Tag Archives: quotes

A Fresh Definition Of Ekklesia

Posted on October 24, 2015 by Steve Simms

“Ekklesia (the Greek New Testament word that was replaced by the English word ‘church’) is a gathering of people called out of human effort, agendas, and control, so that they can freely open up to their spiritual gifts and use … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Corinthians 12, church, control in church, God's fire, Greek words, New Testament, Send the fire, sermons, Tyler Edwards | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Body Building / Body Life / Body Ministry

Posted on October 21, 2015 by Steve Simms

When I was in college I read Body Life, by Ray Stedman, a book about how the Bible teaches that the church should function as a body, with each member having the freedom to listening to and obey the Head — … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Peter, biblical pattern, body of Christ, Christian unity, ecclesiology, Ephesians, holy priesthood, Jesus is the Head, Koinonia, members of the body, New Testament church, pastor-teachers, priesthood of the believer, Romans 12, speaking the truth in love, spiritual gifts | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Christ-Controlled Church (How to move beyond human control of church meetings.)

Posted on October 19, 2015 by Steve Simms

A Sunday morning church service is a controlled environment. Often everything that happens there is planned out ahead of time and inked onto a handy program which is given to people as they enter.  People are expected to passively sit, … Continue reading →

Posted in Chris Turner, church government, confession, Conquering the Game of Control, Craig Green, ecclesiology, gifts of the Spirit, Head of the church, how to, playing church, Southern Baptists, Steven J. Cole, surrender, who runs the church, William Booth, wisdom | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Ugh * Aha * I see * O me * Sorry * U-turn * . . .

Posted on October 17, 2015 by Steve Simms

I woke up this morning with this process parading pensively through my ponderings. * Ugh! . . . Disgusted with self & circumstances & hungry for help. * Aha! . . . A shinning moment when light comes in. * … Continue reading →

Posted in ABCs, Bill Bright, Bill Hybles, Billy Graham, Campus Crusade, Cru, D. James Kennedy, Ellen G. White, Evangelism Explosion, Four Spiritual Laws, how to become a Christian, religion, repentence, Roman Road, Sinner's Prayer, Steps to Christ, tracts, transformation, Walk Across The Room | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Alive inside? Experiencing the joy of internal life!

Posted on October 16, 2015 by Steve Simms

Are you alive inside? Are you experiencing the joys of internal life? Devoid of internal life, chaos resides inside and inner chaos creates chaos everywhere you go. However, when you connect with and cultivate inner life, there is an ongoing release … Continue reading →

Posted in Albert Schweitzer, awe, Carrie Barton, chaos, contemplation, E. Journey, Evelyn Underhill, gratitude, Henri Frederic Amiel, intnroversion, Jesus Christ, Joyce Meyer, Kenneth Clark, Lailah Gifty Akita, Leo Tolstoy, Mark Twain, Martha Nussbaum, meaning, Paul of Tarsus, reflection, Sarah Breathnach, self-discipline, Susan Cain, Thomas Merton, W.H. Auden, William Shirer | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Everyday eloquence — the power of show and tell!

Posted on October 15, 2015 by Steve Simms

We learned it in kindergarten — everyday eloquence — how to show and tell. So why did we stop? Why did we formalize presentations?  Why did we turn spontaneous heart-felt sharing into standardized, stuffy sermons! The Bible teaches that church … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Corinthians 14:26, all I really need to know, How everyone can make extraordinary presentations, I learned in kindergarten, kindergarten, Music City, Nashville, organic church, overcoming boredom, Salvation Army | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

25 words or less — My favorite thing about Jesus is . . .

Posted on October 13, 2015 by Steve Simms

25 words or less to win money and prizes? How about 25 words or less to express and release the glory of God? There is power in creatively writing from the heart! In the 1950s and 60s many companies conducted … Continue reading →

Posted in blogging, chat rooms, contests, evangelism, Evelyn Ryan, glory of God, Jesus, raising kids, sharing your faith, social media, Terry Ryan, testimonies, texting, The Prize Winner of Defiance Ohio, win prizes | Tagged , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Stop devaluation! (Guns or abortion?)

Posted on October 10, 2015 by Steve Simms

If we don’t want to continue to see random mass murders in America, we must stop devaluing human life! Speaking about the need to do something to stop mass killings, President Obama said: “This is something we should politicize. It … Continue reading →

Posted in a terrible thing to waste, cyber space, devaluation, disrespect, human life, Oregon shootings, political choice, President Obama, prolife prochoice, regulating guns, something we should politicize, value of life, video games, violence, wasting your life | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Karaoke-style church, anyone?

Posted on October 3, 2015 by Steve Simms

Spiritual karaoke anyone? People love karaoke because it releases spontaneity and joy. The open mic frees people from being passive spectators and lets them be active, enthusiastic participants. Karaoke is really an act of faith. People set aside their fears, their … Continue reading →

Posted in church karaoke, definition of karaoke, empty hands, karate, meaning, open mic, open mike, Rob Sheffield, Salvation Army, Tennessee | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

There is none so bland as he who will not see . . .

Posted on October 2, 2015 by Steve Simms

Let the bland eyes see! Society hypes up the bland while suppressing and holding down life’s most exciting aspect — the splendor, magnificence, and creativity of God that surrounds us in nature and is suppressed in our minds and souls.  There … Continue reading →

Posted in alcohol rehab, Augustine, C.H. Mason, Catherine Booth, Catherine of Siena, Dorothy Day, drug rehab, Francis of Assisi, George Fox, Jesus Christ, John Wesley, Mother Teresa, Nashville, Peter & John, rehab, Robert Adamson, Salvation Army ARC, testimony, Watchman Nee, We cannot help but speak, William Booth, William Seymour | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment