Monthly Archives: September 2019

And maybe they do. But only for a slice of the Muslim world, not the whole enchilada.

The Muslims making a splash in the headlines and in our psyches today are not a small bit of a single, homogenous whole. They are all Muslims, but they are not “all Muslims.” They are indicative of the whole only in the same way a box of crackers is part of a grocery store. Are crackers groceries? Certainly. But the store also has cheese, bacon, Tic Tacs and yams.

We’d be wise to get more sophisticated in our understanding and help our buds to as well.

Case in point: The 16 million Malay people of Malaysia. 99.9% of them are Muslim, most are faithful and orthodox, but very few are taking up arms to enforce their chosen style of Islam. Whatever is behind it, culture, ethnicity, living in a winsome and generous land, Malay people show a kinder, gentler face of Islam.

I know from personal experience that they are willing, even fervent, in their desire that others should know the hope they’ve found in their faith. But violence and belligerence are not part of their approach.

You know as well as me, no news anchor is going to look into the camera, brow furrowed and declare, “A Malay family had a nice, relaxed evening yesterday. This follows what appears to have been a tasty and more or less healthy dinner. More after the break.”

Here’s the point: What we hear most about Muslims, doesn’t accurately describe most Muslims. The fuller picture, and the nature of Jesus, indicate hopeful engagement, rather than fear and isolation is our best bet. (Tweet this.)

September 11, 2001. 

Yesterday we commemorated the 18th anniversary of the tragedy. Again we mourned both the ending of life and the beginning of 18 years of war. I watched this news compilation, reliving the staggering amazement and horror.

If you have suffered as a result of 9/11, if you lost someone on that day or since, as the ripples of this evil expanded through the years, I’m sorry. I don’t know nor understand your suffering, but I pray for you. I pray for us. May God lead us forward to hope and peace.

In what may be a small, preliminary, spark of an answer to that prayer, a group of evangelical Christians has been meeting with leaders in Saudi Arabia this week, including Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince of the country.

According to leader Joel Rosenberg, “The group discussed the Kingdom’s sweeping reforms and encouraging battles against terrorism and violent extremism. The group also discussed. . .matters of religious freedom, human rights, Iran, Israel and the peace process.”

Rosenberg pre-empted critics, adding, “While it may surprise some that we would choose the week of September 11 to visit the Kingdom, we actually feel there is no more appropriate time to focus on where the Kingdom must go, can go, and where we believe it is going.”

I don’t know Rosenberg nor his full agenda. But I think we all want God’s kingdom to come to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, so I’m happy for efforts like this and pray for their success.

To paraphrase Churchill, it’s better to talk than shoot.

Thank you to the many people who generously responded to my giving campaign over the past three weeks. Together you all donated nearly $2000 to keep Muslim Connect moving forward and to support the work God has given me to help Christians love Muslims and Muslims love Jesus.

Much of what I ask you to do in Muslim Connect can be done from your couch: Think differently, pray, advocate for biblical behavior toward Muslims. Other things require getting up, facing a little discomfort, maybe expending some social capital.

Because I want everyone to get on board, the challenge usually comes in the form of short hops and doable steps. But not today. This challenge is a one-way ticket.

Today I want to team up with my mentor, Greg Livingstone, and invite you to trade your whole life where you are to go live as an ambassador of Jesus among Muslims in a place where there are few or maybe even none yet.

Greg says, “God is asking me to spend the rest of my days finding team leaders for places like Pakistan and Eritrea, cities like Aleppo, Grozny and Bagdad.”

Let your imagination run for a moment: You gather a cadre of intrepid friends and relocate for a decade to Faroffistan. What pain and joy would attend this life? What sacrifice and work would it take? What would success look like? What would have to be acquired and what would be left behind?

“Could my family do it?”

“Would I ever find a husband, a wife?”

“If I raise my hand and say, ‘I’ll lead,’ would anyone follow me?”

“Would it be worth the cost?”

Jesus responds, “Peace to you. Just as the Father sent me, I send you.”

This role is not for everyone. So I’m wondering, is this me? Is it you? Is it someone you know? Can Greg and I help?

Special Request

Once a year I invite the Muslim Connect tribe to help this effort go forward by giving a financial gift. Muslim Connect has always been free and always will be. But this is your chance to say both “Thanks” and “Go get ‘em!” If you’ve found value in Muslim Connect, I’d be grateful if you’d give. When you do, you’ll get a copy of the brand new, “Ten Things Christians Should Know About Muslims” pdf. I’m crazy excited about the content and layout of this new piece. It’s designed to shake things up a bit and would look great in your church bulletin. 

Click here to help Muslim Connect go forward and get the new “Ten Things” pdf. Thank you.