Category Archives: Jesus Christ

Labor Time

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Happy Labor Day!
This is the day we celebrate workers and their contributions to the economy with parades, picnics, barbecues and doing a bunch of nothing if we choose to. This is the day we rest from our labors, and I’m doing that well! But even as we rest let us not forget that we never rest giving our time to God.

It’s Time to Take Time (AKA Commitment to God)

I give a charge to you
One to drive you toward a coup
A feat to beat the devil
at a game where he’s maimed for years.

He’s slashed our senses
cut our cord connecting us to the master,
Jesus Christ our Lord.

We feel his fire
right here on earth
and seek escape from his flames
but we play the game just how he wants.

Had a rough week at work
So we seek support.
We go to church and hear a word
though we haven’t been in two months
won’t return for two months
because things have been going really well.
We’ve been busy
completing reports and such
not leaving much time for lunch or the Lord.

But then it happens again:
Satan rocks our world
spins us in a twirl
and we remember how we felt two months ago.
So to church we go
to bible study we go
and we keep this flow for a few weeks.
But we’re still weak
can’t seem to keep
God where He needs to be
to provide that relief
that stability we need
to have and live a healthy life.

So I give a charge to you
one to drive you toward a coup
a feat to beat the devil
at a game where he’s maimed for years.

I ask you to tithe to God
10 percent of your time
show Him that you mean “He’s mine.”
Jesus took the time
died on a cruel cross
so I could say “He’s mine.”
So I ask you to make the time
for Jesus.
Let us please Him
show Him that you mean “He’s mine.”
Give 10 percent of your time
to study and pray and praise the Word,
God’s Word.
It’s His Word,
not work
or another word or work
that will help us to be where He wants us to be.

So this is a charge to you,
one to drive you toward a coup.
You will beat the devil at a game where he’s maimed for years
if you commit your time to God.

By Rhonda J. Smith
Copyright March 19, 2001

My One Thousand Gifts List

#211-220
God giving me several angles to write about my dad
Becoming more free in my expression of love to God
Pouring in to Bobbi
Being a “blessing” to Tabitha by “being there” for her
Joshua and Nathaniel being able to play outside
Seeing Nathaniel discover in the outdoors
Eating popcorn
Having family devotions
Joshua finally understanding how to give praise reports
Joshua being excited about keeping a gratitude journal

Marvel in Small Things

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Last weekend was fabulous, likely the best personal getaway I have ever had. I went on a writing retreat with my best friend, Nichole. We wrote in a coffee shop, another time in a tea house, but our main writing space was in a certified Wildlife Habitat, the backyard of the place where we stayed. We saw wood chucks and chipmunks scurrying about; heard unfamiliar birds that flew high and perched themselves in branches some 200 feet in the sky; the oversized squirrels jumped from tree to tree; and a dozen or so unknown insects popped up, including one so small and totally amazing to me. This yellow worm-like bug was no bigger than the tip of my ink pen and would curl itself then bounce in whatever direction it wanted to go. How could God put life in something so miniscule, and not just life but an amazing life capable of doing seemingly impossible feats?

When I saw that bug I marveled at the great love our God has for us. We were made just a little lower than the angels, but compared to God, we are tiny. Yet He put it in us to do great things. He gave me a weekend and allowed me to write two 700-word essays and compile other writings into one file for a book. He gave our husbands grace to care for the children alone AND on Father’s Day weekend. God also allowed us to walk miles, drink coffee and tea, eat Indian, Ethiopian and Cuban food, have short talks about big stuff and to enjoy and fully embrace the little time we had in a place only a short stop away.

Nichole returned home to a broken hammock and I to a vomiting toddler, but the small getaway helped us to forgive and nurture in a big way. Only God has the power to bring greatness from the small and I stand in awe of my Jesus (Psalm 136:4).

Copyright 2011 by Rhonda J. Smith

My One Thousand Gifts List

#101-110
Sweet children sitting at our table at Benihana
A different type of blog post
Picking Joshua up from school on time
Birthday dinner for Renee
Renee saying my “One Thousand Gifts” gift was “prophetic”
Flynn’s willingness to care for the children so I could celebrate with Renee even though he had to study for bible study
Enjoying my children’s laughter
Flynn going to the ATM and getting change for me
A warm coat for Joshua
Xfinity TV on my iPad because of Andrina

Memorializing Martyrs

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Some complain about our country with its racist roots and more

Calling it the Untied States, systems unraveling to their core

But there’s no place that I’d rather be

Men and women fighting for me to be free

To challenge our leaders

Speak the truth as I see it according to my Holy Book

And not have to sneak to take a look

Or meet for church in hidden nooks

Or praise Jesus’ name in clandestine language

Or preach the Gospel and put in the slammer.

Freedom costs and United States soldiers have paid the price

Thousands martyred for my life of choices.

I honor them today for my physical and spiritual freedom

Making it easier to share the love of Jesus

His coming and living and dying for the sins of mankind

He was the ultimate sacrifice, perfect and martyred for our kind:

Murderers, gossips, ultra-loose whores

Low-down and same-sex lovers whatever our sin was (is)

Jesus died that we might be free

From low living and soul giving—drained.

I’m grateful.

I no longer have to live low or give my soul away.

Yes, thank you, Jesus.

Copyright 2011 by Rhonda J. Smith

My One Thousand Gifts List

#71-80
A desire to eat more live foods
A hug from Joshua
Time spent with Charyse
Charyse and I agreeing to study “One Thousand Gifts”
Prayer for my mother
Another year for Flynn
The ability to hear Nate in the middle of the night
A toilet to use
Clean, running water to bathe in
A tub to wash in

I Can’t Do This

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What Do You Think? Wednesday

In the early morning hours trying to put me and some projects to bed I told God “I can’t do this” as I folded laundry while I waited for double-sided papers to come through the printer. This was 2 a.m. when I was still organizing activities so my expanding writing and speaking ministry fit with my ever so steady wife and mommy ministry. Holding up a towel, I said, “I’m good doing this. I can do this. I know how to do this.” Then in my spirit I knew that was the problem. I’m comfortable in my homemaking role and that of supporting my husband and caring for my children. This I have done full-time for five and a half years, the last three with very little outside of the home ministry. But God has shifted me and I feel that shift in my spirit. I know it’s time to move beyond my walls and blog; I have to follow God’s call, even—especially—when it seems impossible. He operates there, wanting His strength to be made perfect in our weakness so we know just who did what we did (2 Corinthians 12:9). I exist for God’s glory (Revelation 4:11). I must follow His story for my life. How about you?

In what ways have you been hesitant to move beyond your comfort zone and into the greater things God has for you?

Copyright 2011 by Rhonda J. Smith

Amelia’s Love

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What Do You Think? Wednesday

In sixth grade Amelia sat, mostly alone, mostly sad-eyed, until I said something to her. She perked up a bit and must have liked what I said, being the next one the next day to seek to foster our friendship.

“I got this joint that we could smoke together and I can bring us one every day.”

“Amelia, you don’t have to do that. I want to be your friend and you don’t have to give me anything.”

She insisted a bit. I insisted a bit more. And this girl—with the wavy hair, light chocolate skin and brick house body who was trying to be a strong black woman, put the joint her mama’s boyfriend gave her back in her pocket, sat back and smiled. And I could hear her smile when we talked on the phone every night and see her eyes dance in the classroom and the lunchroom the weeks she was at my school. She didn’t stay until the end of the school year, but our time together has stayed with me and I hope with Amelia.

I want to be like my 12-year-old self, providing comfort, not condemnation, to those seeking acceptance and esteem and not knowing where and how to get it. But I have them both to give, through the person of Jesus Christ. You got Jesus? Are you sharing Him? How are you going to show your Amelias comfort so they connect with the love of Jesus? Watch below to help you decide how you will show someone some comfort: