Category Archives: Uncategorized

It’s a Church PLANT, Not a Church PLAN

Posted on April 5, 2012 by Carl Simmons

If you know anything about me, you know that church plants are near and dear to my heart. And if you know anything about church plants, you know that no two are alike, no matter what books on church planting … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Lay Down Your Expectations

Posted on April 4, 2012 by Carl Simmons

Rather than attacking this idea from the front—and our previous rumination on goals and plans hit on many of the ideas inherent in this idea already—I’d like to approach today’s meditation from a different angle. Over the last several years, … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Lay Down Your Goals

Posted on April 2, 2012 by Carl Simmons

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

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Spiritual Rhythms in Solitude

Posted on April 1, 2012 by Carl Simmons

This one’s more a brief journal piece, but worth sharing. As promised a few weeks back, I’m working my way through Keith Meyer’s Spiritual Rhythms in Community. The Week 3 assignment was to watch, reflect, on, and preferably discuss the … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Lay Down Your Doubt, Part 2

Posted on March 30, 2012 by Carl Simmons

In the first part of this devotional, posted way back when, we looked at how our anxiety expresses itself in doubt and in trying to “control” the situation apart from God. Sometimes, however, we already know things are out of … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Lay Down Your Love (Retreat Session 4)

Posted on March 28, 2012 by Carl Simmons

Throughout the course of this retreat, as promised, 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 … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Past the Beauty, and to The Beautiful

Posted on March 27, 2012 by Carl Simmons

It starts kind of slow, but bear with it. Because, after all, this book is about slowing down enough to recognize God’s reflection in all of creation—as well as in our own creations, as we too reflect the Creator. Steve … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Lay It Down and Lay It Out (Retreat Session 3)

Posted on March 26, 2012 by Carl Simmons

God has called each of us as individuals, and called us to respond to Him in the unique way He’s called each of us… but that doesn’t mean we’re in this alone. As we’ve already discovered, God has allowed us … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Lay Down and Listen (Retreat Session 2)

Posted on March 23, 2012 by Carl Simmons

Even if you’re with a group, this session is about you and God spending time together. Just you and God. This might seem scary, or lead to unrealistic expectations, if you’re not used to “wasting time with God.” Don’t let … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Lay Down… No, Seriously, LAY DOWN. (Retreat Session 1)

Posted on March 20, 2012 by Carl Simmons

The next four entries are for a self-directed retreat/interlude I’m creating for the midway point of Lay It Down, the Book. I’m trying to build it for both individuals and small groups; this is the individual version. Enjoy. (P.S. I’m … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment