AUGUST 2014
BENCHWARMER or
GAME CHANGER?
In this issue
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8 3
You're Growing Older but Not Old charles r. swindoll
6 God on the Move scott tolhurst
What are the Keys to Answered Prayer?
14
11 Seasons of Marriage peter tyrrell 14 Q & A steve johnson
8 Sharks Ahoy! phil callaway
Copyright Š 2014 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. Unless otherwise noted, photography and illustration by Laura Vanderwel. Printed in Canada.
YOU'RE GROWING OLDER
BUT NOT OLD
by charles r. swindoll
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rowing older is a fact we all must face. Now…you’re not going to get me to declare when growing up stops and growing old starts—not on your life! But there are some signs we can read along life’s journey that suggest we are entering the transition. (How’s that for diplomacy?) Ironically, it seems we’re growing older when our friends tell us how young we look! Physically, the aging “bod” puts on the brakes. You begin to huff and puff when you used to rip and zip. You prefer to sit more than stand…to watch more than do…to forget your birthday rather than remember it! Mentally, the aging brain longs for relief. You can’t remember like you used to, and you don’t respond like you ought to. You You're Growing Older but Not Old continued from p. 3
start thinking more about yesterday and tomorrow and less about today. Emotionally, you undergo strange fears and feelings you once swore would “never occur in me,” such as: • Being negative, critical, and downright ornery at times • Being reluctant to let those who are younger carry more responsibility • Feeling unwanted and “in the way” • Being preoccupied with “what if” rather frequently • Feeling guilty over previous mistakes and wrong decisions • Feeling forgotten, unloved, lonely, and passed by • Feeling threatened by sounds, speed, financial uncertainty, and disease • Being resistant to the need to adjust and adapt
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All this—and there is much more—is worsened by the memory of those days when you once were so very efficient, capable, needed, and fulfilled. As you look into the mirror, you’re forced to admit that the fingers of age have begun to scratch their marks upon your house of clay… and it’s hard to believe your twilight years could be of much worth.
"GOD HASN’T DECIDED TO LET YOU LIVE THIS LONG FOR NOTHING." How wrong! How terribly wrong! How destructive such thoughts can be! How quickly that kind of thinking can sentence you to the prison cell of self-pity, surrounded by the four bleak walls of doubt, depression, uselessness, and regret! God’s patriarchs have always been among His choicest possessions. Abraham was far more effective once he grew old and mellow. Moses wasn’t used in any measure of success until he turned 80. Caleb was 85 when he began to enjoy God’s best goals. Samuel was old, old when the God of Israel led him to establish the “school of the prophets,” an institution that had a lasting influence for spirituality and godliness in the centuries to come. And no one could deny the way God used Paul during his last days on his knees, writing words of instruction and encouragement in letters we cherish today!
Come to think of it, Paul’s words apply to us regardless of our age: You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others. (2 Timothy 2:2 NLT) That’s what Jesus meant by His final command to “make disciples of all the nations” (Matthew 28:19). God hasn’t decided to let you live this long for nothing. Please remember—your age is not a mistake…nor an oversight…nor an afterthought. The command to multiply your faith in the lives of others often occurs most effectively when you’re older. Why? Because you’ve lived long enough to be able to pass along wisdom distilled by your experiences of success and failure. No one fails to see that growing old has its difficulties and heartaches. It does, indeed. But to see only the hot sands of your desert experience and miss the lovely oasis of sharing your life with younger believers is to turn the latter part of your journey through life into an arid, tasteless endurance test that makes everyone miserable. Isn’t it about time you cooled your tongue and softened your smile with a refreshing drink from the water of God’s oasis? You’ve been thirsty a long, long time. Charles R. Swindoll serves as the senior pastor-teacher of Stonebriar Community Church in Frisco, Texas.
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GOD ON THE MOVE T
The story of God's people is saturated with the idea of journey. God did not simply send them. He moved with them. (Funny, how many of Israel's troubles took place when they stopped moving.) The concept of pilgrimage is not just an Old Testament theme. Jesus was homeless and trekked from town to town with His disciples. His final earthly command is a commission of motion. We are to go to the ends of the earth with His Gospel making disciples on the way. Clearly, Jesus is not against home ownership and we need not be nomadic to be faithful believers. But we do need to examine and adjust our bend towards rootedness. Our quest for stability and security can tie us to the things we own and the places we live. We get nervous with change and transitions—so familiarity becomes our goal. At lunchtime in a strange town, we turn towards the Golden Arches not because the food is amazing, but because we know what to expect. I do not advocate chaos or change for novelty’s sake. But I do know this: God's pilgrims are meant to journey from "what is" to "what is new." Our continual conversion means God is taking us somewhere—somewhere better. The journey may be geographic but it doesn't have to be. (The hardest journeys are not!) The movement of God will likely be with my thoughts, affections, relationships, emotions, and spirit. If my body
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here are some things about God I take for granted. They are truths so deeply embedded they have become assumptions. But what I see as assumptions were once stunning revelations. For example, varieties of gods worshipped throughout history were often localized. That is, they were lords of a particular region or geographic focus. They were gods of the sun, gods of the mountain, or gods of the forest or sea. These deities had a circumscribed domain and they seemed to be rooted there. The god of the mountain took care of the mountain but left the winds and waves to his watery peer. When Jehovah revealed Himself to Israel, He was not rooted to any one place. He was and is everywhere. In fact, He proved to be a God on the move! He is the Lord of pilgrims—leading His people through a journey. He led Abraham from Ur across the boundaries of his home, to a new promised land. God wandered with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob as they crisscrossed territory that would be inhabited by their descendants. When God wanted to take Israel out of Egypt to this new home, He didn't transfer them to another jurisdiction. He went with them, leading by the pillar of fire and smoke. Moses was bold enough to challenge God saying, "If Your presence does not go with us, do not lead us up from here" (Exodus 33:15).
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by scott tolhurst
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moves but my heart doesn't, I haven't gained much ground. I know it is scary to face the unknown. I admit a preference for wanting all the details mapped out in advance. (A preference, which doesn't have much influence on God.) I have tasted soul fatigue in my progress, fear's panicked whispers, and a longing look in the rear-view mirror. So what helps when our feet are dragging? I find strength in the remembrance that God is taking me somewhere. I am a pilgrim and called to live a pilgrim's life in body, heart, mind, and soul. God is not simply behind or before me‌He is with me.
Scott Tolhurst is the lead pastor at Richmond Bethel Church in Richmond, B.C.
The story of God's people is saturated with the idea of journey. God did not simply send them. He moved with them.
by phil callaway
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Ever since he was knee-high to a Doberman the boy was fearless.
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ake him to the ocean and he’d jump in looking for sharks. Take him to the mountains and he’d see how high he could climb. One day when he was five I watched in horror as he jumped off a roof—a garbage bag parachute duck taped to his back. We couldn’t be more opposite, my son and I. The higher he climbs the more he believes God is with him. Not me. I believe God put us on dry land and said, “Lo, I am with you always.” In his first year of college he called one night to ask me for money. “I’m sorry,” I said. “You have reached this number in error. Please hang up and call your Uncle Dan.” “I scaled a 300-foot cliff today,” he said, undaunted. “You’d have loved it.” Right. His father who contracts vertigo standing on an ottoman. For years I’ve wondered what God would make of our son. Would he call him to be a helicopter test pilot? A professional bungee jumper? A clown? Or would he fulfil every North American parent’s dream by settling down in an enormous house with a nice wife and providing us a half-dozen grandchildren to spoil? The unexpected answer arrived in the mail one day.
Dear Dad and Mom, I just want you to know about recent plans and developments in my life. I met a couple nice girls and we’re planning on being married. In Utah. Not really. But I did meet Lucy. You’ll like her a lot. It’s surprising how quickly you can find a Justice of the Peace down here. Lucy owns a tattoo parlour, but seldom works. Her father won some money in a lottery, so she’s set for life. I won’t need to work anymore either. I’ve bought a Mercedes convertible and you’ll be happy to know I put a chrome fish on the bumper. Lucy owns a house, a summer home, and we’re praying about buying a yacht. If you haven’t fainted yet, you may want to read the truth now. It may be more shocking. In the country of Uganda The Lord’s Resistance Army is committing atrocities against children that are too awful for me to put in this letter. Over the years they’ve abducted 50,000 kids and turned the ones they haven’t murdered into soldiers. I want to go to work with street children in Kampala. I’ll be living with local missionaries. It will mean lots of needles and I’ll need to raise a little money too. I once heard you say Dad that Jesus came to comfort us not to make us comfortable. I guess I’ve been comforted enough; it’s time to offer some to others. Your son, Steve
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“Where do you think we went wrong?” I asked his mother. “Couldn’t he just have a beach ministry in Hawaii?” She grinned, despite the fact she’d just stuck herself with a knitting needle. “Maybe we blew it taking him to other countries or raising him on God’s Word,” I suggested. “It’s what we’ve prayed for all these years,” she smiled. “That he would live life on purpose.” And so it was that we found ourselves in the airport, hugging our first-born son until his ribs squeaked as he embarked on a grand adventure half a world away. It’s funny the questions people asked when they heard he was going to Uganda. I heard it a dozen times: “Aren’t you worried about his safety?” And I’d be a fool not to admit that I had my moments. Check a list of the most dangerous spots on earth, and Uganda nears the top. But is safety what we’re here for? Isn’t the most dangerous place on earth the place of complacency? Isn’t suburbia sucking the life out of more of our teenagers than any foreign country ever could? We prayed and taught this boy to follow
a man who gave up his life that we might live. How could I do anything less than applaud wholeheartedly when he takes us up on it? But I must be honest. There were times I would rather Steve was home, making good money, putting it away for my nursing home bills. Yet I cannot hope for more than this, that my children will hear God’s voice in a noisy culture, and that they will listen. Just before he departed I asked him what he’d miss most about home. “The dog,” he said, smiling. Then why was it that I saw him studying family photos and lounging on the sofa watching an old Disney movie with his brother and sister? Was he killing time or saying goodbye to the remnants of childhood? I shed a few tears, but mostly I gave thanks. For a son who was an updated and improved version of his father. For email and cheap overseas phone rates. And—oh yes—I was thankful there are no sharks in Uganda.
Phil Callaway is the editor of Servant magazine.
ON THE AIR IN SEPTEMBER
Abraham lived in a world at odds with God. But when told to go, he went. When promised, he believed. When commanded, he obeyed. Abraham wasn’t called the friend of God because of his intellect or fortune but because of his faith.
UPCOMING MESSAGES INCLUDE:
One of Those Upper-Downer Days What Happens When We Pray? When the Cesspool Overflows A Wail of Two Cities
by peter tyrrell
Seasons of Marriage continued from p. 11
Summer is the hot season in your marriage. It’s the time of great emotion; physically it’s exhausting and wonderfully passionate. That’s the way God intended it to be. Just read the book Song of Solomon and you will see that passion is a key part of your relationship. It’s during your summer marriage that you explore new things together, learning and stretching yourselves. It’s a time to release your passions, to focus on a vision for the future and begin laying the foundations for a life of God’s purposes.
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occur after the first—marriage has seasons. Let me warn you first that this does not mean that you only experience one of each of the seasons of marriage. In fact the climate of marriage is characterized by moving from one season to another and back again. A strong marriage learns from each season and prepares the couple for the next.
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or the past 26 years during my journey with my wife Cornelia I’ve come to understand two very important elements of a strong marriage. Just before I was married I was given a piece of wisdom from a long-married couple in their seventies. The counsel was based on Genesis 2:24, where we are told, “a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh” (NIV). How true it is that those who have strong marriages have a oneness about them. As an old aunt said, remember that “we” comes before “I” in wedding. Where two are entwined together as one, their strength is multiplied. Acting and thinking in concert is not easy and takes a lot of commitment. Having a mindset of putting the other first is Christlike and the basis on which this oneness grows. The second lesson I’ve learnt can only
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Autumn heralds a new time when your relationship is buffeted by children and changed circumstances. Work pressures build up and finding time together is more difficult. And while many homes become afflicted with the swinging door syndrome, it is in these times that your family’s relationship with Christ should be strongly nurtured. As you experience the kaleidoscope of colours in your relationship, it is the extent to which Christ is given centre stage that will provide you with the resilience you need when times are tough. Winter is inevitable. In marriage there are times when you sense a loss of intimacy, when you seem to do nothing more than chase your tail, or your world becomes an isolated island in a social landscape. Although this is the most difficult of seasons it’s also the season that gives us the greatest opportunities to use the gift of oneness that God gave us. Strong marriages are characterized by one person helping the other during these times. Jesus sent His disciples out in pairs for this very reason. When one is down, the other supports. It’s a simple concept and very effective, but requires a joint commitment. For a moment think of the rings of growth on a tree. The dense rings that grow during winter will define the strength of the tree. With guidance from the Word, and willingness from both of you, your winter periods will define your marriage.
"The climate of marriage is characterized by moving from one season to another and back again." Spring is the time of new beginnings. When we start to feel the warmth of summer approaching, we are revitalised and refreshed. And while the memories of tough times might linger, it is the promise of a new day and new opportunities that causes us to come out of our cocoons, shedding the dreary and becoming all that the Lord has predetermined us to be. For many marriages the rut of winter has become the grave. For those who have welcomed spring together, their love will flourish and the impact of their relationship will pollinate others. Marriage is the most important union on earth, given by God for His glory. But being human we know that relationships don't always work this simply. In the couples I've spent time with over the years I've found that the oneness with which they started in marriage has been broken. The combined commitment to work through the seasons of marriage has been eroded for a range of reasons. Be strong. Encourage and support one another. Remember the “we” in wedding, and have fun on the journey. Your enjoyment is His pleasure. Peter Tyrrell is the vice-principal of Melbourne School of Theology in Melbourne Australia.
by steve johnson
What's good about aging? We tend to focus on the negatives of growing older. Our youth-obsessed society often ignores the benefits and blessings of growing older and instead focuses on the physical challenges. The Bible presents aging as a normal, natural part of life in this world. In fact, growing old is a blessing of God and the elderly are to be honoured (Deuteronomy 5:33; Leviticus 19:32). Here are some of the benefits and blessings of growing older. 1. One main benefit of aging is gaining experience at living life. Older people have more experience in dealing with people so they are usually better at empathizing with others and dealing with social conflicts. Life experience has taught them to understand different points of view and think of multiple resolutions and compromises.
2. They are better at enjoying life on a daily basis. Ask people over 50 if they are happy and usually they will say they are happier now than when they were younger. They live with a greater sense of achievement because they have accomplished more. 3. Older people are often less stressed. They have answered many of life’s big questions such as marriage, children, and career. Not only are these questions behind them, so are many of life’s big responsibilities. Life and relationships are more mature and stable for older people. They don’t relocate as much as younger people and neither do their friends. They are in a season of enjoying the fruit of their life’s labours. 4. Another benefit of growing older is perspective. Having seen more and
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done more, older people have more to offer those around them. They have had more time to learn so they often are more skilled and have broader knowledge than younger people. 5. As people age their perspective on spiritual things changes. The prospect of the end of life is closer and it helps clarify what is important and what isn’t. Older people aren’t as concerned with success as they are with significance and leaving a positive legacy for another blessing of growing older—grandchildren.
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6. Their view on life is different. Older people have had time to know who they are and become more confident in themselves. They generally aren’t out to impress anyone. Most older people have stopped caring what others think of them, looks included, and therefore feel free to speak their mind. 7. A benefit that grows out of life experience and perspective is wisdom. It’s seen in the way older people deal with others and in decision-making. It’s easier for them to make wise decisions and solve problems because with age brains build connections
and recognize patterns. It’s why judges tend to be middle-aged or older. 8. Most older people have experienced major losses. As a result they’ve learned to manage their emotions after a loss, to be content with loss, and to not agonize over loss. 9. & 10. Two final benefits of growing older are time and money. Older people generally have more time and money to do what they want. Because they usually have accumulated more financial resources over time and are more financially stable they can afford to spend their time the way they want. It may be time for themselves or pursuit of their dreams, or maybe time with loved ones, friends, and serving others. Growing older has much to commend it. If the Lord continues to bless you with life, growing older will happen. Look forward to it. I hope this helps. -Steve
Steve Johnson is the executive director at Insight for Living Canada.
ABRAHAM One Nomad’s Amazing Journey of Faith View flyer for more details and to order your hardcover copy of Abraham. 15
online RESOURCE SPOTLIGHT
Living a life of faith hardship.
DOESN’T MEAN THERE WON'T BE
The Bible gives us a spiritual “hall of fame”—raw, uncensored, gritty stories of men and women sometimes soaring and often stumbling through the incredible life of faith. Their inspiring biographies are memorialized in Scripture not simply because of their faith in God but because of God's faithfulness to them. Visit insightforliving.ca/characters and learn more about these heroes of the faith.
The Grace Awakening hardcover by Charles R. Swindoll, 415 pages
Grace revolutionizes the way you live and love. This Insight for Living exclusive edition of Chuck’s classic best-seller features a 30-day devotional to help you experience the freedom of God’s grace.
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NIrV Kids Quest Study Bible bonded leather, 1,680 pages
This Bible speaks the language of children and answers today’s questions in a way they can understand. Includes answers to over 500 questions kids ages 6 to 11 ask.
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Doing Right When You’ve Been Done Wrong single CD message
There’s a supernatural alternative to your natural reaction of retaliation. In Romans 12, the Apostle Paul addresses how to respond correctly to wrongdoing.
order/donate at insightforliving.ca or call 1.800.663.7639 offer expires SEPTEMBER 30, 2014
on the air THIS MONTH Abraham: One Nomad’s Amazing Journey of Faith 22 CD messages + Bible companion
Abraham was called God’s friend because of his faith, not his pedigree. As you witness a weak man’s transformation into a hero of faith, you’ll learn what it takes to be “the friend of God.”
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Cultivating Purity in an Impure World paperback by Insight for Living, 104 pages
Through the encounters of Bible heroes, David and Joseph, Chuck reveals the practical steps it takes to cultivate purity in a sex-crazed world.
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Destiny: Choosing to Change the Course of Your Life booklet by Charles R. Swindoll, 35 pages
Chuck offers a scriptural, simple, sensible answer for those who wonder about the single most significant question in all of life: How can I know God?
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Golfing with the Master: Inspiring Stories to Keep You on Course paperback devotionals by Phil Callaway, 195 pages
With inspirational stories from PGA tour members, these life lessons will help you improve your game and live with more effectiveness and joy—on and off the course.
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Great Days with the Great Lives paperback devotional by Charles R. Swindoll, 376 pages
In this collection of 365 devotionals exploring the lives of God’s heroes, you’ll gain insight from Chuck into how God can do extraordinary things through ordinary people just like you.
Balancing Grace with Love 2 CD messages
Conflict inhabits every corner and crevice of our sinstained world. In this miniseries on Romans 14, Chuck shares the secret of consistent gracious living in spite of conflict.
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Hope for Our Troubled Times paperback by Insight for Living, 123 pages
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Chuck and other ministry leaders provide perspective and hope for the troubling changes that characterize our world. With age-specific chapters this book is a valuable resource for parents and teachers.
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Listener Favourites Volume 1: Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow 6 CD messages
These six most-requested Insight for Living messages will ground you in the past—with joy; guide you each day— with grace; and strengthen you for tomorrow—with hope.
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THIS MONTH’S featured resource first copy
Abraham: One Nomad’s Amazing Journey of Faith hardcover by Charles R. Swindoll, 288 pages
Why are we still discussing the faith of a desert nomad who lived thousands of years ago? Chuck’s compelling new biography of Abraham will answer this question and inspire your own journey of faith.
$6.00 additional $23.00 copies: $17.25
PLUS TAX
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Kids love learning...but they ask a lot of tough questions! We have a fantastic resource for the kids in your life who love asking “why?” The Kids’ Quest Study Bible is suited for children aged 6-11 and answers more than 500 questions children ask about the Bible. It uses the New International reader’s version, which makes reading a bit easier. See enclosed form for ordering info.
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