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| So are you gonna tell me your name or what? |
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A lot of people on MyChurch and other websites use fictitious names (nicknames, made-up screen names, etc.) when they interact with others, as opposed to their real names. (Maybe you too?) Being anonymous (which literally means, without a name) means we can’t be known—well, at least not fully. There are a variety of reasons why people do this, some good (personal security) and some not so good (mischief). How well can you get to know someone who has withheld their name from you? Does anonymity present an obstacle to intimacy?
I happen to love names, so I admit my bias. I feel as though learning someone’s name shows an interest in knowing them, while the giving of their name to me shows interest in being known. It’s fun to greet people by name a week or so after meeting them and seeing the look of surprise at their name being remembered! it can mean a lot to someone when their name is remembered, after all a person’s name is a HUGE part of their identity! (Don't believe it? Imagine the shock of learning that a close friend had never given you their real name!)
Well, it turns out names are important to God too! Yes, he really knows each one of us!!
12:1 But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered.
Jesus also said:
10:20 However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven."
And...
10:3 He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.
But perhaps best of all, God himself is not anonymous! God has given his name because he wants to be known!! The name of the LORD is revealed numerous times to numerous people throughout scripture. His people KNOW his name, and they KNOW him!
32:3 I will proclaim the name of the LORD. Oh, praise the greatness of our God!
(Hallelujah, can you believe the greatness of this???)
Names are really important!! So tell me, what’s your name? |
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Jami |
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June 26, 2008 at 8:56pm |
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| I am that I am...my name is really Jami! No pretending here! |
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| Hey Jami...great to hear from you! It has been a while, hasn't it? |
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Did you know my first name is Samuel? Samuel Todd only bill collectors and my mom when she is mad asks for Samuel. LOL... A good name is better than great riches. Names are very important.
As a point though (not to be offensive) I find it kind of ironic that your picture is withheld. I imagine you to look more like the Captain than Ricky. So are you gonna show us your picture or what? |
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Cathleen is my real name people call me Cathy 
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Todd.....your wish is my command. TEMPORARILY, LOL. Hey man, our pics are up, anyone is free to look at em! And no, I don't find anything about your observation offensive. Love ya bro!
(ps... c'mon, wouldn't you rather look upon Ricky n Lucy???) |
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| Cathy...great name! You are one of at least three on our friends list. Hmm, maybe we should say "Cathleen" instead. I like it! |
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MsSuga |
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June 26, 2008 at 9:11pm |
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Well Mr. Mike, I was really suprised when you remembered EVERY name I ever used here...that in itself says a whole lot about you...Names...LaTonya is my name...I get a ton of comments about my name change driving people crazy, but it's just a way me and my gal pals have fun...If I use a screen name on any other account it is for personal security...
As far as intimacy...it helps...and after a secure relationship is established most people will tell their names...being online though...you never know what kind of person is sitting on the other side of the computer...so most people will put their guard up only to bring it down after that trust is established...and yes it can be established without a name...Great questions and another great post...Bless you Mike! |
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| Mike, I saw it! I feel like I have seen the great wizard of oz! Just kidding! How about that? I was right you look more like the Captain! You are beautiful people I'd rather look into your eyes, the window of the soul. :) |
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| Thank you LaT! (shortened version) I will never forget your name, sis. NEVER! Thanks for allowing me to get to know you! (and no, the name changes sure didn't bother me, you'd BETTER be able to have fun on this site! --I already knew your name at that point too) |
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| BTW, this pic of us was our first avatar (profile pic) back in Jan 07. Then some guy came along and said we looked like Ricky n Lucy. Well, as a joke I put up the twosome from I Love Lucy, then just haven't been able to take em down since. |
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heh... when people ask for my name on websites, i tell them it's Krystal. Why? well, is it:
a) personal security
b) i like the name, but people refuse to call me Krystal (=P)
or c) all of the above
the correct answer is: C! if you guessed that, way to go! lol sorry about that, i just felt like being silly.
what's really bad is that at the end of the school year everyone started calling me Diana and my friend (whose name is Diana) Patty. i was like, "what are you on?! how can you possibly confuse the two of us?!" it was funny, but insulting at the same time =P
lotsa Christ love!
~Patty |
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| Hi Patty, thanks for droppin in! Hey, Patty's a great name too. 30 yrs ago I had a wee crush on a girl by that name. Hey, personal security may be a valid concern, depending on which site you're on. I think.... With only your first name, exactly what can a hacker or other mischievous person do? (I don't know, I'm honestly asking?) |
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| .....ok, Ricky n Lucy come back..... |
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well, that's true, but there's no such thing as being TOO safe, right?
besides, online is the only place i can get people to call me Krystal (some shorten it to Krys) actually, that works out better, anyway. i get to go by both my real name and my "nickname" at the same time. it makes me feel pretty darn cool because i have two names lol
let's see... i've got:
Patty, Krystal, Patty-cake, Peppermint, Strawberry (<-inside joke), and Patty Leigh (my friend uses both my first and middle name for some strange reason)
all of those nicknames make me feel really cool! the only nickname i've ever had that i didn't like was in 6th grade, my teacher called me Patricia. i HATED that! she wouldn't stop until my mom called and told her to. =P |
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MsSuga |
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June 26, 2008 at 9:31pm |
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| My pleasure Mike...it's been a blessing for me getting to know you too...and the whole personal security thing isn't just about hackers and mischievous persons...it can also be about letting yourself be "out there"...it makes you vulnerable and that fear of rejection is there...that's just my opinion...we are after all a work in progress! |
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ooh, good point LaT! being "out there" is scary! (kinda like this new avatar pic, that's about to no longer be "out there" lol)
So Patty, I will call you Patty. But I could also call you Krystal, which sounds like you would be happy either way. It's all about preferences. Yours! :-) |
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| it's up to you! you could always do what my friend did to me once. she randomly called my Krystal one day and i was like "what are you on?!" (yep... i say that alot now lol) and she was like "that's your nickname!" i felt like a retard XD |
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TIGERT |
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June 26, 2008 at 9:50pm |
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i agree! it's kinda funny when you know them for a long time and have to ask for there names... |
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Although the name on my birth certificate is Suzanne, I think Soozanne fits me better. It's a little strange, but still easy to figure out. Yup, that's me. Plus, people are less likely to refer to me as "Susan" when they see it. I don't know why, but that's the truth!
Most of the time, though, even in real life, people who love me call me Sooz, even if they don't spell it that way! ;-)
~Sooz |
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| Well halloo Sooz! I've always resisted referring to ya as Sooz b/c by itself it's a strange word, and I was afraid that might bother you. Seriously! (I am strange) Ok, from now on Sooz it is! |
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Toni |
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June 26, 2008 at 10:08pm |
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Hey Mike, I can't say I like my name, it really is Toni, not short for Antoinette. What were my parents thinking, giving me a boys name. My mom wanted to name me Jessica, but my grandmother did'nt like that name. |
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| There's also Toni Tennille....you are in excellent company Toni! |
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| My given name is Robin. The little story behind Birdie is that my pastor always gives people nicknames to help him remember their name when he first meets them...so we were nicknamed Birdie and HotDog (...my hubby is Bryan...Bryan Hot Dogs..get it? lol!) That was some 12 years ago...When I started writing professionally, my mentor advised me to google my name before I submitted anything to a publisher...it turned out that there was another writer on the east coast with my exact first, middle and last name...with a totally opposite message. She writes pagan/wiccan romance novels....so I had to ditch the real name and decided to become Birdie in print...so now Birdie really is my real name...leaving no room for the enemy to confuse my identity or my message. :) |
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LindaZ |
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June 26, 2008 at 11:06pm |
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| Linda-Grace is my name. I am the only person in my entire family who does not have an Armenian name. I go by Linda even though there have been a few people in my life who have called me Grace. I sign my paintings with the name Grace but for now it's Linda and the Z is the first letter of my last name. |
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Hey Brother Mike. Just about a couple of days back I was thinking of people using anonymous names. The reason is I got a message from one such messenger, who created a profile here in mychurch just to write to me. Anyhow, coming back to your topic, My name is Ragland Jebaraj. My first name is actually the second name (family name) of one of the pioneering christians who reached this part of the globe from England. His name is Thomas Gajetan Ragland. My second name means ( Jebam in Sanskrit means prayer and Raj means King). Its a great honour to carry the legacy of one of the pioneering christians who visited our country through my name. |
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| hehehehe........I'm Cindy......NOT!!!!!! Now, I could hold off for weeks and drive Suga crazy cause she says I just give bits and pieces of me at a time.......hehehehe......should I wait????? |
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| There's not much difference between my given name and my blog name - .i.e. Stevie Bee and Steve or Stephen. But only two people on this website know my surname, and it begins with a 'B'. As for knowing me? Its written within my blogs. |
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LOL... now that was fun to read!
I think you all know way to much about me.
AFTER I created this account I thought- I should have used something else.
But given our situation it is better to have our real ones up here.
I was going to go by Lou for a stage name when they were setting me up for womans body building (abreviated middle name) When they threw that little string thing at me ... no uh huh! It all went out the window.
Ruth |
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Hi Mike Excellent Blog
My name is Cynthia |
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great post Mike...LOL i had to go look at what name I was using
I have a few different sites and couldnt remember what i had here LO>>>My REAL NAME.
This is the only place I have it like that. I usually go by ds_avalon_2000, ds13099, or dsipos2you
I have met sereral people over the years on here and I was always called ds , it stuck for many years that when people called me Donna I was like who? Hahaha
I hear ya though, I think it is why i been using my real name, and I am glad to find out a few others real names from ur post!
God Bless You & the family!!
Donna S. |
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Wow, this is turning out to be WAAAYYY more fun than I expected....THANKS guys!!
Donna, I remember learning your *real* name from a message or something, back when your profile here was under ds13099 (I think). It felt special to have had you share it w/me!
Cynthia, a beautiful name!!! My I use it, or do you prefer MaKelly?
Ruth, we do know much about you...a good thing! (But I'm sure we don't mind calling you Bubbles for fun!)
Cindy....or whoever you are- LOL (should we risk being perceived as pressuring you?? nah, in your time, but you are loved, whoever you are, LOL) ...dag ain't this fun? |
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Stevie, precisely! You use the blog well, we DO know you!
Rag, that is a great honor. And we are honored to know you as well, brother! |
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| Okkkkkkkk...........I'll just say, refer to MaKelly............ |
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My name is Mary and I have never had a nickname. I like MStovall which keeps people guessing. The one name I absolutely adore is Grandma..
Love ya Mike |
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Great blog. When I first joined MyChurch I used initials but not for long for I removed that page and did a new one using my name. This was my personal conviction I did not want to make people feel I was ashamed of being a Christian. I wasn't and I strive to be more Christ-like everyday.
To know my name is written in the book, I thank the Lord the day He found me and His love surrounded my every being.
God Bless.
if we never meet upon this earth, and we stand faithful and true how wonderful to know that we'll meet in Heaven. |
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| "He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out." Amen..... My name ia Marcella Jean and the name restore I've had for 5 years now. Restore is really a ProBiotic, an intestinal support...lol.... really! I love you mike.. |
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Dear Mike,
I LOVE names! I love doing name studies. It's one of my favorite things. I believe that a name is something that is spoken over you and is apart of your identity in Christ. I mean goodness just look at me, my name Debora, means "the industrious nature of a bee." Holy Cow is this the truth! If you knew me personally you would see that nature ridden out in all of my behaviors.
Let me share a story with you...
I use to go by Debbie as a child. The only time Debora was used was when I was in trouble. So naturally, I hated my real name. I use to get so angry when people called me Debora that would very quickly and not so nicely correct them.
During one of my God adventures I had a profound experience. I was laying down to take a nap in a new place. I was exhausted from closing one chapter and opening another. As I started to drift to sleep I heard "Debora" immediately I woke up. I looked around I saw nothing and no-one, so I drifted back to sleep. Then I heard "Debora...be still" I woke up again! I knew it was God, it was an awe inspiring deep sound like the depths of eternity and wind that never ends. It scared the living daylights out of me! But not a fear of someone breaking into the house, but a fear of God(for lack of a better term), one that you knew to respect Him. Sadly I thought, "I'm trying to! If you would stop waking me up." (it is still that rebellious side to me)
Mike, it was the most beautiful sound I had ever heard. God used my real name and it was beautiful! I loved the sound of God speaking my true name, so from then on, everyone was to call me by my true name. Interestingly enough I write this and I realize that God not only spoke my name but He spoke to the nature of me and my name "...be still." As a bee it is nearly impossible to be still. God is so cool!
But now, thus says the LORD, your Creator, O Jacob,
And He who formed you, O Israel,
"Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name; you are Mine!
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Isaiah 43:1
sorry hit the wrong button. |
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aw shucks Marcella, that's so sweet! If anyone knows my preference for actual names, it's you! (cella jean is also a favorite of mine)
Larry dear friend, that is an awesome comment. Glad to hear of your conviction. Names are great!!
Mary, thanks for your post! Yes I was guessing, until you let slip your name at one point, and I've been calling you Mary ever since!!!! Love you too!
Ok then, another Cynthia it is! (but we can still use Cindy affectionately 'round here!)
Linda Grace, or simply Linda, nice to know you! (Armenia has a rich history, I think I'd love that place.)
Robin, we can keep calling you Birdie. I still feel as though you are a Birdie (the writer, not the fowl!) |
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Cheryl |
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June 27, 2008 at 7:03am |
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Hey you! My name is Cheryl
I have many nicknames...one of my fav is Cher! hehe |
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Ed |
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June 27, 2008 at 7:08am |
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| I think I may have the shortest name, I don't know anyone with a one-letter name. I don't think the name means anything (my given name, Edward, means "royalty", I think) but I'm sure glad my name means something to God! |
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| Ohhhhh I thought I put up the reason, for the name calling of cella jean.... lol. My niece and nephew growing up, couldn't pronounce Aunt Marcella...so there you go... |
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| Debora, thanks for that scripture, it's perfect! And that's the thing, there are many more scriptures of God referring to people by name! Or telling how holy, precious, and wonderful is HIS name! I would have loved to include more scriptures but I fear my blog already has too many, at least more than usual. Those blue boxes kind of break up the flow of the text. So I hope we get a few more wonderful "name" scriptures. Wow what an experience you had too! I can imagine it left quite an impression on you! |
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Hi Cher! (guess I call ya that cuz I'm too lazy to type "yl", lol) Feel free to call me "you", lol!
Ed, you are most definitely royalty, what a perfect name. Oh - and I like typing Ed! :-) |
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Mike, if you said Cynthia to me....I would look around wondering who you were talking to, LOL....only two people in my life ever have called me that and got away with it, LOL....I was called that affectionately by my uncle...and hubby does every once in a while.
A woman who worked with my hubby was hung up on proper names and also my hubby...she wanted to know mine...he told her and she decided that was what she would call me....he told her that the name was reserved only for two ppl in my life who dearly love me.....him and my uncle, LOLOLOL |
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Whats in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet: so my Romeo would, were he not called Montague. —Shakespeare
Sorry bout that Mike! thats the hopeless romantic creeping outta me... as soon as I saw the title of your blog, I remembered this quote from one of my favorite stories of all time!
ok now, back to the purpose of your blog - yes, names are quite intimate to me and they are an important and personal part of you...and when your name is remembered by someone, well I certainly can make you feel special, and I hope to impart that same feeling on others i meet when i remember their name..
BTW I was named after the love song "Tammy's in Love" - soundtrack for the 1957 movie "Tammy and the Bachelor" - my moms favorite movie.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgFg2Tm5_wE |
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| Tammy, I can't think of a better quote from fiction to illustrate the point above than that one. Excellent! (and pretty cool to be able to tell peo. you were named after a movie character) |
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| Ed : there was someone with a one letter name.....my hubby's g-uncle was Y...yep never figured that one out...but it's true..... |
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Hey , so how did you like the song? kinda goofy and wishy washy, but still a sweet song., my girls play it ever year on my birthday soooooo loud and soooo early - like 6-7 am ! |
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| LOL, you've got my name. I use a screen name in e-mail, but am just Shirley here!! |
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Tam, cute song! (Tammy, Tammy, Tammy's in love....) hehe, funny thinking of the kids waking you w/that.
Tim, yes, you rocker you, I got your name, even before I got your CD! My youngest brother is also a Tim, and also named for religious reason. As was I and my other brother, Christopher.
(funny, now we just need Tom to comment, lol)
Shirley, yep, got your name, thanks sis. A pleasure to know you too! |
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My mama named me Vivian. I've had many nicknames over the years, and can always tell from where a long lost friend arise, based up what name I am called. In the early 90s while in college studing African and African American History, I dedided to change my name to represent my ancestorial place of origin, Africa. With the help of a friend, we read through a book of African names, and I choose three, based on sound alone. After choosing the three names, I then looked up the meaning. Aminata Shahiddah Njeri Gill means - "Like an anointed princess, who witnesses and upholds the faith........ and now married to Kenneth Johnathan Gill. Pastor Aminata |
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Joey |
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June 27, 2008 at 11:28am |
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Mary Jo, aka Joey
I've been called Joey since I was knee-high to a grasshopper. |
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Well Joey, since you are so unaccustomed to Mary Jo, we'll stick with Joey. I'll never forget our initial conversations, when I mistook you for a....well, you know :-) (Glad to know your real name, sis!) Pastor Aminata....LOVE it! Like the names in the bible, that were significant due to their meaning. Yours has a lovely meaning, thanks for sharing it! |
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