A Sometime Day

When I was a boy my Dad had a saying in response to the frequent questions of us kids.  We'd ask, "Dad, when are we going to".... ?  And his reply - almost as if he were singing - would be, 'sometime!'   

Now Dad's answer was not off-putting.  It didn't make us mad.  In fact, his was a cheerful response and hopeful. I suppose you could say I grew up looking forward to 'sometime' days based entirely on the way my dad would put it out there - so that, sometime was something to look forward to. 

A sometime day might be described as the day you finally get to do that thing you wanted to do earlier, but couldn't.  It can also be a day that describes a better time - not from something missed, overlooked, or not having time for - but from something that is just 'better' because it's 'yet' to come.  As if things are not quite right, yet, but surely will be... sometime.  

I think this is what Christ was thinking of when his disciples asked, "Tell us, when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?" (Matthew 24:3), to which Jesus replied, "Keep watch", and, "be ready" (24:42-44).  In short, not yet but sometime 

When we speak of the future we can be fearful and afraid.  But Jesus speaks of it with confidence because He sees what we cannot.  So that His response to our questions of 'when?" should set the tone for the way we now live.  And, just as my Dad left me looking forward to 'sometime,' I find my LORD does too.  

Yours for a 'Sometime Day,' today -  

Pastor Sam   

 

Greed

This morning the ABC network reported on the excessive life-style of Marie Douglas-David, a Swedish countess currently appealing her divorce settlement from former husband, George David.  The report implicated her 'greed' by bearing critically on her request for more money than her alloted $53,000 per week.  Her reasoning?  This wasn't enough to cover her expenses. 

When we hear of things like this, especially in today's economic clime, we cringe.  While around us people are losing jobs, houses, and even their dignity - news of this stuns our sensibilities.  We cry... "What greed!"  "How dare she!"  And, "who does she think she is?" 

Wikipedia defines greed as, 'the desire or pursuit of money, wealth, power, food or possessions - especially when this denies the same goods to others' and based on this definition, a lot of us are in trouble.  In Catholicism, greed is one of the seven deadly sins - and in Colossians 3:5 we are told that greed is a form of idolatry - a direct breach against God's Command to have and hold  'other God's' before Him. 

But while pointing our finger at the person who wants more than $53,000 a week to live on is easy, it can also keep us from looking at our own selves in the mirror.  We, who so often pass by a brother or sister in need to offer them absolutely nothing - while we complain over living with our $1,000 (or whatever) per week.  

So what should we do?  Well Jesus gives sound advice.  

1. We are not to place the needy above Christ (Matthew 26:11) 

2. We are to give, when we give, as 'as unto' Him  - and are commended in so doing.  (Matthew 25:44-45)

Jesus said that 'we will always have the poor with us,' which is sobering - not in plight but opportunity.  An opportunity for us to say no to greed, yes to God, and yes to others - all in the name, and fame, of our Lord Jesus Christ.  

Pastor Sam   

20 years - looking back and forward

On Sunday March 29 Parkwayhills will celebrate the 20th anniversary of her first Sunday, which occurred on March 26, 1989.  The day will be more than nostalgic as we take time to remember from where we've come, to celebrate where we are and be challenged concerning our next 20 years to come.  The theme of this day is 'Rediscovering Roots,' and one process in readying us has included 'video interviews' of members compositing, as best we can, a picture of the whole of these last 20 years.  As these have told their stories reflecting both on events and on how they felt about such, it has been nothing short of an encouraging reminder of the power of Christ through His church.  

Now many of you know I am a longtime 'journaler,' and, as such, have recorded many things about our church over the years.  However, in giving these volumes an overview of late, I am curious at how infrequent my chronicle includes anything statistical.  My interest?  The hand of God and His work in my heart, in my family and in the hearts and lives of the people I am called to serve.   

As I look back over these 20 years I am amazed, of course, at the physical changes in this area of the Tollway Corridor and West Plano. Doing this, I am even more thrilled at the providence of God in placing us here.  Confessedly, I now admit to supposing myself more of God's wielder of things yet to come -  but, as I take my 'View from the Tollway' today, I am grateful at seeing much more of Him and a whole lot less of me in the process.

Perhaps there will come a day when this parkway will include, not only a tollway south, but a train - one traversing all the way from the River Red to Downtown Dallas.  On that day, that someday, someone may look out the window of this train to see our dome, or perhaps a cross or bell atop a sanctuary yet to come.  Perhaps in that moment God will speak to that one and cause them to get off that train at a station called "Chapel Hill," and come in.  Inside the church, I pray, there will be people - people far from us in time, yet tied to us in ways more powerful than one can know - by the very Spirit and call of God.  On that day this one may hear the gospel and bow their knee to the Man who died on the cross forgiving them of their sin.  And, on that day, we, the saints who've gone before, will see more clearly and certainly the very will and purpose of God in building what we now call - His church on the Parkway!