Vital 08_Proof by Influence Magazine

4 REASONS TO SMILE THIS TAX SEASON pg24 ACTOR DAVID A.R. WHITE ON “GOD’S NOT DEAD II”pg56 v i t a l m a g a z i n e

c o m

KENT INGLE ON THE GENEROUS LIFE pg62

FROM DOUBT TO RESURRECTION

V I TA L M A G A Z I N E . C O M

ISSUE _ 08 / MARCH _ APRIL 2016

LOOKING FOR ANSWERS THIS EASTER? GOD CAN HANDLE YOUR QUESTIONS.

Get involved at a MEGA Sports Camp outreach this summer! Churches report up to 90% of guests and 20% of kids ask Jesus into their lives. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s action-packed, unforgettable, and life changingâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;for both the kids AND the volunteers! Find out more at www.MEGASportsCamp.com

“I volunteered to help at my church’s MEGA Sports Camp outreach this summer. I completely underestimated how awesome the experience would be. I can’t wait to do it again next year!” — Rebecca

Kids practice sports plus discover Bible truths they can apply to their daily lives. DAY

EPIC MOMENT

BIBLE STORY

SPORTS STORY

MEGA POINT EPIC MOMENTS OF DISCOVERY…

DISCOVERY

Jesus calls Peter

Michael Oher, football player

ADVERSITY

Peter reaches for Jesus

Bethany Hamilton, surfer

GAME CHANGE

Jesus renames Peter

Mariano Rivera, baseball player

Peter rejects Jesus

2011 U.S. Women’s national soccer team

Peter preaches

2015 U.S. Women’s national soccer team

show us we are valued. EPIC MOMENTS OF ADVERSITY…

4 5

DEFEAT VICTORY

remind us God is here. EPIC MOMENTS OF GAME CHANGE…

transform how others see us. EPIC MOMENTS OF DEFEAT…

can be overcome. EPIC MOMENTS OF VICTORY…

prove we are winners.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

MEGA Verse: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28 (NIV)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Midlife Clarity

p30

“What if the brevity of our lives was not an emblem of futility but a pointer to futurity ? What if it made us look further and higher for meaning?”

p40

When Healing Doesn’t Come Are you still waiting to be healed? God will follow through on His promise, whether that’s in this life or the life to come.

From Doubt to Resurrection In seasons like Easter, does skepticism ever shadow your celebration? The story of Doubting Thomas is an appropriate example of how Christ loves a humble skeptic.

8 VITAL SIGNS 11 THE LEAD • Seeds of Hope

p46

12 PULSE • World • Nation • Church

24 THINKING ABOUT • The Positive Side

of Tax Season • Women Are Leaving

the Church —Now What? • Safe and Sound

Pure Hollwood

David A.R. White uses his influence as an actor and producer to spread the message of hope to a worldwide audience.

p24 The Positive Side of Tax Season How to have a healthy appreciation for one of life’s certainties.

Is Ambition a Virtue? Considering complacency, contentment and the satisfaction that comes from serving the Lord.

p56

p64 30 FROM DOUBT TO RESURRECTION Looking for answers this Easter? God can handle your questions.

40 MIDLIFE CLARITY How to find renewed purposes in your forties

46 WHEN HEALING DOESN’T COME Lessons learned from chronic illness

54 MULTIPLIERS • Building the Bridge • Not a Dress Rehearsal • Pure Hollywood

59 TEACHING • Vital Voices • Stressed-Out • Living Generously • Is Ambition a Virtue?

73 MAKE IT COUNT 80 ONE MORE THING

Yo u r w o r l d f r o m a S p i r i t - e m p o w e r e d p e r s p e c t i v e

VITAL MAGAZINE

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International Version (NIV) , unless otherwise noted.

Executive Director, Assemblies of God World Missions: Gregory Mundis Executive Director, Assemblies of God U.S. Missions: Zollie Smith

Vital magazine (Issue #08 March April 2016) is published six times a year, in January, March, May, July, September

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The goal of Vital is to inspire readers to live life to the fullâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;and we believe that a full life begins with knowing Jesus Christ as your Savior. If you are ready to take this step, please visit vitalmagazine.com/salvation .

FASTING RESOURCES

FOR YOUR

BODY AND SOUL 40 DAYS OF DECREASE Daring and divine fast beckons believers to abandon bad habits. Make space for Christ! Each day’s reading offers a Lenten quote, historical sidebar, and reflective question.

THE BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO FASTING Inspiring spiritual primer is a “how to” that moves you through the vital basics of fasting.

SELAH 21-DAY DEVOTIONAL Immerse yourself in 21 days of restoration and renewal with a devotional that offers ample personal time with God. When we pray and express gratitude, our Redeemer rejuvenates us.

THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO THE DANIEL FAST 21-day fast reveals effective ways to fast from food while developing a healthy and holy view of your body, food, and intimacy with God.

Visit MyHealthyChurch.com/Fasting for more resources.

1.855.642.2011

MyHealthyChurch.com/ Fasting

VITAL SIGNS

“STOP DOUBTING AND BELIEVE.” J e s u s ’ w o rd s t o T h o m a s i n J o h n 2 0 : 2 7 a re Ch ri s t ’ s w o rd s t o u s s t i l l . R e a d m o re o n p a g e 3 0 a b o u t h o w Ch ri s t o f f e rs H i m s e l f t o a h u m b l e s k e p t i c , taking no offense at his disciple’s doubt. Honest s e e k e rs w i l l d i s c o v e r h o w t o k n o w, b e l i e v e i n a n d e x p e ri e n c e t h e t ru t h o f E a s t e r.

IT’S TIME TO INFLUENCE WE B E L I E V E T H AT T R UE , G O D LY LE A DE RSHI P DO E S N’ T CO M E F RO M A T I T L E O R P O S I T I O N . I T STA R TS WI TH THE HE A RT O F A S E RVA NT A N D G R OW S I N TO A L IF E O F IM ME A S U RA BL E I M PACT. THAT I S WHY W E C R E AT E D I NF LU E NCE .

INFLUENCEMAGAZINE.COM

THE LEAD

SEEDS OF HOPE

oe and Mary Lou Bayly were acquainted with grief. In the first two decades of their marriage, three of their children died. Tragedies like those can destroy the faith of some, but they gave the Baylys a new perspective. In 1969, the year I was born, Joe wrote The View from a Hearse, which contained the following story. It was a cold Saturday in January in Illinois. The temperature was below zero and a foot of snow lay on the ground. When the postman delivered the mail — “Neither snow nor rain nor sheat nor gloom of night…!” — Joe ran to the mailbox in shirtsleeves to retrieve it. (I sympathize with his excitement about mail.) Standing at the mailbox, he saw a Burpee seed catalog. “For a few minutes I was oblivious to the cold,”

he wrote, “delivered from it. I leafed through the catalogue, tasting corn and cucumbers. I saw the fleshly plowed earth, smelled it, let it run through my fingers.” Then he came to his sense and ran to his warm home. Back inside, he reflected: “I thought how my moments at the mailbox were like our experience as Christians. We feel the cold, along with those who do not share our hope. The biting wind penetrates us as them.” “But” — which is surely the most beautiful of conjunctions for Christians — “in our cold times we have a seed catalogue. We open it and smell the promised spring, eternal spring. And the firstfruit that settles our hope is Jesus Christ who was raised from death and cold earth to eternal glory.” Easter Sunday is March 27. The resurrection of Jesus Christ, which we celebrate that day, is the fact that “settles our hope,” drives our faith, and shapes our perspective on life. Our three feature stories each address “cold times” in our life. On page 30, Doug Green talks about doubt, using Jesus’ response to “Doubting Thomas” to inspire faith. On page 40, Peter Greer and Greg Lafferty talk about midlife, a time of crisis for many, using the wisdom of Ecclesiastes to develop an “above the sun” perspective on the second half of life. And on page 48, I share my story of unhealed chronic illness to remind us that grace is enough. If you’re experiencing doubt, crisis, or illness at this time of year, my prayer is that this issue of Vital will be a “seed catalogue” for you. Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! George Paul Wood is executive editor of Vital.

PULSE WORLD

KEEPING YOU CONNECTED TO THE HEARTBEAT OF THE WORLD

HOPE FOR THE WORLD

ontrary to what you may think, the world is getting better — and Haiti is a good example of this positive change. According to United Nations data, approximately 52 percent of the country’s population was malnourished in 2015. Though the number is still far too high, it is exceedingly better than the 61 percent reported in 1992. Haiti has organizations like Convoy of Hope to thank for contributing to this change. “We currently feed more than 62,000 kids in Haiti through our Children’s Feeding Initiative,” says Molly Erickson, director of public relations for Convoy of Hope. “But in order to break the generational cycle of poverty, we also have an Agriculture Initiative where farmers have grown more than four million meals locally since the program launched.”

PULSE : WORLD

THE FASTEST GROWING RELIGION

APP-SOLUTELY WONDERFUL

ouVersion, the Bible reading app, recently celebrated 200 million downloads — that’s 200 million people who have access to God’s word in an easily transportable, accessible way. Since its last major milestone of 100 million downloads in July of 2013, YouVersion has seen the most rapid engagement with Scripture through its app in Iran — up 1,886 percent. Suriname’s engagement is up 670 percent, and China’s is 359 percent higher than it was in 2013. Romans 12:2 has become the verse that has been highlighted and shared most in the YouVersion app, and it currently ranks as the most popular verse in the United States and Brazil. In the time it has taken you to read this, approximately 30 YouVersion apps have been downloaded across the globe, and 120 verses have been shared.

Over the next four decades, Islam is predicted to grow faster than any other major religion. The reason? According to Pew Research, “driving these changes are simple demographics: Muslims have more children than members of other religions, and they’re also relatively younger.” Pew predicts that by 2050, Christians will amount to 31.4 percent of the global population, and Islam will grow to 29.7 percent. Of course, those are only predictions; no human can be certain of the future. Let’s remember Christ’s call-to-action in Matthew 28:19: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”

WHERE THE WORLD FEELS SAFE Gallup has released their most recent findings on where individuals feel safe around the world, and those in Singapore feel the most secure. • 63 percent worldwide say they have confidence in their local police • 60 percent of the global population feels safe walking alone at night where they live • Only 15 percent say they had money or property stolen from them in 2014

A CLIMBING CLIMATE Are you concerned about climate change? A global median of 54 percent tell Pew Research they are, and residents of Latin America and Africa are most worried about this change. Seventy-four percent of Latin Americans say it’s harming people now, and 61 percent of Africans are worried it will cause personal harm. This year, delegates from 195 nations agreed to limit carbon emissions across the globe.

PULSE NATION

KEEPING YOU CONNECTED TO THE HEARTBEAT OF THE NATION

A DIFFERENT KIND OF SPRING BREAK

his spring, hundreds of thousands of university students will flock to spring break destinations across the country. Chi Alpha students will be among them, but they’ll be going to different places with an entirely different purpose. For years, Chi Alpha Campus Ministries has challenged their students to be a part of God’s global mission. One of the avenues for this is spring break missions trips. Last year, Chi Alpha sent over 100 teams to Atlanta, Georgia; Hat Yai, Thailand, and all sorts of places in between. Craig Woodham, National Chi Alpha Expeditions Director says, “I think the growth in these spring break teams is two-fold. I believe this generation feels connected to a global community and wants to be part of a cause that’s bigger than themselves. Also, our local campus missionaries have been very effective in casting vision, expressing the need and creating opportunity for students to serve.

PULSE : NATION

WHERE AMERICA’S MOVING

SAVING GRACE

ccording to Gallup, almost half of Americans say they don’t have enough money to meet an unexpected financial expense, like a home or vehicle repair. This isn’t just true of lower or middle-class Americans; 16 percent of those who earn over $240,000 say they are unprepared for a financial emergency. But while many may find themselves in a pickle counting pennies, others are taking proactive measures to become financially stable. Seventy percent of Americans say they have enough to buy what they need on a day-to-day basis, yet three in five of these individuals say they are cutting back on their spending — even if they don’t necessarily need to. No matter how much you make, the principals of financial wisdom remain the same.

“I’ve been everywhere, man.” Moving truck drivers across the country are likely singing this tune, yet perhaps more in some parts of the country than others. According to U.S. Census data, residents have been moving away from the Midwest and Northeast — and landing in the West and South. In the past year, Florida gained about 200,000 American residents, and states such as Texas, Colorado and Arizona have also become home for many. At the same time, no Northeast or Midwest states have gained domestic movers this year. Considering the upcoming election year, these moves could mean less political might for states like New York, yet that remains to be seen.

BOOK IT Have you read a good book lately? Barna Group finds most Americans read, just… not a lot. • 67 percent read 5 books or less each year • 25 percent of adults don’t read any books at all • 34 percent of Christians say they mostly read for spiritual development

YOUR NEWS FEED While your age may tell marketers which facial cream you’re prone to buy, it could also predict how you read the news. Pew Research reports that 61 percent of Millennials receive information about politics from social media, while 60 percent of Baby Boomers watch the TV instead. On the flipside, 39 percent of Boomers received political information from social media, and only 37 percent of Millennials watch TV for this purpose.

From the creators of God’s Not Dead comes the exciting sequel, God’s Not Dead 2. When a student asks a question about Jesus in a public school classroom, the teacher’s response lands her in big trouble—almost before she even finishes giving her answer. God’s Not Dead 2 will surely have audiences sharing their faith. Who will you share it with? In Theaters

April 1, 2016 Visit GodsNotDeadTheMovie.com to purchase group tickets.

PULSE CHURCH

KEEPING YOU CONNECTED TO THE HEARTBEAT OF THE CHURCH

JOINING TOGETHER TO BE SENT OUT

n March 3-6, Latin Americans from all over the world will be gathering in Dallas to connect and worship. Latin America’s missions network has held a regular congress since 2006, yet this will be the first for some. In 2014, a new network was formed for this community, called FHAD, Fraternidad Hispana de las Asambleas de Dios. “There are 1,600 missionaries being sent out from the Latin countries to 83 nations. We feel that the U.S Latin districts have great potential to send out more workers to the world in the coming years,” says Brad Walz, president of Misiones En Conjunto. Walz is expecting delegates from 25 countries who will be charged by Dr. George Wood and Greg Mundis. Jeremiah 8:20 and John 4:35 are theme verses for this event.

PULSE : CHURCH

STUDYING SOLO

GROWING PLANTS

ood news for budding communities: America is planting new churches faster than older ones close. LifeWay Research reports that in 2014, more than 4,000 new churches opened their doors — and they’re attracting the right audience. The study shows that 42 percent of those who worship in churches launched since 2008 had never been to church before, or at least not for a very long time. So, how are these people finding their way to the pews? While many new churches do well with using the Internet and social media for exposure, research confirms tried-and-true methods. Seventy-seven percent of church planters agree that word-of-mouth communication and personal relationships are most effective for outreach.

Which is better — reading the Bible alone or with a group? Reading alone brings benefits as you can study at your own pace, experiencing intimacy with Christ as you’re processing His Word. Yet studying as a group has advantages, too. Often, others will pick up on parts of the text that you may not have noticed. Barna set out to discover how Christians felt about this: Should discipleship be a solo activity? Their research found that 41 percent said their faith is an “entirely private” matter. Others said they believe their faith has an impact on relatives (37 percent), friends (36 percent) and their community (33 percent). When it comes to spiritual development, it seems, there are advantages to studying the Word alone and to discussing it with a group. Why not do both?

WHAT DOES “CHRISTIAN” MEAN?

In a recent poll conducted by Gallup, 75 percent of Americans identified as “Christian.” (Gallup includes Mormons in this category.) Here’s the breakdown of the numbers: 50 percent Protestant 24 percent Catholic 2 percent Mormon

HOLY WIFE, HAPPY LIFE According to a study published in the Journal of Family Issues, a spouse’s personal relationship with God correlates with having a happier marriage. This is true for both men and women. According to the author, a University of Washington researcher, spiritual growth in one spouse is linked to better communication between both spouses. So when your marriage needs a boost, consider an intentional date night — or perhaps church on Sunday.

Introducing

MAGAZINE

YOUR WORLD FROM A SPIRITEMPOWERED PERSPECTIVE.

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THINKING ABOUT

THE POSITIVE SIDE OF TAX SEASON Four lessons to learn when “giving to Caesar” KREGG HOOD

ears ago, my first business mentor taught me an unexpected insight about taxes. I was complaining about paying my yearly federal income tax when he laughed and said, “Don’t be afraid to pay taxes. It means you made some money.” I was surprised at his positive approach to an exercise most people hate. Over time, his influence helped hone my financial skills — and my attitude — in myriad ways that have helped me personally, professionally and spiritually. Scripture provides only limited specifics regarding taxes. We know from Jesus and Paul that paying taxes is proper, even when the rulers are not followers of God (Matthew 17:24–27; 22:15–22; Romans 13:6, etc.). We also know from basic biblical principles that we should always be honest (Proverbs 19:1; 2 Corinthians 8:21; Hebrews 13:18, etc.). That’s why I believe it’s reasonable to use legal tax strategies our government allows as long as we commit to integrity in our work and accuracy in record keeping. Most importantly, we should trust our powerful God to take care of us (1 Peter 3:10–12). Over the years, I have chosen to make the best of tax time. Instead of dreading it, I have learned four practical lessons I revisit every April: 1. Focus on the positive benefits of tax money at work.

The government doesn’t spend every dollar of tax revenue the way I would prefer. But at tax time, I choose to focus on the positive things the government does, such as providing police and military protection, funding schools, building roads and supplying other needed services. Imagine the chaos of no government. We do not have to agree on how the government spends, but we can appreciate any good that comes from government.

2. Decrease waste and anxiety by planning ahead.

Every year I look at my situation with fresh eyes. Am I paying too much or too little in taxes? People tend to make one of two mistakes in their tax planning. The first is having Uncle Sam withhold too much, with plans of getting a big refund each year. This may feel like forced saving, but it is really wasting an opportunity each month to save more for retirement or pay down debt. The opposite mistake is paying too little and winding up with a large tax bill. This usually leads to penalties and interest. The smart approach is calculating your anticipated taxes at the start of the year and having the correct portion of the total withheld from each payroll check. Accurate planning beats worry and helps you prepare an excellent personal budget to reach your financial goals. If you’re self-employed, be sure to save enough money from every dollar you earn and make the required quarterly tax payments. Remember, you owe the money, and IRS penalties for underpayment can be harsh and costly. 3. Learn about and use tax deductions.

Don’t just use the IRS 1040EZ “short form” because it’s fast. Anyone who tithes, saves for retirement through an IRA or pays a mortgage almost always benefits from tax deductions. If you need help, check with a good bookkeeper or CPA. You may be able to pay less tax legally. 4. See paying taxes as only a part of preparing for financial health.

When you plan ahead, prepare a realistic budget and determine to live within your means, you will be amazed at how God helps. Each quarter and each year at tax time, I review the pieces in my own financial picture. This commitment helps me view taxes as simply an expense, like food, shelter or any other item in the budget. The goal each month is to have a little left over and increase financial margin, even if it’s only “little by little” (Proverbs 13:11). The discipline of this entire process always pays off. Even tax season can help you grow, both in your finances and in your walk with God. Kregg Hood is pastor of community life at Calvary Church, an Assemblies of God congregation in Naperville, Illinois.

THINKING ABOUT

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THINKING ABOUT

WOMEN ARE LEAVING THE CHURCH —NOW WHAT? Looking at the research — and the reasons to stay STEPHANIE L. NANCE

omen are leaving the Church. First, let’s all agree to resist the urge to figure out how to attract or woo these women back, as if the Church is participating in some proverbial dating game with the world. We need to listen to why they are leaving and respond proactively to what God is speaking through them. According to Barna Group, women now comprise 46 percent of unchurched adults, an increase from 40 percent in 2003. While 85 percent of these women once occupied the pews next to us, they are now considered dechurched, meaning they disengaged from the Church. Although a multi-faceted issue, research reveals two key components influencing the exit of these women: lack of emotional support and feeling underutilized. Lack of Emotional Support Barna reports that 60 percent of women in the Church feel little or no emotional support, allowing them to disengage unnoticed. For too

long, the Church has settled for the mere presence of women. Jesus, however, wasn’t satisfied with presence. He encountered women, offering compassion, healing and encouragement in their brokenness, rejection and disappointment, as well as in their moments of joy (Luke 8:40–56; John 4:1–42; 8:1–11). To encounter women is to come alongside them in life’s familiar rhythm of lament and celebration. As the body of Christ, we need to grieve with a woman when a relationship ends or she doesn’t get the job, acknowledging the disappointment without filling the moment with empty clichés. We must come alongside her when she experiences hardships like the diagnosis of an illness or loss of a dream. God’s people also live celebratory lives. Both men and women in the Church have the opportunity to celebrate women and what God is doing through them. This may mean putting aside rigid expectations of how womanhood looks to honor the diverse ways women reflect God’s image as individuals. Yes, celebrate the weddings and the babies, but also commemorate the graduations, publications, promotions, home purchases, business startups and all the other special moments that fill a woman’s life. Too often, envy divides women. When we don’t experience the same blessings in life, we can disengage from relationships with one another. However, being the body of Christ means showing up to celebrate what God is doing in someone else’s life, even when you can’t see how He’s at work in yours. This is faith. A Lack of Utilization The Church has taken the presence of women for granted. Jim Henderson succinctly articulates this fact with his somewhat polarizing, yet painfully truthful, book title on the subject, “The Resignation of Eve: What If Adam’s Rib Is No Longer Willing to Be the Church’s Backbone?” According to Barna, 31 percent of women who sit in pews across the U.S. have resigned themselves to low expectations regarding church, with 20 percent feeling underutilized. The utilization of women in the Church is not a rights or gender sensitivity issue. When a church primarily utilizes the spiritual gifts of men, its main failure lies not in gender disparity but in its ability to discern the Spirit.

When we yield to the Spirit’s guidance, diversity will naturally exist throughout the Church’s ministries and leadership (Acts 2:14–18). Women need to know that Spirit empowerment comes with responsibility to act. Women may be hesitant to accept responsibility since they struggle with busy lives. Nearly three-quarters of women feel stressed out, 58 percent are tired and 48 percent say they are overcommitted — and the percentages are even higher for moms with kids at home. Still, nearly 88 percent of women say they want to improve in at least one area of life: church. However, approaching church as simply another life area to improve could be part of the problem. We need to stop seeing our Christian faith as a category alongside the rest of life and, instead, begin practicing it as the foundation of life. Our faith should inform the rest of our lives. Our community participation — abiding in the body of Christ — is part of that practice. For busy women to reassess their priorities, they must understand and embrace God’s original design for work and rest. We’ve allowed our TGIF culture to overshadow God’s purpose for work. We easily forget that He created humans, both men and women, to do His work. Where that work takes place — whether in the sacredness of an office building, a home or a church — varies, depending on God’s purposes for an individual and a family. God advances His kingdom as women function throughout society in different vocations for which He has empowered them. Churches can no longer afford to overlook this aspect of a woman’s discipleship and formation. We must help them see their lives within the bigger story of God’s redemption and coming kingdom, and ensure that they are empowered for their purpose. As the Church surrounds women throughout their lives, providing emotional support and calling them to empowerment for their chaotic 24/7 lives, women will encounter the compassion and power of Christ. Let the Church continue to raise up and release more women of courageous faith. We need older women like Elizabeth, who are ready to partner with the Spirit in birthing the impossible (Luke 1:5–25). We need young women like Mary, who are willing to say, “May your word be fulfilled” when God shows up and crashes their plans (Luke 1:38). We need women like Ana the prophetess, who respond to life’s losses by dedicating themselves to God (Luke 2:36–38). We need businesswomen like Lydia, who lead and influence the community (Acts 16:11–40). We need women like Pricilla, who teach in partnership with men (Acts 18:1–28; Romans 16:3,4). And we need women like Philip’s daughters, who prophesy in the Spirit (Acts 21:9). These are all women who encountered the presence of Jesus and allowed Him to transform their lives and the lives of those they, in turn, encountered. Stephanie L. Nance, D.Min., is adult spiritual formation pastor who serves on the preaching team at Chapel Springs Church in Bristow, Va. She often speaks and writes on how the mystery of God intertwines with and shapes the human experience in the digital information age.

THINKING ABOUT

SAFE AND SOUND

PREVENTING ABUSE AT CHURCH

Responding to the ugly issue of child abuse DONNA WASHBURN

he came to church twice a week without fail. Her interactions with other children and her teachers were often challenging and aggressive. She was easily prone to lash out. She occasionally used words many deemed inappropriate. This 9-year-old so frustrated the volunteers that some wished she would find a different church. However, after the girl stopped coming for three weeks, church leaders discovered that authorities had removed her from her home because of severe neglect and physical abuse. She was hospitalized and then went to a foster home. How did so many of the adults in her life miss this? She did not look like an abused child, at least not in the eyes of those around her. Yet she suffered in silence, carrying the burden of her home life with her to every Sunday School class and church service. If only someone had paid closer attention. If only the church had been a safe place for her to tell her story. Tragically, one in four girls and one in six boys will experience sexual abuse before they turn 18. Authorities will substantiate nearly 700,000 cases of child neglect, physical abuse or sexual abuse this year, according to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. And most experts believe these sobering numbers represent only the tip of the iceberg, since many cases go unreported. There are several practical steps the Church can take toward becoming a safe shelter and respite for victims of abuse, as well as a source of education and hope for families. First, members need training to spot the signs of child abuse. Look for signs of frequent injuries, such as unexplained broken bones, multiple bruises in soft tissue and marks on the body that resemble objects. More common indicators

include constant hunger, clothing that is illfitting or inappropriate for the season, long periods of time home alone and excessive school absences. While sexual abuse can be more difficult to identify, workers should immediately report disclosures of sexual contact with anyone, including children or adolescents; injuries to genitals; or age-inappropriate sexual knowledge. Church leaders and members should seek the Holy Spirit’s discernment and wisdom as they ask, listen and respond: • Ask. If a child is upset or struggling emotionally, inquire about the problem. Create a safe space for them to talk. • Listen. Let children express themselves. Pray with them, and be willing to help. • Respond. Report suspected abuse immediately. Childcare workers have a legal and moral obligation to act. Any pastor, lay leader or church volunteer who works with children is a mandated reporter in most states, according to the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment and Adoption Act of 1996 (CAPTA). The law requires them to report any suspicions of child abuse to the state’s department of social services. Offering compassionate, judgment-free support can help remove the stigma victims often feel, creating an environment for healing. Following the Lord’s example, the Church must protect and speak for children who are unable to defend themselves. “A bruised reed He will not break, and a faintly burning wick He will not quench; He will faithfully bring forth justice.” Isaiah 42:3 Donna Washburn is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and educator. She currently serves as Chair of the Behavioral Sciences Department at Evangel University.

Unfortunately, communities of faith sometimes attract those looking to harm children. Lack of protective policies, a shortage of volunteers and an abundance of children can leave churches vulnerable. Each member must proactively work to create a safe environment. • Screen all workers for a criminal history and child abuse/neglect hotline reports. • Never be alone with a child. • Always work with two adults at a time. • Teams of workers from the same family should work together with another person in the room. • Use a nursery and/or preschool identification procedure, and only release children to their approved guardians. • Never allow an older child to have responsibility for a younger child without the supervision of an adult. Workers should be 18 years of age, or at least 16. • Keep your eyes open for concerning activity or unsafe situations, and report it immediately to staff or leadership.

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FROM DOUBT TO RESURRECTION LOOKING FOR ANSWERS THIS EASTER? GOD CAN HANDLE YOUR QUESTIONS.

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a young man, I was afraid to speak honestly to God. I was fearful I’d say what was really in my heart and, consequently, get in deep, deep trouble. Just like everyone else, I wanted to be on good terms with Him. Surely I didn’t want to say something to make the God of the Universe think I was wrestling with my faith. I certainly did not want to admit I struggled with the D-word. Doubt, it seemed to me, was synonymous with sin. I had lots of good questions, but I didn’t want to reveal them and risk God knowing I had a tendency toward skepticism. I wanted to just believe — plain and simple! I wanted to be near the front of God’s line, not somewhere in the back holding bags of unanswered questions. Have you ever doubted? Ever wondered whether something was really true? In seasons like Easter, does skepticism ever shadow your celebration? It’s happened to me. I’m a natural skeptic.

In seasons like Easter, does skepticism ever shadow your celebration?

Maybe it’s just my personality, as one who always wonders what somebody has up his or her sleeve. I can never hear or see something without pondering the motive, the agenda, the spin. When it comes to buying in, I am always defensive. Even kindness is suspect; I am often suspicious. It’s my lot. Eventually I learned it’s not a sin; it’s a gift from God. In fact, the New Testament calls it discernment. Jesus explains the gift: “Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1). Discernment has been useful to me, at times, for detecting evil intent. I’ve used critical thinking to protect. I think it’s beneficial to be cautious of potential snares, such as bad doctrine, false teaching and manipulative personalities. However, along with being helpful, this aspect of my personality can also be dangerous. I can be so skeptical (i.e., a critical spirit, not a critical mind) that I miss what God is sending my way. He’s right in front of me, and I’m too busy talking myself out of something wonderful. In fact, I know I’ve missed fresh, miraculous appointments with the God of the Universe. This is an unfortunate result of unchecked skepticism. A skeptic is one who questions events, circumstances, reports and findings. A skeptic is one who wants to know whether it’s really true. Skeptics are helpful because they ask the difficult questions — the questions others are too afraid to ask. Skeptics force others to have appropriate answers. They may, at times, be a pain to endure, but their questions can lead to much fruit — when asked in a healthy manner.

The Model Skeptic When you think of skeptics, one name always comes to mind. He is perhaps the most renowned skeptic in human history. He once asked for proof and forever became known as the father of all skeptic societies. Of course, I am talking about Thomas (aka, Doubting Thomas). He’s the fellow who had the audacity to doubt Jesus’ original disciples! During the Easter season, churches gather to celebrate the Resurrection. We rejoice because Jesus rose from the grave, conquered death and gives eternal life to all who will receive it. He is risen! He is risen, indeed! However, on that first Easter, the original players in the passion drama were not so confident. In fact, you get the impression they were scared for their lives. They witnessed the death of the man to whom they gave their full allegiance. He was murdered as a criminal of the state. They never thought this new Kingdom would go this way. All His teaching, supernatural power and leadership seemed to depart with His final words and His final breath. They saw Him die. They witnessed their hopes slip away into the cruel darkness of Golgotha, the place of death. He was dead. Then, after several days of confusion, pain and grief, they were just supposed to believe He was no longer dead, that He was really alive? Those who have grieved the loss of a loved one know what it’s like to hope the current reality is just a dream. We long to wake up the next day and find out we were just dreaming. There would be nothing more wonderful than to answer the door only to find the deceased standing, talking and breathing –– fully alive and well. You’d pinch yourself, double-checking reality. It would be too good to be true — the hope of a lifetime. But, come on now, would you really believe a report from others who claim to have seen your lost loved one alive? You would be just as skeptical as Thomas. You’d say, “Until I see it … I mean, I certainly hope you’re telling me the truth … but, until I see it myself, I won’t believe!” For whatever reason, Thomas wasn’t there

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when Jesus visited the frightened disciples the first time. Thomas was out of the room. The Bible doesn’t tell us where he was; it just tells us he wasn’t there to see Jesus. So, the overjoyed disciples tell Thomas, “We have seen the Lord!” It was the kind thing to do. They shared their eyewitness experience with their friend. They wanted him to know the good news. However, Thomas doubted their report, for although I am sure he trusted his friends, he just needed his own experience with Jesus. He asked for evidence; he wanted to see with his eyes and touch with his hands the living Jesus. Jesus knew Thomas better than Thomas knew himself. Instead of rebuking him, cutting him from the team, demeaning his skepticism or making him sit in the corner, Jesus, with great compassion, countered

his doubt with proof. Look at the report in John 20:24–28: Now Thomas … one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Thomas asks the question that everyone else is thinking, including you and me: Is the Resurrection true? I have no problem with his doubt because I think it was honest and sincere. If he continues to put his life on the line to follow Jesus, he wants to be sure the news is true. Just because everyone says something is true doesn’t mean it is. Thomas would personally confirm it — for himself ! His question is a valid one. It’s one that each generation continues to ask. In fact, it’s the most important question you may ever encounter. The answer you choose means all the difference in the world (and in the world to come). Did Jesus’ death and resurrection really happen?

Longing to Be Sure Christians believe the Resurrection happened. There’s a lot of proof it did: sound reasons, eyewitnesses and changed lives — more than we can get into in this one article. Nonetheless, not everyone thinks this way. Although just about every faith embraces the idea of a historical Jesus, a significant Jesus — even a miracleworking Jesus — most other faiths cannot accept a dying Jesus who overcomes the stench of death and rises to life, overcoming sin, hell, mortality and evil. It just seems too good to be true. To a human way of thinking, it doesn’t make sense. It breaks all religious rules. So, what if the news of Jesus’ death and resurrection is true? If it is true, then, as Paul Little wrote in Know Why You Believe, “we have conclusive answers to the profound questions of our existence: Where have we come from? Why are we here? Where are we going? If Christ rose, we know with certainty that God exists, what He is like and how we may know Him in personal experience.” Everything changes if the Resurrection is true. If it’s not true, Christianity is a sham. Paul said, “And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith” (1 Corinthians 15:14). If Jesus were not alive, the very thing I’ve staked my life upon would be nothing more than a charade. Everything that really matters is based upon the validity of the Resurrection. Wouldn’t it be great to be sure? Can an investigation of the facts be a healthy boost to one’s faith? Yes, it can, for questions of doubt soaked in humility can help us process the truth. The humble skeptic seeks truth and believes nothing less. After a thorough investigation, the questioner honestly submits to the truth. Thomas, as recorded in Scripture, demonstrates the correct posture for doubt. I am grateful for his questions. Thomas’ honest and humble heart is the key to healthy skepticism. I am not offended by Thomas’ spiritual

posture: He asks the most important question, demanding a validated answer. In the sight of God, there’s nothing wrong with asking questions about anything, especially anything that demands my soul, my life and my all. Healthy skepticism has everything to do with your attitude and commitment to the truth. Four Barriers to Knowing Resurrection Truth There is, nevertheless, a dangerous side of skepticism. It’s called pride. When pride dominates behavior, it leads to destruction. Pride is an insult to truth. It becomes arrogance — thinking of yourself more highly than you ought — a self-filled drunkenness. Many, when faced with the claims of Jesus Christ, take great pride in their skepticism. This is the pride of uncertainty — an unreasonable doubt. When faced with the ever-important questions about the claims of Jesus Christ, you should always be open to the evidence. Godless men and women are often willing to believe a lie, embracing their comfort in sin. They couldn’t care less about Jesus rising from the dead because they know it will force them to change their behavior. Whether it’s spiritual blindness or an addiction to compulsive and controlling habits, they stay put. Stuck! Paul, in the Book of Romans, warns that eventually their hearts become so hardened to the truth that God hands them over to their “shameful lusts ” (Romans 1:26). In their ignorant pride, they have ears to hear only lies. They are not open to hearing from a righteous God. This is sad. Lazy skeptics, likewise, are those who hide behind apathy in the attempt to thwart any accountability. They are not interested in the truth because the truth may force them to change their philosophical paradigm. They are like the man who is asked why he cannot believe the Bible. He responds, “Because I doubt it’s true.” When you ask him whether he has ever read the Bible, he responds that he has not because he doubts it’s true. That is slothful skepticism — plain and simple laziness. This is sad, too. It’s just as tempting (and possible) to harbor pride when you are absolutely sure. The prideful heart is hardened to anything — even the very words that can bring life! So it is with overconfident intellectuals, who have programmed God right out of the picture. I am always curious how often intelligent men and women are certain of their scientific findings until someone else discovers a new clue that forces them to adjust their conclusions. In any given lifetime, some of the greatest minds change their minds way too many times to appear confident. And yet, they create a system of thought that leaves no room for the supernatural possibilities of Jesus Christ — who, by the way, has stuck to the same script, without change, since the beginning. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. Arrogant believers assume they have it all figured out. They are not interested in any new information — even from God. They may adhere to the notion of Christ, but their hearts are

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closed to making any room for the person of Christ. They worship the idea or the doctrine, not the risen Savior. Religious jargon and legalistic behavior are the fruit of such arrogance. While these individuals may affirm the Resurrection as part of their religion, they don’t really know its truth in their lives — or have never sought to say why it is so true to them and how it changes their walk. This is also sad. Healthy skepticism is not closeminded arrogance. It’s not laziness. On the contrary, it’s a commitment to find out whether something is really, really true. Humility, therefore, is the careful side of skepticism. It seeks to find the answer even if the answer forces change — even if receiving the answer is humbling. This is the kind of skepticism you find in Thomas. Good news! Genuine humility can accompany uncertainty. This is the case with seeker skeptics. They want to know the truth. They will spend the effort to uncover all the clues. They are hardly ever satisfied with eyewitness accounts, which may be inaccurate. They are willing to stay up a bit later and search a bit longer to find out whether it’s really true. They ask difficult questions. They expect comprehensive answers. This is the kind of heart I sense in Thomas. In humility, he wants to be sure the Resurrection is real. Thomas is ready to sign on the line for the sake of this new Kingdom, but he needs to be certain! Bringing Uncertainty to an Unchanging God Jesus is a sure Savior. No wavering. No need for manipulation. He will unveil His unchanging ways in an approachable manner. Thomas’ heart doesn’t offend God. God knows, and so do you and I, this

is the kind of faith — a deep, wellsought, chewed-upon, understood faith that sticks. This is the kind of commitment that means something. These are the kind of people who put their lives on the line for the sake of Jesus Christ. Where doubt is deep, faith is deeper. Many who ask these questions find profound confidence in the answers they receive. They become bearers of the message. They are those who exhibit humility, confidence and certainty. They are the faithful.

Questions of doubt soaked in humility can help us process the truth.

Abraham had doubts; God brought him to faith. Moses asked apparent questions about God’s plans; God kindly satisfied his doubts with divine affirmation. David struggled with unanswered issues; in the presence of God, he found shalom. The faithful are those who, like Paul, can say, “I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day” (2 Timothy 1:12). These are the folks who, in humility, serve God joyfully. Jesus meets Thomas’ skepticism with loving verification. Jesus, knowing of Thomas’ struggles, offers him the corroboration of His wounds. A merciful Jesus gives Thomas the opportunity to touch the fresh injury of a hand pierced by a spike. A generous Jesus invites Thomas to place his hand in the open area on His side, gashed by the blade of a spear. His voice echoes with kindness and love. His mannerisms reflect the character of the Father. His miraculous ability to bypass doors and slip through block walls confirms His supernatural power. His acceptance and understanding

communicate to Thomas the grace of God! God isn’t a covert operator! Throughout the history of humanity, He is always committed to revelation. Openly. His works in history are not secretive. God has even revealed the end of the story, taking away all suspense. The script will not be edited— ever! This is the kind of God who shows up for humble doubters. He wants us to know the truth. He wants the truth to set us free! God wants to reveal His ways to all people, from the prophets to the apostles to the seekers in today’s world. Jesus said, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; theone who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened” (Matthew 7:7 ,8). How fortunate we are! We have a Savior who holds no secrets when it comes to understanding Him. There is no shadow of turning with Him. God gives all people permission to ask the difficult questions, to discover the truth — to test, consider, investigate and ask for proof. God is a speaking God. He reveals. He makes known. Through creation, His written Word and the work of the Holy Spirit, God is always speaking to us — skeptics included! Thomas asks for proof. Jesus delivers. Reasonable and Unreasonable Doubt Your success in finding answers to your questions depends on the condition of your heart. Is it as hard as concrete, rejecting His kindness? Or is your heart soft and ready to receive the truth?

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Jesus knew Thomas better than Thomas knew himself. Instead of rebuking him, cutting him from the team, demeaning his skepticism or making him sit in the corner, Jesus, with great compassion, countered his doubt with proof.

Doug Green is the lead pastor of North Hills Church in Brea, California.

Thus, there is reasonable doubt and unreasonable doubt. God can help you with your reasonable doubt. But you will never receive help from God (or anyone else, for that matter) as long as you choose to be unreasonable. No one will pry open your eyes so you can see what God wants to show you. No one will force you to open your ears to the truth. God gives you free will; He offers the option of opening or closing your heart. Thomas has reasonable doubt, and Jesus shows up with evidence and says to him, “Stop doubting and believe!” If your unreasonable doubt is the result of an addiction to a substance, a behavior or a destructive, godless lifestyle — anything that keeps you from hearing the words of life — Jesus comes to you and lifts your face, looks directly into your eyes, and says, “Stop doubting and believe!” If your unreasonable doubt comes from the laziness of being set in your ways, Jesus takes you firmly by the shoulders and confronts you with the truth you’ve chosen to ignore. If you’ll hear Him, He boldly says, “Stop doubting and believe.” If you’ve overestimated your intellectual ability to outsmart the very God who created you with the brains to second-guess Him, an ever-intelligent and omniscient Jesus challenges you with the words, “Stop doubting and believe.” If you’ve spent your days worshipping a stagnant religious idea rather than a living Savior, Jesus’ words may surprise you as you hear Him say, “Stop doubting and believe.” If you are still seeking, wondering whether the whole thing is true, ask for an encounter with the living Jesus. In humility, take Jesus’ invitation to offer up all your tough questions. Ponder the proof of the Resurrection. Reread the authentic biblical accounts. (They leave room for folks who are still trying to figure it out.) Take comfort in Thomas’ questions. Take greater comfort, however, in Jesus’ words to Thomas, which are Jesus’ words to you: “Stop doubting and believe.” Thomas’ doubts became committed faith. Thomas, upon the weight of evidence before him — Jesus’ wounded body — says to Jesus, “My Lord and my God!” His doubt turns to worship, set free to believe in the Author of Life. This delights Jesus. Look Around You This Easter, if your celebration of the Resurrection introduces questions — your own, or those of others — look around. Seek the truth. Ask Him to show you. Personally, I like to go walk it off when I am wrestling with my God-questions. I recently went to the nearby wilderness and walked until I found a place to be alone with Jesus. With my heart racing and my shirt drenched with sweat, I offered prayers mixed with questions, mixed with tears, mixed with my own limited humanity. All out loud! Just Jesus and me. As I sat on a stump on the top of a hill, surrounded by the sights and sounds of nature, I heard him say, “Look around you. I’m here. Stop doubting and believe.” Sure enough, He was. When I’m reminded it’s not sinful to be a humble skeptic, I experience immense love from Jesus. In spite of all He knows about me, He doesn’t bench me. He isn’t offended by my doubts. Over the years, He has offered me His nail-scarred hands many times. The lengths of His grace are amazing! In those moments, with sufficient evidence, a heart bursting with gratitude, I put my arms high in the air and shout, like Thomas, “My Lord and my God!” Sure enough, He is. Sure enough, He always will be.

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M I D L I FE C LA R I TY How to find renewed purposes in your forties PETER GREER AND GREG LAFFERTY

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What if the brevity of our lives was not an emblem of futility but a pointer to futurity ? What if it made us look further and higher for meaning?

he was giddy, shouting across the golden sand as she raced down the beach. “Daddy, come quick!” I (Peter) had just arrived with my family in Newport Beach, California, and Lili was more than a little enthusiastic. Learning to surf proved far more difficult than anticipated, so in lieu of riding waves we decided to build a sandcastle. With just a few basic tools, we built the most magnificent castle ever. It had a central fortress almost as tall as my daughter, which was guarded by thick, well-constructed walls. Every other castle ever constructed looked paltry by comparison. As the morning wore on, I noticed the tide coming in. Lili and I had taken pains to build our castle far from the destructive waves, but apparently I underestimated the water’s reach. Hours of work were under imminent threat. As one wave washed dangerously close, Lili pleaded, “Daddy, we need to build thicker walls!” We worked furiously as the unrelenting waves lapped closer and closer. But finally a single wave breached the outer wall, causing the sandcastle to collapse. What happens to castles of sand also happens to castles of steel. Our greatest works are subject to ruin. How many bulletproof business plans, ironclad deals and rock-hard bodies have melted before a wave? Fast or slow, the tide is coming in. And when it does, it will erase virtually all evidence of our ever being here. This realization hits especially hard in midlife. By age forty, we begin to understand how quickly life passes. Just twenty years past, we were in college; just twenty years future, we’ll be senior citizens. It’s an inflection point, and it raises a key question that needs to be answered: What’s the point of living if everything is dying? Can our fleeting lives leave enduring legacies? The Art of Fitting into the World Someone once said that wisdom is the art of fitting into the world. It’s understanding reality and then flowing with it. It’s going with the grain of the universe rather than always cutting across it. We fit ourselves into the world as it actually is all the time. Already today you’ve expertly navigated it. You acknowledged the rigidity of walls and entered rooms via doors. You didn’t bother trying to jump to the second floor, accepting the limits of gravity. Instead, you smartly strode up stairs, deftly lifting one foot higher than the other. You rightly considered it wisest

to brew coffee with hot water and to rinse toothpaste with cold. You drove on the right side of the road, at the posted speed, honoring all traffic signs and courteously deferring to other drivers, right? (Okay, there may be limits to this illustration.) But you get it. You’ve exercised wisdom and discernment in dealing with reality. These things are what they are and to try to manipulate them differently would be foolish. Yet this is precisely what led to Solomon’s frustration throughout the book of Ecclesiastes. Through all his considerable strengths, he was trying to make enduring marks on the world. But it was futile. “Meaningless! Meaningless!” he cried. “Everything is meaningless!” (1:3). Why? “No one remembers the former generations,” he wrote, “and even those yet to come will not be remembered by those who follow them” (1:11). The sands of time and the cycles of nature erased them all. But what if the brevity of our lives was not an emblem of futility but a pointer to futurity? What if it made us look further and higher for meaning? This would move us to go with the flow, to get with the program, to submit ourselves to the larger plan. In the Bible, this is called “keeping covenant,” and almost nothing matters more. The Duty of All Mankind In Ecclesiastes 12:13, Solomon writes: “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion

of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.” Fear God and keep his commandments—that’s covenant keeping, and it’s “the duty of all mankind.” But that’s a paraphrase. The word duty isn’t in the original text but the word whole is. A literal translation would be, “This is the whole of man.” This is it—the whole shooting match. There’s nothing more, nothing less. All you have to do is faithfully fit yourself into this reality. King David is a good example in this regard: “When David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep; he was buried with his ancestors and his body decayed” (Acts 13:36). That’s not the most elegant summation of a life, but it’s a valuable one. David served God in his day. Then he died. Then he decayed. Simple as that. From there it’s on to glory, which God promises all his people will share, irrespective of the fame or anonymity of their previous lives. It’s not complicated. Start Passing It On Now If we fit ourselves into the world, the fleeting nature of life will make it easier to live freely and lightly on earth. We’ll live with a sense of proportion, doing the things that matter most and leaving the rest to God and others. We’ll

seek to give more than we receive. We’ll walk in constant gratitude for this day, because future days are not guaranteed. And when we pass, we’ll pass it on. Some people lament leaving their things to others. But why not delight in it? Perhaps your daughter will take your china and remember you at holiday meals. Maybe your son will put the heirloom clock in his home, a memento to the times you spent together. A colleague, Ashley, shared how her grandmother wanted to simplify the process—and maybe enjoy the knowledge of where her stuff would go. So she gave everyone a roll of masking tape and a marker. “Just walk around the house and put your name on the

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Midlife is a time to transition from making it all about our accomplishments to making it about others. A time to pour into the people around us and celebrate their success. A time to share the wisdom of our first half by mentoring those younger in our second half.

bottom of anything you’d like to have when I’m gone,” she cheerfully quipped. Her family just stared, aghast. Nobody moved a muscle. Then an elated granddaughter took off running, determined to be the first to tape her name under the house! Somebody’s going to mark your stuff with his or her name. Be all right with that. Passing it on is about more than stuff, however. When we are no longer pursuing our own name and fame, we become free to focus on others. It’s time to finally get over ourselves. Midlife is a time to transition from making it all about our accomplishments to making it about others. A time to pour into the people around us and celebrate their success. A time to share the wisdom of our first half by mentoring those younger in our second half. Working at the Margins Part of the adventure of living for God and not yourself is that you never know what will leave a lasting mark. But God being who he is, it probably will be something unexpected. It’s often the little things done by the littler people that leave lasting marks. David Zac Niringiye is an Anglican bishop in Uganda. He said, One of the gravest threats to the North American church is the deception of power—the deception of being at the center. Those at the center tend to think, “The future belongs to us. We are the shapers of tomorrow. . . . We have a track record of success.” . . . God very often is working most powerfully far from the center. Jesus is crucified outside of Jerusalem—outside—with the very cynical sign over his head, “The King of the Jews.” Surprise—he is the King of the Jews. . . . Who are Jesus’ brothers? The weak, the hungry, the immigrant workers, the economic outcasts. . . . Who is mostly in the company of Jesus? Not bishops and pastors! The bishops and pastors are the ones who suggest he’s a lunatic! Who enjoys his company? The ordinary folk, so ordinary that their characterization is simply this: “sinners.” We serve a God who does his best work at the margins. So if you find yourself working there, slogging it out through midlife, faithfully

keeping covenant but subconsciously wondering if it really matters—it matters! It’s Never Too Late To Turn Around Human beings are role players in an epic drama. God directs, Jesus stars and we stand as townspeople in a cast of thousands. If we yearn for more stage, we’ll likely be frustrated. We’ll feel insignificant and trudge through our scenes with an uninspired performance. But God has made—and will make—everything beautiful in its time (Ecc. 3:11), including our fleeting lives and brief lines. A subplot in Jesus’ climactic scene guarantees it. One of the criminals crucified with Christ was a revolutionary against Rome. (Talk about futile work.) In many ways he typifies a wasted life, a nameless man engaged in senseless violence. But during his brief moment on stage, he said a line that goes down as one of the greatest in history: “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom” (Luke 23:42). Boom. Immortal. One moment of clarity in a life of futility, and everything changes. We sometimes note how a legacy and reputation, carefully built over many years, can be destroyed in a moment. We in midlife do very well to remember it. But do we ever consider how a legacy and reputation can be established in a moment? That’s a rare occurrence, to be sure. But it can happen. The anonymous thief on the cross proves it. His magnum opus, his great work, was asking to be remembered right in the moment when Rome was obliterating him. And so he became exhibit A that it’s never too late to turn it around. He’s the patron saint of deathbed conversions. Has anyone ever used his dying breath more wisely? And if his life counts only because of one meaningful moment, surely yours will count for many more. Believe it. Serve God’s purposes in your generation, and don’t stop now just because it’s grown a little humdrum or Taken from 40/40 Vision by Peter Greer and Greg Lafferty. Copyright (c) 2015 by Peter Greer and Greg Lafferty. Used by permission of InterVarsity Press, P.O. Box 1400, Downers Grove, IL 60515, USA. www.ivpress.com

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Lessons learned from chronic illness GEORGE PAUL WOOD

he young woman walked to the altar at the close of the worship service, knelt, and began to pray. As she did so, she experienced a vision of Jesus Christ on the Cross. In her vision, she reached up to apply the blood from Christ’s wounds to her eyes. In reality, she had taken her glasses off and thrown them across the platform. To understand what was happening at that moment and why it is important, you need to know three things: First, the young woman had worn thick glasses from an early age to correct extreme nearsightedness. Second, when she flung those glasses across the platform, she could see clearly for the first time. Third, the young woman is my Aunt Doris, whose vision God healed at Central Bible College in Springfield, Missouri, in 1951. AUNT DORIS STORIES I grew up hearing that story. It’s one of the reasons I believe God has the power to heal. And I am not alone in this belief. In its 2008 U.S. Religious Landscape Survey, the Pew Research Center reported that 79 percent of all Americans agreed with the statement, “Miracles still occur today as in ancient times.” Even 78 percent of 18–29-year-olds affirmed the reality of miracles, even

FE ATURES

though they are members of generational cohorts that are less religiously affiliated than their elders. Nor am I alone in knowing someone who has been healed. Pew reported that 36 percent of Americans say they personally have â&#x20AC;&#x153;experienced or witnessed a divine healing of an illness or injury.â&#x20AC;? In 2011, New Testament scholar Craig S. Keener published a two-volume academic study titled, Miracles. Over the course of 1,248 pages, he made biblical, historical, and philosophical arguments for the credibility of New Testament miracles. To me, the most interesting parts of his study were the 388 pages devoted to contemporary accounts of miracles, all duly footnoted! In other words, a lot of us have Aunt Doris stories. I want

more than an Aunt Doris story, however. I want a healing story of my own. MY STORY In 1990, I was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis. AS is a chronic inflammatory disease of the spine, so it’s often called spinal arthritis. I first noticed something wrong in college when my low back pain and neck stiffness didn’t go away. Since then, my posture has become stooped, my neck has fused, and I have lost considerable range of motion in the affected areas. Those developments are bad, of course, but the worst thing is the chronic pain. Pain is exhausting. I experience it daily and take prescription pain medicine to alleviate it. Most of the time it is low grade and manageable. On occasion, though, it becomes so fierce that I find relief only through high doses of prescription pain medicines and lots of sleep. My worst inflammatory episode lasted three weeks. I slept 15–16 hours a day and felt mentally foggy (due to the medication) during the few hours I was awake. I’m not alone in my unhealed state. I think of the young man who sits behind me at church, crippled by cerebral palsy from birth. And the godly woman I had known my whole life who died from a painful cancer that grew on her neck. I think of two friends paralyzed after accidents who have been wheelchair-bound for decades. My guess is that you too are aware of stories like this, stories of the unhealed. GOD’S STORY There’s a third story we need to take into account, one that makes sense of the other two. It is God’s Story. God’s Story is the story of life in all its fullness, spiritually, relationally, and physically. It is the story of life given, life lost, and life restored through Jesus Christ. We see this story in the Bible’s opening and closing chapters. The Bible begins in a garden, at the center of which is the tree of life (Genesis 2:9). This tree represents God’s intention for us, to live and not to die. Unfortunately, Adam and Eve disobeyed God (3:6). This resulted in an immediate rupture in Adam and Eve’s relationship (3:7,16) and in their relationship with God (3:10), as well as in suffering and death (3:16,17,19). In judgment of their disobedience, God banished humanity from Eden and

Between the Bible’s opening and closing chapters, we witness our good and loving God work to reverse the curse from access to the tree of life (3:24). We live under a curse (3:14,17). Between the Bible’s opening and closing chapters, however, we witness our good and loving God work to reverse the curse. This begins with the election of Abraham and his descendants to be a channel of “blessing” to “all peoples on earth” (12:3). God fulfilled His promise through the life, death, and resurrection of His Son Jesus Christ (Galatians 3:8). So, in the Bible’s final chapters, we see “the Holy City, the new Jerusalem” (Revelation 21:2). At its center is “the tree of life,” whose leaves provide “the healing of the nations” (22:2). In the new Jerusalem—the restored Garden of Eden—there is “no more death or mourning or crying or pain” (21:4). There is no more sin to separate us from God or one another (21:8). “No longer will there by any curse” (22:3). In the words of Isaac Watts’ magnificent hymn, “Joy to the World”: He comes to make His blessings flow far as the curse is found. That is God’s story. Through

FE ATURES

Jesus Christ, God’s blessing runs farther and deeper than the curse, healing us spiritually, relationally, and physically. SCENIC VIEWS OF THE KINGDOM God’s story helps us understand our own stories, whether they are stories of healing (like my Aunt Doris’) or of unhealing (like my own). How so? The answer involves Yosemite. The first time I went to Yosemite was a few months after I married my wife, Tiffany. We took the 5 North to Fresno, then cut over onto to the 41 East. My wife knew the way by heart because she had been there before, but I had to use a map and follow the signs. After you enter the park, you drive mountain roads for miles until you enter the Wawona Tunnel, which runs through one of the mountain’s spurs. When you exit that tunnel, Yosemite Valley lies before you in all its majestic beauty. To the left is El Capitan, in the middle Half Dome, to the right Bridalveil Fall. On a clear day, you can see for miles. The view from Wawona Tunnel is not always clear, however. It’s never clear at night, for example. Storms blow through the area and limit visibility. Sometimes, a dense fog settles on the valley, wrapping Yosemite in an impenetrable shroud. Healings are like the scenic view of Yosemite Valley on a clear day. In an instant, we see a vision of God’s ultimate will for us. As Jesus said of His earthly ministry, “if I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you” (Luke 11:20). A scenic view is not the valley itself, of course. Still, healing shows us our destination and inspires us to continue down the road. What about the unhealed? You’d be a fool to conclude that Yosemite Valley doesn’t exist because you can’t see it from Wawona Tunnel. Just so, healing is real even if it hasn’t happened to you yet. If night, storm, and fog obstruct your vision throughout this life, continue to consult your map and follow the road signs anyway. As Jesus said, “[B]lessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29). You will arrive the new Jerusalem, even if you can’t see it till you’re right on top of it.

FALSE TRAILS The thing about walking in the dark (or through a storm or in a fog) is that you’re especially in danger of going down a false trail. You begin think to yourself: God desires to heal me. I have not yet been healed. Since there is no lack of power on God’s side, there must be some deficiency on my side. Perhaps I do not have enough faith. Or perhaps I have unconfessed sins. Once I increase my faith or confess my sins, God will certainly heal me right away!

People who think this way find biblical proof texts for their thoughts quickly enough. Regarding deficient faith, for example, Matthew 15:38 says, “[Jesus] did not do many miracles [in Nazareth] because of their lack of faith” (emphasis added). Regarding unconfessed sin, James 5:16 says, “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed” (emphasis added). And yet, these verses do not present the whole biblical story. Take deficient faith. In Mark 9, Jesus exorcized a demon that had caused a boy to be mute and apparently epileptic. Interestingly, the boy apparently expressed no faith in Jesus at all. (How could he? He was possessed.) Rather, it was the father who expressed faith, and his faith was mixed. “I do believe,” he exclaimed; “help me overcome my unbelief ” (verse 24).

Or again, take immorality. In John 9, Jesus healed “a man blind from birth” (verse 1). His disciples misperceived the cause of his blindness, asking, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” (verse 2). Jesus’ answer? “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him” (verse 3). In other words, sin had nothing to do with this man’s sickness…at all. The path to the new Jerusalem requires us to trust and obey God, who made the path, so it’s always a good time to grow in faith or confess your sins. If you’ve asked God in prayer to heal you, don’t stop. Ever! But faith and confession don’t automatically produce healing. “Lack of faith” and “unconfessed sins,” then, are false trails, and it’s best to avoid them. A LONG, HARD SLOG Sometimes, you see, the journey God has laid out for us is just a long, hard slog. Paul wrote something in Romans 5:3,4 that is both counterintuitive and instructive: “we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” This remark is counterintuitive because we don’t naturally glory in our sufferings. It’s instructive, however, because it shows the road from suffering to hope. Paul was talking about the sufferings believers experience as a result of following Christ in a spiritually hostile world. But what he says applies as well to suffering more generally. Everyone suffers something to some degree for some reason at some time and place in their lives. The important issue, then, is not whether we suffer but how. Does our suffering break us or

"Is He enough for me, or am I looking for something more than Him? If I have Him, I have healing, whether in this age or in the age to come.” make us? Does it cause us to turn back on the journey, or does it strengthen us for the road ahead? The answers to that question are not automatic. Suffering breaks some and makes others. Because of suffering, some backslide while others move forward spiritually. The crucial difference is the response each makes to Christ in the moment of suffering. In 2 Corinthians 12, Paul shared the high-low moment of his life. High: he experienced “visions and revelations” (verse 1). Low: he experienced “a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan” (verse 7). He pleaded with the Lord to remove the thorn three times, but received only this reply: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (verse 9). The Lord’s response to Paul requires all of us—perhaps especially those of us who are chronically ill or disabled—to look deep inside ourselves and ask whether God’s grace is enough for us. Is He enough for me, or am I looking for something more than Him? If I have Him, I have healing, whether in this age or in the age to come. If I don’t have Him, having health, wealth, and success are worthless. “What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?” (Mark 8:36). “ONLY STAND AND WAIT” In his mid-forties, the English poet John Milton began to lose his vision. If you’re a reader, writer or editor, you know what a devastating loss that is. Sonnet 19 was written during this period and concluded with these words: ..thousands at His bidding speed, And post o’er land and ocean without rest; They also serve who only stand and wait.” The word wait here has a twofold sense: patience, as in waiting for something to happen; and service, as in waiting on a table. Milton, I think, intended both senses. I certainly feel them. I know God will heal me; I’m just waiting on Him to do so. As I do so, I remember that even in pain, if nothing else, I can be of service to God and others in prayer, a listening ear, and encouragement. And that fills me with hope. Today, if you’re suffering from illness or disability, will you stand and wait with me?

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Building the Bridge U.S. Missionaries Simon and Anjana Gounder reach immigrants and refugees through intentional friendships IAN RICHARDSON

n estimated 4 million Asian Indians in the United States currently profess to be Hindu or Sikh. As this number continues to grow, Assemblies of God U.S. Missionary Simon Gounder sees the changing cultural landscape as an opportunity. Gounder and his wife, Anjana, are the founders of Global Asian Indian Ministries (AIM), a nonprofit U.S. Missions organization that reaches out to Asian Indian immigrants and refugees coming to the United States. Missionary associates at Global AIM’s seven centers (six in California and one in Wisconsin) help Asian Indians with a variety of practical needs, such as filling out immigration paperwork, finding jobs and learning English. Meeting these needs opens doors for sharing the gospel in relational ways. “Our goal is to build a relationship with them and build a bridge so that they can trust us,” Gounder says. “We want to be friends with them. And when the opportunity comes, we present the gospel.” Over the years, Gounder and his missionary associates have seen hundreds of Hindus, Sikhs and Muslims come to Christ. They have also made inroads in several of America’s Asian Indian communities by meeting people at religious festivals and building relationships with Sikh and Hindu priests. “With a Hindu, you cannot just meet with them once or bring them to church once and say, ‘Oh, they are saved now,’” Gounder says. 54

“With Indians, it takes time.” Gounder says that when Asian Indians come to Christ, they become the best missionaries the United States can send back to India. “They know the language; they know the culture,” says Gounder, a native of the Fiji Islands . “When they go back, they can go and reach out to their families.” Gounder, a former Hindu, accepted Christ at age 16 after attending a youth meeting with a friend and hearing the gospel message. He eventually became a pastor and led an AG church in the Fiji Islands. In 2002, he moved to the U.S. and planted a church in Artesia, California, an area known as Little India for its large Indian population. In 2004, the Assemblies of God commissioned the Gounders as the first home missionaries to the Asian Indians. The Gounders pioneered Global AIM in 2010 and remain the only AG U.S. missionaries with this area of focus. Global AIM recently launched its own English as a second language curriculum. Gounder also works with churches to teach them how to reach local Asian Indians and build relational bridges in their own communities. MAKE IT COUNT Learn more about Global AIM’s ministries and how to support them at globalaimusa.com.

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Not a Dress Rehearsal Missionary Brenda J. Lillie uses theater to show Christ to the Dutch community ANA PIERCE

ital: How did you wind up living in the Netherlands? Brenda: One day, a missionary came to the church where I was an administrator and creative arts pastor. Before she shared her story, she put out a call to serve. She said, “The Lord gave me a vision of a theater company to reach the lost in the Netherlands.” She went on, “The only problem is, I don’t know anything about theater, so I need someone to come alongside me and help begin this new ministry.” I held a degree in theater production and a deep desire to serve the Lord, so, as you can imagine, this was my Esther moment — for such a time as this. We met for five hours. At the end of the five hours, I said, “So, what do you think?” She replied, “I think you should come.” A year later, I was on the field, and we began the work with StageLife Theatre. Tell us the basics. How do you reach out to your mission field? We take fables, fairy tales and coming-ofage stories and infuse them with the gospel. For instance, our version of “Beauty and the Beast” is about sacrificial love, based on 1 Corinthians 13. We then go to whatever church will open their doors to us and perform for the community. Traditional Dutch music is a genre known as levenslied, meaning “song of life.” The Dutch love life. They do not live to work — they work to live — and most find their joy outside of the jobs they do, in family time and hobbies. That is where we meet them.

What is a unique feature of the Dutch community? The Netherlands is one of the most secular countries in Western Europe, with fewer than 5.6 percent visiting religious services regularly (meaning once or more per month) in 2010. Religion is generally considered a personal matter in the Netherlands, and it is not supposed to be propagated in public. How has your theater ministry opened doors to connect with locals in the Netherlands? First, it has given the creative people in the Kingdom a place to serve the Lord, using the gifts and abilities He gave them. Secondly, people won’t come to church for church anymore in the Netherlands, but they will go just about anywhere to see a show or concert. So we use our craft to connect people to the body of Christ in the Netherlands. Eighty-five percent of our audiences have never even been in the church before. Eighty-five percent! Using theater, we are able to build a spiritual bridge to the community. 55

M U LT I P L I E R

Pure Hollywood

How a star of the upcoming “God’s Not Dead II” infuses culture with Christianity

ANA PIERCE

ave you gone to a movie recently? Each year, millions of Americans do. According to the Motion Picture Association of America, this industry comprises 108,000 businesses in all 50 states. Regardless of our interest level, films affect our lives. We see their trailers on TV; we hear our coworkers discussing them over lunch. In an industry that employs and entertains so many, the opportunity to do good is great. David A.R. White uses his influence as an actor to spread the message of hope to a worldwide audience. “I had a dream early on to go into the entertainment industry,” White says. “I’d be sitting on a tractor with wheat all around me, and I just could not shake this dream.” White took a big jump to make his vision a reality. “I moved to Los Angeles at 19 without knowing anyone,” he says, “and I was blessed to land a recurring role on ‘Evening Shade’ with Burt Reynolds for three years. Around that time, I was cast as a lead in a Rich Christiano movie called ‘Second Glance.’ Rich really introduced me to the then-underground Christian film industry. I had a passion to produce and be more involved with this type of work and to use my gifts and talents to further the industry.” White’s mission is influencing culture by telling compelling stories that can have a positive effect

on people. “Presenting powerful plot and character models that illustrate godly choices, decisions and solutions, even in the face of criticism, oppression and, yes, even persecution, gives hope and guidance to those looking for the answers,” White says. “We live in a sight and sound generation,” White says. “In fact, according to recent research [the 2015 Movieguide entertainment industry report], an average 17-yearold teenager will experience approximately 65,000 hours of media, compared to about 800 hours of church teaching! It’s no wonder when they leave home and church and go to college, the tsunami of peer pressure sweeps so many away from walking in their faith. So it is important to use this powerful tool to share the hope of Jesus Christ.” White’s passion for media with a purpose led him to cofound Pure Flix in 2006. Today, Pure Flix is the leading studio for faith-based films, producing and distributing more content in this genre than any other production house. White has starred in almost 20 feature-length films, many of which he also produced. When he’s not on location for a shoot, White lives in Los Angeles with his wife,

Andrea, and three children. He has experienced firsthand the problem that many of us face with our families: hundreds of channels, yet nothing to watch. This common dilemma inspired White to create a solution. Pure Flix adopted a subscription-based service, offering wholesome entertainment families can enjoy together. Featuring faith-based films and family movies, the Pure Flix subscription service aims to deliver God-honoring content to the home. As a production house, the Pure Flix company’s greatest impact to date has been “God’s Not Dead,” based on the Rice Broocks book by the same title. Released in 2014, “God’s Not Dead” became the number one independent film of the year. White appeared in the film as Rev. Dave, a pastor who explains the still, small voice of the Holy Spirit to college student Josh Wheaton. White is reprising this role for “God’s Not Dead II,” set to release April 1. “It was fun to come back with some of the cast and crew from the first one,” White says. “I especially enjoy the scenes with Ben Onyango (Rev. Jude) and myself; there’s a lot of humor to be enjoyed in those scenes.” As for White’s future in the entertainment industry, he looks forward to acting in and producing a variety of films — so long as they’re pure. “I’m excited as the genre is wide open,” White says. “First and foremost, I want to encourage people to know our Savior. Then, I’d like to tell stories with compelling, organic characters that we can identify with, and, ultimately, those characters motivate us to be more Christlike. Whether that’s through the genre of comedy, action, thriller or drama — well, I’d like to be part of all of them.”

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TEACHING

VITAL VOICES

each issue of Vital, we ask some thought leaders, ministers and creatives throughout the Church the questions you may want to ask, if you could take them out to coffee. From small talk to big ideas, here’s what they had to say.

Joy Qualls

Kent Ingle

Herbert Cooper

Christine Caine

Associate Professor, Biola University

President, Southeastern University

Pastor, People’s Church @herbertcooper

Founder, The A21 Campaign

What is your favorite story from the Bible?

What’s the one most important thing you’ve learned since beginning your career?

On perseverance:

On power:

“People love power, prestige, prominence and promotion but don’t always like the process. Embrace the process.”

“Everyone is always talking about who has the most power, but let me tell you who’s got the most power… The most potent force on planet earth always was and always will be the blood of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. It sets us free, gives us life and is the answer to every question. It’s the blood of Jesus, and because of the blood of Jesus you have power!”

Exodus 3. Even as a small child, the power of the narrative of the burning bush has impacted me. That God would show himself and speak directly to Moses is a moment that still gives me chills. In naming himself to Moses, God speaks with a power that shows his greatness and all encompassing nature.

It’s hard to highlight just one significant lesson. However, the main thing that I’ve learned as a leader is the power of recognizing that the potential of an organization is directly tied to the potential of its people. They make or break the new curves of growth in every organization. Success comes when leaders unleash that potential in the people. That’s what makes organizations thrive.

“The process is what prepares you for the promise.”

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STRESSED-OUT Why we worry, and what to do about it KRISTEN KANSIEWICZ

pril is National Stress Awareness Month, and studies suggest we’re more frazzled than ever. According to the American Institute of Stress, 44 percent of Americans are more stressed than they were five years ago. Meanwhile, productivity demands at work are about 60 percent higher, leading many Americans to work more hours for less pay. No wonder 75 percent of trips to the doctor involve stress-related symptoms. As Christians, we are not immune to life’s pressures. Family conflict, financial strain and job-related stress affect us just as they do our non-believing neighbors. But as followers of Christ, we can process stress differently, and we can use tools from the Bible to help us manage and decrease it. Taking Control Trying to control things that are beyond control raises stress levels. For example, financial strain leads to a lot of worries that don’t necessarily help us obtain more money.

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“We cannot expect to live abundant, fulfilled lives if we look like every other person around us. The freedom Christ offers comes from following His example, not the world’s.”

Of course, the Bible tells us to avoid this type of worry (Matthew 6:25–34). Yet we do it time and again because feeling powerless is scary. Who wouldn’t want to feel completely in control? When things go well, we often attribute this to our own decisions and efforts. We feel in control in these good times. Then, when stress comes, we blame ourselves and seek to regain control. God offers freedom from this cycle of worry simply by being all we cannot be: sovereign, all-powerful and all-knowing. When we seek to maintain control, we are really trying to put ourselves in God’s place and usurp His throne. Psalm 46:10 reminds us to be still and know that he is God. Remembering who God is, and surrendering our efforts at being our own gods, reduces stress. In this relinquishing, we can connect with the peace of Christ in the midst of a stress-filled lifestyle. The Serenity Prayer presents a healthy perspective on this process: “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.” Satisfying the Flesh Romans 7 and Galatians 5 describe the struggle between the flesh and

the Spirit. We do what we don’t want to do, and we don’t do the things we hope to do. We give in to sinful desires that directly oppose the Spirit of God. These inner battles create a lot of stress in our daily lives as we fight a raging internal war. Sin gratifies short-term desires that may help lower stress temporarily. Self-centered living only seems to bring relief. But in the long run, harmful decisions increase overall stress levels as we try to manage the negative consequences of our behavior. In Galatians 5:16, God tells us that if we walk by the Spirit, we will not gratify the desires of the flesh. The Spirit helps us avoid short-term, selfsoothing measures that harm us. He leads us to effective stress reducers, like prayer, Scripture meditation and worship. Daily quiet time with God is not just a good spiritual discipline; it can also help us physically relax and de-stress. Adopting the World’s Values American culture values things like material possessions, busy schedules, positions of power and prestige. Yet 1 Thessalonians 4:11 tells us to lead a quiet life, minding our own business and working with our hands. That’s certainly not a description of the stressed, American life. We cannot expect to live abundant, fulfilled lives if we look like every other person around us. The freedom Christ offers comes from following His example, not the world’s. Christian living does involve hardship, sacrifice and suffering. But while this may sound stressful, the Bible assures us that God provides all we need to navigate the journey successfully and joyfully (John 15:11; 16:33; 2 Peter 1:3). In fact, God will do far beyond what we can ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20). We can release worldly pursuits, knowing that God has something better. We live in a stress-filled world, but Jesus can help us overcome worry. What are your biggest stressors? What do you do to try to ease your stress temporarily? In what ways are you trying to take control, satisfy your flesh or adopt the world’s values? A Mayo Clinic study shows that an active spiritual life, positive thinking, limit setting and strong relationships help reduce stress. Challenge yourself to spend time in prayer every day. Connect with your friends and church community. And align your outlook with God’s big-picture view.

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LIVING GENEROUSLY It’s about more than money KENT INGLE

he word “generosity” has a basic meaning in today’s world. For many, it means giving your money to a good cause, a charity or your church. There’s nothing wrong with this. In fact, I wish more people gave finances to support good causes. However, our scope of generosity needs to grow in terms of what and how we give. In Acts 20:35, Paul commands the leaders of Ephesus, “keep remembering that our Master said, ‘You’re far happier giving than getting’” (The Message). But is generosity simply the act of giving money? Or should it be a lifestyle of generosity? And if it is a lifestyle, what does it mean for Christians today? Many of us intentionally think in terms of what will produce the next season of growth and development in our organizations, churches and lives. What about growing in our generosity? If we never change our level or scope of generosity, we’re limiting the power of God in our lives. We must purposefully grow in generosity. I’m not saying that we aimlessly throw away resources. However, we should intentionally strive to live generously and impact our community What does this intention point toward? Simply put, generosity points to God’s love. Living generously is the outward action of investing in someone else’s life. With every generous action you take, you are an extension of God’s blessings. In Matthew 10:42, Jesus says, “Give a cool cup of water to someone who is thirsty … The smallest act of giving or receiving makes you a true apprentice. You won’t lose out on a thing” (The Message). God’s blessings shouldn’t just flow to us. He wants them to flow through us. What does that look like, and how do we shape our scope of generosity? Here’s what I’ve discovered. It’s more than tithing. There are multiple ways to live generously. Giving financially is not a bad example of generosity; it’s just a familiar one. We need to understand that living generously also means being available to others. Time is an overlooked

resource, and in today’s world, we can waste it. With entertainment and other distractions, many people find it difficult to respond to needs. We constantly focus on where else we should be or what task we should be doing next. However, a generous person can see the benefit of investing his or her time in someone else right now. God wants us to be fully aware of what is in front of us right now. Learn to live for God in the moment. Be generous with your time and with the people who make up your surroundings presently. If we’re constantly rushing out, switching directions and not focusing, we’re missing the point. Being generous with your time is the first step in cultivating a lifestyle of generosity. It’s about listening and sharing with others. Another way to live a generous lifestyle is through open communication. As we experience life with God, we gain insight and wisdom, and we should pass on those lessons. If we keep to ourselves what God teaches, it won’t benefit anyone else. By sharing what we learn, we can help others realize their God-given potential. Take the time to talk and listen to those around you. Listening is a vital part of living generously. And it requires you to be intentional about your presence of mind and emotions. It lets people know they are your priority at that very moment. When we generously listen, we gain opportunities for generously sharing. It’s about empowering others. Empowering others is one of the most powerful ways to live a generous life. This is the essence of generosity. It’s more than just one single action of giving generously; it is a lifestyle of lifting up those around you. It is a life committed to helping others achieve success by maximizing their potential. We do this by generously sharing knowledge with people. A common adage says, “Give a man a fish and he’ll eat for a day. Teach a man to fish and he’ll eat for the rest of his life.” In other words, trade the checkbook for the textbook. Be concerned about how you can invest knowledge in those around you. Financial giving will definitely empower people for a time, but giving them life advice and knowledge will empower them for a lifetime. It’s about opportunity. In addition to empowering people with the knowledge for success, we must give them the opportunity to achieve that success. Growth and development often come through opportunity. Without the chance to practice and exercise fresh insight, it becomes just head knowledge. Open doors

If we never change our level or scope of generosity, we’re limiting the power of God in our lives. for people to practice, to stretch their new muscles and to make mistakes. Without the opportunity for trial and error, there can be no success. So be generous with opportunity. We can often trace the success of one generation to the investment of the previous one. The essence of generosity is giving of yourself, not because you can see any particular result, but because it is the call of every Christian. In John 15:13, Jesus says, “This is the very best way to love. Put your life on the line for your friends” (The Message). Putting your life on the line sometimes means sacrificing time, hopes, dreams and comfort. It means putting away fear and taking up courage. Generosity is a lifestyle choice rather than just one action at a time. And when we choose to lead and live life from a place of generosity, we empower and encourage others to live in the same way. Our actions become generous when we give beyond expectations. As Christians, we give because we recognize that God provides our time, money and authority, and we understand that using them to empower others is His will. In Luke 21, a widow generously gives her last two cents. She could have withheld it if she had thought to herself, This is all I have — I don’t have enough to be generous. Instead, she gave the little she had, and Jesus recognized her generosity. She understood that her life was not her own and her money was not her own. She gave above and beyond the expected, and, as a result, her example provides a remarkable picture of true generosity. Living generously is living optimistically and intentionally, but it is never living hopelessly. Be a part of God’s plan to surprise the world with an unexpected measure of love. Find ways to give above and beyond your time and wisdom. Learn to listen and speak in ways that continue to empower others and provide them with opportunities. Cultivate a lifestyle of generosity.

Kent Ingle is the president of Southeastern University in Lakeland, Florida. He is the author of This Adventure Called Life (Influence Resources) and 9 Disciplines of Enduring Leadership (Salubris Resources). Learn more at kentingle.com

TEACHING

IS AMBITION A VIRTUE? What Moses’ journey reveals about complacency and contentment JOHN GRECO

was my first day on the job, but I was less than excited. It wasn’t exactly a new job. This Monday morning marked my return to a former employer. And though I was thankful for the work, I was disappointed when my boss explained that a management position was no longer available. The only work he had for me required a significant demotion. It was humiliating. Over the next few months, I struggled, watching coworkers I had once supervised enjoying

senior leadership roles in the company while I was back in an entry-level position. All at once, I felt guilty for wanting more — after all, God had provided a job in a tough economy. I imagine those first few weeks and months as a shepherd among the Midianites were difficult for Moses. He had grown up in Pharaoh’s household and received an education that was arguably the finest at that time. His position, prestige and personal connections should have opened up every possible door of opportunity. Yet, at age 40, Moses was chasing sheep in the hot sun. But over the years, Moses learned about more than sheep. He discovered the peace that comes with a life of stability. Part complacency, part contentment, Moses seems settled in his routine when he encounters the God of his ancestors in a burning bush. Though he is given a commission that exceeds anything Pharaoh himself could offer, Moses resists. He has come to terms with his life as a humble shepherd. He is not looking for any kind of advancement — certainly not to be the deliverer of God’s people. Contrast this attitude to the one we find in Moses during his early years. Back then, he was ready to be the hero: One day, after Moses had grown up, he went out to where his own people were and watched them at their hard labor. He saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his own people. Looking this way and that and seeing no one, he killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand (Exodus 2:11,12). The younger Moses had ambition. He had no problem seeing himself as the deliverer of

In our world, it seems ambition has won out over contentment. We value those who rise to the top [and] find career success... the Hebrews. When he saw trouble, he sprang into action, without regard to the consequences. And it cost him everything. In our world, it seems ambition has won out over contentment. We value those who rise to the top, who find career success and the power, position and prosperity that come with such achievement. Even in the Church, we often struggle with James’ admonition to refrain from showing favoritism (James 2:1). We often admire and give special honor to wealthy or famous Christians. In our better moments, we choose thankfulness, remembering Paul’s statement in 1 Timothy 6:6 that “godliness with contentment is great gain.” We see the reflection of Christ in those who resist the temptation to get ahead by any means possible. And we discover that there is beauty in the simple life, and there is shalom when strivings cease. Looking at Moses’ story, we can draw some powerful conclusions about the dangers of blind ambition and the virtues of contentment. Moses pays a dear price for his pride when he must flee the only home he’s known. But in Midian, living with Jethro and his family, Moses finds a certain level of tranquility in simplicity and routine. This period of Moses’ life helps prepare him for hearing God’s voice.

However, humility should never close the door to the big things God wants to do. At the burning bush, Moses repeatedly suggested that God had picked the wrong man to be the leader of His people. Clearly, Moses still had some growing to do. As a young man in Egypt, he had taken matters into his own hands — and they became stained with blood. And here at the burning bush in Midian, his rough shepherding hands were also unyielding, even if now they were stained with sweat and soil. But now, it seems God is taking Moses deeper, to a place where success goes beyond achievement and happiness means more than satisfaction with the simple joys of life. In effect, God is asking Moses to let go — to open his hands in submission to Him. This paradigm shift is evident later in the Exodus story, when Moses is back at the same mountain — Mount Sinai — this time with the nation of Israel. The people forge a golden calf to worship, kindling God’s wrath. He tells Moses He will destroy the nation and build a new one through him. Moses intercedes, and God relents. And it is apparent that something has changed in Moses. The Lord said to Moses, “Leave this place, you and the people you brought up out of Egypt, and go up to the land I promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, saying, ‘I will give it to your descendants.’ I will send an angel before you and drive out the Canaanites, Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. Go up to the land flowing with milk and honey. But I will not go with you, because you are a stiff-necked people and I might destroy you on the way” (Exodus 33:1–3; emphasis added). Did you catch that? God will no longer accompany them to the Promised Land. He plans to send an angel to guide them instead. This gesture is an act of love. Since holiness can have no part with sin, there is a very real danger that God will consume the people along the way. Moses’ response to God is striking, however: “If your presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here” (verse 15). God had just promised Moses success, but Moses is no longer satisfied with mere victory. He has learned that, apart from God, ambition is meaningless, no matter how fruitful it may be. At the same time, without the Lord, there can be no true contentment, and Moses is willing to forego security for the joy of walking with God — something he was hesitant to do at the burning bush. Looking back on my demotion, I can see God’s hand at work. Fewer responsibilities gave me more time to pursue Bible study, and I attended seminary classes that wouldn’t have fit into my schedule in a management position. At the time, I failed to recognize the incredible opportunity God provided because all I could see was the loss of position. But as a follower of Christ, position is never really the point. Intimacy with God is worth more than any good thing we can find in this world. Once we come to know the Lord, there’s nothing left to strive for apart from Him — and we’ll never be content settling for anything less. John Greco is a writer and editor for an international Christian ministry in Atlanta, where he lives with his wife Laurin and son Jonah. He is the author of Manger King: Meditations on Christmas and the Gospel of Hope and Broken Vows: Divorce and the Goodness of God.

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Welcome to the My Healthy Church store section. We curate an exclusive collection of Spirit-empowered resources, simplifying the search for your next book, album or curriculum. Check out what’s inside and see the difference My Healthy Church can make.

Tru Fire Digital Curriculum From Preschool to Middle School, the Tru Fire digital curriculum equips teachers with engaging, Holy Spirit focused lessons that help students connect with God and respond to Him. Tru Fire ensures a Spirit-empowered focus intentionally designed to create environments where the Holy Spirit is free to move, teach, and lead. It empowers family ministry by providing resources that encourage the beginning of discipleship in the home. Tru Fire is a digital curriculum that helps simplify your preparation and presentation each week. Featuring Fire Bible integration, which connects the power notes and descriptions with student take-home resources.

My Healthy Church For pricing, visit MyHealthyChurch. com/TruFire Tru Fire Blessings Item #358203 Tru Fire Wonder Item #358204 Tru Fire Story Item #358205 Tru Fire Identity Item #358206

40 Days of Decrease

Limitless

40 Days of Decrease emphasizes a type of fast other than food. What if you or your church fasted comparison? What if your family fasted accumulation? What if your office fasted gossip? 40 Days of Decrease guides readers through a study of Jesus’ uncommon and uncomfortable call to abandon the world’s illusions, embrace His kingdom’s reality, and journey cross-ward and beyond. Each daily, 1000-word entry will include a devotional based on Jesus’ crossward life; a reflection question to guide journaling or group discussion; a fast to inspire a tangible response; a thought-provoking Lenten quote; and a sidebar into the historical development of Lent.

When the focus of the Christian life is on performance, we live by comparison, fear, and pride. When we focus on God’s grace, His amazing love destroys our fears. In Limitless, Ben Dailey reminds you that despite the cataclysmic disruption caused by sin, God has never given up on you. You don’t need to earn His love through duty or by proving yourself. Learn to believe that His grace and love truly are limitless.

Thomas Nelson ISBN: 9780718076603 $14.99

Salubris Resources ISBN: 978-1680671124 $14.99

The Beginner’s Guide to Fasting

The Ultimate Guide to the Daniel Fast

The Christ Volume 4

Since Old Testament times God’s people have engaged in the practice of fasting: going without food for a predetermined length of time to accomplish a spiritual purpose. Fasting can be done for any number of reasons, including to know God better, to wait on God for an answer to prayer, to listen to God, and more. Serving as a complete introduction, The Beginner’s Guide to Fasting shares with readers the myriad benefits of this valuable spiritual discipline.

This is an inspiring resource for Christians who want to pursue a more intimate relationship with God through the 21-day commitment to prayer and fasting known as the Daniel Fast. The book explains the Daniel Fast in easy-tounderstand language, provides 21 thoughtprovoking devotionals and shares more than 100 tasty, easy-to-make recipes that follow fasting guidelines. Learn to structure the fast so you can spend less time thinking about what to eat and more time focusing on God.

The innocent baby that came into the world with divine announcement has become a man who is confronted by the ultimate evil. Proving himself to be everything the celestial messengers said He would be, He begins His appointed mission. Who is this man and where does His power come from?

Gospel Light ISBN: 978-0830733880 $12.99

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English: Kingstone Media ISBN: 9781613280843 $3.99 Spanish: Salubris Resources ISBN: 9781629120034 $3.99

Harper Collins ISBN: 978-0310331179 $16.99

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Buck Denver asks... What’s in the Bible? Vol. 10 Peter He was just a simple fisherman until the man they call the Messiah changed his name —and his life.This artfully crafted story follows the life of Simon Peter through both highs and lows: dramatic times of belief and doubt, of freedom and slavery. In the end, how will he become the “rock” of the church that Christ said he would?

English: Kingstone Media ISBN: 9781613281451 $3.99 Spanish: Salubris Resources ISBN: 9781680679625 $3.99

Join Buck Denver and his friends on a journey through the whole Bible in this exciting and compelling new DVD series. In his first new project since VeggieTales, Phil Vischer sets out to teach kids the story of the Bible—God’s great rescue plan! We all know the stories of Moses, Noah, David, and Jesus, but in this fun blast of powerful teaching, kids will see how these stories fit together to tell one big, redemptive story.

Creative Trust Media ISBN: 858100003090 $14.99

Spiritually Strong Spiritually Strong is a six-week program designed to help you get in better shape spiritually and physically. This book teaches you how to train yourself in godliness through the implementation of six disciplines: Bible study, prayer, fasting, healthy living, financial stewardship, and serving others. As you learn to submit to God in each of these areas of your life, you’ll discover the joy that accompanies self-discipline.

Harper Collins ISBN: 978-0310339090 $15.99

WINDOWS INTO THE BIBLE

CULTURAL & HISTORICAL INSIGHTS FROM THE BIBLE FOR MODERN READERS

MARC TURNAGE F O R E W O R D BY G R E G S U R R AT T C O F O U N D E R & P R E S I D E N T O F T H E A S S O C I AT I O N O F R E L AT E D C H U R C H E S A N D B E S T S E L L I N G AU T H O R O F I RRR E VVR E N D

Windows into the Bible

Catch the Wind of the Spirit

What if you could enter into the world of the Bible? Imagine how much better you could apply its teachings to your life if you gained a clearer understanding of what it all means.

Never has the cry for renewal and revitalization in the church been so desperate. As the church tries to understand and adjust to the massive societal shifts that are occurring all around us, individual Christians are searching for more meaning in their spiritual lives. Catch the Wind of the Spirit tackles this time of uncertainty and unrest head-on, satisfying your spiritual hunger with a deep look at God’s Spirit. Ultimately, you will find yourself drawn closer to the Lord.

With Marc Turnage’s new book, Windows Into the Bible, you can do just that! Explore the Bible through four facets, or windows—spatial, historical, cultural, and spiritual—and get ready to reenter your own world with a greater knowledge of what the Bible means for your life today.

Logion Press ISBN: 978-1-60731-418-9 $19.99

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Vital Resources ISBN: 978-1-68066-038-8 $14.99

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Spread the Fire In Spread the Fire, Scott Wilson and John Bates invite you to a new level of modeling Spirit-filled living. It’s likely that you’re already aware of vital topics like forgiveness, integrity, and reaching the lost, but sharing about the baptism in the Holy Spirit must also be woven into your life. Through Spread the Fire, you will ignite the flame by sharing testimonies of tongues, signs and wonders, prophecy, and other divine moves of God.

Gospel Publishing House ISBN: 978-1-60731-412-7 $14.99

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MAKE IT COUNT Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t just read. Connect. Grow. Serve. Go. Worship. A pattern for discipleship, inspired by Acts 2:42-47

Follow along with Vital over the next few pages to find big thoughts and next steps related to this issue.

MAKE IT COUNT

CONNECT “W

omen Are Leaving the Church— Now What?” by Stephanie L. Nance is an eyeopening account of how the community of unchurched women is growing. But why? Nance investigates the situation, discovering that many women feel underutilized and unsupported. Without the emotional support they both

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seek and need, women are withdrawing, choosing not to engage or fill roles of responsibility within the church. According to Nance, the solution is twofold. As a Christian community, we must learn to be a place of support and comfort, as well as recognize the responsibilities of women outside of the church — reminding them that they play a role in advancing God’s kingdom in all areas of their lives, not just in the chapel.

Nance challenges us to see our relationship with God not just as a category of life, but the foundation. How does this change the way you view your life and faith?

How does this article affect your connection with the women in your life? How can you be a source of emotional support and encouragement to your wife, sister, friend or mother?

The Church is charged with the task of raising up women of courageous faith. What role can you play in raising up the women around you to see their potential and encounter Christ?

MAKE IT COUNT

GROW In

“Midlife Clarity,” an excerpt from 40/40 Vision by Peter Greer and Greg Lafferty, we are graciously reminded that living a whole life is simple: We are meant to fear God and keep His commandments. As we approach our forties and look ahead to the unpredictable future, questions

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of life’s purpose and thoughts of futility can begin to crowd our mental space. Greer and Lafferty show us how a moment of clarity can change our perspective. Our latter years are an opportunity to focus on others, pass on the wisdom we gained from our former years, embrace life and keep covenant. Because while this life is short, we will truly live for eternity.

In what ways does Greer and Lafferty’s article challenge your perspective on life and its meaning?

Scripture tells us that our lives have purpose and God has a plan for us (Jer. 29:11). Do you believe this applies to you? Spend some time in prayer seeking God’s heart for you and asking him how you can participate in his plans and purpose.

Regardless of your age or situation, what can you do to start passing on your time, your wisdom and your love?

MAKE IT COUNT

SERVE “P

ure Hollywood,” by Ana Pierce, introduces the inspiring life and service of producer and actor David A.R. White. Popularly known for his role in “God’s Not Dead,” White is also the cofounder of a studio, producing some of the leading faith-based movies in the industry. His mission stems from the realization that our generation

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will experience many more hours of media than biblical teaching. He serves through the art of storytelling, influencing and encouraging this generation with positive, uplifting entertainment. While we may not all be called to Hollywood, White is an example of how we can positively impact the culture within our own areas of influence.

What part of White’s story do you find inspiring or encouraging?

What are some simple ways you can be a positive influence to those around you?

Our ministry extends beyond the four walls of the church, regardless of where we work and make money. How will that understanding impact the way you approach your job, your family and those you serve?

MAKE IT COUNT

GO I

s the Church a safe place for those seeking asylum? In “Safe and Sound,” Donna Washburn reveals the scary truth about child abuse and how the Church desperately needs to learn how to recognize and respond to it. Statistics tell us that nearly 700,000 cases of child abuse or neglect will be verified this year, although many

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believe there are more cases that go unnoticed and unreported. How can we, as a Body, make greater strides toward protecting children from this horrible reality? Washburn shares that we need to learn how to recognize abuse, seek wisdom and discernment from the Holy Spirit and create a safe, judgment-free place for victims to find healing.

Washburn’s information is a call to action for the Church. How can you participate in helping your congregation be a place of refuge and healing for the abused?

In Matthew 25:34-46, Christ reminds us that when we take care of “the least of these,” it is equal to taking care of Him. What opportunities do you have today to live out this part of His commandment to love others?

Spend some time in prayer asking God for greater discernment in this area. What is He revealing to you about serving the helpless and abused?

MAKE IT COUNT

WORSHIP W

e are all familiar with the reality and importance of money in our lives. In “The Positive Side of Tax Season” Kregg Hood offers a fresh and insightful perspective toward finances and taxes to help us approach this season with a positive outlook. Scripture shows us that paying taxes is honorable, even if our leader does not

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follow God. If we approach our finances with the biblical principles of honor and honesty, then tax season won’t seem so burdensome. Hood offers a few of his own tips for navigating this season: plan ahead, consider the positive things our taxes are helping to fund, learn how to use deductions when you file and consider taxes part of your journey toward financial health.

What tips from Hood most impacted you?

Do you see money management as a burden? What changes can you make now in order to prevent the next tax season from feeling as difficult?

Perhaps taxes are not an area of struggle for you. What are some other ways you can worship the Lord with your finances?

ONE MORE THING

Shepherding A Small Flock 80

According to the Hartford Institute, nearly 60 percent of churches have less than 100 people in weekly worship attendance — but as we know, small congregations can have a big impact. As Christ says in Matthew 18:20, “For where two or three gather in my name, there I am with them.”

Grow closer to Jesus together. Do you want to take charge of your faith and your family? In The Power of Home 90-Day Devotional, Ted and Amy Cunningham will help you develop a spiritually healthy family now and in the future.

Available in Spanish

Pair with The Power of Home to explore how to encourage every family memberâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s participation in spiritual growth.

Visit MyHealthyChurch.com to download a free sample!

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