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.

I Don’t Understand…. But I’m Not Leaving

Posted on June 6, 2011 by Carl Simmons

Who’s the most offbeat friend you’ve ever had? How has your friendship with that person influenced both of you? And for that matter, when have you been the off-beat person in a group? What helped you find the group’s “rhythm” … Continue reading →

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a fragment of Lay Down Your Pride

Posted on June 3, 2011 by Carl Simmons

I’ll keep this one short today, but expect I’ll be coming back to this theme—and this passage—repeatedly…. A couple of weeks back we looked at the idea of laying down our thought lives—how to be transformed by the renewing of … Continue reading →

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The Truth About “The Naked Truth…”

Posted on June 2, 2011 by Carl Simmons

While I’m waiting for the book I was planning on reviewing this week, here’s a blast from the not-so-distant past that’s well worth your time….. • Randall Neighbour. The Naked Truth About Small Group Ministry: When It Won’t Work and … Continue reading →

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Worship: It’s Not Just Singing

Posted on June 1, 2011 by Carl Simmons

Over the last several Wednesdays, we’ve looked at different ways to respond to and become more connected with God, such as quiet time, prayer, and Bible study. We often refer to them as spiritual disciplines, but all of them are … Continue reading →

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How to Guide Without Steering

Posted on May 30, 2011 by Carl Simmons

We’ve all made bad decisions that seemed good at the time. Bet you’ve already thought of one. So let’s explore that before going any further: • When has a decision looked like “the right way” to you, yet turned out … Continue reading →

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A piece from Laying Down in Peace

Posted on May 27, 2011 by Carl Simmons

We tend to get 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. But God … Continue reading →

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Dallas Willard for Dummies… in the very best sense

Posted on May 26, 2011 by Carl Simmons

I thought that might get your attention. 🙂 But let’s face it, as wonderful a spiritual writer as Dallas Willard is — and The Divine Conspiracy is deservedly recognized by many as the best Christian book of the past quarter-century … Continue reading →

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What’s Your Compass?

Posted on May 25, 2011 by Carl Simmons

Are you alone? Good. Then you won’t feel silly trying this: Shut your eyes… well, I’ll tell you when actually … and point straight ahead in the direction you think is north. (If you have an actual compass, keep it … Continue reading →

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(Actively) Listen!

Posted on May 23, 2011 by Carl Simmons

Let’s start today’s entry  in prayer… but let’s do it a little differently. Close your eyes, breathe out slowly, and pause for a moment when your lungs are empty. As you breathe out, talk silently to God. Tell him what’s … Continue reading →

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Lay Down Your Old Identity: a handful of fragments

Posted on May 20, 2011 by Carl Simmons

You will not become the person God intended you to be until you’ve laid down the things He has not intended. But you can start now. This laying-down thing takes a lifetime—and God will guide us into next things that … Continue reading →

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