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Welcome
to the Nehemiah Ministries
Website . . .
And thank you for visiting! I began this site in 1997, as my effort to bring
encouragement and counsel to Christians online -- especially regarding relationships and realizing their personal potential. I've
posted a “Nehemiah
Notes” article twice each month since then, and all
are archived here. While I’ve reissued some, over 100
individual articles are available. You’ll also find information on all my books,
with sample chapters, and links to online sellers
where they are available. And there’s also a history of
this ministry, and I've posted some photos (updated
June 2017), in case you're interested. I hope an article or book featured on
this site will provide the help you need, and God’s best to you as you browse! - Blaine Smith |
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* * Memorial
Photo Tribute to Evie * * *
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Evie
Kirkland Smith November
14, 1951 -
March 8, 2017 |
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On March 8, 2017 my wife Evie
died at Casey House Hospice in Rockville,
Maryland, from ALS. She
was diagnosed with the disease in November, 2015,
but, looking back, she had probably suffered from
it for close to three years. It is a brutal,
degenerative disease, and this vibrant woman
ultimately lost the use of both legs and feet, her
left arm and (primary) hand, and some right arm
function as well. Then in her last weeks she
suffered serious respiratory decline. As is so
common with ALS patients, this is what finally
took her life.
By
the time she was hospitalized on February 21, she
had reached the point where she wanted to be freed
from her sufferings and be with the Lord. Her
longing for Heaven, and her confidence that Christ
had a place there for her, was so strong that it
stunned some who worked with her at Casey House,
the hospice to which she was transferred on March
1. She went peacefully, with joyful expectation of
a much better life to come. While I am heartbroken
over losing her, I am so glad she is relieved of
her suffering and is now in the presence of
Christ.
Evie
taught elementary school music in Montgomery
Country,
Maryland
public schools for 25 years, and was highly
successful at the task. She was loved by a
great many people, and will be dearly missed by so
many. Most of all, she was the most amazing
possible wife and mother of our two sons, Ben and
Nate.
The
photo above is of Evie and Ben dancing at his
wedding reception, July 28, 2008. I've posted a photo
tribute to Evie on YouTube, including about
100 pics from throughout her life. Even if you
didn't know her, you may still enjoy watching this
display, for she was highly photogenic, and her
constant smile was an inspiration.
Your prayers for me and for my family are much
appreciated during this time, and I'm so grateful
for the condolences that many on my Nehemiah
Notes list have sent to us. - Blaine
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Nehemiah
Notes, June 15, 2018 |
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Owning Your Life--The Subtle Challenge
When We Try Too Hard to Live Free of Others' Expectations
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As
far back as Andrew can remember, his parents wanted him to become a
doctor. Throughout junior high and high school his dad, a respected
surgeon in the community, tutored him in science subjects and did
everything possible to spark his interest in medicine.
College was Andrew’s first experience of living independently,
and the freer university environment inspired him to consider other
career options. After several sessions with a vocational counselor, he
concluded he was best fit for a business profession. He came close to
switching majors . . .
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Our concern to "own" our life backfires when it grows too
extreme. I look at why in
this article, and at what we can do
about it.
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Nehemiah
Notes, June 1, 2018 |
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The
Shortest Cop on the Force
Turning Your Weaknesses into Strengths
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I have only a vague memory of him: he was
an enormous man who dwarfed me. Of course, to a four-year-old, all
adults are mammoth. He died that year, and that’s the memory I
carried of him from that point on--my grandfather as a towering giant.
A huge photo
portrait of him from the shoulders up reinforced the impression . . .
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Simple changes in how we think about our limitations can make a radical difference in our destiny.
I look at this greatly encouraging truth in this article.
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Nehemiah
Notes, May 15, 2018 |
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The
Positive Side of Mixed Emotions
Reaping the Benefits of a Protean Personality
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“I’m thirty years
old and have been married four years,” James explained to Dr.
Lawrence.
“Some days I feel
ecstatic to be married to Sarah. But other days the spark isn’t as
strong.
“There’s no
question about my commitment. I’m resolved to stay faithful to her
and the marriage no matter how much my feelings fluctuate. But I wish
they’d grow more consistently positive; these mixed emotions are
driving me nuts. . . ."
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The ability to live in different worlds emotionally at once benefits
us greatly. Read the article.
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How
It Radically Affects Your Happiness, Health, Success and Effectiveness
for Christ
