Isaiah 45:6-8,18,21-25; Psalm 85:9-14; Luke 7:18-23

given sight
the veil
is lifted
and we see
beyond
light and dark
well-being and woe
to the One
who is All
creator
designer
and maker
of Life
to be lived
not wasted
springing  forth
from the earth
like gentle rain
from the sky
kindness
and truth
meet
justice and
peace kiss
as Good News
is proclaimed

What do you see?
What do you hear?

Zep 3:1-2, 9-13; Psalm 34: 2-3,6-7,17-19, 23; Matthew 21:28-32

crying out
from our poverty
the Lord
hears
and answers
crushed in Spirit
he saves
close
to our broken hearts
he comforts
hearing the “yes”
behind our “no”
we are raised up
to live beyond
the world’s deceptions
and pride
and follow
the voice
that calls us
to mercy
and justice
we live in
God’s love
of All

Where do you take refuge?

Numbers 24:2-7, 15-17; Psalm 25:4-9; Matthew 21:23-27

we listen
to the utterance
of one
whose eye
is true
who hears
what God says
in love
and kindness
and compassion
author
of Life
we follow
this path
set free
from delusions
of our mind
we live
in God’s
Holy Spirit

What do you listen to?

Zephaniah 3:14-20; Isaiah 12:2-6; Philippians 4:4-7; Luke 3:7-18

let the one
with two coats
give to the one
who has none
the one with food
should do the same
see how unselfish
we are
gathered in
and renewed
in His love
that is near
standing guard
over our hearts
over our minds
we are filled
with strength
and courage
confident
and unafraid
our joy complete
God’s own peace
beyond
our understanding
but not beyond
our love

Where is your second coat?
Have you dismissed all anxieties from your mind?
Have you felt the unquenchable fire of God’s love?

Isaiah 48:17-19; Psalm 1:1-6; Matthew 11:16-19

like a tree
planted
by running water
we are nourished
by the flow
of God’s grace
living law
guiding
the way
to wisdom
we stretch
and grow
and breathe
into God’s presence
sending down
deep roots
yielding fruit
in accord
with God’s nature
of loving kindness

Are your roots planted deeply into God’s love?
Do you stretch and grow and breathe into God’s Presence?

Isaiah 41:13-20; Psalm 145:1 and 9, 10-13; Matthew 11:11-15

suffering
violence
the afflicted
and needy
seek water
in vain
until ears
are opened
and a voice
is heard
in the prophets
coming
a kingdom
of heaven
unfolds
in the land
a flow
of mercy
and kindness
and compassion
as we know
who we are
in God
and share
our abundance

Do you know who you are in God?
Do you share it?

Isaiah 40:25:31; Psalm 103: 1-10; Matthew 11: 28-30

having grown
weary
and faint
from the world’s labors
and heavy burdens
we rest
our mind
and body
and soul
in God’s presence
where we are
healed
from our ills
redeemed
from our destructive ways

compassion
and kindness come
mercy
and graciousness
flow
and our strength
is renewed
we soar
as on eagle’s wings
blessing
our creator
our God

Are you restored from the world’s labors as you rest in God’s presence?

Genesis 3:9-15,20; Psalm 98:1-4; Ephesians 1:3-6,11-12; Luke 1:26-38

an angel
a messenger
a grace
appears
with an invitation
to leave
fear
and accept
new Life
within
a life
a pure heart
can see
answering yes
from a deep place
of knowing
God’s pure Light
and Love
we are saved

Do you say “yes” to God’s invitation?

Isaiah 35:1-10; Psalm 85:0-14; Luke 5:17-26

looking into
our hearts
He sees
our fear
and doubt
and enters
the place of
our faith
that seeks
God’s presence
in a moment
of encounter
we awaken
to the healing power
of God’s love
we see
we hear
and rise up
rejoicing
becoming
who we were meant to be
in God’s love
saying to hearts
that are frightened
fear not
be strong
our God is here

Does He speak to your fear and doubt?
Do you experience His healing Presence?

Baruch 5:1-9; Psalm 126: 1-6;  Philippians 1:3-11; Luke 3:1-6

 take off your robe
of mourning
and misery
for winding ways
will be
made straight
as the love
of God abounds-
the harvest
of justice
ripened in Christ
comes to us
in peace…

remembered
by God
our mouth is filled
with laughter
we are filled
with joy
as the love
that was sown
in tears
reaps rejoicing
in the light
of His glory come

Can you let go of your mourning and misery?
Do you remember God as God remembers you?
How do you experience the light of His glory?