7 August 2021 NZFTS War Cry

FAITH IN ACTION 07 AUGUST 2021 | Issue 6773 | $1.50

Westport Corps wades in to help community Living in harmony, unity and beauty Leaping the language barrier

Knit one, purl one: cosy knits for frosty days Christchurch band visit to Invercargill

Prayer in the Valleys Strahan Coleman of Commoners Communion on talking to God in the hard times

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WAR CRY The Salvation Army

New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga and Samoa Territory TERRITORIAL LEADERS Commissioners Julie & Mark Campbell | GENERAL Brian Peddle | FOUNDERS Catherine

& William Booth

The Salvation Army’s message is based on the Bible. Our ministry is motivated by love for God. Our mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and meet human need in his name without discrimination. War Cry exists to support and advance The Salvation Army’s message, ministry and mission.

EDITOR Vivienne Hill | GRAPHIC DESIGN Sam Coates, Lauren Millington | STAFF WRITERS Holly Morton, Louise Parry, Bethany Slaughter | PROOF READING Major Colleen Marshall | COVER PHOTO Dirk Willem Fourie OFFICE Territorial Headquarters, 204 Cuba Street,

PO Box 6015, Marion Square, Wellington 6141, Phone (04) 384 5649, Email warcry@salvationarmy.org.nz, salvationarmy.org.nz/warcry SUBSCRIPTIONS Salvationist Resources Department, Phone

(04) 382 0768, Email mailorder@salvationarmy.org.nz, $75 per year within NZ PRINT MANAGEMENT makeready.nz | PAPER Sumo Offset

is an environmentally responsible paper produced using Elemental Chlorine Free (ECF) FSC® certified Mixed Source pulp from responsible sources and manufactured under the strict ISO14001 Environmental Management System.

Member of the Australasian Religious Press Association.

All Bible references from the Holy Bible, New International Version, unless otherwise stated.

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Stronger together This edition’s quote (below) reminds me of the corps and centres around our territory that step up to the challenges that unexpectedly come their way.

Westport Corps found themselves in such a situation recently, as they worked together to meet the needs of a community devastated by flooding—even though many of the people involved in the emergency response had flooding and difficulties of their own. It is heart-warming to hear the stories of communities throughout our nations who put aside their own interests to meet the needs of others. The sense of belonging that comes when we stand side by side with other people gives us the strength and commitment to respond in a sacrificial way.

Often when we go through adversity ourselves, we want to walk alongside other people who are going through difficulties that we have previously faced.

This is a common theme in our Testify section on page 11, and this edition is no exception. Time after time people testify that the help they received in crises gives them the desire to support other people in similar circumstances.

Also of note in this edition, on page 20, is an article by 17-year-old Moshe Merz from Hamilton City Corps. It is encouraging to see our young people willingly share their faith journey with our readers. Please pray for Moshe as he navigates the path that God has set before him. The challenges our teens face in this decade are unprecedented and they need our support, our encouragement and our prayers. They also need reminding that no matter what other voices say, God is still in control.

Vivienne Hill Editor

Articles are copyrighted to The Salvation Army, except where indicated, and may be reprinted only with permission.

SalvationArmyNZFTS

At the timberline where the storms strike with the most fury, the sturdiest trees are found.

@SalvationArmyNZ

Hudson Taylor

Publishing for 137 years | Issue 6773 ISSN 0043-0242 (print), ISSN 2537-7442 (online) Please pass on or recycle this magazine Read online issuu.com/salvationarmynzftwarcry

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2 WarCry 07 AUGUST 2021

Romans 12:12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

Rōma 12:12 Kia hari i runga i te tūmanako; kia manawanui ki te whakapawera; kia ū ki te īnoi.

C

omparison is a deceptive practice, because you only ever see someone’s airbrushed life made presentable with careful editing and concealment.

Why compare yourself with an edited version of someone else?

It can take years to learn this lesson, particularly when it applies to parenting, your gifting or your faith.

Think about the unwinnable situation of the comparison between the parenting of a challenging child or teen, with the parenting of a passive, compliant child or teen. There is no contest, because the variables of personality and genetics are too great.

I remember a friend telling me about the difficulties they had with a sibling who constantly compared their compliant child with my friend’s seemingly ‘out of control’ child. The sibling would offer parenting advice and disciplining tips and openly criticised the way my friend raised their child.

Eventually the sibling had a second child who was not compliant; and from his first cry at birth, he loudly insisted he was the king and all others were his subjects. Eventually the reality of living with this progeny resulted in apologies to my friend, as the sibling realised his premise for comparison was flawed.

It is the same when we compare our spiritual identity or our faith expression with other people’s.

This too is a destructive habit and the polar opposite of what God says of us. God calls all of us to himself as sons and daughters. Individuals. All unique. All created in his image exhibiting his facets and complexities. God is the God of the individual.

When Moses first encountered God at the burning bush, God introduced himself by naming individuals: ‘I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob’ (Exodus 3:6). God recited Moses’ whakapapa going back 1000 years to the first covenant recipient, Abraham. God reassured Moses that as an individual he was connected to a bigger family, a bigger picture. It brought context to God’s request of Moses to free the Israelites from slavery.

In the New Testament the connections are even more intimate as the imagery used in 1 Corinthians 12 is that of the Body interconnected and reliant on each part for existence of the whole. Comparison can rob us of the beauty found in individual expressions of worship and ministry as we live out our individualism in the corporate setting of the Body of Christ.

In order to find your place, you must first embrace your unique nature and personhood. Nobody else can achieve God’s plan or purpose for you, it is yours and yours alone. It says in Ephesians 2:10: ‘For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do’.

Go be your wonderful, unique self and keep your eyes and mind away from the deception of comparison. Yes, we are an imperfect people in relationship with a perfect God, but in his eyes, we are ‘fearfully and wonderfully made’ (Psalm 139:14). Let us start embracing our differences and uniqueness.

BY VIVIENNE HILL 07 AUGUST 2021 WarCry 3

Mid-Winter Christmas in Ōamaru Ōamaru Corps hosted a Family Mid-Winter Christmas event on Saturday 26 June.

There was an amazing turn-out of family and friends as we enjoyed a winter Christmas evening with carols playing and a (media) fireplace crackling away to give the winter feel— though it was pretty cold outdoors anyway.

Children helped to decorate Christmas trees, and we had a couple of Christmas activities, like a reindeer antler game to see who could make the tallest antlers, with several entries.

We also had a snowman-making competition; it turns out this was possible even without snow around! There was a great vibe from teams, getting creative as they put together their snowmen. We also had a singalong with ‘Jingle Bells’ and ‘O Come All Ye Faithful’.

We then moved through to our shared Christmas meal, which was delicious. Everybody brought something to share as a contribution and we enjoyed a generous Christmas dinner with plenty of dessert. We acknowledged the reason why we celebrate Christmas, how as family and friends gathered together, we remember Jesus, the Light of the world, every day of the year.

It was a joy-filled occasion and we look forward to sharing many more.

BY CAPTAIN RACHEL MONTGOMERY

Animated Space Jam: A New Legacy (PG) Directed by Malcolm D. Lee I was the prime age and stage to love the original Space Jam movie (1996): the 90s basketball craze (which I haven’t grown out of) being the main catalyst. It was easy to uncritically imbibe everything about the film as a child―not realising the acting was sub-par, the plot largely nonsensical, the marketability of Michael Jordan himself being more of the driving force than a genuine desire to tell a good story.

Fast-forward to the ‘sequel’, and I’m very conflicted. There are some genuinely lovely moments, including the message that sport should be fun for kids (not just about winning) and the odd refreshingly self-aware joke. There’s also the undertone that the whole movie is a showreel for Warner Brothers Studios; an attempt to capture the loyalty of a new generation of children. The Matrix, DC superheroes and many other characters owned by the studio are trotted out in exposé, which sullies the film experience. I won’t say it’s a bad film, but one to go into knowing that there’s a deeper marketing ploy at play.

Oh yeah, LeBron James is in this, too. He did a decent job. (Reviewed

by Sam Coates)

WARCRY INHISTORY

The way in which The Salvation Army delivers food to those in need looks a little different nowadays, but this is the motor kitchen you would have encountered in 1931.

These images appeared in the 1 August edition of War Cry. Source: The Heritage Centre & Archives at the Plowman Resource Centre, Booth College of Mission.

Weird of the Week: Sweden has the most islands— 267,570—of any country on Earth.

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QUIKQUIZ

1 Which actor was initially offered the role of Indiana Jones?

4 What element gives amethyst its violet colour?

2 What term describes the bending of light as it passes through a lens?

5 In the Bible, who appeared on the Mount of Transfiguration with Moses?

3 Which South Asian country was known as Ceylon until 1972?

TOPFIVE

Last month, a man broke the world record for stacking M&Ms, and it turns out that stacking five is actually very tricky (someone in our office tried). Here are five other obscure world records.

1. Largest amount of human mattress dominoes: Yep, 2019 humans leaned back onto mattresses to knock the next over, one by one, like dominoes. Achieved

by Globo Comunicação e Participações S.A. and Ortobom in April 2019.

2. Most double-dutch-style skips by a dog in one minute: Geronimo, a border collie kelpie mix, and her American owner Samantha Valle hold this brilliant but bizarre record with 128 skips— achieved in April 2014.

3. Most different types of cheese on a pizza: 154, if you were wondering, achieved by Aussie chef Johnny Di Francesco in April 2019.

4. World’s tallest cupcake tower: Preethi Kitchen Appliances spent 42 hours assembling an 18,818-strong cupcake tower, all of which were then donated to non-governmental organisations in India—achieved in January 2019.

5. Longest duration spinning a basketball on a toothbrush. Who comes up with these ideas? Canadian Sandeep Singh Kaila holds the record with 1 minute 8.15 seconds—achieved in January 2019.

Answers on page 22

White Chocolate and Raspberry Croissant Pudding 5 croissants, sliced thinly ⅓ cup raspberry jam 100g white chocolate, chopped coarsely

Custard 1½ cups cream 1¼ cups milk ⅓ cup caster sugar

1 cup raspberries, fresh or frozen

1 tsp vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 160°C (140°C fan-forced).

over slices. Sprinkle with chocolate and berries.

To make the custard: in a medium saucepan, combine cream, milk, sugar and extract; bring to the boil.

Pour custard over the top; stand for 5 minutes.

In a large bowl, whisk eggs, whisking constantly; gradually add hot milk mixture to egg mixture.

Grease a shallow 2-litre (8cup) ovenproof pudding dish.

Layer croissant slices, overlapping slightly, in dish; dollop spoonfuls of jam

4 eggs

Place pudding dish in large ovenproof baking dish; add enough boiling water to the large dish to come halfway up sides of pudding dish.

Bake for about 1 hour, or until pudding sets.

Remove pudding dish from baking dish; stand for 5 minutes before serving.

Source: countdown.co.nz

07 AUGUST 2021 WarCry 5

Reimagining Pray a Distracted Wo

yer in orld

Through posting prayers to Instagram, recording podcasts and running prayer schools, Commoners Communion seeks to approach prayer through a creative lens and explore how relationship with Christ can combat the busyness of the world.

BY BETHANY SLAUGHTER

S

trahan Coleman’s ministry through Commoners Communion creates what he calls a ‘very strange paradox’.

Commoners Communion is a blend of the traditional and modern, where beautiful prayers are shared in the form of poetry via social media and podcasts, inviting people to connect with God and make space for prayer life away from the demands of a screen-oriented world.

Though it began as an alternative creative outlet when severe chronic illness prevented him from performing music, Strahan is deeply grateful for the opportunity to open a conversation about prayer and some of the world’s misunderstandings about it.

‘The complete premise of our entire belief system is that in some amazing and miraculous shape or form, God made a way for us to be friends with him,’ he says. ‘To be friends with God is no simple matter, as it turns out, and it can also be a source of pain for people. Prayer is the word that we give to friendship with God. And I think the church assumes that everybody knows what to do.

‘One of the biggest barriers is, simply, people’s assumption that God lives outside of them, and [that] prayer is about pulling God into us,’ he says. ‘Prayer is more about us acknowledging a truth that God is already with us, than it is about bringing him in and, therefore, that changes the entire dynamic.’

Swapping distraction for prayer Strahan believes the church could be more proactive when teaching people about what prayer is and practically encouraging them to allow greater space for God to move in their lives. He experienced the benefits of this first-hand, over an extended period when he was too sick to even watch TV or read.

‘It was very painful, and so I would sit and stare out a window basically all day long, and, in that process, detox from what I thought was a normal level of consumption,’ he says. ‘I noticed that the more room I made, the more God naturally rose to the surface of my life. And that’s when I realised, Oh my gosh, we’re trying to teach people to have good thoughts and to process things with God and to have an eternal life, in a world that’s literally like a hurricane of noise.

‘If you want to have a good prayer life, read more books, watch less TV, turn off your phone and have more space in your calendar, because it doesn’t matter how great your spiritual practices are; if you’re busy-minded and given to lots of consumption, sitting down to pray, your brain will be a nightmare for you.’

In one Commoners Communion Instagram post, he describes busyness as ‘deluding us with the breadcrumbs of instant satisfaction that never quite fills’.

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To quiet the noise, he hopes churches could begin addressing this issue in Sunday services or ending sermons with tips and weekly practices for people to implement.

‘Some of them could be running courses on digital minimalism, or on the practicalities of living a sustained, healthy life—things like good sleeping habits, good TV habits, good habits for stilling your mind around negative thoughts and negative self-talk,’ he suggests. ‘In my understanding, this is all returning to the way that God made us, so it’s deeply biblical.

‘There’s no point in saying “Jesus loves you” if someone is so depressed and overwhelmed, drinking too much and completely consuming social media and television that they don’t even really understand what that statement means anymore, so we have to help clear that space somehow in churches.’

Of course, the irony of his message being carried through a screen or set of headphones is not lost on Strahan. However, he sees Commoners Communion as a platform through which God can speak, a starting point for people to rediscover or reimagine their relationship with the Lord through prayer.

‘Primarily, for me, it’s a place of mission. It’s a place of servitude; I’m there to serve Christ.’

Creative expression When chronic illness meant Strahan was no longer able to sing, he leaned into poetry as a way to express his creativity and connect with God. ‘We create because we’re made in the image of the Creator.

It’s not about getting Instagram followers or pleasing somebody or being special, it’s simply that if I shut myself up, my soul will cease to flourish,’ he says. ‘And if other people get to enjoy that, magnificent—what a privilege.’

BY PROCESSING THESE CHALLENGES THROUGH POETRY AND SHARING THEM VIA COMMONERS COMMUNION, HE HOPES THEY MIGHT RESONATE WITH AND BE A BLESSING TO OTHERS. 8 WarCry 07 AUGUST 2021

‘It’s a real blessing to me, and I feel that poetry is the language of the soul. How do you explain what God feels like?

How do you make sense of the movements of the Spirit outside of poetry and metaphor?’

Many of the prayers he posts meditate on elements of creation. For example, within a post entitled, ‘You’re praying before I am, God—I’m simply joining the conversation’, he compares prayer to jumping into the ongoing current of a river, rather than a still lake. He says this may be because the imagery of creation is often far more accessible to people— including himself—than the Bible itself, in terms of revealing Christ to the modern world.

‘The Bible is 2000 years old, written in a language we don’t speak … it’s a foreign document that I love and appreciate and read as the authoritative Word of God, and it is how I discover theology. But when I sit before the ocean and I consider the way that the tide moves, life seems more clear to me. That there are seasons when the tide comes up and the seabed is covered, and there is a change of season when it goes out again, that’s natural and normal. That makes more sense to me in terms of my own emotion and life.

‘Those years when I was sick, I couldn’t read the Bible, because my brain fog and anxiety was so high, and so I just looked and I watched. And as I watched, I felt like God spoke to me through the simplicity and the imagery of creation.’

Difficult journeys If there is a particular audience he is speaking to through Commoners Communion, Strahan believes they can be found in the verses of the Beatitudes in Matthew 5, such as the poor in spirit, the mourners, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. The prayers he writes are all responses to his own experiences; as a result, they often touch on difficult topics such as chronic illness, grief and mental health.

‘There are a number of people out there going through journeys that are incredibly difficult, and the church isn’t always great at theologising for them and making sense of their experience of God. The church usually says, “When this is over, or if you can just pray this way, you’ll get there”. But that’s meaningless to me, because when someone tells me, “God wants to heal you”, I say, “Amen, please”.

‘But what do I do for the next couple of months while I’m in bed and I can’t play with my children? Who is God to me then, and how do I find meaning and beauty in my life? And to that

‘THERE ARE A NUMBER OF PEOPLE OUT THERE GOING THROUGH JOURNEYS THAT ARE INCREDIBLY DIFFICULT, AND THE CHURCH ISN’T ALWAYS GREAT AT THEOLOGISING FOR THEM AND MAKING SENSE OF THEIR EXPERIENCE OF GOD. question, I don’t think the church has ever given me a truly good answer.

‘Because I have been sick for so long and because it’s such an ongoing wrestle for my body and my mind and for my relationships, it undergirds a lot of what I speak to and how I relate to people,’ he explains. ‘With what I’m doing, I feel confident to speak from my own experience because I believe that there’s enough of us out there who can’t change our circumstances, who need the gospel.’

By processing these challenges through poetry and sharing them via Commoners Communion, he hopes they might resonate with and be a blessing to others.

‘I started it because I wanted to try and express an intangible journey that I’d been on, and I’d hoped a couple of people might come with me. I didn’t have any particular goals. And so, I find myself in a place now where I feel that what started out as a creative outlet has become more of a responsibility to teach and to share and to help others go on their own journey.’

Stepping into the teaching space Commoners Communion has grown in its scope to run online prayer schools. Within these groups, Strahan leads discussions about prayer where, together, they can break down some of the misunderstandings, delve into the mysteries and embrace the gift of relationship with Christ.

Making the leap from a creative endeavour to a teaching opportunity came as a surprise to Strahan. ‘I’ve never considered myself a teacher, ever! I think it was really a response to the hunger of the people out there on the subject and the lack of local resourcing, and so it’s really about meeting a need,’ he says. ‘I feel like God has given me the gift to do it in this season.

‘It seems to be helpful for people and I love connecting with people and seeing them come alive. That’s what really motivates me, and so these prayer schools, the stories that come from people and the experiences they have are just enlivening to me.’

Strahan has a vision to pursue this ministry further. One day, he hopes to open up a physical centre near his home in the Coromandel, as a place where people can visit for prayer and spiritual direction, and ‘have conversations with people where we can teach about the integration of prayer and mental health and physical health and nutrition’.

‘One of the things that I think in the next season as a church we need to grow in is curiosity. Being able to say, “Hey, this is my experience … What’s your experience? This is what the Bible seems to say, this is what tradition and experience seem to say. Let’s explore this together and go on a journey”.

That’s embracing the reality of God’s mystery, but also saying that he can be found in a mix of stuff.’

As for what or where that is, it could be a building in the Coromandel; a podcast or prayers shared on social media; a Sunday church service. It could be a continuation of something the church has been doing for years, or a new creative endeavour that no one has even imagined, let alone brought to fruition, yet. But Strahan believes it is through relationship with each other and through prayer that we will find Christ in those spaces.

‘I feel like I’m called to create a space for people to come and explore those questions together,’ he says. ‘I don’t have all the ideas, but the church does, and if we can get together in dialogue, nothing’s impossible.’

MORE INFO | Follow @commoners_communion on Instagram, listen to the Commoners Communion podcast (wherever you listen to podcasts) or go to commonerscommunion.com to purchase prayer volumes and journals.

Flick to pages 12–13 to read a further selection of Commoners Communion Prayers.

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Leaping the Language Barrier Even if international borders are currently shut, our territory remains beautifully multicultural. There are so many different words, speech patterns and customs that can at times be the opposite of our own. This means we can experience some awkwardness as we work out how to communicate across language barriers.

It could be a new neighbour, friend, colleague, customer or a partner of a family member who you are meeting often.

Whatever the connection, here are some tips for managing those early encounters and finding a groove of conversation.

1. Friendliness is universal. The golden rule is to respect each other’s language and customs and be patient as you find your common denominator.

2. Be forgiving of any mistakes, just like you would want them to do for yours. Find a balance between correcting them (if it is helpful/ essential) and letting minor things go.

…MOST IMPORTANTLY, ASK THEM ABOUT THEIR EXPERIENCES AND MEMORIES.

3. Speak in proper sentences with correct grammar as much as possible; ask them to do the same in their own language.

It will help you both to learn the correct way to structure and understand sentences.

4. Rely on plain language. You don’t need to dumb down the conversation; simply stick to phrases you are both likely to know. Steer clear of jargon, slang and idioms.

5. Speak slower, not louder. Try repetition where necessary, but don’t parrot the same sentence over and over if they clearly don’t understand.

6. Be considerate of behaviour as well as words—for example, they may have a different cultural expectation of personal space or dining etiquette.

7. Consider your style of humour and be especially mindful of sarcasm, which can be at best confusing and at worst rude, depending on the person’s upbringing.

8. Use visual methods. Read non-verbal cues like body language and facial expressions. You can also write down phrases, use diagrams/illustrations or gestures (without being dramatic or disrespectful).

9. Take time to explore their culture: listen to music, watch movies or read books in their language, research and, most importantly, ask them about their experiences and memories.

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Where possible, it is beneficial to have a translator nearby—whether a paid employee (at work) or someone who is bilingual (in a social setting)—or at least have an app handy. Make sure you find reliable software which takes dialects into account as well, rather than literally translating individual words/phrases.

Persevering through the communication haze can lead to especially meaningful relationships. Conversing with someone who doesn’t share your language may seem intimidating, especially if you struggled with studying languages at school or don’t feel confident communicating socially (even in your native tongue). As long as you treat people with kindness, you can usually find a way to relate to each other.

CUE CLUES!

Here are some non-verbal indicators to look out for to read the conversational tone even when you can’t interpret the words and inflections.

ARE THEIR… Eyes narrowed/wide? Eyebrows raised/ narrowed? Arms crossed?

ARE THEY… Looking around distractedly or at their phone/watch? Fidgeting? Leaning in? Nodding? Using a positive gesture, like a thumbs up or fist pump?

Source: Brandi Gratis/TypeTalk.com

TESTIFY! Rena Goodwin of Manurewa Corps Plant describes how her faith is stronger in spite of the challenges she has faced.

Kia ora, ko Rena ahau. I grew up as whāngai (traditional adoption and fostering), then I was in and out of CYFs (Child, Youth and Family; now Oranga Tamariki) care and also a street kid.

I would try and survive however that looked: smoking, drugs, drinking, asking people for money or stealing hot chicken from the New World. It was cold and lonely … but, at the same time, there were a whole bunch of us with similar stories and abusive family backgrounds.

About five years ago, I met a lady named Bex from The Salvation Army who helped me with food parcels. I was a solo mother at the time, living at a distance from my partner. Bex was loving, caring and kind. Every week I was seeing her— even when I’d be like, ‘Can you not?’, but that’s what I needed. I went to church for the first time. I started going to groups, meeting good people and having strong faith in God. I met (Captains) Pauleen and Bryant Richards; I call them my Pākehā mum and dad.

About four years ago, my oldest daughter was sexually abused by my uncle. I was so angry at God. Why would he do this to an innocent child?

Why did I keep going through things that put me in bad situations? I fell off again; started smoking and selling drugs, drinking alcohol to numb myself.

I was suicidal and so my daughter and I started counselling, which we still do.

My family wasn’t there for me or my daughter. I was pushing everyone from church away. But Pauleen and Bryant never judged me. They always came to my house to help.

We moved to Manurewa, where I met (Captains) Faye and Steve Molen.

About a year ago, I started opening up about certain situations to them, which helped me on the healing path. Through

I NOW WANT TO SHOW PEOPLE THAT YOU CAN GO THROUGH SOMETHING SO EMOTIONAL AND HARD AND COME OUT THE OTHER SIDE. WITH JESUS, WE CAN BE STRONG ENOUGH TO HEAL FROM ALL SITUATIONS. this healing, I now want to show people that you can go through something so emotional and hard and come out the other side. With Jesus, we can be strong enough to heal from all situations.

Now I see God’s compassion. He always sent me someone; I was just too blind to see it when I was in that deep, dark place. The things that blinded you then, you have a good laugh about now, because God was trying to show you. He does have a sense of humour.

My kids and I are surrounded by good, loving people—even though they’re not blood, they’re still a family within the church. The other important people are my partner, who has always been a shoulder to lean on; my uncle Jimmy and cousin Ben, who are with the Waitākere Corps—they were with me through a lot of hard times and saw me through my suicidal stage.

My faith is stronger now. I did the Positive Lifestyle Programme and I’m doing Āwhina Mai in Manurewa with Ange, to help with the anger and learn new ways to parent. I’m acknowledging what’s happened, praying on those things that still need healing and learning to be more forgiving.

At church, I love giving back and seeing other people happy, whether it’s putting cake in their stomach or just being there for them. I never would have thought that this would be my circle and I would love it, and that I would have found family and had relationships. I feel like I’ve found my place, my purpose.

I’m interested in helping others who have been through similar things; to minister within communities is where I really want to be. I am still on a growing journey with Jesus, but I am excited with where he is taking me.

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Prayers from Comm Thank you, Father, that you decategorise my ways of knowing me, that I be left as only your child.

May you give yourself to your decategorisation, in Christ, that you may see how much more of his you are than you feel, becoming ever more free of the tiny labels this age offers us.

We’re starved for identity, and often reach for the first category that gives us relief—Baptist, Pentecostal, Catholic, doctor, teacher, mother, father, influencer, business person, religious leader...

But if left as our primary understanding of ourselves they will eventually inhibit our freely knowing and being known by God. We are and do those things, and they’re not wrong labels, they’re just not our truest self.

Eventually, God will come to remove our categories so that we can be free enough to know ourselves as his children unequivocally.

That process can be terrifying. It’s not easy to let go of the tiny labels that gave us security before.

But there is no greater lightness than giving in to the fact that being a child of God is enough.

You’re kind to the dull flame, God, and gentle with a failing heart.

May you feel God’s affection for the poor that dwells within you, the lost, afraid and weak in loving attention; giving up your littleness for the greatness of your Father, who loves to make the small a thing to behold.

12 WarCry 07 AUGUST 2021

Father, help me not wait for a calmer world, a clearer mind, a healthier body or a brighter road, before taking full advantage of the wonder that is you, today.

May you take hold of God today, not tomorrow, not when it’s easier, but in this moment now in all the glory or the mess that it brings.

We can get stuck waiting in life.

Waiting to be healthier, for the world to become normal again, for grief to pass, for the pain of a breakup to ease or for the depression to lift.

We can write the worst of those days off as a waste. As nothing more than a passing-through moment on the way to the ‘real life’ we’re meant to be living.

But any ‘today’ we’re living is real life, and real life is jampacked full of those moments.

I refuse to believe that a day sick in bed is a day wasted. Like I can’t grow there or meet with God or experience something of the wonder of this life.

I have far too many of them to believe that.

But to experience their wonder I have to give up fighting for a second and open my eyes.

That I might see my suffering as an invitation to a part of God that comfort obscures.

Don’t wait. Today matters. It matters because God is here among it. In some hidden and surprising way.

Not a single moment, or life, is ever wasted by God.

God’s kind hands cup the dull flame from wild winds.

He’s not blind to a wavering heart or to the soul weakened by fear or grief.

He won’t snuff out the thin when they’re fainting with tiredness, or uncertainty or unbelief.

Not if they cry, ‘Lord I believe, help me believe’.

Not if they whisper, ‘Lord have mercy’.

Because a dull flame in God’s hands holds atomic potential. It has given its hope wholly to God, and he is enough.

The Spirit searches longingly for humble and contrite hearts like this. Hearts like his.

Hearts that though they often don’t know it, turn history.

God cares for the poor in spirit, he has made them the foundation of the world.

moners Communion Thanks to Commoners Communion for allowing us to share a selection of prayers from the @commoners_communion Instagram page. To read more, check out Commoners Communion on social media or at commonerscommunion.com/products.

Father, be my ugly prayer.

May you have the courage to allow God to pray the prayers you can’t, today; allowing him to groan in the tumult of your spirit—the injustice, hurt and anger you feel— trusting that he’s his own answer to prayer, always.

Not every prayer is meant to be beautiful. Not every prayer is even meant to be said.

Sometimes I find that I feel something so deep and disturbed in my spirit that I can’t find words or emotions to match it—probably because I have no idea why I feel the way I do.

It’s a ‘Spirit interceding with groans beyond understanding’ kind of moment.

Sometimes prayer needs to get ugly, raw, offensive and honest. And sometimes I need God to be those things for me when I don’t know how to

respond to the heaviness within.

Prayer isn’t just a response to God when we feel something, but a dependence on him when we feel nothing.

In times of tension, when there’s a heaviness within, we can trust that God is doing surgery on spiritual and emotional organs you don’t even know exist.

Father, be our ugly prayer.

A prayer and devotion from Prayer Vol.01

My being silent, and your being silent, is the surprising pleasure of our enduring friendship.

To rush is to steal from God, and to silence the voice of sacred creativity.

May you learn to lean into silent seasons, seeing quietness between you and God as the wonder it truly is; a deeper, more enduring and accepting friendship, a deepening of divine communion.

May you learn to dwell in the small daily gaps designed for divine discovery, those little moments of ordained eternal, where God breaks in, and changes the game, for Good.

God’s silence with us is no more his absence than our silence is to him.

I used to assume that when I had nothing to say, and I couldn’t hear or feel God, that something was wrong.

But then I noticed that the closer I got to my wife, or my oldest friends, the more silent the life we lived together.

When you really know someone, hanging out and just being together is an effortless pleasure. You cross a line and no longer need to keep each other entertained.

There is only total acceptance for who one another are.

Silence between us and God, even if it’s due to our distraction, exhaustion or emptiness, when it’s experienced in holy security, can be a sign that we’re learning to trust.

Some days are quieter than others, and that’s a good thing. Enjoying those seasons as signs of deeper communion transforms them into precisely that.

We are never alone.

Because what the world needs right now, in this moment, is outside-of-ourselves solutions.

Solutions that are kind, that love their neighbour, that are fruited from prophetic imagination.

Because in crisis, creative compassion leads. It lifts and sustains a weary and afraid world. It tells a story of another way where hope flourishes and God lives.

To rush is to lay an assault on God, and to trust in only ourselves.

It’s to forget that rested communion is our greatest strength, not our own clever and often shortsighted ideas.

We don’t need great ideas, maybe not even brilliant ones right now, we need divine ones.

Divine creativity that fills a moment of divine opportunity and beckons resurrection in the face of death.

Come, Holy Spirit.

07 AUGUST 2021 WarCry 13

Christchurch City Corps Musicians Hosted at Invercargill Corps

BY ALLISON BECKHAM

Recently, Invercargill Corps hosted a visit from the Christchurch City Corps band. It was a wonderful weekend of music, singing, testimonies and fellowship as bandspeople and a songster group shared their talents and their faith journeys.

The 26-strong band, led by Bandmaster Martin Robertson, was a fine mix of ability, youth, experience and ethnic diversity, with players originating from Tonga, UK, Australia, Argentina and Korea as well as born-and-bred Kiwi. It was heartening to see so many young players, many of whom have come to the Army through the Just Brass programme.

Most of the band travelled by bus and, after a marathon nine-and-a-half-hour journey, arrived just in time for a shared meal before a Saturday night concert. If they were tired it didn’t show—the concert was a high energy performance where instrumentalists, conductors, singers, pianists and MCs gave their best to entertain an appreciative audience of more than 70 people.

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Invercargill’s newly re-formed band of seven members, joined the Christchurch band for selected numbers on Saturday night and Sunday.

Sunday morning’s meeting was uplifting and inspiring.

Heartfelt and powerful testimonies reinforced the band and songsters’ aim of giving all the glory to God and using their talents to share the gospel story. The message from Major Clive Nicolson (rtd) was challenging—will we stand by and watch or will we jump in without hesitation to meet the needs of those in our community who need practical support and Christ?

Once the service had finished, the congregation got a special treat—a performance by the combined bands of Alex Lithgow’s ‘Invercargill March’, beloved by Army and secular bands worldwide.

Prayer can take many shapes and forms. Often when we think of prayer we think of a conversation, or asking God to help with things we or others need.

We’re usually expecting to get something out of our prayer. But prayer can also be simply sitting with God with no other agenda than being with him. We can do this by coming aside on our own to purposefully spend time in silence. This can be an incredibly formative experience with God.

Clockwise from top: Outside Invercargill Community Ministries; At the home of Sister Eva Hopkins, who because of ill health was unable to hear the band in concert or at the Sunday meeting; Christchurch City Band at the Invercargill Corps; Part of the band playing at a rest home.

Photography: Dot Mullay

IT WAS HEARTENING TO SEE SO MANY YOUNG PLAYERS, MANY OF WHOM HAVE COME TO THE ARMY THROUGH THE JUST BRASS PROGRAMME. After a shared lunch the band split into two groups to play at two city rest homes. Sextets went on to play at the homes of two members of the congregation at present in ill health. While the adults rested, several younger band members joined the usual Invercargill Sunday night Young Adults’ meeting.

Monday morning saw the Christchurch contingent on the road again.

Gunilla Norris says, ‘When we make room for silence we make room for ourselves … silence invites the unknown, the untamed, the wild, the shy, the unfathomable—that which rarely has the chance to surface within us’. Some people find that times of silence and solitude are when they feel the most at home in themselves and in God. This time is about simply being before God. Here are some tips for giving it a go!

1. Set a timer on your phone for 8 to 10 minutes.

Now you don’t need to be thinking about time, just rest in God until your timer goes off.

2. Get comfy and let your feelings and desires for this time with God come to the surface and acknowledge them.

3. Have a phrase that you can say gently or think as you enter silence and if you find your mind wandering throughout—for example: ‘Here I am God’ ‘Help me Lord’ or simply, ‘Jesus Father Spirit’.

4. Finish with gratitude, trust that whatever your time of silence was like, it was as it needed to be.

BY CAPTAIN NAOMI HOLT

07 AUGUST 2021 WarCry 15

The activity hall set up as a food bank.

Westport Corps hall being used as an evacuation centre.

Rubbish on the street. Similar sights were seen all over Westport.

Flooding!

Westport Corps Responds to Emergency When Westport Corps Officers Lieutenants Grant and Lynda Pitcher recently headed off from their home on furlough (annual leave), they never imagined their early return would be as a result of a major Civil Defence emergency that saw their township inundated with flooding over the July 16 weekend.

In their absence, the Westport Corps and wider community stepped up to provide emergency shelter, relief and food parcels for a ravaged township. Howard and Robyn Murray, along with Family Store staff, members of Red Cross and others from the community collected mattresses and bedding from the Family Store to set up the corps centre as an evacuation shelter. By Saturday afternoon, high tides brought on a new surge of evacuees, and they suddenly had over 200 people at their centre. People’s pets also needed to be evacuated, with up 16 WarCry 07 AUGUST 2021

to 20 dogs and several cats joining them over the four-day period.

‘Everybody in Westport has been affected by the floods in some way,’ says Lynda. ‘The initial flood was one event, but the rain just kept on coming.’

Despite this, those who had to be evacuated were in relatively good spirits, chatting with each other and the volunteers and offering to help with dishes after meals. Grant says that in the following week of the major flooding event the corps gave out over 40 food parcels, and for a small corps this was significant, but the community rallied, and aid and volunteers came to support the work.

Grant and Lynda arrived back on Sunday afternoon after a challenging drive via Arthur’s Pass due to road blockages and immediately took on the night shift at the evacuation centre.

Emergency shelters in the area were

consolidated on Monday and the Westport Corps centre closed on Tuesday morning, although Lynda has arranged to use the hall as a volunteer-run drop-in centre daily from 9am to 3pm while there is still need.

‘The Westport community is a great community, very resilient,’ says Grant. ‘The impact on the town is significant, because out of a population of 5000 people, 2000 were evacuated.’

The ongoing stress for the people of Westport will continue well into the future, as many houses were deemed uninhabitable and many other houses had major flood damage.

As the corps gathered for their recent Sunday service, emotions were high as the cost of the flood to the community was reflected upon, but also the goodness of God was a key focus for a small but resilient corps.

‘My Story, My Song’ Going Strong at Hibiscus Coast We have all got a story to tell, and us seniors have many, many stories often recalled when we hear a particular song, usually an old one from long ago.

The various lockdowns affected our ability to fellowship together, and last year our then-corps officer Captain Karen Schischka became very aware of how difficult our seniors were finding the whole situation.

When we were allowed to meet together again, Karen had an idea of a way to accommodate a small group that did not require a lot of organising with regards to a prepared message or entertainment, and ‘My Story, My Song’ was born.

On the last Wednesday of every month, at 10am at Hibiscus Coast Corps, we gather for morning tea, with a chance for three or four people to tell part of their story and choose a favourite song, often from The Salvation Army Song Book. Karen’s mum, Glenys, played the piano and everyone joined in singing the lovely old songs that seem to have gone out of fashion, but still stir the heart, soul and voice.

When Captains Karen and Ben Schischka were transferred to Levin, Glenys and her husband Tony went with them, leaving us without their wonderful talents; and a search for a pianist among our own corps proved fruitless. After much prayer and searching, a lovely lady from our local Baptist church came to the rescue. With Cora on the piano and a couple of cornet players, we are still praising God for his faithfulness over many years.

With the encouragement of our new officers, Lieutenants Blair and Lashana Dale, ‘My Story, My Song’ has gone from strength to strength, with those attending ranging in age from 30s to late 80s and a few unchurched folk also coming to share memories, laughter, food and occasionally, tears.

Purlers Knit Together to Help Others More than 600 handmade beanies have been donated to The Salvation Army in the South Island by The Purlers, a knitting group based out of Ashburton.

They have also given away thousands more to people in need through causes such as City Mission and Camp Quality.

Kate Murney got her friends and family involved with knitting the first beanies in September 2017, hoping to complete 12 by Christmas.

‘Everybody was so keen, we changed it to 30,’ she says.

‘But that Christmas, we sent up 84 beanies.’

One of Kate’s friends has sewn the labels onto every beanie, while her sister Anne has become their most prolific knitter, by single-handedly creating over 800 beanies.

They also sent materials and a pattern to DNA Hairdressing in Ashburton so that clients could complete rows while under the steamer.

Together, The Purlers have made a remarkable 3664 beanies, and that’s not all. ‘Some of the women have knitted baby blankets that have been donated to Ronald McDonald House, and there’s also the odd children’s jersey or booties.’

‘When my daughter, Tara, and I dropped a load off to the City Mission about six weeks ago, there was a lady walking out with a toddler on her hip and she was wearing fingerless gloves,’ Kate recalls. ‘She showed us what she was wearing and how she had the label The Purlers written on the fingerless gloves.’

Kate encourages anyone with spare wool to donate it to The Purlers so they can continue knitting for those in need. ‘We don’t care how little it is or how much it is—we can use it.’

If you have wool to donate, please drop it off at The Salvation Army Southern DHQ or email southern.dhq@salvationarmy.org.nz

BY CAROLE HAY

Find SALVATION ARMY JOB OPPORTUNITIES

salvationarmy.org.nz/ employment Purler power: Kate Murney (left) and Anne McKenzie.

07 AUGUST 2021 WarCry 17

Uniforms for Kibera Nursery School

Tribute: Major Raewyn Fridd From humble beginnings, Raewyn found her purpose and calling in life as a Salvation Army officer and her niche in social and community work. She was a passionate advocate for justice, and loved helping people in their struggles, leading an active life into retirement. She honoured God as the one who raised her up and gave strength for her own challenges.

Following her commissioning in 1980 as an officer of the Joyful Evangelist session, Raewyn’s former training principals remained in contact and vividly remembered her. Their tribute was among many given at Raewyn’s celebration service. Part of it reads as follows: ‘Raewyn was small in stature but a giant in character and spiritual grace. Her love for the Lord was unbounded!

She was a fearless witness and a true example of living a holy life. During her lifetime she accomplished what many of us could not. She expected no favours, was an outstanding colleague, truthful, open and honest and reliable, as well as always holding confidences. She gave herself wholeheartedly to her task.

‘She was fiercely independent and set about proving she could do everything asked of her. Raewyn was not fooled by those who might seem to make allowances for her small stature and woe betide anyone who gave the impression of being condescending. She was devoted to her mother and took great pleasure in talking about her.

‘Don’t make the mistake of assuming that size has anything to do with human value—here in small human form God crammed Raewyn’s life with more human ability and determination, more spiritual perception and grace than most of us can aspire to.

‘Major Raewyn Fridd—‘Friddy’—we salute you. Your Lord and the angel host will have already welcomed you Home, and one day we look forward to the honour of seeing you again’ (Colonels Michael and Martha Pressland, UK).

A large crowd gathered to farewell Raewyn at Levin Corps following her promotion to Glory on 31 May 2021.

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The Salvation Army Kibera Nursery School and parents programme is part of The Salvation Army’s Kenya East Territory.

The Kibera slum is located in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, and is considered the largest urban slum in Africa. Numbers vary but there are somewhere between 350,000 and 1 million people living in the area. The Salvation Army’s Kibera Corps works in this community, where services are only accessible by foot, including the nursery school for the children and their families.

We currently sponsor a class of children at the nursery school through Child Sponsorship and have recently provided funds from our territory’s Overseas Development Fund to purchase school uniforms and stationery packs for 30 children at the school. The class recently held a graduation, complete with a cake to celebrate with the children as they move up to primary school. Through Salvation Army Child Sponsorship we were also able to provide graduation uniforms for the children for this celebration.

The Kibera Nursery School is very basic and the uniform and stationery pack—containing a pencil, eraser, notebook and pencil case—are likely the only new items the children will receive all year.

The children love coming to nursery school. Their parents bring them at 6.30am and officers assist in caring for the children and their education throughout the day.

If you would like to help by sponsoring children in Kenya, please email: childsponsorship@salvationarmy.org.nz

GAZETTE Appointments: Effective immediately, Captain Lai Li has been appointed as Chaplain Flat Bush development, Kaitiakitanga through SASH as an additional appointment.

Effective 2 August, Major Nigel Luscombe has been appointed as the Projects Officer for the Mission Section at THQ. Effective 6 September, Captain Annette Bray has been appointed as both the Divisional Retired Officers Secretary and the Divisional Spiritual Life and Prayer Ministries Officer for Central Division.

Captain Perry Bray has been appointed as the Assistant Divisional Mission Secretary for Central Division.

Captains Daniel and Juanita Buckingham have been appointed as Mission Officers for Inner City Ministries, Wellington alongside

WHAT LIFE ARE WE BRINGING AS THE SALVATION ARMY TO THE PEOPLE OF OUR NATIONS? Within days of our arrival in Aotearoa New Zealand, we became aware of the bicultural nature of the country and, in particular, the language of te reo Māori. I just love the rich interpretation of The Salvation Army: Te Ope Whakaora―The Army that Brings Life.

Recently I found a picture taken in 1889 which I have been showing around the territory. It is of a group of people ‘bringing life’. It was the term given to the early Salvation Army’s mission to Māori. This photo was taken at the sixth anniversary of the Army’s work in New Zealand as the leaders of Te Ope Whakaora gathered in Christchurch.

The challenge for me in 2021 is the question: What life are we bringing as The Salvation Army to the people of our nations?

The New Testament written in Greek has three words for life: bios, psuche and zoe.

These three words are used in various contexts throughout the Bible, here are some examples: ‘The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way

they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature’ (Luke 8:14). This refers to the life of the physical body (bios).

‘For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it’ (Matthew 16:25). This is translated as ‘soul life’ (psuche).

‘In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind’ (John 1:4). This talks of the divine spiritual life (zoe).

So, let’s ask again: What life are we bringing as The Salvation Army to the people of our nations?

Psuche life? Most definitely! As the lives of people are transformed with the love of Jesus, this is the journey of discipleship.

Again, is that our full message and response?

The eternal and holistic message is zoe.

Jesus said of himself, ‘I have come that they may have life (zoe), and have it to the full (John 10:10). The Divine Spiritual life in Jesus Christ.

My hope and vision for The Salvation Army is that every person who meets a Salvationist or steps through any of our mission doors― whether that be our churches, Community Ministries, children and youth programmes, our Family Stores, rehabilitation or housing services―will experience zoe, the fullness of the love and life of Jesus.

I would welcome your comments with regards to this as we seek to share Jesus with others. Just write to me at nzfts.tc@salvationarmy.org.nz Wherever you are, thank you for being part of our mission and bringing the message of Te Ope Whakaora―The Army that Brings Life, to our nations.

Commissioner Mark Campbell Territorial Commander

Is it bios life? Absolutely! We do this every day that the doors of our mission centres are open to care for people in practical ways in our community. However, is that our full message and response?

leadership of Wellington City Corps.

Major Stephanie Herring has been appointed as Corps Officer for Foxton Corps, Central Division.

Effective 14 January, Captain Stephen Campkin has been appointed as the Divisional Secretary for Business Administration for Fiji Division.

Captain Elizabeth Campkin has been appointed as the Assistant Divisional Youth and Children’s Secretary, Divisional Community Ministries Secretary and Divisional Child Sponsorship Projects Champion as an additional appointment. Captains Elizabeth and Stephen Campkin will commence their new appointments at General Change 2022, with a planned transition period from October/ November 2021.

Major Arone Cheer will conclude his additional appointment of Divisional Child Sponsorship Projects Champion at General Change 2022.

Captain Amanda Kennedy will be returning to New Zealand and her appointment will be announced as part of the General Change 2022.

Auxiliary Captain with Appointment: Ian Wells has been accepted and warranted as an Auxiliary Captain with an appointment as Corps Officer for Westgate Corps in Northern Division.

Bereavement: Ken Malcolm, the father of Major Russell Malcolm and Lt-Colonel Debbie Clark, was promoted to Glory on Friday 16 July 2021 from Southland Hospice, Invercargill, aged 88 years. We ask you to uphold in prayer Major Russell Malcolm, Lt-Colonels Debbie and Allan Clark and the extended family at this time of grief and loss.

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Last year Moshe became a senior soldier at Hamilton City Corps.

He is 17 and is currently studying Christian leadership. As part of this course, he is learning to preach, and this article is based on his most recent sermon.

BY MOSHE MERZ

Do you know what it’s like to live with brothers and sisters? I wonder how many of us used to actually get along with our brothers and sisters? I’ve got 20 WarCry 07 AUGUST 2021

three little sisters, and living in harmony with them is certainly easier said than done. Though this was because often I made poor choices; for example, when I was younger I took great delight in stealing my sisters’ Barbie dolls, taking off their heads, drawing mustaches on their faces, cutting their hair off and flushing them down the toilet! Why ... because that’s what brothers do! It got a great reaction from my sisters, which amused me very much.

Living in harmony is not easy … at least for me it isn’t. It doesn’t come naturally.

I wonder if it’s hard for you? Hopefully,

WITHIN HIMSELF, GOD LIVES IN PERFECT COMMUNITY AND HARMONY—FATHER, SON AND HOLY SPIRIT. WHEN WE LIVE IN HARMONY WE REFLECT GOD. you’re not stealing and flushing people’s things down the toilet, but maybe there’s someone you live with who ate your last chocolate? Who cut you off when driving? Who judged you unfairly?

Harmony and unity Living in harmony can be hard sometimes, but did you know that God wants us to live in harmony with others?

In Psalm 133:1 we read, ‘How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony!’ Here David writes about how good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in harmony. Some other Bible translations say ‘unity’ but I read the New Living Translation which says harmony, and I like harmony because I’m a singer.

When we sing in harmony we create something beautiful. Yes, singing on your own is good, and singing with others in unison is also good. But when we sing in harmony we hear different notes in different ranges all working together, not in an identical fashion, but in a way that complements each other. You see, when we work together with our different notes and different voices, we create something beautiful, something ‘good and pleasant’.

This is what Psalm 133 is talking about: God wants us to live with each other in harmony.

For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.

Imagery of harmony Here harmony is likened to oil. Imagine this: you arrive at someone’s house, reach out to shake their hand, but instead they grab a bottle of oil and pour it all over your head. What would you think?

Messy, greasy, wasteful... WEIRD! Yet, in the Old Testament times, this would have been normal. Anointing the head with oil was meaningful. It was a sign of fellowship and would often happen when you were greeted at someone’s house. The value of the oil used showed the level of honour being given to the guest.

So here we read the oil is ‘precious anointing oil’ flowing down to the tips of Aaron’s robe. Aaron was a very important priest so this anointing was more than just a regular greeting. Two times David says ‘running down’. This indicates that there was a lot of oil— from the head to the beard and even down to his robe. This was very valuable; to God, harmony is very valuable.

The second illustration of the value of harmony is likened to the dew of Mount Hermon falling on Mount Zion. Now, this is confusing, how does the dew from one mountain fall on another mountain?

We are all unique beings. We have different personalities, skill sets, dreams, looks, ethnicities, upbringings, and we all have different opinions—man do we have different opinions. But God still wants us to live in harmony with each other. In verses 2 and 3 of Psalm 133, David uses two illustrations to show how valuable living in harmony is to God. He says that this harmony,

But it makes sense when we have a look at the map. You see, Mount Hermon is a lot further north than Zion. It also has a lot more vegetation, greenery and even has snow. In contrast, Mount Zion was very dry and did not experience the fresh morning dew like Mount Hermon. This means that living in harmony is like the life-giving dew falling upon dry, barren land—it is life-giving—it is so valuable.

It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down on the collar of his robe.

It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion.

The value of harmony God wants his people to live in harmony ... but why? Why is harmony so valuable to him? I believe it’s because when we live in harmony, we will point people

to God. The opposite is also true, when people who call themselves believers don’t live in harmony, we do not point people to God. In fact, we might point people away from him. When we live in harmony we reflect who God is. Within himself, God lives in perfect community and harmony—Father, Son and Holy Spirit. When we live in harmony we reflect God. Perhaps it’s a bit like this… a friend of mine has a work car that has his company’s brand all over it.

Wherever he drives, he reflects the company. He can reflect it well or badly.

Sometimes the boss gets a call saying someone from your company drove poorly, but the opposite is also true. The boss has had people take the time to ring up to tell him that the only people who were courteous drivers were people from his company.

As believers, we reflect our boss. We can reflect him well or we can reflect him badly. Living in harmony helps us to reflect God well. But it’s still easier said than done. What does it look like for each of us to live in harmony? What does it look like to not just accept the differences in others, but to love, respect and work alongside them? What might we have to let go of for this to happen?

God created us to live in harmony with him and with others. Perhaps in a nutshell we can look to the great commandment, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength’ (Mark 12:30).

Living in harmony and unity In our own lives, we can take steps to live in harmony at our workplaces, in our places of study, at church, in our communities and in our families. There will be situations where we could deal with our differences better, and when we need to make past conflict situations right by apologising or opening our minds to understand others better. To let go of criticism and gossip.

May we be known as a people who love God with all our hearts and love our neighbours, family, friends and even strangers as ourselves—doing our part to live in unity and harmony.

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OFFICIAL ENGAGEMENTS Commissioners Mark (Territorial Commander) and Julie Campbell (Territorial President of Women’s Ministries) 11 August: Fiji Spiritual Day, online 14 August: Delve, Silverstream Retreat 16–18 August: South Pacific Zonal Leaders’ Conference, online Colonel Gerry Walker (Chief Secretary) 14 August: Delve, Silverstream Retreat 16–18 August: South Pacific Zonal Leaders’ Conference, online Colonel Heather Rodwell (Territorial Secretary for Women’s Ministries and Spiritual Life Development) 16–18 August: South Pacific Zonal Leaders’ Conference, online

Come Aside, Come Together Retreat

10–12 September 2021 Be enriched and refreshed in the stunning environment of Living Springs on the Banks Peninsula. Take time to go deeper in your relationship with God. Single and shared accommodation available. $180 per person + travel.

PRAY Woodville Corps, the Youth Mission Department, ASARS (Addictions, Supportive Housing

and Reintegration Services), Albany Bays Corps, Alexandra Corps, The Salvation Army in Russia.

Contact Colonel Heather Rodwell to register your interest heather.rodwell@salvationarmy.org.nz

Subscribe today!

BCM Library to the rescue!

War Cry DIRECT to your door Annual subscription (including p&p) $75 (within NZ) To subscribe, contact Salvationist Resources, p: (04) 382 0740, e: mailorder@salvationarmy.org.nz

From reference books for study and sermon prep to biographies and Christian living, enjoy unlimited access to the EBSCO eBook Religion Collection as part of a Booth College of Mission Library membership.

Email library@salvationarmy.org.nz for more info.

Want to Know More?

I would like: to learn about who Jesus is information about The Salvation Army The Salvation Army to contact me prayer for the following needs:

The Salvation Army Newtown Centre 4 Normanby Street Newtown, Wellington

Cari ng for Our Common Homeland

Fri –sat Aug 27–28 $10 per day

wellington theological consortium seminar 2021

Name Email Address

#HeWakaEkeNo

Phone

door sales or register at eventbrite.co.nz

Send to: warcry@salvationarmy.org.nz or War Cry, PO Box 6015, Marion Square, Wellington 6141

Enquiries: david.wardle@salvationarmy.org.nz

www.wellingtontheology.org.nz

Quiz Answers: 1 Tom Selleck, 2 Refraction, 3 Sri Lanka, 4 Manganese, 5 Elijah (Luke 9:28–36).

22 WarCry 07 AUGUST 2021

Planet Play

SNVEU CYMUERR

Can you unscramble these planet names and then arrange them, from the sun outward?

ROCKY PLANETS

SMRA

NSTAUR GAS GIANTS

SUAURN TPUNNEE ICE GIANTS

TPJRUIE

‘ “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people”.’

Did you know Venus spins in the opposite direction to the other planets?

Matthew 4:19

EHTAR

Find Robo's shadow

C

A

B

D

E

Make your own puzzle

What’s the biggest adventure you can imagine?

Maybe you’re itching to travel around the world as soon as you can. Maybe you’re not so fussed about where you go so much as what you do—when you’re old enough, you may want to skydive or trek across the country with nothing but a backpack. Maybe your dreams can’t be contained to Earth and you want to blast off in a rocket ship to space.

It always requires courage to go beyond your comfort zone and leave what you know behind. Usually, though, you get to weigh up the pros and cons before you decide to go. After all, if someone approached you to say that you could go to space with them, right here, right now—even if it was somebody you knew well—you’d be suspicious. You would want to ask a few more questions before you launch off!

But when Jesus called his first disciples, he gave them zero warning. They were going about their day job, fishing, when Jesus simply said, ‘Follow me’.

What’s remarkable is that they did just that! They had no clue how big of an adventure they had signed on for, they had never even met Jesus before, but they had enough faith to follow him then and there.

THINK ABOUT...

Think about … has God ever used your sense of adventure to strengthen your faith?

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Answers: Robo's Shadow: A; Planet Play (from nearest to the sun): Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune

Transform a life– Transform the future.

General William Booth launched the first Self Denial Appeal in 1886. Please give one week’s salary to support the appeal.

Watch Manjeet’s story on week 3 of the 2021 Self Denial Appeal. Catch up on videos and give your Altar Service gift at