Eccl 1:2-11; Psalm 90:3-17; Luke 9:7-9

we leave
the despair
of vanity
where nothing
is new
the eye
not satisfied
with seeing
the ear
not satisfied
with hearing
we enter
the wisdom
of God
where each day
dawns
a kindness
that fills us
with a new song
of joy
in our heart
as we find
a refuge
in the heart
of God

Do you find refuge in the heart of God?

Proverb 30:5-9; Psalm 119; Luke 9:1-6

with nothing
but His word
we journey
through this life
relying only
on God’s power
and authority
to guide
our way
resisting
falsehood
seeking only
the law of love
that heals
and restores
our soul
every word
we speak
is tested
and the truth
endures
forever

What do you rely on to guide your life?

Proverbs 21:1-6,10-13; Psalm 119:1,27,30,34,35,40; Luke 8:19-21

to hear
the Word
and act on it
proves
a heart
set right
in God’s eye
not our own
far from
haughtiness
arrogance
and pride
we listen
and meditate
on the Truth
set before us
living
and breathing
Justice

Are you open to God’s word and act on it?

Proverbs 3:27-34; Psalm 15:2-5; Luke 8:16-18

words of wisdom
flow
for our benefit
proverbs
for life
to hearts
full of fear
of death
and sickness
sorrow and
ignorance
igniting a Light
that cannot be
hidden
or extinguished
for God sees
into our hearts
knowing
our longings
healing
in His time
and wisdom
through our faith
that we may endure

Where is your faith?

Wisdom 2:12, 17-20; Psalm 54:3-8; James 3: 16-4:3; Mark 9:30-37, 42-49

our hearts exposed
you read us
and know
our murderous quests
our jealousy and strife
so far from wisdom
we climb over
one another
to test
with revilement
and torture
we quarrel and fight
so far from our hearts
desire
to love
if only
we were to ask rightly
wisdom would come
and uphold our lives
with peace
and mercy
and sympathy
leniency
and kindly deeds
leaving war behind
a child raised up
we welcome the innocence
see this new life
and seek to serve
the love
that has been
freely given

Do we dare ask rightly and enter wisdom?
Do we see the child we are to become?
Do we see the love we are to serve?

1Cor 15:35-37, 42-49; Psalm 56:10-14; Luke 8:4-15

seed sown
within
we are
more
than our body
that perishes
Spirit
that breathes
and guides us
protecting us
from all
that would steal
our soul
and mind
a rich soil
that nourishes us
we set our roots
deeply
into
God’s presence

Are your roots drawn deeply into God’s loving presence?

Eph 4:1-7,11-13 Psalm 19:2-3-5; Matthew 9:9-13

to those
who are lost
in cynicism
and despair
selfishness
or greed
he calls us back
to our unity
our wholeness
in God
and with
each other
to live
worthy
of God’s calling
in gentleness
patience
love
and peace
in awe
of who we are
in God
and with
humility

Are you in awe of who we are?

Luke 7: 36-50

at his feet
we see a path
a way
and put
our faith there
forgiven much
we love much
ever grateful
of the gift
given
and do not
neglect it
absorbed
in God’s word
we act on it
saving ourselves
and those
who will listen

What is the gift you have been given?
How do you use your gift?

1 COR 12:31-13:13

Brothers and sisters:
Strive eagerly for the greatest spiritual gifts.
But I shall show you a still more excellent way.

If I speak in human and angelic tongues
but do not have love,
I am a resounding gong or a clashing cymbal.
And if I have the gift of prophecy
and comprehend all mysteries and all knowledge;
if I have all faith so as to move mountains,
but do not have love, I am nothing.
If I give away everything I own,
and if I hand my body over so that I may boast
but do not have love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient, love is kind.
It is not jealous, love is not pompous,
it is not inflated, it is not rude,
it does not seek its own interests,
it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury,
it does not rejoice over wrongdoing
but rejoices with the truth.
It bears all things, believes all things,
hopes all things, endures all things.

Love never fails.
If there are prophecies, they will be brought to nothing;
if tongues, they will cease;
if knowledge, it will be brought to nothing.
For we know partially and we prophesy partially,
but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away.
When I was a child, I used to talk as a child,
think as a child, reason as a child;
when I became a man, I put aside childish things.
At present we see indistinctly, as in a mirror,
but then face to face.
At present I know partially;
then I shall know fully, as I am fully known.
So faith, hope, love remain, these three;
but the greatest of these is love.

1Cor 12:12-14,27-31; Psalm 100:1-5; Luke 7:11-17

from sorrow
and death
we arise
at His command
one body
in Christ
each a gift
received
to give
again
healing
assisting
teaching
interpreting
feeding
a world
in desperate need
with kindness
compassion
and love
we sing
God’s praises
everyday
with a joyful song

What is your gift?