A website which maps global surnames has been launched to
help people find the origins of their name and how far it may have spread. The Public Profiler site plots eight million
last names using data from electoral rolls and phone directories. The site covers 300 million people in 26
countries, showing the origins of names and where families have moved to. It’s a fascinating site, and if you want to
have a look it’s here: www.publicprofiler.org/worldnames1
Dunthorne isn’t the most usual surname – and it’s often
misspelled – but I couldn’t resist having a look. What I found was that it’s a very English
name, and from
But then two further thoughts.
1.
Actually,
as a Christian, I have a worldwide family that exceeds 1 Billion people – all
those who love and follow the Lord Jesus Christ. That’s the great thing about the worldwide
church. For all our differences,
disagreements and divisions, theologically there is only the one Church, the
Body of Christ, and I am a part of it.
What a great feeling.
2.
But,
as more of a challenge, how many spiritual
descendants will I leave behind? I have
four natural children, gradually making their own way across the country. I’ve been a committed Christian for 27 years
now. I’ve been ordained for 17
years. I’m not looking for any personal
glory, and I certainly don’t want anyone to be a follower of mine! (c.f. 1 Corinthians 1) But the Apostle Paul knew that the churches
that he founded and pastored were his offering to the Lord – the basis on which
his ministry would be assessed. How do I
stack up on that basis? Has my faith and
my ministry made a real lasting difference in the lives of people where I have
lived and worked? I hope and believe
so. Ultimately that’s something I have
to leave in the Lord’s hands – my call is simply to be faithful where I
am. But I so want the Lord to work
through me – and to bring glory to his name.