Spring 2011 35p

MARTINSHEENON GOD,FAITHANDPRAYERSEE PAGE 6

ww

w.theson.org.uk

KATIE PIPER’S BRAVEFIGHT AFTER ACID ATTACKHORROR – SEE PAGE 3

BIG NAMES ARE IN THE SON

IT’S A WEMBLEY

WONDER FOR

GHANA’S ASAMOAH

GYAN

FOOTBALLER ‘MARVELLOUS MARVIN’ PRAISES GOD FOR HIS HEALING – FULL STORY BACK PAGE

From no limbs to no limits...NICK VUJICIC was born without arms andlegs. Determined not to let his disabilitylimit his life, he has become an inspirational speaker, talking to millionsof people around the world about the love

of God and the hope that Christian faithcan provide - even in the most challenging personal circumstances.

Read Nick’s amazing story on page 8

TEENAGE POP sensationJustin Bieber is already oneof the most Googled peopleon the planet - but he putshis success down to hisChristian faith. Justin said ina magazine interview: “I’m aChristian. I believe in God.”

See full story on page 5

POP IDOLVOTES

FOR GOD

SEESTORY BACK PAGE

Page 2 THE SON Spring 2011

MUCH-APPRECIATED

AGE-OLD TRUTHS

TWELVE YEARS AGO my lifechanged dramatically through thedeath of my son Dorrie, who wasshot in Hulme, Manchester.

He was one of three young men shotdead in gang violence in one week inAugust 1999.

Dorrie was a vibrant lad with a caringheart and an undying loyalty to hisfriends. In fact, his death really openedmy eyes to how much he was loved bythe people around him. One friend paidthis tribute: ‘He cared more for me thanmy dad ever did.’

Until the fatal shooting, my life -work, church, family - was ticking bynicely. I raised six kids who were alldoing well in university, sport and theircareers.

When Dorrie was growing up, he wasa much-appreciated pupil at school,with good reports that commentedespecially on his character and helpfulattitude towards the younger kids. Yetin the third year of college a changeoccurred. Life became serious.

The brother of one of his friends whobelonged to a gang was shot in the leg.Some time later, one of Dorrie’s friendswas shot in the chest and arm. Sillyissue about a bike - yet grave consequences on the Manchesterstreets.

A year later, three fatal gang shootingsoccurred in one week, one of whichkilled my son. Dorrie, who had neverbeen in trouble with the police in hislife, became the centre of a policeenquiry through his death.

You do not raise kids without purpose and I am convinced you do notlose one of your kids without purposeeither.

For me, my pain and my faithbecame a window into the community.

After his death, my house was filledwith young people, parents and elderlypeople who live in the neighbourhood.

Some time later I met with a group ofaround 15 mothers whose children hadbeen a victim of gang shootings orother violent acts, and MothersAgainst Violence was born.

Our deepest desire is to put something back into the community.This aim has brought me before greatmen, including MPs and the PrimeMinister. We are advising theGovernment on gun and knife crimelegislation.

We come alongside grieving and concerned parents. We go into schoolsand break the taboo about gangs andviolence. We need to talk, and muchmore important, we need to listen.

Nelson Mandela said: ‘When womenbegin to take an active part, no poweron earth can stop us from achievingfreedom in our lifetime.’

There is an enormous strength whenpeople come together to join theirvision, talent and energy in their aim totransform a part of the hurting societyin which we live. Heaven help us if webecome apathetic to the violence, numbto the pain, and deaf to the cry of theyouth around us.

Twelve years on from the day my sondied, my life has changed dramatically.The loss we feel in our family hasgiven me compassion for young men.

I have such a sense of purpose and feelI was born to make a difference.

In many cities, Birmingham,London, Leeds, Huddersfield andNottingham, mothers have become anactive part of this struggle, with asteadfast commitment to see changecome into our family and communitylife.

An invaluable Scripture comes fromMalachi 4.6, which is key to the resolu-tion of the problem: ‘He will turn thehearts of the fathers to their children,and the hearts of the children to theirfathers’.

There is wisdom in such age-oldtruths. In fact, it points to the need fordads also to become a spearhead in thismovement for change.

It calls upon the church to take on itsparenting role towards a group in society who feel practically orphaned.We owe it to our children and ourselvesto build a more gracious world thanthis.

Local media is very important to us.It gives us a constant opportunity togive an account of the hope we haveforthe community.

That hope has shaped me. It also hasthe potential to shape other individualsand even the whole community forgood.

Visit www.mavuk.org for more infoabout Mothers Against Violence

Mother of six and committedChristian Patsy McKie helpedestablish Mothers Against Violenceafter her son was shot dead. Sheappeared on Channel 4’s 4thoughtslast year to say that she would offerthe same grace, mercy and forgiveness to the person who killed her son that was shownto her by Jesus. Report by Marijke Hoek

❜

❜

Patsy’samazinggrace Patsy McKie

Photo by Rob Purbeck

‘If God is for us, who can be against us?’Romans 8:31 NKJV

SOME OF THE world’s greatest peoplehave faced the world’s greatest challenges, but have overcome them.

Cripple a man, and youhave Sir Walter Scott.

Lock a man in prison, andyou have John Bunyan.

Raise a man in abjectpoverty, and you haveAbraham Lincoln.

Subject a man to bitterreligious prejudice, and youhave Benjamin Disraeli.

Strike a man down withparalysis, and you haveFranklin Roosevelt.

Have someone bornblack in a society filled withracial discrimination, andyou have Booker T.Washington, Harriet Tubman,Marian Anderson and George WashingtonCarver.

Make a man the first child to survive in animpoverished Italian family of 18, and youhave Enrico Caruso.

Have a man born to parents who survived aNazi concentration camp, paralyse him fromthe waist down when he’s four years old, andyou have the incomparableviolinist Itzhak Perlman.

Call a man a slow learnerand mentally challenged,write him off as beyondeducation, and you haveAlbert Einstein.

Helen Keller was bornblind and deaf, yet shegraduated from college with highest honours and impacted theworld.

Margaret Thatcher,England’s first and onlywoman Prime Minister,lived upstairs over herfather’s grocery store. For awhile her childhood homehad no running water andno indoor plumbing.

Golda Meir, Israel’s first and only woman Prime Minister, was adivorced grandmother fromMilwaukee.

What do these peopleteach us? That successdoesn’t depend on our circumstances, but on overcoming our circumstances.

And with God on our side we can do it!Paul, one of the world’s great overcomers,wrote, ‘If God be for us, who can be againstus?’

BY GOD’SGRACE YOU CANOVERCOME

Abraham Lincoln

Disraeli

Albert Einstein

Maggie Thatcher

Golda Meir

This article is reproduced from UCB’s‘Word for Today’ whichis available online atwww.ucb.co.uk

THE SON Spring 2011 Page 3

Acid attackvictim Katiefinds faithand hope... Katie Piper with friends pictured at the launch of her charity

Model and TV presenter Katie Pipernearly died three years ago when anex-boyfriend arranged for a man tothrow sulphuric acid in her face.

Katie was burned beyond recognition, blindedin one eye and because she swallowed some ofthe industrial-strength acid, is left with damageto her throat that makes it difficult to eat.

But through the dark days of endless operations and 23 hours a day spent behind aplastic mask to protect her skin, Katie was supported by her family and friends and drewstrength from her new-found faith in God.

She wasn’t at all religious before the attack butshe had a nurse who prayed with her and she feltcomforted by it. Some people might think it astrange time to start believing. Where was Godwhen she was attacked?

“I think God gives you free will and if youbelieve in God you believe in dark and evil anyway, so I would never blame Him for whathappened to me.

“When I was back home after the attack, I did-n’t go out at all and the first place I started to gowas church with my friend’s mum.

“People didn’t judge me or care what I lookedlike and it just became part of my life. I don’t livemy life to every commandment but I believe inbeing a good person. And whatever happens inthe future, I have trust and faith in whoevermight be in charge of my life – and I believethat’s God.”

She told ABC News that prior to the attack: “Iwas the most important thing in my life. Therewas always something in my life that I was missing and I never knew what that hole was.

“And after my accident I found a faith and, andI learned to believe in God and I started topray…and that void has been filled in my life. Ifeel enriched in that way through the accident.And I think it’s taught me that I don’t want to bea cliche – it has taught me that, you know, looksaren’t everything.”

Her remarkable recovery and incredible determination has been an inspiration to many.She first came to public attention in 2009 whenshe gave up her anonymity to make a documentary, Katie: My Beautiful Face, abouther experiences.

She now runs her own charity, the Katie PiperFoundation of which Simon Cowell is patron,has just published a best-selling autobiography,Beautiful, and presents the Channel 4 SeriesKatie: My Beautiful Friends, following the livesof people with disfigurement.

She moved back home when finally discharged from hospital and her relationship withher parents was key to her recovery.

“When you think of everything in the world,money, looks, status – everything – love is one ofthose things you can’t buy, you can’t underestimate, and without it, you self- destruct.There was that unconditional love from my parents and I knew whatever happened, they

would look after me. That really helped.

“Whatever I looked like was irrelevant tothem. When nothing else is certain in yourlife, and you’ve lost control of how you lookand what’s happening to you, that one consistent thing is so important.”

Parents Diane and David Piper couldn’tbe more proud of their daughter.

“She’s been an inspiration to so manypeople. You know, the feedback she’s hadfrom complete strangers, who have said thatshe’s changed their lives,” Diane said. “Shesmiles an awful lot right now. It’s wonderfulto see her back again.”

Simon Cowell describes Katie as one ofthe most special and courageous people hehas ever met, something which persuadedhim to become patron of her charity.

And how does she react to her own self whenshe looks in the mirror? Has she stopped beingshocked?

“I am fine with my appearance now. I haveacceptance. I feel really lucky. I mean, I know I don’t look like a normal girl but then I think …I haven’t lost my face. I don’t long for somethingthat has gone. This is me now.”

But she won’t waste energy hating her ex andthe attacker. “I need all my energy for my operations, my charity and my book and if I losea part of me to them, they’ve won. I don’t wantto leave part of me in the past.”

Katie said the foundation was set up to: “Givepeople the confidence to venture out and givethem the choice to wear cosmetics or not.”

They help burns victims to overcome theordeal they have been through by providingfunding for rehabilitation and treatment, supportthe need for the constant clinical care required,give workshops to help victims with makeup,medical tattooing and image related issues, create a support network and normalise society’sview of disfigurement.

Explaining her motives in setting up the charityKatie said: “Disfigurement left me insecure andmade me realise I had judged people in my mindabout how they see me. But, after the firstChannel 4 documentary some journalists askedme how it felt to know I would never get marriedor have children. I wanted to change that.”

How has Katie changed? “I think I was vainbefore but I don’t think being vain makes youunkind. Maybe it makes you selfish. My life wasabout myself and how I looked. I placed toomuch emphasis on how I looked on the outside

rather than a rounded picture of everything.

“For anyone who has a change in their appearance, it’s a life-altering thing. Everyonehas their place in society, their self-esteem andconfidence, and for that to get damaged is a really difficult thing.”

Asked if she could press a button and wipe outthe attack, go back to the beautiful, unthinkingperson she was, would she press it? “No way,”she says instantly, unhesitatingly. Then shesmiles, which she does a lot.

She tries to have faith that there is some kindof plan for her. Now, she tries to look beyondwheelchairs and disability and scarring to a per-son’s inner story. She also avoids self pity.

“When people say ‘Why me?’ you think,‘Well, why somebody else?’ It’s not a very nicething to say really, is it? I am glad this happenedto me over, say, my sister. I am OK. I can copewith it.

“I am happy. It hasn’t destroyed me. It’s ahappy ending.”

• A jury found Stefan Sylvestre, the man whothrew the acid, guilty of causing bodily harm. Hereceived a life sentence, with a minimum of 12years in prison. Piper’s ex-boyfriend DavidLynch, who orchestrated the attack, received twolife sentences, and will serve at least 16 years in jail.

REMARKABLE RECOVERY

Katie and Simon Cowell

Katie before and after the attack

REHABILITATION

www.katiepiperfoundation.org.uk

Lifelines Trustc/o Cornerstone Vision 28, Old Park Road, Peverell, Plymouth PL3 4PYTel: 01752 225623Fax: 01752 673441

E-mail: theson@cornerstonevision.com

The Son is published by the Lifelines Trustand produced by Cornerstone Vision.

Editor: Chris Girdler

Advertising: Debbie Girdler 07989301331

The Son Order Line: 01752 225623

VOICE OF

Suffering andGod’s promises

ARGUMENTS

THE ROYALWEDDINGDEBATE

RESPONSIBLE

HOW GOD HELPED ME OVERCOME MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS - SEE STORY ON PAGE 11Page 4 THE SON Spring 2011

This issue contains severalstories and features whichhighlight the inner strength

which people from all walks oflife draw from their faith.

From the successful model who overcamethe disfiguring horror of acid attack to themother who turned the tragedy of her son’suntimely death into a positive move for good.

There is also the remarkable story of theyoung man born with no arms and no legswho has inspired millions of people aroundthe world with his positive message of hope.

And the international footballer whofought back after being diagnosed with acareer and potentially life threatening illness.

All these stories have one thing in common– that faced with despair and adversity, God’spresence in our lives can overcome thebiggest negative and turn it into a powerfulpositive.

At a time when the world is reeling fromthe latest natural disaster in Japan, the question of why God allows suffering isinevitably uppermost in many minds.

Whether it is personal suffering or sufferingon the horrific scale witnessed by an earthquake and destructive tsunami that followed, the presence of God’s Holy Spiritin our lives can help victims to face the consequences.

At Easter Christians celebrate the singlemost important act of suffering and sacrificein the history of mankind. Jesus’ death on theCross and his glorious resurrection representedGod’s love for all people.

The Bible tells us that we will inevitablyface suffering during our lifetime on thisearth but because of Christ’s sacrifice on theCross we can all share in salvation and eternal life – life without pain or suffering.

For Christians, like many of the people featured in this edition, suffering allows Godto refine our faith, giving inner strength andhope to face all forms of setbacks and adversity.

God knows all about our pain and suffering..He sent his beloved Son to die foreach and everyone of us. Jesus, who was theonly truly ‘innocent’ and ‘righteous’ man inall history, nevertheless has suffered morethan anyone else who ever lived.

SACRIFICE

...let’s celebrate the marriage

By leadingChristianspeaker andevangelist J.John

THE FORTHCOMING marriage of PrinceWilliam and Kate Middleton is an opportunityto celebrate marriage on a grand and public scale.

The Bible teaches that exclusive and lifelongmarriage is a key foundation for society and inan age when marriage is downplayed, such apublic wedding is to be approved.

I also find myself in favour of the monarchy.The sovereign fulfils important roles as head ofstate and hereditary monarchy has an often-overlooked merit: neither money, mediapressure nor manipulation can get you the job.

The crown cannot be bought, given or traded.

The monarchy also adds stability to Britishpolitics: prime ministers and governmentscome and go but the monarchy endures.

Finally, the monarchy acts to defend the people against chaos or tyranny.

Some people assume that societies auto-matically tend to democracy and the rule of lawand so find little need for a monarch. But I amless optimistic; I believe that without God’sgrace, our desires tend towards selfishness.

I am also in favour of the royal marriagebecause I find the arguments against it unpersuasive. In some of them I detect an attitude where, although you do not actuallywant what your neighbour has, you are desperately anxious that they don’t have it.

That is a very long way from love or graciousness. Perhaps the main genuine argument against the royal wedding is its cost.

Sometimes such arguments are reinforced bysaying that the money could be spent on theless-well-off. But there is a long tradition of disguising mean-spiritedness beneath a coatingof morality.

In John’s Gospel, when Mary of Bethanypoured an expensive perfume (worth a year’s

wages) on Jesus, Judas protested that it mighthave been sold and the money given to the poor.

The Gospel writer points out that his motiveswere actually far less honourable.

I’m in favour of a genuineconcern for the poor but notconvinced that abolishing themonarchy is a wise way forward.

Beneath distaste for theroyal wedding lies an aversionto the monarchy based on thefeeling that it creates a systemwhere ‘they’ are above ‘us’.Yet removing the monarchywould not produce an equalsociety; we would simplyreplace our official, time-honoured monarchy with anew and unofficial aristocracybased around money, poweror fame.

We live in a hierarchicaluniverse under God; we servethe king who rules over all –and that includes monarchs.This is symbolically stated atthe coronation when themonarch holds two sceptres,one of which is theSovereign’s Sceptre with across, which represents ‘themonarch’s temporal powerunder God’.

Queen Elizabeth II hasalways made it abundantly clear that she feelsresponsible to God for howshe carries out her role.

So I am convinced that themonarchy and therefore the

royal wedding is a good thing. William andKate, may you enjoy your wedding day andhave a long, happy and richly blessed marriage.

For further information on J.John (Canon), visit www.philotrust.com

That’s just capital! The Son makes a mark in LondonTHE SON has been successfully distributed throughout one of London’smajor boroughs during the winter period.

Warmly received by all Christian churches inthe local community following a brief presentationof the visionary tabloid title at Holy TrinityBrompton’s acclaimed Alpha Course, demand tostock the paper at neighbouring churches quicklygrew in momentum.

“It really has been great to see this positivenews redtop so well received by our community,”says local churchgoer and Christian media

campaigner, Duncan Williams.

“Particularly in the wake of the demand forethical reform engulfing the popular press in theUK, I feel that The Son really is beating a pathfor a change for the better.”

In addition to copies going out in Catholic, C of E and Methodist Churches all across theRoyal Borough, Christian outreach services,such as The Trust and the Salvation Army, havealso reported favourable responses to the goodnews tabloid.

“It’s a welcome breath of fresh air,” saysretired Corporal Roy Turner of the World’s End

Estate’s Salvation Army group. “I think peopleare getting very tired of negative stories and needa little bit of uplifting news.”

Patients at the nearby Chelsea andWestminster Hospital also appeared to agree.When copies of The Son were distributedthroughout the wards by the Chaplaincy teamover the Christmas period, the general responsewas very favourable.

One nurse even said to the team; “Thank youto The Son this is a real tonic for people who areunable to celebrate their Christmas at home andneed a little bit of uplifting news.”

JUSTIN’SFOR JESUS

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He has sold nine million albums worldwide and performed for President Obama twice en route to starring inhis new movie Never-Say-Never, which premiered inLondon in the Spring.

But the 17-year-old Canadian youngster is keeping his feetfirmly on the ground and his eyes fixed on God.

Justin isn’t shy at all letting fans know that Jesus Christis his number one priority. Paramount Pictures has evenreleased spiritual guides to accompany the viewing of thethe new movie.

Justin said in a recent interview with Rolling Stonemagazine: “I’m a Christian. I believe in God. I believe thatJesus died on the cross for my sins. I have a relationship with him. And He’s the reason I’m here.”

He owes much of his success and the foundation of hisfaith to his mother Pattie Lynn Mallette. A single parent,she gave birth to Justin aged 18 and became an EvangelicalChristian after battling drugs.

Justin was discovered at the age of 14 when his motherposted videos of him singing on You Tube.

Pattie wanted her son to be a youth pastor or a worshipleader and when Justin’s pop star began to rise so rapidly,she didn’t think it was God’s plan because so many entertainment celebrities ‘are getting into trouble. It’s notthe best environment to raise a child from.’

But she says God had shown her that he’d called her son‘to be a light in the world, and how are you supposed to bea light in the world if you’re not in the world.’

His mother has described how she keeps Justin’s feet onthe ground. “Through prayer, by surrounding him withgood people and by constantly reminding him that he’s here

for a reason. To whom much is given, much is required. Sowe just have to keep him lifted up in prayer.”

Justin is convinced he will never suffer a fame-relatedmeltdown because his religious faith keeps him groundedin ‘scary’ Hollywood.

The teenage singer has been nominated and awardednumerous accolades over the past few years, winning Artistof the Year at the 2010 American Music Awards, and beingnominated for Best New Artist and Best Pop Vocal Albumat the 53rd Grammy Awards, among others.

Justin is considered a teen idol, and has been subject toacclaim from fans, as well as criticism and controversyfrom matters concerning his popularity and image.

Of his faith he said: “I feel I have an obligation to plantlittle seeds with my fans. I’m not going to tell them ‘Youneed Jesus’ but I will say at the end of my show ‘God lovesyou.’

The prayers of many surround Justin, his family, and histravelling entourage. “You can never have enough prayer,”said Pattie. “I have a group of people that I ask to keep uscovered in prayer.” She also notes that many fans she’snever met regularly pray for them.

She added:”Justin is still discovering who he is and whoGod is. He has faith in God, and God has hooks in his heart.He definitely knows he is not here on his own merit. Hecan’t deny the unprecedented favour of God in such a shortperiod of time. And he knows it’s for a purpose and a plan.”

“I believe in God. I believethat Jesus died on the crossfor my sins. I have a relationship with him. AndHe’s the reason I’m here.”

CELEBRITIES

ARTIST OF THE YEAR

Justin Bieber

pictured with

his mother

Pattie, who

has helped

keep his feet

firmly on the

ground

Justin Bieber in his new movieNever Say Never

MANY PEOPLE may notunderstand what Jesus’suffering on the cross hasto do with our salvation.After all, lots of peoplehave suffered just as muchas He did, or even a lotworse.

Death by crucifixion was oneof the most painful experiences imaginable, and Jesus’ sufferingon the cross was far more agonizing that anything most ofus will ever have to endure.

But Jesus’ physical sufferingwas only a sign of a much deeperkind of suffering He was enduring: the suffering of Hisspirit.

When Jesus died, the face ofHis heavenly Father was hidden,and He was torn from the presence of God.

He who had enjoyed unbrokenfellowship with His Father in heaven from all eternity nowfaced Hell itself.

This was His real agony—an

agony far deeper than that whichany other person has everendured.

Why did He have to endure somuch suffering? The reason isbecause all our sins were placedon Him, and when He sufferedand died He was taking uponHimself the punishment wedeserve.

You and I only deserve judgment and hell—but He tookour judgment and hell uponHimself.

The Bible says, “God madehim who had no sin to be sin forus” (2 Corinthians 5:21).

He took your place!

Why did He do this? He did itbecause of love! He loves us, andHe wants us to spend eternitywith Him in heaven.

Sin is serious—so serious thatit sent Jesus to the cross.

But God’s love is greater, andbecause of Jesus’ death and resurrection we can be saved. Turn to Christ and accept Himinto your life today.

THE SON Spring 2011 Page 5

‘Godmadehim whohad nosin to besin forus”

Big Ben’s

Page 6 THE SON Spring 2011

MISJUDGED

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on your iPhone, Blackberry or HTC (and many others as well!)

Take Cross Rhythms with you anytime, anywhere! You can now listen to all three Cross Rhythms FM Radio Stations on your mobile and smartphone!

Positive Radio - Radical Message!

The best in contemporaray Christian rock, pop, hip-hop.

It really is Music & Life!

*For CR Plymouth go to www.crossrhythms.co.uk/plymouth

and CR Teesside go to www.crossrhythms.co.uk/teesside)

MARTIN SHEEN ON HIS JOMMoovviiee ssttaarr,, aaccttiivviisstt aanndd sseellff--pprrooccllaaiimmeedd‘‘rraaddiiccaall CCaatthhoolliicc’’ MMaarrttiinn SShheeeenn’’ss nneewwffiillmm iiss aabboouutt aa ppooppuullaarr CChhrriissttiiaann ppiillggrriimmaaggee..

In a series of interviews on both sides of the Atlanticthe 70-year-old actor has talked about his own journeyof faith, his passion for theology and prayer, and a profound sense of commitment and calling to social justice.

In his latest movie The Way, Sheen plays a doctor whotreks the Camino de Santiago - the Way of St James -through France and Spain as tribute to his son who haddied while on the same pilgrimage.

Talking about the film and its meaning to journalistsSheen said that religion separates people but spiritualityunites them.

He added: “That’s the key, and if spirituality is notabout humanity, it’s not spiritual. I am a practicingCatholic. I love the faith. I’m not nuts about the institution, but the faith is mine, everywhere I go in theworld.

“The belief that God became human – that’s genius.And that God would choose to dwell where we wouldleast likely look, inside ourselves and each other. Thegenius of God in our humanity, I love that.

“Every culture has that. That’s the fundamental beliefin all true believers, that God is present, God suffers and is broken with us. We as Christians believe

that the genius ofhuman, choosing

“Our hero Jesuand convicted inmurdered.

“That’s God. fundamental, monot religion. It’s are looking for I think. Sometimalcohol, money, p

“It’s we ourselvbrokenness. Thathat‚‘s what this

“Whether youconsciousness of the understandichanges.

“Because thenbeing on the faknowledge as we

“And you see love in them. Youare loved, or doembraced their brliving in the shad

“When you seeyou see someonereflect love in reheal others. That

Martin Sheen the actor in a scenefrom his latest film The Way

SIR ANTHONY Hopkins hasrevealed his views on atheism

In a recent interview with theCatholic Herald the award winningactor said that he “couldn’t live with”the certainty of being an atheist.

The actor, who was knighted in1993, said: “Being an atheist must belike living in a closed cell with nowindows”.

Sir Anthony said: “I’d hate to livelike that, wouldn’t you? We seethem, mind you, on television today,many brilliant people who are professional atheists who say theyknow for a fact that it’s insanity tohave a God or to believe in religion.Well, OK, God bless them for feelingthat way and I hope they’re happy.”

He added: “But I couldn’t livewith that certainty, and I wonderabout some of them: why are theyprotesting so much?

“How are they sout there? And whthe beliefs of so maphers and martyrs the years?”

Sir Anthony, wh

Sir Anthony Hop

Controversial TV presenter Louis Theroux (above)has admitted that he is intrigued by religion. “Inmany ways I see it as a force for good,” he said inan interview in the Daily Mail’s Weekend magazine.“I have to admit that when I’m in turbulence onan aeroplane, I do wonder if I should reach out. Icould well be one of those fairweather people whospend their whole life denying God’s existence thendecide to reach out to him on their death bed.”

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s

B I T E SB I T E S

THE SON Spring 2011 Page 7

INGENUITY

OURNEY OF FAITH...f God is in the reality of choosing to be

g to be small and broken.

us is a convicted criminal. He was triedn a kangaroo court and then he was

We’re embraced by that. The most ost basic, most sincere beliefs – that’s

spirituality. It’s transcendence. Peopletranscendence now more than ever,

mes our transcendence becomes drugs,power, sex, and they’re so shallow.

ves, we must surrender ourselves to ourat’s the beginning of community, andfilm is all about.

u believe in a higher power, Christ, God, whatever it is. When you come tong that you are loved, everything

n you realise that every other humanace of the earth is yearning for that ell.

it in them, or you see the absence ofu see it in people who don’t believe theyn’t know they are loved, or have notrokenness, their darkness – they’re stilldow self.

e the light, and it’s so clear, so obvious,e who knows they are loved and theyeturn. Those that are broken, heal, and’s the journey of love.

Asked why he made a Hollywood movie about aChristian pilgrimage Sheen replied: “I had grown upknowing about this mysterious pilgrimage, but I neverreally focused on it until my adult life.

“I started studying it when I was doing The West Wingand I thought ‘You know, that’s a possibility, I shouldreally think about doing that pilgrimage because I’m notgetting any younger.’

“And then, in the summer of 2003, we’d just lost abrother, another one of my siblings. There were six of usleft at that time and I invited everyone to come to mymother’s village in Ireland on May 22 2003 to celebratemy mother’s 100th birthday.

“Afterwards I invited everyone: ‘Come with me toMadrid, and we’re going to suss out this journey toSantiago.’

“Nobody came. But I got my grandson, Taylor, tocome. And my old, dearest friend, a man I’ve known allmy adult life, Matt Clark. And so Matt, Taylor and Iwere in Madrid, and we said, ‘How can we do theCamino in a couple of weeks?’

“We thought about horseback, we thought aboutbikes, and then we did what any American with anyingenuity would do and we rented a car.

“So we drove the Camino. But we saw it, and I wasintrigued enough. Along the way we stopped atBurgos at a ‘refugeo’. And Taylor met hisfuture wife in that ‘refugeo’. And thatwas the first miracle, on the Camino. I

came home with all these stories. Taylor went rightback, and he’s been there ever since.

“I started talking to Emilio (his son Emilio Estevezwho wrote and directed the film) about all the things thathad happened, and he got interested; began readingabout it. He began to write scenarios; we’d trade storiesand add things, subtract things, and he finally settled ona father-son thing and wrote the part for me – of a fatherwhose son has died on the Camino.

“It was a fantasy, but then we came to discover howoften this happens. How many parents we met along thereal journey who were remembering their lost child orlost spouse.

“The Camino was filled with broken people who weresuffering great loss and were in need of healing. Whichis very typical, because again, the Camino is metaphorfor life.

“Everyone is looking for an effort to unite the will ofthe spirit to the work of the flesh. That’s what all of ourlives are about, whether we’re conscious of it or not.

“Whether we’re involved in a higher thinking or notdoesn’t matter. It’s a natural progression. All of us seektranscendence, and that’s why people walk the Camino.Pilgrimages are an effort to touch the sacred in ourlives.”

Martin Sheen theactivist...speaking at a workers

rally recently

so sure of what isho am I to refuteany great philoso-all the way down

ho is most famous

for playing the cannibal HannibalLecter in The Silence of the Lambs,stars as Father Lucas in The Rite,based on the experiences ofAmerican exorcist Father GaryThomas.

pkins on atheism Top businesswoman and football supremo KarrenBrady has admitted that she put her career beforeher family - until she was diagnosed five years agowith a life threatening brain aneurysm.

The new star of the BBC Series The Apprenticerevealed in an interview withthe Daily Mail’s Weekendmagazine that she feared shewould never see her two children, Sophia, 14, andPaolo, 12 grow up.

“All the things I’d sacrificed – not being therebecause I was at work – cameback to haunt me. I realised Ihadn’t been there enough.That felt worse than thethought of actually dying.”

Surgeons successfully treated the brain conditionand now Karren sees life differently.

“I don’t have any ambitions. All the things I everwanted to do, I’ve found a way to do. If I stoppedwork tomorrow, it wouldn’t ruin my life. There’smore to life than being on TV, being given awards,winning Businesswoman of the Year.

‘I do believe in God but there’s a part of me thatthinks the afterlife is really your children.

‘The thought we go on to a better place is lovely,but for me the afterlife is the values I leave mychildren with, and what they can bring into theworld and pass on to their own children.’

Page 8 THE SON Spring 2011

IMAGINE BEING BORN WITHOUT ARMS. No arms to wrap around a friend. No hands to hold the ones you love.No fingers to experience touch No way to lift or carry things. How much more difficult would life be if you wereliving without arms and hands? Or what about legs? Imagine if instead of no arms, you had no legs. No abilityto dance, walk, run, or even stand. Now put both of those scenarios together… no arms and no legs. Whatwould you do? How would that affect your everyday life?

Meet Nick Vujicic, pronounced ‘Vooy-cheech.’ Born in 1982 in Brisbane, Australia, without any medical explanation or warning,Nicholas Vujicic came into the world with neither arms nor legs. Imagine the shock his parents felt when they saw their first-born brandnew baby boy for the first time, only to find he was what the world would consider imperfect and abnormal.

A limbless son was not what nurse Dushka Vujicic, and her husband Pastor Boris Vujicic had been expecting. How would their son livea normal happy life? What could he ever do or become when living with such a massive disability? Little did they or anyone else know

that this beautiful limbless baby would oneday be someone who would inspire andmotivate people from all walks of life. Goduses Nick to touch lives and bring the hopeof Jesus Christ to people across the globe.

Throughout his childhood, Nick dealt notonly with the typical challenges of schooland adolescence such as bullying and self-esteem issues; but also struggled withdepression and loneliness.

He constantly questioned why he wasdifferent than all the other kids surroundinghim; why he was the one born without armsand legs.

He wondered what the purpose behindhis life was, or if he even had a purpose.

According to Nick, the victory over hisstruggles throughout his journey, as well asthe strength and passion he has for life canbe credited to his faith in God.

His family, friends and the many peoplehe has encountered along the way have alsoencouraged him.

After school, Nick went on with furtherstudy and obtained a double Bachelor’sdegree, majoring in accounting and financial planning from Griffith Universityin Logan, Australia.

By the age of 19, Nick started to fulfillhis dream of being able to encourage otherpeople and bring them the gospel of Jesusthrough motivational speaking and sharinghis testimony about how God changed hislife and gave him a future and a hope.

“I found the purpose of my existence,and also the purpose of my circumstance.There’s a purpose for why you’re in thefire.”

Nick wholeheartedly believes that thereis a purpose in each of the struggles weeach encounter in our lives, and that ourattitude towards those struggles, along withour faith and trust in the Lord can be the

keys to overcoming the challenges we face.

Now at 28 years old, this limbless youngman has accomplished more than most people accomplish in a lifetime.

Nick recently made the massive movefrom Brisbane, Australia to California,USA, where he is the President of an international non-profit organisation calledLife Without Limbs.

Since his first speaking engagement backwhen he was 19, Nick has travelled aroundthe world, sharing his story with millions ofpeople, speaking to a range of differentgroups such as students, teachers, youth,businessmen and women, entrepreneurs,and church congregations of all sizes.

He has also told his story and been interviewed on various televised programmes worldwide.

Ask Nick says: “If God can use a manwithout arms and legs to be His hands andfeet, then He will certainly use any willingheart!”

No arms, no legs but braveNick inspires millions withhis positivemessage of love and hope

Nick Vujicic pictured with youngstersduring a recent visit to India

PASSION

PURPOSE

ENGAGEMENT

For more information aboutNick and the Life WithoutLimbs ministry visit www.lifewithoutlimbs.org

THE SON Spring 2011 Page 9

Page 10 THE SON Spring 2010

CD REVIEWS

With their haunting college-orientated art-popPennsylvania’s The Innocence Mission have been a critically acclaimed act in the mainstream since they firstemerged in the mid-’80s.This is their eighth album andis produced by husband and wife Don (guitars andcello) and Karen (vocals, guitars, keyboards) Peris,together with bassist Mike Bitts.Their gentle, lilting,acoustic-based pop draws on themes from their everyday lives as they walk the kids to school, avoid therain and paddle in the ocean. From the opening lines ofthe first track “Rain” - “This dress I made out of thecurtains was on the line, dancing better than I can” -you know there’s going to be plenty to identify with.“The Happy Mondays” (no relation) just oozes joy and “God Is Love” is shotthrough with threads of deepest faith and trust which run on right into the closing “ShoutFor Joy”.There are plenty of albums around which grapple with the angst, fragmentationand downright despair of today’s world, so it’s tremendously heartening to happen upon aset of songs such as these which in their lyrics, melodies, arrangement and performanceenable the listener to sink back into the comfort of a world where ultimately God is incharge and we can trust him for anything.

Music Reviews supplied by Cross Rhythms, the UK’sleading Christian music voice. For more than 20,000reviews, music news, articles, online radio and shopvisit www.crossrhythms.co.uk

Asa –Beautiful ImperfectionA delicious set of Nigerian pop,radio-friendly songs. Luxuriate in the earlysummer warmth of the opener “WhyCan’t We”, the sunniest number sinceCorinne Bailey Rae sang about herrecord collection. Elsewhere themes getdarker with important questions raisedabout a war torn world on “May Be”while the pure pop effervescence of “BeMy Man”, driven by an electric piano andsome delightful trombone work, ensuresthat it will get repeat plays on many astereo. If you’re looking for somethingless Western the lolloping reggae grooveof “Bimpe” and the brittle, haunting beauty of “Bro Da Ole” where Asa’sacoustic guitar is accompanied by a gentlyswelling orchestration are deft delights.Through all,Asa’s eerily delicate toneswith their bitter-sweet cadences reachout and grab the listener. I can hear fewimperfections on ‘Beautiful Imperfection’.

Natalie Grant – Love RevolutionNatalie Grant is, of course, today one of the biggestnames in contemporary Christian music.This inspir-ing album contains a punchy, glossy pop sound thatcould almost be a hybrid of Taylor Swift, Pink andRebecca St James.The project contains a diversity ofmusical styles which include ballads, as in “Power OfThe Cross”, worship, and even an R&B funk vibe in“Beauty Mark”. Many of the songs are co-written byNatalie but it also contains some fabulous coverssuch as “Desert Song” and “Greatness Of OurGod”.“Human” is another standout track thatNatalie performed live with American Idol winnerJordin Sparks at the 41st GMA Dove awards in 2010. Superbly produced by BernieHerms, who also happens to be her husband, ‘Love Revolution’ could well be a career-defining album for Natalie Grant. It is more than an album. It is more than music. It is acall to love God, and to love people.

Michelle Bonilla – In SpiteOf MeWith a mix of hip-hop, rock, soul and aLatin flavour, Michelle returns to thescene after her much praised‘Phenomenal’ album of 2006 to delivera top class set with the message ofJesus firmly in the lyrics.The albumstarts with a diary entry, a prayer toGod, asking for forgiveness and dedicating the album to God, pavingthe way for the rest of this total praiseand worship, Jesus dedicated album.“Our Generation” with guests Lecraeand Flame is an encouragement that inChrist we can change the world,“weare the hope of the promise thattomorrow brings”.Two songs thatpeople may be able to relate toare “My Story”, Michelle’sstory of being stressed andunder pressure but knowing that God is there,and “That’s What Love Is”,about someone searching forlove, pointing to Jesus as the answer oftrue love. A welcome return to thescene for a top rate R&B gospel talent.

10/10

8/10

Nearly one million different people visited the Cross Rhythms website last year, making it one of the most

popular Christian websites in the UK and among the top sitesof its kind in the world. The website includes music reviews,testimonies, prayer rooms, reflections on life and life issues

and an online shop. Visit www.crossrhythms.co.uk

9/10

Jars Of Clay – Jars Of Clay Triple FeatureThe first disc on this budget line threealbum reissue is 1995’s ‘Jars Of Clay’, a double-Platinum selling classic with the bighit “Flood” (produced by Adrian Belew ofKing Crimson) often turning up on people’sall time favourite lists.The way in whichMatt Odmark pummels his guitar into submission over those haunting tones ofHaseltine is still captivating today. Followinga stone classic is never easy but the Jars didwell with 1997’s ‘Much Afraid’, an albuminspired by the devotional novel Hinds FeetOn High Places by Hannah Hurnard.Musically, the album is slicker and more polished at times resembling the adult popof Sting.After the subdued, reflective quality of ‘Much Afraid’, the Jars hired producer DennisHerring (Counting Crows, Cracker) for 1999’s next album ‘If I Left The Zoo’. It has a bluesier, more organic feel with touches of mainstream Southern acts like Wilco cropping up here and there mixed with some more strong Beatles influences. It would bemean spirited to give this generous reissue package anything less than the maximum rating.

10/10

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THE SON Spring 2011 Page 11

IF HAVING read this paper you’vedecided you want to become aChristian just say these words:

“Jesus, I want to do things yourway from now on – come into meand make me a new person.

“I’m sorry for all the bad stuff I’vedone – please forgive me. I amgoing to try – with your help – to livethe life you intended for me.

“Thank you for loving me andnever giving up on me.”

It’s as easy as that – we promise.Welcome to the best life in theworld!

If you’ve done that please let us know by e-mailing us at theson@cornerstonevision.com

Want to becomea Christian now?

“I somehow knew Godhad forgiven me for allthe bad stuff in my life.”

MORE TO LIFEis a magazine of true stories oflives changed for the better byJesus Christ. If you don’t knowJesus and want to discover ‘moreto life’, use the coupon for a freecopy of the magazine. No furthercontactwill bemadeunless yourequest it.

✄

See: www.rejesus.co.uk

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TINGLING FEELING

BRIAN IRVINE was at the peak of hiscareer in professional football when alife-changing – even life-threatening –illness overtook him. But God had prepared him in advance and met with

him in the situation.The former Aberdeen and Scotland defender

was barely 30 years old when he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. But hisstrong Christian faith and lots of prayer meantthat his playing career was by no means over.

Brian said: “June 19 1995 is one of thosedays which is for ever etched in my memory.The football season had just ended. It had beena difficult season for Aberdeen with the disaster of relegation from the Scottish PremierLeague looming over us all season.

“Finally, on literally the last day of the season everything came right and Aberdeensurvived in the Scottish Premier League.

“I was on top of the world - We had escapedfrom relegation. I had been offered and accepteda new contract. It was a relief that the seasonwas over and I was looking forward to a nicelong break before the new season. I had beenspeaking at a series of meetings at churchesand was encouraged by these opportunities totalk about my faith.

“The one niggling doubt was a strange tingling feeling in my feet, which I had beenexperiencing for a few weeks. I consulted myGP who referred me to the local hospital fortests. I was surprised but not really bothered –I just thought he realized how important myfeet are to my job and that he was making doubly sure that everything was OK.

“Even when it turned out that I would need a

three-day stay in hospital didn’t unduly botherme when I had about six weeks before I wasback at work.

“All that changed when the doctor came inand told me I had multiple sclerosis. It hit melike a bombshell. That morning I was just looking forward to getting out of hospital andto having a good break with my wife Donna

and our two girls. By the evening I was thinking about how to copewith a potentially career-threatening,even life-threatening illness.

“I did not cope very well attimes. There were moments ofutter despair. There was a period whenI went AWOL, staying in a hotelwhile my family and friendsworried themselves sickabout where I was. Theillness and the uncer-tain future wered e s p e r a t e l y difficult for mywife Donna to deal with.

Brian continues: “My recovery was amazing. In July as the Aberdeen playersresumed pre-season training, the most demandingthing I could do was to walk two miles - andthat exhausted me. Yet steady progress wasmade. I became stronger and stronger.

“In October when Aberdeen were due to playRoss County in a friendly match for the officialopening of their new 1,200-seater stand. I wasnamed as a substitute and came on for the second half.

“The whole experience has had a deepimpact on me. It has taught me to value myhealth as never before.

“I feel that God has healed me in response tomany prayers. While the healing has comethrough ‘natural’ means - doctors and ahomoeopath - I see God at the centre of theprocess.”

Brian’s career took off dramatically in the1990 Scottish Cup Final. The game could nothave reached a more dramatic climax.Aberdeen and Celtic finished 0-0 after 90 minutes. Extra time still did not bring a goal sothat match went to a dramatic penalty shoot-outin which Brian held his nerve to score the winning penalty.

“I was really nervous as I took the penaltykick but I just said a prayer and put my faith inGod,” he said.

Brian was playing semi-professional football

for Falkirk when he made a life-changing decision. I had a Christianbackground and went to church but itdidn’t really mean anything. It wassomething I did out of routine.

“Then one day in the car on theway to football training at Falkirk, we

started talking about the meaning oflife. One of the others said that

Jesus was going to comeback.

“After the game Iwent home andopened up the

Bible and from then on the Bible became real.

“I realized that God loved me and that Jesushad died for me. I became a Christian that night.

“Prayer is important to me and as I alwayssee faith and football as inter-related it is asnatural for me to pray about football as anything else. It’s not just a case of going tochurch on Sunday. It’s the way you live yourlife the rest of the week, including football.

“I always prayed before a game because itwas part of my life. I did’t pray that Aberdeenwould win but that I would play the game fairlyand the outcome would bring glory to God.

“Throughout my career - without preachingat anyone - I was always ready to take a standfor what I believe in and to give a reason for thehope that is in me.

“The experience of the illness helped me tounderstand the importance of health and ofkeeping everything else in everything else inperspective.”

Following his retirement as a professionalfootballer, Brian became football developmentofficer at Ross County in the Scottish Leagueand also spent a year as a football manager.

Since leaving the world of football he hasbeen working along with a colleague, DrewKuzma in a project called ‘Youth Inclusive’which is an outreach to young people organisedthrough churches inInverness.

Footballer Brian Irvine:‘How God helped me overcome multiple sclerosis’

Brian Irvine during his playing days

DEEP IMPACT

PRAYER IMPORTANT

PERSPECTIVE

New Zealand rugby star JoeRokocoko is the mostcapped All Black of all timewith 66 caps and 46 tries bythe age of just 27.

But his career almost endedwhen he broke his leg just as hewas making a big mark on thegame in New Zealand. Broughtup in a Christian family –although not following a trulywholesome lifestyle – he cried

out to God ‘Please Father, protect me!’

His prayer was answeredwhen Joe’s broken leg healed inrapid time. He had expected tobe out of the game for at leastthree months. “I was surprised how little faith I canhave and God still answered myprayer. My leg was completelyhealed and I returned to playrugby in just six weeks!”

Joe realised he had to sort outhis spiritual life and at the end of2004 took the decision to givehis life to Jesus.

“From that point on, God putme in many situations withother Christians to help megrow in my relationship withHim,” said Joe, who is knownfor his speed and strength as apowerful player on the wing forthe All Blacks.

“God proved to me howstrong our prayers can beand how faithful He is ifwe’re patient. I always givethanks for all He has donefor me.

“I still have strugglesfrom time to time, but Godis there to give me thestrength and help methrough them. I don’t haveto worry any more!”

How rugby star Joe’s prayer was answered

Page 12 THE SON Spring 2011

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WEMBLEY WONDER!

CELEBRATION

RESPECT GOD

GHANA’S LAST-GASP equaliser againstEngland in the friendly at Wembley inMarch was probably an answer to

prayer.Sunderland striker Asamoah Gyan netted

the injury time goal to send an estimated20,000 Ghanaian fans into raptures ofdelight.

A thrilling encounter saw the spirituallyunited Ghana visitors earn a respectabledraw on the hallowed turf of Wembley. Butthe result merely underlined Ghana’s greatteam spirit - and the strong Christian faithshared by many members of their squad.

“We love to sing together,dance together, pray together,”Asamoah commented in arecent press interview. “Itbrings joy to our hearts. Thisis our team.”

Speaking after the matchagainst England, Asamoahsaid he wished he could haveperformed his famous celebration dance after his‘historic goal’ against theThree Lions.

“I am happy because it’san important goal for thecountry and for the fans,” Gyan toldreporters.

“I was twisting and turning, but honestly,I didn’t know what I was doing, I was justtrying to protect the ball.

“The English defenders are very intelligent,but they did not know if I was going to passthe ball, but I thought, well they might pushme down, but they didn’t do that, so Ithought, I’ve got a chance, so I took mychance.”

“I just wanted to dance after scoring it, the

Striker Asamoah Gyan scores the injury time equaliser forGhana against England

Gyan’s lateequaliser isheaven sentfor Ghana

atmosphere was wild—I didn’t get the chance todance because suddenly everyone else was ontop of me, but maybe I will next time.

“This goal is something historic—its the firstgoal we’ve scored against England.”

Though the making of the goal showed hisquality, 25-year-old Gyan does not expect it todraw the attention of Europe’s big clubs.

“No, I am a player at Sunderland, I am justconcentrating on that. I am very young, I havelots more to do in football, so I am just workinghard.”

The game, lived up to its billing as 80,102 fansfilled the Wembley Stadium.

Asamoah’s fellow Sunderland player JohnMensah captained the Ghana team againstEngland and he underlined the importance of thesquad’s faith.

“We are Christians and we all know howimportant God is,” he said. “We all respect Godand we pray every time before the game and afterthe game. ... We praise God, what he has done forus. Then the next day is match-day, so we usethat opportunity to give us strength and help usgo on into the game.”

Blackpool goalkeeper Richard Kingson,another committed Christian, was in goal for thebig match against England, facing many of the

players who have lined up against his clubteam in the Premiership. He is Ghana’s mostcapped international with 85 appearances.

Kingson and the team found that duringlast year’s World Cup in South Africa it certainly wasn’t praying alone. The government and nation’s churches joined inunited prayers at home for the team.

The country of Ghana is mostlyProtestant (71%) and Pentecostal (26%).More than 80 per cent of Christians in Ghanasay they attend services at least weekly.

Striker Asamoah Gyan celebratesafter scoring for Ghana during the2010 World Cup in South Africa

BIG TRINIDADIAN defenderMarvin Andrews has playedmore than 100 times for hiscountry and over 300 gamesfor professional clubs in the UK.

He joined Wrexham at the start ofthe 2010 season and has been playinghis part in the team’s push for promotion to the Football Leaguefrom the Blue Square Conference.

His arrival at Wrexham followed a career in Scotland spanning more than 13 years andtaking in spells at Rangers,Livingston and Raith Rovers.

Wherever he goes and whereverhe plays Marvin never misses anopportunity to share his strongChristian beliefs.

He told CBN News: “I think thatGod has put me in this arena as aprofessional footballer, where alleyes are on me — to proclaim theGospel. There is an opportunity totalk about the Lord Jesus Christ tomillions, thousands of people whohave never heard of the word “JesusChrist.” The Lord said, ‘Go to all theworld and preach the Good News,’says Marvin.

Marvin grew up in a Christian

home. But he never gave God fullcontrol of his life. “I knew God asI said. But I didn’t know the significance of the Bible. I was just ayoung boy growing up, but I knowGod was real. I know He is alive. Soas I said, for me it was only a matterof time before God took me to whereI am at this particular time.”

Marvin made his debut in 1995with a local club in his hometown inSan Juan in Trinidad and Tobago.Three years later he joined RaithRovers in Scotland. It was there thathis future as an athlete was almostcrushed, when he developed aninflammation in his pelvis.

Doctors told Marvin that he

needed to have a metal plate put inhis abdomen, if he was to continuehis career. But, he couldn’t agree tothe surgery.

Marvin continued to train, and hiscondition got worse. Then one day,he went to church with teammateAnthony Rougier. The church’s minister prayed for Marvin’s healing.

“I told him my problem. I wasvery depressed. I was very down,and he told me that the Lord JesusChrist can heal me from this injury. Inever knew that. I used to prayeveryday for my healing.

And then one day the pain just leftme. One day I was training, and Inever felt the pain any more in myabdomen. And, from that day to thisday, I have never suffered fromosteitus pubis.”

Marvin was amazed that Godactually healed him.

“I said to myself that if the LordJesus Christ can do this for me, whatelse can He do, and in 1999 I decid-ed to commit myself to the LordJesus Christ. I was fully baptized inthe water and in the Holy Spirit.”

His career began to soar. And heeventually joined Scottish PremierLeague giants Rangers. While with

the Glasgow team, he suffered amajor knee injury. Normally, surgerywas the only course of action, butnot for Marvin.

“I told them that God would healme. All the doctors, specialists,everybody told me that I had to takea surgery. I told them that the LordJesus Christ is gonna heal me,”recalls Marvin.

So once again, Marvin askedJesus to heal him, and He did! “I putmy whole career in God’s hands, andGod is the one who has me playingat this particular time. With thatsame injury, I was able to help takemy country to the World Cup. Whiledoctors said I’ll never play again, Iwas playing.”

Today, aged 35, Marvin is plying his trade in Wales withWrexham and continues to be a witness that with God all things arepossible.

“I’m still playing. I’m still running strong because I trust in theLord Jesus Christ. And that showsme that in all that has happened, that once you trust inGod, no matter the situation, Godwill make a way where there is noway,” he said.

‘Marvellous Marvin’ praises God for healing

PROCLAIM

AMAZED

Marvin celebrates during his spell at Rangers