Sunday’s sermon will be kind of fun.  Much of it will center around “Ralph and the Lake of Fire” – a one-person drama (played by me) about a man you dies suddenly and enters the afterlife, only it’s not the afterlife he expected … Fire and brimstone?  It plays a role, but not the one you expect, either!

The drama is based on a sermon written years ago by Bruce Van Blair.  I have revised and dramatized it a number of times.  Each time it creates quite a buzz and there are always people who say, “Darn!  I wish I’d been there for that one …”  I hope you can join us for the fun!

Both in worship and in Asphalt Jesus groups, we’re heading into Affirmation 9 for the next couple of weeks – my favorite of them all.  Affirmation 9 reads, “Christian love of self includes: basing our lives on the faith that in Christ all things are made new and that we, and all people, are loved beyond our wildest imagination – for eternity.”

It’s an affirmation that implies quite strongly that there is no hell as popularly conceived, and that salvation is for all people, not just those who jump through some sort of doctrinal hoops.  As further background to prepare yourself for worship or small groups, you will probably find it helpful to take a look at a brief reflection that was written years ago by my pastoral mentor, Bruce Van Blair called “Universal Salvation.”  Read it by clicking the link at the end of this paragraph, then post your comments and questions!

Universal_Salvation