by Tina | Jul 17, 2015 | Devotional
Because we live in a Muslim/Christian nation, today is a national holiday in Nigeria. I thought I would give those that are interested a little peek into what this looks like here in Nigeria.
Ramadan, the ninth month of the Muslim year, during which strict fasting is observed in daylight hours, began on 18 June this year and ends this evening (July 17). Many Muslims try to give up bad habits during Ramadan and some will pray more or read the Koran.
Does Ramadan always start on the same day?
No. Because Ramadan is a lunar month, it begins about 11 days earlier each year.
Why is the month so significant?
Principally because it is the month that Allah revealed the Koran to the last Prophet, Muhammad.
Why do Muslims fast during Ramadan?
The practice is intended to help teach Muslims “self-discipline, self-restraint and generosity”, It’s common to have one meal (known as the suhoor) just before sunrise and another (known as the iftar) directly after sunset.
When does it end?
This year Ramadan will finish this evening of July 17. The month of fasting culminates with the festival of Eid ul-Fitr, which takes place either 29 or 20 days after the beginning of the month. The date is determined by the first confirmed sighting of the new moon. The festivities begin with early morning prayers and breakfast, followed by a day of feasting with friends and family. Many Muslims don their best clothes to celebrate eating their first daylight meal in a month and give thanks to Allah for giving them strength and self-control. Gifts are often exchanged and homes are decorated to mark one of the most important days in the Muslim calendar. But it is also a time of reflection, forgiveness and altruism.
Today as I go about my day, join me in praying that we are lights in their world and that God gives us wisdom as we live side by side in our community.
by Tina | Jul 9, 2015 | Devotional
Dear Friends, I decided that once in a while I am going to post a song that affected me at a particular junction in life and affected me deep down to my core. This is a picture of a Children’s Sunday School room here in Nigeria. We do not even have flannel graph here!
About 1993 one of my then favorite musicians, Geoff Moore, came out with an album entitled “Home Run”. I loved this whole album and we even went to see them in concert. On that record was a song, “Tell Me Again”. Here are the lyrics, just read them, or google the YouTube Video (which they won’t let me post here). There is a version posted by Will Ellett that I just love. Read the lyrics, they always give me a word picture that reaches straight into my heart and pulls~
“Tell Me Again”
(Words and Music by Geoff Moore and Steven Curtis Chapman)
Verse One
A little boy sitting on a metal folding chair,
In what appears to be a Sunday school room.
He could see that shepherd boy, His sling up in the air,
He could feel that giant hit with a boom.
In that room I saw the Red Sea part,
And two by two animals get in the ark.
And Mrs. Keen gently would say,
The God of the past is still God today.
Chorus
So tell me again of the old, old stories.
Tell me again of the faithful who walked,
In the lions’ den and the fiery furnace,
Of Noah and rainbows and donkeys that talked.
I don’t want to forget so please, tell me again.
Verse Two
A young man sitting at a desk with a wooden chair,
In what appears to be a high school class.
He can see a battlefield there’s giants everywhere
saying, “The Bible is a thing of the past”.
In this new age you believe what you want to believe.
‘Cause god is whatever you want it to be,
And I can hear Mrs. Keen gently say,
The God of the past is still God today.
Chorus
So tell me again of the old, old stories.
Tell me again of the faithful who walked,
In the lions’ den and the fiery furnace,
Of Noah and rainbows and donkeys that talked.
I don’t want to forget so please, tell me again.
Bridge
How the God of the ages,
Turned history’s pages and saw my need.
Tell me again of the shepherds and wise men,
And the star that would lead them to the baby who was born,
So that we could be born again.
Second Chorus
Tell me again of the Gospel story.
Tell me again how the whole world was lost.
How the Only Begotten with grace so amazing,
Gave up His life on an old rugged cross.
I don’t want to forget so please, tell me
Tell me again of the old, old stories.
Tell me again of the faithful who walked.
How the Only Begotten, with grace so amazing,
Gave up His life on an old rugged cross.
I don’t want to forget so please, tell me again.
I don’t want to forget, so please, tell me again.
It has been two years since I have worked with children now. It makes me sad. Sunday School in Nigeria is far different than in Minneapolis MN. I have just started a Bible Study with some teen girls and I hope to impart the same message that I have been for the last thirty years to children. I also have many plans for teaching and training church workers and am very excited about empowering the teachers here with our AWANA trainings and resources.
My point for today is this: Who are you sharing the message, “The God of the past is still God today” with?
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