I love taking pictures and gazing at nature. Even with the colour taken out of this dandelion you can see the amazing complex and beautiful design that is evident, there is no doubt that this has an amazing designer – praise to the designer as this is no mere random mutation.

I don’t really like watching too much TV. There are better things I can do with my time, but I sat down to watch Derren Brown. It was about miracles and miracle healing, and how he could re-create these miracles. He said in another interview that he wanted to debunk these faith healers in America, and debunking fakes is a good cause. But I actually found it uncomfortable to watch not because he was shaking my faith – which he wasn’t, but for the fact that he used prayers from the psalms and quasi spiritual praise to mystify the audience and beguile them.

I do agree with him that the mind is a powerful tool and can be used to reduce pain and heal. He clearly showed this with his stunts, mind tricks and abilities to read people as he performed the show. But why invoke God’s name and use prayers? This was where I think he went too far. If he did this invoking some Islamic prayer he would clearly be in danger from numerous threats by now, but as Christians we forgive and love each other, as you would want to be loved. But does this mean we shouldn’t voice our disapproval and warn that to blaspheme against the Holy Spirit was warned against by Jesus. Jesus actually stated that anyone who blasphemed against the Holy Spirit would not be forgiven – sins will have to be paid for, and God only, will hold you accountable.

Mark 3:28-29

28 “Assuredly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they may utter; 29 but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is subject to eternal condemnation”

But for Mr Derren Brown he has nothing to worry about because he believes that there is no supernatural God – just nothing created everything! I would advise that offending God is more dangerous than merely chewing broken glass as one day we will all stand in front of our creator and have to account for our lives.

He stated that it was truly a miracle that we came from the tiniest ameba. DNA being added, new information not just mutations, doesn’t just appear even if you have endless time on your hands. I agree with him that it is a miracle that we were created – but miracles, true miracle can only happen if there is a God!

Jesus raising people from the dead is no mere mind trick. Jesus being raised from the dead is not a mind trick. There are miracles that happen all over the world and they stay miracles, they don’t just have the pain return the next day unlike the mind tricks Derren Brown was doing and he advised the audience to not throw away their glasses. I have spoken to someone who was proclaimed dead (the doctors certified him dead) and then through the power of prayer from his mother he came back to life – after all the doctors had given up and lost all hope. I have experienced the supernatural, the impossible and by all accounts across the world miracles are on the increase – is this another awakening?

Controlling your thoughts is a good thing. We have to be careful what we are watching on TV, and what type of games we also play. I used to play “grand theft auto” until I found Christ, and then my heart was convicted – he gave me the strength to escape.

Thinking good thoughts has been scientifically proven to bring you benefits and ward of depression and anxiety. This backs up the biblical view that we will renew our minds by dwelling, meditating, thinking about good things. Paul sums it up best in his letter to the Philippians;

Philippians 4:7-9

7And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is right, what ever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think on these things. 9Whatever you have learned and received and heard from me, and seen in me, put these things into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.