What's in a name?

I would have gotten back to the post on unity but my Bride stole my thunder and she wrote it much better than I, so if you want a great read on the unity of the body of Christ check out her blog.


So what's in a name??? Well let us consider Jacob, whose name means supplanter and deceiver. He had little difficulty living up to his namesake when he was growing up. Only after a powerful encounter with the Living God did his name and countenance change. So this leads me to my children. When we were praying about what to name our kids we desired first to give them strong names, but also names that would help mark their destiny. Caleb Alexander was our first born and his name means bold/brave defender or protector. When we found out that we were pregnant with him we had not yet reconciled with Helen's family because they did not agree with interracial marriages. It was our hearts desire that through Caleb's birth that he would be the reconciling force God would use to reunite our family. God was very faithful. Caleb is the bold defender of the faith that we declared over him as a baby and part of that is preserving unity. Kennedy Ann means Helmeted one and full of grace. The Lord spoke to me concerning her that she would be a rebuilder of broken walls and lives. She is very tender hearted and compassionate towards her friends and family. As the helmeted one, she is a warrior and very thoughtful in all she does. Courtney Chase means King's Court and hunter. The Lord spoke to Helen while she was at a T.D. Jakes conference about her name. As a worshipper she must go into the presence of the King. A hunter must know when to pursue their prey and when to wait and as a worshipper you must know when to press in and when to be still and wait.

It was our desire that the names we gave our kids would add to the blessing and calling on their lives. I have seen many of the traits associated with their names come to bear fruit in their lives, but I have also seen the exact opposite. I have recognized that even at these young ages there are spiritual forces waging war against their destinies and purposes in life. The Lord as since reminded and quite frequently lately that I am to continue to guard over those blessings that we spoke over our children when we named them.

So we have named our children to be a Protector, a rebuilder and a worshipper. Where they go in life only God knows, but we have laid a foundation that was given to us by God and the responsibility to watch over it.

What do your kids' names mean? What has He said to you concerning their names? I want to hear from you, but even if you don't comment at least I got you thinking about it.