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.  There is no streaming grace on demand.

Grace is commonly defined as “God undeserved favor.”  However, rights are deserved and due you.  Do you see the difference?

If you pay for your burger, then you have a right to have it.  However, no matter what you do, you have no right to grace.  It is always a free gift, unearned and undeserved.

Here’s a quote from Brother Lawrence, a 17th Century monk in Paris who wrote The Practice of The Presence of God:  “We restrain the flow of God’s abundant grace . . . However, we mustn’t restrain it any longer.  Let us go into our hearts, dear friend, breaking down the dike, making way for grace.”

So what is “the dike”?  Pride.  A sense of spiritual entitlement — the feeling that we have a right to grace.

One of the New Testament writers, James, said:  “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”  If grace is an ocean, pride is the dike that keeps it out of our life and keeps us sinking in sin.

Grace is not earned, but it can only be freely received by the laying down our rights, our demands, our entitlements, our justifications, our self-righteousness — and humbly asking God for His mercy.   In Jesus’ parable of the proud Pharisee and the publican, the publican was in the posture of grace when he prayed:  “God have mercy on me, a sinner.”

Ancient Orthodox monks expanded that prayer into what has become know as the Jesus Prayer:  “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, have mercy on me a sinner.”  Regularly praying that prayer can help destroy your dike and open you up “to the flow of God’s abundant grace” which Brother Lawrence says will flow “in a torrent that, having found an open channel, gushes out exuberantly.”

(How this blog post came to be:

I woke up this morning at 4:30 with the idea “there is no right to grace” running through my mind.  As I thought about it, this blog fell into place and I realized that I needed to get up and write it down before I forgot it.  As I was waiting for my computer to come on, which for some reason was extremely slow, I saw a book that I bought months ago at McKay Used Books in Nashville, but hadn’t read or flipped through it since I bought it — The Practice of The Presence of God by Brother Lawrence.  So I picked it up and began to read it.  To my astonishment, he began to talk about grace and I came across the words I quoted in this blog.  I am continually amazed at how through out my life, God has put books directly in front of me that precisely speak to a need I have or a situation I am in, at the moment.  I hope you were blessed by this blog.  Thanks for reading it!)

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

Perhaps Church Needs A New Focal Point

Posted on September 13, 2013 by Steve Simms

Maybe the focal point of church should be the living, resurrected Jesus Christ — not a human personality exalted above everybody else and controlling everything from the front.

God is looking for a generation that will hear and obey the Holy Spirit’s voice, rather than the voices of men, of comfort, and/or of custom.  If you are a Christ-follower, then (regardless of your occupation) you are a minister and you are as called as any other minister on earth.

This idea was one of the central themes of the Protestant Reformation and is known as “the priesthood of the believer.”  However, unfortunately, it was only taught as a doctrine, but not actually put into practice in church worship meetings.  Perhaps it is time to let ordinary people live it in church.

The world has seen men proclaimed as great ministers of God . . .   Maybe now the world needs to see the great God working in and through everyday men and women.

This definition of “church” recently popped into my mind:  Church is a gathering of people called out of human effort and abilities and into the present working of God in their midst.  We must be willing to allow the living, resurrected Jesus to wreck our routine.

 

Posted in Christ, Christ followers, Christian community, Christianity, church history, definition, doctrine, everyday minister, history, how to do church, ministers, ministry, renewal, routine, routine religion, ways of doing church | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

Church Ledership — Hierarchy or Humility?

Posted on September 12, 2013 by Steve Simms

Should leadership in the church be based on hierarchy or humility?   Well, according to Jesus leadership is not established by human authority, official position, titles, rank, strength, or hierarchy; but by humility, service, weakness, brokenness before God, and submission to God. (See Luke 22:24-27)

Perhaps there is pride in the church. Perhaps we’re proud of our pastor, our programs, our music, our building, our country, our doctrine, our denomination (or the lack thereof), our prosperity, our youth pastor, how many people attend on Sunday, our website, our Facebook page, our good works, etc. “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” “God have mercy on me a sinner.”

Water cannot flow into high places, but it rushes into low places.  Just so, the living water of the Holy Spirit cannot flow much in people who feel powerful, important, and in control; but in people who know that they are weak and small and feel out of control, the Spirit rushes in.

We saw this demonstrated Sunday morning at The Salvation Army Berry Street as several people who looked like they have it together, one after the other, confessed their need and their brokenness and received loving, compassionate prayer from their fellow Christ-followers. The Spirit was powerful and tears freely flowed.

We’ve discovered that when a mind talks theology, people hear religious ideas.  However, when hearts speak in the Spirit, people learn love.  All around the world on Sunday mornings, people in almost every Christian denomination gather to listen to one man give a religious talk. However, the New Testament instructs us this way: “When you come together, each of you has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation . . .” (1 Corinthians 14:26)

So, perhaps, when we come together, we could allow individual believers to humbly listen to and obey the Holy Spirit.  When the Spirit starts to speak inside you, don’t stop Him. Instead stay still and silent and surrender to what He says. (Paul of Tarsus put it this way: “Quench not the Spirit,” and Jesus’ mother, Mary, said it like this: “Whatever He says to you, do it.”)  When believers have the freedom to do this in church amazing things happen.

Check it out at The Salvation Army Berry Street every Sunday morning at 10:45 at 225 Berry St., Nashville, TN 37207.

Posted in church format, church leadership, church meetings, church organizational chart, church programs, church roles, denominations, do it, facebook, God resists the proud, God's authority, have mercy on me a sinner, hymn, hymns, ministers, ministry, Mother Mary, Nashville, Nashville charity, Nashville church, Nashville tourist attractions, pastor, Quench not the Spirit, Salvation Army, Salvation Army church, Salvation Army Corps, spirit, Spirit-filled, Spirit-led, Spirit-prompted, spiritual, theology, web, website | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments

An Idea Whose Time Has Come: It’s Time For The Church To Step Up!

Posted on September 11, 2013 by Steve Simms

Open sharing and participation in church services is an idea whose time has come.  It’s time for the church to step up!

*  We are living in an age when communication, entertainment,  and education is becoming more and more participatory — from talk shows to social media to smart phones to online courses to endless apps:  It’s time for the church to step up!

* People no longer have much tolerance to be told to sit back and listen, but they are eager to share their thoughts, ideas, and feelings.  It’s time for the church to step up!

* The traditional, passive format of church has lost almost all of its influence on Western society.  It’s time for the church to step up!

* Open participation in church was first proposed (and commanded) almost 2,000 years ago (1 Corinthians 14:26 in the New Testament):  So it’s time for the church to finally step up!

* AA (Alcoholics Anonymous), NA (Narcotics Anonymous) and other 12-step groups have proven that participatory meetings have a powerful ability to transform human beings.  It’s time for the church to step up!

* No one is better at leading a church meeting that the living, resurrected Jesus Christ and He, Himself, is present when we gather in His name and ready to speak through ordinary people, if we will just allow Him to do so.  It’s time for the church to step up!

 

Posted in 1 Corinthians 14:26, AA, Alcoholics Anonymous, NA, Narcotics Anonymous, New Testament, time to step up, tolerance, Western religion, Western society | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Locking Myself Out Of My House Made Me A Philosopher

Posted on September 10, 2013 by Steve Simms

On a solitary stay-cation today, I took something to my car for an outing I had planned.  When I returned to my back door, I discovered that I had locked myself out of my house.

No problem.  My neighbor has a key.  But he wasn’t there.  So I was stuck, only to wait for his return.

The only comfortable outside chair that I could find was on another neighbor’s front porch.  Unfortunately there was a “country smell” of faint manure there, as well as one hungry mosquito.  But I decided to make the best of the hot early September day.

I began to observe the array of plants at my feet (feeding, I’m sure, on what was causing that “country smell”).  I was trying hard not to be frustrated and self-condemning, since it was a vacation day, by telling myself that there was some greater purpose going on, which was, of course, unknown to me.

After a while I tired of contemplatively watching plants grow, so I walked a mile or so down one of Nashville’s busiest streets (without a sidewalk) to spend two dollars that I had, at a convenience story.  I got a canned drink and a granola bar.  After chowing down, I returned to my neighbor’s porch, carrying my empty coke can with me.  My other neighbor (the one with the key) still wasn’t back.

Aha!  I could fill the can with water from an outdoor spout.  So I did and then set back in the chair sipping lawn water and watching plants again.

Soon, however, philosophical thoughts began to run through my mind about things like:  life, consciousness, conscience, rationality, contemplation, self, and evil — so many thoughts, I didn’t want to forget them.  So I took a pen out of my pocket and looked for some paper, but I had none.

Then I noticed three cardboard boxes on the porch.  I tore one of the inside flaps off one of the boxes and began to write some definitions, plus all of what you’ve been reading.

I hope my disrupted stay-cation day definitions will help you to discover something meaningful, because right now, I need a purpose for the sweat on my forehead.

This all began at 9:30 this morning.  It is now 2:07.  I think I will go fill up my coke can again.  (My neighbor with the key finally returned at 2:50.)

And, oh yeah, here are those definitions.  After all my troubles, please read them carefully.

1) Life is an intangible force that uses matter to create various, usually complex, systems, structures, and forms; and animates them so that they defy natural laws such as lifting matter contrary to nature’s gravitational pull. Life is not the systems, structures, and forms themselves, because when life leaves, they cease to function, lose their ability to transform matter, and gradually break down into nature’s elemental building blocks.

2) Consciousness is the awareness that the signals received through the senses are not just data being automatically processed, but represent genuine aspects and realities of the environment.

3) Conscience is an inner prompting that informs human beings that certain actions, thoughts, words, and/or behaviors ought to be done and that certain other actions, thoughts, words, and/or behaviors ought not to be done. Conscience is not instinct, because it can easily be ignored or overridden and eventually even silenced.

4) Rationality is the ability to mentally interact with signals received through the senses, signals stored in the memory, and with intangible ideas and concepts, so that material and/or non-material realities (like math) are comprehended and discovered, and so that false ideas, perceived as real, are ascertained and exposed.

5) Contemplation is the internal act of focusing awareness and attention in such a way as to retrieve ideas, insight, and inspiration from wherever it comes.  Contemplation can be used to retrieve helpful or harmful ideas, according to the choice of the contemplating person.

6) Self is the individual person contained in a living human body, which is commonly expressed in the simple word, me — historically known as the soul.

7) Evil is a concept that is meaningless unless there is a non-material, moral order to the Universe.  Evil is any violation of the universal moral order, while good is any alignment with the moral order.

 

 

Posted in conscience, ethics, humility, humor, ideas, life, morality, purpose, purpose of life, rationality, reason, reasoning, right and wrong, right conduct, right from wrong, right living, self | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Church — In Sync or Spontaneous?

Posted on September 9, 2013 by Steve Simms

During praise and worship an image came to my mind. I saw a group of people, all neatly facing the front of the room, sitting at banquet tables with full plates in front of them. Then I saw a man stand up in the front of the room and begin to instruct and direct everybody to eat in perfect sync (like synchronized swimmers).

Then it came to me that we don’t program, orchestrate and control how people eat at a banquet. We allow everyone to eat at her own pace and according to her own appetite. To attempt to get people to eat in unison would be considered crazy.

So why don’t we allow people the same freedom in church services — to hear directly from the living God, to partake of spiritual food at their own pace and to obey the Holy Spirit’s promptings, rather than being programmed in sync from the front?  Perhaps it is simply because we are stuck in tradition.  In the Western world; “We’ve always done it that way.”  We’ve not seen examples of spontaneous, Spirit-led church.

However, if you would like to experience Spirit-prompted, participatory church, there is one in Nashville, Tennessee — The Salvation Army Berry Street Worship Center.  We meet on Sunday mornings at 10:45 at 225 Berry Street, 37207.

Posted in 37207, banquet, Berry Street, Berry Street Worship Center, Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit promptings, in unison, living God, Nashville, Nashville charity, Nashville church, Nashville events, not being fed in church, organic church, praise, praise and worship, praising God, program, programmed, programmed from the front, Salvation Army church, Salvation Army Corps, Salvationism, Salvationists, spiritual food, spontaneity, The Salvation Army, unprogrammed church, unrehearsed, vision, visions from God, We've always done it that way", Western religion, Western society, Western world, What is church?, what to do in Nashville, worship, worship center, worship gathering | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

When Hearts Speak

Posted on September 8, 2013 by Steve Simms

When a mind talks theology, people hear religious ideas.  When hearts speak in the Spirit, people learn love.

A heart burning for God is a gift that is caught in His presence, not something just taught from a pulpit. I caught it when as a college freshman I walked into a Spirit-led, participatory meeting at The University of Tennessee Martin and I’ve never been the same.

Hearts tender and humble before the Lord are like the box of perfume that was poured on Jesus’ feet — they fill the room with a supernatural sweetness that ushers in His presence. I am so blessed to be in the presence of such hearts on Sunday mornings at The Salvation Army Berry Street in Nashville and in one-on-one encounters though out the week.

At Berry Street, everyday people will be speaking from the heart as prompted by the Spirit. It’s a lovely thing!  Come and see for yourself on Sundays at 10:45 am., 225 Berry St., Nashville, Tennessee, 37207

Walking through tall woods recently I saw scattered sunbeams shinning tiny spotlights on the trail, the trees, and other things. When I turn inward and get still and quiet, I see Sonbeams of the living, resurrected Jesus Christ shinning inside of me, pointing out realities that I need, but may not want, to see.

Posted in God's presence, hiking, in the Spirit, Jesus, Jesus Christ, love, Love one another, perfume on Jesus' feet, pulpit, Sonbeams, Tennessee, theology, University of Tennessee Martin | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

Two 19th Century Women Promoted Participatory Church

Posted on September 7, 2013 by Steve Simms

These two 19th Century women promoted participatory church:

Florence Booth of The Salvation Army said:  “The greatest care is needed that a sense of the value of testimony should be preserved throughout The Army. Salvationism is neither comforting nor complete without testimony. The testimony of the convert should be encouraged. I know what a strength it was to me that, directly I came in contact with The Salvation Army and was converted, there was the opportunity to testify. What rich blessing was mine when my first trembling words were uttered in public to say what God had done to my soul! I hope the young officers will encourage the testimony of the convert. I think it important to let converts say at once what God has done for them. This committal of themselves greatly strengthens their faith.”

Ellen G. White of the Seventh Day Adventists said:  “Sermons have been in great demand in our churches.  The members have depended upon pulpit declamations instead of on the Holy Spirit.  Unused, the spiritual gifts bestowed on them have dwindled into feebleness.”

Posted in 19th Century, church history, converts, Ellen G. White, Florence Booth, gifts of the Spirit, Holy Spirit, organic church, participatory church, Salvation Army, Salvation Army women, Salvationism, sermon, sermons, Seventh Day Adventists, testimonies, testimony | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

What The Church Can Learn From A Muppet Movie

Posted on September 6, 2013 by Steve Simms

One animated Muppet with all the other Muppets immobile and neatly placed in rows, would not make much of a Muppet movie. Instead, all the Muppets need to be animated and participating interactively with one another.

No one Muppet dominates or controls the others (even though Miss Piggy may try).  Instead, they share the spotlight and actively flow together as a group.

Perhaps the church can learn from the Muppets.  Maybe we should allow everybody in a church service to be animated and actively involved — to show and tell what God has done and is doing in their lives; to share Bible verses and words or encouragement with one another.

So many of us have been taught great attitudes and information by the Muppets in their movies and on Sesame Street.  So why not try their open mic technique of working together in church?  If puppets can bless people when given the freedom to “speak out,” surely living human beings can be an even great blessing when allowed to share in church.  This could be just what you need to make your faith come alive!

Check out Muppet-style, participatory church at The Salvation Army Berry Street in Nashville, TN on Sunday mornings at 10:45 at 225 Berry St., 37207.

Posted in animated, animation, Berry Street, Bible, Bible concepts, church format, church leadership, church program, church programs, church roles, church services, church structure, faith, faith in God, faith-based, freedom, Nashville, Nashville church, open mic, open mike, organic church, participation, participatory church, puppets, Salvation Army, Salvation Army church, Salvation Army Corps, soul, speaking, speaking out, spiritual formation, spirituality, The Salvation Army | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Let God’s Fire Be 0% Contained (Not 100% Contained)

Posted on September 5, 2013 by Steve Simms

0% contained?

*The goal for a wildfire is that it be 100% contained — full containment.  

*God’s goal for His fire is that it be 0% contained — complete uncontainment. (To quote Paul of Tarsus, “Quench not the Spirit.”)

*So let the Spirit’s fire rage inside of you, uncontrolled and uncontained, creating a contagion that spreads it everywhere you go.

At Pentecost tongues of fire came on the early Christians and set their hearts ablaze for the rest of their lives.  Nowadays we Christians may make a lot of smoke, but do we have a raging fire in the fireplace of our heart?

Do you have God’s fire burning inside of you 24/7/365?  If so is it burning all out — 0% contained?  Paul of Tarsus said:  “Stir up the gift that is in you.”

Perhaps it’s time for believers to get fired-up and to stay that way!

 

Posted in 100% contained, 24/7/365, ablaze, burning desire, burning heart, fire, fire of the Holy Spirit, fired up, flames, get fired-up, glory of God, goals, God's fire, Holy Ghost, Holy Spirit, Paul of Tarsus, Pentecost, Quench not the Spirit, quench the Spirit, Quotations, quote, Quotes, revival, spirit fire, Spirit-filled, Spirit-led, spiritual awakening, spiritual fire, stir up the gift, tongues of fire, uncontained | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments