If you are like me, you have probably wondered what God was thinking when he designed human beings. When you think about how he fine-tuned the universe and carefully crafted this planet to make life possible, it is apparent God had something special in mind for us.

Ephesians 2:10 (NIV) tells us, “We are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

Does that mean that our purpose is just to be robots for Jesus, merely responding to God’s directions? The Westminster Shorter Catechism of 1647, a statement of Christian doctrine, accepted by the Church of Scotland asked and answered that question:

Question: What is the chief end of man?
Answer: Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.

Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31 (KJV)

For from him and through him and for him are all things.
To him be the glory forever! Amen. Romans 11:36 (NIV)

The next question might be: Who is God?
A 1998 Gallup survey revealed that a large majority of Americans profess a belief in God. The size of that majority varied, however, depending on how the survey question was worded. When asked a simple yes/no question: Do you believe in God? 86% responded in the affirmative. If asked, what about God —is it something you believe in, something you’re not sure about, or something you don’t believe in? the positive response dropped to 79%. Only 64% of those surveyed said they are convinced God exists.

The researchers would have no doubt found even fewer who professed a belief in the God of the Bible. The guy in the sky, the man upstairs, and other cute phrases fall short of describing the awesome God who Isaiah wrote about:

For this is what the LORD says— he who created the heavens, he is God; he who fashioned and made the earth, he founded it; he did not create it to be empty, but formed it to be inhabited— he says: “I am the LORD, and there is no other. Isaiah 45:18

My co-author and editor Bonnie encourages me to avoid using the word “must” in my writing, but there is absolutely one “must” when it comes to glorifying God: The starting point for glorifying God must be to believe that HE exists.

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Hebrews 11:6

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10

What does it mean to “glorify God?”
An immediate response might be that we glorify God when we praise and worship him. But those are external expressions that may not reflect an essential internal condition. Praise and worship are ways we glorify God—when they come from the heart.
Like the Psalmist, we pray: Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Psalm 139:23

Then with His assurance, we can shout:
Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. Psalm 95

What about enjoying Him forever?
The second part of the answer to the question, “What is the Chief end of man? reminds us that we are to enjoy him forever. And forever begins with today.

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Philippians 4-5

Blessings,
Don & Bonnie

KEEPING “SIN” OUT OF YOUR RELATIONSHIPS
When I write, “Keeping SIN out of your relationships,” I am using SIN as an acronym for Sarcasm, Indifference, and Neglect. Unlike physical abuse, these three can happen without leaving any physical evidence, but the damage they do is insidious. These three can be toxic to relationships.

Sarcasm is often used for its comedic effect. The television show, The Golden Girls (1985-1992), which remains popular in syndication, features one sarcastic remark after another. While we can laugh at a television show, knowing “those are just actors,” sarcasm is no laughing matter when you become its victim.

Merriam Webster dictionary defines sarcasm as “a sharp satirical or ironic utterance designed to cut or give pain.” According to several sources, the word sarcasm comes from a Greek verb that means “to tear flesh.” Many of us use sarcasm, thinking we are just being cute, not realizing that we may be literally cutting someone to pieces.

The father responding to his son’s question, “Did you see me make that tackle? with a comment such as, “Yes. But it would have been really great if you had tackled him before he crossed the goal line” has hurt his son and introduced him to a potentially harmful way of communicating.

Not sure if sarcasm has become a regular part of your communication? Odds are if you feel the need to follow anything you say with the phrase, “I was just kidding,” you may have either accidentally or intentionally hurt the other person.

Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. Ephesians 4:29 (NLT)

Sarcasm can be a form of verbal abuse! There is an alternative:

Kind words are like honey—sweet to the soul and healthy for the body. Proverbs 16:24

Everyone enjoys a fitting reply; it is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time! Proverbs 15:23

The “I” in SIN is Indifference. Some say the opposite of love isn’t “hate,” but rather, “indifference.” Indifference is a form of passive-aggressive behavior that sends a dangerous “I don’t care about you” message. Want to rekindle the warmth in a relationship? Use your words and actions to show that you aren’t indifferent, to show that you care.

1st Corinthians 13 is not just something to be read at weddings; it is something to live by.
Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

The “N” in SIN is Neglect. To neglect is to fail to provide for the needs of another. “But I am a good provider,” some may say. But providing for physical needs is just one part of the job. There are also emotional and spiritual needs.

In Ecclesiastes we read, There is … A time to cry and a time to laugh. A time to grieve and a time to dance. It is easy to join in with someone who is rejoicing. Taking time to walk with them during difficult times boosts the emotional health of the relationship.

Then there is spiritual health. Consider the adage “a family that prays together stays together” What part does prayer play in your relationships? Do you pray together sometimes? Occasionally? Never?

Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

As I was writing this chapter, I kept asking myself, “Do you use sarcasm? Are you indifferent? Have you been negligent?” Sadly, the phrase “all have sinned and fall short” kept coming to mind.

During her edit, Bonnie asked, “Are sarcasm, indifference, and neglect sins, as we normally think of sins?” Jesus answered that question:

Jesus replied, “‘You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” Matthew 22:37-39

Do to others as you would like them to do to you. Luke 6:31

The following verses from The Book of Romans are offered to anyone, including me, seeking ways to keep SIN out of their relationships.

We must not just please ourselves. We should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord. For even Christ didn’t live to please himself. As the Scriptures say, “The insults of those who insult you, O God, have fallen on me. Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled.

May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus.
Romans 15:1b-5

Blessings,
Don & Bonnie

Much is Required

But someone who does not know, and then does something wrong, will be punished only lightly. When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required. Luke 12:48 (NLT)

I did not see the arrow in the pavement until I backed out of my parking space, heading in the wrong direction. As I started turning the wheel to make a U-turn, a woman in a car that I had momentarily obstructed glared at me, then circled her ear with her index finger, suggesting I must be crazy. SNAP! I lost it. If she could have seen my gestures or heard my invectives, she would have known—at that moment—I was crazy!

The woman was not aware that I had just come from a medical test and was on my way to another. She couldn’t have known I had stopped at the post office to get directions because an uncooperative GPS had been sending me around in circles. She also was clueless about a plethora of small problems that had been growing larger.

Of course, I did not know what issues had caused her to react as she did. Nevertheless, at that moment, I just wanted to grab her by the neck and shake some kindness into her. My reaction was shamefully unchristian. As if bitten by the same serpent, Bonnie offered her critique of the woman’s gesture. I can only imagine what we would have looked like to an innocent bystander.

By the time we pulled alongside the woman at a stoplight, our anger had subsided and we prayed the woman would not notice our JC(heart)EWE license plate. As people who want to be an effective ambassador for Christ, we know that rudeness is not the way to win hearts for the Lord.

We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. 2 Corinthians 5:20 (NIV)

The next morning, when I noticed a letter from the Internal Revenue Service in the scheduled deliveries, for an instant, I wondered if God had been watching the previous day’s shenanigans. Of course, the letter from the IRS was just information about the stimulus checks, but it served to remind me: “For those whom much is given much is required.”

Psalm 106:3 tells us, “Blessed are those who act justly, who always do what is right.”

Always do what is right? We need to work on that one. But we can be comforted by the truth: There is only one who always does what is right. Praise God, we are made right by His righteousness.

Brothers, listen! We are here to proclaim that through this man Jesus there is forgiveness for your sins. Everyone who believes in him is made right in God’s sight—something the law of Moses could never do. Acts 13:38-39 (NLT)

My watchwords while driving this week come from the book of Micah:

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8 (NIV)
And let me add…, ”even when you are having a bad day!”

Blessings,
Don & Bonnie Sennott

Facing Bad News

The three previous tests had all been negative, so I told Bonnie to go to her planned golf outing with Barb. We kissed as I left for my appointment; then, just as I was ready to drive away, Bonnie signaled for me to wait. I got out of the car as she approached. We held hands and she prayed with me.

Before putting on my hospital gown in preparation for another follow-up cystoscopy, I took a few moments to pray. “Dear Lord,” I began. “Give me the patience and courage I may need today and please strengthen my faith.”

It turned out that patience and courage were indeed going to be necessary, and my faith would be strengthened in unimagined ways.

“It looks like there are a few new lesions,” my urologist explained. “We will have to do a biopsy to see just what we are dealing with. Perhaps we can get by with another round of BCG.”

Everyone has their way of processing bad news. Some people immediately slip into depression, questioning, “Why, God, is this happening.” Others switch into problem-solving mode. My option in this instance, after praying about it, was to slip into my golf shoes and head for the driving range. Smacking a hundred golf balls seemed to be a great way to relieve tension.

One of the best ways to handle bad news is to bring good news to someone else. Before heading off for the golf course, I decided to drop off a care package to a neighbor who was recovering from shoulder surgery. As I approached her garage, I was greeted by her teenage daughter who, when she saw the casserole and cookies I was carrying, broke into a heart-warming smile. When I pulled out a large jar of ketchup that Bonnie had dressed up with a ribbon, the daughter started laughing. “You really know my mom!”

After two hours at the golf course, I returned home to start writing this blog. I believe Bonnie and I have been called to help people find answers in God’s Word, so I wanted to see what answers might be available for me. I opened Bible Gateway and saw the comforting words from the twenty-third Psalm:
The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:1-4 (NIV)

When Bonnie returned home, I told her the test result. She was heartbroken that she had not been with me, but I assured her my time alone had been helpful. We hugged and prayed.

Bon’s golf buddy had texted to ask how my test had gone. When Bon called to tell her, Barb became one of those earthly angels we turn to in times of trouble.

The next morning, Bonnie awakened singing the Cole Porter song “Friendship.” Some of you old-timers may recall the lyrics: “If you’re ever in a jam, here I am. If you’re ever in a mess, S.O.S.”

“That’s my favorite hymn, this morning,” Bonnie declared.

Although it isn’t written quite that way in the Bible, God promises, “If you’re ever in a jam, here I AM.” And as we went through the day, God seemed to be telling us, “I heard your S.O.S.”

According to my calendar, my Sister Shirley was scheduled for a bone density test at 11 AM. However, when Shirley and Bonnie went into the hospital to sign in for the appointment, the receptionist advised them the appointment was for Friday, not Thursday. He offered to look for an appointment later in the day, but Bonnie decided it would be better to return on Friday.

We had planned to go to lunch, so our lunch became brunch. We arrived at Ruby’s Diner about an hour earlier than we had planned. As a result, we ended up sitting across from three women that would not have been there if we had arrived as scheduled. As we ate, we noticed one of the women glancing in our direction and smiling.

“I think I’ve met that lady,” Bonnie whispered. “But I can’t remember where.”
After we paid the bill, one of the women, Susan, said to Bonnie, “I know you, but I can’t remember where we met.” Bonnie offered some clues as to where they may have met, but nothing seemed to click. But when Bonnie mentioned to Susan that we live in Trabuco Canyon, Susan exclaimed, “My daughter and son-in-law live in Trabuco Canyon.” She then gave their address — they live just up the street from Bonnie and me, and I was just in their house last week. (But Susan and Bonnie had not, as far as they could discern, ever met.)

This meeting proved to be an inexplicably moving spiritual experience for Bonnie. Bonnie and Susan spoke at length about their life experiences, their interests, and their walk with the Lord. When Bonnie quietly mentioned my cancer, Susan said she was active in several prayer groups and would add me to the prayer list. The more prayers, the better!

At one point, Barbara, one of the other women asked each of us what our favorite Bible verse is. Bonnie said, “John 3:16, and recounted growing up under difficult circumstances, but being encouraged by a plaque with John 3:16 on her mother’s bedroom wall.

I smiled inwardly as I thought of the significance of my favorite verse: Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6.

We said our goodbyes, then took Shirley back to her place, I was removing her walker from the trunk when a woman who had pulled in behind us started waving at me. “I love your license plate!” she shouted. “JC(Heart)EWE, Jesus Christ does love you!”

I smiled at her, then asked Bonnie to take one of our olive-wood crosses to her. When Bonnie gave her the cross, the woman, who is a jazz singer, handed her a CD. Never the shy one when it comes to asking for prayer, Bonnie asked the woman to pray for me. She raised her hands toward the sky and prayed for several minutes. A few minutes later, when I went over to thank her, the woman laid hands on me and prayed for a complete recovery.

Now, you may be one of those who believe in coincidences. I believe, as someone whose name I cannot recall once said, “Coincidence is God’s way of remaining anonymous.”

To finish this story, I need to share the verse that was on Bible Gateway as I started to write this evening: I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 (NLT)

When you are facing bad news and looking for hope, the best place to look is to the Good News found in God’s Word. Pray, and of course, turn to friends. It works for me.

Blessings,
Don & Bonnie Sennott

Graphic courtesy of www.dialysistechniciansalary.org.

MOVE PAST THE PAST
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Psalm 139:13-14 (NIV)

We may read Psalm 139 and wonder what happened between the time we were born and now. We started out with so much potential, but somewhere along the way, we picked up a basketful of bad habits, a brain full of foul memories, and an abundance of regrets. We became human!

We became the poster child for the saying “the here-and-now is about the there-and-then.” Past mistakes and past hurts have taken up permanent residency in our brains and come to mind at the most inconvenient times. Is there anything we can learn from the experience of others that will help us forget past hurts?

Recently, I heard the testimony of a woman in her early sixties who had suffered from chronic depression. One day as she was praying, she remembered a seemingly small, but in fact, life-changing incident that had occurred when she was in kindergarten. She had been talking too much in class. Suddenly the teacher grabbed her by the arm and pulled her over to a tall stool. She lifted her onto the stool and placed a dunce cap on her head.

“It was like a movie playing in my head.” the woman explained. “I could hear the teacher’s voice and feel the hard stool I was sitting on. I could see the faces of the other children laughing at me. Suddenly, this mental video changed. Jesus walked into the room and there was a warm glow around him. As he started walking toward me, the teacher said, ‘Don’t!’

“Jesus looked directly at her. Calmly he said, ‘You be quiet,’ and walked toward me. He walked up to me, hugged me, and placed a golden crown on my head. He then handed me additional gold crowns and told me to give them to any other children who needed them. I felt a calm I had never known. Then my mental video ended. The pain of that kindergarten incident had affected me throughout my life, but God had given me a way to finally move past it.”

You remember the story of Joseph — the one with the coat of many colors. He sure had things that could have sent him off the deep end. His parents spoiled him, his brothers hated him and were about to kill him, choosing instead to sell him into slavery. How did he react? He turned to God for help. Joseph asked the Lord to help him forget his past. If you read the full account in Genesis, you will discover Joseph didn’t forget the incidents of the past; he forgot the pain of those incidents. His “here-and-now” became more important than his “there-and-then.”

Joseph named his firstborn Manasseh and said, “It is because God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father’s household.” Genesis 41:51

Job was someone else who had more than his share of problems. You know the story. He lost everything, yet His devotion to the Lord enabled him to forget his troubles. “Yet if you devote your heart to him and stretch out your hands to him, if you put away the sin that is in your hand and allow no evil to dwell in your tent, then, free of fault, you will lift up your face; you will stand firm and without fear. You will surely forget your trouble, recalling it only as waters gone by. Job 11:13-16 (NIV)

We are encouraged to follow the example of the apostle Paul who shed the regrets of his past and kept his eye on what lay ahead. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. Philippians 3:13-15 (NIV)

Are you taking steps to move past the past, or is that old video still playing in your head? Ask Jesus to help you change the picture.

"Right thinking begins with the words we say to ourselves.” — James Allen
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right,
whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Philippians 4:8

Blessings, Don & Bonnie Sennott
From the book, Your Heart is an Open Book: Finding Answers in God’s Word

DOES GOD STILL USE DREAMS?
Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. Psalm 23:4 (NLT)

One night I had a disturbing dream. In my dream, my Prius had stalled by the side of the road on the Wrightwood highway near Mormon Rocks. After several attempts to start it failed, I placed the car in neutral and released the brake, so it would start to roll downhill.

My plan to jump-start my Prius, as we used to do with our old stick shifts, was ill-advised. The power steering on a Prius doesn’t work when the engine isn’t running. As the car gained momentum, it started to swerve. I knew I had lost control. The car left the paved surface. “Help me, Lord.” The car skidded in the dirt at the side of the road, hit some rocks, and was catapulted toward the edge of a bridge that crossed a rocky ravine. “Into your hands, I commit my spirit.”

Just when I thought all was lost, I awakened. My heart was racing, and it took a few seconds for me to realize that I was safe in my bed. That dream taught me something about my faith. In a time of perceived life-threatening peril, my thoughts immediately went to God. There was no equivocation; there was no doubt.

As I sat in bed, I began to wonder if dreams are still one of the ways God communicates with his people. The Bible tells us that God used dreams to communicate in the past. Does he still use dreams today?

Occasionally I dream, and sometimes my dreams provide answers to issues that have perplexed me. Was it my subconscious working out issues? Was God speaking through a dream, or was it simply something I ate? I am not sure.

The prophet Joel offers us hope that God may still use dreams: And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Joel 2:28

Perhaps my dream was God’s way of telling me, as the Twenty-third Psalm reminds us: Even when we walk through the darkest valleys, God is close beside us.

Does God speak to you in dreams? Or does he use music? Perhaps you feel his presence when you survey the beauty of his creation or read a particularly moving section of Scripture. Some see God in the face of a stranger who shows them grace. In a variety of ways, God makes it clear he wants to talk to you. Are you listening?

Blessings,
Don & Bonnie Sennott

Graphic courtesy of cosedalibri.blogspot.com

SOME SCRIPTURES WHERE DREAMS ARE MENTIONED
[Jacob] had a dream in which he saw a stairway resting on the earth, with its top reaching to heaven, and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. Genesis 28:12
(This verse inspired Led Zepplin’s classic hit “Stairway to Heaven”)

Then God came to Laban the Aramean in a dream at night and said to him, “Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, either good or bad.” Genesis 31:24

Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him all the more. Genesis 37:5

The cupbearer and the baker of the king of Egypt, who were being held in prison—had a dream the same night, and each dream had a meaning of its own. Genesis 40:5

When two full years had passed, Pharaoh had a dream: He was standing by the Nile,
Genesis 41:4

In Deuteronomy, God warns, If a prophet, or one who foretells by dreams, appears among you and announces to you a sign or wonder, and if the sign or wonder spoken of takes place, and the prophet says, “Let us follow other gods” (gods you have not known) “and let us worship them,” 3 you must not listen to the words of that prophet or dreamer. The LORD your God is testing you to find out whether you love him with all your heart and with all your soul. Deuteronomy 13:1-3

Gideon overheard two men discussing a dream and made his decision to attack the Midianite camp based on the interpretation of the dream: When Gideon heard the dream and its interpretation, he bowed down and worshiped. He returned to the camp of Israel and called out, “Get up! The LORD has given the Midianite camp into your hands.”
Judges 7:15

Solomon asked for wisdom in response to a dream: At Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.”

“So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?”
1 Kings 3:5,9

Job reported having terrifying dreams: When I think my bed will comfort me and my couch will ease my complaint, even then you frighten me with dreams and terrify me with visions, Job 7:14

Solomon wrote critically of dreamers: Much dreaming and many words are meaningless. Therefore fear God. Ecclesiastes 5:7

In Jeremiah we find God commanding his prophets who dream should report faithfully what they have dreamed: Let the prophet who has a dream recount the dream, but let the one who has my word speak it faithfully. For what has straw to do with grain?” declares the LORD. Jeremiah 23:28

In the book of Daniel, we first see Daniel interpreting the dreams of Nebuchadnezzar (Chapters 2 & 4). In chapters 7-11, we read about Daniel’s dreams and visions that foretold the history of Israel, first under the Babylonians, then the Medo-Persians, the Greeks, the Romans; concluding with his vision of the end times.

Zechariah closes out the Old Testament commentary on dreams with a warning:
The idols speak deceitfully, diviners see visions that lie; they tell dreams that are false, they give comfort in vain. Therefore the people wander like sheep oppressed for lack of a shepherd. Zechariah 10:2

In the New Testament, an angel of the Lord appeared to [Joseph] in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. Matthew 1:20

In Matthew 2:12, the wise men were told not to go back to Herod and returned to their country by a different route.

Joseph was told in a dream, “Take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.” Matthew 2:13

In Matthew 27:19, we read about Pilate’s wife’s dream: “Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him.”

In Acts, Peter quotes the words we cited earlier from the prophet Joel: ‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Acts 2:17

Sweet Dreams!

What is the significance of Ash Wednesday?
While most Christians know that Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Lenten season, some of the deeper meaning of the day may be unfamiliar to you. Our son Darrin once explained it this way, “Ash Wednesday is about a guy—It’s about Jesus. Ash Wednesday, like Christmas, Palm Sunday, Good Friday, and Easter all point to Jesus.”

Why 40 days?
In Matthew, we read, “Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Matthew 4:1-3 (NIV)

When Jesus taught the disciples what we call the Lord’s Prayer, he included the phrase, “Lead us not into temptation.” Jesus knew temptation from the beginning of his ministry to his death on the cross. At any time, he could have said, “Enough is enough,” and yielded to temptation, but he resisted temptation and became the offering for our transgressions.

The Lenten season can be a period of meditation and reflection. It can be a time when we make decisions to resist things that can pull us away from our relationship with God. In this effort, we can learn from how Jesus chose to resist the devil; he relied on prayer, and he turned to the Word of God. Jesus said to him, “Away from me Satan! For it is written, ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.” Matthew 4:10

Why ashes?
Ashes remind us of our mortality. “Then Abraham said, “I am only dust and ashes. Yet I have been brave to speak to the Lord. Genesis 18:27 (ICB)
Ashes represent humility and repentance. “I take back everything I said, and I sit in dust and ashes to show my repentance.” Job 42:6 (NLT)

Ashes represent mourning. They cry aloud over you and weep bitterly. They throw dust on their heads and roll in ashes. Ezekiel 27:30

Traditionally the ashes used on Ash Wednesday are the burned palm branches from the previous year’s Palm Sunday celebration. The burned palm branches remind us of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, followed on Good Friday by his death on the cross. We mourn in remembrance.

But our grief is turned to gladness as we reflect on the words of the Apostle Paul, “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” 1 Corinthians 15:55.

We look forward to Easter and our celebration of the resurrection.

Jesus said to her [Mary, the sister of Lazarus], “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die;” John 11:25 (NIV)

Blessings,
Don & Bonnie Sennott
Graphic courtesy of Cambraza.blogspot.com

"Reverend for a Day"
I pray that your partnership with us in the faith may be effective in deepening your understanding of every good thing we share for the sake of Christ. Philemon 1:6 (NIV)
We were running late, but I wanted my granddaughter to attend a Sunday service at the Episcopal church I had attended as a boy. As we approached the entrance to the Church of the Epiphany, a woman dressed in a choir robe raced up to us, extended her hand, and said, “I am so glad you are here. Follow me.”

The attention was appreciated, but we had been traveling for a while. I would have appreciated it even more if she would have just let me find my way to the men’s room. Once my problem was explained to her, she graciously led me around the side of the church and through a door that led to the restroom near the rector’s office.
Returning from the restroom, I heard the woman explaining to Bonnie that the rector was ill and that she was happy the diocese had sent a substitute “reverend” to conduct the morning service.

“What size robe does your husband wear?” She asked.

Having served as an acolyte, I was familiar with the order of service and thought for a moment, I might be able to help somehow. But Bonnie let the cat out of the bag when she broke out laughing. “I can tell you his robe size,” she said, “but he’s not the reverend you were looking for.”

The awkwardness of the moment was dispelled when the somewhat-tardy replacement walked in. My chance to be “Reverend for a Day” was quashed.

For me to qualify as “Reverend Don,” I would have had to have been ordained to perform ministerial or priestly functions within my denomination. I’m not a “reverend,” but like anyone who claims the title “Christian,” I am a representative of Christ. And, as Pastor Doug Fields from Mariner’s Church, Irvine, California pointed out in a recent sermon, “When we represent Christ, we re-present him to the world.”

Think of it this way: Before Covid-19, you could go to Costco and wander through the aisles picking up samples of various items that manufacturers wanted you to try. If you liked the sample, you would toss the item in your basket. In a like manner, as people walk through life, they may encounter people who say they are Christian. Those people they meet are “samples,” one might say, of what having a relationship with Christ is all about.

Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.
Psalm 34:8

When you consider that you may be the “sample” that will either strengthen or diminish another’s faith in God and his Son Jesus, you want to be sure that you present our Lord in the best possible light.

Jesus explained it this way: “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16

There is a prayer in The Book of Common Prayer that is appropriate for anyone who wants to renew his or her commitment to faithfully represent the Lord.

A Form of Commitment to Christian Service
This form may be used when a person wishes to make or renew a commitment to the service of Christ in the world, either in general terms, or upon undertaking some special responsibility.

May the Holy Spirit guide and strengthen you, that in this, and in all things, you may do God’s will in the service of the kingdom of Christ. Amen

You may never have an opportunity to be “Reverend for a Day,” but daily, each of us has the opportunity to re-present God’s love.

Blessings,
Don & Bonnie Sennott
Authors of the Book Your Heart is an Open Book: Finding Answers in God's Word

Photo courtesy of en.wikipedia.org
The Book of Common Prayer is published by The Church Hymnal Corporation, New York

No More ‘White Hats?’
When we were children, it usually was easy to separate the good guys from the bad. In cowboy movies, the good guys usually wore white hats; the bad guys wore black. Today, as we glance at the headlines, we are starting to wonder if there are any ‘white hats’ left. Everybody seems to have his agenda.

During our devotional this morning, Bonnie asked, “How am I supposed to show love to people who are doing evil things?”

The bromide ‘love the sinner but hate the sin’ comes to mind. But perhaps you, like us, find it challenging to separate the doer from the deed, especially when the actions of an individual or a group seem inherently evil. Recall Jesus’ characterization of some of the Pharisees as a ‘brood of vipers.’ Matthew 12:34 (NIV)

The words from Isaiah concerning God’s judgment of Judah speak about choosing between good or evil:
What sorrow for those who say that evil is good and good is evil, that dark is light and light is dark, that bitter is sweet and sweet is bitter. What sorrow for those who are wise in their own eyes and think themselves so clever. Isaiah 5:21-22 (NLT)

In the Old Testament, we find what are called prayers of imprecation: a prayer that asks God to bring judgment on those who do evil.
End the evil of those who are wicked, and defend the righteous. For you look deep within the mind and heart, O righteous God. Psalm 7:9 (NLT)

The wicked arrogantly hunt down the poor. Let them be caught in the evil they plan for others. Psalm 10:2

Give them the punishment they so richly deserve! Measure it out in proportion to their wickedness. Pay them back for all their evil deeds! Give them a taste of what they have done to others. Psalm 28:4

May the evil plans of my enemies be turned against them. Do as you promised and put an end to them. Psalm 54:5

Jeremiah was particularly harsh: But as for me, LORD, you know my heart. You see me and test my thoughts. Drag these people away like sheep to be butchered! Set them aside to be slaughtered! Jeremiah 12:3

One of the most loving things we can do is pray that those who do evil will repent, remembering the words from Ezekiel 18:23: “Do you think that I like to see wicked people die? says the Sovereign LORD. Of course not! I want them to turn from their wicked ways and live.

Then, we can try to live, following the words of Psalm 37:1-4:
Don’t worry about the wicked
or envy those who do wrong.
For like grass, they soon fade away.
Like spring flowers, they soon wither.
Trust in the LORD and do good.
Then you will live safely in the land and prosper.
Take delight in the LORD,
and he will give you your heart’s desires.

Blessings,
Don & Bonnie Sennott
Authors of Your Heart is an Open Book: Finding Answers in God’s Word

You Can’t Outlive Them All
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” Matthew 5:43-48 (NIV)

A pastor gave a passionate sermon based on Matthew 5:43-48. At the end of the sermon, he challenged the congregation, “How many of you are willing to forgive your enemies?”
Every hand was raised, save one. The pastor walked to the one holdout and asked, “Mr. Jones, why aren’t you willing to forgive your enemies?”

“Well pastor, he responded, “I am 85 years old – and I have outlived all of them!

Unfortunately, we cannot outlive all our enemies, so we are obliged to take Jesus’ words to heart. The question becomes, “Who are our enemies?” To the Jews in 1st Century Palestine, anyone who was not Jewish was considered an enemy – Samaritans, Romans, Followers of the Way, et al.

We can be like 1st Century Jews, putting anyone who disagrees with us on our enemies list. Someone offers a conflicting political opinion; we demonize them. Someone criticizes the church we attend; we question their faith. Someone lives in the wrong neighborhood or attends the wrong school; we marginalize them.

While we may be justified condemning those who seem to be enemies of God, we need to be careful not to make the bar so low that we put on our enemies list anyone who doesn’t check all the boxes when it comes to our personal beliefs.

Jesus rejected the “Us” versus “Them” culture. He had come to offer salvation to all, and “all” included those who might be considered enemies. The Greek word for enemies echthros is used eight times to describe anyone who is an adversary, an enemy, or who is hostile. The case can be made that the eight times echthros is used (Rom. 11:28; Mt. 13:28; Col. 1:21; Mt. 5:43, 44; 10:36; Lk. 6:27, 35), the hostility refers to resistance to the Gospel.

And how do you overcome resistance? With love.

Consider just how radical Jesus’ commandment to love our enemies is. The Greek word used for “love” in Matthew 5:44 is agapaō. In the New Testament, agapaō is the active love of God for His Son and His people, and the active love his people are to have for God, each other, even for their enemies.

Our challenge as Christians is to honor God by learning to love others as Jesus loves us. Do we bless those who curse us? Do we do good to those that hate us? Do we pray for those who persecute us? None of these comes naturally. But guided by the Holy Spirit, we endeavor to avoid becoming what we hate.

Jesus said, “But love [that is, unselfishly seek the best or higher good for] your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; for your reward will be great (rich, abundant), and you will be sons of the Most High; because He Himself is kind and gracious and good to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful (responsive, compassionate, tender) just as your [heavenly] Father is merciful.” Luke 6:35-36 Amplified Bible (AMP)

Can we work to foster the kind of love that Jesus described? Yes, we can. It begins with realizing we cannot outlive all our enemies, but we sure can “out love” them!

Blessings,
Don & Bonnie Sennott
Authors of Your Heart is an Open book: Finding Answers in God's Word
Giving credit where credit is due: the story of the 85-year-old man was adapted from a sermon Ken Trivette posted on the internet.

Photo courtesy of Wikipedia Commons, Author: Silverje