Merry Christmas

My favorite time of the year has arrived and I am loving it! I pray that everyone has a wonderful holiday. As you can see my Christmas season is already filled with joy.

On Life

Wow it has been some time since I have made an entry! Between technological issues and getting adjusted to a new baby in the family I have not had the opportunity to write. I wanted to take this chance to share with you some of my thoughts concerning my recent work as a chaplain for the oncology unit at a local hospital. Working as a chaplain resident had its joys and its great struggles. I was reflecting one day on my own theology of hope. There were some days that without a theology of hope I would have drowned in despair. Hope is a delicate thing it can be harmful and yet it can also be a powerful healing force. In many ways it is mysterious. After one of my chaotic days I sat down and wrote a few words about this powerful force. Below is my poem entitled "Hope."

Hope

They told me you were dead.
They told me you had left us
They told me you were never real

They told me I like fairy tales
They told me I am a fool
They told me I should stop believing in you

I say no, perhaps you still dwell among us quietly.
I say no, perhaps you never die even in the darkest night
I say no, perhaps you prove yourself in the break of each morning’s light

Sometimes fairy tales do come true
Sometimes the fools confound the wise
Sometimes the most real things can never be seen

You need no invitation
You need no explanation
You are Hope and I believe in you.

OUR NEW BABY!!!!

Today we added the newset addition to our family!! Reagan Leigh Smith was born at 10:45AM weighing in at 8LBS 7 Ounces and is 19 inches long. Does'nt she look just like her Dad?? She is beatiful, I just wanted to share this with you all. More pictures and parental words of wisdom to come at a later time.

Weight Loss Update

Well it has been some time since I have updated on my weight loss journey. Possibly that is because I have had nothing positive to report!!! Yeah I have fallen back into some old patterns and have not been following my plan. So I confess my short comings and really must be intentional about getting back on my weight loss plan. Thanks for your ongoing support and prayers.

Spiritual poetry

You may or may not know that one of my great loves is reading and sometimes attempting to write poetry. I have decided to include some of my favorite poetry selections on my blog for you to read and reflect upon, and perhaps from time to time I will risk including some of my own work. I have found that my personal reflection upon prose has proven to not only help me rest and relax but it has also jolted my soul and spirit into a deeper understanding of God. I hope that in some way reading these selections will be of some benefit to you. Much of what I will include will be from the medieval poet Jelaluddin Rumi. Below is my first selection and one of my favorite Rumi poems; "The Music We Are."

Did you hear that winter's over? The basil
and the carnation cannot control their
laughter. The nightingale back from his
wandering has been made singing master
over the birds. The trees reach out their
congratulations. The soul goes dancing
through the king's doorway. Anemones blush
because they have seen the rose naked.

Spring, the only fair judge, walks in the
courtroom, and several December thieves steal
away. Last year's miracles will soon be
forgotten, New creatures whirl in from non-
existence, galaxies scattered around their
feet. Have you met them? Do you hear the
bud of Jesus crooning in the cradle? A single
narcissus flower has been appointed Inspector
of Kingdoms.

A feast is set. Listen, the wind is pouring wine!
Love used to hide inside images, no more!
The orchard hangs out its lanterns.
The dead come stumbling by in shrouds.
Nothing can stay bound or be imprisoned.
You say "End this poem here,
and wait for what's next" I will. Poems
are rough notations for the music we are.
-- Jelaluddin Rumi

week 3

Well I have no triumphant news to report about week 3. I knew that I would have my hands full trying to keep on track and indeed I did. I slipped in week 3; I gained a pound so that moves my weight loss to 10 pounds instead of 11. Hope to have better news soon. The main thing is that I do not want to give up and that is important. I had a bad week but I can and will do better. I did not gain my weight over night nor will I lose in such a manner. I must settle my self in for the long haul. Thanks for your continued support.

BLOG COMMENT CHANGE

Due to a high number of spam comments I have switched my comment filter so that I have to approve your comments before they will post on my blog. Sorry for having to do this but I was getting way too many junk comments. Please continue to leave your comments but know that it may be a few hours before they post due to the fact that they will first be sent to my e-mail for approval.

Week 2

I had my Weight Watcher's check in this past Thursday and I am glad to report that my total weight loss is now at 11 pounds. I know from past encounters that the 3rd week has proved problematic for me, so I trust this next week will bring success. I'll keep you all posted.

Week 1 Weight Loss

The first week of weight loss is in the books and I am happy to report that I lost 8.2 pounds this week. I know that the first week is the time that you have the most dramatic loss but I am relishing in the moment. I am prepared for next week not being as significant, but progress is progress and I will take what I can get. I feel good about the discipline and success of this week. Thanks to you all who are part of my support.

Credit Where Credit is Due

I am excited to say that perhaps someone in the Southern Baptist's International Mission Board has acted in the spirit of grace and humility. Associated Baptist Press just released an article stating that the missionary couple dismissed by the IMB, for starting a church with non SBC missionaries, has been reinstated by an official of the IMB. It is rare that the current SBC and its agencies would over turn a decision no matter how wrong they are, but in this case I am proud to report that at least one official has broken rank. I hope this decision will uphold but I am sure that it has the potential to be over turned by the IMB trustees. I give applause to Gordon Fort for taking the risk of going against the totalitarian leadership of the IMB and instead doing what is just and right by restoring this missionary couple so that they can minister to the people God has called them to serve. You can read the complete article at the following link

New Journey Begins

Well it is actually not a new journey as much as it is a continuing something that has long been one of my epic struggles in life. Thursday April 27th I returned to Weight Watchers to resume my battle against the bulge. I admit this post is not as easy for me, because weight loss is a very sensitive subject but indeed it is my journey and has as much to do with my spirituality and faith as anything else that I have or could post. From time to time I plan to post my progress, or at times lack there of. You are invited to be part of my community of support, so amidst my postings and meanderings on life and church look for updates on my weight loss journey.

My Strike has ended

I have ended my months long strike against blogging It became official a few moments ago when I published my first post since June of 2005. I would like to thank everyone for their patience as I protested the Iraq War and Immigration reform. Clearly these issues are now resolved so my blogging can now once again continue:) Seriously I am glad that I started back blogging, thanks for reading my thoughts.

And The Beat Goes On!

Unfortunately the good ole boys are back to their old tricks. It seems that the conservative SBC is once again imposing its will on its missionaries. I just don’t get it, will the vicious cycle continue till there is no one safe? That is the sad fact about fundamentalism, no one is really ever safe. As is presented in this article it seems the SBC missionaries were looking to carryout the work of God only to be stiffed armed by the International Mission Board for starting a church alongside non SBC missionaries. Heaven forbid that we as Christians put aside denominational lines to carry out the mission of God. How long must the beat go on?! The article can be read at the following link. click here