2Kings 5:1-16; Psalm 42:2-4; Luke 4:24-30

letting go
of all expectations
judgment
and attacks
we seek
the Living God
in all
that is Present
to our soul
that thirsts
for Light
and Truth
in the familiar
and unfamiliar
in stillness
we behold
God’s face
and rejoice
giving thanks
from our hearts
with song

Can you let go of your expectations of where you will behold the face of God?

Exodus 3.1-8a, 13-15; 1 Cor 10 10.1-6, 10-12; Luke 13.1-9

barren tree
alone
untended
what chance
of bearing
until one
who knows
reaches in
with compassion
and patience
mercy and kindness
tending
and
giving the food
and drink
of Life
through pressing root

ignited
in a flame
that burns
but will not
consume
witness to the
Truth
His Life given
we are redeemed
from destruction
standing in
I AM
bearing
God’s fruit

Are you tended and fed by God?
Do you accept God’s mercy and kindness?
Do you accept God’s healing?

Micah 7:14-15,18-20; Psalm 103: 1-4,9-12; Luke 15:1-3,11-32

with open arms
You welcome us
even as
we have
squandered
our inheritance
You are kind
and merciful
pardoning
and redeeming us
showing us
the way
even as other
do not see us
as deserving
You celebrate
and rejoice
sharing all
You have
with undying love

Have you experienced God’s welcoming?

Genesis 37:3-4, 12-13,17-29; Psalm 105:16-21; Matthew 21:33-43,45-46

we treat
what is
only given
to care for
as our own
denying
a share
denying
a harvest
living in
jealously
of a brother
he is sold
yet God
in mercy
uses
even our sin
to save

How has God used His mercy to save you?

Jeremiah 17:5-10

Thus says the LORD:
Cursed is the woman who trusts in human beings,
who seeks her strength in flesh,
whose heart turns away from the LORD.
She is like a barren bush in the desert
that enjoys no change of season,
But stands on
a salt and empty earth.
Blessed is the woman who trusts in the LORD,
whose hope is the LORD.
She is like a tree planted beside the waters
that stretches out its roots to the stream:
It fears not the heat when it comes,
its leaves stay green;
In the year of drought it shows no distress,
but still bears fruit.
More tortuous than all else is the human heart,
beyond remedy; who can understand it?
I, the LORD, alone probe the mind
and test the heart,
To reward everyone according to her ways,
according to the merit of her deeds.

In whom do you trust?

Jeremiah 18:18-20; Psalm 31: 5-6,14-16; Matthew 20:17-28

though plots
of destruction
surround us
our destiny
is safe
with God
protector
of our soul
living
beyond time
we place
our trust
in God’s
eternal
Presence

Where are you safe?

Isaiah 1:10,16-20; Psalm 50:8-9,16-17,21,23; Matthew 23:1-12

not to be seen
but for some
authentic good
perform
the works
that call to to
as a sacrifice
of praise
to the one
called Love
caring for orphan
and widow
and one another
being exalted
in the humbleness
of ordinary time

Do you perform good works to be seen?

1Peter 5:1-4; Psalm 23:1-6; Matthew 16:13-19

we come
to the church
of mercy
and dwell
within its house
tasting
the goodness
of God
we are rested
and refreshed
goodness
and kindness
are shown to us
we willingly
and eagerly
serve
the love
we have found here
in this church
of mercy
where all are welcome

Have you found the church of mercy?

Genesis 15: 5-12, 17-18; Psalm 27: 1,7-9,13-14; Phil 3:17-4:1; Luke 9: 28-36

we walk
among
the severed pieces
seeing
who we are
without God
and set
our hearts
with courage
waiting…
our bodies transformed
transfigured
we are
in Glory
no longer lost
in the God
of shame
but found
in the Light
that shines through
the empty spaces
of us
flaming torch
God’s face
is seen
our path
is shown
in the land
of the living
we are
as many
as the stars

Do you dwell in the land of the living?
Do you know the light of mountaintops?
Have you seen the transfigured Lord?

Dt 26:16-19; Psalm 119:1-8; Matthew 5:43-48

we hear
some words
of comfort
and seek
an easy path
until His words
find our heart
and challenge us
to live beyond
our means
loving our enemy
a place
where
we learn
God’s love
and mercy

What do you need to love you enemy?