This is part of a series, Names of God, posted every Wednesday. (You can read the invitation here, the introduction here, and part one here.) This is a Bible study with a lot of scripture referenced. I encourage you to pull out your Bible now so you can follow along. Thanks for joining us!

The First Commission

While tending his father-in-law’s flock of sheep, Moses caught sight of something unusual. In the distance, a bush was engulfed by flames yet failed to burn up. Curiosity propelled Moses towards the bush, which was actually inflamed by the angel of the LORD. As he approached, God {Elohim} identified himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. He then commissioned Moses to bring his people out of Egypt.

Entwined by his fears, as well as the past, Moses questioned God. Like a child stalling with excuses, Moses questioned himself and the one who commissioned him. God answered, “I AM WHO I AM. . . This is my name forever, and thus I am to be remembered throughout all generations.” (Exodus 3:14,15)

YHWH

I AM in Exodus 3 is from the name YHWH.

Throughout Christian literature, this name of God is spelled “YHWH,” “Yehweh,” or “Jehovah.” Throughout the Bible, however, it is primarily translated as “LORD” with all capitals.

We are not sure how to pronounce this name because it was so revered by the Jews that it was only spoken in the temple or referred to as, “The Name.” Adonai (Lord) was frequently used as a substitute. (Here is an interesting article from a Jewish perspective.)

For the purpose of this study, I will herein refer to this name as YHWH. In future posts, in which it is part of a compound name, I will use “Jehovah,” unless YHWH or LORD is more common.

YHWH in Scripture

Following is one of my favorite passages in the Old Testament. Moses has gone before Pharoah with Aaron to make his initial request. Not only does Pharoah tell him no, he asserts his authority by increasing the Israelites work load to practically impossible standards.

My people-pleasing personality feels for Moses while reading chapter five. The opressed Israelites see Moses as a trouble maker rather than a deliverer. “{YHWH} look on you and judge, because you have made us stink in the sight of Pharaoh and his servants, and have put a sword in their hand to kill us.”

Oh, what a kick in the gut. Imagine the emotions and thoughts that enveloped him. I can feel the doubt and grief in his next words, “O Lord, why have you done evil to this people? Why did you ever send me? For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in your name, he has done evil to this people, and you have not delivered your people at all.”

Have you questioned the wisdom of YHWH in using you?

Have you questioned whether or not you were truly commissioned?

In chapter six, YHWH answers Moses with his name, “I am YHWH. I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, as God Almighty, but by my name YHWH I did not make myself known to them.”

The name YHWH is used before this declaration, including many times in Genesis. It was even used by people in conversations with or about YHWH. This name is not new.

Why did YHWH say he did not make himself known by this name before?

Until now, we have known God as Creator and Covenant Maker. In Exodus six, YHWH becomes associated with deliverence. Read the chapter and sense the power and excitement in his words. In what might have been Moses’s weakest moment, YHWH reveals the heart of his character – Deliverer.

The Character of YHWH

 ”YHWH is my strength and my song,

and he has become my salvation;

this is my God, and I will praise him,

my father’s God, and I will exalt him.

YHWH is a man of war;

YHWH is his name.”

- Exodus 15:2-3, As sung by Moses and the Israelites after crossing the Red Sea.

Oh, for a thousand words to share with you the character of YHWH. From Exodus six through Revelation, we read of a God who longs to deliver his people. . . all people. His redemptive character took on flesh in the form of Jesus, through whom we are delivered from slavery in sin.

This Jesus who is, in fact, YHWH. (John 8:58)

YHWH, our Deliverer.

The Great Commission

Moses was not the last to be commissioned by the Deliverer.

Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” – Matthew 28:16-20

He was not the last to doubt, either. Neither will Christ’s disciples be the last to doubt. We are all commissioned by Christ, and he will be with us always, to the end of the age. For he is YHWH, the Great I AM.

Your Turn:

Have you doubted YHWH’s wisdom in using you? In what circumstance?

Spend some time studying light versus darkness in the Bible, as well as the progression of Pharoah’s heart during the ten plagues. This might help you understand why things do not always turn out the way we hope.

The post Names of God {YHWH} appeared first on His Pen On My Heart.

This is part three in a series, Names of God, posted every Wednesday. (You can read the invitation here, the introduction here, part one here, and part two here.) I have jumped ahead in my plan because this name really touched me this week. Next week, I will probably back track to one of the three main names of God, Jehovah. For now, when you see LORD with all caps in this post, it refers to Jehovah. Thanks for joining us!

This is the post that almost wasn’t.

If you had been in my head for the past couple weeks, you would know why. There has not been peace.

Instead, there has been a spinning of fear, shame, reluctance, loneliness and sadness.

Depression.

Circumstances crowded my view and I allowed them to linger. I dwelt on thoughts that took my focus off Christ. Persistent illness, missed deadlines, floundering goals, and social blunders buried me with one word: failure. A good listener once responded to a story I told, “It really pulls the rug out from under you when you let someone down. Doesn’t it?”

She was right. I don’t even have to let you down to lose my peace. Just the thought that I might let you down causes the earth to tremble beneath me. I am a people pleaser.

I thought I had broken that stronghold, so I was upset to feel it again. Recognizing it added to my sense of failure. Then a wise friend took me by the shoulders on Sunday and spoke truth into my eyes. She reminded me of who I really am and that I am not a failure, but she also gave me a warning. “People pleasing is in your personality.”

She was right. It is my nature, but it is not what I was made for. Just like the Israelites were not made to fear the gods of the Amorites, I was not made to fear people.

What Israel can teach us about this people pleasing lack of peace.

My husband preached from Judges 6 on Sunday. Isn’t it wonderful how God rescues us from ourselves and gives us the words we need at just the right times?

(By the way, I’m going to let you in on a little secret. This series is not entirely my own. The people we worship with already know, so I might as well tell everyone. All of my studies and reflections have been in direct response to a series my husband is preaching.)

Like many sections in Judges, chapter six begins with these words, “The people of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD. . .” Then right away, we see that the LORD will go through drastic measures to bring them back to Him. This time, that meant allowing the Medianites and Amelikites to pick on His children. They would encamp against them and devour their crops. They lived off the hard work of the Israelites and left them with nothing. Not even a sheep, ox, or donkey would be left.  They were parasites sucking the life out of Israel.

Can you relate?

The Israelites ran to the hills and hid in the caves! In fact, they made hiding places in the caves. How many times have I hid? I have made hiding places out of my home, busy schedules, and even my family.

Where have you hidden?

Judges 6:6 says Isreal was brought very low beccause of Midian and the people cried out for help to the LORD. They were depressed, but there was good news. The Lord dwells with the humble.

“For thus says the One who is high and lifted up,

who inhabits eternity, whose names is Holy:

I dwell in the high and holy place,

and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit,

to revive the spirit of the lowly,

and to revive the heart of the contrite.” -Isaiah 57:15

Have you cried out to the LORD?

Over the next verses, we read that He not only heard Israel, He spoke. He not only spoke, He visited!

Jehovah Shalom

This is when we meet Gideon. He was a nobody. Well, at least he thought so, but God had special plans for him. The angel of the LORD (Angel of the LORD most likely refers to God’s physical visitations on earth before He came as Jesus. Read this for more info.) visited Gideon to reveal his plan, but Gideon still had fears.

Amidst trouble, Gideon believed that the LORD Is Peace. (Jehovah Shalom) He believed what the LORD had said, that He would be with Gideon, and he obeyed. (Under the cover of night, mind you, but he obeyed!)

What was it that the LORD had commanded?

Verse twenty six spoke loudest to me. After commanding Gideon to pull down the altar of Baal, as well as the Asherah, the LORD told him to build an altar right there on the stronghold and to burn an offering on the wood of the Asherah. This would send a very strong message that the LORD was not to be replaced.

The LORD wants us to worship Him in place of the earthly things we fear.

Gideon made two offerings to the LORD in Judges 6:1-27. The first was by his own initiative and allowed him to see Jehovah Shalom. The second was out of obedience and replaced the false gods who had been feared.

Jesus is the Prince of Peace. He is Jehovah Shalom.  He promised to be with Gideon in battle and we know He is with us now. Revelation 7:15 says that we will be sheltered by His presence.

During a hurricane, the waters of an ocean are calm twenty five feet beneath the surface. No matter how tumultuous the storm is above, there is peace when we go deep in worship of Christ.

This is Jehovah Shalom.

Your Turn:

Are you a people pleaser? What false gods have you chosen to fear?

When have you found peace in worship?

This post is linked to Wednesday’s Word. 

The post Names of God {Jehovah Shalom} appeared first on His Pen On My Heart.

I’ve come down with a little somethin’, somethin’. My energy and focus are not what they should be to write the next installment in the Names of God series.

If you are here for that series, please come back next Wednesday when it will resume.

Also, for those of you who receive these posts via email, I apologize for yesterday’s email. Feedburner decided to send out a post from March for some strange reason. (Don’t know what that was all about!) So, if you read the review of On Becoming a Writer and were excited about the free download, I apologize. That expired a month ago.

Now, back to the business of being sick.

Image courtesy of [image creator name] / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

The post Names of God Series on Hold appeared first on His Pen On My Heart.

This is part two in a series, Names of God, posted every Wednesday. (You can read the invitation here, the introduction here, and part one here.) This is a Bible study with a lot of scripture referenced. I encourage you to pull out your Bible now so you can follow along. Thanks for joining us!

Traveling on a road he believed to be paved by God, Paul (Saul at the time) was stopped in his tracks. The Light met him on route to Damascus, where he would procure documents to bring the followers of Jesus to an end. It was a road paved with good intentions.

If it is not paved by the Lord, you are on the wrong road.

God saw Paul’s zeal and knew his heart. He brought his journey to a halt and set him on the path of righteousness, in order that Christ would be glorified.

Paul’s new journey began with one word.

Lord.

He acknowledged the Light as Lord and asked, “What shall I do?”

Adonai

Adonai is translated Lord, Master or Owner in the Bible.

It was once better to be a slave than a day laborer. At the end of the day, a servant went home to fend for himself. A slave remained with the master who was responsible for his well-being. Slaves were considered part of the master’s household.

God is the ideal Master and slavery to him is the ideal position.

Adonai in Scripture

• Adonai is first found in Genesis fifteen.

Abraham had been traveling for ten years based on a promise that had yet to be fulfilled. When God told him once again that he would be blessed with offspring, Abraham believed and was called righteous. The promise was not fulfilled for another fifteen years.

Isaac was not born when Abraham’s faith was reckoned right, but when God’s timing was right. Abraham did not believe so that he would have a son, but because God is Adonai, Master of all.

• It was Adonai whom Abraham was willing to sacrifice his son to. (Genesis 22:16)

• Adonai was angry with Moses when he said, “Lord, send someone else.” (Exodus 4:10)

You cannot call God your master, yet refuse to obey. Jesus said, “Why do you call me Lord, Lord, and not do what I tell you?” (Luke 6:46)

• Most Psalms are written to Adonai as Master (Lord) of creation, Master of ourselves, and Savior of the oppressed.

If Adonai is Master. . .

• We will be different from the world.

Most people want a savior, few want a master.

• We will believe in times of barrenness.

Our belief will be because of who the Lord is, not because of what he gives.

• We will give up control and walk in obedience.

Moses learned to walk by faith rather than stammer in fear.

• We will recognize the Light and be willing to change our course.

Following Paul’s example, we will ask, “What shall I do, Lord?”

Will versus Obedience

A farmer gave his son a sizable piece of land, telling him to divide it into four sections.

In the first section, he told his son to plant corn. The son considered this and deciding it was a good idea, he did as he was told.

The farmer told his son to plant wheat in the second section. Again, the son agreed that it was a good idea, and he did as he was told.

The son agreed a third time when he was told to plant carrots. Once again, he did as he was told.

Finally, the son was told to plant an orange grove in the fourth section. This time, the son could not agree. The land and the climate were wrong. This time, he apologized and told his father that he could not obey.

How much did the son obey?

100%?

Did he obey 75%? 50%? 25%?

No, the son obeyed his father 0%. He only did as he was told when he agreed that it was a good idea. The son never obeyed his father’s will. Instead, he obeyed his own.

When studying Romans, we see how we become slaves to sin. For the law, once broken, is broken once and for all. We cannot break one command and continue to live free. “For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it.” – James 2:10

BUT!

“. . . God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” (Acts 2:36)

And the assembly asked, “What shall we do?” (vs.37)

“Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (vs. 38)

“Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.  We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin.” (Romans 6:3-7)

“But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness.” (Romans 6:17-18)

You may have found yourself on a road of good intentions, only to discover that you have broken the law and become a slave to sin. Have you asked Adonai what you shall do?

Your turn!

Tell me about a time you gave up control and learned to walk in obedience. Was it a time of barrenness, like that Abraham experienced? Was it a time of fear like that of Moses? Or was it a time like Paul’s, when you discovered your beliefs were wrong?

(Me? I have learned to walk in obedience through all three situations!

I think motherhood is responsible for that.)

This post is linked to Wise Women.

The post Names of God {Adonai} appeared first on His Pen On My Heart.

This is part one in a series, Names of God, posted every Wednesday. (You can read the invitation here and the introduction here.) This is a Bible study with a lot of scripture referenced. I encourage you to pull out your Bible now so you can follow along. Thanks for joining us!

Before setting down his gavel, the judge proclaimed that our children belonged to our family just as if they had been born to us.  They came into this world through the love of another, and now they live in ours. As a sign of our covenant, papers were turned in and a new name received. This is our forever family, created by a just God and united by a covenant.

Elohim

This is who I met when I asked who will heal my daughter. This is the God revealed in the storm. He is Creator and Judge. He is strong and powerful, covenant making and covenant keeping. He is God.

When you come across “God” spelled with a capital G and lower case o and d, the Hebrew word is Elohim.

Four possible roots in Elohim

•             El means god or diety, referring to unlimited strength and power.

•             Loah means unlimited strength.

•             Alah means he will do it, to do or swear, implying a covenant relationship.

•             Him (pronounced “heem”) is a plural ending which indicates three or more.

Elohim in Scripture

•             Elohim occurs 2,500-2,600 times in the Old Testament, first in Genesis and the most in Job.

•             Elohim is the first name by which we come to know God.

•             Elohim reveals the trinity from the beginning. In the Old Testament, we read that God created the earth, but the New Testament says that all things were created by Jesus. (John 1:3, Colossians 1:16-17) Elohim, the plural form of God, explains how both are possible. It also explains the use of  “we” in the Genesis account of creation.

•             Elohim is the name by which God made covenants. (See examples in Genesis 9:11-13; 15:2-5,18; and 17:2 )

•             Elohim is described and appealed to in many Psalms as the all-powerful judge.

Our Response to Elohim

•             We will acknowledge and praise his creative nature and re-creative power. (Psalm 51:10 John 5:17, Psalm 139)

•             We will acknowledge a power greater than ourselves. (Isaiah 40:26)

•             We will acknowledge his control. (Psalm 72)

•             We will trust his will and his purpose for our lives. (Isaiah 45:9-12)

•             We will trust his judgment. (Psalm 82)

•             We will trust his covenant keeping power. (Numbers 23:19)

Elohim is a covenant keeping, creative and just God with unlimited power and strength. To make a covenant implies the power and right to do so. It establishes the absolute authority in the Creator and Ruler of the universe. When we are adopted into God’s family, we enter a covenant with the sovereign and omnipotent Elohim. We can trust him and believe that we are in our forever family. . .

“For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Romans 8:38-39

Your Turn:

When have you had to trust in the authority and judgment of Elohim?

How has he displayed his power for you in creation?

For a look at one man’s dependance on Elohim, visit this post at Hello Mornings.

This post is linked to:

The post Names of God {Elohim} appeared first on His Pen On My Heart.

I am blogging through the Wonderstruck, Awaken to the Nearness of God, by Margaret Feinburg. Her words have caused not only a reawakening of my sense of wonder, but have also lead me to work through some difficult questions. You can read what other bloggers are saying here.

The storm beckoned and I entered, with a need to feel God’s power.

Yes, I wanted to be wonderstruck, but there was more. I wanted to be awakened, but I also wanted to ask a question.

Six years ago. . .

Anger arose within me and I ran into my room. Fists pounding on the bed, I cried, “Why? Why her? Why so much?”

I was angry at everyone. I was angry at her birth mother for not taking care of her, at the authorities for not protecting her,  at her foster parents for giving up on her, and at the social workers for not advocating for her.  Grief and anxiety erupted a valcano of emotion directed at everyone who had been part of our daughter’s life.

By the time she entered our home, no one could be trusted. Not even three yet, she insisted on changing her own diapers, fixing her own food and administering her own medication. Her insistence was not convincing and I determined to show her what “mother” means; what it means to “always be here.”

With determination, I insisted and she persisted. I was there and she feared. She screamed and I waited. I prayed in silence, until she ran out of tears and gave in. Then, I would care for her, gently reminding her that God made mommies to care for babies and she will never be alone. . . because I will always be here.

At the end of this particular day, I pounded my fists and questioned, “Why?”

Six years later. . .

So much good has taken place, but there is still much to do. I have questioned if healing will ever be complete and have only heard one answer.

For now, we continue this dance of trust and fear. We live with choices from the past. I know why we are here and why we must dance, but I continue to question, “Why? Why is there still so much hurt?”

The questions have become rhetorical.

The better question . . .

As I read about Margaret pounding her fists on the kitchen floor, (Wonderstruck, Ch. 002 ) I felt the grief within my chest and remembered my own pounding. She wrote of her own “why” and explained that the answer was “who.”

“Sooner or later we all encounter situations that leave us baffled. Whether a single even or a series of circumstances that assault us with shock and awe, we’re left with unanswerable questions of why?. . . When we ask such questions to the exclusion of all else, we can miss opportunities to encounter God in our midst. Yet the invitation to awaken the wonder all around us remains: even in the affliction, even in the loss, even in the pain, God’s presence remains. ” – Margaret Feinberg, Wonderstruck (Chapter 002)

When the storm loomed and I sought the wonder of God, I walked into an opportunity to ask my question. This time, I did not ask why. This time, I asked who. “Who will heal my daughter?”

Knowing the answer, I wanted to experience it.

Andy Cook said, “Look squarely and honestly into the center of the dark clouds and the raging storm. For it is there you will find that God has kept His promise to never leave you, to never forsake you, and to never stop using you for His glory.”

Of course, he was referring to the storms of life. I have seen God’s power in all of our storms. This time, I wanted something tangible.  I wanted to see God revealed in what he has made.

“For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made.” – Romans 1:20

God met Job in the storm and spoke to him in a whirlwind. The storm within the storm!

Wind whipped against my skin and I felt his power. Trees lashed violently, leaves swirled, clouds collided, and I saw his wonder. Thunder roared, birds sang, and a cacophony of nature proclaimed the glory of God.

Elohim.

Creator and Judge.

That is who.

“Laying hold of such wonder requires us to shift our question from why to who: Who will walk with me? Who is the source of light in my darkness? Who always proves faithful? As we begin asking these questions, our focus shifts from downward to upward, from inward to outward.” – Maraget Feinberg, Wonderstruck (Chapter 002)

What “why” questions have you asked? How has asking “who” turned your focus upward?

If you would like to know more about the Creator, Elohim, I invite you to return Wednesday for the series, Names of God.

Note: This week’s installment of Names of God will be a little late. You can expect it to be published by noon, Wednesday, April 17th. Email subscribers will receive it in their inbox on Thursday morning. I apologize for the delay.

The post Learning to Ask Better Questions (Wonderstruck Part 2) appeared first on His Pen On My Heart.

Hot and cold collided. The clouds rolled into a canopy  and I was beckoned to enter the glorious throne room. The warm air was blown away by a force slapping tendrils against my face. Light crashed against the grey and I laughed. He awakened the slumbering heart. . .

and I worshiped in the storm.

Wonder Lost

I have felt something missing lately. There used to be a spark, a little flame that shined through. No one has mentioned it in a while and I recently noticed that I have not felt it.

People used to comment on a light in my eyes, joy in my smile, and fervor in my life. It was not there to be noticed, but was impossible to hide. It was not something I could conjure because it was not from me. It was the blush of a girl in love with the Savior.

I have missed that warmth within. Have I become too busy? Am I not taking my prayers seriously? Is this part of growing up? May I never be too old to glow with love for Jesus!

Wonderstruck

First, the title caught my attention. Then, the description reeled me in. Into the first chapter, I wanted to throw it out.  The message rang true, but her words reminded me of someone who hurt me. I remembered how someone saw the spark and commented on its beauty. Someone offered more of the same, more wonder. It was a facade and it nearly led me astray. After fleeing, I held onto the Father out of desperation, but I slipped away from the lover of my soul.

I was once a grown woman who sat in the rain with her children to watch the robins pick worms and the toads hop in puddles. I meandered along the path to notice flowers and critters. I sat in the sun and felt the warmth of God soak through my skin. I sipped coffee by frosted windows and followed the icy pattern with my gaze. I was enamored with the Creator.

That part of my heart slowly fell asleep. I think I last lounged in the grass last spring. I knew that before starting this book, but it was not until I began reading that I knew why.  To experience the wonder that makes my heart skip a beat feels dangerous and frightening.
 
My heart pounds all the way up my throat now, as I read about finding the wonders of God, and my stomach turns in knots. I am pushing through with prayer. I know this is another piece he wishes to heal in my broken heart.

There was a time when I had to pray for peace just to read the Bible again. Now, I’m praying for peace and courage to be wonderstruck.

God Astounds with Wonder

When God’s people were stuck, going through the motions and lacking love in their worship, he responded with something unexpected.

“Therefore once more I will astound these people
with wonder upon wonder. . . ” – Isaiah 29:14

Oh yes, he does!

The day I began reading Wonderstruck, my husband brought home a holder for multiple bird feeders. He helped me place it outside the window where I do my morning devotionals and write. Then we filled the feeders and waited.

It was not long before the locals found the new buffet. A diverse crowd soon gathered for my observation and, as usual, I gave thanks. This time, however, I did more. I talked to God about my fears and pleaded to once again be full of wonder. He reminded me how he cares for the birds and how he cares for me. We communed while the birds ate in community. I partook of the Bread while birds feasted on crumbs.

Then a delicate grey cardinal met me at the window. Her little beak tapped for my attention and I waved a finger. She tapped again and I was amazed by the greeting of this timid breed. I breathed deep and smiled at God.

For a little bird who noticed me, tapped into a sleepy place. A wonder of creation presented in a simple little package, reminded me that God notices my pleas and will awaken me.

He will bring the sparkle back.

This sleepy place within my heart feels tender as it awakes. There is still fear, so I proceed cautiously as a toddler to her Father. I need his tender strength.

That is why I ran into the storm. I needed to feel the wind proclaim his power and hear the earth rejoice. When the rain fell, I felt it and remembered. He will wash it all away. Every hurt and every stain will one day all be gone.

I have joined a group of bloggers who are discussing the wonders of God in the everyday. (Find more here.) I joined with the intention of discovering what has been missing. Reality came quickly and took me by surprise. I know that this journey back to me will not be easy, but I am glad to be on it. My husband has missed the wonder-filled part of me and has been patiently waiting for her return. God bless him for his love and gracious attempts to help.

The post Awakening the Wonder appeared first on His Pen On My Heart.

We sat in a restaurant and scribbled names with crayons on the brown-papered table . Our first born would arrive soon and we had yet to choose a name. The possibilities included family names, names of people we respected, and biblical names. We even wrote the name of a football player. After some deliberation, we settled on a Biblical name for the first and a family name for the second.

Why do parents put so much consideration into names?

Names shape our identity. You never hear of a child named Jezebel or Judas. Do you? Parents want their children to be identified with favor.

A child with an absurd name is more likely to be picked on or become delinquent. Even with a surname as common as Simmons, I was frequently teased. Children thought it was hilarious to ask if Richard was my dad.

Names convey the hope of parents. Even a name chosen simply for the cheerful ring of it, indicates the delight parents expect in their child’s life. Names chosen in memory of someone, carry honor and the hope of continued legacy. Names chosen for their meanings pronounce a blessing every time they are used.

To name something is to take responsibility for or have dominion over it. When two of our children were adopted, we gave them our family name as a promise that we are their forever family and would love and care for them unconditionally.

Why should we consider the Names of God?

The names of God reveal his character. Just as names may shape our identity today, names described character in the Hebrew culture.

The names of God are a call to trust him. When we are picked on in this world, we can remember these truths.

“The name of the LORD is a strong tower;
the righteous man runs into it and is safe.” – Proverbs 18:10

“And those who know your name put their trust in you,
for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you.” – Psalm 9:10

The names of God convey hope. God revealed his names at critical times in the lives of his people. They were spoken along with blessings and in the making of covenants. When God told people another of his names, he revealed another reason to hope.

The names of God reveal his dominion in our lives. All of God’s names were made by him alone. We do not name him, and neither do we have dominion over him. In each name that he revealed through scripture, however, he shows us his power, knowledge and presence in our lives.

Are the names of God relevant today?

“Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.” – Psalm 20:7

Most of the people in the world no longer trust in chariots or horses, but the concept remains the same. Some trust in power and security the world has to offer: money, status, physical strength, etc. To trust in the name of the LORD our God, we must come to know him.

By reveling his names, God tells us. . .

. . . when life is chaotic and full of worry, he is

Jehovah Shalom – LORD our Peace

. . . when you do not know where the next paycheck will come from, he is

Jehovah Jirah – LORD who Provides

. . . when you feel alone and without someone who understands, he is

Jehovah Shama – LORD is There

. . . when the health of a loved one is compromised, he is

Jehovah Rafa – LORD who Heals

This is only a sampling of the names of God. Whatever your need, he is able. For he is, El Shadai, Almighty God, and he wants you to call him by name.

We have embarked on a marvelous study, bringing us to a fuller knowledge of God. The use of these names has the potential to enrich your prayer life, enthuse your Bible readings and increase your faith.

I am so glad you are here and hope that you will come back next Wednesday!

Your turn!

• How did you choose your children’s names?
• Why would you like to know the Names of God?

The post Names of God {An Introduction} appeared first on His Pen On My Heart.

Welcome to the place my thoughts call home, the pages of my heart. Please, make yourself at home. We’re having a party today. What is the Ultimate Blog Party, you ask? Oh, Have a seat and I’ll fill you in.

Every year, 5 Minutes for Mom hosts the Ultimate Blog Party for bloggers to mingle and make new friends. It is quite simple. Write a party post on your site, sharing what you and your site are all about, and then add the URL of that party post to the applicable list at 5 Minutes for Moms so that others can find you and your blog. (Go here for more information!)

Let’s see. . . I should introduce myself. Would you like to know how to pronounce my unusual name? (Go here.)I am wife to a good man who makes me laugh even when I don’t want to. I am also the mother to three energetic and adventurous children. We recently moved from Canada to Pennsylvania where we serve in full-time ministry. The last three years of our lives have seen a lot of change, teaching us more about the grace and mercy of Christ, as well as the freedom He gives.

Much of this blog is dedicated to the things I learn raising adopted children and living with Fibromyalgia. I get excited about the things I learn in scripture and often share them here. Last year, I began sharing my story of spiritual abuse and my journey to healing. My thoughts tend to wander from here to there. Overall, this blog is about my life in Christ and the things He pens on my heart. . . the lessons I learn in the journey.

Since it’s a party, I’d like to introduce you to some of my friends. We call ourselves Mosaics for Him, a mastermind group made of women from all walks of life. (Go here to find out what a mastermind group is.)

(Pictured left to right – blogs linked: Me, Tobi, Mary Beth, Mandy. Not pictured: Heather, Nikki, Kara, Wendy, Stacey, Jenni, Michele-Lyn, andBrenda)

Before you go, I’d like to give you an invitation to something special going on here.

***Be sure to like my facebook page, where every few weeks I invite bloggers to leave their blog links in the comments.

Later, I share one post per day. Every blogger gets a turn being featured on my page! It’s my little way of sharing the fan-love!

Now, how about you? Won’t you please tell me about yourself?

The post 2013 Ultimate Blog Party appeared first on His Pen On My Heart.

I was in the ninth grade, fourteen years old, when the teacher called me to her desk. “Miss Simmons, Could you please see me after class?” I did not understand what I had done that would lead to the detention. Sure, I had been known for talking too much, but this was a new school and the year had just begun. I could not possibly be in trouble, yet!

“You seem to have forgotten how to spell your name. I’ve noticed it on every paper you have turned in.”

Well, that was a first. I had received many comments regarding my name, but I had never been accused of misspelling it.

“No, that’s the way my name is spelled.”

Without so much as a blink, she went on, “Well, in my class, I would prefer that you use the name on your birth certificate.”

Was she serious?

“That is the name on my birth certificate!”

She continued to argue, “The class ledger spells your name T-E-R-E-S-A.”

“Well, the class ledger is wrong. It must be a typo. My parents named me, ‘Tuh-ray-suh’ spelled T-E-R-E-A-S-A.”

My mom named me after her foster sister, but when she wrote Teresa, it did not seem long enough. So, she stuck an extra /a/ in it. I was almost Mary Teresa, but my dad did not want me to become a nun. Mary was quickly dismissed.

I was supposed to be called, “Teri,” but it never stuck. As I reached school age and people tried to use it, I did not understand where it came from. I thought Teri was a boy name and I was a girly girl. That is also when I figured out the unique spelling of my name. On my own, I decided it was pronounced, “Tuh-ray-suh.”

“Like a ray of sunshine.”

That little /a/ caused much frustration over the next seventeen years. Not only could people not spell or pronounce my name, I always got the generic gifts when everyone else received the personalized. You know, the mugs or bookmarks with names and their meanings? Yea, either I got the generic one that said, “You’re special,” or the one with my name spelled wrong. It was disappointing, but I think having my name mispronounced bothered me more.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Tereasa.”

“Tracy?”

“No, Tereasa.”

“Trisha?”

“Tuh. Ray. Suh.”

“Oh! Teresa. Is that with an h or without?”

“Umm… nevermind.”

The only place people pronounced my name without any trouble was in Ecuador. Sure, they rolled the r, but at least they got the long /a/ sound right.

Frustrations grew when I attended Bible college with a diverse student body. A lot of students were international, but even the American students butchered my name. I think the farther away from Mexico they were from, the worse they pronounced it.

“Tressa?”

“Teri-a-sa?”

“Tersa?”

“Trassa?”

I have never understood what is so hard about replacing the long /e/ with a long /a/ in my name, but it is very difficult for most people.

Therefore, I gave up. When we moved to Canada shortly after our wedding, I told my husband I was changing my name. It was the perfect time for change in a country where only a few knew me as Tereasa with a long /a/. When people asked how to pronounce the unique spelling of my name, I would simply reply, “Tuh-ree-suh.”

The problem of spelling still exists, but I no longer have long conversations about the pronunciation. Neither do I have to remind people who ask every time they see me, “How do you say your name, again?”

**sigh**

So, now you know this intimate bit of information.

Did you know that about names? When you tell someone your name, you give them permission to know you.

Did you know that God wants you to know him? He reveals himself by name throughout scripture.  In fact, he uses a variety of names to reveal his character and to invite us into a more intimate relationship.

Next week, I will begin a weekly series on the Names of God so you can know him in ways you may never have considered. Some of these names may not be new to you. Perhaps, a lot will be.  In either case, I hope that you will join me and participate in the discussion that follows.

Let’s make it official!

No RSVP necessary.

Your turn! Leave a comment and tell me something about your name. What is the history of your name? Has it caused any frustrating or positive experiences for you?

Linking with these fine ladies today:

The post The Story About My Name (An Invitation to a New Series, Names of God) appeared first on His Pen On My Heart.