“My Beloved King” featuring Chloe Brokenshire from the album “Risen! The Musical recorded and produced by Joffy Girling

First I would like to point out the nice big poster outside the New Theatre Royal in Guildhall Walk, Portsmouth advertising Risen! The Musical. If you have already seen Risen! The Musical (not to be confused with Risen!- The Movie – see last week’s blog) then please come again on April 9^th or 10^th as the fabulous London Touring Cast now numbers eighteen and we also have a fantastic new stage set and revised script. If you are not sure if Risen!- The Musical is any good please read this Facebook post I have just seen.

I have seen Risen! 3 times and would love to see it again. It is a very powerful and emotional show, superbly cast and wonderful songs. I was really moved by the emotional performances of the talented young cast and was in tears several times throughout the show and it was the same at each performance. “My Beloved Kin” is a particularly emotional song being both uplifting and heart-breaking at the same time, just brilliant. Take lots of tissues, you will need then, but you will leave totally uplifted.

In last week’s blog I spoke of the belief that God understands and has empathy with our suffering because He himself has experienced it. Many find great comfort from the knowledge that God has endured human suffering and understands what we go through.

Of course tomorrow is Good Friday and we come face to face with God’s suffering – Jesus suffering the agony of the cross and yes it can be of comfort to us to know that God has suffered too and so knows how we feel. But there is more and Stephen Gaukroger offers another jig saw piece to help our understanding of suffering. He writes in his book “It Makes Sense”

Christianity is not pie in the sky when you die its life here on the ground while you are still around. It is about a relationship with someone who is with us in every difficulty and who promises to never leave us no matter how tough it gets. Furthermore God gives every Christian a guarantee that all unanswered questions will one day have answers, all wrongs be put right and life will be enjoyed forever without suffering of any kind.

I don’t know about you but both these thoughts give me great comfort – that when I am in trouble I have someone all powerful and all understanding to turn to for comfort and strength and that one day I will be with God, free from pain, trouble and suffering; enjoying His perfect peace.

All at Mustard Seed Songs and Risen! The Musical wish you a very blessed and happy Easter