Don't go to

hell! Yet, we all hear people wishing other people to

hell. We even use the word "hell" in our

conversation such as, "He's as funny as hell."

However, from everything I know, hell is not a fun place.

Even people(non Christians) who consider suicide would be

far better to continue living in the agony of this life

rather than commit suicide and enter hell. Hell is far

worse than any circumstances in which anyone is now

living. Jesus said it was a place of gnashing of teeth

and constant wailing.

Hell has

physical consequences. No more calling 911. No more

seeing the doctor when a rash flares up. No more favorite

restaurants. No more creature comforts. No more

refreshing showers. No more great sex. If it's physical

and you enjoy it, it will be no more.

Cancer will

run its course. Nothing to ease the pain of headaches.

Hell also

has its social consequences. No more family gatherings.

No more coming home for Thanksgiving. No longer fun with

bowling partners or card players. The boys will no longer

get together for the Saturday afternoon game.

No more

around the Christmas Tree. If it involves special people

in your life and you enjoy it, no more. In fact,

everything will be just the opposite.

The most

despicable acts between human beings will be happening

all around you. Prostitutes will be doing it right before

your eyes. You'll see murder the whole eternal day and

night. People will be cursing one another. No one will

enjoy the sin that maybe they enjoyed on earth. The only

reward anyone will get for their display of sin will be

the agony of never being released from it.

Hell has

its mental consequences. If you end up there, you'll

never ever have another positive thought about anyone or

anything. You will be tortured in your mind about the

conscious decision you made that ended you up in hell.

You will have migraine on top of migraine. No wonder

drugs available.

You will be

a basket case and know full well that you are a basket

case. On earth basket cases are the last to know.

Hell

promises everything its name implies: HELL. Because of

that, we ministers of the Word of God don't like to talk

about hell very much if at all. I've been told by Bible

researchers that Jesus actually talked more about hell

than heaven. You see, hell isn't exactly a

seeker-sensitive pulpit topic. A better topic is how to

win friends, how to make a million, how to be blessed.

My Fayette

and Clayton friends, like it or lump it, hell stands as a

testament of the integrity of a real God. Serving him and

believing in him and living in the light of his standards

have some consequences. They are eternal.

So, what do

you think? Think I'm nuts? I just don't want to be a

roasted nut.

The Rev. Dr. John

Hatcher is pastor of River's Edge Community Church in

Fayetteville.