live in, with over 2,000 years between us and the risen Christ, … Continue reading Love and Be Loved
2 Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart - Psalms 119:2 Recently I was able to sit down for lunch with someone who represented a community I am largely unfamiliar with. As a 30 something white male, my scope of life is somewhat limited. Of course we are all limited … Continue reading The Story We Tell
15 Through Him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge His name. - Hebrews 13:15 We aim too low when we settle for evangelism. When we are told to "acknowledge" Him, His movement, and His presence, we many times just assume it … Continue reading Offer Thanks Before Anything Else
On days like these, we forget to breathe. The sea of circumstance is quick to swallow us in its demanding waves. The "more" cries out for completion. Deadlines, dinner, and dishes are forever looming. These things are never truly finished, only pushed back until the next crashing wave. Tomorrow is a myth. When the conditions are right, … Continue reading Enough. Just Breathe
Matt simon blog 