HEAD(hed), (n.) 1. the top part of the human body or the front part of an animal where the eyes, nose, east and mouth are. "Your brain is in your head." DIBS(dibz), (n.) 2. a thick, sweet syrup made in countries of the East, especially the Middle East, from grape juice or dates. [Arabic "debs"]--World Book Dictionary, 1976.
It was actually yesterday, but you know how these calendars work. Things to do today: 1) ponder the error of your ways; 2) take a moment to dance a little; 3) have a snack; 4) enjoy a makeover (if applicable); 5) be specific when describing the ruckus. 6) Don’t forget about me.
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Hell or No Hell? Depends on who you deny, I guess.
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Edgar Allan Poe's "The Pit and the Pendulum" comes to mind when I reflect on a conversation I had yesterday with "Sam" in the park. With him, the pendulum swings one way. With these guys, the pendulum swings the other . . .
"Sam" had a difficult time thinking up a small list of things he was thankful for, but was finally decisive that he was thankful for his life, for his children, for his wife and for education; however, he was not sure what God's purpose for his life was. Matter of fact, he concluded his purpose was to question his purpose! Mind you, this is a neatly dressed young man about 25 years old, walking his dog, sitting with his girl in the park. To him, God seemed to be a powerful spiritual being who pulled you through life circumstances in order to prove that He exists. To her, God was "out to get you" at first, but then is more like a "mighty being." Here's where his pendulum swings: "Sam" believes that all people everywhere should go to heaven, bad or good. "Sam" does not believe in hell. Oh, and he's Baptist. Let me relate how we got "there."
I met "Sam" and "Kim" in the park last night: I watched her enter the park alone with a blanket and finding a spot, she laid it out and took some snacks from a bag and arranged them and then sat. A few minutes later, a young man walking a dog came and they embraced, kissed and he made himself comfortable. Now, I don't like to approach women alone (ladies, do more witnessing, so us guys can do our thing with guys), but since they were a couple . . .
I approached and after introducing myself, presented my survey through which we talked. When we got to the part where I ask if they thought good people should go to heaven, "Sam" volunteered that everyone should go to heaven, bad or good.
I asked if he thought of himself as "good" or "bad." He shrugged. She laughed nervously.
I asked on what basis they considered themselves to be good or bad? He shrugged and she looked down.
I asked if they'd kept the 10 Commandments. She got excited and proudly began to list them, but when she go to #7 she faltered and they both got uncomfortable. They exchanged some very odd glances. I think I was intruding on something . . .
They admitted to lying, blasphemy, stealing, but we had a problem with lust and adultery.
I asked, "if God were to judge you by the 10 Commandments, would you go to heaven or hell." This is where "Sam" explained his eschatology.
I don't get it: When I hear people blaspheming and/or denying the existence of God, Jesus and/or the Holy Spirit, why is it they all agree they are hell-bound?
And why is it when I talk to religious people about God, Jesus and/or the Holy Spirit, many confess that God, Jesus and/or the Holy Spirit exists; yet, there seems to be a problem with the existence of Hell or the attributes of God ("He would never send anyone to hell, for He is loving" does not exactly deny hell, but it questions God).
I just had to ask "Sam": "What do you do with Revelation 21:8 and Matthew 25 (to name two passages beside so many others.)"
He stared at me. His lady-friend stared at him. I read the verses outloud. I read 1 Corinthians 6:9-10.
He stared at me. His lady-friend stared at him. I asked, "what do you do with those verses."
He made a barely discernable shrug and said, "I just don't believe."
I told him, "people in hell are wishing they didn't believe in hell or could make it go away too," then added, "are you sure you havn't broken the 2nd Commandment and made for yourself a god of your own understanding, a god for your own comfort? The God of the Bible clearly created Hell for the devil and his angels and all those who fail to put their faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. Either you believe Him, or you believe in a god that does not exist."
He just stared at me.
I was disappointed and fearful for the couple as they acknowledged their sin, their need for a Savior, yet entrenched in the belief there is no hell. At least she admitted to it's existence, and related her concern about going there, but neither would do nothing about it.
July 2004 I went to Kenya, Africa to speak in two Pastor’s Conferences on the subject of Man, Sin and Salvation. At the end of each day I left just over an hour for questions (half the time were questions touching the subject of my lectures, and the other half for “open questions”; that is, people could ask anything). For the next few weeks, I will be sharing the questions that were asked of me, and my answers—and believe me when I say these people really know how to think! Question from Kenya #1: “Men and women who saw God in the Bible: Why did they not all die?” [“ But He said, ‘You cannot see My face, for no man can see Me and live! ’” (Exodus 33:20) was the basis of the student’s question]. Answer: First, consider those who did see God—how did they respond when they saw Him? They were instantly aware of their sinfulness, and God’s holiness and righteousness (to name a few. And notice also that each responded in an attitude of worship, bowing down): Abraham built altars, wors
“My God, where is that ancient heat towards thee, Wherewith whole shoals of martyrs once did burn, Besides their other flames? Doth poetry Wear Venus' livery? only serve her turn? Why are not sonnets made of thee? and lays Upon thine altar burnt? Cannot thy love Heighten a spirit to sound out thy praise As well as any she? Cannot thy Dove Outstrip their Cupid easily in flight? Or, since thy ways are deep, and still the fame, Will not a verse run smooth that bears thy name! Why doth that fire, which by thy power and might Each breast does feel, no braver fuel choose Than that, which one day, worms may chance refuse. Sure Lord, there is enough in thee to dry Oceans of ink; for, as the Deluge did Cover the earth, so doth thy Majesty: Each cloud distills thy praise, and doth forbid Poets to turn it to another use. Roses and lilies speak thee; and to make A pair of cheeks of them, is thy abuse Why should I women's eyes for crystal take? Such poor invention burns in their low mind Wh
John Locke published his Treatise on Civil Government in 1689, a work influential to the development of our Declaration of Independence. The focus of this reading is, “An Essay Concerning the True Original Extent and End of Civil Government.” Locke announces that consent to live by the constitutional laws of government is rooted in the fact that all men are created equal. No one is born one over or better than another, but we actually owe one another, our greatest debt being love for others before ourselves. In the so-called “state of nature”, anyone choosing to break the smallest of laws declares himself to be above all law and others; therefore, the lawbreaker deserves judgment, even punishment, by those who keep the law. “The state of war” is “the right to destroy that which threatens me with destruction.” Slavery, says Locke, is a state of war; however, if one party consents to be obedient to another with limited power, then there is government. Of all governmental powers, suprem