Think Out Loud

Last week, after enjoying the pleasures of the very fulfilling long weekend, I had the opportunity to celebrate the end of Ramadan with muslim friends. Since Eid ul-Fitr is the equivalent of Christmas for muslims, we at OB gave a treat to muslim children in Payatas' Muslim Community. With ages ranging from 2-17, more than one hundred muslim children received toys (Toy Story), loot bags, and hygiene kits.

But, it didn't end there (of course there always has to be a catch!). The most important highlight of that event was the bead story. We gave out "friendship bracelets" which has colored beads attached to it and each child received one. Each color represented something. The gold bead represented the heaven, the red bead represented Jesus' blood, the white bead represented a clean heart, the green bead represented growth, and the black bead represented sin.



Yes, in the midst of a muslim community in broad daylight during their most anticipated time of the year, unfalteringly we shared the truth about Jesus' intense love and care for them. The kids' curious looks and eager faces when the "bead story" was being told was priceless. It was even better than the looks they had when they received their treats.

When asked what he learned, a 9-year-old muslim child answered, "I learned the different meanings of the colors in the bracelet given to us and I learned about the love of Jesus. I am happy because Jesus loves me so much."

Just imagine how many millions of angels rejoiced and sung praises in the heavens when these innocent yet insightful words came out from the lips of this 9-year-old Muslim child. If that doesn't enliven your hope for an overwhelming record number of our Muslim friends to turn to Jesus and love Him with all their heart, soul, and strength, I don't know what will. Such a beautiful sight that will be.

If you are a teacherplanting seeds in the hearts of the next generation, believe that these these seeds will sprout and bear fruit like that of a tree planted firmly in a stream of water. It will not run dry or die.

I just read Joel Rosenberg's blog and I read about Reza Kahlili, an ex-CIA spy who spied on the Revolutionary Guards of Iran. Now a former muslim, this man shares how he renounced the teachings of Mohammed and turned to the teachings of Jesus Christ.
Here's an excerpt of his blog:

A childhood friend talked me into joining the Revolutionary Guards because of the knowledge and expertise in computers I had learned in the United States. But only months later I was shocked to witness the most heinous crimes taking place under the banner of Islam...

So I renounced Islam and began the quest to find the real God, the one who had blessed me so often in very dangerous times as a CIA spy. In that journey through a few Christian friends, I came to learn about Jesus. I found myself deeply moved by the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth. His words spread through my soul as seeds sprout and grow, opening my eyes and my heart to the real love of our Lord. It was then that I knew beyond doubt that the Bible was the true Word of God. That Jesus was the One I had always been looking for. 

Click here to read more of his story.

May this testimony encourage you to keep praying for the muslims, and may this testimony enliven your hearts to believe that there is still the hope of salvation and eternal life for our muslim friends all over the world. Next time, it wouldn't be Eid ul-Fitr. Instead, it will be a banquet night with loud chorus of praise. "Hossana! Hossana to God in the highest!".

Since the rise of dictatorship to the restoration of democracy, the Philippines has become nothing but a bygone. Year after year, the once highly regarded country in Asia sank deeper and deeper into a quick sand of ill luck where poverty is everywhere, children are dying, journalists are on the run, criminals are walking around freely, power is coveted, and hard-earned tax money are vanishing. Crimes have become nothing but a sign of normality; the scales of justice tipping favorably on one side. It's a well-crafted tar pit of wickedness. And through the years, it just hardened the hearts of many and sadly, left millions hopeless.

Was the country discovered only to be doomed in the end? Is it bitter fate? Probably many believed it that's why many have become apathetic.

But in the midst of the abysmal quandary, there were brave ones who stepped up. Too much negativity and wrongness were a jolt of electricity that pushed them further into boldness.  Finally, people braved to question such circumstances. Is it really fate? Are we really inclined to doom? No, it's not. And we have to do something about it.

Being known as the "only Christian nation in Asia", Filipinos used a weapon they were good and known to be good at: Prayer. During the first People Power Revolution, people joined together to pray. During the second People Power Revolution, people once again prayed. And when things heated up even worse than the last, the Christian people once again came together to fast, pray and and repent for the sins of the nation for three whole days. Such an event was held a month before the last presidential elections. Now there's a new president. It's been a year and if one looks at the newspapers, it seems that God has been listening to the cries and prayers of His children after all. Massive expose's are happening. Government offices are being swept clean of corruption. Most importantly, throngs of people are giving their lives to the Lord.

The "Only Christian Nation in Asia" believed that this quandary happened not because of fate, but because of the nation's high disregard to the Word of God through the people's blatant wickedness and craftiness. It's a consequence of faults ignored and consented. It's a punishment brought by the Almighty God.

Interestingly, the Philippines is not the only one who thinks that the nation's problems were a consequence of disobedience to God. Thousands of miles away, through scorching deserts and war-torn streets, the Muslim Radicals also believe that their "bad luck" is caused by a spiritual force.

What happened to the Muslims?


Centuries ago, the Muslims were once considered a world power. Their military and economic powers were vast and great. They once led the world into the era of discovery. They were great in scientific feats. They owned vast areas of land. They conquered, killed, enslaved, and wrapped the world into their own hands. But now, their former glory has become nothing but a trail of dust. They are now ruled by tyranny. Muslim people live in terror. Their once "glorious" soil has become a breeding ground of terrorists.

What had happened?

Bernard Luis, a Princeton University Scholar on Islamic and Middle East History, gave an interesting explanation on this. Since the Muslims centuries ago made travel to Asia very difficult for the Westerners, the Westerners decided to find ways on how to get to the East continent without having to pass through the dominating Middle Eastern countries. And so, what started as a dangerous voyage to the unknown became an eruption of discovery for the Westerners. Their knowledge, where a majority was contributed by the Muslim scholars, was leveled up. It certainly left the Middle East behind. And before they knew it, they were "choked" by Islam while the "rest of the world moved on".

Centuries later, the Muslim's pride was trampled on after the tumultuous defeats they gathered at their end. Worse, the abhorred Israel was recognized as a country and defeated them in a series of wars. This enraged the Muslims, particularly the radicals. They believe that this ill-luck of power change with the West was nothing but a spiritual thing. They believed this was a punishment of Allah for their impudence and insolence. Their leaders have become secular. Their government has forgotten the Islam. With that, they saw the need to re-educate their people and bring them back to the roots of Islam religion, including killing the "unbelievers" which is infamously known as the "Jihad".

To this day, Middle Eastern countries run by Radicals are being led by their religious ideals. But while the Philippines is called the "only Christian nation in Asia", Middle East has Iran which is the "only Islamic nation in the world" because their Islam-run law. The two countries have similarities in terms of believing that their ill luck is caused by a spiritual force, but while one is run by peace and love, the other is run by radicalism and hatred.



This essay was based from the non-fiction book of Joel C. Rosenberg entitled Inside the Revolution.

Joel Rosenberg has a new book entitled The 12th Imam and I'm on the lookout!

It was just published a week ago. I only found out about it through Kuya Ben. He received an e-newsletter from CBN International last week and one of the things they featured was Rosenberg's new book.

Hopefully by December copies will be out here in the Philippines. Maybe I should try asking OMF if they will produce copies and sell it before the year ends. I hope the cost would still be P300.

This will be a good book to read for the Christmas break.

I want to have one SOON!!!!

I'm so excited!!!

Book review by blogger Michelle V

This story, just as his others, is extremely thought-provoking, it's action-packed, full of espionage, danger, and suspense. But, it also has characters that you care about. If I don't care what happens to the characters then even a great story isn't going to keep me hanging on. David Shirazi is our main character in this particular story and he's a great character! I was rooting for him the whole way! And when the story ended, I didn't want it to be over.

This story is very relevant in the days we're living in. The events are not so far-fetched, and you can easily see these things happening. Not only that, but they fit with Biblical prophecy. That's what makes his books so thought-provoking!

I very highly recommend this book to anyone. It's full of fast-paced action, suspense that will keep you on the edge of your seat, and a story line that will keep you thinking long after you've finishing the book. There are characters that I deeply cared about and when it was over I still wanted more! If you're a Rosenberg fan, you'll love this one, and if you're not a fan, then I hope you'll give this one a try because I think you'll become a fan. His books are entertaining, relevant, and pack a powerful message.

Book Summary:

As the apocalyptic leaders of Iran call for the annihilation of Israel and the U.S., CIA operative David Shirazi is sent into Tehran with one objective: use all means necessary to disrupt Iran’s nuclear weapons program, without leaving American fingerprints and without triggering a regional war. At extreme personal risk, Shirazi executes his plan.

A native Farsi speaker whose family escaped from Iran in 1979, he couldn’t be better prepared for the mission. But none of his training has prepared Shirazi for what will happen next. An obscure religious cleric is suddenly hailed throughout the region as the Islamic messiah known as the Mahdi or the Twelfth Imam. News of his miracles, healings, signs, and wonders spreads like wildfire, as do rumors of a new and horrific war.

With the prophecy of the Twelfth Imam seemingly fulfilled, Iran’s military prepares to strike Israel and bring about the End of Days. Shirazi must take action to save his country and the world, but the clock is ticking.