Reaction to CNN’s Christiane Amanpour “My Mother’s Daughter”

You can watch the video on CNN — Please Click Here

The truth seekers across the globe are coming to a point where they can’t stand any religion or ideology that is nominal or lukewarm. If you are a Buddhist act like Buddha, Islamic, the way Mohammad would, and if Christian, the way of Christ—just be real! Then and only then will the world see the differences and find the right way (which is Christ). Secular society has taught everyone to place their lives into their own hands and enjoy the pleasures of this world. The loss? Everything eternal.

The reason for having you watch the short film is to show you that in the process of searching for truth one must see that this creed has indeed changed your life. This woman found that in Islam. Her mother is appalled but can’t give any foundational reasoning in the Bible or of the credibility of Christ except traditions and colleagues disapproval. The daughter on the other hand can. She has a better health message (she stopped smoking, eating pork, and drinking), answers to social questions (rights of women), and spiritual connection. Why should she turn back then?

The world has placed all the religions, ideologies, and superstitions in a storefront for any passersby to see. There are the mannequins posing the latest fashions and ideas of each religious brand. Each promises something enticing to attract a searcher into the store. Many are already in the store, trying on different clothes; reading different books; or socializing with different people. However many leave overwhelmed by the mass selection on display. “Where is the owner of the store?” they ask while leaving. Where is the organization? Why are there so many types? Where is the one that I need? With no answer, they leave in frustration the same way they came—empty-handed.

Tell me; are you the same as everyone else—religiously speaking? We say that the Lord (the owner!) is coming back soon but we are not willing to lead the searcher to the right place, to prepare them for the soon coming of their savior. If you aren’t working as a store clerk, don’t be mad when someone picks something different than what you know to be best. Actually, please don’t fuss at all until you are ready to be like Moses when “he chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time.” (Hebrews 11:25)

Amen.

Three Strikes

Have you ever been tested by someone? Maybe by a boyfriend or girlfriend, maybe boss or parent or possibly your kids. Whoever it was, they probably wanted to know your thoughts or stance about a certain topic.

Now, let me ask this question again, being more specific. Have you ever been tested by God? I have. Just a couple of days ago, actually, and sadly I failed.

This test was simple—the Lord wanted me to do simple acts. I response was also simple—no. Why? I am not sure.

Let me fill you in. A couple of days ago, I was on the bus heading to work. At one stop, a lady got on the bus obviously distraught. I had noticed that in her pursuit of catching the bus, she had lost her shoe in a puddle of water. Looking back, that had to have been the last straw to a bad day, because she started crying right there on the bus.

Before getting off at my stop, I felt the Lord impress me to encourage her. But instead of words of comfort, I closed up in fear and quickly walked off the bus.

The Lord wasn’t done with me yet, for no further than 50 feet away was a homeless lady with her head down. Her body language screamed DEPRESSED! “Ok, this time, I wanted to make up for my mistake before,” I told myself. So I stopped to say something. But, still nothing. So I walked on.

My connecting bus shortly arrived. I got on and sat down. I was frustrated! I wanted to do what the Lord asked of me, but I felt so helpless in the battle against fear and selfishness. As I sat, looking out the window and pouting, the Lord gave me one more chance.

This was a simple test, the man across the aisle needed a dollar. He had asked one of his buddies but to no prevail. I got excited. I had a dollar! Actually two of them! This time I made up my mind to share, but just couldn’t get my mouth to open. As I watched the window of opportunity close, I knew I had struck out.

This is a common theme in the struggle to grow more like God. Peter, Jesus’ disciple went through the same thing. And just like Peter, we will fail and maybe often. But hopefully, just like Peter, we will learn from our mistakes.

-The Author