Okay, Pastor John, here's a question from Eric in Iowa City, and I think you're going

to really like Eric's question.

He asks, quote, I have seen the power of poetry to express ideas and feelings.

I'm convinced that writing poetry would be good for my own soul, my family, and those

I serve in ministry.

The problem is, I've never taken a course in school on writing poetry.

My question is, how do you begin and what books do you recommend?

Thank you.

What do you say, Pastor John?

I love that question.

I love the heart that wants to grow in the clasping of language so that it serves God as

fully as it possibly can.

Let me start by saying, there are all levels and kinds of poetry from the most refined

and careful and thoughtful and ingenious and deep, and the simplest, most homie takes

a heap of living to make a house a home kind of poetry from Edgar Guest.

I grew up in a home where my dad read poetry to us, and it was always of the simplest

kind, and I think that's what massive families need.

Families don't need really obscure poetry, families need birthday poems and anniversary

poems and Christmas poems and Thanksgiving poems where dad or mom or children just write

something sweet and beautiful from their hearts for God and shouldn't worry too much about

any criticism that it's going to receive because it's artistic quality.

But there is a whole history of great poetry that moves you along and takes you deeper

...