The fool has said in his heart, "There is no God."

Psalm 14:1
The fool has said in his heart,
“There is no God.”... The Lord looks down from heaven upon the children of men. To see if there are any who understand, who seek God. They have all turned aside. They have together become corrupt...

Me and the morning don’t really like each other -unless I’m able to stay in bed or Starbucks is involved. Since neither is necessarily good as a habit, I go to the YMCA.

Going to the YMCA first thing in the morning is more of an attempt to wake up and let the babies play than sweat (I still label it workout so it looks good on my schedule :)

So anyway last week ended up not just waking my flesh but in a divine setup I was awakened to see to the epitome of evil in a “sweet old man”. (I know you are raising your eye brows at me right now... but I am for real...)

So, at the end of my workout I was doing a cool down on the bike and this seemingly sweet old man, named Harry, came and sat next to me. He was friendly enough and we made small talk. Then he asked why I came to kansas city. I told him how richard and I came to be a part of the International House of Prayer.

He smiled and nodded and said that his wife was catholic and he was nothing...

I couldn't pass up that opening and wonderful opportunity...

me: so you don’t believe in anything...

Harry: No... and you only believe because someone you trusted told you that you needed to believe... I don’t need religion so that I can explain things I can’t understand...

me: no, I don’t believe because someone told me. I believe because I have felt and seen power in Jesus and through the Bible...

Harry: (condecending chuckle...) Well, Most of the world doesn’t believe like you... you think they are all wrong and you are right?

me: yes.

Harry: Well, every religion helps people to explain things they can’t understand and to make them feel good about life... the Bible contradicts itself anyway. I don’t need God. I don’t want to change your mind... I mean it is really great that you believe in that stuff and I don’t want to burst your bubble...

me: No, you can’t change my mind and I am not interested in a lie to help me cope with life. I am interested in truth. The Bible doesn’t contradict itself. And any religion won’t do. Jesus is the only way to God. The alternative is death.

Harry: So, you believe in hell too?

me: Yes.

Harry: (More condesending chuckles) really... what is hell and why would somebody go there?

me: Unless you believe in Jesus and follow him you will go to hell. Hell is eternal separation from God and a place of torment forever.

Harry: (smiling) I don’t care if I go to Hell.

Me: You will care. It is a place of torment and agony forever.

Harry: So your religion has scared you into believing if you don’t believe the Bible you will go to hell. Don’t be scared. I am not scared. I don’t care about being separated from God... I don’t even know Him. Look, I am separated from Him now and I am fine.

Me: My religion has not scared me into believing anything. I want to be with God when I die. You are fine now because God is merciful and the reality of your sin and the depravity of the human heart has not yet fully been revealed. But when you die there is nothing that will separate you from the full reality of your sin and you will suffer in torment for eternity.

Harry: (Laughing at me) You know what hell is?

me: what?

Harry: Hell, is a fine place where the grass is green and you get to do whatever you want... see it is not so bad.

me: You are wrong. What will say before God when you die and you are wrong?

Harry: I don’t think about that. I don’t believe in God.

me: What if you are wrong?

Harry: I’m not...


Luke 12:3-5 (New King James Version)
3 Therefore whatever you have spoken in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have spoken in the ear in inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops. 4 “And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. 5 But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him!

John 3:35-36 (New King James Version)
35 The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hand. 36 He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”

Psalm 9:17-19
The wicked shall be turned to hell,
And all the nations that forget God...
Arise, O Lord,
Do not let man prevail;
Let the nations be judged in your sight.
Put them in Fear, O Lord,
That the nations may know
themselves to be but men.


Psalm 10:3-13
For the wicked boasts of his heart’s desire;
He blesses the greedy and renounces the Lord.
The wicked in his proud countenance does not seek God;
God is in none of his thoughts...
He has said in his heart,
“God has forgotten; He hides his face; He will never see”...
Why do the wicked renounce God?
He has said in his heart “You will not require an account”