A big debate has erupted in the UK media this week in case you haven't noticed. The header on the front page of The Times declared "God did not create the universe". This is reference to Stephen Hawkins new book which comes out on 9th September. This new book, unlike his previous best-seller A Brief History of Time leaves little or no room for God to create the universe. Gravity did it.
All kinds of bold and audacious claims are being proclaimed in the press: "science works, faith does not" is one.
Over the summer period I was encouraged to read This Thing of Darkness by Harry Thompson. This is one of those books based on fact about the journey of Charles Darwin on the now famed vessel The Beagle to South America. It was on this journey in 1845 that Darwin made many of his observations which were to lead him to write "Origin of the Species" and "The Descent of Man". What struck me most about the book however was the lesser known hero - Capt. Fitzroy. He too was a naturalist and for 5 years travelled with and argued with Darwin as the latter formulated his theory of evolution and in the end boldly declared: "There is no God!"

Capt Fitzroy despite endless arguments with Darwin and much personal suffering and tragedy died a strong Christian with a resolute faith in the God who had made it all.
For Capt Fitzoy it was not science or faith. It was both that declared the Glory of God.

I rather liked Ruth Gledhill's riposte in The Times when she writes: "When we have read Stephen Hawkins book some of us will still pray because ... it works"

Today I read Molly Manhanger's newsletter from Zimbabwe. It was truly humbling to read of what God is doing in a nation which is much in the news for all the wrong reasons. Yet to read of what God is doing amongst His people in Zimbabwe, the faith-filled, loving initiatives of the church, the practical compassion for the poor and hungry is nothing short of inspiring. Then to discover an audacious plan from the church to feed the nation .... wow!
In reading of the daily plight of those living in Zim I am reminded too to be grateful for every time I can turn a tap in my home, for a fridge with cool milk, for cupboards with food, for a doctors surgery down the road, for a £10 note which will be worth £10 tomorrow and the next day and next week.
I am very grateful.
Sunday 26th September is the date we are being asked to remember Zimbabwe and to join the nations for a Day of Prayer and Fasting for Zimbabwe.
To find out more visit www.lovezim.org
Newfrontiers and Tearfund are amongst those supporting LoveZim:
www.tearfund.org/Praying/Urgent+prayer+news/Love+Zim.htm

We went to The Lakes in Cumbria for our family holiday. It is fantastic. The mountains, the lakes, the views, the space, the fresh, fresh air.
I kept thinking of Psalm 100 in The Message:

A Thanksgiving Psalm
1-2 On your feet now—applaud God! Bring a gift of laughter,
sing yourselves into his presence.

3 Know this: God is God, and God, God.
He made us; we didn't make him.
We're his people, his well-tended sheep.

4 Enter with the password: "Thank you!"
Make yourselves at home, talking praise.
Thank him. Worship him.

5 For God is sheer beauty,
all-generous in love,
loyal always and ever.

Even though I am on "holiday" I still did an interview for the BBC today. In fact I did two. Emily, the producer from the Sunday Show on BBC Radio Surrey & Sussex, asked if I would do a recorded interview on the phenomena of summer Christian Festivals (Newday, Soul Survivor, New Wine, Greenbelt etc.). I had already helped to set up BBC Radio Norfolk interviews at Newday where Adam, my son, made his live BBC Radio debut. You can find Newday on the BBC website.
Emily also asked if would do a 60 Second Sermon for the Sunday Show ("Why doesn't he do that every Sunday at church" I hear you say!). We recorded that too. I decided to do 60 Seconds on The Bible.
Both pieces will go out on Sunday morning between 7-8.00am on 104.6 FM. You can also listen to the show on BBC i-Player for up to a week afterwards if you wanted!

Emily reminded me today how much she and other radio producers need good human interest stories every week and some of the difficulties she has in finding good stories. The church, of course, is full of good stories and great people. Perhaps you could get in touch with your local radio station or newspaper and help a stressed producer\journalist?

Apart from my occasional foray into the BBC I am still a Consulting Editor with Christianity Magazine which is a monthly commitment - very worthwhile too. It keeps me in touch with the wider Christian community. You can buy the magazine or see the website: www.christianitymagazine.co.uk

Being on holiday gives me some time to read the books I have been told to read, listen to the messages people have given me and to catch up on some DVDs. So far one of the highlights has been re visiting Sam Storms "One Thing". I had forgotten how good the book is. His previous book "Pleasures forevermore" is also a good read. In both books Sam lifts the reader into greater enjoyment and passion for God. Here is one of my favourite bits:

"You were made to be enchanted, enamoured, engrossed with God, enthralled, enraptured, entranced with God, enravished, excited, enticed with God, astonished, amazed, awed with God, astounded, absorbed, agog with God, beguiled and bedazzled, startled and staggered, smitten and stunned, stupified and spellbound, charmed and consumed, thrilled and thunderstuck, obsessed and preoccupied, intrigued and impassioned, overwhelmed and overwrought, gripped and rapt, enthused and electrified tantalized, mesmerized and monopolised, fascinated, captivated, intoxicated, infatuated and exhilarated ... with God!"
(Sam Storms, One Thing, page 148)

It rained. It rained a lot. I have not seen such a downpour for a long time and when you are camping downpours are not good. Fortunately we have invested in a very good mini marquee for the Camberley site where we all enjoyed good-humoured games, spontaneous retro-worship lead by Ollie Laslett and cups of tea supplied by Lauren.
Even during the main meeting in the big top it rained. A lot. So much so that it was hard to hear Julian Adams speak or Matt Redman (now at Passion church Atlanta) lead. Julian persevered and was very good indeed on the Father's love. The young people cheered and clapped, whistled and whooped at his good theogical points - where else would you get that?!
But the highlight for me was seeing our young people worshipping God despite it all -wet feet, damp clothes - singing in the rain at Newday. Arms aloft, arms outstretched, heads turned towards Him. Precious beyond measure. Newday is great even in the rain.
See the BBC website link for their Newday report:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/norfolk/hi/people_and_places/religion_and_ethics/newsid_8878000/8878336.stm

I am here with Bev at Newday with 3 of our children. Joe is at home. We are having a great time. There are 7,000 teenagers behaving well, a little damp and tired but otherwise in good spirits. I am very impressed with the organisation of both the whole event and The Beacon camp site. Both are orderly and clean. The washing up was done with military efficiency on our site and I even met the Newday Vendor Van Liaison Officer this morning!
The big top meetings are impressive with a stunning array of worship leaders and speakers from around the world. What a privilege to be here and what a blessing for the teenagers to be served so excellently by so many.
Check out the Newday website for more news or even the BBC website later today!
Let's keep praying for every young soul to be captivated by Jesus.

Like 1,000s of parents up and down the land we are preparing for Newday. Sleeping bags, camp bed, cakes, toothbrush, shower gel ....
Newday is a camp for teenagers run by the Newfrontiers family of churches. 7,000 teenagers are expected to attend from 11-16th Aug in Norwich. What makes this camp unique is that these teenagers are going to have fun with their friends and to meet with God. No sex, no drugs, no alcohol but plenty of music - and music if different kinds.
To find out more look at the web site and please pray for God to visit them powerfully. Many of our own young people in The Beacon can testify to Newday being a life-shaping environment for them.
Next Sunday I hope we will hear from some of them as to what occured during the week.
www.newdaygeneration.org

This has been a week of preparing for death. I say this because Monday was Annie's funeral. Annie was tragically killed in a road traffic accident 2 weeks ago aged just 20. Tuesday was Edward Goody's funeral. Edward was Ross's father who died aged 84. Tuesday also saw Steve Foley's mother die. On Sunday morning Steve spoke movingly of how his mother had recently committed her life to Christ. She had prepared well for death.
This week I have also watched again the powerful blip.tv of PJ Smyth from God First Church Johannesburg SA. Pete leads God First and has been diagnosed with cancer. The manner in which he communicates his trust in God at this very challenging time if magnificent. I whole-heartedly recommend you watch the clip blip.tv parable 4 virgin. It will bless you today and put strength in you for the trials of tomorrow.
Preparing for death is not something we like to think about. You may have written a will. You may have made financial provision in the event of your death. But what of preparing your life before God? Have you made your peace with Him through His Son Jesus? Live joyously with Him today but be prepared for tomorrow.

On Sunday morning Andrew B spoke on prayer from Luke 18. This was brilliantly brought to life by Dave & Sally's drama and movingly illustrated by Steve F.
On Sunday evening we then had a magnificent time at the Prayer Meeting. No cold, awkward, dragging-on, distraction-filled prayer meeting for us. This was worshipful, Holy Spirit-drenched, power-packed, fire-falling, life-changing, challenging prayer. Jonathan lead us brilliantly in a time of worship after which Dan suggested we prayed for one another. He might as well have said "light blue touch paper". At the end folk did not want to leave, preferring instead to bask in His presence. Peter W described it as "enjoying the embers at the end of the bbq"!
In my reading this morning (by coincidence) C.H. Spurgeon writes:
"We must keep up the prayer meetings for they are the very secret source of power with God and with men... if you want to be soul-winners keep up the prayer meetings all you can ..." The Soul Winner by CH Spurgeon.
Let us do what Jesus said: "Pray and not give up".
Roll on next Sunday!