He Has Made Everything Beautiful In I ts Time
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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 | PROOF READING Major Jill
Gainsford, Vivienne Hill 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. Member of the Australasian Religious Press Association.
Oh the Wonder of the Cross The cross depicted on our special Easter cover was created for our territory by War Cry designer Sam Coates. In it, I see both the death—as depicted by the cross— and the new life we discover in Christ. The fauna that makes up the silhouette speaks to several cultures within our territory, and represents the new life we celebrate at Easter. As I ponder this image, I also see something else—part of God’s nature that remains a profound mystery: from something as horrific as the cross, God has made something beautiful. From death, God calls forth life. Out of chaos and decay, he brings restoration and healing. And he goes further—giving us beauty and abundance, for every lost thing. If you look closely, you’ll also see another message on our cover; it is part of Ecclesiastes 3:11: ‘He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.’ To believe in the death of Jesus and, more importantly, his life-giving resurrection, is to experience extravagant wonder. It is to stand in awe of a God we will never fully fathom, who is in the process of renewing all creation. It is to place our faith in a God much greater than our biggest wounds. But perhaps the greatest of all wonders is that this mysterious God made himself known and walked among us. This God—Jesus Christ—is still walking with us today. Ingrid Barratt Editor
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 6715 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
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But from this earth, this grave, this dust, my God shall raise me up, I trust. Sir Walter Raleigh
Matthew 28:5–6 The angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said.’ Matieu 28:5–6 Nā ka oho te anahera, ka mea ki ngā wāhine, ‘Kei wehi kōrua: e mātau ana hoki ahau, e rapu ana kōrua i a Īhu i rīpekatia. Kāhore ia i konei: kua ara kē, kua pērā me tāna i mea ai.’
Be still my soul the Lord is on thy side Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain Leave to thy God to order and provide In every change He faithful will remain Be still my soul thy best, thy heavenly friend Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end Art: Karl Maughan • from Offering Words: ‘Be Still My Soul’ by Jean Sibelius, 1899
Smitten for Mittens The Salvation Army’s Family Store on Willis Street had a flurry of visitors recently, keen to catch a glimpse of a local celebrity spotted instore. Mittens the cat—a social media influencer of the four-legged variety—is known to wander the streets of downtown Wellington, making himself at home in shops, churches, cars and even strangers’ beds. News of his presence at the Family Store spread quickly thanks to ‘The Wondrous Adventures of Mittens’ Facebook group that has over 13,000 members. According to comments by group members, there was a queue of people hoping to snap a picture of the famous kitty, sleeping soundly on an Egyptian stamped-leather poof. Some fans believed Mitten’s choice for a nap increased the value of the poof—with one fan suggesting The Salvation Army could auction it off, and another saying, ‘that poof is cool and now even more so, that it has been blessed by Mittens’. One Mittens fan even asked her daughter to buy the cushion, after seeing him asleep on it.
While the store regularly changes its window display, perhaps none has caused such a storm of activity online. It’s not the first time Mittens has visited the store, said Grant Key the manager. Mittens regularly wanders in and takes a look around before heading off on his wondrous adventures. Sheildy has been a great promoter of Salvation Army Family Stores throughout New Zealand, but we may have stumbled across a secret weapon for Wellington’s stores—Mittens the cat! (Mittens even crashed our very own designer Sam Coates’ wedding rehearsal a few months ago. While they were thrilled to have him check in on them, he was otherwise engaged for their big day.)
QUIKQUIZ
TOPFIVE
Craziest Easter traditions from around the world: 5 France—Every Easter Monday residents in the French town of Haux crack more than 4500 eggs into a gigantic pan, making an omelette that feeds over 1000 people! 4 Bermuda— As a way of symbolising the risen Christ, the people of Bermuda fly kites at Easter. 3 Norway— Norwegians come together to solve crime mysteries, with milk companies even printing stories on the side of their cartons. 2 West Slavic States—These slavs celebrate with a giant water fight, known as Śmigus Dyngus, where they surprise people with a bucket of water over the head! 1 Otago—In our very own Otago, hundreds take part in the Great Easter Bunny Hunt … but not for chocolate eggs. With the aim of ridding farmland of pests, over 500 hunters go after real life bunnies.
1 What is the national flower of Wales?
4 Which two metals is pewter made from?
2 In nautical terms, what is the opposite of port?
5 Who was instructed to dip in a river seven times?
3 What is entomophobia?
Answers on page 22
WARCRYINHISTORY
The Cover of War Cry on 4 April 1896 depicted Jesus on the cross with the words ‘When you see the Southern Cross, think of the suffering of Christ’. The cover also quotes from the famous hymn ‘When I survey the wondrous cross’. Source: Booth College of Mission Heritage and Archives Centre 4 WarCry 20 APRIL 2019
Slow-cooked Greek Easter Lamb 10 small garlic cloves 2kg leg of lamb 10–12 bay leaves 3 lemons, quartered lengthways 3 Tbsp olive oil ½ tsp ground cinnamon ½ cup water ½ cup pitted green olives 3 Tbsp honey
Place half the unpeeled garlic cloves into the slow cooker. Peel and thinly slice the remainder. If the lamb leg has the shank end still attached, it may have to be removed for the leg to fit in the slow cooker. With the tip of a sharp knife, make small slits on the top of the lamb. Insert the sliced garlic into the slits.
Action & Adventure Shazam! (M, violence) David F. Sandberg
Superhero films are a dime-a-dozen these days, and can easily cede to the temptation to go bigger, more epic, more spectacular (read: excess CGI and explosions to disguise an anaemic plot). That’s why it’s encouraging to see a film that knows that, at heart, superhero stories are about writing large the interactions of people—our hopes, dreams, longings and fears. Spiritual allegories abound, and I found myself musing on how God ‘places the lonely in families’ (Psalm 68). Sure, it’s cheesy; it’s not overly mentally challenging; but Shazam! succeeds in capturing the sheer wonder of what the superhero represents. That’s something to be celebrated. (Reviewed by Sam Coates)
Scatter half the bay leaves and the lemon quarters into the slow cooker. Place the lamb on top—plus the shank if removed. Drizzle with the olive oil, season and dust with cinnamon. Cover with the remaining bay leaves. Pour the water down the inside of the cooker. Place the lid on and cook on high for six hours. Carefully remove the meat to a warm platter. Cover with foil and a heavy towel. Rest for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, strain the liquid into a small saucepan and add the olives and honey. Stir well and simmer, until reduced. Serve with the lamb. Great served with mashed potatoes. Source: Jan Bilton/bite.co.nz
SALLIEOFTHEWEEK
Sharon Hargest (Queenstown Corps) Sharon first began attending the Salvation Army in 1993 while studying in Invercargill. She later joined Queenstown Corps in 1998, becoming a soldier a few years later. Since then, she has been involved in many Queenstown Corps activities, events and programmes, including Bible in Schools, Sunday School, ladies’ nights, kids’ after-school programmes, morning teas and providing wonderful baked goods for our SPACE programmes. She is currently the Corps Sergeant Major and does a lot behind the scenes, all while helping to keep the place running. Queenstown Corps are not sure what they’d do without her!
Weird of the Week: The tallest ever chocolate Easter egg was made in Italy in 2011 and stood at 10.39 metres tall, weighing 7200 kilograms. That’s a truck load of sugar! Easter is always the answer to ‘My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me!’ Madeleine L’Engle
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How the Family Store Became a Haven of Healing
When Steven Bates first walked into a Salvation Army Family Store in 2011, he was a broken man. Recently divorced and severely depressed, he never imagined that this would be the place he’d find hope and healing. BY JULES BADGER
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teven has one of those faces that just lights up when he smiles. His broad grin and hearty laugh are infectious, but they haven’t always come easy. For most of his life, Steven has been plagued by anxiety and depression. He knows what it’s like to be at rock bottom, completely alone and afraid. While Steven attended church as a child with his parents in Glen Innes, it would be many years before he met Jesus personally. As a teenager, he became a spiritual seeker, searching to ease the growing anxiety within him—exploring Hare Krishna and meditation throughout his teens. When he left school, Steven tried a few jobs until he settled into what would become his career path for the next 20 years—video duplication and distribution. Making TV commercials and New Zealand films were all part of the daily grind for a video tape operator.
A brooding silence Throughout the 1980s, though, Steven began to experience panic attacks, descending into depression in the early 1990s. Still searching for inner peace, he tried hypnotism and pursued other religions, including Buddism. ‘But nothing helped. Nothing touched the anxiety.’ Steven lived in the UK for a few years, before meeting Rachel, whom he married in 1992. A son, Jacob, arrived ten years later. But Steven’s anxiety continued to intensify with mortgage payments, the challenges of parenting, and working in an industry that was changing rapidly with the arrival of computers and new technology. These were darks days for Steven, who suffered in a brooding silence—selfmedicating with alcohol, which only exaserbated the anxiety and depression. ‘I was irritable and short-tempered. I would get angry and be so sharp with Rachel,’ he recalls. Like many anxiety sufferers, Steven was plagued by low self-esteem. ‘I hated myself so I took it out on her,’ Steven confesses. ‘I refused to go to counselling, thinking I could fix myself.’ But refusing help only pushed his wife further away. One day, it culminated in a massive panic attack—so severe that Steven had to be hospitalised. ‘I thought I was having a heart attack, I really thought that I was dying,’ recalls Steven. This was the crossroads that resulted in Steven leaving his job, working instead from home for the next 18 months. But the situation took its toll on Rachel as well, and by the end of the year, she had left—taking Jacob with her. ‘We’d been married 17 years, but I don’t blame her. She deserved better. If I’d been more open to getting help, our marriage might have been saved,’ reflects Steven. 20 APRIL 2019 WarCry 7
Devastated and overwhelmed with grief, he couldn’t see a future. ‘I was lost. And the employment outlook was grim, given the industry I was trained for was pretty much gone,’ he says.
A light in the darkness But there was some light. During their marriage, Rachel and Steven had a friend called Micheil who was a Christian. ‘I’d never met a “born again” Christian before. I used to think he was a bit odd actually! But he was an exceptional friend—he loved me with the love of Christ,’ reflects Steven. Micheil gave Steven and Rachel a Bible, praying they would both come to Christ one day. ‘When Rachel and I split, for some reason, I took that Bible with me.’ One night Steven was lying awake in bed. ‘My life started playing over in my head like a movie re-run, with all my sin illuminated. Somehow I knew this wasn’t my doing, but that someone else was revealing this to me. So I asked: “Is this you God?” And somehow I knew it was, and that I wasn’t alone. For the first time in months I drifted off into a peaceful sleep.’ The next day, Steven went digging through boxes until he found the Bible. ‘I opened it to the verse in Proverbs 12:22 (KJV) that says, “Anxiety in the heart of man leads to depression”. I burst into tears realising that there was finally someone who understood! My search for answers was over. I said “yes” to God. ‘For the next few months I was high on God and everyone knew it! My old friends thought I’d gone mad but they could see the change in me—it was a radical contrast.’ Steven joined a local church and began praying about a job. In September 2010, he saw The Salvation Army on the news following the first Christchurch earthquake. ‘Now there’s something I could do! I’ll join up and go help people,’ he thought. So he sought out the nearest Salvation Army, which happened to be the Ti Rakau Family Store in Auckland. ‘I had this picture in my mind of going gung-ho in Jesus mode! But the reality, of course, was quite different,’ laughs Steven. God has a great sense of humour, and in the end, it was his seemingly redundant skills that were in demand: ‘I got stuck out the back of the Family Store doing electrical testing on TVs and DVDs— the industry I had run from,’ Steven explains with a grin.
A new family But this was a key part of the journey because underlying the joy of finding Jesus, there was still pain and grief that needed to be processed. ‘I would come into the store just to get out of the 8 WarCry 20 APRIL 2019
‘I ASKED, “IS THIS YOU GOD?” AND SOMEHOW I KNEW IT WAS, AND THAT I WASN’T ALONE.’ house and out of my own head,’ explains Steven. The manager at the time, Aaron Stephen, listened and cared. ‘The Family Store staff and other volunteers became my new family. It was a place of healing for me,’ Steven affirms. This led to paid casual work, then a full-time position. Four years after signing up to volunteer, Steven took on the role of Senior Retail Assistant (second in command). ‘I love working at the Family Store, because I get to rub shoulders with people who wouldn’t normally go near a church. In the store, you can talk one-to-one, and build friendships with regular customers. I’m just a brother who can listen and care. That’s what was done for me, so this is what I do for others.’ Steven clearly has a pastor’s heart and is drawn to people who are broken. ‘I try and point people to Jesus and the journey he offers. It’s about taking steps forward and then some back for sure, but it’s also about learning to accept yourself and others. The world doesn’t get it, and tells us to walk away and dismiss difficult people, but that’s not who God calls us to be.’ Steven’s now an adherent member of the East City Salvation Army in Howick. ‘Being part of a faith community is good and helpful. But going home and being on my own is hard. I’m so grateful that Jesus is a real person! He makes all the difference and his presence provides comfort. God’s promises help me to stop hiding and fight my way up again out of the pit. I couldn’t imagine being at rock bottom again without him,’ Steven explains.
Still on the journey At the end of 2016, Steven was offered the position of manager. ‘This was a really big step-up for me. I was still struggling with my mental health, so taking on this responsibilty was a huge challenge. ‘My depression was still there and sometimes I was low, other times a bit hyper. My doctor wanted me to try antidepressants, but I kept refusing, certain that I could get through on my own. Classic male stoicism.’ This year marks 10 years since Steven’s divorce. Again, he’s facing some of the same challenges—needing to move house
and some big changes at work. This time, though, Steven has God, his job at the Family Store, and a straight-talking Christian counsellor. A hard but timely word from his counsellor influenced Steven’s decision to finally try medication to help with his anxiety and depression. Steven admits there’s still a stigma about taking medication—especially for men. And, at times, he’s been part of that stigma—choosing the path of stubborness and stoicism instead. But a big rugby hero of Steven’s in the 1980s was Sir John Kirwan. In his book All Blacks Don’t Cry, JK admits to a breakdown and taking medication to get through. His example helped Steven understand that being kind to yourself is not weakness. ‘Lately I’ve been asking myself “What would JK do?” I would never advise someone to hide and not get support— including medication—yet this is what I have done for so long.’ Now, Steven is experiencing an unprecedented reduction in anxiety, and is so grateful to God. ‘People take insulin for diabeties, so it’s a no-brainer now for me to just thank God for medical neurological advances and the provision of medication.’ Steven is about to move out of management and back into the ‘2IC’ role at the Botany Family Store, which is a move he feels good about. ‘I can focus on people and leave the business management side of it to someone else. I want to be available to help people when they’re struggling and be a positive presence.’ Steven is also keen to keep moving forward as a father to his son Jacob. ‘When Rachel and I separated, I just knew I couldn’t muck this up—I couldn’t lose my son. For years I overcompensated and did all the classic part-time dad stuff, like taking him to the movies and the zoo when he stayed with me. ‘But over the years I’ve become a much better father, and Jacob and I are close. He’s actually a great source of encouragement for me. Teens these days have access to information about anxiety and depression that we never had. Jacob plays sport and says it’s good for his mental health.
‘THE WORLD DOESN’T GET IT, AND TELLS US TO WALK AWAY AND DISMISS DIFFICULT PEOPLE, BUT THAT’S NOT WHO GOD CALLS US TO BE.’
No one talked like this when I was young, we were in the dark about mental health. I thank God this has changed.’ For Steven, rest and self-care are increasingly important. ‘It’s paramount that we honour God and rest. We live in a world that would have us going 24/7 if we let it. For me, Sabbath rest is a major part of wellness. ‘And don’t be stoic—Christians get depressed, it’s a fact. But with God by your side, and the miracle of modern medicine, there is hope.’ For Steven, Easter is a special time to reflect on his recovery: ‘If you’re struggling and searching for peace, Jesus really is the answer. Our true problems are all heart problems—we all have sin in our hearts. But Jesus died for those sins—they can be washed away by the blood he shed on the cross,’ says Steven. ‘This is the path to peace, self acceptance and healing.’
5 Things Christians Need to Know About Depression and Anxiety No, you can’t pray it away: Prayer is a wonderful tool for our worries and fears. But depression functions like a chronic illness. Just like any other illness, it is essential to see your GP. It’s not your fault: This is not a ‘punishment’ for sin. Even if some bad choices have triggered anxiety and depression, the illness is not your fault. God wants to restore you, not punish you. Restoration is not perfection: Restoration doesn’t mean going back to ‘how you were’. It may simply mean learning to manage life, even if you feel your own fragility in it. There is hope: That hopeless feeling of dullness is your depression, not the truth. Use techniques that engage the brain, rather than your feelings—a gratitude journal is a profound tool, as well as the support of friends and family. Medication can be a gift from God: Not everyone needs medication, but it may be part of the way God answers your prayer for healing. There is no shame in medication.
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Whakaaria mai Tōu rīpeka ki au Tiaho mai Rā roto i te pō Hei kona au Titiro atu ai. Ora, mate, Hei au koe noho ai
Show your cross to me. Let it shine there in the darkness. To there I will be looking. In life, in death, let me rest in thee.
Art: Reuben Paterson • from Offering Te Reo lyrics based on ‘Abide With Me’ by William Henry Monk, 1861
TESTIFY! Austin Vaiago-Jones says he ‘lived’ for meth. Now, he lives for Jesus and helping others find recovery. I was born and raised in central Auckland. I was a successful rugby league coach and helped run a business for 14 years. For 13 of those years I was engaged. But I gave all this up—I lost it all—to become a meth cook. My whole world revolved around manufacturing and selling methanphetimine. I lived for it. I came very close—too close—to being killed on a number of occasions. I remember having a gun pulled on me, and saying to my mates afterwards, ‘We shouldn’t be alive—how did we escape that?’ I was aware that someone was looking out for me, but I wasn’t prepared to acknowledge that presence. I had a few mates who’d gone to rehab to get their drug addiction under control, so I self-referred and entered the Bridge programme at Mt Eden. That’s where my journey with God began. That was two years and one month ago. I’m 781 days clean. At the Bridge, I attended ‘spirituality’ class with Lieutenants Fiona and Rance Stuart. I wasn’t ready to accept God as my higher power at that stage, but as they shared about the beginning of The Salvation Army, William Booth’s story and passion inspired me. I began to come alive spiritually, learning about the history and DNA of the Army. Being part of a movement that changed lives, just like mine was being changed, was really attractive! I started attending Recovery Church as part of the Bridge programme. God showed me that I was alive to help other addicts see there is a way out. I went into rehab to fix my drug habit, but what really needed fixing was me. I describe my relationship with God like this: I’m a passenger in my own car and God’s the driver. For the first
‘GOD SHOWED ME THAT I WAS ALIVE TO HELP OTHER ADDICTS SEE THERE IS A WAY OUT.’ time in my life I’m content with myself and my situation. I’ve had some tough times lately, but I’m just so much more relaxed and at peace. Captain Eric Turner was running classes about membership in The Salvation Army. Through those classes, I learnt about the full commitment required to become a soldier, and I knew this was part of God’s plan for me. When I was struggling with full blown addiction, I used to have a recurring dream. I was one of four people standing on a hill with God. We all had flaming swords. Below us, in the valley,
were lots of demons. God would say, ‘Austin, are you ready?’ And we’d all start running down the hill into the battle. I believe I’m alive and clean and a Salvation Army soldier because God wants me to help fight the demons of addiction and homelessness. So, now I’m working at Epsom Lodge as a Support Worker, where I get to share what God has done in my life with those coming out of jail or going into recovery. Having ‘lived experience’ is a powerful witness because I know what it’s like to be an addict. I’ve gained so much by going into rehab, and part of that was the realisation that I deserved a better life. I had lost everything, so I had nothing to lose by trying to change. A lot of addicts fear change, so I try to get them to see that not changing is the real enemy. It’s fair to say that I treat my recovery like I did my addiction—it’s all or nothing. So now, when it comes to life, I’m all in! 20 APRIL 2019 WarCry 11
Jesus photo reprinted with permission from littlepencilministries.com
It Was Our Suff Yet it was our suffering he carried … We just figured that God had rejected him, that God was the reason he hurt so badly. But he was hurt because of us; he suffered so. Our wrongdoing wounded and crushed him. He endured the breaking that made us whole. The injuries he suffered became our healing. (Isaiah 53: 4–5, The Voice)
All of us are tattooed. Whether we wear them on our skin, or they are more like invisible ink—only seen at certain angles when we’re hurting or vulnerable. We’re all marked. Nine-year-old Amelia lived in an abusive home—her father beat her, physically and verbally. Amelia took her wounded soul to school, where the kids sensed she was tattooed with rejection and fear. So they called her names and left her out of games. As a teenager, she abused drugs as a way to numb the fear. The label ‘addict’ now marked her skin. Jackson grew up in the embrace of the church. His parents had high standards, and when he did well at school, he sensed their pride. They never told him they loved him—they showed him through their Christian service. He tried even harder, and became an A+ student, then scholar. As an adult, he built a successful career. He served in church … and served, and served. But he was still not sure he was worthy of love. Was he, too, tattooed
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with rejection? Did he harbour scars not as easily seen, but still deeply felt? We are all tattooed. At Easter, we remember the one who was wounded and marked for us, suffering a cruel death on the cross. ‘[Jesus] was how the God of gracious, saving mercy had personally joined the flesh of the world, lived among us, and was put to death. He’s Emmanuel, “God with us”,’ says theologian Elizabeth Johnson. But people thought Jesus was the problem—they thought God had rejected him. ‘It was our suffering he carried, we just figured that God had rejected him,’ says Isaiah 53:3. He was marked with our rejection. He wore our tattoos. Jesus bore the marks we gave him—and we put him to death. But, oh, that is not the end of the story. That is not the end, by far. Jesus did not remain marked and broken. He rose from the dead! God chose to break the cycle of violence. Instead of wrath, he chose restoration. And in overcoming death, God proclaimed new life, acceptance and healing for all. ‘He endured the breaking that made us whole. The injuries he suffered became our healing,’ proclaims Isaiah 53:5. This was the climax of the message Jesus had been preaching all along: that God was bringing his Kingdom
fering He Carried to earth. Where there was violence, he chose forgiveness. Where there was hate, he chose love. Isn’t it like God to bring the greatest good, from the world’s darkest day? ‘To believe in the resurrection is not to believe in a scientific miracle. It is to believe in God. It is an act of hope in the God who created you and everyone else and everything else, who has the love and power still to recreate,’ says Johnson.
Even today we can bring our invisible tattoos to Jesus. When we bring him the offering of our sin and pain, he offers back to us healing and forgiveness. He gives us a life unmarked—where the dark ink of our tattoos, are replaced with the scars from Jesus’ hands. BY INGRID BARRATT
A prayer … Jesus said: ‘ Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls’ (Matthew 11:28–30).
Lord Jesus, take every anxious and fearful thing in me, and give me a deep rest within my soul. Please lighten my arms of the burdens I carry, so I may raise them towards you. I entrust myself—body, spirit and mind—into your care. Walk closely with me, I pray.
Some might find it shocking to see an image of Jesus with tattoos. It hints at the shock and trauma Jesus bore at the cross for us—making himself ugly, outcast, and unwanted. The tattoos symbolise the burdens he took on for us, so that we may be unmarked, forgiven and renewed.
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Bill Hawkins’ diary and medals are among the treasures at Archives.
Heroes of War and Faith
In celebration of Anzac Day, Hugh Collins uncovers the lives of three Salvationists who served on the frontlines of World War II. BY HUGH COLLINS
If you’re fortunate enough to get behind several doors into the intriguing world of The Salvation Army’s Heritage and Archives Centre, you will find a treasure trove of artefacts pertaining to the Army’s rich history in Aotearoa. A plethora of these objects feature evidence of Salvationist involvement with the major world wars, most notably a box of possessions once owned by Kiwi Salvationist fighter pilot Bill Hawkins. The collection has a range of Hawkins’ personal items including World War II medals, a personal diary, photo album and pilot’s logbook.
‘The essence’ of Bill Hawkins William Tinsley Hawkins was born in Wellington on 19 August 1918. He travelled extensively throughout New Zealand with his officer parents, while learning to play the cornet from a young age. A cabinet maker by trade, by 1939 he had transferred back to Wellington City Corps where he became an integral part of its brass band. In February 1941, a year and a half after the start of World War II, Hawkins enlisted in the Royal New Zealand Air Force, and entered the war effort as a pilot on the flight decks of Spitfires and Mustangs. He went on to fly 60 missions for the RAF (Royal Air Force), logging 814 flying hours. A report from the Gisborne Herald, dated 23 November 1942, claims he was one of the first pilots to fly over the German 14 WarCry 20 APRIL 2019
frontier. ‘They flew Mustangs to within a few miles of Bremen, shooting up an enemy camp, a factory, a gasometer, and barges on the Dortmund-Ems canal. The whole flight covered a journey of over 700 miles,’ the report stated. His final mission on 27 September 1943 has been documented by the RAF, claiming it concerned ‘shipping reconnaissance’ off the Dutch coast. Taking to the skies in a Mustang, Hawkins and a second fighter attacked five German E-Boats. However, they were later intercepted by two enemy fighters, 40 miles west of the Dutch town of Den Helder. Hawkins tragically perished in the sea and was never found. He was just 25. The day before his death his squadron received word he had been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) award—the highest award given to an RAF pilot. The award’s citation read that Hawkins always displayed great enthusiasm for operational flying, and that on his final mission he ‘destroyed an enemy aircraft and much vital war material’. Territorial Archivist Sharon Burton says it’s unusual for the Salvation Army to have such a unique collection, but Archives were blessed to have the family donate them. ‘Things like this tend to get spread around a family and they go missing. So we’re very fortunate that it’s so comprehensive,’ Sharon says. ‘It’s the essence of Bill Hawkins in the box.’ In his diary he regularly describes his feelings, as well as discussing aspects of his social life. The photo album depicts his
journey from Wellington to Canada and on to the UK, with some stunning photography. His diary captures details of his life during the war. Here are a few excerpts from January 1942: Wednesday, January 14th: We went to see some Churchill tanks today and I had a drive in one The officer’s mess in this particular place was in the servants quarters of a marvellous abbey and the place was riddled with underground tunnels Thursday, January 15th: I did some aerobatics in a Tiger Moth Saturday, January 19th: We were supposed to leave for an exercise down south but the weather did not permit flying ‘For me as a salvationist coming from Wellington City Corps, it’s special in that he was one of ours,’ Archives Research and Content Manager Selwyn Bracegirdle says. If you’re familiar with Tom Hardy’s Spitfire pilot character in the film Dunkirk, you’ll have a rough idea of the kind of experiences probably faced by Bill Hawkins!
One of the greatest soldiers—Commissioner Dean Goffin Born in Wellington in 1916 into a musical Salvation Army family, Sir Dean Goffin took to music at a young age and in 1936 became bandmaster of the Wellington South Band. He enlisted for the New Zealand Army shortly after the outbreak of World War II and was soon appointed bandmaster of the 4th Brigade band. In 1941, he was sent to the Greek Island of Crete where he served as Lieutenant. Symphony of Thanksgiving follows the life and times of Sir Goffin and has a chapter dedicated to his involvement in World War II. Excerpts from letters home detail his experiences, most notably as they fought German and Italian forces on Crete. He talked of marching 22 miles in the dark. It was ‘the roughest going imaginable’. ‘I felt a supreme power upholding me and as the night breeze cooled my body and played around my throbbing temples, I felt, as it were, a bastion of prayer surrounding me sustaining and upholding me. ‘Death became utterly trivial and unimportant, sacrifice and suffering a pleasure, hunger and thirst were old friends by now—we ridiculed them and quietened them with a joke, brotherliness and generosity became more important than food
and drink, an encouraging grin more effective then rhetoric, and Christianity crystallized itself in my mind as being utterly and sincerely natural.’ The book notes how surviving members of his band agreed on his exemplary leadership, courage under fire, decisiveness and care and concern for his men. Sir Howard Kippenberger, a famous New Zealand military commander, said Sir Dean’s performance as a platoon commander demonstrated him as one of New Zealand’s greatest soldiers. Dean went on to become Territorial Commander for New Zealand and Fiji in 1980. He composed a number of well-known Salvation Army band numbers, some of which are kept on vinyl today in the Archives of Booth College. In 1983 he was knighted in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List.
A great Salvationist—Colonel Norman Bicknell Born in Melbourne in 1904, Colonel Norman Bicknell was described at his funeral in 1996 as ‘one of New Zealand’s greatest 20th century Salvationists’. His leadership first began at the age of 17, in 1921, as deputy bandmaster and solo cornetist with the Newton Salvation Army in Auckland. Norman was first summoned to war on 31 December 1939, as a military chaplain, or padre. Salvation Army corps leaders had received a call from the acting territorial commander that the padre appointed to the 1st Echelon could not go and was wondering if Bicknell would take his place. He had two hours to decide. Sure enough, he boarded a ship bound for North Africa and, by 13 February, was serving as chaplain to the 4th Field Ambulance of the 1st Echelon in Egypt. He later followed New Zealand troops to Greece—a country then under German occupation. At his funeral, Major Cyril Bradwell spoke of his exemplary conduct, as New Zealand troops were forced to retreat and evacuated under intense air attack. In the North African Battle of Sidi Oman he was attached to a Mobile Surgical Unit that was overrun by German forces and held captive for eight days. ‘[Bicknell’s] unassuming spiritual leadership, adaptability, integrity and understanding of men were allied to the highest personal standards of conduct and courage,’ a news article said.
‘I FELT A SUPREME POWER UPHOLDING ME AND AS THE NIGHT BREEZE COOLED MY BODY AND PLAYED AROUND MY THROBBING TEMPLES, I FELT, AS IT WERE, A BASTION OF PRAYER SURROUNDING ME.’ 20 APRIL 2019 WarCry 15
Cycle Fiji While Helping the Community Think you could circumnavigate one of the largest islands in the South Pacific on two wheels? Well we might just have the adventure for you! The Salvation Army is currently seeking 20 intermediate level riders for our inaugural Fiji Cycle Challenge in mid-September. Participants will take part in a 10 day, 500 kilometre cycling adventure around the main Fijian Island of Viti Levu, staying in villages and communities along the way. The event is a fundraising drive for The Salvation Army’s Pacific Emergency Fund. ‘We wanted to have a funding pool available so when the next cyclone hits the islands we’ve instantly got cash flow available so people can be helped. And that’s what the Pacific Emergency Fund represents,’ says organiser and Army marketing manager James Craw. ‘Instead of having to quickly put out an emergency appeal we’ve got money to assist straight away. ‘We know from experience when we helped Fijians after Cyclone Winston [in 2016] having funding ready to go makes it much easier for us to help right away.’ Each cyclist will be required to raise at least $3500 each before departure—the event already has sponsorship commitment from several businesses. ‘For an intermediate cyclist, the trip is definitely doable and achievable,’ says James. ‘None of this is really tourist based, we’re promoting it as seeing the real Fiji—talking first-hand to villagers and going into communities that a lot of people don’t go to.’
And it’s not just for fitness fanatics: ‘Hey for me this is a challenge beyond just cycling … I’m not a cyclist, so for me it’s a super challenge of getting fit enough to ride 500 kilometres.’ ‘I think it’s a really nice, different and practical way to help.’ Participants will need to contribute ground fees, registration and flights. To register your interest call 09 280 3339 or email info@inspiredadventures.co.nz. For more information visit www.inspiredadventures.co.nz/events/tsa-fiji-2019
Army’s Gregory Fortuin Called in for Aftermath of Christchurch Attacks In the wake of the Christchurch mosque attacks, the expertise and experience of Education and Employment national director Gregory Fortuin was called in to action. Gregory was formerly New Zealand’s Race Relations Commissioner from April 2001 to October 2002. In the wake of the 9/11 attacks, he travelled New Zealand aiming to promote the protection of Muslims from discrimination and mistreatment. After engaging in several discussions with the Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand (FIANZ) on the Friday of the shootings, it was decided he would fly to Christchurch to act as a mediator for the different parties involved in the aftermath. The Race Relations Commissioner position is currently vacant, with Dame Susan Devoy stepping down in May 2018. Gregory says his role was about ‘oiling the wheels’ between the various groups frantically working to achieve peaceful outcomes for all involved—he was present at a range of meetings, including those involving victim’s families and community leaders. 16 WarCry 20 APRIL 2019
‘I was aiming to make sure that the will of the people was heard and acted upon,’ Gregory says. ‘But also reminding locals that whether we liked it or not we’d been pushed onto the world stage and we had to act with dignity. ‘A special mention needs to be made of the role Ngāi Tahu played as mana whenua. They were exceptionally accommodating and supportive. Their role in lifting the tapu at Al Noor and doing an integrated blessing with Muslim leaders is the model for New Zealand today. ‘They also ensured they were involved in all the necessary blessings at the mortuary and wherever else they were needed.’ Gregory says he has now prepared a report for Police Commissioner Mike Bush on how the situations were handled. While shortcomings were highlighted, he believed we must celebrate our nation’s collective response as a small South Pacific country. ‘We are a beacon of hope in a challenging and complex world.’
The General’s Easter Message:
Do Not Be Afraid
Lieutenant Mere Gina Gataurua
Officer Wins ‘Haul of Awards’ Lieutenant Mere Gina Gataurua of Fiji recently swooped up four awards for ‘most outstanding student’, as she completed a Diploma in Counselling from Pacific TAFE. Her awards included three gold medals and four prizes for outstanding graduate, from the Technical and Further Education (TAFE) institute. Territorial Commander Commissioner Andy Westrupp personally congratulated Lt Mere Gina: ‘This is an exceptional haul of awards and I’m sure is reflective of the hard work you have put into your study,’ he said. ‘I am very humbled to receive these awards,’ said Lt Mere Gina. ‘I know that there is an “x factor” present, and that is my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.’ She could not have balanced study and ministry by her own strength, she added. It has taught her ‘there is nothing too big for my Saviour’. The diploma equips Lt Mere Gina to assist people with the ‘social ills that are around our backyard’. She joked that as an officer, she was used to doing most of the talking, and counselling has taught her to have ‘ears wide and mouth closed!’ Her awards were for ‘most outstanding’ Pacific TAFE graduate, diploma level graduate, arts and humanities graduate, and Diploma in Counselling (Level 5) graduate.
What causes you to be afraid? Is it the dark? Spiders? Illness, heights, confined spaces, money problems or the future? A myriad of things are understandable causes of fear, and often that fear is accompanied by anxiety. There is a recurring theme throughout Scripture where God tells us not to be afraid. At Christmas we noted the words from the angel Gabriel to Mary as she was told she would be the mother of Jesus: ‘Do not be afraid’ (Luke 1:30). Remember that according to the Bible, angels are not quite the same as the helpless, beatific, tinsel-adorned young girls and boys who portray them in nativity plays—Psalm 103:20 describes them as ‘mighty’. The shepherds were comforted by the same phrase with the appearance of an angelic host (Luke 2:10). In Matthew’s account of the resurrection morning, the first words of the angel at the tomb are: ‘Do not be afraid’ (28:5). Just a few verses later, the women meet Jesus and his first words are: ‘Do not be afraid’ (v 10). The Old Testament addresses the same issue as Joshua is about to succeed Moses. We read Moses’ encouraging words in Deuteronomy 31:8: ‘The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.’ There is also the promise from God in Isaiah 43:1: ‘Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.’ And at the end of the New Testament, as John sees Jesus in his vision and falls at his feet, Jesus again says: ‘Do not be afraid’ (Revelation 1:17). So we see that throughout Scripture God says to us: ‘Do not be afraid.’ In the life of Christ, even from the foretelling of his birth, to the announcement of the same, to that first Easter morning, we hear those same words: ‘Do not be afraid’. It seems clear to me that God is inviting us to move from a place of fear to a position where we implicitly trust this ‘immeasurably more’ God who never fails. These words from God are not just trite advice. For those who know God and share life with him, there is no need to be afraid because God has overcome the world (John 16:33), defeated sin on the Cross and conquered death—as revealed by the empty tomb! We need to remember this when fear takes hold of us. God is not a distant, powerful deity; he is an ever-present God who seeks to live with and in his people. We need to couple the instruction of ‘Do not be afraid’ with the recurring promise we read before: ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you’. When fear takes hold, we should remember not only the omnipotence—all-powerfulness—of God; we should remember that he is right with us, beside us and in us. God’s perfect love ‘drives out fear’ (1 John 4:18). What is happening in your world and in your life this Easter? Anyone who is struggling with sin and recurring cycles of behaviour that they feel unable to break can choose not to be afraid, but to trust in the God who broke the power of sin on the Cross. Anyone who is facing significant challenges in life within the family, at work or with health, for example, can choose not to be afraid, but to trust in the God for whom nothing is impossible. Anyone who is experiencing grief and loss can choose not to be afraid, but to trust in the God who conquered death and promises eternal life. So, this Eastertide, do not be afraid. Remember, God is with you. Do not be afraid. Remember, God is bigger than the situation you are facing. Do not be afraid. Our God is victorious, and he invites us to share in his victory! General Brian Peddle General of The International Salvation Army 20 APRIL 2019 WarCry 17
A Message of Grace as Cadets Welcomed A beautiful tapa cloth draped across the seating, set the stage for a multcultural celebration as the 2019 cadets were officially welcomed on Sunday 10 March, at Wellington City Corps. Both wearing tātai korowai, Rangatira Commissioners Andy and Yvonne Westrupp took the stage for the national anthem. Silence then descended on the auditorium, as the conch shell was sounded and the powhiri began. To the beautiful strains of karanga, the 2019 Messengers of Grace—Ngā Karere O Te Mana Tapu, made their way up the centre aisle toward the stage. Flag bearers surrounded the rich gathering of Fijian, Samoan and Pākehā cadets, as the group wrapped around the curve of the The 2019 Messengers of Grace—Ngā Karere O Te Mana Tapu. mercy seat. Delivering a strong mihi, Andy powerfully declared Calvary the Messengers of Grace, but to every Christian present, to be his maunga, the River of Life his awa, and Te Ope Whakaora explaining that Jesus was the embodiment of grace— the vessel that carries him. During the waiata that followed, both in his spoken message and the means by which he cadets took their place on the platform, before being introduced communicated it. to the congregation by Chief Secretary Colonel Suzanne Fincham. A message can be transmitted in words, yet not be Enthusiastic applause and cheers from supporters preceded a formal absorbed by the recipient. For the life-changing message of salute, before the cadets were each gifted a traditional Pacific Island the gospel of grace to be received, it must actually be taken necklace. up. Andy explained that the gospel message made it’s way In a welcome break with tradition, Commissioner Andy gave down through history to a young William Booth in Mile End the message at the beginning of the service. He spoke not only to East London, and all the way across the globe to Aotearoa. With a simple invitation to youth group, that message was taken up by a teenage Andy. ‘The gospel has never skipped a generation,’ Andy pointed out. ‘But the gospel is at risk within every generation. Someone has to pass it on, and someone has to take it up.’ The cadets were presented to training college staff by Territorial Candidates Secretary Captain Kylie Tong. She reminded the cadets that the application process had tested and affirmed their calling to officership. While there would ‘certainly be challenges to overcome and sacrifices still to be made’ they had made it this far—they could rely on the promise that ‘God is faithful,’ (1 Corinthians 1:9). The cadets were then received by Booth College of Mission Training Principal Major Michelle Collins, who thanked them for ‘saying “yes” to the purpose God has chosen for your lives’. Michelle also observed that the sessional name ‘Messengers of Grace’ was well chosen and an apt discription of this group. She affirmed they were already building ‘a legacy of grace and ministry’, even in their training and preparation to deliver ‘an inclusive message of grace pointing others to Jesus’ (Titus 2:11). In his testimony, Cadet Blair Dale challenged his session: ‘Let us not just be messengers of grace, but bearers of grace. Let’s be imitators of grace himself, Jesus Christ.’ A passionate and moving haka was performed by the second year cadets, followed by a time of prayer for the Messengers of Grace. After a final benediction, well wishers surged onto the platform for hugs, words of encouragment for the cadets, and photos with whānau. Moments from the cadets’ welcome. 18 WarCry 20 APRIL 2019
BY JULES BADGER
OFFICIAL ENGAGEMENTS Commissioners Andy (Territorial Commander) and Yvonne Westrupp (Territorial President of Women’s Ministries): 19–21 April 2019: Auckland City Corps visit, Auckland 30 April 2019: Launch of the Offering project, Parnell, Auckland Colonels Suzanne (Chief Secretary) and Melvin Fincham (Secretary for Programme and Communications): 18–21 April 2019: Whanganui Corps visit, Whanganui 25–26 April 2019: Blue Mountain Adventure Camp (BMAC) visit, 28 April 2019: National Youth Band camp, Silverstream, Upper Hutt 30 April 2019: Launch of the Offering project, Parnell, Auckland Colonel Heather Rodwell (Territorial Secretary for Women’s Ministries and Spiritual Life Development): 30 April 2019: Launch of the Offering project, Parnell, Auckland
PRAY Rotorua Corps, Royal Oak Corps
Plant, Salvation Army Social Housing (SASH) throughout New Zealand, Salvationist Resources, Samoa Regional Headquarters; The Salvation Army in Japan.
GAZETTE First Time Grandparents: Majors Murray and Wendy Sanson, weighing 8lb 5oz (3.66kgs), Claire Annemiek was born on Saturday, 30 March 2019 in Ashburton. Join us in praying God’s blessing on Claire, her parents and grandparents. International Appointment: Effective 1 July 2019, Commissioners Robert and Janine Donaldson, appointed as Territorial Commander and Territorial President of Women’s Ministries, Australia Territory.
‘THE INFLUENCE OF CHRIST IS LIKE THE AIR WE BREATHE … ’ indifference \ in-'di-fərn(t)s lack of interest, concern, or sympathy. oblivious \ ə-'bli-vē-əs lacking remembrance, memory, or mindful attention. The Bible paints a picture of the remaining disciples and those belonging to a wider group of followers as being somewhat powerless, perhaps even paralysed, in the midst of the events following the arrest of Jesus by the Romans. They were deeply anxious for Jesus’ safety but incapable of doing anything about his plight. There were others circulating around the events leading up to the crucifixion of Jesus, who were hungry for his blood. They rabidly wanted to kill him, or at the very least, cause him pain to a degree that would allow their offended religious sensibilities to be somehow assuaged. They were more than interested, they were riveted and angry. Then, there were many others who took little to no interest whatsoever. It is clear that many people were aware of Jesus’ presence in Jerusalem. Crowds had witnessed his entry into the city just a week before. On the one hand, there were those people who would have had an understanding, because of his celebrity status, of what made him so popular and attractive; and, on the other, the rumbling undertow of accusations by his powerful detractors. Jesus’ entry on the back of a donkey had been an event full of pathos. Now, at the end of that first Passion Week—with Jesus arrested and being pulled around show trials before being led out to his crucifixion—some of the above descriptors of ‘indifference’ aptly applied. Many exhibited a lack of concern, a deficiency of interest up to a point of complete disregard. ‘Oblivious’ seems like a particularly choice epithet. For those of us who regard the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ as being absolutely central to our lives, it seems weirdly incongruous that there would have been people front and centre at that astonishing point of history who were oblivious to its significance. And yet no … Despite what detractors might still be saying about the life, death and resurrection of Christ, he is absolutely foundational to our whole way of life—and not just the lives we lead as Christians. His influence is pervasive and inextricably enmeshed with just about everything. The influence of Christ’s life and teaching is like the air we breathe. This Easter, we will again remember the beautiful and astounding gift of life with God that is offered through his son’s death and resurrection … and quietly and privately ponder the obliviousness of those who choose indifference to the truth of his death and resurrection. Commissioner Andy Westrupp Territorial Commander 20 APRIL 2019 WarCry 19
Prayer at the Loose Ends How do we pray through sorrow and sin, into God’s peace? Barbara Sampson takes us on a weekly journey, as we pray through our own ‘Easter Saturday’ of watching and waiting. Week Three: Mary, did you know? Praying for our children If my mother had still been alive, today—20 April—would have been her 109th birthday. Born in 1910, she died at the age of 61, just a few days after Easter 1972. My first baby had been born 18 days earlier, a few days before Easter. What a mingling of life and death, joy and sorrow that year brought to me. 20 WarCry 20 APRIL 2019
PART 2
There was gift in the mingling, however. That year I understood more deeply than ever before how Easter is the story of life and death, joy and sorrow mixed together. As the hymn writer Isaac Watts wrote: ‘See from his head, his hands, his feet, sorrow and love flow mingled down … ’ Thinking of my mother, my thoughts also go to Mary, the mother of Jesus. Scripture tells us that she was there
at the cross, watching as he died. In a final act of love towards his mother, Jesus gently commits her into the care of his dear friend John. The following day, Easter Saturday, that in-between day after the crucifixion and before the resurrection, is understood as a day of holding vigil. A day for weeping tears, remembering, waiting. Mary had long years of practice at doing these very things. At his birth,
blessing and favour came together in the glory song of the angels and the wild exuberance of the shepherds. Eight days later, on Jesus’ presentation at the temple, the first hint of a shadow appeared as the righteous man Simeon spoke of the salvation that this child would bring to the world—and the sword that would pierce his mother’s very soul. Mary, the account tells us, treasured and pondered both the joyful and the heavy things that were spoken about her son. ‘Mary, did you know?’ sings Hayley Westenra. Of course she did not know. How could she? How does any mother— even the mother of the Son of God— know what will happen to her child? Could Mary know about the terrible day when she realised he was missing from the company of pilgrims returning home after their trip to Jerusalem for the Feast of Passover? Her anxiety at losing him and her relief at finding him in the temple poured out together in rebuke, ‘Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I … ’ Could she foreknow the time when she and her other children would come looking for him, concerned that he wasn’t eating or looking after himself? ‘Your mother and family are outside demanding to see you,’ he was told, but Jesus ignored them. How would Mary know how to pray for her son when she saw the miracles he performed, causing some to love and follow him and others to plot his arrest and murder? A friend asked me recently how to pray for one’s children. I made a Mary kind of response, holding my arms down at my sides, palms open and facing upwards, in a gesture of letting go. Not knowing, it seems to me, is the most ponderous (meaning ‘heavy’) part of allowing our children to grow up and to follow the call of God that is upon them.
‘… EASTER IS THE STORY OF LIFE AND DEATH, JOY AND SORROW MIXED TOGETHER.’
Mary didn’t know what would happen to her son and we don’t know either where the path will take our children. All we can do—the best thing, in fact, that we can do—is to daily wrap them in bigger words than our own and then release them into God’s all-knowing love and care.
Week Four: Prayer before a hamper full of sin I grew up on a farm in Southland and remember my dad coming in from tending the sheep or milking the cow and taking off his muddy boots at the back door before going into the ‘washhouse’ (never called the ‘laundry’) to scrub his hands clean. He would not think of coming into the kitchen with his boots still on and his hands dirty. That memory comes back to me today as I come to prayer. I, too, need a way of dealing with the mud and mess of my sins, my failures and offences. An image rises stark and clear in my mind, not of muddy boots, but of a clothes hamper. This is where I am invited to toss my sins. Thank God he can deal with it all, no matter how murky and messy the pile might be. A hamper full of sin. Mmm, I realise I have some confessing to do. I let my mind go back to people and places where I know I caused distress or offence by my words or actions. I remember as a child prancing through our house as I brought a necklace to show to a dear friend who was visiting. My mother stopped me in my tracks, telling me not to be so vain. Our friend loved the necklace but my mother’s words stung me for years afterwards. I remember cutting the strap of my older sister’s leather bag, for no particular reason. I remember the time I deliberately dropped some milk from the lamb’s bottle onto the heat lamp that was keeping the little creature alive—just to see what would happen. As an adult there have been times when I have got out of step with someone dear to me and I’ve felt pained and ashamed. Recently I felt a sense of failure when someone I hadn’t met before came to speak to me about her faith journey. Our time together
‘THE HOLY SPIRIT GENTLY TELLS ME TO POUR OUT THE HAMPER FULL OF SIN AT THE FEET OF JESUS … ’ seemed to go well but then suddenly a sense of awkwardness came upon us like a sudden change in the weather. Somehow a comment I made offended or upset her and I felt miserable. I hate the thought of offending or disappointing people, not living up to expectations. Does this mean I am slowly dying of terminal niceness, as a friend once suggested? During my prayer time today these jagged memories surface, scrabbling and scrapping for my attention. What do I do with this unruly bunch? I picture a large clothes hamper, a bit battered and worn, and into this container I toss each memory as it comes with its fist raised ready to fight. Then what do I do? The Holy Spirit gently tells me to pour out the contents of the hamper full of sin at the feet of Jesus and ask him to deal with them. As I wait I see him scooping them up, then throwing them up to the Father and letting them dissolve in the shimmering light of his forgiveness. The psalmist also found a way of dealing with his sins. He wrote: ‘When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy on me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord”. And you forgave the guilt of my sin,’ (Psalm 32:3-5). Hallelujah!
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Were our hearts not burning within us? Some terrible things had been happening. The two friends can hardly think of anything else as they walk the road to Emmaus. With tears in their eyes they remember how Jesus—their teacher and friend—had been arrested and killed. Then, some of the other followers had said they had seen Jesus alive! He had definitely been dead. But now they were saying he was awesomely alive! As they talk through all these events, a stranger joins them and asks, ‘What’s up?’ ‘How have you not heard?’ say the friends. ‘All of Jerusalem is talking about it!’ So the three of them talk and walk. And walk and talk. The stranger shows them passages in the Bible that explain just exactly who Jesus is—not just a man, but God! Still, the friends wonder … They ask this nice (but strange) stranger to join them for food. And then, the strangest thing of all happens: As they sit down to eat, they close their eyes. He thanks God for the grub, then—what a surprise! The two people stare, and then rub their eyes … It’s Jesus, not gone— but fully alive!’ Then just as quickly as he appears, Jesus disappears. The friends ask each other: ‘Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?’ They knew in their heart that it was all true—Jesus is not dead, he is alive!
Quiz Answers: 1 Daffodil, 2 Starboard, 3 Irrational fear of insects, 4 Tin and lead, 5 Naaman (2 Kings 5:10).
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Story Scavenger Hunt Find these surprising things in the pictures:
• 10 Hearts • 6 Arrows • Someone crying—why are they sad? • Someone laughing—why are they happy? • Your favourite image of Jesus—why do you like it best? • Fire—what is the fire? (You might have to ask an adult!) • Jesus’ hands—why do they have nail marks in them?
Hey Whānau!
Bible Society is giving away 85,000 copies of The Seriously Surprising Story for Easter, including 3000 given out through Family Stores. This is the latest in a delightful children’s book series from Bible Society, and tells the story of two disciples meeting Jesus on the road to Emmaus. ‘Just as the disciples were surprised, so children are too when they learn the stranger is Jesus himself!’ explains Bible Society. Acclaimed New Zealand Children’s author Joy Cowley describes The Seriously Surprising Story as ‘a lovely little book. It’s warm, it’s happy, it’s the Good News! ‘The positive message with the rhythmic text and lively illustrations, make it a perfect book for young children. It’s also good news for the child in adults like me,’ she says. To order up to five free copies go to www.surprisingstory.nz 20 APRIL 2019 WarCry 23
Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father, There is no shadow of turning with Thee; Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be. Art: Max Gimblett • from Offering Words: ‘Great is Thy Faithfulness’ by Thomas Chisholm, 1923