Monthly Archives: November 2017

5 ways to recover from hurt in church

Posted on November 30, 2017 by Steve Simms

Ouch! Even the title of this post is a bit painful. However, if you’ve ever been hurt by church (and/or by people in church) here are 5 things that can help you heal your hurting heart. 1) Forgive. It’s hard … Continue reading →

Posted in bitterness, blame, Bless those who curse you, church mediation, ekklesia, forgiveness, house church, organic church, peace, peacemaking, prayer, reconciliation, resentment, root of bitterness, simple church, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Letting church come home

Posted on November 27, 2017 by Steve Simms

For those who like the idea of house church, but can’t find one and/or don’t know how to start one, there is great news. ONE is really a house church handbook. It’s full of practical and theological ideas about meeting … Continue reading →

Posted in family gathering, family of God, family time, family togetherness, family values, I'm so glad I'm a part of the family of God, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Most Christians have been trained to listen to a preacher, but not trained to listen to the risen Jesus.

Posted on November 26, 2017 by Steve Simms

When I was growing up in church, I was trained to listen to a preacher, but not trained to listen to the risen Jesus. (If church doesn’t train Christians to listen to and obey the Jesus, who will?) The reality … Continue reading →

Posted in alternative to preaching, homiletics, lay preaching, Lay Witness Missions, lay witness movement, leadership training, nontraditional preaching, preaching without words, pulpit, pulpit ministry, search engine, sermons, Ted Talks, Train yourself unto godliness., Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

If it’s harmful, don’t do it. If it’s unkind, don’t say it. If it’s tormenting, don’t think it.

Posted on November 26, 2017 by Steve Simms

The thoughts and images that you have allowed in your mind were the seeds that produced the way you feel today.

Posted in advice, do it, do the math, Don't be afraid, harmful habit, harmful thinking, power of words, speak the truth in love, tormenting thoughts, Uncategorized, unkindness, wisdom, word of wisdom, words | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Be a fruity Christian

Posted on November 21, 2017 by Steve Simms

There’s no better stuff than the fruit of the Holy Spirit. But you often need to go out on a limb to get it. After all, that’s where the fruit grows. Are you ready to be a fruity Christian? “But the … Continue reading →

Posted in character, characteristics of a Christian, content of their character, faith, faithfulness, fruity, goodness, joy, kindness, longsuffering, love, patience, peace, self-control, spiritual formation, spiritual growth, spiritual maturity, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Did Jesus establish a democratic *Theocracy?

Posted on November 18, 2017 by Steve Simms

I believe that what we call church was originally intended to be a democratic *Theocracy — an organic body of Jesus’ disciples, ruled and led directly by the living, resurrected Jesus. Jesus established it by saying, “On this rock (of … Continue reading →

Posted in ancient Greece, ancient history, ancient Israel, body of Christ, ekklesia, Greek city state, Head of the church, Israel, On this rock I will build My church, organic chruch, oxymorons, politics, tribes of Israel, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Lecture-ship or discipleship?

Posted on November 17, 2017 by Steve Simms

Church has replaced discipleship with lecture-ship. But no discipleship equals no New Testament Christianity! Jesus came to give you direct access to God. You don’t need a human go-between to lecture you once a week. Jesus said to make disciples. … Continue reading →

Posted in body of Christ, Book of Revelation, casual church, cost of discipleship, disciple making, disciples, Gospel, how to be a disciple, Leonard Ravenhill, making disciples, ministers, New Testament, preach the gospel, preacher, preachers, preaching the Gospel, priest, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Are church greeters biblical?

Posted on November 15, 2017 by Steve Simms

A handshake, a smile, a kind word, and a bulletin (and perhaps occasionally a hug) — that’s pretty much the job description of a church greeter.  So are church greeters in the Bible? And if so what was their job in … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Denominations, Christian unity, denominations, interdenominational, one in the Spirit, team, teamwork, Uncategorized, unity, working together | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The best thing to do with a bad thought

Posted on November 11, 2017 by Steve Simms

A human mind, polluted with various forms of negativity, produces a life overflowing with the same pollutants. I think, therefore I am . . . not going to think negatively! One thing I’m positive about is that thinking negatively is never … Continue reading →

Posted in addiction, depression, do it if it feels good, don't think about a pink elephant, feelings, happiness, inner peace, joy, optimism, overcoming depression, pessimism, stream of consciousness, think on these things, Uncategorized, unhappiness | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Against the gates of Hell with toothpicks or a mighty battering ram?

Posted on November 10, 2017 by Steve Simms

What can knock down a gate? 40,000 individual toothpicks or ONE mighty battering ram? Think about it. 40,000 toothpicks couldn’t do much damage to a gate and definitely couldn’t overcome it and knock it down. However, ONE might battering ram … Continue reading →

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