The Christmas Story was Written Slowly

The Christmas story was written slowly. For ages the Hebrew people waited for His coming. Which is why on this December day I find it strange to read James, who was writing to his fellow Hebrew believers say, “Be patient as you wait for the Lords return.” They had just spent centuries waiting for the Lords first turn.

Imagine being a devout Jew growing up in the 1st Century. You're well aware of your family's tradition and longing for the Messiah. You've prayed the prayers as a child. You've read the prophecies. You've dreamt about the possibilities. Then you witness Jesus' miracles, his teachings, his death and apparent resurrection. This is amazing. You decide to put your trust in this Jesus. This is what you and your entire family have been waiting for! Then Jesus leaves and James tells you, "wait for His return".

Patience, restraint, waiting... they're all synonymous. They're all indispensable. I've tried interacting with God without being patient. Humorous. I wonder why it is I believe God must hurry up? Am I that important? I would guess between the two options - me slowing down or God hurrying up - it would be more productive for me to slow down. But waiting doesn't come naturally to me. And restraint isn't something our society applauds. Which is a real problem... both that our society doesn't teach restraint and that I'm worried about applause. Maybe I should do as my ten-year old did recently. When asked what kind of vegetables he wanted to eat after his main course, without looking up he dryly replied in between bites, "We'll cross that bridge when we get there."

Richard Foster says, "Waiting is hidden preparation." Every biblical character we read about needed hidden preparation. Every person of authentic faith I've ever met has had to become familiar with the concept. It's likely I need to as well.

This December, once again, our frenetic culture will wind itself up in an effort to find something, to get somewhere, to purchase something. Maybe the finding is in the waiting... waiting to be found.

Meanwhile, be patient as you wait for the Lord's return.

Merry Christmas/Happy New Year 2008!

(our family in Colorado this past summer)

A quick update on the Foster family in 2007:

Our youngest, Evan started first grade, lost several teeth this year including his two front ones just last week which makes for a very cute face. He loves math (can’t take credit for that one) and sports (OK, I’ll take some credit for that). He learned lots of things this year not the least of which was the lyrics to the song, “Hallelujah, Your love makes me sing.” He thought it was, “Hallelujah, Yoda makes me sing” (too much Star Wars I guess). He is the greatest kid!

Shay is in 5th grade, plays gtr (you know, switchfoot, finger 11, greeday, etc…) and saxophone (you know, mary had a little lamb, three blind mice, etc…) and makes videos. (Lots of videos. They’re all strangely the same. Lots of screaming, lip syncing, and fighting with light sabers with his brother). Check out his website at www.freewebs.com/shayband Shay is so creative and is a blast to be around.

Quincy. Oh, boy. She’s all grown up on us. I never really cared for jr highers until I had one. Now I love them. She is so much fun. She plays soccer… all the time. And when she’s not playing soccer, she works to pay for her soccer. Besides youth group, which she recently mentioned, was her favorite time of the week, she loves to write. She now has a new blog going at www.cookiesoffortune.blogspot.com that you’ll need to read.

Johnna is working full-time again which hasn’t happened in several years (at least not in the getting paid sense). She works for friends who pay her well and treat her great. That’s a good combination if you can find it. She still sings beautifully and more importantly looks that way too.

The big news for me is the fact that I have resigned from pastoring discover church. My last official day will be Jan 6, 2008 which is exactly six years to the day that I resigned my previous church. (I like to make a move every six years on the first Sunday in January). dc has been a huge blessing in my life. So many great memories and friendships have happened at this church. I will never be able to replace it. But it’s a new season. I know, I know, “what will I be doing?” Well, I’ll be pursuing some music opportunities. I’ll continue blogging because I really enjoy it and many of you have responded well to it. Other than that, I’m kinda not sure what’s going to happen. I’ve got a few job offers out there but it’s going to take a bit more prayer and time to figure it out. And so that’s the real answer to the question, “what will I be doing” … praying.

And there’s God. He still loves me and I feel the same about Him. He’s so creative and amazing. He works full-time, all the time for me and that’s a good combination if you can find that in a God. He loves to help me laugh, learn, work, sing and go through all kinds of seasons of life. At times life appears to go up and down, backwards and forwards, but He never changes. He sticks “closer than a brother”. And even though that seems to read pretty sappy, it’s actually all true!

So, we hope you have had a great 2007 and more importantly that you’ll have a great 2008. Because what’s in the past is done. Gone. Bye, bye. The only thing that counts now is moving forward, trying new things, enjoying the adventure of whatever ’08 brings. Don’t fear. “If God is for you, who can be against you?”