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?

Rev 13:14-10; Psalm 96: 10-13; Luke 21:5-11

heavens
glad
earth
rejoicing
sea
and what fills it
resounding
the plains
joyful
trees of the forest
exulting
at the time
of harvest
a coming
judgement
we know not
when
living not
from threats
or promises
but from God’s eternal love

How do you live with uncertainty?

Rev 14:1-3,4B-5; Psalm 24:1-6; Luke 21:1-4

gesture
of courage
and hope
from a poverty
that knows
its need
she places
all she has
as offering
to the one
who holds
her belief

Do you offer all you have to what you know and believe?

2 Samuel 5: 1-3; Psalm 122: 1-5; Col: 1: 12-20; Luke 23: 35-43

bone and flesh
first born
of all
we become
new
in you
things visible
and invisible
thrones
dominations
principalities
and powers
are reconciled
we rejoice
in the house
of the Lord
far from mocking
far from killing
gone from death
we are
remembered
in you
as peace
flows through
the blood
of the cross
we embrace
paradise
with you

Can you see peace flow through the cross?
Can you see your being through Him?
Can you see with his light?

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
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?

Rev 5:1-10; Psalm 149:1-9; Luke 19:41-44

we are
weeping
with you
Son of God
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 all 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?

Rev 3:1-6, 14-22; Psalm 15:2-5; Luke 19:1-10

Set fire to your heart
And know me
God of all
Living flame of love

Set down your arms
Put aside your anger
And see beyond
What you can know

Force of the universe
Power of an undying love
I breathe you
And beat into your heart
A steady rhythm of concern

The air you breath
Belongs to all
The water you drink
Flows for all
Your earth
Has no boundary or wall

Looking intently
Through your microscope
Searching widely
Through your telescope
You miss the binding love

Even your words divide
Each utterance a moment
Of capture and division
Only silence tells the truth
And belongs to all

Your damage is done
Your choices made
Yet once again I say choose
And set yourself free

Set fire to your heart and soul
And know me
God of all
Living flame of love.

What do you choose?
What sets your heart on fire?

Rev 1:1-4, 2:1-5; Psalm 1:1-2,3,4, and 6; Luke 18:35-43

What is this first love
Of which we are called to return
All the deeds of our lives
Seem to amount to nothing
Without it

What was first love
That softened opened heart and mind
Ready to give and receive
Not hardened by any injury
Pure and full of hope

What was this first love
Ready to disappear
Into the promises of everlasting
Before tarnished by any doubt

What was this first love
That we would follow anywhere
Make any sacrifice
Relinquish all for its sake

Years pass
The specialness
Becomes the ordinary
The bright colors fade
In the desperation to renew
We lose our way

Where is this first love
When nothing mattered but this
When all questions were answered
In the story of your eyes

Everyday an expectation
Of care and concern for each other
Nothing more important than this
The promise of devotion and fidelity
For better or worse
Richer or poorer
In sickness or health
A marriage of heaven and earth

You say repent
And follow the blind man
Who calls out to see
In a faith that will heal

Our hearts awaken
To your words
And turn to you again
In first love’s zeal
All the deeds of our lives
Turn sacred with our lost love found

What is this first love of which we are called to return?