"Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, to the Congregation of the Thessalonians," poetry

Revised Edition: LukivPress (Victoria, BC), 2022.

Introduction

Christians living in Thessalonica deserve commendation for their "faithful work, ...loving labor, and...endurance."-First Thessalonians 1:3. Paul, moved by their loyalty to Jehovah and his son Christ, says: "What is our hope or joy or crown of exultation before our Lord Jesus at his presence? Is it not in fact you? You certainly are our glory and joy."-First Thessalonians. 2:19, 20. In addition, this man of encouragement exhorts his spiritual brothers and sisters to comfort each other with the hope of the resurrection (First Thessalonians 4:16-18). And, as a loving father figure, he adds, "you yourselves know very well that Jehovah's day is coming exactly as a thief in the night...So, then, let us not sleep on as the rest do, but let us stay awake and keep our senses."-First Thessalonians 5:2, 6. Would you not want this faithful apostle to look out for your spiritual needs?

An excerpt, chapter five

"Pray constantly."-First Thessalonians 5:17.

This "restful odour," sweet
Like a maiden's prayer,
A shepherd's song,
A newborn's first breath-

Morning and evening,
Like hope it paints the
Sky purple.

The author

Dan Lukiv, published in 19 countries, is a poet, novelist, columnist, short story and article writer, and independent education researcher (hermeneutic phenomenology). As a creative writer, he apprenticed with Canada's Professor Robert Harlow (recipient of the George Woodcock Achievement award for an outstanding literary career), the USA's Paul Bagdon (Spur Award finalist for Best Original Paperback), and England's D. M. Thomas (recipient of the Cheltenham Prize for Literature, Orwell Prize [biography], Los Angeles Fiction Prize, and Cholmondeley award for poetry). He attended The University of British Columbia (creative writing department), the acclaimed Humber School for Writers (poetry writing program), and Writer's Digest University (novel writing program).