At Sixty Three (and 5 mos.) - but who's counting

Today I performed a funeral and witnessed the turning of life - yet one more time.  So that I feel I must write, at least something, before I reach that age so famously opined by Paul, as in McCartney, (64).

With a song he asked a question. For me - today - there is simply a list. A list of things that...

I never thought I'd be...

1. This young when I got this old
2. Someone who'd misplace his reading glasses this much

When I got this old, I never thought I'd still...

3. Have ambition
4. Deal with anxiety
5. Be tempted with greed

When I got this old, I never thought I'd want...

6. More time
7. More money
8. More leisure

When I got this old, I never thought I'd need...

9.   More time
10. More money
11. More leisure

Yet, now that I am "this old," I realize...

12. How blessed I am to know and live the grace of God. To deal with both my age and lost glasses by His grace. To enjoy my time, His money and some leisure (as/when it comes)  - by His grace. And to discover all I will ever need in facing today and forever - by His grace!!!!

Indeed, e'en at 63!    


Pastor Sam

Twelve Years Ago

Twelve years ago today I awakened from sleep just as New York City was starting to buzz. I took my jog around the streets of East Village, as I was staying in a building within her heart. I was in the city with a handful of others from ParkwayHills, on a mission trip, and we were staying in a building less than a hundred yards from the corner of 7th and B Avenue. Tompkins Square Park was to our west, just across the street, providing respite for a diverse crowd of passer's by, homeless, druggies and the 'new young' moving back into the neighborhood.

After a shower and breakfast, I walked back outside. Seated on the steps was fellow missionary, Brenda Fish, and we engaged in small talk about the beauty of the azure, September sky. As we looked toward the south and west, a cloud of smoke was forming. I pointed to it and Brenda returned, "I just heard a boom, not more than two-minutes ago, I wonder if the smoke has anything to do with it?"

All that happened in the next hours are not for this blog, but I remember them in great detail. Our walking north to Midtown as the chaos grew worse. Frantic calls to and from family and friends in Texas.  And, finally, our decision to return to the place we were staying, below police lines, knowing that once we were there we could not leave - not till tomorrow, at least, and more than likely not for several days.

Watching TV this morning, I reflected over 'that day.' Like many of you I remembered not only where I was but how I felt. I remembered my fear and resolve, as well as conversations of Christ with those who'd not seemed interested just one day before. I remembered my sense of sadness over evil, and my encouragement in witnessing the enormous kindness of others. I remembered my sentiments regarding New York and her citizens, and how it was changed on that day forever. New York really is an American melting pot. A city holding an eternal optimism born by decades of immigrants and the hopeful moving in. Something understood only after standing in her midst with sleeves rolled up.

But this morning I had other thoughts. Thoughts beyond the present crisis with Syria, Al Qaeda, air travel security and despondency over how America has changed. I thought about the effects of time and how that event is now - unbelievably - 12 years in our past.  I thought about how the once young children of the victims are now grown up - and, as I watched these young adults reading the names of father's, brother's, Mom's and Dad's, I realized both times power and its brevity.

We live life in moments but we remember life through relationship and events. Moments change with the current of our day, capricious and fast - not respecting of feelings or desire, but relationships give our moments their meaning and a signature. 

As I drove across the US that September - through New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Tennessee, Arkansas and home - I thought about all I had witnessed and what God had called me to do.  Driving my rented car, I looked over the American landscape - observing her beauty in houses, barns, rivers and cities.  I did not see as many people as I might have a week before - and things were eerily quiet. For though people were courteous and kind, they were subdued - thinking, no doubt, much of the same thoughts as me.

After two days of driving, I pulled my car in front our home and, stepping out, my emotions and thoughts came together as one. Across our front porch was a banner, drawn by the hands of my wife, daughter and son. It read simply, "Welcome home, Dad, we love you!" And standing on our front lawn, kissing my wife and holding our son and daughter in my arms, I was in my place. I knew who I was and what I was to do. So we went into the house and had dinner together as a family. I turned off the TV and turned my head and heart to God's Word to prepare for Sunday and my message. There I realized that my moments, like those who once were children and are today 9-11's grown-up, young adults on my TV, had come together.

I gave thanks to God that night, 12 years ago, and I did the same today.

'So teach us to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom.' Psalm 90:12

Amen, indeed!


Pastor Sam

  


        

Santa Barbara, California

I will likely never come here again but how I will remember this view of coastline and sea. For this perch has been my place of respite these last four days. A shelter in the cliff and a place for me to sit and wonder over the majesty of God.  But a few feet away, it was reached by a stepping path from the back of our host's home.  And though here I am near the others, I feel as if I'm in another place. The shrubs and foliage shield me from view - and protect me from wind and cold.  Yet, I can peer over their tops, joyfully nestled in my perch, as a bird would from any sanctuary high in a tree. Indeed, it has been my solace - a perfect place for these days in Santa Barbara, CA.  

So that I wondered this morning of the hands of God.  When knowing my place there - I really am in 'sanctuary.' His hands form my refuge and from His hands I have my best view. Here, I am but a step away - yet safe and secure. For from His hands I see both the beauty of God and danger of sin, while knowing - all the while - the sheer joy of His perfect peace.  (Psalm 91) 

Blessings, 

Pastor Sam 

 

Pawleys Island, South Carolina

Life has been 'fast and furious' since returning from Brasil on the 23rd of July. Two weddings, two funerals, more meetings than I care to count - coupled with delivering the last 3 messages of my summer preaching series, "the Accountable Church," has kept me 'running'.  But... at the completion of Sunday last  (Aug 11) I walked from the pulpit and up the east hall where waited a car to usher me to the airport. Two planes and a car ride later I was in shorts, at the beach - and, frankly, I have not moved since!

This year B and I have returned to Pawleys Island, South Carolina. http://www.townofpawleysisland.com/ This slow, quaint but beautiful place was first introduced to us in the early 90s, and over the last 20 years we've vacationed here at least 10 of those.  With us is our family - Taylor, Matt and Trey - along with Belinda's sister, her family and her mother and husband. Needless to say our beach rental is full - not just with people but with the comfort family brings. So that it has all been good, and I am grateful - and... not kidding.

Of course my prayer is that I'll be able to relax. To take a mental break from duties and task and move the focus of my creative energy away from the 'everyday' to place it, instead, on 'something other'.

Confessedly, I have never been good at walking totally 'away' from work and church - though long ago I quit fretting over this. It is simply who I am to think of parkwayhills - and what I love doing is to think of you.  But I have learned to change my pace, to slow down and relax - time permitting.  So this is what I am doing now - on this familiar isle called Pawleys.

As I do, I am praying some of the same for you. :-)


Pastor Sam
Eph. 3: 20-21
  

Saturday evening, Taiobeiras, MG, Brasil

God's work is not always easy, but it is what we are called to do. The 3 days in Taiobeiras were grueling as to schedule, but very effective for the people with whom we were able to share.  Frankly, having us Americans in town simply opened a door of opportunity that would not have been realized otherwise. To use a phrase, we were 'the candy.' So that our team was given oportunity to share the gospel with over 2000 children and teens in these 3 days. This was over and above our work with VBS, community visitation, and our medical-social team. And that was simply amazing.

Thinking of it all, we should give praise to God for what He has done through the parkwayhills relationship/partnership with the P70 church planting and strengthening initiative to Minas Gerais, Brasil. This relationship dates back to early 2006 when myself, Glen Sampson and Chris Davenport took a first tour of the area - joined by a host of Brasilian pastors and church leaders. The area 'surveyed' has now become home to our church's ministry and new church plants. And this week, in working with 2 churches from 'our' region of North Minas Gerais, we were able to record over 600 profeessions of faith and realize many more hearing the gospel and receiving Christ in our school presentations that were not counted, save by God.  So that eternity will tell that story - and what a great reunion it will be.  

So we do give thanks this year to those who were able to go from parkwayhills- Chris, Craig, Claire & Dave Davenport, Carla Cox, Debbie Irons, Glen Sampson, Belinda Dennis, Jim & Kathy Spalding, Joyce Gant - as well as to the many parkwayhills members who made and packed critical supplies, to those who gave over and above their tithes critical financial support - including this year's parkwayhills ph-kids VBS who gave, to the many who gave their prayer support and to parkwayhillls church as a whole for faithfully investing a percentage of each weeks general offering to fund this critical, life-changing, work.  

Pictured here is Miss Daniele Ferreria (Dany) 14 years of age. Dany accepted Christ in Indiabira MG, Brasil, when we were there 4 years ago.  She was only 10, then, but on Saturday evening, as we were leaving, Dany walked up and asked me for a picture - saying she had been saved one night as I was preaching in her town four years earlier.  I was thrilled to meet and see Dany, then learn she is now part of this very same work - taking the gospel to other young people of Minas Gerais. I smiled, said 'absolutely', and thought, 'How beautiful are the feet of they (those) who preach the gospel of peace.'  (Romans 10:15, cf. Isaiah 52:7)

Keep on Dany! And, ... Deus Abencoe, indeed - 

Pastor Sam 

Thursday evening, late, from Taiobeiras, MG, Brasil

We arrived in Taiobeiras at 3:00 am on the 18th of July, slept 3 hours, then went straight to work. It is now 10:53 pm the same day - and, needless to say, we are very tired. Yet, be certain we are each bolstered in spirit by the amazing response we have received in every place we served today.  

This same day I was privileged to address 2 schools of 150 and 300 teens respectively. Jairo Campos, our resident missionary and leader/founder of the P70 initiative, had prearranged this opportunity as part of our plans for this years mission. The subject and objective was sexual education and us leading a discussion over the issue of abortion. Here in Brasil, though abortion is illegal it is very common for those who can afford it, for those who can't, well... the debate rages on. As we shared, the teachers and director of each school informed us that over 70 percent of their students (13-15 year olds) are sexually active. 

To start, Jairo spoke about the laws of man versus moral law, and, after a lot of music (me singing and playing on my guitar some good old American rock and roll) we ended our time with me having the privilege of sharing about the heart (conscience) of each person - and whether, and how, it can be changed. The kids agreed it could, and that's when I was blessed to tell them how. "Only God can change a heart', I said. "The same One who writes His law on our hearts, comes, in Christ, to redeem our hearts and give us a "new conscience." Needless to say, as each teacher thanked us for helping them with this issue, I shuddered thinking of how far our own country is fallen away in such things back home. Yes, it was an amazing day. But not just because we were able to talk about the choice of abortion or not, but because we talked about Christ - the answer that is sorely needed - and the One who saves. 

Please continue to pray for our team. Our first city registered over 390 professions of faith - and Glen Sampson presented to the pastor of the church, there, the names of all the persons he and his church members will follow up on. We prayed over the names - and over the pastor and church - then said  our goodbye - for now - joyful that heaven will be our next time to see each other again. 

Deus Abencoe, 

Pastor Sam 

July 17 - Last Day in Pedra Azul

When I come to Brasil It is always good to meet new friends but I am especially excited to see fellow church members do the same. Pictured here is long-time parkwayhills member, Joyce Gant, holding a new friend - a baby just 1 month old.  We are singing and Joyce is patting the child's back to the rhythm of God's praise. Heaven will be like this - where we make new friends not based on geography or age, but upon our common bond in Christ.

Thus far, in 2 days through last night, there are registered 191 professions of faith in Christ in Pedro Azul.  And we heard this morning from Boto Murim of near the same number of profession there. Many of these come from preaching points - either at the Praca, in Parks, or in our evening services - but a vast majority occur as our evangelistic teams go out, making conversation on streets and in the homes of any and all who will talk with them. 

As well, our VBS team - led by Debbie Irons - has worked in 3 different Escolas (schools) with amazingly full cooperation of local teachers and educators.  We have provided the children with games, crafts and the gospel - and many have prayed to receive Christ when given a gospel bracelet. And though we do not record their numbers in our decision counts - they will remain under the watchful eye of a local pastor, who will follow up with each child and their families in helping them on their way to Christ. How exciting it is to walk about the town, though, and see these precious children wearing their bracelets, and listen as many are able to explain what each color means - repeating back the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

As I close today, please pray for our final evening service in Pedra Azul, and for the 4 hour bus ride afterwards to our next town, Taioberas, where early in the morning the same hard, but marvelous, routine will begin again.  

Deus Abencoe, 

Pastor Sam