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MIKE’S EDITORIAL
HAPPY CHRISTMAS! I HOPE YOU’VE HAD A GOOD COUPLE OF MONTHS SINCE WE LAST GOT TOGETHER; WE’RE PRAYING FOR YOU THAT YOU KEEP FOLLOWING JESUS WITH ALL YOUR HEART AND THAT YOU FEEL ENCOURAGED IN YOUR FAITH. This Christmas I’ve been really struck again by the true message at the heart of the season. I’m amazed when I think about how this huge, mighty, all-powerful, all-knowing God who created the universe, became so vulnerable. We see that vulnerability in the baby in a manger and we see the same in the man nailed to a cross 33 years later. Jesus chose vulnerability because of his great love for us. So let’s reach out to others in the same way, choosing to be vulnerable, choosing not to close ourselves off to pain, because that’s how our world will be changed. We really want to keep equipping you as you reach out to others and try to live out your faith in your everyday life and we hope this little magazine helps you on your journey. We also hope it makes you smile too and gives you a few minutes of fun! If you’ve got any comments or feedback about things you’d like us to include in future mags then email us at editor@soulsurvivor.com – we’d love to hear from you! Have a great Christmas! God bless,
MIKE Mike is the Director of Soul Survivor. He’s a nice Greek chap who likes cooking, Manchester United and reading books! He’s also ultra competitive and addicted to Facebook!
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THINGS WE LOVE ABOUT CHRISTMAS CONTENTS
PA 11-12GE
WHY WE LOVE WINTER! Things to love about life in the cold! PAGE 16
CHRISTMAS SHOPPING Give that extra special gift this year! PAGE 17
SOUL SURVIVOR MINI MAG: DECEMBER 2010
SOUL SURVIVOR GOODIES Including the brand new live album! PAGE 18
The Soul Survivor Mini Mag is made by Soul Survivor UK. It’s a bit of a in-house job and so all
CHRISTMAS CLASSICS
the content and design
Check out our fave festive films! PAGES 3-4
is put together by Liza, Sarah and Dan (the Soul Survivor Communications team) and editorial Mike, Andy and Ali.
SOUL SISTA MEETS SOUL MAN
The Mini Mag is free to anyone who would like to receive it and we send out around two a year. editor@soulsurvivor.com Soul Survivor Unit 2 Paramount Inustrial Estate, Sandown Road, Watford, Herts, UK, WD24 7XF. Charity No. 1080720 Company No. 03991111
CHRISTMAS JUMPERS! Everyone loves winter knitwear! PAGE 5
oversight is given by
A five page special on what goes on in the mind of the opposite sex PAGES 6-10
WIZARDS & WEREWOLVES! What’s all the fuss about the Harry Potter and Twilight movies? PAGES 19-20
BEAT THE WINTER BLUES! Will Van Der Hart share his tips for keeping your spirits up this winter PAGES 21-22
PA 19-20GE
A JOB FOR THE SHEPHERDS Ali Martin reflects on the role of the shepherds at that first Christmas PAGES 11-12
THE BIBLE MAKES NO SENSE! Andy Croft on the tricky passages PAGES 13-15
The design and look of our Christmas Mini Mag is isnpired by the artwork of an album cover for Ben Rector’s Christmas LP by designer Jason Yang of Invisible Element. We liked it so much we adapted his original idea!
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HELP! THE BIBLE DOESN’T CHRISTMAS MAKE CLASSICS SENSE!
WE LOVE CHRISTMAS AND ANYTHING THAT GETS US IN THE MOOD TO CELEBRATE JESUS’ BIRTHDAY! WE ASKED AROUND THE OFFICE TO GET SOME IDEAS FOR CLASSIC CHRISTMAS MOVIES, SO GRAB YOUR MATES & SOME POPCORN AND MAKE A NIGHT OF IT!
IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE
HOME ALONE
It might be in black and white but Mike assures us it’s not just for your Grandma to snore in front of. It’s been called the ultimate feel-good Christmas film ever (but just so you know we might have been the ones who called it that).
Ever wished your family would disappear and leave you in peace? Eight year-old Kevin lives out the fantasy and manages to abuse two burglars in old-school slapstick fashion in the process. Bash them on the head with a can of paint! Make them tread on rusty nails! Burn them with an iron! Ah, Christmas just like Jesus intended it.
THE GRINCH
MUPPET CHRISTMAS CAROL
Fed up of weeks of Christmas adverts on the telly and annoying cheesy music in every shop? Share your humbug feelings with the Grinch then wait for the warm and fuzziness of Christmas to come back to you. All together now, ahhhhhhhhhhh.
The Marleys were dead: to begin with. As dead as a door nail. Oooh, creepy way to start a Christmas story. But don’t worry, the Muppets are here to lighten things up with plenty of catchy songs and great gags. We defy you not to love it.
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THINGS WE LOVE CHRISTMAS CLASSICS ABOUT CHRISTMAS
THE SNOWMAN A beautiful film where a boy becomes best friends with a magical snowman. It’s all fun and games until the weather warms up and the inevitable happens – uh oh…..
MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET
(THE NEWER ONE)
This is a film that the word schmaltzy was invented for and we love it! Using every trick in the book (including a lovable Mr Cringle that you want as your granddad, an overly cute and earnest kid, some dastardly baddies, a bit of romance and a whole bunch of snow), it plays on your emotions and pushes you towards crying like a toddler. Give in and enjoy the moment (and blame it on the spirit of Christmas if you get caught with a tear in your eye).
ELF Travel through the seven levels of the candy cane forest, past the sea of swirly twirly gumdrops, then drink a bottle of Coke in one go and what do you get? The world’s biggest and best burp ever – genius! This whole film is comedy gold with Will Ferrell playing Buddy (a slightly confused elf/man) who gets more excited about Christmas than even we do.
Photos © Paramount, Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, Imagine Entertainment, Walt Disney Pictures, New Line Cinema, Snowman Enterprises/ Channel 4 Television
WAIT A MINUTE! You may have spotted the flaw in our film choices: none of them are based on the true meaning of Christmas. Oops. We’re still looking for a good one, so let us know on Facebook if you’ve found one! In the meantime we don’t think Jesus minds us getting in the festive mood with burping elves and singing Muppets.
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OTHER THAN THE BIRTH OF JESUS AND THE WHOLE THEOLOGICAL WONDER THAT IS THE INCARNATION, WHAT ELSE MAKES CHRISTMAS? CHESTNUTS ROASTING ON A OPEN FIRE? LEAVING AN OLD CARROT OUT FOR THE HARD WORKING RUDOLPH?
TOP CHRISTMAS JUMPERS!
YES! RUDOLPH!
SARAH & THE EARMUFFS
There’s only two reasons why a man like Chris would wear this jumper; his mum or girlfriend made it. The latter is true.
They’re back! If you didn’t grow up in the 80’s then you’ll have missed the earmuff first time round, so embrace it now!
Good suggestions, but none quite mark the festive season as the donning of a lovely, warm and slightly garish Christmas jumper does. We love them and around the office we’ve been getting our winter knitwear out since midOctober (you can never be too early with a Christmas jumper). As a tribute to this often neglected aspect of the seasonal wardrobe here’s a few of you sporting your favourite festive pullovers! Thanks to everyone who sent their photo in, you all look awesome!
SAINT NICK
MIKE P’S EFFORT
Scraping in there as a Christmas jumper, Nick makes up for his sweaters lack of seasonal print with plenty of festive cheer!
Is he skiing in the alps or standing on the road in North Watford? No-one knows, his modelling skills are too good.
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SOUL SISTA MEETS SOUL MAN!
THIS SUMMER WE HAD A CHANCE TO FIND OUT WHAT WAS GOING ON IN THE MIND OF THE OPPOSITE SEX AT THE SOUL SISTA AND SOUL MAN SESSIONS! We gave the lads a chance to ask the girls any questions they wanted and the girls got the same opportunity! It was a pretty eye-opening experience so we thought we’d share a couple of the things we learnt! So, over the next few pages, we’re issuing some of our findings. The boys get a grilling first, then comes the girls turn! We need to spell out up front that in order to give you some answers, we’ve had to generalise A LOT. Please don’t get upset about that, we know that all girls and all guys don’t think the same way!
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SOUL HELP! SISTA: THEYOUR BIBLEQUESTIONS DOESN’T MAKE ANSWERED SENSE!
MIKE PILAVACHI & ANDY CROFT ANSWER SOME OF THE QUESTIONS YOU GIRLS WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT THE SMELLY BOYS... WHAT DO GUYS LOOK FOR IN A GIRL?
We’d love to say it’s a good sense of humour, a bubbly personality, someone who is kind, generous, a good friend and able to talk. Honestly? We’re pretty visual creatures (and sometimes a bit shallow) so it tends to be looks that attract us first. That said, we’re not talking about one particular type of look; all guys are attracted to something different so there’s no blanket answer. And, of course, when we’re thinking about the longer
term, we do want something more than someone who’s physically attractive to us.
The truth is that one of the most attractive things to a guy is a girl who is comfortable in her own skin and enjoys being who she is, not someone who is trying to be who she thinks we want her to be. Guys aren’t looking for girls who are into everything we’re into; we love the fact that girls are different to us!
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HELP! SISTA: SOUL THE BIBLE YOUR DOESN’T QUESTIONS MAKE ANSWERED SENSE!
MORE QUESTIONS... ARE GUYS ONLY AFTER ONE THING? Statistics say that guys think about sex every seven seconds! To generalise again, guys tend to think more about sex and girls tend to think more about love. But, that doesn’t mean we’re entirely led by our testosterone! We are of course looking for companionship too and, though we’re not always very good at it, we’re looking to share our hearts. When God made humanity he made us male and female and said it’s not good for man to be alone. Men and women together reflect God, without you, guys are half of what they’re meant to be. We don’t mean that if you’re single you’re not complete. But part of God’s design is that men and women bring out different things in each other. Us guys need you to bring out our vulnerability, sensitivity, compassion and commitment. So even if we think about sex a lot, it’s not the only thing we’re looking for in a relationship!
SOME OF THE OTHER QUESTIONS THE GIRLS WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT THE GUYS: WHY DO GUYS…? Laugh at stupid things like burping, farting and pulling each others trousers down? Walk around with their hands down their pants? Freak out when we cry? Not want to talk about their feelings? Think sex is so important? Not step up and admit they like us/ask us out?
WANT MORE? Check out the whole talk ‘Soul Sista: God knows what they’re thinking’ in our online shop for just £1.
Andy & Mike help lead Soul Survivor and also host our Soul Man Sessions!
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SOUL HELP! MAN: THEYOUR BIBLEQUESTIONS DOESN’T MAKE ANSWERED SENSE!
ALI MARTIN & RACHEL GARDNER ANSWER SOME OF THE GUYS TOP QUESTIONS ABOUT GIRLS AND THE STUFF THEY DO!… HOW DO YOU KNOW IF A GIRL LIKES YOU? The classic tell-tale signs are if she: spends lots of time looking at you, tries to hug you, touches your hand when she’s talking to you or plays with her hair... ...But then she might also do none of those things so there’s no exact science! Sometimes girls completely ignore boys they like so it can get a bit stressful trying to guess. The best thing to do if you like a girl is to tell her you think she’s amazing, and to say you’d like to get to know her better. Be direct and you’ll soon find out!
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HELP! MAN: SOUL THE BIBLE YOURDOESN’T QUESTIONS MAKE ANSWERED SENSE!
GIRLS NEVER BELIEVE US WHEN WE SAY THEY LOOK NICE! We girls know we need to just say ‘thank you’ when we’re given a compliment but sometimes we can find it hard so rather than accepting what you say at face value, we argue you’re wrong. We know this must be a bit confusing for you guys! Sometimes we might dismiss your compliments because we think you’re trying to get something in return. But often it’s because in our hearts we’re wondering ‘Am I good enough? Am I attractive enough? Will I be chosen, desired and wanted?’ Those thoughts can
be like an undercurrent, they are there all the time and colour how we react to things. Weirdly though you’re trying to say something nice, because it taps into our deepest fear, we can’t believe you in case it’s not true. It’s really important for you guys to know you’re not supposed to be the one who answers those questions in a girl’s heart. It’s great to give us girls compliments (even if we respond badly!) but ultimately if we are trying to fill a deep longing to know we are OK, then God is the only one who can do that for us.
MORE QUESTIONS... SOME OF THE OTHER QUESTIONS THE GUYS WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT THE GIRLS: WHY DO GIRLS…? Go to the loo in pairs/ groups? Hug each other all the time? Take things so personally? Say one thing when they mean the opposite, and then get cross when we don’t understand their signals? Want to talk about everything? Believe they are inadequate?
WANT MORE? Buy the whole talk ‘Soul Man: Can’t live with them, can’t live without them’ in our online shop for just £1.
Ali works for Soul Survivor and heads up Soul Sista stuff, whilst Rachel runs Romance Academy!
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THE MUM OF SOUL SURVIVOR, ALI MARTIN, TAKES A LOOK AT HOW THE LOWEST OF THE LOW GOT ONE OF THE BEST JOBS EVER!
HELP! THE BIBLE A JOBDOESN’T FOR THEMAKE SHEPHERDS SENSE!
PICTURE THE SCENE. YOU’RE NOT CONSIDERED THE SHARPEST KNIFE IN THE DRAWER AND YOU CAN’T GET A GOOD JOB. INSTEAD YOU’VE BEEN GIVEN NIGHT-DUTY LOOKING AFTER THE SHEEP. IT’S PRETTY DULL AND NOT THE TYPE OF ROLE THAT MAKES FOR IMPRESSIVE CHAT-UP LINES BECAUSE EVERYONE CONSIDERS IT A PRETTY RUBBISH WAY TO MAKE A LIVING. One night, things are ticking along as normal when an angel appears and the glory of the Lord shines around you. You’re scared witless; but it’s OK. This isn’t the moment you get struck down for your bad jokes. The angel has some good news and says: “Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Luke 2 v11-12 Well that would certainly perk up an otherwise dull night! Imagine how it must have felt for those shepherds. They knew society didn’t think much of them yet God had sent them a pretty convincing sign to say he thought otherwise. God was shouting loud and clear: “I choose you. I want you to play a part in the greatest story that will
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HELP! A JOB THE FORBIBLE THE SHEPHERDS DOESN’T MAKE SENSE!
ever be told”. There cannot be a greater compliment, or a bigger boost to someone’s self esteem than God saying, “I chose you to bring about my purposes, to share my secrets”. I think the shepherds react brilliantly: “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about” Luke 2v15 It’s kind of sweet isn’t it? It’s almost quite a childlike response – ‘let’s go and check it out’ and off they all went on their donkeys or scooters and buzzed their way out of there. I’m the kind of person who likes a bit of ‘and he said, and she said, and no he never!’ But unfortunately the Bible doesn’t let us listen in on the details of what happened when the shepherds met Jesus; it only tells us their response: “When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.” Luke 2v17-18 We don’t read about them wasting time wondering whether the Magi should be the ones to tell others about Jesus (even though they bought the expensive and prophetic gifts). They just get on with telling people what they’ve seen. God gave the shepherds the
privilege of spreading the first bit of good news. He gave this awesome job, this joyful task to the shepherds, who society called the lowest of the low. He gave them something to say, something that was worth listening to. It’s a fantastic reminder to us that he will use the greatest and the least of us to bring about his purposes, and wants all people to know the pleasure of being part of his plans. So let’s take some time to gaze at the wonder of Jesus like the shepherds did that first Christmas. Then let’s tell people what we have seen and heard and prepare for people to be amazed that God could break into our lives and give us something worth saying.
Ali is on the leadership team of Soul Survivor, is a pastor at Soul Survivor Watford Church and heads up all things Soul Sista.
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HELP! THE BIBLE DOESN’T MAKE SENSE!
ANDY CROFT IS HERE TO HELPS US TACKLE THOSE TRICKY PASSAGES THAT HAVE COME UP AS WE’VE BEEN READING THROUGH THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR! THIS SUMMER WE SET OURSELVES THE CHALLENGE OF READING THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR AND AMAZINGLY 12,500 OF YOU GOT ON BOARD! WE’RE LOVING DOING THIS AS A SOUL SURVIVOR FAMILY AND READING YOUR COMMENTS EVERYDAY ON THE BLOG. BUT, THOUGH MUCH OF IT HAS BEEN WONDERFUL, WE’VE ALSO ALREADY ENCOUNTERED LOTS OF TRICKY PASSAGES. Some passages seem wrong and unjust – like God killing people for apparently no reason (like Genesis 19:26 when Lot’s wife is turned into a pillar of salt). Or they seem irrelevant (like Leviticus 14:35 that talks about having mildew in your house!) So what do we do? Ignore them and hope they go away? Maybe not, Instead, here are three helpful principles to apply to any difficult passage you read:
HISTORICAL CONTEXT: Whenever we read any bit of Scripture we should follow the rule ‘What did it mean? What does it mean?’ Unless we get what the passage means at the time it was written we won’t understand what it means today. This meaning isn’t always obvious. For example, when God gives the law ‘an eye for an eye a tooth for a tooth’, this seems harsh. But what usually happened
in this ancient culture was that vengeance increased the violence i.e. ‘You’ve chopped of my hand, I’m going to chop off your head!’ ‘You killed my brother; I’ll kill your whole family!’ God was allowing justice but limiting violence in a radical way. What a passage might first appear to mean isn’t always what it does mean, often a good commentary on the Bible can help with difficult questions.
HELP! THE BIBLE DOESN’T MAKE SENSE!
THE HEART OF GOD: We read about God killing people or setting harsh punishments, for example, picking up sticks on the Sabbath, and it’s confusing. Isn’t God loving? What’s helpful here is to discern God’s heart. Opening the Bible isn’t the same as flicking on the telly, it’s a bit more like fine-tuning a pair of binoculars. We need to take the time to let our vision adjust and not expect it to be instantly clear. Some of the harsh punishments in Leviticus for example aren’t coming from a God who enjoys punishing, but from one who fiercely loves community and wants his people to care deeply for each other.
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The Old Testament shows us a God who cares intimately about his people – enough to lay out intricate rules and guidlines. Some of the instances where God kills come from the fact that he is good and holy - he hates evil and he acts against it. When we think about this would we really want to worship a God who didn’t hate evil? Could you love a God who didn’t detest rape and murder?
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HELP! THE BIBLE DOESN’T MAKE SENSE!
THE BIGGER PICTURE: We must be careful not to get hung up on individual passages and separate them from the bigger story of God. We can only ever understand the small bits when we see them as part of the big picture. God is the same God in both the Old and New Testaments. God doesn’t just punish people when they do wrong things, but he creates a system (through sacrifices and rules) that keep people safe and provides a way for sins to be forgiven. Surely this is the character of a merciful, compassionate God? And we know the ultimate revelation and point when everything comes together and makes sense is in the person of Jesus. As we journey through the Old Testament towards the
New Testament, the fullness of who God is, is being brought into focus and it’s in Jesus that we see God most clearly. God does bring about death in the Bible, but the whole story of the Bible is focused more than anything on the fact that God chooses to bring about his own death. Just as we watch 3D films wearing special glasses, so we must read the whole Bible through the lens of Jesus. Reading the Bible in one year won’t mean we understand every single verse and story - scholars still argue over passages after thousands of years of interpretation! The point of it all is to see what God did in the past and recognize what he’s doing now; to know and encounter God more.
Andy is on the leadership team of Soul Survivor and heads up our Called to Lead course for young leaders.
Did you start with good intentions, miss a few days and give up?! DON’T WORRY! WHY NOT TRY GETTING INTO IT AGAIN? You don’t need to catch up on all the days you missed, why not start Joshua with us on December 21st or pick it up again in the New Year when we read Judges from 2nd January? Don’t forget to check out the online blogs at www.soulsurvivor. com/thebibleinoneyear to join in discussions and leave your comments and questions!
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THINGS WE LOVE ABOUT CHRISTMAS
SUMMER IS OVER AND OUR HAPPY MEMORIES OF SUMMER FESTIVALS AND CAMPING IN THE RAIN ARE FADING AWAY.. BUT THERE’S A WHOLE BUNCH OF REASONS TO WELCOME AUTUMN AND WINTER WITH OPEN ARMS! HERE ARE SOME OF OUR FAVOURITES:
Woollen mittens Duvet days Comfort food
Advent calendars X Factor on THE telly! Snow days
Getting excited about Christmas Wood FIres Christmas parties
no school/ college! Staying in Woolly socks Apple pie
THE Football season Falling asleep after Christmas dinner Jesus’ birthday!
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CHRISTMAS HELP! THE BIBLE SHOPPING DOESN’T BLUES MAKE & QUEUES SENSE!
CHRISTMAS SHOPPING CAN BE A RIGHT OLD HEADACHE. BUT YOU DON’T HAVE TO SPEND A TON OF MONEY TO GET IT RIGHT. THINK ABOUT THE BEST PRESENT YOU EVER HAD, DID IT MEAN A LOT BECAUSE OF HOW MUCH IT COST? OR BECAUSE SOMEONE KNEW AND CARED ENOUGH ABOUT YOU TO GET YOU SOMETHING REALLY SPECIAL…? HAVE A THINK ABOUT THE IMPORTANT PEOPLE IN YOUR LIFE, WHAT MAKES THEM UNIQUE? WHAT DO THEY LOVE TO DO? IS THERE ANYTHING THEY TALK ABOUT A LOT? TRY TO PICK UP ON HINTS AND TIPS IN CONVERSATION TO MAKE YOUR CHRISTMAS SHOPPING A LOT EASIER! PLUS HERE’S SOME EXTRA TIPS:
OUTDOORSY FOLK: Pop in to a specialist camping/ outdoors type shop and ask them about popular gifts in your price range for walkers/ hikers/birdwatchers etc!
MUSIC LOVERS:
BOOKWORMS:
Make them a personalised mix CD – either with meaningful songs or new artists you think they might like (try www.last. fm, Spotify or asking in a record shop to get some ideas!) An arty notepad might help that budding song-writer get their lyrics down on paper too!
Check out their book collection and ask at a bookshop what they would recommend for someone who has lots of books by those authors.
SPORT LOVER: Check on ebay for retro sports team t-shirts and memorabilia or sports kit that are in good condition – you might find a real bargain!
CREATIVE TYPES: Get them supplies for their favourite craft (e.g. lovely wool for knitters and smart paintbrushes for painters)
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THINGS SOME SOUL WE LOVE SURVIVOR ABOUT GOODIES CHRISTMAS
AS EVER, THE SOUL SURVIVOR SHOP IS CHOCKA BLOCK WITH GOODIES. TAKE A GANDER AT SOME OF THESE!
SOUL SURVIVOR HOODIES Not only fearfully and wonderfully made from ethical and fairly-traded sources, these are a snip as prices start at £22! Sizes, colours and designs are limited so check the shop to see what we have and get yours quick before they all go!
LIGHT THE SKY
THE 2010 LIVE ALBUM! All the latest tracks from Soul Survivor and Momentum 2010 on a double CD. Whammy. All together now :“My praise overflows, from my heart, from the depths of my soul…..” £11.99
SOUL SURVIVOR VOUCHERS!
MAIN MEETING TALKS BOX SET
New for 2010! You can now buy vouchers for the Soul Survivor shop – woo hoo! Why not surprise a friend with a discount voucher so they can download seminars, pick out a CD or get a songbook of their choice?! Purchase your voucher at the shop website (details below).
Maybe you went to all the main meetings this summer and want to relive the happy memories, or you want to catch up on what you missed, either way you can pick up a video version of ALL the main stage talks from Soul Survivor or Momentum!
You can also buy vouchers for summer event tickets – just call our office on 0303 333 1333, we’ll take your payment and send you out a smart gift voucher to give to your pal/brother/gran.
The DVD box set includes the full set of morning and evening talks from the event of your choice – a whopping nine talks in total, for just £30... Now that’s not too bad at all!
ALL PRICES INCLUDE SECOND CLASS P&P IN THE UK! ORDER ONLINE AT AND GET IN BEFORE THE 17TH DECEMBER TO MAKE SURE WE SHIP TO YOU IN TIME FOR CHRISTMAS! shop.soulsurvivor.com
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HELP! WIZARDS, THE BIBLE WEREWOLVES DOESN’T AND MAKE WISDOM SENSE!
LIZA HOEKSMA LOOKS AT SOME OF THE FUSS AROUND THE HARRY POTTER AND TWILIGHT SERIES THIS CHRISTMAS, WHILE WE’RE THINKING AGAIN ABOUT THE AMAZING FACT THAT JESUS WAS BORN, IT’S PRETTY HARD TO MISS THAT THE REST OF THE WORLD IS BUSY OBSESSING WITH WIZARDS AND VAMPIRES WITH THE SIXTH HARRY POTTER FILM ON AT THE CINEMA, AND THE THIRD TWILIGHT FILM OUT ON DVD. AS CHRISTIANS THIS GIVES US A FEW THINGS TO THINK ABOUT. IS IT OK TO BUY THE BOOKS, WATCH THE FILMS AND OBSESS ABOUT THE CHARACTERS?! OR SHOULD WE RUN AWAY AS FAST AS WE CAN, BIBLE IN HAND, PRAYING IN TONGUES?! The Bible doesn’t actually answer that specific question for us. There are arguments for and against watching movies like this and I don’t think there’s a ‘one size fits all’ response. We’re left to use our God-given wisdom to work it out in relationship with our loving Father. The apostle Paul does address a similar issue from the time that we read about in 1 Corinthians 8. There was a practice in those days for meat to be sacrificed to idols
but then be sold in the market place and the Christians didn’t know if it was offensive to God for them to eat such meat. Paul says that he doesn’t think it’s wrong because the idols are nothing and all things come from God. But he also says it might trouble some people’s consciences in which case they should stay away from it and so should we in their presence. He’s saying we have to each understand our own hearts and work out the best thing between us and God. So if you can watch Harry Potter
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HELP! WIZARDS, THE BIBLE WEREWOLVES DOESN’T AND MAKE WISDOM SENSE!
and enjoy the great themes in there like friendship, love, sacrifice and bravery whilst seeing the magic elements as pure fantasy – great! If you find the stories raise an unhealthy interest in matters of the occult, it would be better to walk away. Of course it’s not just wizards, witches, vampires and werewolves we need to be thinking about. Every time we watch a film or TV programme, or pick up a book or magazine we’re given someone’s interpretation of how the world is or should be. The average TV programme for example is packed with storylines around people stealing, cheating, lying, having affairs, and jumping into bed with each other without a second thought. Not exactly Godly material eh?! Even something like Twilight that doesn’t promote sex before marriage, can give us unrealistic expectations of relationships with the opposite sex and might not be that helpful for some of us.
This could sound like I’m being anti-TV. The fact that my V+ box is one of the best things God’s ever given me, would tell you otherwise! I think there’s a lot of fantastic entertainment that we can and should enjoy – we just need to do it wisely. So think about:
PRAYING
BEING ACTIVE
God wants us to talk to him about everything including our entertainment choices!
Don’t just watch things passively, think about what’s good and bad in them and what impact they have on you
BEING AWARE Be aware of your own areas of weakness. This will be different for all of us so what your friend might be able to watch might be hard for you and vice versa
CHATTING Talk to your parents, and other wise and trusted people to get their views on what you’re watching too
Liza Hoeksma is part of the Soul Survivor communications team. You can read a longer version of this article on our free online magazine during December. Check it out at soulsurvivor.com/uk/imag Photos © Warner Films and Summit Entertainment
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HELP! THE BIBLE BEAT DOESN’T THE WINTER MAKE SENSE! BLUES
COLD DAYS AND DARK NIGHTS; WINTER IS DEFINITELY HERE! LOTS OF US GET THE ‘WINTER BLUES’ AND DOCTORS HAVE EVEN GIVEN IT AN APPROPRIATE NAME - SAD (SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDER). SO WHILE IT’S TEMPTING TO HIDE UNDER A DUVET WITH JUST A DVD BOX SET FOR COMPANY, HERE ARE SOME BRILLIANT TIPS FROM WILL VAN DER HART ON HOW TO BEAT THE WINTER BLUES!
BUY THE RIGHT KIT
WORKOUT
Get suited and booted with a warm coat, hat, gloves, boots and fleece.
Get an indoor workout by putting on some music you love and getting moving!
WATCH WHAT YOU EAT
GET OUT AND ACTIVE!
GET SOME LIGHT!
Cold and dark nights can make us look for chocolate and stodgy food, but eating healthily now makes sense as we are less active than in summer!
Try and go for an energetic walk every day. If you can get out in the light all the better, face the setting sun and get as much light as possible.
If you leave for school or college in the dark, make the most of your break and get outside for some daylight whenever you can.
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HELP! THE BEAT THE WINTER BIBLE DOESN’T BLUES MAKE SENSE!
HANG OUT WITH FRIENDS
GET CREATIVE INDOORS!
People often become isolated in the winter which leads to feeling low. Use your free mobile minutes and texts up every month by calling your friends, even if you don’t think you have much to say. If that box-set is still tempting you, invite friends over to watch it with you so you’re not alone!
This could be a craft, giant puzzle, restoration project, poetry writing…you know the type of thing. Creativity gives us a sense of wellbeing and optimism, plus it uses our God given talents. Try this as an alternative to TV at least one night per week.
DON’T GET TOO COSY Ask your family to turn the heating down by a couple of degrees. The warmer and cosier we are the more lethargic and reluctant we become to stay active! (Plus you’ll be helping the environment too!)
STILL BLUE? GET TO CHURCH
THANK GOD FOR WINTER!
Every vicar sees slushy rain and removes the last five rows of chairs! Let’s save him the effort and get there to worship Jesus whatever the weather.
Go on a walk where you can admire God’s creation and give him thanks. Thankfulness is a great antidote to the winter blues!
Will Van Der Hart is the Vicar of St Peter’s church in Harrow, London.
If you’re concerned about how you’re feeling, make sure you talk to your parents and youth leaders about it. There are also two talks (on stress and worry) you might want to listen to on our site: soulsurvivor.com/uk/ radio. Check out Will’s website for more help: www.mindandsoul.info
THERE’S LOADS COMING UP THAT WE’D LOVE TO SEE YOUR SMILING FACE AT! NEW YEARS EVE
NATURALLY SUPERNATURAL
At the Soul Survivor Watford warehouse on 31st December from 10pm-6am. Cost: Free
A chance to learn more about praying in the gifts of the Holy Spirit on 24th – 26th February at the Soul Survivor Watford Warehouse. Cost: £45 per adult, £32 for under 18s
NIGHT OF PRAYER
MOMENTUM WEEKEND
SATURDAY CELEBRATIONS
A few days at Longleat Center Parcs for the 20s and 30s on 7th- 9th January. Cost: £125 per person
Monthly nights of worship at the Soul Survivor Watford warehouse from 7pm- 9.30pm. Cost: Free
SOULNET RETREAT A weekend away at Sherwood Forest Center Parcs for youth leaders between 4th – 6th February. Cost: £125 per person
Upcoming Celebrations are: Saturday 29th January Saturday 26th March Saturday 30th April
FIND OUT MORE AND BOOK FOR THESE EVENTS AT WWW.SOULSURVIVOR.COM/UK, OR GIVE US A CALL ON 0303 333 1333 /DROP US AN EMAIL INFO@SOULSURVIVOR.COM
SOUL SURVIVOR 2011!
Momentum
WEEK A: Stafford 29th July – 2nd Aug WEEK B: Somerset 9th – 13th Aug WEEK C: Somerset 14th – 18th Aug Costs Full price of £99/£104, but get in before 28th Jan for just £81 per person!
FOR 20S AND 30S Somerset 19th – 23rd Aug Costs Full price of £99/£104, but get in before 28th Jan for just £81 per person!
www.soulsurvivor.com/uk/ss2011
www.soulsurvivor.com/momentum