Why Be Prejudice Against Prayer (Or Against Praying People)?

Posted on June 8, 2012 by Steve Simms

Even if you don’t believe in (and/or don’t like) prayer, there is no reason to be prejudice against prayer or against people who pray.  Why?  Because . . .

1)  The vast majority of people who tell you they are praying for you, genuinely care about you.  They mean well.  Their prayers for you are expressions of sincere love on your behalf.

2)  If prayer is not communication with a real God, then it can’t hurt you.  So why be bothered by someone mentioning prayer and/or telling you that they are praying for you, if you don’t believe that prayer is real?

3)  Our society emphasizes “tolerance” and “open-mindedness” towards so many things, so why not be fair and express the same for people who pray?

4)  A Brandeis University study found that 90 percent of Americans pray every day to “a God who is accessible, listening, and a source of emotional and psychological support, who at least sometimes answers back.”  Regardless of the percentage, a huge number of Americans (and people in other countries) pray.  So why waste time and energy being prejudice against such a large group of people?

5)  Prayer helps the people who pray.  It helps release their tension and stress.  It gives them peace and joy.  It helps them to feel love and compassion.  T.M. Luhrmann, an anthropologist trained in psychology and the author of Of Two Minds, recently said in an interview:  “I think the evidence suggests people who have a strong relationship with a loving God are healthier and more effective. In one of the researches I did, the more someone affirms the sentence ‘I feel God’s love for me directly,’ the less stressed they are and the less lonely they are.”  Prayer helps them ‘feel God.’

 

 

 

Posted in acts of God, adoration, alternative lifestyle, American, Americans, anthropologist, belief, Brandeis University, Christian, Christianity, church, faith, faith-based, feelings, interview, joy, lifestyles, love, mystery, non-material reality, Of Two Minds, popular culture, prayer, prayer walking, prayer without ceasing, presence of Christ, presence of God, psychology, religion, soul, spiritual, spiritual disciplines, spiritual formation, supernatural, surrender to God, T.M. Luhrmann, tension, The Jesus Prayer, The Voice, tolerance | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Counting On The Words Of Jesus (1-10 English Version)

Posted on June 7, 2012 by Steve Simms

One word — “Repent.”

Two words — “Deny yourself.”

Three words — “Come unto Me.”

Four words — “Take up your cross.”

Five words — “I will give you rest.”

Six words — “Seek first the kingdom of God.”

Seven words — “The kingdom of God is within you.”

Eight words — “Blessed are you when men shall persecute you.”

Nine words — “Whatsoever you ask in prayer, believing you shall receive.”

Ten words — “Out of your innermost being shall flow rivers of living water.”

Posted in 1 - 10, belief, Christ, Christ-centered, Christian, Christian history, Christianity, comment, conviction of sin, counting the words of Jesus, cross, deny yourself, English, God, Jesus, Jesus Christ, kingdom of God, lifestyles, mature language, prayer, religion, repent, repentance, self-denial, spiritual, spiritual disciplines, spiritual growth, words, words on fire | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

New Video ‘Bout Tebow . . .

Posted on June 6, 2012 by Steve Simms

Check out the new YouTube video about trying to get the courage to do some tebowing like Tim Tebow does.  It looks so easy when Tim does it, but unless you’ve tried to tebow for yourself, you don’t really know how frightening it can be.  Just copy and paste the link below:

Here’s a quotation from Tim:  “It’s OK to be outspoken about your faith. When it’s being talked about, that means it’s being contemplated by people, and that’s a good thing.”

 

Posted in alternative lifestyle, Christian, Christian history, Christianity, copy and paste, courage, deciision making, football, guts and glory, idealism, lifestyles, making decisions, missional, motivation, movement, New York Jets, NFL, Oh my God, opportunity, participatory church, playmaker, popular culture, praise and worship, prayer, prayer walking, prayer without ceasing, prophet, public speaking, Quotations, quote, Quotes, religion, self-denial, sermon, show and tell, speaking, speech making, spiritual, spiritual awakening, spiritual disciplines, Taiwan Tebow, tebow, tebowing, tebowing.com, televangelists, Tim Tebow, training camp, TV, TV ministers, University of Florida, wake-up call, Why be a Christian?, words on fire, YouTube | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

2 Ways Of Having Church (One Widespread & The Other Very Rare)

Posted on June 4, 2012 by Steve Simms

There are thousands of brands of Christianity (called denominations).  However, if you look closer at all the denominational and non-denominational churches in the world, there are really only two ways of having church:  1) Spectative church & 2) Interactive church.

Spectative church is widespread.  It is a passive form of church where people sit and watch a professional do religious things, unless they are told by the professional (or a bulletin) to stand or sit or say something.  It is highly programmed and human led (usually by one man & a helper or two).

The other type of church, interactive church, is very rare (especially in the Western world, however, it is common in China and other places where the church is underground).  In this form of church people are given the freedom to directly interact with one another and with God as they are led by the Holy Spirit.  It is based on the only Scripture in the New Testament that tells us how to hold a church meeting:  I Corinthians 14:26.

To experience interactive church is an amazing thing.  See for yourself by visiting The Salvation Army Berry Street, an interactive church in Nashville, TN — 225 Berry St., 37207, on Sundays at 10:45 am. & Thursdays at 6:30 pm.

Posted in Berry Street, Berry Street Worship Center, Bible, Biblical concept, brands, China, Chinese, Christ-centered, Christian, Christian community, Christianity, church, church history, church roles, church structure, denominations, East Nashville, Holy Spirit, Music City, Nashville, organic church, relational church, religion, religious ceremonies, simple church, spiritual formation, The Salvation Army | Tagged , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

What You’re Looking For

Posted on June 3, 2012 by Steve Simms

What are you looking for in life?

Some people say they are looking for fun, parties, good times, happiness;

Others for power, position, prestige, success, fame.

Some people think they are looking for financial wealth–stocks, bonds, bank accounts, cash;

Others for possessions–houses, land, cars, boats, fancy clothes, the best & latest gadgets.

Some people are longing to be loved and respected by others–romance, good family relationships, good friends;

Others long for excitement–travel, adventure, casual sex, chemical highs, seeing the top sports events and concerts.

But . . . Happiness is fleeting.  Power corrupts and doesn’t last.  Wealth doesn’t satisfy the human heart.  We get bored with our possessions.  You can be profoundly depressed and/or  lonely even when you are deeply loved.  Excitement fizzles.  Perhaps we have been searching for mere myths?

Maybe you’re looking in all the wrong places.  Perhaps in all your seeking, you’re really searching for significance, for meaning, for purpose.

However, if you believe the modern myth that life is nothing more than a cosmic accident, then significance and purpose, do not exist.  You must settle for meaninglessness.

But what’s that deep, unavoidable longing in your heart?  Why do you long for life to be more than mere mundane existence on earth?  Why is such a craving written into your DNA?

That universal human characteristic of longing for meaning, has been called “a God-shaped vacuum” because nothing less than a relationship with the living God can satisfy it.

Experience God in action at Nashville most unique church where instead of a weekly sermon, people publicly show and tell what God has done and is doing in their lives.  It is an amazing thing to see–225 Berry St., 37207, Sun. @ 10:45 am & Thurs. @ 6:30 pm. at The Salvation Army Berry Street.

Posted in all the wrong places, alternative lifestyle, bank accounts, Berry Street, Berry Street Worship Center, casual sex, Christianity, church, cosmic accident, cravings, evidence for God, faith-based, free spirit, God, God-shaped vacuum, materialism, meaning, meaninglessness, modern myths, music, Music City, myths, parties, popular culture, purpose, religion, searching for significance, sermon, sermons, show and tell, simple church, spiritual formation, stuff, testimonies, unhappiness, values, wealth | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Meek Means “Mighty By Another Power”

Posted on June 1, 2012 by Steve Simms

Who is meek?  Not the milk toast nor the mouse nor the wimp.  They won’t inherit the earth.

Meek does not mean “weak, fearful, or timid.”  It means “being mighty by yielding your life and will to another power.”  Because they trust in and live by a power beyond themselves, meek people are the best and most consistent heroes.

The muscle-bound surfer is meek as he rides high, surrendered to the power of a great wave.

The courageous test pilot is meek as he pushes the limits and breaks records by submitting his life to the power of an unproven jet plane.

The woman or man who trembles with fear, yet boldly stands up and speaks out for truth by surrendering to God’s power surging through her, is meek.  Two examples of this:  Ida B. Wells & the Grimke sisters.

The greatest hero in history was “meek and lowly in heart” yet He had a greater impact on the world than anyone who has ever lived? Meekness is powerful! Those who are meek and courageous enough to surrender their life and will to Jesus Christ discover a mighty power (rivers of living water) gushing through them. Meek rules!

“The greatness of a man’s power is in the measure of his surrender.”  –William Booth

“The main point about the meek is not their gentleness but their quiet faith and trust in God.  The meek turn again and again to God for help, for direction, and for the sheer joy of it.”  –John W. Miller

“The meek man is not a human mouse afflicted with a sense of his own inferiority. Rather he may be in his moral life as bold as a lion and as strong as Samson; but he has stopped being fooled about himself.  He has accepted God’s estimate of his own life.  He knows he is as weak and helpless as God has declared him to be, but paradoxically, he knows at the same time that he is in the sight of God of more importance than angels.  In himself, nothing; in God, everything.  That is his motto.”  –A.W. Tozer

“If there is anybody in this land who thoroughly believes that the meek shall inherit the earth they have not often let their presence be known.”  –W.E.B. DuBois

Dr. Dubois, I believe the meek shall inherit the earth.  That’s why I issue this challenge to those who say they are Christians:

–Stand up and be meek in God, surrendered and obedient to His will, saturated with His power, boldly living and declaring His truth while pouring out His love.  Get beyond your focus on self!  Let God get a hold of you.  Let Him have all that there is of you!  “The righteous are as bold as a lion.”

Posted in AA, addiction, addictions, alternative lifestyle, Christian, Christian history, Christianity, faith, faith-based, God, God's government, His story, history, humility, Ida B. Wells, ideal, idealism, inherit the earth, Jesus, Jesus Christ, John W. Miller, kindness, lifestyles, Quotations, quote, recovery, religion, revelation, revival, rivers of living water, self-denial, soul, spiritual, spiritual disciplines, spiritual formation, surfer, surrender to God, test pilot, the Grimke sisters, turned the world upsidedown, W.E.B. DuBois, William Booth | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Insider Report — Tattoos

Posted on May 31, 2012 by Steve Simms

This is an insider report, not about tattoos on the skin, but about tattoos within — looking beyond body art to a transformed heart.

According to a 2006 survey by the American Society of Dermatological Surgery, 1 in 4 Americans between the ages of 18 and 50 had a tattoo on their skin.  New York Times columnist, David Brooks, wrote that people get skin tattoos to show that “. . . they are actually free spirits – sensual, independent, a little dangerous.”

However to actually be a “free spirit” (rather than just calling yourself one) a person must be free within.  Genuine “free spirits” are free from bondage to tormenting thoughts, feelings, cravings, or whims.

As humans, our hearts are heavily tattooed with hurts that need healing.  Pain is engraved on our being.  We try to escape it, deny it, and/or ignore it; but like a skin tattoo, those etchings on the heart follow us wherever we go.

What can we do?  You can get new inner tattoos to replace the pain-filled ones.  There is a tattoo artist who can remove your inner suffering and engrave your heart with healing wonders — inner tattoos of peace, self-control,  joy, forgiveness, understanding,  compassion, gratitude, contentment, love.

Who is that tattoo artist?  His face, tattooed behind my eyes, is the pillar of my soul.  His name is Jesus!

 

 

 

Posted in American, Christian, Christianity, compassion, dermatalogical, forgiveness, free spirit, freedom, heart-felt love, inward change, Jesus, Jesus Christ, love, mysticism, pain, popular culture, religion, self-control, self-image, spiritual formation, surgery, tattoo, tattoo artist, thoughts, words | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

The World’s Most Unusual Ringtone

Posted on May 29, 2012 by Steve Simms

There is a sound, not measured in decibels, not carried by waves through the atmosphere; beyond music, words, or noise; sounding in human hearts.  This ringtone in the human heart is so familiar that it is often habitually ignored, hidden in plain sight.  Still, no heart is sound-proof to God’s still, small voice.

God’s soul music rings out within us all.  When we become aware of His ringtone, we are overcome with awe.  When our smartheart gets His service and begins to regularly receive and obey God’s messages, our life is transformed, from glory to glory.  Day by day we are Voice activated — set free, healed, forgiven, restored, revived, saved, and empowered to live a supernatural life.  God’s mystic voice makes us whole.

You don’t have to work hard or travel far to hear His voice.  You can hear right here and right now.  Listen . . .

Can you hear God’s ringtone playing in your heart?  It is customized for you — unique and unusual — an app just for you.  Listen . . .

Posted in atmosphere, awe, Catholic mystics, Christian, customized, devotion, forgiveness, glory, God, guidance, harmful habit, hearing God, hearing Jesus, heart-felt love, hidden in plain sight, music, mysticism, ringtone, salvation, servece, service, smartheart, smartphone apps, smartphones, soul music, sound proof, spiritual, spiritual awakening, spiritual formation, still small voice, The Voice, voice activated, voice of God, voices, waves | Tagged , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Does Hierarchy Hinder God? — How To “Prepare The Way For The Lord”

Posted on May 28, 2012 by Steve Simms

John the Baptist came to “prepare the way for the Lord” in his generation.  I, too, would like to prepare the way for the Lord.  I want to prepare the way for God to work powerfully in my life.  And I want to help prepare the way for the Holy Spirit to work mightily in my generation and the generations behind me.  How about you?

So how do you prepare the way for the Lord?

1)  Get out of God’s way.  “God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.”  John the Baptist put it this way:  “I must decrease and He must increase.”  Give up your pride.  Give up your will.  Quit your sin.  Fully surrender your hopes and dreams, plans and agendas to Him.

Paul of Tarsus said “I day daily.”  Jesus said:  “Deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow me.”  To quote Dietrich Bonhoeffer:  “When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die.”

2)  Create a level playing field.  When we come to Christ we are all equal.  There is no hierarchy in God’s church–no clergy/laity in the Bible.  After God tells us to “Prepare the way of the Lord,” we are told this:   “Every valley shall be raised up and every mountain and hill made low, the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain.  And the glory of the Lord will be revealed.”  (Isaiah 40:4-5)

God moves mightily on a level playing field, but not in the midst of pride and privilege.  Hierarchy gets in the way of the Holy Spirit’s working.  It quenches the Spirit.  But remove hierarchy  (what Jesus calls “lording it over“) by allowing every member of His body to show and tell what God is doing for them, and the Holy Spirit begins to bring forth the glory of God.

To do this, the mountains (people who tend to run and direct things by asserting their agendas) need to be made low and the valleys (people who tend to passively sit back and watch) need to be raised up.  Then God’s glory suddenly shows up.

This isn’t just a Scripture.  It works (as the Bible does when we obey it).  After years of overseeing participatory worship gatherings and participatory Bible Studies, I have noticed that there are usually a few people who do most of the talking and a lot of people who mainly listen.  I have found that when the talkers are lovingly taught to back off a bit and the listeners are allowed and encouraged to speak out more, an amazing thing happens.  The glory of God comes into the room and some of the least likely people say and do amazing things.

If you have never experienced this, come and see it for yourself at The Salvation Army Berry Street, 225 Berry Street, Nashville, TN   37207 on Sundays @ 10:45 am & Thursdays @ 6:30 pm.  You’ll be glad you did!

 

Posted in acts of God, Apostle Paul, Bible, Christ, Christ-centered, Christian, Christian community, Christianity, church history, church roles, church structure, clergy, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, equality, free will, freedom, gifts of the Spirit, God, God's government, heirarchy, Holy Spirit, house church, improv, improvisation, Jesus, Jesus Christ, laity, organic church, participatory church, Paul of Tarsus, Quotations, quote, Quotes, race, relational church, simple church, unprogrammed church, What is church? | Tagged , , , , , | 11 Comments

Does your heartphone drop calls from God?

Posted on May 28, 2012 by Steve Simms
Posted in Christian, Christianity, God, hearing God, hearing Jesus, heart-felt love, hearts unfold like flowers, lifestyles, listening, message, mysticism, non-material reality, normal Christianity, religion, revelation, smartphones, spiritual, spiritual awakening, spiritual disciplines, spiritual formation, spiritual growth, supernatural, Uncategorized, voice activated, voice of God, voices | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment