Standing on my knees (by Jeff Lucas)

(Amazon UK link)

I do like reading - and rereading - books by Jeff Lucas. He’s a British pastor who works in the United States, and he has a somewhat dry sense of humour that comes through in his writing. He acknowledges his failings - possibly exaggerating them at times - rather than trying to tell his readers what to do from the point of view of an expert. And I find his style very readable.

It’s almost exactly ten years since I read ‘Standing on my knees’, so it was definitely time for a reread of this book, which is about prayer. There are many available books on this topic, of course, as the author acknowledges. But many of them try to share the secrets they have learned, or the benefit of their experiences, rather than sharing, with the reader, in the many difficulties that may have to be overcome. 

There are ten chapters in this fairly short book, and I aimed to read one every day, though sometimes I took a couple of days over a longer chapter. I thought the subject was covered in a very encouraging, inspiring way. The first chapter looks at some of the people in history who were expert in praying; the author admires them, as he does with those called to be intercessors who have no problem spending significant amounts of time with God. But he tells us that this book is for ordinary Christians who sometimes struggle to spend more than five minutes in prayer, and whose minds tend to wander rather than focus. 

The cactus stabbers (by Jeff Lucas)

(Amazon UK link)

I’ve collected quite a few books by Jeff Lucas over the years. He was originally British, but worked for many years as a pastor in an American church. He’s now retired. I like his writing very much. He includes anecdotes, many of which show up his faults and weaknesses. But he also includes thought-provoking comments and Bible teaching that’s relevant to 21st century readers.

I first read ‘The cactus stabbers’ in 2016. It’s a short book, and I couldn’t remember anything about it. In particular, I was slightly puzzled by the title, which leads to a bizarre and memorable image on the front cover of the book. So I decided to reread it over the past ten days or so.  I just read two or three chapters each morning, as there are always things to think about. 

The preface explains what the book is about. Jeff Lucas has travelled widely in his many years of ministry. He visited and spent time with people of many different countries, cultures and Christian denominations. He glosses lightly over some rather strange experiences he’s had, because this book is dedicated to a handful of some wonderful folk he was privileged to meet. None of them is famous, nor would they want to be. But each one shows a facet of God’s love, and inspired the author in different ways. 

Chapter one explains the mystery of the book. Lucas mentions how, in his early days as a new convert, his enthusiasm for the gospel was sometimes overwhelming. He tried to talk about his faith everywhere he went, and probably put a lot of people off. Then he meets a couple who are passionate about something they believe in… and he realises that sometimes it’s important to speak up for what we believe in.

The next two chapters are about camping, and the author’s negative experiences with tents. They don’t describe any specific individuals, and I’m not entirely sure why they were included in the book. But they’re quite amusing, and Jeff Lucas points out that his dislike of the open air and putting up tents is rather at odds with Biblical teaching.

Then we meet Isla. It’s a sobering chapter about a lovely lady who lived quite an adventurous life. But she has a terminal diagnosis, and the author visits her in the oncology ward. They know it’s likely the last time they will see each other on earth, and it’s both poignant and encouraging. 

There are 22 chapters in all. Many of them introduce other unassuming people who take just one small step in the right direction to promote peace and healing. Others are more general. Most are not particularly memorable, which is part of the point of the book: these are ordinary people. They live their lives not in extraordinary ways, but taking small actions as followers of Jesus that have a rippling impact on those around them. 

While I have already forgotten much of the detail, I hope that the underlying philosophies and examples are still in my subconscious, reminding me once again what it means to be part of the Kingdom of God on earth.

The writing is somewhat informal, with a relaxed, friendly style which I appreciate. If that appeals to you too, I would recommend this book.

Review copyright 2025 Sue's Book Reviews

Faith in the fog (by Jeff Lucas)

(Amazon UK link)

It’s nearly ten years since I first read ‘Faith in the fog’ by Jeff Lucas. So it was definitely time for a re-read. I very much appreciate this author’s books. He works in both the USA and the UK and is familiar with cultures of both. He’s a pastor of a big church in Colorado, but not a hardline right-wing fundamentalist. He writes well, with some humour at times, and a good number of relevant anecdotes.

‘Faith in the fog’ is an honest look at how we can sometimes stumble about, finding it difficult to trust God. Circumstances can become too much for us, or we can become distracted with minutiae. We might feel belittled by others who seem to be a whole lot more spiritual than we are, or worried that we’re not good enough if we find sermons boring, or don’t like singing.

This book looks at Peter’s encounter with Jesus after the Resurrection, as described in detail in the 21st chapter of John’s gospel. Jeff Lucas says it’s one of his favourite passages. It’s often quoted, demonstrating how Peter moved on from his denials of Jesus before the Crucifixion. But in this book, we get right inside Peter’s head. Somewhat speculatively, of course; but it feels authentic, or at least possible. 

The book opens with a prologue. Jeff Lucas is in Israel, visiting some of the holiest locations. He hopes to reignite a sense of God, to feel some emotion as he walks in places where Jesus and the first disciples lived. Instead, he finds himself feeling quite remote and disconnected. Part of that is because of the commercial activity that has developed around the sites. Part of it is because other tourists seemed to worship the places or relics, rather than looking to God. And part of it was realising just how much in-fighting took place as different groups tried to claim the places for themselves.

Then the main section of the book looks at short sections of the story in John 21. Peter and the other disciples go fishing, but catch nothing. They must have been very disappointed. So it’s a bit surprising that, when a stranger on the shore told them to cast their nets again, they did as they were told. And then they realised it was Jesus…

The story is familiar, but I liked the way that Jeff Lucas teases out little details. He also delves into his past, in ways that he made a lot of mistakes. He often felt as if he were not good enough to be a Christian, let alone a pastor. And there were times when he knew he was pretending: smiling and implying that everything was great, when he was falling apart on the inside. 

By focusing on Jesus in the story, and in his own life, this gospel account becomes more vivid and realistic, and relevant today. We know about forgiveness and grace in theory; Peter received them in a practical way. We know, too, that tired, hungry people need feeding and rest. In this account, Jesus helps his friends by preparing a fire and starting to cook breakfast.

And there’s so much more in this thought-provoking, well-written book. I read a chapter at a time over a couple of weeks - not every day, but most of them. There’s much to ponder, and while I don’t recall many details after finishing, I found it encouraging. Each time I read a book, I hope that its essence will stay in my subconscious mind. I don’t think I learned anything new while reading this one. But it's always good to be reminded about how Jesus related to his friends, and how he deals with each person as a unique individual. 

Definitely recommended. 

Review copyright 2025 Sue's Book Reviews

I was just wandering (by Jeff Lucas)

(Amazon UK link)

I have liked every book I’ve read by Jeff Lucas. He’s a writer and speaker who was born and brought up in the UK, but now mostly works in the United States, where he works as a pastor. But he’s no fundamentalist - far from it - and he regularly admits to doubts, concerns and failures. 

The book ‘I was just wandering’ is another collection of his thoughts, each section no more than three or four pages long. I first read it in 2015. Books of this kind are interesting to read, sometimes thought-provoking, but I don’t tend to recall any of the details. So it was as if I were reading for the first time.

Jeff Lucas manages an excellent blend of anecdotes, commentary and references to Scripture in these thoughts. My auto-correct wants me to change ‘wandering’ in the title to ‘wondering’; yet I assume the word is deliberate. The author is not wondering about anything much, but wandering, in the sense of rambling or perhaps gentle hiking, through quite a diverse selection of topics.

The first little chapter, or section, however, is titled ‘I was just wondering’. The author confesses to having got into the cinema with his young grandson under false pretences… and then is struck by his grandson being totally transfixed by the cartoon they are watching. He ponders the loss of innocence which will inevitably follow, and then segues seamlessly into the wonder of Christmas. 

The second section starts quite dramatically with the author announcing that he has decided to abandon his Christian faith. And after some lengthy explanation, he tells us that it’s not Jesus he’s abandoning, or faith in general, but his particular form of faith. Instead he wants to move forward, putting away preconceptions and prejudices, to find more about the truth of God, in history and in the world today.

There’s a lot more; 34 sections in all. And I appreciated reading them all (usually three or four sections at a time) over the past couple of weeks. Yet there are none which I actually recall now. But glancing at the book to refresh my memory, I do remember (for instance) a section about being smug as a Mac owner, and another moving one about why his father refused to eat the skins of jacket potatoes. 

Other sections are equally diverse. The opening sections are designed to intrigue or interest, and the rest delivers some kind of unexpected thought, or encouragement, or insight. I hope that at least some of them have gone into my subconscious mind, to retrieve when appropriate.

My overall feeling after finishing this book is of reassurance. Jeff Lucas doesn’t come across as a super-saint, or a great intercessor, or even an excellent pastor. He admits to feeling nervous sometimes, irritated quite often, and regularly out of place. He acknowledges the tedium of some church services, and the tactlessness of some enthusiastic Christians who refuse to admit to pain or defeat.

And yet he manages to do this without judgement. He has a lot of admiration for those who power through their difficulties or disappointments. He wishes, sometimes, that he could be like those who are caught up in worship when he is bored with the repetition or trivial nature of some of the lyrics. He is an ordinary, honest and down-to-earth person who isn’t even particularly good-looking. Yet his writing is excellent, helpful and inspiring. 

Definitely recommended.

Review copyright 2024 Sue's Book Reviews

How not to pray (by Jeff Lucas)

(Amazon UK link)

It’s almost ten years since I read Jeff Lucas’s little book ‘How not to pray’, which is subtitled  ‘A fresh look at prayer’. I’ve liked everything I’ve read by Jeff Lucas, so decided it was time for a re-read.

The introduction is very reassuring to ordinary people like me who find it difficult to get around to much praying, other than when some potential disaster is looming. Jeff Lucas, in his typical wry style, says that he tends to run in the opposite direction when faced with a book on prayer. He knows that most of them are well-written, full of Scriptural references and great advice. But they’re written by people who are very good at praying…

So he’s come up with this gem, which looks at the prayer generally known as the ‘Lord’s prayer’, a sentence or two at the time. And he looks at ideas or beliefs that can make it difficult or impossible to spend time in prayer. Or which make us feel inferior to those ‘prayer warriors’ who get up early and spend many hours interceding. 

The first chapter tells us that one block to prayer is the inherent belief that we can’t. This might happen when we glance around a meeting of believers, perhaps a church service, and see everyone else engaged in spiritual activity while we feel entirely separate from them. Lucas reminds us that sometimes we’re only told good things - that accounts of wonderful answers to prayer tend to leave out the times of bleakness when there don’t seem to be any answers. 

As with most of this author’s books, he uses anecdotes and some self-deprecating humour to illustrate and make some of his points. I find the writing very readable and appreciate the thoughts that are often easier to discover and remember than those written in a more formal or academic style.

Subsequent chapters remind us that prayers don’t have to be long or well-formulated, and that sometimes it’s good to be with others, agreeing in prayer or even using the same words written by someone in the past. We need to know that God is here, that he welcomes us; that prayer isn’t just about us, but that we should bring all our needs to God. 

It’s not that there’s anything new in this book - most of this advice can be found elsewhere. But it’s refreshing to read it from someone who acknowledges his own failings. I can almost picture Jeff Lucas feeling bored with a long sermon; dropping off in a prayer meeting or finding his mind wandering entirely off topic. I can imagine him, too, about to go on stage to give a talk only to be distracted - and perhaps rather worried - by well-meaning but misguided prayers of would-be encouragers.

It’s a book by an ordinary person who wants to follow Jesus, and who believes in the importance of prayer, yet who struggles to find the discipline to pray, and who often feels rather cynical. I like the way that he expresses all his main points as negatives - as how ‘not’ to pray, as the book title says, rather than telling us directly what to do. I love that he’s honest about the fact that he often gets it wrong. But God loves him anyway.

Definitely worth reading, probably more often than once a decade.

Recommended. I'm sad to see that this book is now out of print but it should be possible to find it second-hand, or perhaps in a church library.

Review copyright 2024 Sue's Book Reviews

Rediscovering the Father Heart of God (by Jeff Lucas)

(Amazon UK link)

I have very much appreciated the books by Jeff Lucas over the past decade or so. He is a pastor, originally from the UK but living in the United States. Some of his books are full of anecdotes and self-deprecating humour; others are more serious and thought-provoking. ‘Rediscovering the Father Heart of God’ is one of the latter, which I first read nearly ten years ago, in January 2014. 

I had forgotten what it was about, though the title could have reminded me. The book is an exposition of the well-known parable of the Prodigal Son.  The first section looks at the son’s part in the story in some depth, asking, for instance, why he wanted his father’s inheritance. We’re warned against thinking that money buys happiness, and a stark look is taken at the son’s rise in apparent popularity, and his descent into poverty and loneliness. 

Much is made of his decision to return home, and the real repentance he demonstrated. This destitute young man isn’t just sad about his circumstances, or sorry for what happened - he knows that as a hired worker or even a slave in his father’s household, he would be better off than he is feeding pigs and near starvation himself. This is the heart of repenting: a desire to return to God. 

The main section of the book focuses on the father of the story, who represents God the Father, and who rushes out to welcome his son without even listening to his apologies or request for a lowly job. This is the most moving part of the book, in my opinion. It’s not that the concept is new to me - much is made, in the Middle Eastern world, of the idea of the father in the story picking up his robe and running. It’s not culturally appropriate, and it doesn’t tie in with the more normal expectations of fathers as strict disciplinarians.

The final part of the book looks at the older brother, who is often forgotten in the re-telling of the story. He represents the ‘religious’ people who were listening to the story, who cared more about rules and principles than people. Jeff Lucas takes a brief foray into the meaning of legalism and religiosity, balancing his comments as he explains why some traditions and rules are helpful; so long as they don’t become more important than those around us, or than God himself. 

The writing is very good, light-weight and at times even flippant - in the best possible sense of the word - but also with much to think about. Oh, and I particularly liked the introduction by the author’s good friend Adrian Plass, who is another of my favourite modern Christian writers.

Definitely recommended, and I expect I will read this again in another nine or ten years. No longer in print, but sometimes available inexpensively second-hand. 

Review copyright 2023 Sue's Book Reviews

Lucas on Life (by Jeff Lucas)

(Amazon UK link)

I have appreciated all the books I’ve acquired and read by Jeff Lucas over the past couple of decades. He’s a cross-cultural Christian writer, born in the UK but living (and pastoring a church) in the United States. He uses humour and anecdotes to make his points, and his style is relaxed, accepting and grace-filled.

However the titles of his books are not very original. There are several with titles such as ‘Life with Lucas’ or ‘Lucas on Life’ -  perhaps they’re all similar in content, although each time I read them I find something new. I last read ‘Lucas on Life’ in 2012 and had no memory of anything in it - and have been reading it, a few pages at a time, over the past year.

The book is divided into twelve broad chapters, each of which has shorter sections, each a little sermonette or article loosely related to the topic. The chapter themes cover topics such as Evangelism, Relationships, Decisions and Influence. Within those categories the shorter pieces have intriguing titles relevant to their content.

All of which sounds rather tedious and highly organised, but the book is far from dull. I found it all extremely well-written, interesting and - in places - thought-provoking. Jeff Lucas uses anecdotes, sometimes against himself. He believes he’s called to use humour and (at times) to look foolish for God. 

He shares a few incidents when his honesty and apparent foolishness have led to incredible ‘results’ - not that he is result-driven. His message is to share the love of God with as wide an audience as possible, in ways that encourage his listeners and readers to find out more. 

There are places where Lucas pokes very gentle fun at Christians who are over-zealous, perhaps not thinking how their actions or loud prayers might be perceived. But he always acknowledges that, even if lacking tact or empathy, these folk are passionate about God, and are beloved members of his Kingdom. 

It’s intended for people who are believers, or at least fringe members of the church. It’s also important to have a sense of the ridiculous, and to appreciate that the author’s criticisms are meant lovingly. Perhaps the fact that he’s so very open about his own failings means that his problems with some folk he meets seem fair and balanced (if a tad exaggerated at times) rather than judgemental.

Highly recommended to anyone who likes to read this kind of low-key devotional material. No longer in print but sometimes found inexpensively second-hand. 

Review copyright 2023 Sue's Book Reviews

Staying in the Boat (by Jeff Lucas)

(Amazon UK link)

I have liked all the books I’ve read by Jeff Lucas, a Christian writer who works in the United States as a pastor, but is originally from the UK. I was very pleased to be able to acquire one I hadn’t previously read a couple of months ago, and have just finished reading ‘Staying in the Boat’ - or, as its full title is, ‘If you want to walk on water, consider staying in the boat, and other things I wish I’d known’. 

The book is divided into about thirty short sections, each just a few pages long, outlining things the author says he wished he’d known forty years earlier. They range from the simple, obvious truths (...that saying ‘thank you’ means a lot, or …that gossip can be delicious, but deadly) to more controversial things (...that it’s okay for church to be boring, or …that some Christian slogans are outright lies). I read two or three sections each morning for a couple of weeks, and found them quite thought-provoking. 

As with his other books, Jeff Lucas writes in a chatty and very readable style. He shares personal anecdotes, some of them quite self-deprecating, all of them believable and clear. He uses Scripture, too, and refers to Biblical people and stories where relevant. He also explains how his thinking has changed over the years, as well as how not knowing or understanding these various issues made life much more difficult for him as a new believer; this also, he points out, can make other people feel insecure or as if they’re missing out. 

The title of the book is a clear nod to John Ortberg’s classic ‘If you want to walk on water, you’ve got to get out of the boat’ which I’ve read twice now, and appreciate very much. And, indeed, Jeff Lucas mentions this book (and recommends it) - but points out that out of however many disciples were with Jesus in the incident relating to Peter walking on the water, most of them stayed where they were. Peter asked to be called, and Jesus called him, and that’s fine. The others were not asked to walk on the water, and therefore it was just fine that they stayed where they were.

I found this enormously encouraging. It’s easy to see others around doing all kinds of useful, inspiring or creative things, sometimes taking risks and trying things they didn’t know they could do… while I prefer to stay at home following both domestic and literary pursuits. Many years ago when I read Philip Yancey’s book ‘Finding God in Unexpected Places’ I was very struck by a chapter title, ‘They also serve who only sit and click’. I think I’m being reminded that I’m where I’m supposed to be, and need to do the things I’m supposed to do, not wonder or worry if I should be somewhere else, doing something more challenging. At least for now.

Overall I liked this book very much, and would recommend it to anyone who considers themself a follower of Jesus, whether a new believer or a long-term one. Knowing that it’s absolutely fine to be honest with God and with others in the church is something that a surprising number of people don’t seem to realise. And while you might not agree with every word in this book, there’s probably something of value to everyone. 

Very highly recommended.

Review copyright 2023 Sue's Book Reviews

Seriously Funny 2 (by Adrian Plass and Jeff Lucas)

(Amazon UK link)

I have thoroughly enjoyed almost everything I have read by both Adrian Plass and Jeff Lucas, two of the best modern Christian writers, in my opinion.  So it was a no-brainer to acquire the books they wrote as a collaborative project, in particular the two entitled ‘Seriously Funny’. I re-read the first book in May last year, but hadn’t read ‘Seriously Funny 2’ since 2013. 

I’ve had a busy few weeks with visiting family, so I’ve just read a few pages of this each morning, when I could grab a few minutes to myself. It’s not a typical devotional book, but still gave me things to think about. More importantly, it gave me reassurance about life as an ordinary, everyday believer who struggles, at times, to think beyond the immediate chores and demands of those around me. 

It’s written in letter format; I wondered, when I first read this, if Jeff and Adrian wrote the letters knowing they were going to be published, and thus adjusted the way they wrote to take account of this. They come across as authentic, sometimes vulnerable; yet also with quirks that suggest they’re thinking as much about their future readers rather than each other. 

I found it a little jarring, for instance, when the letters mention the other person’s name every few paragraphs, rather than just in the simple greeting at the beginning. I don’t use people’s names when I’m talking to them, unless I need to get their attention for some reason - and I certainly don’t when I write the bulk of a letter or email to them. People can read letters at their leisure; no need to keep using their names. 

But it’s a minor gripe, and perhaps unfair to harp on about it. The bulk of the book is wonderful, discussing everything that comes to their minds. They talk about faith and Christian practice in a very relaxed, informal style. They express their frustration with jargon, and clichés, and pat answers, which are far too often given to people asking genuine questions. 

The integrity of the two comes through strongly, along with their humanity. I chuckled inwardly at the ongoing discussions of Jeff’s secret obsession with table tennis when he was a student; I smiled as they shared their ignorance (in the past) about what a concordance is. I loved the phrasing, the self-deprecating humour, and the evident camaraderie that exists between the two.

The titles of these books sum up exactly what’s inside them: amusing comments and asides which gently cushion the far more serious issues that the two authors discuss in their ongoing letters. They don’t claim to know all the answers, but they share experiences, acknowledging all the time that they could have been mistaken, and that anything positive is due to the indwelling Holy Spirit.  

Not everyone would like this style, which could be considered irreverent or even unsound by some. But if you’ve found that any of the books by either Adrian Plass or Jeff Lucas resonate with you, I would recommend this as well as the first in the series.

Review copyright 2023 Sue's Book Reviews

Grace Choices (by Jeff Lucas)

(Amazon UK link)

Since it’s been awhile since I first read my collection of Jeff Lucas books, I’m slowly re-reading some of them, and liking them just as much this time around. The one I’ve been reading over the past couple of weeks is ‘Grace Choices’, a book I first read in 2017, but I hadn’t remembered anything much about it, except that it was a bit more serious than some of the other books by this author.

‘Grace Choices’ is subtitled, ‘Walking in step with the God of grace’, which is quite a claim to make. But the writing is quite pragmatic and honest about the fact that most of us get it wrong at least some of the time. There are nine chapters, after an introductory session explaining why Jeff Lucas decided to write the book. He explained that he saw a lot of people in different circumstances, and that many of them, including some devout believers, felt imprisoned in a wall without a hint of grace.

So the book takes us through different aspects of grace. There’s a good balance of Scripture, personal anecdotes and commentary. The first chapter tries to persuade us to believe the truth that God really does love - and like - each of us, that it’s not just an abstract theological idea. He acknowledges that many people have been badly damaged in their childhoods, through no fault of their own, and that it can be very difficult, sometimes, to believe that the God of the universe really does care about us. 

The book goes on to look at possibilities of changing and maturing. It emphasises more than once the need of forgiveness, not to ignore bad things, or even to stop consequences to the perpetrator; but because forgiveness opens up our hearts and minds, and stops us dwelling on hurt, or potential revenge. 

I was particularly taken with a chapter about seeing God’s grace in day-to-day events, pointing out that we can’t relive the past or see into the future. But we can appreciate what we have, and acknowledge God’s hand in a beautiful sunset, or a flower in bloom, or a hug from a loved one. We can also try to ensure that we become a means of grace to other people - showing God in us, rather than (as can be all too easy) criticising and complaining. 

It’s quite basic: there wasn’t anything new in this book, or anything I had to research further. There wasn’t anything I disagreed with, either; I appreciated the author’s anecdotes and insights, and also found some of the comments to be a useful reminder of grace all around us, and of ourselves showing grace, if possible, to those around us.  

I read about ten pages each morning, which gave me a good chunk of the book to ponder on - and hopefully to recall in the future, even after the book is back on its shelf. Jeff Lucas writes well, without being pushy or authoritarian, and all in all I thought this a good book.

Intended for believers - some familiarity with the Bible is taken for granted. The book is particularly for those who feel insignificant or who find it difficult to relax or laugh, but could be picked up by anyone who would like to know more about God’s grace in practice. 

Recommended.

Review copyright 2023 Sue's Book Reviews

Seriously Funny (by Adrian Plass and Jeff Lucas)

(Amazon UK link)

I’ve been a huge fan of the Christian writer Adrian Plass since the late 1980s when his first ‘Sacred Diary’ book was published. I didn’t come across Jeff Lucas until over twenty years later, but have enjoyed - and collected - his books too, since then. I was delighted to discover that they had written a couple of books together and first read ‘Seriously Funny’ in 2010. It was more than time for a re-read.

I had remembered that the format was that of letters - the two writers take it in turns to write to each other. I don’t know whether this was real correspondence, later turned into book format (after, I assume, some editing) or whether the letters were written specifically for the book. It doesn’t much matter; the topics discussed are wide-ranging and interesting, including plenty of the somewhat self-deprecating anecdotes that both Plass and Lucas are known for.

While these two writers are from somewhat different Christian traditions, Jeff Lucas being primarily a speaker/preacher living in the US, and Adrian Plass primarily a writer in the UK, they also have a great deal in common including a quirky, sometimes cynical way of looking at the world and the church. They admit to boredom in church services and meetings, and to thinking thoughts they really shouldn’t about ways of getting rid of particularly dull or annoying speakers.

But they also agree on much more important matters - that of caring for everybody, no matter how unimportant they might feel, of finding Jesus in everyone, and of trying to be a follower of Jesus, expressing his love for those around them. So, as the title of the book suggests, the book is both serious and amusing; humour is used by both writers to good effect to introduce significant issues and to explore questions of theology, morality and ethics.

Each letter is just a few pages long and I read two or three each day, finding much to ponder. Having said that, when I started writing this I couldn’t really recall anything said other than a few of the anecdotes. But as with most books like this, the content eases its way into my subconscious, and I will recall what is needed at appropriate moments.

There are no great theological discoveries or solutions, and even when I read this for the first time, I don’t think there was anything new or dramatically different. But I love the way both these writers look at the world, accepting people for who they are, with no need to wear metaphorical masks, no need to be competitive or to make up personalities for the world. Both these men have had troubled pasts in different ways, both have worked through extremely difficult periods, and both are honest - sometimes embarrassingly so - about their mistakes.

Probably not of great interest to anyone outside the church, but a refreshing and fairly quick read for anyone who might have found church meetings boring, or who gets irritated when people imply that everything is wonderful all the time. it's not hilariously funny, but amusing at times, poignant in places, and quite thought-provoking.

Definitely recommended.

Review copyright 2022 Sue's Book Reviews

Specks and Planks (by Jeff Lucas)

(Amazon UK link)

I have very much enjoyed all the books I’ve read by Jeff Lucas. He’s a British Christian writer who pastors a church in the United States. He also travels regularly, and is quite transatlantic in his views. He’s a good friend of Adrian Plass, and shares some of his tendencies to both deprecating humour, and an excellent way with words.

I was given ‘Specks and Planks’ for Christmas, having learned that this was Jeff Lucas’s newest book. I was slightly surprised to realise how very recently it had been written, as the prologue and introduction reference the Coronavirus pandemic. Not that the book touches on it too much, but it’s taken as a background to much of the writing. Some of the anecdotes mention Covid patients, some refer to how life in lockdown or isolation is rather different from what we’re used to.

The book is a collection of 34 short chapters, each one containing an anecdote and relevant thoughts. None of them is more than three or four pages long, so I decided to read two or three of them each day over the past couple of weeks.

The title is based on Jesus’ command to his disciples to avoid taking specks out of their neighbours’ eyes while ignoring the planks in their own. This unusual metaphor has been discussed and unpacked by many theologians over the millennia; perhaps the planks refer to judgmentalism, not just the way we tend to point the finger at (or become irritated by) negative traits in others which are our own faults.

However Jeff Lucas doesn’t try to explain what this might mean in any detail. He just takes it as the broad theme to the book - that of learning more about himself through his actions, foibles and mistakes. He paints himself as a somewhat bumbling, often confused chap, delving into his strongly enthusiastic and evangelistic past for some of the stories.

In the pages of this book we meet a dedicated nurse, a legalistic church member who later lost his faith, a friend and his mother who welcomed the young Jeff Lucas on holidays… and many more individuals. They’re highlighted briefly, coming to life in my mind, and each story is followed by a gentle lesson, or thought, or prod to the conscience.

As with most books of this kind, it’s hard to remember many details after I’ve put it down for the day, but I hope that the stories and their following thoughts have made their way into my subconscious. And it’s certainly a book I hope to read again, in a few years’ time.

Excellent writing, with an honesty that might shock some believers (or non-believers, for that matter) who think that everything should be perfect, or at least that people should not admit to their faults. But the focus is on being kind, on assuming the best, and on seeing Jesus in even the most unlovable of people.

Very highly recommended.

Review copyright 2021 Sue's Book Reviews

Lucas Out Loud (by Jeff Lucas)

(Amazon UK link)

I have been reading and enjoying the books by the Christian writer Jeff Lucas for over a decade now. Indeed, it’s just over ten years ago that I first came across ‘Lucas out loud’ which I borrowed from a friend. I was able to acquire my own copy recently, from AwesomeBooks (in perfect condition) and have just finished re-reading it.

It’s quite a short book, only 100 pages in all, but full of thought-provoking anecdotes and commentary. Each section is just three or four pages, and I read around three of them each day for a little over a week. Lucas starts by recounting stories or slightly surreal scenarios with wry humour, often casting himself as a likeable buffoon, or a victim of circumstances. These accounts are interesting, and they’re then followed by brief comments on church life or Scriptural passages.

The anecdotes or introductions aren’t just light humour to catch the attention; they’re relevant, in different ways, to the ideas and insights that follow. For example, there’s a chapter about hugging, with some suggestions for ensuring that hugs are innocent, and a warning about dangers of over-enthusiastic hugging… with just a couple of paragraphs at the end, pointing out gently how important the weekly contact is to some folk who live alone. Reading this in the pandemic year when ‘social isolation’ and ‘physical distancing’ have become commonly used phrases, it was all the more poignant.

Another section recounts the author’s attempts to lose some weight - whether true or fictional, I have no idea. But he makes the point that the starting point is in the mind: in order to exercise early, or go to the gym, or give up unhealthy foods, the first battles are in our minds. We make excuses, procrastinate, persuade ourselves that we really need more sleep, or a sugar fix. Likewise, as he gently points out, any kind of spiritual discipline starts in the mind.

My summaries don’t begin to touch on the thoughtful, insightful way in which Jeff Lucas writes these short sections. In just a few paragraphs he tells stories, or presents ideas, and I found them all fascinating, in different ways. It was then very easy to segue into the more serious epilogue - often just a paragraph or two - which is the point of each section.

Lucas is no fundamentalist; he calls himself a charismatic evangelical, but is well aware of the failings of every label, and every variation within church culture and practice. He is honest about his thoughts and feelings, and very sympathetic towards those who struggle to fit in with church life, and the hypocrisy that can sometimes be found there.

Intended for people who follow Jesus, this book could be read by anyone interested in the church, or who struggles to maintain any kind of spiritual life. But there’s also a great deal for any believer, whatever stage they are in. I don’t think I learned anything new, exactly, but I was certainly reminded of some important truths, and saw some issues in new lights.

Review copyright 2020 Sue's Book Reviews

Lucas Unleashed (by Jeff Lucas)

(Amazon UK link)

I first came across Jeff Lucas’s writings many years ago, when a friend recommended one of his books to me. I had not previously heard of him, but loved the style, the honesty and the self-deprecating humour. I immediately put a handful of his books on my wishlist and was delighted to be given some of them. I acquired more over the years.

I’m currently re-reading books by several of my favourite authors, so picked up ‘Lucas Unleashed’ about a week ago, as I had not read it since 2011. I couldn’t remember what was in it; I quickly realised that this is a book of short chapters, each one no more than three or four pages long. Each one focuses on some aspect of life, with relevance to the Christian faith.

My first reading was long enough ago that I didn’t recall any of the anecdotes in the book, so it felt as if I were reading it for the first time. In the introduction, Jeff Lucas explains that the word ‘unleashed’ in the title doesn’t mean that he’s about to unleash a torrent of insults, nor that he’s unhinged. It means that he writes without worrying about conventions, protocols or blandness.

The book is written for people who love God but often struggle with what goes on in the church, or in the name of Christianity. By looking at incidents in his own life, or those of other people, Lucas gently draws out parallels with his faith. He doesn’t push his points; indeed, sometimes he leaves chapters a bit open, so much so that I would have liked another paragraph or two to round them off. I’m sure it’s deliberate, as he intends to provoke people to think outside the box, to ask questions, and to draw their own conclusions.

Each chapter introduces a different person or situation. We meet, for instance, an elderly person in the sunset of his life, and a minister serenaded by three friendly drunks. There are poignant accounts of children who are sick, or living in extreme poverty, and there are pictures of Jeff Lucas himself in potentially embarrassing situations.

One comment I have kept thinking about, from early in the book, is that Christians are told to be salt in the world, not sugar. Had he spent a couple of paragraphs expounding on this, I would have skimmed and rolled my eyes. As a passing thought in the middle of an anecdote, the word picture was powerful and memorable.

I read a few chapters each day, and while I don’t recall the details of most of them, I hope some of the principles and ideas will have sunk into my subconscious and helped me in my sporadic and often confused journey as a follower of Jesus.

Review copyright 2018 Sue's Book Reviews

Grace Choices (by Jeff Lucas)

(Amazon UK link)

I’ve very much liked the books I’ve read by the Christian writer Jeff Lucas, over the past few years. He writes in a self-deprecating way, combining low-key humour with some thought-provoking wisdom. So when I spotted one I hadn’t read, inexpensively available from the AwesomeBooks site, it wasn’t a difficult decision to order it.

‘Grace choices’, subtitled ‘Walking in step with the God of grace’ is rather different from other books I’ve read by this author. It feels a little heavier, for one thing. Not that it’s a particularly long book - under 200 pages in paperback - but it took me a while to get into it. The introductory chapter takes us to a book signing, demonstrating the startling contrast between two women in the queue. One was knowledgeable - even passionate - about Christianity, but scared: afraid to laugh, worried that God was going to strike her at any moment. She believed in the doctrine of grace, but seemed not to experience it in her life. The other, wheelchair-bound and with a long history of abuse, was full of laughter and life.

So, the author proposes, we make our choices - not to suffer or not, but in how we respond to them. It’s not always easy to respond gracefully, or even to notice God’s grace. Believing in grace poses more questions than it answers. But still, he believes that we can find and experience grace in everyday life, sometimes in the midst of horrendous suffering, if we are willing to watch and listen.

It took a while to get going. In the first couple of chapters it felt as if the author was rather labouring the point. It wasn’t turgid, exactly, although that word occurred to me. But rather slow and wordy. Perhaps, though, it’s impossible to introduce the topic in a way that even begins to express the amazing, outrageous nature of what God’s grace really means.

Subsequent chapters introduce different ways to look for grace: in beauty, in other people, in the church, in the world. I don’t think I read anything that was new to me, but there were some useful reminders. Lucas writes about accepting and giving forgiveness, being open to touches of unexpected grace, about being the means of grace to those around us. He shares personal anecdotes, and by the time I was about halfway through I was finding it interesting, and - in places - thought-provoking.

It’s well-written, and there’s plenty to think about. But I didn’t find it as moving or indeed as relevant as Philip Yancey’s classic ‘What’s so Amazing about Grace?’ which covers similar ground. Still, well worth reading for anyone who struggles with the concept of grace, or (perhaps more importantly) who finds it difficult to experience grace in day-to-day living.

Review copyright 2017 Sue's Book Reviews

There are no strong people (by Jeff Lucas)

(Amazon UK link)

I’ve enjoyed almost everything I have read previously by Jeff Lucas, a Christian speaker and writer who grew up in the UK but now works as a pastor in the US. He has a self-deprecating mildly ironic style that I find helpful and encouraging. So over the years I’ve gradually been collecting his books.

I acquired ‘There are no strong people’ about six months ago, and have spent the past couple of weeks reading it, a chapter or two at a time. As is immediately clear, this is a book about the biblical judge Samson. Each section looks at part of his life and the author makes observations about what went wrong. The theme is that even someone as strong and anointed as Samson, best known for his super-human strength, can make serious mistakes and end up destroying their lives.

The typical Sunday School anecdotes of Samson are totally sanitised; most of his life story is 15-rated at least, perhaps 18. From the Scriptural account it’s clear that he found some women irresistible, had a violent temper, and liked to take revenge on perceived hurts. He’s not the kind of leader anyone would naturally follow or like.

However the book starts at the beginning, when Samson’s mother was visited by an angel and told that her son was to be a Nazarite: someone who did not shave his head, took a vow of abstinence from alcohol, and avoided various other things that would make him ‘unclean’. What I had not previously realised was that a Nazarite vow was usually a temporary thing; more significantly, it was his mother who was told about it: not his father, and not Samson himself.

Jeff Lucas writes a great deal about what are essentially quite short passages, suggesting for instance that Samson was quite spoiled as a child, and that he had his parents entirely under his thumb. This could be taken from the Scripture passages, although it’s not stated overtly; he certainly paints a possible picture of this strange man who evidently had a calling of some kind, yet made so many mistakes.

Once I had realised that this was not a devotional book or even a study as such, I was able to build up a picture of Samson in my mind that was clearer than I had previously. It’s not a particularly pleasant image; he comes across as boorish, greedy, immoral and violent. It doesn’t even seem as if he were particularly intelligent, as he was taken in so easily by women.

There are ‘lessons’ throughout the text, outlined in some of the chapter headings: secrets can make us sick; dissatisfaction is likely to lead us into temptation; anger can be inflammable; even the strongest can fail. They make good points although my personality is so far from Samson’s that few of them were relevant to my own situation.

While it’s not a bad book, I found the style a bit annoying; the sentences are quite short, and the layout is strange with some enormous text that looked as if it should be section headings, but was so big that it was disturbing. Moreover, the book lacked Lucas’s usual dry humour and is almost devoid of personal anecdotes. Yet it wasn't a Bible study as such, as much of the commentary was speculation on behalf of the author.

Overall, while it could be useful for some, I thought this was not up to Jeff Lucas's usual standard.

Review copyright 2016 Sue's Book Reviews

All Questions Great and Small (by Adrian Plass and Jeff Lucas)

(Amazon UK link)

I’ve been a huge fan of Adrian Plass’s writing for nearly thirty years now, and started to enjoy Jeff Lucas’s books about six years ago. I’m gradually collecting them, and was very pleased when the two collaborated with the ‘Seriously Funny’ books. So when I spotted another jointly written book by these two excellent writers, it went straight on my wishlist, and I was delighted to be given it last Christmas.

‘All Questions Great and Small’ is a series of questions and answers that were given on the authors’ ‘Seriously Funny’ tour; they felt that this particular selection deserved a wider audience, and I’m very glad that they and their publishers put this book together.

It’s divided into eight sections - after the introduction - which loosely group the questions together by theme. The first one, for instance, is entitled, ‘Now that reminds me of a time when…’. It includes questions about funny stories, embarrassing anecdotes and so on, encouraging Plass and Lucas to reminisce about events in their lives.

The second section is headed, ‘Where’s my soapbox?’ and includes questions where the two might be expected to have strong opinions - on American evangelists, for instance, or some irritating Christian jargon phases. I didn’t really distinguish this from the third section, ‘Telling it like it is’, and by this stage I wasn’t really noticing these loose chapter headings, but reading each question and answer for its own merit.

As ever, there’s self-deprecating humour in many of the responses, some of which made me smile or nod appreciatively. But this isn’t just light-hearted quips; the book contains much that’s profound, and thought-provoking, and some questions where I heaved a wonderful sigh of relief to know that even such well-known speakers feel the same as I do, despite evidence that many in the church would disagree.

I was going to read just a few pages each morning, but found it so enjoyable that I finished it in a couple of weeks. I feel reassured, enlightened, and encouraged and would recommend it to anyone with any interest in the Christian life, or church in general, whether or not you’re feeling positive about them.

Available for the Kindle as well as in paperback form.

Review copyright 2016 Sue's Book Reviews

Standing on my Knees (by Jeff Lucas)

(Amazon UK link)

Books by Jeff Lucas are always, in my view, worth reading. A friend introduced me to his writing some years ago, and I’ve slowly been acquiring his books, although it’s impossible to keep up with such a prolific writer. His books are honest, thoughtful and non-judgemental, and I find them very encouraging. Jeff Lucas is a British pastor who has worked and lived in the United States. More importantly, he’s a close friend of Adrian Plass, and that’s recommendation enough for anybody.

I bought ‘Standing on my Knees’ from the Awesome Books site a few weeks ago. The subtitle is, ‘Establishing a lifeline of prayer’*, which sounded a bit heavy-going. I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect. So it was a great relief to read, in the first chapter, that the author tends to turn tail and run when presented with a book that has ‘prayer’ in the title, put off by the ‘heady mixture of inspiration and intimidation…’.

With such encouragement, I was pretty sure I’d find the book refreshing and helpful. Each chapter takes part of the so-called Lord’s Prayer that people my age (at least in the UK) learned as children, to be said in school Assemblies and church services. It’s not a new idea to focus on a sentence at a time of this classic prayer outline that Jesus taught his disciples, but then again, there’s no better prayer structure in existence.

As one who feels daunted by hearing long and passionate prayers in church meetings, and who keeps quiet when others talk casually about their two-hour quiet times, I was relieved to find that Jeff Lucas takes a much more pragmatic approach. God is our father; he’s with us all the time, and a few minutes’ chat through the day, as we go about our lives, is likely to be a great deal more constructive than focussed hours. That’s not to decry those who are gifted in intercession or called to pray for lengthy periods; but it’s not required, and certainly not a mark of being a ‘good’ Christian.

We are encouraged in this book to pray in whatever ways we can, assured that anyone can come to God at any point. Prayer does not have to be long, it shouldn’t be a monologue (even though it often feels that way) and it’s fine to pray about anything and everything. Forgiveness of ourselves as well as of others is vital, and we need God’s strength to get through the day.

None of this is new to me, but in the context of the author’s reflections, peppered with anecdotes and his gentle, self-deprecating humour, it makes an excellent, thought-provoking read. Sometimes I only managed a few pages at a time, as I wanted to reflect on what was said.

Definitely one to re-read, and I would recommend it highly.

*Unfortunately the combination of the title and sub-title have given me a slightly annoying earworm, featuring the misquoted words of a spiritual song, 'It's me, it's me, it's me, O Lord, standing on my knees in prayer..."  

Review copyright 2016 Sue's Book Reviews

The Cactus Stabbers (by Jeff Lucas)

(Amazon UK link)

It’s some years now since a friend suggested - correctly! - that I might enjoy books by Jeff Lucas. He’s a British Christian writer who now lives and works in the United States; his books are down to earth, with self-deprecating anecdotes, some dry humour, and much to think about. So I’m gradually building up a collection.

I was given ‘The Cactus Stabbers’ for Christmas, and picked it up to read, intrigued as much as anything by the title. This fairly slim volume (a little over 130 pages in all) contains around twenty short chapters, most of them describing an encounter that the author had with a variety of different people around the world. In a few he recounts anecdotes that have taught him useful lessons, such as the time he went camping, or the build-up to the Christmas season.

I could relate to a lot of the book, realising that some of the people included were caricatured, and yet realistic. The ‘cactus stabbers’ turn out to be people utterly dedicated to a cause in a way that caused Lucas to consider how passionate he is about his own faith.

He writes, too, of an elderly lady who taught him about confidence in the future, of a control freak he came across, of someone who has decided to smile… and a host of other fascinating people and situations.

I read two or three chapters each day for about a week, first thing in the morning, and found much to think about. I don’t remember everything I read, but it was refreshing and thought-provoking and I look forward to reading it again in a few years.

Not everyone would appreciate the informality of the writing, or indeed the clear Christian focus - in all Jeff Lucas’s writing, he gently points us to Jesus - but I enjoyed it very much. Recommended.

Review copyright 2016 Sue's Book Reviews

Faith in the Fog (by Jeff Lucas)

(Amazon UK link)

I do like Jeff Lucas’s books. He writes with honesty and self-deprecating humour, on issues that many shy away from. Years ago a friend introduced me to one of his books; since then, I’ve started collecting them wherever possible.

I put ‘Faith in the Fog’ on my wishlist last year, and was very pleased to receive it for Christmas last year. It’s partly anecdotal, charting the author’s journey to Christian faith, which was often punctuated by difficult questions and serious doubts. It also encourages people to keep hold of what faith we have, to look to Jesus, and to remember that God is with us, no matter what.

The book is - in essence - a study on the passage of the Bible where the resurrected Jesus sees some of the disciples after a fruitless night of fishing. He suggests they throw their nets one more time, which results in a good catch, and that prompts them to recognise him. He cooks breakfast for them, and then has an important chat with Peter. (John chapter 21).

Jeff Lucas says that this is his favourite passage of Scripture, one he ponders often. He starts with an anecdote, the time he wanted to visit the Sea of Galilee with great anticipation, only to be stopped by the guard: a priest, who would not allow him to go any further, because he was wearing shorts. The story takes a chapter to tell, charting Lucas’s disillusionment with other Biblical places he had visited, and the image that the priest was giving to tourists: that God was angry with people who wear shorts.

It’s a great introductory chapter, told in the author’s highly readable style, with detours and asides, weaving a story and making his points with gentle thoroughness. In further chapters, he goes on to think about the disciples themselves: what made them go out fishing? Was it wrong of them to do so? Why didn’t they recognise Jesus? Why was this episode so significant for Peter?

There are no definitive answers given - as Lucas says, at the end of his foreward, he’s neither analysing the Biblical text nor is he trying to push any agenda by looking at them. Instead, he invites the reader to think through these and many other questions. He gives some of the historical and cultural contexts, to aid in the discussion, but manages to do so in a friendly way, neither condescending nor directly educational.

I’ve been reading it in the past couple of weeks, around a chapter per day. It’s not the kind of book to read straight through, as there’s a great deal to think about; I could only process so much at a time. The Bible passage on which the book is based is one I’ve read many times; I’ve heard sermons about it too, although I don’t remember the content of them. But never have I thought so deeply about it, or gained so much insight into what might have been going on in the minds of these weary disciples whose worlds had been turned upside down by recent events.

At the same time, Jeff Lucas talks about some of his own insecurities and worries, many of which resonated strongly. He describes the times when he wondered what he was missing, when everyone else in a church service was apparently lost in worship, and he felt nothing. He talks, too, about his frustration with some sermons - including his own - and the encouragement he’s received, sometimes at unexpected moments.

I thought it an excellent book, and was sorry to reach the end. I would recommend it highly to anyone, particularly those who might feel as if they’re ploughing through the Christian life rather than coasting; where God is sometimes hard to find amidst the fog of confusion and the mire of everyday life.

Highly recommended.

Review copyright 2015 Sue's Book Reviews