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Always: In Memory of Michael Billings Ross Smithe

“Always” is a song which I wrote and recorded in memory of Michael Billings, my friend and fellow laborer in the Lord, who died in an automobile accident November 4, 2007, at the age of 19. In the short time that I knew Michael, he greatly impressed me as a man with a fervent love and passion for God's Holy Word, who had, by God's grace, redeemed well the days of his youth, and who stood brimming with the utmost potential in Christ.

In our few conversations together, we primarily spoke of Christian life and doctrine, as he so loved to do with all who engaged him. In one particular conversation, Michael also told me of his growing love and appreciation for God's gift of music. He was currently involved in vocal training that he might more effectively sing the praises of his Lord and King!

Even though the Lord did not allow Michael the opportunity of having his own children to train up and shoot out as arrows for His glory, he invested himself greatly in the lives of his dear nieces and nephews Isobelah, Liberty, Gabriel, Isaiah, Justice, Dakota, and Dillon. This song is dedicated to them as a charge to redeem the days of their youth, and to carry the torch of the Gospel of Christ. I thank God for the bright and shining witness of Michael Billings' life. It is my earnest hope and prayer that my family and I will also follow in his faithful footsteps, and boldly “sing his song”, until we meet again…

Soli Deo Gloria,

Ross Smithe

City on a Hill Ministries

For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the arch-angel, and the trumpet of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and thus shall we always be with the Lord. Therefore, comfort one another with these words. —I Thessalonians 4:16-18