War Cry 28 September 2019

SINCE

1879

28 September 2019 20p/25c

S YEAARRCRY 140 W THE OF

POETRY IN EMOTION ‘OUR HOSPITAL WAS BEING RUN ON THE STREET’ A year on from Indonesia’s earthquake and tsunami

Every step they take STRICTLY CONTESTANTS DANCE TO WIN VIEWERS’ VOTES

Writer explores grief, family and faith

THANK YOU FOR THE MUSIC Choirmaster on the power of hymns

What is The Salvation Army?

2 COMMENT AND CONTENTS • WAR cry • 28 September 2019

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

From the editor’s desk THE place that led John Lennon to declare ‘Strawberry Fields forever’ has been opened to the public. As this issue of the War Cry reports, The Salvation Army has redeveloped the site and, in place of its children’s home – which was closed in 2005 as ideas about caring for young people changed – has set up not only a training centre for young adults, but also an exhibition about the Beatles connection. John Lennon always fondly remembered playing as a boy in the grounds of Strawberry Field when he was growing up in Liverpool.

Among the items in the exhibition is an early draft of the lyrics of ‘Strawberry Fields Forever’. It includes a version of the line that appeared in the finished song as, ‘No one I think is in my tree’.

Lennon later commented that the phrase was about his feeling that he was ‘different’. He said he was unsure whether he was ‘crazy or a genius’. He was ‘too shy and self-doubting’.

As the 1967 hit often appears on lists of great songs, many listeners must have appreciated the way it explores human experiences such as joy, uncertainty and the struggle for identity.

This week’s War Cry also includes the musical reflections of choirmaster Ken Burton, who led the congregational singing for a Songs of Praise episode that will reveal the UK’s favourite hymns.

Ken, who worked on the soundtrack of the film Black Panther, says that sacred music can be ‘a soundtrack of life’. Church music, he believes, ‘has the power to move and stir the soul’.

Whatever wins the Songs of Praise vote, many great hymns win a special place in people’s hearts – and for good reason.

‘Amazing Grace’ articulates the human experience of feeling ‘lost’, but also the possibility of being ‘found’. ‘Love Divine’ holds out the prospect that everyone can know a limitless love. And ‘The Lord’s My Shepherd’ assures us that even when we walk in ‘death’s dark vale’, if we put our trust in God, he gives us a place of ultimate joy – ‘for evermore’.

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.

SINCE 1879

140 YEARS

OF THE WAR CRY Issue No 7442

Editor: Andrew Stone, Major Deputy Editor: Philip Halcrow Production Editor: Ivan Radford Assistant Editor: Claire Brine Assistant Editor: Sarah Olowofoyeku Staff Writer: Emily Bright Editorial Assistant: Linda McTurk Graphic Designer: Rodney Kingston Graphic Designer: Mark Knight War Cry office: 020 7367 4900 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

Contents

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 Secretary for Communications: Lieut-Colonel Dean Pallant

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 and Wales is 214779, in Scotland SC009359 and in the Republic of Ireland CHY6399.

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

Your local Salvation Army centre

FEATURES 3

Strictly speaking Dancing competition gets under way

5

Songs appraised Choirmaster talks of the power of hymns

6

Lines of questioning Poet explores grief, family and faith

8

‘The hospital came to me’ How mobile clinics helped after earthquake

REGULARS

5

6

4 News 12

Browsing the Bible

13

Now, There’s a Thought!

14 Puzzles 15

Money-wise meal Front-page picture: BBC/GUY LEVY

15

BBC/KIERON McCARRON

28 September 2019 • WAR cry • TELEVISION 3 Judges Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Shirley Ballas and Bruno Tonioli have the final say

What will be the verdict? wonders Sarah Olowofoyeku

F

IVE, six, seven, eight … Strictly is back! Fifteen celebrities are taking steps to win the BBC’s dancing competition. Tomorrow (Sunday 29 September) one couple will become the first to take their final bow.

After the light-hearted launch show, the serious shimmying got under way last weekend. The judges gave their scores to the dancing duos, leaving James Cracknell and Luba Mushtuk in the bottom spot, and Kevin Fletcher and Oti Mabuse top of the leaderboard, though no one had to leave the show.

Tonight the couples hit the floor again, and the public vote for their favourites. Tomorrow the judges will make the first of many, sometimes tough, choices between the bottom two couples.

Among those making the decisions in this 17th series of Strictly Come Dancing is new judge Motsi Mabuse.

The former dance champion, who was No matter who we are, at times also a judge on the German version of it can feel as though other people the show, replaces Darcey Bussell on are watching every move that we the panel. make, assessing where we succeed The newcomer has been the subject or fail. And it can hurt when our flaws of much discussion. One issue nobody are highlighted. is dancing round is that Motsi is Then again, if we’re honest with professional dancer Oti’s sister. Will ourselves, we can sometimes see Motsi be biased when it comes to making decisions involving her younger It can feel as though sibling?

Former head judge Len Goodman others are watching expressed sympathy for Motsi.

Speaking to The Sun, he imagined what every move we make might happen if Oti ended up in the final. ‘Whatever decision she makes,’ he that we are not the people we are said, ‘Motsi will get criticism.’ supposed to be. We can be harsh and And Strictly history shows that, while mean-spirited or happy only when the contestants are the ones there to be things revolve round us. judged, no one is safe from judgment – The reality is that ultimately none deserved or otherwise. In the past, the of us entirely measure up. One Bible professional dancers on the show and writer, Paul, wrote that we all fall short. the studio audience have given their But he added that everything was opinion on the tell-it-like-it-is verdicts turned around by God’s Son, Jesus, of Craig Revel Horwood, while some who, though perfect, stepped into our viewers thought that former ballerina place and, in dying on a cross, took the Darcey Bussell could be too-too lenient. punishment that we deserved.

Professional dancer Oti Mabuse and former ‘Emmerdale’ actor Kelvin Fletcher put their best feet forward And – Paul said – when God raised Jesus from death, it showed that we could all go through to a whole new kind of life that stretches into eternity.

As he summarises: ‘Because of the good thing that Christ has done, God accepts us and gives us the gift of life’ (Romans 5:18 Contemporary English Version).

The verdict is decided – all we have to do is invite Jesus into our lives. When we do, the result will be that we receive forgiveness and will come to know the peace of living without fear of being condemned.

So will we take the next step and follow Jesus?

BBC/RAY BURMISTON

g n i h c n u r c Rumba

4 NEWS • WAR cry • 28 September 2019

GAVIN TRAFFORD

Strawberry Field gives visitors glimpse into yesterday

LEVELS of loneliness and isolation are n high among young adults, according to a report published by Christian charity World Vision.

However, The Connected Generation, which is based on research carried out by the Barna Group among young people aged 18 to 35, suggests that people with a religion or faith generally experience lower rates of loneliness.

Of the respondents, 19 per cent who had a faith said that they felt lonely and isolated, compared with 31 per cent of people with no religious affiliation.

‘The study shows powerful connections between practising faith and overall wellbeing,’ said the Barna Group president David Kinnaman.

‘We do see evidence that some key mentorships and friendships are common among young people with a faith, and patterns in the data at least suggest religion may play some role in keeping loneliness at bay.’

The study surveyed more than 15,000 young adults across 25 countries.

Salvation Army in for long haul after hurricane DISASTER relief personnel from The Salvation Army are continuing to help hurricane victims in the Bahamas.

The church and charity is providing food, water, clothing, hygiene supplies and shelter to people affected.

It has also deployed special emotional and spiritual care teams to support evacuees in Nassau and those still on the islands that were hit by the hurricane.

The Salvation Army is developing a long-term plan for relief and rebuilding in the region, which is expected to take between three and five years to complete.

It is working in partnership with the government manager of relief efforts for the Abacos, as well as the National Emergency Management Agency.

‘The Salvation Army was in the Bahamas before this disaster, during this disaster and will remain here well after this disaster,’ said Salvation Army emergency worker Damaris Frick.

Hurricane Dorian hit the Abacos and Grand Bahama earlier this month.

STRAWBERRY Field – the Salvation Army site immortalised in the Beatles’ song – has opened to the public after being redeveloped to include a visitor exhibition.

Fans are now able to enter the grounds and gardens that inspired the band’s 1967 hit ‘Strawberry Fields Forever’, which was written by John Lennon.

There is also a new interactive visitor attraction (pictured) created by the church and charity, which explores the songwriter’s personal link to Strawberry Field, as well as a space for spiritual reflection.

Growing up, John Lennon played in the gardens of Strawberry Field, which was located near his childhood home. At the time, the site was a Salvation Army children’s home.

All funds raised will go towards Steps to Work, a Salvation Army project to help young people who face barriers to employment.

‘DIY SOS’ helps convert church rooms for teenagers VOLUNTEERS from BBC renovation programme DIY SOS have transformed rooms at a Lancashire church into supportive accommodation for 16 to 18-year-olds.

Led by presenter Nick Knowles, dozens of tradespeople and community volunteers worked for two weeks on site at St Silas Church in Blackburn to complete the conversion.

The renovation came about after the church contacted Nightsafe, a homelessness charity for young people, offering the site’s spare rooms.

Nightsafe was then approached about potential projects for DIY SOS: The Big Build.

The programme is scheduled to be aired on the BBC during the Children In Need appeal week in November.

‘DIY SOS’ presenters Nick Knowles and Gabrielle Blackman with church people the Ven Mark Ireland and the Right Rev Philip North

28 September 2019 • WAR cry • TELEVISION 5

To know hymns is to love hymns

HETHER it’s in front of the mirror with hairbrush W in hand, in the shower with soap suds stinging the eyes or in the car while stuck in a jam, experts agree

Ken Burton leads the singing for the ‘Songs of Praise’ episode of favourite hymns

Songs of Praise to reveal favourite sacred song, reports Andrew Stone

that singing is good for you. It is a good form of exercise, lowers blood pressure, strengthens immune systems and reduces stress levels.

Somebody who advocates the benefits of singing is Ken Burton, who worked as choirmaster on the soundtrack to last year’s Hollywood blockbuster Black Panther.

‘My mood can be instantly lifted by a powerful song,’ he says. ‘I personally zone in on the words, and if the melody helps give those words life, that’s a musical win-win.’

Ken finds many of those win-wins in Christian hymns.

‘Congregational church music is often the soundtrack of life,’ he explains. ‘Over the years, sacred music has covered themes spanning the whole spectrum of human life, and singing them as a congregation evokes a range of emotions.’

And those emotions can be experienced whether or not someone

has a faith. A hymn may stay with us because it was sung at a wedding or a funeral or because it brings back memories of school assemblies.

BBC One’s Songs of Praise gave viewers the opportunity to vote for their favourite hymn in an online ballot, and in the programme tomorrow (Sunday 29 September) the songs will be announced.

Music has the winning Ken conducted the congregational power to stir singing on the show. For him, it was a labour of love because of the value he the soul recognises in those songs.

‘Church music has the power to move and stir the soul, regardless of a person’s level of faith,’ he says.

‘Powerful lyrics and melodies linked to real-life experiences and emotions that are inspired by and presented to something – or, more accurately, someone – higher are what make the church song such an enduring medium.

‘The Christian faith has a rich history and tapestry of songs – ranging from chants through to contemporary songs. The great thing about this body of music is that there is so much variety that can accommodate the changing seasons of life.’

s of Praise pres SongRhodes – ‘Brother, Siste enters p r, Let ick Pam Me – ‘ H y e e l r t e t o i s S B L t o e ve’ • erv Ka t JB G e Y hei J e e n k n i i ns – ‘De r fa il l – ou Kather a r Lo ’• ‘ Th r vou d A e e t l c F h e n r a a led – ‘O, to Se nd He rite Se e Fa Jo art the t he ne hymn o s Da fW r’ – ‘H wn • or ow ’

Pam Rhodes

Aled Jones

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Kate Bottley

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JB Gill

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Katherine Jenkins

Sean Fletcher

6 INTERVIEW • WAR CRY • 28 September 2019

A word to the whys Ahead of National Poetry Day, young people’s laureate for London THERESA LOLA tells Philip Halcrow how she writes poetry to reflect on questions

L

ONELY as a cloud or not, anyone wandering o’er vales and hills or through towns and cities may come across a host of people celebrating poetry. To mark National Poetry Day (Thursday 3 October), arts venues, bookshops and libraries are inviting people to enjoy the form of writing that poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge described as ‘the best words in the best order’.

Some places are holding open mike made me feel visible. Growing up, I sessions. In Northampton, people will wasn’t very talkative. I was shy and gather round the town’s statue of John reserved. So I began writing as a way Clare and read his work. Meanwhile, in to make my voice feel present in some the capital, poet Theresa Lola is due to premiere a specially commissioned work way. I was also observant, so I would look at what was going on in and around on BBC Radio London before leading a workshop to help young people develop me, and I would write it down.’

Theresa talks about how her mother their skills in writing and reading poetry. loves literature and always encouraged Poetry workshops are a recurring her to read. ‘I was in awe of the way theme in the life of Theresa, who earlier writers could articulate the things that this year was appointed young people’s we go through in this world, and I laureate for London. wanted to do the same.’

‘Before I took on the role,’ she says, Her family have had a major influence ‘I was already running workshops for on her writing. a range of age groups, from primary ‘I come from a close family,’ she says, school children up to university students. ‘and that finds its way into my poetry. I’m But, as young people’s laureate, it has become my focus to go into schools and work with young people in communities. At some point we ‘The workshops are usually built have to consider our round a specific theme. For instance, a school may want the students to talk significance about identity. So I go in, we read some poems and use them as a springboard for discussion. Then I get the students to also intrigued by the things that I’ve write poems about the issue. The poems questioned all my life. Poetry has always are a way for them to articulate their own been a way for me not necessarily to answer questions but to reflect on them. opinions and express themselves.

‘My role is to promote poetry to young So the first collection of my poetry was about exploring the way death shakes people, but also to use it to amplify the and shapes our family relationships and voices of young people.’ our faith.’

Theresa muses that when she was In Search of Equilibrium begins with a younger, poetry helped her to value her poem titled ‘The Unedited Version of the own voice.

Lord’s Prayer’, in which Theresa yearns ‘Words became important to me for normal days with her grandfather, because they became the vehicle that

Theresa’s first poetry collection, exploring grief, family and faith

laments his failing health and articulates her sense of there being obstructions between her and God. The book ends with ‘Psalm 151’, a modern follow-on from the Bible’s 150 outpourings of sorrow, joy, remorse, anger and doubt.

‘Writing the collection, I was able to reflect on the questions I had after my grandfather passed away,’ she says.

‘The poetry is a conversation between me and the audience. I’m aware that the audience, whether they believe in God or not, will have had these questions – at some point we have to consider our significance or insignificance. But the poetry is also a conversation between God and me. My psalm is a prayer, as is my treatment of the Lord’s Prayer.’

Theresa says she could not help but use the language of faith when writing the poems. ‘Growing up in church and reading the Bible is how I shaped my

Faith is all I know, is the cloth I shield my grief

28 September 2019 • WAR CRY • INTERVIEW 7

HAYLEY MADDEN/Spread the Word

There are a thousand poems about love. But they never get boring

view on death, eternal life and so many other things. The conversation I’m having with faith continues in my poetry.

‘The Bible is also poetic, and it has inspired me in the way I use words.

From the Bible, we can see that no word is wasted. So when I’m writing and editing, I’m aware that words are heavy.

I need to be concise and to work out what each word conveys.’

Theresa stresses that In Search of

Equilibrium is ‘not just a collation of different poems’ but ‘a collection that takes the reader on a journey through different stages of grief and doubt’.

She loves the way words – whether published in books or put together at one of her workshops – can ‘create worlds’ and help the reader ‘gain insight into other people’s thoughts about the world’.

She says: ‘Poetry is a tool we

G

can use to express ourselves. There are a thousand poems about love and a thousand poems about faith.

But they never get boring, because they’re all unique. We all have our own perspectives on these things.’

l In Search of Equilibrium is published by Nine Arches Press

in, even when I fear od might be a thin shadow.

8 FEATURE • WAR cry • 28 September 2019 The remains of a Salvation Army school

‘Our house was destroyed.

We needed any income for rebuilding, rather than to buy medicine’ Last September, an earthquake and tsunami brought destruction to the Indonesian island of Sulawesi. Philip Halcrow hears how The Salvation Army has been helping people in the year since

T

a A doctor assesses the needs of ge villa ote rem a patient in

HE only hospital still functioning in the city of Palu had moved out of its building and was continuing its work on the street. ‘The nurses from our academy came in and were supporting the staff running the hospital under tarpaulin,’ says Kevin Sandford. Kevin, a UK Salvationist working in Indonesia, is describing events that took place a year ago when a 7.5 magnitude earthquake and subsequent tsunami struck the island of Sulawesi. ‘Our Salvation Army hospital was being run on the street for the first three days, if not longer,’ he says. would be national news if it happened in As well as caring for people in the city, The Salvation Army was sending the UK – people here hardly blink. We don’t think about it, although we are also aware teams out into a landscape where houses had ‘simply disappeared into that life is fragile.

‘It is thought that more than 4,000 people the ground’.

In the months since the earthquake died in the disaster last year, although the number is still not clear. Even now bodies and tsunami, Kevin, as director are being found as buildings are cleared or of Salvation Army projects in the reconstruction starts.’ country, has been witnessing the The UN has estimated that 1.5 million lasting effects of that day and has people in Sulawesi were affected. been playing a part in helping ‘Palu is at the mouth of an estuary, and survivors to rebuild their lives. the tsunami that followed the earthquake ‘Indonesia is in the Ring of Fire,’ came well in land,’ says Kevin. ‘The he says. ‘Earthquakes are a daily prominent yellow Ponulele Bridge – which occurrence here. I have an app that linked the city to the region of Donggala – tells me there were more than ten earthquakes in Indonesia yesterday. lay broken in the water. It was an emotive sight.

Most of the time if there’s a 3.5 ‘But out of the city, in Donggala and magnitude earthquake – which

28 September 2019 • WAR cry • FEATURE 9

A Salvationist who lost family members in the disaster looks out over the remains of the Ponulele Bridge; (left) Lieut-Colonel Yusak Tampai speaks with a patient at the Woodward Hospital

the area of Kulawi, there are loads of remote villages, where many people were affected.’

Kevin had left Indonesia for a few days’ holiday on the morning of Friday 28 September 2018. The earthquake struck later that day. But he stayed in contact with colleagues in the country, where Salvation Army personnel were already working to help people.

Within 24 hours, one Salvation Army leader, Lieut-Colonel Yusak Tampai, was able to get on a military plane into Palu

airport, where all commercial flights had been suspended.

He began to co-ordinate the disaster response.

Within a few days an international Salvation Army team had also arrived to give technical support.

The church and charity was well positioned to help because it was already at work in the country.

‘In Sulawesi alone we have a general hospital, clinics, a nursing academy that trains 100 nurses every year, and 60 schools,’ says Kevin.

‘In fact, central Sulawesi is a hub of Salvation Army activity in Indonesia. Some of the villages are almost totally populated

by Salvationists.

‘They went through the same terrible

experiences as everyone else did. Some lost their lives, others lost their homes.

Some 90 Salvation Army buildings were destroyed and others badly damaged.

‘But very quickly – particularly from our Palu 1 church – our social action teams were able to set up five kitchens, which provided food to people in need.’

The authorities organised meetings where NGOs discussed needs and what they could offer.

‘We were a small cog in the wheel, but because we had so many people on the ground, we were able to contribute to relief efforts. We had the Woodward Hospital, and so anyone who had an immediate need for medical treatment could be sent there.’

But everyone knew that the relief work had to go beyond the city, although it was difficult to get out of Palu or even to know what was going on.

‘Communication was a problem,’ says Kevin. ‘All the cellular activity was down, the electricity was down. The

Turn to page 10

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10 FEATURE • WAR cry • 28 September 2019

From page 9 infrastructure was severely damaged.

‘Through liquefaction – when mud turns into liquid – roads had just disappeared and houses were suddenly no longer there. There had been landslides, and the roads out of Palu were blocked. No one could get from Palu to Kulawi for a week. The military came in and built a temporary road, but further landslides swallowed that.’

The Salvation Army was determined to take help into more remote areas. ‘One immediate need was for food, and we began to move it out as best we could. At

We had the potential to take mobile clinics to remote villages our area headquarters, a lorry would be piled up with rice and other staples and would go off to deliver it. It would often be shared through a village chief, who would ensure that the people with the greatest needs – elderly people or families with young children – would get it first.

‘We also realised that from our hospital we had the potential to take mobile clinics to remote villages.’

Aided by the donation of an ambulance, The Salvation Army held mobile clinics for months after the disaster.

Kevin explains: ‘People in the remote areas would normally have travelled to Palu for medical support, but because their livelihoods had been destroyed and the infrastructure badly impacted, we took a medical team out to them. The doctors and nurses were able to make assessments and, if someone had complications and needed to be seen for specialist treatment as an inpatient, the team would refer them to the hospital and would ensure they got into Palu.

‘In the seven or eight months after the disaster, the mobile clinics visited 93 remote villages and saw 10,109 patients.’

One of the people who was glad to have had access to a mobile clinic was Augustina, whose

everyday life was turned upside down by the disaster.

‘We own a farm and the whole family help to maintain it,’ she says. ‘I have health problems with my liver, so I would go to Palu to get medicine. It was a long journey, but we had money from the farm, so I

A Salvation Army volunteer delivers supplies to a village

Roads had just disappeared and houses were suddenly no longer there

28 September 2019 • WAR cry • FEATURE 11 Kevin Sandford (back row right) with children and staff at a mobile clinic session

could take a car.

‘After the earthquake, the farm was mostly OK, but our house was destroyed.

There was no longer a car to get to Palu. I felt I needed to stay at the house to rebuild it and take care of the family. Any income from farming was now needed to rebuild, rather than to buy medicine.’

The mobile clinic provided a lifeline.

‘They had the medicine I needed,’ she says. ‘Even though I could not go to the hospital in Palu, the hospital came to me.’

he Salvation Army has also helped T people who were moved into camps ‘because their villages had been totally

destroyed’, says Kevin.

‘One of our early projects was with people who needed to be housed.

Internally displaced persons camps had been set up with tarpaulin and canvas, but the people still needed some of the basics. So we put a project together to provide mosquito nets, jerrycans, water purification tablets, buckets and even safe water education, because we didn’t

want disease to spread.’

Looking to the future, The Salvation Army is considering how it can help those who Schoolchildren show off their new have lost their backpacks livelihood.

‘We’re Army personnel have been trying to help exploring how we can give them the them deal with the trauma of what they education, the training and the tools so experienced. Kevin describes the trauma that they can develop new businesses, support sessions as being ‘fun times whether they are in coffee or some other where the children could get some level of type of agriculture. normality’ with the help of ‘games, songs ‘But that’s not an overnight solution.’ and puppets’. Some 4,500 children have In the meantime, Kevin says, projects benefited. have already been assisting the children A year after the earthquake, Kevin in villages where parents’ livelihoods have reports that some elements of ordinary been lost. life are returning to Palu. ‘But when you ‘We had a project to replace children’s start pushing out from the city, you still see school uniforms, shoes, backpacks and major damage and destruction. books. We have also been helping to ‘We’re still living with the effects of the rebuild our schools. We don’t discriminate disaster every day,’ he says. ‘But we’re – we run projects according to needs.’ supporting communities so that they can As well as addressing concrete become resilient and self-reliant.’ problems confronting children, Salvation

12 INNER LIFE • War Cry • 28 September 2019

Prayerlink YOUR prayers are requested for Megan, who has a kidney infection; and for Gemma, that she will find happiness and hope.

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

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 Extract from Why Jesus? by Nicky Gumbel published by Alpha International, 2011. Used by kind permission of Alpha International

Haggai

Nigel Bovey gives chapter and verse on each book in the Scriptures

HE story of Haggai gives insightful T background to the resettlement and rebuilding of Jerusalem towards the end of

Judah’s exile in Babylon.

In 539BC, the Babylonian Empire fell to Persia. Shortly afterwards, Persia’s King Cyrus released 50,000 Jews, under the leadership of Zerubbabel, to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple previously destroyed by the Babylonians (see Ezra 1 and 2).

In 524BC, during the second year of the reign of Persia’s King Darius, God calls Haggai to speak to Zerubbabel, because he has four messages to convey.

The first is simple and practical. Cyrus’s desire to see the Temple rebuilt has been

It is easier for people to be unholy than righteous

Haggai’s second message is that the Temple must be built carefully (2:15). In return, God will ‘fill this house with glory … The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house’ (2:7 and 9). In this new house, God promises he will ‘grant peace’ (2:9).

The third message is that there is a connection between obedience and blessing.

God recognises that it is easier for people to be unholy than righteous (2:10–13). Now that they set their priorities right by rebuilding the Temple, God promises to bless them (2:15–19).

Haggai’s final message is to Zerubbabel personally. God says he will ‘shatter the power of the foreign kingdoms’ (2:22).

When that happens, he says, he will make Zerubbabel ‘like my signet ring, for I have chosen you’ (2:23). In other words, not only has Zerubbabel overseen a new start for the nation, but God will also do a new work through him and his descendants.

frustrated by opposition from Jerusalem’s Samaritan population (Ezra 4). Now, says God, it is time for work to recommence.

God’s argument is pointed: How fair is it that you are living in panelled houses, yet my house is in ruins? (Haggai 1:4).

God also points out that the hardships the returnees are suffering are down to their inactivity on the Temple restoration (1:5–11). ‘“I am with you,” declares the Lord’ sion) The leaders and the returnees (Haggai 1:13 New International Ver recommence work (1:12–15).

Key verse

"

Looking for help?

Just complete this coupon and send it to War Cry 101 Newington Causeway London SE1 6BN Basic reading about Christianity Information about The Salvation Army Contact details of a Salvation Army minister

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28 September 2019 • WAR cry • EXPRESSIONS 13

Now, there’s a thought!

by Christine Barrett

Quick quiz 1. Who had a No 1 hit in 1999 with the song ‘When You Say Nothing At All’?

2. Who wrote the memoir Angela’s Ashes?

3. How many colours are in a rainbow?

4. Who played manager David Brent in the sitcom The Office?

5. What is the name of the yellow resin used to treat the bows of stringed instruments?

6. Who was the 2018 Formula One world champion?

ANSWERS 1. Ronan Keating. 2. Frank McCourt. 3. Seven.

4. Ricky Gervais. 5. Rosin. 6. Lewis Hamilton.

CBAD a warcry@salvationarmy.org.uk Twitter: @TheWarCryUK Facebook.com/TheWarCryUK

B www.salvationarmy.org.uk/warcry

Things are looking up for hidden talents I

WONDER how many times I have been on a familiar street and yet not noticed something because it’s above my head.

A while ago I was walking along a road I knew very well, and for some reason I looked up. I saw that one roof had an ornate carving on it.

As I happened to have a camera with me, I took a photo so that I could have a closer look later. After studying the picture, I decided that the carving looked like a little dragon. How it ended up there I have no idea. I wondered why anyone would want to create something so detailed at a height where few people would see it.

That rooftop carving suggests that, while it is good to share our talents and then to have them acknowledged, it is not necessary for what we do to be seen and praised.

If it is good, it is good, no matter how We want our many or how few people say so.

What applies to talents also applies hard work to to good deeds. I have sometimes be recognised heard people say that they prefer to work ‘behind the scenes’, but they can still be upset if their work isn’t acknowledged.

I suppose there is something in all of us that wants our hard work and our generosity to be recognised. It was the same in Jesus’ day. Certain religious people liked to announce with a fanfare of trumpets that they were giving to the poor. Jesus was not impressed.

He said: ‘When you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you’ (Matthew 6:3 and 4 New International Version).

So whether it is a beautifully carved dragon high on the roof or a homemade pie taken to an elderly neighbour, we can know that even if nobody notices, God does – and is pleased when we use our gifts well.

14 PUZZLES • War Cry • 28 September 2019

QUICK CROSSWORD ACROSS 1. Style (7) 5. Prank (5) 7. Handcuff (7) 8. Stiff (5) 10. Religious observance (4) 11. Private (8) 13. Prisoner (6) 14. Observing (6) 17. Expressly stated (8)

19. Present (4) 21. Pathway (5) 22. Expected (7) 23. Teach (5) 24. Lured (7)

6. Gothic revival architect (5) 7. Hilarity (9) 9. Overjoyed (9) 12. Afflicted (8) 15. Stupid (7) 16. Conclusion (6) 18. Marketplace (5) 20. Puff (4)

DOWN 2. Sacred place (7) 3. Creep (4) 4. Required (6) 5. Baptise (8)

SUDOKU

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

HONEYCOMB

5

4

9

2

8

6

1

3

7

1

7

8

3

5

4

6

2

9

2

6

3

1

9

7

5

4

8

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

8

9

7

5

4

1

3

6

2

4

3

2

6

7

8

9

1

5

1. Violin 2. Diagonally moving chess piece 3. Make available to someone 4. Tree seed used as a spice 5. Measurement from base to top 6. Used to steer a boat

6

1

5

9

2

3

8

7

4

9

2

1

4

6

5

7

8

3

7

5

6

8

3

2

4

9

1

3

8

4

7

1

9

2

5

6

Wordsearch

Answers

AMITY CALMNESS CONCORD CONTENTMENT EASE FRIENDSHIP HARMONY LOVE PACIFICATION QUIET RECONCILIATION RELIEF RESPITE SERENITY SOLACE TRANQUILLITY TRUCE UNITY

Look up, down, forwards, backwards and diagonally on 5 4words 9 associated 2 8 6 with 1 peace 3 7 the grid to find these

1 7 8 3 5 4 6 2 9 T W R G J T S I J H I J S P L B Z U 2 6 3 1 9 7 5 4 8 S Z B Q U W N E A S E A N O L M L C G K W O T P G D E C Y O N N J 8 9 7 5 4 1 3 6I C X 2 Y E Z E U T T U U C I H W O Q K Q H 4 3 2 6 7 8 9 1 5 T D S Z J E N R X T A Z A N F D N T I X Z X Z W T E A R M L D P S X K P 6 1 5 9 2 3 8 7 4 N C A M I T Y C M N B E O L Y J G Z 1 4 6 5 7 8 3 E K Y X T K 9 I 2 O M T Q Z Q S Z U L Y R I U T J F N N Z T N U S K E N W T 7 5 6 8 3 2 4 9 1 E A U I I Y R C E M F E I L E R Z T 3 8 4 7 1 9 2 5 6 S V O C C N O I U R N H T L O V E P G I A F Z N U L E M E C S N L G Z C B P L Q C Q N I L N P S E L O I I H L E P O X Y L A P V D Z P U Q C T I J Y R R Q I C T V I P S V I K S G Y H D V H S F O I D J G B H J T R Z E Q M W Z X X R O N F P X W I K E K Q S N X P U R Z N I V F O Y O P F Q U

HONEYCOMB 1 Fiddle. 2 Bishop. 3 Supply.

4 Nutmeg. 5 Height. 6 Rudder.

QUICK CROSSWORD ACROSS: 1 Fashion. 5 Caper.

7 Manacle. 8 Rigid. 10 Rite. 11 Personal.

13 Inmate. 14 Seeing. 17 Explicit. 19 Gift.

21 Track. 22 Awaited. 23 Train. 24 Enticed.

DOWN: 2 Sanctum. 3 Inch. 4 Needed.

5 Christen. 6 Pugin. 7 Merriment.

9 Delighted. 12 Stricken. 15 Idiotic.

16 Finale. 18 Plaza. 20 Pant.

8

3

5

7

2

9

1

6

3

4

9

8

6

2

7

1

4

5

8

3

5

7

4 6 1 5 2 7 3 8 9

7 8 4 9 6 5 1 3 2

1 3 6 2 7 4 9 5 8

9 2 5 3 8 1 7 4 6

2 4 7 8 9 3 5 6 1

5 9 8 7 1 6 4 2 3

6 1 3 4 5 2 8 9 7

SUDOKU SOLUTION

4 6

7 8

1 3

9 2

2 4

5 9

6 1

Corrections needed by…

28 September 2019 • WAR cry • WHAT’S COOKING? 15

MONEY-WISE MEAL "

Beef and veg casserole

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3tbsp rapeseed oil 1 large onion, chopped 100g celery, chopped

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1tsp thyme leaves 600g baby potatoes, rinsed and roughly chopped

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700ml beef stock 400g can beef casserole Salt and pepper Sprig thyme, to garnish

Heat the oil in a deep pan and fry the onion, celery and thyme for 2 minutes. Add all the potatoes and brown for 5 minutes.

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Pour in the stock, cover and leave to simmer for 20 minutes until the potatoes soften. Pour the contents of the casserole can over the potatoes. Season and cover.

Cook for another 15 minutes on high heat, occasionally stirring, until the potatoes start to dissolve.

Garnish with the sprig of thyme and serve hot.

Recipe reprinted, with permission, from Hortense Julienne Nguepnang-Ntepndie’s book of affordable recipes ‘The Bank Cook’.

For more information visit hortensejulienne.com

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