What Do 21st Century Christians Need Most?

Posted on August 16, 2012 by Steve Simms

What do 21st Century Christians need most
* teaching about Christ or
* the life of Christ flowing through us?

We have tried hearing lots and lots and lots of Christian teaching.  Perhaps it’s time that we let Christ directly live in and control our lives and our church meetings.

Perhaps we should, moment by moment, listen to the voice of God and do whatever He tells us to do.

Perhaps we should allow Christ to actually direct our church meetings rather than having them led from a platform and a pulpit by human leaders.  Would that work?

Yes.  When we turn over the reigns of a church meeting over to God, He will take them and direct the meeting, Himself.  If you have never experienced this before, come and see for yourself at The Salvation Army Berry Street, 225 Berry St., Nashville, 37207 on Sunday mornings at 10:45.

Posted in 21st Century, alternative lifestyle, American church, Berry Street, Berry Street Worship Center, Christ, Christ-centered, Christian community, Christian organizations, church, church meetings, church programs, church roles, church structure, ekklesia, filled with the Spirit, Holy Spirit, order of worship, organic church, simple church, The Salvation Army | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Prayer That’s Not For Wimps

Posted on August 16, 2012 by Steve Simms

Here are two prayers that take great courage.  Most people, when things get desperate in their life, will pray to God for immediate help, however, only the bravest people will pray these two powerful prayers.

The first one is a request, prayed by King David of Israel, for God to shine His light into his heart and show him where he was wrong.  It is easy to sincerely believe that we are morally and spiritually okay, when in reality we are a mess.

David said: “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.  See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139:23-24)

David also prayed:  “Do not let my heart be drawn to what is evil so that I take part in wicked deeds along with those who are evildoers; do not let me eat their delicacies.” (Psalm 141:4)

Do you have the courage to open your heart to God’s search light and to let Him show you your offensive thoughts and deeds?  Or do you prefer denial?

I challenge you to muster the courage to pray these prayers.  If you do, you will be amazed and overwhelmed by the hidden sin that God will show you in your own heart.  Try it, if you’re brave enough.

After writing this post, I picked up a book and found this quotation:  “We, being hard-hearted, do not wish to have our consciences pricked, not even a little, nor to change for the better the evil habits in which we are bound.”  –from The Life of Saint Theognius

Posted in alternative lifestyle, answer to God, anxious thoughts, Bible, Biblical concept, Christian, Christian values, Christianity, commands, conscience, conviction of sin, courage, deeds, denial, God, God calling, God's authority, God-shaped vacuum, godly sorrow, hard-hearted, harmful habit, harmful thinking, hdden sin, hearing God, hearing Jesus, heart care, humility, inner peace, Israel, King David, lifestyle Christianity, lifestyles, moral principles, moral restraints, morality, morals, obedience, offensive, prayer without ceasing, Psalm 139:23, Psalm 141:4, Quotations, quote, Quotes, recovery, Renaissance, repent, right and wrong, right conduct, right living, righteousness, self-destruction, self-will, sin, spiritual awakening, spiritual disciplines, spiritual formation, spiritual growth, spiritual skills, thoughts, values, voice of God, wake-up call | Tagged , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Perhaps It Is Time To Start “Speaking The Truth In Love”

Posted on August 14, 2012 by Steve Simms

Our corrupt culture, built on mountains of denial and the pursuit of personal pleasure, desperately needs to hear and to heed truth.  Yet where are those today, who will like the apostles, lovingly and boldly speak and write the truth?

To quote Paul of Tarsus:  “Speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into Him who is the Head, that is, Christ.”  (Ephesians 4:15)  You can’t grow up, you can’t mature, until you face the truth about yourself and your environment.  Denial maintains immaturity.

However, the cutting edge of truth is often found to be unacceptable. Because of the pain that truth inflicts on pride, it is resisted and denied with both the will and subconscious avoidance.

To be received and embraced, truth must be wrapped in love and compassion.  That’s what God did — Christ lived the truth in love, humility, brokenness, and sacrifice.  He didn’t impose the truth, He incarnated the truth while we were yet undeserving and unrepentant sinners.  That’s why Jesus’ life has the power to change human hearts and to set captives free.

Those transformed by Christ and made new human beings — born again, not from an earthly mother, but from above (the spiritual realm) — are called to speak the truth in love — to compassionately call a spade a spade.  But how?

“Speaking the truth in love” begins with the heart rather than with the mind. Too often we speak from opinion and will and pride and tradition rather than speaking from a heart that is overwhelmed by our own sinful nature and God’s amazing mercy on us.

Posted in apostles, born again, brokenness, call a spade a spade, compassion, corrupt culture, Ephesians 4:15, humility, immaturity, opinion, Paul of Tarsus, personal pleasure, Quotations, quote, Quotes, sacrifice, salvation, saved, seduction, seduction of self-destruction, self-help, spiritual formation, spiritual growth, subconscious, tradition | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Free Lara Landon concert this Thurs. (Aug. 16) in Nashville

Posted on August 13, 2012 by Steve Simms

Free Lara Landon concert

this Thursday night, Aug. 16, at 7:00 pm.

at The Salvation Army Berry Street Worship Center, 225 Berry St., Nashville, 37207.

Here’s a sample of Lara’s music:

 

Posted in Berry Street, Berry Street Worship Center, Christian, Christian community, contemporary, East Nashville, music, Music City, organic church, praise and worship, prayer, religion, singing, soul, soul music, spirit, spiritual, worship | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Thoughts On The Big Bang Theory

Posted on August 13, 2012 by Steve Simms

The Big Bang Theory of the origin of the universe has become widely accepted both among scientists and in society.  There is even a popular American TV sitcom on CBS called The Big Bang Theory.  However, the theory is not universally accepted by scientists and it has in no way been proven.

Here’s a quotation from world-famous astrophysicist George F. R. Ellis: “People need to be aware that there is a range of models that could explain the observations (concerning the origin of the universe) . . . What I want to bring into the open is the fact that we are using philosophical criteria in choosing our models. A lot of cosmology tries to hide that.”

One philosophical idea used in choosing scientific models of the universe is the irrational presupposition that the natural world is all that exists.  This anti-supernatural prejudice causes scientists to put their thinking and observations into a box and to attempt to explain everything, even creation, by natural causes alone.

But even the Big Bang theory fails to explain creation by using natural causes.  Instead it assumes (by an act of faith) the pre-existence of a dime-sized “singularity” (something undefinable that scientists say singularly contained all the building blocks of all matter and all energy everywhere) that somehow began to self-expand (or self-explode) to include and/or create everything that exists.

However, nature, the natural realm, and natural laws cannot be used to explain the beginnings of the universe because before the universe began there was no nature.  Thus, the very idea of the creation of the universe points to the supernatural, something beyond nature, which The Big Bang theory irrationally assumes doesn’t exist.

Perhaps it is time that we stop using scientific theory as way to exclude the living God from our thinking, our culture, and our lives.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posted in American, astrophysicist, belief, belief system, CBS, contemporary, cosmic accident, cosmology, creationism, Creator, deny God, evidence for God, faith, faith-based, George F.R. Ellis, God, intellect, irrational, miracles, natural laws, nature, philosophical, philosophy, prejudice, Quotations, quote, Quotes, science, scientific model, scientific theory, singularity, spiritual, supernatural, television, theology, trust, TV, TV network, world-famous | Tagged , , , , , , | 12 Comments

Respecting The Human Right To Disagree And/Or Disapprove

Posted on August 12, 2012 by Steve Simms

A human mind will sometimes disagree with the thoughts of other people.  A human conscience will at times disapprove of the behavior of others.  This is a basic fact and a fundamental human right that is accepted and understood by most people.

However, there is a popular myth afloat in our society that says that to express disagreement with and/or disapproval of certain behaviors is “hate speech” or “discrimination.”

The truth is that disagreement and/or disapproval can be either kind or unkind, loving or mean.  It all depends on the attitude of the person feeling and/or expressing the disagreement/disapproval.  For example:

Based on my conscience and the teachings of the Bible, I disagree with adulterers’ lifestyle, but they don’t accuse me of being adultery-phobic.  I also disapprove of getting drunk, but heavy drinkers don’t accuse me of hating them.

Perhaps we have no right to demand that other people and/or society at large approve of and agree with our lifestyle.  Maybe we should respect the right of others to disapprove of our behaviors.

Posted in adultery, alcohol, alternative lifestyle, and/or, answer to God, attitude, belief, belief system, Bible, Biblical concept, booze it up, boundaries, Chic-Fil-A, choice, compliance, contemporary, conviction of sin, corrupt culture, cravings, darkness, deeds, discipline, drinking, drunk, drunkenness, habit, hate, heavy drinking, lifestyles, love, modern myths, moral principles, moral restraints, morality, morals, myths, phobic, political correctness, popular culture, post-Christianity, reason, repentance, right and wrong, right conduct, right living, righteousness, Scriptures, sin, sobriety, thinking, thoughts, tolerance, Uncategorized, values, we have turned everyone to his own way | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

There’s No Right To Choose In Christianity

Posted on August 10, 2012 by Steve Simms

Followers have no choice — they are committed to do what their leader says.

Soldiers don’t get to choose — they have to obey orders.

The subjects of a Lord have no choice — they are under their Lord’s authority.

Dead people no longer make choices.

Christians say “Jesus is Lord” because they are followers of Christ and soldiers in His army.  They are “crucified with Christ.”  “For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” –Colossians 3:3 (World English Bible)

Christ followers have surrendered their right to choose and no longer make their own decisions or follow their own desires, cravings, or orientations.  Instead they follow and obey the promptings and directions of the Holy Spirit.  “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are children of God.” –Romans 8:14 (World English Bible)

According to the New Testament, Christians don’t choose.  They listen to God and obey.

Posted in army, authority, belief system, Bible, choice, Christ, Christ followers, Christ-centered, Christian, Colossians, compliance, crucified with Christ, crucifixion, deciision making, deny yourself, devotion, disciples, discipline, followers, followers of Christ, God calling, guidance, hearing God, hearing Jesus, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Jesus is Lord, kingdom of God, lifestyle Christianity, lifestyles, Lord, obedience, obeying orders, pro choice, prochoice, Romans 8:14, soldiers, spiritual growth, spiritual walk, surrender, Uncategorized, World English Bible | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

Logic Can’t Show You Love

Posted on August 9, 2012 by Steve Simms

Intellect can’t inspire you.  Inspiration is a matter of the heart.

Logic can’t show you love.  Love comes from the heart.  (It’s even symbolized by a tiny heart, not by a tiny brain.)

Mind can’t make mysticism.  Only insight in the heart can do that.

Reason can’t give you revelation or spiritual understanding.  That’s another function of the heart.

The human heart (or the spirit) is the tool that God has given you to receive Him and His communication.  You experience your heart searching for connection with God (and God’s Spirit searching for you):  1) when you feel love or compassion; 2) when you long for justice; 3) when your conscience cries out (or whispers); 4) when you stand in awe because you have been stirred deep within you; 5) when you feel the sense that you have done (or are doing) wrong and deserve to be punished; 6) when you feel grave concern for your soul and your eternal future.

It is eternally important whether you respond to God with your heart or explain Him away with your logic.  Choose wisely.

 

 

 

Posted in awe, brain, compassion, conscience, God, God calling, God-shaped vacuum, godly sorrow, heart care, heart-felt love, hearts unfold like flowers, insight, inspiration, intellect, intelligence, justice, mind, miracles, reason, Reason Rally, relevation, repent, repentance, right and wrong, right conduct, right living, soul, soul food, spirit, Spirit-led, spiritual, spiritual awakening, spiritual formation, spiritual growth, spiritual skills, spiritual walk | Tagged , , , , , | 7 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 read it for hours a day.   Here’s a challenge.  Read the New Testament for a minimum of 5 minutes a day for 21 days and see what amazing things it will do in your life.

2)  The Philokalia:  This is a five-volume collection of ancient writings (from 300 AD until about 1,000 AD) by Orthodox monks.  It is absolutely incredible!

3)  The Way Of A Pilgrim is the journal of an Orthodox pilgrim as he wanders around Russia (I think in the 1800s) reading The Philokalia and trying to live out its principles, especially the Jesus Prayer.

4)  All On Fire by Henry Mayer is a biography of William Lloyd Garrison, my “greatest American of all time.”  (See my list of Top Ten Greatest Americans.)

5)  Black Like Me is John Howard Griffin’s account of the time in the 1950s when he darkened his skin and traveled around the American South, experiencing the unbelievable hatred and racism that blacks went through during that Jim Crow time period.

6)  The Normal Christian Life by Watchman Nee:  Nee actually didn’t write this book or his other books (with the exception of The Spiritual Man).  Someone heard his sermons in China and wrote them down.  All Nee’s books are life changing!

7)  Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis gives powerful and logical reasons to believe in the truth behind the teachings of Christianity.

8)  Unlimited Power by Anthony Robbins (yes, the guy who gets people to do a fire walk on hot coals).  I love positive thinking books and this one is so good that I read it and immediately read it again (something I’ve never done with any other book).

9)  Uncle Tom’s Cabin:  This powerful novel by Harriet Beecher Stowe is not just something to learn about in history class.  It still has an amazing impact today by showing how incredibly evil, cruel, and immoral that American slavery was.  It is heart-rending.

10)  Self-Help by Samuel Smiles (his real name) was written (in the 1850s, I think) by a Scottish doctor who lived in London.  It is known as the first modern self-help book and is overflowing with inspiration.

Have you read any of my top ten favorite books?  Which ones?  Why not start reading one of them today?  If you have read one of them, please make a comment and tell how it touched your life.  (Or share some favorite quotations from one of these books.)  Thanks.

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

The Next Time Someone Says “C.I.B.” Check This Out . . .

Posted on August 7, 2012 by Steve Simms

The next time someone says; “Church is boring,” bring them to 225 Berry Street in Nashville, 37207.  They will change their mind.

*  There’s no sermon to fall asleep in . . .

Instead people excitedly and spontaneously show and tell what God is doing in their lives as they are led by the Holy Spirit.

*  There’s no bulletin to tell you everything that’s going to happen ahead of time . . .

That’s because the meeting is unplanned and no one knows what is going to happen but God.

*  There’s no pulpit or podium to focus people’s attention . .

Because people are encouraged to focus on the presence of the living, resurrected Jesus Christ and to do whatever He tells them to.

*  There are no prayers to be read . . .

However, numerous people passionately pray from their heart.

*  There’s not a regular worship leader or worship team . . .

Rather each week a different person (or group) leads worship and this helps us to keep our attention on Jesus and to give the glory to Him.

*  There’s not even a regular offering collected, rather a box in the back

Because even giving should be led by the Spirit.

Check it out for yourself at The Salvation Army Berry Street Worship Center on Sunday mornings at 10:45 and Thursday nights at 6:30.

 

Posted in alternative lifestyle, Berry Street, Berry Street Worship Center, bulletin, change, change management, Christ, Christ-centered, Christian community, Christian history, Christian organizations, Christian values, church meetings, church programs, church roles, church structure, disciples, discipling, East Nashville, faith, faith-based, free will, freedom, gifts of the Spirit, giving, guidance, hearing God, hearing Jesus, Holy Spirit, improvisation, Jesus, Jesus Christ, joy, lifestyle Christianity, move of God, movement, mystery, mysticism, non-church, normal Christianity, offering, organic church, participatory church, podium, praise and worship, prayer, presence of Christ, presence of God, priesthood of the believer, pulpit, religion, religious ceremonies, simple church, supernatural | Tagged , , , , , , | 5 Comments