Category Archives: Quotes

Church: Do minds wander or are people filled with awestruck wonder?

Posted on January 23, 2015 by Steve Simms

When a church meeting is allowed to freely flow in the unforced rhythm of the Spirit — amazing things happen! When we call the shots — not so much. –Perhaps instead of making people’s minds wander, church should fill them … Continue reading →

Posted in 1st Century church, Alvin L. Reid, amazement, book of Acts, early church, everyone was filled with awe, formal religion, Malcolm McDow, Nashville, Quotes, rhythm of the Spirit, TN, wander-lust, who calls the shots | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Let’s all preach a sermon together! (When church is organized by the Spirit!)

Posted on January 16, 2015 by Steve Simms

Ever feel like you need more than a sermon? Experience God’s spiritual lightening bolts and “aha moments” in an enlightening church meeting based on open sharing and testimonies at The Salvation Army Berry Street, 225 Berry St., Nashville 37207 on … Continue reading →

Posted in a near-hit bolt of lightening, D.L. Moody, Duane Dewel, Edgar A. Guest, interactive sermons, long-winded sermon, Nashville, preach with your life, Quotes, Salvation Army | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

The Magnificence of Mutual Ministry

Posted on January 8, 2015 by Steve Simms

Mutual ministry is the shared, non-hierarchical, back and forth (one to another) ministry between the people in a church.  It’s a beautiful thing to behold, but it is very rare, almost unknown. However, mutual ministry is biblical.  The New Testament … Continue reading →

Posted in belief, clergy, Episcopal church, heresies, James C. Fenhagen, laity, Lutheran church, organic church, participatory church, Quotes | Tagged , , , , , | 9 Comments

Beaching It (In My Mind)

Posted on January 7, 2015 by Steve Simms

Inspired by Anne Morrow Lindbergh’s book, Gift From The Sea, I try my hand at writing about the sea: The ocean is such a reminder of the grandeur of God. Its wonder stirs our spirit and allows us to breathe in the … Continue reading →

Posted in beaching it, books, ocean thoughts, patience, Quotes, resting on the beach, thoughts from the beach | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Christian Spirituality — God Wants To Take Us Beyond Academics To The Heart!

Posted on January 2, 2015 by Steve Simms

I ordered a book, Christian Spirituality–Post Reformation and Modern, from Amazon, thinking it would be a spiritual look at faith.  However, as I began to read it, I found it to be a philosophical and academic analysis of Christian spirituality … Continue reading →

Posted in amazon, heart religion, Jesuits, Louis Lallemant, Quotes, spiritual reading | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

The Gift Of A Really Old Book & A Brand New Year (Happy 2015)

Posted on January 1, 2015 by Steve Simms

Someone, who doesn’t believe in God, sent me a 122 year-old Bible last night (New Year’s Eve 2014).  His gracious gift both blessed & bewildered me.  It made me ponder; what does it mean? The Bible is tattered.  The cover … Continue reading →

Posted in a little child shall lead them, antique Bibles, Bible reading, how to have a happy new year, kingdom of heaven, Quotes | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Reading Catherine Booth — (Evil Spirits, Participatory Church & Weeping Ministers)

Posted on November 28, 2014 by Steve Simms

Reading Catherine Booth (co-founder of The Salvation Army), I came across these words: –“I suppose most of you believe in evil spirits who have access to the human mind. I wish, if you do not, you could have some of … Continue reading →

Posted in Baptist, casting out demons, demons, evil spirts, hearing God, hearing Jesus, Nashville, organic church, participatory church, prayer, Quotes, Tennessee | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Ceremonies or Testimonies? The Historic Jesus or The Living, Resurrected Jesus?

Posted on November 18, 2014 by Steve Simms

Ceremonies or testimonies? What if church moved beyond scripted ceremonies about the historic Jesus and began to include spontaneous testimonies about the living Jesus? Perhaps a fresh anointing is somehow tied to the freedom of God’s people to flow spontaneously … Continue reading →

Posted in book of Acts, First Century Church, flowing in the Spirit, Mitch Cervinka, New Testament church, organic church, personal testimonies, priesthood of the believer, Quotes, William J. McRae | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

And The Sunday Morning Church Spotlight Shines On . . . ?

Posted on November 5, 2014 by Steve Simms

And the Sunday spotlight shines on . . . ?  In participatory church many people share Scriptures, short teachings, testimonies, prayer requests, gifts of the spirit, words of encouragement, prayers, etc., so no one steals the show and the spotlight … Continue reading →

Posted in bright and morning star, Catherine Booth, Christ in church, church, church leader, church leadership, church meetings, Colossians, Jesus Christ Superstar, quotation, Quotations, quote, Quotes, Salvation Army, shinning, spotlight, under the spotlight, who runs a church | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Community, Spiritual Combat, & Brain Chemistry

Posted on October 23, 2014 by Steve Simms

Two things that can change your cranium (brain) chemistry:  1) Experiencing church as caring community (like a support group); and 2) Consistent combat against your spiritual enemies. When the church gathers, the Holy Spirit wants to freely circulate among us like … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 John 4:18, Bible concepts, Bible quotes, church, community, organic church, perfect love casts out fear, Philippians 4:8, Quotations, Quotes, simple church, spiritual warfare, support group, think on these things, Whatsoever things are true | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments