Category Archives: Christ-centered

Should People Who Have Left Church Come Back? Or Try Something Different?

Posted on August 28, 2012 by Steve Simms

American churches are in decline, losing members.  In an attempt to slow or stop this decline a group called, National Back to Church Sunday,  has set a day for church members to invite their friends to come back to church.  … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Corinthians 14:26, 2012, alternative lifestyle, American, American church, American history, Americans, Apostle Paul, Berry Street, Berry Street Worship Center, Biblical concept, Christ, Christ followers, Christ-centered, Christian, Christian community, Christian history, Christian organizations, Christian values, Christianity, church history, church meetings, church programs, church roles, church structure, evangelism, evangelistic meetings, followers of Christ, I Corinthians 14:26, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Jesus Take The Wheel, lifestyle Christianity, move of God, movement, Music City, Nashville, non-church movement, non-traditional church, organic church, participatory church, popular culture, post-Christianity, salvation, Salvationists, Savior, show and tell, simple church, spiritual awakening, spiritual formation, spiritual growth, testimonies, The Salvation Army, We serve a risen Savior | Tagged , , , , , | 14 Comments

The “Forgive Yourself” Myth

Posted on August 27, 2012 by Steve Simms

“Love yourself–accept yourself–forgive yourself–and be good to yourself.”  –a quote from popular American speaker and writer, Leo Buscaglia.  However, Jesus said:  “Deny yourself.”  Here’s why the popular idea of “forgiving yourself” is a myth: *  You are not the judge.  … Continue reading →

Posted in accept yourself, Against You only have I sinned, American, belief, Bible, boundaries, brokenhearted, brokenness, change, Christ, Christ followers, Christ-centered, Christian, comfort, compassion, condemnation, confession, conscience, conversion, conviction of sin, corrupt culture, courtroom, deception, denial, deny yourself, devotion, disciple making, evil, false assurance, gift of God, God, God calling, God-shaped vacuum, godly sorrow, harmful habit, harmful thinking, hearing God, hearing Jesus, How do you plead?, Jesus, Jesus Christ, judge, judgment, justice, Les Brown, lifestyle Christianity, lifestyles, love yourself, moral principles, morality, morals, motivational speaker, myths, natural laws, pull of evil, Quotations, quote, Quotes, recovery, repent, repentance, right and wrong, right conduct, right living, self-esteem, self-focus, self-forgiveness, self-image, self-will, shame, sin, spiritual formation, surrender, surrender to God, wages of sin | Tagged , , , , , , , | 12 Comments

What Do 21st Century Christians Need Most?

Posted on August 16, 2012 by Steve Simms

What do 21st Century Christians need most * teaching about Christ or * the life of Christ flowing through us? We have tried hearing lots and lots and lots of Christian teaching.  Perhaps it’s time that we let Christ directly … Continue reading →

Posted in 21st Century, alternative lifestyle, American church, Berry Street, Berry Street Worship Center, Christ, Christ-centered, Christian community, Christian organizations, church, church meetings, church programs, church roles, church structure, ekklesia, filled with the Spirit, Holy Spirit, order of worship, organic church, simple church, The Salvation Army | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

There’s No Right To Choose In Christianity

Posted on August 10, 2012 by Steve Simms

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

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

Posted on August 7, 2012 by Steve Simms

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

Drunk Christians?

Posted on August 3, 2012 by Steve Simms

Some observers of the early Christians made fun of them and said:  “They have had too much wine.”  (Would you use the word “drunk” to describe a gathering of Christians, nowadays?) Here’s the response to that accusation, given by Jesus’ … Continue reading →

Posted in Acts 2, acts of God, alcohol, Alcoholics Anonymous, alternative lifestyle, Apostle Peter, Berry Street, Berry Street Worship Center, Bible, Biblical concept, booze it up, Christ, Christ-centered, Christian, Christian community, church, church history, church meetings, drinking, DUI, Ephesus, filled with the Spirit, free spirit, good sermon, guilt, hangover, inner peace, inner rivers, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Jesus' mother Mary, life, lifestyle Christianity, makes change, miracles, missional, morality, morals, move of God, movement, Music City, mysticism, Nashville, New Testament, new wine, Oh my God, on the web, Paul of Tarsus, peace, persecution, Peter, preaching, presence of God, priesthood of the believer, prophesy, prophet, prophet Joel, quench the Spirit, quote, Quotes, reformation, salvation, sober up, spiritual, spiritual awakening, spiritual drunkenness, spiritual formation, spiritual growth, testimony, This is that spoken by the prophet Joel, Why be a Christian? | Tagged , , , , , , | 14 Comments

War Of The Wills

Posted on August 2, 2012 by Steve Simms

There are two wills at war in the world — the human will and God’s will.  It is a real war not just an illusion. We humans were created with free will — the ability to make our own choices … Continue reading →

Posted in alternative lifestyle, answer to God, apart from me you can do nothing, belief, belief system, Bible, choice, Christ, Christ-centered, Christian, compliance, compulsion, conviction, conviction of sin, corrupt culture, cravings, deciision making, devotion, disciple making, discipline, discipling, faithfulness, free will, freedom, God, God's authority, God's government, God-shaped vacuum, hearing God, hearing Jesus, How Evil Works, human nature, inward change, Jesus, Jesus Christ, kingdom of God, lifestyle Christianity, lifestyles, power of the cross, prophet, Quotations, quote, Quotes, recovery, religion, repent, repentance, right and wrong, right conduct, right living, self-denial, self-will, spiritual combat, spiritual warfare, surrender to God, the cross, trust, we have turned everyone to his own way | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Are Demons (Invisible Evil Entities) Real?

Posted on August 1, 2012 by Steve Simms

Here’s something to think about on Halloween.  Are evil spirits real? If you observe yourself and/or others you will notice that people tend to think tormenting thoughts, embrace harmful habits, and engage in belligerent behaviors.  We humans seem to be … Continue reading →

Posted in activity, addiction, addictions, authority, belief, belief system, Bible, boundaries, brain, brainwashed, casting out demons, choice, Christ, Christ-centered, Christian, Christian history, compulsion, corrupt culture, cravings, darkness, deliverance, demons, destructive actions, devils, Europe, European, evil entities, evil spirits, habit, harmful habit, harmful thinking, How Evil Works, human life, human nature, inner peace, inward change, Jesus, Jesus Christ, lies, mind, New Testament, psychology, recovery, religion, Renaissance, repent, repentance, seduction of self-destruction, self-destruction, soul, spiritual, spiritual combat, spiritual warfare | Tagged , , , , , , , | 12 Comments

No Shades Of Gray (Or Grey)

Posted on July 31, 2012 by Steve Simms

Truth is not about fifty shades of gray.  It doesn’t grade on the curve — accepting shades of gray that are closest to white. In the area of ethics and morality, all gray misses the mark of truth.  Gray contains … Continue reading →

Posted in belief, belief system, Bible, Biblical concept, Christ, Christ-centered, Christian, conviction, conviction of sin, corrupt culture, darkness, faith, faith-based, forgiveness, God, God's authority, grace, gray areas, harmful thinking, Heaven, holiness, holy, Jesus, Jesus Christ, judgment, judgments, justice, lifestyles, moral principles, moral restraints, morality, morals, mystery, Oh my God, Oh Sinner Man, pride, religion, repent, repentance, right and wrong, right conduct, right living, righteousness, salvation, saved, Savior, soul, spiritual awakening, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 9 Comments

Olympics — Thoughts For Spiritual Athletes

Posted on July 29, 2012 by Steve Simms

Life’s not about achievement.  It’s not about how many medals you (or your country) win.  Life’s about aligning yourself to God and to His will. That’s what matters most in the long haul. “If Christians were putting into their spiritual … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Corinthians 9:25, 1 Timothy 4:7, alternative lifestyle, ancient Olympics, asceticism, ascetics, athletes, attitude, belief, belief system, burning heart, Christ, Christ-centered, Christian, Christian community, courage, disciple making, discipline, discipling, glory, God, godliness, guilt, guts and glory, I Corinthians 9:25, I Timothy 4:7, idealism, inward change, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Jesus is Lord, life, lifestyle Christianity, lifestyles, Lord, monastery, monastics, mystery, mysticism, Olympic athletes, Olympic medals, prayer, presence of Christ, Quotations, quote, Quotes, religious ceremonies, right conduct, sacrifice, saved, Savior, self-discipline, self-help, soul, Spirit-led, spiritual, spiritual awakening, spiritual combat, spiritual disciplines, spiritual formation, spiritual growth, spiritual skills, spiritual walk, spiritual warfare, surrender to God, tebow, tebowing, training, Warren Wiersbe, Why be a Christian? | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments