Our issues of identity often lead us to doubt ourselves and God’s invitation to lead us to something greater than ourselves. Let’s look at a couple biblical leaders who struggled with these issues and see how God met them in their inadequacy.
Read MoreWhen I think of Easter, I can’t help but think of women. The biblical narrative guarantees it. The Bible emphasizes the integral role of women in Christ’s ministry on earth. In a culture where their value was not esteemed, the elevation brought to them by the gospel message is astounding! Is it any wonder? True Christianity always seeks to elevate the status of women.
Read MoreHow did Jesus view women? How did He treat women? How did they respond to Him? The Gospel of Luke provides the answers to these questions. Twenty-four times in Luke, Jesus either met a woman, talked about a woman, or mentioned a woman in a parable. All of these 24 times are instructive and positive.
Read MoreAdam and Eve made a devastating error. They buckled under Satan’s cajoling invitation to taste of the only fruit God had forbidden in their unbelievably perfect all-inclusive Garden of Eden paradise. Now, encumbered by unfamiliar shame and fear, they hid from God. But God searched them out with the first question He asked of any human, ever.
Read MoreAbout halfway through our meal, I noticed an elderly gentleman looking my way. Through his unhappy glances, I could tell that my Muslim friend’s hijab was making him uncomfortable and possibly even a bit angry. A couple of times I saw him adjust in his chair, and I thought that he might come over and say something unkind.
Read MoreAs I’m typing on the computer, a calendar notification interrupts my Christmas musings. It reminds me of another big day, which is happening now! To my Muslim friends, it’s a pretty big deal—their prophet Muhammad’s birthday!
Read MoreOur Urdu language tutor took us into one of the most compelling conversations we have ever had. Everything about the restaurant we were in on that day was quite ordinary, except for the tall glasses of chilled, fresh pomegranate juice our waiter brought to the table. The moment’s reverie inspired Mr. Noor* to quote a proverb that has since taken hold of our hearts.
Read MoreThe first time I saw the red of blood of sacrifice flow down my own neighborhood street, I knew I would never be the same. It carved a yearning into my soul that to this day still burns…my longing that all Muslims would have ample opportunity to know Jesus as the Lamb of God.
Read MoreSome Muslim girls refer to their veils as their shade. My friend Ikraam wears hers very responsibly. By doing so, she means to honor Allah and the community she represents. It shelters her beauty and protects her from the tempter.
Read MoreI cried tears of joy and sorrow. We had what they needed, and we loved sharing with them. It’s what they didn’t know that still grieves my spirit. What they needed was free for the asking, all along.
Read MoreWhen our family lived overseas, we cherished visits with our Muslim friends during Ramadan. We enjoyed quite a few iftar invitations. We shared more than food.
Read MoreI could barely contain my hope for the direction this conversation was taking. Instantly, I felt Jesus right there.
Read MoreThere is not a person in our family who would not be able to recount our first Christmas in the Muslim country where we served.
Read MoreI’m in a South Asian neighborhood in the Bronx, New York, looking out the window of a great city church into the face of a very large mosque, which sits just across the street.
Read MoreI never thought much of Ash Wednesday before, since in my denomination the Lenten ritual of having the sign of the cross caressed into one’s forehead with symbolic ash isn’t really practiced.
Read More
