The last laugh
Bridget Jones returns for a final time
‘I’m blessed with the gift of music’
What is The Salvation Army?
The Salvation Army is a Christian church and registered charity seeking to share the good news of Jesus and nurture committed followers of him. We also serve people without discrimination, care for creation and seek justice and reconciliation. We offer practical support and services in more than 700 centres throughout the UK. Go to salvationarmy.org.uk/find-a-church to find your nearest centre.
What is the War Cry?
The Salvation Army first published a newspaper called the War Cry in London in December 1879, and we have continued to appear every week since then. Our name refers to our battle for people’s hearts and souls as we promote the positive impact of the Christian faith and The Salvation Army’s fight for greater social justice.
Editor: Andrew Stone, Major
Deputy
Staff
Staff
Staff
Editorial
Graphic
Philip Halcrow
Emily Bright
Claire Brine
Ewan Hall
Linda McTurk
Mark Knight
Graphic Designer: Natalie Adkins
Email: warcry@salvationarmy.org.uk
The Salvation Army United Kingdom and Ireland Territory 1 Champion Park London SE5 8FJ
Tel: 0845 634 0101
Subscriptions: 01933 445445 (option 1, option 1) or email: subscriptions@satcol.org
Founders: William and Catherine Booth International leaders: General Lyndon Buckingham and Commissioner Bronwyn Buckingham
Territorial leaders: Commissioners Jenine and Paul Main
Editor-in-Chief: Major Julian Watchorn
We are now full swing into awards season. Two weeks ago Beyoncé stole the show at the Grammys. This weekend David Tennant will host the Baftas in central London. Then, in just over a fortnight’s time, the Oscars will be centre stage.
When we see performers dressed up and on stage it can be easy to assume that they’re living their perfect life, carefree and without a problem in the world. But the reality can be very different from the glossy image. People who work in the world of showbiz face their own challenges too.
In this week’s War Cry we speak with Velveta Thompson, who has worked for more than 40 years in the music industry and toured with singer Gloria Gaynor. As she explains in her interview, she feels blessed to have the gift of music, but she has had many challenges to overcome as well.
In 2017 Velveta was rushed to hospital after collapsing while leaving a party and had to be treated for double pneumonia, septicaemia, a bleed on her brain and meningitis. She was in a coma for five days.
After a long recovery process, which included learning to walk again, Velveta was rebuilding her life when she was involved in a serious car accident which necessitated a double hip replacement.
It was a devasting time for her and – as a practising Christian – she experienced times when her faith was challenged. But, ultimately, it was that same faith – and that of others – that helped her through.
‘You have to look for the miracles in the midst of the chaos,’ she tells us. Being a Christian does not make anyone immune to hardships or problems. God doesn’t promise to give his followers a trouble-free life. However, he does promise to be with them in those bad times by providing support and the strength to keep going.
Whatever we may be going through at the moment, whether it’s good or bad, the greatest prize in life is knowing that we are loved by God.
INFO INFO
Your local Salvation Army centre
KEEPING UP WITH THE JONES
Widow is unexpectedly wooed in return of rom-com franchise
By Emily Bright
Adate for your diary: Bridget Jones (Renée Zellweger) is back in action. This time, she’s juggling parenthood and grieving for her dear Darcy in Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy. But – in the fourth instalment in the film franchise –an unexpected romance blossoms.
Bridget is familiar with complicated romantic entanglements and the problems they can bring. Over the years, she’s had a fling with her former boss, Daniel Cleaver (Hugh Grant), had a longterm relationship with high-flying lawyer Mark Darcy (Colin Firth), split up with him, had a one-night stand at a festival with Jack (Patrick Dempsey) and then tested positive for a pregnancy shortly afterwards. But when Bridget discovered her baby was Mark’s, it seemed that they were set for life.
Until four years ago. On a humanitarian mission to the Sudan, Mark was killed, leaving behind their two children, Billy and Mabel. Getting by with a little help from her friends, Bridget is doing her
best as a single mum.
She feels concerned about how Billy is coping with the absence of his dad, tries to fend off the judgement of other school parents and has several awkward interactions with her son’s teacher, Mr Walliker (Chiwetel Ejiofor). Additionally, Bridget returns to her job as a TV producer on the talk show Better Women
of ways, with his love of a good laugh, and his joie de vivre, warmth and authenticity,’ says Renée. ‘I love how Roxster appreciates what’s beautiful in Bridget – humanity, her imperfection, how easily she laughs. He holds a mirror up to her to remind her of her value.’
Given all she’s been through, Bridget’s friends want her to have a slice of happiness and so sign her up to online dating. One day she vows to herself: ‘It’s time to live.’
Then a chance encounter sets romantic sparks flying. When Bridget and her kids find themselves in trouble after a tree-climbing incident, a dashing 29-year-old park ranger, Roxster (Leo Woodall), rescues them. Bridget is attracted to his zest for life – not to mention his good looks. However, as their relationship develops, she’s forced to face her grief and re-examine what matters most to her.
‘Roxster parallels Bridget in a lot
We all appreciate being reminded of our value, and what it means to be truly loved. But while romantic relationships have plenty to offer, complications – such as unexpected loss – may cut our love stories short.
However, we can find an unconditional love which lasts through the ages. The Bible reveals that the God who created us wants a relationship with us. One of its writers felt God say to his people: ‘I will always love you; that’s why I’ve been so patient and kind. You are precious to me’ (Jeremiah 31:3 and 4 Contemporary English Version).
Whatever curve balls life may throw at us, we can all receive the faithful and eternal love of God for ourselves – it’s a relationship that is certainly worth exploring.
Film feature: Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy, in cinemas from 13 February
Bridget finds herself falling for Roxster
talk talk Team talk Team talk ‘ ’ j TEA M TALK
WAR
When love really is a gift
Sarah Olowofoyeku gives her take on a story that has caught the attention of War Cry reporters
I know lots of people who will have bought a gift for their loved one to mark Valentine’s Day this week. Ahead of the annual celebration, I spotted a number of websites giving advice on the ‘perfect’ gift to buy, or ideas for presents under £30 for those on a tighter budget. No one wants to mess up on a gift.
One idea that I thought was particularly creative was Lego’s offering of a bouquet, made up of its trademark plastic bricks. I always feel that a downside of receiving real flowers is that they don’t last very long, and as someone who is not green-fingered, I always feel guilty knowing that any flowers I’m gifted will probably not survive the week – but a brick bouquet would avoid that disappointment.
He turned up with one of his friends
It isn’t uncommon for Valentine’s Day to bring some disappointment though, whether it’s an undesirable gift, or having no one to receive a gift from.
My most disappointing Valentine’s Day wasn’t to do with a present, but with some miscommunication when, as a teenager, a boy and I arranged to hang out at my house (the only place my strict parents would allow) and he turned up with one of his friends.
My embarrassing teenage moment aside, it was actually later that year when I came to truly understand the meaning of one of the greatest gifts on offer to me. Sat in a small church in south London, it dawned on me that this gift was what I really needed. It was a gesture of love which stands the test of time – the gift of God’s love.
At the age of 14, I came to believe that God so loved the world that he gave his only Son to die on a cross to save humankind. By dying, Jesus took on the punishment that all humans were destined to receive for their wrongdoing.
But the story didn’t end there. Jesus rose to life, defeating the power of death once and for all, meaning that anyone who puts their faith in him will live eternally and know God’s unconditional love.
Whatever our Valentine’s Day experiences, embracing this truth is the way to discover a love that will never disappoint.
That’s the spirit for Gen Z
Generation Z – those born after 1996 – are far more likely to be spiritual than older generations, according to a new report, Belief in Britain
In a UK poll of 10,000 adults, the report found that 64 per cent of Gen Z describe themselves as spiritual, compared to just 35 per cent of baby boomers.
Meanwhile, 13 per cent of 18 to 24 year olds identify as atheists, compared with 25 per cent of 45 to 64 year olds. And – while regular worship figures were much lower –more than half of all respondents (54 per cent) identified as Christian.
Author Christopher Gasson commissioned the poll to mark the release of his book, The Devil’s Gospels, which explores atheism’s critique of religion in order to offer a new understanding of God. While acknowledging the suspicion towards organised religion among respondents, he highlighted the significant uptick in spirituality among young people.
‘The longing to connect with something bigger than ourselves seems to be a human constant,’ he said. ‘What is surprising is that young people seem more inclined towards spirituality than old people. This could be because of societal change: the financial crisis, Covid, the epidemic of loneliness all might encourage young people to look beyond the material world for meaning.’
WAR CRYWnRLD
Poverty’s ‘devastating impact’ revealed
In response to the Joseph Rowntree Foundation’s annual poverty report – which reveals that ‘unacceptably high levels of poverty’ persist across the UK, with ‘economic security out of reach for millions’ – The Salvation Army is urging the government to tackle the widening gap between the welfare safety net and the cost of living.
According to the report, UK Poverty 2025: The essential guide to understanding poverty in the UK, 14.3 million people were living in poverty in 2022 to 2023. Of these, 8.1 million were workingage adults, 4.3 million were children and 1.9 million were pensioners.
David Betteridge, the director of family ministries at The Salvation Army, said that insufficient family incomes are having a ‘devastating impact’ – particularly on children.
He explained: ‘Our broken social security system is out of step with reality, and needs fixing so that families can afford to keep a roof over their heads, as well as essentials like food, heating and clothing.
‘The government should start by reversing the two-child limit, a policy that is directly contributing to child poverty, and implement an “essentials guarantee” to ensure benefits cover the cost of living.’
The Salvation Army is also urging the government to reverse the planned freeze of the local housing allowance in April 2025, ensuring individuals on low incomes who are eligible for help receive the support they are entitled to; and to reduce the wait for a first universal credit payment, from six weeks down to two.
MP praises ‘brilliant’ help
The MP for North Dorset and Poole, Vikki Slade, visited The Salvation Army in Wimborne to learn about the extensive work it is carrying out in the community.
The church and charity provides a range of services including a parent-and-toddler group, coffee mornings and free haircuts once a month for people who are experiencing homelessness.
After meeting Salvation Army officer Major Denise Cooper, Vikki said that it had been ‘a pleasure’ to listen to her ‘talk so passionately about the work The Salvation Army do to support the most vulnerable in our community including the brilliant monthly barbershop and offer of food assistance’.
nThe Salvation Army in Doncaster went the extra aisle by hosting an affordable wedding and prom fair.
Held at The Salvation Army’s Lakeside Community Church, the fair sold preloved wedding and prom dresses at low prices alongside accessories such as jewellery, decorations and wedding guest attire.
Salvation Army charity shops across the city collected donations for the fair. Funds raised from the event will go towards supporting the church and charity’s work in the community.
Lydia Leek, Doncaster Salvation Army’s community centre manager, said the fair was held to help people who ‘are struggling financially’ with what can be a ‘costly’ day.
Stars’ daughter baptised
Lola Sheen, the youngest daughter of film stars Charlie Sheen and Denise Richards, has been baptised and shared on social media how her faith has helped her to overcome severe anxiety and depression.
On Instagram she described coming to faith as a lifechanging experience and explained how she had previously felt lost and hopeless.
‘Jesus met me exactly where I was, and he for ever became my sun,’ she said.
Throughout the post, Lola expressed her gratitude for the peace and renewal she has found through faith, saying: ‘I now find myself laughing again, in places I only had cried. Jesus fulfilled his promise of making me new.’
Vikki (left) chats with Denise
GOALKEEPER’S CAPTURED IN PRINT
In 2025, The Salvation Army celebrates its 160th anniversary. During the course of the year, we will be looking back at the history of the church and charity and the characters who made up its ranks. This time, the clock is turned back to a 19th-century international footballer whose life was changed when he encountered the organisation
Feature by Steven Spencer
‘Iwas once what the world calls popular,’ said Davie Haddow in an article in the War Cry, published in January 1903. ‘The newspaper men wanted to talk to me. My life story was published in the sporting papers, and my footballing gave rise to a good deal of comment. I was a professional footballer, and, I must add, a professional drunkard!’
Davie was a 19th-century international footballer and, in his interview, he told his life story, which started in Whifflet, near Glasgow, and recalled his youthful enthusiasm for football that took him to England in 1890. There he became a professional sportsman and ‘learned to drink’. In the article, he explains how he ‘figured twice in the International against England’ and how his career included moving to a string of English clubs, including Burnley and Derby County.
In 1891, Davie returned to Glasgow ‘an habitual drunkard’. But during his time there he appeared in 66 games and won three cups. He did indeed play twice against England, but once was for
Davie Haddow
the Scottish Football League XI, so not technically for the national team.
His only cap for playing as a full international was in a game against England at Celtic Park in Glasgow on 7 April 1894. The game ended in a draw.
Davie returned to England in 1899 when he signed for Tottenham Hotspur. A highlight of that season was when he played as a replacement for the injured George Clawley, when Spurs won the Southern Football League title. However, press coverage from this time seems to regret the absence of Clawley, who was back in goal for Tottenham’s victory against Sheffield United in the 1901 FA Cup final.
Returning to Scotland again, Davie found that ‘the football game, the plaudits of thousands, and afterwards the social function; the drinking and blaspheming had shattered my principles and weakened my determination’. It was then, at the end of 1902, that he became a Christian at The Salvation Army. He said, using the language of the time, that the days since then had been ‘the best eight weeks of
my life … I intend, by the grace of God, to become a blood-and-fire Salvationist and an out-and-out soldier for Jesus Christ’.
Though Davie’s interview did not pull back from the seamier side of his life as a professional footballer, the goalkeeper neglected to mention his involvement in an altercation in 1890 between his team Albion Rovers and players from Airdrie.
Davie’s professional career seems to have ended with the 1901-1902 season, when he moved from Tottenham to Albion Rovers. His later conversion to The Salvation Army was not only reported in the War Cry, but there were also references to Davie as a Salvationist in the secular press.
One of these references was in the Dundee Evening Telegraph, which reported on his ‘capture’ by The Salvation Army, only four days after the War Cry’s article, which was printed on 14 January 1903. That Telegraph report claimed that he had returned to his former trade of blacksmith.
While the word ‘capture’ was widely
SAVE
Tottenham Hotspur’s 3-1 victory against Sheffield United at the 1901 FA Cup replay at Burnden Park, Bolton
used by The Salvation Army in the early 1900s to refer to its converts, it is apparent from this article that the word ‘capture’ was used here to refer to player transfers to other teams. Another announcement in the paper talked of ‘Arbroath’s Latest Capture: Willie Stewart, the Ex-Dundee Man.’ So ‘capture’ was being used ironically, as if Davie had transferred to The Salvation Army.
There were a number of temperance teams
Another reference to Davie is from the Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser on 18 August 1906, which reported on his return to football in goal for Albion Rovers, the team he played for prior to his conversion. He is described as ‘the once famous international goalkeeper’, which supports his description in the War Cry.
The article went on to say that: ‘During the last few years Mr Haddow has been
devoting his leisure hours to evangelistic work, being a very enthusiastic member of the Whifflet branch of The Salvation Army.
‘Mr Haddow believes, and rightly too, that his good work in connection with The Salvation Army will be in no way hindered by his return to the football field and so he will once again don the jersey for the Albion Rovers and at the same time continue his gospel work.’
However, Davie’s return to football seems to have been less than successful as none of the football stats websites include any details of games he played in that or later seasons.
Interestingly, at the time when Davie was playing there were a number of temperance teams playing in the Scottish leagues. During the 1880s and 1890s, these teams indicated their commitment to teetotalism with names such as Glasgow United Abstainers, Dunipace Temperance Association FC and United Abstainers Athletic.
Such cleaning living in sport aligns with Davie Haddow’s story – from ‘professional
The ‘War Cry’ January 1903
drunkard’ to Salvationist convert – and also echoes the 1906 article from the Advertiser, which concluded that ‘if more Christian workers would interest themselves in football it would tend to raise the sport and make better men of players and spectators alike’.
My story of survival
VELVETA THOMPSON reveals what it’s like to perform alongside Gloria Gaynor and how she believes prayer saved her life after two traumatic hospitalisations
‘Gloria Gaynor is a disco queen and her personality is contagious,’ reveals Velveta Thompson, who used to perform vocals for her all across Europe. ‘I enjoy her company because – being an American – she sometimes has no filter. As performers, we also love the ambience of the stage, the lights, the people.
‘When I meet people who have been to one of Gloria’s concerts, they will often say: “I felt down but the music lifted me up. I felt inspired, I needed that joy.” That is satisfying to hear. I love seeing people’s faces light up and seeing them dance.’
In their music careers, Gloria and Velveta draw on one crucial ingredient: their
shared Christian faith.
‘Gloria is a devout Christian, so it’s been great to talk about God and Scripture with her,’ says Velveta, who lives in Solihull in the West Midlands. ‘Music plays a huge role in my life because I’ve realised that’s who I am and that’s the gift that God has blessed me with. Singing is a form of thanksgiving, praising God for the gift that he’s given me.’
One of the genres she uses to praise God is worship music, having worked as a song arranger and worship leader on BBC1’s flagship Christian programme.
‘Songs of Praise is a whole different ball game to anything else I do,’ she remarks. ‘I love being part of the team, because there are so many interactions with different people.’
For Velveta – who has been involved in music ministry for more than 40 years –faith has been part of her life for as long as she can remember.
‘I was born into a family of devout
Interview by Emily Bright
GloriaGaynorandVelveta
Christians,’ she says. ‘My father was a minister, and my mum was a missionary. I rebelled in my teenage years because, at my church, there were lots of rules and regulations – such as not being allowed to wear make-up or jewellery – which I didn’t agree with. I believed in God, but not in stupid restrictions.’
Velveta was also frustrated at the narrow range of career options offered by her school. She wanted to become a flight attendant so, just before her 17th birthday, she asked her dad if she could travel to America for training. After praying about it, he encouraged her to go and she moved there in 1981. Little did Velveta know how pivotal that period of her life would become.
‘The words were from a Charles Wesley hymn, ‘I Do Believe’, which declares: ‘Father, I stretch my hands to thee, no other help I know; if thou withdraw thyself from me, ah; wither shall I go? I do believe, I must believe that Jesus died for me and through his blood, his precious blood, I shall from sin be free.’
I felt comforting arms around me
a formative time for her faith, but it also set her on to a musical trajectory. While staying with her aunt, she often played the keyboard with her cousin, the actress and singer Audrey Martells. Audrey, who now performs with musician and songwriter Nile Rodgers, encouraged Velveta by telling her that she had a great voice and should sing more.
When Velveta left the US for health reasons, she decided to settle in the UK and moved back in with her parents in Wolverhampton. One day, her brother heard her singing in the bathroom and was impressed by her talent and new-found confidence. He offered to connect her with someone who was looking for singers to join a choir in Handsworth, Birmingham. That person was Steve Thompson, who later became her husband.
Velveta joined the choir and the couple
She recalls: ‘While in New Jersey, I got down on my knees in my bedroom and said to God: “If you’re real, reveal it to me.” It was about five o’clock in the evening. As I knelt there, I began to hear the lyrics of a song. Turn to page 10 f
‘Idon’t know how long I was on my knees, but I remember feeling a presence in the room,’ continues Velveta. ‘I wept. I opened my eyes. It was dark outside but I saw a bright light in my room and I hadn’t switched a light on. I knew it was the presence of God. Then I said: “I believe, I believe.” I felt comforting arms around me. Everything changed for me and I’ve not looked back since.’ Velveta’s time in the States was not just
From page 9
later formed a band called Revelation. Just before they got married, they met Christian worship leader Graham Kendrick and began singing with him. Since then, the Thompsons have played in countries across the globe.
But, in June 2017, Velveta’s life was thrown into turmoil. She collapsed when leaving a friend’s 50th birthday celebration.
‘I was taken straight to hospital,’ she remembers. ‘I had double pneumonia, septicaemia, a bleed in my brain and meningitis. I was in a coma for five days and in hospital for five weeks.
‘My whole family and the church community that I was part of – City Gates Church in Ilford, London – immediately started praying. A friend set up a 24-hour prayer chain. They had three people praying for me every hour of every day. My hospital room was full with the sound of fervent and loud prayer.’
Velveta believes that such intercession ‘played a vital role and brought me back from the coma’. Steve provided the church community with regular updates, spent time worshipping God in Velveta’s hospital room and prayed for his heavenly Father to do a medical miracle.
‘Steve got a revelation on the fourth day that I was in the coma,’ says Velveta. ‘He was at home crying so much, saying: “God, you can’t take her from me,” because the prognosis looked really bad. Then he looked at a vision board on our wall, which was about things that we planned to do in the future.
‘He said: “God, I can’t do this on my own. This is Velv’s vision, I need her to fulfil this.” He heard in his spirit, “Wake up daughter of Zion” so immediately he got up and emailed and messaged everyone that he could think of saying: “Pray this prayer with me: Wake up daughter of Zion.”
‘The next morning, his friend Rob went with him and my daughter to the hospital. They began to lay hands on me in prayer, and said over my body: “Wake up, daughter of Zion.” Steve said that was the day that I opened my eyes fully. I remember looking around and seeing everyone around me crying. Steve said: “The whole world has been praying for you.”
‘My faith was renewed to a different level, because I’d seen the miracle-working God in action. But I needed a lot of faith to get me through the long, slow journey of recovery.’
Velveta realised the scale of the recovery ahead of her during the first day of physiotherapy.
‘I had to learn to walk all over again,’ she recalls. ‘Because I’d been in the bed for so long, all my muscles needed to be woken up. I had this feeling of dread and
Velveta’s music career has spanned more than 40 years
depression. In that moment, my faith was lower than any other time – I realised how sick I’d been and still was.’
The following morning, she felt prompted to ask one of the nurses – who she believed might be a Christian – for help.
‘I couldn’t talk much, but I said to one of the nurses: “How can I get out of here?” She looked at me, called over another nurse, and they closed the curtains. One of them started singing a Christian song which included the lyrics: “When our backs were against the wall, and it looked as if it was over, you made a way.” I was familiar with the song and began to weep.
‘The other nurse ministered to me, saying: “The same God that brought you out of that coma will help you get through this. You do everything the medical staff tell you to do. Your body will repair itself and get stronger, and you keep calling on God, the name of the Lord, and he will sustain you.”
‘I could feel an injection of faith in my body. I began to work harder with the physio to the point that they said: “Wow. You won’t need us very much now that you’re doing everything on your own.” The final test was if I could climb the stairs on my own. When I did that, they discharged me the next day.’
Velveta learnt important lessons about her faith during her recovery.
‘Sometimes answers to our prayers are not immediate, but God will see you through. Psalm 18 is one of the Scriptures that I love to read, when David cried out to God and he came to his rescue. That Psalm was like medicine to me.’
But Velveta’s faith would be tested once again, when – five months later – she was injured in a car crash.
‘A car came across the roundabout and smashed into me,’ she explains. ‘I was released from hospital after my coma in July, but by November I was back in the same hospital.
It was excruciating - my bones were dying
‘It wasn’t until 18 months later that an x-ray revealed the impact of the car accident. It had damaged the veins to my pelvic area and the blood supply wasn’t reaching my hips. I’d developed a condition called bilateral avascular necrosis. It was excruciating – my bones were dying. I was on crutches, in a wheelchair and eventually bedridden.
‘By the time they found out I had it, it was 2019. Covid hit the UK in the
following March and the doctors couldn’t do anything for me until August and November 2021, when I had two hip replacements. With one hip, the bone decay was so severe that the surgeon said it was a miracle they got the replacement in.’
Velveta is honest about the internal struggle she faced following the accident.
‘It’s human to ask: “What’s going on?”’ she says. ‘After the car accident, I was bedridden – I couldn’t get up, into the shower or down the stairs without my husband’s help. It was agony and debilitating. I thought: “Why am I going through this, God?”
‘Eventually I had to say: “I don’t understand, but I trust you.” I wrote down 10 Scriptures about healing and the love of God and I would say them every night before I went to sleep. They kept my faith alive.
‘People ask me if I still have challenges now: I do. However, after comparing where I was to how I am now, I will never complain. The doctor who carried out my hip surgeries was a private practitioner –top of his field – and because he did the surgery, the length of my legs were aligned perfectly. Not many surgeons can do that. You have to look for the miracles in the midst of the chaos.’
Velveta with her family
Your prayers are requested for David as he enters retirement.
The War Cry invites readers to send in requests for prayer, including the first names of individuals and details of their circumstances, for publication. Send your Prayerlink requests to warcry@ salvationarmy.org.uk or to War Cry, 1 Champion Park, London SE5 8FJ. Mark your correspondence ‘Confidential’.
jBecoming a Christian
There is no set formula to becoming a Christian, but many people have found saying this prayer to be a helpful first step to a relationship with God
Browsing the Bible
Nigel Bovey gives chapter and verse on each book of the Scriptures
Joshua
The Book of Joshua chronicles the life of Moses’ successor as the leader of the people of Israel. It is also a brief account of Israel’s military conquest of Canaan.
With a fighting force of some 603,000 men, Joshua is camped east of the River Jordan, preparing to cross into the land promised by God to Abraham.
In a scene reminiscent of their parents’ generation crossing the Red Sea to flee Egyptian slavery, God parts the Jordan to allow the people to cross without getting their feet wet (chapters 3 and 4).
In the ‘land of milk and honey’ Joshua wins the battle of Jericho (chapter 6). At the next town of Ai, he is initially defeated but captures it at the second attempt (chapters 7 and 8). Word spreads. Other nearby towns are fearful and form an alliance to fight Israel.
Rather than join the fight, the inhabitants of the town of Gibeon pretend to be ambassadors of a distant country and invite Joshua to make peace with them. Joshua agrees. But then the Israelites discover that Gibeon is nearby. When Joshua realises he has been tricked, he puts the inhabitants to work as Israel’s slaves (chapter 9).
Lord Jesus Christ,
I am truly sorry for the things I have done wrong in my life. Please forgive me. I now turn from everything that I know is wrong.
Thank you that you died on the cross for me so that I could be forgiven and set free.
Thank you that you offer me forgiveness and the gift of your Holy Spirit.
Please come into my life by your Holy Spirit to be with me for ever.
Thank you, Lord Jesus. Amen
Hearing that the Gibeonites had made a peace treaty with the Israelites, neighbouring kingdoms threaten them. The Gibeonites appeal to Joshua for assistance and, with the help of a hailstorm, Israel defeats their enemies. Emboldened, Joshua completes a rout of all the towns in southern Canaan (chapter 10).
Joshua gains territory to the north and either side of the Jordan. With the fighting over, the ageing Joshua arranges for the land to be divided between the 12 tribes of Israel (chapters 11 to 21).
In a final address to the tribal leaders, Joshua recalls God’s faithfulness in keeping his promise to their forebears. He reminds them of their achievements in conquering and settling in the land God had promised them. He warns them against complacency, telling them that all they have depends on their keeping their commitment to God. Israel renews its vows. Joshua dies.
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QUICK QUIZ
1 2 3 4 5 6
Which 19th century novelist wrote Persuasion?
Who plays the title role in the TV comedy series Mrs Brown’s Boys?
In computing, what does the abbreviation WPM stand for in relation to typing speed?
What is the title of Franz Ferdinand’s hit album which topped the UK charts in 2005?
Who plays the title role in the superhero film Captain America: Brave New World?
Which Premier League football club features a wolf in its badge?
Digital dynasty
YouTube has been influencing the way we watch videos for 20 years
Feature by Ewan Hall
Aplace to find videos of animals doing silly things, videos showing us how to fix broken appliances, or somewhere to check out children’s toy reviews – the phenomenon that is YouTube turns 20 years old this week.
After its humble beginnings on 14 February 2005, YouTube now has 2.7 billion viewers a month liking and subscribing to its channels. The platform’s popularity has increased so much in its 20 years that some children, when asked what they want to be when they grow up, will now say YouTuber over the likes of being an astronaut or professional athlete.
Over the past two decades, YouTube has provided lots of diverse content, including video game let’s plays, make-up tutorials, documentaries, music, and people recording their day-to-day lives. Because YouTube covers a lot, it allows us to find people who we relate to and, in doing so, join others (in some cases millions) in relating to a content creator. It helps us to feel connected to an online community.
Sometimes we find creators who we enjoy watching – but then there may be others we struggle to relate to. Finding some people easy to get along with, while struggling to connect to others, is a reality we can find in our everyday lives too – whether that’s at work, in social settings or even within our families.
It may also sometimes feel as though it is hard to find people who relate to and understand us, which can lead to us feeling isolated and alone. But there is someone who can always relate to us and wants to spend time with us.
That someone is Jesus. The Bible records him as saying: ‘Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age’ (Matthew 28:20 New International Version).
If we decide to subscribe to following Jesus, we can experience his presence with us at all times, knowing that he understands and loves us completely, whoever we are.
Jane Austen. 2. Brendan O’Carroll. 3. Words per minute.
You Could Have It So Much Better. 5. Anthony Mackie.
Wolverhampton Wanderers.
PUZZLES
ACROSS
1. Defect (4)
3. Raised edge (3)
5. Appear (4)
7. Lasting (9)
9. Role (4)
10. Lofty (4)
11. Seashore (5)
14. Thigh bone (5)
15. Eject from school (5)
17. Fill with a quality (5)
18. Immerse in water (5)
19. Hillock (5)
20. Pointed missiles (5)
23. Stopper (4)
25. Moderately warm (4)
27. Amuse (9)
28. Sketch (4)
29. Knight’s prefix (3)
30. Jealousy (4)
1. Failure (4)
2. Sharpen (4)
3. Shakespeare character (5)
4. Less (5)
5. Dispatched (4)
6. Repast (4)
7. Too early (9)
Waterproof cover (9)
Sobbed (5)
Yellowish resin (5)
Pours (5)
Falsehood (3)
Young swan
Make different
16. Cover (3)
Assists in crime (5)
Understand (4)
Convey by gesture (4)
Refuse (4)
Money left in a will Each solution starts on the coloured cell and reads clockwise round the number
Musical instrument
Capital of the Republic of Ireland
Not far away
Teacher (5)
Rope (4)
Mound.
Cork.
Draw.
Envy.
Flop.
Whet.
Romeo. 4. Minus. 5. Sent.
Meal.
Premature.
Tarpaulin. 11. Cried.
Amber. 13. Teems. 14. Fib.
Lid. 21. Abets.
Tutor. 23. Cord. 24. Know. 25. Mime. 26. Deny.
Cygnet.
Change.
Guitar.
Dublin. 5. Nearby. 6. Legacy.
Italian pasta and bean soup
INGREDIENTS
1tsp vegetable oil
1 small onion, diced
METHOD
½ medium carrot, diced
1 stick celery, finely chopped
½ small red pepper, diced
½ small courgette, diced
1 garlic clove, finely diced
227g can chopped tomatoes
2tsp tomato purée
½ tsp sugar
Bay leaf
½ tsp dried mixed herbs
600ml reduced-salt vegetable stock
30g small wholemeal pasta shapes
50g canned cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
50g baby leaf spinach
Freshly ground black pepper
1tsp grated Parmesan
1tbsp lemon juice
Heat the oil in a heavy-based saucepan. Cook the onion, carrot, celery, red pepper, courgette and garlic over a low heat for 5 minutes, stirring from time to time.
SERVES 6
INGREDIENTS
400g extra lean braising beef
1tsp vegetable oil
1 onion, thinly sliced
1 garlic clove, diced
2 thyme sprigs
200g carrots, roughly chopped
200g parsnips, roughly chopped
200g sweet potato, roughly chopped
500ml reduced-salt beef stock
500ml hot water
Freshly ground black pepper
Add the tomatoes, tomato purée, sugar, bay leaf, mixed herbs and stock to the pan. Bring to the boil over a medium heat, then simmer gently for 8 minutes until the vegetables are tender.
Add the pasta and beans, then bring back to the boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 8 minutes, occasionally stirring until the pasta is just cooked. Stir in the spinach and season with the pepper.
Cook for 2 minutes, then remove the bay leaf before pouring the soup into bowls.
Stir in the Parmesan and lemon juice, to serve.
Beef and vegetable stew
METHOD
Cut the beef into bite-sized pieces. Heat the oil in a large saucepan, then cook the beef for 5 minutes, until browned.
Remove the beef with a slotted spoon and set aside.
Add the onion to the saucepan and cook for 5 minutes until softened. Add the garlic, thyme and vegetables to the pan and cook for a further minute.
Add the beef, stock and water to the pan and bring to the boil. Cover and
James 4:8 (New International Version)