Ez 47:1-12; Psalm 46:1-9; 1Cor #:9-17; John 2:13-22

the rivers
flow
watering
the lands
with healing waters
the trees bear fruit
the Spirit
flows
with healing breath
and our hearts
come alive
the money changers
are driven
from the temple
and love takes
its rightful place
at the altar
God is in our midst
and we shall not be disturbed

Is your heart alive with the Holy Spirit?

Romans 13:8-10; Psalm 112:1-0; Luke 14:25-33

owe nothing
but love
to one another
giving generously
and mercifully
from God’s love
knowing
we own nothing
in our possessions
we live
in the light
of God’s grace
that dawns
through our darkness
God’s commands
showing the way

Do you live in God’s light?

Romans 12:5-16; Psalm 131:1-3; Matthew 11:28

knowing
our gifts
we live
with zeal
for God’s love
doing what is good
rejoicing in hope
enduring affliction
and persevering
in prayer
we rejoice
with those who rejoice
and weep
with those who weep
for we have found peace
in God

Where do you find peace?

Romans 11:29-36; Psalm 69:30-31, 33-34, 36; Luke 14:12-14

an irrevocable call
God’s gifts
are everlasting
a love and mercy
that has no end
and reaches
into the depths
of our mind
and heart
and being
answering us
as we call out
for help
we hear
the voice
of Love
and reach out
to all in need

Do you hear God’s voice of love?
How do you respond?

Malachi 1: 14-2:2; 8-10; Psalm 131: 1-3; Thess 2:7-9; 13; Mt. 23:1-12

crushed
by your reprimands
we return
to you
leaving
behind
our false
superficial ways
knowing that
the greatest
shall be
the one
who serves
from the deep
wellspring of God
the One
who holds
our peace
the One
who nourishes
so that we may
lift the burdens
from each other
with love

Are you nourished by God’s love?
Do you find your peace in God?
Do you nourish others with that peace?

Romans 11:1-2,11-12,25-29; Psalm 94: 12-18; Luke 14:1,7-11

aware
of the mystery
we are in
we are humble
in our knowing
seeking always
the demanding ways
of Truth
not living
by the world’s
divisive ways
but in the ways
of God’s
all-encompassing
Love

How do you find your way to God’s truth?
How do you find your way to God’s love?

Romans 9:1-5; Psalm 147:12-15;19-20; Luke 14:1-6

hearing the voice
of Love
we respond
with all
of our heart
and soul
and mind
serving the Goodness
we see
in any way
we can
great and small
all belongs
to the heart
of God

How do you serve the love and goodness you see?

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

our souls
safe
in the hand of God
what looked
like death
and destruction
is not
for Spirit
and Truth
live beyond
in Love
we trust
and believe
in the Love
through His grace
and mercy
we endure

Do you feel safe?

Rev 7:2-4,9-14; Psalm 24: 1-6; 1John 3:1-3; Matthew 5:1-12

surviving
in time
of great distress
we see
His face
the face
of Love
blessing us
comforting us
showing mercy
we rejoice
and are glad
giving freely
what we have been given

Do you give freely what you have been given?

Romans 8:18-25; Psalm 126:1-6; Luke 13:18-21

a mustard seed
of love
placed
in our hearts
grows with
faith
and hope
into a place
of laughter
and rejoicing
as all the sorrows
and trials of life
are healed
as heaven
opens its gates

Are you nurturing the mustard seed of God’s love?