Insights Magazine: December 2011

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December 2011


in this issue 3 My Lord and My God! Charles R. Swindoll

pressure points

6 When Santa Fails to Deliver Steve Johnson

“How did I miss it

all these years?

I was so wrapped

up in myself

I forgot the point.”

lifetrac

9 Unwrapping Myself at Christmas Robyn Roste STRONG FAMILY

12 The Cure for Christmas Cynicism Scott Tolhurst laughing matters

14 CHAIRish the Moment Phil Callaway Help Me Understand

17 Loneliness Insight for Living Canada

Copyright © 2011 Insight for Living Canada. All rights reserved. No portion of this monthly publication may be reproduced in any form without prior written permission from the publisher. Insights is published by IFLC, the Bible teaching ministry of Charles R. Swindoll. IFLC is an autonomous ministry and certified member of the Canadian Council of Christian Charities. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture passages are taken from the NASB. Printed in Canada. Unless otherwise noted, photography by IFLC staff.


by Charles R. Swindoll 3


“Do the holidays seem more like a weight to bear than a time to rest, reflect, and rejoice?”

T

his season of the year is not joyful for everyone. Put bluntly, some dread it. They are filled with such melancholy memories of painful days gone by, they find it hard to sing the carols. “Joy to the World!”—not really. “How Great Our Joy!”— well, maybe for you but not for everyone. Now, before you call me “Scrooge,” I suggest you return to the first century and meet a disciple of Christ who fit this category. This disciple was a man who always saw the glass half-empty. When Jesus invited the Twelve to come with Him to Bethany, where He planned to raise His friend Lazarus from death, “so that you may believe,” this downcast

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My Lord and My God! continued from p. 3


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soul shrugged, “Let us also go . . . that we may die with Him” (John 11:14-16). Later, as Jesus spoke of His plan to leave the earth, go back to glory, and “prepare a place” for His followers before returning for them, it was the same, sad individual who failed to get it. And so he grimly sneered, “We do not know where You are going, how do we know the way?” (14:5). His name? As you’ve probably guessed, I’m referring to Thomas. As his colleagues leaned forward on the edge of their seats, wanting to take Jesus at His word, Thomas leaned back, frowning. Mere words didn’t move him. His reflective nature would not release his resistance. And wouldn’t you know it? The very evening after Jesus had been raised from the dead and stood before them, bringing words of peace and reassurance, Thomas missed the meeting! When the other disciples later told him, “We have seen the Lord!” . . . Thomas didn’t buy it. Rather, he blurted out, “Unless I see in His hands the imprint of the nails, and put my finger into the place of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe” (20:25). Jesus didn’t rush back to convince the man. For eight full days, the Lord patiently waited. Who knows how many times the others tried to persuade Thomas? Their joy only drove his doubts deeper. Suddenly, unannounced, Jesus returned, walked through the closed door (!), and stood directly in front of Thomas. Without a word of rebuke or shame, He simply showed

him His palms then pulled back His robe, gently inviting the struggler to touch His scars left by the spikes and the spear, urging him to believe. That did it! Without hesitation, Thomas bowed and exclaimed, “My Lord and my God!” (20:27-28). The story doesn’t end there. It continues into this Christmas season. Why would I say that? Because of how Jesus answered Thomas when he finally believed: “Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed” (20:29). There are many who find it next to impossible to believe in Christ the Lord. Others believe in Him, but even as Christians, identify with that melancholy, reflective disciple—and struggle to trust what Jesus has clearly promised. Sound familiar? Are you struggling with the words of the carols that announce great joy? Do the holidays seem more like a weight to bear than a time to rest, reflect, and rejoice? Take heart, my friend! Consider with eyes of faith the undeniable evidence. Read again the inspired story of the Saviour’s birth. Remember that just as Jesus came— in answer to a promise—so He has promised to come again for us. He is returning for those who have not seen, and yet believe, declaring “My Lord and my God!” Photograph of Chuck Swindoll © 2010 by David Edmonson

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Pressure Points

promises are like babies 19 and counting santa on the beach santa with an empty box “we’re sorry, due to extreme weather conditions Christmas will not be coming to your area.”

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When Santa Fails

to Deliver by Steve Johnson

santa

© istockphoto.com/surely

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n old proverb says, “Promises are like babies: easy to make, hard to deliver.” That is so true! How easy for us to make a promise, say words of intention, yet which may only be of as much substance as the air it took to utter it. Once spoken, promises carry a weight that may be difficult to bring to full term and delivery. People, circumstances, and resources change resulting in promises going unfulfilled. There is very little in this life that is as disappointing as an unfulfilled or broken promise. Promises made to us fill our sails with hope. Promises broken take the wind out of our sails. When I first heard about the Christian men’s organization called Promise Keepers, I jokingly said to my wife that I was going to start a rival group called Promise Breakers. I thought it might get a bigger following since we all struggle with keeping promises. She was not amused. Even Christians, children of the promise (Galatians 4:27-29) are not immune from promise breaking. Maybe you promised your children you would give them something, or take them somewhere, and then didn’t. Or as a child

you made a promise to your parents saying you would do something and then didn’t. All of us can likely remember broken promises. Hope is a wonderful feeling. We love living with hope in our hearts. We even infuse events with promise—births, anniversaries, and reunions often hold a sense of unspoken promise. New relationships bring hope that the experience will be full of love, joy, and satisfaction. And when it comes to sports events we cheer hoping our team will win. One of the biggest events to hold promise for us is Christmas. There is an expectation, an unspoken promise of joy and fulfilment, particularly when we are younger. But all too often Santa, family, or the Christmas celebrations themselves fail to deliver leaving disappointment and discouragement in their wake. Truth be known, much of the cynicism, lack of enthusiasm, and low expectations we adults express is due to the repeated disappointment of unrequited hope and unfulfilled promises of Christmases long past. Thankfully, it is all very different with God. Promise and fulfilment is a major theme of Scripture. In stark contrast to human promises and events, God’s promises and events have never failed and never will! 7


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“Promises made to us fill our sails with hope. Promises broken take the wind out of our sails.” He alone has the infinite power to always fulfil His promises and He never changes. In contrast to Him and His power we are weak and changeable and subject to circumstances. Even the events we place expectation on are subject to things out of our control. Another old proverb says, “When a man repeats a promise again and again, he means to fail you.” But that is not true with God, who repeated His promise of a Messiah again and again and ultimately fulfilled it. Beginning in Genesis 3:15 with the promise to the serpent of a seed of the woman who would crush Satan’s head, and throughout Scripture and history God made promise after promise. And on that first Christmas the long-promised and long-hoped-for Deliverer was born. God delivered His promise in the form of His Son, our Saviour. What does all this mean for us who are children of the promise? First, it means, that we need to be people who keep our promises, our word, and in so doing be imitators of our Father. Don’t make promises rashly. Don’t be guilty of over-promising and under-delivering. Be

true to your promises. Perhaps you remember something you promised to do and never did. Is it too late to keep that promise? If you can’t fulfil it, can you ask forgiveness for breaking your promise? Secondly, as children of the promise we need to recognize afresh that only the Lord is truly faithful to His Word. He alone is worthy of our ultimate trust. We sometimes place expectations on people or events that will ultimately fail us. We expect things of them that only the Lord can fulfil. In doing so, we set ourselves up for disappointment and resentment. Finally, we need to recognize where we have disappointment because we had unfulfilled expectations of promises made to us. Even as adults many of us still carry around those hurts experienced as children. We need to let those people “off the hook.” In so doing we can release the hurt, disappointment, and, where applicable, root out our cynicism. When it comes to promises I often think of a birthday card I once saw. It said, “Blessed is he who expects nothing for he will never be disappointed.” In one sense, there is a lot of truth in that. Only by placing our expectations in the Lord and trusting in His promises will we never be disappointed. Steve Johnson is the interim executive director at IFLC.

on the air in

december:

New Year’s Messages Time to Reflect and to Renew – december 26 Three “Musts” for a New Year – december 29

Balancing Grace with Love Putting Grace into Action – january 2 Liberty on a Tightrope – january 5 8

Growing Deep in the Christian Life resumes January 9


Unwrapping Mys by Robyn Roste

elf

at Ch r

On lifetrac.ca and facebook.com/lifetrac this month: The Big Shift By Robyn Roste

istmas


Q Free mp3 Imagination is a two-way street: the speaker uses words, but the listener draws on pictures. Imagination brings life, colour, and beauty to what would otherwise remain dead, plain, and bland. So in this month’s full-length message, What if You Had Been Mary? draw upon your imagination and bring new life to the Christmas story. Download this imaginative message today at lifetrac.ca

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” Philippians 2:3-4 NIV

Christmas Chicken

The whole idea of Christmas revolves around the idea of a gift, appropriately enough. Giving and receiving gifts at Christmas is often a touching and sometimes surprising experience.

Subscribe or listen free online at lifetrac.ca

Unwrapping Myself at Christmas continued from p. 9

uick, what’s the first thing that pops into your head when you think about Christmas? Food? Family? Jesus? Snow? Stress? Until recently Christmas was the most comfortable time of the year for me. I looked forward to returning to my parents’ for winter break, on holiday from regular student life. And Christmas was always exactly how I expected it to be: warm house, baking everywhere (just begging me to eat it), evenings out with old friends, lazy days filled with nostalgic movies and video games with my siblings. Life was carefree again and I was in bliss. At least, that’s how I like to remember it. Looking back I see the memory is slightly inflated and completely ignores the bickering over what to watch, the complaining over who should help with dinner, and the knocking on the bedroom door encouraging me to “get up and help around the house.” Before I officially moved out on my own I didn’t realize expectations and attitudes surrounding Christmas (for better or for worse) are generally shaped by what role you play. I had always loved Christmas because each December I played the role of the lazy teenager despite the fact I was no longer one. I had always loved this time of year because everything was so simple: everyone else did all the work while I slept in. My yearly reverting to teenager was a magical transformation, one I kind of miss now that I no longer have a bedroom or a winter break to look forward to at my parents’ home. I also miss the blissful ignorance I lived in, not even for a moment recognizing just how much work this whole Christmas thing takes


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to pull off. Now that I don’t have the luxury of idling I notice how busy the season is, and how much time I don’t have for baking, entertaining, or decorating. Now that my role is changing Christmas doesn’t seem as carefree as it once was. The shift in roles is something I’m only beginning to come to terms with. Suddenly it occurs to me: maybe my holiday homecoming wasn’t as blissful for my parents as it was for me? Say it isn’t so!

“I had always loved Christmas because each December I played the role of the lazy teenager.” As this year comes to a close I’m determined for the season to be different. Although it won’t be as simple as in years past I have resolved to rid myself of my selfish attitude, only interested in what I can get out of Christmas. As well I’m cutting out the lazing around, staying up all night, and disappearing immediately after mealtime. This year, I will attempt to notice what will make my family’s Christmas blissful and try my best to give it to them. My new goal is to become a “familiar guest.” Someone who is comfortable enough to get her own coffee, but not so comfortable she leaves her dirty laundry on the floor for someone else to deal with. Here are my best guesses:

What My Father Wants for Christmas • • • • •

Uninterrupted sports viewing time A chance to go to a movie he chooses Someone else to do the dishes A vacation from work To listen to country music without anyone complaining

What My Mother Wants for Christmas • • • • •

A clean, welcoming home A vacation from work Quality family time A chance to go to the movies Time for hobbies

What My Brothers Want for Christmas • Guy movie marathons • Video game marathons • Useful gifts having nothing to do with soap-on-a-rope • Time and freedom to see friends visiting for the holidays • Uninterrupted sports viewing time

What My Sisters Want for Christmas • Time for shopping • No pressure to purchase big, impressive gifts • Time off from everyday life • Time and freedom to see friends who are home for the holidays • Family games When I look at this list it doesn’t seem unreasonable for me to give up some of my wants for some of theirs. If by taking an extra shift of cooking or dishes the rest of my family can relax a bit more it is certainly a good reason to take it on. And now that I think about it, I suspect this attitude will add a lot more meaning and value to the holidays than ever before. All the other years have been more about what I want and about what I can get. But this year, I want to be a blessing. By celebrating Christ’s birth in this new way, I believe I will know Him in a deeper way, in the servant way (Matthew 20:26-28, 23:11-12; Mark 9:35, 10:43-45). Now that I think about it, isn’t that what it’s really about? How did I miss it all these years? I was so wrapped up in myself I forgot the point. Yes, this year will be different. Robyn Roste is the LifeTrac co-ordinator at IFLC.


Strong Family

The Cure for Christmas

Cynicism

A

by Scott Tolhurst

llow me to reach into the top of the closet and pull down a Christmas memory. It’s without tinsel and you won’t hear the sound of any carols but it’s been a worthy reflection for me. One Christmas, when my children’s age fell between the “can’t sleep” goosebumps and the teenage morning coma, I assigned them a shopping trip. I stuffed their fists full of cash and pointed them towards the mall. They had one name on their list—mine! So I made sure the currency was more abundant than normal. I confess to heightened expectations. I was hoping for something with batteries and Japanese instructions. So on Christmas morn, I tore into the box they put under the tree

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for me. But....it was a tie, a ghastly and by my calculations, rather expensive tie. I squeezed out a smile and masked my sense of disappointment. I don’t mind a tie now and then, but this one hung between ugly and hideous. I put it back in the box. After tactful negotiations, we agreed to take this tasteless tie back for a refund. It wasn’t to be. The merchant explained he had a firm no return policy. (Apparently ugly ties had found their way home before!) I was polite and persisted. He was less than polite but more insistent. So, I huffed out of the store with three things: a tie I‘d never wear, an attitude I shouldn’t have, and a lesson I really needed. I was being Scrooge-like over my children’s act of kindness offered in love. Why? My expectations were so inflated no matter what the kids purchased it would never measure up. My puffed anticipation elevated me to a height where a fall was inevitable. Frankly, some of you fall into the same Christmas trap. We laden Christmas with more demands than a tree has tinsel. The turkey has to be a Martha Stewart marvel. The tree should form an isosceles triangle with a light pine scent. Snow may fall, but only on Christmas Eve, with just enough dusting for new toboggans. We long for a pristine Christmas where every carol is in tune, every sweater fits and most of all, every loved one is at our table. But it doesn’t happen that way. Often the turkey is dry, the money is tight and there are empty chairs at dinner. Our fanciful visions of Christmas Day evaporate leaving a residue of resentment. Victorian

Christmas card celebrations are fables we believe. We’ve bought into a consumerist approach and expect a refund when it isn’t working. When we can’t get our dreams back, we struggle with disappointment. We regret the fact that the season is not all that we make it out to be. But that’s the problem. A Christmas of our own making is bound to fail. Christmas is God-made and doesn’t disappoint. I don’t suggest that we lower expectations for Christmas, but that we adjust them. Was Joseph crestfallen because of a trip to Bethlehem? Did the Magi consider their quest a waste because of Herod’s deception? The shepherds’ rejoicing was no less exuberant because of a dirty manger. You hear no complaint from Mary about the manner of her Son’s birth. The Nativity we celebrate was not immaculate but it was more than enough. “For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11 KJV). God stepped into our world with open heart and hand. He has extended a gift of grace, the rescue from our sins with joy and peace as our lasting inheritance. Let me suggest a cure for Christmas cynicism. Receive—If you haven’t received God’s Christmas Gift, no wonder you’re disappointed! Renew—Christmas isn’t stale unless our hearts are. Rejoice—Delight in what you have; God has made sure it’s enough. Remember—A bigger and better mindset is repeated annually because it doesn’t work in the first place! Once in a while, I wear a certain tie as a reminder.

“I don’t mind a tie now and then, but this one hung between ugly and hideous.”

Scott Tolhurst is pastor of Richmond Bethel MB Church, Richmond, BC.

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Laughing Matters

Chairish the Moment

by Phil Callaway

Christmases of my childhood were jam-packed with soft mint candies, shortbread cookies, and more romance than a Barry Manilow concert.

I

n third grade I held hands with a pretty girl from Georgia during two complete laps of our ice rink in frozen Alberta. I asked her to marry me during the second lap, so caught up in the joy of the season was I. Sadly she said no, believing that her boyfriend might murder the both of us if he found out. I pretty much stayed indoors then until about tenth grade, when a curly-haired blonde arrived in town. She had no boyfriend that I could see, but she sure could skate. We took a twirl on that same ice rink and being the perfect gentleman I was, I offered to hold mittens with her just in case she fell. “We’re going skiing Christmas Eve,” she said, pushing my hand away. “Woah, I’d love to try that sometime.” I was thinking of skiing too. “You haven’t skied? Ever? You should come along.” I prayed about it for about .03 seconds and eagerly said, “YES!” Now if you’ve ever been foolish enough to make your maiden ski voyage down one of Canada’s Rocky Mountains at 30 below zero while trying to impress a girl so cute boys ski into trees watching her, you may kick yourself for years. Her name was Ramona and the girl sure could ski. As for me, I was a good faller. 14

Seven of us made the trip—me, and six potential in-laws. I fell about 32 times just trying to join the long line of eager skiers awaiting The Chair. Then I fell in line. Literally. Unable to locate the brakes, I lost control of my ski tips, causing a domino effect that almost activated the insurance policies of a dozen European tourists. A few threatened me in German, waving their ski poles and drawing mittens across their throats. No one was laughing. Except for Ramona. She pulled a scarf over her nose in a weak attempt to stifle it. Ah, the girl can ski. And laugh. I hoped. My potential relatives-in-law climbed aboard The Chair three at a time, leaving me seated with two complete strangers who had not completely forgiven me for almost harpooning them with my ski pole. As we neared the apex of the mountain, I was terrified and frozen and I voiced what had been troubling me awhile: “How do you get off this thing?” “Er ist ein Idiot!” one tourist said to the other. “SKI TIPS UP,” shouted the sign. I put my ski tips up. The strangers disembarked. It looked easy enough. But by the time I had finished admiring their style, the ground was a dizzying distance below my skis. And the chair was still moving. Thinking fast, I turned around, slid lizard-like


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downwards, and grabbed the front of the chair. The ground continued to move further and further from my skis. I hung there screaming, looking like something from the movie Dumb and Dumber.

“I blacked out for a few seconds then lay on my back stunned, thinking I am dead.” The lift controller began to shout at high decibels short English words, which called into question my character and integrity. So I did what people with cords hooked to their legs pay $60 to do: I jumped. It is difficult to say how much time passed before I hit the ground, surrounded by skiers with open mouths. I blacked out for a few seconds then lay on my back stunned, thinking I am dead. Heaven is very cold. And white. Or maybe I’m just paralysed. I can’t move my toes. I can’t feel my hands. Suddenly the face of an angel descended through the clouds. Blonde curls lit up the sky. Should I pretend to be dead or badly injured? I was still delusional. I could use this to my advantage. Then the angel laughed. How I loved that laugh. Could I have known that I stood a much better chance of getting to the bottom of

the ski hill alive than I did of marrying this girl, I might not have smiled so widely. But as she helped me up with both mittens, I realized I had fallen head over heels in love. There’s a sentimental feeling that overtakes me each and every Christmas. Call me nostalgic, call me crazy, I’ve always had the sense that beyond the giving of gifts, the carving of the turkey, the carols and crisp moonlit nights lies something infinitely more magical. It is the divine fulfilment of a romantic longing that lies within each and every heart. Back in tenth grade there was nothing I wouldn’t have done for the love of a gal. No hill I wouldn’t have climbed or fallen down. Christmas is a bold reminder of the arrival of One who pursued us beyond reason. Of a Saviour who would rather die than live without us. This year I will celebrate once again with a blonde named Ramona. We’re not as young as we were all those years ago, so we will likely forego the ski trip in favour of a slow glide around our town’s outdoor ice rink. I think this time I can get her to hold mittens with me. Phil Callaway is the author of To Be Perfectly Honest (Multnomah). For more of his Christmas stories, visit www.laughagain.org

This Month’s FEATURED RESOURCE Insight’s Bible Reading Guide:

New Testament

Using a manageable five-day reading plan and insightful weekly devotionals, this guide will direct you through reading the entire New Testament during the course of one year.

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See enclosed form for ordering information


loneliness


Loneliness

“I feel so alone”

Do you ever feel like you’re standing perfectly still while everyone else is rushing past in a blur? It seems bizarre to feel alone but not actually be alone. I guess it’s because people seem to hold me the same way I hold them—at arm’s length. Is there something wrong with me? I feel disconnected from my family, isolated from people at church, and emotionally empty. Each day passes like the one before; my day is filled with paperwork and anonymous conversations while my evenings are relatively uneventful. I go to bed each night wondering when things will change. I want to pray for God to touch my life but I don’t know how to ask or what to say. Sometimes I try to reach out to others but it’s always difficult and usually awkward. I don’t want to be rejected and people don’t really seem to notice that I’m even trying. Is there even any point in trying?

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Our Problem — Despite being surrounded by people we may feel a deep sad emptiness and lack of acceptance. At its deepest spiritual level, loneliness springs from the fact that we were created with a God-shaped vacuum in our hearts and we are lonely until we find intimate companionship with Him. At the social level, we are made to love and be loved but loneliness occurs because people cannot satisfy those desires adequately. Only God can. God’s Answers — The story of Adam in Eden (Genesis 2, 3) shows man in a perfect relationship with God. That was part of His antidote to loneliness. But in spite of that God said it was not good for the man to be alone. Adam needed a companion like himself so God created Eve, one whom Adam could love and by whom he could be loved. When sin entered the scene, alienation from God and between the couple resulted. God provided for restoration of intimacy with Himself through salvation, abiding in Christ, and ultimately heaven. He provided the antidote for loneliness in human relationships through friendship, marriage, family, and society.

The Solution — Until we are finally in the presence of God with all His saints we will never get rid of all loneliness; it is an inescapable part of life. But we can control it. Here are a few things to help with loneliness. 1. Question whether you have personality or character traits that cause you to alienate others or that others find unpleasant (e.g. anger, gossip, easily offended). Identify those and seek the Lord’s grace to

change what you can (cf. Proverbs 22:24). 2. Remember the Lord loves you and will be with you. He will never leave you or forsake you (Isaiah 43:2-5; Hebrews 13:5). Memorize these verses and call them to mind when loneliness hits. 3. Jesus Himself while on this earth experienced loneliness in the wilderness, in the Garden of Gethsemane, and on the cross when the Father separated from Him. Jesus can sympathize with us in our loneliness. Therefore we are told to go to Him to tell Him about it and seek the desire and power to handle it (Hebrews 4:15-16).

“We were created with a Godshaped vacuum in our hearts and we are lonely until we find intimate companionship with Him.” 4. Use your loneliness as a trigger to consider whether you expect people to completely satisfy your need for intimate companionship. If so, recognize their inability to do so and to instead draw closer to the Lord, trust Him and seek fulfilment of that need from Him. 5. Realize that God can use loneliness to teach us lessons and build character (Romans 5:3-5). Humbly ask the Lord to show you what He would have you learn from your loneliness. 6. Change your focus from inward to outward by ministering and encouraging others who may be lonely too. Although loneliness is universal, many who are recently divorced, in care homes, hospitals, or separated from family and friends experience it more acutely (Hebrews 10:23-24). by

Insight for Living Canada

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If you’re searching for fresh devotionals for the New Year . . . check out our great selection at insightforliving.ca/devotionals


On Sale in

December Devotionals for the New Year Day by Day paperback devotional by Charles R. Swindoll, 380 pages

A few quiet moments alone with God is a great way to begin or end your day. This moving collection of 365 daily devotionals will help to draw you nearer to the heart of God.

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Wisdom for the Way: Wise Words for Busy People paperback devotional by Charles R. Swindoll, 399 pages

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Here are wise words for busy people. This devotional is a collection of Chuck Swindoll’s most classic insights divided into daily bite-size readings.

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Practical Christian Living, A Road Map to Spiritual Growth: 40 Days to a More Meaningful Life spiral bound devotional workbook by Insight for Living, 167 pages

Divided into 40 daily segments, this devotional-style workbook walks you through what the Bible has to say about the ups and downs of the Christian life.

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order/donate at insightforliving.ca or call 1.800.663.7639 offer expires January 31, 2012


This Month’s

FEATURED RESOURCE Insight’s Bible Reading Guide: New Testament spiral bound devotional by Insight for Living, 120 pages

Using a manageable five-day reading plan and insightful weekly devotionals, this guide will direct you through reading the entire New Testament during the course of one year.

first copy

paperback by Insight for Living, 172 pages

Increase your knowledge of the New Testament with this easy-to-read handbook. It provides overviews of each NT book, along with helpful charts, maps, and insights.

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Insight’s Bible Reading Guide: Old Testament spiral bound devotional by Insight for Living, 120 pages

This one-of-a-kind resource uses a manageable five-day reading system and insightful weekly devotionals to motivate and encourage you to dig into the first 39 books of the Bible.

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Insight’s New Testament Handbook

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additional $ copies:

Insight’s Old Testament Handbook paperback by Insight for Living, 204 pages

The Old Testament speaks to us today. Family pressures and heartbreak show up on every page. This helpful volume includes overviews of each OT book with charts and insights.


God’s Masterwork: A Survey of the Old Testament 4-volume set, 40 CD messages

The Bible isn’t the easiest book to read! Chuck Swindoll removes the barriers to understanding the Old Testament and makes studying these ancient and practical books a joy.

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Growing Deep in the Christian Life

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22 CD messages + bonus audio interview with Chuck Swindoll

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Chuck takes Christian theology out of the ivory tower. Discover how such a boring-sounding word like “doctrine” is really an exciting study!

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Be Kind, Be Friendly, Be Thankful paperback children’s book & CD by Phil Callaway

Your children will laugh and learn along with these captivating creatures who find joy even when they have to say goodbye. Includes CD with original songs.

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Holiday broadcasts A Three-Dimensional Christmas Sale! 3 CD messages 30 $

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Chuck Swindoll will help reg. $19.00 you approach this special season with a prayerful and Godhonouring spirit rooted in the truth of God’s Word.

New Year’s Messages 2 CD messages

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Chuck Swindoll encourages you to put away the old resolutions you make each year and put on new ones that will make this year different!


A snapshot of ways our

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