Finding Purpose Beyond Rationalistic Materialism

Posted on June 9, 2024 by Steve Simms
Daily writing prompt
If humans had taglines, what would yours be?
View all responses

When people abandon the idea that there is more than matter and energy behind the physics, chemistry, and biology of the universe, they lose their way. It’s hard to have good mental health when people see no meaning to their existence. Rational materialism is irrational. It teaches that nothing produced everything.

Seeing life from a purely naturalistic perspective produces purposelessness — a life with no reason for existence. A materialistic world view offers nothing to overcome the deep sense of meaninglessness that many people feel. Rationalistic Western civilization uses entertainment, drugs, and alcohol as the opium of the people to distract them from the hopelessness they face under the materialistic world view.

Hopelessness happens when we fail to let the glorious grandeur, wonder, and design of the material universe keep our heart overflowing with awe and appreciation, for the one who created it. Materialism offers people no inner peace. Only something non-material can do that.

I’m always inspired and hopeful and filled with a great sense of purpose and meaning. Christ in me truly is the hope of glory! Because of an acute awareness of the presence, power, and love of the living Jesus, I have incredible meaning and purpose in my life.

The mystery of life’s meaning and purpose is revealed trough the risen Jesus. Behold the Lamb of God!

Jesus is my lifejacket.
When I fall off the boat
He keeps me afloat.

Posted in finding meaning, hope, materialism, materialistic evolution, rationalism | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Surrender, Humility, and Trust

Posted on June 8, 2024 by Steve Simms
Daily writing prompt
What are the most important things needed to live a good life?
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Once I heard a preacher say, “I want to hide behind the Cross so that people see Jesus, not me.” John the Baptist put it this way, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” The old hymn, Rock of Ages, says, “Let me hide myself in Thee (Jesus).”

As a new Christ-follower during the Jesus Revolution a burning love for the risen Jesus was birthed within me and He became as real to me as my physical environment. More than anything I wanted to help others to experience the living Jesus in the same way. When I would pray for God to use me to make people aware of His glorious presence and reality on earth, a frightening prayer would come flowing out of me, “Lord, do whatever you need to do to me to be able to do what you want to do through me.”

After praying those words, I would be in shocked and stunned silence, in unbelief that I prayed such a thing. Then these words would silently sound within me, “Do you want to take that prayer back?” I would be very tempted to modify what I had prayed, but after an inward struggle I would say, “No, Lord. Have your way with me.”

Like all humans, I’ve had difficult times. Mine have been primarily emotional. Delay, disappointment, and rejection have crushed and tormented my heart too many times to count, as I’ve seen my hopes and dreams demolished (sometimes right when it looked like they were about to manifest). Against my will, I’ve been thrust into hiding. It recently happened again, and I have nowhere to turn but to the living, resurrected Jesus.

My inner devastation constantly drives me to Christ in me. He gives me hope that He is preparing me so that His light can shine so brightly in me that people will be able to behold the Lamb of God with such clarity that they are miraculously set free to continually adore, follow, and obey Jesus for the rest of their life.

“No turning back. No turning back.” I once wrote this poem:

Watching your “old man” die,
Makes you want to cry.
Seeing all your hopes and dreams
Take their wings and fly.
I know that “old man.”
His name is “myself,”
But I can’t help him now
He belongs to someone else.
Jesus, I gave myself to you
Go ahead and do
Whatever you want to
To me.

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Posted in Christ-centered, cost of discipleship, discipleship, spiritual formation | Tagged , , , , , , | 7 Comments

My Friend Who Often Corrects Me

Posted on June 7, 2024 by Steve Simms
Daily writing prompt
Who do you spend the most time with?
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I have a friend who corrects me almost every day. When I’m going astray, He calls me back. When I’m being unkind, He reminds me to show love. When I’m rising up with pride, he calls me aside and reminds me how frail, fallen, and fickle I am. When I’m broken hearted, he picks me up, brushes me off, and leads me forward with hope.

I want to spend all my time with Him and that’s easy to do because He is both invisible and omnipresent. No matter where I go, there He is, waiting for me to interact heart-to-heart with Him. If you’ve read any of my blog posts, you know His name. It’s Jesus. He also has a title, Christ, which means Messiah, the Anointed One, our Creator who became a man to redeem us from our rebellion and adopt us into His eternal family.

This is what my friend is doing in me: I love to continually experience the demonstrative presence of Christ and His redemptive process working in and through me. He causes me to see life differently and many people think I’m a fool. But that’s okay because the fruit that Jesus produces within me fills me with His healing balm and restores my soul.

Christ working in me is beyond anything I could ask or imagine. He bypasses my mind and my desires. He continually takes hold of my heart and tenderly twits and reshapes it to His will, breaking the thought patterns that have held me in bondage. It’s a life-long process. He never stops boldly and lovingly showing me where I’m off His track. He re-tunes me to set aside my cherished discordance so that I can better sing His song in harmony with His living reality and with His will.

Jesus passes beyond my mind and my analysis so that I can directly experience His still small voice speaking within me and connecting me heart-to-heart with Him. As my chains shatter and fall off in Christ’s presence, I often weep the sweet tears of being stunned by His supernatural compassion.

When I ride
The inner tide
Of my pride
I collide
With reality.
But when I let
The risen Jesus
Speak inside
And be my
Inner guide,
He leads me to
His humility.

I was strongly rejected yesterday by someone I love dearly, and God has been showing me it will work for my good and for their good. I was just sharing that concept with my wife. Then I came to FB to post this revelation that came to me: “To abandon pride is the key to peace,” and the first thing that I saw was this prophetic post by a Facebook friend I don’t know in person, “The rejection was for your redirection.”

When people manipulate you into silence by making you fear giving your honest opinion, true communication ends because you no longer have the courage to humbly and lovingly speak what you really believe. When people are secure in who they are, they don’t try to silence or intimate (or block) people who disagree with them.

To give someone who loves you the ultimatum, “Either agree with my behavior or get out of my life,” is cruel. However, when the body of Christ gathers regularly to connect heart-to-heart with Jesus and with one another amazing love and power is released through the presence of Christ flowing through all (not just one) of His assembled followers.

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Church Isn’t A Bad Thing, It’s Just Not Enough

Posted on June 6, 2024 by Steve Simms

In this picture:

1) There are no spectators.

2) Everyone feels free to speak out in the meeting.

3) Their focus is on the living Jesus.

I think Leonardo got it right in his famous painting. I wish churches would follow that format.

I’ve never said that church is a bad thing. I continually say that church is far from enough. Being a Christian involves so much more than hearing a Sunday sermon, no matter how good the sermon might b

The chopped up intuitional church that is divided into hundreds of thousands of separate denominations and independent churches that disagree with each other while claiming that their doctrine is right, even if it disagrees with the Bible. Since Jesus prayed that His body be one, surely that means that churches are at least somewhat messed up.

God has used the intuitional church throughout history. The devil also has used it through complacency, compromise, religious hatred, false doctrine, and religious violence. It’s the wheat and the tares. I don’t want to eliminate it. I want to help reform it. I’ve been in instutional churches until I was forced out 7 years ago. The 10 years before my wife and I planted and oversaw a church, that met like an AA meeting, in a major denomination. The support and love from that denomination was incredible until one man with a strong religious demon got the power to shut it down. As I write this, I am ministering in that denomination last night and tonight. Many of its leaders are hungry for reformation.

Church bags Jesus
In the bags
Of ceremony
And history,
But Jesus lives
To set you free.
Don't settle for
Religiosity.
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Love Means Not Demanding Approval

Posted on June 6, 2024 by Steve Simms

We need kind respectful discussions on sexuality, politics, and religion that don’t try to shame other people and shut them up for disagreeing. Everybody will never see those three things the same way. And that’s okay. Let’s respect each other anyway and not feel threatened by those who disagree with our point of view.

I’m weary of being told that I don’t accept and respect people because I disagree with their lifestyle. Acceptance and respect have nothing to do with approval. To call someone “phobic” because they won’t applaud a certain lifestyle is a form of manipulation.

You have the right to your lifestyle, and I have the right to disapprove of it (and vice versa). Let’s honor those rights. To demand that other people approve of your lifestyle is a sign of insecurity.

Guilt doesn’t come from other people. It comes from violating your own conscious. Let’s lighten up and respect people’s right to disapprove of our thoughts, words, and deeds. 

Disagreement
Isn't judgement.

My different
Point of view
Doesn't mean
That I hate you.

The birds and the bees 
Don't do as they please 
And float with the breeze 
Of confused identities.
Instead, they do 
According to 
The true design 
Of their bodies.

Reality is binary.
Opposites abound.
They are all around.
Even AI is binary.
Reality says
Make believe genders
Can't make babies.
Only male 
And female 
Can do that.
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My Name Doesn’t Matter

Posted on June 5, 2024 by Steve Simms
Daily writing prompt
If you had to change your name, what would your new name be?
View all responses

If you never know my name (or know it and forget it) that’s no big deal. My name doesn’t matter, but there is a name that greatly matters. There is a name that is above every other name. At that name every knee shall one day bow. That name has supernatural power that can set captives free from their mental, emotional, spiritual, and even physical captivity. Say the name and experience the impact it has on you. There’s something incredibly awesome about the name of Jesus.

There’s a huge difference between hearing a weekly talk about Jesus and personally experiencing the power of His name throughout each day. Start talking to Jesus. Then listen to and obey what He tells you.

Daily, eager, open-hearted Bible reading results in awareness of and reliance on the risen Jesus as He reveals Himself to me through Scripture by causing the words to burn within me. I’m not the only person the Bible impacts that way. I’ve encouraged many people to consistently read the Bible every day like a love letter for at least 5 minutes a day for 21 days. People who stick with it come to me and tell me that it has done something deep in their heart. Be like the Bereans. Try it for yourself and see what the Scriptures do inside of you.

Let unscripted words
Flow from your heart
Guided by the One
Who gives you breath.

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There’s Another King Than Chocolate (Or Any Other Desire)

Posted on June 4, 2024 by Steve Simms
Daily writing prompt
Describe your dream chocolate bar.
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There is another King than chocolate or any other desire. There’s a king beyond your wildest dreams, who can set you free to enjoy life with inner peace and joyous liberty. Follow Him to victory.

There’s another king
Than Ceasar.
It’s Jesus.
There’s another king
Than politics.
It’s Jesus.
There’s another king
Than pride.
It’s Jesus.
There’s another king
Than nationalism.
It’s Jesus.
There’s another king
Than anger.
It’s Jesus.
There’s another king
Than fear.
It’s Jesus.
There’s another king
Than religion.
It’s Jesus.
There’s another king
Than entertainment,
Than sexual desire,
Than social media,
Than addiction,
Than self-help,
Than hobbies,
Than intellect,
Than alcohol,
Than money,
Than whims,
Than sports,
Than drugs,
Than food,
Than you,
Than me.
It’s Jesus.

All those kings
That control
Your life
Get jealous
Of King Jesus
And want Christ
Off the throne
Of your life.
So they riot within you
Creating turmoil
To keep you under
Their bondage and control.

If you want
To be sane
Claim your pain
Until it
Motivates you
To allow
Jesus to reign
And take control
As your King.

Church isn’t my king. The living, resurrected Jesus Christ is!

If the damage you’re doing to yourself isn’t causing you to desperately desire healing and freedom, perhaps becoming aware of the damage you’re doing to other people will. Notice when you hurt people and feel the pain you produced. Claim the pain you caused them and let it cause you to continually crown the risen Jesus as the King who reigns in your life.

If you want your vote to matter, you have the deciding vote on what you do with Jesus. Elect Jesus as the Lord (absolute Master) of your life. Always humble yourself by putting His will above your own feelings, desires, and opinions. Listen to and obey Him throughout each day. When you ignore or silence your conscience or the Scriptures that prick your heart, then you’re ignoring or silencing Christ’s will within you.

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Posted in addiction, celebrate recovery, King Jesus, recovery | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

I Was Never Much of a Reader Until . . .

Posted on June 3, 2024 by Steve Simms
Daily writing prompt
Do you remember your favorite book from childhood?
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I never had a favorite childhood book because I never liked to read. That changed when at 19 I met the living, resurrected Jesus Christ. I suddenly had a strange desire to read the Bible. I picked it up and began to read. I was instantly hooked. The words burned in my heart. I began to read it for hours almost every day. That was many years ago and I still read the Bible every day and it still thrills me and makes me vividly aware of the presence of Jesus.

Saul of Tarsus also had a life transforming encounter with the living Jesus and began to follow and obey Him daily. He used to tell people: “This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Messiah.” (Is, not was.) Jesus is alive and active in this world. Let the risen Jesus continually demonstrate His power and reality in and through your life so that others can see and join in your experience with Christ and be fully persuaded to constantly rely on His presence. See act 17:3 in the Bible.

If you want your vote to matter, you have the deciding vote on what you do with Jesus. Elect Jesus as the Lord (absolute Master) of your life. Always humble yourself by putting His will above your own feelings, desires, and opinions. Listen to and obey Him throughout each day. When you ignore or silence your conscience or the Scriptures that prick your heart, then you’re ignoring or silencing Christ’s will within you.

Focus on Jesus. Rely on Him moment by moment. Discover His reality. Live each day as though it were your last opportunity to be kind. It may be.

Yesterday I nodded at a man who was walking by on the other side of the street. A few moments later I noticed that he had stopped and was looking at me. He caught my eye and said, “Did you do this at me?” and then he nodded. I told him that I did and he said, “Not many people do that anymore,” and started a friendly conversation with me. He was obviously lonely and really appreciated my simple jester of recognition and acknowledgement. Kindly let a stranger know that you notice them today.

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Proverbs, Matthew, & Romans (And a Poem About Good Judgement)

Posted on June 2, 2024 by Steve Simms
Daily writing prompt
List three books that have had an impact on you. Why?
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Proverbs, Matthew, and Romans are three books that talk about God’s good judgement and have had an amazing impact on me all of my adult life. Here’s a quotation from each one of them.

“A person may think their own ways are right, but the Lord weighs the heart.” Proverbs 21:2.

“I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken.” Matthew 12:36.

“You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat.” Romans 14:10.

Good Judgment

If there is no
Good judgment,
Then people can say
That every thought, feeling,
Desire, opinion,
And behavior
Is equal
And that no one
Ever does wrong.
If people are silenced
From expressing
What their conscience
Has to say
Then everyone can sing
Their own song
And proudly say
That it is good.
They can proclaim
Their guilt isn’t real
And the same
For the shame
That they feel,
While they loudly judge
And boldly blame
Anyone who quotes
God’s good judgement
To help them along.
When people say,
“I’m a good person,”
They are judging themselves
To be perfectly
Righteous, honest and fair,
When the truth is
We all know
Deep inside
That we’re not.

God’s judgement is good because it exposes the fallacies of our human subjectivity and reveals the reality of His objectivity. Ancient monks writing in a book called “The Philokalia” (Greek for “love of wisdom”) encourage people to continually pray this prayer: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, have mercy on me a sinner.”

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I’ve Overcome Fear by Letting Jesus Out of 4 Bags

Posted on June 1, 2024 by Steve Simms
Daily writing prompt
What fears have you overcome and how?
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When I let Jesus out of the bag and into the driver’s seat of my heart, my fears began to vanish. He began to fill me with love, power, and a sound mind. His presence transformed (and continues to transform) my relationships, my failings, and my mental health.

Let Jesus out of the bag! People like to keep Jesus in 4 bags: 1) the history bag, 2) the Heaven bag, 3) the church bag, and 4) the privacy bag.

Let Jesus out of the history bag. Continually experience His presence in the present.

Let Jesus out of the take-me-to-Heaven bag. Walk and talk with the living and present Jesus every day.

Let Jesus out of the church bag. Open your heart to Him and interact with Him everywhere you go.

Let Jesus out of the privacy bag. Live in His Light. What He speaks to your heart “shout it from the housetops.” Be His witness and demonstrate His presence all the time.

Christians who say God isn’t speaking to individuals today are displaying their own unbelief for all to see. They have Jesus in a bag. Open the bag and dare to believe God.

It’s tragic when Christian leaders speak out against encouraging Christ-followers to listen to and obey the inner leading of the Holy Spirit. They help keep Jesus in bags.

A couple of weeks ago I was in a meeting where a man who has struggled with addiction heard someone let Jesus out of the bag by giving a testimony about how God speaks directly to people. Yesterday, that man told me that ever since then he has been hearing God speak in his heart. He said he has had similar experiences before, but he thought it was just his own thoughts, but now he knows that it is really God. His face was aglow as he testified about the wonderful things Jesus is saying and doing in his life.

Here are some thoughts to help you let Jesus out of the bag:

Jesus didn’t say that people who are treated fairly are blessed. He said: “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you for My sake.”

Jesus didn’t say that people who avoid persecution are blessed. He said: “Blessed are you who are persecuted.”

Jesus didn’t say that people who stir up anger and hostility are blessed. He said, “Blessed are the peacemakers.”

Jesus didn’t say that people who like to watch entertainment containing vulgarity, violence, and various other forms of corruption are blessed. He said, “Blessed are the pure in heart.”

Jesus didn’t say that people who accuse and retaliate are blessed. He said, “Blessed are the merciful.”

Jesus didn’t say that strong-willed people are blessed. He said, “Blessed are the meek.”

Jesus didn’t say that those who party are blessed. He said, “Blessed are those who mourn.”

Jesus didn’t say that the proud are blessed. He said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit.”

Let the Big Cat (Christ the Lion of the tribe of Judah) out of the bag. Let Jesus be the King of your jungle and turn your life into His garden of peace.

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Posted in Christian spirituality, overcoming fear, religious tradition, spirituality | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment