Acts 5: 27-33; Psalm 34: 2-20; John 3:31-36

alive
within me
I know
your voice
your love
your guidance
my crushed spirit
you saved
close to my
broken heart
you healed me
you heard
my cry
and answered
I take
refuge in you
you guard me
from evil
a prayer
of gratefulness
for you is
always
on my lips

How is God alive in you?

Acts 5: 17-26; Psalm 34: 2-9; John 3: 16-21

in our poverty
we are rescued
with Truth
with Light
in our darkness
revealing
an imperishable Glory
that lives
and breathes
within each
created thing
for any and all
who have eyes to see
even the sight itself a gift
we have no claim to own
called only to be radiant
with the joy
in God’s justice
God’s love of all

Can you see it?

Acts: 4: 32-37; Psalm 93: 1-5; John 3: 7-15

what is it
to be born
from above
of Spirit
as a wind
that blows
where it will
we hear its sound
we feel its effects
yet from where
does it come?
what are
these heavenly things
you will
for us
one mind
one heart
no claim of possessions
as our own
there are no needy
among us
as all is shared
and distributed
according to need
from love

What is this love that demands so much good?

Acts 4:23-31: Psalm 2: 1-9; John 3: 1-8

each day
as the sun
rises
we are
born again
renewed
by His Spirit
given
our daily bread
to go forth
in love
and peace
even as we meet
resistance
in hardened hearts
greed
hatred
and temptations
we are confident
in His Presence
to guide
and sustain us

What sustains you?

Acts 2: 42-43; Psalm 118; 1 Peter 1: 3-9; John 20: 19-31

I delight
to do your will
law written
in my heart
I rejoice
in your mercy
your hope
your love
risen
from the death
and all sin
put upon you
you come
in peace
and forgiveness
and steadfast
love
that will endure
forever
pushed hard
falling
you have
helped me up
driving
the fear
from my heart
the fires
of your love
burn within me
faith
more precious
than gold
I believe
what I have not seen

Do you accept God’s mercy?
Do you live in the Spirit of love and hope?

Acts 4: 13-21; Psalm 118: 1 and 14-21; Mark 16: 9-15

speaking to
our hardness of heart
and our unbelief
you release
our life
from death
and give
strength
courage
mercy
and goodness
to our days
this love
available freely
to all
God’s justice…
it is impossible
not to speak
about what
we have seen
and heard

What have you seen and heard?

Acts 4: 1-12; Psalm 118: 1-27; John 21: 1-14

again
and again
you come to us
showing yourself
alive
in our lives
some mercy
some healing
some forgiveness
that speaks
of your Presence
that lives
beyond
your cross
beyond your death
a grace
that announces
aha!
yes!
this is the Christ
with us
God with us
Holy Spirit with us
this is the love
upon which we build
our lives

Upon what do you build your life?

Acts 3:11-26; Psalm 8:2-9; Luke 24:35-48

“Why are you troubled?
Why do questions arise in your heart?”
look
see Him
and let peace
be with you
He has risen
repentance
and forgiveness
are here
in His name
for all
who can see
a Glory shines
from heaven
over all the earth

“Why are you troubled?
Why do questions arise in your heart?”

Acts 3:1-10; Psalm 105:1-9; Luke 24:13-35

our hearts
are burning
and rejoicing
as we recognize
God within
and among us
sharing
wisdom
life
and bread
so that we
may not feel
abandoned
in a world
that often breeds
fear and greed
hatred and murder
He is our beautiful gate
where we return
to health
forgiven
strong
filled with faith
and love

Where is your beautiful gate?
Who meets you at the beautiful gate?

Acts 2:36-41; Psalm 33: 4-5, 18-22; John 20: 11-18

released
from time
and its
distortions
we see
the Holy Spirit
given
in kindness
and goodness
loving justice
and right
born from
eternity
made manifest
to each generation
we weep no more
and embrace
the goodness
of the Lord

How do you see the goodness of the Lord?