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!

Why do I complain about church?

I frequently express dissatisfaction with church. I don’t do it to irritate people (even though people let me know that it does irritate them). I do it because the risen Jesus is so much more stupendous than a structured, human-controlled … Continue reading

Posted in alternative church, bored in church, complacency | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Christians are called to internalize Christ, not to institutionalize Him.

Without ongoing awareness of and attunement to the presence of “Christ in you,” Christians live as if Jesus is located some other place. That’s why we feel like we need another authority figure to instruct us and a religious structure … Continue reading

Posted in Christ in you, discipleship, practical religion | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

I’d thank the person who bought me the ticket.

The odds are stacked and packed against winning the lottery. You might win a little bit of seed money here and there, enough get you hooked into the deceptive hope of hundreds of millions of dollars. However, if you don’t … Continue reading

Posted in eyes on the prize, lottery, win prizes | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Books That Inspire Kindness And Compassion

O how humanity needs books (and other media) that touch the heart and inspire kindness and compassion. Those are the books I want to read. I seek them out and devour them. Decades of reading books like that help fill … Continue reading

Posted in blog readers, kindness, spiritual reading | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

My Parents’ Tradition of Not Going to Church

I grew up in a place and time called the Bible Belt where the majority of people had a family tradition of going to church, but my parents didn’t. Adults would often ask them, “Where do you go to church?” … Continue reading

Posted in alternative church, church, church attendance, religious tradition | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Go To Hope!

Leisure time is a great opportunity to divert your focus away from stress, anxiety, hopelessness, and despair. There are so many enjoyable activities that can be diversions from the inner pain we carry day by day. However, I’ve discovered that … Continue reading

Posted in encouragement, fasting, hope | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Wake-Up Call For Y’all

There’s a blog I read daily. It’s called “Wake-Up Call.” It’s published by a group called Seedbed that is headquartered in Franklin, Tennessee and is very close to my home in Nashville. However, I’ve never gotten around to visiting Seedbed’s … Continue reading

Posted in faith in politics, politics and religion, spiritual awakening, wake up | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Lines That Roar From Within Me

If you think that you have all of Jesus that you need, you don’t! Seek Him. Remember and openly declare what Jesus has done in you and for you! I stay excited about life because of what Jesus has done … Continue reading

Posted in ethics, power of words, words on fire | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

My Fun Five (And Two Bonuses)

When people are taught about God before they have encountered the risen Jesus Christ, they have head knowledge but don’t know how to be led by the Spirit. To be led by God’s Spirit we must be aware of, attentive … Continue reading

Posted in Christian spirituality, fun, spiritual adventure | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Thoughts About Jesus’ Words About Fasting

The Fast Track (Matthew 6:16-18) “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when … Continue reading

Posted in fasting, hearing Jesus, spiritual food | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment