And my name is . . .

Have you ever been turned down for credit? Do you pay your bills on time? Have you ever been referred to as "messy"? Do you tell secrets? Do others confide in you during times of desperation? If you tell someone that you will do something, do you? If you're not able to keep your obligation, is that communicated or ignored? Are you reliable? Do you pass the baton when it’s time to manage your own responsibilities?

What's this credit and good name stuff all about? Some people have such good names that it is sometimes stolen. Identity theft is the idea of stealing a "good name" in order to benefit in ways that an otherwise "bad name" would be prohibited. Based on how you conduct your affairs, would you be defined as one having "a good name"? Is your name "good" enough to even be used for identity theft?

I guess what I'm trying to ask is, are you/should you be concerned about your name? Does your reputation matter to you? Did you know that God is concerned about how He is seen in the eyes of man? Ezekiel 36, verses 22-32 speaks about how God strategically used His people to reform how He was viewed. He moved in a way that would restructure His reputation. He did not want to be seen as "regular" and/or "weak". He did, however, want to be reverenced as the one and only true God. Through their own actions, God's people diminished His name and standard. His name and reputation were important to Him.

Do you give thoughts and actions to maintaining a "good name"? Do you care if you are known as a woman that is saved, loves God, strong in the faith, one that prays who is rich in character and integrity. Speaking of character and integrity, are those features relevant in living a Christian life. By all means, YES!!!! As Christian women, we should definitely be concerned about our reputation. We should not conduct a life that contradicts the standard of God. When it comes to standard, the bible speaks of how we are to owe no man, in essence, pay our bills? Let your nay be nay and yea, yea, meaning speak the truth, add nothing and take nothing away. Do unto others as you would have them do to unto you. We've heard these sayings all our lives, but they are the same clichés that build character and establish us as one that has a "good name".

It pleases God when we live in a way that brings glory to His name. God is satisfied when those who belong to Him live in a way that supports His Word. We bring glory to God when we live in a way that is full of character and integrity by having that "good name". When we love our husbands and children as God says, are "real friends" to those in our lives, and do well according to the word of God, we glorify God's name. We bring shame to the name of God, when we identify ourselves as Christians, but display characteristics that contradict that lifestyle. Lifestyle is a word of operation that indicates a repeating action or manner of continuance. Often times we sing the song in church, “oh magnify the Lord, for He is worthy to be praised”. As Christians, when we have a “good name”, we magnify the name of the Lord. On the other hand, we demoralize God when we do not.

Do you feel that having a good name is relative to giving God glory? What is our responsibility to maintaining character that compliments the standard of holiness and sanctification? You see it is not a standard of the world to exemplify a good name. In this ungodly world, it's common to lie, deceive, steal, hate , commit adultery, fornicate, murder in words or deeds and do all those things that promote unrighteousness. Righteousness on the other hand simply aborts all those things and many others that contradict the goodness of God.

What are some ways that you practice to maintain a good name? Is there something that you may have done or need to do in order to repair or restore your "good name"? Does your reputation bring glory or shame to God? When sworn to tell the truth so help me God, would witnesses declare an affirmative, yes!!!! when asked about their experiences with you having a good name/reputation, or are there many stories that would explain otherwise? What are your thoughts . . . ? Does it matter when you say, "and my name is . . ."?

Change: STEPPING INTO THE ERA OF TECHNOLOGY

There's something about change that makes people edgy, uncomfortable, insecure, fearful, etc. I've always found change to be sort of good. It offers an opportunity for growth either through failure or success of the move. It further introduces another perspective, and among other things, it may add life, energy or enthusiasm about an otherwise boring, stagnant and dying entity. After all, everything changes. The Presidents of the United States change. Fortune 500 company CEO's change. Fashions change and let's not forget the styles of cars. We all know that the sizes of women typically seem to change. In essence there is a constant element of change that seems to coincide with time and society.

Imagine if we were still riding horses instead of cars. Imagine if we were still slaves instead of being free. Imagine if women weren't allowed to vote. Imagine if we still had to hunt and kill our own food. Imagine if we couldn't freely worship on Sundays. Imagine if Jesus hadn't died on the cross. Imagine your life without a Savior . . . Wow. Can't you see why the bible says, "let a man (or woman) examine his own self"? There is a constant need for us to "work out our own souls' salvation". If there was ever a time to look in the mirror and ask God to search our hearts, that time is now.

As women, we have to live up to many societal expectations. According to the so called experts, there is an image of beauty that only emphasizes our physical nature. Do you ever wonder what God thinks of our spiritual image? Do you ever wonder if God recognizes features about our spirit man that He wants us to change? Lets challenge ourselves to be mindful or "change" if necessary the deeds that we perform in this body; something so simple as a tone of voice, being critical, or nonsupportive of a loved one, even having the wrong or preconceived thoughts. I guess what I'm trying to say is let's "change" those ways that display a form of Godliness. Let's "change" the notion of pleasing man and not God. I mean really pleasing God.

Have you ever observed someone being kind to the Pastor or other "church people" yet they are short tempered with their own spouse and children? I've never undertood that kind of behavior. Often times we take the sad disposition in defending a professed Christians' behavior by making statements like, "that's just the way she/he is" even though the behavior contradicts what the bible defines as Godly or righteous. The scripture says the we are a new creation/creature, old things (behaviors) are passed away.

That leads me to ask your opinion about what conflicts people (or you) face when challenged to change. What role does fear, insecurity, and faith play? Why is it so hard for us to embrace change? What causes us to avoid change? The bible say that if we would humble ourself and pray, seek the Lords' face and turn (that means change) from our wicked ways. . . then He would heal the land (that means make us complete and bless us more abundantly). What's wrong with change? Why do we avoid the idea of renewal, deliverance, and revival within ourselves so that we may be better sisters, wifes, friends, etc.? What is it about change that causes us to be relunctant to embrace it and the growth potential it offers?