Steven Curtis Chapman (born November 21, 1962 in Paducah, Kentucky, U.S.) is a Contemporary Christian musician.After starting his career in the late 80s as a songwriter, Chapman has turned into one of the most prolific singers in the genre, releasing more than 20 albums to this date. As of 2007, he has sold more than 10 million albums and has 9 gold and platinum albums. Chapman has also won five Grammy awards and 51 Gospel Music Association Awards, more than any other artist in history.
Chapman is also a vocal advocate for adoption, along with his wife Mary Beth. Together, they have adopted three children from China and have started a charity organization called Shaohannah's Hope, which offers grants to qualifying families to help defray the cost of adopting, at home and abroad. He is also one of the members of Compassionart, a charity founded by Martin Smith (songwriter) from Delirious.
Death of youngest daughter
Chapman's five-year-old daughter, Maria Sue Chapman, was killed in a tragic accident on May 21, 2008.[ Maria was accidentally hit by her big brother Will, driving a Toyota Land Cruiser pulling into the driveway of their home in Franklin, Tennessee after coming home from a play audtition, according to Tennessee Department of Safety spokesman Mike Browning. Maria was pronounced dead upon arrival to the hospital.
The entire family was preparing to celebrate their eldest son Caleb's graduation from high school and their daughter's engagement just hours before the accident. A spokesman for the Tennessee Highway Patrol termed it "a terrible accident," and no charges were filed.
Maria was the youngest in the family, and one of three daughters adopted from China by Steven and his wife, Mary Beth. During the memorial service for Maria, in which Pastor Scotty Smith preached, the family expressed their faith in God and their love for each other.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, the Chapman family began to speak publicly about their loss and the role that faith played in it all. They appeared on Good Morning America August 6, 2008 at 7:00 am and on Larry King Live August 7, 2008 at 9:00 pm EST, 6:00 pm PT. Maria was buried in her flower girl dress as she along with Stevie Joy was going to be a Flower Girl in Emily's wedding in October.
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As usual, every Saturday night is the fix time for me to join Methodist Youth Fellowship (MYF). Today title was focus on "experience God". Sister Irene share with us about Steven Curtis Chapman and his adopted little daughter,Maria Sue Chapman.
Steven Curtis Chapman is a famous christian musician, who has released 16 studio albums, more than 20 albums total in his career, including two Christmas albums, several collections of greatest hits, and a live album.
His latest album was title as "This Moment - Cinderella Edition (2008)" There was a song name "Cinderella" was composed for his little daughter who had passed away in an accident.
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:2-4
Point of GROW
1) Grow to accept ourself.
Improve and appreciate everything in our lives. Don't blame other peoples that why this people got this and that talent but not me. Everyone have a very special characteristic and talent. It's just depend on how you use it.
2) Grow to accept whatever God allows to enter our lives.
-surrender and humble. In our life cycle, we always facing lots of problems and temptation. We can't runaway from it, but to facing it ourselves. There are lots of test in life, such as the case of Steven Curtis Chapman. We can't argue with it, but to thanks GOD for the test and temptation in life. This is one of the way to mold/ train us to grow up in the earth. This is one of the purpose for us to lives here.
I can't forgot what Steven Curtis Chapman said in the video that "many peoples look at our families is like very nice and wonderful christian family but we are the family that full of question. We facing all the question by FAITH. Besides, faith change to hope."
* when I'm reading the bible, I realized the following paragraph:-
"When tempted, no one should say,"God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death." James 1:13-15
3) Grow to accept the lesson we need to learn.
-revised/ rethink the problems. Sometime when we facing the problems, we will do our best to solve it. After solve it, we just keep it aside without learning the lesson from the problem. That's why we need to revised and rethink and adapt in life.
4) Grow to accept God's help.
"keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,
"Never will I leave you;
never will I forsake you."
So we say with confidence,
"The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.
What can man do to me?"
Hebrews 13:5-6"
