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God’s promise
for you
Alaska Cruise • July 11-18, 2008
Tired of run-of-the-mill commercial “getaways”? Join Dr. Stanley on
an exclusive cruise reserved just for In Touch friends—and discover an
extraordinary panorama of God’s creation.
For seven unforgettable days, you’ll experience the unique history, beauty,
and adventure that Alaska has to offer: gaze at majestic mountains or hike
blooming summer fields; photograph awe-inspiring wildlife or enjoy
fishing and other outdoor sports. And while you relax on board a luxury
liner, you’ll enjoy Dr. Stanley’s Bible teaching along with uplifting
worship, entertainment, and the fellowship of other believers.
Features
6 God’s Promise to You
Many Christians work hard to earn God’s love and resist
the Devil. But the Lord has a much better plan for our lives.
32 Early Light
Find biblical guidance with the help of these daily devotions
from Dr. Stanley’s sermons.
Departments
18 The Power of a Woman’s Words
S o l v i n g p r o b le m s 12
Words have a big impact on those around us. Children,
husbands, and friends can be hurt or helped by what is said.
22 Simplify
F a m i ly r o o m
See how five families changed their lives dramatically by
reducing their consumption habits.
26 Prince Caspian
b y fa i t h
Movie producer Mark Johnson offers an inside look at 32
the making of the next Chronicles of Narnia film. Cover photo by
Charles F. Stanley, ©2008.
C. Phillip Bowen
c hie f c o m m uni c a ti o ns o f f i c er
J. Dale Weller
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT
OF C o ntent D E V E L O P M E N T
Brian R. Connor
seni o r dire c t o r
g l o b a l c o m m uni c a ti o n
Tonya Stoneman
EDITOR
Linda M. Canup
Having trouble reading In Touch? We’ve got good Assist a nt E dit o r
mothers:
God’s blessing
d
uring the month of May, many people celebrate the contribu-
tion their mothers have made in their lives. When I think of
my own mother, I’m reminded of how she sacrificed on my
behalf every day, which demonstrated her profound love for me. She
was truly an example of God’s unconditional love for His children.
I’ll never forget the day I realized in a tangible way the depth of
my mother’s love. She was walking out the door to go to the cotton
Thank mill where she worked. I wanted her to stay home, so I said unkind
words to her as she left. When she returned, she sat me down and
your mother said, “I want to tell you something, Charles. You know I work 40
hours a week and I make nine dollars and ten cents. I try to dress
for what
you the best I can. I try to provide what you need with the little we
she’s done— have. We don’t have a lot of things. I would give you a lot more if
I could, but this is the best I can do. I love you. I would lay down
embrace her, my life for you. What you said hurt your mom deeply.”
Her words were the worst beating I ever got—and just what
listen to her, I needed. Even now, decades later, I still remember them. At that
moment, I realized how much my ingratitude hurt my mother—not
honor her.
just because she was my mom, but because she loved me so much.
I understood how much I could hurt others simply by taking their
love for granted. Surely, this must be what God feels when we turn
away from His unfailing love.
Now is a good time to reflect on the love your mother has given
you, whatever form it may take. Some moms are closely knitted to
their children, and others are aloof. But chances are, if you think
long enough, you’ll see an example of your mother’s genuine love
for you. It’s also a good time to thank her for what she’s done—
embrace her, listen to her, honor her. The Bible says, “Honor your
father and mother, that your days may be prolonged in the land
which the Lord your God gives you” (Ex. 20:12). You’ll be as
blessed as she is. That’s the way love works.
When I received Jesus Christ as
my Savior, several well-meaning people told
me that I needed to do three things: be good,
obey God’s commandments, and live a godly
life. That was it. Their instructions were fine
for a 12-year-old boy, but it wasn’t long
before I realized the advice had many limitations
and did nothing to teach me how to live the
Christian life. There were times when I felt
powerless and wondered how I could learn to
stand firm in
my faith, trust-
ing God for the
God’s
promise
promises He
had given me
you
in His Word.
to
I also
noticed
that when I faced
temptation, I had
to fight mentally
not to yield. It wasn’t
that I was particularly sinful; little irritations
like thinking negatively and feeling frustrated
plague all of us, even those who are young.
I tried to live a good life by setting standards
based on my own ideas of what was “godly.”
It soon became obvious that I was expending
a lot of energy—resisting the Enemy in my
own strength was extremely difficult. In fact,
it was impossible.
living
6 | May 2008 In Touch
in the power of the Holy Spirit
b y C h a r l e s F . S t a n l e y
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|7
God is the only One who has the right
perspective of our lives. And He will
reveal it to us, but we must turn to Him
and listen forHis voice of instruction.
By the time I was in college, I realized A few months ago, while talking to a
that I was not alone. Many believers were young man, I realized that he was using
doing the same thing: working hard at the same word over and over again.
their faith, fighting to do good, and trying “I’m just struggling to understand why
to resist the Devil. But the results were I feel the way I do,” he told me. A few
less than satisfying and often came at the
e
sentences later, he said, “I know life is a
price of mental exhaustion, along with struggle, but I’m doing the best I can.”
feelings of depression, fear, and anxiety. I stopped him and commented, “You
Satan is a strong and unyielding don’t have to live like that.” He looked
enemy, and if we do not understand the shocked at my statement, because he
power that our lives contain through didn’t even realize what He had said.
Jesus Christ, we can go down in defeat He’d been thinking this way for so long
very quickly. There is also the fact that that he did not even hear the personal
unless we are careful, our minds will be effort that was revealed in his words.
programmed to believe the empty philos- “God has a plan for your life,” I told
ophy of this godless age. Then thoughts him, “and it does not include fighting
of inability and negativity can undermine your way through every circumstance.
our position in Christ. We are joint heirs God has given you a promise: the
with Him—children of the living God! strength you need is readily available
We don’t have to struggle, because He through the Holy Spirit. And the power
has given us all we need to conquer the to say no to frustration and sorrow is
Enemy and live victoriously. yours, along with the ability to say yes
God is the only One who has the right to joy, hope, and love.”
perspective of our lives. And He will
the need
reveal it to us, but we must turn to Him
and listen for His voice of instruction.
Otherwise, we can expect to be drawn off
for a Savior
Many people mistakenly believe they can
course by falling for either Satan’s cun- experience God’s blessings without fully
ning ways or the lies of a society that is committing their lives to Him, but this
out of step with God’s truth. How do we isn’t true. Church attendance alone will
combat thoughts and feelings that are in not insure that you have the power of
opposition to what we know is right? The Christ within you. Nor does it bring the
best way is to ask God to make us sensitive sense of peace and joy that most people
to His Spirit and His will for our lives. long to experience. Working hard to be
e
within you. And it is the role of the Spirit the Savior’s work here in the world. Who
to teach, guide, and empower you to live draws unbelievers to the Lord? The Spirit.
the Christian life. This is the fulfillment of Who reveals divine truth and enables
God’s personal promise to you. God’s children to advance the kingdom?
Living in the power of His Spirit is not His Spirit. Who protects, comforts, and
something you achieve on your own. It encourages Christians to keep going, no
is a gift and a privilege you are given the matter how difficult their circumstances?
moment you yield your life to Him. Jesus God’s Spirit—the One who was with Him
made it clear: we can do nothing apart from the beginning and who will be with
from Him (John 15:5). If you are not Him forever (Gen. 1:2; Heb. 9:14). Why
living for Him, you are living for yourself. would you want to settle for trying to
And if that is the case, then more than live the Christian life in your own limited
likely, you are fighting, struggling, and power when you can enjoy the infinite
battling your way through each day. resources of God through His Spirit?
The second step involves realizing the Jesus knew that His disciples would feel
infinite power that is yours as a result of abandoned following His crucifixion. But
God’s awesome promise. Jesus told His He also knew that the Comforter would
disciples, “I will ask the Father, and come, bringing sustaining peace to their
He will give you another Helper, that He hearts. The same thing is true for us today.
may be with you forever; that is the Spirit We do not have to struggle or battle our
of truth, whom the world cannot receive, way through life, because God is with us.
because it does not see Him or know All we need to do is accept Him, surrender
Him, but you know Him because He to Him, and ask Him to teach us His ways.
abides with you and will be in you” When you are living in step with the Lord,
(John 14:16-17). The Helper that God you know what is right, even before you
sent was His Holy Spirit—the third person have a chance to debate the issue in your
of the Trinity and our eternal connection mind. The Spirit teaches you right from
with the Savior. He is the One who illu- wrong, so in situations where your faith
mines our minds with truth and empowers could be compromised, you know how to
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|9
By trusting
e
Christ as Savior,
we receive all we need to
live the Christian life.
But we each must
learn how to apply
divine truth
to our thoughts
and actions.
say no. In doing so, you gain confidence It is like dynamite energy that is given to
and become aware of the power and us so we can carry out the Father’s work
potential your life contains. on earth.
The third step is realizing that God By trusting Christ as Savior, we receive
Himself has enabled you to do His will. all we need to live the Christian life. But
When Jesus was here on the earth, His we each must learn how to apply divine
disciples had access to the wisdom and truth to our thoughts and actions. Can
direction they needed for every situation. we gain more of His Spirit? No. God
His death changed this, but only tempo- holds nothing back—all that He has,
rarily. In Luke 24, we read that the Lord He gives. But to take full advantage of
“opened their minds to understand the this, we must make ourselves completely
Scriptures,” telling them, “I am sending available to Him. We can go through life
forth the promise of My Father upon neglecting and ignoring the person and
you; but you are to stay in the city until work of the Holy Spirit, but we will come
you are clothed with power from on away the losers. Or we can open up our
high” (vv. 45, 49). Jesus was speaking hearts to the almighty, living God. When
about the power of the Holy Spirit—this we do, He teaches us how to live each
is the very power of God, which is greater day, empowered with truth, hope, mercy,
than anything the world can produce. and infinite love.
|
See order form or visit www.intouch.org.
10 May 2008 In Touch
16
{life principle 16}
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| 11
I was always one of those “Not to be rude, but are you sure?”
women who is awkward around children. “Yeah.”
I remember vividly the look of horror “Really sure?”
on a friend’s face when I told her babies “Yeah.”
were squishy and weird (I wasn’t trying “Not to be rude, but I’m not going to
to be funny). To me, kids were slobbery, really believe this till I get confirmation
smelly, and way too inconvenient—to from a professional.”
put it mildly. The idea of becoming a A couple of weeks later he went
life support system for a completely through the same dialogue with a nurse.
dependent person dressed up in a tacky She laughed at him.
little sailor outfit seemed crazy. I didn’t
even try to understand where people were Within about nine months, our little
coming from on that one. angel came into the world, and a seismic
Then I got pregnant. shift took place in me. The very day he
I walked out of the OB-GYN’s office was born, I became a different person.
feeling strange. I knew my life was about The natural resources we need to become
to change in a most fundamental way, but parents lie dormant in the seedbed of
I had no idea how. It was like packing your our lives until the birthing process brings
bags for a long trip without knowing where them into full bloom. Holding his fragile
you’re going. I placed the mint-green body, I realized for the first time that
diaper bag full of formula samples and how- someone else was more important to me
to books on the kitchen table and told my than myself. When the nurse took him
husband, “Well, we’re having a baby.” away, I longed to be with him. I lay in
He zoned out in front of the television: my hospital bed listening to various cries
“Not to be rude, but can I just finish from the nursery down the hall and knew
watching this game?” Aware that he was instinctively which tiny voice was his.
in a mild state of shock, I did not take When we fall in love, we experience
offense at his response. Later he said, a degree of intense devotion that Scripture
Go
the
what parenting taught me
about living the high life
by Tonya Stoneman
oOd
RiDe
wwwwww. i.ni nt ot ou uc hc h. o. or gr g
| | 1313
calls “agape”—the stakes go up signif- in a college play. I had a boyfriend and
icantly, and we realize that we must wanted to spend time with him, so I left
choose to become completely vulnerable her alone in my apartment all evening
if we’re ever going to taste the fruit of while I attended cast parties. Before she
real love. We walk out on the limb and went back home, we spent just enough
hopefully are rewarded. But still, there time together for her to buy me a new hat
are limits to this love. There are certain in a boutique. Then I hugged her and said
transgressions that, if committed, would goodbye. At the time, I was vaguely aware
seriously compromise our devotion. of my obtuse behavior, but she never said
With children, it’s different. There is anything about it.
nothing they can do to drive us away.
And this is where the transformation takes My mother grew up in a boxcar.
place. If we can be defined by the choices She remembers her mother making soap
we make, the daily life of a mother is from lard and hanging newspapers on the
telling. She spends the majority of her walls for insulation. That common woman
capital on her children without thought passed her work ethic down to my mom,
of compensation. whom I regularly watched climb the long
I remember shunning my own mother, hill to our house in knee-deep snow when
after she’d driven several hours to see me the car couldn’t make it in. I thought of
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| 15
I learned in four years of seminary. “oh-my-goodness, where are my boys?”
The paradox of parenthood is that I lick snow off the hood of my car, bury
we’re the ones who should be teaching myself in the leaf pile, and climb trees.
our children how to grapple with the I spend my money on Legos® and toy
challenges of this world, but in reality, soldiers and rubber duckies. I read Shel
it often works the other way around. Silverstein and Roald Dahl and Dr. Seuss.
Children show us how to exalt in I laugh till I cry and cry till I laugh.
monotony—how to find God in the here
and now. G. K. Chesterton observed, “It I never really wanted kids. A
is possible that God says every morning, perception exists among many young
‘Do it again,’ to the sun. And every eve-
ning, ‘Do it again’ to the moon. It may
not be automatic necessity that makes all So here’s
daisies alike. It may be that God makes
all daisies separately, but has never gotten
the trade-off:
tired of making them. It may be that He I get to give up
has the eternal appetite of infancy. For my claim to
we have sinned and grown old, and our myself. And
Father is younger than we.”
At times, I’m pierced by love too receive love
immense to suffer the confines of my that defies logic.
small life, and that’s hard. But the answer,
for me, is Christ—who gave His life
for mine and, in so doing, gives me the women (like me) that motherhood is
capacity to receive all that this splendid a vocation reserved for certain types of
world can offer. I hold it in my arms each people. The words organized, nurturing,
night when I put my children to bed. crafty, and patient come to mind. But
the mystery of parenthood is far deeper
So here’s the trade-off: I get to than our trifling categories.
give up my claim to myself. And receive Disorganized, anxious women who get
love that defies logic. Yes, I’m tired and I lost on their daily commute, drink too
don’t have much time for myself anymore. much coffee, and stay up too late make
My car is a mess and I’m late a lot. The terrific moms. I know from experience.
few fashionable outfits I own have catsup The unexpected transformation that
stains on them. But who wants Paris takes place in a woman when she carries
without someone to share it with? a child in her womb and gives birth is an
I’ve found that The Southern Cross is as act of both life and death.
miraculous to my little boys as it was to me Something in us dies—a certain sureness
when I first saw those stars. I’m rediscover- and aloofness, confidence that comes from
ing life with them. And this time around, taking care of only ourselves. In its place
it’s purer. I’m nearly 40 and I build real love is born—naked, weak, and true.
snowmen on my lawn before work, jump Last night, my oversized 5-year-old
on my bed, play with my spaghetti, eat scolded, “Mom, don’t call me your
more frosting than cookies, and skip school squeaky little biscuit!” I hate to see
with my boys to go to matinees. him grow up so fast. Maybe I’ll have
I play stare-eyes and Monopoly® and another one . . .
Letting Go
Surrendering Our Goals
and Desires to God
Have you ever heard the phrase “Let go n Abraham obeyed God when asked to
and let God”? This is easier said than done sacrifice his son Isaac (Gen. 22:1-19).
when we must choose between what we n The apostle Paul obeyed the Lord
want and what we know God would rather concerning his travel destination and
have us do. Surrendering personal goals to ministry focus (Acts 16:6-10).
the will of the Father is essential for healthy
spiritual growth. Dedication to God’s will strengthens
Surrendering God’s Word, us and builds our faith (Heb. 12:1-2;
personal goals prayer, and the Rom. 12:2).
presence of n The Father is faithful to equip us through
to the will the Holy Spirit the Holy Spirit for the calling He’s placed
of the Father point us to the on our life (Heb. 10:23; 13:20-21).
truth of the n We have confidence and boldness as we
is essential Father’s ways stand firm in what we know God has led
for healthy and desires us to accomplish (1 Cor. 15:1, 16:13;
spiritual growth. for our lives. 2 Thess. 2:13-17).
Looking for
God’s direction David offers believers this encouragement:
and acknowledging His authority takes sur- “Delight yourself in the Lord; and He
render, obedience, and dedication. will give you the desires of your heart”
(Ps. 37:4). When we delight in the Father,
Surrendering our goals to the Father we will naturally gravitate to the actions and
allows His plan for our lives to flourish attitudes that are aligned with His Word
(Matt. 16:24-26). and His will for our lives.
n The disciples surrendered to Jesus’ call
while they were working and going
about their daily lives (Matt. 4:18-22;
Questi ons f or Ref lection
Luke 5:27-28).
n Jesus’ example of submitting to the will 1. Do your goals line up with God’s Word
of the Father is shown most powerfully and will?
in His willingness to die for our sins
(Matt. 26:39). 2. Write a list of goals and plans. Pray over
that list, asking the Lord to reveal any
Obedience is required, even when the impure motives or wrong goals in your
situation is not anticipated, expected, life. Commit to following God’s priorities
or fully understood (Heb. 11:8-10). and plans.
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| 17
solvingproblems
Listen.
Do you hear them? Open your
front door and step out into the world.
They swarm around and surround us on every side.
Small ones with tremendous impact. Large ones looming and misunder-
stood. Swirling. Churning. Spinning. Burning. Listen—do you hear them? One
of the mightiest forces in all creation: words.
When God created the world and everything in it, He did so with words. He
said, “Let there be,” and there was. Amazingly, when God created man in His
own image, He also gave us the powerful tool of language. With a simple word,
we can create a smile on a discouraged child’s face or lighten the heart of a
husband weighed down with burdens. Our words can fan into flame the dying
embers of a friend’s smoldering dreams, cheer brothers and sisters in Christ
to run the race with endurance, and bring Jesus’ message of hope and heal-
ing to a wounded world. Words are one of the most powerful forces in
the universe. And remarkably, God has entrusted them to you and me.
How will we use this priceless gift? The Bible tells us, “Death and life
are in the power of the tongue” (Prov. 18:21), and we don’t have to
go any farther than our front door to see the difference our words can
make. Let’s look at two areas where we have incredible impact.
Simplify
Families
who
want
less
by Mimi Knight
When Christian author
Paul Meier was 30 years old, he had a
Since then, Paul’s mission has been to
help others find the balance between work
brand-new psychology degree and job and family, while always keeping God at
offers for more money than he ever the forefront. This is a primary theme in
dreamed of making. As he contemplated his counseling practice as well as the focus
which position to accept, he came across of his books Compelled to Achieve and The
a statistic stating that 85 percent of all Workaholic and His Family.
counseling is done by priests, rabbis, and If Paul’s story sounds familiar, it might
pastors. “It made sense to me that this be time for some reprioritizing in your
was where God wanted me,” he relates. own life. See how four other families felt
“So I turned down the high-paying gigs the call to scale back and then found ways
and went to work teaching pastors how to make it happen.
to be counselors.”
The next thing Paul knew, he was To Jean and Marjorie
waking at 5 a.m. for private devotions, L’Esperance of Fort Wayne, Indiana,
teaching all day, taking seminary courses it was important for one parent to stay
and counseling students at night, writing home full-time with their children Adrian,
his first book, volunteering in the inner Steven, and Crista. That parent was Jean.
city on Saturdays, and traveling to speak He explains, “As parents, we have eternal
at churches on Sunday. “I was physically messages we want to impart to our kids—
and mentally exhausted. I had no time for messages they’ll accept only from parents
my own wife and kids. How could I, when they know and trust, parents who have
God had so much work for me to do?” invested time and love in them. For us,
One morning during his quiet time, that spelled me staying home, where I
Paul stumbled upon Matthew 11:30, could be available to do things like sell
where Jesus promises, “My yoke is easy Girl Scout cookies door to door, attend
and My burden light.” He found himself track meets, be there when someone was
crying out to God, “How can You say this sick, coach soccer, discuss questionable
is easy when it’s killing me?” school materials with teachers, attend
It was then that Paul realized he was field trips, organize family devotions, and
exhausting himself and alienating his ultimately decide to homeschool.
family trying to do for God, when all God “There are things we’ve done without
wanted from him was obedience.” That in order for me to stay home. By most
night he sat down with his wife, and they standards, we have a small house and
reprioritized their life like this: inexpensive cars. For vacation, we camp
1) God in a pop-up trailer and enjoy inexpensive
activities like swimming and hiking. We
2) Marriage
use tons of coupons and try to find neces-
3) Children sities on sale. Our rewards have been far
4) Using gifts to help the cause greater than our sacrifices: we have three
well-balanced kids who have a daily quiet
of Christ
time, take an active role in church and
5) Careers society, maintain good grades, respect
6) Hobbies and other relationships. others, and stand up for what they believe.
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| 23
Marjorie and I have time to pray together do causes us to trust in God’s provision. It
and lead accountability groups. Nothing gives us time to take an active role in our
can replace the emotional and spiritual church and time to devote to our marriage,
impact that [comes from spending] time our walk with the Lord, and shepherding
with your kids. Nothing can replace the Lydia in hers.”
time you invest in your marriage and in
daily time with God. I thank Him for
showing us how to find that time.”
Wes and Allyson Cole
of Covington, Louisiana, were married
Before, my sense
of self came from
accomplishment.
Now it comes from
who I am in the
Lord’s eyes.
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| 25
byfaith
T
by Adam Colwell
Their names are decidedly obscure. Thankfully, that didn’t stop them from
Mahlah. Hoglah. Milcah. Noah. Tirzah. challenging the statutes of their culture
Their action, taken eight centuries before while respecting the tenets of their faith.
the founding of Rome, is largely lost in In so doing, they won an incredible vic-
the annals of time. But every woman tory for women’s rights while giving us an
owes them a debt of gratitude. So does inspiring example of undaunted courage.
every lawyer. Their story is found in the book of
The names belong to the daughters Numbers. Their father Zelophehad, a
of Zelophehad—five girls who were of Manassite, had died in the wilderness.
appropriate age, in our modern day, to Since he was not in the company of
be attending a university law school. But Korah, who had rebelled against Moses,
in their time, in the ancient Near East, his family had a right to his inheri-
they had few freedoms and even less say tance. There was a problem, though.
about the course of their futures. Zelophehad did not have a son to claim
28 | May 2008 In Touch
that inheritance, but only daughters, who Judge quickly returned His decision:
had absolutely no property rights under “The daughters of Zelophehad are right
existing customs. Seeing this as unfair, in their statements. You shall surely give
the young women teamed together and them a hereditary possession among their
boldly declared they were entitled to father’s brothers, and you shall transfer
what he had left. the inheritance of their father to them”
This happened at a key moment in the (Num. 27:7). God’s ruling was in favor
history of Israel. The people were getting of the sisters. The law was rewritten, and
ready to enter the Promised Land and women gained legal property rights for
therefore had commissioned a census so the very first time. Later, the case was
that the new land could be distributed broadened to include other instances,
properly before they crossed the Jordan. such as when there were no brothers or
The daughters of Zelophehad had been surviving children of the deceased.
counted among those in their tribe who It was one of the earliest reported law-
would be at least 20 years of age by the suits on record. In modern times, it has
time the land was apportioned. They been used by attorneys and jurists for
were wise enough to recognize that the opinions, and it is still accepted as the
time was ripe to take a stand; otherwise, oldest decided case cited as a legal
they would risk losing any chance of authority. In fact, an American Bar
securing their father’s inheritance for Association Journal article by Henry C.
their families. Clark, dating back to 1924, quotes this
decision, describing it as a judgment “of
Unprecedented Blessing tremendous significance. The judgment
The young ladies did something that or decree was applicable to all the 12
had never been tried before. They went tribes. It altered their very constitution
directly to Moses, the priest Eleazar, and of government. The fundamental policy of
the whole congregation to state their the state was changed. Whereas women
case publicly. “Why should the name of had not before been counted, now they
our father be withdrawn from among his could be numbered. Whereas before, in
family because he had no son? Give us a the absence of male descendants, a family
possession among our father’s brothers” became extinct and the daughters pen-
(Num. 27:4). Their request was unprece- niless, now daughters could preserve the
dented, an act of great conviction and risk. family and receive the estate.” Edith Deen,
Can you imagine the scene? They in her book All of the Women of the Bible,
must have endured intense ridicule, summarized it this way: “Up until [then]
even consternation, from “old-school” women had had no legal property rights.
Israelites who believed that women— This is one of the reasons a man always
especially ones so youthful—should simply desired a son. Now women were numbered
know their place and remain silent. Some as human beings and legally entitled to the
may have even interpreted their actions same property rights as men.”
as an affront to almighty God and the
laws He had so carefully established. Setting a Precedent for Others
Moses certainly must have discerned The bold action of Mahlah, Hoglah,
this, but he also knew the solution. He Milcah, Noah, and Tirzah shows the
took their case before the Lord, a God incredible impact one instance of courage
of justice and right. And the ultimate can have not just in your life, but in their
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lives of others, even generations into the future. They
also provided a model for other women with names just
as obscure, who felt led by God to challenge the status quo
of their times—for example, in the worlds of publishing,
missions work, and prison outreach.
They In the Massachusetts Bay Colony, Anne Bradstreet lost her
home in a fire, saw a daughter die at age four, and was sepa-
rated from her husband Simon for extended periods when
also provided duty took him to England. However, these experiences, and
the faith in God they inspired, were expressed in her poems,
a model which were eventually published as The Tenth Muse. It was
the first volume of enduring English language poetry ever
produced by a woman.
for other Within the churches of the 1800s, there was intense opposi-
tion to single women who wanted to become missionaries.
Sarah Doremus began a new missions association—the
women with Women’s Union Missionary Society of America—which broke
down those barriers. In addition to raising eight children,
Sarah also led an organization to return women prisoners to
names just society; organized relief for Christian Greeks oppressed by
Muslim Turks; and cooperated with efforts to create both a
as obscure, children’s hospital and a separate women’s hospital in New
York State.
In 1896, the warden of Sing Sing Correctional Facility in
who felt led Ossining, New York, summoned Maud Booth to speak to
inmates. She boldly told them, “I do not come here to prevent
you from paying the just penalty of your crimes; take your
by God medicine like men. When you have paid the penalty, I will
help you. I will nurse you back to health. I will get you work.
to challenge Above all, I will trust you. It depends on you whether I keep
doing so or not.” Five prisoners made up their minds to fol-
low Christ that day. By year’s end, she formed the Volunteer
the status quo Prison League. As of 1923, over 100,000 prisoners had signed
up for its programs. Maud set up “Houses of Hope” around
the country to help ease ex-cons back into society. Thanks
of their times. to her efforts, Volunteers of America did as much to bring about
twentieth-century prison reform as did any other organization.
What courageous act is the Lord asking of you? It may
not be to challenge the legal mores of the day or to pioneer
a great ministry outreach. It could be as simple—and as
profound—as witnessing to a neighbor, confronting a loved
one about a relationship problem, or starting a new business.
Whatever it is, follow the bold example of the daughters of
Zelophehad and their modern-day predecessors. You’ll likely
discover that God will bless you, and others, in ways you’ll
find unprecedented.
30 | May 2008 In Touch
{building wisely}
Estate Plans
The Wisdom of Being Prepared
B y G eorge M . H iller , JD, LLM, MBA, CFP®
While we all have earnest intentions of an estate plan, state law would now deter-
planning for the future, too many of us mine what happened to her property. Her
put it off. Consider this scenario: After estate was taxed at 45 percent. That left just
35 years of working for a small commu- a little more than half to pay obligations,
nity bank, a woman we’ll call “Carolyn” and the balance was equally distributed
retired so she could spend more time between her three children.
with her family and get more involved If Carolyn had drawn up an estate
at church. She wasn’t concerned about plan, she could have minimized tax liabil-
finances because her husband, who’d ity, which would have left more funds
passed away six years earlier, had built available for distribution. In addition,
a sizeable estate that she now managed. her wishes for her grandchildren and her
Carolyn’s plan church would have been carried out.
In the absence was to bless n Have you determined the goals and
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1
Thursday
The Companion
of Faith
READ | James 2:14-18
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5 6
Monday Tuesday
Our Bridge to God The Great Divide
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9
Friday The Weekend
How to Honor The Command
Your Mother to Honor
READ | Leviticus 19:3 READ | Ephesians 6:1-3
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14 15
Wednesday Thursday
Strength Beyond Self The Nature
of Strength
READ | 2 Corinthians 1:8-11 READ | Ephesians 6:10-13
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19 20
Monday Tuesday
Saving Troubled Building Solid
Friendships Friendships
READ | Matthew 5:23-24 READ | Ephesians 6:7-8
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23
Friday The Weekend
The Character Ending Gossip
of Gossip in Our Life
READ | Romans 1:28-31 READ | Ephesians 4:29-32
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28 29
Wednesday Thursday
Understanding Dealing With Fear
Anxiety
READ | 2 Timothy 1:7 READ | Philippians 4:6
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The Beauty of Creation
Dr. Stanley specifically chose his four original
flower photographs for this spring stationary set.
Each image captures the intricacy of
God’s handiwork and is captioned with
a corresponding scripture that tells of
His goodness.
In Touch Note Cards—Flowers
16-card set / $12.99
No matter how big or small the situation, we depend on our prayer partners for crucial behind-the-
scenes support that makes all the difference.
As a member of our Impact Prayer Team, you’ll receive a quarterly prayer calendar along with
updates on how God is impacting lives around the world through In Touch Ministries. We’ll also
make online resources available to enrich your personal quiet time.
US 800-789-1473 (M-F, 7am-7pm) www.intouch.org/prayerteam