A Book to Ponder During Lent

If you're looking for a book on Jesus Christ to read during Lent, I highly recommend The Life & Teaching of Jesus Christ by James S. Stewart. I came across Stewart's book when I was looking for such a one to read during Advent. I found his writing to be engaging, scholarly, and filled with personal passion for knowing his beloved Savior. 

Several years ago I had determined to know more about my Redeemer and so began to study Him in more depth in the Scriptures as well as through the insights and study of authors who have a supreme regard for Him. Stewart's book was a slow but delightful read in this regard. Slow because his insights drew me to ponder and consider Jesus Christ in ways I had not previously. I needed to savor the narrative.

James S. Stewart was a Scottish preacher, born in Dundee in 1896 and was viewed by some as the greatest preacher of the twentieth century. He was also Chair of New Testament Language, Literature, and Theology at New College, Edinburgh University and chaplain to King George V and later to Queen Elizabeth. He died in 1990. 

As one biographical author has commented, "In summary, Stewart fused scholarship and evangelism in a style and delivery that was bold, stirring, positive, lyrical, joyous and often exhilarating." I haven't heard Stewart preach, but I found this to be true in his writing of The Life & Teaching of Jesus Christ.

Finding Jesus

I had heard about Nabeel Qureshi's book Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus shortly after his death in 2017. People were talking about how untimely his death seemed to be because his testimony of coming to faith in Jesus Christ was so remarkable and was a lamp out of Islam for fellow Muslims. We received the book as a gift, and so I recently pulled it off the shelf to read after the new year. It's a book from the heart and pen of this former devout Muslim who sought to verify his faith in Islam, yet found his faith in Christianity. 

The book begins as Nabeel describes his upbringing in the Islam faith as one of devoted familial love as well as love and care for others in their faith, particularly those in their local mosque. I found this section of the book quite helpful as it gave me an understanding of the Muslim mindset. 

As Nabeel continues to tell his story, we're introduced to a Christian classmate, David Wood, who became Nabeel's college friend--a friendship that lasted throughout the remainder of Nabeel's short life. God used this relationship as the vehicle to challenge Qureshi's thinking about Islam and Christianity. Because Nabeel was a truth seeker, he sought answers for the questions David was asking. In his search he found the undeniable truth about Muhammed the prophet and the undeniable truth about Jesus the Christ. To embrace Jesus, however, meant to be disowned by his family and Muslim community, a difficult choice that Qureshi wrestled with for many months. 

The book impacted me in a couple of ways. First, as I mentioned, it gave me an understanding of how a Muslim thinks about Muhammed and Allah. Another was understanding that God sometimes speaks to them through visions and dreams to draw them to Himself, which seems to be different than how He draws the Western heart and mind. 

A further aspect of the book is that his friend David was God's agent for reaching into the heart and mind of Nabeel Qureshi for the sake of his soul. We never know when God wants to work through us for the sake of another. Nabeel died from stomach cancer when he was 34, about the same age as Jesus at His death. While God allowed death to take Nabeel, his writing about his encounter with Christianity continues to lead other Muslims to Jesus Christ and saving faith. To God be the glory.

Caring for the Weak and Vulnerable

I learned today of a friend's death from complications of COVID. It is indiscriminate in its victims. It does most of its damage to the vulnerable and ravages the weak. Even those who feel invincible can find themselves in its grip. It has made us more cautious. More aware of our frailties. More aware of our mortality. Most have realized its potential and altered their ways accordingly. 

Most of us will make it through to the other side of this pandemic. Many have not. As of today, two million globally have not. For their families, we weep. For Kathi's family, I weep.

We urge you, brethren, 

admonish the unruly, 

encourage the fainthearted, 

HELP THE WEAK,

be patient with everyone.

- 1 Thessalonians 5:14 -

Peace of Mind

 As we were reminded this morning by one of our pastors:

You keep him in perfect peace 

whose mind is stayed on you,

because he trusts in you.

Trust in the LORD forever,

for the LORD GOD is an everlasting rock.

Isaiah 26:3-4