I couldn’t put down this set of inspiring and creative interpretations of key episodes in Jesus’ life. The vista of Australia is embedded deeply in Stephen Daughtry’s words, the images vivid and memorable. Every story has an unexpected turn, and readers are given fresh insights into Jesus and those characters who formed part of his ministry. While reading these stories, the bible comes alive in a way you won’t ever forget. The Rev’d Canon Dr Joan Riley Principal, St Barnabas College, Adelaide When I was much younger, I remember the impact of reading ‘What’s so amazing about Grace?’ by Philip Yancy. In this Yancy used real and fictional stories to bring to life key elements of Gospel teaching. For Australians I think Steve Daughtry’s story telling has even greater impact because he references places that we know and describes people who sound like us. In this collection people from Roma go to see Jonno and get baptised; the temptations of Jesus are retold in a way that invites us to bear witness; the rich young man has both a name and an epiphany; and the woman at the well works at a servo ‘in the middle of the arse-end of nowhere!’ To make something old new again is a gift, and to articulate Christian truth using Australian vernacular and imagery is an invitation to renewal. The Right Reverend Cam Venables Bishop for the Western Region, ACSQ Truly beautiful. Not many stories bring tears to my eyes, but these short tales do it again and again. Normally we think of tears being a result of sadness, but there are also the tears that come when the veil thins slightly, and through it we glimpse the beauty, truth and goodness that we long for. There is sadness involved, because it is not yet ours to enter into, but there is also a promise which allows us to dare to hope. I think this is what CS Lewis called ‘joy’. These stories are, to me, bearers of that deep joy. The Right Revd Dr Anne van Gend Bishop of Dunedin and author of Restoring the Story: The Good News of Atonement
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