This morning I visited Cornerstone the new coffee and bookshop in St Neots. If you are in our area I encourage you to go along. They have an excellent selection of Bibles, books and music. They also serve excellent coffee at really good prices. 

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I have just read Fearless by Max Lucado.

Max Lucado is a best selling author who over 25 years has written a variety of books, devotionals and children's books. You can click here to read more about Max Lucado's ministry UpWords.

We live in a world where people face fear in many ways - fear of lack, fear of failure and fear of being insignificant to name a few. Jesus constantly encourages us to live beyond fear. It has been said that in the Bible we are told 365 times to "fear not" - once for every day of the year.

This book encourages and equips us to overcome the fears that hold us back from living as God intended. Max Lucado asks us to imagine our lives without fear. He encourages us to trust God more and fear less.

A useful addition included in the book is a discussion guide written to enable the reader to consider and apply the principles of each chapter to their life. It also provides an excellent tool to use as a study guide for a small group discussion.

It is a book that I would recommend to everyone. I will read it again and I know it will help me in my life as an individual and in my ministry to others.

I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their http://www.booksneeze.com book review bloggers program. You can click here to purchase this book on Amazon. Where possible please support your local Christian Bookshop.

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I have not been blogging much recently. We have taken time out to enjoy each other as a family. We have been enjoying walks and BBQ's together.

Where I grew up a BBQ was a line of men waiting to get their hair cut. So for the Zimbo's it should read "Love having a Braai in the summer".

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I have just read Lead Like Ike by Geoff Loftus.

It provides leadership lessons looking at General Dwight Eisenhower's preparation for and management of Operation Overlord, the Allied invasion of Nazi-occupied Europe on 6th June 1944.

The book takes the military-metaphor-for-business model and examines D-Day as if it were a corporation and Eisenhower the CEO. It includes a history of events, a look at the people involved and summaries of lesson we can learn at the end of each chapter. There are also inserts from modern business corporations as additional examples.

Even though the book looks at Eisenhower's D-Day strategy and tactics from a business perspective it in no way takes away from the sacrifices of the men and women who were part of that titanic effort. It honors the supreme sacrifices of each person who fought and supported the mission during World War II.

It is a valueable resource for those involved in management and leadership. The lessons are simple but it is the simple lessons that we often forget.

The ten lessons are: determine your mission, plan for success, stay focused, prioritize, plan to implement, communicate, motivate your people, manage your people, avoid project creep, and be honest.

I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their http://www.booksneeze.com book review bloggers program. You can click here to purchase this book on Amazon. Where possible please support your local Christian Bookshop.

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In James 4:13-16 we are told how we should make plans. We see three things in these verses:

1. As people we like to have a plan. James 4:13 does not say that we should live without a plan. In fact the Bible tells us that planning is as good thing. For example we are told without a plan our lives are aimless (Proverbs 29:18) and if we work hard that our plans will succeed (Proverbs 21:5). It has been said that "failing to plan is planning to fail". James does encourage us not be boastful in our planning (James 4:16).
2. We have limitations. James 4:14 points out two limitations we have. First, we do not know what the future holds and second, our lives are short. These two things remind me of two quotes I have heard. The first is that "We do not know what the future holds, but we know Who holds the future". And the second is "We have only one life that will soon be past and only what is done for Christ will last".
3. We must involve God when we make plans. James 4:15 says "We should say if it is the Lords will". This encourages us to consult God first when we plan. Like Proverbs 16:3 says "Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed".

How do we involve God in our planning? By doing three things:

1. Find out what the Bible says about it. Psalm 119:105 says "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path".
2. Pray and ask God to give you peace (Colossians 3:15). If you do not have peace from God then perhaps you need to wait or make another plan.
3. Ask others for their advice and perspective. Proverbs 15:22 says "Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed".

So how should we live? Proverbs 3:5-6 says "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight" NIV).

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In James 1:26 and James 3:2-12 we learn about the power of the tongue. We see four things in these verses:

1. We must learn to keep control over the words we speak. James 1:26 says "our religion is worthless if we can't control our tongue" and James 3:2 says "If never at fault in our words we will be in control of our whole body". Jesus said that will be held accountable for the every word we speak (Matthew 12:36). He continues to say that by our words we will be justified and by our words we will be condemned (Matthew 12:37).
2. Our words effect the course of our lives. In James 3:3-8 the power the words have over the course our lives is compared to a few things. Our words have the ability to steer our lives like a the control a bit has in the mouth of a horse and to the control a small rudder has on a whole ship. He then points out that irresponsible words can start an uncontrollable blaze. Our words are powerful and can promote life or death (Proverbs 18:21).
3. We can't control our tongue without God's help. James 3:7-8 says "no man can tame the tongue". We need to ask God for help in keeping control over our words. Like the Psalmist we should pray "Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips." (Psalm 141:3).
4. We must speak words that encourage others and build them up. James 3:9-12 talks about speaking positive words. Two excellent verses regarding our words are Colossians 4:6 "Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone" (NIV) and Ephesians 4:29 "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen" (NIV). Consider your words before you speak. Ask yourself - Will this build others up or tear them down?

Let us be those who speak words that "build up and encourage others" and that are "full of grace" . Your words have the power of life and death. Make Psalm 141:3 your prayer "Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips".

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Rob McFarlane ministered at Eden Christian Centre on Sunday 27th June 2010. Eden Christian Centre is a growing Church in Ilford led by Bryon Jones.

Rob spoke on Jesus first miracle from John 2:1-11. There was a good response with about 20 people coming forward to receive prayer for healing.

You can click here for a map and contact details for Eden Christian Centre.

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James 1:19-20 tells us how we need to learn to listen. We see three things from these verses:

1. Seek to understand before you seek to be understood. James 1:19 says "Be quick to listen, slow to speak". We should make sure we understand what others are saying before we try and make our point. I have heard it said "We have two ears and one mouth and we should use them in proportion". In the Amplified Bible this verse reads "Be a ready listener".
2. Don't react too quickly. James 1:19 says "be slow to become angry". The Amplified Bible puts it this way "Be slow to take offence and become angry". Often we take offence when we have got the wrong end of the stick. Make sure you really understand what is being said before you answer or respond. Try to see the point from the other persons perspective.
3. Anger does not produce positive results. James 1:20 says "Man's anger does not bring about the righteous life God desires." We often end up regreting words we have spoken in anger. Before you respond ask yourself if you can defuse the situation rather than escalate it. Proverbs 15:1 says "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but harsh words stir up anger".

Finally, lets look at seven tips to help us become better listeners:

1. Give your full attention to the person who is speaking. Don't be distracted by whatever else is going around you.
2. Keep your mind is focused. It can be easy to let your mind wander if you think you know what the person is going to say next, but you might be wrong! Try to concentrate on what is being said.
3. Let them finish before you begin to talk. We all appreciate having the chance to say everything we would like to say without being interrupted. When you interrupt, it looks like you aren't listening, even if you really are.
4. Finish listening before you start thinking about what you are going to say. You can't really listen if you are busy thinking about what you want say next.
5. Listen for the main points. These are the most important points the speaker wants to get across. They may be mentioned at the start or end of a talk, and repeated a number of times. Pay special attention to statements that begin with phrases like "My point is..." or "The thing to remember is..."
6. Ask questions. If you are not sure you understand what the speaker has said ask a question to bring clarity. It is a good idea to repeat in your own words what the speaker said so that you can be sure your understanding is correct. For example, you might say, "When you said ... did you mean ...?"
7. Give feedback. Look directly at the speaker. Now and then, nod to show that you understand. At appropriate points you may also smile, frown or laugh. These are all ways to let the person know that you are really listening. Remember, you listen with your face as well as your ears.

So I encourage you to be a ready listener. Learning to listen will be a valuable tool in building healthy and strong relationship. It is a skill I need to constantly work on in my life. How about you?

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We had Wayne & Georgia Nel at River Church on Sunday 20th June 2010. It was Fathers Day and Wayne shared an encouraging and challenging message with us. Wayne Nel leads the Revival Centre in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.

You can click here to listen online or download this sermon.

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James 1:22-25 tells us not to just listen, but rather to act on God's Word. We see three things from these verses:

1. We must act on God's Word. James 1:22 says "don't merely listen to God's Word. Do what it says." It is good to listen to God’s Word and build our faith (Romans 10:17) but we must also put our faith into action. James 2:17 says "faith by itself if not accompanied by action is dead" and James 2:26 tells us that "faith without works is dead". It is not enough to just listen to and read the Bible we must put its principles into practice in our lives.
2. If we don't act on God’s Word we are only deceiving ourselves. James 1:22 says that we can deceive ourselves if we only listen to God’s Word but never act on it. I know people who have heard many messages but when it comes to the crunch they don't act on God’s Word. The only people who are losing out on the benefits are themselves. It is not what you know but what you live that counts.
3. When we put God's Word into practice we will experience freedom and blessing. James 1:25 says that if we do not forget what we have heard and put it into practice we will be blessed in all we do. It also tells us that Gods law brings freedom. When read the Bible and listen to sermons let us not forget to apply what we learn in our everyday lives.

A few final thoughts.

1. When you read your Bible or listen to a sermon ask yourself a few questions. "What is God saying to me?" "Do I need to do something with this?" "How can I put this into practice?" Be active and engaged, not passive when you read or listen to God’s Word.
2. James 1:23-24 talks about a person who looks into the mirror of Gods Word but then goes away and forgets what he has seen. A good idea is to take notes because too often we look into Gods Word during our personal devotions or while we listen to a sermon but soon forget what we have seen. We will grow as we remember what we have seen and put it into practice.

So I encourage you. Listen to and read Gods as much as you can. Make notes and ask yourself what you should do with what you see. Put it into practice. It is how you will experience Gods blessing and freedom in your life.

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I have just read Storm Warning by Billy Graham.

This book was first written in 1992 and in light of recent events has been revised and reprinted in 2010. Billy Graham is an evangelist respected and admired all over the world for his 70 years of ministry. He has served as an adviser to 12 Presidents of the United States.

In Storm Warning Billy Graham examines recent world events and challenges in light of Bible prophecy. He clearly points the reader to Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour.

I would recommend this book to those interested in end time prophecy and those searching for answers in the challenging and uncertain times in which we live.

I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their http://www.booksneeze.com book review bloggers program. You can click here to purchase this book on Amazon. Where possible please support your local Christian Bookshop.

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James 1:2-4 and James 1:12 encourage us to respond correctly to tests and trials. We see four things from these verses:

1. Life involves tests and trials. Are you facing a test or a trial in your life today? If not today, you will face a test or trial in the future, we know this because James 1:2 does not say "if" but "when" you face tests and trials. Tests and trials are inevitable.
2. Keep a joyful attitude when we face tests and trials. I am sure you will agree that it is not easy to maintain a joyful attitude when we are facing tests and trials. In the JB Phillips version James 1:2 reads "when all kinds of trials and temptations crowd into your lives my brothers, don't resent them as intruders, but welcome them as friends!" How do you do that? Well, it is a matter of perspective!
3. God can use tests and trials to develop maturity and character in us. We can face our tests and trials with a joyful attitude. Why? Because we know that God can use them to develop character in us. James 1:3 says "..because we know..". We know that our God can turn tests in testimonies and trials into triumphs. He can use the challenges we face to make us grow in our faith. 1 Peter 1:6-7 encourages us that the trials come to prove that our is faith genuine.
4. God wants us to overcome the trial and pass the test. God wants you to overcome but the key is to persevere. James 1:12 says when we have "stood the test" that God will reward us. Don't give up - keep a good attitude and stay in faith.

Let us remember that God can turn our tests into a testimonies and our trial into a triumphs! See them as an opportunity to grow in your faith. God wants us to become mature and complete not lacking anything. Don't give up because the best is yet to come!

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I have just read Jesus Manifesto by Leonard Sweet and Frank Viola.

It is a fresh unveiling of Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. It is well written and is full of Bible references. It is a call to restore the supremacy and sovereignty of Jesus Christ. (Colossians 1:18).

Christians have made the gospel about so many things other than Christ. Christians do not follow Christianity they follow Christ. We are not following a code of conduct, a doctrine or a cause we are in relationship with the person of Jesus Christ.

Jesus Manifesto is written in a devotional style – it does not just speak to the reader, but makes them an active participant. I would recommend it as a book that will deepen, widen and heighten your love for Jesus.

I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their http://www.booksneeze.com book review bloggers program. You can click here to purchase this book on Amazon. Where possible please support your local Christian Bookshop.

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If I Could Ask God Anything by Kathryn Slattery is an excellent resource that provides Bible answers for curious kids.

It offers clear answers in language that children can understand to a wide variety of questions. It is divided into eleven parts – these include questions about God, Jesus, The Bible and Prayer. The questions range from “Where did God come from?” and “Can God actually talk to me?” to “If God loves people, why do bad things happen?” The answers are clear, concise and include supporting verses from the Bible.

It can be used as a quick reference book for answering specific questions. It is also a useful tool for starting discussions with children. I would recommend this book to those who would like to provide clear and Biblically accurate answers to children with inquisitive minds. It is an excellent resource for parents and those involved in children’s ministry.

I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their http://www.booksneeze.com book review bloggers program. You can click here to purchase this book on Amazon. Where possible please support your local Christian Bookshop.

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In Psalm 23 we are introduced to the Lord as our shepherd. I would like to share two things with you from Psalm 23.

First, notice the personal pronoun "I, my, me and mine" used 17 times in just 6 verses. This speaks to me about a personal relationship we can have with God.

Second, we see three benefits of having a relationship with the Lord as our shepherd. These are (1) provision in Psalm 23:1,5-6 (2) guidance in Psalm 23:2-4 and (3) protection in Psalm 23:4-5.

My encouragement for today is to develop a personal relationship with the Lord as your shepherd. The benefits will be his provision, guidance and protection.

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A map is useless unless you know two things. These are where you are and where you want to get to. Only then can you chart your course.

I would like to encourage you to pause and give some thought to your life. Ask yourself (1) where am I? (2) where do I want to go? (3) how am I going to get there?

We are just over a quarter of the way through 2010 and I am asking myself these questions as I review my goals for this year. I am thinking about my life, family and ministry. I invite you to do the same.

A good verse to reflect on during this process is Proverbs 3:5-6 that says "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths".

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I have just read Everyone Communicates Few Connect by John C Maxwell, who is internationally respected as a leadership expert, speaker and author. The book explains that it is only when we make a connection with others that our communication is effective.

It is divided into two parts - connecting principles and connecting practices.  It also makes application of the principles and practices to three levels of connecting with people. These are with an individual, with a group and with an audience.

John Maxwell draws from his own journey as a communicator including the good, the bad and the ugly. He includes stories and quotes from other leaders.

A unique touch is how he includes the comments of his blog readers concerning the theme of his book. It is a book that everyone can benefit from and is an enjoyable book to read. It is a book that I will read again and know that it will help me be more effective in my communication as a leader.

I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their http://www.booksneeze.com book review bloggers program. You can click here to purchase this book on Amazon. Where possible please support your local Christian Bookshop.

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We are doing "The Fire Series" at River Church. I am posting a thought from my sermon every Sunday during this series. This Sunday my message was entitled "Foxes on Fire".

Judges 15:4-5 "Samson went out and caught three hundred foxes and tied them together in pairs with oil-soaked rags around their tails. Then Samson took the foxes into the Philistine wheat fields that were ready to be harvested. He set the rags on fire and let the foxes go. The wheat fields went up in flames."

We compared this event to Luke 10 where Jesus sent the seventy two out to share the good news. Jesus sent them out in pairs so they could encourage each other (Luke 10:1). We also saw that the fields are ready for harvest but the workers are few (Luke 10:2). Jesus sent them out to heal the sick and proclaim the good news (Luke 10:9).

In the same way, Jesus wants us to go and tell people about him. There are so many people who need to hear the good news. This week I encourage you to be a fox on fire!

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Passion events at churches.

Four churches in St Neots will host a series of events this month under the banner "A Passion for Life". River Church, St Neots Evangelical Church, New Street Baptist Church and St Mary's Eaton Socon are hosting three cafe evenings with a talk on subjects such as dealing with stress, parenting and managing your money.

The cafe evenings are being held from 7:30pm to 9pm on a series of Fridays - March 12, 19 and 26 - at New Street Baptist Church, New Street, St Neots.

Another event will be an evening with Graham Daniels from Christians in Sport starting at 7:30pm on Wednesday, March 31 at St Neots Evangelical Church, Cambridge Street, St Neots.

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I have just read Tithing by Douglas LeBlanc. It is part of The Ancient Practices Series published by Thomas Nelson.

In this 156 page book he talks to people from a variety of backgrounds on the subject of tithing. He discovers they each have one thing in common – their lives have been enriched by following the ancient practice of tithing.

Malachi 3:10 “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.”

LeBlanc encourages us to put God to the test. He draws from his own life experience and from the experience of others. Each life story reads like a well written magazine article. It is inspiring to read the experiences of people tithing and the dramatic effect on their lives.

A useful addition would be an explanation on what the Bible teaches about tithing or even just a list of Bible verses that refer to tithing to enable the reader to discover more. This book serves its purpose as an excellent tool to encourage us to follow the ancient practice of tithing.

I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their http://www.booksneeze.com book review bloggers program. You can click here to purchase this book on Amazon. Where possible please support your local Christian Bookshop.

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