In this book Max Lucado asks: “Can you imagine your life without fear?” and then sets out to try and answer that.

Max starts the book by introducing us to his brother Dee and with this anecdote he also tries to identify why we fear – or to put it in the title of the chapter “Why Are We Afraid?”. It’s a good question and Max does a good job of identifying some of our personal fears from unemployment to terrorism to death.

Most of his anecdotes stem from scripture, but although plentiful he doesn’t over use scripture and cleverly segues between that and other life anecdotes… at one point early in the book he asks; “What if faith, not fear,was your default reaction to threats?“. (more…)

We have an issue that needs fixing.

If it isn’t fixed I can foresee big problems ahead. I don’t want to go into details but it has caused me to do some research on how to take on problems – especially those of a more delicate nature. After the jump, see the steps I’ve come across that hopefully will help you (and me) to solve almost any problem ….

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Lee over at ScamTypes has written a very good post about protecting our kids.

The one bit of advice I disagreed with is:

Whilst I think this is an important part of their development you may feel that you would like to keep an eye on them all the same, perhaps without them being aware of that fact.

If so then software such as Win-Spy Pro is what you will need as it affords the opportunity to remotely view another computer.

This includes what is viewed on their screen as well as what they type.

The program cannot be deleted or stopped by your kids and they will almost certainly be unaware if it is installed on their system.

You can even use the program to control a nearby webcam to see exactly what your child is doing!

Spying isn’t cool but sometimes its necessary to ensure the safety of those we love.

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A twitter friend writes the BigIsTheNewSmall.com blog and his latest post is entitled “Simply…” and it is based on Matthew 5:37.

It set me to thinking.

Not only should our yes be and mean yes but our no should also be no.

This applies to everything and anything, right down to the smallest of things. Such as committing to phoning someone during the week! How many times have you said “I’ll call you this week” and then not done it?

I feel 100% certain that had there been phones in Jesus’s day he’d have kept any phone promises. So unlike the die above make it yes or no and not maybe.

Oh, and go read Scott’s blog – it’s excellent stuff.

I’ve always considered myself a “child of Africa” having spent some of my formative (and very enjoyable) younger years there. I still vividly remember my days and the impact they had even though it is some 30yrs since last I lived there.

When I was given a copy of “The Hole In Our Gospel” to review I couldn’t wait to see someone else’s perspective and how Africa has impacted them – especially when that person is also CEO of an organisation I have personally supported for the last 20yrs or so.

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I’ve just finished reading an interesting post over at the OurChurch.com blog which contrasts the why of the relative current success of certain high profile ministries over declining ex-high profile ministries.

At least that’s how I read it.

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