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