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!

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

Sharing What The Spirit Says

Posted on August 16, 2016 by Steve Simms

Simple people sharing What the Spirit says Makes church ekklesia again — A forum for Him; A support group For one another. “Let the redeemed of the Lord say so.” More @http://amzn.to/2bgu3SU. Will religion let ekklesia out of the bag? … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Corinthians 14:26, Beyond Church, Bible one anothers, he that has ears, he who has ears to hear, hearing God, hearing the Holy Spirit, house church, How many one anothers are in the, Let the redeemed of the Lord, nontraditional, one anothering, one anothers, promptings, simple church, Spirit-promptings, Uncategorized, what the Spirit says | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Rockin’ with Matthew 16 in Jesus’ Town Meeting (Pebble vs. Foundational Rock)

Posted on August 15, 2016 by Steve Simms

Like a symphony conductor, Jesus wants to release the music of His presence and power in and through groups of people who gather in His name. He explained that to His disciples in Matthew 16. However, our understand of Jesus’ … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, King James Version, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Inner peace doesn’t come with fanfare. It quietly creeps into the soul like an inchworm.

Posted on August 15, 2016 by Steve Simms

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts.” -Colossians 3:15

Posted in celebrate recovery, Christ, Christ-centered recovery, Christian recovery, Colossians, fanfare, fruit of the Spirit, how to grow spiritually, peace of God, peace of mind, recovery groups, rejoice, soul, soul food, soul searching, spiritual awakening, spiritual disciplines, spiritual goals, spiritual growth, spiritual healing, spiritual health, spiritual hunger, spiritual insight, spiritual life, spiritual maturity, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Doping with performance enhancing words

Posted on August 14, 2016 by Steve Simms

Doping With Performance Enhancing Words If you dope with the wrong words You’ll be duped into darkness; But if you dope with the right words You will delight in bright light. If you shoot up downer words And they seep … Continue reading →

Posted in addiction, addictions, celebrate recovery, drug abuse, drug addiction, drug commercials, drug culture, drug epidemic, drug rehab, drugs, facebook, media, media circus, mental health, Olympic athletes, Olympic events, Olympic glory, Olympic medals, Olympic spirit, overcoming addiction, persuasion of media, poem, power of words, recovery, recovery groups, recreational drugs, say no to drugs, social media, training, Uncategorized, words on fire | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

There’s no room for bullying in democracy (or church)

Posted on August 11, 2016 by Steve Simms

Want to go beyond the bullying and 1-man control that can be common in church? There’s no room for bullying in democracy or in church! –Modern democracy depends on decisions developed by deliberation, diplomacy, and consensus; not on the dictatorship … Continue reading →

Posted in alternative church, American values, ancient Greeks, back to church, Berry Street, church, community, control, control in church, controlling pastors, dictatorship, ekklesia, English, government, Greek city-states, Greek history, Greek New Testament, house church, I will build my church, love, making church more participatory, Nashville, On this rock I will build My church, organic chruch, participatory church, participatory culture, recovery groups, Salvation Army, simple church, support group, Uncategorized, worship | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Weakly Reader makes me strong!

Posted on August 9, 2016 by Steve Simms

When I was in elementary school we were regularly given a publication called “Weekly Reader.” Did you get that when you were in school? However, as an adult I have learned to depend on another publication — “Weakly Reader.” It … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible reading, challenge, challenges, Christianity, confess your sins, confession, elementary school, healing, pray for one another, reading, self-surrender, spiritual growth, spiritual healing, spiritual health, spiritual reading, spirituality, surrender, surrender to God, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Tattoo parlor for the heart . . .

Posted on August 8, 2016 by Steve Simms

God’s tattoo parlor — ekklesia . . . –Ekklesia is the tattoo parlor of the Holy Spirit where the living, resurrected Jesus inks His hope and healing on human hearts. Ekklesia makes the heart grow fonder of God and of … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian tattoos, God helps those who, Good things come to those who wait, heart, inked, is next to godliness, makes the heart grow fonder, one anothering, one anothers, piereced and tattooed, quotation, Quotations, quote, Salvation Army, sayings, speaks louder than words, tattoo artist, tattooing, Tennessee, There is no time like, Uncategorized, wisdom | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Foundation of democracy

Posted on August 7, 2016 by Steve Simms

Ekklesia was the foundation of democracy. Each of the ancient Greek, democratic city-states had held ekklesia through out the year. This was their government. Each city-state had its own ekklesia and was independent. However the city-states did cooperate militarily and … Continue reading →

Posted in ancient Greeks, ancient Olympics, Bible, casting your vote, church, church history, city council meeting, debate, democratic, Greek, Greek city state, Greek history, Greek language, Greek New Testament, Greek word, Olympic history, Olympic spirit, political environment, political views, recovery, recovery groups, sports, support group, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment