Amazing Love featuring Lucy Stimpson-Maynard from the album Love is the Way recorded and produced by John Hodgkinson

A local Vicar made the national press when parents complained that he brought their children to tears by telling them that Father Christmas no longer exists. He was, in fact speaking to children ten to eleven years old, telling them that they were, of course old enough to realise the truth.
Whatever our views I thought this article below by Jenny Sanders well worth sharing.
For me, waking up in the early hours of Christmas Day, feeling the weight of a goodie-filled stocking and hearing the satisfying crackle of the contents, always fed into the grand anticipation of a magical childhood Christmas ahead. I could go back to sleep safe in the knowledge that Father Christmas had been.
I don’t remember feeling devastated when the truth of who bought those presents was discovered. We learnt about St Nicholas at primary school, but Father Christmas steadfastly remained part of the whole festive tradition: the tree, the lights, the paper-chains, the carols, the turkey, the family gathering on Christmas Eve, the inevitable game of cousins’ hide and seek.
Once I became a parent, we discussed how we would or wouldn’t include him in our new-look Christmases. We resolved firstly that we would never lie to our children. Father Christmas, the Easter bunny, the Tooth Fairy – where do you choose to draw the line? Perpetuating these fictions raises the prospect of tricky conversations down the road: if Father Christmas isn’t real, who we can’t see, what about Jesus? Did we lie about him too?
Our grown-and-flown children recall that we were clear that the man in red was a fictional figure. At least one of them asked me outright. I replied, as wisely as I could at the time by batting the question back to them: ‘What do you think?’ The answer – whether fuelled by some better informed primary school contemporary or a flash of realisation: ‘I think it’s you and Dad.’ I nodded, but added in a conspiratorial whisper, ‘But it’s good fun anyway, isn’t it?’
In a world where we’re increasingly challenged to parent well, ensuring a robust bridge of communication is always open with our children is as important as ever. Helping them navigate that obstacle-filled journey from childhood through adolescence to adulthood is fraught with challenges that would test the wisdom of Solomon. On that basis alone, I would recommend resisting making it harder for ourselves.
If you want to perpetuate the idea that all the presents beneath the tree were brought by Father Christmas, you are free to do so. Enjoy it. Your children may go along with it, or not, though if they decide he isn’t real it begs the question, will there still be presents next year?
My friends and family will tell you that I am a huge Christmas fan. December 1st is open season for Christmas music, decorations, ratcheting up the atmosphere, watching Christmas films (It’s A Wonderful Life; Home Alone; Miracle on 34th Street etc), trawling the garden centres to admire or express horror at the latest products, and touring the neighbourhood to see everyone else’s lights before scurrying home to munch hot mince pies.
Compulsory reading of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol is also required for me and well worth reading at any time of year. The redemption of Ebenezer Scrooge is a morality tale firmly rooted in the themes of Christmas. It’s the Ghost of Christmas Present who is presented as a jolly Father Christmas character who repeats the invitation to, ‘Come in, and know me better, man!’
The characters are all fictional and yet, for me, bound up in the magic of Christmas. As one friend put it, keeping Jesus at the centre but including Father Christmas in our celebrations helps children and adults alike ‘develop an internal muscle for wonder.’ That’s so life-giving and demonstrates again the power of story without needing to be confused about reality. Father Christmas is no less real or important in our culture as Winnie-the-Pooh.

Quote of the week

Issac Watts

How Can I Love You More? featuring Lucy Stimpson- Maynard from the album Love is the Way recorded and produced by John Hodgkinson

I am not making any judgments over the issue of Crystal Palace football captain Marc Guéhi, who by adding ‘Jesus ❤️ U’ to his rainbow armband, sparked a conversation about football’s commitment to equality and diversity – whether that’s religious beliefs or sexuality and gender. In the article below I believe Christians in Sport’s Graham Daniels is also not judgmental but offers a very balanced view; worthy of sharing. Daniel’s writes:
In the world of professional football, where passion and extreme public attention collide, Crystal Palace captain Marc Guéhi has started an essential conversation about faith, identity and expression.
Guéhi, an England international, recently made headlines by adding “Jesus ❤️ U” to his Rainbow Pride captain’s armband, a bold move emphasising his beliefs while navigating the complexities of inclusivity in sport. His actions in the game against Newcastle reflect a courageous stand that transcends what we usually expect of footballers but led to a reprimand from the Football Association (FA). Undeterred, he adapted his message for the subsequent game against Ipswich Town, changing it to “Jesus ❤️ you”.
The FA has established guidelines that permit “initiative slogans/emblems promoting the game of football, respect, and integrity” while explicitly prohibiting “political, religious, or personal slogans, statements, or images”. This creates a complex landscape for athletes like Guéhi and the Ipswich Town captain, Sam Morsy.
Morsy, a Muslim, chose not to wear the Rainbow Pride armband—making him the only captain in the Premier League to do so. His choice was generally respected without penalty, Guéhi’s addition of a personal message raises questions about the boundaries of self-expression within the sport.
CHRISTIAN ATHLETES FACE THE CHALLENGE OF EXPRESSING THEIR FAITH WHILST BEING INCLUSIVE OF THEIR TEAMMATES
Support for Guéhi has surfaced from unexpected corners. His manager, Oliver Glasner, has publicly endorsed his right to express his beliefs, stating: “He is no child; he is an adult. He has his opinion, and we accept and respect every opinion”. This refreshing perspective underscores a necessity for tolerance in football – a value that often appears at odds with the sport’s broader efforts to support LGBTQ+ inclusivity.
As someone who has worked in professional football for nearly four decades, I have witnessed a growing openness among directors, coaches and players regarding their Christian beliefs in the 92 professional clubs in the UK. The foundational position of the majority of Christian athletes balances two critical factors. First, the freedom to express all aspects of one’s faith. Secondly, the desire to play alongside teammates who are good characters and competent players. The first factor demands the freedom to express one’s Christian perspective on sexual ethics, and the second is the willingness to play in a team with another person regardless of their sexual orientation.
These two factors can co-exist. Christian athletes face the challenge of expressing their faith whilst being thoroughly inclusive of their teammates. This is why some Christian players struggle with whether to wear rainbow symbols. They want their choices to reflect their beliefs about human sexuality whilst also supporting inclusivity regarding sexual orientation within their teams.
At its core, the challenge reflects a broader societal struggle. The Christian belief is that every individual is made in the image of God and thus should not be defined solely by their sexual orientation or behaviour. In short, your sexual orientation should have no bearing on whether you should be picked for a football team. At the same time, there should exist a space for advocating traditional Christian beliefs regarding human sexuality without fear of repercussions.
Guéhi’s actions reflect this desire and have ignited a vital discussion about the interplay between personal beliefs and public expression in sport, highlighting the need for dialogue honouring diverse identities. By standing firm in his faith while respecting the LGBTQ+ community’s rights to be fully integrated into professional football, Guéhi is not merely making a statement; he is setting a precedent for future athletes navigating this intricate landscape.

Quote of the Week

Glorious In His Humility featuring Lucy Stimpson- Maynard from the album Love is the Way recorded and produced by John Hodgkinson

I cannot claim to know much about Artificial Intelligence (AI) but I have seen a number of videos on social media that have used AI to produce heart -warming stories such as here.  Polar Rescue

There is a debate concerning the rights and wrongs of this, but what is not in debate is this wonderful story I read recently. Although I suspect the story has been elaborated here and there it did not need AI to pull on the heartstrings

The famous Italian diver Enzo Maiorca dove into the sea of Syracuse and was talking to his daughter Rossana who was aboard the boat. Ready to go in, he felt something slightly hit his back. He turned and saw a dolphin. Then he realized that the dolphin did not want to play but to express something. The animal dove and Enzo followed.
At a depth of about 12 meters, trapped in an abandoned net, there was another dolphin. Enzo quickly asked his daughter to grab the diving knives. Soon, the two of them managed to free the dolphin, which, at the end of the ordeal, emerged, issued an “almost human cry” (describes Enzo). (A dolphin can stay under water for up to 10 minutes, then it drowns.)
The released dolphin was helped to the surface by Enzo, Rosana and the other dolphin. That’s when the surprise came: she was pregnant!
The male circled them, and then stopped in front of Enzo, touched his cheek (like a kiss), in a gesture of gratitude and then they both swam off.

Quote of the Week

Lord I Come To Bathe In Your Glory featuring Lucy Stimpson- Maynard from the album Love is the Way recorded and produced by Bob Ross

When I first heard “Do they know it’s Christmas” I thought it was a great idea to raise money in support of those suffering famine in Ethiopia. I also thought it was a great song with a fabulous hook, “Feed the world.”
I also thought the line “Do they know its Christmas” was a reference to those who were suffering, understandably not appreciating the time of the season. And now there is criticism of the song being patronising to Africans. Below is an article in the Premier Christian News.
Critics of the Band Aid song ‘Do they know it’s Christmas?’ have said it is insulting to Africa for its ‘stereotypical’ portrayal of the continent and its suggestion that Africans don’t understand Christmas.
In 1984, Dawit Giorgis was the Ethiopian official responsible for spreading the message about the famine engulfing his country. It led to a BBC film showing the plight of starving children and families. It moved millions of people across the world and led to the Live Aid concert which would go on to raise almost £150m for famine relief and development in Ethiopia and elsewhere in Africa.
But Mr Giorgis says that the portrayal was insulting, particularly in its reference to Christmas. He told the BBC:
“It was so untrue and so distorted. Ethiopia was a Christian country before England… we knew Christmas before your ancestors.”
The song also describes Africa as a place “where nothing ever grows; no rain nor rivers flow”.
Speaking to the BBC, British-Ghanaian rapper Fuse ODG, said:
“The world has changed but Band Aid hasn’t…
“It’s saying there’s no peace and joy in Africa this Christmas. It’s still saying there’s death in every tear…
“I go to Ghana every Christmas… every December so we know there’s peace and joy in Africa this Christmas, we know there isn’t death in every tear.”
Bob Geldof who along with Midge Ure wrote the song, defended its lyrics in an article in “The Conversation”:
“The same argument has been made many times over the years and elicits the same wearisome response…
“This little pop song has kept hundreds of thousands if not millions of people alive.”
He added that he recognises that Ethiopians celebrate Christmas but says that in 1984 “ceremonies were abandoned”.
Last year alone, the Band Aid Charitable Trust distributed more than £3m to various projects including providing clean water, building schools and libraries and providing training to prevent gender-based violence.
Christian charity Mary’s Meals UK has been supported by Band Aid since 2010, providing school meals for children in Tigray, Ethiopia, reaching 110,000 last year.
A new version of the single is being released this week under the name Band Aid 40.

Quote of the Week

Love is the Way featuring Lucy Stimpson- Mayard from the album Love is the Way recorded and produced by John Hodgkinson

So carrying on from last week, here is the second part of “Be A Giver” taken from “Word for Today” written by Bob and Debbie Gass.
Paul writes, ‘Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.’ The giving that God rewards is purposeful giving when it’s done with a cheerful attitude. Here are three ways to do that:
1) Put people before yourself. Every one of the things of this world, including fame and fortune, is temporary. Individuals are what matter. Your job, pastimes, and other interests will die with you. People live on. The true measure of success is not in the number of individuals who help you but in the number of individuals you help (see Galatians 5:13).
2) Don’t let stuff own you. No one should ever become a slave to their stuff. No one should make their life’s work about obtaining more just to have more. If you want to be in control of your heart, don’t let belongings take control of you. The question is, ‘Do you own your possessions, or do your possessions own you?’ Givers use what they own as a resource to make this world a better place to live. And they do this regardless of how much or how little they have (see Matthew 6:21).
3) Define success as sowing, not reaping. Robert Louis Stevenson said, ‘I consider the success of my day based on the seeds I sow, not the harvest I reap.’ That should be the way we judge not only our days but our entire lives (see 2 Corinthians 9:6-10). If you live life with the intention of enriching the lives of others, your life will be full, not empty.

Quote of the Week

You are the Maker featuring Lucy Stimpson- Maynard from the album Love is the Way recorded and produced by John Hodgkinson

When I first became a Christian, a colleague of mine at Crofton School, Dave Stevens, asked if I had considered tithing – giving 10% of my income away to those less well of than myself – perhaps through church. He went on to say that somehow God would ensure that I ended up better off – that did not make a lot of sense to me, but Dave explained that God’s maths are somewhat different to ours. Well at the time I struggled with the idea but thought I would give it a try by giving away any monies I made from the “Heat” disco to some charities I selected. Now at the end of each disco I was having trouble with local lads turning up and, well let’s say displaying “challenging” behaviour to our youngsters as they were leaving with their parents in cars to return to Stubbington. Do you know what? As soon as I gave any profit away those lads stopped turning up- coincidence possibly but I believe it was a “God instance.”
I remembered that story when I recently read the below in “Word for Today” written by Bob and Debbie Gass. I was particularly drawn to the words …..“think of yourself as a river rather instead of a reservoir.”
If you want to become a giver, think of yourself as a river instead of a reservoir. Reservoirs continually take in water, but only to fill themselves up. In contrast, a river flows. Whatever water it receives, it gives away. Note what Jesus said about giving: ‘Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you’ Luke: 38 NIV).
When you give your time, expertise, and resources without expecting anything in return, you’re practising what Jesus preached. And here is an interesting truth: when you focus more on the wants and needs of others, more of your own wants and needs are met. In contrast, when you choose to hoard what you have rather than give, you become the centre of your own lonely universe. And you become less content, not more. As a result, you repel both people and potential blessing.
Recalling God’s goodness to you leads to gratitude (see Psalm 103:1-5). And gratitude leads to giving. Ungrateful people aren’t givers. They seldom think about others; they just think of themselves. Their days comprise searching for others to assist them, give to them, and wait on them. And whenever others fail to meet those expectations, they wonder why. Their selfishness prevents them from sowing, and their ingratitude causes them to question why they don’t reap. In what way can you show gratitude? By taking a portion of the blessings God has poured into your life and pouring them into the lives of others. In other words, be a giver.

Quote of the Week

Spirit Drive Me On featuring Lucy Stimpson- Maynard from the album I Look Up To The Heavens recorded and produced by John Hodgkinson

You may remember me commenting on last summer’s saga surrounding the Arden Theatre of the Titchfield Festival Theatre (TFL).  The Arden Theatre being of particular interest as Mustard Seeds intended to produce “Risen! The Musical” there but came across a whole host of problems, the most significant being that Fareham Borough Council (FBC) had placed an injunction stopping any further productions until there had been a Public Inquiry – that Inquiry ruled in favour of FBC with TFL instructed to dismantle the theatre.

However, I recently read this article in the Portsmouth News:

A last-ditch attempt is being made to save a theatre which was built without planning permission.

A new 450-seat venue at Titchfield Festival Theatre was due to start being dismantled in October after an independent planning inquiry. But the theatre’s creative director Kevin Fraser said he had been in court this week and the judge ruled the appeal case for the Arden Theatre will be heard again in early 2025.

The government appointed planning inspector Nancy Thomas ruled on August 12 that the £1.7 million Arden Theatre was built without planning permission and must close on October 12 and start being dismantled. The community theatre group had to ensure all the staging, lighting and seating of the 450-seat theatre was removed with the land they excavated filled in by March 12 2025.

Kevin Fraser said the Arden has not been used since October 12 when technically the enforcement action of Fareham Borough Council kicked in.

“He has found that there are arguable grounds on two of those items. This means that a full hearing must take place, probably early in 2025, to determine those grounds and the legality of the decision. “In the meantime, any enforcement action by Fareham Borough Council against The Arden theatre is stayed. Once we have a decision on this matter, we will decide on how we proceed with the future of the Arden Theatre.”

Fareham Borough Council said: “The case will now proceed to a full judicial review of the Planning Inspector’s decision in front of a High Court judge.”

So, watch this space……

Quote of the Week

Adapted from Every Day With Jesus November 7^th 2024

I Will Tell featuring Lucy Stimpson- Maynard from the album I Look Up To The Heavens recorded and produced by John Hodginson

Recently I have been sharing stories of our forthcoming musical theatre themed bible study, “A Journey of Faith.” (AJOF) As I have said AJOF is a spin off from our work in progress “Theophilus- The Musical” which will be the sequel to “Risen! The Musical.” So that is a round -about way of flagging up Risen!
I may have said that with the help of Edward Baker- Duly (who plays Luke in AJOF) I have rewritten Risen! to make it more accessible to those who are not familiar with the story. It is also being orchestrated by Harry Wells so that when it is performed again we will not use backing tracks but instead a live band on stage. Not sure if I have shared with you the new prologue, but if not I will next week.
Risen! The Musical was first produced as a pilot concert called “A Season of Singing” back in 2012. We then had various productions including it being filmed at the New Theatre Royal, Portsmouth in 2016. (please visit Risen! The Musical ::: About us)
It has been my great pleasure to have stayed in contact with many of the “Original London Cast” the name we used for the Risen! cast. Casey Lloyd, who played Cleopas’ friend, directed AJOF. I saw Benny Bright, who played Peter only this Saturday when he was performing in a nearby charity concert. Benny also produced and stars in the Steps tribute Show 5-6- 7- 8 and the Four Seasons tribute show “Bye, Bye Baby.” Andrew Dovaston, who played John, performed in our staged concert of “Theophilus- The Musical” as did Katie Forge (Mary Sister of Lazarus and Mary) and Adam Collins (Thaddeus.)
Max Panks, who played Jesus, performed the part of Saul/Paul in AJOF. Jody May Quirke, who played Mary Magdalene, is a teacher in Dubai and Johnny Fitzharris, who played James is i/c entertainment for a well -known cruise line company. Caroline Wetherfelt, who played Mary Mother of Jesus, directed and stared in our Risen! The Musical Theatre in Education tour as did Mikey Wooster who played Jesus in the first two Risen! productions.
I also speak with David Murray who played Thomas in Risen! and who performed at our concert featuring the Portsmouth Gospel Choir. Aaron Hayes, who played James son of Alphaeus in Risen! was recently the Technical Director of the Titchfield Festival Theatre and then there is Aaron Peart who played Nathaniel in Risen! Aaron was one of a number of students from the London College of Music who were introduced to the Show especially for the performances that were filmed. As soon as I heard Aaron speak I knew that he was special and here he is entertaining guests of a luxury cruise ship doing such a great job with the classic “Unchained Melody.”

Quote of the week

Father Help Me Acknowledge You featuring Lucy Stimpson- Maynard from the album I Look Up To The Heavens recorded and produced by John Hodginson

Last week I said that I was off to see the “Phantom of the Opera” with my son Chris. It was performed at the beautiful His Majesty’s Theatre and we had the privilege of meeting the Phantom in his dressing room afterwards, but that’s another story.
The Show is of course fabulous with an amazing set and fantastic songs such as “Music of the Night” and “All I Ask of You.” However, in the debate as to which is better out of Phantom and Les Mis for me it is Les Mis every time- the storyline is far stronger and there are many more songs- to be honest Phantom uses the same melodies over and over again. I have to say that they are so good, and it is done so well, that those same 5 or so melodies seem a lot more.
Today’s song, the lyrics of which are taken from the first chapter of Luke’s letter to Colossae, is sung by another actor who has played the Phantom – yes Mustard Seed Songs have been very blessed.
“He is the image of the invisible God” is not part of “A Journey of Faith” but it is sung by Paul in our work in progress “Theophilus- The Musical.”

Quote of the week

Jesus You Are Everything featuring Lucy Stimpson- Maynard from the album I Look Up To The Heavens recorded and produced by John Hogkinson.

Last week I told you that I was off to Global Fire studies to see the final visual edit of “A Journey of Faith” which, as you may know, is Mustard Seeds’ ongoing project Blog May June 7th “A Journey of Faith”- Filming complete | Risen
I have to say it is looking absolutely brilliant – Malachi is doing a fantastic job of editing – there are still a few tweaks, but we are sorting them tomorrow then, as I said last week, its off for the audio edit which will include additional orchestration. We also have to complete the written notes ready for a proposed launch in January.
Today’s featured video has the same amazing “mystery” singer who last week sang “You are the Shepherd of my Soul.”
Who is he? Well to give you a clue, last night I went to see the Phantom of the Opera with my son Chris, and it was not Chris that is singing! The singer is one of the very few in the world who have played both the Phantom and Jean Valjean of Les Mis – what a blessing that he sang for Mustard Seed Songs!!

Quote of the week

Webber/ Stilgoe/Hart