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!

A Berry Street acrostic

Posted on October 7, 2015 by Steve Simms

A Berry Street acrostic: B — Beyond E — Entertainment, R — Religion or R — Ritual, Y — You can S — Share T — Testimonies, R — Revelations & E — Experiences, as E — Empowered by T … Continue reading →

Posted in comments, entertainment, Holy Spirit, interactive church, led by the Spirit, participatory sermons, promptings, questions, religion, revelations, sermon, sharing, spiritual, Tennessee, testimonies, The Salvation Army | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Let’s start a hope epidemic

Posted on October 6, 2015 by Steve Simms

Can we start a hope epidemic — an outbreak of hope! Yes! Hope epidemics have happened many times in human history as ordinary people have gotten infected with the power and presence of the living, resurrected Jesus Christ! Our sad, lonely, … Continue reading →

Posted in better caught than taught, Elana Premack Sandler, hope epidemic, hope-pidemic, hopefullness, hopefully, Nashville, overcoming depression, Salvation Army, Tennessee | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

An Amazing Salvation Army Open Mic Retreat

Posted on October 5, 2015 by Steve Simms

I’m in awe at what I saw as about 50 people gathered around an open mic at The Salvation Army’s Camp Paradise Valley on Dale Hollow Lake in rural Southern Kentucky for the 7th Annual Kentucky/Tennessee Division Prayer & Fasting … Continue reading →

Posted in Dale Hollow Lake, hearing God, Kentucky, Kentucky/Tennessee Division, Lay Witness Missions, one anothers, praise and worship, prayer and fasting retreat, praying, testimonies | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

6 biblical reasons to fast

Posted on October 4, 2015 by Steve Simms

Fasting is to go without eating any food for a period of time dedicated to God. Here are 6 biblical reasons to fast. We fast because Jesus expects us to fast. Mark 2: 20 reads: “And the disciples of John … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible verses fasting, Biblical concept, deliverance ministry, hearing God's voice, praying, reasons to fast, seeking God, The Voice, what the Bible says about | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Karaoke-style church, anyone?

Posted on October 3, 2015 by Steve Simms

Spiritual karaoke anyone? People love karaoke because it releases spontaneity and joy. The open mic frees people from being passive spectators and lets them be active, enthusiastic participants. Karaoke is really an act of faith. People set aside their fears, their … Continue reading →

Posted in church karaoke, definition of karaoke, empty hands, karate, meaning, open mic, open mike, Rob Sheffield, Salvation Army, Tennessee | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

There is none so bland as he who will not see . . .

Posted on October 2, 2015 by Steve Simms

Let the bland eyes see! Society hypes up the bland while suppressing and holding down life’s most exciting aspect — the splendor, magnificence, and creativity of God that surrounds us in nature and is suppressed in our minds and souls.  There … Continue reading →

Posted in alcohol rehab, Augustine, C.H. Mason, Catherine Booth, Catherine of Siena, Dorothy Day, drug rehab, Francis of Assisi, George Fox, Jesus Christ, John Wesley, Mother Teresa, Nashville, Peter & John, rehab, Robert Adamson, Salvation Army ARC, testimony, Watchman Nee, We cannot help but speak, William Booth, William Seymour | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Beyond laid back lectures to lively one anothering!

Posted on October 1, 2015 by Steve Simms

Learning by lectures while leaving out supervised, hands on experience, leaves learners unable to effectively do in real life what they learned in the lectures. Examples: Would you trust? 1) A doctor who make As in all her lecture classes, … Continue reading →

Posted in Andrew Mason, Andy Stanley, Bible, How many one anothers are in the, Nashville, one anothering, Salvation Army, sermons, simple church, Spirit-led, unprogrammed meetings | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Godviously (With Respect To Those Who Don’t See God)

Posted on September 30, 2015 by Steve Simms

Some things are obvious. To me God is Godvious! –Nothing makes nothing. It takes a someone to make something. I believe God is Godvious! –A painter puts his name on his paintings. God puts His name all over Creation. He’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, conversion story, Creator, God is like, Hinduism, personal testimony, salvation | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Books From Heaven?

Posted on September 26, 2015 by Steve Simms

As I think about worship and how Christians meet together, I continue to find books that back up what the Spirit is teaching me and how we meet at The Salvation Army Berry Street. I found these two books visiting … Continue reading →

Posted in Pecular People, performing the Bible, Rodney Clapp, Ronald Roheiser, sheet music, spiritual formation, The Holy Longing | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

I was deeply moved, challenged, and confirmed by a humble man with a passion for Christ!

Posted on September 25, 2015 by Steve Simms

This week, I was deeply moved, challenged, and confirmed by a man with a passion for Christ! His name is Major Dean Hinson and he is the president of The Salvation Army Evangeline Booth Bible College in Atlanta. As a … Continue reading →

Posted in Abraham, Atlanta, Avery Dulles, Elijah, McKay Used Books, Models of the Church, Nashville, prophets of Baal | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments