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I was invited to a pentecostal teaching class. The class was led passionately, and the pastor kept pointing to the Cross with enthusiasm. He was, by all appearances, much more concerned with showing Love for Jesus than expertise of intellect. Intellect was the expression of passion.
Attending the meeting took me back to my teenage years. I had come up in a cold church, lacking enthusiasm and passion. I sought God as Lover, Beloved, for years. Later, much later, I discovered the Love. My life has never been the same, thankfully.
Tilt your wine glass over my head.
Move your finger across my red stained face.
Let your eyes sense every contour of my body.
Just speak the Word "I Love You"
And I will faint from the sounds of your Voice
to be awakened in another Place
by the scent of your fragrance.
This is what I live for.
This I daily die for.
You, alone, when I am alone,
quench the longing of my heart.
I have Love
To imbibe of -
Those not admitted into Here
know nothing about this intoxication.
Intimations they may know -
We know the thing itself!
You, over there! Calm down!
Even God-drinkers need a rest.
There are those offended by the path of my Love.
When I try to tell them of this wine cellar, they look dazed by the Light.
They stand outside the door, looking the other way.
God, you have turned my eyes into you.
You have seen yourself in seeing me.
Stop with the words!
Place your hand into the Fire.
Lift you fingers
ten candles to His Glory.
*Brian K. Wilcox
QUIETLY RESPONDING
1) Are you comfortable with sensual, romantic images in your devotion to God? Explain.
2) Go into Silence. Say a prayer, inviting the Spirit of God to manifest in you, to speak to you, and inspire you according to God's Desire. Use a word or prayer phrase communicating Love to your inner image of God. Use this in meditative prayer.
3) Write a poem of Love to the Divine One. Do not become overly concerned with form. Focus on communicating your desire for intimacy with God.
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*OneLife Ministries is a ministry of Brian K. Wilcox, of SW Florida. Brian is pastor at Christ Community United Methodist Church, Harbour Heights, FL, and Senior Chaplain for the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office, Punta Gorda, FL.
*Brian welcomes responses to his writings or submission of prayer requests at barukhattah@embarqmail.com .
*Contact the above email to book Brian for Spiritual Direction, retreats, or workshops. You can order his book An Ache for Union at major book dealers.
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