Isaiah 43: 16-21; Ps 126: 1-6; Phil 3: 8-14; John 8: 1-11

Jesus
knower of our hearts
you part the way of sin
in our lives
opened
we see our own sins
and are saved
from each other’s crushing stones
our need exposed
we are no longer left
to our past and
old merciless ways
we see
no justice in the law
but only power
flowing
from your resurrection
something new
springing forth
from dry deserts
renewed love
rises within us
what is sown in tears
we reap with laughter
grasped by your love
we release all
and run
to the God
who calls us

Have you dropped the stones from your hand?
Have you forfeited all for the love of God?

Jeremiah 11:18-20; Psalm 7:2-3,9-12; John 7:40-53

blinded
by preconceptions
and want
of power
we become
divided
and seek
vengeance
yet the searcher
of mind
and heart
and soul
reveals
a Truth
beyond
our knowing
even as it lives
within
and around us
challenging
and shaping us
putting an end
to malice
and returning us
to Love

What does the searcher of mind and heart and soul reveal to you?

Wisdom 2:1-11; Psalm 34:17-23; John 7:1-2, 10-30

in our
broken-heartedness
we turn
to God’s promise
of Presence
and comfort
knowing
our Source
of Peace
is deeper
that the world
can give
embracing
the Silence
that leads us
away from the chaos
of the world
to the place
where our tears
are dried
and Life begins
anew

Can you wait in the patience of silence?

Exodus 32:7-14; Psalm 106: 19-23; John 5:31-47

without
a ready heart
we are blind
to the Truth
when it comes
ears closed
to the voice
who will guide us
we are lost
creating images
of no lasting value
that we worship
then a voice
crying in the wilderness
a burning
and shining lamp
preparing the way
for the one
who will lead us home
to God’s love
in our heart

Do you hear the voice in the wilderness?

1 Isaiah 49:8-15; Psalm 145: 8-9, 13-14, 17-18; John 5:17-30

music
breaks forth
from the voice
we have heard
gracious and merciful
kind and compassionate
calling us out
of darkness
and death
into the Light
of Love
seeing
our oneness
in God
and each other
all thirst
is quenched
and hunger
satisfied
doing God’s will
of love and care

Do you experience the power of God’s calling?

Ez 47: 1-12; Psalm 46: 2-9; John 5: 1-6

healed
we are
your living
water
flowing
from the love
of your sanctuary
our refuge
and strength
in time
of distress
we live
in your presence
and rise
and walk
with you

What do you say when Jesus says,, “Do you want to be well?”

Isaiah 65:17-21; Psalm 30:2-13; John 4:43-54

embracing
the promise
of joy
and delight
the sound
of song
and the end
of weeping
we seek
and follow
the Light
of Christ
as a path
of healing
raising us
from a culture
of death
to one of new life

Do you hear the promise?
Do you believe the promise?

Jos 5:9-12; Psalm 34:2-7; 2Cor 5: 17-21; Luke: 15:1-3, 11-32

days of manna gone
the promised land arrived
the lost
have come home
our feet are fast
with dancing
music fills the air
feasting
and rejoicing
surround us
for who was dead
has come to life
my soul glories
in this goodness of
a new creation
we are radiant
with joy
reconciled
with truest love
we taste and see
God’s goodness
for we sought the Lord
and He answered
delivering us
from our fears

Do you rejoice in the return of the lost?
What is your part in the new creation?

Hosea 6:1-6; Psalm 51:3-4,18-10,20-21; Luke 18:9-14

we stand
in opinion
above another
proclaiming
a righteousness
we deem
our own
unaware
it is our humility
that brings us
home
knowing
our frailty
and our need
we open
to God’s presence
and love
Holy Spirit
and guide
we find
our way

Do you see your need?

Hosea 13: 2-10; Psalm 81: 6-17; Mark 12: 28-34

spirit upon us
like the dewfall
we hear
love God
first
with all
your heart
and mind
and soul
let no strange God
come among you
and take
the love
of neighbor
from you
forgive
and let love
blossom
as freely
as the lilies
casting as wide
a fragrance
as the cedars
and splendor
of the olive branch

Has a strange God come among you to take the love of your neighbor from you?