A Million Ways To Die: The Only Way To Live

Audra Jennings of the B&B Media Group sent me a copy of Rick James' A Million Way To Die for the purpose of review.

In this book Mr. James sets forth the idea for the reader that "death is the new life".  What he describes in his book is a "path of death, not a path to death.  Here are some points he makes in the very first chapter that made me think and motivated me to want to read more:

"To see smaller, daily opportunities to die is as important as seeing the daily tokens of God's love and faithfulness that He bestows on us."

As believers, we often want to talk about gaining the victory and resurrection, but there is no opportunity for resurrection without a death of some sort or as James seeks to convince the reader many little deaths each day.  Mr. James calls Mark 8:22-37 the "cornerstone of what it means to follow Jesus" and spends the rest of the book fleshing out this idea.  He seeks to have the reader understand that "death is not an ending - it's an invitation to more abundant life".

Mr. James says that:

"Though the 'carry the cross' discourse is simply Jesus' introduction to the cross, several principles already emerge regarding what it will mean for the Son of Man to 'suffer and die', and these principles are precisely what it will mean for us.  The principles are:

• We live though we die.
• We die that others may live.
• We are tempted to live when we need to die.
• We die when we ought to live."

I am only half-way through this book, but can give it a hearty recommendation.  I'm only half-way through because Mr. James gives you a lot to think about and pray through.  If you have ever wanted to understand what it really means to be a Christ-follower and know how to deny yourself, carry your cross and follow Him, then this book would be an excellent place to start second only to the Scriptures themselves.  Which if you read this book, be sure and have Bible with you as Mr. James points to the Scriptures to make his points.

 

The book is well written.  Mr. James does a good job of having the ideas he is sharing flow from one chapter to the next.  His writing style is very engaging, but at the same time he doesn't hold back from sharing truth.  He is bold, but non-threatening at the same time.  He simply lets the Scripture and truth speak for itself.  The only negative thing I have to say about this book is this:  I do not like the cover at all.  However, it goes to prove the old cliche:  Do not judge a book by its cover!  

This book can be purchased at Amazon.

 

Making Room for Him,

Jennifer