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BASIC CHRISTIANITY When I meet someone who is seeking God, or has recently made a decision to accept Jesus Christ as their Saviour, or is a long-time Christian wanting a better understanding of their faith, I recommend John Stott’s Basic Christianity. IVP Books has just released the 50th Anniversary Edition of Stott’s book, which has sold more than 2.5 million copies around the world. A preacher, evangelist and communicator of Scripture, Stott was honoured in 2005 by Time magazine as one of the “100 Most Influential People of the World.” Basic Christianity is divided into four parts: “Christ’s Person,” “Man’s Need,” “Christ’s Work,” and “Man’s Response.” Stott breaks up each part into definable sections. In looking at the person of Christ, for example, he addresses the “Claims,” “Character,” and “Resurrection” of Jesus. In closing the book, Stott offers some great advice about how to live the Christian life, covering subjects such as prayer, church attendance, sin, repentance, baptism, worship, and service to God and others. This book is sound, sensible and intellectually satisfying. It is neither fluff nor high-brow stuff! There’s a reason this Basic Christianity is still being released after 50 years — it is an outstanding book. Reviewed by Rob McKinney
Mary Jo Wyse has chosen the road that so many young women before her have foolishly taken. She believed the young man who promised to “love her forever” if only she would “demonstrate” her love for him. Not surprisingly, the demonstration ended in pregnancy for Mary Jo and a cue to split from the rascal, David Rhodes. After nursing her broken heart and facing the judgments of three older brothers (the three Wyse men), Mary Jo travels to Cedar Cove to confront David about his responsibilities. Her goal is not to coax him back, but to resolve their issues before her brothers initiate their own brand of resolution. Unfortunately, when she arrives in Cedar Cove, there are no lodging vacancies in the area. No room at the Inn. During her search for a place to stay, she meets Grace Harding, the town Librarian. If ever a woman exemplified the meaning of her name, it was Grace. Although Mary Jo was excited about her impending role as a mother, it wasn’t until she started to absorb the spirit of Christmas that she began to think of her baby as a gift from God. There is even a charming romance in this delightful story, but you’ll have to read it for yourself to discover how it plays out. Reviewed by Maggie Harding
What do King David and the woman who washed Jesus’ feet have in common? The same thing as Joseph and Matthew the tax collector — they are included in 22 different Bible character studies featured in Cast of Characters. While profiling the lives of imperfect people, Max Lucado explores how God actually accomplished more through their failures than successes. Readers will surely identify with at least one of these characters. Lucado cleverly reveals how the varied and fascinating life stories of ancient Bible characters are relevant to modern concerns such as doubt, rejection, insignificance, purpose, suffering, and risk, focusing a chapter on different persons and themes. For example, siblings Mary, Martha and Lazarus are tied to the theme “Your Place in God’s Band” (i.e. knowing your purpose in life). The theme for David is, of course, “Facing Your Giants.” Lucado, with over 50 million books in print, is one of North America’s most engaging storytellers. While he brings life to the Bible’s many interesting characters, he also encourages readers to consider the plan God has for them. Writes Lucado, “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 we lack in perfection, God makes up for in love.” That should offer hope to everyone. Reviewed by Steve Redmond 
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