Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas from the VanArtsdalen family.

May God bless you and yours in the coming year!

Scott, Cristy,

Angela, Scotty,

and Rosie.

I may be witnessing the prayer being answered.  My manager has accepted a position in another city.  I am considered by many to be a good candidate for his soon to be open position.  I am by no means a shoe in but I do have previous management experience which is a plus. My manager leaves in two weeks.  It is most likely that the opening will be posted at that time.

I’ve been praying to God for ways to help me increase my giving ability.  I’ve been researching jobs,  looking into moving into smaller more affordable housing, even considering starting a new life in another state.  Doing any of that would be exciting but would it bring me the kind of joy I now have?  For the first time in my life, I actually work in the town in which I live.  I recognize people on the street that I’ve known for years.  I have a circle of friends.  Most important of all I’ve found a good church full of like-minded Christians who strive to be holy and encourage one another.  My gypsy life has never allowed me such joy.

I certainly could achieve my financial goals by moving or changing jobs.  However, God is wise beyond understanding.  He has placed the answer to my problems right in front of me.  As scripture states:

“The Lord is fighting for you! So be still!” Ex 14:14 God’s Word

So I think I’ll just stand still and see what God’s will for me is.

Here’s a short simple question I struggle with: As a Christian, do we have disposable income?  After I’ve paid my taxes, after I’ve paid my bills, after I’ve tithed to the church, after I’ve saved up for retirement and college; if after all that I still have some money left over, is this money disposable?  Am I being a good steward of what God has given me if I take that money and invest it in stocks, bonds, or CDs?  How about buying a sports car?  How about buying that killer must-have piece of avionics for the plane?  How about building a plane?

 What is the Biblical answer?  I’m sure any of these things are legal from a scriptural sense.  However, I have to ask myself if I’m truly being a good steward of the money God has entrusted to me?  I don’t really know the answer but am interested in your comments.  I’m going to be researching this myself and praying about it in my quiet time.

Our pastor is doing a study of the book of John at church in his sermons. We are in John chapter 10 where Jesus has finally told the Jews directly that He is the Son of God. He is promptly accused of blasphemy. Jesus’ answer to them is in John 10:34 “Is it not written in your law, I SAID, “YOU ARE GODS.”
A couple of the questions we have been asked about this passage are:

1) Jesus quotes from Psalm 82:6 the phrase “I said, ‘You are gods.’” What does this phrase mean?

2) The reference is to those “to whom the word of God came.” Who were these men? And how did being inspired make them different from any other person?

To answer both questions at once I believe the “gods” refer to the rulers and judges of the time who of course had received their authority directly from God. As such some of His honor had been bestowed upon them. So much so they had been elevated as gods above the people in their own minds even if not in reality. However, the Psalms go on to say that these gods would die like ordinary men be they wicked or good. Their god-like status buys them nothing.

The crowd Jesus is addressing most likely contained a number of Pharisees and Sadducees. These church leaders would most likely have understood he was referring to them with the above verse from Psalms.  They would further understand that Jesus was referring to their overly high opinion of themselves and ultimately their end. As such they probably had a lot to do with the reaction that ensued from the crowd. The crowd tried to seize Jesus but He quickly slipped away.

I seem to do all my deep thinking in the shower. Recently, I began to think about church leaders and monetary affluence. I recalled the wealthy young ruler when he asked Jesus what he must do to be saved. Jesus recited everything the young man must do to which the young man answered that he had done all that since birth. Jesus then added that he lacked one thing, that he must sell all that he had, give it to the poor, and come follow Jesus. At that point the young ruler walked away with a heavy heart because he had much wealth. For the real, unparaphrased version see Mark 10:17-31.

I thought about the church leaders in all the churches I have ever attended. Of the ones that I can recall, I can’t remember any church leaders who were not affluent. Even in my current church the elders are affluent, though they are effective leaders and Godly men. It makes me wonder, however, when the shepherds live above the sheep, can they really understand the needs of the sheep? Can they really protect them? Can they help them? I have to ask a rhetorical question; at what point does wealth become detrimental to a shepherd?

Well I come to you tonight from the financial district in San Francisco.  I’ll be here three days for training on migrating to Exchange 2003.  Yes, it actually is quite fascinating as a matter of fact.

It’s amazing how incredibly weak I become when I go away, however.  Without my wife I feel a lack of stability and balance.  I am supposed to be family leader.  She is supposed to be the weaker vessel.  This may be so but I feel much weaker than she when I am alone and away from her.  What would become of me if she were ever to leave?  She is a veritable prayer warrior.  I have no idea what she prays or how she asks but God listens to her prayer.  I can only conclude that she prays correctly; in all humility and in accordance with God’s will.  She is my wife and I love her dearly.  I miss you and I’ll be home soon.