War Cry 8 August 2020

8 August 2020 20p/25c

Why does it always rain on Lee? Comedian plays hapless DJ with the blues

The Salvation Army is a Christian church and registered charity providing services in the community, particularly to those who are vulnerable and marginalised. Motivated by our Christian faith, we offer practical support and services in more than 700 centres throughout the UK to all who need them, regardless of ethnicity, religion, gender or sexual orientation. To find your nearest centre visit salvationarmy.org.uk/find-a-church

What is the War Cry? The Salvation Army first published a newspaper called the War Cry in London in December 1879, and we have continued to appear every week since then. Our name refers to our battle for people’s hearts and souls as we promote the positive impact of the Christian faith and The Salvation Army’s fight for greater social justice.

WAR CRY Issue No 7486

Editor: Andrew Stone, Major Deputy Editor: Philip Halcrow Production Editor: Ivan Radford Assistant Editor: Sarah Olowofoyeku Staff Writer: Emily Bright Staff Writer: Claire Brine Editorial Assistant: Linda McTurk Graphic Designer: Rodney Kingston Graphic Designer: Mark Knight Email: warcry@salvationarmy.org.uk The Salvation Army UK Territory with the Republic of Ireland 101 Newington Causeway London SE1 6BN Tel: 0845 634 0101 Helpline: 020 7367 4888 Subscriptions: 01933 445445 (option 1, option 1) or email: subscriptions@satcol.org Founder: William Booth General: Brian Peddle Territorial Commander: Commissioner Anthony Cotterill Editor-in-Chief: Major Mal Davies Published weekly by The Salvation Army ©The Salvation Army United Kingdom Territory with the Republic of Ireland ISSN 0043-0226 The Salvation Army Trust is a registered charity. The charity number in England, Wales and Northern Ireland is 214779, in Scotland SC009359 and in the Republic of Ireland CHY6399.

Printed by Walstead Roche Ltd, St Austell, on sustainably sourced paper

ONLINE a warcry@salvationarmy.org.uk @TheWarCryUK TheWarCryUK

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salvationarmy.org.uk/warcry

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EDITOR From desk From the editor’s desk SINGING is good for you. So say scientists quoted on the BBC Future website. The experts said that singing can boost our moods and sense of social connection.

THIS year, countless have had to cancel their wedding day Perhaps it is with couples these benefits in mind that people have been because of thechoirs coronavirus someissue, weddings joining online duringpandemic. lockdown. Although In this week’s the have been Sarah allowed as restrictions change, these of have War Cry’s Olowofoyeku joins a virtualeven rehearsal the had London toInternational be scaled back, with limits onfor theherself number guests Gospel Choir to placed discover theofpleasures permitted.

This has resulted in alone, many brides and grooms postponing people have found of singing yet together with others. theirMeanwhile special day until next year. has found similar value in running.

Austen Hardwick While manyWar couples remember wedding with day as happiest This week’s Cry also includestheir an interview thethe marathon day of their bliss are guaranteed runner wholives, foundyears that of hiswedded sport helped himnot to regain his lifetoafter follow.

Relationships can break he suffered three strokes while down. in his early forties.

Harry Benson’s that point.

Hisrecovery.

However, it wasmarriage not onlyalmost runningreached that helped Austen’s relationship with hisplayed wife, Kate, His Christian faith a vitalwas partoninthe himverge takingofadisintegrating, positive but honest to conversations and a willingness to work through their approach all that he faced. problems to turn things round.

‘When enabled I was in them hospital,’ Austen says, ‘I asked God to take what Nowgoing they have been married for 34 years, and Harry I was through and to transform me through it.’ is helping other married believe and cohabiting who struggling with their Christians that Godcouples can take anyare situation or anything relationships which heimpact co-founded. that they dothrough or face Marriage and use itFoundation, to make a positive in others’ ‘I realised there lots of other Harrys andofKates outOliver there lives or theirthat own.

Thatare has been the experience painter who needn’t get into the same mess that I had,’ he says in an Pengilley. interview this week’s War Cry. He adds: ‘Asasa an Christian, it felt as Oliver in had developed a successful career artist with some though this was what was calling to do.’ But, as he tells of his work selling forGod significant sumsme of money.

Many are inspired their faith to help and support the WarChristians Cry this week, he grewby frustrated. other people, whether or not of those people ‘I didn’t see the meaning it,’ he says. hold Nowthe he same travelsreligious to beliefs as them.

Tim faith haspictures led himduring to work with young churches all over theEvans’s world to paint worship people through thefaith-based charity Worth Unlimited.

Naomiother Bennett sessions and his artwork has helped people in campaigns for social justice and an end to racism through Red their own faith journey.

Letter UK.truth that God can take any skill a person has It isChristians an amazing read about thefacing work they are doing in this week’s issue. orYou anycan situation they are and can transform it into something You readtheir howlives that and workthe haslives been byaround recent them. world thatcan canalso change of impacted the people events and about the way in which their faith empowers them to go on striving to make a difference for good.

Contents

What is The Salvation Army?

FEATURES 3

In a Stu Lee Mack introduces new comedy character

4

‘We haven’t been brought up in a perfect world’ The campaign for justice and transformation

7

Happy ever after?

Help is offered to struggling couples

10

Youth works for good Charity gives young people a voice

REGULARS 12

Team Talk

13

Now, There’s a Thought!

14 Puzzles 15

War Cry Kitchen

4

10

Front-page picture: BBC/Happy Tramp North

15

BBC/Happy Tramp North

TELEVISION Lee Mack plays disaster-prone Stu

of s e i r e As unfortunate events

‘E

VERYTHING’S gone wrong,’ Stuart (Lee Mack) told next-door neighbour Barry in the first episode of new sitcom Semi-Detached, which was aired on BBC Two on Thursday (6 August).

Wedding DJ Stu, who lives with his partner April (Ellie White), their fourmonth-old baby, his promiscuous dad and extortionist brother, struggled through ‘the worst half hour of his life’ in the programme, which unfolds in real time.

After last year’s pilot episode – in which April went into labour, Stu’s daughter appeared with a shaved head and his brother came home unexpectedly – series one began with a whole new set of disasters for the hapless disc jockey.

Stu was preparing for April’s return home after she had taken a break from him.

But he was hampered by his dad getting in the way, a crying baby and a battle with a smoke alarm. By the time she got back, the fancy meal was burnt and his brother had swindled him out of even more money.

The apology lunch was a make-orbreak date. But the next 20 minutes

Life is not going well for Stu in new BBC comedy, writes Sarah Olowofoyeku

of Stu’s life went from bad to worse.

Arguing neighbours, accidental drugtaking and a nagging ex-wife left him in a state of despair.

Before he could finish trying to make amends with April, he found himself locked in a camper van with Barry.

‘I try so hard, but everything I do goes wrong,’ said Stu. In next week’s episode, life doesn’t get any less chaotic. He has to deal with his rebellious daughter, more of his dad’s misbehaviour and a brother on the run – all while trying to leave the house for work so that he can meet the mounting financial demands he’s facing.

Stu is trying his best, but no matter what he does, none of the problems he encounters are being solved, and somehow he is always to blame.

Sometimes life can seem like one problem after another for any of us. Financial pressures and difficult family members can leave us feeling frustrated and exhausted. Relationship

None of his problems are being solved

breakdowns of any kind can be a source of disappointment and stress.

And, no matter how hard we try, it doesn’t seem as though anything will ever get better.

No one is exempt from such circumstances or feelings. But Christians find that their faith is a source of help. While having faith does not mean all their problems will be solved, they can find comfort knowing that, even in the worst of situations, God is with them and they do not have to bear the weight of their difficulties alone.

Bible songwriter David, who experienced betrayal, family challenges and pressures from people around him, advised: ‘Pile your troubles on God’s shoulders – he’ll carry your load, he’ll help you out’ (Psalm 55:22 The Message).

That assurance is available to anyone who puts their trust in God. Whatever life has thrown at us, we can offload our concerns to God and know that he will help us through even the worst times of our lives.

8 August 2020 • War Cry • 3

‘We need actively to counter the effects of racism’ NAOMI BENNETT of Red Letter Christians UK talks to Sarah Olowofoyeku about the importance of acknowledging the past to build a better future

Shutterstock.com

Na om i

4 • War Cry • 8 August 2020

Be nne tt

INTERVIEW

I

T was described as ‘the pandemic within a pandemic’. At the end of May, after many countries across the world had been put under lockdown to slow the spread of the coronavirus, another crisis was brought to the fore – racism.

Video footage of the death of George Floyd sparked protests around the world over racial injustice and police brutality.

Perhaps it was because the world was in a vulnerable state or that people simply had more time to take in the news about the experiences of black people, but the movement

for justice gained momentum.

Mainstream and social media were full of buzzwords such as ‘privilege’ and ‘antiracism’. Companies, churches and many other organisations released statements on their commitment to anti-racism and their desire to create a fairer world. One organisation that was committed to a fairer world prior to the protests is Red Letter Christians UK. ‘Red Letter’ refers to the print in some Bibles, in which the words of Jesus appear in red. I spoke to Naomi Bennett, the co-director.

She explained: ‘We are a network of Christians from all over the country who have read the words of Jesus and believe that they mean transformation and justice for the here and now.

Together we are trying to pursue that transformation and justice.’

The organisation is building a campaign to support refugees and asylum seekers who have been charged for accessing the NHS, and they have launched an anti-racism book club to keep the issue at the forefront of people’s minds.

When it comes to fighting racism, Naomi is certain in her beliefs. ‘It isn’t enough to be passive and nice,’ she says. ‘Racism is more than just one person’s individual actions towards

black people or people of colour. Racism is structural. We need actively to counter the effects of it.’

She says that people can challenge racism by supporting black businesses, helping organisations that assist refugees and reassessing the way they see the world.

While much of the recent discourse was triggered by events in the US, there has been a growing awareness that structural racism exists in the UK too.

‘The majority of people with decisionmaking and policymaking power in the UK are white people. The idea that white people are superior, or the norm, is built into the way decisions are made and the way things function.’

Naomi says that structural racism affects every sphere of life, including the justice system, housing, immigration, employment and healthcare. She cites an example that she has noticed through her field of study. ‘I’m a biomedical scientist, and there is almost no medical research that specifically looks at diverse populations or populations of people of colour on their own. The white male, aged 18-40, is considered the typical human being. It means that repeatedly treatments and medical interventions fail women and people of colour.’

An important part of the way

Racism is more than just one person’s individual actions

Turn to page 6 ➥

In June, people in Washington DC protested against racial injustice; similar protests have taken place round the world 8 August 2020 • War Cry • 5

From page 5 to move forward, Naomi believes, is to acknowledge the past. ‘In this country we need to look through history and reflect on how our systems are built and how our decisions have been made. We have ignored the fact that the wealth and privilege we have in this country have been built on the labour of black people and people of colour, and through violence.

‘The stories we tell ourselves about who we are are really important. In Britain, we have a story about how we are the underdog. We’re a plucky little island that managed to fight the Nazis, brought democracy into the world and ended the slave trade. But all of those things skip centuries of history.

PA

We can turn guilt and shame into action

6 • War Cry • 8 August 2020

wrong side of history over the years.

‘Christianity is made up of people, therefore it’s liable to get things wrong,’ Naomi says. ‘Historically, there was a massive change in the way that Christianity operated when it became part of the system of the Roman Empire. Jesus existed, for the first years of his life, as a refugee. He was part of a minority in an empire. His people, the Jewish people, were fighting to keep their traditions alive.

Jesus spoke into that context and was clear about what the gospel means to oppressed people.

‘As Christianity grew and became part of the Roman Empire, people became polluted by power. So, as the Church became more and more powerful, it ignored the core message of Christianity which is to humble yourself, to put others before yourself, to serve other people.’

The Christianity that had moved away from its core message went on to influence European history, says Naomi: ‘Jesus started popping up as a white guy in our windows and paintings.

‘The story became, whatever the British Empire does is okay because God is on our side.

And that has persisted until now. Around the time when the Edward Colston statue was brought down a couple of months ago, it emerged that there are churches in Bristol that were built with money raised through the slave trade – that’s a direct link that can’t be ignored. People used the Bible to justify the slave trade too. But instead of atoning for that history, and grieving and lamenting, which are biblical principles, we have airbrushed over it.’

Naomi, however, sees that Christianity has also been ‘the bedrock of people who have spoken out against injustice’.

She points out that leaders of civil rights movements in the US, such as Martin Luther King, and liberation movements in the UK have been Christians.

‘I have seen that people who face injustice – even when they are being oppressed – find that the Christian faith is something that keeps them going. They feel Jesus is with them. People believe that if they continue to serve others and seek justice, they can bring about lasting change. That’s beautiful and that’s a faith I want to be part of.

She reflects: ‘As Christians, we have a belief that everyone is made in the image of God, and we can either respond to that truth passively, or we can recognise that systemic racism Protesters toppled the statue dehumanises people and play an of Edward Colston in Bristol active part in countering it.’ because of the merchant’s role in the slave trade

Accepting that something else might be true is hard because those stories are core to our identity. So a lot of people resist it and push back, rather than grieving the fact that we’ve been lied to and grieving with the people who are suffering.

‘It’s important to acknowledge that we haven’t been brought up in a perfect world and that it has affected the way we think. But we can change that, we can teach ourselves and try to be better. We can turn the guilt and shame into action, which will create change that means future generations don’t have to live like this.’

Red Letter Christians acknowledges that even the Church has been on the

Commitment counts for couples INTERVIEW

As the easing of lockdown means that many happy couples are free to tie the knot, research director of Marriage Foundation Harry Benson tells Claire Brine why relationships depend on reliable love

‘I

KNOW what it’s like to be on the brink of marriage breakdown and yet not have the faintest idea what’s wrong,’ says Harry Benson, research director of Marriage Foundation. ‘My relationship with my wife, Kate, was in frightful trouble. I was a very capable and independent person but also very closed. That’s hardly a great recipe for a successful relationship.

‘One day Kate wrote me a letter, which was basically a job spec of what it meant to be Harry’s wife. After listing all the terms and conditions, she ended it with the words: “Will you be my friend, which is what I really want? Who knows? Who cares?” Her words knocked me for six, and I made the decision to change. Kate didn’t believe it, I had changed my behaviour. I heard but I made a mental shift and told myself Kate telling her friends that I was always that I would do whatever it took to win her.’ complimenting her and she loved it.’

As the couple began to work on their This year, Harry and Kate celebrate marriage, Harry overheard Kate telling 34 years of marriage. They have six a friend that he never complimented children. Harry explains why their her. As someone who hadn’t received relationship works. compliments as a child, Harry had no ‘We are friends,’ he says. ‘We notice idea how much they mattered to his wife. each other. We are kind to one another ‘So I stuck a Post-it Note on my and respect each other. We have a longcomputer screen, reminding me to term view, anticipating staying married compliment Kate regularly,’ he says. until the day we die. It just doesn’t occur ‘When she saw it she rolled her eyes, to us that there is an alternative, so when thinking that my efforts would last a week. we go through our inevitable bad periods, But 18 months later, when the note had lost its stickiness and fallen off the screen, Turn to page 8 ➥

Harry Benson

Library picture posed by models

8 August 2020 • War Cry • 7

From page 7 we know that we will make our marriage work.’

After taking steps to improve his own relationship, Harry decided that he wanted to make it his life’s work to help other couples, married or not.

‘In pulling out of our marriage nosedive, I realised that there are lots of other Harrys and Kates out there who needn’t get into the same mess that I had,’ he says. ‘So I co-founded Marriage Foundation to support and inspire confidence in marriage. As a Christian, it felt as though this was what God was calling me to do. But I also want to help unmarried, cohabiting couples to clarify where they are going.’

In his latest book, entitled Commit or Quit, Harry argues that commitment is a key component in successful long-term relationships. He pulls together the latest statistics on marriage and cohabiting relationships, pointing out that 70 per cent of couples who marry before having children will still be together when their child leaves school. This compares with just 30 per cent of unmarried parents. He adds that the longer couples live together without getting married, the less likely they are to marry. He also stresses that the

chances of an unmarried couple staying together never improves, regardless of how many years they may have lived together, while the rate of divorce decreases for every year that a married couple stays together.

‘In general, stable marriages are the norm and stable cohabitation is the exception,’ Harry says. ‘People who marry have made an intentional step, leaving no room for ambiguity.

They have agreed on the plan to be together for life. Everyone knows where they stand. They are committed.

‘When it comes to cohabiting, many couples move in together quite early on in their relationship, perhaps before they have gathered the kind of information that would enable them to make a commitment.

They think cohabiting is a win-

Library picture posed by models

Men are more fearful of commitment

8 • War Cry • 8 August 2020

win situation because it is convenient, financially cheaper and provides sex and companionship. People want all these things in a relationship, yet there’s no promise of long-term commitment.’

The issue of commitment is of great interest to Harry. He explains that men are generally more resistant to and fearful of commitment than women – and women are paying the price for it.

‘Research suggests that men and women base their commitment on different things,’ he explains. ‘Men’s commitment seems to be linked to decision-making, reaching a point where they say: “Right, I’m going to do this.”

Women’s commitment appears to be

INTERVIEW

linked to attachment. So women are likely to commit when they move in with their partner, but men may not commit until much later on, when they make a firm decision.’

Without equal commitment on both sides, Harry says, relationships run the risk of drifting. The possibility of living happily ever after is uncertain.

‘If a man doesn’t make a commitment for years, it can be hugely unfair on the woman, particularly if she wants children.

So to help people stop wasting their time in drifting relationships, I came up with the two-year rule.

‘The two-year rule means that after two years of being together, couples should

have a “for ever” conversation, where they establish if they are on the same page. Either they agree to commit to one another for life – and for many people, that means getting married – or they split up.

‘This is the thinking behind it: research into sports gambling shows that once a person has acquired a certain level of information, their ability to predict the outcome of a game never improves.

In other words, beyond a certain point, people can’t find out anything more which would help them make a decision. They already know enough. The same principle applies to partners and relationships.

‘A further study of 300 couples revealed that an overwhelming majority felt the optimum time for a serious conversation about a relationship’s future was within two years.’

Harry explains that, while his Christian faith means he will always be a supporter of marriage, he recognises that ‘cohabiting

is here to stay’. He hopes his book will encourage cohabiting couples to embrace commitment, even if that doesn’t lead to marriage.

‘Although cohabiting couples may fear commitment and marriage, they probably still want romance. And my rules for romance are the same, whether people fear commitment or not. The first rule is: people should choose to be with someone who is marriageable. That doesn’t mean they have to marry them, but it means they should choose someone with whom they can see a future and someone who shares the same values.

‘Secondly – and this is aimed at women – they should choose a man who will put himself out for them. And on that point, my advice to men is: be that man.

‘If people do those things and choose well, I think the likelihood is that they will be less scared of commitment. And commitment in relationships is what’s most important. People want reliable love that lasts.’

Couples should have a ‘for ever’ conversation

l Commit or Quit is published

by Lion

8 August 2020 • War Cry • 9

YOUTH

Ahead of International Youth Day, director of charity Worth Unlimited TIM EVANS speaks to Linda McTurk about how society can help young people find a voice that brings about positive change

Y

OUNG people want to be heard – on social media platforms and on the streets. This summer, across the UK, many of them have taken part in Black Lives Matter protests after the death of George Floyd in the United States. Last year, teenager Greta Thunberg inspired children and young people to protest against climate change.

Tim Evans, the director of Worth Unlimited, a Christian charity and social enterprise that supports approximately 2,500 young people across England each year, believes that the present generation are much more socially engaged than previous ones.

‘There is a collective sense that they want to see the world be different,’ says Tim, who has been working with young people for nearly 27 years. ‘Our job as youth workers is not to get in their way, but to help them to think about how they can bring about change. Protesting is an important part of any democratic society, but what are the other things that young people can do?’

Tim’s question is at the heart of this year’s UN International Youth Day on Wednesday (12 August), which focuses on youth engagement with public institutions.

Reflecting on the ways young people can engage with politics, Tim says: ‘From talking to politicians, I know that one of their priorities is encouraging young people to think about the importance of their vote. If young people don’t vote, politicians don’t feel the need to listen in quite the same way as they do to other demographics.’

As well as encouraging political awareness, Tim believes it is important for youth workers to create a bridge between the people they work with and other groups to increase understanding and awareness.

‘In the past I’ve found ways for black young people to talk about their experience of stop and search to the police,’ he says. ‘It enables the police to understand the impact of that way of working and enables young people to understand why the police feel they have to act in a certain way.’

Tim Evans Before the coronavirus pandemic, Tim and his team at Worth Unlimited cared for young people through drop-in sessions and face-to-face mentoring programmes.

In Waltham Forest, they took a converted bus with a kitchen, video game consoles and seating area round estates. In Birmingham, they helped run a bike repair shop where they used cycling

Protesting is an important part of democratic society

10 • War Cry • 8 August 2020

Young people attended sessions in a converted bus in Waltham Forest

INTERVIEW

R E H T E G O T B U CL D R A E H E B O T

and mechanics to engage and mentor young people.

However, from mid-March, the charity had to change its operations in order to comply with government lockdown regulations. ‘Ninety per cent of the way we work with young people suddenly couldn’t exist,’ Tim says.

‘It has been really challenging.’

Despite the additional difficulties, the charity has still managed to run projects during lockdown. It has provided online mentoring and other resources

My hope for young people is that they discover they are cared for and loved for young people, including beauty packs for young women. It has held conversations with young people who have sat on their doorstep while the youth workers have sat in the driveway.

Tim admits that even as lockdown has eased, youth work has continued to be challenging because of the need to prepare for an uncertain future.

Even so, he believes that working with young people and supporting them is part of his vocation in life because of his Christian faith.

‘To me, the Kingdom of God is to be found in the world,’ he says. ‘It is to be discovered wherever we find justice, love, compassion, mercy and forgiveness. That is God at work. My job is to join in with

what God is already up to.’

Tim first became interested in youth work at university when he saw the way a Christian helped a young man who had been constantly in trouble with the police.

By taking him into his house and investing time in him, the Christian enabled the young man to change his life.

‘I was inspired,’ Tim reflects. ‘Here was a young person who was completely written off. People had him down as a troublemaker, and he discovered that he could amount to something.

‘And that’s my hope for young people – that they discover they are cared for and loved, that they have something to offer to the world because God gives them that value.’

8 August 2020 • War Cry • 11

Prayerlink YOUR prayers are requested for Emeka, who has many concerns; and for Johnnie, who will be having a parole hearing.

The War Cry invites readers to send in requests for prayer, including the first names of individuals and details of their ­circumstances. Send your Prayerlink requests to warcry@salvationarmy.org.uk or to War Cry, 101 Newington Causeway, Lon­don SE1 6BN. Mark your correspondence ‘Confidential’.

j

talk ‘ ’

Team talk

EXPLORE

Becoming a Christian

There is no set formula to becoming a Christian, but many people have found saying this prayer to be a helpful first step to a relationship with God

Lord Jesus Christ, I am truly sorry for the things I have done wrong in my life. Please forgive me. I now turn from everything that I know is wrong.

Thank you that you died on the cross for me so that I could be forgiven and set free.

Thank you that you offer me forgiveness and the gift of your Holy Spirit.

Please come into my life by your Holy Spirit to be with me for ever.

Thank you, Lord Jesus.

Amen

Team talk

Freedom of speech comes with a cost

Claire Brine gives her take on a story catching the attention of War Cry reporters

LAST week, grime artist Wiley was banned from Twitter after posting a string of anti-Semitic tweets. The social network claimed that the star repeatedly violated its policy on ‘hateful conduct’.

Earlier this summer, Twitter shut the account of commentator Katie Hopkins for the same reason: ‘violations of our hateful conduct policy’. Days after Katie’s ban, the Father Ted co-creator Graham Linehan was also booted off for his ‘hateful conduct’ when referring to transgender people.

While thousands of Twitter users welcomed the ban of the individuals mentioned, there remained those who argued for a person’s right to freedom of speech. In response to Wiley’s ban, one person tweeted: ‘There’s no freedom of speech any more.’ Another posted: ‘I thought there was a thing called free speech.’

But what about the responsibility that comes with freedom of speech? Doesn’t that need consideration too?

Speaking on the pop culture and news podcast The High Low last week, journalist Nesrine Malik said that freedom of speech is not under threat; rather, what is being challenged is ‘freedom from consequence of speech’. In other words, some people want to say what they want, when they want, without being objected to. They want to be hateful on Twitter but not held accountable for it.

And that’s the problem, because our words will always have consequences.

In a world full of different people, it’s natural that there are going to be a lot of different opinions. I get that we can’t always agree all the time. But can we agree to think about the impact of our words before we say them?

As a church minister once preached: Is what we want to say truthful? Is it helpful? Is it inspiring? Is it necessary? Is it kind? (It’s extra clever that all the initial letters of the adjectives spell out the word ‘think’.)

Perhaps it’s just a simple sermon illustration, but I do believe that such questions are helpful. Because if we all considered the consequences of our words before we spoke them, surely there would be nothing stopping us from banning hateful conduct entirely.

Our words will always have consequences

" Tick one or more of the options below, complete the coupon and send it to

a

War Cry 101 Newington Causeway London SE1 6BN

Basic reading about Christianity Information about The Salvation Army

Looking for help?

Contact details of a Salvation Army minister Extract from Why Jesus? by Nicky Gumbel published by Alpha International, 2011. Used by kind permission of Alpha International

12 • War Cry • 8 August 2020

Name Address

Or email your details and request to warcry@salvationarmy.org.uk

EXPRESSIONS

Now, there’s a thought!

q

quick quiz 1

2

What is the name of the device consisting of a piece of string with a weight at the bottom, used to find a vertical straight line?

Who is the secretary-general of the UN?

a 3

4

5

6

What is the name of the mountain range that includes Everest?

Who recently duetted with Michael Ball on the No 1 hit song ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’?

Who plays the title role in the ITV period drama Victoria?

In what year did Rosa Parks refuse to give up her seat to a white man on an Alabama bus?

ANSWERS

by Cliff Kent

Life can have its thorny issues W

HEN I look out of one of our windows at home, I see a glorious rose bed festooned with many colours. It stays that way because my wife, refusing to be put off by the thorns, prunes the roses, which triggers new buds to push through.

Life itself can often give us roses – we wake up, the sun is shining, the birds are singing and the flowers are blooming. And best of all, we feel well.

But life is not always a bed of roses. It can feel as if we just get the thorns. Singer Lynn Anderson was right when she sang in her Top Ten hit: ‘I never promised you a rose garden.’ In the song she encourages the one she loves to enjoy the good times in their relationship because the bad times are inevitable. ‘Along with the sunshine,’ she acknowledges, ‘there’s gotta be a little rain some time.’

In many weddings, couples make their vows ‘for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health’, because they can expect sunshine and rain. Whether a person is part of a couple or single, life is not always better, richer or healthier. Some of us even now are coping with the thorns of unemployment, health, poverty, divorce, bereavement.

With the world being so uncertain and unpredictable, we need something that will be constant whatever the season. Many people have found that putting their faith in God has kept them going through ups and downs.

One Bible writer says: ‘God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble’ (Psalm 46:1 King James Bible).

If we trust in God, we can be assured that he will be there for us when life is rosy and when it is not.

The world is so uncertain and unpredictable

8 August 2020 • War Cry • 13

1. A plumb line. 2. António Guterres. 3. The Himalayas.

4. Captain Tom Moore. 5. Jenna Coleman. 6. 1955.

CROSSWORD CROSSWORD

PUZZLES

QUICK CROSSWORD ACROSS 1. Polite (5) 5. Waste (5) 8. Dwelling (5) 9. Motorised bicycle (5) 10. Period (5) 11. Of the moon (5) 12. Three feet (4) 15. Silly (6) 17. Secret store (5) 18. Noisier (6) 20. Not closed (4) 25. Molar (5) 26. Farewell (5)

27. Awaken (5) 28. Reminiscent of the past (5) 29. All (5) 30. Cereal plant (5)

DOWN 1. Yield (6) 2. Steam (6) 3. Utensil (5) 4. Discovered (5) 5. Conceal (7) 6. Regain (6)

7. Skinned (6) 13. Fuss (3) 14. Equal (3) 15. Bashful (3) 16. Rage (3) 17. Hundred (7) 18. Find (6) 19. Referee (6) 21. Scrutinise (6) 22. Best (6) 23. Value (5) 24. Hurl (5)

SUDOKU

Fill the grid so that every column, every row and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 to 9

HONEYCOMB HONEYCOMB

2

7 6 4 5 9 5 6 2 1 3 5 2 3 6

Each solution starts on the coloured cell and reads clockwise round the number

Answers QUICK CROSSWORD ACROSS: 1. Civil. 5. Scrap. 8. Abode.

9. Moped. 10. Cycle. 11. Lunar. 12. Yard.

15. Stupid. 17. Cache. 18. Louder.

20. Open. 25. Tooth. 26. Adieu. 27. Rouse.

28. Retro. 29. Every. 30. Wheat.

DOWN: 1. Comply. 2. Vapour. 3. Ladle.

4. Found. 5. Secrete. 6. Recoup.

7. Peeled. 13. Ado. 14. Par. 15. Shy. 16. Ire. 17. Century. 18. Locate. 19. Umpire.

21. Peruse. 22. Nicest. 23. Worth. 24. Throw.

HONEYCOMB 1. Oxygen. 2. Lodger. 3. Strong.

4. Palate. 5. Collar. 6. Modern.

3 6 9 7 2 4 5 8 1

2 8 7 5 6 1 3 4 9

1 4 5 9 8 3 7 6 2

8 1 6 4 5 7 9 2 3

5 3 4 2 1 9 8 7 6

7 9 2 8 3 6 1 5 4

6 5 8 1 9 2 4 3 7

4 2 1 3 7 5 6 9 8

9 7 3 6 4 8 2 1 5

SUDOKU SOLUTION

4 1 9 5 5 3 9 1 4 2 6 9 2 3 8

14 • War Cry • 8 August 2020

4 1 5 3

9

9

6 9 2 3

5

1 4

2

ordsearch ordsearch ordsearch ordsearch ordsearch

1. Colourless gas with the chemical symbol O 2. Person who pays rent to live in a property with the owner 3. Physically powerful 4. Roof of the mouth 5. Band on the neck of a shirt 6. Relating to present times

Wordsearch CANDOUR

CONFIDENCE

FAITHFULNESS FIDELITY

FRANKNESS GENUINE HONOUR

INTEGRITY LOYALTY

PRINCIPLE

RECTITUDE

RIGHTEOUSNESS SINCERITY

STRAIGHTFORWARD TRUSTWORTHY TRUTHFUL VERACITY

VIRTUOUS

8

Look up, down, forwards, backwards

3 and 2 diagonally 1 8 5on the 7 grid 6 to 4 find 9 these words associated with honesty 6 8 4 1 3 9 5 2 7 9 7 5 6 4 2 8 1 3 J O I Q T F W O L G O S H L S T A V R A U V W F G Q 7 5 9 I 4C C S 2 8Z S 1 I 3Q Q S 6 U F A P R I N C I P L E E Q N Y F O 2 6 8 5 1 3 9 7 4 O S Z C Z H X A D J D N C T C X F A D N Q T R U T H F U L S R N E V P U 4 1 3 7 9 6 2 5 8 N F K T H V I R T U O U S C R E R V 5 3 7 9 8 1 4 6 2 A Y T I L E D I F S S O N B I R N G C J L V Q C T H 8 4 6 I 2T Y E X T T A Q Z 7 5 3 9 1 S B B X A C T O W Q D T K F Y C F N 1 9 2 3 6 4 7 8 5 N N Z N E I I O Y I U H L R Z I D T

L G D R A W R O F T H G I A R T S I R L C F R T C N Z H I I N N Y Y Y D R J Z V H K O A U A T R G K F O I T U U J Y D C E N I U N E G N Z Q L H O J N P T H T K L U U Y S E R H R U N T T P T M V B W R V G Q S T M I D O V W T P D Q B Z J V P D S Z N W X H P Q Q E L D B M Z S K F N W Q I Q

D Bangers on toast Ingredients

Method

4 reduced-fat sausages

Preheat the grill. Arrange the sausages on the grill rack and cook for 10 minutes, turning often, until browned all over.

Place the cherry tomatoes on a piece of foil and grill them for 3 minutes alongside the sausages while they are cooking.

250g cherry tomatoes, halved 100ml cold water 200g closed-cup mushrooms, sliced ½ tsp dried mixed herbs 4 slices wholemeal bread Black pepper SERVES

4

Toast the slices of bread.

Slice the cooked sausages and mix with the mushrooms.

Pile on to the toast and top with the grilled cherry tomatoes. Season with a pinch of pepper, to serve.

Pasta salad on lettuce Ingredients

Method

200g fusilli

Cook the pasta according to the packet instructions.

Drain the cooked pasta and rinse with cold water to cool quickly. Set aside.

3tbsp low-fat natural yoghurt 2tbsp reduced-fat mayonnaise 2 tomatoes, chopped ¼ cucumber, chopped 1tbsp sultanas Lettuce leaves 75g reduced-fat hard cheese, cut into small cubes 3 spring onions, sliced

Meanwhile, heat the water in a pan and add the mushrooms and dried herbs. Simmer for 3 minutes. Drain off any excess liquid and set aside.

Mix together the yoghurt and mayonnaise in a bowl. Add the tomatoes, cucumber and sultanas, and stir in the pasta.

Divide 2 handfuls of lettuce leaves between 4 plates and top the leaves with the pasta. Scatter the cheese cubes and spring onions on top, to serve.

Recipes reprinted, with permission, from the Public Health England website nhs.uk/change4life

SERVES

4

8 August 2020 • War Cry • 15

God’s heart is to forgive Robert Street