What’s in a name? I think a name says a lot. Several groups in our industry have it easy by going with their family names, such as The Hoppers, The Perrys, and The Crabb Family. Others have used part of their name and wrapped clever words around them for a great marketable name like The Happy Goodmans, The Gaither Vocal Band, and The Singing Cookes. Then there are names that I love; names that have required much prayer and thought or have been dropped in the lap of some lucky people. Some of my favorite are The Cathedrals, LordSong, Hope’s Call, and Mercy’s Mark.
With the creation of our group we were desperately searching for the perfect name. We prayed, read The Bible, brainstormed with our friends and come up with nothing, until God gave us the name in a time of ministry. We were not in the studio, on stage, or in front of a television camera. We were on our back porch trying to encourage someone who had turned their back on God.
Troy, Katy and I were on our back porch laughing and singing at the top of our lungs when a neighbor heard us and walked around back to our patio. We were working on some arrangements for our hymns project when he appeared with a bottle of beer in his hand and tears in his eyes. We thought we were being too loud and quickly apologized for the noise but he asked us to keep singing. He shared with us that he once walked closely with God and was even in the ministry. He had made some poor choices and wound up a lonely alcoholic and living a life of unfulfilling sin.
We sang some more and then shared how God had brought us through trials and asked if we could pray for him. He agreed and I began to pray a prayer of encouragement, rebuking satan and asking God to once again put His hand on this man’s life. Just as we were finished praying, Katy began to sing a worship song with these words - ”Tell me when did I lose my first love? Where did the fire and passion go? Burn in me Your holy fire. Give me back my lost desire, and restore in me the love I felt for You.” Tears streamed down our faces as we basked in God’s presence. The man told us he appreciated us praying for him but people had prayed for him before and still nothing changed. He said, “The things I have been involved in are unforgivable. There is no way God can forgive me after what I’ve done.”
We quickly reminded him that God loved him so much, He was willing to die for him. We urged him to never forget the feeling he had when God first saved him. “It’s never too late to run home to your first love,” we said.
With that being said, we realized that was our purpose, to encourage believers to return to their first love. That was it. That was our name.
What are some group names you really like? Let us know!
Until Next Month,
JP
First Love
http://www.firstloveonline.com
Author: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Written: 04/30/2005
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Category: Monthly ArticlesJP Miller
Comments: 3
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A very nice article from a very nice and sincere group. The southern gospel industry is in for a real treat from First Love.
I always liked the name Couriers, men with a message. That's why I named the first group I formed The Messengers Quartet. The name was inspired by my good friends teh Couriers.
great article.
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