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.

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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……

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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.”

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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.”

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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!!

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Webber/ Stilgoe/Hart

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

So sorry that this blog is posted a day late, but my wife and I have just returned from a lovely relaxing holiday in beautiful Madeira.

After taking our two doggies out for a walk I am 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

This is the visual edit – the next part of the process is the audio edit which will include additional orchestration.  As “A Journey of Faith” is a study course using musical theatre to stimulate discussion on such challenging issues as “how can a God of love allow suffering” there will be accompanying study notes, which are also a work in progress. We hope to have everything ready for a launch in January.

“A Journey of Faith” is, of course, a spin off from our “Theophilus – The Musical” which is the sequel to “Risen! The Musical.”

One of the songs from both “A Journey of Faith” and “Theophilus – The Musical” is “You are the Shepherd of my Soul” sang rather beautifully in today’s featured video- I’ll tell you more of who the singer is next week.

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

And here is the last of the archived Mustard Seed Song concerts. I think it was 2006 but I might be wrong. The concert opens with “I Will Sing To The Lord God” which is taken from Exodus 15 – The song of Moses and Miriam and which also features in our forthcoming “Theophilus – The Musical.”

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I Sing This Song Of Love For You featuring Lucy Stimpson- Maynard from the album I Look Up To The Heavens recorded and produced by John Hodgkinson

I recently saw an inspiring and moving post on Facebook describing how a humpback whale was freed by some brave divers after it became entangled in a net. And how the whale showed its appreciation by swimming up to and nuzzling each diver in turn.  I tried to copy the post but was unsuccessful, however I found on YouTube a number of similar rescues with the whales amazingly showing their appreciation to the rescuers.  Today’s post in another moment of sunshine showing one such rescue.

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Father Let Your Spirit Fall Upon Me featuring Lucy Stimpson- Maynard from the album I Look Up To The Heavens recorded and produced by John Hodgkinson.

The National Anthem may divide opinion, but I have always enjoyed singing it – and remember well a rousing rendition when recently visiting Twickenham with my wife, Caroline.   My only problem is remembering it is now God save the King and not God save the Queen!

There is, of course some debate about the interim England Football Manager not singing the National Anthem – I’ll leave that one with you. Also, some of the original words are a tad “iffy” for example “O Lord our God arise, scatter our enemies, and make them fall! Confound their politics, frustrate their knavish tricks, on Thee our hopes we fix, God save us all.”

However, when I switched on the TV to see the end of The Last Night of the Proms I simply loved the Benjamin Britten version- especially the start of the second verse/chorus– a definite “Moment of Sunshine!

The National Anthem begins at 3.00 mins in– but the prelude is also great – “Jerusalem!”

Quote of the Week

Music has the power to heal, to soothe, and to transport us to a different world.

Benjamin Britten

Bathe Me In Your Light featuring Lucy Stimpson- Maynard from the album I Look Up To The Heavens recorded and produced by John Hodgkinson

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/H34eQdWHdiE?feature=share

What words are they to describe the performances we witnessed during the recent Paris Para- Olympics?  Inspirational, courageous, heartwarming, heart- breaking? It is said a picture paints a thousand words and now videos perhaps even more.  So, today’s blog features a picture (well photo) and a video.

I did the high jump quite a bit in my youth – first at Primary School using the “Scissors” technique in which you landed on your feet. As the landing area was made up of hard coconut matting no other technique was feasible (unless of course you were mad!)  Then at Secondary school sand pits allowed the “Western Roll” in which you landed on your side. Then at College, “Straddle” which was similar to “Western Roll” but, like its name suggests, the bar was straddled with one leg then the other (“Western roll” had both legs clearing the bar at the same time.”) Then with the advent of crash mats and a high jump phenomenon named Dick Fosbury it was the “Fosbury” or “Fosbury Flop” as it was first called. So, with this background I was in total awe of what the high jumper in the video achieved.

The camaraderie which was intrinsic to the Para- Olympics is beautifully portrayed in the featured photo of wheelchair tennis singles finalists Alfie Hewitt and Tokito Oda, Tokito had just beaten Alfie and in the emotion of winning fell out of his wheelchair – Alfie came over to the other side of the net to help Tokito back into his chair, replacing a wheel and ending in an embrace of mutual respect.  Magic!

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