What's In a NAME - pt 3

When Fiver and I were returning from the neighborhood park on our morning walk yesterday, I spotted what looked to be a young father bringing up his garbage cans from the curb with an adorable little blond-haired girl walking behind him and following his every footstep.  When the little girl caught a glimpse of Fiver, she smiled brightly and pointed to him and said something, to which the father turned and responded with a grin and some nice words about the big white doggie.  When I saw them looking our way, I called out and declared to the dad “You’ve got quite a good helper there!”

Well… I think that I made that father’s day as he immediately broke into a big smile and pointed to the other side of his house (which was blocked from my view) and stated, “And I’ve got another good helper over there as well!”  Fiver and I returned his happy comments with a thumbs up from me and an exaggerated full body wag from Fiver and we proceeded along our way home.

That quick interaction got me to thinking about what the scriptures say when we speak out the familiar NAME of Jesus.  In the second chapter of the Biblical book of Philippians, the Apostle Paul talks about the results of that first Easter a few thousand years ago.  In speaking of what we today call Holy Week, Paul explains,

“And being found in fashion as a man, He (Jesus) humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.  Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a NAME which is above every NAME:  That at the NAME of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;  And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:8-11 – KJV) 

Paul, along with the Apostle John and other writers of the New Testament, make it pretty clear that God the Father is pleased when we speak out and act in the NAME of His Son Jesus.*  The love of the Father God toward His Son Jesus, is described and explained in great detail throughout the entire New Testament and in prophecies scattered throughout the Old Testament.

Therefore, I can’t help but to see the similarities between the Father God, when we speak the Name of His Son, and the young father’s joyful reaction when I acknowledged His cute kids yesterday morning!  I also have a very deep and personal experience in this regard.

During the last few years of Piper’s life, when she was in the clutches of Alzheimer’s, my kids and I began to notice, much to my confusion and frustration, that some of Piper’s extended family had stopped asking about her or even mentioning her name in our limited phone conversations.  And to be honest, I don’t know if they even realized their omission of her existence or not. 

What I did notice at the time, was that it really bothered me… to the point that it physically and emotionally hurt me… and I realized that it was because of the wonderful and deep personal relationship that Piper and I enjoyed together.  We were one and excluding her was like someone was attempting to cut me in half. 

But I did have to laugh recently when I read Jesus’ reply to the Pharisees when they implored Jesus to tell His followers to STOP acknowledging Him and His place in the kingdom of God, when Jesus made His triumphal entry into Jerusalem on His way to the cross… that would result in the event that we will celebrate tomorrow on EASTER SUNDAY.

The story is told in Luke 19:28-40.  When the Pharisees indignantly commanded Jesus to silence His followers or as The Message Bible puts it, "Teacher, get your disciples under control!" Jesus succinctly replied,

"I tell you that if they keep quiet, the stones themselves will start shouting." (Luke 19:39-40 – GNB)

I found myself laughing aloud as I remembered that even when some close to us stopped talking about Piper or even mentioning her name… that random strangers would come up to us in parking lots, on our daily walks, at doctor visits or in Walmart and other stores in California, Oklahoma and North Carolina… and want to talk to and know all about her! 

When you and I speak out and use the NAME of Jesus in the course of our daily lives, it connects us with the divine favor, influence and power of the throne of God.  According to Philippians 2:11… Speaking the NAME of Jesus brings glory and honor to God the Father… just like anyone mentioning Piper’s name or just wanting to know something about her… still makes my heart swell with love, joy and thanksgiving today!

But Wait… There’s a lot more to the use of the NAME of Jesus… So much so that it was the last thing that Jesus talked to us about before He ascended into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God in the throne room of heaven!  At the end of the books of Matthew and Mark, we find it referred to as “The Great Commission” and it is to be the focus and calling of our lives on this earth.  So… stay in tune as there is more to come!

I pray that each of you have a happy, blessed and giving celebration of Easter this year!

And remember that the NAME of Jesus is a multi-faceted, power-packed and love-filled power source that originates in the very throne room of God.  Therefore, I encourage each of you to speak out that NAME… not only this EASTER… but throughout the year ahead!

 

*See: Ephesians 1:19-22, Ephesians 3:17-23, John 5:23, John 13:31-32, John 14:13, John 14:23, John 16:14-15, John 17:1, 1Pe 1:21 etc;

What's In a NAME - pt 2

As a kid growing up, I was never overly into sports like my brother.  Oh, don’t get me wrong… I loved to play baseball and street football… but when it came to professional sports on TV and reading the daily sports page in our local paper, I could take it or leave it.  Although I did enjoy listening to the Giants games with my Dad while we worked around the yard in the summer months. 

I have many vivid memories of my Dad’s old transistor radio sitting on the fence with the Giants announcers calling the plays across the yard while we mowed the lawn, worked in the garden or barbequed chicken on the patio outside the living room sliding doors.

When a pregnant Piper and I moved into my Grandmother’s house in 1980, I found myself falling into similar routines as my Dad did and began listening to the Giants games on my transistor radio, as I busied myself in preparing the soil for our a large vegetable garden and tending to the spacious yard.  I also found myself listening to college football on the radio and following the 49ers.

With the addition of Joe Montana and the 49er’s growing success being the talk of everyone at work, I became a super fan and learned the details and stats on all the players.  But I began to lose interest in the team after moving out of state in 2014 when I felt that the team’s values and pregame antics was turning a little too political and WOKE for my conservative beliefs. 

But my interests were peaked again when the 49ers acquired Christian McCaffrey in 2022.  I had tried to follow the Carolina Panthers when we lived in North Carolina but was uninspired with the team.  The only bright spot was the Stanford University alumni Christian McCaffery… and when the 49ers traded for him in 2022… well… that along with the team’s less visible political bias… I slipped back into step with the 49ers! 

The only problem was that I had stopped following team and was totally unfamiliar with most of the players.  So, I had to begin to learn a whole new set of details and stats concerning those on the roster… in order to enjoy the full ambiance of the team!

I thought of all this earlier today, as I was studying on the NAME of Jesus.  I realized that similar to the level of the enjoyment of the 49ers play and the game of football as a whole, the more I know and use the NAME of Jesus in my daily walk, the more I not only enjoy my life but also, the more successful I am in helping others and in living according to my Christian worldview.

Philippians 2:9-11 declares,

“Wherefore God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a NAME which is above every NAME:  That at the NAME of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things on earth, and things under the earth;  And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (KJV) 

Did you know that the Greek definition of the word translated “NAME” in these verses, comes from “a derivative of the base word ‘ginosko’”* which describes a very personal and intimate relationship. 

When I realized this the other day, I had another “WOW!” moment and declared aloud, “So, that’s why the Lord sent the angel Gabriel to specifically tell both Mary and Joseph to name the coming child Jesus!”  For you see… the Father God has a very personal and intimate relationship and connection with not only that NAME but also with Jesus, the One who is the NAME!

That is why the writer of the book of Acts recorded so many examples of the miraculous events that occurred when the NAME of Jesus was spoken over a need.  When a believer evokes and speaks out the NAME of Jesus, it not only brings one into the favor of God… but also connects the outcome of the situation at hand, to the unlimited and miraculous power of the throne of God!

I’ll share a little more on how the NAME of Jesus puts the user in line for the favor of God and thereby release His power into the requested action in my next post… but until then… think about how the early church used the NAME of Jesus (throughout the book of Acts) in the daily walk and ministry of their Christian beliefs… and consider putting that same favor and power to work in your own life, in order to be a greater blessing to those around you!

I was wearing shorts yesterday and today we are back to jeans and a heavy coat!  This has really been an up and down winter and early spring… but as long as the sun is shining… I don’t mind!  I hope the weather is cooperating with you wherever you live!  Have a great weekend, keep EXPECTING God’s Best and put the NAME of Jesus to work in your life today!

 

*Strong’s

What's In a Name?

I got interested in NASCAR about three years ago and have been enjoying the race day theatrics, burning rubber, loud exhausts and spectacular pileups ever since.  It seems to be one of the last national sports that still incorporates old time American patriotic values and honors our country’s Christian heritage. 

I think my two most favorite times in each race are the pre-race ceremonies when the announcer asks everyone at the track to stand and remove their hats for the presenting of the American flag, the prayer of invocation over the race and for the safety of the drivers, the singing of our national anthem, the military flyover and the excitement that is generated throughout the stands when a special guest takes to the microphone and emotionally proclaims the words that starts everyone’s heart to pumping “Driver’s start your engines!” 

The other time is the last 10 or so laps when the remaining cars are vying to be the first to cross under the black and white checkered flag at the finish line.  I can’t help but to find myself standing up in front of my couch with both arms raised as the winning car zooms under the waving flag… It is also the time when I inevitably have to remind myself to start breathing again… after holding my breath throughout the final lap!

What really startles me and warms my heart at the same time is when the appointed chaplain, minister or priest finishes the race day prayer spoken over the microphone and heard throughout the track and on national television, with the affirmative and powerful words, “In Jesus Name, Amen!”

I know that it shouldn’t… but I guess that we’ve been so programed over the last few decades, for the fear of offending someone, to NOT speak the NAME of Jesus in public gatherings… that it still catches me a little off guard.  But like I said, it also warms my heart like when someone mentions the name of a very special friend and/or a popular dignitary in a public setting!

I’ve been re-reading (for the umpteenth time) a book entitled “The Wonderful Name of Jesus” written in the 1940’s by the renown Bible teacher and pastor E.W. Kenyon.  In his writings, the author discusses how the modern church in his day, at the brink of WW2 (and still seems prevalent in the 2020’s), has seemingly forgotten, down played or simply by-passed the knowledge of the importance that the NAME of Jesus has in the application and power that is inherent in our Christian faith.

A look into the New Testament writings of the early church leaders will demonstrate the central and pivotal role that the NAME of Jesus occupied as the gospel message was introduced to the world.  In the book of Acts, Luke repeatedly talks about the content of the message that was being taught… a good example being the ministry of the evangelist Philip where it is summed up by saying,

“But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.” (Acts 8:12 – KJV) 

I’ve been doing a study of the NAME of Jesus in the New Testament over the last few days and I’ve been discovering that Philip’s preaching was right in line with all the writers of the New Testament… including Jesus Himself!

Jesus taught throughout the book of John in chapters 14, 15 and 16 of the importance of praying to the Father in His NAME.*  The book of Acts records many stories of incidents when the NAME of Jesus, when spoken with faith through the lips of the Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists and the everyday church members, brought physical, emotional and spiritual healing and restoration to people, cast out devils, brought unity and order between individuals and in the churches, changed the weather and literally raised the dead!

But it is not just knowing the NAME, it is knowing the One who IS the NAME.  I’ve told many times of the long nightly phone conversations that my girlfriend and eventual wife Piper and I had when we were dating in high school.  In my strong Catholic background, I knew the NAME and was taught to be very respectful of it… BUT… Piper not only knew the NAME, but more importantly, the power that the NAME carried as she enjoyed a very personal, intimate and ever-increasing covenant relationship with the One who was the NAME!

Do you know the POWER that is inherent in the mighty NAME of Jesus?  Have you ever spoken out the NAME and seen the negative circumstances that might be approaching you change?  I have!  Just recently in fact, with the bout of Severe Weather threats that we faced throughout our part of the state a couple of days ago.

The two-fold message of the Kingdom of God and the NAME of Jesus is just as prevalent today as it was to the early church when it was first presented to the world over 2000 years ago.  And with everything that is happening in our country as well as in the rest of the world today… It’s probably even more needed NOW!

I’ll share some more truths about this life-changing, powerful and somewhat untaught truth in blogs to come.  But in the meantime, I might suggest that you pick up your Bibles and spend some time reading the New Testament… and in particular in the four gospels and in the book of Acts.  Underline and/or highlight the times that the NAME of Jesus is spoken of… and I think that you might just be excited to discover, along with me, the power… THAT IS AVAILABLE TO YOU AND ME as faith-filled BELIVERS… in the mighty NAME of Jesus!

You never know… this revelation truth just might change the way you walk in your daily life!

Have a wonderful St Patrick’s Day tomorrow.  I was listening to someone explain the big influence that the Christian conversion of Ireland (by the ministry of St Patrick) had to the entire continent of Europe.  One can never fully appreciate the power and depth of influence that the NAME of Jesus can have… so therefore… keep EXPECTING God’s best as you celebrate St Patrick’s Day and share your faith with your world tomorrow!

 

*See: John 14:13,14,26 / John 15:16 / John 16:23-26

I've Got History

I was contemplating the other day about the rich and wonderful HISTORY that I shared with my beloved wife Piper… and while other couples also share a HISTORY with each other, our particular story is totally unique and special to us.  It is a story written in the annals of HISTORY that I can hold on to and know that is all mine.  There are experiences and special moments in time that we enjoyed together that most people will never know of.  There were special looks, touches and unspoken words shared between the two of us that meant the world to us, but yet to others, would have absolutely no significance.

I came across an old notebook of hers from 2007 with one page that was basically empty except for a few words and was entitled,

“Jim’s Birthday Day”

Underneath the title she penned in her familiar handwriting, “Chocolate Cake w/Chocolate frosting.” And while the rest of the page was blank, save for three other words, my mind’s eye saw a whole story filling that page and many more throughout the notebook. 

I immediately drifted back in my memory to the 36 other birthdays that we had celebrated up to that time, both alone and then with our children around the kitchen table, complete with homemade cards from the kids, balloons, streamers and candles.  I thought of how she always delighted in baking me my favorite cake or pie, many times from scratch, in order to honor me on my special day.  I especially remember her Chocolate-on-Chocolate cakes and Lemon Meringue pies. YUM!

Over the years, I have tasted other chocolate cakes and lemon meringue pies, but none of them tasted as delicious and mouthwatering as hers… for hers contained something that no other’s desert could ever have… and that was her love for me that was the major ingredient for every slice and every bite!

Now this may sound funny, but the memories of her special birthday deserts came wafting through the air the other day as I read something familiar that the Apostle Paul wrote to the church in Phillipi… and I don’t think that it actually had any reference to a Birthday party!  In Philippians 4:19 he wrote,

“I am convinced that MY God will fully satisfy every need you have, for I have seen the abundant riches of glory revealed to me through the Anointed One, Jesus Christ!”  (TPT)

You’re probably thinking that I wrote about this verse in my last blog post… and you would be right!  But the thing that is very exciting about the Word of God, is that it is a living and active* gospel that has countless layers to every verse and every chapter!  As I read this verse the other morning, I no sooner got four words in when the fifth word jumped off the page and thumped me right in my heart!

I stopped breathing there for a second or two as I caught hold of the word “MY”… and the personal ownership that Paul associated with it… and found myself repeating aloud… “My, My, My!”  And when I finally caught my breath, I turned around to look at the dog laying on the couch behind me and exclaimed …with an “Ah-Ha!” smirk on my face.., “He had some HISTORY with God!”

I instantly realized that Paul was so convinced and assured that HIS God would “fully satisfy every need” that the giving members of the Philippian church had… because he had personally experienced the faithfulness of God over and over again in his own life and ministry!

Paul knew God in a similar fashion to the way in which Piper and I knew each other.  He didn’t need to go into a lot of explanation with the Philippians, but simply shared from the wealth of personal interactions, words, both spoken and unspoken, touches, special looks, and the thoughts and feelings that are intimately shared between individuals who enjoy a close relationship with each other.

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges states that Paul’s use of the term “My God” are “words that are deeply characteristic of St Paul” and emphasize the depth and wonderful relationship that he enjoyed with his God!  Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments explains Paul’s deeper meaning adding that “my God — Whose ambassador I am; shall supply all your need — As he has mine.”

And Dictionary.com describes the word “MY” as an adjective which describes a particular quality of the word that they are modifying,” in this case, Paul’s personal description of his close relationship with God.

When Piper got sick, I had different people tell me to watch out because Piper was going to displays certain negative behaviors as the symptoms of Alzheimer’s increased… to which I simply laughed and said “NO WAY” because I KNEW my wife and the precious HISTORY that she had with her God that would prevent certain actions from having their way with her… and you know?  She NEVER displayed any of those fearful behaviors. 

So… How personally do you KNOW God?  Would you stand in front of anyone and refer to Him as “MY God?”  If someone told you that He was going to do something that was contrary to the Word of God and your knowledge of it… would you stand firm and tell them “NO WAY” ?

I would encourage each of you to take a few moments this weekend and ask yourself:

“Do I have a HISTORY with God?” and how would I explain it to someone else…”

Have a great weekend.  We had lots of rain over the last couple of days but are enjoying a sunny (but cool) day today with a warming trend into next week!  So, our prospects are looking good and I hope that yours are as well!

And as I am enjoying the sweet memories of the special HISTORY that I shared with my wife, I pray that each of you are enjoying sweet times in the midst of your current HISTORY with YOUR God!

 

*See Hebrews 4:12

I Am Convinced!

Some of my favorite memories as an adult were made when Piper and I would take the kids up to the Redwoods or the Sierras for a summer camping adventure and when Piper and I would take one of our two-night holidays at a lodge along the Sonoma County coast in northern California.  And I think what made them even more extra special was all the anticipation and expectations that would always build up in me in the days or even weeks before we actually got in the car and pulled out of the driveway!  Do any of you know what I’m talking about?

By the time we actually arrived at our destination, all that anticipation and expectation working in me, CONVINCED me that we were going to have a GREAT time… and you know?  I don’t think that I was ever disappointed!  We learned from any potentially negative parts of the vacation every time we would go, so that we eventually packed and/or were prepared for any type of unexpected event… rain for instance… that would arise.  I also think that our background in Youth and Children’s ministry prepared us to be flexible and easily adaptive to any hiccup that might arise!

Like I said earlier, whenever we would sit down to plan one of these special times… I was fully CONVINCED that we would thoroughly enjoy ourselves!  But it didn’t just happen… for we would plan activities and special times to enhance our experience wherever we where going.  When Piper and I would book a two-night holiday, I would always surprise her with a new nightgown and we would purchase special food treats, bring some good books and rent a movie or two that we both enjoyed... and then plan on taking many romantic walks, hand in hand along the bluffs overlooking the breath taking views of the Pacific ocean.

Similarly, like my parents always did on our family camping trips, Piper would plan for special meals and treats that we could cook over the open fire, bring some fun books to read with the children and surprise the kids with some new toys to enjoy at camp.  In the meantime, I planned for family hikes in the mountains and other excursions to places that were unique to the area we were going to.  In later years, I also wrote some Bible related, all family, VBS type activities that we could all participate in during our week at camp.

The way that we planned for and enjoyed Piper’s and my personal holidays alone and the family camping trips with the kids, were very similar to the way in which we planned and enjoyed the personal experiences of our faith life as well.  The Apostle Paul wrote that,

“I am CONVINCED that my God will fully satisfy every need you have, for I have seen the abundant riches of glory revealed to me through the Anointed One, Jesus Christ!”  (Philippians 4:19 – The Passion Translation)

I don’t know if you see what I do in that particular verse of scripture, but when I read this translation, I can’t help but get very excited because I see a man that fully EXPECTED God’s Word to work in his behalf when he went to the Lord with a need!  And when you study the rest of Paul’s letters to the early church, you quickly understand that Paul was a man that put the work in that would assure Him of the truth of God’s Word being a solid reality in his life.

When Paul stepped out the door first thing in the morning on the way to a ministry event, to go visit a friend or to travel to a new region of the country… he was CONVINCED that God would fully satisfy ANY need that arose… and you know why?  Because he had seen it all before and carried the evidence of the faithfulness of God in his heart wherever he went.

Like Piper and I on our vacation events, we were CONVINCED ahead of time that we were going to have an enjoyable time and be blessed along the way as well!  We always put in the time to prepare for whatever we were doing both physically and spiritually and were never disappointed.

Earlier in that same letter to the Philippian church, Paul declared that,

“I have mastered the secret of living… I am equal to every lot, through the help of Him who gives me inward strength.” (Philippians 4:12 – S. Way)

Paul always gave all the glory and/or credit to Christ for the success of all that he endeavored to accomplish in his life.  But in order to do that and be fully CONVINCED that God would meet his every need, he made the consistent effort to spend time with the Lord in prayer, recalling and meditating on the revelations that the Lord had directly given to him, and in reading the Old Testament promises (since he and the other apostles were then writing what would become known to us as the New Testament).

One of Piper’s favorite Old Testament promises that I’m pretty certain that the Apostle Paul also favored and took to heart, is found in Jeremiah 29:11 where the prophet wrote of the Lord saying,

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an EXPECTED end.” (KJV) 

The Message Bible makes it a little easier to understand and put into practice in our lives by declaring,

“I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you that you hope for (or that you are EXPECTING*).” 

So, let me ask you today… on this absolutely warm and beautiful - albeit windy – day in northeastern Oklahoma, are you CONVINCED that God will fully satisfy and/or meet all your needs today?  Why or Why not?

Think about it and ask yourself… “What am I really EXPECTING today?”  How satisfied will you be when your head hits the pillow tonight?

Have a great day enjoying the promises of God actively participating in your life today! 

Put in the time and your life will be sublime!

 

*Both Strong’s Hebrew and Greek Definitions and Brown-Drivers – Briggs Hebrew Definitions define the word “hope” as “EXPECTATION”