Who in the Hell Do I Think I Am

By David N. Thompson

In this collection of personal testimonies with related opinions and reflections on life experiences designed to provoke insights into the concept of Hell and alternatives to that reality.

Most people perceive reality to be that which can be touched, heard, smelled, tasted, and seen. In turn, what cues of touching, hearing

• Language: English
• Publisher: Palmetto Publishing
• Release date: Jul 24, 2024
• ISBN: 9798822927377

David N. Thompson

David N. Thompson was born in 1948. He is a Christian man, son, husband, father, and grandfather who lives in Southwest Florida. He is an active member of Diplomat Wesleyan Church where he enjoys playing guitar for the worship band and cooking for his weekly men's group. He is the founder and initiator of a drive-in prayer ministry at his church, which is still active today.

Book preview

INTRODUCTION

O

n the first day of the rest of my life, whenever that was, I found out that there seems to be a lot more to this life than whatever I might be able to perceive on my own. Well, I guess you know where it went from there! Really, do you? I still do not know myself, but, as time passes, I find myself more conscious of the concept of time.

Time lashes us, as human beings, to this life and this earth for the time being. Genesis 1:5 (NIV) reads, God called the light ‘day’ and the darkness He called ‘night.’ And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day. This provides the first measure of God's created time in which we all live. After release from this life by death, we will all experience timeless eternity. We have been given notice that where—and how—our eternal life is spent is our choice. Our decision is made in this life: with God in Heaven or without God in Hell.

I once read a quote by Randy Alcorn that states, The best of life on Earth is a glimpse of Heaven; the worst of life is a glimpse of Hell. For Christians, this present life is the closest they will come to Hell. For unbelievers, it is the closest they will come to Heaven. What a powerful image of this life on Earth and our possibilities for eternal life. Does this mean that Heaven and Hell coexist in this dimension of time? I think that may be exactly right. Regarding Scripture, I also believe the highest Heaven is still to come. Deuteronomy 10:14 (NIV) states, To the Lord your God belong the heavens, even the highest heavens, the earth and everything in it.

If we are right to understand that Heaven and Hell coexist in this dimension of time, this sure puts a curious twist on what we perceive to be reality. For example, I perceive reality to be that which I can touch, hear, smell, taste, and see. Conversely, reality would also include the cues of touching, hearing, and actions which I send out to others. That cycle of interaction between myself and others would complete the circle of my reality.

I have been in and out of experiences from my first recollections and even before as God was creating me. These experiences brought me to a time when I came to understand that my impression of what will be is related to the physics of life combined with my emotional experiences. This convergence produces an instantaneous sense of anticipation. However, that anticipation is corrupted by that which my emotional self has imposed.

The way that my emotional self has experienced events creates a perversion upon the impressions left by the physics of life (actual happenings), thereby perverting my anticipation of the future. This perception influences me to a completely different interpretation of what is going on in this reality. If two people, coexisting in the same place at the same instance of time, share a moment together of the immediate past, the resulting combination of the present and the past should result in a common anticipation of the next moment. However, the prejudice developed by our history of personal experiences and emotions gives each of us a different sense of anticipation or expectation. The two people sharing that moment in time will not share the same expectation of what may happen next.

What a deal this brings us to. Intelligent design. OK, I admit the connection from that concept of time and experience to this topic of intelligent design may be out in left field. I never did understand what was wrong with left field. It is not crowded, the air is clean, the sky is blue with a few light clouds, there is a soft breeze, and the temperature is just so—it is warm in the sun, and if you were to stand in the shade you would soon love to have a light sweater to put on. Man, that is a beautiful day. This, today, is a beautiful day, a day that has been provided by our Creator. Thank God!

What just happened there? The introduction of such a complex subject at this point in the book just muddles the whole concept of writing a coherent thought grouping to provide a book worthy of spending your valuable time reading. Obviously, until you and I get done with this thing, we won’t have much of a conclusion to that idea and, therefore, we are unable to render an opinion. I can guarantee you will be a better judge of that than I. As we proceed, you will realize, as I have, that your anticipation, continually being influenced by your past, will determine the success of what I am trying to convey. Ah, there is another important question! What exactly am I trying to convey?

Now, see? See? This question is probably more for me than for you. See? It just happened again; how frustrating! I guess it is the moving target syndrome with the hope that the anticipated outcome is that this book becomes a best seller and I will become rich. In seriousness, it is my sincere hope that, in sharing my experiences with you, you will gain insight and a renewed sense of hope in your faith journey. If I become rich in the process, that is just a bonus.

Whether this book has a positive or negative impact will, of course, be dependent on the combination of the prejudices of your past with your present experience of reading the book. There is no neutral outcome. If the experience for you is neutral, then that is negative. You will tell your friends you didn’t like it and it's best use is to warm your hands at the fire as you are enjoying your next ice-skating outing. That may be fun!

I do hope you enjoy this book, simply because you are a well-deserving human being who, I am sure, is likely a good person and someone whom I would like to know. I really don’t want to waste your time. You would gain more from flipping burgers for a wage than taking this time to read about my experiences if nothing is gained for you. Thank you for allowing me to share my experiences with you. I wish you the best always.

Where can I go from here? Let's see. I wonder how many people don’t know that let's is the same as let us and don’t is the same as do not. Kind of weird, huh?

Anyway, this book will be placed into the world completely prejudiced by my past with the hopeful anticipation of worthiness, which is solely yours to decide. God help us both and all. Let us begin.

Chapter 1: Who Am I?

The best of life on Earth is a glimpse of Heaven; the worst of life is a glimpse of Hell. For Christians, this present life is the closest they will come to Hell. For unbelievers, it is the closest they will come to Heaven.

—Randy Alcorn, Heaven

T

he whole idea of sharing