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Whether you are a woman or a man, whether you are a jock or a musician, no matter if you are at the top of the world in your Christian experience or hurting deep inside How Do You Know He's Real? is a book that will minister to your soul. Author Amy Hammond Hagberg invested a great deal of time interviewing thirty-four different celebrities from various walks of life. Through the pen of Hagberg these athletes, actors, former Miss America and others share their testimonies of God's grace working in their lives. 
 
These are people whose lives are scrutinized on a daily basis by the glare of the sports media, tabloids or Hollywood and yet without shame and without hesitation they have willingly shared their struggles and their victories. Dove Award winner Clay Crosse talks about the period in his life when he struggled with the grip pornography had on his life. Laurie Boschman talks about the challenges of being a Christian in the physical game of hockey. A woman that I had the privilege of interviewing, the gifted singer Heather Powers shares her life story which included not one but two rapes by the time she was in her late teens. Blues artist Jonny Lang who was well on his way to becoming a legend while still in his early teens talks about his descent into the world of drugs. Lang now in his early twenties is once again being recognized for the phenomenal talent that he is. 
 
Perhaps it is because I am single, the fact that I was bullied as a child or the fact that I have been a longtime fan of the actress Nancy Stafford but her story spoke to me the most. Stafford a former Miss Florida shares her childhood story of being referred to as gawky, clumsy and with in her words bottle thick glasses. She talks about being bullied as a child. She speaks poignantly about her adult struggle with establishing healthy dating relationships and eventually how God led her to her husband shortly after she turned her life back to Him. 
 
You will stare in amazement at the pages in front of you as Noel Paul Stookey of Peter, Paul & Mary fame shares how God orchestrated events for which there is no other possible explanation. 
 
 The book is filled with the testimonies of individuals too numerous to mention here so I will only give you a brief overview; actress Jacklyn Zeman, WNBA forward Charlotte Smith-Taylor, Corey Koskie (MLB), Kerry Livgren (formerly of the rock band Kansas), Bethel Johnson (New England Patriots-NFL), Charlie Daniels (Country musician), Gloria Gaynor (disco hit "I Will Survive", Andrew DeClercq (formerly of the NBA Orlando Magic), and Tara Dawn Christensen (Miss America 1997).
 
You may be young, middle age or in your senior years but I guarantee you as you read about the lives of these people you will not want to put this book down. If ever there was a book that you should give to a friend who doesn't know Christ this is the one. The celebrities in this book who were courageous enough to share their stories should challenge you to do the same. 
 
At the end of each chapter is a brief devotional complete with scripture references. You may have been wondering how to lead a friend to Christ, give them two books a Bible and _How Do You Know He's Real?_

By Joe Montague, exclusive rights reserved

Joe Montague is an internationally published journalist / photographer. His ministry is dedicated to the memory of his late son Kent David Montague who went to heaven at the age of 18. All copyright and distribution rights remain the property of Joe Montague.