Last Sunday the preacher at the church where I attend gave us all an assignment. He is also my brother in law and has at times inspired some of my poetry. The assignment was to write a letter from Jesus, welcoming you into his cast of followers. My wife and I completed the assignment in two different manners. I wrote it thinking that Jesus would already know who and what I was, so he would have written it personally. She approached it more as a form letter that he sent to all new converts. Hers was more formal and yet personal in its regard and mine was meant to reach into who I was and welcome me there. Neither was correct or wrong just two ways of seeing the assignment. I would challenge each of you to write this letter as if you were receiving it from your spiritual model. The invitation is to secular and non-secular sources of spirit driven individuals. It would please me to see your response to this assignment. Think of it as a writing assignment. My letter as well as my wife’s is attached. Take care.

Tommy,

It is said that you fancy yourself to be a wordsmith of sorts. One who enjoys poems and poetry, I have decided to put your letter in a poem.

You say, mine you would ever be,

On mountain high or amid briny sea.

I commend you on your measured choice,

A trumpet made to amplify my voice.

I promise to set the bar high,

To give you hope and keep you nigh.

Strength gathered through grace and love,

Descends from God who is above.

Give yourself to the work at hand,

Know in ground where you now stand.

You will find me in front to lead the way,

And at your back at end of day.

But most of all I will be at your side,

To give you power to quell the tide.

Your presence among us will create a light,

Give many hope and God delight.

                                           Jesus

Jesus, only begotten son of Jehovah and son of Mary.

To my follower of the new way, I write this epistle in hopes to encourage you in your journey here on earth. Just as I went about helping people as I could, showing love of my father, I would encourage you to do the same. My purpose on earth was different from yours in that mine was to fulfill prophecy, to reunite God’s children to him. I go out into the world with the intent to show God’s personality. I hope to always exemplify those ideals that I set forth on the Mount of Olives; I would that you mimic my actions in compassion, a sense of justice and eternal forgiveness. Portraying God’s love through your actions will identify you as my sister.

I Jesus want you to know as you hurtle over the labor pains of this life toward your second birth into heaven, I am with you always.

Greetings to my sister Deenie, don’t give up.