Fighting the Flesh

During the month of January my church has done a series on “Pursuit, The Search for More.”  We’re reading through Proverbs.  31 chapters in Proverbs, 31 days in January.  So much of Solomon’s teaching in Proverbs is practical everyday common sense.  Common sense I forget or many times choose to ignore.

Yesterday, my group Selah performed at FBCH.  It’s in Hendersonville about 30 minutes outside of Nashville.  They were having their sanctity of life services that morning.  They were recognizing all the families that had the blessing of adopting children.  As we sang “Bless The Broken Road” the families came down the aisle and stood up on the platform with us.  It was very moving.  Later that evening we had about 1000 people join us for a concert.  It was a wonderful day.  It was also great to see our college friend and FBCH Music Pastor Troy Freeman again.  14 years, too long.

Just as my Pastor Pete Wilson is going through Proverbs, Pastor Bruce Chesser was speaking on fighting the flesh and the dangers of not seeing it as all out war.

Here are some stories he shared to cement the idea.  I’m paraphrasing.

1. A man was out in the park and he was letting his two dogs fight with each other.  They were really going at it.  Finally, someone came up to him and said, “why are you letting them do that, they are really hurting each other?” The owner replied, “they do this all the time, they will be fine.”  The stranger asked, “who usually wins?”  Owner, “Sometimes one wins and sometimes the other wins.”  Then the owner paused and said, “Actually, the one I feed the most that day is the one who wins.”

What am I feeding myself today?  What am I putting in my mind today?  What am I choosing to believe today?

2.  This next story is sad but true.  Back in the 1940’s there was a woman who owned poisonous snakes.  A well-known photographer (so well-known I don’t know his name) took an interest in her work.  One because the snakes were extremely dangerous and because the owner was a woman, which was very unusual back then.  She had just received a Cobra.  It was her prized snake.  She took it out of the box and the photographer started taking pictures of her holding the snake.  The snake was not used the flash bulbs and it’s senses became highly aware.  As the owner was putting the Cobra back in the box the snake reached over and bit into  her hand.  It took 30 seconds to get the snake off.

The snake owner told the photographer to go into a special room where she kept the antivenom.  He went and grabbed it, but was so nervous he dropped the antivenom and it shattered all over the floor.  It was the only one she had.  He drove her to the hospital, but within a couple hours she was dead.

It’s a tragic story.  The point Pastor Bruce made was, “We can play with the flesh.  We can think we’ve got control as we take it out of its cage. We let it out for a little while.  We put it back.  The truth is eventually it’s going to bite, and the ramifications could be devastating.”

3.  This is the last one, and the one that has stuck with me the most.  “Choosing not to fight the flesh, is like letting a wild animal become the zoo keeper, and locking yourself in the cage.”

What do I choose to rule my life and my thoughts?  Who do I choose to rule my life and my thoughts?

I hope these stories help you today.  They’re simple reminders for me when I’m alone, as I spend time with my wife and kids, and when I’m around others of what to choose today.

blessings

Todd

Romans 7:15-23

¹⁵I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. ¹⁶And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. ¹⁷As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. ¹⁸I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature.^[c] For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. ¹⁹For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. ²⁰Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.  ²¹So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. ²²For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; ²³but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members.

Compassion Dinner

Last night Angie and I met with about 20 other bloggers, artists, and Compassion staff for dinner.  Being that I have about 40 people following my blog, I fall into the tagging along with my wife category!! We got to see many old friends and made new ones. Among them were Shaun and Becky Groves, Pete and Brandi Wilson, Brad and Lisa Ruggles, Chris and Anne Jackson, Randy and Chris Elrod, Spence Smith, Ryan Detzel, Tad and Robin Dance, and Steve and Patricia Jones.

We ate at Saffire Restaurant in Franklin, TN. I had never eaten there before, but the food was incredible. If you’re ever in the Nashville area go there and order the Fried Artichokes! You will thank me.

It was so great to be around so many incredibly gifted people. People who are excellent and passionate about what they do. People whose faith is real and lived out in practical ways.  Many of these people have been on Compassion mission trips. Many are going for the first time in the next several months. I came away tonight excited for the “Church.” Excited for Compassion. It was inspiring to hear what God is doing in their lives.  I’m so excited about what my group Selah is going to get to be apart of with Compassion!

Click on their names and find out who they are and what they are up too.

Todd

Health Care In America

The election last night set off a warning signal to the Obama administration on how a majority of people feel about the health care bill. Why are people so passionate about this issue? What is going on in the state of Massachusetts? One of the most liberal states votes in a Republican after 47 years. Not just any seat. Teddy Kennedy’s seat. Until today’s announcement why has the President tried to push the issue so hard, knowing that most people are against the bill?

I’m against the bill. To me there is an arrogance that “they are going to push this bill through no matter what.” Even though a majority of Americans (Rep. Dem. Ind.) are against it they are going to do it anyways. Trying to push this bill and others with secret meetings and weekend voting goes against the transparency the President promised before the election.

I’ve never seen government as being accountable or fiscal when it comes to money. I don’t see them being good managers of our health system. Although I would like to see health care for everyone, I don’t believe the government should be running it. I don’t believe the President has made it clear how we will pay for it. How they will keep it stable. How they will be able to keep track of money coming in and out.

I think our choice of doctors and treatment quality would decline considerably. I think it would create another department within our government that would be so overwhelming. Once it started we wouldn’t be able to stop it.

Let’s say we vote for it, and realize after 5 or 10 years it’s a bust. What senator would vote against it if tens of thousands in their own state have jobs in it or related to it?

I don’t think this is a case of “something is better than nothing.” I don’t think it’s been thought out very well. I think in the long run it will do more to hurt the country and put us in more debt. I will say I’m not as knowledgeable as I should be. I haven’t studied the Presidents plan.

So I want to hear from you.

What are your thoughts? If you are for President Obama’s health care plan, why? I think we all want to see the poor get taken care of, but why is this plan good? How will it pay for itself? Why do you have so much confidence that the government is capable of running it?

If you are against it, why? What facts do you have to prove you are right? If his plan isn’t good then what should the President do? He wants to see everyone covered. What if your family didn’t have coverage? Would your opinion change?

A couple things.

I welcome anyone’s opinion. I am a follower of Jesus. Let’s not assume that every follower of Jesus is a Republican. If you are not a follower of Christ I welcome your comments. Your opinion makes the debate more balanced and interesting. Let’s be respectful of everyone’s opinion. We can watch the bickering on Fox News and MSNBC. As American’s I think we need to learn how to contend strongly with each other, but do it with dignity.

Todd Smith

Great Friendships & Evangelizing with Spoons

Angie and I are fortunate to have friends we really trust in our lives.  Some of them are in this video.  Among them are Pete and Brandi Wilson.  Pete is the pastor of Cross Point Church.  He is wise beyond his years.  God is using him and the staff at Cross Point in so many ways to affect the community of west Nashville.

I believe God is and will continue to use Pete to further the Kingdom around the world.  He is married to a strong, wise, and incredibly funny woman, who I am grateful is good friends with my wife.  Enough kissing up.  Do I get a bigger mansion in heaven for saying that!!

Angie and I believe so much in the ministry at Cross Point, because we know the hearts of Pete and Brandi, Blake and Ally Bergstrom, and the other leaders in the church.  We are committed to Cross Points Vision.

We are so grateful for the relationships we have with them and others in our lives.  People we can connect with, be ourselves with, and be completely honest with.  People we can beat up on, step on their toes, and drag across the table!

I’ve always said, “if you are trying to share the gospel with someone never bring them to watch a church basketball league game (let alone have them play in one), never bring them to a snake handling service (I’ve done it, it doesn’t work), and never bring them to a competitive night of cards, playing spoons, especially with your pastor.

This video was taken this past Saturday at Pete and Brandi’s house.  Pete is narrating on how to play spoons!  Watch what Blake and good little baptist boy me do to him in order to win the spoon! In case you are wondering I was the final winner of this game!!

Over The Table

If you live in west Nashville and are looking for a church to be apart of please join us on Sunday at 8, 10:30, 11:45, or 6.  If you are in the Dickson area Cross Point services are at 9 and 11.  If you are in the Goodlettsville area services will be starting September 13th at 9:30 and 11.

And Pete, TMZ…bring it on baby!!  They could use a little more “Christian violence” on their show, not that I watch their show, or have ever seen it, or even know what it is!!  The SPOON is always worth it!!

Take care and happy card playing all you good Baptists!!  Ha Ha!!

Todd

Selah’s You Deliver Me Promo Tour

We left on Sunday for Denver.  ICRS is going on there.  It’s where anyone who as anything to showcase in Christian bookstores goes.  We were there performing three of our new songs.  We sang Sunday evening along with GO FISH, Pure NRG, Phil Stacey, and Britt Nicol.  Jeff Allan MC’d.  

We did an interview with American Family Radio, signed pictures at the Word Distribution booth, and then headed to Colorado Springs and Focus on the Family.  We sand Standing on the Promises, The Lords Prayer, and Unredeemed.  After, my wife  Angie and I shared about the loss of our daughter Audrey and the struggles that puts on a marriage.  Angie did an amazing job!

Tomorrow we fly for Seattle and KCMS Spirit 105.3.  We will interview there, and then get right on the plane to Sacramento and K-LOVE!

Good night!!

todd

How Old Will I be in Heaven?

This morning my daughter Abby asked how old she would be when she got to heaven?  Uuhh, well, ummm!!   I didn’t know, and told her so.  Whether we are the same age as when we die, 33yrs old (same as Jesus) or some other age, I don’t know.

Have your kids asked you that question?

What did you tell them?

Pre-Order New Selah CD “You Deliver Me”

Hey everyone,

after almost 4 years we have a new CD, “You Deliver Me,” coming out August 25th!!  We are so excited about it!  When we started recording two years ago, it was to commemorate 10 years of music.  It’s a throw back to our first CD, Be Still My Soul, which was mostly piano/vocal, and hymns.

We started recording Be Still My Soul fathers day 1997.  We finished it in two weeks with a $2,000 budget.  We had borrowed some money from my mother, and Allan’s roommate Jason gave us a great deal on a studio.  It was suppose to be a one time independent CD.  We had no intention of doing it long term.  Nicol was signed to Curb Records as a solo artist and she gave a copy to the label.  When Mr. Curb heard it he called her the next day and said he would like to sign us as a trio!

We just started singing at churches which is what we’ve done most of our career.  We are so thankful to every pastor, music pastor, and promoter who would put in the effort and time to bring us in and allow us to share our music.  It’s incredible that  You Deliver Me will be our 6th release!  Not many artist get that opportunity!

This is the first full release with Amy Perry on it!  She is amazing!  She has been with us now for four years and we are so excited for everyone to hear her!

You Deliver Me includes:

Into My Heart/Fairest Lord Jesus, How Deep The Fathers Love, You Deliver Me, Hosanna, Standing On The Promises/Leaning on the Everlasting Arms, Beautiful Terrible Cross, The Lords Prayer, Unredeemed (Amy sings this beautifully, and I think it is such a powerful song), Down At the Cross, I Have Decided To Follow Jesus (my brother Jack and his wife Molly sing with me African style), Depth of Mercy, I Surrender All, God Be With You, and I Will Carry You (a song about my late daughter Audrey)

You can pre-order “You Deliver Me” now.  Just go here!  It comes with a 4 song EP and a 20 minute interview about the songs. Although you won’t receive the CD until August 25th, the 4 song EP/Interview will be mailed to you as soon as you order You Deliver Me!  All 4 songs are from the CD!

If you order 10 copies you will do your part in helping me save for my daughters college/wedding fund!!

Thank you for listening all these years,

Todd

Pray for East India

As many of you know my wife angie went to India this past month.  She spent 9 days in Kolkata in east india.  A cyclone (tornado) went through the city and other parts of the region this past week.  Over a 100 people have been killed and 10,000 have been displaced.

We sponsor a little boy named Mohit http://audreycaroline.blogspot.com/ who lives in Kolkata.  The Compassion office in Kolkata has been shut down temporarily so we have no way of knowing if he is okay, along with all the other children from the projects Angie visited.

Please pray for Mohit’s safety and the people in general in that region.  Their living conditions are bad enough as it is.  This cyclone will only make things worse.

todd

Jeremiah 29:11

Hey everyone,

just wanted to say thanks for your comments (I only post the good ones) and for reading.  I’ll try to update frequently.

Jeremiah 29:11  I know the plans I have for you says the Lord, the plans to prosper you and not to harm you.  To give you a hope and a future…

This is my favorite verse.

The context of this passage is Israel being told they will live in Babylon for 70 years.  They have turned their backs on God for centuries.  God waited patiently for a long time, but now has brought about some of his final judgement on them.  Some have already been deported, but soon the temple and Solomon’s palace (everything symbolically the Jews hold as a sign God will never leave them) will be destroyed.  God has warned them over and over to return to Him

Jeremiah warns them of the pending judgement.  God shows how He will uproot them from everything they know, but He never leaves it there.  God’s greatest desire for us is to be one with Him and to worship Him.  God’s ultimate goal is to bring His children back to Him.  In Jeremiah 29 He shares about how He will one day bring them back from Babylon.  He will forgive their sins, and they will worship Him again, because ultimately His love is so great for us He wants to be in communion with us.

If you remember to, take some time to be with Him today, especially in moments when you normally wouldn’t.

As we draw close to Him he will draw Himself to us.  He will lead us in the way we should go!

Todd

Hello world!

Hey everyone, this is my first blog!!  This is my first post!!  WOW!!  That was brilliant!!

Let me share a little about myself.

My name is Todd Smith.  I have been married for almost 8 years to Angie Smith.  She is the most beautiful, amazing, gifted, intelligent person I have ever been around, and I get to spend the rest of my life getting to know her.  We have four beautiful daughters.  Ellie and Abby are our twins (6), Kate is 3, and Audrey Caroline http://audreycaroline.blogspot.com just had her first birthday.  She is with Jesus.  I will share more about all my girls as time goes on.

I’m the son of missionaries Jim and Nancy Smith http://labanministries.org.  I spent 8 years (5-13) in Congo (DRC) back when it was called Zaire.  I’m originally from Detroit, MI but I’ve lived in Nashville for the past 17 years.

I’ve had the privilege of being in the Christian music group Selah http://selahonline.com for the past 12 years.  Our 6th CD, You Deliver Me comes out August 25th!  I sing with Allan Hall and Amy Perry.  Two very amazing and wonderful people.

I love walks on the beach, candlelight dinners, and Yanni!!  NOT REALLY!

Just kidding, I do love Yanni! Not really!

I will be posting from time to time.  Some of it will be deep (or at least I’ll think it’s deep), and some will be serious.  Hopefully, a lot of it will be hilarious!!  Much of it will be everyday life, so you will see a lot of my kids, or life on the road.

Just so you know, I’m horrible at grammar and spelling, so there will be many mistakes in those two categories.

I look forward to getting to know you all better and thank you for letting me in.  Being that I have not posted yet that would be all none of you.

Todd Smith