We pray that Thy will, oh Lord
will be done, a prayer for the world
for the world for all time,
to be the heaven on earth
Thy kingdom here on earth
a safe place for man and God
a holy place, without war, with peace
that peaceable kingdom
a reality, if there were only Your will
in force, subsuming, replacing the will of man
of each one of us, flawed human choices
that created the schism
between man and God
at the very beginning.
As the Son said,
in the moment of crisis.
Thy will be done, Father
Matthew 6:9-13
Isaiah 11:1-10
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Hallowed be Thy name
Hallowed be Thy name,
Father God, author of all
that was and is and will be
of the here and now, of the future
that is yet to be
author, creator, imaginer of
worlds too great for us to fathom
for truths to deep to perceive
Hallowed by Thy name
for the love you have heaped
on your creation, the things in it
each one of us, blessed by the breath of life
your breath, giving us breath, air to breath
Hallowed by Thy name
for the wonders of relationship
for trials and tribulations
for happiness and sorrow
for beginnings and endings
Hallowed by Thy name
for your desire to be with us
to walk with us as in the garden
to bring us back to you
for this and so much more
Hallowed by Thy name
December 15, 2007
Matthew 6:9-13
Father God, author of all
that was and is and will be
of the here and now, of the future
that is yet to be
author, creator, imaginer of
worlds too great for us to fathom
for truths to deep to perceive
Hallowed by Thy name
for the love you have heaped
on your creation, the things in it
each one of us, blessed by the breath of life
your breath, giving us breath, air to breath
Hallowed by Thy name
for the wonders of relationship
for trials and tribulations
for happiness and sorrow
for beginnings and endings
Hallowed by Thy name
for your desire to be with us
to walk with us as in the garden
to bring us back to you
for this and so much more
Hallowed by Thy name
December 15, 2007
Matthew 6:9-13
A Flotilla of Notes in a Bottle
Each poem, each post, each email
send out into the ether, the internet,
the realm of cyberspace, each one
a note, a prayer, a question, a thought
scratched, written, rolled and placed
purposely, gently into, a clear bottle
sent into the ocean, the stream, the unknown
hoping to find a welcoming shore
December 15, 2007
send out into the ether, the internet,
the realm of cyberspace, each one
a note, a prayer, a question, a thought
scratched, written, rolled and placed
purposely, gently into, a clear bottle
sent into the ocean, the stream, the unknown
hoping to find a welcoming shore
December 15, 2007
Holy Prophets
Like Isaiah, John in the river,
Jesus, the Christ,
we are to be holy prophets
sharing the Good News
to all the people, all the captives,
all of us sinners
Not fortune tellers,
not seers of the future,
the future none of us has seen
We are to be witness to the works,
to be workers in the world
missionaries of our Father, our Brother
giving hope, comfort, assurance
of that future,
that steadfast love of God
present since the creation
present still, all around us
in every means of grace
we see
December 15, 2007
Psalm 146:5-10, Isaiah 61:1-2, Luke 4:18-19,
Matthew 28:18-20
Jesus, the Christ,
we are to be holy prophets
sharing the Good News
to all the people, all the captives,
all of us sinners
Not fortune tellers,
not seers of the future,
the future none of us has seen
We are to be witness to the works,
to be workers in the world
missionaries of our Father, our Brother
giving hope, comfort, assurance
of that future,
that steadfast love of God
present since the creation
present still, all around us
in every means of grace
we see
December 15, 2007
Psalm 146:5-10, Isaiah 61:1-2, Luke 4:18-19,
Matthew 28:18-20
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Snow Colored
The sky, the air, everything, everywhere I look
not a fog, a filter, a screen, a white veneer
lowering, darkening, all before the first flake
mingles with the air, tumbles and falls to the ground
a palpable film over my vision
as the storm approaches
December 13, 2007
not a fog, a filter, a screen, a white veneer
lowering, darkening, all before the first flake
mingles with the air, tumbles and falls to the ground
a palpable film over my vision
as the storm approaches
December 13, 2007
Daily Bread – 1
Lord, we bow in prayer, the prayer you taught us
taught the disciples, so long ago
and we affirm the faith we share
with those peoples in the desert
who grumbled and feared,
regretting the comfort of their oppression
the security of their imprisonment
who feared the unknown
more than the Pharaoh’s whip
How you gave them just enough
each day, for year on year, day on day
to sustain them in their journey
their journey to regain their faith
How much we too,
comfortable in our space
need to remember your provision,
your providence, oh Lord, Almighty God
Count on you to provide
so long as we do your will
in this place
as we discern your will
through bowing in prayer
to hear your voice, your call
for this generation
December 13, 2007
Matthew 6:9-13
taught the disciples, so long ago
and we affirm the faith we share
with those peoples in the desert
who grumbled and feared,
regretting the comfort of their oppression
the security of their imprisonment
who feared the unknown
more than the Pharaoh’s whip
How you gave them just enough
each day, for year on year, day on day
to sustain them in their journey
their journey to regain their faith
How much we too,
comfortable in our space
need to remember your provision,
your providence, oh Lord, Almighty God
Count on you to provide
so long as we do your will
in this place
as we discern your will
through bowing in prayer
to hear your voice, your call
for this generation
December 13, 2007
Matthew 6:9-13
Thy Will
Thy Will be done
here, now, in this place
this creation, this earth
This place where you have birthed me
where we share this space together
members of your body here
So is the prayer, within the prayer
you taught us Lord
that the Father’s will
will be done
here, on earth
So we pray each time we join
into one voice, echoing
up to the rafters
or down to the floor, heads bowed
in prayer
That we would do your will
and trust in you
for our Daily Bread
December 13, 2007
Matthew 6:9-13
here, now, in this place
this creation, this earth
This place where you have birthed me
where we share this space together
members of your body here
So is the prayer, within the prayer
you taught us Lord
that the Father’s will
will be done
here, on earth
So we pray each time we join
into one voice, echoing
up to the rafters
or down to the floor, heads bowed
in prayer
That we would do your will
and trust in you
for our Daily Bread
December 13, 2007
Matthew 6:9-13
Meditations
Devotions, reading the word
every day, messages
for me, if I will listen, pay attention
words written for me, for instruction,
reflection, to ease my disquiet,
to lean on, words of grace, of faith,
of trust in the Lord. Words given
by other saints, sinners, on the journey
we all share, individually
Words on the page,
written for each of us
to ponder and to put into action
December 13, 2007
every day, messages
for me, if I will listen, pay attention
words written for me, for instruction,
reflection, to ease my disquiet,
to lean on, words of grace, of faith,
of trust in the Lord. Words given
by other saints, sinners, on the journey
we all share, individually
Words on the page,
written for each of us
to ponder and to put into action
December 13, 2007
First Born
First Born of the creation,
of the resurrection of the dead
at the beginning, someone to share
the wonders of the creation
our Savior. Timeless and yet human
at the beginning and in the stable laid down
with Him at the start, the instance of time
and born anew by the virgin, raised after death
to rise and sit on high, waiting for the father
to send him back here, once more
to bring us all home
December 13, 2007
Based on Colossians 1:11-20 and the sermon,
“Imaging Jesus”, by the Reverend Lori Eldredge,
Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH
November 25, 2007
of the resurrection of the dead
at the beginning, someone to share
the wonders of the creation
our Savior. Timeless and yet human
at the beginning and in the stable laid down
with Him at the start, the instance of time
and born anew by the virgin, raised after death
to rise and sit on high, waiting for the father
to send him back here, once more
to bring us all home
December 13, 2007
Based on Colossians 1:11-20 and the sermon,
“Imaging Jesus”, by the Reverend Lori Eldredge,
Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH
November 25, 2007
Oaks
After the rains,
the cold heavy fall rains,
there was
a different forest, a change
shades of brown, of yellow,
the oaks, birches, the duller
evergreens, replacing
the brighter cousins,
maples and others
darker brown, grayer green
foretelling the winter to come
the fall rains, stripping away
the colors, hunkering down
for winter
December 13, 2007
the cold heavy fall rains,
there was
a different forest, a change
shades of brown, of yellow,
the oaks, birches, the duller
evergreens, replacing
the brighter cousins,
maples and others
darker brown, grayer green
foretelling the winter to come
the fall rains, stripping away
the colors, hunkering down
for winter
December 13, 2007
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Black Ice
What was the weather forecast,
what did they say? Black ice?
Words that harken back, bring me
to a moment of sadness, of loss
Seeing you, the car, the chaos
Black ice, no control, nowhere to go
between the shoulders, the lines,
unknown when or where
the ice had taken over
where the surface was no more
and the ice was in control
Hidden danger, black ice
what did they say? Black ice?
Words that harken back, bring me
to a moment of sadness, of loss
Seeing you, the car, the chaos
Black ice, no control, nowhere to go
between the shoulders, the lines,
unknown when or where
the ice had taken over
where the surface was no more
and the ice was in control
Hidden danger, black ice
=====
edited January 11, 2016
Black Ice – v4
(editing version 3)
edited September 1, 2012
Black Ice – v3
Edited August 31, 2012
“Black Ice – v2”
December 12, 2007
“Black Ice”
------
edited December 29, 2015
Demons – v2
edited December 29, 2015
Did You Hear Her Cry – v2
edited December 29, 2015
The Crash – v2
posted February 14, 2004
(the 13th
anniversary of my father’s fatal accident)
written June 18, 2001
10:54pm
The Crash
about my
father's death
February 14,
1991
and my car accident
the day I applied to law
school
edited December 18, 2015
The Submariner – v2
&
edited December 17, 2015
Meticulous – v2
&
edited December 18, 2015
Adam Asked – v2
==========
edited October 22, 2015
Did you brace for impact –
v2
edicted October 22, 2015
Mile Marker 19 – v8
(editing original)
edited October 5, 2015
Like the Venus Fly Trap –
v9
(editing version 5)
&
edited October 3, 2015
Why on this day – v3
(editing original)
edited October 19, 2014
Why on this day – v2
July 1, 2014
Why on this day
“My Prayers Weekend!”
“Next Day Stretch”
draft a note to God
about a day when you
struggled
with a big question
for June 29, 2014
read June 30, 2014
&
edited June 27, 2014
A vivid memory – v2
June 27, 2014
A vivid memory
Matthew 28:20 (NRSV)
Romans 8:31-39
Upper Room Daily
Devotional
“In Dark Times”
by Don Greeley
about Post Traumatic
Stress Disorder
for June 26, 2014
read June 27, 2014
Upper Room Daily
Devotional
for March and April 2014
&
edited August 15, 2015
Here it comes – v3
(editing version 2)
edited January 12, 2014
Here it comes – v2
January 12, 2014
Here it comes
January 12, 2014
I am not ready
(conversation by Dean
McKenney about his
bad car accident 40 years
ago)
January 12, 2014
an accounting to God
January 12, 2014
Honor their walk
Romans 14:10-12
Romans 14:1-12
Romans 14
Men’s Bible Study
led by Steve Curtis
Stetson Memorial United
Methodist Church
Patten, ME
January 12, 2014
&
edited August 4, 2015
Like the Venus Fly Trap –
v8
(editing version 5)
edited May
9, 2015
Ten Years –
v2
April 23,
2004
Ten Years
see also
-------
edited January
11, 2014
Mile Marker 19
– v7
(editing
version 6)
Edited
November 9, 2013
Mile Marker 19
– v6
(editing
version 3)
-------
edited March 21, 2015
Like the Venus Fly Trap –
v7
(editing version 5)
edited December 3, 2014
Like the Venus Fly Trap –
v6
(editing version 3)
Edited November 9, 2013
“Like the Venus Fly Trap –
v5”
Edited October
24, 2013
“Like the
Venus Fly Trap – v4”
Edited October
11, 2013
“Like the
Venus Fly Trap – v3”
Edited
December 26, 2012
“Like the
Venus Fly Trap – v2”
December 20,
2012
“Like the Venus
Fly Trap”
edited February 11, 2014
“hiding in the ice – v9”
edited January 4, 2014
“hiding in the ice – v8”
(editing version 5)
Edited September 28, 2013
“hiding in the ice – v7”
(editing version 3)
Edited September 28, 2013
“hiding in the ice – v6”
(editing version 2)
Edited September 25, 2013
“hiding in the ice – v5”
Edited August 2, 2013
“hiding in the ice – v4”
Edited December 26, 2012
“hiding in the ice – v3”
Edited December 21, 2012
“hiding in the ice – v2”
December 21, 2012
“hiding in the ice”
Edited December 26, 2012
“Animated / Evil – v2”
December 20, 2012
“Animated / Evil”
Edited December 26, 2012
“A latent danger – v3”
December 20, 2012
“A latent danger – v2”
“A latent danger”
Edited December 26, 2012
“Smiling in the freezing –
v2”
December 20, 2012
“Smiling in the freezing”
Edited December 26, 2012
“A frozen trap – v2
December 20, 2012
“A frozen trap”
Edited December 26, 2012
“was the road innocent –
v2”
December 21, 2012
“was the road innocent”
Edited December 26, 2012
“Did the ice know – v2”
December 20, 2012
“Did the ice know”
series of new poems
also about my father’s
death,
after reviewing poem by
Jacob Montgomery,
“Icy Lanes”,
(see more of his poems at:
and exchanging emails with
him about that poem
and my father’s death
2/14/1991
&
Edited August 22, 2013
“eyes not shut – v2”
August 22, 2013
“eyes not shut”
a poem in conjured after
reading poem
“TATTOOS AND ATTITUDE”
by Chip Bergeron
&
Edited
September 20, 2012
new poem, “Did
you brace for impact”
&
Edited
September 20, 2012
“Mile Marker
19 – v5”
&
Edited September
12, 2012
“Mile Marker
19 – v4”
editing
version 2 below
&
Edited
September 12, 2012
“Mile Marker
19 – v3”
editing the
original again
inspired by
reading it at Poets’ Corner
monthly poetry
reading,
at the Suncook
Senior Center
September 10,
2012
&
edited June 6,
2012 (adding an additional last stanza)
“Mile Marker
19 – v2”
&
October 2, 2011
Did You Hear Her Cry
after rereading earlier
poem,
“Mile Marker 19”
&
Edited April 23, 2013
“No Life in Your Eyes –
v2”
February 11, 2011
“No Life in Your Eyes”
remembering the 20th
anniversary
of my father’s death,
February 14, 1991
written at the House of
Purpose coffeehouse
Hillsboro, NH
February 11, 2011
&
new poem February 11, 2014
Where you are scattered
posted March 22, 2004
written 2/26/2001
Adam Asked
posted March 18, 2004
written March 6, 2001
Meticulous
posted March 17, 2004
written 3/2/2001 and
3/5/2001
The Submariner
posted February 18, 2004
edited April 25, 2015
Home Again – v2
edited April 23, 2015
Your final resting place –
v2
edited April 25, 2015
Ashes – v2
March 2, 2001
“Ashes”
posted February 18, 2004
March 2, 2001
“Home Again”
&
posted March 10, 2004
written April 3, 2001
8:47am
Demons
&
posted February
8, 2004
original
version written 5/20/2000
“Mile Marker
19”
posted to my
blog on February 8, 2004,
as the 15th poem put on the site -
about my
father’s fatal car accident
near Mile
Marker 19
on the
Spaulding Turnpike
Rochester, NH
February 14,
1991 at 7:02pm
Valentine’s
Day
All of my poems and
photographs 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 (raymondafoss@gmail.com)
for usage. See all 40,620+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
Amethyst
Haunting, warming color
amethyst glass, showing itself
out of the dirt at the bottle dump
Sitting pristine in the corner cabinet
catching the light
shade of violet, paling skin, transparent,
translucent, quartz
emergent color
glinting in the sun
-----------
poem, poetry, color, light, sunset, darkness, beauty, nature, night, day, dusk, twilight, God, creation, sky,
#poetry #poem #color #light #sunset #darkness #beauty
#nature #night #day #dusk #twilight #God #creation #sky
--------
poetry, God, nature, color, rose quartz, sky, sunset, darkness, St. Augustine,
#poetry #God #nature #color #rosequartz #sky #sunset #darkness #StAugustine
amethyst glass, showing itself
out of the dirt at the bottle dump
Sitting pristine in the corner cabinet
catching the light
shade of violet, paling skin, transparent,
translucent, quartz
emergent color
glinting in the sun
----------------
December 12, 2007
Amethyst
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2007/12/amethyst.html
&
May 13, 2024
A rose-quartz sky
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/a-rose-quartz-sky.html
&
edited August 22, 2021
red sunset turning to mauve, to plum – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2021/08/red-sunset-turning-to-mauve-to-plum-v3.html
edited March 9, 2021
bands of plum, of amethysts - v5
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2021/03/bands-of-plum-of-amethysts-v5.html
&
edited March 21, 2021
Apricot and Periwinkle - v6
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2021/03/apricot-and-periwinkle-v6.html
original Written 8/28/00 at 10:20 at night
Swain’s Lake, Barrington, NH
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted
by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008,
2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 202
2022, 2023, and 2024. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss
(raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 53,000+ of my poems at
www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
--------------------
poetry, Nature, creator, amethyst, hope, sun, colors, poem, light, Poetry Where You Live, Family, purple, God,
poetry #Nature #creator #amethyst #hope #sun #colors #poem
#light #Family #purple #God
December 12, 2007
Amethyst
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2007/12/amethyst.html
&
May 13, 2024
A rose-quartz sky
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2024/05/a-rose-quartz-sky.html
&
edited August 22, 2021
red sunset turning to mauve, to plum – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2021/08/red-sunset-turning-to-mauve-to-plum-v3.html
edited March 9, 2021
bands of plum, of amethysts - v5
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2021/03/bands-of-plum-of-amethysts-v5.html
&
edited March 21, 2021
Apricot and Periwinkle - v6
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2021/03/apricot-and-periwinkle-v6.html
original Written 8/28/00 at 10:20 at night
Swain’s Lake, Barrington, NH
poetry, Nature, creator, amethyst, hope, sun, colors, poem, light, Poetry Where You Live, Family, purple, God,
-----------
poem, poetry, color, light, sunset, darkness, beauty, nature, night, day, dusk, twilight, God, creation, sky,
poetry, God, nature, color, rose quartz, sky, sunset, darkness, St. Augustine,
#poetry #God #nature #color #rosequartz #sky #sunset #darkness #StAugustine
Cemetery Stones
Tactile memories
in the cemetery stones
visual reflections of the times
the ages in which the country knew
imagery of hell, of heaven,
of lives as they were lived,
or of how they want to be remembered
tactile granite, marble, slate,
yielding in their turn to the rain,
the ice, the lichen, the moss,
the wind, the ages
Hear the whispers in the wind
the feel of the cemetery stones
rough, cool, smooth
places of remembrance
to be felt
December 12, 2007
in the cemetery stones
visual reflections of the times
the ages in which the country knew
imagery of hell, of heaven,
of lives as they were lived,
or of how they want to be remembered
tactile granite, marble, slate,
yielding in their turn to the rain,
the ice, the lichen, the moss,
the wind, the ages
Hear the whispers in the wind
the feel of the cemetery stones
rough, cool, smooth
places of remembrance
to be felt
December 12, 2007
Snail Tracks
Down by the water’s edge
in the space between the tides
tiny little roads for one
the furrowed rows
meandering to the sea
of the snails cast by the surf
up onto the beach
purposely fighting
to push their way
into the water
for dear life
Struggling but persevering
because they must
December 12, 2007
in the space between the tides
tiny little roads for one
the furrowed rows
meandering to the sea
of the snails cast by the surf
up onto the beach
purposely fighting
to push their way
into the water
for dear life
Struggling but persevering
because they must
December 12, 2007
Freshly turned soil
Something about the forty something temperature
the warm rain yesterday, the melting snow and ice
made my mind wander to springtime once more
to the feel, the smell, the tactile luxury
in freshly turned soil, easing its will
to the spade, the trowel, willingly giving
itself for the planting of the flowers
to bloom oh so shortly, up from the rich sol
A hope of the spring to come
nascent in the warmth of the day
reminding us of the shortness of the seasons
and every season in its time
December 12, 2007
the warm rain yesterday, the melting snow and ice
made my mind wander to springtime once more
to the feel, the smell, the tactile luxury
in freshly turned soil, easing its will
to the spade, the trowel, willingly giving
itself for the planting of the flowers
to bloom oh so shortly, up from the rich sol
A hope of the spring to come
nascent in the warmth of the day
reminding us of the shortness of the seasons
and every season in its time
December 12, 2007
Blue Hands
Laughter, bright holy laughter
preceded the blur of blue, running down the church’s hallway
hands held high, blue past the wrists,
barging through the bathroom door
hands touching everything along the way
Blue hands of the giggling boys, the laughing girls
festooned with colors of their own
learning a lesson about finger paints
along with their scripture
that Sunday morning
as did their teacher
December 12, 2007
preceded the blur of blue, running down the church’s hallway
hands held high, blue past the wrists,
barging through the bathroom door
hands touching everything along the way
Blue hands of the giggling boys, the laughing girls
festooned with colors of their own
learning a lesson about finger paints
along with their scripture
that Sunday morning
as did their teacher
December 12, 2007
Cobalt Blue
For some it was depression glass,
others emerald, or Tiffany’s
But for her it was the rich, dark
shimmering deep cobalt blue
Catching her eye at the tag sale,
the little shop, adorning her table,
her window sill, her hutch
Deep cobalt blue,
fall in and spend a while blue
December 12, 2007
others emerald, or Tiffany’s
But for her it was the rich, dark
shimmering deep cobalt blue
Catching her eye at the tag sale,
the little shop, adorning her table,
her window sill, her hutch
Deep cobalt blue,
fall in and spend a while blue
December 12, 2007
At the Altar Rail
After the concerns, the celebrations
the pastors moved to the altar rail
to lead us in prayer
A small smiling face
looked my way, asking for permission
to walk forward, kneel beside her pastor
She stride was determined, purposeful
half-standing, half-kneeling,
leaning into her robe
next to the stole, so close to her face
Going forward, to pray at the altar rail
her faith, her certainty, a joy to see
December 12, 2007
the pastors moved to the altar rail
to lead us in prayer
A small smiling face
looked my way, asking for permission
to walk forward, kneel beside her pastor
She stride was determined, purposeful
half-standing, half-kneeling,
leaning into her robe
next to the stole, so close to her face
Going forward, to pray at the altar rail
her faith, her certainty, a joy to see
December 12, 2007
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Writers Therapy
If you get a chance, check out the site, Writer's Therapy - http://writerstherapy.blogspot.com/. I think it is well worth a visit.
Monday, December 10, 2007
An Altar Call
Stepping out of your pew
out of our assigned seating
moved by the message,
to step out in faith
out of our comfort zone
and kneel at the rail,
at your altar Lord,
to take on the mantle
the yoke you have for us
to do your will and your work
now and in this place.
Oh we are timid and slow,
sometimes a bit stubborn.
Help us Lord, to walk on that water
fearless, eyes on you
When you call
December 10, 2007
Inspired by the words of Oprah Winfrey,
this weekend, in Columbia, SC,
in explaining why she is acting now
to support Barack Obama for President
out of our assigned seating
moved by the message,
to step out in faith
out of our comfort zone
and kneel at the rail,
at your altar Lord,
to take on the mantle
the yoke you have for us
to do your will and your work
now and in this place.
Oh we are timid and slow,
sometimes a bit stubborn.
Help us Lord, to walk on that water
fearless, eyes on you
When you call
December 10, 2007
Inspired by the words of Oprah Winfrey,
this weekend, in Columbia, SC,
in explaining why she is acting now
to support Barack Obama for President
Hope in the Desert
There is hope in the desert
the long suffering of the people of God
hope in the promise of rain, of reconciliation
of being back on the path to Zion
back in union with God
Even in the midst of winter, there is hope
in the coming of the Christ-child,
the shoot of Jesse, made king once more
the king in the manger, warm in the stable straw
the swaddling clothing, foretelling his burial;
but hope in the death and resurrection
fulfilling all the law, all the prophets
our hope in thee alone, Lord Jesus
hope in the grace of God
Like the Christmas cactus,
bearing flower in the dead of winter
we are reminded each Advent
of the hope in the desert
the shoot bearing life,
bearing witness
to our salvation
for the promises fulfilled
the promises kept
by God alone
December 10, 2007
Isaiah 35:1-10
the long suffering of the people of God
hope in the promise of rain, of reconciliation
of being back on the path to Zion
back in union with God
Even in the midst of winter, there is hope
in the coming of the Christ-child,
the shoot of Jesse, made king once more
the king in the manger, warm in the stable straw
the swaddling clothing, foretelling his burial;
but hope in the death and resurrection
fulfilling all the law, all the prophets
our hope in thee alone, Lord Jesus
hope in the grace of God
Like the Christmas cactus,
bearing flower in the dead of winter
we are reminded each Advent
of the hope in the desert
the shoot bearing life,
bearing witness
to our salvation
for the promises fulfilled
the promises kept
by God alone
December 10, 2007
Isaiah 35:1-10
Uncomfortable Imagery
The pastor knitted imagery
that didn’t go quite together
that were a bit incongruous, a bit distinct
images of the word, “uncomfortable”
of Scrooge, of the Grinch, a marriage
in trouble, a depressed elder,
waiting for death, alone,
feeling unworthy of Communion,
lamenting the ills of this world,
this time and place
Musing on the image of John
standing hot and dirty
in the dirty water, in camel hair,
cinched tight to his body,
eating locust, uncomfortable purity
Preaching an uncomfortable word
in the hot desert, the wilderness
fulfilling the prophecy for his own life
the prophecy of the coming
of the child to ministry, to kingship,
of a very different kind
Finding hope, repentance, saving,
baptism, not so much in the dirty water itself
but in the place, the Jordan,
finding hope too in the frank words
the honesty of the man in the nursing home
the hope in the name of Scrooge, Ebenezer,
the stone that Samuel placed
in God’s provision, His saving of the people
long before even Isaiah’s prophecy
Hope for a different future
in uncomfortable wrappers,
foreshadowing the problem
of comprehending Jesus, and his message
in society’s eyes, the eyes of the people
even to this day
that didn’t go quite together
that were a bit incongruous, a bit distinct
images of the word, “uncomfortable”
of Scrooge, of the Grinch, a marriage
in trouble, a depressed elder,
waiting for death, alone,
feeling unworthy of Communion,
lamenting the ills of this world,
this time and place
Musing on the image of John
standing hot and dirty
in the dirty water, in camel hair,
cinched tight to his body,
eating locust, uncomfortable purity
Preaching an uncomfortable word
in the hot desert, the wilderness
fulfilling the prophecy for his own life
the prophecy of the coming
of the child to ministry, to kingship,
of a very different kind
Finding hope, repentance, saving,
baptism, not so much in the dirty water itself
but in the place, the Jordan,
finding hope too in the frank words
the honesty of the man in the nursing home
the hope in the name of Scrooge, Ebenezer,
the stone that Samuel placed
in God’s provision, His saving of the people
long before even Isaiah’s prophecy
Hope for a different future
in uncomfortable wrappers,
foreshadowing the problem
of comprehending Jesus, and his message
in society’s eyes, the eyes of the people
even to this day
---------------------
edited July 22, 2019
Uncomfortable Imagery – v2
December 10, 2007
Uncomfortable Imagery
Based on Matthew 3:1-6 and Matthew 3:11-12
and the sermon “God’s Powerful Promise”,
by the Reverend Peter Hey, December 9, 2007,
Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted
by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008,
2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019. All rights
are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 50,900+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.
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Sunday, December 09, 2007
Let this be the Peaceable Kingdom
The predator will lie down with the prey
all will eat the grass, all will be at peace
so the words of the prophet foretell a time
when the worries of the world will fade to nothingness
when we will all live together harmoniously
with Jesse’s shoot, up from the cut stump
will reign forevermore
Let this be the peaceable kingdom now, Oh Lord,
May we be the generation where peace shall reign
and justice will come to this troubled earth
May we be the people who will bend
the spears into pruning hooks
Where war will be known no more
Help us Lord we pray
that the madness would cease
that the killing would end
that the violence, the maiming
would stop
December 9, 2007
Isaiah 11:1-10
all will eat the grass, all will be at peace
so the words of the prophet foretell a time
when the worries of the world will fade to nothingness
when we will all live together harmoniously
with Jesse’s shoot, up from the cut stump
will reign forevermore
Let this be the peaceable kingdom now, Oh Lord,
May we be the generation where peace shall reign
and justice will come to this troubled earth
May we be the people who will bend
the spears into pruning hooks
Where war will be known no more
Help us Lord we pray
that the madness would cease
that the killing would end
that the violence, the maiming
would stop
December 9, 2007
Isaiah 11:1-10
Go to the Stable
We, like the shepherds, the wise men,
the father and mother, go to the stable
each year, at this time, to be reminded
to journey with them to be counted,
to await the Messiah’s birth, to feel him
with us again, more real in the moment,
this time of year, feeling the savior
coming into the world, as a child
His baptism, in the Jordan, that water
so rich in meaning, the exodus
from slavery to Egypt
He now separating us from sin
The short walk to his ministry,
his teachings, his life as example
for us all. His martyrdom, death
on the tree. Buried. To rise again.
But it is the stable, the manger,
where God came among us
where we kneel down,
and see God
as a baby, precious
and vulnerable
the shoot out of Jesse’s root
the fulfillment of the law and the prophets
the Word made flesh
God with us
Emmanuel
born in a manger bed
Go to the stable
December 9, 2007
the father and mother, go to the stable
each year, at this time, to be reminded
to journey with them to be counted,
to await the Messiah’s birth, to feel him
with us again, more real in the moment,
this time of year, feeling the savior
coming into the world, as a child
His baptism, in the Jordan, that water
so rich in meaning, the exodus
from slavery to Egypt
He now separating us from sin
The short walk to his ministry,
his teachings, his life as example
for us all. His martyrdom, death
on the tree. Buried. To rise again.
But it is the stable, the manger,
where God came among us
where we kneel down,
and see God
as a baby, precious
and vulnerable
the shoot out of Jesse’s root
the fulfillment of the law and the prophets
the Word made flesh
God with us
Emmanuel
born in a manger bed
Go to the stable
December 9, 2007
Come to the Stable
Come to the stable you pilgrims
you believers, needing to be reborn
needing to be affirmed in your faith
needing this advent season, needing
desperately, to be in the spirit
within the stable, standing, kneeling by
the baby’s bed, the baby’s manger bed
look into his face, the face of his parents
see the truth of his life, his call, his fulfillment
He is the one they had hoped for, for centuries
waiting for the stump, the stump of Jesse
to bear a son, a shoot, a new branch
ready to take the mantle of David
to rise to lead his people, to set his people free
to seal the breach so long ago, mend the bond
provide a path, a way, to reconciliation
with the father, to be the one
who would create heaven on earth
We wait too, again, for the child in the manger
and the king to descend from heaven
and bring us home
December 9, 2007
you believers, needing to be reborn
needing to be affirmed in your faith
needing this advent season, needing
desperately, to be in the spirit
within the stable, standing, kneeling by
the baby’s bed, the baby’s manger bed
look into his face, the face of his parents
see the truth of his life, his call, his fulfillment
He is the one they had hoped for, for centuries
waiting for the stump, the stump of Jesse
to bear a son, a shoot, a new branch
ready to take the mantle of David
to rise to lead his people, to set his people free
to seal the breach so long ago, mend the bond
provide a path, a way, to reconciliation
with the father, to be the one
who would create heaven on earth
We wait too, again, for the child in the manger
and the king to descend from heaven
and bring us home
December 9, 2007
Life in the Shoot
There was life in the shoot
the shoot of Jesse
growing up out of the root
the child, the Son
was born, we were reborn
when the shoot of Jesse
fulfilled the promise
the promise of God
told to the prophet Isaiah
fulfilling the hopes of the nation
the people of the Book
the covenant people,
children of Abraham
There is life in the shoot
life for each of us
in the company
the relationship
with our brother
living out the dream
the trust in the coming of God
once again
the ultimate coming
of the kingdom of God
December 9, 2007
Isaiah 11:1-10
the shoot of Jesse
growing up out of the root
the child, the Son
was born, we were reborn
when the shoot of Jesse
fulfilled the promise
the promise of God
told to the prophet Isaiah
fulfilling the hopes of the nation
the people of the Book
the covenant people,
children of Abraham
There is life in the shoot
life for each of us
in the company
the relationship
with our brother
living out the dream
the trust in the coming of God
once again
the ultimate coming
of the kingdom of God
December 9, 2007
Isaiah 11:1-10
A Dormant Stump
for generations, for centuries
the stump lay dormant
seemingly dead
to outside observers
But God's promise
to Isaiah, to Israel
was living still
in the stump of Jesse
waiting to sprout
to grow, fulfill
promises of old
to heal the people
to bring hope
and everlasting peace
December 9, 2007
Isaiah 11:1-10
the stump lay dormant
seemingly dead
to outside observers
But God's promise
to Isaiah, to Israel
was living still
in the stump of Jesse
waiting to sprout
to grow, fulfill
promises of old
to heal the people
to bring hope
and everlasting peace
December 9, 2007
Isaiah 11:1-10
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