FAITH IN ACTION 12 NOVEMBER 2016 | Issue 6655 | $1.50
GETTING READY FOR CHRISTMAS: When Mary said Yes to God On the Spot with Lisa King
Introducing The Salvation Army’s Seven Values Teen Anxiety and Depression: The Promise that Saved My Life
14 HOURS HOMELESS TIM WILSON
Transformed by Faith Kiwi journalist and author returns home
Walk the Talk by Copying Jesus
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WAR CRY The Salvation Army
Te Ope Whakaora New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga Territory TERRITORIAL LEADERS Commissioners Robert & Janine Donaldson | GENERAL André Cox | FOUNDERS William
& Catherine Booth
The Salvation Army’s message is based on the Bible. Our ministry is motivated by love for God. Our mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and meet human need in his name without discrimination. War Cry exists to support and advance The Salvation Army’s message, ministry and mission. EDITOR Major Christina Tyson | GRAPHIC DESIGN Tanesha Dahya, Amber Wilkinson | STAFF WRITERS Ingrid Barratt, Major Shar Davis, Robin Raymond | PROOF READING Major Jill Gainsford | COVER Tim Wilson, Photography: Greg Bowker, NZ Herald OFFICE Territorial Headquarters, 204 Cuba Street, PO Box
6015, Marion Square, Wellington 6141, Phone (04) 384 5649, Fax (04) 382 0716, Email warcry@nzf.salvationarmy.org, www.salvationarmy.org.nz/warcry
SUBSCRIPTIONS Salvationist Resources Department, Phone (04) 382 0768, Email mailorder@nzf.salvationarmy.org, $75 per year within NZ PRINT MANAGEMENT www.makeready.co.nz | PAPER Novatech is
an environmentally responsible paper manufactured under environmental management system ISO14001 using FSC® Certified, Mixed Source, ECF pulp from responsible sources and legally harvested forests.
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Try a little kindness I’ve developed a fun new hobby, which I describe to my family as ‘setting people free from roundabouts’. The way it works (in case you want to play, too), is that when you come up to a large and busy roundabout, with lots of people waiting at its various points, rather than rushing through, you slow ever so slightly so some of those at other points are free to get on and then off. The words ‘ever so slightly’ are important. As you focus on being kind and setting a few people free, you want to be careful not to antagonise those in the queue behind you. Kindness is so crucial in this world—it can lift a heavy heart, rebuild broken relationships and give courage to persevere. Mark Twain said, ‘Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.’ Kind words are especially powerful. As Proverbs 12:25 says, ‘Worry can rob you of happiness, but kind words will cheer you up.’ That’s not to say it’s always easy to be kind, but the good news is that kindness is one of the many qualities God grows in our lives. If your predisposition is toward a harshness in your attitudes and responses (anything from general grumpiness to road rage), and you’re tired of being this way, draw on God’s help. Ask God to transform your heart and to allow you to more easily see the great value of others. Christina Tyson Editor
Member of the Australasian Religious Press Association. All Bible references from the Holy Bible, New International Version, unless otherwise stated. Articles are copyrighted to The Salvation Army, except where indicated, and may be reprinted only with permission. Publishing for 133 years | ISSN 0043-0242, Issue 6655 Please pass on or recycle this magazine Read online www.issuu.com/salvationarmynzftwarcry
www.salvationarmy.org.nz salvationarmynzftwarcry @salvationarmynz salvationarmynzft
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God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference. Reinhold Niebuhr The Serenity Prayer
James 1:5 Contemporary English Version If any of you need wisdom, you should ask God, and it will be given to you. God is generous and won’t correct you for asking. Hēmi 1:5 Ki te hapa tētahi o koutou i te mātauranga, me īnoi ia ki te Atua, e hōmai nui nei ki te katoa, kāhore hoki āna tāwai mai; ā ka hōmai ki a ia.
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t’s human nature to copy something we think is interesting or cool. We do it quite naturally from an early age. It’s a basic form of learning and growing. Girls copy their mum putting on her makeup, kids copy their parents pulling weeds out of the garden (and when those adult backs are turned, out come all those carefully placed flowers!), and a lot of us try to copy our sporting heroes —though not always with spectacular results. Sometimes people can get in a lot of trouble from copying something. Looking at another person’s exam and taking their answers as our own can get a school student in trouble. And including information in a university-level assignment without acknowledging its source can be disastrous. I remember a time when one of our kids copied another kid who was their own age but more skilled. It involved a bike, a hill and a dirt track. We didn’t have enough time to yell any helpful instructions to our little risk-taker. We could only watch and wait for the outcome. We were hoping we were about to discover a BMX star in the making, but unfortunately, we picked up a battered and crying adventurer at the bottom of the BMX track. That experience was a big lesson for all of us.
A Salvation Army song actually promotes copying. It says: To be like Jesus! This hope possesses me. In every thought and deed, this is my aim, my creed; To be like Jesus! This hope possesses me. His Spirit helping me, like him I’ll be. One of the main obstacles stopping more people from becoming Christians is the complaint that there are too many Christian hypocrites who say one thing and do another. The criticism is that Christians don’t ‘walk the talk’. Thankfully, Christianity isn’t based on how Christians act, but on the actions of Jesus. And Jesus was not a hypocrite! It’s also true that Christian history is full of many examples of selfless Christian living that totally honours the example of Jesus. But there is still truth in that criticism, because we want the example you and I show to others to be one people will want to copy. We need to walk the talk every day. It is a big hope to be like Jesus. But the key is found in the last line of that song—it’s completely impossible to be like Jesus on our own, but with the Holy Spirit’s help, our lives will imitate Jesus. BY BRENTON MILLAR 12 NOVEMBER 2016 WarCry 3
GOODSTUFF On November 12, the United States celebrates ‘National Pizza with the Works Except Anchovies’ Day. On the 24th is Thanksgiving Day. And the day after is Black Friday. For all the craziness that goes on in the US, the tradition of Thanksgiving tucked in between is quite beautiful. We cynical Kiwis tend to find it difficult to say thanks. But practising gratitude is not only commanded by Scripture, it is scientifically proven to improve mental health.
The thing to do, it seems to me, is to prepare yourself so you can be a rainbow in somebody else’s cloud … I may not dance your dances or speak your language. But be a blessing to somebody. That’s what I think. Maya Angelou
The World’s Most Inspiring Words The Māori term ‘turangawaewae’ has been listed as one of the world’s top 10 inspiring words by popular ezine Positive News in a celebration of the world’s 7000 languages. Turangawaewae is central to tikanga Māori, and means ‘the place where we stand’—referring to personal identity, based on our connection with the earth, sky, sea and people. We agree this is a truly inspiring word! Here’s the full of list of 10 inspiring words from around the world: 1. ‘Xibipíío’, Amazon, Brazil: A phenomenon on the boundaries of perception or experience. 2. ‘Ondinnonk’, Iroquoi, North America: The soul’s innermost desires, as revealed in dreams. 3. ‘Hózhó’, Navajo, US: Striving for balance in life, towards oneself, others and the earth.
Drama, Romance The Light Between Oceans M (sex scenes) Derek Cianfrance Based on M.L. Stedman’s novel, The Light Between Oceans is set just after WWI. Veteran Tom Sherbourne (Michael Fassbender) takes up the position of lighthouse keeper off the coast of Western Australia and embraces the duties of his role. Love and marriage with Isabel (Alicia Vikander) takes Tom by surprise. The couple find bliss in their isolated ocean life until two miscarriages dash their idyllic dreams. Isabel is deep in grief when a rowboat washes up—carrying a baby girl and a dead man. Against his better judgement, Tom agrees to raise the baby as their own. Tom’s moral dilemma becomes increasingly complicated when he learns the child’s heartbroken mother (played by Rachel Weisz) is living in the same town as Isabel’s parents. Although right and wrong is clear, the story weaves in such a way that our empathy is with every character. Partly shot in New Zealand, the scenery is stunning. Janus Lighthouse of Stedman’s tale is Cape Campbell Lighthouse in Marlborough’s Clifford Bay, with Dunedin the setting for Partageuse, where Tom and Isabel meet. A beautiful movie that rises above most love stories with its portrayal of the heartache of miscarriage. (Reviewed by Christina Tyson)
4. ‘Ho’oponopono’, Hawaii: An interaction involving mutual forgiveness and restitution. 5. ‘Wanktok’, Papua New Guinea: The community where I find belonging; we speak the same language and are responsible for each other. 6. ‘Turangawaewae’, Māori, New Zealand: A place to stand; a place where we feel rooted, empowered and connected. 7. ‘Woohitike’, Lakota, North America: The brave and courageous spirit that lies in every person. 8. ‘Piliriqatigiinniq’, Inuktitut, Canada: Togetherness, community spirit. Working together for the common good. 9. ‘Fago’, Ifaluk Island, South Pacific: A combination of sorrow and the optimism to be found in human compassion. 10. ‘Kenshō’, Japan: A temporary glimpse of awakening or enlightenment. Use your favourite in a sentence this week!
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QUIKQUIZ
1 Who is the All Blacks coach?
2 Where did Fats
ONTHESPOT Lisa King won a Woman of Influence Award for her initiative 'Eat My Lunch'. The successful venture, available in Auckland and Wellington, offers lunch delivered to your door —and for every lunch purchased, a lunch goes to a child who needs it. Celebrity crush Colin Firth What I’m watching: Narcos on Netflix One thing I love Cooking One thing I hate Newspaper left lying around Best thing about Eat My Lunch for you Eat My Lunch has brought together incredible people from all walks of life that I would have never had the chance of meeting in my previous world—our supporters, volunteers and staff. The diversity of the experiences and perspective that everyone brings has been eye-opening and it’s so inspiring to know that so many people want to give back and help our kids. Something that would surprise us about your job That I spend a lot of time in an apron, in the kitchen helping make the lunches most mornings. I love cooking and so it’s a place I love to be and to be part of the vibe, the team.
Domino find his thrill?
3 How many cocoa
beans makes 450g of chocolate?
4 Which bird is known at a kererū?
5 Who in the Bible was bitten by a viper on the Island of Malta?
Answers on page 22
The first Aussie police force was made up of well behaved convicts. Proof anyone can make good.
Oodles of Zoodles We’ve been hearing a lot about zucchini pasta—or ‘zoodles’—lately, so we thought we’d give it a go. It was surprisingly easy to make, and genuinely delicious. To try it out, just use your normal grater and grate the zucchini lengthwise, or chop it julienne style. Panfry with oil for 1-2 mins. Use with any of your fave pasta sauces, or if you’re feeling really Mediterranean, try this:
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
Make noodles out of the zucchini and add to a large serving bowl.
½ cup pitted kalamata olives, halved
Add the cherry tomatoes and kalamata olives.
3 tablespoons oil
Whisk together the last seven ingredients in a small bowl. Pour this dressing over the zucchini pasta and toss everything together.
4 zucchini
zest of 1 lemon 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 1 tablespoon white vinegar 3 cloves garlic, minced 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped ½ teaspoon salt, or to taste crumbled feta to serve
Heat the sauce in a nonstick pan, add the noodles and cook until softened and most of the liquid has evaporated. Sprinkle with feta to serve.
Recipe from www.theroastedroot.net
Inspiration A Safe Place to Cry Rob Harley Drawing on his experience as a journalist, Kiwi Rob Harley explores the impact of exposure to pain and trauma on professionals. Interviews with an aid worker, a family court judge, a funeral director and a homicide detective are some of the insightful stories that invite us to explore pain’s place in our lives. Rob gives his own insights from each encounter and weaves his own experiences throughout a book that reminds readers none of us are exempt from pain’s presence. There is no rule about how to handle it, but finding a safe place to cry is a good start. (Harley Media)
www.eatmylunch.nz 12 NOVEMBER 2016 WarCry 5
Take Me Home
Photography: Greg Bowker, NZ Herald.
We ask New Zealand’s quirkiest TV reporter Tim Wilson to ‘take us home’. And we discovered he is not only the likeable guy on the telly, but a best-selling novelist who found love later in life. Most of all, he’s a man transformed by faith. BY INGRID BARRATT
J
ournalist Tim Wilson has been an interviewer to the stars, and covered world events such as Hurricane Katrina, but he is probably best known for a quirky little segment on TVNZ's Seven Sharp called ‘Take Me Home’. In it, Tim accosts strangers on the street with the lines, ‘I believe everyone has a story, I’d like to hear your story, will you take me home?’ ‘I knew it would work the first time we did it, when we found a woman at a bus stop. She told me about her life, and wept as she was recounting it, and I felt like I was invited into a very special place. And as we were packing up the cameras, she said, “By the way, I didn’t tell you about the time I fought a bull in Spain,” ’ laughs Tim. ‘I really do believe people are unique because we’re made by God, the ultimate creator, the ultimate artist and craftsman, who also loves us.’
On the telly Although Tim has made a name for himself as a television reporter, that was never the plan. He began as a print journalist who dreamed of writing ‘long, venerable pieces’. He still considers a think piece he wrote in the ’90s, challenging the media narrative about serial rapist Joseph Stephenson Thompson, a career highlight. ‘In the media you hear the same stories, but if you can bring a slightly different perspective, I think that’s valuable,’ Tim says. By anyone else’s standards, it’s been a glittering career—he spent 10 years as the US correspondent for TVNZ, where he interviewed cultural icons like Taylor Swift, the newly-de-monikered Brangelina, and spent a raucous afternoon with Donald Trump. ‘People say, “Oh, what an exciting job”, and that’s true, but you are just part of a machine,’ Tim reflects. ‘You have four minutes with the celebs [on their publicity circuit]. You’re really just two seals throwing mackerels at each other. It’s such an artificial situation.’ Instead, a career highlight was having lunch cooked for him by one of his heroes, Christopher Hitchens—the famed wit, intellectual, essayist and atheist. It’s apparent that Tim, himself, is no slouch on the brainiac front. He likes to defy the status quo—or as he says, ‘I like a fight.’ When I ask Tim about Trump, he refuses to condescend to the usual ‘Trump’s an idiot’ rhetoric. ‘I do feel there’s a very unpleasant tone about the self-righteousness regarding Trump supporters, because we assume they’re all 12 NOVEMBER 2016 WarCry 7
racist, xenophobic, misogynist, homophobic ... There are crazy Trump supporters, but there are also crazy Clinton supporters,’ he argues. ‘Although there probably are a few more crazy Trump supporters.’
And by the way, Tim writes novels If over-achieving on the career front is not enough, Tim is also a novelist. And not the media-personality-who-tries-to-writea-book type; he’s a highly regarded author. His first book, Their Faces Were Shining, a sci-fi inspired tale about a middle-aged Christian woman who is left behind after the Rapture, was a finalist in the New Zealand Book Awards. He’s also the author of the best-selling News Pigs, and has just released a sequel called The Straight Banana. It’s a vibrant, chaotic, wild-eyed satire about the intersect between paranoia (the ever present threat of terrorism in New York) and the ridiculous (straight bananas).
PEOPLE SAY, “OH, WHAT AN EXCITING JOB”, AND THAT’S TRUE, BUT YOU ARE JUST PART OF A MACHINE. ‘When I was in New York there were terror plots being uncovered all the time, so I wanted to convey the sense of what it was like. Once you start to go down the track of paranoia, you find more and more reason for paranoia, and you find more and more evidence for it,’ he explains. In The Straight Banana, Tim ‘absolutely deliberately’ breaks every literary rule—with an abundance of exclamation marks, two-word sentences, the odd pie graph and a reader’s quiz. ‘For a while, I was writing a very acceptable version of literature, and I wanted to write an unacceptable version,’ he laughs. Tim is quietly proud of his alternative career as an author, saying, ‘I love writing. That’s what I always wanted to do, so I’m really pleased that I’ve been able to publish a few books. I really enjoy it.’ But he adds, ‘I think the novels and fiction is really a hobby, because you don’t make money on books. You lose money on books. But I made a decision when I came back from the States not to spend so much time working.’
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Today, Tim spends a day a week at home writing, and four days at his other job with TVNZ. It’s a hint at a much deeper change of life that has taken place within him.
A heart of flesh Surprisingly, when Tim penned Their Faces Were Shining, he ‘didn’t love the Lord. But the Lord works in mysterious ways and it started me on a journey’. Although his dad was a Presbyterian minister—and it shows in the extensive Bible knowledge Tim brings to that novel—he became an avowed atheist in his twenties. Yet, when his novel was finally published, Tim found that having it all was, actually, nothing at all. ‘I thought, “When I have my first book published, that will be it. That’s what I want,” ’ he recalls. ‘But it came out and was very well received, and it just didn’t feel like it was that much at all. So, here I was living in New York City. I had a job that seemed like the best job in the world, and people interviewing me and asking for my opinions. But I felt very small and meagre inside. I had everything I wanted—and it left me hungry and thirsty.’ In August 2010, Tim snuck into a church around the corner from his apartment. ‘The priest gave a homily and his accent was so thick I didn’t have a clue what he said. But I felt my heart was touched, and for the first time in a long time I felt I wanted to cry,’ he remembers. ‘I had created this journalist persona of being a “hard-bitten, no-surprises” guy. This one mass broke through that. I felt like that line in Ezekiel [36:26], “I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” ’ Tim describes his faith as an ‘Emmaus experience’—a slow, pondering journey that slowly but surely revealed the truth about Jesus. ‘I started off saying, “I’m just a bit Catholicy at the moment”, but you can’t let a little bit of the Lord in and expect yourself not to change.’ Several members of the lively Spanish Harlem congregation he attended had re-discovered their faith after being in the Twin Towers on 9/11. ‘These people had no idea how they got out [of the Twin Towers], so they came back to the church, and they had this love for the Lord. I saw this mystical body of Christ and it energised me, it irrigated me, and I just woke up.’ A changed man, Tim found himself tiring of the New York lifestyle—with live shots at 2 am, packing bags at a moment’s notice, and the roundabout of dinner parties. ‘It got to the
‘… YOU CAN’T LET A LITTLE BIT OF THE LORD IN AND EXPECT YOURSELF NOT TO CHANGE.’
Tim Wilson on ... Donald Trump: He was a fun afternoon. He didn’t try and grope me. He’s a New York real estate guy, he’s a bragger, he’s a talker, he’s larger than life, he says what he thinks, and I found him to be great company.
point where someone asked me if I wanted to go to dinner, and I asked, “Who’s going to be there?’, and they said, “Salman Rushdie”, and I said “Oh, I can’t be bothered.” ’ That was the moment he knew it was time to come home.
Taylor Swift: She was 22 at the time, and I asked her what’s going through her mind when she’s on stage, and she said, ‘I’m just hoping nothing will go wrong.' So here’s someone who’s on the top of the world, and I felt sorry for her.
A changed life When Tim returned to New Zealand, it was as something of a prodigal son. ‘I was bored of news, so I went into sales, and I grew a beard. I went along to mass as this bearded, hunched figure, and I was wondering what the Lord had next for me.’ He even considered becoming a priest. ‘I thought I would be one of those red-nosed priests who gives really good confessions because of his own fallibility,’ he laughs. But priests-to-be should probably not be eyeing up the pretty girl at church. And Tim couldn’t help noticing his now wife Rachel. ‘I thought she was far too beautiful to be there seriously,’ says Tim. ‘And she chatted all the way through mass.’ His fate was sealed when they were both rostered to do a Bible reading at the same service. ‘I said something like, “Oh, I find I get quite nervous before I do this, how about you?” And she looked at me deadpan and said, “It’s like walking to the slaughter.” And I thought, “Wait a minute, pretty girls don’t talk that way!” ’ Nine months later, Tim proposed to Rachel outside the church where they first met. ‘She’s the love of my life,’ he says.’ I still can’t believe that she’s married to me.’ They now have two children—Roman who is 18 months, and Felix who is six months—so the Wilson household is a busy one. ‘Having kids is so fantastic. I love being a father, I love being a husband. They’re just amazing, fascinating, infuriating, lively little people,’ says Tim. He says his dream for his children is only that they ‘love the Lord’. And now, living a life of family and faith, Tim knows he’s found his place. ‘I left New Zealand thinking that it was too small for me,’ he recalls. ‘And it took me 10 years to realise that it is just the right size’.
Favourite celeb: Peter O’Toole was lots of fun. He was an epic ruin who didn’t give a damn about anything. He was there for some silly movie called Troy and walked in smelling of cigarettes, and talking about ‘the new poetry of cinema’. It was fun to meet this relic from history. Least-favourite celeb: Angelina Jolie was very conscious of the effect she was able to have on men, and used those tools to her absolute ability. But she had a messed-up upbringing.
Fame is a vapor, popularity an accident, and riches take wings. Only one thing endures and that is character. Horace Greeley
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How to Celebrate When Grieving How can you genuinely celebrate someone else’s joy, if you are grieving a loss? One of the lovely and true commandments in the Bible is that we should ‘rejoice with those who rejoice; and mourn with those who mourn’ (Romans 12:15). It’s an image of living in harmony with one another, showing empathy and being generous with our emotional lives. But we’ve all been there. Your friends are getting married, while you remain single. Other marriages seem happier than yours. Someone lands their dream job, while you struggle to find work. Their kids are doing better than yours … When others are celebrating the very thing you’re grieving for, how can you give a genuine response, while still rejoicing with them? First of all, be completely honest with yourself about how you feel. You are grieving, and that’s okay. Just as your friend’s good news is also okay.
YOUR VULNERABILITY IS MAKING YOU A BETTER FRIEND TO OTHERS.
Then take some time to process how you feel. This is between you and God—you can bring your hurts and grief to him. Have a cry. Feel the unfairness of it all. Acknowledge your powerless over this situation, and ask God to enter into it. He may not change your circumstances, but he will speak to your heart. And God wants to be there for you—just as he asks you to be there for others. Once you have been able to surrender this situation to God, try to step back from comparing or judging the situation. It is what it is. It doesn’t make you worse, or them better. Judgement can often cover up our vulnerability. But being at ease with our vulnerability is the path to healing. What will not help is trying to process this with your friend who is rejoicing. Your battle is not with them, but with yourself. Deliberately spending time in gratitude is very healing. You may not have everything you want, but you have a lot. Thank God for what you have. Make the effort to show gratitude to those who have supported you. Remember friends who have mourned or rejoiced with you. Remember that your vulnerability is making you a better friend to others. Finally, ask youself, if this good news was yours, how would you want your friends to react? Now, be the friend you would want to have. Simply, rejoice with them.
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Dancing at the Wedding Claire Gibson reflects on her battle with infertility, while friends celebrated their growing families. I think God wants so much more for me than to ignore my emotions. And he is most definitely not asking me to ‘fake it ‘til I make it’. God is calling me to real emotion—to the odd, uncomfortable reality of holding grief and joy at the same time, without minimizing either experience. Naming the good, the bad, and the ugly. This means allowing myself to feel the depth of my pain, so that, when the time comes, I know what it means to grieve with my friends. Being honest and vulnerable with our emotion isn’t easy. But ultimately, if we are real with Him—and with each other—every grief and every joy can transform into a glimpse of redemption. If I let it, every affliction gives me a greater capacity to care for and understand someone else’s pain. Every joy I allow myself to fully experience gives me a greater capacity to dance at someone else’s wedding. Source: www.shereadstruth.com
TESTIFY! After 25 years of addiction, Darrell Rurawhe got the life tools he needed from The Salvation Army. When I was 25, I was assaulted and raped while walking to work. They didn’t know much about helping people with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in those days, so alcohol became my response. By the time I got a better understanding, I was already in the grip of addiction and couldn’t break the cycle. I grew up at Rātana Pā. My greatgrandmother was the sister of the church’s founder, so I was raised a Christian. But with the addiction came all the negative stuff. I had a reputation to keep up and if people found out I was Christian, that wouldn’t work. So I slowly moved away from God. I got caught for a lot of DUIs (driving under the influence), which landed me in jail. And GBHs (grevious bodily harm)—always fuelled by alcohol. I was looking at another jail stint, but was given the chance to come to The Salvation Army Bridge for help. I embraced the Bridge programme, and the Bridge programme embraced me. They gave me a wonderful opportunity and I seized it. I learnt to look back on my life and learn from it. I learnt to be a normal person who didn’t have to lie, cheat and steal. I had to admit to myself I wasn’t a nice person, that I’d done some really stupid stuff. When I was in jail, I was always in denial (I’d say, ‘They got the wrong man!’), but the Bridge helped me take ownership of what I had done to so many people. If I don’t own it, I can’t move on … and then I start the whole cycle again. Once I started to admit I’d done all these things, it lifted a weight off my shoulders. I learnt to accept praise rather than just shrug it off. So now I accept it
I LEARNT TO LOOK BACK ON MY LIFE AND LEARN FROM IT. when people tell me good things about myself. I say, ‘Thank you!’, because I’ve worked hard at it. It’s not really a male thing to say, ‘I love myself,’ but the Bridge taught me I can be proud of who I am and that I am not this horrible person anymore. And I try to share love with others. I found my faith again at the Bridge. The chaplain gave me a Bible and I read it from cover to cover. We’d talk about the Bible and how the day had been —and that was really good. One day as I was reading the Bible, this epiphany came: ‘I’m lonely!’ I realised even though I had mates I was drinking and drugging with, I was still lonely. That’s when my mum had the intuition to phone and ask what was happening.
I told her and she said, ‘That’s God talking to you!’ She’d always told me God was with me. And on reflection, she was right. It was The Salvation Army that got me on track, back to my church, and back to believing that God does love me and will continue to love me. Two years on, I’m back living at Rātana, studying social work and doing work placement in the public health sector. I came to the Bridge as a weak kauri tree sapling, and received sunlight as I was taught to reach out to God again. A kauri tree takes years to grow—and my Christian faith allows me to grow and to reach out higher and higher. To others trapped by addiction, I say, never give up. Be strong in yourself and surround yourself with like-minded people who want to get better. And if that means going to the Bridge, do it! GET HELP | If alcohol or other drugs are a problem we are here to help www.salvationarmy.org.nz/Bridge 12 NOVEMBER 2016 WarCry 11
THE PROMISE THAT SAVED MY LIFE Jessica Morris was diagnosed with depression at 13, and her teenage years were dominated by anxiety and obsessive compulsive thoughts. Jessica made a promise to God that she would live to tell the tale and now, at 25, has published the book When Hope Speaks. It started with anxiety about small things. Arriving at places on time. Getting all my homework done. Being concerned so-and-so didn’t like me. But anxiety feeds on the small things, and it soon turned into a monster. I began to worry about going to school. Every morning my stomach would churn in terror. I worried about going outside and being mugged, raped or killed. I worried about answering the phone. I worried about getting worried.
FIGHTING THOUGHTS At first, the fear I would hurt myself only popped up occasionally. But then it got worse. My obsessive-compulsive tendencies were not like in books, where they show pictures of people washing hands and meticulously lining up objects in order of colour and size. These were not the compulsions that threatened to break me. It was the thoughts. Then, over a period of two days, I switched off. Like when you turn off an old computer and the cubed screen makes a humming sound before it fizzles out and goes black. There is nothing there. That was me. Nothing was processing and I was done. If I had stayed like this, I believe I would have ended my life. Depression is like that—it causes you to feel so isolated and worn out, you are only a shell of yourself. 12 firezone.co.nz 12 NOVEMBER 2016
NAMING IT My mum woke me on day three and told me I had depression. We went to my doctor who (surprise, surprise) diagnosed me with severe depression and made an appointment for me to see a psychiatric nurse. My recovery had begun. Naming anxiety, depression, even obsessivecompulsive thoughts, takes away its power. It gives you back control, and even though you must still fight, knowing you are sick is the first step to becoming well. As a teenager, I was in a constant state of stress and panic. I felt out of control and couldn’t understand what I was feeling or doing. I stressed for days over so many glances, side brushes and miscellaneous thoughts I should have just passed over. This was hardest when I was alone. Thoughts of self-injury visited me daily, and I soon became terrified of them. Every time they nested themselves in my head, I would go into fight mode. But with help, I began to put things in place to combat these thoughts.
THE PROMISE When I was 14, I determined that I was going to live no matter what. It was the age when I stood alone in the bathroom and had to decide if tomorrow would
happen, and it was the age I promised God I would keep going, because he promised me that I had a reason to be alive. I promised God I wouldn’t hurt myself, that I would finish what I was supposed to do on earth. It sounds simple, but that promise changed my life. My anxiety, fear and pain had boxed me in, night after night. But when I made this promise, it gave me something solid to stand on when I felt weak. From then on, even when it became especially hard, I made myself accountable to that promise. I learned to ride the wave of emotional pain in those moments. I used this promise to remember that better days were ahead. I am not the thoughts that depression places in my head. I am so much more than this. I am brave and bold, fearless and courageous. Yet I would not possess these in such great quantities if I had not battled with anxiety, depression and OCD. I wouldn’t consider myself sick any more. In fact, I would say I am now the opposite and living some of the happiest, most fulfilling days of my life. And I owe that to the people who fought for me when I had nothing left to give—my family.
DEAR FRIEND Dear friend, life has a purpose. We are alive for a reason. I know the darkness you feel, when there are people surrounding you and you still feel alone. When you are hidden in your room or on a computer in the corner. That was me. But these are just moments, just part of the whole. These are images that, when put together, create the story of your life. Remember that. Remember you are more than your pain. Remember
Do you need help? ‘Depression can start at any age—from childhood through to old age,’ says the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand. It’s not the same as feeling grumpy or being in a bad mood, which are a normal part of growing up. Depression is prolonged, and most children and young people are affected in similar ways to adults—with sadness, irritability, lethargy or agitation, loss of interest in hobbies or friends, difficulty concentrating, or changes in eating or weight.
I PROMISED GOD I WOULDN’T HURT MYSELF, THAT I WOULD FINISH WHAT I WAS SUPPOSED TO DO ON EARTH. you are more than those words. Remember you are more than your mistakes. Remember you are more than those moments. Even though everything in you might be screaming to give up on hope, please don’t! You are alive and you are breathing—you are very much needed here. Jessica Morris is a freelance journalist who writes for Salvation Army magazines in Australia. When Hope Speaks is her collection of memoirs and personal essays, published by Salvo Publishing. Contact Salvationist Resources to order a copy | www.salvationarmy.org.nz/shop
What can I do? If you’re a young person: talk to your parents or another adult you trust. If you're thinking about harming yourself, speak to someone straight away! You can phone Youthline on 0800 376 33. And check our www.zeal.nz/livefortomorrow for messages of hope and change. If you’re a parent: seeing your child suffering from depression is scary. But you can help them navigate through depression. • Stay connected: Talk to your child about their feelings and the things happening at home and at school that may be bothering them. Help them describe their feelings and re-frame problems in a more positive way. Have one-onone time with your child every day. Praise them and focus on their strengths. • Go to the doctor: Some medical problems can cause depression. Your child’s doctor may recommend counselling or medicine for depression. • Take it seriously: Treat any talk or hints of suicide as an emergency. • Promote health: The basics for good mental health include a healthy diet, enough sleep, exercise, and positive connections with other people at home and at school. Limit screen time and encourage physical activity to help develop positive connections with others. • Reduce stress: Short-term changes in the amount of schoolwork, chores, or activities, may be needed. FIND OUT MORE | www.healthychildren.org, mentalhealth.org.nz
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our values
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put jesus first
100%
care for others
walk the talk
THE CULTURE WE WANT TO SEE To signal the culture we want to see across The Salvation Army, seven values have been developed as part of our new Mission Plan that reflect who we are, how we want to act and how we make decisions. In developing this plan, we have identified seven values that we believe reflect who we are, how we strive to act, and how we make decisions. In upholding Te Tiriti o Waitangi (the Treaty of Waitangi), we have reflected the Treaty’s principles of partnership, protection and participation in our values of Doing the Right Thing, Caring for Others, and Offering a Place to Belong.
1. We Put Jesus First Our International Mission Statement reminds us that we are an international movement that is an evangelical part of the universal Christian church. Our message is based on the Bible and our ministry is motivated by the love of God. When Jesus was asked which is the greatest commandment, He answered: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ Putting Jesus first is about pursuing a life-changing relationship with Jesus Christ, becoming more like Him, and promoting this life-changing relationship to others. • Expected behaviours: Making Jesus known, Transforming Lives, Following Jesus (Discipleship), Led by the Holy Spirit, Lifestyle of Worship • Bible verses: Matthew 28:19-20, Matthew 22:37-38, John 3:16, Proverbs 3:6 ‘Jesus replied: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.”’ Matthew 22:37
2. We Care for Others Jesus’ second great commandment is to ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ Our Christian faith compels us to care for others, especially the most vulnerable and marginalised in society. But it’s not just a passing concern—it’s compassion in action, walking alongside people in relationship and offering a hand up. • Expected behaviours: Caring for People, Relational, Biased to the Vulnerable, Meeting Needs, Offering a Hand Up 14 WarCry 12 NOVEMBER 2016
• Bible verses: Matthew 22:39, Matthew 25:35-40 ‘And the second is like it: “Love your neighbour as yourself.” ’ Matthew 22:39
3. We Walk the Talk Walking the talk is about authenticity—living according to the teachings in the Bible, upholding Christian integrity in every area of our lives, doing what we expect of others and treating others as we would want to be treated. It allows no room for hypocrisy or duplicity. • Expected behaviours: Integrity, Respect, Authenticity, Practice what You Preach, Backed up by Action • Bible verses: James 1:22, Romans 12:1-2, Proverbs 4:23 ‘Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.’ James 1:22
4. We Think Holistically We believe in a ministry that addresses the whole person— their spiritual, physical, mental/emotional and social needs. It is this integrated holistic ministry that leads to true life transformation. This need for holistic ministry was well understood by William Booth who wrote: ‘You cannot warm the hearts of people with God’s love if they have an empty stomach and cold feet’, and ‘To get a man soundly saved it is not enough to put on him a pair of new breeches, to give him regular work, or even to give him a university education. These things are all outside a man, and if the inside remains unchanged you have wasted your labour. You must in some way or other graft upon the man’s nature a new nature, which has in it the element of the Divine.’ • Expected behaviours: Seeing the Whole Person: Spiritual, Physical, Mental/Emotional, Social/Family • Bible verses: John 10:10, Matthew 9:2-8, Mark 12:30 ‘The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.’ John 10:10
think holistically
offer a place to belong
do the right thing
support our army
5. We Offer a Place to Belong
7. We Support our Army
In a world that is becoming increasingly individualistic, we offer a place to belong—authentic faith communities where anyone is welcomed and encouraged to participate, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity or background. Authentic communities thrive on qualities such as hospitality, trust, respect, grace, acceptance, unity and humility. We also believe that God has given us all gifts and talents to be used for the building up of His Kingdom and church, and so we expect people who profess to follow Jesus to not only belong, but also to contribute as they are able to the life, work, worship and witness of the faith community. • Expected behaviours: Hospitality, Community, Grace, Acceptance, Participation, Contribution • Bible verses: Acts 2:42-47, 1 Peter 2:9, 1 Peter 4:9, Hebrews 13:2
We are proud to be a part of God’s international Salvation Army, and willingly support our fellow Salvationists, both locally and around the world. We are loyal to our leaders and remain true to the international principles and practices of The Salvation Army, to win the world for Jesus. • Expected behaviours: Unity, Spirit of Salvationism, Active in Service, Contributing Internationally • Bible verses: John 17:20-23, Acts 1:8
DIG DEEPER | A sermon series and small group studies on our new values will be available this month | Go to www. salvationarmy.org.nz/MissionPlan
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‘If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.’ James 4:17
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All our resources have been given to us by God to bring about transformation, so we look to do the right thing with our time and gifts, money and possessions, body, mind and spirit, recognising we are accountable to God. We look to collaborate with others where this will enhance our mission; are good stewards of God’s creation; challenge evil, injustice and oppression, and in the context of New Zealand, honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi (The Treaty of Waitangi). • Expected behaviours: Accountability, Stewardship, Partnership, Caring for the Environment, Reforming Society • Bible verses: James 4:17, Genesis 2:15, Micah 6:8
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6. We Do the Right Thing
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G LIKE JESU N I LIVransforming Lives and S
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‘Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favour of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.’ Acts 2: 46-47
‘I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one—I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.’ John 17: 22-23
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Life-Changing Tongan Camp Tonga’s Junior Miss Camp from 26 to 28 August will be long remembered by its over 40 participants. The threeday camp was targeted at young women and contained many life-changing lessons. The camp theme reminded young women of the importance of shining their light as children of God. On the first day, Captain Sila Siufanga (Regional Commander) spoke about the Old Testament character of Ruth and her attributes as a woman who made a difference in the eyes of God. He encouraged the campers to be humble and obedient as Ruth was—not only to their parents but most importantly to God’s calling on their lives. The second day started with icebreakers and competitions organised by Captain Malia Siufanga (Divisional Director of Women’s Ministries) and Maryjane Sifa, followed by contributions from three guest speakers. Doctor Seini Kupu spoke about the struggles young girls face, including teenage pregnancy, peer pressure and communicable diseases. She reminded campers about the importance of respecting and taking care of their bodies as temples of God and also to shine as examples to younger siblings. Lawyer Palu Taufateau said, ‘The law is what holds us together.’ She opened campers’ eyes to some of the problems facing Tongan young people, including child abuse, cyber bullying and underage marriages. It was important to learn from their mistakes and commit to doing the right thing, but also to help other teenagers facing such issues, she said.
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Sinama Tupou was the day’s last guest speaker. She talked about her life as a teenager and the hardships she faced as a single mother while studying at university. ‘There were times when people put me down, but God lifted me up,’ she said. Today, Sinama is a proud mother with a great job, a shining beacon not only in her family but in her community as well. Sinama encouraged campers never to give up and to remember that whenever they were discouraged, God was there to help them. Saturday evening’s Fun Night was a highlight, with items and games that made everyone laugh. One of the best moments was ‘Lip Sync Battle’, where someone from each corps was chosen to mime to popular songs. There were great prizes to be won. On the last day, Lieutenant Toa Ulamoleka wrapped up the camp with a short sermon in which she compared a messy closet to people’s lives and said it was never too late to clean up for God. ‘No matter how worn-out or messy you may feel, know you are useful in God’s eyes,’ she said. Several young women responded by surrendering themselves for God’s use. The camp ended with tears and selfies. Those who took part hope they will continue to shine for Jesus as a good example at school, home, church and everywhere else they go. Be a lute ve’etonu for Christ!’ BY JULIA SIFA
Low-cost Loans Scheme Expands The Salvation Army is pleased a scheme offering affordable loans for people on low incomes has expanded after successful pilots from Community Ministries (CM) centres in Manukau, Waitakere and Mt Wellington. The Community Finance scheme is a partnership between the Ministry of Social Development, Bank of New Zealand, Good Shepherd NZ and community providers such as The Salvation Army to provide sustainable borrowing for those on low incomes so that they are not forced to take out loans with lenders charging high interest rates and fees. Major Pam Waugh (Territorial Social Services Secretary) said, ‘Running a tight budget can be hard enough without the added pressure of predatory lenders on your back. The reduced stress these Community Finance loans deliver can make such a difference to people’s everyday lives and overall wellbeing.’ Two types of loans are available: 1. No Interest Loans (NILS) of up to $1000 for a maximum of 18 months. 2. Low-interest StepUP loans from $1000 to $5000 at 6.99% for a maximum of 36 months. CM centres offering both StepUP and NILS loans are: Whangarei, Waitakere, Mt Wellington, Manukau, Napier, Palmerston North, Porirua, Wellington and Invercargill. CM centres offering only NILS loans are: Royal Oak, Pukekohe, Glenfield, Gisborne, Hamilton, Feilding, Porirua, Upper Hutt, Nelson Tasman Bays, Greymouth and Christchurch. These centres are also piloting an additional ‘delivery mechanism’ component for NILS loans. BNZ, which provides money for the Community Finance scheme, said 280 loans had been approved, and estimated the $700,000 of lending to date had saved clients more than $380,000 in interest compared to borrowing the same amount through alternative lenders. LEARN MORE | go to www.salvationarmy.org.nz/loans
14 Hours Homeless Across New Zealand, more than 650 people traded their home comforts for a bed made of cardboard, a couch or their car to participate in The Salvation Army’s 14 Hours Homeless events. Events took place in Auckland, Napier, Palmerston North, Wellington and Invercargill, with close to $90,000 raised from across the five events. Wellington’s event gained extra attention as out-going mayor Celia Wade-Brown, spent her last night in office sleeping on cardboard, something she’d done for the previous two years. Each location chose a local project that funds raised were earmarked for. Rhondda Middleton (Community Engagement Manager) said, ‘14 Hours Homeless was an event that not only raised funds for homelessness, it also raised awareness of who our homeless community is and what they are coping with daily.’ Peter Hennessey brought 11 of his Wellington City Corps youth Bible study members in the hope the event would ignite a stronger sense of social justice for them. ‘I hope it makes them aware of stuff that we just take for granted and where we can make a difference,’ he said.
Comm Robert Donaldson, Sister Teresa Donworth and Fleur Howard of Good Shepherd NZ, Minister of Social Development Anne Tolley, and Anthony Healy of BNZ.
While Wellington had a warmer, drier night than anticipated, other locations were less fortunate, with Invercargill and Palmerston North experiencing a good dose of rain. ‘The weather added to the night and the experience of how uncomfortable and challenging being homeless is—and we only had to make it through 14 hours,’ Rhondda said.
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New Home for Southern DHQ There was a homecoming for staff at the Southern Division headquarters last month. The new divisional headquarters (DHQ) building in Christchurch was opened by Territorial Commander Commissioner Robert Donaldson in a ceremony on 15 October attended by about 80 people. Divisional Commander Major Ivan Bezzant said it marked the end of five years without a permanent base after the old DHQ building was damaged beyond repair in the Canterbury earthquakes. ‘There’s a sense of coming home,’ Ivan said. ‘We’ve felt like we have been wandering around for the last few years after the earthquakes. Now it feels like coming home to something.’ Staff had done extremely well during the time of upheaval in working from temporary locations, but it was nice to have a stable base in a purpose-built building that would make it easier to provide support to the division, he said. The low-key ceremony was opened by Christchurch Bridge Assistant Director
Tohi Tohiariki who welcoming the crowd and gave recognition that the site was Ngai Tahu land, before Robert officially opened the building. He commended the Southern Division on its great progress since the earthquake and told the crowd the DHQ building was not to be seen as a building, but also people who carry the heart of a vision for the future. It was to be a place of passion, vision, accountability and resource, he said. Ivan also spoke, saying the building represented something good coming from brokenness. ‘We had always planned to have a new DHQ building, but the earthquakes determined the location and vision.’ The Divisional Headquarters had been due to move into a new Christchurch City Corps building in the central city, but the earthquakes forced a change of plan. Instead, the new building is on the western side of the city in Wigram, with easy access to the airport and roads leaving town—helpful in their work serving the South Island, Ivan said.
Foodbank Project Praised The Foodbank Project (www.foodbank.org.nz), New Zealand’s first online foodbank, has been Highly Commended for Excellence in Social Innovation New Zealand Innovation Awards. The Foodbank Project is a collaboration between The Salvation Army, Countdown, and Nelson-based web developer Lucid, allowing people to easily and securely donate online to fill Salvation Army food parcels. Since launching in September 2015, Kiwis have donated more than $126,000 of goods to people in need through this online platform. The Foodbank Project launched in Auckland in September last year, then extended to Hamilton, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin. Last month, the programme expanded to Whangarei, Gisborne and Nelson.
Work Begins in Madagascar The Salvation Army has officially begun work on the island of Madagascar, off the east coast of Africa. This brings the total number of countries in which the Army is officially registered to 128. Majors Jean and Flore Kiala, officers of the Democratic Republic of Congo Territory, have been appointed to lead the work. Sunday meetings have been taking place for some months, a women’s home league programme is developing—making a great impact on the lives of women in Madagascar—and Salvation Army personnel are involved at a school. The Zimbabwe Territory will give oversight to this new work. 18 WarCry 12 NOVEMBER 2016
Tribute: Evelyn Barney Sister Evelyn Barney was promoted to Glory on 6 September 2016. She was Oamaru Corps’ longest-serving pianist. Oamaru Corps has only ever had two pianists in its 133-year history. The late Mrs Tonkin was the first corps pianist, from 1899 to 1955, and taught the young Evelyn (nee Rawcliffe) to play. Evelyn began playing for the singing company and Sunday school, and later played the organ alongside Mrs Tonkin. When Mrs Tonkin died, Evelyn played for her funeral, and soon afterwards was commissioned as corps pianist, on January 1956. She faithfully served in that capacity for 59 years, until late last year when her health suddenly declined. Evelyn was the first leader of the corps’ evening home league fellowship, which began in 1955. She also served as young people’s sergeant major, and played in the corps band in the 1960s. A service to celebrate Evelyn’s life and her faithful service was held on 29 September, conducted by Captain Kathie Garbett.
GAZETTE Bereaved: Mjr Dulcie Smith of her sister, Florence Callagher, who was promoted to Glory on 29 Sept from Waitakere Hospital, Auckland. Mjr Louise Kennedy, of her father, Peter West, from Sunshine Hospital, Melbourne, Australia, on 13 Oct, after a time of illness. Mjr Hylton Froggatt of his mother, Valda Froggatt, who was promoted to Glory on 7 Oct from Selwyn Village, Pt Chevalier, Auckland. Retirements: Mjrs John and Karen Fitness on 17 Oct, after 23 years seven months and 19 days of active officer service. John and Karen entered officer training from Hamilton City Corps in 1975 as cadets in the Overcomers Session. After their commissioning on 15 January 1977, they were appointed Corps Officers, Rangiora. This was followed by appointments to Waimate Corps in 1979 and Waihi Corps in 1982. In 1983, John and Karen were appointed to Booth College of Mission as Field Training Officers. From 1986 to 1989, they served as Corps Officers, Hastings. Following a break in officership, John and Karen took up an appointment at East City Corps as Corps Officers in 2006. In 2011, they were appointed Corps Officers, Johnsonville. In 2014, the Fitnesses were appointed as Corps Officers and Directors of Community Ministries, Tauranga. They are continuing in these roles as Appointments in Retirement from 18 October 2016 until 30 November 2016. John and Karen’s retirement was acknowledged in a family event in Hamilton conducted by Lieut-Colonels Rod and Jenny Carey. It is with sincere thanks and appreciation we honour Majors John and Karen Fitness for their loyal and faithful service to God through The Salvation Army New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga Territory. We pray God’s continuing blessing on them in the days ahead. International Appointment: The General has appointed Dr James Read, PhD, as Chair of the International Moral and Social Issues Council (IMASIC). He succeeds Comm Robert Donaldson who, in January 2017, takes up his appointment as International Secretary for Accountability and Governance. Dr Read has been serving for some time as Vice-chair of IMASIC, so has a thorough understanding of the procedures and function of the council. He currently serves as Senior Policy Analyst at the International Social Justice Commission in New York, and fulfilling this role gives him keen insight and understanding of the various matters with which IMASIC deals. This is a historic appointment, with Dr Read the first lay Salvationist to chair IMASIC.
ARE WE MAKING A GOOD FIRST IMPRESSION? Can you remember the first time you entered The Salvation Army’s doors? Some of you may clearly remember. Others not so well, as your parents brought you along at a very young age. I vividly remember my first time at The Salvation Army. It was a Sunday meeting and two things struck me: nearly everyone was wearing a uniform and everyone was white. It was quite a shock for this Catholic boy who grew up in a multicultural community with Māori, Pasifika and Pākehā families. Over the years, I’ve wondered if I would have returned a second time had I not gone there because I liked a Salvationist girl. I can’t honestly answer that question, but because of my own early experiences I remain acutely conscious of what it’s like for others who walk into The Salvation Army for the first time. If you can remember your first visit, do you remember feeling some apprehension? Will I be accepted? How will I be received, treated, thought of? A fresh encounter a few years ago brought this home to me again. As I was talking to the receptionist at the Community Ministries centre where I served, I spotted a man pacing in the rain outside our front door. I asked the receptionist why he wasn’t coming in, and she said he was building up the courage. I walked through that same door every day, taking that simple action for granted; yet, for the 120,000 people who walk through the doors of The Salvation Army each year —many for the first time—hoping for acceptance and assistance takes courage. First impressions are important. They can make or break a potential relationship, and we only get one chance at them. God blesses the Army by bringing so many people through our various doors each year. We don’t even need to go looking for them. Yet, when they walk in, do we welcome them, make them feel at ease, accept them? When Jesus was asked what was the greatest commandment, he said, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’ and ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ (Luke 10:27) Love is expressed through hospitality and welcome. If you are connected in any way with The Salvation Army, can I ask that you put yourself in the shoes of someone walking through our doors for the first time and ask yourself that question: Are we making a good first impression? If you identify where improvements could be made, please make them happen. And if you read this as someone who recently came through our door for the first time and have suggestions on how we could do better, please email me at gerry_walker@nzf. salvationarmy.org. It would be great to hear your ideas! Captain Gerry Walker Territorial Secretary for Personnel 12 NOVEMBER 2016 WarCry 19
When Mary ß ß Said Yes The words of an angel helped Mary keep going when the path was hard. BY CHRISTINA TYSON
Many people today are fascinated by angels. Perhaps this is evidence of a push-back against secularism, coupled with an innate awareness that there is far more to this world than what we can see and touch. These days, angels are often portrayed as comforting figures, something that is perhaps influenced by the words an angel shared with the shepherds near Bethlehem on the night Jesus was born:
The painting of The Annunciation on the main altar of Catedral de Cristo Salvador by Juan de Borgona (1512).
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Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.
This angel was then joined by a ‘great company of angels’, who proclaimed: Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests.
Great joy or great hardship? One of the most commonly depicted angelic art works is of Mary being visited by the angel Gabriel and receiving her own ‘do not be afraid’ message: Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favour with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end. (Luke 1:30-33) Typically, paintings of this encounter —known as ‘The Annunciation’—show Mary humbly bowed before the angel with a look of serenity on her face.
But clearly that’s not the whole picture, because Luke’s gospel tells us the angel had to calm Mary, who was at first totally terrified at this supernatural being. Perhaps Mary’s initial response was wise. After all, those chosen by God in Jewish history rarely had easy lives. Mary would have known that to find favour in God’s eyes was not a guarantee of ‘great joy’ throughout life, it could instead mean hardship and even persecution. Just as it does today. Consider Jesus’ words from the Sermon on the Mount as further evidence of ‘mixed blessing’ of God’s favour: Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matthew 5:11-12) Mary understood that if she truly had found favour with God, there was likely to be a hard road ahead.
Impossible news Essential to Christianity is belief in the incarnation—that Jesus was God in human flesh. As startling as the appearance of an angel was to Mary, the news she was pregnant by God seemed even more impossible. ‘How will this be, since I am a virgin?’ she asks. Mary listens to the angel and then responds in humble obedience, saying, ‘I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled.’ When Joseph learnt his fiancée was pregnant, it didn’t sit well with him at first either. He planned to quietly end their relationship, rather than shame Mary in public. But then an angel appeared to Joseph, reassuring him that this baby was God’s plan. Over the next nine months and beyond, Mary and Joseph would have replayed
their angelic encounters and clung to the truth: this was God’s child, sent to save the world.
PONDERTHIS
Saying yes to God’s purposes
Is God giving you a fuller understanding of what obedience might mean for your life?
Mary shows us what is possible when one person agrees to go God’s way. Yes, there were difficult consequences, beginning with the shame of being pregnant before marriage. Then, as Jesus grew, Mary saw her son take a path that separated him from his earthly family, from siblings who did not accept his teaching until after Jesus’ death and resurrection.
MARY SHOWS US WHAT IS POSSIBLE WHEN ONE PERSON COURAGEOUSLY AGREES TO GO GOD’S WAY. Mary knew the Jewish religious leaders saw her son as a threat to the status quo and that they were rallying Roman opposition against him. She heard of Jesus’ arrest and that he’d been sentenced to death, she witnessed the scars of his beatings and stood vigil at the foot of the cross. Any parent can imagine the deep pain and heartache Mary experienced as she watched her son die. When Jesus told her John would take care of her in his place, this would have brought no comfort—not in those moments of utter dejection and grief. But through Mary’s obedience, her willingness to play a part in God’s plan, came blessings. Some came to Mary, but others came to us—to the entire world. A son was born, a saviour who was God in human form, sent to save humankind
I’ve learned how much the Advent season holds, how it breaks into our lives with images of light and dark, first and last things, watchfulness and longing, origin and destiny. Kathleen Norris
Are you responding with a list of reasons why it’s impossible for you to take that path? Is it possible the message God wants to give you in response to these ‘buts’ is the same one Gabriel gave Mary? ‘Nothing is impossible for God!’ Pray for the courage and faith to obey God’s leading.
from the sin that kept us at a distance from God. We are chosen by God, just as Mary was chosen. And, like Mary, this can lead us into surprising, even amazing, situations. We can find ourselves heading in directions that, left to ourselves, we could never have imagined. We can find ourselves experiencing joy, but also hardship, misunderstandings and even persecution. And in such times we will need to draw on the comfort of knowing God has his hand on our lives. There will also be times when we want to dispute God’s plans. ‘How can this be?’ we might ask, perhaps listing the many reasons why the direction God is setting before us is too impossible. Such questioning is commonplace in Scripture. All those beautiful paintings of Mary easily accepting the angel’s message are not an accurate picture of what went down. The truth is more like our own experiences of God’s leading: a path is set before us, we are surprised and don’t feel up to the task, we see all the difficult implications and obstacles, and we point these out to God. Yet God’s leading remains strong and, over time, becomes compelling and irrefutable. And so we find ourselves echoing Mary’s words: ‘I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled.’
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Commissioners Robert (Territorial Commander) and Janine Donaldson (Territorial President of Women’s Ministries) 15 Nov: Global Leadership Summit, Wellington City Corps (TC) 25–29 Nov: General’s Consultative Council, New Jersey, USA 7 Dec: Territorial Executive Council 8 Dec: Covenant Day, Booth College of Mission 9–11 Dec: Commissioning Weekend 10 Dec: Territorial Farewell to the Donaldsons Colonels Willis Howell (Chief Secretary) and Barbara Howell (Territorial Secretary for Women’s Ministries) 19–20 Nov: Invercargill Corps Building Opening (CS) 23 Nov: Hutt City Overcomers Group (CS) 7 Dec: Territorial Executive Council 8 Dec: Covenant Day, Booth College of Mission 9–11 Dec: Commissioning Weekend 10 Dec: Territorial Farewell to the Donaldsons
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Across 7 Not absolute 9 Not ours 10 Superhero accessory 11 Applied science 12 A European language 14 Dark grey 15 Kinships 17 Ballpark figure 19 Solitary 21 Aggregation 22 Vocalised 23 Treasures 24 More boney
Down 1 Turned into 2 Out of harm’s way 3 Recognisable 4 Fixed number of poetic lines 5 Musing 6 Computer instructions 8 Reference books 13 Increased 15 Mended 16 Brilliant 18 Admission 20 Associated 22 Spiritual
Want to Know More?
PRAY Nuku’alofa, Oamaru, Otahuhu, Palmerston North, Papakura Corps, Marlborough Hospice, and The Salvation Army in Singapore, Malaysia and Myanmar.
I would like: to learn about who Jesus is
400–600 words with one or two captioned photos. Promotion to Glory tributes are approx 300 words. Email reports and large, high-quality jpeg images to: warcry@nzf. salvationarmy.org To advertise your event, email: warcry@nzf. salvationarmy.org
Invercargill Corps Building Opening, Victoria Street 19 November 3 pm, led by Colonel Willis Howell. If you wish to attend, please contact Corps Sergeant Major Russell Healey.
Contact: (03) 218 3094, russell_ healey@nzf.salvationarmy.org
Shop online at
information about The Salvation Army The Salvation Army to contact me prayer for the following needs:
salvationarmy.or.nz/shop
Send to: warcry@nzf.salvationarmy.org or War Cry, PO Box 6015, Marion Square, Wellington 6141
22 WarCry 12 NOVEMBER 2016
A year of 24-7 Prayer across New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga FOR MORE GO TO
salvationarmy. org.nz/prayer
Find Salvation Army job opportunities: salvationarmy.org.nz/employment
Quiz Answers: 1 Steve Hansen, 2 On Blueberry Hill, 3 400 beans, 4 NZ wood pigeon, 5 Paul (Acts 28:1-6). Crossword Answers: Across: 7 Relative, 9 Theirs, 10 Cape, 11 Technology, 12 German, 14 Charcoal, 15 Relationships, 17 Estimate, 19 Lonely, 21 Collection, 22 Sung, 23 Jewels, 24 Skinnier. Down: 1 Became, 2 Safe, 3 Distinct, 4 Stanza, 5 Reflection, 6 Programs, 8 Encyclopedias, 13 Multiplied, 15 Restored, 16 Splendid, 18 Access, 20 Linked, 22 Song.
Name Email Address Phone
Meet Hannah! Hannah Medland is the new person in charge of all Salvation Army kids stuff for New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga. Mainly that’s about helping and encouraging Salvation Army church leaders and getting along to camps and other fun activities. We think Hannah is super cool, and here are a few things we think you might like to know about her:
Tell us a bit about yourself?
I’m the oldest of three sisters and loved being the bossy one! Somehow my sisters are still my best friends though. We moved around a lot when were little since our parents were Salvation Army officers, which was hard, but Wellington has been my home for a long time now. Wellington is the best! I love working with children, and have worked as a nanny, a kids church leader and an early childhood teacher.
How did you meet Jesus?
I’ve known Jesus almost my whole life, but I remember a special moment at a kids camp in Auckland when I felt in my thoughts that God was asking me to get more serious about following him. An older leader prayed with me as I promised again to live with Jesus. But I also think it’s important to choose to live with and for Jesus every day.
What was one way you stayed close to God growing up?
I loved to put on shows with my sisters. My favourite characters to play were Josie and the Pussycats, the hobbits from The Lord of the Rings, and Captain Planet.
After dinner most evenings my family would read the Bible, talk about how to live more like Jesus and pray together. This taught me how to connect with God, and I can still recall some of the Bible verses I memorised. I also remember my dad, sisters and I getting the giggles during prayer time … a lot!
What did you want to do when you grew up?
What’s the best thing about The Salvation Army?
When you were little, what did you most like to do?
I always wanted to do something creative, but kept changing my mind about what that would be. A writer, a fashion designer, a photographer, an artist …
What are you afraid of?
I’m really afraid of spiders! And trying new foods … but I’m working on becoming a more adventurous eater.
What makes you laugh?
My mum makes me laugh a lot, even when she doesn’t mean to. I love my mum!
Our focus on caring for, looking after and loving people. That’s being like Jesus!
What’s the number one thing you want kids to know?
To know and experience the difference living with, for and like Jesus can make to their lives every day. That can be hard sometimes, but feeling Jesus’ amazing love is the best thing of all!
‘Since you are God’s dear children, you must try to be like him.’ Ephesians 5:1 GNT
How well do you know Hannah? How many questions you can get right … 1. Hannah is scared of snails? True / False 2. Hannah thinks kids are annoying? True / False 3. Hannah is super cool? True / False 4. Hannah’s mum is funny? True / False 5. Hannah is a middle child? True / False 6. Hannah was a quiet child who never bossed her sisters around? True / False 7. Hannah thinks you should only live for Jesus on Sundays? True / False 8. Hannah used to be a fashion designer? True / False 9. Hannah wants kids to live for Jesus? True / False 10. Hannah used to pretend she was Captain Planet? True / False
Can you spot the eight differences? Answers: 1, F; 2, F; 3, T; 4, T; 5, F; 6: F; 7, F; 8, F; 9, T; 10, T. Differences: Cat tail length; cat tail stripes; yellow tree; purple flower; colour of pencils; purple paint palette; eraser; lamp button. 12 NOVEMBER 2016 WarCry 23
Joyful Intercessors
He Kaiwhakawhiti O Te Hari Commissioning & Ordination, 2015–2016
Booth College of Mission Graduation Friday 9 December | 7.00 pm Hutt City Corps, Cnr Cornwall St & Kings Cres, Lower Hutt Commissioning & Ordination Service Saturday 10 December | 2.30 pm Wellington City Corps, 92 Vivian St
Celebration Service Sunday 11 December | 10.00 am Wellington City Corps, 92 Vivian St “Always be joyful and never stop praying” 1 Thessalonians 5:16–17 (CEV)
Territorial Farewell for Commissioners Robert & Janine Donaldson Saturday 10 December | 7.00 pm, Wellington City Corps