Name Change Part 1 : Why we changed our name

Overall our friends have been very supportive of our name change. Many have expressed that they were encouraged when they heard the story of "why." Some have been concerned. A few have asked how my family responded to the idea, especially my father. I was pleasantly surprised when I asked him about it. I explained the reasoning behind the idea and his response was "Well... lots of people in the bible had their name changed." Since that day, we have discussed it a few times, but they have been quite supportive overall. Okay... there are a few primary reasons we chose to change our name. Because I'm half German, I'll organize my thoughts into a little outline:

1. Alison was quite attached to her last name. It is Irish, and she loves her Irish heritage. I'll admit, the Irish are pretty cool. Their culture is rich with amazing music, folklore and history. They are also feisty, kinda like my wife : - ) She is also beautiful and humble and my favorite person in the whole world.
2. I was not really attached to my name, though was expecting to keep it when I was married.
3. We kicked around the idea of taking a new name, and the ramifications of it, and it spawned a series of questions. What is a last name. Are our last names sacred? Why the paternal line for last names in this country? How did the cultures of our ancestors pass on names in families? Would it be an unnecessary stumbling block to our Christian brothers and sisters?
4. This is probably the biggest one. Having an ancient biblical name which had profound meaning to us, and represented who we aspire to be, got us really excited about the prospect.
5. The chance to explain our name to other people, especially the unchurched, and possibly proclaim the good news of the kingdom in the process, was also exciting to us.
6. Upon some research, I discovered the the Norwegian culture (Larsen is Norwegian), did not have a static system of passing on the family name at all. The last names in that culture were associated with the family farm, rather than the father. This made me wonder if we should really cling to the system paternal system, just because it is the American way.
7. We live in Portland, and therefore, we can get away with it. (it is more common here)

It's been 6 years so far with this name. Do I ever regret it? Pretty rarely. Overall, it has been a choice that has only added to our lives. You know... now that I think about it, maybe I shouldn't post this. It reduces the possibility that I will get to share the story with you face to face. Hmm... I'll keep it here for now.

Name Change Part 2 : Why we chose Hilkiah

Hilkiah means "Yahweh is my portion."

There are two stories that Alison and I really love in the Old Testament in reference to this name. The first is the story of the discovery of the Law in the temple. The high priest Hilkiah discovered the scrolls while cleaning the temple. It had been tragically neglected and totally forgotten by Israel for a very long time. Idolatry and infant sacrifice were rampant.
The scrolls were read to the good King Josiah, who was instantly convicted and called the nation back to repentance. Then the Lord averted his anger and said to Josiah through a prophet

"Because your heart was responsive and you humbled yourself before the LORD when you heard what I have spoken against this place and its people, that they would become accursed and laid waste, and because you tore your robes and wept in my presence, I have heard you, declares the LORD. 20 Therefore I will gather you to your fathers, and you will be buried in peace." 2 Kings 22

It's an amazing interaction between a king and God. The Lord offers mercy and redemption when Josiah responds with humility and contrition. Israel was not the same after that. Josiah read the law to the people and then made a pledge to follow a law from then on with "all his heart and soul." The people also repented, removed all the idols from Israel and renounced infant sacrifice.

Hilkiah acted as a messenger in the story. Though he was high priest, he functioned as a prophet, literally delivering God's truth to the people. Alison and I were very attracted to this kind of relationship with God. We pray that God would use us in this way; through our words and our lives, delivering God's message to the world, and when necissary, the church.

Also the name has a relationship with the tribe of Levi. When Israel finally made if into the promised land under Aaron, the 12 tribes were allotted portions of the land. Each tribe was given a different section of the land to populate and to settle... except for the Levites. They were given no land. To the Levites, God's chosen priestly tribe, Yahweh told them instead "I will be your portion."

We love this idea. We aspire to be a family that fully puts our value on God. There are many things that we are tempted to overvalue in this culture. Material things, financial things, mechanical things, certain people, but the realilty is, none of these have what we really need while we journey in this world. It is clear throughout the bible, and by the example of Christ, that the Lord is zealous for us to depend fully on him. The world we live in is quick to provide forfeits. So many places to look for "security." So many places to look for pleasure or comfort. But only one place can deliver. The Kingdom of Yahweh. He is our inheritance and our portion.

FaceBook

We're finally on FaceBook. Find us at " Rod Hilkiah "

Community living

Alison and I have taken a leap forward (or... maybe sideways).
Having shelved our dreams to live in an intentional Christian community, for many years, we discovered Old Growth. Old Growth is a group of Christians, that have committed to move into the neglected places of Portland, with the mission of loving their neighbors in practical ways. They are discipling one another to proclaim the kingdom and introduce the world to Christ.

The community has landed in the Lents neighborhood near Flavel St. It has been termed "felony flats" because of the number of ex-convicts in the area. There are many beautiful, but struggling people here. We have come in order to be a blessing to them, and to be blessed by them as we live alongside them incarnationally.

The house we purchased is fairly large. There are currently 6 of us in this house and another 11 in the community which are relocating into the area "within a 5 minute walk." So far we have gotten to know about 12 households. Most of our outreach has been informal and spontanious, but we have also had a BBQ and a house warming party. To our faithless surprise, both of these were quite well attended.

May the Lord be merciful and grant us favor in the eyes of the world, so that he receives fame and honor through our feeble attempts to serve Him.

Peace out.