I can’t quite put a title to this..

Lord,

I just confess all my shortcomings, everything I have done, and how unworthy I am of your great, all powerful love. It is amazing to me how you still forgive and love all of us sinners.

I pray that you just give me strength and courage in all the situations I will be put in. You are a marvelous God, who is in complete control of everything.

Lord, Please forgive me for all the times I messed up, and all the times that I will mess up. I just thank you for everything you have done and continue to do for me.

Amen.

Ray

Reconciliation hurts… so good

It’s been a while since I’ve posted.  I hope that there are still some readers out there.  Ray and Lex must have gotten busy too.  Haven’t seen them active in a while either.

 

I’ve spent the last hour working with Cody on his “confession/apology/thanksgiving/goal setting/wish list/conversation guideline”.  We’re probably going to have our first “talk” with Marissa and I, Cody, and his parents.  

 

Pray for him people, he’s choosing a hard road, one of honesty and integrity.  

 

Cody is going to confess his sins, ask for forgiveness, lay out his goals, and try to explain how he found himself in this position.  He’s preparing to return to his home and be honest with his friends, and accountable for his actions, not falling for peer pressure at every turn. 

 

I’ve been in Cody’s spot many times in my life.  It’s a lonely, scary, seemingly hopeless place.  I can see it in his eyes and it’s breaking my heart.  I wish I could take it for him, but I can’t.  He’s chosen the path of reconciliation, with God, with his parents, with himself.  It’s a painful thing to look down deep inside and see yourself for what you are.  It’s ironic in a way, how much America, and the world, deny teenagers.  Cody is basically on the road to recovery, and he hasn’t even had a chance to get hooked on anything yet.  Hurts, habits and hang-ups.  It’s all about what’s happening in your heart.

 

This is Cody’s journey, his life is really beginning now, what must be in store for him in the future.

 

Thanks,

Ben

I added a new page…

Hey there,

Wednesday night was rough for Marissa and I.  Me trying to get back into ministry, writing, talking, conversing with people brought up some old emotions and questions.  So, I’ve added a new page to my site.  It’s called “Step 5″

 

I believe God has my back and now know He’s prepared me to take this step.  To be truly transparent.

 

My relationship with Jesus is the most important thing in my life.  Actually walking the walk, talking the talk, well… at least attempting it.  Being really who I say I am.  My marriage is the second most important thing.  Then the kids, then the job, then the ministry.  I’m working on the last two…  I want to make sure anything in my marriage is resolved before I move forward, so I’m posting this here.

 

I’m praying for all those that will read the new page, not that you’ll still like me, but you’ll be able to see how easy it is to fall off your game.   Like I said in the post, please don’t comment on the story.  Send it to me directly.  Email me at benjamindsmith@mac.com

 

Pray for this blog, and my ministry, whatever form it might take.  I got to spend an hour or so last night teaching through some OT stuff because of my comments on James, WOOHOOO!!!   I want open doors to ministry to.  And with the new page, I want to enter those doors as I am.

 

Ben