Author Archives: Carl Simmons

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About Carl Simmons

See the About Me page on my site, if you want to know more about ME. Otherwise, hopefully you'll know more about Jesus and some of his followers by reading here. And thanks for stopping by.

Lay Down Your Expectations    

Posted on August 19, 2019 by Carl Simmons

Stop expecting too much from yourself spiritually, or otherwise. Stop expecting instant regeneration, or instant success. Trust God as you once did. Don’t try to anticipate his moves before he’s made them. Allow him to grow you at his pace, instead of thinking you can run out ahead. Continue reading →

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Maximizing the Midsize Church

Posted on August 15, 2019 by Carl Simmons

Got a decent-sized (but not big) church, and want to keep a handle on where you’re at and where you’re going? David J. Peter. Maximizing the Midsize Church: Effective Leadership for Fruitful Mission and Ministry. 176p., $18.99, Kregel Ministry. Nearly … Continue reading →

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Lay Down Your Goals    

Posted on August 12, 2019 by Carl Simmons

Let’s return to the idea of us “taking things out of God’s hands” through our own control issues—specifically, through the plans and goals we lay out for ourselves. There’s nothing wrong with having goals for our lives. They give us … Continue reading →

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The Business of Your Life

Posted on August 8, 2019 by Carl Simmons

For young people ready to take their finances into their own hands. . . . Keith Lloyd Brown. The Business of Your Life: A Young Christian’s Guide to Financial Literacy. 240p., $16.99, Deep River Books. Former Ameriprise financial planner Keith … Continue reading →

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Lay Down Your Doubt

Posted on August 5, 2019 by Carl Simmons

Our anxiety expresses itself through doubt. And our doubt expresses itself by taking things into our own hands. Whether we say it or even consciously think it, trying to make things happen on our own says, at best, “God’s not … Continue reading →

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Between Us Guys

Posted on August 1, 2019 by Carl Simmons

For dads, and for all those conversations they’ve been meaning to have with their sons. . . . Joel Fitzpatrick. Between Us Guys: Life-Changing Conversations for Dads and Sons. 128p., $17.99, New Growth Press. This easy-to-use, life-changing book for fathers … Continue reading →

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Lay Down Your Anxiety   

Posted on July 29, 2019 by Carl Simmons

What I interpret as God’s slowness in making my life less stressful is, rather, his patience in waiting for me to repent. Continue reading →

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God’s Gift of Tremendous Power

Posted on July 25, 2019 by Carl Simmons

We all need more of God’s strength in our life. This book will help you learn more about how to get there. . . . Ann Shakespeare. God’s Gift of Tremendous Power. 128p., $13.99, Deep River Books. God’s Gift of … Continue reading →

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Lay Down Your Love (Retreat Session 4)

Posted on July 22, 2019 by Carl Simmons

Throughout the course of this retreat, you’ve been exposed to—and sometimes thrown into in—just a few of the spiritual disciplines. But the fact is, every spiritual discipline is a form of worship. It’s a way of being intentional about recognizing … Continue reading →

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40 Questions about Heaven and Hell

Posted on July 18, 2019 by Carl Simmons

For all you fans of last Thursday’s post. . . . 🙂 Alan W. Gomes. 40 Questions about Heaven and Hell. 384p., $25.99, Kregel Academic. In 40 Questions About Heaven and Hell, Alan Gomes surveys the Old and New Testaments to … Continue reading →

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