A Binkie by Any Other Name

Someone abandoned a black and white tom cat in our neighborhood. I'm not sure how it happened, but somehow we adopted him. I knew the adoption process was uncontrollably complete when my kids started discussing a name for him. Once an animal has a name, we seem to have one tough time getting rid of it. My oldest son wanted to name the new tom "Avenger of Blood" (some of my kids still call him "Vengie" every now and then), but I thought the name was a little too disturbing. After some debate, they all settled on "Riley."

After a few weeks of putting food and water out for Riley, he started bringing his lady friend around. We gave them the benefit of the doubt and assumed they were married because the next thing we knew, Riley's pretty calico sweetheart delivered five bouncing baby kittens in our garage. That was in March. Before we even had an opportunity to get Callie the calico in for her postpartum check up, she was expecting again. On July 10th she gave birth to four more babies. Suddenly we found ourselves up to our whiskers in cats!

My kids had a meeting today to settle on the names. No, anything but names! (It's inspired me to make a vet appointment for Callie oh-so-expeditiously.) My kids are smart little cookies, too. They've figured out through the years that their dad and I tend to be suckers when it comes to keeping the animals they give Bible names to. Please don't ask me why. I don't get it either. Nevertheless, they presented the new family members today: Abraham, Elijah, Hosea and Binkie.

Wait a minute, what kind of prophet was BINKIE? They had to apologize a little for that one, but what could they do? It fit. He just looked like a Binkie. Can't argue with a name that fits.

God gave Jesus a name that fits in the most magnificent way. It's a name that inspires worship from every created thing. I was in a circle of praying women yesterday and as we were praising God, one of them giggled, "God, I almost wish we could stop praising you for a minute, just so we could hear the rocks give you a shout out. Wouldn't that be cool?" Our entire circle of women broke out into praying giggles. But we still just couldn't stop praising.

His name simply has to be exalted and it's our honor and holy privilege to get to praise that magnificent name. Philippians 2:9-11 says, "Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (NIV) O praise the name of Jesus!

Hey, when the praise fits, shout it!

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Rhonda Rhea writes for dozens of Christian publications and speaks at conferences and events across the country. You can find her newest books, "Soup for the Soul-Tastes Just Like Chicken", and "Amusing Grace", at your local Christian bookstore. "Who Put the Cat in the Fridge-Serving Up Hope and Hilarity Family Style", will be available in March. Rhonda's husband, Richie Rhea, is a pastor in Troy, Missouri. You can reach them through her Web site at: www.rhondarhea.net.