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

Sunday, December 10, 2017

The World

not the earth but
the sum of cultural
values
thinking
choices
behaviors
powers even laws
that are
opposed to God
it is the
living out of our
fallen nature-
rebellious
self-centered
proud
sensual
basically full of sin-
orchestrated and
dominated by satan-the
king of this world-
all sworn enemies of
The King of kings-
this is the atmosphere
in which we live out our
calling to be witnesses of the
Kingdom of God- though
that reality means
we are at enmity with the
kingdom of darkness-thus
spiritual warfare rages
within and without
composed of many skirmishes-
opportunities to choose
between  rival kingdoms though
temptations often disguise
their true indentities in order to
lure us into minor
"turning aways" that
down the darkened path
can ultimately result in a
final "turning away"- a
victory for the losing side-
in such an embattled world
standing for the Truth
insures that we receive the
same hatred and persecution as
Jesus -sometimes the same
punishment-but likewise that we
also conquer with Him for
He has overcome this world
with all its might and corruption
our challenge is to bring
His Word of
Selfless Love and Forgiveness
Mercy and New Life to a
broken humanity
it is only by Grace that
true Justice can be attained
only by His Spirit can
Truth be enthroned
bringing Light to the darkness
only by Redemptive Suffering can
life's sorrows be ransomed
only by Supernatural Power can
our fragile nature be
transformed and in turn
Redeem our Society
but even then we
will be resisted unto death
so what then?
we can begin now-today- to
seek the Lord first-
be faithful in our calling to
Love Him and one another in
authentic
transparent
vulnerable relationships to
help win our common cause
while embracing the Cross to
entwine with  His
Passionate Victory by
accepting what comes in
living out our duties
faithful to the Lord
spending time with Him
learning to hear His Voice then
speaking His Word in Love
using the Gifts of the Spirit
He has bestowed upon us
but in all this
let us not forget to
find our true Joy and Peace
in the One who
First Loved us
Gave us His All and
calls us to be
in this world but
not of it

Reflection/Discussion:
-Where do you experience the influence of the world in your daily life?
-What challenges do you have in living out your relationship with the Lord?
-Describe your prayer life.
-How are you growing in knowing His Word?
-What Gifts of the Spirit do you have?
-How are you using them?
-What supportive relationships do you have to follow the Lord?
-How can you develop authentic, transparent, vulnerable relationships?