Monday, May 19, 2008
More than My Name
on the palms of the creator
the God of Abraham, of creation,
the Father to the Son, sent to save me
My being, my all,
written into the flesh
of my God
Not merely my name,
I am inscribed
on the palms of his hands
May 19, 2008
Isaiah 49:8-16a
Alive Now daily devotional
Labels: Alive Now, creator, Faith, God, Isaiah, Isaiah 49, Methodist
Inscribed on His Palms
always remember me,
to be compassionate, forgiving, loving
my name, inscribed on his palms
words that cannot be washed away
forever a part of my maker
by his promise to all the people
May 19, 2008
Isaiah 49:8-16a
Alive Now daily devotional
Labels: Alive Now, creator, Faith, God, Isaiah, Isaiah 49, Methodist
More than Written
onto the palms of our creator
the God of the beginning of time
my name forever with him,
not merely written, inscribed
marking me on, into his flesh
and the palms of his hand
May 19, 2008
Isaiah 49:8-16a
Alive Now daily devotional
Labels: Alive Now, creator, Faith, God, Isaiah, Isaiah 49, Methodist
My Name
holding me on the skin of the creator
a part of him, the ink staining his flesh
the stuff of heaven, a part of me,
my name, the clay on the potter’s hands
remembered each time, he touches his hands
looks at his hands, a part of him
May 19, 2008
Isaiah 49:8-16a
Alive Now daily devotional
Labels: Alive Now, clay, creator, Faith, God, Isaiah, Isaiah 49, Methodist, potter
On His Hand
on the creator’s hand
tattooed permanently,
his memory never fades
he keeps me, holds me,
in the palm of his hand
protecting me, always
May 19, 2008
Isaiah 49:8-16a
Alive Now daily devotional
Labels: Alive Now, creator, Faith, God, Isaiah, Isaiah 49, Methodist
On the Hillside that Night
My sheep, grazing in the pasture
on that hillside that night,
along with the others
watching the horizon,
the shadows for predators,
for robbers, for danger
A light so bright, it hurt my eyes
angels descending,
appearing from heaven
singing the most beautiful music
I have ever heard
Singing praises for a savior,
our messiah, finally appearing
down in Bethlehem,
lying in a manger
Boy did we run, to see that sight,
forgetting about the sheep
on the hillside that night
May 19, 2008
Luke 2:8-18
Labels: angels, Bethlehem, Christmas, Faith, in the crowd, Luke, Messiah, Methodist, savior, sheep, shepherd
Watching the Parade
Like a conquering king, or Roman general
Jesus entered David’s city
our chosen one
Watching the parade
we cheered the new king,
crying Hosanna!
But he was on a donkey,
even as we hoped
for a new king, to throw off
the Emperor’s yoke;
is he the one?
May 19, 2008
Palm Sunday
Labels: David, Faith, in the crowd, Messiah, Methodist, Palm Sunday
They Were Deep in Conversation
On the Road to Emmaus
three walked, deep in conversation
animated words exchanged
as they walked along
I heard a brief passage
speaking the words of the prophets
telling the Messiah’s story
the stranger, sharing with the others
like a rabbi and his students
they hung on every word
deep in conversation
as they walked to Emmaus
May 19, 2008
Luke 24:13-35
Walk to Emmaus
Labels: Faith, in the crowd, Luke, Luke 24:13-35, Messiah, Methodist, prophet, Walk to Emmaus
They Spoke to Me
We all shook our heads,
in wonderment, amazed,
unable to explain what we heard
these men from Galilee,
those in his inner circle
speaking in words we knew
our home languages
Words they have never used
tongues of fire, igniting tongues
tongues who had been silent, timid
They spoke to me, to each of us
What a Pentecost that was
hearing Christ’s message
in our own languages
May 19, 2008
Acts 2:1-21, Pentecost
Labels: Acts, Acts 2:1-12, acts 2:1-21, Christ, disciples, Faith, fire, in the crowd, Methodist, Pentecost
None Below Their Reach
next to the school
had no blossoms, no blooms,
none below their reach,
only high in the canopy,
the boughs hanging over the sidewalk
no lilacs below five feet
from eager fingers
plucking them for teacher,
for mom, for their fragrance
well grazed bushes
denuded of blooms
each year, in its turn
May 19, 2008
Labels: America, Family, lilacs, Nature
In the Crowd - series of poems
Labels: Alive Now, baptism, Bible, Christ, Faith, God, in the crowd, John, John the Baptist, Methodist, Pentecost, Writing Poetry
We were Hungry
We were so very hungry,
for his message, hope and love
hungry for food, there on the mountain
yearning to hear him,
his ministry throughout our land
Our lives, struggling under the weight
of Roman rule, another yoke,
for the people
wanting to believe,
his message, a coming of God
a way to the father
if this be the son
May 16, 2008 and May 18, 2008
Feeding the 5,000
Labels: Faith, father, God, in the crowd, Messiah, Methodist, son
The Multitude at the Seaside
As so it was, as time went along
we would follow him, hear where he was going
always a multitude, a crowd
milling about, following him,
longing to see him
the Christ, serving, in ministry
walking the land, healing the sick
proclaiming God’s love
a different set of law
All of us, so hungry to hear him
following his message
coming to the seaside,
to the water’s edge
even as he comes ashore
May 18, 2008 and May 19, 2008
Mark 3:7-12
Labels: Christ, disciples, Faith, in the crowd, Mark, Mark 3, Messiah, Methodist, water
At His Baptism
Standing on the side of the river
we watched, John standing in the water
preaching to all, to repent
A hard message for some,
those comfortable,
who would not believe
a messiah, fulfilling the prophesies
coming soon to heal the land
to save the people
He came to be baptized
into the water
in his hands, trusting
submitting his body, his will
falling back into the river
washed clean, up out of the water
a voice from heaven, a dove alighting
onto this man of Nazareth,
something we had never seen before
He has come!
May 18, 2008
the story of Jesus’ baptism,
especially John’s version
Labels: baptism, Faith, in the crowd, John, John the Baptist, Messiah, Methodist, prophet, water
Road to Bethlehem
I remember seeing them
walking on the road
on the way to Bethlehem
the long dusty road
the two of them,
scared, moving slowly
struggling along
she was heavy with child
He watched over her
holding the rope of the donkey
carrying her,
I could sense their love
their caring for one another
I wonder what their story is
where this journey will take them
May 18, 2008 and May 19, 2008
Labels: Bethlehem, Faith, in the crowd, Jesus, Joseph, journey, Mary
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Sitting in the Pews
the words of the final charge,
the call of the savior
the instructions for what
it is to be his disciples
wondering how we can live the words
to be true disciples of the king
go out into the world
and bring his message
to all who will hear
May 18, 2008
Matthew 28:16-20
The Great Commission
Labels: Faith, father, Holy Spirit, Matthew, Matthew 28, Messiah, Methodist, son, the Great Commission
Into the World
to leave our lives behind, to go into the world
sharing the message of the Messiah,
the risen Lord, walking with us, leading us
by his example, into the world
to bring hope, promise, love
A world so in need of the news,
the freely given grace of the father,
the creator of heaven and earth
willing to sacrifice his son
God having the faith of Abraham
believing God will provide
His love for us complete
saving us while we are yet
even though we are still flawed
broken, chipped vessels,
still worthy of saving
if we are willing to be fitted
for God’s purposes
So we must go out there
into this damaged world
to fulfill the promise of Christ
and bring about the heavenly kingdom
May 18, 2008
Matthew 28:16-20
The Great Commission
Labels: Faith, father, Holy Spirit, Matthew, Matthew 28, Messiah, Methodist, son, the Great Commission
Inside the Sanctuary
too often spoke, too easily spoken
more difficult to leave the sanctuary
to put feet and hands, to the work
to bring the message out into the world
leaving the inside of the sanctuary,
the safe comfortable space,
with shared beliefs, fellow believers
To go out into the world,
where there might be friction,
an unkind word,
where we might not be welcome
Where our beliefs may be derided
We must risk, have the faith we claim
and leave the church behind
and bring the good news
where the people live
May 18, 2008
Matthew 28:16-20
The Great Commission
Labels: Faith, father, Holy Spirit, Matthew, Matthew 28, Methodist, son, the Great Commission
Beyond the Walls
these sacred, formidable walls
that is where the work is, where we must go
not within, the safe, the comfortable
out there, we are called,
to share, to proclaim
to bring the good news,
to the people where they live
not hidden behind
the comfortable walls
feeling good about ourselves
our piety, our personal faith
No, we must go where they are,
all those who do know yet know
the story of the Father, of the Son,
of the Spirit dwelling among us
making us whole, ready to join
the community,
the mansions in the sky
May 18, 2008
Matthew 28:16-20
The Great Commission
Labels: Faith, father, Holy Spirit, Matthew, Matthew 28, Methodist, son, the Great Commission
Sunday, May 11, 2008
My work - reposted across the internet
A video on --- http://orchid212-english414.blogspot.com/2008/04/system-of-our-framing-hands.html
--- http://littlepyro13.blogspot.com/2008/05/intro-poem.html
--- http://noblather.blogspot.com/2007/07/joy-of-worship.html
--- http://zenpilgrim.blogspot.com/2006/07/poetry-where-you-live.html
--- http://poeticals.spaces.live.com/
--- http://luxindomino.multiply.com/photos/album/27/The_Boracay_Trilogy_-_Part_1
--- http://www.tabblo.com/studio/stories/view/1176043/?nextnav=tag&tag=icy
--- http://www.mylifepoem.com/poems/son/1257
--- http://teachgoodwriting.blogspot.com/2008/03/raymond-foss-new-hampshire-poet.html
--- http://community.livejournal.com/war_poetry
--- http://www.twistedtreecafe.com/ART%20Gallery%202007%20JUNE.htm
--- http://www.blackplanet.com/nicoj36/
--- http://weeklyphotopoems.com/2007/11/22/shells/
--- http://kurakurahijau.multiply.com/photos/album/65/Beach_Sand
--- http://www.lifesip.com/education-poems.html
--- http://something2learntoday.blogspot.com/
--- http://sheismyhart.com/
--- http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=104883937
--- http://www.deviantart.com/print/3222851/
--- http://2bcontinuallyblessed.blogspot.com/2008/01/glitter-graphics.html
--- http://www.lifesip.com/best-friends-poems.html
--- http://latefinal.blogspot.com/2008/05/without-freedom-still-by-raymond-foss.html
--- http://everythingloose.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default
--- http://blog.daum.net/_blog/BlogView.do?blogid=045AQ&articleno=11662712&categoryId=468867
--- http://blogs.grab.com/sweetladybug/497408
---
Labels: Links, Writing Poetry
Verve Earth
Labels: internet, Links, Writing Poetry
Two Branches
covered in young blossoms, riding their skateboards
heading for their homes, for their mothers
Simple, free gifts, taken to be given
this Mothers’ Day
I’m sure the owner won’t mind
it was for a good cause
May 11, 2008
Labels: America, Driving, Family, Nature
The Men with Saul
commissioned, charged, sanctions
bringing wrath, death, to the followers of Christ;
but they, like he, obeyed,
leading him into the city
following the commands of Christ
speaking from heaven.
Man, did they back the wrong horse.
May 11, 2008
Acts 9:3-9
Labels: Acts, Acts 9, Christ, disciples, Faith, journey, Messiah, Methodist, Saul, savior, the word
the Way
in the path they were on, following
a movement, following the master, still
leaving all, changing their life’s course
new wineskin, filled with new wine
traveling the narrow way, the master the gate
moving on by graces,
to fulfill the call to the faithful
a journey, treacherous at times,
to the ends of the earth
to share the savior’s message
traveling ever on the Way
May 11, 2008
Acts 9:1-2
Labels: Acts, Acts 9, Faith, journey, Messiah, Methodist, savior, the word, wine
Over that Spot
we drive over that spot,
that marker on the highway
that place in time, in space,
where your life came to an end
that cold, icy night, so long ago
So much has changed, in these many years
the land no longer as it was then, so different
our lives have moved on as well;
but I think of you often, and every time
I go over that spot, that piece of ground
where your time ran out
I hope you see me now,
and the family God has given me
the changes in my life,
and the journey I am on.
I miss you dad.
May 11, 2008
Labels: death, Driving, Erica, Faith, Family, father, ice, Nature, Ruth, Shanequa, Shyanne, water
A Chartreuse Forest
the young leaves radiating color
too bright to absorb, as they would in summer
the falling spring morning light
miles and miles of new leaves, shimmering
in the morning, shining back from the woods,
cool this morning, still waking late morning
slower perhaps this Sunday, knowing the Sabbath
as the world seems to do, taking time to worship
to speak as the psalmist said, so long ago
preaching the glory of our God, creator and king
this morning, a chartreuse forest sang his praise
May 11, 2008
Psalm 19:1-4
Walk to Emmaus, Means of Grace
and Upper Room devotional
http://www.upperroom.org/Devotional/default.asp?month=5&day=8&year=2008&x=107&y=6
(May 8, 2008)
Labels: creator, Driving, Faith, God, Links, Methodist, Nature, Psalm, Psalm 19, Upper Room
Spring Morning Light
something special, magical, the low dim, soft light
illumining the treetops, the nascent buds, the flowers
translucent, glowing a cherry red, burnt orange highlights
a warming sun, not yet hot, awaking the forest, the woods
just off the highway, still visible into the thin groves
before the summer leaves block the view
the spring morning light, washing through,
more than filtered light, shining spotlight still
down to the forest floor, all the woods awash, bathed
in that wondrous spring morning light
May 11, 2008
Labels: Driving, Family, Nature
Filled with the Spirit
the flames of Pentecost, they preached
in the native tongue of another
Peter stood and spoke, boldly, as they all would,
preaching the truth of the Christ, the Messiah,
killed by man, the Son sacrificed,
as the prophets foretold.
The disciples commissioned on that day
to begin the work we continue,
spreading the hope of salvation
by the gift of God, freely given
and available to all
May 11, 2008
Acts 2:1-21, Pentecost
and sermon by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
“All Fired Up”, Sanbornville United Methodist Church,
Wakefield, NH
Labels: Acts, Acts 2:1-12, acts 2:1-21, Christ, disciples, Faith, Family, God, grace, Holy Spirit, Messiah, Methodist, Pentecost, Peter, Ruth, salvation, Sermon
In a tongue they did not know
the miracle of the Pentecost
they could all speak, in a tongue they did not know
able to share the message of Christ
as the Spirit moved them
Empowered by God, to be His messengers
fulfilling the promise of the Messiah
while he lived among them
Preparing them to ministry,
proclaim the good news
sharing the love God
wherever they went
May 11, 2008
Acts 2:1-21, Pentecost
and sermon by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
“All Fired Up”, Sanbornville United Methodist Church,
Wakefield, NH
Labels: Acts, Acts 2:1-12, acts 2:1-21, Christ, disciples, Faith, Family, God, Holy Spirit, Messiah, Methodist, Pentecost, Ruth, Sermon
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Like Popcorn Kernels
the lilac blossoms burst into bloom
the plum giving way,
exposing the softer,
pastel light lilac within
opening in the sun
its fragrance
filling the yard
May 10, 2008
Labels: Family, lilacs, Nature, spring
© Raymond A. Foss 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007. 2008. All rights reserved.
Written about and in New Hampshire
All of the poetry presented on the site and its archives were written by me. If you want to use them, please contact me at:
Ray Foss
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