What Do You Go By?

As a very young boy I was given the name “Little Craig” to distinguish me from the other “Craig” that lived across the street. Since he was two years older he was accurately called “Big Craig”. At such an early stage in life it was fitting; however, a couple of years later “Big Craig” the son of a horse racing jockey seemed to have the name I should have had. I hated being called “Little Craig” as I towered over “Big” Craig… Thank God he moved to “The Little Apple” when I was in Third Grade.

In Junior High and High School my buds and I would spend every weekend or break we could patroling a teenage wasteland. We scrounged the local beach communities surfing and losing brain cells while living off gathered Coke bottles and 25 cent burritos at Taco Bell. I’m pretty fair of skin. I fried myself in the Southern California Sun and was named by a couple of my “good” friends “Tomato”… for obvious reasons.

I hated that name. It always felt like a put down on a physical attribute I couldn’t change.

In seminary I wanted the name “Doctor All-Wise-Theologian-Life-Changing-Verse-by-Verse-Bible Expositor”. Sometimes we never get the name we desired and later we’re glad that’s the case.

Presently my corner of the world includes a “Goose”; “Senator” (a spiffy and sagely legal negotiator); and a “Rose” (a name God gave a woman in our community.  There’s “Little Buster” (a name bestowed upon Morgan by “Big Buster”), I know a great cook some refer to as “Stewie” (a reference to Martha Stewart whom they say she cooks like).There’s a couple of “Ass Clowns”… so named in an online post by a critic. Ahhh… I almost forgot “Stink Eye” (I probably shouldn’t tell that story here!) There’s Kurt who’s been going by Pablo for 27 years (he flunked Spanish in 8th grade), “Jimbo” (His name is Jim… he battles with his weight and is also referred to as “Jumbo" by some).

While in college I worked at a kids camp named “Indian Village” for a summer. The Staff each had an “Indian” name. I was “Smoking Buffalo” (because of clouds of buffalo colored emissions the food delivery truck I drove spewed).  A young Gal I worked closely with had not yet been tagged with a name…. so one day she asked a group of 6th grade boys what her Indian name should be, they huddled, looked at her, huddled again an began laughing; breaking from the circle they bestowed upon her the name that stuck all summer… and ever since, “Moose Lips” (38 years later she’s a well adjusted grandmother who'll turn her head in a crowded mall to someone yelling out "Hey Moose Lips!"). I consider as friends a “Poet” putting heart and beauty into words in Oregon, a “Sasquatch” who’s changing lives in Pennsylvania, a “Prophet-Sage” from Palo “Alto and... when it comes to names, my personal favorite is a rat-sized mangy haired terrier mutt with bug eyes, a smoker’s bark and bluff charge named “Killer”. 

Everyone has been given a name or two. Some fit, some don’t; some names we bear are desired others embarrassing… sometimes crippling. Often our names become the script of our life. What names have you been given?

When my first grand daughter was born the family counseled together to inquire about the name I wanted to go by as her grandfather. I decided I’d go by the name “Captain”, and so it was settled, Jacqueline Ruby would be the first of a quiver full of grandchildren to love, honor and respect me with the name “Captain”.

There are names we desire and there are the names we’re given.

My habit around Jacqueline Ruby was to surprise her by popping out from around a corner or from behind a couch with an engaging fatherly “Ah… Boo!” She’d laugh and with smiling eyes beg me to do it again and again. So, the story goes that while my forever and wonderful first born daughter is wiping the Gerber’s Mixed Vegetables and Chicken Liver food off Jacqueline’s chin as she sits in her High Chair, Jac points to my picture prominently centered on the fridge door and declares “Aboo!!”

“Captain” may be the name someone else goes by but in the McConnell Clan I’m thrilled to be known as, and respond to “Aboo”. 

Now, let me add, though others make the connection, Jac had no knowledge of the character from Disney’s Jungle Book named “Aboo” who was a thin haired middle aged warrior-monkey with droopy eyes, odd sense of humor with a smoker’s laugh and a bluff charge also known as “Craig”. 

God too has a name for us. What do you go by?

- Craig McConnell

 

Comments

[Rocco Capra]

You keep hitting these out of the park Craig!

With a unique name like "Rocco" there wasn't much need to call me anything else. That is until the horribly dumb character in the Dukes of Hazard named "Roscoe" came along. I really hated that nick name, cause I really hated being associated with that bumbling fool. As a child of an absentee alcoholic dad I struggled with my identity and "Roscoe" didn't help!

It wasn't until 3 years ago I learned the true meaning of my name and thus found my identity in God's eyes...

"Rocco" - From the old high German "Rohon". Meening - 'To shout a battle cry', 'War Cry'.

No bumbling foolery in that!!

ROHON!

(http://bit.ly/9XYTLs)

[Mike Dyer]

When I was in high school I took a marine biology course. We took alot of field trips to the surf and jetties looking for creatures to stock our aquariums with (a fellow student and I shared 300 gallons). One field trip there ended up being a wrestling match. I proceeded to through someone over my shoulder, run into the surf and throw them into a wave. When they came up for air, much to my surprise, half of the back of my swim suit was in their hand...

I affectionately took on the name, "sweet cheeks".

I got used to it.

Thanks Criag...remembering you guys.

[David Felts]

I've gone by the name of Super Dave for almost twenty years now. It was given to me by a youth pastor friend after I told him the story of me stepping out of a moving bus. The bus was only going five miles per hour, but still that is pretty fast for a guy to step out in front of an entire bus load of teenagers.

I've always liked the nick name because it says something about me that makes me just a little bit different than your average Dave. As of late I have gone by Gods1stKnight on the Ransomed Heart forums, and just about any email I send out to the men of my church, or my blog; http://www.allinaknightswork.blogspot.com/.

Thanks for another great blog Craig...I'm just glad you quit going by seagull, because that is definitely not who you are my friend...strength and honor for the Kingdom and the King!

[Patti]

OMG!!!!! That was wonderful!!!!

[Craig McConnell]

Rocco,
So... are you calling me an "All Star"?

(As a young baseball player I was named an "All Star" over several seasons. As an absolute baseball fanatic there was no greater honor imaginable. To BE an "All Star" was to be someone! Mickey Mantle was an All Star, Sandy Kofax was an All Star!!! So... when you suggest that I "keep hitting [it] out of the park", you're touching on an old name and a deep desire.)

Thanks for your words Rohon! - Craig

[Craig McConnell]

Michael,

Ahhhh.... there are names some are given that "take" and we so dislike. BUT you my friend are one of the few who, granted a name to relish, can live with head held high and proud. Many are named yet few are called "Sweet Cheeks"! What a great story. So, have you told the story to the kids around a campfire near a lake or beach yet?

- Craig

[Craig McConnell]

Dave,

I have enjoyed each of the stories shared. I hope more join in. Thank you for sharing yours... jumping off a bus!

You're no "average" Dave!

- Craig

[Chris]

Craig, Your Aboo story reminds me how names bestowed on us by our little ones can be the best loved. My little daughter started calling her father "daddys". We think it was because of the overwhelming cry that would ring out in our household from her three brothers and I --"Daddy's home!" He began to recipricate and call her "Laurens" and still does to this day.

[Craig McConnell]

Patti, love the unencumbered passion!!!

[Gunnar]

What's in a name?
... an excerpt from my Ransomed Heart profile:
http://ransomedheart.net/profile/GunnarHeiberg

What’s in a name?

My father was proud of our family’s heritage, and so he named me in honour of "those who had gone before".

My first name, "Gunnar", is in memory of my father’s twin brother, who was killed at the age of 10 or 11 while riding his bicycle. He, in turn had been named after his uncle, who was a prominent playwright and theater critic. My middle name, "Axel", is in memory of another great-uncle who was a well known businessman in the late 1800’s and financier of a couple of polar expeditions.

For those of you who have been to a Wild at Heart Boot Camp, you will recall the session regarding our "spiritual identity", when we are told to seek the Lord to know our "spiritual name", the name He calls us by.

At the time, I did not receive anything, so, after I returned home, I researched the meaning of my names - "Gunnar" means "Warrior" and "Axel" means either "Father of Peace" or "Source of Life". This really excited me, for I could see the hand of God in my family history to give me such a name as "Warrior, Father of Peace, Source of Life".

Then, in spring 2009, I was given the opportunity to participate in the BraveHeart Intensive, a significant part of which was the exploration and discovery of my spiritual identity and True Name. It was during that time that I had one of those great, "Well, DUH!" moments. While I hadn’t received anything at Boot Camp, I realised that God had already given me a new name back in 1979, just a year after I was born-again. In a personal prophecy, not only did He call me a warrior, He twice called me "a great lion of God". And so, to my earthly given names, I have added my True Name, "Ariel - Lion of God".

[jill]

Your words got my wheels turning not only about the names given to us (which I have a few of...most recently, The Roadrunner, for hauling myself up and down the PCT a bit quicker than my 3 tall, blond, amazon women hiking companions - I'm 5'3", 120lbs and was carrying a 50 lb pack), but the names we give to others. You have examples of both.

One brings life and the other death.

The intimacy and affection that causes us to give life giving names to others must be a hint of God through us.

And conversely those times when we let loose with names of death (he's a lost cause, she's a liar, he can't do anything right etc) is residue of the condemnation and brokenness of our flesh and fear mixing together.

May we name and be named well.

[Wayne Shaw]

Craig, who I hereby confirm the title/name "absolute baseball fanatic"....you too?!?! Oh my God, do me a favor and have a peak at Stasi's blog, where I have a response to the Scoreboard posting, I think you'll like.
Other names, the good ones first before consigning the others to the gehenna where they belong.
For the first five years of my life, my father spoke to me exclusivley in Spanish. He grew up in southern California (Redlands, and later San Diego). His "Spanish" name for me was "Tito", as I was reminded in finishing the book of Titus this evening. Now, Titus--or "Tito"--was a leader, something extremely important to me to remember, as someone who struggles daily with significanceNot just having a sense of contributing, but of being an ABLE leader. There's significance from every angle in that name, and how it was bestowed. (My father did not raise us in church, so he didn't know.)
"Banfill" is another one, my mother's maiden name, which she and I both carry as our middle name (the only ones in our family to do so). Problem is, my grandpa Banfill, a wonderful man by all accounts, died when my mother was nine, a younger man than I am now (52). He was a newspaper reporter in Montana.

For ease of communication, I'll share my bad, mocking names for my following response....

[Wayne Shaw]

Okay, Part Two, and the conclusion. Like Rocco's, my name doesn't have a lot of variations or alternatives. Call me Wayne, because that's who I am. ("Wayner", "Waynster", and other variations don't work for me, tnough Wayno with the right intent I can live with.)
I used to hate being called "Bruce Wayne", and thought that was the worst ever, until "Wayne's World" and that crude, raunchy character with the unfriendly grin came along. It's like being asked to wear a shoe that doesn't fit. I refuse to do it.
No fear, though: as a compassionate Banfill and an able leader, Tito's whip will scourge the Wayne's Worlds of this world, and put Batman's alter ego in his proper place.
I had other unfriendly nicknames, too, but don't need to recall them right now. Tito's whip will drive them out at the proper time.

[Morgan]

Supa, Captain, Big Buster... Where do I start. I'm in tears... I couldn't tell you why and I couldn't describe them better than my little Abigail who would simply call them "happy tears." "Moose Lips"... why I'm a roaring... laughing, crying... simply enjoying you. Savoring life. That I get to have you as a supervisor. As a friend, as a fellow golfer... I am wealthy my friend. From one ass clown to another. With love and admiration, lil buster

[Alex]

Stink Eye...Yes, some nicknames are better left unexplained. Proud to be a fellow ass clown and stink eye!

[Uilleam]

When I was little, well littler, my Dad called me Woo and I called him Appo. Now, 50 years or so later, I have no recollection where those names came from. Recently, I was digging through some old papers and found a note I had written to my dad. I started it, "Dear Appo..." and signed it, "Love, Woo". I was in college when I wrote that letter. My dad has been gone now for almost 25 years. The letter was something he had saved and I found it in one of his piles of papers and I saved it. When I read the letter, I cried. I miss being able to crawl in his lap and lean against him and smell his dad-smell and play with his big ear lobes and have him tell me he loves "his Woo." I love my Appo. Do you suppose Father will let me call Him that; because He lets me crawl up into His lap and lean against Him and play with His big ear lobes and smell His dad-smell and have Him tell me He loves "His Woo"?

[Matt]

My Little League coach dubbed me "The Professor, or "Prof" for short. Easy call -- I wore glasses. It took instantly with my teammates. I wasn't enamored with it because it made me stick out. There was nothing to be done; my eyesight dictated that I wear glasses. But eventually grew into the name. The "Prof" moniker was encapsulated in my youth baseball experience; everywhere else, I was just Matt or Matty. I grew, my family moved out of my hometown, I got contacts. My Little League chums all scattered to the wind, as so often happens. The name is now frozen in time. Once upon a time, I winced at its mention. What I wouldn't give now to hear an old teammate use it one more time as we trotted onto a freshly-mowed ballfield, playfully hopping over the newly-laid, undisturbed white chalk lines.

I praise God for those days, those times -- lovingly seared into memory.

[Darrin Koone]

Where do you come up with this stuff Craig? You make my day.

With a last name like Koone and a grandfather named Ray I got all kinds of Raccoon, coon dog, coon tail and ring tail nicknames through the years as my son did as well. In high school they just called me Iza. I’za Koone.

Oddly enough my son’s name is Derek which means tower or leader. He is. But I call him Jobob or Studly. My daughters name is Danisha. We call her Nisha. Then one day that became Nishead which I changed to Fishhead. She is 25 and has three kids but to this day the most affectionate term she can hear from me is Fishead though her children seem very confused.

[CJ]

Hi Craig,

First of all, thanks for being accessible to the general public. I'll confess up front that my comment has nothing to do with your post.

I'm curious to know why John Eldredge has zero accessibility to the public? I've searched this entire site and can't find any avenue by which to contact him. I imagine this is due to the high volume of messages he would receive but it's still disappointing that he doesn't even allow for feedback on his blog posts.

I wanted to simply respond to the latest podcast you guys did on Advent Part 3. Let me say that I've enjoyed this ministry for a few years now and have been encouraged immensely by the books John has written. With that said, I have to say I found myself saddened upon hearing how much John "longs for Jesus to come back" and yet I heard very little compassion and ache in his voice for those who have yet to be redeemed by the blood of Jesus. One of my questions for John would be...
"John, what are you doing on a daily basis to reach out to those without the same hope you have?"

Every second 2 people on this earth pass into eternity through death. That adds up to 172,800 souls plunging into an eternity of either heaven or hell.

As you guys regularly mention, we are in a War. And boiled down to its simplest form...it's a war for the souls of men & women.

Near the end of the podcast, John says, "I think that he (Jesus) waits in some degree for the cry of his people, for the thirsty Church, a Church that wants his return."

Could it also be that Jesus is waiting patiently for more to repent? Could it be he'd like to see heaven even more populated?

As 2 Peter 3:9 says, "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."

These are absolutely urgent times we're living in and yet I hear very little from Ransomed Heart regarding that urgency. Those of us who have trusted in the salvation offered through Christ are now entrusted by Jesus himself to take this message of Hope to a lost and dying world.

Jesus himself said he didn't know the day or hour of his return but said it would come like a "thief in the night" Praying for that return won't speed it up. Instead, let's direct that prayer toward those lost friends & family members, those who are lost in our cities and those John speaks of in the podcast who've been affected by atrocities (such as "Africa" or a "former Soviet bloc country")

Sorry to hijack your blog to rant a little.

CJ

ps: by the way, I think I speak for thousands of folks around the world who would appreciate John allowing comments on his blog. It doesn't mean he has to respond to everyone. It just seems like a reasonable thing to do

[Vern Hyndman]

CJ... good luck with that. The beauty of Ransomed Heart is the men who are accessible, and in the end, emotionally open and genuine folks have what has been the connection for me here. Please come to the Ransomed Heart Forum (http://forum.ransomedheart.com) or www.ransomedheart.net, you'll find a whole raft of folks, and I'll bet you'll find a connection that will bring you back, and satisfy your need for connection.

I do have to say that John has done a great job of avoiding a cult of personality.

Hmmmm.... Sasquatch, eh? HEY, I represent that comment.
So I was buying a 22 cal rifle for Elijah, my 11 yo, at Walmart. And let me say, context is everything... the Sasquatch look, in certain contexts, can take on an aura flavored by the uniqueness and obvious fearlessness of the opinions of others... sort of "are you with the band?" kinda thing...

But in Walmart, it invariably comes off as a 300 lb long haired, long bearded redneck buying a rifle. An almost sure conviction of a diesel 4x4, with NASCAR stickers and mud flaps adorned with the outline of curvaceous women... an accusation brought up short by the old Volvo chariot I actually arrived in.

So anyway, as I filled out the paperwork to prove I'm not a serial killer, or a danger to society in any other discernible way, my friend John Lynch calls and proceeds to wax poetic, given it's Christmas Eve and all, about our friendship. So there I am, the tears starting to well up... and I say,

"John, dude, just so you'll know... thanks to you, I'm a three hundred pound, long haired, long bearded, redneck dude, in Walmart on Christmas eve, CRYING, and buying a gun. Thanks for that."

Sasquatch, eh? Yeah, it's a moniker allright. Coulda been worse... coulda been "Tiny"
Or "Earl" Or "Vern" hmmm. knowhatImean?

[Kevin]

I just blogged today about names. There is something freeing about a nickname. You can break free from your past if you so desire or you can take hold of some trait you want to amplify. Never thought so much about nicknames before.

[Smith]

John Peter The Brave ~~ God Himself to me