​By Kevin Van Wyk
 
I don't know about you, but I am very weary of questions about Covid and the election. Was there fraud? Will the vaccine work? Should I get the vaccine? Will Biden make us all wear masks? Ugh. I'm sick of all of it.
 
During my professional development week, back in November, I spent some time reading a number of different books. One of them asked a really good question that helped take me out of the Covid and the election debate pit. I used this question with the staff a couple weeks ago and then asked the consistory the same question at our December meeting.
 
So what is the question worth $25 million? Well, it's simple "What do you believe God would want us to do with $25 million?”
 
No, we don't have $25 million, but it's a great question to consider. Too often I believe when we think about the future, we fret over the amount of money we might need and don't have. This stunts our ability to dream, to consider what God wants to do with and through us. One deacon figured it would be pretty easy for us to spend $1 million just on our building. 
 
So, we worry about not having enough to pay for what must be done, when we should be trusting God to do far more. 

• We can’t imagine funding a new orphanage in Kenya, when we can’t fix the ceiling.
• We can’t imagine planting a church in Fairwater when we can’t fix the parking lot.

Fortunately, Alto has a “can-do” mentality. We will get these essential projects paid for just as we paid to replace the boiler, add on the nursery, and a host of other building projects.
However, as with everyone, it’s hard to imagine doing more. 
 
Here’s the truth: God has $25 million. God has much more than $25 million. 
 
After seeing God provide abundantly through His people for the building of the temple, David prayed, celebrating that “Everything comes from you…” (1 Chron. 29:14) He owns it all and can do as he chooses with it.
 
Everything is God’s. He supplies our needs and enables us to give to His work. So, would you join me in praying…
1. Lord, guide our leaders to discern how to best make disciples. Make it clear what projects and ministries (here and around the world) we should  invest in.
2. Lord, prepare my heart to be a giver. I too easily worry about having enough for tomorrow and withhold giving today. Help me be generous.
 
What project, ministry, or mission do you believe God wants us to do? Nothing is too big or too crazy. (Seriously, it’s been suggested we buy a farm to train farmers and give profits to missions. Now that’s thinking outside the box!) Email me at [email protected] your thoughts so the consistory can chart a path forward. 

By Pastor Kevin Van Wyk
December is a season of joy… or at least it is supposed to be. Unfortunately, circumstances often hijack our hearts and minds. One of our youth recently found the family’s deceased cat after it had been missing for weeks. Others are battling cancer. Many are weary of online schooling. More are sick of COVID conversations and political posturing. Our circumstances are ripe for a joyless Christmas.

You’ve probably noticed the lack of joy in others lately. Have you heard someone say, “Wow! Does she have an attitude!” Have you ever said that about your child or maybe someone else’s child? Or maybe you thought it of your spouse. It’s not hard to spot a bad attitude in others even when they come in many shapes and sizes. 
The Screamer will cry profusely, yelling “life’s not fair.”
The Pouter will force a frown and fold their arms.
The Critic will repeatedly point out your shortcomings.
The Pessimist will ooze skepticism and suspicion. 
The Attacker will release a barrage of past hurts. 
The Retreater will stuff all emotion and disengage.

We can see the bad attitude come out with harsh words or not-so-subtle silence. We can see it in crossed arms, rolling eyes, and the wagging of a finger. Their bad attitude quickly crushes any joy in the room, and it’s easy for us to blame them for our own bad attitude.

However, you have a choice. Your attitude is a choice. Paul repeatedly tells us to rejoice as in 1 Thessalonians 6:16 where he says, “Rejoice always”. In 1 Peter 1:6, Peter commends the church for rejoicing in the midst of suffering.

In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.

Mary, the mother of Jesus, made this choice amidst the difficulties of rejection and shame. Her infamous song is recorded in Luke 1:46-48…

And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant.

We have a choice to focus our attention on Jesus Christ or to let our circumstances hijack the joy of Christmas. So, I urge you to make time each day for Jesus. Here are some great options…
Read short sections of Luke 1 and 2 with your family each day,
Read Paul’s letter to the Philippians, 
Crank up some Christmas music,
​Keep studying the Discipleship Essentials workbook, and as you sense God’s joy in your heart, share it. Don’t keep it to yourself. Rejoice! And soon people will be saying, “Wow! Does he/she have a GREAT attitude!”