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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, October 1, 2019 |
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Welcome Guidance from
Unwelcome Circumstances
Reaping the Benefits of
Inspirational Dissatisfaction
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In the 1970s I served on the staff
of a Presbyterian church in St. Louis for several years. The
experience was a milestone for me. The senior pastor and the
congregation were highly supportive, and I grew in many
important ways.
Yet I was often frustrated by
the nature of pastoral work itself. Pastors are expected to be
generalists--wearing many hats. I found myself wanting to
concentrate more on certain areas of ministry that reflected my
gifts, and was often discouraged at how little time I had for
these activities . . .
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Our frustration can provide invaluable
insight into God's will for our life. I examine
this positive role of discontentment in this article.
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Nehemiah
Notes, September 15, 2019 |
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We Come Bearing Gifts
Waking to Your Hidden Potential
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I
know a woman who at 63 picked up a paintbrush for the first
time. Over the next fifteen years she won about a dozen county
and state awards in women’s club competitions in Maryland
for landscape painting. On one occasion she won first place in
her category, competing with women of all ages.
This woman, I'm proud to say, was my mom. Her example
demonstrates, as well as any I can think of, how we can
pass through much of our life not realizing we have certain
significant potential . . .
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Most of us sell our own potential -- and God's possibilities
for us -- drastically short. In this article
I encourage you to stay open to
God's bigger picture for your life.
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Nehemiah
Notes, September 1, 2019 |
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Faith
and Assertiveness
Speaking Your Mind and Setting Boundaries
as a Christian
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It’s
10:30 Saturday evening and Susan’s phone rings. Wanting to
ignore it, she lets it ring four times, then out of guilt
picks it up. “Hi, how are you? This is Pat,” a woman’s
voice announces. Before Susan can respond, Pat continues,
“Hon, I know this is asking a lot, but could you pick me up
at the bus station and drive me home? I just got in
from San Diego . . .”
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Does Christian love require us to give in to others’
unreasonable demands? Does it require us to accept mistreatment?
In this article,
I look closely at what
“going the second mile”
actually means.
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How
It Radically Affects Your Happiness, Health, Success and Effectiveness
for Christ
