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Hello Great Family,

I do this weird thing every time I place an order and they ask me for my name. I reply, "Don" then I spell it out, "D" "O" "N". I do this because frequently the person hears, "John" or something else that is not correct. My wife thinks it is silly and recently, after ordering a sandwich over the phone, I went through my routine... "Don" - "D" "O" "N" only to get the snarky response, "don't you think I know how to spell Don?". I embarrassingly explained how people hear it wrong so I spell it out every time but the damage was already done. It was weird. I was weird! But then it happened to me this week at Starbucks. I ordered several drinks for the family and they asked me my name and I said, "Don - "D" "O" "N". Later that day my son-in-law asked me, "Who is Dawn?". They had printed Dawn on every cup and this happened here in Michigan not down south where "Don" and "Dawn" are pronounced the same. From now on when they ask me for a name, I'll just say, "Jackson".

It's frustrating when you are not known or identified incorrectly. Everyone wants to feel known and accepted like that recurring scene from "Cheers" when Norm walks into the bar and everyone shouts, "Norm". Even the theme song states, "where everybody knows your name". We desire to be known, loved, and accepted.

That is what makes Christianity different and unique. We believe in a God who knows us thoroughly and still chooses to love us completely. Luke 12:7 says, "Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows." God knows you intimately and in great detail. My favorite Scripture is Psalm 139. The first four verses declare, "O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.". We have a God Who is personal and knows us personally. He sent His Son to pay our sin penalty by dying on a cross. Having defeated sin, death, and the consequences of Hell; Jesus wants a personal, ongoing relationship with you and me. That is amazing! When we go to Him in prayer, we do not need to say, "Don" "D" "O" "N". He already knows us and He never gets it wrong. We are wonderfully known, loved, and accepted. I fully expect to enter through the pearly gates someday only to hear a heavenly chorus shout, "DON!". Then, because He knows me, my Lord and Savior will add, "well done, my good and faithful servant." It is good to be known, loved, and accepted!

Hope to see you Sunday as we talk about the Giant of Fear and how faith is the only remedy.

God Bless,
P.D. (Psalm 139)