Life is not fair. What a person does with that unalterable
fact determines a great deal how he will live. By
accidents of circumstance, babies are born the same
day in the same city into royalty and poverty. On the
same day that sees the birth of a "perfect" baby, others
are born whose first breath marks the beginning of a life
of pain and daily struggle. On a given day, babies are
born in countries where militias slaughter at midnight while others are born
where morning light is accompanied by birds singing outside their windows.
It isn't fair. It never has been. It never will be.
While God does not give us equality of circumstance, He gives us each
opportunity of choice and the promise of His sustaining grace. Whether a
person is physically, mentally, emotionally whole or not, he can give God
whatever he is to do with whatever He will.
The Apostle Paul faced huge challenges: imprisonment, flogging,
stoning, shipwreck, victim of crime, betrayal, sleep deprivation, hunger,
thirst, poorly clothed ... (2 Cor. 11:23-29). But he found that these could be
met, and while not erased, they could not defeat him. "No!" he cried out. "In
all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us"
(Rom. 8:37).
A believer can wallow in the unfairness of life or rise up and claim his
unique victory through Christ. What will it be for you?
4
The War Cry | APRIL 2013
William Booth FOUNDER
Linda Bond GENERAL
William Roberts NATIONAL COMMANDER
Paul R. Seiler Central Territory Commander
Barry Swanson Eastern Territory Commander
David Jeffrey Southern Territory Commander
James M. Knaggs Western Territory Commander
Allen Satterlee Editor�In�Chief
Amy Reardon Assistant Editor-in-Chief
Jeffrey S. McDonald Managing Editor
Roger Selvage Art Director
Henry Cao Graphics Designer
Cynthia A. Edelen Production Supervisor
Gloria A. Hull Production Co ordinator
Charles Piercey Electronic Comm. Co ordinator
Judith L. Brown Editorial Assistant
Esther M. Satterlee Circulation Man ager
Sandy Dossey Publications Officer
Rob Reardon Publications Officer
The War Cry (ISSN 1550�5286) is published 15 times a year at
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Single copies $1.00. Subscriptions $15 a year USA, $15.50
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To subscribe by credit card call 1�800�725�2769, or
send check to Circulation Manager, Publications Department,
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�The Salvation Army 2013.
Member � Evangelical Press Association
133RD YEAR
WITH ISSUE AVERAGE OVER 265,000 COPIES.
www.thewarcry.org
National Publication of
T H E S A L V A T I O N A R M Y
April, 2013
Volume 133 | Number 5
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O U R M I S S I O N
The Salvation Army, an international move-
ment, is an evangelical part of the universal
Christian church. Its message is based on the
Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love
of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of
Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His
name without discrimination.
Life is filled with challenges--some might even say that
life itself can be a challenge. It is part and parcel of the
human condition. This issue of the War Cry tells of those
who are challenged in special ways--physically, mentally,
developmentally and emotionally--but have not allowed
those situations to keep them from living meaningful,
fulfilling and victorious lives.
I knew one like that. His name was David; he was my brother in law. Now
he is in Heaven. From his earliest age, it was evident he was not like others. He
was born with cerebral palsy and lived with it all 65 years of his life.
Through the care of a loving mother and father, sister and brother, he
was held to high standards while making allowances for those he could not
meet. David went to school, earned BA and MA degrees, took on full time
employment, represented the plight and condition of the disadvantaged and
challenged those in government--and anyone else whose attention he could
grab--about it. He contributed to efforts that culminated in user-friendly, living-
friendly legislation.
His memory lives on, as does his influence. He challenged the challenges
and won the day.
These words of Alan Paton form a helpful prayer for us: "O Lord, open my
eyes that I may see the needs of others; open my ears that I may hear their
cries; open my heart so that they need not be without succor. Show me where
love and hope and faith are needed, and use me to bring them to those places."
The words of Jesus are always instructive for whatever may challenge us
in life: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you
rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in
heart, and you will find rest for your souls" (Matt 11:28-29).
May God by His grace fit you for whatever challenge you face, even today.
MESSAGE FROM THE NATIONAL COMMANDER
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
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