Archive of entries posted by Norman Sennema

desperate for God’s help

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SCRIPTURE: Psalm 142

OBSERVATION/APPLICATION

  1. David is on the run, hiding from King Saul in a cave [see 1 Samuel 24]. He desperately cries out to God for mercy and protection (later he records it as a psalm). As the story unfolds, we see how God puts Saul into his hands, and how David refuses to kill God’s appointed ruler. Saul relents, and David is free (for the time being). But this is how God answers David’s prayer in this Psalm. He desperately pleads for help, and God helps him. Continue reading ‘desperate for God’s help’ »

prepared for battle

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SCRIPTURE: Psalms 140-141

OBSERVATION/APPLICATION

  1. These two psalms are help prayers for Jesus-followers. Although I am not facing the human enemies that David faced, I read these words in light of the evil one, the Enemy behind all other enemies. I am also having to deal with Satan’s poison, his tricks and traps. Like David, I need to daily affirm my commitment to Jesus as my Lord, my God. Like David I need to depend on God’s help and protection, to guard my heart, my mind, my lips from giving in to evil. Continue reading ‘prepared for battle’ »

here I am, send me!

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Another great day at the Willow Creek Leadership Summit. Craig Groeshel attempted to describe the IT that some churches have, that nebulous something that we sense when God is present and powerful. Chuck Colson challenged me to be a defender of the truth, the biblical worldview centered in Jesus. Brad Anderson (CEO of Best Buy) struck me as a very down-to-earth, ordinary (yet extraordinary) leader. Bill Hybels finished with a powerful description of Mother Theresa, and challenged us to carte blanche surrender. But the highlight for me was Catherine Rohr… Continue reading ‘here I am, send me!’ »

leaning in what direction?

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SCRIPTURE: 2 Peter 2

OBSERVATION/APPLICATION

  1. Peter is describing spiritual charlatans, religious sheisters who cloak themselves in religious garb, but who live for their own selfish, sinful pleasure. Deceivers, false teachers, they put on a good show, but… Jesus said we could tell the true and false teachers by their fruit, i.e. by the outcome of their lives. Not by their religious performance – they have perfected that skill – but by the effect of their lives on others. Do they heal or hurt others, do they give or take from others, do they humbly serve or arrogantly demand from others, do their lives look like Jesus? Continue reading ‘leaning in what direction?’ »

from discipline to desperation

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Yesterday was a good, long day at the Willow Creek Leadership Summit. I heard something from the Lord through all of the speakers. Bill Hybels challenged me to be more intentional about decision-making. Gary Haugen inspired me to be brave, and not just safe. Bill George challenged me to be authentic, true to who God has made me to be. Wendy Kopp inspired me by her huge vision and her determination to see it realized. John Burke reminded me that abiding in Jesus is the heart and only hope for living the full life God created and saved us for. And Efrem Smith ignited a flame for being a multi-cultural, multi-racial community, and not separating ourselves and huddling with those who are like us, those who we like. Continue reading ‘from discipline to desperation’ »

eagerly striving?

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SCRIPTURE: 2 Peter 1

OBSERVATION/APPLICATION

  1. Peter is making sure that these Jesus followers never forget the basic message of God, namely that through Jesus we have been reconnected to God, energized by His Spirit and therefore free and able to live healthy, holy lives in this twisted, sinful world. We have everything we need, through our relationship with Jesus, to overcome the power of sin and live effective, productive lives for God and for others. Continue reading ‘eagerly striving?’ »

one more church in Ajax?

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Today we are attending the Willow Creek Leadership Summit at Carruthers Creek Community Church a local “megachurch” in Ajax. I am looking forward to this, since this is the first Willow Creek event I am attending. I hope to post some of my thoughts afterwards. In the meantime what is going through my mind is “comparing” crossroads with Carruthers Creek. Not really comparing, but analyzing the place of both ministries in this community. Continue reading ‘one more church in Ajax?’ »

going against the flow

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SCRIPTURE: 1 Peter 4-5

OBSERVATION/APPLICATION

  1. Through Peter, I hear the Lord speaking to me about the challenge of following Jesus… if we do it seriously. To not live for sinful pleasure, but to deny myself for the sake of others, loving and serving them even though I pay a price for it. This is the way (the attitude) of Jesus. Continue reading ‘going against the flow’ »

life in the battlezone

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SCRIPTURE: 1 Peter 1

OBSERVATION/APPLICATION

  1. Lord, You inspired Peter to write these words to Your scattered, persecuted followers, reminding them of their solid foundation (chosen by, secure in God) and their solid hope (an inheritance that cannot perish, spoil or fade), in order to inspire them to STAND FIRM and to BE HOLY, no matter what happens. My circumstances are different, but the solid foundation and hope remain true for me, and I too must hear the call to STAND FIRM and to BE HOLY! Continue reading ‘life in the battlezone’ »