Peter and Joseph's first names are after two of our heroes in the Bible. We were pleased to be able to honor both of our fathers by the boys' middle names: James and Henry. Our fathers are godly men, honorable, hard working, loving, and we couldn't think of better role models for our boys.
We chose the name Peter after his namesake in the Bible. Peter, who loved Jesus, was bold and strong, confident and passionate, spoke out the truth, and believed. Yes, at times Peter is too outspoken, but it is because he is young and passionate. The beautiful thing about Peter is how he matures. Peter let God do great work in him, and shows such growth to become a solid man of God. One of my favorite Bible stories is when Peter, after having denied Christ, was on a boat with the other disciples, and saw Jesus. He dove into the water and swam to the beach, because he couldn't wait for the boat to reach the shore! He knew in Jesus he would find forgiveness and love, and he couldn't wait another minute to have his relationship with Jesus restored. This is the gospel! When we come to Jesus, we find grace, forgiveness, love. Peter knew this, because he knew Jesus. When Jesus spoke to Peter on the beach, Peter responded to Him humbled. Peter matured. He used his failing to love others tenderly to Christ. Later, at Pentecost, Peter preached one of the greatest descriptions of the gospel. It came from him because he KNEW Jesus and had experienced His forgiveness and grace.
We pray our Peter would always run to Jesus, no matter the circumstances in his life, and that he knows in Jesus he will find grace and love. We pray he loves and serves Jesus passionately with his whole heart and life. We pray he would be a passionate leader, speaking the truth, and leading others to find Christ's forgiveness.
Hebrews 10:22-23 "...let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from a guilty conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering for He who promised is faithful."
For Joseph Henry:
There are many wonderful, honorable men in the Bible named Joseph, who exhibited character we hope for our Joseph to have.
As a young child, Jacob's son Joseph had true, sustaining faith in God. Sure, he had lessons to learn, and didn't know how to lead yet, but he learned. He rose above his trials, didn't try to blame or feel sorry for himself. He was separated from all other Israelites as a teen, yet allowed his faith in God to sustain him. He knew his identity. He had integrity and purpose in the day-to-day. He was patient in affliction. He did not turn bitter in his circumstances. He was a strong leader. When brought before Pharoah, he was respectful, but told the truth clearly that God is God.When his brothers came, he took no revenge, but was wise in how he handled them, giving them a chance to show/have a change in heart and repent. When he saw they had repented, he forgave them and saw God in it, helping them to see God work even in trial. Joseph believed in the Promised Land, and had his descendants promise to carry his remains there-- a legacy and a reminder to trust God, even after he had passed away.
Another wonderful Joseph in the Bible is the man God selected to be Jesus' earthly father, a man who trusted and acted on God's word, who demonstrated love, compassion and integrity, and followed God's instructions immediately and without question. Joseph is a hero by his response to hearing God by angel and dream, by the gentle way he treats Mary, and the way he protected his family by moving them to Egypt for a few years. I wish we had more information about this man who raised the son of God on earth!
Joseph of Arimathea was a respected member of the Sanhedrin who loved God, and took a risk by asking Pilate for Jesus' body, burying him in a tomb. What a picture of respect and love for the son of God!
As a young child, Jacob's son Joseph had true, sustaining faith in God. Sure, he had lessons to learn, and didn't know how to lead yet, but he learned. He rose above his trials, didn't try to blame or feel sorry for himself. He was separated from all other Israelites as a teen, yet allowed his faith in God to sustain him. He knew his identity. He had integrity and purpose in the day-to-day. He was patient in affliction. He did not turn bitter in his circumstances. He was a strong leader. When brought before Pharoah, he was respectful, but told the truth clearly that God is God.When his brothers came, he took no revenge, but was wise in how he handled them, giving them a chance to show/have a change in heart and repent. When he saw they had repented, he forgave them and saw God in it, helping them to see God work even in trial. Joseph believed in the Promised Land, and had his descendants promise to carry his remains there-- a legacy and a reminder to trust God, even after he had passed away.
Another wonderful Joseph in the Bible is the man God selected to be Jesus' earthly father, a man who trusted and acted on God's word, who demonstrated love, compassion and integrity, and followed God's instructions immediately and without question. Joseph is a hero by his response to hearing God by angel and dream, by the gentle way he treats Mary, and the way he protected his family by moving them to Egypt for a few years. I wish we had more information about this man who raised the son of God on earth!
Joseph of Arimathea was a respected member of the Sanhedrin who loved God, and took a risk by asking Pilate for Jesus' body, burying him in a tomb. What a picture of respect and love for the son of God!
In church on Sunday, we noticed there was yet another wonderful Joseph. Acts 4:36 tells us that Barnabas' name was actually Joseph, but Barnabas (meaning son of encouragement) is actually a nickname he was given because of his encouraging character.
We pray that our Joseph would love God at an early age, and would have a faith that would sustain him through the circumstances and trials of his life, seeing God's hand at work. We pray he would be a leader of integrity after God's own heart, and would lead and encourage others to Christ's forgiveness.
1 Corinthians 15:58
Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord, your labor is not in vain."
