Revelations 4:1-11; Psalm 150:1-6; Luke 19:11-28

Who am I to praise
Who is this king
To whom I bow
And sing and dance
Give my whole being
Holding back nothing
From a life given to me
And clearly not my own
First and last breath
A gift and grace
Raised in a kingless world
In a country
Of rejection
Of thrones
Who are we now
In an age that bows down
To no authority
Officials unworthy
Of praise
My heart
And mind
And soul
Reach out in prayer
To one who is worthy
Even as I have no understanding
Or worthiness
Blaming our creator
For all that has gone wrong
Only in prayer
Do I find the one
Worthy of praise
A door opened into the divine
I see a goodness
I can believe in
A Heaven
Coming to earth
A crown of glory
Ancient words
Of salvation
And righteousness
Come alive in me
As he appears
And calls me friend
A candle
Waiting for flame
He strikes a match
My soul a fire
Ignited in praise
Glowing in peace

Who do you find worthy?
To what do you bow down and praise?

Rev 3:1-6, 14-22; Psalm 15:2-5; Luke 19:1-10

Set fire to your heart
And know me
God of all
Living flame of love
Set down your arms
Put aside your anger
And see beyond
What you can know
Force of the universe
Power of an undying love
I breathe you
And beat into your heart
A steady rhythm of concern
The air you breath
Belongs to all
The water you drink
Flows for all
Your earth
Has no boundary or wall
Looking intently
Through your microscope
Searching widely
Through your telescope
You miss the binding love
Even your words divide
Each utterance a moment
Of capture and division
Only silence tells the truth
And belongs to all
Your damage is done
Your choices made
Yet once again I say choose life
And set yourself free
Set fire to your heart and soul
And know me
God of all
Living flame of love

What do you choose?
What sets your heart on fire?

Rev 1:1-4, 2:1-5; Psalm 1:1-2,3,4, and 6; Luke 18:35-43

What is this first love
Of which we are called to return
All the deeds of our lives
Seem to amount to nothing
Without it
What was first love
That softened opened heart and mind
Ready to give and receive
Not hardened by any injury
Pure and full of hope
What was this first love
Ready to disappear
Into the promises of everlasting
Before tarnished by any doubt
What was this first love
That we would follow anywhere
Make any sacrifice
Relinquish all for its sake
Years pass
The specialness
Becomes the ordinary
The bright colors fade
In the desperation to renew
We lose our way
Where is this first love
When nothing mattered but this
When all questions were answered
In the story of your eyes
Everyday an expectation
Of care and concern for each other
Nothing more important than this
The promise of devotion and fidelity
For better or worse
Richer or poorer
In sickness or health
A marriage of heaven and earth
You say repent
And follow the blind man
Who calls out to see
In a faith that will heal
Our hearts awaken
To your words
And turn to you again
In first love’s zeal
All the deeds of our lives
Turn sacred with our lost love found

What is this first love of which we are called to return?

Dn 12:1-3; Psalm 16:5,8-11; Hebrews 10:11-14,18; Mark 13:24-32

a time
unsurpassed
in distress
brings us
to our poverty
helpless
in our need
we wait
for some answer
some strength
some courage
to bring us back
to life
and health
and home

then in our darkness
the light
of His coming
rushes in
to save us
from despair
Holy Spirit
rising up
we find a way
to a new life
we find our courage
no longer apart
but a part
of an everlasting life
and love

What do you find in your distress and need?
Do you find the courage and strength of God’s love?

3John 5-8; Psalm 112: 1-6; Luke 18:1-8

pray
always
without
becoming
weary
for truth
and justice
in the land
though hidden
behind
the unscrupulous
it will reveal
itself
through
our persistence
and faith
in God’s goodness
and love

Do you pray always and persist in goodness?

2John 4-9; Psalm 119: 1-18; Luke 17:36-37

taken up
we see
a love
that heals
the great divide
one in Christ
who needs
no name
living among us
within us
all worldly powers
and enemies
disappear
in the silence
of God’s knowing
moving quietly
tending
nurturing
and giving hope
and courage
in times of distress
and fear

Where do you find hope and courage?

Philemon 7-20; Psalm 146: 7-10; Luke 17:20-25

the kingdom
of God
among us
feeding
freeing
restoring sight
bringing justice
to every
open heart
asking
the impossible
of our humanity
in its call
for forgiveness
mercy
and compassion
possible
as we are absorbed
into goodness
and love

Do you accept the invitation to be absorbed into goodness and love?

Titus 2:1-8; 11-14; Psalm 37:3-4,18 and 23, 27 and 29; Luke 17:7-10

obliged
by the goodness
and love
we serve
wisdom
the gift of age
encouraging
others
to see
the spiritual gifts
around us
embracing
dignity
hope
faith
and temperance
living
in the simplicity
and joy
of knowing
who we are

Do you live in the simplicity of knowing who you are?

Titus 1:1-19; Psalm 24:1-6; Luke 17:1-6

desire not
what is vain
but  the Holy Spirit
above all
who brings Life
and informs
all our days
mustard seed
of faith
within
will move a mountain
and open our hearts
to the living God
who holds all
goodness
compassion
forgiveness
and love
for us

Do you open the door that allows the Holy Spirit to come in?

1Kings 17:10-16; Psalm 146:7-10; Mark 12:41-44

giving bread
we are fed
from the jug
that is never
empty

filled
by the poor
who always know
their need

seeing
the life
that has been given
we are no longer
blind

being seen
we are no longer
strangers

seeing
the Father
we are no longer
orphans

seeing
God’s love for all
we are no longer widows
and see justice

with all our heart
with all of our mind
with all of our soul
we praise

How much do you give?