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?

Rev 15:1-4; Psalm 98:1-9; Luke 21:12-19

what are
these words
of revelation
ominous
shrouded
in the language
of dreams
what are these fearful
prophetic words
of seizing
persecution
and betrayal
all intermingled
with songs
of praise
and reassurance
who are we
that live among
webs of lies
and deceit
yet are held together
with divine threads
of love
and breathed
with Spirits breath
and embraced
in Holy grace
i stand in awe
i stand in wonder
letting the silence speak

What do you hear in the Silence?

Luke 21:5-11

He says
“seeing wars
and insurrections
earthquakes
and famine
kingdom against kingdom
do not be deceived
do not be afraid
for many will come
and say “I am he”
do not follow….“

How will we know
what voice amid the chaos
will bring us Truth?

How will you hear only the voice of love?

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?

Ezekiel 34: 11-12, 15-17; Psalm 23; 1-6; Corinthians 15: 20-28; Matt: 25: 31-46

scattered sheep
we are lost
hungry
thirsting
naked
and ill
in need
of a shepherd
a guide
crushed in our
loneliness
our tangled webs
we are found
by his gentle hands
refreshed
overflowing
we face
the enemy
in our self
and are raised
to life
we feed
we clothe
we care
we tend
as we were
cared for
spreading
and nurturing
the kingdom
of love

Do you see your need?
Do you see the needs of others?
Do you care for these needs as you have been cared for?

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
and 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?

Revelations 4:1-11; Psalm 150:1-6; Luke 19:11-28

Who am I to praise
Who is this king
To whom I bow
And sing and dance
Give my whole being
Holding back nothing
From a life given to me
And clearly not my own
First and last breath
A gift and grace

Raised in a kingless world
In a country
Of rejection
Of thrones
Who are we now
In an age that bows down
To no authority
Officials unworthy
Of praise

My heart
And mind
And soul
Reach out in prayer
To one who is worthy
Even as I have no understanding
Or worthiness
Blaming our creator
For all that has gone wrong

Only in prayer
Do I find the one
Worthy of praise
A door opened into the divine
I see a goodness
I can believe in
A Heaven
Coming to earth
A crown of glory

Ancient words
Of salvation
And righteousness
Come alive in me
As he appears
And calls me friend
A candle
Waiting for flame
He strikes a match
My soul a fire
Ignited in praise
Glowing in peace

Who do you find worthy?
To what do you bow down and praise?