Water from the Rock

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 inspired and challenged me, 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 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 these thoughts and musings provide sustenance for your journey through this life. graduated from high school in 1950 and joined the Navy. After the end of the Korean Conflict, he began his study in Architecture at Georgia Tech and received his BArch in 1961. While in college, he became the pastor of a small rural church just north of Atlanta called Dunwoody Baptist. He led the church to make several important and far-reaching decisions. Contrary to the day's expectations, he did not feel a call to the professional ministry and began his career in Architecture in 1961. His architectural practice has produced many types of buildings in over twenty states. He now serves as an associate principal with Self Tucker Architects in Memphis, Tennessee. He married Mary Jo Mynatt in 1953. They have three children, three grandchildren, and four great grandchildren. They have been members of Second Baptist Church in Memphis since 1968.