I love my mum (Poem)

Mother's day 2006

I love my mum; of course I do,
Well, what’s there not to like?
She love’s me lot’s and buys me things
Fist toys, then computer games… then a car
And, last year, an exercise bike!
(I really must get around to using that sometime…)
But since dad died she’s come to believe
In something I find kind of silly;
A man that was beaten, then killed on a cross,
Who came back to life willy-nilly!
Y’know the cave that they put him in, they say,
Was covered with a blooming great boulder?
Then it was sealed and surrounded by
A group of a dozen soldiers!
But somehow this stone was ‘rolled away’
And there was no sign of the body.
About 100 of his friends then saw him alive!
Now, I ask you… who could believe that story?
I mean, Houdini was good but even he
Couldn’t do something like that.
Just ask his friends who met after he died,
Hoping for a chat!
My mum says that "God had planned it all
Right from the very beginning.
Someone had to die for all our sins
And Jesus said ‘I am willing’…
And because of that we can all have hope
Of eternal resurrection,
Providing we repent and believe in Him -
That’s all that’s needed at the final inspection".
It’s crazy I know, but even so,
There’s something about my mum
That makes me really want to believe –
Even if it does sound dumb.
There’s definitely something different
That I can’t put my finger on,
But ever since she’s believed in this stuff
She’s changed; she’s somehow… strong.
She also has a confidence, I’ve never seen before
And a peace that passes all understanding,
That I’d like to have, that’s for sure.
Not that she is perfect - oh no; no way!
She has her moments, there’s no denying,
But when I think of how she used to be
It almost sets me off crying…
So maybe next time that I go round
I’ll let her talk more and not argue.
Not to say that we haven’t tried that before,
But this time, perhaps, I will listen.. too.
One thing’s for certain, I love her - I do,
And would do nothing to hurt my mother.
So I’ll take it slow and some day, who knows,
I’ll know this Jesus as my Brother!

Now and Then… (Sketch)

(Mother’s Day 2006)

In the form of a Radio play
(same cast, baby cry and heartbeat, for all parts)

Announcer: "The first part of the 21st Century"
(during sounds of a baby crying, with road-drill, traffic, planes etc., cast file on in order from opposite side from the announcer, carrying chairs with their dressing-gowns over. they line up behind the microphones, put down the chairs and stand in front of them facing the audience. when ready - ) "And before you know it…."

Boy: (steps forward) "Hey Mum. I’m off to school now. I’ll probably go round to Tom’s house after - but I’ll be back for tea." (steps back - rest of cast do the same in turn to deliver their lines)

Youth: "Mum. Can I borrow Dad’s car? I’m just going to help Amy move in to her new flat. Keep some tea for me. I don’t mind warming it up."

Young Man: "I’m out with my army mates, Mum. Don’t worry about lunch, We’ll probably arrange a fish and chips supper"

Man: "Mum. I’ve got my posting . I’m going to [insert current unrest here]. It’s my last meal at the barracks tonight. I’ll be back when the job’s done" (steps back and ALL of the cast turn their backs on the audience.)

(sounds of a heartbeat with gun fire, hellicopters, bombs etc. when finished ALL of cast turn back to face the audience.)

Man: (steps forward) "Home again, Mum - but just for a while. Off for more training. I’ve also got the wedding to sort out. Jordan’s going to look in on you from time to time as you may not hear from me for a while, but when I come back next time it’ll be for good!" (steps back)

(pause)

Announcer: "Flash back, to the first part of the 1st Century" (cast look at each other. Announcer repeats and emphasises) "The first part of the FIRST century"
(cast put on dressing-gowns as sounds of a baby crying with sheep & lambs bleating, cattle lowing, dog barking and donkey braying etc. when finished) "And before you know it…"

Boy: (steps forward) "Shalom Mother. I’m off to the temple now. I’ll probably talk to the elders after - but I’ll be back for tea." (steps back - rest of cast do the same to deliver their lines)

Youth: "Mother. Can I borrow Father’s tool kit? I’m just going to help Miriam with that cabinet door that keeps breaking. Keep some tea for me. I don’t mind it hot or cold, as long as it’s not luke-warm."

Young Man: "I’m out with my Disciples, Mother. Don’t worry about lunch. I’ve arranged a fish and bread supper"

Man: "Mother. I have to fulfil my destiny. I’m going to die on the Cross. It’s my last Pass-over meal tonight. I will be back when my work has finished" (steps back and ALL of the cast turn their backs on the audience.)

(sounds of a heartbeat, the hammering of nails. heartbeat stops. sound of a thunderclap, then a wind and a woman crying. when finished, only the Man turns and faces the audience)

Man: (steps forward) "The tomb is empty, Mother - but I am only here for a short while. I am returning to my father’s house to prepare for my bride. I have asked John to take care of you as you may not hear from me for a while, but when I come back next time, it will be to gather all of those who have believed in me and take them to my Kingdom, forever!" (steps back. turns his back.)

(pause. all cast pick up chairs and file off the way they came on.)

Faith (Song)

It was David’s Faith that saved the day
And made Goliath fall,
And Faith that kept old Joshua walking
Round and round those walls,
And Faith that took Daniel
Through the Lions Den,
For they had Faith in God above
And not in the things of Men -

Faith!
Do you have Faith?
Do you have Faith in the one who loves you?
Faith!
Do you have Faith?
Do you have Faith in the Lord?

By Faith did Noah build a boat
Before the rains began,
And Faith turned poor old Gideon into the bravest man!
By Faith did Moses lead the people
Through the parting Sea,
And that same Faith that they all had
Is there for you and me -

Faith!
(etc.)

Faith told Joseph he would someday
Be the number one.
In Faith would Abraham have offered up his only son.
Meshak, Shadrak, Abednigo had Faith to face the fire.
If they had Faith to do those things,
Then why can’t you or I? -

Faith!
(etc.)

Now even if your Faith is
As small as a mustard seed,
You can tell a mountain
To fall into the sea!
But if you’ve listened closely,
To all that has been said,
You’ll see -
Faith alone is not enough
No, it may as well be dead!

Faith
(etc. x2)

In the Lord, JESUS!

This I know (Song)

I may not always get things right
And there are times when I don’t try
But I know
That if I turn again to You,
Your love is faithful and so true
And I know

That I could fly
Like an eagle in the sky
Knowing You are by my side
And I know
That if I fall
Then the everlasting arms
Will protect me from all harm
I know.
This I know.

Sometimes the care of the day
Seems to push You far away
But I know
That there are times when You’re so close
And loving You just means the most…
And I know

That I could fly
Like an eagle in the sky
Knowing You are by my side
And I know
That if I fall
Then the everlasting arms
Will protect me from all harm
I know.
This I know.

And there are times when I am still….

Goldilocks and the Three In One (Story)

Once there was a girl who lived on the edge of a deep, deep, Love. She had beautiful golden hair, but her feet were dirty from walking in the mud and her hands were dirty from the job that she had, so her face was always dirty too.

One day she decided to take a walk in the deep, deep, Love, even though her mother and all her friends had told her "not to bother;" or there was "no point," and even tried to convince her that the deep, deep, Love "didn’t really exist"!

She hadn’t gone very far, when she came upon a House with many Rooms. A little frightened, she entered through the Open Door and looked around.

The first thing she saw was a table with Bread and Wine on it. Feeling Hungry and realizing just how Thirsty she had become, she broke off some of the Bread and ate it. She then drank some of the Wine and was surprised to find that, no matter how much she drank, the glass was always full!

Goldilocks walked a bit further and found a table full of Fruit. Some of the Fruit was very exotic and she had never seen it before. Some she recognized but had never tried, so decided to sample some of these and then move on.

Next she came to a table laden with every kind of food and drink she could possibly imagine. She rushed up to a big chair that was at the head of it, sat down, and started trying things eagerly. But after all she had already eaten, she was feeling rather sleepy so, curling up on the big seat, she fell into a Peaceful sleep.

Not long after, the Owner of the House returned. Seeing the Broken Bread, the Son said, in his normal voice, "Who’s been eating from MY table?". Seeing a little pile of fruit pieces, the Spirit said in his still, small voice, "Who’s been eating from MY table?". Then, in His big, big voice, the Father said "WHO’S BEEN EATING AT MY TABLE?" and sent the spirit rushing to look.

At the sound like thunder and a rushing wind, Goldilocks woke up and was very frightened. When she saw the Owner, she began to cry with shame and guilt.

"Don’t be afraid," said the Son, stooping down and washing her feet. (She knew she would never walk in the mud again.)

"Don’t be afraid," said the Spirit, taking her hands and making them clean. (She knew they would find other work now.)

"Don’t be afraid," said the Father, wiping the tears from her eyes and making her face shine like the sun. (She knew she would never be the same again.)

Goldilocks wasn’t afraid any more, but ran back to tell her mother, and all her friends, of everything she had found at the Heart of the deep, deep, Love.

And I hear the angels (Song)

As I walk along the darkened streets,
Everyone turns away.
It seems as though they’ve closed their ears
To everything I say.
There’s anger on each corner,
Sadness in the air,
Loneliness in every crowd,
And everywhere despair.

And I hear the angels crying, x3
For what was lost,
For what was lost…

Then I cross the wooden bridge of blood;
Of pain; of death; of crying,
To a place where open tombs are found
And everywhere there’s smiling!
There’s a welcome from each window,
Laughter in the air,
Forgiveness comes from every heart
And peace beyond compare,

And I hear the angels singing, x3
Hallelujah,
Hallelujah…