0718 July-August FINAL

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T H O U G H T F U L FA I T H . D E V O T E D L I V I N G .
COMPASSION
THINK ON THINGS ABOVE
Between Mothers and Daughters

Meditations From the Sermons
DA I LY D EVOT I O NA LS
by Becky Stanley Brodersen

Photo by Charles F. Stanley
Heartened Toward Hope

Torres Del Paine, Chile
Contents
An Anchor of the Soul
of Charles F. Stanley
O N T H E C OV E R
SPECIAL FEATURE
A WO RD F RO M
B I B L E ST U DY
D R . STA N L EY
As we face the joys and struggles of each day, it’s crucial to keep our mind centered on God’s
5 - 34
IN TOUCH
A Willing Servant
S POT L I G H T
45
37
16
Word for direction. Dr. Stanley encourages us to bring God’s promises and faithfulness to our minds
3
daily. Our new In Touch Art Prints provide visual reminders of His presence as we journey
through daily life. Beautifully designed and crafted, these scriptural art pieces bring to mind the
magnitude of the God we serve, who loves and guides us through all seasons.
3/4/15 10:10 AM
SET OF THREE: FREE ADDITIONAL SET OF THREE: $9 USD

(Frames not included. Each print measures 5"x7". One free set per person while supplies last.)
J U LY / A U G U S T 2 0 1 8
C O M P A S S I O N
INTOUCH.ORG
1-800-980-0020 | INTOUCH.ORG/ART
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NEW
REAL CONVERSATIONS WITH GOD

THE CHARLES F. STANLEY LIFE PRINCIPLES JOURNAL
God often speaks to us through His Word in our quiet times, yet the insight He
gives can be easily lost in the busyness of life. This journal guides you through the
practice of journaling to help you remember more of what He reveals to you.
FEATURES
• Beautiful artwork of Dr. Charles Stanley’s 30 Life Principles
• Blank pages for reflection and writing
• Prayer Requests section with room for God’s answers
• Scripture guide of God’s Promises for You
• Scripture verses that correspond to each Life Principle
• Reflection questions that serve as
conversation starters between you and God
1-800-980-0020 | INTOUCH.ORG/JOURNAL
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From the Publisher 07
18
07
18 Features
IF THERE’S ONE PLACE

WHERE A LOVING
COMMUNITY SHOULD
BE THE NORM, IT’S THE
LOCAL CHURCH.
and sisters toward holiness, meet

each other’s needs, and work side
by side in ministry (Rom. 12:9-13).
It’s in this context that we’re most
likely to find lifelong friends.
Do you have such a friend—a
person with whom you feel safe
sharing hopes and inner strug-
gles? I don’t mean a casual
acquaintance but someone who
challenges you to walk closely 40 H AV E
MERCY
with Christ and grow spiritually. The world isn’t as it ought to be, and
We all need a few people like that won’t change until Christ comes
this for our emotional and spir-
Sustaining Friendship
again. Yet it’s possible to experience a
itual health, but we also need to little bit of heaven here and now.
befriend those who don’t know by Mike Cosper
Christ. Perhaps His love flowing
through us could draw someone
ONE OF GOD’S FINEST GIFTS
to us is friendship, but it’s a gift we
young, all the neighbors knew
each other and took time to stop
to our Savior and deepen the
connection we already share 48 DIFFERENT
TOGETHER
at times find elusive or difficult to and chat, but now we’re too busy with him or her. I pray that the
COVER, ILLUSTRATION BY R. FRESSON; THIS PAGE, ILLUSTRATION BY ELENI DEBO

Race is a fraught topic, one many
sustain. Perhaps there’s nobody and preoccupied. We may have articles in this magazine will
54
people would rather not discuss. We
in your life whom you consider a dozens of online “friends” but no help you take steps toward those asked two pastors to have an honest
kindred spirit. Or maybe you’re one we could call a close friend. kinds of relationships, and that conversation about the church’s role
feeling isolated and lonely even Yet God wants more for you rela- you will be uplifted by the Savior in reconciliation.
in the company of others. These tionally than this—He wants you as you learn to love the way He by Matt Woodley and Michael Wright
days fewer and fewer people live to make deep connections. loves you.
near family or as members of a If there’s one place where a
community. The result is that we
seem to be drawing farther away
loving community should be the
norm, it’s the local church. Our
Prayerfully yours,
Charles F. Stanley
60 THE MEASURE
OF LOVE
The Ministry
from one another—both physi- common bond in Christ provides
PHOTOGRAPH BY COREY LACK
cally and emotionally.

Have you noticed that despite
a deep camaraderie—what the
Bible calls fellowship, which we
We’re called to a life of service and
sacrifice, but it’s toxic to our spiritual
lives—and our communities—to think
of Lament
all the ways to connect via social might better understand as com- of other people as projects. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the world’s
media, our relationships haven’t munion with one another. In the by Michelle Van Loon brokenness, but giving voice to suffering helps us
really improved? When I was church, we encourage brothers connect authentically with God. by D. L. Mayfield
T H O U G H T F U L FA I T H . D E V O T E D L I V I N G . 02 03 INTOUCH.ORG

Departments Contributors
09
07 07
18 18
12
ASKING QUESTIONS
OF OUR RELIGIOUS
TRADITIONS DOESN’T
CHANGE THE NATURE
9 FA I T H | WO R K S
OF GOD, BUT IT DOES
Without Condemnation 9
CHANGE US. WE NEED Mike Cosper (“Have Mercy,” p. 40), the founder of D. L. Mayfield (“The Ministry of Lament,” p. 54)
by Lynn D. Morrissey DEEP-THINKING, Harbor Media, is a writer, speaker, and podcaster writes from Portland, Oregon, where she lives with
14 CURIOUS CHRISTIANS. living in Louisville, Kentucky. His latest book is Faith her husband and two small children. She is the
Let Us Reason Together 12
by Kimberly Coyle Among the Faithless: Learning From Esther How to author of Assimilate or Go Home: Notes from a Failed
Live in a World Gone Mad. Missionary on Rediscovering Faith.
1 Question, 4 Answers 14
Dangerous Places 16
by Jamie A. Hughes
In the Dim 19
A Lyric Essay by John VandenOever
Invisible Teachers 20
by Daniel Darling
Say It, Show It: A Conversation

With Paul Borthwick
by Jamie A. Hughes
22
16 Michelle Van Loon (“The Measure of Love,” p. 60) Matt Woodley (“Different Together,” p. 48),
24 THE PULPIT is a writer, speaker, and communications consultant Missions Pastor at Church of the Resurrection in
24
who lives in northeastern Illinois. Her latest book Wheaton, Illinois, is the editor of preachingtoday.
The Undivided Self 24
is Born to Wander: Recovering the Value of Our com and the author of several books, including
by Charles F. Stanley
Pilgrim Identity. The Gospel of Matthew: God with Us.
Viewfinder 28 Michael Wright is the pastor of True Freedom
Cornerstone in Oak Park, Illinois.
31 MARGIN NOTES
A Story of Reckless Love 31

by Winn Collier ➝ Joshua Ryan Butler (“God of the Outsider,” p. 35) is the author of The Pursuing God: A Reckless, Irrational, Obsessed Love
That’s Dying to Bring Us Home. He serves as pastor of Redemption Church in Tempe, Arizona. ➝ Winn Collier (“A Story of
66
Chapter & Verse 35 Reckless Love,” p. 31) is an author, columnist, and the pastor of All Souls, a church in Charlottesville, Virginia. His most recent book
is Love Big, Be Well: Letters to a Small-Town Church. ➝ Kimberly Coyle (“Let Us Reason Together,” p. 12) is a freelancer writer
31
God of the Outsider
by Joshua Ryan Butler living in New Jersey with her husband and three children. Her work can be found at The High Calling, Circles of Faith, and
(in)courage. ➝ Daniel Darling (“Invisible Teachers,” p. 20), Vice President for Communications at the Ethics and Religious
A Closer Look 38 Liberty Commission, is the author of several books, including The Original Jesus: Trading the Myths We Create for the Savior Who Is.
➝ Jamie A. Hughes (“Dangerous Places,” p. 16 and “Say It, Show It,” p. 22) is the Managing Editor of In Touch Magazine. Her
ILLUSTRATIONS BY JEFF GREGORY
Love on Its Knees work has been published in Christianity Today, Ink & Letters, and HuffPost. ➝ Joseph E. Miller (“Pillars of the Faith,” p. 66) is
by Charles F. Stanley the Senior Editor of Content Resources for In Touch Ministries. ➝ Lynn D. Morrissey (“Without Condemnation,” p. 9) is a writer,
speaker, and journal facilitator living in St. Louis, Missouri. She is the author of Love Letters to God: Deeper Intimacy Through Written
Prayer. ➝ John VandenOever (“In the Dim,” p. 19) is the Director of Content Resources for In Touch Ministries.
66 IN FOCUS
Pillars of the Faith 66 Contributing Illustrators ➝ Jonathan Bartlett, Adam Cruft, Eleni Debo, Dan Forster, R. Fresson,
by Joseph E. Miller Peter Greenwood, Jeff Gregory, John Hendrix, MLC, David Milan, Muti, Daniël Roozendaal
Contributing Photographers ➝ Gary S. Chapman, Ryan Hayslip, Matt Kalinowski, Charles F. Stanley

07
18 Digital Edition
intou c h.o rg/j u l 2018
In Touch Magazine
WE CAN END UP
DOING MORE DAMAGE
THAN GOOD WHEN WE
PRESIDENT/PUBLISHER Charles F. Stanley APPROACH SERVICE
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER C. Phillip Bowen HAPHAZARDLY. SINCE
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF MARKETING
AND COMMUNICATIONS
Tom Sabonis-Chafee IT’S LIKELY WE’VE
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Cameron Lawrence
ALL BEEN ON THE
MANAGING EDITOR Jamie A. Hughes RECEIVING END OF
DIGITAL EDITOR Aline Mello THOUGHTLESS GIFTS,
SENIOR COPY EDITOR Sandy Feit WHY DO WE KEEP
ASSISTANT EDITOR Dallas Hazelrig REPEATING THAT MIS- FEATURE
EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Kayla Yerden TAKE WHEN IT COMES How to Read the Bible With Curiosity
CREATIVE DIRECTION & DESIGN Metaleap Creative TO SERVING OTHERS? For Bible study writer Amy Hayes, mystery in Scripture is an
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF MARKETING Allison A. Smith —Aline Mello, from invitation to explore. Join her for some guidance on how to enter
“Close Enough to Serve” more fully into God’s Word.
DIRECTOR OF PRINT PURCHASING David Blahnik
EXCERPT Race Matters

Funeral for a City MATT WOODLEY is learning that the
When tragedy strikes, we have an unhealthy tendency to ignore the pain.

hard work of reconciliation begins
Well-meaning friends can offer superficial platitudes, like “Cheer up, with one simple act: telling each
In Touch Magazine®, July/August 2018, Vol. 4 No. 4 © 2018; all rights reserved. No unsolicited manuscripts accepted. Printed in the USA.
God’s on the throne!” While the desire is to help, such words can hurt. other our stories.
In Touch Ministries® Inc., P.O. Box 7900, Atlanta, GA 30357, 1-800-980-0020; In Touch Ministries of Canada, Box 4900, Markham,
Ontario L3R 6G9, 1-800-323-3747 (when dialing in Canada); In Touch Ministries of New Zealand, P.O. Box 35525, Browns Bay, Auckland Lamentations says there’s a danger in stuffing our emotions or trying to
0753, 0800 44 68 68. All prices are in U.S. dollars unless otherwise noted. In Touch Magazine is neither responsible nor liable for any part of move on too quickly. It’s right and appropriate to reckon honestly with Mother to Mother
the production or distribution of international editions, whether translated or in English, unless the edition has been licensed and authorized
the explosions in our lives. Jennie Hundley’s ministry to
by the governing staff of the domestic In Touch Magazine. Scripture quotations, unless otherwise notated or quoted from a secondary source,
are from the New American Standard Bible, 1995 update, © Lockman Foundation, 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1994, And to grieve. adoptive and birth mothers isn’t just
1995. Quotations marked “NIV” are from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used Lament doesn’t imply a lack of faith. For Jeremiah, it is because God a way to help shape other women’s
by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. For subscription services, call 1-800-980-0020, or email partnerrelations@intouch.org is on the throne that he is able to cry out so transparently. He doesn’t
(intouch@intouch.org.nz in New Zealand). Please include name and address. ISSN 2379-4801 (Print) ISSN 2379-4828 (Online)
stories—it’s an extension of her
need to paper over the feelings God already knows are there. When we own. Read SANDY FEIT ’s profile.
come before the Great Physician, we don’t need to put bandages over
the mortal wounds we carry—that would be ridiculous! Instead, your LISTEN
best move is to open your deepest hurt and confusion before Him.
Believing God is on the throne gives you freedom to lament the
In the Dim
brokenness of our sin-scarred earth. Hear JOHN VANDENOEVER read his
lyric essay from this issue (p. 19) at
STOCKSY
 Joshua Ryan Butler

intouch.org/inthedim.

Dive Deeper. Soar Higher. 07
18 Faith | Works
Imagine spending your personal devotional time growing in faith with a
wise and godly friend. The Charles F. Stanley Life Principles Bible was
written to guide you into a deeper, life-changing relationship with
Jesus Christ. Based on Dr. Stanley’s 30 Life Principles, this study Bible
is filled with special features and helpful resources designed to provide
powerful insight into God’s Word.
Starting at $39 usd
I was stunned. Though Pas-

tor Mike knew my story, which
I’d shared with people over the
Without Condemnation years in private settings, I’d
never imagined telling it to our
I knew God had forgiven me for my abortion, but could my fellow Christians? entire congregation. The pros-
pect paralyzed me. Like Adam
BY LYNN D. MORRISSEY PHOTOGRAPH BY RYAN HAYSLIP and Eve, who’d sinned and sewn
fig leaves together to cover their
nakedness, I scrambled to stitch
my own flimsy camouflage. I
made excuses: Three days were
COMBING THROUGH the 40 million emails that had accumulated not enough time for thoughtful
in my inbox overnight, I gasped when I read one from my pastor: prayer. Mike’s four-minute testi-
“Lynn, would you be willing to give a four-minute testimony during mony request was cavalier. How
our worship service, about how God healed you after your abortion?” could I convey such Continued on pg 10
1-800-980-0020 | INTOUCH.ORG/BIBLES
09 INTOUCH.ORG
ITM-124_08_FaithWorks_FINAL2.indd 8-9 5/18/18 10:10 AM

FA I T H | W O R K S
deep grief and deeper healing in Oh, God! Your grace is fluid, complete release, the weight- After the last person spoke
a Sunday morning sound bite? flowing, flooding, unleashed, lessness in my chest, the peace to me, I saw the woman who’d
And how could I share about my unlimited, unmeasured, opening up in my heart like a unknowingly called me a mur-
past sin in a holy worship ser- undeserved—a gift bestowed fluttering of wings. deress, standing at a distance. I
vice, especially with men and
children present?
I hid my sin because without merit, without cost
to me, free. It is a ceiling-
After the worship service,
many men, women, and teens
saw her hiding behind her own
fig leaf of remorse. I walked
As a new Christian in my early
20s, I’d had an abortion. I was
many people I knew hated less sky, a relentless riot of
rain, a shoreless, bottomless
stepped up to offer love, thanks,
encouragement, and tears. One
over to her, arms outstretched.
She leaned forward, press-
young, confused, petrified of abortion and failed to ocean, there for the taking woman held me close, whisper- ing her face into my shoulder.
childbirth, and overwhelmed by
the thought of raising a child. I show a shred of compassion, by the teaspoonful, cupful,
bucketful, basinful, what-
ing in my ear, “I understand your
pain personally. Please, may we
“I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry. I’m
so sorry,” her words a sweet
felt trapped. Immediately after
the procedure had taken place, I love, or grace. ever amount for whatever
need. And, with the taking,
talk later?” Several others did the
same. Then an elderly man said
refrain. “I just didn’t under-
stand,” she said. “Can you ever
was relieved, with no real aware- no diminishing supply— in quavering voice, “I’ve never forgive me?”
ness of my sin or empathy for my unending, unfathomable. told anyone, but my mother had Author Max Lucado said of
child. I’d bought the abortionist’s an abortion out of desperation God, “We hide. He seeks. We
“blob of tissue” lie. For almost 20 years, I’ve during the Depression, because bring sin. He brings a sacrifice.
Over the years, however, my sandbagged the flow of Your my parents couldn’t feed another We try fig leaves. He brings the
decision haunted me. As God grace and lay dying in the child. She regretted her decision robe of righteousness.” That day
convicted me through Scripture When I finished reading, each shame suddenly overtaking me sand—parched and shriv- for the rest of her life, and so did I saw fig leaves falling down at the
and others’ testimonies, I real- participant came forward and again at the thought of speak- eled like snakeskin, thick- we. I long to see my sibling in foot of the cross and hearts lifted
ized the grave sin I’d committed cradled me in tenderness and ing to our congregation? Then tongued, cotton-eyed, unable heaven.” Another man admitted, up to the throne of God. Wor-
and grieved my child’s death. love. Their actions reminded me it came to me: Six months ear- to see or speak or receive “I never knew until recently that shippers who’d had abortions
Though I confessed my guilt of our loving Lord, who showed lier I’d had a talk with an older forgiveness, unable to walk the reason my mother divorced and those who had judged them,
and begged God’s forgiveness, heartfelt compassion to the woman at church. Not knowing to the water to plunge my fes- my father and landed in a psych all were draped in the righteous
I couldn’t receive it because of woman caught in the shame of my past, she asked, “Lynn, how tering heart into Your ocean’s ward was because she’d had two robes of Christ’s grace, compas-
the alienation my shame caused. adultery. Rather than hurling can women murder their own depths. I’m Bethesda Pool’s abortions. He couldn’t help her sion, and love—garments He had
For 18 years I would agonize— stones her way, He confronted children? They are the coldest, paralytic—immobile—wait- because she could never forgive purchased with His blood, robes
unable to feel God’s forgiveness the judgmental hypocrisy of her most callous creatures imag- ing for You to stir the waters, herself. I wish she could have that had expunged their shame
and unable to absolve myself. accusers, and they left in shame inable. They are detestable.” I lift me up, and put me in to heard your story.” and mine. 
I absorbed the harsh condem- and silence. But Jesus remained. stayed silent. baptize my wound in the sea
nation Christians spewed at Just as God had covered Adam As I prayed now whether to of Your grace, to bury my sin
women like me without ever and Eve’s nakedness with gar- share my testimony, God spoke. in the depths of the ocean.
understanding our desperation ments made from the skin of sac- He impressed upon me these With Your help, I would be
or knowing our stories. I hid
my sin because many people I
rificial animals, Jesus—the One
who would someday sacrifice His
thoughts: Fix your eyes on Jesus.
He endured the cross and scorned
satisfied now to swallow even
the tiniest raindrop of grace. Fix your eyes on Jesus.
knew hated abortion and failed
to show a shred of compassion,
life for the adulteress’s—draped
her in His robe of righteousness
its shame and pardoned yours.
Tell your story. Share His grace.
I’m dying of thirst for Your
love, thirst for Your pardon.
He endured the cross and
love, or grace.
But God knew how much
and declared, “I do not condemn
you, either. Go. From now on sin
I said yes to God and to Pastor
Mike, telling my story on a sunny Your love flows freely. I’m
scorned its shame and
I needed such kindness and
bestowed it at a secular journ-
no more” (John 8:11).
Jesus hadn’t condemned me,
Sunday morning. And I hid noth-
ing—my sin, His forgiveness;
ready to receive the forgive-
ness You gave me when You
pardoned yours. Tell your
aling retreat. As I responded to nor had these retreat partici- my shame, His atonement; my opened wide Your arms on story. Share His grace.
a writing prompt about a deep pants. I hoped I would receive self-condemnation, His Self- Calvary’s cross, when You
emotional injury that had never such a caring response if Chris- giving grace. Oh, how I shared died for my sin of abortion.
healed, God used my pen to lance tians heard my story, so I His grace through joyful tears
that festering wound. Writing began telling it to small groups as I read the prayer I had written When I finished reading my
allowed me to give voice to my of women. Not one stone was in my journal on the day Christ prayer, just as I had so many
anguish for the first time. thrown. So why was this hideous set me free from abortion’s guilt: ye a rs a go , I ex p e r i e n c e d

made his messages accessible

for the average congregant, but
FAITH IS MEANT TO BE open-minded, well-reasoned
individuals who enter into a
it was clear his knowledge sur- MULLED OVER, WRESTLED conversation with our faith. We
passed that of many pastors I’d WITH, AND THOUGHTFULLY need to hold nuance in one hand
previously heard.
One of the first sermons we
EXAMINED. TRUE FAITH and moral absolutes in the other,
asking how they balance. To
listened to John preach made CAN STAND UP TO study the Word of God through
a lasting impression on us INTELLECTUAL RIGOR. the lens of history, church tra-
and helped me settle into the dition, communities of color,
weekly rhythm of expanding theologians, and nonbelievers
and stretching both my critical can lead us to a greater under-
reasoning and my convictions. standing of the true source.
In the sermon, he said that being After listening to voices within
a Christian does not require you the church, I expanded to areas
to “check your brain at the door,” beyond the Christian experi-
but, rather, faith is meant to be between doubt and belief. When ence. I looked to scientists, doc-
mulled over, wrestled with, and I realized they had something tors, and artists and asked what I
thoughtfully examined. True to teach me about faithfulness could learn about God from their
faith can stand up to intellectual by virtue of their faithful lives, work. We understand the Bible
rigor. While I had not engaged in it helped me begin to embrace better when we study how others
anything of the sort until then, other voices too—those who interact with it—even those who
John gave me a glimpse of what were marginalized, those who don’t believe exactly as we do.
my faith could look like. came from different traditions, This practice of “examin[ing]
His sermon was an invitation and those new to faith. In my everything carefully” and
to use all parts of me, includ- friends, I saw an example of “hold[ing] fast to that which is
ing my intellect, as a means of how to still one’s heart and lis- good” (1 Thess. 5:21) has helped
worshipping and knowing God. ten without an agenda or instant me realize when I’m being sold a
It was an invitation to explo- rebuttal—how to take questions version of Christianity that has
ration, critical thinking, and a to Scripture and to God in prayer. nothing to do with Christ. Asking
faith based on more than gen- One of the challenges of questions of our religious tradi-
eralizations and good feelings. becoming a Christian as a child is tions doesn’t change the nature
I began examining my beliefs by that we can become stuck in the of God, but it does change us.
more levelheaded of us, deter- listening to voices of those who developmental phase and partic- Given today’s political and social
mined our most immediate need, disagreed with me, beginning ularities of the church culture in climate, we need deep-thinking,
beyond proximity to scones and with my church small group, which we came to know Christ. curious Christians—people who
Let Us Reason Together a pot of Earl Grey, was a church.
Shortly after our arrival, we
who gave me the immediate
opportunity to put this into
We often adopt the tenets of our
parents or our denomination
are well studied, imaginative,
and intuitive.
Why we must do the hard work of testing our faith
visited a local congregation and practice. with little wrestling—which Approaching faith in a more
immediately felt as if we’d come For the first time in my life, is good and right when we are robust way has done more than
BY KIMBERLY COYLE ILLUSTRATION BY PETER GREENWOOD
home. The worship stirred us, I found myself surrounded by childlike in our reasoning. We simply increase my empathy
and the people, unlike the Brit- believers who practiced their memorize Scripture and learn and compassion; it has removed
ish weather, were warm and faith differently than I prac- the stories, but many of us carry the fear that my faith will col-
welcoming. However, I had the ticed mine. They welcomed this no further. Allowing a pas- lapse under scrutiny. When I
immediate impression I was in non-Christians into intimate tor or teacher to do our thinking approach the church door, I do
WHEN MY HUSBAND and I learned he was being transferred to over my head with the preaching. faith experiences, held mini- for us, we sit as if empty vessels so with every part of me. I’m no
central London for his job, we felt overwhelmed with the prospect Our pastor, John, who had been services in pubs, and prayed for waiting to be filled with knowl- longer an empty vessel waiting
of choosing a home in the right location. Being in my 20s and an educated at both St. Andrew’s strangers. Some of them had edge on a Sunday morning. to be filled, but rather a person
Anglophile of ridiculous proportions, I was interested in the beauty and Ridley Hall in Cambridge, divorced, some were in recovery, Christians need to become who enters into glorious mys-
of the surrounding villages, tea shops, and museums. Michael, the taught with a fierce intellect. He and some were walking a fine line questioners, lifelong learners, tery with hope. 

HOW TO BUILD AN UNMOVABLE FOUNDATION FOR YOUR LIFE.
ONE QUESTION, FOUR ANSWERS River City Community Church and author of The storms of adversity are a part of life. It’s not a question of if they’ll
White Awake: An Honest Look at What come, but when. When you’re blindsided, are you sure your anchor
It Means to Be White will hold fast? In Standing Strong, Dr. Stanley identifies the most
foundational truths about God and His Word, and reminds us that our
THE OPIOID CRISIS IN AMERICA is a troubling
essential beliefs about life issues will make all the difference. When
pro-life issue nobody’s talking about. If we
care about unborn babies and seeing lives our convictions are based on the rock-solid foundation of God’s
saved, we must also care for children enduring promises, we can stand strong with unwavering confidence
affected by drugs. Likewise, increasing no matter the circumstances.
numbers of kids have entered foster care
because they’ve suffered abuse at the hands
$19 usd
of their parents, many of whom are dealing
with addiction. So if we’re going to say we’re
pro-adoption and pro-foster care but are
not dealing with some of the underlying
issues, we’re missing an opportunity. Drug
addiction affects our communities. Every-
one can tell you a story about families that
have been ripped apart because of it, so if
we want to uphold human dignity, we can’t
neglect this issue. It affects our broken
world in more ways than we realize.
WHAT IS ONE ISSUE YOU WISH THE CHURCH —Phillip Bethancourt, Executive V.P. of the
Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission and
WOULD ADDRESS DIFFERENTLY? Assistant Professor of Christian Theology at
The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
I WISH THE CHURCH would address mental GENESIS 1 TELLS US we are created in the very I DON’T LIKE BEING CRITICAL of the church,
illness differently. By conflating neuro- likeness and image of God. The social con- because there are many congregations out
chemical issues with spiritual ones, the struct of race, however, was engineered to there that are hitting on all cylinders. How-
church harms people. Those with bipolar communicate a very different agenda: that ever, I think all believers need to do a bet-
disorder desperately need a mood stabilizer human value is determined by where a per- ter job of engaging with Scripture. William
but have been told they’ll get better if only son falls on the racial hierarchy. Certain Lane, the man who discipled me, talked
they will pray more, have more faith, and races in our nation have been deemed bet- about the disciplined use of the imagina-
read their Bible more often. That is spiritual ter than others, allowing evils such as slav- tion. What he meant was that we should do
abuse at worst and spiritual malpractice at ery and white supremacy to thrive. The our homework and understand the cul-
best. Of course, everyone is well served by racial narrative that some humans are more tures, history, geography, and languages
praying more and being in the Word. But we worthy than others is wrong, but it is more used in the Bible. But we need to use that
wouldn’t tell a cancer patient to do those than that: It is a mockery of God. knowledge in a way that empowers people
things alone in order to be cured. We should Despite constantly being reminded of to engage with Scripture on their own. We
likewise stop doing so to people with serious our history of racial brokenness, Christians try to cross all the T’s and dot all the I’s
mental illness. It’s dangerous and harmful. nonetheless hear their churches classify ourselves rather than trust the power of
These precious suffering individuals need racial issues as “social” issues that take a God’s Word to do the work. Jesus is a very
ILLUSTRATION BY DAN FORSTER
the love and wisdom of Christ manifested backseat to the core work of proclaiming compelling person, and if we do our best
to them. The time has come. We can and the gospel. I wish the church would call out to present who He really is, people are
must do better. the sin of racial injustice with clear convic- going to respond.
—Kelly M. Rosati, CEO of KMR Consulting tion, pointing us to the Christ, whose pur- —Michael Card, award-winning
and former V.P., Advocacy for Children for pose was to create one new humanity. singer-songwriter and author of John:
Focus on the Family —Daniel Hill, Founding and Senior Pastor of The Gospel of Wisdom
1-800-980-0020 | INTOUCH.ORG/STANDINGSTRONG
T H O U G H T F U L FA I T H . D E V O T E D L I V I N G . 14

is common and turnover high). page, and the marker in my hand

They include a family history as became as malicious and dan-
well as reports and evaluations gerous as a Pharisee’s stone.
Dangerous Places by law enforcement officials and
medical experts. All the details
(See John 8:1-11.)
Every story has to have an
are filed away in tidy columns antagonist—a villain, the person
I thought all the spiritual mineﬁelds were outside of me. I was wrong.
and checklists, and the clinical on whom blame rests—and in
BY JAMIE A. HUGHES ILLUSTRATION BY JOHN HENDRIX
nature of such documents has the tale I was weaving, the boys’ My anger crystallized
a way of sanitizing things, mak-
ing it easy to overlook phrases
birth mom fit the role perfectly.
What kind of woman could into a spear, and I aimed
like “suspected drug abuse” and
“chronic homelessness.” But
neglect her child’s medical needs
like this? I would ask myself. it directly at her heart,
RAISING ADOPTED CHILDREN
can sometimes feel like walking
the sacred task of helping them
process their loss and come to
each phrase is explosive, and the
shock waves continue to ripple
Who could continue making
such awful choices, knowing
this woman I did not know.
across a minefield. The sun may terms with what they suffered outwards—even into the lives
be shining and the grass verdant, at the hands of those previously of people who become a part of
but beneath the surface there charged with their care, people their story after the fact. That is
are hazards beyond number. they love and miss despite many certainly true for me.
Seemingly mundane things—a grievous failures. Our sons’ dossier is ripped
certain brand of candy, a famil- We knew a challenge like this and crinkled in various places
iar place, a song on the radio— was coming weeks before they where I read something that
can trigger memories in our moved in, the first time we read compelled my hands into fists.
boys, and these recollections their adoption dossier, in fact. It I’ve read certain sentences
must be safely “detonated” was, to say the least, spiritually aloud, hoping for some reason
through conversation and active and emotionally taxing. Dos-
listening. There is no skirting siers contain the notes of every
these dangerous places; the case manager who has over- on my self-righteous radar.
hurt only grows worse through seen a child’s care (often sev- And then came “The Day.”
avoidance. As parents, we have eral individuals, since burnout My older child’s left hearing
aid was broken, and I had no idea
where to get it fixed. My younger
safety and structure. The sheer son had had a particularly rough
amount of work before us was day at school, causing the prin-
staggering, and though I’m not cipal to call me in for a confer-
proud to admit it, my anger ence. Our case manager had
turned to wrath. I wanted to dropped in for a visit and stayed
she was hurting her kids? Over ride into the story like an Ama- so long waiting for me to fill out
the next few months, my anger zon warrior from Themyscira, the paperwork I’d forgotten that
crystallized into a spear, and I decked out in gleaming armor, I was late getting dinner on the
aimed it directly at her heart, sword drawn and eyes blazing. table. We were all tired, hungry,
this woman I did not know. This kind of failure, this sin, and at the end of our rope. In one
When the boys arrived, they required justice, and I was more day, the well-oiled machine that
that they would become less came with a colorful assortment than willing to dole it out. Christ’s was our life exploded, sending
awful in the hearing. They of challenges and developmen- admonition—“Do not judge so parts flying in all directions and
rarely did. And the dismay tal delays, some of which were that you will not be judged. For filling the house with smoke.
didn’t fade after multiple read- unavoidable challenges of biol- in the way you judge, you will be I lost it. I screamed, slammed
ings, either. I even highlighted ogy. But far more were caused judged; and by your standard of things, railed, and shut myself
passages, transforming them by poor medical care, sporadic measure, it will be measured to away in a closet to sob.
into kaleidoscopic scars on the school attendance, and a lack of you” (Matt. 7:1-2)—was nowhere Even with all the Continued on pg 18

LYRIC ESSAY
IN THE DIM by John VandenOever
resources I have—an education,
employment, reliable transpor-
tation, a house in a good neigh-
borhood, food on the table,
medical insurance, friends to
T
lend a hand—it is still challenging
to care for our boys. How had she HE MOON HANGS LOW as the sun sleeps, my teen-
managed it for a few months, let
alone years? I wondered, wiping age son due at work in 10 minutes. But the engine
my nose with a shirtsleeve. Sure,
my family had been poor when I was holding my sons’ doesn’t sound when I turn the key, only a patch-
I was growing up, but I’d had a
birth mother accountable work of lights on the instrument panel. I crank again
mother and father who loved one
into another failure. So we ferry our things to my
another, a stable home life, and a
safety net. for not being me, for not
wife’s car, and drive away as the cost of repair settles on me.
When my husband and I were
first married and struggling to making the choices I’d been When we arrive where my son works, he opens his door and
make ends meet, my grand-
mother told me, “Baby, we won’t
taught were right. the December air bites—just as I was warming up. “Lord, help
let you get in a mess. If I have to
scrape the bottom of the bar- me,” I say, as my son walks past. The world in hibernation as
rel, I’ll split it with you.” It had
always been that way. When I bullet along quiet roads. God, look at me, I think, a doubt-
trouble came knocking, my fam-
ily went to the front door to
ing fool, acting as though You hibernate, too. So I pray, “Help
answer it together. That kind of my unbelief” and troll the downtown streets, squinting at the
certitude has a way of shaping
a person. It undoubtedly gave dim parking lots. An odd little spot behind the Marriott with
me a different perspective and had.’” Nick heeds this wise coun- a wall, a flimsy paper privacy
helped me to make decisions sel, but until I got knocked in the screen between me and the fact a self-service box and an early-bird rate. Then a mistake—a
with the long game in mind. My
boys’ birth mother had few or
dirt, metaphorically speaking,
I’d forgotten it. So much of my
that, with a few changes to our
respective situations, she and I
man I think is the lot attendant. “Help me,” he says, just out of
none of those advantages. Sure, highbrow morality wasn’t the weren’t so different. And with jail and homeless, in need of only nine dollars. A simple story,
she’d made poor choices—I’m product of amazing virtue or that realization, my anger evap-
not trying to excuse her by any Christian character, but divine orated, and it became impossible and yet I don’t understand. From his back pocket he unfolds an
means—but ignorance and des- providence. I was holding my for me to hate her any longer.
peration, rather than malice, sons’ birth mother accountable Am I still exasperated at official-looking document, but I’m not reading, only consider-
accounted for many of them.
In the opening lines of The
for not being me, for not mak-
ing the choices I’d been taught
times? Certainly. Is she the
source of my frustration? Often,
ing the words, Give to everyone who asks. And since I’m asking,
Great Gatsby, narrator Nick were right. But how could she without a doubt. But I’ve crossed seeking, knocking, trying to believe, I retrieve my
Carraway says, “In my younger have known without someone to the battle line to stand with her,
and more vulnerable years my guide her, to help her get ready this woman I may never meet but wallet and he takes the cash. Where the money
father gave me some advice that for adulthood the way my par- who gave me two of the greatest
I’ve been turning over in my ents had done for me? joys of my life. We’re still walk- will go, who knows, but in the dark morning I
mind ever since. ‘Whenever you
feel like criticizing any one,’ he
As I sat in a dark closet in a
puddle of self-pity, an even more
ing that minefield, but we’re
making progress. And thankfully
AU DIO
Listen to the writer
think about my lack and this man who lacks more.
told me, ‘just remember that all surprising truth finally dawned a bomb in my heart—perhaps read his lyric essay So before he goes, I put my hand on his shoulder. I
the people in this world haven’t on me. My anger had really been one of many—has been disarmed at intouch.org/
had the advantages that you’ve some pathetic attempt to erect for good.  inthedim. bow and say, “Lord, help us both.”

the catechisms developed by the His providence, birthed us into

Reformers and subsequent tradi- unique families and communities.
INSTEAD OF FAITH to better embed themselves in
our lives. We need newer and
tions. But catechism can refer to But there is also a way in which SHAPING OUR WORLDVIEW, deeper rhythms of prayer and
anything that smacks of formal the rituals and habits that form OUR WORLDVIEW OFTEN meditation. We need better
training. It’s what we are doing our hearts can be harmful—a
when we teach the Bible to our way in which the fallenness of our
SHAPES OUR FAITH. questions to help us participate
in the Spirit’s renewal of our
children, take them to Sunday influences shapes our thinking souls. We might ask: What does
school, or enroll them in Awana and behavior. this Bible passage say about the
or other methodical Christian Perhaps this happens most way I see the world? What are
instruction. It’s what we are acutely in how we are tempted to how formative this is? That potential blind spots, shaped by
doing when we encourage them idolize, rather than respect, our every hour we are being shaped my culture and tribe that this
to establish a quiet time of prayer heritage and use it as a kind of by reports of current events and scripture might expose? What
and Bible study. secular creed. An unhealthy nos- immediately begin sequester- friendships can I cultivate to
As adults, we (hopefully) con- talgia can overcome us, making ing ourselves into tribes based help me gain a more expansive
tinue to seek formation through us long for eras and days much on how we see and hear that view of the world?
weekly sermons, small groups, rosier in hindsight than in real- information? Of course, these are not ques-
Bible studies, online courses, ity. For Christians, this in many This catechesis is happening tions to ask ourselves just once.
books, and podcasts. And we ways goes against how God to Christians who regularly go to Realize there is a daily fight for
are also catechized in other less forms His followers into a new church and who likely consider our souls and our minds: The
visible, but no less formative, family with a new creed. themselves constant students of pull of digital distraction and the
ways. James K. A. Smith refers Or sometimes it’s not mis- the Word. We don’t even realize strong temptation to be yanked
to this as a “secular liturgy”—the placed nostalgia but the comfort that the daily reading, process- away from the gospel toward
rhythms, habits, and relation- of our tribal preferences—ways ing, and commenting on the news tribalism will never fully go
ships that subconsciously form of thinking and believing that is, in and of itself, a kind of reli- away until Jesus returns.
us: what we consume, where we might be antithetical to how gious exercise. This is why there But this is the life of a Christian
live, how we’re brought up. For God seeks to form us through can be such a striking disconnect in the world. We are sojourn-
example, I was born a plumber’s His Spirit. Adopted and learned between what we say we believe ers and strangers in a strange
son in Chicago, which means habits subconsciously work on Sunday and what we confess land. We will always be tempted
my personality and view of the against our Christian sanctifica- on Facebook on Monday. This to accommodate ourselves to
world were formed by the cul- tion. Perhaps this is most obvi- is why, instead of faith shaping earthly movements. But sojourn-
ture of the Midwest (not overtly ous in the way we process the our worldview, our worldview ers and strangers should be a lit-
Invisible Teachers friendly, but loyal and nice). As a
result, I admire blue-collar work
daily news, especially in this era
where content is so deregulated
often shapes our faith. The lit-
urgy of cable news or Twitter is
tle uncomfortable in any earthly
movement. Wherever you land
and have a Midwest vibe, even and ubiquitous. We’ve always more powerful than the broken on the political and social spec-
The forces that shape—and reshape—our faith though I now live in the South. been influenced by prominent rhythms of our religious life. trum, you should not feel at
Or consider the way our musical voices, but today it seems eas- So how do we remedy this? home in your party. You should
BY DANIEL DARLING PHOTO-ILLUSTRATION BY MLC preferences were formed by the ier to adopt a worldview that The first and simplest answer always guard against ways you
era in which we lived or the par- conforms to whatever makes is to both limit and diversify are tempted to press your faith,
tialities of those around us. We us comfortable. Plus, we are our media consumption. That’s like Play-Doh, into the image of
either conform to our parents’ inundated with news at a fre- easy for me to write on paper. It’s the cultural movement you most
GROWING UP , I rarely heard the word catechism. If it was used, it opinions, beliefs, and taste, or we quency unseen in any other era much harder to break away from easily identify with.
was likely dismissed as “something Catholics do.” Once, during some- rebel against them. Either way, of history. Every second, if we my digital shackles. After all, we are Jesus people,
one’s testimony about coming to faith, I remember hearing the state- we are being formed by what choose (and sometimes if we First, to be intentional about kingdom people. We don’t look
PHOTOGRAPH BY RYAN HAYSLIP
ment “I learned my catechism wouldn’t save me.” In one way, she was we’re exposed to. don’t), we’re alerted to some kind guarding our hearts means we back at some mythical golden era
right. Rote memorization of doctrine doesn’t get anyone into God’s Much of our cultural catechesis of brokenness somewhere in deliberately seek to break the or forward to some movement
kingdom. But there is a way in which such practices do redeem us. consists of traditions worth cele- the world, and then are barraged ingrained habits warring against we believe will save us. No, we
Catechism is a fancy word for “formal instruction.” Specifically, brating. These are a beautiful part with the corresponding range of our souls. Second, and perhaps look upward and onward, antic-
catechisms are a series of questions and answers about core doctrinal of the diverse tapestry of human- opinions that follow. even more importantly, we must ipating that city whose builder
issues. If you have any familiarity with them, it might be from some of ity, a product of how God has, in Have we stopped to consider allow Scripture and theology and maker is God. 

You admonish people to

JAMIE :
“stay soft.” People can be soft for
THE WORD APATHY believe that we should simplify
our lifestyles instead. How can
a season, but how can we stay DOESN’T MEAN YOU we, as you put it, “live more
DON’T CARE. IT MEANS
Say It, this way? Practically speaking,
what does this look like, and YOU DON’T FEEL.
simply so that others can sim-
ply live”?
Show It what’s the value of it?
PAUL : It’s a great challenge

PAUL :In Proverbs 30:8-9, the
writer says, “Give me neither
A conversation with Paul Borthwick because, in many respects, we poverty nor riches; feed me with
on being a true witness are deluged with needs. We don’t the food that is my portion, that I
just hear about a hurricane; we not be full and deny You and say,
BY JAMIE A. HUGHES see a live report from a village ‘Who is the Lord?’ Or that I not
PHOTOGRAPH BY being destroyed. So it’s easy for of clothing, a tag tells us where be in want and steal, and profane
MATT KALINOWSKI us to get apathetic. The word it was made or assembled. Chi- the name of my God.” In other
apathy doesn’t mean you don’t na’s in your closet; India’s in your words, he’s praying for a sense
care. It means you don’t feel. closet. Buddhist countries, Hindi of balance. If your credit card
We get so desensitized to seeing countries are there. When you has mastery over you, if your
this flood, or this earthquake, realize that that shirt or those addiction to Starbucks has mas-
THE BIBLE HAS MUCH to say or this refugee camp that even- slacks or that blouse was made tery over you, something needs
about the importance of giving tually it doesn’t bother us any- by another human being, it to change.
generously, caring for people more. And so the challenge is to becomes your connection point
in need, and defending the vul- try to stay soft. For me, it means to him or her. You can stop and JAMIE:Christians serve out of a
nerable. The Christian faith praying, “Lord, help me to see pray for the person who made desire to do good in the world,
isn’t one that can be lived at people in front of me, whether your shirt. We have to take a but if we aren’t careful, we can
arm’s length, but in our mod- it’s on TV or in my daily life. Help very depersonalized world and do great harm. What do we need
ern culture, it’s easy to detach me to see them the way You see make it more personal. to know in order to avoid hurting
from the sufferings of others— them” every day. Most of us are those we’re trying to aid?
consciously or unconsciously. exposed to way more needs than You’re a proponent of
J A MIE :
We spoke with Paul Borthwick, we can possibly answer, but we maintaining an ongoing pos- PAUL: Americans tend to be very
co-author of The Fellowship of do have an avenue to express our ture of learning and discovery. generous sometimes without
the Suffering: How Hardship concern by talking to God. How does this help us be more thinking. We’re what Robert-
Shapes Us for Ministry and Mis- compassionate? son McQuilkin calls “Zacchaeus
sion, to better understand how You say that the world
JA MIE : givers.” We give impulsively,
exercising great compassion isn’t made up of statistics— PAUL: We get global news in 20 without asking, “Is this the
helps us carry out the Great but of people who have names. minutes, and as a result, every- wisest way to do it? The most
Commission. How does knowing someone’s thing is oversimplified. Going efficient way? Will it be sus-
name keep us from getting a little bit deeper into an issue tainable?” Those are questions
JAMIE A. HUGHES: You say that “Chris- desensitized? helps us understand more. The that need to be voiced. Also, we
tians sometimes try to live But we also have to live it such a way so as to stimulate word disciple actually means need to make sure we’re giving
a one-handed lifestyle, but a out. Jesus shows us what this questions for which Jesus is the PAUL:The Bible tells us that God “student.” The world is vast. The out of compassion rather than
complete Christian lifestyle looks like. He preached the answer.” In other words, your knows our names; it means we’re world is complicated. And there sympathy or pity. Compas-
requires both hands.” Could you gospel but also demonstrated non-verbal witness is part of not just some sort of unidenti- are a lot of things that tend to sion literally means “to come
elaborate on this? it by His healings, by the way your overall witness. The way fied statistic in the great mass divide us. The only way we can alongside of; to suffer together
He touched poor people. He you treat people in poverty, the of humanity. So we should try bring those things together is with someone.” When you give
PAUL BORTHWICK: We are followers of reached out to Samaritans or way you treat your neighbor, to emulate that great love. It’s to do our research and strive to compassionately, you join with
Jesus Christ, so our lives must Gentiles. His demonstrated life the way you look out for some- the reason I encourage Chris- understand both sides of stories. people because you realize that
include the verbal sharing of was actually the foundation for body’s concerns beyond just tians to “go into their closet and except by the grace of God, you
our love of Jesus, how we’ve His preached life. Lesslie New- yourself—that has great poten- pray the way Jesus commanded” JAMIE: Our society is focused on might be in the same situation
been forgiven and redeemed. bigin said, “Do your work in tial to point people to Christ. because on almost every piece getting more. However, you they’re in. 

The Pulpit 07
18
SOMETIMES it’s the little

choices in life that reveal our
but you’re exhausted from a
week of work and just want to Who we appear
true character. When a cashier stay home and rest. What will
to be on the outside to
The Undivided Self gives you too much change,
what do you do? If your cowork-
you do?
Each of these situations is a
others is who we actually are
ers take advantage of the boss’s test of integrity, which seems
On the pursuit of integrity absence to shop online, check
social media, or spend time
to be a lost virtue today. We’re
not sure if what we read in news-
in our innermost being.
BY CHARLES F. STANLEY talking, do you keep working or papers, magazines, or online is
join them? You promised to take true, and so many public figures
your kids to the zoo on Saturday, have proven themselves untrust-
worthy that we have a hard time
believing them. Maybe we’ve
seen hypocrisy in our families,
among our friends, and even in
ourselves. While it’s surprising that the sinful people. His life is the pat-
word integrity is not found in tern for us to follow.
GOD’S VIEW OF INTEGRITY the New Testament, the concept
We need a fresh look at integ- is clearly conveyed with terms He
 always spoke the
rity from God’s perspective. In like “complete,” “mature,” “per- truth. In fact, when He
Psalm 15:1-2, David asks and fect,” and “purity of heart.” For said, “I am the way, and
answers an important ques- instance, Colossians 1:28 says, the truth, and the life”
tion: “O Lord, who may abide “We proclaim Him, admonishing ( Jo h n 14 : 6 ) , H e was
in Your tent? Who may dwell every man and teaching every claiming to be the person-
on Your holy hill? He who walks man with all wisdom, so that we ification of truth. Even
with integrity, and works righ- may present every man com- when total honesty was
teousness, and speaks truth plete in Christ.” costly or confrontational,
in his heart.” This is what God For the Christian, integrity He never veered from it.
requires of those who desire to can be summed up as Christ- (See 8:39-45.)
draw near to Him. likeness. Think about all that Yet we so often manip-
In the Hebrew language, this term entails. Aside from ulate the facts and ratio-
the word translated as “with Christ’s divine attributes, every nalize that we’ve done
integrity” means “complete, virtue typical of Him should be nothing wrong. Whether
blameless, whole, wholesome, increasingly seen in us, His fol- it’s “little white lies,”
innocent, upright” and includes lowers. This doesn’t mean that gossip, exaggeration, or
being honest and sincere. we will reach sinless perfection blatant deception, the
Although we usually think of in earthly life but that we will temptation to fudge on the
integrity as simply being moral continually grow in maturity truth is always waiting to
in what we do and what we and obedience to the Lord. trip us up. What causes
avoid, it encompasses so much us to practice deception?
more. It’s being an undivided CHRIST’S INTEGRITY ON DISPLAY It could be fear of losing
person. In other words, who we To get a picture of genuine and an opportunity, relation-
GETTY IMAGES
appear to be on the outside to complete integrity, let’s con- ship, advantage, or rep-
others is who we actually are in sider how Jesus Christ walked utation. At other times,
our innermost being. on this fallen earth among it’s an attempt Continued on pg 26
ITM-124_24_Pulpit_FINAL.indd 24-25 5/18/18 10:25 AM

T H E P U L P I T
to protect ourselves. And

who hasn’t tried to escape
an unwanted task by com-
ing up with fake excuses?
But in all these, the root
cause is a lack of trust in
God. Instead of simply We try to manipulate
obeying Him and telling
the truth, we try to manip-
people’s perception of us and H OW TO B E C O M E A C H R ISTI A N
in the process lose what is of
I
ulate people’s perception
of us and in the process
lose what is of utmost
value—our integrity.
utmost value—our integrity. ntegrity is certainly a virtue to be pursued and cultivated, but if we
haven’t first been washed by the blood of the Lamb, all such pursuits
 Jesus was always faith- are worthless. According to Romans 3:23, “All have sinned and fall
ful. His heavenly Father
short of the glory of God,” and that’s why we need a Savior—the one
never had to wonder
whether He would do what whose perfect, sinless integrity covers us and makes it possible for us
He’d been sent to earth to to spend eternity with God.
achieve. Right before going
to the cross Jesus said, “I
The perfect relationship between God and mankind was broken when sin entered the
glorified You on earth, hav- the needs of the people our choices and a guard
ing accomplished the work around Him, and His heart against temptations. human race and severed our communion—our unhindered connection—with Him.
which You have given Me was moved to relieve their Today, personal sins continue to be a barrier between the Lord and man. But the Bible
to do” (17:4). suffering. Too many Christians are con- teaches that “God is love” (1 John 4:8). In fact, He loves us so much that He sent His Son
Commitment and loy- Christ’s integrity was tent to simply know enough
to reconcile us to Himself (Col. 1:18-22). On the cross, Jesus defeated sin and then rose
alty are often missing in a perfect blend of inter- about Jesus to be saved, but God
our society. Just look at nal love and external ser- desires so much more for us. from the grave, triumphing over death.
the workplace. Many peo- vice. But we are so often His goal is to make us men and
ple give less than their best divided, and our love is women of integrity. Yet how can By choosing to live in relationship with Jesus Christ, we’re no longer slaves to the way
when they’re on the job. weak. Our hearts may we look like Jesus if we know
of life that ends in spiritual death—eternal separation from God and His lovingkindness.
And if they aren’t happy, be stirred by the needs Him only on a surface level?
workers will oftentimes of those around us, but In the Christian life, integ- Through Him alone, we can experience freedom and joy. But to be saved, we must
leave and get a job else- concern could just as rity isn’t achieved through self- confess from our heart that Jesus is Lord and believe that He rose from the dead and is
where rather than stay and quickly fade away before determination but through the alive today (Rom. 10:9).
honor their word. We even it reaches our hands or knowledge and understanding
see the effects of this trend bank accounts. However, of Jesus Christ—and the power
among Christians who are c o m p a ss i o n w i t h o u t of the Holy Spirit. When we You can have eternal life now by asking Jesus to become your Savior. Pray a prayer like
reluctant to commit to a action is just sentiment, gaze at the Lord, we’ll begin to this or use your own words:
church but hop from one not genuine love. grasp who He is, our love for
to another. Him will grow, and obedience
Lord Jesus, I believe You died so that I might be accepted as a child of God. Please
Jesus was always righ-
 will become our delight. A life of
Jesus
 always loved in teous. Integrity and integrity is simply an overflow forgive me, help me turn from my sins, and show me how to follow You each and
both word and deed. His uprightness go hand in of His life within us.  every day. Thank You for saving me and giving me eternal life. Amen.
foremost display of love hand. We all need righ-
was in coming to earth to teous convictions that are
die for our sins. However, non-negotiable. Once they Adapted from the sermons “Enlightened
He also demonstrated are firmly established, Saints” and “Integrity in the Life of a Believer” To take the next step, call 1-800-789-1473 or visit intouch.org to receive our free resource Now That You Believe: Beginning Your New Relationship With Jesus.
c o m pass i o n . H e saw they act as a guide for by Charles F. Stanley

T H E P U L P I T
VIEWFINDER
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My
Cathedral Rocks, Yosemite National Park—Photograph by Charles F. Stanley ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.” —Isaiah 55:8-9

Your heart will be captivated by this dramatic visual journey from pastor and
photographer Dr. Charles Stanley. Each striking image in Landscapes of His
Grace is accompanied with thoughtful meditations and timeless Scripture
07
18 Margin Notes
to help you discover a richer awareness of God’s greatness and His plan for
your life in Christ.
$40 usd
Filled with wonder. A STORY OF RECKLESS LOVE

Reconsidering the parable of the good Samaritan
BY WINN COLLIER ILLUSTRATIONS BY ADAM CRUFT
THE PARABLE OF THE GOOD SAMARITAN IS among the handful of

Jesus’ stories that, whether or not you’re a church-going person,
you can likely recount from memory. “Being a Good Samaritan”
has become cultural shorthand for showing kindness and assisting
those who are less fortunate. But Jesus’ story is far more subver-
sive than a fable encapsulating principles to spur common decency.
In Luke 10, the parable of the good Samaritan provides not so much a
moral tale for us to dissect or appropriate, but a story in which we live.
It stretches our imagination, inviting us to walk that treacherous road
through dangerous country, to know the threat of armed hooligans at every
blind bend, to sense conflict over how to engage our religious convic-
tions in complicated situations, to struggle over what exactly it means
to love our neighbor, to grapple with
how Jesus embodies reckless love.
When one of Israel’s religious
experts tried to trap Jesus inside
a tightly spun web of theologi-
cal intricacies, Jesus reversed the
interrogation: How do you under-
stand the essence of God’s law?
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M A R G I N N O T E S
With his tactical examination with this story. The ones with hands of human violence. That
careening out of control, the the correct doctrine (the priest interpretation has merit, though
exasperated questioner found and the Levite) disobeyed God’s it requires a good bit of parsing.
himself uttering the very words
Jesus had quoted from Deuter-
Jesus forces us to grapple command while the one with
questionable faith (the Samar-
Yet perhaps it’s a mistake to see
Jesus as any single character.
onomy, as the greatest of all the
commandments and the heart
with whether or not we are itan) fulfilled His instruction.
It’s humbling—and essential—
On the cross, Jesus both suf-
fered with us (the bloody man)
of everything Scripture teaches:
“‘Love the Lord your God with
a neighbor to whomever we to remember that believing the
right things doesn’t necessarily
and healed us (the Good Samar-
itan). Jesus, after all, over-
all your heart and with all your find along the way. lead to doing the right things. whelms every human expression
soul and with all your strength The story’s disequilibrium in those people we most detest. of goodness. He is not a player in
and with all your mind’; and, teeters even more when we rec- In every God-beloved human, the story. Jesus is the story.
‘Love your neighbor as your- ognize that ancient interpreters we discover our neighbor: every The reckless love of neigh-
self’” (v. 27 NIV). (Ambrose, Origen, Augustine) desperate person and every bor at the center of this parable
You’ve nailed it, Jesus said. Go typically understood Jesus as accomplished person; every per- could never be confused with
do that. the Good Samaritan. Imagine son we see as a friend and every our humanly contrived attempts
Feverishly scrambling to came by, but when he saw the animosity, each considering the that: Jesus casting Himself as person we consider an enemy; at benevolence and niceness.
regain the upper hand, the bloody pile of a man, he crossed other a heretic. They had racial the maligned figure arriving to every person possessing a fat Rather, the story points toward
religious expert had a burst of the road and hurried past, his antagonism, each considering rescue the one who is despised, bank account and every person the immeasurable, sacrificial love
inspiration and devised one last eyes locked forward like a trac- the other inferior. When Jews helpless, and tossed aside. without two pennies to his name. of Jesus. In Christ, God both suf-
conundrum. I’d be happy to, he tor beam. After a while a Levite saw a Samaritan, they avoided Sounds like the gospel. Some scholars suggest that fered and saved, loving even the
answered, sitting back smugly, (one who tended the temple) him like the plague. Purity was Something else is wrong here. Jesus did not cast Himself as unlovely with irrational abandon.
if only you could tell me who appeared, and he too crossed on the line. And reputation, too. This whole exchange began the Good Samaritan but rather And now God invites us, by the
among all the masses is actually and hurried past, likely distract- We see much of this tension con- with the religious expert asking (shockingly) as the bloodied power of the Spirit, to join Him as
my neighbor. Without batting an ing himself by humming a wor- tinuing now between Christians who precisely was the neigh- man, the one who suffered at the reckless lovers. As neighbors.
eye, Jesus launched into a story. ship tune and reciting a favorite and Muslims, between white bor he was responsible to love.
Jesus’ tale commenced in Bible verse. communities and communities But in Jesus’ concluding query
an ominous setting, with the A third traveler turned the of color, between those who have (“Which of these three do you
description of a man travers- corner, a Samaritan, though that formal education or money and think proved to be a neighbor to
ing the terror-filled road from was the worst character Jesus those who do not. the man who fell into the rob-
Jerusalem to Jericho when he
was overrun by armed bandits.
could write into the story if He
was hoping to pull this devout
And wouldn’t you know, it
was the detestable Samaritan
bers’ hands?”), the point He
stressed was not aimed at clari-
In every God-beloved
These ruffians beat the man sav- Jew to His way of thinking. Jews who took pity on the man he fying who is or is not a neighbor human, we discover our
agely, stripped him, and left him
like road kill. Eventually a priest
and Samaritans detested one
another. They had theological
was supposed to hate, bandag-
ing his infected wounds and
in need. Instead, Jesus forced us
to grapple with whether or not neighbor: every desperate
hoisting him onto his donkey.
The Samaritan carried the gasp-
we are a neighbor to whomever
we find along the way. Jesus person and every accomplished
ing man to an inn, secured a room,
and covered the cost, instructing
answered the wrong question—
or so it seemed. In truth, Jesus
person; every person
the innkeeper to tend to every
need for as long as necessary—
answered the right question—
the one that wasn’t asked.
possessing a fat bank account
he’d foot the bill. The Samaritan
lavished this generosity not on
According to Jesus, a person
in dire need as well as a per-
and every person without
a family member or a friend or son with resources aplenty are two pennies to his name.
even someone who shared his bound in a community of friend-
ethnicity or theological convic- ship. We are in this together.
tion. The Samaritan enacted this One of the parable’s strange
reckless grace for a neighbor. truths is that we find Jesus in
Of course, everything’s wrong each person we encounter, even

CHAPTER & VERSE been enslaved, were worked

to the bone, and watched their
children be killed by uncaring
GOD OF THE OUTSIDER masters. But now with God’s
deliverance, they were to use
their freedom to model a differ-
Loving the stranger is an essential trait of the Lord’s character. ent way of life for the nations.
To spark compassion for the
BY JOSHUA RYAN BUTLER ILLUSTRATION BY ADAM CRUFT strangers in their midst, God
tasked His people with recalling
the harsh trials they themselves
I REMEMBER THE SUMMER I SPENT IN NORTHERN THAILAND , my had endured: “The foreigner
first long trip overseas, when I was a college student. I knew enough residing among you must be
of the language to get me in trouble (and fortunately to ask where the treated as your native-born. Love
bathroom was!) but not enough to have a true conversation. I had to them as yourself, for you were
learn where to find the grocery store, figure out how to use the bank, foreigners in Egypt. I am the Lord
and master all sorts of new cultural customs and practices. your God” (Lev. 19:34 NIV). This
It was easy to feel like an outsider. passage echoes Jesus’ Golden
Fortunately, I experienced the hospitality of locals who took me in, Rule. (See Matt. 7:12.) As God’s
GOD’S
showed me the ropes, and cared for me. It got me wondering: How does people, we’re to treat others the
God feel about outsiders? The Bible actually makes it clear. There are way we want to be treated—with
three different Hebrew words—ger, nokri, and toshab—that show up respect and dignity.
WISDOM
frequently in Scripture, often translated as “foreigner,” “sojourner,”
“alien,” or “stranger.” Let’s take a closer look at how God calls His JUSTICE FOR THE FOREIGNER Such
treat-
people to extend hospitality and welcome the outsiders. ment was radical in the ancient
IN BLACK
Near East. Legal systems
REMEMBER WHERE YOU COME FROM Foreigners were common in the ancient emphasized protecting other
world. Famine, war, and other upheavals could easily uproot you vulnerable populations like wid-
AND WHITE
from your homeland. We see this in the Bible: Jacob’s family first ows and the poor, but Israel was
picks up and moves to Egypt during a famine (Gen. 46-47). The cat- unique in also highlighting care
alyst for the book of Ruth is a famine that motivates Naomi’s family for the foreigner.
to leave the Promised Land (1:1). At the climax of the Old Testament, Under Israel’s law, when
the Israelites find themselves uprooted by war and living as foreign- farmers harvested their crops,
ers in Babylon (2 Chron. 15-21). picked olives from their trees,
Experience God’s majestic
Living in a foreign land made you vulnerable. You didn’t have the or gathered grapes from their
social connections, extended family network, or citizenship rights vineyards, they were not to strip
creation with these dramatic that locals had. Then, as today, it’s easy for folks to be suspicious or their fields, trees, or vineyards
black-and-white photographs scared of outsiders, so sojourn- bare or go over them multiple
from Dr. Stanley’s travels. ers were often mistreated or times. Rather, Scripture com-
Inscribed with powerful, life-giving Scripture, taken advantage of. manded them to leave the glean-
these note cards reveal the magnificence of God’s awesome Israel was called to be dif- ings for the foreigner, orphan,
creativity, while guiding your spirit with His timeless words of
ferent. Why? God regularly and widow (Deut. 24:19-21).
reminded His people of their This provided work for the vul-
wisdom. Share them with family and friends as reminders of how to own brutal experience abroad: nerable, prevented greed by
walk wisely in step with Him. “Do not oppress a foreigner; you landowners, and was a powerful
yourselves know how it feels to witness to a different way of life
Set of 12: $10 usd
be foreigners, because you were amongst God’s people.
(includes 2 each of 6 different scenes)
foreigners in Egypt” (Ex. 23:9 In the ancient world, outsid-
Valued at $15. Introductory price valid through August 31st. While supplies last. NIV). Under Pharaoh, they had ers were often poor Continued on pg 36
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35 INTOUCH.ORG

and ill-used. But Israel’s resi- of those who came to pray from for I am a stranger with You, a
dent aliens were included in the far-flung lands: “Concerning the sojourner like all my fathers”
nation’s Sabbath and thereby foreigner who is not of Your peo- (Ps. 39:12). Everything we have,
guaranteed a “weekend” so that ple Israel, when he comes from a we receive from the hand of God.
they “may refresh themselves” far country for Your name’s sake The prophets held out hope for
(Ex. 23:12; 20:10). Similarly, (for they will hear of Your great that day when foreigners from
they were also allowed to partic- name and Your mighty hand, and all nations would stream into
ipate in most national holidays. of Your outstretched arm); when Jerusalem, to worship together
Israel’s “cities of refuge” were he comes and prays toward this there. (See Isa. 2:1-4; Jer. 3:17;
designated for the protection house, hear in heaven Your Mic. 4:1-5.) And when they come,
of not just Israelites but also dwelling place, and do accord- the Israelites are to extend the
foreigners residing in the land ing to all for which the foreigner very welcome they themselves
(Num. 35:15). With regard to calls to You, in order that all had received from God.
practices that would defile the the peoples of the earth may
land, both groups were held know Your name, to fear You, JESUS WELCOMES ALIENS Israel’s King
to the same standards of jus- as do Your people Israel, and has always embraced outsiders,
tice under Israel’s criminal law that they may know that this made them a part of His kingdom,
(Lev. 18:26; 20:2), and outsiders house which I have built is called and lavished praise on them. For
had the same recourse as citi- by Your name” (1 Kings 8:41-43). instance, He transformed the
zens if they committed an unin- Hear the prayers of the out- Samaritan woman into an evan-
tentional sin (Num. 15:22-31). sider! Make Your name great gelist, highlighted the Roman
God took all this seriously, among the nations! The heart- centurion’s faith as the greatest
warning, “Cursed is he who dis- beat of this prayer by Solomon He’d found in Israel, and asked of
torts the justice due an alien, was to be throbbing through the lepers He healed, “Was no one PURSUING GOD’S HEART:
orphan, and widow” (Deut. 27:19; Israel’s lifeblood as a people. found who returned to give glory A STUDY OF 1ST & 2ND SAMUEL
see also 1:16; 24:17). Israel was to Interestingly, the nation of to God, except this foreigner?”
welcome strangers in their land Israel saw themselves as strang- (John 4; Matt. 8; Luke 17:18). On our journey through life, we’ll encounter
and treat them fairly, because ers in the land. God reminded And Jesus calls us, as His fol- unexpected hurdles. The good news is
they served a God of justice. His people, “The land, moreover, lowers, to follow the example that when we do stumble, God’s grace
shall not be sold permanently, He set. Romans 12:13 says we enables us to overcome all barriers, and
LAYING OUT A WELCOME MAT From the start, for the land is Mine; for you are are to “practice hospitality,” move closer to a life of hope, purpose,
God’s people were charged with but aliens and sojourners with the Greek word philoxenos lit- and destiny. In this 23-part sermon set,
welcoming foreigners—it was Me” (Lev. 25:23). The Promised erally meaning “love to strang- Dr. Stanley teaches us how to identify—and
their mission to be a blessing Land was theirs to steward, but ers.” Such caring for outsiders sidestep—Satan’s traps, and to pursue
to all. God promised Abraham, not ultimately to own. is not a dreary chore but some- God’s heart no matter our circumstances.
the founder of Israel, “In you all God welcomed Israel’s tribes thing to be done in joy, “without Because He doesn’t demand our
the families of the earth will be as guests into His own home. complaint” (1 Pet. 4:9). And we perfection … just our pursuit.
blessed” (Gen. 12:3). Israel was David acknowledged this status, can do this with the expecta-
$44 usd
to carry God’s blessing to the declaring on behalf of the people: tion, as the author of Hebrews
world, and her way of life was “For we are sojourners before reminds us, that something
to be a light to the nations, a tes- You, and tenants, as all our amazing might take place: “Do
timony of her Redeemer’s heart fathers were” (1 Chron. 29:15). not neglect to show hospitality
for all mankind. When we recognize God as the to strangers, for by this some
Israel’s temple was the cen- true owner of all things, we have entertained angels without
ter of her national life and was discover our desperate depen- knowing it” (13:2). When you
to be a “house of prayer for all dence on Him, like the psalmist love on the stranger and care
the peoples” (Isa. 56:7). When who prayed, “Hear my prayer, for the foreigner, you may find
Solomon dedicated the temple, O Lord, and give ear to my cry; yourself in an encounter with
he asked God to hear the prayers do not be silent at my tears; the God of the Outsider.
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EDITOR’S NOTE: We hope this brief study—taken from Dr. Stanley’s personal
notes—will help you explore and understand God’s Word more deeply.
A C L O S E R L O O K W I T H D R . S TA N L E Y
DEFINITIONS OF INTERCEDE
LOVE ON ITS KNEES  The Hebrew word is palal, which means “to intervene” and “make supplication.”
 The Greek term is the compound word huperentugchanó. The root word means “to meet a person for the purpose of
conversation or supplication.” It’s the technical term for approaching a king to petition him.
Intercessory prayer is a demonstration of our
devotion to God and others.
 Colossians 4:12 describes inter-

cession as “laboring earnestly” in
is going through hard times, we want to help in whatever way we can.
WHEN SOMEONE WE CARE ABOUT CHARACTERISTICS OF AN INTERCESSOR
prayer. The Greek word for this
Oftentimes that means practical acts of service, such as bringing food, running errands, or phrase is agónizomai which means
 Awareness. Everyone’s needs Greek term paraklétos, which
providing childcare. But the most powerful thing we can do for others is pray for them. All our
and situations are different, and means “called to one’s aid; an “to contend for a prize, struggle.”
efforts are limited by our abilities, but prayer accesses the almighty power of God.
being sensitive to that fact is advocate.” And that’s exactly
 “We never know how God will
essential. Reading God’s Word what an intercessor does.
Let’s read Deuteronomy 9:25-29: answer our prayers, but we can
is the best way to discover how  Acceptance. We are quick to
He would have us pray for expect that He will get us involved
pray for loved ones or those
someone else. in His plan for the answer. If we
whom we like, but Jesus tells
 Availability. If we truly desire us to also pray for our enemies are true intercessors, we must be
to dedicate our whole self (Matt. 5:44). This means that ready to take part in God’s work
to praying for others, we’ll as we intercede, we must on behalf of the people for whom
be willing to give whatever it accept the person as someone we pray.” —Corrie ten Boom
“So I fell down before the Lord the forty days and nights, which I did because the Lord takes—our time and sometimes God loves.
had said He would destroy you. I prayed to the Lord and said, ‘O Lord God, do not even sleep—in order to faith-  Intercessory prayers can be
 Abandonment. Praying for
fully bring that person before found throughout the Bible.
destroy Your people, even Your inheritance, whom You have redeemed through Your others means that we lose all
the Lord. self-interest, because what Examine those offered by Abra-
greatness, whom You have brought out of Egypt with a mighty hand. Remember Your  Advocate. When we pray, we we desire may not be what the ham (Gen. 18:20-33), Elijah
stand alongside the people Lord wants to do in that per- (1 Kings 18:36-37), Ezra (9:6-15),
servants, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; do not look at the stubbornness of this people or
we’re pleading for. We are in son’s life. Like Christ, we must Nehemiah (1:4-11), Daniel (9:4-19),
at their wickedness or their sin. Otherwise the land from which You brought us may their corner as an advocate. be able to say, “Not my will, but Jesus (John 17:6-26), and Paul
This word comes from the Yours be done.” (Eph. 3:14-20; Col. 1:9-12).
say, “Because the Lord was not able to bring them into the land which He had prom-
ised them and because He hated them He has brought them out to slay them in the wil- Two of the most important aspects of intercession are perseverance
and faithfulness. Praying for others won’t always be easy, and some-
derness.” Yet they are Your people, even Your inheritance, whom You have brought out QUESTIONS
times we’ll be tempted to give up, especially if we see no results. But
by Your great power and Your outstretched arm.’” when God lays someone on our heart, we have a responsibility to pray
 Which characteristics of an
with persistence and faith.
intercessor are the most
difficult for you? What can
you do to begin cultivating
them in your life?
ILLUSTRATION BY JEFF GREGORY
Moses repeatedly pleaded for Israel by reminding the Lord of His promises to them and His faithfulness to  What motivates you to
uphold His great name among the nations. But prayer isn’t reserved for spiritual superheroes. There are dozens
“Intercessory prayer is a benefit to the man who exercises it, and is
pray for others? What
of promises in Scripture, each detailing what God desires to do in the lives of others, and we can use those pas- often a better channel of comfort than any other means of grace.” obstacles hinder you in
sages as a guide to pray according to His will for people in need (1 John 5:14-15). —Charles Spurgeon your efforts to intercede?

WHEREVER
JESUS WENT,
HE DEMONSTRATED
DIVINE COMPASSION.
AND HIS EXAMPLE
DEMANDS WE DO
THE SAME.
By MIKE COSPER
1 2
8 8
THOUGHTFUL
FA I T H .
DEVOTED
LIVING.
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I
T’S SAFE TO SAY FEW FOLKS—the
Ebenezer compassion: “It is not those who
are healthy who need a physi-
the way the world was meant
to be. It breaks His heart and—
Jesus was going through all
the cities and villages, teach-
Scrooges of the world, perhaps—would be cian, but those who are sick. But
go and learn what this means:
more importantly—moves Him
to act. He forgives and heals
ing in their synagogues and
proclaiming the gospel of
content to live without ever being thought ‘I desire compassion, and not the paralytic. He draws close the kingdom, and healing
3
of as compassionate. It is an almost univer- sacrifice,’ for I did not come to
call the righteous, but sinners”
to the sinner.
And here we can start to define
every kind of disease and
every kind of sickness.
4
8 sally appreciated virtue, yet one that seems (v. 12-13).
In these first two examples,
compassion. More than empathy,
it is a movement of our emotions Seeing the people, He
8
to be in short supply. A scan of the news (or we see the compassion of Jesus
is concerned primarily with the
and thoughts that recognizes, or
identifies with, the suffering of
felt compassion for
them, because they were
any social media feed) typically leaves one with the souls of the brokenhearted and
weary. He begins by forgiving
another. Or perhaps it’s better to
say that compassion is a deeper
distressed and dispirited
like sheep without a shep-
sense that the world could do with a bit more of it. the paralytic’s sins, and when He kind of empathy—one that is not herd. Then He said to His
But why the gap? Why would something that could refers to the tax collectors and
sinners, He calls them “sick.”
content to sit at the margins and
merely observe, even if in a feel-
disciples, “The harvest is
plentiful, but the workers
so obviously help our chaotic world be hard to come He’s deeply aware of the broken-
ness of our hearts and souls.
ing way, the pain of others. Com-
passion does. It cannot sit by. It
are few. Therefore beseech
the Lord of the harvest to
by? ¶ It might be helpful to first define compassion, There’s a danger in assuming
this posture to be a foundation
heals. It moves toward those
who are suffering. It puts itself
send out workers into His
harvest” (vv. 33-38).
which is harder than it sounds. Although compas- of judgment, as if compassion
came from seeing others pri-
at risk on behalf of others. Look
again at Jesus’ example: In both It is Jesus’ compassion that
sion and empathy are cousins of a sort, they aren’t marily as sinners. But Jesus’ stories, He forsakes His reputa- leads Him to heal the sick, raise
precisely the same thing. In fact, the gap between perspective is, I believe, broader
than this. He sees them for the
tion, offending the sensibilities
of the religious leaders, first by
the dead, and bless sinners with
His presence. It’s His compas-
the need for compassion and the world’s lack of it
PREVIOUS SPREAD: CHRIST HEALING THE PARALYTIC, 17TH-CENTURY PAINTING BY VINCENT MALO; BRIDGEMANIMAGES.COM
creatures they were meant to be. having the audacity to forgive sion that leads Him to risk rep-
Humanity is made in the image sins and second, by offending utation with the religious crowd
lies within the difference in how we understand of God—meant for glory, for
flourishing, for life in a world
their sense of propriety when
He eats with “sinners.”
in order to be amongst the sick
and broken. And this compas-
these two terms. ¶ To start, we should look at what that is harmonious and beauti- Matthew 9 goes on to show sion is part of the announcement
Scripture has to say, and there’s no better exam- ful. The compassion of Jesus is
the compassion of the Creator,
several more moments of mirac-
ulous healing. Jesus raises a girl
of “the gospel of the kingdom.”
Throughout the Gospels,
ple than Jesus. When confronted with crowds of looking upon a creation that has
been ravaged and diminished
from the dead. He heals a woman
of a hemorrhage she’s suffered
Jesus proclaims the same mes-
sage: the good news of the king-
people—poor and sick, weary sinners and the bro- by sin’s presence in the world.
We were not meant for sin and
for 12 years. He restores sight for
two blind men and casts a demon
dom. The kingdom of God. The
kingdom of heaven. It is not
kenhearted—He responds gently time and again. disease. We were not meant to
suffer the indignity of paraly-
out of a man who has been mute.
And as the chapter nears its end,
some far-off place where we go
to play the harp when we die. It
zation. We were not meant for we see this passage: is here, now, among us. Here in
Consider Matthew 9. The chapter begins with Jesus encountering the humiliation of prostitution, the world of sinners, the sick,
a paralyzed man and telling him, “Take courage, son; your sins are alcoholism, greed, or idolatry. As The crowds were amazed, and yes, even the Pharisees. It’s
forgiven” (v. 2). This, of course, rattles the scribes, to whom Jesus C. S. Lewis said, if you ever saw and were saying, “Nothing a kingdom that can be welcomed
replies, “Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, a human being as he was meant like this has ever been seen or scorned but in Jesus is made
‘Get up, and walk’?” (v. 5). Then, in the next verse, to show He has to be, you would be tempted to in Israel.” manifest in profound ways.
authority to forgive sins, Jesus tells the paralytic to take up his mat worship him. But how far we are If you want to know what
LETTERING and walk. And the man does just that, leaving the crowd in awe. from these origins. But the Pharisees were heaven is like, just look at what
by Later, the Pharisees harass Jesus. They ask His followers, “Why is Jesus looks upon the para- saying, “He casts out the happens when Jesus shows up.
DAVID your Teacher eating with the tax collectors and sinners?” (v. 11). Jesus lytic and the prostitute with the demons by the ruler of the It’s a kingdom where the clock
MILAN responds with this oft-quoted aphorism, a tiny poetic treatise on same eyes and says, This is not demons.” gets rolled back on Continued on pg 47

5 6
8 8

death, where disease itself with- If we’re honest, though, maybe They are horrified at Jesus’ for-
ers, where darkness flees. It’s a we would describe ourselves as giveness, His audacity to heal,
kingdom where all are welcome, dispirited. Because so much of His ease with sinners. This isn’t
no matter how outcast, poor, life is out of our control. Tak- just caustic judgment—it’s also
sick, or sinful they might be. This ing on any one of these issues deep personal unease. It is fear
is the hand of God at work in the can feel overwhelming, and the made manifest in anger and con-
world—a touch that begins to harassers’ voices can be crip- tempt. It is a poison that keeps
7 8
8 restore the world. pling. When confronted with the world at odds with itself 8
And as Matthew 9 shows us, these challenges, we have only and crowds out compassion and
it’s a kingdom whose impulses two options for how to respond: empathy. It is an unease that
are drawn out of God’s com- We can pretend, or we can makes us fear the stranger, the
passion: “Seeing the people, surrender. refugee, the person of a differ-
He felt compassion for them, By pretending, I mean that we ent color, the sick, the poor, the
because they were distressed can put on some kind of social sinner, the broken.
and dispirited like sheep with- veneer. We can act as if we have If you want to know why the
WE SIMPLY CAN’T BE out a shepherd” (v. 36). Allow
yourself to think for a moment
it all together, and dress up
our families and careers so the
world lacks compassion, look
no further than the Pharisees.
COMPASSIONATE TO about that phrase: “distressed
and dispirited.” It’s a sober-
watching world looks at us and
sees what it demands to see: a
Look no further than those
whose externalized code of
OTHERS IF WE HAVEN’T ing image, and one that runs
counter to the way we’d like to
life that is (to borrow a phrase
from Radiohead) fitter, happier,
conduct shapes their world, and
believe it should shape yours. If
DEALT WITH THE think about ourselves. Most of
us wouldn’t describe ourselves
and more productive. We can put
on happiness and togetherness
compassion is empathy driven
to do, its opposite is contempt
BROKENNESS AND this way. Rather, when given the
opportunity, we put our best foot
like a mask and march around
in it all day long. This in fact
at the sight of something for-
eign or frightful. Contempt at
SORROW THAT MARKS forward and present ourselves is the way of the Pharisees— anything that doesn’t conform
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as competent and courageous, meticulous obedience to a set with our comfortable, rule-
OUR OWN LIFE. whether that’s in a classroom, in
a boardroom, or on social media.
of externalized demands. While
theirs were a set of religious
shaped world.
To become people of compas-
The world around us says we rules and regulations, ours are sion, we must first recognize our
should hide weakness and per- more social, but both are equally own status as people of tremen-
form for the crowd. But Jesus performance-based. dous need. To love the sick, I
sees through all of this and The flaw in this approach is must know that I am sick. To love
knows that in our more honest clear in Jesus’ condemnation of the broken, I must know that I
moments, we’d describe our- the Pharisees. He called them am broken. To love those in need,
selves as He might—distressed “whitewashed tombs” (23:27), I must know the near-bottomless
by a world that tells us we should clean on the outside but filled depths of my own need.
be competent and courageous, with death and rot. The path of Only then can we look to
and yet at every turn makes us external obedience is a path of Jesus—whose walk through
feel insignificant. We should hidden misery. It’s also a path the world was punctuated by
be younger, thinner, smarter, that closes us off from com- eruptions of light, life, and
healthier. Our children should be passion. We simply cannot be healing—and make sense of
better behaved. Our marriages compassionate to others if we what He did, make sense of the
should be more exciting. Our haven’t dealt with the broken- deep goodness of the kingdom
jobs should be more fulfilling. ness and sorrow that marks our of God. Only then can we move
At every corner of our ordinary own life. towards those who are most
life, we find a harassing voice, Look at Matthew chapter 9 hurting and broken. Only then
telling us that whatever we have, again. Throughout, there’s a can we truly know the meaning
we aren’t enough. crowd of nay-saying onlookers. of the word compassion. 

T N E R E F F I D
D I F F E R E N T
A N H O N E S T C O N V E R SAT I O N
1 2
6 6
ILLUSTRATIONS BY DANIËL ROOZENDAAL ABOUT RACE AND THE CHURCH

R E H T E G O T
T O G E T H E R
ITM-124_48_FEAT_Together_FINAL.indd 48-49 5/18/18 11:45 AM

51 INTOUCH.ORG
MICHAEL WRIGHT is the pastor friends like the idea of racial rec-
onciliation. They often imply,
MICHAEL: Of course. I’ve given both
my sons detailed instructions:
That’s the American dream, so
get on the track.”
stopped maybe once a year, and
if you missed it …
of True Freedom Cornerstone “Why can’t we just be friends? I
know our forebears cheated you,
Do what they ask, keep your
hands visible at all times, ask MICHAEL: Wow! 90 percent went to MATT: Tough luck.
in Oak Park, Illinois. but let’s just start the game over.” permission to get something. college? So you were put on the
MATT WOODLEY is the Missions
But it’s not that simple. My white Every black man I know has a train that ran on the track. Did MICHAEL: Yep, start walking.
friends often don’t understand story like mine. We understand you build the track?
Pastor at Church of the the legacy of racism in this coun-
try. How do you “just be friends”
that it’s just part of life. But it’s
offensive when our white friends MATT: Nope.
Pull yourself up by your
MAT T:
bootstraps.
3 Resurrection in Wheaton, after 400 years of systemic
racism—chattel slavery, Jim
don’t believe this still happens.
MICHAEL: You just rode the train? MICHAEL: Yep. Don’t get me wrong.
4
6
Illinois. On a cold Tuesday Crow, and racial profiling? Even
though whites can’t change the
MATT: Honestly, it’s taken me a long
time to see that I’ve lived with MATT: I just rode the train.
Some black folks are lazy—just
like some white folks are lazy.
6
in Chicago, they shared a past and didn’t personally par- a lot of privileges. For instance, But let’s say we took all the
plate of Irish beef stew ticipate in slavery or Jim Crow
discrimination, there needs to be
about 90 percent of the kids in
my high school went on to col-
It’s like you had a lot of
MICHAEL:
train stops in your neighbor-
people from your home suburb
and put them in the West Side
and talked openly about at least a heart to want to restore
to the African-American what
lege. From birth we were put on
a track and told, “You will go to
hood, a lot of places to board
the train that led to a good life.
of Chicago. Give those folks
the bad schools, the drugs, the
race in their lives, America, was lost. college. You will get a good job.
You deserve certain privileges.
The train came every hour. But
in my neighborhood, the train
mind-numbing poverty, the
crime, and see if they all pull
and the church. MATT: As a white guy, my life has
been so different from yours.
themselves up by their boot-
straps. Sure, by the grace of
I think of racism and I assume God some will, but it’s not just
that kind of stuff happened the lack of privileges; it’s the
somewhere else in the early- to deficits that often accompany
mid-1900s. But I hear you say- “passive racism.”
I n s o m e ways ,
MAT T WOODLE Y: firsthand. Kids called me names, ing, “No, man, this is my life.
Michael, we came from dif- mocked me, beat me up, liter- This is today.” For instance, I’ve MY WHITE FRIENDS OFTEN MATT: Let’s talk about a subject
ferent worlds. I grew up in a ally walked on me. Then I went never experienced racial profil- that most politicians seem to
suburb of Minneapolis that at to college in Louisiana at an ing. My three sons have never avoid—fatherlessness in the
the time was about 99 percent all-black state school so I could been profiled. How about you? D O N ’ T U N D E R S TA N D T H E African-American community.
white. Honestly, I probably play Division 1 baseball. I quickly
didn’t have a real conversation noticed the funding differential MICHAEL: Recently, I was driving MICHAEL: First, I think black peo-
with a person of color until my between the black state school to church to lead a Bible study LEGACY OF RACISM IN THIS ple have to take responsibility.
junior year in college. But you and the largely white state and got pulled over. Two police Period.
and I also have some things school across town. officers thought I was a drug
in common. Like you, I loved dealer. They told me to get out C O U N T R Y. H O W D O Y O U MATT: Justlike white people need
sports, and like you, I was MATT:You know, Michael, in the of my car and put my hands on to take responsibility.
called into pastoral ministry at white suburb where I grew up, the hood. I said, “I’m a pastor.
a young age. we’d basically say, “Me, a racist? Search my car and you’ll find a MICH A E L : Yes. I’ll tell you the
We’re nice people. We think rac- Bible and a worship service bul-
“J U S T B E F R I E N D S ” A F T E R 4 0 0 two biggest problems in the
MICHAEL WRIGHT: I grew up in May- ism is mean.” Of course we didn’t letin with my name on it.” Even- African-American commu-
wood, a predominately black actually know black people and tually they believed me and let nity—fatherlessness and sex
neighborhood west of Chicago. I probably carried suspicions me go. YEARS OF SYSTEMIC RACISM— outside of marriage. Two bib-
didn’t interact with white people towards them, especially young lical issues, right? As African-
until I turned 11, when we moved black males. MAT T: I have three sons—aged American men, we can’t blame
to Bellwood, the next town over, 29, 27, and 24—and you have C H AT T E L S L AV E R Y, J I M C R O W, anyone else for these problems in
which at the time was about 95 MICHAEL: Yeah, I almost never hear two sons—aged 17 and 15. I’ve our communities. Sex is sacred
percent white (now it’s about a racist call himself a racist. I never had a conversation with to the Lord, not a plaything. A
75 percent black). That’s when guess that makes racism like my sons about how to handle a AND RACIAL PROFILING? child needs a dad, and the best
I experienced racial prejudice any other sin. A lot of my white situation like that. Have you? way to create that Continued on pg 52

53 INTOUCH.ORG
relationship is through mar- MICHAEL: No, man, I am at peace together to bring down the walls in different contexts, as a white
riage, then sex. When we ignore L AW S A N D P O L I T I C I A N S with you making me Irish stew of suspicion and coldness. When pastor and a black pastor, I know
that biblical pattern, when we any day. my people see people driving that vision captivates both of us.
treat God and His Word with in from the suburbs to join our
contempt, we’re putting our chil- A N D L E G I S L AT I O N MATT:I heard you might even be little church for worship, and MICHAEL:I urge both my black and
dren in an even deeper hole. part Irish. then these brothers and sisters my white brothers and sisters:
are raising their hands, getting Don’t be intimidated by each
MATT: When you preached a ser- MICHAEL: Seriously, though, some- engaged in worship, it brings other. We have one Lord, one
CAN’T CHANGE ONE
mon at our mostly white church, times white people smile way down the walls. My people say, faith, one baptism. We believe
you said there’s only one way to too much when they’re working “Wow, they are one of us.” Jesus died for our sins. When
5 6
6 heal the racial divide in this coun- H U M A N H E A R T. Y O U C A N ’ T on racial reconciliation. I say, the world sees the church lov- 6
try—revival. I don’t hear many “Do you smile like that around MATT:I love the vision of revival ing each other across racial lines,
politicians from either party your white friends? Or are you in the Book of Acts—people that love will become contagious.
talking about revival. How will wearing that smile because from different languages and It will spread like wildfire. Peo-
revival heal our racial divide?
L E G I S L AT E L O V E . T H E you don’t want to offend me?” ethnic groups getting filled with ple will come to Christ in droves.
You know, some white peo- the Holy Spirit, worshipping Blacks and whites worshipping
Laws and politicians and
MICHAEL: ple should feel guilty about the same Lord Jesus. Although together—that’s what supernat-
legislation can’t change one SPIRIT OF GOD HAS TO how they’ve viewed or treated you and I came from such dif- ural love looks like, and people
human heart. You can’t legis- blacks. But once you’ve been ferent worlds and still minister are dying for that real love. 
late love. The Spirit of God has forgiven in Christ, you’re a new
to break into our lives and flood BREAK INTO OUR LIVES creature. Condemnation comes
our hearts with love. That’s the from the enemy. Conviction
only way we’re going to love like comes from the Holy Spirit.
Jesus—freely and sacrificially. AND FLOOD OUR HEARTS
God has to show us how to be MATT:You and your church from
one in Christ. Chicago’s West Side and our
WITH LOVE. church from the suburbs have
Yeah, otherwise it’s white
MATT: formed a partnership that you W E D O N ’ T N E E D A H A N D O U T;
folks worshipping here and call “Walk Across the Street.”
black folks worshipping over
there. But Jesus prayed, Father, MICHAEL:And it’s been great. We W E J U S T N E E D A H A N D. W E
make them one (John 17:21). don’t need another program or
initiative. Instead, we need to
MICHAEL: We need to be the answer bring blacks and whites together NEED YOU AND YOU NEED
to Jesus’ prayer for unity in the African-American church. I’m you guys stare and lean forward. for worship. We want a relation-
body of Christ. But that doesn’t used to people sitting quietly Your eyeballs are on fire with ship, a genuine friendship, with
mean we suddenly have all during the sermon. But at this intensity. our white brothers and sisters. US. JESUS DIDN’T JUST GIVE
homogeneous churches. That’s church, folks were standing to As I like to say, we don’t need a
not unity. Christ-centered unity face the preacher, yelling, wav- Yeah sure, we try hard!
MAT T: handout; we just need a hand. We
involves bringing all of our differ- ing, laughing, talking back. I had But in another sense, do you need you and you need us. Jesus A H A N D O U T. H E B E C A M E
ences together, allowing them to no clue what was happening. As think white people try too hard didn’t just give a handout. He
blossom into something beautiful I sat and listened politely to the around their black friends? became flesh and moved into our
for God. The problem is that all- sermon, an older black gentle- They’re trying too hard to be neighborhood. (See John 1:14.) FLESH AND MOVED INTO OUR
white or all-black churches tend man standing behind me tapped nice, to not be racist?
to overlook or even look down me on the shoulder and said, I like the simple genius of
MATT:
on people from a different race “Son, it’s alright for you to stand Definitely. I tell my white
MICHAEL: that—just start worshipping N E I G H B O R H O O D ( J O H N 1:14).
or culture. But our differences in and shout too.” friends, “Just be you. Be genuine.” together, and then see what
themselves are okay. happens.
MICHAEL: Ha! But white people are MATT: By the way, I hope you didn’t
MATT: Ye a h , I r e m e m b e r so engaged when I preach. It’s think I was trying too hard by It’s been pretty amazing.
MICHAEL:
the first time I went to an almost nerve-racking the way making you Irish beef stew. There’s nothing like worshipping

IL LUSTR ATIO N BY E L E N I D E B O
MINISTRY
LAMENT
1 2
6 6
the of
WHAT MANY
CHURCHES
LACK, OUR
CULTURE
DESPERATELY
NEEDS.
BY D. L.
MAYFIELD
55
ITM-124_54_FEAT_Lament_FINAL.indd 54-55 5/18/18 12:40 PM

AS A CHILD, I understood that being a Christian meant even apathy can set in for even claiming to be the bank, offering
the most well-intentioned souls. free money, and trying to scam
being involved in compassion work. My Some problems will never be my friends out of their newly
parents consistently created avenues for fixed through positive thinking minted Social Security num-
or sheer grit. Instead, there are bers; the cockroach infestations
me and my siblings to engage in the wider unjust realities that need to be ignored by landlords; schools
3 world: volunteering in classrooms for voiced, within the safety of a lov- that didn’t have the resources
4
ing community and relationship, no one in the family could speak or training to help children from
6
people with severe disabilities; serving and there are systems and pol- English, or even read. Slowly it non-literate, rural, and trauma-
6
Thanksgiving dinners at homeless shelters; icies that need to be confessed became apparent that both the tized backgrounds. Or perhaps I
and repented of. Lament allows mother and the father in the became truly overwhelmed when
creating and running summer programs in a us to draw near to God and artic- family had issues with mem- I realized this family received
Native village off the coast of Alaska; start- ulate both our deepest griefs and ory retention and learning new resettlement assistance for only
our flickering hopes. And this information (signs of trauma, I eight months, at which point they
ing a music venue at our church for high is precisely what the Christian would find out much later in life). were expected to be fully func-
schoolers to play and listen to Christian church can and must offer to a Whatever English conversation tioning members of society, no
world that is drowning in vio- we practiced one week would matter what barriers they might
punk rock; and for people with nowhere else lence, suffering, and despair. be completely forgotten in a few face—like racism, classism,
to go, randomly having them live with us for days. What I thought would be a and little to no understanding
quick and fun learning process of non-Western cultures in the
weeks, months, or sometimes years at a can remember the turned into a reminder of failure, public sector.
time. ¶ These experiences, coupled with the I
first time I started week after week. My faith started to floun-
to feel overwhelmed I started to notice more signs der. I had engaged in charity
myriads of missionary biographies I read, at the problems fac- of how hard life was for my work—trying to help this fam-
changed how I viewed the world and my ing my refugee friends. I had new friends: the various bills ily—but was unprepared for
volunteered through a reset- piling up on the countertops, the circumstances, systems,
role in it. The formula, in my young mind, tlement agency to be a mentor including the thousands of dol- and policies that lead to deep
became rather simple: Go out into the world for a recently arrived Somali lars this family owed for their brokenness and inequality. Did
Bantu family. I was 19 years old flights to the United States; the God see what was happening to
to preach the gospel, become immersed in but knew I could be useful and phone calls, interrupting the my friends? Did He even care?
the lives of the people and their problems, help them. Armed with English afternoons in the apartment,
worksheets, I soon discovered from fast-talking hucksters
and do everything you can to help. hese questions, while
Perhaps, at first blush, there T frightening, are not

new to God. If one
is nothing terribly wrong with is alive and paying
this formula. But the limita- attention, questions regarding
tions of such a framework
become increasingly clear once PEOPLE WHO RUN AWAY divine sovereignty in response
to evil, suffering, injustice, and
FROM MOURNING ARE ALSO

we find ourselves immersed in death will naturally be raised.
problems too big to be easily Old Testament scholar Walter
solved, recognizing that there Brueggemann refers to these
are policies and systemic real-
ities we’ve all had a hand in, RUNNING AWAY FROM kinds of questions as pressing
forth into the pain of God, which
THE SPIRITUAL BENEFITS

either directly or through com- is a rich biblical tradition, evi-
plicity (or silence). It’s when dent in the work of the proph-
OF LAMENT.
we’re overwhelmed by a broken ets as well as in the psalms (40
world and our own inability to percent of which are classified
fix it that despair, judgment, and as lament). Continued on pg 58

LAMENT GIVES LANGUAGE
John Swinton, author of Rag- exist to make people numb to I opened myself up to when I
ing With Compassion, writes the realities of the world. We engaged in compassion work.
that “lament is ... a very particu- can see this in our own culture’s And this is what lament in the
lar form of prayer that is not con-
tent with soothing platitudes or
obsession with accruing mate-
rial possessions and outrunning FOR THE SUFFERING THAT Bible does. It gives language for
the suffering that people expe-
PEOPLE EXPERIENCE. IT
images of a God who will listen death, living in the perpetual rience. It encourages authentic
only to voices that appease and now. But Brueggemann writes engagement with God. It invites
5 6
ENCOURAGES AUTHENTIC
6 compliment. Lament takes the that “the riddle and insight of bib- in the community? This kind of us to both listen to suffering 6
brokenness of human experience lical faith is the awareness that approach requires relationship, communities and engage in con-
into the heart of God and demands only anguish leads to life, only listening, asking questions about fession and repentance. And
that God answer.” It encourages
authentic engagement with God,
which is a prerequisite to actually
grieving leads to joy, and only
embraced endings permit new
beginnings.” Or as Jesus declared
the conditions that create hun-
ger and food scarcity, and then
changing those systems. Inher-
ENGAGEMENT WITH GOD. lastly, it reveals the ways we try
to numb ourselves to the reali-
ties of the world.
being in relationship with Him. in the Sermon on the Mount, it is ent in this type of work is the I still see my Somali Bantu
And it has a purpose, says Swin- those who mourn who will one desire for justice, which can refugee friends regularly. It
ton. Ultimately, lament exists to day be comforted. People who often look like privileged com- has been over a decade, and
give voice to suffering and to rec- run away from mourning are also munities recognizing how they life is still hard for them in the
oncile us to the love of God. running away from the spiritual have been complicit or even U.S.—compounded by the trau-
Brueggemann, in his book The benefits of lament. profited from inequality. mas of the past and the barriers
Prophetic Imagination, spends Jeremiah, Nehemiah, David, Nehemiah is an example of in the present. But every day I
considerable time articulat- and Jesus Himself all had what this. He fasts and weeps from look at suffering and the com- In my case, this put an end to see signs of hope. The young
ing how the values of the world Brueggemann calls the ministry seeing what caused the walls plexity of the human condi- my own prosperity gospel and woman learning to read, check-
of “articulated grief.” But lament to come down—the breaking tion—but it seems as if current the neat formulas I had created ing out novels from the library;
not only soothed suffering com- of God’s covenants and laws, Western culture has lost the art for how God worked in the world shared meals made with love
munities with honesty and an including exploiting the people of lament. As Dr. Soong-Chan (which, no surprise, tended to and compassion; people making
ultimate hopefulness in the and designing laws to restrict Rah writes in his book Prophetic benefit people who looked and progress one step at a time. I try
work of God; it also served as a who could enter God’s presence. Lament, the West has developed thought and lived just as I did). sometimes to tell them how they
way to invite people to confess Explaining how that led Nehe- a theology of triumphalism that When my life slowly became have changed my faith, how it is
PUTTING LAMENT and repent. For people involved miah to confession and public is echoed in our worship and our entangled with the lives of through them and their suffer-
in compassion work, this is a lament, Harper draws parallels liturgies. Of the top 100 Chris- people who’d suffered globally ing that I truly discovered who
INTO PRACTICE vital understanding. to our time: “We are seeing how tian worship songs from 2012, and continued to suffer in my Jesus is. But perhaps they will
Lisa Sharon Harper, author of our sin causes the brokenness only five could be classified as own country due to disparity never know. The lament they
The Very Good Gospel, told me out there. We see how we actu- lament. Walter Brueggemann and inequality, I woke up and brought to me matured my faith.
1) Engage in compassion work with the meaning of the word com- ally believe in meritocracy, that explains the disconnect this way: started to change. I listened to It allowed me to identify ways in
an eye for systemic factors. Does passion is to be “moved from God loves some more than oth- “The ‘have-nots’ develop a the- stories and saw hardships with which we are connected to each
your church have a food ministry? the bowels” or to feel the suf- ers, and we see how we have ology of suffering and survival. my own eyes. Ultimately, I came other, and ways we fail each
A Thanksgiving food box program? fering of another in the depths made two-tiered structures of The ‘haves’ develop a theology to believe in a God who is sover- other. But most importantly,
What are ways you can start to of your being. She desires hierarchy.” This fundamental of celebration.” eign and who sees and suffers it allowed me to hope in a God
become aware of and involved in to see Christians move from breakdown—the lies we believe For people involved in justice with us. In the process, parts who will redeem us all, and who
reshaping the policies and systems charity and compassion work about ourselves, others, and or compassion work, this is an of the Bible that had previously in the meantime is asking me to
that create a lack of access or (individuals and communities God—is actually what causes important dichotomy to recog- meant nothing to me (which seek and act for justice when-
resources for food? giving out of their abundance) the need for charity. So when- nize. If we have been raised to were written by and for a peo- ever I can. 
and towards community devel- ever we engage in helping others view God as blessing and tak- ple who were suffering) started
2) Pray. Prayer walk your neighbor- opment and even justice work, less fortunate than ourselves, we ing care of those He loves, what to unveil riches of comfort to me
hood or parts of the city where you where oppressive systems and have an opportunity to lament happens when people suffer— personally.
see the need for resurrection. policies are changed. Instead of and mourn the breakdowns that when they experience trauma, My Christian theology gave me
Practice listening, paying attention, handing out sandwiches to hun- got us there. or war, or famine, or systems a framework for compassionate
and sharing your laments and hopes gry folks twice a week, what if a The Bible is certainly full of of poverty that will never allow involvement, but it didn’t equip
with God. church helped start a food co-op these kinds of writings—which them to escape? me to deal with the suffering

How self-
righteousness
hinders our
fellowship—
with God
and others
THE
MEASURE
1 OF 2
5 5
LOVE
BY
MICHELLE
VAN LOON
ILLUSTRATION
BY
JONATHAN
BARTLETT
ITM-124_60_FEAT_Love_FINAL.indd 60-61 5/18/18 1:09 PM

We called it compassion, but
our relationship with Kathy
and her children was built on
W
pity. The words are often used
interchangeably, and both are
rooted in a feeling of sorrow
at the suffering of another.
However, in contemporary
usage, pity often carries with
it a sense of superiority toward
the one who is hurting. Writer
Stefan Zweig said pity is “really
3 4
5 no more than the heart’s impa- 5
tience to be rid as quickly as
possible of the painful emotion
aroused by the sight of anoth- While
er’s unhappiness, that pity
which is not compassion, but
our
only an instinctive desire to holy,
WHEN THE PASTOR’S WIFE stood in front of the women’s Bible study
fortify one’s own soul against
the sufferings of another.” all-powerful
group and asked for childcare volunteers to help a single mom named
Kathy, my hand shot up.
In contrast, Scripture roots
God’s compassion toward us in
God
Wouldn’t it be great to minister to this struggling little family? I His character: “Gracious is the has
thought. I can really show them the love of Jesus.
I knew who Kathy was. We all did. She stood out in our well-to-do
Lord, and righteous; yes, our
God is compassionate” (Ps. 116:5).
every
suburban church like a wild poppy that had improbably bloomed in While our holy, all-powerful God right
a perfect field of pastel daisies. Kathy always had dirt under her fin-
gernails from her third-shift job at a printing house and smelled of
has every right to look down on
us, He instead chose to be with us to look
cigarette smoke and sweat. Before she came to the church, she and
her two children had fled because of an abusive marriage. At one
(Matt. 1:23). Every act of Jesus’
ministry flowed from His com-
down
point, she and the kids were living in her ancient car, bouncing from passion for us—from His healing on us,
shelter to shelter. She had significant learning disabilities, but with
the help of a shelter social worker, she eventually was able to land a
of those who were suffering, to
His confrontations with hypo-
He
steady job and rent a small apartment in our town. critical religious leaders, to His instead
Kathy had come to faith in Jesus by watching a few favorite Chris-
tian television programs. She soon realized that attending a church
death on the cross.
I’d always imagined I was just chose
could help her grow spiritually and assist her as she sought to disci-
ple her children. When she arrived at our congregation, our church
like the humble, broken tax col-
lector in Luke’s parable (18:9-18).
to be
leaders looked for ways to offer practical aid. Childcare expenses In this story, a deeply contrite with us.
took a huge bite out of her small paycheck, so they suggested some man, overcome by the realization
volunteers lend a hand. he’s sinned against a holy God, is
The Thursday morning Bible study group had taken on a variety of contrasted with a religious elite
other projects through the years: gathering items for the food pantry, whose show-offy prayer trum-
helping to decorate the church for women’s teas, and bringing cas- pets his moral superiority over
seroles to new moms. I suspect most of us thought of Kathy as just everyone around him. I’d first
another project. Our group consisted of middle- and upper-class sub- come to God as the tax collector
urban stay-at-home moms. Because Kathy wasn’t one of “us,” I used my had. His prayer was mine: “God,
privilege to measure Kathy’s faith. I saw myself as the spiritual giant— be merciful to me, the sinner”
or at least the stronger, more mature believer—in our relationship. (v. 13). Over time, however, my
I don’t think I was the only one who felt this way. Though none of inner Pharisee surfaced. Though
us would have voiced it, I had the sense among our group that we saw I didn’t try to make a show of my
ourselves as Kathy’s rescuers. When we discussed her, it was always righteousness, I’d gradually lost
in terms of our heroics—not our relationship with her. my compassion for Continued on pg 64

other sinners like me. I put a I’m not as good as she is. A lot of
lot of effort into looking like a those ladies do.” She shrugged,
good Christian—and as I did, my letting the thought of the indig-
compassion for others quietly nity roll off her like rain. “Oh
drifted into pity. Pity distances well. I’m glad you’re not like
itself from others; compassion Pity them, Michelle.”
draws near.
Thus, I thought I was showing distances A lump formed in my throat.
I stared at the ground for a long
compassion to Kathy by offer-
ing her free childcare, but I soon
itself minute before I responded. “I
think I’m more like them than
discovered that my motives were from you realize.”
5
rooted in the same arrogant
others; She shook her head. “No.
5 pride as that of the Pharisee. I
saw myself as a rescuing hero compassion
I’m not your project. I’m your
friend,” she said.
STAFF
PICKS
who’d come to save Kathy’s day.
My first inkling that my draws She gave to me in that moment
what I thought I’d been giving to
patronizing script toward
Kathy might be all wrong came
near. her all along. She offered me
true compassion, the overflow
when she brought her kids over of the mercy she’d received from
for the first time. She arrived Jesus, her Rescuer. That mercy
a few minutes early, sat down unmasked me, revealing to me
at my kitchen table, and inter- the Pharisee I’d become.
viewed me as if she were hir- what the right hand is doing Kathy was always an outsider at
ing me for a nanny job: “Where (Matt. 6:3). I learned it’s impossi- the church. She was not the only
did you grow up? How would ble to obey Him in this while I’m one, I discovered, as I stepped
you describe each of your kids? clutching an expectation-filled back and began looking at things
How do you handle picky eat- script in one of those hands. from her vantage point. While she
ers? What kind of discipline do As I got to know Kathy over the remained a project to most in the
you use in your house?” next few months, my pity slowly congregation, she had a handful
Though Kathy was glad for turned to remorse. Kathy mod- of friends. I was honored to be
the offer of free childcare, she eled in-the-trenches discipleship numbered among them.
was also street smart and rightly for me. She struggled to read but When our family moved away,
suspicious of a perfect stranger committed herself to learning she and I eventually lost touch.
who’d volunteered to watch about the Bible by listening to Then a few years ago, I learned
her kids. She was very protec- sermons on TV and radio. She that she’d passed away after a
tive of them, as the family had prayed with simplicity and great brief, ferocious bout with breast
been through a lot together. I expectation. She delighted in her cancer. By that time, her beloved
was more than happy to answer ongoing experience of God’s for- kids were grown and had long
her questions, but her sense of giveness in a way that was totally since flown from her humble nest.
caution jostled me a bit. After incongruous with her rough When I reflect on our years at
all, I was a good church woman exterior. She received His pure that church, I don’t think I could
who’d gone above and beyond compassion from others, allow- tell you much about most of the
the call of duty to help her out. ing the Holy Spirit to strain toxic sermons I heard or the things I
Somehow, she didn’t seem quite pity from it. learned during the Bible studies
as grateful as I thought she
should. I didn’t realize I had a
She wasn’t a fool, however.
It turned out that she was on
I attended. But I can tell you that
because of Kathy, I discovered
FIELD GUIDES FOR LIFE’S JOURNEY
script in mind, filled with what to us. When I was experienc- pity comes with its own prideful Be prepared for the road and season ahead with these recommended Life Principles
I deemed appropriately grate- ing conflict with someone at measuring tape rooted in power Study Guides, which will equip you for your journey of spiritual growth. Suitable for
ful responses from Kathy—until church, I opened up to Kathy or privilege. Biblical compas- personal or group study, these three study guides explore aspects of the Spirit-filled life,
she veered from that script by because I’d grown to value her sion, however, is as limitless as the restoration of your heart, and the path to servanthood.
being a concerned parent. straight-shooting instincts. God’s perfect love for each one of
Jesus told us that when we “Your ‘friend’ isn’t really much us—even those of us who, per- $7 usd (each)
give to others, we’re not sup- of a friend, if you want my opin- haps like a Pharisee, mistake
posed to let the left hand know ion,” she said. “She treats me like ourselves for a hero. Please contact us for additional titles and quantity discounts:
1-800-980-0020 | INTOUCH.ORG/STUDY

In Focus 07
18
The In Touch broadcast

Pillars of now reaches 6 million people
in the Athens area alone—at
the Faith a time when the country’s need
The economic and refugee crises
were a one-two punch for Greece.
is especially apparent.
But believers there are standing
for the bruised and broken.
BY JOSEPH E. MILLER
PHOTOGRAPHY BY
GARY S. CHAPMAN
who came to Christ three years Testament provide a welcome

A LIGHT WIND BLOWS the salt- ago through a relationship with introduction to the gospel.
and-pepper hair of Dimitrios Dimitrios, and in that short For the past six years, getting
Athanasopolous as he points to a time, they’ve become family. In Touch With Dr. Charles Stanley
small column in ancient Corinth. The Roma, known to many by broadcast throughout Greece has
“Paul would have preached from the pejorative “gypsies,” were been Dimitrios’s responsibility.
that spot. Next to it is a spring already some of the poorest in With a long background in televi-
that still bubbles to this day,” he Greece before the 2010 eco- sion, he had been looking for solid
says, the constant flow a living nomic crisis. Dimitrios’s congre- biblical teaching to broadcast via
connection to the past. Behind gation collects donations each non-Christian stations, as there
him, the remains of a granite month to buy food staples for are no Christian networks in the
road run past the Temple of them and other groups, provid- country. He estimates that the
Apollos and down toward the ing for basic needs as they build program now reaches 6 million
sea. A pastor in Athens, Dimi- relationships. Following Grand- people in the Athens area alone—
trios often returns to this spot, pa’s decision to follow Christ, at a time when the country’s need
proud of his country’s deep other Roma have become believ- is especially apparent.
Christian roots. It reminds him ers, and a house church now In the wake of Greece’s finan-
of the early church, of its mis- meets each Thursday night. And cial crisis, governmental mea-
sion to share the gospel and in addition to distributing food, sures to fix the economy have
bring comfort to the weary. Dimitrios’s team has given out led to higher taxes and job
ILLUSTRATION/PHOTO BY NAME HERE
That afternoon Dimitrios microSD cards loaded with the losses affecting all corners of
joined his friend, affectionately In Touch Messenger content for Greek society. One of the many
known as “Grandpa,” for a food cell phones, which are prevalent unfortunate results was a 35
distribution event in modern In Athens, Greece, the setting sun peers through the Parthenon, even among people living in pov- percent spike in the suicide rate
Corinth, a few miles downhill one of the most iconic temples in the world. erty. For the Roma individuals over two years.
from the ruins of the ancient who don’t yet know Jesus, Dr. One Sunday morning Dim-
city. Grandpa is a Roma leader Stanley’s sermons and the New itrios received a Continued on pg 68
ITM-124_66_InFocus_FINAL.indd 66-67 5/18/18 1:34 PM

I N F O C U S
phone call from a woman who, just background noise a couple of

distressed by her financial situ- years ago. A worship leader and
ation, had made up her mind to church planter, he had his eyes
commit suicide but then sensed on starting a congregation in a
something telling her to turn region east of Athens. But when
on the television. She told him, he looked into Lavrio, he dis-
“Then I saw that wonderful gen- covered several refugee camps.
tleman speaking about Jesus.” Their worn-out conditions were
After listening to Dr. Stanley, the a stark contrast to the beauty
woman gave her life to Christ. of the town where he had vaca-
What the woman couldn’t have tioned as a child. As he spent time
known is, on that particular Sun- in the camps, Mihalis realized the
day the program accidentally ran refugees had nowhere to meet, no
an hour earlier than usual. If it such thing as a communal space.
hadn’t, it’s probable the woman So he and his friends opened
wouldn’t be alive today. Home Spot, a community center
where refugees can congregate
A HEART OPENED TO NEED in a welcoming environment. In
addition to handling food and
M ihalis Litsikakis, a
30-something Greek
with short dark hair
clothing distributions, the cen-
ter offers language lessons and
other classes.
and olive skin, drives south On a sunny winter day, sev-
along the highway in a van he eral men sit at tables, using the
often uses for transporting new center’s Wi-Fi to connect with
refugees. To the left, the Aegean family and friends thousands
splits lush green islands from the of miles away. Kids sink into
mainland. A cargo ship passes couches, playing video games on
between, moving along the same a projector TV. There’s a sepa-
waters boats have fished for mil- rate space upstairs for women
lennia. Mihalis and his friend seeking a private place to talk
George are headed for Lavrio, or nurse babies. A Syrian man
a quaint port city about an hour who recently became a Christian
southeast of Athens, where they stops in to say goodbye to Miha-
operate a center for refugees. Clockwise from top lis and the team. He is leaving for
Though Greece has offered right: Mihalis relocation to Switzerland that
sanctuary to refugee groups for Litsikakis congratu- day; the Home Spot team is as
lates his friend
decades, the financial crisis ulti- used to abrupt farewells as they
Emad, a refugee
mately led to a massive influx being relocated to are to new faces. Mihalis gives
in 2015 from neighboring Tur- Switzerland; Mihalis him an In Touch Messenger in
key. Talks of Greece leaving the leads worship; Arabic, and the man returns a
European Union scared many Pastor Dimitrios wide, stunned smile. They hug
Athanasopoulos
people who were looking to with mixed emotions, joy for the
prays for a Roma
migrate into western Europe, family; a Roma good news and yet sadness at
where they hoped to make a woman receives knowing it may be the last time
better life. They saw the door food. they see each other in this world.
closing and risked the danger- When asked how the rela-
ous trip across the sea. tionship with refugees has
To Mihalis, much of this was changed his faith in Continued on pg 70

I N F O C U S
church: willing to listen because

of the genuine sense of care from
believers. For Themis, this is
what the gospel is all about.
“The church isn’t just THE LIGHT SHINES ON
about a worship L eaving behind ancient

Corinth, Dimitrios
experience and focus on pulls onto the high-
way headed east toward Ath-
self. It’s about others.” ens. Except for headlights, the
road is pitch-black until he nears
Pireaus, a port city where he once
walked freely in refugee camps.
Today, government restrictions
prevent ministers like him from
accessing these areas. Dimi-
trios laments the recent turn of
events, but the need is too great
Jesus, the congenial, often jok- of the neighborhood, a safe place to stop. He’ll find another way to
ing Mihalis pauses and begins for them to play games and hang reach the refugees.
to tear up. “The church isn’t out. Ever since the beginning of His last stop for the night is the
just about a worship experience the economic crisis, the church station that airs In Touch With
and focus on self,” he says. “It’s has seen a sharp increase in Dr. Charles Stanley. Though
about others.” the needs of their community. there are more modern ways to
“When we started focusing out- transport files, Dimitrios enjoys
THE CHURCH LOOKS OUTWARD ward, we noticed the church bringing in the subtitled disc
began to grow both spiritually each week for the technician to
W
Above: Themis Sirinides
earing a blue fleece and in number,” Themis said. check. Once the file is good to go, talks with Vangelis, one
a ga i n s t t h e c o o l In addition to the recent influx he heads upstairs to say hello to of the men who attend
morning, Themis from Syria, Iraq, and Afghani- the station manager, who has had a weekly food
Sirinides reaches up to unlock stan, refugees from places like a renewed faith in Jesus since distribution in Athens.
the gate outside the Second Albania, Iran, and elsewhere airing In Touch, the only Chris- Right: The Mediterra-
nean Sea glows in the
Evangelical Church of Athens in have sought sanctuary in Greece tian program on his network. light of dusk.
the middle of a residential dis- for decades. For Themis and Outside, hours past twilight, a
trict. Here, old mixes with new, his team, meeting the physical bright glow from the three-story
ancient ruins alongside apart- needs of their neighbors is the building reflects in large pools
ment buildings. A crowd waits first step in bringing them closer of water from the day’s recent
patiently outside, ready for a hot to Jesus. During one recent food rain. It complements the stars
meal and a cup of coffee. distribution, they were able to in the sky above, the same ones
The food distribution is one of hand out several Messengers to that hovered above Paul as he
several outreaches the church regular attendees. Vangelis, who introduced Athenians to the one
holds every week. On different fled Albania nearly 40 years ago, “unknown God” standing like a
days they open a center down was shocked to hear the Bible pillar among empty ruins.
the road for homeless residents in his native tongue for the first
to come take a shower and wash time. Though not a Christian,
their clothes. On other days he’s like many of the people Difficult times call for faithful
their center is open for the youth who accept the services of the believers. intouch.org/greece

When I said I would fight
f o r y o u , I m e a n t i t.
BENEDICTION
AS THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN CHOSEN OF GOD, holy and

beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness,
humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with
one another, and forgiving each other, whoever
has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord
forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these
things put on love, which is the perfect bond of
unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts,
to which indeed you were called in one body; and
be thankful. Let the word of Christ richly dwell
within you, with all wisdom teaching and admon-
ishing one another with psalms and hymns and
spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your
hearts to God. Whatever you do in word or deed,
do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving
thanks through Him to God the Father.
—Colossians 3:12-17
FEAR NOT—THE LORD IS BESIDE YOU IN EVERY SPIRITUAL BATTLE. LEARN MORE AT
INTOUCH.ORG/PRAY
73 INTOUCH.ORG

0718 July-August FINAL

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ITM-102_Devotional_022715_MLC_FINAL.

Between Mothers and Daughters

by Becky Stanley Brodersen

Heartened Toward Hope

SET OF THREE: FREE ADDITIONAL SET OF THREE: $9 USD

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REAL CONVERSATIONS WITH GOD

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IF THERE’S ONE PLACE

and sisters toward holiness, meet

COVER, ILLUSTRATION BY R. FRESSON; THIS PAGE, ILLUSTRATION BY ELENI DEBO

cally and emotionally.

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Say It, Show It: A Conversation

A Story of Reckless Love 31

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EXCERPT Race Matters

When tragedy strikes, we have an unhealthy tendency to ignore the pain.

 Joshua Ryan Butler

ITM-124_01_FOB_FINAL3.indd 6-7 5/17/18 1:26 PM

I was stunned. Though Pas-

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made his messages accessible

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HOW TO BUILD AN UNMOVABLE FOUNDATION FOR YOUR LIFE.

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is common and turnover high). page, and the marker in my hand

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ITM-124_08_FaithWorks_FINAL2.indd 18-19 5/18/18 10:11 AM

the catechisms developed by the His providence, birthed us into

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You admonish people to

Show It what’s the value of it?

PAUL : It’s a great challenge

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SOMETIMES it’s the little

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to protect ourselves. And

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Filled with wonder. A STORY OF RECKLESS LOVE

BY WINN COLLIER ILLUSTRATIONS BY ADAM CRUFT

THE PARABLE OF THE GOOD SAMARITAN IS among the handful of

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CHAPTER & VERSE been enslaved, were worked

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 Colossians 4:12 describes inter-

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ILLUSTRATIONS BY DANIËL ROOZENDAAL ABOUT RACE AND THE CHURCH

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