Rob Bell/Mars Hill Church

URL:  http://christianity.about.com/od/christiancelebrities/a...

I had heard of Universalism and have read several articles about it in the past but this is the first I've heard of the "Emerging Church" - although a church that I attended in the past may fit that description...



I'm not sure why there is a need to sugar coat, or omit parts of, God's Word. Yes, the convicting by God of our sin is uncomfortable, even painful. And the feeling of urgency to change that He brings about within us is not pleasant - if it were then why would we bother?



No, the need for Christ isn't a sitcom, or the result of performance by a rock band, or enjoying a feel-good, everybody-goes-to-heaven sermon. The awareness of our need for Christ is most often a traumatic spiritual awakening that shakes us to the core, wakes us from our sin-induced slumber, and then as we repent, changes us with an heart-shattering, completely enveloping love and awareness of the Creator Himself within and through and surrounding us...leading to change from the very heart of who we are, to how we see life, our goals and priorities, how we live, and mostly Who we now serve.



A conversion from sinner to follower can happen anywhere. But it is the result of working of the Gospel of Jesus Christ within our very spirits, changing our hearts from the inside out, and leaving us with an awareness and connection through the Holy Spirit within us...not just an emotional high that leaves us within a few days (or even hours!).



Do not be deceived.

See this Amp at http://amplify.com/u/a17oah