I came home this evening and after supper sat down at my desk with a load of things to do and not enough time to do them in. So what did I do? I noticed Max Lucado's latest book (well actually the very first book that he wrote) called On The Anvil - Stories on being shaped into God's image. It has a striking cover (you guessed it - an anvil) (no pun intended) and so I picked it up. I should have got on with the talk that I am preparing but I noticed the description on the back. 'We are all somewhere in the blacksmith's shop. We are either on the scrap pile, In the master's hands on the anvil, or in the tool chest. Some of us have been in all three' So that got me curious and I started to read the first story, and then the next, and then the next and I found that I couldn't put it down. Each story drew me into the next.

This book was written by Max Lucado when he was in his first pastorate and it began as a series of articles for the church magazine. However, the reputation of the articles began to spread and he was soon getting requests for copies across America. He has a real skill as a writer and you will enjoy this book.

I remember one summer's afternoon sitting in a conference room at Waverly Abbey Hall with other booksellers. It was warm, the views out of the windows were stunning and yet we all sat enthralled as we listened to Selwyn Hughes preaching from the heart. He was frail from the illness that was taking hold of his body and yet he spoke passionately about his relationship with the Lord and how that should be central to all that we do. It was a very memorable occasion and we all went away with a lot to think about.

I am reminded of this because I brought home this evening a new edition of Selwyn's book 7 Laws of Spiritual Success. This classic book has been updated with an additional section of study material for personal or group use. I would imagine the title is an echo of Stephen Covey's book 7 Habits of Highly Effective People (which I think is a superb book and highly recommended) but Selwyn is looking back over his life as a christian and expands on 7 spiritual laws. He says "Now, after working as a pastor and counsellor for over fifty years, I am convinced that the Creator built into the human personality spiritual laws that are as sure, certain and reliable as those we have discovered in the natural realm".

I read this book when it was first published and am looking forward to re-reading it. (that is of course if I can get through Malcolm Duncan's challenging book Kingdom Come. His book is so full of challenging things that I keep re-reading sections of it to take it all in)

I'm confused, and it's all down to the fact that the world seems to be changing - or at least changing the way people think. I'm slowly working my way through Malcolm Duncan's brilliant book Kingdom Come. I say slowly, because I keep being challenged by the way he describes Post modernist thinking and the challenges that this poses to the church. He talks about 10 key principles of Post Modern thinking but the one that causes me most concern is his 10th one Truth is Relative. He says (speaking about the post modernist) "There is no such thing as absolute truth. Nothing is absolutely and unequivocally right ( except of course the rule that nothing is right). All truth is relative, all truth is subjective, and all ranking of truth and morality is by personal or communal choice."

Talk about a slippery snake covered in grease - how on earth do you get anywhere with a belief like that. It just seems that people these days just make it up as they go along as long as it fits with what suits them. I suppose if it doesn't suit them then it is just ignored. Having stated the views of Post Modernist thinking Malcolm then goes on to examine how the church can do a Paul in Athens and communicate with people on their wavelength. It makes really interesting reading.

It's a good job that we have Scripture to anchor us in a world that is adrift and tossed about by every wind of doctrine. Jesus said "If you hold to my teaching you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free" John 8 32

I am enjoying being challanged by two books that I am reading at the moment. They are Kingdom Come (The local church as a catalyst for social change) by Malcolm Duncan and An Agenda for Change (A global call for spiritual and social transformation) by Joel Edwards.

Malcolm Duncan spoke at my church about a year ago to an invited group of local council officials and you could not have heard a clearer call for christians to get out there and get involved. It was a real challange and call to action with a clear message that said that we do this because of Jesus. He is the motivation. So when his new book was published a few months ago it has been on my reading list as a book I need to read. Malcolm has a real gift of explaining things clearly and I have particularly liked the way that he clearly describes the new ways that people think these days and shows why we need to ensure that our message is not lost in past ways of thinking. There's a lot to get through in the book so I'm taking notes as I go (a sign of getting older!)

Joel Edwards book is a slimmer volume but also packs a punch as he calls for a biblical witness to transform society by presenting Christ credibly to the culture. If we are to transform society then we need an agenda for change. Aim at nothing and we will hit it. Joel then goes on to lay down some meaty items for that agenda. It's challenging reading but well worth it.