Phil 3:3-8; Psalm 105: 2-7; Luke 15:1-10

welcoming
sinners
we eat with Him
remembering
who we are
recalling
wondrous deeds
rejoicing
at being found
and having our hearts
set aright
no longer
lost in law
lineage
and self-righteousness
we live
in the freedom
of Spirit
in Truth
and Love

Where do you find freedom?

Phil 2:12-18; Psalm 27:1,4,13-14; Luke 14:25-33

taking leave
of our possessions
and all
that possesses us
we enter
the light
of salvation
freed
to see
who we are
in a new way
letting go
of fear
the dwelling place of God
reveals itself
a great fire
of love
among us
working
always for our good

Do you freely give up all that possesses you?

Phil 2:5-11; Psalm 22:26-32; Luke 14:15-24

emptied
and humbled
not grasping
at God
in greedy
selfish ways
we open
our hearts
to God’s invitation
with gratitude
for what is being offered
a place
at the table
where we share
in a love
and peace
and joy
beyond the imaginings
of a divided world

Can you imagine the love and peace being offered by God?
Do you accept God’s invitation?

Phil 2:1-4; Psalm 131:1-3; Luke 14:12-14

a stilled soul
even in times
of chaos
unselfish
living
in participation
with the Holy Spirit
compassionate
merciful
thinking always
of another
not needing
repayment
resting
in the joy
of a heart
united
with God’s love

Does your soul experience stillness?

Dt 6:2-6; Ps 18: 2-4, 47, 51; Hebrews 7: 23-28; Mark 12:28-34

loving the God
who loves us
with all of our heart
with all of our soul
with all of our mind
with all of our strength
we find
our fortress
our deliverer
our safety
beyond the weakness
of our humanity
we live in the Holy Spirit
who we can trust
realizing
it is not burnt offerings
or sacrifice
that is God’s desire
but love
to be shared
with all

Do you love God with your whole heart, your whole soul, your whole mind?
Is God your rock, your fortress, your deliverer?
Do you fear the Lord in your lack of love?

Phil 1 18-26; Psalm 42:2-3; Luke 14:1,7-11

our souls
thirsting
for the living God
become
magnified
in an incomparable
goodness
as we behold
God’s face
in the love
of another
serving
the Christ
we are humbled
and grateful
with an unassailable joy

What do you magnify?

Wisdom 3:1-9; Psalm 23:1-6; Romans 5:5-11; John 6:37-40

a stillness
that looks
like death
is not
as our soul rests
in the hand
of God
even as we walk
through
this valley
of darkness
we have no fear
for God is with us
in a love
poured out
into our hearts
living
in a hope
that will not disappoint

Do you live in the hope that will not disappoint?

Rv 7:2-4,9-14; Psalm 24:1-6; 1Jn 3:1-3; Mt 5:1-12

seeking
the face
of God
we find Him
in the One
who comes
in blessing
of our poverty
of Spirit
our mourning
our meekness
our hunger
and thirst
for righteousness
peace
and purity
guiding us
through times
of great distress
we rest
from our burdens
in Him

Where do you find Him?

Eph 6:1-9; Psalm 145:10-14; Luke 13:22-30

we cannot bear
the thought
of being
turned away
from a love
we thought
we knew
what is this
narrow gate
to God
that will
save us
this obedience
that will guide
our hearts
and minds
and steps
and lift us
when we have fallen
raise us
when we are bowed down

Who will open the door for us?

Ephesians 5:21-33; Psalm 128:1-5; Luke 13:18-21

seed planted
yeast
folded in
we surrender
to the power
of new life
within us
growing
yielding
to a promised
heaven
already here
waiting
for our consent
reclaiming
what is lost
through
the world’s deceptions
we begin again
in the Light
of Truth

Do you believe in the power of the mustard seed?