David Parker - 12 March 1962 - 28 February 2011

Dear Church family & friends in Christ,

Yesterday was a very difficult day for our church and for this community. David Parker, longtime ParkwayHills member and current chairman of our deacons, passed away while skiing in Beaver Creek, CO. David, who was on holiday enjoying the Trinity Christian Academy "Winter Break", was with his wife Delynn and their youngest son Bo. Also with them were several other families from the TCA community, so that David was doing what he liked to do - skiing with family and friends.

As told to me, he was on the mountain with two friends, Matt Miller and Scott Dennis. Although Matt and Scott did not see him go down, those nearest to David when he died said that it was as if he just slumped over then went down. Observers have reported "he had no accident, there were no moguls and he seemed to experience no trauma - as if the LORD reached down and just took him home." The mountain paramedics were at his side quickly, however David could not be revived - either on the mountain or at the hospital.

Our church was first contacted by Vail Social Services - just after 2:00 pm central standard time. My assistant interrupted me in meeting with our church's Executive Staff and I called Delynn on her cell phone immediately. Delynn answered the phone and said to me, "Pastor, David is gone," then crying she said, 'he died." And we began crying together. She asked me if I would locate the other boys and tell them the news. I said I would.

The next hours were a whirlwind of phone calls, prayers, tears and each of us holding one another tightly. Delynn's aunt and uncle, Jim and Cheryl Crain, were in my office within minutes of my phone call with Delynn. Together we mapped out how we might get word to David and Delynn's other sons - Austin, Travis and Sam. Going immediately to the Parker home, we made this our base of operation for talking to the boys. Sam, 16, was at baseball practice at Trinity. Austin, 22, was at work in Las Colinas and Travis, 19 and a student at Baylor, was in Waco. Over the next hours the boys were informed - Sam being the last one.

David's friend and owner of the company he worked for, arranged to fly me and the boys to Vail, to pick up Delynn and Bo and bring them home. This we did - leaving Love Field just after 6:30 pm. Travis was driven by a caravan entourage of friends and fraternity brothers from Waco directly to the area of Love Field from which we were to depart. Together, these young men and other's surrounded the Parker brothers, praying for them on the tarmac before we boarded the plane. Just short of 2 hours after take off, we landed in Vail and met with Delynn, Bo, and the Miller and Dennis family. Scott and Matt then told the boys of their Dad's last moments, reiterating to them that David experienced no pain, and that the "LORD just took him home." We cried some more, prayed, then asked God to comfort us all and to remind the boys of everything that their Dad had taught them - confident God would do just this.

On the flight home, Delynn and I talked softly as the boys, one by one, fell asleep. She said to me, "Pastor Sam, he loved me so much - and I loved him." "He called me Princess." I said, "Delynn, I know he loved you. When he talked about you and the boys, his eyes would light up." "You will always have that. No one will ever take that away."

Please pray for this wonderful family. David is not dead. Though not with us now, he is very much alive. In fact, he is more alive today than ever he has been. Because David knew Christ as his Savior, because David had put his trust for life and all eternity in HIm, he is with his LORD. (Jn. 3:16, 1st Cor. 15)

On the front door of the Parker home the words from Psalm 121 are posted. They read,

I will lift up my eyes to the mountains;

From where shall my help come?

My help comes from the LORD,

Who made heaven and earth.

He will not allow your foot to slip;

He who keeps you will not slumber.

Behold, He who keeps Israel

Will neither slumber nor sleep.

The LORD is your keeper;

The LORD is your shade on your right hand.

The sun will not smite you by day,

Nor the moon by night.

The LORD will protect you from all evil;

He will keep your soul.

The LORD will guard your going out and your coming in

From this time forth and forever.

To this end, then, we wait upon Him.

Pastor Sam Dennis

PS Once arrangements are made and the service time has been set, our church will make the information available.

The 'hand' that rocked our ParkwayHills cradle - Mr's Shirley Bullock, 1936-2011

If you've attended ParkwayHills Church any time between the Spring of 1989 and last Sunday, and you had a baby - a 'wee one' - still of the infant, not-yet-crawling stage, then chances are your child was held, loved, changed and rocked by the steady 'hands' of Mrs. Shirley Bullock. Shirley holds the distinction of being the 2nd longest ParkwayHills employee (2nd only to me, by 1 week, in length of service) and she has been absolutely faithful to this charge. Sadly and quite unexpectedly, however, her good service came to an end today as she went home to be with the LORD, passing from this life to life eternal early this morning.

We first came to know Shirley through church member, Tom McIntyre, as she worked for him 'part-time' by transporting cars for his business. After our church's 1st service under the tent (Easter, 1989) we moved temporarily into Tom's showroom on Midway Road near the Addison airport, where Shirley became our first official Sunday nursery worker. It was to be temporary, but, wherever we went - from CarChurch on Midway, to Brinker Elementary and, eventually, to our permanent home here on the North Dallas Tollway, Shirley remained.

"Miss Shirley," as we called her, was very often the first to arrive each Sunday. And, since her 'room' was right across the hall from my office, she and I would exchange morning pleasantries. In these latter days she had taken to asking me about the kids of our church, who were now grown. Many whom wouldn't know her if they saw her. But, oh my, she knew them - in ways they could not understand, but, nonetheless, certain and sure - and she'd ask, 'pastor, whatever happened to...' then on she'd go, nodding her head understandingly as I would describe where and what they were up to.

Miss Shirley held my children - she held all of of our staff babies. In fact, over time she was to hold most all of the infants that came our way, so that the earliest parkwayhills remembrance of these children would have been from the arms of this dear, plain-spoken, midwesterner - a transplant to Texas and to our church family - but a dear lady too seldom recognized now so sorely missed.

We love you Miss Shirley - and we tell you so! Thank's for rocking our ParkwayHills cradles, and...

Happy Home-Going!

Pastor Sam

modernFAMILY - Wk.3 w/ Kyle Morrill

I am excited about my pulpit series, modernFAMILY, which continues this Sunday with a special word by longtime ParkwayHills LIFEgroup teacher, Kyle Morrill. Kyle has been a ParkwayHills member since 1994, nearly 17 years, and has served both as teacher and administrator at Trinity Christian Academy for over 25 years.

My purpose in having Kyle is singular. I will ask him this question: "If there is one thing that you would tell parents they are doing wrong and one thing they are doing right, what would that be?" This is a man who knows both kids and parents well. I can't wait to hear what he has to say.

In addition to this, my message for the morning will focus on the ROLE OF THE CHILD. My text, "Children obey your parents"... as "this is the first commandment with a promise," (Eph. 6"1-3) is packed with implications for both children and parents and bears meaning beyond the nuclear family, even to the body of Christ as a whole.

I look forward to seeing you then.

Till Sunday,

Pastor Sam

Spiritual growth means influence

Our winter pulpit series, "TRANSFORMED," has been such a blessing to me. Each week, as I have prepared my messages and attended corporate worship with you, I have asked this question of myself, 'what does God want to do with ME?" Only to find His answer each and every time. Yes, God is faithful.

Because of this I am excited that Sunday we will look at the 3rd essential of our ParkwayHills LIFEgroup, which is, "Spiritual Growth." For certainly I know that if we are to be really 'transformed in Christ', this can only occur by our being personally related to God through Christ, and continue as we encounter TRUTH through His Word, build RELATIONSHIPS with each other, GROW together in knowledge, grace and service, and as we INFLUENCE others with what we have because we, well.... have it.

Brad fixed a leak in my pool this week. Brad graduated from Lewisville High School in 1991, and has been in the pool repair or plumbing business ever since. He and I talked both times that he came - not a lot, but enough. Enough for me to know his wife's name, the age of his son, where he lives and what his dreams are. He also learned that what I do as a career is a calling, and that I absolutely want to see him come to faith in Christ. When Brad and I parted the other day, I prayed for him - out loud and standing in my back yard. Of course he thanked me for the prayer, but for you who are reading this today I simply MUST add this - I did not earn the right to pray for him because I was the customer and he the vendor. No, not at all. It was because I took the time to listen to Brad and learn of him so that he might learn of someone else from me.

Which brings me to this, I think that real spiritual growth - the kind we all should have - produces influence. Not an influence gotten from power, but an influence that stems from grace. Influence that loves, that saves, and that cries from the cross as loudly today as it did 2000 years ago, 'Father forgive them', for they really 'just don't know'.

Till Sunday, then -

Pastor Sam

WINTER 2011- This Sunday and Beyond

This Sunday our winter message series, TRANSFORMED, continues with a message concerning the LIFE-changing essential of forming GODLY relationships. As a church we do this best through our LIFEgroups - and the ParkwayHills leader in this effort, Jim Thomas, will teach us this Sunday about what God's WORD say's about this exciting essential of our faith in HIM.

I am also pleased that this month includes the ordination of 5 new deacons; Dave Davenport, David Hendrixson, Kasey Hester, Will McDade and Al Valente. Also joining our deacons in ministry is Lee Jenkins, and, if you have never been to one of these services, you will want to come. It is so exciting to see the church set persons apart in call and ministry - and at this service on the afternoon of Sunday, the 23rd, you will see 1st hand why this is so.

Finally, please note one thing more - on Saturday, February 5, ParkwayHills will host a fund raising banquet and auction for our Brazilian Church Planting Partnership known as P70. If you have been at ParkwayHills for anytime at all then you know this ministry is very dear to my heart - and on this night, the night prior to Super Bowl Sunday, I pray to see many of our church come out in support. If you have have not heard, through this partnership ParkwayHills has planted over 16 churches - and now gives monthly support to their pastors keeping them on the field so that the gospel may be shared. Through P70 we have seen hundreds of people come to Christ and I know of no other mission, church-planting, endeavor that has yielded more in terms of converts through new local churches than this. Please mark your calendars in order to be a part of this special evening. Come! Bring your friends! Purchase a table and bring others or a seat to bring yourself and learn how you can be a part of this wonderful mission effort. For more information concerning the banquet, go to http://www.parkwayhills.org/index.php and click on P70 Missions Banquet as it scrolls on our Home Page Banner.

Till Sunday, then -

Pastor Sam

'Church'

There is an increasingly popular sentiment today that 'church', by this I mean the local expressions of such, are, in the main, NOT on point. In some cases folks may well be right. The church and its programs forever run the risk of allowing the 'flesh' of man to dilute God's purpose and create atmospheres of 'club' rather than mission. Yet, on this day, this pastor cannot help but wonder if folks are not ABSOLUTELY, wrong – even risking doctrinal, if not 'heart' error, in the process. So, there! I've said it, aware that many will dismiss my comments as self-serving.

But, now, please... hear me out. We all know that beyond doctrinal instruction, our New Testament is filled with practical instruction focusing, in the main, upon two matters. These matters are obvious, and deal squarely with our heart and the application of our faith in loving and serving one another. Put simply, the New Testament is filled with the recurring admonition to live our faith in community - and to do so in unity. Begging the question, why would we think our doctrine is SO right if we only feel a kind of elitism in regards to others, or church at all? And, if we, in feeling thusly, know we are not applying these two matters of Christian practice so regularly called for in God's Word? MMMMM????

I have been a pastor for many years and the one thing I most pine for is a spiritually, educated return to these two things - community and unity. For sure, ParkwayHills has grown up. We are not nearly so shallow as once we were. Our purpose is clearly plastered on our brochures and the web, and we regularly practice this mission in almost every application of our church programming - much more than once we did. Yet... why is it that we seem, not unlike so many of our ilk, so disconnected? Could it be (dare I suggest?) that this is because we are?

The past several days our daughter has been living with us. She is grown and between leases from one flat in her complex to another, and is with us for the next 2 weeks. Last evening we were all sitting at the kitchen table, taking turns telling the stories of our day. We had to wait, one person longer than usual, and, when prayer time came, we very naturally, well, broadened our scope. What I am saying is this. Our family bonds have grown deeper by us being together, which has included things like listening, compromise, understanding and, yes, time. The assessment? We are a better family today than we were the day before - yet none of us has changed position or views on any one thing. We are the same yet changed by community. And THAT change has made us better. God is so wise, is He not?

Yes, as scripture teaches, "But God has so composed the body (the body of Christ), giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, that there may be no division in the body (fighting, fussing, feuding or elitism), but that the members (the whole church) may have the same care (love in action) for one another.' {All parentheses mine} 1 Corinthians 12:24b-25

Jesus has said that, when he 'returns,' the 'love of many will have grown cold.' Might I be so bold as to suggest that we, the church, take care to make sure that our love - the one great identifier of we as the New Testament expression of Him, not let this happen? I pray not.

Yours for ‘Church,’ church -

Pastor Sam

A Summer Reflection 2010 - from Philippians 4:12

This has been the first summer that I have not traveled to Brazil - or somewhere overseas for either mission, study or both - for some time. The alternative? I stayed 'home' - braving both the heat and the summertime mood of the people whom I pastor. What I have found has been a nice blend of respite and work, as well as a sparing of my usual summer travel angst - for a kind of reconnection, if you will, with both the needs and pressures of the people who live and work in our city.

What I also have found is that John Mellencamps' tune, "I was born in a small town," is becoming an increasing cry for what was, not what is - making me think I am hearing it regularly and soulfully played from the heart of the folks of my charge. Was it really that good? (I mean in YOUR small town?). Well, probably not. But, is it really this bad? Unfortunately, to most, probably so! For what I sense is that folks here are tired, frazzled, discouraged, and, in some cases, just plain mad.

Now at the end of my summer I took a road trip - 14 hours and 900 miles - going through some of your small towns along the way. Towns like Chilicothe, Calrendon, Wichita Falls and Amarillo. I saw the overgrown rodeo stands of Quanah, Texas, and the wistful past of Dalhart and Dumas. In New Mexico, things were not much brighter, and once in Colorado and on Interstate, just more of the same - bad fast food and fast, fat folks eating the wrong stuff and taking wrong pills to feel better. Being a pastor, I talked. Asking questions and listening - to discover this - most folks, especially those young and in the middle, want desperately to be somewhere else. Their town, whether small, medium or large, is not what they want. And somewhere, somewhere 'out there,' there exists for them a place, actually more a circumstance, for which they daily and dolefully pine.

So that I wondered, is it really that bad back home? Is it really so bad in this 'terrible, horrible, place - that I, you, or anyone else can't make it, through Christ, that place of joy, love and happiness? Or... could it be that we all have just lost the how by pining for the was? I suspect the latter, don't you?

One last thing, though, if I might. Yesterday I drove the other way, down through Mexia, Texas (the place of my birth) - on my way to take Trey and his Mom on a visit to College Station. And, yes, the Dairy Queen is shut down - but there is a Taco Bell! Inside was a young man who asked me 'where' I was from? I paused, thought for a moment about what he was asking and why, then said, "Mexia." He looked at my car, my clothes, and at me - then smiled to say, "I am, too!"

Till Sunday, then -

Pastor Sam