9 February 2019 NZFTS War Cry

FAITH IN ACTION 09 FEBRUARY 2019 | Issue 6710 | $1.50

Desperate Debt: and the Industries Profiting From It. A SPECIAL INVESTIGATION

Gnome Alone— the Inside Story Ron and Dot Celebrate 72 Years of Marriage!

Word to the Wise: When Life Seems Meaningless

TURNS 10!

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WAR CRY The Salvation Army

New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga and Samoa Territory TERRITORIAL LEADERS Commissioners Andy & Yvonne Westrupp | GENERAL Brian Peddle | FOUNDERS William

& Catherine 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.

MANAGING EDITOR Ingrid Barratt | GRAPHIC DESIGN Sam Coates, Matt Gillon | STAFF WRITERS Captain Jules

Badger, Hugh Collins, Major Shar Davis, Robin Raymond | PROOF READING Major Jill Gainsford, Vivienne Hill | COVER PHOTOGRAPHY Josh Burns OFFICE Territorial Headquarters, 204 Cuba Street, PO Box

6015, Marion Square, Wellington 6141, Phone (04) 384 5649, Fax (04) 382 0716, Email warcry@salvationarmy.org.nz, www.salvationarmy.org.nz/warcry SUBSCRIPTIONS Salvationist Resources Department, Phone

(04) 382 0768, Email mailorder@salvationarmy.org.nz, $75 per year within NZ PRINT MANAGEMENT www.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.

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What If God Was One of Us? There’s a well-known pop song that goes, ‘What if God was one of us … ’. If you are a disciple of Jesus, you’ve probably wondered about that quite often. What if Jesus was among us today?

I’d love to think that I would have sat at his feet, in awe of his new kind of wisdom and grace, allowing it to sweep over me. But I fear I would have been like a pharisee—keeping Jesus at a distance, looking for an opportunity to catch him in ‘heresy’.

I was recently listening to a podcast with revered addictions specialist psychologist Dr Gabor Mate. In the middle of this secular interview, he began to reflect on the nature of grace. ‘From a sceptical doggedly atheist point of view, you’ll see these “saints” [people who live fully in grace] as epileptics like St Hildegaard, and people having strange experiences. But, actually, their brains are just more open to experiences that, for most of us, our ego is too much in the way … But sometimes these people manifest such compassion and love that people are just drawn to be around them.’

It struck me that he could have been describing people’s reactions to Jesus Christ—was he insane, or enlightened? Was he from God or the devil? We must get our dogma and ego out of the way, in order to see the real Jesus.

Jesus is, in fact, among us today. I hope we have the open eyes to see him as he really is.

Ingrid Barratt Editor

Member of the Australasian Religious Press Association.

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

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

Publishing for 135 years | Issue 6710 ISSN 0043-0242 (print), ISSN 2537-7442 (online) Please pass on or recycle this magazine Read online www.issuu.com/salvationarmynzftwarcry

www.salvationarmy.org.nz SalvationArmyNZFTS @SalvationArmyNZ salvationarmynzfts

2 WarCry 09 FEBRUARY 2019

‘Not the depth of my sin But the breadth of His grace; Not the darkness within, But the light of His face.’

Flora Larsson

John 1:17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

Hoani 1:17 Nā Mohi hoki i hōmai te ture; ko te aroha noa me te pono i ahu mai i a Īhu Karaiti.

N

ow, here’s a Valentine’s Day story worth reading: Ronald and Dorothy Hildreth recently celebrated an astonishing 72 years of marriage.

Ron and Dot, as they’re known, are life-long Salvationists. Ron has been a dedicated bandsman since he began playing the baritone at 12 years old.

To celebrate their anniversary in December last year, the local corps organised a flash mob to play Christmas carols outside their house.

It all came together on one busy day, recalls their great-niece Carla Lindsey. She put the call out on Facebook—and as evening fell, over 50 people turned up outside Ron and Dot’s house. Band member Joanna began with a lone cornet, playing ‘Oh Come All Ye Faithful’ outside their window.

More brass band members joined in, before a chorus of voices joined them.

That wasn’t the only surprise on the day. Carla asked Hamilton Mayor Andrew King to sign a card.

Instead, he turned up at Ron and Dot’s house to give them his personal congratulations. A card from Simon Bridges (leader of the opposition) was also hand delivered by their MP, and a local florist pulled out all the stops to source a bouquet with Christmas lilies—which had been the original wedding flowers.

‘It was lovely that all these people came together at a moment’s notice to celebrate their anniversary,’ says Carla. ‘It made them feel connected to their community again.’

Ron and Dot met in 1945, in true Salvationist tradition, at a friend of a relative’s house. Ron was freshly back from WWII, where he was in the airforce, stationed in the Solomon Islands. There wasn’t much money after the war, so Dot got married in a friend’s wedding dress. They made a handsome couple. ‘Well, he wasn’t too bad, I guess,’ quips Dot.

Ron has worked with aircraft—his passion—all his life. They had two children, Craig and Sherryl.

Craig shared his father’s love for planes. They worked together for 11 years in the aircraft industry, and Craig even got his pilot’s licence. ‘He took me out for a flight, and when we got back he said, “Well this is the first thing I’ve ever done where you couldn’t tell me how to do it”. They were marvellous words, I’ll never forget those words,’ recalls Ron. Tragically, Craig was killed in a car accident at the age of 27. Today, as we chat, it would have been his 65th birthday. It was their faith and the Army community that got them through, says Dot. ‘You couldn’t do without it, I don’t know how people do it. No, you wouldn’t do without your faith.’

There has been joy, too, in the everyday commitments that make up family life. Dot’s eyes light up as she shows a picture of her six-month-old great-granddaughter. And they are grateful for their daughter, Sherryl, who visits daily.

Can they imagine life without each other? ‘No, we can’t imagine it. That’s the problem,’ says Dot poignantly. She is in the end stages of terminal illness.

‘I’m quite happy for her to go because I don’t like to see her suffer, but I don’t want her to go,’ says Ron. So, what is the secret to a long and happy marriage?

‘I don’t know, it just happened!’ laughs Ron. But he further reflects: ‘Back in our day you had to stay together, because if you split up the wife had nothing, so we didn’t think about it. Today it’s too easy to pack up and leave.’

Dot adds her wise advice: ‘You just have to work together. You’ve got to work at it.’

Now, that’s a true love story.

BY INGRID BARRATT 09 FEBRUARY 2019 WarCry 3

OURPEOPLE

Vietnamese Style Chicken Salad

Carla Lindsey Contributor Carla and her husband Bevan are based in Hamilton, where they and their three children are very involved in the life of Hamilton City Corps. When her youngest child began school, Carla began working her way very slowly through a graduate diploma at Laidlaw College … and she loved it!

So, she kept going, and still is—just a paper or two a year. People continually say to Carla, ‘Are you still studying?’ To which she responds that she always will be—it may not be formal study, but there’s always more we can learn!

A super healthy, flavoursome meal for the warmer weather …

Dressing

Salad

2 Tbsp fish sauce

350-500g cooked roast or smoked chicken

2 Tbsp lime juice or lemon juice

½ medium cabbage

2 Tbsp caster sugar

3 spring onions

½-1 tsp chopped coriander, mint and basil

15cm length of cucumber

½-1 tsp chilli to taste

1 carrot ½ cup chopped roasted peanuts 1 cup torn basil, mint and coriander

For the dressing, put all ingredients in a jar and shake until sugar is dissolved.

Slice the chicken and cabbage thinly. Diagonally slice white parts of spring onion. Cut carrot and cucumber (discarding pips) into matchsticks.

Combine all ingredients with dressing in a large shallow bowl and mix gently. Serve immediately.

Reprinted with permission from 100 favourite 20 minute dishes by Simon & Alison Holst.

WARCRYINHISTORY If you’ve ever wished you could find a Salvation Army-specific Valentine’s card, believe it or not, you’re not alone! This Victorian card features a Hallelujah lassie saying, ‘Won’t you come and join me? It’s easily understood, I’m a sweet Salvation Sister and I want to do you good!’

Go for souls … by whatever means?

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TOPFIVE Christian pick-up lines not to use this Valentine’s Day …

1. Hey girl, Jesus has called you. Can I do the same?

2. You and I are like the loaves and fishes— together, we could be a miracle.

3. If I walked around you seven times, would you fall for me?

4. Now I know why Solomon had 700 wives … because he never met you.

5. Last night I was reading in the book of Numbers, and I suddenly realised, I don’t have yours.

QUIKQUIZ

1 What is the birthstone for February?

2 Which Shakespeare play is the only one to mention February?

3 What year did Waitangi Day become a public holiday?

4 Which North Island town hosts an annual Art Deco Festival this month?

5 What was Sarai’s name changed to?

Answers on page 22

Gnome Alone: The Exclusive Interview The Salvation Army hit national headlines recently when a giant stolen gnome was left on the steps of Glen Eden Corps. But only War Cry got the exclusive, behind-the-scenes interview!

When Neil Arnold turned up to work at Glen Eden Corps on an ordinary day in January, he was only mildly surprised to find a 150kg bronze garden gnome on its door steps.

Glen Eden corps officer Leiutenant Ivo Pyper said Neil initially assumed the new corps officers Heather and Ivo Pyper had a (slightly weird) thing for over-sized gnome art.

But when Leiutenant Heather Pyper turned up for work, she did some Sherlock Gnomes-style digging, and soon realised it was a missing art installation worth $55,000.

The statue had originally made headlines after it was stolen from outside the Gow Langsford Gallery in central Auckland on Christmas Eve. The gnome had been left

alone at Glen Eden Corps sometime in the night, with a note ordering it to be returned to the Gow Langsford Gallery.

The police were subsequently called and took fingerprints for any evidence left by the un-gnome thieves. ‘It was so well placed, it wasn’t just a random drop in the middle of the car park. It was right by the front door in line with the curbing,’ Ivo said. ‘We joked about being able to provide a night of emergency accommodation for the gnome.

‘The people at the gallery were happy to get it back reasonably unscathed, just a couple of marks where some paint had been rubbed off.’

The gallery have said they will be giving the Glen Eden Corps a donation for its hospitality.

Weird of the Week Swedish monarchs number themselves using a list of made-up Kings that was invented in 1554, to pretend they had been ruling Sweden since Magog in the book of Genesis. This means the current monarch is the 10th called Carl, but calls himself King Carl XVI (16) Gustaf.

Musical Mary Poppins Returns Dir Rob Marshall | G

‘It was a privilege to have a gnome of such noble stature visit us overnight. We are happy that he made it home safely though. He is welcome to visit Glen Eden Salvation Army anytime. Blessings.’ Ivo wrote on the Gow Langsford Facebook page.

‘The more I get to know Jesus, the more trouble he seems to get me into.’

Shane Claiborne

Over 50 years since the original, inimitable Mary Poppins, this sequel is perfectly poised between nostalgia and invention.

The film revels in its iconic characters— set in a fantastical forgotten London, and interspersed with richly-coloured fantasy scapes. The animation, in original 2D style, had me yearning for the sweet simplicity of the Disney classics. Emily Blunt is pitch perfect as Mary Poppins,

with her eloquent over-elocution, and merest hint of mischief. Arguably the real star is broadway composer Lin-Manuel Miranda, who both wrote the soundtrack and starred as Jack the lamplighter (a Dick Van Dyke-type character)—the songs won’t go down in movie history like its supercalafraglisitic predecessor, but the entire film is a sheer delight. (Reviewed by Ingrid Barratt) 09 FEBRUARY 2019 WarCry 5

In Whose Interest?

How the lending industry is creating desperate debt

People told to lie on a credit check, door-knocking mental health clients and 400 percent interest rates ... These are some of the stories Salvation Army budgeters deal with every day, which keep people trapped in a cycle of poverty.

In the first of a two-part special investigation, Robin Raymond lifts the lid on the loan shark industry, and how The Salvation Army is at work.

Then, in the next edition, find out about our daring new project to disrupt the industry for good.

‘W

e knew they had our head in a noose, but there was no one else we could go to—we tried everyone,’ says Sheryl*.

Sheryl and Tim’s* problems began innocently enough in April 2013, when their car broke down. Tim needed a car for his business, so he traded it in for a new one. Then in August, Tim got sick—so sick he nearly died, twice.

It took eight months before he could get surgery and his recovery is ongoing.

Unable to work, his business went under, leaving large debts to suppliers—along with the car they were still paying off. ‘It got us into a lot of trouble and we went very deep,’ he says. They ended up with debts of around $50,000—some of which they are still paying today.

With the car about to be reposessed, they turned to the only place that would take them: a short-term loan company. ‘The interest was 400 percent. We went ahead knowing that we would have to pay it back, but at least we had cash to pay our creditors,’ Tim says.

‘They didn’t ask questions and they gave us cash,’ adds Sheryl. ‘All they wanted was to see our bank statements and make sure we could pay them back.’

In the end, they took out four loans totalling $1770—plus interest and other fees. Despite never missing a payment, it took them thousands of dollars more, and over three years, to pay off.

It was the support of Damien Hazelwood, a financial mentor with Salvation Army Community Ministries in Porirua, who got them through. ‘We call [Damien] our guardian angel. Without him we would have lost it all. He’s gone over and above for us. All of our main creditors are now gone, thank God. I’m sure it was more to do with the prayers. We had miracles, small miracles, so many times,’ Sheryl says.

For Damien, the amount of debt Tim and Sheryl had was unusual, but the story wasn’t. He reckons, ‘about 95 percent of the people we see to do a budget will have debt’.

With illness, job loss and urgent debts, Sheryl and Tim ticked three common reasons people turn to the industry that’s officially known as ‘third-tier lenders’.

When you have nowhere else to turn …

These companies will lend you money when you can’t get a loan from the bank.

They are set up to make money out of lending to people who don’t have enough to live, and can’t get money any other way.

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It’s a popular industry. For the past two years, one of the 10 fastest growing companies in New Zealand was a pay-day lender, offering cash loans of up to $5000 in under an hour (with interest up to 620.5 percent). In four years, it made 160,000 loans—that’s about 110 loans a day.

Ronji Tanielu, a policy analyst with The Salvation Army’s Social Policy and Parliamentary Unit (SPPU), who has a long history of working in this area, says the industry thrives on a toxic mix of poverty and a lack of other options.

‘These companies are experts and working within the parameters of the law. Their clients are people who are desperate, people who simply don’t have enough money coming in to afford the basics of life—let alone to break the cycle of their poverty.

And they often don’t have the financial literacy to work through very complicated credit and lending contracts.’

The companies range from the one Tim and Sheryl borrowed from, to those who straight-up break the law. Stories from Salvation Army financial mentors include a pawn broker telling a man to fake his earnings on a credit check, and companies that target people living in cars and mental health homes.

In response to these appalling situations, The Salvation Army offers a Community Finance Scheme, providing low interest loans to people often targeted by the ‘loan sharks’. Former manager Jodi Hoare says some of the stories are heart-breaking.

‘There was one young lady I worked with, she’d pawned a sentimental ring for a tiny bit of cash. The ring was worth about $2000 and she’d pawned it for $200 cash and was trying to pay off the loan to get it back. By the time I saw her, it was three months down the line and I worked out there was no way of her ever paying off that debt. I had to say to her, “I know it’s sentimental, but you’re going to have to let it go”. The idea that someone would be in that situation, and that someone would do that to another person, stuck in my mind.’

lenders last year, it found more than 500 different fees being charged, from five dollars to $5000. Third-tier lenders add fees for everything, from starting your loan, to updates on how much you have left to pay. Sheryl and Tim were charged $55 each time the car company sent them a notice threatening to repossess their car.

Businesses are often set up to keep clients hooked on the loans. Tim and Sheryl’s lenders ran a points system, where the more you borrowed and re-paid the more points you ‘earned’— with the promise that once you earned enough points your interest rate would go down.

Third-tier lenders can be relentless in chasing up for more, too, ringing people every night or turning up at the door over and over again. One of Damien’s clients told him the first message she had on her birthday was a text from a pawn broker she had a debt with, encouraging her to come in and buy more items on credit as a birthday treat.

‘THEIR CLIENTS ARE PEOPLE WHO ARE DESPERATE, PEOPLE WHO SIMPLY DON’T HAVE ENOUGH MONEY COMING IN TO AFFORD THE BASICS OF LIFE—LET ALONE TO BREAK THE CYCLE OF THEIR POVERTY.’

In whose interest?

The complicated cycle of debt

One of the easiest ways for lenders to make money is through high interest. Many countries put a limit on how much interest you can charge on a loan. In Australia, for example, you can’t charge over 48 percent interest on anything. In some countries, the interest cap on short-term loans is as low as four or five percent. In New Zealand, there is no limit. Last year the Commerce Commission found a company charging 803 percent interest.

Lenders also make money by adding fees for different services. When the Commerce Commission surveyed 215

Then there are the setups between complicated networks of companies, each getting a cut from the debt. Royal Oak Community Ministries Financial Mentor Andrew Mitchell describes the case of Mike*. He wanted to buy a car, but the car yard decided he was too risky to sell to, so they referred him to a car loans broker.

The broker put Mike onto a finance company, which gave him a loan and encouraged him to purchase two extra forms of insurance. For his $14,500 car, Mike ended up with a $17,484 loan (before interest) to four different companies.

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The business model is to find someone who can’t pay, take as many payments as they can, and once they can’t get any more, repossess the car, leaving people with a huge debt. The car is then sold to the next desperate person and the cycle repeats, Andrew says. ‘Every experienced budgeter will have seen a case like this.’

In the four months before Mike ran out of money, he paid almost $5000—but his loan balance only went down by $1020.

The car was repossessed and sold (for $9500 less than Mike bought it for) to help pay his debt. The remaining $11,350 debt was then sold to a fifth company—a debt-recovery agency.

This can sometimes be the cruellest part of the debt cycle: a recovery agency can, entirely legally, pursue the debt in court making it even harder for the person to get a loan in the future.

A voice for the voiceless When they find things that are illegal or seriously questionable, SPPU and Salvation Army mentors take cases to the Commerce Commission. Andrew took two cases that were similar to Mike’s to the Commerce Commission last year. Others can go to disputes resolutions—although this only works if the company is signed up with the Financial Service Providers Register. One study found that 41 percent of providers weren’t even registered.

For many it’s just a slow grind to pay off their debt.

Every month Damien would go over Tim and Sheryl’s finances—sometimes sitting round their dining room table into the evening after a full day of work.

‘First he sat down with us and went through all our debts.

That came out to one awful lot of money. He worked out, “This is your income, this is what you can do”. He helped us set up a

THE BUSINESS MODEL IS TO FIND SOMEONE WHO CAN’T PAY, TAKE AS MANY PAYMENTS AS THEY CAN, AND ONCE THEY CAN’T GET ANY MORE, REPOSSESS THE CAR, LEAVING PEOPLE WITH A HUGE DEBT.

cash book and we write everything down and work to a budget, I think we’re up to cash book 14 or 15,’ Tim says.

He arranged food parcels when they couldn’t afford groceries, and called creditors, pleading with them to defer or reduce payments on hardship grounds. They’ve all sat with their heads in their hands countless times, and prayed together many times, Sheryl says. Even today, Damien is still helping the couple on and off, going with Tim to WINZ and providing advice to deal with their high (and rising) rent.

That’s the job, Damien says, helping people build plans to pay off debt and fighting in their corner against a big industry.

The road to reform Ultimately, though, the system needs new laws to protect the vulnerable, Ronji says.

Tim and Sheryl agree. They’re firm that they would never borrow from a pay-day lender again, but they say they don’t have a problem with the company they borrowed from.

‘We’re not saying these lenders are bad people, but they were the only option. Something needs to come out that helps people,’ Tim says, ‘there is a need for lenders like this but the interest needs to be capped at 100 percent and that’s got to include all fees.’

The government has announced it will be overhauling the Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Act, which governs the industry. And last year it put out a proposal suggesting capping interest rates and lending fees, requiring more thorough credit checks before giving a loan and making sure the law applies to mobile shopping trucks.

For Ronji, who has been campaigning for change since 2013, it’s another step on a long road to reform. ‘The government has said some really nice things, but it’s going to take a lot of bravery to do some of the things we have asked for. We, as a community and church sector, are fighting a giant here in the finance industry.’ * Names have been changed.

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‘Agreeing to Disagree’ in Marriage Is it okay for your partner to have different preferences and opinions to you?

Remember when you first met, and you couldn’t believe how much you had in common? Now, it seems like you are complete opposites! During the burgeoning stages of a relationship, we tend to look for similarities that bring connection, but as the relationship matures, we discover that we are two very different individuals after all!

Around 70 percent of marital conflict is ‘perpetual’ and essentially unsolvable, according the world’s preeminent marriage researcher, Dr John Gottman. This is simply because we are individuals, and are bound to think differently from our partner on some things.

But for most couples, it takes years to reach that ‘state of grace’ where we can accept our differences, says Dr Leon F Seltzer, author of The Evolution of Self.

When our partner disagrees with us, our first reaction is often to take it very personally. ‘You may find it almost impossible not to experience them as invalidating you, personally attacking you, or striving to defeat you’, says Seltzer. In that moment, they become the enemy and must be defeated.

The key to learning how to live harmoniously, even when we disagree, is to ‘move from menancing disagreements to safe ones’. Seltzer says that our defence mechanisms are formed early in life, and when we feel ‘menaced’ we revert to child-like emotional states.

‘What’s required in such problematic situations is that your adult part immediately embrace that anxious, befuddled, or indignant child part, and reassure it that [a] contrary viewpoint doesn’t represent any kind of threat—though to your “kid self” it undoubtedly may feel like it’.

YOUR PARTNER’S DIFFERENT OPINION HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH YOU—IT SIMPLY MEANS THEY ARE ‘DIFFERENT— BUT SAFELY DIFFERENT— FROM YOU’.

When you need to agree

There are times when you have to find a way to agree, in order to make important decisions. Here are some tips for finding a way through …

Listen and try to understand each other’s point of view: Listen before you speak. Making your partner feel heard is more important than ‘winning’.

Your partner’s different opinion has nothing to do with you—it simply means they are ‘different—but safely different—from you’.

In other words, reassure yourself that a rejection of your point of view, is not a rejection of you.

Don’t try to ‘argue’ your partner into your way of thinking: Instead, engage in thoughtful conversation about what helped form your opinions, and each of your feelings about the issue.

When couples are able ‘to truly accept their inevitable dissimilarities—and to take them in stride’, it not only creates a more harmonious marriage, but helps ‘the relationship reach its full potential’, sums up Seltzer.

Commit to praying: Not only does God give us wisdom, praying together is a great equaliser.

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Find a way to compromise: There is not much that can’t be negotiated. ‘Demonstrate love, honour and generosity by moving in the other’s direction,’ says marriage therapist Teri Reisser.

TESTIFY! Cadet Emma Buckingham has just begun her first year of officer training. She gets real about her ‘world famous’ last name, and how God used disappointment as direction.

I am blessed to have a rich family heritage in The Salvation Army. My parents are officers (Commissioners Lyndon and Bronwyn Buckingham— Chief of the Staff and World Director of Women’s Ministry). So is my older brother Captain Daniel Buckingham, who is corps officer at Westgate Corps in Auckland. The temptation to compare myself and measure my journey against my immediate family is real. None of them have ever placed any expectation or pressure on me— but I’ve placed plenty on myself!

I was 17 when I first encountered the Holy Spirit personally and powerfully, and while there have certainly been times of frustration and weariness since, I just cannot deny the truth about God. Sometimes in the midst of temptation and struggle I have wished that I hadn’t experienced God’s presence, because the pull toward rebellion has been so strong. But it’s been through these times that my faith has enlarged enough to combat the doubt and help me grow spiritually.

Over the years, I have thought of myself as the ‘black sheep’ of the family, because I didn’t want to succumb to the family tradition of becoming an officer.

I didn’t even want to think about it because it seemed so ‘predictable’.

But I kept wondering, if God has called everyone else in my family to be officers, what if he doesn’t call me? What does that mean? And what if he does call me? Am I actually willing to say yes? I decided to ‘never say never’—but I needed God to thoroughly convince me it was his will.

Two years ago, I applied for a job with World Vision. I really wanted it and

I HAVE THOUGHT OF MYSELF AS THE ‘BLACK SHEEP’ OF THE FAMILY, BECAUSE I DIDN’T WANT TO SUCCUMB TO THE FAMILY TRADITION OF BECOMING AN OFFICER. was super invested, so when I didn’t get it I was utterly devastated. But God used this disappointment to get my attention, and I started praying earnestly about my ministry future.

Officership had became like a book on a shelf for me. I would take it down from time to time and look it over and flick through it, but shelve it again—relieved that God didn’t seem to be saying anything to me about it.

When I was travelling overseas, I was disappointed that it was pouring with rain on a day we wanted to explore Barcelona. But when a man came along trying to sell us an umbrella, I realised some pouring rain wasn’t going to stop us from having an amazing (but wet) day! God used that small moment to show me that he has a plan—it’s just not always the one we are expecting. I knew it was time for me to change the question from, ‘Why should I become

an officer?’, to, ‘Why wouldn’t I want what God wants for me?’

It’s been hard leaving my Westgate whānau, but I’m just so grateful to God for community! Consistently being in relationship with other Christians who are willing to be open and honest has been crucial in my journey as a disciple.

I think the key to faith is making space for quality relationships. In this age of technology, the world is craving the intimacy of real life human connection.

As an Army, we need to reclaim the creativity and innovation of our roots: not doing the same old things, but by acknowledging—as the Booths did— that the world is constantly changing and so must we. If we don’t, our Army will be no more. But imagine if we do pursue change for the sake of the world ... I want to be part of that future!

09 FEBRUARY 2019 WarCry 11

Photography by: Josh Burns, Georgia Cotter, Kevin David, Jessica Keane, Liam Kendrew, Brandon Lauridsen and Kris Singh.

TURNS 10!

This year Amplify celebrated 10 years. That’s 10 years of young people and leaders hanging out and learning together; 10 years of discovering themselves and their giftings, and how to use these to bring glory to God. Ten years of encounters with Jesus, lives changed and people meeting Jesus for the first time. What a celebration!

BY VANESSA SINGH

Amplify is The Salvation Army’s territorial creative arts camp for anyone high school year 11 to 30 years of age.

It was held at Silverstream Retreat in Wellington, on 7–13 January.

Like other years, delegates chose a major and minor to focus on throughout the week—including dance, drama, photography, preaching, music, sports, DIY, craft and hospitality. They also took part in a bunch of cool workshops, daily Bible studies, church services, an exhibition night and plenty of other sweet activities throughout the week.

TOP FOUR CLASSIC MOMENTS

1 When our new friend Jason (Silverstream guy) received the award for Best Amplify Venue and surprised us with an exceptional speech, and then realising he was back for Exhibition Night, joining in the mosh pit and then getting up to sing ‘My Redeemer Lives’… and then sticking around for the two hour dance party. Ledge.

2 Boy oh boy, how many times were we sweetly serenaded by the classic hit ‘Country Roads’ over the course of seven days? Not enough is the answer!

3 When Eric shared his story of gifting oranges to people in the rest home he was visiting as a child.

With nowhere to place the orange, little Eric thought the back of the little old lady’s neck was the best place. Classic.

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4 Seeing everyone all spruced up and excited for the Amplify 10th Birthday party night. With red carpet, photographers, banquet tables, an awards ceremony and the nicest meal we’ve ever had at Silverstream—it was the perfect way to celebrate turning double digits!

TOP FOUR SURPRISES IN 2019

1 The Donut truck—pretty sure we should have a mini hot donut truck permanently on-site in 2020. The best treat to nibble on while enjoying the first ever outdoor acoustic night. Solid.

2 The Lime Scooters—not even Amplify could escape the hire-where-you-find-them electric scooters.

We aren’t aware of any injuries yet, besides badly hurt bank accounts …

3 The Dress—who knew Ben Willis would look so good in a dress? Surprising, while also stunning, while also probably not needing to see that ever again.

4 The Basketball Hoop—such a simple way to bring people together, create community, and encourage some healthy competition, as well as about 50 sprained ankles. Too good. Thanks Explorer’s Café team!

TOP FOUR CHURCH CHALLENGES

1 Eric’s ‘El Roi’ sermon: Eric used the story of Hagar to encourage us that even an ordinary handmaid was seen and known by God, and had the honour of naming Him El Roi (the God who sees). We are seen and known too.

2 Eric’s ‘Fox’ sermon: Eric shared a dream he had about a fox which represented the Holy Spirit, ‘It is strange and it is wild. You could fear but you should play.’ He encouraged us to seek after the Holy Spirit.

3 Alana’s ‘Surrender’ sermon: Alana shared stories of ordinary people that simply surrendered their lives and God used them in powerful ways. Looking at Romans 12, Alana encouraged us to live a fully surrendered life.

4 Eric’s ‘Viking’ sermon: Eric shared about Jesus healing the blind man, as well as how when Vikings went to conquer lands, they would set their ships alight in a statement of ‘we are here now, there is no turning back’. Eric encouraged us that the Kingdom of God is our home now, and that maybe we want to make a ‘burning ships’ statement.

09 FEBRUARY 2019 WarCry 13

Photography by: Josh Burns, Georgia Cotter, Kevin David, Jessica Keane, Liam Kendrew, Brandon Lauridsen and Kris Singh.

IN THEIR OWN S D R O W

CODY CLARKE HAMILTON CITY CORPS (LEFT) ‘ I wanted to learn something new and at home you can’t really do a lot

because it’s always repetitive, I’m always learning the same thing. It’s full on, every day you have to go straight into something new without any warning ...

I’m learning quite a bit, way too much actually ’ [laughs].

OLIVIA LIMMER HAMILTON CITY CORPS (RIGHT) ‘ I’ve never been before and my friends come every year and they always talk about how much they’ve learned, and how much fun they’ve had.

I thought, why not give it a go and learn more about the arts and God at the same time and what I can do with that?’ Everyone is here for similar reasons and everyone is really friendly … you can turn around and pretty much start a conversation with anyone and not have to do the awkward “hi”. [My highlight has been] meeting new people and learning about what their strengths are and how they use them.’

MAX BAILEY MT ALBERT CORPS (LEFT) ‘ Other camps aren’t this creative and

art-like because they don’t have dance or drama. So that’s really cool to do ... and interpret God into that. My highlight has been learning in general, in dance and drama. God has given us this gift and it’s really cool to do it for him in some way.

And it’s fun as well.’

TARA BURROWS WINTON CORPS (CENTRE) ‘ I like how God is in everything, if that

makes sense. The dances and hanging out with people have been a highlight.

Everyone here is real nice, no one is mean.’

DAN ELLINGTON DANNEVIRKE (RIGHT) ‘ I came because I really wanted to expand my skill in drama.

I did a bit of relational ministry as well. It’s been really cool sitting in there talking about how God is and all that.’

14 WarCry 09 FEBRUARY 2019

09 FEBRUARY 2019 WarCry 15

Encounter: Congress 2019 What: The Congress of The Salvation Army, New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga and Samoa When: 3–6 October 2019 Where: Michael Fowler Centre, Wellington Special guests: International leaders General Brian Peddle and Commissioner Rosalie Peddle.

What an exciting year we have ahead of us! As we head into spring later this year, we will be celebrating our Territorial Congress, on 3–6 October.

Everyone is invited to participate in the ‘Encounter’ Congress—a place of inspirational encouragement from the Holy Spirit, worship, preaching, testimonies, music, spoken word, seminars, children’s and youth activities, and creative ministry contributing to the whole experience.

Our territorial leaders will be hosting Congress, with the international leaders of The Salvation Army, General Brian and Commissioner Rosalie Peddle, as our special guests. Through their thought-provoking teaching and ministry, we will encounter the Promised Presence and outpouring of God’s Holy Spirit, which will bring glory and honour to his name.

Throughout Congress there will be participation from all parts of our territory. It will be good to be with whānau: as we share and relax with old friends and make new friends, we become family.

Together, we’ll be challenged on our own spiritual journey. This will ultimately inspire us to eagerly express our faith, as we serve the Lord in our communities. Our biblical purpose is to know Christ, grow in Christ, serve Christ, share Christ and worship through Christ, as we proclaim the good news.

Congress is an investment in you as part of the territory, and our prayer is that we will all experience and receive from God’s Holy Spirit. Through the Holy Spirit we will be encouraged and affirmed in Christ as we share as whānau and family, in community together. We will come expecting to see God at work, anointing his people and continuing his work of transformation in the lives of his people.

‘Encounter’ is for all ages—with a children’s programme, fringe activities, marketplace resources, and a prayer team on hand throughout Congress.

BY COLONEL MELVIN FINCHAM TERRITORIAL SECRETARY FOR PROGRAMME AND COMMUNICATIONS Watch out for our next issue, with details of the Social Policy and Parliamentary Unit’s Just Action conference, to be held before Congress— Wellington City Corps, 1–2 October.

16 WarCry 09 FEBRUARY 2019

Left: Commissioner Rosalie and General Brian Peddle. Right: Commissioners Yvonne and Andy Westrupp.

Images from the 2016 Congress: Now is the Time.

What’s on at Congress…

Thursday 3 October Leaders Councils (day) Congress Welcome (evening) Friday 4 October Mission Conference (day) Congress Rhythm & Culture (evening) Saturday 5 October Mission Conference (day) Congress Family Celebration (evening) Sunday 6 October Congress Sending Out (morning) MORE INFO | email Congress@salvationarmy.org.nz

More than a House for People on Bail A new home for people on bail has opened in Wellington— a first for The Salvation Army.

The house will be somewhere for people to stay if they are unable to get another suitable bail address. A house formerly run by The Salvation Army for homeless teenage boys in Wellington, will be used to house and support people while they wait for the court process to be completed.

The pilot project is being run between The Salvation Army, which will run the home, and the Departments of Corrections and Justice. It aims to prevent people who have been charged, but not convicted of a crime, from spending time in prison on remand.

Up to six men at a time, aged 18–26, who are on lowlevel charges, will be able to live there. The Salvation Army will have staff on site 24 hours a day to provide support, and will work in partnership with police, the courts, Corrections and other social agencies.

Speaking at the opening, Salvation Army head of Reintegration Glen Buckner said they were determined that it would be more than just an address for people. ‘The plan is for this house not to be a house, but a home—a refuge for people to have their needs met while they’re in the bail process. For people to have this home so they can continue working or have family contact where possible is important.’

He read from Psalm 9:9–10: ‘God’s a safe-house for the battered, a sanctuary during bad times. The moment you

arrive, you relax; you’re never sorry you knocked’ (TM).

It is the first time The Salvation Army has run a service of this kind and very different to the typical work Reintegration Services does, but the principles were the same, he said.

‘It’s still broken people taken out of a situation out of their control. The team working in the home will be coming with skills and a desire to make our communities better, and help people who are broken and needing support.’

Dan Giles, Operations Manager of Corrections’ new High Impact Investment Programme, said the bail house was one of a number of ideas they were trying, to help positively address New Zealand’s high prison population.

‘We know nationally we have a problem with people who end up in custody by default and we’re really looking at ways to get stuck into it.’

The team was pleased to work in partnership with The Salvation Army, using the Army’s experience.

Chaplaincy support is being provided by inner city outreach worker and Wellington Court chaplain Joe Serevi, and the men would be linked to other Salvation Army supports. Glen said he was hopeful the service would also be embraced by corps and salvationists, who could support the men with practical life skills, such as cooking.

Rakiraki Latest Corps in our Territory We welcome the newest corps to our territory, as Rakiraki Corps Plant in Fiji is given corps status.

Rakiraki was established as an outpost in 2016, and has grown to around 60 members, including about 10 families.

Since soldiership classes began in 2016, almost 40 people are now enrolled as soldiers, with Corps Officers Lieutenants Ponipate and Mereani Bacaivalu.

The Corps has always been heavily involved in the local community: ‘We, as the Corps of Rakiraki, have managed to provide assistance and support to the whole community in the entire region of Rakiraki,’ says Lt Ponipate. ‘We donate school stationery, foodpacks, building materials, clothes and even do community work to the whole area of Rakiraki.’

Their hopes for the future are that potential leaders will be raised up to serve in the Corps—and a highlight has been seeing four of their young people receiving certificates in ‘basic training and first aid’ through a Ministry of Youth and Sports programme.

They hope to one day own their own church property, but their greatest goal is to ‘encourage people to have a willing heart to give to the Lord,’ says Lt Ponipate.

Meanwhile, they have been encouraged by receiving corps status. ‘It makes the people very happy and they feel good that

they have achieved this. It shows that the soldiers have grown in number and in their discipleship, and being a corps will attract even more people.’

Rakiraki Plant was established on 17 January 2016, and was given corps status on 1 November 2018.

The Rakiraki Corps team in May 2018.

09 FEBRUARY 2019 WarCry 17

GAZETTE

Appointments: Effective 1 January: Captain Christine De Maine Hēkeretari-Ā-Wehenga Te Waipounamu, Manatū Māori, Divisional Secretary for Southern Division Māori Ministry.

Effective 10 January: Major Janette Waugh and Captain Kevin Waugh, Gisborne Community Ministries, Midland Division.

Effective 1 February: Major Helen Knowles, Divisional Silver Star Secretary and Divisional Hospital Chaplain, Central Division. Major Stephanie Herring, Divisional Missionary Fellowship Secretary. Major Allan Clark, Territorial Secretary for Business Administration.

Effective Immediately: Captain Mathew Badger, National Director, Youth Missions Training.

Appointment in Retirement: Effective 24 January: Major Wayne Jellyman, Corps Officer, Woodville Corps.

Bereavement: Major Cynthia White, of her brother Alvin White, who passed away from Kinloch on 1 January 2019. We ask you to uphold Major Cynthia White and other family members in your prayers in this time of grief and loss.

Major Roselynn Mason and Lieutenant-Colonel Rod Carey of their father Peter Carey—also grandfather to Lieutenant Rochelle Reddish.

Peter was Promoted to Glory from Hamilton on Monday, 7 January, aged 86. We ask you to uphold Majors Roselynn and Colin Mason, Lt-Colonels Rod and Jenny Carey, Lieutenants Rochelle and Bevan Reddish and other family members in your prayers at this time of grief and loss.

Captain Pauline Turner of her father Laurence (Laurie) Witheford— also grandfather to Captain Jocelyn Smith and Auxiliary Captain Eric Turner. Laurence was Promoted to Glory from Auckland Hospital on Monday, 7 January 2019. We ask you to uphold Captains Pauline and Kelvin Turner, Captains Jocelyn and Paul Smith, Auxiliary Captains Eric and Julie Turner and other family members in your prayers in this time of grief and loss.

Captain Lindsay Andrews of his father W. Bruce Andrews, who passed away in Rangiora on Friday, 11 January 2019. We ask you to uphold Captain Lindsay and Major Wendy Andrews and other family members in your prayers in this time of grief and loss.

Promotion to Glory: Lieutenant-Colonel Ronald Trevor Manning from Christchurch, on 7 January 2019. Ron Manning was born on 25 August 1935 in Taumarunui. Ron entered The Salvation Army Training College from Terrace End Corps as a cadet in the Sword Bearers session in 1956. On his commissioning on 19 January 1957, Ron was appointed as Corps Officer, Paremata Corps. This was followed by an appointment to the Training College as Men’s Brigade Officer in 1958. In January 1959, Ron married Lieutenant Mary Dyke, and their first married appointment was at Tawa Corps. In August 1961, Captains Ron and Mary were appointed on overseas service to Brazil Territory, where for the next 14 years Ron was in Territorial Headquarters appointments as Cashier, Finance Secretary and Training College Principal, with an additional appointment as Divisional Commander of São Paulo Division. Returning to New Zealand in 1976, Ron was appointed to the Training College as Senior Training Officer before being transferred to the South American East Territory Training College as Principal in 1978. On their return to New Zealand in January 1979, Ron and Mary were appointed as Corps Officers, Christchurch City Corps, and this was followed by two THQ appointments for Ron as Chief Accountant and Finance Secretary. Ron was appointed as Chief Secretary to the Brazil Territory in 1987 and a year later as Auditor, International Headquarters, before being appointed as Chief Secretary to the Korean Territory in 1989. Returning home to New Zealand in 1992, Ron was appointed to the Northern Division as Divisional Secretary.

The following year, Ron and Mary were appointed as Managers of Maureen Plowman Eventide Home in Browns Bay, Auckland.

Whilst serving in this appointment, they felt a strong conviction to respond to a World Vision International call for Portuguese-speaking missionaries experienced in financial management and with nursing qualifications, to help resettle two million refugees expected to return

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home to Mozambique. Ron and Mary took time aside to answer this call in 1994, serving in Mozambique for 18 months before relocating to Angola for a further six months to set up and administrate a WWI Landmine Awareness Programme. Returning to officer service in New Zealand in 1996, Ron and Mary were appointed as Managers, Omahanui Village in Napier, then Assistant Managers, Resthaven Christchurch, before retiring in January 1999. In 2002, whilst in retirement, Ron was appointed by IHQ to Kenya as Coordinator of The Salvation Army Relief Programme, and to Mozambique, to help provide relief following floods. Please uphold the family of Ron in prayer at this time of grief and loss. Messages can be sent to Stuart Manning, 112 Rose Street, Summerfield, Christchurch. Well done, good and faithful Sword Bearer for the Lord!

Promotion to Glory: Lieutenant-Colonel Lyn Buttar was promoted to Glory from Wellington, on Thursday 17 January 2019, at the age of 78. Lyn Buttar was born in Dunedin on 2 March 1940, and entered The Salvation Army Training College in 1960 in the Greathearts session from Dunedin North Corps. He was commissioned on 21 January 1961 and appointed as Assistant to Palmerston North Corps with responsibility for Takaro Outpost. In January 1963, Lyn married Lieutenant Dorothy Lindsay, with their first married appointment being Pukekohe Corps. This was followed by corps appointments in Te Aroha, Invercargill and Napier over the next seven years. In 1975 and 1978, Lyn and Dorothy were appointed as Divisional Youth Leaders to the Central (North) Division and then the Northern Division, before returning to corps appointments at Auckland Congress Hall and Wellington City Corps. A change of ministry focus saw Lyn and Dorothy appointed to the Training College in 1984.

Lyn was the Education Officer, followed by Senior Training Officer.

They returned to corps work in 1989 as Corps Officers, Palmerston North Corps. In 1994, with a promotion to Lt-Colonels, Lyn and Dorothy returned to the Training College, where Lyn became the Training Principal. It was from this appointment that Dorothy was Promoted to Glory in May 1997. Lyn became the Assistant Divisional Commander, Central Division in 1999, before being appointed as Divisional Commander, Southern Division, in 2000. Lyn returned to Wellington in 2003 to be the Territorial Archivist before becoming Acting Principal to Booth College of Mission and Training Principal, then Principal, at Booth College of Mission, and it was from this appointment that Lyn retired on 1 March 2006. In retirement, LtColonel Lyn Buttar was appointed to the Territorial Officer Support Unit with responsibility for the North Island, and he continued in this appointment until 2017. Please uphold in prayer Lyn’s sons Mark, Craig, Dean, Glen and their families at this time of loss and grief. Well done good and faithful Greatheart!

From the team at Fiji Divisional Headquarters.

Christmas Colouring Craze Thank you to everyone who sent in their coloured-in Christmas War Cry covers. We loved receiving the incredible creations, decorated by colouring fans aged five to … well … five-plus decades! If you’re still working on yours, remember to send us a photo and we’ll send you a choccie fish!

See all our covers on facebook.com/ WarCryMagazineNZFTS Send your coloured-in cover to WarCry@salvationarmy.org.nz

‘BROUGHT IT ALL ON THEMSELVES, DO YOU SAY? …

THAT DOES NOT EXCUSE OUR ASSISTING THEM.’ Caring for others is a thread that God has woven throughout the history of The Salvation Army, and this remains a focus today.

William Booth, in a rare recording of one of his messages, called Salvationists to the world of suffering around them: ‘Come away and let us make a call or two: Here is a home, six in family, they eat and drink and sleep and sicken and die in the same chamber.

Here is a drunkard’s hotel, void of furniture, wife a skeleton, children in rags, father maltreating the victims of his neglect. Here are the unemployed, wandering about seeking work and finding none.

Yonder are the wretched criminals, cradled in crime, passing in and out of the prisons all the time.

There are the daughters of shame, diseased and wronged and ruined, travelling down the dark incline to an early grave. There are the children fighting in the gutters, going hungry to school, growing up to fill their parents’ places.

From Captain Amanda Kennedy.

Brought it all on themselves, do you say? Perhaps so, but that does not excuse our assisting them. You don’t demand a certificate of virtue before you drag some drowning creature out of the water, nor the assurance that a man has paid his rent before you deliver him from the burning building. But what shall we do, content ourselves by singing a hymn, offering a prayer or giving a little good advice? No. Ten thousand times, no. We will pity them, feed them, reclaim them, employ them.

Perhaps we shall fail with many, quite likely, but our business is to help them all the same, and that in the most practical, economical and Christ-like manner.

So let us hasten to the rescue for the sake of our own peace, the poor wretches themselves, the innocent children and the saviour of us all.’

From Elizabeth, age 9, of Feilding.

William Booth painted the picture of the needs around him. He invited people to see and feel those needs and to take action. Today, we continue this legacy with the mission value ‘Care for Others’.

This calling to take action and make a difference in our communities today remains strong. One of the ways we do this is through the Social Policy and Parliamentary Unit’s annual State of the Nation report. Through this report, we highlight the needs, injustice and suffering in our nation. We call people to action by caring for others. We follow the words of Proverbs 31:9: ‘Speak out, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy’.

As we focus on this year’s State of the Nation, let’s stop and ask ourselves, ‘What can I do to ‘Care for Others’? Where can I use the influence I have to make a difference for those who are in need?’

From Susan Cassidy.

Commissioner Yvonne Westrupp Territorial President of Women’s Ministries 09 FEBRUARY 2019 WarCry 19

Word Wise: To The

Part 2

Ecclesiastes is a book that asks raw, honest questions about what it means to be human. How do we find meaning in our lives, when we bear an acute sense of transience on this earth?

BY CARLA LINDSEY

Time is a funny thing. Importance used to be stated in terms of how much gold or land one had. But today, how important we are is often measured by how little time we have. If someone is busy, they must be important. We like to think that we are in control of time and can manipulate it.

Time was important to the people of the ancient world, too. In fact, time is a thread found woven throughout Ecclesiastes, one of the ‘Wisdom’ books found in the Bible.

The most famous verses of Ecclesiastes (3:1–8) is a poem, in which we find the 20 WarCry 09 FEBRUARY 2019

word ‘time’ no less than 29 times. It’s a beautiful poem, worth re-reading: There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.

Everything is transient ‘There is a season, Turn turn, turn … ’.

(Sorry if you have the Byrds song stuck in your head now!) The rest of Ecclesiastes isn’t so well known, but perhaps it should be. It’s a book that many modern people can relate to. The writer of Ecclesiastes (who may have been King Solomon, but that’s hotly debated) was having a bad day when he wrote it.

The book gives us the thoughts of a wiseman, Qoheleth (ko-hel-et)— translated as ‘the teacher’. He expresses his frustrations with life on earth. He writes about all he has observed under the sun—to him, it seems like there is no point in it all. It feels like people work hard, achieve nothing, and then die! He continually asks, ‘What do people gain

from their labours?’ A good question.

Indeed, ‘What is the point?’

Forty-eight times Qoheleth describes human existence as ‘hebel’: ‘“Meaningless! Meaningless!” says the Teacher. “Utterly meaningless!

Everything is meaningless”,’ (Ecc 1:2).

Here, ‘hebel’ is translated ‘meaningless’, but it can also be translated vanity, emptiness, futility, hollow or pointless.

Literally it means ‘breath or vapour’.

Times, they are-a changing I also agree with Old Testament scholars Fredericks and Estes that ‘transience’ is a very helpful translation of hebel: ‘Transient, transient everything is transient’.

Life just rushes past, it keeps moving, you can’t stop it or grab it. It fluctuates from one extreme to the other—from laughing to weeping, planting and reaping, even loving and hating.

Each, according to the poem, has an appropriate time. The pairs in the poem are intended to cover the range of events and moods that make up a human life.

So what is the point Qoheleth is making about life, by giving us this list? I don’t think that it’s that humans need to do things at their proper time. Rather, it is about timelessness—this idea of transience. ‘The list is intentionally long because it was the writer’s intention to drive home the idea that the many sides of life are under control of God’s omnipotent rule’, says H.C. Leupold, author of Exploration of Ecclesiastes. ‘[Human beings] dance to a tune … not of their own making’.

What’s the point?

Now, accepting this reality can cause frustration. Qoheleth felt powerless.

Often, we do, too.

Yet the poem is followed by an explanation in which glimmers of hope are found. Ecclesiastes 3:11 makes the remarkable statement that God ‘has made everything beautiful in his time’.

Yes, God has controlled the frustrating, changeable times. But he also, somehow, made them beautiful. There are three things to note in this small verse:

cannot grasp it. We know enough of eternity to be able to compare it to our earthly fleeting, transitory existence— but not enough to understand it.

First, the verb ‘he made’, is used in Genesis 1—the creation narrative. It means, ‘brought to pass’. It reminds the reader that God has brought everything about, both in creating the world and the ongoing existence of the world.

According to Brown, this means humans ‘are the recipients not the shapers of life’. This emphasis on God’s actions, also remind us that these verses are not saying that people must be careful to do everything at the right time, but rather, it is God who does everything at the proper time.

We like to think that we are in control of time and can manipulate it. Qoheleth accepted the reality that this is not so. He accepted that within human consciousness, God has put a sense of the larger scope of time and this makes us aware of all that we don’t know!

Second, ‘everything’, that is good or bad, at one extreme or the other, is in the hands of God.

WITHIN HUMAN CONSCIOUSNESS, GOD HAS PUT A SENSE OF THE LARGER SCOPE OF TIME AND THIS MAKES US AWARE OF ALL THAT WE DON’T KNOW!

Third, this ‘everything’ is made beautiful

by God. ‘Beautiful’ here means ‘aesthetic balance’ or ‘beautifully fitting’. It captures the idea that because God is behind life, ‘there is an elegance about how life works as “time” succeeds “time”,’ according to Iain Provan.

Life is to be lived Because of this, Qoheleth goes on to say that life can be enjoyed! Food, fun and doing good are all tokens of this happy life—which Qoheleth encourages the reader to actively pursue. He understands that these moments of enjoyment and satisfaction are a gift from God. Within this more positive fragment, we read that they should be enjoyed ‘as long as they live’. A sobering reminder that life is temporary—transient. But Ecclesiastes 3:11 also tells us that ‘God has set eternity in the hearts of men’— another reference to time.

God has placed deep within human beings a sense of time—past, present and future. We have the capacity for eternal things. We are concerned about the future. We can glimpse the eternal, but the frustration comes because we

YES, GOD HAS CONTROLLED THE FRUSTRATING, CHANGEABLE TIMES. BUT HE ALSO, SOMEHOW, MADE THEM BEAUTIFUL.

In parts of Ecclesiastes, Qoheleth accepts this very begrudgingly. And that is okay … after all, his ravings are in the Bible. His questions are included.

His frustrations have been copied for hundreds of years for millions to read.

Those compiling the Old Testament under the inspiration of the Spirit, didn’t say, ‘Let’s leave that book out, it’s a bit too raw, we don’t want people questioning God like this!’ No. Ecclesiastes has its place in the Old Testament … and I’m glad it does! I relate to it. I find hope in it.

It reminds me that life is short, so make the most of it!

And it challenges me to surrender to the One who holds it. Life is transient, so security must be found elsewhere. For those who know God, there is hope in something eternal. Death will come to us all. This life is temporary… but this fleeting and sometimes very frustrating life, is not all there is.

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OFFICIAL ENGAGEMENTS Commissioners Andy (Territorial Commander) and Yvonne Westrupp (Territorial President of Women’s Ministries): Feb 9: Fiji & Samoa Officer’s Councils, Fiji Feb 10: Fiji Welcome to Cadets, Fiji Feb 13: State of the Nation Launch, Wellington Feb 18–19: Central Division Officer's Councils, Wellington Colonels Suzanne (Chief Secretary) and Melvin Fincham (Secretary for Programme): Feb 13: State of the Nation Launch, Wellington Feb 18–20: Southern Division Officer’s Councils, Christchurch Colonel Heather Rodwell (Territorial Secretary for Women’s Ministries and Spiritual Life Development) Feb 10: Flaxmere Corps visit, Flaxmere 18–20: Southern Division Officer’s Councils, Christchurch

PRAY Nuku’Alofa Corps, Ōamaru Corps, Oasis in centres

Available 8th March.

For more information email: salvationistresources@salvationarmy.org.nz

around New Zealand, the Officer Support Unit and Otahuhu Corps; The Salvation Army in Ghana.

Mission Leader Development Scholarship

Applications close 20 February 2019.

The Mission Leader Development Fund is available for those already involved in leadership ‘to undertake strategic short term, high impact development opportunities to enhance the mission of The Salvation Army’.

For more information, go to iSG Supportal and search for ‘Minute 0917’

400–600 words with one or two captioned photos.

Promotion to Glory tributes are approx 300 words. Email reports and large, high-quality jpeg images to: warcry@ salvationarmy.org.nz

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:

Explore Fiji on two wheels while helping The Salvation Army's Pacific Emergency Fund Go to inspiredadventures.co.nz/events/tsa-fiji-2019/

Buy pre-loved &

spread the love more than just a store

Name Email Address Phone Send to: warcry@salvationarmy.org.nz or War Cry, PO Box 6015, Marion Square, Wellington 6141 Quiz Answers: 1 Amethyst, 2 Much Ado About Nothing, 3 1974, 4 Napier, 5 Sarah (Genesis 17:15).

22 WarCry 09 FEBRUARY 2019

Snakes and ladders

Pobody’s Nerfect

So, the holidays have ended. What a buzzkill! School would be awesome … if only you didn’t have to learn stuff! We all hate it when we don’t know how to do something and make mistakes.

But did you know that making mistakes is part of learning? Jesus’ disciples were learners too—they were learning how to be like Jesus. And they were always making mistakes!

Peter was a disciple who wanted to be just like Jesus. But one day, Jesus said something very strange to Peter: ‘Before the rooster crows, you are going to betray me three times’. What? ‘I would never, ever, in a billion years do that to you JC!’ said Peter.

That very night, Jesus was arrested.

His disciples ran away, frightened for their lives. Peter followed Jesus from a distance. But someone piped up and said, ‘Hey, you know Jesus don’t you?’

Colouring in!

‘Na,’ said Peter.

Why did the student throw his watch out of the school window?

‘Yep, you do, I’ve seen you!’

‘Nope’ said Peter.

He wanted to see time fly.

Why did the M&M go to school?

Because he wanted to be a Smartie!

‘Yeah, I reckon—you’ve both got the same accent. You definitely know Jesus.’ ‘%$*& $*&@!!! I do know not that dude.

I’ve never seen him!’ said Peter. At that moment, the rooster crowed and Jesus looked straight at him.

Peter slunk away and wept. He had made a terrible mistake. Well, you might know the next bit of the story: Jesus was put to death, but three days later he rose again from the dead.

The next time Jesus saw him, Peter was ashamed. But Jesus forgave him. Peter went on to become one of the most important leaders in the early church.

Peter was once scared, but he became known as ‘the rock’ of the church.

THINK ABOUT IT …

Why is 6 afraid of 7?

Counters

Because 789

When have you made a mistake?

What did you learn?

What can you say to yourself when you make a mistake, so you’ll be encouraged to keep trying?

09 FEBRUARY 2019 WarCry 23