November 11, 2014

When God says your name...


I am a writer.
Writer Print by Kathi Denfeld                     

More than that, though... I am a journaler, a diary-keeper, a list maker, a recorder of all the things. I have stacks and stacks of notebooks filled with notes, things God has spoken to me in prayer, in His Word, in sermons... filled with prayer requests and answered prayers... with memories both heart filled and heart broken. 

My life is in words, scribbled out on pages... visions and dreams, goals and lofty ideas... hopes and fears. 

I am a believer of writing things down, of keeping a record of all He has done.


I am a reader.

I have bookcases overflowing and a list ever growing of new books that I want to add to the piles. There are the old books I want to read again, and the new works that I wish to devour... there is the top shelf filled with different versions and translations of the Bible... the book I (should) read most often! There are never enough words... I always hunger for more.

But the most precious thing is not read or written...
It is spoken.

From His lips, piercing straight into my heart.

I am always reminded of the story in the Gospel of Luke about Zacchaeus. You are familiar with it, yes? How Zacchaeus was a tax collector and pretty much despised. He was also being drawn and was curious about Jesus... he climbed the tree to see Him in the crowd, and as Jesus passed by, He spoke Zacchaeus' name.  Jesus invited himself over and it says that Zacchaeus received him joyfully! (Luke 19:1-10)  

I'm not sure exactly, but I can guess that when Zacchaeus' name was spoken before, it was never spoken with such Love and Grace and Adoration.  I'm not sure who is saying your name or how it sounds to your ears, to your spirit... but I know that when God says your name it melts your heart and pierces straight through, in all the best ways!

I have written about it before, but there is no sweeter sound than the sound of Jesus, saying your name.  He has known your name long before you knew His... long before you knew Him.  

He named you on purpose,
with purpose.

In all of my stacks of journals, this week I found this from 2007:  (but I believe it is a Word for now as well!)
God is about to hand out some new names!  If you want one, wait & listen... He is about to start calling them out! 
As we began to enter into prayer today, our leader reminded us of a vision that someone had given her about climbing stairs to see an open heaven, & the Lord told her that whatever she asked for in prayer, she would receive. She encouraged us to see that stairway to the open heavens as we worshiped.
As soon as the music started, I could see myself climbing up these enormous stairs. Pearly white... Steep... beautiful! Before I crested the top, I heard a Voice behind me speak, 
"There is Power in My Name!
...and there is power in your name as well!
I have called you BY NAME!
For many, your anointing lies in the name which you were given at birth, and for many, I am giving you a new name. Listen & hear Me, for I will call you by name!" 
"Whenever your name is spoken out loud, it stirs up the anointing & gift & character that I have placed within you. Just as in the Spiritual Realm, when My Name is spoken, there is a stirring & a shifting in the unseen world, so this happens when your name is spoken & you step into all that I have called you to be!"
"First, & Foremost, don't ever forget, I have called you to be MINEListen for My Voice, My Daughter, My Bride, for I am about to speak your name! Learn & Research it, Seek out the meaning of it & know that when I see you, when I call you by name, I am calling forth all that I have put inside of you for such a time as this!"
I then looked over into the open heavens and saw the most colorful, vivid landscape spread out before me. As I tried to drink in the colors & music & hugeness of it all, I noticed a beautiful old tree, with it's branches all stretched out & curved by the wind; it provided shade beside a gorgeous, flowing stream. Underneath the shaded tree, was a blanket spread out & Someone laying down, seemingly looking right at me, ...waiting for me. On the blanket I noticed a Royal Crown laying in the empty space of the blanket... God reminded me then that in November, He had spoken a 'new name' over me... (it was "Sarah" which is Hebrew & means "Princess") I also saw several of my journals, my Bible, a picnic basket with food & cool water... & as I drew closer, Psalm 1 was written out on the grass that led to my blanket. "Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper. "(Psalm 1:1-3)
I then remembered that last month, God set me in contact with a stranger from Australia. She shares my same name... & had never found anyone with the same name & spelling before. She was wondering if I was from Australia because the name is an Aboriginal name, & it means:

"A Resting Place, near the water."

(Yeah. I'll take that!)

So lately, I have been saying His name. More often than usual... not out of urgency or need, just under my breath through out my day because a few weeks ago He told me that when I hallow His Name, he hollows out more room in my heart for Him. He swells within me. 

But I am finding when I say His name, if I listen closely, He answers right back in saying my name as well! And there has never been a sweeter sound.



P.S.  I'm linking up with these lovely writers:

The Unforced Rhythms Community

Holly Barrett
for #TestimonyTuesday


Jennifer Dukes Lee for #TellHisStory


Holley Gerth for #CoffeeforYourHeart


Can I invite you to speak His name... and to lean in and listen?

Do you know the meaning of your name? Do you love it, or are you hoping for a new name? I'd love to know!

(Me? I used to go by a shortened version of my name, until He told me that He named me on purpose - and the meaning of my name was hidden in my DNA!)

30 comments :

  1. Such a powerful post. Thank you for the reminder that God does, indeed, call each one of us by name.

    Blessings to you.

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    1. Amen, Susan! Thanks so much for stopping by! Praying you hear Him speaking your name this week!

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  2. Love it! Love the reminder of the power of His name and actually I do know the meaning of my name and I like it!
    Thank you for such a lovely read,
    Cindy

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    1. Cindy, isn't it wonderful to look at the meaning of your name and know that God named you on purpose! (It helps when you like your name!) Thanks for stopping by today!

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  3. This is so awesome, Karrilee! I love the etymology of names (and words in general!). There is a website I often use called behindthename.com that is a great resource. I love mediating and speaking the names of God. There is power in His name. And comfort. How wonderful that He spoke such blessing to you through another who shares your name. So like our God. Have a bless week!

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    1. June, I love that you are already all about this! I loved the thought of there being power released in us when our names are spoken... we know that there is power in His name... but to think of how He named us on purpose, with purpose and it's part of our DNA! Thanks for sharing the website as well! How fun!

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  4. You're not going to believe this, Karrilee and June, but I went to the website June mentioned and the name of the day was---SARAH! Beautiful story. I've never thought much about my name (only that I hated it when I was a kid and insisted that everyone call me AJ ;) ). Now you have me thinking...and listening.

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    1. Anita... I love that! Sarah... (Princess) - what's not to love about that, right? Gotta love a blog post that makes you think AND listen! Praying you hear Him clearly speak your name! Love you, friend!

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  5. I am love that...just to say His name. I will have to start incorporating that into my day-to-day life.

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    1. Laura, I have been so blessed... simply saying His name over and over. It simply invites Him in to our day to day life and who couldn't use more and more of that, right? I appreciate you stopping by! Praying as you say His name, you will hear Him speak your name too!

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  6. Beautiful words! thank you so much for sharing!!!

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  7. So glad someone else has Rubbermaid bins full of old journals. ♫Jesus Jesus Jesus there's just something about that Name ♫ (OLD Gaither song and I love it!)

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    1. I love it too! There really IS something about that name... and when we say it out loud, either in song, shouted out, or whispered softly... oh how He comes! Thanks for coming on over and saying it with me!

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  8. I just love visiting here, Karrilee. There is always so much encouragement in your words. And this time I had goosebumps. 2007 was one of the worst years of my life. I can barely stand to think about it. But I remind myself that it also began my journey to discover Who He truly is. By 2008, His grace grabbed ahold of me hard and He acquainted me with His name, His love, His identity, His promises... As you would say, "so much amen!"

    I think your name is perfect. A resting place near the water! *love*

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    1. I love having you visit... (and I love visiting your space, too!) I'm sorry that year was such a tough one - but I am so happy that He stayed true to His Word and worked all things together... So Much Amen, is right my friend! ;) Greatful for your friendship! It took me years, but once He showed me the meaning of my name, I thought - of course! Why would I ever want to change it or shorten it? I desire to be a resting place, near the water! That is released whenever my name is spoken!

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  9. We used to sing a song at church and the chorus was "He knows my name: He knows my every thought: He sees each tear that falls and He hears me when I call". I remember coming to realize that He knew me as me and not just part of His creation. He knows and loves each of us as if we are the only ones. Thanks for a much needed reminder.

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    1. Isn't that just the BEST revelation... to know that we are KNOWN - individually, passionately, completely? (and loved, still!) I remember when, after months of trying to get me to read the book of Hosea, He finally broke through and showed me the truth of Hosea 2:16... I have never been the same! Love you, friend!

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  10. Oh.... what a beautifully written and moving post. You had me breathless from the beginning to the end and this line struck a deep chord: "But I am finding when I say His name, if I listen closely, He answers right back in saying my name as well! And there has never been a sweeter sound." AMEN! Thank you for this riveting and thought-provoking post. Makes me want to grab my journal....

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    1. Karen, my sweet friend... it's like you get me! From one journaler to another - that is the best kind of compliment right there! Praying that as you write, you will hear Him speak your name!

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  11. Oh, so sad...I just wrote a super long, thoughtful comment and cyber space whisked it away. Now I have to attend to little kiddos, but just know that my heart was touched by your words and my heart is purposing to savor the sound of Jesus saying my name today. I need to hear it. Thank you.

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    1. Oh Becky - that IS so sad... but thank you for taking the time to redo it... so blessed that He touched you here! Believing with you that you will hear Him say your name!

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  12. Simply beautiful! I especially loved "He named you on purpose, with purpose."

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  13. Karrilee,
    I love how personal God is with you and with each of us....and the image of a resting place near water is life giving :)

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    1. Thanks so much Dolly! I love how personal He is too! Thanks for popping over!

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  14. I love this! The meaning of your name is so powerful!

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    1. Thanks Elizabeth! So is yours! ("my God is an oath" or "my God is abundance".) Thanks for stopping by!

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  15. Anonymous5:22 AM

    I love this and my name and the name of Jesus. There's something so powerful in calling on His name and knowing that He is speaking ours. Thanks for linking up to Testimony Tuesday!

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    1. Thanks Holly! It's always an honor to link up with you!

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Thanks so much for stopping by! I always love to hear your thoughts! Remember to: Speak Life - Be Love - Shine On!
~Karrilee~

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