Amazing Grace featuring Lucy Stimpson- Maynard from CD “Precious” recorded and produced by Ross Gill

If I make take a short break from this blog’s “Why does God allow suffering?” theme to announce that Risen!- The Musical is to return to the New Theatre Royal, Portsmouth on April 9^th and 10^th 2016.

There will be two performances- Saturday April 9^th at 7.30 pm and Sunday April 10^th at 2.30 pm. Tickets will soon be available from www.risenthemusical.com and www.newtheatreroyal.com  Box- Office 02393 649000.  Prices are just £10.00 for dress circle and stalls with £5.00 for upper circle. There are concessions for families of two adults and two children.

The Show will again feature the London Touring Cast together with The Portsmouth University Gospel Choir.  The production has moved on with the London Touring Cast increased to eighteen – there will be a stage set and projected images- improvements have also been made to the script.

In addition to the two live performances,  Risen!- The Musical is being filmed by Global Fire Creative for future broadcast on Christian cable TV.

Please watch this space for more announcements.

“Out of the Depths” featuring Lucy Stimpson- Maynard from the album “Love is the Way” recorded by Bob Ross.

So last week I started to look at the most challenging of questions- Why is there suffering in the world?

I referred to a book called “It Makes Sense” written by Stephen Gaukroger.  Although he makes it clear that there are no easy answers Gaukroger  suggests that what we can do is fit together some jigsaw pieces in order to get a picture and last week we looked at his first jigsaw piece which is that a lot of suffering in this world is caused by our own fault.

Now before looking at Gaukroger’s second jigsaw piece  I would like to bring in John Young who also has a chapter on the subject of suffering in his book “The Case Against Christ” (not be confused with Lee Stobel’s  “The Case for Christ” to which I have  referred in earlier blogs.)

Young writes that we live in “a world that makes itself”.  He says that as science has shed more light on our world, we have discovered that the finely tuned processes which enable and sustain life are inevitably fragile; good outcomes contain risks. The movements of the continental plates- an essential aspect of our eco system- can also cause earthquakes. The weather system on which life depends is extremely sensitive and climatic events in the Artic can lead to hurricanes in New York.

God, continues Young, has created this amazing world with a life of its own – “a world that makes itself”. Accidents happen, they are not “sent”. We live in a beautiful and exciting world but it is unpredictable, often dangerous and sometimes downright terrifying. Perhaps the act of creation inescapably involves the fact of suffering. Can we have one without the other?  Jesus Himself accepted suffering as an inescapable ingredient of life.

It would seem that it is impossible to come through this life without experiencing some form of suffering – so perhaps we should not be surprised when it does come our way- and perhaps also appreciate the good times more than we do.

In Times of Trouble featuring Lucy Stimpson- Maynard from the album “I Look Up To The Heavens” recorded and produced by John Hodgkinson

Last week I suggested that there is evil in the world as a consequence of God giving us the capacity to love.  Love is not love if it is forced and that’s why God gave us free will. The problem with having free will is that some will choose to harm one another rather than love.

But what about suffering – why does God allow that? One could hardly say that suffering is always the consequence of evil ,although of course it can be.

When I first attended an Alpha Course a number of books were recommended, including one by a guy with a great name – Stephen Gaukroger.  It’s called “It Makes Sense” and its chapters include “What about other religions? “Can we trust the Bible?” and “Science and Faith – is there a conflict?”  There is also a chapter “What about all the suffering?”  Looking through my bookshelf I also found “The Case against Christ” by John Young that has a chapter “Why does God allow Suffering?” Alpha originator, Nicky Gumbel has something similar in his book “Searching Issues”

All three authors accept that there are no easy answers to this most difficult of questions; however Glaukroger suggests that what we can do is fit together some jigsaw pieces in order to get a picture.  So let’s have a look at some of these jigsaw pieces.

Jigsaw piece one:

A lot of suffering is our own fault – it is not fair to blame God when a drunken driver kills an innocent pedestrian of if somebody is knifed over the colour of their skin, religion, or politics or because they looked at someone the “wrong way.”

It is man’s inhumanity to man  that condemns  people to poverty and hunger and even war.  No doubt we can say that we are not to blame for such horror but can any of us say we have never caused anyone any suffering – have never said an angry word or being guilty of selfishness?  Glaukroger concludes that we are all guilty of contributing to the suffering in the world and the only way that God could get rid of all the suffering is my getting rid of us- humankind, or by turning us into robots with no free will.

But of course  not all  suffering  in the world  is caused by us humans and next week  I will look at jigsaw piece number two which is “What about natural disasters? ”

https://youtube.com/watch?v=bMAhCxmfubg

“This is not Heaven” recorded live from the  musical “His Story” featuring Fiona Poustie and the Mustard Seed Soul Band

One of the classic questions often asked is “Why does God allow evil in the world?” or perhaps “How can there be a God when there is so much evil in the world?”
I believe it I can be argued that man’s greatest quality is the capacity to love. However love has to be freely given – it is not true love if we are forced into it – we have to be able to choose whether to love or not – hence we need to have a free will. A consequence of having a free will is that we may choose not to love – in fact to do the opposite which is to hate – hate and evil are closely related. I appreciate that hatred can be positive if we hate, for example injustice, however hatred normally spurns bad things and bad things can be so bad that they can be regarded as evil. So it could, perhaps be said that there is evil in the world as a consequence of God giving us the capacity to love, together with a free will to choose whether to love or not.
In the featured video Dr Ravi Zacharias argues this issue much more articulately than I have, but the issue of why there is suffering in the world is something I wish to consider in the forthcoming blogs.

“Jesus Lord of Lords” recorded live at Paulsgrove Baptist Church – The Mustard Seed Soul Band featuring Nicola Poustie and Mike Backhouse

It is great at Christmas time to see all the lights with some houses and even streets completely illuminated. In addition to Christmas trees I have seen lots of Santas with his reindeers perched on the top of chimney stacks, but my  friend Steve Rolls (Rollsey) took a step of faith and invested in the  manufacture of a  Christmas light with a difference – one that  displays the words JESUS KING OF KINGS as seen in the featured pic.

So who is more important at Christmas, Jesus or Santa Claus?  At my church two young people enacted the poem below which answers the question rather well I think.

WHY IS JESUS BETTER THAN SANTA CLAUS?

Santa lives at the North Pole …
Jesus is everywhere.

Santa rides in a sleigh …
Jesus rides on the wind and walks on the water.

Santa comes but once a year.
Jesus is an ever present help.

Santa fills your stockings with goodies …
Jesus supplies all your needs.

Santa comes down your chimney uninvited …
Jesus stands at your door and knocks, and enters your heart.

You have to wait in line to see Santa …
Jesus is as close as the mention of His name.

Santa lets you sit on his lap …
Jesus lets you rest in His Arms.

Santa doesn’t know your name, all he can say is “Hi, little boy or girl, what’s your name?”…
Jesus knew our name before we did. Not only does He know our name, He knows our history and future, and He even knows our hearts and how many hairs are on our heads.

Santa has a belly like a bowl full of jelly …
JESUS has a heart full of love, grace, mercy and forgiveness.

All Santa can offer is HO HO HO …
JESUS says, “Cast your cares on me for I care for you.”

Santa may make you chuckle but ..
JESUS gives you joy that is your strength.

While Santa puts gifts under your tree …
JESUS became our gift and died on the tree, for you and me.
It’s obvious there is really no comparison. We need to remember, WHO Christmas is all about. We need to put Christ back in Christmas; JESUS is still the reason for the season.
Yes, JESUS is better, He is even better than Santa Claus.

Merry – CHRIST – mas

“For God So Loved the World” -featuring Lucy Stimpson- Maynard, sung live at the Kings Theatre, Southsea in  Mustard Seed Songs’ first musical “His Story.”

Christmas TV adverts seem to be becoming more and more popular. Last year John Lewis featured “Monty the Penguin” with the slogan “Give someone the Christmas they have been dreaming of.” This year they had “Man on the Moon” with the slogan “Show someone they’re loved this Christmas.” Sainsburys this year had “Christmas is for sharing.” And the Germany company, Edeka probably won the popularity stakes with their “Time to come home.”
Loneliness is the theme for the Edeka ad in which an elderly man is only able to get his relatives to visit him for Christmas dinner by tricking them into believing they were going to his funeral. It is also the theme for the “Man in the moon” in which a little girl’s gift brings happiness to a lonely old man on the moon. A recent newspaper article featured this ad to bring attention to the loneliness that many people suffer at Christmas time- it referred to a 95 year old man and his wife who made a 999 call because they were so lonely. The two police officers who called did not admonish the couple for wasting police time but instead spent time with them listening to the couples’ amazing stories of their experiences in World War 11.
I am most fortunate in having a loving family and friends and the only time I can ever remember feeling lonely is when, at the age of 10, I moved with my family from Gillingham in Kent to Portsmouth. In Gillingham I had friends all the way down our terraced housed street and could call on boys and girls any time I wanted to play cowboys and Indians, hop scotch, hide and seek , football or cricket. In Portsmouth, however I knew no one as we arrived at the start of the summer holidays. I remember spending day after day with no one to play with. My mum and dad were very loving and caring but I still felt lonely and yes it is a horrible feeling.
Because Jesus was fully human as well as fully divine I wonder if He ever experienced loneliness? He had loving parents and the Bible speaks of Him having brothers and sisters but is there anywhere in Scripture that’s indicates that He was lonely? We are told that he was sad and wept when He arrived at the tomb of Lazarus -but lonely? Could He have been lonely in the Garden of Gethsemane- possibly not as we are told that an Angel strengthened Him. (Luke 22:43) However when He cries out on the cross “My God, my God why have You forsaken me?” surely this is the cry of someone experiencing loneliness in the extreme – in this case caused by the fact that, for the first time in His life, He was separated from His Father.
So I am sure that if we, at any time, suffer loneliness we can feel reassured that if we come to Jesus He will comfort and strengthen us, not only because He is God, but also because He knows exactly how we feel.
Instead of the John Lewis advert I have chosen a “remake” created by Dan Rackham, a community worker at St Philemon’s Church in Toxteth, Liverpool. The video concludes with the words of John 3:16 which are the focus of this week’s featured song. Incidentally I have just discovered that these words conclude this current edition of “Every Day with Jesus” – coincidence or Godinstance?
All at Risen! – The Musical wish you a very happy and prosperous New Year

“In the Beginning Was The Word” – from Mustard Seed Songs’ first musical His Story -recorded live at the Ferneham Hall, Fareham

So last blog I talked about how cool Bear Grylls is and I also mentioned that it must be cool to be someone like a top sportsperson or musician, but who is the coolest person that has every lived?
What about a guy who:
• Was born fully human but also fully God
• At age twelve had more understanding than his teachers.
• Was at a party and could ensure that you never ran out of drink – and drink of the highest quality
• When at a picnic there was no need for anyone to worry if they had forgotten the sandwiches or if a whole load of extra guests arrived as he could provide for them all.
• Was in a small boat in the middle of a storm and was so unconcerned that he could have a nap on a cushion.
• When others worried about that storm could just say “Be still” and immediately everything would become calm.
• Taught the most amazing stories ever – each one with a hidden and significant meaning.
• Could go surfing and jump off his surf board and then surf on the waves without any need for that board.
• When someone was ill and all the doctors could not come up with a cure just had to say “Your faith has healed you” and that person was well.
• When at a funeral and everyone was grief stricken could just say “Get up ” and the dead person would come back to life.
• When being tortured, although he could have wiped them all out in a second, chose to forgive his torturers.
• Loves you so much that he died in your place for the wrongs that you and not he have committed.
• Died an horrific death but three days later came back to life
• Told you that he is the way the truth and the life and that by believing in him you would receive eternal life
• One day to whom everyone in the world will bow down.
I reckon you know to whom I am referring- why not post some of your own reasons for thinking there has been no one cooler in history than Him.
Happy Birthday Jesus
Happy Christmas Everyone

In earlier blogs   I have tried to make the point that it is easier to believe in something if you know that other people, who have similar interests to yourself, believe in that which you are considering believing.  One example was that of the golfer Zach Johnson who won the 2015 Open – if you play golf yourself then it is possible that you might wonder -Well if the winner of the Open is a Christian perhaps it is not such a weird idea after all.

I know that many people feel it to be uncool to be a follower of Jesus and call those that do such things as “Bible Bashers” or Jesus freaks.”  That was my point regarding Zach -surely it is cool to be a top sportsman? What about a top musician – many of those are Christians including Bono of U2 . What about a survival expert – surely that is cool? Well check out what Bear Grylls said at Holy Trinity Church in Brompton, London,  and who is cooler that Bear Grylls ?  I’ll offer my humble opinion next week.

“We Can Do Anything” featuring Lucy Stimpson- Maynard from the album “Precious” recorded and produced by Ross Gill

Continuing to answer the question – “Where does Risen!- The Musical go now?”  Well on Sunday I went to London to meet Ennio,  who directed the November production and I came back with a load of ideas. Basically I have revised the script to make the storyline easier to follow for someone who does not know the Easter and Resurrection story that well- one thing that is now different  is the inclusion of some spoken word rather than everything being sung.

Ross Gill of Global Fire Productions is creating a promo for us from footage taken at the November production and with that we hope to be able to promote a return to the New Theatre Royal next April.  Ross also recorded and produced this week’s  featured song “ We can do anything”

Risen!- The Musical – Back by popular demand for one performance only

 The 20 strong London Touring Cast together with the Portsmouth Gospel Choir thrillingly bring the story of the Resurrection to life with wonderful singing, dancing and acting.

Celebrate the Easter Season with this brilliant musical portraying, betrayal, anguish, doubt, amazement and joy as the story of the Resurrection unfolds.  The Bishop of Bath and Wells called Risen!- The Musical “Moving, uplifting and inspiring but Risen! is not just for those who go to church – it has also been described as  “Just like watching Jesus Christ Superstar Part Two!  More details from www.risenthemusical.com

Sunday, April 10^th 2.30 pm

Tickets from £7.50

Ken’s brother Jack – displaying his talent at our mum’s 102nd birthday party.

So where now for Risen!- The Musical ? Well I am in the process of booking  the New Theatre Royal, Portsmouth for a return – April 7th – 9th  – but more of that later, however I am pleased to announce  that St Peters Church in Ravenshead, near Nottingham is  going to produce a concert format version of Risen! next March.  St Peter’s is the church in which my brother, Jack and his wife Eileen worship.  Jack has always been a fantastic encouragement and support to me and it is absolutely wonderful that his enthusiasm has been so infectious that the Vicar at St Peters, Chris Rattenbury, is at present holding meetings with the congregation to see the best way forward in terms of enlisting singers and musicians.

My brother himself has a particular talent and I have long been wondering how it could, in some way, be included in Risen!- The Musical. The featured video clip of my mum’s 101st birthday (it could have been her 102nd!) displays Jack’s talent rather well I think.  I am sorry to disappoint if you are considering enlisting  Jack yourself – we have already turned down Cameron Macintosh – it is a starring role in Risen!- The Musical or nothing!