I was sitting at my desk…you know the one with the incessant ringing of the phone. And the ordinary happenings were happening all around me. People coming and going, bosses being bossy. Client’s being met and ushered to the inner sanctum where the clock ticker begins.
From my desk I have a view of the front walk and most of the parking lot. I noticed the Pepsi Cola truck pull in as it usually does on Tuesday, driven by a pretty cool dude named Larry.
Larry and I have short conversations where we cram as much “hey, how are you—how’s your family” every visit. I enjoy talking with Larry. I threatened him that if he ever quit driving, we’d start shopping at Sam’s for our cola’s! He’s the best driver we’ve ever had. Polite. Kind. Fast and efficient.
So you can imagine my surprise when in walks this “strange dude”. Complete with his Pepsi logo clothing and pushing the hand trucks with the order I had placed the previous day, he nodded a polite hello. This is not Larry (I said to myself), but not wanting to seem too hormonal and upset by this change of personnel, I exclaimed, “good afternoon!”
“Have you delivered before?” I said this on the off chance that he had delivered on a day that I was out, knowing almost without doubt he had not.
“No I haven’t, where do you want the drinks?”
“Straight into the kitchen please. Put them on the shelf in the closet in the corner. Thanks!” With the kitchen right next to my office (handy, huh), I said loud enough for him to hear me, “where is Larry?” I sure was hoping he wasn’t about to tell me that he had been laid off! I would most certainly call and complain!
He said something I totally did not understand except one word…”mucho”…something something something.
Then he asked me from the closet, “did you understand what I said?”
“Well, only one word”, was my reply. “Mucho”.
I didn’t take a foreign language in school…and there are days, I can barely speak understandable English.
He came out and gave me the English version of what he had said. “Larry is very sick.”
Okay. That I can understand. At least he stayed home.
The Pepsi driver continued to chat about sickness and swine flu and problems in general and I was mostly listening and then he stood right in front of me, where I had full view of his name tag hanging from the lanyard around his neck. “Jesus”.
“What is this world going to?”
Well the REAL JESUS knows what this world is coming to (notice he said “going” and I answered him with that reference). I almost “an end”…it’s coming to an end as we now know it. But I listened closely as he repeated his question. “What’s this world going to?”
I looked at him, with his name tag pronounced, “heh-SOOS” and solemnly stated, “well, some of us are going to heaven, and then some of us are not.” I waited for his response.
“Well, I do believe in heaven, but I believe that we are having to live our hell on earth. I see so many people with so many problems. So hard. Such bad things. I believe that is our hell.”
He had moved over to the door now, ready to make his exit. I was simply shocked into a stupor that here in the Bible Belt of the United States, standing in our office was someone that didn’t believe in a literal hell.
I said with all seriousness, “you are right, many people do endure hard things. We all have tests and trials to endure, but I promise you this is not our hell. There is a literal hell.”
He quickly changed the subject to sports and news as he opened the door to leave. I was still in such a shock that not one single Bible verse came to my mind! Not one! Not even Genesis 1:1 or John 3:16!
For crying out loud! I was so mad! (At myself)
As soon as he closed the door, I was struck with the thought, here was this Jesus (pronounced heh-SOOS) and he apparently knew nothing of the teachings of MY JESUS! My heart broke, my eyes filled. I also thought to myself, maybe as a slight consolation, a scripture didn’t come, because maybe it wasn’t necessary….. for this time.
But you can bet (not that I bet) I will be ready should this particular Pepsi dude walk through our office door again.
By the way, I found SEVERAL references —I’m listing only this one, but I really want some feed back. Share some of your stuff! What would you say to someone who does not believe in hell, but rather believe’s we are “living it” here on earth.
Mark 9:43-44 says, “If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed, rather than having two hands, to go to hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched– where ‘Their worm does not die And the fire is not quenched.’ “ NKJV The next few verses have the same reference hell and unquenchable fire.
Folks, I have such a desire in my heart to see changes in ME and those around me. I want more of God! I want to tell more—show more of Christ than ever before! It’s in my heart and it’s got to come out!
Come on. Tell me your thoughts… share some stuff—some WORD!
Jeff & Angie 
First, how appropriate this post is, Angie! Our pastor has just started a series on defending our faith. Each week we're to send him an email with a question or statement a non-believer made and how did we or would be defend it. May I use your example this week if the Lord doesn't give me my own encounter with a non-Christian this week?
Second, I am a bad bloggy friend. I haven't been over here in a while. When did you redo your blog? I love the colors! It's actually what I was thinking of doing! I'll have to put a twist on mine to make it different than yours.
Love you!
Ohhhh my….YOU WERE SPEACHLESS?????
Sorry, couldn't resist! I suppose that if had been in your place, I would have been 'scripture-less' as well….with someone who doesn't know anything about Jesus, quoting chapter and verse doesn't always mean much. I think I would have asked him this, “If you believe that hell is here on earth, then where and when is heaven?”
How can we be good enough to go to heaven, if even the best of us here on earth are living in what he described as hell?
There is only ONE WAY to experience heaven….and even if you don't believe in a literal hell, is it really worth the risk that you are right?
Sometimes, 'what if' statements like these will get a person thinking and then, when they being to question the Holy Spirit can go to work!
Sorry I rambled so long…was on my way to bed (and yes, it is only 12:50 AM!) and got distracted by my precious chickadee sista!!!
Love you, precious!
Susan
Thanks Angie for your blog tonight. I needed it. My heart is heavy tonight I just feel I have lost my way in these perilous times. I just ask that you keep me in your prayers. I am thankful God sends people like you to minister to us. I love you and God Bless you… love Suki
I volunteer at a CPC and it breaks my heart to see the young people living unaware of who our Jesus real is.
They struggle trying to find peace. When you tell them of the Good News, they look at you like a puppy with his head tilted. But then one comes along who is thirsty and willing to receive the Living Water.
In His Grace,
Tammy
Angie dear ,
What came to mind immediately was Rev 20:10-15 at the white throne judgment when the dead and lost souls are judged. IT says Death and HELL gave up their dead to be judged out of the books ,which to me is the WORD ,or Bible,and whosoever was not found written in the
“Book of Life “was cast in the Lake of fire.
Is it worth it to take a chance on being cast into torment eternally ? I had rather believe the written Word than think the troubles of this life was all there is to it And find at death I was so wrong. too late to try and see the difference then..Since John 3:16 says what he gives to us who believe his word and it is not hard to ,O why not read it for himself.
… Just a bit of my thoughts .
You will have it ready for the Holy spirit will give you quietness of mind so your thoughts will flow .I do believe there will be a next time or God would not have touched your heart for this gentleman.
Such INCREDIBLE comments! Wow! I wish each of you had been sitting here with me!
Wait. Maybe that would have frightened him!
Yes, Marsha–you are most welcome to share this.
I read more last night as I was preparing this and then again today. Every time I read the Word, my eyes fill and my heart races. Today at lunch I had that “feeling” of such love come over me…how can they not know.
How can we NOT share? This incredible gift God gave. I tell you all the truth, this has really spurred my heart into prayerful motion. We must get busy.
I love you all and thank you for taking time to share!
This goes with what Bro. Tommy has been preaching on Sunday mornings, mentoring, what we as Christians are suppose to be doing. But there are those times when we can't think of one single scripture. I can relate to that. Thank you for sharing. You are such a blessing.
Much love, Peggy
This family needs some people to not only pray for them but to champion them because of overwhelming medical expenses. If many would just give the price of a cup of coffee it would greatly help.
http://bloodtippedears.blogspot.com/2008/07/prayer-and-help-for-my-mom-carol.html
I cannot tell you how many times I've felt defeated over what I didn't say or maybe over what I did say. All we can do is put our big girl panties on and lay our defeat at the Savior's feet for healing. Often, we've said enough for that person to know there is something different in us because of our Savior. I cannot imagine this guy not being touched by the light of Jesus that shines through your smiling face.
Oh, this was good and worth the wait…I love the last comment that was made about your “smiling face”…I remember when I was running from the Lord, He would bring people in my path that did not have to say a thing to leave an impression on me…what they did or how they presented themselves or sometimes just the look in their eyes told me that I was in the presence of a child of God…
I have a quote over my desk that says…
“People will forget what you said,
People will forget what you did,
But people will never forget how you made them feel”
I ALWAYS feel blessed when I visit you, Sister!