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Friday, December 14, 2012
Listen to this message on your
audio player.
"Mary Did You Know?"
"But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart" (Luke 2:19).
Earlier
this week we mentioned attending a "Homecoming" concert last Friday
night in Hershey PA with a variety of Gospel musicians. A feature
of the Homecoming concerts is not only music but humor, primarily from Mark Lowry,
who happened to be Ester's favorite at the concert.
Mark is really, really funny. For instance he told a story about dogs and how they have such a steadfast love for their owners. He illustrated by asking, "What would happen if you locked your wife and your dog in the trunk of the car and then came back to open it in an hour? Who would be happy to see you? The little lady or the dog?"
I first heard the song "Mary Did You Know" back in the nineties and initially was not aware of who wrote it. When I first learned it was Mark Lowry I could hardly believe it! In my mind he is so characterized by corny humor that it was hard for me to imagine him writing such a solemn song.
Mark Lowry wrote the words in 1984 when his pastor asked him to write a poem for the living Christmas tree choir presentation. Initially it was merely a little-known poem until Bill Gaither showed it to Buddy Greene who is also a musician at the Homecoming concerts. He wrote the beautiful melody to "Mary Did You Know".
The song considers just how much Mary knew concerning her new born Son and is written as an overview of His life; His miracles, His sufferings and His ultimate victory ending with the phrase, "This sleeping child you're holding is the great I am."
Today's Scripture text describes Mary as a young mother and her awe at the events surrounding her Son's birth. "But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart."
"Mary treasured all these things" Today many mothers keep a baby book chronicling the developmental steps in their baby's life such as a tiny footprint at birth, inoculation records, photos and records of specific achievements. Is it possible that Mary had a baby book accessible to Luke?
"Pondering them in her heart" "Ponder" translates the Greek word "sumballousa" in all standard translations.
One commentator explains "Sumballousa as an internal contemplation. It is an inner discussion. Sumballousa tells us that she conversed within herself and wrestled with these things in her heart. Now the heart used to be the seat of knowledge. Today we would place her pondering in the mind. Using all the logic she could locate and reason she could recruit, Mary beheld what had just happened and could not wrap her head or heart around it. She didn’t fully grasp it. She held it in wonder. Wonder exists beyond our ability to know and believe, between facts and faith, and it is never fully captured by either. It is stitched with threads of doubt and skepticism and yet holds on to that which it cannot deny. Like a new mother who cannot believe that her baby has finally come. Unto us a child has been born. The Savior. The Messiah. The Lord."
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily prayer:
Father, there is so much to contemplate and ponder concerning the birth
of Your Son, Jesus. Mary is a tremendous example of one who was unable
to fully comprehend or understand Your plan, but trusted You even
before the answer was revealed. Help us to follow in her steps and
trust You to work out Your will and plan in our lives even in the
mysterious workings of our daily circumstances. Your humble and
obedient servant, Mary, fulfilled your plan for her life and we
receive the Christ Child; the Savior, the Messiah, our Lord! Thank You.
Amen.
Yesterday afternoon Paul Hand, a newer friend of ours, stopped by to visit. Paul has a great testimony of a mid-life conversion.
We shared this Jeremy Taylor quote in our series some time back. Jim and Dorothy, New Jersey friends, had it made into a plaque and sent us this photo!
Last week I shared a photo of a friend's Winross miniature truck collection, which he displayed on a high shelf surrounding his office. Yesterday we visited with Marlin, who shares his extensive collection in a glass case.
We passed this mystery truck returning from Ohio Tuesday. Do any of our readers know what it is? It looks similar to crop sprayer but this truck was really moving along.
Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources
"Mary Did You Know?" Video Mark Lowry
"Mary Did You Know" Video This a video taken of a choir Brooksyne directed several years ago with myself as narrator.
Lyrics to the song set to contextual pictures.
An example of Mark Lowry humor Video
"He Leadeth Me" Video Buddy Greene harmonica
Buddy Greene at Carnegie Hall Video
<Previous Message Next Message>
Friday, December 14, 2012
Listen to this message on your
audio player."Mary Did You Know?"
"But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart" (Luke 2:19).
Mary did you know that your baby boy
would some day walk on water?
Mary did you know that your baby boy
would 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.
would some day walk on water?
Mary did you know that your baby boy
would 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.
Earlier
this week we mentioned attending a "Homecoming" concert last Friday
night in Hershey PA with a variety of Gospel musicians. A feature
of the Homecoming concerts is not only music but humor, primarily from Mark Lowry,
who happened to be Ester's favorite at the concert.Mark is really, really funny. For instance he told a story about dogs and how they have such a steadfast love for their owners. He illustrated by asking, "What would happen if you locked your wife and your dog in the trunk of the car and then came back to open it in an hour? Who would be happy to see you? The little lady or the dog?"
I first heard the song "Mary Did You Know" back in the nineties and initially was not aware of who wrote it. When I first learned it was Mark Lowry I could hardly believe it! In my mind he is so characterized by corny humor that it was hard for me to imagine him writing such a solemn song.
Mark Lowry wrote the words in 1984 when his pastor asked him to write a poem for the living Christmas tree choir presentation. Initially it was merely a little-known poem until Bill Gaither showed it to Buddy Greene who is also a musician at the Homecoming concerts. He wrote the beautiful melody to "Mary Did You Know".
The song considers just how much Mary knew concerning her new born Son and is written as an overview of His life; His miracles, His sufferings and His ultimate victory ending with the phrase, "This sleeping child you're holding is the great I am."
Today's Scripture text describes Mary as a young mother and her awe at the events surrounding her Son's birth. "But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart."
"Mary treasured all these things" Today many mothers keep a baby book chronicling the developmental steps in their baby's life such as a tiny footprint at birth, inoculation records, photos and records of specific achievements. Is it possible that Mary had a baby book accessible to Luke?
"Pondering them in her heart" "Ponder" translates the Greek word "sumballousa" in all standard translations.
One commentator explains "Sumballousa as an internal contemplation. It is an inner discussion. Sumballousa tells us that she conversed within herself and wrestled with these things in her heart. Now the heart used to be the seat of knowledge. Today we would place her pondering in the mind. Using all the logic she could locate and reason she could recruit, Mary beheld what had just happened and could not wrap her head or heart around it. She didn’t fully grasp it. She held it in wonder. Wonder exists beyond our ability to know and believe, between facts and faith, and it is never fully captured by either. It is stitched with threads of doubt and skepticism and yet holds on to that which it cannot deny. Like a new mother who cannot believe that her baby has finally come. Unto us a child has been born. The Savior. The Messiah. The Lord."
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.
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.
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily prayer:
Father, there is so much to contemplate and ponder concerning the birth
of Your Son, Jesus. Mary is a tremendous example of one who was unable
to fully comprehend or understand Your plan, but trusted You even
before the answer was revealed. Help us to follow in her steps and
trust You to work out Your will and plan in our lives even in the
mysterious workings of our daily circumstances. Your humble and
obedient servant, Mary, fulfilled your plan for her life and we
receive the Christ Child; the Savior, the Messiah, our Lord! Thank You.
Amen.Yesterday afternoon Paul Hand, a newer friend of ours, stopped by to visit. Paul has a great testimony of a mid-life conversion.
We shared this Jeremy Taylor quote in our series some time back. Jim and Dorothy, New Jersey friends, had it made into a plaque and sent us this photo!
Last week I shared a photo of a friend's Winross miniature truck collection, which he displayed on a high shelf surrounding his office. Yesterday we visited with Marlin, who shares his extensive collection in a glass case.
We passed this mystery truck returning from Ohio Tuesday. Do any of our readers know what it is? It looks similar to crop sprayer but this truck was really moving along.
Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources
"Mary Did You Know?" Video Mark Lowry
"Mary Did You Know" Video This a video taken of a choir Brooksyne directed several years ago with myself as narrator.
Lyrics to the song set to contextual pictures.
An example of Mark Lowry humor Video
"He Leadeth Me" Video Buddy Greene harmonica
Buddy Greene at Carnegie Hall Video
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Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. and the King James Version.
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