Fruit: Listen: Prayers and Poetry

                       Fruit

                        A glimpse here and there

                        of Spirit’s fruit shining

                        light sprinkles into our

                        darkened hearts showing a

                        new way of life.

                       

                        A purity both strong and fragile

                        hunger for fulfillment

                        groan at long road ahead

                        seeming so distant yet

                        must not let go.

Reflection: Groan: Listen: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1.     Do you see glimpses of God’s fruit of work in you? In others? How?

2.     Does it draw you closer, or do you retreat to the mundane because His fruit seems so out of reach?

3.     What first fruits would you like to live by right now?

4.     Do you find longing and waiting to be the same or different?  How? What actions would each require according to this verse?

Share: What fruit has another shared with you when you needed it?

Glory: Listen: Prayers and Poetry

                       Glory

                        Glory not our vision

                        in day to day turmoil

                        allowing imitations to

                        color our hearts, our words,

                        deeper despair

                        when strategy strikes.

                        Wonder where God is.

                        Nature gives glimpses

                        if we stop and look at

                        splinter of light breaking

                        through storm clouds

                        tiny green shoots in

                        fire parched landscape

                        touches of glory in a

                        friend’s handclasp.

                        Glory ever present

                        when we look outward.

                       

                       

Reflection: Glimpses: Listen: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1.     How often does day-to-day commonness dull us to see God’s gifts?

2.     Where do you look?

3.     What are you facing this week, this month, this year with worry?

4.     Nature encompasses decay and beauty. How can we adapt our attitudes as well?

Share: What glimpse of glory did you see this week?

Glimpses: Listen: Prayers and Poetry

Reading: Romans 8:18

“I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us.”

How often do we purposely look for glimpses of glory here and now?

When our days are overflowing with busyness, stress, crisis, and suffering we instinctively cry out in prayer for hope and healing. But do we remember to watch for the fragments of light that will break through the darkness.

Or when dullness and drudgery weary us emotionally, affecting all our relationships and creativity, do we submit? And allow discomfort, irritations, and glitches to build within us apathy and despair?

Watching for glory is not often on our daily to do list.

Our human sight is shallow in comparison to the Lord’s ongoing power and life that we too often cannot see beyond the brokenness surrounding us. And yet.

He is always present. Here and now. Everyday. Especially in the darkness.

Lord, please forgive us our narrow perspective. Keep our hearts and vision focused fully on Your word and Your path. Show us how to see Your glimpses.

Psalm of Worship: Proverbs 8:17

“I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me.”

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