Water from the Rock

By Andrew Smith

Several years ago, I put some of my writings into a little book called Manna for the Journey. Since then, I have committed more thoughts

toward writing, and other early writings were not included in the first book. Some writings in this publication are fifty years old, and some were written in 2018.

Several pastors have i

• Language: English
• Publisher: Aspire Publishing Hub, LLC
• Release date: Oct 24, 2022
• ISBN: 9781958692493

Andrew Smith

Andrew Smith is the author of several novels for young adults, including Winger, Stand-Off, 100 Sideways Miles, and the Michael L. Printz Honor Book Grasshopper Jungle. He lives in a remote area in the mountains of Southern California with his family, two horses, two dogs, and three cats. He doesn’t watch television, and occupies himself by writing, bumping into things outdoors, and taking ten-mile runs on snowy trails. Visit him online at AuthorAndrewSmith.com.

Book preview

Water from the Rock

Copyright © 2022 by Andrew Smith

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copyright law.

ISBN

978-1-958692-48-6 (Paperback)

978-1-958692-49-3 (eBook)

Table of Contents

FOREWORD

PREFACE

WATER FROM THE ROCK

STRIKE THE ROCK!

ONLY ENOUGH

BELIEVE

JOY

THEN

GOD IS SO GOOD!

FEATHERS

ECLECTICISM

DOORS

DAILY

CONFIDENCE

COMMUNION

CHOICES

WAIT

UNIQUE

PATIENCE

THE LITTLE WHITE VAN

TIME

WALKING ON WATER

SUFFERING AND HOPE

SELL IT!

FLESH AND BLOOD

A CERTAIN MAN

WHEREVER HE LEADS

GLASSES

FREE

FORGIVE

DIXIELAND?

CONDUIT

WORTHLESS?

SENT

MARY’S PERFUME

BEHOLD HOW HE LOVED HIM

REMEMBER ME

PEACE

SILENCE

WHOSE IMAGE?

LIFTED UP

HIS WOUNDS

FEED MY SHEEP

IMPERFECTION

HOPE

HELP

ONE SMALL CANDLE

HORROR OF HORRORS

USING LITTLE FAITH

AMAZING GRACE

TAKING SIDES

A SPEECHLESS GOD

THE STRATAGIC TABLE

JESUS MATH

SAY SOMETHING TELL SOMEBODY

MARKERS

THE DIFFICULT TASK

GRIEF

NATHANAEL IN HIS MAN CAVE

WAIT UPON THE LORD

AWARENESS

EGO

THE VELVETEEN RABBIT

FRIENDS

ERASURES

TO DWELL IN THE MYSTERY

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

FOREWORD

Several years ago I put some of my writings into a little book called Manna for the Journey. Since then I have committed more thoughts to writing and there were other early writings that were not included in the first book. Some writings in this publication are 50 years old and some were written in 2018.

I have been inspired and challenged by several pastors including Jack Prince, Brooks Ramsey, James Hatley, Joel Snyder, Roger Lovette, Hal Poe, Mike Smith, Brent Beasley and Stephen Cook. My early life was inspired by my father, John J. Smith and by A. Scott Patterson.

When my pen starts to write I sometimes do not know which of these men is the inspiration behind the writing.

The children of Israel needed both manna and water from the rock. I hope that these thoughts and musings provide sustaince for your journey through this life.

Andrew

PREFACE

Andrew Smith, Architect by trade, consistent Christian by conviction has blended creativity and faith in this collection of his God encounters. His thoughts are linked like beads on a necklace: different shapes of poetry and prose all of which are grounded by reality and hope. Each arises from private experiences and from gathered congregations. Many are stirrings stimulated by messages delivered by his pastors.

A word of warning — some are sticky and may remain with the reader far beyond a single reading.

Denny Spear

Pastor Emeritus

Dunwoody Baptist Church

Dunwoody, Georgia

WATER FROM THE ROCK

"Then sang Moses and the children of Israel... I will sing unto the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously:

Exodus 15:1

"and the people murmured against Moses,

Exodus 17:3

‘..and thou shalt smite the rock , and there shall water out of it, that the people may drink."

Exodus 17:6

When they were rescued they sang and they danced.

Later they were complaining. They were tired and they were thirsty.

They had a problem.

They could not depend on the Egyptians to take care of them. They were not slaves anymore. They were free. They were on their own.

We are a lot like the Israelites. Our memories are selective. They can interfere with our need to get on with the task at hand.

Sometimes our minds go back to when so many people came to Second Baptist Church we could not seat them all. We were the new dynamic Baptist church on the eastern edge of the city. But, we must not be held hostage by our history. Nostalgia can grab you and drag you down if you are not careful.

Now we are the established, traditional, moderate voice in the heart of the city.

We must cherish our past but we must look for new ways minister, to serve, to love in the here and now.

Moses went forward and struck the rock. The water flowed. But not