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This Moment Matters

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ISBN 978-1-4002-4443-0 (HC)

ISBN 978-1-4002-4444-7 (eBook)

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HarperCollins Publishers, Macken House, 39/40 Mayor Street Upper, Dublin 1, D01 C9W8, Ireland (https:// www.harpercollins.com)

Art direction: Tiffany Forrester

Cover and interior design: Janelle Coury

Cover photo: Niki Bryant Photography

Interior Photos: Camille Davis, Liam Simons, Cole Davis Photography, Meshali Mitchell Photography

Printed in India

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Live Coram Deo

A few years ago, the Lord led the Simons family to be part of a church plant again. This time it began in our home as a house church and grew to reflect the community and convictions of the early church. Eventually, it grew to become a more structured and recognized church with nonprofit status, and our body of believers decided it was time for a name.

We came together to talk about it, and the name Coram Deo was the one that stuck. Coram Deo is a Latin phrase that literally means “face-to-face with God.” It carries with it the idea of living fully in the presence of God— authentically, transparently, and with an undivided heart. R. C. Sproul wrote about the phrase this way: “The big idea of the Christian life is coram Deo Coram Deo captures the essence of the Christian life. This phrase literally refers to something that takes place in the presence of, or before the face of, God. To live coram Deo is to live one’s entire life in the

presence of God, under the authority of God, to the glory of God.” 1

Living coram Deo isn’t a formula or a strategy; it’s a posture of the heart. I know no better way to make the moments of my life matter than to seek to live coram Deo

What if we chose to approach each day with this big idea? What would you do differently (or what would you pursue heartily) if you knew you were living every moment in the presence of God, under the authority of God, to the glory of God?

Think of five things you’d do differently with that posture of the heart.

Now think of five things you’d pursue heartily with that posture of the heart.

Asking God to help us live coram Deo will help guide our decisions, determine how we spend our time and energy, and reveal the ways in which we can each live authentically and intentionally—for his glory and our good.