I was once a Pastor in a Church that owned a Christian bookstore. One Christmas while I was selecting appropriate gifts for our 5 voluntary staff members, I experienced an encounter with God. After I selected the gifts God said to me, "put the gifts back and take some blank cards home and give them something from the Pastor's desk!" I was excited about this, as I knew God wanted to speak to each one of them.

What He did then astounded me. After I had finished writing, I realized I had written a prophetic message for each of these loyal volunteers written as a poem! That was the day I realized my gift to write poetry, and since then I haven't stopped writing. The wonderful thing about poetry is, it engages with the reader's emotions and touches the heart.

On this podcast show, you will hear me read one of my poems, inspired and written from a revelation I have received from scripture. A reflection about the poem with 3 questions will follow this to engage and inspire you to take action on all the content. I also reference the scripture I have used, and sometimes I will offer some additional comments.

In Psalms are many examples of poetry that color the truth and enhance our experiences as we read them. In Eph 2:20 the Greek word for workmanship is translated from the root word Poema meaning poem. Quoting from the Passion Translation, we have this root word translated poetry. God calls us his poetry (workmanship) in this version, "We have become his poetry, a re-created people that will fulfill the destiny he has given each of us, for we are joined to Jesus, the Anointed One".

This beautiful Translation captures so much more of the emotional truth about us. God is not intimidated about using emotional words to capture who we are.

Embracing the language and subtle nuances God uses in His word have always been my delight and inspiration. Poetry brings a fullness to life which often eludes men especially. Men more so because they connect cognitively more than emotionally. Women connect differently as they feel the inferences of the words, whereas men think about the inferences and question them. Both connections are acceptable to God.

For you, as the listening audience to receive the comfort and revelation wrapped in the words of this poetry, I encourage you to adopt a different mindset and feel the words. Let them speak to your heart. Imagine reading the scripture as you would read a love letter from your adoring spouse! Knowing it was a love letter, how would you approach opening that letter?

I have a revelation to share with you about being washed by scripture. Some years ago while meditating on different scripture I realized when I read the passages I don’t read them, the scripture reads Me! It reads my heart, my soul, my principles, and values and becomes my litmus test to my responses and reactions. It tests me to the core!

As an example here in 2 corr 5:17 states the truth; Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. I have italicized the question this scripture asks me. Am I IN Christ? This is about my daily life not just attending a Sunday service. This is not a question to condemn me, it's questioning my focus. Because I am IN CHRIST, my life changes as I am washed by the water of His Word and He is continually being formed within me.

Every one of us is unique and has our own testimonies of our experiences with God. These stories define and speak about our revelations and encounters with Him. My encounter with God was very significant and taught me how to write poetry.My desire is that my inspired words of poetry wash over you and connect emotionally with you so you receive the benefits of their truths.

This content can be used in study groups and for devotional material. For more information, please go to my website www.devotionalchristianpoetry.com where there is a free ebook for you to access and my contact links.