What's in a Name?

To R.B.  by Gerard Manley Hopkins THE FINE delight that fathers thought; the strong
Spur, live and lancing like the blowpipe flame,
Breathes once and, quenchèd faster than it came,
Leaves yet the mind a mother of immortal song.
Nine months she then, nay years, nine years she long	5
Within her wears, bears, cares and moulds the same:
The widow of an insight lost she lives, with aim
Now known and hand at work now never wrong.
Sweet fire the sire of muse, my soul needs this;
I want the one rapture of an inspiration.	10
O then if in my lagging lines you miss
The roll, the rise, the carol, the creation,
My winter world, that scarcely breathes that bliss
Now, yields you, with some sighs, our explanation.

     The Hidden Fire?  What kind of cliche, New-Agey blog name is that? I understand if this is your initial reaction.  I myself would likely react similarly in the same situation.  However, this name was not chosen randomly or without reason.  It was the result of careful deliberation and thought, and what I believe to be the guidance of God. 

     Finding the right name for my blog was not an easy thing.  I wanted it to mean something, to reflect my vision for the blog's purpose.  I labored over it, debating different phrases and wordings, asking God for help, trying to find the perfect combination to reflect what I wanted my blog to be about.

      Then, one day, the name "The Hidden Fire" appeared in my head, partly inspired by a Gerard Manley Hopkins poem ("To R.B.")  that I had read recently.  As I thought about the name, the more I grew to like it and the more I grew to believe that God had provided it.  The phrase "The Hidden Fire" brought to mind three concepts which I wanted my blog to center on

      1. The Christian life and the work of the Holy Spirit.  As I progress in my journey with Christ, I want to reflect upon and share my observations and experiences with others, encouraging them in their own journey and helping me to hear God's teaching more clearly.

     2. The omnipresent nature of God.  God is in and around everything.  However, he is often hard to see.  I want to learn how to see him in everything and everyone, and to help others do the same.

     3.  The creativeness of God present in every person.  Being made in God's image, we share his creative nature.  I want to celebrate this gift and to reflect and discuss it with others

     This blog will have a variety of subjects, but most will be centered one or more of these three themes.  Thus, I might post a review of a recent (or not so recent) book, or a reflection on the news, or a revelation given to me by God.  I don't have a plan for how regularly I will post; probably whenever inspiration hits and time permits (I didn't mean for that to rhyme.  Really.)

    In conclusion:  My title may sound cliche, but at least it means something.