The Gospel According to Rev. Walt "Baby" Love: Inspirations and Meditations from the Gospel Radio Legend

Love was already middle-aged when Prophet Johnson, his wife's childhood pastor, gave him his "first hint of God's true plan" for his life. Well-known for his nationally syndicated R&B radio show, "The Countdown," Love was developing "Gospel Traxx," a program of contemporary and traditional gospel music. Johnson wasn't thinking about radio, however. "You are going to preach," he declared. Eleven years later, Love is still a major figure in urban broadcasting. In addition, in spite of a life-threatening bout with cancer, he has earned a seminary degree and is associate minister of a Los Angeles megachurch. Crediting much of his success to "the faithful and powerful women of God who helped raise him," he draws on personal experiences and stories from the Bible to highlight 10 motivational principles: "Put yourself in a position to receive God's blessings," for example, and "Hold on to hope." His message is optimistic but tough: "There are no guarantees that living a good Christian life will relieve you of any and all challenges, burdens, and earthly torment." Life demands hard work, responsibility and, yes, gospel music, "because it helps keep the flames of Christian faith burning in us." (Feb.)