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2020-02-26 to 28 Pictures: Charleston, South Carolina

One of the few upsides of having to cancel our Spring Break trip last March at the onset of the pandemic is that we are "stuck" with a rather large voucher from one of those discount airlines. Last autumn, Tricia and I spent a weekend in Savannah, Georgia and had a...

A John 3:16 Craft for Kids

John 3:16 is one of the most well known and reassuring verses in the Bible. For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.John 3:16 (NIV) The following is a little craft I threw...

2020-03-01 Pictures: Lyndsey’s College Signing Day

This afternoon Lyndsey made it official, signing her letter of intent to play college basketball for the Hiram College Terriers starting next year. While she made the decision and committed to Hiram before Christmas, she has been looking forward to this day since her...

2020-02-13 Pictures: Lyndsey’s 18th Birthday

I am little behind on posting photos. These are some of my favorites from a couple of weekends ago when we got a chance to celebrate Lyndsey's 18th birthday. It's hard to believe that my little girl is officially an adult. It was nice to have the family all back...

What is DOCTRINE?

Introduction I love working with kids, and I love teaching them hard concepts in ways they can understand. To that end, for years I have been working on a dictionary of theological terms for kids and teens. In sharing those definitions, there seemed no better place to...

If You Want It Done Right

In all likelihood, you know how the phrase ends: If you want it done right, DO IT YOURSELF! This is a bit of a mantra for me, and frankly, something that I struggle with daily both in leadership and in my Christian walk.  In theory, this is easy to accept. ...

What Does God Hate?

This is the little and humble post that started it all. I happened to be reading through my Bible, and this passage impacted me so much that I posted a little blurb about it on Facebook. That was July 28, 2008, and I've been writing and sharing ever since. (Maybe...

Gracious Good Shepherd (December 11)

Dec11To view the entire 2011 Christmas Carol Advent check out our Christmas Carol Advent index page.

Video

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RMpM7_X0VW0&feature=results_main&playnext=1&list=PL12152EC0ADBE436F

Story Behind the Song

Written by Rob Mathis, this song made its debut on the 1996 Christmas album named Star Bright from former Miss America Vanessa Williams. The album was nominated for a 1997 Grammy Award for Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel album.

Commentary & Analysis

This song reveals a plea to God and juxtaposes common questions against biblical truth in the form of a series of rhetorical questions.

Do you really know who I am?

How can an all powerful God who holds the very universe together in His hand know us – His lowly creation? Of course, the Bible tells us that God knows us intimately. He knows our thoughts and our actions. There is nowhere that we can hide from Him. Indeed, even the hairs on our head are numbered. How comforting is it to know that we are known by Him?

Will you answer when I call your name?

Who are we to talk to the Almighty God? Again, the Bible tells us that God desires us to pray and hears our prayers. Though He may not always answer the way we would like, we can rest comfortably knowing that God hears and answers all prayers from His people.

Why for me?

Why would the King of the Universe give it all up to be born as a baby in a manger and die for my sins? God’s love and grace and mercy are so great that He came to earth, forsaking everything He was entitled to, to die. And, that death was for us, but more importantly, it was for me. My Savior died for me on the cross that day. Let us never forget that!

Questions for Further Reflection / Devotion

  1. Do you ever wonder why God does the things he does?
  2. When you think about Christmas, do you ever concentrate on what God did for YOU or do you think of it in more general terms?
  3. We live in world that is quick to celebrate the birth of Jesus but also writes off the account of that birth as little more than fairy tale. Why do you think that is?

Lyrics

Gracious good shepherd
Do you really know who I am?
Gracious good shepherd
Will you answer when I call your name?
Gracious good shepherd
You can hear confusion crying out
Gracious good shepherd
What little faith I have I am ashamed

I visualize an angel
All freezing and bitter cold
I cannot believe the love there
What heavenly sacrifice

Gracious good shepherd
If you hear me now, I love you so
Gracious good shepherd
Why for me?
Gracious good shepherd
You say you love the lost born
Gracious good shepherd
I believe that one is me

Some tell me the virgin birth is
A beautiful ancient tale
But you tell me god’s constellation
Led all to the living well

Gracious good shepherd
If you hear me now, I love you so
Gracious good shepherd
Why, why for me?
Gracious good shepherd
Do you really know who I am?
Gracious good shepherd
Will you answer when I call your name?
Gracious good shepherd
These are different times, I’m sure you see
Gracious good shepherd
We need, you now

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