A New Year, A New Name Tag, A New Life

This past weekend was a huge blessing to me. I was able to attend Xtreme Winter Conference. I haven't been able to go in the past due to work. This year, however, my family and I all were able to go.

Mandisa and the Newsboys were there the first night. Sunday morning, Jordan Howerton Band opened with a worship session, and then Matthew West finished it off. 

The message that Matthew West left with everyone was very powerful. He sang, "Hello, My Name Is," (which, if you have not heard, is an awesome song). He hadn't planned on singing it at first, however. Actually, he hadn't planned on singing it at all. But he said he felt like someone in the room needed to hear the song. 

After the song, he went on to talk about how people may have put name tags on us that don't belong on us, such as "defeated," "addiction," "hopeless," but that if we are the sons and daughters of God, He has put name tags on us that say, "Child of the One True King," "hopeful," "forgiven." 

I felt like I had put my own name tags on myself: "bitter," "jealousy," and "unforgiving." Matthew West told us to close our eyes and imagine taking off those name tags, throwing them to the ground, and putting on new name tags. I saw my new name tags as, "forgiveness," "love," and "joy." 

This message really ministered to me. I needed to take off those old name tags that I had been wearing for so long. I am not perfect, but I am making progress. It feels good to rid of these "name tags" as the new year starts. 

I just want to encourage you to do the same! Start the year with new name tags! What name tags are you wearing?