I'm going to keep this review simple to save you time. Go and buy 10 Things Jesus Never Said (and why you should STOP believing them) by Will Davis Jr. right now! Go on! Stop reading this paltry review; go buy the book and read it! The commonsense, Biblical wisdom will build your faith and give rest and peace to your heart.

But for those stubborn souls, like me, who would like a tad more information, here's a quick summary of the book. Dr. Davis has taken ten things that Christians often erroneously believe and provided an inspiring Biblical response to them:

• You're too far gone to be saved
• I'm so disappointed in you
• This wouldn't be happening if you were a better Christian
• It's okay not to love certain people
• Everyone should believe and act like you do
• It's all up to you
• You don't have to forgive someone who really hurts you
• You missed my will for your life
• I've given up on you
• This is a cross you must bear
• (and a bonus appendix) You're disqualified because you're divorced

Maybe you've never believed any of these fallacies, but I was shocked and dismayed to see how many remnants of them were running around my fertile little imagination. Not wholehearted adherence, mind you, just bits and pieces--but enough!

The overall premise of 10 Things Jesus Never Said is that one of Jesus' most important statements is found in Matthew 11:28-30: "Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Our relationship with Christ is not one of good works or trying to earn our way to God, or of vain attempts to be worthy of His unending grace. It is rather a relationship of resting in His grace and allowing Him to work in and through our lives to accomplish His will. Each chapter is broken into several sections, including an introduction explaining the fallacy, a section about the lie that we believe and another about the truth, examples about how easy it is to believe this particular item, and a conclusion discussing how this item relates to the theme of the book. There is also a very helpful section of small group discussion questions at the end of each chapter, making the book ideally suited for small group studies. I love the last question in every chapter: "After reading this chapter, how will you live differently?"

My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed reading 10 Things Jesus Never Said and would highly recommend it to any who are weary and in need of rest at the feet of the Master. Dr. Davis carefully unfolds many of the common lies believers and unbelievers succumb to as we seek after God. Jesus said in John 8:31-32, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." Shouldn't knowing and walking in the truth of Christ be a high priority in our Christian walk? Dr. Davis provides us with an outstanding tool to conquer, once and for all, many of the common myths that hinder our faith, cripple our effectiveness, and steal our joy and peace as Christians.

Product review by Dr. Anne Margaret Wright, Senior Product Reviewer, The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine, LLC, September 2011