Felicitations on Your Natal Day - another way to say: "Hope you have a happy birthday!" Today is that day for me (September 15). It's a day when people wish me happy birthday, and I think about getting another year older.
 
There was a time when getting older was a benefit. When it gave people a sense that you were growing wiser. Another birthday, and another 365 days of experience in learning, making decisions, and developing as a person and as a leader. I'm not sure that's exactly the case today.
 
One of the greatest joys of my birthday is that my oldest son, Trey, was born on my birthday in 1988. Today is his birthday too. In fact, since that day I've let him have this day as his birthday, and think of myself as perpetually 27!
 
Not true. Time has a way of letting us know, whether we choose to acknowledge it or not, it continues to march on and take its toll on us. Sharing a birthday with my son is a real joy. In fact, his name is really Thomas Ray De Vries II. We call him, Trey, meaning "the third", as the third in line with my Dad, Ray, as number 1, I'm number two, and Trey is three. It's a special bond we all share. Birth and life are great joys that God designed for us to share together.
 
Yesterday there was another Natal Day. It was the birth of Rockhills Church in San Antonio, TX. After months of advanced preparation, prayer, and trusting God, they had their first worship celebration in Theater 14 of the AMC Theaters in San Antonio. There were 177 people at this "Birth Day"! How God must have smiled and the angels rejoiced on this special day.
 
Fair Haven had a great part in this birth. Howie and Jackie Boeve and their family, and Sue Helmus moved down to Texas and spent many months cultivating relationships in preparation for yesterday. Ron and Marilyn Meyers, Pastor Doug McClintic, and Sue Helmus were all down there this weekend to knock on doors, invite people to Rockhills, and help support this new church in their launch.
 
Pastors Dave Lantz and Steve McNary have been called by God to start a church that will reach people who do not know Jesus Christ. God has led Fair Haven to use our resources for the benefit of others - an investment that will yield eternal results. We should all be happy on this birth day as we celebrate the moving of God Spirit.
 
How cool to be reading about it in the book of Acts on Sunday mornings, the birth of the church in the 1st century, and to share in the same thing today, the birth of the church in the 21st century! May God be glorified in our witness for Him . . .
 
Celebrating "birthdays" with you,
 
Tom