A Muslim Meets Jesus

The following is the miraculous, first-hand account of a Muslim turning to Jesus (from About.com/Christianity)

Khalid Mansoor Soomro is from the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. He was an ardent follower of Mohammad until he decided to make a challenge to some Christian students at his school. This dramatic testimony tells how one Muslim convert came to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

Khalid's Challenge A Pakistani Muslim Comes Face to Face With Jesus Christ
by Khalid Mansoor Soomro

And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature." (Mark 16:15, NKJV)

When I was 14 years old I was studying in a convent school in Pakistan. I belong to a Muslim family.

My parents had forced me to learn the Qur'an by heart when I was seven, and so I did. I had a lot of Christian fellows (or acquaintances) at school. I was surprised to see them studying because I had always found Christians to be of low profile in the society.

I discussed and argued a lot with them about the accuracy of the Qur'an and rejection of the Bible by Allah in the Holy Qur'an. I always forced them to accept Islam. Often my Christian teacher told me not to do so. He said, "God may choose you as he chose the Apostle Paulus." I asked him who Paulus was because I knew Mohammad only.

A Challenge
One day during our discussion I challenged the Christians, suggesting that we each burn the other's Holy book. They should burn the Qur'an and I should do the same with the Bible. We agreed: "The book which would burn, would be false. The book which would not burn, would have the truth. God himself would save his Word."

The Christians were not ready to do this because they were frightened. Living in an Islamic country and doing such a thing could lead them to face the law and meet its consequences. I told them I would do it by myself.

With them watching, first, I set the Qur'an on fire and it burned before our eyes. Then I attempted to do the same with the Bible. As soon as I tried, the Bible struck my chest and I fell to the ground. Smoke surrounded my body. I was burning, not physically, but from a spiritual fire. Then suddenly I saw a man with golden hair at my side. He was wrapped in light. He placed his hand on my head and said, "You are my son and from now on you will preach the gospel in your nation. Go! Your Lord is with you."

Then the vision continued and I saw a grave stone, which had been removed from the tomb. Mary Magdalene spoke to the gardener who had probably taken the body of the Lord. The gardener was Jesus himself. He kissed the hand of Mary and I woke up. I felt very strong as if someone could strike me, but I would not be hurt.

A Rejection
I went home and I told my parents what had happened, but they did not believe me. They thought the Christians had me under some kind of magic, but I told them that everything had happened before my very own eyes and that many people were watching. They still did not believe me and they turned me out of my home, refusing to accept me as their family member.

I went to a church close to my home; I told the priest there all about what had happened. I asked him to show me the Bible. He gave me the Scriptures and I read about the event I had seen in the vision with Mary Magdalene. That day, February 17, 1985, I accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior.

A Calling
My family rejected me. I went to various churches and got more knowledge about the Word of God. I also followed many Bible courses and then I went into Christian ministry. Now, after 21 years, I have had the joy of seeing many people come to the Lord and accept Jesus Christ as their Savior.

Thanks to the Lord, I am now married and have a Christian family. My wife Khalida and I are involved in the work of the Lord and have been able to share the miracles God has been doing in our lives.

Even though it is not easy and we face many hardships, we feel like Paul who went through hardships and suffering for the glory of his Savior, Jesus, who himself suffered during his walk on earth and his time on the cross.

We thank God the Father for sending his Son to this earth and giving us free, eternal life through him. Likewise, we thank God for his Spirit who encourages us day by day to live for him.

I Love Betty Hutton!

Betty Hutton, that blond fireball that fueled wartime America in joy and song, is the most underrated, and almost forgotten, singing superstar from Hollywood's bygone era.

Entertainer of movies from the 40s and 50s, she was the biggest female star on the Paramount lot. Her exuberant singing style and comic interpretation of songs has not yet been duplicated. She costarred with all the big names: Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire and gave them all a run for their money in the laugh department. Her most memorable role may have been in Irving Berlin's ANNIE GET YOUR GUN (1950).

ANNIE was her most sought-after role, but, as it turned out, it was the heartbreak of her life. Judy Garland was originally cast as Annie, but was removed from the role due to her addictions. The cast and crew, inexplicably, never "forgave" Betty for replacing Judy and made her stay intolerable.

She continued performing into the television era, with less and less enthusiasm and ambition.

Betty's later years were spent fighting addictions herself. Four failed marriages, loss of her millions, dispirited of life, Betty suffered a nervous breakdown in 1973. Restored to emotional well-being by Catholic Father Peter Maguire, Betty became a Catholic and gave her life wholeheartedly to the Lord Jesus Christ. Nothing mattered anymore - she felt love and acceptance then, more than she ever received in Hollywood's heyday. She died in 2007, after enjoying renewed acclaim of her work.

In choosing her best song, I'm stymied! She's so talented in all the clips I've seen, how can you pick the best? Well, let's begin somewhere anyway.

Here's my initial all-time favorite that got me hooked on Hutton. Listen to the way she performs Cole Porter's lip-acrobatic-lyrics, "Let's Not Talk About Love" from LET'S FACE IT (1943).





Here's my other all-time favorite: "That's Loyalty" from RED, HOT AND BLUE (1949). Look at the way she uses every part of her body to tell the story, moving from graceful femininity to comic exuberance in a wink.



Finally, my third all-time favorite: "Doctor, Lawyer, Indian Chief" from THE STORK CLUB (1945). She is so enjoyable to watch, I could view these videos over and over again.




BONUS TRACK: Ay, what the hey. Here's another favorite: "His Rocking Horse Ran Away" from AND THE ANGELS SING (1944).




It's great to know that "this vitamin pill with legs," as Bob Hope called her, is in the Lord's presence now. (For more on Betty Hutton, go to her satinsandspurs website).