Common stories told in a new light. Great message and ideas to think about faith in new ways. You won't think about Goliath the same way! ( )

This is another piece of art from Mr. Lucado. In 22 Chapters he describes many bible characters, telling their stories and he does the analogy on theirs and our lives, showing how much God loves us no matter what (23rd Chapter is conclusion).

He selected the following characters: Joseph (Jesus' father); Matthew (Jesus' disciple); immoral woman (who washed Jesus' feet); Mephibosheth (Jonathan's crippled son); Samaritan woman; Mary, Martha and Lazarus; Abigail; paralyzed man (at pool of Bethesda); John (Jesus' disciple); Paul (Saul); two criminals (crucified at the sides of Jesus); Moses; Joseph (son of Jacob/Israel); David; Esther; Job; Nicodemus; Jairus; rich young ruler; Sara, Peter and Paul (again); Lazarus(again); and Peter(again). Through Max's eyes we see that all of them are sinners like us and there is always hope that God will reach each one of us.

At the end of each chapter there is a set of questions. The idea is to use them for discussion and reflection.

This book was written by Max Lucado in 2008 and published by Thomas Nelson and they were kind enough to send me a copy for reviewing through their Thomas Nelson Book Review Bloggers Program.

Read more reviews on my blog http://booksandmoviesreviews.blogspot.com and leave comments!
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A good reminder that God doesn't expect perfection from us - just a willingness to obey and try. ( )

When I first received this book to review, I wasn't very sure I'd like it. I normally shy away from "religious" books as they are quite often way above my head and may not follow my beliefs. They also usually go off on a rampage or else try to get you to follow a set course of action which the author believes is the ONLY way to live.

But, I was pleasantly surprised at Max Lucado's Cast of Characters. He writes in a down-to-earth way which instantly draws you in and makes you comfortable. His way of selecting a character from the Bible, telling that person's story, and then blowing them out of the water by pointing out all their failings is fascinating! And yes, they ALL had failings. Max thens compares OUR lives to those characters, showing us that we are all alike, none of us are free from sin, none of us is perfect and none of us has it all figured out yet. Even Max!

He breaks down chapters and verses in laymen's words so they can be easily understood. An ancedote may be relayed to hammer a point home, but you don't get the impression that he's "preaching" to you, just laying out the facts. It's a very unique way of writing and getting a message across. He will cite instances in modern life that parallel life in Biblical days. And he's spot on with it too! It's amazing how well researched this book is. No reflection on Max in a negative way, it's just that I'm not used to a "religious" writer putting forth the facts in such a clear-cut, easy to understand and relate to, way.

Mr Lucado scores a big one in my opinion with this book. He tells how Joseph, Matthew, John, Paul, Mary, Lazarus, Moses, Esther, Job, etc, were all just "common people in the hands of an uncommon God"...as we all are even today.

A fascinating read that people of all religions or even NO religion at all, will enjoy and come away with not only a better understanding of God, but of themselves also. ( )

NCLA Review - Having read the book by the same title twice (once personally and once with a Youth Reading Group), I was still totally captivated by the audio version of Cast of Characters. These are stories of common people from the Bible who are in many ways just like us; filled with doubt, rejected, flawed and hopeless. As only Max Lucado can do, he brings these characters to life first from the Scriptures and then as modern-day people living in current situations that reflect the Biblical account. In the midst of it all is the One Who makes sense of it all, God our Maker, Shaper and Rescuer. Read by Roger Mueller, a well-known stage and television actor in Chicago. His radio and voice over credits include Unshackled! (WMBI) the Left Behind series, and with his wife Jill Shellabarger, the radio series Down Gilead Lane (CBH Radio). Rating: 4 —ARG ( )