A Muslim Book

For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,
saith the Lord. 
Isaiah 55:8

The Lord always amazes me at the way He does things. Very often it is not in the way I would expect...

​Therefore today was no different. Earlier I got into a long discussion with a man who's a Muslim. He happened to see me with a copy of a popular book called, THE CASE FOR FAITH by Lee Strobel. Mr. Strobel was a former news reporter and an award winning journalist who, in his own words, went from being a "spiritual skeptic" to that of a devout Christian. He has since written a handful of books about his faith. Mr. Strobel is a Yale Law School graduate with a degree in Master of Studies in Law. Over the years he's shared his beliefs on television programs such as Larry King Live.

The Case for Faith: A Journalist Investigates the Toughest Objections to Christianity

Lee Strobel became convinced of the truth about Jesus Christ and what the Bible has to say about Him after he painstakingly examined all the known evidence and spoke with scholars and ministers about their beliefs. Today Mr. Strobel believes in the evidence which points to both an historical Jesus as well as to His miraculous resurrection from the grave.

Interestingly this Muslim man knew about Lee Strobel. So when he inquired about the book I asked him if he would like to read it. But to my own surprise, just as I said those words, the next words out of my mouth were, "Here, you could keep it because I could get another copy from my chaplain." He too was surprised.

But before he would take the book from my hands, however, he quickly darted his eyes from side to side to see if anyone was watching us. I realized what was happening and why he was being so obviously cautious. He was fearful that another Muslim may see the transaction that was getting ready to take place. Fortunately no one was looking our way. Nevertheless, not taking any chances, he made one swift grab and snatched THE CASE FOR FAITH from my hand. He then immediately tucked it behind another book he'd been carrying and walked off in the direction of his cell.

​Several years ago a similar thing happened to me. I was attending a class on substance abuse when another Muslim sat next to me. During our allotted ten minute breaks I would take out of my mesh carrying bag a copy of the book I was reading at the time. It was MORE THAN A CARPENTER by noted Christian author, Josh McDowell. ​Seeing the book and somehow being familiar with it, this Muslim began to ask me some questions in reference to it. He said he had heard about the book before, but never read it. 

By Josh D. McDowell
More Than a Carpenter

Immediately I sensed that I was to offer it to him. I did. He too was surprised, just like the Muslim I encountered today. He looked around the classroom. And seeing that almost everyone else but the two of us had left the room for a smoke, he took the book and placed it deep into his bag. He gave me a quick wink and thanked me. Then, during the next class session I privately asked if he started reading it. He nodded yes.

My mission was done. God does work among humanity in His own unique ways, and His ways are always the best.

D.B.