Monthly Archives: August 2016

Shall we overcome?

Posted on August 31, 2016 by Steve Simms

Shall we overcome? Don’t succumb to discouragement, self-destruction, and depression. Overcome through the reality of Christ’s love. “Deep in my heart, I do believe, we shall overcome someday!” The lost word of the Bible is a recovery word. It can … Continue reading →

Posted in African American experience, African Americans, black history, Black history month, Christianity, Deep in my heart I do believe, depression, discouragement, encouragement, equal rights, equality, human rights, lyrics, overcoming circumstances, overcoming depression, overcoming hate, overcoming setbacks, overcoming temptation, posters, quote, Uncategorized, wisdom | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Big bucks for EpiPens

Posted on August 30, 2016 by Steve Simms

Like some TV preachers, the maker of life-saving EpiPens, Mylan, is bringing in big bucks.  Mylan has been strongly criticized for continually raising the price for a two-pack set of EpiPens.  It is now more than $600, which is 600 percent higher … Continue reading →

Posted in allergic reaction, allergies, drug manufacturers, faith, finances, God on money, health, health care costs, health insurance, health system, pricing, savings, spirituality, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Christ called audibles are transformational

Posted on August 29, 2016 by Steve Simms

An audible is when a quarterback in football calls out a change in the programmed play right before the ball is snapped. Perhaps churches should let the living, resurrected Jesus be our quarterback and call out audibles during worship meetings. … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Thessalonians 5:19, art of listening, audible, calling audibles, changing plays, church programming, decline of the church, ekklesia, Elizabeth George, house church, inner listening, John 2:5, Kristian Goldmund Aumann, line of scrimmage, listening, listening prayer, listening skills, listening to God, listening to the Spirit, organic church, Quaker worship, Quotations, silence, simple church, spiritual listening, Uncategorized, Whatever He says to you do it | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Salvation Army “War Cry” Review of “Beyond Church”

Posted on August 28, 2016 by Steve Simms

War Cry, the national magazine of The Salvation Army USA wrote: Beyond Church Takes You Past Sunday Worship Have you ever wanted something more in life? Something more than religion? More than ‘church as usual?” In the Western world, traditional church is … Continue reading →

Posted in alternative Christianity, alternative church, ancient Greeks, Beyond Church, ekklesia, Greek city-states, Greek history, Greek language, organic chruch, practical religion, religion, Salvation Army Corps, simple church, Stephen Court, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

If the Gaylord Opryland donkey could talk

Posted on August 26, 2016 by Steve Simms

(Get your copy here.) If the donkey in Gaylord Opryland Resort in Nashville, Tennessee could talk he might say . . .

Posted in advice, Beyond Church, creativity, Dones, house church, ideas, nones, nontraditional church, Quotations, Quotes, simple church, suggestions, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Spontaneous vs. Spiritaneous

Posted on August 25, 2016 by Steve Simms

To be spontaneous is be unconstrained by fear or tradition and to be willing to act on an inner impulse or inclination, without planning or external stimulus. To be Spiritaneous is to be unconstrained by fear or tradition and to be willing … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Corinthians 14:26, Beyond Church, church decline, Dones, ekklesia, Friends' worship, nones, nontraditional church, people leaving church, Quaker worship, Romans 8:14, sermon, spontaneous church, Uncategorized, unconventional worship, unprogrammed, unprogrammed church, unprogrammed meeting, worship | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Church programs or ekklesia fire?

Posted on August 25, 2016 by Steve Simms

Question: What would happen if church meetings were built on people stepping out in faith and sharing from their heart — instead of being built on people passively watching a highly programmed presentation? Answer: God’s fire would fall and His … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Corinthians 14:26, body of Christ, church bulletin, church programs, ekklesia, holiness, lyrics, priest, purity, royal priesthood, Salvation Army, song, spiritual warfare, Uncategorized, universal priesthood, worship | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Does American religion deny the freedom of speech?

Posted on August 23, 2016 by Steve Simms

Does religion restrict the freedom of speech? –The First Amendment to the American Constitution guarantees the freedom of religion and the freedom of speech. –So given such freedom, why do American churches almost universally follow a form or religion that … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Corinthians 14:26, church, form of godliness, freedom of conscience, having a form of godliness but denying the power, house church, organic chruch, simple church, testimonies, Uncategorized, unprogrammed church, unprogrammed meeting, worship | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Seeking self-satisfaction is an endless whirlpool of “me, my, and mine” — a downward spiral, swirling with discouragement, depression, and despair. The search for self-fulfillment is a misery making myth that sucks the life out of people, throwing them into a raging stream of self-sedation and mindless medication. The only rescue is the recovery of self-denial — passionately following a cause that is greater than self — losing yourself in serving others.

Posted on August 20, 2016 by Steve Simms
Posted in despair, discouragement, finding yourself, me my mine, self-control, self-denial, self-destruction, self-destructive behaviors, self-discovery, self-esteem, self-focus, self-forgiveness, self-fulfillment, self-hate, self-help, self-image, self-importance, self-improvement, self-indulgence, self-interest, self-justification, self-mastery, self-promotion, self-respect, self-restraint, self-sacrifice, self-surrender, self-worth, selfish desires, selfishness, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Letting church cruise on Christ-contol

Posted on August 19, 2016 by Steve Simms

Across the USA church is in decline. Perhaps it is time to set church on Christ-control and let Jesus freely cruise trough the meeting. There’s nothing like a Christ-led gathering when we put aside human agendas and control and simply let … Continue reading →

Posted in alternative church, alternative to church, Christ control, church meetings, church services, churching, contemporary church, ekklesia, Greek city-states, house church, House of Prayer, how to do church, open church, open forum, praise and worship, Salvation Army, Salvation Army Corps, simple church, town meeting, Uncategorized, When you come together, worship | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment