Category Archives: burning heart

The Wilberforce Force — Undying Passion To Make A Difference For Righetousness

Posted on March 2, 2013 by Steve Simms

Yesterday I watched a movie about William Wilberforce, the man who in the early 1800 spent many years trying to get a bill to end the slave trade through the British Parliament.  The force of Wilberforce’s example and lifestyle moved … Continue reading →

Posted in abolishing the slave trade, abolitionism, abolitionist movement, abolitionists, advocate, agitator, alternative lifestyle, altruism, Amazing Grace, Atlantic slave trade, biography, British history, British Parliament, burning desire, burning heart, calling, causes, changing society, charity, Christendom, Christian, Christianity, compassion, crusader, do gooders, England, English, facebook, Facebook-style, giving, history, Making a difference, may the force be with you, middle passage, moral, moral failure, moral foundations, moral laws, moral principles, moral reformer, morality, movement, movie, movie review, MP, passion, passionate, philanthropy, purpose driven, purpose of life, Quotations, quote, Quotes, racial reconciliation, radical, radical Christianity, radical obedience, Real Christianity, reason for living, reformer, search for significance, searching for significance, serving others, slave trade, slavery, slaves, social justice, social media, social reformer, societal, transformation movements, volunteerism, volunteers | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

The Worst Religious Advice I Was Ever Given

Posted on January 30, 2013 by Steve Simms

The worst religious advice I was ever given came when I was a student at Memphis Theological Seminary.  A professor in a preaching class said:  “You need to spend one hour of study for every minute you preach.” Since then … Continue reading →

Posted in academics, Bible study, burning heart, change, change agent, Christ followers, Christian, epidemic, expect change commercial, fire, fire of the Holy Spirit, glory days, God, how you catch the flu, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Jesus Movement, kingdom of God, kingdom values, Memphis Theological Seminary, moral failure, moral foundations, morality, Music City, religious academics, religious innovation, religious tradition, Salvation Army church, Salvation Army Corps, Salvationists, spiritual, spiritual awakening, spiritual formation, study one hour for every minute you preach | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Rocket science can’t reinvent the thrill in your life — but Christ can!

Posted on January 24, 2013 by Steve Simms

Rocket science can’t reinvent the thrill (or the wheel) in your life — but Christ can! All you need is Christimacy — living in continual intimacy with the living, resurrected Jesus Christ. Why not become a Christimate — an obedient … Continue reading →

Posted in alternative lifestyle, biblical, bold statements, burning heart, Christ, Christ followers, Christ in you, Christ skills, Christ-centered, Christian values, Christimacy, Christimate, faith-based, God with us, God-intoxicated, intimacy, It's not rocket science, Jesus, Jesus Christ, life, life skills, life transforming, lifestyle Christianity, lifestyles, relevation, religion, religious innovation, resurrection, resurrection of Jesus, revival, revolution, rivers of living water, spirit, Spirit-filled, spiritual, thrill in your life, wheel | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Cat In The Hat Shares The Rap On His Cap

Posted on January 8, 2013 by Steve Simms

Yo! Let’s go, We gotta show A better way to pray Than sittin’ in pews Hearin’ preacha views. We got da great news! Let everybody share A prayer or a care. Take da flag Out of da bag; Blood & … Continue reading →

Posted in alternative church, alternative lifestyle, belief, blood of Jesus, burning heart, celebration, change, change agent, Christ, Christ followers, Christian flag, Christian rap, Christian values, contagion, countercultural, creativity, culture, environment, evangelism, faith-based, filled with the Spirit, fire, fire of the Holy Spirit, flag, floods, free spirit, holiness, holy, improv, insight, inspiration, Jesus, Jesus Christ, joy, move of God, music, organic church, popular culture, prayer, praying, preaching, rapping, revival, sermons, spiritual, spiritual awakening, spiritual fire, spiritual formation, spiritual innovation, testimonies | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Imitator or Radiator? (Awash In The World or Aflame For God?)

Posted on December 29, 2012 by Steve Simms

Are you a radiator spreading the presence and power of Christ to the people around you or an imitator following the influence of popular culture? Are you transforming your friends, neighbors, coworkers and community by godly influence or are you … Continue reading →

Posted in aflame, alternative lifestyle, apologists, awash, be transformed by the renewing of your mind, belief, belief system, biblical, burning heart, change agent, Christ followers, Christ-centered, Christian, comfort zone, complacency, contagion, contemplation, controversy, conversion, convert, corrupt culture, countercultural, current events, fire of the Holy Spirit, imitator, Jesus, Jesus Christ, meaning, media, media circus, ministry, mission field, missional, missionary, moral principles, morality, obedience, obedience is better than sacrifice, obeying orders, popular culture, radiator, sales, salesperson, spiritual transformation, spiritual warfare, testimonies, thermometer, thermostat, values | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

“I’ll Fight” — How To Be A Spiritual Soldier

Posted on November 28, 2012 by Steve Simms

A famous quotation by William Booth, founder of The Salvation Army, boldly repeats the words “I’ll fight!”  His wife, Catherine Booth, preached Aggressive Christianity. They challenged their followers to be spiritual soldiers, not passive spectators.  But how do you fight … Continue reading →

Posted in alternative lifestyle, army, be transformed by the renewing of your mind, Berry Street, Berry Street Worship Center, Bible, Bible reading, Bible type revival, blog, blog readers, Blood and Fire, blood of Jesus, burning heart, choice, Christian, Christian values, Christianity, church, combat, courage, creativity, darkness, demons, denial, devils, ekklesia, faith-based, fight the good fight of faith, flag, guidance, guide, Holy Spirit, I'll fight!, inner coach, inner peace, kingdom of God, lifestyle Christianity, lifestyles, makes change, meaning, media, media circus, military, moral failures, moral restraints, morality, move of God, movement, Music City, Nashville, New Testament, normal Christianity, obedience, organic church, out of the closet, soldiers, spectators, spirit, Spirit-led, spiritual, spiritual awakening, spiritual combat, spiritual disciplines, spiritual growth, spiritual skills, temptation, testimonies, testimony, the offensive, The Salvation Army, The Salvation Flag, thoughts, tradition, training, training camp, trials, truth, values, worship | Tagged , , , , , , , | 13 Comments

My 21st Century Psalm (King David Style)

Posted on November 6, 2012 by Steve Simms

I recently attended a prayer and fasting retreat sponsored by the Kentucky and Tennessee Division of The Salvation Army and was challenged to write a psalm.  So I did.  Here it is: Psalm of Steve #1 Nothing comes from nothing, … Continue reading →

Posted in belief system, Bible, burning heart, Christ, Christ-centered, Christian, confession of sin, conviction of sin, creation, creationism, Creator, creeds, deliverance, devotion, faith-based, fire of the Holy Spirit, forgiveness, gratitude, insight, inspiration, Jesus, Jesus Christ, joy, lifestyles, live to please God, makes change, mysticism, new birth, praise and worship, prayer, revelation, Scriptures, spirit, Spirit-filled, spiritual, spiritual formation, spiritual growth, surrender to God, testimony, thanksgiving, Thanksgiving Day | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Aiming For Your Heart

Posted on October 19, 2012 by Steve Simms

Television and movies aim to reach your desire to be entertained.  Advertising aims to for your emotions.  Negative political advertisements aim to reach your fears.  Classes, seminars, and even sermons aim for your mind.  Love, however, aims to reach your … Continue reading →

Posted in advertising, alternative lifestyle, belief, Berry Street, Berry Street Worship Center, Bible reading, biblical, Biblical concept, burning heart, Christ followers, Christ-centered, Christian, Christian history, church, church history, curriculum, devotion, fire, fire of the Holy Spirit, inner peace, inner rivers, inspiration, intellect, intelligence, invisible, Jesus, Jesus Christ, John Wesley, joy, kingdom of God, lecture, Methodist class meeting, Methodist revivalists, Methodists, ministry, movement, Music City, Nashville, normal Christianity, relevation, Salvation Army church, Salvation Army Corps, Salvationists, seminars, Spirit-led, spiritual, spiritual awakening, spiritual formation, testimonies, testimony, The Salvation Army | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Should We Have The Courage To Let The Holy Spirit Flow?

Posted on October 9, 2012 by Steve Simms

You won’t grow, if you don’t let the Spirit flow; You won’t know, if you don’t let the Spirit show; Eye can’t see; ear can’t hear; Unless the Spirit makes Christ appear And flood your heart with rushing rivers. We’re … Continue reading →

Posted in alternative lifestyle, American church, belief, belief system, burning heart, Christ followers, Christ-centered, Christian, Christian flag, church, compromise, followers of Christ, freedom, gifts of the Spirit, Gospel, hearing God, hearing Jesus, heart care, heart-felt love, hearts unfold like flowers, Heaven's door, hidden in plain sight, Holy Spirit, kingdom of God, life, move of God, movement, organic church, powerless, presence of Christ, presence of God, quench the Spirit, relevation, religion, revival, rivers of living water, Salvation Army church, Salvation Army Corps, Salvationists, simple church, spirit, Spirit-led, spiritual, spiritual drunkenness, spiritual formation, surrender, surrender to God, The Salvation Flag, Unlimited Power, worship | Tagged , , , , | 11 Comments

Make A Courageous Act Of Spiritual Warfare

Posted on September 22, 2012 by Steve Simms

The Salvation Army Flag is known as the Blood & Fire.  It’s not decor for a corps (a Salvation Army church); it’s for feet to walk a beat on the street praying and testifying to the glory of God. It’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Blood and Fire, blood of Jesus, burning heart, Christ, Christ followers, Christ-centered, Christian, Christian flag, Christianity, church, church history, corps, courage, evangelism, faith, faith-based, fire, fire of the Holy Spirit, flag, flag pole, followers of Christ, forgiveness, hearing God, hearing Jesus, humility, invasion, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Lake Junaluska, ministry, moon, national flags, nonviolence, North Carolina, Olympic athletes, Olympic challenge, Olympic glory, Olympic heroes, Olympic medals, Olympics, prayer, prayer walking, Quotations, quote, Quotes, religion, repent, repentance, Salvation Army church, Salvation Army Corps, Salvationists, sin, spiritual athletes, spiritual combat, spiritual disciplines, spiritual formation, spiritual growth, spiritual interaction, spiritual walk, spiritual warfare, support group, surrender to God, The Salvation Flag, US Flag | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments