Jonah 3: 1-10; Psalm 51: 3-4, 12-13, 18-19; Luke 11: 29-32

a word
is spoken
from a
reluctant
voice
to turn
from
evil ways
and avoid
destruction
with
contrite hearts
turned
to the One
who calls
we hear
we listen
we respond
and
are saved

What do we do with our salvation?

Isaiah 55:10-11; Psalm 34: 4-7; 16-19; Matthew 6: 7-15

God’s word
upon us
bearing fruit
we are
radiant
with joy
as hearts
are healed
and
crushed spirit
saved
we know
who we are
and enter
God’s will
we receive
and give
our daily bread
forgiving all
resisting evil
all by
God’s grace

Do you know who you are?

Lv 19: 1-2, 11-18; Psalm 19: 8-15; Matthew 25: 31-46

your words
are Spirit
and life
showing us
the way
to go
in thought
in words
and deeds
seeing you
in every need
of hunger
thirst
welcoming
clothing
caring
and compassion
showing
no partiality
your justice
is your love
for all

Where do you see Him?

Genesis. 9:8-15; Psalm 25:4-9; Pt 3:18-22; Mark 1:12-15

this is our time
a time fulfilled
as floods
of destruction
turn to waters
of baptism
we see you
have no wish
to destroy
but to save
with your promise
in our hearts
we follow
to the desert
tempted
by worldly visions
of power
and wealth
and pleasure
we resist
and turn to
your ways
of love and truth
kindness
compassion
and goodness
sustained
by the Spirit
we go out
with Good News

By what are you tempted?
How do you resist?

Isaiah 58: 9-14; Psalm 86: 1-6; Luke 5: 27-32

crying out
Into
the darkness
of God
whom we
trust
as good
and kind
forgiving
and merciful
we are answered
with light

healed
we see
the hungry
and poor
homeless
and oppressed
and respond
restoring
and repairing
all that
was lost
and broken
His spirit
our guide

How has God answered your cry?

Isaiah 58: 1-9; Psalm 51: 3-10; Matthew 9: 14-15

a contrite
heart
that sees
the other
in their hunger
in their homelessness
in their nakedness
in their oppression
and shares
shelters
clothes
and releases
a heart that 
turns back
to their own
enters
the light
that breaks forth
like the dawn
where healing comes
and God says
“I am here”

Do you hear the cry of the poor?

Dt 30: 15-20; Psalm 1:1-6; Luke 9: 22-25

we take up
our cross
daily
our work
and follow
choosing life
over death
in this strange
place of dying
to a self
in time
and law
to an eternal life
lived in
the goodness
and love
of God

Do you see the cross as choosing Life?

Joel: 2:12-18; Psalm 51: 3-6, 12-17; 2Cor 5: 20-6:2, Mt 6: 1-6, 16-18

now
is our time
to return
with our whole
heart
fasting
weeping
and mourning
for what
has been lost
that we
may enter
God’s mercy
and compassion
and experience
the joy
of salvation
in a new heart
with a
steadfast Spirit
not for show
or gain
but for Love

Do you see your time as now?

Genesis 6: 5-8; 7: 1-10; Psalm 29: 1-3, 9-10; Mark 8: 14-21

do you
not see?
do you
not hear?
do you
not understand?
there is enough
do not let
you hearts
be hardened
by the religion
of the Pharisees
and the politics
of Herod
but live
in the holy spirit
who guides us
to share
in faith
with love and joy
patience and peace
kindness and gentleness
for the common good
in God’s justice
God’s love for all

Is your heart troubled and hardened by religion and politics?
Do you see the path of the Holy Spirit?
Do you follow?

Genesis 4: 1-15; 25; Psalm 50: 1 and 8, 16-17, 20-21; Mark 8: 11-13

resentful
crestfallen
we give in
to envy
crushing
the life
of our
brother
becoming
a restless
wanderer
of the earth
while
blood
cries out
from the soil
that no longer
bears fruit
asking
for a sign
there is
none
given to
our lack
of faith

Lord, why have we forsaken you?