Folks, it is Friday, January 8, 2016. With the Dallas Cowboys out of the playoff race for the Super Bowl on the first Sunday in February, it seems that there must be another avenue for the sports junkie – Dallas Mavericks.
On another note, yesterday I had a doctor’s appointment that had me go to one of the professional buildings by Methodist Hospital Dallas. I went the appropriate garage close to the doctor’s office, and I got my parking ticket, so that I could drive out through the gates. Interestingly enough, I paid for my parking ($3.00) and drove to exit the garage. Oddly enough, the ticket machine was not working properly so the lever to keep cars from exiting the garage was raised. In other words, free parking for those who saw the raised bar prior to paying for parking. For some, free Christmas parking came early. For others like me, I exited the garage with a paid-validated ticket going unused. Do I miss the $3.00? No. Does it make a difference in the great scheme of Methodist Hospital Dallas’ bottom line? No. Does every parking garage offer free parking? No. I have found that nothing is really free, in a parking garage or in life. And I am sure that I will have some that will not agree with what I just said.
I appreciate the parking garage, for it allows me to park close to my doctor’s office and return in a relatively safe environment. It is estimated that every parking space costs approximately 15-20K per spot for construction. Maybe more. Everything costs. I consciously do not take the privilege of parking my car in a well-built garage for granted. In the grand scheme, my $3.00 by itself might not mean a great deal, but collectively over many years can add to millions of revenue to pay for construction, maintenance and insurance, and the list goes on.
I do not take our church buildings for granted. Regardless that the perception of zero debt means no cost for the church buildings holds no water.
I thank God for those today and yesterday who have supported the church faithfully by their prayers, presence, gifts and service and witness. We stand on their financial shoulders to enjoy the building campus, ministries and possibilities. Consider where you are in your membership vows and step up to tithing (10% before or after taxes—that is another sermon), step up to presence on Sunday mornings, step up to service, witness, and most definitely step up your prayer game.
Nothing is free. Even God’s grace freely given is not free. Why do I say this? Because it calls for a response to his grace. Now, that will cost you dearly my friends. For God so loved you…(John 3:16).
This Sunday, a sermon on the baptism of Jesus and a reaffirmation of ours. See you Sunday.
Shalom, Pastor Frank