“Mama Tried” by Merle Haggard
— Friday, May 6th, 2011 —
David Allan Coe once said that a perfect country music song had to include references to rain, a train, prison, getting drunk, and Mama. In his classic song “Mama Tried,” Merle Haggard hit at least a couple of those as he plumbs his autobiography. In this special Mothers’ Day edition of “The Cross and the Jukebox,” we ask why mothers are so important in this kind of music, and what that has to do with how we view Christ and the gospel. As we listen to the Hag sing about his Mama, we’ll look at how we view single mothers, prodigal children, and the Virgin Mary.
Thanks for a wonderful post today. What resources or books would you recommend to help, teach, encourage Christian Parents? Thanks.
@Norm Brock,
Southern’s http://www.familyministrytoday.com is pretty good.
I would strongly suggest you pick up a copy of “Intentional Parenting” by Tad Thomspon. It’s put out by Cruciform Press. You can also check out the resource page for it at http://www.intentionalparentingbook.com
Might I offer a few more book suggestions:
Disciplines of a Godly Family by Hughes
The Family Worship Book by Johnson
Lastly, my friend and I are starting a new ministry we’re calling “Amateur Dads.” It’s in the very beginning stages but our main part of it is a podcast. Would love if you’d head over to http://www.amateurdads.com and offer some feedback. (shameless plug)
Love your sense of humor and timing Dr. Moore - “Mama Tried” on Mother’s Day weekend!
The Mother. A Mother. My Mother. Reminds me of the GAP… between the IDEAL and the REAL. This GAP constitutes all of life in perfection, contrasted with the pollution of sin.
It’s complicated. Not until the Gospel filled the GAP between the ideal and the real in my experience of my mother, could I see it for what it was, and let the cross bridge the GAP… the GULF.
But “cross the GAP did”! Praise God.
Dr. Moore, I love your posts; however, you may not want to quote David Allan Coe without a caveat. If you are real country fan… you know what I’m talking about.
Just a suggestion. :)
-Garrett