I realize that I usually begin my posts with a scripture. I know that every post has some deeper meaning or some type of life application that stems from the situation that I am writing about. I am sure that you expect lots of things when I post something.

But...this isn't one of those posts.

This weekend, Four Hills Church will celebrate its One Year Anniversary. It has been about two years since we originally conceived the church that now resides on Zhale Smith Road. It started with a couple of people in a Dunkin Donuts in New Jersey and now, well, let's just say that things have come a long way.

So, I thought I would take this chance to note some things at this milestone:

1. Our church looks nothing like I thought it would. You know how you dream things and then, the reality looks far different. This is one of those situations. Only, in this case, the difference isn't bad...it's amazing. I always said I wanted a church that was different from the others, but I always envisioned a church that looked the same as everyone else. I am pleased to say, we went for different...and different is what we got. We have a family filled with normal church rejects and I love it. I wouldn't have it any other way.

2. Things progressed much faster than I thought they would. Looking back at our initial planning, we assumed we would be a portable church for at least two years and that I would be bi-vocational during that time. Amazingly, God has provided a way for me to devote my time to the church and for us to be in a building that is dedicated to our uses...in less than a year. Wow!

3. Helping people is harder than I thought. In my mind, I had this idea of a church that helped the community and the people in that community. It turns out, that is easier said than done. For one thing, it costs a lot of money to help people. For another, people run and hide when you offer to help them. They are waiting for the other shoe to drop. But...we have found a way to help, through our Angel Food Ministry and our benevolence fund. In our first full year, we spent more money on others than on ourselves. Not bad.

4. When we said we wanted to minister to kids, God took us seriously. We committed to being a church that valued their children. We decided that we would attempt to minister to them in a highly-prioritized way (we just had our 5th Sunday Family Worship and it was amazing). God, being the One that listens when we pray, decided to honor us with a ton of kids. That's right, our downstairs children's ministry competes in attendance with our upstairs adult worship service. Thank you, God, for taking us seriously.

5. When everyone gives, things can happen. For a small church, we have an unusually high percentage of givers. In fact, it is uncanny how many of our people participate in that part of worship known as the offering. Our income has increased with each season and we are coming to realize that the more we give away, the more God trusts us with. A giving church is blessed by giving people who are blessed by a giving God. Nothing wrong with that.

6. Miracles happen when you call on the name of the Lord. We have story after story of miraculous events in the lives of our people. Some are financial. Some are emotional. Still others are actual physical miracles. Heck, my grandmother was dying in a hospital and now she has recovered with doctors hanging their mouths open wondering how. We prayed. We believed. God delivered.

7. Family can get on each others nerves. We have said from the beginning that we want Four Hills Church to be a family, no matter the size. We have experienced love, redemption, jealousy, in-fighting, and restoration. It feels like...um...a family. It makes me smile to think about it.

8. People have begun to read the Bible. That may seem like a no-brainer. But, the churches of today place a pretty heavy priority on worship and leave a good chunk of people out there feeling good, but not reading. We are excited that our people are opening up the Book that matters and giving it a chance. God works through His Word.

9. There is still so much to do. In the next year, we are wanting to get a full-fledged youth ministry going, along with Men's and Women's ministries, some form of boys and girls clubs, and a stronger outreach effort. It would be a pretty lousy excuse for a church if we just thought, "Things are good. Let's rest now."

10. We know that God is faithful. With a long road behind us and a longer road ahead of us, we can take this moment to thank God for His faithfulness and to trust that it will continue. Isn't it good to know that He delivers on His promises? Isn't it good to stand with Him?

Time sure does fly...but...

We've only just begun.

Happy New Year!