a legacy of saving power

The Wonderful Reflection of God that’s Exhibited in a Good Mother!

10 May 2026 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: a cheerleader, a difficult and unrewarding task, a good mother, a good mother is a human reflection of God, a legacy of saving power, a mother comes comes closest to God, a mother was born to care, a mother's job is never done, a quiet strength, a shield from every earthly trial, a steady anchor, a woman that fears the Lord shall be praised, above the world's noise, always there for me, appropriate for a Mother's Day Tribute, as a nurse cherisheth her children, as a nursing mother cherishes her children, as one whom his mother comforteth, beauty is vain, by her words and her touch, call her blessed, call to remembrance, calm assurance of God's tender caring, came from my mother's hands, caring ways, carry us in their womb, christianity, comforted in Jerusalem, compassion, dwelt first in they grandmother Lois, each choice, eats not the bread of idleness, every waking hour, faith, favour is deceitful, flows in and through me, forgiving, generations climb the path together, give her the fruit of her hands, goodness, guide me still today, Happy Mother's Day, hauntingly beautiful, help me through each day, her children arise up, her husband also praises her, holy spirit, I felt my mother's love, I hear my mother's voice, I reach to feel God's grace, in each challenge, in her tongue is the law of kindness, inspiration for your song, Janice Kapp Perry, Jesus Christ, justification for a mother's exaistence, kindness, let her own work praise her in the gates, lifted and protected, live in me forever, live in my soul, longsuffering, looketh well to the ways of her household, LOVE, loving hands, many facets to a mother, mercy, moments of despair, motherhood, Mothers, my heart is aware, my mother's faith, my mother's hands, My Mother's Love, my mother's voice, my reaching soul, opens her motuh with wisdom, painfully give birth to us, prayers of earnest pleading, procreating and nurturing the young of the species, raison d'etre, rejoice in time to come, responsible for rearing us, salvation, scintillating, she openeth her mouth with wisdom, she strengthened me so much, so will I comfort you, soothed my fevered brow, still the memory helps me now, strength and honour are her clothing, such was my mother's faith, sweet eternities untold, Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square, taught me, the basis of everything good in my life, the BIBLE, the cornerstone of our family unit, the crowning glory of a good mother, the essence of her being, the forgiving loving nature of a mother, the legacy of faith, the power of her teachings, the strength that I now share, the unfeigned faith, thoughtfulness, through my darkest days, thy mother Eunice, timeless words of wisdom, to turn to God in prayer, truth, turned me to God, unenviable task, we were gentle among you, wisdom

Proverbs 31:26. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!

And it’s another Sunday in the life, but a special one, in that we celebrate that oh so important activity termed Motherhood, that’s been with us from the beginning of time, and will still be around at the end. (smile) And don’t ever think it’s a simple or easy task, for it’s one of the most difficult and unrewarding tasks in this world, because mothers are the cornerstone of our family unit, and they not only carry us in their womb, then painfully give birth to us, they are also responsible for rearing us, even till we sometimes become old and grey, because a mother’s job is never done.

Once they have a child alive, their thoughts and efforts are usually focused on that person to whom they’ve given birth, because that’s just the make-up of a mother. She was born to care! And there are so many facets to her LOVE and compassion, her thoughtfulness and kindness, goodness and mercy, forgiving and longsuffering, that she comes closest to God amongst the human race. And yes, there are many mothers who don’t have an ounce of true motherhood in them, but overall, most do a wonderful job, as the female of the species has the most difficult and unenviable task of procreating and nurturing the young of the species.

And having paid some homage to mothers, let’s now raise our voices in sweet sacrifices of praise in this tribute song on their behalf, simply and most appropriately titled ‘MY MOTHER’S LOVE.’ The song was written by Janice Kapp Perry (born October 1, 1938) an American composer, songwriter, and author.  She was a member of a very musical family, and also a member of the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square, formerly known as the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Today’s version follows that done by the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square. Slow and soulful, hauntingly beautiful, ever so rich and scintillating, very appropriate for a Mother’s Day Tribute.

(Singing: ‘My mother’s voice, the power of her teachings, Live in my soul and guide me still today. Her caring ways, her timeless words of wisdom Come forth to help me through each day. In each challenge, each choice, Above the world’s noise, I hear my mother’s voice. My mother’s faith, her prayers of earnest pleading, Turned me to God in moments of despair. Her calm assurance of His tender caring Taught me to turn to Him in prayer. Through my darkest of days I reach to feel His grace. Such was my mother’s faith.

My mother’s hands that lifted and protected, Those LOVING hands that soothed my fevered brow Were as a shield from every earthly trial, And still, the memory helps me now. And my heart is aware, the strength that I now share Came from my mother’s hands. My mother’s voice will live in me forever. A steady anchor for my reaching soul, As generations climb the path together to sweet eternities untold. My mother’s LOVE, the essence of her being, Flows in and through me every waking hour. A quiet strength grew from her constant caring, A legacy of saving power. By her words and her touch, she strengthened me so much. I felt my mother’s LOVE… I felt my mother’s LOVE.”

Oh friends, what a beautiful rendition! And the lyrics are ever so touching and sound like how real mothers are. In fact, Ms. Kapp says that she wrote the song with her own mother in mind, and continues: ‘If you had a good mother, she’s your inspiration for the song. My mother’s LOVE was the basis of everything good in my life. She was always there for me. My mother Ruth was a very enthusiastic and energetic person. She LOVED projects, played in a dance band with their father, and wrote musicals for the community. As far as her children were concerned, she was just a cheerleader. She LOVED everything they did. Made them feel like they could do things.’

Now that is the raison d’être; the reason or justification for a mother’s existence! And do I ever like how she planned the song; breaking it down in sections, like her ‘mother’s voice, the power of her teachings, that she could hear above the world’s noise. Then her mother’s faith, her prayers of earnest pleading, that taught her to turn to God in prayer. Her mother’s hands, that lifted and protected, LOVING hands that soothed her fevered brow, like a shield from every trial. And her mother’s voice, that will live in her forever, as a steady anchor for her reaching soul.

Then finally, her mother’s LOVE, the essence of her being, which she still feels in every waking hour, while a quiet strength grew from her constant caring. And by her mother’s words and touch she was forever strengthened, and it all caused her to feel her mother’s LOVE! Now that’s a most wonderful thing when you can feel your mother’s LOVE! And I can testify to that experience all through my life, although it didn’t mean that my mother was always happy or satisfied with me, but that’s the forgiving and LOVING nature of a mother. Even when they are angry with you, their LOVE and caring still shines through.

And there are several scriptures which show the attributes of a good mother, like this one where the Lord says through the prophet Isaiah: ‘As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you: and ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem.’ (Is. 66:13) Meanwhile in 1 Thessalonians, Bruh Paul ‘compares gentle, nurturing leadership to a nursing mother taking care of her children.’ ‘But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse (nursing mother) cherisheth her children.’ (1 Thess, 2:7)

And in 2 Timothy he talks about the legacy of faith that is passed down from mother to child. ‘When I call to remembrance the unfeigned (genuine) faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am also persuaded that in thee also.’ (2 Tim. 1:5) But the crowning glory of a good mother and wife come from the wisest man ever, Cousin Sol, who had enough of them to know what he was talking about. (smile)

‘Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. Favour (charm) is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.’ (Prov. 31:25-31)

Yes friends, those are some of the many attributes of a good mother. So, let’s give them the praise, LOVE and respect they deserve, not only today, but every day. So that they can keep on being good mothers, nurturing and comforting us. Much LOVE!

… a good mother is a human reflection of God…possessing most of His attributes…

Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien

The Overwhelming Importance in God’s Eyes, of Honouring One’s Parents!

11 May 2025 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: a legacy of saving power, a mother's love is unconditional, a new spiritual family, a shield from every earthly trial, a single mother, a steady anchor, above the world's noise, all one in Christ, always there for her, always there to protect her children, an enthusiastic person, be generous, be responsible, behold thy mother, calm assurance, Christ's love for his mother, created another human, every waking hour, faith, God's tender caring, God-given strengths of a mother, good bad or indifferent, guide me still today, Happy Mother's Day, heartfelt version, her caring ways, her hugs feel like home, her source of inspiration, her words calm our fears, holy spirit, honour thy father and mother, I hear my mother's voice, I reach to feel God's grace, in each challenge, in god's spiritual image, Janice Kapp Perry, Jesus Christ, keep God first place, live in my soul, LOVE, loving hands, mankind can never repay their debt, mercy, mind boggling, misfortunes, moments of despair, my mother's faith, my mother's voice, my reaching soul, painful task, prayers of earnest pleading, sacrifices go unnoticed, salvation, soothed my fevered brow, taught me, the august privilege, the bsasis of everything good in her life, the challenging cycle of giving birth, the disciple Jesus loved, the essence of her being, the Lord thy God giveth thee, the only commandment of promise, the power of her teachings, the safe place we run to, the world feels too big, those united by faith are family, through my darkest days, thy days may be long upon the land, timeless words of wisdom, to Christ and their mothers, to forget all the pain, to turn to God in prayer, trials, truth, turned me to God, wisdom, Woman behold thy son

Exodus 20:12a. Honour thy father and thy mother:

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY.

Well, a Happy Mother’s Day to all you mothers out there in God’s great universe, be you good, bad or indifferent! But on this bright, warm, sunshiny Sunday, the important thing is that you’re a mother, and you’ve behaved somewhat like God; created another human being in His spiritual image. Only mothers can do that! And you’ve felt the pain and discomfort that came with that august privilege, (smile) and sincerely promised yourself NEVER to do it again. But after seeing the beautiful creation to which you gave life, you forgot that promise and did it over and over again.

Now that’s one of the God-given strengths of being a Mother; to be able to forget all the pain and discomfort and go through the challenging cycle of giving birth again. Men think that they’re the stronger sex, and in a physical sense they might be, but when it comes to emotions and the things involved in bringing a child into this world, they can never hold a candle to a mother’s power, patience and perseverance. And if only for that, mothers ought to be treated with much more respect and reverence for being able to handle such a mind boggling and painful task without going crazy.

Well, in honour of Mother’s all over the world, today we’re going to sing a wonderful song written by Janice Kapp Perry (born October 1, 1938) an American composer, songwriter, and author, in honour of her mother Ruth. When she was asked to write a new Mother’s Day song, her source of inspiration had to be her own mother, because she was a good mother.

And according to Perry, her mother’s LOVE was the basis of everything good in her life. She was always there for her. A very enthusiastic person, energetic, she LOVED projects played in a dance band with their father, wrote musicals for the community. As far as her children were concerned, she was just a cheerleader. She LOVED everything they did. Made them feel like they could do things.’

Now that’s what a Mother’s LOVE is all about! So, let’s stop talking and sing the song ‘MY MOTHER’S LOVE,’ in a soulful, scintillating, heartfelt version, showing true appreciation for all those good mothers so many of us, like me had, and fortunately some still have.

Singing: ‘My mother’s voice, the power of her teachings, Live in my soul and guide me still today. her caring ways, her timeless words of wisdom Come forth to help me through each day.‘

In each challenge, each choice, Above the world’s noise, I hear my mother’s voice. My mother’s faith, her prayers of earnest pleading, Turned me to God in moments of despair. Her calm assurance of His tender caring Taught me to turn to Him in prayer. Through my darkest of days I reach to feel His grace. Such was my mother’s faith.

My mother’s hands that lifted and protected, Those loving hands that soothed my fevered brow Were as a shield from every earthly trial, And still, the memory helps me now. And my heart is aware, the strength that I now share Came from my mother’s hands. My mother’s voice will live in me forever. A steady anchor for my reaching soul,

As generations climb the path together to sweet eternities untold. My mother’s LOVE, the essence of her being, Flows in and through me every waking hour. A quiet strength grew from her constant caring, A legacy of saving power. By her words and her touch she strengthened me so much. I felt my mother’s LOVE… I felt my mother’s LOVE.”

What beautiful words in honour of Mothers! And some of them do resonate with me towards my mother Molly. Like the opening words of the song: ‘My mother’s voice, the power of her teachings, Live in my soul and guide me still today. Her caring ways, her timeless words of wisdom Come forth to help me through each day.’ And that’s a veritable fact my brethren, because she was also a strong, enthusiastic self-reliant, woman, despite the many trials and misfortunes she suffered, being a single mother.

But in my formative years, she taught me a few basic lessons about life: to keep God first place, to be responsible and to be generous. She not only taught me them, but also lived them out in her life, although it’s only as I got older, I realized the truth in all those lessons. (smile) Oh friends, we cannot put a price on a Mother’s LOVE, because like God’s LOVE for us, it’s unconditional, no matter what! She will always LOVE her children and shower them with care.

As one commentary describes it: ‘Mom’s LOVE: Often characterized as unconditional, maternal love is typically nurturing, protective, and self-sacrificing. A mother’s LOVE is generally focused on the well-being and development of her child, often prioritizing their needs above her own.’ Yes, that’s what Mothers do.

And why is a mother’s LOVE so powerful? This commentary answers it thus: ‘Because she’s the one who LOVES us before we even take our first breath. She’s the safe place we run to when the world feels too big. Her hugs feel like home, her words calm our fears, and her sacrifices often go unnoticed but never unfelt. Mothers aren’t perfect, but their LOVE is powerful.’

And that’s the gospel truth my fellow believers. The only LOVE stronger than a mother’s is that of the Lord! That ought to tell you how strong a mother’s LOVE is. You see it even in the animal kingdom, where mothers are ever so protective of their young ones, they will fight a bigger and more powerful animal to protect their children. No wonder, the Lord in issuing His Ten Commandments placed within them this one: ‘Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.’ (Ex. 20:12)

Yes my people, that’s the ONLY commandment with a promise at the end, so it must truly be important in God’s eyes to honour your parents. Please note, He didn’t say like or LOVE them, but simply to honour them, and I guess that means even if they are not what we consider worthwhile parents. And what better way to end today’s Bit on Mother’s Day than with our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ showing His LOVE for His mother.

The Bible tells us that while hanging on the cross in the throes of death, ‘Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he LOVED, (John), he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.’ (John 19:26-27) Now that was very thoughtful and considerate of Jesus! And what does it signify?

One commentary says: ‘This act is interpreted as Jesus providing for his mother’s care and establishing John as her guardian. It also highlights the concept of a new spiritual family within Christianity, where those united by faith are considered family, even without biological ties.’

More gospel truth my people! As Bruh Paul would say, be we Jew or Gentile, we’re all ONE in Christ! So let’s not only celebrate our mothers today, but try to remember them more all through the year, as we ought to! Much LOVE!

…mankind can never repay the debt they owe…to Christ…and to their mothers…

Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien

Today’s Scrip-Bit 14 May 2023 Romans 12:12.

14 May 2023 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: a legacy of saving power, a spreader of Christian joy, continuing instant in prayer, deserve to be feted, distributing to the necessity of the saints, given to hospitlaity, Happy Mother's Day, honour your father and mother, Janice Kapp Pery, LOVE, Mary the mother of Jesus, my mother's faith, My Mother's Love, patient in tribulation, rejoicing in hope, the epitome of motherhood, the essence of her being, the power of her teachings, thy days may be long upon the land, timeless words of wisdom, train up a child in how he should go, when he is old he will not depart from it

Romans 12:12. Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation (always persevering); continuing instant (steadfastly) in prayer.

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!

Well, a Happy Mother’s Day to all you beautiful Mothers out there! Yes, I know that some of you don’t deserve the term beautiful, because your motherly behaviour hasn’t been up to scratch, in fact, some of you have behaved downright unmotherly, but the truth is that you bore the pain and anguish to bring children into this crazy world, and for that alone, you deserve to be feted. So, please take a day to enjoy yourself; don’t think too much about anybody else but you, because this seems to be the one day in the year that we truly show mothers our deep appreciation.

We should really show them our deepest appreciation every day, but the reality is that we don’t. And as we gather in the Lord’s Sanctuary on this beautiful Mother’s Day Sunday, we’re going to open with a wonderful song written especially for Mothers, titled ‘MY MOTHER’S LOVE!’ by Janice Kapp Perry, the accomplished and prolific American Composer. In an interview about the origins of the song, she says that some ten years ago, she was thrilled when Mack Wilberg, the Music Director of the Tabernacle Choir, formerly known as the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, asked her to write a new Mother’s Day song.

She continues: ‘And of course you can only think of your own mother. If you had a good mother, she’s your inspiration for the song. My mother’s LOVE was the basis of everything good in my life. She was always there for me. My mother Ruth was a very enthusiastic person, energetic, she LOVED projects, played in a dance band with our father and wrote musicals for the community. As far as her children were concerned, she was just a cheerleader. She LOVED everything we did. Made us feel like we could do things.’ And that’s the beauty of a mother my people; a cheerleader, an encourager, a spreader of Christian joy and good cheer!

Now let’s sing the slow and soulful song, a hauntingly beautiful melody, ever so rich and scintillating. We might not do as good a job of it like the Tabernacle Choir does, but we surely going to give it a good try. (smile) Singing: ‘My mother’s voice, the power of her teachings, Live in my soul and guide me still today. Her caring ways, her timeless words of wisdom Come forth to help me through each day. In each challenge, each choice, Above the world’s noise, I hear my mother’s voice.

My mother’s faith, her prayers of earnest pleading, Turned me to God in moments of despair. Her calm assurance of His tender caring Taught me to turn to Him in prayer. Through my darkest of days, I reach to feel His grace. Such was my mother’s faith. My mother’s hands that lifted and protected, Those LOVING hands that soothed my fevered brow Were as a shield from every earthly trial, And still, the memory helps me now. And my heart is aware, the strength that I now share Came from my mother’s hands.

My mother’s voice will live in me forever. A steady anchor for my reaching soul, As generations climb the path together to sweet eternities untold. My mother’s LOVE, the essence of her being, Flows in and through me every waking hour. A quiet strength grew from her constant caring, A legacy of saving power. By her words and her touch she strengthened me so much. I felt my mother’s LOVE… I felt my mother’s LOVE.’

Oh friends I doubt we can ascribe to our mothers any better sentiments on this Mother’s Day of 2023! The song says it all! The power of her teachings that still live in our souls and guide us every day. That takes me back to the words of Cousin Sol in Proverbs. ‘Train up a child in the way he should go; and (even) when he is old, he will not depart from it.’ (Prov. 22:6) Now that could be taken two ways; either as if you raise them properly, even when they are old they will follow the Christian guidelines you instilled in them, or as a warning to parents that if they allow their children to have their own way, they will not depart from that foolishness when they are old.

But it shows that however children are raised, that’s how they usually carry on through life. And the fact is that mothers are the basic caregivers of the family; they carry children in their wombs for nine long, trying months, go through hell to birth them, (smile) then they also have the great responsibility to train them up in a proper manner. And it’s usually at the breast or the feet of our mothers that we learn about life. I like these words: ‘My mother’s faith, her prayers of earnest pleading, Turned me to God in moments of despair. Her calm assurance of His tender caring Taught me to turn to Him in prayer.’

They remind me of my own mother, Molly, who never took an easy step in her life, but was always joyful and God-fearing. And I know a lot of what I experienced from living with her through some rough times has made me the person I am today. I saw how she handled lack and never complained; out of a job for a couple of years and still remained hopeful. I learned these words of Romans 12 through the experiences I shared with her. ‘Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation (always persevering); continuing instant (steadfastly) in prayer.’ (Rom. 12:12)

As a young lad, I often did not understand what she was doing, especially when the times were extremely difficult, and yet she always had a smile and a kind word to offer, always ‘Distributing to the necessity (needs) of saints; given to hospitality.’ (Rom. 12:13) I remember that whoever was at our table, always got the best of what we had. And I could never understand it, but she always said that’s how it ought to be, and she was doing it for me.

Now I understand it all Molls sugar, because through your goodness and kindness to others, wherever I’ve been in this world, people have always been kind to me. They don’t know me from Adam, (smile) but are always reaching out a helping hand to me. And that’s the same way I try to live. Yes my people, a Mother’s hands and faith are ever so important in a child’s life, to protect and guide them along the right path. As the song says: ‘My mother’s voice will live in me forever. A steady anchor for my reaching soul.’ How true that is for all of us.

It’s so easy to see that a mother is the most important person in a child’s life, for they set the tone and direction that child will take. So please let’s respect and honour our mother’s nuh. The Lord thought it so important for us to respect our parents, that He put it in His Ten Commandments. ‘Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.’ (Ex. 20: !2)

And yuh know what friends, the closest thing to God on this earth is a kind and godly mother, for they exhibit much more of God’s goodness and His attributes than we men. That’s another reason right there to LOVE, honour and respect them and not abuse them, or treat them like second class citizens, the way that so many cultures are still doing these days.

And we couldn’t get a better ending for today than these words from the end of the song: ‘My mother’s LOVE, the essence of her being, Flows in and through me every waking hour. A quiet strength grew from her constant caring, A legacy of saving power. By her words and her touch she strengthened me so much. I felt my mother’s LOVE… I felt my mother’s LOVE.’

Now, if we are truthful to ourselves, we will all acknowledge the great debt we owe to our mothers. So, let’s get out there and repay what little of it we can! Much LOVE!

…the epitome of motherhood…Mary…the mother of Jesus…as she quietly bore His terrible suffering…for that’s what mothers do…

Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZ

SCRIP-BITS

The Overwhelming Importance in God’s Eyes, of Honouring One’s Parents!

Today’s Scrip-Bit 14 May 2023 Romans 12:12.

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