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Saturday, January 12, 2008

Lighthouses – haiku

Lighthouses on shore
beacons of light shining out
love guiding us home

January 12, 2008
based on the draft sermon, “Beacons of Light”,
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss, January 12, 2008,
Matthew 28:16-20 and Isaiah 42:1-9,
as translated in The Message,
(see “Lighthouses”)
contrasting to the translation in the
New Revised Standard Version,
(see “A Light to the Nations”)

Missionaries of the Light

Not merely lights to the nation,
stationary, in the temple,
not merely examples of righteousness,
of piety, or rightness with God
in worship, in clean living
Emissaries of the Lord,
who died and rose for us,
who admonished us
to go out into the world,
being the light to the nations
out there in the darkness
actively bringing the light
to the last, the lost, the least,
the prisons, the homeless,
those seeking his grace
Go into the world
missionaries of the light
of the light of the world
the hope for all mankind
rising out of the darkness

January 12, 2008
based on the draft sermon, “Beacons of Light”,
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss, January 12, 2008,
Matthew 28:16-20 and Isaiah 42:1-9,
as translated in The Message,
(see “Lighthouses”)
contrasting to the translation in the
New Revised Standard Version,
(see “A Light to the Nations”)

Search Lights

Beacons, projecting out into the storm
not staying close to shore,
seeking to help, to comfort, to light the way
so are we to be for our neighbors, all our neighbors,
to follow the call of the savior, the Great Commission
to project, to serve, to be missionaries
to go out into the darkness
out into the world around us
to be ambassadors, emissaries, disciples
of the one who came before us;
who walked the earth, who ministered
while he lived in the holy lands
while he walked among the Jews, the Gentiles,
bringing forth the coming of the kingdom,
the way of grace, the healing of the nations
through his life, death, through his rising
a light rising high into the heavens
seeking all who would follow,
all who would submit, commit
bend to the will of the father,
find the narrow road home
through the dark storms
follow the shaft of light
from the beacon, the way
that we all carry, project
out into the world

==============
edited January 14, 2018
Search Lights – v2

January 12, 2008
Search Lights
based on the draft sermon, “Beacons of Light”,
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss, January 12, 2008,
Matthew 28:16-20 and Isaiah 42:1-9,
as translated in The Message,
(see “Lighthouses”)
contrasting to the translation in the
New Revised Standard Version,
(see “A Light to the Nations”)
-----

Lighthouses

Not just a light for the nations,
not just being a light
the Light shining in the world,
in the darkness.
Lighthouses, beacons,
keeping all safe,
away from the shoals,
the rocks, the hidden dangers
dangers hidden in the fog,
the clutter of daily life.
Leading those out on the seas
safely to shore
to a sheltered harbor
home in the arms of our Lord

January 1, 2008 and January 3, 2008
Isaiah 42:1-9, as translated in The Message,
contrasting to the translation in the
New Revised Standard Version,
(see “A Light to the Nations”)

--

A Light to the Nations

Clarity in the chaos
example of love, of faith,
clear, clean truth
so He was; so must we be
as his brothers, his sisters
His disciples, followers in the world
An example, a light in the darkness
a message of hope, of love,
to the captives, the prisoners
those lost in spirit
lost in the darkness of the world

January 1, 2008 and January 3, 2008
Isaiah 42:1-9, as translated in the
New Revised Standard Version,
contrasting to the translation in The Message
(see “Lighthouses”)

All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 45,960 of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

God, Christ, Spirit, Faith, grace, life, light, love, Pastor Ruth L. Foss, poem, poetry, Poetry Where You Live, Raymond A. Foss, savior, hope, joy,

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Wheat and Weeds – haiku

sown together here
here on the earth; fertile ground
separate – harvest

January 12, 2008
Matthew 13:24-30

Rejoicing in our Hearts

There is rejoicing in our hearts this day
for the loving response of our Creator
our Sustainer through life's trials
For the healing, the recovery,
the pathway out of the deep woods
for prayer and fellowship, support and comfort
for the answer to our prayers
across the miles, for His grace
to land on us like a dove
to hold us close and carry us
in the hardest moments of our lives
for the continuing presence and care
He alone offers us each day
and for the wondrous miracles
only He can achieve
We give you thanks, Oh Lord;
This day and always

January 12, 2008
on the good news and answers to prayers
for the healing of my cousin, Allan Foss

A Massacre – v2

It was a slaughter
all those of an age
all under two years old
put to death
to assuage the fears of the king
to rest his troubled mind
to give him peace
from a future foretold in scripture
for the people of the book
the nation of covenant
the people of the word
He was ready
to follow the model of Pharaoh
and kill the children
to save him from the king
born in the manger

For he couldn’t have a new king
a king of the prophesy,
not on his watch, in his time
He who was a pawn, a marionette, a puppet
a pawn of Rome, holding power
from afar, not by the grace, the covenant
the legacy, progeny of David,
the rightful line, as promised by God,
anointed by the prophets
A new king, emergent, fulfilling the law
the prophets, terrifying for the blasphemers,
the imposters, the usurpers
of the ordained rulers
of the covenant people
How far he would go
to subjugate his people
for a little longer in power

Second stanza added January 12, 2008
December 31, 2007
Matthew 2:13-23
based on sermon,
“Homecoming”, by
the Reverend Lori Eldredge,
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH, 12/30/07
and Exodus 1:8-22

Friday, January 11, 2008

John - haiku

in the wilderness
proclaiming the coming day
Jesus was here to save

January 11, 2008

David - haiku

A sling in his hand,
the Philistine Goliath –
no match; stone was true

January 11, 2008

Servant – haiku

Giving out of love
humbling himself for us -
sacrifice of love

January 11, 2008
Isaiah 42:1-9


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 31,490+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Israel – haiku

people, a place
covenant born; save by blood
lamb upon the cross

January 11, 2008

Abraham - haiku

father of us all
by faith he changed the world
live his example

January 11, 2008

2,000 poems

The last poem marks 2,000 poems written and posted here. Thank you God for this gift and this opportunity to share Your Good News!

Baptism – haiku - 3

John in the water
humbly he waited on him
fulfill the scripture; heal us!

January 11, 2008
Matthew 3:13-17

Baptism – haiku - 2

Descend like a dove
light upon my shoulder too
give me strength Lord

January 11, 2008
Matthew 3:13-17

Baptism – haiku - 1

up from the water
Oh, arise my blessed son
you have work to do

edited July 16, 2019
Baptism – haiku – 1 – v2

January 11, 2008
Baptism – haiku – 1
Matthew 3:13-17


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 50,740+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

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On the Riverbank

To be a passerby, a witness, a disciple of John
on that day, that wondrous day
when the babe, the carpenter
was baptized by the one crying in the wilderness
when the one for whom he proclaimed the coming
was anointed king, the blessed one
blessed by God, the spirit descending like a dove
To witness the holy moment
to see the sky part, the heavens open
to see the spirit fall upon him
Lift him up out of the water
out of the humanness, to wrap around him
to anoint and grace him,
to steel him for the journey,
the tempting, the trials,
the ministry to come
Oh to have been at the riverbank
that glorious day

January 11, 2008
Matthew 3:13-17

The Clouds Opened

The curtain torn, the distance
the chasm between heaven and earth
bridged in the moment
the moment he came up out of the water
the baptized, cleaned, redeemed son
Rising up from the water,
light of God descending
piercing through the curtain
the heavens opened to His glory
His spirit descending from heaven
onto the one who would save
illuminate the darkness
be a beacon in the storm
and our way home

January 11, 2008
Matthew 3:13-17
Isaiah 42:1-9

Thursday, January 10, 2008

Saving One Life

Avoiding the massacre
the killing of the innocents
the one life spared;
flight to Egypt
The life of the one,
the one who was marked
to save the people,
of the covenant
of the new covenant
God saved the one life,
understanding, perhaps where we cannot
the uniqueness of this one life
this young child, born to save us
The child who was important,
before all tasks, before all other goods,
worthy of saving, of praise,
of reverence, of anointing with oil
the one soul saved,
from the wrath of the king
to save us all

January 10, 2008
Matthew 2:13-23
based on sermon, “Homecoming”, by
the Reverend Lori Eldredge,
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH, 12/30/07 and Exodus 1:8-22;
and the discussion in Middle High
Sunday School that morning; and the stories of
Mary and Martha, and the gift of nard,
Luke 10:38-42 and John 12:1-8

He Let Them Die

We talk of the slaughter
Herod’s massacre of the innocents
The same, in an earlier time,
the rage of the pharaoh.
Two who would save the people
saved from the wrath of power.
But a question from the class,
from the teen, trying to understand…
The flight to Egypt saved a savior;
but innocent blood was spilt
Couldn’t he has saved the innocents
by staying in Bethlehem,
exposing Herod right there and then
so others wouldn’t die
so he could live?
Difficult questions,
for human comprehension,
understanding the mind of God
and the right, by His will.
Disease and pain, war and famine
storm and trials, all a part of life,
all beyond our understanding,
as is this story,
when you look at it that way
It is a story best in context,
of the journey, the documenting
of the life of Christ,
his ministry, to explain
the allowing of the massacre
All in God’s time

January 10, 2008
Matthew 2:13-23
based on sermon,
“Homecoming”, by
the Reverend Lori Eldredge,
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH, 12/30/07
and Exodus 1:8-22
and the discussion in Middle High
Sunday School that morning

Wednesday, January 09, 2008

A Plank in the Eye

A plank in my eye
far more than a twig or sty -
a speck in your eye

January 9, 2008
Matthew 7:3

Monday, January 07, 2008

Change

Change of the outsider,
the newcomer, the professor
change of the insider, the old hand
change of the advocate, the counsel
change of the zealot, the true believer
change of the bureaucrat, the diplomat
These are the choices,
one way to identify at least
the choices tomorrow
the way to see the candidates
crystallizing the choices
Who can make the changes
we crave
Entrenched interests wait
our decision
locked inside the Beltway

January 7, 2008
on the eve of the NH Primary

Sunday, January 06, 2008

By a Star Revealed

By a star was the Lord revealed
his birthplace marked, light shone on the babe
from a star, leading the wise men, the Magi
on their journey from the East
to the city of Jesse, the home of David,
the place ordained by the prophets,
revealing the will of God,
unfolding still, through the babe
for whom the star shone
so long ago, a king born to us
a savior born for us all

January 6, 2008
Matthew 2:1-12

A Star Led Their Way

It was his star, that singular moving star
like the pillar of fire, the moving cloud of the exodus
a star that moving before them,
leading them to the babe, his mother
to the birthplace of the king
where others could not go;
they followed the star
to his bed, to pay him homage
with presents worthy
for the babe, the king

January 6, 2008
Matthew 2:1-12

Astrologers

Astrologers, studying the stars
such were the unlikely messengers
to the king, the priests, all of Jerusalem;
the coming of the savior, the new Moses
revealed to foreigners, stargazers
wise men from the East
led by a star from its rising
the star of Bethlehem
and the son of God

January 6, 2008
Matthew 2:1-12

A Frightened King

A frightened king
tried stealth and then wrath
to stop the coming
the birthing of the Messiah,
the savior, the coming of the Lord;
to thwart the will of God
But no such weak king,
no pawn of Rome
could stop the babe
in the manger
the humble born
savior
Sometimes God comes
in roaring fire;
sometimes in hushed whispers
and one special epiphany
in an infant born humbly
to rule eternity
for his kingdom is not of this world
Let Herod have it.

January 6, 2008
Matthew 2:1-12
Matthew 2:13-23

At the Appointed Time

At the appointed time,
the time when God had ordained
Even the son was predestined
for the steps on the path
So at that appointed time
before the betrayal
the bread and the cup were shared
his words transforming the meal forevermore
the blood, the lamb, the bread
all now of the new covenant
by his sacrifice and saving

January 6, 2008
words of Reverend Lori Eldredge
at the beginning of Communion
Rejuvenation service,
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH, January 6, 2008

To Pay Homage

To pay homage to the king,
the Messiah, Emmanuel,
the babe in the manger, born of the virgin
in Bethlehem, city of David
They were destined for wonder;
he was destined for death
His plot revealed
and escape by angels’ breath
in dreams revealed

January 6, 2008
Matthew 2:1-12

Reluctant Spies

They were wise men, after all,
students of the stars, of the writings,
religions, prophesies. They weren’t easily duped
brought within the schemes, the plans
of the frightened king
They were enlightened, warned
and they acted on the warning
to save the king

January 6, 2008
Matthew 2:1-12

In Secret They Were Sent

Magi, astrologers, wise men.
They were the outsiders, the unclean foreigners;
but he needed spies to find the baby
to search out the king, to find his rival
pinpoint his strike, his attack,
to cut off the prophesy, to deny God
So Herod met with the foreigners
the outsiders, to be his unwitting agents;
but God had other plans
Plans for homage and for safety
for glory and for the future


----------------------
edited August 15, 2019
In Secret They Were Sent – v2

January 6, 2008
In Secret They Were Sent
Matthew 2:1-12

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 51,450+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

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#advent #Christian #poem #poetry #Epiphany #Faith #God #haiku #hope #light #Magi #Matthew2 #wisemen

He Saw Heaven Open

Coming up out of the water
out of the River Jordan
Heaven opened to him
He saw God descend
the spirit descend down upon him
The spirit like a dove,
alighting on him bodily
clothed with the spirit
covered by his robe, his care
marked, anointed for his servanthood
his healing of the rift
sealing the brokenness
God reaching down from heaven
to bless the son, before his journey
to the wilderness, to ministry
to the cross, and to glory

January 6, 2008
Matthew 3:13:17

To Outsiders Revealed

Agents of his glory,
God has used others, outsiders
in the telling of the story of the people
the chosen people, who sometimes
were disobedient, who didn’t obey.
So to in the story of the birth,
it was the shepherds on the third shift,
the astrologers from a land far away
It wasn’t to the king, to the priests,
the sons of Levi. The creator
revealed the birth of the son
to outsiders, foreigners

====================
edited July 24, 2019
To Outsiders Revealed – v2

January 6, 2008
To Outsiders Revealed
Matthew 2:1-12

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 50,980+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

advent, Christian, poems, poetry, Epiphany, Faith, God, haiku, hope, light, Magi, Matthew 2, praise, way, wise men, Christ, Spirit, love, grace,


#advent #Christian #poems #poetry #Epiphany #Faith #God #haiku #hope #light #Magi #Matthew2 #praise #way #wise men #Christ #Spirit #love #grace,

Would We Know Him

Like Herod, the whole of Jerusalem,
the people of the Covenant, the Jews,
the chosen ones, the ones he came to save
did not know him, did not believe,
or feared that he may be the one
The disciples too, timid, awkward,
unbelieving, failing to understand,
to comprehend; stuck in the old beliefs
Would we be any better, any different,
if he were to walk among us
Would we recognize him,
as a humble servant,
as a mighty king,
Would we know him,
or would be jail him

January 6, 2008
Matthew 2:1-12


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 21,720+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Writing Beside Me

Her pencil writing,
beside me, as I write these words
her haiku forming, no title,
just clean simple words,
five, seven, five, syllables
in neat rows, quick bursts
moments of wonder
sitting next to me in church
writing beside me

January 6, 2008
Erica and I at the Rejuvenation
service tonight

Living Word

The words of God,
his thoughts conjured into being
from the dust, the clay, his breath
the law, the prophets; God’s instructions for man
born in the flesh, the living flesh of Christ
love and covenant born into the world
incarnate God, gift and sacrifice
walking among the people,
walking with the grains of sand,
living with the stars of the sky,
the expanding children of Abraham
The word, the promises of God
living with us, our brother

January 6, 2008
John 1:1-14

The Long Way Home

Off the beaten path
away from the regular routes
so was the way taken home
the Magi, protecting the child,
protecting themselves,
from Herod’s wrath
leaving a different way
away from Jerusalem
taking a longer way home
to save the child

January 6, 2008
Matthew 2:12
Matthew 2:1-12

Fulfilled

In the book is hope
every word fulfillment
prophesy lived

January 6, 2008
The Book of Matthew
Matthew 2:1-12
started as part of an assignment for our middle high
Sunday school curriculum – to draft a haiku
on the Epiphany story; but explaining the
interconnection of Matthew to the history,
the law, the prophets of the old testament

Neglect

The house was a mess;
the State was greatly distressed;
Help her get her kids

January 6, 2008
Matthew 2:1-12
haiku - part of an assignment for our middle high
Sunday school curriculum – to draft a haiku
on a time when you went a different direction
because of God, as the wise men did

A Better Prize

Standing in the court
waiting for the hearing to begin
happy smiles, assurance
certainty of a better future
The judge speaking words
words of closing of completion
“I cannot give you a prize,” he said
deep in his shtick, his banter
She spoke, quietly
“I have my kids back, that is better
than anything you could give me”
But did he even hear it, these words
of love, of understanding, of closure
from her lips; did he understand?
Maybe not; but it was her realization,
the preciousness of her reward
that mattered. She had her kids.

Epiphany – haiku – 1

The wise men, three kings
with gold, frankincense and myrrh
bowed before the babe

January 6, 2008
Matthew 2:1-12
part of an assignment for our middle high
Sunday school curriculum – to draft a haiku
on the Epiphany story

Epiphany – haiku – 2

Go to Bethlehem,
see the babe in the manger;
give gifts to the king

January 6, 2008
Matthew 2:1-12
part of an assignment for our middle high
Sunday school curriculum – to draft a haiku
on the Epiphany story

Epiphany – haiku – 3

journey from the East
to see the babe, Messiah;
gifts and praise for him

January 6, 2008
Matthew 2:1-12
part of an assignment for our middle high
Sunday school curriculum – to draft a haiku
on the Epiphany story

Epiphany – haiku – 4

star seen in the East
led them on their journey there –
his humble stable bed


------------------------
edited August 15, 2019
Epiphany – haiku – 4 – v2

January 6, 2008
Epiphany – haiku – 4
Matthew 2:1-12
part of an assignment for our middle high
Sunday school curriculum – to draft a haiku
on the Epiphany story

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 51,450+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

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Epiphany – haiku – 5

A star to guide them
to little Bethlehem town
homage for a king

January 6, 2008
Matthew 2:1-12
part of an assignment for our middle high
Sunday school curriculum – to draft a haiku
on the Epiphany story

Walk in the Deep Woods

Walk in the deep woods
Lead us Lord on our path home
guide us on your way

January 6, 2008
Matthew 2:1-12
part of an assignment for our middle high
Sunday school curriculum – to draft a haiku
on the Epiphany story

Obedience

Travel from afar
pay homage to the lamb, king
Royal born holy child

January 6, 2008
Matthew 2:1-12
part of an assignment for our middle high
Sunday school curriculum – to draft a haiku
on the Epiphany story

Homage

They paid homage there
Bow down to the greater king
the hope of our world

January 6, 2008
Matthew 2:1-12
part of an assignment for our middle high
Sunday school curriculum – to draft a haikuon the Epiphany story

Words of Hope

Hear his message now
Hope is ours here in this place
God is with us all

January 6, 2008
Matthew 2:1-12
part of an assignment for our middle high
Sunday school curriculum – to draft a haiku
on the Epiphany story

Epiphany – haiku – 6 – v2

I too bow down there
at the bed of our king;
the one Messiah

January 6, 2008
Matthew 2:1-12
part of an assignment for our middle high
Sunday school curriculum – to draft a haiku
on the Epiphany story

Epiphany – haiku – 6 – v1

I too bow down there
at the bed of our king;
the Emmanuel

January 6, 2008
Matthew 2:1-12
part of an assignment for our middle high
Sunday school curriculum – to draft a haiku
on the Epiphany story

Epiphany – haiku – 7

Worship him, kneel down
gifts brought for the baby king
joy came into the world

January 6, 2008
Matthew 2:1-12
part of an assignment for our middle high
Sunday school curriculum – to draft a haiku
on the Epiphany story

Epiphany – haiku – 8

a holy star rising
a beacon for the wise men
light their way to him

January 6, 2008
Matthew 2:1-12
part of an assignment for our middle high
Sunday school curriculum – to draft a haiku
on the Epiphany story



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 21,710+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Jail

Behind the doors – steel
Slammed behind me, prison
Trapped, at their will

January 6, 2008
Matthew 2:1-12
haiku - part of an assignment for our middle high
Sunday school curriculum – to draft a haiku
on a time when you went a different direction
because of God, as the wise men did