Ex-Muslim

There have been numerous books written lately of radical conversions in other parts of the world. But unlike those stories, Naeem Fazeel, was in the United States of America when God chose to save him. Yes, he is Muslim. Yes, he group up in the middle East, Kuwait to be exact. But he came here and God did something radical in his life.

Ex-Muslim is the story of his journey from childhood to the journey to America, following in his brother's footsteps. Naeem writes this memoir in such a fashion that gives God all the glory for his salvation and his ministry that he is involved in now. He is an avid student of the Word of God and as he writes and relates Scripture in its context he makes it come alive. 

He educates the reader on Islam, and explains each of the five important pieces of that faith. That is extremely helpful in understanding what it takes for someone to come out of Islam and to embrace Christianity. Although he has a radical conversion that is very experiential, he mostly relates those experiences back to God's Word. This is extremely important, especially in this day and age, when truth is so many times questioned.

Anyone reading this book will come away with a renewed awareness of God's sovereignty in salvation and life in general. And an understanding about how very Satanic false religions are. This was a very encouraging book. 

His Righteousness Not Mine

As my study continues through the book of Romans I stand in awe. (John Piper's sermons are guiding me.)


I was born bad because my heart is bad. I have nothing to offer Christ in and of myself. But He has offered me His righteousness which is the only means to having a relationship with my Savior.


He drew me at a young age. At 4 years old I prayed to receive Christ into my life. I knew not what this life consisted of. I knew not the challenges I would face. But I knew that Jesus died for my sins and I wanted to surrender my little life to Him. As the years came and went, my understanding grew. And still does. Each year I gain more heart knowledge of what this journey is about. And I gain more faith in putting my all in His hands. 


But without the righteousness imputed to me, I would have no hope. It was forgiveness and Christ's death on the cross that sets one free from sin, but without Christ giving me His righteousness, I am lost and dead without hope. When God looks at me, He sees His Son's perfect life. Not my pitiful, measly works.


This is transforming. This is salvation. This salvation is the Gospel. This Gospel is what saves me. And will keep me.

Romans 1:16-18
"For I am not ashamed of the Gospel; for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith, as it is written, 'the just shall live my faith'. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness, suppress the truth."

God's love was the force of sending His Son. But His Son's righteousness is the means of salvation.

A Heart For Freedom

This was a book I had a hard time putting down. Chai Ling, the author of A Heart For Freedom documents her life and involvement in the Tienanmen Square movement.

I was 16 years old at the time of these happenings; half-way across the world. I was far from this incredible world disaster; both physically and mentally. I am about the same age at Chai Ling and am amazed at the strength she had to endure what she did.

Her writings in this book are clear and concise. As you read it you feel as if you are right there in the middle of the happenings. But this book is also a memoir of the horrific political and social unrest that continues in China. Chai Ling takes us through the most recent years of her life and the healing that had to take place due to the atrocities she endured.

The most exciting event that took place in Chai Ling's life is her salvation. After being raised in a typical Chinese home and embracing Buddhism, she arrived in America still full of emptiness and hurt. The Lord did some amazing things to bring her to Himself. Her story is one that will captivate you and inspire you to make a difference in the world around us.

Chai Ling, Thank you for sharing your incredible journey with us.

As a part of the Tyndale Blogger's Network, I received a free copy of this book.

The Greatest Miracle of All

My great God can do anything; heal the lame, give sight to the blind, make the ears of the deaf opened. But the greatest miracle of all is Salvation; turning the heart of stone to a heart of flesh.

Seeing God's Faithfulness

Today, I took sometime to read some emails in my inbox folder labeled, "Hoss". These were notes that many friends and family had written to us during the time last summer that "Hoss" was unwise and wrestling within and outside of himself which brought him to where is now resides. Agape Boys Ranch.

As I read them, all sort of emotions came into my heart. Gratefulness. Fear. Anxiety of the Unknown. Thanksgiving. Love. Determination. Uncertainty. Any many more.

But the over arching theme was the love of my fellow brothers and sisters as they spiritually and physically supported (and still support) our family through that tremendous trial.

As I read over the prayers written to us during those months, I realized just how much God has done in our lives and "Hoss"' life since last August.

There was a prayer for reconciliation...this has begun.

There were many prayers for his salvation. He has committed his life to Christ.

We pleaded with our Lord for repentance and restoration. Our precious son knows our love for him and most of all, His savior's love for him. He has repented. Praise God for the work that He is accomplishing in "Hoss"' life.

This Adoption Mama sure misses her boy. But I thank my Jesus for loving me enough to grow me and change me. I pray my boy will grow to be a strong and mighty man for his Master.

Mom's Surprise Meeting

Since mom's passing, there has been much time spent going through photos and in turn, many memories. This memory has again become vivid.

Five years ago, on March 17 to be exact, a little 10 month old came into our lives. We named him Elisha Daniel.

This was the same year, in February to be exact, that my parents and my sister and her family moved from "home" to Tennessee, which I know now they consider home.

This precious little boy had very special needs and we were so grateful to have the chance to raise him as our own and see what miracle God could do in his life, for we had already experienced God's amazing power in our precious daughter's life.

But, God had his own agenda. Due to the laws in Florida, because Elisha was over six months old, his birth mother had the option before three days was up, to ask for his return. We received that call at the 3 day mark. Up to this point in our lives, this was the hardest thing we had ever had to do. My beautiful husband did this alone, as I could not handle this seemingly inhumane act. And he did it with such grace, not leaving that meeting without sharing Jesus with his birth mother. His words were, "I know Someone who has done what you have done; giving up your son. He knows the hurt, but more than that, He gave up His son to die for you and me." These were words that I struggled to hear him say...for I was so hurt at what had just taken place.

Not thinking much more could go wrong, we received a telephone call from a detective the following week. "Elisha Daniel" had died....and there was an investigation.

We have never heard what transpired. But I know one thing. He has a home in heaven now.

Many thoughts transpired in my mind during that tremendous trial.
"If Elisha had grown up in that home, there might have never been a conversion and thus he would have most likely lived a very difficult life."
"I would then, never see him again."

But I know now, I will! What is even more amazing and comforting, is that Mom was never able to meet this precious boy. And as I have been talking with children and helping them deal with the loss of their Gran, I suddenly realized that she has met him, just not when and where I would have chosen. God deemed best that Heaven would be that perfect surprise meeting place.

Comfort alone has come from my Father in Heaven.

Hoss' eulogy of Mom

Last Thursday, I received a letter from "Hoss" that he wanted read at Mom's memorial. Those of you who have followed my blog know "Hoss" is not home right now. He is at Agape Boys' Ranch. God has done and continues to do a miraculous work is his life. Here is his eulogy he sent:

"Dear Family and Friends,
Many of you may not know me. My name is "Hoss". I am one of eleven grandchildren in our family. You may wonder why I am writing. Well, out of eleven grandchildren I was the rebel. Right now I am in a boarding school in Missouri. I found out my grandmother was dying around 3 weeks ago when my dad called the school from his job in Florida. He told me I should pray for her because she wasn't doing well and she was not expected to live very much longer. I prayed for her every morning before I got out of my bunk and before I went to sleep every night. Two weeks ago today she called me and talked with me for around seven or eight minutes and told me that this would be the last time I will talk with her until I get to heaven.

Saturday, the 17th, my dad talked with me and told me she would not live through the week. The morning she died I prayed to the dear Lord that I could see her and talk with her one more time. After I got done praying, one of the staff at my school handed me a letter she had sent me. After I read that letter, I knew that God had answered my prayer. I got the call later that day that she had passed away into heaven early that morning. Friends, my grandmother loved everyone. It didn't matter what color or race you were; she loved you anyway. I know she loved me because she helped me get sent to this school. She really lived the life of Luke 6:36, "Be ye therefore merciful as your Father in heaven is also merciful."

I know that when someone dies we are to cry and all that, but my grandmother told me not to cry, but to rejoice! For she knew where she would be. She was wanting to get off this wicked earth as soon as she could, and she did in the early morning of April, 21, 2010. My grandmother saw Jesus and I know that right now she is singing and rejoicing.

She will go through no more pain. She will never cry unless it is for joy. I think my grandma is very happy with her new home and one day, one day you and I will see her if you are saved. As I end, I know she would want me to ask you all a question.
' Where are you going? Hell? or are you coming to see me in heaven?'

A tribute to mom

Today is the day of Mom's memorial service. This is intended to celebrate her and the life the Lord gave her. Words cannot express what is in my heart. This is my attempt.

Loving, caring, energetic, focused, determined, selfless, overcoming, lover of God and man, lover of God's Word, passionate about the Gospel, organized, organized, organized, loyal, truthful, merciful, joyful, hardworking, beautiful, giving and I can't forget organized, or did I already mention that?

These are the attributes of a very special woman. This woman is my mom.

Mom loved life, but most of all loved the Lord. She had a passion to share Christ with other, even up to the very night Christ took her home. Though she really struggled to breath in the end and had alot of medicaiton in her, she was still determined to let anyone know who called or came by that they, too, would die one day and could be assured that they could also go to heaven if they had a relationship with her Savior.

Her Savior is my Savior. Jesus has taken Mom home to be with Him. She is free from pain and rejoicing with her Lord. This is what brings me comfort. You can be sure that I miss Mom very much. My children miss their Gran, too.

I have so many wonderful memories. Mom loved her children and grandchildren to the fullest. I am who I am mostly because the Lord provided me with a Mother (and Father) who exemplified what every mother should be.

From weekly visits to nursing homes to summer 5 Day Good News Clubs in our neighborhood, my childhood was provided with so many things that helped to frame who I have become. The most significant being the salvation of my dear mother. Without Christ intervening in Mom's life, she wouldn't have been the Mom she was, and I wouldn't be the mom that I am. I miss my dear Mother, but I know I will see her again. I know she has been given a perfect healing. I have cried many tears, but my gracious God has given me the peace that passes all understanding.

I was able to spend the last 2 1/2 weeks of Mom's life with her, helping to take care of her. As we talked about her memorial service, she was firm about one thing. Mom wanted all of you to know how you, too, can have a relationship with Christ. This was the most important thing to her and it should be to you, too.

Cry out to your Creator. He will hear and save.

~ spoken at Mom's memorial

Day Four ~ God's Covenant

Covenant is a word not used in our culture much anymore; maybe because so many people have a hard time even keeping their word. For example, I covenanted with my husband 15 years ago. Yet, in our day and age, even that covenant can be broken very easily.

Think on this: God, creator of the world, made a covenant with Abraham, a mere human. He made a covenant that cannot be broken because the maker of that covenant must keep His word; that is His very nature.

Genesis 12:1-3; 15 was our reading tonight for the Jesse Tree.

Because of this covenant, we, the new testament church, can be grafted into having a covenant with our Maker. AND He promises this:

Philippians 1:6 For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.

I Peter 1:5 ...who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Lord Jesus, Thank you for saving me and keeping me. Thank you for your faithfulness even to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Thank you for making a way for me to be covenanted to you.