Unexplainable Gift

April 18, 2012

I have learned to hide
In the shadow of your wings
You’ve lifted my heart to joy
I cannot explain
I’m an ordinary man
A broken human being

When I look back my heart’s sick
I see my failure and pride
Lust for affirmations
Longing for power
I repent again today
I am new every morning

Each morning I rise
Praise God for his massive love
One who lives by his Spirit
In those who repent
Those who accept forgiveness
Who accept undying love

A gift I cannot explain
It defies logic of men
But I know one thing
I was shattered in pieces
And now I am whole again

I will seek the truth
That is a choice I can make
It is the one thing
That I have done and will do
It has brought light to my eyes

I’ve lived close to death
I have watched my love ones die
I’m angry at death
I hate it with all my heart
Only truth has brought me hope

Men’s religion has failed
A cloud, a veil hides the truth
You must look deeper
Search for yourself the answers
You will find if you will seek

Reflections written after meditating on Psalm 31; Proverbs 7; Jesus Calling; My Utmost for His Highest – 4-7-12.

When I rise in the morning, I can now visualize the places I have read about for over 50 years.  I am in Jerusalem.  I have been to the Sea of Galilee.  I have stood on Mount Carmel.  I have been to the synagogue Jesus taught in Capernaum.  I have stood on the mountain where he explained who the really happy people are (Sermon on the Mount).  I have looked up at the stars over the Sea of Galilee where he knelt before dawn broke.  I have seen these places and marveled.  What is happening inside me is a feeling of having brought the one in me (Jesus) to a most familiar place.  It has made my heart glad. 

As I have been seeking the truth about life, I have found nothing to compare with the teachings and life of the man from Nazareth.  His friendship defies human logic.  His life and resurrection have been made real as I have sought what is true.   I wanted to know who speaks to the real human struggle around the universal issues of life (death, despair, guilt and fear).  I have been led to the One relationship that brings me hope, peace, forgiveness and joy.  A daily practice continues to surprise me with new things. 
Posted by Terry Sanford Smith
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Jerusalem on Easter Morning

April 8, 2012

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It is Resurrection morning, we just walked back from one of the gardens outside of Jerusalem where some say Jesus rose from the dead.  There was a sunrise service with about 1500 people from every nation.  We arrived early, so we had time to read and remember.
~
Dawn Breaks with Life
~
The dawn is breaking
In the garden where he rose
Many gather to worship
Taking their pictures
Did you know it would be like this
Each one coming to worship
~
After reading all the accounts of the Resurrection
I wrote:
~
At the beginning
There were only a few there
The women were first
But the men did not believe them
The women say – ran to tell
~
They ran to the tomb
To see for themselves what was true
There the empty tomb
Angels spoke resurrection
He’s not here, He’s risen
~
We worship God who’s alive
Each person invited to come
One with the Father of all
His son died and rose
~
Let me join you, Lord
In giving life to this planet
Help me point them to your love
God becoming man
In the person of Jesus
A joy much larger than death
~
It was impossible for death to hold Jesus.  It is impossible to death to hold us.  Jesus lives in you.  We are invited to a life of joy because of the living Christ in us.  Do not be afraid or anxious.  God is with you.  Peter said in Acts 2:24 “… it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.”  That same promise belongs so us. 
~
You are everything to God.  Be still and invite Him to come and hold you.  He always comes and sends his angels to join Him.  Psalm 91. 
~
Posted by Terry Sanford Smith
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A Love Without End

February 18, 2012

A love without end
A deep abiding friendship
With the one who gives life
A daily rhythm given
To the dance of joy
 
Just because you don’t feel it
Doesn’t make it not true
Don’t let unfamiliarity rob you
Of knowing Jesus’ story
 
God hates hypocritical religion
With all its self-righteousness
Bringing judgement on others
 
Jesus came to love
He said, “I came to give life
And give it abundantly.”
I decided to test it
Fifty years ago
 
Love in action speaks
Much louder than empty words
I focus on his actions
Love demonstrated
 
Taking time for quiet stillness
Today as I contemplate
A deep rhythm of the soul
Helps me live in peace
 
One moment in time
He gave it all to set us free
A love without end
 
Terry S. Smith
February 14, 2012
 
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A little Kindling for the Soul

December 24, 2011

~
A fresh spring of joy
Rivers of living water
Come pouring down on our lives
His living presence
Coming in the little things
Making us aware of love

I rise seeking God
Out my window it is dark
The breaking of dawn
Calls me to remember this
God is waiting to be praised

I will wait on God
I seek Him with all my heart
I ask His gracious Spirit
Make your words my joy
With my mind engaged I come
Help me be ready to act

The following comes from the reading of Luke 24:13-25 and Henri Nouwen’s reflections on Jesus meeting the two on the road to Emmaus.  Henri Nouwen structures the five movements in this conversation: loss, presence, invitation, communion and mission.  He identifies these as the five main aspects of the Eucharist celebration.

This is a movement 
“Resentment to gratitude”
“Hardened heart to grateful heart”
Invited to come
Experience and affirm
His living presence with us

I will celebrate 
This movement in my body
The temple of God
The miracle of God’s choice
To live and dwell in my soul

Jesus is walking by you
Just as he did on the road
They did not recognize Him
Open our eyes, Lord

Their eyes were downcast
He asked “What are you thinking?”
They spoke the truth they could see
Despair ruled their hearts
Their dream was shattered
When Jesus spoke their hearts burned
But still they could not see Him

They listened to history
He explained from the prophets
This story that they were in
And about Himself
He prayed and he broke the bread
God comes to us in prayer

I know I’m like them
Circumstances will dictate
Unless I learn this lesson
When I pray He comes
My eyes are opened with faith
I choose who I will believe

I come this morning
The dawn is breaking today
You know my story
And thankfully I know yours
Let the light of life shine through

I will go forth with a message
A friendship available
Given to all who believe
Help me make you known

I pray you all are aware today that God is near you, and that you receive the gift of His presence, just as the two on the road to Emmaus had their eyes opened.  When you pray, God will open your eyes.  You will remember how your hearts burned when He walked beside you, when you were unaware of the reality of His kind presence.

Merry Christmas, blessings and peace.
With love,
Terry and Charlotte
December 24, 2011
Dedicated to the Servants of Christ, Memphis, Tennessee
~
 
For “A Christmas Eve Story” from my past
 click here
~
~
Posted by Terry Sanford Smith
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Healing

November 22, 2010

~
Who is this God, my Father
He is mighty in power
No limit to His insight
His understanding
 
He heals the brokenhearted
And He binds up the wounded
He knows the number of stars
Each of them by name
 
Listening and gentleness
Understanding your story
Then focusing on God’s story
You’ll find peace and hope
 
Come out of the pit
Open my eyes to what’s true
The unfailing love of God
Will be my delight
It’s where I place my hope
Lead me to those who are seeking
 
Each person is free to decide
But He will sustain the humble
I have chosen to listen
Focus on true love
 
I need wisdom & insight
I seek it with all my heart
I’ll define myself
By the one who gives me life
Who demonstrated His love
 
© Terry S. Smith
October 30, 2010
 
Reflections written after mediating on Psalm 145-147.  “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”  Psalm 147:3
~
Posted by Terry Sanford Smith
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Focus

June 17, 2010

~
If you will focus on God
Learning about His story
His powerful love will come
His promise renews
~
Your focus can be yourself
Or it can be on your god
Only God can deliver
And heal massive hurt
~
When I rise I will focus
On listening to God’s love
I am made in His image
His love never fails
~
Terry S. Smith
June 17, 2010
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Meditations written after reflecting on Proverbs 17.
~
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examined soul

June 9, 2010

~
Love beyond measure
Revealed in the life of a man
Needs to be examined
 
His words are flawless
They are filled with compassion
Bringing peace to the broken
Lonely and oppressed
A love that’s demonstrated
 
No one can compare
With the brilliance of his life
He knew how to think and love
The scholars marveled
The religious were tied in knots
The children ran to meet him
 
An examined soul
One that’s both loved and hated
One that seeks justice
One that seeks mercy for those
Made in the image of God
 
© Terry S. Smith
June 3, 2010
~
Posted by Terry Sanford Smith
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Rich Relationships

April 5, 2010

~

My relationships are rich

Because I listen today

To one who loves me deeply

Friendship born in tears

~

I have just one voice

That captures all of my thoughts

I hesitate to name him

Misconceptions blind

~

My feelings deny

The reality of love

I will use my mind

~

I have a good friend

I know his story the best

His teachings have saved my life

I awake hungry

To listen to his kind voice

On Jesus’ words I reflect

~

I know this takes faith

I put my mind in gear

Examine his story well

I choose to trust him

~

Who are the happy

They are the powerless ones

Who admit they’re wrong

They begin to grieve losses

And discover real comfort

~

I found out what matters most

I learned it from the teacher

Nothing is more important

Than human beings

~

Unquenchable fire

Ignited by a life well lived

He defeated death itself

Calls me to follow

To love God as He loves me

To see and love others well

~

I have had thousands of people share their story with me.  The ones that thrive emotionally are the ones who have a foundation of faith.

© Terry S. Smith

April 4, 2010

Posted by Terry Sanford Smith
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growth

February 4, 2010

~
Where can I find the knowledge
To live a life that is full
The answers are not easy
I need real wisdom

What are my questions
They are formed in quietness
I listen for them

Nature speaks to me
The birds, trees and animals
Speak of higher love
This knowledge makes me bow down
I am in awe of this world

Nature has order
It is not so with mankind
What is the problem
A basic question answered
This one I have studied well

Discipline and honesty
I have sought to know what’s true
My responsibility
To search and find where is peace
I have been surprised by joy

Jesus Christ has made God known
Compassion and gentleness
To the broken and lonely
His love was revealed

The truth just tastes good
When you hear it you know it
It has a clear ring

It meets all the tests
Bigger than circumstances
Much larger than death
It must be worth dying for
The ones important to me

My standard is high
This truth will enhance each life
It guarantees  growth
  
Knowledge is what I’m seeking
About personality
Jesus became my focus
I studied his life
 
© Terry S. Smith
February 1, 2010
 
Today is my daughter Sara’s birthday.  You are invited to read funny things that my grandchildren say on her blog.
“A Spacious Place”
~
 
Posted by Terry Sanford Smith
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Undying passion

July 27, 2009

~
God defines His love
It came through His beloved
His compassion lives
 
I know His story
I know my story of pain
His story gives life
 
He walks with kindness
He is filled with tenderness 
His name is Jesus                  
 
Jesus speaks of love
He modeled it for us all
Where else can I go?
 
He suffered for me
He also suffered for you
I can’t comprehend
 
He is in pursuit
Love always wins when you see
Undying passion
 
written Fall 2008
~
Posted by Terry Sanford Smith
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The Story

July 21, 2009

 

I look with wonder

At the story I live in

Looking back I see the pain

That I grew up in

I found a “larger story”

Of flawed and broken people

 

I found hope in their stories

I saw them living in grief

I saw their flawed lives arise

And find a deep peace

 

Is there hope for me

I said in my deep despair

I found in me a longing

To know what is true

So I studied a story

The one much larger than me

 

Focus and discipline worked

As I narrowed where I’d look

To find someone to address

Real issues of life

 

The story I discovered

Is hidden in sacred books

I found sixty-six of them

Books of the Bible

 

I just had one big question

If there is a God, “Who is he?”

I will let the writers speak

Each one their own way

They were consistent

One theme always held the sway

A persistent joy

 

One problem that I’m seeing

So many are distracted

Not looking for what is true

But trying to please

 

And when life stopped me

I decided I would look

At a story much larger

Big enough to learn

There is hope in our failure 

 

The Bible when used

By many as a “rule book”

Will wreck a man’s soul

 

I want to know the story

Told by the ones who lived it

I found a larger story 

That connects with mine

 

The connection a surprise

With integrity I searched

Looking for some good answers

I felt I could trust

  

written June 27, 2009

Inspired by article about Barbara Brown Taylor (in The Tennessean on June 27, 2009). 

Posted by Terry Sanford Smith
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With power and love

June 26, 2009

~
A friend called me and asked how I was doing.  I responded,  “I am in perfect peace, in a perfect storm.”  Later in the evening, I wrote this poem as a reflection of my day.

 

The storm is raging

The Prince of Peace calls us near

He speaks to the storm

 

I’ll give attention

To one who calms the storm

With power and love

 

He spoke with authority

And the sea that was raging

Became still and quieted

A sight to behold

 

The fear in the storm

Came from inside my being

The storm wasn’t the open sea

But my broken heart

 

The grief was overwhelming

Pain I had no language for

All of my dreams were shattered

Peace is what I needed

written June 23, 2009

To read a story, about the Prince of Peace calming a storm,

click here.

~

Posted by Terry Sanford Smith
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