latest rate plzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

what is rate as at today plzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Nimshi:
ricadelide:
A_K_O: I'D have preferred Josh's stayed, but I guess no one's complaining. He should've made his point briefly. I did think it was an interesting post though. Bakri is a pain in the rear, but I don't know if to be impressed that his daughter still walks; people like that, you're never sure what they could do.

REALLY! shame some of you guys are so insecure you can't stand one of your own doing boobs job

Sisikill:

I forgot to add this -

I think the topic for this thread is very inappropriate. OP, I am happy you are finding enlightenment in Christianity and I understand you want to celebrate it however I think you could have gone about it getting the Muslims involved or disparaging their beliefs.

Just my two cents. . . for whatever it is worth.

how does sharing  ones testimony and experience disparage other peoples beliefs.

i have said here 2 years ago when there was no islamic militancy and fatuas here i was from a mole family and we are now christians.  there was no single wahala from anybody.  why has the net become a no go area for christians?  it cannot stand and it must not stand

DeepZone:
  Are they going to pay a christian if he/she finds the moon first? 

[b]agent provocateur per exexcellence[/b] you are a one woman one off nightmare.  it is funny how your mind work sometimes,

Gamine:

I hope as people are reading Rhapsody they are

getting food to eat, cloths on their backs and places to lay their head

all these for reading rapsody? where will it end. next you guys will be expecting them to pay social security. we are permitted to be angry. we are asked not to sin

ephesians 4 :26 "Be angry, yet do not sin." Do not let the sun set while you are still angry,

you just nailed your equality rantings on its head with this. so some of your women are not equal too?

DeepZone:
Money does not always define social status. [b]Lola is obviously mixing up with the high and mighty in America, those that Oluchi cannot fathom to meet in her life. [/b]

when you are tempted my brothers and sisters, may God give you the grace to say NOOOOOOOOO

MMMMMMMMMMM some people get wahala

plus_Queen:

I am excited y'all.  Pilgrim keep sharing the word in the e-mails with them.
God is doing something wonderful through this  You know you can always reach me.

sister nwando, thanks for being there. God is on your side. you will not loose your reward.  there is some party now in heaven

you should be able to name your 100% righteous membership church dont you think dear brother?  leave them alone. i we are all not at the same stage of maturity and grace. The good  Lord is working on us all

pilgrim.1:
They hated it when I wasted time doing so; and reading my testimony proved to be more helpful to them. I see their point, and I would refrain from entering into any arguments with our dear Muslim friends.

please heed this advice. there is a spirit behind this religion. i have noticed years ago that arguing with them is completely useless. how do you argue with people who already close their mind before you even start the debate? just state your facts and let the Spirit of God do the work of reaching them.

God bless you and protect you in Jesus name

Joseph6:

i'm not sure how this E-fellowship works but uhm are we being honest with ourselves her. after postin here our next post would be filled with foul language ruby 4 instance wldn't hesitate 2 cuss, what is she doing here, hypocrisy is a disease. this thread shut be closed as it cannot genuinely serve its purpose

mmmmmm i dont agree with cursing or obscene language but is that enough reason to destroy a good house?

are you a christian by the way? what church do you attend if i may ask?

enjoy the fellowship

davidylan*:
. Until then i will be here to support my brothers and sisters here in the Lord.

Amen brother david

plus_Queen:

The testimonies from that testimony are amazing!
I have never been this excited within a 24 hr period!
Wow!
God is moving in a tremendous way.
I wish those individuals could have the courage to post it here themselves.

pressure brings out the best in Christians. you are in my prayers my dear sister. victory victory halleluyah

bible says in 2 Corinthians 4 (New King James Version) note verses 7 - 12 very well

1 Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart. 2 But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. 3 But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, 4 whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. 5 For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
Cast Down but Unconquered

7[i][b] But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. 8 We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed— 10 always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. 11 For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 12 So then death is working in us, but life in you. [/b][/i]
13 And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed and therefore I spoke,”[a]we also believe and therefore speak, 14 knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you. 15 For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God.

dudu19:
I really think we should praise the muslim for having to worship God. Come to think of it what would u say about the majority of the white folks that don't believe God do exist

mmmmmmmmmmm  you mean for beating or fighting the infidels.  as we speak  see what some misguided people are doing for thier god.  pls note the dates. lets stop at only naija's bus stop for now

[b]A question of will  01/09/2008[/b]  http://dynamic.csw.org.uk/article.asp?t=response_article&id=245

Michael Oluwasesin knows that stubbornness isn’t an option, particularly when it’s God who’s calling the shots. And while embracing God’s will may sometimes throw up problems, for anyone who has chosen to follow Him, it is the only possible solution.

Deep in conversation with CSW staff, Michael Oluwasesin speaks candidly about his experiences, recalling a time just one year ago when life as he knew it changed forever. Suddenly, he is distracted by the sound of giggling. Breaking off midsentence, he gazes over towards the sofa and watches his two young children as they clamber over CSW’s Finance Director. As Michael’s mind drifts back to a happier time, his dark eyes sparkle, and his mouth stretches into a broad grin. A few seconds later, the events of the past year come rushing back. He drops his head slightly as the smile fades from his lips. Then, mustering all his faith and dignity, he sighs deeply and succumbs to a will higher than his own. “For God to have allowed it, something good must come out of it,” he reflects.
Painful memories

Michael’s words, spoken with overwhelming conviction and grace, are made all the more poignant as his harrowing story unfolds. It was March 2007, and Michael’s wife, Christiana, was supervising a religious studies exam at the Gandu Government Day Secondary School in Gombe. Catching one of her Muslim students cheating in an exam, Christiana confiscated a paper with Arabic inscriptions which the student had hidden in a book. The student went on to accuse her of tearing a copy of the Qur’an, despite the protestations of Christiana and a Muslim teacher, who confirmed that this feature was not in fact true. Enraged, a mob of students attacked Christiana, and were soon joined by local residents who had come to investigate. Stoned, stripped, beaten and stabbed, Christiana’s body was then burned beyond recognition.
A context of conflict

Christiana’s death came just a year after cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammad were published in a Danish newspaper, causing violence and tension to spread throughout central and northern Nigeria. In total, 57 churches were destroyed in the Borno State capital of Maiduguri, and 65 Christians were murdered. Sadly, outbreaks of inter-religious violence in these parts of Nigeria litter the past of a country where Muslims and Christians are more or less equal in number. In 1999, several of the northern states announced their intention to implement the Shari’ah penal code. Since then, over 60,000 people have died in religious violence, the majority of whom were non-Muslims.

While organised inter-religious violence may be periodic but extreme, daily life for Christians in Shari’ah states consists of a veneer of normality which barely masks an underlying reality of chronic discrimination and tension. Discrimination in employment, education and access to services is commonplace, while churches face their own restrictions with regards to the construction of church buildings. Meanwhile, proponents of full Shari’ah law argue that it is only applicable to Muslims: a view not shared by the Christian community.

In addition, since 2005, the abduction of Christian girls and women in northern and central Nigeria, and their subsequent forcible conversion to Islam, has become an increasingly familiar tale. Worse still, many abductees are minors under both Nigerian and international law at the time of their ordeal.
Rising from the rubble

For Michael and his family, suffering is a raw and ever-present emotion. Having since moved to the south of the country, Michael and his children continue to be haunted by their tragedy. But while instinct initially dredged up feelings of anger, revenge and confusion, Michael has learnt to place his faith and future in God’s hands. Now, he likens Christiana’s death to that of Jesus’. And having walked through the garden of Gethsemane himself, Michael has learnt to embrace God’s will and higher purposes.

Now, he is determined to honour his wife’s memory in a way she would have wanted. A deeply compassionate and caring woman, Christiana had a special place in her heart for underprivileged people suffering from HIV-AIDS. Michael, in his determination to keep her memory alive, has therefore launched the Christiana Oluwasesin AIDS Foundation, which will provide humanitarian assistance to those infected with HIV-AIDS, and will also seek to assist victims of persecution.
Justice

Back in Gombe, the trial of Christiana’s killers has resumed after being temporarily halted when the presiding judge was called to urgent (and legitimate) federal duties elsewhere. While a recent visit to the area confirmed that the atmosphere in Gombe is markedly less repressive, many Christians in northern and central areas still face religious persecution and violence on a daily basis.

Gombe remains a volatile area, and as the trial of Christiana’s killers begins in earnest, fears of fresh waves of violence are never far away. In light of this, the Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Gombe, Anglican Bishop Henry Ndukuba, who in the past survived an attempted assassination, requests continued prayer for peace and for the safety of Christians in the area: “Keep on praying, keep on hoping, and the Lord will perfect what He has started”.
Power to change

CSW, together with our local partners, continues to work tirelessly for Christians in northern and central Nigeria, campaigning to ensure that justice, peace and equality become a reality. We visit Nigeria on a regular basis, uncovering the truth and bringing hope to hundreds of Nigerian Christians suffering religious persecution. What’s more, we’re lobbying key local and international targets so that people like Michael will have their voices heard and will see justice done.

"Keep on praying, keep on hoping, and the LORD will perfect what he has started."

http://dynamic.csw.org.uk/article.asp?t=news&id=768

Nigeria: churches damaged in religious violence ordered to vacate premises  01/08/2008

The congregations of two churches that were extensively damaged last year during religious violence in the Tudun-Wada area of Kano State, northern Nigeria, have been ordered to vacate their premises to make way for the construction of a court house.

The leaders of the Baptist Church and Evangelical Church of West Africa (ECWA) were informed of a decision by the Kano State Ministry of Justice to compulsorily purchase their church sites during a meeting with Tudun-Wada’s Village Head on 29 July 2008.  The church leaders were also instructed to immediately vacate their premises, and to name a price for their sites.  When they requested more time in order to consult their respective denominational authorities, the men were told to return within two days, or risk losing the land and any compensation.  However, during a meeting with church officials on 31 July that was also attended by local representatives of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and members of a Nigerian human rights NGO, the Village Head finally agreed to provide the churches with new sites and certificates of ownership for these sites.  A meeting to finalise all outstanding issues will take place on 13 August.

The Baptist and ECWA churches were largely destroyed in September 2007, when violence broke out in Tudun-Wada following still unproven allegations that a Christian student at the local high school had drawn a cartoon of the prophet Mohammed on the wall of the school’s mosque. At least nine Christians were killed, roughly 1000 were displaced, Christian homes and businesses were set on fire and around ten churches were destroyed during four hours of unremitting violence.

Although they are yet to be fully rebuilt, the two churches are currently catering for Christians of all denominations, whose damaged churches are located in neighbourhoods that have effectively become “no-go” areas for non-Muslims.  However, local reports indicate that both churches are regularly desecrated and have to be cleared of human bodily waste before every Church service.

Stuart Windsor, National Director of CSW said: “An inordinate number of Kano’s churches have either been destroyed during religious violence, or demolished by state authorities to make way for construction projects.  So far, none have received adequate compensation, alternative sites, or certificates of ownership, even when these have been promised.  Consequently, while this public verbal agreement on the part of Tudun-Wada’s Village Head is a very welcome development, we urge him to follow through on this commendable undertaking.  If adhered to, it could contribute significantly towards the search for justice, reconciliation and religious harmony in Kano State.”

reindeer:
please just don't stop praying for me, i have just dusted my old bible out of the store tonight. Any suggestions as to where to start?

that is nice. i still have mine from my primary school days too. as for reading i always recommend John. mark and acts. but whichever book of the bible you choose to start, just the Holy Spirit to teach and explain them to you

God bless you and welcome to the family. there is still room in Jesus heart for all of us. come one come all as they say

i think it should be noted that this lady was kind enough to put this calm reply to the very insulting email above

Well, Abdul. . how are you? I had not intended this thread to be an argument; so allow me to again refer you to Nairaland even though it is not my second home. I will just give the answer and leave it at that.Where did pilgrim.1 read in the Quran that Allah created 7 earths? This is the verse:
Sura 65 v 12. If you consult several English translations, you will find the same thing. So let me give you a few examples:·

Rashad Khalifa's translation:"GOD created seven universes and the same number of earths"·

Bewley:"It is Allah who created the seven heavens and of the earth the same number."·

Yusuf Ali:"Allah is He Who created seven Firmaments and of the earth a similar number"·

Hilali-Khan:"It is Allah Who has created seven heavens and of the earth the like thereof (i.e. seven)"Dear Abdul, instead of being upset with me, it might help to actually calm down and check before berating me.

If I had no such verses, then I would not have made such an assertion. Whatever the interpretation is, that is not my worry for now. I don't want this thread to be an argument platform, so there is your answer.God bless you with the love of Jesus Christ

i elect to be a card carrying member of christianity. we are very many indeed but we are all members of one particular body.  Christ Himself.  the church is marching on and the gates no matter who is trying to erect it will not prevail.

Nimshi:
Unless you have collected the relevant data or have arrived at this opinion from casual observation beyond this board and with representative numbers, then this opinion ought to be restricted to the observation set: perhaps just most (?) of the Muslims you have observed in the Religion section of the board? Note that I'm not trying to discount your finding, only that it ought to be restricted to those you have observed. But one thing: with violence, there're other issues involved; but you're correct that the first and loudest voices are those of the lawless mob; these people succeed in giving Islam a bad name; majority of Muslims are not like this. If time and space and temperament permits (temperament because not many people can tolerate this nonsense of deleting posts, banning people, and locking inspiring threads), perhaps we could discuss. Even if we disagree, perhaps, we could establish a common ground or two, and clear up some misconceptions

one question i would like to ask is why cant people like you and alobowale just learn to leave us alone?  it is a big world. my gran parents were mole people. i didnt understand most of what they did and thank God my small mind understood the words and ways of Christ. i am a very happy christian.  Christianity ticks all the right boxes for me. i wish you all see the light and the freedom i enjoy in being a christian.  i dont like the religion that teaches me to hate people God created. i dont like the God i have to fight to defend his integrity or word. i dont like a God that cant change or be with me always. that is why i love Christ

this violence and hounding must stop. it is getting ridiculous now.

the old song says i didn't know it could be, until it happens to me.

God's grace keeps us all. dont go back to the old fish pond. abstain from anything you know He hates. God is not a task master. He is very easy to walk and relate with.

He loves us far more than our small minds can work out.

enjoy the relationship and welcome to the greatest family on planet earth

i just put it all together.  i just cant beleive people would get banned on seun's land for wriiting their testimony. God help us all.  it is one thing to be sensitive  it is another thing to say people are not permitted to tell their stories.  truth is i was a  bad and wicked person on my way to life of loads of misery like the majority of us before i accepted Jesus into my life. Jesus coming into our lives made us people in relationship with the heavenly father.  Jesus can make anyone whole. why would that hurt any peace loving person?

Thank you again, Queenisha, for this invitation. Actually, a lot of people (including Catholics, non-religious friends and a few Muslims) who visit the forum in this section have hinted the same thing, but I was not quite sure if the time for me to do so was ripe enough.

All the same, I shall try between times to make inputs - although it may not be chronological in order of events. First, I would like to say a few things from the limited perspective of my own experience (so readers should please understand that I do not speak for the whole Muslim ummah). Then going on from there, develop my naratives with a few highlights that are germane to what I ultimately will share. Perhaps, it might help a few who may not be conversant with Muslim terms if I offer simplistic paraphrases where applicable. . . yada-yada-yada.
Okay, here:

I count myself a very fortunate person, having grown up from a humble background, the 3rd child out of 5 brilliant minds from my wonderful parents. Ours was a moderate Muslim family who believed the Quran with all our hearts as the literal word of Allah, and Muhammad as the most noble and last prophet among all those who were prophets. Consequently, we kept our muslim rites with diginity and pride; and whenever any misfortune befell anyone, we simply did not question it and ascribed it to the will of Allah. Certainly, we were very proud to be among "the best of mankind", for our sect in Islam held that very belief as a core value.

Growing Up

My dad was very protective of us children. I never saw a man who was as loving towards his family, or yet as religious in his devotions. He inspired us with his example of deep hunger for knowledge, never boasting of his credentials even though he was widely read. Naturally, I had warmed my way to his heart and 'overthrew' my siblings in the competition for his affection and attention - mostly because I was the most troublesome, rascally, argumentative and often screamed with loud sobs until I got my way. Ironically, I was often bullied in school and would run home to cry my eyes out, instigating my elder brothers to go slap some heads around. often, they would pretend to make a lot of noise but left me to fend for myself.

Our relations with neighbours were cordial. Since our parents respected people, we were brought up never to speak derogatorily about anyone. Trust us, while I and my siblings said 'amin' to that injunction, we would run around and abuse everyone in the neighbourhood. Our parents knew how to handle us - very gently reminding us of being thrown to hell with unbelievers - the kafir/infidel. For me, it was worse than that - because as a young female, it was only from my dad I heard that women far out numbered males in hell. All the same, we had the fortune of being loved by our parents.

We lost almost everything when the then Lagos State government relocated people from Maroko because the place was to be developed for new residents and businesses. I was away on holiday in the north (Kano) and arrived Lagos as a lost child. The cohesion we enjoyed in the Muslim community in Eti Osa easily helped me reconnect with my family, and we found a place to settle in Ipaja.

I was looking forward to returning to school when the fortune came for us to travel abroad. Briefly, I've travelled extensively around Europe, visited home several times and then finally . . em. .  fell in love. The problem was that he was a Christian, and for a Muslim lady to date a Christian man was just simply a violation of our belief in Islam. But that incident opened my eyes to the realities of my faith - where do I go from here?


To be continued. . .

So, I fell in love with a Christian, not so much because he was unashamed to be identified as one; but more because he was intelligent, terribly handsome and everyone was talking about him. It wasn't long before I also  drove away all my rivals with assertiveness and got him to notice me.

the big thing, however, was that I was too scared to let anyone at home know. I also thought that if I could get him to be devoted to me (not that I was even that pretty like Beyonce), then he would soon want to propose and then be converted to Islam.

We kept our "secret" going for a while; but sooner than later we got talking about our faith and God. The thing that struck me was that he never argued back. Smiling, he would listen to my rants for ages, and I could see his European face blush with embarrassment, and then when I was done, we talked about other things. . especially about Nigeria. He had always wanted to see Africa, and here was the girl that was pumping up his adrenaline towards that visit.

It was never to happen. They moved to another state in the USA - and he had not even stopped by to let me know. I was so embarrassed in class when someone else broke the news, and thought within myself: "ye right! the Christian he was!" Moments later that very day, I got a letter from him, explaining why he could not come to our house to speak to me - because of my "radical father".

That semester was tough for me, and I spent too much time thinking about him that I failed my exams. But I had woken up to ask a lot of questions about why we were so divided if we believed in the same 'God'?

I healed from it, fell in love again with yet another Christian. This time, I didn't waste anytime breaking the news to my mum. She wisely asked me to speak to my dad about it. Three weeks passed before I did. Smiling, he only asked his name. I had barely pronounced his name before he said that I needed to prepare for a very important trip with him to Pakistan. The thing about my dad is that he never forced us to do anything; but this time I saw the stern warning and knew better than to object. I'll skip the visit to Pakistan and come back to it later. Suffice to say that I had to swallow my words when I witnessed the hudood law, and that again brought serious questions to my mind.

I hate you!

My boyfriend's place was one of my first port of calls when I returned to Georgia, USA. Being a moderate muslimah wasn't a problem mingling in school with friends in the democracy of the West. He welcomed me warmly, shook my hands and accorded me all the respects. I didn't waste time presenting my souvenirs to him - an English translation of the Quran by Yusuf Ali. Thanking me, he did what most Muslims find very offensive - he placed the Quran on his coffee table! But that was my mistake, because I belonged to the sect in Islam who believed that the hands of a kafir/infidel should never touch the Quran. I snatched it up, walked out and promised myself I was never going back to their home.

A few weeks passed, he always tried to call but I never answered. Meanwhile, I had begun to wonder about the strange appearance of Christian literature in my dad's study. I never questioned him about this, but thought he was arming himself with information to deflate Christian apologists. There were churches all over Atlanta where we lived, and I thought some fellows had been trying to make an impression on my dad - they were in for serious shock (or so I thought).

My Christian boyfriend went away to Afghanistan, having been conscripted to fight the tyrannical taliban. Not that it was any concern of mine, but I begged him not to go, giving the excuse that killing a muslim was seriously earning him hell from Allah. He thanked me, but his mum persuaded him to obey the call of his government. When I discovered what had happened, I prayed for him every single day - but 2 weeks on the battlefield, and he was dead!

Typical of my mindset, I called the mother. When she picked the phone, I yelled into the receiver: "I hate you! You killed my only love!!" She thanked me, and hung up. As a muslim, I didn't attend the funeral (although the democracy of USA was protective enough for me to have done so). However, his sister persuaded me to visit them - and I did. After we settled, the mother (with tears in her eyes and a painful smile), began by saying - (I can't remember everything she said though):

                 "I'm sorry that *Kylie went to war. And I'm sorry he was your love.
                  But I'm his mother, and I have no one to share my hurt. People have
                  said the same things to me; but I can understand your own hurt -
                  because he was the man you had fallen in love with."

Then she gave me a letter Kylie had written shortly before he left:

                  "Dear **pilgrim.1 (**actually he used my name),

                   Life is strange, but whatever happens,
                   I want you to know that I may not come back
                   but I love you so so much it hurts to leave you.

                   Yea, I like your Nigerian accent. . . funny.
                   but I want you to know I and your dad have been talking
                   - ask him, he would tell you. The man loves Jesus more than you know!
                   I do as well, and I deeply long for you know the Jesus you never met!

                   *Kylie, in pure love from Christ."

I left without a word, and went home to ask my dad a question: "Has Kylie been talking church with you?" "No," he said, "he didn't talk church, he talked about Jesus Christ!"

*Kylie was his pseudonym, not real name.



How come my dad is speaking of Jesus this way? There was something warm and genial in his voice as he spoke; but I thought he was trying his best to help me heal after Kylie's demise.

I made so many friends and didn't really care where they came from - Muslims, Christians, Mormons, atheists, adherents of the Grail Message (learnt from several of them that they don't like people referring to them as Grail Messengers). After my elder brother graduated, he quickly got a job as an analyst in a computing firm. The money was big, and he soon settled. But his success also meant that I could get whatever I wanted - still in school, the 'baby' of the family, dady's girl, etc. But, of course, I faced temptations such as was common to everyone. The difference was that by religious convictions, we were encouraged to pursue modesty, but quite in a legalistic manner.

It Begins to Heat Up!

One good thing about the democracy of the West is that people are free to be themselves. Democracy was not a gift of Islam to anybody; but in such an engalitarian culture, I was free to attend masjid (mosque) in the section for women and pray, perform my rites. . . and on very few occasions try to listen to preachers give lectures. At this point, unfortunately, the real issues of my belief system had begun to be seriously questioned.

What was I taught while growing up? So many things about life in genral. In specific terms, we believed that our ummah (the entire Muslim community in contrast to other religious groups) were the "best among mankind". Others were going to hell for rejecting Allah and Muhammad; and it doesn't matter what we as Muslims did, we shall enter jannah (paradise). I liked the sound of all this, until the real question of my place in Islam made me think deeply; especially because as a woman, our sect in Islam believed the doctrine that those who were more in number in hell were women. I never liked discssuing that point; so I acoided it as much as possible.

However, there were other sects in Islam that were more condescending than our sect. They didn't believe in demonizing women, nor were they inclined to the grey areas of human reality. I had friends in such sects; generally, whether or not we said it openly or privately, we all belonged to the group which saw Jews and Christians with seething disaffection.

As I grew up and wasn't running after oyinbo boys anymore (they came chasing me now), those I met were often interested in their faith. I learnt so many things from a lot of them, but up until now I don't know what was attracting me to Christians even though I knew deep in my heart I so hated them. My excuses were that they were responsible for all the evil of the West, all the degradable things in humanity was brought about by their corruption. . . and one day, they would all be vanquished: it was a matter of time! Please note: there are genuine Muslims who are not belligerent, and up until now I have so many friends among them. But while our parents were serious in their devotions and moderate with extreme issues, I had the sad misfortune of being steeped into some extremist elemtal thinking. I'm sorry, but that is the truth (although, thankfully, our sect never encoraged women to participate directly in Jihad).


Wake Up and Smell the Coffee!!

Fast forward. After several debates with a few people, I had quickly been recognized as a local champion, most feared more because of my very saucy language in debates than for my intelligence. I was praised by my friends, and was so deluded for a moment enjoying the ridicule I put Christians to. The Jews I encountered, surprisingly were very intelligent and did not believe in shouting. They, like the Christians, showed a bit more respect and love. So, how was I able to shut the mouths of Christians? Well, I simply spent hours on end at skeptic and atheistic websites to harvest loads of very demeaning quotes and arguments against them!

During this time, my dad was no longer attending masjid (although I don't know when exactly he converted and became a Christian). As children, we didn't bother to ask him about it, because there were many muslims around us as well who were not too keen about attending masjid (mosque). What people don't realise was that even in Atlanta, there were evidently extreme elements who made it their duty to "eliminate" defecters and "apostates". I knew all this - I knew that it only would take just a report and the 'apostate' is quitely 'removed' from daylight.

So, I kept on with this attitude, castigating Christians and Jewish beliefs with more vehemence. You see, what was even giving me this cowardly boldness (oxymoron) was that we could say anything against others; but they could not do the same to Islam! Although no one cried about a blasphemy Law in Atlanta, we believed that we were well protected in the USA culture to slur Christianity and threaten them if they dared do the same to our belief!

Yet again, I had a softspot for another Christian. His father was an atheist, but they yet lived happily and peacefully among themselves. I look back with tears in my eyes and regret for the many evil things I did personally to him, his family and his belief as a Christian. His father liked me so much he would invite me to upset this gentleman. But hey, he never for one day stop praying for me. I challenged him with a rhetoric: "Since you started praying for me, has you Jesus answered you? Don't you see that you're so **$(%** to be a Christian? Christianity does not work - as prophet Muhammad said!"

His answer? It shocked me - and it happened in just that manner. This is what he said:

           "I know Jesus has answered me. He only asked me to be patient
            and to keep praying for you. He said the sign you will see is that
            your dad will call Me "Lord" with his lips. You will hear him say this,
            and you cannot stop him!"

I was scared, but laughed him to scorn. His atheist father liked my scorning; and I left home more dazed than when I began. There was something so unmistakable in his voice that I just couldn't woosh it away.

Then one day, I heard he was terribly ill. What surprised me was that he had requested to see me. What's he up to?

I delayed to go and see my ill  boyfriend. I was in love; but I had been driven more with hate for his being a Christian than for his being a human being. Please understand: this was just me, it does not mean that is the very same attitude every Muslim takes.

When I finally went over, my plan was to ridicule and cajole him  more that his prayers have failed him - and it was time to convert to Islam! I knew he was in love with me; here was my chance to pressure this guy to be a Muslim so that we would be married.

Hold on, let me here say that before this time, I knew or had the feeling that my dad was slipping away from his muslim faith. He read the Quran less, read more of the Bible (I don't know if my mum or any one of my siblings knew, as I was always very free to play in his study). I was so filled with such hate that for Allah's sake I would blew the whistle if I was the first to know that he was a Christian. Night after night, I would spy on him. . . he would either be reading the Bible; or would simply be studying for his Ph.D. I remember asking him for some notes in his Bible study so that I could be better armed to shoot the killer bullet at Christian apologists. But he would often smile and dismiss me.

Then one day, I went downstairs after having been suddenly woken up. I saw my dad bent over on his knees - arms spread out, and I knew he was not praying to Allah! Muslims surely did not bow the way he was bowed! So, I crept silently towards him and saw his face. .  glsitening with tears. His eyes were so gently shut, but he was evidently out of this world. You only need to be there to understand that there are times when people who are filled with the Spirit are so disconnected and fearless that they are too confident nothing around them can harm them!

But here was the shocker: I heard my dad praying to Jesus!! I was dazed, angry, and yet too powerless to even move! What betrayal! What wickedness! What blasphemy! I thought. As I grimaced at both what I was hearing and seeing, I made to move, and yet there was this inexplicable power that stood me there and drew my interest to keep listening to what my dad was saying. then I heard what broke me:

              ". . . even though I cannot preach, I trust You to save my family, Lord Jesus!!"

That was it! Now, this guy is going to pay with his. . . his very life! And I was the one who's going to blow the whistle on him! So I crawled away, my thirst was gone even though I had not drunk the water I came down for in the first place, and I slumped on my bed! What was I going to do? Please forgive me - that was the past me before I became a Christian. I was filled with hate that wee hour of the morning that I cursed and swore at him till daybreak. When we went down for breakfast, my mum knew that something was wrong - my face said it all. But I was determined to tell on "him". This "him" was my dad, but I didn't care one scooby!  I was so filled with hate that I wonder that I was ever delivered from it!

Now back to my boyfriend. I had planned to go over and mock the daylight out of him. Afterall, his Jesus had "failed" him, and it was his misfortune that his dad was an atheist. When I get there, I would simply smile sarcastically and ask him to beg Jesus to heal him. I was so sure it would fail to avail him. . . but I went anyways.

When I arrived, the sight of my boyfriend melted my heart. You would have to be a stone to see such a sight and not be able to extend some sympathy. We talked lightly about other things. I asked if there was anything I could do for him - like make him something light to eat so his medicines would work. He looked pointedly at me and that was when he said that the Lord wanted me to pray and see what He would do!

Was this guy crazy, stupid or plain delirious? His dad an I glanced at each other, and for the first time I saw that he had been crying. What for, I didn't know nor do I know now (although his son hinted me that when his situation got worse that morning and I had not come to spend time with them, he burst into tears because he feared he was about to lose his only surviving son from a bitter divorce). Anyway, I obliged to pray, but that was when he stopped me and asked me to pray as a Christian. For heaven's sake, I am a muslim and proud of it! I almost screamed. But he insisted and said calmly:

               '. . . He wants you to see what He can do; because He said your dad called Him "LORD!"'

Just as more of a joke than anything else, I obliged to pray as a "Christian". . . the only problem was that I would never call Jesus "Lord", and I yet I did not know how to pray a Christian prayer. My boyfriend said Christian prayer was not a ritual; I could pray just as I would have a frank conversation with Jesus.

So, I closed my eyes and (although being sarcastic in my heart), I blurted out: "Jesus, please heal *Joe." I paused, not knowing what next to say. . . and I was about to stutter the subsequent sentence when Joe rolled off the couch and started slowly jumping up! He ran and hugged me and started shouting praises to Jesus Christ! What?!? What was happening here? Whether I believed it or not, Joe had been instantly healed!

Confused, scared, and defeated, I ran home, flung myself to the floor and half-cried and half-prayed that Jesus should be my Saviour. I craved peace, love and deliverance! I wanted Him for real. Please! Please! O pleeeeease!

Thanking Him, I rose up, went to the bathroom and washed my face. I tried to be good to everyone, helpful and very nice to whomever I came across. It went on for a while, I became very close to *Joe, but was too scared to be caught attending church. Oh, life must be so sweet. . . but in reality, it wasn't!

I knew I wasn't saved. The same wicked heart, hate and pride against Christians and Jews were present in me. I tried not to betray these feelings and declined to debate any Christian after that incident. But what happened? It didn't take long before I ran out of gas! I knew I was still lost but was covering up with religion.

So, why is it that my "prayer" didn't work? My father and I (though having a strained relationship on my fault) shared questions and answers! My goodness - Kylie was right! My dad knew and loved Jesus much more than I could ever have known. he wasn't too concerned about theology, even though he has so much insight - but for him it was rather a pratical reality of life in Christ, or nothing else will do. I asked him why I was not born again. His answer? He asked me never to doubt my salvation. But when I argued that I didn't "feel" it and knew that I was still filled with hate towards Jews and Christians in particular, he asked me to take my arguments to Jesus directly - and he would also help to pray for me.


*Joe - a pseudonym used for his real identity here.



I continued that way, but by this time, I had so many questions. My faith in Islam was being seriously shaken to its foundations by the evidence of a miracle I could not deny! I had prayed to Jesus whose deity I formerly denied; I just couldn' understand the Trinity; surely the Bible was corrupt and no one could know for sure where the originals were? Etc., etc., etc.

Even then, I read widely while studying for my MA in Sociology. This course helped broaden my thinking process - and I had access to many materials in respected libraries. I was now a seeker - reading about as many religions as I could find materials on. My dad even feared for me because I was devouring too much information at my "tender age". Then, I saw it! We had been mistaking catholicism for Christianity!!

Please understand me: I am not castigating Catholics here. But you could imagine my shock when I first discovered that contrary to what we as Muslims believed, MARY was not part of the Trinity! Another thing was that we were speaking about Tritheism and not Trinity - and that was how I got it all mixed up.  So many other issues came to the surface:

           - Why did I hate Christians and Jews?

           - Why did I encourage myself to LIE against the Bible when I knew our mullah was not telling the truth?

          - If I believed that the Quran was faultless, how could I defend the idea that Allah created seven earths when we all know there's only one?

All these were the basic theological concerns that drove me to study more. But to make a long story short, there was just one question that was bothering me, and it had to be settled:

          ~ Was Jesus Christ truly LORD?

I thought deeply about it, and after searching seriously for answers, I asked Allah to help me find the truth for myself. The case of the miracle came constantly to mind. . . but my stubborness would not let me see clearly.

However, a strange event moved me to fnally kneel and submit to the power of the Lordship of Jesus Christ. It was not theology that settled it for me, not any scholarship on my part, not anything I knew or did not know: it was just one thing I could not deny - the unmistakable change in my dad's life. I then realized that the reason why I was not born again was because I had refused to call Jesus "Lord". I consequently did pray and opened my heart to Him as both Lord and Saviour - and that moment I knew I was saved!!

All my hate for my dad had melted at that instant. I just coulnd't wait to run to him and fling my arms around him! We cried, praised God together, and prayed. My conversion led to further blessings that astounded me:

(a) my dear mother received Jesus Christ as her Lord the very next day! My dad was shocked. Why? Because she also had been going along as a "Christian" when she learnt of my dad's conversion. Since she did not want a fiasco or divorce, she played the "Christian" wife but later confessed that she never read the Bible since my dad gave her a copy! She had been secretly reading the Quran and praying that Allah would bring us all back to Islam.

(b) but what powerfully convinced my mum was not my change or conversion. I did not know that *Joe had called earlier that afternoon and since no one was at home, he spoke at length with my mum. She had no idea that *Joe was no longer my boyfriend, and as they spoke he told my mum that he missed me and was inviting me to his wedding. Then he told her that his atheist father had become a Christian a month before he died! That news made my mum shudder because she knew this man so well - a very hard-nosed atheist that ridiculed everything about God or Allah. What power could have made this man into a Christian?

(c) when I openly confessed to my family that I had become a Christian, my mum was expressionless that day, just watching me and my dad in that hug and crying our hearts out in thankfulness to our wonderful master Jesus. But the next day she told us all how she came to Christ from all the evidence she had experienced under 24 hours. The very day she gave her life to Christ, my elder brother who had been suffering from mental relapse and had been bed-ridden for years at home through abuse of drugs was healed the moment she prayed for him! Currently, he is in Egypt and serving the Lord as a missionary!

So many things have happened since I became a Christian that I often shy from using them in arguing against non-belief. I have learnt that no theology or philosophy adequately explains WHO Jesus is; it takes His grace to bring us to our senses and know the power of His Lordship and salvation. So far, I have avoided theological explanations here, because this thread is not a platform for arguments but rather what Jesus has done in my life.


I hope to come back and share more on issues where readers may have specific questions. For now, my prayers with you as a reader, that you may know Jesus Christ and His love. I know for definite, that Jesus is real. More than that, Jesus is LORD.

Shalom and God bless you all.




@Queenisha,

Thank you again for this invitation. Infact, if you recall, you had asked the same thing but I declined (that was when I took a long break from the Forum). Between times as I read from my email for others asking me if there was a God (atheists), to those who wanted to know why I left Islam (Muslims), and to others who were just curious as to why I thought Christianity made sense at all (other religious friends). I was tempted many times to just answer their request and oblige them a testimony like this. . . but I had to first pray and seek answers from the Lord Jesus Christ as to what to do.

I had peace all along to do so; but deeper in my heart was the silent voice that said "Wait a little more." I guess His time is always perfect; because if it was earlier than now that Abdul wrote me that email, I might have been irrational in my response. I apologise to everyone that I have ever let down with uncouth remarks, and I pray that you will know the peace I now know in my heart.

Like I said, I still maintain, and will remain so as long as I live: Jesus is Lord - he changed my life, and only to Him should all the glory be! He healed my brother instantly from mental problems, and now is using him in Egypt. My faith may not be as strong for being a missionary, but I never forget to pray for him wherever he goes in Egypt. If God could do that for him after so many years bed-ridden, what can He not do for anyone who would simply trust him?

I am so refreshed and blessed this moment that I just can't stop praising my wonderful Master Jesus Christ! To Him be all honour, praise and adoration.

God bless you all.

anything goes in a lawless state dear brother.

truth is that there are evil and ugly people in our midst.

topup:

Lol, I choose my words carefully, BOYS ARE SELFISH!
Men on the otherhand are wonderful! Boys eventually grow up into men.
Which one are you?

you dont take hostages young lady. it is not your fault God blessed you with wisdom and a good dose of common sence

I'm not well in my body right now.

But i Know its going to be fine.

Amen to your confession. you are already fine in Jesus name

DeepZone:
Lmao; it's obvious by now that the man's lineage remains private. There is no way you haven't tried to get it off me even if it means irking Ghananians.

auntie funmi is this fair to the girls brigade?  you are out there trying to give your heart away to anyone that ask.  how does this advance the women's libs for which you are a flag bearer?  

on a lighter side  some women should start tithing, probably pray and fast  before their sons come home with the lovely funmi.

i wish i had a boy of marraigable age. good luck o girl

everyone leave my auntie alone pls.

gamine, trust you are okay? The Lord our God is with you. God bless and keep you well. you are in my thoughts. it is well

JeSoul:
It is well with your soul my sista. I pray that God will renew your spirit and put a fresh song in your mouth. I pray that the joy of the Lord will now be your strength and lift you above every distraction or hopeless situation. The word says that the eyes of the Lord are constantly on the righteous. Know that His eyes are on you, and that He will never fail to watch over and perfect all that concerns you. It is well with your soul gurl! Amen.

AMEN. AMEN AND AMEN IN JESUS NAME

you are precious to God. He is your strenght and guide. no weapon the enemies throws at you is capable of working well

this is beautiful. 6 pages all happiness please keep it up. i gotto go now. it is 2.19am london time the mrs is back home now. God bless you all.

brother david, my sisters were last seen hanging out with you so make sure they are all well taken care of.

i am out

davidylan:

With the benefit of hindsight, if i were to go back to being 17 again . . . i'D NEVER test drive till i marry. Its just a bolus of crap . . . a waste of time and unecessary weight on the shoulders of the woman you end up with shld she be a virgin and inexperienced.

seconded - God's grace is available

onyinye2:
The only thing about marriage that sounds remotely beautiful is the wedding ceremony. The rest is uhhhhhh. . . . .

dont believe the hype. remember that ugly phrase " as seen on television". believe me marraige is a beautiful institution. the problem are its players. full of 100th division league amateurs, childish and selfish people.

wedding ceremonies dont last more than a day the beauty of a marraige lasts a life time and by God's providence into generations ahead.

if you are a praying person pray for such a marraige and more importantly pray to be such a person that God can use build such a relationship.