The further I read into this book, I see the simplicity and strength of the message that both Gavin and Anne portray. Lets be honest, we can all come into contact with these ‘Stumbling Blocks’ in our lives. The authors bring these obstacles to life using anecdotes and help you to relive their memories with them. They help you to get over, under, around and through every Stumbling Block we can face as Christians. Each chapter goes into detail on these obstacles and the questions at the end of them, really made me think about my life and my walk with God.

The authors particularly focus one chapter on the lack of men in church. At CVM this is a big issue that we are tackling because as the quote they use, by David Murrow, in this chapter says “Christianity’s primary delivery system, the local church, is perfectly designed to reach women and older folks. That’s why our pews are filled with them. But this church system offers little to stir the masculine heart, so men find it dull and irrelevant. The more masculine the man the more likely he is to dislike church.” He leaves a challenge to us men. “I want my son to be a better man than me. I want my daughter to marry a better man than me. But I wanna be a tough act to follow!”

This book has affirmed what I have seen in my life, that through perseverance and putting God first we can overcome these Stumbling Blocks. As we see in the story of David and Goliath, he was a lowly shepherd boy going against a 9 foot tall monster of a man, who scared everyone even King Saul. With a stone, slingshot and God David overcame the huge obstacle in his way, against all odds. We can’t see the benefits of the obstacles when we are going through them but as Gavin and Anne show in this book the benefits are so great afterwards. They use a cracking quote from Molière in the conclusion which confirms this. It says “The greater the obstacle, the more glory in overcoming it.”

Jack Undrell (Intern 2)

This book is available to buy here

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Book this lads!

CVM can proudly recommend ”One Dad” by Brad Lincoln, which has been nominated for the 2011 UK Christian Book Awards which is open to public voting. The book is competing against four other nominations and CVM would like its supporters to go to www.christianbookawards.org and vote for the book.

Carl Beech, CVM Director has reviewed “One Dad” which has been published by BRF and is selling for about £6.99. Carl says,

“This book is practical, personal and engaging. If you are a dad to younger children, you shouldn’t hesitate to read it. If you know a dad, read it and pass it on to him. You will find youself debating, asking questions, thinking afresh and going deeper in your walk with your Dad in heaven.”

Visit BRF for more details and to buy, or alternatively you can buy on Amazon.

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It’s been out for a little while now but we wanted to highlight and commend to you Tim Chester‘s latest book, ‘Captured By A Better Vision‘.

The blurb …

You long to be free but … Pornography has reached epidemic proportions. And in God’s eyes porn is ugly. ‘Unbearably ugly,’ says Tim Chester, ‘but for the grace of God.’ In the New Testament Paul warns, ‘Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness but rather expose them.’ Tim Chester points the reader to something infinitely better, something that captivates without causing shame, remorse or embarrassment: the glory and beauty of Christ. We are made to be satisfied with God alone, and told to avoid the sin that hinders our relationship with him. Tim exposes the lies and deceptions of porn, inviting us to be fully free, and showing positively and practically how this can be possible in daily life. We can be captured by a better vision.

What Carl Says About Captured By A Better Vision

“Tim Chester has hit the nail on the head! Pomography is a cancer eating the heart of the church, and this excellent book tackles it head-on. As you would expect, it is thoroughly rooted in the Bible, very well researched and highly accessible. Crucially, Tim also offers fantastic practical and realistic help and advice that us men would do well to take advantage of. I highly commend this timely book.” - Carl Beech

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Our good friend Anthony Delaney – who’s speaking at our National Conference CODELIFE this year – is writing a new book for blokes. Called ‘Diamond Geezers‘ it’s coming out early 2011.

But before the big launch Anthony is blogging on different chapters to give you a taste of the material to come. Not only that but with your feedback the book could get even better!

Check out Anthony discussing the latest chapter: Friends on his blog.

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