Faith in Christ

We hope in the future
in the coming of the Lord
the end of this age
the dawning of the new day,
new Jerusalem, new kingdom
because we have faith
faith in the Christ
the Son, the one
who came to earth
saved us, by his life,
humble sacrifice
Cleansed us
made us whole.
For these acts
we have faith
in the future.

June 15, 2007 18:47
Galatians 2:15-21

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 30,090+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Justified by Grace

Oh, thank heaven,
no, really, thank heaven
that we are
justified by grace,
not as an excuse, or a
get out of jail free card;
but as a wondrous fact
of the risen Christ,
the one perfect soul
saved us from the stricture,
the constriction, the impossibility
of the law (finely slices, stacked),
saved us from our sin
and gave us new life


June 15, 2007 18:34
Galatians 2:15-21

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 30,090+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

The Works of the Law

Living by the law,
dying because of the failings
impossibilities of perfection
of never straying, never stumbling
never faltering, even a mite
no, living by the law, the imperatives,
shalls and shall nots, they are not
the things of human life
the gray of the choices, decisions
tiny moments in the crossroads
when left, right, straight forward,
over back where we came from
all seem equally viable
living by the law
leads to death



June 15, 2007 18:27
Galatians 2:15-21


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,450+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Sons of Abraham

Ishmael, oh Ishmael
set down the rock
Isaac, oh Isaac
drop your sword.

For as you do,
so do your sons
to the thousandth generation
a pox on both houses

A plague blowing, obliterating
Lines in the blowing sand, lines of blood,
running to the sea, war and chaos,
famine and pestilence, reality in the struggle.

Blood brothers,
heirs each of the promise
so long ago, to our father
our faithful father Abraham

How he must weep.


June 14, 2007 9:44
Genesis 16, 21, 25
On the drive back to my office from Concord this morning, I was thinking about a new poem, "Sons of Abraham", about the conflicts of the world as a metaphor of sibling rivalry - Ishmael and Isaac (Islam and Judeo-Christianity).

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 23,760+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

If Only

If only
we had a
different vision
of inclusion;
where exclusion
remains, testing, barring
others from their call.

Wouldn’t we be better
closer to his call
for us, to love, love as he loved
as he loves us still, while
we are all yet sinners

Who are we to judge
to hold others as unworthy
unclean, to put on the vestments
the stole, to hold the shepherd’s hook
to serve the world, humbly, as they feel called
who are we to assert any discrimination when
the one who called us, called us to minister on the margin
in the dark places, to the outcasts, to the last, the least, the lost

Shame on us for our piety
may we repent while there is still time


June 13, 2007 16:32
On hearing of those members of the New England Conference
of the United Methodist Church, who walked forward at
Annual Conference, who feel called to ministry, who took
the information cards, and handed in blank ones, because our
denomination finds them unworthy.

Because they are gay.


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,450+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Her Sister’s Dress

She wore her sister’s dress again
this time to her graduation
the same dress, her sister wore
to start her school year
two years ago
marking milestones
on the digital frame
sisters walking together
in staccato steps
each growing
in their own time
their own ways
growing so fast
before our eyes

June 12, 2007 15:41

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 36,710+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

How Much They Have Grown

I heard the murmurs, the exclaiming
the muted hushed knowing
on the growing, the maturing
the changes in all of them
the little children who became students
the girls and boys who walked into the class
and the young learners leaving
ready for more challenges
greater lessons, with a foundation built
laid brick by brick by their loving hands
nurtured day by day throughout the year
joy in their hearts, smiles on their faces
each one of them, in the review of their year
their first year in school
memorialize in the pictures, yes;
but more sure than that
in the knowing of how much they have grown


June 12, 2007 15:35
Shanequa’s preschool graduation day


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,450+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

He will Forget Us Not

Like the rainbow after the storm,
the perennials blooming
year on year
in the garden,
the fallow forgotten places
once tended by loving hands
So too the Father’s love
there whether tended
or forgotten
sought or rejected
He will forget us not
offer redeeming grace
whenever we remember
and ask


June 12, 2007 13:21

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 20,780+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Shanequa's Pre-School Graduation

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 20,770+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Too Busy to Pose

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,450+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Closer to Home

The war got a little
closer to home
as the concerns were lifted
before the congregation
in the stilled sanctuary
We became a bit quieter
a bit more attentive
truly prayerful

One of our own
was called up, again,
to leave our midst
to go to that place of chaos
of senseless death
so far away
Yes, the war got closer to home
that Sunday a few weeks ago

May we remember
all the sons, all the daughters
the fathers, the mothers
out there serving us all
so we can be free


June 12, 2007 9:00
written for the 4th of July celebration
Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord. NH
about Adam Doucette

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 23,410+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Her Spirit Fed

I could see it, sense it
a change from a few days ago
a difference in her, welling up
shining through, pouring forth
Different ways of speaking
more surety, certainty
confidence and purpose
A revitalized soul
came back to us
after the feeding
in the word,
in fellowship
in connection
bending her mind
around the frames
the vehicles
the means
of grace


June 11, 2007 15:09
On Ruth after her return from
Annual Conference, at Gordon College
see http://www.neumc.org/page.asp?PKValue=9


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 20,780+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

More Irises in a variety of shades

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,450+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 20,780+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

The Cantor

He was our cantor,
modeling the responsive lines
to his homily on faith.

Echoing, joining him,
in remembering the mantra
the words of faith
he repeated over and over
in traveling to her bedside

The woman he loved
traveling those many miles
to her side
at the end of her days

The words of trust, of faith
in the sustaining, revealed
love of God, in scripture,
the lives of the saints before us
the living of our days


June 10, 2007 17:02
Romans 4:13-25 & Hebrews 11:1-10
This poem is about the lines of a hymn he sang
for 32 days, 60 miles each way, from his home
to the hospital bedside of his wife; a hymn he shared
with the congregation at the end of the sermon, “Hearing Faith”,
by the Reverend Orin D. Watson, retired ordained
elder with the Illinois Great Rivers Conference
of the United Methodist Church, a pastor for over
60 years, and a wonderful witness to faith.


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,450+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

A Glimpse of Faith

His tremulous voice
body trembling; but
a spirit filled, steeled
giving us a glimpse of faith
of a surety that He is with us
today and always,
in dark times
when we wonder, fight
buck at our struggles.
When our burden seems heavy;
when our yoke lightens
Your hand is upon us, Your voice
guides our path
when we see, and act, by faith


June 10, 2007 17:09
Romans 4:13-25 & Hebrews 11:1-10
based on the sermon, “Hearing Faith”, by
the Reverend Orin D. Watson, retired ordained
elder with the Illinois Great Rivers Conference
of the United Methodist Church, a pastor for over
60 years, and a wonderful witness to faith


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 20,780+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

A Life’s Testimony

He was our witness,
one of our elders,
telling a tapestry
reading the threads of the story
different fibers woven into the fabric
the days of the patriarchs, the apostles
revealed, affirmed once more
echoed in the faith he has lived
offering for each one of us
a living life’s testimony
creating a contemporary vision
a modern framework
for unraveling the mystery
of Christian faith
out of their story and his own



June 10, 2007 16:54
Romans 4:13-25 & Hebrews 11:1-10
based on the sermon, “Hearing Faith”, by
the Reverend Orin D. Watson, retired ordained
elder with the Illinois Great Rivers Conference
of the United Methodist Church, a pastor for over
60 years, and a wonderful witness to faith




All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,450+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

A Witness to Faith

He spoke from the pulpit
of a life of service; but really
as a witness to faith
what it means to be a Christian
in out hearts, in our suffering,
in our way of living our lives
faithfully comforting, offering salve
a balm to our neighbors’
troubled souls, to believe
in the faith of our fathers,
Abraham’s faith, beyond reason
the unseen works of God,
His grace acting in our lives still
echoed through the years
murmured in his prayer


June 10, 2007 16:44
Romans 4:13-25 & Hebrews 11:1-10
based on the sermon, “Hearing Faith”, by
the Reverend Orin D. Watson, retired ordained
elder with the Illinois Great Rivers Conference
of the United Methodist Church, a pastor for over
60 years, and a wonderful witness to faith


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 20,780+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Faith as a Dialogue with God

In their story, we see
a truth of the nature of faith
not only in the seeing
the seeing by believing
But also in the speaking,
the hearing of the word of God
having that personal
conversation with God
Reclaiming a connectedness
an active dialogue
directly with our faithful Savior,
our creator God


June 10, 2007 17:45
Romans 4:13-25 & Hebrews 11:1-10
based on the sermon, “Hearing Faith”, by
the Reverend Orin D. Watson, retired ordained
elder with the Illinois Great Rivers Conference
of the United Methodist Church, a pastor for over
60 years, and a wonderful witness to faith


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 20,780+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Faith to be Responsible

Self held in check
using faith, responsible for our actions
owning our choices
moving beyond our past
by faith, faith in the unseen
the continuing presence
of the ever-present
loving God
Able to turn by faith
to serve, wherever we are lead.


June 10, 2007 17:59
Romans 4:13-25 & Hebrews 11:1-10
based on the sermon, “Hearing Faith”, by
the Reverend Orin D. Watson, retired ordained
elder with the Illinois Great Rivers Conference
of the United Methodist Church, a pastor for over
60 years, and a wonderful witness to faith


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,440+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Imparting Wisdom, the Wisdom of Faith

Wisdom poured down,
palpable wisdom
like a living stream
pouring forth
from behind the pulpit
out onto the
hushed sanctuary

Octogenarian preaching on faith
a congregations listening
many his peers
nodding at the affirmations
the sage understandings
acknowledging real examples

Christian faith explained
nested scripture,
woven, joined with the
fabric of his life,
our common experiences
imparted wisdom, compassionately,
with authority


June 10, 2007 16:31
Romans 4:13-25 & Hebrews 11:1-10
based on the sermon, “Hearing Faith”, by
the Reverend Orin D. Watson, retired ordained
elder with the Illinois Great Rivers Conference
of the United Methodist Church, a pastor for over
60 years, and a wonderful witness to faith


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 20,780+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

More than His Words

More than the words
written and treasured
the words of the reformed apostle,
shared with Jew and gentile,
were the testimony, the witness
of the living saint
standing in the pulpit
this summer Sunday
Sharing a life of faith
woven with Paul’s own
lessons for us all
in faith and service


June 10, 2007 13:00
Romans 4:13-25 & Hebrews 11:1-10
based on the sermon, “Hearing Faith”, by
the Reverend Orin D. Watson, retired ordained
elder with the Illinois Great Rivers Conference
of the United Methodist Church, a pastor for over
60 years, and a wonderful witness to faith


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 20,780+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Pilgrims in the World

One of the messages, the truths
in understanding the living by faith
our place here
our relationship to others
on this mortal coil
It is as pilgrims, missionaries
pilgrims at work
in the world, acting in faith
to go where we are sent,
being in the world,
not of the world.
Being set apart, as of the Judges,
trying our best, day by day
to walk, like the patriarchs,
the matriarch, by faith


June 10, 2007 17:17
Romans 4:13-25 & Hebrews 11:1-10
based on the sermon, “Hearing Faith”, by
the Reverend Orin D. Watson, retired ordained
elder with the Illinois Great Rivers Conference
of the United Methodist Church, a pastor for over
60 years, and a wonderful witness to faith.


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,440+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Ready for Change

Now I understand,
at least a bit more,
the measure, the manifestation,
the proof of faith,
welling up within us

Being ready for change
for the calling of the Spirit
indwelling within us

Ready to serve
where we are lead
when we are called


June 10, 2007 17:26
Romans 4:13-25 & Hebrews 11:1-10
based on the sermon, “Hearing Faith”, by
the Reverend Orin D. Watson, retired ordained
elder with the Illinois Great Rivers Conference
of the United Methodist Church, a pastor for over
60 years, and a wonderful witness to faith


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 20,780+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Something of Heaven

He reminded us
of a truth too oft’ forgotten
faith can afford, offers
a glimpse, a foreshadowing
a foretaste

Something of heaven
can be here with us
out of the dialogue
the hearing of the message
the voice of God
a relationship, a way of life
emboldening us, lifting us
within the realities of earth;
something of heaven here


June 10, 2007 16:36
Romans 4:13-25 & Hebrews 11:1-10
based on the sermon, “Hearing Faith”, by
the Reverend Orin D. Watson, retired ordained
elder with the Illinois Great Rivers Conference
of the United Methodist Church, a pastor for over
60 years, and a wonderful witness to faith


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,440+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Stepping into the Unknown

Faith empowers, liberates
removes the chains, the weights,
the shackles on their feet,
the spirits of their lives
Enabling the faithful
emboldening them
to leave the familiar
the comfortable, stretch, grow
move out in faith
into the new, the unknown


June 10, 2007 17:53
Romans 4:13-25 & Hebrews 11:1-10
based on the sermon, “Hearing Faith”, by
the Reverend Orin D. Watson, retired ordained
elder with the Illinois Great Rivers Conference
of the United Methodist Church, a pastor for over
60 years, and a wonderful witness to faith


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 19,440+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.