November 07, 2007

I. Readings
Psalms 1, 33, 89:1-18
Haggai 1:1-2:9
Revelation 12:1-12
Matthew 13:53-58

II. Selections
Psalm 1:3a-b
They are like trees
planted by streams of water,
which yield their fruit in its season,
and their leaves do not wither.

Haggai 2:9
The latter splendor of this house shall be greater than the former, says the LORD of hosts; and in this place I will give prosperity, says the LORD of hosts.

Revelation 12:11
But [ our comrades] have conquered [ the accuser] by the blood of the Lamb
and by the word of their testimony,
for they did not cling to life even in the face of death.

Matthew 13:55
" ...Is not this the carpenter's son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? ... " [ people in the synagogue of Jesus' hometown]

III. Meditation: Planted by streams of water

You see splendor where we see disaster;
you see prosperity where we see failure;
you see salvation, we the commonplace;
you see victory even in the face of death.

Let us grow beside your flowing water
that we may see your goodness unfold,
that we may yield our fruit in its season,
for without you all our leaves will wither.