Beirut, Lebanon

Well, it has certainly been awhile since I have taken the time to sit and write about the things in my life. As usual things have been super busy and going crazy. God has shown up and rocked my world and shown up huge in my life lately. But right now I am sitting outside a coffee shop in Beirut! The shop is called Costa Coffee, on Hamra Street. I've been talking with people from Palestine, and many other places. A few of us here have talked with people from Syria, Iraq, and South Africa. It's been amazing! But there will be more to come later in the week. Internet is hard to come by so it might be awhile until I write again.
But the people here are amazing and the culture of the Arab world is something to behold! The food is great and the people are so open and welcoming! I have had some amazing conversations with people from all over the world. I went running through Beirut this morning and just spent some time in prayer. God is truly moving in this area, people are having dreams and visions about meeting Jesus and coming to know Him and beginning their personal relationship with Him! The stories of these people are amazing! We went downtown last night to Beirut, it was crazy! We went by the mosque, the 3rd largest in the world! It was beautiful! The stone and marble are majestic! So beautiful!
It's been hazy these past few days but the mountains are gorgeous! The city is a unique city! Hope to do another post soon!

Word

Thousands of faces
Many a heart
Only empty earthen cases
How we seem so apart
Your hands and voices raised
But there's a dying child
A woman alone, a
Man killing for food, yeah
Lights so bright it's blinding
Your eyes cannot see
Sound ever defening
The groanings of the world
You say you believe, but
Do you see? It's more than
A tear, prayer, or joyful song
A man carried his cross
To his own death, pain, and hurt
Go and do likewise were his words
How often you wash the feet
Of your enemies, or
Give a man a cloak when
We both know you got plenty
To go around, and love
The Samaritan, Pharisee,
Saducee, and the like
But my own words remind me to love
Pray, and seek the best for you
Even when your own life
Is a picture of the lepers that stayed
Never returning to sit at the feet
Or give thanks for a burden that's light
And a yoke that's easy
But I'll wash your feet and
Wish you well, but I won't stop there
You see, it's easy to love those that need it
But what about those that got all they need?
I gotta love you too and carry my cross for you
Even when I think you don't deserve at all
I eat the scroll and think otherwise
Woe is me, a man of unclean lips
But I'm purified, sanctified and ready to go
So I'll love you, even when I'd rather do otherwise
All the faces and hearts
With hands lifted high, I'll love you
I'll pull the plug and kick the speakers
Do anything to let the Jesus I follow
Move and call you
To love the child dying today
Feed the man, woman starving and crying
To wash the feet of those forgotten
Go and do likewise, live by these words, maybe even die by these words

So...My dad is a Doctor...

These past few years, about 6, my dad has been working on finishing his Doctorate from Southern Seminary. He finally fnished everything this semester and finished his paper, project, and examinations. So him, my mom, and I traveled up to Louisville, KY for the weekend to take part in the festivities of graduation! My aunt, uncle, cousin, and momaw made the journey as well. So it made for a great time of reunion and celebration for the Smith family, usually trouble! We got to see a little of Louisville and the beautiful history of the city! There were so many places that had been restored and rebuilt to original looks and it was amazing! The town was a very urban area with nice places to eat and chill and read, we just didn't have the time to actually enjoy them. We had to go to a lot of receptions and congratulatory gatherings for all the seminary grads, regardless it was still lots of fun to hang with the fam. Hopefully this Christmas will have many more good times and laugh filled evenings!

Is The End In Sight

Is the end in sight? I find myself asking that, among many other things, here lately. My mind wanders between the events of here and now to times of the past and the possibilities of the future. So things bring a smile while others bring forth a never ending stream of tears. Possibilities of the future seem all to overwhelming at times. Some days my soul feels like a vessel in the vast ocean waters with no coordinates or stars for navigation. I simply float along with whatever direction the waves desire to take me. So are gentle and refreshing and others are giant and overpowering, each with thier own characteristics and purpose.

I am not at all where I thought I would be 3 months ago. After losing an important part of my life things have been different. Day after day I wake only by the Grace of God and by taking joy in the God of my Salvation. If it were not for the sovereignty of God the waves would be without purpose or reason. By God seeking Himself and by humbly submitting to that sovereignty each toss and turn offers a glimpse and the Glory of God.

The Mountain Top Experience has been an amazing blessing to take part in and experience. To sit in a great cloud of witnesses of such people as Linda, Rita, Shine, and Linda, and John has brought me to the point of realization that I am called to be a washer of feet.

While mentoring at Anna K. Davies Elementary my mind has been opened to the vast amounts of suffering among young children in our world. Children live without the warmth of heat and the comfort of food and water. During the cold bite of winter some children walk to school without a jacket or coat. These are the children that are the victims of drug abuse, violence, a culture that offers no alternatives, and an apathetic generation of Jesus admirers. The little boy I meet with feels as if he is alone in his world and struggles to experience the love from God.

The death of a friend never seems to get easier. Miss Alford passed away last week. I did not know because I was sick last week and missed visiting her. Her roommate talked with me for a little while and we prayed and I left the room. I had only spoken with Miss Alford a few times and each time her smile touched my spirit. Her laughter pierced the toughest of skin. My heart was broken at the hearing of her passing. But I am thankful for our short time together and pray that her spirit was as encouraged as mine during our conversations.

God is good. The Father always has His wings open wide. His words of instruction and rebuke are comforting. Jesus the Christ is the manifestation of the person of God to me. He is a true High Priest that allows for communion with God. I pray that I may be counted as a follower and disciple of Jesus. The Holy Spirit is empowering, comforting, convicting. Each day the leading of the Spirit is my prayer and desire. To experience the power of the Holy Spirit and sense the comfort provided is indeed a blessing from God. God is great.

Dangerous Roads

I have been cycling for awhile and I seem to be enjoying it. There is a special sense of peace when riding down roads with mountains and valleys and the rest of God's creation. In Floyd county there are some amazing roads that wind through some steep mountains and they provide an excellent view of creation. The same is true in Bartow county, though not as many mountains at all. I absolutely love a long climb with a breathtaking view at the top. Then the descent is also an adrenaline rush, sometimes I can get up to around 50mph. Very fast and fun. But these roads are dangerous.

This summer I was hit by a driver in Ft. Walton Beach, Florida. Thankfully there were no serious injuries, just bruises and a little emotional trauma. I got back on the bike the next week and rode like nothing happened, I was still a little sore though.

Thankfully I have had no accidents like this summer, I really haven't had any at all. But I have had a lot of close calls. So drivers simply forget or don't look when they turn or come around a curve. I have had to hit the brakes a few times to avoid breaking my face on the side of a car. There are also plenty of idiots that seem to make it their goal to get as close as possible and lay on the horn. I rode today and had a few of those on the same road! It is very dangerous and ticks me off unbelievably. Even when there is room in another lane, some people just do not move. I usually offer them some fine Christian words and a wave and get over it. Remember, grace, for those that might judge.

But people need to slow down and simply watch what is around them. I did not realize the beauty surrounding me until I started walking and biking to places. People can experience the same if only they would slow down. So world, slow down please.

Intensity in Ten Cities

I'm not the one that you want, I'll only let you down.
And I'm pretty sure that you've caught on.
And you can say that 'Oh, I'm just feeling sorry for myself.'

I think it's every time I walk into a room
a silence so sudden that I seem to hear it
Smiles turn to frowns
Contact saying that you are the rain on their parade.

And how long could you hang on to a word?
Tell me, how long could you hang on to a word?

I'm not the one that you want, I'll only let you down.
And I'm pretty sure that you've caught on.
And you can say that 'Oh, I'm just feeling sorry for myself'

Or maybe it's all eyes on him
in love with ego and intention
the eyes that are just begging me for more.
This is gone and I can see it
your head is full of words,
full of words that don't mean anything.

And how long could you hang on to a word?
Tell me, how long could you hang on to a word?

I'm not the one that you want, I'll always let you down.
And I'm pretty sure that you've caught on.
And you can say that 'Oh, I'm just feeling sorry for myself'

I'm not the one that you want, I'll always let you down.
And I'm pretty sure that you've caught on.
And you can say that 'Oh, I'm just feeling sorry for myself'

If that's how you feel, then what's there to do?
I'll keep this feeling in my heart
but when you look in my eyes, you will know the truth.

Pretty much this is how my heart feels at the moment. It's tough sure, but it's just an accurate description of what I am incapable of expressing. I read a decent article dealing with loneliness today. It said that many many people experience loneliness. The thing is that they do not tell anyone about it. So, I'm telling people how I feel. If you find that you feel the same way then you are certainly not alone in your struggle. Crazy how people write exactly how you feel sometimes. Many thanks to Chiodos for their wonderful gift of writing. Enjoy.

Shot to The Soul

So, I've been taking part of a bible study here at Shorter these past few weeks. It's called T-Cell. Short for Transformation Cell. Also, T-Cells are in our body and they fight diseases and other things that destroy our bodies. It's a really cool biology/spiritual thing that worked out.

Anyway, tonight we met for 2 hours and only covered 4 verses. Not much progress. But it was some Holy Spirit led studying of the Word. It was, as the title suggests, a shot to the soul. We began looking at the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5 tonight. And it cut deep, very deep. I will be chewing on everything that was said for a good while. But it was some good stuff. So I challenge you all, whoever you may be, to go and read the beginning of Matt. 5. Allow the Spirit to lead you and teach you and meditate on the words of Jesus. Let me know what happens. Seriously.

Peace.