I was listening to SIRIUS satellite radio in my new car … Wow, am I going to be bummed when that trial period expires. I especially love Sirius channel 31, which is "Coffee House"… It plays all acoustic all day. I love it!! 

The other very cool feature is that it displays the name of the singer and the title of the song. That bit of technology could have cleared up a LOT of arguments over the years. (: The other day, I was listening to Sirius and the song "Peace Train" came on. I love that song! The display read "Yusuf (formerly Cat Stevens). I found that so interesting. Who knew that Cat Stevens had changed his name? Where have I been for the last 35 years? Cat Stevens (born Steven Demetre Georgiou) converted to Islam in December 1977 and changed his name to Yusuf Islam the following year. Of course, if my name were Cat, I might would consider changing it, too. I mean, if it were after a more lovable animal like "dog" then it wouldn't be so bad, but "cat?" Yuck!  (I know … all the cat lovers are going to give me a hard time about being a cat hater. It is not so much that I'm a cat hater as it is that I'm a dog lover!  How's that for a politically correct response?) You know what my first thought was? I don't have to change my name. My God changes my name. As believers we don't have to change our name in the name of religion. Our God changes who we are. He changed names throughout the Bible.  You know why He can do this? Because He is a LIVING God. He changed Abraham (Abram), Sarah (Sarai), Israel (Jacob) and Paul (Saul). Abram became Abraham, "father of a multitude", Sarai became Sarah, "princess", Jacob became Israel, "prince of God", Simon became Peter, the "rock." God changes their name and highlights their spiritual accompishments or potential. God not only changed their name, He changed the person! Again, He has the power to do this because He is Alive.  I suppose when you serve a dead god (little "g") you have to change your own name. Because in that relationship, you're the only one alive.My God is a greater God. Revelation 2:17 says that all who have accepted Jesus will all have a new name in eternity. It states, "Are your ears awake? Listen. Listen to the Wind Words, the Spirit blowing through the churches. I'll give the sacred manna to every conqueror; I'll also give a clear, smooth stone inscribed with your new name, your secret new name." (Message Version) I thank God that I serve a risen Savior who is alive and active in the lives of His followers. I love that I don't have to change on my own. Rather, He gives me not only a new name but a new heart.