Poetry Where You Live

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

A Lesson for our Times

The prodigal, all of us
a lesson for our times
in this day and age,
a chastening in the telling
the grafting of the branches
the story of the son
asking for his wealth
squandering in excess
coming home a servant
destitute, but welcomed in
the arms of the father
ready for our turning
for our quickening heart
coming home to the Lord

November 11, 2009
Luke 15:11-32, “The Prodigal Son”
Proverbs 21:5, 21:20
Psalm 98:4-8 (Call to Worship)
and Matthew 6:24
“No man can serve two masters:
for either he will hate the one,
and love the other; or else he will hold to the one,
and despise the other.
Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”
& sermon “The Saints and Their Checkbooks”
by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
November 8, 2009
His sermon is the second of a four-part series based in part on
Reverend Adam Hamilton (http://www.cor.org/about-resurrection/adam/)’s book,
“Enough: Discovering Joy Through Simplicity and Generosity” (http://www.cokesbury.com/forms/ProductDetail.aspx?pid=9781426702334)

Labels: Adam Hamilton, America, Faith, God, Huntley Halvorson, Luke 15, Matthew 6, Methodist, Poetry Where You Live, Prodigal Son, Proverbs 21, Psalm 98, Raymond A. Foss, United Methodist

// posted by Ray Foss @ 2:31:00 PM (0) comments

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

TREE

Towering over our heads
Roots deep in the soil
Evergreen or leaves from green to red
Every one a treasure to behold

November 10, 2009

Labels: acrostic, autumn, brown, colors, earth, God, green, humble, leaves, Nature, New Hampshire, orange, Pembroke NH, Poetry Where You Live, Raymond A. Foss, red, Suncook NH, yellow

// posted by Ray Foss @ 7:35:00 PM (0) comments

TREE – v2

Towering over our heads
Roots deep in the soil
Evergreen or leaves from green to red
Each branch an arm reaching to the sky

November 10, 2009

Labels: acrostic, autumn, brown, colors, earth, God, humble, leaves, Nature, New Hampshire, orange, Pembroke NH, Poetry Where You Live, Raymond A. Foss, red, Suncook NH, yellow

// posted by Ray Foss @ 7:35:00 PM (0) comments

Leaves

Growing from a bud on a branch
spreading, the green of summer
dying in passionate color
reds, orange, and yellow;
fading to humble brown,
returning to the dust of the earth

November 10, 2009

Labels: autumn, brown, colors, earth, God, humble, leaves, Nature, New Hampshire, orange, Pembroke NH, Poetry Where You Live, Raymond A. Foss, red, Suncook NH, yellow

// posted by Ray Foss @ 7:33:00 PM (0) comments

Wearing the Crown

Thorns for a crown
the Lord giving his all
submitting to the cross
doing the master’s will

November 10, 2009
Luke 22:42
and
book, “Walking with Christ Everyday:
365 daily devotions for men”,
http://www.parable.com/parable/item.Walking-with-Christ-Every-Day-for-Men-Devotional.9781583344774.htm
Day 309, “Thy Will Be Done”
read 11/9/09
&
John 1:1-14
&
Philippians 2:8
&
http://www.theshackbook.com/
The Shack, by William P. Young

Labels: Christ, christian poems, christian poetry, cross, crown, earth, Faith, free will, God, God's will, human, John 1, love, Luke 22, Methodist, NEUMC, New Hampshire, Pembroke NH, Philippians 2, Poetry Where You Live, praise poems, praise poetry, Raymond A. Foss, Suncook NH, The Shack, United Methodist

// posted by Ray Foss @ 7:29:00 PM (0) comments

Cup

Coming to the garden
Utterly giving to God
Putting our lives before his own

November 10, 2009
Luke 22:42
and
book, “Walking with Christ Everyday:
365 daily devotions for men”,
http://www.parable.com/parable/item.Walking-with-Christ-Every-Day-for-Men-Devotional.9781583344774.htm
Day 309, “Thy Will Be Done”
read 11/9/09
&
John 1:1-14
&
Philippians 2:8
&
http://www.theshackbook.com/
The Shack, by William P. Young

Labels: acrostic, Christ, christian poems, christian poetry, cross, earth, Faith, free will, God, God's will, human, John 1, love, Luke 22, Methodist, NEUMC, New Hampshire, Pembroke NH, Philippians 2, Poetry Where You Live, praise poems, praise poetry, Raymond A. Foss, Suncook NH, The Shack, United Methodist

// posted by Ray Foss @ 7:26:00 PM (0) comments

Binding His Wings

An eagle, a king
binding his wings, all of his days
walking as human, though fully divine
tempted and tested, born in the stable
living as we do, feet made of clay
The Spirit descending,
sending him into the wilderness
the first testing by the devil
showing his heart
His life given over
from that day forward
leaving the world
and following the master
Taking the road,
the path laid before him
to go and to serve, out into the land
To teach about the love
the heart of the father
Healing by the power
God used through him.
Knowing the future,
the plan of the master
choosing to drink the cup
in his own hands
Humbly doing
the will of the creator
healing the breach
from the beginning in the garden
dying on the cross,
buried in a tomb
so his wings could open
soaring above us
to show the way home

November 10, 2009
Luke 22:42
and
book, “Walking with Christ Everyday:
365 daily devotions for men”,
http://www.parable.com/parable/item.Walking-with-Christ-Every-Day-for-Men-Devotional.9781583344774.htm
Day 309, “Thy Will Be Done”
read 11/9/09
&
John 1:1-14
&
Philippians 2:8
&
http://www.theshackbook.com/
The Shack, by William P. Young

Labels: Christ, christian poems, christian poetry, cross, earth, Faith, free will, God, God's will, human, John 1, love, Luke 22, Methodist, NEUMC, New Hampshire, Pembroke NH, Philippians 2, Poetry Where You Live, praise poems, praise poetry, Raymond A. Foss, Suncook NH, The Shack, United Methodist

// posted by Ray Foss @ 2:56:00 PM (0) comments

Limiting Himself

Binding his wings
walking as a mortal
Entering the world
humbly, as a child
Growing into manhood
coming to the river
entering in
rising to follow his call
Up out of the waters
into the world, the desert
choosing to follow
even when the devil tempted
Leading and teaching
healing, by the power given
not something he carried
his deity left on his throne
A servant of the master
in his name doing
going into the world
to serve his fellow man
Taking the cup
the bitterness of sin
carrying the cross
fulfilling the prophesy
the scriptures of old
Bearing the weight
on his shoulders made of clay
dying, buried
returning to the earth
Rising in victory
a life humbly lives
sharing the father’s love
giving all he was
a human following the master’s call

November 10, 2009
Luke 22:42
and
book, “Walking with Christ Everyday:
365 daily devotions for men”,
http://www.parable.com/parable/item.Walking-with-Christ-Every-Day-for-Men-Devotional.9781583344774.htm
Day 309, “Thy Will Be Done”
read 11/9/09
&
John 1:1-14
&
Philippians 2:8
&
http://www.theshackbook.com/
The Shack, by William P. Young

// posted by Ray Foss @ 2:42:00 PM (0) comments

Choosing to Become Human

Christ, choosing to become human
into the world, a humble piece of clay
walking with our brothers, our sisters
the saints long before us
sharing his message, the love of God
Living a life, as we do day to day;
but offering us a better way
Following the master
even to the cross
drinking the cup of his destiny
so that me may find our way
to the other side, across the chasm
our free will keeping us
from the love of God
Turning himself
a king a servant
so we would see the light
our path through the darkness
settling into
our heavenly home

November 10, 2009
Luke 22:42
and
book, “Walking with Christ Everyday:
365 daily devotions for men”,
http://www.parable.com/parable/item.Walking-with-Christ-Every-Day-for-Men-Devotional.9781583344774.htm
Day 309, “Thy Will Be Done”
read 11/9/09
&
John 1:1-14
&
Philippians 2:8
&
http://www.theshackbook.com/
The Shack, by William P. Young

// posted by Ray Foss @ 2:29:00 PM (0) comments

Monday, November 09, 2009

Depending on His Promise

God’s promises, down through the ages
we may depend on his promise
his is our strength, guiding our path
his light before us
ever walking with us
sharing our lives
living within
Trust in him;
his love never fails

November 9, 2009
Deuteronomy 31:8
Isaiah 40:31
and
book, “Walking with Christ Everyday:
365 daily devotions for men”,
http://www.parable.com/parable/item.Walking-with-Christ-Every-Day-for-Men-Devotional.9781583344774.htm
Day 308, “Defeating Discouragement”
read 11/9/09

Labels: Christ, christian poems, christian poetry, Deuteronomy 31, Faith, God, Isaiah 40, love, Methodist, NEUMC, New Hampshire, path, Pembroke NH, poem, poetry, praise poems, praise poetry, religious poetry, Suncook NH, trust, United Methodist, way

// posted by Ray Foss @ 6:44:00 PM (0) comments

To Thy Will

Submitting my self, my life
Offering my all
giving over to thy will
answering the master’s call
Seeking him, trusting in the Lord
leaning no his strength
submitting my will to His alone

November 9, 2009
Luke 22:42
and
book, “Walking with Christ Everyday:
365 daily devotions for men”,
http://www.parable.com/parable/item.Walking-with-Christ-Every-Day-for-Men-Devotional.9781583344774.htm
Day 309, “Thy Will Be Done”
read 11/9/09

Labels: Christ, christian poems, christian poetry, cup, divine, Faith, free will, God, God's will, human, Jesus, love, master, Methodist, NEUMC, New Hampshire, Pembroke NH, poem, poetry, Poetry Where You Live, praise poems, praise poetry, Raymond A. Foss, religious poetry, Suncook NH, United Methodist

// posted by Ray Foss @ 6:39:00 PM (0) comments

The Human Christ

While divine, fully human
the man Jesus
choosing to submit
to cleave to God’s will
taking the cup
bringing the bitterness
passing over his lips
The human fears and doubts
present on that day;
but entering in
his life given
doing the master’s will
that we may live

November 9, 2009
Luke 22:42
and
book, “Walking with Christ Everyday:
365 daily devotions for men”,
http://www.parable.com/parable/item.Walking-with-Christ-Every-Day-for-Men-Devotional.9781583344774.htm
Day 309, “Thy Will Be Done”
read 11/9/09

Labels: Christ, christian poems, christian poetry, cup, divine, Faith, free will, God, God's will, human, Jesus, love, Luke 22, master, Methodist, NEUMC, New Hampshire, Pembroke NH, poem, poetry, Poetry Where You Live, praise poems, praise poetry, Raymond A. Foss, religious poetry, Suncook NH, United Methodist

// posted by Ray Foss @ 6:38:00 PM (0) comments

Spending on our Wants

Focused on the here and now
forgetting what we need
spending on our wants alone
an immediate itch to calm

Losing sight of our savior’s call
a simpler way of life
humbly serving our fellow man
being his feet, his hands

Open to what will last
turning from the world’s commands
loving God and our neighbors
offering them a helping hand

November 9, 2009
Luke 15:11-32, “The Prodigal Son”
Proverbs 21:5, 21:20
Psalm 98:4-8 (Call to Worship)
and Matthew 6:24
“No man can serve two masters:
for either he will hate the one,
and love the other; or else he will hold to the one,
and despise the other.
Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”
& sermon “The Saints and Their Checkbooks”
by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
November 8, 2009

Labels: Adam Hamilton, America, christian poems, christian poetry, Faith, God, Huntley Halvorson, Luke 15, Luke 22, Matthew 6, Methodist, NEUMC, New Hampshire, Pembroke NH, poem, poetry, Poetry Where You Live, praise poems, praise poetry, Prodigal Son, Proverbs 21, Psalm 98, Raymond A. Foss, religious poetry, Suncook NH, United Methodist

// posted by Ray Foss @ 6:28:00 PM (0) comments

Lessons on Money

The Lord sharing, teaching
lessons on money and the evils of wealth
The things we choose to do
in chasing after gold, and
possessions of this earth
putting our desires,
above our neighbors’ needs

Teaching, sharing, by his life
a different course
loving our neighbors
turning from our wickedness
understanding our dependence
coming home a servant
to the open arms of God

November 9, 2009
Luke 15:11-32, “The Prodigal Son”
Proverbs 21:5, 21:20
Psalm 98:4-8 (Call to Worship)
and Matthew 6:24
“No man can serve two masters:
for either he will hate the one,
and love the other; or else he will hold to the one,
and despise the other.
Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”
& sermon “The Saints and Their Checkbooks”
by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
November 8, 2009

Labels: Adam Hamilton, America, christian poems, christian poetry, Faith, God, Huntley Halvorson, Luke 15, Matthew 6, Methodist, NEUMC, New Hampshire, Pembroke NH, poem, poetry, Poetry Where You Live, praise poems, praise poetry, Prodigal Son, Proverbs 21, Psalm 98, Raymond A. Foss, religious poetry, Suncook NH, United Methodist

// posted by Ray Foss @ 6:06:00 PM (0) comments

Sunday, November 08, 2009

Misuse Happens

Misuse happens
our resources, our vision
focused on the wrong
our temporal, urgent
society-driven desires
instant gratification
excess, and hangover
the pain of loss, misuse
estrangement from God
from our neighbors
in our drive to be better
to have more
all of our possessions
in the way
keeping us apart
little islands, bumper cars
driven, alone

Step back from the edge
turn from the world
idols, false gods
on the altar of society
consumerism,
materialism
passions without feeling
all a cancer, keeping us
held hostage
Turn, return home
to our family, our father
seek him, a better way
and his loving arms
ever waiting for us

November 8, 2009
Luke 15:11-32, “The Prodigal Son”
Proverbs 21:5, 21:20
Psalm 98:4-8 (Call to Worship)
and Matthew 6:24
“No man can serve two masters:
for either he will hate the one,
and love the other; or else he will hold to the one,
and despise the other.
Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”
& sermon “The Saints and Their Checkbooks”
by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
November 8, 2009

Labels: Adam Hamilton, America, brother, christian poems, christian poetry, church, Faith, Family, father, God, Huntley Halvorson, Luke 15, Matthew 6, Methodist, neighbor, NEUMC, New Hampshire, Pembroke NH, poem, poetry, Poetry Where You Live, praise poems, praise poetry, Prodigal Son, Proverbs 21, Psalm 98, Raymond A. Foss, religious poetry, sister, Suncook NH, Suncook United Methodist Church, United Methodist, worship

// posted by Ray Foss @ 6:25:00 PM (0) comments

Biblical Economics

So many stories, lessons, out of his love
the son, come to earth, to bring us home
to mend the breach created, our estrangement,
our distance from God, the creator, our father
So many tellings, of one story
our wanton desires, serving other god
chasing after our wealth, after power
losing sight of our neighbor, our brothers,
our sisters on this earth
focusing on the lesser things,
the things that rust and turn to dust
when we should treasure eternal life
and walk more humbly on the way
Caring for our neighbors,
those who need our love, our help
storing treasure in heaven
for a future, walking the streets of gold

November 8, 2009
Luke 15:11-32, “The Prodigal Son”
Proverbs 21:5, 21:20
Psalm 98:4-8 (Call to Worship)
and Matthew 6:24
“No man can serve two masters:
for either he will hate the one,
and love the other; or else he will hold to the one,
and despise the other.
Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”
& sermon “The Saints and Their Checkbooks”
by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
November 8, 2009

// posted by Ray Foss @ 5:48:00 PM (0) comments

The Forgiveness of God

Our mistakes, our sin
washed clean, as if gone
the forgiveness of God
arms open wide for our return
when we turn from the world
coming home to him
Met, on our road home
before we are back
or father coming to us
arms open wide
bring us back to him

November 8, 2009
Luke 15:11-32, “The Prodigal Son”
Proverbs 21:5, 21:20
Psalm 98:4-8 (Call to Worship)
and Matthew 6:24
“No man can serve two masters:
for either he will hate the one,
and love the other; or else he will hold to the one,
and despise the other.
Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”
& sermon “The Saints and Their Checkbooks”
by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
November 8, 2009

Labels: Adam Hamilton, America, christian poems, christian poetry, church, Faith, Family, father, God, Huntley Halvorson, Luke 15, Matthew 6, Methodist, NEUMC, New Hampshire, Pembroke NH, poem, poetry, Poetry Where You Live, praise poems, praise poetry, Prodigal Son, Proverbs 21, Psalm 98, Raymond A. Foss, religious poetry, Suncook NH, Suncook United Methodist Church, United Methodist, worship

// posted by Ray Foss @ 5:40:00 PM (0) comments

Consumers

We are told to be something
counter to our faith
consumers, not stewards
to use the precious earth
to feed as we may choose
leaving none left behind
going to the edge
and going far beyond
like a plague or war on the land
the prodigal we have become
wasting what we have
caring not for our father’s love
Taking what we can
gorging on our wealth
leaving nothing in our wakes
but debt, and hurt and ache

November 8, 2009
Luke 15:11-32, “The Prodigal Son”
Proverbs 21:5, 21:20
Psalm 98:4-8 (Call to Worship)
and Matthew 6:24
“No man can serve two masters:
for either he will hate the one,
and love the other; or else he will hold to the one,
and despise the other.
Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”
& sermon “The Saints and Their Checkbooks”
by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
November 8, 2009

// posted by Ray Foss @ 5:06:00 PM (0) comments

God or Money

A harsh question
looking at our checkbooks
to see our priorities
a challenge from the pulpit
on the focus of our lives
serving God or money
in the way we spend our wealth
serving our neighbors
or gorging on ourselves
There can be only one master
money or our loving God
we each are free to choose
and account when our master calls

November 8, 2009
Luke 15:11-32, “The Prodigal Son”
Proverbs 21:5, 21:20
Psalm 98:4-8 (Call to Worship)
and Matthew 6:24
“No man can serve two masters:
for either he will hate the one,
and love the other; or else he will hold to the one,
and despise the other.
Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”
& sermon “The Saints and Their Checkbooks”
by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
November 8, 2009

Labels: Adam Hamilton, America, brother, christian poems, christian poetry, church, Faith, Family, God, Huntley Halvorson, Luke 15, Matthew 6, Methodist, neighbor, NEUMC, New Hampshire, Pembroke NH, poem, poetry, Poetry Where You Live, praise poems, praise poetry, Prodigal Son, Proverbs 21, Psalm 98, Raymond A. Foss, religious poetry, sister, Suncook NH, Suncook United Methodist Church, United Methodist, worship

// posted by Ray Foss @ 4:59:00 PM (0) comments

Consumers

consumers, not stewards
like plague, war on the land
Taking what we can
leaving nothing in our wakes
but debt, and hurt and ache

November 8, 2009 – Twitter version
Luke 15:11-32, “The Prodigal Son”
Proverbs 21:5, 21:20
Psalm 98:4-8 (Call to Worship)
and Matthew 6:24
“No man can serve two masters:
for either he will hate the one,
and love the other; or else he will hold to the one,
and despise the other.
Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”
& sermon “The Saints and Their Checkbooks”
by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
November 8, 2009

Labels: Adam Hamilton, America, christian poems, christian poetry, church, Faith, God, Huntley Halvorson, Luke 15, Matthew 6, Methodist, NEUMC, New Hampshire, Pembroke NH, poem, poetry, Poetry Where You Live, praise poems, praise poetry, Prodigal Son, Proverbs 21, Psalm 98, Raymond A. Foss, religious poetry, Suncook NH, Suncook United Methodist Church, United Methodist, worship

// posted by Ray Foss @ 4:37:00 PM (0) comments

Underwater

The term “underwater”
describing so well the start of the world
so many of us, looking up at the surface
wondering what went so wrong
how our world, our economy
our own lives
drowning
Our lives, our priorities
so out of whack, disjointed
chasing the allusion, wealth, position
losing sight of important relationships
a simpler life, with lasting reward
following a false god, lost
missing inner peace
meaningful lives
greater riches
than we can
imagine
eternal life
following the true God
walking with our savior
living closer to our brother
seeing him in our neighbors
offering them a hand, hope, life
rising above the waters
up onto the waves
walking to our future
seeking our treasure in the Lord

November 8, 2009
Luke 15:11-32, “The Prodigal Son”
Proverbs 21:5, 21:20
Psalm 98:4-8 (Call to Worship)
& sermon “The Saints and Their Checkbooks”
by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
November 8, 2009

// posted by Ray Foss @ 4:36:00 PM (0) comments

A Famine on the Land

So much like the prodigal,
our whole society, that foreign land
away from the loving father
seeking other gods, false, human ambitions
wealth, power, pleasure
overextending, consuming,
all that we have

A famine on the land,
jobless, without our wealth
our home, our property gone
eating the pods with the pigs
wanting to go back home
Turn from the world
going back, to his open arms
all are welcome
in the father’s loving embrace

November 8, 2009
Luke 15:11-32, “The Prodigal Son”
Proverbs 21:5, 21:20
Psalm 98:4-8 (Call to Worship)
& sermon “The Saints and Their Checkbooks”
by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
November 8, 2009

Labels: Adam Hamilton, America, christian poems, christian poetry, church, Faith, Family, father, God, human, Huntley Halvorson, Luke 15, Matthew 6, Methodist, NEUMC, New Hampshire, Pembroke NH, poem, poetry, Poetry Where You Live, praise poems, praise poetry, Prodigal Son, Proverbs 21, Psalm 98, Raymond A. Foss, religious poetry, Suncook NH, Suncook United Methodist Church, United Methodist, worship

// posted by Ray Foss @ 4:34:00 PM (0) comments

Power – haiku – 1

By the flames, his breath
Holy spirit filling them
empowered to speak

November 7, 2009
Annual Church Conference
moderated by Reverend John Blackadar
& John 20:19-22
& hymn, “Breathe on Me, Breath of God”,
http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh420.sht
United Methodist Hymnal, #420
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
November 5, 2009

Labels: acts 2:1-21, breath, christian poems, Faith, flame, haiku, Holy Spirit, John 20, John Blackadar, Methodist, NEUMC, New Hampshire, Pembroke NH, Pentecost, Poetry Where You Live, Raymond A. Foss, Suncook NH, Suncook United Methodist Church, United Methodist, voice, Writing Poetry