Yes I think there are cases when the priorities do become mixed up. I see it as a huge challenge in this day of working homeless people to not be overly focused on one's work especially if one fears being homeless.

this ad has really hit me hard, so i guess that means i have some work to do in this area. if this were my family portrait, it would be me turned from the family, logged on to the internet.

but oh man, wondercafe is so addictive.... is there a 12 step program for a wondercafe addiction???

From my experience, all 4 people in that family should have their backs turned to each other, and be focused on their devices - especially the kids. But I guess the target audience for this one is pretty clearly men. It's a good ad; sometimes I think our priorities are not mixed up, sometimes I think we don't even know what they are anymore.

I love the ad and the trend that it depicts. I am dissapointed that it has put focus on a traditional nuclear family when that is not really close to the norm these days. Children having their own electronic devices is a continuation of the need for trendy stimulation. Cell phones could also be portayed as bringing a family together. My family (single parent) uses the cell phone so that my kids can have some security and ability to contact me when I am at work or even at a church committee meeting.

I love this ad. There are those "pro-family" organizations that say gay marriage is ruining families.

I think this ad makes a much better point. And it's extremely clever.

an excellent point, aotn....

wow. well said.

Loved the ad and I agree with everything said to this point. It's true that we could have faced everyone away from each other. So often people don't even take the time to sit down for a meal together and I don't mean just the busy, over involved in sports and activities, families but just the regular everybody's at home but no one can be bothered families. I don't believe for one minute the sexual orientation of a relationship has any bearing on the situation. We have to stand up and take the blame. We have to say no, we will not be that family, we will all eat and talk and thrive together as one unit, caring and respectful of each others feelings. When our children were growing up we had meals together. When they all left my husband and I got in to the habit of taking our plates into the bedroom and watching television in comfort, the height of lazy but we loved it. Now through circumstances beyond our wildest dreams the house is full again. We have made an effort to eat all meals at the table with our grandchildren and it feels right. Hopefully this ad touches many and we examine and fix what is broken before it's too late.

yes, and yet, it is so easy to do so. The demands of workplace represent humans under stress...trying to meet deadlines or finish their allotment for the day. That cellphone may be someone who needs help.

I think part of that is a shift of the role of coporation in the world.

I think it is also that we do not have etiquette around the technologies yet. I have been out for dinner with friends, when one friend is texting another friend who is not there. It is not just a workplace, male or family issue.

So, like always, wondercafe has brought us an ad, which can be discussed from multiple perspectives: family, famlly models, technologies, pulls on families, etc.

well done.

Great advt. Jesse

If this ad hits home for you check out 'United in Marriage' through the UCofC web site. The ad reminded me of my marriage 20 years ago, only the distraction was our careers. UIM got us connecting again. Actually its a great communications workshop for any couple commited to their relationship.

go easy on the old man. you ladies like to talk on the phone for hours on end also.
but i think most famalies need to smash their TV and play some cards

I think this ad will generate tons of discussion. Sadly I think it willbe because the add will likely strike a cord in our own lives. Considering message manager, ,multi-windowed chat lines, texting, call waiting, etc. it has become vey easy to water down the intimacy of any one discussion in the effort to have several happening at once. The ad may not capture the typical "protrait pose" but I think it may very well capture the more common "candid shot".

My initial reaction to this ad? The picture makes me think of a recent Megachurch of 6000(plus school etc etc) or so that I was in - beautiful family photos of the leaders. Anyone who is "religious" should have a beautiful family unit like this? I and many others would feel left out. I didn't read the caption as the picture turned me off.

This pic hit home. My heart hurt looking at it b/c that was a big reason why my relationship from my child's Dad fell apart. He would use his cell phone at dinner, be on the computer on the sofa, or play video games or watch t.v. People need to think about their priorities.

Are our priorities mixed up?
OH YOU BET they are!!!!
So many people wonder why life is complicated and all messed up...
My husband & I had to learn (and put into practice) this little list...
When we finally got our act together (and it wasn't pretty..)
Life calmed down...ALOT and so did our marriage/kids.

1)God
2)Yourself
3)Your spouse
4)Your children
5) Your job/business

It's pretty basic.
Try it for 30 days- you'll never go back

Hey, where did you get the picture of my husband?

Ad was very good. Computers, blackberries etc.
No one seems to know how to connect to others in person any more.
Even telephones - much easier than sitting down with a friend with a cup of coffee and chatting.
No one seems to want to get together just for the pleasure of each other's company anymore. One must have a purpose.
When a family's members are each in their own space and not with each other for a lot of the time, it is sad.
How I fondly remember sitting down for a family dinner and talking about anything and everything with my parents - especially my Dad. Today I am a grandmother and rarely get to be with my children and grandkids. Talk has become so much harder.
I think companies should adopt policies that business cell phones are OFF in the evening and weekends, holidays etc. It is very hard to be an employee of a company that expects you to be there 24/7!

I too love these new ads. They really speak to the reality of people's lives and the struggles they face forcing us to think without being as distracted by controversy.

Technology has its ups and downs. Personally, I do feel that one of the biggest problems with our current society is our move away from community and increased focus on the self and individuality. We can do so much electronically now that we barely need to interact with people face to face, thus making simple conversation uncomfortable and difficult. We are losing our ability to relate to one another.

I guess when you really think about it this picture should have a lot more to it. My wife,daughtrer and myself are what you would call a "Sports" family. From mid Sept to end of Mar. we are very busy and focused on ringette and hockey. On top of that we support our friends who play special needs hockey. Now don't get me wrong we enjoy it and we try to take time to reflect but it isn't always easy. I know many other families just like ours who have 2 or 3 kids in sports year round and unfortunately they don't stop and take time to reflect mainly because there isn't any. I think for many families they spend Monday through Friday or Saturday even just trying to survive financially that when the week-end comes there isn't time made or taken to reflect on things that have happened during the week that was or what could happen during the week that is coming next.

Anyway that's just my 2 cents.

Thank You

Chris Billing

Cell phone use and blackberries and laptops have really muddied the waters for families. Now that folks who work can be contacted every minute of the day it seems to have become an obsession for some. I have been retired for 4 years and a bit and thankfully have gotten away from having to always be on call in my work. This ad suggests that the husband, or partner doesn't even have time to pose for a photo with his family. How sad is that? I am a woman in my 50's and when I go out in public I cannot believe the number of people who are always plugged into something i.e. ipods, texting on their cells, using their laptops to search for a soulmate ad nauseum.

There is more to life than this. Have we really progressed or are we fooling ourselves that high tech has made us happier?

Recently there was an excellent e-mail that we received from others on Ben Stein and his confession that he shared (article attached to e-mail) with CBS Sun. Morning titled, "I can only hope we find God again before it is too late!!

Here is an excerpt of that article.

"Billy Graham's daughter was interviewed on the Early Show and Jane Clayson asked her 'How could God let something like this happen?' (regarding Katrina) Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful response. She said, 'I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives. And being the gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly backed out. How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?'"

Does it seem that there is a human systematic approach to remove the Father in Heaven and His only begotten Son and their Names / Titles from every thing we call dear in our lives?
Everyone knows that the name and or title humankind has given our Father in Heaven has been God and or the Lord and as the Ben Stein article mentioned above that we are allowing even this man made name and or title (God / Lord) "to be removed from our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives."
If this isn't bad enough it just got worse.
Other people and institutions are now attempting to eliminate His real Name as well.
What does Scripture say about this; let us use two different translations to find out?
The Scriptures, 1998 Version / Shemoth (Exodus) 3:15
And Elohim said further to Mosheh, "Thus you are to say to the children of Yisra'el, "˜YHWH Elohim of your fathers, the Elohim of Abraham, the Elohim of Yitshaq, and the Elohim of Ya'aqob, has sent me to you. This is My Name forever, and this is My remembrance to all generations.'
The true Name of the Father YAHUWEH (YHWH) actually means, "He will cause to become" and this is why we recognize Him as our very Creator.
The title ELOHIM is and its other uses are as follows;

o El, Eloah, Elohim, Elahin, Elyon:

o El: Mighty One, Strength

o Eloah: Singular form of Elohim, has same meaning as El.

o Elohim: Plural of Eloah, Rulers, Messengers.

o Elyon, El Elyon: The Most High El.

o The word "El" is a very ancient Semitic term. Among Semitic languages it is one of the most used terms for greatness, strength or deity. In Hebrew religious usage it does not denote a proper name but is used as a title.

King James Version / Exodus 3:15
And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations.

Are we as a society suicidal when we allow others to strive and work so hard to eliminate the title and name we have given to our Father in Heaven let alone now the announcement of eliminating His real NAME out of worship services?

Please read the following six recent web based news articles of this next age old evolutionary ELIMINATION PROCESS used many times before of people and institutions that are systemically eliminating our Father in Heaven and His only begotten Son from everything in this world we hold dear and replacing it with age old traditions.

Vatican: Don't Use "YHWH" in Catholic Worship
The Vatican says

Catholics should not use the divine name in Catholic worship.

The Hebrew word yhwh, probably pronounced Yahweh, is God's revealed name. For most of their history, Jews refused to pronounce the name, which is why scholars are not 100% sure which vowels should even be used when pronouncing the name, because early Hebrew texts lack vowels and the exact pronunciation was lost. Over the years, Jews and Christians alike have used the word "Lord" as a euphemism for the divine name. Lord in Hebrew is adonai, in Greek, kurios, and in Latin, dominus.

I have never been comfortable pronouncing the divine name in liturgical settings. First, most of the songs that use the divine name are 70sish songs that aren't exactly my style. Second, Jewish concerns aside, we Christians have a long tradition of using the euphemism "Lord" in place of the divine name. I guess I don't fully understand why there was an emphasis on using the divine name in the 1960s and 1970s (perhaps the influential Jerusalem Bible, which uses the divine name in the Old Testament, is one reason). In our modern culture where "words are just words," this might not make sense, but there is a long history of reverance associated with the name of God.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vatican bans use of "˜YHWH'
Thursday, 4th September 2008. 1:37pm

By: Roberto Sanchez Guevara.

"The Hebrew name for God is not to be used or pronounced in liturgical celebrations, songs and prayers," said a letter addressed to the bishops' conferences of the world from Cardinal Francis Arinze, Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments.

The letter concerns the use of the "Tetragrammaton," the name which uses the four Hebrew letters YHWH. In English the name is pronounced "Yahweh." "The words of sacred Scripture contained in the Old and New Testament express truth which transcends the limits imposed by time and place," the letter explains. "They are the word of God expressed in human words, and by means of these words of life, the Holy Spirit introduces the faithful to knowledge of the truth whole and entire, and thus the word of Christ comes to dwell in the faithful in all its richness."

The Cardinal's letter teaches that, as an example, there are five acceptable translations of the title in five European languages: Lord, Signore, Seigneur, Herr, and Señor. He describes the term YHWH as "an expression of the infinite greatness and majesty of God," which he says "was held to be unpronounceable and hence was replaced during the reading of sacred Scripture by means of the use of an alternate name: Adonai, which means Lord."

Cardinal Arinze, citing the instruction Liturgiam Authenticam, explains that translators must use the "greatest faithfulness and respect" regarding the name of God.

This translation tradition has importance for understanding Christ, the Cardinal explains, since the title "Lord" in fact "becomes interchangeable between the God of Israel and the Messiah of the Christian faith." Cardinal Arinze particularly cites St Paul 's writings: "God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name"¦ every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord." Bishop Arthur Serratelli, chairman of the US bishops' Committee on Divine Worship, said that the orders might result in "some impact on the use of particular pieces of liturgical music in our country as well as in the composition of variable texts such as the general intercessions for the celebration of the Mass and the other sacraments."

Contact our Europe Desk

Yahweh' not to be used in liturgy, songs and prayers, Cardinal

Arinze says Vatican City, Sep 3, 2008 / 05:30 am (CNA)

The Hebrew name for God is not to be used or pronounced in liturgical celebrations, songs and prayers, Cardinal Francis Arinze, Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, has said in a letter addressed to the bishops' conferences of the world.

The letter concerns the use of the "Tetragrammaton," the name which uses the four Hebrew letters YHWH. In English the name is pronounced "Yahweh."

Cardinal Arinze's letter teaches that the Tetragrammaton is to be translated as the equivalent of the Hebrew title "Adonai" or the Greek title "Kyrios." He lists as examples five acceptable translations of the title in five European languages: Lord, Signore, Seigneur, Herr, and Señor.

Regarding translations in the liturgical context, the letter instructs, "Adonai" is to be translated in English as "Lord" and the Tetragrammaton YHWH is to be translated as "God."

"The words of sacred Scripture contained in the Old and New Testament express truth which transcends the limits imposed by time and place," the letter explains. "They are the word of God expressed in human words, and by means of these words of life, the Holy Spirit introduces the faithful to knowledge of the truth whole and entire, and thus the word of Christ comes to dwell in the faithful in all its richness."

Cardinal Arinze, citing the instruction Liturgiam Authenticam, explains that translators must use the "greatest faithfulness and respect" regarding the name of God.

He describes the YHWH as "an expression of the infinite greatness and majesty of God," which he says "was held to be unpronounceable and hence was replaced during the reading of sacred Scripture by means of the use of an alternate name: Adonai, which means Lord."

This translation tradition has importance for understanding Christ, the cardinal explains, since the title "Lord" in fact "becomes interchangeable between the God of Israel and the Messiah of the Christian faith."

Cardinal Arinze particularly cites St. Paul 's writings in the Letter to the Philippians, in which he wrote: "God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name"¦ every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord."

Bishop Arthur Serratelli, chairman of the U.S. bishops' Committee on Divine Worship, said in a note to U.S. Bishops that the instructions do not force any changes to "official liturgical texts" but might result in "some impact on the use of particular pieces of liturgical music in our country as well as in the composition of variable texts such as the general intercessions for the celebration of the Mass and the other sacraments."

To fulfill the directive, songs with phrases such as "Yahweh, I know you are near" will need to be modified.

CBCP News
"˜Yahweh' not to be used in liturgy, songs and prayers, Cardinal Arinze says
VATICAN, Sept. 3, 2008

The Hebrew name for God is not to be used or pronounced in liturgical celebrations, songs and prayers, Cardinal Francis Arinze, Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, has said in a letter addressed to the bishops' conferences of the world.

The letter concerns the use of the "Tetragrammaton," the name which uses the four Hebrew letters YHWH. In English the name is pronounced "Yahweh."

Cardinal Arinze's letter teaches that the Tetragrammaton is to be translated as the equivalent of the Hebrew title "Adonai" or the Greek title "Kyrios." He lists as examples five acceptable translations of the title in five European languages: Lord, Signore, Seigneur, Herr, and Señor.

Regarding translations in the liturgical context, the letter instructs, "Adonai" is to be translated in English as "Lord" and the Tetragrammaton YHWH is to be translated as "God."

"The words of sacred Scripture contained in the Old and New Testament express truth which transcends the limits imposed by time and place," the letter explains. "They are the word of God expressed in human words, and by means of these words of life, the Holy Spirit introduces the faithful to knowledge of the truth whole and entire, and thus the word of Christ comes to dwell in the faithful in all its richness."

Cardinal Arinze, citing the instruction Liturgiam Authenticam, explains that translators must use the "greatest faithfulness and respect" regarding the name of God.

He describes the YHWH as "an expression of the infinite greatness and majesty of God," which he says "was held to be unpronounceable and hence was replaced during the reading of sacred Scripture by means of the use of an alternate name: Adonai, which means Lord."

This translation tradition has importance for understanding Christ, the cardinal explains, since the title "Lord" in fact "becomes interchangeable between the God of Israel and the Messiah of the Christian faith."

Cardinal Arinze particularly cites St. Paul 's writings in the Letter to the Philippians, in which he wrote: "God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name"¦ every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord."

Bishop Arthur Serratelli, chairman of the U.S. bishops' Committee on Divine Worship, said in a note to U.S. Bishops that the instructions do not force any changes to "official liturgical texts" but might result in "some impact on the use of particular pieces of liturgical music in our country as well as in the composition of variable texts such as the general intercessions for the celebration of the Mass and the other sacraments."

To fulfill the directive, songs with phrases such as "Yahweh, I know you are near" will need to be modified. (CNA)

Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Rome: Ixnay on the "Yahweh"
Last Friday, the US bishops received their second summer communique from the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, this one dated 29 June.

Bottom line: the Tetragrammaton -- the Hebrew notation for the name of God -- is now forbidden to be "used or pronounced" in worship.

From CNS:

Bishop Arthur J. Serratelli of Paterson , N.J. , chairman of the U.S. bishops' Committee on Divine Worship, announced the new Vatican "directives on the use of 'the name of God' in the sacred liturgy" in an Aug. 8 letter to his fellow bishops.

He said the directives would not "force any changes to official liturgical texts" or to the bishops' current missal translation project but would likely have "some impact on the use of particular pieces of liturgical music in our country as well as in the composition of variable texts such as the general intercessions for the celebration of the Mass and the other sacraments."

John Limb, publisher of OCP in Portland , Ore. , said the most popular hymn in the OCP repertoire that would be affected was Dan Schutte's "You Are Near," which begins, "Yahweh, I know you are near."

He estimated that only "a handful" of other OCP hymns use the word "Yahweh," although a search of the OCP Web site turned up about a dozen examples of songs that included the word.

OCP is a nonprofit publisher of liturgical music and worship resources.

Limb said the company would be contacting composers to "ask them to try to come up with alternate language" for their hymns. But he said hymnals for 2009 had already been printed, so the affected hymns would not include the new wording for at least another year.

Even when the new hymnals are out, "it may take time for people to get used to singing something different," he added in an Aug. 11 telephone interview with Catholic News Service.

At Chicago-based GIA Publications, another major Catholic publisher of hymnals, no major revisions will be necessary, because of the company's longtime editorial policy against use of the word "Yahweh."...

Bishop Serratelli said the Vatican decision also would provide "an opportunity to offer catechesis for the faithful as an encouragement to show reverence for the name of God in daily life, emphasizing the power of language as an act of devotion and worship."

His letter to bishops came with a two-page letter from the Vatican Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments, dated June 29 and addressed to episcopal conferences around the world.

"By directive of the Holy Father, in accord with the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, this congregation ... deems it convenient to communicate to the bishops' conferences ... as regards the translation and the pronunciation, in a liturgical setting, of the divine name signified in the sacred Tetragrammaton," said the letter signed by Cardinal Francis Arinze and Archbishop Malcolm Ranjith, congregation prefect and secretary, respectively.

The Tetragrammaton is YHWH, the four consonants of the ancient Hebrew name for God.

"As an expression of the infinite greatness and majesty of God, it was held to be unpronounceable and hence was replaced during the reading of sacred Scripture by means of the use of an alternate name: 'Adonai,' which means 'Lord,'" the Vatican letter said. Similarly, Greek translations of the Bible used the word "Kyrios" and Latin scholars translated it to "Dominus"; both also mean Lord.

"Avoiding pronouncing the Tetragrammaton of the name of God on the part of the church has therefore its own grounds," the letter said. "Apart from a motive of a purely philological order, there is also that of remaining faithful to the church's tradition, from the beginning, that the sacred Tetragrammaton was never pronounced in the Christian context nor translated into any of the languages into which the Bible was translated."

The two Vatican officials noted that "Liturgiam Authenticam," the congregation's 2001 document on liturgical translations, stated that "the name of almighty God expressed by the Hebrew Tetragrammaton and rendered in Latin by the word 'Dominus,' is to be rendered into any given vernacular by a word equivalent in meaning.

...but, thanks be to G-d, at least we still got this:

Vatican Says Yahweh Not to Be Pronounced

Calls on Practice Used by 1st Christians

WASHINGTON, D.C., AUG. 19, 2008 (Zenit.org).- A note from the Vatican has reiterated a directive that the name of God revealed in the tetragrammaton YHWH is not to be pronounced in Catholic liturgy.

Bishop Arthur Serratelli, chairman of the U.S. bishops' Committee on Divine Worship, in a note informing prelates of the Vatican directive, said the indications "do not force any changes to official liturgical texts," but might cause "some impact on the use of particular pieces of liturgical music in our country as well as in the composition of variable texts such as the general intercessions for the celebration of the Mass and the other sacraments."

Commonly used songs with phrases such as "Yahweh, I know you are near," will need to be modified.

The June 29 Vatican message, from the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments, clarified that the name of God revealed in YHWH was not pronounced by the first Christians, following the tradition already in use.

It explained: "The venerable biblical tradition of sacred Scripture, known as the Old Testament, displays a series of divine appellations, among which is the sacred name of God revealed in a tetragrammaton YHWH -- hwhw. As an expression of the infinite greatness and majesty of God, it was held to be unpronounceable and hence was replaced during the reading of sacred Scripture by means of the use of an alternate name: 'Adonai,' which means 'Lord.'

"The Greek translation of the Old Testament, the so called Septuagint, dating back to the last centuries prior to the Christian era, had regularly rendered the Hebrew tetragrammaton with the Greek word Kyrios, which means 'Lord.' Since the text of the Septuagint constituted the Bible of the first generation of Greek speaking Christians, in which language all the books of the New Testament were also written, these Christians, too, from the beginning never pronounced the divine tetragrammaton."

Theology

The Vatican goes on to note that this practice had "important implications" for New Testament Christology.

"When in fact, St. Paul, with regard to the crucifixion, writes that 'God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name" (Phil 2:9), he does not mean any other name than 'Lord,' for he continues by saying, 'and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord' (Phil 2:11; cf. Isaiah 42:8: 'I am the Lord; that is my name')," the Vatican note explained.

"The attribution of this title to the risen Christ corresponds exactly to the proclamation of his divinity," it continued. "The title in fact becomes interchangeable between the God of Israel and the Messiah of the Christian faith, even though it is not in fact one of the titles used for the Messiah of Israel ."

"Avoiding pronouncing the tetragrammaton of the name of God on the part of the Church has therefore its own grounds," the Vatican concluded. "Apart from a motive of a purely philogical order, there is also that of remaining faithful to the Church's tradition, from the beginning, that the sacred tetragrammaton was never pronounced in the Christian context, nor translated into any of the languages into which the Bible was translated."

DO NOT BE SURPRIZED AT THE ANNOUNCMENT, THIS HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES BEFORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Why do we have "the LORD" in our Scriptures (Bibles) rather than YHWH?

This is a very common question. It can all be traced to a Jewish tradition called the "Ineffable Name" doctrine.

(Ineffable meaning "unspeakable, too great for words.)

Jewish tradition, for fear that YHWH's Name be blasphemed, started to substitute His Name with the Hebrew title"Adonai" when reading the Scriptures. Adonai is the Hebrew word for "lord" or "master". You can verify this information in many various encyclopedias and Bible dictionaries such as the Britannica which states:"Yahweh the God of the Israelites, His Name being revealed to Moses as four Hebrew consonants (YHWH) called the tetragrammaton. After the Exile (6th century BC), and especially from the 3rd century BC on, Jews ceased to use the Name Yahuweh for two reasons. As Judaism became a universal religion through its proselytizing in the Greco-Roman world, the more common noun Elohim whis is plural for Eloah which means Rulers and or Messengers tended to replace Yahweh to demonstrate the universal sovereignty of Israel 's god over all others. At the same time, the divineName was increasingly regarded as too sacred to be uttered; it was thus replaced vocally in the synagogue ritual bythe Hebrew word Adonai ("My Lord"), which was translated as Kyrios ("Lord") in the Septuagint, the Greek version of the Old Testament."

By the 4th century CE, this doctrine, "Ineffable Name", had become recognized as established Church Doctrine as welland the practice of calling our Creator "the Lord" continues even to this day. Therefore the translators (whenever theysee YHWH in the text) substitute His true Name with "the LORD" or "the Lord". More information on this can be found in the prefaces or introductions of many translations of most modern bibles.

The "Ineffable Name Doctrine" widely believed by Christians

The "Ineffable Name" doctrine appears in Christianity as early as the 150 CE in the works of Justin Martyr, a Samaritanconvert to Christianity. Justin made a special point about his many discussions with the Jews, discussions which apparently greatly influenced his own thinking in regard to the use of the name YHWH:

Who Started This Confusion?

"And all the Jews even now teach that the nameless God spoke to Moses. "
(Justin's "First Apology", chap. 63) Justin also voices these opinions:

"For God cannot be called by any proper name" (Justin's "Hortatory Address to the Greeks", chap. 21)

"For no one can utter the name of the ineffable God; and if any one dare to say that there is a name, he raves with a hopeless madness." (Justin's "First Apology", chap. 61)

Question, did YHWH Himself rave with hopeless madness when He said "This is my Name for ever, and this is My remembrance unto all generations." in Shemoth (Exodus) 3:15? This were among many doctrines creeping into Christianity during that era. We should return to the doctrine found in the Scriptures, to call upon His Name, YHWH.

The official stand of the Roman Church after the time of Constantine (324-337 CE), who for all intents and purposes established his form of Christianity as the official religion of the Roman empire, is best illustrated by the texts composed by Origen (mid-third Century CE) and Jerome (mid-fifth century CE). In Origen "Hexapla"

(edition of the Old Testament in Hebrew and Greek), the Greek versions produced by Aquila, Symmachus, and the Septuagint (LXX) (Old Testament translation in Greek) all represented the Aramaic view of the four Hebrew letters for YHWH with four Greek letters that looked similar to the Hebrew. Later copies of the Septuagint used the generic Greek term "kyrios" (lord) for His name.

Jerome, a 4th century CE "Church Father" who authored the Latin Vulgate version (which was translated directly from the Hebrew and which became the authorized Latin version used by the Roman Catholic church), substituted the Name of our Father in Heaven throughout with the Latin word "Dominus" ("Lord"). All official Greek and Latin texts of scriptures developed after Jerome's time followed his lead and few have thought to question it since.

Let us hope and pray that the next step is that these people and organizations do not allow us to even say, sing or pray using the term, "HalleluYAH" anymore which means Praise YAH or as used in some denominations today, Praise God. But as we all know some human institutions are trying to eliminate this title (God) for our Father in Heaven as well.

The Scriptures, 1998 Version / Tehillim (Psalms) 68:4

Sing to Elohim, sing praises to His Name. Raise up a highway for Him Who rides through the deserts, By His Name Yah, And exult before Him.

King James Version / Tehillim (Psalms) 68:4

Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name JAH, and rejoice before him.

Note: The letter "J" was not introduced into the English language until the 14th century and not fully adopted into the English language until the 16th century.

Will it possibly get to the point that we may be persecuted for using the real Name?

The Scriptures, 1998 Version / Mattithyahu (Matthew) 24:9

"Then they shall deliver you up to affliction and kill you, and you shall be hated by all nations for My Name's sake.

King James Version / Mattithyahu (Matthew) 24:9

Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake.

Is this why so many people have trouble accepting the true Son as their personal Savior?

The Scriptures, 1998 Version / Yohanan (John) 5:43

"I have come in My Father's Name and you do not receive Me, if another comes in his own name, him you Would receive.

King James Version / Yohanan (John) 5:43

I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.

Most folks are not aware that the Messiah's true Name was never "Jesus" and that the name "Jesus" is actually an invention of man. In the King James Version of the scriptures, we find an interesting problem in its translation:

Acts 7:45(KJV)

45 Which also our fathers that came after brought in with Jesus into the possession of the Gentiles, whom God drave out before the face of our fathers, unto the days of David;

The Scriptures 1998 Version

45which our fathers, having received it in turn, also brought with Yehoshua into the land possessed by the gentiles, whom Elohim drove out before the face of our fathers until the days of David,

Isn't this scripture referring to Joshua (Yehoshua), son of Nun rather than the Savior? Yes. Here is another instance... Again compare the translations!

IBRIM (Hebrews) 4:7-8 (KJV)

Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts. 8 For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day.

The Scriptures 1998 Version

7He again defines a certain day, "Today," saying through David so much later, as it has been said, "Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts." 8For if Yehoshua had given them rest, He would not have spoken of another day

after that.

Again, the context reveals that this scripture is referring to Joshua (Yehoshua), the son of Nun and not the Messiah. All other translations put "Joshua" here. Why then is it translated 'Jesus'? The answer lies in the Greek/Latin corruption of the Messiah's original Hebrew name. Originally, the name of the Messiah was , pronounced Yahushua. This is the Messiah's original name. When the Gentiles tried to transliterate His name into Greek, they came up with ihsoun or "Iesous". But originally, this word was from #3091 in the Hebrew which is . When Iesous was transliterated into Latin, it became "Iesus", which was then carried over into English it became our modern day "Jesus" when the letter "J" developed.

YAHUSHUA actually means in English YAHUWEH is Salvation. (YAH = YHWH and SHUA = Salvation)

Scripture once again provides the truth that He indeed came in is His Father's Name and we till this day are not receiving Him, and that others that have come in their own names and we have received them instead.

Is there any reference in the Scriptures that state there is only one Name you can be saved under?

The Scriptures, 1998 Version / Acts 4:12

"And there is no deliverance in anyone else, for there is no other Name under the heaven given among men by which we need to be saved."

King James Version / Acts 4:12

Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

YAH is the Heavenly majestic family Name of salvation and humankind constantly attempts to wipe it off the map including even the titles we even create for our Father in Heaven and His Son.

So there indeed is a battle raging and starting once again and if you do not believe this please read 1 Kings Chapter 18 specifically verse 21 and we will all see once again that the more that things change the more they stay the same.

So in Summary and as a Case in Point!

Would you personally let someone or an institution in your house and tell your children that from now on they are not allowed to call you dad or daddy which is your title as an earthly father to your children?
And then to make matters worse, this same person and or institution tell and demand from your children that we are now not going to allow them meaning your very children they are not to use, say or write your real name anymore as well? This means your first and last name will be eliminated from the memory of your children?
Would you be upset just with the elimination and demand that your children could not call you dad anymore or worse yet, your entire name to be blotted out, would you allow this to happen?

Obviously our Father in Heaven is truly merciful and patient with us!

HalleluYAH! Praise YAH!

Is this why he commanded us in the third command not to fool around with his real Name?

The Scriptures, 1998 Version / Shemoth (Exodus) 20:7

"You do not bring the Name of Yahuweh your Elohim to naught, for Yahuweh does not leave the one unpunished who brings His Name to naught.

King James Version / Exodus 20:7

Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.

What does it mean to take His true Name to naught and or in vain?

vain

having no real value : IDLE, WORTHLESS
marked by futility or ineffectualness : UNSUCCESSFUL, USELESS
archaic : FOOLISH, SILLY
naught

NOTHINGNESS, NONEXISTENCE

ZERO
By calling our Father in Heaven by incorrect Names let alone attempting to eliminate it do we in fact make his name idle, worthless, unsuccessful, useless, foolish, silly, nothingness, nonexistent while ultimately making the importance of His Name valued at a numerical value of zero?

Is this why our Savior had to teach us how to pray and notice the firSt and foremost teaching in this prayer?

The Scriptures, 1998 Version / Mattithyahu (Matthew) 6: 9

"This, then, is the way you should pray: "˜Our Father who is in the heavens, let Your Name be set-apart,

King James Version / Mattithyahu (Matthew) 6:9 to 15

After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

Everyone knows that hallowed actually means "set apart".

So lets pray together that this nonsense of removing the titles and the actual true Names stops before it is to late and as Ben Stein shared with us, "How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?'"

(LET ALONE THE REAL NAME OF YHWH Elohim AND HIS SON)

The Scriptures, 1998 Version / Mattithyahu (Matthew) 18:20

"For where two or three are gathered together in My Name, there I am in their midst."

King James Version / Mattithyahu (Matthew) 18:20

For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

Did our Father in Heaven let alone His Son know that this would all come about?

King James Version / Mishle (Proverbs) 30:4

Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? Who hath gathered the wind in his fists? who hath bound the waters in a garment? who hath established all the ends of the earth? what is his name, and what is his son's name, if thou canst tell?

The Scriptures, 1998 Version / Mishle (Proverbs) 30:4

Who has gone up to the heavens and come down? Who has gathered the wind in His fists? Who has bound the waters in a garment? Who established all the ends of the earth? What is His Name, And what is His Son's Name, If you know it?

The Name of YHWH is a strong tower; The righteous run into it and are safe.

yeah... well...

i don't think that we are in an evolutionary extermination process here, mc.

can we discuss the topic now, please??

oh my goooodnesssss....

can I ask other users...does it bug you when people post SUPER LONG messages and comments?  If your post takes me a minute to scroll through please start a blog! And then if I want to read it in its entirety I will. Ok so now i've digressed enough...the add is SO pertinent to today's family...Me and my sister are both at university and when we come home, we are both glued to our laptops...its an awful habit! But we learned it from our mom, who is never without her cellphone and is also addicted to the computer. We do love each other deeply, but these bad habits are so hard to break. I think it raises a really interesting question for people of my generation, about how their families will be raised and what the priorities will be. It seems like in today's workforce, you can't succeed unless you're pretty much on call 24/7, night and day with your blackberry attached to your face, or you just get stepped on by someone willing to be that available. Where is family supposed to fit in? And is it even worth having a family if all your free time is in reality spent stressing about work? AH! someone give me hope please!