There is an ‘About Me’ page, but let’s be honest, they’ can be a bit boring can’t they? Like with a C.V., one tries to sound so very interesting and sensible. But who really cares about an author’s academic credentials, the church ministries they’ve been involved in, what kind of pets they have and what they do to keep fit?

Here is the real me:

Well…I can’t do it. I cannot close my eyes and instantly hear from the Lord, like so many people seem to be able to do effortlessly in intercession groups. I hate those moments. The leader inhales deeply and announces,

“Okay, we’re going to spend some time in silence and listen to what the Holy Spirit is saying to us. Then we are going to share what we heard.”

Oh boy. This is the time I glean my greatest business ideas, remember the crazy dream I had the night before, and wonder what that tiny black mark is on the carpet. Without my glasses on, every dark speck looks like a woodlouse and I’ve been known to swat sock fluff thinking it was a spider.

While every holy human screws their eyes tightly shut, I squirm in my seat and wonder how long it takes a crawling insect in the corner of the room, to reach the table, ascend the leg and wander across to my bible. Would it start nibbling the word of God while I’m receiving divine revelation?

I shift, twist and drum my fingers on my mouth, trying to concentrate. Nothing. All I hear is the clock ticking – a dreaded reminder that in 4 minutes, we’re all going to awaken from our heavenly stupor and smile sweetly, delighted at what insights God has revealed to our spirits – all except mine.

“Right everyone, time’s up. Who wants to go first?”

As an enlightened saint begins to expound the sacred whispers she’s heard in her ear, accompanied by glorious interpretation, everyone listens intently, marvelling at the analogy of a flowing fountain, symbolising…I don’t know what…I’m distracted.

I panic as I notice the woodlouse has disappeared. I’m not scared of them, but I like them to keep their distance. Afterall, I’m not a decomposing plant. I don’t have a rotting wooden leg. I’m not wet, damp, or the slightest bit humid, but they annoy me the way they just turn up by my feet at the oddest of times.

I’m annoyed with myself. Why can’t I just concentrate? It was in one of these moments when I decided that I am going to be open with my readers. I might have written godly books to share with those in need of encouragement, but I am not that well put-together myself.

We are all on a journey and it often seems that while others are dashing past us, some of us are barely crawling. It is for the crawlers I like to write. I identify with them more than the successful champions of this planet. If that’s you, on all fours, weighted down with rocks, when your bones get sore, I hope that something you read will be like soothing ointment for your knees, and a deep tissue massage for your back as you fling those burdens off your shoulders.

The rest of you may feel far superior to my long-term foibles for it to nessitate the desire to read any excerpts. You consider my confessions of weakness to be tantamount to ‘the blind leading the blind’, and are off to find a more stable author.

It’s great that you are still here. Look at Psalm 136 with me for a moment. Notice that it says nothing about me being strong, wise and faithful. On the contrary, I can be feeble, foolish and forgetful of saying grace over my morning porridge. But you see, these books are not about me – they are about the One who loves me and thee, inspite of our failings.

Throughout my chapters, you will find someone who accurately fits the description from that Psalm:

“His faithful love endures forever.“

And that is why I like to write – to remind you and me that he is not only able to remove that heavy burden from our shoulders, but is willing to run the distance with us, no matter how far we fall short of the mark.

When the prayer meeting finished, (I confessed I had nothing to share, but tried to look immensely spiritual about it) I spotted the woodlouse again. I searched in my pocket for a tissue so that I could put it in the bin. Lunging at it firecely, I shouted, “Gotcha!”

This came out louder than it was mean to. A girl who had witnessed everything, looked at me quizically and said,

“Sharon…why are you talking to a pumpkin seed?”

I hope you find a book that suits you.

Thanks again for stopping by. (click here for ‘About Me’ video)

A Manly Man, God Loves Children, Life In a Christian Bookshop, The Rhyming Drama Book, Why You Make God Smile… Vol.1, Why You Make God Smile…Vol.2, Who Is Sharon Butt?

The ‘Writing’ Articles

In the ‘Writing’ section you will find various articles pertaining to writing, whether it be examples of why I love to encourage people in their daily walk upon this planet, the pitfalls I fell into during the early stages of being an author, what it’s like being an author, or a load of other musings related to either helping you to get started writing a book yourself or reflecting on why some writers have renounced their faith.

Below are the titles and a brief explanation of what each article is about. If you see something you fancy, you can simply enter the title into the Search bar and the whole article will pop up. Ah no, wait a minute…this is the 21st Century. I have added links, so all you now need to do is click on the article title.

The more I live this life, the more I’ve come to realise that often, things are not what they seem.

People who appear to be happy can be nurturing a deep sadness. Quiet people can have an abundance of self-confidence. Noisy, gregarious people are sometimes feeling insecure. Some couples who can’t stop touching each other, will be divorced within 18 months.

I like the lyrics to this song:

We are all the same, it seems,

Behind the eyes.

Broken promises and dreams

In good disguise.

All we’re really looking for

Is somewhere safe and warm –

The shelter of each other in the storm.

(Amy Grant)

I believe we all need each other. We’ve all got encouraging stories brewing up inside of us that someone, somewhere needs to hear. Everyone has a tale to tell, because we have lived a bit of life that has given us an experience unique to us.

I’d like to take this time right now to encourage you to start putting together your story. It doesn’t have to be in the format of a physical book. Just communicate in a way that is comfortable for you.

In the Bible, the writers who penned the Psalms, were often so full of emotion, that they blurted out anger, frustration, fear, jealousy, desire for vengeance, impatience and disappointment in God, without even thinking about presentation and style. Some did cleverly put words together in a poetic format, or to the tune of certain songs, but not all. After expressing their angst, they then considered the goodness of God and ended their tirade with words of faith, knowing that despite what they were going through, the Lord was the one who would deliver them from their distress.

This honesty and reflection is encouraging, for like the song above states, deep down, we are all the same, because even though our circumstanes and backgrounds differ from each other, we all go through heartaches and trials that leave us deserate for divine intervention.

I don’t know what most people are currently facing, but I do know that the situations I have experienced will help somebody in their own corner of the world, have hope that with God’s help, they will come out the other side, undestroyed. That’s why I love to write. God is so faithful, even when we mess-up big time.

He comes alongside us when we go through hard times and before you know it, he brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times – so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us. (2Cor 1:4 MSG)

My prayer is that you will find something among my pages that will bless you abundantly so you can then go and tell you own story of God’s goodness and love when it felt like your whole world was caving in.

Much love,

*This term was not intended to be derogatory. George Mueller who coined the phrase, loved children so much that he sacrificially looked after over 10,000 orphans in his lifetime and established 117 schools. He was trying to explain that the boy appeared to have special needs, or as we would respectfully say nowadays, had learning difficulties.

George Mueller (1805 -1898), tells a story of a time when a man was travelling on an open wagon ridden by a very strong donkey. A young boy whom he described as half-idiotic, flagged the vehicle down in order to hitch a ride. He was carrying a heavy load. The man agreed and the boy climbed up onto the cart with his laden basket. Thinking he would do the donkey a favour, the boy held his heavy load high in the air throughout the journey, in order to help ease the weight for the animal. Naturally, bearing heavy loads is precisely what the donkey was for and it would have been easily able to carry the weight of many cumbersome bundles.

Mr Mueller used this story to highlight how we sometimes treat God like how the young boy regarded the donkey. We have heavy loads that we cannot bear, but instead of casting the weight onto our ever-willing Father, we hold onto the burdens ourselves.

There are so many things to worry about in life and often, it is a daily battle to fight off anxiety as soon as we awake. But that is precisely what our heavenly father wants us to do through the power of his Holy Spirit. We were not created to be bowed down with stress.

There is a story in my book, “Why You Make God Smile Vol. 1” (Hanging From the Ropes of Life) which talks about a time when I was so crippled with fear that I literally could not move. The experience taught me a valuable lesson about trusting in God at all times.

Like the donkey cart owner, I also have encountered a young boy with learning difficulties whom God used to teach me a lesson about his never ending love for us. The Mystery of the Disappearing Boy can be found in Chapter 13 of, “God Loves Children”.

Some people think God is silent. He is not. He uses many ordinary situations to remind us of how much he cares about what is going on in our hearts and lives.

As you read through these excerpts, true stories and articles, may you receive a fresh encounter with him today.

Duration

You will need to know how long your sketch is going to last. The suggested summaries and prayers are not included in the duration time. The duration times also do not include curtain closes and set changes, as everybody will have a different type of stage and props. Please remember to bear this in mind when deciding on the length of your play.

Ideal age

The ideal age is from 8 years old upwards, but younger children can also be included because there are small non-speaking parts in some of the plays. However, I suggest that the sketches below should be performed by older children owing to the suggestive content:

1. Scene 5 of, “The Story of Joseph”, which portrays Joseph’s confrontation with Potiphar’s wife.

2. “What Do You Say?”, which is the account of the woman caught in the act of adultery.

Capitalisation

All the drama sketches (excluding the narration) are in rhyme to help make it easier for the actors to remember their lines and hopefully, to make it more fun. The poetry is written in the modern format of not capitalizing the first letter of every line, making it easier to flow when the actors are reading their lines.

Monologues

There are 7 long monologues in this book that I suggest should be performed by your more confident actors. Here are some tips for how to prepare the performance:

• Vary the tone of voice according to the current lines being spoken.  i.e., the main emotion with most of them is sadness and regret, but there are times when the character is reflecting back to the good times and it will help if the actor portrays this by using positive facial expression, switching into anger or sadness as their mind suddenly flicks back to the present.
• Also, encourage the actor to practice altering vocal speed and gesticulation. This will help them learn the lines more easily and should be practised regularly until they can empathise with how the character is really feeling.
• Breaking the lines down into separate chunks will also help to make the monologue easier to memorise, together with stepping into a slightly different position when reciting each chunk.
• Alternatively, if you have the technical equipment to do so, you could project the words, large enough to be seen on stage, onto a plain wall behind the audience, so that the performer could surreptitiously glance far ahead and read the words.

The monologues are:

Where Is The Hand? (The Story of Joseph)

Broken Promise (The Story of Joseph)

Shall I Go? (The Story of Esther)

Christmas Regret

Just One Touch

Jo’s Complaint (Consequences)

I Have To Pay (Consequences)

Suggested summaries

At the end of each sketch, before the director’s notes, there is a summary and salvation prayer that can be used if you are unsure of how to conclude the performance. Naturally, church leaders may want to organise their own summary – but I’ve included one for each sketch, just in case it is needed.

The Rhyming Drama Book has been written particularly for students in schools, churches, and youth groups who wish to perform short plays based on Bible stories, and biblical principles.

Each story is designed to help you make the Bible come alive in an exciting way and I have kept the suggested props and costumes basic, to accommodate those performing on a low budget. However, performers may adjust the props and costumes according to the individual needs of the cast, and the setting on which the play is being performed.

Each play comes with a page detailing the suggested props and costumes required, bible references, approximate duration, a suggested summary with salvation prayer and director’s notes at the end.

I hope that practising and performing will be a great joy to you. Remember that no matter how small your stage is or how quickly your performance is over, God’s amazing word is living and active as has the power to change lives. So, whether you are a group of budding actors or just trying to share the good news of salvation with your local community, he is working through you, so have fun.

May God bless you abundantly!

Stage Layout

BACKSTAGE

AUDIENCE

Topic: The story of Joseph from birth to the death of Jacob (Based on Genesis 37-49)

Main theme: God is in control of our destiny

Approx duration: 38 minutes

1. Cast, Suggested Props & Costumes.
2. SCENE 1: Narration (Based on Genesis 37:1-17)
3. SCENE 1: Let’s See (Based on Genesis 37:1-20)
4. SCENE 2 : Narration (Based on Genesis 37:21-24)
5. SCENE 2 : Where Is The Hand? (Based on Genesis 37)
6. SCENE 3 : Narration Based on Genesis 37:25-30)
7. SCENE 3: Secret Intention (Based on Genesis 37:25-30)
8. SCENE 4: Narration (Based on Genesis 37:31-35)
9. SCENE 4: Broken Promise – The Cry of Jacob (Based on Genesis 37:29-35)
10. SCENE 5: Narration (Based on Genesis 37:36 & 39:1-7)
11. SCENE 5: Confrontation (Based on Genesis 37:36 & Genesis 39:1-20)
12. SCENE 6: Still Waiting (Based on Job 28, Genesis 39:21-23 &  40:23)
13. SCENE 7: Narration (Based on Genesis 39:20 – 40:1-8)
14. SCENE 7: The Dreams (Based on Genesis 40:1-19)
15. SCENE 8: Narration (Based on Genesis 40:20 – 41:45)
16. SCENE 9: Narration (Based on Genesis 42:1-5)
17. SCENE 9: My Brothers (Based on Genesis 42:1-20)
18. SCENE 10: Narration (Based on Genesis 42:23 – 44:34)
19. SCENE 10: The Appointed Time (Based on Genesis 42-45)
20. SCENE 11: Narration (Based on Genesis 44 & 45)
21. SCENE 11: Reunion (Genesis 44 & 45) Plus end narration (Genesis 46 & 47, 48:11, 49:33)
22. Suggested Summary
23. Director’s Notes

Cast, Costumes, Props

Cast: 30 characters + a narrator

Levi

Asher

Naphtali

Simeon

Gad

Dan

Zebulun

Issachar

Judah

Reuben

Joseph

Jacob

Potiphar

Potiphar’s wife

Baker

Cupbearer

King

Non-speaking parts

Benjamin

2 traders who become the 2 jailers in Scene 5

10 people who play the ‘crowd’ of foreigners who have come to buy food, in Scene 10.

Suggested costumes & props

A medium to long-length colourful cardigan, jacket, or coat.

Several pieces of pita bread

11 plastic cups

A large ground-cloth for brothers eating in the field.

Several large boxes to act as rocks around the opening of the pit.

A tee-shirt for Reuben that can be easily ripped in several stages.

A shirt to be worn by Jacob that can be ripped off his body while grieving.

A wide bench or couch, big enough to seat two people.

A long dress, and a shawl to be worn by Potiphar’s wife. The dress must be sleeveless so she can pull one of the straps down to feign she was attacked by Joseph.

A medium size box with various miscellaneous items that Joseph uses in Scene Four.

A make-up bag with mascara and a snap-shut powder compact.

A bottle of water for Potiphar’s wife to use to smear her make-up.

A silver cup for Joseph to pull out of Benjamin’s bag in Scene Ten.

10 large sacks or dustbin bags.

A wealthy-looking outfit for Joseph to wear when he becomes the Prime Minister.

A walking stick for Jacob to use in Scene 11. This must be sturdy enough to be dropped.

Scene One: Narration (Based on Genesis 37:1-17)

Nothing corrodes the heart more than jealousy. Nothing destroys the soul more than anger. Nothing perverts the mind more than hate.

Blinded by the hunger to attack, the enraged cannot see that they have initiated their own destruction. As fury turns to loathing, it melts into a liquid more destructible than molten lava. The imagination takes hold, and all the brain can think of is murder – justification for the bitterness that has destroyed his soul.

There lived long ago, a man named Jacob, who had two wives and two mistresses. From these four women, he had twelve sons, one of whom was called Joseph. Joseph was special to Jacob because he was the son of his favourite wife Rachel, and because he was born when Jacob was a very old man.

Rachel had another son after Joseph, named Benjamin, but she died while giving birth to him. In his grief, Jacob made a beautiful, embroidered coat for Joseph. Even though his older brothers should have had pity on him for losing his mother, they felt only anger and jealousy when they saw the coat.

You see, Rachel had been the only wife Jacob truly loved. Six of Joseph’s other brothers were sons of an unloved wife and the other four, were sons of servants who worked in the house.

It says, * “A fool’s mouth is his ruin – his lips get him into trouble.” This was certainly true of poor Joseph, for when he started telling tales to his father about what his brothers had been doing out in the fields, their rage was fuelled to the point of explosion.

One day, when Joseph’s brothers were out in the fields again, Jacob sent him to check up on them. When they saw him in the distance, they began to think about some of the things Joseph had recently told them. It wasn’t wise of Joseph to open his mouth and reveal his thoughts.

Maybe his indiscretion was his way of trying to get them to like him. But it didn’t work. The more they thought about it, the more their hatred grew. You see, Joseph was having some strange dreams – dreams they were hoping would never come true. (*Proverbs 18:7)

Scene One: Let’s See (Based on Genesis 37:1-20)

SIMEON

Have you seen how he parades himself

in that stupid, coloured coat?

ISSACHAR

He’s so smug, I cannot stand it.

DAN

I can’t bear to see him gloat!

GAD

Always whispering to daddy!

Always telling tales!

ZEBULUN

As a spy, he’s a sly one.

SIMEON

As a creep, he never fails!

LEVI

He really makes me sick!

ASHER

I could have hit him today.

NAPHTALI

Yeah, remind me of the story.

What did little brother say?

SIMEON

He dreamt he was worshipped

by the stars up in Heaven.

GAD

We were those stars.

JUDAH

How do you know?

GAD

Huh! There were…

ALL

Eleven!

DAN

Then we were sheaves of wheat.

ZEBULUN

But smaller and thinner.

NAPHTALI

He was the bigger one?

SIMEON

Yes. He ate us for dinner!

ISSACHAR

Why is he so arrogant?

ASHER

Who does he think he is?

LEVI

He thinks he is our master!

ASHER

How dare he talk to us like this!

GAD

Will he surely rule over us?

JUDAH

Will he tell us what to do?

NAPHTALI

Will we come to him for guidance?

JUDAH (laughs)

Will we bow down to him too?

ISSACHAR

I hate him!

DAN

I loathe him!

SIMEON

I want to see him dead!

He thinks he will reign over us,

let him lie in the grave instead!

NAPHTALI

He’s coming! Let’s do it now.

Let us take his life.

Let’s see what becomes of

this ‘son of the second wife’.

GAD

He’s our father’s favourite,

now he’s greater than us, it seems.

LEVI

Well, let’s kill him now.

ALL (except Reuben)

Let’s see what becomes of his dreams!