Being a Christian is great but not always easy.

I am constantly reflecting on why I am a Christian. I am a Christian but "What's the reason?" 

I want to be both faithful to Christ and the Christian world view but I also want to be openminded about whether I am actually wrong. These two differing aims of faithfulness and also open mindedness are sometimes a challenge to maintain simultaneously but often not. We all need to try and look from the outside, back at ourselves, as objectively as we can. This isn't always easy if we genuinely try to do it sincerely.

If you have never had the experience of joy in being a Christian then I am sad this has not happened for you. It will be hard for you to understand where Christians are coming from and take us seriously. It may be easy for you to mock and assume it's all unsound when you know so little about it. Knowing it from the inside requires more than just having gone to church for a while or a church school. It requires you to have lived it. You could hardly know tennis from just having attended games and watched – joining in would be essential. Perhaps you will find it helpful to read the topics under 'The Bible and the world through my Christian Eyes' in the sub-menu 'Is the Christian View True?'.

Right up to this day, ever since starting University in the 1980s, I have been talking to people about Christianity. I have been reading books and listening to talks to weigh up the arguments for and against. I am not one to let thoughtful insights on either side pass without deep reflection. Some of the fruits of this thinking and reading are found in the sub-menu 'Is the Christian View True?'

If you have feedback on 'Is the Christian View True?' then feel free to 'Contact' me. No doubt it will either strengthen me or correct me!

Being a Christian is truly great! In Western societies where the trivial and the superficial seem to preoccupy so many people, is it truly great to take the focus off ourselves and live for the glory of the all wise, all powerful and all good God who made us and saved us. It is so right!

I can sincerely say that being a missionary in Arnhem Land has been the richest experience I have ever had. We came because the people here asked us when we visited in 2004. We didn't come to impose our world on theirs – rather they invited us to help them with their plans.

Serving here, I have often found myself full of joy, revelling in the moment – filled with joy at the thought of being in God's big, culturally diverse family with one King for whom we live. I have learnt to enjoy trusting God, even in many adverse circumstances in life. Living here is not always easy. It is hard being away from family, friends and much that had been familiar. It is hard having social disadvantage daily before our eyes.

As a Christian, I know that my sins are forgiven through the greatest act of kindness and love – Jesus dying on the cross for our sins, for my sins! I know God loves me no matter how much I mess up. This gives me great security in my life – during my personal challenges and in the face of the troublesome global issues around us. I strive to be a good husband and father but with mixed success. We'd love to have more kids than one but I am content with God decision for only one. Our son is a great guy! Yet, what will the world be like for him? It worries me at times. But no matter what happens, I know that God is working in all things for the good of those who love Him, me included. I know that nothing can separate me from the love of God in Christ Jesus.

The Spirit has given me a deep conviction of the truth and a desire to live God's way. Over the years, the most rewarding times have been working shoulder to shoulder with similarly like-minded and zealous friends on an annual Beach Mission, at University, during MTS, in School Ministries, with Young Adult ministries, in Bible study groups, in Church meetings, on church missions and with friends in Arnhem Land – working together to offer the good news that we all passionately want to share.

Being a Christian is a great experience. I'm part of a massive family that stretches across the globe. I can meet people who are a world away from me in culture and language but yet we have such a deep and transcending connection because we love the same Saviour and follow God's book. My Christian family has been there for me through the hardships and joys. I love helping others. I love teaching the Bible and showing others how to receive eternal life. The Bible is full of wonderful and profound wisdom. I love talking about the Bible and talking about the significant issues of our lives: purpose, meaning, love, joy, kindness, faithfulness, death and eternity. I love doing things for God and his kingdom that will have lasting effects into eternity – unlike so much else that will simply perish with time.

Being a Christian is intellectually satisfying. I have shelves of books that I love reading when I can. There is profound wisdom in the Bible and also in many writings of Christians, many of whom are intellectual giants. Reading J.I Packer or Don Carson on the sovereignty of God is like a feast for my mind and my life. Hearing a good sermon by John Piper, John Woodhouse or a Jensen is a feast for heart, mind and life.

My background in Physics and Computer Science didn't provide much practice at expressing ideas in essay form. It was a steep learning curve during my Bachelor of Divinity at Moore Theological College to gain some meagre skills at the elusive art of expression through essay writing. However, I love to think, discuss and jot down theological ideas – in my strained English prose.

As with all Christians, I have had times of apathy and fuzzy vision but deep down I genuinely want my Saviour to be honoured by others and appreciated for all he has done and for all he continues to do for us. He has brought me to tears of appreciation when alone reading the Bible. He has filled me with joy while singing his praises in church or as I've driven along by myself on the dusty roads of Arnhem Land.

However, Christianity is about absolute truth. It's not just one helpful way to live. It stands or falls on its truth, not on it being enjoyable or a great time. If the reason for living as a Christian is anything other than a person being convinced it is the objective truth, then a big mistake has been made. So being a Christian, I like to ask myself "What's the reason?" I hope we all ask ourselves the same question about how we live our life: "What's the reason?"