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Cast of Characters: Lost and Found: Encounters with the Living God
Common people. Maybe you heard their names in a childhood Sunday school class. They're not often the champions or the go-to sermon illustrations. They probably didn't stand at the foot of the cross or even hang next to Jesus on one of their own. But they pepper the pages of the Bible, reminding us that we're not alone.
Just like you and me, these ordinary people stumbled and struggled. They faced their own sin and came face to face with a God who not only wipes it away, but also makes the common extraordinary. They discovered that an encounter with the living God changes everything.
Dive into the lives of more than twenty of the Bible's most compelling characters through inspirational selections from the writings of bestselling author Max Lucado. An ideal companion volume to Cast of Characters, this book features a whole new cast and the encouragement from their stories.
Just like you and me, these ordinary people stumbled and struggled. They faced their own sin and came face to face with a God who not only wipes it away, but also makes the common extraordinary. They discovered that an encounter with the living God changes everything.
Dive into the lives of more than twenty of the Bible's most compelling characters through inspirational selections from the writings of bestselling author Max Lucado. An ideal companion volume to Cast of Characters, this book features a whole new cast and the encouragement from their stories.
240 pages, Hardcover
First published October 7, 2008
325 people are currently reading
1403 people want to read
About the author
Max Lucado
1,194 books5,372 followersWith more than 150 million products in print and several NYT bestsellers, Max Lucado is America's bestselling inspirational author. He serves the Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, Texas, where he lives with his wife, Denalyn, and their mischievous mutt, Andy. His most recent book published in August 2024 and is titled What Happens Next.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 152 reviews
December 5, 2023
“…God’s stubborn love…” (3.5 stars)
When this text is good, it gives some interesting insight into biblical stories and people. And when it’s bad it tries real hard to be hip and relevant. Mr. Lucado occasionally thinks he needs to jazz up the gospel instead of just presenting it. And when he does this, it’s not good. Especially cringe worthy is his chapter about Matthew. I won’t focus on those moments. Mainly because there are less of them than there are nice moments.
Here are some of the nice moments…
Chapter 3 focuses on the women who washed Jesus’ feet. It is very good, mainly because Lucado resists the urge to add to it, realizing its power is in its simplicity.
There are some really fine thoughts presented in chapter 17, “Nicodemus”, that give some interesting insight into the Bible’s most famous passage, John 3:16.
Chapter 19 focuses on the story of the “rich young ruler”. I loved Mr. Lucado’s explanation/analysis of this story. It takes an approach to it that I had never heard presented before.
Quotes:
• “Discipleship is sometimes defined by being normal.”
• “Don’t think thoughts you don’t want Jesus to hear.”
• “The white space between Bible verses is fertile soil for questions.”
• “Changing direction in life is not tragic.”
• “To forgive someone is to display reverence. Forgiveness is not saying the one who hurt you was right. Forgiveness is stating that God is fair and He will do what is right.”
All in all CAST OF CHARACTERS is a quick read that reinforces the humanity, and thus the relevance, of many biblical figures. I’m glad I read it.
When this text is good, it gives some interesting insight into biblical stories and people. And when it’s bad it tries real hard to be hip and relevant. Mr. Lucado occasionally thinks he needs to jazz up the gospel instead of just presenting it. And when he does this, it’s not good. Especially cringe worthy is his chapter about Matthew. I won’t focus on those moments. Mainly because there are less of them than there are nice moments.
Here are some of the nice moments…
Chapter 3 focuses on the women who washed Jesus’ feet. It is very good, mainly because Lucado resists the urge to add to it, realizing its power is in its simplicity.
There are some really fine thoughts presented in chapter 17, “Nicodemus”, that give some interesting insight into the Bible’s most famous passage, John 3:16.
Chapter 19 focuses on the story of the “rich young ruler”. I loved Mr. Lucado’s explanation/analysis of this story. It takes an approach to it that I had never heard presented before.
Quotes:
• “Discipleship is sometimes defined by being normal.”
• “Don’t think thoughts you don’t want Jesus to hear.”
• “The white space between Bible verses is fertile soil for questions.”
• “Changing direction in life is not tragic.”
• “To forgive someone is to display reverence. Forgiveness is not saying the one who hurt you was right. Forgiveness is stating that God is fair and He will do what is right.”
All in all CAST OF CHARACTERS is a quick read that reinforces the humanity, and thus the relevance, of many biblical figures. I’m glad I read it.
November 1, 2018
If you've never read Max Lucado's writings before, this is a great introduction to his body of work.
However, for those like me who have read many of his books--some more than once--this is merely a rerun.
When I first started collecting music CDs, one of the first ones I obtained was dc Talk's greatest hits project, titled Intermission. While most of the tracks were the same as they were on the original albums, there were enough remixes, new songs, and never-before-seen interludes to justify a purchase for any fan of the band.
The problem with this book is that there isn't enough new content to justify a purchase or even borrowing it from the library, unless you're completely unfamiliar with Mr. Lucado's work. If it weren't all recycled material, I'd give it a higher score.
However, for those like me who have read many of his books--some more than once--this is merely a rerun.
When I first started collecting music CDs, one of the first ones I obtained was dc Talk's greatest hits project, titled Intermission. While most of the tracks were the same as they were on the original albums, there were enough remixes, new songs, and never-before-seen interludes to justify a purchase for any fan of the band.
The problem with this book is that there isn't enough new content to justify a purchase or even borrowing it from the library, unless you're completely unfamiliar with Mr. Lucado's work. If it weren't all recycled material, I'd give it a higher score.
Read
April 21, 2011I was given the opportunity to read "Cast of Characters" by Max Lucado and what really stands out the most about the book, is the fact that it is a reminder to us all that we serve a loving Father, who loves us, not based on who we are in society, the amount of money we have in the bank, or how society wants to define us, but by how willing and open we are to be His servants and to answer His calling.
The men and women, in "Cast of Characters" are everyday people, both the might be likely and the unlikely with the common thread, that God used them to His glory and through being His vessel, teaches us that all things in and through our Heavenly Father, is possible.
They lived in times that may seem extradorinary to us now, but to them, were ordinary and through their examples and service, continue to inspire us, convict us, challenge us and encourage us.
This is a book that I highly recommend to anyone who feels that they have to be extrordinary to find out that God loves you for you and will use you for you.
The men and women, in "Cast of Characters" are everyday people, both the might be likely and the unlikely with the common thread, that God used them to His glory and through being His vessel, teaches us that all things in and through our Heavenly Father, is possible.
They lived in times that may seem extradorinary to us now, but to them, were ordinary and through their examples and service, continue to inspire us, convict us, challenge us and encourage us.
This is a book that I highly recommend to anyone who feels that they have to be extrordinary to find out that God loves you for you and will use you for you.
January 9, 2019
Lucado gives a look at "Lost and Found" characters of the Bible as well as anecdotal current stories to relate in the same vein in each chapter. He brings cultural context into some of the chapters that make me think of them in a new way. The one chapter I didn't quite get was Peter at the end of the book but otherwise a very enjoyable audio.
July 12, 2017
This very insightful look at several people from the Bible and the open discussion of their lives, both strengths and weaknesses, will help the reader gain some varied ways of looking at how God responds to their own strengths and weaknesses.
Read
March 28, 2018My grandma gave me this book to read because she that I might benefit and enjoy it. She was right.
I really connected with the chapter on Paul.
I love the way Max Lucado writes. He uses simple and direct sentences. Reading his work always feels like I'm speaking to a friend. He kind of decodes lessons in the Bible in a way that I feel everyone can benefit. He also puts in personal antidotes that make the lessons even more connectable.
I really connected with the chapter on Paul.
I love the way Max Lucado writes. He uses simple and direct sentences. Reading his work always feels like I'm speaking to a friend. He kind of decodes lessons in the Bible in a way that I feel everyone can benefit. He also puts in personal antidotes that make the lessons even more connectable.
May 23, 2022
God uses people, and this is not a singular term. Hecould used anybody to change the world.
August 14, 2022
4.5 rounded to 5. Personally, I love Max Lucado, he may not be teaching the mysteries of apocalyptic literature, be he has a gift for making the simple gospel come alive in the heart of every sinner. Beautiful chapters outlining stories of God working in the lives of the ordinary, filled with hope and grace and of course a little bit of cheese
May 17, 2022
FAVORITE QUOTES
-Could it be that the secret to Loving is Receiving. You give Love by first receiving it. We Love because He first Loved Us.
-Would we Love as God Loves. Then we start by receiving by God's Love.
-What kind of person would take the Blame for something he didn't do. When you find the adjective attach it to Jesus. God has piled all our sins everything we've done wrong on Him, On Him.
-"Don't worry about having the right words. Worry more about having the right heart. It's not eloquence he seeks, just honesty."
-"Focus on giants - you stumble. Focus on God - Giants tumble."
-The heart of the human problem is the heart of the human.
-"It's a dog-eat-dog world," he would say. Then don't live with the dogs. That makes sense doesn't it. Why let a bunch of other failures tell you how much of a failure you are?
-Could it be that the secret to Loving is Receiving. You give Love by first receiving it. We Love because He first Loved Us.
-Would we Love as God Loves. Then we start by receiving by God's Love.
-What kind of person would take the Blame for something he didn't do. When you find the adjective attach it to Jesus. God has piled all our sins everything we've done wrong on Him, On Him.
-"Don't worry about having the right words. Worry more about having the right heart. It's not eloquence he seeks, just honesty."
-"Focus on giants - you stumble. Focus on God - Giants tumble."
-The heart of the human problem is the heart of the human.
-"It's a dog-eat-dog world," he would say. Then don't live with the dogs. That makes sense doesn't it. Why let a bunch of other failures tell you how much of a failure you are?
October 15, 2011
Cast of Characters is a wonderful little book that lets the reader see into the lives of some of the people who participated in the stories of the Bible. These characters weren’t spotless, they weren’t without fault, but they were the people who God chose to use for His perfect work; people like David, Jarius, Abigail, Nicodemus, The Samaritan Woman, Job, Esther, and so on.
I could tell that this book was written to inspire Christians to realize how magnificent our God is. It took a few chapters to get into the book, but in some places I really did enjoy the truths that he had to point out. There was, however, one thing that I really did not enjoy about this book.
Lucado frequently used NCV (New Century Version) of the Bible. Maybe it is because I am so used to reading from my King James Version, but this alteration of versions was irritating and very hard to follow. The NCV distorted the bible verses so much that sometimes I didn’t even realize he was quoting some of my favorite verses. The NCV was just too…too normal…it didn’t sound like the sacred Word of God. This was probably my biggest issue with the book.
Once I got past the “watered-down” verses, it was a pretty good book. He added quite a bit of humor to it and added personal accounts into the stories. Frequently, he would recreate the Bible stories into modern-day events and although I thought it was a bit odd and took a while to get used to, I did enjoy reading about those events. It just goes to show you that God’s commandments aren’t just for “the ancient days” – they are everlasting and apply to every generation, no matter how much it changes and alters.
That said, this book would make a great devotional, as long as you have your Bible nearby to translate the NCV. (Maybe it’s just me, but I thought to give you a heads up anyways!) Max Lucado has written many different devotionals and, although I wouldn’t say this is a must have for your morning or evening worship with our Savior, it was a nice read and I learned many relevant truths from it.
Thanks goes to Thomas Nelson for giving me a complementary copy of this book to review.
I could tell that this book was written to inspire Christians to realize how magnificent our God is. It took a few chapters to get into the book, but in some places I really did enjoy the truths that he had to point out. There was, however, one thing that I really did not enjoy about this book.
Lucado frequently used NCV (New Century Version) of the Bible. Maybe it is because I am so used to reading from my King James Version, but this alteration of versions was irritating and very hard to follow. The NCV distorted the bible verses so much that sometimes I didn’t even realize he was quoting some of my favorite verses. The NCV was just too…too normal…it didn’t sound like the sacred Word of God. This was probably my biggest issue with the book.
Once I got past the “watered-down” verses, it was a pretty good book. He added quite a bit of humor to it and added personal accounts into the stories. Frequently, he would recreate the Bible stories into modern-day events and although I thought it was a bit odd and took a while to get used to, I did enjoy reading about those events. It just goes to show you that God’s commandments aren’t just for “the ancient days” – they are everlasting and apply to every generation, no matter how much it changes and alters.
That said, this book would make a great devotional, as long as you have your Bible nearby to translate the NCV. (Maybe it’s just me, but I thought to give you a heads up anyways!) Max Lucado has written many different devotionals and, although I wouldn’t say this is a must have for your morning or evening worship with our Savior, it was a nice read and I learned many relevant truths from it.
Thanks goes to Thomas Nelson for giving me a complementary copy of this book to review.
February 8, 2025
Love how Max Lucado used ordinary Bible stories to explain an extraordinary God!
October 17, 2012
My cousin gave this to me for my birthday this year. I really enjoyed it. The cast of characters included:
Jacob
The Woman caught in adultery
Ananias and Saul
The Gadarene Demoniac
Mephibosheth
Job
The Thief on the cross
And many more!
Each of their stories were told along with how we can relate with their lives today. I like what a paragraph on the back of the book said:
"The Bible is filled with a cast of characters who was lost. The crippled man at the Beautiful Gate. The leper. Even king David, whose colossal collapse turned him into a liar and murderer. These are the hopeless, hapless, and hurting faces that fill Scripture. These are also the faces we see when we look in our own mirrors."
I really enjoyed how Max Lucado was able to relate so many Biblical characters lives to our lives today. We may not literally be blind, we may not have committed adultery, we may not have lost everything we have, but we all were lost until we met the Savior.
Jacob
The Woman caught in adultery
Ananias and Saul
The Gadarene Demoniac
Mephibosheth
Job
The Thief on the cross
And many more!
Each of their stories were told along with how we can relate with their lives today. I like what a paragraph on the back of the book said:
"The Bible is filled with a cast of characters who was lost. The crippled man at the Beautiful Gate. The leper. Even king David, whose colossal collapse turned him into a liar and murderer. These are the hopeless, hapless, and hurting faces that fill Scripture. These are also the faces we see when we look in our own mirrors."
I really enjoyed how Max Lucado was able to relate so many Biblical characters lives to our lives today. We may not literally be blind, we may not have committed adultery, we may not have lost everything we have, but we all were lost until we met the Savior.
September 2, 2014
I say it all the time, but one of the things I love about Max Lucado books is that he makes things... approachable and easily understood. He adds a lot of personal stories that really help illustrate his points.
This book takes that a step further in that he offers a modern take on Bible stories. Jairus becomes a busy modern preacher who tries to maintain a perfect image until his daughter's health forces him to go see an upstart troublemaker to get help. It didn't bother me, but some people may not like that approach.
I think the author's goal is to make the Bible easily understood -- and so the stories and using Bible versions that use plainer English.
I enjoyed the book and loved the reminder that the people we read about in the Bible are just like us - real & flawed - but loved and empowered by God.
This book takes that a step further in that he offers a modern take on Bible stories. Jairus becomes a busy modern preacher who tries to maintain a perfect image until his daughter's health forces him to go see an upstart troublemaker to get help. It didn't bother me, but some people may not like that approach.
I think the author's goal is to make the Bible easily understood -- and so the stories and using Bible versions that use plainer English.
I enjoyed the book and loved the reminder that the people we read about in the Bible are just like us - real & flawed - but loved and empowered by God.
July 25, 2010
I have read a number of Max Lucado's works. Most of them I have found to be wonderful and profound. However this book felt wrong. I picked it up to read today. I was disappointed and a little upset at the way Lucado portrayed the Bible and Biblical characters. I felt he was trying to fit in with today's hip way of life. I have respect and reverence for my Father in Heaven and the Holy Scriptures. I felt that the respect and reverence that the Bible demands was not there. It was almost callous in the way it was written. I was unable to read the entire book, because of the uneasiness that I found from reading the small bit I did. Maybe this book will appeal to others in a way it did not to me.
June 2, 2011
Max Lucado has a way of explaining the bible and making it personal. He writes so simply yet you find the deepest meanings in the things he writes. Simple situations are turned into examples of God's grace or love. This book takes writings of Max's on individuals in the bible and explores who they were and what they did. I like the idea because there are a lot of people in the bible we can all identify with and they have all done the human things we have done. So many times we may think we are alone but we aren't and many of the people in Jesus' own blood line are not the type of people one would guess. It is all in how you allow God to work in your life. God uses broken people to prove who He is and why we should believe Him.
October 28, 2016
Great reminders of who we are in Christ
This book is full of stories from people of the Bible delivered in a way that Max Lucado does best. He walks readers through Biblical characters and their impact during the time in which they lived. Lucado uses this device as a helpful reminder that although readers today weren't alive in Biblical times our story can still be seen in the people of the Bible.
This book is full of stories from people of the Bible delivered in a way that Max Lucado does best. He walks readers through Biblical characters and their impact during the time in which they lived. Lucado uses this device as a helpful reminder that although readers today weren't alive in Biblical times our story can still be seen in the people of the Bible.
August 27, 2024
pretty good but nothing revolutionary. did have some good lessons in it though :)
January 26, 2020
My favorite Max Lucado book so far, because it seems to stand out from the others as being distinctly different in style. In this one, Lucado does a creative job of presenting each chapter through the eyes of a different personality from the Bible, many in modern scenarios, and the voice of each chapter is in present tense, bringing liveliness to each page.
Of the following three highlights that I particularly enjoyed, first check out this analogy of the checkbook:
"Instructing people to love without telling them they are loved is like telling them to write a check without our making a deposit in their accounts. No wonder so many relationships are overdrawn. Hearts have insufficient love. The apostle John models the right sequence. He makes a deposit before he tells us to write the check. First, the deposit:
'God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love--not that we loved God, but that the loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. (1 John 4:9-10 NLT)'
And then, having made such an outrageous, eye-opening deposit, John calls on you and me to pull out the checkbook: 'Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other.' (1 John 4:11 NLT)"
Secondly, I also enjoyed the chapter on Mephibosheth, the crippled son of Jonathan, whom David invited to eat at the king's table. Max Lucado shares these thoughts about our own invitation to the King's table, each of which encourage the reader to further study:
1. You are beyond condemnation (Romans 8:1)
2. You are delivered from the law (Romans 7:6)
3. You are near God (Ephesians 2:13)
4. You are delivered from the power of evil (Colossians 1:13)
5. You are a member of His kingdom (Colossians 1:13)
6. You are justified (Romans 5:1)
7. You are perfect (Hebrews 10:14)
8. You have been adopted (Romans 8:15)
9. You have access to God at any moment (Ephesians 2:18)
10. You are a part of his priesthood (1 Peter 2:5)
11. You will never be abandoned (Hebrews 13:5)
12. You have an imperishable inheritance (1 Peter 1:4)
13. You are a partner with Christ in life (Colossians 3:4) and privilege (Ephesians 2:6), suffering (2 Timothy 2:12), and service (1 Corinthians 1:9)
14. You are a member of His body (1 Corinthians 12:13)
15. You are a branch in the vine (John 15:5)
16. You are a stone in the building (Ephesians 2:19-22)
17. You are a bride for the groom (Ephesians 2:25-27)
18. You are a priest in the new generation (1 Peter 2:9)
19. You are a dwelling place of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19)
He goes on to summarize that we possess every spiritual blessing possible according to Ephesians 1:3, and as such, we can identify with the blessing that Mephibosheth received from David.
Finally, in the next-to-last chapter, I really liked the way that Lucado summarizes the seven miracles of Jesus, presenting them as if they were evidence in a courtroom, each building to a dramatic conclusion:
"Jesus' voice fills the courtroom: 'I represent an orphan who is the sum of all you have seen. Like the party that had no wine, this one has no cause for celebration. Like the dignitary's son, this child is spiritually ill. Like the cripple and the beggar, he can't walk and is blind. He is starving, but earth has no food to fill him. He faces storms as severe as the one on Galilee, but earth has no compass to guide him. And most of all, he is dead; just like Lazarus. Dead. Spiritually dead.'
'I will do for him what I did for them. I'll give him joy, strength, healing, sight, safety, nourishment, new life. All are his, if you will permit.'
The judge speaks his answer... 'I will permit it on one condition. That the orphan request it.'"
As Lucado explains, you and I are the orphan in the courtroom. I've never before thought of the purpose of the miracles of Jesus in such a personal way, but the courtroom evidence and the judge's decision serve to bring out John's writing in a clear way so that it can be appreciated as it was intended.
Those were just 3 of the gems that I pulled from this book, and with 22 chapters, there's something there for any reader. This would also make a great daily devotional for about 3 weeks or so. Each chapter is relatively short and has 5 questions at the end, one of which includes a reference to a passage of Scripture for additional reading and pondering. With some of the insights brought out by Lucado, this book would also be a great foundation for a small group Bible study.
Of the following three highlights that I particularly enjoyed, first check out this analogy of the checkbook:
"Instructing people to love without telling them they are loved is like telling them to write a check without our making a deposit in their accounts. No wonder so many relationships are overdrawn. Hearts have insufficient love. The apostle John models the right sequence. He makes a deposit before he tells us to write the check. First, the deposit:
'God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love--not that we loved God, but that the loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. (1 John 4:9-10 NLT)'
And then, having made such an outrageous, eye-opening deposit, John calls on you and me to pull out the checkbook: 'Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other.' (1 John 4:11 NLT)"
Secondly, I also enjoyed the chapter on Mephibosheth, the crippled son of Jonathan, whom David invited to eat at the king's table. Max Lucado shares these thoughts about our own invitation to the King's table, each of which encourage the reader to further study:
1. You are beyond condemnation (Romans 8:1)
2. You are delivered from the law (Romans 7:6)
3. You are near God (Ephesians 2:13)
4. You are delivered from the power of evil (Colossians 1:13)
5. You are a member of His kingdom (Colossians 1:13)
6. You are justified (Romans 5:1)
7. You are perfect (Hebrews 10:14)
8. You have been adopted (Romans 8:15)
9. You have access to God at any moment (Ephesians 2:18)
10. You are a part of his priesthood (1 Peter 2:5)
11. You will never be abandoned (Hebrews 13:5)
12. You have an imperishable inheritance (1 Peter 1:4)
13. You are a partner with Christ in life (Colossians 3:4) and privilege (Ephesians 2:6), suffering (2 Timothy 2:12), and service (1 Corinthians 1:9)
14. You are a member of His body (1 Corinthians 12:13)
15. You are a branch in the vine (John 15:5)
16. You are a stone in the building (Ephesians 2:19-22)
17. You are a bride for the groom (Ephesians 2:25-27)
18. You are a priest in the new generation (1 Peter 2:9)
19. You are a dwelling place of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19)
He goes on to summarize that we possess every spiritual blessing possible according to Ephesians 1:3, and as such, we can identify with the blessing that Mephibosheth received from David.
Finally, in the next-to-last chapter, I really liked the way that Lucado summarizes the seven miracles of Jesus, presenting them as if they were evidence in a courtroom, each building to a dramatic conclusion:
"Jesus' voice fills the courtroom: 'I represent an orphan who is the sum of all you have seen. Like the party that had no wine, this one has no cause for celebration. Like the dignitary's son, this child is spiritually ill. Like the cripple and the beggar, he can't walk and is blind. He is starving, but earth has no food to fill him. He faces storms as severe as the one on Galilee, but earth has no compass to guide him. And most of all, he is dead; just like Lazarus. Dead. Spiritually dead.'
'I will do for him what I did for them. I'll give him joy, strength, healing, sight, safety, nourishment, new life. All are his, if you will permit.'
The judge speaks his answer... 'I will permit it on one condition. That the orphan request it.'"
As Lucado explains, you and I are the orphan in the courtroom. I've never before thought of the purpose of the miracles of Jesus in such a personal way, but the courtroom evidence and the judge's decision serve to bring out John's writing in a clear way so that it can be appreciated as it was intended.
Those were just 3 of the gems that I pulled from this book, and with 22 chapters, there's something there for any reader. This would also make a great daily devotional for about 3 weeks or so. Each chapter is relatively short and has 5 questions at the end, one of which includes a reference to a passage of Scripture for additional reading and pondering. With some of the insights brought out by Lucado, this book would also be a great foundation for a small group Bible study.
February 11, 2025
Jesus wasn’t crucified on Friday. Probably on Wednesday. There are very few that put together the 3 days and 3 nights that Jesus was in the tomb isn’t possible if He was buried on Friday. He apparently rose on Saturday but wasn’t seen until early Sunday. It takes some studying to understand that there were 2 Sabbath days in a row. The Passover and The Feast of Unleavened Bread were just at the right time in God’s plan.
The first and last day of this feast had 2 Sabbath days. One at the beginning, one at the end. Then the weekly Sabbath came first. So, 2 in a row. That is why the women could not go to the tomb earlier. Can’t travel or work on the Sabbaths. Study it if you choose and see the beauty of God’ work.
This was, for the most part a great teaching. I don’t like adding to the Bible, as Max did because then we get things that aren’t true. He made a whole story about Lazarus and most of it isn’t Biblical. Plus, they wrapped the entire body in cloths. Max said the hands and feet were wrapped. And it was the voice of Jesus that called out to Lazarus, and he was raised by the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus would speak and the Holy Spirit acted.
All of Heaven was not seeing what was happening on Earth, as Max believed when talking about Peter and Jesus wanting Peter to be told of His resurrection. Since Peter had denied Jesus 3 times and cursed, Jesus wanted him to know He wasn’t angry and hadn’t disowned him. So precious!
There were a few other things I didn’t like or agree with, but Max got his points across. I love that he did. PS, Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit. The works He did was not in His power as God, but what the Holy Spirit led Him to do and that was in agreement with the Heavenly Father’s will. The Holy Spirit led, Jesus spoke and the Holy Spirit did the works. They worked together in harmony.
When Jesus was on the cross, the last three hours, from 12:00 until 3:00, He was separated from the Father as He had to bear the sin and the guilt of the Father, who had to turn from Jesus , so as not to look upon the sins as Jesus died. How beautiful and horrible at the same time. Sin is the worst thing that has ever happened. The death, burial and resurrection of Jesus is the best thing that has ever happened. We have the opportunity to be forgiven for all eternity thanks to the finished work of Jesus. CathyR
The first and last day of this feast had 2 Sabbath days. One at the beginning, one at the end. Then the weekly Sabbath came first. So, 2 in a row. That is why the women could not go to the tomb earlier. Can’t travel or work on the Sabbaths. Study it if you choose and see the beauty of God’ work.
This was, for the most part a great teaching. I don’t like adding to the Bible, as Max did because then we get things that aren’t true. He made a whole story about Lazarus and most of it isn’t Biblical. Plus, they wrapped the entire body in cloths. Max said the hands and feet were wrapped. And it was the voice of Jesus that called out to Lazarus, and he was raised by the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus would speak and the Holy Spirit acted.
All of Heaven was not seeing what was happening on Earth, as Max believed when talking about Peter and Jesus wanting Peter to be told of His resurrection. Since Peter had denied Jesus 3 times and cursed, Jesus wanted him to know He wasn’t angry and hadn’t disowned him. So precious!
There were a few other things I didn’t like or agree with, but Max got his points across. I love that he did. PS, Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit. The works He did was not in His power as God, but what the Holy Spirit led Him to do and that was in agreement with the Heavenly Father’s will. The Holy Spirit led, Jesus spoke and the Holy Spirit did the works. They worked together in harmony.
When Jesus was on the cross, the last three hours, from 12:00 until 3:00, He was separated from the Father as He had to bear the sin and the guilt of the Father, who had to turn from Jesus , so as not to look upon the sins as Jesus died. How beautiful and horrible at the same time. Sin is the worst thing that has ever happened. The death, burial and resurrection of Jesus is the best thing that has ever happened. We have the opportunity to be forgiven for all eternity thanks to the finished work of Jesus. CathyR
January 15, 2023
Me sorprendió encontrar este libro en la biblioteca, de hecho me sorprendió que la sección de religión en la Vasconcelos sea tan amplia, digo, hay de todo, por lo que pude apreciar en un primer vistazo quizá tenga que escoger con muuucho cuidado, pero la verdad no me voy a poder quejar de no tener disponible literatura cristiana para ahondar gratuitamente.
No se por qué el nombre de Max Lucado me sonaba mucho más antiguo, y la verdad es que leyendolo me pareció de lo más actual, (Noo inventes, nació en 1955, yo lo hacía de los lejanos 1700 o algo así jsjsjsjs) me agradó mucho su facilidad de transmitir las ideas y admiro las imágenes que forma para meternos de lleno en lo que nos quiere contar. Me impacta cuando las personas llegan a ese punto en el que tienen tal convicción y tal conocimiento, que pueden trabajar sobre la experiencia viva, para llevar a otros a comprender la verdad desde diferentes puntos.
Mi relato favorito fue el de las tres cruces.
Es un libro que recomendaría para leer en grupo, sobre todo porque al final de cada capítulo (los caps son re cortos) vienen preguntas que son tan básicas(?) que es fácil querer saltarlas y con otras personas podría realmente animar a juzgar más nuestros corazones después de cada lectura.
Esperaría que nos reencontremos en el futuro.
No se por qué el nombre de Max Lucado me sonaba mucho más antiguo, y la verdad es que leyendolo me pareció de lo más actual, (Noo inventes, nació en 1955, yo lo hacía de los lejanos 1700 o algo así jsjsjsjs) me agradó mucho su facilidad de transmitir las ideas y admiro las imágenes que forma para meternos de lleno en lo que nos quiere contar. Me impacta cuando las personas llegan a ese punto en el que tienen tal convicción y tal conocimiento, que pueden trabajar sobre la experiencia viva, para llevar a otros a comprender la verdad desde diferentes puntos.
Mi relato favorito fue el de las tres cruces.
Es un libro que recomendaría para leer en grupo, sobre todo porque al final de cada capítulo (los caps son re cortos) vienen preguntas que son tan básicas(?) que es fácil querer saltarlas y con otras personas podría realmente animar a juzgar más nuestros corazones después de cada lectura.
Esperaría que nos reencontremos en el futuro.
June 15, 2024
I bought this book in response to a conversation I'd had with my teenage son about how people don't need to be perfect to be useful to and loved by God. I said that there were many Biblical examples of how very imperfect people were called upon to do very important things and that God did not wait for them to mature or figure it all out before he put them to work. I was thinking this would be a collection of such stories. However this book really didn't portray that aspect of these characters.
This book is a series of examples of how God worked in the lives of various people in their varied circumstances. Max Lucado does a good job modernizing the stories and making them feel real & pertinent to what the average person might be going through in current times. So it's more about how He works in these peoples lives, and less about they ways they were called to step up.
So depending on what you want to get out of it, it might be the book for you. I do like the author's works in general. They're always easy to follow and digest. This one has study questions that can be used in a group or individually.
This book is a series of examples of how God worked in the lives of various people in their varied circumstances. Max Lucado does a good job modernizing the stories and making them feel real & pertinent to what the average person might be going through in current times. So it's more about how He works in these peoples lives, and less about they ways they were called to step up.
So depending on what you want to get out of it, it might be the book for you. I do like the author's works in general. They're always easy to follow and digest. This one has study questions that can be used in a group or individually.
Read
January 1, 2023He has a talent for storytelling. Contrasts of two choices, or alliteration in comparing good and bad examples. The story of Moses as Hank the janitor at the lawyer’s office, Jacob the conman, Esther the queen who approaches the king as we the bride of Christ approach the throne, Nicodemus, and Jairus as Walton the pastor consumed by the imminent loss of his daughter… all had intriguing stories.
The story of going furniture shopping with his daughters for desks was helpful to see how to pray: his youngest really wanted to take a desk home that day, and with energy and tear-filled eyes she kept asking, “Daddy, could we please take it home today?” instead of waiting the 4 weeks for the store to have it painted and delivered. He relented and they took one desk home that day. It was the “Daddy” that did it. God has a timetable for us, but He is willing to speed it up for our sakes. Jesus taught us to pray that way, “Our Father who art in Heaven…” Be king over my fears, be lord in my family, reign over our desires.
The story of going furniture shopping with his daughters for desks was helpful to see how to pray: his youngest really wanted to take a desk home that day, and with energy and tear-filled eyes she kept asking, “Daddy, could we please take it home today?” instead of waiting the 4 weeks for the store to have it painted and delivered. He relented and they took one desk home that day. It was the “Daddy” that did it. God has a timetable for us, but He is willing to speed it up for our sakes. Jesus taught us to pray that way, “Our Father who art in Heaven…” Be king over my fears, be lord in my family, reign over our desires.
Read
September 26, 2023Max Lucado is, for me, a bit of a mixed bag at times. This book is probably my least favorite of his so far - in an attempt to 'update' biblical stories and make them contemporary, he sometimes misuses scriptures in a wince inducing way. The Point of the book is to make biblical characters seem like people you could meet today. Sometimes it's well done. Sometimes it isn't.
Also, another entry for 'assumes religious leaders are a special sort of evil' list.
At it's best, though, it does harp on the beauty and joy of Christianity, of knowing Jesus personally, and it portrays the gospel message. There were genuine moments that it asked me to dwell on God's goodness and grace, and did a very good job of it - and kudos should and must be given for that.
Also, another entry for 'assumes religious leaders are a special sort of evil' list.
At it's best, though, it does harp on the beauty and joy of Christianity, of knowing Jesus personally, and it portrays the gospel message. There were genuine moments that it asked me to dwell on God's goodness and grace, and did a very good job of it - and kudos should and must be given for that.
October 5, 2021
Max Lucado illustrates how God calls common people to proclaim the Gospel. They may not be wealthy, in positions of power, or the most popular people by the world's standards but that doesn't matter. God knows their hearts.
These common people, whose hearts are on fire with the willingness to trust God and follow where God will lead step out in faith.
This book gives the reader the tools to understand how they too have been called to proclaim the Gospel if they will listen carefully to the call of God.
These common people, whose hearts are on fire with the willingness to trust God and follow where God will lead step out in faith.
This book gives the reader the tools to understand how they too have been called to proclaim the Gospel if they will listen carefully to the call of God.
December 3, 2022
Getting To Know The Bible's Characters
Very solid book on the characters in the Bible.
This reminded me of The Action Bible: God's Redemptive Story, but with more detail for adults / daily life.
Very good book.
Would recommend.
Great book to get to know and understand the Bible better.
4.8/5
Very solid book on the characters in the Bible.
This reminded me of The Action Bible: God's Redemptive Story, but with more detail for adults / daily life.
Very good book.
Would recommend.
Great book to get to know and understand the Bible better.
4.8/5
March 6, 2023
This can be used as a series of bible studies with 8-10 questions at the end of each chapter or just read through…I’ll save and re-do it as a bible study another time.
A great read. Inspiring. Teaching. Encouraging. In early chapters I thought it was a bit simple and the chapters are brief so it’s not intensely deep BUT it’s possibly a good book for relatively new (within first year) Christians.
Recommend
A great read. Inspiring. Teaching. Encouraging. In early chapters I thought it was a bit simple and the chapters are brief so it’s not intensely deep BUT it’s possibly a good book for relatively new (within first year) Christians.
Recommend
August 7, 2018
This is the first book I read written by Max Lucado and an interesting introduction to the author and his works.
This book in particular relates the Bible characters to present times. He reminds us that God's love can work wonders in our seemingly ordinary lives and invites us to be instruments of God's love today.
This book in particular relates the Bible characters to present times. He reminds us that God's love can work wonders in our seemingly ordinary lives and invites us to be instruments of God's love today.
December 9, 2020
Loved this book! I know he reads his own interpretation into the stories, but I loved how he brought these characters to life for me and helped me gain insight in aspects of their stories I hadn’t previously considered.
Oh, and Chapter 18 on Jairus and his daughter was a spectacular piece of writing!
Oh, and Chapter 18 on Jairus and his daughter was a spectacular piece of writing!
February 6, 2023
Another book made up of pieces from other Lucado writings. This one is very well designed. Each chapter is one character. David, Moses, Abigail, and many others each have their own story to tell, and each offers themes we can relate to. This was a great read before bed. In short chapters with humorous anecdotes, Lucado inserts pieces of his own life to make it approachable.
October 23, 2016
This was actually a very easy read once I was able to find the time to read it. Great insights to the classic stories of the Bible. Max is truly amazing to represents the characters in the Bible as of they were people today.
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