Friday, March 26, 2010

Book giveaway - Through the Eyes of Christ by Harry Morin and Nikki Arana

I have a different sort of book to give away this week, and I hope it will pique your interest. This is a non-fiction book about how to share your Christian faith with Muslims. I had the privilege of reading a copy sent to me by one of the author's Nikki Arana. Nikki and I met online and shared our interest in the Muslim people. Me, because of their connection to the end times and Nikki because God has called her to minister to them. For many years, Muslims have been emigrating to America and moving into our neighborhoods. Their culture: food, dress, beliefs, customs seem so strange to us that it may be difficult to even want to try and form friendships with them. And once we form those friendships, how do we bring up spiritual matters?

If you are a true follower of Christ, remember He has commissioned us to share His gospel with all peoples of all nationalities. But when it comes to Muslims, maybe you're like me. They seem a bit intimidating. After all, it was radical Muslims who attacked our country. It is radical Muslims who we are fighting against in Afghanistan and Iraq. Their theology instructs them that to murder infidels in the name of their god, Allah, will guarantee them a place in heaven. That is a very powerful belief. Imagine if you could guarantee that you and fifty of your family and closest friends would end up in heaven if you martyred yourself and killed Americans or Israelis in the process. I might consider that if I truly believed it.  

But in these last days so many of these Muslims are coming to Christ! What better way to stop the spread of this frightening and violent theology than leading your Muslim friend to the God of all peace and truth and love?  This is where Nikki and Harry's book comes in. The book starts out with a thorough description of Muslim religious beliefs, practices, and culture. It describes in detail why and how some of our American lifestyles are an abomination to most Muslims.  It instructs you step by step in how to form a friendship with a Muslim family, then continues with pointers on how to deepen that friendship.
The book discusses how to use verses and theology that are similar in both the Koran and the Bible to start spiritual discussions with your Muslim friends and then gives you ideas of how to use things that our two religions have in common rather than focusing on the differences.
Muslim objections to Christianity are also discussed in detail as well as examples of how to lead a Muslim in prayer. But it doesn't stop there. It also discusses how to disciple a Muslim in their new faith.

Many of you may not know a Muslim now, but believe me, you probably will meet some in your lifetime. This book is a must-have for anyone whom God leads to witness to Muslims. It is thorough and can be used as a day by day manual through your interactions with your Muslim friends.
I will add one word of caution. Prayerfully approach any Muslim you meet and always allow God's Spirit to guide you. You do not know if you are meeting a radical or moderate Muslim so you need to keep close to God and open your ears to His guidance.  If the Muslim rejects your friendship, walk away and do not force yourself on him. Keep him or her prayer.

Nikki Arana is an award-winning author of women's fiction, essays, poetry and magazine articles. To find out more about her and her books please visit her web site: http://www.nikkiarana.com/

Nikki has graciously offered a free copy of her book to a lucky winner. (US addresses only, sorry) So, please leave a comment about this post and I'll enter your name in a drawing to be announced in 2 weeks on April 16th!

17 comments:

  1. Thank you, MaryLou for featuring this book, and thank you, Niki, for writing it. This is a precious manual on how to love Muslims. If they're not your enemy, they may soon be your neighbor. And we sure need to know how to relate to them. This book shows us how, and takes away a lot of the fear and uncertainty of attempting something new. God bless you both.

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  2. Please put me in for the draw. Don't come across many Muslims where I live, but I'm always up for learning something new.

    csteward@gmsa.org

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  3. I have read this book and it's an excellent tool to bring Muslims to accept our Lord. Please, if I do win this book,give it to the next person in line as I have one now. Thank you,
    Dominic Daddato.

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  4. Thank you for pointing out a good resource for helping the body of Christ to uderstand Islam and to learn to love and engage with Muslims in Jesus' name.

    Joel Hogan

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  5. I've been looking for something exactly like this! I've always felt prepared to witness to athiests and agnostics, but when it comes to people of different religions, I'm lost at where to start. I'll definately order this if I don't win, but please enter me in the drawing.
    And thank you for holding these giveaways, MaryLu!

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  6. You touch people's hearts no matter what you write, Nikki, and this book is no exception.

    No need to enter me in the draw, MaryLu, because I've had a sneak peek already. Whoever wins Nikki's book will be blessed by it. : )

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  7. Enter me!

    Nikki has done her research with good people.

    JOHN <><

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  8. This sounds like a sound book for witnessing to the Muslims, something I could definitely use. Please enter me.
    desertrose5173 at gmail dot com

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  9. This certainly is much needed in these times. Islam seems intimidating, but Muslims after all are only people in need of Jesus Christ.

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  10. Incredible! Please enter me. The Lord has put a soft spot in my heart for Muslims recently and I'd love to learn how to share Christ love with them.

    jessjokin@juno.com

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  11. The thought of Muslims and Islam is scary given the information flooding our media today. A book like this is a must-have as it is not a question of "if" we meet a Muslim, but "when". Please enter me in your drawing. Thank you!
    ~Linda
    lindastrawn(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  12. The thought of Muslims and Islam is scary given the information flooding our media today. A book like this is a must-have as it is not a question of "if" we meet a Muslim, but "when". Please enter me in your drawing. Thank you!
    ~Linda
    lindastrawn(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  13. What a blessing to read all these comments.Linda is right, the Muslim community is growing here in America. There are many moderate Muslims who are approachable. If anyone feels that the Lord is calling them to pray for the salvation of Muslims, please contact me privately at nikki@nikkiarana.com. I have a prayer group that prays for this ministry.

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  14. A very timely book. I look forward to reading it.

    Thank you for the opportunity to win a copy.

    Blessings,
    A J Hawke
    ajhawke.blogspot.com

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  15. I once knew some muslim people,but I was always at a loss on how to share the Gospel with them. I would very much like to have this book. Pleas enter me!
    Thanks,

    imazoegirl@yahoo.com

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  16. I think tjis would be a great resource to have. Thanks for the opportunity to win!

    seizethebookblog(at)gmail(dot)com

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  17. Please put my name in.tracy77@windstream.net

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