e-news for 12/12/10

Christmas and Great Cheer

God’s timing is perfect.

Connected to the birth of Jesus, the scripture tells us that, “4 when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.” (Galatians 4)

So I’m in my office Thursday morning and a message comes to me, “Randy Rippey is here and would like to see you.” Randy has been deployed to Afghanistan for the past six months and he’s home. Randy told us how everything came together for him to make it to his daughter’s Christmas program last night and what a great surprise for Makayla it was because he wasn’t supposed to make it. Randy also communicated how God is using him there as well as how life in Afghanistan continues to improve for those citizens. As you read this, won’t you pause and pray for the troops?

God’s timing and revelation applied to the birth, life, death, resurrection, and enthronement of Jesus. I believe God also has timing and purpose in your life as well. Often we don’t understand the timing, or how the pieces fit together.

Songwriter Michael Card wrote “Joseph’s Song” to encapsulate some of the simple yet profound questions that come with God’s plans within our lives:

How could it be?
This baby in my arms
Sleeping now, so peacefully
The Son of God,
The angel said
How could it be?
Lord I know
He's not my own
Not of my flesh, not of my bone
Still Father let this baby be
The son of my love

Father show me where I fit into this plan of yours
How can a man be father to the Son of God?
Lord for all my life I've been a simple carpenter
How can I raise a king, How can I raise a king?
He looks so small, His face and hands so fair
And when He cries the sun just seems to disappear
But when He laughs it shines again
How could it be?

God’s timing is perfect. He is good all the time.

So looking forward to both the Christmas program, “Christmas at the Forum” on Friday (7:30), Saturday (7:30), and Sunday (3) as well as worshiping our Savior with you this Sunday (8:15, 9:45, 11).

Invite a friend, illuminate the world! See you this weekend. Scott