What's your name?

 

“Your identity is like your shadow: not always visible

and yet always present.” Fausto Cercignani

 
A name is one of the first gifts a parent gives to their child. It’s one of the first things that we lead with when we introduce ourselves to someone new. Yet, picking a name for a baby can be an overwhelming, stressful process. It will be a tag that a child will have for the rest of his or her life.
  There’s a new study out that people alter their appearance to suit their names. Researchers sought to determine whether parents choose a baby name based on what seems fitting for the baby's appearance, or if an individual’s facial appearance changes over the years to align with the social stereotypes associated with his or her name.
  In the study, 9- to 10-year-old children and adults were asked to match faces to names. The findings revealed that both the children and the adults correctly matched adult faces to their corresponding names, significantly above the chance level. However, when it came to children's faces and names, the participants were unable to make accurate connections.
  The researchers concluded that the similarity between a person's face and name results from a self-fulfilling prophecy. Adult facial appearances change over time to align with stereotypes associated with the name. Stereotypes can be formed in many ways, for example, because the name is linked to a famous figure or due to the connotations of say a biblical name.
  On this one, I’m a skeptic. In my junior year of high school there were four of us named Scott, all in the same homeroom. If you Google Scott, there are many famous people named Scott. Though I’d have loved to have had the musical ability of a Scott Joplin, I’ve never been interested in acting like Scott Bakula, Scott Baio or Scott Caan. Yet, I would have loved to have just a bit of the athletic ability of a Scott Hamilton.
  If you’re a Christ-follower, there’s a name we must live up to. Are you living up to yours? The name Christian has virtually become meaningless. That wasn’t the case when it was first used. It was almost written as a footnote with no explanation in Acts 11:26: “And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.”
  Those early believers were distinctly different from the culture they lived in. Because they lived in an environment without a connection to Judaism like the church in Jerusalem had, believers in Antioch really stuck out. Antioch was a Roman city, influenced by the Roman and Greek way of life. It was the third largest city in the Roman Empire. As those around them observed the life differences in those believers, a new label began to form. They were called Christians because they followed Christ. What were some defining marks that set believers apart from their culture?  
  They continually spoke of Jesus and what He’d done for them. When Barnabas arrived in Antioch to check out the church, he saw the grace of God. Many of those believers had been radically saved. Their conversion stories were often sharp and distinct, so they loved to tell their community of the love of Christ. They shared the gospel with those around them.
  They lived out their devotion to Christ for everyone to see. Their lives were significantly different from the society around them. Their dissimilarity with their culture was a new experience for the church. Jerusalem believers lived a lifestyle like the culture they lived in, one steeped in Judaism. Judaism and Christianity overlap in moral matters, so the church stood out mostly for its belief in Jesus as the Messiah. But, in Antioch, the new behavior and morality of Christians was far different from the lifestyle of those around them. Yet, these believers were part of the city, rather than isolationists like the Jewish community there. Neither isolationistic nor idolaters, they became a fascination for many in Antioch.
  They were a multiethnic, diverse community. In those days, religion and race were entwined together in a tangled knot. Race often determined your religion. As Christianity spread, conversions occurred everywhere. Since they took the gospel wherever they went, new believers were of every race and culture, which resulted in a multiethnic, diverse church.
  They had a new sexual ethic. Believers in Antioch fled the Roman-sexual anything goes morality to live a biblical one. They respected women, recognizing they deserved honor and equality. They celebrated marriage and that the only Christ-honoring sexual experience was in a covenantal union. It was so starkly unique that it shocked non-Christ followers.
  They had a new work ethic. Rather than living to acquire wealth, believers worked with the goal of bringing honor to God. They wanted their work to reflect well on God and saw work as a means of worship.  
  They loved one another. Their love for other believers stood out most of all. They were known by their love. As they lovingly lived with one another day in, day out, the rest of the community took note of the way they treated each other and those outside their group. Even when mistreated, they loved the world around them. They were united despite race, position (slave or free), politics, or economics.
  Those early Christ-followers, like Jesus, were an enigma. They didn’t fit the existing categories. They didn’t disassociate from their world yet were distinctly different from their world.
  It reminds me of a story of Alexander the Great. One night Alexander couldn't sleep and walked around the campgrounds. He came across a soldier asleep on guard duty. The penalty for falling asleep on guard duty was death. The soldier began to wake up as Alexander the Great approached him. Recognizing Alexander, the young man feared for his life. "Do you know what the penalty is for falling asleep on duty?" Alexander asked the soldier. "Yes, sir," the soldier responded in a quivering voice.
  "Soldier, what's your name?" demanded Alexander the Great. "Alexander, sir." Alexander the Great repeated the question: "What’s your name?" "My name is Alexander, sir," the soldier repeated. A third time and more loudly Alexander the Great asked, "What’s your name?" For the third time the soldier meekly said, "My name is Alexander, sir." Then, Alexander the Great looked the young man straight in the eye. "Soldier," he said, "either change your name or change your conduct."
  We live in a unique cultural moment, filled with opportunity. If Christians today will live like the church in Antioch lived, our faith and walk with Christ will stand out in beautiful ways. The name “Christian” should be our identity. Others interacting with us should see Christ. Are you living in a way so that others would label you a Christian?

Can we help you spiritually? Please check out more resources on our church's web page, Gracechurchwi.org. Or call us at 262.763.3021. If you'd like to know more about how Jesus can change your life, I'd love to mail you a copy of how Jesus changed my life in "My Story." E-mail me at Carson@gracechurchwi.org to request a free copy. Please include your mailing address. 

 

Don't invite your neighbor to church???

 

“It occurs to me that this is not a neighborhood;

 it is only a collection of unconnected individuals.”   Philip Langdon

 

Be honest. Would you want to live next door to you? Something has happened to the good old American neighborhood. Those who grew up with shows like Andy Griffith, Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood, Cheers, or even Friends carry a longing for a neighborhood that actually works. We want to live next door to Aunt Bea or Chandler Bing. We’d even welcome quirky neighbors like Cosmo or Sheldon. Wouldn’t it be nice to stroll across the backyard in the evening to draw upon the wisdom of Wilson, our neighbor on the other side of the fence, as we process a problem or crisis? We don’t need a home where the buffalo roam. We need a front porch with a swing or rocking chairs for neighbors to stop by to swap stories, insights, opinions, hurts and even disappointments.
  Summer is here! Before winter drives us back inside our castles, we have about four months to build bridges. When the cold hits, our chariots drive up, drawbridges rise up and down, and lights go on inside. Other than dealing with snow, there are few signs of human life in our castles.
  Can I make an odd request from a pastor? Do something better than inviting your neighbor to church – please instead invite them into your life! Get to know them as a person, as Imago Dei, an image bearer of God.  
  Who is your neighbor? Our neighbor is anyone in our proximity with whom we can share God’s love. We’re called not only to love those similar to us or with whom we’re comfortable, but all whom God places in our path. Jesus said, “I’m telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the supple moves of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does. He gives His best—the sun to warm and the rain to nourish—to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that. In a word, what I’m saying is, ‘Grow up.’ You’re kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you.” (Matthew 5:44-48, The Message).
  As God shows love to all people, as His  children, you and I are commanded to do the same. We are to work to help our neighbors to connect our stories to the greater story that God is creating in the world. Developing relationships with your neighbors will help you all feel cared for rather than isolated. Most of us have half a dozen neighbors in close proximity. How can we grow in the art of neighboring?
  Know their name. Know the names of their children. All of us have had that blank brain moment. Here’s a tool for remembering their names – pray for them. Add them to your prayer list for your Quiet Time. Pray for them as a family before you eat a meal. As you pray, ask God to help you notice and care about the needs of those who live near you. Ask Him to empower you to be flexible with your schedule so you can accommodate neighbors.
  Slow down and create white space. You must choose to make room for neighborhood relationships. To have time and energy available for reaching out to neighbors takes creating space by letting go of activities that aren’t as important as loving them. Most of us can easily cut back on time on phones or TVs and never miss it.  
  Ask the Lord to help you move from a lifestyle of busyness to one of conversation and community. Adopt a slower pace so you’ll have time to develop relationships with neighbors. Ask God to help you say “no” to even some good activities so you can focus on what’s more important, building relationships with neighbors. Too many of us cram our lives with family and Christian friends so that there’s no space for relationships with neighbors. Be flexible about your daily agenda. Be willing to be interrupted or inconvenienced so you can love your neighbors as God wants you to.
  Ask God for courage. Many never had making new friends modeled for them, so it can be intimidating. Some of our neighbors are as nervous of  approaching us, as we are of them. Very few people are actually dangerous. They’re usually just normal people with maybe some interesting quirks. Remember God has placed a desire to be accepted, and cared for in everyone’s life. Neighbors will usually welcome your efforts to get to know them. Take the initiative to break through the isolation in your neighborhood. It can be something as simple as taking over cookies. If you grow a garden share with neighbors. If you buy fresh vegetables, buy a little extra to be able to give some away. Thoughtfulness touches hearts.
  Be the neighbor that you wish you had. If you have friends over for a party, keep the noise down. Shut things down early so as not to keep neighbors awake. If you can, invite them to join you. If you have a pet, keep it in your yard. If it barks, bring it inside quickly. If you have young children, teach them to respect the boundaries of fences and sidewalks.
  Converse wisely with your neighbors. Listen more than you talk. Ask questions to learn who they are and they’re interests. Everyone has a story and longs for others to listen to them and care. It’s why social media is so popular. If you differ on politics, social issues, or lifestyle choices, listen – gain new insights and perspectives. Look at life from their worldview. Never argue or be belligerent. Be a bridge builder, not a wall builder.
  That statement about Jesus should challenge us: “Jesus was the friend of sinners.” God hasn’t called us to only be friends with nice, churchy people. He’s called us to reach our world like He did. He left heaven and came into this world because He loved people like us…and we’re a big mess. He placed us in our neighborhoods and wants us to get outside of our safe homes and yards to show His love to those around us. Your neighborhood is your mission field. How are you doing on being Jesus there?
  Recently, I happened on a blog entitled “12 Days of Neighboring.” Summer is about 12 weeks, why not use some of its ideas to make this summer “12 Weeks of Neighboring”? Here’s the link: https://www.watermark.org/blog/12-days-of-neighboring

Can we help you spiritually? Please check out more resources on our church's web page, Gracechurchwi.org. Or call us at 262.763.3021. If you'd like to know more about how Jesus can change your life, I'd love to mail you a copy of how Jesus changed my life in "My Story." E-mail me at Carson@gracechurchwi.org to request a free copy. Please include your mailing address.