Job 9:1-12; Psalm 88:10-15; Luke 9:57-62

who are we
before creation
stars
and sun
and moon
to ask
what are you doing?
in morning prayer
we wait
upon you
to answer
our plea
you say
follow
into your mystery
homeless
and single-hearted
letting the dead
bury the dead
and not
turning back

Are you single-hearted in your following?

Job 3:1-3,11-17,20-23; Psalm 88:2-8; Luke 9:51-56

despair
brings us
down
closer
to death
close
to the grave
as though
some comfort
some peace
lay there
beyond our toil
and worry
how do we look
into this
dark abyss
that holds
every unanswered
question
every unanswered
prayer

standing
waiting
as a candle
waits for the flame
as the night
waits for dawn

Where is love?

Job 1:6-22; Psalm 17:1-7; Luke 9:46-50

receiving
Him
we receive
the One
who sent Him
opening
our heart
to his searching
healing
light
though tested
we remain
firm
in His word
through storm
sickness
and even death
we have a refuge
our prayers
are heard
and answered
in His time
in His love

Have you released yourself in to God’s time and God’s love?

Amos 6:1, 4-7; Psalm 146: 7-10; Timothy 6:11-16; Luke 16: 19-31

called
to leave
our complacency
and seek justice
for the oppressed
food for
the hungry
integrity
piety
faith
love
steadfastness
a gentle spirit
giving ourselves
to the Lord
who sets
the captives free
gives sight
to the blind
and thwarts
the wicked
embraced by Abraham
we see Lazarus
beggar of Life
transformed
in Love
and pray
that we
shall not be stranded
beyond
the great abyss

Do you see Lazarus in your midst?
Do you accept his gift?

Eccl 11:9-12:8; Psalm 90 3-17; Luke 9:43-45

numbering
our days
we gain
wisdom
of heart
humbly
know we belong
to another
who owns
our breath
cherishing
the vision
of our youth
before
the trials
and testing
of age
we find refuge
in God’s grace
and care

Where do you find refuge?

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

There is an appointed time for everything,
and a time for every thing under the heavens.
A time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to uproot the plant.
A time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to tear down, and a time to build.
A time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance.
A time to scatter stones, and a time to gather them;
a time to embrace, and a time to be far from embraces.
A time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to cast away.
A time to rend, and a time to sew;
a time to be silent, and a time to speak.
A time to love, and a time to hate;
a time of war, and a time of peace.

What time is now?

Eccl 1:2-11; Psalm 90:3-17; Luke 9:7-9

we leave
the despair
of vanity
where nothing
is new
the eye
not satisfied
with seeing
the ear
not satisfied
with hearing
we enter
the wisdom
of God
where each day
dawns
a kindness
that fills us
 with a new song
of joy
in our heart
as we find
a refuge
in the heart
of God

Do you find refuge in the heart of God?

Eph 4:1-7,11-13; Psalm 19:2-5; Matthew 9:9-13

day
pours out
the word
to day
and night
to night
imparts knowledge
not a word
nor a discourse
whose voice
is not heard
through all the earth
their voice
resounds
and to the ends
of the world
their message
“Follow me”

Do you hear God’s voice and follow?

Proverbs 21:1-6,10-13; Psalm 119:1,27,30,34,35,40; Luke 8:19-21

to hear
the Word
and act on it
proves
a heart
set right
in God’s eye
not our own
far from
haughtiness
arrogance
and pride
we listen
and meditate
on the Truth
set before us
living
and breathing
Justice

Are you open to God’s word and act on it?

Proverbs 3:27-34; Psalm 15:2-5; Luke 8:16-18

words of wisdom
flow
for our benefit
proverbs
for life
to hearts
full of fear
of death
and sickness
sorrow and
ignorance
igniting a Light
that cannot be
hidden
or extinguished
for God sees
into our hearts
knowing
our longings
healing
in His time
and wisdom
through our faith
that we may endure

Where is your faith?