iBelieve October 2012

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Contents

iBelieve October 2012

INTERVIEWS

54 Aston Villa striker Darren

We talk faith with David Suchet, the man behind the moustache

Bent reveals how he always takes his Bible with him wherever he goes

The subject of depression is too often taboo in churches, says Unsung Hero Jo Swinney

REAL LIFE

FASHION

Alexander explains how she was blessed despite fighting for her life during the birth of her third child

ordeal Missionary Leonie Webster relives a terrifying ordeal when gunmen threatened her home

Finding Charitable status Alice Milner searches for charity shop designer bargains

20

28 Former drugs lord Rob Joy

FOOD

12 ON THE COVER

18 Singer songwriter Esther

ON THE COVER ’My goal is to be a good role model’ Tim Tebow, the American Football star who sparked a prayer craze

23

Looking stunning for less

42

11 I prayed during gunmen 23 ON THE COVER

found the Lord Jesus Christ when his life hit rock bottom

45 ON THE COVER A classic

steak and ale pie for autumn nights

12

8

The man behind Poirot

Autumn gift ideas

10

46

The best electric toothbrushes

Great recipes for the season

20

Star’s a real role model

iBelieve

5

FOOD

58 Men’s ministry leader Carl

Souped up! A delicious, heartwarming butternut chilli soup

FEATURES

46 ON THE COVER 47

Great ideas for those putting on an alternative Halloween party

ADVICE

36 ON THE COVER Money

John Kirby, founder of Christians Against Poverty, offers excellent tips on saving

Beech finds it’s no use crying over a lost man bag, so don’t panic!

8 Gifts Great ideas for autumn 10 Gadgets We take a look at the best electric toothbrushes

16 My favourite things Come Closer Foundation’s Emma Beaney

30 Rest days Ways to visit

41

London withour breaking the bank

VIEWS

fall, don’t let the cold affect your heart

Agony aunt Mandy Smith helps you solve your problems

9 Unbroken promise

Jesus is God’s promise that he will never break says the Archbishop of York

17 When the bills came in I

focused on God Popular evangelist Joyce Meyer explores living by faith

32 Why I believe... We

speak to psychologist Vicki Wardman

33 Devotion As temperatures 34

Beyond Reasonable Doubt If there is no God then we’re all slaves

38 iReview Books and CDs 48 Puzzles Two packed pages 52 How to... Train your brain 53 Motoring The new Ford Fiesta

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The highlights of the Capital

iBelieve Magazine is published by New Life Publishing Co, PO Box 777, Nottingham, NG11 6ZZ. PUBLISHING Tel: 0115 824 0777 Email: info@ibelievemagazine.com www.newlifepublishing.co.uk Editor: Peter Wreford All content is copyright and must not be reproduced without prior written permission from the Editor. All rights reserved Printed by Buxton Press, Palace Road, Buxton, Derbyshire, SK17 6AE. The acceptance of advertising does not indicate editorial endorsement.

We welcome your letters and comments regarding any of the issues raised within these pages. Write to the Editor at the above address.

Back copies are available while stocks last, at cover price plus £1.00

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iBelieve

from the editor This issue is packed with some great stories to inspire your faith, but I particularly enjoyed the article about David Suchet. Not only is he a remarkably believable actor, but his straightforward, no-nonsense approach to faith is a breath of fresh air.

Faith can be a very private and personal thing at times, but when you live your life in the spotlight, you don’t quite have that luxury. Too often, what we say we believe is motivated by exactly who we think might be listening.

But that’s not what iBelieve is all about. We don’t think that faith is weird or outdated, and it’s not the private preserve of the ‘superspiritual’ among us. As David Suchet ‘Faith in illustrates perfectly, Christ isn’t faith is about ordinary people going on a outdated, it journey. can inspire In thoroughly and bring examining the claims of Christianity to come out the to his own conclusion, best in us’ the actor most famous for playing Hercule Poirot can stand in full assurance of his faith, knowing that it wasn’t a knee-jerk reaction to an emotional moment.

What’s more, we’re not into force-feeding people with some idealistic message either.

One of the things that I love about David’s story is that he went out and had a look.

Honesty truly is the best policy when it comes to belief and his sincere enquiry formed a solid base for his faith.

At iBelieve, we want to encourage everyone to take this kind of approach. We’re here for people who believe and people who want to.

That’s why it would be great if you could pass your copy on once you’ve fi nished with it – you never know who you might inspire!

As so many of the great stories we carry demonstrate, faith in Christ can inspire and bring out the best in us. In the words of David Suchet, “If religion can do that, then it ain’t so bad!”

LOG ON NOW: www.newlife.co.uk



 

A fundraising charity concert by Maxine Brooks & the Birmingham Community Gospel Choir Monday 5th November 7:30pm at Town Hall Birmingham Supporting Barnardos, John Taylor Hospice & Lisieux Trust

This will be another unforgettable evening of great gospel music with one of Birmingham’s most popular choirs who will inspire your heart, your hands & your feet!

www.birminghamcommunitygospelchoir.co.uk Tickets £17.50 & £10 for concessions Plus £2.50 fee per transaction on all bookings except purchases made in person at the Box Office Box office 0121 345 0603

www.thsh.co.uk

Elvis Presley Gospe Tributel Act!

Andy Kelso’s great passion is to reach people for Jesus! Sadly so many people are put off church but God has been using Andy’s Elvis Presley Gospel Tribute Act to connect with people.

If you’re a church with a heart for your community then why not invite Andy along.

Many churches book a local hall or club or pub function room and Andy will provide the entertainment.

People will have a great time but also get some food for thought!

Andy combines the best of Elvis: rock, ballad and Gospel, and weaves in some stories of Elvis’s spiritual journey along with his own.

It makes for an amazing evening!

Let the King of Rock ’n’ Roll come and share the Good News at your Church!

Get all shook up with

EV

LVIS

www.revelvis.co.uk 01386 462087 andy.kelso@sky.com

Gifts st tr ip th is Fa ncy one la it in style yea r? If so, do rather th is a nd pick up ion Jack n U s u lo fabu er from v passpor t co you ca n ow N Fabretti. w ith British rea lly travel it out at pr ide. Check ssor ies. ce ac w w w.posh . co.u k. £6.95

Autumn colours

October is the month of harvest festivals and gorgeous hues. Why not celebrate with one of these gifts?

Go crazy and steal the show with the very latest Vivienne Westwood anarchy satchel bag currently at a special price of £270 and available from www.go-british.co.uk

Why not bless the man in your world with a pair of personalised drawing cuffl inks from www.thelastdetail.co.uk. Every parent knows a children’s drawing is a work of art, so why not turn your sleeve into a personal gallery? These cuffl inks are a thoughtful and heart warming gift and are priced at just £27.95 a pair.

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iBelieve

It may be a whi le unti l you ca n get back in your ga rden, so why not invest in th is elegant th ree-tier wooden flower an d herb plant theatre?

Pr iced at £34, th is is a must have for anyone who appreciates cook in g w ith fresh herbs. Se e w w w. notonthehighst reet.com

And now for something completely different... this beautiful picture in butterscotch, white, black, burnt orange and pink is the latest in glass wall art.

Available from www. tuttyfruityfusedglass. co.uk it is priced at £30 plus £10 p&p.

Views

Dr John Sentamu Wise words from the Archbishop of York

Unbroken promise I f you checked inside your wallet today, you may have been fortunate enough to come across a piece of paper with a promise to you on it.

As you know, bank notes are promissory notes. If you manage to keep one long enough to examine it, you will see that it says, “I promise to pay the bearer on demand, the sum of £…”

This promise is signed by the Chief Cashier of the Bank of England, Andrew Bailey. And, whatever we think of the banks at the moment, we still trust them to redeem this promise.

A promise implies commitment and dedication – and a hopeful future. So, as long as promises are kept, we have a sense of security. That is why, when trust is lost, we become insecure.

Recently, I spoke of how God calls every person – man, woman or child – to welcome him, to receive his friendship and love. This month’s prayer tells us of the promise which comes with that call:

“Merciful God… you have prepared for those who love you such good things as pass our understanding; pour into our hearts such love toward you that we, loving you in all things and above all things, may obtain your promises, which exceed all that we can desire.”

Some people like to imagine how they would spend the money if they won the Lottery. But, God’s love provides us with greater treasure than we can begin to imagine. And through that love, we receive God’s promises. God himself, living in us by the power of the Holy Spirit. Enabling us to live, act and love as Jesus lived on

earth. The word ‘promise’ comes from a word meaning ‘send forth’. Jesus is God’s promise, sent to the world to show God’s faithfulness and love for us, by living and dying to make us his friends.

He is God’s promise of life, joy and complete peace and safety. He is the promise which never gets broken – the same yesterday, today and forever.

If we came face to face with God and asked him, “Who is Jesus Christ?” The answer would go something like this: “Jesus Christ is exactly like me, the God you can’t see. He is superior to all crea-

tion. I was pleased to live fully in him.

He died on the cross. He is the first to be raised from death. He made it possible for human beings to become friends of God. The life he lived is freely given to all who trust in him.”

We may make promises, but only God’s promise remains unbroken

iBelieve

9

Gadgets Oral-B Triumph 5000 £169.99 This is the brush which puts all others in the shade! For 170 sheets, you’d hope to pick up something special, but boy, does this brush qualify as that! Packed with computing power,

this beauty offers five unique brushing modes, pressure sensors that adjust the spin of the brush by how hard you push, visual and auditory prompts to help you cover all the quadrants of your mouth and more bells and whistles than you can imagine!

Power to your elbow!

I don’t brush my teeth now… I have a handheld device that does it for me, writes Mark Wreford. If you’ve ever felt the strain that comes from brushing too energetically with an ordinary toothbrush, you need to shell out for an electric one. Which one is the best to buy in this saturated market?

Philips Sonicare HX5350/02 £40.85 Aside from its pithy name, this brush boasts Philips’ sonic brushing technology. Whilst this does mean that your toothbrush will make a funny noise as you brush, you’ll be pleased to know that the sound it emits is actually helping it clean your teeth!

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iBelieve

Oral-B Professional 500 £44.99 This is the brush to beat in terms of value for money. A great device which you can put any kind of head you like onto, the Oral-B Professional

500 is the most basic brush in Oral-B’s professional range. It’s rechargeable and as versatile as you need. It makes a great replacement for a manual toothbrush, and, due to its improvement on a standard brushing

action, it will most likely whiten your teeth and lead to a cleaner feel for longer in your mouth.

What’s more, you can often find this brush with a significant amount of money off if you shop around.

Real life

‘My prayer during gunmen ordeal’ With gunmen on her roof and red laser beams shining through her window, missionary Leonie Webster turned to God – with amazing results

A

missionary worker who was threatened by gunmen in Honduras believes God saved her life. Midwife Leonie Webster and her adopted son Joshua prayed for their lives when armed assassins scaled the roof of her remote mountain home in the middle of the night.

With nowhere to hide, Leonie, 39, cried out to God and he answered – with a power cut – which meant the gunmen could no longer see their targets.

“It was horrifically scary. I just started to pray then the lights went out. I know it’s a miracle that we’re alive today,” she says.

Recalling the night of the attack in June, Leonie adds: “We heard two men in the garden and another on the roof. By this time, Joshua had woken up and was beside me.

“Then I saw the red laser beam shining through my bathroom window. I knew it was the viewfinder from a high-calibre weapon.

“My heart was pounding in my chest and I kept thinking where I could hide Joshua because it was only a matter of time before they shot me and I was dead.”

With her child beside her, Leonie tried not to show any fear.

“The midwife in me kicked in and I stopped panicking. I just prayed for God to help us,” she says.

At that moment, the village was hit by one of the many power cuts that plague remote communities in the mountains and the gunmen were plunged into darkness, unable to see inside of the house to find their target. They left shortly afterwards.

Leonie adds: “We could hear their footsteps and muttering and then they gave up.”

Leonie, of Hull, East Yorkshire, had spent seven years driving through changes in adoption law in Honduras and challenging authorities over conditions in orphanages in the poverty-stricken country. She moved to Latin America and

set up Christian charity Heart 4 Honduras, supported by New Life Church in Hull, in 2005 after working as a medical intern at an orphanage in the Honduran capital of Tegucigalpa.

She met Joshua when he arrived at the Hope Centre orphanage. Joshua, then just 20 months old, had been found in his cot and was close to death after enduring three days without food or water.

Leonie took care of him, nursing him back to health, and spent thousands of pounds to bring him to Britain for treatment for gross malnutrition.

Returning to South America, she continued her work with women in remote, impoverished villages, using her midwifery skills to improve sexual health and birth control. Following the ordeal, she has moved back to Britain but is planning to relocate to America later this year. iBelieve

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Interview

The man behind From testing his little grey cells to roaring as Aslan, David Suchet has done it all.

Renowned as one of Britain’s most brilliant actors, we found out about the faith that powers the chameleon star of stage and screen

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avid Suchet is renowned for his uncanny ability to lose himself in the roles he plays.

If you didn’t know better, you might believe that he’s French, what with his accent in Poirot and his continental surname – but you’d be wrong! He’s not even Belgian, as he so often insists when playing Poirot, but a thoroughly English gentleman who’s not only a fine actor but also a devout believer.

“Once you have stood up publicly and said, ‘I turn to Christ’, by the very utterance of those words you are confessing your faith – and that is quite something,” he says. “I had been through 21 years of real struggle to come to this place, and now I have a faith that is the most important thing in my life. It governs how I behave, how I think, and makes me who I am.

“I’m a Christian by faith. I like to think it sees me through a great deal of my life.

I very much believe in the principles of Christianity, that one has to abandon oneself to a higher good. I think to accept the now and to live in the present is the most important thing for all of us to learn to do, to be able to live in the present and not let the quality of the present be coloured by the fear or anxiety of the future or the pain of the past.”

While faith can be a pretty private thing, it’s refreshing to see someone so firmly in the public eye standing up for his beliefs. When you ask David Suchet about his faith, he’s unequivocal and unashamed, which makes him the perfect figure to speak up about the increasingly perilous state of the Church in Britain. “I do feel that Christianity is being marginalised by other religions in Britain,” he explains.

“I won’t tell you the name of it, but a charity I work for got turned down for government funding recently because it was a Christian charity, even though it had been funded by the government for several years.

“Don’t misunderstand me. We should embrace all religions and marginalise none. But we seem more concerned with marginalising Christianity, and not offending other faiths. We are in danger of losing the importance of the Christian faith in our own country.”

The importance of faith is not something David, 66, himself looks set to lose any time soon though. In fact, it’s some-

David Suchet in his famous role as detective Hercule Poirot

thing he’s helped promote by taking part in The Monastery – a TV series in which celebrities spent time in a monastery and recorded their responses to the silence and solitude.

For David, it was no surprise that the idea proved popular. “There’s a huge hunger for spiritual peace. I think there are times when all of us need to have silence and solitude. It’s good to find one’s own space for a little while.

“I have always believed that we go to the gym to exercise our bodies, we read and do crosswords to exercise our minds, but we do very little in this cynical, secular age to exercise our souls. On retreat, I was able to be alone to reflect and pray. Not to have to talk and feel on show was very important to me.”

For someone whose faith obviously forms such a key part of their life, it’s interesting to hear how it all started. “Having been through a conversion experience at the age of 40, my only experience of any form of faith prior to that was at school, and I always considered that religion was for examination!

“I was lying in a bath in my hotel, thinking about my grandfather. And I remember thinking, ‘Isn’t it interesting that I feel my grandfather is with me and yet I don’t believe in an afterlife?’

“So I went straight out and bought

David’s popular TV roles have led to successful sales in DVDs

\

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Interview David in the TV adaption of Terry Pratchet’s Going Postal

a Bible and read St Paul’s letter to the Romans. The Bible, I’ve always said, sadly, is the biggest selling yet most underappreciated – and possibly one of the least read books cover to cover. St Paul describes how to be a Christian, and it slotted right into what I had been searching for: something beyond, something quite mystical, but also a way of being that I could relate to.

“By the end of that letter, I had seen and read about a way of life to which I wanted to aspire. I thought, ‘This is what I have been looking for all my life’. But I then had to study Christianity because I couldn't just accept it on face value. I have never had blind faith in anything.

“The journey of faith is not an easy one, and my wife and I did go through difficult times because of it. But as long as you are not fanatical about it, and if your faith can make you loving and kind, then it’s a bonus to a marriage and family life.”

Faith might have required research for the meticulous actor, but research is something he’s well accustomed to! “I think my worst quality is perfectionism. I’m not 14

iBelieve

satisfied with anything less, which means I told him I didn't know what he was I’m never satisfied,” he says. “It makes talking about. So he said, ‘Tell me your me difficult to live with. I’ve never, ever address, your telephone number, your suffered fools gladly. I can be very, very children’s ages and where they go to tough professionally as well. If people school’. I couldn’t. He told me how to deare being sloppy, I’m not very nice to be programme my mind and remind myself around. I will demand that standards are who I was before I left the theatre. I still kept, and I am a bit of a taskmaster. follow that technique, and it has trans“I think some people would find me formed me.” very difficult to work with, but I’m only But it’s not just acting that gets David’s ever like that if I feel that people are not full attention. His marriage to Sheila – a prepared, or not ready to work in the right shining example of enduring commitway. Before I accept a ment – is another area of role, I always meet the his life marked by great ‘I then had to director and want to study Christianity eff“Iort. know who the others in love being married the cast are. It’s imporbecause I couldn’t and I think marriage is a tant.” wonderful institution. I just accept it This penchant for perhave always said, ‘Happy fection has taken its toll wife, happy life’. And on face value...’ on David in the past as although we have had he’s delved deep into the characters he’s long periods apart because of my work, I played – so deep that he forgot himself. have tried to make Sheila happy by cher“You do very much open the doors to the ishing her and laughing with her. dark side of your life, and I was aware of ”But marriage won’t work by itself. You my fault in letting characters overtake me have to work at it. It’s not about candlelit and not quite knowing how to deal with dinners every week, but about having it,” he remembers. struggles, coming through them the “My friend came backstage and said, other side and believing in what you first ‘You really, really can’t do this and survive’. believed in when you met.”

Roger Keech RESCUED FROM THE BRINK OF DEATH as a teenager and DIVINELY HEALED OF CANCER without any medical treatment whatsoever, this man whom so many had previously written off as a no hoper now brings hope and the word of God to people on four continents of the world and through broadcasting and going to the nations and ministering. THIS MAN OF GOD IS SOLD OUT to reaching as many people as possible with the truth about Jesus in what remains of his lifetime.

After 30 years as a missionary visiting Canada, America, Ukraine, France, Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania and India, Roger is now available to minister the vision that God gave him in 1982 and has been sharing with the world ever since through broadcasting and the internet. Hear the amazing story of how a face to face meeting with the Lord Jesus (like Paul on the Damascus road) turned his life around and how he has seen Christ do the same for countless others

Contact him now on www.allelujah.co.uk Do it now or you may miss the opportunity of hearing this truly wonderful life changing ministry

Could this be the time to consider a fresh career? One where your skills would make a difference in the lives of vulnerable, elderly people?

CARE HOME MANAGER PETERBOROUGH

We care for up to 19 elderly residents in a family atmosphere in our home on Park Road in Peterborough.

Now, after many years’ service, our home manager is moving on, and we are looking for the person God has in mind for her replacement.

The role calls for a committed Christian, able to lead devotional times: also a good communicator, happy to interact with residents and their relatives, local authority and regulatory bodies. The applicant will also have management or supervisory experience in a residential setting, and be able to lead the care and service teams in the home.

Contact: Human Resources, Pilgrims’ Friend Society, 175 Tower Bridge Road, London SE1 2AL Tel: 0300 303 1400 Email: hr@pilgrimsfriend.org.uk www.pilgrimsfriend.org.uk

MIRACLE SERVICES In April 2009 Dawn Pringle was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and had it for five years. It is known as an incurable disease of the nervous system. Medically there is no cure yet. When she attended a Miracle Healing Service at the Aspley Pentecostal Church Dawn received her Miracle. Dawn tells her story, “When Pastor Colin prayed the power of the Holy Spirit came upon me. I had never felt so much heat move from the top of my head, across my face, down my body and then a sweeping sensation of God sweeping all my M.S symptoms away out of my feet. I claimed my healing and felt so much joy. The tears of joy that came were wonderful.

I couldn’t wait to share what God had done to my family and friends. I can do things again now that I haven’t been able to do for four years and God has made me even stronger. My Doctor thinks it’s wonderful”. Dawn is the first person with MS ever to be discharged from the Queens Medical Centre in Nottingham.

It has also been reported that people have been healed of: Cancer, arthritis, fibromyalgia, sleep apnoea, depression and people no longer need their walking sticks and hearing aids. A little girl who was deaf and speechless from birth could hear and started to speak. A man with a broken foot threw away his crutches and walked unaided all the way home. A lady who had pain in her back for 29 years was completely healed and for a bonus she could also hear out of right ear that was deaf.

The next Miracle Healing Crusade at the Aspley Pentecostal Church is on Friday 5th, Saturday 6th October at 7pm and Sunday 7th October at 3pm. Pastor/Evangelist Colin Tilley is also available for Crusades and Miracle Healing Services and can be contacted on the Church telephone 0115 9297269. Please leave your details and he will get back to you.

my favourite things Emma Beaney, chair of fundraising charity, the Come Closer Foundation, tells us what makes her tick Sports star Rebecca Adlington. She is an inspiration to all ages and just shows how – with hard work – a person can achieve their dreams. She was also born in Mansfield, which is where I come from!

Super sweet I don’t really eat ice-cream, but I absolutely love Green & Black’s chocolate!

My favourite cause That would have to be Watoto Childcare Ministries – I, along with some amazing people in my world, have been raising funds for Watoto for the past five years.

Watoto is based in Uganda and they position themselves to rescue individuals and

raise each one as a leader, who then in turn help to rebuild their nation. If you have never seen the Watoto Children’s choir as they tour the UK then I would really encourage you to see them.

They are an absolute blessing and delight!

Desired destination Well, I love Italy – my visit to Rome to see the Sistine Chapel was unforgettable.

However, I also love Florida and so do my husband, two children and even my parents!

Great group One of my favourite bands at the moment is Rend Collective Experiment.

Their songs sound great, are full of devotion and celebrate Jesus!

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Emma Beaney

joyce meyer When bills arrived, I had to focus on God!

I

remember a time when my husband, Dave, and I needed a miracle every month just to pay our bills. I had quit my job so I could spend more time preparing for full-time ministry, which cut our income in half.

Each time I paid the bills, I would get upset because we didn’t have enough money. It became a routine. I’d be sitting at the table in one room with the bills, cheque book and calculator in front of me, while Dave was in the other room, playing with the kids, laughing and having fun. It eventually led to a conversation like this: Me: Every month we don’t have the money to pay our bills.

Dave: Yes, and every month God comes through.

Me: Well, how is he gonna come through this month? Why don’t you do something?

Dave: What do you want me to do? Do you believe we’re in the will of God? Me: Yes, I believe we’re in the will of God. Dave: Do you believe God told you to quit your job?

Me: Yes, I believe God told me to quit my job.

Dave: Well, has God been taking care of us every month?

Me: Yes, yes… (exasperated sigh).

Dave: OK, Joyce, we’re in the will of God, we’re givers, God promises to meet our needs… What else do you want me to do?

What I wanted was for him to count the money with me and get upset too. But what I needed to do was spend time with God, rather than the cheque book.

Spending quality time with God is so important. And there are many promises in the Bible about what happens when we do this. For example, Psalm 16:11 says that in God’s presence, there is fullness of joy.

And Nehemiah 8:10 tells us that God’s joy is our strength.

The devil wants to steal our joy. He’s not really after our stuff, but he’ll go for the stuff to get our joy, like he did with me when I was upset about our finances.

If he can get our joy, he knows we won’t be strong in the Lord. And we’ll lose our focus. We need to focus on God and our

relationship with him. In fact, we’ve got to desperately require him! When we do, we realise that he’s given us authority over the enemy.

This means you don’t have to let the devil ruin your life – you don’t have to believe his lies. You can resist him and bind him as you pray in faith for God’s will to be done.

Now, we can’t stop the devil from coming against us, but we can overcome him each time – if we exercise the authority of Jesus and decide not to put up with him.

It’s true. If you really believe God hears your prayers and you know what the Bible says, the devil can’t control your life!

I want you to grasp the revelation that God has given you – a born-again Christian – authority over your enemy. And one way you can use it is by keeping a good attitude when hard times come.

Romans 8:28 is a verse that’s quoted a lot. It says that when we are partnering with God ‘all things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to his purpose’.

This verse is a promise to us that no matter what happens in our lives, if we will keep praying, keep loving God, and continue in the purpose he has for us, good things will come.

I want to encourage you to live by faith, not fear. Keep your focus on God, trusting that he’ll do whatever needs to be done in his way and his time. And in the meantime, you can enjoy the life he’s given you today.

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Interview

ABOVE: Esther Alexander’s latest album, The Long Way Home.

RIGHT: Esther with her children, Eythan and Charis

‘I almost died, but God was with me’ Severe complications during the birth of her third child was an opportunity to experience the grace of God, says singer/songwriter Esther Alexander. Rin Simpson found out more

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sther Alexander has never been afraid of hard work. The singer recorded an album when her eldest son, Eythan, was just a baby, and still performed regularly after her second child, Charis, was born.

But perhaps it’s understandable that she’s taking time out after baby number 18

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three, Mimi, born in February this year.

After all, the experience very nearly killed her. Having given birth at home in London, the 35-year-old developed a rare condition where her uterus inverted, causing massive blood loss. As the ambulance made its way from the hospital, she was kept alive for an hour on a saline drip

and believes it’s a miracle she survived.

“I just feel like God stepped in and brought incredible medical people around me,” she says. “I had three midwives at the house with me, which is very unusual, and every one of them just so happened to be very gifted in the things I was coping with. It was extraordinary.

Afterwards, I had four or five consultants coming up to me and saying, ‘You’re very lucky to be here.’

“In a sense, although I wouldn’t wish it on anybody, I feel honoured to have gone through it and to have known the grace of God through it. When it’s all on the line like that, your experience of who God is suddenly stretches way more than ever before; just a sense of his power and his authority in a situation, his ability to bring the right people in at the very moment that you need them.”

Esther’s near-death experience has focused her priorities. Although she has had more than a taste of career success – she has performed with the likes of Steve Winwood and Ruby Turner, featured on the Cafe del Mar 25th anniversary edition album, and recorded her own debut, The Long Way Home, with Grammy Awardwinning producer Kipper, of Sting fame – her ambitions do not include international stardom or celebrity status.

Instead, she is keen to do more of the ‘house gigs’ she undertook last year, an American concept where individual fans book a singer for a performance at their home, selling tickets to friends and family to create an informal, personal event.

“It’s a perfect way of connecting,” explains Esther, who is still active in her church worship group. “Because it’s the people who love what you do, they sell it really passionately to their friends.

“The industry has changed so much,” she adds. “From the point of view of getting some real enjoyment out of connecting with an audience and making a living out of your own music, doing this small scale stuff is really where it’s at. What has ABOVE: Mimi Alexander is a healthy baby after complications during her birth which almost ended in tragedy been brilliant about the Internet and the more cottage industry approach is that you’re so much closer to the people who you a little bit. And as a performer you’ve I’ve ever known,” she says. “It makes music are buying the records and supporting performed to a room full of people who look like a walk in the park and that was you – and I love that.” have definitely come to see you! pretty full on at the time! But I do love Esther, who is married to Iain, under“Of all of the things I’ve done, they’ve it, I’m enjoying it a lot more than I would took more than 50 of these house gigs probably been some of the most scary ever have thought I could. in 2011, along with a gigs because there’s “I just feel so blessed to be on the series of performances planet that I just want to enjoy it and soak ‘I feel honoured to really nowhere to hide; at a variety of Cafe Nero you’re out there on a it up. By doing that, what I believe will go through it and coffee shops around the limb. So I would love to happen is that my music will be the richer country. She says she do that more, and then for it. I’ve still got plenty to say. know the grace of feels honoured to be able just be able to add in “All of this stuff is the fuel for writing. If to sing for people in such God through it’ some bigger gigs along you get too caught up with the job, you an intimate setting. the way.” miss out on the gold of life in the moment “It seems like such a bizarre thing to do But for the moment, Esther is happy to and afterwards being able to write about but in terms of audience, they feel they focus on her primary job – being a mum. it and share it. From a cathartic point of have had a gig and they have got to know “It is absolutely wild; it’s the best season view, writing is a great thing!” iBelieve

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Interview

‘My biggest goal is to be a role model’ American football quarterback Tim Tebow is an inspiration on and off the field, with an outstanding scoring record matched only by his outspoken faith

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ow many professional sportsmen do you know who pray before they play? I bet you can name a few. But how many of those have led members of opposing teams in prayer – while being the star player on their own team? That’s Tim

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Tebow’s game. If you don’t know anything about American Football, you’re not alone.

Whilst we’re not going to try to explain the rules here, what you need to know is that the quarterback is the most influential player on the pitch. He decides

what the team is doing and he’s the one responsible for making it happen. It just so happens that Tim Tebow is a very good quarterback for the New York Jets – and he’s a committed Christian too.

“I’m blessed to have a little bit of success in football,” he says modestly, having scooped numerous awards during his professional career.

“My biggest goal with that pedestal is to be a good role model and to take whatever it is (platform, celebrity, whatever you want to call it) and be a great model and inspire.

“It’s OK to be outspoken about your faith. If you’re married and you have a

wife and you really love your wife, is it good enough to only say to your wife, ‘I love you’ on the day you get married? Or should you tell her every single day when you wake up and at every opportunity?

“So any time I get an opportunity to tell God that I love him or am given an opportunity to shout him out on national TV, I’m gonna take that opportunity.

“I’m thankful for the ability to share my faith in a lot of different places. It’s something that I take as a responsibility and an obligation to handle as best as I can.”

And there’s a growing number of people who think he’s handling it all pretty well. In the States, there’s a bright media glare surrounding everything its stars do.

What’s wonderful is that Tim’s testimony is a rather more down-to-earth affair than his day job.

That’s not to say he had an uneventful life before he found fame, however. Tim is the fifth child of Bob and Pam Tebow, missionaries to the Philippines. When Pam was pregnant with Tim, they were advised to abort him for health reasons, but decided against this advice and prayed.

Both mother and son survived the birth, and the rest – as they say – is history.

“We thought we lost the baby about four times,” Tim’s dad, Bob, says. “He’s a miracle baby, so we’ve reminded him of that hundreds of times.”

This miraculous story has motivated Tim, now 24, to wade into the midst of the thorny abortion debate in the States.

“My conception and birth were beautiful stories of life. They were not stories about choices. They were stories of my parents’ selfless love of life and their unwavering faith in God who knows and sets the bounds and ends of our lives,” he explains.

Having been born out in the Philippines, Tim spent the first three years of his life there, before his parents moved back to the US. “As I was still a toddler when I was there, I have vague memories of having lived in the Philippines, except perhaps having been in the care of my Filipino babysitter,” he remembers.

“But one thing is for sure, I have a deep attachment to the country and its people.

“I have been joining my dad’s Christian mission to the Philippines every summer these last four years, and these trips have been my eye opener to the things that need to be done for the less fortunate people, especially children, in that part of

TAKE A TEBOW: People take the chance to Tebow in all kinds of places

our world. It is a very different ball game.

“I know there are more important There, I hear no roaring chants from fans things than winning a game; like [the cheering for a touchdown, but deafening young man] Garrett who came today… silence as people desire to receive the he’s more important. Putting a smile words of Jesus that I preach about. I see on his face before the game was more none of those eyes of adulation when we important than winning,” Tebow said win games, but eyes of faith of people during a news conference after the game searching for the Jesus I talk about,” Tim that desperately ill 16-year-old Garrett relates.

Atwood was invited to attend. “That is “Those kids make me the perspective that my ‘I’m thankful for more grounded and faith gives me. help me put things in “I am no differthe ability to share proper perspective. ent than anyone else my faith in a lot At the end of the day, – despite what people what matters may not of different places’ may think –because I only be about scoring am a football player,” a touchdown, but also Tim adds. “Through winning the future of those kids who do everything I do, and just by living, I want not get the opportunity to receive that people, when they see me, to say, ‘There’s touch of hope and love that you and I may something different about this guy, and have the means of giving.” that’s because he has a relationship with It’s not just the Philippines that Tim Jesus Christ.’ hopes to help, either. Working with “I found true satisfaction, true happivarious organisations, he helps make the ness, and it is not by having your name in dreams of terminally ill kids come true by a newspaper, it is not by winning trophies, inviting them to come to his games and it is not by winning championships, it is by join in the warm ups with him. having a relationship with Jesus Christ.” iBelieve

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NEW NLIFE EW LIW FELIFE NE

OCTOBER 2012 Issue 224

40p

GOOD NEWS STORIES

OCTOBER 2012 Issue 224

www.newlife.co.uk

MUAMBA: MUAMBA: X FACTOR X :FACTOR I THANK AMBA I THANFAME K MUWILL GOD FOR GOD FOR I THANFAM K E WILLX FACTOR NOT CHANGE MY FOOTY MY FOOT GOD NOT FOR CHANGE FAME WILL Y CAREEER CAREEER MY BELIEFS MY FOOTY NOT CHANGE MY BEL IEFS EX-DRUGS CA BARON PARANOIA REEE RHAD EX-DRUGS M 40p

GOOD NEWS STORIES

OCTOBER

SEE BACK PAGE

CHURCHES CAN HELP...

Patrick Regan

2012 Issue 224

www.newlife.co.uk

40p

GOOD NEWS STORIES

www.newlife.co .uk

SEE PAGE 3

SEE BACK PAGE

SEE BACK PAGE

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Y BEPARA BARON HAD LIEFNOIA S EX-DRUGS BARON HA D PARANO IA

ROB’S LIFE ROB’ RSOBLI’SFELIFE NOW NOW NOW FULL FULL FULL OF OF JOYOJO F YJOY CHURCHES CAN HELP...

Patrick Regan

CHURCHES CAN HELP...

Patrick Regan

‘Church answer ‘Church answer to gang issues’ to gang issues’‘Church answer to gang issu es’

A GANG expert believes the Church is the answer to the nation’s growing youth nui A GANG expert believes sance problems. answer to the nation’s the Church is the Patrick Regan, who runs youth charity growing youth nui sance problems.

XLP, reckons children under the age of ten A GANG expert believes are now being groomed to join gangs thatPatrick Regan, who runs youth answer to charity the nation’s the Church is the XLP, reckons children partake in violence and crime. growing youth under the age of sance problems ten are now being groomed . nuiHe says top gang leaders in London to join gangs thatPatrick Regan, partake in violence who runs are earning more than £100,000 per year XLP, reckons and crime. youth charity He says top gang are now beingchildren under the through illegal drug activities. leaders in London age of ten groomed are earning more than partake in But Patrick, whose organisation holds £100,000 per year violence and to join gangs that through illegal drug events to deter young people from the gang He says activities. top gang crime. culture, believes the Christian message isBut Patrick, whose organisation are earning leaders in more than holds London events to deter young people through illegal the answer. £100,000 from the gang per year drug activities culture, believes the He said: “I’ve often said to politicians Christian message But Patrick, whose . is the answer. events that I think the Church is one of the best to deter young organisation holds He said: “I’ve often culture, placed organisations to deal with this issue. said to politicians believes the people from the gang the Christian We’re in every area across the country that and I think the Church is one message of the bestanswer. placed organisations is He said: we’re not just there for a few years as some to deal with this issue.

“I’ve often We’re in every area organisations are. across the countrythat I think the Churchsaid to politician and placed s is one of “We don’t only have a four to five we’re year not just there for a few years organisat as some We’re in every ions to deal with the best term as politicians do – we’re thereorganisations for are. this issue. area across we’re “We don’t only have the long haul, living and working in these the country a four to five year not just there for and organisat a few years communities – we should be one of theterm best as politicians do – we’re ions are. as some there for the long haul, living “We don’t placed. and only have these as communities – we should working in term a four to “Lots of gang leaders have a real conver politicia ns be one of thethe best do – we’re five year placed. long haul, sion experience when they discover they are commun ities living and workingthere for “Lots of gang leaders made in the image of God, and that they’re have a real conver – we should in these placed. sion experience when be one of loved and cared for. they discover they are the best made in the image of “Lots of gang “It really brings a transformation experi God, and that they’re sion experienc leaders have a loved ence when they encounter the hope that the and cared for. real convere when they “It really brings a transformation made in the image discover they gospel message brings.” of are experi loved and ence when they encounter cared for. God, and that they’re the hope that thereally “It gospel message brings.” ence when brings a transform ation they gospel message encounte r the hope experithat the brings.”

A DRUGS baron left own addiction paranoid by his planned to from a motorway throw himself But Rob Joy’sbridge. violent and lifestyle changed seedy He told New after he found God. drugs empire Life that the more his he became. grew the more paranoid

And as he sunk into pression, fear and dehe him to changecried out to Jesus to ask his life. ● Full story – Centre Pages

SEE PAGE 3

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Fashion

Can you pick up a designer look on the cheap? We sent fashion writer Alice Milner and photographer Matt Jamie on a bargain hunt to find charity shop brilliant buys

Vintage Daywear 60s orange dress (cotton and spandex) – Kal Kaur Rai, £12.50. Retro camera, £10.

Straw trilby, £3.

Charitable

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Fashion

D

o you, like me, have a friend who always looks achingly stylish on a shoestring budget?

Ever wondered how it’s done? The shocking secret I recently discovered is the charity shop purchase.

Unlike the hard-pressed big names of the high street, charity shops across the country are seeing a record boom in business as more than one million people in the UK have gone bargain hunting since the economic downturn. But it’s not just for financial or penny pinching reasons and in the era of recyclemania, re-selling great garments makes super sense!

Clearly I needed to update my take on the charity shopping experience as I regarded them as specialists in moth bitten tweed (embarrassingly worn by my father on many an occasion). My goal was to see if it was really true that I could now go into a charity shop and walk out with a selection of affordable outfits that look stylish at a variety of occasions. I popped into Cancer Research on Marylebone High Street (renowned for its high end designer gems) to see what I could find.

When I stepped into the shop I was struck by the beautiful array of neatly lined up heels and cabinets containing designer handbags (one gorgeous cream bag in particular handmade by Coach).

Work Outfit Leather jacket – M&S, £18.

Emerald green skirt (cotton and polyester) – M&S ‘Limited Collection’, £14. Christian Louboutin patent leather heels, £120 (£375 new).

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Spoiled for choice To my amazement, as I skimmed through the rails and shelves I managed to find five outfits that would look striking at a wedding, at work, a ball and as day wear. My favourite had to be my vintage day wear in terms of look and value.

Orange is very on trend at the moment so I sprung upon a bright orange 60s style dress by Kal Kaur Rai for only £12.50. I styled it with a retro camera (£10) and straw trilby (£3) to give it an playful eccentric twist. I also spotted a pair of black Salvatore Ferragamo shoes (£50) with a small heel to give them a true ‘inherited from your granny’ feel. By the condition of these shoes, I could tell they had only been taken for a walk a couple of times and were \

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Ball Outfit Silk blue dress – Vanessa Bruno, £40

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Fashion

much cheaper than their original whopping £255 price tag.

The charity shop had a spectacular array of leather goods which I certainly benefited from. I zoomed straight in on a pair of Christian Louboutin patent black heels with their signature red sole which were on sale for £120 (originally £375). OK, they were pricey but I simply couldn’t resist them!

For a work outfit, I teamed these killer heels up with an emerald green skirt (M&S, £14) and cream blouse (Nina Bon Bina, £8) to give the look an extra kick. I later added a leather jacket (M&S, £18).

When we took some snaps on Marylebone High Street my charity outfit was catching the eyes of passers by. One in particular even asked for a hug!

Forever changed I have to say that my experience in Cancer Research has genuinely reformed the way I now do clothes shopping!

It takes a little effort to sift through the clothes, but you can come away with some really unique designer pieces which you wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford.

As far as I can tell charity shopping seems to be the best way to go – you support a good cause and dress well without costing the earth. It’s environmentally friendly and provides jobs and volunteering opportunities.

But here’s the warning – charity shopping is catching.

I took my family to a charity shop in Kent and couldn’t leave until we all found a garment we were chuffed with, including a Jaeger mohair jumper for a mere £4. As my sister said, “It’s worth the dig!” Choose your charity shop wisely and you’ll come away with gold.

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Wedding Outfit String of pearls – £2. Coral pink dress – ‘Koton’, £18.

Cream leather heels – Topshop, £10. Coach cream leather handbag, £60 (£255 new).

Ch fas arit hio y sh ns o pec p ial

Casual Look (featured with Alice is the shop’s manager) White jean shorts – H&M, £8. Leopard print blue top – Zara, £14. iBelieve

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Real life

had spent years running ABOVE: Rob Joy with his wife Lydia. RIGHT: Rob nce viole his for n know was a drugs empire and

Running a drugs empire had reduced Rob Joy to paranoia. But then one day he experienced a new power and his life was changed forever

Former drugs lord finds the real Lord T he lonely figure stood on the bridge, sweat pouring from his face as he watched the cars and lorries thunder along the road below. Slowly, he stepped nearer the edge and stared straight ahead as images of guns, knives and drugs filled his mind.

Just one more step and in a few seconds all the pain, addiction, hatred and fear would be over.

There might be a small report in the local paper the next day about a suspected suicide victim who jumped 20 feet before being crushed under a lorry. The tragic

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man’s name: Rob Joy. “I suppose there would have been a certain irony for the headline writers but I don’t think many people would have cared about me killing myself,” smiles Rob Joy today.

“Well, apart from the drug dealers I owed money to and a couple of betrayed women to whom I’d promised the earth and the victims I’d beaten up and hospitalised who wanted revenge. I think the reaction to my death by most people would have been ‘good riddance to bad rubbish’.” Rob, 33, was only in his early 20s when he took that desperate walk

one night to a deserted motorway bridge.

Despite his young age, he had already earned a fearsome reputation as a major drug dealer who ran his empire through intimidation and violence.

Those who crossed him were beaten.

Rob slept with a gun under his pillow, a knife stuck in the wall and his own personal supply of drugs by his bedside. But as his empire grew, so did his paranoia.

“For three years, I hardly slept more than a couple of hours a night. I’d search my bedroom before I could lie down, even pulling the covers off and checking

Rob became so paranoid that other dealers were trying take over his patch he walked to a bridge to commit suicide

the cupboards because I was convinced that someone was waiting to kill me. I’d always be looking over my shoulder and scanning cars and innocent passers-by. “ But while Rob battled to save his mind, his mother and sister battled to save his soul. His mother had become a Christian when he was a youngster. For a while, Rob attended a local church Sunday school and even prayed.

“My dad was known as a local hard man and criminal, who told me that God was just a fairy story,” says Rob. “We lived on a rundown housing estate called The Jackmans but because drugs were so rife, locals nicknamed it The Crackmans. My house was a constant battle zone. Mum tried to raise me in church but dad would have none of it.

“My mum and sister would tell me they were praying for me but I wasn’t interested. Then, one day my dad and I had a raging argument. He said some terrible things about me and shortly afterwards had a huge heart attack and died. I was devastated.”

Rob’s decline continued. The more drugs he sold, the more he was convinced

someone was trying to take over his patch. The more money he made, the more money he wanted. He was scared of sleeping, so he took drugs to stay awake.

He was exhausted from staying awake, so he took drugs to sleep.

“In the end, I was so desperate I decided to try God,” smiles Rob. “I certainly believed in evil. I was lying in my room feeling so bad that I thought my body was ready to give up and I’d die. I felt the devil standing beside me and laughing then saying, ‘Look what I’ve reduced you to.’

“I fell on my knees. I cried out to Jesus.

I said, ‘You need to save me tonight or I will die tonight.’ Instantly, I felt a power enter me. I didn’t know what had happened but I knew it was something pure and wonderful. I stood up and lay on my bed. I didn’t feel the need to check under the bedclothes or behind the curtains or look in the wardrobes. For the first time in three years, I slept right through the night without a drug.”

The following morning Rob knew his drug addiction was gone. Despite taking every kind of drug for many years, he had no withdrawal symptoms or cravings. A

while later, a friend phoned Rob and after chatting for a few minutes, he asked what was wrong with him.

“I was puzzled because we were just having a chat about him being out of prison,” explains Rob. “He said it was funny to hear me talk without swearing. For years, every second word was a swear word. I hadn’t noticed I’d stopped it. The Bible tells us when we accept Jesus we become a new creature. Our old self is gone.

“A few months after I was saved, I met with some former drug friends and took dope. I wasn’t hooked again – it was just one of my old bad habits creeping up on me. I knew it was wrong and I had to get away, so I moved to Newcastle for four years where I joined a great church. I have been blessed by having many good Christian friends come on the journey with me.

“I now run my own ministry with my beautiful wife, Lydia. I prayed I would meet a wife who was also a worship leader and one night I was speaking to a youth group and Lydia was leading the worship! Over the years, I have seen a couple of my old gangster pals give their lives to the Lord.” iBelieve

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Rest days Fancy a quick getaway this October? Well, we reckon there’s no better place to visit than London. Here’s our guide for everything you need to know about our capital city – and it needn’t cost you an arm and a leg…

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f you’re looking for the finest in wining, dining and retail therapy, then you’d be hard pushed to come up with a city break better than a trip to our own illustrious capital.

Steeped in history and tradition, London combines the quintessential best of British with an unparalleled commitment to modernity.

Stunningly architectured facades house boutiques so chic they’re world famous.

If shopping isn’t your thing, there are plenty of parks to visit, places – and

indeed palaces. With attractions as famous as the London Eye, Big Ben and Trafalgar Square, you’ll never be short of something to do.

What’s more, even if it’s raining – which, let’s face it, is pretty likely – there are galleries and museums aplenty to catch the eye and pique the interest.

The one downside to taking a trip to the nation’s hub is that it can be quite pricey.

But never fear, iBelieve is here! This month, we’re helping you crunch the cost of relaxing in London.

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Where to stay We all know that London has an array of stunning hotels where the views and service will take your breath away. But we also know that those same hotels produce bills that will do the same! There’s a massive choice of decently-priced hotels, and with the variety available, we’re not going to pick out a specific hotel. Here are some tips: 1. Ignore the star system. There’s no standardisation to the star system used by hotels, and it’s based on facilities anyway.

2. Use comparison sites. They may be a chore, but they do help you find the best prices. Trivago and Expedia are our favourites. Make sure you check the hotel’s site to check it’s a good deal.

3. Check Tripadvisor. If reviews say a hotel is good it usually is!

4. It’s a secret. Certain sites, such as laterooms.com and lastminute. com help hotels get rid of their unused rooms at low prices. Even the annoying downside – that you don’t know which hotel you’re booking until you’ve paid – can be sneakily overcome. Copy and paste the hotel description into Google, as many hotels use their standard blurb.

Where to visit London is packed with wonderful attractions, but if you’re trying to craft a trip that your wallet appreciates, then some might be a little out of reach.

If you’re trying to keep it free, then head for the museums, parks and squares. Not only are these famous attractions worth a visit, but they provide loads of free fun.

If you’re there for a spot of retail therapy, then peruse the stylish shops on the Strand, but feel free to keep a tab on the online prices of your potential purchases.

Finally, seeing a show can be one of the highlights of a trip to London. To keep costs down, you could consider trying to see a rehearsal performance – cheaper and normally as good. If you want to see a longer running show, why not try a gift experience website?

Sometimes their prices for a show and a meal can undercut the price offered by the theatre for the single ticket.

How to get there London’s exorbitant parking costs and congestion charges make driving into the city itself a nono. If you’re planning far enough ahead, you’d be well advised to try the train as cheaper tickets are available to the organised few who book months in advance.

If you’re a little less planned, you should aim to park at a tube station quite a way out of the city.

Parking rates will be cheaper, and tube tickets won’t break the bank.

You’ll save a bit of petrol money by driving less distance and the journey will be less stressful.

Everyone’s a winner!

Finally, if you’re really looking to squeeze the cost, why not consider a coach? Generally, they’re much nicer than your average bus and much cheaper than your average train – though possibly neither as quick nor as comfy.

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Views

why i believe Vicki Wardman is a psychologist based in Rochdale What do you do?

I work with children with mental health problems, specialising in those with autistic spectrum disorders and learning disabilities.

No working day is the same – with my work including one on one therapy with a child and/or their parents, carrying out assessments for autism, running parent support groups, delivering training or contributing to meetings concerning families and their needs.

How does being a Christian affect your working life?

My job can be highly stressful – working with children that have very complex needs and making decisions that can impact their lives significantly. God carries me through those stressful times, giving me peace when there is chaos all around.

Why do you believe?

As a teenager I began to question what life was all about and I explored many different theories and religions intellectually.

I fi rst came to the conclusion intellectually that the Christian faith made most ‘sense’. Then I began praying and experiencing God personally, to levels way beyond an intellectual decision. I experienced the Holy Spirit and committed my life to Christ – heart, mind and soul.

How different was life before you became a Christian?

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My life was lovely – I had a stable home, great friends and was doing well at school. I became a Christian at 16. For me what changed was my values, how I treated other people and what I prioritised in life. Before I became a Christian, I had ambitions to be successful in business. My priority was money, material things and success. After I became a believer, my goals changed and my priority was what God wanted me to do in life.

Describe yourself in six words Friendly, organised, keen, talkative, conscientious, excitable.

What is the best faith-defining moment you’ve experienced?

The birth of my daughter, Jess. It was unlikely we could conceive naturally but we held on to God that we would.

When Jess was born, she was ill and taken to intensive care, but I had peace throughout – knowing

God had given her to me as a gift.

Have you ever doubted God? Many times! I tend to doubt God when I try to do things my own way and under my own strength, and I can’t understand why things aren’t going well or I am struggling.

A lesson that God seems to have to keep on teaching me is that giving him control is always the best idea.

What’s the greatest miracle you have ever witnessed?

I’ve had the privilege of witnessing healing and seeing people experience the Holy Spirit in wonderful ways – and this is great.

But for me, the best miracles that I witness are what maybe seem to others like small, everyday things – for example a family that has been struggling to understand their child’s needs suddenly making sense of their complex behaviour, and family life improving as a result.

Devotion As the weather moves from mild to murky, it’s easy to wrap our hearts up in layers as well as our bodies. Don’t let the cold affect your heart... keep refreshed with the Spirit

Don’t let the cold affect you

Bible focus Revelation 2:3-4: “You have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. Yet I hold this against you: you have forsaken your first love.”

Have you ever thought that it would be a whole lot easier to believe in God if he were to just show himself to you?

Sometimes it can feel so hard to put God first when we can’t see him, and we struggle to feel his presence at all.

The words of this passage were written to a specific

Thought for the day Hey there Delilah The story of Samson is one of the great Old Testament tales that we’ve all known and loved since we were knee high.

Samson was a man with muscles like no other! More than that though, he was someone who experienced and demonstrated God’s power in miraculously obvious ways.

And yet, though Samson’s story can be a great source of encouragement, some of the saddest words in the whole Bible are also to be found there. When Samson was finally captured, he tried to fight back: “But he did not know that the Lord had left him.”

It seems almost unbelievable to think that someone as close to the Lord as Samson could simply ‘lose’ God and not even realise it, but that is exactly what happened!

Samson allowed himself to get so caught up with what was going on in the rest of his

church in Ephesus. Even though this church was doing everything right, enduring hardship and persevering under pressure, they had somehow let their hearts grow cold.

While fighting through the worries and challenges of life, spending time with Jesus is something that is easily forgotten, even when our time is filled with doing good.

It’s important that we maintain a balance between time spent doing and time spent being with God. As Jesus said in a different context, “You should practise the latter without leaving the former undone.”

life that he forgot about the one who made him.

God offers us an incredible deal – he promises us eternal, everlasting, completely fulfilled life, promising never to leave us and to be with us every day, in every situation we face, if we will just give our lives to him.

So today, don’t forget the one who can make who you truly are supposed to be.

Keep your mind fixed on the hope that he gives, and ‘let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us’. iBelieve

33

iPray Prayer is one of the most effective ways of creating, deepening and sustaining a relationship with God. But trying to pray ‘in the right way’ or using the ‘correct’ words can often seem like a daunting task.

However, when the disciples asked Jesus how they should pray, his response was surprisingly simple. We know it as the Lord’s prayer: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.

Your kingdom come, your

will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”

This type of prayer is based on relationship, not religion. It is important to remember that, as well everything else that he is to us, God is our Heavenly Father, and he wants the very best for us. We have to trust that he is working on our behalf, even when we can’t see it.

Don’t grow spiritually cold Throughout time, there have been individuals who have changed the world. AW Tozer was a man who warned against growing spiritually cold.

I want deliberately to encourage this mighty longing after God. The lack of it has brought us to our present low state. The stiff and wooden quality about our religious lives is a result of our lack of holy desire. Complacency is a deadly foe of all spiritual growth. Acute desire must be present or there will be no manifestation of Christ to his people. He waits to be wanted. Too bad that with many of us he waits so long, so very long, in vain.

Every age has its own characteristics. Right now we are in an age of religious complexity.

The simplicity which is in Christ is rarely found among us. In its stead are programmes, methods, organisations and a world of nervous activities which occupy time and attention but can never satisfy the longing of the heart. The shallowness of our inner experience, the hollowness of our worship, and the servile imitation of the world which marks our promotional methods all testify that we, in this day, 34

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know God only imperfectly, and the peace of God scarcely at all.

If we desire to find God amid all the religious externals we must first determine to seek him, and then proceed in the way of simplicity. Now, as always, God discloses himself to ‘babes’ and hides himself in thick darkness from the ‘wise’ and the ‘prudent’. We must simplify our approach to him. We must strip down to essentials – and they will be found to be blessedly few. We must put away all effort to impress, and come with the guileless candour of childhood. If we do this, without doubt God will quickly respond.

When religion has said its last word, there is little we need other than God himself. The evil habit of seeking ‘God-and’ effectively prevents us from finding God himself in full revelation. In the ‘and’ lies our great woe. If we omit the ‘and’, we shall soon find God, and in him we shall find that for which we have all our lives been secretly longing.

I’m not a s Once the milk is spilt it may be very little use asking for forgiveness, but it’s the height of rudeness not to, argues Mark Wreford

“I

t is better to ask for forgiveness than permission,” I am often told. Rarely have I heard anyone reach for this phrase when permission is likely to be granted!

In fact, in my experience, this handy little proverb is used to justify a multitude of minor misdemeanours that won’t hurt other people too much – it’s a way of saying, “They won’t mind enough to make me not want to do it.”

In actual fact, whenever someone states that forgiveness is preferable to permission, you know that the opposite is true. We’d rather have permission to do as we please, but we’re aware that it’s unlikely to be granted. Forgiveness is the better option, simply because it allows me to get what I want.

Cast your mind back to the phone hacking scandal that engulfed and annihilated the News of the World. Rather than asking permission, they opted to ask for forgiveness and look where it got them! Rather than being commended for following this oft-repeated rule, they were branded the very epitome of dishonesty.

But the suggestion that it’s better to ask for forgiveness than permission obviously isn’t meant to be taken seriously – everybody knows that. I guess you’ll have to forgive my illustration because I didn’t ask your permission…

What’s a little strange about this widely recognised maxim is that it exposes something about our approach to life that

Beyond reasonable doubt

a slave… are you? we don’t often take into account: namely, the very fact that we feel the need to ask for forgiveness or permission. It’s an ‘either/or’ situation. We would consider it totally callous and insensitive to ask for neither – even if the very act of asking is meaningless. Once the milk is spilt it may be very little use asking for forgiveness, but it’s the height of rudeness not to.

So, we begin to see that our seemingly simple proverb is actually rather more complex, for it relies on a hidden framework which everyone who has ever asked for forgiveness or permission accepts: we understand that our actions measure up against some code of conduct to which others can hold us responsible.

The real problem with this hidden framework is that it requires us to believe, or at least accept, something fundamental: we have to believe that our actions have an effect beyond us, and that it is important to consider this effect when deciding what to do. Now this might seem

more obvious than problematic because everything we do affects those around us, but if you think about it for a moment, the suggestion that we bear responsibility for the implications of our actions beyond how they impact us gets really difficult if we try to remove the existence of a higher reality from the equation.

If we accept – as many claim – that there is nothing beyond what you can see, smell, hear, taste and touch, then we find ourselves in voluntary slavery to the opinion of another – and indeed every other – for no reason at all. Of course we can say that it’s all a bit more complicated than that, and talk about emotions and the need to be nice to our fellow man, but the reality is that if what you see is all you get there is absolutely no reason to ask, either for forgiveness or permission.

If there is no higher reality, we have to ask where this code of conduct came from. How did it come to be that all over the world similar rules are widely accepted? How is it that all over the world people understand the purpose of permission and the need for forgiveness? Of course there are exceptions to every rule, but there are remarkably few to this one.

But more worryingly, if we get rid of anything beyond our earthly senses, we find ourselves bound to confess that the rules we follow so slavishly are only important because we think they are. We have to ask why we follow them. We all

willingly follow rules we don’t enjoy that are imposed by people we don’t like. If all these rules are merely the expectation of others, why bother?

This is where it gets sticky. The fact is that if there’s no higher reality, then slavery is as far from abolished as it can possibly get. We are all subject to the tyrannical expectations of other people, which demand our allegiance and dictate our actions. What’s worse is that we perpetually accept and even promote this state of affairs!

If there truly is no God, we are playing a pointless game and we ought to have the decency to free others from the shackles that our opinions place on them and hope that they can do the same for us. If there’s nothing beyond what we see, then we’re all individuals thrust together by circumstance and it’s merely dog eat dog.

Nice guys truly finish last and we ought to be ruthless in pursuing exactly what we want and nothing else – that is all that is left. Why ask permission?

But, as famous philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche once asked, “Who gave us a sponge to wipe away the horizon?” If we cast off any idea of God, we wipe away the horizon of our morality and find ourselves adrift on an endless ocean of individual existence detached from everyone else.

We become so radically liberated that we have actually ‘freed’ ourselves from the very values that make life worth living.

Next month Mark looks at the defining question of human life and asks, ‘Who cares?’ iBelieve

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Advice

with John Kirby, from Christians Against Poverty

F

irst of all, you are what you think. If you don’t think about it, you won’t save. It has to be something that you’re committed to. Are you thinking about it? Is it something that you’re focusing your mind on – the need for savings.

There are two main kinds of savings.

You can save for things that you know are coming and then you can save for the unknown. Unless you have a budget that you are aware of in terms of how much money you need for everyday things like car tax and presents, you can’t plan.

The development of a budget, a sound budget, is the first step towards saving, because you need to have a reason to save. If you work out your budget, you’ll find out your reason.

The second thing is to have a wish list.

If you don’t have a list of things you want to do and know how much they are, you’ll never save for them. People save because they have the pain of saving outweighed by the joy of doing what the money they’re saving will enable them to do. You have to ask what the money will do. That has to be a bigger joy than the pain of saving.

What kind of holiday are you going to go on? What are you going to buy? The joy of not buying something on credit has to be a part of it too. The ability to wait for things is significant, but particularly in savings. If you’re not willing to wait for something you’ll just go out and buy it on credit.

Next, you have to make yourself accountable to somebody. Like any life skill you have to be accountable. One great way to do this is to talk to your partner about it and make yourselves some stated goals and some milestones along the way.

Keeping your savings separate also helps with this accountability. If your savings are in a place that to use them requires a significant decision, you’re less likely to spend them and it’s more obvious if you do.

But at the end of the day if you don’t plan it, it won’t happen. Nothing will hap-

36

iBelieve

QUESTIONS TO ASK Have you more savings now than you had a year ago?

Are your debts up on a year ago?

Have you got a plan to reduce your debts?

Best ways to save

John Kirby, head of Christians Against Poverty, gives iBelievers his top tips for handling their money. This month, he’s talking about saving pen through osmosis. You have to plan.

You have to spend time figuring out what you’re going to spend, give and save.

If you don’t, how can you expect those things to be in order?

God asked us to be faithful in the small things and one of the smallest things is money. This text isn’t just about giving, it’s about being faithful in money as a whole – faithful in managing it, faithful in

thinking about it and faithful in using it for the kingdom of God. If you can be faithful in managing your money, there are great blessings, because the disciplines that you will develop in doing so will be priceless in all other areas of serving God.  John Kirby is the founder and international director of Christians Against Poverty. www.capdebthelp.org

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iReviews BOOKS With the nights shortening and with a chill in the air, now’s the perfect time to curl up with a good book and while away the hours lost in the imaginary world of a novel. We’ve picked out some of our favourite Christian tales to help you find something both inspiring and entertaining…

1. A Lineage Of Grace Francine Rivers £8.25 Setting out to tell the story of the five remarkable women found in Jesus’ genealogy as told by Matthew, Francine Rivers combines biblical insight with a vivid imagination to paint a compelling picture of the events behind the verses. With a wellearned reputation for excellent research, Francine breathes moving life into stories

whose brief appearances in the Bible hide their importance. This is a great introduction to Francine’s books and there’s a lot more where it came from too! Read and be inspired – then get another!

2. The Shack William Paul Young £7.99 The Shack is a heartwarming tale of love, loss and restoration, told in wonderfully pictorial language, reminiscent of Pilgrim’s Progress. Make no mistake though, this book is fully up to date. Follow the journey of one man as God brings him to confront the scar tissue the deeply traumatic loss of his daughter had left.

Inspiring and challenging in equal measure, The Shack takes human suffering and looks for God, while remaining very readable and enjoyable.

3. The Penny Joyce Meyer £6.99 iBelieve columnist Joyce Meyer has long been known for her inspirational titles, but now she’s unleashing her creativity on an unsuspecting world in an entirely different style, turning her hand to fiction. Picking up on elements of her own story to create an engagingly real tale that throbs with life, she explores the good, the bad and the ugly in this gripping read.

CDs From deep-fried southern rock with a soul-y tinge to achingly hip Australian pop-inspired worship right through to classical piano melodies, we’ve got it covered this month. Take your pick – there’s something for everyone!

What to read & listen to 38

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1. Come To The River Rhett Walker Band £9.99 If you’re a fan of music that’s as rowdy as it is laid back, then this is the release for you! Rhett Walker’s lazy vocal style is very listenable and the wonderfully crafted music is so reminiscent of the Deep South that it practically smells of fried chicken! With foot stamping choruses, raucous enthusiasm and genuine skill, this is truly an album not to be missed.

2. Cornerstone Hillsong Live £12.99 The latest in a long line of excellent albums to come out from the creative hive that is Hillsong. Building on their previous efforts, but infusing more elements of

pop-inspired voicings, this album will appeal to fans of Coldplay and Mumford and Sons alike. There are some great moments that the live album captures perfectly, and you’ll be singing along in no time.

3. Reflection Fabio D’Andrea £11.99 Having gained grade eight on the piano at the tender age of 12, Fabio D’Andrea was clearly marked out as a special talent. Now a concert pianist, musical director at Kensington Temple in London and entertainer to the A-listers at exclusive parties, this album is truly as reflective as its title suggests.

Great for quieter moments, the man’s skill shines through as his inventive arrangements and clever choice of pieces make for a wonderful CD.

iBelieve

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Time to help those who need loving, Christian care?

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In April, 2012, Emmaus House became part of the Pilgrims’ Friend Society, the Christian charity with over 200 years experience of care. Now, after many years’ service, our manager is moving to a different role within the Society, and we are looking for the person God has in mind to replace him.

Could this be your time for a new direction? The role calls for a committed Christian, able to lead devotional times.

Also someone who is a good communicator, happy to interact with residents and their relatives, as well as local authority and regulatory bodies. If it sounds like you, you will also have management or supervisory experience in a residential setting, and be able to lead the care and service teams in the home. www.pilgrimsfriend.org.uk

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Advice SHARE YOUR PROBLEMS WITH

Mandy Smith The teenage bride of Rolling Stones’ bassist Bill Wyman and former Vogue model Mandy Smith answers your questions

It’s a nightmare!

about your Christian life, then maybe you can slowly start mentioning things in conversation, rather than just announcing ‘I’m a Christian’. Act normal and you will be accepted. If anyone makes you feel uncomfortable about who you are then I suggest you might have to question whether they are true friends in the first place.

I’ve been having scary nightmares and considered going to see a medium to see if they could explain them. A Christian friend warned me against this but it can’t cause much damage, can it?

We all have nightmares from time to time and they can be really scary but they normally happen with such long time gaps between so we tend to forget the feeling they gave us originally. So I can see why you are seeking to find some comfort if you are having vivid dreams often.

The Bible says in Leviticus 19:31: “Do not turn to mediums, do not seek them out and make yourselves unclean by them.”

Your friend is therefore correct in thinking that going to see a medium could cause problems. God asks that you seek him first! Most Christians struggle from time to time with their faith in God and they know life can be very testing and hard.

People who have a lot of nightmares tend to have vivid imaginations. Take care in the area of what you watch, read and listen to. New medications can also affect your dream state, so bear this in mind.

Will I look weird?

I have been a Christian for about 18 months but am terrified of telling my friends at work. How can I bring up the subject without looking weird?

I have loved the Lord for many years and yet I will always appear to be a ‘Jesus

Burning question I’ve been smoking cigarettes ever since I was a young girl but since I started going to church I just don’t crave them as much. I’m still addicted though and can’t seem to totally quit. Can you offer any advice? freak’ to certain folk! Remember that old saying: “You can’t please all the people all of the time.” Well, it certainly applies here and, to be honest, this is more about you accepting that you enjoy being a Christian and loving how it makes you feel.

People who care about you will accept you for you, but be prepared that some friends might not agree with your views or beliefs. But this normal – it’s called choice!

Issues normally arise regarding religion when you start preaching to people who really don’t want to hear about what you believe in.

May I suggest you look at building some new friendships within the Christian community, mix with people who will help you build up your confidence in who you are and then I am sure you will just naturally talk to your work colleagues about being a believer. If you are really feeling the urge to tell your colleagues

Well done for starting to quit! Remember, everyone is different and some people can stop straight away while others don’t cope as well with the withdrawal process.

Stopping anything that is addictive takes courage, willpower and strength. Smoking also becomes a habit and to change this process normally takes around 30 days. Use this as a focus, it will be difficult for the first week but know by week four that your habit has been broken and then it’s about having to cope with the withdrawal.

Tell your friends at your church that you are quitting and look to them for support and encouragement and take time throughout your day to ask God to keep you from faltering. Also, don’t feel ashamed to ask for help or seek medical advice. Smoking is an addiction. If you fail in your first attempt to give up, don’t be disheartened or too hard on yourself – just try again. Remember, your health is your wealth!

If you have a question for Mandy, e-mail mandy.smith@ibelievemagazine.com iBelieve

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Real life

The subject of depression in the Church is seen as taboo by many believers. But for author and speaker Jo Swinney, that’s an attitude which urgently needs to change

Breaking taboos on depression “I

think there is still a thought that Christians should be joyful at all times,” says Jo Swinney. “But if you’ve even read a tiny bit of the Bible, you’ll know that’s pretty nonsensical! There is still so much more to be done on this issue.”

Jo’s work, however, is certainly making inroads. In 2006, she wrote her first book, Through The Dark Woods, which was based on her personal experiences with depression.

Having suffered on and off from depression since the age of 13 – following the 42

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loneliness of being sent to boarding school in the UK while her family remained in the Algarve – it was a project born out of necessity.

“The writing happened because I had this thing that I wanted to say about depression, and because I felt so passionately about wanting to be open about it,” explains Jo. “I lived in Canada for four years, which is where I got treatment and got on top of my depression. It was much less stigmatised in North America. It really wasn’t a big deal and people spoke openly about

it. And so, coming back to England in 2004, I felt the contrast. I felt that it was still something people were ashamed of.

Depression really wasn’t spoken about, and if people found out about it, it was considered to be a bit shocking. Because I’d gone through such a shift of perspective on depression in Canada, I wanted to be part of changing perceptions over here.”

Jo’s illness was brought under control via Christian counselling and medication.

This openness led to her book receiving rave reviews from eminent professors

Depression is all too common, even among believers, says Jo Swinney

and psychiatrists. But the stigma Jo had encountered on returning to England still remained.

“Well, there were some funny things that happened,” says Jo. “A friend of mine, when she saw the title of it, said, ‘Did you write that about the time before you were a Christian?’ And I had a few other people say, ‘Oh, I thought you were a Christian.’

So there were some comments that made me realise that it was even more of an issue than I thought.

“In fact, people still tell me that I’m brave for having talked about depression, and I find that a bit baffling. I think that reflects the attitude that’s still there.

I mean, why should it be brave? I don’t really understand. I just think it should be normal to talk about it.

“Quite a few people who were my good friends were surprised because I had kept my struggles well hidden, and it made them quite sad that they hadn’t known.

And a lot of people told me they had been depressed too, which I didn’t know about.” This hidden world of depressed

Christians began to reveal itself to Jo when – following on from the book – she began speaking publicly on the topic.

These engagements have taken her to such conferences as New Wine, Greenbelt and the Christian Resources Exhibition, and what she has discovered during this time has come as a big surprise.

“I did two seminars at New Wine one year and they were packed to the rafters – literally 400 people at each one,” she explains.

“Afterwards, I got loads of letters from people saying, ‘I’ve never heard this talked about from the front before,’ and it was just shocking.”

But what is also certain is that Jo’s talks on depression are making a difference in people’s lives – possibly because she is honest about her ongoing struggles.

However, she remains modest about her efforts.

“I just see it as being a catalyst to get people to start talking, and to raise the awareness,” states Jo. “There’s only so much you can do in a little hour-long slot

and I’m not a counsellor. I’ve really tried to be clear about the fact that I’m just a fellow sufferer. I’m telling my story and that’s helped me, and I’m encouraging other people to do the same.”

Since the release of Through The Dark Woods, Jo has written three more books – Cheerful Madness, exploring the topic of relationships, God Hunting, investigating spiritual disciplines, and her latest publication, Keeping Faith, about the dynamics of family life when someone who is raised as a Christian loses their faith as an adult.

But she says her heart will always be drawn to those believers with depression – people whom she is desperate not to see driven into the background.

“We’re all quite frightened of brokenness, and mental health in particular is scary if you aren’t familiar with it, but I think that stops people getting treatment, and that’s a real shame.

“I do think attitudes have changed a lot in the last five years, though, but they need to keep changing – because depression is so common.” iBelieve

43

Your comprehensive legal advice service ISSUES OF OLD AGE – Answers to Questions

Specialists in t 8JMMT t 1SPCBUF A day of interactive workshops at t $PVSU PG King’s House Conference Centre, King’s Church, Sidney Street, Manchester M1 7HB 1SPUFDUJPO 7th November, 2012, 10.00 am – 4.00 pm t 5SVTUT t 1PXFST PG Workshop Speakers: "UUPSOFZ Roger Hitchings, Maureen Sim, Janet Jacob, Louise Morse, Maria Williams, Dr J Ling. t $PNNFSDJBM 1SPQFSUZ themselves and will set out a series of challenges relating to their The Crisis in Care: covering the quality of care, the biblical standard t (FOFSBM own thinking and living. It will also outline ways that families, $PNNFSDJBM and how care providers can provide quality care churches and organisations can facilitate older people serving as BOE Responding to early dementia and what caregivers need: This $PNQBOZ well as being served. has been requested by a number of people and will look at both the 8PSL Legal Issues for Older People: A legal eye on Wills, Power of indicators and early stages of dementia, as well as the impact on 8IFSFWFS ZPV BSF CBTFE 'SPETIBNT DBO BTTJTU ZPV t legal 3FTJEFOUJBM Attorney, Advance Decisions, Mental Capacity and also spurious caregivers. It will obviously seek to be practical in outlining the real %JTUBODF JT OP QSPCMFN BT XF SFHVMBSMZ QSPWJEF MFHBM TFSWJDFT 4BMFT BOE products. UP DMJFOUT CBTFE UISPVHIPVU &OHMBOE BOE 8BMFT impact of a diagnosis of dementia and the support that is needed.

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Food



Ale and hearty Classic steak and ale pie 1kg braising steak • 2 garlic cloves, crushed • 1-2 onions, roughly chopped • 2 carrots, roughly chopped • 500ml strong ale • 4 beef stock cubes • 1 vegetable stock cube • 1/2 tsp chilli powder • 50g fresh thyme • 1 egg, beaten lightly • 300g ready to roll puff pastry Turn up the heat on a large frying pan and put a little oil in the pan to get warmed up. Add the braising steak, having stripped it of any fatty bits and diced it.

Allow the steak to sear on all sides and cook until there is no pink left. By the time

the steak is all seared and browned, there should be a good amount of juice sizzling away in the pan too.

When the steak’s done, pour in half the ale – look for a slightly stronger ale with a more traditional taste for best results – and allow the mixture to simmer for a minute. Add the rest of the ale, along with your thyme and chilli powder.

Crumble in all the stock cubes, though you may wish to use less if you’re not a fan of strong gravy, and add your onion and carrot to the mix.

Turn the heat down a little, and allow the mixture to simmer for about ten min-

utes. Preheat your oven to 375°C (gas mark four) while it simmers. When it’s settled and softened a little, transfer the mixture to a casserole dish.

Put the dish in the oven and leave it to cook for at least an hour and a half.

Twenty minutes before you want to serve your pie, take the mixture out of the oven and roll the pastry over the top of the dish. Use the egg to glaze the pastry by beating it and then applying a thin layer to the top of the pastry.

Pop the pie back in the oven for another 20 minutes and you’re done!

You might like to throw in a few mushrooms, peas or a bit of kidney, depending on how you like your pie too. Enjoy this British classic!

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45

Food

Souped up!

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iBelieve

As we get further into autumn, there’s nothing better than getting home to a bowl of warming soup. iBelieve chef Emily Roberts gives you a tasty idea to spice up your butternut squash soup with chilli for the chilly days!

Butternut squash and chilli soup

I

t’s getting to that time of year when the nights are drawing in, the wind begins to blow and we look towards eating food which is hearty and warming. In October there is a plentiful supply of wonderful squashes and pumpkins which make the most delicious of soups.

One of my absolute favourite dishes has to be butternut squash and chilli soup, which I recently made for my television show and cost a grand total of £1.40 for a family of four!

One of my tips is to ensure that you check the reduced goods aisle of the supermarket. So many times I have been able to pick up a perfect squash for as little as 80p!

Ingredients 2½ tbsp of olive oil • A butternut squash weighing around 1kg, peeled and cut into 2cm cubes • 1

large onion, roughly chopped • 1 large garlic clove chopped • 1 red chilli, de-seeded and fi nely chopped • 1 litre of good quality vegetable stock 1. Heat your oven to 200°C (gas mark 6).

2. In a roasting tin, place the butternut squash and coat the chunks in one tbsp of the olive oil. It is best to use your hands to ensure that it is nicely coated. Place into the oven and cook for around 30-35 minutes.

3. You will know when the squash is cooked by prodding the cubes with a sharp knife. If it’s still a little hard then continue cooking for a few minutes longer.

4. While the butternut squash is cooking, get a large saucepan and add the remaining olive oil, onions, chilli and garlic.

5. Gently cook on a very low heat with the lid on for around ten minutes, ensuring that you stir every minute or so. After ten minutes, add the stock and continue to gently cook with the lid on for a further ten minutes.

6. When your butternut squash is cooked, add to the saucepan and cook through for another three minutes.

7. Remove from the heat and blend with a hand blender or liquidiser. You can gently reheat the soup and add any additional seasoning should you need it.

Now sit back and enjoy!

Hallelujah Party Time I am frequently asked by people if I have any suggestions as what to do as an alternative to Halloween. I too, do not like my children dressed as devils or witches, nor do I like the darkness that is attributed to it, so I put on a Hallelujah party instead.

We have fun party food, carve pumpkins with Christian symbols

and happy faces and our home is flooded with light by many candles.

Joyful, happy worship music plays and a note is placed upon our door inviting people in for Bible study, worship and praise.

This gives Christians a great opportunity to spread the gospel and to have good fellowship with each other! iBelieve

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47

puzzles sudoku

codeword

Place the numbers 1 - 9 in every row, column and 3x3 box Easy

Crack the code to fill in the crossword grid. Each letter of the alphabet appears at least once in the grid and is represented by the same number wherever it appears. A number of letters have been decoded to get you started 11

5

18

11

10

15

26

6

5

6

23

21

10

21

3

19

11

7

20

5

20

26

26

21

21

1

19

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9 17

26 14

19

10

13

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6

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2

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11

17

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6

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22

24

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10 26

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6

7

10

17

6

6

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22

1

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2

3

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7

8

9

10

11

12

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16

17

18

19

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21

22

23

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25

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brain trainer Keeping your mind in shape is just as important as staying fit and healthy, so tone up your grey cells with these maths problems.

Start with the ‘Easy’ line and see how far you get in a minute!

48

iBelieve

Easy

14

÷2

Moderate

27

-7

Advanced

39

+8

4 1

8 7 5

7

9 6 3

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 1

1

5 4 6

Hard

21

17

7 9

4 3 2 9 8 7 6 2 9 3 4 8 8 4 1 7 9 8 6 1 7

1

1 6

1 6 3

23

10

17 21

6 4

6 24

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19

6

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50% of this

x 10

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x 16 + 60

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Place each number from 1 - 9 once into the square completing the sums

2 +

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quick crossword

number square

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6

7

11

12

14

15

16 17

R

18

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5

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13

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10

word wheel O

3

8

15

See how many words you can find using the letters in the wheel. Each word must use the middle letter and at least two others. Letters may only be used once. No plurals, foreign words or proper nouns are allowed, but verb forms ending in ‘s’ are permitted.

There is one nine-lettered word in the wheel.

2

E

E

19

20

21

Across Across

How you score:

Down

Down

1 1- Befuddles (8)(8) - Befuddles

- End part 1 - End part of a1 sleeve (4) of a sleeve (4)

- Unreturnable tennis serves 5 5- Unreturnable tennis serves (4) (4)

2 - Quantity (6)2 - Quantity (6)

- Thigh bone 8 8- Thigh bone (5)(5)

3 - Unflustered3(9) - Unflustered (9)

9 - Japanese dish of raw fish (7)

4 - Short pieces of written work (6)

Average:

10

9 - Japanese dish of raw fish (7)

Good:

13

10 - Opening the mouth wide when tired (7)

16

1212- Duties or or taxes (7)(7) - Duties taxes

7 - dishes Tiny amount 11 - Cleaning the (7-2) (8)

- Body troops 1414- Body ofof troops (7) (7)

12 - Item of cutlery used to stir a drink(7-2) 11 - Cleaning the dishes

16 - Slipped (7) 16 - Slipped (7)

(8)

Excellent:

word ladder Climb down from the top rung to the bottom, changing just one letter each time to create a new word

BIRD

Stuck? Check out the answers in our great Classified Advertising section at the back

BATH

Kangaroo Kitten Monkey Panda Rabbit Sheep Squirrel Tiger Turtle Zebra

tired (7)

7 - Tiny amount (8)

6 - Time of intense difficulty (6)

12 - Item of cutlery used to stir a drink (8)

18 - Art of paper folding (7)

13 - Growing weary (6)

19 - Person invited to one’s house (5)

14 - Nervously (6)

13 - Growing weary (6)

19 - Person invited to one's house (5)

15 - Hidden (6)14 - Nervously (6)

20 - Near (4)

2021- Near (4) - Compassion for another (8)

17 - Remain (4)15 - Hidden (6)

21 - Compassion for another (8)

Look for all the words in the grid to the right. Words may run backwards, horizontally, vertically or diagonally

Alligator Camel Cheetah Crocodile Dolphin Elephant Giraffe Goat Hamster Horse

6 - Time of intense difficulty (6)

18 - Art of paper folding (7)

wordsearch

This months theme: Animals

4 - Short pieces of written work (6)

10 - Opening the mouth wide when

17 - Remain (4)

Animals R

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C H

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Camel

KangarooiBelieve 49 Kitten

Crocodile

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Alligator Cheetah

Monkey

Y A D O T E B I SUBSCR t f i g a s a and d n e i r f a r o f subscribe * ! !

E C I R P at HALF T NEW MAGAZIN

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ribe Great reasons to subfoscr Sundays

YOU IN MIND

iBelie e YLE MAGAZINE THE CHRISTIAN LIFEST

OCOTBER 2012 • Issue 9 • £2.90

YOUR BRILLIAN

MONEY

Top advice to help you save

FOOD

Steak & ale pie Spicy butternut squash soup

Charity appeal

DAVID SUCHET

“I believe”

How to see London without breaking the bank

Stunning looks for (a lot) less

y(7HC0E9*MKMKKO( +=!"

STAR AMERICAN FOOTBALL CH WHO PRAYS ON THE PIT

od just  Because faith is too go iBelieve delivered  Don’t miss out – get th to your door every mon mily and faith – fa n, fu ve lo u yo e us ca  Be and we do too! believe – and for  Perfect for people who lieve! people who want to be ibe today and get cr bs su – s ng vi sa at re G  cover price a massive 30% off the ith magazine for  iBelieve – a real fa real people of faith

*This offer is only available when you choose direct debit, the guaranteed easy way to pay. Your subscription will begin with the next available issue, and your gift subscription will begin with the January 2013 issue, sent in time for Christmas.

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SAVE A MASSIVE 30% ON THE COVER PRICE PLUS BUY ONE AND GET ONE HA Please pay London & Zurich Plc re NEW LIFE. Direct Debits from the account detailed in this Instruction subject to safeguards assured by the Direct Debit Guarantee. I understand that this Instruction may remain with London & Zurich Plc re NEW LIFE and, if so, details will be passed electronically to my Bank/Building Society.

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Terms and conditions This is a direct debit offer and is open to readers in the UK only. To pay by credit card or for overseas subscriptions please call 0115 824 0777 or visit www.newlifepublishing.co.uk.

Direct debit prices are valid for one year, after which they are subject to change. Should prices change, you will be informed in writing. This direct debit agreement will remain in force until cancelled in writing.

New Life Publishing would like to keep you updated with details of our products and special offers. If you would prefer not to hear from us, please tick this box

A pr la

Next month in your iBelieve BRILLIANT CHRISTMAS OFFER

We talk to Reggae Reggae sauce creator Levi Roots

Teresa Scanlon youngest

ever Miss America winner

ONE HALF PRICE *

all wrapped

up

zin

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A Christmas present that lasts all year!

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e

iBelieve

Ch

ptions

.. .

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Fa m i ly... F a

it h

om the by the emain passed

.. n.

How God crept up on me Diane Louise Jordan

PLUS...

Our guide to choosing the best headphones Along with all your Food, Family, Faith and Fashion

How to...

Train your Y

BRAIN

ou can’t teach an old dog new tricks said one wise wag. Thankfully, you’re no pooch, so don’t underestimate your capabilities.

With our expert brain training tips, you’ll soon be showing up your friends and relatives with the astounding adaptability of your little grey cells…

1. Try new things. A great tip for life in general, but also for keeping your brain sprightly. Doing things that you’re not used to will force you to engage in unusual mental activity and keep your mind on its toes as it responds to the demands you’re placing on it. Try to do new things that are difficult and have a few steps – like dancing!

2. Use the wrong hand. If you’re right handed, use your left hand (and vice versa) to perform tasks that you could normally manage without thinking about. Control the mouse, write some notes (but nothing that matters), shake hands, switch your knife and fork round or take up snooker for the sole purpose of playing with your hands the wrong way round… the possibilities are endless!

3. Read all the books you should have read. War And Peace, Lord Of The Rings, Pride And Prejudice and Paradise Lost. This is the beginning of the brain training booklist. Pick out the difficult ones and really get stuck in – make sure

52

iBelieve

you’ve understood every bit. Pick up a Bible commentary and get your teeth into that, too.

4. Get up to date. You might believe that computer games rot the brain, but the Nintendo DS with its brain training games is one of the best ways to keep your mind moving, as it forces you to jump through cognitive hoops. How much is your mental fitness worth anyway?

5. DIY. Throw away your calculator and never use the Internet to

look up a word’s meaning again.

Labour saving devices save you from thinking. Spend more time thinking and you’ll end up thinking better.

6. Remember, remember… anything. Spend time reminiscing and you’re less likely to forget. Why not memorise a Bible verse a day?

7. Play that funky music – or classical, or jazz or whatever genre takes your fancy! Learn an instrument today.

Motors

Fresha Fiesta F

ABOVE: The interior of the new Fiesta.

RIGHT: How it all started, the Mk1 Fiesta

ord has revealed the new version of its best-selling Fiesta that features a sharper design and a host of exclusive technology features. The new Fiesta delivers an advanced package of technologies including a voice-activated in-car connectivity system, Ford SYN, and Active City Stop. It will also be equipped with the acclaimed 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol engine to deliver expected best-in-class fuel economy.

“Fiesta has been one of the world’s best-loved small cars across five decades, and the sporty appeal of the last generation Fiesta inspired real passion among global compact car customers, contributing to its status as the world’s most successful small car,” says Martin Smith, Ford of Europe executive design director.

“We had to keep that vital part of Fiesta’s make-up – but we also wanted to give it a more sophisticated look.”

The new Fiesta marks the latest chapter in the journey of the popular small car.

Ford launched the first Fiesta in 1976 and has since sold more than 15 million models around the world. The new Fiesta features design cues inspired by the latest Ford global design language and concept vehicles.

The Fiesta’s face is dominated by a front grille that looks like it was borrowed from an Aston Martin, bracketed by laser-cut headlamps with daytime running lamps that use LED technology, and features a power-dome bonnet design. The redesigned Fiesta also delivers a harmonious and ergonomically optimised interior.

Fiesta follows Ford’s approach of democratising technology – bringing advanced features to a greater number of drivers for the first time – and will be unique among its European competitors in featuring Active City Stop, a system designed to help drivers avoid low speed collisions.

Full details of the model range are expected to be released later this year. iBelieve

53

Red carpet TESTIMONY

‘I always take my Bible with me...’

Star striker Darren Bent talks about his faith in Christ and the ups and downs of professional football

E

ngland striker Darren Bent says God helped him get over his Euro snub. The Aston Villa goal machine was overlooked by Rod Hodgson for this summer’s European Championships after he missed the last three months of the 2011-2012 campaign through an ankle injury.

Bent, 28, revealed that his Christian beliefs kept him going.

He told Aston Villa’s club website: “I’ve been through some hard times here at Villa and at Spurs and missing out on major tournaments with England too.

“It has been difficult, but I’m a believer that good things come to those who wait and I believe if I am patient and I have faith then more good things will happen to me in my life and in my career.”

Bent, formerly of Charlton, Tottenham and Sunderland, was introduced to Christianity by his grandmother. He revealed he reads his Bible every day.

“My grandma has got me into religion because she used to carry me to church 54

iBelieve

every Sunday. I read the Bible every day any stick for my faith in the dressing room before I get up. You’ve got to have faith! and I think the lads realise it is a personal “Wherever I go I always choice of mine and they take the Bible with me and ‘I don’t get stick respect that. put it beside my bed so it’s for my faith in “A lot of footballers have there for me to read every now got tattoos with hands the dressing day. I still go to church praying and stuff like that, when I can, although it which can be a bit clichéd, room... the can be hard with Sunday but I have got my faith and lads respect it’ it is important to me. games. But, whenever my grandma needs me to do “It’s always been a supsomething for the church – to go along port for me. I know in my household and to an event or sign something – then I’m with my family it’s a big part of our lives more than happy to do that. I don’t get and what we do.”

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NEW LIFE

OCTOBER 2012 Issue 224

MUAMBA: I THANK GOD FOR MY FOOTY CAREEER

CHURCHES CAN HELP...

Patrick Regan

40p

GOOD NEWS STORIES

SEE BACK PAGE

www.newlife.co.uk

X FACTOR FAME WILL NOT CHANGE MY BELIEFS

EX-DRUGS BARON HAD

SEE PAGE 3

ROB’S LIFE NOW FULL OF JOY

PARANOIA

‘Church answer to gang issues’

A GANG expert answer to the believes the Church is the nation’s growing sance problems. youth nui-

Patrick Regan, who runs XLP, reckons children under youth charity are now being the age of ten groomed to partake in violence join gangs that and crime.

He says top gang leaders are earning in London more than ÂŁ100,000 through illegal per year drug activities.

But Patrick, events to deter whose organisation holds young people culture, believes from the gang the Christian the answer. message is He said: “I’ve often said to that I think politicians the Church is one of the placed organisations best to deal with We’re in every this issue. we’re not just area across the country and there for a few organisations years as some are. “We don’t only have a four term as politicians to five year do – we’re the long haul, there for communities living and working in these – we should be one of the placed. best “Lots of gang sion experience leaders have a real converwhen they discover made in the they are image of God, loved and cared and that they’re for. “It really brings a transformation ence when they experigospel message encounter the hope that the brings.�

0115 824 0777 ORDERS@NEWLIFE.CO.UK

www.graceccblackburn.co.uk

A DRUGS baron left paranoid own addiction planned to throw by his from a motorway himself bridge.

But Rob Joy’s lifestyle changed violent and seedy after he found He told New God. drugs empire Life that the more his grew the more he became. paranoid And as he sunk into fear and pression, he decried out to Jesus him to change to ask his life. � Full story – Centre Pages

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SEE BACK PAGE

GOOD NEWS STORIES

CHURCHES CAN HELP...

Patrick Regan

Hammer attack killer forgiven A MAN whose wife and daughter were beaten to death has forgiven their killer.

Arturo Martinez was brutally attacked along with his wife Ignacia and their tenyear-old daughter Karla in their own home.

They were beaten with a claw hammer when a man broke into their Los Angeles house earlier this year.

Mr Martinez has now appeared in a press conference to talk about his ordeal, and left the audience shocked when he said he would allow the man suspected of the attack, 22-year-old Bryan Clay, to kiss him on the cheek.

The devout Christian, who also has two boys aged nine and five who survived the ordeal, said: “As a believer in Christ, I know that God forgives all the sins of those who have faith in him. “In this, I am instructed to forgive first, knowing that God will forgive even murderers if there is true repentance. Bryan Clay will stand in judgment before him. “It is my prayer that my wife and daughter are in heaven waiting for me and my sons, for us to arrive to spend eternity with them. “I love my Ignacia. I love my Karla. I love my sons,� Martinez said at the press conference. “We all love Jesus. Through his strength, we will survive.�

Ignacia (left) and Karla Martinez

“I believe�

Will the Kindle work for you?

How to see London without breaking the bank

SEE PAGE 3

EX-DRUGS BARON HAD PARANOIA

www.newlife.co.uk

SMOKEY ROBINSON

I only talk about

A GANG expert believes the Church is the answer to the nation’s growing youth nuisance problems.

Patrick Regan, who runs youth charity XLP, reckons children under the age of ten are now being groomed to join gangs that partake in violence and crime.

He says top gang leaders in London are earning more than ÂŁ100,000 per year through illegal drug activities.

But Patrick, whose organisation holds events to deter young people from the gang culture, believes the Christian message is the answer.

He said: “I’ve often said to politicians that I think the Church is one of the best placed organisations to deal with this issue.

We’re in every area across the country and we’re not just there for a few years as some organisations are. “We don’t only have a four to five year term as politicians do – we’re there for the long haul, living and working in these communities – we should be one of the best placed. “Lots of gang leaders have a real conversion experience when they discover they are made in the image of God, and that they’re loved and cared for. “It really brings a transformation experience when they encounter the hope that the gospel message brings.�

...and now I’m a pastor’s wife A PASTOR’S wife has revealed how her first experience of church was when she surprised the preacher in her job – as a kissagram!

Blonde Lynda Heron walked on stage in suspenders and high heels before being ushered off by red-faced church members and being thrown outside. “People say to me, ‘You’re the one who kissed the preacher.’ I answer, ‘Yes, and I’m still kissing preachers today because now I’m married to one!’� she laughs.

A young Lynda worked as a kissagram in the pubs and clubs in her hometown of Blackpool.

One day the call came for her to go to a church.

A DRUGS baron left paranoid by his own addiction planned to throw himself from a motorway bridge.

But Rob Joy’s violent and seedy lifestyle changed after he found God. He told New Life that the more his drugs empire grew the more paranoid he became.

And as he sunk into fear and depression, he cried out to Jesus to ask him to change his life. � Full story – Centre Pages

Jubilee is an inspiration

The gospel according to

Dressed for the job, she sneaked in through the back door and got ready to surprise her target who was preaching on stage. Then her moment came. “I smiled and had my bright red lipstick ready to give him a kiss,� she said. “As I got closer I whipped off my coat and stood there in my fishnet stockings, high heeled shoes and suspenders and I planted this big red one on his face.

HORRIFIED “He was horrified. It went pitch black and I was hustled to the back of the stage and out of the door.�

Lynda, now 49, dusted herself off and put her bad experience of church to one side. Her career took off but her personal life was spiralling out of control. At just â—? Continued on Page 3

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Now she’s the wife of a pastor

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STAYING PURE IN A SEX CHARGED WORLD

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a man’s w rld with Carl Beech

Don’t panic!

It’s no use crying over a lost man bag, discovers Carl Beech

D

uring the last two weeks of July I basically sat in my car and drove around the UK. Starting off where I live in Chesterfield, I went as far north as the Lakes and as far south as Somerset. After more than 1,600 miles in two weeks, I had spoken to thousands of people at summer camps, lived in a variety of places from a tent to a hotel, managed to eat junk food just once and only hit one traffic jam (a seven-and-a-half-hour journey that should have taken less than three hours).

For the most part, it went without a hitch. The organisation had been done months in advance, I was well prepared for the talks, accommodation was all sorted out and I even had the right tunes downloaded on my iPod for the many hours in the car. However, no amount of planning can compensate for the fact that at unpredictable times and moments, I’m a bit of an idiot. Let me explain...

At every venue I have a ‘man bag’ loaded with kit – my MacBook Air laptop, various connectors, a power cable and an iPhone with charger. It makes the bag a bit heavy, especially with my note books and Bible in it as well.

So, how on earth did I manage to speak at a venue that was an eight-minute walk from my car, carrying my bag, load it into the boot and then drive 175 miles without realising that my bag was empty until I arrived at the next place? Cue a mild moment of panic when I realised that I had left an unsaved draft of a book minimised 58

iBelieve

in the corner of the screen. Why was it unsaved? Cue another mild moment of panic when I realised that the venue was now shut for the night and there was no one I could talk to.

Now, in the grand scheme of things it’s nothing really. It’s just a laptop, it’s just a book etc. I know all that, but it’s still a bit gutting. What was completely ironic was that two days later I had to give a talk on dealing with stress and tension from a Christian perspective. At least I had a ‘live’ illustration to give everyone!

Some bloke on Britain’s Got Talent came up with the genius song entitled ‘Where’s My Keys, Where’s My Wallet, Where’s My Phone?’ I think thousands of men around the country were assaulted with a ‘that’s you’ comment when that came out.

All that aside, onto the point of this ‘man moment’. How do we cope with these

kinds of things when they happen? Do we go off the deep end or do we take it in our stride? Do we start to think illogically or do we take a deep breath and just ‘park it’ until we can do something about it?

I’ve learned the latter over time. There’s nothing you can do about something like the scenario above once it’s done. You just have to man up, get your head right and sort it out in the best way possible.

You can even try to find some good in it.

For me, I lost a load of unsaved work but just came to the conclusion that it probably wasn’t that good anyway, and could do with a re-write.

It’s all about perspectives really. If you can’t change it, don’t let it get on top of you. Simple as that really. Jesus had some cool things to say about all of this to help us blokes keep things steady.

In a nutshell, he said there was little point in worrying. It’s been likened to a rocking chair. Lots of action but no progress. On that note, I’ll sign out. I’ve got a book to re-write…

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