Author Archives: Carl Simmons

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About Carl Simmons

See the About Me page, 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 Crown

Posted on June 26, 2012 by Carl Simmons

“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him” (James 1:12). “Be faithful unto death, and I … Continue reading →

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Lay Down Your Gifts — the full version

Posted on June 21, 2012 by Carl Simmons

Let’s start today by revisiting Jesus’ commissioning of the 72 from last week. The 72 certainly had something to rejoice in when they used the gifts they had received: “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name” (Luke … Continue reading →

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Lay Down the Law (and Leave It There) — a small-group session

Posted on June 20, 2012 by Carl Simmons

This  session is based upon the following past devotionals—scroll down as needed: Lay Down Your Agenda Lay Down in Silence Lay Down in Safety Lay Down in Peace Lay Down Like a Lion For this session, you’ll need…. • the … Continue reading →

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Lay Down Like a Lion

Posted on June 15, 2012 by Carl Simmons

“He crouched, he lay down like a lion and like a lioness; who will rouse him up? Blessed are those who bless you, and cursed are those who curse you” (Numbers 24:9). As I first pulled together my ideas for … Continue reading →

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The Word Is the Word

Posted on June 12, 2012 by Carl Simmons

In some ways, this is a tough one to review—1) because I never needed the authors to convince me, because, in turn, 2) I kind of knew all this already. Thing is, it’s pretty clear that the majority of the American … Continue reading →

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Lay Down in Peace — the full version

Posted on June 6, 2012 by Carl Simmons

We can get so worked up whenever someone criticizes God or Christians. We want to run to God’s defense—or honestly, much of the time, our own—and say just the right thing that will shut that other person up (in love, … Continue reading →

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Lay Down Your Blessings

Posted on June 4, 2012 by Carl Simmons

Our new lives in Christ are just beginning. We are changed; but we are not finished. “Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has … Continue reading →

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Lay Down in Safety

Posted on May 29, 2012 by Carl Simmons

As we walk according to the Spirit, we do not know where He will lead us. But we do know that the Spirit is in front of us, leading us, and ready to guide and protect us as we travel … Continue reading →

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From Outside the Camp to Inside… then back out again….

Posted on May 25, 2012 by Carl Simmons

Shame is a crippling thing, whether it comes in the small-s or capital-s form. Throughout this book, Ed Welch reminds us that Jesus not only came to remove our shame but literally carried it to the cross for us—then reminds us … Continue reading →

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Lay Down in Silence

Posted on May 21, 2012 by Carl Simmons

As we examined last week, we’re often slaves to our own agenda without even realizing it. We can become so paralyzed by self-analysis and self-inflicted hurry that we forget how to simply be obedient in the things God’s already called … Continue reading →

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