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 the Holy Spirit’s 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?

Rev 13:14-10; Psalm 96: 10-13; Luke 21:5-11

the heavens
are glad
the earth
is rejoicing
the sea
and what fills it
resounding-
the plains
joyful
trees of the forest
exulting
at the time
of harvest
a coming
judgment
we know not when
living not
from threats
or human promise
but from God’s eternal love

How do you live with uncertainty?
Do you experience God’s eternal 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

Do you give all of yourself to God?
What do you hold back?
Do you hear the hymn of pure love?

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

Coming
as a king
not of this world
but as an authority
of some pre-existent
Truth
that we might see
that we might hear
beyond our earthly visions
of power
and want
and greed
to a love
made for all
and a peace
the world
cannot give
born from heaven
first born
from the dead
our hearts see
His Truth
and glory
and are set free

Do you experience yourself within Him?
Do you experience the peace the world cannot give?

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
lives still–
rising
like angels
their Truth and Love
has no boundaries

Do you hear the words of the prophets?
How do you receive them?

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?

Luke 19:41-44

we are
weeping
with you
Jesus
as you look
over the city
that cannot find
its way
to peace
that does not see
the hour
of its visitation
calling harm
upon itself
with war
and division

yet we wait
standing our ground
with you
in God’s enduring love
with songs
of praise
and hope
and faith
undiminished

Do you weep with Jesus over the city?
Do you stand in God’s love with hope and faith?

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 my 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
And set yourself free

Set fire to your heart and soul
And know me
The God of all
Living flame of love.

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

Luke 18:35-43

Jesus
you say
“What do you
want me to do
for you?”

I say
teach me
the love
you have–
that extends
even to enemies
a love
that feels
so impossible
as the world
is filled
with fear
and anxiety

and that
I may see
with your eyes
of Wisdom
that cuts though
all deception
to Truth

What do you want me to do for you?