Does God Want To Shoot Pool In Church?

Posted on November 10, 2015 by Steve Simms

When Christ-followers meet, does God want to cue you and others? Is shooting pool in slow-mo a metaphor for what God wants to do in church meetings? Perhaps so.

We call this church:

pool balls racked

But what if this is more like what God has in mind?

pool balls in motion

The New Testament teaches that when Christians come together each one should have something to share with the group. (See 1 Corinthians 14:26.) It also teaches that we should be led (cued) by the Spirit. (See Romans 8:14.)

Playing pool is a beautiful analogy of those Bible verses. In a game of billiards, every ball is involved and moves as cued by the cue ball. The Scriptures I shared show that God want’s every member of His body to be involved as cued (prompted) by the Holy Spirit.

A pool game doesn’t begin when the billiard balls are racked up and the cue ball is in place. It begins when the cue ball breaks up the rack and gets the balls in motion.

What if church doesn’t begin when a group of people are racked in rigid rows listening to a preacher read a call to worship?  What if church begins when people begin to respond to the Holy Spirit’s cue and to say and do what the Spirit tells them to?

All we are saying is give Christ a chance. Give Jesus the freedom to personally lead and direct a worship gathering (without human interference) and experience for yourself the amazing things Christ will do in a group when He is allowed to! Come see this in action at The Salvation Army Berry Street, 225 Berry Street, Nashville, Tennessee, 37207 on Sundays at 10:45 am.

Posted in 8 ball, 9 ball, all we are saying is give, angles, how to, How to break billiards, How to play pool, How to rack, instructions, organic church, stratedgy | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

New Sculpture In East Nashville

Posted on November 9, 2015 by Steve Simms

Fred's cross

East Nashville’s McFerrin Park Neighborhood has a new sculpture — a cross with a heart of fire. The sculpture was created by Fred Major of Fred Major Galleries. It was installed on the front lawn of The Salvation Army Berry Street at the corner of Berry & Meridian streets on Saturday, November 7, 2015.

The heart represents God’s love that was demonstrated by Jesus’ death on the cross. The fire stands for a supernatural outpouring of God’s presence and power in revival and spiritual awakening.

The Salvation Army Berry Street is a non-traditional church based on open sharing and testimonies as prompted by the Holy Spirit, rather than on a one man sermon. It was established in March, 2008.  It meets every Sunday morning at 10:45.

Posted in Berry Street, cross, fire of God, God's presence, McFerrin Park, power of God, revival fires, Send the fire, spiritual awakening, the Holy Spirit and fire | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Who should determine the “order of worship”?

Posted on November 9, 2015 by Steve Simms

Who is qualified
To determine the
“Order of worship”
When Christ-followers meet?
The Bible says
Only the Holy Spirit:
“No one knows the thoughts of God
Except the Spirit of God.”
(1 Corinthians 2:11)
“Those who are led
By the Spirit of God
Are the children of God.”
(Romans 8:14)
Perhaps we could
Set aside our programs
And let the Spirit lead us!
Let’s gather in His name,
Listen to His Spirit,
And let each person in the room
Say and do what the Spirit tells him.

berry street chairs A

Posted in 1 Corinthians 2, Bible, church programs, Holy Spirit, led by the Spirit, listening to God, No one knows the thoughts of God, Romans 8:14, the Spirit of God | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Should We Choose A Church Like a U-Pick Farm? (Or Let Jesus Pick?)

Posted on November 6, 2015 by Steve Simms

Jesus wants to gather His body together, to assemble His ekklesia. Jesus said in Matthew 16:18: “I will build My church (ekklesia).” But will we let Him? It seems that we have made going to church like a U-pick (pick-your-own) farm instead of letting it be a God-pick!

The people in Jerusalem would not allow Jesus to assemble them. Jesus put it this way: “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which kills the prophets, and stones them that are sent unto you; how often would I have gathered your children together, as a hen does gather her brood under her wings, and you would not!” –Luke 13:34

How do people in the 21st Century usually choose a church? According to various surveys, when people are asked how they chose their church, they give answers like these: the pastor, the preaching, the doctrines, the friendliness of the members, the influence of friends, the children’s (or youth) ministry, the music, the location, and/or the building.

Perhaps a more effective reason for choosing a church would be the direct leading of God — allowing God, Himself, to tell us where to worship. Here are 3 steps to let the living God pick a place of worship for you:

1) Ask God: “Where do you want me to worship?”

2) Listen and hear His answer in your heart.

3) Be faithful to worship where He tells you, even if it’s not your personal choice.

Paul of Tarsus put it this way: “But now has God set the members every one of them in the body, as it has pleased Him.” –1 Corinthians 12:18 (NKJ) Will you allow Jesus to build His church and set you in His body where it pleases Him?

Jesus on water

Posted in ekklesia, farms, God has set the members, I will build my church, Jesus, Luke 13:34, Matthew 16:18, NKJ, O Jerusalem Jerusalem, Paul of Tarsus, reasons for going to church, right to choose, self-pick, surveys, U-pick | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Church should let ordinary people light up the house!

Posted on November 5, 2015 by Steve Simms

For centuries churches have trained ordinary people to hide the light that shines in their heart (“Christ in you, the hope of glory”). They have been taught to sit back, be quiet, and let a professional tell them how they should think about God.

However, Jesus taught the opposite. Jesus commanded: “You (Christ-followers) are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” –Matthew 5:14-16

Here is an example of obedience to Jesus’ command: “When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.” –Acts 4:13

When “ordinary” people are allowed and encouraged to open up, be courageous, and share the light that is shinning in them, people are “astonished.” This kind of astonishing open sharing and testimony is not just something confined to the Bible. It happens every Sunday morning in Nashville, Tennessee at The Salvation Army Berry Street, 225 Berry Street, 37207 at 10:45 — as everyday people show and tell what God has done.

Perhaps the declining Western church needs to let ordinary people light up the house! Even Socrates believed amazing things would happen if ordinary people were allowed to share their light!

let them shine socrates

Posted in Acts 4:13, Berry Street, hide it under a bushel, Matthew 5, ordinary men, Salvation Army, Sermon on the Mount, song | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

How to hear with your inner ear

Posted on November 4, 2015 by Steve Simms

inner ear

The Voice on NBC (Now Believing Christ) — Don’t miss the new season!

Listen to the Spirit
In your inner ear–
In your heart
And your conscience.
Let Him make the Bible
Burn inside you
And come alive
In your daily life.
The still, small voice
Is speaking to you now.
Be still and know
God’s presence
And power.

The presence of God
Flowing through the people of God
When they gather
In Jesus’ name
And freely share
With one another
What they hear
In their inner ear,
Fulfills the words of Jesus
“He that has an ear,
Let him hear
What the Spirit says
Unto the ekklesias.”

Posted in Be still and know, ekklesia, faith comes by hearing, he who has ears to hear, how to, Is God speaking, listening prayer, new season, still small voice, Today if you would hear his voice, what the Spirit says | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Christ’s lights should have every bulb burning (not just one)

Posted on November 3, 2015 by Steve Simms

Too often church services are like a string of Christmas tree lights with only one bulb burning, which our 21st Century interactive, participatory culture often finds boring. (That may be why so many people are “Dones” — done with church.)

one light burning

However, when God’s people gather together, He wants the meeting to be brilliant–with every bulb burning!

every light burning

This in not just my idea. God came up with it and put it in the Bible: “When you come together, each of you has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation . . .” It is in 1 Corinthians 14:26.

Each person sharing when God’s people meet for worship (every bulb burning) is such a simple yet powerful concept. Why is this clear command from Scripture commonly ignored by almost every church on earth? We say we believe the Bible and yet we ignore 1 Corinthians 14:26 and then do just the opposite by programming church meetings so that only one man is allowed to speak. Perhaps we should get back to the Bible and Christ’s ekklesia! “On this rock, I will build My ekklesia.” –Jesus in Matthew 16:18.

If you are ever in Nashville during the Christmas season, go to Opryland Hotel and see their Christmas Lights! All their lights are shinning brightly, not just one. Perhaps it is time for church to let all the lights shine and show and tell what God has done!

Posted in back to the Bible, Bible, Christmas lights, church services, ekklesia, Holiday lights, Matthew 16:18, Nashville, organic church, When you come together, worship, Yule tide | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Meeting the Halloween Challenge! (Reformation Day.)

Posted on October 31, 2015 by Steve Simms

Jesus casting out demons

–The greatest challenge for Halloween is not decorating, or getting a costume that suits you, or which party to go to, or getting the kids ready for trick or treating, or even the weather. The greatest challenge is to take a strong and solid stand against evil and for good!

Will you take this stand with me?
–I refuse to celebrate, focus on, dress up like, or open up to demons, witches, ghosts, gore, terror, horror, or any other forms of evil on the day called Halloween (October 31) or on any other day! I choose instead to “put on Christ” and to make everyday a mighty celebration of the Presence of the living, resurrected Jesus Christ and of His love, joy, forgiveness, freedom, healing, hope, righteousness, peace, power, salvation, and victory on the cross!

Please like and share this on Facebook, Twitter, other social media, and all over cyberspace! Let’s shift our focus from Halloween to All Saints Day (Nov. 1).

For me October 31 is a day of God’s destiny. Twenty-six years ago today I had a business lunch with a woman I had never met. She became my best friend, my fellow soldier in seeking and serving Christ, and 9 months later my wife. Here’s more of our story.

October 31 is also known as Reformation Day. It’s the date in 1517 when Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses to the door of the church in Wittenburg, Germany thus beginning the Protestant Reformation. Here are 95 Theses for the 21st Century.

Posted in 1517, 95 theses, casting out demons, cyberspace, Germany, holiday about, ideas, Jesus Christ, Martin Luther, Protestant Reformation, put on Christ, Reformation Day, Romans 13, why celebrate Halloween, Wittenburg | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Replacing hate (in its many forms) with love!

Posted on October 29, 2015 by Steve Simms

Accusations of hate are quite common in our culture. Hatred can be defined as: holding and/or expressing hostility, animosity, enmity, ill will, or extreme dislike. Perhaps hate is widespread. Could all these be forms of hate?

* Bullying?
* Stealing?
* Mocking?
* Cheating?
* Revenge?
* Jealously?
* Rudeness?
* Road rage?
* Threatening?
* Child abuse?
* Resentment?
* Dealing drugs?
* Initiating violence?
* Human trafficking?
* Domestic violence?
* Intimidating others?
* Child pornography?
* Drugging someone for sex?
* Lying & deception (hate for truth)?
* Ranking people based on skin shade or ethnicity?
* Exchanging prenatal care for prenatal extermination?
* Mean, vulgar, angry speech (commonly called cussing)?

How can we reduce the hate in our world? What can we do about hate?

Light on my deck

  1. We can humbly ask God to clean out our heart and make it pure and loving and then daily allow Him to do so.
  2. We can work diligently to replace our own hateful feelings and behaviors with love.
  3. We can be a drum major for justice, a role model of caring.
  4. We can work to help and serve those who are and/or have been the victims of individual’s and society’s hate and injustice.
  5. We can obey and stand for the Ten Commandments, the Golden Rule, and holiness unto the Lord and encourage others to do so.
  6. We can refuse to violate the warnings of our conscience.
  7. We can forgive others.
  8. We can show love and kindness to everybody and especially to those who disagree with us, don’t like us, and/or mistreat us.
  9. We can daily follow and obey the living, resurrected Jesus Christ and allow Him to live in and flow through us.
Posted in domestic violence, drum major for justice, examples of hate, forgiveness, forms of injustice, freedom of conscience, Golden Rule, hatred, holiness, human trafficking, Love one another, overcoming hate, Ten Commandements, victims of injustice | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

ASPIRIN advice for living in a heart attack culture

Posted on October 28, 2015 by Steve Simms

We live in a heart attack society. Our culture is consumed with concepts, communications, cravings, and compulsions that continually attack our heart, conspiring to capture and control our conscience.

guard your heart

We are surrounded by heart-damaging words, images, thoughts, and feelings. To protect our heart we need a daily aspirin regimen illustrated by this acrostic:

A – Activate your internal alarm system–sensitize your conscience.
S – Set your heart for mental health–settle for nothing less.
P – Push back against attacking forces–passivity will be overrun.
I – Insist on a positive focus in all you think, say, read, watch & do.
R – Reject, run from, and avoid negativity in every form.
I – Indulge yourself in things that increase your hope and optimism.
N – Navigate by conscience not by cravings–think, watch, say, read, and do what’s right not what feels good.

When your heart is being attacked, don’t get run over and trampled by your choices. “Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control.” –Proverbs 25:28

Posted in acrostic, alarms, aspirin regimin, conscience, daily aspirin, happiness, hope, media, optimism, popular culture, positive thinking, proverbs, self-control | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment