Hey, What is Your Name?

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What is your name…again?  I am so sorry…

I am terrible with names. I often ask people I meet what their name is, but I seldom remember their name…maybe their face or some other random fact (like the clothes they are wearing, where I met them), but not usually their name.

“A person’s name is to him or her the sweetest and most important sound in any language.”  –Dale Carnegie in “How to Win Friends and Influence People”

Recently, in preparation for a presentation at a women’s conference, I found an article about the importance of remembering a person’s name. (Wait…I forgot her name…Found it!). Here is the link, if you would like to read it (Why it’s Important to Remember People’s Names ). Below are Tricia’s suggestions for remembering a person’s name.

Five Steps to Remembering a Name

  1. Focus on the other person. Try to learn a little bit about them. Listen, smile, and give them your full attention.
  2. Ask a question. Maybe a question about their name, then follow up with an open ended question to learn more about them. Listen more, make mental notes about what they are saying and repeat their name to yourself.
  3. Create an image or association of the person with the name. To help you remember their name, link it in your mind to something familar to you. Example: Betty like to bake…Amy is artsy…you get the idea.
  4. End the conversation by using the person’s name again. I am glad to have met you, Betty. I hope to see you again soon.”
  5. Keep a name file. As soon as it is practical, write down the name with a line or two about the person. 

We feel more valued and respected when someone remembers our name. We feel more engaged in a conversation when someone uses our name….When you use someone’s name, it shows you see that person as an individual. When you remember it, it shows your interest in and respect for that individual.   –Tricia Drevets

So I am convicted…ahem...convinced it is important to remember a person’s name and to remember some specific information about the person to show I value and respect them. Now back to my presentation.  Would not the same be true for God?  Should I (we) not also go to the trouble to remember God’s name, develop a mental image (understanding) of Him, and keep a name file to help us remember His name and some important about Him (His nature and character) as a way to show God that we value and respect Him? Think about it…

Those Who Know His Name

Knowing God name, His great mercy and power, will change how I live. I will boast (make mention, remember) in the name of my Lord God.

7 Some nations boast of their chariots and horses, 

but we boast in the name of the Lord our God. 

8 Those nations will fall down and collapse, 

but we will rise up and stand firm.

Psalm 20:7-8 nlt 

Not only that but when I know God by name I will seek refuge in Him because I trust Him… 

9 The Lord is a shelter for the oppressed, 

a refuge in times of trouble. 

10 Those who know your name trust in you, 

for you, O Lord, do not abandon those who search for you.  

Psalm 9:9-10 nlt 

and rely on Him for my protection. I would be be confident that He hears my cries and will rescue me from trouble.

14 The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me.

I will protect those who trust in my name.

15 When they call on me, I will answer;

I will be with them in trouble.

I will rescue and honor them.

Psalm 91:14-16 nlt 

My name is…

God introduces Himself through His word. In the next few weeks we will look at five names of God, focusing on what He says about Himself, asking Him questions to help us develop a mental image of God. I will include a file listing God’s Names and some verses where He reveals He character (nature) to us through that name. So stay tune…

Sherry

Got Lemons?? Choose Joy

When life gives lemons…

What can you do when life gives you lemons?                                        Sour lemons like...illness, job loss, broken relationships, natural disasters, the list could go on and on.                                                                You could get angry, lash out at just about everyone around you, or you could withdraw, isolate yourself, slide into a hopeless depression.

Or You could choose joy!

Joy…not be as a response to the terrible awlful sour lemons of life, but joy that is a daily choice no matter the circumstances you find yourself in.  It is choosing to find joy in God— joy that comes out of not just a belief in a God, but a closeness with the God. A day in and day out kind of joy that is a result of your coming into and remaining in the presence of God…

You will make known to me the path of life;

In Your presence is fullness of joy;

    In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.

Psalm 16:11 nlt

We can choose joy when we completely trust God…a deep “my life is in your hands” kind of trust. This is only possible when we acknowledge our limited understanding and God’s infinite understanding. A trust that comes when, we are willing to say “I may not like where I am right now, but I trust You to work according to Your purposes and bring good.”

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us…  Romans 5:3-5

We can choose joy when we look beyond today to eternity. This life is rough, people will be unpleasant, and disappointments will come. And if we only focus on the trouble, difficulties and pain of today, we will never be able to have a true sustaining joy. It is only when we look pass the mess of today that we are able to have joy. Joy that comes because of the hope and amazing experience life with God forever will be.

…let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2

Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen. Jude 24-25