Today's guest has sold over a million books in multiple languages and has spoken in front of over a million people across the world. But he started life in very humble surroundings. A son of a cleaner and postman, he lived in a home with no running hot water, no bathroom, an outside toilet with no toilet paper. It was a huge step-up to train as a teacher but then he was attracted into the Law profession by a fellow churchgoer. Whilst this career accelerated he helped lead a growing church on a l...
Apr 08, 2023•12 min
A big thank you to our new voice of Ascend Podcasts - Jordan Bonner reading an article by Alan Colley; Time to Tune Up Twinkle Twinkle. Pop goes the weasel. Doe a deer, a female deer. Frère Jacques. My toddler loves her glockenspiel. It's in tune so the melody sounds good. Have we allowed God to tune us up so we can be part of the melody or harmony amongst our brothers? How is God tuning you up at the moment? Is he drilling into a specific area of your life? And who are you going to play alongsi...
Apr 01, 2023•7 min
Today you're going to hear a conversation between Tony Smith and Bill Merrick. Many of you enjoyed Tony's 14th Jan 23 Episode, "Being sent wherever you are" but who's Bill Merrick? Bill grew up on a farm in Tamworth (Australia not Staffordshire) is married to Sally-Anne with two sons, Jaydon and Harrison. After visiting the UK 25yrs ago, they did a family move back here March 2017 but then left in October 2019 to head back "Down Under". Bill loves cross-country motorcycling and has done some lon...
Mar 25, 2023•16 min
Those with an ear for a great voice will recognise today's reader, Jamie Davidson . What a talent! He's reading an article written by Tim Lucier which starts.. I love cinema. I love being lost in a visual story that takes you on a journey with the characters. I've found that many films made of late have left me underwhelmed. There's less thought put into good character development and storylines and more into over-used CGI and pushing agendas (i.e. anything new on Disney+). Hope was restored, ho...
Mar 18, 2023•8 min
Today we have Greg Barber narrating a wonderful article titled "Beyond mere politeness" written by Justin Camp from WiRE for Men, part of Gather Ministries. It talks about the importance of community - something that is at the heart of Ascend Men. One way we do that is through eating together and there's just a couple of weeks to our next Cambridge Breakfast. Please sign-up now at thec3.uk/ascendevents to help us with our planning. UPCOMING EVENTS Find out more about our upcoming events here . W...
Mar 11, 2023•8 min
In this episode, you'll hear the feedback from Ascend Summit 23 (yes, the positives but also your direction for next time) as well as what some of you recorded in the phone box. We've also added short excerpts from our two guest speakers Tim Robertson and Nathan Blackaby. If you'd like to hear their full messages in future podcast episodes, be sure to let us know. UPCOMING EVENTS Find out more about our upcoming events here . WHAT IS ASCEND MEN? Imagine a community of men who are challenged, ins...
Mar 04, 2023•20 min
In this episode, you'll hear Greg Barber interviewing Sid Thurlow. At just over 20 minutes it's a little longer than our usual interviews but honestly, I just couldn't find anything to edit out! UPCOMING EVENTS Find out more about our upcoming events here . WHAT IS ASCEND MEN? Imagine a community of men who are challenged, inspired and equipped to live passionate lives for Jesus. A place where men-care-for-men through a small number of honest personal relationships initiated and supported by reg...
Feb 25, 2023•25 min
We need to stand firm together in the Spirit’s power. We need to strive together for the gospel, and we need to encourage each other to faith, not fear. What can we do on our own? If we all pursue different goals and head in different directions the strength of Ascend will dissipate and come to nothing. Instead, let’s pull together towards the same prize. Do three things: stand firm , strive together , and don’t be frightened . “ Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gos...
Feb 18, 2023•5 min
With Valentines Day rapidly approaching we thought it would be a good idea to talk to two of our C3 ladies about what matters to them in the area of romance over and above what you might read in Brides magazine. This isn't just for single guys or men who are dating. We can all learn from what Rachel Hales and Rosemarie Wiener have to say. According to the experts at Brides Magazine , here's what women want in a man: Confidence Trustworthiness Integrity Compassion Emotional Availability Respect A...
Feb 11, 2023•16 min
Today we meet a man who likes fast cars with an automatic gearbox, used to enjoy ales but is now teetotal and who likens himself to Samson in the Bible. Welcome to Nathan Blackaby , CEO of Christian Vision for Men and member of C3 Church, Colchester. Nathan says: "I've been challenged to awaken the maverick in me, the renegade, the rebel, the dreamer, the guy who is willing to have a go for the Kingdom.. There's a lot of Kingdom carnage we can do" ASCEND SUMMIT 23 With only a few weeks to go, be...
Feb 04, 2023•18 min
Hear from one of C3’s rappers, Nat Smith (or is that Nat James?). Sharing a honest account of Nat’s challenges and journey through music, we reveal his last trip of 2022, his passion to mentor and a challenge laid down for us all. After listening to the podcast, why not listen to the man himself doing what he does best… ASCEND SUMMIT 23 With only a few weeks to go, be sure to sign up for our annual Ascend Summit which takes place on Saturday 25th Feb. Last year we were almost at capacity in the ...
Jan 28, 2023•16 min
Today's Scriptures You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Psalm 23:5 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Luke 6v38 ASCEND SUMMIT 23 With only a few weeks to go, be sure to sign up for our annual Ascend Summit which takes place on Saturday 25th Feb. Last year we were almost at ca...
Jan 21, 2023•4 min
ASCEND SUMMIT 23 With only a few weeks to go, be sure to sign up for our annual Ascend Summit which takes place on Saturday 25th Feb. Last year we were almost at capacity in the C3 Centre so book your place now to make sure you don't miss out. As last year, we'll have delicious food, a live & loud worship band, inspiring messages from local and visiting speakers and some hilarious banter. Though we promise not to phone any of your wives from the stage this year. You needed to be there to get...
Jan 14, 2023•16 min
WORDS OF HONOUR Honour one another before yourselves - Romans 12:10 To honor someone is to build them up, to give them a sense of their worth. Prevailing culture teaches us our worth is weighed by worldly measures. And so, "honoring" becomes hero worship—elevating those good at projecting worldly success and marginalizing those of us with flawed lives, with failures in our past, or who are simply unable or unwilling to devote enough effort to convincing the world of our success. This type of "ho...
Jan 07, 2023•5 min
Let's meet Steve Campbell: Football or fishing? Three things about the teenage boy? Isaiah 61v1-4 NIV " The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on...
Dec 31, 2022•15 min
Today's Scripture "And the child grew and became strong; He was filled with wisdom and the grace of God was on Him." Luke 2:40 Key takeaway for the day: What one thing can you do to start investing in your spiritual health? Credits Thanks to Mike Harvey for writing our daily devotions and for reading this episode. A shout out to Jamie Davidson for being the "voice of scripture".
Dec 25, 2022•4 min
Today's Scripture "When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. 'Get up,' he said, 'take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him'...But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning in Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Having been warned in a dream, he withdrew to the district of Galilee, and he went and lived in a town called Nazareth. So was fulfilled wh...
Dec 24, 2022•6 min
Today's Scripture "When Herod realised that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled: 'A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.'" Matthew 2:16-18 Key takeaway for the ...
Dec 23, 2022•4 min
Today's Scripture "When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. 'Get up, he said, 'take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him'...After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, 'Get up, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who were trying to take the child's life are dead.' So he got up, took the child and ...
Dec 22, 2022•4 min
Today's Scripture "On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshipped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh." Matthew 2:11 Key takeaway for the day: Let’s be intentional in giving Jesus our first and our best. Credits Today's narrator is Greg Barber. Thanks to Mike Harvey for writing our daily devotions. A shout out to Jamie Davidson for being the "voice of scripture"....
Dec 21, 2022•4 min
Today's Scripture "On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshipped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh." Matthew 2:11 Key takeaway for the day: Let’s be intentional in giving Jesus our first and our best. Credits Today's narrator is Alan Colley. Thanks to Mike Harvey for writing our daily devotions. A shout out to Jamie Davidson for being the "voice of scripture"....
Dec 20, 2022•4 min
Today's Scripture "But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel." Matthew 2:6; quoting Micah 5:2 Key takeaway for the day: We don’t have to be important for God to use us; we simply have to be willing. Credits Thanks to Mike Harvey for writing our daily devotions and for reading this episode. A shout out to Jamie Davidson for being the "voice of scripture"....
Dec 19, 2022•4 min
Today's Scripture "After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, 'Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.'" Matthew 2:1-2 Key takeaway for the day: Allow your Christmas to be enriched by sharing it with others, even if they’re different to you. Credits Today's narrator is Simon Barnett. Thanks to Mike Harvey for writing our daily devotions. A shout ...
Dec 18, 2022•4 min
Today's Scripture "Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, His mother: 'This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.'" Luke 2:34-35 Key takeaway for the day: Following Jesus isn’t easy, but He gives us strength to overcome. Credits Today's narrator is Mark Baldwin-Smith. Thanks to Mike Harvey for writing our daily devotions...
Dec 17, 2022•3 min
Today's Scripture "Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Messiah. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for Him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took Him in his arms and praised God". Luke 2:25-27 Key takeaw...
Dec 16, 2022•4 min
Today's Scripture "But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart...But his mother treasured all these things in her heart." Luke 2:19, 51 Key takeaway for the day: Cherish the things God has done for you, and don’t take them for granted. Credits Today's narrator is Greg Barber. Thanks to Mike Harvey for writing our daily devotions. A shout out to Jamie Davidson for being the "voice of scripture"....
Dec 15, 2022•4 min
Today's Scripture "But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.'" Luke 2:10 Key takeaway for the day: Whatever you’re facing this winter, choose to be joyful. Credits Today's narrator is Alan Colley. Thanks to Mike Harvey for writing our daily devotions. A shout out to Jamie Davidson for being the "voice of scripture".
Dec 14, 2022•3 min
Today's Scripture "and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped Him in cloths and placed Him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them." Luke 2:7 Key takeaway for the day: What can we do to make more room for Jesus in our lives? Credits Thanks to Mike Harvey for writing our daily devotions and for reading this episode. A shout out to Jamie Davidson for being the "voice of scripture"....
Dec 13, 2022•3 min
Today's Scripture "And the child grew and became strong in spirit; and he lived in the wilderness until he appeared publicly to Israel." Luke 1:80 Key takeaway for the day: What can you do to become strong in spirit? Credits Today's narrator is Simon Barnett. Thanks to Mike Harvey for writing our daily devotions. A shout out to Jamie Davidson for being the "voice of scripture".
Dec 12, 2022•4 min
Today's Scripture "because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace." Luke 1:78-79 “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.” Key takeaway for the day: Jesus can shine His light into any dark situation, so long as we let Him. What area of your life do you need to let Jes...
Dec 11, 2022•4 min
