"Any serious study of the Christian claim is, at its essence, a study of the cross. To accept or reject Christ without careful examination of Calvary is like deciding on a car without looking at the engine."

As "pain pervades the dusty planet," we can at times wonder how our suffering can better us as human beings. We feel alone roaming down here while God seems far above, safe in his heavenly paradise.

This is where Jesus Christ appears. In his suffering, we can see God at his most human. When the consistency of life IS inconsistency, there is someone who understands.

Jesus died for people instead of taking revenge. He didn't retaliate even when he was facing death. He takes our sin on his shoulders and becomes the "death slayer."

Max Lucado is really writing to people who have broken hearts and who can find a lonely person simply by looking in the mirror. The land of promise is for those who endure the pain and suffering and are reborn.

I loved the story he tells about the puppy and how he explains guilt and forgiveness. He brings a human element to spiritual concepts. He also explains how we can't get rid of guilt ourselves, we really do need a savior.

A beautiful look at Christ, the Cross and why we need God.

I have read a few books by this author, and this is my favorite. Not only did it touch my heart, with stories like the one about Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane, it challenged me to think deeply about issues of faith. Max Lucado has a wonderful gift of bringing Bible stories to life, and this book has produced in me a greater thirst for God's word. The study guide at the end is great! Although I haven't yet worked through it, I have read the questions and they are very thought-provoking. I wholeheartedly recommend this book.

Max continues to inspire his readers with this superb work, No wonder they call Him the Savior. He writes with such simplistic, concise style that this book is wonderful for all ages.

Lucado captures the reader with superb imagery, as the reader is transported back into time to consider the most wonderful facts of the ages. Then Max brings you back to the here and now with his anecdotes.

All who are Christians, and those who simply desire to know more of the Christian religion, should give serious consideration to reading this book. You'll be glad you did.

To read this book was one of the best things I have done all summer. My first experience with Max was In the Grip of Grace, but I must say that this book is by far the best book I have read by him, and it contains the best chapter of a book I have ever read in my life (Chapter 15). If you are studying the beatitudes this is a must read, if you want some questions answered about God then this is a must read, or if you are depressed and think nothing can pick you up then you must read this book. It's nice to affirm that the reality of life is opposite of the world's reality. I hate to read, except when my soul is flooded, and God does that through Max in this piece of extraordinary work.

Yes I have read this book. Thanks to God for working through Max Lucado, my family and I, who were estranged for three years, are now back together and closer than ever. We quarrled over something trival, and we each wanted to be right. When I read chapter 11, about mercy, my eyes were opened to the fact that did I want to be right, or did I want my family. Thank you Max. I cried when I realized how many years I had missed with my parents. I thank God for you and your words. Through your words God brought my parents and I back together, without any of the hurtful memories anymore.

This is the most profound book I have ever read. A very easy book to read and you'll want to read it over and over. I had never considered the Beatitudes in this light before and found it very enlightening. Thank you Max Lucado ... may God bless you many times over.

Max Lucado is my all-time favorite Christian author. This book of daily devotionals, excerps from his many outstanding books, is perfect for a moment a day of extremely thought-provoking reassurance of God's love for us. Thank you, Max.

Max has done it again. I received "Grace For The Moment" for a birthday present and have been reading it as a small segment of my daily devotions. It has a way of creeping up on you and ministering to hurts you didn't even realize were affecting your walk and your life. Max has immense wisdom and insight into the human condition. He touches you with God's truth and warms you to the Love of God. This is an excellent addendum to your daily devotions. Each day's passage takes less than a minute to read, but stays with you throughout the day.

Grace for the Moment is an excellent companion piece to Max's, A Gift for All the People. It gives you a daily devotional about God's unending grace and some real thoughtful items to carry you through. I find this book particularly helpful when I'm feeling doubtful and troubled. The wisdom Max delivers here will make you feel better about yourself, no matter what your current situation is. This book is also a terrific companion piece to Max's, A Gift for All the People. Either book is a terrific introduction to Max Lucado's warm, caring, writing style. Other Christian writers either challenge your faith intellectually, challenge your long standing beliefs, or want to thump you with their Biblical wisdom. Max Lucado makes you FEEL your faith and the love of GOD with your Heart. Thanks again Max for another thoughful little gem. Thanks to my wife for buying this lasting gift also.

I could have finished this book a good while now, but it was a book that I enjoyed reading at a fairly slow pace. There is quite a lot to grasp and understand as Max Lucado walks us through The Lord's Prayer, and through the House of God starting at the living room, through to the kitchen, and finally the chapel.

This prayer which is said by millions all around the world every day, is sometimes said in ritual style with the deepness of it taken for granted, though not intentionally. But Mr. Lucado uses Our Lord's Prayer as a floor plan of the House of God, with a step by step description of how God meets our needs when we dwell in him, and how we can live our lives completely in God's favour as we obey this great Prayer.

As Christians with our sins forgiven which Jesus paid in full on the Cross, we must act accordingly as the prayer directs us. Not wanting to give too much away let me encourage you to read this book soon and cherish the lovely way it is written. It has truly blessed my heart and I know it will yours too. Mr. Lucado.....thank you once again for the wonderful revelations of this book. I pray that God will continue to bless you and your family, and of course your literary work.

Heather P. Marshall

Max Lucado is possibly the best christian author I have ever read. He takes bible stories and breaks it down so it is easier to understand. The Great House of God is about the Lord's Prayer and all the names given to our heavenly Father and this book helped me see things in the Lord's prayer that I have never saw before and I didn't realize all the different names the Bible has for God. It is an great book I highly recommend this book. It is the type of book you read and will want to share with others, but yet you hate to let go of your copy because this is a book that you will want to read over and over. If you buy this book I don't think you will be disappointed.

In this book, Lucado leads us through the Lord's Prayer. He has very creatively taken phrases of that prayer that we all learned as children to take on the characteristics of certain rooms in the Great House of God: the home that the Lord has constructed for each of us to share in. While I have studies religions for several years and been a Christian all of my life, I never understood the prayer that I recite every night until I had read this book. Littered with scriptural references, humorous anecdotes and even stories from his own life, Lucado illustrates his descriptions of the various rooms of God's house in a way that every one can understand. This book provides a way for those seeking God to see what He has done for them. and for those who already recognize Him as our Supreme Leader, Lucado gives a way to know him more. There is even a Study Guide in the back to use this book in a small group study, or even on your own. I would recommend this book to anyone who was seeking to know God for the first time, and for those who want to be closer to Him.

Why 5 stars?:
This is a book that deal less with inspiration and more with an understanding of who God is and why he has done what He has for us. Moreover, it does an acceptable job at explaining how we can get closer to God, because He wants us to be. The reader will understand who God is, what He gives us, and how we can show our appreciation.

The first business book I've read that comes close to describing what really happens behind the scenes of success stories. "Experiments never fail" is this books mantra, making the case that success is discovered and maintained by experimentation, not by rigid goal setting and endless self-analysis. Refreshing! The first book I have bought for peers and given away with unreserved enthusiam

Fantastic read! Dauten is brilliant. Short, easy read that isn't cluttered with lots of charts, graphs, diagrams and theories. Believe it or not, I read the book in Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport while waiting for a flight. Read the book the first time in an hour, couldn't put it down till finished! Each subsequent reading took longer. This book has to be read multiple times. You will get more creatively charged up and get more out of it each time you read it. One of my dreams is to meet Max someday. After reading the book, I feel like I was actually there with Max and the businessman.

Recommend for anyone who has a job, from the clean up person to the CEO.

I can't believe this book didn't make the Bestseller's list! It's Outstanding.

I dug out this book recently, 3 yrs after buying and reading it. Looking back, can't believe how much this book has influenced my thinking and direction in life. I guarantee that all those seeking a breakthrough in their lives will find this book most relevant and applicable. Among all the leading-edge business and management books I've bought and read, this one contains some of the most lasting ideas and concepts... This book is for next-generation entrepreneurs, visionaries, leading-edge thinkers and innovators; not for readers looking for conventional ideas and strategies. Get a head start - Buy and read this book to prepare yourself to thrive in the new digital economy.

Max Lucado's When Christ Comes is a straight-forward yet wonderfully eye-opening revelation of what Christ's Second Coming will be like, and what we can look forward to. In understandable language rooted in the strength of Biblical excerpts, Lucado examines the mysteries of the Second Coming--what will it be like? What will we be like? Who will I see in heaven? What will Heaven be like? If you have had questions similar to these, buy this book. You'll have a revelation.

Max Lucado has been truly blessed with the gift of interpretation. As a Christian, I read my Bible but falter with meanings and explanations. Max Lucado to my rescue.

This book oozes hope. It relays joy. It shares the Truth about our heavenly expectations. Peace abounds as you learn that Christ will return, keeping His promise, allowing us access to Our Father's Kingdom. All of this is deciphered for us verse by verse; translated into common understanding and personal adeptation. I loved this book. Fear was invading my spirituality but "When Christ Comes, reinstated the strength within me to have Faith.

Excellent teaching. Worth more than gold!

I highly reccomend this book to everyone! Max Lucado is my favorite christian author. I recently lost my husband in a car accident & I am now a 33 yr old widow. This book was very comforting to me. My best "grief" book yet. It also tells how we should look forward to jesus' return and not be fearful. If you are afraid of death, this is a good book to read. It was very uplifting-- I will read it over and over.

Meet 17 year old Vince Luca. Son of one of New York City's top mob bosses, Anthony "Honest Abe" Luca. Although Vince wants nothing to do with his father's buisness, it still mixes into his life some way or another. Like when on one particular date a body was found in his trunk. Like when he finds out the Porshe he got for a birthday present turns out to be stolen. Or when in football he doesn't get tackled because word gets around his father is Anthony Luca. But through all of this Vince deals. That is until he meets Kendra Bightly, whose father happens to be the FBI agent who has been trying to put Vince's dad away for the past 5 years. Isn't that just peachy?

Oh My God! This book was hilarious! A definite must read!

You will like this book because it's very energetic and something is always happening. It makes your own problems seem like nothing compared to Vince's in Son of the Mob.

Vince Luca has a life most kids would love to have. A new mercedes for his birthday, an allowance like you wouldn't believe, and a certain kindness from all of his teachers. It all seems to good to be true and it is. Come to find out his mercedes is stolen, his allowance is a part of his Uncle's murder business, and his dad pays off his teachers so he gets good grades.

Vince is a like able who wants nothing to with his dad's no good business. Kendra, Vinces girlfriend, is skeptical about their relationship. But who wouldn't be with Vince's dad being King of the Mob and Kendra's dad being the top FBI agent right on his tail. So read this book to see what happens to Vince and Kendra in Son of the Mob.

One scene captures the tone of this book for me: Upon finding a body in the trunk of his car in the company of his hot date, Vince responds to the situation with the first thing that pops into his head - "He's not dead. He's resting." This book was laugh-out-loud funny! As a librarian, I have recommended it to a number of colleages and would enthusiastically give it to anyone who is interested in intelligently written young adult fiction. Son of the Mob would appeal to a wide age range and continually holds interest, never losing pace. It is a story with likeable characters and will keep you laughing to the end.

DARK ANGEL: BEFORE THE DAWN is a fascinating prequel novel that is a treat for any DA fan to read. Max Collins has all the characters down pat, and the backgrounding he does for Max, Original Cindy, Logan, and the other regulars of the show is fascinating. After reading this book one can go back and view Season 1 and Season 2 of the series in a slightly different light, picking up clues that were not noticed before that lead back to Max's earlier life before she came to Seattle. Mr. Collins also does an excellent job of foreshadowing things-to-come in the DA universe, threads that will undoubtedly be continued in his DA sequel novel SKIN GAME which picks up the storyline after the last televised episode of the show. If you're a DARK ANGEL fan, please buy BEFORE THE DAWN! The read is well worth your time!

Beautifully written, 'Before The Dawn' would be required reading for die-hard Dark Angel fans even if the series were still running. Max Allan Collins has given us what we crave -- the Dark Angel "fix" fans have needed since we first heard the series was going to be cancelled early in 2002. This book isn't just terrific brain candy -- it takes a deeper look at some things we saw in the show (such as Max's thoughts as she escaped, and life with her first 'adopted' family), and it fills in a lot of gaps in Max's history as a Manticore escapee on the run in pre- and post-pulse America. I'll be watching eagerly for future DA works from Mr. Collins.

When I first heard that they were taking the Dark Angel series off the air I was really mad. That series was perfect. Perfect actors, perfect future depiction, perfect characters, perfect plot. Perfect right? So why [did]Fox chose to take it off the air I fear I will never know. So needless to say when I heard that Max Allan Collins was writing a book to continue the series, I perked up considerably. I was really worried that this was going to be one of those books that didn't connect with the TV series, but Collins did an excellent job of portraying the characters just as they were on TV. My only complaint was that Collins put Max's leaving phrase was "Gotta blaze," when on the series it was "I gotta bounce." But that was pretty much my only complaint. Anyway, I'm getting off subject. Over all this book is a great uplifter for the rest of us X5's who are still seriously depressed that our brothers and sisters were taken off air. Anyway, this is a great book and definitely worth the money to buy it.(I've already read it and it's sequal about ten or more times apiece.) It may be off the air, but Dark Angel continues.

Max Lucado looks at the Christmas story from a very different angle in his first novel. Loosely based upon the scriptures, the story tells of Gabriel being summoned by the Lord to go to Earth and deliver a great message3 that is reminiscent of the opening scenes of "It's a Wonderful Life". There are some fictional angels who appear now and then, but it helps to flesh out the story. The most poignant scenes are when Gabriel does arrive on Earth and actually is protecting Mary from Satan just before the birth of the Messiah - this is, of course, a fictionalized account.

However, the book does have its drawbacks. First, the size and shape of the book make it awkward to hold and read. This sounds petty, but it was a real problem for me. Also, the illustrations did not add to the story and were misplaced. I could have done without them. Most importantly however is that the book is just too short. There are not enough details and it really feels more like an outline than a compete story.

Why 3 stars?:
While Lucado's first novel is an interesting take on the story of the Nativity, it was not designed particularly well. It will make a nice addition to Lucado fans' bookshelves, but otherwise it could be skipped.

My pastor read us this story on Christmas Eve, very much like a father would read to his children;in front of a faux fireplace and Christmas tree in a large overstuffed chair. He even had people acting it out behind him on stage dressed as Satan, and Gabriel, and so on.. I have never been so moved by any one book. As soon he finished it, I made sure to put in a order at my local bookstore and read it 3 times the first day. It really makes you realize how much the Lord loves us. More importantly it shows how much Satan wants to succeed in making us FAIL. I have since recommended it to every person I know, and have told a dozen more about it. It's a very beatiful, very different spin on the traditional Christmas story. Let's face it, we all know why we celebrate the season, but do we know the reason behind God's plan? Even thought it is a work of fiction, I think all will agree this book is very worth taking an hour out of your day to read.

I fell in love with the books of Max Lucado a few years ago. All of his stories are very easy to read. I started to read Cosmic Christmas and became completely addicted. When I first picked it up, I just read a few pages. I couldn't wait to get back to it. I had to make time to finish the book. I couldn't think about anything else. Everyone I have loaned it to has said the same thing. "I just can't put it down!" It is a wonderful story, creatively written. You can actually feel the throne room. You can feel the Hell Hounds around you. You can feel yourself standing in the presense of the baby king, Jesus. I highly recommend this book to everyone of all ages. It also makes a great Christmas gift.

In The Eye Of The Storm by Max Lucado reads a lot like a devotional. With it's 28 chapters and conclusion, it makes a great devotional. The questions that are designated for each chapter are great for reflecting back on what you read and help to give an understanding of what it was like in a day in the life of Jesus. Max Lucado writes with such eloquence when writing of Jesus. His passion for relating Jesus life to the every day positive and negative situations that we are faced with, makes this book a read for the heart.

I am glad to say that I am yet another Max Lucado fan and this was the first book of his that I read. Even at 16, I could easily relate to things that he talked about. Great book.

This is the first Max Lucado book that I have read, and I can gladly say, the first of many more to come. I am 16, and normally don't have time to read much. I read this book in 2 days. I just could not put it down. I can't wait to start Just Like Jesus by Max Lucado that I just bought.