Clean-up participants have a spring in their step
WAR CRY
Good cop?
DI Nyles is determined to pursue the truth at all costs in TV drama
Ancient poems uncover the nature of God
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.
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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.
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A dramatic crime wave has hit TV and streaming platforms. Whether it’s the cosy feel of clerics solving mysteries or the gritty storylines of inner-city murders investigated by detectives battling their own demons, viewers can’t seem to get enough of whodunnits. In this week’s War Cry we preview the new series of ITV1 police drama Unforgotten, where Sanjeev Bhaskar and Sinéad Keenan have more cases to solve.
Whether the words are written in rhyming couplets, blank verse or as a sonnet, poetry can impact its readers – even if it’s simply to make them laugh with a limerick.
World Poetry Day falls this week (Friday 21 March), and in this issue of the War Cry, we find out about poetry written thousands of years ago. The Rev Canon Professor Sue Gillingham of Oxford University tells us what she has learnt through her studies of Psalms, a book of poetry in the Bible, and how she believes its words can still affect people today.
Perhaps the popularity of these crime dramas is explained by the satisfaction that viewers gain from seeing wrongs put right and the guilty brought to justice. Often the shows’ wrong’uns are bad to the core and have deliberately chosen to follow a life of crime.
She says that the Psalms ‘give us one big vision of humanity’, ‘show God’s concern for the individual and the personal’ and ‘say we’re accountable and that life has meaning’.
However, according to people who work with offenders, the reality is often far more complex. After becoming a prison chaplain, the Rev Tracy Sickel quickly realised that various factors played a part in women becoming inmates.
Sue adds that there are consistent themes that run through the 150 poems in the Book of Psalms.
‘The Psalms teach us more about God than humans,’ she explains. ‘On the one hand, we have God who is on the side of a powerful king. But also he is on the side of the powerless.’
‘I sat down with women in their induction interviews on their first day in prison,’ she tells us, ‘and it was the same things I was hearing continually: lack of self-esteem, abusive relationships, trauma, unforgiveness and addictions. Often they were victims themselves.’
The truth of these ancient writings still applies. God is just as interested in people who are poor and disadvantaged as he is in those who are rich and powerful. He values everyone – even if they don’t value themselves.
While Tracy never dismissed the implications of the women’s crimes, some years ago she grew disheartened at seeing women returning to prison after their release. So she established a Christian charity, Imago Dei, to support them once they had completed their sentence.
As well as offering practical help, Tracy wants to show the women how a relationship with God can help them.
Helping people to discover their self-worth is an ambition of counsellor Diane E Arnold, who has written the book 12 Habits for a Sound Mind and Joyful Life. Drawing on another book of biblical poetry, Song of Songs, she aims to demonstrate the value of every individual.
‘We work with people of all faiths and none in prisons,’ she says. ‘We build relationships, placing value on the women and helping them see themselves as the Lord sees them... We then allow the Lord to step in and do what only he can do – transform lives.’
‘We have this divine purpose, this worth,’ she says. ‘Yet many of us live like we’re unworthy, unloved or insignificant. My book is a guide to help us confront those lies and replace them with who God says we are.’
God’s offer to transform lives is for us all, no matter who we are or what we have done. If we allow him space in our heart, we’ll detect changes in our character that we couldn’t have possibly imagined.
Discovering our worth to God can impact our lives, stirring within us a sense of fulfilment, purpose and joy.
INFO INFO
Liz and Hannah have a tricky case
SAFE
Witness protection officers remain under investigation
By Claire Brine
Trust no one. That was the advice given to DI Liz Nyles (Siobhan Finneran) after the couple that she was meant to be keeping safe in a witness protection programme were shot dead. Suddenly, the police unit that had the task of ensuring that people were secure was being eyed with suspicion. Someone on the inside must have been leaking top-secret info. And, as the drama Protection continues, Liz is determined to find out who. When the series began, Liz was
caring for a family in a safe house after the husband – a career criminal turned informant – had agreed to testify in court against his former boss, the head of a major organised crime group. Liz was confident that the gang leader would be found guilty and locked up for a very long time.
but remains a target for the hitmen. It’s down to Liz to keep her safe.
But then it all went wrong. On the morning of the trial, hitmen entered the safe house and killed the informer and his wife. They also injured DS Paul Brandice (Barry Ward), a cop who had been having an affair with Liz.
While paramedics dealt with an unconscious Paul, Liz watched on in horror. What was he doing in the safe house? How did he even know where it was? Was he working for the criminals – and using Liz to get close to the family under her care?
As the series continues, Liz’s unit remains under investigation. Her colleague DCI Hannah Wheatley (Katherine Kelly) is determined to get to the bottom of the murder case and the role that Paul may have played in it. But Liz is reluctant to give too much away about him. If their affair is exposed, she could be accused of corruption for compromising the safety of the people she was meant to be protecting.
Liz is also worried about Amy (Tilly Kaye), the murdered couple’s 12-yearold daughter, who escaped the shooting
While the investigators are at work, Liz doesn’t know who can be trusted. So she takes a huge risk by secretly accessing confidential police files, hoping it will help her pursue the truth on her own. But is she about to land herself in deeper trouble – and danger?
Though, in watching Protection, we may conclude that our own lives are more like a kitchen sink drama than a high-stakes police thriller, many of us will recognise Liz’s position – the feeling that life has got out of control. Perhaps we made one bad decision that led to more bad decisions. Maybe an illjudged action that we took in the past has left us feeling clueless about the future.
When we feel stuck in our circumstances and can’t see a clear way forward, God can help us. If we ask for his guidance, he will always show us the best steps to take.
One Bible writer reported that ‘the Lord is good and does what is right; he shows the proper path to those who go astray’ (Psalm 25:8 New Living Translation).
When we’re looking for a way to move forward, God offers us his strength and guidance. And when we follow his lead, the powerful truth of his life-changing love is uncovered.
TV feature: Protection Sundays and Mondays ITV and ITVX
Hannah is determined to identify the murderer
It can be a dog’s life
when reading emotions
Sarah Olowofoyeku gives her take on a story that has caught the attention of War Cry reporters
Most people know that a wagging tail equals a happy dog. But a recent study has suggested that humans are generally clueless about canine emotions.
According to The Times, the study, conducted by researchers from Arizona State University, found that people were making assumptions about how a dog is feeling based on the scenario that triggered its reaction.
We project our own emotions
WAR talk talk Team talk Team talk
For the study, participants were shown one video of a dog reacting to the offer of a lead to go out for a walk, and they identified the animal as being happy and excited. They were then shown a video of a dog reacting to the appearance of a vacuum cleaner, and they said that the dog was upset and anxious.
However, for a second experiment, the videos were edited to swap the dog’s reactions. So in the video of the lead being offered, the dog’s reaction to the vacuum cleaner was shown. But participants still reported that the dog was feeling happy.
An author of the study, Holly Molinaro, said: ‘You see a dog getting a treat, you assume he must be feeling good… These assumptions of how you think the dog is feeling have nothing to do with the dog’s behaviour or emotional cues, which is very striking.’
Co-author Clive Wynne added that ‘our dogs are trying to communicate with us but we humans seem determined to look at everything except the poor pooch himself’.
Reading the story made me reflect that, while we are probably better at reading human than canine cues, we still project our own emotions on to other people, and then respond to them based on an assumption. It’s a tendency that can make someone feel unseen or misunderstood.
My interactions with all creatures are important to me because I believe they’re important to God. I think that he would want me to take the time really to listen to others and respond in a way that makes them feel seen and valued.
Even though I get it wrong sometimes, thankfully God never does. In the Old Testament one woman who was mistreated and overlooked gives God the name El Roi, which means ‘the God who sees’.
It’s a promise to all creatures great and small that God sees and understands us, even if others have no clue.
Former Super Bowl champion BJ Daniels (pictured) told Premier Christianity magazine how his Christian faith gave him strength in his career.
The retired NFL quarterback said: ‘I’ve been to three Super Bowls, I’ve met President Obama. I’ve been able to financially provide for my family. I’ve been in spaces I could have only dreamed of.’
But he recalled that his sporting success – which culminated in his winning the Superbowl with the Seattle Seahawks in 2014 – came at a cost. He went through times of injury, selection disappointments and a frightening experience when he was held at gunpoint.
In those times his faith was critical.
‘Looking back,’ he said, ‘I see that God gave me the strength to handle situations that could have completely derailed me. There’s no magic pill for mental health. But there are people who can support you. And for me, my faith was the biggest support system I had.’
WAR CRYWnRLD
Clinic pops up to give care
The Salvation Army in Penzance has teamed up with NHS Cornwall to host a pop-up clinic offering various healthcare and personal care services to people experiencing homelessness.
The services include health screening, liver scans, mental health support, ear care, foot care, haircuts, vaccinations, emergency dental care and sexual health appointments.
The people who attend also receive a £5 supermarket voucher.
The leaders of The Salvation Army in Penzance, Majors David and Susan Tidball, believe that the initiative can help people who are facing homelessness, as the daily stress of finding food and a safe place to sleep often leads to healthcare being pushed to one side.
Philip Mulryne after his ordination
TV celebrates friendship
Two retired Salvation Army officers spoke about their 87 years of friendship when they were featured on BBC1’s Breakfast programme.
Lieut-Colonel Maurice Cooper and Major George Whittingham – who are both in their 90s – spoke about growing up in The Salvation Army and explained that their involvement in the church led to their love of music. As the pair reflected on their years of Christian ministry, they looked back on their memories of travelling the world as members of The Salvation Army’s International Staff Band.
‘We’ve played at Buckingham Palace,’ said Maurice. ‘We’ve played before royalty. We’ve played at some of the biggest concert halls in the world.’
George and Maurice
‘Many
of us live like we’re unworthy’
Diane E Arnold
DIANE E ARNOLD explains why she has written a book to bolster people’s sense of identity and self-worth
Interview by Emily Bright
Aking courts a beautiful woman –she’s the one he wants to marry. The problem is, she doesn’t see herself as beautiful or worthy enough for him. Only through transforming the way she sees herself will she have any hope of finding love. The story sounds like a silver-screen romance, but it’s actually from the Bible.
The tale that unfolds in the Bible’s Song of Songs is the subject of Diane E Arnold’s 12 Habits for a Sound Mind and Joyful Life. In her book, the US-based counsellor uses the biblical story as a teaching tool for tackling mental health challenges.
Song of Songs doesn’t shy away from the details of romantic love, but at its heart, Diane explains, is a story about our identity in God.
‘The woman calls herself dark and unlovely,’ she says. ‘That’s how she perceives herself, even though that’s
not how her king saw her. Towards the middle of the book, she realises: “This is who I am. I’m pretty cool.”
‘In our own lives, we have this divine purpose, this worth, that should be unshakeable. Yet many of us live like we’re unworthy, unloved or insignificant. My book is a guide to help us confront those lies and replace them with who God says we are. My prayer is that my book would be a road map for healing and wholeness.’
Diane, who practises at a Christian counselling centre in Charleston, South Carolina, feels particularly moved to help the younger generations find their feet.
‘There is this group of millennials and Gen Zs that are really struggling right now,’ she says. ‘In my counselling sessions, I could see that some of them knew that they were children of God. But it felt like their head knew but their heart didn’t.
‘They were grappling with self-hatred and disappointment, relationships and mental health issues. I just kept asking God: “How do we help them understand who they are?”’
As we walk through experiences, God works in our lives
What came out of her conversation with God was 12 Habits for a Sound Mind and Joyful Life, which explores how we can rediscover our true identity in God.
The book encompasses topics such as finding purpose, silencing shame, letting in love and acceptance, confronting rejection and loss, and finding joy and peace. Each chapter ends with questions for reflection, enabling
readers to examine and challenge their negative behaviours.
Diane brings her personal experiences to each topic. She is honest about the traumatic birth of her middle child, her husband Neal’s affair – which they have since worked through – and his stage four cancer diagnosis.
She has learnt a lot about vulnerability through her experiences.
‘After the affair, I really didn’t want to tell anyone, in case they would think less of me,’ she recalls. ‘I didn’t want to depend on others. I was the person that people depended on. But I learnt that being real doesn’t make you less of a person. It actually makes you more of a person and more relatable.’
When she discovered that her husband had been unfaithful, Diane had to learn to trust God.
‘The woundedness in me was warning me to watch under every rock, to make
sure things were safe. But I didn’t have the capability of doing that. At some point, I realised I needed to let things go, forgive and trust that God is in charge.
‘Forgiveness is mentioned in the Bible more times than love. Our only choice is not to carry that burden of unforgiveness.’
In her book, Diane clarifies that forgiveness is not about condoning bad behaviour, always reconciling with someone or forgetting about the harm done, but instead is about being set free from resentment and letting God’s love in.
Another key habit that Diane explores in the book is cultivating a sense of peace, which is often easier said than done. But through life’s challenges, Diane has found that God has taught her a lot about how to do it.
‘When Neal had cancer, I found myself yelling at God, because I was mad,’ she says. ‘I was telling God how unfair it
all was. It felt like he was silent and we needed answers.
‘His answer to me was: “I love you.” He didn’t say everything was going to be OK. His biggest concern was that I was walking in fear, not in peace, and that I wasn’t resting in him.
‘As we walk through experiences, God continues to work in different parts of our lives. He encourages us to go to him when we have our questions and rest in him when we don’t have the answers. Doing those two things will bring us supernatural peace.’
l 12 Habits for a Sound Mind and Joyful Life is published by Chosen Books
Reading between the lines
To mark World Poetry Day, the Rev Canon Professor SUE GILLINGHAM reveals what she has learnt through her extensive study of the Bible’s book of poetry, the Psalms, and the relevance of those poems to us today
Interview
by Emily Bright
‘One of humanity’s most treasured forms of cultural and linguistic expression and identity.’ That’s the glowing reference Unesco – the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation – has given to poetry. In 1999, it designated Friday 21 March as World Poetry Day to honour poets; promote the reading, writing and teaching of the artform; and build poetry’s links with the other arts.
One ancient collection of poetry that has affected people’s lives for centuries is the Book of Psalms. The Rev Canon Professor Sue Gillingham of Worcester College at the University of Oxford, who has spent several decades studying and writing about this book in the Bible, believes that these poems have continued relevance in our world – so much so that she has written a threevolume commentary, Psalms through the Centuries.
‘The Psalms are used universally by
those of faith and none,’ she says. ‘When you go into an art gallery, you can often see a psalm that has been illustrated. Or you can go to a concert hall and hear Handel’s Messiah, which includes words from many of the Psalms, including Psalm 22.
‘We find the Psalms throughout world literature, in Chaucer and in John Bunyan’s The Pilgrim’s Progress. TS Eliot’s play Murder in the Cathedral uses Psalm 148, which is sung by a choir in the sanctuary, just as the murder happens in the nave.
‘They’re used a lot in art too. Marc Chagall, a Jewish artist, has produced many stained-glass windows, including one in Chichester Cathedral, which is of Psalm 150. It’s fantastic – full of reds and blues and a celebration of life.’
Sue highlights how Psalm 23 has been referenced in film and TV too, including the theme music for the sitcom The Vicar of Dibley
‘Although the music is evocative,
the opening credits of green verdant countryside made it seem a bit bucolic. I think the psalm was written in a setting that was more arid, but its use in the programme is a very good way of showing the use of the poem in a rural context today.
‘And Psalm 23 was cited in the film Titanic, by a priest as the ship is about to go down.’
Sue suggests that the Psalms have an enduring appeal because ‘they give us one big vision of humanity. They are relevant not just in poetry, but in the expression of the words through art and music.’
As well as looking at the details of individual psalms, Sue has delved into the structure of the book, which contains 150 poems and spans a whole range of emotions and human experiences.
‘We have three types of psalms,’ she says. ‘About 30 are hymns which praise God for who he is and what he’s done –sometimes they’re more like thanksgiving.
The Rev Canon Professor Sue Gillingham
‘Then we’ve got about 50 laments or complaints, addressing God for not answering prayers, confessing to feeling terribly guilty or complaining about being persecuted by friends. A lot of them are more personal, but one or two are communal, about harvests or things going wrong in warfare.
‘There’s another group of psalms which are more instructional. For instance, Psalm 1 talks about meditating on the Lord, how you deal with the wicked, and what you do when you need to get resources from God. They address a congregation, sometimes by way of thanksgiving, as a sort of testimony, saying what God has done.’
Sue explains that, while the Psalms are regarded as poetry, their structure doesn’t abide by modern poetic convention.
‘They’re Hebrew poems, which haven’t got rhyme, as we think of in English. There are sometimes beats we can find. In Hebrew, the emphasis in a word is often
on the last syllable or the one before it.
That gives you some sense of rhythm, but it’s not the same stress we’d think of in English poetry. And there’s rarely any rhyme. It’s the repetition of ideas or the contrast of ideas which makes the poetry.’
The Psalms come from the whole gamut of Israel’s history
Authorship of many of the Psalms is attributed to an ancient Israelite king, David, and a band of singers known as the Sons of Korah. But Sue believes that these people may have received undue credit.
‘The heading of “a psalm of David” in Hebrew can actually mean “in honour of David”, indicating his authority but not necessarily his authorship,’ she says. ‘And “a psalm of Korah” doesn’t necessarily
mean that it was composed by the group of gilded singers together. Instead, it’s in their honour, and they’re the ones who use it.’
She sees the collection of poetry as representing an entire Jewish culture, rather than simply focusing on individuals such as King David.
‘David is certainly at the heart of psalmody,’ she continues. ‘But there’s more to the Psalms than just his life. I’d argue that they come from the whole gamut of Israel’s history. That’s what makes them so varied and rich.
‘The earliest psalms in the book may well be from the time of David, and up to the period when the people went into exile in Babylon. Pre-exile, the people were an independent nation, with a Temple and land of their own. They had court scribes and gradually would have gained an
Turn to page 10 f
Marc Chagall’s stained-glass window at Chichester Cathedral is inspired by Psalm 150
From page 9
infrastructure for writing.
‘A lot of those psalms would be probably more corporate and nationalistic. There would also be ones about nature, struggling in harvests or rejoicing when the harvests were good. About 50 psalms come from that time.
‘Then there are a few psalms which come from when the people were exiles in Babylon. They had no Temple, the king had been put in prison, and they really felt that God had deserted them and his promises had gone.
‘For instance, you have Psalm 137, “By the waters of Babylon, we sat down and wept”, popularised in the song by the Melodians and Boney M. It’s based on the idea of being exiles in a strange land and not able to sing any more, because their
Temple was destroyed. The psalm has a real poignancy.
The writers talk about God’s steadfast love lasting for ever
‘Eventually the Persians conquered the Babylonians, which meant that the Persians allowed the Jewish people to return to their land and to build a second Temple, but they weren’t allowed a king again. The psalms become evocative of their national memory and their ethnic identity.’
For Sue, the Psalms provide a unique insight into the nature of the God.
‘The Psalms teach us more about God than humans,’ she explains. ‘It’s a human understanding of God through prayers. On the one hand, we have God who is on the side of a powerful king. But also he is on the side of the powerless. The poor and needy is a theme that comes through a lot in the Psalms. God is capable of embracing both aspects.
‘Some of the Psalms talk about God as a just judge, and those can be quite vindictive, describing how they want God to act against their enemies. But in others, like Psalm 136, the writers talk about God’s steadfast love lasting for ever, and about his mercy.
‘The Psalms also show God’s concern for the individual and the personal. They say we’re accountable and that life has meaning. The God of the individual is important in a world today where we feel swept away and without meaning.
‘Plus you’ve got these big Psalms about creation, which teach us about ecology and give the book a global feel.’
Sue explains that it’s helpful to view the Psalms through several lenses: their original Jewish context; the life of Jesus; and their universal wisdom.
‘Firstly, we have to remember that they are Jewish psalms and they often represent a culture of 3,000 years ago, such as in their cursing of enemies,’ she says. ‘But the ideas of one God and of creation provide a legacy which goes on for ever.
‘Most of the Psalms are actually occupied with the God of this life. There is not a prominent view in the Psalms of life after death, because that concept had not evolved. That’s why the writers want vindication, help and justice here and now, because there’s not much to believe in for ever afterwards.
‘Then, when Christians adopted the Psalms, they read a lot more into them about the life beyond, in a way that perhaps had never been intended originally.
‘In the New Testament, the Psalms are used more than any other text almost as
‘By the Waters of Babylon’ by 19th-century artist Philip Hermogenes Calderon
proof to show that Jesus is fulfilling Jewish hopes and prophecies about the Son of Man or Messiah. The poetry can be viewed through what we know of Jesus’ own birth, life, death, resurrection and ascension.’
Given these writings’ rich cultural heritage, it’s worth exploring how to read the Book of Psalms in depth, says Sue. She offers some pointers, using the example of Psalm 23.
‘The first thing I would do,’ she says, ‘is to break it up into smaller sections and explore the themes, metaphors and ideas behind them. One of the things I find helpful when I read the Psalms as a Christian is to use my imagination and read it as Jesus himself might have done.
‘As a Jew, Jesus would have used Psalm 23 at mealtimes and would probably have heard it at funerals. It teaches about resting with God as shepherd, which I think would have been important to Jesus as he sought peace and quietness in the Galilean hills.
‘The intriguing thing is that Jesus is known as the Lamb of God as well, so we have God as his shepherd. In my imagination, Psalm 23 would have been important to Jesus when he made his last journey to Jerusalem, knowing that he faced death when he was there. In his darkest valley, he needed God’s rod and staff both to look after him and keep him resolute in what he had to do.
‘The final part of the psalm, where it talks about sitting at the table, would have been important for Jesus. Think of the Last Supper with his disciples, where he is breaking the bread and drinking the wine with them, with God as a host, him as the sub-host. Goodness and mercy would have been a watchword, even in the light of death, as Jesus would have believed that God would bring him back to life in the Resurrection.’
And, having looked back, Sue turns her attention to how the verses possess a universal wisdom which can speak into our own lives today.
‘With Jesus as our good shepherd, we experience our resting and journeying with him alongside us. He has already walked the path before us, and we can sense Jesus is a presence with us. Understanding that, for me, is a holy experience.’
Psalm 23
l Psalms through the Centuries Volumes 1–3 are published by Wiley-Blackwell
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads
me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
(English Standard Version)
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
1 Kings
The turbulent history of Israel’s monarchy continues – in the first of two books titled Kings – with King David’s successor, Solomon, killing his older brother and rival Adonijah (2:25).
Whereas David’s reign was characterised by military conquest, Solomon consolidates national security through marriage and trade alliances. Solomon’s first wife was a daughter of Egypt’s Pharaoh (3:1). In total he has 700 wives, many of whom are from neighbouring countries (11:1–3). But he is also known for his wisdom, particularly when confronted by two women each claiming a child is theirs (3:16–28).
Solomon commissions the building of a royal palace and the Temple, the focal point of national worship (chapters 5 to 8). After a 40-year reign, Solomon dies in 931BC (11:42).
The tensions between the 12 tribes of Israel that had festered under David now break out into open rebellion against the crown. The 10 southern tribes refuse to accept Solomon’s son Rehoboam as king. They make Jeroboam their king. The once-united Israel splits into two – Judah in the south, Israel (sometimes referred to as ‘Samaria’) in the north (chapter 12).
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
For the next 82 years from the accession of Jeroboam in 931BC, Israel is ruled by eight kings and Judah by four (chapters 15 to 22).
Neither kingdom is faithful to God. Idolatry is widespread. God’s standout champion is Elijah. Elijah raises a widow’s dead son back to life (chapter 17). He confronts King Ahab and the priests of the Canaanite god Baal in a supernatural showdown during which God sets fire to a water-drenched altar (chapter 18). In a time of extended drought, Elijah calls upon God for rain and it pours (18:41–46). Ahab is not impressed and sends his wife Jezebel to kill Elijah. Elijah runs for his life (chapter 19).
When Syria attempts to make Israel a vassal state, Ahab goes to war (chapter 20). Israel is victorious and, three years later, in a joint operation with Judah, Ahab attempts to recapture the Israelite town of Ramoth Gilead from the Syrians. The mission fails and Ahab dies in battle (chapter 22).
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QUICK QUIZ
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Spring into action
Brits are being encouraged to take part in a seasonal clean-up
Feature by Ewan Hall
As springtime arrives, many neighbourhoods will be leaping into action this week by joining the Great British Spring Clean, organised by Keep Britain Tidy.
The environmental charity campaigns all year round to reduce litter, promote sustainable use of resources and improve public spaces. But every spring it encourages individuals and groups to pledge to clean up their area.
The first National Spring Clean Day (as it was then known) was held in 1989 with support from children’s characters the Wombles, famous for their environmentally friendly practice of picking up litter and making it into something new. More than two million people participated.
Through the years since, more celebrities have followed in the Wombles’ footsteps by backing the campaign, including cook Mary Berry, property expert Kirstie Allsopp and naturalist Steve Backshall. And millions more people have taken up the challenge to clean up.
Many people who roll their sleeves up for the event say they feel a sense of accomplishment and pride in their contribution as they work to make their communities cleaner.
It makes sense. When people tidy up, they often enjoy the sense of order it brings, whether their efforts have been directed towards their neighbourhood or home – or even their personal lives, because life itself can get messy. Challenging situations with work, at home or in our social circles can leave us feeling confused.
When we face such times, it can be hard to know how we can sort everything out.
The good news is that, in trying to solve our problems, we need not feel alone. If we choose to turn to God, he can guide us.
The Bible reflects the truth that many people have discovered when it says: ‘God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble’ (Psalm 46:1 New International Version).
If we follow God, his strength can support us, no matter what mess we find ourselves in.
ACROSS
1. Appeal (4)
3. Cut off (3)
5. Counterfeit (4)
7. Grass cutter (9)
9. Entreat (4)
10. Church dignitary (4)
11. Sea mammals (5)
14. Taut (5)
15. Once more (5)
17. Manifest (5)
18. Keyboard instrument (5)
19. Cake topping (5)
20. Clear (5)
23. Be sullen (4)
25. Achievement (4)
27. Surrounds (9)
28. Puff (4)
29. Man (3)
30. Idle (4)
1. Pageantry (4)
2. Not home (4)
3. Spear (5)
4. Pace stealthily (5)
5. Nourish (4)
6. mess (4)
12. Stadium (5) 13. Smooth fabric (5) 14. Light knock (3)
7. Amusing (9) 8. Family members (9) 11. Bend down (5)
16. Horse (3) 21. Deceiving (5) 22. Scratchy (5) 23. Rebuff (4) 24. Be aware (4) 25. Touch (4) 26. Ancient city (4)
Fake.
Lawnmower.
Pray.
Dean.
Seals. 14. Tight.
Again.
Overt. 18. Piano. 19. Icing.
Plain. 23. Sulk.
Feat. 27. Encircles. 28. Blow. 29. Guy. 30. Lazy.
1. Pomp. 2. Away. 3. Lance. 4. Prowl.
Feed. 6. Eton. 7. Laughable. 8. Relatives. 11. Stoop. 12. Arena. 13. Satin. 14. Tap. 16. Nag.
Lying. 22. Itchy. 23. Snub. 24. Know.
Feel. 26. Troy.
Verger. 2. Mirage. 3. Caesar.
Chisel. 5. Banish. 6. Winter.
Mackerel and sweetcorn pasta
INGREDIENTS
300g wholewheat pasta
1 large courgette, diced
300g frozen sweetcorn
1tbsp vegetable oil
1 large red onion, diced
1 garlic clove, crushed
400g can chopped tomatoes
Freshly ground black pepper
2tsp mixed herbs
4 x 125g tins mackerel in
METHOD
INGREDIENTS
450g sweet potatoes, peeled and grated
1 onion, finely chopped
2 carrots, grated
½ lemon, juice
3tbsp cornflour
2 eggs, beaten
Freshly ground
black pepper
1tbsp vegetable oil
Cook the pasta in a large non-stick pan according to the packet instructions, adding the courgette and sweetcorn to the pan for the last 5 minutes.
Meanwhile, heat the oil in a separate large non-stick pan and cook the red onion over a medium heat until it starts to soften. Add the garlic and cook for another minute. Add the tomatoes, pepper, mixed herbs and mackerel to the pan. Cook on a low heat until the fish is heated through.
Drain the pasta, courgette and sweetcorn, then add to the mackerel mixture and combine well. Serve immediately.
Sweet potato pancakes with carrot and onion
METHOD
Mix the sweet potatoes, onion, carrots, lemon juice, cornflour and eggs together in a large bowl. Season with pepper, to taste.
Heat a little of the oil in a non-stick pan. Spoon 1tbsp sweet potato mixture into the middle of the pan to make a thin pancake about 5cm in diameter. Add more spoonfuls of batter around the pan where there is space, ensuring the pancakes do not touch. Repeat the process until the batter is used up.
Cook for 2 minutes on each side, until cooked
The joy of life comes from the ways in which we live together
Henri Nouwen