Eight years ago, we prayed a riduculous prayer. We asked God to give us a prime piece of property a block from Union Station. And God delivered. When we gather for our inaugural services at Ebenezers this weekend we should be tresspassing on someone else’s property We should be charged with breaking and entering But God is in the Real Estate Business.

We’re going to spend the next two weeks building an altar like the prophet Samuel did in I SAM 7:12. We’re calling the series SFSG: So Far So God. I just feel like we need to look back and marvel at the faithfulness of God.

As we begin this new chapter in the NCC story we thought it would be cool to give NCCers a memento so we’re getting dog tags to mark the occasion. We were thinking about hiring a tatoo artist, but we didn’t think that would fly with some folks So dog tags it is.

So Far So God has become one of my life mottos. It’s my translation of I Samuel 7:12. The KJV says, “Hitherto the Lord has helped us.” But I like So Far So God (SFSG).

Our dog tags will say “So Far So God” with the biblical reference in serial number form: 1SAM712. Can’t wait to wear it around my neck.

For what it’s worth, I think dog tags are a unique application of Deuteronomy 6:6-8:

You must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are away on a journey, when you are lying down and when you are getting up again. Tie them to your hands as a reminder, and wear them on your forehead. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

Dog tags are a great reminder.

SFSG.