Testify Newspaper

testify
November 2016 testify
1
Our Mandate
Philippians 4:8
Whatsoever things are
true, noble, just, pure,
lovely, of good report,
if there is any virtue
and if there is anything
praiseworthy...
publish such things.
November 2016 Our Mission: Information and Education www.testifynewspaper.com
Michael
Bublé asks
for prayer
and privacy
Pope Francis invites 1,000
convicted criminals to a
church service Page 6
Hate crime victim forced
to flee his home after
converting to Christianity
Turn to
Page 10
His son has been diagnosed
with cancer Full story on Page 8
When Christians
By Charlotte Donlon
Page 4 & 5
ignore mental illness...

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testify November 2016
Dr Cecil
Stewart
Cecil Stewart has conducted
life-giving seminars where
thousands have been empowered
and inspired to
reach their full potential. The
major missions have given
hope and new life to multitudes
who have gathered to
hear God’s message of salvation,
hope and healing in
stadiums, conference centres
and fields across Africa,
Romania and Italy.
These events have been
available to millions more on
TV, and real transformation
has taken place in the lives
of those that responded. The
news media has often asked
Cecil ‘how can you be involved
in major business and
ministry at the same time?’
His answer has empowered
many to live out the love of
God in the marketplace and
everyday life through the
power of the Holy Spirit.
His unique story about how
he and his wife Evelyn pioneered
and developed the
largest privately owned nursing home
group in the United Kingdom has captured
the imagination of many. Later,
the North West Independent Hospital
became part of the group and continues
to provide an excellent service
today. His burning passion is to enable
others to be creative and exceed
their abilities through
the grace of God and
reach their full potential.
In 1989, video technology
had advanced
to the stage where
Cecil felt it was time
to launch a Christian
TV studio, and CCN
(Christian Communications
Network)
was formed. Later,
TV outlets opened up and CCN began
broadcasting programmes in various
countries around the world. Cecil can
be seen daily on Italian TV and on
Revelation TV andevery Sunday at
10pm.
Cecil was honoured by Queen Elizabeth
with an OBE in recognition of
providing professional nursing care for
thousands of vulnerable people and
creating employment for almost 2,000
people during the troubles in Northern
Ireland.
The president of a major university recently
said, ‘this unique blend of business
and ministry is rare, but very effective.’
Both Cecil and Evelyn have
faced life threatening health challenges,
but, by the grace of God have
been raised up and continue to walk in
faith and victory today.
Their current focus is very much on
empowering youth and families and
enabling them to live a God honouring
life in the midst of a culture of compromise.
This vision inspires believers
to remove barriers and build bridges
across cultures, so that people of all
nationalities and age groups can maximise
their influence for the Kingdom
of God in a world so desperately in
need of hope.
Dr Cecil Stewart OBE
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November 2016 testify
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testify November 2016
When Christians ignore mental illness...
By Charlotte Donlon
1 in 4
people
in Britain will experience at
least one diagnosable mental
health problem.
Churches don’t need to carry the full weight
of caring for their mentally ill members. They
can encourage friends and family members
of those struggling with mental illness to care
for and support their loved ones. They can
identify those in their churches who have
suffered from and recovered from mental
illness and ask them to serve alongside ministers
as they provide care and support.
During one of my manic episodes, I was
convinced there was a conspiracy against
me. Everyone was manipulating my surroundings
to create a narrative I couldn’t figure
out. I wanted to know who was in charge.
I also wanted to know who was safe.
I texted my pastor at the time to see if he
could meet with me. I drove to the bar next
to our church on a hot June afternoon and
met him at one of the tables outside. I tried
to tell him my concerns, but he dismissed
me and said, “Let’s just pray.”
He bowed his head and started mumbling a
prayer that made no sense to me. The string
of words exited his mouth and floated off
like bubbles blown by a young child into the
warm, humid air around me.
While he was still saying his prayer, I got up,
walked to my car and drove away. I’m sure
he was not prepared to interact with me —
most people wouldn’t be prepared for that.
But I never heard back from him.
Even after my mania had subsided, he didn’t
send an email asking how I was feeling. He
didn’t call. None of our elders or other leaders
reached out to me either.
It’s a warm Sunday in May. The morning sun
shines through the stained-glass windows.
I’m squeezed into the crowded pew with my
husband and our two children.
I notice in the worship bulletin that the pastor
will be preaching on joy. I immediately
began judging a sermon I haven’t heard one
word of yet because I sometimes struggle
with depression.
The Scripture for this morning was John
16:16-24. The pastor read the verses aloud
and said a short prayer. As soon as he began
talking through his main points, I braced
myself for the disappointment I knew was
coming. I suspected he wouldn’t take this
opportunity to discuss things such as depression
and anxiety in the Christian life.
I was right.
Although much of what he said was good
and biblical, he didn’t mention mental illness.
Instead, he said if you aren’t experiencing
joy, you should examine your life and repent
of any sin that might be blocking it.
About 1,000 people heard his sermon.
Approximately 200 of those 1,000 could
experience some form of mental illness this
year. So 200 people may feel shame and
guilt because of this sermon.
I glanced at my 13-year-old daughter. She
seemed zoned out and disengaged. She
has suffered from depression and anxiety
for more than a year. I wondered how this
sermon has affected her. Was she as frustrated
as I am?
On our way home, I think about my friend
Allison (her name has been changed for
this article), who is recovering from a mental
health crisis that peaked in March. She
was diagnosed with bipolar II and is trying
to get her meds straight and
process how this will affect her
life. She is confused and trying
to heal. The sermon I just heard
wouldn’t offer her any hope.
OK! MAGAZINE
‘THE WEST END NEVER SOUNDED SO GOOD’
JAMIE THEAKSTON – HEART FM
THE SONGS. THE SOUND. THE STORY.
020 7379 5399 | MotownTheMusical.co.uk |
Motown is a trademark of UMG Recordings, Inc. registered in the U.S. and other countries, and is used under license.

November 2016 testify
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Continued from page 4
When Christians ignore mental illness...
Later that day, I count how many friends I’ve
sent Psalm 88 to in the past year. I come
up with five. Psalm 88 is the only psalm
that doesn’t include any verses of praise or
thanksgiving. There are 149 others that do,
and I pray through those psalms, too.
But Psalm 88 is sometimes the one I need.
It gives me the language I need to speak to
God when He seems far away. So I send it
to those who may also need that language.
I pray it for my friends who can’t imagine
how God can be anywhere near them.
According to the National Alliance on Mental
Illness, one in five adults — approximately
43.8 million Americans — experiences
mental illness in a given year. One in 25
— about 10 million — live with a serious
mental illness such as schizophrenia, major
depression or bipolar disorder. NAMI also
says approximately 21.4 percent of youth
ages 13 to 18 experience severe mental disorders
at some point during their life.
Some statistics to couple with that information
come from a 2014 study done by LifeWay
Research. Their findings show that
only 38 percent of pastors in the United
States strongly agree that they feel equipped
to identify a person dealing with acute
mental illness that may require a referral to
a medical professional.
I’ve never heard a church leadership discuss
the role the church should play in caring
for those with mental illness. During
times that I’ve been ill since I was first diagnosed
with bipolar disorder, a minister has
never reached out to me.
Two days ago, I printed out a copy of Psalm
88 for my daughter. I wrote a note at the top
of the page that said, “God gives us room to
doubt and struggle and be angry. I pray you
will turn to Him in your suffering.” I gave this
to her because her depression and anxiety
have intensified. We are seeking a higher
level of care for her because what we’ve
done over the past year hasn’t worked.
We have been visiting a new church, so we
aren’t deeply connected to a faith community
right now. I reached out to a few people
at that church about our daughter, and they
have shown support for our family.
I met with the youth minister. Another staff
member who is also a friend of ours invited
us over for dinner to discuss our current
struggles and encourage us. Another staff
member has called us to check in several
times.
Everyone expresses a desire to care for our
daughter. Everyone assures us of God’s
love for us. They are in this with us.
Allison is healthier now and willing and able
to speak into my current situation with my
daughter. She tells me to care for myself, to
take my meds, to sleep, to eat. She speaks
truth to me when I want to blame myself for
my daughter’s condition. She prays for me.
And she invites my daughter to spend some
time with her.
Since Allison’s mental health crisis started
several months ago, no one from her
church has offered to pray with her about
it or has asked questions about how her
illness is affecting her faith. The leadership
of her church has been mostly silent about
struggles with her new diagnosis.
Amy Simpson, author of “Troubled Minds:
Mental Illness and the Church’s Mission,”
said in an interview with Rachel Held
Evans that talking about mental illness “is
a great place to start and might accomplish
50 percent of what people need from the
church. For people isolated by stigma and
fear, it’s powerful to hear an acknowledgement
that this kind of suffering exists, that
it doesn’t mean God has abandoned them,
and that people in the church might be willing
to walk through it with them.”
Here are some ways pastors can address
mental illness in the church: They can mention
mental illness while preaching on joy.
They can have congregational meetings or
send church-wide emails to introduce the
topic. They can acknowledge that those
who suffer from mental illness may not be
able to experience joy at times, and it’s not
because they are in sin.
Pastors can also reach out to mentally ill
members. And when those members are
too depressed or anxious to respond, they
can keep reaching out.
Pastors can help address spiritual crises
that often accompany mental illness. They
can create environments in their churches
where people talk about mental illness with
as much ease as they talk about diabetes or
broken limbs.
What has happened in my relationship with
Allison can happen in churches that desire
to minister to those with mental illness. The
church can be a conduit of God’s goodness
to those who are sick and scared.
Current figures state
that each year in Britain
an estimated one in four
adults will experience at
least one diagnosable
mental health problem,
though only 230 of
every 300 who need
help will actually visit
their GP.
Charlotte Donlon lives in Birmingham, Ala.,
with her husband and their two children.
She’s earning her MFA in creative writing
from Seattle Pacific University. Find her at
charlottedonlon.com and @charlottedonlon.
According to
Mind.org.uk
below is a list of various
types of mental health
problems
Anger
Anxiety and
panic attacks
Bipolar
disorder
Body
dysmorphic
disorder
(BDD)
Depression
Dissociative
disorder
Drugs
Personality
disorders
Phobia
Postnatal
depression
Posttraumatic
stress
disorder
(PTSD)
Psychotic
experiences
Schizoaffective
disorder
Eating
problems
Hearing
voices
Hypomania
and mania
Loneliness
Mental health
problems
Obsessivecompulsive
disorder
(OCD)
Panic attacks
Paranoia
Schizophrenia
Seasonal
affective
disorder
(SAD)
Self-esteem
Self-harm
Sleep
problems
Stress
Suicidal
feelings
Tardive
dyskinesia

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testify November 2016
Pope Francis invites 1,000
convicted criminals to a
church service
Pope Francis invited 1,000 convicted criminals
to the Vatican to celebrate a special
church service, during which he announced
to the congregation, “we all make mistakes.”
After he welcomed 1,000 inmates into St
Peter’s basilica, Pope Francis also seized
the opportunity to appeal for better living
conditions for prisoners. Speaking at the
Sunday Angelus, the Pope urged prison
authorities to respect “the human dignity of
detainees” and stressed that the criminal
justice system must include rehabilitation
alongside punishment.
“I submit for the consideration of the competent
civilian authorities in all countries
the opportunity to make, in this Holy Year
of Mercy, an act of clemency towards those
prisoners who will be considered eligible to
benefit from this measure,” Pope Francis
said.
Earlier, during a special Mass for the jubilee
of mercy year in St Peter’s, the Pope urged
prisoners not to lose hope in God’s mercy,
saying all people ‘have made mistakes.’
“Sometimes, a certain hypocrisy leads to
people considering you only as wrongdoers,
for whom prison is the sole answer,” Pope
explained during his homily. “I want to tell
you, every time I visit a prison I ask myself:
‘Why them and not me?’ We can all make
mistakes: all of us. And in one way or another,
we have made mistakes.”
The Pope delivered his homily before a congregation
made up of around 1,000 prisoners
from 12 countries and their families, as
well as prison chaplains and volunteers.It is
one of the last major set-piece events of the
jubilee year that concludes on 20 November.
The Vatican said that most of the 1,000 prisoners
who took part in the mass were from
Italian prisons, and many of these were foreign
born inmates. There were also delegations
from about 10 other countries, a Vatican
spokesman confirmed.
Among the 3,000 chaplains, guards, exprisoners
and family members who came to
the Vatican for the day dedicated to prisoners
were two prisoners normally confined
to solitary confinement after conviction of
crimes associated with membership in the
Mafia.
Pope Francis receives a cross made by an inmate during his visit to a penitentiary
in the northern city of Ciudad Juarez on the last day of his fiveday
visit to Mexico earlier this year.
Pope Francis has shown concern for those
living behind bars by making visits to prisons,
calling for penal reform (including the
abolishment of the death penalty) and telephoning
inmates he used to visit in Buenos
Aires.
Before he arrived in the basilica,several
convicted criminals gave personal testimonies
the morning of the church service. A
woman whose son had been murdered also
gave her testimony. She described how she
had tried to liberate herself from hatred by
becoming friends with prisoners, including
the man who killed her son.
“I learned that we are two sides of the same
medal — pain,” said the woman, introduced
only by her first name, Elisabetta. Her son’s
murderer stood by her side, recalling how,
when he was given 12 hours of freedom,
it was Elisabetta who came to spend the
hours with him by taking him to her son’s
grave, where he placed flowers.
During his homily, the Pope emphasised the
need for rehabilitation, saying that no-one is
beyond the mercy of God. “Hypocrisy leads
us to overlook the possibility that people can
change their lives; we put little trust in rehabilitation,
rehabilitation into society. But in
this way, we forget that we are all sinners,
and often, without being aware of it, we too
are prisoners.”

November 2016 testify
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Michael Bublé asks for
prayer and privacy
His son has been diagnosed with cancer
Singer Michael Bublé has asked for “prayer
and privacy” after announcing his son has
been diagnosed with cancer.
The music star broke the news on his Facebook
page but did not give any details about
the type of cancer.
Bublé asked for prayers and said he and his
wife Lopilato were giving up work commitments
to concentrate on “helping Noah get
well.”
His statement said, “we are devastated
about the recent cancer diagnosis of our
oldest son Noah, who is currently undergoing
treatment in the US.
“We have always been very vocal about the
importance of family and the love we have
for our children. Luisana and I have put our
careers on hold in order to devote all our
time and attention to helping Noah get well.
At this difficult time, we ask only for your
prayers and respect for our privacy.
“We have a long journey in front of us and
hope that with the support of family, friends
and fans around the world, we will win this
battle, God willing.”
Bublé was raised as a Catholic, but now
describes himself as agnostic.
All smiles: Michael Bublé and his
son, Noah
After an unexpected trip to the doctor took a
shocking turn for the worse, Bublé’s threeyear-old
son, Noah, was diagnosed with the
deadly disease.
The little boy had travelled to the US with
his dad and mum Luisana Lopilato, a model
and actress, after they raised concerns
about his health.
According to an Oprah interview on 9 October
2009, Bublé dreamed of becoming a
famous singer since he was two years old.
When he was a teenager, he slept with his
Bible and prayed to become a singer.
Bublé is now a singer, songwriter, actor,
and record producer. He has won several
awards, including four Grammy Awards.
As of 2013, Bublé has sold over 55 million
albums worldwide.
His wife, an Argentinian actress, is a practicing
Christian. The couple has been
married for five
years.
Michael Buble with sons Noah, Elias and wife Luisana Lopilato
Noah just after his birth in a picture shared by the couple

November 2016 testify
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Hate crime victim forced to flee his home after
converting to Christianity
Nissar Hussain, his wife, and their six children
have been forced to flee their home
in Bradford, West Yorkshire under police
guard after years of persecution for converting
to Christianity.
Mr Hussain was hospitalised after he was
physically attacked by two men who, armed
with a pick-axe, left him severely injured
with a smashed kneecap because he had
converted from Islam to Christianity.
Although he converted from Islam 20 years
ago, Nissar Hussain is still subject to physical
and verbal attack. Last week, he and
his family were forced to leave their home
in Bradford under police escort to a safe
house.
“My family are distraught and extremely
traumatised to be leaving. But when your
life is at stake, there is no other choice.” Mr
Hussain added that the harassment and
violence escalated after he appeared on a
Channel 4 documentary voiced concerns
about the mistreatment of Muslim converts.
By Jane Amaka
Nissar Hussain and family
He points the finger at sections of the Islamic
community: ‘this extreme persecution
by certain people in the Muslim community
because we are converts has broken us as
a family.’
Mr Hussain, who was a nurse before leaving
work due to post-traumatic stress disorder,
says his children, aged eight to 24, and
wife will never see their friends again.
A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said
hate crime would not be tolerated and officers
have been working with the family.
Nissar Hussain in hospital after armed men with a pick-axe,
left him with a smashed kneecap.
Above and below: CCTV footage of the attack.
Nissar was attacked outside his home.
“Our priority has always
been to work effectively
with our partners to minimise
the risk to Mr Hussain
and ensure that we
maximise opportunities
to put control measures
in place to safeguard
him, his family, and consider
any wider impact
upon the communities
across West Yorkshire.”
Nissar Hussain, since
his conversion to Christianity,
has faced real
persecution here in
Britain. He currently
receives support from
Christian Concern, an
organisation that offers
support to Christians
persecuted because of
their faith. Prior to the
attack, Christian Concern
provided Nissar
with a CCTV camera to
help protect his property.

THE NEWNORMAL
November 2016 testify 11
CHRISTIAN CONCERN PRESENTS
TWO CONFERENCES TACKLING TODAY’S PROBLEMS OF
SEXUALITY AND GENDER IN CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE
EMMANUEL CENTRE, 9-23 MARSHAM STREET, WESTMINSTER, LONDON SW1P 3DW.
FRIDAY
11
NOVEMBER
10AM - 5PM
£50 (£40 EARLY BIRD/CONCESSIONS)
FOR ALLL THOSE INTERESTED IN THE ORIGIN OF
TODAY’S ‘NEW NORMAL’, IN PARTICULAR HOW THE
ROLE AND STATUS OF CHILDREN HAS CHANGED.
FEATURING : PROF. BOBBY LOPEZ & DR LISA NOLLAND
7.30PM PERFORMANCE OF ‘SUNLIGHT’
DAY TICKET INCLUDES LUNCH AND ADMISSION TO EVENING PERFORMANCE OF THE PLAY ‘SUNLIGHT’
CHRISTIANCONCERN.COM/THENEWNORMALACADEMIC
‘SUNLIGHT’ THE PLAY...
CHRONICLES THE LIVES OF A CHRISTIAN ARTIST AND A CHRISTIAN SCHOLAR STRUGGLING TO STAY TRUE TO
PHILIPPIANS 4:8 WHILE STILL SEEKING TO BE BOLD, TRUTHFUL, AND BIBLICAL IN HOW THEY LIVE THEIR LIVES
AMIDST STRUGGLES WITH THE LGBT LOBBY.
SATURDAY
12
NOVEMBER
10AM - 5PM
EQUIPPING TEACHERS AND CONCERNED ADULTS
TO ENGAGE AND CHALLENGE SEXUALITY AND
GENDER CONFUSION AT HOME, IN SCHOOLS AND
IN SOCIETY.
FEATURING : PROF. BOBBY LOPEZ & DR LISA NOLLAND
DAY TICKET INCLUDES LUNCH AND ADMISSION TO FRIDAY’S PERFORMANCE OF THE PLAY ‘SUNLIGHT’
£40 (£30 EARLY BIRD/CONCESSIONS)
CHRISTIANCONCERN.COM/THENEWNORMAL

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testify November 2016

November 2016 testify 13
NOTHING by Crystal IS IMPOSSIBLE
Callow
by Crystal Callow

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November 2016 testify 15

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testify November 2016
This month in Christian history
November
2348 BC - According to Anglican Archbishop
James Ussher’s Old Testament chronology,
Noah’s flood began on this date.
3 BC - According to early church father
Clement of Alexandria (c.155-c.220), Jesus
was born on this date.
0753 - Death of St. Pirminius, first abbot of
the Benedictine monastery at Reichenau
(located in modern Germany). His name
endures today as author of a book entitled
“Scarapsus,” which is the earliest known
writing to contain the Apostles’ Creed as it is
worded in its present form.
1164 - Archbishop of Canterbury Thomas
Becket, 45, began a six-year self-imposed
exile in France. Once a close
friend of England’s Henry II;
Thomas had more recently
become an outspoken opponent
of the king’s royal policies.
1512 - Italian Renaissance
artist Michelangelo, 37, unveiled
his 5,808-square-foot
masterpiece, the ceiling of
the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican.
He had been commissioned
in 1508 by Pope Julius
II to do a work depicting
the whole story of the Bible.
1537 - German reformer Martin
Luther stated during one
of his “Table Talks”: ‘There
are many fluent preachers
who speak at length but say
nothing, who have words
without substance.’
1600 - Staunch Anglican theologian
Richard Hooker died
at 46. His last words were:
‘God hath my daily petitions,
for I am at peace with all men,
and He is at peace with me...
and this witness makes the
thoughts of death joyful.’
1631 - English clergyman
John Eliot, 27, first arrived
in America, at Boston. Afterwards,
he became the first
Protestant minister to devote
himself to the evangelisation
of the American Indian.
1646 - The Massachusetts
Bay Colony passed a law
making it a capital offence to
deny that the Bible was the Word of God.
Any person convicted of the offence was liable
to the death penalty.
1654 - French scientist and mathematician
Blaise Pascal experiences a mystical vision
and converts to Christianity. The creator of
the first wristwatch, the first bus route, the
first workable calculating machine, and other
inventions then turned his life to theology.
(see issue 76- Christian Face of the Scientific
Revolution).
1740 - Birth of Anglican clergyman Augustus
M. Toplady. A highly respected evangelical
leader, Toplady authored the hymn “Rock of
Ages” two years before his premature death
at 38 in 1778.
1784 - English clergyman Thomas Coke, 37,
first arrived in America, at New York City. He
was the first Methodist bishop to come to the
New World.
1789 - During the chaos of the French Revolution,
the property of the Church in France
was taken over by the state.
1794 - The London Missionary Society was
founded on this day by people like William
Wilberforce and John Newton, who started
with abolishing the slave trade and fighting
for the rights of oppressed people, then
launched out to send missionaries. Now
known as CMS (Church Mission Society)
they continue to support mission in the UK
and abroad in 40 countries from their Oxford
HQ.
1818 - Pliny Fisk, 26, set sail for Palestine.
Ordained by the American Board of Commissioners
for Foreign Missions, Fisk became
the first American missionary to journey
to the Near East.
1873 - The French ship Ville du Havre sinks
in the north Atlantic, killing all four daughters
of Chicago lawyer Horatio G. Spafford.
His wife survived, and Spafford immediately
booked passage to join her in England. While
passing over the spot where his daughters
died, he began writing what would become
the famous hymn “It Is Well with My Soul.”
1883 - Evangelist and abolitionist Sojourner
Truth (whose real name was Isabella Van
Wagener), dies in Battle Creek, Michigan.
Born a slave, Truth experienced visions and
voices, which she attributed to God, and was
one of the most charismatic abolitionists and
suffragists of her day.
1917 - In Moscow, following abdication of
Russian Czar Nicholas II, the historic Orthodox
Church Council of 1917-1918 restored
the office of patriarch, suppressed by Peter
the Great in 1700.
1917 - British foreign secretary Arthur J.
Balfour, 69, issued the Balfour Declaration,
calling for “establishment in Palestine of a
national home for the Jewish people.” The
document’s recognition of a Jewish nationalism
planted the seed which in 1948 led to an
establishment of the modern state of Israel.
1918 - Evangelist William (“Billy”) Franklin
Graham, Jr, is born in Charlotte, North Carolina.
1918 - The German leaders sign the armistice
ending World War I, a year later (1919)
The first two-minutes’ silence is observed in
Britain to commemorate those who died in
the Great War.
1925 - The Pentecostal Ministerial Alliance
was organised at St. Louis, MO. It became
the forerunner of a new denomination, established
in 1932 as the Pentecostal Church,
Inc.
1936 - Future U.S. Senate Chaplain Rev.
Peter Marshall, 34, married Catherine Wood,
22. Following Peter’s premature death at
age 46, Catherine immortalized his name
through her 1951 bestselling biography, “A
Man Called Peter.”
1950 - Billy Graham’s “Hour of Decision”
program was first broadcast over television.
1950 - Pope Pius XII proclaimed the dogma
of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin
Mary. His Apostolic Constitution “Munificentissimus
Deus” taught that, at the end of her
earthly life, Jesus’ mother was taken, body
and soul, into heaven to be united with the
risen Christ.
1961 - Charles H. Mason, founder of the
Church of God in Christ, dies. His was the
first major denomination to emerge from the
Azusa Street Revival in Los Angeles, where
Mason received the baptism of the Holy
Spirit.
1963 - British scholar and author C.S. Lewis
dies, the very same day as Aldous Huxley
and John F. Kennedy.
1966 - London’s “Evening Standard” newspaper
published John Lennon’s controversial
remark stating that the Beatles were
“more popular than Jesus.” The quote
touched off a storm of controversy and international
protest, resulting in a world-wide
boycott of Beatles music.
1972 - Americans intercept a Pathet Lao
communication ordering the deaths of twenty-five
year old Evelyn Anderson and thirtyfive
year old Beatrice Kosin, missionaries in
Kengkok, Laos. Their bodies are later found
burned to death. The Pathet Lao were communists
who hated Christianity because it
contradicted the fundamental teachings of
Marxism and posed serious problems to
their control of people.

November 2016 testify 17
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Everyone with a regular childhood should
know this quote… ‘Mirror, mirror on the wall,
who is the fairest of them all?”
Yep, you got it – this is the notorious quote
spoken by the evil Queen to the Magic Mirror
in the Grimm Brothers most famous fairy
tale: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
Growing up, my sisters and I were born actors.
We would playout every scenario imaginable
from the Marx Brothers (I was, of
course, the trumpet-playing curly headed
Harpo) to Cinderella, with her wicked step
mother and ugly sisters. So it was only natural
for us to also become the wicked Queen
and take turns staring into the golden, ornate
mirror hanging pride of place in our
front room and demand to be told, ‘who was
the fairest of us all?’
Needless to say, no one except the voices
in our own imaginations answered. And yet
here we are, decades later, and we still find
ourselves looking for that same magic mirror,
demanding to know the answer to the
same question, ‘who is the fairest of us all?’
Mirror, mirror on the wall...
by Jacqueline Malcolm PES
And when I say ‘we’, I’m no longer referring
to just me and my three sisters – I mean all
of us in modern society. Men, women and
even children – all of us have our own imaginary
mirror to keep in our back pocket and
whip out when our own insecurities or our
own vanities take hold.
We can spend silent hours staring at our
own reflection, asking the question, ‘who is
the fairest of us all?’ Or, to put it in modern
language, ‘how do I measure up to everyone
else?’
Daily, we demand to know: are we prettier
than our classmates? Are we richer than our
neighbours? Are we more successful than
our colleagues? Mirror, mirror on the wall…
The make believe Queen in Snow White
was consumed with vanity. Her mirror was
no more magical than the one hanging in
our bathrooms, and until Snow White came
along, the Queen truly believed she was the
‘fairest’ (the richest, the prettiest, the strongest)
of everyone. It was, in fact, her own vanity
that affirmed her beauty in the same way
November 2016 testify
19
it was her own insecurities and jealousies
that told her she had fallen in rank and was
no longer the most favoured in the kingdom.
It was her own self-loathing and competitiveness
that told her there was someone better
than her, someone prettier than her, someone
more deserving than her.
So my question to you today is simple…
what is your mirror telling you? When you
look at yourself, what do you see? How
do you think you compare to those around
you? Are you pretty enough? Are you rich
enough? Are you young/old enough? Do
you pray enough? Are you… enough?
James 3: 13 – 17 warns us against operating
under a spirit of jealousy and rivalry where
we compare ourselves to others (it’s worth
a read when you have a quiet moment).
Instead, it exhorts us be filled with wisdom
from above that is pure, undefiled, peaceloving
and courteous.
Today, I challenge you, every time you’re
tempted to take out your ‘magic mirror’ and
start comparing yourself to anyone else,
don’t do it. Instead, thank God
for who you are, just as you are.
Thank God for His Son, Jesus
Christ who freely and selflessly
shed His Blood so that you could
have eternal life. Thank God for
His Holy Spirit who abides with
us to teach us, guide us, protect
us, lead us.
I promise you as you start to just
open up to Him just as you are
Jacqueline Malcolm is an author,
playwright, Artistic Director and a Project
& Event Strategist who is dedicated to seeing
the Kingdom of God established here
in London. If you have a theatre or book
project or an event that you would like to
discuss, you can contact her to arrange
your free consultation on
jacquie@jacquelinemalcolmpes.com
For more information, please visit
www.jacquelinemalcolmpes.com.
and not compare yourself to anyone else,
that’s when you will just die to self and will
only care that your life is a true reflection of
His.
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testify November 2016
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National NHS campaign urges
people to stay well this winter
Campaign urges practical steps to keep well especially people
vulnerable to health conditions made worse by cold
A national campaign to help people prepare
for winter weather has been launched today
by NHS England and Public Health England.
The message is to Stay Well This Winter
and to encourage people most at risk from
cold weather, including those with long-term
health conditions and the over 65s, to prepare
for the lower temperatures.
More people die over the course of each
winter compared to other times of the year
and there are a range of conditions worsened
by the cold weather - 80 per cent of
these deaths are accounted for by people
with circulatory diseases (such as heart disease,
lung illnesses and stroke), dementia
and respiratory diseases (such as asthma).
Exposure to cold indoor or outdoor temperatures
increases blood pressure, thereby
increasing the risk of heart failure, kidney
disease, stroke or dementia. Cold temperatures
can also make blood more likely to clot,
which can lead to heart attacks and stroke.
In addition, cold can also affect the respiratory
system, which reduces the lung’s ability
to fight off infection explaining why lower
temperatures are linked with bronchitis and
pneumonia.
Colder weather is not only associated with
an increase in deaths but also has a significant
impact on the number of people becoming
ill, increasing the winter pressures
felt by the health care services. Research
shows that for every one degree centigrade
drop below five degrees in outdoor average
temperatures, there is more than a 10
per cent increase in older people consulting
their GP for breathing problems, a 0.8 per
cent increase in emergency hospital admissions
and a 3.4 per increase in deaths.
The campaign messages, which includes
TV, radio and social media, urge people to
be ready for the colder season and to seek
immediate advice and help from a pharmacist
as soon as they feel unwell, before their
condition gets more serious.
November 2016 testify
21
Professor Keith Willett, Medical Director
for Acute Care at NHS England said:
“The NHS is here to help but there are important
things we can all do to take care of
ourselves during the winter months. It is
vital that the most vulnerable people take
preventative steps to keep healthy and stay
well. We have a high number of A&E attendances
over this time that are due to issues
which could have been avoided had people
asked for medical advice at the first sign of
illness.
“We are urging people to take practical
steps such as to wrap up warm before the
temperature dial hits freezing. Research
shows even at above freezing temperatures,
for every one degree centigrade drop
below five degrees, there is a resulting increase
in older people consulting their GP
for breathing problems, as well as an increase
in deaths.”
Experts are also advising people to heat
their homes to at least 18°C (65°F) and to
look out for those at increased risk of illness
over the winter months. Cold and damp
homes can contribute to poor mental health
and social isolation, which are also key factors
in increased winter deaths and disease.
One study showed that residents of the 25
per cent coldest homes have around a 20
per cent greater risk of dying during the
winter months than those in the warmest
homes.
Dr Philip Abiola,GP, Lord Lister Health
Centre. Forest Gate said:
“Looking out for yourself and others in the
cold weather is essential to keeping healthy.
With winter on the way, now is a good time
to make sure you, and those you know who
may be particularly at risk from the cold, are
as prepared as possible. If you qualify for
the free flu jab, get it now. Also remember
that eating a healthy, balanced diet and
that staying physically active can keep you
healthy.
There are a variety of ways you can apply
for help to keep your house warm, such as
Winter Fuel Payments, Warm Home Discounts
and Cold Weather Payments. If you
meet the criteria, register for priority service
with your energy and water suppliers.
Try to maintain indoor temperatures to at
least 18°C (65°F), particularly if you find it
hard to get around, have a long-term illness
or are 65 or over. You may prefer your living
room to be slightly warmer. Make sure your
gas, solid fuel and oil burning appliances
are serviced by a registered engineer so
that they are working effectively and safely
before the winter sets in. If we all look out for
each other this winter we can really make a
difference.”
To find out more about the Stay Well This
Winter campaign, visit www.nhs.uk/staywell

22
testify November 2016
Nothing is impossible
Continued
from back
page
Manchester City’s manager,
Pep Guardiola, had tasted
success at the peak of European
football in his illustrious
career. He won the
Champions League twice
during his tenure as Barca
manager. Maybe that’s why
he believed nothing was
impossible for his team, especially
after seeing his side
lose 4-0 at the Nou Camp
last month to Barcelona.
Guardiola recognised the
importance of the victory
against his former employers,
stating “It is a good step
to say that once in our lives
we played against the best
team in the world, and we
beat them.
We competed with Barcelona,
but for now we did it in
a different way. We played
more long balls because we
are still not ready to keep
the ball and play like they
do. They have been playing
that way for 25 years. For
us, it is three or four months
we have been trying to play
in a different style.”
Guardiola’s message is
clear: with the right strategy,
you can achieve what may
seem impossible.
Mission accomplished, after the 3-1 victory

November 2016 testify
23
Impossible is Nothing
Nothing is impossible if you are
really determined and focus
on your strengths rather than
weaknesses. Luke 1: 37 puts it
this like this “I can do all things
through him who strengthens
me.” In other words, if you focus
on the strength of God, you
are capable of achieving anything.
American Football Coach Vince
Lombardi explainedthat “we
would accomplish many more
things if we did not think of them
as impossible,” and also said
“the difference between a successful
person and others is not
a lack of strength, not a lack of
knowledge, but rather a lack
of will. It’s not whether you get
knocked down, it’s whether you
get up.”
Manchester City was knocked
down when they lost 4-0 to
Barcelona last month, but that
did not dampen their desire to
succeed. City staged a thrilling
comeback to clearly demystified
the meaning of nothing is
impossible.
According to the legendary boxer
Muhammad Ali, Impossible is
Nothing! Ali said, “impossible is
just a big word thrown around
by small men who find it easier
to live in the world they’ve been
given than to explore the power
they have to change it. Impossible
is not a fact. It’s an opinion.
Impossible is not a declaration.
It’s a dare. Impossible is potential.
Impossible is temporary.
Impossible is nothing.”
In Luke 1:37, the bible says, “for
nothing will be impossible with
God.”
After their victory at the
Ethihad,City will reach the
knockout phase of the competition
if they win on 23 November
at Borussia Monchengladbach.
Thereafter, City might just stand
a chance to win the Champions
League for the very first time. I
can imagine many people will
say it is impossible, but I will
leave you with a message
I found in Mark 10:27: “with
man it is impossible, but not
with God. For all things are
possible with God.”
Kelechi Iheanacho points to
heaven after scoring yet another
goal. He appears to be thankful
to God

24 testify November 2016
testify
sports
Nothing is impossible
Impossible is Nothing
By Alex Iwuoha
Until their recent 3-1 victory, Manchester
City had not beaten Barcelona in five previous
attempts in the European Champions
League. This landmark win for City proves
that nothing is impossible if you are determined
to achieve it.
Prior to this, City had gone through a phase
of failure after failure. After a six match
winless streak, City finally learned how to
get up after falling down. Their recent
performances clearly demonstrate
that what defines them is how well
they rise after falling.
Continued on Pages 22-23
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