From the Mountains

Belinda and I have enjoyed the mountains of Colorado this week. What a glorious part of God's creation! We are grateful for our host's - and to God, whose beneficence has allowed us this restful time away.

This week has helped me, as well, with final preparations for a four week message series I plan to deliver at ParkwayHills, titled, "He Is Risen, Indeed!" The four messages - taken from the gospels - will deal with "Who Christ Is" (17th), "What Christ Came to Do" (24th and 31st), and "What His Resurrection Means To Us"- Christ followers and Church (April 7) for, if ever there was a time when our world needed to hear of our LORD, it is now.

All this is to say that I was 'caught' and 'in agreement,' by a quote yesterday from the newly elected leader of the Catholic church, Pope Francis 1.  He said, "We have to avoid the spiritual sickness of a self-referential church ...".  His point, that the Catholic church must not fall victim to self referencing but rather accept the reference point Christ has called us to, is well made - and I commend him for both his statement and the context. As well, we, the Church (made of all true believers in Christ) must never forget this, ourselves. By the same token we should not move to a culturally-referential view either, something equally as dangerous. By 'culturally-referential,' I mean something other than cultural relevance. For we certainly want to be relevant to our culture.  But, we must do so remembering our relevance comes from the gospel - then out.  Our point of reference, and my point, is that Christ - not the world nor even the Church, but Christ alone - is the foundation upon which we build - always.  Mankind is fallen, lost in sin, and Christ is the means whereby we must be saved. Therefore, we must never weary, then, both of looking out (beyond ourselves to others) and pointing up (referencing Christ to man and man to God through Christ).

I do pray you each have enjoyed your week, just as Belinda and I have. Too, as we return, we covet your prayers.  Not just for us, but for this wonderful 'church on the parkway' about to celebrate her 24th anniversary of being part of His work pointing others to Christ.  May this be ever so - through to this Easter and beyond!

Till Sunday, then


Pastor Sam

A VALENTINE - "I'll Love You Forever"

When our oldest child, Taylor, was young, I enjoyed much father-daughter bonding centered around bedtime. Her joy, and mine, were evenings making ready for such by reading a 'bed time' story.  Two of her favorites were, "Good Night Moon" by Margaret Wise Brown, and "The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear" by Don and Alice Wood.  She loved it when I would read these, and if ever I left something out, or handled my role with anything other than my usual intonation and expression, she'd correct me - insisting I read it over again until it was 'right.'

Thinking back, I realize that many of the messages taught by these stories were not just for children, but for parents, as well!  This was certainly the case with another of our favorites, "Love You Forever" by Roger Munsch. Do you know the book? The first 2 stanzas are as follows: (except in my case I'd modify words, to read as a father to daughter)

A FATHER held HIS new baby and very slowly rocked HER back and forth, back and forth, back and forth. And while HE held HER, HE sang:

I'll love you forever,
I'll like you for always,
As long as I'm living
my baby you'll be.

What a wonderful message this book held - and how fondly I remember the comfort it gave to Taylor and me as we read of love lasting forever. However, in the book of Romans the Apostle Paul once wrote this:

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:
“For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:35-39

Yes, paternal love and romantic love are truly amazing, but on this Valentine's Day I am grateful for more - I am grateful for the love that to us comes from Christ. One which is certain and can be counted upon for all found in Him. We can know that God's love brings joy in every circumstance of life, and... we can know one thing more - it really will last forever!

Happy Valentine's Day,


Pastor Sam






    

Why I 'appear' silent - about 'some' things

It's not that I don't have an opinion, but I have chosen to be quiet over some of the issues making popular news for a reason. I suppose the presidential election began this noticeable, non-response, from me - at least last year - and following this has come one juicy temptation after another to speak, write, or wax, you know, ...blah-blah-blah... 'eloquent' concerning all. Things like the economic prognosis of woe and dread, the fiscal cliff, the mass shooting in Newtown CT., and now the heated debate over gun control. Yes, some really 'good' stuff all.  But... from me? Seemingly nothing!

Now before you worry over me losing 'my salt,' take notice of my company! A close look will likely reveal the same from many pulpits and pens of other's who grace my call.  Not that we're not tempted, I assure you. Or, that we don't oft-times fail.  For who doesn't love preaching to the choir?  Or, put another way, who's not desirous to seek some 'amens,' or that craved 'atta-boy preacher,' especially if one's church is experiencing few, if any, converts, meaningful life-change and/or other such 'kingdom of God' stuff. Mmmm???

But then upon answering my "God" call I realize there is something begging for my preaching, and, thereupon am reminded why - why I might 'appear' silent, at times. Of course 'sin in the camp' will bring a strong and instructive word from me - I think most know this.  But... sin outside? Well, that will yield another message from me altogether.

Paul once wrote to a godless city, Corinth, and its church, this, "I determined to nothing among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified" 1 Corinthians 2:2 and I am earnest to remind us that this man was not lacking in knowledge, unaware of culture, nor in any way afraid! He was just absolutely focused! Focused on Christ and the gospel - the good news that holds the power to set people free and, as such, also free them from their miss-spent compulsion to make ANY thing secondary the main. No, Paul understood his world as lost and unredeemed, and that efforts towards improvement outside of a relationship with Christ were futile.

Oh, be sure this pastor does believe we are losing ground in our time and place (the US and the 'west' - western world) for heart-change toward, instead of away, from God - but I believe the problem in winning this battle may well lie with us messengers (the church) and not the world. We as Christ's church are conquerors called to storm the 'gates of hell' with the gospel - literally tearing them down, as it were, in order to set those in Satan's grasp free!  Yet, alas, we too often pick up the wrong weapons. And, most assuredly, I will not be silent about THAT!

For...
I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome. For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.” 
Romans 1: 15-17

For more faith, then... both to live, to love and to preach,

Pastor Sam

ZIG, 1926 – 2012

As a young business owner there was not any man I admired and desired more to emulate than Zig Ziglar. His book, "See You at the Top" sat on both my bed-stand AND desk - and I referred to it often. I even sent him a gift once - sent from my agency to his North Dallas Headquarters - trying to get his attention with some salesmanship of my own. The gift came to him in a finely wrapped box complete with ribbon and note, and inside was a cassette and player (something quite familiar to his own market and trade) but with my voice greeting him to extol the virtues of D. Samuel Dennis Co., Advertising, and why he should consider giving us a shot as his companies agency representative of choice.

Yes, I was a decided ZIG fan! But... beyond all the times I'd heard him speak and above all the ways I was prone to admire him - as businessman, salesman, motivational speaker, and committed Christian - his greatest message to me was something I was to hear in quite a different way. Something I was to witness over these last 20 years as I was blessed to live near him in the same community. A message quieter than all others but oh so powerful - and one to which I was finally most drawn. THAT was Zig's faithful love and devotion to his wife, the woman he called, his "REDHEAD."

Below is an excerpt from Zig's website, taken from an article he wrote, The New Decision Close, in which he describes his proposal to Jean, something he would call 'his best decision ever'.

"I asked that Redhead of mine (she is a "decided" redhead, meaning that one day she just decided to be a redhead!) to marry me and she said no. I asked her the second time; she said no. Third time, no. Fourth time, no. Fifth time, no. Sixth time, yes. No, she did not change her mind. What she did was very simple. She made a new decision based on the new information which produced a new feeling."

From: Secrets of Closing the Sale
© 1984 Zig Ziglar
Published by Fleming H. Revell
PHS-018-005022
Visit Zig Ziglar's Website: http://www.ziglar.com

Occasionally Belinda and I would run into Zig and Jean at Luby's, and he - always so courteous and kind - would eventually assign our conversation to the joys of being in love with one woman, forever, and for always. Zig absolutely loved Jean! And she knew it! And if ever there was any better example of a man following Ephesians 5:25 and a woman positively responding to such, neither Belinda or I could recall it. 

Now the folks who worked at Luby's probably didn't know the Ziglar's as 'famous'. They likely didn't realize that Zig was honored and recognized the world over. They just knew them as 'that cute couple,' who were always smiling, laughing, and holding hands.  And that seemed to make our seeing them there even more special.  No performance.  The real thing! 

Yes, I suspect that if we could talk to Zig right now and ask him about his life, he'd point to two decisions that changed things for him forever. The first, would be his decision to make Christ His Savior and to serve Him with all his might. But the second, I believe, would be his grace to meet and decision to marry his wife, Jean - and then follow this in the joyful occupation, everyday, of 'staying in love' with his 'decided redhead.'  So that his final message to this man - born just one generation behind - was this...it's not just how you start or how you do along the way, but it's how you finish that counts!  And, well.... Zig finished swell. Holding tight onto the two very wonderful things he began with so long ago - one met in Yazoo City and the other in Jackson - his LORD and his Bride.  And THAT'S a message worth listening to, still.   

Well done, Zig!  

Pastor Sam  

12 November 2012, Veterans Day

Veterans Day is celebrated so that we might honor veterans of our American Armed Services who have defended freedom's cause at home and around the world. Often taken for granted, our freedom - though given us by God - must be defended in a fallen world. For, certainly, we have seen America flourish in freedom. This freedom has spawned our economic system of free-enterprise and factored in us maintaining our overarching psyche of national optimism and hope - bringing to history a nation never before equaled in accomplishment and purpose.  Indeed, the record of American success speaks, serving testimony that freedom benefits any people, in this and every time.

Yet protection of our national freedom is essential. For this reason we say, 'thank you', to the brave Americans who have made this possible for us by their sacrifice. On Veterans Day we honor those who have served and on Memorial Day we honor those who have fallen. Both days teaching the same lesson - that freedom, though granted by God and brought, ultimately, by freedom from sin because of Christ, is maintained 'nationally' and secured 'societally' at great price.

So we say, 'God Bless our Veterans.'  We honor you today, and say, 'thank you!' committing to not forget - neither you nor the price you've paid - enabling us to live free in a free land.

And... may God Bless America, too! - as she aids and defends the selfsame for others around the world!

Let freedom ring!


Pastor Sam
 

November 7, 2012

This morning I awoke to a gorgeous, sunshine-filled day that bespoke an opposite sentiment of many I am privileged to pastor. For these, the sun was not shinning when they awakened, and, in sentiment's place was gloom - a gloom over their sense that our culture appears bent on a path moving away from values held basic to Christian faith.

Considering this, as I prayed this morning, I sought God for a word I might share and was reminded of three simple, yet profound, principles we are all called to. For as God's people we are to:

1. Remember our responsibility - God forever calls His people, in the Old Testament, the New Testament and now, to repentance and revival.
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14

2. Rest in God's way - God is Judge, not us. This has forever been His responsibility, and remains. When the church attempts to take this from God, we lose our way - and we are admonished in God's Word to not do so.
For I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me. Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God. 1 Corinthians 4: 3-4 

3. Reestablish our call and purpose -  The proclamation of the gospel is the supreme purpose of the church. God's compassion for sinners is what brought us Christ, and this same position, only, is what ultimately will ignite His church and bring change to our world, if it is to be. The church flourishes in righteousness and mercy, not in righteousness and bitterness, or fear, or anger, or... etc., etc., etc.
“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Matthew 7: 1-4 
When God called Israel to repentance and to remembrance of its purpose of being a light to the Gentiles (Nations), He spoke this word through His prophet 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 
The 'justice', if there is any, that God has call us to is a justice of offering mercy to one another.
"This is what the LORD Almighty says: 'Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. Zechariah 7:9 
And the New Testament epistle from Jude reminds us that though we are to remain wary and wise to sin, we are to do so mercifully.
Keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. And have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh. Jude 1: 21-23 

So my prayer for each of us today is that we will be nothing less than what God has called us to be. For God still sits on His throne and His requirement of us is unchanged. Jonah did not want to go to Nineveh, but God put him in the belly of a whale and sent him there anyway. Jeremiah was considered by his peers to be a 'nut', yet his words are remembered today. And, Jesus? Well, He was nailed to a cross, and through this God brought redemption from sin.

So whether the sun is shinning for you today, or not - God's Son, our Savior Jesus Christ, is. Let us rejoice in this and be glad.  For we really do have...

Much yet to do,

Pastor Sam

BIG TEX

Yesterday's news that 'Big Tex' had caught fire and burned, just 25 minutes after the Texas State Fair opened, caught me by surprise. Taylor, our daughter who works downtown, called to tell me. My throat caught - then she laughingly helped, "I told my friends 'my Dad will cry,'" and she kindly moved on.

Big Tex represents more than just a 'talking tall man' for me - this child of the 50s, he represents memories and awe.  Born in 1950, 2 years before Big Tex himself, my beginnings were before computers and cell phones. My world consisted of TV with rabbit ears and only 3 channels, and color TV was something seen only at the store. I was a child of 'Mr. Peppermint,' 'Icky Twerp' and the 'Slam Bang Theater' (go look it up), and in my young days neither the Dallas Cowboys (nor Dallas Texans), existed - and when they did, they played in the Cotton Bowl, with fewer in the stands than when SMU played there. In other words, the Fair Grounds were everything to me - and BIG TEX, written always in CAPS and towering high over near east Dallas, became an icon of both our cultures past and its bright and bragg-adocious future yet to come. TEX saying, 'Welcome to the State Fair of Texas' was code for... "Welcome to Dallas, Y'all." 

As a boy my Dad, who rarely took off work for anything, somehow always 'took off' on our school's 'Fair Day'.  He'd meet us at the front gate, coming to join us from work, but once he did... the party began. This Dad was not the Dad of everyday, this was 'Fair Day Dad,' and he was amazing. There wasn't a ride he said 'NO' to, not one animal (at the LIVESTOCK SHOW) we did not stop to see, and Corny Dog's? their supply seemed limitless. Overlooking it all was BIG TEX, and the same admonition from Dad, "if we get separated, or you get lost, go to BIG TEX and wait for me there!"  Word's that, even today, are hard for me to write without choking up.  Dad is gone, and now...

Last evening I sat for a moment with Cody Jones, our Minister to Students whom I absolutely love, and we talked about BIG TEX and his burning. His reply was of comfort, "it was just clothes and a jaw, pastor, they will have him back up in no time, bigger and better."  And, of course, Cody is right.  I am sure that the unveiling of the new and improved BIGGER TEX will be a media sensation.  Who wouldn't want to watch this.  But, still... there's just something not right about his burning, at least for me. Something symbolic for this preacher, who's lived long enough to watch so much change - not only with our world at large, but with our world right here in Dallas.  

I have a few Dallas Newspapers that I've saved. The day Tom Landry died and the last issue of Dallas Times Herald are among them. Both of these 'front pages' report on icons of the past - "Landry" and the "Herald" - two icons which really did make us better. I suspect I'll save today's Dallas News, as well.  

"If we get separated or lost, go to BIG TEX and wait for me there!" 

And, I will, Dad :-) 

Pastor Sam