Category Archives: Uncategorized

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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Living… nay, setting up basecamp… in the Tension

Posted on May 19, 2011 by Carl Simmons

On to the final catch-up book from that fated 2009 NPC experience. I won’t lie; this is by far the hardest of the three to write. I even half-suspect, like its author, I’ll catch it from both sides. A book … Continue reading →

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A Conversation With the Creator

Posted on May 18, 2011 by Carl Simmons

“Every time I try to talk to someone it’s ‘Sorry’ this and ‘Forgive me’ that and ‘I’m not worrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrthy.’ ”—”God,” Monty Python and the Holy Grail We all know it’s important to communicate with God in prayer. We know how … Continue reading →

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Gladly Accept Imitations

Posted on May 16, 2011 by Carl Simmons

Who we are and what we think comes through in a variety of ways—our words, our actions, even our facial expression or tone of voice. So it’s important that the message we communicate is consistent—not only in the sense that … Continue reading →

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Lay It Down: an introduction to the introduction

Posted on May 13, 2011 by Carl Simmons

As previously mentioned, Fridays are a time to put the new writing out there. In most cases it’s still unrefined. In other words, don’t mistake this for a finished product, but accept the germinating ideas for what they are and … Continue reading →

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View (Your Faith) Like Jazz

Posted on May 12, 2011 by Carl Simmons

“Life in concert with God—ultimately that is what we are practicing for.” Time for another overlooked inspiration of the past couple years, and the 2nd of 3 to come out of that fated 2009 National Pastors Convention. This book has … Continue reading →

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