Who do I have in my coffee shop?

Grafton Street on St Patrick's day is a sight to behold. It is crowded with people young and middle aged, the old of course having more sense, and the vast majority have little or no idea of St Patrick's message (i.e. the message of the cross). We spent about 2 and a half hours, in the freezing rain, sharing the truth with enquiring people as we held our (waterproof) "Jesus" signs high. A certain member of our small band, who has been known to silence streets with her preaching, was herself silenced by the high volume background noise of the day.

Despite this there were numerous valuable witnessing encounters. On one discussion a young chap said "are you a creationist" to which I retorted " Of course. Are you an evolutionist?" when he replied in the affirmative I asked him about his own lineage and after he mentioned the fish I asked how could it be that the gills he breathed through could suddenly become lungs. The discussion was always good natured in that I cared about these people, actually it was God caring through me as I might have acted differently if left to my own resources!

On another encounter a young girl (15 I guess) approached me to tell me that she loves Jesus and she has just been to Lourdes. I asked her if that is what she would say to God at the gates of heaven if she died to which she said yes.  I then informed her that this was idolatry as she was trusting in her own works and not in the work of Jesus at the cross. As I relate this story please understand that I didn't communicate it with a "smart Alec, holier than thou and judgmental" attitude, far from it, I simply wanted her to look to Jesus like never before and realize the futility of her own efforts to please Holy God.

I know God is changing my heart, bit by bit, because of my reaction to those who openly mock and laugh, as some did. By God's grace I can point at them who raise their voices against Jesus and declare out loud something like "Jesus loves you sir!" It can arrest the demonic activity in  a moment and I am motivated to say that in the conviction that Jesus wishes none to perish but all to come to repentance.

We were blessed when a Brazilian family joined us for outreach, encouragement and fellowship afterwards over a cup of coffee. There was such love and encouragement between this merry band of seven  that the coffee shop owner at the end asked me who we were....Roll on Revival!

OUTREACH PLANS 2013

Joe preparing for his trips outside Dublin

God has called us to bring the good news to the people of Ireland. As well as street outreach in Dublin 10 day trips are planned for 2013 to towns around Ireland (midlands and east coast generally). If you wish to join our ad hoc band of street evangelists for the day then contact Anthony (087 9795454) for details and we would be delighted to see more workmen and women for the glorious harvest fields. Our only agenda is...Jesus. Details are on the sidebar under "Outreach Calender"

Finished with Syrup

photo by lkireland (on instagram)

Pilgrim Talk 68: Finished with Syrup

When you taste honey you can truly say "I'm finished with syrup". The best will spoil you for the good and so it is with the sure promises of God. Even though we battle through set backs and disappointments we can press on because the One who gave the promise is, and always is, faithful. William Wilberforce persevered for a long time to see the abolition of slavery and while he almost gave up the fight..he didn't. He was motivated by a dream and couldn't settle for anything short of this. Enjoy this episode where Ant and dave again chew the spiritual cud. Listen here

EVANGELISM: MOTIVATED OR TERRORIZED?

Joe recently joined us for some outreach and we are blessed to have one of the most "chilled out" fishers of men you could imagine. Here he is outside the Aviva stadium after the recent American football game

It's been a while since the last post, mostly because of the time I have been giving to Radio and Podcast work (see Pilgrim Talk on the left hand side of this page) but I thought I'd "catch up" with a few thoughts. It's hard to believe that the weekly podcasts have been going for more than a year and that we have a small audience but my main passion remains EVANGELISM which means getting the good news out. Jesus did a truly amazing job at Calvary and we are the delivery boys with this message. The rising tide of secular humanism, atheism and Darwinism, especially in churches, make this message more vital than ever. 

Evangelism is the one word that motivates some believers and terrorizes others. Why is that? We have all witnessed bad evangelism done under compulsion, yet some of us at times have experienced God's grace operate through us in sharing His message on occasion and the feeling is truly irreplaceable. It is this type I encourage yet I know we don't do so that we feel good, we do it because of our hearts for Jesus and for the lost (..ehem..pre-believer).

AND THE CROWDS ROAR!

CONGRATULATIONS to Katie Taylor. When I heard the enormous roar she received in getting her gold medel at the Olympic games in London yesterday I immediately thought that that roar will not compare with the roar she will receive when she enters the gates of heaven. Not just her alone but all who have their trust in Jesus will receive a roof lifting ovation in due course. That my friends should spur you on to achieve Gold in your life regarding the call of God.

IMAGINE IF....

IMAGINE IF…

There were no monkeys in your ancestry, but only people.

IMAGINE IF you were not the product of a series of accidents, but were in fact intelligently designed.

IMAGINE IF the Designer allowed free will, even if it meant the risk of a malfunction in His creation.

IMAGINE IF this malfunction made the created people different, offensive and incompatible with Him.

IMAGINE IF He continued to care for His creation after this malfunction happened.

IMAGINE IF all the wicked acts from all ages that were caused by this malfunction were concentrated and put onto the shoulders of the Creator's innocent Son.

IMAGINE IF He died as a result and this satisfied the perfect Creator's justice.

IMAGINE IF the Innocent died for the guilty.

IMAGINE IF you failed to believe this, turn your life around and ask His forgiveness and imagine if you continued for now and eternity in hell to live a separated life

IMAGINE WHAT A MONKEY YOU'D FEEL.        

WHY BOTHER WITH THE HORRIBLE CROSS?

I often ask people "Why did Jesus die on the cross?"
"Because he loved us"...Well I love my wife but I wont jump in front of the Luas to prove it, that's stupid!
"Because the Romans nabbed Him"...He was the creator of the universe and had power to save himself, yet He willingly went like a lamb to the slaughter. He even told the guy who ratted on Him (Judas) to go do his thing! (not something you normally tell a betrayer to do!)
"Because He wanted to prove a point"...He was already God almighty, the miracles proved that.
"Because He wanted it"....Why then did he ask the Father to take away this cup of suffering from Him at the Garden of Getsemane? In Himself He didn't want crucifixion but He obeyed His Father in becoming the acceptable sacrifice for sin.

The true answer can only be understood when we realize that God is Holy and the only ever truly innocent person Jesus took it on the neck for you and me who broke God's perfect law (lying, stealing etc..). The Hebrew scriptures say that anyone hung on   tree is cursed. He became a curse for us so that we could be set free from the curse of sin.  Without Jesus and His forgiveness we are truly GUILTY...Yikes!

...WHEN THE HOLY SPIRIT HAS COME UPON YOU (Acts 1:8)

Here's my current top ten reasons why we need the Holy Spirit:

Only He convicts the world of sin

Only He gives us true motives

Only He gives us the ability to be representatives of Jesus

Only He gives eternal life

Only He can help man to give honour to God

Only He can give us the word we need to share the gospel

Only He can teach us how to conduct ourselves

Only He convicts the world of (His ) righteousness 

Only He gives true power

Only He leads to Jesus

Without the Holy Spirit in our ministry we are in a sorry and sad if not dangerous place. Fill us Lord!

With huge crowds on Grafton Street a few of us went out on Saturday (St Patrick's Day) to hold high the name of Jesus and witness and preach the gospel. We had a very busy day with not a few interesting encounters and one to one discussions. While I do believe we sowed eternal seed I can't deny that we need a new pentecost on the streets in Ireland. 

We are currently reading the glorious accounts of God's visitation to the Hebrides Islands in the 1940's. Duncan Campbell was a humble servant used by God in this revival and he wrote a jaw dropping account here http://www.revival-library.org/catalogues/20thcentury/campbell.html

It is slowly dawning on me that...there is no Plan B to such a visitation.

AN END TO DESTRUCTIVE BEHAVIOUR

When someone's life is characterized by destructive behaviour that is a sure sign of spitiual activity in that person which is not godly. When Lucifer was cast out of heaven he took a third of the angels and it was to Earth that they were cast down. You and me (ie mankind) has a three fold nature: spirit, soul and body. The spirit is the real you andis the part where God can inhabit by His Holy Spirit. The soul is the mind, will and emotions and don't forget that animals who have no spirit do have a soul. Finally there is the body, the bit we can see and the place where the 5 senses reign.
Jesus arrived one day at a place on the shores of the sea of Gallilee and met a naked mad man. It transpired that this man was possessed, not in his spirit but in his soul, by many demons. The demons themselves begged to stay on earth longer and so Jesus cast them into the nearby herd of pigs (the pig's souls that is). The swine then promptly committed suicide by jumping off the cliff. The man was instantly and completely set free and "in his right mind". Great story...and it's true.
We have all heard that Jesus came to save the lost (includes us all..and His mother!) but few know that the word used in the original greek text is "Sozo" which means to "save, heal and deliver". This is exciting. The work of Calvery was to save our spirits, heal our bodies and deliver our souls from demonic activity, put a different way: it was a complete work! Remember that He publicly displayed every demonic power as defeated after His death (see Ephesisans Chapter 4). Now that's how we can truly see an end to destructive behaviour. Good News!

BEWARE OF NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS

Beware of new year resolutions! I say this becuase the greater danger for believers is that they put the focus on their ability at the cost of "learning the unforced rhythms of grace" and receiving Jesus's supernatural help in everyday matters. I know I could lose a few pounds and apply more discipline in a few areas but is a simplisic resolution to do this going to help? I think not. In fact it could prove counter- productive in that I would set off the long distance race with a great sprint of enthusiasm only to collapse in failure and disillusionment.
With increasing chaos in the world around us surely this year, like last year, can be a year of greater intimacy with God Himself. When we are close to Him we know our own worth. Think of this. Value is determined by the price one can obtain for something. I might want to seel my car but if nobody wants it at all it has no value, beyond scrap. If on the orther hand it was a unique high value vintage car attracting great interest it could be worth a lot of money. How much is a person worth? (that is: you and me). God our creator gave up His most precious only Son Jesus, His very life, for you and me and this act demonstrated beyond doubt that God sees us as priceless.
Have you ever noticed how people change when they stop feeling worthless and start to see themselves lved and valued. It is quite awesome. Surely this good news (Gospel) we have has such power to change people.

Modern day account of Jesus...

Jesus walks into a Church (2011)...starts to move in the power of the spirit, couple of people get out of wheelchairs, and a few people recieve their sight... people are amazed and overjoyed...However after a short time the some people get very upset...Guess who they are? , yes, right first time The Pastor and his elders..." Who does this guy think he is" they mutter between themselves..and the Pastor, bless God, decides to signal to his ushers, quickly they approach this unshaven rebel, and ask him to leave. "Show some respect" they say as they escort him off the premises.. A religious lull returns over the congregation,"doesn't he know we have a service to run in here" , they whisper at the front of the Church, as they return to a form of Godliness that deny's the power... Does this remind you of any particular Characters in scripture...?

Outside the crowd gathers, five times the size of the Church as the rebel preaches the message  has power and Authority, not like the ones they are used to.. as the "leaders off the Church come out and hear Him, they are infuriated, as some of "their people", are listening as well as all these people...Who are you submitted to or(by what authority do you do these things).. one of the leaders shouts out.. I do nothing unless, I first see my father doing it first..who are you submitted to, I am in Him and he is in me..
That's complete independence, your off man , they shout as they depart..
But the people remain, and many are healed ....And his followers grow....

The situation worsens, to the extend that many have joined this new sect, the Church leaders are worried and upset , and they have all lost many, of "their people", to this loose canon , who does'nt seem to want to submit himself , to anyone, except the Holy Spirit..He wont even relate to us, and we don't relate to him...
probably because we are of a totally different spirit..

They plot and plan.......

Modern day Pharisees
Author-Sean Cronin

2 WRONG ROADS + 1 RIGHT

I heard it said that Islam has only 2 ways to get to heaven, one being try and have your good works exceed that of the strictest pharisees...lotsa luck!...and hopefully God will be in a good humour the day you die and have arbitrary mercy on you...(bit of a gamble to put it mildly!). The other way is to give your very life for God in Jihad or holy war, a more guaranteed method (if only it was true!). Contrast this with the way God revealed through His Word and by His Holy Spirit through Jesus, namely that God Himself in Christ would actually die for us, the (only) innocent for the guilty (all of us). Now perhaps you can understand the contrast between these 2 faiths and the utter foolishness of saying both "Jesus was a good man' and "Your good works will get you to heaven". Many nominal Christians sadly have their trust in their good works and not the Good King who bled for them...Think about it.

CAN RTE NOT FIND A YEC?

On the Pat Kenny radio show this morning there was a mini debate between atheist Michael Nugent and a chap called Migeul DeArce of TCD Genetics Institute. The title was 'That This House Believes in God' and Athiest Michael put the valid question to Miguel "When did man get a soul". Now the problem was that Miguel DeArce believes in both creation (God)  and evolution and so his answer was predictably low on substance. I have often stated on this blog that anything less than 7 day young earth creationism is inconsistent with Biblical truth (and plain false also by the way). Adam had no ape ancestry and had not only a soul (animals have that) but a spirit which made him, and the missus, different. It would be nice to see Pat get a YEC (Young Earth Creationist) believer to take on an atheist next time and not a theistic evolutionist who, by the way, does not believe in biblical truth. In the beginning God created.. is a trustworthy statement. The Bible talks about a liar but it's not the author.

STATING THE OBVIOUS (+ STANDING WITH ISRAEL)

When I witness on the street for Jesus I typically avoid distracting discussions, especially political ones where most people's views can be quite polarized and not for turning. I am however struck by the irony of the stance people are taking today in condemning violence (rightly so) and supporting the establishment of a state (Palestine) that has the destruction of it's neighbour in its charters. I couldn't wait for the Irish Times to publish my letter so here it is!:
Madam,
Both Hamas and Fatah deny Israel the right to exist and continue to facilitate indiscriminate rocket launches against them. Despite this and the recognition of Hamas as a terrorist organization a large portion of the western world seems drunk on the idea of supporting them in their breakaway declaration of statehood. Ireland would be wise to take a stand in this lunacy and join USA, and perhaps other nations in standing up for what is right. If the IRA in the height of their violence campaign had declared some kind of a country while murdering protestant and other civilians would it have been right to give them a state of any description? I think not. The Irish peace process involved talk not breakaway declaration. Israel needs our support by us speaking out and voting in the UN against this lunacy at a time when ethical and moral blindness seems to be descending on the international body politic.
Yours sincerely, Anthony Brabazon....Comments are welcome but rants will be binned!

IT CAN'T GET SIMPLER!

Gifts are received not earned, so too God's gift Jesus

Our latest 15 minute Pilgrim Talk podcast deals with the very basic of Christianity. Strip away all the incense and nonsense, smell and bells, religious forms, buildings...strip away every non-essential and what is left is not something but someone... Jesus. it not about "do" it's about "done"...done by Him for us. It's that simple. The enemy knows truth is not on his side so he likes to make simple things complicated in order to put people off. Check the message out under "Pilgrim talk Podcast" on the sidebar or better still, if you are an iTunes user (Steve forgave me for the last post!), go to the iTunes store and search for Pilgrim Talk and subscribe (for free of course).

Our planned launch on UCB Ireland radio has been delayed slightly but the exciting news is that UCB Ireland is now on FM from Friday to Sunday up to November 13th. Frequencies are Dublin 94.3 Galway 89.5 Limerick 105.5 COrk 106.7 Wexford/Waterford 103.8

WHO GIFTED STEVE JOBS?

Steve Jobs and iPad

Why were Steve Jobs and Apple so successful? My suspicion is that they looked at problems differently to others and thought "What do people need?".  For example when a digital camera, mobile phone were stuffing peoples pockets they merged them and added an internet and email device in the first iPhone. When desks were cluttered with monitors computers and modems they put them in one device, the first iMac. When computers required much knowledge of code to operate they invented the "point and shoot device" called the Mouse. Mac followers can be a bit "cultish" and nerdy but good design is always attractive ( I would say that as an architect!) . A seamless marriage of form and function  can prove irresistable at times. There is however much irony in the fact that Jobs is, reportedly, a buddhist, and not a spirit filled believer in Jesus. The irony is this: Buddhists believe that the ultimate goal, following all the reincarnations, is ...wait for it..."Blowing out" (Nirvana). It's hard to square this up with a man who reflected so much of his Maker's creativity. It's also sad that one could be bestowed with so much gifting and never acknowledge the Giver. I'm only judging him by what I read and I may of course be wrong, sorry Steve! but the same might be said of many others who have no time for the Father, Son nor Holy Spirit. All that said I do wish him well and that he  turns to meet my ressurrected and glorified friend Jesus.

God's Corrupted Book: Nature

King Bird of Paradise photographed by Tim Laman  

I have heard it said that God has two books: The Bible and Nature. This was said in the context of a seminar which was trying to reconcile Evolution with God the creator. God does indeed have these 2 books but one of them (nature) is corrupted while the other isn't. The corruption entered with sin and rebellion and so reading God in nature has now become a hazardous occupation. Computers leaving factories are quality checked and in one sense "perfect". Yet after a bit of use and internet activity they can before infected with virus' and be less than perfect. It would be wrong to struggle with  a virus ridden computer and then ring the manufacturers to complain...It simply wasn't their fault. Many however blame God for the mess of this planet, be it the savagery in nature or humanity or the cruelty of painful illnesses and death. This is wrong. Mankind is to blame. I am to blame. You are to blame. The perfect Book said that when God created everything it was "Very Good".

RIOTS: PROOF OF NEED FOR REVIVAL

An iconic image of the recent riots

The recent London riots were a stark reminder about (fallen) human nature. On  a normal day a normal person behaves himself ( or herself). But on those rare occasions where it enters peoples heads that they can "get away with" getting something (like a telly) for nothing then all hell breaks loose. A few years ago there was some ugly violence when some hooligans ripped up the old Lansdowne Road stadium. Months later when they appeared in the Dublin courts they turned out to be neatly dressed professionals, a far cry from the thugs caught on camera on the night. It was the mob dynamic that made them feel invincible (and uncatchable) on the night. 

True character is what you do when nobody is looking. Few have good character. The humanists who have been arguing about the "goodness of man" really haven't a clue. Pull away the restraint and see what happens! Many middle class people might have abhorred the street violence (rightly so) but are happy to cheat taxes (steal).  For most the external policeman keeps them under control but God's ultimate plan was that HIs Spirit would be within us and instead of sweating to try and keep His law we would have a "new heart" and want nothing else but to please Him at all times. David Cameron was right when he spoke of slow breakdown of society. The ground is ripe for revival and reformation according to God's ways, not ours.

AN END TO DEATH...WOW!

As a family we are suffering a pet bereavement. Of course it's different to the loss of a loved person but it remains painful. Why? Some well meaning but not well informed people say that death is part of life but as regenerated followers of Jesus we have a different conviction and it's like this: Our wonderful Creator made life while death is no less than an obscene enemy. It entered when our first ancesters defied their Creator and it will be the last enemy thrown into the lake of fire at the end of time as we know it. Death is painful to those left behind as they feel loss and separation, not the original design. I seriously worry about the implications of the belief that death is simply part of the "circle of life" process. It implies that the Creator made death...perish the thought! My God is not a cruel monster who designed flesh ripping savage animals, no, he made peaceable pet like animals without fear who suffered a corruption along with the rest of creation once man broke fellowship with God. Thank God that He restores the original order and soon the lion will lie down with the lamb and death will be no more...What a thought...and all because He took on Himself my death (and yours) at Golgotha not that long ago...All that said we do miss Rosie our dog!

BURIED TREASURE

God has buried the message of the Gospel in the names of the 12 patriarchs from Adam to Noah. The message is Genesis chapter 5: Man [Adam] (is) appointed [Seth] mortal [Enosh] sorrow [Kenan]; (but) the Blessed God [Mehalalel] shall come down [Jared] teaching [Enosh] (that) His death shall bring [Methuselah] (the) despairing [Lamech] rest [Noah].  No wonder the enemy hates Genesis!

CANCER OF MR (MORAL RELATIVISM)

Correct but politically incorrect: More people died in USA on September 11th 2001 in Abortion clinics than at the World Trade Centre but there wasn't a whimper about that atrocity on September 11th nor 12th nor 13th! I wonder why? I can't help wondering was it something to do with the evolutionary world view that prevails in media whereby extra bugs, stray cats and unborn babies are simply "got rid of". And why not if "every man can do what is right in his own eyes".  Moral relativism (MR) (ie the denial of the creator God) is a deadly cancer in our so called "civilized" western society. It wasn't MR anyway that saw the foundations of our society and freedom from slavery, it was largely God fearing men and women who stood up to godless injustice. When Adam sinned he was saying "God's word is not true" and his deadly action lead to a corruption that affected both mankind and the rest of creation. God didn't make this world, He made a perfect world which was "very good" and Mankind then corrupted it. No wonder we had September 11th, and 12th and 13th. Far too many "Christians" are soft on evolution and believe that God used it somehow to bring about Adam and Eve. If this was true then God is both a murderer and a liar...I think not. Despite all the rottenness and evil in this world the Creator out of love for us rebels chose to send His only beloved to earth as the only innocent and have Him take the legal punishment for you and me. Death and hell He took to save you from death and hell and restore the proper loving relationship He dearly wishes. Your life or death choice. Cheers. AB.  The picture shows the soon to be opened 9-11 memorial at Ground Zero a dignified memorial to a very wicked act.

NIGHT FISHING

This Friday at 9pm a small group of us will do some "night fishing" in Temple Bar square. It was at night on a city street (New York 1984) where I first spoke to evangelists and understood that the purpose of Jesus' death was to personally take my sin and have it legally paid for by His own death. This encounter partly explains why I like to share at night. I am also aware of the fact that many go out at night looking for life (in the wrong places of course!) and it's good to be there with the Truth (a person). Of all things I am aware of I am most acutely aware of my utter inability to go out, share, worship, preach and publicly lift up Jesus' name (literally) without the help of the precious Holy Spirit. I am also aware of the need of prayer support and perhaps this is where you come in!
The photo is of me on Grafton Street a few weeks ago. I wore the hat when I spoke of Holy God judging sin and I took it off as I spoke of loving God wanting our fellowship. I explained how this paradox was reconciled at Calvary.

RADIO WORK INCREASES

2 doors seem to be opening for Christian Radio for myself. The first is my second appearance on John Manning's God Talk show 4pm Sunday (3 weeks time) on Near FM in Dublin. John has had this slot for over 10 years and has developed a following of thousands. He spends much of the week taking calls and ministering to people who otherwise have little or no Christian contact. Being on a "secular" station excites me!

The other door opening is to do with the transformation of the Pilgrim Talk podcast (see link at side), which I do with David O'Rourke, into a regular Christian Radio show in Ireland and perhaps for export. There is a welcome increase in Irish produced Christian talk radio programmes and with UCB Ireland going on FM in September even more opportunities are opening up. 

The cynical people might see Radio work as a big fat ego trip. I don't. I see it as a very real work of faith because you do not see the listeners yet you broadcast the word of God believing someone somewhere will be or might be changed. Research in Ireland show how popular radio remains despite all the new technology. 

Ireland needs a saviour and His name is not EU nor ECB nor IMF nor USA but JESUS.

FIRE ON THE STREETS?

Yesterday we went out to Temple Bar in Dublin to witness and preach. Crowds were large and very cosmopolitan, as one expects here. Although we spent a good time lifting up the wonderful Name above all names we had a limited discussions with people. I did however have a chat with a very foul mouthed Lithuanian who had strong anti-biblical opinions. When his 3 mates came along I said to the friends "You should talk to your friend here... He doesn't realize that he was wonderfully created by God, he actually thinks he came from a monkey!" His friends burst out laughing at this and showed interest in the "Monkey tract" I was passing out. The original chap tried to intercept this and didn't want his friends to have anything to do with it...but God had better plans.
I can only pray that our good Lord uses this encounter to begin to bring conviction of sin to them all. Indeed I could see in the street for most if not all the afternoon that we were in great need for the fire of God to fall on the people. I'm not in any way against those who call for the Holy Spirit's fire in the churches but I find astonishingly few call for it on the streets. Will you join me in this cry to heaven?
The photo is of a current billboard for a new computer game but sadly it is also representative of the attitude of the church (...and mine sometimes!). We have swallowed the worlds' lie that we should "Do what we feel". How about doing what He feels.
On Friday week  we are from 9pm doing some nightime evangelism in Temple Bar. Contact me if you are free to join. Labourers wanted! Observers welcome and Intercessors (on or off street) greatly appreciated.

THAT DIRTY "H" WORD!

• 

  Dangerous pastime!

  I posted this today in response to a God Journey broadcast called:Ultimate Reconciliation: The Hell with it! podcast of 8-5-2009. With Rob Bell's recent book it seems as Hell is being hushed up again (not a good idea). I'm genuinely not into Christians sniping at each other so lets be declare here how much I love the God Journey and if they veer off the road a wee bit...Bless them Lord!! I hope they'd bless me and not blast me if I too were to drift onto dodgy ground. Here's the text:
  Brad / Wayne, I love the God Journey but I wonder have you swung the pendulum too far on this one. The greek mindset speaks of either/or while the Hebrew mindset speaks of on the one hand this/ on the other hand that. It is in this context that we can begin to understand the reconciliation between the Love of God (which suggests all go to heaven)  and the Holiness of God (which suggests hell for all). The cross brings sense to all this (while being an offense to the universalists). Jesus went to hell, like all who died before him (though some were kept safe in Abraham's bosom) and the hope of escape is in Him alone. When you raise children you seek to lovingly encourage and coax them to do good but there are times of severe warnings also. Such warnings do not deny our love for them but recognizes the grave consequences of ongoing defiance. We live in an unredeemed humanistic world where God is simply seen as a means to an end (happiness and heaven) and not an end in HImself (to be worshipped). The average unredeemed person has no desire for an eternity of worship. SIn brings punishment to people on this earth and many call it their hell yet the truth is that this is their heaven while for those who follow Jesus in the new life this beautiful but fallen planet is their hell (relatively speaking). I understand where you are coming from but would respectfully suggest that we should not only warn of hell while speaking of the wonders of our saviour but do so with love in our heart and tears in our eyes. God takes no pleasure in seeing any person ending up in  a Christless place which was not even created for them, a place of no grace. I met Jesus at aged 23 and I know that I deserve hell and would have gone there had I died before my new birth ("perished' as referred to in John 3:16) I was drawn in by God's love but stepped into HIs kingdom over the threshold of a godly repentance from sin (all by His grace).  Let me know your thoughts. Keep up the good work. Your brother in Jesus from Ireland Anthony