Winning Ways -- Hillcrest Baptist Church

Hallowed Be Thy Name
by Tom Goodman
July 15, 2009

What's in a name? Apparently, quite a lot!

Sometimes Einstein would sign a check and never see it again. His signature became so famous that even his creditors held on to his checks.

Joe DiMaggio had trouble with checks, too. The famous Yankee center fielder once had to wrestle a souvenir collector at his bank to retrieve a check made out by DiMaggio and endorsed by his then wife Marilyn Monroe.

These autograph collectors knew that the name alone was worth more than the amounts for which the checks were drafted. These days, an old autograph of Thomas Jefferson fetches $1000, a signed photo of Humphrey Bogart starts at $1000, and a two-page letter handwritten by Greta Garbo recently sold for $6600.

Of course, not everyone appreciates a famous name. Golf great Lee Trevino recalls autographing a $5 bill once for a persistent woman in a restaurant. She gushed as she walked away, "I'll treasure it forever." But later, upon paying for his meal, Trevino looked at his change from the cashier and saw the $5 bill he had just signed!

How highly do you value God's name? In the Lord's Prayer, Jesus taught us that the very first thing that should come to mind when we pray is the value of God's name. He taught us to ask God to "hallow" his name -- to make it holy and special. It's interesting that the first request of the Lord's Prayer covers the same territory as the first sentence of the Ten Commandments: the name of God.

When someone slanders us, we say they've ruined our "good name." Our name is a kind of short-hand for our being and character. Jesus said that the highest priority for anyone should be reverence for the being and character of God.

When was the last time you asked God to "hallow" his name in your life, your church, and your world? Take a moment right now to pray the way Jesus taught us to pray!

I'm nearing the end of my mission service in Zambia. I've asked Jim Siegel to speak again this Sunday. He is always a treat to hear! Join your Hillcrest Family this Sunday @ 10am!

--Tom

Weblog: Check out my blog, "Get Anchored." Some things to look for...

Song of the Week, posted every Sunday.
Links to Your World, interesting and informative links, posted every Tuesday.

Do you know friends who would appreciate Winning Ways? Just forward this e-mail to them!

Have you subscribed to Winning Ways? You can subscribe by clicking here and following the instructions. Your e-mail address will not be sold or given away to anyone, and you can automatically change your subscription or drop it by following the easy steps provided with each e-mail.

FRESH NEWS AT HILLCREST UPDATED WEEKLY: www.hillcrestaustin.org

LISTEN TO RECENT SERMONS: Click here.

MANAGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTIONS TO OUR EMAIL NEWSLETTERS: Click here. If you do not have access to the web, please send a note to newsmaster@hbcaustin.org to tell us of any changes you would like to make.

Winning Ways - from Hillcrest Baptist Church, Austin, Texas	Contact Tom Goodman, Pastor
Manage Your Subscription -- Subscribe/Unsubscribe	Contact Us About Your Subscription
Hallowed Be Thy Name by Tom Goodman July 15, 2009 What's in a name? Apparently, quite a lot! Sometimes Einstein would sign a check and never see it again. His signature became so famous that even his creditors held on to his checks. Joe DiMaggio had trouble with checks, too. The famous Yankee center fielder once had to wrestle a souvenir collector at his bank to retrieve a check made out by DiMaggio and endorsed by his then wife Marilyn Monroe. These autograph collectors knew that the name alone was worth more than the amounts for which the checks were drafted. These days, an old autograph of Thomas Jefferson fetches $1000, a signed photo of Humphrey Bogart starts at $1000, and a two-page letter handwritten by Greta Garbo recently sold for $6600. Of course, not everyone appreciates a famous name. Golf great Lee Trevino recalls autographing a $5 bill once for a persistent woman in a restaurant. She gushed as she walked away, "I'll treasure it forever." But later, upon paying for his meal, Trevino looked at his change from the cashier and saw the $5 bill he had just signed! How highly do you value God's name? In the Lord's Prayer, Jesus taught us that the very first thing that should come to mind when we pray is the value of God's name. He taught us to ask God to "hallow" his name -- to make it holy and special. It's interesting that the first request of the Lord's Prayer covers the same territory as the first sentence of the Ten Commandments: the name of God. When someone slanders us, we say they've ruined our "good name." Our name is a kind of short-hand for our being and character. Jesus said that the highest priority for anyone should be reverence for the being and character of God. When was the last time you asked God to "hallow" his name in your life, your church, and your world? Take a moment right now to pray the way Jesus taught us to pray! I'm nearing the end of my mission service in Zambia. I've asked Jim Siegel to speak again this Sunday. He is always a treat to hear! Join your Hillcrest Family this Sunday @ 10am! --Tom Weblog: Check out my blog, "Get Anchored." Some things to look for... Song of the Week, posted every Sunday. Links to Your World, interesting and informative links, posted every Tuesday. Do you know friends who would appreciate Winning Ways? Just forward this e-mail to them! Have you subscribed to Winning Ways? You can subscribe by clicking here and following the instructions. Your e-mail address will not be sold or given away to anyone, and you can automatically change your subscription or drop it by following the easy steps provided with each e-mail. FRESH NEWS AT HILLCREST UPDATED WEEKLY: www.hillcrestaustin.org LISTEN TO RECENT SERMONS: Click here. MANAGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTIONS TO OUR EMAIL NEWSLETTERS: Click here. If you do not have access to the web, please send a note to newsmaster@hbcaustin.org to tell us of any changes you would like to make.