Names

Names are important.  Think about how Zachariah (in the Bible) wasn't allowed to speak until he declared "His name is John".  A name identifies a person.  I like my name.  I was always glad that it was a little different (there were a lot of Tammy's in my class at school - not that there is anything wrong with the name Tammy).  My maiden name is Norwegian and means "field of flowers".  In Norway the surname has to do with where you live.  If you moved, it could change.  Interesting. I was happy to take my husband's name when we married.  I wanted to be identified as being part of him and his family even though I still love and am a part of my parent's family too.

 When naming our children, we always paid special attention to the meaning of the name.  Personally, I never wanted to name a baby until I met, held and observed who he or she was (at least for a short time).  The hospital, relatives etc. push for a name immediately.  In many cultures a baby is not named for at least eight days after birth.


 

I enjoy learning about the names of God. If you search on the internet for names of God, you will come up with some great websites.  Some give Jewish names, some names or definitions of the Holy Spirit, Father, Son, some of Old Testament names, etc.  The website www.smilegodlovesyou.org/names.html. gives an alphabetical list. (a sampling of the list is given below) and www.characterbuildingforfamilies.com/names.html  is good.
I will be studying this as long as I live!

 Ellen - "bright light" or "shining light"

THE NAMES OF GOD

OLD TESTAMENT NAMES FOR GOD

ELOHIM......Genesis 1:1, Psalm 19:1

meaning "God", a reference to God's power and might.

ADONAI......Malachi 1:6

meaning "Lord", a reference to the Lordship of God.

JEHOVAH--YAHWEH.....Genesis 2:4

a reference to God's divine salvation.

JEHOVAH-MACCADDESHEM.......Exodus 31:13

meaning "The Lord thy sanctifier"

JEHOVAH-ROHI......Psalm 23:1

meaning "The Lord my shepherd"

JEHOVAH-SHAMMAH.......Ezekiel 48:35

meaning "The Lord who is present"

JEHOVAH-RAPHA.........Exodus 15:26

meaning "The Lord our healer"

JEHOVAH-TSIDKENU......Jeremiah 23:6

meaning "The Lord our righteousness"

JEHOVAH-JIREH.........Genesis 22:13-14

meaning "The Lord will provide"

JEHOVAH-NISSI.........Exodus 17:15

meaning "The Lord our banner"

JEHOVAH-SHALOM........Judges 6:24

meaning "The Lord is peace"

JEHOVAH-SABBAOTH......Isaiah 6:1-3

meaning "The Lord of Hosts"

JEHOVAH-GMOLAH........Jeremiah 51:6

meaning "The God of Recompense"

EL-ELYON..............Genesis 14:17-20,Isaiah 14:13-14

meaning "The most high God

EL-ROI................Genesis 16:13

meaning "The strong one who sees"

EL-SHADDAI............Genesis 17:1,Psalm 91:1

meaning "The God of the mountains or God Almighty"

EL-OLAM...............Isaiah 40:28-31

meaning "The everlasting God"

Be Careful Around Mold

I had a small amount of mold exposure yesterday. and it has thrown me into bed because of extreme weakness, exhaustion and pain.  Be careful with mold, or rather stay far away from it if you can.  It effects everyone of us, even if you don't notice it right away.  The effects can be long lasting, and sometimes even permanent neurological damage can occur.  You can breathe it in, or absorb it into your bloodstream through your skin by touching moldy/musty papers etc.  Please be careful.

Ellen

A Sobering Note

Being human is tough.  A lot of people are hurting and most of us can't see it.  Many of us who are hurting don't share the details. 

Have you experienced things that have shaken you to the core, left you feeling deeply wounded, betrayed and in shock?

The incident or conversation that caused the above, may have upset a lot of how you viewed the other person or thing in life, to the point you felt the need to reexamine your heart, decisions, convictions, world view and what you held as right or wrong.  You were shaken up, drained, grieved, until the issue was resolved - IF it ever was. 

You had a need for humility, forgiveness, cleansing and healing.  Then you had to learn to learn to live with the new information and the deep wounds and hurts that you hoped would eventually scar.

Some pain is past.  Some of it is new this week.   Some of the scars are being scraped.

The deeper we love, the more deeply we can be hurt.  Jesus knew that kind of hurt - betrayal, spurn, ridicule, disgust - more severely than we ever will.  He understands.  He will make things right at the appropriate time.  If we run to him, he will carry us as we grieve and are too weak to walk. 

People grieve for things in addition to death.  Other hurts we endure often require grieving - for something has been lost.

Some are grieving the death of a person they feel they cannot live without.  Others have lost more than is conceivable through divorce.  Some are enduring the ravages of cancer or other disease slowly stealing away the body and soul of someone they love.  Some have a spouse who is being unfaithful through adultery/pornography.  Others have found their own child has betrayed their trust.  Many are grieving multiple scenarios.

We are told to have the joy of the Lord as our strength (and it should be even in the midst of grief).  The Bible also tells us that there is a time to mourn.  Sometimes it is not appropriate to tell someone to cheer up.  Sometimes they have  to cry.  Everyone handles grief differently.  There is not perfect way to work through the hurt.  Give your grieving friend space and support.  Support with few words, and show love in practical ways, = action or listening.  Do not rush your friend.  Help him/her move ahead in God's time, not yours.

Some wounds take longer to heal that others. Some wounds get torn open again and again.

Whom do you know that is hurting today?  I encourage you on his/her behalf, to help bear their burden in some way this week. (Ephesians 6:2)

Ellen