Paris, Hamburg, London, Edinburgh, Glasgow -- on A 35-Year-Old Bike!

STA60006, originally uploaded by dustkunkel.

Adam and Ben, young men whom I have mentored for a few years, came over to the U.K. and Europe for an extended biking trip.

Look at the picture. Notice the age of the bikes. Notice the lack of gear, and the small paniers for a month's travel. Notice the look on their faces. . . . like "we're not comin' back until we do this thing."

I've been doing some reading in adventure education where recent research is claiming many Western young adults go on "packaged expeditions" with all the "right gear" so they can claim an adrenalin buzz and "veteran experience" with minimal risk. Trouble is, life's not like that. Sooner or later, real risk is involved in life. Safety nets are really only helpful in the circus.

I'm proud of Adam and Ben for doing something that will make them better men. It's not a mission trip. Its not a service trip. But it is a risky trip on old bikes with very little money. They'll have to think quickly and learn how to survive on almost nothing with hardly any gear except new helmets for their new noggins! And maybe along the way, they WILL serve, WILL share God's love, WILL salt the earth with a little daring and strength from their Father.

I submit to you what the world needs is not more men softened by the padding of their office chairs or a padding of a life lived without risk -- the world needs dangerous men hanging over the edge of eternity whose only safety net is the Almighty God and only strength is from the Master, Jesus, and for His loving purpose in the world.

I believe Adam and Ben are taking risks that will help them be this kind of man.

Pray for them during this coming month.

Pray for them on the pilgrimage when they return back to Scotland on July 6th and travel with me to Iona.