Matthew 13:24-30

our heart
and soul
cry out
for the dwelling place
in God
that gives us
our strength
to live
and shelter
the needs
of others
living
among
the weeds
and wheat
we pray
to not be uprooted
that what is good
in us
may flourish
in its due time

What is it to live among the weeds and the wheat?

Exodus 20:1-17; Psalm 19:8-11; Matthew 13:18-23

God’s law
rejoices
in our heart
giving us
light and love
for the journey
guiding us
through all
that would cause
unfaithfulness
killing
stealing
bearing false witness
coveting others lives
and possession
creating idols to worship
not honoring parents
not creating Sabbath
the time to be still
and pray
to remember
who we are
and from where
all of God’s love
and goodness flows

Does your heart rejoice in God’s law

Exodus 16:1-15; Psalm 78:18-28; Matthew 13:1-9

our daily bread
manna from God
we are nourished
and given
all we need
for the journey
to life
from death
we are
the rich soil
ready and waiting
for the seed
of God’s word
to grow
in our lives
protected
from all
that would
scratch
or scorch
we resist
all that would choke out
God’s love
for us
and in us

Do you have ears to hear God’s word?

Matthew 12:46-50

caught
in our questioning
we lose sight
of who we are
and what
we are to do
called only
to live
in the will
of God
which is only
love
our one
true thing

Is it really that simple?

Feast of Mary Magdalene
2Cor 5:14-17; Psalm 63:2-9; John 20:11-18

hearing God
call our name
we remember
and recognize
who we are
made from Goodness
made for Goodness
the love of Christ
impels us
what we have longed for
is here
our help
and our joy
our soul clings fast
to what is revealed
while we live
and grow
in the freedom
of God’s word

Do you hear God call your name?

Genesis 18: 1-10; Psalm 15: 2-5; Col 1:24-28; Luke 10; 38-42)

mystery
of Christ
we want
to entertain you
with our hospitality
and good works
unable to hear
your words
in our doing
we become lost
to the one thing
required–
at your feet
we listen
and hear All
as the love of God
fills us
from this new life
within
justice springs forth
we are completed in you
even in our suffering
there is joy
as all our works
are from you
Truth
in our heart
we harm
nor use another
we turn from evil
and live
only in your presence

Do you become lost in our doing?
Do you enter this stillness at the feet of Christ?
Do you act from the center of God’s presence?

Exodus 12:37-42; Psalm 136:1, 10-15, 23-24; Matthew 12:13-21

in the night vigil
with the Lord
I felt His mercy
upon me
reassurance
and freedom
arose
in my soul
from all my anxieties
as my faith
returned
to the source
of all life
and goodness
and love
I gave thanks
for His peace
and entered
His rest

Where do you find peace?

Exodus 3:1-6,9-12; Psalm 103:1-7; Matthew 11:25-27

pardoning
healing
and redeeming
we experience
the God of love
with us always
a bright light
that guides
holy fires
burning within
propel us
to action
not arising
for our longing
or desire
but from the peace
and contentment
of knowing
who we are

What bright light guides you?
What propels you to action?

Dt 30:10-14; Psalm 69:14-37; Colossians 1:15-20; Luke 10:25-37

before all else
beyond all else
within all
there is Christ
image of
the invisible God
we are in awe
the thought
the reality
of Him
makes us soar
we see from mountaintops
all that is
and our hearts
are brought
to love
His law
written within
we love
with all our heart
and soul
and strength
and mind
alive
within us
we travel roads
with this love
to the need
of life
to our neighbors
who are everyone

How do you experience Christ?
Do you take His law of love into your heart?
Do you take this love to your neighbor?