Isaiah 2: 1-5; Psalm 122: 1-9; Romans 13: 11-14; Mt 24: 37-44

now is the hour
to wake
from sleep
rejoice
and cast off
deeds of darkness
beat our swords
into plowshares
and pruning hooks
for we
shall go
to the house
of the Lord
where peace
shall be with us
quarreling
lusting
and jealousy
past
we put on
the light
of Christ
radiant
with love

Are you ready for peace and light and love?
Are you willing to shed your weapons?
Are you awake and watchful for the Lord?

Rev 22:1-7; Psalm 95:1-7; Luke 21:34-36

the end
of one year
flowing into
another
comes with harvest
and foreboding
with a song of joy
and a warning
stay firm
and planted
by the life giving waters
where His word
bears fruit
keep your heart
awake
and sober
do not give into
the anxieties
of daily life
but pray always
standing before
the Son of Man
the Light
in our darkness
the way of Truth

How do you experience the Son of Man?
Is He your light in the darkness?
Does He show you the way of Truth?

[Edit]

Philippians 4:6-9

Do not be anxious about anything,
but in every situation,
by prayer and petition,
with thanksgiving,
present your requests to God.
And the peace of God,
which transcends all understanding,
will guard your hearts
and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers and sisters,
whatever is true,
whatever is noble,
whatever is right,
whatever is pure,
whatever is lovely,
whatever is admirable—
if anything is excellent
or praiseworthy—
think about such things…
and give thanks.

What are you thankful for today?

Luke 21:5-11

many will come
and say
“I am he”
but do not follow
although
the earth will quake
and nation
will rise
against nation
we will stay
with His voice
of love
and for peace
enduring
to God’s end
for justice

How will you know His voice?

Luke 21:5-11

many will come
and say
“I am he”
but do not follow
although
the earth will quake
and nation
will rise
against nation
we will stay
with His voice
of love
and for peace
enduring
to God’s end
for justice

How do you know His voice?

Luke 21:1-4

from our wealth
and poverty
we give everything
withholding
nothing
from the God
who gives us
All
knowing
that all we have
is for something
greater
than our own
a Love
a Light
for All

What do you give?

Coming
as a king
not of this world
but as an authority
of some pre-existent
Truth
that we might see
that we might hear
beyond our earthly visions
of power
and want
and greed
to a love
made for all
and a peace
the world
cannot give
born from heaven
first born
from the dead
our hearts see
His Truth
and glory
and are set free

Do you experience yourself within Him?
Do you experience the peace the world cannot give?

Rev 11:4-12; Psalm 144:1-20; Luke 20:27-40

prophets
incite
with words
that prick
conscience
and challenge
accepted ways
inciting
anger
murder
and torture
upon themselves
as their words
are received

yet even in death
God’s breath
breathes them
the heaven
that lived
within them
lives still
rising
like angels
their Truth
has no boundaries

Do you hear the words of the prophets?
How do you receive them?

Rev 10:8-11; Psalm 119:14,24,72,103,111,131; Luke 19:45-48

where
is truth
to be found
in these days
of story spinners
and money changers
cluttering
the sacred temples
of our minds
and hearts
changing
the sweetness
of God’s word
into bitter prophecy

in the stillness
we wait
in a cloud of unknowing
our soul
begging the silence
for the voice
of Truth

Who will clear our hearts and minds and soul for Truth?
What is Truth?

Luke 19:41-44

we are
weeping
with you
Jesus
as you look
over the city
that cannot find
its way
to peace
that does not see
the hour
of its visitation
calling harm
upon itself
with war
and division

yet we wait
standing our ground
with you
in God’s enduring love
with songs
of praise
and hope
and faith
undiminished

Do you weep with Jesus over the city?
Do you stand in God’s love with hope and faith?