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

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

The Suffering Fellowship

bearing our griefs
carrying our sorrows
sharing our suffering
rejected and
despised by humanity
He came to
Redeem His Beloveds
take upon Himself our
overwhelming sins and
Just punishments
offering forgiveness to
all who choose to
receive His Love
bestowing Divine Adoption-
a New Identity of
breathtaking Dignity-
unthinkable
unreachable when
left to our own
limitations but
despite these Truths
Jesus did not come to
prevent all our suffering in
this present existence for
it was freely chosen when
humanity's rebellion
set in motion
within sin's decision
the consequences of
anguish and death as our
daily bread
though He took them all
upon Himself as
Redemption's insufferable Price
they remain embedded in
our nature's experience by
Satan's hand to
wreck havoc in this life and
eternal damnation for
all who freely choose to be
chained to sin's dominion in
this present age
however when we
unite our suffering with
His upon the Cross in
timeless wonder
they are Redeemed by Grace
into good for us and those
for whom we pray
though often
hidden in faith they
bring meaning into the
adversity of pain by
being entwined with
His Enduring and thus
made One in
Suffering Fellowship
validating the Truth that 
we are Not Alone when
sorrow washes over us and
trials engulf us - even 
death's dark shadow
has been conquered by the
Light of His Resurrection
promised to each Disciple who
passes through its portal
rising to Eternal Joy
with sorrow banished and
every tear wiped away
so it is the Reality that we can
foretaste their demise now in the
experience of the Power of the Spirit
Whom He  Promised to send
which we now see and hear
as the first Fruit of His
Eternal Victory and the
Crown of Everlasting Life

Reflection/Discussion:
-Compare Isaiah 53 and Psalm 22 to this poem.
-How does Romans 8 fit-in with this poem?
-How does James 1:2-8 relate to this poem?
-How can you make "Redemptive Suffering" part of your life?
-Where in the Old Testament does it talk about the Holy Spirit being poured out?
-What does it mean to experience the Power of the Spirit?

Saturday, April 5, 2014

The Weapon

suffering is a weapon
in the Kingdom of God
though darkness
boasts its terror to
crack our faith foundation
toppling trust's temple
into the quicksand of self-pity
ready to swallow-up
all who journey
Calvary's path
impossible to avoid
the evil one nevertheless
paints nightmares in
our imaginations
tempting us to live
surrounded with comfort cushions
to protect against hardship
avoid pain
be happy always
spitting out sorrow's
taste of bitterness
whatever the price
whatever the source
whatever the purpose
whether from the
selfish withholds of
committed love
sickness's surprise
financial ruin
nature's power
sin's rebellious destruction
self-infliction of addictions
ultimately death's
fierce inevitability
but the One who
bore our sin
carried our sorrows
healed our hearts
became our weakness
conquered death
offers His Life to us
for the asking
suffering cannot be avoided
but it can be transformed
into a weapon to bring down
strongholds of darkness
change lives
heal wounds
calm fears
overcome barriers
bringing longsuffering