Al Fadi: Did God Really Say?

Al Fadi is a former Muslim who has become a follower of Christ. In this message, he is giving his testimony along with what Islam teaches.

  

Book Review: Shifting Shadows by Herman Mendoza

The gospel tells us that we were once dead to sins and have been given new life in Christ. Does not matter what are background is. We could just a good old boy that is trying to make his way through life or we could be someone that was in prison for committing a crime. God changes us through the finished work of Christ. 

Herman Mendoza was a man who thought he had it all. He was building an empire till it all came timbling down and his life was out of control. Mendoza was into selling drugs and did it successfully. He was married to the love of his life yet he had other women in his life. He tells us his story in his book Shifting Shadows. 

This book was written from Mendoza's first-hand experience of his life. He wrote in the beginning of the book that he is not making any excuses for his actions, he simply wants to share his story of how God changed His life. 

He begins with his family upbringing to the time he married his wife followed by his rise to power in as a Drug Lord. He confessed he had it all yet was unfaithful to his wife in the process. He had been arrested on more than one occasion when he was finally sent to prison. It was during that time Mendoza found his brother who became a Christian who helped him hear the gospel message, which Mendoza eventually received with gladness. 

Mendoza was eventually released from prison and is now in full-time Christian ministry. He also shared his story of how he reconciled with his wife and led her to Jesus. With short easy-to-read chapters, 

Shifting Shadows takes you down through the journey of one man's depravity to when he found true freedom, which can only be found in Jesus.

Thanks Bethany House for letting me review this book.

Lindsay Davis and The Escape From Hogwarts

I am sure many of you might have heard the story of Lindsay Davis, whose eyes were opened about the lies she was believing after watching the film, American Gospel. Chris Rosebrough recently invited her "Fighting For The Faith" to share her testimony:

Around The Web-March 7, 2018

Save 40% off these classic Banner of Truth books

Loving The Church by Jonathan Leeman

Christ and the Love of Neighbor by J.R. Vassar

The Incredibles, Cars … and The Pilgrim’s Progress: Interview with a Pixar Artist from Tim Challies

When We Understand The Text speaks with Costi Hinn about his book and how the Lord recused him from a false gospel

Church Members Who Believe in Abortion, by Denomination by Gene Veith

10 Things You Should Know about Church Discipline by Sam Storms

The Beautiful Monotony of the Gospel by Jared C Wilson

John MacArthur answers why Satan's lies are convincing

Around The Web-December 1, 2017

Kirk Cousins Is More than Just a Nice Guy by Alex Duke

Jim Renihan on Creation from Doctrine and Devotion

A Revival Of The Public Reading of Scripture by Steve Burchett

The Hidden Hands of Caitlyn Jenner by Andrew T Walker

Does Hebrews Tell Us to “Grow Up” Beyond the Gospel? from Ask John Piper

Crucial Questions: 28 Free eBooks from R.C. Sproul

The Doctrine of the Church in the Bible

Scam Artists and Sex Education by Carl Truman

Doug Bond- The Poetic Wonder of Isaac Watts from Equipping You In Grace

Paul Tripp on why we should slow down this Christmas season

Nabeel Qureshi's Testimony

Nabeel Qureshi was grew up under the teachings of Islam and was a devout Muslim until God called him to Himself through the power of the gospel. He became a well known Christian Apologetist and spoke to many about the gospel. Sadly, Nabeel recently passed away from stomach csncer. While we rejoice with our brother who met the Savior face to face, we need to remember his family during this time of mourning.

This video is Nabeel sharing on the teachings of Islam and his converstion.

Around The Web-September 20, 2017

Ultimate Systematic Theology Collection Giveaway

How the Protestant Reformation Started

Don’t Be Caught without a Confession by Michael Reeves

Answering frequently asked questions about The Nashville Statement from Denny Burk

Ask John Piper: Did Adam and Eve Sin Before the Bite?

Must Elders Be Skilled in Teaching? by David Mathis

What to Do If You’re Chronically Frustrated at Church by Brett McCracken

R.C. Sproul shares the story of his conversion which took place 60 years ago this month.

09-11-2007

On September 11, 2001, our country was attacked by terrorists who hijacked airplanes with the intent to kill thousands. Two hit the World Trade Center, one hit the Pentagon, and the other crash in Pennsylvania. Many on that day were sacred. I remember hearing what happened as my day began thinking the person telling me was kidding when in reality it was not.

I know many of you have your own personal stories that happened on that day. You may have even have lost a friend or someone in your family on that day. For me, September 11th has a more personal touch, but I am not referring to the day in 2001. I am referring to what happened on this day 10 years ago. On the evening of September 11, 2007, as my wife and I were ready to call it an evening, I reached by to my neck and discovered two lumps. I had no idea what was going. I told my wife and she said to call the doctor the next day, which I did. Thankfully, he saw me the next day and referred me to a neck and nose specialist who said it could nothing which we can remove with no long term effects or it could be leukemia.

Two days after my son's birthday, I went in for surgery to have one of the lumps removed for it to be biopsied. I was told we were not expected to get the results for a week. Well, we got them the next day. It turned out I have Hodgkin's Lymphoma, which is a cancer of the lymphoids. I was told over the phone, this is the best cancer to have because it has the best success rate as far as treatment.

I was told I had stage 2 Hodgkin's Lymphoma after a bone marrow biopsy (those do hurt even though you have been given a local anesthetic). I started chemo about a week following the biopsy. I had no idea what was going to happen. I kept thinking who was going to take care of my wife, will my son be mad at God for taking his dad, and who will walk my daughter down the aisle.

After five months of treatment, I had a PET scan where the doctor informed me the cancer was gone. I did one more month of treatment just to be on the safe side. My last chemo treatment was March 28, 2008, which you can tell, that was over nine years ago. I praise God for healing me and continuing to give me good health, but I also praise God for happened to me spiritually after the treatments.

I was questioning if what I believed about God was correct, in others words, was my theology sound. Somehow, by God's providence, I came across a post by Tim Challies that simply said Christians cannot live on Christian Living books alone, which is what I had a majority of in my library. After careful research, I began to listen to different preachers and have read more deep, theological books. By the grace of God, I discovered what I held as good theology was false. For example, I blamed myself for my cancer. I blamed myself for something I did to tick God off. That is what the health and wealth preachers will tell you just like Job's three friends tried to do.

By God's grace, I also discovered Reformed Theology. I started reading John Owen, John MacArthur, John Piper, R.C. Sproul, John Calvin, and more authors that it will take me forever to list. I looked at the Bible more intently than just reading it in a devotional setting. I rejected preachers who I once listened to as well authors I once read. God gave me renewed love for Him and His Word. My family and I grew closer during that time as well.

I do want to say that just because I went through cancer, it doesn't mean I am a super Christian. There is no such thing. I am not perfect nor have been already made perfect. I still struggle in the flesh and have temptations just like any other believer. I am still growing in the grace of Christ while falling flat on my face at the same time.

I share my story, not to get everyone to feel bad for me or think why am I am important. The Bible says to rejoice with those who rejoice. This day reminds me of where God has brought me and the grace He has given me since that day. The Bible also says to weep with those who weep. There are people hurting right now whether from cancer or a natural disaster. We must weep with them and pray from them.

Around The Web-September 23, 2016

Your Testimony Isn’t About You by Jordan Monson

What is Preaching, Anyway? by Jared C Wilson

Don't Be A 9Marxist by Jonathan Leeman

3 Ways to Make Sure Culture Engagement Doesn’t Lead to Mission Drift by Trevin Wax

The Church & God's Eternal Plan by John MacArthur

The Abuse of Authority in Prosperity Gospel Churches by D.A. Horton

12 Myths About Calvinism by Michael Patton

10 Things You should Know about 1 Timothy 2:11-15 and the Relationship between Men and Women in the Local Church by Sam Storms

Nathan Finn on who he feels is someone from church history that Christians need to know more about.



Miguel Núñez, Danny Akin, and Bill Kynes on their biggest fear in ministry.



John Piper recited 1 Peter 1:1-3:7.

Whether I Live or Die, God Wins

Ben Peays:

Cancer has made death more real—and the gospel more real

The Story of Thabiti Anyabwile

I love hearing stories of people coming to faith in Christ. I love it people from other religions come to faith in Christ because they have embraced the gospel. Recently, Crossway shared on their blog the testimony of Thabiti Anyabwile, who converted from Islam and now serves as a pastor. He has written a few books as well contributed to a few. His story has been divided in four parts:

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4