Category Archives: Christianity

From Independence Day to Dependence Day

Posted on July 5, 2013 by Steve Simms

Most people around the world know that the 4th of July is American Independence Day — when we relish the thought of being free from reliance on others.  However, perhaps we need to get beyond July 4th and acknowledge July … Continue reading →

Posted in American patriotism, American values, Americans, Christian values, Christianity, freedom, history, holidays, humility, kingdom of God, kingdom values, religious innovation, religious tradition, spiritual, spiritual healing, spiritual life, spirituality, values | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Type F Church or Type R Church?

Posted on July 4, 2013 by Steve Simms

Types Of Church Services (Type F Church & Type R Church) Type F (Familiar) Church — The same man reports on his biblical studies each week, while the congregation listens in a formal setting. Type R (Rare) Church — Various … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Bible study, biblical, biblical studies, Christianity, creativity, encouragement, gifts of the Spirit, innovation, innovators, organic church, Salvation Army Corps, Salvation Army women, Salvationists, Scriptures, Tennessee, testimonies, testimony, The Salvation Army, TN, types of church | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

A Jigsaw Puzzle Has No Featured Piece!

Posted on July 3, 2013 by Steve Simms

If the same piece of a jigsaw puzzle is held up week after week, no one will get the picture. However, if all the pieces work together, as directed by a wise hand, an awesome picture comes into view!  “If … Continue reading →

Posted in #1, 1 Corinthians:14, Christ followers, Christian, Christianity, church format, Commissioner, gifts of the Spirit, jigsaw puzzle, Music City, Nashville, Nashville church, organic church, Phil Needham, priest, priesthood of the believer, quotation, quote, Quotes, religion, retired Salvation Army officer, Salvation Army church, Salvation Army Commissioner, Salvation Army Corps, Salvationists, spiritual gifts, The Salvation Army | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Could Church Services Be Like A Handbell Choir?

Posted on June 14, 2013 by Steve Simms

Have you ever seen a group of people play a tune with handbells? Each person holds two bells and all the bells play different notes. As a director leads them, each person plays one of his bells at the proper … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian community, Christianity, church leader, church leadership, church meetings, church program, church programs, church services, encountering God, experiencing God, participants, participators, participatory church, religious innovation, spiritual transformation | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Real Church = The Real God, Real Power, His Real Presence Through Real People

Posted on June 12, 2013 by Steve Simms

Do we go to church to be taught a religious lesson . . . or to encounter and surrender to God’s presence?  A listening mind can learn lessons about God; but it takes a hungry heart to head wholeheartedly into … Continue reading →

Posted in Acts, Apostle Paul, Christianity, church format, church meetings, church programs, church services, first time visitor, glory, glory of God, holiness, Isaiah, lecture, listening, O taste and see that the Lord is good, organic church, organization, presence of Christ, presence of God, psalm, Salvation Army church, Salvation Army Corps, Salvationists, tears, The Salvation Army, why go to church | Tagged , , , , , | 7 Comments

Thoughts & Quotes — Church Outside The Box

Posted on June 2, 2013 by Steve Simms

An open mic in church opens hearts, and allows the Holy Spirit to speak through anyone present. If the outcome hasn’t been planned ahead of time, church has all the anticipation and excitement of a championship sporting event! When we … Continue reading →

Posted in Brian Anderson, Christianity, church format, church leadership, church roles, church services, church structure, creativity, hearing God, hearing Jesus, hearing the Holy Spirit, innovation, innovators, Myles Horton, mystery, mysticism, Spirit's flow, Spirit-filled, Spirit-led, Spirit-prompted, spiritual church, spiritual fire, spiritual flow, spiritual gifts, spiritual interaction, spiritual life, spiritual movement, spiritual power, voice of God | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Life Is Either . . . Or . . .

Posted on May 22, 2013 by Steve Simms

Life is a either a spiritual fight . . . To walk in the light; To overcome the night; To avoid spite; To think and do what’s right; To remove evil’s blight; To seek supernatural insight; To find God’s delight. … Continue reading →

Posted in belief, belief system, Christian, Christianity, Diety, ethics, God, God calling, meaning, meaninglessness, moral laws, moral principles, moral restraints, morality, morals, purpose, purpose driven, purpose of life, pursuit of God, search for significance, searching, searching for significance, spiritual adventure, spiritual formation, spiritual warfare, values | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Sermon-Free Church Rocked The Early Methodists

Posted on May 12, 2013 by Steve Simms

The early Methodists practiced a type of sermon-free church known as class meetings.  These were weekly, participatory meetings where every person present was given the opportunity to talk about their life with God.  The first Methodist class meeting was started … Continue reading →

Posted in bear one another's burdens, Christian experience, Christianity, church, Frederick William Briggs, John Bate, John Berry McFerrin, John Wesley, Kevin Watson, Methodism, Methodist revivalists, Methodists, Nashville, Nashville adventure, Nashville charity, Quotations, quote, renewal, revival, Salvation Army church, Salvation Army Corps, simple church, Spirit-led, spiritual awakening, spiritual growth, spiritual life, spiritual movement, The Salvation Army | Tagged , , , | 16 Comments

Are We Good People Or Bad People?

Posted on May 8, 2013 by Steve Simms

Most people think that there are bad people in the world, but almost nobody thinks that they are a bad person.  However, people who are genuinely close to God, are the exceptions.  They seem to readily admit that they are … Continue reading →

Posted in a wretch like me, Amazing Grace, author, bad person, Baghdad, chief of sinners, Christian, Christianity, ethics, evil, forgiveness, good person, Isaiah, John Newton, Katrina, law enforcement, laws, looting, moral, moral failure, moral failures, moral foundations, moral laws, moral leaders, moral principles, moral reformer, moral restraints, morality, New Orleans, Old Testament, quote, Quotes, relevation, religion, Russian literature, salvation, sin, unclean lips, wretched man that I am | Tagged , , , , , | 13 Comments

Wanted: Freedom Fighters

Posted on April 10, 2013 by Steve Simms

Wanted: Freedom Fighters A culture caught up in cravings, compulsions, and whims needs individuals who will fight to free themselves from the domination of their desires; defeat their self-destructive tendencies and tormenting thoughts; and live a life of inner liberty … Continue reading →

Posted in bondage, captivity, Christianity, compulsion, cravings, desires, freedom, liberty, renewing your mind, repentance, self-destruction, sins, slavery, spiritual battle, spiritual bondage, spiritual combat, spiritual warfare, whims | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments