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Alex Chediak

Helping young adults thrive at college and beyond

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How We Choose Jonathan Elijah’s Name

October 6, 2007 by Alex Chediak

For any who may be curious, here’s a bit of background on the birth of Jonathan and how we chose his name:
Jonathan Elijah Chediak was born at 3:02am on Wednesday, September 26th. He was 7 lbs.14 oz. and 20 inches long. We praise God for a safe delivery and a healthy mom and baby.
The delivery was an exciting one. After weeks of false contractions and a day of very slow ones, Marni was sure they’d be gone again by morning. But after midnight on the 26th they started coming strong with less than a minute between each one. Marni finished packing, woke Alex, and they left at 1:30 for the hospital with Karis. Thankfully our friends were able to come get Karis at the hospital, otherwise Alex would have missed the birth entirely. There was no time for Marni to have the full course of antibiotics she needed, and no time for the epidural she desperately wanted. She was 5 cm dilated when they got to the hospital, and reached 10 within an hour. When it was time to push Marni protested “no! I want an epidural,” but thankfully the midwife (and Alex) reminded her to just push instead. The pushing lasted about 15 minutes. Jonathan was very healthy and has been nursing well since he was born. And our prayers were answered as he seems to be functioning just fine even though his left kidney is in the wrong place (pelvis). Marni is pleased (AFTER the fact) to have delivered naturally.
Karis is receiving lots of love and attention with both mothers spending time visiting. So far she has mostly ignored her new baby brother, but has astutely observed that he has ears, a nose, etc.
Jonathan’s name means “gift of God” in Hebrew (Karis’ name means the same in Greek). He is named primarily after Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758), a pastor-theologian who exuded a God-centered orientation and an effectiveness in calling people to delight in God with both their head and their heart. Many of his sermons and larger works continue to bless readers today. Buttressed by a God-entranced vision of life, the Edwards family tree has produced scores of preachers, university presidents and men and women of the highest character in many fields. And we also love Jonathan from the Old Testament, who was such a faithful friend to David and a valiant warrior.
Our son is also named after Elijah, a man of faith who was used of God to defeat the prophets of Baal, exhorting the Israelites to decisively and unwaveringly pursue Yahweh: “And Elijah came near to all the people and said, “How long will you go limping between two different opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him” (1 Kings 18:21).
We pray that our son will be a man of similar faith and conviction, a lion-like lamb and a lamb-like lion, whose life will promote the cause of Christ in a myriad of ways.
Thank you for your prayers,
Alex, Marni, Karis, and Jonathan

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Beating the College Debt Trap book cover224 pages. Please allow 7-10 days for delivery.
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Preparing Your Teens for College book cover 448 pages. Please allow 7-10 days for delivery. Sales tax will be added for California purchases, as required by law. For orders to Canada, please contact us. (See also CASE DISCOUNTS below.) No PayPal account required to place order. (Debit or Credit card will work.)

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Amazon Book Bomb for Thriving at College"There is no better guide to college."
--Alex and Brett Harris

"Insightful and useful."
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"Written by an ‘insider’—an excellent gift for high school seniors."--Jerry Bridges

 

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"A sharp tool." Tedd Tripp

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Also by Alex

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With One Voice

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Praise for With One Voice

This relatively short book packs a powerful bang for the buck, providing much biblical and practical advice for young men and women seeking to glorify God in relationships.

Alex and Brett Harris
Best-selling authors of Do Hard Things

Alex and Marni Chediak offer sound biblical advice and a clear Christian framework for working through the maze of confusions surrounding modern marriage.

R. Albert Mohler, Jr., President
The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

Publishers have been cranking out books with all sorts of directions to help Christians navigate the treacherous waters between the buoys of singleness and marriage, and I know of none that is more clear, concise and helpful than With One Voice.

J. Ligon Duncan, III Ph.D.
Senior Minister, First Presbyterian Church

With One Voice is clearly written and God-centered. Our eighteen year-old daughter just read it and restrained herself from underlining nearly the whole thing!

Dr. Bruce A. Ware
Professor of Christian Theology
The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

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