1st Sunday of Advent
Isaiah 63: 16-17, 19, 64: 2-7; Ps. 80: 2-3, 15-19; 1 Cor 3-9; Mark: 33-37

stay awake
be prepared
for the one
we have longed for
is coming
He shall turn
His face to us
and we shall be as clay
in the potter’s hands
no longer
wanderers
with hardened hearts
we shall hear
what no ear
has ever heard
what no eye
has ever seen
God will
strengthen us
and give us new life
so that we will
no longer be carried
on the winds of guilt
but always
mindful
of God’s ways
we shall watch
we shall be awake
for His coming

Are you awake?
Are you on guard?
Are you prepared for His coming?

Rev 22:1-7; Psalm 95:1-7; Luke 21:34-36

the end
of one year
flowing into
another
comes with harvest
and foreboding
with a song of joy
and a warning
stay firm
and planted
by the life giving waters
where His word
bears fruit
keep your heart
awake
and sober
do not give into
the anxieties
of daily life
but pray always
standing before
the Son of Man
the Light
in our darkness
the way of Truth

How do you experience the Son of Man?
Is He your light in the darkness?
Does He show you the way of Truth?

Daniel 7:2-14; Daniel 3:75-81; Luke 21:29

terrors come
and terrors go
countries come
and countries go
yet the Son of Man
coming in Glory
and Love
shall not pass away
Spirit of the living God
blessed by
mountains and hills
the growing earth
and springs
the seas and river
dolphins and water creatures
birds of the air
beasts wild and tame
shall renew us
as buds burst open
in early spring
in ways beyond our imagining
we live
in this peace
and hope

Do you live in the peace and hope of Christ?

Philippians 4:6-9

Do not be anxious about anything,
but in every situation,
by prayer and petition,
with thanksgiving,
present your requests to God.
And the peace of God,
which transcends all understanding,
will guard your hearts
and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers and sisters,
whatever is true,
whatever is noble,
whatever is right,
whatever is pure,
whatever is lovely,
whatever is admirable—
if anything is excellent
or praiseworthy—
think about such things…
and give thanks.

What are you thankful for today?

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?

Luke 21:5-11

He says
“seeing wars
and insurrections
earthquakes
and famine
kingdom against kingdom
do not be deceived
do not be afraid
for many will come
and say “I am he”
do not follow….“

How will we know
what voice amid the chaos
will bring us Truth?

How will you hear only the voice of love?

Luke 21:1-4

from our wealth
and poverty
we give everything
withholding
nothing
from the God
who gives us
All
knowing
that all we have
is for something
greater
than our own
a Love
a Light
for All

What do you give?

Ezekiel 34: 11-12, 15-17; Psalm 23; 1-6; Corinthians 15: 20-28; Matt: 25: 31-46

scattered sheep
we are lost
hungry
thirsting
naked
and ill
in need
of a shepherd
a guide
crushed in our
loneliness
our tangled webs
we are found
by his gentle hands
refreshed
overflowing
we face
the enemy
in our self
and are raised
to life
we feed
we clothe
we care
we tend
as we were
cared for
spreading
and nurturing
the kingdom
of love

Do you see your need?
Do you see the needs of others?
Do you care for these needs as you have been cared for?

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
and 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?