Finding Joy at Christmas

The Joy that came with the advent of Christ was not circumstantial. It was spiritual - and something we all need. Good tidings of great joy for all people was a message announced to lowly shepherds referencing more than a baby. This was Emmanuel! And this was...

Joy, indeed!  Pastor Sam 

A Word and Reminder Regarding Israel and Our Hope

In light of the recent and horrific events taking place in Israel, many have asked me how this might relate to Christ’s return - if at all. To be clear, Israel has been brutally attacked in a most despicable and cowardly way by a terrorist group that uses Gaza and other territories as a shield for their evil. However, for those who seek and are praying for Crhist's return, here’s a word of encouragement and hope regarding what we cannot know and... what we can. 

God is sovereign over all things. Israel will not fall, but stand. And salvation in Christ is sure. 

Praying for Israel -

Pastor Sam 

‘Calling out the Called’ - a message for all time!

Here's an encouraging video on the calling of God and the blessedness of our salvation in Christ.  Indeed, He is calling still - as I often say, 'calling out the called' - and it is our joy, great and only task to hereald this news. 

Sam 

A Life of Legacy

As I reflected today on our national remembrance of the attack upon our nation on 9.11.21, I wondered over the difference this has meant - not just to our nation, but to me.  Check out my video below for my thoughts about how this event, as well as my decision to place my faith in Christ, has impacted the life I want to live and the legacy I hope to pass on. 

Pastor Sam  

An August Greeting and Update from Pastor Sam Dennis

Friends, 

This summer, thanks to your support and prayers, we have been blessed to see so many come to faith in Christ. 

Check out my video sharing an update on our 2023 Mission to Brazil - as well as our plan to cruise the Adriatic Sea in the fall of 2024 and visit the sites of the early churches as we learn of the missionary journeys of the Apostle Paul.  

Blessings, 

Pastor Sam 

Remembering Dad (Delmer Dennis, 1925 - 1989)

My Dad, Delmer Samuel Dennis, passed from this life to heaven on July 12, 1989.  This was two months shy of his 64th birthday and the same year I planted ParkwayHills Baptist Church in Plano, Texas. He had participated in my ordination in February and attended our Inaugural service on Easter Sunday. I talked to him in person or by phone almost every day. To say I loved Dad would be an understatement and it was years before I quit reaching for my phone to call him. I still want to today, 34 years later. 

While I served as a pastor I often encouraged fathers on their potential impact in my sermons, saying of Dad that, ‘Everything I learned of significance in life I learned from him.’  Dad taught with words and by example. And describing his effect on my life, I added, “He taught me how to love one woman, mow a yard, finish what you started, love unconditionally, tell a story, sing a song, laugh at myself, that it's OK to cry, to not be afraid of starting over, and to not quit.” When people heard me say these things they might have considered them generalizations, but the opposite was true, they were on point and life-changing realities I saw every day.  By ‘love one woman’ I meant Dad showed the beauty and benefit of being faithful to your wife. He loved Mom with passion and fidelity regularly showing affection in front of us kids by giving her tender ‘pats’ and kisses. I never saw Dad look at other women the way he looked at Mom. By ‘mow a yard’ I meant, Dad taught me how to do a job well and right, which included changing the direction of your mower cut each week, cleaning your equipment after finishing, and making sure the same was prepped and ready for the next week's use. By ‘finishing what you start,’ I meant Dad taught that signing up to play, even if you never got off the bench, meant showing up for every practice and keeping your head and heart in every game. And by this dictum he likely did more to prepare me for life as a pastor than anything else as I regularly ‘stood in the wings’ or ‘preached’ from the ‘prompter’s box’ (the pulpit) to encourage and fan the flame of God’s love, grace and calling in others.  

Dad was orphaned when just a boy. As the youngest child of 13, His mother died when he was 5 and his father when he was 8.  This necessitated his having to live in the homes of his older siblings, and eventually settling in with his sister, Mont, and her husband, Bill Miller. Bill and Mont were farmers just outside of Celina Texas, not far from where Dad's parents had leased their own farmland. They had a daughter of their own, Billie Maurine, who was near Dad’s age and became like a sister to him.  Dad loved Mont, Bill, and Billie, even though years later Mom confessed that one reason ‘family’ was so important to our Dad was that he wanted his children to never feel as if they were visitors and not part of one another. So, we were. All four of us, with me the eldest and sisters Pam, Kim, and younger brother David. 

Dad loved the United States of America and was a veteran of WW II.  In September of 1942, just after turning 17, he went to Dallas and enlisted in the United States Navy.  He had just begun his Senior year, which meant he never finished High School. He was attending the Allah Hubbard school, a country school just north of Celina, TX. - on Doc. Hubbard's property. Today, through the beneficence of the same family, Celina High School now sits on that same property, and Dad, along with others who served our country, were eventually awarded their High School Diplomas by Celina - a much-deserved and highly regarded honor. 

Dad worked hard, leaving home early in the morning long before any of us were up. And though returning home each night 'bone tired', we looked forward to seeing him knowing that after a bath and his changing into a fresh t-shirt and pair of khakis, he'd lay with us on the living room floor to wrestle and 'snuggle up'. Because of his work, Dad rarely attended any of my daytime activities, but he did see me hit my first home run.  It was my only home run ever, and as I ran across home plate I headed straight for the fence where he stood to reach my fingers and hands out to touch his and ask, "Did you see that Dad?  Did you see it?"  His answer was direct. "Yes, son, I did.  And I am proud of you."  He would have said that to anything I did. But seeing me through the fence that day he knew what I most needed to hear, and gave it to me.  Nothing more and, lovingly, nothing less.   

The year I planted ParkwayHills Church I was blessed to be ordained by my home church in Dallas, where I was serving as Church Administrator.  In keeping with the church’s custom, Dad was invited to participate in the time of ‘laying on of hands,' which is part of the ceremony and service.  This is a solemn moment as ordained clergy, deacons, and others participate by placing their hands on the head or shoulders of a candidate to speak words of encouragement and pray God’s blessings over them. As I knelt at the altar Dad was the last to pass by.  I could tell it was him by the smell of his Old Spice cologne and began to cry.  He spoke tenderly and said, ‘Son, I want you to know I am more proud of you today than any other time in your life – even when you hit your first home run.’ I could sense his smile as I, attempting to speak through my tears, said, “Dad, I only hit one.”  He didn't respond, but continued, “Listen to me!” I want you to commit that you will both preach the Word and love God's people.” Going on, he continued – ‘many preachers preach God’s word without loving His people. Others will love God's people but not have the courage to preach His word. But, if you do both you will never have to back up to your paycheck.” As he reached the end of this solemn dictum, I was blubbering.  For I knew this man and what he meant by it all too well. He was telling me, in the best and only way he knew how by using language I had heard since childhood, to accomplish my ‘calling’ fully, to do it right, and to finish the job.  

Now, years later I confess that following his words has not always been easy - and this goes for either side of his admonition.  However, Dad's words to me on that cold February evening to "Preach the Word and Love the People" became the mantra of my life and call. For, indeed, Dad was right!  (cf. 2nd Timothy 4:2; 1st Corinthians 13:1). And… I am grateful. 

Pastor Sam 

Friday of Holy Week - A Good Friday, Indeed!

Thursday of Holy Week - Maundy Thursday

Wednesday of Holy Week - A Day of Silence?

Tuesday of Holy Week - Jesus Teaches in the Temple

Monday of Holy Week - A Changed Perspective

Embracing your time - the joy of being "self-aware"

 "How have you stayed self-aware?" That was what he asked, and his question caught me by surprise. I was meeting with the state convention person in charge of connecting churches with missions to introduce him to our work with the P70 Church Planting ministry in Brazil. During our 'introductions' time I'd learned he was 60 - and that he'd served 26 years at his previous church and recently made a change. Still, his question felt out of place. "Self-aware,?" I replied. "What do you mean, exactly?" As he explained I realized this was simply his way of asking me how I knew when it was time to step down as a Senior Pastor and pass the torch to someone else. So we talked on - some about missions, but mostly about 'time of life stuff,' which more and more seems to be what I find myself doing these days. 

When I got home, I asked Belinda, "do I look old?" Without hesitating she replied, 'yes!"  I gazed at her, hoping to see a smile or wink. Then continued, "I was in a meeting today and our conversation took a turn to the subject of transitioning. It seems this is happening to me often when I meet with someone."  "Well," she said, "if you're not inviting this, and it keeps happening, then maybe you should embrace it."  This was not what I wanted to hear, but I knew it was true.

One of my favorite stories in the Bible is found in Genesis chapter 48 where, Joseph brings his sons to his father Jacob for him to bless them.  This happens after Joseph has reconciled with his brothers in Egypt, and after Jacob, his father, and all his clan have moved there to be with him.  The family is now far away from the "Promised Land" - in a strange place - but not far from the influence of God's promise to their ancestor, Abraham, nor its impact on their shared sense of heritage and legacy. 

 Now Israel’s eyes were failing because of old age, and he could hardly see. So Joseph brought his sons close to him, and his father kissed them and embraced them. Israel said to Joseph, “I never expected to see your face again, and now God has allowed me to see your children too. Then Joseph removed them from Israel’s knees and bowed down with his face to the ground. And Joseph took both of them, Ephraim on his right toward Israel’s left hand and Manasseh on his left toward Israel’s right hand, and brought them close to him. Genesis 48:10-13

The larger story here has implication beyond what we might see. Here is Jacob, an old man of 130 years, with his youngest son and children. Jacob has an important role. But, so does Joseph, his son. As well, the boys gathered at their grandfather knees, likely in the folds of his outer garment, do too. They each are at a season of life in which they are being called to do for the other. The eldest, the ancient, holds the patriarchal key of passing on a blessing. Joseph, his son, holds the task of insuring this takes place - of getting the job done. And the younger, the children, have the blessed role simply of receiving.  Imagining what this must have looked like makes my heart warm, but, it begs a question, which of them - which role, is the most important?  In my mind they are equal, and only accomplished because of the age, position and self awareness of each faithfully being who and where they are in life. If any of them disdain their times, task, or this time in particular, if any one of them fail in their role and response, then the scene here so beautifully portrayed would not be.    

As my meeting turned towards its end, the gentleman asked me, "do you miss preaching?" I returned, "I enjoyed preaching, and at times I do pine after the days gone by - but, if by returning I were kept from my task now of encouraging and mentoring others busy at the same I would not be be happy. It is their time now, and my role and my task, well... they are changed." 

Then, I continued, "would you go with me to Brazil?" "I'd love to give you a chance to preach there, so you could see the power of God's Word in an area that is so very ripe for the gospel."  

"I think I might, pastor." And, thank you", he replied.  

"Then let's go", I said.  

Pastor Sam 

   

 

Celebrating Dr. Jerry Irons - ‘Give Me Jesus’

Friends, 

This past week I was in Dallas where I was privileged to lead the funeral service for Dr. Jerry Irons.  Jerry faithfully served God, country and family, and this video is a reflection on his life and impact - and how Jerry was able to carry this out by making Jesus his first priority.  

Pastor Sam