Rick James’ latest book A Million Ways to Die: The Only Way to Live is one those books that grabbed my attention with its striking cover image. While the cover may be intriguing, the subject of death is often one we would rather avoid. Throughout this book James encourages the believer to look beyond the final death and resurrection and to embrace the daily opportunities to die. Each of us faces opportunities to die to selfish ambition, ego, pride, fear, reputation, and self-sufficiency.
By examining scripture, historical events, and personal life stories, he points out practical ways in which we can fulfill Jesus command to take up our cross. He points out that only through embracing these little deaths can the believer move from a mere mediocre existence to the vibrant, victorious life Christ came to give us.
The book contains 335 pages that are filled with statements that will cause one to pause and think. Here are a few of those that made me go hmmm.
It’s reflexive for us to declare our belief that God can, but such affirmations can blind us to the ways that we don’t believe. “I believe that God can” is sometimes just a contraction for “I believe that He can, but I doubt that He will.”
We mistake divine ordained hardships for bad luck, bad friends, a bad year, bad breaks, bad government, a bad choice, bad advice, bad genes, bad hair day, and quite naturally we run. A scalpel is just a knife with a medical motive, and if you hold it to my throat in any scenario other than during a operation, I’d be insane not to run.
People don’t fall out of love; they fail to persevere in loving. They choose to stop loving their spouse, or they choose to start loving something else.
According to the author the goal of the book is to “encourage us to pick up our cross and embrace the death implicit in following Jesus Christ”. After reading the book, I had a clearer understanding of the ways life is produce through dying to myself.
From the back cover
Death is the new life. As Christians we talk often about resurrection, but what about our death and the many daily “deaths” that must come first? Through stories and biblical insights, Rick James reminds us that when Jesus tells us to deny ourselves, take up our crosses, and follow Him, He is describing a path of death, not a path to death.
As we learn to embrace the little deaths of everyday existence, we lose our taste for lifeless religiosity. Our appetite for a thriving, vibrant life in Christ grows-and our own experience motivates others to live out their extraordinary missions on earth. As James so vividly illustrates, death is not an ending-invitation to more abundant life.
DISCLOSURE: I was provided a complimentary copy of the book by B& B Media Group for review purposes. The views and opinions expressed are my own.
Hi Wanda,
When I saw the name, Rick James, my thoughts ran to the singer and song writer with racy lyrics. I then thought, perhaps there is another Rick James who has no affiliation to racy lyrics.
Having exposed myself as one familiar with the other Rick James, I see that the author of A Million Ways to Die discusses the practical need for the Christian to "…embrace the daily opportunities to die."
Living for Christ by dying to self ought to be the goal of any who trust in the salvation of Jesus Christ.
Thanks for sharing this book review and for waking me up from my momentary lapse into the past.
Blessings and peace.
MTJ
You did a great job reviewing this. Sounds like food for thought and prayer!
Great review!! Love your header graphic. Hope you had a bless and wonderful Thanksgiving!!!
I said hmmm also, you did a great review!
kim
A wonderful post, enjoyable to read Wanda.
Yvonne.
Hi Wanda, thanks for the review… sounds like one that i'd love to read myself.
Hope you had a beautiful thanksgiving. Have a lovely week ahead!!
Blessings,
Ruth
This does sound good (and I had the same thought about Rick James – but I let it pass LOL). Hope your Thanksgiving was full of blessings, Wanda!
Amen Wanda. Great review. Blessings to you and yours.
MTJ, I thought the name Rick James sounded familiar for some reason. But I'm never any good at remember the name of singers or songs.
Thanks Karen! Yeah it provides great food for thought. Just today the book came to mind when I fail to use an opportunity to die.
Toia, thank you! I did have an blessed thanksgiving.
Kim I had plenty hmmm(s) while reading the book.
Yvonne Thanks!
Ruth I'd definitely recommend the book. I got a little muddled down in parts of the book. Hope you have a good week too.
Joanne lol…I did have a great one.
JBR thank you sis & blessings to you as well.
Sounds awesome. I remember a Pastor one day coming up to the pulpit and simplying saying.
"Did you know God wants to kill you"?
He then went on to explain this profound bibical concept backed by the word. Decades later I still recall that intro. This sounds like a good book to build up any of those details I may have forgotten. Thanks for the review.
Hi Analisa I'd definitely recommend the book for anyone looking for ways to enhance their spiritual life. Your pastor had a great opener to his message and I'm sure that questioned would have lingered with me as well.
Wow, sounds like an amazing book, to pick up where we have let off or lack hope and re invent or change our view! Sounds like a great way to recommit to those people, projects, things we have let slide~
Hope you had a Wonderful Thanksgiving
xXx