What are you waiting for?

Are you waiting for something? Anything? Maybe it could be your IRS Stimulus check... I just received mine a few days ago (360 Rock Band, here we come... hey, simply saving it doesn't help the economy! lol). If you're one of the unfortunate ones with an odd social security number, you could still be waiting. What about that dream job? It could be that you desire to be healthy or the day when you will choose to get in the gym consistently rather than watching that 4 hour finale of So You Think You Can Dance? Maybe you are waiting to meet "the one." Longing for a spouse to share life with... yea, that's a very common one among us singles. What about waiting for the Lord to give you peace in the midst of difficult relationships or circumstances? Are you waiting for the day when you will actually feel His presence and comfort when you spend your morning quiet time in His word? How about financial security? The Nuggets to win a title?

Whatever it may be, I imagine we are ALL waiting for something.. and likely of far more importance than wishing Jay Cutler would actually cut his hair. One of my favorite songs right now is called, "While I'm Waiting" by John Waller. Here are some of the lyrics:

I'm waiting I'm waiting on You,
Lord And I am hopeful
Though it is painful
But patiently, I will wait
I will move ahead,
bold and confident
Taking every step in obedience
While I'm waiting I will serve You
While I'm waiting I will worship
While I'm waiting I will not faint
I'll be running the race Even while I wait
I'm waiting on You,
Lord Though it's not easy
But faithfully, I will wait
Yes, I will wait
I will serve You while I'm waiting
I will worship while I'm waiting

Are we serving Him in the midst of our waiting? Are we moving ahead, focused on Him while we wait? Are we patient... obedient... faithful? Yes, it can be hard waiting on the Lord with things we desperately desire... things that we long for passionately, but it is far more important giving over our desires to Him than allowing our longings to gradually pull us away from having close fellowship with God. During this time of waiting, He wants to show us that He is the One who alone can satisfy. "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest" (Mt. 11:28). I believe we can learn to be content in every situation (Phil. 4:11), but it doesn't mean that we deny ourselves of all desires and pharisaically be entirely okay with our singlenss, or our social life or our job situation, etc; it means that we trust God, not allowing bitterness to creep in because we are not getting what we want. He gave us those desires, but more importantly, He wants to make us more like Christ, and as we develop more character and see this life as He sees it, when those longings in our hearts are fulfilled, we are then ready to receive them. As we focus on Him, He may also do something amazing... He may change those desires. Scary? YES!! I believe this is the mystery behind Psalm 37:4, "Delight yourself in the LORD; And He will give you the desires of your heart."

So, let's wait with joy and longing grounded with a heart of obedience to God, our Saviour!! His plan is best and His timing is impeccable... even though we may not understand that (I know from personal experience!! :)). We are waiting for a purpose, we just may not see it yet. But hang in there! God wants to work in your life! Step out in faith, be vulnerable with God and others, and allow Him to form your heart as you wait.

~AF

BAR-BA-GANZA! 2008

My dear friends,

In the summer of 2007 there was a party like no other. A celebration of everything good and decent in America... Often spoken of in whispers and referred to in reverence… such was the importance of the original Bar-Ba-Ganza!

Now, that time of year has rolled around once again. As the sun warms our faces and spirits, even now you can faintly smell the scent of grilling hamburgers and potato salad. The echoes of laughter and the murmur of friends chatting and enjoying fellowship is distant… but it is unmistakably getting closer.

Just as no one can stop the change of seasons, Bar-Ba-Ganza! 2008 will not be resisted. Details are still be fuzzy, but know that it is coming… It… is... coming... (insert slow-building, epic music here). Specifically it is coming on Saturday the 28th of June at 5:30 p.m. at Alex and Jacob's house: 4256 Stoneridge Drive in South East Fort Collins.

If you foolishly missed last year’s event, you can see, in the historical photograph attached below, that the event was…

A) Fun,
B) Well Attended, and
C) Not Overly Diverse.

I can’t tell you much, but I can tell you already that there will once again be…
• food,
• maybe something to drink,
• a grassy backyard with a grill, and
• at least two people there with smiles on their faces.

Please don’t miss out on the chance to be a part of the continuing saga of Bar-Ba-Ganza! RSVP NOW to Jacob (jacobleis@gmail.com) or Alex (alex.florea@comcast.net).

~Alex and Jacob