Setting Sail on a Quest(ion) about Heaven and Hell – “It’s Time to Celebrate” (Part V)
Sermon Title: Setting Sail on a Quest(ion) – “It’s Time to Celebrate”
Good News Statement: Jesus invites us to celebrate!
Preached: Sunday, June 29th, 2025 at Dogwood Prairie and Seed Chapel UMC
Pastor Daniel G. Skelton, M.Div.
Scripture (NRSVUE): Psalm 150:1-6 & Psalm 118:24 Heaven and Hell: two words that have captured the curiosity, imagination, and wonder of millions of people across several centuries. One of those words brings forth comfort and peace, an image of green pastures and still waters, and hope and eternal salvation. The other word subjugates fear, darkness, and a feeling of being at the lowest point. Today, we are given a choice. May the hearing and understanding of this scripture add a blessing to your life.
Psalm 150
Praise for God’s Surpassing Greatness
1 Praise the Lord!
Praise God in his sanctuary;
praise him in his mighty firmament!
2 Praise him for his mighty deeds;
praise him according to his surpassing greatness!
3 Praise him with trumpet sound;
praise him with lute and harp!
4 Praise him with tambourine and dance;
praise him with strings and pipe!
5 Praise him with clanging cymbals;
praise him with loud clashing cymbals!
6 Let everything that breathes praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord!
Psalm 118:24
This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
This is the Word of God for the People of God; And all God’s people said, “Thanks be to God.”
The following Sermon Series will be drawn from the words of Biblical Scholar, Alan W. Gomes, who explores 40 Questions about Heaven and Hell in his book 40 Questions about Heaven and Hell.
Alan W. Gomes (edited by Benjamin L. Merkle), 40 Questions About Heaven and Hell, Grand Rapids, Michigan: Kregel Publications, 2018.
Introduction:
In the ethereal[1] expanse of the cosmos, there exists a realm beyond mortal comprehension: it’s known as heaven. It is not a place dictated by religious dogma or mythical tales but rather a destination for all souls after their mortal journey concludes. In this celestial sanctuary, souls find themselves liberated from the constraints of physical existence: those who were tired, weak, and carrying heavy burdens have found rest (Matthew 11:28). They are met with an abundance of peace, harmony, and boundless opportunities for growth and fulfillment. Yet, amidst this infinite splendor, a conflict simmers—one not of divine decree, but of existential choice. Among the myriad of souls that populate Heaven, there exists a divergence in belief regarding its nature. Some perceive Heaven as a utopia, a paradise where individual desires reign supreme, and personal satisfaction is paramount. Others hold a different perspective. They believe that Heaven’s true essence lies in collective goodwill, in the shared bonds of love, empathy, and compassion. Is that really what Heaven is like?
For some, the opposite of this heavenly celestial sanctuary is Hell: the abode of the “unredeemed dead.”[2] In its archaic sense, the term Hell refers to the underworld, a deep pit or distant land of shadows where the dead are gathered. From the underworld its most terrible precincts sinners pay—some say eternally—the penalty for their crimes. The underworld is often imagined as a place of punishment rather than merely of darkness and decomposition because of the widespread belief that a moral universe requires judgment and retribution—crime must pay. More broadly, Hell figures in religious cosmologies as the opposite of heaven, “the nadir[3] of the cosmos,”[4] and the land where God is not. Hell itself is the preeminent symbol of evil, alienation, and despair. Is that really what Hell is like?
Heaven and Hell: two words that have captured the curiosity, imagination, and wonder of millions of people across several centuries. One of those words brings forth comfort and peace, an image of green pastures and still waters, hope and renewal, grace and eternal salvation, empathy and compassion. The other word subjugates fear, worry, devastation, darkness, despair, and a feeling of being at the lowest point—walking in the shadows of the valley of death. These two words have caught the attention of both religious and non-religious persons throughout the ages: asking what is heaven like and what is hell like? Even those who have chosen to believe in the words of Jesus Christ wonder about heaven and hell: asking what do I need to do to be in heaven and what do I need to do to avoid hell?
For the next few weeks, with the help of Alan W. Gomes, a professor of theology at Talbot School of Theology, we will be taking time to examine both Heaven and Hell from a biblical perspective. In his book, 40 Questions about Heaven and Hell, Gomes asks questions such as: “What should we conclude about those who claim to have seen heaven or hell?, What will the resurrected body be like?, What is hell like?, What is heaven like?, and How can a God of love send people to an eternal hell?” Most of us are familiar with the concepts of Heaven and Hell, but yet we still have questions. The time has come to examine a few of those questions as we explore the celestial sanctuary and dive into the abode of the unredeemed.
Body:
“This is your celebration. Celebrate good times, come on. Let’s celebrate.” These are the opening lyrics to the song “Celebration” released in 1980 by an American band that went by the name Kool & the Gang. Released as the first single from their twelfth album, Celebrate!, it was the band’s first and only single to reach Number 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100. In 2016, the song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. Then in 2021, the Library of Congress selected “Celebration” for preservation in the National Recording Registry for being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.”[5]
Are you singing the song in your head? If not, then let me help you: “There’s a party going on right here, A celebration to last throughout the years. So bring your good times and your laughter too. We gonna celebrate your party with you, come on. Celebration. Let’s all celebrate and have a good time. Celebration. We gonna celebrate and have a good time. It’s time to come together. It’s up to you. What’s your pleasure. Everyone around the world, come on. Celebrate!”[6]
I’m sure many of you have heard this song before. You may have heard it on the radio, maybe you had it on a record, maybe you heard it played at a wedding, or some other celebration. It’s a pretty popular song! But did you know that the origin of this song is religiously based? In an interview with Co-founder of the group, Ronald Bell, also the group’s saxophonist and musical arranger, he explained the origins of the song. He said, “The initial idea came from the Quran. I was reading the passage, where God was creating Adam, and the angels were celebrating and singing praises. That inspired me to write the basic chords, the line, ‘Everyone around the world, come on, celebrate.’”[7] Bell was inspired to write a song about celebration from a Biblical moment: from a moment when God was working within His creation. There was celebration in the Bible!
Although God knew what was going to happen in the Garden of Eden—a serpent of some sort would corrupt Adam and Eve, therefore introducing sin into the world—there was a moment of celebration. Although God knew that His perfect paradise would crumble, there was a moment of celebration. Although God knew that at some point what He created—the plants and a majority of all animals and humans—would be exposed to a great flood lasting 40 days and 40 nights, there was a moment of celebration. The whole “world” came together to celebrate. This reminds us that with everything going on in your life, with everything going on in this nation, with everything going on around the world, and with everything trying to disrupt our life, there’s always a moment to celebrate something. “Let’s all celebrate and have a good time.”
Today, instead of answering questions about heaven and hell, I want to take a moment to celebrate with you. Rather, I want you to take a moment to celebrate. Celebrate the life God has given you. Celebrate the many milestones—whether large or small. Celebrate where this church was, where it is today, and where you want it to be in the future. If God established moments of celebration during the act of creating, then certainly we can do the same thing in our life. And as I said earlier, there is a lot going on in your life and around the world. It’s okay to take a moment to celebrate. What are you celebrating today in your life?
Movement One: What does the Bible say about “Celebration”
As you ponder some of those moments in your life that resulted in some sort of celebration, let’s take a look at what Scripture has to say about the act of “celebration.” But before we do that, I want to share with you how author Richard Frost defines “celebration” in his book Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth.
In 1989, Frost published his book which explores the “classic disciplines” of the Christian faith. These disciplines are what Christians should practice to deepen their faith and trust in God as they discover, develop, and deploy their discipleship. Frost highlights twelve different disciplines: meditation, prayer, fasting, study, simplicity, solitude, submission, service, confession, worship, guidance, and celebration. After discussing eleven of the disciplines, Frost turns his attention in the last chapter of his book to the discipline that gave his book a title: the discipline of celebration. Frost notes, “Celebration is at the heart of the way of Christ.”[8] A few pages later, he states, “Celebration gives us the strength to live in all the other Disciplines.”[9] Lastly he shares, “Celebration is a grace because it comes unmerited from the hand of God.”[10] Celebration is more than highlighting an achievement: it is grace in the form of strength that guides us on the way to Christ. The Renovare Spiritual Formation Bible asserts, “Celebration is the utter delight and joy in ourselves, our life, and our world as a result of our faith and confidence in God’s greatness, beauty, and goodness.” Celebration is the result of God’s greatness working in our life. But where do we see this kind of celebration, this greatness, played out in scripture?
In Scripture, the word “celebration” is often synonymous with the word “joy.” For starters, we read these words in Nehemiah 8:10, “The joy of the Lord is your strength.” We can celebrate the fact that the Lord will walk with us and carry us through the tough days. Celebration brings joy into our life, and joy makes us strong. The Apostle Paul wrote to the people of Galatia, “The Fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things. When we are living a life like Christ we demonstrate the fruit of the spirit in our life and one of those is joy” (Galatians 5:22-23). The act of celebrating is a product—the fruit—of the spirit and it demonstrates our willingness to live like Christ.
Continuing in the New Testament, we find a few passages. The Gospel of John 15:10-11 reads, when Jesus speaks, “If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.” Jesus is our example for how to live a life of joy and celebration. Through joy and celebration we are made complete because we abide in Christ.
In the next chapter of John, we hear these words from Jesus: “Very truly, I tell you, you will weep and mourn, but the world will rejoice; you will have pain, but your pain will turn into joy….[11] So you have pain now; but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you. On that day you will ask nothing of me. Very truly, I tell you, if you ask anything of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete” (John 16:20-24). Jesus wants our joy to be complete! He wants us to be able to live a life of celebration. Jesus took time to celebrate the Passover with the Disciples. He knew that in just a few hours he was about to face the most excruciating moment of his life. He was about to experience immense suffering but still he could speak of joy to his disciples. Jesus knew that he would see them again and at that time there would be a celebration. Sorrow will be turned into joy: “There may be weeping for a night, but joy will come in the morning” (Psalm 30:5).
Again, John talks about celebration in chapter seventeen. Jesus says, “But now I am coming to you, and I speak these things in the world so that they may have my joy made complete in themselves” (John 17:13). Even until the end Jesus is watching out for us and asking God that we may have “His Joy”. Can you imagine what that will be like? I imagine the heavenly choir singing, dancing everywhere shouting joyous praise to God! Henri Nouwen says, “Celebration is not only a part of special occasions, but an ongoing awareness that every moment is special and asks to be lifted up and recognized as a blessing from on high”. We get the chance to celebrate every day of our life because God is blessing us in some way. As the Psalmist tells us, “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice—[let us celebrate]—and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24). The ability to celebrate makes us complete and blessed and glad in it!
Referencing the Psalms, we read these words in the last chapter of the Book of Psalm. The Psalmist wrote, “Praise the Lord! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty firmament! Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his surpassing greatness! Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe! Praise him with clanging cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals! Let everything that breathes praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!” (Psalm 150:1-6). As a famous children’s song reminds us, we are to “Praise him in the morning: Praise him in the noontime; Praise him when the sun goes down!” The Psalmist (and this song) is reminding us to simply praise the Lord in any way and at any time that we can. Now, what makes this specific Psalm so special is the fact that if you replace the word “praise” with the word “celebrate” something happens. For example: “Celebrate the Lord! Celebrate God in his sanctuary…. Celebrate him for his mighty deeds…. Celebrate him with trumpet, lute, harp, tambourine, dance, strings, pipe, and loud clashing cymbals…. Let everything that breathes celebrate the Lord.” Come on, everyone around the world, celebrate the Lord. Be thankful that He is in your life.
If we think about the phrase “let everything that breathes celebrate the Lord,” two biblical passages come to mind. First, the story of the prodigal son. Jesus tells us a story about a father and his two sons in Luke 15:11-32. The younger son decided he wanted his inheritance immediately, so the father gave it to him and he left. The other son stayed and worked on the father’s farm. Well after the first son had squandered his inheritance—as the name prodigal suggestions, spending money or resources freely and recklessly—he came crawling back and begged his father to forgive him and to treat him as a worker since he no longer felt worthy to be called son. But did the father treat him that way? No. In fact, he says to his other son who is grumbling, “But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.’” The father had a choice in this situation and he chose to celebrate the return of his lost son and rejoice! We have the choice to either remain upset with how things are going in our life or we can choose to celebrate something that has gone right.
Second, is the story about a “wee little man” who climbed up in a sycamore tree “for the Lord he wanted to see”: the story of Zacchaeus. In Luke 19 we read about Zacchaeus’ encounter with Jesus: “A man was there named Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was rich. He was trying to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was short in stature. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to see him, because he was going to pass that way. When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, ‘Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.’ So he hurried down and was happy to welcome him” (Luke 19:2-6). Zacchaeus, a man who was despised and hated by many, probably not very happy with how he was living his life—cheating people out of money—was able to celebrate. He was able to celebrate with Jesus in his house. Even when we don’t feel worthy enough to celebrate, Jesus reminds us that we can celebrate because we are worthy.
The idea of “celebration” is found throughout the scriptures. In moments during creation, there is celebration. In moments where there was once weeping, there was celebration. In moments of great suffering and distress, there was celebration. In moments where anger and frustration would have been the proper response, there was celebration. In moments of hatred and worry, there was celebration. “Celebration is the utter delight and joy in ourselves, our life, and our world as a result of our faith and confidence in God’s greatness, beauty and goodness.” No matter what may be going on in our life, scripture reminds us that there is time to be in celebration: to delight in the joy and blessings God has lain upon your heart. Have you celebrated God in your life?
Movement Two: Take a Moment to Celebrate
Now, if scripture extends the invite to celebrate, then I think we should accept it. A few minutes ago I asked you, “What are you celebrating today in your life?” For me, I turn 30 years old today! Although I have heard some people say that turning 30 was their worst moment because they realized that they were getting old, I’m still celebrating that I have lived 30 years on this earth. I don’t know what the following years will bring, but I do not what I have been through in order to get to his stage in my life. There have been moments where celebration wasn’t something I wanted to even think about: witnessing the death of three out of four grandparents, being hospitalized for almost two weeks during my senior year of college, deciding to go to California on a band trip when I wasn’t medically approved to go, experiencing breakups, texting the wrong Emily in my phone on Valentine’s Day, being taught how to life but not how to land, getting a speeding ticket and having to tell my parents, getting into arguments with my siblings, experiencing a family feud, and the list could go on and on and on.
Intertwined in those moments of not so “greatness”, the Lord gave me moments to celebrate: I was able to spend quality time and create moments with my grandparents; I made it to and back from California with no major medical instances; I married my best friend; I deleted the other Emily from my phone; I don’t speed when I am at my parents’ house (just here); I have been around to watch my nephews and nieces grow up; I have learned to talk with my siblings and not always to them; and I allowed God to lead me in a life that He created for me. No matter how life may have been, God gave me moments to celebrate. I don’t know what will happen now that I am 30—will get more grey hair, will I begin to moan and groan when I get out of bed, will I have to start slowing down. No matter what happens, I hope God doesn’t take away the act of being able to celebrate.
Another thing that I can celebrate today, is that not only is this my 200th sermon at this church, but it marks the end to another chapter in my preaching career. Next Sunday, will be the start of year five of being in Oblong, of preaching in this church and being called to lead such wonderful, funny, hard-working, dedicated, committed, and loving people. During these five years, we have had moments of uncertainty, of worry, of doubt, of stress and frustration, but we have also had moments in which we celebrated. I will share some of those celebrations in a little bit. My point is, no matter what has happened in my life, where God has called me—even if I didn’t believe Oblong was a real place—there has always been something, a reason, a moment, to celebrate.
So I ask you, “What are you celebrating today in your life?” Are you celebrating the fact that you got up this morning? Are you celebrating that someone gave you hug today? Are you celebrating that there is someone in your life that you can count on and lean on? Are you celebrating that air fills your lungs? Are you celebrating the fact that your tractor started for you this week? Are you celebrating the realization that your kids listened to you at least once this week, that the house got cleaned, that the dishes are done, that the laundry is put away, that you survived the heat? Are you celebrating your family, your friends, things you are involved with, the hobbies and interests you have, the future that is before you? Are you celebrating that someone forgave you?
Are you celebrating that God got through a storm, a battle, a conflict? Are you celebrating that God has never left you? Are you celebrating that God is calling you to close one chapter and begin a new one in your life? Are you celebrating that the tears have stopped falling? Are you celebrating that something finally went your way? Are you celebrating that God answered your prayers, heard your supplications, and provided you peace and comfort in a difficult situation? Are you celebrating the realization that you are loved, that Jesus died on the cross for you so that you could be forgiven of your sins and granted free unmerited grace and salvation? Are you simply celebrating? Life is too short not to celebrate something in your life, especially if the act of celebrating is a way to grow closer to Christ.
Now, I must be honest with you, you may or have been in a situation where celebration wasn’t possible. You felt like you were the furthest from the act of celebrating you have ever been. If someone blew up a balloon, you would pop it. If someone put up streamers, you would tear them down. If someone tried to help you, you ignored them. I’m sure we have all been there, and maybe some of us are still there. However, you are here today! Celebrate that.
Celebrate the fact that you are here, that you are breathing, that you are with others who care about you. There is always a reason to celebrate. I recently was told of a little boy who showed pigs for the first time: he didn’t get first, he didn’t get second, and he didn’t get third. He got fourth and fifth. That little boy’s mom said he was so happy that he can’t wait to do it again. There is always a reason to celebrate in your life, even if you get fourth or fifth place. What are you celebrating in your life today? And how has God taken away your worries so that you can celebrate today?
Movement Three: Celebrating Milestones within the Church…
As I mentioned earlier, as a church we have something to celebrate. I would like to start this section of today’s message by going back to what I shared on Easter Sunday this year. Christ’s resurrection is our new beginning to living through and in him. Christ’s resurrection means that there is something more for us and more for this church. Christ’s resurrection is something we wait for but carry with us every day of our life. Christ’s resurrection is something we celebrate. Because of Christ’s resurrection you can face tomorrow. Church, the resurrection of Christ is real. If you don’t believe me, then stoop and look into the empty tomb, see the cross that bears no one, hear the proclamation of the women and disciples, take to heart the words of the angels dazzled in white, and cherish the reality that Christ lives within you today and always. If you still don’t believe me, then look at your own life and see where Christ has saved you and given you a new life in which you can celebrate. If you still don’t believe me, then see how his resurrection has given our church new hope:
Dogwood Prairie: Church we can celebrate that we have a playground in which was built and installed by people of this church that has been dedicated and by the playset sits two benches for parents and grandparents and people of the church to watch and hear the children play and create memories. Church we can celebrate that the restrooms in the Youth Building and the bathroom in the parsonage have been remodeled. Church we can celebrate that the church has installed hand rails in the sanctuary, the north entrance has been remodeled, and we have had a few work days at the church. Church we can celebrate that we have hosted Trunk-or-Treat twice, we have filled and handed out treat bags for the farmers, and that we have a cabinet in the back of the sanctuary to display some of the church’s history. Church we can celebrate that we have a weekly Bible Study, are developing another Sunday School class for the youth, we are trying our hand at having Children’s Church, and that we going to be Live-streaming our services next month to reach out to others who want to be here but can’t, and to share the word of God beyond these walls. Church we can celebrate the fact that the Children’s Christmas program has brought in almost 70 people each time and that at times this front pew has been filled with children. Church we can celebrate that we have helped people in the community, that most of the volunteers for the Food Pantry come from this church, and that we are going to be putting together school kits for Midwest Mission and having homemade ice cream. Church we can celebrate that the foundation will be fixed, that the lights on the church sign works, and that there is an outlet on the church sign so we can plug a spotlight in to shine on our Christmas Card. Church we can celebrate that we have hosted SingSpirations and revivals and that you all decided to remodel the sanctuary and Youth Building several years ago—which people are still complementing to this day. Church we can celebrate that our attendance is growing. As a church we hosted a lock-in, have taken the children bowling, have attended a movie at the movie theater, and have hid over 500 eggs. There is plenty of more to list…. Church we can celebrate! And we should celebrate!
Church, God has given us plenty of opportunities to celebrate but let’s not stop now. Let’s continue to find ways to celebrate the way God is working in our church, the ministries Jesus wants us to pursue, and the ideas of the people that are helping our church grow faithfully and spiritually. What are the next five years going to look like for Dogwood Prairie UMC? What sort of celebrations will we be able to celebrate as God’s people together?
Today as a church, we celebrate the 90th Birthday of a young, beautiful, and inspirational lady, who was once prom queen, whose family significantly increases the population of Oblong when they gather together. This young lady as lived through fifteen presidents, the great depression, the New Deal, World War II, the invention of the Polio Vaccine, the Civil Rights Movement, witnessed the first moon landing, experienced the aftermath of September 11th, 2001, and who saw the birth of the internet and technology and cordless phones, indoor plumbing, and several other home commodities. She has lived through many moments where celebration was merely a dream, a thought. But, today, she is celebrated! Jane Sholders, today we celebrate you for who you are, what you have done for each of us, and for how you continue to inspire each of us every day of our life. And some are celebrating you because of the delicious food you make, the suckers you hand out, and kitties you pass along. Take in the moment, smile, and may this celebration remind you of how much you are loved.
Conclusion:
To bring this message to a close, I want to share with you a few final thoughts. I recently listened to a podcast that invited the audience to view church in a new light. For some of us, Sunday marks the end of the week: so Sunday becomes the day when we feel like we can finally breathe. For others, Sunday marks the beginning of the week: we think about all the things we have to get done before the following Sunday. However, this podcast suggested that we don’t view Sunday as the start or end of something, but instead as a day to celebrate. The host asked the question, “What if on Sunday people came to church not merely to experience Christ but to celebrate that Christ got them to church on Sunday?”
This is a fascinating question: what would our Sunday mornings look like—or even feel like—if we came to church with celebration in our heart: with praise in our step, with instruments in our hands, to celebrate that this is the day that the Lord has made? What if our praises section in our bulletin was longer than our prayer list? What would the overall nature of our church be like if we became known as the church that treated each Sunday as a celebration of people coming together to praise the Lord? No matter what the week was like or what the week will be like, on Sunday we celebrated.
The last thing I will share with you is this: to live a life of celebration is a choice. God gave us free will and allows us to choose how we will live our lives. It doesn’t mean that every day will be easy. We know that we will experience pain in this life. We often get caught up in the negative experiences in life, but we can also choose to flip the narrative and remember to celebrate the blessings we have. Don’t forget to take time to celebrate. There is always a moment in your day to celebrate something. And you should celebrate! “Celebration is at the heart of the way of Christ.”[12] If scripture speaks of experiencing joy and praise and celebration, then maybe we should make them part of our life since they are at the heart of what it means to follow Christ.
I appreciate what Saint Augustine of Hippo said regarding celebration: he said, “The Christian should be an alleluia—a celebration—from head to foot!”
“We gonna celebrate and have a good time. It’s time to come together. It’s up to you. What’s your pleasure. Everyone around the world, come on. Celebrate!”[13]
Let it be so…
Closing Prayer:
Let us Pray… Dear God, help us to find time to celebrate as individuals and as a church. No matter what the day is like, no matter how stressed we may be, remind us to celebrate you and all the things that get us through each and every day. In your name we pray, Amen.
Benediction:
“The Christian should be an alleluia—a celebration—from head to foot!” Take time to celebrate something in your life this week. And as your pastor, I am looking forward to the many more celebrations that we get to have together! May the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; and May the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace (Numbers 6:24-26). In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit go forth making choices that lead to celebration. And all God’s people said, Amen. Amen. Amen.
[1] Ethereal: extremely delicate and light in a way that seems too perfect for this world.
[2] Carol Zaleski, “Hell,” Britannica Online, updated 16 May 2025 and accessed 28 May 2025: https://www.britannica.com/topic/hell/Greece-and-Rome
[3] Nadir: the lowest point in the fortunes of a person or organization
[4] Carol Zaleski, “Hell,” Britannica Online, updated 16 May 2025 and accessed 28 May 2025: https://www.britannica.com/topic/hell/Greece-and-Rome
[5]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celebration_(Kool_%26_the_Gang_song)#:~:text=The%20initial%20idea%20came%20from,world%2C%20come%20on%2C%20celebration.
[6]https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=ccb8066356fd07b7&sxsrf=AE3TifNrBCkGGs9VGO9DRTOh7gKythphag:1750801307317&q=so+bring+your+good+times+and+your+laughter+too+lyrics&si=AMgyJEvqW5sXx7gcAsA_f6v6KBatNeP4fzAb4eYmkrh1_rMA4rPG1HDoeczUiuNSqqCSet-85mT7wX3JCr8ooxBLzxs_LyYC7SmgvS_Z0UQnd0NCXZYfNJ662ho8wxCm3-2feAmZiWsNCEUUGyb1f4K07l9Li-73Dc6ckksDLL4L757p35LGX6xbDTHlQf7svWLgPQxVX8yP&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjozvqPg4uOAxVL5ckDHVgyJwIQv_UKegQIHxAD&biw=876&bih=812&dpr=0.9
[7] Aidi, Hisham (December 9, 2014). “Did Coltrane say ‘Allah Supreme’?”. Al Jazeera. Retrieved June 24, 2025.
[8] Richard Frost, Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth, London, UK: Hodder & Stoughton Ltd (1989), pg. 237.
[9] Ibid., pg. 248.
[10] Ibid., pg. 249.
[11] …When a woman is in labor, she has pain, because her hour has come. But when her child is born, she no longer remembers the anguish because of the joy of having brought a human being into the world….
[12] Richard Frost, Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth, London, UK: Hodder & Stoughton Ltd (1989), pg. 237.
[13]https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=ccb8066356fd07b7&sxsrf=AE3TifNrBCkGGs9VGO9DRTOh7gKythphag:1750801307317&q=so+bring+your+good+times+and+your+laughter+too+lyrics&si=AMgyJEvqW5sXx7gcAsA_f6v6KBatNeP4fzAb4eYmkrh1_rMA4rPG1HDoeczUiuNSqqCSet-85mT7wX3JCr8ooxBLzxs_LyYC7SmgvS_Z0UQnd0NCXZYfNJ662ho8wxCm3-2feAmZiWsNCEUUGyb1f4K07l9Li73Dc6ckksDLL4L757p35LGX6xbDTHlQf7svWLgPQxVX8yP&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjozvqPg4uOAxVL5ckDHVgyJwIQv_UKegQIHxAD&biw=876&bih=812&dpr=0.9