What's In A Name (aka: My Soapbox for the week)

When I was pregnant and before we knew that Joshua was going to be... Joshua, we thought long and hard what we would name our child. We both KNEW that it had to be a good and strong Christian name.

Sometimes people choose to name a child in honor of a family member. Some people choose to name a child after a celebrity. Some people try to choose a name that is unique and NOBODY has ever used before. And some people, like us, look for a name who's meaning is something of a good characteristic.

We chose Joshua (Jehovah is salvation) Aaron (light bearer) with the thought in mind that he would grow up learning that Jehovah IS salvation and that he (Joshua) would live for sharing the good news that Jesus is our salvation.

But there is another name that we have chosen not just for Joshua, but for ourselves. It is the name of Christian. We, as many others have labeled ourselves as "Christian".

When you look up the definition of Christian, you will find:

a : one who professes belief in the teachings of Jesus Christ
b: Disciple (which is defined as: one who accepts and assists in spreading the doctrines of another)

So by taking on the name of Christian, we are professing belief in the teachings of Jesus Christ but additionally we are to assist in spreading these doctrines/teachings.

I know this is rather basic, but we've all been taught "Teach by example"- I may not be a good teacher and I am definitely not called to preach (haha) but, if I live my life in a way that is harmonious with the teachings of Jesus Christ, then I am "assisting in spreading His doctrines" (Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Mat 5:16)

So what are the teachings of Jesus Christ? While there is a lot contained in the scriptures of how we should live, this scripture has always seemed to me, plain as day, what we are to do as "Christians":
Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. Eccl 12:13


FEAR GOD and keep His commandments- I saw in an email today: Going to church makes you no more a Christian than standing in the garage makes you a car. You can't call yourself a Christian just because you occupy a seat in the church house on Sundays. You have to DO something. Now don't misunderstand me. I am not talking about our eternal salvation here, I am talking about taking on the name Christian here in this life.

In times past a man's good name was worth it's weight in gold. To have your name tarnished was the worst thing that could possibly happen. When we are living ungodly lives Monday-Saturday for all the world to see, we are TARNISHING the good name of Christians. We are tarnishing the good names of our families and we are tarnishing the good names of our churches- It makes me think of identity theft. Lets say someone steals your identity, goes out and does a bunch of illegal stuff using your name, destroys your credit- you have nothing to do with it, yet your good name has been destroyed. Well it's the same thing- whether you are the one living ungodly or there is someone you know that is living ungodly yet claiming to be Christian- they are destroying your credibility to others.... do you know how hard it is to witness to someone about your church when your credibility is destroyed?

It infuriates me to see people on FB/Myspace who claim a certain religious affiliation (whether it be PB, or just "Christianity") yet their profile/home page couldn't be more contrary. Why would you profess to the world wide web that you are "Christian" and then turn around and upload photos of you drinking/partying? Or use profanity that is so filthy that your mother would have to wash her mouth out with soap just for reading it. Or claim to be of a religious affiliation and not even bother to come to church at all. NO FEAR OF GOD

Now that it is 4:15am I should probably wrap this up by saying: I can't control those around me, but I can control myself. I will work extra hard to not be a reproach to my God, my church, and my family and I pray that others around me will take their profession of faith seriously and that as a nation we will return to the Lord- Fear God and Keep His Commandments

Count Your Many Blessings

For those of you who know me well, and see me daily/weekly/or often enough know that things have been tough lately. For those who know me REALLY well, know that of late, I have not been myself.

I have been extremely sad, quick to anger, and down-right moody. Without divulging too much info- I chalk most of it up to hormones, stress, and too much self-absorbency (you know being too full of self pity)

My church life has been mostly lukewarm. I am having a difficult time adjusting to church-life as a mommy... has it already been a year since I REALLY heard a sermon???

And don't get me started on my home life... lets just say- stress+depression= one very unmotivated wife and mother.

Why am I telling you all this? Why am I sharing the self-pity? Well after a nice night out with Jim and a long talk about my selfish feelings, I have been encouraged that now is the time that I can be an encourager. WHAT??? ME??? ENCOURAGE OTHERS???? You must be joking right? You want me to get off my pity pot and encourage others???? Well, he's right!

We are told in the scriptures to go and tell what great things the Lord has done for us. Even in our darkest hours, we can still count our blessings and witness to others how the Lord provides exceeding abundantly above more than we can ask or think:

1. My family and Jim's family are right here to help me/us (some people are going through a lot worse and are far away from their family)
2. My husband is too busy (with odd jobs) to look for work (some people are without jobs and have NO income at all)
3. My son is by far one of the healthiest kids I know- he's never even run a fever
4. We are dieting to lose weight, which means we eat more than we should, which means we have more than we need (when we went to the Celtic Thunder concert in St. Pete, there were at least 3 homeless people that we saw looking through the trash cans for food)
5. I have been taught the wonderful truth of the Lord that I can glean on during this time when I am unable to focus on the sermons because of Joshua's figityness.
6. I have been blessed with a child (for which I longed- so many years)
7. I have a husband who is willing to give up EVERYTHING of himself so that I may have anything I want.
8. I have friends who know what I am going through and offer a sympathetic ear and even when things aren;t great for them, they listen to MY burdens
9. I have people praying for me to the only ONE who can help


When upon life's billows you are tempest tossed
When you are discouraged thinking all is lost
Count your many blessings name them one by one
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done

I can't say that I will be 100% my normal self from now on but I am going to try to cast my burdens at Jesus feet and meditate on the wonderful blessings He has bestowed on me.