Merry Christ - 'mas', indeed

Christmas has long been one of my favorite seasons for worshipping our LORD. The real story never gets old. Asked recently if I missed preaching, especially at Christmas, my thoughts about this brought a flood of memories.   

The brief word I am sharing with you today by way of  this "Video Blog" below comes straight from my heart. It is a reminder that the first Christmas was a worship celebration. Why? Because the people who experienced it were people of faith and obedience. And, if you and I are to keep Christ in our Christmas, it will be born from the very same.  

Merry Christ 'mas,' indeed!

Pastor Sam

https://youtu.be/3JZ34N3mqxk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JZ34N3mqxk

Thanksgiving and the Generous Life

Friends, 

Miss B and I pray you and your family can experience a joyful Thanksgiving this year for we know that remembering to do so brings a life that is so.  

As a help, check out my video below. Inspired from Matthew 6, it's a simple encouragement from Jesus' words in His Sermon on the Mount - His reminder of what we should treasure and the secret as to how.  

Blessings and love, 

Pastor Sam 

Captain Kirk and the ‘Thin Line’

Captain Kirk (William Shatner) of Star Trek fame and now a young 90 years of age returned from his recent travel into space 'blown away.' A he came out of the capsule, he shared his experience with Mr. Bezos, questioning, 'is this as life and death?" And described passing from the 'blue sky' of of earth and it's near heaven into the 'darkness of space' by saying, it is just a 'thin veil' that separates us. 

Kirk was more right than we may realize.  The step into eternity is simply a crossing from what we know to what we are yet to see.  Indeed, it is but...a 'thin line.'  

Blessings, Pastor Sam 

ISAREL 2022 'The Steps of Christ' with PASTOR SAM 

https://mikefanning.com/sam-dennis-april-25%2C-2022

Bells Over Brasil, God's Providence and Psalm 139

As I consider Psalm 1239, the love and providence of God finds me full and praising Him today for His loving hand.s  Perhaps you, in looking back, might find you often feel the same.  

Check out my video - "Bells Over Brasil" - to see why.  

Pastor Sam 

Remembering 09.11.2001

Like most, I have found myself reflecting over the events of 9.11.2001 today and my experience.  For it is now 20 years since I found myself in the heart of Manhattan, in the very city where the horrific days events first occurred. And, like all Americans who can remember, a day my life was changed forever.  

As we pause on the 20th anniversary of 9/11, we give thanks for the many stories of faith and heroism that are now signatures of our nation's resilience and survival. These stories inspire us but... they should also challenge us.   

Check out my video, "Remembering" to learn how we might allow the 20th Anniversary of 9/11 to become a time for us to remember, reflect and find new resolve in our service to Christ and His purpose -bringing Hope to a broken world still worth redeeming. 

Pastor Sam  

Maintaining Perspective

When we think of the church and its mission, we must think rightly. Scripture helps with this - giving us us a sure and certain guide. When we do this we are able to maintain a correct perspective on life and news. 

Check out my video about the Church in Afghanistan - both their faith and their pining - for some help in this.

Blessings, Pastor Sam 

"The Joy of the Lord is my Strength" (cf. Neh. 8:10; Jn 15-10-11)

When Ezra spoke these words as recorded in Nehemiah, Chapter 8, he was speaking to the remnant of Israel who had made the journey back to their homeland to begin the task of rebuilding the temple and returning to their worship of God. They needed encouragement for the work, and Nehemiah reminded them from where that encouragement and their strength would come.

As Christians - those tasked with offering the gospel to a world in great need - we may need this same encouragement.

Check out my video for a reminder of why and how this may be so.

Pastor Sam

Honesty with God

Bing honest, though we know Jesus came to save us from our sin and that a saving relationship with Him begins when we admit our need and accept His grace and forgiveness, we seldom achieve the same when living as His disciple each day. 

We should remember that as Jesus was handed the scroll of Isaiah in his home town, and this happened...  

"On the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:

 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

Luke 4: 16b - 19

... that these words, 'freedom for prisoners, recovery of sight for the blind, oppressed set free and favor,'were meant to have meaning for those who are in Christ every day!  

Check out this video and see what you think.  

Pastor Sam 

Till He Calls Us Home - The Gospel is Everything

Mothers Day, 2021

'Standing at the Door' - a Pastor's Joy

Years ago, I remember standing near the entryway of our church and noticing people as they were coming in and out. I instinctively moved to the door and discovered that the better part of my pastorate would not be realized from the pulpit but from the doorway – greeting, shaking hands and learning of folk as they came and went - one person, one family at a time. Yes, one of the truly great joys of my ministry was simply standing in the doorway before and after each service in order to greet people and offer a short prayer, blessing or word of love and encouragement as they came and went. It was a simple gesture, just a moment or two with each one, but as the years passed I noticed more and more people would linger there, knowing I would not tire nor leave till taking time to talk with each one. At the door pictures were taken - snapshots of the moment at events small and large - such as services, weddings and funerals et al. recalling more than a greeting now, but relationships to cherish as the years carried on. Looking back, this is what I most miss - the relationship between pastor and people realized, developed and warmed while standing at the door.  I don't know if pastors do this today, but they should. The doorway speaks of accessibility and caring. It is a simple gesture expressing who we are as shepherds of a flock. When Jesus spoke of the Good Shepherd I think He had a doorway in mind. After all, He was Shepherd, Door and the Gate. Me? Well, I’m just a shepherd. But... just as the Good Shepherd knows His sheep by name, there, at the door of my church, I learned the names of mine - and I would not trade for it. 

“But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.“ John 10:2-3

 

Pastor Sam 

Happy New Year, 2021 from Pastor Sam and... a man named "Matthew"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c70cLGBx8Z4&feature=youtu.be