A New Name

Today at Mass, Father Tony had a wonderful sermon. During the sermon he mentioned how God gave a new name to his prophets once they were enlightened.  Abram to Abraham, Sarai to Sarah, Simon to Peter,
Saul to Paul.

That got me thinking...
"Lord, do I have a new name?  If I do, what is my new name?  Can I have a new name?"  I heard...

 "Laurel, your new name is Laurel."

A few moments later I felt nudged to open the Spirit Song book randomly and I opened to "Give Me a New Name".  I've never heard of this song before!  This is the lyrics...

Seaside, looking for the ones

who would immortalize his life

and carry on the message of Jesus Christ.

Willing to hear His word

and never be the same again.

Nearby, there's a man that's willing

to stand and reply, a sign.

Given a new name, a new heart and mind,

willing to hear His word

and never be the same again.

Refrain:

Lord, give me a new name

and tell me Your story, yeah!

I'll never be the same

when I see Your Glory, Yeah!

Lord, give me a new name.

Give me a new name, new name.

Solid ground, building a kingdom

that could never fall down, profound.

Simon transformed to "the Rock"

and now he's willing to hear Your word

and never be the same again.

Lord, can you change my ways?

Lord, can you change my name? Yeah!

Lord, give me a new name.

I'll never be the same.

You just can't make this stuff up!  Or, at least I can't!  

I showed the song to Brooke a couple times and she looked at me quizically.  I just wanted her to see it too.  If she only knew!  

Wow Lord, I am crying.  Crying tears of joy!

You see back on October 12, 2014, I made a journal entry and here it is...

Oct. 12, 2014 - I asked Jesus if this week He could send me some surprises or puzzles.  Well, He answered right away.  While listening to a man of God, Neville, he spoke of how important the meaning of names is.  So, I looked up my name and was amazed.  My name meant:  Victory, but the name Lori comes from the latin name "Laurel", meaning "the laurel tree".

Also, in  Ancient Greece and Rome, laurel leaves were made into crowns for victorious athletes and soldiers.  Also, James in the Bible eludes to a "laurel crown" for those who perservere.  Is it a coincidence that I was told to "Run the race and be crowned?"

Also, that message of running the race and a crowning was confirmed on "The Warning" by a man who was also told about "Endurance" and run the race as if being in the Olympics and winning a crown!  Here is his exact message...

Message to Timothy Snodgrass - Endurance

"Regardless of how tired you are of running the race, only those who continue in this end-time Olympic event will receive their crown in the end.  It is time to catch your breath and re-enter the race!  Do not give your crown to another, for great joy lies ahead if you will continue pushing forward in faith and perseverance - you are about to receive new energy from Heaven! 

Then, for some reason I was drawn to a picture I have of a "Lone Tree".  I've always been drawn to those lone trees, even at a very young age.  You know, the ones that are perfectly plopped into a middle of a field.  The tree looks so lonely and yet peaceful. 

 I wondered if the tree in my picture were perhaps a Laurel Tree.  So, I googled, Laurel trees and many trees appeared.  I picked one randomly and upon clicking on it next to the tree it read..."Do you know the meaning of your name?"

I find all this to be very interesting to say the least.  If it turns out my new name really is "Laurel", I will be so happy because I love it!