Monday, December 16, 2013

Advent Photo Meditations - Week 3

Day 15 - Rejoice


The desert and the dry land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom like the crocus. They will burst into bloom, and rejoice with joy and singing. They will receive the glory of Lebanon, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon. They will see the Lord’s glory, the splendor of our God. Strengthen the weak hands, and support the unsteady knees. - 
Isaiah 35:1-3,




Day 16 - Strong


Tell fearful souls,
    “Courage! [Be strong!] Take heart!
God is here, right here,
    on his way to put things right
And redress all wrongs.
    He’s on his way! He’ll save you!”
Isaiah 25:4


Day 17 - Free


Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD their God, who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them; who keeps faith forever;  who executes justice for the oppressed; who gives food to the hungry. The LORD sets the prisoners free; the LORD opens the eyes of the blind. The LORD lifts up those who are bowed down; the LORD loves the righteous. The LORD watches over the strangers; he upholds the orphan and the widow, but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin. The LORD will reign forever, your God, O Zion, for all generations. Praise the LORD! - Psalm 146:5-10

Sunday, December 8, 2013

Advent Photo Meditations - Week 2

Day 8 - Wisdom

A green Shoot will sprout from Jesse’s stump, from his roots a budding Branch. The life-giving Spirit of God will hover over him, the Spirit that brings wisdom and understanding, The Spirit that gives direction and builds strength, the Spirit that instills knowledge and Fear-of-God.
- Isaiah 11:1-2, The Message


Buried, dormant, dark,
Yet life remains in the crown,
Waiting to spring forth.


Day 9 - Delight



What delights my heart?
Grandchildren playing outside,
Spirits light and free.


Day 10 - Holy


Upon God's alter
Mystery is made concrete
And all join as one.


Day 11 - Steadfast


Where all are welcome,
Then, now and forevermore,
God's steadfast promise.


Day 11 - Hope


Hope in beginnings
For those tillers of the soil
Tilling soul as well.


Day 12 - Justice


From high mountain tops
To deepest valley streambeds
God's justice prevails.



Day 13 - Gather


Gathering all in,
Fruit of the land and spirit,
Joy in the bounty.


Saturday, December 7, 2013

Advent Photo Meditations - Week 1

Rethink Church, a project of the United Methodist Church, is sponsoring an Advent photo-a-day project for social media. I haven't figured out how to pin on their site, so I'm creating my own using their word prompts for each each. To find out more, or participate, go to UMRethinkChurch or their tumblr site.

Day 1 - Go
















Go with God's flow.
He always leads us forward
To His love and peace.



Day 2 - Bound


Bonds of blood and love,
Grace, kinship, friendship, duty
Gladly knotted tight.


Day 3 - Peace


In quiet moments,
In unexpected beauty,
God's peace finds, fills me.


Day 4 - Time


Broken treasures,
Beauty and purpose entwined,
Formed together slowly over time.
Twists and turns made a life.
Eventually, slowly or suddenly, broken.
Outer layers cracked, meaning eroded
'Til only beauty remains.
Beauty is purpose enough
For broken treasures.

Day 5 - Flood


Mississippi mud - 
Roads and fields and streams all brown.
Source of life and wealth.


Day 6 - Awake


Pink, yellow, orange,
Blue infusing sunrise sky.
Beach day one begins.


Day 7 - Ready


Still, the Heron waits.
Watching, anticipating movement.
The sea will provide.