War Cry 3 February 2024

GP’s good news on cancer treatment successes

WAR CRY

3 February 2024 50p/60c

Trying times

Rugby’s Six Nations is up and under way

Green group puts faith in eco-living

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.

WAR CRY Issue No 7664

Editor: Andrew Stone, Major Deputy Editor: Philip Halcrow Production Editor: Ivan Radford Assistant Editor: Sarah Olowofoyeku Staff Writer: Emily Bright Staff Writer: Claire Brine Editorial Assistant: Linda McTurk Graphic Designer: Rodney Kingston Graphic Designer: Mark Knight

From the editor’s desk WITH storms having battered the country in recent weeks, the weather has been a regular feature of news bulletins.

As well as headlines of floods and wind damage, there was the report that 2023 was the warmest year ever recorded globally, leading the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, to say: ‘Humanity’s actions are scorching the Earth.’

Mr Guterres pointed out that all is not lost. ‘We can still avoid the worst of climate catastrophe,’ he said. ‘But only if we act now.’

However, when faced with such a global challenge, we can easily become overwhelmed by its scale – a reality that green activist Deborah Tomkins understands.

‘One of the reasons I believe that some people don’t want to address the problems facing our world is because uncertainty can be incredibly destabilising emotionally,’ she says in an interview in this week’s War Cry. ‘We are uncertain what will happen next for the planet but we know it doesn’t look good. And in such uncertainty, people want to stick with what they know.’

To try to counteract such a reaction, Deborah runs courses which address the negative emotions that often rise to the surface when people pause to consider the damage done to the planet. And she is able to keep her sense of positivity and hope because of her Christian faith.

‘The Book of Genesis in the Bible talks about humans being made in the image of God – and that image includes intelligence, creativity, compassion, love, justice and mercy,’ she says. ‘We have been given these gifts to use for good.’

If we are willing to use the qualities that God has given each one of us, then it is possible to make a difference. Working together, we can create a climate for change.

When you’ve read the War Cry, why not pass it on ➔ ➔ ➔

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 Founder: William Booth General: Lyndon Buckingham Territorial leaders: Commissioners Jenine and Paul Main Editor-in-Chief: Major Julian Watchorn Published weekly by The Salvation Army © The Salvation Army United Kingdom and Ireland Territory ISSN 0043-0226 The Salvation Army Trust is a registered charity. The charity number in England, Wales and Northern Ireland is 214779, in Scotland SC009359 and in the Republic of Ireland CHY6399.

Printed by CKN Print, Northampton, on sustainably sourced paper

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FEATURES

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Tackling tough times Rugby coach faces challenges

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‘Forty per cent of cancers could be prevented’ Doctor’s diagnosis for World Cancer Day

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A climate for action How one group is working to save

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INFO 15 Your local Salvation Army centre

CONTENTS

the planet 13 Dramatic encounter Series depicts the life of Jesus REGULARS

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Team Talk and War Cry World

12 Hands Together, Eyes Closed 14 Puzzles 15 War Cry Kitchen

RUGBY COACH TRIES GRACE

Wales coach Warren Gatland and former winger Louis Rees-Zammit

ALAMY

Wales boss deals with last-minute squad change ahead of Six Nations Feature by Emily Bright

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UGBY fans will be having a ball this weekend.

The Six Nations championship kicked off yesterday (Friday 2 February) with 2023 winners Ireland facing off against France in Marseille. Today, Wales play Scotland in Cardiff and England take on Italy in Rome.

The lead-up to the tournament has been more dramatic for some teams than others. Wales coach Warren Gatland was taken by surprise when one of his players, 22-year-old Louis Rees-Zammit, told him of his decision to quit rugby union just an hour before the squad was due to be announced.

Winger Louis has headed off to Florida to tackle a career in American football.

He joins the NFL’s international player pathway, having been a fan of the sport since childhood.

‘Louis said he had an approach on Sunday to go and do a training camp with the NFL,’ Warren told a press conference. ‘It’s something he’s always dreamed of having the opportunity to do… From my point of view, I want to wish Louis all the best. I honestly hope it does work out for him.’

The coach also left the door open for Louis’s return to international rugby, should he decide that American football is not for him.

Which seems to be a gracious response. Whether or not it’s the right decision for Louis, not every coach might be

quite so understanding on hearing of a player’s unexpected departure right before a big press conference.

Despite the media’s bewilderment at Louis’s career change, Warren remained consistently supportive of the player in the days that followed. He passed up the opportunity to slam the 22-year-old’s exit from rugby.

We have probably all had times when we’ve faced surprising setbacks. It can be tempting to react with rage, frustration or bitterness. In the heat of the moment, it may be easy to say something that we later regret.

The good news is that, in those tricky times that test our patience and resolve, we don’t have to operate out of our own strength. And if we get things wrong ourselves, there is grace for us to try to respond in a better way next time.

One Bible writer explained that the solution was to ‘come boldly to … our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it the most’ (Hebrews 4:16 New Living Translation).

No matter how many times we may fall short in showing grace to others, we can always go to God to ask for his help.

He never keeps score of how often we get things wrong or sends us to the sin bin. Rather, he equips us with all the mercy and grace we need to face each day. A relationship with God is a match made in Heaven.

I honestly hope it does work out for him

3 February 2024 • WAR CRY • 3

Team talk TEAM WA

talk ‘ TALK’ j

Do you have a story to share? a warcry@salvationarmy.org.uk @TheWarCryUK

Advice column

TheWarCryUK

B salvationarmy.org.uk/warcry

Claire Brine gives her take on a story catching the attention of War Cry reporters

The gloves are on for York women

BE more confident. Learn to say no. Read better books. According to research commissioned by Vitabiotics Wellwoman, such pieces of advice are among the ‘top 50 things’ that women wish they could tell their younger selves.

When I read this story on the Mirror website, I was interested by the diverse nuggets of wisdom on offer. One tip urged young women to take care of their future finances by paying into a pension scheme early. Another piece of advice touched on the importance of healthy relationships, with the suggestion: ‘Tell your family and friends that you love them often.’

The further I read down the list of ‘50 things’, the more I found myself nodding along, agreeing that there were many I wished I had known when I was younger. (‘Take better care in the sun’ is an excellent tip for any teenager prone to sunburn.)

But I also noticed that the list contained some great pieces of advice which I’d do well to adopt today, as a (not-quite-so-young) 40-year-old.

They include ‘learn from your mistakes’ and ‘worry less about the future’.

I find it interesting that the advice to refrain from worrying has been doing the rounds for centuries. It was given by Jesus, though he phrased it differently.

‘I tell you not to worry about your life,’ he said, explaining to his followers that God knew their every need, so they would be far better off putting their faith in him than spending their waking hours fretting.

Making his point another way, he added: ‘Can worry make you live longer?’ (Matthew 6:25 and 27 Contemporary English Version).

However much we succumb to it, worrying won’t change, improve or eradicate our situation. All worrying does is cause us to feel unsettled and agitated. It skews our judgement. When I worry, I find my focus shifts away from God, who loves me and wants to guide me towards a better future.

Whatever we choose to tell ourselves, Jesus encourages us not to worry, because he knows that we will get a lot more out of life if we put our energy into trusting God instead. It’s advice I plan to heed today, tomorrow and in the future.

FREE women-only boxing sessions in York have been launched by The Salvation Army.

News website The York Press reported that the church and charity began its weekly training in partnership with local organisation Chocolate & Co, which runs a café specialising in hot chocolate.

The café, a non-profit charity, employs ex-offenders, recovering addicts and people who have experienced homelessness. Its members of staff are now attending the free boxing sessions.

The York Press noted that the sessions brought together ‘at least a dozen women of various ages and backgrounds’.

Charlie Malarkey, a service manager for The Salvation Army’s homelessness services in York, is running the training at York Masters Boxing Club.

One of the participants, Louise Elphee, who cannot afford to use a commercial gym, said: ‘Something like this is really empowering. It’s about getting out, feeling more confident, being around other women – and there’s a lovely atmosphere.

And if I can get myself some self-defence skills, I’ll feel much better.’

Team talk 4 • WAR CRY • 3 February 2024

STEPHEN LEWIS

Worrying skews our judgement

A participant in the first women-only boxing session

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WnRLD

PARLIAMENTARIANS have heard Christians give first-hand accounts of oppression they have experienced and witnessed.

During an event held in Westminster

by Open Doors, an organisation which supports persecuted Christians globally, MPs and peers listened as Dabrina from Iran told how she and other members of her family had regularly been interrogated and detained by authorities because of their Christian faith. She recalled how she was held in a male-only prison and was expelled from university before she fled the country.

‘Since I remember, I’ve known persecution, oppression and discrimination,’ she said.

‘I’ve known what it means for my father to go missing, not coming home for days. I know what it means never to go to school alone, because there was always a danger of us being kidnapped.’

She added: ‘While the regime this Christmas extended greetings to all Iranian Christians, behind the scenes they arrested and imprisoned many believers.

They banned official churches from having Christmas services. They raided Christians’ homes, simply hoping they will catch them

PHILIP HALCROW

Christians tell of life in ‘danger list’ countries

Dabrina, from Iran, talks with Open Doors CEO Henrietta Blyth at the World Watch List launch

generating fear. in the act of gathering.

He said: ‘It is easier to remain silent ‘Some of my best friends and colleagues than to speak up and suffer the negative have endured home raids, arrests and consequences. But I believe this struggle extensive interrogation within the past should not be left only to families in their couple of months. Their belongings have most desperate moments. I believe a large again been confiscated, including their part of the answer is to be found in places children’s phones and electronics.’ like this.

Iran is placed ninth in the latest World ‘We are not asking for money. We are Watch List, a ranking compiled annually by not asking for UK government resources.

Open Doors of countries where it is most We want something that will cost you dangerous to be a Christian. According to even more than cash – I want your moral the list, which was launched at the event, courage. I challenge you to risk paying a authorities in Iran see Christianity as a political price in speaking up for us.’ threat to the country’s Henrietta Blyth, CEO of Open Doors UK Islamic order. and Ireland, urged politicians to take action The gathering also by supporting efforts to make the role of heard from a church prime minister’s special envoy on freedom pastor and expert who of religion or belief permanent in law and to said that over the past ensure the government make freedom of decade many countries religion or belief part of trade talks. in west Africa ‘have Dabrina, who now lives in Switzerland, come under the threat’ of A RELIGIOUS freedom advocacy group has ‘militants that are formerly told the War Cry that she hoped the event developed a database that tracks attacks on would ‘raise awareness about what is associated with Isil or Christians in real time. going on’ and that those who attended have taken inspiration The Violent Incidents Database, launched by would ‘be the voice of hundreds of from them’, who are US-based organisation Global Christian Relief, thousands of Christians in Iran who are kidnapping, raping is designed to bring information more quickly to suffering in silence’. and murdering people, advocates and government officials, allowing users to search incidents by country, region, religion and perpetrator.

Ronald Boyd-MacMillan, chief of global FORMER MP Rory Stewart spoke about his faith when he strategy and research for Global Christian took part in an interview for a podcast, reported the Religion Relief, said: ‘We live in a world where the violent Media Centre. persecution of Christians and other religious In a conversation with Jonathan Aitken, also a former MP and groups is rampant and increasing. now a Church of England priest, Rory said that he found it difficult to ‘This database not only helps us track the speak about faith because he feels intimidated by theologians, but he violence but helps us better understand what was brought up in a Christian family, prays and goes to church. persecuted Christians really need from their During the Re-enchanting podcast, produced by Christian brothers and sisters around the world.’ online magazine Seen and Unseen, Rory said it was difficult to Once an incident is recorded publicly, the understand the great advances of the 19th century, such as the International Institute for Religious Freedom vets end of slavery, prison reform and the extension of the franchise, the information and then the database is updated. without understanding that most British institutions were built on the foundation of faith.

Database tracks violent attacks

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‘The prognoses for many cancers are much better than they used to be’ Ahead of World Cancer Day on Sunday (4 February), Dr ANDY BOORNE explains how treatments and research are continuing to develop and how he is interested in helping people’s health and spiritual welfare Interview by Rosemary Dawson

Dr Andy Boorne

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ANCER. The very word is enough to cause fear and worry when a doctor suggests, however gently, the possibility of such a diagnosis.

Many people know someone – a family member, work colleague or friend – who has died from cancer, is undergoing treatment for it or has recovered from it.

The risk of being diagnosed with cancer is rising – a fact that will no doubt be highlighted on World Cancer Day (Sunday 4 February). However, this is not all bad news. One of the reasons for the rise in cancer diagnoses is that people are living longer. Many cancers develop only as someone gets older, and in previous generations fewer people managed to live long enough for the condition to occur.

Counterbalancing the bad news of increased cancer diagnoses is the good

6 • WAR CRY • 3 February 2024

news of the ability to diagnose it early and at treatable stages, societal changes (such as laws around asbestos) which help prevent cancer forming in the first place, and the considerable advances in research and treatments. All these factors are already making improvements around the globe.

‘If you notice any changes in your body or are worried about cancer, contact your GP,’ advises Dr Andy Boorne. He previously worked in cancer research and as a GP with a special interest in cancer at the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro.

‘Often our fears are unfounded, but it is important to get things checked out fairly quickly because earlier investigation means doctors are much more likely to be able to give patients reassuring news,

even if a cancer is found.

‘Cancer treatment is a really exciting area of medicine at present, because of the improvements in treatments and new research coming through. The prognoses for some previously very worrying cancer types are much better than they used to be.

‘There is some evidence – partly due to the pandemic – that some people are only presenting to their local A&E departments when symptoms become much more obvious. Sadly, these cases tend to be more advanced and so have less favourable treatment options.

This all emphasises the advice to get things checked out earlier rather than later.’

So what are the signs we should look out for? Cancer symptoms vary according to type, but if someone feels

Get things checked out fairly quickly

LIBRARY PICTURES POSED BY MODELS

that something isn’t right they should contact their GP. However, more specific things to be aware of are: l Unexplained bleeding or bruising. l New lumps or swellings, especially if they are getting bigger or painful. l Ongoing severe tiredness for no obvious reason. l Fevers that last a long time or keep recurring. l Unexpected weight loss.

Andy says: ‘One of the questions I get asked is, “Can I avoid cancer?”’. ‘The answer is a bit of yes and no. Our body is an incredible machine given to us by God, which can adapt, and usually thrive, with the long list of things we ask it to cope with over our lives. But there are some things our bodies struggle with which can make cancer more likely to develop.

‘Possibly 40 per cent of cancers could

be prevented if we all followed simple lifestyle advice, and it is reassuring that most of it is what a loving granny would have advised: don’t smoke, try to avoid being overweight, keep active, don’t drink too much, nor eat too much modern processed and high red meat foods, along with avoiding too much sunlight.

‘Smoking is the largest preventable cause of cancer and death in the UK. Possibly 15 per cent of all cancer is smoking-related. Stopping it has lots of other health and financial benefits too.

‘Although we often feel better with a summer tan and really do benefit from enough sunlight to help us make vitamin D, too much sun can mean the ultraviolet light can damage our skin’s DNA beyond our body’s healing ability and can result in

skin cancers.

‘I also get asked about the role of our genes in cancer. Genes rarely cause cancer. However, certain family gene combinations can make some cancers a bit more likely. We can’t do much about our family history, other than to be more careful not to add to the family risk with less helpful lifestyle decisions.’

Andy’s commitment to help people with their health concerns is obvious, and much of it can be traced back to his family situation when he was a child – although his route into medicine wasn’t straightforward.

‘I grew up in Papua New Guinea where my father worked in the government

Our body is an incredible machine

Turn to page 8 f 3 February 2024 • WAR CRY • 7

From page 7 health service as a pharmacist,’ he says.

‘My parents also worked in the church, and I was very impressed and influenced by the work I saw them doing. I wanted to serve people, and make the world a different place in a Christian way. Christ came to bring us life in all its fullness, and his healing of people’s physical ailments was a type of parable of the deeper healing he was offering people.

‘I didn’t do very well in my A-levels. I started working as a carer with disabled children and an unqualified junior nurse in Exeter, where a friend encouraged me to train as a doctor. I had to retake A-levels at evening classes, and then spent five years at St Mary’s Hospital Medical School in London (now Imperial College), plus a further degree in breast cancer research.

‘Since then I have worked mainly in the NHS, but also in Papua New Guinea and

the Gambia.’

Andy says that his medical work has taken him to ‘some extreme and often stunning’ parts of the world. But in his eyes the ‘real attraction’ of healthcare ‘is captured in Jesus’ coming to offer us life in all its fullness’.

He says: ‘The fact that God would become man to reach out to us gives us as humans a preciousness.

It means we’re valued and loved. It ignites a love in me for each patient, which makes healthcare worthwhile. And it shows that healthcare is not just physical, but also the deeper spiritual wholeness and healing which we so often yearn for.

‘The reason we fear cancer is that it threatens both our quality of life and our very life itself; and, because there comes a time when no one can heal the body, the real reassurance in life is not found through physical healthcare. As a society

LIBRARY PICTURES POSED BY MODELS

Healthcare is not just physical

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we have a more organised system to offer good physical healthcare than we have to offer good spiritual healthcare.’

The desire to play a part in offering spiritual healthcare has led Andy also to train as an Anglican minister. He is presently serving as a curate at Kenwyn Parish Church on the outskirts of Truro.

‘I want to help people know when to seek help about possible cancer and to be aware of the excellent efforts to give best care within the NHS,’ he says. ‘But ultimately I want to help them discover that the most important reassurance is to know and be known by a heavenly Father who will carry us through if we will walk with him.’

l For more information about cancer see your GP or visit macmillan.org.uk

Green group aims to make world of difference Caring for the Earth is a matter of faith for activist DEBORAH TOMKINS Interview by Claire Brine

‘O

Deborah Tomkins

UR primary job as human beings is to take care of the world in which we live – because if we don’t, there’s nothing else,’ says Deborah Tomkins of Green Christian, a faith-based charity with a mission to look after the planet.

‘We were set up in 1982 with an aim of bringing green insights into churches, and Christian insights into the environmental movement. But I believe that the job of caring for creation was given to every person on the planet, not just people of faith.’

Made up of Christians from a variety of denominations, Green Christian works in a number of areas. It supports local and national environmental campaigns, such as The Big One – a mass protest on the climate

crisis, which took place outside the Houses of Parliament last year. It runs conferences, retreats and workshops in churches, which focus on questions such as how they might make their buildings greener. It also offers free courses online, exploring issues such as the impact of the fashion industry on the environment and how to reduce energy usage in winter.

‘Green Christian is open to everyone,’ says Deborah, ‘but some people opt to become members. And a number of them form what we call our Way of Life community, which means that they try to live by four disciplines. They are: prayer and devotions; living gently on the Earth; public witness; and encouragement.

Prayer is about making the commitment to pray regularly for the world. Public witness asks our members to get people talking

Turn to page 10 f

3 February 2024 • WAR CRY • 9

DEBORAH TOMKINS

Green Christian activists taking part in the Big One protest in London

From page 9 about green issues. Encouragement looks at how we encourage each other.

And living gently on the Earth could be choosing to use public transport rather than a car, not flying to Vienna for a weekend break, growing some vegetables at home or not using pesticides in the garden.’

As well as giving practical tips on how people can help the planet, Green Christian offers space for reflection.

Participants in its Deep Waters course are invited to address the negative emotions that often rise to the surface when people pause to consider the damage humans have done to the planet.

Deborah says: ‘The course is aimed at anyone who’s thinking, “The Earth is in a terrible way and I don’t know what to do about it.” All sorts of turbulent emotions can pop up, including grief, anger, regret, denial and blame. So, over eight sessions, we look at these reactions, and include wisdom, love and justice. We also talk

10 • WAR CRY • 3 February 2024

about what’s happening in the world and what we can do about it. It’s designed to lead people to a place of active hope so that they’re no longer so despairing that they feel unable to help.

‘One of the reasons I believe that some people don’t want to address the problems facing our world is because uncertainty can be incredibly destabilising emotionally. We are uncertain what will happen next for the planet but we know it doesn’t look good. And in such uncertainty, people want to stick with what they know.

Because they “always go to Spain this time of year”, they keep going.

‘Another problem is that, with the cost of living crisis,

Deborah raises awareness of environmental issues

IAN TOMKINS

unemployment and the NHS getting close to breaking point, many people don’t feel they can deal with anything else. We all have a limited amount of time and energy in our daily lives, and that energy has to go where it’s needed most. I’m fortunate in that my children are grown up now, so I can focus on green issues, but I do realise that not everyone is in that position.’

Though it’s not always easy to talk about the future of the planet, Deborah is convinced that such conversations are urgent and crucial. She has committed herself to telling the truth to whoever will listen.

‘If we can’t turn things around, we are looking at an unlivable planet,’ she says. ‘Last summer we saw catastrophic wildfires and floods all over the world – and we are only at 1.2 degrees of warming. We need to make sure that the figure doesn’t increase to 1.5 degrees or things will get much worse.

‘One of the problems with rapid climate change is that plants and animals can’t survive, because their habitats are destroyed. As a consequence, we end up with far less food.

‘Another issue we are facing is that there is a point at which the human body cannot cool down if the temperature is too high. You can’t sweat enough, and the sweat you do produce evaporates so quickly that it doesn’t cool you.’

When faced with such depressing facts and figures, it could be easy to feel that any efforts we make to save the planet are simply too little, too late. But Deborah believes that looking after God’s Earth remains important.

‘The Book of Genesis in the Bible talks about humans being made in the image of God – and that image includes intelligence, creativity, compassion, love, justice and mercy,’ she says. ‘We have

been given these gifts to use for good.

‘We also have been given a job to do.

Genesis says that, after making the world, God “took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it”. The message there is pretty clear.

‘Today, when I see people suffering on the other side of the world as a result of what humans have done to the planet, my heart breaks.

As a Christian, I’m meant to embody Christlike qualities – so what am I going to do about it? God’s creation matters. God loves it all, even more than I do. So how can we make things better?’

It turns out that there are lots of things we can do to help. Getting educated by checking out websites such as climatenetwork.org is a good place to start, says Deborah. Trusting what the climate scientists have to say on issues of global warming is also important.

‘Other things we can do include thinking very carefully if we are ever going to fly again for a holiday,’ she says. ‘If we

We have to start working together

need to fly for work or humanitarian purposes, that’s different. But flying, in general, counts for around 4 per cent of global emissions, so we need to consider our air miles.

‘Food is another area we can address.

We need to think about where our food comes from, whether we could drop meat from our meals once or twice a week, and whether we might be able to grow some of our own vegetables.

‘If we can walk half a mile rather than taking the car, it makes a difference. And if the whole town were to do the same, those little journeys would soon add up.’

Although the future of the planet remains unclear, Deborah is keen to convey the message that all is not lost.

There is hope. And God is willing to help us.

‘But we have to start working together,’ she says. ‘Human beings are like a herd, and usually, with a herd, there is a tipping point when the animals all change to move in a new direction. If we, as a world, can get to that tipping point, there is a lot we can do to make the planet better.’

3 February 2024 • WAR CRY • 11

Prayerlink 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’.

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Becoming 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

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.

Hands together, eyes closed Andrew Stone looks at the Lord’s Prayer

Thy Kingdom come SOAR over London’s skyline with Peter Pan, meet Winnie the Pooh in the Hundred Acre Wood and shake hands with Mickey Mouse outside Cinderella’s castle.

Those are just some of the experiences available to visitors at the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World, Florida.

Inside the theme park, children’s dreams come true as characters from their favourite Disney films are brought to life.

It is a place of make-believe, where wonder, excitement and fun rule. While families are there, they exchange the drudgery of everyday life for the kingdom’s ‘magic’.

In the Lord’s Prayer, however, it is not a magic kingdom that is yearned for, but God’s Kingdom. Nor is it the case that the prayer asks for a visit to that Kingdom. Instead it asks for the Kingdom to come to us. But what is God’s Kingdom and what can we expect to experience if we encounter it?

The early Christian writer Paul said the Kingdom of God ‘is about pleasing God, about living in peace, and about true happiness’ (Romans 14:17 Contemporary English Version). God is pleased when he has a relationship with us, when we believe in him and when we live his way.

We start that relationship by admitting the things we have done Our Father, which art in Heaven, wrong and then asking God for Hallowed be thy name, forgiveness. When we receive it, Thy Kingdom come, we encounter God’s Kingdom, and Thy will be done, in earth as it is life changes as we experience real in Heaven. happiness and peace. Every situation Give us this day our daily bread; we face takes on a new perspective – And forgive us our trespasses, even our everyday routines. Life can As we forgive them that become more enjoyable, not just for a trespass against us; few days’ holiday, but for ever.

And lead us not into temptation, Living in God’s Kingdom does But deliver us from evil. not mean that we magically become For thine is the Kingdom, perfect people and never have another the power, and the glory, problem. But it will give us a better For ever and ever. way of dealing with situations.

Amen God’s Kingdom is not make-believe, but a reality available to us all.

Life can be more enjoyable

Please come into my life by your Holy Spirit to be with me for ever.

Thank you, Lord Jesus.

Amen

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Looking for help?

Name

Address

Extract from Why Jesus? by Nicky Gumbel published by Alpha International, 2011. Used by kind permission of Alpha International

Or email your name and postal address to warcry@salvationarmy.org.uk 12 • WAR CRY • 3 February 2024

THE CHOSEN

QUICK QUIZ 1 2 3 4 5 6

Which footballer won last year’s BBC Sports Personality of the Year?

Which boy band had a No 1 hit in 1998 with the song ‘No Matter What’?

Which two countries have the highest populations in the world?

Who played the title role in the recent film Napoleon?

What number is represented by the Roman numeral X? What is the capital of Norway?

ANSWERS

Jesus (Jonathan Roumie) with disciples Simon the Zealot (Alaa Safi, left) and Simon Peter (Shahar Isaac)

A grief observed Son of God faces dark times in dramatic retelling of his life story TV feature by Emily Bright

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ESUS has returned – in a manner of speaking. The fourth series of The Chosen, inspired by the Gospels’ accounts of his life, begins with the first two episodes being shown in cinemas before all are gradually released on The Chosen’s app.

Jesus (Jonathan Roumie) is surrounded by enemies. The Roman authorities and Jewish religious leaders perceive him as a threat and are plotting how best to silence him. As his followers struggle to keep up with his ministry, the Son of God is left feeling increasingly isolated.

Opposition to him becomes violent, and he faces the prospect of being betrayed by those closest to him.

During the series, Jesus will experience two huge personal losses – his cousin John the Baptist is executed by order of Herod Antipas, the king of the region, and his dear friend Lazarus dies. As time goes on, Jesus must also face up to the pain, betrayal and death which await him in Jerusalem.

At the London premiere of the new series, Elizabeth Tabish, who plays Jesus’ faithful follower Mary Magdalene, told the War Cry: ‘This season Jesus is feeling a weight, and maybe even some loneliness or feeling misunderstood. Seeing him struggle as a man, with pain and with loss, is so humanising.’

Most of us can relate to such difficult experiences. We may have lost a loved one, had our futures snatched away from us or been betrayed.

But there can be comfort in knowing that we are not alone in our pain.

Christians take heart in the truth that the Son of God, Jesus, totally understands the human experience. He wept at the death of his friend, was hurt by those closest to him and went through emotional and physical anguish.

And, while Jesus may not take away our suffering, he promises to be with each one of us, if we ask him to be. As our friend and counsellor, he will lead us through our darkest days and will ultimately wipe away all our tears. That’s a truth worth tuning into.

Jesus went through emotional anguish

3 February 2024 • WAR CRY • 13

1. Mary Earps. 2. Boyzone. 3. India and China.

4. Joaquin Phoenix. 5. Ten. 6. Oslo.

PUZZLES Quick CROSSWORD ACROSS 1. Defunct (7) 5. Pool (5) 7. Sure (7) 8. Precise (5) 10. Attic (4) 11. Private (8) 13. Purchasing (6) 14. Kebab pin (6) 17. Goading (8) 19. Outburst (4) 21. Long for (5) 22. Mocked (7) 23. Bay (5) 24. Deferred (7) DOWN 2. Frugal (7) 3. Close by (4) 4. Underground passage (6) 5. Memento (8) 6. Teach (5) 7. Star (9) 9. Put up with (9) 12. Intuition (8) 15. Rich (7)

SUDOKU

Fill the grid so that every column, every row and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 to 9

9 1 7 1 6 5 2 7 5 5 2 5 9 8 3 7 5 6 8 7 8 2 16. Combined (6) 18. Creep (5) 20. Replete (4)

9 4 8 7 9 6 3 7

W RDSEARCH

2 8 4 3 9 1 7 6 5 1 6 5 2 4 7 3 8 9 Look up, down, forwards, 7 9 backwards 3 6 5 and 8 diagonally 2 4 1 on the grid to find these Grammy winners 3 5 9 7 6 2 4 1 8 N N K U H F 4 C X2C 1 Q S5Q 8P F9M 6 W H7 G 3 X N Z N T B 8 V Y7M 6 E P1 E 3 U A4 R 5A X9 Y 2 T E L Q I F H T N J C Z L L GWQ S L T Z DMX 9 J O3H 8 N L4 E 7 G E5 N 1 D Z2 R 6 A SMO S V 5 J H4O 2 Q A9 J 1 W M6 D 8 H C3 I 7 D I QOMH Z Y Z RME R I Z A R O Y T F WAW6 E J1Q 7J Y8Q 2X C3 N 9 B M5 R 4

M O HONEYC B

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

1. Donkey friend of Winnie-the-Pooh 2. Solicitor 3. Scandinavian country 4. In abundance 5. New Testament book 6. Red fruit used in salads

G A X R S B L S Q ZWO Z H O A H G A B O E L I L R A C I D N A R B N Q G N I D L A P S A Z N A R E P S E S A O P N L B I L L I E E I L I S H X Q J R U Q S T S Z B H Q R B R X N Q A B Q E X O A O N J O N Q U X WW O J T F I A U Z UM I U V F B B O Z P F F S R N Q T F I WS R O L Y A T H P H A R R Y S T Y L E S Z EWG I A D G Z A S P S Z S N Y O B G J I I Z N Z E C Q T T Y A J T Z P D B S L A

ANSWERS 2 1 7 3 4 8 9 5 6

8 6 9 5 2 7 3 4 1

4 5 3 9 1 6 8 2 7

3 2 6 7 5 1 4 9 8

9 4 5 6 8 3 7 1 2

1 7 8 2 9 4 5 6 3

7 3 2 4 6 5 1 8 9

6 8 4 1 7 9 2 3 5

5 9 1 8 3 2 6 7 4

7 8 2 5

HONEYCOMB 1. Eeyore. 2. Lawyer. 3. Norway.

4. Galore. 5. Romans. 6. Tomato.

QUICK CROSSWORD ACROSS: 1. Extinct. 5. Kitty. 7. Certain.

8. Exact. 10. Loft. 11. Personal. 13. Buying.

14. Skewer. 17. Inciting. 19. Rant. 21. Yearn.

22. Taunted. 23. Inlet. 24. Delayed.

DOWN: 2. Thrifty. 3. Near. 4. Tunnel.

5. Keepsake. 6. Train. 7. Celebrity.

9. Tolerated. 12. Instinct. 15. Wealthy.

16. United. 18. Crawl. 20. Full.

14 • WAR CRY • 3 February 2024

ADELE AMY WINEHOUSE BEYONCÉ BILLIE EILISH BRANDI CARLILE

CARRIE UNDERWOOD CECE WINANS ESPERANZA SPALDING HARRY STYLES JOHN LEGEND

JON BATISTE LADY GAGA MICHAEL BUBLÉ NORAH JONES SAM SMITH TAYLOR SWIFT

6 8 3 7

Spinach and mushroom lasagne INGREDIENTS 1tsp olive oil 1 garlic clove, peeled and crushed

SERVES 4

1 medium onion, peeled and finely chopped 200g mushrooms, thinly sliced 400g can chopped tomatoes 1tsp dried oregano Black pepper 1tsp plain flour 100ml semi-skimmed milk 50g reduced-fat cheddar cheese, grated 50g fresh spinach 6-8 dried lasagne sheets

METHOD Preheat the oven to 180C/Gas Mark 4.

Heat the oil in a saucepan and add the garlic, onion and mushrooms. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring continuously.

Add the tomatoes, oregano and black pepper, to taste. Cook for 15 minutes, stirring regularly.

Meanwhile, to make the cheese sauce, place the flour in a separate saucepan and stir in 15ml milk to form a smooth paste. Pour in the rest of the milk and stir well.

Place the pan on the hob on a high heat, then continually stir until it thickens. Remove from the hob and stir in the cheese until it melts.

To assemble the lasagne, pour a thin layer of the tomato and mushroom mixture on the bottom of an ovenproof

dish, then evenly spread out a handful of spinach on top. Add a layer of lasagne sheets, then repeat the process. Finish with a sheet of lasagne, topped with the cheese sauce.

Bake in the oven for 45 minutes, until the cheese sauce starts to brown.

Recipe reprinted, with permission, from the British Dietetic Association website bda.uk.com 3 February 2024 • WAR CRY • 15

Whoever refreshes others will be refreshed Proverbs 11:25 (New International Version)

WAR CRY