Why oh Lord, Why?

Of all the vilest profanities. Of all the most evil hypocrisies. Of all the most treacherous deceits spoken by men. Of all the most venomous lies ever told. Of all the most blasphemous words cried out in times of despair. Of all the most sinful, wicked, licentious and barbaric terrors which have ever graced the face of the earth, none could ever compare to the Christian faith which states "God cannot."

A Very Grave Person Hang Up Against the Wall

"So [The Interpreter] commanded this man to light the candle, and bid Christian follow him: so he had him into a private room, and bid his man open a door; the which when he had done, Christian saw the picture of a very grave person hang up against the wall; and this was the fashion of it. It had eyes lifted up to heaven, the best of books in his hand, the law of truth was written upon his lips, the world was behind his back. It stood as if it pleaded with men, and a crown of gold did hang over his head."

- John Bunyan, Pilgrim's Progress

While witnessing in Αγια Παρασκευι, I met a girl named Tina who was waiting to catch a bus. She was probably in her early twenties; seemed to be the classic college student in a sense. I witnessed to her about Jesus Christ and we talked about the lack of sufficiency in the teachings of the Orthodox Church. She may have been the person most open to the gospel that I have met in my life, and just when I was going to ask if she wanted to commit her life to Jesus, the bus came, and she ran to catch it and left.

This was a girl I barely knew and had no connection with whatsoever, but in that moment, I understood the burden of Jesus for people. In that moment, I was absolutely grieved for a person who I didn't know, and likely would never see again. That night I cried out to God "Oh Lord, save this girl as You have me." I still pray for her and hope that Jesus catches her up in the clouds one day.

The Flight to Greece

It seems like years and years ago that I flew on a plane from Seattle to Athens. The idea of the United States seems strange to me; the smells, sounds, foods and desires are different. The truth is though that I have only been gone for three months from my home. I only remember bits and pieces of the flight, but there certainly was some beauty to it.

I sat watching the small screen in front of me, it showed a little red blip flying over countries and continents, and it was fascinating to see where the plane was at all times. I remember flying over Ireland and England, Italy and France. The sunrise over Marseille was one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen in my life.

Sitting just beside me was a kind of fruit-nut woman. The classic Pacific Northwest socks with sandals-hiker-writer-wannabe poet-spiritualist woman. We started talking, because although I would be perfectly content just to stare out the window for hours on end, she was less enthused by the adventure at hand. We talked about life and pasts and futures and things, and lo and behold, the whole "I'm going to a Greek Bible college" schtick really caught her attention and we talked about God.

I never learned her real name, but now I call her Le-anne. We talked and talked, and she thought that Jesus was a great guy, but that everybody found their own way to God. We talked more and more, and by the end she said that she thought Jesus was 'full of crock' when we talked about what He actually said. I suppose that's at least some improvement.

I'm still praying for Le-Anne, and I desperately hope that one day I see her in heaven. What a glorious day that would be.

God's Work of Evangelism

Just about three weeks ago, God gave me an incredible gift; to be used by Him. The Alpha class and I were taking a course in evangelism, and our teacher preferred the 'hands on' approach. So, after a week or so of stories, tips, and revitalizing a passion for the simplicity of the gospel, we hit the streets with Mr. George. The first day one woman was brought the faith in the Lord. The second day, the Lord chose to save two more.

I was walking with a few classmates in αγια παρασκευι, and we saw a man sitting on his own looking at a Greek Bible. I approached him and asked about it. He said a woman had given it to him just minutes before, but that she didn't explain it to him. I asked if he wanted to explain it and he did. I told him the gospel, taking him through John and little bit of Romans, and he determined in his heart that Jesus Christ was God.

All the while, there was a young boy standing near us, and I was frustrated, because I didn't want this man to feel awkward about the conversation we were having. The man and I were going to pray, but he felt strangely self-conscious, so he said that once he got home, he would receive Jesus into his heart, and he went along his way. So I walked away, blessing the Lord and praising Him for the amazing thing He had just accomplished; a soul which was destined for Hell now bound for Heaven. I went and sat down on my own and began praying. Then the same boy who had stood by while I was talking to the other man walked up to me once again.

He told me that he had heard me talking about the Bible, and he wanted to learn about it too. So I took him through the gospel, and he too was saved. His name is Haled and he is twelve years old. Yesterday was his birthday. The Lord continued to bless me however, as I was able to build a relationship with him, and his brother and sister, Hamid and Anna. So now, I try to see them all two times a week and either just spend time with them, or teach about who God is. They come from a difficult family situation. Their father is not truly in the picture anymore, and the mother works very long hours just to support them. They have seen very little of the love of Christ, but now in Christians see only that. When I meet them at Αγια Παρασκευι, my friends are always going and witnessing to others, so they are growing up on the food of the gospel. Truly truly, God is good, and He watches out for His children.

Thank you Lord for the ways you work. In the words of Leeland Mooring: save Your people oh Lord, oh Lord. Save Your people oh Lord. Come quickly.

Why Greece?

I leave for the Greek Bible College September 8th, and the question people ask me the most is 'why Greece?' Although I do not totally understand the answer to that question, I will explain how God has moved over the past few years.

Two and a half years ago a number of people from Antioch Bible Church came back from the college and explained how God had worked in their lives while they were there. At the time, their stories seemed amazing to me, but I didn't personally consider attending the college. Nonetheless, I felt a strong connection with the things they had said, although I did not know why.

Fast forward a year, and I began thinking about college choices. The obvious options came up, including UW and BC (because everyone applies both those places), but I had a hard time hearing God in the midst of my decision. So, throughout the end of Junior year and that following summer I prayed that God might show me which direction He wanted me to go.

Although I cannot remember the exact time it happened, God broke into my planning, thought process, and hope for my own life, and impressed on me the simple fact that I was going to go to Bible college in Greece.

I have to admit that at this point I was extremely frustrated with God, because I had no desire to leave the country. "There are so many things keeping me here, why would you have me leave?," I would ask Him, but He never gave me an answer. So, I applied to one college, was accepted into one college, and begrudgingly began the immense process necessary for me to work out the logistics of going and acquiring the funds that I need.

God has been extraordinarily faithful to me in every way imaginable along this journey. Although, from my perspective, He may be blessing me with things I did not originally desire, I know that He is taking me far better places than I could take myself.

Oh Jesus Jesus, thank You for all that You are, and all that You've done. I would follow You alone into the dark. I do not know what You have in store for me, but with arms high and heart abandoned I seek your mystery in a foreign land. Thank you Jesus.

On the Road to Greece

At this point I have just under two months left until I leave for Greece. I have spent a great deal of time planning my trip: organizing funds, finding places to stay, learning Greek, etc. Today however, I realized that I spent very little time thinking about what it will be like when I get there. It is extraordinary to me that very soon I will be living in a foreign country...

I have been reading the book Four Souls in an attempt to get my mind attuned to the idea of living in a foreign land. The book follows four friends on a grand adventure to "discover the epic life." They truly do have extraordinary adventures, and working with Christian ministries around the world, they have the opportunity to separate Christ from culture, and abundant extravagance from abundant life.

This book has reminded me of my desire to see "True Ministry." A place where absolute love for Christ propels people to sacrifice abundantly so that His will may be done. I suppose that every ministry will have faults, as man is so endlessly flawed, but I cannot help but imagine that to some life is a gift, sacrifice a blessing, and love... an outpouring. I do hope I will see such things in Greece. I know God's desire is that I may go there.

Oh LORD, prepare me for this epic adventure. I know You will see me through.

The Concept of Rage

There are many attributes in people that we tend to admire. Righteousness, what an attribute that God can use for His kingdom! Sacrificial, graceful, temperate, wise, just, gentle, peaceable, the list goes on and on. Many of these attributes have been on my mind since I became a Christian, but recently God made me focus on something much different: the Concept of Rage.

You see, I dealt with rage from the time I was young, and upon deciding to follow Christ with my whole life, began to suppress it. Surely rage was not a thing which any follower of Christ should keep in his heart? A man must be a willing servant of Christ. Then comes the problem of sin. How does God view evil? Throughout history God has crushed and obliterated sin with a mighty hand. A quick reading from Genesis through Judges would be enough proof for anyone that God does not view sin lightly.

In saying these things, I am primarily speaking to the men. For it is the men who should feel Rage when sin is brought before them. An inventory of society can quickly show what the men within it feel about sin. When adultery is prominent, divorce is idolized, gender is neutralized and abortion is a necessary consequence of freedom, those men who follow diligently after Christ should feel Rage. By Rage I do not mean a desperate need for revenge or mindset which seeks blood from the ungodly, but rather a healthy dose of righteous anger. Surely Christians should stand and act to turn societies over to Christ, and in order to do this, men must learn to act like men and learn to fight. You cannot fight if you do not view sin in the light you should, the way that God does, with Rage.

Soli Deo Gloria