Oberbrunner, Kary - Your Secret Name

[Jay Stiegelmeyer]

I downloaded this book (http://www.amazon.com/Your-Secret-Name-Discovering-Created/dp/0310285461/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_1) for free on my Kindle just to see if it was any good (sorry, I think the free offer has passed). Once I started it, I couldn't put it down. The book is honest and raw. It came straight from the heart and soul of the author. I love that!

The premise of the book is that we all have a secret name that God knows us by. Of course, we all have birth names assigned to us by our parents. We also all have "given names" assigned to us throughout our lives. Given names are names such as "Smart", "Stupid", "Athletic", "Clumsy", etc, etc. Both birth names and given names can have a lifelong impact on us and often times we play into those names through the course of our lives.

But, each of us have a secret name that God himself has picked out and knows us by. Discovering your secret name is key to discovering the person God created you to be.

Like I said, the book is straight from the heart of the author and is actually quite autobiographical. The book tracks along with the story of Jacob. Jacob, of course, was assigned a birth name meaning heel grabber or deceiver. But, it wasn't until he wrestled with God and lived to tell about it that he learned his secret name.

[Lorie Hatcliff]

Our evangelist alluded to something like this this week in revival. I had never heard of it before. Are there certain passages that you can cite for us to look up? It sounds really interesting.

[Jay Stiegelmeyer]

He uses scripture throughout the book. Like I said before, he follows the story of Jacob all through the book. Additionally, He talks about the Tower of Babel. The bible tells that one of their chief motivations for building the tower was "to make a name for themselves".

In one of the appendices, he goes over some of the other people in the Bible that were given their secret names: Saul became Paul; Simon became Peter, etc. Simon was a fascinating one to me. He's the only one where he learned his secret name right up front upon meeting Jesus. Jesus basically shakes his hand and says, you are now Cephas (the Rock). Wow! Oberbrunner also discusses the uniqueness of Peter's struggles to live up to his secret name. And how Jesus goes back and forth from calling him Simon and Peter...and sometimes Simon Peter.

He referenced Revelation several times in a chapter called "The White Stone". Even making the point that Jesus himself has a secret name "known only to him who receives it (the white stone)" (Revelation 2:17). He even makes a case that Paul was referring to Jesus' secret name in Philippians 2:8-11 when he says that God gave him "the name that is above every name".

Another interesting theme in the book is how God loves for us to give Him names. There is another section that chronicles all the names given to God from man in Scriptures. Jehova Jira, Jehova Rapha, etc.

It's all very interesting and there is a lot more...but I am digressing. The point is, the book is making a case that we all have a secret name. A lucky few learn their secret names this side of heaven and it makes all the difference.

[Lorie Hatcliff]

Sounds fascinating! Thanks for the review.

[Jay Stiegelmeyer]

It's good. You ought to check it out and let me know what you think ;)

[Jay Stiegelmeyer]

Here's some audio from the author about the book in case you are interested.
http://www.catalystspace.com/content/conversations/catalyst_conversation_kary_oberbrunner/

[Marsha Lynn]

Thanks for the recommendation, Jay. It sounds wonderful. It has been some time since first I started looking forward to the day when I get a new name, one that has never ever been spat out in disgust or made to sound like a synonym for "idiot." One that will always and forever be spoken in tones of love. I have based my hope on the promise in Revelation 2:17.

I love all the "to him who overcomes" promises in the letters to the churches but I think the promise of a new name is my absolute favorite.