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Friday, July 22, 2016

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- NICKNAMES

 NICKNAMES
Matthew 10:2-4
 
"Now the names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him."
 
It is common to attach nicknames to people that identify them is some way or another. It may be a character trait (Honest Abe or Lying Hillary), a physical characteristic (the Humpback of Notre Dame), some accomplishment (George Washington, the father of our nation), or a relationship (Mark Kelly, the husband of Gabby Giffords). Benedict Arnold is synonymous with traitor. Jesus' apostles also had nicknames: Peter, the Rock (also bigmouth and denyer); Matthew, the tax collector; Simon, the zealot (Luke 6:15); James and John, the Sons of Thunder (Mark 3:17); Thomas the doubter; and of course Judas the betrayer. What moniker would people attach to me? John, the smiler? John, the pessimist? John, the fool? John, the faithful? What I would really like to be called is "Christian." Lord Jesus, help me to live up to that name.
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: Nicknames help identify who we are.
 
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Have an "identity" crisis today. Love you, Dad.

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