Tuesday, April 22, 2008

BEING A CHRISTIAN

Where do we get our names? Today most first names are made up, based on sounding nice or copied from former generations. There was a time when last names were given based on what a person did (Miller, Cooper), to whom they're related (Johnson, Olson), where they lived (Hill, Townsend), or a wish for a person (Benjamin=son of the right hand, William=protector). Some names have been altered so much it's hard to tell where they came from.

I've always been interested in the origin of names, and many are easy to figure out. Our summer home is Castle Rock, Colorado. There is a huge monolith on a hill as you enter town from the north that looks like a castle. Hence, it was called Castle Rock. "Colorado" probably comes from the Spanish word for "colorful."

Our winter home is now Arizona, and most assume it comes from "Arid" and "zone", which would make sense since it's a very dry place. But historians believe the word comes from two Papago Indian words, "ali" (small) and "shonak" (spring). Thus, Arizona means "place of a small spring," which would make sense given some history of the few springs we have in the state.

Arizona was part of the territory received in the Gadsden Purchase, which was shaped like a large nose. Good thing they didn't name it "Narizona," from the spanish word "nariz," (large-nosed woman). In 1854, Arizona and New Mexico were given separate territorial status, and the name "Arizona" was made official. I believe it's a far more noble name than West Mexico or Gadsonia.

Acts 11:26 tells us a small religious sect of Jews and Gentiles were first called "Christians" in the city of Antioch. They believed Jesus of Nazareth was the Christ, the "anointed one," the deliverer who had been promised for centuries in Hebrew writings. They believed He was the Son of God, and though He had been crucified and died, He had arisen from the dead and now lives in heaven, from where He will come to judge all people. They believed all who trusted in Jesus would join Him in heavenly bliss and joy.

We Christians still believe that, at least most Christians do. Names may remain, but people often change what the names stand for, and that had been true since the name was first given. There are many who are Christians "in name only," people who want to have that identity, but have long lost the beliefs that make them a Christian.

Being born into a Christian home does not automatically gain a person entrance to heaven. Each one of us must believe and trust Jesus of Nazareth ourself. We all need to be "Christian" by our faith in Jesus Christ.

I pray you do.

No comments: