Your name Stephanie means “Crowned One”, because Christ holds for you a crown of victory, waiting for you in the next world. You were named this because of the story of Stephen in the Bible. He was loyal to the Faith…and was so stubborn about it he was even willing to die for what he believed in.
Your second name, Grace, was given to you because both your Mom and I were so mindful of God’s goodness and His grace extended over our family…we felt it was important to acknowledge that Grace by giving you a name that would proclaim it to the world, and when you were dedicated, our prayer that Grace would not only be part of your name, but be an integral part of your life.
That is your calling Stephanie. Crowned one suggests royalty…a vision of who you are in Christ. Grace is the gift that God gives to each of us, and then desires that we share it and have it as our banner over the entire world.
Wherever you go, whether Russia, or another city, your duty and calling is to proclaim the gift of Grace to all that will listen. Among the many gifts, Stephanie, that God has given you are an ability to see injustice, a stubbornness to do what you have set your mind on – gifts that when allowed to be molded by God, will make you an unstoppable force for the Kingdom of God. Use your gifs wisely, for God has a destiny for you, that only you will be able to fulfill – no one else!
We leave you with these words, taken from the Message Translation of Scripture:
Proverbs 3
1-2 Good friend, don't forget all I've taught you; take
to heart my commands.
They'll help you live a long, long time,
a long life lived full and well.
3-4 Don't lose your grip on Love and Loyalty.
Tie them around your neck;
carve their initials on your heart.
Earn a reputation for living well
in God's eyes and the eyes of the people.
5-12 Trust God from the bottom of your heart;
don't try to figure out everything on your own.
Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go;
he's the one who will keep you on track.
Don't assume that you know it all.
Run to God! Run from evil!
Your body will glow with health,
your very bones will vibrate with life!
Honor God with everything you own;
give him the first and the best.
Your barns will burst,
your wine vats will brim over.
But don't, dear friend, resent God's discipline;
don't sulk under his loving correction.
It's the child he loves that GOD corrects;
a father's delight is behind all this.
The Very Tree of Life
13-18 You're blessed when you meet Lady Wisdom,
when you make friends with Madame Insight.
She's worth far more than money in
the bank; her friendship is better than a big salary.
Her value exceeds all the trappings of wealth;
nothing you could wish for holds a candle to her.
With one hand she gives long life,
with the other she confers recognition.
Her manner is beautiful,
her life wonderfully complete.
She's the very Tree of Life to those who embrace her.
Hold her tight—and be blessed!
19-20 With Lady Wisdom, GOD formed Earth;
with Madame Insight, he raised Heaven.
They knew when to signal rivers and springs to the surface,
and dew to descend from the night skies.
Never Walk Away
21-26 Dear friend, guard
Clear Thinking and Common Sense with your life;
don't for a minute lose sight of them.
They'll keep your soul alive and well,
they'll keep you fit and attractive.
You'll travel safely, you'll neither tire nor trip.
You'll take afternoon naps without a worry,
you'll enjoy a good night's sleep.
No need to panic over alarms or surprises,
or predictions that doomsday's just around the corner,
Because GOD will be right there with you;
he'll keep you safe and sound.
27-29 Never walk away from someone who deserves help;
your hand is God's hand for that person.
Don't tell your neighbor "Maybe some other time"
or "Try me tomorrow" when the money's right
there in your pocket.
Don't figure ways of taking advantage of your neighbor
when he's sitting there trusting and unsuspecting.
30-32 Don't walk around with a chip on your shoulder,
always spoiling for a fight.
Don't try to be like those who
shoulder their way through life.
Why be a bully?
"Why not?" you say. Because GOD can't stand twisted souls.
It's the straightforward who get his respect.
33-35 GOD's curse blights the house of the wicked,
but he blesses the home of the
righteous.
He gives proud skeptics a cold shoulder,
but if you're down on your luck, he's right there to help.
Wise living gets rewarded with honor;
stupid living gets the booby prize.
God Bless you Stephanie…we are very very proud of you and what you have managed to accomplish! Love, Mom & Dad
No comments:
Post a Comment