To be NAMED

After providing information on our trip and even giving us sample itineraries, we discovered that to use the services of a private guide would be cost prohibitive. She remained considerate and helpful even though she would not be getting our business. As we wrapped up our final conversation she said these words. "One more question that's been on my mind since your first e-mail...what's with your name?" This has been a question I've dealt more with since I decided to become a pastor. What's a former Roman Catholic with an Italian first name and a Jewish last name doing in a largely German church body like the Lutherans? All I can say is, it's only by God's grace! Thankfully God's grace extends beyond a mutt of a name. It extends beyond the labels of culture or even church. God's grace can extend so far because God Himself is infinite; and God's grace is part of who God is...He who is gracious. When I read Psalm 67 (take a quick look, it's short!) I read of the quality of God's grace that causes His actions. The beginning words are familiar, given to Aaron to speak before the people, to remind them of God's grace!  Grace is a quality only God can have, a moving force which results in His mercy toward us.  That's the blessing of God here and throughout Scripture. It is the one blessing of God's own face turned toward His people, shining on us, even illuminating all of our faults and failures. This merciful action of God extends to forgive those sins. The earth has yielded the increase of blessing. By God's grace and in His mercy God gave the world Jesus. God in flesh walked on this earth and, after bearing His cross, was buried beneath it. As a grain of wheat falls to the earth and dies, so will it grow and increase - that's GRACIOUS MERCY! Jesus has yielded for us an increase of blessing, life today and life eternal, given by the one who knows our name! Cool thing is, He doesn't care where that name came from or how mixed up it looks. God only cares that your name includes the name above all names...Jesus!