Hell is Real (But I Hate to Admit It)

This is my first time writing a review of a book. The reason I chose this book to be my first is because the author Brian Jones was my very first mentor on my journey to serve God in the ministry.

Brain begins the book by sharing about his past. He shares about a time when he, as a pastor, didn't believe in hell. This is a story I haven't just heard but I also remember. I remember when Brian came before our church and asked for forgiveness and asked if we would allow him to remain as our pastor. This moment shaped me forever as a man of God. This moment taught me that God's word must be absolute for me as a pastor.

As the book continues Brian digs into what the Bible teaches about hell and why it is so important for Christians to believe what the Bible says. He goes into the reasons why we don't believe and the reasons why people don't believe in hell and looks at the reasons why those who do believe in hell don't respond it the apocalyptic urgency the a biblical understanding of God and hell should produce in us.

This book spoke deep into my heart, convicting me of my lack of urgency in leading people to Christ. I already had to repent 3 or 4 times before I got to the place in the book that Brian suggests that we repent.

What really makes this book a must read is the fact that Brian doesn't leave his readers with great knowledge and no application. Brian spends time helping his readers become effective at leading their unsaved friends to Christ. His advice is insightful and based on his real life experiences.

I highly recommend getting this book. It will challenge you to draw closer to God and encourage you to be able to share your faith with confidence knowing that God is in control.

One more step

I must say I enjoy running (most of the time). The fact is that I am slow, overweight, and often lack the self motivation to get out and do it. But when I do, I find this rhythm in my step, this peace in my soul, though this usually doesn't kick in until after my legs and lungs stop burning.

As I am running, my mind is drawn towards my creator, towards the intricate way that He put my body together. I am often amazed to find that my body is far more capable than my mind would like to believe. This is a lesson I first learned while at boot camp. I was in the delayed entry program for a year where we trained to run a mile and a half in 13 minutes. (I know this is slow for you big time runners out there. But for someone who was never a runner this was pushing it.

Our first day of PT (Physical Training) at Paris Island we had to run 1.5 in 13 minutes. I had myself so trained to do this that I ran it in 12 minutes 49 seconds. I had this down. On our second day of PT they told us we were going to do a formation run of 2 miles in 13 minutes and 30 second. Now if your mind works like mine (which may not be a good thing) you are thinking how in the world can you expect to run a half mile in 30 seconds. The real kicker is that this is the difference between 8 minute 40 second mile and a 6 minute and 45 second mile. Not only is this a faster running speed but we had to maintain this speed for a greater distance.

The amazing thing is I made it. (of course I was in much better shape the, and I can't reach that time now) The reason I share all of this is because God formed our bodies to do so much more than we think we can do. He has granted us the ability to push further, and work harder to accomplish thing we can only imagine.

So the real question is, what if we exercised our spiritual muscles this way. What do we do when our mind tells our faith we can't take another step?

In 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 Paul writes, " ²⁴ Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. ²⁵ Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. ²⁶ Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. ²⁷ No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. "

As I have learned while running the next step may seem like the hardest but it may be the one that teaches you that you can go one more still. I hope your faith can teach your mind that "with God all things are Possible and that I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.