1Timothy 2:1-8; Psalm 28:2,7-9; Luke 7:1-10

hearing
the sound
of our cries
and pleading
God sends
courage
and strength
to our minds
and hearts
healing
and guiding
our journey
as we forget ourselves
and live out God’s will
through love
and faith

Do you put all of your trust and faith in God’s love?

Exodus 32: 7-14; Psalm 51: 3-4, 12-13, 17-19; 1 Timothy 1:12-17; Luke 15: 1-32)

lost
He seeks us
with light
with calling
with patience
waiting
for the turning
of our hearts
we cry out
for mercy
as we hear
His truth
cry out
for clean hearts
to be present
in His sight
relenting
from punishment
He is
the open arms
we seek
the homecoming
the joy
the celebration
of return
with contrite heart
to Love

Do we allow ourselves to be found?

Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
WHY THIS CROSS?

why this cross
this ornament
of human suffering
in our musings
it can seem quite
out of place
in comfort
and complacency
yet let one
moment
of tragedy
need
or desperation
enter
and this cross
is no longer
a foreign land
but a shelter
a home
a passage
of power
of transformation
is it magic
some talisman-
so it would seem
as it is fashioned
in gold
carved in wood
strung on necks
fashioned in beads
and rings
held up to vampires
to send them
rushing back
to their graves—
yet kneel–
kneel before
the cross
and experience
the life
the whispers
the struggle
and you will
hear the world-
the daily news
as the world struggles
with its horror
and death
and evil
its cruelty
and selfishness
and greed
politics
and ideological slaughter
it’s mass destruction
our grieving
our loss
our starvation
our calamities
earths quake
worlds fall
within
the cross

we are free
to place
our burden there
and leave
as though
it were
some receptacle
some garbage pit
some scapegoat

yet not for long
for His whispers
His movement
His life
are too compelling
He calls to us
over
and
over
to visit
this strange place of death
that calls us
to Life
enter the suffering
the solitude
the darkness
of the tomb
and answer His
call

pray with me
pray with me
trust in me
the truth of me
the truth of here
and I will bring
you life

how
long is
our suffering-

as long
asit takes
for new life
to begin–
then there is no time
at all
no need-
we are completed
resurrected
in His love

1Timothy 1:1-2,12-14; Psalm 16:1-2, 5, 7-8, 11; Luke 6:39-42

leaving
ignorance
we follow
the one
who knows
the love
of God
not seeing
our faults
in another
but in ourselves
we seek
counsel
in the place
of mercy
and are shown
the path
to life
and joy

Have you been shown the path of life?
Who is your teacher?

Col 3:12-17

Brothers and sisters:
Put on heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience,
bearing with one another and forgiving one another…
as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do.
And over all these put on love,
And let the peace of Christ control your hearts,
the peace into which you were also called in one Body.
And be thankful.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly,
as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another,
singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs
with gratitude in your hearts to God.
And whatever you do, in word or in deed,
do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Do you let the peace of Christ control your heart?
Do you love your enemies?

Col 3:1-11; Psalm 145: 2-3,1-=11,12-13; Luke 6:20-26

knowing
our need
in hunger
poverty
and grief
we look
to what
is above
far from
greed
anger
malice
and evil desires
we seek
compassion
as God
is compassionate
loving us
in our sufferings
we are healed
and give thanks

Do you feel God’s compassion?

Luke 6:12-19

divine light
divine love
shows itself
and heals
call us away
from all deceptions
that lead to sin
and injustice
Holy Spirit of God
sings
and dances
within our being
as we praise
a new way
of life
God’s delight
in his people

Do you see God’s delight in His people?

Col 1:24-2:3; Psalm 62: 6-0; Luke 6:6-11

we stretch
out our hand
and are healed
by the one
in whom
all the
treasures
of wisdom
and knowledge
are hidden
who would
save life
rather
than destroy it
we are
brought
together
in love
chosen
to make
manifest
the light
of the Christ
in us
laboring
and struggling
with His power
working
within

Do you experience the power of Christ in you?

Wisdom 9:13-18, Ps 90: 3-6; 12-17; Phil 9-10, 12-17; Luke 14: 25-33

struck by
God’s wisdom
God’s vision
and God’s love
we count
the cost
and relinquish
all we would possess
that means nothing
without God’s Truth
and love

arising
at dawn
anew
daybreak
fills us
with God’s kindness
our burdens
are lifted
and we shout
for joy
and gladness
all of our days

Are our minds weighed down with earthly concerns?
Do we leave all we would posses to follow?
Have we counted the cost?

Col 1:21-23; Psalm 54:3-8; Luke 6: 1-5

not bound by law
but by love
we are reconciled
to God
all is sacred
and held
in reverence
firmly
grounded
in faith
as we persevere
keeping
all hope
in the Gospel
where
every creature
under heaven
preaches
the Good News
of God’s love

Do you see the sacredness of all God’s creation?
Are you bound by law or God’s love?