Poets & Saints

ScripturePhilippians 1:21 (NIV)For to me, to live is Christand to die is gain.RefrainJesus is the path. I choose to follow.QuoteRichard Rohr, from The Universal Christ"If Christ represents the resurrected state,then Jesus represents the crucified/resurrecting pathof getting there.If Christ is the source and goal,then Jesus is the pathfrom that sourcetoward the goal of divine unitywith all things."

ScriptureMatthew 5:3 (NIV)"Blessed are the poor in spirit,for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."RefrainThe way down is the way in.QuoteFrancis of Assisi, from The Peace Prayer"O divine Master,grant that I may not so much seekto be consoled as to console,to be understood as to understand,to be loved as to love.For it is in giving that we receive,it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,and it is in dyingthat we are born to eternal life.Amen."

ScriptureJames 2:17 (NIV)In the same way,faith by itself,if it is not accompanied by action,is dead.RefrainMy faith is alive when it is lived.QuoteHoward Thurman, from Jesus and the Disinherited"The religion of Jesus says to the disinherited:'Love your enemy.Take the initiative in seeking ways by which you can have the experienceof a common sharing of mutual worth and value.It may be hazardous,but you must do it.'"

ScriptureColossians 1:17 (NIV)He is before all things,and in him all things hold together.RefrainI am awake to God in all things.QuoteMechtild of Magdeburg, from The Flowing Light of the Godhead"The day of my spiritual awakeningwas the day I saw —and knew I saw —all things in Godand God in all things."

ScriptureExodus 3:5 (NIV)"Do not come any closer," God said."Take off your sandals,for the place where you are standingis holy ground."RefrainGod comes to me disguised as my life.QuoteThich Nhat Hanh, from The Miracle of Mindfulness"Wash the dishes relaxingly,as though each bowl is an object of contemplation.Consider each bowl as sacred.Follow your breath to prevent your mind from straying.Do not try to hurry to get the job over with.Consider washing the dishes the most important thing in life.Washing the dishes is meditation.If you cannot wash the dishes in mindfulness,neither can you meditate while sitting in silence."

ScriptureRomans 5:3–5 (NIV)We also glory in our sufferings,because we know that suffering produces perseverance;perseverance, character;and character, hope.And hope does not put us to shame,because God's love has been poured out into our heartsthrough the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.RefrainLove and suffering are teaching me.QuoteRichard Rohr, from The Universal Christ"In the practical order of life,if we have never loved deeply or suffered deeply,we are unable to understand spiritual things at any depth.Any healthy and true religion is teaching youhow to deal with suffering and how to deal with love.And if you allow this process with sincerity,you will soon recognizethat it is actually love and sufferingthat are dealing with you."

Scripture1 Corinthians 2:14 (NIV)The person without the Spiritdoes not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God,but considers them foolishness,and cannot understand thembecause they are discerned only through the Spirit.RefrainI am learning to see with new eyes.QuoteThomas Merton, from New Seeds of Contemplation"Contemplation is the highest expressionof man's intellectual and spiritual life.It is that life itself,fully awake, fully active,fully aware that it is alive.It is spiritual wonder.It is spontaneous aweat the sacredness of life, of being."

ScriptureJohn 20:18 (NIV)Mary Magdalene went to the discipleswith the news:"I have seen the Lord!"And she told themthat he had said these things to her.RefrainAttention is the beginning of devotionQuoteMary Oliver, from Sometimes"Instructions for living a life:Pay attention.Be astonished.Tell about it."