Sermon Tone Analysis

Growing up we used to play a game, Mother, May I.

The child would all gather in our back yard, and one of them would be the mother.

Then, the mother would go the over end of the a back yard, and the child playing mother would go the other end.

And then we would each ask, in turn, mother may I take one step, two steps or what ever.

The child would say yes or no.

We all wanted to be the Mother, because you had the power to say yes or no.

We never what it really means to be a mother.

Greg Laurie tells about a new reality show .

There is going to be a new reality TV program this fall.

Here is the premise of the program.

Six married men will be dropped on an island with one car and four kids each for six weeks.

There are a lot of other things added to this.

Each kid plays two sports and either takes music or dance lessons.

There is no access to fast food.

Each man must take care of his four kids.

He has to do that before, during or after his full or part time job.

He also to keep his assigned house clean.

He has to correct all homework, complete science projects, cook, do laundry, etc.

These men have access to one television and it is only on when the kids are asleep.

There is no remote control.

The men must shave their legs.

They must put on their makeup either while driving or cooking breakfast for the kids.

They have to make four lunches and exercise to keep their spouse pleased.

The kids vote them off the island based on performance.

Once a winner is picked he can play the game over and over again for the next 18 to 25 years eventually earning the right to be called mother.

WE DEPEND ON MOTHERS FOR A LOT, DON’T WE.

Mom, you lay our Spiritual Foundation.

Mom, you lay our Spiritual Foundation.

The wisest man in the world, Solomon wrote these words or instruction to future generations.

He said, we are to observe, to watch, guard, and keep, the commandments of our fathers.

He also said, do not forsake the teaching of your mothers.

The idea there is do not leave, forsake,reject or cast off your mother’s teaching or advise or law.

Why, because advise properly given helps to shape you for life.

Listen to more advise from Solomon.

The word train.

Hanaka which here is translated train, comes from the practice of the midwife who would rub the palate of a new-born child with oil to get them to begin sucking.

It is idea of training but with sugar, not a stick.

I am reminded of a woman I read about in John Wesley’s journals.

Let me share the story with you.

Susanna Wesley, mother of John Wesley and Charles Wesley, had 19 children.

She did not have a bathroom with a door that locked, but she did have a large apron and when she wanted seclusion and privacy, she went to a corner, pulled the apron over her head and her children understood, “This is Mom’s time now, to be by herself.”

To-day I spoke closely on the head of religion to one, [Mrs.

Hawkins,] I had talked with once or twice before.

[She listened with great attention, and answered readily to all the questions I proposed, and afterwards said, with many tears, ‘My mother died when I was but ten years old.

Some of her last words were, “Child, fear God; and though you lose me, you shall never want a friend.”

I have now found a friend when I most wanted and least expected one.’

Mom, you provide us with an Example.

Proverbs 31”

Mom not only showed us strength.

She also taught us how to go with the flow.

Christen Gowan, from Greenfield Center, New York, said in Real Simple magazine this week, “Before mother I scheduled out my whole life and everything needed to go according to plan.

After experiencing so many debacles, especially when traveling with my two little girls, I’ve leaner to just embrace the chaos.

There’s no need to get upset if one of my well laid plans goes awry.

Have many trips to the grandparents, turned into mission impossible.

The cute outfit you put your darlings in arrive chocolate smeared, and cover in cheese-curl dust.

You know that yellow dust get on your fingers and you have to lick it to get it off.

That when mom taught us to let go of well laid plans, and as Christen said, “Embrace the chaos.”

Mom, you care for the Needy

Proverbs 31:

My mom was always ready to the help the needy.

She taught me, by example, to always be ready to help.

Ginny pointed out to me yesterday an article in the newspaper called, Honoring my mother on Mother’s day..

In the article Linda Moody told stories about her mom.

In one of them she said, “I remember when she (her mother) took our Grandma Phoebe in and cared for her, and when our cousins’ mother and her husband were injured (he fatally, in a train crash), she (mom) brought their children into our home for a short while.

She, like my mom, was an example of caring for people who needed help.

My mom was always willing to offer a helping hand.

In fact, the way I met Ginny was because of one of mom’s act of kindness.

Ginny and kids moved in beside my mom.

Ginny did not have her phone turned on yet, and mom offered for her to use our phone.

Ginny was calling her best friend from our home when I came home for an unexpected visit.

The rest is history.

But for mom’s act of kindness, helping someone in need, I would have never met the love of my life.

We owe our mother’s a lot.

They formed us spiritually, They taught us how to go with the flow, and the were an example to us about caring for people who need help.

I love what Charles Wesley wrote about his mother at her death:

EPITAPH ON MRS.

SUSANNA WESLEY

1 IN sure and steadfast hope to rise,

And claim her mansion in the skies,

A Christian here her flesh laid down,

The cross exchanging for the crown.

2 True daughter of affliction she,

Inured to pain and misery,

Mourn’d a long night of griefs and fears,

A legal night of seventy years.

3 The Father then reveal’d His Son,

Him in the broken bread made known,

She knew, and felt her sins forgiven,

And found the earnest of her heaven.

4 Meet for the fellowship above,

She heard the call, “Arise, My love:”

“I come,” her dying looks replied,

And lamb-like as her Lord she died!

I would like to close with this story that I think sums it all up.

Then there’s this story, which has been circulating on the Internet:

A few months ago I ran into my friend Emily, who was fuming with indignation.

It seemed she had just returned from renewing her drivers’ license at the County Clerk’s office.

Asked by the female recorder to state her occupation, Emily had hesitated, uncertain how to identify herself.

“What I mean is,” explained the clerk, “do you have a job, or are you just a . .

.”

“Of course I have a job,” Emily snapped.