|
Welcome
to the Nehemiah Ministries website . . .
And thank you for visiting! I began this site in 1997, as my effort to bring
encouragement and counsel to Christians online --
especially regarding relationships and realizing their personal potential. I've
posted a “Nehemiah
Notes” article twice each month since then, and all
are archived here. While I’ve reissued some, over 100
individual articles are available. You’ll also find information on all my books,
with sample chapters, and most can be ordered
through this site. And there’s also a history of
this ministry, and I've posted some recent
photos, in case you're interested. I hope an article or book featured on
this site will provide the help you need, and God’s best to you as you browse! - Blaine Smith |
| |
|
| |
|
*
* * New books by Blaine Smith * * *
May 22, 2013: I have just
published this book, in which I look at how to
master your fears of facing an audience, and how to become effective at
public speaking or performing.
The dread of facing an audience is the most common
and debilitating fear Americans face. Yet most of
us have to give a talk on occasion, and
our job may require it. Or we may have a music,
speaking or acting talent that we long to share with
others, yet fear holds us back. This book is
addressed to all of us in these predicaments, as
well as to anyone who simply wants to improve
their effectiveness with an audience. Please see
the book's page on this site for more information.
It is available from Amazon.com
in both paperback
and Kindle,
from many international Amazons, and soon from
Barnes and Noble online, including a Nook
edition (already available).
If you'll
check the column to the left, you'll see several
other books I've recently issued, including Should
I Wait in Faith or Step Out in Faith, Emotional
Intelligence for the Christian, and Goal
Setting for the Christian.
|
| |
|
| |
|
Nehemiah
Notes, May
15, 2013 |
|
|
|
Bailing Us Out
Appreciating God's Radical Protection in Your Life
|
| |
Halfway
through an intensive graduate program I lost my zeal. I came close
to quitting.
On Evie's advice I decided to
seek counsel from the dean of students. When I walked into his
office the next morning, he received me warmly and spoke with
me at length, even though I hadn't made an appointment. After
I explained my dilemma, he offered some simple advice: Since I
had come this far in the program, it was a minimal sacrifice
to continue. Besides, the long-range benefits of finishing the
degree well outweighed the momentary relief of getting out . .
.
|
| |
|
God graciously performs many “rescue missions” in our
lives, to protect and provide for us; I look at this
greatly reassuring truth in
this article.
|
| |
|
| |
|
Nehemiah
Notes, May
1, 2013 |
|
|
|
Christians and Self-Talk
How Much Can we Psych Ourselves Up?
|
| |
|
Few biblical incidents do more to ignite
my faith than the story about the woman with the hemorrhage. For
twelve years she experienced the indescribable discomfort and
embarrassment of a blood flow that no physician could heal. To add to
her misery, she became financially destitute, bankrupt from her
extensive medical expenses.
Finally, pressed through a dense
crowd to touch Jesus. Though intensely afraid, “she
kept saying to herself, ‘If I can only touch his coat, I will
get well’” (Mt 9:21) . . .
|
| |
|
I explore the benefits of positive “self-talk”-- and
its limitations--in this article.
|
| |
|
| |
|
Nehemiah
Notes, April
15, 2013 |
|
|
|
Looking Inward and Looking
Outward
Which Is More Important in Knowing God’s Will?
|
| |
|
In seeking God’s will, is my
responsibility to consider how Christ has made me, then look for
situations that best fit my gifts and interests? Or is it to try
to understand where the greatest areas of human need lie, and do
my best to relate to them? Do I find the will of God by looking
inward or by looking outward?
The issue is much more than an
academic one for many of us . . .
|
| |
|
In choosing what to do with your life, how should you
weigh your talents and temperament vs. the needs of the
world? I look at this question and offer advice in this article.
|
| |
|
|
How
It Radically Affects Your Happiness, Health, Success and Effectiveness
for Christ
