Hang your hang-ups on the Cross

Posted on February 22, 2017 by Steve Simms

berry-st-cross

You’ve looked to many things for happiness. Why not pursue the risen Jesus? Don’t be afraid to read the Book that makes fear disappear! Here’s why the “World English Bible” never mentions church: http://amzn.to/2me8rYd.

Without intimate heart connections with the living Jesus & with one another, church is just another meeting. But there’s tremendous power in small, Jesus-led groups, “where two or three gather in My name.”

Beyond religion taught by man, there’s faith revealed directly by Jesus. (Gal. 1:12) When Christ-followers meet & rely on the Spirit, an invisible Leader takes over.

Be solar powered — soak up the Sonshine! The risen will Jesus refract the light of faith right in front of your spiritual eyes.

Hope in the risen Jesus is infinitely more reasonable than hope in a lottery ticket. To hope in the lottery instead of hoping in Christ, is to choose preposterous odds. His truth needs no validation–no name dropping–no appeal to hierarchy.

We can hang all our hang-ups on the Cross and be set free! (The picture on this post is the Berry Street Cross. Drive by and see it for yourself @ the corner of Berry & Meridian streets in East Nashville — 225 Berry St., Nashville 37207.)

Don’t just talk to God. Listen with your heart and let Him talk to you

 

Posted in hierarchy, impossible odds, lottery, organic church, solar power, spiritual formation, truth, truth will set you free, Uncategorized, unchurching | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

“God loves everybody,” but what’s that mean?

Posted on February 20, 2017 by Steve Simms

Some folks talk about God’s love to try to justify their rebellion against His love. They say things like, “Love wins,” and “God loves everybody,” but what do they mean? Is God’s love a blind sweetness that ignores our faults, condones our rebellion, and approves our wrongdoing? Surely not.

God loves you (and everybody) so much He doesn’t want you (or anybody) to obey self-destructive desires. He has so much better for you.

Life works better when we follow God’s love instead of following our own desires. Try it and see. To stop rebelling against God’s love is to discover incomprehensible peace & joy.

God loves everyone, but everyone doesn’t cherish, honor, and obey God. To do what I want to, when I want to, is to reject God’s love.

When you love God, you put God ahead of self. You obey Him rather than your own desires.

Posted in bearing with one another in love, Crazy Love, definition of love, extremist for love, heart-felt love, love flag, love is patient, Love one another, love the Lord your God, love your enemies, love your neighbor as yourself, perfect love casts out fear, radical love, speaking the truth in love, true love, Uncategorized, way of love, where there is hatred let me sow love | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

It’s time for Bible based reformation!

Posted on February 19, 2017 by Steve Simms

Don’t be afraid to read and  trust the Book that makes fear disappear! Some people claim to “demythologize” the Bible. I want the Bible to demyth me!

The Bible is like 3D movie glasses. It makes the living Jesus jump off the pages.

The Gospels show Jesus’ earthly lifestyle. Let’s live like He did. The Bible’s red letters are what Jesus said. Let’s believe His words and do them.

The book of Acts shows how early Christ-followers functioned. Let’s apply it.

Let’s let the Epistles, New Testament letters, align us with the truths about Jesus. The Bible’s “one anothers” instruct us to minister to each other. Let’s obey them. Let’s give up our religious agenda and let God’s glory flow through ordinary people.

The Bible is our God-given hand book. Let’s be faithful to it. 1 Corinthians 14:26 gives Christ-followers hands on experience ministering to one another. Church sets people down to listen. 1 Corinthians 14:26 gets people up to testify.

The best comfort food isn’t loaded with sugar or grease. It’s the Bible! -Jer. 15:16 Let’s reform church (and our lives) by aligning our beliefs & practices closer to the Bible.

God’s will is not being done “on earth as it is in Heaven.” That’s why Jesus prayed. And that’s why we have the Bible, to help us align our thoughts and actions to God’s will (repentance).

500 years after the Reformation, Western Christianity is in decline. It’s time for a new reformation? If Luther could reform the way church is done, we can too.

Let’s remember the Reformation’s 500th by reforming church to 1 Corinthians 14:26. Let’s give up our agenda and let God’s glory flow.

Christ called for followers. We cry out for leaders. Perhaps we need to follow Him! Jesus said “Follow Me.” It’s easier to follow religious men than to follow Jesus.

Here’s a challenge: Read the New Testament part of the Bible everyday for at least 5 minutes, for 21 days without missing a day. If you do that, amazing things will happen in your life. Try it and see!

 

Posted in 3D glasses, 500th anniversary, back to the Bible, Bible one anothers, Bible study, Bible teaching, church reform, New Testament, New Testament Christianity, New Testament church, on earth as it is in heaven, one anothering, organic church, the Bible says, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Universe is far too complex to have been produced by time & chance.

Posted on February 19, 2017 by Steve Simms
Posted in beginning of life, big bang, Big Bang Theory, history of the universe, nature of the universe, origin of the universe, reason, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Reformers wanted:

Posted on February 17, 2017 by Steve Simms

reformation-ekklesia

Reformers wanted: Learn more about the Greek New Testament concept of ekklesia at http://amzn.to/2lSpYsF.

Could a church where only 1 person speaks be like a choir where only 1 person sings? Perhaps a meeting of the body of Christ, like a choir, needs to involve many voices, not just one.

If Luther could reform the way church is done, we can too. Let’s remember the Reformation’s 500th anniversary by reforming church according to 1 Corinthians 14:26.

Posted in 1 Corinthians 14:26, 95 theses, Anabaptists, Calvin, choir, Free Gas, John Calvin, leaders of the Reformation, Meno Simons, October 31, Protestant, Protestant Reformers, radical reformation, reform movements, reformation, Reformation Day, Reformers, the Reformers, Ulrich Zwingli, Uncategorized, Wittenberg Door | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Fasting, rebellion, evil & the will of God

Posted on February 16, 2017 by Steve Simms

prayer-fasting

Fasting is a spiritual discipline that can help you realign your will with God’s. In your daily war of wills, which will will usually win? Your will or God’s will? God’s will is not being done “on earth as it is in Heaven.” That’s why Jesus prayed for God’s will to be restored to earth.

To refuse to align yourself with God’s will is to embrace rebellion against Him. God didn’t create evil. Rebellion against God’s will created evil. “Repent” means “align your thoughts, words, & actions with God’s will.” Fasting helps do that.

Experience prayer & fasting & ordinary people flowing in the Holy Spirit on Sat. Feb. 18, 2017 at The Salvation Army, 225 Berry St., Nashville 37207 between 10 & 4.

Seeing the risen Jesus flowing in a group of regular people, transformed my life. It will do the same for you. Come see!

After the fast I will post a report on this blog post. I invite you to come & fast with us on Saturday & and then share your experiences in the comments on this post.

 

Posted in agreeing in prayer, God seeker, If my people, prayer and fasting retreat, prayers, seek God's face, seek ye first, soak in prayer, spiritual adventure, spiritual battle, spiritual combat, spiritual gifts, spiritual healing, spiritual health, spiritual hearing, spiritual hunger, spiritual leadings, spiritual life, spiritual listening, spiritual maturity, the effectual fervent prayer, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

A refuge for church fugitives

Posted on February 15, 2017 by Steve Simms

Give me your tired church refugees, done with church as usual, and yearning to breathe free. (A paraphrase of Emma Lazarus’ words on the Statue of Liberty.)

Refugees from church: we’ll take you in & let you speak out as led by the Spirit. Church fugitives find the freedom in the Spirit that they’ve wanted for years, at The Salvation Army Berry Street, 225 Berry St. 37207 on Sundays at 10:45 am., where instead of a one-man talk, regular people share from their heart as they are quickened by the Holy Spirit.

 

Posted in home church, house church, Nashville church, organic church, simple church, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Reflections on Jesus

Posted on February 15, 2017 by Steve Simms

jesus-reflection

“Jesus rose,” is much more reasonable than “nothing produced everything.” A virgin birth is much more reasonable than time & chance creating the Universe. Jesus walking on water is much more reasonable than life creating itself.

The living Jesus can personally lead us. He doesn’t need surrogates but servants. We need to be servants carrying the risen Christ within us; not surrogates substituting our efforts for His presence.

Jesus’s love is so often unrequited. Requite His love–love Him back! Breathe love; give love; embrace self-denial, humility, & obedience to Christ. There’s no question that Jesus loves you. The question is “Do you love & obey Him?”

People get worked up about politics, sports, patriotism, business — why not Jesus? Perhaps Christ-followers could gather to share enthusiasm for Jesus — “Rejoice!” To present Christianity as boring is a great disservice to the Gospel!

First century Christ-followers were on fire. Then we made them sit silently & listen. Christians used to meet & rejoice. Then we made them quietly watch a presentation. Gifts of the Spirit used to flow through regular people. Then we set up clergy. Christians used to meet as a loving family. Then we turned it into a one-man program. Ancient Pentecost was overflowing enthusiasm for Jesus. Then we organized it out.

True Christianity is earth’s most exciting lifestyle–sad it’s been taught as dull. Let’s unleash the Spirit to blow like wind from within those who gather in His name. Let’s let the presence of Christ breathe His excitement into church services!

There are many gifted people in a gathering of Christ-followers — not just one! I love it when each person brings a spiritual “dish” to share in a worship meeting.

Open your heart valves & let God’s love flow from your inner most being. (John 7:38) From many comes one voice when the Spirit prompts members of Christ’s body to speak in a meeting.

Resist ungodly thoughts, feelings, & desires. Don’t let them control your life. Be cooperative with Christ; non-cooperative with evil.

Experience the risen Jesus personally leading a meeting every Sunday morning at 10:45 at The Salvation Army Berry Street, 225 Berry St., Nashville, TN 37207. Read more about it at this link.

Posted in aggressive Christianity, alternative Christianity, biblical Christianity, Christianity with Power, counter culture Christianity, early Christianity, emergent Christianity, enthusiasm, experiencing Jesus, lifestyle Christianity, Looking unto Jesus, Mere Christianity, New Testament Christianity, normal Christianity, passion for God, passion of Christ, radical Christianity, seeing Jesus, spiritual passion, Uncategorized, What would Jesus do? | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Live it up with fervor, avidity, passion, & ardor!

Posted on February 12, 2017 by Steve Simms

Heart-felt faith
Follows Jesus with fervor,
Prays with passion,
Adores with ardor.

Maybe church could focus folks’ attention on the risen Jesus instead of on a pastor. An interactive, personal relationship with the risen Jesus is amazing.

Let God put insatiable avidity for Jesus in your heart & you’ll never be the same! Faith in Jesus produces a holy-hallelujah lifestyle — not a ho-hum one! Religion presents God’s Son as humdrum; but faith in Jesus is electrifying!

“Casual faith” is an oxymoron. Faith in Christ is all consuming! Be avid about Jesus. Don’t avoid Him. Love for Jesus is contagious & the sooner you catch it, the more you’ll enjoy life.

Jesus is the only app that can satisfy you! Install Him & let Him run your life. Like a Mexican jumping bean jumps by a life within, let Jesus do the jumping in you.

I can’t be like Jesus if I don’t stop being like me. (That’s called “repentance.”) God installed a spiritual fitbit (called a conscience) in everyone. Many ignore it.

The best leader is the one who humbly models letting the living Jesus be the Leader. The world’s greatest leader is the risen Jesus. Follow Him & you won’t go wrong.

Posted in apps, faith in action, repentance, spirituality, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

So much preaching; so little fire.

Posted on February 10, 2017 by Steve Simms

So much preaching; so little fire. Without God’s fire continually ablaze in our heart, we won’t be what He wants us to. However, when God’s fire is burning in your heart, you have to work to find time for anything besides Him.

“The fire on the altar of your heart needs to be stirred up occasionally.” –William Booth

Caring, participatory interaction transforms people. Lecturing merely informs them. Letting people speak as they are quickened by the Spirit is a beautiful way to meet.

Jesus needs no surrogate. He’s present, active, & powerful when we meet in His name. When we’re together for worship, we can actually let the risen Jesus call the shots (like a movie director does). He can direct a church meeting without a human surrogate!

When Christ is speaking for Himself, it’s awkward if someone tries to be His surrogate. After all, if Christ is communicating for Himself, a surrogate for Him is unnecessary.

Faith-based facilitation trusts the risen Jesus to speak in & through regular folks. It releases the resources of Heaven through everyday people. It trains everyday people to hear Jesus speaking directly to them.

Preaching proclaims &
Teaching explains, but
Faith-based facilitation
Trains ordinarry people
To hear & obey
The living Jesus!

Here are a few quotes about facilitation:

“When people who attend experience that their presence is truly wanted and valuable, and that their unique gifts are necessary for the best outcome of the gathering, the possibility for authentic engagement, leading to success, is greatly enhanced.”
–Craig and Patricia Neal with Cynthia Wold

“Engagement explodes in meetings when people are listened to & acknowledged.” –Sibbet

“The participatory process liberates the members of the group & strengthens the group.” –David Lester

“The facilitator encourages full participation, promotes mutual understanding & cultivates shared responsibility.” –Sam Kaner

“Facilitation as a style of leadership is rapidly gaining ground.” -Steve Davis

Some walls need to fall. Being part of a faith-based facilitation group can help bring them down. Don’t fence Christ out of your heart.

Faith-based facilitation can turn a meeting into a gathering of “live wires” popping with Christ’s presence & power! When various people are moved by the Spirit, they all wind up on the same page — filled with God’s fire!

This will help to get and keep God’s fire going in your heart.

light-not-dim

 

Posted in contagion, contagious Christian, demonstration of the Spirit, enthusiasm, excitement in church, God's power, having a form of godliness but denying the power, heart-felt, heart-felt worship, spiritual fire, spiritual passion, spiritual power, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment