tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60687221014336803352011-09-06T13:57:34.438+01:00DadsDinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00409820799442134743noreply@blogger.comBlogger1111100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6068722101433680335.post-10375379247807985912010-07-29T08:00:00.001+01:002010-07-29T08:00:01.312+01:00

Lord God,Thank you for all the rituals and traditions that bring us comfort but help us to see beyond them. They are only a shadow of the truth. The reality is Christ. Through his life we have been shown how to live and through his death on the cross we have been freed from the power of the selfishness which lives in each of us. Keep us rooted in him. May we build our lives upon him and grow to

DadsDinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00409820799442134743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6068722101433680335.post-85293534844477481582010-07-28T08:00:00.006+01:002010-07-28T08:00:06.975+01:00

(A sermon based on Luke 11:1-13, Psalm 138 and Colossians 2:6-19)How are we to pray?One day, Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.”This maybe wasn't the wisest of questions. There's an element of impatience to it. 'John taught his disciples how to pray. Why haven't you taught us how

DadsDinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00409820799442134743noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6068722101433680335.post-83906545875503687122010-07-27T08:00:00.005+01:002010-07-27T08:00:01.435+01:00

One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.”Jesus said to them, “When you pray, say this:‘Father:May your holy name be honoured;may your Kingdom come.Give us day by day the food we need.Forgive us our sins,for we forgive everyone who does us wrong.And do not bring us to hard

DadsDinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00409820799442134743noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6068722101433680335.post-91143801625838807582010-07-26T08:00:00.002+01:002010-07-26T08:00:07.780+01:00

Dear God,You created us and our world. You are in charge. Everything is under your control. No one can tell you what to do.All the same, you want to know what we think. You listen to what we have to say. Help us to meet with you now and speak with you. Show us how to be open and honest, humble but also confident. In Jesus, you became a person – you know what it's like to be a human being. You

DadsDinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00409820799442134743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6068722101433680335.post-39785257444066107652010-07-16T08:00:00.001+01:002010-07-16T08:00:08.527+01:00

Lord God,We pray for your world. Bring compromise and conciliation to Gaza. Give hope to the people of Zimbabwe. Oversee the aid that has been sent to Haiti – ensure that it goes where it is most needed to build a lasting future for the people there.Closer to home, may the certainty of your love bring strength and comfort to all those suffering in these uncertain times. Show us what we can do to

DadsDinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00409820799442134743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6068722101433680335.post-68587264459668265432010-07-15T08:00:00.002+01:002010-07-15T08:00:02.603+01:00

Signs of Daybreak - A rabbi once asked his students how they could tell when night had ended and day was on its way back...'Well then,' the students demanded, 'when is it?''It is when you look on the face of another human being, and see that he or she is your brother or sister. Because if you cannot do that, then no matter what time it is, it is still night.'The Power of the Flame - Once upon a

DadsDinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00409820799442134743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6068722101433680335.post-47127006404040242252010-07-14T08:00:00.000+01:002010-07-14T08:00:09.767+01:00

Heavenly Father,We long to love you with all our heart and strength and mind and soul. And yet so often we hold a little something back for ourselves.Sometimes it's quite a big something.Fear, laziness, tiredness, selfishness, stubbornness, despair – all these things and so many more get in the way and stop us being the people we could be. They stop us being the beacons of hope and light you want

DadsDinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00409820799442134743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6068722101433680335.post-25106987945523015272010-07-13T08:00:00.002+01:002010-07-14T10:18:40.298+01:00

[An all-age talk based on Luke 10:25-37]What do you think are the important things in life? What gets you excited? What do you care about?What we find important makes us who we are and helps us decide what to do. One day, a lawyer tried to catch Jesus out by asking him to list the most important things of all. The man stood up from the crowd and asked Jesus, 'What must I do to live forever?'

DadsDinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00409820799442134743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6068722101433680335.post-32201159071801021902010-07-12T08:00:00.000+01:002010-07-12T08:00:00.829+01:00

[Opening prayer]It is written in Psalm 25:Teach us your ways, O Lord;make them known to us.Teach us to live according to your truth,for you are our God, who saves us.We always trust in you.Let's pray:Heavenly Father,We are gathered here as your family, eager to spend time with you but distracted by many things. So many things, perhaps, that merely listing them would become a distraction in itself

DadsDinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00409820799442134743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6068722101433680335.post-91780863390690689222010-05-21T08:00:00.000+01:002010-05-21T08:00:05.453+01:00

[Prayers for ourselves and others]Lord God,We pray for your church. From the outside we can look so splintered. There are so many denominations, congregations, groups, leaders and committees. Help us to recognise all that, as your people, we have in common – our love for you, the forgiveness we have been given and our concern for the people of this world. Even though we sometimes disagree on

DadsDinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00409820799442134743noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6068722101433680335.post-23792036106549542312010-05-20T08:00:00.001+01:002010-05-20T08:00:01.616+01:00

Heavenly father,Wealth can take many forms: family and friends, peace and safety, health and comfort, food and shelter. Thank you for all that you provide for us. May we use it wisely, so that those who look may see your church – your people – and know that you have sent your son to save the world.Amen.

DadsDinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00409820799442134743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6068722101433680335.post-71618030029702539542010-05-19T08:00:00.003+01:002010-05-19T08:00:01.044+01:00

[A sermon based on John 17:20-26]What does God want us to do?Where are we going? What are we trying to achieve? What is his plan for us?These are difficult questions but ones that get asked all the time.God can speak to us in many ways: through the Bible, through other people, through the situations we find ourselves in, through a feeling or perhaps even directly through a sudden moment of

DadsDinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00409820799442134743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6068722101433680335.post-88836645118015068342010-05-18T08:00:00.001+01:002010-05-18T08:00:01.980+01:00

[An all-age talk based on Acts 16:16-39]How do we know what God wants us to do?Sometimes it's obvious – someone's needing help and we can give it to them.Other times, decisions can be more difficult. There are situations where telling the truth can get someone else into trouble. Or what happens when two different people need help at the same time? At what point does lying around playing computer

DadsDinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00409820799442134743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6068722101433680335.post-23648995704429307742010-05-17T08:00:00.001+01:002010-05-17T08:00:01.324+01:00

Heavenly Father,How is it that each week can seem really long and yet the months fly by?Each day brings its difficulties. We all have our own problems. For some, there is an endless stream of urgent things that must be done, never giving time to stop and think. For others, there can be too much time stretching out ahead. An hour with a crying baby or a confused relative can drag on forever.It can

DadsDinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00409820799442134743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6068722101433680335.post-78920259882988124372010-05-14T09:30:00.003+01:002010-05-14T09:30:01.634+01:00

The scene is a shop. There is a selection of open boxes on a table at the back of the stage with little signs on them like 'SALE', 'ARMY SURPLUS' & 'BARGAINS!'. There is a counter of some sort stage-right with another box on it (containing Riler's selection of lifestyles) and a pen and paper. The box has a sign on it reading 'PLEASE PAY HERE'. A phone rings off-stage and Riler enters behind the

DadsDinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00409820799442134743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6068722101433680335.post-31282650245166592662010-05-13T09:30:00.003+01:002010-05-13T10:44:06.162+01:00

There is a table slightly to the right of centre-stage and it is piled with books and notes and has a candle and a telephone on it. There is a chair beside it. The narrator stands DSL and faces the audience.Narrator : A long time ago, there was a man who was on a journey. (The priest enters DSR and begins to walk about the stage, mopping his brow). As he walked, he considered the pointlessness of

DadsDinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00409820799442134743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6068722101433680335.post-29886745560691680792010-05-12T09:30:00.002+01:002010-05-12T09:30:01.436+01:00

I first started seriously considering Christianity after taking part in a Science vs Creation debate as part of a biology class. I was firmly on the side of science but I decided to debate on the creation side and I ended up convincing myself that, at the very least, all kinds of things are possible. It was only then that I began to investigate the person and claims of Jesus. It was only then

DadsDinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00409820799442134743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6068722101433680335.post-11353508424911834922010-05-11T09:30:00.001+01:002010-05-11T09:30:00.171+01:00

Sue and Pam enter from the back of the room and struggle through the audience to reach the stage. They are wearing hiking gear and carrying backpacks. They argue as they go. At the back of the stage are two signs, one says 'Right' and points to the audience's right. The other sign points left and says 'Left'.Sue : This is all your fault.Pam : My fault? I told you we should have taken the last

DadsDinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00409820799442134743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6068722101433680335.post-15623392219435792872010-05-10T10:35:00.006+01:002010-05-10T10:47:58.121+01:00

OK, people, it's a script writers' meeting to discuss the latest Biblical blockbuster. There is a table centre stage with Helena sitting at one end. George, Rachel, Jackie & Steve are sitting in that order behind the table, facing the audience. They are chatting amongst themselves as the sketch starts. Jane enters with a pile of papers and sits down opposite Helena. All the characters have

DadsDinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00409820799442134743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6068722101433680335.post-58563160541926291272010-05-10T10:30:00.002+01:002010-05-10T10:46:00.994+01:00

There's no theme for this week's postings. As we've finally reached the clearance section of my hard-drive, I'm going to be sticking up an eclectic selection of pieces that haven't really fitted anywhere else. After that, well, who knows? I might post the occasional idea here but I'm mainly going to use this website to provide access to the contents of any church services I lead. These services

DadsDinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00409820799442134743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6068722101433680335.post-53900213316398797692010-05-07T09:30:00.001+01:002010-05-07T09:30:00.499+01:00

Roger blunders onto stage wearing a blindfold. Carol enters from the other side and watches him in puzzlement for a bit. She then goes over to help.Carol : Hey, would you like to see?Roger (thrusting an ear towards Carol) : Who's there?Carol : My name's Carol. I said, 'Do you want to see?'Roger (furrowing his brow) : See? What's that then?Carol : Erm, it's being able to look at things.Roger :

DadsDinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00409820799442134743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6068722101433680335.post-51951584622703930982010-05-06T09:30:00.000+01:002010-05-06T09:30:00.397+01:00

How do you describe light to someone who can't see and has no concept of sight? They're in darkness but they don't even know it. More than that, how do you describe to them properties, such as colour, that depend on an object's relationship with light? Light has to enter their world before they can ever really understand.God brought himself into the realm of our experience and understanding by

DadsDinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00409820799442134743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6068722101433680335.post-79613979839406442502010-04-30T09:30:00.001+01:002010-04-30T09:30:01.083+01:00

Jesus said: 'The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,because he has chosen me to bring good news to the poor.He has sent me to proclaim freedom to the captivesand recovery of sight to the blind;to set free the oppressedand announce that the time has come when the Lord will save his people.' Isaiah 61:1-2 (GNB)Those words are still true today and are spoken to us. Jesus showed it to the disciples in

DadsDinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00409820799442134743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6068722101433680335.post-11921387702246812512010-04-28T09:30:00.001+01:002010-04-28T09:30:01.320+01:00

Very early in his days as a touring preacher, Jesus spoke on a passage from Isaiah: 'The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,because he has chosen me to bring good news to the poor.He has sent me to proclaim freedom to the captivesand recovery of sight to the blind;to set free the oppressedand announce that the time has come when the Lord will save his people.' Isaiah 61:1-2 (GNB)He told people the

DadsDinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00409820799442134743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6068722101433680335.post-44885740780596802672010-04-26T09:45:00.001+01:002010-04-26T09:48:34.857+01:00

Things weren't going very well for the disciples. They weren't going very well at all.And to think the situation had changed so much in just a few weeks. They'd followed Jesus into Jerusalem with so much hope and expectation, fuelled by the astounding teaching they'd heard over the three years they'd been with him. 'Happy are you who are poor; the Kingdom of God is yours!' he'd said. 'Happy are

DadsDinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00409820799442134743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6068722101433680335.post-32795477503106901162010-04-02T09:30:00.000+01:002010-04-02T09:30:00.288+01:00

The opening scene is a cramped cell with an imaginary door Stage-Right. A sheet can be laid out or a handy lighting effect shone to mark the boundaries of the cell or they can be agreed upon beforehand by the cast. Care must be taken to avoid blocking line of sight when everyone is huddled together. Also, the appropriate characters should remember to close as well as open the door. The Narrator

DadsDinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00409820799442134743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6068722101433680335.post-211181747685090592010-04-01T09:30:00.003+01:002010-04-01T09:30:00.630+01:00

'With joy give thanks to the Father, who has made you fit to have your share of what God has reserved for his people in the kingdom of light. He rescued us from the power of darkness and brought us safe into the kingdom of his dear Son, by whom we are set free, that is, our sins our forgiven.' Colossians 1:11-12 (GNB)There are so many things to take from those couple of sentences: God's kingdom

DadsDinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00409820799442134743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6068722101433680335.post-68404345612071626692010-03-31T09:30:00.000+01:002010-03-31T09:30:00.497+01:00

It wasn't an ordinary execution. I doubt I'd have been there otherwise. The priests had a bunch of us bussed out from the Temple to make a bit of noise and jeer at the latest would-be Messiah as he got his comeuppance. This one in particular had really rattled them and they wanted to discourage his followers and put-off any copy-cat prophets. You know how it is.Anyway, we fought our way through

DadsDinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00409820799442134743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6068722101433680335.post-7144296680817981072010-03-29T09:30:00.004+01:002010-03-29T09:50:06.177+01:00

At the last supper, on the very night he was betrayed, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, 'This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.'It may or may not have been a Passover meal but it was certainly very similar to one and that, in itself, is a meal of remembrance.The Lord said to Moses, 'When you enter the land that the Lord will

DadsDinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00409820799442134743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6068722101433680335.post-43557833090582207482010-03-26T09:30:00.001Z2011-05-17T21:29:43.563+01:00

Picture the scene: an olive grove at night, the air still warm and filled with the scent of the trees and with the noises of little creatures. A man enters. He has a dark complexion and he seems aged beyond his years but there's little else to distinguish him. Except, somehow, he seems more real than anyone has the right to be. He glances back wearily and shakes his head. Then he begins to

DadsDinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00409820799442134743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6068722101433680335.post-76511865339134573572010-03-24T10:15:00.003Z2010-03-24T10:59:58.835Z

This sketch involves Judas, Thomas, Philip, Peter & John during the Last Supper and everything should be done snappily. The action takes place in a room away from the meal itself. All the apostles are tired, stressed and pre-occupied. At the start, Thomas is busy preparing food at a table centre-stage. Judas enters from stage-right (the direction of the meal).Judas : Come on, Thomas, hurry up

DadsDinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00409820799442134743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6068722101433680335.post-26418098656245875582010-03-22T09:30:00.002Z2010-03-24T11:00:21.454Z

Jesus told a parable about a rich man and a beggar. This is the unofficial sequel:It was going to be a long day. Lazarus turned the handle of the door to the Moneybags mansion and the lock clicked open at his touch. He had five brothers to convince to change their ways before nightfall - five brothers to persuade to honour God in both word and deed - and it was bound to be difficult. He'd seen

DadsDinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00409820799442134743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6068722101433680335.post-16110735811508837632010-03-18T10:00:00.001Z2010-03-24T11:00:21.455Z

What they were thinking when they built St Margaret's I'll never know. High and dingy it is, like our old school hall that used to double as a gym in the winter. It's probably about as old too and they knocked the school down years ago. Can't knock a church down, though, wouldn't be right. Wouldn't want them too, any road. Just wish they'd liven it up a bit, that's all; put up some paintings like

DadsDinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00409820799442134743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6068722101433680335.post-46592090253588901462010-03-17T09:30:00.000Z2010-03-24T10:59:58.836Z

Satan sits at a desk, flicking through some papers. There is an empty chair facing him. Satan looks up on hearing a knock at the door.Satan : Come in, Snaggleroot. (Snaggleroot enters and walks over to stand beside Satan. She is carrying some documents). What have you got for me this afternoon?Snaggle (with a silly voice): Well, your eminence, if I may be pardoned an obsequiousness...Satan (

DadsDinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00409820799442134743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6068722101433680335.post-82962606761648023092010-03-16T09:30:00.001Z2010-03-24T10:59:58.837Z

Leonara is sitting on a chair, sipping tea from a thermos and watching over the sleeping form of Jason (who is lying in front of her). Drimble enters and tries to attract her attention. Leonara and Drimble are both angels and should be wearing similar, plain clothing, such as jeans and white T-shirts. Tinsel halos might also be a good idea in order to make it obvious who they are. (Just as long

DadsDinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00409820799442134743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6068722101433680335.post-71291844154948928762010-03-15T11:15:00.002Z2010-03-15T11:15:42.606Z

Angels are enigmatic characters. They turn up at odd intervals throughout the Bible, usually as messengers, and do their bit and then they're away again. Where to exactly? And what goes on in the spiritual realms anyway?Besides a few smatterings of scripture, there's a wealth of apocryphal and anecdotal information about angels but the amount we really know is fairly slim. Its all guess-work and

DadsDinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00409820799442134743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6068722101433680335.post-21643831127565637042010-03-12T09:30:00.000Z2010-03-12T09:30:00.566Z

The promise to us isn't: do this and you will be my people. But, instead, it is: you are the people of God. And if that means anything to us at all we will respond.And what should be our response? Paul said it better than I can: You are the people of God; he loved you and chose you for his own. So then, you must clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Be

DadsDinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00409820799442134743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6068722101433680335.post-81218993839952791192010-03-11T09:30:00.002Z2010-03-11T09:30:00.821Z

But what does it mean to be God's people?The ceremonies Moses performed to seal the relationship between the Israelites and God were pretty impressive. (Exodus 24). He built an altar, had lots of sacrifices made, and then, to top it all, he went and threw buckets of blood over the congregation. I mean, cheers! And people have been sitting at the back in church services ever since.A strange

DadsDinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00409820799442134743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6068722101433680335.post-34964311581396283642010-03-10T09:30:00.001Z2010-03-10T09:30:00.129Z

You are the people of God; he loved you and chose you for his own. Colossians 3:12 (GNB)Doesn't always seem like it, does it?You'd think a personal relationship with the creator of the universe would be a bit more spectacular, wouldn't you? You know, thunder and lightning, food falling from the sky, three miracles before breakfast... That kind of thing. Surely, if he loves us, he could give us

DadsDinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00409820799442134743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6068722101433680335.post-40283319910344820172010-03-09T09:30:00.000Z2010-03-09T09:30:01.773Z

A radio sketch about Moses' return from Mt Sinai with the ten commandments:EXTERIOR: MOUNTAINSIDE. RAPID FOOTSTEPS. PANTING.Moses: Come on, Joshua, keep up! We may be too late already.Joshua: Yes, my lord, Moses. I'm going as fast as I can. My arms are really quite sore, you know.Moses: Your point, Joshua?Joshua: It must be your turn to carry the stone tablets, my lord.F/X: FOOTSTEPS STOP. BRING

DadsDinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00409820799442134743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6068722101433680335.post-8154004342368024282010-03-08T10:00:00.003Z2010-03-08T10:42:17.303Z

You have to wonder what the Israelites thought of it all.In the space of a few months they'd gone from being slaves in Egypt, to being a chosen people, standing at the foot of Mount Sinai affirming their relationship with God.True, they'd always known God was on their side. They'd heard how he'd spoken to their ancestors Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, promising them their own land and divine

DadsDinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00409820799442134743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6068722101433680335.post-10189488200699627992010-03-05T09:15:00.000Z2010-03-05T09:17:28.983Z

This is the fifth and final part of a radio play about dreams and desires.Long ago and far away, a young woman, Ethné, imagines the wonders she might see if she could ever escape her small, coastal village. She stumbles across a mystical cave which starts to weave tales around her, telling her the ancient story of Conor, Prince of Ulster, and Rhiannon, Princess of the Western Isles. The cave even

DadsDinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00409820799442134743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6068722101433680335.post-65910221743538365522010-03-04T09:30:00.002Z2010-03-05T09:18:24.566Z

This is the fourth part of a radio play about dreams and desires.Long ago and far away, a young woman, Ethné, imagines the wonders she might see if she could ever escape her small, coastal village. She stumbles across a mystical cave which starts to weave tales around her, telling her the ancient story of Conor, Prince of Ulster, and Rhiannon, Princess of the Western Isles.Rhiannon's mother

DadsDinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00409820799442134743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6068722101433680335.post-11136369173486581472010-03-03T09:30:00.003Z2010-03-04T09:42:53.690Z

This is the third part of a radio play about dreams and desires.Long ago and far away, a young woman, Ethné, imagines the wonders she might see if she could ever escape her small, coastal village. She stumbles across a mystical cave which starts to weave tales around her, telling her the ancient story of Conor, Prince of Ulster, and Rhiannon, Princess of the Western Isles.Rhiannon's mother

DadsDinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00409820799442134743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6068722101433680335.post-61346342306868417622010-03-02T10:00:00.001Z2010-03-03T09:40:43.750Z

This is the second part of a radio play about dreams and desires.Long ago and far away, a young woman, Ethné, imagines the wonders she might see if she could ever escape her small, coastal village. She stumbles across a mystical cave which starts to weave tales around her, telling her the ancient story of Conor, Prince of Ulster, and Rhiannon, Princess of the Western Isles...INTERIOR: CAVE.THE

DadsDinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00409820799442134743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6068722101433680335.post-61798173954242122572010-03-01T11:00:00.001Z2010-03-02T10:23:53.894Z

A radio play about dreams and desires.EXTERIOR: BEACH. BRING IN BACKGROUND GRADUALLY UNDER SPEECH.BROTHER STEPHEN: (Voice Over) Long ago and far away, when the grass was fresh upon God's green hills and the Faerie folk still meddled openly in the world of men, a young seamstress stood upon the water's edge and dreamed of what could never be. Her name was Ethné and the ocean filled her mind...PEAK

DadsDinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00409820799442134743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6068722101433680335.post-43686825651621727952010-02-26T08:50:00.000Z2010-02-26T08:56:03.933Z

Sometimes the media portrays the church as the keeper of the ten commandments, here to make pronouncements on such issues as immigration and equality. There's a place for that but it's not really what we're about. Our message is the crucified Christ.It's through a relationship with Jesus that the commandments become a way of life. It's through meeting him that it becomes possible to love the Lord

DadsDinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00409820799442134743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6068722101433680335.post-26180025223715122982010-02-25T09:00:00.000Z2010-02-25T09:03:06.215Z

PETER: I would have died for him then. It was so sudden, you see - one minute I was dozing, the next I was cold and bleary-eyed in the darkness. Before I knew what was happening, they'd surrounded us - demons in the flickering torchlight, or so it seemed. Then fear cleared my senses, and they were only human after all. Some I'd met before and spoken with, eaten with even, some I'd avoided. And

DadsDinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00409820799442134743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6068722101433680335.post-12891848132965809612010-02-24T09:30:00.001Z2010-02-24T09:41:54.480Z

A friend of mine has been a Christian for a very long time and at one point he struggled with Jesus' death on the cross. Why was it necessary? Was it necessary? How could a loving God allow it to happen?These are important questions. Why did Jesus die? Our message is the crucified Christ after all.There are many parts to the explanation. One is that Jesus took the punishment for our wrong doing.

DadsDinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00409820799442134743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6068722101433680335.post-66186720568214129482010-02-23T09:00:00.000Z2010-02-23T09:13:02.189Z

When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple courts he found men selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple area, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. To those who sold doves he said, "Get these

DadsDinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00409820799442134743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6068722101433680335.post-5493265601555260672010-02-22T11:00:00.001Z2010-02-22T11:11:03.554Z

'Our message is the crucified Christ, a message that is offensive to the Jews and nonsense to the Gentiles; but for those whom God has called, both Jews and Gentiles, this message is Christ, who is the power of God and the wisdom of God. For what seems to be God's foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and what seems to be God's weakness is stronger than human strength.' 1 Corinthians 1:23-25 (

DadsDinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00409820799442134743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6068722101433680335.post-36598895414881041582010-02-12T09:30:00.001Z2010-02-12T09:46:02.501Z

God of your goodness, give me yourself,for you are sufficient for me...If I were to ask anything lessI should always be in want,for in you alone do I have all.--------------------- Julian of NorwichHeavenly father,We can't have rest without you. We can't be at peace without you. We can't find contentment without you. You made us and the world we live in; you know how all the pieces of our

DadsDinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00409820799442134743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6068722101433680335.post-42457626527038401832010-02-11T08:40:00.000Z2010-02-11T08:44:28.103Z

George drapes himself in a white sheet and stands centre-stage. Jane and Keith stand slightly off to one side. Jane is wearing a loosely-fitting skirt over leggings. James stands DSL. Astrid stands DSR and speaks to the audience. She should be played completely over-the-top. James winces and shakes his head as he watches and listens.Astrid : In the beginning, a hypothetical, omnipotent being -

DadsDinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00409820799442134743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6068722101433680335.post-70629898679459312422010-02-10T10:00:00.000Z2010-02-10T10:14:04.730Z

'You've heard it said, 'An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth,' and well, if you want to believe that, it's fine by me. Of course, it doesn't mean what you think it means - it's about just sentencing rather than revenge - but if your interpretation is somehow beneficial to you, I'm sure we can work round that. Correct me if I'm wrong, though, but I think we can take the teaching a little bit

DadsDinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00409820799442134743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6068722101433680335.post-81614351847584195302010-02-09T10:00:00.001Z2010-02-09T10:11:12.482Z

I saw the universe in a cup of coffee, reflected light twinkling in the swirling black. I wondered at the vastness of creation and the care with which it was made.I felt warm and comforted.I saw beauty in a cherry tree, a canopy of blossom rippling in the breeze. I marvelled at the complexity of life and smiled at the sunshine on my face.I felt warm and comforted.I saw your glory in a stormy sky,

DadsDinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00409820799442134743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6068722101433680335.post-70583719053811662332010-02-08T11:45:00.000Z2011-05-17T21:32:29.090+01:00

Carol stands centre-stage and Sarah enters stage-left hiding a cornflakes packet behind her back. The box is covered over with the label 'Nothing!'Sarah: You'll never guess what I've found.Carol: A good hairdresser.Sarah: Nope.Carol: No, I didn't think so. A winning lottery ticket?Sarah: Y... (Looks around at audience and thinks better of it). No.Carol: The lost ark of the covenant?Sarah: Don't

DadsDinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00409820799442134743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6068722101433680335.post-70707472972903276182010-02-05T09:00:00.001Z2010-02-05T09:08:10.353Z

God said through Hosea, 'At that time I will make a new covenant with all the wild animals and birds, so that they will not harm my people. I will also remove all weapons of war from the land, all swords and bows, and will let my people live in peace and safety.' Hosea 2:18 (GNB). God has it in his power to do all that and he will do so when the time is right. How much more can God change us and

DadsDinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00409820799442134743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6068722101433680335.post-76248027953273571802010-02-04T08:50:00.001Z2010-02-04T08:58:22.146Z

Seats are set out in diagonal rows like pews. The minister stands side-on to the audience; Ellie and Rachel are positioned in seats where they can be seen; anyone else takes up space in the pews, listening attentively, sleeping, doodling, etc. At the start of the sketch, everyone awake is standing with a hymn book.Minister: Amen. Please be seated. (Everyone else sits down). Let us continue with a

DadsDinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00409820799442134743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6068722101433680335.post-24798179858082019832010-02-03T09:30:00.003Z2010-02-03T09:30:01.014Z

No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment. If he does, the new piece will pull away from the old, making the tear worse. And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the wineskins will be ruined. No, he pours new wine into new wineskins. Mark 2:21-22 (NIV) I was walking through town one time when I was stopped by two

DadsDinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00409820799442134743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6068722101433680335.post-14825620085307851872010-02-02T09:00:00.000Z2010-02-02T09:13:02.751Z

Change is difficult but change is possible and change is worth it.Change is difficult, it really is. Sometimes the past seems almost inescapable. Here's an example. Have you ever wondered why the distance between the two rails of a railway line is four feet, eight and a half inches? No? You probably didn't even know that they're that far apart but now you do. And doesn't it strike you as odd that

DadsDinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00409820799442134743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6068722101433680335.post-17226244041875986022010-02-01T10:30:00.001Z2010-02-01T10:31:51.586Z

...you are a letter from Christ... written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts. 2 Corinthians 3:3(NIV)Heavenly father,You are the unchanging changer. Your love and your faithfulness never fail. In the beginning you were here and you made all things. At the end of time you will still be here. You are with us every moment of our

DadsDinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00409820799442134743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6068722101433680335.post-7601368857324464782010-01-28T09:30:00.003Z2010-01-28T09:38:57.726Z

(Based on Matthew 22:1-14)Jerusalem, 33AD. Charioteer Josh and actress Star run into each other one last time, on the Sunday after an eventful Passover...The scene is an empty party. There is some music playing quietly. Chris stands at the back, while Star stands centre-stage and shuffles aimlessly to the music. Josh enters at the back.JOSH: Starlight? What're you doing here?STARLIGHT: (still

DadsDinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00409820799442134743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6068722101433680335.post-1114938338079670992010-01-27T09:30:00.001Z2010-01-27T09:36:52.052Z

(Based on Luke 19:28-38, John 2:1-11, John 6:1-13)Welcome back to 33AD with party animals Josh and Star. The scene is a pavement café with a small table and two chairs, centre-stage. Josh and Star enter, both stiff and tired. Josh has a coat over his arm. Chris is at the opposite side of the stage. Josh leads Star over to the table.JOSH: How about here?STARLIGHT: Anywhere. My feet are killing

DadsDinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00409820799442134743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6068722101433680335.post-79330115251538204882010-01-26T09:30:00.001Z2010-01-26T09:30:00.258Z

(Based on Matthew 9:9-13)Jerusalem, 33AD. Not long after their previous meeting, old acquaintances Josh the charioteer and Starlight the actress bump into each other at another party. The setting is a gala charity meal. Josh is sitting at a table for two, centre-stage, perusing a menu. Star enters opposite him and goes to sit in the other chair but then recognises him. She pulls out dark glasses

DadsDinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00409820799442134743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6068722101433680335.post-85179271632824991412010-01-25T09:30:00.001Z2011-05-17T21:32:29.093+01:00

The Characters:Starlight - A budding actress with a dizziness that's half-real and half-feigned. She's ambitious but she is, at best, a Grade C star, so she behaves in an attention-grabbing way to make up for it. She's also embarrassed by her small-town background. This makes her nervous of Josh once he remembers her from the old days when they both knew Jesus. She wears smart, attractive

DadsDinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00409820799442134743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6068722101433680335.post-82192937917793788062010-01-22T09:30:00.002Z2010-01-22T09:30:00.496Z

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NIV)But what if someone takes advantage of the forgiveness they're

DadsDinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00409820799442134743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6068722101433680335.post-72317842898031668882010-01-21T09:00:00.000Z2010-01-21T09:08:49.283Z

A man named Bob died and ended up, rather inevitably, at the last judgement. Well, not the last judgement exactly, more the departure lounge for the last judgement - kind of like Heathrow airport but bigger and with more angels. Bob was somewhat thrown by this, since it wasn't entirely what he'd been expecting. Still, one of the passing angels told him to go and collect the book in which all his

DadsDinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00409820799442134743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6068722101433680335.post-75591160185336276322010-01-20T09:00:00.000Z2010-01-20T09:10:41.831Z

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NIV)Love keeps no record of wrongs. If you've forgiven someone,

DadsDinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00409820799442134743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6068722101433680335.post-56911300414408358852010-01-19T09:00:00.000Z2010-01-19T09:10:29.422Z

If someone forgave you for kicking them in the shins, you wouldn't expect them to immediately stop feeling tender and sore. They're going to be cautious and hobbled for a while.Why should it be any different when it's their trust you've broken, rather than their skin?

DadsDinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00409820799442134743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6068722101433680335.post-48477558384707422222010-01-18T09:30:00.003Z2010-01-18T09:36:39.474Z

Peter must have been feeling pretty spiritual when he asked how many times he should forgive someone who had done something against him. 'Seven times?' he asked. You can almost hear the other disciples muttering, 'Huh, that Peter, always showing off. Three or four would be enough for anybody else.'But Jesus surprised them all. 'Not seven times,' he said, 'but seventy times seven.' (Matthew 18:21-

DadsDinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00409820799442134743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6068722101433680335.post-9560727191741083152010-01-15T08:20:00.000Z2010-01-15T08:24:11.471Z

May Christ direct me every day of my life - his love and power in all my words and actions.May I know myself - my own desires, fears and dreams - so that I may hear the voice of God more clearly. May I know my nature and my abilities so that I may freely serve.Through his power and wisdom, so be it.

DadsDinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00409820799442134743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6068722101433680335.post-31682363956766325362010-01-14T09:30:00.003Z2010-01-14T09:55:04.517Z

I've already told one story about a mirror this week, a magic mirror that lied, supplying pleasing dreams to lure people. But even real mirrors lie. Scientists know this for a fact. Apparently, on average, we tend to look about a third better to ourselves in the mirror than we do to other people in real life. You know, nose front on - not enormous. Nose side on – somewhat overly generous - which

DadsDinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00409820799442134743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6068722101433680335.post-42907916514753797952010-01-13T09:00:00.000Z2010-01-13T09:16:24.076Z

What are the temptations you find hard to resist?What are the fears that always trouble you?What are you good at?What are your dreams?These are some of the questions we have to answer in order to truly be ourselves and to serve God the best we can. Our relationships with God and with each other need to be based on truth. We have to sort out the fantasies of our desires and fears from the reality

DadsDinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00409820799442134743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6068722101433680335.post-90895441143791073122010-01-12T09:30:00.001Z2010-01-12T09:34:34.204Z

It's important we know what we want. Some things like wanting to help others or to follow Jesus are great. But there are other things which can get us into trouble for no good reason. I guess when I was young, I wanted lots of money, lots of friends and just once to go into a wardrobe and come out on the other side in Narnia. Actually, I still want those things – the problem is going after them

DadsDinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00409820799442134743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6068722101433680335.post-91542204692115539582010-01-11T09:30:00.002Z2010-01-11T09:31:22.341Z

Dear God,You know us better than we know ourselves. Help us to understand the ways we think and feel in our daily lives. Help us to tell the difference between our needs and our desires. Give us the confidence to know what we do well and to use those abilities for you.Sometimes we are so keen to hide our weaknesses from other people that we hide them from ourselves. We go on making the same

DadsDinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00409820799442134743noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6068722101433680335.post-66099269314927152392009-12-25T09:30:00.004Z2010-01-08T11:07:13.308Z

Lord,Heal us. Make us whole.Take away everything which holds us back. Give us what we need to grow.Bring us closer to you and to each other so that we may carry each other's burdens with the love which you have taught us.Build out of us a people enriched by all that has gone before but ready for the challenges ahead. A people ready and able to serve the world. A people able to tell the world

DadsDinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00409820799442134743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6068722101433680335.post-61284028450422691412009-12-24T09:30:00.001Z2009-12-24T09:30:00.228Z

Oh, little town of Bethlehem,How still we see thee lie.Above thy deep and dreamless sleep,The silent stars go by.Yet in thy dark streets shinethThe ever-lasting light.The hopes and fears of all the yearsAre met in thee tonight.Spare a thought for Joseph.He'd had to live through months of gossip, thanks to the wedding date and due date not entirely adding up. That had been followed by a lengthy

DadsDinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00409820799442134743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6068722101433680335.post-46406586098701576802009-12-23T09:30:00.006Z2011-05-17T21:32:29.095+01:00

(The initial scene is the traditional nativity with Mary and Joseph and baby centrestage. The shepherds, etc, can either start onstage or enter as they are mentioned. Three narrators do all the talking but a few lines could be delivered by actors if ability and microphones allow).THREE: What a circus! Shepherds crowded round, glad to be there, and talking excitedly about the angels that they'd

DadsDinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00409820799442134743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6068722101433680335.post-55685369993644962802009-12-22T09:30:00.001Z2009-12-22T09:30:01.592Z

Announcer (standing alone at the front of a carol service): Er, there's supposed to be a sketch now but we've been having a few problems with acoustics and sight lines. So, er, can Cath come up and give the next reading. (Cath walks up to the front, opens her Bible, clears her throat and launches into a very serious reading in a booming voice).Cath : The reading is from the Gospel according to St

DadsDinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00409820799442134743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6068722101433680335.post-51315675718493639892009-12-21T09:30:00.001Z2009-12-21T09:30:01.023Z

The world goes fluffy at Christmas. There are twinkly lights, mince pies, men with white beards, glittering baubles and enormous snowflakes. It's as if reality is being filmed in soft-focus.Maybe by the time you've been round the shops three times looking for a little something for Great Aunt Beattie things have lost their shine a bit. Not to mention the fact that you're ready to play ice-hockey

DadsDinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00409820799442134743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6068722101433680335.post-68656308708204585902009-12-18T09:30:00.000Z2009-12-18T09:37:35.662Z

Things aren't always what they are cracked up to be. The long-awaited film is full of laughter and action but, by the time the bus is halfway home, huge holes have been picked in the plot and the characters have been forgotten. The tingling excitement of the first kiss slides into stale routine and a relationship without a soul. The childhood idol turns out to be only human after all.Life can be

DadsDinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00409820799442134743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6068722101433680335.post-18155136014790961902009-12-17T09:20:00.002Z2011-05-17T21:32:29.097+01:00

The stage is set with two chairs placed next to each other between centre-stage and up-stage right. Margie, an old woman, sits on one of the chairs, her head in her hands. Jesus enters quietly from stage-left. The other cast members are at the rear of the stage with their backs to the audience. Pat sits, hunched over, in the middle of the line and the rest stand. They turn to face the audience

DadsDinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00409820799442134743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6068722101433680335.post-70598811334449003462009-12-16T09:30:00.002Z2009-12-16T09:38:13.390Z

We can't convince people to love God - love grows through experience - but we can make them interested.It says in the book of Isaiah:He has sent me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners... All who see them will acknowledge that they are a people the Lord has blessed. Isaiah 61:1&9 (NIV)That's us - the church. We are the

DadsDinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00409820799442134743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6068722101433680335.post-54740061882074972442009-12-15T09:15:00.000Z2009-12-15T09:18:33.371Z

When Jesus began teaching and performing miracles he took the words of Isaiah as his statement of intent: 'The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favour.' Isaiah 61:1

DadsDinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00409820799442134743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6068722101433680335.post-74130460370446944792009-12-14T09:30:00.001Z2009-12-14T09:39:02.642Z

It was time to face facts - attendance was down. The priest finished the last few flourishes of the ceremony and peered around the courtyard. Was there anyone out there at all? The Temple was normally packed with pilgrims from all over the Roman Empire, come to make their sacrifices to God and gaze in wonder at the magnificent stonework. You normally couldn't move for tourists, money changers and

DadsDinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00409820799442134743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6068722101433680335.post-49018120129216066622009-12-11T09:00:00.000Z2009-12-11T09:00:00.428Z

This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 1 John 4:9 (NIV)Dear God,Sometimes it feels like we're always waiting- waiting for a sign,waiting for you to show yourself,waiting for your kingdom,waiting for your will to be done,waiting for you to appear, to act, to be here.We are forever waiting for Christmas......and yet we

DadsDinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00409820799442134743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6068722101433680335.post-88828445464732188012009-12-10T09:15:00.000Z2009-12-18T09:39:05.077Z

Scene: A table is centre-stage. It has a place setting for breakfast at either end. There is a spare chair with its back to the audience. There is sawing coming from off-stage left. Mary, who's pregnant, bustles on from DSR carrying two slices of toast. She balances them on the closest plate and then shouts to off-stage.MARY: Joseph! Joseph!JOSEPH: (The sawing stops and he enters SL.) Yes, Mary?

DadsDinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00409820799442134743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6068722101433680335.post-10126740745815402252009-12-09T09:00:00.001Z2009-12-09T09:06:02.039Z

And Mary said:"My soul glorifies the Lordand my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour,for he has been mindfulof the humble state of his servant.From now on all generations will call me blessed,for the Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is his name.His mercy extends to those who fear him,from generation to generation.He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;he has scattered those who are

DadsDinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00409820799442134743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6068722101433680335.post-23881690011245195922009-12-08T09:15:00.001Z2009-12-08T09:23:00.285Z

In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the Desert of Judea and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near." This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah:"A voice of one calling in the desert,'Prepare the way for the Lord,make straight paths for him.'" Matthew 3:1-3 (NIV)All the Christmas preparations may divert our attention from the good news of Jesus' arrival but

DadsDinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00409820799442134743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6068722101433680335.post-44802836364686255162009-12-07T09:30:00.001Z2009-12-07T10:07:00.423Z

Word: AdventDefinition: A coming or arrival.What's coming? Well, that's obvious - Christmas!There are presents to buy and wrap, parties to go to, cards to write, jobs to finish, mince pies to eat and a hundred other things to do. December seems to be one long preparation for the arrival of Christmas.Is this over-commercialisation? Yes. Is it what advent's really about? No. Is it avoidable?

DadsDinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00409820799442134743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6068722101433680335.post-84903036036834579182009-12-04T08:30:00.000Z2009-12-04T08:30:37.246Z

The conclusion of events at the Lower Yuckford Harvest Fayre.It's time to tally up the takings but Lady Fanthrop's 'fairness' has rather reduced the total.In contrast, the gang helping Bob with the threshing machine display has grown even further. There's now a young couple, a teenager and an elderly lady (Barry, Karen, Rickie & Vi).INTERIOR: LARGE, EMPTY TENT. JACK ENTERS.JACK PARABLE: Where's

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Further incidents from the Lower Yuckford Harvest Fayre.Lady Fanthrop's manic fairness has now reached legendary proportions and Jack Parable is desperately attempting damage limitation in the hope that the fund-raising won't be a complete washout. He's taken his eye off old Mrs Crimble, however, despite the fact she held the vicar hostage with a ferret last year in protest at the repetitive

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More from the Lower Yuckford Harvest Fayre.Lady Fanthrop's obsession with fairness is causing Jack Parable real concern. He's pretty certain they're never going to raise the money to fix the church roof. Meanwhile, the young couple, Karen and Barry, are now both helping Bob on the threshing machine display.EXTERIOR: BY THRESHING MACHINE RUSTLING OF A WHEAT SHEAF BEING CARRIED ABOUT THEN

DadsDinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00409820799442134743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6068722101433680335.post-21010835493489010712009-12-01T09:15:00.002Z2009-12-02T10:41:17.762Z

Welcome back to the Lower Yuckford Harvest Fayre where the organiser, Lady Fanthrop, is taking fairness to extremes and one of the committee members, Jack Parable, is trying to keep things under control.Jack is also in charge of the threshing machine demonstration, assisted by his stoic foreman, Bob. A young man named Barry has been persuaded to help but he's caught a touch of the sun...EXTERIOR:

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What does it mean to be fair? Welcome to Part 1 of a radio comedy on the subject.Characters (with age and accent)Male:JACK PARABLE (50) Slight touch of NorfolkBOB (45) NorfolkBARRY (20)RICKIE (14)Female:LADY FANTHROP (50) Upper-class EnglishKAREN (20)VI (60)Parable FarmOUTDOOR PA SYSTEM SPLUTTERS TO LIFE.LADY FANTHROP (Distorted): Hello? Is this thing working?SCREECH OF FEEDBACK AND THEN THE PA

DadsDinnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00409820799442134743noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6068722101433680335.post-2254763450307172092009-11-27T09:30:00.001Z2009-11-27T09:56:26.115Z

It doesn't have to be our ambition to get to Heaven. It's not something we need to strive after. If you want in, then you're in. Everyone is welcome to follow Jesus and that's all that's required. You don't even have to be good at it.Know your greatness. You are valued and treasured.

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When we get to Heaven we'll be like Ewan McGregor when he arrived on the set of Star Wars: The Phantom Menace.He couldn't contain his excitement. Which I can quite understand because I'm a similar age to him. We both grew up with the original Star Wars films. I certainly remember whacking people over the head with a cardboard tube, pretending it was a light-saber, they were Darth Vader and I was

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One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: "Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!"But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong."Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."Jesus answered

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I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice:"Salvation belongs to our God,who sits on the throne,and to the Lamb." Revelation 7:9-10 (NIV)What is Heaven

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When I was a teenager, before I became a Christian, I moved to a new school and, fairly early on, I was in a class where we had to share our ambitions. I didn't know anyone that well and so I didn't know what they would say. It was quite an eye-opener.Some of the ambitions people had were pretty standard – to make lots of money or have a family, that kind of thing. Others were a bit more

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