Dt. 34:1-12; Psalm 66:1-3; 5 and 8, 16-17; Mt. 18:15-20

transitioning
to new life
we feel
the tenderness of God
with profound hope
in all to come
trusting
the fire
of the Holy Spirit
to lead us
and continue
even as we
may feel
left behind
we are purified
of any bitterness
and given
the courage
to continue
our “yes” to God
as we gather
in His name
a community
of His own
reconciled
in God’s love

How do you keep hope and faith in transition?
How do you deal with the experience of being left behind?
What vision of a Promised Land does God offer you?

Matthew 18:1-14

know what it is
to be a child
lost in the wonder
of the world
always a beginning
as each thing
presents itself
to our senses
yet easily lost
in our wanderings
we seek guidance
from one who knows
the way
rejoicing
when we are found
by the one
who loves us
the most
believing
the promises
with child like faith
we open our hearts
with trust
knowing
instinctively
that there is no other way

Do you know what it is to be a child?
Do you trust the promises of the ones who love you?

Dt 10:12-22; Psalm 147:12-20; Matthew 17:22-27

in loving
and serving God
with our whole heart
our whole soul
our whole mind
and loving
our neighbor
as ourselves
we fulfill
life’s purpose
for us
seeing within
and without
God’s goodness
creating a life
as it was
called to be

How do you show God’s love?

Wisdom 18: 6-9; Psalm 33: 1, 12, 18-22,

Hebrews 11: 1-2, 8-19

like Sara and Abraham
not knowing
where we are going
we put our hope
our trust
and faith
in God
where our salvation
and new life
resides
lamps burning
we are
ever ready
to follow
our hearts home
to God
our never-failing
treasure
that no thief
can steal
we tend
ceaselessly to
what has been
given
with joy

Do we live by our faith in God?
Are we always ready for God’s grace?
Do we feel God’s eyes and love upon us?

Dt 6:4-13; Psalm 18:2-4, 47, 51, Matthew 17:14-20

your mustard seed
of faith
grows
until it fills
all
of your world
air
and breath
earth
and sky
tree
and field
all
that you are
all
that will ever be
the mountain
is moved
healing comes
love
is revealed

Do you have even a mustard seed of faith?
What mountain has it moved?

Dt. 4:32-40; Psalm 77:12-21; Matthew 16:24-28

from
the midst
of fire
the white heat
of His voice
call us
to remember
who we are
in God’s wonder
and power
and fix it
in our hearts
to follow
the one
who will
lead us
and our children
home
to peace

Have you heard His voice in the midst of fire?
How do you embrace the God of peace?

Matthew 16:13

Jesus asks
“Who do you say I am?”

Who do you say He is?
How does the question challenge you?
How does the answer change you?

The Transfiguration

Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14; Psalm 97: 1-2, 5-6, 9; 2 Peter 1:16-19; Mark 9: 2-10

morning star
rising in our heart
flames of fire
burning 
we rejoice
we are glad
to see the Truth
of God among us
purest power of God
even as Truth’s terror
strikes our heart
we see heaven’s justice
heaven’s glory
we listen
as we are told of
God’s pleasing son
a light shining
in the dark place of us
transfigured
no tent pitched
no shrine built
eternal place
cast into the seer’s eyes
the knower’s heart
revealed
in God’s time.

Do you live within His Light?
Have we felt the awe of God’s truth?

Matthew 14:22-36

facing the storm
tossed and turned
by the anxieties 
of our time
we cry out
for help
and He answers
walking across
our troubled waters
he reaches out
His hand
to our need
and our fear
asking only
for faith
to sustain us

Do your faith to sustain you?

Number 11:4-15; Psalm 81:12-17; Matthew 14:13-21

through
God’s abundance
our need
is filled
even when
it is not
what we expected
and even as we complain
and moan
time
opens
our eyes
and we see
the little
we have
grow
and multiply
as our eyes are opened
to see
the abundance of God
in all things

Do you see the abundance of God?