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SONIC’S AGE IS A PRICKLY SUBJECT Back page

No 7070

FIGHTING FOR HEARTS AND SOULS

23 June 2012

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N I A G T E N WIMBLEDON IS STILL A SMASH HIT writes CLAIRE BRINE

SERVE up the strawberries and lob on the cream – Wimbledon fortnight is about to begin. From Monday (25 June), tennis stars will be hitting the courts at SW19, each of them set on scooping a slice of the £16 million prize-money. While the players are getting stuck into the

A tennis fan prepares to tuck into strawberries and cream

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The War Cry 23 June 2012

News

CROP FAILURES AFFECT MILLIONS

Food in short supply in Sahel PEOPLE queue to buy millet from a grain bank in a village near Doutchi in Niger. About 19 million people across the Sahel region of Africa are suffering severe food shortages after crops failed. The grain bank is run by a partner of UK-based Christian relief and development agency Tearfund. On a visit to London last week, the President of Niger, Mahamadou Issoufou, met with UK aid agencies, including Tearfund, to discuss the food crisis. They discussed how Niger could improve food security and lessen the risk of future emergencies through planning. RICHARD HANSON/Tearfund

REPORT HIGHLIGHTS INEQUALITY

CHRISTIAN mission Q organisation BMS has produced a set of

Poverty despite boom in Brazil

resources to encourage churches to campaign for justice for disabled people. A DVD for use in church services tells the stories of disabled athletes and highlights global injustices experienced by people with disabilities. Supporters

of the campaign – titled Undefeated – can also sign cards which will be sent to the Government, urging it to promote inclusive policies in foreign aid projects and to ensure disability is included in the UN’s agenda after the Millennium Development Goals deadline is reached in 2015.

ALTHOUGH Brazil is experiencing an economic boom, about 16 million people – equivalent to the population of the Netherlands – live in abject poverty, according to Christian Aid. Research commissioned by the development charity also found that 40 million people, about 20 per cent of the pop population, fall below the World Bank’s national pov poverty line. IIn a report The Real Brazil, Christian Aid ABOUT 600 spectators received a special issue of The War say says that the country’s governments have aimed Cry while the Olympic torch passed through Glasgow city to uuse the benefits of economic growth without centre during the nationwide relay. confronting the factors A team of Salvation Army and Methodist church volunteers underlying inequality, handed out free copies of the paper and chatted with people as including the tax system they watched the ﬂame being carried through the streets. The team also gave out free tea, coffee and cakes from the Salvation – in which poorest Army emergency vehicle. JAZZ ARTIST householders pay a ‘People waiting for the torch were thrilled to see The Salvation greater percentage of PUTS FAITH Army,’ says Major their income – ON THE Catherine Wyles, and the unequal who oversees the distribution of RECORD organisation’s work land.

INSIDE

p8 COMMENT

LIFESTYLE

PUZZLES

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INNER LIFE

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FOOD FOR THOUGHT

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in the West Scotland area. ‘We wanted The Salvation Army to be visible at this big community event, but we also wanted to remind people what the real light is.’ The team also handed out hundreds of copies of Kids Alive!, the Salvation Army children’s comic.

MORE Q than 12,000 Christians took part in worship at the conclusion of a church event held in West Sussex. The annual Big Church Day Out, held across two days at the Wiston Estate, included music from Matt Redman and Newsboys. CHRIS BEATON

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23 June 2012 The War Cry

From page 1

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CLAIRE BRINE

game, fans will be rallying round to support them. This year the All England Lawn Tennis Club is holding its 126th championships. The competition has come a long way since its debut in 1877, when Spencer Gore won the prize-money of ten guineas. But why does tennis at Wimbledon remain so popular? ‘The whole experience is a bit like a tea party,’ Karen Eastland, who runs tours of the Wimbledon grounds, tells The War Cry. ‘After so many years, the matches are still played on grass, and guests can watch with their strawberries and cream. There’s a special atmosphere.’ As well as watching the action, ticket holders are able to use the time between matches to visit the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum. Inside they can learn about the history of the game and see exhibits such as a racket used by Martina Navratilova for the 2003 championships and sports gear worn by Rafael Nadal. This summer, the museum is also holding an Olympics exhibition. Visitors can check out Roger Federer’s gold medal from the Beijing Games in 2008 and Tim Henman’s 1996 Atlanta silver. ‘This is the second time the Olympic tennis competition is taking place at Wimbledon,’ explains Karen. ‘The first was in 1908.’ The Olympic tennis begins just 20 days after the championships have

In between matches ticket holders can learn about tennis today (above) and in the past (below) at the museum

The whole experience is like a tea party finished, but Karen doesn’t think that one event will overshadow the other. ‘True tennis fans will enjoy both,’ she says. ‘The upcoming Olympics won’t change people’s enthusiasm for the championships.’ Facing one competition on the back of another means the players are in for an intense summer. To be successful, they need physical stamina. Mental strength. A positive attitude. Off court, such qualities wouldn’t go amiss in daily life. Perhaps we face a colleague who seems more like a scary opponent and we need courage. Maybe we struggle not to give in to an addiction. We may even be suffering physically, and we know we need to take greater care of ourselves. It is tough to keep going when the going gets tough. That’s why it is

good to have someone to support us. Someone we can trust to stick by our side through thick and thin. Someone to recognise our potential and help us to reach it. To find this someone, we need look no further than God. He is our biggest supporter. When good things happen in life, he celebrates with us. When circumstances are difficult, he comforts and strengthens us. When we are wide of the mark in our attitudes, he forgives us and gives us a second chance. One Bible writer who experienced times of victory and defeat said: ‘The Lord is merciful and loving, slow to become angry and full of constant love’ (Psalm 103:8 Good News Bible). Whatever comes our way, God is with us – and for us. Not just today, but for ever. He’s the ultimate doubles partner.

Interview

What is Reasons to Believe? Hugh: I founded Reasons to Believe to research and proclaim new evidence for the Christian faith. We read the latest scientific literature and we talk to our scientific peers who are doing frontline research. Kenneth: Reasons to Believe focuses on what we call the two books – the metaphorical ‘book’ of nature and the literal book of Scripture. Our position is that if God is the author of both books, they will cohere. We speak in churches and universities, and engage with people on controversial issues such as whether the world is the product of divine creation or naturalistic evolution. I am the only non-scientist on the staff. My background is in theology and philosophy. How do the books of nature and of Scripture cohere? Hugh: I became a Christian after I recognised that what I saw in nature had the same pattern as what I saw in the Bible. When I was seven years old, I started studying astronomy. At 16, I spent a whole year looking into cosmology and recognised that the big bang theory fitted the astronomical observations. I saw that if there was a big bang, there was a beginning; and if there was a beginning, there had to be a beginner. I was really sceptical that the ‘one’ who created this Universe of 50 billion trillion stars would bother to communicate through a book to people on this one small planet – but for the sake of intellectual honesty I began to go through the holy books of the world’s religions. They all seemed to say things about nature that I knew couldn’t possibly be true. But when I picked up the Bible, it was different. It was direct, clear and talked about historical and scientific events. I was impressed by how it accurately predicted all the fundamentals of big bang cosmology thousands of years before any scientists even dreamt of them. In what ways did you find the Bible to be accurate about cosmology? Hugh: I was reading the Bible at the very time when physicists were developing the first space-time theorems. And whereas other holy books talk of God or gods creating within a space and time that eternally exist, in the Bible space and time do not exist until God creates the Universe. It fitted with space-time physics. I also read in Jeremiah 33:25 about how the laws that govern the heavens and the earth are fixed; and Romans 8 says that one of those constant laws is a pervasive law of decay. The Bible’s description of the Universe was a perfect fit with what we were discovering through big bang cosmology – that the Universe was expanding and that the pervasive law of decay meant it would get colder and colder at a highly predictable rate. The more we learn from science, the stronger the fit with the biblical evidence. What are your views on Creation? Kenneth: We believe the scientific community is correct that the Universe is 14 billion years old. On the other hand, we take the position that God did create Adam as the first human being and that all humans have descended

Exploring t US-based organisation Reasons to Believe aims to show how scientiﬁc research is providing ‘new evidence for the Christian faith’. On a visit to London to take part in Premier Christian Radio’s Unbelievable? conference, founder Dr HUGH ROSS and KENNETH SAMPLES tell Philip Halcrow how the biblical and scientiﬁc accounts of the Universe cohere

from him. We don’t think all the data is in yet as to how human beings relate to non-human primates. What led you to that position? Kenneth: When you look at Adam and Eve, you have to ask whether the Bible passages about them are historical narrative or allegory. If you adopt a view of an historical Adam and Eve, it seems to be the most straightforward reading of the biblical text. It also carries a lot of explanatory power about why humans are so deeply flawed – there was a Fall.

Hugh Ross (left) and Kenneth Samples believe that the Scriptures and science ﬁt together

What is the big question that people most often want answering? Hugh: People want to talk about Creation. We want to use scientific evidence to show them that there is a God and that he cares for the human species. You can see the degree to which

I was impressed by how the Bible accurately predicted the fundamentals of big bang cosmology

23 June 2012 The War Cry

he big bang to shed light on the

Bible

God cares for the human species

God invested in preparing the Universe for human life when you examine what is called the ‘anthropic principle inequality’ – how it took a minimum of 14 billion years, given the laws of physics, for God to prepare a home for humanity where, under those same laws, the maximum time in which we can live in a civilised state is not longer PHILIP HALCROW

than 40,000 years. The difference between those is a factor of a million. It was the British cosmologist Brandon Carter who said the only way to explain the enormous inequality was that to say there must be someone beyond the Universe who has an extremely high value for human beings and a very high purpose for them.

The War Cry 23 June 2012

Comment

Marriage proposals MARRIAGE is a wonderful institution. But, as Groucho Marx once observed, who wants to live in an institution? Government marriage plans of the past few weeks, though, are no laughing matter. Last year, the Government’s Forced Marriage Unit helped in more than 1,400 cases, including one which involved a five-year-old child. Some 15 per cent of this year’s cases have involved children below the age of 15. Last week, David Cameron announced that forcing a son or daughter into a marriage against their will is to become a criminal offence in England and Wales. ‘Forced marriage is abhorrent and little more than slavery,’ he said. ‘To force anyone into marriage against their will is simply wrong and that is why we have taken decisive action to make it illegal.’ Applause over the move has since been drowned out by concerns that the Church could be forced by European legislation to conduct gay and lesbian weddings, if a government proposal to allow same-sex marriage becomes law. Proposals for same-sex marriage clearly show that, despite tabloid insistence otherwise, it is not the same as civil partnership. The Church of England is generally opposed to the plan. The Salvation Army affirms the New Testament understanding of marriage as the voluntary and loving union for life of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others. It is firmly against any change to the definition of marriage and believes that neither the State nor the Church has the right to redefine its meaning. Those people who are unconvinced by any moral or spiritual argument might wonder to what extent they have had a say in the proposal gaining parliamentary legs. It was not a general election policy of any of the three main parties. History shows that any wide-scale social change works only with the broad agreement of the populace.

Media Station casts round for kid co-host

RADIO station Premier is searching for a presenter 12 years old or under to co-host one of its programmes. The London-based Christian broadcaster plans to introduce a ‘kid’s eye view’ on current affairs during the school summer holidays. The selected candidate will work on its breakfast programme with regular presenter John Pantry. Premier’s CEO Peter Kerridge says: ‘The ideal candidate will have an interest in the news of the day and the natural curiosity which helps to make a good interviewer. They’ll have a say in the programme planning and

the choice of potential interview subjects. While some of their content will be recorded, much of it will be live on air, so a cool head will be a key

John Pantry presents the breakfast show

requirement.’ Potential presenters have until Friday 29 June to apply. For more information visit premier.org.uk

It has to be Jesus, reports newsreader HUW EDWARDS told the Daily Mail that Jesus is the ﬁgure from history he would most like to chat with. In a Q&A, the BBC newsreader said: ‘Talking to him would unlock the mystery of life.’ He also told the paper that his grandmother’s Bible was his most prized possession, saying it was ‘presented to her as a little girl in 1915. It’s a treasured link with my family’s past.’

Radio Rev’s paper review RADIO presenter the Rev Siôr Coleman is pictured with a copy of The War Cry, which, he says, appears to have ‘gone through the wars’ during its delivery. Mr Coleman says that he often mentions articles from the paper on his weekly programme, Early Sunday Breakfast (BBC WM, 6 am). He says: ‘The War Cry is accessible, contemporary and tells it like it is.’

23 June 2012 The War Cry

Lifestyle

Workers choose to mind their own business

Employees to shift jobs

Keep track of your expenses

SUDOKU SOLUTION

Library picture posed by model

MANY workers are deciding it’s time to go it alone. The difficult job market is encouraging them to try self-employment for the first time. Kate Jenner of Endsleigh Insurance says: ‘We’re getting more and more inquiries from people setting up in business on their own for the first time. The internet has made it easier and cheaper for people to trade, but so many are naive about how to go about it.’ Endsleigh has provided tips to help. 1. Benefit from business accounts It may not seem like a priority if you’re not expecting to make much money initially, but it’s important to separate your personal and business finances. There are benefits to be gained from setting up a business account. Some high street banks may ng opportunities even compete for your custom advertising and widen n your network and offer perks and gifts to of contacts. ts. As well as persuade you to join them. official bodies, odies, look out for These can be handy when collectives es that work with starting out. businesses es like yours. Also, moving your mobile 5. Protect ct yourself phone to a business account Whatever ver service or can be a money-saver. You might be able to combine your product you are selling, you are liable iable for its safety, call plan with a broadband accuracy and general package and benefit from phone upgrades as well as free adherencee to the law. Whether you’re a beautician, writer calls between business users. or plumber, er, you will need 2. Put all sundries through cover for business and office the business account equipment, nt, stock, business Working from home can travel, revenue venue protection, entail a lot of expenses such tools and goods in transit. as buying a new computer Ask an adviser dviser about public keyboard, pens or simply tea liability insurance nsurance costs and bags! When making such benefits for your sector. purchases, be sure to get a VAT receipt. 3. Use social networks to market yourself Advertising in the local paper and online is helpful, but nothing is as effective as using your network of friends, family and former work THE concept of a career – let alone a job – for life could have all contacts to secure business. but disappeared within 25 years, according to research carried out Make sure everyone among workers by office recruitment agency Office Angels. online knows about your new Almost half of the people who took part in the survey thought that business by updating your career progression will no longer be linear, but that people will pursue professional network profile various careers throughout their working lives. and sending out messages The survey also found that one in four employees expects to be through social media. working for more than one employer at a time by the year 2036 as a 4. Join relevant groups and result of changing attitudes to flexitime and remote working. organisations David Clubb from Office Angels says: ‘Whereas experience and Is there a union or loyalty were the core attributes in the “jobs for life” era, what’s organisation that covers your emerging from our research is that flexibility and adaptability are going sector? Joining one can reap to be valued more over the next few decades, as the idea of a career huge rewards. It may offer takes on a new shape.’ you discounted training and

Interview

YolanDa hits the high notes In the ever-changing music industry, ďŹ nding continuous success can be a struggle, especially for independent artists. But Mobo-winning saxophonist YOLANDA BROWN is making her mark. She speaks to RenĂŠe Davis about her life and career KAREN McBRIDE

23 June 2012 The War Cry

ETBALL, hockey, camping, army cadets, motor sports and cub scouts aren’t necessarily the things people expect a professional musician to have been interested in as a child. But being exposed to a variety of activities rather than focusing on one helped YolanDa Brown to ﬁnd the thing she really loved.

Recalling her childhood in London, she says: ‘I started playing the piano, the violin and the recorder when I was six years old. I also played the drums. When I was 13, I was introduced to the saxophone. I had an instant connection with it. ‘A lot of people say the saxophone is one of their favourite instruments because it sounds like a voice. When I was young, I didn’t do a lot of singing, so finding an instrument that could be my substitute voice was perfect.’ But falling in love with the saxophone did not mean that YolanDa automatically embarked on a music career. Initially, she studied for an undergraduate master’s in management science and social research methods. Wanting to study further, she began a four-year PhD at the University of Kent. But music began to edge its way in. During a summer break in 2007, YolanDa decided to make some extra money by joining a band. Through that she met her current management, Black Grape. ‘I began playing at comedy shows

and churches,’ explains YolanDa. ‘After six months, my manager said I could do a solo concert, so we prepared for that.’ After she had performed a sell-out concert to 600 people in London, she knew she had something special. ‘I thought to myself: “Wow, there’s something here,”’ she says. ‘I was getting booked for shows all around the world – in Jamaica, America and Africa. I was becoming more than a musician. I was becoming an artist.’ While travelling the globe, YolanDa was still juggling music with her university work. She knew she had to make a vital decision. ‘It wasn’t that I didn’t want to study any more,’ she says. ‘I just knew that I couldn’t give 100 per cent to study and performing. I prayed hard about what to do. I spoke to my course supervisor. He was very supportive of my decision to do music. He told me to make sure I did it well. ‘Two months later, I received an email from the University of East London saying they’d like to give me a honorary doctorate for my contribution to music. So I am still Dr Brown,’ she laughs. ‘God has a fantastic sense of humour.’ Pursuing a career in music is always about taking a risk, and like many artists, YolanDa has faced hard times. ‘It’s not like a record deal came to me and I gave up everything for it,’ she explains. ‘I’m an independent artist, so my management and I do everything ourselves. We created our own record label and we promote our own shows. ‘That’s where faith comes in. It gives me strength to carry on each day. God didn’t put me in this position by acci-

dent. I know he has a great plan for me.’ YolanDa’s faith has played a significant role throughout her life and career. Although she didn’t attend church as a child, her parents brought her up with Christian values regarding how to pray and read the Bible. At the age of 14, her relationship with God deepened.

‘S

omeone at school invited me to a youth outreach convention,’ she says. ‘Seeing young people on fire for God was amazing. I’d never seen that before.’ YolanDa continued to attend church and eventually committed her life fully to God. She took her parents along and they too experienced what it was like to have fellowship with Christians as well as with God. When she is on the road with her music, YolanDa is also able to share her faith. ‘I have some fantastic conversa-

Finding an instrument that could be my substitute voice was perfect

Turn to page 10

Interview

From page 9 tions with my band members – those who are full of faith and those who are struggling with it,’ she says. ‘We can share Scriptures or different experiences. We can all pray before we set off on a journey or before we go on stage and ask that God will work through us while we are playing.’ Although most of YolanDa’s music is instrumental, she believes she can still share her faith with her audience. ‘Instrumental music is very powerful. I don’t think people give it enough credit,’ she says. ‘Whatever emotion is in the music will always come out. For example, if I am playing a song that’s reminiscing on a sad time, even if I don’t say anything the person listening to that song will say: “I felt really sad listening to that.” If I am playing a happy song and I’m bouncing and smiling, people will be able to identify with that emotion too.

IKENNA MOKWE

‘P

utting my faith into music makes people feel good about themselves, so I make sure I carry God with me, no matter what genre I am playing.’ She continues: ‘It may not always be gospel music but I am putting myself into the music and I know that in me is God.’ YolanDa believes music is an international language. She can communicate her message to any audience, at home or abroad. YolanDa’s connection with her audience has won her two Mobo Awards. It also, she says, helped inspire the sound on her new debut album April Showers, May Flowers. She considers her previous EPs as ‘market research’ into what people like to listen to. Her experimentation with genres such as reggae, Afrobeat, soul and jazz gave her an idea of the sound she wanted to give the album. ‘I believe that a first album really has to be “you”,’ she says. ‘I grew up listening to such a wide range of music, so on the album is classical music, reggae, soul, fusion jazz and swing jazz.’ The album includes tracks that are inspired by special moments in YolanDa’s life. ‘Heartbeat’ is about when she became a godmother and an aunt. ‘Dear John’ is dedicated to the university tutor who was supportive of her music career. YolanDa says releasing her first album was nerve-racking. But it was

Instrumental music is powerful. I don’t think people give it enough credit received well by new and old fans. She recently completed a nationwide tour with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra to promote the album. It went to No 1 on the iTunes jazz chart and the Amazon jazz chart. ‘Getting to No 1 was wonderful,’ she says. ‘I was really thankful to everybody. As an independent artist, I wear so many different hats. I am involved in all aspects of my career. So, although it was a fantastic moment, I knew I had to keep pushing and continue thinking about the next step.’

Her success has opened many doors. YolanDa has appeared on BBC Breakfast and Jazz FM. She has also attracted new audiences in America, Japan and Europe. YolanDa cannot easily pinpoint one highlight of her career so far. Whether it be performing at a workshop for schoolchildren, gigging at a huge arena or ministering at church, Yolanda relishes each experience. But she does particularly cherish the time she went on tour with the Temptations.

23 June 2012 The War Cry

Being able to give something back is very rewarding for me ‘I grew up listening to the Temptations’ music,’ she says. ‘I was on a 20-date tour with them and they were so open. We ate together, everyone’s dressing room was open, and we could just talk. ‘They shared decades of experience with me, and on the final night they invited me on stage with them. It really opened my eyes to the responsibility I have as an artist to the people that are starting out on their musical journeys and what I can give to them.’ YolanDa is taking that responsibility seriously. She is an ambassador for the Prince’s Trust and the Yamaha Class Band, an initiative that visits schools in underprivileged areas and encourages children to pick up an instrument. ‘I am enjoying being involved with young people and being able to give something back. It is very rewarding for me, and I hope to do a lot more of that.’

YolanDa has topped the iTunes and Amazon charts

Showers, May Flowers is released on Black Grape Q April

The War Cry 23 June 2012

Puzzlebreak R H I N G I S G T E S D A H B

SUDOKU

WORDSEARCH Look up, down, forwards, backwards and diagonally on the grid to find these Wimbledon singles champions from the past 40 years Fill the grid so that every column, every row and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 to 9 Solution on page 7

AGASSI ASHE BECKER BORG CASH CAWLEY CONNORS

QUICK CROSSWORD

ACROSS 1. Secluded path (2-3) 5. Gem (5) 8. Corpulent (5) 9. Quick search (5) 10. Amid (5) 11. Register (5) 12. Peer (4) 15. Ravenous (6) 17. Sham (5) 18. Idle chatter (6) 20. Ground (4) 25. Oval stone fruit (5) 26. Pre-eminent (5) 27. Din (5) 28. Evade (5) 29. Shy (5) 30. Entice (5)

ANSWERS

R H L A D A N O H E K M D T O

E S S H M I M S E R F J I I R

H H D P K S A F A W O W I T G

E O R N E C M J I K O D E S H

DAVENPORT DJOKOVIC EDBERG EVERT FEDERER GRAF HEWITT HINGIS IVANISEVIC

N A V R A T I L O V A O Z L N

S A U W W C L V O V V A E J P

F A L P E I I E E H O C N O S

M E M K A C L N W S T O I Y A

Y T D M L N P L I A I N T D G

KING KODES KRAJICEK KVITOVA MARTINEZ MAURESMO MCENROE NADAL NAVRATILOVA

S I S E T O T Y I C V N R F A

T S H A R A P O V A K O A D S

I V A T R E V E V E M R M V S

C B E C K E R M D O G S K W I

H T T I W E H A O R N J V T A

P A F G F A W H A G R E B D E

NOVOTNA SAMPRAS SHARAPOVA SMITH STICH WADE WILLIAMS S WILLIAMS V

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

DOWN 1. Perplex (6) 2. Restaurant employee (6) 3. Country bumpkin (5) 4. Fatigued (5) 5. Envious (7) 6. Courting (6) 7. Bequest (6) 13. Time past (3) 14. Burst (3) 15. Embrace (3) 16. Sprint (3) 17. Intolerant (7) 18. Contraption (6) 19. Brook (6) 21. Vouch (6) 22. Proper (6) 23. Less (5) 24. Doctrine (5)

1. Pay back money 2. Pool of rainwater 3. Noon 4. Order not to do 5. Einstein’s Christian name 6. Relating to the lower back

QUICKLEQUIZ DON B WIM 1. Who won the men’s single title last year? 2. In which year was the first championship held? 3. What was the name of the character played by Paul Bettany in the film Wimbledon? 4. How old was Boris Becker when he became the youngest player to win Wimbledon? 5. How many times has Martina Navratilova won the women’s singles title? 6. Which tennis star is married to Steffi Graf?

QUICK CROSSWORD ACROSS: 1 By-way. 5 Jewel. 8 Obese. 9 Frisk. 10 Among. 11 Enrol. 12 Earl. 15 Hungry. 17 Bogus. 18 Gossip. 20 Land. 25 Olive. 26 Great. 27 Noise. 28 Elude. 29 Timid. 30 Tempt. DOWN: 1 Baffle. 2 Waiter. 3 Yokel. 4 Weary. 5 Jealous. 6 Wooing. 7 Legacy. 13 Ago. 14 Pop. 15 Hug. 16 Run. 17 Bigoted. 18 Gadget. 19 Stream. 21 Affirm. 22 Decent. 23 Minus. 24 Tenet. QUICK QUIZ 1 Novak Djokovic. 2 1877. 3 Peter Colt. 4 17. 5 9. 6 Andre Agassi. HONEYCOMB 1 Refund. 2 Puddle. 3 Midday. 4 Forbid. 5 Albert. 6 Lumbar.

Inner life

23 June 2012 The War Cry

It is a sin to despise one’s neighbour, but blessed is the one who is kind to the needy’

A ROW over a barking dog escalated until two neighbouring families were more or less at war. An out-of-control leylandii hedge came between some other neighbours and led to a court case. One man’s habit of playing loud music throughout the night was the cause of numerous phone calls to the police.

A woman who persisted in screaming obscenities over a garden fence led to a family moving from the area. A continually quarrelling family meant that one neighbour began to suffer from depression. Bad neighbours can be a curse. However, trends can be reversed and on occasion bad neighbours can undergo a transformation. One particular woman had fallen out with her neighbours over the positioning of a fence. She hadn’t spoken to them for several months. Then she found out that the husband had had an accident and wouldn’t be able to work for a while. The wife began to work full-time. The woman felt compelled to offer her help. She took the children to school and picked them up and made lunch for the husband. Literally and metaphorically, fences were mended. An expert in the law once asked Jesus: ‘Who is my neighbour?’ PHILIPPA SMALE Jesus responded by telling a story about a Jewish man who was takes a look at some beaten up and robbed (see Luke of the Proverbs from the Bible 10:25–37). A priest and a Temple ofﬁcial ignored the injured man. The only person to help him was a Samaritan – someone who was traditionally an enemy of the Jews. Jesus asked: ‘Which of these three do you think was a neighbour to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?’ The expert in the law replied: ‘The one who had mercy on him.’ Jesus told him: ‘Go and do likewise.’ Followers of Jesus are called upon to be kind and loving and to go out of their way to help – not just family and friends but everyone. As Jesus also once said: ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me’ (Matthew 25:40).

14:21 New International Version

roverbially SPEAKING

Library picture posed by model

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The War Cry 23 June 2012

Food for thought

Festival marks a pilgrim way

by CATHERINE WYLES

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We need to take the step of seeking him out

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and the door will be opened to you’ (Matthew 7:7 New International Version). Jesus promised people that they could ﬁnd a way to God, not by walking a long and winding road, but through changing their heart and mind. We can ﬁnd him by talking to him and by listening to what he has to say to us. Wherever we are, we are only one step away from knowing God. Isn’t that a miracle!

Under the catchy title Approach a Miracle, the book provides visitors with tips on how to behave (or not) in the 1400s. One instruction is: ‘Do not gossip, gamble or play the bagpipes!’ Author of the book Ian Gray says: ‘The idea to link the pilgrimages to the festival is to let people get a feel of the place and not just concentrate on the music.’ The book is certainly a fascinating idea, but I feel it misses the point of a pilgrimage. People in the past didn’t journey

to connect with a place, however beautiful that place may have been. They travelled in order to connect with God. If we really want to find God, we do not need to take a trip to a certain location. God can be found just where we are – but we do need to take the step of seeking him out. God’s Son, Jesus, explained to people how they could find his Father. He said: ‘Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock

THIS year, visitors to Scotland’s East Neuk Festival – which begins on Wednesday (27 June) – can expect something a wee bit different. Recognising that the festival’s location of St Andrews was signiﬁcant to medieval pilgrims, organisers have created a ﬁctional guidebook to accompany modern-day pilgrims on their journey.

B LO

LVATION

HE’S blue and spiky. He can run at high speed. His aim is to stop the evil Doctor Robotnik from taking over the world.

R E P U S C I N SO

weighed down by regret over past mistakes or chewed up at our inability to kick a harmful habit. When we confess our wrongdoing to God and ask him for his power, his forgiveness sets us free and lifts us to a higher level. Those who make that move are onto a winner.

Games character gets the key of the door writes RENÉE DAVIS

Was it the need to see a mission through to the end? The Salvation Army (United Kingdom Territory with the Republic of Ireland) on behalf of the General of The Salvation Army. Printed by Benham Goodhead Print Ltd, Bicester, Oxon. © Linda Bond, General of The Salvation Army, 2012

A Sonic inﬂatable celebrates Sega’s computer icon

SCOTT CORNELL/Shutterstock.com

YOUR LOCAL SALVATION ARMY CENTRE

Today marks 21 years since the Sonic the Hedgehog computer game first hit the shelves. On 23 June 1991, gamers all around the world raced to the shops to buy this new electronic adventure. Sonic the Hedgehog spawned a number of subsequent versions and triggered sales in excess of 15 million copies. What was it that gamers loved about Sonic? Was it his ability to move at super speed? Was it his cheeky attitude when they left the game unattended for too long (he tapped his foot impatiently)? Or was it the need to see a mission through to the end? Maybe players could relate so much to the game because they too had a mission in life they wanted to complete. Like so many of us, they knew that reaching goals was – and is – important. We may be aiming for top marks in exams or want to reach a new level in our careers. We may have set goals for our health, our finances or our homes. When we don’t reach the stage we want, we often feel disappointed. We feel as if we’ve failed ourselves and the people around us. We live under constant pressure to do well and outdo our previous efforts. We can also be frustrated with our failure to live up to God’s standards. Stress, disappointment and guilt need not be the end result. Jesus says: ‘Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest’ (Matthew 11:28 New International Version). We do not need to feel