2Cor 8:1-9; Psalm 146: 2-9; Matthew 5: 43-48

giving
themselves
first
to the Lord
they experienced
joy
and generosity flowing
even through
their poverty
and affliction
the miracle
of love came
even for their enemies
as prayer
for persecutors-
for this
we praise
and keep faith
in the Lord
who gives love
as justice

Do you love your enemies?
How?

2Cor 6:1-10; Psalm 98:1-4; Matthew 5:38-42

now
is the time
to live beyond
our vengeance
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
with God
forever

Do we let wisdom reveal herself to us?

2Cor 5:14-21; Psalm 103:1-12; Matthew 5:33-37

no oath
can contain
the faith
to which we belong
the love of Christ
impels us
to a love
where no boundary
holds us
from the God
of All
our “yes”
is to all
that is true
in Him
our “no”
to all that is a lie
we are a new creation
reconciled
from our life of destruction
living with kindness
and compassion

What impels you?

2Cor 4:7-15; Psalm 116:10-18; Matthew 5:27-32

the cross
this strange
mysterious
beautiful gate
where death
comes to life
where His life given
becomes our own
“afflicted
but not constrained
perplexed
but not driven
to despair
persecuted
but not abandoned
struck down
but not destroyed”
dying daily
to all that is not
of God
rising eternally
to all that is

What do you find at the cross?

2Cor3:15-4:1-6; Psalm 85:9-14; Matthew 5:20-26

turning to God
the veil
is lifted
from our eyes
and we see All
as it was meant
to be seen
a Love
connecting
all of Creation
all in favor
of one another
a web of giving
flowing
creating
the Light
of Glory
from the darkness
the Light
of Christ
that sets us free

Has God lifted the veil from your eyes?

2Cor 3:4-11; Psalm 99:5-9; Matthew 5:17-19

embracing
the Spirit
of the law
we enter
a love
that fulfills
all promises
nothing
is beyond
its reach
where forgiveness
and mercy live
and all hope
resides

Do you live by the spirit of God’s law?

Matthew 5:13-16

a light
that shines
within
drawn out
to meet another
drawn out
to meet
our God
we are guided
by this
our prayers
for love
and healing
are answered
we provide
each other
with sustenance
creating
a culture of Life
from a culture of death
we are the salt
of the earth

Are you guided by your inner light?

If I speak
with the tongues
of men and of angels,
but do not have love,
I have become a noisy gong
or a clanging cymbal.
If I have the gift of prophecy,
and know all mysteries and all knowledge;
and if I have all faith,
so as to remove mountains,
but do not have love,
I am nothing.
And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor,
and if I surrender my body to be burned,
but do not have love,
it profits me nothing.

Love is patient,
love is kind and is not jealous;
love does not rejoice in wrong,
but rejoices with the truth;
love bears all things,
believes all things,
hopes all things,
endures all things.

Love never fails.

Corinthians 13

Acts 2.1-11; Ps. 104 1, 24, 29-31,34; 1 Cor 12.3b-7,12,13; John 20.19-23)

a noise
a strong driving wind
tongues of fire
the Holy Spirit
descending
among us
to renew
the face
of the earth
fruits of each
from the God
who loves all
for one good
He brings peace
and we breathe easily
freed from fear
we live
in the gifts
and drink of
the one spirit
we give our lives
for this.

FAITHFULNESS and GENTLENESS
LOVE  and JOY
PATIENCE and KINDNESS
GENEROSITY  and SELF-CONTROL
Gal. 5:22-23

How do you use your gifts?