by Sue Forde | Dec 18, 2017 | General, Music Review
The haunting Christmas song, “Mary Did You Know?” reflects the true meaning of the Christmas season. In a nation that has become obsessed with giving and receiving gifts, holding parties, and promoting “Frosty the Snowman,” Santa Claus, and mostly focusing on “what do I want for Christmas?”, it’s good to be reminded of the “real” reason for this season. In my mind, the lyrics in the song “Mary Did You Know?” does a terrific job of bringing that idea back to us. This season, it would be a good idea to reflect on what’s really important. Of course, family and friends are an important area of our lives to nurture. One never knows how long any of us will be here to spend time together. We’ve recently lost several of our loved ones – and don’t we wish we could just spend some “quality” time with them once more?
But the greatest impact on our lives happened some 2,000 years ago, in a manger in Bethlehem. God Himself chose to send His only begotten Son to be a baby, grow up like the rest of humankind and experience all that is truly human in the way of sorrow, pain, laughter and joy. And it all started with a young virgin, Mary, who humbly accepted the role she was asked to play by God through His angel Gabriel.
This is a season for rejoicing that He loved us so much that He sent His beloved Son to take our place in death, so that we can become sons and daughters of the King – and live forever! This indeed is cause to leap for joy! All that happens to us during our very brief stint on earth cannot compare to the awesome adventure we will have in eternity.
As I grow a little older – and perhaps a little wiser – I realize how quickly this life experience happens. It just seems like yesterday that I was a teenager; and now, I’m into my 70s! Wow, it went so quickly!! I haven’t done all the things, nor seen all the places, nor had time with all the people I love, and my time is almost up here. And then, I focus on the adventure ahead – the meeting face-to-face with my Savior, who willingly gave up His life so that I could live! Amazing.
Jesus’ short time here on the earth was full: Full of teaching, showing, healing. He died for us. He rose again as a human being, transformed, to head for the heavenlies. He’ll come back to get us. And to judge. And to reign.
But, the journey had to begin somewhere. That’s why we celebrate Christmas. It may not be the exact date and time He was actually born; but that doesn’t matter, really. It’s the fact that we DO celebrate His birth. So, pay attention to the lyrics of the song made famous by Songwriters: Lamont Savory / Buddy Greene / Mark Lowry / Courick Clarke / William Barclay / Wayne Buchanan and made famous by a number of performers.
MARY DID YOU KNOW?
Mary did you know that your baby boy will one day walk on water?
Mary did you know that your baby boy will save our sons and daughters?
Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new?
This child that you’ve delivered, will soon deliver you?
Mary did you know that your baby boy will give sight to a blind man?
Mary did you know that your baby boy will calm a storm with his hand?
Did you know that your baby boy has walked where angels trod?
And when you kiss your little baby, you have kissed the face of God?
Mary did you know, Mary did you know, Mary did you know?
The blind will see, the deaf will hear and the dead will live again
The lame will leap, the dumb will speak, the praises of the lamb
Mary did you know that your baby boy is Lord of all creation?
Mary did you know that your baby boy will one day rule the nations?
Did you know that your baby boy is heaven’s perfect Lamb?
This sleeping child you’re holding is the great I am
Mary did you know, Mary did you know, Mary did you know?
Songwriters: Lamont Savory / Buddy Greene / Mark Lowry / Courick Clarke / William Barclay / Wayne Buchanan
Mary, Did You Know? lyrics © Capitol Christian Music Group
by Sue Forde | Jun 22, 2011 | General
A seminary professor was vacationing with his wife i n Gatlinburg , TN. One morning, they were eating breakfast at a little restaurant, hoping to enjoy a quiet, family meal. While they were waiting for their food, they noticed a distinguished looking, white-haired man moving from table to table, visiting with the guests. The professor leaned over and whispered to his wife, ‘I hope he doesn’t come over here.’ But sure enough, the man did come over to their table.
‘Where are you folks from?’ he asked in a friendly voice.
‘Oklahoma ,’ they answered.
‘Great to have you here in T ennessee ,’ the stranger said.. ‘What do you do for a living?’
‘I teach at a seminary,’ he replied.
‘Oh, so you teach preachers how to preach, do you? Well, I’ve got a really great story for you.’ And with that, the gentleman pulled up a chair and sat down at the table with the couple.
The professor groaned and thought to himself, ‘Great .. Just what I need ….another preacher story!’
The man started, ‘See that mountain over there? (pointing out the restaurant window). Not far from the base of that mountain, there was a boy born to an unwed mother. He had a hard time growing up, because every place he went, he was always asked the same question, ‘Hey boy, Who’s your daddy?’ Whether he was at school, in the grocery store or drug store, people would ask the same question, ‘Who’s your daddy?’
He would hide at recess and lunch time from other students. He would avoid going into stores because that question hurt him so badly. ‘When he was about 12 years old, a new preache r came to his church. He would always go in late and slip out early to avoid hearing the question, ‘Who’s your daddy?’
But one day, the new preacher said the benediction so fast that he got caught and had to walk out with the crowd.
Just about the time he got to the back door, the new preacher, not knowing anything about him, put his hand on his shoulder and asked him, ‘Son, who’s your daddy?’
The whole church got deathly q uiet. He could feel every eye in the church looking at him. Now everyone would finally know the answer to the question, ‘Who’s your daddy?’
‘This new preacher, though, sensed the situation around him and using discernment that only the Holy Spirit could give, said the following to that scared little boy.. ‘Wait a minute! I know who you are! I see the family resemblance now. You are a child of God.’
With that he patted the boy on his shoulder and said, ‘Boy, you’ve got a great inheritance. Go and claim it.’
‘With that, the boy smiled for the first time in a long time and walked out the door a changed person. He was never the same again. Whenever anybody asked him, ‘Who’s your Daddy?’ he’d just tell them , ‘I’m a Child of God..”
The distinguished gentleman got up from the table and said, ‘Isn’t that a great story?’
The professor responded that it really was a great story!
As the man turned to leave, he said, ‘You know, if that new preacher hadn’t told me that I was one of God’s children, I probably never would have amounted to anything!’ And he walked away..
The seminary professor and his wife were stunned. He called the waitress over & asked her, ‘Do you know who that man was — the one who just left that was sitting at our table?’
The waitress grinned and said, ‘Of course. Everybody here knows him. That’s Ben Hooper. He’s governor of Tennessee!
‘ Someone in your life today needs a reminder that they’re one of God’s children!
‘The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of God stands forever.’ ~~Isaiah
YOU’RE ONE OF GOD’S CHILDREN!!!
HAVE A GREAT DAY
by Sue Forde | Jun 1, 2011 | General
I installed the “app” Bible on my smartphone – and it’s been great! It’s available on the iphone and the Droid X – perhaps others. If you have a smart phone, be sure to check this out. Just search for “Bible” – it’s a tan icon with Bible on the front.
One of the features is the Plans aspect – including through the Bible in one year. I’ve tried to get through the Bible in one year many times in the past, and for one reason or another, haven’t been able to get all the way through. This app has made it easy for me to do it – you can read, listen or both. You can bookmark passages. You can also read various devotionals. The Bible includes a variety of versions. There’s much more – check it out!
by Sue Forde | May 23, 2011 | Homeschooling
Just want to report that the experience we’re having with homeschooling is very positive. Steven is doing well with a combination online curriculum (Christian-based), and is involved with team sports for a positive interaction with his peers. It’s a fairly easy and consistent method – since I work at home, he does his schoolwork while I do my work, and when he needs help or when we need a “real-life” teaching time, that’s easily worked into the schedule. I highly encourage any who can, to homeschool – there are so many positives!!
