Cast of Characters

Max Lucado is a master storyteller with a gift for helping his readers see the profound and indescribable aspects of God in ordinary, even mundane circumstances and language. In Cast of Characters, he traces the lives of key biblical characters and leaders and how God used them to accomplish his work in the world.

As with any Lucado book the reader finishes the book encouraged and renergized for their own faith journey.

Searching For God Knows What by Donald Miller

Searching For God Knows What is a magnificent book about the reclaiming of Christianity as a relationship not a formulaic religion. Donald Miller is one of the greatest treasures to come out of evangelicalism in the last decade. His writing style and personality appeal to those who have been hurt, beat up or marginalized by the established religion as he offers fresh perspective on a life of faith lived in the context of community within the church.

Searching For God Knows What was the second book I ever read by Miller, which has only gotten better in this revised and expanded edition published by Thomas Nelson. Miller's thesis is authentic faith is not about rules, lists, good deeds or even correct theology....it is about a relationship with the Living God who created us and longs to live in community with us. Although this concept seems as if it should already be grasped by evangelicals (natural descendants of the 16th century Reformers) it seems we often forget what a relationship looks, feels and smells like.

Miller is a master storyteller who invites the reader to pull up a chair and fresh beverage of one's choice to have a conversation about what God and a relationship with Him is really all about. There will be plenty of critics of this book, because Miller seems to cast of systematic theology to some degree, but those critics are not giving Miller the benefit of the doubt. Several times he admits that he agrees that we need a strong theological framework in place, but if we reduce our faith down to just that theological framework "we are of most men to be pitied."

A fantastic reminder of the love affair God has for and with His people!

This book can be ordered from Amazon.com or Thomas Nelson.

The White Horse King: The Life of Alfred the Great by Benjamin Merkle

I recently finished The White Horse King by Benjamin Merkle. The book is a brief but fairly comprehensive account of the achievements of Alfred the Great. The two main themes that Merkle focuses on are the faith of Alfred and the military conquests and defeats of Alfred. The faith element is central, because as Merkle recounts the life of Alfred the Great it was his deep faith that he learned initially as a boy that shaped how he led in battle, how he governed, how he dealt with the Vikings who he fought against in battle, and how he sought to live out his own life.

The book was not very engaging to me. In fact it took me nearly 3 months to finish it! Now I will admit the my reading is cluttered, usually 3 books at a time so if a book doesn't grab me it takes me a while to work through it. I should learn to just put it down but I rarely do. The history and research seem to be impeccable, so I applaud Merkle for his diligence there, however his ability to really make me as interested as he is in Alfred was severely lacking. I love history but I just didn't connect with the book. Perhaps if one has a particular strong interest in early British history or in Norse history they might find this book enjoyable.