Rev 14:1-3,4B-5; Psalm 24:1-6; Luke 21:1-4

her gesture
of courage
and hope
from a poverty
that knows
its need
she places
all she has
as offering
to the one
who holds
her belief

Do you offer all you have to what you know and believe?

Daniel 7:13-14; Ps 93:1-5; Rev 1: 5-8; John 18:33-37

we long for a king
someone to rule us
save us
guide us
command us
robed in majesty
and splendor
ruler with authority
having dominion
over all the earth
yet he comes
as Truth
that we might see
that we might hear
beyond our earthly visions
of power
of want
of greed
crucified by religion
crucified by politics
he wears
our crown of thorns
dying for our sins
dying for our love
first born
from the dead
our hearts shall see
His Truth
His glory
set free

What is it we desire of our King?
Do we see our king as Truth…the reason he was born?

Rev 11:4-12; Psalm 144:1-20; Luke 20:27-40

prophets
incite
with words
that prick
our 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
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?

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?

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?