Category Archives: American values

Why don’t American Presidents carry guns?

Posted on November 25, 2018 by Steve Simms

Can you think of a US President who carried a gun? Most (if not all) have found it completely unnecessary. Why? Presidents are protected by the best security system and body guards that money can buy — the Secret Service. … Continue reading →

Posted in Abraham Lincoln, American history, American values, Americans, Christianity, gun violence, Holy Spirit, John F. Kennedy, nonviolence, prayer, protection, right to bear arms, Uncategorized, United States, violence in society | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Transition Of Power

Posted on November 11, 2016 by Steve Simms

Today we saw President Obama meeting with President-elect Trump, preparing for a transition of power. Perhaps this should remind us that those of us who call ourselves Christians are called to a similar transition of power. We are called to … Continue reading →

Posted in American values, change, inward change, kingdom of God, loyality, political healing, political power, politics and religion, power, presidential campaign, Presidential politics, Uncategorized, USA | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Red states/blue states/the state of your heart . . .

Posted on November 10, 2016 by Steve Simms

Beyond red states and blue states is the state of our hearts. There will be trouble in our nation, until we let love transform us from within. How is it with your soul? If we Americans were as concerned about … Continue reading →

Posted in American history, American values, analysis, evangelicals, faith in politics, opinion polls, political correctness, political issue, political positions, political views, politics and religion, poll, presidential election, Presidential politics, public opinion polls, spirituality, Supreme Court, Uncategorized, United States | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

There’s no room for bullying in democracy (or church)

Posted on August 11, 2016 by Steve Simms

Want to go beyond the bullying and 1-man control that can be common in church? There’s no room for bullying in democracy or in church! –Modern democracy depends on decisions developed by deliberation, diplomacy, and consensus; not on the dictatorship … Continue reading →

Posted in alternative church, American values, ancient Greeks, back to church, Berry Street, church, community, control, control in church, controlling pastors, dictatorship, ekklesia, English, government, Greek city-states, Greek history, Greek New Testament, house church, I will build my church, love, making church more participatory, Nashville, On this rock I will build My church, organic chruch, participatory church, participatory culture, recovery groups, Salvation Army, simple church, support group, Uncategorized, worship | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Our wrong-gong can “make America great again.”

Posted on March 18, 2016 by Steve Simms

To “make America great again” requires a return to the high ideals of our national creeds: “Liberty and justice for all,” “All men are created equal and endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights,” “In God we trust,” and … Continue reading →

Posted in American values, basic rights, Bill of Rights, Civil Rights, clear conscience, conscience, creationism, Creator, do it if it feels good, family values, freedom of conscience, human rights, immorality, injustice, justice, liberty, liberty and justice for all, morality, right and wrong, slogans, social justice, trust in God, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

When Does Love Win?

Posted on June 29, 2015 by Steve Simms

Perhaps love doesn’t win with flags, pride, or court decision. So when does love really win? Love wins when I surrender to God’s love by laying down my desires and giving up my will. I saw this kind of broken, … Continue reading →

Posted in American values, culture wars, examples of forgiveness, flag, God's love, morality, racism, responses to Supreme Court decision, right and worng, true love, Western culture | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

How 2 Celebrate The 4th Of July

Posted on July 3, 2014 by Steve Simms

How 2 Celebrate the 4th! Celebrate the 4th of July by using your freedom of speech (while you still have it). Speak up, in a kind and loving way, about your love for God and your commitment to biblical principles … Continue reading →

Posted in America, American, American Constitution, American history, American patriotism, American values, ethics, faith, faith in God, faith-based, family values, moral decision, moral failures, moral foundations, moral judgment, quotation, Quotations, quote, Quotes | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Church is Like Breathing (& Other Free Flowing Ideas)

Posted on March 27, 2014 by Steve Simms

A church meeting is like breathing: 1) Someone can program and control it; or 2) People can let go and let it flow. What would happen if a group of believers would begin to gather, not merely to sing and … Continue reading →

Posted in alternative church, alternative lifestyle, American church, American values, church programs, experiencing God, experiential worship, experimental church, faith, faith in God, faith-based, flow, flow of the Spirit, flowing of the Holy Spirit, freedom, God, God's presence, improv, improvisation, innovation, inspiration, led by the Spirit, non-church, non-traditional church, open church, open forum, open mic, open mike, open sharing, simple church | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

America — is it working?

Posted on January 23, 2014 by Steve Simms

America, how’s it working? Our American culture trains us to flow unrestrained with our feelings, our sensuality, and our desires. This training, however, releases hateful and evil behavior. For example, last night NBC News reported that 20% of American college … Continue reading →

Posted in American, American church, American values, Bible, Christ in you, Christ in you the hope of glory, culture, culture wars, joy, joy unspeakable, Music City, Nashville, Nashville adventure, Nashville church, recreational drugs, The Salvation Army | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Credit Card Reader’s Message

Posted on August 13, 2013 by Steve Simms

I saw these words on a credit card reader:  “When prompted swipe card.” Perhaps a better message would be:  “When prompted obey Jesus — quench not the Spirit.” Americans and other Westerners are subjected to so many prompts:  compulsions, commercials, … Continue reading →

Posted in American, American media, American values, Americans, brainwashed, brainwashing, compulsion, consumerism, cravings, credit card, desires, hearing God, hearing Jesus, Holy Ghost, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Jesus Culture, orientation, peer pressure, prompted by the Spirit, prompting of the Spirit, promptings, Quench not the Spirit, quench the Spirit, religion, sex, Spirit-led, Spirit-prompted, swipe card, Western society, Western world, when prompted, whims | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment