My hope for you

Poetry speaks to our minds and hearts and is meant to communicate more than the sum of its words. It is an apt expression of our walk with the Lord. I encourage you to forward this link to those you love. I pray this poetry leads you into reflection and prayer but I also want to start a conversation. You, too, have something to share with others-not only in person, but also here. Your experience is yours to give away to build up and learn from others in the Body of Christ. Share the word that you hear, the experiences you have lived. We are all part of the New Evangelization.If you also want to contact me by email, feel free: genefirn@yahoo.com

Table of contents: October 7, 2012

Monday, October 7, 2013

The Dialogue

Jesus:
My invitation is ever the same
for those who come after Me:
will you follow My Way?...

Lord Jesus, you know I will.
.
Jesus:
Yes, but I call you to be
more than you think you can be...

What does that mean, my Lord?

Jesus:
Your vision is of ministries,
doing great things for Me while
overcoming the pull of darkness
in your life....

But, what is wrong with that?

Jesus:
It is good that you desire to serve Me
and overcome the sin that clings so closely
to you. But, there is more...

You mean perfection?

Jesus:
Yes...but not as you mean it...

Well then, what do You mean by it?
What are you asking of me?

Jesus:
Perfection is not great, it is little,
just as I became little for you.
It is not complicated; rather, it is simple
like a child cuddling close to his mother
or listening for her voice in the
sleepy morning.

It is not straining to
do everything right, but, rather,
being at Peace with your weakness
knowing you are Loved for who you are.

It is not living up to your ideal image
trying to become the person you want others
to "see". Rather, it is living in transparency where
your heart is joined with Mine and no one can
tell the difference.

It is not what you do, but who you are...

Lord Jesus, how can this happen?
It's so different than the way I think about things.
How do I live your Perfection and not mine?
It seems like more than I can do.

Jesus:
It is not a mountain to conquer nor
a river to tame but, it is a battle nonetheless,
for you live in a world under the power
of the evil one. His words deceive and accuse.
Even doing good can become the excuse for
not doing the more noble, more arduous
even illogical to those bound by darkness...

Sigh.  Lord, it all seems too much.
How does all that fit together?
I need to know how to live as
your disciple in all the many things I
have to do and the relationships I have.
Can you simplify all that you have said
and maybe sum it up for me?
I do want to please you; so, can you
show me how to do that?

Jesus:
I know your heart; the secret longings
even you do not yet see, and, I Love you.
Yes, it is good that it is too much for you-
that is the Truth of your Life with Me.
It is not in constant striving that you 
become One with Me, rather, it is depending
on My Mercy that transforms you. It is not 
doing more, but, being more...not focusing 
on you but Me.

What pleases Me is your love in return because
only then can I give you more of Myself, only then
can I Love others through you. So, to be My
faithful witness, do not hide your Love for Me.
Love Me simply, straightforwardly, openly for all to see
knowing that it is only by My Spirit that you can
do so. That is a reality to embrace, not reluctantly, but
rather, joyfully, for it is in weakness that you find
your true strength - like a peaceful child securely 
holding his mother's hand. That is the Way as in the
sleepy morning... 

Lord, how do I get from here to there?

Jesus: Take my hand...

Reflection/Discussion:

-What does 'perfection is not great but little' mean?
-What are the ways you "hide" your love for Jesus?
-How can you love Jesus more simply, openly and straightforwardly ie. childlike? 
-How can you become more "childlike"?
-How does depending on Mercy transform you rather than striving?
-What does 'not doing more, but, being more' mean?
-What does focusing 'not on you but Me' mean?
-What area(s) in your life is it difficult to surrender to the Lord?
-How can you practically grow in trust for a difficult area in your life?
-Find a support group to whom you can be accountable.




Saturday, September 21, 2013

The Everyman



Unbelievable

Despite unity’s message

Everyman needed evidence

Even as belief’s desire beckoned.

Seeing is believing his legacy

Eyes must see

Hands must touch

For death’s conquest.

And faith’s fulfillment.

Tender Mercy responded when

Weakness cried out 

Eternal wounds bearing witness

Of the Anointed One’s gift

So faith was born by senses filled.

Everyman seeks inspection still

When the invitation is given

Seeing and touching the need

And as always Mercy responds

Overcoming by revelation in mind

And heart touched,

A Presence making everything new.

Yet when the dark valley’s mist

Veils the traveler’s vision

Testing everyman in everyway

Opportunities arise for love’s devoted trust

When feeling flees, Grace abounds

Held fast by hands

Marked by Love

A Sacrifice for everyman

In faith’s secure

Abiding sight. 

                                               

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Chastity

in a hook-up culture of
moral relativism where
right and wrong is
based on one's
subjective viewpoint and is
of course always correct-
feelings are enthroned
pleasure is worshiped
narcissism enshrined
desires deified and
freedom is transformed into
slavery as our whims
thrust sex into degradation-
used merely as a
recreational activity by
willing actors
outdoing one another to
win the Oscar for
Best Performer in an
Erotic Fantasy...
bodies...even our own...
are there to be "used" to
satiate our
infinite cravings which are
viewed as "natural"...
"God-given" and "normal"
to be obsessed as objects
for our compulsions-
no longer as subjects
with inherent Dignity as a
Person created to
share in Divine Life and
treated with
Deference and Respect
so therefore instead of
being our servant-
ruled by our
intellect and will-
sex becomes our
overbearing taskmaster
an OCD-like tyrant who
commands compliance
even morphing into
our primary Identity and
purpose in life
which reaps what it sows
with STD's abounding and
HIV/AIDS destroying
even the innocent...yet
its gravest penalty is the
death of the soul
placing our own desires
above God's Word only to be
lost in the self-centered mire of sin...
but as powerful a drive as sex is
Grace is more potent to
live a life of Chastity-
the freedom to live God's plan
for human sexuality-
an expression of the
gift of self to our spouse-
the embodied donation of
1 man and 1 woman in marriage-
nature's obvious fit-
which is ordered to the
fruit of children where
each is committed to
the good of the other-
not just a choice but
an Objective Truth
not hateful and repressive
but loving and liberating-
a symbol of and participation in
Christ's Selfless Gift to His Bride-
the Church- as well as the
Mystical Union of the Trinity-
whether married or single
we are all called to be chaste-
to daily live out God's plan for
sexual love according to our
state in life
a fruitful sacrifice of Love to be
lived out day by day...
easy? no....
possible? ...only by Grace
yet the power of sex drives
lustful temptation toward
its misuse seemingly
everywhere we turn
and though we may
struggle to be faithful
freedom begins in humility
repentance
surrendering our desires
minds hearts and wills to
our Savior and Lord
admitting our need for
His Power in daily prayer
living in the light by
seeking the support of our
brothers and sisters
in the Lord
virtue is gained through
prudent self-discipline
turning our attention
away from temptation
an expression of our desire to
love the Lord above all and
whose Intimate Spirit is
within the Temple of our bodies
Chastity is a jewel in the
Crown of Glory
not resulting in a life
unfulfilled
unhappy and
frustrated
but of
Joy in the Beloved-
the Fulfillment of
All Desires

Reflection/Discussion:
-Is Chastity a valued virtue in your life? How?
-What is moral relativism?
-How does a "hook-up culture" degrade people?
-How do you guard your relationship with the Lord regarding Chastity?
-What does "prudent self-discipline" mean in this context?
-What are the "near occasions of sin" in your life?
-What support do you have for a chaste life?
-What is the "natural law" argument for one man, one woman marriage?


Tuesday, August 20, 2013

The Dream

sorrow's incense leaked from the
silent recesses of my soul
marking the throes of a death-watch
endured through years of
vain determination to
revive a broken bond
ultimately arriving at it's
predetermined destination
a dream of married love
in the Lord which
never seemed to
take direction
but honestly
never really began
four loves brought joy
though never enough to
prevent the inevitable
decades' days desperately seeking a
faint light of clarity
yielded only confusion as
mourning began each day and
night awoke the
darkness of dejection
my sowing of other unions'
purported joy
reaped a harvest of
self-pity gathered into
sheaves of depression when
facing the loss of divorce
unanswered questions impelled
counsel's futile intervention
friendship's relative support
somewhat lightened
the crux of my burden but
nevertheless produced
isolation even in company
while prayer's indiscernible fruit
grasped at faith's blinded insight
yet even with the compassionate
Lord's Hand in mine
I could barely measure Comfort's
meager consequence while
trekking in the valley of shadows
kindled a grief as yet unknown by the
piling on of our young loves'
unasked questions
arising from our unasked-for decision
as insufficient explanations
stripped away their precious familiarity
ripping apart security's mantle by
having to digest the
forced feedings of brokenness in the
silent wonderings of their young hearts
still
we banished enmity with
mutual respect never
speaking ill of the other in their company
always mindful of our
treasures' delicate nature
then at long last
the sigh of my relief' echoed in the twilight
as I departed without fanfare though
agony's companionship
accompanied my mitigated hope
for years to come
Love's supplication proved daunting to
carry my cross
share His burden
heal the wounds with
Grace to forgive-
little by little to
let go of the loss
surrender to a greater Love
offering far more than dreams
trusting that
somehow
someway
sometime
the Lord will
bring about some good
out of all this mess
as a shoot of New Life-
moistened by tears-
sprouted imperceptibly

Reflection/Discussion:
-How can you overcome the isolation of divorce?
-How can both parties make it "easier" for the children?
-How can the Church support the divorcing couple?
-How can you support a friend getting divorced? 
-What part does suffering play in the Christian Life?


Friday, August 2, 2013

The Lover

the unexpected Presence
bearing a startling Revelation
pierced my heart-
an arrow of Light
entwined with conviction
so bright 
so provoking
so Other
I dared not peek
as I cried in anguish at the
Truth emitting back at me
through the veil of Holiness poured
Mercy undeserved
my Savior's Chalice bearing
unbearable debt strained
by Compassion's filter
lifted my soul from
guilt's quagmire
leaving me weightless of
sin's burden and
certain that I was lifted in Love
borne by a forgiveness unearned
yet ...in weakness I fumed-
angered that my
own idolatry was the
answer to my petitions
lo all these months to
show me ALL of my sins
so as to repent and be free
to know the Joy of  Liberty
this unveiling surpassed
my naive expectations
propelling me to ask in awe
as Mercy cascaded over me...
why... why do you Love me so
without reservation or judgement?
how is it that I am
so generously received when
I have been so
pitifully self-absorbed and
enamored with my own image?
the answer came
so clearly
so simply...
'That is Who I Am 
a Turning is all I Desire'
an amazed acceptance was
my only response to...
so heavy a Presence
so taken the weight
so dark the burden
so great the flow of tears
so Light the One
in Patience Thirsting for
hearts to come home
spurned too often by
His beloved yet...
everything changes when
Love is encountered
then embraced and
the hard way commenced
through the narrow gate so...
seek and
you shall find
knock and
it will be opened
ask and
you shall receive as the 
Holy One of Israel...
Creator of Heaven and Earth...
Eternal and Immutable...
King of Kings...
Lord of Lords...
Savior of the World 
becomes
your Lover

Reflection/Discussion:
-Are experiences like the one described earned? Why/not?
-What place do feelings have in our Faith experience?]
-What do the saints say?
-How can we come closer to the Lord?
-Do you have a daily prayer time? Why/not?
-Describe you prayer time.


Thursday, July 25, 2013

The Hour

it is upon us
so it begins
we descend into darkness
into the enemy's hands
persecution justified by
pretentious progressive machinations
in the name of human rights
but in reality is
human degradation
majorities become minorities
when deception converts the
masses into believing
right is wrong and
wrong is right
vacuous opinions serving as facts
with only force as a foundation
laws become instruments of
enforcing the latest logical extension of
relative principles conceived in
enlightened imaginations
devoid of tolerance
while nature's law enhanced by
revelation becomes supposedly the
trivial pursuit of
ancient prejudices clothed in
modern sophistries of
religious neanderthals who have
no regard for human advancement and
deserve whatever ill
may come their way
faithful followers of Jesus
become the hunted prey of
social exterminators wearing the
regalia of authority making
melodramatic accusations of
hate and bigotry 
against everything that
doesn't fit their latest assertions
no matter how ridiculous their
take on reality proves to be
just as long as no one observes that
the emperor has no clothes on
wheat must be separated
from the chaff
renewal of the Body
through purification's fire
how long that takes is providential
but salvation or damnation
is at stake
the time of apostasy has arrived
though it won't be
viewed as such
rather only as being
open-minded
tolerant and
non-judgmental
trials and tribulations
hatred and ridicule
await Jesus' disciples who
resist the world's pressure to
cave to their tyrannical
new order of
humanitarian ideals
which in reality only serve to
tighten the grip of the
ancient adversary
whose way is wide and easy
while hidden by
authoritative arguments
from a new generation of
rebellious minions...
be prepared to
speak the Truth in Love
stand firm in the Lord and
in the Power of the Holy Spirit for
the hour is here

Reflection/Discussion:
-Where do you see persecution happening in our culture?
-How does it affect you?
-How are you growing in your relationship with Jesus?
-What are you doing to deepen your understanding of Christian Morality?
-What does it mean to "speak the Truth in Love"?
-How can you Love your enemies?
-If enemies looked at your life, would it merit persecution? Why/not?

 


 


Friday, July 19, 2013

The Desert

barren
without direction
a journey with
limited results
unsuccessful attempts
rooted in desires
searching for fruition
while petitions ending in
endless frustration
leaves me to question
my motives even
my decisions of surrender
each peeling away
layers of self
mired in the world
reactions not founded in Love
weaknesses open to
deadly spiritual sins
motivate me to seek
Grace's intervention
cleansing bit by bit
slowly discovering a
glimmer of Light
leading upward
squinting for clarity
sensing yet again to
let go of the lesser
though lofty goal to
serve the mission of the One
though often chained to
self's centrality
for the more pure
union of a Lover
release me
from myself to
embrace surrender in
everything to You
jealous for my heart to
burn with
singular Passion
despite being
beyond my power to
complete which begs for
You to make it so since
I cannot
this invitation is
painfully grasped
without assurances of
perseverance in
surrendering my control
leaning not on my own
understanding while
acknowledging His Lordship
provides an inkling of Trust in the
night's caressing breeze and
captures a Promise to
work all things for good
though now unseen and
unfelt while living in
suspended space

Reflection/Discussion:
-What is the Desert?
-Where is the hope in this poem?
-How does a desert experience fit into faith?
-Is it "normal" in our faith development? Why/not?
-How have you experienced something akin to the desert? Expain.
-How do you deal with the desert experience? 
-How does the desert purify you?
-Is this something to desire? Why/not?

Saturday, July 13, 2013

Hope



hope comes from faith,
is rooted in the Love
of the One who first loved us.
but, in the face of death, trial and sorrow
who can stand?
why’s so often triumph
over hope
in the face of seemingly
overpowering odds.
questions pierce our armor
and deal dark blows to our souls:
who can understand loss?
why is this happening to me?
this is unfair;
where is the justice in all this?
others seem to get off scot-free,
why me?
is there any sorrow like mine?
this is too much-
I cannot bear it all.
so much, too soon.
where is God in all this?
where is the end?
where is the promise of hope?
where is the promise of
all things working for good
for those who love him?
I don’t see it.
I don’t feel it.
only darkness surrounds me,
and, no answers secure peace.
the One who said He
will always be with us
seems so far away.
I know He isn’t a liar, but,
where is He?
comfort avoids me
no matter how much I beg,
the trial goes on and on
without a certitude and
end in sight.
but, the Word stands.
it doesn’t waver.
it doesn’t collapse
in the face of dark power.
it’s light beacons hope.
faith in the One who bore
our sorrow,
who suffered for our wrongs,
who walked through the valley of death
sharing our trials and aloneness.
he is the One who touches us
when we cannot feel His embrace.
he is the One who loves us
when we feel we are unloveable.
he is the One who is with us
and promises the End will be just.
He is the One who carries us
when we cannot walk anymore.
hope is in Him because we can believe
even when we are numb.
not feeling faith and hope
doesn’t mean we are conquered.
it only means we need others
to help us bear the burden
of our calling right now.
flesh and blood grace us
and, become our conduit of Life
from the Source of all Love.
and, does this not show
our poverty?
does this not show our need for more?
is not our vision limited?
are we not called
to an eternal fulfillment
which points beyond
these  pitiful limits?
does not the love of others
manifest His heart of comfort?
do not His wounds and scars-
still visible in risen flesh-
cry for us to come to Him
with our willful essence
so often turning away from
what He has to offer?
death, trial and sorrow
can conquer us, but, they
can also bring us closer
to the One who first
loved us, and,
who
loves us
still.

Faith II

Faith



                                                                            
faith
is your faith real or
only words?
how do you know?
by the fruit it bears when
lives are changed
sin is overcome
habits of death are gradually
starved by the gospel and
Life’s treasures are uncovered
what is the measure of true faith?
obedience
it is only when
faith is lived out in
obedience to His Word
as taught in His Body
passed down from
the beginning
only then can
faith be secure and
grow in fruitfulness for
faith and obedience
go hand in hand
it is easy to say
I am a believer
not so with
I am obedient
picking and choosing
what I believe and
what I do
only makes a Pharisee
love demands consistency
in belief and action
faith is expressed in truth
truth is expressed in obedience
obedience is expressed in fidelity
it's easy to talk ‘faith talk’
it’s easy to pretend faithfulness
it’s easy to push one’s own agenda
in the name of faith but
not so much when
crucifixion
is at stake
it is in giving over our self
values plans will control that
faith encounters trust
and trust encounters love
Jesus is the model of
trust and love
Mary and the disciples
show us how to
believe trust and love
their Savior
blood was spilled in the
holding fast of faith
not in the transitory gains of
self's willful choice
faith will grow when we
put ourselves in a position of
service and readiness to
follow the One who
followed His Farther and
believed His Word
even when it lead to
his Death
so, which way will you go?
which path are you following
the way of self-will or the
way of death to self?
it is only in asking plainly
and simply that you will
find your answer
how willing are you to
see reality?
are you ready to give away your life?
are you willing to put aside
your dreams for the Dream of the
Kingdom of Heaven?
faith is the answer to your questions-
even when that doesn't seem enough
faithfulness in obedient action
proves the truth of belief
as it is rooted in righteousness
not letting itself be
deceived by disobedience
in a faith
gutted of truth

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

The Rest

                                                                                                                          
silence boasts dawn’s darkness
winter winds searching for a direction
empty hearts longing to be filled
infinite desires needing more than limitations
illusions of meaning fighting for survival
restlessness crying for cessation
Love knocking on lonely doors
breaking bread on heaven’s table 
turning wheat into earth's salvation
seeing with closed eyes the One unseen
life receiving the Gift of a 
Death freely given as
night blossom's into Light while
tears fall in sorrow and joy 
when I encounters Thou
my journey turns from
seeking to finding
my Treasure's
Rest

Reflection/Discussion:
-How do our many desires speak of the eternal?
-What isi the rest sought?
-With what do you identify in this poem?
-How do we deal with our earthly desires after rest?
-How do we bring order into disordered desires?
-How do you go from seeking to finding?

Friday, June 21, 2013

The As if

realities sometimes are
taken for granted
relationships often suffer
from just that
so it is with faith
hope and love
Sunday Mass
Sacred Scripture
Communion
Grace before meals
memorized prayers
Sacraments
Love the Lord your God with
all your heart and
your neighbor as yourself
Jesus died and rose
the Gift of the Holy Spirit
you are My witnesses
proclaim the Good News to
every creature
how many times have we
heard it all?
what else is new?
ho-hum, what time's the game?
work's a killer this week
too many things to think about
plan or deal with
too many ingrained habits
easier to get along than to
get going even when
we're committed belivers
but....
WHAT WOULD MY LIFE LOOK LIKE IF
I ACTUALLY LIVED
AS IF...
Jesus REALLY did die for me
He IS ALIVEand REAL and
LIVES IN ME and is
PASSIONATELY IN LOVE with me
I AM a son of God
God is my Father
I CAN trust Him
I have the POWER of the Holy Spirit
I actually DO HAVE His Gifts and He
WANTS me to use them
Jesus is REALLY present in the Eucharist
He is ABSOLUTELY HOLY and I am not worthy
He wants to USE ME to bring others to know Him
He HEARS ME when I speak to Him and
He DOES SPEAK to me
He wants to just BE with me
He wants to BEAR MY SORROWS
He wants to LOVE others through ME
He IS my joy and peace
He accompanies His Word with
SIGNS AND WONDERS
what if I actually lived
as if...
where do I begin?
how about I
ASK JESUS how I DON'T live as if...
REPENT and
BEGIN TODAY to live as if....
because.....
IT'S ALL
TRUE!!

Reflection/Discussion:
-What practical things can you do to live each day "as if"?
-Where will you begin?
-How can you keep on living "as if"?
-Pray, act, speak, live "as if"...........
-Be accountable to someone.
-Join a men's/women's group of believers.

Thursday, May 23, 2013

The Denudation

not content
with the state of
our Intimacy
an inability to
receive more
always much more than
we can process
the Spirit strips us of
our false securities
whatever is not
God Alone-
props for a
self-sufficiency
unfounded in reality-
through perfectly
tailored  trials
storms that rage
ripping away
treasured stabilities
one at a time but
sometimes
all at once
leaving us disoriented
feeling alone and abandoned
by a faith depersonalized and
stretched beyond capacity 
causing us to yearn for a
relief that doesn't come on
our terms
neatly protected
under our tight control 
we resist this
tearing away of
self's enthronement
without the light of
clear vision or the
strength of our previous
self-confidence
tribulations reveal
our hidden sins
now front and center-
rebellious anger
envy/jealousy
fear / mistrust
self-pity
self-centeredness
self-reliance
self-will
pride that hides
our weaknesses
seeking comfort in the
flesh not the Lord
but a  new way is proposed...
dependency
because there is
nothing else
a new-found trust
not tasted or touched
but only sensed
faintly
not all at once
but partially as
we seek Him
faithfully
day by day
yielding our desires
letting go of
knowing better than
Infinite Wisdom
we learn
unsought lessons
necessary for holiness
a poverty of spirit
to begin with
producing a tiny opening to
receive a river of
Power from above
rooted in a Love
stripped of everything
but the Cross
the prime example of
patient endurance
the sufficiency of Grace in
courageous surrender
bearing a Peace and Joy that
supasses understanding
born through
the process of
denudation

Reflection/Discussion:
-What is denudation?
-Why does this happen?
-Is this "normal" in the Christian Life? Why/not?
-What is "poverty of spirit"?
-Do you hide your true self? Why? How can that change?
-How can we support one another through this?
-How should we handle this when it happens?
-What is "courageous surrender"?

Saturday, March 30, 2013

The Assumption

do not assume
that lines to receive
Me have first
received Me into
their hearts as
Lord and Savior
it is not so
few are disciples
who daily
seek My Face
worship My Presence
love Me above all
renounce sin
speak My Truth
trust through trials
suffer with Me
witness unto death
many have departed
from the simplicity
of the Cross
the call to repentance to
leave all behind
take up that Cross to
come after Me
do not dance the
dance of fear
nor intimidation to
speak My Word of
conversion of heart
all that fail to decide
have in that very fact
decided not to follow
and are in
eternal danger
My Grace is always
being offered
ready to be revealed
even to be rejected
My tears still flow for
My wayward children
entrapped in the lures of
the world
believing the lies of
the enemy
satisfied with the minimum
yet living for themselves and
whose faces
show up even
on Sunday
beware of the assumption
you are called to more

Reflection/Discussion:
-What is "The Assumption"?
-Do you think it is accurate? Why/not?
-What are the signs, since no one knows the heart but God?
-How can we help bring about revival in the Church?
-What about your life? Where do you stand?
-What is your calling?

Sunday, March 24, 2013

The Promised

in the beginning
hovering over waters
out of chaos forming
elements into precision 
life into being
I was sent for
Creation's splendor
then in time
Promised for
dreaming dreams  
seeing visions
speaking Divine Words by
daughters and sons
an outpouring for all
who passionately seek to
drink deeply of 
Glory's Might   
yet for a while to
prepare the way
I was sent to a chosen few
charged with 
uttering the Prophetic 
“come back” to
My wayward people of
seesawing faithfulness 
again Promised until
at the appointed time
I hovered over the Anointed One
revealed as the Son
in a Baptism for an
eternal purpose and to 
speak Truths with a
Power beyond human reckoning
revealing a Knowledge of the Divine
proved by signs and wonders
until at last
after Passion's payment
death’s conquest by
Resurrection's revelation the
waiting was ended by 
hovering Tongues of Fire
a Mighty wind
releasing fear’s bondage as
barriers were transcended
Holy Names of Glory
proclaimed in languages for all
freedom’s bestowal brought
the promise to fruition
as much as each could receive 
freely offered with
miraculous Gifts of
Power to Heal
Deliver from bondage
Know the unknown
speak Prophetic Words
worship in
angelic Tongues
live a persevering call
for combat above
victory below
strength through weakness
dying to self for
an Intimacy Divine to
proclaim a Risen Savior
New Life for all who respond
which remains
today's challenge for a
world enslaved to sin
but
a Gift left unclaimed
withers on the vine
neglect and choice
leave Me untapped
meager expectations only
restrain unlimited Power
so asking in faith is a
prerequisite for Grace to
release the answer
when knocking and
seeking to find  a
Power born of
Mystical Breath
yet after all is
said and done
be aware of this
in your re-creation 
after years of tasting sweetness 
even as My Fire ignites your soul
touching you in depths unfathomed
with Gifts undeserved 
stirring Life to new heights
with Love-drenched
tears overflowing in
intimate tenderness
taking you from
Glory to Glory into
Realms of Holiness
still
there
is
more......

Reflection/Discussion:
-How would you summarize "The Promised"?
-What does "a Gift unclaimed withers on the vine" mean?
-What are your expectations regarding the Holy Spirit?
-What do you believe about the Gifts of the Spirit?
-Are you seeking more of the Spirit? Why/not? 
-Practically, what can I do to "earnestly desire the spiritual gifts"?
-What is the "Baptism of the Holy Spirit"?