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| the weekly eWell | 7 november 2007 / issue 20 |
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In this issue: • latest news • community groups • well said • more info • classifieds
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"Say My Name, Say My Name" Matthew Robinson Identity crisis. I never thought I would have one...About three weeks ago I walked back into a conference room after a 15 minute "deliberation" and things changed. They smiled. They shook my hand. And they said "congratulations, Dr. Robinson." After I-can't-count-how-many years of consecutive schooling, I had successfully defended my doctoral dissertation, was officially "done" with school, and had accomplished one of those long terms goals that made its way into short term focus. When I returned to my office the next day, things had changed. My door name-plate. My secretary's greeting. Even my email signature! A simple shift of a letter, from an M to a D, left this educator who had just recently gotten used to being called "Mr. Robinson" non responsive to "Dr. Robinson." My students have been confused. On their own accord, many have already begun calling me Dr. Robinson. Or Mr./Dr. Robinson as they correct themselves mid sentence. It's weird. It's different. It's not quite me yet. I can't imagine how recently married women must feel--I've kept my last name and only the title is different! The adjustment is awkward nonetheless and has had me thinking more about my other names: Mr. Robinson, Mr. Rob, Mr. R, Missa Rob, and MR. Matthew, Matt, and (only if you've signed the appropriate approval paperwork) Matty. Coach, Doc, Big M, Poindexter (don't ask), Bubba, Mr. Matt, Betty Crocker, P. C. (again, don't ask), M-dawg and even "hey you." And hopefully one day Husband and Daddy. I'm so many different names to so many different people. Our Father's the same way. He's Grace and Mercy and Forgiveness and Joy and Salvation and Redemption and Love. He's Comfort and Foundation and I Am. I wonder who all the "name-callers" in my life would say I am. I wonder who they say He is because of what they know Him to be in me. It has been said that one of the best measures of a man is what his friends say about him. I'd add in one layer: what his friends call him. In all those names I am called, do all those name-callers view me as “His”? Would they call me one of His followers? Beneath the name, can they recognize my identity in and relationship with Christ? Does my relationship with all the name-callers in my life relate the Name above all names? I know I'll come to grips with my identity crisis and "Dr. Robinson" will become just as familiar as the "Mr. Robinson" has. But I pray that I'll never come to grips in my quest to be called more like Him--a perfect identity I know I'll always follow but never fully resemble. Who would you say you are? Who would He say you are? Who would the name-callers in your life say you are? (Matthew Robinson is a professor at TCC and FSU and heads the Well’s Worship Planning Team) |
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Dean's sermons are now available online at nomorethirst.org. Save them to your IPod, burn them on a cd, or listen to them over the internet. Sermons will be added each Sunday night following the service.
Save the date! The Well's Christmas party is scheduled for Tuesday, December 4 at 7:00 p.m. at Paradigm. More info next week! eGIVING eGiving is here! Log on to nomorethirst.org and click the eGiving link to set up your eTithe. Please remember to make it eNormous. The Finance Team ePpreciates it! PRAYER POINT Tiffany Singleton, in Africa to serve for nine months. WELCOME TO GODBY! Sunday Service is held at Godby High School. Join us in the auditorium each week at 6:00 p.m. |
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Visit www.nomorethirst.org for more info! |
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| Dean Inserra, Pastor Scott Simmons, Worship Leader dean@nomorethirst.org scott@nomorethirst.org | |
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| Copyright 2007 © The Well Sunday Nights, 6:00 p.m. @ the Godby High School Auditorium | |
