Isaiah 30: 19-26; Psalm 147: 1-6; Matthew 9:35-10:1-8

no longer
will our teacher
hide himself
hearing us
when we cry out
we will see him
and a voice
from behind
will sound
in our ear
“This is the way
walk in it”
healing our broken heart
binding our wounds
we are sustained
and follow
to labor
in God’s field
cleansing
curing
raising the dead
and bringing new life

Do you hear his voice?
Where do you see him?
How do you follow?

Isaiah 29:17-24; Psalm 17: 1,4,13-14; Mt 9:27-31

he asks
if we believe
in His power
to heal
our blindness-
with the “yes”
of our faith
our eyes
are opened
and we dwell
with Him
who rejoices
in the Holy Spirit
we enter
a different realm
far from
the chaos
of worldly powers
and enter
the soul’s
eternal peace

Do you believe in His power to heal?

Isaiah 26: 1-6; Psalm 118: 1 and 8-9, 19-21, 25-27; Mt 7: 21, 24-27

we listen
we act
as we hear
His words
of justice
which are
God’s love of All
we open the gates
of our hearts
to let in
God’s peace
we trust
in God’s goodness
and mercy
and give thanks
for our savior has come
we build our house
on this foundation
where no storm
can prevail

Is your heart open to His word?
Do you build your life on His foundation?
Who do you trust?
Where do you go in the storm?

Isaiah 25: 6-10; Psalm 23: 1-6; Matthew 15: 29-37

we dream of
a banquet
before us
our Spirit
restored
we see
the love of the God
and feel God’s saving power
there is nothing more
we shall want
as goodness
and kindness
pursue us
and feed us
the blind see
the lame walk
the deaf hear
death is destroyed
every tear
wiped away
we rejoice
and praise
as we put our hope
in Him

How do you experience God’s love?
How do you experience God’s saving power?
How do you rejoice?

Readings Isaiah 11: 1-10; Psalm 7: 1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17; Luke 10: 21-24

spirit resting
upon us
a child
to guide us
we see
we hear
what prophets
longed for
his love for all
a justice
that flourishes
into a time
of peace
spirit of wisdom
and understanding
spirit of counsel
and strength
we are in awe
as wolf and lamb
lion and calf
lie together
and no ruin comes
the cries
of the poor
are heard
as a shoot sprouts
from the stump of Jesse
a bud
a blossom
we rejoice!

Do you see?
Do you hear?
Do you rejoice?

Romans 10:9-18; Psalms 19:8-11; Matthew 4:18-22

seeking Truth
we hear a name
calling us
with words
and Spirit
that are
refreshing
and pure
trustworthy
and right
precious and
enduring
how beautiful
are the ones
who bring
Good News
of God’s love
we drop all
and follow
what our heart
believes in…
Jesus

Do you hear the voice of love that goes out to the ends of the earth?

1st Sunday of Advent
Isaiah 63: 16-17, 19, 64: 2-7; Ps. 80: 2-3, 15-19; 1 Cor 3-9; Mark: 33-37

stay awake
be prepared
for the one
we have longed for
is coming
He shall turn
His face to us
and we shall be as clay
in the potter’s hands
no longer
wanderers
with hardened hearts
we shall hear
what no ear
has ever heard
what no eye
has ever seen
God will
strengthen us
and give us new life
so that we will
no longer be carried
on the winds of guilt
but always
mindful
of God’s ways
we shall watch
we shall be awake
for His coming

Are you awake?
Are you on guard?
Are you prepared for His coming?

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?

Daniel 7:2-14; Daniel 3:75-81; Luke 21:29

terrors come
and terrors go
countries come
and countries go
yet the Son of Man
coming in Glory
and Love
shall not pass away
Spirit of the living God
blessed by
mountains and hills
the growing earth
and springs
the seas and river
dolphins and water creatures
birds of the air
beasts wild and tame
shall renew us
as buds burst open
in early spring
in ways beyond our imagining
we live
in this peace
and hope

Do you live in the peace and hope of Christ?

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?