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!

Free Lara Landon concert this Thurs. (Aug. 16) in Nashville

Free Lara Landon concert this Thursday night, Aug. 16, at 7:00 pm. at The Salvation Army Berry Street Worship Center, 225 Berry St., Nashville, 37207. Here’s a sample of Lara’s music:  

Posted in Berry Street, Berry Street Worship Center, Christian, Christian community, contemporary, East Nashville, music, Music City, organic church, praise and worship, prayer, religion, singing, soul, soul music, spirit, spiritual, worship | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Thoughts On The Big Bang Theory

The Big Bang Theory of the origin of the universe has become widely accepted both among scientists and in society.  There is even a popular American TV sitcom on CBS called The Big Bang Theory.  However, the theory is not … Continue reading →

Posted in American, astrophysicist, belief, belief system, CBS, contemporary, cosmic accident, cosmology, creationism, Creator, deny God, evidence for God, faith, faith-based, George F.R. Ellis, God, intellect, irrational, miracles, natural laws, nature, philosophical, philosophy, prejudice, Quotations, quote, Quotes, science, scientific model, scientific theory, singularity, spiritual, supernatural, television, theology, trust, TV, TV network, world-famous | Tagged , , , , , , | 12 Comments

Respecting The Human Right To Disagree And/Or Disapprove

A human mind will sometimes disagree with the thoughts of other people.  A human conscience will at times disapprove of the behavior of others.  This is a basic fact and a fundamental human right that is accepted and understood by … Continue reading →

Posted in adultery, alcohol, alternative lifestyle, and/or, answer to God, attitude, belief, belief system, Bible, Biblical concept, booze it up, boundaries, Chic-Fil-A, choice, compliance, contemporary, conviction of sin, corrupt culture, cravings, darkness, deeds, discipline, drinking, drunk, drunkenness, habit, hate, heavy drinking, lifestyles, love, modern myths, moral principles, moral restraints, morality, morals, myths, phobic, political correctness, popular culture, post-Christianity, reason, repentance, right and wrong, right conduct, right living, righteousness, Scriptures, sin, sobriety, thinking, thoughts, tolerance, Uncategorized, values, we have turned everyone to his own way | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

There’s No Right To Choose In Christianity

Followers have no choice — they are committed to do what their leader says. Soldiers don’t get to choose — they have to obey orders. The subjects of a Lord have no choice — they are under their Lord’s authority. … Continue reading →

Posted in army, authority, belief system, Bible, choice, Christ, Christ followers, Christ-centered, Christian, Colossians, compliance, crucified with Christ, crucifixion, deciision making, deny yourself, devotion, disciples, discipline, followers, followers of Christ, God calling, guidance, hearing God, hearing Jesus, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Jesus is Lord, kingdom of God, lifestyle Christianity, lifestyles, Lord, obedience, obeying orders, pro choice, prochoice, Romans 8:14, soldiers, spiritual growth, spiritual walk, surrender, Uncategorized, World English Bible | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

Logic Can’t Show You Love

Intellect can’t inspire you.  Inspiration is a matter of the heart. Logic can’t show you love.  Love comes from the heart.  (It’s even symbolized by a tiny heart, not by a tiny brain.) Mind can’t make mysticism.  Only insight in … Continue reading →

Posted in awe, brain, compassion, conscience, God, God calling, God-shaped vacuum, godly sorrow, heart care, heart-felt love, hearts unfold like flowers, insight, inspiration, intellect, intelligence, justice, mind, miracles, reason, Reason Rally, relevation, repent, repentance, right and wrong, right conduct, right living, soul, soul food, spirit, Spirit-led, spiritual, spiritual awakening, spiritual formation, spiritual growth, spiritual skills, spiritual walk | Tagged , , , , , | 7 Comments

Top Ten Greatest Books

What are the world’s 10 greatest books?  Here are the top 10 books that have had the most impact on my life: 1)  The Bible:  I’ve read it almost daily for 42 years.  There have been times that I have … Continue reading →

Posted in American, American history, American Literature, Bible, Black Like Me, books, British Literature, C.S. Lewis, China, Chinese, Christian, Christian values, Christianity, fire walk, Harriet Beecher Stowe, hate, hate speech, hot coals, Jim Crow, John Howard Griffin, literature, London, Mere Christianity, monks, New Testament, Orthodox, Philokalia, positive thinking, Quotations, quote, Quotes, racism, Russian literature, Samuel Smiles, slavery, The Jesus Prayer, The Normal Christian Life, The Spiritual Man, the way of the pilgrim, Uncle Tom's Cabin, Unlimited Power, Watchman Nee, William Lloyd Garrison, world's greatest | Tagged , , , , , , | 11 Comments

The Next Time Someone Says “C.I.B.” Check This Out . . .

The next time someone says; “Church is boring,” bring them to 225 Berry Street in Nashville, 37207.  They will change their mind. *  There’s no sermon to fall asleep in . . . Instead people excitedly and spontaneously show and … Continue reading →

Posted in alternative lifestyle, Berry Street, Berry Street Worship Center, bulletin, change, change management, Christ, Christ-centered, Christian community, Christian history, Christian organizations, Christian values, church meetings, church programs, church roles, church structure, disciples, discipling, East Nashville, faith, faith-based, free will, freedom, gifts of the Spirit, giving, guidance, hearing God, hearing Jesus, Holy Spirit, improvisation, Jesus, Jesus Christ, joy, lifestyle Christianity, move of God, movement, mystery, mysticism, non-church, normal Christianity, offering, organic church, participatory church, podium, praise and worship, prayer, presence of Christ, presence of God, priesthood of the believer, pulpit, religion, religious ceremonies, simple church, supernatural | Tagged , , , , , , | 5 Comments

What Kind Of A Society Produces Frequent, Random Acts Of Mass Murder?

What’s going on in America?  Why are individuals frequently engaging in random acts of horrible evil as they commit the mass murder of innocent people?  Our nation uses violence against terrorism abroad, but produces individuals who commit acts of terror … Continue reading →

Posted in American, American history, anger, angst, conscience, conviction of sin, current events, darkness, demons, disdain, evil entities, evil spirits, hate, hate speech, history, human nature, meaning, meaninglessness, misery, moral principles, moral restraints, morality, morals, myths, natural laws, random, repentance, self-destruction, self-will, sin, sinner, tears, thoughts, Uncategorized, victims, violence | Tagged , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Everyday Olympics — The Call To Glory For Regular People

Missy Franklin, Gabby Douglas, Michael Phelps — these are a few of the names of the athletes who soaked up Olympic glory at the 2012 London Summer Olympics.  But there is also a call to glory for everyday people like … Continue reading →

Posted in ascetics, call to preach, champions, Christian, Christian history, church history, current events, discipline, discipling, glory, God, God calling, hearing God, hearing Jesus, history, inner peace, Jesus, Jesus Christ, John the Baptist, lifestyle Christianity, lifestyles, meaning, monks, mysticism, normal Christianity, Olympic athletes, Olympic challenge, Olympic glory, Olympic heroes, Olympic medals, repent, repentance, right conduct, right living, saints, salvation, self-control, self-denial, self-discipline, spiritual athletes, spiritual awakening, spiritual combat, spiritual formation, spiritual growth, spiritual walk, spiritual warfare, still small voice, The Voice | Tagged , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Stuck In The Muck Of Modern Media?

Are you stuck in the muck of modern media, Filling your brain with the profane; Your mind with the unkind? That’s why viewer discretion is advised . . .

Posted in adult language, adultery, anger, angst, casual sex, corrupt culture, disdain, dishonesty, drunk, fear, guilt, habit, harmful habit, harmful thinking, idolatry, injury, lies, materialism, meaninglessness, mind, misery, modern myths, morality, morals, myths, popular culture, pride, reality TV, resentment, self-destruction, self-will, sex, TV, unforgiveness, unhappiness, values | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments