War Cry

War Cry is a fortnightly 24-page Christian magazine for Salvation Army readers and all those exploring faith issues.

Someone to Listen

29 Apr 2013

Someone to Listen

This week I read a book of Salvation Army prayer poems entitled Just a Moment, Lord. For this editorial, rather than wax lyrical about something on my heart, I’d like to remind readers that in those moments when we long for someone to listen—really listen!—to us, God is just a prayer away. Here are some perhaps timely words from Flora Larsson’s poem ‘Someone to Listen’:

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Here to help

24 Apr 2013

Here to help

This edition of War Cry tells of the service of Salvation Army officers Majors Joan and Gilbert Beale following the sinking of the ferry Wahine, 45 years ago this month. After leaving Lyttleton the evening of 9 Aprl 1968, the Wahine sailed into a terrible storm as tropical cyclone Giselle swept south to collide with a southerly front. When the order came to abandon ship, many survivors were blown to the rocky coastline of Eastbourne Beach.

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Heading upstream

06 Apr 2013

Heading upstream

An observation of Western life is it’s more individualistic compared to the collective nature of the East. Sometimes, this is simplistically conveyed as meaning those in the West are more self-centred. Individualistic societies are also criticised as working against the richness of community, with individual rights taking precedence over the needs of the wider group.

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Why so serious?

27 Mar 2013

Why so serious?

There is nothing I like more than a good laugh—especially in church. The church family that laughs together, stays together.

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A long obedience

11 Mar 2013

A long obedience

One of the books reviewed in this edition is about holiness. Author Ian Southwell says holiness is about our ‘long-term relationships with God and others’. He cites atheist philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche who believed anything that made life worth living involved a ‘long obedience in the same direction’.

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Take your faith to work

22 Feb 2013

Take your faith to work

On a wall near the Otara market is a stencil of Constable Sanalio (Lio) Kaihau comforting a distressed woman. She saw demons urging her to commit suicide, but Lio saw a way to help. As part of a NZ Police recruitment campaign, he shows the difference Christians make in many workplaces.

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Still too many inequalities

08 Feb 2013

Still too many inequalities

New Zealand has made strides in its bicultural journey. But it is still an indictment on our nation that so many inequalities remain between Maori and Pakeha. We have not yet ‘arrived’ at some bicultural nirvana. There is still a road to travel.

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Let Jesus take the lead

24 Jan 2013

Let Jesus take the lead

It can’t be an easy life being a top sportsperson. It requires discipline—often from childhood—financial sacrifices, lots of early mornings and practices when others are simply relaxing. A few get the rewards of fame and success, although this is sometimes short-lived. And there’s the ever-present threat of injury putting paid to a promising career.

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Up close and personal

11 Jan 2013

Up close and personal

At the close of 2012, I went to a Recovery Church meeting my husband was leading. Recovery Church is a Salvation Army faith community for those on the journey of recovery from addictions. We watched a clip of the Joan Osbourne song that asks ‘What if God was one of us? Just a slob like one of us?’

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No greater story than Jesus

19 Dec 2012

No greater story than Jesus

This Christmas edition of War Cry brings together a classic tale of English literature, The Hobbit, with a new Kiwi story, Alveridgea and the Legend of Lonely Dog. There is no greater story, however, than that of Jesus Christ, son of God. This Christmas, we commemorate his arrival into our world.

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