Sending Me to Hell…

I had a conversation recently with someone, and they wanted to send me to hell. Yeah, I know. Lol. We were having a conversation about theology, and as I expressed some of my questions and the softer side in which I live now, this person began to question me, wanting my absolutes.

I always think these conversations and this way of thinking is so interesting because if you look at the Bible, you will see OVER and OVER, when the religious people came to Jesus for answers, he would NEVER give them one. He would never drill down on the law or the rule; he always turned to the inside, the posture, the heart, or the person being condemned.

I have a lot of questions. I even have a lot of things that I “don’t believe” that are written in the bible.

We as a human race have continued to evolve and learn and discover, and with new knowledge through science, psychology, neurology, theology, medical discovery, linguistics, I could go on and on, it changes the way we view and operate in the world. I believe truth is truth and is found everywhere, and ALL truth lines up.

In this conversation, I said, “I just don’t know if there is a fiery place with a cartoon devil, waiting for people in the afterlife. Maybe there is just darkness and peace, I don’t know??”

And the response was “Well, what if you are wrong? Because the bible says, “many will call him Lord, Lord, and he will say depart from me.”

So I want you to think about this with me for a moment…

What kind of “god” would you be serving that sends a “single mom, that gives her life for her calling to help women and girls around the world, leads worship at her local church, loves with all her heart, and walks in justice and mercy the best she knows, to HELL because of what? Because she asked the “wrong question?”

My pastor, Terry Koehn is an excellent teacher; you need to come hear him Bartlesville First United Methodist Church. Sunday, he said something like this…

“It is not about having ALL your beliefs all sorted out and ‘right,” it is about change from within. It is about a life that has had an encounter with love and grace and is changed.”

Secondly, “Seeing and entering the kingdom of God is about a birth certificate, not a diploma.”

Think about that for a moment.

This is what I know… the process of living on this earth is one that is so challenging. There is an endless longing inside of us to belong, to have purpose, and to find our “home”.

The message of Christ is this…

“The door is open, just come on in when you arrive. The table is set, the bread is still warm. Don’t hesitate, it doesn’t even matter what you are wearing. Just come to the table, sit, let’s eat. Bring your questions, bring your doubts, bring your fears. Here at this table, there is perfect love; you will see it will drown out every anxiety inside of you, and you don’t have to hide anymore. Bring your friends, bring those you love. There is room for all. Here at my table, there is more than enough for you to eat and be filled. So just come, that is all. I will be waiting for you. Here you are family, welcome home.”

From my Heart to Yours,