2Kings 2:1,6-14; Psalm 31:20,21,24; Matthew 6:1-6,16-18

we go
to the inner room
of our heart
and shut the door
and pray
to the one
who knows us
and sees
all of our needs
no longer
trying to impress
or perform
we give
and receive
through His love
and mercy
and grace
true source
of our being
our hearts
take comfort
in God’s constant presence
and loving care

What do you hear in your inner room?
Do you experience God’s constant presence and loving care?

1Kings 21:17-29; Psalm 51: 3-6,11,16; Matthew 5:43-48

as the sun rises
on all
so it is
with God’s love
a justice
with no measure
but that we see
and respond
to the gift
given
seeking
the good
of All
friend
and enemy
we pray
into the light
where there is hope
compassion
and mercy
for each one

How do you respond to the outpouring of God’s love?
How do you love your enemy?

Matthew 5:38-42

resisting not evil
we refuse to engage
to participate
and empower
the force
of destruction within
and around us
compelled
by another
a greater good
we offer ourselves
to life
letting go
of all
that would keep us
from God’s love
and grace
we embrace
another reality
embedded
within our own
a clear vision
of Truth
enlightened
by the one who knows
no evil
no extra mile
no hardship
or affliction
can separate us
from God’s love

How does God’s love change your mind?

Prov 8:22-31; Psalm 8: 4-9, Romans 5:1-5; John 16:12-15

before all
she was there
wisdom
first born
of His ways
pouring forth
in creation
we are in awe
and delight
even in our affliction
her wisdom
brings endurance
to virtue
to our life
in hope
we live
in His peace
and we will not
be disappointed
spirit of Truth
poured out
into our hearts
more and more
we see the love
of God
foundation
of all that is
and here
we shall live
in God’s love
forever

Do you let wisdom reveal herself to you?
How are you shown God’s love in your life?

Matthew 5:33-37

saying yes
when we mean yes
and no
when we mean no
we choose
with a clarity
guided
by the Holy Spirit-
praying
listening
and acting on
God’s counsel
of love
set ever before us

knowing
who we are
we enter
God’s joy
living
in the confidence
of God’s Presence
in our life

Does your “yes” mean “yes” and your “no” mean “no”?
What or who guides your choices?

The Gift of Love

Corinthians 13:1-13
If I speak in the tongues of humans and of angels but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers and understand all mysteries and all knowledge and if I have all faith so as to remove mountains but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give away all my possessions and if I hand over my body so that I may boast[a] but do not have love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable; it keeps no record of wrongs; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Love never ends. But as for prophecies, they will come to an end; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will come to an end. For we know only in part, and we prophesy only in part, but when the complete comes, the partial will come to an end. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became an adult, I put an end to childish ways. For now we see only a reflection, as in a mirror, but then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known. And now faith, hope, and love remain, these three, and the greatest of these is love.

Thank you for the gift of love.

1Kings 19:9-16; Psalm 27:7-14; Matthew 5:27-32

not in the wild wind
not in the earthquake
but in a whisper
God came to the one
who longed to hear
who longed to see
God’s face
waiting
with courage
and hope
we listen
deeply
and thoughtfully
for God’s word
knowing
how our thoughts
take root
and guide
our actions
we seek
to be
God’s love

Where do you hear God’s word?
How does it take root in your life?

Matthew 5:20-26

letting go
of all anger
and judgment
we are
reconciled
and set
each other free
for a greater love
of God
source
of all life
who sets to seed
softens with showers
nurtures
and harvests
a goodness
to be shared
by all

How can we set each other free?

1Kings 18:20-39; Psalm 16:1-11; Mt 5:17-19

fulfilling
the law of love
we see
the kingdom of heaven
as we follow
the path of life
living
in God’s presence
each moment
we move
and have our being
no longer feeling
separate
and afraid
but as part of God’s goodness
where our Spirit
is safe and secure

How do you see the law of love working in your life?

1Kings 17:7-16; Psalm 4:2-8; Mt 5:13-16

hungry
you feed us
and provide
gladness
into our heart
as your light
shines upon us
a love
and joy
greater than
we could imagine
comes to us
as we allow ourselves
to see your face
in all we do
even as the cares
and darkness
of the world
tries to diminish
your light
it shall not be contained

Does God hear your cry of distress?
How do you experience being loved by God?