Thanksgiving

"Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits..." Psalm 103:2.

At Thanksgiving it's natural to ask our Muslim friends, "What are you thankful for?" It can open up interesting conversations. I like to do this in my English Conversation groups. Because of how it was birthed, we have a wonderful opportunity to give praise to God. "On Thursday, January 31, 1957, the Parliament of Canada made a proclamation stating: "A Day of General Thanksgiving to Almighty God for the bountiful harvest with which Canada has been blessed--to be observed on the 2nd Monday in October." 

I love this Thanksgiving chair (click) video clip. I don't want to spoil the story line but briefly it's about a man who was reminded throughout a day that he still has much to be thankful for.

It was fun trying this on the All Nations Sports Club boys. We had a 15-20 minute 'God talk' half time. They formed a semicircle in the gym around the whiteboard that doubled as our projection screen. This time I placed a chair in front of the group with a Happy Thanksgiving helium balloon attached. We watched the video clip and then I explained: “Now, we’ll each take a turn, sit on the chair, and talk about one thing you are thankful for, stuff you really mean. They were animated. We started with Fristen(junior leader from Congo). He very nicely shared about being thankful for his parents, a peaceful country, and that he can go to school. Amazing that each boy including the leaders eagerly took a turn with sitting on the ‘Thanksgiving chair’. Some shared about being thankful for the club and good snacks. Iman gets on the chair and says he is thankful for legs…the others burst out laughing. I intervened…”LISTEN.” So he went on to explain how he gets together with a group of young soccer players at a park near his home. And he continued how he is thankful for his mom, etc. He didn’t want to get off the chair! After he went back to his chair I shared a story of a Chinese university student who stayed with us for a while many years ago. She grew up as a communist and wondered who to thank for good things that happened to her. After she got to Canada she heard about God and how generous he is. Soon she became a follower of Jesus.

I love the harvest when the hum of combines can be heard late into the evening, bringing in the "bountiful harvest". We have much to be thankful for, don't we? Comparing my life to scenes on the evening news, I don't deserve this more than anyone else. But God has allowed me to enjoy them.

My refugee friend, a believer from Sudan drove this thought home. He had come from a camp where conditions were very bad. But the cold weather during a Canadian winter got to him. One day as he was shivering and waiting for the bus he heard the cheerful chirp of a bird sitting on the power lines. He began thinking--"If that bird can sing in the middle of winter, why should I feel sorry for myself?"

Dear God, thank-you for your numerous good gifts. You are a loving and generous Heavenly Father. Amen. 

Addressing Slaves

From a famous and radical sermon: "I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood." Martin Luther King Jr., I have a Dream.

Slavery in the USA was finished with Abraham Lincoln's emancipation bill but segregation between whites and blacks had not been realized fully even in a 100 years. Praise God much progress has been made since this speech.

Sermons at the mosque are usually predicable. First there are readings from the Qur'an in Arabic. Then what often follows are admonitions to be better Muslims.

The format is something like this: The preacher stands by the niche in the front of the mosque which also indicates the correct direction for Islamic prayer. He gives his 'Salam' followed by the prayer call. The preacher then gives readings or recitations from the Qur'an in Arabic followed by the first part of his sermon and ends it with a prayer from the Qur'an. The sermon is divided into two parts. The second half of the sermon starts with praise to God and 'Salam' to Mohamed. It ends with a prayer from the Qur'an.

I recently took a group of Bible college students for a visit to Friday prayers. This time there was a visiting scholar who addressed the faithful as 'slaves of Allah'. His message was that God is love but with conditions. The speaker claimed that God shows love to the believers if they 1) obey Mohamed 2) follow the rules of Islam and 3) show love to fellow Muslims. Then he went on to say that suffering or testing is a sign of God's love. It's an opportunity to work off sins. He emphasized that we all sin. Even catching a cold is an opportunity to pay for sins. He said the backslidden are not tested as much by Allah. If a Muslim passes the test of suffering he has a better chance at entering heaven.

A Muslim 'slave' is obligated to follow all the rules of Islam. He has no rights and can't question God, his master. What is decreed for him will come to pass. He is a slave of God until he dies.

The radical message of the New Testament is that we have the right to become sons and daughters of God. We are given assurance of sins forgiven and a place in heaven if we accept his offer of salvation and covenant(permanent) relationship.

The words "bondservant or slave and servant" used as metaphors in the New Testament indicate absolute devotion to Jesus. Paul, Timothy, James, Peter and Jude all describe themselves as "bondservants of Christ". This was their response to Jesus.

Jesus said "my burden is light"(Matthew 11:30). We receive immense benefits when we go Jesus way. We receive freedom in Christ. I too want to respond --"here's my life, take and use it."

My Muslim friend welcomed input from non-Muslims when he arrived. Sadly, as he becomes more settled into the Muslim community, he has become rigid in his thinking. Halal and haram are now very important words to him.

Dear God, I pray for my Muslim friends who are holding on to the only identity they know. I pray that they would seek freedom. Amen.

Fishers of Men

Jesus said, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Matthew 4:19.

In this metaphor Jesus promises to teach Peter and Andrew the ‘Secrets of Effective Evangelism.’ So, what are some tested and effective principles?

1.  Friendliness

Fish are drawn into the net or to a lure that looks like lunch.

In evangelism, ability to relate to a Muslim is key—to draw them in. Showing a genuine interest in his life is a good first step. And the only way connections happen with Muslims apart from programs is by us taking the initiative.

Friendliness gets me in the door.

2.  Availability

If a person wants to catch fish, he has to be available on their schedule. Nicodemus, a Pharisee, came to Jesus after dark when he wouldn’t be noticed by others.

With Muslim men who are ultra-busy I have to work around their family responsibilities, work, and community events. 

Paul said, “This one thing I do.” Fishing does require focus. Muslim evangelism flows smoother if this is a priority.  

Availability puts me on their schedules or calendar.

3. Wisdom

Each kind of fish has their preferred habitat.

It takes time to understand a Muslim man, his needs and where there is a point of entry into his life.

With men the conversation often drifts over to politics and religion. We are more interested in the kingdom of heaven. At other times, men try to convert me. It’s their obligation. A personal testimony helps shift the focus to 'how God has changed me.'

It’s important for our friends to actually read scripture before they talk about faith a lot. Great conversations can start from asking about their faith. And then turn around with having the last word using the Bible.

There are times when we hear the Spirit saying, "you’ve done your part". We showed a particular International student love and care numerous times. In the final end, he rejected the message.

Wisdom helps me to understand the way to a Muslim’s heart.

4. Flexibility

I was fishing with a friend. Nothing seemed to work so I changed bait and hooks. Finally the fish started biting.

Ironically, this friend I was fishing with is on a search for purpose and meaning in life and I’ve been trying various ways to keep the spiritual conversation going. We brace ourselves for the tough questions Muslims will ask us. And then we find out that few of them raise any objections. In fact, I’m meeting ‘Muslim’ atheists and agnostics.

I’ve found that the approach varies with each person—one method doesn’t fit all. So, flexibility is important. The Holy Spirit helps me discern if there is spiritual hunger. 

Flexibility helps me to be relevant.  

God has called us into action. The goal in our 'fishing' is in others being reconciled with God and with each other. Like fishing for fish, fishing for men—sometimes it seems there is so much wasted time. We don’t easily give up. We so badly want to deliver the message Jesus has for them.

Our Iranian friend drew up a landscape plan for our simple house. He strategically placed trees, bushes and decorative shrubs to put the focus on the entrance—the door. God sends us to strategic spots to direct Muslims to the Door—to Jesus. You and I are God’s messengers.