Category Archives: Jesus Christ

Quaker Style Meetings In The Salvation Army

Posted on October 22, 2013 by Steve Simms

The early Quakers believed that the living, resurrected Jesus was present with them when they met together in His name and that He, Himself, could lead the meeting without the need for a human leader or a human program. For … Continue reading →

Posted in Christ, church format, church programs, church services, denominations, Friends meeting, George Fox, God with us, hearing God, hearing Jesus, hearing the Holy Spirit, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Nashville, Nashville charity, Nashville church, nineteenth century, presence of Christ, presence of God, Quakers, quotation, Quotations, Quotes, real presence, Richard Munn, Salvation Army, Salvation Army church, Salvation Army Corps, Salvation Army General, Salvationism, Salvationists, Society of Friends, W.T. Stead, Wilfred Kitching, William Booth | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments

Irrigation, Living Water & New Wineskins

Posted on September 30, 2013 by Steve Simms

Our dry souls need to be irrigated with much Living Water.  An effective irrigation system has many waterspouts, not just one.  God’s living water flows lavishly in church meetings when many people are free to share the living water that … Continue reading →

Posted in creativity, flow, flow of the Spirit, flowing of the Holy Spirit, heart care, heart of worship, heart-felt, Holy Spirit, irrigation system, Jesus, Jesus Christ, no one pours new wine, preaching, preaching the Word, sermon, sermons | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

When Hearts Speak

Posted on September 8, 2013 by Steve Simms

When a mind talks theology, people hear religious ideas.  When hearts speak in the Spirit, people learn love. A heart burning for God is a gift that is caught in His presence, not something just taught from a pulpit. I … Continue reading →

Posted in God's presence, hiking, in the Spirit, Jesus, Jesus Christ, love, Love one another, perfume on Jesus' feet, pulpit, Sonbeams, Tennessee, theology, University of Tennessee Martin | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

12 B&Bs of PC (Benefits & Blessings of Participatory Church)

Posted on September 2, 2013 by Steve Simms

12 (B&Bs) Benefits & Blessings of (PC) Participatory church: 1) is exciting and never the same ole, same ole.  It breaks the boredom cycle of customary church. 2) releases the living, resurrected Jesus Christ and allows Him to personally direct … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Corinthians 14:26, accountability, Bible, boredom, Christ, Christian organizations, church leadership, church meetings, church program, church programs, church services, commandments, commands, community, customary, customs, faith, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Nashville, Nashville church, New Testament, non-church, non-traditional church, one another, one anothers, participators, participatory church, Salvation Army, Salvation Army church, Salvation Army Corps, simple church, The Salvation Army | Tagged , , , , | 18 Comments

Perhaps church services could move beyond attenders silently sitting to hear sermons; and let them stand to share stories about how the living, resurrected Jesus Christ is actively working in their lives.

Posted on August 17, 2013 by Steve Simms
Posted in alternative to preaching, Jesus, Jesus Christ, listening, listening skills, preaching, preaching the Word, resurrection, resurrection of Jesus, sermon-hearing, silence, stories, story, testimonies, testimony, witness | Tagged , , , | 8 Comments

The Salvation Army, Bill Hybles, Evangelism, & Berry Street

Posted on August 14, 2013 by Steve Simms

You can see the action of the wind in the leaves of the trees.  You can see the action of the living, resurrected Jesus Christ, when believers gather in His name and ordinary people show and tell what He has … Continue reading →

Posted in Berry Street, Berry Street Worship Center, books, Colorado Springs, Glen Eyrie, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Nashville, Nashville charity, Nashville church, Navigators, NSE, organic church, outreach, outreach ministry, prompted by the Spirit, prompting of the Spirit, Salvation Army, Say Something, Spirit-filled, Spirit-led, Spirit-prompted, Tell Them. Win Them. Establish Them., Walk Across The Room | Tagged , , , , , | 11 Comments

Credit Card Reader’s Message

Posted on August 13, 2013 by Steve Simms

I saw these words on a credit card reader:  “When prompted swipe card.” Perhaps a better message would be:  “When prompted obey Jesus — quench not the Spirit.” Americans and other Westerners are subjected to so many prompts:  compulsions, commercials, … Continue reading →

Posted in American, American media, American values, Americans, brainwashed, brainwashing, compulsion, consumerism, cravings, credit card, desires, hearing God, hearing Jesus, Holy Ghost, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Jesus Culture, orientation, peer pressure, prompted by the Spirit, prompting of the Spirit, promptings, Quench not the Spirit, quench the Spirit, religion, sex, Spirit-led, Spirit-prompted, swipe card, Western society, Western world, when prompted, whims | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Quarterback Preacher & Handoff Church

Posted on August 5, 2013 by Steve Simms

Is it time for a handoff or a pass to Jesus?  Football season is upon us and the quarterback’s job is to get the football to a playmaker, either by a handoff or a pass. I believe that a pastor’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Final Four, handoff, Jesus Christ, Nashville, open mic, open mike, playmaker, Salvation Army, Salvation Army church, Salvation Army Corps, sports, Super Bowl, The Salvation Army | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

“The Right Side Of History”?

Posted on July 31, 2013 by Steve Simms

Christ-followers should strive to be on the right side of His story, rather than on “the right side of history,” following and obeying the living, resurrected Jesus Christ rather than popular opinion.

Posted in change, changing society, choice, Christ followers, consensus, contemporary society, ethics, His story, history, Jesus, Jesus Christ, moral judgment, moral principles, moral restraints, morality, public opinion polls, radical Christianity, right and wrong, right conduct, right from wrong, right living, righteousness, societal, society | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Biblical Christianity / Following Christ

Posted on July 30, 2013 by Steve Simms

Following the living, resurrected Jesus Christ (biblical Christianity / Jesus’ command to: “Follow Me.”) is about: Self-surrender, not self-assertion; Self-control, not self-fulfillment; Self-denial, not self-righteousness; Self-restraint, not self-indulgence; Self-discipline, not self-destruction; Self-sacrifice, not self-importance; Self-effacement, not self-promotion; Self-regulation, not self-interest; … Continue reading →

Posted in biblical Christianity, Christ followers, cross, deny yourself, Follow Me., Jesus, Jesus Christ, quotation, quote, Quotes, Real Christianity, self-asscertion, self-assertion, self-control, self-denial, self-destruction, self-discipline, self-effacement, self-esteem, self-focus, self-fulfillment, self-help, self-image, self-importance, self-indulgence, self-interest, self-justification, self-mastery, self-promotion, self-regulation, self-respect, self-restraint, self-righteousness, self-sacrifice, self-surrender, selfish desires, spiritual disciplines, spiritual formation, spiritual growth, spiritual training, spiritual transformation, spiritual walk, take up your cross | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments