Spiritual Presents

The End.  Many of us do not like endings.  It is hard to say goodbye.  We want to know what happens in the end, but we are not comfortable with things being over.  Is it a happy or not so happy ending?  What does the end even look like?  Do we move on to something else?  Or do we move into nothingness?  Is nothingness possible?  That doesn't sound like a whole lot of fun, so let's just keep going as we are, don't you think?  However, last I checked, going as we are is definitely not one of the options that we have.  Everything changes.  Nothing stays the same.  Why?! Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life…  And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations…  There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a ...

  “It’s the holidays, Let’s get wild!”  Generally this is not a message heard from a church pulpit.  Preachers usually choose other subjects.  Forgiveness, peace, trust, and reconciliation are topics often heard.  Moreover, most people do not associate going to church with “wildness.”  Church potlucks and picnics are meant to be fun but ideally don't go off the rails.  The choir may rattle the rafters at times but preferably refrain from getting too out of control.  Going nutty at church is hopefully only when people add some toppings to their ice cream.  On the contrary, getting "wild" for most, means going a little crazy.  Some like to bounce around the mosh pit at a concert.  Others want to scream their lungs out at a football game.  Wildness is also not associated with preparing for Christmas.  The holidays are supposed to be filled with peace, warmth and love.  People are to prepare for Christmas by hanging ligh...