Monthly Archives: April 2012

E.A.S.T.E.R.

Posted on April 7, 2012 by Steve Simms

E. — Encounter the dead Jesus who now lives A. — And reveals Himself to humble hears. S. — Stand in awe of His glorious Presence T. — Taking the time to E. — Experience His R. — Reality! Come … Continue reading →

Posted in alternative lifestyle, awe, Berry Street, Berry Street Worship Center, Christ, Christ-centered, Christian, Christian community, Christian history, Christianity, church, Easter, glory, God, miracles, Music City, mystery, mysticism, Nashville, organic church, religion, spiritual, spiritual disciplines, spiritual formation, supernatural, The Salvation Army, The Voice, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Cross Ways — The Passion Of The Christ

Posted on April 6, 2012 by Steve Simms

Crucifixion is one of the cruelest forms of execution ever invented.  Its purpose was not just to put a man to death.  It was to bring extreme public shame and to cause the greatest possible amount of physical suffering. Crucifixion … Continue reading →

Posted in Christ, Christian history, Christianity, church history, Constantine, conviction of sin, crucifixion, Good Friday, history, mystery, persecution, Quotations, quote, Quotes, religion, revolution, Roman, Son-shine, spiritual combat, spiritual warfare, the cross, torture, Uncategorized, wages of sin, wake-up call, Why be a Christian?, WWJD? | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

“He Rose” By The Puny “Easter” Name Is Not The Same

Posted on April 5, 2012 by Steve Simms

Why do we hide the shocking concept of Jesus of Nazareth coming back to life never to die again, behind the weak words, “Happy Easter,” and then weaken it even more by throwing in eggs, a bunny, baskets, shopping, decorative … Continue reading →

Posted in 21st Century, alternative lifestyle, American church, Berry Street, Berry Street Worship Center, Christ, Christ-centered, Christian, Christian history, Christianity, cyberworld, dead man walking, death-defeating, East Nashville, gift of God, Happy Easter, hearing God, hearing Jesus, holiday, holidays, Jesus, Jesus Christ, mystery, mysticism, Nashville, non-material reality, non-traditional church, popular culture, presence of Christ, presence of God, rejecting Christ, religion, repentance, resurrection, smartphones, spiritual, spiritual combat, spiritual formation, spiritual growth, spiritual warfare, stuff, supernatural, The Salvation Army, up from the grave He arose, Western religion | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Perhaps Abortion Should Be Treated Like Suicide

Posted on April 4, 2012 by Steve Simms

Since the 1970’s abortion has been a deeply felt political issue.  Every now and then a political candidate will talk about finding a compromise on this issue, as candidate Obama did during the 2008 presidential campaign.  Can there be a … Continue reading →

Posted in abortion, birth control, boundaries, brokenness, change, choice, compromise, life, Obama, October Baby, political correctness, political issue, popular culture, presidential campaign, society, suicide, thinking, thoughts, Uncategorized, values | Tagged , , , , , , | 9 Comments

What Do People Hunt During Easter Week?

Posted on April 3, 2012 by Steve Simms

It’s Easter week!  What should we be hunting for? 1) Eggs? or 2) The risen Jesus Christ? Well, if the resurrection is merely a myth, then I guess the only things we have to hunt for are eggs, or fancy … Continue reading →

Posted in 21st Century, Christ, Christ-centered, Christian, Christianity, Easter, Happy Easter, hearing God, hearing Jesus, Jesus, Jesus Christ, mystery, mysticism, myths, non-material reality, religion, resurrection, Spirit-led, spiritual, spiritual disciplines, spiritual formation, spiritual growth, spiritual skills, supernatural | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Is The Living Christ Allowed To Lead Easter Sunday Church Services?

Posted on April 3, 2012 by Steve Simms

Since all Christian denominations claim and proclaim that Jesus Christ is actually risen from the dead and is still alive, shouldn’t Christ be allowed to control and direct an Easter Sunday church service?  In other words, should an Easter Sunday … Continue reading →

Posted in alternative lifestyle, American church, Berry Street, Berry Street Worship Center, Christian, Christian history, Christianity, church, church history, church structure, early church, East Nashville, Easter, gifts of the Spirit, Happy Easter, hearing God, hearing Jesus, house church, I Corinthians 14:26, improv, Jesus Christ, Music City, mysticism, Nashville, organic church, participatory church, praise and worship, presence of Christ, priesthood of the believer, religion, simple church, spiritual formation, spiritual growth, The Salvation Army, the way we do church, Uncategorized, What is church? | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

What does the contemporary American church have that the early church in the Book of Acts didn’t have? Here are some possibilities . . . Christian tradition, ministries that people named with their own name, hierarchy, money, church buildings, self-confidence, freedom, one person in control of a church, denominations, laymen, the separation of life into sacred and secular, Bible schools and seminaries, conferences, religious TV networks, televangelists, tax-free status, clergy, a high level of organization, the fear of witnessing to others. Can you think of more things that we have that the early church didn’t have?

Posted on April 2, 2012 by Steve Simms
Posted in Acts, American, American church, Christian, Christian history, Christianity, church, church history, church structure, clergy, denominations, early church, ekklesia, freedom, laymen, non-traditional church, organic church, religion, sacred and secular, simple church, televangelists, the way we do church, Uncategorized, values, What is church? | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Why have multitudes given up on church? What’s missing in our contemporary American church that the early church had in Acts? Here are some possibilities . . . Humility, brokenness, awe, tears, passion, conviction of sin, excitement, self-denial, testimonies, openness, the priesthood of the believer, repentance, persecution, confession, participation, boldness, power, deliverance, miracles, opportunities to minister to one another, healing. Can you think of more things the early church had that we seem to be lacking?

Posted on April 2, 2012 by Steve Simms
Posted in Acts, American church, Americans, ancient history, awe, brokenness, Christianity, church, church history, church structure, conviction of sin, crying, deliverance, early church, ekklesia, forgiveness, humility, lifestyles, miracles, non-traditional church, order of worship, organic church, participatory church, persecution, priesthood of the believer, religion, repent, repentance, self-denial, simple church, sin, spiritual, spiritual formation, spiritual skills, tears, the way we do church, Uncategorized, Western religion, What is church? | Tagged , , , , , , , | 12 Comments