The Qur'an Dilemma: Former Muslims Analyze Islam's Holiest Book

Have you ever read The Qur'an?

If you are Muslim, possibly so.

If you are not Muslim, probably not.

I never have...until now.

I have always wondered what people of other faiths really believe, including Muslims. It is hard to really know what they believe and why if you are never exposed to the holy text from which they read. How do we know that what we are told they believe is true?

Besides that, I would often love to have faith-related conversations with my Muslim friends as I sometimes do my friends of other faiths, but I just don't know where to start. I don't really know their way of life nor religion and to be honest, I---like many other non-Muslims---am a bit fearful of "going there."

All that said, I was extremely excited to have the chance to review this book, The Qur'an Dilemma: Former Muslims Analyze Islam's Holiest Book. (Remember, in all of my book reviews, you can click on the title of the book within the post itself and will be taken to a website that gives more detail about the book.) What a privilege to be led through this text by scholars of it while (as stated by the Glass Road PR group):

Unlike Christianity, Islam doesn't encourage its believers to own a copy of the Qur'an and read it for themselves. They are dependent on the imam (something like the local preacher, in Christianity) to read from the Qur'an and interpret it.

The authors of this book describe themselves this way:

We are a group of former Muslims and professional Islamic scholars who have a passion for Muslims and a desire to assist both Muslims and non-Muslims who seek to learn more about Islam’s holiest book, to research it, to critically analyze it, and to better comprehend its teachings without the traditional religious and cultural barriers designed to indoctrinate and encapsulate the minds of many truth seekers.

And their purpose for writing the book:

A book of terror or a book of peace? An inspired text or a political agenda? How is one to know the truth about the Qur'an? Where does one even begin? How can an English speaker ever hope to wade through the history, the translations, the sects, and the commentaries to begin making sense of the issues?

During the last decade, interest in Islam and the teachings of the Qur'an has grown globally. In order to allow Westerners to investigate the truth about Islam, this research text was translated from Arabic to give English speaking readers the opportunity to see the Qur’an with clear lenses that are not fogged by propaganda or missionary zeal. This book provides the background of the Qur'an in an objective manner . It also presents the text of the Qur’an with parallel commentary, addressing important issues that Muslim scholars have wrestled with throughout the centuries, shedding light on their attempts to solve them and giving a rounded view of the various schools of thought.

The critical approach in this book is inspired by the courageous tradition of those who have dared to analyze the Qur'an throughout history, while also incorporating the contemporary intellectual productions available in Arabic and foreign sources. The discoveries made through these scholarly critical methods are directed to non-Muslims and Muslims equally:

To non-Muslims who want to unravel the mysteries of Islam, this book presents information that Islamic resources rarely disclose--to allow those who seek the truth to comprehend the full picture with all its outlines, colors, and dimensions.

To Muslims who seek genuine choices far from the culture of “indoctrination,” this book opens a world of understanding to them, so that they can decide for themselves their intellectual and spiritual paths.

The Qur'an Dilemma (Volume One) – available now both in English and in Arabic - covers the first nine suras (chapters) of the Quran. The remaining suras will be covered in Volume Two.

In this day of increased interest in Islam, I do encourage you to consider getting a copy of this masterful book for yourself.

As a side note, one thing I noticed while reading The Qur'an Dilemma is that it gave me a desire to read more about the history of the most holy book which I hold so dear---the Bible---the Word of God. I want to know and understand more and more about the Truth than ever before.

Other religions are okay to investigate, 

but the Truth is what matters.  

“I am the way &

 the truth &

 the life. 

No one comes to the Father 

except through me." 

~ Jesus (John 14:6)

"Then you will know the truth,

and the truth will set you free." 

~ Jesus (John 8:32) ~

Disclaimer: I received this book for free from Glass Road PR. No other compensation was received. The fact that I received a complimentary product does not guarantee a favorable review. 

Managing God's Money by Randy Alcorn

So, I have to admit...it took me a while to read this book.

No, it's not a long book compared to many I have read. Nor is the writing style at all difficult to follow. As a matter of fact, it is very well written, down-to-earth, and practical.

My problem?


Money.


Yours too?

Yep, quite possibly so. And, I realized that since money (or lack of) is a major struggle I live with on a daily basis, maybe subconsciously I didn't want to be instructed on what I really need to be doing with the money I (don't) have. Nor did I want to be reminded of what I wish I could be doing with the money I (don't) have.

You see, my heart is one of giving. Yes, I can be just as selfish as the next person---no doubt.  But, part of the reason I am in the debt that I am in is that in my early income-gaining years I loved to buy nice gifts for everyone I loved throughout the year as well as at that big gift-giving time of year---Christmas. True, though, purchasing gifts is not the only way I went overboard with unwise money decisions. Regardless of past choices, however, I still have a responsibility today to allot our household income wisely---in paying off debt, paying costs of daily living, and in giving.

Yes, I said it---GIVING!

How can I possibly reason that it is wise to give away any money when we have so much debt and daily living costs to pay and pay back?!

In this book Managing God's Money, Randy Alcorn does a brilliant job of explaining why and even to some degree how.  He teaches, encourages, and even challenges existing excuses and thoughts I had prior to reading this.

I was consistently convicted throughout reading this book that I cannot wait until we get past this financial struggle period of life to start giving back to God and trusting Him to continue to provide as He always remarkably has. I cannot wait to bless others in the ways God has chosen to use others to bless me.

I either do it now, or possibly never.

After all, we are not promised that we will have tomorrow to make things right and walk in faith and obedience. And besides, it really is amazing to sit back and watch God prove Himself time and time again. He did say in His word that this is the one area He invites us to test Him. (Malachi 3:10)

Will you test Him today? Have faith that He will provide for you as you obediently and faithfully trust Him. He will prove Himself to you as He has to me.

In the meantime, maybe you need that little nudge (or forceful push) that I needed and received from this book. If any of this strikes a chord with you, I recommend you get a copy of Managing God's Money and see what He wants to reveal to you through it.

Disclaimer: I received this book for free from Tyndale House Publishers. No other compensation was received. The fact that I received a complimentary product does not guarantee a favorable review.

The Day the World Went Wacky by Janine Suter {plus the Puzzle Globe}

Oh, yeah!  

It's PARTY TIME again!

A Twitter Party, that is...

After my review, I will give details about this WACKY Twitter Party coming your way.

So, what's all this craziness about?!

I'm so glad you asked.

Well, recently my son and I were blessed with the privilege of reading Janine Suter's description of why there is pain and suffering and evil in this world if our God is so good.

In her book The Day the World Went Wacky, Suter crafts a creative retelling of the entrance of sin into the world via Adam and Eve and the effect sin has had on this world since then.  Biblical truths set to rhyme in a way that children can begin to grasp these deep, foundational facts are accompanied by clever illustrations by Richard Gunther.

As we read this book together, my son laughed and then at one point he got serious.  After we finished it, I asked him what he thought of it.  He said he liked it.  

I asked him to show me some of his favorite parts 

and tell me why.  

He said his favorite picture was this one:

His reason? "Because Adam looks cool and Eve looks pretty."

I asked him if there were any parts he did not like.  

He said this part made him sad:

His reason? "Because all of those people are stuck in sin.  That makes me sad."

But then he said this part made him happy again: 

His reason? "Because all of the people that were stuck in sin and sad are happy now since Jesus gave them new life."

So, I think this review courtesy of 

my six year old son speaks for itself.  

What do you think? 

Now, another special treat!!! 

The Puzzle Globe

Here's a pictorial tour of me constructing this. 

Each piece is numbered and has an arrow to indicate where the next one goes.

Thank goodness for the instruction page to start me off.

Once constructed, it says, "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."

Hmmm...missing piece!

Do you notice what the missing piece is here?

While constructing this globe, I prayed for God to reveal to me a way in which I could use it to have a conversation about Him with others. When I got to this point in my assembly of the globe, something stood out to me like a sore thumb.

In the beginning...GOD...

He is the missing piece that connects us forever to His family.

Not a coincidence that He (God) is the missing piece in the lives of many people in this world.  Thankfully they don't have to remain separated from Him forever. Belief in His Son, Jesus Christ, and the work done by Him on the cross on our behalf is enough to put all the pieces together in our world and join us eternally with our Heavenly Father.

Squeezing in the last couple of pieces...

I am so thankful that creating and sustaining the earth was not and is not my responsibility!

Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

Praise Him all creatures here below.

Praise Him above ye heavenly host.

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

Amen!

Now...for the WACKY MOMS of Master Books Twitter Party details...

(Click HERE to read Michelle's post that gives 

a great description of how to participate in a Twitter Party.)

Date: Tuesday, February 21st

Time: 8pm CST

Hashtags: #TeachtheTruth (entire party), 

#tttrollcall 

(to check-in & say Hi when you first join the party)

Who to follow on Twitter: @MasterBooks4u & @mamahall

Prizes!!! The Day the World Went Wacky by Janine Suter

Noahs Ark Floating Animal Park by Janine Suter

The Not So Super Skyscraper by Janine Suter

The Puzzle Globe

Spread the word and come join us!!!

Disclaimer: I received this book and puzzle globe for free from New Leaf Publishing Group. No other compensation was received. The fact that I received a complimentary product does not guarantee a favorable review.

AB4T (a.k.a.Answers Book for Teens): Your Questions God's Answers

Straight-forward, power-packed book that meets teens right where they are and prepares them for the tough, mind-boggling days ahead.

I was on a good path in my teen years, but I must say, I think I needed more grounding at that time of "why" I believe what I believe.  If I had been given a copy of the book AB4T: Answers Book for Teens: Your Questions God's Answers I believe I would have been a bit more prepared for what awaited me on my journey of life and faith.  Not that I would have been perfect in my navigation of young life, but I would have been more grounded in the what's and why's of my worldview that God created the world and gave us His Word to guide us as we live in it.

In AB4T, Bodie Hodge, Tommy Mitchell, and Ken Ham pose fifteen common questions asked by people who are seeking to learn the truth about God or even to challenge one who believes in God.  These questions are not for the shy at heart.  They hit hard to the heart of what our culture questions and struggles with about God and the Bible.  They are not just common among young people; I would say they are just as common among believers, doubters, seekers, and skeptics of ANY age.

A couple of the Questions are:

• Q2 - If God is really so great, why does He let so much pain and bad stuff happen in the world, like earthquakes, floods, and wars??
• Q5 - With everything I hear about God not existing...how can we even know that He does exist?
• Q9 - Should people from different races marry each other; or is that wrong?
• Q13 - How can we be sure Jesus is the only way to get to God?
• Q15 - Why would God ever want to save someone as messed up as me?

The authors use Genesis 1 and 2 as their complete basis for answering these tough but real questions.  In their introduction to the book, they explain why they wrote it and specifically why for teens.

I've worked with teens for years...and there is a big misconception about them (and hopefully you will agree)...they are much smarter than we often think! The young people I've worked with are intelligent and bright.

Yeah, I'll admit, some are smarter in some areas than others...but the point is they are much brighter than people give them credit for. So with this book series, we are not going to be afraid to answer the questions they have without a "bunch of fluff," but with solid biblical answers that "have some meat to them" and challenge the secular religions like atheism and evolution that are forced on them in many settings---like movies, schools, and so on.

~ Bodie Hodge - Answers in Genesis 

So, with your interest piqued (I pray), I will wrap up this review by not only letting you know that I suggest getting a copy of this to give to a teen in your life---but I also suggest to read it yourself before giving it away.  Teens face and ask the same questions we adults ask (even if only internally).  You may just find some solid, foundational, biblical answers to some of the questions you yourself have wrestled with for many years.

Got questions...God's got answers!

Disclaimer: I received this book for free from New Leaf Publishing Group. No other compensation was received. The fact that I received a complimentary product does not guarantee a favorable review.

4 Days to a Forever Marriage by Dr. Gary & Norma Smalley

4 days? 

Could it be that easy?

In these days of uncertainty about the state of marriage and even the future of it, believe it or not, many still long to marry and remain married forever.  If you don't believe me, check out this quick but enlightening article by History.com titled "Is Marriage History?"

With that in mind, the question still remains: "How is a forever marriage possible anymore?"

Could it be that making a simple yet difficult choice could be the key?

In 4 Days to a Forever Marriage: choosing Love or Anger, Dr. Gary Smalley and his wife Norma propose that it is so. 

The Smalleys not only have a lasting long-term marriage but also have helped countless other couples do the same.  In this small but invaluable book, they have packed in practicality and honesty by letting us into some of the things they have learned together over the years---often the hard way.  They do this in a conversational manner primarily so that it feels as if we are sitting in their living room with them gleaning from their years of wisdom as well as mistakes.

In this book, they structure it very simply by walking the reader(s) through four days---yes, only FOUR days---of learning practical ways of choosing love instead of anger in marriage as well as life in general.

Think about it.  We truly do have a choice in how we respond in life.  Often our own response to good or bad things others have done or said to us is what determines how strong or weak that relationship grows.  Though we truly feel we have the "right" to be angry when we are wronged (as we very well may), we still can choose instead to respond in love rather than wallowing and fuming in anger.

It is a tough concept, I know.  Maybe that is why The Smalleys have chosen to give us this lesson in small, digestible bites.  Whatever the case, they have done a marvelous job of being so transparent and basically reading my mind and most likely yours as well. True, they are not reading our minds, but that should bring comfort to us all to realize that our lives and struggles and emotions really aren't all that unique to each of us. I find comfort in realizing I am not alone in how I think and instinctively react to situations.

I pray that someday soon my husband and I can read this book together so that our marriage can grow even stronger as a result of learning together and communicating with each other about our journey toward choosing love over anger.

In the meantime, I do highly suggest that you and your spouse (or future spouse) glean from the wisdom, honesty and practicality presented to us by Dr. Gary and Norma Smalley in 4 Days to a Forever Marriage.

Disclaimer: I received this book for free from New Leaf Publishing Group. No other compensation was received. The fact that I received a complimentary product does not guarantee a favorable review.

easy 2 write ~ not easy 2 post

{easy 2 write ~ not easy 2 post ~ maybe not easy 2 read}

I have had a few posts like this but admittedly not enough.

The words and scriptures come easily and flow clearly.  Obviously directed by God. Obviously needed by someone.

But clicking "Post" is just not quite as easy.

My Facebook post for today was like that.  So much so that I felt like I needed to share it here as well.
 
Here is what I wrote (from my mobile phone!):

Don't exchange the truth of God for a lie. "...then you will know the truth & the truth will set you free." (John 8:32)

Don't ignore the guilt you feel when living under the lie. (We today are not too different from the Romans Paul wrote to & about.).

So, do you think you don't feel guilty? You're not just okay with but proud of the way you're living - so "independently" & so "true to who you are"?

I thought that, too, once. Then I recognized my guilt that was still there. It was cleverly disguised - cynicism, boldness to go against all I knew in my heart to be right, pride in my "realness," judgment of others who were still trying to live according to what they thought "God said," thinking I was the better & more self-aware & wise person than the fools who believed the Bible & the God it speaks of, even thinking my version of that God was more accurate than theirs.

Any of that sound familiar?

Maybe it's time for the most honest self-evaluation you've ever done. Guilt in disguise, once recognized, requires boldness & humility to admit it is there. Then, even more boldness, humility & supernatural (given by God) strength to begin to heed the warning guilt is meant to lovingly give us.

Drop the tough, intelligent, enlightened, free act now. Let go of the lie. Only The Truth will set you (& your heart & your mind) FREE!

And here is the scripture passage I posted with it:

Romans 1:18-32
New International Version (NIV)

God’s Wrath Against Sinful Humanity

The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.

For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles.

Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.

Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error.

Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done. They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy. Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.

Now do you see why it was a bit tough to click "post"? 

But sometimes we need to give and/or receive tough love.

I did get a little FB response activity in the form of a few "likes" from it.  Wasn't really expecting very many of those from that post, though, honestly.

Most notably, however, was the comment of one unnamed friend of mine (yes a "real" friend, not just an FB one...a boy {who's a grown man now} that I used to chase around the playground and hide in tunnels with in elementary school...don't judge!  You remember doing that, too!).

He merely thanked me for posting it saying he "needed that!!!"  Then our brief convo proceeded as such:

Me - ‎:o) You're welcome, J. I sooo understand. Can you tell? ;) Thanks for letting me know God used it to speak to you. It wasn't an easy message to post.

J - It's not easy to admit that I need a self-evaluation. Thx again!!!

Me - No it's not, J. But when you finally face the lies, accept the truth, and with God's help begin to break free - you will become more real, genuine, & at peace than you have ever been in your life.

So, I share all of that here, because just as I know there were many more who saw (and hopefully were impacted by) that post today who needed to see it, I also know that there are many more in blogger world and beyond who need it just as much.

Is that you?

Are you angry right now because of something you read above in this post or this scripture?

Are you wanting to call me judgmental?

Though I am not perfect, I can assure you that this post is a post of love for you. Before you call me judgmental, I would like to ask you to consider one thing...who is judging whom?

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye." ~Jesus in Matthew 7:1-5

“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven." ~Jesus in Luke 6:37

My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me. Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God. ~1 Corinthians 4:4-5

You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. So when you, a mere man, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment? Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you toward repentance?

But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed. God “will give to each person according to what he has done.”  To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For God does not show favoritism.

This will take place on the day when God will judge men’s secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares. ~Romans 2:1-11, 16

For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living. You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat.

It is written:
“‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord,
‘every knee will bow before me;
every tongue will confess to God.’”

So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God. ~Romans 14:9-12

All I have left to add is, if you hung in here with me through this long, difficult post...bless you!  

I apologize for the length, but I do not apologize for the content.  

There have been many times in my life when I needed someone to put these very same words in my face.  I pray that I have done that for many of you today.  Not out of judgment, but in love - to remind you that His kindness (& tolerance & patience) leads you toward repentance.

He IS real and He alone IS Truth!  

Again, as I said before: 

Drop the tough, intelligent, enlightened, free act now. 

Let go of the lies. 

Only The Truth will set you (& your heart & your mind) FREE!

The World of Animals {published by Master Books}

This book is AMAZING!  What a collection of pictures and information about all kinds of animals (and insects!) for kids!

As my son and I were looking through The World of Animals together we were amazed as we flipped each page.

You should have heard the oohs and ahhs and "Mommy, look at this!"s.  (Is that a word?! lol)

Of course he learned more about and saw pictures of some of his favorite creatures (like sharks and monkeys and big cats).  But he also learned about some creatures he has never heard of before, and as we go through this valuable and fun reference book more I am sure he will continue to learn from and enjoy it for years to come.

Some interesting things to see in this book:

So, if you read many of my posts, you know I live in and LOVE Louisiana!  (Even after disappointing ends to football seasons...I still love my homeboys!)

BUT, I never knew that the Indonesian sea slug could pass for an LSU fan, since it is vivid purple and yellow (gold) in color!  

Geaux Tigers!!!  And Indonesian Sea Slugs!!!

(Do you think they would ever consider adopting it as a secondary mascot?! Just a thought...)

Along the same lines---Louisiana, that is---my Louisiana-born son and I argued about the proper name for a "crayfish."  

I would say this is the one "error" I found in the book.  

You see, the book calls it a crayfish.  Yes, that technically is its name, but seriously...we are Louisiana born and bred.  We do NOT have crayfish in our state!!! But CRAWfish---they are everywhere!  And boiled or fried up just right, they are quite tasty!  

Of course, since the book calls them by their "other" name, my son insists they are CRAYfish.  Will the boy every learn?!  Tell me there's hope!

Now, above all else, the section my son giggled and got most excited over was by far---

The WORMS Section!!!

(What else would you expect?!)

Worms, worms, pages and pages of worms!!! A six-year old boy's dream come true! 

So, what makes this animal (and worm and insect) book so special and different from the rest, you ask?

Aside from the vivid photographs and educational drawings and diagrams, the very beginning of this book unabashedly lays out the truth of how all of these amazing creatures and their habitats came to be. 

The very first words on the introductory pages of the book are, "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth..." (Genesis 1:1).  

From there, the introduction goes on to talk about God's creation of all living things, then about the world-wide flood of Noah's day, then about animals and how God very intelligently and specifically designed them. This book is truly designed to help parents to #TeachtheTruth to our children.

Speaking of that---join us MOMS of Master Books Tuesday night, January 17th at 8pm Central Time for our World of Animals Twitter Party!!!  To join in, make sure to follow @MasterBooks4u and @mamahall and use #TeachtheTruth hashtag on each tweet to participate. We use Tweetgrid.com to follow the party conversation. You could also use HootSuite.com or TweetDeck.com or any other similar platform you like.

Can’t make the party – stay tuned to nlpgblogs.com for more details on how to win a copy for yourself.  (HINT:  Be watching the other MOMS of Master Books' blogs on or about Thursday, January 19th...)

Hope to see you at the party, but even if not, do get a copy of this book for your family's collection!

Disclaimer: I received this book for free from New Leaf Publishing Group. No other compensation was received. The fact that I received a complimentary product does not guarantee a favorable review.