3:16: Stories of Hope

In this companion piece to the popular book of the same name, prolific Christian author and retired minister Max Lucado (dubbed “America's Pastor” and “Best Preacher in America”) uses John 3:16 (“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”) as a basis for several brief inspirational messages. Describing this passage as the “Hope Diamond of the Bible,” the intelligent and engaging Lucado calls the verse a “26-word parade of life, beginning with God and ending with life,” and urges those unfamiliar with the Bible to start here and others to return to the oft-quoted John 3:16. Also included is a short film based on one of Lucado's short stories, “Wherever You Are,” a modern-day parable of the prodigal daughter that skillfully portrays the ambivalence of rebellious youth in its tale of a teenage girl who has made some bad choices but returns to her forgiving father. Recommended. Aud: P. (J. Reed)