A line of sun growing against the wall of the house
warmed by the edge of the foundation
a line of flowers to come, a single stalk,
still weeks away, anticipated still
watering the sun, the giant flowers
that will bless our garden
soon enough. A line of sun
growing to the sky, tended a bit
watered in the rich soil
our patch of dirt
by the door
July 7, 2007
see postings of the flowers
11 months earlier on the blog
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 19,720+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
Saturday, July 07, 2007
A Lucky Day
Three signs of completeness
holy perfection,
three sevens,
month, day, year
all aligned, all balances,
sevens across the board
What a wondrous moment
oh happy day
July 7, 2007
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 19,460+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
holy perfection,
three sevens,
month, day, year
all aligned, all balances,
sevens across the board
What a wondrous moment
oh happy day
July 7, 2007
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 19,460+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
Friday, July 06, 2007
Parsing the Parable
“And who is our neighbor?”,
a lawyer asked so long ago,
testing the Teacher,
to know the meaning of the
law, the actors in the words.
Needing the definition section
of the law, to understand the limits,
the bounds, of the command,
the scope of the edict,
“to love our neighbors as ourselves”.
An answer in a parable,
itself needing context,
interpretation, to understand
the ancient law, and
the changed message,
the Good News.
A broadening of the
bounds, the limits,
who is our neighbor
How we act, not who we are,
that defines the term,
and that makes all the difference.
July 6, 2007 7:23am
Luke 10:25-37
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 19,460+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
a lawyer asked so long ago,
testing the Teacher,
to know the meaning of the
law, the actors in the words.
Needing the definition section
of the law, to understand the limits,
the bounds, of the command,
the scope of the edict,
“to love our neighbors as ourselves”.
An answer in a parable,
itself needing context,
interpretation, to understand
the ancient law, and
the changed message,
the Good News.
A broadening of the
bounds, the limits,
who is our neighbor
How we act, not who we are,
that defines the term,
and that makes all the difference.
July 6, 2007 7:23am
Luke 10:25-37
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 19,460+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
Samaritan Love
A lesson of service,
of comfort, of love
An unlikely instrument
of the Savior’s teachings
A testing question,
a lawyer’s challenge
and the Messiah’s answer
on who is the good neighbor,
just as gentiles, and sinners
embody His other truths
July 5, 2007 20:10
Luke 10:25-37
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 19,460+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
of comfort, of love
An unlikely instrument
of the Savior’s teachings
A testing question,
a lawyer’s challenge
and the Messiah’s answer
on who is the good neighbor,
just as gentiles, and sinners
embody His other truths
July 5, 2007 20:10
Luke 10:25-37
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 19,460+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
Thursday, July 05, 2007
A Big Gapped Grin
She stood there,
at the top of the stair
with hand outstretched
for me to view
her first tooth,
clutched like a butterfly
in her palm
Grinning ear to ear
with pride
and the knowing
of the coins to come
from the beloved
tooth fairy
July 5, 2007 12:08
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 19,460+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
at the top of the stair
with hand outstretched
for me to view
her first tooth,
clutched like a butterfly
in her palm
Grinning ear to ear
with pride
and the knowing
of the coins to come
from the beloved
tooth fairy
July 5, 2007 12:08
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 19,460+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
Wednesday, July 04, 2007
Without Freedom Still
We gathered, took time off,
pondered our freedom,
on the anniversary
our Declaration of Independence
when we dissolved the political bonds
when we proclaimed, to the world,
what we hoped for, what we believed in
as a people, set apart,
that we hold these truths to be self-evident,
that we are born equal, each one,
that the creator gave us unalienable rights,
life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
How wondrous are those words,
how much we have achieved
casting off the chains that hold us back
how far we have to go; but
We are free, by most measures
How hard life must be
in the many places on the globe
where people are not yet free
where there are people still
in the grip of slavery, in bondage,
in fear for their lives,
for their children’s lives
for any kind of future
for religious persecution,
indiscriminant death
How blind we are,
to the realities around the world
How silent we are
to the evil that stalks this sphere
How much more we could do
if we took our freedoms more seriously
and invested in justice
to the four corners
of this troubled planet
July 4, 2007 20:36
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 19,720+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
pondered our freedom,
on the anniversary
our Declaration of Independence
when we dissolved the political bonds
when we proclaimed, to the world,
what we hoped for, what we believed in
as a people, set apart,
that we hold these truths to be self-evident,
that we are born equal, each one,
that the creator gave us unalienable rights,
life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
How wondrous are those words,
how much we have achieved
casting off the chains that hold us back
how far we have to go; but
We are free, by most measures
How hard life must be
in the many places on the globe
where people are not yet free
where there are people still
in the grip of slavery, in bondage,
in fear for their lives,
for their children’s lives
for any kind of future
for religious persecution,
indiscriminant death
How blind we are,
to the realities around the world
How silent we are
to the evil that stalks this sphere
How much more we could do
if we took our freedoms more seriously
and invested in justice
to the four corners
of this troubled planet
July 4, 2007 20:36
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 19,720+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
The World Factbook - by the CIA
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/index.html
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 19,460+ 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 19,460+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
Safe in My Bed
Before I rise to start my day
I felt a need to stop and pray
for the men and women of our land
who are out there in the world taking a stand
to guard the dark places to keep us free
to watch for the enemy behind the rock, the tree
Remembering the mettle of this day
when people stood for freedom, so our children may play,
to live in a land that is truly free
and be safe in my bed in tranquility.
We celebrate the words in the Declaration this day
but we need to remember to stop and pray
that the words mean nothing without the grit
and the people who have been willing to commit
to the dangerous work of protecting this dream
to fight for our country and keep it from harm
So we rise this morning from our safe beds
and know that our country has nothing to dread
because there are people on guard
out there in the world
We pray for their safety,
each mother, each son,
and pray for their return
when their work is done
July 4, 2007 7:41
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 19,460+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
I felt a need to stop and pray
for the men and women of our land
who are out there in the world taking a stand
to guard the dark places to keep us free
to watch for the enemy behind the rock, the tree
Remembering the mettle of this day
when people stood for freedom, so our children may play,
to live in a land that is truly free
and be safe in my bed in tranquility.
We celebrate the words in the Declaration this day
but we need to remember to stop and pray
that the words mean nothing without the grit
and the people who have been willing to commit
to the dangerous work of protecting this dream
to fight for our country and keep it from harm
So we rise this morning from our safe beds
and know that our country has nothing to dread
because there are people on guard
out there in the world
We pray for their safety,
each mother, each son,
and pray for their return
when their work is done
July 4, 2007 7:41
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 19,460+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
He is the one who said it
A minor epiphany
at the dinner table tonight,
reading the devotional
the familiar story, the
wondrous words, of God’s love
“For God so loved the world
that he gave his only begotten son”
Words that nourish, that uplift
that remind us of the Father,
the parent; But, the context,
the speaker, is the story
This is Jesus proclaiming
the love of God in giving
Himself, to save us
this broken world
by His presence on Earth
without mincing words,
with no sugar coating.
I am here, on his earth
because the father loved, loves
will always love
the living Son,
proclaiming
the Father’s
love
July 3, 2007 19:40
John 3:1-21
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 19,460+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
at the dinner table tonight,
reading the devotional
the familiar story, the
wondrous words, of God’s love
“For God so loved the world
that he gave his only begotten son”
Words that nourish, that uplift
that remind us of the Father,
the parent; But, the context,
the speaker, is the story
This is Jesus proclaiming
the love of God in giving
Himself, to save us
this broken world
by His presence on Earth
without mincing words,
with no sugar coating.
I am here, on his earth
because the father loved, loves
will always love
the living Son,
proclaiming
the Father’s
love
July 3, 2007 19:40
John 3:1-21
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 19,460+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
Her Smiling Face
I think I will always remember
that picture, for the rest of my life
Her smiling face,
under the white mortarboard
finally ready, to step beyond
the school, her struggles,
to move forward into her future
with greater confidence,
more poise, rekindled energy,
because she stuck it out,
didn’t let them win,
and got the sheepskin
July 3, 2007 18:39
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 19,460+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
that picture, for the rest of my life
Her smiling face,
under the white mortarboard
finally ready, to step beyond
the school, her struggles,
to move forward into her future
with greater confidence,
more poise, rekindled energy,
because she stuck it out,
didn’t let them win,
and got the sheepskin
July 3, 2007 18:39
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 19,460+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
Mommy 2
I can’t sing with you
except I can do a poem
I can do it like
I can do for the
fireworks show
I know how you feel
but I can’t really sing with you
I’m going to be sitting on my towel
I’m going to be sharing my towel with daddy.
Mommy, I am so glad
I can sing with you
after I do my poem
One day because I wanted to do it
this is the night when I falled off the seat dad
I know, I really know when I falled off the seat
and momma, I love you
July 3, 2007 3:00pm & second stanza 3:04pm
Poem by Shanequa Lynn Foss, age 5 (and a half)
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 19,460+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
except I can do a poem
I can do it like
I can do for the
fireworks show
I know how you feel
but I can’t really sing with you
I’m going to be sitting on my towel
I’m going to be sharing my towel with daddy.
Mommy, I am so glad
I can sing with you
after I do my poem
One day because I wanted to do it
this is the night when I falled off the seat dad
I know, I really know when I falled off the seat
and momma, I love you
July 3, 2007 3:00pm & second stanza 3:04pm
Poem by Shanequa Lynn Foss, age 5 (and a half)
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 19,460+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
Mommy
I can’t sing with you
except I can do a poem
I can do it like
I can do for the
fireworks show
I know how you feel
but I can’t really sing with you
I’m going to be sitting on my towel
I’m going to be sharing my towel with daddy.
July 3, 2007 3:00pm
Poem by Shanequa Lynn Foss, age 5 (and a half)
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 19,460+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
except I can do a poem
I can do it like
I can do for the
fireworks show
I know how you feel
but I can’t really sing with you
I’m going to be sitting on my towel
I’m going to be sharing my towel with daddy.
July 3, 2007 3:00pm
Poem by Shanequa Lynn Foss, age 5 (and a half)
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 19,460+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
Mom Oh Mom
Mom oh Mom
Look at that star
oh that second star
to the left
mommy.
July 3, 2007 2:58pm
Poem by Shyanne Louise Foss, age 7
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 19,460+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
Look at that star
oh that second star
to the left
mommy.
July 3, 2007 2:58pm
Poem by Shyanne Louise Foss, age 7
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 19,460+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
Monday, July 02, 2007
Facing East
The mornings
burst into my room
sharing the sunrise
the waking of the world
the cacophony of day
shining into me
reflecting off the water,
the plate of the sky
the mirage of the night
bleeding into memory
lighting my dawning
in brilliant white
July 2, 2007 23:21
burst into my room
sharing the sunrise
the waking of the world
the cacophony of day
shining into me
reflecting off the water,
the plate of the sky
the mirage of the night
bleeding into memory
lighting my dawning
in brilliant white
July 2, 2007 23:21
Facing East
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 30,800+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.
It was at Night
It was at Night
that I learned the most
about that magical place
that dark and smoky,
shadowed and garish space
with sights and sounds
unlike any other
brooding and frolic,
escape and oh so real
a city with rhythms
excesses, hot sauce
and jazz
July 2, 2007 23:10
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 19,460+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
that I learned the most
about that magical place
that dark and smoky,
shadowed and garish space
with sights and sounds
unlike any other
brooding and frolic,
escape and oh so real
a city with rhythms
excesses, hot sauce
and jazz
July 2, 2007 23:10
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 19,460+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
Thirsting
Thirsting for the relationship
the connection, the knowing
of the Creator, wanting to feel
the presence of the Lord,
to be like Moses, like Elijah,
to stand before God, and live
to tell of the rush of the wind,
the quaking of the earth,
the voice out of the burning flames
the still small voice
reverberating in my mind, in my chest,
hearing the words of God,
spoken to me, for me, alone
Needing to be one with the earth,
the sky, the rhythms of life
as set in motion,
at the beginning of time
thirsting for answers
to questions to large to comprehend
knowing I know so little,
can understand less still
caught in the parables of life
the lessons hidden, just a bit
from transparent view,
wanting to know more fully
the mysteries we cannot unravel
July 2, 2007 22:50
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 19,460+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
the connection, the knowing
of the Creator, wanting to feel
the presence of the Lord,
to be like Moses, like Elijah,
to stand before God, and live
to tell of the rush of the wind,
the quaking of the earth,
the voice out of the burning flames
the still small voice
reverberating in my mind, in my chest,
hearing the words of God,
spoken to me, for me, alone
Needing to be one with the earth,
the sky, the rhythms of life
as set in motion,
at the beginning of time
thirsting for answers
to questions to large to comprehend
knowing I know so little,
can understand less still
caught in the parables of life
the lessons hidden, just a bit
from transparent view,
wanting to know more fully
the mysteries we cannot unravel
July 2, 2007 22:50
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 19,460+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
A Picture of God
A picture of God
remains in the recesses
of my mind, an old
resistant strain, a long dormant
thread, a patronymic, ever reminding me
of the Father, the heavenly father figure
the bearded face, the outstretched finger
captured by Michelangelo, the father of the Son
But how do we know, how can we be so sure
that the face of God is the
Father, not the Mother,
not the sister, the brother?
Why can’t we let go
of the outmoded image,
buried deep into the synapses
anchored in the subconscious,
the old, familiar masculine voice,
the beneficent Creator, the nurturing mother
holding, protecting Her ordered world,
Love, the most feminine of virtues;
Lady Wisdom
She too is the face we see,
another face of God
July 2, 2007 22:21
remains in the recesses
of my mind, an old
resistant strain, a long dormant
thread, a patronymic, ever reminding me
of the Father, the heavenly father figure
the bearded face, the outstretched finger
captured by Michelangelo, the father of the Son
But how do we know, how can we be so sure
that the face of God is the
Father, not the Mother,
not the sister, the brother?
Why can’t we let go
of the outmoded image,
buried deep into the synapses
anchored in the subconscious,
the old, familiar masculine voice,
the beneficent Creator, the nurturing mother
holding, protecting Her ordered world,
Love, the most feminine of virtues;
Lady Wisdom
She too is the face we see,
another face of God
July 2, 2007 22:21
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 27,410+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.
Alive
I am alive in the spirit
living because of the sacrifice, the gift
of my Savior, the free and loving grace
of our Lord. How easy it is to share
to serve, to say the words of our faith,
“the blood of Christ shed for you”,
in the common holy meal,
the sharing of the remembrance
the joining in Communion
of the community of believers,
those who hear the Master’s voice
Who are His, and who He calls by name
How blessed are we, whom He loves
How alive are we, in that knowledge
July 2, 2007 16:22
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.
living because of the sacrifice, the gift
of my Savior, the free and loving grace
of our Lord. How easy it is to share
to serve, to say the words of our faith,
“the blood of Christ shed for you”,
in the common holy meal,
the sharing of the remembrance
the joining in Communion
of the community of believers,
those who hear the Master’s voice
Who are His, and who He calls by name
How blessed are we, whom He loves
How alive are we, in that knowledge
July 2, 2007 16:22
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.
Hunger
Oh how I hunger
for the nourishing of Your word
the feeding I receive
through spending time with You
feeling Your presence, Your message
for me in the ancient pages, the law,
the ordinances, the rules, the grace
in the gift of Your Son, so much meaning
dripping from the songs, the prophets,
the history, the parables, the lessons
for the reader, the listener, the sheep,
the servants, following the guidance
of the Spirit, the example of the Shepherd,
the one on whom the dove descended
Oh how I hunger, for You
July 2, 2007 16:09
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 19,460+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
for the nourishing of Your word
the feeding I receive
through spending time with You
feeling Your presence, Your message
for me in the ancient pages, the law,
the ordinances, the rules, the grace
in the gift of Your Son, so much meaning
dripping from the songs, the prophets,
the history, the parables, the lessons
for the reader, the listener, the sheep,
the servants, following the guidance
of the Spirit, the example of the Shepherd,
the one on whom the dove descended
Oh how I hunger, for You
July 2, 2007 16:09
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 19,460+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
Sunday, July 01, 2007
Slaves to One Another
Agape love, that is what Paul
calls us to exhibit, to live
to fall as servants, to meet
the needs of our neighbors.
as we would love ourselves,
so must we be to them,
if we all did so, what,
oh what would be
the state of this troubled world.
If we used our freedom,
given by the Creator, by the Savior
to reject our own desires,
and became slaves to one another.
July 1, 2007 19:09
Inspired by the sermon by the Reverend Lori Eldredge,
“The Pursuit of Freedom: License of Liberty”;
by the sermon by the Reverend Lori Eldredge
for Children’s Time, “Fresh Fruit”; and
by the Proclamation by the Worship Facilitator Alan Schulte,
for the Rejuvenation Service, “Do Not Submit to the Yoke of Slavery”,
all three based on Galatians 5:1 & Galatians 5:13-25,
7/1/07, Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH
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.
calls us to exhibit, to live
to fall as servants, to meet
the needs of our neighbors.
as we would love ourselves,
so must we be to them,
if we all did so, what,
oh what would be
the state of this troubled world.
If we used our freedom,
given by the Creator, by the Savior
to reject our own desires,
and became slaves to one another.
July 1, 2007 19:09
Inspired by the sermon by the Reverend Lori Eldredge,
“The Pursuit of Freedom: License of Liberty”;
by the sermon by the Reverend Lori Eldredge
for Children’s Time, “Fresh Fruit”; and
by the Proclamation by the Worship Facilitator Alan Schulte,
for the Rejuvenation Service, “Do Not Submit to the Yoke of Slavery”,
all three based on Galatians 5:1 & Galatians 5:13-25,
7/1/07, Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH
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.
Holy Freedom
Freedom, given by our God,
at such an awful cost
Freedom from the yoke
of sin, the separation from God
But a freedom with responsibility,
with risk, requiring of us
to exhibit, to live
holy fruits of the spirit
not the failings, the
spoiled fruit of the flesh,
Its desires.
Holy freedom is the
gift to serve, to commit,
to love our fellows,
to become a slave to
Your will for our lives
July 1, 2007 19:45
Inspired by the sermon by the Reverend Lori Eldredge,
“The Pursuit of Freedom: License of Liberty”;
by the sermon by the Reverend Lori Eldredge
for Children’s Time, “Fresh Fruit”; and
by the Proclamation by the Worship Facilitator Alan Schulte,
for the Rejuvenation Service, “Do Not Submit to the Yoke of Slavery”,
all three based on Galatians 5:1 & Galatians 5:13-25,
7/1/07, Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH
at such an awful cost
Freedom from the yoke
of sin, the separation from God
But a freedom with responsibility,
with risk, requiring of us
to exhibit, to live
holy fruits of the spirit
not the failings, the
spoiled fruit of the flesh,
Its desires.
Holy freedom is the
gift to serve, to commit,
to love our fellows,
to become a slave to
Your will for our lives
July 1, 2007 19:45
Inspired by the sermon by the Reverend Lori Eldredge,
“The Pursuit of Freedom: License of Liberty”;
by the sermon by the Reverend Lori Eldredge
for Children’s Time, “Fresh Fruit”; and
by the Proclamation by the Worship Facilitator Alan Schulte,
for the Rejuvenation Service, “Do Not Submit to the Yoke of Slavery”,
all three based on Galatians 5:1 & Galatians 5:13-25,
7/1/07, Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH
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.
Life in the Spirit
A life in the Spirit
that is the Pauline prayer
in the wisdom of the sermon,
the words of the writer,
calling each one to
take the freedom given,
to use it for the uplifting of the world
not the pleasures of the flesh,
to be the hands, the feet of the shepherd,
to prove balm, salve to the sick,
to aid and protect
to serve for the joy of the serving
to give because we can
not because we must
to take the freedom
and use it to free others
to share the wisdom and the love
the lessons in the word
and the words of the Savior.
July 1, 2007 14:57
inspired by the sermon by the Reverend Lori Eldredge,
“The Pursuit of Freedom: License of Liberty”,
based on Galatians 5:1 & Galatians 5:13-25,
7/1/07, Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH
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 19,460+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
that is the Pauline prayer
in the wisdom of the sermon,
the words of the writer,
calling each one to
take the freedom given,
to use it for the uplifting of the world
not the pleasures of the flesh,
to be the hands, the feet of the shepherd,
to prove balm, salve to the sick,
to aid and protect
to serve for the joy of the serving
to give because we can
not because we must
to take the freedom
and use it to free others
to share the wisdom and the love
the lessons in the word
and the words of the Savior.
July 1, 2007 14:57
inspired by the sermon by the Reverend Lori Eldredge,
“The Pursuit of Freedom: License of Liberty”,
based on Galatians 5:1 & Galatians 5:13-25,
7/1/07, Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH
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 19,460+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
A Yoke of Slavery
We have been given an incredible gift
all of us, Jew and gentile, saint and sinner,
a gift of freedom, casting off the yoke,
the yoke of slavery,
as was done for the chosen people
when they were lead out of Egypt
The hope we share, is greater still
for the grace which freed us, is more lasting
more certain, more easily held onto
the grace of the sacrifice of our risen Lord
standing on high, watching over us
Praying we will accept the gift of the Spirit,
will resist the temptation of the flesh,
will not put on another yoke of slavery
and lose the greatest gift of all
which was so freely given
July 1, 2007 14:51
inspired by the sermon by the Reverend Lori Eldredge,
“The Pursuit of Freedom: License of Liberty”,
based on Galatians 5:1 & Galatians 5:13-25,
7/1/07, Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH
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.
all of us, Jew and gentile, saint and sinner,
a gift of freedom, casting off the yoke,
the yoke of slavery,
as was done for the chosen people
when they were lead out of Egypt
The hope we share, is greater still
for the grace which freed us, is more lasting
more certain, more easily held onto
the grace of the sacrifice of our risen Lord
standing on high, watching over us
Praying we will accept the gift of the Spirit,
will resist the temptation of the flesh,
will not put on another yoke of slavery
and lose the greatest gift of all
which was so freely given
July 1, 2007 14:51
inspired by the sermon by the Reverend Lori Eldredge,
“The Pursuit of Freedom: License of Liberty”,
based on Galatians 5:1 & Galatians 5:13-25,
7/1/07, Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH
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 Clarion Invitation to Hope
Our words, as a people, repeated, enunciated,
emphasized for friend, for foe alike
the preambles of our sacred texts,
the Declaration of Independence,
the Constitution of these United States,
the Emancipation Proclamation too,
These words of power, of freedom, of liberty
are the words of Paul,
that oppressor turned prophet
here and elsewhere in Your Holy Word,
the words of live that inspired, imbued
the creation of this nation,
held together through war, through strife,
through Great Depression, flood, storm,
through earthquake and conflict
Being the chance for freedom, the place of refuge
the fruits of the spirit, if we will set aside
the ego, the id, the flesh
If we will choose more wisely
and fulfill the promise in our words,
our corporate words as a people,
echoing his words in the holy scriptures.
July 1, 2007 14:46
inspired by the sermon by the Reverend Lori Eldredge,
“The Pursuit of Freedom: License of Liberty”,
based on Galatians 5:1 & Galatians 5:13-25,
7/1/07, Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH
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 19,460+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
emphasized for friend, for foe alike
the preambles of our sacred texts,
the Declaration of Independence,
the Constitution of these United States,
the Emancipation Proclamation too,
These words of power, of freedom, of liberty
are the words of Paul,
that oppressor turned prophet
here and elsewhere in Your Holy Word,
the words of live that inspired, imbued
the creation of this nation,
held together through war, through strife,
through Great Depression, flood, storm,
through earthquake and conflict
Being the chance for freedom, the place of refuge
the fruits of the spirit, if we will set aside
the ego, the id, the flesh
If we will choose more wisely
and fulfill the promise in our words,
our corporate words as a people,
echoing his words in the holy scriptures.
July 1, 2007 14:46
inspired by the sermon by the Reverend Lori Eldredge,
“The Pursuit of Freedom: License of Liberty”,
based on Galatians 5:1 & Galatians 5:13-25,
7/1/07, Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH
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 19,460+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
Fresh Fruit
Bright, young faces
sitting on the steps, in the chancel
drinking in the words of the pastor
hearing of the fruits, understanding
perhaps a bit more than we,
the adults in the congregation
the simple truths of the gifts of the Spirit
Gifts from the Holy Spirit, living
within their tiny chests, growing
if we let them, into the children of God
adding love, joy, hope, learning patience
in the fidgeting bodies, ready to run, to play
Oh so precious souls, looking at her,
catching a furtive, smiling, glance at
mom, at dad, at loving grandparents
out in the pews. Sharing fruits with their pastor
Hearing and nodding to the words,
knowing a bit, we pray, so they can reflect
live, the fresh fruits of the Spirit
living, growing, like mustard seeds
within their young hearts
July 1, 2007 14:15
inspired by the sermon by the Reverend Lori Eldredge
for Children’s Time, “Fresh Fruit”,
based on Galatians 5:1 & Galatians 5:13-25,
7/1/07, Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH
sitting on the steps, in the chancel
drinking in the words of the pastor
hearing of the fruits, understanding
perhaps a bit more than we,
the adults in the congregation
the simple truths of the gifts of the Spirit
Gifts from the Holy Spirit, living
within their tiny chests, growing
if we let them, into the children of God
adding love, joy, hope, learning patience
in the fidgeting bodies, ready to run, to play
Oh so precious souls, looking at her,
catching a furtive, smiling, glance at
mom, at dad, at loving grandparents
out in the pews. Sharing fruits with their pastor
Hearing and nodding to the words,
knowing a bit, we pray, so they can reflect
live, the fresh fruits of the Spirit
living, growing, like mustard seeds
within their young hearts
July 1, 2007 14:15
inspired by the sermon by the Reverend Lori Eldredge
for Children’s Time, “Fresh Fruit”,
based on Galatians 5:1 & Galatians 5:13-25,
7/1/07, Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH
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.
Called to Freedom
We, in this land of plenty,
the hope of the world,
in the words, the meaning,
in our celebration about to begin,
the celebration of our birthing,
the freedoms we honor,
so long as they are not perverted,
tainted by the flesh,
Noble freedom, when blessed,
when nurtured, when there is
the indwelling of the Spirit,
the infused love of God,
the believing in the words,
the equality of all the people
Ours is a freedom of hope
a spiritual grounding in our birth
the belief we shared, and still do today
Shaken from our yoke of slavery
so long as we don’t put on a new one
July 1, 2007 14:08
inspired by the sermon by the Reverend Lori Eldredge,
“The Pursuit of Freedom: License of Liberty”,
based on Galatians 5:1 & Galatians 5:13-25,
7/1/07, Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH
the hope of the world,
in the words, the meaning,
in our celebration about to begin,
the celebration of our birthing,
the freedoms we honor,
so long as they are not perverted,
tainted by the flesh,
Noble freedom, when blessed,
when nurtured, when there is
the indwelling of the Spirit,
the infused love of God,
the believing in the words,
the equality of all the people
Ours is a freedom of hope
a spiritual grounding in our birth
the belief we shared, and still do today
Shaken from our yoke of slavery
so long as we don’t put on a new one
July 1, 2007 14:08
inspired by the sermon by the Reverend Lori Eldredge,
“The Pursuit of Freedom: License of Liberty”,
based on Galatians 5:1 & Galatians 5:13-25,
7/1/07, Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH
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.
Freedom To …
Ours is a freedom to,
not a freedom from,
a freedom to service others,
to live according to Christ’s example
to act, in commitment,
not merely a freedom from sin,
or a freedom from the law, the ancient
law, the code of the people
God’s given grace, the freedom,
the sacrifice of the Christ,
is a freedom to do, to be, to act
in this world, now
July 1, 2007 14:02
inspired by the sermon by the Reverend Lori Eldredge,
“The Pursuit of Freedom: License of Liberty”,
based on Galatians 5:1 & Galatians 5:13-25,
7/1/07, Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH
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.
not a freedom from,
a freedom to service others,
to live according to Christ’s example
to act, in commitment,
not merely a freedom from sin,
or a freedom from the law, the ancient
law, the code of the people
God’s given grace, the freedom,
the sacrifice of the Christ,
is a freedom to do, to be, to act
in this world, now
July 1, 2007 14:02
inspired by the sermon by the Reverend Lori Eldredge,
“The Pursuit of Freedom: License of Liberty”,
based on Galatians 5:1 & Galatians 5:13-25,
7/1/07, Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH
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.
Splatters of His Blood
Summer Sunday best
became splattered with His blood
in the intinction, the joining of
His body, His blood,
the dipping of the bread into the wine
the sharing of the meal
with the congregation
little droplets, stains of His blood
marking them as His own
remembering His sacrifice
in the seeing of the spots
the crimson stains
on their clothes
July 1, 2007 13:56
inspired by the my experience assisting
with the serving of Communion, 7/1/07,
Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH
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.
became splattered with His blood
in the intinction, the joining of
His body, His blood,
the dipping of the bread into the wine
the sharing of the meal
with the congregation
little droplets, stains of His blood
marking them as His own
remembering His sacrifice
in the seeing of the spots
the crimson stains
on their clothes
July 1, 2007 13:56
inspired by the my experience assisting
with the serving of Communion, 7/1/07,
Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH
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.
If only my people would listen to me
How much different, how oh so very different
would world history, human history
have been, if only the chosen
had listened to the master,
remembered the first few commandments
listened to God, in the clear language
in the quiet guidance
in the reproach and pleading
in the covenant and the grace
Heaped on those people
How little was asked
how much was given
But patience had limits
and free will didn’t
We struggle still today
with our listening,
the consequence of their choices
The voice of God is there still
calling us to the work of the Son
deep down, under the background noise
the cacophony of daily life
there still for those who would listen
How different we would be
is they, and we, truly listened
July 1, 2007 9:12am
Psalm 81:6-16 (Psalm 81:13)
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.
would world history, human history
have been, if only the chosen
had listened to the master,
remembered the first few commandments
listened to God, in the clear language
in the quiet guidance
in the reproach and pleading
in the covenant and the grace
Heaped on those people
How little was asked
how much was given
But patience had limits
and free will didn’t
We struggle still today
with our listening,
the consequence of their choices
The voice of God is there still
calling us to the work of the Son
deep down, under the background noise
the cacophony of daily life
there still for those who would listen
How different we would be
is they, and we, truly listened
July 1, 2007 9:12am
Psalm 81:6-16 (Psalm 81:13)
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.
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