Exloring Life Eternal

Muslims try to refashion their religion at times. But the underlying issues remain. These are the shortcomings that I see, they are needs that cannot be met with Islam:

integrity (beyond one's own capacity)
faith (beyond theory)
holiness (beyond discipline)
hope (beyond terminal illness)
truth (beyond mere tolerance)
love (beyond family ties)

Jesus alone is able to save. He alone died on the cross for Muslims. Mohammed is dead. His kingdom is not eternal. At best, it lasts up to the grave side ... & then there is no hope! If you are a muslim, repent of your false peace. If you are a follower of Jesus, proclaim the peace!

Practical advice cannot always fulfill permanent aspirations.
Pacifism cannot quell the wrath of God.

I have found the following statement to have results when talking to
Muslims locally who ask if I am a muslim:

If you mean that I believe in one God, yes.
If you mean that I am submitted to Him, yes, I lay down my arms before
the name of Lord Jesus, the Messiah.
But I do not recognize Muhammed as a prophet.

.. One man who tried to engage in a battle ended up leaving the
workplace because he could no longer face his hypocrisy. ... Another
had his eyes opened.

Perhaps some seeking the Truth will find a hint in the following Q & A format:

Q. What cartoons are okay for the serious sharia-minded Muslim?

A. Depictions of the destruction of non-Muslim nations is completely okay.

Conclusion:
The law condemns and gives no life.
It merely generates more strife.

==
Q. If depictions of Muhammed are ruled out as a general rule, would there be any cartoon depicting God which would be acceptable?

A. Caricatures of God would have to be in an Arabic font to be permissible, but to prevent any fatal fatwas against a cartoonist, it would need to be signed by Muhammed.

Conclusion:
The Truth is true in any tongue,
And tunes are shared among the young.

A desert script shall bear God's Word,
Where cartoon clammer is still heard.

A poet dead is social shame.
The Living Word gains global fame.

The Lord arose and shall return.
Mere ink on paper shall then burn.

Muhammed left a heap of scraps.
But Jesus gives escape from wrath.


==
Q. Are any foods named after Muhammed halal or is this a sort of canabalism which would be non-halal?

A. "Roses of the Prophet Muhammad" may be purchased from Iran. Formerly these were called Danishes. This indicates that a virtual communion is permitted, as long as lots of sugar is involved, there is a subtext of jihad/dawah in renaming foreign or otherwise non-halal foods.

Conclusion:
The comfort of sweet food
Can slow down your fleet foot.

Old David found mere pleasure fails.
But Jesus Christ who rose prevails!

For those dear saints of God & servants of the church who are interested in reading this,

Peace & grace in the name of our Father & our God & His Son, our Lord,

Today is still the day of the Lord's salvation. He has not stopped seeking out & saving those who are lost ... & He never will ... until the end of the age.

But the devil knows that his time is short ... so he gets a little agravated at times & tries to wreak havoc any way he can, through toe holds, snakes, scorpions, and beasts with more growl than glory.

Since the beginning of time, it has been the best & worst of times most of the time as wars & rumors of wars increase & as catastrophes continue even while the good news of God's glory goes abroad.

This past week there were 7 days. Every day, the sun did what it was told to do & the clouds obeyed the commands of God as well. He is keeping his promise to send harvest time ... and spring-time as well.

This past week or two has been filled with spiritual attack & blessings ... & the presence of Christ throughout.

Some difficulties which reveal out deep need for prayer:
= Curses against our family scrawled on the door to our apartment.
= Direct moral temptation from total strangers itself directed towards both of us (There is a delight in perversity in this area).
= Financial demands from one of the "brethren" who bestowed upon me the blessing that God would "put a few knots on my head."
= A family member who questioned the validity of sharing the message.
= A preacher who stated very distinct (& narrow) limits on how far he would help see the good news spread.
= A relatively new friend of mine (his muslim? wife is also Indonesian) was hospitalized for suicide / withdrawal symptoms (his neck has been broken for a couple years leading to great pain, but he loved to be reminded about Jesus' love & mercy over the phone).

But there have also been some huge open doors which only God could have
accomplished:

- A Nigerian brother who gladly took some materials to share with the brethren in Zambia (He is in Ann Arbor for another 1.5 weeks).

- A fellow who was deeply oppressed & recently affected by a grand mal seizure gladly listened to the good news ... & found some thoughts hopeful. A smile broke his previously blank face. PTL!!! "God, save David!"

- We have had some very good talks despite the busy days of getting settled a little-more.

- The rent is paid!! We have food & clothes & electricity!!

- A local brother was willing to hear my story out despite pressing demands on his time.

- A friend committed to regular support (very substantial support at that!)

- 2 days ago, while walking home, I picked up a sign. The next day, I took it to the owners (a hot dog store), they gave me a free frank. A small gift - they offered a temporary job & got the good news. But God regards even small things.

- Relatively good health & a decently working car.

- Wisdom to teach some kids learning English & math.

- The list could extend, but my time is limited. Not least of these is that all is ready for moving into the newly designated office except getting a key to the door. PTL, PTL, PTL!!

Some have mentioned that they would like to see some more creativity (i.e. I had not been sharing my thoughts/writing as much). God's word is still alive. I hope that some of the following thoughts will be an encouragement & refreshment to you. Feel free to share them with others.

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SHEEPISH THOUGHTS:
A shepherd sacrificed, & the shepherd was slain. (Gen 2)
A shepherd slew beasts & a brute, & the sheep stood up again. (1-2 Samuel)
The shepherds got rich, & the sheep were slaughtered. (Ezekiel)
The Shepherd was born, & the sheep were freed. (Luke 2)
The Shepherd was dyed, & the sheep were cleansed. (John 1)
The Shepherd spoke, & the sheep listened. (John 10)
The Shephered went out of the fold, & a lost sheep found safety. (Luke 15)
The Shepherd was slain, & the sheep were scattered. (Matthew 26)
The Shepherd stood, & the sheep were gathered. (John 21)
The Shepherd reigns, & the sheep are fearless. (Psalm 23)
The sheep may suffer, but the Shepherd shall surely save!! (Romans 8)

The Lamb leads on.
See: The sheep were twelve, eleven remained: the faithful endure.
(Revelation 12:11)

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Prayer with purpose can prevent persecution,
so love one another & all will be stronger & more secure.

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Perfect Love resisted leads to rebellion.
Rebellion persisisted leads to ruin.
Perfect Love received leads to righteousness.
Righteousness expressed leads to revival.
God is perfect love:
Repent & see revival or refuse & face His wrath.

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A LITTLE THOUGHT ON THE GLORY OF GOD
You have not seen the the Greatest if you have not seen to your last responsibility.
You do not love much if you do not love the least.
You will not live long later if you do not live just a little now.

The Infinite become Infanteseminal in Christ Jesus.

BUT GOD will show you Great & Mighty things if you look a little.
He can love you most, though He is loved the least.
He has given you eternal life if you live but the last moment for Him alone.

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An encouraging word received via email from a man called Grace in Africa: "I love your commitment!!" [To which I can only say, any commitment I have is only there because God made a commitment to love me.]

While we may be far away & not always the most neighborly of neighbors, thanks for remembering us as though we live next door. Your faithful prayers are like walls around us & incense within our home, sanctifying our hearts & preserving our heads.

Mert (with "Lydia")

P.S. If you will recall, Lydia was a woman from Asia who was a great help to Paul.

The more I read/hear/study/reflect upon the gospels, the more I am convinced that Jesus is not really trusted by many who would swear by their baptism otherwise:

In the final analysis, I believe in Jesus & therefore urge others to do the same.

1. Jesus was "homeless": Jesus had no regular place to sleep & dragged his followers along. From the time of his birth in Bethlehem to when he was buried in a borrowed tomb ... Jesus lived a transient life. Whenever he had an opportunity to settle down, he refused it ... to go to other villages. Jesus left His Father's house so that we might dwell with and in Him forever.

2. Jesus was "not rational": called at times a glutton, a crazy man because he didn't eat regularly, & a lawbreaker because he ate handpicked grain as he walked down the road on the sabbath: he ate the wrong thing at the wrong time with the wrong people. Jesus went crazy for us so that we might receive the wisdom of God.

3. Jesus was not "healthy.": he ate with dirty hands, he touched people with contagious diseases, he touched dead bodies, he was touched by women with menstrual flow, and used spit & dirt as part of the healing process. Jesus was regarded as a Physician who could not heal himself.

4. Jesus was "immoral": he was called a friend of sinners because of his willingness to accept party invitations from any & everybody, he permitted women of ill-repute to wash his feet with their hair, to talk with him alone, to receive forgiveness from him; he also invited taxcollectors to follow him, respected foreign oppressors, and helped hypocrites get right through friendly conversations. Jesus was indeed made sin for us so that we might become the righteousness of God.

5. Jesus was "moody": he threw a temper-tantrum in the holiest building in the nation, he later cried aloud when he entered the same city though he was treated at the moment like royalty. Oddly, when Jesus was suffering humiliation & torture, he told onlookers to weep for themselves. Jesus was cursed so that we might be blessed.

6. Jesus was killed: he was killed as a traitor to the state, as a religious heretic, as an evil man in every way, even one of those who died with him cursed him; his death was a public spectacle, his last will and testament for his family was spoken on the cross & only written years after it had been put into effect, his burial was hasty, and his body wasn't in the tomb 3 days later. According to Jesus His death would lay the foundation, His Life of Love the final Light.

The question I am faced with then each day then is this:
Will I follow Jesus or not?

If I choose to accept the Lord's invitation each day, the steps along the path become crystal golden stones in the city streets.

How precious, how peaceful, how plentous, how purposeful!

The key is to praise & pray in times of pain & pleasure. Faith is indeed the victory.

Peace,
Mert