Menu



error This forum is not active, and new posts may not be made in it.
Luella May

1802
3048 Posts
3048
Invite Me as a Friend
Top 100 Poster
Person Of The Week
THIRTY SIXTH EDITION - WOMEN OF COURAGE
7/9/2007 10:28:03 PM

John Elliott and Luella May Welcome You to the Thirty Sixth Edition of

Women of Courage

Each week we will honor a woman that has truly made a difference by her contributions, courage, love, and selflessness. Women honored will be chosen from inside AdlandPro, outside AdlandPro, living in the present, and yes, we will not forget those heroines that paved the way for the freedoms we now enjoy.   We will honor women who have shown tremendous courage and fortitude against all odds.

Assisting us in coordinating these awards are four outstanding ladies who are Women of Courage in their own right.

Presenting:

Carla Cash
http://community.adlandpro.com/go/245569/default.aspx

Pauline Raina           http://community.adlandpro.com/go/301079/default.aspx

Aparna Ganguli         http://community.adlandpro.com/go/blukiwi/default.aspx

Geketa Holman        http://community.adlandpro.com/go/313726/default.aspx

Terry Gorley
http://community.adlandpro.com/go/169711/default.aspx

Our Sweethearts of Courage

Shirley Caron http://community.adlandpro.com/go/scaronpoet2005/default.aspx

Michael Caron        http://community.adlandpro.com/go/192260/default.aspx

 

A man contacted me a few weeks ago and asked if we could feature a most regal woman.  We see her as regal, but in reality, she was the most humble woman that ever lived.  Her name is Mary, Mother of Jesus. 

We thank you Joe Buccheri.  I am most proud to have researched the life of the Virgin Mary. So, without further adieu . . .

WE PRESENT TO YOU OUR THIRTY SIXTH

WOMAN OF COURAGE 

Mary, Mother of Jesus

Mary was the daughter of Joachim and Anne.  She was of the Tribe of Judah and the lineage of David.  While she resided at Nazareth with her parents, the Angel Gabriel announced to her that she was to be the mother of the promised Messiah.

"28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.

29 And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.

30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.

31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.

32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:

33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?

35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God."

Luke 1:28-35

38 And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

Luke 1:38

This was a most important day in the life of Mary.  As she heard Gabriel's message from the Lord, her response was obedience.  (Luke 1:38).  From this moment on, her life drastically changed from from every day normalcy, that of a maiden living with her parents and betrothed to a man named Joseph, to uncertainty. 

One wonders what really transpired in the day-to-day life after Gabriel's wonderful news.  Imagine!  He told her that she was chosen to be the mother of the Son of God!  What greater news could she have received!  In her innocence I picture her running to her mother and father with the joyful news, only to possibly be met with unbelief, anger, and distrust.  Can you imagine poor Mary's reaction?  Can you see her joy plummet to despair?  Can you see her confusion, her pain?

Not only in those days, but even now in the middle east, the punishment for unfaithfulness or premarital sex is stoning unto death.

Who told Joseph of these events?  Scripture leads us to believe that he also reacted unfavorably.  It seemed as though everybody was against Mary.  Can you imagine her grief, her fear?  Can you imagine how alone she felt? 

Joseph being a kind man, chose to quietly put her away.  Although this would be a wonderful reprieve from the penalty of stoning unto death, think of how betrayed she must have felt.  Yet, all the while, her Heavenly Father lovingly and patiently watched these events unfold.  At what seemed the worst possible moment for Mary, He sent the Angel Gabriel to visit Joseph in a dream.

"18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.

19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.

20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost."

Matthew 1:18-20

 

We know the Christmas Story of how Jesus was born in a manger.  We see how tired Mary must have been trying to find an Inn to stay the night.  Can you imagine her joy at the birth of her Son?   Emmanuel, God is with us.  Can you imagine her wonder, as she saw the Son of God grow from a baby into manhood?  Mary, favored among women, as a mother she held the Son of God, cuddled him, kissed him, and sang him lullabies.

However, she knew that her Son was here for a purpose, to be the Lord and Savior or those who would accept Him.  She watched as he started his ministry, one day saying at the wedding feast, "Do as he says." as her Son made water into wine.  How proud she must have been.

And then the day He was betrayed, arrested, mocked, spat upon, judged and crucified.  The sorrow that she must have borne must have been a sorrow unto death.  "My baby, hanging on a cross at Golgotha.  Look how he's suffering.  I reach out to Him.  If there was some way that I could relieve his pain and suffering." 

"MY GOD!  MY GOD!  WHY HAS THOU FORSAKEN ME!"

I see her fall to her knees sobbing as she watches her Son undergo suffering that no man had ever or will ever undergo. 

"IT IS FINISHED"  And He gave up the ghost.

Thunder rolls, an earthquake, and the veil is split.  Mary is oblivious.  Her eyes are fixed on her Son as His body is removed from the cross. 

"6And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him."

Mark 16:6

Upon hearing of her Risen Savior, her grief must have turned to a joy that we will never understand.  Can you see her now, dropping on her knees, crying with tears of joy? 

Mary, the Mother of Jesus, the greatest vessel on earth, endured more than any mother had or will ever endure.

All this had a purpose, to Redeem us from our sins.  Never think that you are not loved, for one Man loved you so much that he died for you so that your sins would be forgiven and you would receive the Promise of Heaven.

"And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Acts 2:21


By Luella May

John Elliott aka Oaky Wood together with Luella May co-founded http://thecorner4women.com "Motivating & Empowering, both men & Women

THIS ARTICLE MAY BE REPRODUCED PROVIDED IT REMAINS INTACT AND ALL LINKS ABOVE ARE KEPT ACTIVE

+0
Terry Gorley

576
2831 Posts
2831
Invite Me as a Friend
Top 100 Poster
Person Of The Week
Re: THIRTY SIXTH EDITION - WOMEN OF COURAGE
7/10/2007 12:33:48 AM

Dear Luella,

Thank you for sharing the story of Mary with us as our 36th Woman of Courage.  I don't believe we often think of Mary so much as a woman who had a life ... to marvel at her life, her pregnancy and giving birth ... who endured the terrible pain of losing her son.  Not only losing her son, but in the way she lost him.

There is likely no greater pain than that of a mother when she loses her child.

Sincerely,

Terry

 

 

 

 

How To Be 1 of 5 Million http://www.worldchanger.ws
+0
Patricia Bartch

2952
9394 Posts
9394
Invite Me as a Friend
Top 25 Poster
Person Of The Week
Re: THIRTY SIXTH EDITION - WOMEN OF COURAGE
7/10/2007 12:51:10 AM

Thank you Luella and to your team for bringing us the inspiring story of Mary. We all know she was "different"  -- how she bore her son the baby Jesus who grew into the Son of God!   Thank you so much!

Pat

I'm Your AVON LADY: http://youravon.com/pbartch *Ask me how to get FREE Shipping.
+0
Cynthia Breed

0
7 Posts
7
Invite Me as a Friend
Re: THIRTY SIXTH EDITION - WOMEN OF COURAGE
7/10/2007 12:57:32 AM

I have often thought about her pain as she watched Jesus.  It was unbearable to think of it as I think of how I would feel watching my kids get hurt by others.

Cynthia

+0
Nick Sym

4679
23156 Posts
23156
Invite Me as a Friend
Top 25 Poster
Person Of The Week
Re: THIRTY SIXTH EDITION - WOMEN OF COURAGE
7/10/2007 1:12:03 AM

Dear Luella, Thank You!

Breast Cancer Awareness On My Site! http://www.freewebs.com/nicksym Free exposure that works http://www.webbizinsider.com/Home.asp?RID=55242
+0


facebook
Like us on Facebook!