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!

My favorite people are Spirit-surrendered and Spirit-led!

Posted on November 24, 2023 by Steve Simms

My most favorite people are like this: If Jesus is truly our present and living Lord, we need to be led by God’s Spirit (the kingdom/government of God within us), not by religious hierarchy. Jesus’ death, resurrection, and ascension brought … Continue reading →

Posted in Be filled with the Spirit, Christian spirituality, demonstrations of the Spirit | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

How to build community

Posted on November 23, 2023 by Steve Simms

Open your heart. Be real, be vulnerable, be humble. Community isn’t just a collection of people working together. It’s people who are connecting heart-to-heart with one another. Community is more caught than taught. The best way to build it is … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Thank who? (A Thanksgiving Quiz)

Posted on November 23, 2023 by Steve Simms

Who do you say thank you to . . . (check all that apply) True gratitude is more than passive sentimentalism. It includes saying: “Thank you.” Thanksgiving Day isn’t about having a happy day (or wishing others one). It’s about … Continue reading →

Posted in gratitude, thanksgiving, Thanksgiving quis, Thanksgiving quiz | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

How To Avoid Hollow Days During The Holidays

Posted on November 22, 2023 by Steve Simms

Holiday hype is hollow and seldom satisfies the human heart. Jesus was born once, not once a year. Because of Jesus we can be born again and transformed by His presence. Superficial holidays frequently feel like hollow days. Open your … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian holidays, holiday greetings, holiday hype, winter holidays | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Using the keys to the kingdom of God

Posted on November 21, 2023 by Steve Simms

Jesus Christ is the living, present King who is calling us to personally, intimately, and corporately align with the kingdom of God. To be a part of a kingdom is to be led by a king. Citizens of the kingdom … Continue reading →

Posted in kingdom of God, kingdom of heaven, kingdom of priests | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

The question I was asked as a 10-year-old

Posted on November 20, 2023 by Steve Simms

I grew up in a non-religious, non-church-going family in the Bible Belt. (We finally started regularly attending a church when I was in junior high school, but I didn’t like it.) Once when I was about 10 years old my … Continue reading →

Posted in experiencing Jesus, human history, world history | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

When your instincts stink, let your conscience fumigate your heart.

Posted on November 19, 2023 by Steve Simms

Sometimes instincts stink. That’s when it’s important to let your conscience fumigate your heart. I’ve never been able to trust my instincts (my innate desires and behavior patterns) to lead me to joy, inner peace, and general wellbeing. When I … Continue reading →

Posted in conscience, self-discipline, self-improvement | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Finding hope during bleak weather

Posted on November 18, 2023 by Steve Simms

January offers the opportunity for a fresh start during the darkest month of the year. When made and persistently maintained by hope and faith, New Year’s resolutions can turn into life-changing inner revolutions. Every year January 1 reminds people that … Continue reading →

Posted in high hopes, hope, hopefullness, how to have a happy new year | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Can hardships harbor hope?

Posted on November 17, 2023 by Steve Simms

The New Testament calls Christians disciples — trained and disciplined Christ-followers. When Paul and Barnabas wanted to strengthen the disciples and to encourage them to remain true to the faith, they told them: “We must go through many hardships to … Continue reading →

Posted in discipleship, high hopes, hopefullness | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Do all lives matter?

Posted on November 17, 2023 by Steve Simms

The two most accepted and applauded ways to end human life are war and abortion. People attempt to justify such cruelty by using phrases like “collateral damage” and “reproductive rights.” This clearly shows that for many people all lives don’t … Continue reading →

Posted in all lives matter, anti-abortion, anti-war | Tagged , , | Leave a comment