It was great picking the family up from Detling and even better having them all back. The house again feels as it should do! It’s noisy, I keep losing things (because no-one could possibly have moved them!) and there is nowhere to go for quiet!

Immediatly on getting to Detling, Beth came bouncing up to tell me that she had been filled with God’s spirit the night before. As a dad this was exciting to hear and someone in church today said she looked different and more ‘smiley’. That’s encouraging.

Next Tom came and said that when someone prayed with him they thought he was going to be a preacher for God. Everyone I know was not surprised by that word of knowledge! This is the 10 year old boy who, at his baptism testimony, told a funny story which preceded a relevant but contemporary CD track before explaining why he puts his trust in God!



On the journey home I had the boys in my car and Joe was quite excited to tell me that I was not his only dad. ‘God is also my dad!’ That, again was cool, but what he said next made me laugh.

As well as being my dad, you are my brother too! And mummy is also my sister! Of course he is quite right and I had never really thought of things like that before. An interesting take!

I must say that Sarah also had exciting stories – but those are not as easy to share here and if I did I might have members of her youth group chasing me!

The title of my post is Godspace. On returning from Detling, Joe (who is 5) decided he wanted to set up a God-space in the hallway at the top of the staits for his prayer candle to go. This was to be a place where we could pray together, or just pray on our own.

The pictures you see are the Godspace in our house as created by my 5 year old son. He was very particular about needing the material to cover the table for the candle and the cushions for us to sit on. IT looks quite ‘adulty’ but I do not think Joe has been to anything were he would pick that up. This is, I believe, his personal Godspace creation exactly how he dreamt it up in his head. I find that fairly amazing.

On saturday night we prayed in the Godspace as a family. Throughout the day people went there when they wanted. For some reason it wss dismantled but the children asked where it was and so it’s reappearing to be used again.

I am not a fan of big charismatic events. When my children come back fired up and want to create Godspace in the house I have to admit they have their important place and I get really very excited to see the effect on my children. They are relating to God in a normal everyday way. They are chatting to ther friends in a normal relaxed way. That is really exciting!

People often say that we could learn a lot from watching and listening to our children. Maybe this is one of those times.

I know its early days … but it’s still exciting being second in the division! Read yesterdays match reprt here.

Despite the extra time I have had to think, read and so on, I am glad that this is my last night in the quiet house.

I will go to Detling tomorrow morning to help take tents down and then be able to see my loved ones again. I’ve kinda missed them!

Tonight I met up with Sheena again and we went to see Spiderman2. I quite enjoyed the film but apparently it’s not as good as the first film. I wouldn’t know – I’ll have to start watching films in the right order one day! It’s all the fault of Star Wars starting with episode 4 – ruined my development years!

I can’t seem to just watch a film anymore though without drifting into a ‘Is God speaking through this’ or ‘How can I use this in my youth work’ mode. There were some usable quotes which I am sure others have used such as;

‘intelligence is a gift, a privilege, to be used for the benefit of mankind’

‘children today need a hero … everyone needs and loves a hero.’

‘with great power comes great responsibility’ (Have Blair and Bush seen this film?)

‘show me the respect to allow me to choose … I want to take that risk’

I am sure I have misquoted all of those – but it gives the general idea. Along with all that it was the general good vs evil story – amazing how that one crops up over and over again! Is there a message there?

Finally, I want to embarrass Sheena. It was great to see her – she is a cool and special person. Sheena was in mine and Sarah’s first ever youth group some 15 or so years ago I think! Maybe less. It’s a real privilege and exciting when you see young people grow, become friends and stay with God. It does not happen very often- over 15 years of youth ministry there are probably around 3 that we can talk of like that. Thanks Sheena – see you Saturday at the beautiful Priestfield ground.

Today one of my quests is over – I have finally found a diesel car at a reasonable price to get me around the country. It’s an ‘ok’ carwhich I hope will run well. I kinda wanted something nicer looking, but after a while thought ‘why?’ It’s an R reg Citroen Xsara for thoise that can’t make that out from the picture. Now I can start thinking about more important things again!

Just read Jonny’s Blog and found a great few, and free, opportunities to hear Archbishop Rowan in debate at St Pauls Cathedral on a few Wednesday evenings in a row. The first Wdnesday, 8th September, I am already due to meet Pauline during the day from SOLiD in Wandsworth as they look to become a Youth for Christ centre. In fact today is the day to pray for Pauline and her work.

Hopefully that means I can stay in London to hear Rowan Williams before I go home. The first seminar is described as:

How should the world be governed?

Dr Rowan Williams in dialogue with Lord Owen, former UK Foreign Secretary and Co-chair of the International Conference on the former Yugoslavia, and Professor Philip Bobbitt, Professor of Constitutional Law, University of Texas. Chaired by Sir Mark Tully

Anyone want to join me?

Well…my 3 goal prediction was correct!

Thanks Steve for the good wishes, I have never had those from a Watford fan before.

It was a great game and a pleasure to be able to sit next to both Tom and Sheena. I don’t think any of us will be ableto talk tomoirrow at work. In my case, that will make the team happy!

I’m starting to get excited. It’s lunchtime and soon Gillingham will kick off for our very first home game of the season against the mighty Leeds. I will be going to Detling to pick Tom up as we sit together.

It’s great having a season ticket – you sit with or near the same people each week. I like this part of the season when you see everyone again.

I just hope we can play well, 3-0 to Gillingham is my prediction! Yeah right!

People have been very busy over the summer and there is some excellent writing out there. If you have not come across them then go have a look at these writings in particular.

Lucy is writing some thought provoking stuff, particularly in her posts transforming power of the gospel and women.

Maggi has an interesting post on blogging which I think could go on for a while.

I found Gaping Void and the series on creativity is excellent.

Darren of Alternative Hymnal is blogging a Jesus Song a day. Sometimes a great way to start the day!

Jonny’s blog are just making me jealous that I can’t be at Greenbelt. I have never been, so maybe I should try to make that an aim for next year. The worship stuff looks varied and exciting.

Those are just the blogs I have had time to look at. But, finally if you want to do something worthwhile visit the Church Action on Poverty website. Here you can send an epostcard to Patricia Hewitt to support a campaign for a limit to be put on interest rates, ie cut out the loan sharks that pray on the poor and marginalised of our (civilised??!!) country. Apparantly other European countries do have a ceiling rate which would prevent the 177% APR and more that some have to pay just so they can make ends meet. Take 10 seconds out and go fill it out now!