Category Archives: Christian spirituality

Do we need less human leadership & more Jesus’ Presence?

Posted on January 2, 2017 by Steve Simms

Leaderless meetings are chaotic; but when we let Jesus lead us it’s miraculous. Christ-followers should be animated by Jesus; not atrophied by acquiescent religion! We are to follow the Way — the living Jesus, not a routine. Churches don’t need … Continue reading →

Posted in Berry Street, Christian spirituality, Life is short, death is sure, Nashville, Salvation Army, Salvation Army Nashville, spirituality, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Learn to whitewater raft on Holy Spirit rivers

Posted on December 23, 2016 by Steve Simms

Jesus said: “Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” This book is about learning how to whitewater raft on the rivers of the Holy Spirit. Leon Fontaine boldly proclaims “It’s … Continue reading →

Posted in body of Christ, Christian spirituality, Christianity, clergy, clergy/laity, Ephesians 4:12, hearing God, hearing the Holy Spirit, hearing the Spirit, Holy Spirit a person, how the body of Christ functions, how to grow spiritually, John 7:38, rivers of living water, spiritual adventure, spiritual church, spirituality, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

True worship: open hearts & radical honesty

Posted on November 2, 2016 by Steve Simms

–Wanted: “True Worshipers”– God is looking for open hearts and radical honesty. Now is the time to go beyond outward form and religious pretense — no pretending, no hiding! It’s time for heart-felt reality. “The hour comes, and now is, … Continue reading →

Posted in Christ, Christ's presence, Christian living, Christian spirituality, He must increase, I must decrease, John 10, John 4:23, John the Baptist, pride, self-promotion, sheep, straight is the gate and narrow the way, that I might know Him and the power of His resurrection, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Awakening to mental health

Posted on July 12, 2016 by Steve Simms

Awakened with thoughts about mental health: Last night I posted this question on Facebook: “How much evil, craziness, and demonic activity will 21st Century America have to experience before we realize that we desperately need the help of the living … Continue reading →

Posted in a healthy mind, attributes of mental health, brain health, Christian spirituality, inner peace, mental torment, peace of mind, positive attitude, positive thinking, psychology, repentance, spiritual health, spiritual warfare, spirituality, Symeon the new Theologian, tears, torment, tormenting thoughts, Uncategorized, waging peace | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Row v. Flow (Religion or Holy Spirit)

Posted on July 3, 2016 by Steve Simms

Row v. Flow Should we dutifully row to a droning drumbeat in the galley ship of religion? Or freely flow in rushing rivers of living water released by the Holy Spirit? Put Jesus in the driver’s seat. Learn to go … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian spirituality, different drummer, flow of the Spirit, flowing in the Spirit, flowing of the Holy Spirit, go with the flow, God's flow, Holy Spirit flow, Holy Spirit promptings, Holy Spirit take over, how to flow in the spirit, inner flow, listening, listening prayer, listening to God, Spirit's flow, spiritual adventure, spiritual atmosphere, spiritual awakening, spiritual church, spiritual disciplines, spiritual flow, spiritual flows, spiritual formation, spiritual healing, spiritual hunger, spiritual innovation, spiritual listening, spiritual maturity, spiritual movement, spiritual passion, spiritual transformation, spirituality, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Beyond shame & guilt (without depending on denial)

Posted on June 20, 2016 by Steve Simms

Without remorse, regret, and repentance for our wrongful thoughts, rhetoric, and actions; our self-righteousness retains us in resistance to and rebellion against God and His call to right living. Meanwhile we reach out for mindless diversion in entertainment and/or superficial … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian spirituality, denial, entertainment, forgiveness, godly sorrow, guilt, how to overcome guilt, humility, overcome guilt, Presbyterian, rebellion, rebellion against God, religion, religious ceremonies, seek God's face, seek ye first, seeker model, seekers, seeking God, shame, spiritual formation, spirituality, tears, Uncategorized, wickedness, wrongful behavior | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Self-fulfillment is a fantasy (a recipe for misery)

Posted on May 25, 2016 by Steve Simms

Self-fulfillment is a fantasy. Our self-desires are never fully fulfilled. Self always seeks something more. Even when self gets what it wants and the “rights” that it demands, it immediately cries out for more. Self is continually discontented and constantly … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian spirituality, crucify yourself, deny yourself, desires, flesh, flowing in the Spirit, Follow Me, Galatians, Holy Spirit, human rights, I am crucified with Christ, in the Spirit, rights, Salvation Army, self, self-denial, self-destructive behaviors, self-discipline, self-focus, self-importance, self-indulgence, self-mastery, self-regulation, self-restraint, self-sacrifice, self-surrender, self-will, self-worth, selfish desires, selfishness, spiritual formation, spirituality, take up your cross, Train yourself unto godliness., Uncategorized, works of the flesh | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Quotes from “Quench Not The Spirit”

Posted on January 29, 2016 by Steve Simms

I love how God introduces me to books. This morning as I was wondering if I am writing too much about ekklesia (participatory Spirit-led worship meetings based on 1 Corinthians 14:26) I saw a huge stack of books someone had … Continue reading →

Posted in as many as are led by the Spirit, Be filled with the Spirit, Christian spirituality, demonstration of the Spirit, discerning of spirits, don't put out the Spirit's fire, filled with the Spirit, flowing in the Spirit, hearing the Holy Spirit, hearing the Spirit, Holy Spirit flow, Holy Spirit teacher, How to be led by the Spirit, how to flow in the spirit, leading of the Spirit, led by the Spirit, listening to the Spirit, ministry of the Spirit, New Testament, obeying the Spirit, outpouring of the Spirit, release of the Spirit, sensitivity to the Spirit, Spirit-led, Spirit-led church, spiritual, taught by the Spirit, the Spirit of God, the Spirit will teach you, Uncategorized, what is the Holy Spirit, what the Spirit is saying, with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, witness of the Spirit, words taught by the Spirit | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Church — Educational or Mystical?

Posted on January 11, 2015 by Steve Simms

Historically church has been seen as educational –communicating concepts about God (especially since the Protestant Reformation). –Biblically church is seen as a mystical portal — presenting the actual presence of the living Christ. (“Where two or three gather in my … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian community, Christian education, Christian mysticism, Christian spirituality, Matthew 18:20, Nashville, organic church, Salvation Army, Tom Robbins, Where two are three are gathered | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Hart Street Worship @ Trevecca University (Thursday Night Testimony Time)

Posted on September 3, 2014 by Steve Simms

Hart Street Annex at Trevecca Nazarene University has become the site of a contemporary, creative weekly campus worship meeting for students and others.  The meetings are based on open sharing and participation and are held every Thursday night at 7:00 … Continue reading →

Posted in ball fields, Berry Street, Berry Street Worship Center, campus fellowship, Christian colleges, Christian spirituality, Christianity, college experiences, college students, college testimonies, contemporary Christian music, contemporary worship, Do as I have done, fellowship, Jesus statue, Jesus washing feet, map, Millennials, music, Music City, Nashville events, organic church, pictures of Trevecca, praise and worship, Salvation Army, sports, sports fields, statue, students, the heart of worship, Trevecca, Trevecca campus, Trevecca events, Trevecca map, university, youth ministry | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments