This book was given to me last week and I couldn’t wait to dive in. So almost immediately after finishing “This Momentary Marriage” by John Piper, I started this one and after finishing just the first chapter I am hungry for what’s to come.
This book starts off with a very tough-to-hear statement….
“It has been my observation that just one out of ten who start out in full-time service for the Lord at twenty-one are still on track at sixty-five. They’re shot down morally, they’re shot down with discouragement, they’re shot down with liberal theology, they get obsessed with making money… but for one reason or another nine out of ten fall out.”
The author is quick to point out that we are all in full-time service to the Lord, not just those who pastor or lead in the church. Are you a Christian father? A Christian husband? You’re in full-time ministry. So from the beginning we find that the odds are against us because of how many men start off following Christ strongly but fall away through the years.
Nine out Ten…..
There were also some very challenging things written in the first chapter. For instance, Steven Farrar writes that “… it’s not how you start that matters. It’s how you finish.” It’s not about how many times we’ve fallen, it’s how many times we’ve gotten back up. We may have had a tough start – fighting our past, fighting condemnation, fighting negative circumstances – but if we are determined to serve Jesus we are still able to finish strong. He also says the following about the man who finishes strong:
It is the rare man who finishes strong.
It is the exceptional man who finishes strong.
It is the teachable man who finishes strong.
So, there is the Chapter one challenge for me. Be rare. Be exceptional. Be teachable. None of us have all the answers, we need others around us to help us along the way. I’m sure I’ll post more thoughts from this book as I continue to read. If you have already read it, I’d love to hear your thoughts. If you haven’t read it, this book seems to be a great investment of time right from the beginning!
Share your thoughts about this post or about “Finishing Strong” by Steve Farrar by leaving your comment below…..
MENTENTIONAL 
I just finished reading this book myself. Brings a whole knew meaning to ” a path that is narrow and less traveled.” The book is great! When you get through with it we can have lunch an talk about it together. There is a quote that I like in there, but I don’t want to give it away so I will let you finish the book first before discussing it there are thought provoking questions in the back 🙂
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Gary, I’m really looking forward to getting deeper into this book – and then having lunch with you as well! I will be out of town for a business conference next week so between my time on the plane and in the hotel I plan to finish it. Maybe I’ll pick up on the same quote you’re referring to. Great hearing from you – God bless!
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You guys finished the book yet?
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