Eph 4:7-16; Psalm 122:1-5; Luke 13:1-9

tossed
by waves
swept along
by every wind
of teaching
human trickery
and cunning
in interests
of deceitful
scheming
we are rescued
by Truth
its beacon
shining
in His light
above all others
creating
a unity of gifts
as we minister
to each other
rejoicing
in the Spirit
who believes
in us
who gives
us faith
and love
to endure

Do you experience God’s faith in you?
Where do you seek Truth?

Eph 4:1-6; Psalm 24:1-2,3-4;5-6; Luke 12:54-59

“live
in a manner
worthy of the call
you have received
with all humility
and gentleness
with patience
bearing
with one another
through love
striving
to preserve
the unity
of the spirit
through the bond
of peace
one body
and one Spirit
as you were also called
to the one hope
of your call
one Lord
one faith
one baptism
one God
of all
who is over all
and through all
and in all”

How do you experience the unity of the Spirit?
Do you live in a manner worthy of the call you have received?
Do you know how to interpret the present time?

Ephesians 3:14-21; Psalm 33:1-5,11-12,18-9; Luke 12:49:53

strengthened
with power
through
His Spirit
within
our inner self
our hearts
are designed
for God’s justice
goodness
and hope
in kindness
we are ablaze
in the autumn glory
of God’s love
even as we
experience
harsh divisions
we hope
in his healing
as we send roots
deeply
into Christ’s love
where
we imagine
the unimaginable

How do we heal our divisions?

In Memory of My Sister Marie Joyce

The Ache of Autumn

The trees grow more restless;
October wind weaves through them:
they shake their arms in dismay
as if to fight the coming cold
and the grief of leaves going.

Autumn air does a heart-dance
on branches already gone barren:
the misty air clings to golden leaves.
making the trees bend even lower.

It is a season to hold the trees close,
to stand with them in their grieving.
It is a time to open our inner being
to the misty truths of our own goodbyes.

Autumn comes. It always does.
Good-bye comes. It always does.
The trees struggle with this truth today
and in my deepest of being, so do I.

Every autumn, nostalgia fills me:
every autumn, yearning holds me.
I cling to the ripeness of summer,
knowing it will be many long months
before I can catch a breath of lilac,
or the green of freshly mown grass.

And so I begin my fallow vigil,
remembering the truth of the ages.
Unless the wheat seed dies
it cannot sing a new birth,
Unless summer gives in to autumn
springtime will never embrace me.

-Joyce Rupp

Ephesians 3:2-12; Isaiah 12:2-6; Luke 12:39-48

awake
we see
God’s coming
Spirit’s
ever present
in Christ’s
healing power
strengthening us
encouraging us
moment
to moment
with joy
we draw water
from the springs
of salvation
our hearts
become full of song
gratitude
and praise

Are you awake to God’s presence?

2Timothy 4:10-17; Psalm 145:10-18; Luke 10:1-9

sent out
to labor
as lambs
among wolves
the harvester
carries
no money
no sack
no sandals
depending
on the kindness
of strangers
curing the sick
revealing
a kingdom
of God
within
and among us
to all who
have eyes
to see

What do you depend on?

Eph 2:1-1-; Psalm 100:1-5; Luke 12:13-21

turning
our lives
from greed
possession
and impulse
we become
rich
in what matters
to God
from a grace
given freely
an immeasurable
kindness
and mercy
that flows
through our work
day by day
as we love
and provide
what each moment
needs
not giving in
to what divides us
but what unites us
in love

What matters to God?
Do you accept the grace given freely?

Exodus 17:8-13; Psalm 121:1-8; 2Timothy 3:14-4:2; Luke 18:1-3

we call out
to God
in prayer
day and night
persisting
in faith
persisting
in prayer
persisting
in receiving
wisdom
from God’s word
supporting
one another
in Truth
and Love
welcoming
reproving
correcting
appealing
whether convenient
or inconvenient
so that God
might find
our faith
alive
on earth

Do you persist in prayer day and night?
Do you help another?
Do you let another help you?

Ephesians 1:15-23; Psalm 8:2-7; Luke 12:8-12

with
the Holy Spirit
provider
of love
and forgiveness
we are freed
from our anger
resentments
ignorance
and disregard
of Truth-
beholding
creation
in the moon
and stars
the eyes
of our heart
are opened
to see
God’s wisdom
and love
of All

What revelation will bring the dawn of God’s love of All to your mind and heart?

Eph 1:11-14; Psalm 33:1-13; Luke 12:1-7

harboring
difficult
thoughts
we create
the leaven
of hypocrisy–
letting go
of our fear
we open
to God’s presence
and receive
the purifying
light
that saves us
and opens our hearts
to love

How do you let go of our fear?