Ordinary: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

           

           Ordinary

            Not scholars or statesmen

            merchants or interpreters

            instead working class Galileans

            speaking complex languages

            fluently with purpose

            message in the miracle

            delivered by ordinary

            ambassadors chosen

            for that day—that place—that time

            crying out good news

            mysteries.

Invitation: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

           Invitation

            A crowded marketplace

            a cacophony of voices,

            bewildered hearing native language

            bewildered so turn and see

            who speaks so personally

            who addresses heart’s hunger

            to everyone words of hope

            to everyone an offer of grace

            on a busy day

            on a crowded street

            each language

            each person

            still spoken to with love

            still receives invitation.

Devout: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Devout

From every nation

under heaven

echoes from words

given to Abraham

before the Law to

a man with devout

heart ready to receive

words of new beginnings

seeds to spread

throughout all peoples

now here represented

each one in Jerusalem

on day of holy fire.

Gifted: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Gifted

Sudden messengers

gifted by the Spirit

speaking languages

given to each person

startling themselves as well,

granted work of angels

streams of living words

graciously poured out

saturating listeners.

Flames: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Flames

Flames that did not burn

tongues like fire

falling on each person present

touch of prayer

fulfilled as promised

trembling with amazement

fearful or frozen

trusting in His presence

faith holding on

to become a blessing

flowing Spirit lights.

Swept: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Swept

Wind swept

throughout the house

flowing twirling

spinning rush of

power

answered prayer

astonishment

entered suddenly

caught the waiting

by surprise

violent rush

permeating presence.

Gathered: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Gathered

Gathered together

all in one place

waiting

in silence or

conversation?

Anxious or patient

whispers

listening for promise

on this day

to be everyday when

gifted by Spirit’s presence.

Witness: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

                     
                       Witness

Heart, soul

mind, strength

service all

witness—only

altar before

the Lord to

keep faith

day to day

generation to generation

protection against

false worship

He along refuge.

Hold fast.

Promises: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Promises

Words sworn

many years ago

kept in full

kept in faith

many despaired

wondered if truly able.

Lord gave

promises

not one failed

all delivered

all complete

none withheld

power His alone.

Light of life.

Refuge:Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Refuge

Refuge

safety from avengers

wracked with grief

fury

place to plead

mercy

be heart heard

delivered

from evil

within and without

Refuge.

Settle: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Settle

Distributed by lot

before the Lord

received at tent of meeting

accepted inheritance

by His hand

still needed to

settle in

rebuild ruins

diligence needed

to fulfill opportunity

faith unto completion.

Accept: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Accept

                        Promise made

                        gift given

                        still needs acceptance

                        willingness to act

                        with faith in

                        fulfillment.

                        Still requires steps

                        with courage to

                        commit.

                        Heart and soul

                        mind and body

                        to beginning

                        new work

new life

                        hope.

Daughters: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Daughters

Daughters came

forth to claim

inheritance

promise given

decision upheld

no partiality

by His grace

Belief: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Belief

Although they did not

know themselves this

God of Israel they

believed completely

His word would succeed

chose to become slaves

in His house of worship

to live as servants

than attempt rebellion

so sure of victory they

entered into protection

by promised words.

Servanthood: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Servanthood

Unhewn stone

untouched by iron

not shaped by man’s hand

nor human purpose

instead an offering

imbued with obedience

regardless of cost

relinquished grasp

willing to accept

without dissent

God’s chosen path

grace extended to all

sin destroyed

sanctification begins.

Restore: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Restore

One man broke faith

could not restrain himself

from forbidden spoil

caused innocent deaths

allies, animals, family,

children—all died

for his sin.

What blinds each of us to break

our bound word?

One man built faith

came to pour himself out

for all mankind

created reconciliation

as grace, mercy, given,

chose to die—to give

forgiveness.

              

Shout: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Shout

Did they wonder at their

covenant just confirmed

as all ages marched in silence

around thick resistant

Jericho walls?

Not the battle plan

expected

yet trusted.

Chose to remember Jordan’s crossing

to acknowledge sovereign words

and to listen

with open hearts,

unlike their ancestors.

Received God’s sworn reward

city fell at a shout!

Astonishment.

                  

Trust: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Trust

Descendants by heritage

physical line from exodus

forty years of waiting

promise of new beginnings

withheld by ancestor’s sin.

Now stood to receive

prepared themselves under

knife of circumcision

mark of obedience

accepted God’s new provision

as manna ceased

ate fresh crops

renewed trust.

Safe: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Safe

Stood firm in the middle

until all completed.

Stacked the stones

as a memorial.

Still present

witness to faithfulness.

So all earth may know

God’s hand of grace and mercy.

Suffering that all

may cross from darkness to light.

                        Safe

Be Strong: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Be Strong

First came words of counsel

direct details, ordinary expectations

proceed.

Follow footsteps as taught,

push forward.

Second came words of courage

obey your laws,

firm steps.

Take care to remember

fail not promise.

Final came words of command

be strong, be courageous

no fear.

Resist trap of dismay

now enter land.

So he listened to God’s words

stepped out in faith

secure.

submissive to God’s will

strength supplied.