Monday, December 12, 2011
266 - The Holiday Above Every Holiday, Part 3
Spirituality Column #266
December 13, 2011
Current in Carmel – Westfield – Noblesville – Fishers
(Indianapolis north suburban home newspapers)
The Holiday Above Every Holiday, Part 3
By Bob Walters
“Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name … Jesus … Jesus Christ is Lord …” – Philippians 2:9-11
Our just-published book Common Christianity / Uncommon Commentary, a five-year compilation of these weekly columns, is dedicated to longtime Indianapolis minister Russ Blowers (1924-2007).
Russ not only shepherded an enormous flock at East 91st Street Christian Church, but in his nearly 60 years of ministry was the WISH-TV 8 live “Chapel Door” pastor in the 1950s and 60s, was chairman of the Indianapolis Billy Graham Crusade in 1980 at Market Square Arena, and chairman emeritus of Graham’s 1999 Crusade at the RCA Dome. Billy and Ruth Graham stayed with Russ and Marian Blowers the first time the Grahams visited Indy in 1950.
“Everyone” knew Russ, and what just about everyone says they remember most about Russ is this: He never forgot a name. The second time one encountered Russ Blowers, Russ remembered their name from the first time. Russ loved Jesus and loved people. Russ’s most obvious expression of love for people in general and his congregation in particular, was that he remembered people’s names.
A large chunk of my career has been spent in public relations … a line of work where quite often Job #1 is to make other people feel important. A good place to start is to remember names. My name recall is so-so; Russ’s facility was dazzling.
So … names matter; which brings us to Philippians 2:9 and Christmas.
When the Apostle Paul tells the Philippians that Jesus is exalted by God as the “name above every name,” Paul is not saying “Jesus” is a name merely above earthly names like Bob, Russ, Pam, Eric, John, Joe, Sally, Sue, Jason and all the rest. Paul is saying that the name of Jesus Christ the Lord is the name above every name of God – YHWH, El Shaddai, Adonai, and so on. You know … those names.
The living God is exalting Jesus the Christ, His Son, as the Lord. Jesus is the way and the truth and the life, the Eternal Savior, the Logos Creator, and He occupies the highest place with the name that is above every name. God says so.
Remembering the names of people is polite; remembering the name of Jesus Christ is holy. And while “Happy” has distinct, worldly limitations in a nameless, aimless, comfort-driven commercial “Holiday,” eternal joy and peace are found only in the powerful name of Jesus Christ.
Make mine “Merry Christmas.”
Walters’ (rlwcom@aol.com) book is available at www.Lulu.com. Type “Common Christianity” in the “Find” box and hit Enter. Buy several, give them as gifts, tell your friends! PS - Save 25% thru Wed Dec 14 use coupon code COUNTDOWN.
December 13, 2011
Current in Carmel – Westfield – Noblesville – Fishers
(Indianapolis north suburban home newspapers)
The Holiday Above Every Holiday, Part 3
By Bob Walters
“Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name … Jesus … Jesus Christ is Lord …” – Philippians 2:9-11
Our just-published book Common Christianity / Uncommon Commentary, a five-year compilation of these weekly columns, is dedicated to longtime Indianapolis minister Russ Blowers (1924-2007).
Russ not only shepherded an enormous flock at East 91st Street Christian Church, but in his nearly 60 years of ministry was the WISH-TV 8 live “Chapel Door” pastor in the 1950s and 60s, was chairman of the Indianapolis Billy Graham Crusade in 1980 at Market Square Arena, and chairman emeritus of Graham’s 1999 Crusade at the RCA Dome. Billy and Ruth Graham stayed with Russ and Marian Blowers the first time the Grahams visited Indy in 1950.
“Everyone” knew Russ, and what just about everyone says they remember most about Russ is this: He never forgot a name. The second time one encountered Russ Blowers, Russ remembered their name from the first time. Russ loved Jesus and loved people. Russ’s most obvious expression of love for people in general and his congregation in particular, was that he remembered people’s names.
A large chunk of my career has been spent in public relations … a line of work where quite often Job #1 is to make other people feel important. A good place to start is to remember names. My name recall is so-so; Russ’s facility was dazzling.
So … names matter; which brings us to Philippians 2:9 and Christmas.
When the Apostle Paul tells the Philippians that Jesus is exalted by God as the “name above every name,” Paul is not saying “Jesus” is a name merely above earthly names like Bob, Russ, Pam, Eric, John, Joe, Sally, Sue, Jason and all the rest. Paul is saying that the name of Jesus Christ the Lord is the name above every name of God – YHWH, El Shaddai, Adonai, and so on. You know … those names.
The living God is exalting Jesus the Christ, His Son, as the Lord. Jesus is the way and the truth and the life, the Eternal Savior, the Logos Creator, and He occupies the highest place with the name that is above every name. God says so.
Remembering the names of people is polite; remembering the name of Jesus Christ is holy. And while “Happy” has distinct, worldly limitations in a nameless, aimless, comfort-driven commercial “Holiday,” eternal joy and peace are found only in the powerful name of Jesus Christ.
Make mine “Merry Christmas.”
Walters’ (rlwcom@aol.com) book is available at www.Lulu.com. Type “Common Christianity” in the “Find” box and hit Enter. Buy several, give them as gifts, tell your friends! PS - Save 25% thru Wed Dec 14 use coupon code COUNTDOWN.
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