Ecclesiastes tells us that, "A good name is better than a precious ointment." (7:1)
Proverbs 22:1 quotes, "A good name is to be more desired than great riches.
JAXSON
A good name...something to be cherished and valued...a name so grounded in what is good and right that just the uttering of the name brings to mind pictures of integrity, trust, character.
Jaxson and Jantzen's parents have made a decision that their boys will be brought up, not just living up to their names...but to live up to the One who truly knows all of our names. They got the idea from close friends and I wish I had thought of this when my children were growing up.
Jennah and Jaaf prayed over their boys and asked the Lord to show them not only the godly characteristics that He would like for the boys to pursue, but also those fun, delightful characteristics that the Lord Himself placed inside of them when He knit them together. Then they wrote these words down for the boys so that the boys can memorize them and then they pray these words over the boys at night...to remind them not just WHO they are...but WHOSE they are.
Jennah's precious friend, Rebekah, who shared this wonderful gift, told her that all through her growing up years, at different times in her life, times of sadness, or questioning, or doubting through teen years...the blessings of her name were carved into her heart to remind her who she is in Christ.
With the help of their parents, God is carving these words into the hearts of our boys as well, as they pray over their boys individually and thank the Lord for these specific characteristics and to help develop them into great men of God who will be strong and courageous warriors for Him.
These papers are posted at the head of each boy's bed so that with their waking up,
and with their lying down...they are reminded of a greater calling.
J - JUST
A - ABLE TO DO ALL THINGS IN CHRIST
X - EXUBERANT
S - SILLY
O - OPTIMISTIC
N- NOBLE
And don't think that he doesn't know what these words mean, either. He is just and fair.
He is learning that he is able to do miraculous things in Christ.
He is exuberance personified from the moment he wakes up to the moment he goes to bed.
There are few 6 year old's with a sense of humor like Jaxson...he can tell jokes, he gets jokes and he loves telling a great story!
He is optimistic and the best encourager I have ever met.
And the older he gets, the more we see his noble side...excellence, well-known, showing a courageous spirit.
I could sit and listen to Jantzen recite his characteristics all day.
J - JOYFUL
A - ABLE TO DO ALL THINGS IN CHRIST
N - NOTABLE
T- TRUSTWORTHY (Or as Jantzen would say, "Twustwowy")
Z - ZEALOUS (Zelwus)
E - EXCEPTIONAL
N - NOBLE
Our middle guy has the absolute best giggle...it is deep, it is full, it is joyful.
He is learning as well that through Christ, he is able to do awesome things.
Even at 4 years old, Jantzen is a notable character...noteworthy, prominent, someone to take note of.
We can all count on Jantz, he is supportive and reliable, and the older he gets, the more trustworthy he will grow.
If you doubt that a 4 year old can be zealous...you have not seen him play Mario Kart or Lego Rock Band!
And as far as exceptional goes...again...watch him driving a track with Mario Kart...he plays to win and he usually does and is exceptional in whatever he tries.
And noble - like his brother, and even though Baby Jarrett does not have an "N" in his name...He will be noble as well...because their parents are instilling the values of a strong, courageous and generous spirit.
JARRETT
Our littlest munchkin is already showing us the delightful person that God made him to be!
He does not know the meanings of his name yet...but it won't be long before he knows that he is:
J - JOYOUS
A - ABLE TO DO ALL THINGS IN CHRIST
R - RESPECTFUL
R - REMARKABLE
E - ENERGETIC
T - TERRIFIC
T - TRUTHFUL
Let me just say he already has the joyous and energetic gifts down...just ask his mother at 4:00 a.m. when he is ready to play!
Maybe you have children at home who need to be established in the importance of Whose they are!
Maybe you have teenagers who are subjected daily to the onslaught of lies society tells them they are.
Maybe you, yourself, need to be reminded that you were wonderfully made.
See what the Lord would show you through the name you already bear.
A NAME...WHAT'S IN IT...WHAT SIGNIFICANCE CAN IT BRING?
YOU TELL ME...
J - JUSTIFIER - "For whom He also justified, and whom He justified, He also glorified." Rom. 8:30
E - EMMANUEL - "They shall call His name Emmanuel..." Matt. 1:23
S - SON OF MAN - "In order that you may know the Son of Man has authority to forgive sins." Matt. 9:6
U - UNSPEAKABLE GIFT - "Thanks be to God for His Unspeakable Gift!" 2Cor.9:15
S - SAVIOR - "The Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the world." 1 John 4:14
OR MAYBE YOU LIKE THIS ONE BETTER:
C -CHOSEN - "This is MY Son, MY Chosen One." Luke 9:35
H - HIDING PLACE - "You are my Hiding Place, You preserve me..." Ps. 32:7
R - RESURRECTION - "I am the Resurrection...he who believes in Me will live even if he dies." Jn 11:25
I - I AM - "Truly, truly I say to you...I AM." Jn 8:58
S - STONE - (I am) "The Stone that the builders rejected...the Chief Cornerstone..."Matt. 21:42
T - TRUE - "He who sits on the white horse is called Faithful and True..." Rev. 19:11
What's in a name? Maybe the better question is Who's in a Name?
"But now, this is what the LORD, your Creator says...He who formed you...'Do not fear (the great Namer says), for I have redeemed you! I have called you by NAME.....YOU ARE MINE!" Is. 43:1
But the most marvelous name of all...we all share it...it is spelled the same way for you as it is for me...or for Jaxson, or Jantzen, or Jarrett....
H-I-S
PASS THE WORD
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