Monthly Archives: May 2012

Does Western Christianity Disengage God

Posted on May 11, 2012 by Steve Simms

As an avid reader of church history, I’ve noticed a consistent trend in Western religion.  It seems to disengage God — treating Him as a figure to occasionally honor rather than as a living power source. Let me explain.  A … Continue reading →

Posted in Acts, Anabaptists, Catholic mystics, Christian history, Christianity, church, church history, early church, Methodists, monastics, Moravians, Nashville, Quakers, religion, religious ceremonies, Salvationists, show and tell, spiritual, spiritual formation, the way we do church, Uncategorized, Waldensians | Tagged , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Apply These Apps For Spiritual Strength

Posted on May 11, 2012 by Steve Simms

God’s not like a TV where you passively sit back, like a couch potato, and watch professionals put-on religious performances. He’s got more apps for you than there are for your iPhone. So listen directly to the living God.  Load … Continue reading →

Posted in acts of God, alternative lifestyle, apps, Berry Street, Berry Street Worship Center, Christian, church, church roles, community, download, downloads, East Nashville, gifts of the Spirit, guidance, iPhone, joy, kindness, kingdom of God, love, Music City, mysticism, non-traditional church, operationg system, organic church, participatory church, patience, peace, priesthood of the believer, reality TV, religion, religious ceremonies, simple church, spiritual disciplines, spiritual formation, spiritual growth, spiritual skills, supernatural, support group, television, TV, TV network, voice activated | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Why does contemporary society approve of consensual casual-sex, but disapprove of consensual obesity?

Posted on May 10, 2012 by Steve Simms

Why does contemporary society approve of consensual casual-sex but disapprove of consensual obesity?  (Both cause health problems and can be labeled as epidemics.)  Both result from being gone with the whim. If there can be safe casual-sex, why not safe obesity?

Posted in brainwashed, casual sex, challenges, clear conscience, conviction of sin, corrupt culture, epidemic, epidemics, ethics, fear, free will, health, lies, lifestyles, meaning, modern myths, moral principles, morality, morals, myths, obesity, popular culture, questions, right and wrong, right conduct, safe sex, self-denial, self-image, sex, sin, temptation, values, wake-up call, words | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Here’s A Curious Question: Isn’t “Same-Sex Marriage” An Oxymoron?

Posted on May 9, 2012 by Steve Simms

President Obama’s comment about same-sex marriage made me think. An oxymoron can be defined as a figure of speech which combines incongruous or contradictory terms. Since marriage has been defined for millennia as a relationship between a man and a … Continue reading →

Posted in 20th Century, alternative lifestyle, casual sex, comment, compromise, conscience, corrupt culture, cravings, ethics, history, lifestyles, marriage, moral principles, morality, morals, natural laws, oxymorons, popular culture, President Obama, sex, sex in marriage, Uncategorized, values | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

got a clear conscience?

Posted on May 9, 2012 by Steve Simms

got a clear conscience?  Without one life’s a pain. got forgiveness?  Guilt will tilt and wilt your soul. Want forgiveness and a clear conscience? The living, resurrected Jesus Christ is standing by, waiting to forgive you, if you will turn … Continue reading →

Posted in Christ, Christ-centered, Christian, Christianity, conviction of sin, disciples, discipling, ethics, forgiveness, guilt, hope, Jesus, Jesus Christ, kingdom of God, moral principles, morality, morals, recovery, religion | Tagged , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Why Is Depression Rampant In America

Posted on May 8, 2012 by Steve Simms

Why is depression rampant in America, a country known for freedom and prosperity? Perhaps the answer is in this quotation . . . “Many people look out into a meaningless world in which there is no afterlife, where all their … Continue reading →

Posted in belief, brainwashed, center of the universe, Christ, Christ-centered, Christian, Christianity, clear conscience, depression, eternal life, faithfulness, freedom, gratitude, guidance, ideal, idealism, invisible, inward change, Jesus, Jesus Christ, meaning, Morton T. Kelsey, motivation, non-material reality, Oh my God, presence of Christ, presence of God, prosperity, purpose, Quotations, quote, Quotes, religion, Savior, self-esteem, self-image, soul, spiritual formation, spiritual growth, Why be a Christian? | Tagged , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

What Is The Most Innocent Form Of Human Life? The Child Developing In Her/His Mother’s Womb

Posted on May 8, 2012 by Steve Simms
Posted in abortion, birth control, brainwashed, brokenness, fetus, good question, heart-felt love, holy, hope, human body, human conception, human life, human rights, humility, joy, life, miracles, morality, morals, mother's womb, nonviolence, origin of life, pro life, self-esteem, sperm, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Have some Possibila Tea. Sip a cuppa hope. Get a sense of purpose. Savor some faith. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Posted on May 7, 2012 by Steve Simms
Posted in Christ, Christian, Christianity, hope, ideal, idealism, insight, inward change, Jesus, Jesus Christ, lifestyles, motivation, peace, religion, self-esteem, self-help, self-image, thoughts, Uncategorized, values, words, words on fire | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Good Sermon Or Burning Words?

Posted on May 7, 2012 by Steve Simms

When people hear a sermon they often go up to the preacher and say:  “Good message,” or “Good sermon.”  However when the early disciples heard the word, they said:  “Didn’t his words burn in our hearts!” When Peter preached on … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, burning heart, Christian, Christian community, Christian history, Christianity, conviction of sin, early church, East Nashville, gifts of the Spirit, good sermon, inward change, language, Music City, mysticism, Nashville, organic church, preaching, religion, sermon, sermons, spiritual formation, teaching, Uncategorized, Western religion, words, words on fire | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Can The Contempory Church Say “This Is That”?

Posted on May 5, 2012 by Steve Simms

Can the contemporary church say, like Peter did in the Book of Acts, “This is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel,” as we point, like Peter did, to something supernatural that God is doing in our midst? It … Continue reading →

Posted in 21st Century, Acts, acts of God, Berry Street, Berry Street Worship Center, Bible, Biblical concept, church, church structure, denominations, discipling, early church, evidence for God, eyewitness, gifts of the Spirit, house church, Jerusalem, lifestyles, missional, movement, Music City, mystery, mysticism, New Testament, non-traditional church, order of worship, organic church, Paul of Tarsus, Peter, popular culture, priesthood of the believer, proof of God, prophesy, prophet, prophet Joel, relational church, religion, show and tell, speaking in tongues, spiritual growth, supernatural, testimonies, the way we do church, this is that, tradition, which was spoken by the prophet Joel | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments