المدونة التالية
كافة المدونات

What is the purpose of LIFE?

أغسطس 9th, 2008 كتبها Light of Night نشر في , Chaplain Yusuf Estes, 

لا يوجد تعليق
, 

Have you ever asked yourself these questions?
What is the purpose of LIFE?
My life? ~ Your Life?

Yusuf Estes


People everywhere are asking the questions; What is the purpose of life? and Why are we here? You might be amazed to learn, that Islam is providing clear and concise answers for these questions.

Most of those who reflect or think about life in any detail will consider and ponder these questions. There are as many different answers to these questions as there are people asking the questions. Some would hold that the purpose of life was to acquire wealth. Yet suppose they were to acquire millions of dollars, what then would they claim is their purpose after doing so?

If the purpose of life is to become wealthy, there would be no purpose after becoming wealthy. 

The fact is that when people approach their purpose here in this life from the aspect of only gaining wealth, after collecting the money they have dreamed of their lives loose purpose and then they live in restless tension suffering from a feeling of worthlessness.

How could wealth then be considered as the aim of life?

Could the acquisition of wealth guarantee happiness? Of course not.
When we hear of millionaires or members of their families committing suicide, how could we consider the purpose of life would be to gain great wealth?

A child of 5 years would obviously prefer a new toy to a deposit slip for a million dollars.
A teenager does not consider millions of dollars in the bank a substitute for movies, videos, pizza and hanging out with his friends. 
A person in their 80s or 90s would never consider holding on to their wealth in place of spending it to hold on to or regain their health.

This proves that money is not the main purpose at all the stages of one’s life.

Wealth can do little or nothing to bring happiness to one who is a disbeliever in Almighty God, because regardless of what he or she would gain in this life they would always live in fear of what will happen to them in the end. They would wonder what would become of them and how they would end up.

Wealth and its accumulation as a purpose would be doomed to a temporary success at best and in the end it would only spell out self destruction.

So, what is the use of wealth to a person without belief? He would always fear his end and would always be skeptical of everything. He may gain a great material wealth but he would only lose himself in the end.

Worship of the One True Almighty God of the Universe [Allah in Arabic] as a primary goal or aim in life provides a believer with everything he needs to succeed in both this life and the Next Life.

The word for total surrender, submission, obedience, purity of heart and peace in the Arabic language is Islam. Those who try to perform these actions are called MU-slims [Islam-ERs]. 

To a Muslim the whole purpose of life is ibadah or worship to the One True Almighty God on Terms and under His Conditions.

The term worship to a Muslim includes any and all acts of obedience to Almighty Allah.

So his purpose of life is a standing purpose; Worshipping Allah by accepting Allah’s Will over his own.
This act of ibadah [worshipping, thanking and extolling the Greatness Almighty Allah on His Terms and Conditions] is for the Muslim, throughout his whole life regardless of the stage. Whether he is a child, adolescent, adult or aged person, he is seeking after the Will of the Almighty in all these stages.
His life here on earth although short, is full of purpose and is totally meaningful within the complete framework of total submission [Islam].

Similarly, in the Next Life as well, his faith, intentions, attitudes and good deeds will all be weighed into his account as favorable putting him in high esteem with his Creator and Sustainer.

Because Islam teaches that this life is only a test or trial for the individual to show him his true nature it is only natural that he would accept death as not so much an ending to everything but more as a beginning of the final and lasting life in the Hereafter.

Before entering into either of the final lodging places i.e.; Heaven or Hell, there must needs be a Day of Judgment or showing of one’s true self to make them aware of their own nature and thereby understand what they have sent on ahead during the life here on the earth.

Every person will be rewarded [or punished] according to their attitude, appreciation and efforts during this stay on earth. None will be asked about the actions and beliefs of others, nor will anyone be asked regarding that which he was unaware of or incapable of doing.

As the life here is considered as an examination for the individual, the death stage is considered as a resting period after the test. It could be easy for those who were faithful and dedicated or it could be grueling and horrible for the wicked.

Reward and punishment will be in direct proportion to each person and it is only Allah, alone who will be the Final Judge over us all.

So in the teachings of the True Surrender, Submission, Obedience, In Sincerity and Peace to the Almighty One God [Islam], the line of life and its purpose is logical, clear and simple:

The first life is a test 

The life in the grave is a resting or waiting place before the Day of Judgment 

The Day of Judgment brings about the clear understanding of what will now happen to the individual based on his own desires and actions 

The Permanent or Afterlife will either be spend in luxurious splendor or miserable punishment .

Following this clear understanding of life, the Muslim’s

المزيد


الداعية الامريكى الشيخ يوسف استس

ديسمبر 27th, 2007 كتبها Light of Night نشر في , Chaplain Yusuf Estes, 

لا يوجد تعليق
, 

الداعية الامريكى الشيخ يوسف استس ___ قصة إسلامه ومعلومات عنه


الداعية الامريكى يوسف استس

الشيخ يوسف استس الأمريكي داعية مسلم من أهل السنة والجماعة يسكن بمدينة إلكساندريا بولاية فرجينيا قرب العاصمة واشنطن وهو أصلاً من ولاية تكساس ، تجده معتزاً بدينه ويلبس الثوب غالباً والغترة أحياناً ، ولما أراه أتذكر الشيخ الألباني - رحمه الله - .

الشيخ يوسف استيس أسلم في عام 1991م

قصة إسلامه :

وهذه قصة إسلامه التي سمعتها أرويها لكم وبالإمكان الرجوع إلى موقع الشيخ للحصول على الرواية المكتوبة في الموقع ، وقد حرصت على ذكر أغلب ما سمعت منه دون الرجوع إلى ما هو مكتوب في موقعه على الشبكة .

(( يقول الشيخ : بدأت بالدراسة الكنسية أو اللاهوتية عندما اكتشفت أني لا أعلم كثيراً عن ديني النصراني ، وبدأت أسأل أسئلة دون أن أجد أجوبة مناسبة لها ، فدرست النصرانية حتى صرت قسيساً وداعياً من دعاة النصرانية وكذلك كان والدي ، وكنا بالإضافة إلى ذلك نعمل بالتجارة في الأنظمة الموسيقية وبيعها للكنائس ، وكنت أكره الإسلام والمسلمين حيث أن الصورة المشوهة التي وصلتني وارتسمت في ذهني عن المسلمين أنهم أناس وثنيون لا يؤمنون بالله ويعبدون صندوقاً أسوداً في الصحراء وأنهم همجيون وإرهابيون يقتلون من يخالف معتقدهم .

لكن من خلال مدة شهرين تقريباً قضاها مسلم مصري مع أسرتنا وفي بيتنا اكتشفنا من وجوده وطريقة حياته ومعيشته ونظامه ومن خلال مناقشتنا له أموراً جديدة علينا لم نكن نعلمها عن المسلمين وليست عندنا كنصارى.

ففي ذات يوم قال لي والدي : إنه سيأتي إلينا رجل من مصر قد نقيم معه تجارة في مجال الآلات الموسيقية . ففرحت في نفسي وقلت : سوف نتوسع في تجارتنا وتصبح تجارة دولية تمتد إلى أرض ذلك الضخم أعني ( أبا الهول ) !. ثم قال لي والدي : لكنني أريد أن أخبرك أن هذا الرجل الذي سيأتينا مسلم وهو رجل أعمال .

فقلت منزعجاً : مسلم !! لا .. لن أتقابل معه .

فقال والدي : لابد أن تقابله .

فقلت : لا .. أبداً .

وأصرّ والدي على رأيه بأن أقابل ذلك المصري المسلم .. ثم تنازلت أنا عن إصراري لأني كنت أسكن مع والدي في منزله .. وخشيت أن أسبب مشكلة فلا أستطيع البقاء عنده . ومع ذلك لما حضر موعد اللقاء لبست قبعة عليها صليب ولبست عقداً فيه صليب وعلقت صليباً كبيراً في حزامي ، وأمسكت بنسخة من الإنجيل في يدي وحضرت إلى طاولة اللقاء بهذه الصورة ، ثم تطرقنا في الحديث عن ديانته وتهجمت على الإسلام والمسلمين حسب الصورة المشوهة التي كانت لدي ، وكان هو هادئاً جداً وامتص حماسي واندفاعي ببرودته ثم دعاه والدي للإقامة عندنا في المنزل ، وكان المنزل يحويني أنا وزوجتي ووالدي ثم جاء هذا المصري واستضفنا كذلك قسيساً آخر لكنه يتبع المذهب الكاثوليكي .فصرنا نحن الخمسة .. أربعة من علماء ودعاة النصارى ومسلم مصري عامي .. أنا ووالدي من المذهب البروتستانتي النصراني والقسيس الآخر كاثوليكي المذهب وزوجتي كانت من مذهب متعصب له جانب من الصهيونية ، وللمعلومية والدي قرأ الإنجيل منذ صغره وصار داعياً وقسيساً معترفا به في الكنيسة ، والقسيس الكاثوليكي له خبرة 12 عاماً في دعوته في القارتين الأمريكيتين ، وزوجتي كانت تتبع مذهب البورنجين الذي له ميول صهيونية ، وأنا نفسي درست الإنجيل والمذاهب النصرانية واخترت بعضاً منها أثناء حياتي وانتهيت من حصولي على شهادة الدكتوراة في العلوم اللاهوتية النصرانية . وكنا نحن النصارى في البيت يحمل كل منا نسخة مختلفة من الإنجيل ونتناقش عن الاختلافات في العقيدة النصرانية وفي الأناجيل المختلفة على مائدة مستديرة ، والمسلم يجلس معنا ويتعجب من اختلاف أناجيلنا .. فقد كان مع والدي في تلك الفترة نسخة الملك جيمس وكانت معي نسخة الريفارز إيديشن ( المُراجع والمكتوب من جديد ) التي تقول: إن في نسخة الملك جيمس الكثير من الأغلاط والطوام الكبيرة !! حيث أن النصارى لما رأوا كثرة الأخطاء في نسخة الملك جيمس اضطروا إلى كتابته من جديد وتصحيح ما رأوه من أغلاط كبيرة ، والإنجيل الثالث مع زوجتي هو نسخة القسيس المعاصر جيمي سواقرت ، والمضحك أن جيمي سواقرت هذا عندما ناظره الشيخ المسلم أحمد ديدات أمام الناس قال : إنا لست عالماً بالإنجيل !!. فكيف يكتب رجل إنجيلاً كاملاً بنفسه وهو ليس عالماً بالإنجيل ويدعي أنه من عند الله ؟!!. أما القسيس الكاثوليكي فكانت لديه نسخة أخرى لمذهبه فيها 73 سفراً ، أما الإنجيل في مذهبنا ففيه 66 سفراً ، وكل الأناجيل مختلفة وفي داخلها اختلافات كثيرة .

قال الشيخ : فسألنا المسلم المصري وكان اسمه ( محمد ) : كم نسخة مختلفة من القرآن عندكم ؟

فقال : ليس لدينا إلا نسخة واحدة ، والقرآن موجود كما أنزل بلغته العربية منذ أكثر من 1400 سنة !. فكان هذا الجواب كالصاعقة لنا !

من جانب آخر كان القسيس الك

المزيد


-Chaplain Yusuf Estes(2)

أغسطس 27th, 2007 كتبها Light of Night نشر في , Chaplain Yusuf Estes, 

لا يوجد تعليق
, 

My ethnic background is English-Native American, Irish and German. I was what they called a "WASP" (white, Anglo-Saxon, Protestant). My family moved to Texas in 1949 while I was still in grade school, so my accent changed from "Yankee" to "Texan" real quick. We learned how to say "Ya’ll" instead of "youse guys" and "Howz ever thaang?" instead of "Waz up?" We also learned how to eat "Corn bread ‘n bains" instead of "Johnny cakes and beans."

I was born in Ohio, raised and educated in Texas and was a successful marketing entrepreneur and preacher of Christianity. I grew up in a religious home. My parents and their relatives were all ‘good Christians.’ Basically that means that you never drink alcohol, except on very special occasions and never gamble expect Bingo at the church. Religion was a real part of my life. I believed very much in God and the Bible as His Word. While other children were playing ’school’ and ‘cops and robbers’ I would sometimes play the ‘Preacher.’ I can still remember my first sermon, standing on the ground in Doug Hideman’s backyard: "We must learn the Way of God! And then stay on that Way." (That’s all I said. I couldn’t think of anything else)

My whole family on both my mother’s and father’s sides were very active members of the same denomination of Protestant Christianity. We all loved to go to church on Sunday mornings for Sunday school and sermon (well maybe we didn’t all love the long  sermons). Then of course, special activities and holidays such as Easter, Christmas, Halloween and parties were always a part of our lives in my early years. Our church was originally called only "Christian Church." It wasn’t until I turned 10 or 12 years old that the church ’split’ into two different groups that we started calling ourselves "Disciples of Christ."

My father was an ordained minister and also very active in church work, as a Sunday school minister and fund raiser for Christian schools. He was the ‘expert’ in the Bible and its translations. It was through my father that I came to know about the various versions, translations and editions of the Bible as well as the introduction of pagan worship to Christianity about the time of the Emperor Constantine (325 C.E.). He, like many preachers would answer the question: "Did God actually write the Bible?" by saying: "The Bible is the Inspired Word of Man FROM GOD." Basically, it means that humans (inspired humans, but humans just the same) wrote the Bible. That quickly explains the errors, mistakes, deletions and additions which have crept in and fell out over the years. He would add: "But it is still the Word of God, as inspired to man."

God was always on my mind. I was ‘baptized’ into the ‘Spirit’  at age 12 and surprised even the minister (an ex-Jew who accepted Jesus) by my seriousness and intent on being a ‘full real follower of Christ." I would think about Him and what He wanted us to do and why He created us in the first place, very often. Many times I would be caught ‘day dreaming’ about God when I was supposed to be paying attention to other things, like watching the pots boil over on the stove or not listen to the teachers at school. Sometimes I would rest my head on my arms on the top of my desk and try to imagine: "What will happen when we die?" and "What will Heaven be like?" or "Can we ever see God’s angels or the devil?"

My mind was frequently preoccupied with these types of thoughts as a child. But then as with most youth, I became distracted from my pursuit and began to be influenced by my peers. Other children would make fun of me if I talked about these questions and thoughts, so it seemed like a good idea to keep it to myself. No problem. I like to be alone with my thoughts of God anyway.

After growing up and owning many business, I realized that I did not want to be a ‘preacher.’ I was too afraid that I might be a hypocrite or call people to something that I myself didn’t truly understand. After all, I had ‘accepted the Lord’ and considered myself a true Christian, but at the same time I could not resolve the idea of God being One and at the same time He is ‘Three.’ And if He is the ‘Father’, how could He also be the ‘Son?’ And then what about the ‘Holy Ghost?’ (later they changed that to ‘Spirit’). But my big question was always the same: "How does three equal one?"

Over the years I had tried to ‘find’ God in many different ways. I checked out Buddhism, Hinduism, metaphysics, Taoism, different forms of Christianity and Judaism. The one most attractive to me was a combination of Gnosticism (Christian mysticism) and Cabalism (Jewish mysticism) and metaphysics. This actually is a form of pantheism (God being throughout His creation) and is similar to some of the ‘Sufi’ mystics of today. But this concept in its entirety repulsed me because I did not want to imagine myself as being a ‘part of God.’ 

God is Pure! God is Perfect! God is All Knowing and All Aware of all things! So, how can I come along and say things like I was hearing from the other preachers: "In a way, we are all gods." Read the Bible:
"You are gods, sons of the Most High, all of you; nevertheless, you shall die like men, and fall like any prince." (quoted from the Old Testament; Psalms [82:6]) & "I said, you are gods." (New Testament John 10:34)

The rationalization which comes about in the books attributed to the Apostle Saul (changed his name to Paul), are full of statements which basically cancel the Torah or Law of the Old Testament. He makes it a matter of how you ‘understand’ something that makes it ‘permissible’ or ‘forbidden.’ As an example in the English Revised Standard Version which I have carried with me since 1953, it says in Paul’s letter to the Romans:
"I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself; but it is unclean for any one who thinks it unclean."
[Rom 14:14]
And again, in the same letter:
"So do not let what is good to you be spoken of as evil. For the kingdom of God does not mean food and drink but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit."
[Rom 14:16]

By these types of statements, Paul pretty much destroys the entire Old Testament Commandments. Yet at the same time, in the same English version of the Bible in the first book of the New Testament, we are told that Jesus preached a message which was exactly the opposite of St. Paul:
"Think not that I have come to abolish the law and the prophets; I have come not to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, till heaven and earth shall pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. Whoever then relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but he who does them and teaches them shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of

المزيد


Yusuf Estes- A Priest converts to Islam(1)

أغسطس 9th, 2007 كتبها Light of Night نشر في , Chaplain Yusuf Estes, 

لا يوجد تعليق
, 

Many people ask me how a preacher or priest in Christianity can ever go to Islam, especially considering all the negative things that we hear about Islam and Muslims everyday. I would like to thank everyone for their interest and offer my humble story, God Willing. Actually, a very nice Christian gentleman asked me through email why and how I left Christianity for Islam. So this is more or less a copy of the letter that I sent back to him.

My name is Yusuf Estes and I am the National Muslim Chaplain for American Muslims, sponsored by a number of organizations here in Washington, DC. As such, I travel around the entire world lecturing and sharing the message of the Christ of the Quran in Islam. We hold dialogs and discussion groups with all faiths and enjoy the opportunity to work alongside of rabbis, ministers, preachers and priests everywhere. Most of our work is in the institutional area, military, universities and prisons. Primarily our goal is to educate and communicate the correct message of Islam and who the Muslims really are. Although Islam has grown now to tie Christianity as the largest of religions on earth, we see many of those who claim Islam as Muslims, that do not correctly understand nor properly represent the message of "Peace, Surrender and Obedience to God" (Arabic = ‘Islam’).

Dear me, I am afraid that I got a bit ahead of myself, I was trying to give a bit of background on my own personal experience to see if it would in anyway benefit you in your ministry. This may seem quite strange that I would offer to help you, while we perhaps share a few different perspectives and concepts of God, Jesus, prophethood, sin and salvation. But you see, at one time I was in the same boat as you. Really, I was. Let me explain.

I was born into a very strong Christian family in the Midwest. Our family and their ancestors not only built the churches and schools across this land, but actually were the same ones who came here in the first place. While I was still in elementary we relocated in Houston, Texas in 1949 (I’m old). We attended church regularly and I was baptized at the age of 12 in Pasadena, Texas. As a teenager, I wanted to visit other churches to learn more of their teachings and beliefs. The Baptists, Methodists, Episcopalians, Charismatic movements, Nazarene, Church of Christ, Church of God, Church of God in Christ, Full Gospel, Agape, Catholic, Presbyterian and many more. I developed quite a thirst for the "Gospel" or as we say; "Good News." My research into religion did not stop with Christianity. Not at all. Hinduism, Judaism, Buddhism, Metaphysics, native American beliefs were all a part of my studies. Just about the only one that I did not look into seriously was "Islam". Why? Good question.

Anyway, I became very interested in different types of music, especially Gospel and Classical. Because my whole family was religious and musical it followed that I too would begin my studies in both areas. All this set me for the logical position of Music Minister in many of the churches that I became affiliated with over the years. I started teaching keyboard instruments in 1960 and by 1963 owned my own studios in Laurel, Maryland, called "Estes Music Studios."

Over the next 30 years my father and I worked together in many business projects. We had entertainment programs, shows and attractions. We opened piano and organ stores all the way from Texas and Oklahoma to Florida. I made millions of dollars in those years, but could not find the peace of mind that can only come through knowing the truth and finding the real plan of salvation. I’m sure you have asked yourself the question; "Why did God create me?" or "What is it that God wants me to do?" or "Exactly who is God, anyway?" "Why do we believe in ‘original sin?" and "Why would the sons of Adam be forced to accept his ’sins’ and then as a result be punished forever. But if you asked anyone these questions, they would probably tell you that you have to believe without asking, or that it is a ‘mystery’ and you shouldn’t ask.

And then there is the concept of the ‘Trinity.’ If I would ask preachers or ministers to give me some sort of an idea how ‘one’ could figure out to become ‘three’ or how God Himself, Who can do anything He Wills to do, cannot just forgive people’s sins, but rather and had to become a man, come down on earth, be a human, and then take on the sins of all people. Keeping in mind that all along He is still God of the whole universe and does as He Wills to do, both in and outside of the universe as we know it.

Then one day in 1991, I came to know that the Muslims believed in the Bible. I was shocked. How could this be? But that’s not all, they believe in Jesus as:

* a true messenger of God;
* prophet of God;
* miracle birth without human intervention;
* he was the ‘Christ’ or Messiah as predicted in the Bible;
* he is with God now and most important;
* He will be coming back in the Last Days to lead the believers against the ‘Antichrist.’

This was too much for me. Especially since the evangelists that we used to travel around with all hated Muslims and Islam very much. They even said things that were not true to make people afraid of Islam. So, why would I want anything to do with these people?

My father was very active in supporting church work, especially church school programs. He became and ordained minister in the 1970s. He and his wife (my stepmother) knew many of the TV evangelists and preachers and even visited Oral Roberts and helped in the building of the "Prayer Tower" in Tulsa, OK. They also were strong supporters of Jimmy Swaggart, Jim and Tammy Fae Bakker, Jerry Fallwell, John Haggi and the biggest enemy to Islam in America, Pat Robertson.
Dad and his wife worked together and were most active in recording "Praise" tapes and distributing them for free to people in retirement homes, hospitals and homes for the elderly. And then in 1991 he began doing business with a man from Egypt and told me that he wanted me to meet him. This idea appealed to me when I thought about the idea of having an international flavor. You know, the pyramids, sphinx, Nile River and all that. Then my father mentioned that this man was a ‘Moslem.’

I couldn’t believe my ears.
A ‘Moslem?’
No way!

I reminded my dad of the various different things that we had heard about these people, how they are -
Terrorists; hijackers; kidnappers; bombers and who knows what else?

Not only that but:

They don’t believe in God

They kiss the ground five times a day and

They worship a black box in the desert.

No!
I did not want to meet this ‘Moslem’ man. No way!

My father insisted that I meet him and reassured me that he was a very nice person. So, I gave in and agreed to the meeting.

But on my terms.
I agreed to meet him on a Sunday after church so we would be all prayed up and in good standing with the Lord. I would be carrying my Bible under my arm as usual. I would have my big shiny cross dangling and I would have on my cap which says: "Jesus is Lord" right across the front. My wife and two young daughters came along and we were ready for our first encounter with the ‘Moslems.’

When I came into the shop and asked my father where the ‘Moslem’ was, he pointed and said: "He’s right over there."
I was confused. That couldn’t be the Moslem. No way.

I’m looking for a huge man with flowing robes and big turban on his head, a beard half way down his shirt and eyebrows that go all the way across his forehead.

This man had no beard. In fact, he didn’t even have any hair on his head at all. He was very close to bald. And he was very pleasant with a warm welcome and handshake. This didn’t make sense. I thought they are terrorists and bombers. What is this all about?

Never mind. I’ll get right to work on this guy. He needs to be ’saved’ and me and the Lord are going to do it.
So, after a quick introduction, I asked him:

"Do you believe in God?"
He said:
"Yes."

(Good!)
Then I said:
"Do you believe in Adam and Eve?"
He said:
"Yes."

I said: "What about Abraham? You believe in him and how he tried to sacrifice his son for God?"
He said:
"Yes."

Then I asked:
"What about Moses?"
"Ten Commandments?"
"Parting the Red Sea?"
Again he said:
"Yes."

Then:
"What about the other prophets, David, Solomon and John the Baptist?"
He said:
"Yes."

I asked:
"Do you believe in the Bible?"
Again, he said:
"Yes."

So, now it was time for the big question:
"Do you believe in Jesus? That he was the Messiah (Christ) of God?"
Again the said:
"Yes."

Well now:
"This was going to be easier than I had thought."
He was just about ready to be baptized only he didn’t know it.
And I was just the one to do it, too.

I was winning souls to the Lord day after day and this would be a big achievement for me, to catch one of these ‘Moslems’ and ‘convert’ him to Christianity.

I asked him if he liked tea and he said he did. So off we went to a little shop in the mall to sit and talk about my favorite subject: Beliefs.

While we sat in that little coffee shop for hours talking (I did most of the talking) I came to know that he was very nice, quiet and even a bit shy. He listened attentively to every word that I had to say and did not interrupt even one time. I liked this man’s way and thought that he had definite potential to become a good Christian.

Little did I know the course of events about to unravel in front of my eyes.

First of all, I agreed with my father that we should do business with this man and even encouraged the idea of him traveling along with me on my business trips across the northern part of Texas. Day after day we would ride together and discuss various issues pertaining to different beliefs that people have. And along the way, I could of course interject some of my favorite radio programs of worship and praise to help bring the message to this poor individual. We talked about the concept of God; the meaning of life; the purpose of creation; the prophets and their mission and how God reveals His Will to mankind. We also shared a lot of personal experiences and ideas as well.

One day I came to know that my friend Mohamed was going to move out of the home he have been sharing with a friend of his and was going to be living in the mosque for a time. I went to my dad and asked him if we could invite Mohamed to come out to our big home in the country and stay there with us. After all, he could share some of the work and some expenses and he would be right there when we were ready to go to out traveling around. My father agreed and Mohamed moved in.

Of course I still would find time to visit my fellow preachers and evangelists around the state of Texas. One of them lived on the Texas — Mexico border and another lived near lived Oklahoma border. One preacher liked to a huge wooden cross that was bigger than a car. He would carry it over his shoulder and drag the bottom on the ground and go down the road or freeway hauling these two beams formed in the shape of a cross. People would stop their cars and come over to him and ask him what was going on and he would give th
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