Pamparo in Toronto

I’ve been called many names. There is just no escaping it. It happens at home, at work and at church. Some of these names are: “handy man”, “funny guy”, “crazy guy”, “unix guy”, “the guru”, “the new guy”, and just tonight somebody called me “the guitar guy”. Wouldn’t it be something if someone were to call me the “Christ-like Guy”!

It is my prayer that God will let the Spirit enable me to become more like Christ.

How about you? What names have people called you?

I’ve been very busy lately with different things and have not been paying attention to the thing that is of utmost importance. That is my personal relationship with God. But today, while in transit coming from work, I was reminded by a song that I’ve not heard for a very long time: “Unashamed Love” by Ten Shekel Shirt.

You’re calling me to lay aside the worries of my day
To quiet down my busy mind and find a hiding place

I could not help myself but pause as the tears start to build up in my eyes. I didn’t know how to react until it hit me. Even if I have neglected God, He did not forget about me. And through this song, He spoke to me and quite down my spirit.

How about you? Have you been busy lately, too?

Why not go to a hiding place and commune with our ever-loving God …

I am sure that most of us have seen the animated movie from Pixar, Cars. There is this little-known character that I have come to love. He’s name is Fred. Fred is the rusty-old truck that keeps dropping his bumper whenever he gets so excited. But what really gets me is what he is excited about. He was so excited when Lightning McQueen called his name without realizing that it was actually written right on his plate. He goes into hysteria while shouting, “He knows my name! Lightning McQueen knows my name”! Then the bumber falls. Then there was another incident when Mario Andretti said hello to him and he went hysterical again yelling, “He knows my name, Mario Andretti knows my name”! The bumber falls again. This is very very hilarious stuff but it also makes me wonder …

I wonder what would Fred do if I was there to tell him, “Fred, God knows your name”! Oh man, I can just see him falling apart with excitement! How about you, I wonder how excited will you be if tell you, “God knows your name”! Will you be as excited and hysterical as our rusty-old friend Fred?

Well, there’s only one way to find out. Here we go …

God knows your name!

It’s amazing how God uses the small things to remind us of His love. Whenever I feel burdened with the constant pressure of coping up with life, he leads me to a place that I would never expect: to the pantry. God reminds me how blessed I am that I have something in my pantry to last a whole week, maybe more, while others have nothing to eat. He reminds me that a lot of people do not have financial support of any kind. Some are infirmed physically and emotionally. But not me, my pantry is full. And I should be thankful for that. God reminds me of this particular verse:

Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

He knows my needs even before I ask! And He knows your needs, too! If you are feeling down and out, don’t worry. God works in mysterious ways, His ways and not ours. Count your blessings, name them one by one!

Praise the Lord, Amen!