Category Archives: Christianity

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

(God Math) Life – God = L0neliness / Life X God = L∞ve

Posted on April 7, 2013 by Steve Simms

Do the God math. With God factored out of life, there’s a big zero (0) in our life — a void of loneliness. When God is the major factor of life (the prime mover), there is infinite (∞) love (l∞ve)! … Continue reading →

Posted in apologists, belief, belief system, believer, Christianity, do the math, faith, faith-based, foundation, kingdom of God, life, life built on nothing, live to please God, love, Love one another, love yourself, mathematical calculation, prime mover, spirit, spiritual, spiritual innovation, spiritual life, spirituality, symbol for infinity, zero | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

If you please and appease your wrongful desires they will seize you like a life-threatening disease and put you in a squeeze. “Flee those men who follow their whims.” –Pachomius (born in 292 in Luxor, Egypt)

Posted on April 6, 2013 by Steve Simms

If you please and appease your wrongful desires they will seize you like a life-threatening disease and put you in a squeeze. “Flee those men who follow their whims.” –Pachomius (born in 292 in Luxor, Egypt)

Posted in Christianity, complacency, compliance, compromise, compulsion, cravings, depression, desires, destructive actions, orientation, reformer, whims, wrongful behavior | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

A Catholic Priest Endorses Spirit-Led Participatory Church Meetings

Posted on April 3, 2013 by Steve Simms

I was recently reading a book by a Catholic priest, Father David Knight, and to my surprise he make a bold statement endorsing Spirit-led, participatory church like we do at The Salvation Army Berry Street in Nashville, Tennessee.  Here’s the … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, church, church format, church history, church leader, church meetings, church program, church programs, church roles, church services, church structure | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

The Body of Jesus Christ Has Been Found!

Posted on March 30, 2013 by Steve Simms

After the cruelty of the cross, Christ’s body was found, Walking by the sea, Eating, talking, teaching, Fully alive; Seen by 500 people at one time. I believe the report of those simple people, Much more than the attempts 2,000 … Continue reading →

Posted in Christ, Christianity, dead man walking, He rose, Jesus, Jesus Christ | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Good Friday’s Not For Good People

Posted on March 29, 2013 by Steve Simms

Good people don’t need a Good Friday Savior. They’re okay on their own. Bad people need a Good Friday Savior. “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, have mercy on me a sinner.” If nothing is morally wrong, if … Continue reading →

Posted in Christ, Christianity, cross, crucifixion, deliverance, die to self, forgiveness, freedom, God, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Jesus prayer, Jesus rose, living, mercy, moral, moral failure, moral failures, moral foundations, moral principles, moral restraints, morality, repent, repentance, salvation, Savior, sin, sinner, sins | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

AA Church

Posted on March 27, 2013 by Steve Simms

An Innovative Idea For Sunday Morning Church — Function Like An AA Meeting! Here’s a description of a typical AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) meeting from the AA of Australia web site: “AA meetings are very informal. Just take a seat and … Continue reading →

Posted in 12 step meeting, 12 steps, Berry Street, Berry Street Worship Center, Christianity, church format, church meetings, church program, church roles, church services, order of worship, organic church, participation in AA meetings, participatory church, Salvation Army church, Salvation Army Corps, simple church, Spirit-led, Spirit-prompted, telling their stories, The Salvation Army | Tagged , , , , | 8 Comments

Holy Week or Wholly Weak?

Posted on March 25, 2013 by Steve Simms

When you feel wholly weak; That puts Holy Week in a different light! — Christ died and rose for me, as weak and as fallen as I am, to live in the midst of my broken heart, with His glorious … Continue reading →

Posted in Christ, Christ in you, Christ in you the hope of glory, Christian, Christian values, Christianity, glory, God, God calling, God with us, helium, helium balloon, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Jesus is Lord, Jesus rose, religion, religious ceremonies, religious information, Resurrection Day, resurrection of Jesus, spirit, Spirit's flow, Spirit-filled, spiritual | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment