We wonder why people aren't coming to faith, why people think Christians are stark staring bonkers, why they dismiss God as a fairy story... and then our denominational newspapers publish cringeworthy stories.

A few weeks back there was the story of the cross shaped cloud formation, taken as a sign of blessing.  This week the 'minor miracle' of 'respectable surf' on a previously flat calm sea for a Christian surfers meet.  I thought the 'my God is bigger than your God' approach went out with Elijah, but evidently not.

Why would people take seriously a religion that claims God gives us surf and cloud patterns while (seemingly) ignoring the cries of people who are hungry, ill or suffering abuse?

Small wonder when we peddle this twadlle that real life destroys a faith built on the sand of a Devon beach.