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War Cry THE

Est 1879 No 7029

FIGHTING FOR HEARTS AND SOULS

3 September 2011

salvationarmy.org.uk/warcry

FEEL THE asks CLAIRE BRINE

Page 8

TAKE a group of 12 amateur bakers, throw in some complicated recipes, add two judges to the mix and what have you got? A mouth-watering cookery competition which is heating up.

Viewers who fancy a sweet treat can tune into The Great British Bake Off, which continues on BBC Two next Tuesday (6 September).

The bakers are all out to impress judges Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood with their culinary Turn to page 3

BBC/Love Productions

BUT WHO WILL RISE TO THE CHALLENGE?

20p/25c

Caring continues throughout the year

NEWS

The War Cry 3 September 2011

LONDON GETS RELIGIOUS LANDMARK

NIGEL BOVEY

Hand of God goes on view

LORENZO QUINN’S ‘Hand of God’ sculpture was installed on the central reservation of London’s Park Lane on 21 August. The fourmetre, 400kg aluminium piece is also on display at The State Hermitage Museum in St Petersburg, Russia. Quinn’s other religiously themed works include ‘Adam and Eve’, ‘Heaven and Earth’ and ‘Leap of Faith’. ‘Hand of God’ forms part of the artist’s 2011 worldwide public art programme.

BISHOP BACKS CREATION IDEAS

Churches harvest green resources

PREMIER Christian Radio has launched I an advertising poster campaign to inject a positive message into areas of London which were affected by last month’s riots.

The posters – encouraging people to tune in to the radio station to ‘find hope and inspiration’ – are being displayed in places such as Croydon, Hackney and Ealing.

‘The aim of these posters is to point to a source of hope,’ says Premier’s Peter Kerridge.

‘In the aftermath of the riots there has been a lot of condemnation. We want to focus on a possible way forward, a tried and tested way of re-building lives and communities. Hope and inspiration are things we all need and the Christian gospel provides them.’

PRAYERLINK

2

YOUR prayers are requested for 18-year-old Samuel, who has had a mental breakdown, that he will find peace.

The War Cry invites readers to send in requests for prayer, including the names of individuals and details of their circumstances. Send your requests to PRAYERLINK, The War Cry, 101 Newington Causeway, London SE1 6BN. Mark your envelope ‘Confidential’.

AS the time for Harvest festivals approaches, the Bishop of London is supporting a group of churches that have jointly provided resources to help congregations focus on the role of food in God’s creation.

To celebrate the season of Creationtime (1 September – 4 October), Churches Together in Britain and Ireland have made prayers, sermon topics and discussion ideas available on their website. The FAMILIES RECEIVE FOOD AND FRESH WATER material covers themes such as diet, trade justice, animal welfare and agriculture.

‘Human beings, according to the Book of Genesis, are to “till A Salvation Army and keep” the earth,’ said the worker visits a health Right Rev Dr Richard Chartres. centre in Uganda ‘This balance between preserving THE Salvation Army in Uganda is responding to the drought and developing the creation is crisis that is developing in East Africa. For the past five years, reflected in the thanksgiving of thousands of families have reaped poor harvests, either the Church for our daily bread.’ because there was too little rain or because there was so The resources are suitable for much rain that floods destroyed the crops. congregations, small groups and Following devastating landslides in a mountainous region, individuals. For more information and full resources visit ctbi.org.uk The Salvation Army distributed food to 680 families.

Army responds to East African drought

THIS ISSUE: p16

PLUS

MEDIA/COMMENT p6

GARDENING p7

PUZZLES p12

INNER LIFE p13

DREW RUTHVEN

A NEW TERM BEGINS

Arrangements are being made to supply 4,000 families in villages in the Namutumba district near Mbale with food and sanitation. There are also plans to drill boreholes to ensure water is available to the neediest families.

The most urgent need is for water in two medical clinics. Mothers have been bringing malnourished children into the clinics, but already this year more than 80 children have died.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

p14

RECIPES p15

3 September 2011 The War Cry

3 BBC/Love Productions

Presenters Sue Perkins (left) and Mel Giedroyc

From page 1 masterpieces. So far in the series, they have had to rustle up some cupcakes and produce a melt-in-the-mouth lemon tart.

If the bakers succeed, the judges invite them to take part in the contest the following week. But the baker whose creations do not quite hit the spot are out of the kitchen and the contest. By the end of the series the last remaining contestant will take the title of Britain’s Best Amateur Baker.

While the contestants are busy whisking up a storm, comic duo Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins present the show. They explain that for the competitors, the competition is no piece of cake.

‘At the start if the series, there’s a convivial atmosphere and a sense of: heighho, we’re all in it together,’ says Mel. ‘But once we’re at the semi-final stage…’

‘They hate us,’ chips in Sue. ‘We try to talk to them, to make a gentle joke: nothing.’

Perhaps the bakers are so serious because the stakes of the competition are high. They have to work within a strict time limit. They put new skills to the test while under a critical eye. There is no room for a cake which is less than perfect. If the judges feel that a baker has made one wrong measurement or included one ingredient too many, the contestants may be left sour-faced –

The competition is no piece of cake and shown the door.

Back at the start of the series, one of the male contestants confessed his fears: ‘Worst case scenario: I make a complete hash of it and cry on camera.’

His feelings are understandable. It is disappointing to get things wrong, or to let people down. No one likes the feeling of failure. And mistakes can sometimes be costly.

But it is worth remembering that no one is perfect – however hard they try.

People make wrong decisions, sometimes deliberately and sometimes by accident.

We may stir up trouble by acting cruelly. Perhaps we have a tendency to let anger rise up inside us. Or maybe we cut people down by speaking harsh words.

Despite our mistakes, it is never too late for us to become better people. If we

ask his forgiveness, God is willing to work with us so that we can become the best version of ourselves. He can encourage us to add new qualities to our mix, such as patience and kindness. He can help us to set aside from our life anything that is bad or causes pain, such as jealousy and greed.

One Bible writer put it like this: ‘If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: the old has gone, the new is here!’ (2 Corinthians 5:17 New International Version).

Whatever has happened in the past – and however many mistakes we have made along the way – we are never beyond rescuing. With God’s expert help and guidance, we have the best ingredients for life.

It is never too late to become better

4 The War Cry 3 September 2011

Prayer helps me on A

LAN RUSHBROOK has suffered with Parkinson’s disease for eight years. Sometimes he is able to walk easily and unaided; other times he is frustrated to find that he cannot get his legs moving at all. But Alan is not a man to feel sorry for himself. Instead he counts his blessings.

‘Parkinson’s has become a way of life,’ Alan says. ‘I know that my condition is going to get worse in the future, but so many people face bigger problems than I do. I’m very happy.’

To help himself cope with Parkinson’s, Alan makes sure he gets out and about as much as possible.

Earlier this year he travelled to Vietnam with his wife, Carol. He enjoys gardening. He drives. He attends Wickford Salvation Army church. He is a member of his local Parkinson’s UK support group. Although he no longer works full-time as a barber, he continues to cut the hair of some of his former customers.

‘I can’t let Parkinson’s get me down,’ he says. ‘It makes me feel bad sometimes, but I fight it.’

It is not the easiest of battles. Alan explains the consequences of suffering with this progressive neurological condition.

‘I can’t move anywhere quickly. I have to wait for my brain to tell my legs to work, and that is a nuisance. Sometimes I’m walking into the lounge, but then I suddenly get stuck in the doorway and can’t go any further. I have a constant headache. I don’t sleep very well.

Sometimes my speech slurs a little or the volume of my voice will drop. I’ll feel like I’m shouting, but Carol won’t be able to hear me.

‘Occasionally I’ll be out in the high street, staggering along, and people will think I’m drunk, which is a bit unfortunate.

my journey with

Parkinson’s

‘But, apart from the headaches, Parkinson’s doesn’t cause me pain – so it’s not too bad to live with. The only times it hurts is when I fall over. I’m more likely to fall in the mornings, because I’m a bit dozier then, but once my medication kicks in I’m OK.’ Before the doctors diagnosed Parkinson’s, Alan says he had a very healthy and active life. He also confesses that, in his younger days, he got into a few scrapes.

‘I worked on board a ship called the Reina del Mar as a barber. We used to sail between Liverpool and South America.

‘Although I was a Christian, I wanted to experience life and see what it was all about. So I joined the crew, prayed for forgiveness, then I started being naughty.

I’ll be staggering along and people will think I’m drunk, which is a bit unfortunate

‘I got up to lots of mischief. I had relationships with women simply because it was so convenient. The alcohol was free-flowing and I drank too much. I also started smuggling small goods, as did the rest of the crew.’

It was on the ship that Alan met Carol, who was a hairdresser. Carol was a Roman Catholic with a strong faith –

Having a neurological disease doesn’t stop seasoned traveller ALAN RUSHBROOK from leading a full and active life. He tells Claire Brine about his experiences

3 September 2011 The War Cry

5 CLAIRE BRINE

Alan with his wife, Carol

which had a huge influence on Alan.

‘She set a good example to me. She still does,’ he says. ‘After six years we left the ship because the lifestyle was starting to get on top of me. I wasn’t an alcoholic but I think I could have become one. And I was caught smuggling. I escaped by hiding in a big coil of rope.’

Carol and Alan left their life on the ocean waves behind them and married in England.

Fifty years later their faith continues to play a significant part in their lives. It has helped them to cope with Alan’s condition.

‘My faith is a very intimate part of my life,’ he says. ‘I like to pray alone. I don’t pray for healing for myself, but I pray that Carol will be OK. I also pray for forgiveness for the things I did wrong in the past.

‘I know that Jesus died for me and that I don’t really deserve it. I look forward to meeting him one day.’

Alan’s faith in God has even helped him to find some positives in having Parkinson’s.

‘People are so gener-

I joined the crew, prayed for forgiveness, then I started being naughty

ous and kind towards me,’ he says.

‘Perhaps I wouldn’t see that side to them if my circumstances were different.

When people help me, it makes me want to do what I can to help them in return.

Parkinson’s is a funny old business, but I believe I have a good life.’

As Alan and Carol look to the future, they are keen to make plans to keep travelling. Next year they hope to visit Egypt.

‘I won’t let Parkinson’s get on top of me,’ he says. ‘As long as I am able to do things, I will keep doing them. And I will also keep on praying, because I know that God is there for me.’

MEDIA

6 The War Cry 3 September 2011

Open-handed

IN THE PRESS

Comment

THE Angel of the North is one of the most viewed works of art in the world. Perched on a hilltop above the A1 on the outskirts of Gateshead, it is seen by 90,000 people a day. Less obvious, last month a new religious sculpture – ‘Hand of God’ – was installed on the central reservation on London’s fashionable Park Lane (see picture on page 2).

Situated beside the plane trees on the busy West End thoroughfare, Lorenzo Quinn’s four-metre aluminium structure, in which a man sits in an outstretched palm, might well be missed by thousands of passers-by. Those caught by a nearby red light, however, will a have chance to stop and stare.

There is much to ponder. For example, if – as atheist evangelists preach – our supposedly postmodern society really is finished with God, then a) why is an artist finding inspiration in spiritual truths, b) why is a local authority allowing the exhibition space, and c) why does the media find this a story worth covering?

Comedian stands up for Jesus Frank Skinner

PA photo

PA

FRANK SKINNER has spoken about his Christian faith in an interview in the Church Times.

The comedian explained that he reads the King James Bible because it helps him to understand ‘the concept of God truly becoming man’.

Frank went on to say that he does not fit the typical Christian stereotype.

‘I’m probably not what one expects a Christian to be,’ he said, ‘but I’m very wary of what one expects a Christian to be, because [that], certainly for nonChristians, is often quite a negative thing. It’s often a lot of bad skin and acrylic fibre and people who don’t have many friends, or whose way of life is using

God as a kind of handrail to support them.’

The paper reported that Frank does not see Christianity as ‘a consolation’: ‘I don’t want to believe in something because it makes me feel happy, or I might as well

Daniel passes screen test CHILD star Daniel Roche told the Radio Times that filming certain scenes for the BBC One comedy Outnumbered tested his Christian faith.

In an interview with the magazine, Daniel as Ben (centre) with his ‘Outnumbered’ family

11-year-old Daniel – who plays Ben Brockman in the comedy show, which started its new run last night (2 September) – said that he found the scene in which he had to question a vicar challenging to shoot.

‘It was kind of hard because I’m a Christian,’ he said. ‘They let the camera run and I asked questions for 20 minutes. Our vicar said something to Mum about it.

He went, “Loved that scene, but if he does want to know any of those things you know he can come and talk to me.”’

The scene depicted Ben asking the vicar how Jesus would fight a polar bear and why Jesus couldn’t come up with a better way of saving people than dying on a cross.

BBC

Exclusive Consider also: is the location of the sculpture – smack in the middle of the capital’s most expensive stretch of real estate – part of the artist’s message? Is its spot opposite an exclusive five-star hotel a pointed reminder that some things in life are more valuable than bank balances, that riches will not buy peace with God, or that God holds out his hand to rich as well as to poor?

The composition itself induces thought. Seemingly paying homage to Rodin’s sculpture ‘The Thinker’, Quinn apparently has his figure deep in thought. Is this a challenge to the vacuous notion that having faith is to commit intellectual suicide, that Christianity is irrational, that Jesus Christ is nonsensical?

Whatever the intended message of the medium, ‘Hand of God’ holds many statements about the state of society and the place of faith. At the very least, it says that materialism holds no monopoly on Park Lane.

believe in Father Christmas.’

The article concluded with Frank explaining his approach to reading the Bible.

‘There’s a thing I do…where you read the Bible until just a phrase or word strikes you, or feels significant, and then you read it until you have memorised it. You think about what it means in the Bible, then what it means to you personally. Then you just sit in silence, and you just wait.’

LIZA GODDARD told the Daily Mail about I her ex-husband Alvin Stardust’s conversion to Christianity. The paper reported that the pop singer came to faith while he was on a 40-minute train journey.

The actress said: ‘He was converted by a group of people in his carriage. At Waterloo, the cleaner found them on their knees praying. Alvin came home and said: “I’ve found God.”’

PA photo

PA

Alvin Stardust

THE GREAT OUTDOORS

3 September 2011 The War Cry

7

Look after wildlife this winter

LEE SENIOR

THE nights are drawing in and gardens are starting to look a little tired, so this is an important time of year in the gardening calendar.

Migrant birds, such as swallows, are getting ready for their long journey to Africa, stocking up on as much fuel as they can before the long flight ahead.

However, many birds such as robins and blue tits remain on home soil over the winter.

Now is a good time to invest in a bird table to feed the birds over the winter period, as this is when they need it the most.

Over the next two months hedgehogs will be getting ready to hibernate. Putting out extra pet food and water at this time of year helps the young ones put on extra weight, increasing their chances of surviving the winter.

It’s easy to make hedgehog

by LEE

NIGEL BOVEY

NIGEL BOVEY

Birds benefit from a variety of feeders houses in a wild area of your garden out of fallen branches, old twigs and leaves. Place them in a quiet corner near a hedge or surrounded by shrubs where they won’t be disturbed. This is a great project in which children can participate.

Bats and dormice, too, will soon be winding down in readiness for their long winter sleep.

However busy we are, it is vital to recognise the SOW hardy winter lettuce seeds this month and grow importance of them over autumn and winter, covering with fleece wildlife to the only during really cold spells. ecosystem. Keen Any non-F1 hybrid peas or beans which you forgot to gardeners will pick that are now too big can be kept over winter and stored want to encourage once dry. Next spring they can be sown in the usual way. as many different When harvesting cabbage, cut the head off with a sharp species into their knife. Leave the root in the ground and extra mini cabbages gardens as possimay form. ble.

I

SENIOR

and don’t forget…

Leaf mould

As soon a s frequently tree leaves start fa ll them in a from the lawn and p ing, rake d in sacks fo edicated storage a aths and place re Running th r 12–18 months to m a or tie them up e ake leafm m o w er blades will chop ould. ove u leafmould p the leaves, helpin r small amounts g e to the com ven quicker. Resis to make ta post bin, a to rot. s they will dding the leaves take a lon g time

Climbers If you hav e north-facin a shady fancy a sp g wall and o this winte t of colour r then a dependab le Jasmine N climber is This prod udiflorum. u flowers in ces yellow D and Janua ecember ry and wil grow up w l some sup alls, if given port. Plan t now, while still warm the soil is , time to es to give it tablish.

Borders Towards th the month e end of , up any ov divide ergrown clumps of th delightful e border perennial D Peonies a icentra. n clump-formd other perennials ing treated in can be a similar way.

8 The War Cry 3 September 2011

T

HE past year has been the hardest one in the lives of some people in the UK and the Republic of Ireland. Some lost their jobs and homes and ended up on the street. Families struggled to get by.

As always The Salvation Army has offered shelter, companionship and life-changing support to people facing such difficulties. The organisation believes that everyone deserves a second chance and aims to assist people whose lives have been shattered by homelessness, isolation or poverty.

Last year Salvation Army centres for homeless people – Lifehouses – gave beds to 3,500 people each night.

About 300 luncheon clubs and 230 over-60 social clubs welcomed thousands of older people.

Drop-in centres supported 7,000 vulnerable people a week.

Playschool and preschool groups cared for 1,300 children a week.

Salvationists visited thousands of people who were housebound or in hospital.

The organisation’s Family Tracing Service helped to reunite 200 families each month.

Appeal keeps hope alive

Next Saturday (10 September) is the beginning of The Salvation Army’s annual appeal, which offers the public an opportunity to support its work in the British Isles. The money raised helps The Salvation Army mend broken lives Its 17 centres for older people provided accommodation for 600 each night.

And volunteers served refreshments from its response vehicles to the emergency services at major incidents.

However, The Salvation Army was not serving statistics, but people – such as Beryl, Frank and Jenny:

Beryl

had worked hard all her life and had always been active in her community. But when her beloved husband died she suddenly found herself with little company and only a tiny pension to survive on.

Every day was a struggle. She had no family nearby, and she couldn’t cope with the isolation. She was in

Turn to page 10

3 September 2011 The War Cry

9

Library pictures posed by models (except Salvation Army personnel)

Frank

never expected to be homeless. But after losing his job, he lost his home and found himself on the street – cold, desperate and alone.

He was frightened – and didn’t have any family nearby to turn to. He was also seriously ill with a heart condition and had no money to pay for the medicine he needed. The Salvation Army was able to provide him with a bed at one of its Lifehouses and give him the support he needed to get back on his feet.

10 The War Cry 3 September 2011

From page 8 poor health and feared she would die alone.

The Salvation Army was able to offer her help at home and invite her to one of its luncheon clubs. There she has made friends and discovered a new lease of life.

Jenny

– like every young mother – loved her little girl. But after her abusive partner was sent to jail, she struggled to make ends meet, and lived in fear that her daughter would be taken away from her.

The Salvation Army offered Jenny emergency accommodation and gave her the practical help and advice she needed to offer her daughter a better future.

G Names have been changed

Library picture posed by models

The Salvation Army has been When freezing weather halted Eurostar I trains days before Christmas, a Salvation Army mobile canteen served hot drinks to thousands of stranded travellers waiting in subzero temperatures at St Pancras International station in London. Its chaplains also provided sandwiches, hot drinks and blankets to passengers unable to fly from Heathrow and Gatwick.

In the spring, a team served refreshments to I firefighters and other emergency personnel who tackled moorland fires in the North West of England.

NIGEL BOVEY

3 September 2011 The War Cry 11 CLAIRE BRINE

The Salvation Army ran the reception at a I community assistance centre set up by Haringey Council to help victims of rioting in North London. Helped by volunteers from the community, it handed out clothing and refreshments to people who had been driven out of their homes by the rioters.

In Cardiff employees and volunteers took a I newly refurbished double-decker bus onto the streets to meet the needs of homeless and other vulnerable people.

The bus offers emergency accommodation to rough sleepers and provides users with advocacy, chaplaincy and medical services, and referral to agencies and advice centres.

For more information about this year’s annual appeal, including I details of how to become a volunteer

special needs made an information stand for the mountain biking course at next year’s Olympics. The course is on farmland owned by The Salvation Army in Hadleigh, and the finished information stand was installed in a viewing area during a visit by Lord Coe, chair of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games.

The Hadleigh Employment Training Centre teaches skills and aids the

ADRIAN PRIOR-SANKEY

Trainees at a I Salvation Army centre for people with

collector, contact your local Salvation Army centre or visit salvationarmy.org.uk To make a debit or credit card donation call 0800 028 4000

development of people with special needs in areas such as carpentry, plastering, IT, catering and horticulture.

building skills of young people in the community. The centre carries out various kinds of youth work to transform the community, encouraging teenagers to join in activities.

ANDREW WATSON

PHILIP HALCR OW

The Salvation Army’s Woodhouse church, I with the help of the Coldstream Guards, ran an activity day to boost the confidence and team-

PUZZLEBREAK

12 The War Cry 3 September 2011

SUDOKU

WORDSEARCH Look up, down, forwards, backwards and diagonally on the grid to find these items that may be needed for school Fill the grid so that every column, every row and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 to 9 Solution on page 15

BOOK BAG CALCULATOR COAT COLOURED PENCILS DICTIONARY

QUICK CROSSWORD

by Chris Horne ACROSS 3. Spring (3) 7. Language (6) 8. Responds (6) 9. Getaway (6) 10. Attack (6) 11. Horse (3) 12, 21 across.

Noël Coward play (6, 6) 14. Impede (6) 17. Mary, Seventies pentathlete (6) 21. See 12 across 24. Devour (3) 25. (Of novels) supernatural (6) 26. Former Yorkshire district (6) 27. Cultivated (6) 28. Groups of nine (6) 29. Unit of energy (3)

ANSWERS

L E L P E N C I L C A S E R I

Y D R I N K S B O T T L E C A

L D E I C O R A R C L I E D C

I I R O T A L U C L A C I E S

DINNER MONEY DRINKS BOTTLE ERASER EXERCISE BOOK FELT-TIP PENS FOLDER

S C A L C N F E L G A N X N T

C T P S O S L O H E N E E R E

H I G H L I G H T E R P E N S

O O S O O H M O R C P D E R Y

O N Y E P R U M I I L E S L R

L A S S O R O S T O D R N O T

GEOMETRY SET HIGHLIGHTER PENS PACKED LUNCH PENCIL CASE PENCILS

B R L F E N E T F E C U E S E

A Y I S E B L G A B K O O B M

G N A Y O E P E N C I L S R O

U R E O F T I K S T R O P S E

E P K H C N U L D E K C A P G

PENS RULER SCHOOL BAG SHOES SPORTS KIT UNIFORM

SORRY! There was a missing letter in the Premiership football teams wordsearch of 13 August. Apologies for enjoyment spoilt.

HONEYCOMB Each solution starts on the coloured cell and reads clockwise round the number 1. Irritable 2. Peter ______, English footballer 3. Container with a handle, spout and lid 4. Face of a building DOWN 1. Official based overseas (6) 2. Appalled (6) 3. Calm (6) 4. Irish county (6) 5. Two-wheeled carriage (6) 6. Try, with effort (6) 12. Bread roll (3) 13. That girl’s (3) 15. Mountain (3) 16. Decay (3) 18. Quaint (6) 19. Breathe out (6) 20. Withdraw (6) 21. Thread (6) 22. Halogen (6) 23. Natural (6)

5. Funeral car 6. Not far away

QUICK QUIZ 1. In the TV programme Are You Being Served, which character did Mollie Sugden play?

2. In the nursery rhyme ‘Diddle Diddle Dumpling’, what was the name of the son?

3. Who composed the music for the opera Aida?

4. What is calcium carbonate commonly known as?

5. What is the largest Scandinavian country?

6. What is traditionally given to a couple on a 15th wedding anniversary?

QUICK CROSSWORD ACROSS: 3 Spa. 7 Tongue. 8 Reacts. 9 Escape.

10 Assail. 11 Nag. 12 Blithe. 14 Hamper. 17 Peters.

21 Spirit. 24 Eat. 25 Gothic. 26 Riding. 27 Tilled.

28 Nonets. 29 Erg. DOWN: 1 Consul. 2 Aghast. 3 Serene. 4 Armagh.

5 Hansom. 6 Strive. 12 Bap. 13 Her. 15 Alp. 16 Rot. 18 Exotic. 19 Exhale. 20 Secede. 21 String.

22 Iodine. 23 Innate.

QUICK QUIZ 1 Mrs Slocombe. 2 John. 3 Giuseppe Verdi.

4 Chalk. 5 Sweden. 6 Crystal.

HONEYCOMB 1 Tetchy. 2 Crouch. 3 Teapot. 4 Façade.

5 Hearse. 6 Nearby.

INNER LIFE

3 September 2011 The War Cry 13

A kingdom

divided IN 1858, just before the Secession that led to the American Civil War, Abraham Lincoln gave a speech to his Republican colleagues in the House of Representatives in Springfield, Illnois. He said: “‘A house divided against itself cannot stand.” I believe the government cannot endure permanently half slave and half free. I do not expect the Union to be dissolved – I do not expect the house to fall – but I do expect it will cease to be divided.’

The future President of the United States was quoting something Jesus said in the New Testament.

Jesus had just healed a demonpossessed, blind and mute man.

All the people who saw him do it were astonished and wondered if he could be the Messiah.

The Pharisees, who were some of the religious experts of the time, stated categorically: ‘It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this fellow drives out demons’ (12:24 New International Version). In other words, they had decided that the Devil was behind all that Jesus was doing.

Jesus wasn’t impressed by their logic. If he were driving out demons by using demonic power, there was something very odd going on. The

‘Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand’ (Matthew 12:25)

To commemorate this year’s 400th anniversary of the King James Bible, PHILIPPA SMALE looks at some everyday expressions popularised by BOOK the translation

PHRASE

Devil would be trying to defeat has come upon you’ (12:28). himself and, with that kind of division If the people were right about and disunity within, the Devil’s Jesus being the Messiah – and they principality would be in big trouble. were – then the Pharisees were in Jesus then asks the Pharisees: ‘If I imminent danger of denying one of drive out demons by Beelzebul, by their central religious beliefs. whom do your people drive them And with his death and out?’ (12:27). Carrying the war of resurrection, Jesus dealt the Devil logic into his critics’ camp, Jesus and his principality a death blow from points out that they had to get their which it was impossible to recover. power from somewhere, too.

He then CAN WE HELP? finishes up with a Just complete this coupon and send it to devastating blow The War Cry, 101 Newington Causeway, from his rational London SE1 6BN arsenal: ‘If it is by Please send me the Spirit of God that I drive out Basic reading about Christianity demons, then the Information about The Salvation Army kingdom of God Contact details of a Salvationist minister Name

STATES MAN: Abraham Lincoln

Jesus wasn’t impressed by their logic

Address

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

14 The War Cry 3 September 2011

by WESLEY HARRIS

Hoarders find it so hard to let go!

I HAVE a confession to make: I am a hoarder!

I hang on to books, papers and mementos. My wife is keen on clearing things out, but I’m not.

However, the time has come for me to throw out a few things. As I come across certain items, I feel a little sad.

Bits and pieces others would dismiss as rubbish are a record of my life. But I realise that many of these items are no longer needed. It’s time to get rid of them.

As I reflect, I realise that most of the things people hoard have a limited lifetime. Products and electrical goods go out of fashion. They may stop working. And even if they do serve us well for years, we can’t take any of them with us when we die.

That is why it is a good idea to choose carefully what we hold on to. Rather than material goods, it is better to cling to the things which will never decay, break or go out of date.

The biblical accounts of Jesus contain truths which I have kept close to me and shared with others over the years.

The message that Jesus died on a cross and forgave my wrongdoing, so that I can spend eternity with him in Heaven, is just as relevant and life-changing today as it was 2,000 years ago.

Jesus pointed out that not everything on earth is worth clinging on to. But a life spent following him – in which he guarantees to love and help us – is vital.

He said: ‘Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.

But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal’ (Matthew 6:19, 20 New International Version).

A relationship with Jesus is well worth having.

And keeping.

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The War Cry

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WHAT’S COOKING?

3 September 2011 The War Cry 15

THE MAIN ATTRACTION

Grilled vegetable tian Ingredients: 250g aubergine 400g courgettes 3 Ramiro peppers 75–90ml olive oil 1tbsp vegetarian pesto 2 cloves garlic, crushed

60g flavoured ciabatta or focaccia bread slices 2tbsp parsley 2tbsp basil 80g vegetarian Cheshire cheese, finely grated Seasoning, to taste

FOR STARTERS

Avocado and lime salad Ingredients: 1 lettuce, finely shredded 50g watercress, washed and roughly chopped ½ cucumber, diced 1 red pepper, diced 1 bunch spring onions, sliced on the slant 2 avocado pears, peeled, stoned and diced 2 rings of pineapple (canned), cut into chunks

Juice of 3 limes 1 clove garlic, crushed 3tbsp olive oil Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste Handful fresh coriander, roughly chopped Method: Mix the lettuce and watercress together and scatter over a serving platter. In a bowl, mix together the cucumber, pepper, spring onions, avocados and pineapple. Set aside.

Whisk the lime juice, garlic, olive oil, salt and pepper together to make a dressing. Add to the chopped vegetable mixture and mix well.

Spoon the vegetables over the salad leaves, then scatter the coriander over the top. Chill the salad for 30 minutes before serving.

Serves 6

SUDOKU SOLUTION

Method: Preheat the oven to 200C/400F/ Gas Mark 6. Cut the aubergine and courgettes into slices and the peppers into thick wedges.

Mix the oil with the pesto and garlic.

Heat a large griddle pan or fire up the barbecue. Brush the vegetables lightly with the pesto mixture, then grill on both sides until they start to soften.

Whizz the bread with the herbs in a food processor. Season well.

Take half the breadcrumbs and scatter them over the base of a casserole dish to form an even layer. Arrange the aubergine and courgette slices in overlapping circles over the top, making sure there is room to place the peppers in the centre.

Add the cheese to the remaining breadcrumb mixture and scatter over the top of the tian. Bake in the oven for 20 minutes until crisp. Serve at room temperature with salad.

Serves 4 Recipes reprinted, with kind permission, from the Vegetarian Society website vegsoc.org

NEW TERM DING-A-LING! The school bell is ringing. It’s time to go to class.

Fresh starts are good for us

Over the summer, many retailers have been advertising ‘back to school’ skirts, trousers, shirts and writes RENÉE DAVIS blazers, prompting parents to make a mad dash for any last- allow people to put the past minute bits, as their children firmly behind them and move either start school for the first forward with hope.

The school of life has many time or move up a year.

For the kids, after six weeks testing times. Tough situations of sleeping-in, trips out, holi- arise that leave us exhausted days and fun it’s time to pack and drained. We learn valuable the new bags with shiny new lessons. We want to do better. stationery, books and PE kit. We want to move on to the next Chances are those starting phase. But sometimes the mistakes of the past – or secondary school the company we’re will be reaching for presently keeping – the oversized new hold us back. blazer they’ll hopeThat’s when we fully ‘grow into’. need to ask God for Feeling that little help. His forgivebit more confident ness is so complete as they enter anoththat he wipes our er year group, children and teenagers anticipate slate clean. The death of Jesus, which new teachers they’ll be says one early Christian getting, which of their friends disciple, is the means by which will be in their class, and God ‘cleanses us from all sin’ whether any unfamiliar faces (1 John 1:7 Revised Standard Version.) will be joining them.

God is willing to help One thing is for sure – for all concerned – things are going everyone who asks. If we want to be different. Fresh uniform. a fresh, new start, we need Fresh books. Fresh faces. Fresh to put our hand up to our wrongdoing, ask him for opportunities.

Even if our schooldays were forgiveness and start following a long time ago, fresh starts can the teachings of Jesus.

Class dismissed. be good for everyone. They

The school of life has testing times

KITTED OUT: kids are ready for the new school year

The Salvation Army (United Kingdom Territory with the Republic of Ireland) on behalf of the General of The Salvation Army.

Printed by Benham Goodhead Print Ltd, Bicester, Oxon. © Linda Bond, General of The Salvation Army, 2011

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