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!

Christian lectures? Or a demonstration of Christ?

Posted on November 27, 2018 by Steve Simms

To focus on a man’s talk rather than on Christ’s presence is to settle for a 2nd-hand account instead of a 1st-hand experience. Instead of listening to lectures about Jesus, perhaps Christians could passionately demonstrate our love for and obedience … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Never buy enough (be enough)

Posted on November 26, 2018 by Steve Simms

You can never buy enough physical things to make up for inner emptiness. Don’t settle for incomplete shopping: “With all your getting get understanding.” –Proverbs 4:7 An abundance of stuff has failed to “Make America kind within.” Greatness exudes kindness … Continue reading →

Posted in American history, black history, history, Uncategorized, world history | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Why don’t American Presidents carry guns?

Posted on November 25, 2018 by Steve Simms

Can you think of a US President who carried a gun? Most (if not all) have found it completely unnecessary. Why? Presidents are protected by the best security system and body guards that money can buy — the Secret Service. … Continue reading →

Posted in Abraham Lincoln, American history, American values, Americans, Christianity, gun violence, Holy Spirit, John F. Kennedy, nonviolence, prayer, protection, right to bear arms, Uncategorized, United States, violence in society | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Suddenly Phineas was right in front of me

Posted on November 20, 2018 by Steve Simms

I wanted to watch a movie last night, so I stopped at a Redbox and looked at dozens of movies, but nothing appealed to me. By a process of elimination, I settled for The Greatest Showman (which I had seen before … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, faith, movie, movie review, movies, prophecy, prophet, psalm, religion, revival, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Colorful race adventures

Posted on November 19, 2018 by Steve Simms

This Thanksgiving Day I am thankful for my interracial adventures and my new book about them. Read about my adventures crossing the color-line: * selling black history books door-to-door in a race riot; * getting a haircut from Oprah’s dad; … Continue reading →

Posted in America, American, American history, American media, appreciation, grace, gratitude, prayer, prayer walking, prayers, praying, praying together, Thanksgiving Eve, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

To focus on a man’s talk (called a “sermon”) rather than on Christ’s presence is to settle for a 2nd-hand account instead of a 1st-hand experience.

Posted on November 18, 2018 by Steve Simms
Posted in alternative to preaching, alternative to sermons, church sermons, do away with the sermon, encounter with God, encountering God, experiencing God, experiencing Jesus, homiletics, homily, long-winded sermon, meeting Jesus, preaching the Gospel, preaching the Word, sermon material, sermon series, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Playing the erase card

Posted on November 16, 2018 by Steve Simms

Play the erase card. Forgive people who have hurt or offended you. Disrespect makes fairness difficult. People who disrespect others reveal their own insecurity and fear. Two or more people won’t ever agree on everything, but their disagreement never needs … Continue reading →

Posted in agree to disagree, art, colorblind, disrespect, Gentile, history, Jews, kindness, love, Love one another, lovingkindness, multi-racial, racial reconciliation, right to disagree, the colors, Uncategorized, unkindness | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

election and mean talk

Posted on November 6, 2018 by Steve Simms

Politicians say, “I’ll fight.” Perhaps it would be better if instead, they worked together for the good of the country. Voting nowadays isn’t easy. In many races there are rude and hostile people representing both parties. Perhaps America needs more than … Continue reading →

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History of the race card

Posted on November 4, 2018 by Steve Simms

People with similar personalities have much more in common than people with similar skin color. Get out of the race box. Color outside the racial lines. Get my new book “Off the RACE Track” on Amazon. If you look back at … Continue reading →

Posted in ancient history, colorblind, equality, Europeans, inequality, Jewish, Jews, Off the RACE Track, out of the box, outside the lines, the colors, The Declaration of Independence, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Insults, race, disagreement, politics, and history

Posted on October 27, 2018 by Steve Simms

It takes no brains, no heart, and no character to call someone a demeaning name. However, if you feel a need to insult people who disagree with you, perhaps you’re not very secure in your beliefs. It’s easier to insult … Continue reading →

Posted in acts of kindness, anti-bullying, black history, bullying, gun violence, healing racism, heart, heart care, heart connection, institutional racism, kindness, racism, Random acts of kindness, stop bullying, stop the violence, Uncategorized, unkindness, violence, violence epidemic | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment