Category Archives: Orthodox

Church without community is like spaghetti without sauce.

Posted on September 17, 2017 by Steve Simms

Church without community is like spaghetti without sauce. Church without unity is like unconnected chain links. You can’t organize or hype-up genuine Christian unity. It comes through surrendering our agendas to the Holy Spirit. If church meets around a prearranged program, … Continue reading →

Posted in Catholic, dishonesty, encouragement, honesty, Jesus, LEGOs, Orthodox, Protestant, saints, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Are You Lost In A Lonely Crowd

Posted on July 13, 2015 by Steve Simms

We don’t have to be lost in a lonely crowd — feeling alienated and alone! In this crowded world, we can experience heart-to-heart unity with other people. One could make the claim that a ball of yarn is an example of unity. … Continue reading →

Posted in bearing with one another in love, Catholic, church, come together, ekklesia, Ephesians, knit together, lonely crowd, lost in a crowd, Nashville, Orthodox, Paul of Tarsus, Protestant, Quotes, Salvation Army, the bond of peace | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Faith Fighting — How To Be An Inner Winner

Posted on July 22, 2014 by Steve Simms

Faith fighting goes back to the earliest Christ-followers.  Paul of Tarsus wrote:  “Fight the good fight of faith.”  Real faith fighting takes place in the human heart, not in the outward environment or circumstances.  Faith fighting strives to be an … Continue reading →

Posted in Apostle Paul, deliverance, demons, Eastern Orthodox churches, fight the good fight of faith, I'll fight!, mystery, mysticism, mystics, Orthodox, Orthodox monks, Paul of Tarsus, prayers, praying, quotation, quote, Quotes, Symeon the new Theologian | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

If there are no demons . . .

Posted on July 19, 2014 by Steve Simms

If there are no demons . . . then why are so many of us humans tormented by fears, worries, anger, bitterness, frustration, self-doubt, self-condemnation, distress, depression, and too many other negative emotions to list? If there are no demons … Continue reading →

Posted in addiction, addictions, Catholic mystics, Christian history, Christian spirituality, demon possession, desert fathers, devils, evil, evil entities, evil in our society, evil spirits, mysticism, mystics, Orthodox, Orthodox monks, Oswald Chambers, pentecostals, Pentecostialism, Philokalia, quotation, Quotations, Quotes, recovery, source of evil, spiritual combat, spiritual formation, spiritual healing, spiritual health, war | Tagged , , , , , , | 5 Comments

The Right To Grab Some Grace (Is An Oxymoron)

Posted on September 14, 2013 by Steve Simms

In a culture that continually demands its rights, it is important to remember that there is not a right to grace.  (That’s an oxymoron.)  You can’t just grab some grace and have it your way, like a fast food burger.  … Continue reading →

Posted in book of James, contemporary society, corrupt culture, culture, fast food, fast food burger, have it your way, have mercy on me a sinner, human rights, If grace is an ocean, Jesus, Jesus prayer, McKay Books, McKay Bookstore, mercy, Nashville, New Testament, on demand, Orthodox, Orthodox monks, parable, Pharisee and the publican, pride, quotation, quote, Quotes, rights, sense of entitlement, sinner, streaming, The Practice of The Presence of God | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

What Is The True Christian Church?

Posted on August 30, 2012 by Steve Simms

Many people ask the question:  What is the one true church?  And numerous organizations claim to be the one true Christian church.  For example, these groups make that claim: * The ancient churches that can trace their history to the … Continue reading →

Posted in ancient history, belief system, Biblical concept, branch, Catholic, Catholic mystics, Christ, Christ followers, Christian community, Christian history, Christian organizations, Christian Scientists, Christian values, church fathers, church history, church meetings, Church of Christ, church programs, church roles, church structure, community, controversy, Creator, creeds, cults, denominations, early church, Eastern Orthodox churches, faith-based, followers of Christ, God, Heaven, institution, interdenominational, Irenaeus, Jehovah's Witnesses, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Jjehovah's Witnesses, kingdom of God, Latter Day Saints, LDS, lifestyle Christianity, lifestyles, Mormon faith, Mormonism, Mormons, movement, organic church, organization, Orthodox, Protestant, Protestant Reformation, questions, Quotations, quote, Quotes, Roman Catholic, Spirit-led, spiritual, testimony, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, thoughts, values, What is the true church?, words | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

Top Ten Greatest Books

Posted on August 8, 2012 by Steve Simms

What are the world’s 10 greatest books?  Here are the top 10 books that have had the most impact on my life: 1)  The Bible:  I’ve read it almost daily for 42 years.  There have been times that I have … Continue reading →

Posted in American, American history, American Literature, Bible, Black Like Me, books, British Literature, C.S. Lewis, China, Chinese, Christian, Christian values, Christianity, fire walk, Harriet Beecher Stowe, hate, hate speech, hot coals, Jim Crow, John Howard Griffin, literature, London, Mere Christianity, monks, New Testament, Orthodox, Philokalia, positive thinking, Quotations, quote, Quotes, racism, Russian literature, Samuel Smiles, slavery, The Jesus Prayer, The Normal Christian Life, The Spiritual Man, the way of the pilgrim, Uncle Tom's Cabin, Unlimited Power, Watchman Nee, William Lloyd Garrison, world's greatest | Tagged , , , , , , | 11 Comments

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

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