I Never Thought I’d See The Day (book review)

February 18, 2013 — Craig T. Owens

I Never Thought I'd See The DayThe subtitle of Dr. David Jeremiah’s book is the most telling—I Never Thought I’d See The Day: Culture At The Crossroads. It is true that our American culture is at a crossroads, and decisions will have to be made now that could very well effect the direction of the church, and of this nation.

As a side note, I have a bit of an issue with the title of the book. To think we’d never see the day where our culture was sliding away from God’s standard is a bit of hyperbole. Any student of history knows that cultures have always gone through such things many, many times. What is true with American culture now has been true with other cultures, in other eras, on other continents. However, this by no means that Dr. Jeremiah has misdiagnosed where America is now.

Before a cure can be realized, a patient must first know he is sick. Then he must go to a doctor and be willing to follow the prescribed course of treatment. In many ways, Americans know something’s “not quite right” with our society, but have been unable to pinpoint the root cause. Dr. Jeremiah correctly diagnoses an American culture that has become increasingly humanistic, antagonistic toward Jesus, pluralistic, and obstinate toward the teachings of the Bible. In each chapter, Dr. Jeremiah diagnoses one symptom of our disease, and lays out a God-honoring cure.

Here’s the million dollar question: Will we follow the course of treatment?

In the last chapter, Dr. Jeremiah says,

I am pessimistic about man’s ability, independent from his Creator-God, to solve the problems he creates—especially problems of enormous scale such as those our nation and the world face today. I am, however, an optimist about God. And it is toward Him that we must turn our attention….

I Never Though I’d See The Day is a sobering read. Each chapter shows us just how far from God we’ve slid (that’s the pessimistic part), but then Dr. Jeremiah lays out a plan to bring us back to a God-fearing society (that’s the optimistic part). It’s a very interesting read which I especially think church leaders and God-fearing civic leaders must read.

I am a Faith Words book reviewer.

Check out some quotes from this book here.

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Land Of Smoke

March 1, 2011 — Craig T. Owens

Guest Blogger: Dick Brogden

Greetings From the Land of Smoke,

A Christian handed a Bible to a Northern Sudanese Muslim Arab who declined to receive it saying, “I have a smoking problem. If I take the Bible, I will just rip out the pages, make cigarettes, and smoke them.”

Thanks be to God, the distributor did not stand on niceties and responded, “No problem, go ahead and rip the pages out to make your cigarettes. But before you roll them, make sure to read the page you ripped out.”

The Muslim man agreed, took the Bible and began to contemplatively smoke his way through the Gospels. Daily he would rip out a page, peruse it, then roll it into a cigarette and puff away. Matthew, Mark, and Luke all were read and then immolated. By the time the smoker had inhaled his way into John, the Holy Spirit had begun to draw as well. John 3:16 was the clincher—it was after smoking that chapter and verse that this Muslim man gave his heart to Jesus.

I guess it goes to prove that where there’s smoke, there is fire!

Dick Brogden and his family have served as missionaries in Sudan for 15 years.

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Comparative Religion Class In Sudan

March 22, 2010 — Craig T. Owens

Guest Author: Dick Brogden

There is a wonderful Egyptian Mission agency active in Sudan that exists to give Christ’s living water to the last, least, and lost.  One annual ministry they provide is a Book and Bible exhibition in the middle of downtown Khartoum.  They sell Christian books and Bibles, show Christian films, and host lectures on aspects of the Christian faith.  The exhibition is set up in an empty lot that opens on the major downtown avenue and is open to all.

Last month during the exhibition, five buses pulled up and 150 veiled-to-the-eyes Muslim women plodded out.  They were the first year students from a local Islamic University.  Their professor of comparative religion, Dr. Yathrub, decided they needed to interact with some Christians.  The 150 women were respectful, participated in the events, and took home some free literature as a gift.  Dr. Yathrub asked if she could return with the 4th year students.

A couple days later, five more buses, and 150 more Muslim women, most veiled-to-the-eyes showed up.  One hundred of them marched right to the lecture tent and asked if the lecturer could address the issue of the unity of God and the Trinity.  The staff obliged and a wonderful question and answer time followed.  Again, all the students were kind, earnest, and respectful in their interaction.  They too were given a free Christian book titled, “Did Jesus ever claim to be God?” and went home happy.  Dr. Yathrub asked if she could bring the entire year 2 and 3 students, and of course the staff of the event agreed.

The next day Dr. Yathrub called to apologize.  She could not make it nor bring the other students.  Evidently, 300 veiled Muslim women marching around the campus happily reading, discussing, and sharing Christian material was too much for the administration and they opened an investigation of censure against Dr. Yathrub.  To her credit she did not back down, insisting that in comparative religious studies you must be free to compare religions.  A novel and dangerous idea.

Would you join us in praise and prayer.  Praise God that 300 Muslim women were gracious and brave enough to visit the exhibition.  Pray that the words they heard, and the literature they now posses, would be used of the Holy Spirit to delight their hearts in Jesus and unveil their spirits.  Praise God for the courage for Dr. Yathrub.  Would you pray with us that God would reward her with Himself and unveil Jesus to her.  Praise God for the Living Water Team.  Please pray that they continue to be bold and loving in witness and that as a result they too experience a mighty refreshing.

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Land Of Combustion

February 16, 2010 — Craig T. Owens

Guest Author: Dick Brogden

Wilson is a Southern Sudanese Christian who heads the bio water filter project in Eastern Sudan. Made from local materials (cement, gravel, sand) these three-foot-high filters can provide clean water to whole families. In the last two years, Wilson has made and placed over 600 filters, primarily in Muslim homes. This service has opened the door for him to share his faith in Jesus.

A few weeks ago, a Muslim family approached Wilson with a problem. Their home was full of demonic activity. Furniture would be moved around in the night, items in the house would spontaneously combust, the bursting flames destroying many family possessions.

The Muslim family consulted a Muslim Sheikh who demanded $10,000 to exorcise the house. He came, did his Islamic chants, and left a Koran for the family to use to ward off the evil. That night, the Koran burst into flames and was destroyed. In desperation, the family turned to Wilson.

Wilson turned them to Jesus. He explained that protection follows Lordship and that the family had to repent of sin and turn to Jesus as Savior in order to be under His covering. Not rushing things, he took adequate time to walk the family through what it meant to be a sinner and for Jesus to be the only Savior. The family openly confessed their sin, repented, and invited Jesus to be Lord and Savior. Only then did Wilson walk through the house praying over every room.

When Wilson left, he gave the family a Bible. “Oh no,” they said, “We do not want this to burst into flames as well.” Wilson gently told them that this was the real Word of God, and that as the house now was under the protection of Jesus all would be well.

The next morning the new believers called Wilson. “This is great!” they said. “No demons, and nothing has happened to the Bible.”

Water and Fire. What a great combination.

Dick Brogden and his family have served as missionaries in Sudan for 14 years.

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