Category Archives: Jesus

What Rube Goldberg Machines Can Teach Us About Church

Posted on July 9, 2012 by Steve Simms

Rube Goldberg machines are complex contraptions that produce a sequence of what appears to be random actions that lead to a final result.  They are fun to watch.  You can find many videos of Rube Goldberg machines on YouTube. Perhaps … Continue reading →

Posted in 21st Century, American church, Berry Street, Bible, Biblical concept, bored in church, Christ, Christ-centered, Christian community, Christian history, Christian values, church history, church programs, church roles, church structure, East Nashville, ekklesia, good sermon, having a form of godliness, Holy Spirit, house church, I Corinthians 14:26, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Jesus Movement, Kevin Brockmeier, Music City, non-traditional church, order of worship, organic church, participatory church, priesthood of the believer, relational church, religious ceremonies, Rube Goldberg, simple church, soul, Spirit-led, spiritual, spiritual formation, The Salvation Army, the way we do church, What is church? | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

A Brief (Alternative) History Of Western Christianity

Posted on July 6, 2012 by Steve Simms

An alternative history of Western Christianity . . . The early Christians were passionate and obedient followers of the living, resurrected Jesus Christ.  The government didn’t like them and put many of them to death. However, the love, lifestyle, and … Continue reading →

Posted in 95 theses, alternative lifestyle, Castle Church, church, Constantine, downline, early church, ekklesia, empire, Germany, heretic, house church, Jesus, Jesus Christ, life, lifestyles, love, Martin Luther, mullti-level, Muslims, mystery, mysticism, non-church, non-traditional church, open church, organic church, Orthodox, political issue, politics, Protestant Reformation, reformation, religious ceremonies, religious wars, Roman Catholic, simple church, true Christian life, turned the world upsidedown, values, Western religion, Western world, What is church?, Wittenburg Door | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Religion’s Not Enough — Ya Gotta Be Hunnngggggry.

Posted on July 6, 2012 by Steve Simms

These words came to me:  Nashville has been known as a religious city, but religion’s not enough.  You have to be continually desperate for the living God. Like motivational speaker, Les Brown, says:  “Ya gotta be hunnngggggry.”  And Jesus said:  … Continue reading →

Posted in administration, CCU, Christianity, dietary, emergency room, enchilada, health care, health system, heart care, hospital, house keeping, intensive care, Jesus, Just give me Jesus, Les Brown, maintenance, motivational speaker, Music City, nursing, outpatient, parts of a hospital, pharmacy, psych ward, Quotations, radiology, recovery room, rehab, security, surgery | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Perhaps Church Is Much Simpler Than We Think It Is . . .

Posted on July 5, 2012 by Steve Simms

Maybe church is much simpler than we think it is? Perhaps church is just two or there or more believers gathered under the actual leadership and direction of the living, resurrected Jesus Christ in our midst? (In Matthew 18:20, Jesus … Continue reading →

Posted in belief, bored in church, Christ, Christ-centered, Christian, Christian community, Christian history, Christian values, Christianity, church, church programs, church roles, church structure, disciple making, disciples, discipling, East Nashville, ekklesia, faith, gifts of the Spirit, God's government, hearing God, hearing Jesus, Holy Spirit, house church, improv, improvisation, Jesus, Jesus Movement, kingdom of God, Matthew 18:20, move of God, participatory church, presence of Christ, presence of God, relational church, religion, Spirit-led, spiritual, spiritual formation, the way we do church | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Good people don’t need Jesus. Sinful people desperately need Him.

Posted on June 29, 2012 by Steve Simms

To fall short of the glory of God is to sin. (“All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” –Paul of Tarsus) Here’s another quote from Paul of Tarsus:  “The wages of sin is death . . … Continue reading →

Posted in alternative lifestyle, Apostle Paul, Christianity, corrupt culture, gift of God, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Pharisee, prayer, Quotations, quote, Quotes, religion, repentance, resurrection, Romans 3:23, salvation, sin, sinner, soul, spiritual awakening, The Jesus Prayer, wages of sin | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

How Can You Heal A Broken Heart?

Posted on June 26, 2012 by Steve Simms

Breaking heart, what can heal you? Restore your joy, your peace? Not denial or drink or drugs, Not antidepressants or anger Or angst activity. They merely mask the misery. Only one has a proven record Of consistently healing the brokenhearted … Continue reading →

Posted in activity, alternative lifestyle, anger, angst, brokenhearted, brokenness, change, Christ, Christ-centered, Christian, Christian history, church history, compassion, contemplation, deny yourself, drug commercials, drugs, drunk, encouragement, faith, God, healing, history, human life, inward change, Jesus, Jesus Christ, joy, mask, misery, new birth, peace, poem, poetry, prayer, religion, search for significance, searching for significance, spiritual, surrender to God, testimony | Tagged , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Ideas to Tone Down the NBA, the NFL, and the Olympics

Posted on June 25, 2012 by Steve Simms

What if they made a new rule to tone down the Sochi Olympics by requiring all Olympic athletes to have one arm tied behind their back during competition?  Would you be okay with that? What if, in order to reduce … Continue reading →

Posted in 21st Century, Acts, American church, basketball, Berry Street, Berry Street Worship Center, bold statements, burning heart, Christian community, Christianity, church history, church roles, church structure, current events, early church, East Nashville, England, faith-based, football, heart-felt love, house church, I Corinthians 14:26, Jesus, Jesus Christ, kingdom of God, lifestyles, London, Music City, mysticism, Nashville, non-church, non-church movement, non-traditional church, Olympics, open church, order of worship, participatory church, persecution, popular culture, post-Christianity, powerless, reality TV, relational church, religion, religious ceremonies, repentance, revelation, simple church, Spirit-led, spiritual, spiritual formation, sporting event, sports, television, the way we do church, true Christian life, TV, TV network, UK, Uncategorized, Western religion, Western world, What is church? | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Alternative Names For Organic Church

Posted on June 18, 2012 by Steve Simms

In the last few years, many books have been written about organic church by people like Neil Cole, Milt Rodriguez, Tony and Felicity Dale, Frank Viola, Wolfgang Simpson, Jon Zens, and many others.  I have read many of the books.  … Continue reading →

Posted in alternative lifestyle, American church, Berry Street, Bible, Biblical concept, Christian, Christian community, Christian history, Christianity, church, church history, church roles, church structure, faith, faith-based, flag, Frank Viola, history, house church, I Corinthians 14:26, improv, James H Rutz, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Jon Zens, King James Version, Milt Rodriguez, Music City, Nashville, Neil Cole, non-church, non-church movement, non-traditional church, open church, order of worship, organic church, participatory church, prayer, prayer walking, Quakers, relational church, religion, religious ceremonies, sermon, sermons, show and tell, simple church, Spirit-led, spiritual awakening, support group, tag team, The Salvation Army, the way we do church, Tony and Felicity Dale, tradition, unprogrammed church, Western religion, What is church?, Wolfgang Simpson | Tagged , , , , | 15 Comments

An Ancient Way To Change Your Life (Almost Unknown In The 21st Century)

Posted on June 15, 2012 by Steve Simms

There is an ancient way to change your life that was first developed and used in the Middle East in the early Fourth Century.  It produced amazing results and helped to start a movement in the Roman Empire and beyond. … Continue reading →

Posted in alternative lifestyle, Christ, Christ-centered, Christian, Christian history, Christianity, church history, early church, faith, faith-based, God, habit, hearing Jesus, His story, history, inner rivers, insight, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Jesus Movement, lifestyles, monastics, mysticism, non-church movement, non-material reality, Orthodox, Philokalia, prayer, prayer walking, prayer without ceasing, presence of Christ, presence of God, religion, religious ceremonies, self-control, self-denial, self-esteem, self-help, self-image, self-will, sin, sinner, spiritual awakening, spiritual combat, spiritual disciplines, spiritual formation, spiritual growth, spiritual warfare, The Jesus Prayer, the way of the pilgrim | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Counting On The Words Of Jesus (1-10 English Version)

Posted on June 7, 2012 by Steve Simms

One word — “Repent.” Two words — “Deny yourself.” Three words — “Come unto Me.” Four words — “Take up your cross.” Five words — “I will give you rest.” Six words — “Seek first the kingdom of God.” Seven … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 - 10, belief, Christ, Christ-centered, Christian, Christian history, Christianity, comment, conviction of sin, counting the words of Jesus, cross, deny yourself, English, God, Jesus, Jesus Christ, kingdom of God, lifestyles, mature language, prayer, religion, repent, repentance, self-denial, spiritual, spiritual disciplines, spiritual growth, words, words on fire | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment