Book Review: Cast of Characters From the Writings of Max Lucado

I have just finished reading the book Cast of Characters Common People in the Hands of an Uncommon God, from the writings of Max Lucado.

Description:From the back cover, "Common people...Story after story marked by scandal, stumble, and intrigue. Who are these people? They're the people of the Bible. And they're us. We find our hope where they found theirs. In the hands of an uncommon God."

Cast of Characters is a gathering of stories from some of Max Lucado's most famous books. In this book he revisits several biblical characters including: Joseph, Matthew, Woman who washed Jesus' feet, Mephibosheth, the Samaritan Woman, Mary, Martha, Lazarus, Abigail, the paralyzed man, John, Paul, the two criminals, Moses, David, Esther, Job, Nicodemus, Jairus, Peter, Paul, Sarah, and the Rich Young Ruler. Each chapter starts with the Scriptures, tells it in a contemporary version, and then talks about the meaning of the Scripture and how it relates to each one of us. There are also reflection/discussion questions at the end of every chapter.

What I Liked: Each chapter is short and concise giving obvious places to stop and start and time to study the Scriptures and go over the questions at the end of each chapter. I enjoyed the conversational tone of the author and the way he relates each story to today. It made me think in a different way and reminded me over and over again that God can and does use ordinary, sinful people like me to do extraordinary things.

My Recommendation: A very good book. Enjoyable to read, study and reflect on. I would definitely recommend this book and leave you with this quote, " The reassuring lesson is clear. God used (and uses) people to change the world. People! Not saints or superhumans or geniuses, but people. Crooks, creeps, lovers, and liars-he uses them all. And what they lack in perfection, God makes up for in love."

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson for the purpose of writing a fair and honest review. I received no other compensation.