A HELL of a lot of confusion...

Glad nobody asked me about this...

At the onset - pardon if I ramble. I've sat on this all week and I'm just trying to work it all out!

In January my church's teaching pastor did a GREAT series on "A Year of Living Dangerously." It totally rocked and I didn't want to miss a minute of it. However, I'm kind of wishing I'd been out of town last Sunday - you know - stick my head in the sand, break my iPod and corrupt iTunes - darn, I didn't get that one. But, alas, I was in my regular seat. In fact, this was the first time my youngest son has been with the family for Sunday morning services. (He's been working weekends for two years.)

It seemed to me that this particular service could have easily been taught by Brian McLaren, Doug Pagitt or Marko - though I wasn't aware JCC had that bent. I have no doubt Ed would rather teach on tithing or maybe Ephesians 5:22-23 than "You Asked about... HELL" (the last might be a toss up). In the end I just could not build a bridge between "A Dangerous God" (He is judgemental, woe is me - Iam ruined, etc) and Hell is nothing more than separation from God.

It just sounded rather sophmoric like:
- Bad Todd, now go to your room - forever, or;
- I'm blocking you from my twitter account and removing you as my friend on Facebook (and telling everyone I did).

Maybe I missed something but I know I wasn't sleeping or checking sports scores on my phone. Frankly, I've been mad enough at God at times in my life that I might have wanted a little separation (and did separate myself from Him). I am ever so greatful that He has not wanted to be separated from me. And, that His grace is sufficient.

Though I didn't grow up with him, this is the very subject that caused my father to leave the seminary and turn his back on organized religion/Christianity. You know, loving God - Hell. They just seemed mutually exclusive to him.

Perhaps someone can help me here because I'm feeling incomplete. I'd happily buy Ed a cup of his favorite Starbucks refreshment to dig deeper. But, I'll settle for what I can get. :)