Eight years ago I wrote a piece entitled “Why I Am A Christian” that drew a lot response at the time. Now eight years further along the journey, I’ve revised it for those who may have missed it first time through I am a Christian because the Biblical story offers the most complete and workable answers to life’s most enduring questions: “Where did we come from?” “Why are we here?” “What’s wrong with the world, and how can it be fixed?” “Why do I love beauty?” “Why do I have a passion for justice?” While the Darwinists, Marxists, and Postmodern intellectuals wrestle to make sense of the world, the Biblical record quietly assembles the pieces into a story line that offers a full accounting of life and existence. No other worldview even comes close.

I’m a believer because Biblical Christianity produces good and enduring fruit. I’m not talking about religion and institutionalized church history, but Kingdom Christianity as practiced by the early church and small groups of faithful believers over the centuries. No other worldview has built so many hospitals, fed so many poor, emancipated so many slaves, and established so many organizations to serve, educate, heal, and bless the human race as the true followers of Christ who recognize that “inasmuch as you did it to the least of these, my brothers, you did it unto me.”

I am a Christian because creation itself demonstrates a wondrous order that points to a loving Creator. Not only is the hand of God evident in the miraculous intricacies of animal instincts, hearing and sight, reproduction, the seasons, the water cycle, and the natural laws of nature, but man and animal alike exhibit a capacity for love and relationship that could never arise out of an impersonal time-chance worldview. I’m not bothered with so-called scientific theories that claim “dead matter plus time and chance when thrown together will produce life, order, personality and purpose.” I’m afraid I don’t have enough faith to believe something so preposterous.

I am a follower of Jesus because the Biblical worldview offers the best and most enduring foundation for a civilized society. It’s no accident that almost without exception the most stable, democratic, prosperous, and technologically advanced nations of the world all find their historic roots springing from the soil of a Biblical worldview.

And finally I am a follower of Christ because of the deeply personal way He meets me in everyday life; because he steps into human despair and separation with a love and quiet presence that brings assurance that I am no longer alone.

As the years of my human existence pile up, the certainty of my soul deepens into the experience of C.S. Lewis, who so aptly expressed, “I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen; Not only because I see it, but because by it I see all things.”

I’ve written about hospitality before, and how it’s the doorway into the Kingdom.  The first thing you notice about Jesus is way he honored people and welcomed them into his presence.

Last week in DaMour, Lebanon I experienced a level of hospitality deeper than anything I’ve ever seen.  In a classroom of  Syrian, Lebanese, Armenian, Brazilian, and American Believers, I was made to feel like a visiting dignitary.  They didn’t even want me to fill my own water glass from the tap.  The honor and respect these students extended to each other, along with their shiny smiles, was a compelling reflection of the Kingdom.  It was my first time teaching in the Middle East, and I sure hope it won’t be the last.

Now I’m in Budapest with a happy group of American and Canadian students.  I had the worst travel experience of my life on the flight from Beirut when we got diverted and then stranded in Izmir, Turkey, for ten excruciating hours.  But that story will have to wait until another time.  It was a maddening example of a worldview that values control over relationship, almost the exact opposite of my experience in Lebanon.   And to make matters worse, the airline lost my luggage.  So here I am with only the clothes on my back.

Thanks to all of you who have been praying for my Mom.  She’s at home “taking it easy.”

Lets be praying for victims of the tsunami in Samoa, the earthquake in Indonesia, and now the typhoon in the Philippines.   If you’re like me, it’s easy to become passive to the growing litany of tragedies in the news and to just skip over to the next article of the day.  But these are priceless human beings with dreams and families and who bear the image of God.   Remember, too, that organizations like World Vision, Food for the Hungry and others are already on site and asking for help.

A little informal poll:  I’m interested in what my friends think about the idea that the teachers and heroes of a Christian ought to be Christians.  Don’t be shy.  You can go to the comments and read my thoughts, but I’m really interested in yours.

Let’s pray for Iran.  The events unfolding among the brave people of that nation have the potential to be as history-shaping as the dismantling of the Berlin Wall in 1989.  My Persian friends have been telling me for years how the common people of Iran detest the death-hold of the Mullahs.  This could be the time of their liberation, and we don’t want to miss the opportunity to stand with them in our prayers.

The kingdom of God means setting at liberty those who are oppressed, (Luke 4:18), and each time we pray “thy kingdom come” we would do well to remember our friends who are suffering under the yoke of religious bondage.

Today I’m told the Romanian church celebrates Pentecost, and after a week in a classroom of young students ranging from orphans and illiterates to journalists and university students here in Targu Mures, (almost sounds like the original disciples!), I’ve been handed the opportunity to “preach” in a nearby Pentecostal church.   Preaching isn’t something I’m especially good at, but I’m excited to see what Abba has in store.  Some of the young people in this church have been students in the past, so this could be a good chance to encourage them and underscore the role of the Holy Spirit in building His Kingdom .

Tomorrow we’ll start with fresh group of students in Medias, a small town in the center of the country.  My friend Zak James, from my home church in Florence, South Carolina, is with me for three weeks, and he’s been a handy helper and encouragement along the way.  Thanks for whatever prayers you can spare.

Today we visited the Auschwitz and Birkenau death camps and saw first hand the final solution of Hitler’s Nazi Experiment.   Well over a million men, women and children were exterminated in the gas chambers of these two camps.   One room contained two tons of human hair that was being processed into fabric for lining winter coats.  Another room contained over 20,000 shoes of all shapes and sizes.  Both were just a tiny fraction of what was collected from the corpses.   We stood in the gas chamber, looked into the furnaces and peered into the ash pits where countless human beings – created in the image of God – were snuffed out and erased from human history.  I have neither the words nor the emotional equipment to categorize my experience here.

Tonight we stay in Krakow.  Prior to the final solution Poland had a Jewish population of over three million.  Today there are fewer than a thousand.   May God have mercy on us.

“We know that a man can read Goethe or Rilke in the evening, that he can play Bach and Schubert, and go to his day’s work at Auschwitz in the morning.” -George Steiner

Another year older, and I’m at peace with it. I never EVER imagined being fifty six, but since I’ve arrived at this august marker I’m resolute to embrace it with joy. “Dethroning the idol of youth” is what I’m thinking; Another year closer to Jesus, and hopefully another year more like him.

A little gang of fifteen students, (the oldest of which was less than half my age), took me to lunch down by the sea. For a birthday gift I asked each one to share some word of wisdom, and so while the Pacific breakers crashed behind us I was treated to a smorgasbord of international advice. Afterward we found a grassy spot and played volleyball, and I felt God smile at me. “This is especially for you” He said.

I love my life. Childhood dreams never stretched so far as to imagine the kingdom adventure I get to live every day. Challenges keep squeezing me forward, like this week’s fresh conviction to surrender my preference for comfort and prerogative of holding onto things. (In a years’ time I intend to own measurably fewer possessions than I own now).

After sunset I found a place on the seawall and watched – or more accurately – experienced the thunderous Pacific waves. They’re unusually massive this week due to stormy weather. It was a good day all the way around.

For age is opportunity no less than youth itself, though in another dress. And as the evening twilight fades away the night is filled with stars invisible by day.

H. W. Longfellow

O beauty unleashed;
Pursuing passion of Father love;
Crash your tsunamic affection
over these wreck-strewn shores.
Come rush over us,
Gush over us,
Churn over us
Until Triune grace lifts us once more.

-January 8, 2009

Two days before Christmas I got a call from a friend asking me to come and staff the justice-focused DTS (Discipleship Training School) in Kona, Hawaii for the next three months. After prayer and relinquishing all the happy expectations I had for this time, I felt like God said, “Go. This is an opportunity I’ve opened for you.” So with only days to prepare, I arrived here on Monday night.  It’s been a delightful adventure so far, and I expect to have some great things to report in the coming weeks!

In the meantime I’ve been thinking about how grateful I am for friends like you who faithfully read these entries, pray, support, and converse with me through your comments.  You have no idea what a blessing it is to log on and see that some sweet friend has dropped in and left a note of encouragement or some thoughts to chew on.  You are part of a small army who keeps me encouraged, supported, and challenged.  THANK YOU, (or as they say in Kona “mahalo”), for being a part of this adventure!!

“One individual life may be of priceless value to God’s purposes,
and yours may be that life.”
- Oswald Chambers