Psalm 24 verse 1 says: The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; 

It's another typical British bank holiday. It's cold and it's wet. Sat this morning drinking some much needed coffee. I looked out of the window into our garden. There were wood pigeons, rooks, sparrows, blue tits, great tits & a blackbird. Momentarily distracted by an incoming text, it was Lesley that encouraged me to look again. There by the nut feeder was a woodpecker. 

It's strange, I have never been a bird watcher or any sort of keen naturalist (save for the badge I got in the Boy's Brigade!) but its amazing the pleasure I got from that infrequent garden visitor. What is it that suddenly has awakened this within me? The desire for birds in the garden, the pleasure from looking at wonderful cottage flowers, the increasing obsession with trying to grow different types of vegetables. fruits and herbs. But isn't it supposed to be like this? Weren't we meant to tend the garden? Isn't that the oldest story?

Made in His image, His plan was for us to live at one with nature. Higher than all other created things, God gave us dominion over it?

“I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. ³⁰ And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds in the sky and all the creatures that move along the ground—everything that has the breath of life in it—I give every green plant for food.”  Genesis 1:29

When God created the earth and everything in it. He said "it is good" As His image bearer we should not be surprised that when we see the bee hovering above the lobelia, the butterfly teasing the hair or the first sign of life in the vegetable patch, that our spirits leaps. This is who God created me to be.

I am about to leave the house, get in my car, drive along the busy bank holiday motorway, probably struggle to park, rub shoulders with many others and their lies the challenge. Will I continue to recognise the fingerprint of the creator on those that cut me up, knock me and just irrationally irritate me? Yes it is the challenge and I have determined to stand on this truth:

"The Earth is the Lord's & Everything in it!"

The internet is buzzing at the moment with the prediction that the world is due to end on Saturday, May 21st 2011.

To be honest, I could do with knowing because I have got a lot on at the moment & if I do not need to prepare a sermon for Sunday, that would really help. Also, I want to see the new Pirates of the Caribbean film, heck I've not seen the King's Speech yet. Also I am about to pay my Amex bill, should I bother....it would put a real spanner in the works for me!

Many of you will remember similar predictions. The fact you are still reading this proves that they were unfounded. So what is the source of the latest predictions? Step forward Harold Camping.

Rev Camping is the leader of Family Radio who are spearheading this information through their global radio platform and the internet.  Now he has some form when it comes to this type of activity. In 

It is interesting to consider why this might be creating such a stir. Picture the scene..... It's Sept. 6, 1994, dozens of Camping's followers are Bibles open, kids dressed in their best clothes . They have been waiting for this moment for 2 years. The are convinced that this will be the day that Christ returns. Of course he did not. I do not wish to be mocking, BUT....really, imagine it. Who was the first one to look at his watch and go "Harry mate, he ain't coming" ?

How did the parents explain that to the kids? Do you think that everyone had to go home and do all the jobs they had considered a waste of time? Washing the dishes, mowing the lawn, having a shower? Apparently Camping returned to his bible, his calculator and books and started again. So there it is May 21st 2011.

It is interesting to think why this has had the impact on the mainstream press in the USA and worldwide on the internet. maybe its because the media views any religious eccentrics to be fair game. Maybe they are but there are vunerable people who are even now terrified about Saturday or making stupid decisions based on this prediction. Perhaps its because evangelical Christians do believe in Christ's return and anyone who has inside knowledge is worth listening to? Over the years Years ago I spoke to a  guy who gambled money on roulette. He told me about a system he  had and he truly believed it worked. He wasn't crazy. He was the major share holder of a multi-million pound group of companies. Yet somehow despite over whelming evidence and the reality that the game was totally a game of chance, he suspended his common sense and invested in his crazy scheme. You will not be surprised to know he did not bankrupt and casino and he remained welcome at every casino in London. A sure bet that he was a great customer and that he gave them more money than they gave him! My point is this. Even though most sensible Christians will be aware that we do not know, it is like we are attracted to any outside chance that we might get an insight into the mind of God. Well let me be clear where I stand on this, the only thing that I really care about when it comes to this stuff is the word.  One of the last things Jesus said to His disciples before He ascended to heaven was “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. " (Acts 1:7) Indeed could he be anymore explicit than when He said “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father" (Matthew 24:36).So it is clear WE DO NOT KNOW! For a great article on this read Lee Grady

I am will Bill Johnson when I say that I am praying that Jesus would tarry for a while because how much would you have to hate people who are not yet Christians to be petitioning Jesus to come back soon? 

So as for me and my house we will keep serving God until He returns or we die. It will be His decision which comes sooner.

I have to go now because I have to prepare my sermon for Sunday, pirates can wait until next week when the crowds have gone and I think I'll ask Lesley to get me the King's Speech for my birthday in June !

A few years ago my daughter Beci recorded herself impersonating Nessa from BBC's Gavin & Stacey. What made it hilarious to us was she was quoting the operatic section of Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen. The quality at the beginning is a bit patchy but stick with it! (She is crazy by the way! :-)

Last year Ben & I were having some fun with my iPhone whilst staying overnight in a hotel room in London. This is one of the things we filmed. No Kids were injured in the filming of this feature!

Here it is the official version from last Saturday. Enjoy! 

  This weekend we are on a mission entitled IgniteHope Local. It's a mission dedicated to raising the spiritual temperature of the city through encouraging more young people to take the gospel through words and deeds and do it together. Hundreds were involved across South Wales. One of the highlights was a flashmob we did in the Cardiff City Centre. I captured it on my flip camera. In the days to come better versions will become available but this will give you a taste!

Today the BBC reported that self-harm amongst young people is on the increase. At Ignite we responded to this issue in two ways. Firstly, we made a short film that can be viewed below. Secondly, we commissioned a book from our good friend Jess Wilson. I has been very well received and favourably reviewed. You can buy it in the Ignite Shop. I have also put it on my reading list on this home page where you can click through and buy it from Amazon.

So check out the film and make sure you recommend it to anyone who has issues with self-harm or suicide.  

In the UK on Friday, most of us were given a day off to watch the Royal Wedding between the future King, Prince William and his now bride Kate. I must admit to be a bit of an agnostic when it comes to the Royal family. I can take them or leave them. I would not want a presidential system but do not get too excited about the the current family either. It was with this lack of interest I sat having a late breakfast feeling myself being drawn into the saga unfolding on the tv. To my surprise I found myself really enjoying it. We then went into the garden and built a trellis fence which we had meant to do since last summer. By early  evening we felt like we had made good use of our bank holiday. Then I went to the Cardiff Civil Service football club dinner. The speaker was was ex-Wolves and Man City player Steve Daley. He was a funny guy and seemed to be more successful on the sporting dinner circuit than he had been on the football pitch! Thanks go to Steve Williams who invited me to be his guest!

Saturday saw us drive up to London so that we could witness the debut of Ben at the Royal Albert Hall. He was taking part in a showcase of talent organised byMardi Gras Productions. Ben was playing the part of the Tin Man in a sample from the musical The Wiz. The boy done good and we loved watching him! We stayed in the Hilton, Hyde park and were pleased with our room but even more delighted with our upgrade when we mentioned to the reception we could hear the elevator in operation! I love it when people offer great service and this was one of those "icing on the cake" moments! The weather was so nice in London we enjoyed a leisurely lunch and stroll around Covent Garden and could not resist the legendary Ben's cookies, which are quite simply the best cookies ever! I also started and finished the book Epic by John Eldredge. This is a great read for not yet Christians, highly recommended.

Sunday saw a quick lunch with Lesley's sister & family before celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Glee Club,  Cardiff Bay with a show curated by Cerys Matthews. 

Not only did she do a wonderful acoustic and band set, she also introduced the audience to some amazing music including 2 artists, Lester Allen and Natalie Duncan. They both featured on the BBC programme, Goldie's Band. In addition there was set from Tara Busch who with a range of analogue electronic instruments was a cross between, Rick Wakeman, the BBC Radiophonic workshop and the composer of a sci-fi B movie, just excellent. I am looking forward to the imminent release of the next album by Cerys, such a talent!

Today is a mixture of catch up, gardening, eating and a little work meeting this evening. This will not stop me from grabbing a cheeky pint in the Wenvoe Arms before close of play tonight. So weddings, food, gorgeous wife, excellent service, proud parent, fantastic music, some jobs well done, beer, family, books, gardening, DIY, work, God...a blessed life and a great weekend!