Talkin' Names Again

Were you at the Green Campus picnic?  That was a pretty fun night!  First, there was a whole bunch of us there.  Second, there was a really cool playground at the place where we had the picnic.  Third, the parents seemed to really enjoy meeting each other and talking.  It seemed like some of us would have stayed all night if we had been allowed…like a campout or something.

Well, at the picnic I met a new friend who has two boys at our Green campus.  The friend I met is Ike Okoye.  The boys’ names are Joe and Paul.

But can I tell you something really cool about these three new friends?  These names are ones they use for us, so we can pronounce them.  They have super cool names that come from a country in Africa called Nigeria.  Do you want me to tell you the real names?  I’ve been very excited to tell you these names and what they mean!

Well, Mr. Okoye (pronounced “okoyay”), that’s the dad, does have the name Ike, except they don’t say it like we do.  They pronounce it “eekay.”   And in Nigeria they can add a word onto their first name that makes it mean something very cool.  So Mr. Okoye has added the word for God onto his name, which is “Chukwu.”  His full name, then, is Ike (eekay), which means power, and Chukwu, which means God.  Ike Chukwu: The Power of God!  Is that cool or what?

Now if you’re like me, you can’t wait to know what Joseph and Paul’s names really are, right?  Ebuka (pronounced “aybooka”) Chukwu and Nedum (pronounced “naydoom”) Chukwu.  You want to know what those names mean, right?  They mean “God is my strength” and “God is my guide.” 

Could this get me to thinkin’?  You better believe it!  From the power of God we get God’s strength and way for our lives.  Our school verse talks about this perfectly: “But they who trust in the Lord (the One who is almighty) will find new strength (God is my strength). They will soar high on eagles wings (with God as my guide).  They will run and not grow weary.  They will walk and not faint (Isaiah 40:31).”

That is so awesome that we better just have a good prayer!  Father in Heaven, by your power, bring Your strength into our weakness and bring Your direction for the path upon which You want us to be running and walking.  Thank you for prayer, because when we simply ask You, You promise to help us!  In Jesus name, Amen.

Proud of you,

Pastor Wilson