Now, There’s a Thought

4 A ANSWERS 1. Green. 2. 1977. 3. Miss Trunchbull. 4. Potassium. 5. Ottawa. 6. The M62. Q What colour are the seats in the House of Commons? In which year did Elvis Presley die? What is the name of the headteacher in Roald Dahl’s children’s book, Matilda? What chemical element is identified by the symbol K? What is the capital city of Canada? Which motorway connects Leeds and Manchester? QUICK QUIZ 1 2 3 5 6

by Andrew Stone

Explosive situations aren’t inevitable

THE weather forecast for tonight (Saturday 5 November) is

one of the most eagerly awaited of the year. Young and old alike wait to see if the elements are going to allow them to enjoy the fireworks traditionally lit on this day.

Since 1606 we have been remembering the 5 November with its gunpowder, treason and plot. Firework displays commemorate the thwarting of the attempt a year earlier to blow up King James I as he attended the state opening of parliament.

It’s a longstanding tradition.The diarist Samuel Pepys recorded how the date was observed in London with ‘great bonfires and fireworks’ in 1660. But while we may enjoy seeing the colourful explosions brighten up a dark autumnal evening, the English language has also developed another We may wish we understanding of the word fireworks. When there are metaphorical could change the fireworks, it tends to mean that there has been an angry outburst way we behave from somebody. Rather than the celebrations linked with actual fireworks, this use of the word denotes something negative and unpleasant.

I’m sure many of us will be able to remember a time when we’ve been the one who has been responsible for those fireworks. Times when we have lost our temper and ‘exploded’ and then afterwards felt ashamed by our behaviour.

At such times, we may wish that we could change the way we behave and learn to be more tolerant and kinder towards people – but we may feel that it is impossible. However, the Bible tells us that God can help transform us into better people.

One early Christian writer explained that God can help us to develop the qualities of ‘love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control’ (Galatians 5:22 New Living Translation).

Being a Christian doesn’t mean that we will never have times when our patience is tested, but it does mean that God will help us to deal with those situations better – a prospect that can brighten up even the darkest of times.