Operation Noah:
What are you getting at with your posting of Muslim questions and koran verses on your blog???
Where you coming from and where are you going?
You have probably read up on it a little, no doubt.... but where is your fire coming from? I could tell ya a bit about Islam (arabic for "surrender"), their history, "sadaka", fatwa, seven pillars and so on.
The Qoran is full of abrogations. Even Islam's own esteemed scholars apparently say that the book isn't a masterpiece by the farthest stretch of the mind (maybe my own dramatic wording). Basically it plagerizes (and quite badly at that) the stories of the old testament at the very beginning. After that is sounds like the "proverbs" of a slightly insane religious zealot. Mohammad even keeps changing his tune to accommodate the pressure of his peers and circumstances. Mohammad is quoted as saying that his 4 biggest enjoyments in life were "women, wealth, food, and scents." A real "disciplined" guy by the sounds of it!
A muslim will tell you that their prophet is dead. That fact that nothing spectacular happened to him and his body after he died is somewhat puzzling to them... especially in the light that the "prophet" Jesus rose back to life. A muslim is never certain of grace with his god and eternal life after he dies. He always tries to live the most "perfect" life that he can because he believes that it will only be at the time that Allah judges the world that Allah will also unveil his "standard" by which some people will pass but others won't. Even the last words of Mohammad are recorded of him asking mercy of Allah. The only way that they can be sure is if they are killed in Jihad.
Interesting facts on Muslims. Their dead must be buried in unmarked graves, from the richest sheik in Saudia Arabia, to the poorest peasant... their graves all look the same. (Some discrepancies to this are the Taj Mahal, I can't figure out the logic behind that one.) Also, the graves cannot be dug using shovels, only the bare hands. There are no coffins used, just shrouds.
I will tell you about a couple of ways to get into a meaningful spiritual conversation with muslims. Ask them "what color God is". Ask them what their Qoran says on the subject. Tell them that the Bible says that God is Light. I have had quite the discussions with people on this subject. It opens up "dialogue" It also gives you the chance to most importantly tell them that "God is Love".
Brother, to tell these poor souls that there IS a LIVING GOD OF LOVE whose "colour" is LIGHT, (Every spectrum of colour and hence nation and race of people are engulfed in this Father - Aba - Baba.....) well.... that effects them.... Strongly! They are not ones to show great emotion (its a religion that doesn't leave alot of room for the gentler emotions).
Just be careful about approaching them when they are practicing there month of fasting. Tempers are in short demand with an empty belly.
I book I have recently read that would give you an insight into the "mentality" of a muslim (follower of Mohammad) is "From Jihad to Jesus".
Sincerely CURIOUS: [Joe the Brother]
Thanks Bro. Joe, Gives us something to think about. We are here to share. This is not to make any reader hate or distrust the Muslim, but rather we want to reach out to Him and as Christians help them understand the saving power of Jesus Christ.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Saturday, April 24, 2010
What Do Muslims Believe?
Perhaps I over step myself because I have had very little opportunity to read the Koran myself. These quotes I came across seem to give me a sense of warning as I realize that this is one of the World's fastest growing religions. I do not believe for a second that we should not love the Muslim person or despise his soul. It is just the religion that I cannot support as it is Anti-Christ in nature. I seen this list of quotes and it interested me and I thought I would post it here for your interest in dealing with Muslims.If any of this is unfounded below let me know:
FROM THE KORAN:
--“ the (only) religion (acceptable) before God is Islam." (3:19)
-- " If anyone desires a religion other than Islam, never will it be accepted of him." (3: 85)
-- “You are the noblest community ever raised up for mankind.” (3:110)
-- The unbelievers among the people of the book and the pagans shall burn forever in the fire of Hell. They are the vilest of all creatures. (98.6).
-- Surely the vilest of animals in Allah’s sight are those who disbelieve. (8.55)
--The unbelievers are your inveterate enemy. (4:101)
-- Mohammed is God's apostle. Those who follow him are ruthless to the unbelievers but merciful to one another. (48:29).
-- It is unlawful for a believer to kill another believer, accidents excepted. (4:92)
-- Believers, take neither the Jews nor the Christians for your friends. (5:51)
-- Make war on them until idolatry shall cease and God's religion shall reign supreme. (8:40)
-- Fight against them until idolatry is no more and God's religion reigns supreme. (2:193)
-- The true believers fight for the cause of God, but the infidels fight for the devil. (4:76)
-- We will put terror into the hearts of the unbelievers. (3:151)
-- I shall cast terror into the hearts of the infidels. Strike off their heads, strike off the very tips of their fingers. (8:12)
FROM THE SAYINGS OF MUHAMMAD:
-- Muhammad said to the Jews: "If you embrace Islam, you will be safe. You should know that the earth belongs to Allah and His Apostle, and I want to expel you from this land. “
-- Allah's Apostle said, "You (i.e. Muslims) will fight with the Jews till some of them will hide behind stones. The stones will (betray them) saying, 'O 'Abdullah (i.e. slave of Allah)! There is a Jew hiding behind me; so kill him.' "
-- Mohammed said, "I have been ordered to fight with the people till they say, "None has the right to be worshipped but Allah, and whoever says, " None has the right to be worshipped but Allah , his life and property will be saved by me." (otherwise it will not). Vol. 4:196
-- Mohammed said, "Whoever changes his Islamic religion, kill him." Vol. 9:57
-- Mohammed said, " No Muslim should be killed for killing a Kafir" (infidel). Vol. 9:50
-- Muhammad said: "Fight in the name of Allah and in the way of Allah. Fight against those who disbelieve in Allah. Make a holy war, …"
How is that for a religion of peace, eh?
FROM THE KORAN:
--“ the (only) religion (acceptable) before God is Islam." (3:19)
-- " If anyone desires a religion other than Islam, never will it be accepted of him." (3: 85)
-- “You are the noblest community ever raised up for mankind.” (3:110)
-- The unbelievers among the people of the book and the pagans shall burn forever in the fire of Hell. They are the vilest of all creatures. (98.6).
-- Surely the vilest of animals in Allah’s sight are those who disbelieve. (8.55)
--The unbelievers are your inveterate enemy. (4:101)
-- Mohammed is God's apostle. Those who follow him are ruthless to the unbelievers but merciful to one another. (48:29).
-- It is unlawful for a believer to kill another believer, accidents excepted. (4:92)
-- Believers, take neither the Jews nor the Christians for your friends. (5:51)
-- Make war on them until idolatry shall cease and God's religion shall reign supreme. (8:40)
-- Fight against them until idolatry is no more and God's religion reigns supreme. (2:193)
-- The true believers fight for the cause of God, but the infidels fight for the devil. (4:76)
-- We will put terror into the hearts of the unbelievers. (3:151)
-- I shall cast terror into the hearts of the infidels. Strike off their heads, strike off the very tips of their fingers. (8:12)
FROM THE SAYINGS OF MUHAMMAD:
-- Muhammad said to the Jews: "If you embrace Islam, you will be safe. You should know that the earth belongs to Allah and His Apostle, and I want to expel you from this land. “
-- Allah's Apostle said, "You (i.e. Muslims) will fight with the Jews till some of them will hide behind stones. The stones will (betray them) saying, 'O 'Abdullah (i.e. slave of Allah)! There is a Jew hiding behind me; so kill him.' "
-- Mohammed said, "I have been ordered to fight with the people till they say, "None has the right to be worshipped but Allah, and whoever says, " None has the right to be worshipped but Allah , his life and property will be saved by me." (otherwise it will not). Vol. 4:196
-- Mohammed said, "Whoever changes his Islamic religion, kill him." Vol. 9:57
-- Mohammed said, " No Muslim should be killed for killing a Kafir" (infidel). Vol. 9:50
-- Muhammad said: "Fight in the name of Allah and in the way of Allah. Fight against those who disbelieve in Allah. Make a holy war, …"
How is that for a religion of peace, eh?
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
The Seed, Death, and Resurrection: A Morning Study of Revival
As I woke up this morning, I was struck with the thought of
Revival. Before we went to bed, we prayed for our congregation's
revival. We also prayed for a community revival. It impressed me more
deeply this week, because of Sunday School. I brought out the thought
that we really need to pray for a community revival. There is so much
poor people around us with needs, that the revival is at our finger
tips and yet we are not ready to harvest it. People that had lived in
the area for years laughed at me for thinking my prayers for local
revival would really bear fruit. However it worked in our cul-du-sac
in California, and it worked in Belize. In Belize I recognized that
the indigenous congregations were only families and locally recognized
as such, so with little visitors. The truth is that there is seeking
souls in Belize because the population is young. Asked the Spirit of
God for a seeker to come to Church. One Sunday a youth came to Church.
He said he didn't really know why he came he just wanted to come to
Church. I knew why he came. We had him for dinner. He immediately
wanted to discuss what doctyrine we lived by and borrowed a book on
the subject. So now the challenge is before us--- are we ready for a
area Revival. What does a revival take. It takes a spark. What is that
spark. It is the spark of the power of Resurrection.
This is the verse that came this morning. I like to mix these two
versions to help my feeble mind to digest.
John 12:24 (King James Version)
Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the
ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth
much fruit.
John 12:24 (New International Version)
I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and
dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many
seeds.
The act of Revival and Resurrection takes place after death. Think of
the most powerful moments of Revivals in your life. The death of your
self. The giving of your self to your wife. A funeral of some one
close to you. Someone elses conversion from death unto life. The list
goes on. The power of Jesus was not just in His ministry. His own
disiples left Him when he needed him most. It took His death then
ressurrection to overcome sin and set us free.
Here are some quick thoughts on these two "R's"
1. In revival there needs to be Evangelism. The unexpected spiritual
death and resurrection of our neighbors shows us the power of God. It
seems we expect one another and our children to find there way. To see
the power of God in the unplanned blows away our defences and stops us
in our tracks: Behold the Power of God.
2. If some of our Missionaries were even martyred our Mission program
would actually grow. It is a paradox, and we do not wish it, but I
think it is true. If I would go to the mission, I would have to
prepare myself to die for those people to really be heart effective.
Look at the Martyrs. Even look at some of the Beachy Amish programs
like CAM. I admire them because they suffer with the people. We even
use their books to inspire us-why? Spiritual death and then the
willingness to die physically for Christ is a power that cannot be
stopped.
3. Our society insulates itself from death and the unpleasentries of
life, hampering the cross, and the power of resurection.
4. From the Apostles on, it was the hands on approach that revived
them from time to time. It wasn't a quality of the flesh it was the
manifestation of the power of resurection and spirit in their life
that shook the world. The renewing no doubt came from the testimony of
those they ministered to. Phillip had just as much of a revival as the
Ethiopian. Don't you think? When Paul seen non-Jews pull away from
Paganism and embrace Christ-----He couldn't help but leap for joy and
press on counting it a glory to even witness to the emperor, perchance
even his soul could be saved. The ministry of Stephen renewed the
Church in His death even to this day. His face shone as an Angel. How
many High Priests later on gave their hearts to the Lord or were
plagued to depression from the power of that moment.
Here is just a few more verses:
1 Corinthians 15:36 (King James Version)
Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die:
1 Corinthians 15:36 (New International Version)
How foolish! What you sow does not come to life unless it
dies.Galatians 2:20 (King James Version)
Gal.3:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not
I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh
I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself
for me.
I was also impressed with the mustard seed. Thinking how small it
started. It grew to have many branches that sheltered the birds of the
air. The security of the death and resurrection revival is that it
cannot be imitated. Everyone that has lived in Winton long enough
surely hears of the revival in the 50's where a number of prodigal
couples from near and hours away suddenly showed up one revivals and
filled the back benches. We need that spontaneous outpouring and the
only way we can experience that is to let self wither and then die.
Only the Lord can light the spark. Let us Pray to that end.
I don't know why I write this. I just type as it comes. It seems the
greatest moments of revival come when I hear of and see the power of
God manifest in the flesh. You had the faith that it was real-- then
you actually see it! It is then easier to believe that Christ/God
really came down in the flesh--even to this day--now in the form of
the Spirit in the believer. So why would we hinder that power which is
not of ourselves to shine forth out of us and save
others..................
Revival. Before we went to bed, we prayed for our congregation's
revival. We also prayed for a community revival. It impressed me more
deeply this week, because of Sunday School. I brought out the thought
that we really need to pray for a community revival. There is so much
poor people around us with needs, that the revival is at our finger
tips and yet we are not ready to harvest it. People that had lived in
the area for years laughed at me for thinking my prayers for local
revival would really bear fruit. However it worked in our cul-du-sac
in California, and it worked in Belize. In Belize I recognized that
the indigenous congregations were only families and locally recognized
as such, so with little visitors. The truth is that there is seeking
souls in Belize because the population is young. Asked the Spirit of
God for a seeker to come to Church. One Sunday a youth came to Church.
He said he didn't really know why he came he just wanted to come to
Church. I knew why he came. We had him for dinner. He immediately
wanted to discuss what doctyrine we lived by and borrowed a book on
the subject. So now the challenge is before us--- are we ready for a
area Revival. What does a revival take. It takes a spark. What is that
spark. It is the spark of the power of Resurrection.
This is the verse that came this morning. I like to mix these two
versions to help my feeble mind to digest.
John 12:24 (King James Version)
Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the
ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth
much fruit.
John 12:24 (New International Version)
I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and
dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many
seeds.
The act of Revival and Resurrection takes place after death. Think of
the most powerful moments of Revivals in your life. The death of your
self. The giving of your self to your wife. A funeral of some one
close to you. Someone elses conversion from death unto life. The list
goes on. The power of Jesus was not just in His ministry. His own
disiples left Him when he needed him most. It took His death then
ressurrection to overcome sin and set us free.
Here are some quick thoughts on these two "R's"
1. In revival there needs to be Evangelism. The unexpected spiritual
death and resurrection of our neighbors shows us the power of God. It
seems we expect one another and our children to find there way. To see
the power of God in the unplanned blows away our defences and stops us
in our tracks: Behold the Power of God.
2. If some of our Missionaries were even martyred our Mission program
would actually grow. It is a paradox, and we do not wish it, but I
think it is true. If I would go to the mission, I would have to
prepare myself to die for those people to really be heart effective.
Look at the Martyrs. Even look at some of the Beachy Amish programs
like CAM. I admire them because they suffer with the people. We even
use their books to inspire us-why? Spiritual death and then the
willingness to die physically for Christ is a power that cannot be
stopped.
3. Our society insulates itself from death and the unpleasentries of
life, hampering the cross, and the power of resurection.
4. From the Apostles on, it was the hands on approach that revived
them from time to time. It wasn't a quality of the flesh it was the
manifestation of the power of resurection and spirit in their life
that shook the world. The renewing no doubt came from the testimony of
those they ministered to. Phillip had just as much of a revival as the
Ethiopian. Don't you think? When Paul seen non-Jews pull away from
Paganism and embrace Christ-----He couldn't help but leap for joy and
press on counting it a glory to even witness to the emperor, perchance
even his soul could be saved. The ministry of Stephen renewed the
Church in His death even to this day. His face shone as an Angel. How
many High Priests later on gave their hearts to the Lord or were
plagued to depression from the power of that moment.
Here is just a few more verses:
1 Corinthians 15:36 (King James Version)
Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die:
1 Corinthians 15:36 (New International Version)
How foolish! What you sow does not come to life unless it
dies.Galatians 2:20 (King James Version)
Gal.3:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not
I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh
I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself
for me.
I was also impressed with the mustard seed. Thinking how small it
started. It grew to have many branches that sheltered the birds of the
air. The security of the death and resurrection revival is that it
cannot be imitated. Everyone that has lived in Winton long enough
surely hears of the revival in the 50's where a number of prodigal
couples from near and hours away suddenly showed up one revivals and
filled the back benches. We need that spontaneous outpouring and the
only way we can experience that is to let self wither and then die.
Only the Lord can light the spark. Let us Pray to that end.
I don't know why I write this. I just type as it comes. It seems the
greatest moments of revival come when I hear of and see the power of
God manifest in the flesh. You had the faith that it was real-- then
you actually see it! It is then easier to believe that Christ/God
really came down in the flesh--even to this day--now in the form of
the Spirit in the believer. So why would we hinder that power which is
not of ourselves to shine forth out of us and save
others..................
Friday, April 16, 2010
The Holy Spirit is Incedible
Man, today on the way to work, I just had so much going through my
mind and heart. It was like I was burning inside and felt so
insignificant, yet had so much love for everybody. An inspiration came
about the Where is the Balm of Gilead from Jeremiah. The Chapter came
alive to me. We have been trying to dam up God's blessings and peace
to ourselves. I was like told that our CE's and programs just about
become loathful, (It has become for our own enjoyment) because God is
praised more when we reach out to the broken hearted in prayer, tears,
and action. Our love to him is directly related with our unselfishness
and love to others. Not at all side stepping obedience. Christian life
is not to be comfortable. It is a cross, but there is so much
fulfilment and purpose it causes our lives to burn as a fire. That
fire cannot be contained but must spread from our lives to others or
else it will flicker and burn out.......I don't know what to say, but
the last few days have been powerful. I listened to two conversion
experiences in Ballico that just tore me up and made me thirst for
more. It was a couple. There was a divorce and remarriage issue and
they both decided that they were ready to parcel off their children
and do whatever it took to reconcile with God. They sold out. The
woman said she had never known what peace was before. Their home was
torn with strife and they can't believe the change. He was a member
that had left the church and had given himself to drugs and drunken living and now you could
never know the change that took place. The testimony caused my wife
and I to weep along with them about the mercies of God. They are going
to keep the children and stay together. I wish people in our whole
conference could have heard the different conversion experiences that
have come out of Central California the last number of years.. It is
not drift that we need to worry about it is whether we see through the
eyes of Jesus, the broken hearts and those that need a physician, our
brothers and sister's needs, and of course whether we have that
burning Spirit in our hearts that causes us to leave our comfort zone
and be faithful to the way of the cross. The cross is not just the
acts of following a formula criteria, it is acts of unselfishness
prompted by God. My present cross is to pay online bills and continue
to fight the host of mammon. So Long.
mind and heart. It was like I was burning inside and felt so
insignificant, yet had so much love for everybody. An inspiration came
about the Where is the Balm of Gilead from Jeremiah. The Chapter came
alive to me. We have been trying to dam up God's blessings and peace
to ourselves. I was like told that our CE's and programs just about
become loathful, (It has become for our own enjoyment) because God is
praised more when we reach out to the broken hearted in prayer, tears,
and action. Our love to him is directly related with our unselfishness
and love to others. Not at all side stepping obedience. Christian life
is not to be comfortable. It is a cross, but there is so much
fulfilment and purpose it causes our lives to burn as a fire. That
fire cannot be contained but must spread from our lives to others or
else it will flicker and burn out.......I don't know what to say, but
the last few days have been powerful. I listened to two conversion
experiences in Ballico that just tore me up and made me thirst for
more. It was a couple. There was a divorce and remarriage issue and
they both decided that they were ready to parcel off their children
and do whatever it took to reconcile with God. They sold out. The
woman said she had never known what peace was before. Their home was
torn with strife and they can't believe the change. He was a member
that had left the church and had given himself to drugs and drunken living and now you could
never know the change that took place. The testimony caused my wife
and I to weep along with them about the mercies of God. They are going
to keep the children and stay together. I wish people in our whole
conference could have heard the different conversion experiences that
have come out of Central California the last number of years.. It is
not drift that we need to worry about it is whether we see through the
eyes of Jesus, the broken hearts and those that need a physician, our
brothers and sister's needs, and of course whether we have that
burning Spirit in our hearts that causes us to leave our comfort zone
and be faithful to the way of the cross. The cross is not just the
acts of following a formula criteria, it is acts of unselfishness
prompted by God. My present cross is to pay online bills and continue
to fight the host of mammon. So Long.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Thought for the Day: Wearing Jesus Glasses
How would you see the masses around you if you had the eyes of Jesus. If we could have Jesus glasses to put on and we in the Church would wear them---how would things be different? What would you see? How's your vision today?
Sunday, April 4, 2010
God's Alternative Fuel
Thanks to the brother that submitted this article, feel free to send in your experiences.
We had nothing in our bank account a couple months back and we ran low on fuel. The light was on for a long time. I had to wait for a couple days before I got some more cash around to get some gas. When I finally had the cash in hand, I headed for town. 8:50pm. Fuel station closes at 9pm. I ran out of gas a mile from the gas station, and right in front of a brothers house. Well... I was pulsing down the side of the road at about 15km/hr and losing momentum when I decided to pray. I knew that I could stop and ask the brother for help, but I had been telling my wife that God would provide and I guess I wanted him to do exactly that. So... This boy just prays out loud like I was talking to the passenger and said "God, I could stop and ask for help from this brother but I want YOU to help. Please put some gas in this tank so I can get to town." I guess I wasn't expecting him to answer, but, he did. I didn't realize that I had the accelerator all the way to the floor and the prayer was hardly out of my mouth when the "car with the empty fuel tank took off". Wide open! I don't know if I ever really got a sufficient "amen" out because something seemed to shake me right to the core and I started to cry. Then a thought came. "If God can do this to my empty fuel tank, what does He want to do with my life?"
Got empty fuel tanks that need filling?
We had nothing in our bank account a couple months back and we ran low on fuel. The light was on for a long time. I had to wait for a couple days before I got some more cash around to get some gas. When I finally had the cash in hand, I headed for town. 8:50pm. Fuel station closes at 9pm. I ran out of gas a mile from the gas station, and right in front of a brothers house. Well... I was pulsing down the side of the road at about 15km/hr and losing momentum when I decided to pray. I knew that I could stop and ask the brother for help, but I had been telling my wife that God would provide and I guess I wanted him to do exactly that. So... This boy just prays out loud like I was talking to the passenger and said "God, I could stop and ask for help from this brother but I want YOU to help. Please put some gas in this tank so I can get to town." I guess I wasn't expecting him to answer, but, he did. I didn't realize that I had the accelerator all the way to the floor and the prayer was hardly out of my mouth when the "car with the empty fuel tank took off". Wide open! I don't know if I ever really got a sufficient "amen" out because something seemed to shake me right to the core and I started to cry. Then a thought came. "If God can do this to my empty fuel tank, what does He want to do with my life?"
Got empty fuel tanks that need filling?
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