9-11 and 3:16. What do those two numbers mean to you?
\nFor Max Lucado and his publishing teams, the first is the release date of a host of new products, and the second is the product itself.
\n\u201cWhat if hope could replace despair?\u201d he asks. \u201cWhat if the church could come together around what they\u2019re for instead of what they\u2019re against? What if love could overcome hate? It begins with 3:16.\u201d
\nEver since the late 70\u2019s, John 3:16 has been known as the hallmark verse of the born-again movement. Unfortunately, it\u2019s also been minimized as the sign that the rainbow-haired guy used to show at NFL games, and a verse that doesn\u2019t connect enough with the real needs of irreligious people. Lucado is hoping to change all that.
\n\u201c3:16\u201d is a hardback book being released today, with a chapter for each of the significant words and phrases of John 3:16. It\u2019s a whole book about one verse. Together with the book release is a DVD called \u201c3:16 Stories of Hope,\u201d which features Max\u2019s teaching segments and a little short film segment about the Prodigal Son. Added to that is a CD release called \u201c3:16 Songs of Hope,\u201d featuring a who\u2019s who of today\u2019s Christian music headliners, including Third Day and Chris Tomlin, staples Michael W. Smith and Sandy Patti, and crossover artists like Allison Krauss\/Union Station and Jars of Clay. There\u2019s also a version of \u201c3:16\u201d for kids and resources for church types who want to do a small group project over several weeks with friends.<\/p>\n