Gen 2:18-24; Psalm 128: 1-2,3-6; Heb 2:9-11; Mark 10:2-16

man and woman
made from one
returned
in marriage
we see the
love of God
that works
between
within
the spaces of us
blessing
each other
the recesses of our home
are filled with love
and children
we learn to die
for each other
even as we rejoice
we suffer for
the Truth
we find here
no one can break
what God has joined
in faith to each other
we learn
the faithfulness
of God
in relationship
we see
what God desires

Do you trust the love of God in relationship?
Do you see God’s fidelity in your own faithfulness?
Do you die to your selfishness to love?

Job 42:1-17; Psalm 119: 66,71,75,91,125,130; Luke 10:17-24

silenced
by all
that is
in existence
before me
turning
at the will
of another
we put aside
our angst
and embrace
the life
given
being with
the grace
of our names
written
in heaven
with love
by a pen
in God’s hand

Have you embraced life?

Job 38:1, 12-21; 40:3-5; Psalm 139: 1-3,7-14; Luke 10:13-16

from the dwelling place
of light
to the woe
of our forgetting
you bring us back
to the abode
of darkness
where you formed
our inmost being
knitting us together
in our mother’s womb
fearfully
and wonderfully made
we are in awe
of our creation
that each day
takes our breath
and inspires
love
above all
before this
we are silent

Has God embraced the woe of your forgetting with love?

Job 9:1-12; Psalm 88:10-15; Luke 9:57-62

who are we
before creation
stars
and sun
and moon
to ask
what are you doing?
in morning prayer
we wait
upon you
to answer
our plea
you say
follow
into your mystery
homeless
and single-hearted
letting the dead
bury the dead
and not
turning back

Are you single-hearted in your following?

Memorial of the Guardian Angels
Job 3:1-3,11-17,20-23; Psalm 88:2-8; Luke 9:51-56

despair
brings us
down
closer
to death
close
to the grave
as though
some comfort
some peace
lay there
beyond our toil
and worry
how do we look
into this
dark abyss
that holds
every unanswered
question
every unanswered
prayer
standing
waiting
as a candle
waits for the flame
as the night
waits for dawn
we return
to the wonder
of the child
to the beginning
of love
and trust
in the guarding angels

Where is love?

Job 1:6-22; Psalm 17:1-7; Luke 9:46-50

receiving Him
we receive
the One
who sent Him
opening
our heart
to His searching
healing
light
though tested
we remain
firm
in His word
through storm
sickness
and even death
we have a refuge
our prayers
are heard
and answered
in His time
in His love

Have you released yourself in to God’s time and God’s love?

Numbers 11:25-29; Psalm 19:8-10;, 12-14; James 5:1-6; Mark 9: 38-43, 45, 47-48

in fear
we separate
from all that would
keep us from
our source
of love
we turn to
spirit
and listen
to a living law
that gives life
not riches
that harden hearts
condemning
and killing righteousness
riches that grow
moth eaten and corroded
we seek
in want
of love
we listen to that
which brings joy

Do we separate from all that would keep us from God?
Do the precepts of the Lord give joy to our heart?

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

There is an appointed time
for everything,
and a time for every thing
under the heavens.
A time to be born,
and a time to die;
a time to plant,
and a time to uproot the plant.
A time to kill,
and a time to heal;
a time to tear down,
and a time to build.
A time to weep,
and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn,
and a time to dance.
A time to scatter stones,
and a time to gather them;
a time to embrace,
and a time to be far from embraces.
A time to seek,
and a time to lose;
a time to keep,
and a time to cast away.
A time to rend,
and a time to sew;
a time to be silent,
and a time to speak.
A time to love,
and a time to hate;
a time of war,
and a time of peace.

What time is it now?

Eccl 1:2-11; Psalm 90:3-17; Luke 9:7-9

we leave
the despair
of vanity
where nothing
is new
the eye
not satisfied
with seeing
the ear
not satisfied
with hearing
we enter
the wisdom
of God
where each day
dawns
a kindness
that fills us
with a new song
of joy
in our heart
as we find
a refuge
in the heart
of God

Do you find refuge in the heart of God?

Proverb 30:5-9; Psalm 119; Luke 9:1-6

with nothing
but His word
we journey
through this life
relying only
on God’s power
and authority
to guide
our way
resisting
falsehood
seeking only
the law of love
that heals
and restores
our soul
every word
we speak
is tested
and the truth
endures
forever

What do you rely on to guide your life?