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The End Is Coming! The End Is Coming! An End Is Here.


 The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.(I Peter 4:7-11)

       This weekend marks the unofficial end of summer in America. It's a time of year that I love. The weather is starting to cool down, the leaves are edging their way toward turning the colors of fire, schools and churches are getting active again. This  year again, the end of summer is a stressful time for me. The garden needs to be torn down and things need to be closed down and a household re-established elsewhere.
         Endings and beginnings can be a time of high energy and low intelligence. That's called panic. They can also be high energy and high intelligence. That's called wisdom and that is what Peter is calling us to. Don't get anxious about just how near the end is. It's near. Even if that end is just your life, it's near...nearer than you might want it to be. With that in mind, Peter says, be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. No running around in circles, screaming and pulling out your hair. No crawling into bed and covering up your head. Prayer is needed and Panic 101 and Avoidance 101 techniques don't let you pray.
           How do you keep a clear mind and maintain self-control as things around you spin out of control?
1.  Pray.
2.  Love
3.  Help (offering hospitality even when you aren't at home, because you aren't at home.)
4.  Do what you do well - exercise your gifts
5.  Watch what you say.
6.  Rely on God for strength (which takes you back to #1)

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