Rev 10:8-11; Psalm 119:14,24,72,103,111,131; Luke 19:45-48

where
is truth
to be found
in these days
of story spinners
and money changers
cluttering
the sacred temples
of our minds
and hearts
changing
the sweetness
of God’s word
into bitter prophecy

in the stillness
we wait
in a cloud of unknowing
our soul
begging the silence
for the voice
of Truth

Who will clear our hearts and minds and soul for Truth?
What is Truth?

Luke 19:41-44

we are
weeping
with you
Jesus
as you look
over the city
that cannot find
its way
to peace
that does not see
the hour
of its visitation
calling harm
upon itself
with war
and division

yet we wait
standing our ground
with you
in God’s enduring love
with songs
of praise
and hope
and faith
undiminished

Do you weep with Jesus over the city?
Do you stand in God’s love with hope and faith?

Revelations 4:1-11; Psalm 150:1-6; Luke 19:11-28

Who am I to praise
Who is this king
To whom I bow
And sing and dance
Give my whole being
Holding back nothing
From a life given to me
And clearly not my own
First and last breath
A gift and grace

Raised in a kingless world
In a country
Of rejection
Of thrones
Who are we now
In an age that bows down
To no authority
Officials unworthy
Of praise

My heart
And mind
And soul
Reach out in prayer
To one who is worthy
Even as I have no understanding
Or worthiness
Blaming our creator
For all that has gone wrong

Only in prayer
Do I find the one
Worthy of praise
A door opened into the divine
I see a goodness
I can believe in
A Heaven
Coming to earth
A crown of glory

Ancient words
Of salvation
And righteousness
Come alive in me
As he appears
And calls me friend
A candle
Waiting for flame
He strikes a match
My soul a fire
Ignited in praise
Glowing in peace

Who do you find worthy?
To what do you bow down and praise?

Rev 3:1-6, 14-22; Psalm 15:2-5; Luke 19:1-10

Set fire to your heart
And know me
God of all
Living flame of love

Set down your arms
Put aside your anger
And see beyond
What you can know

Force of the universe
Power of an undying love
I breathe you
And beat into your heart
A steady rhythm of concern

The air you breath
Belongs to all
The water you drink
Flows for all
Your earth
Has no boundary or wall

Looking intently
Through your microscope
Searching widely
Through your telescope
You miss the binding love

Even your words divide
Each utterance a moment
Of capture and division
Only silence tells the truth
And belongs to all

Your damage is done
Your choices made
Yet once again I say choose
And set yourself free

Set fire to your heart and soul
And know me
God of all
Living flame of love.

What do you choose?
What sets your heart on fire?

Rev 1:1-4, 2:1-5; Psalm 1:1-2,3,4, and 6; Luke 18:35-43

What is this first love
Of which we are called to return
All the deeds of our lives
Seem to amount to nothing
Without it
What was first love
That softened opened heart and mind
Ready to give and receive
Not hardened by any injury
Pure and full of hope
What was this first love
Ready to disappear
Into the promises of everlasting
Before tarnished by any doubt
What was this first love
That we would follow anywhere
Make any sacrifice
Relinquish all for its sake
Years pass
The specialness
Becomes the ordinary
The bright colors fade
In the desperation to renew
We lose our way
Where is this first love
When nothing mattered but this
When all questions were answered
In the story of your eyes
Everyday an expectation
Of care and concern for each other
Nothing more important than this
The promise of devotion and fidelity
For better or worse
Richer or poorer
In sickness or health
A marriage of heaven and earth
You say repent
And follow the blind man
Who calls out to see
In a faith that will heal
Our hearts awaken
To your words
And turn to you again
In first love’s zeal
All the deeds of our lives
Turn sacred with our lost love found

What is this first love of which we are called to return?

Proverbs 31: 10-13, 19-20, 30-31; Psalm 128; 1 Thess 5:1-6; Mt 25: 14-30

people
of Light
we turn
from darkness
awake
to God’s
power
in our life
the work
of our hands
God’s love
reaching out
to the poor
the needy
to all
we give
generously
not hiding
our gifts
but sharing
with joy

Do you share your gifts generously?
Do you live in the light?

3John 5-8; Psalm 112: 1-6; Luke 18:1-8

pray
always
without
becoming
weary
for truth
and justice
in the land
though hidden
behind
the unscrupulous
it will reveal
itself
through
our persistence
and faith
in God’s goodness
and love

Do you pray always and persist in goodness?

2John 4-9; Psalm 119: 1-18; Luke 17:36-37

taken up
we see
a love
that heals
the great divide
one in Christ
who needs
no name
living among us
within us
all worldly powers
and enemies
disappear
in the silence
of God’s knowing
moving quietly
tending
nurturing
and giving hope
and courage
in times of distress
and fear

Where do you find hope and courage in these times of stress?

Philemon 7-20; Psalm 146: 7-10; Luke 17:20-25

the kingdom
of God
among us
feeding
freeing
restoring sight
bringing justice
to every
open heart
asking
the impossible
of our humanity
in its call
for forgiveness
mercy
and compassion
possible
as we are absorbed
into goodness
and love

Do you accept the invitation to be absorbed into goodness and love?

Luke 17:11-19

in all
circumstances
we give thanks
to our God
who offers
goodness
and love
joy and peace
healing
our lives
keeping us firm
even as we feel weak
and uncertain
showing compassion
and kindness
that we return
this day

How are you thankful in all circumstances?
How do you show your thankfulness?