Here beginneth (or endeth, depending on what order you’re reading these blog posts in) a handful of more “philosophical” blog posts, of various lengths.

---

If you look at the picture of us visiting our (UUMC’s) Imbaraga “Power” group, you may see a couple of kids whose heads are covered.

These kids are Islamic. I consider this a mark of what kind of mission we’re engaged in. We offer support and comfort because that is what God calls all of us to do. We do not require those who receive what we have to offer to profess a faith that Jesus Christ is the (sole?) savior of the world, although, of course, we’re happy if they do. (Bearing in mind that merely professing faith is not enough, as James says.)

There are those of other faiths who also respond to a call from God. As Jesus says in John 10:16, “I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice.” One example (of many, I’m sure) is the Nigerian (Islamic) imam who sheltered 262 Christians from death at the hands of a mob by offering his own life in exchange.

Some might consider the idea of an imam (or anybody of another faith) following Jesus the shepherd to be belittling or demeaning to their faith. However, if Jesus is God, or if Jesus is God’s representative on Earth, then it’s God that’s calling.

Our actions speak louder than our words, and those actions are our witness.