Author Archives: Steve Simms

Unknown's avatar

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!

Celebrating the Pregnant Virgin

Posted on December 4, 2013 by Steve Simms

‘Tis the season of the pregnant virgin! A pregnant woman tells people she is a virgin, and they believe her and spread her story! Now billions of people all over the world, through out the past 2,000 years, have believed … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Bible concepts, birt of Christ, Christmas carols, Christmas story, Christmas traditions, difficult pregnancies, Emmanuel, God with us, Mary mother of Jesus, miracles, miraculous, Mother Mary, New Testament, Our Lady Mary, oxymorons, pregnant virgin, virgin birth, virgin Mary, virginity | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

The Inner Teacher

Posted on December 4, 2013 by Steve Simms

Listen to the Inner Teacher!  He speaks within your heart.  He is the Holy Spirit, the presence of God in your soul, the inner Light.  He is calling you to follow and obey Him daily.  Don’t refuse His call. When … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 John 2:27, anointed, anointing, Bible, Bible quotes, biblical Christianity, Biblical concept, His anointing teaches you, inner Light, inner teacher, John, New Testament, organic church, preacher, preaching, preaching the Word, Salvation Army, Salvation Army church, Salvationism, Salvationists, Scriptures, sermon, sermon-free, sermon-hearing, sermons, teach me and I, teacher, you don't need a man to teach you | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Atheism or A Theism

Posted on December 3, 2013 by Steve Simms

Atheism doubts and denies a Creator, while putting great faith in the ability of nothing to produce everything. Atheism is the ultimate personification — bestowing on nothing the abilities of an intelligent being — the capacity to create, to bring … Continue reading →

Posted in a theism, big bang, Big Bang Theory, Calculating God, Christianity, creation, creativity, Creator, Fred Hoyle, God, Isaac Newton, Islam, Judaism, Paul Davies, quotation, quote, Quotes, Robert Jay Sawyer, Samuel Butler, science, scientific debate | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Salvation Army Red Kettle Donations Link

Posted on December 2, 2013 by Steve Simms

You can help The Salvation Army right where you are.  No need to go looking for one of our Red Kettles.  Just click on the donation link: The Salvation Army Red Kettle Donation Link Help support The Salvation Army Berry … Continue reading →

Posted in Christmas, Christmas gifts, Christmas giving, contribute to The Salvation Army, donate, donations, giving, make an online donation to Salvation Army, Music City, Nashville, Nashville charity, Nashville church, nonprofit giving, Salvation Army, Salvation Army Bell Ringers, Salvation Army church, Salvation Army Corps, Salvationism, Salvationists, support The Salvation Army | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Your Church Has Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors, & Teachers

Posted on December 2, 2013 by Steve Simms

Every church is full of gifts that God has given — apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers (see Eph. 4:11). There is not just one pastor in a church and none of the other gifts.  There are many of these … Continue reading →

Posted in church leader, church leadership, church meetings, church services, clergy/laity, Ephesians 4:11, evangelism, finding your gift, gifts, gifts to the church, giving, living out your faith, ministry, Nashville, Nashville adventure, Nashville church, Nashville tourist attractions, organic church, participation, Salvation Army, Salvation Army Corps, Salvationism, Salvationists, sent ones, simple church, spiritual gifts, you can all prophesy | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

6 Lessons from Reason-For-The-Season Sunday

Posted on December 2, 2013 by Steve Simms

I call the Sunday after Thanksgiving Day the Reason-For-The-Season Sunday.  Here are 6 lessons from Reason-For-The-Season-Sunday 1) There is more to the Holiday Season that shopping, consumerism, and retail sales. The greatest gifts are non-material. 2) Retailers may make their … Continue reading →

Posted in Black Friday, Christmas shopping, Christmas shopping season, Christmas traditions, consumerism, gift giving, gifts, giving, Jesus, Jesus Christ, profits, prophet, prophets, religion, retail, retail sales, retail stores, retailers, shopping | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Do You Ever Get The Hear-Another-Sermon-Blues?

Posted on November 30, 2013 by Steve Simms

Do you ever get the hear-another-sermon-blues?  Well, don’t fret.  I can’t find the word “sermon” in the Bible.  Can you? When you regularly share with others about what God is saying to you and about what He is doing in … Continue reading →

Posted in Berry Street, blues, Darryl M. Erke, Ernest F. Scott, Nashville, Nashville church, non-church, non-church movement, non-liturgical, non-traditional church, nonconforming, open church, participatory church, quotation, Quotations, quote, Salvation Army, Salvation Army church, Salvation Army Corps, sermon, sermon-free, sermon-hearing, sermons, simple church, spirituality, The Salvation Army | Tagged , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Christmas Lights

Posted on November 28, 2013 by Steve Simms

No man puts up dozens, hundreds, or even thousands of Christmas lights and then only lets one light shine.  He turns on all the lights and if any light or lights don’t shine, he replaces the bulbs. Perhaps God wants … Continue reading →

Posted in Christ followers, Christmas tree lights, church, church services, light, light bulbs, Nashville, Nashville church, open church, open sharing, organic church, participation in church, participatory church, Salvation Army, Salvation Army church, simple church, Sunday, Sunday morning, support group, you are the light of the world | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

An interview with Paul of Tarsus

Posted on November 26, 2013 by Steve Simms

(An interview with Paul of Tarsus based on 1 Corinthians chapter 14.) Me: “So, Paul, who can prophesy?” Paul: “You can all prophesy.” Me: “What happens if everybody prophesies?” Paul: “If an unbeliever or an inquirer comes in while everyone … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Corinthians 14:26, 21st Century, church meetings, church programs, church services, church structure, convicted of sin, God, God demonstrations, God experiment, God is really among you, God with us, hymn, judging, judgment, one anothering, one anothers, organic church, participation, participatory church, participatory sermons, Paul of Tarsus, prompted by the Spirit, prompting of the Spirit, promptings, prophesying, prophet, prophets, public speaking, public worship, quotation, Quotations, quote, Quotes, relevation, religion, revelation, secrets, secrets of your heart, sin, What is church?, When you come together, worship, worship center, worship gathering, you can all prophesy | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Church is not for sponges; it’s for sparks!

Posted on November 25, 2013 by Steve Simms

You are not simply a sponge, supposed to sit in a “service” and silently soak up a preacher’s ideas. You are someone who has spiritual insight to share.  Church is not for sponges, it’s for sparks! Our desire at The … Continue reading →

Posted in Arkansas, Berry Street, Berry Street Worship Center, church fire, church format, church leadership, church meetings, church program, church programs, church services, church structure, Little Rock, Music City, Nashville charity, Nashville church, Nashville tourist attractions, order of worship, organic church, simple church, sparks, sponges, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments