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!

Tattoos, Texting, Talk Radio, Polls, Piercings, Social Media, Reality TV & Other Self-Expression

Posted on October 11, 2014 by Steve Simms

In our contemporary culture of constant, clamoring self-expression (tattoos, texting, talk radio, opinion polls, piercings, social media, reality TV, etc.), there’s no reason Christ-followers shouldn’t courageously and continually express their faith in Christ! I LOVE JESUS! HE’S AWESOME! I WANT TO … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible quotes, contemporary culture, cultural taboos, culture, culture wars, deny yourself, evangelism, faith, faith in God, one another, one anothering, one anothers, opinion polls, quotation, quote, self, self-asscertion, self-denial, self-focus, self-improvement, self-promotion, self-surrender, selfishness, take up your cross | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

God’s Comfort In My Grief

Posted on October 8, 2014 by Steve Simms

A little past midnight, I received word that my mother had just left this life. She had been in the process of dying for about a week, so the news was expected. However, even though she was 85, the news … Continue reading →

Posted in a time for every purpose under heaven, a time to be born and a time to die, being directed to Bible verses, Bible, Bible quotes, Bible verses, death, death and dying, Jesus, prompted by the Spirit, prompting of the Spirit, promptings | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

4 steps to resist the devil and make him run from you.

Posted on October 7, 2014 by Steve Simms

Jesus’ 1/2 brother, James, who wrote one of the books of the New Testament, said:  “Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”  But how do you resist the devil?  Here are 4 steps: 1)  Recognize that there are … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible memory, deceit, deception, deliverance, demons, devil, devils, James 4:7, James Jesus half brother, New Testament, overcoming depression, overcoming fear, overcoming sin, overcoming temptation, prayer, praying, pride, resist the devil, self-help, sin, spiritual combat, spiritual disciplines, spiritual exercises, spiritual growth, spiritual healing, spiritual maturity, spiritual training, spiritual transformation, spiritual walk, spiritual weapons | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

America has lots of talk radio — perhaps we need talk church!

Posted on October 6, 2014 by Steve Simms

If people are not allowed to talk about Jesus in church meetings how will they get the courage and confidence to talk about Jesus in secular settings? I don’t need to hear another talk about God in church.  I’ve heard … Continue reading →

Posted in Berry Street, Berry Street Worship Center, BNA, East Nashville, multi-racial, multi-racial church, multi-voiced church, Music City, Nashville charity, Nashville church, non-church, open church, open mic, open mike, open sharing, order of worship, organic church, simple church, Spirit directed, Spirit prompting, Trevecca, Trevecca Nazarene University | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Can God Speak Through Coke Cans?

Posted on October 4, 2014 by Steve Simms

I was with my mother most of the day today. She is on the verge of going to be with Jesus. (In The Salvation Army it is called being “promoted to glory.”) She couldn’t speak today, but would open her … Continue reading →

Posted in dad, death, death and dying, dying, experiencing God, faith, faith in God, grief, Mom, promoted to glory, Salvation Army, sign from God, the Comforter | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The World’s Best Choreographer?

Posted on October 3, 2014 by Steve Simms

Who is the world’s best choreographer? The Holy Spirit! When He is given control, He choreographs participatory church meetings that are out of this world! Choreography is the art or job of precisely arranging sequences of movements of people and/or a series … Continue reading →

Posted in Aristotle, Chinese, Chinese proverb, choreographing, definition, hevenly, Involve me and I will understand, Jesus Christ, Keep calm and, learn by doing, programming, proverbs, quotation, Quotations, quote, Tennessee, testimonies | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Spirit-radar — making the invisible, visible!

Posted on October 2, 2014 by Steve Simms

The work of Christ in one solitary, human heart is invisible. However, when Christ-followers gather together and begin to share from their heart; their words fit together in such a way so as to reveal the living reality of Jesus … Continue reading →

Posted in 2 Corinthians 4:18, He speaks and the sound of His voice is so sweet, hearing, hearing God, hearing Jesus, hearing the Holy Spirit, hearing voices, listening, listening prayer, listening skills, listening to God, listening to the Spirit, open church, organic church, random thoughts, sharing, Spirit radar, spiritual listening, unprogrammed church, unscripted church, unseen things, we look not at the things which are seen | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Soccer church? Or American football church?

Posted on September 30, 2014 by Steve Simms

  American football style church = the quarterback (pastor) is responsible for getting the ball (the Gospel) to others. Soccer style church = any player can move the ball and/or pass it to others.

Posted in church community, church format, church leadership, church meetings, church programs, church roles, church structure, interactive church, interactive learning, interactive sermons, interactivity, order of worship, organic church, participatory church, participatory sermons, pastor, quarterback, simple church | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Real War is Spiritual (Not Physical) Warfare

Posted on September 30, 2014 by Steve Simms

In all of the clamor for war and more war, we need to boldly take up the weapons of spiritual warfare and confront the powers of spiritual darkness like never before –confessing our sins, repenting, fasting, praying, humbling ourselves, forgiving … Continue reading →

Posted in prayer walking, prayer walking with The Salvation Army Flag, praying, spiritual authority, spiritual power, spiritual weapons | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Religion/Grace/Church Without Laymen

Posted on September 29, 2014 by Steve Simms

Religion asks: “What’s the least I can do and still go to Heaven?” —Recipients of grace ask: “What’s the most I can do to love, honor, serve, and obey the One who died on the Cross to save me from … Continue reading →

Posted in clergy, clergy/laity, clericalism, cross, equality, going to Heaven, grace, grace card, grace definition, grace of God, inequality, lay speakers, lay testimonies, layman, laymen, laywomen, open church, open forum, open mic, organic church, royal priesthood, simple church, sin, Spirit prompting | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments