Author Archives: Steve Simms

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About Steve Simms

I like to look and think outside the box. In college I encountered Jesus Christ and I have been passionate about trying to get to know Him better ever since. My wife and I long to see the power and passion of the first Christ-followers come to life in our time. I have written a book about our experiences in non-traditional church, called, "Beyond Church: An Invitation To Experience The Lost Word Of The Bible--Ekklesia." If you need encouragement, search for: Elephants Encouraging The Room and/or check out my Amazon author page. Thank you!

All Saints Eve & Day are for celebrating Jesus-first people

Posted on October 31, 2022 by Steve Simms

It’s All Saints Eve–a day before All Saints Day, set aside to honor Jesus-first people. Don’t be distracted by devils. “Hallow” is an old English word that means “to make holy or set aside for holy use.” Use today (and … Continue reading →

Posted in called to be saints, disciples, Halloween, holiness, holy, how to be a disciple, reformation, Reformation Day, saints | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Thinking about Jesus-first people

Posted on October 30, 2022 by Steve Simms

I love to spend time with people who keep Jesus first in their heart and lifestyle. Although they seem to be distracted from much of the details and desires of daily life, they have a burning focus on Jesus. They … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian community, discipleship, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Jesus is Lord, Jesus is the way | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

God is non-fiction — worship Him & see

Posted on October 29, 2022 by Steve Simms

Worship isn’tThe posture we takeOr the noise we makeIt’s when we forsakeOur focus on selfAnd allow God to rakeOur heart with His presenceAnd make us wide awakeTo His reality. AnyplaceYou open your heartIn honest and humbleAdoration of GodBecomes a placeOf … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian poetry, poetry, religious poetry, spiritual worship, types of worship, worship, worship styles | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Distractions are subtractions that take away your sense of purpose.

Posted on October 28, 2022 by Steve Simms

If you never click the delete icon in your mind, you’ll live distracted all the time. Distraction isn’t a disorder. It’s the lack of rigorous self-control. Look not at what isn’t good to see. Click not where going isn’t good … Continue reading →

Posted in a healthy mind, absent-mindedness, attention holding, mental health, mental health note, renewing your mind, self-focus | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Christianity is about individuals, not clones in religious institutions

Posted on October 27, 2022 by Steve Simms

Until we gather with and spiritually connect with Christ-transformed individuals, there will be little unity among Christians. When Christ-transformed individuals recognize each other there’s an instant sense of kinship and community. I sold black history books during college summers and … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian living, Christian recovery, institutional church, life transforming, spiritual formation, transformation | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Words in my heart are my wake-up call

Posted on October 26, 2022 by Steve Simms

I wake up in the morning and Jesus puts words in my heart. I respond by passively pondering and the words come together as individual phrases (and sometimes as poems). These are the words that manifested in my heart this … Continue reading →

Posted in great awakening, language, spiritual awakening, wake up, wake-up call, writing | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A ground-breaking wake-up thought this morning

Posted on October 25, 2022 by Steve Simms

As soon as I woke up this morning, I wrote this on a slip of paper: (“If Christ is in you, He’s not just there passively. He’s there actively working in you.”) That was ground-breaking in my consciousness. Now, after … Continue reading →

Posted in Christ in you, growing in grace, Jesus Christ, spiritual formation, spiritual growth | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Christians meeting with heart-felt awareness of Jesus

Posted on October 24, 2022 by Steve Simms

Acute awareness of the risen Jesus requires much more than hearing a talk about Him. It requires direct, personal, ongoing, and interactive encounter with Him. It requires a knowing beyond head knowledge that ignites the heart with awe-filled aha and … Continue reading →

Posted in alternative church, church, spiritual worship, the heart of worship, unprogrammed, unprogrammed church, worship | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Is a Christian still a sinner?

Posted on October 23, 2022 by Steve Simms

It’s easy to see sins in other people; it’s much harder to see them in yourself. It’s easy to “plead the 5th” and hide your sins, but until you confess them and receive forgiveness, they’ll cause you much misery. To … Continue reading →

Posted in chief of sinners, repent, repentance, sin, sinner | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The glory of God’s oratory in my heart

Posted on October 22, 2022 by Steve Simms

God’s thought-voice is audibleAnd you are capableOf hearing it,If you makeYour heart available,Just like you hearOther thoughts in your mind. I’ve never heard anyone preach or speak like the glory of God’s oratory in my own heart. His thought-voice continually … Continue reading →

Posted in God's voice, heart, heart care, heart religion, inner voice, mental health, mind | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment