Category Archives: history

Appomattox Christianity

Posted on November 14, 2016 by Steve Simms

In 1865 General Lee surrendered to General Grant at Appomattox Court House, Virginia, leading to the end of the American Civil War. Christianity is about surrendering. Jesus put it this way: “Deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Me.” … Continue reading →

Posted in be on God's side, church, cross, deny yourself, God is on our side, greatness, history, Jesus, Quotations, Uncategorized, Virginia, William Booth | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Are sermon points and systematic theology in the Bible?

Posted on October 28, 2016 by Steve Simms

Sermon points? Sermons frequently have numbered points. However, when you read through the New Testament, you can’t find even one incidence of number points. So how did such an unbiblical idea become so common in church services? (Perhaps it is … Continue reading →

Posted in All I have written, alternative to preaching, Christian history, church history, history, house church, New Testament, organic church, preaching, preaching the Word, preaching without words, simple church, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Mother Teresa did this:

Posted on September 6, 2016 by Steve Simms

Mother Teresa traced the tracks of Christ with her feet and while doing so she transformed her life and the life of countless others. Now the Catholic Church has officially called her a saint. The truth is: All genuine Christ-followers … Continue reading →

Posted in Catholic, Christ followers, Christian history, church history, examples of forgiveness, Follow Me, followers of Christ, following Christ, Footprints In The Sand, history, holiness, In His steps, India, Indian history, Indians, normal Christianity, Quotations, Roman Catholic, The Normal Christian Life, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Black Friday vs. Good Friday

Posted on November 27, 2015 by Steve Simms

To miss out on Black Friday is no big deal! –To miss out on Good Friday is to miss out on the greatest pardon in world history. (You won’t find the best deal on Black Friday. You find the best … Continue reading →

Posted in church history, death on the cross, forgiveness, history, Jesus, marketing, pardon, sales, salvation, sin, Uncategorized, world history | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Beyond Audience-Style Religion

Posted on November 16, 2015 by Steve Simms

Go beyond audience-style religion And enter the inspiring reality of Ordinary people sharing from the heart As prompted by the Holy Spirit. It’s amazing how God continually confirms the open sharing and participation format at Berry Street! Last Sunday morning … Continue reading →

Posted in books, Christianity, heart religion, history, Quotes, religion, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Do You Dare To Read These Amazing Words From Catherine Booth?

Posted on July 22, 2015 by Steve Simms

Here’s a long passage from Catherine Booth about how church meetings should be done. Dare you read it? “While the gospel message is laid down with unerring exactness, we are left at perfect freedom to adapt our measures and modes … Continue reading →

Posted in church history, church order, church services, early Salvationists, history, organic chuch, Salvation Army, testimony | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Beaching It In The Colorado Mountains (God’s Surprises)

Posted on June 5, 2015 by Steve Simms

I love mountains, my wife loves the ocean. This year we went to the mountains in southwestern Colorado and came across a beach-like setting near Alamosa. Behind me in the pic above are the gigantic sand dunes of the Great … Continue reading →

Posted in Alamosa, history, Medano River, must see in Colorado, Nashville, organic church, Salvation Army, San Louis Valley, sand in the mountains, Sangre de Cristo, Tennessee, tourist sites | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Is a 2017 Church Reformation Coming?

Posted on April 15, 2015 by Steve Simms

The Protestant Reformation began on Oct. 31, 1517 when Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the door of  All Saints’ Church in Wittenberg, Germany. A 500th anniversary is coming up in 2017. So here’s a challenge.  Complete this sentence: If … Continue reading →

Posted in 1517, 2017, Germany, Head of the church, history, one anothering, one anothers, priesthood of the believer, universal priesthood, Wittenbert | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

East Nashville Fire, Spiritual Fire, & Buffalo Statues

Posted on July 24, 2014 by Steve Simms

A fire started at this site in 1916 that left 3,000 people in East Nashville homeless. Every time I am by here I pray that God will send His supernatural fire to East Nashville and so impact the lives of … Continue reading →

Posted in battle flag, Blood and Fire, buffalo statues, East Nashville, East Nashville Fire, history, homelessness, McFerrin Park, move of God, movement, Nashville adventure, Nashville charity, Nashville church, Nashville events, Nashville news, Nashville streets, Nashville times, Nashville tourist attractions, prayer walking, prayer walking with The Salvation Army Flag, prayers, praying, praying community, renewal, revival, Salvation Army church, Salvation Army Flag, salvation war, spiritual awakening, spiritual fire, Tsunami Of The Spirit | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Years of studying church history have shown me that during times of great spiritual awakening, church meetings are more about experiencing and obeying a Presence, than about sitting and listening to a program.

Posted on March 22, 2014 by Steve Simms
Posted in Christ, Christ in you, Christ's presence, church, church program, church programs, God's presence, great awakening, history, move of God, movement, non-church, non-liturgical, normal Christianity, open church, open forum, open mic, open mike, open sharing, participatory church, simple church, spiritual awakening, spiritual church, spiritual experience, spiritual gifts, spiritual movement, spiritual transformation, spiritual worship, spirituality, When you come together | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment