Faith Seeds: Prayers and Poetry

Hebrew 11: 2, “Indeed, by faith our ancestors received approval.”

Looking beyond the impossible struggle our geographic ancestors built countries. Planning for future generations they acted upon hope, upon faith, upon promises. They placed their trust on knowledge of land and crops and water to carve out valleys, lattice mountains, plant farms and build cities.

Leaning on God’s promises our spiritual ancestors built a heritage of faith. Day by day sharing moral concepts. Week-by-week worshipping God. Month-by-month proclaiming scriptures. Year-by-year kneeling in atonement for their sin. Accepting God’s forgiveness.

Looking forward to a time beyond span when prophecy would reach completion. Not dependent on rulers, wealth, or power, but on God Himself: Creator, Lord. Relying on His resurrection words.

Leaning on You alone, Lord, is the only way to find Your path through this maze of life. Build in us, in me, I pray Your foundations to withstand the storms and droughts and earthquakes.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 125

“Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved but abides forever.”

Faith Seeds: Prayers and Poetry

Value

First flush of accomplishment

tinged with shy pride

slight disbelief that

success came from own passion

until now a private hope.

Hold that beginning

deep within before

pride declares territory

demands repeat performances

imitations without heart.

Allow seeds to grow

in furrowed ground

rich soil accepting seasons

of fallow and fruit

serving unseen hope.

Faith Seeds: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1.     In what ways do we tend to measure success or failure apart from heart and character?

2.     How much emphasis do we place on care and compassion in our judgments?

3.     What values will last regardless of circumstances?

Share: How has a ‘temporary’ failure resulted in an eternal gift of grace for you?

Faith Seeds: Prayers and Poetry

2 Corinthians 4:18, “because we look not at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen; for what can be seen is temporary but what cannot be seen is eternal.”

For over twenty-five years I woke daily to a lone almond tree outside my window. One by one the other trees from a remnant grove had ceased to grow. Each spring I anxiously watched for tiny nodules to see if its life continued through the winter—to see if once again blossoms would rain a pink and white carpet on my lawn.

 By summer’s end a wild breeze would blow through the almond tree and every so often dislodge a leaf.  Gradually a skeleton of branches became clearer as the outer green coat dropped off slowly. Soon it became bare, ready to face winter. Twisted brown limbs stark against the sky.

One day it will cease. One day our physical bodies will stop too. But in Christ we will awaken to eternity. His words encourage us not to lose heart, “though our outer man is decaying…light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison.”

What is the weight of glory? We can’t see it, hold it or identify it. But it grows everyday—through summer, fall, winter and spring shaping us into His unique image. If we are willing to accept all the seasons. To let sin and selfishness drop away leaving us visible—vulnerable.  Willing to let our outer layers be pealed off one by one. Willing to be rooted in faith that grows repeatedly.

Lord, during seasons when everything seems so perfect it’s easy for my faith to remain constant.  Please keep me close, Lord, during the winter season as well, when I recognize there is nothing left except You, and You alone remain.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 40: 2

“He brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay;

And He set my feet upon a rock making my footsteps firm.”

Faith Seeds: Prayers and Poetry

Crumbs

A smooth uncluttered day

shaped by traffic free

roads, easy solutions

visible respect.

A carefree meal with

co-operative coworkers

a welcome home at shift’s end.

Only reached occasionally

yet crumbs enough

to continue to desire

a consistent demand .

All seen as experienced by

others; shaping envy,

crave my piece of the pie.

A just meal said deserved.

Heart fills with famine

clogged arteries.

Open handed you stretch

real life line, hope in presence

offered daily, unlimited

heart peace. Fullness.

Faith Seeds: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

   How does our culture encourage us to measure a good day, or a good life, by health and wealth and self-achievement?

   How much of God’s given gifts are included in a measured sense of peace or hope?

  What words do you use to describe “a good day” or “a bad day” to a friend?

Share: What helps you recognize and receive God’s peaceful hope regardless of circumstances?

Faith Seeds: Prayers and Poetry

Romans 8:24, “For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is seen.”

Hope is anticipation of what is yet to come. What is seen here and now is often temporary. Why do we tend to settle for partial crumbs instead of waiting for the whole meal?

We spend so much of our time hoping for things of fleeting consequence: a sunny day, no traffic, a parking place, no arguments, a promotion, all pleasurable and all pale imitations of real hope.

Hope reaches out for the riches of our spiritual inheritance. We look to the promises already given. Seen hope—Emmanuel. Prophecy claims fulfilled. We can look back in fact. We can live today in presence, in daily manna. We can look ahead to more promises.

What is seen are gifts given.  Good news, release from captivity, balm for our souls, fellowship, words and prayer.

Hope gives courage, anticipation and strength in all situations when we take hold of it. Without hope—we die. Perhaps not physically, not life’s breath, instead soul’s breath drifts away. We miss living in forgiveness now.

Your hope Lord, of eternal life, forgiveness, mercy, grace, all beckon with a new reality. Yet it requires that I step forward in trust. Resist the fear that says this is all there is. You have intervened with Your love and mercy. Help me to step into your hope, which reaches so far beyond my limited seen boundaries.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 4: 8

“I will both lie down and sleep in peace; for you alone,

O Lord, make me lie down in safety.”