Contact Magazine Spring 2016

Page 1

www.afcu.org.uk

magazine for members of the armed forces

in t he s t e p s o f g i a nt s the chaplaincy legacy of WW1 Chinook pilot

f ly ing int o da nger

Spring

2016

ÂŁ2

You, Lord, keep my lamp burning...

my God turns my darkness into

light Psalm 18: 28

M

ost of us pray at some point in our lives and, even though reports suggest churches are declining in the UK, recent research has found that people still believe in prayer. A study commissioned by the Church of England a couple of years ago found that only one in seven people insist they would “never” resort to prayer in the face of problems in their lives, those of their friends or the wider ^VYSK ;OL ÄUKPUNZ LTLYNLK MYVT H poll of more than 2,000 people in the run-up to Easter 2013. Women were also found to be more likely to believe in prayer than men, with 85 per cent citing something they would pray for.* I’ve been thinking quite a bit about prayer recently and how God might answer our prayers. It can feel like a bit of a one way street, sending lots of requests and then waiting for God to deliver, when in fact he wants it to be a conversation. You’d think it was the easiest thing to pray, just talking to God, but strangely that isn’t always the case. In this issue many of the articles clearly demonstrate how prayer really has worked and how Christians have seen tangible answers to their prayers, from protection from bullets to receiving supplies and food for refugees. It’s easy to squeeze out time for prayer. Katie Kyle writes in her article about the pressures we put ourselves under and how we might make prayer and our spiritual lives just as important as all the jobs we need to achieve. Our two columnists, Steve and Owen, also suggest that prayer is part of the spiritual food we need to keep us going in the right direction. If prayer is really that important, then it’s worth making it a big part of our lives every day and expecting things to happen. *source: Daily Telegraph: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/ news/religion/9953128/Britons-still-believein-prayer-and-young-lead-the-way-pollsuggests.html

contents Flying into danger - former Chinook pilot Richard Anderson YLÅLJ[Z

Moldova’s military Christians supporting refugees

4

First World War chaplaincy - An ex-RAF chaplain looks at the legacy

6

Pilot’s wife, Katie Kyle - how we deal with our home & work pressures

10

8

regulars Owen’s blog Martin’s memo coЄee breaS booS re^iews caption competition

12 13 14 15 15

Now available

Armed Forces Christian Union get.theapp.co/7423

5DFKHO )DUPHU Editor

࠮ If you wish to know more about what it means to be a Christian and/or how [V ILJVTL H *OYPZ[PHU ÄUK HUK HZR `V\Y local chaplain or a Christian you may know or pick up the phone and ask the (-*< VɉJL

Armed Forces’ Christian Union (AFCU), Havelock House, Barrack Road, Aldershot, Hants GU11 3NP Tel 01252 311221 ,THPS! VɉJL'HMJ\ VYN \R ^^^ HMJ\ VYN \R

contact

03

praying:

under Ă…re

+PinooS pilot :icParL )nLerson Pas spent more tPan 1 aears Æaing into Langer bones anL Pe belie^es people praaing protecteL Pim°

‘

There were so many times when we all saw such near misses, I believe it was God’s protection

’

contact

04

I

t was another hot day in Afghanistan on 25th July 2009 when Richard and his [LHT ^LYL Ă…`PUN *OPUVVRZ on operations in Helmand. Richard says: “I remember we had crossed a number of compounds and then we felt a slight jolt through the airframe. No one said HU`[OPUN H[ Ă„YZ[ 0 JOLJRLK [OL LUNPUL temperatures and pressures, but couldn’t Ă„UK HU`[OPUN >L ^LYL JHYY`PUN H [VU under slung load and I thought we’d continue our mission and check for holes when we got on the ground. We dropped the load and carried on to pick \W WLVWSL >OLU ^L Ă„UHSS` NV[ IHJR to Bastion and were refuelling, one of us went to check for holes. He found one, so we shut down and discovered damage from two rounds including one in the engine gear box. The engineer said it should have ripped itself to pieces, but somehow it had kept on working. We’d had a miraculous escape. If we had lost our engine we would have been over Kajaki Lake and it’s likely we would have had to ditch into the water with very little chance of survival – it’s not easy to swim with body armour on.â€? Incidents like this and many more that convinced Richard that it was the prayers of people back home, and his own

prayers, which were protecting him on his numerous missions on various tours in Afghanistan. “Although I saw some Y\IIPZO Z[\Ɉ P[ ^HZ [OPUNZ SPRL [OPZ [OH[ actually increased my faith,â€? he said. Richard was brought up in a Christian MHTPS` HUK KLJPKLK [V [HRL H Ă„YZ[ Z[LW of faith when he was nine. As he grew older he began to have doubts, however the experience of worshipping with so many other Christians of his age at Soul Survivor, when he was 14, cemented his young faith and he became convinced it was true. While studying sport at Southampton University he joined the \UP]LYZP[` HPY ZX\HKYVU HUK OHK OPZ Ă„YZ[ [HZ[L VM Ă…`PUN :VVU OPZ WYVWVZLK JHYLLY in outdoor pursuits was relegated to a IHJR ZLH[ HUK HM[LY Ă„UPZOPUN OPZ KLNYLL OL JVTWSL[LK OPZ VɉJLY [YHPUPUN H[ *YHU^LSS HUK ^HZ ZLSLJ[LK [V Ă…` YV[HY` Âś beginning his training at RAF Shawbury. /L ^HZ Q\Z[ ^OLU OL Z[HY[LK Ă…`PUN Chinooks on operations in Afghanistan ^OLYL OL ^LU[ VU [V JVTWSL[L Ă„]L ,operational tours. Living out his Christian faith in the forces wasn’t always easy, he said, but he felt very supported by the AFCU prayer group back in the UK. “There were so many times when we all saw such near misses, I believe it was God’s protection.

Photo credits: Richard Anderson

ŕ Ž -S[ 3[ 9PJOHYK (UKLYZVU

ŕ Ž -PYPUN MYVT [OL *OPUVVR

ŕ Ž 3HRL Kajaki, Afghanistan

There were colleagues who had bullets going through their sleeves or trouser legs of the backs of their hands and a ML^ TPSSPTL[YLZÂť KPɈLYLUJL P[ JV\SK OH]L SLK [V H [V[HSS` KPɈLYLU[ Z[VY` (UV[OLY time I remember we were shot at two or three times with an RPG which was only a 100 metres away and amazingly they missed us.â€?

wrote, ‘Rob did a crazy jink in order [V SHUK 3HUKLK PU H Ă„LSK VUS` ZH^ people surrounding it when we were ]LY` SH[L Ă„UHSZ [OL` ^LYL ^LSS OPKKLU -PYZ[ JHZ\HS[` ^HZ Z\ɈLYPUN MYVT ZOVJR He was broken, came on crying and shaking uncontrollably. Our QRF (Quick Reaction Force) were the SAS blokes, ZV VUL VM [OL IPN N\`Z Q\Z[ NH]L OPT H big bear hug all the way back to Bastion. Second casualty had been shot between the eyes, must have been a sniper‌ medics have just told us he subsequently died. That’s the second Brit death we’ve picked up today, third KIA (killed in action) today in total. Rubbish.’

HIV\[ [V [HRL \W H UL^ QVI Ă…`PUN [OL HPY ambulance in Norwich.

Richard’s protection theory was something his colleagues knew about. After a very close shave, when the OLSPJVW[LY ^HZ WLWWLYLK ^P[O Ă„YL MYVT Ă„YPUN WVPU[Z VUS` TL[YLZ H^H` they arrived back safely and found two bullets had actually hit the aircraft. They later discovered one round had gone through the engine which had to be replaced. One of the crew asked Richard PM OPZ ÂşTH[LÂť .VK OHK [HRLU [OL KH` VɈ as they had actually been hit! But he still maintains there were angels around the aircraft.

Despite the terrible losses and injuries he saw, Richard knew the pilots and aircrew were all doing a vital job in rescuing people. He said, “At least when we were

Despite the shocking things he’s ZLLU 9PJOHYK ZHPK OL ^V\SK KLĂ„UP[LS` encourage anyone thinking of joining the forces. “I think there is such a great opportunity for exploring the world and adventure but, more than that, if you’re a Christian it’s an opportunity to share your life with other people in a way that you wouldn’t necessarily do with colleagues in an ordinary job. When you’re living and working with them, sharing a bunk bed, they see you when you’re hungry and tired and when you lose your temper. You share with them what being a Christian is - how it is lived out. There might be a few conversations, however more importantly, people see your life and that speaks volumes more than

Five years ago Richard was shot through [OL MVV[ I\[ PUP[PHSS` YLJV]LYLK Z\ɉJPLU[S` to complete another tour. He explained, ¸>L OHK KYVWWLK VɈ [YVVWZ ^OV [OLU managed to destroy 4.5 tons of opium from a narcotics ring and basically we stirred up a hornet’s nest.â€? He said that there were men hiding in the trees at the extraction point and one of them THUHNLK [V Ă„YL PU[V [OL JVJRWP[ ;OL shot stuck in his foot. After numerous operations to put it right, Richard still can’t run properly without pain and sadly had to leave the RAF last year. “I suppose the fact that I did get shot shows I didn’t have any special protection because I was a Christian. Out of the whole Chinook force, over the 13 years in Afghanistan, I was the only one who got shot.â€? Talking about the horrendous injuries and deaths among soldiers and Afghan civilians he said, “I don’t have the vocabulary to put into words what I saw. ‘Rubbish’ is the only way to describe it. It was horrendous and people are never going to be the same.â€? Recording one harrowing day in his journal he

doing casualty evacuation we were helping to save lives with the medical team operating in the back of the aircraft on the way to the hospital.â€? Throughout his tours both before and after being injured himself he said prayer was so important to him and, rather than making him doubt, the answers to prayer he saw actually strengthened his faith. “I really felt I had a responsibility to pray for protection for myself and for other people.â€? Richard hasn’t given \W Ă…`PUN ZPUJL SLH]PUN [OL 9(- HUK PZ

anything you ever say.â€? When he was serving at his last RAF station he only knew a few Christians. “A handful out of 2,000 people who are also praying with you isn’t easy, but where is it easy to be a Christian? Any workplace is hard to be a Christian if you stand up for your faith.â€? -VY TVYL YLĂ…LJ[PVUZ MYVT 9PJOHYK HUK V[OLY (-*< members see: Faith on the Frontline by Liesel Parksinson

contact

05

faith in action

‘

We try to do what we can, we pray, we try to give relief... Every person is unique and has a unique sad story

contact

06

’

W

hile the refugee crisis has left European governments reeling, a group of military Christians in Moldova have been putting faith into action to care for some of the thousands VM KPZWSHJLK WLVWSL ÅVVKPUN PU[V [OLPY country. Moldova is the poorest country in Europe and since the breakup of the Soviet Union the Moldovan military has been J\[ ZPNUPÄJHU[S` 0[ UV^ U\TILYZ HIV\[ 5,000 - a reduction of nearly 50 per cent. The president of the country’s Military Christian Fellowship (MCF), Eduard Rosca, says that during this time God has been at work and their membership has grown, even though many have lost their salaries.

young children, so Moldovan families have generously made space and given up a room in their apartments.” He said he and his colleagues were deeply saddened to see that people KPK UV[ OH]L ^VYR VY PM [OL` KPK ÄUK work it was very little and low paid. He explained, “When this happens they get into deep depression, they start drinking, there is abuse and sometimes suicide. It is hard to express with words what is in our hearts. We try to do what we can, we pray, we try to give relief.”

He said, “Our faith has been put to the test in the past year as thousands of refugees from eastern Ukraine have sought refuge in the country because no visa is required for Ukrainian nationals.” -VSSV^PUN [OL TPSP[HY` JVUÅPJ[ PU LHZ[LYU Ukraine military and civilian families ^LYL MVYJLK [V ÅLL [OL HYLH HM[LY [OLPY OVTLZ ^LYL KLZ[YV`LK PU [OL ÄNO[PUN Taking only their documents and a few possessions with them, more than 1.5 million people left their homes, with about 800,000 being displaced within Ukraine and the rest scattering to neighboring countries. Eduard explained, “To date, Moldovan Migration Department churches estimate that some 60,000 refugees are living in Moldova. Many of these refugees are families with

He said there were so many tragic stories from individuals and families he OHK TL[ [LSSPUN VM [OL KPɈLYLU[ WSHJLZ they had come from and experiences [OL` OHK ÅLK /L ZHPK ¸,]LY` WLYZVU PZ unique and has a unique sad story. If I compare refugees from Syria and other countries in Asia with refugees from <RYHPUL [OLU 0 JHU ZLL H IPN KPɈLYLUJL Firstly nearly all Ukrainian refugees are Christians. Secondly they dream and they can hardly wait to go back home and thirdly many of them recognise that they are partly responsible because they have neglected God. They did not

࠮ mealtime for the refugees

appreciate peace and friendship among KPɈLYLU[ WLVWSL ¹ In November 2014, Eduard, together with a local pastor, Ivan Ivanovich, developed a plan to assist Christian <RYHPUPHU YLM\NLLZ 7YH`PUN MVY ÄUHUJPHS and material support, they contacted local churches, hospitals and friends for donations. Pastor Ivanovich located two large storage buildings in a guarded compound and members of his church agreed to pay the rent. Moldova MCF has now set-up a Ukrainian Refugee Initiative to support the project. They have established storage facilities for non-perishable food, clothing, medical supplies, and building materials. Another Christian let the MCF use an old Soviet era summer camp at no cost for Ä]L `LHYZ HUK [OL 4*- PZ THRPUN [OL cabins into living quarters for refugees. Other volunteers are sorting through the boxes of donations and distributing them to refugee families. Military Ministries International (a UK Christian military

Is there more to life than this Pub again

charity) and its sister organization ACCTS in the USA have been helping the MCF develop a business plan to publicise the initiative and draw in support from the world-wide Association of Military Christian Fellowships to mobilise other MCFs and churches to help. MMI Chief executive, Col (Ret’d) Jos McCabe said, “Since Moldova is landlocked, the logistical challenges are great, with most materials coming through Romania. Military Christian Fellowships and churches across Europe are gathering used clothing, furniture and non-perishable food to be trucked to Moldova to support this initiative. Use of the trucks has been donated; but the owners need funding for the fuel to make these trips. A 2,000-mile round trip costs about €500.” Donations may be sent to MMI at Havelock House, Barrack Road, Aldershot, Hants GU11 3NP marked for ‘Moldova disaster relief’.

࠮ supplies and food arrive

࠮ Eduard Rosca hands out Christmas parcels alpha.org

How about a night in

Will my mates be there

Got questions about life #TryAlpha

contact

07

in the step )s tPe countra marSs 1 aears since tPe *attle oN tPe ;omme Normer :). cPaplain Melanie :eeL reÆects on being a Nemale cPaplain in tPe ligPt oN tPe cPaplainca legaca oN tPe .irst WorlL War .

‘

how would I have coped on the battleÅelds of WW1: could I have been a female version of Woodbine Willie?

’

contact

08

H

er pain was tangible; it swept over her like waves on the shore. I held her as the tears of despair and anguish soaked into the fabric of my jacket. We had not met before this day and yet there was an instant connection. Yes, we were about the same age and yes we were both female, but it was more than that; we were both mothers, our children roughly the same age. Our youngest were both boys, a couple of years apart, and as we looked into each other’s eyes we didn’t need words to describe that unique and beautiful bond that is often present between mothers and their sons. ;OL KPɈLYLUJL& 4` ZVU ^HZ ZHML H[ school studying for his A-levels and her precious boy was returning from Afghanistan in a wooden box. There are no words for such a moment, so I held her in my arms until the waves of sadness subsided a little and she could once more raise her head and look out of the window. We stood side by side, looking and waiting, my hand gently resting on her shoulder, just so she knew I was still there, a message that I would be strong for her, that I would walk with her in order to get her through the day, possibly the worst day of her life. I am a Royal Air Force Chaplain and walking alongside the family members and friends of those who are being repatriated having died whilst serving their country in Afghanistan is one of my

duties. A duty, yes, but for me it is a lifechanging honour. Sadly, there is nothing new about young men and women giving their lives in the service of their country. Chaplains, or º7HKYLZ» HZ ^L HYL HɈLJ[PVUH[LS` RUV^U came into their own during the First World War (WW1) but female chaplains are still relatively new. The word chaplain comes from the Latin word for a cloak and the word grew out of the story of St Martin meeting a man begging in the rain with no cloak If St Martin had met the man’s need by giving him his own cloak he would have shifted the problem to himself, so instead, he tore his own cloak in two and shared it, half for the beggar and half for himself. From this story the understanding of a chaplain has developed as someone who shares support with those in the storms of life HUK VɈLYZ ZWPYP[\HS OLSW HUK KPYLJ[PVU PU [OVZL KPɉJ\S[ [PTLZ For me sharing the burden, in the presence and strength of God, is a perfect way of explaining my role. If I saw someone struggling up the railway steps with a large heavy suitcase I am more than likely to rush to help them carry it. Pastorally and spiritually I often help people to carry their bags. Although originally almost always Anglican and most certainly male, there is no doubt that the legacy of the WW1 chaplains, and the impact that they had on the serving soldiers

ps of giants has paved the way for the diverse, multidenominational and multi-faith chaplaincy that is now available to our serving men and women in the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force. Serving females are still very much in the minority, with currently 14% in the RAF, 9% in the Navy and 8% in the Army. However, this in no way undermines the uniqueness of their contribution and the richness that their presence brings to chaplaincy provision. In my experience the military can be, and often is, a very macho environment that brings out the alpha male competitive streak, where any sign, or perceived sign of weakness would be considered a failing. Talking about feelings, shedding tears, or admitting that life is anything I\[ WLYMLJ[ JHU VM[LU IL X\P[L KPɉJ\S[ for service personnel. The chaplain is often key here, having the time to listen without judging and then acting as a pivotal signposter to those better placed to help the individual or family, as well as frequently partnering in the overall care. Being there when someone feels as if they have fallen into a deep, dark, pit without any sign of a ladder, and sharing that experience is nothing new in military chaplaincy; it has been the premise VU ^OPJO P[ ^HZ ÄYZ[ I\PS[ -HTV\Z characters such as ‘Woodbine Willie’ shared in the horrors of WW1 alongside the men and reminded them that they were loved and cared about. When it feels as though the odds are Z[HJRLK HNHPUZ[ \Z [OL ÄYZ[ [OPUN [OH[ we lose is often our sense of what it TLHUZ [V IL O\THU >HY HUK JVUÅPJ[ can dehumanise and the rigours of serving in today’s military can often do exactly the same. Chaplains are a

tangible reminder that human love can reach out beyond the direst of situations and enable us to feel valued and unique. The average serving person does not profess a Christian faith or attend church on a regular basis, with the exception of parade services, but they do want a chaplain with them wherever they are and alongside them no matter what they are doing. Why? How do we begin to KLÄUL ^OH[ H JOHWSHPU PZ HUK X\HU[PM` what it is that they do? And, if chaplains OHKU»[ ILLU ZV WYVSPÄJ PU >> ^V\SK [OL` UV^ OH]L Z\JO H OPNO WYVÄSL HUK unquestioned value amongst so many WLYZVUULS& ;OLZL HYL KPɉJ\S[ X\LZ[PVUZ to answer, but as a female chaplain who is without doubt in the minority, I have no hesitation in asserting that, without the legacy of the WW1 chaplains, I would not have had the opportunity of serving as a military chaplain today. Our role is more about presence than ‘doing’. In a world of deadlines and excessive pressure, a chaplain is the one person, or should be the one person, who has the time to stop and talk, the time to share a ‘brew’, the time to listen to problems, no matter how many there are, or how long it may take. We are the ones who say ‘yes’ to the question “Padre, have you got a minute?” We are the ones who have the maturity, life experience and active listening skills to enable us to draw out the facts. However, if we are valued for our ‘being’ and not for our ‘doing’, justifying our presence within the military often brings its challenges, particularly in the current economic climate and the ever increasing pressures on resources. This is a battle that has been fought and so far won on many occasions, but the stark truth is that it is the serving personnel

themselves who ascribe value to the chaplain. We have a special relationship with servicemen and women, and are involved with them from the moment they enter initial training and remain a part of their lives until the day that they leave. Everyone knows the padre is a fact of military life. We are the one constant in an ever changing world, even PM H MLTHSL ]LYZPVU Z[PSS OHZ [OL LɈLJ[ of raising a few eyebrows on the odd VJJHZPVU +\YPUN T` ÄYZ[ ^LLR H[ RAF Honington I was approached with the words “Excuse me, but what are you?” When I explained that I was a padre, the response was very revealing, “But you can’t be a padre, you are a woman!” Being a military chaplain isn’t necessarily LHZ`" P[ PZ I` P[Z ]LY` KLÄUP[PVU H vocation. My own calling from God was a shock and one that I did initially try to resist. For some of us the military LU]PYVUTLU[ WYLZLU[Z ZPNUPÄJHU[ challenges, and for females one of those is the predominantly male environment. It is a simple, but true fact that the majority of male conversations, interests, attitude and resulting camaraderie can at times be excluding. It is sobering for TL [V YLÅLJ[ VU [OL X\LZ[PVU VM OV^ 0 ^V\SK OH]L JVWLK VU [OL IH[[SLÄLSKZ of WW1. Could I have been a female version of Woodbine Willie? I hesitate and soul search but realistically it is probably a question that has no answer. Females can and do cope in our modern chaplaincy contexts and may that continue to be true. Ultimately it is the testimony of our serving personnel here and now who give chaplaincy its credibility. ,_[YHJ[Z MYVT HU HY[PJSL PU º:HJYLK 7YLZLUJL Ethical Challenge’ edited by Robert Jones and printed by the Methodist Church in 2014.

contact

09

changing the ‘To-do’ list?

M

ilitary wife, mother, solicitor on maternity leave, cleaner, cook, taxi driver, homework assistant. So many job titles. So why do I sometimes feel as though I’m disappearing? writes Katie Kyle. My husband is currently away and my daughter said to me on our drive to church last week (we were only 15 minutes late, an improvement on the previous week), ‘We could stay at home so you could do more of your lovely chores.’ I questioned why she described them as ‘lovely.’ ‘Because you love them,’ she replied. Out of the mouth of babes... And yet I don’t love these ‘lovely chores’, I don’t even like most of them! But I’ve managed to give my eight year old the impression that they’re as important to me as going to church, up there with worshipping my heavenly Father. How have I done this? Perhaps because they are. Lately, I’ve found myself shrinking as my ‘To-do’ list grows. Sometimes it feels as if I’m performing a vanishing act in the daily circus that has become my life, whereby I juggle the school run with a visit from Carillion, Brownie pick-up with a baby who wanted to go to bed an hour earlier, weaning by the poolside when the older two are having their swimming lessons. This may sound like a female complaint but I wonder if the men feel it too? Perhaps they’re the homemaker and they share my feelings. Or maybe they go

contact

10

out to work and struggle in other ways. There’s no time for a lunch break, let alone train for the marathon they signed up for, they haven’t the capacity to deal with their inbox, let alone the Freeview box which the kids destroyed on Saturday morning when the adults were trying to have a lie in. If you’re anything like me, you also have a ‘To-do’ list. In many ways, it’s a sensible thing to have. I’m never going to remember the school trip forms or the children’s annual visit to the opticians if I don’t. The problems creep in if our lives are shaped by our list, if we get our comfort and assurance from ticking [OPUNZ VɈ 4` [OPURPUN ZVTL[PTLZ goes like this, I can’t control where my husband is posted or how long we’ll live in this quarter but if I focus on my list, then I can be in control and it soothes T` IPNNLY HU_PL[PLZ 0 ÄSS T` [PTL ^P[O T` ‘lovely chores’ and any space for God is squeezed out. The other problem with this taskorientated approach to life is that it can become depressing. If we’re always doing jobs, we’ll become weary. Even the enjoyable jobs will become just another thing to get through. Am I the only mum who missed out on the full enjoyment of watching her babies learn to feed themselves because I worried about the mess? Am I the only mum who reads the bedtime story at 100mph so I can go downstairs and get the next load of washing on? So how do we give God His rightful place in our lives? How do we resist the temptation to chat to Him only once the jobs are done? I certainly don’t have all the answers but here are a few thoughts. I heard of a vicar who opens his curtains

every morning and asks God ‘Will you come back today?’ Our chores probably aren’t going to disappear but we can change our perspective on them. I PTHNPUL ^L»K Z[YPRL H ML^ [OPUNZ VɈ [OL list if we viewed it from a more heavenly WLYZWLJ[P]L HUK ÄUK TVYL [PTL MVY /PT Another way to allow God a place in our daily routine is to change our view of our jobs. How many mums say, ‘I’m just a housewife’, ‘I just do a bit of cleaning,’ ‘I Q\Z[ ZLSS Z[\Ɉ MYVT OVTL »& ;OLZL HYLU»[ ‘just’ jobs. They’re jobs God has given us to do. He loves to see us mothering our children, He loves to see us being enterprising with our business ideas. If we remember that God has given us these roles, we can spend time with Him as we do them, not see Him as someone else to deal with at the end of the working day. And it can help to remind ourselves of our identity in Him. This is a great antidote if we’ve lost some of our selfesteem to the daily grind. My mum was once nervous about going to a party full of ‘important’ people. Her friend asked her: ‘Why? You’re the daughter of a king.’ Jobs are important but they’re not where our true value lies. I once went to a Christian Ladies Conference where we were given a T-shirt bearing the words: ‘Princess, Warrior, Daughter’. It could just as easily have said ‘Prince, Warrior, Son.’ That’s what God thinks of us. If you’re depressed by the dirty clothes climbing out of the laundry bin or your disappointing annual appraisal, remember that you’re the child of a King and the King delights in you.

Tweet `V\Y IPN X\LZ[PVUZ [V! '(YTLK-VYJLZ*< IPN X\LZ[PVUZ

s n o i t s e IG qu

B

so, who is to blame? :eligion is the main cause of wars° so how can we belie^e in a lo^ing /oL when so mana wars ha^e been causeL ba +hristians?

S

ome people think that if only people would leave behind their convictions about the existence of a God the world would be a much better, more peaceful place. Of course the very reverse of this was demonstrated in the 20th century, which saw the rise of atheistic communism and Nazi ideologies. *OYPZ[PHUZ OV^L]LY ^V\SK IL [OL Ă„YZ[ to hold their hands up and say that violence committed in the name of Christ in history, such as the Crusades or the 0UX\PZP[PVU PZ UV[ H [Y\L YLĂ…LJ[PVU VM ^OH[ Jesus came to say and accomplish. In fact, true Christian responses at the time of the Crusades resounded from leaders such as Francis of Assisi and John >`JSPɈL ^OV JVUKLTULK HU` RPSSPUN VY warfare in the name of Christ.

some facts A recent report showed religious elements played no role at all in 14 VM [OL HYTLK JVUÅPJ[Z PU [OL YLZLHYJO HUK VUS` Ä]L OHK religious elements as their main cause. All of the wars had multiple causes and the much more common motivation was opposition to a government, or to the economic, ideological, political or social systems of a state, which was named as a main factor in nearly two thirds of the cases studied. The Institute for Economics and Peace report also found that having less religion in a country doesn’t make it more peaceful. The proportion of atheists in a country had no bearing on levels of peace. However religion is often named HZ [OL JH\ZL VM JVUÅPJ[ ZVTL ZH`

because the causes are so complex it has been simpler to cite religion, when in fact the truth is that there are many MHJ[VYZ SLHKPUN [V JVUĂ…PJ[ VM ^OPJO religion has sometimes been a part.*

a misconception Blaming religion for the cause of wars can also spring from a misconception that human beings are essentially good and that the world is getting better, according to Andy Bannister, a leading Canadian apologist. He states, “Rather it seems to be the case that whatever human beings lay hold of, they use it to cause damage and that applies to money, politics, government, science — and religion. Andy Bannister continues, “The problem lies in us. In the human heart. As Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, the Russian novelist and political commentator famously wrote, “The dividing line between good and evil runs right through the middle of every human heartâ€?. He says rather than apportion blame, what the world needs is a radical transformation of the human heart ^OPJO VUS` 1LZ\Z *OYPZ[ VɈLYZ ¸1LZ\Z himself was anti-religion,â€? writes Andy. “He regularly clashed with the religious leaders of his day, the Pharisees, because he saw empty religion as powerless, damaging and enslaving. Ultimately that stance led to his JY\JPĂ„_PVU (UK *OYPZ[PHUZ VM JV\YZL JHUUV[ [HSR HIV\[ Z\ɈLYPUN HUK L]PS WHPU and violence, without talking about the example of Jesus, one to whom violence was done. His example has inspired millions if not billions of Christians to give ZHJYPĂ„JPHSS` SV]L [OLPY ULPNOIV\Y HUK [V engage in peace making.â€?

just war? :V ^OH[ PZ H ZPTWSPĂ„LK *OYPZ[PHU ]PL^ of war, if killing people in the name of Christ is wrong? The New Testament itself does not condemn the vocation of a soldier if the work is carried out in a responsible and lawful fashion. Violence committed in the name of Christ is JLY[HPUS` UV[ H [Y\L YLĂ…LJ[PVU VM ^OH[ Jesus came to say. According to Amy Orr-Ewing, most Christians today would believe in ‘selective militarism’ - only when the state declares the cause is just, VY ÂşZLSLJ[P]L WHJPĂ„ZTÂť VUS` ^OLU [OL individual thinks the cause is just. It was the great Christian thinker Augustine who introduced ‘just war’ theory into Christian thinking. Laying out a set of principles dealing with reasons for a nation going to war, the proper use of military force and the conduct of war. Most protestant and catholic churches adhere to these rules about war, and Scripture is clear that war is a disastrous tragedy from which the innocent always Z\ɈLY HSVUN ^P[O [OL N\PS[` ;OL WZHSTPZ[ laments war, the prophet looks for the day when swords will be beaten into ploughshares and the kingdom of Shalom (peace) will appear and the New Testament blesses peacemakers, while Jesus resists being made king by force. As wars occur between the nations of [OL ^VYSK *OYPZ[PHUZ PU KPɈLYLU[ JVU[L_[Z must work out their involvement and reaction to those wars using biblical principles in faithfulness to Christ and His word. Sources: Extracts from an article by Amy Orr-Ewing see: http://www.eauk.org/church/ resources/theological-articles/arent-christiansresponsible-for-most-wars.cfm *Also quotes from Louise Ridley’s article Does religion really cause war? http://www. KXÄ´QJWRQSRVW FR XN UHOLJLRQV ZDU FDXVH UHVSRQVLEOH HYLGHQFHBQB KWPO

contact

11

Owen’s blog L i v i n g

t h e

I

t is a well-known saying that ‘an Army marches on its stomach’ and I have seen nothing in my career thus far to contradict this truism. As I write this, I am on a deployment where we are currently into our ninth week on 24hr ration packs, with several more weeks to come. Whilst there is no doubt amongst me and my colleagues that the rations are much-improved (the absence of mushroom paste has been mourned by no-one), a constant diet of boil-in-the-bag does leave you craving fresh fruit and veg. During a recent tour in Kabul I regularly ate in the US DFAC (dining facility). The food may have been uniformly beige and fried to within an inch of its life, but to a generation of UK soldiers raised on fast food it was like manna from heaven. Desserts were a particular highlight – cookies and ice cream every night and chocolate fudge cake so dense that

fa i t h

Given the importance of food and drink in our lives, it is not surprising that they are often used as illustrations by Jesus, who delighted in using ordinary things to explain extraordinary truths. In John’s Gospel, when the disciples insist that he eat something, Jesus says ‘I have food to eat that you know nothing about’ (John 4.32). Completely missing the point, they assume that somebody else had given him food, prompting the reply, ‘My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.’ (John 4.34) The food Jesus is talking about is not physical food but spiritual food. It may sound a rather vague concept, but that doesn’t make it any less vital for all of us. Spiritual food is that which sustains us, which keeps us going through the bad and good, which gives energy and vitality to use the gifts we have been given. Without it, our strength gets called and we end up running on empty.

have felt genuine satisfaction and contentment have been when I put God’s will before mine. In the Lord’s Prayer, we pray ‘Thy will be done’ and if I am honest I don’t always mean it. Yet wanting to mean it is a start, by acknowledging the struggle going on within me between my own will and God’s and realising that I can only be satisfied by the latter. In reflecting upon God’s word and praying to God, our will is gradually conformed to that of God and the difficult business of following Him becomes, with His help, much easier. For those who are less than convinced about whether following God can truly be satisfying, spiritually or indeed intellectually, be satisfying, spiritually or indeed intellectually, then Psalm 34.8 is worth considering, ‘Taste and see that

the proof of the puLLing, it seems, is in the eating light would bend around it. All this, washed down with multiple cans of Coke, meant that my trips going to the gym were less about ‘Op Massive’ and more about making sure that I fitted into my mess kit on my return! Food and drink not only cater to our physical needs, but our spiritual needs too. They can be a source of morale and can lift the spirit. They can bring people together, providing an opportunity to create bonds over dinner or a couple of beers. Their absence, however, can have a negative effect on our mood – a friend recently introduced me to the concept of being ‘hangry’, i.e. grumpy and irritable when one is hungry.

contact

12

But what does it actually look like and how can we get it? Jesus says that it is in doing the will of our Father, not our own will, or even that of others, but of God. And that can seem incredibly difficult. I am quite a driven, strong-willed person, like many in the Forces, and the idea of voluntarily laying aside my own will, what I want to do, in exchange for what God wants me to do, is a rather intimidating thought. And yet when I look back on my life, I know the times of greatest hunger and frustration have been when I have been following my own desires and gratifying my own cravings, even though they provide no genuine sustenance whatsoever. By contrast, the fleeting times when I

the Lord is good’. I am convinced that in exploring Christianity and deliberately seeking out God, He will make Himself known personally and show Himself to be worthy of faith placed in Him. The proof of the pudding, it seems, is in the eating.

by Capt Owen Churton

running in circles?

H

i everyone ‌ hope you had a great Christmas and New Year ‌ but that was ages ago, so forget all that. Ever feel like you are going round and round in circles? Re-inventing the wheel ? (I know we always used to dread a new CO or HOD joining because very often we would have to go through the ‘let’s try this new idea Chief’ stage‌ something that we had tried and binned several times under the previous boss - hey ho!). But it can be so frustrating when you just keep going round and round not making any progress. We were alongside in Piraeus, the port for Athens of course, a great visit and a great run ashore, with lots of ‘culture’ alongside the more traditional sailors haunts of course‌ (not that I would ever frequent those places - too often). Anyway, we were alongside, so as usual at secure I went for a run. I had looked at the local tourist maps which had been KYVWWLK VɈ PU [OL TLZZ HUK ZVY[LK H rough route in my head. It wasn’t that hard really, as the Port is on a sort of spit of land on the outskirts of Athens P[ZLSM :V PU [OLVY` VɈ [OL ZOPW V\[ the dockyard, follow the main road, cut across inland, pick up the coast and follow it all the way back to the port. >OH[ PZ KPɉJ\S[ HIV\[ [OH[& 0 LZ[PTH[LK it at about 6 miles - no problem, back in time for scran and get ashore again before the gangway closed for the JVJR[HPS WHY[` *;7 ÂŻ UVYTHS Ă„YZ[ KH` PU routine for me! :V VɈ 0 ^LU[ 0[ ^HZ X\P[L ^HYT I\[ UV[ too bad, so I had not taken any water,

after all it was only six miles. After about half an hour I had not reached the coast, and was beginning to think I had gone wrong. So I asked at a small cafĂŠ how to get back to the port via the coast road. What seemed like some fairly simple KPYLJ[PVUZ MVSSV^LK ZV VɈ 0 ^LU[ (M[LY about another half hour‌ still no coast ‌and‌. yup, back at the same cafĂŠ. Ah. Not going well, this time someone LSZL NH]L TL KPYLJ[PVUZ HUK VɈ 0 ^LU[ Honestly, 20 minutes later... same cafĂŠ. Much hilarity amongst the locals, while I was starting to feel a. Knackered, b. Embarrassed and c. Annoyed. Try again ‌ this time it slotted into place and I found the coast. When I eventually found the ship in the yard I had been out for well over two hours‌ and of course not used to that distance at that stage in the deployment! BUT to add to my misery the important guests were now arriving for the CTP and the gangway was closed ‌thankfully the First Lt saw me and felt sorry for me (out of character) and let me back on board. Life can seem like we are just going round the same thing, same daily routine, same drudgery at work, a bit like the Ă„ST Âş.YV\UKOVN KH`Âť YLHSS` ,]LU HZ H Christian life can seem like that, church is the same every week, sing a few hymns, say a few prayers, listen to a boring talk that bears no relevance to anything at all and then drink lukewarm tea out of a green china mug whilst pretending you want to be there, when actually you would rather be in the pub talking with your mates. But I don’t reckon life or Christianity is meant to be like that is it? In the Bible it records Jesus as saying this, “I came so you can have real and eternal life, more and

better life than you’ve ever dreamed ofâ€?. Now that’s a pretty bold statement, but for me it’s been true. It doesn’t mean that .VK PZ NVPUN [V NP]L `V\ SVHKZ VM ÂşZ[\ÉˆÂť but that life will take on a new meaning, there will be a point to it, a new hope and purpose. You won’t spend quite so much time going round and round in circles asking for directions from the same cafĂŠ like some complete plonker. So if you wouldn’t call yourself a Christian and feel that you are just treading the same old path, day in day out, with no real purpose or motivation, never seeming to be getting anywhere, why not investigate the claims of Jesus for yourself? Have a chat with the ‘God Squad’ or your Chaplain. If however, you are a Christian and you feel that it’s just the same old thing day after day, you are not experiencing ‘more and better life than you’ve ever dreamed of’, try spending a bit of time alone with God, praying and reading the Bible and ask him to show you where you are going wrong and why you end up back at the same cafĂŠ time after time after time. If you listen to the directions properly you ^PSS Ă„UK [OL YPNO[ YV\[L

b St by Steve M Martin, ti Operations Director Christian Vision for Men

contact

13

KWĐ„MM JZMIS

machine gun thoughts

I

M `V\YL H ÄST MHU HUK LUQV` linking real life questions and MHP[O PZZ\LZ ^P[O J\YYLU[ ÄSTZ it’s worth checking out the website of author and speaker Dave Hopwood.

Dave, who has been performing, writing and speaking for 30 years, has a down to earth approach connecting the Bible and his Christian an faith with today’s culture. e. One sa of his many resources is study guide with thoughts hts and questions around [OL ÄST Machine Gun 7YLHJOLY ;OL ÄST Z[HYYPUN .LYHYK K Butler, tells the true story y of gang biker and drug dealer Sam Childers, who is released from prison and learns that his wife Lynn, a former stripper, has converted to Christianity. After being caught up in another her violent escapade, Sam is shocked into joining his wife’s church and he is subsequently baptized. Setting out on a new life, he works in construction and on his travels meets a preacher from Africa. After a number of trips to Northern Uganda he is moved by the plight of orphans and decides to build an orphanage for the victims of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA). Witnessing the devastation wreaked by the rebel soldiers, he is determined to save as many as possible and decides to lead armed missions deep into enemy territory to retrieve kidnapped children and restore peace to their lives. Taking the law into his own hands he ends up KLMLUKPUN HUK \S[PTH[LS` ÄNO[PUN [OL

contact

14

rebels. He subsequently becomes known as ;OL 4HJOPUL .\U 7YLHJOLY The study guide draws out a range VM PZZ\LZ HYPZPUN V\[ VM [OL Ă„ST MYVT YLWLU[HUJL HUK KLHSPUN ^P[O Z\ɈLYPUN and trauma to how we combat evil, our priorities and family relationships. +H]L /VW^VVK VɈLYZ H YHUNL VM YLZV\YJLZ SPURLK PU ^P[O Ă„STZ VU OPZ ^LIZP[L ^P[O ^LIZP[L ^P[O YLĂ…LJ[PVUZ HUK t thoughts on a range of recent movies from the latest Star Wars and James Bond releases to The Lady iin the Van and The M Martian. Wr Writing about the new ;VT ;VT *Y\PZL Ă„ST The ,KN ,KNL VM ;VTVYYV^, he says says, “Just like Major Cage Cage. Bashed, battered and b bruised. But back on their fe feet. I want an easy life. I want my faith in Jesus to make ev everything easy. But it PZ UV[ SPR PZ UV[ SPRL [OH[ 3PML PZ KPɉJ\S[ It brings with it many trials, troubles and temptations. Like Rita Vrataski, Paul grabs us and urges us not to give up. Not to lose heart. This Jesus we follow has walked the way before us. He was knocked down. He went to the IYPUR VM Z\ɈLYPUN HUK KLH[O Âś HUK ^VYZL – he went deep into that dark country. But he rose again with hope and healing in his scarred hands. He understands. He knows it’s hard. And he can help us take the next faltering step.â€? O[[W! KH]LOVW^VVK JVT Ă„ST friday-edge-of-tomorrow/ ‘Machine Gun Thoughts: Thoughts and Questions around the movie Machine Gun Preacher’ by Dave Hopwood ÂŁ2.99 CreateSpace

What is the Armed Forces’ Christian Union (AFCU)? The AFCU is a British military Christian fellowship, tri-service, for all ranks and open to all Christian denominations. It is a fellowship of Christians who wish to grow their faith and share it with others. The basis of membership is prayer and a willingness to pray. Who can join? All who serve in regular or reserve sections of the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Army or Royal Air Force join as Serving Members. All others, including those who have retired, join as Associate Members. Those serving in foreign armed forces are welcome as ‘honorary’ members. >OH[ HYL [OL ILULĂ„[Z& All members receive the AFCU Contact magazine, News & Views and other literature and access to information and resources on the web and the App. The AFCU has a network of Christian contacts across the Armed Forces and members have access to this address list. The AFCU holds teaching events, days and weekends, and holidays. Serving members can link to an Associate prayer group for regular prayer. What does it cost? No subscription, but members are asked to give as they can. Cost of administering each member is about ÂŁ30 per year. How do I join? You can apply for membership on the AFCU website www.afcu.org.uk by clicking on the ‘Join’ button. Or you can email VɉJL'HMJ\ VYN \R VY WOVUL [OL VɉJL MVY H TLTILYZOPW form.

KWUXM\Q\QWV _PI\ I XQK

£25 ze i r P

What is happening in the photo above? Why not send in your caption to rachel.reay@gmail.com before 9th May 2016? It could be a winner... Thank you to all those who entered last time’s competition. We do receive some great captions. Congratulations to the winner.

“Should have gone to specsavers” RM

\PM JQO ZMIL Out of Sorts: Making Peace with an Evolving Faith Paperback by Sarah Bessey Sarah Bessey helps us grapple with core Christian issues using a mixture of storytelling and biblical teaching, in the style of ‘narrative theology.’ As she candidly shares her wrestlings with core issues she teaches us how to walk courageously through our own tough questions. £ 9.99 Darton, Longman & Todd

God and Churchill: How the Great Leader’s Sense of Divine Destiny Changed His Troubled World and 6ɈLYZ /VWL MVY 6\YZ I` 1VUH[OHU Sandys & Wallace Henly An unapologetic Christian perspective on Churchill’s life and leadership qualities. It explains more about his incentives, what encouraged him on any given path of action, and how the Christian faith was important in directing his life. :7*2

When I Pray, What Does God Do? by David Wilkinson The author shares his own struggles with the question of how God answers prayer. He looks at the mysterious nature of the outcome of prayer, in the light of his own struggles with his wife’s long-term illness. He calls us to unlearn bad habits and embrace fresh perspectives, assured that God is in the business of answering prayer. £8.99 Monarch

Breaking Into The Good Book: The Sandwich Maker’s Last Meal by Dave Hopwood A fantasy adventure novel set within the pages of the Bible, which leads you on a series of adventures and encounters as the main characters ÄUK [OLTZLS]LZ SP]PUN PUZPKL [OL stories of the Bible. A great book for rediscovering the Bible in a pageturning, unexpected and extraordinary fashion. £6.50 CreateSpace

Please send letters, captions and ideas for articles to: rachel.reay@gmail.com 7OV[VNYHWOZ *YV^U *VW`YPNO[ MYVT ^^^ WOV[VZ TVK \R HYL YLWYVK\JLK ^P[O [OL WLYTPZZPVU VM [OL *VU[YVSSLY VM /LY 4HQLZ[`»Z :[H[PVULY` 6ɉJL (SS WOV[VNYHWOZ HYL JVW`YPNO[ ,]LY` LɈVY[ PZ THKL [V [YHJL JVW`YPNO[ OVSKLYZ VM [OL PTHNLZ YLWYVK\JLK >L HWVSVNPZL MVY HU` unintentional omission and would be pleased to insert appropriate acknowledgement in the next issue. 7PJ[\YLZ VM ZLY]PJL TLU HUK ^VTLU HUK [OVZL UV[ TLTILYZ VM [OL (-*< YLÅLJ[ V\Y WYH`LYZ HUK Z\WWVY[ [V HSS TLTILYZ VM [OL (YTLK Forces. (Y[PJSLZ KV UV[ ULJLZZHYPS` YLÅLJ[ [OL ]PL^Z VM [OL (-*< )VHYK VM ;Y\Z[LLZ Contact Editorial Team: :XU 3KY : 7YPLZ[UHSS 9(- 4YZ : :HUK` 4YZ @ *VIIVSK (-*< Z[HɈ [OL ,KP[VYZ

contact

15

Co nta c t magazin e is pub lis he d b y A FCU thre e time s p e r y e a r - C o n t a c t I SSN 1 3 5 9 - 1 7 2 6 - Re g i s t e re d C h a r i t y ( N o .2 4 9 6 3 6 )

Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.