Monthly Archives: November 2023

Using the keys to the kingdom of God

Posted on November 21, 2023 by Steve Simms

Jesus Christ is the living, present King who is calling us to personally, intimately, and corporately align with the kingdom of God. To be a part of a kingdom is to be led by a king. Citizens of the kingdom … Continue reading →

Posted in kingdom of God, kingdom of heaven, kingdom of priests | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

The question I was asked as a 10-year-old

Posted on November 20, 2023 by Steve Simms

I grew up in a non-religious, non-church-going family in the Bible Belt. (We finally started regularly attending a church when I was in junior high school, but I didn’t like it.) Once when I was about 10 years old my … Continue reading →

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When your instincts stink, let your conscience fumigate your heart.

Posted on November 19, 2023 by Steve Simms

Sometimes instincts stink. That’s when it’s important to let your conscience fumigate your heart. I’ve never been able to trust my instincts (my innate desires and behavior patterns) to lead me to joy, inner peace, and general wellbeing. When I … Continue reading →

Posted in conscience, self-discipline, self-improvement | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Finding hope during bleak weather

Posted on November 18, 2023 by Steve Simms

January offers the opportunity for a fresh start during the darkest month of the year. When made and persistently maintained by hope and faith, New Year’s resolutions can turn into life-changing inner revolutions. Every year January 1 reminds people that … Continue reading →

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Can hardships harbor hope?

Posted on November 17, 2023 by Steve Simms

The New Testament calls Christians disciples — trained and disciplined Christ-followers. When Paul and Barnabas wanted to strengthen the disciples and to encourage them to remain true to the faith, they told them: “We must go through many hardships to … Continue reading →

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Do all lives matter?

Posted on November 17, 2023 by Steve Simms

The two most accepted and applauded ways to end human life are war and abortion. People attempt to justify such cruelty by using phrases like “collateral damage” and “reproductive rights.” This clearly shows that for many people all lives don’t … Continue reading →

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My heart is mysteriously open.

Posted on November 16, 2023 by Steve Simms

When I first encounter people, I want them to know that I’m open to them and that I’m willing to listen to and encourage them from the mysterious warmth in my heart. When I meet strangers, I often feel a … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian spirituality, spiritual formation, spirituality | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

I’m a native English speaker reading a Spanish Bible

Posted on November 15, 2023 by Steve Simms

For almost a year I’ve been reading a Spanish Bible every day. I’m focusing on the New Testament and I’m almost through it for the second time this year. It’s not been easy because my Spanish was quite limited when … Continue reading →

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A call to decelebritize Christianity!

Posted on November 14, 2023 by Steve Simms

Let’s decelebritize Christianity! Modern Christianity has celebritized people and minimized Jesus. On church bulletins and signs and on conference brochures and schedules, the names and pictures of preachers and Christian conference speakers crowd out the name of Jesus. Try this: … Continue reading →

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I want to live in a place of heart-felt community

Posted on November 14, 2023 by Steve Simms

I want to live in a place of heart-felt community where people caring deeply about each other is more important than people comparing themselves with each other and competing with one another. Those kinds of places are hard to find, … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian community, Christian experience, counter culture Christianity | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments