Lisa Notes: Real people have names

Real people have names

Why all the names?

As we were finishing our Nehemiah study, we kept facing name after name in the text. Kelly Minter, the author of our workbook, suggested we read every one to remind us these were real people.

Real people have names.

I sometimes struggle to remember names. I see the face, but not always the name. But when I do put the two together, a blessing occurs. When I say it. When they hear it.

Because saying a name acknowledges reality, a presence, a real person.

I’ve been making a list of names of friends I made in El Salvador last summer. I want to not only remember them this year by face, but also by name. Even if my pronunciation is poor. I’ve used Facebook to help me piece together families and remind me of the names I’ve forgotten.

God has a name, too. When we call on the name of Yahweh, we are blessed.

And for the sake of his name, we bless others.

I want to learn a new name every day. Of real people. People with families and histories and futures. People with souls made to praise their Father.

To praise his name. The name above all names. He’s as real as it gets.

O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!
Psalm 8:9

* * *

Have you learned any new names this summer?

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Messy Marriage · 668 weeks ago

I just met a blogging friend with a unique name - Flyvia. I was wondering how it would or should be pronounced just today. But you are so right, Lisa, a name really brings an acknowledgement to those we care about, know and, as with God, who we worship. Great thoughts!

1 reply · active 668 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 668 weeks ago

That is a unique name. One drawback of online friends is we can't always hear how they pronounce their names. Maybe she can make a phonetic spelling for you. :-) But thankfully God does always know what to call us.
My recent post Real people have names

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hazel i moon · 668 weeks ago

It is good to learn the names of the children in our church and use their name when speaking to them. God knows our name too and he uses it as he speaks to us.

1 reply · active 668 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 668 weeks ago

Isn't it great to serve a God that knows each of us by name? I'm sure you make the children at your church feel so special when you call them by name.
My recent post Real people have names

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@ConnieMace · 668 weeks ago

Such a gift to whisper The Name of The LORD and know He hears...

1 reply · active 668 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 668 weeks ago

Amen, Connie.
My recent post Real people have names

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Fancy Horse · 668 weeks ago

We do sometimes (well, usually!) skip over the long lists of names in the Bible, esp. the Old Testament. But you are right, each one was a unique person, special to God, and he put their names in Scripture for a reason.
I sometimes wonder why we are not told the name of Noah's wife and daughters-in-law. They are very special people, the ancestors of all of us, and we don't know their names!
My recent post Alaska-Canada trip -- Dawson City!

1 reply · active 667 weeks ago

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lisanotes 22p · 667 weeks ago

Good question. I guess we'll have to wait awhile longer to get those names. :-)

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ShaunieFriday 84p · 668 weeks ago

I love the way God puts such importance on names! He records and remembers names because He knows and remembers the hearts that wore them, and He sometimes changes names to reflect the change He's made in their lives. I love being named as His!!! Thank you for this post!
My recent post Riding Whitecaps

1 reply · active 667 weeks ago

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lisanotes 22p · 667 weeks ago

Yes, I love when he made those name changes too. Always with such special meaning. I wonder what name he has for each of us. "His" is wonderful!

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Christina · 668 weeks ago

I did a names of God study with my son recently, hundreds of names! I am bad with learning people's names as well but it shows how important they are when we acknowledge them with their name. Great post!
My recent post MOB Society Blog Hop

1 reply · active 667 weeks ago

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lisanotes 22p · 667 weeks ago

I worked through the names of God a few years back. It was one of the most beneficial. He is definitely an amazing God.

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outsidemywindowinsidemyheart 38p · 668 weeks ago

Lisa, thank you for reminding me that each name is in the Bible because behind each name is a real person. It makes me think of a praise song I sing that names just a few of the names of God...the REALEST OF THE REAL, is He not? Each name speaks of a different aspect of His character. I need to sing that song more that I might be strengthened in my faith simply by thinking on the meanings of His different names.
My recent post His beauty is all around….

1 reply · active 667 weeks ago

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lisanotes 22p · 667 weeks ago

The realest of the real. Thanks for that Dianna!

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joy · 668 weeks ago

Well, ever since I began blogging last year, I began to know new names. Great people, with insights and wisdom. And now I am always curious to know the names of whom I visit and their God given personalities:)

1 reply · active 667 weeks ago

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lisanotes 22p · 667 weeks ago

I know what you mean. Learning names of our blogging friends has meant so much to me.

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Julie · 668 weeks ago

Love the post today...LISA! And when I think of your name, dear bloggy sister...I DO see your face, but what I feel is ENCOURAGEMENT...every time. You represent that in your blog, so YOUR NAME is uplifting... ~ And at the NAME of Jesus...every knee shall bow ....EVERYwhere. There is an undercurrent of reassurance, power, confidence, peace, comfort, acceptance, warmth for me in just whispering the name of Jesus....it is amazing... What powerhouse of CHANGE just the Name of Christ contains. Fantastic reminder today Lisa. Love you! xoxoxo
My recent post Pink Paranormal Phenomenon...

1 reply · active 667 weeks ago

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lisanotes 22p · 667 weeks ago

Thank you, Julie. I feel the exact same sentiments when I see your name pop up. I know I will be encouraged. You always point me to Jesus!

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barbarah 65p · 668 weeks ago

What a blessing it will be to go back and see those faces in person -- and to remember their names and who they are.

I'm so glad that "The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous runs into it and is safe" )Prov. 18:10) and ""Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved" ) Romans 10:13).
My recent post M.O.B. Society Blog Hop

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lisanotes 22p · 667 weeks ago

Great verses, Barbara. There some so many that mention "name". That should be one clue to us how much they matter.

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floyd 60p · 668 weeks ago

With your memory, it won't be a problem! I've learned a few new names. I say them over and associate a way to remember them. Like the one guy I met named Stan, he looked like Vince Vauhn so that's how I associated it... Not rocket science is it?
My recent post A TINGE OF REGRET… TOO LATE

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lisanotes 22p · 667 weeks ago

You've stumped me on Vince Vaugh. Ha. But that's a good way to remember names. Sometimes I'll think of someone with the same name and try to find a similarity. That's not always good though.... :-)

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beverleyhirst63 50p · 668 weeks ago

Would you add some names to your prayer list. My friend Amanda-Jane Crowther and her husband Tim. Amanda-Jane has just given a beautiful daughter, Grace, an addition to their family of 2 making 3 and Tim has been diagnosed with cancer and it's not good, much is still unknown.

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lisanotes 22p · 667 weeks ago

Adding those names to my prayer list, Beverley. Much pain and fears there, I'm sure. May the Lord grant healing and peace. Please keep me posted.

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Pamela · 667 weeks ago

I struggle learning names but my husband rarely forget one. I like the idea of writing them down. I like to find out the meanings of names, too. Pamela means "all honey." Lisa means "devoted to God." I'm looking forward to the day when "at the name of Jesus, every knee will bow."

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Debbie · 667 weeks ago

Oh I ordered that Bible study but haven't started it yet. Was it good? I did her living room series on idols last summer and loved it.

I went to Dale Carnegie years ago for speaking. We had to learn to remember names of people and were tested. To this day, I try to repeat a name when I'm introduced and think of something related to that name to remember. But I have to confess the older I get the less I do this. A good reminder Lisa!

Blessings and love,
Debbie
My recent post You Are Beautiful

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