What is in a Name?

Got a thought running through my head. I thought I would share it with you.

Duet. 25:10
"And his family name in Israel will be called "The House of the Man whose sandal was removed."

This was something I read recently and reminded me of the culture in the Old Testament. People took their names very serious. It meant something. Both Literally and symbolically. They went to great lengths to not dishonor their names.

I remember when Holly and I were faced with our first son being born we had a lot of discussions on what to name our son. We both agreed that we wanted all our children to have names that meant something. We were not looking for something that just sounded good. (Although we were not going to name our son Barney no matter what it meant. We did have some limits.) My fist son was named after me, 2nd son was named after Holly's Dad and brother, 3rd son was named during time we started church and his name meant bold and faithful and he also was named after my best friend, and our little girls name represented the time when me and Holly met and her middle name was the name her birth mom gave her.

Names mean something. I remember when I read this verse... I was challenged with this thought. How hard do I work to make sure that I do not dishonor my family name? Even more importantly... How hard do I work to not dishonor the name of Christ. For I do bear the name of Christ as well... and Names mean something!