"I am 13 years old. I come from Bagato village a few kilometres away from Hangu city. I was admitted to the Madrassa Tajweedual Quran two years ago. The Holy Koran is comprised of 30 chapters and I have learnt seven chapters by heart so far. "

This was quoted by Muhammad Hashim who is on his way to completing the Hiffaz (which is learning the Koran by heart). He is one of many Islamic males who embark this quest, and it would seem many finish in their mid twenties. Few I find show such devotion to a book. When was the last time that you or I were so devoted to a book that we set out to memorize every word on every page? I am a servant of Jesus Christ, and I am shamed to say that I perhaps spend .1% of my day specifically devoted to memorization. It is true that I am not sure what motivates such individuals, perhaps legalism or parental pressure. That dose not excuses my ability to be easily sidetracked. Video games, television, movies, they may not all be bad, but what part do they play in my future. What impact will I reverberate in our world by spending my time playing Video Games? Even if I don’t believe in Muhammad Hasim’s God and recognize that his studies are in vain, he could teach me a lot about dedication and priorities. May I be as devoted to my One True God as Muhammad Hasim is to his. You can see the interview with Hashim and others at http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/talking_point/4715235.stm#muhammad

A mighty rising impasse treads on as drops of water conform into one giant serpent slithering along the vast land. Glints of silver can be seen fighting this stubborn serpent, defying the rivers will. I, Nate, am one of these salmon. The salmon spends a lot of their life fighting the current. I as a Christian am doing the same. I am fighting the rushing rapids of our culture as It seeks to devour my destiny and direct me with all the other life in the river. I may align myself with the salmon, but I recognize that I am barley worthy to wear such a title. Sometimes I feel as if I am facing the current, but not necessarily fighting it. Fish perhaps watch my defiance, but pass with belittling thoughts. Other times I find myself drifting with the current: resting and loosing ground in the process. Lord, I pray you make the current of our culture noticeable for all, and that you would raise men with the leave to fight the lack pf purity, the increase in immorality, the rise of homosexual sin, and the pride of prosperity. To stand as a sign against fake tolerance, and surface acceptance, may I be of those men whom life goes against the grain. Amen.

Our world that we live in is so vast

Our world that we live in is so vast. What an honor I have to have been given this gift of life. Think about how enormous our world is. Our eyes can only see so much at one time. Our hands can only feel so much at one time. Our heart can only handle so much at one time. Right now we get the chance to see about .0001 percent of what is going on in our world. Now think about how much we will experience in a lifetime. Compare that to the beginning of time! What a humbling thought. We can never grasp all the secrets of this life because our reach is not long enough. We can never see all the wonders of this world; our eyes can?t cross the boundaries of time, but are limited to a diminutive space. Are hearts can?t experience everything that is in the world, for I am certain that if possible?they would break. That is what I seek. I wish that my heart would be broken by the wonders of this world. For only with a broken heart can I really see God like he wants me to (Psalms 51:17). Then can I depend on him, and put my trust wholly in him. Abba, quite my voice so that I may hear you. Open my eyes so that I may see you. Touch me so that I may feel you. Break my heart so that I may truly know you. Amen