Rattling Bones

Dry, bleached bones,
an army dead, dust where they fell
spoken over the prophet, the man of God
a rattling sound, of the bones moving,
coming together into soldiers,
rising with the breath of life more
inside the sinew, the skin, the flesh
of the reborn nation,
the people of the covenant
given life once more,
by the creator,
the faithful servants
dead bones, reanimated
ready to proclaim His glory

March 8, 2008
Ezekiel 37:1-14

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 30,710+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

The Breath in the Wind

It was out of the four winds,
from the ends of the earth,
brought to the valley,
the battlefield of old
The breath of life, scattered,
a part of the wind itself
brought to the valley
by the command of the prophet
doing the will of God
bringing life once more
to the dry bones,
the fallen people
The wind, the breath of life
brought to the valley
a miracle to perform
giving life to the people
once more, by God

March 8, 2008
Ezekiel 37:1-14

Stop Your Crying

Fear not, Mary;
believe in me, Martha.
Trust that I can raise him,
bring Lazarus from the dead
The belief you had that I could
heal him while he lived;
extend that faith, stretch your hope.
I can raise him from the grave
I will call him and he will come
He will come back to your embrace
Stop your crying,
Your brother lives!

March 8, 2008
John 11:1-45

Rise Up

Rise up, my dear friend
come from the cave, your grave
rise up and come out
Come, back to your family,
your community, come out
Rise up, unwrap his body
he has new life;
raised from the dead
by the Son of Man
the Son of God.
Raised up,
by the call
of the Savior

March 8, 2008
John 11:1-45

Feeding in the Stones

The deer, hungry, late winter
finding food at the base,
the little warm, exposed places
at the base of the cemetery stones,
the little lees by the gray granite,
the dark slate, warm
drawing the spring sunlight
Finding life, against starvation
by the stones of the dead
at the edge
the woods beyond

March 8, 2008
Route 202, Antrim, NH

Email to President Bush today - On his Veto - allowing waterboarding to be used by the CIA

Sent via email to President Bush -

Mr. President -

As fellow United Methodists, we are bound by the Social Principles of our faith. They include the following:We hold governments responsible for the protection of the rights of the people to free and fair elections and to the freedoms of speech, religion, assembly, communications media, and petition for redress of grievances without fear of reprisal; to the right to privacy; and to the guarantee of the rights to adequate food, clothing, shelter, education, and health care. The form and the leaders of all governments should be determined by exercise of the right to vote guaranteed to all adult citizens. We also strongly reject domestic surveillance and intimidation of political opponents by governments in power and all other misuses of elective or appointive offices. The use of detention and imprisonment for the harassment and elimination of political opponents or other dissidents violates fundamental human rights. Furthermore, the mistreatment or torture of persons by governments for any purpose violates Christian teaching and must be condemned and/or opposed by Christians and churches wherever and whenever it occurs. The Church regards the institution of slavery as an infamous evil. All forms of enslavement are totally prohibited and shall in no way be tolerated by the Church.

http://www.umc-gbcs.org/site/c.frLJK2PKLqF/b.3713157/k.DE01/182164_The_Political_Community/apps/nl/newsletter.asp
Mr. President, waterboarding is torture. Always. No ends justify our country stooping to these means. No scrap of information is worth losing our moral way as a people. History will judge this generation of leaders by decisions such as this one. I regret your decision to veto legislation that would forbidden the use of waterboarding. I pray that you will reconsider, for the sake of our country and for the legacy we leave future generations.
Sincerely in Christ,

Becoming an Empty Vessel

Lord, help me,
pour out my past,
my life of this world,
become an empty vessel
Fill me with God,
so I am overflowing,
with his love, his care,
his spirit, taking over my own
Change me, to be your servant
to do your will, oh God

March 8, 2008

Becoming an Empty Vessel

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2008/03/becoming-empty-vessel.html

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 39,030+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Egg with Your Oxford

Omelet of egg, on the plate
on the fork, into his mouth,
not that last time
and it tasted so good . . .
and, no one was around
to see him break
the five-second rule
But, where was the egg?
Not on the dirty floor,
the plate, even his lap.
Nestled in the folds,
dripping ketchup,
at the bottom,
of the breast pocket,
of his dress oxford.
And the fork found it there
and into his mouth, finally,
Mmmm. Screw the five-second rule;
It was good.

March 7, 2008
a true story,
shared at the Agape Café
http://www.agapecafe.org/

Discovered Signs

An old political sign
like a seedling pushing up
out of newly-tilled earth,
rose anew, crabgrass really
up out of the dirty melting snowpile
in the interchange median
A marker of a dashed dream,
rusted frame still holding its ground
waiting for another reaper
after the melt is complete
A mournful sign of hope
for one who did not win
after the snows of New Hampshire
and there his sign stands still

March 7, 2008
John Edwards sign on the side
of the road, Route 292, Exit 6,
Manchester, NH

A Cigarette Butt

It was the incongruity
the foreign color, out of place
sand camouflage on the Humvee
merging with me, on the city street
rimmed with dirty white
snow piles, days after the storm
He was in the Hummer
in my rearview
Guard fatigues, short, just-cut hair
A butt cupped, awkwardly
in his hand, as if
hiding the glowing tip
from sniper fire
outside the Green Zone
in downtown Baghdad.
I wonder if he knows
what it looks like
to an observer, in the rearview.
Had he lived that life
when a dim cigarette ember
could have cost him his life?
Would he have to go back?

March 7, 2008
Canal Street, Manchester, 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 30,710+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

United Methodists Do Not Torture - Follow up - 3/7/08

Email on 3/7/08

The United Methodist General Board of Church and Society

Your continued support is needed on this critical issue!

Our numbers continue to grow but we still need your help! President Bush may veto the Intelligence Authorization Conference Report. Today we sent a letter to President Bush with all the signatures of our petition.

We would like you to send a letter too. Please continue to forward this email to your friends, family and colleagues and encourage them to join this important campaign.

Don't forget to call President Bush at 202-456-1111 and urge him not to veto the Intelligence Authorization Conference Report.


Public Witness Against Torture - March 10th

There will be an important "Public Witness Against Torture" rally at noon on Monday, March 10, at Upper Senate Park (Delaware and Constitution Ave., NE), in D.C.
This will be a spiritually-rooted ceremony and rally that will include brief speeches and powerful music and a call to Congress for action. Following this rally and witness, participants will be encouraged to visit the offices of their senators and representatives to urge an end to torture. Please join us for this important witness!

Torture Awareness Month - June 2008

We encourage you and your congregation to join the National Religious Campaign Against Torture in a public witness against torture by displaying a banner outside your place of worship during Torture Awareness Month (June 2008).
Go to http://www.nrcat.org/ to purchase the banner.

Are you on Facebook? Join our facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=6896929945

There is more to do! Go to www.umc-gbcs.org/UMsDoNotTorture to access anti-torture resources.

In Christ,

Bill Mefford
Director of Civil and Human Rights
The General Board of Church and Society
100 Maryland Avenue, NE
Washington, DC 20002

He Went

Abraham, went,
went where God told him to go
even in old age, trusting,
if a bit hesistantly,
not quite believing
but going, he followed
the command of God
and reaped a harvest of heirs
continuing to this day
to the end of the age
for it is his faith
that gives birth to the people,
that made the covenant,
the first covenant
reciprocal, binding,
and we all benefit
because he went,
when he was called

February 17, 2008
Genesis 12:1-9
Genesis 12:1-4a and
sermon, “Peculiar Treasures II: Abraham on the Move”
by the Rev. Peter Hey,
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH, 2/17/08

A Poetic Photograph

Not a photograph, with poetic tones,
that was a bit lyrical, though I have seen them
She gave me a great compliment,
giving power to my words, sharing an image
a photograph with the language used
Giving visual reference, remembrance
memory in my telling of his story
of his devotion, his commitment
to his service to the Lord
His place in the congregation,
in worship, told by his practice
over and over, in the darkened sanctuary
Being ready to share with us
and with our God

March 7, 2008
on a comment to my poem,
In the Hushed Choir Loft
(see http://teachgoodwriting.blogspot.com/2008/03/raymond-foss-new-hampshire-poet.html

A Loving Servant

My Lord, my savior
a loving servant of the master
the father, the creator
loyal to death, even on the cross
following the will of the father
choosing faithful obedience
the cup of sacrifice
of servanthood,
Loving God more,
than this earthy life
living for him, for his glory
revealed in his piety,
his trials, his prayers,
the suffering he faced,
endured, even in death
he could say “forgive them”
“Forgive them, Father,
for they know not what they do”;
But He knew, he knew exactly
who they were killing,
and he was the sin sacrifice,
not his own sin, but ours
a loving, faithful servant,
doing the master’s will

March 6, 2008

A Branch Falls in the Wintry Wood

A branch, a twig, leafless
falls in the wintry wood
falling onto the snow,
leaving an impression
a mark of its presence
fleeting scar in the melting skin
of the forest floor,
like its ancient ancestor
which left an indelible mark
in the fossilized clay
This time, only
captured in my mind’s eye,
in the image in the camera,
tracks of the other citizens
of the wintry wood

March 6, 2008

Four Poems a Day

God has blessed me with a lot of poetry! Thank you, Lord!

For the first time, I have reached the following averages:

4 poems written and posted per day for the last 6 months;
3.1 poems written and posted per day for the last year;
2.5 poems written and posted per day for the last 2 years; and
1.8 poems written and posted per day for the last 3 years

For His Sisters

For his sisters, for the glory of God,
He was raised from the dead.
To show the authority of the Son,
the power of the Father,
He was raised from the dead.
To prove the truth of the fulfillment,
the identity of the Messiah,
He was raised from the dead
To bring the good news of the kingdom,
to the covenant people, in the miracle,
He was raised from the dead
To make plain the blindness of the leaders,
He was raised from the dead
To bring healing to the nation,
to all people who believe,
He was raised from the dead

March 4, 2008
John 11:1-45

Walking Humbly

Without our heads down;
but with our eyes focused on God,
on his favor, on our faithfulness to Him
we walk humbly with our creator
our sustainer, our savior
Our compass, our true North
following the beam of light
the truth of our Lord
His example, His love
Living humbly, without praise
sought for ourselves
without accolade, without song
for our false piety
We seek to live
With one another
But to live in Him
as He is in us

March 4, 2008
Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 &
Psalm 130 and
today’s devotionals in Alive Now the Upper Room,
http://www.upperroom.org/Devotional/default.asp?month=3&day=4&year=2008,

Cheerful Piety

Quiet, reverent, cheerful piety
living happily in relationship
in direct connection with God
Praying, fasting, giving, communing
with God, not for show,
for praise, for recognition.
Walking humbly, with God
showing faith to God
Hiding our actions, in private,
For God alone revealed
Waiting on the Lord,
trusting in Him grace
in all we do, for His glory

March 4, 2008
Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 &
Psalm 130 and
today’s devotionals in Alive Now the Upper Room,
http://www.upperroom.org/Devotional/default.asp?month=3&day=4&year=2008,

Waiting for the Lord

I wait, as the psalmist did
for the guidance of the Lord,
for his provision, for his will
to be made known to me
To be guided by his strong hand,
his still small voice
echoing through the world,
meeting me where I sit,
where I stand, to guide my feet
my hands, my voice, my pen
to proclaim his goodness,
his love, to do his justice
to walk humbly with God

March 4, 2008
Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21 &
Psalm 130 and
today’s devotionals in Alive Now the Upper Room,
http://www.upperroom.org/Devotional/default.asp?month=3&day=4&year=2008,

Words of Love

Words of Love, images of beauty
of your love, your commitment,
your desire for me to know,
to feel your tender love
to see the heart which you share with me
each day, our lives together
Oh, I am yours, forever and always
to the end of time
and the end of the coming age
which has no end.
You are my heart,
my Valentine

March 4, 2008
the words and images
on the page Ruth put by my computer
last night

Posting on Alice Linsley's site

Alice Linsley posted my poem, "In the Hushed Choir Loft", on her site, "Students Publish Here!", at http://teachgoodwriting.blogspot.com/.

She also has the site "Just Genesis", at http://jandyongenesis.blogspot.com/.

His Words - 2

The words, shared, written down
come from God, from the voice
speaking within me, the means
streaming through my fingers
touching the keys of the computer
writing down the words already prepared
for me to share, in this time and place
Words of the Creator, the Sustainer,
the Savior of the world,
me a mere scribe, like the monks
writing down the words of the bible
long before Guttenberg built his press
words already written, transcribed
and sent into the stream, the river
of human thought, perception
Hoping to find fertile soil
on the far away shore

March 4, 2008

With Authority (posted 2/25/06 - with note added)

The message is unknown; unimportant
He spoke with authority.
Now that was the thing
The real message in the Word
why the story is recorded
left for us to ponder
and to cherish

He, though untrained, unschooled,
spoke with power, with authority
not like the elite
who spoke the cold words,
of their law, the unflinching rules

He came to teach
a new message
the true meaning, the spirit
discerning the heart of God
hidden in the words on the page

Speaking with power,
with authority, with wisdom
for those who will listen
to his words of parable,
of fulfillment, of love.


2/13/06 13:42
Mark 1:21-22
On 3/3/08 I received an email which asked,
“Hi, just wondering what is your meaning
behind 'With Authority' thanks”

Part of me wanted to say, “I have no idea; these are the words
God gave me to write.”

I responded,
“I wrote this one in a burst of activity 2 years ago, on Monday 2/13/06.
On the same day I wrote:

- With Authority
- Jesus' Eyes
- His Image
- The Rock
- Dipped Candles
- Carolina Summer

If I recall correctly, the poems The Rock, With Authority,
Jesus' Eyes, and His Image were all inspired by a sermon
by Pastor Lori Eldredge on February 12, 2006.
I liked some of the language she included. I think that is
where they came from. I think, if I remember right,
she was saying that part of the power in the Mark 1:21-22
scripture was that we didn't know what Jesus looked like,
or what exactly he said. What we know is that he must
have had something, that inexplicable quality of charisma,
something in his eyes, in the way he spoke, in the way he got
others to follow him, proving he was who we believe him to be.
He spoke with authority, with power because he didn't just learn
the scripture, the true commandments of God from the sacred scrolls.
He learned it from God; He is God made human here on earth.
He wasn't like the scribes or Pharisees who had spent a lifetime
in the Temple. He was a carpenter's son; but He spoke with authority.
There was power in his words, in the way he presented them,
that made all the difference. It wasn't merely opinion either.
Somehow, he spoke from God.”

Wind in the Bones

Not merely a breath,
the breath of life
whispered into the bones.
No, the wind, from the ends of the earth
called, commanded to the valley
to breath life into the dry bones
the winds of the dead, the exhaled
breath of life, reinvigorating,
awakening the nation
called to life by God,
through the prophet,
given life by the four winds

March 3, 2008
Ezekiel 37:1-14

Children of the Light

Be holy, pious
follow the path
walked by the Savior,
not out of obligation, out of duty
Walk the narrow way,
in the bright daylight
out of joy,
the revelation of God's love
through the Son,
our Savior
who walked the earth
and gave himself
for all of us

March 2, 2008
Ephesians 5:8-14
Ephesians 5:8 (on the bulletin cover)
and Psalm 23 and the sermon,
“Of Shepherds and Sheep”,
by Rev. Lori Eldredge,
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH, 3/2/08

The Shepherd, a Lamb

As the first will be the last
so too, the great Shepherd
is the lamb, responding to
the Father's call
a sacrifice, the sin sacrifice
of the one without sin
Cleansing us
whiter than white
Following the Father,
guided by His care,
His strength,
His love.

March 2, 2008
Psalm 23 and the sermon,
“Of Shepherds and Sheep”,
by Rev. Lori Eldredge,
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH, 3/2/08

Praying the Psalm

His song, so special,
so right, so rich
We pray the Psalm,
murmuring the words of love,
of assurance, of quiet
we hold dear
in word pictures
a cascade of thoughts,
of holy belief
in the love of the Shepherd
for each of His sheep

edited January 29, 2015

Praying the Psalm – v3

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2015/01/praying-psalm-v3.html

(merging edits to original and version 2)

edited March 24, 2014

Praying the Psalm – v2

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2014/03/praying-psalm-v2.html

Psalm 22:1

Psalm 22

prayed by Christ on the cross

&

March 2, 2008

Praying the Psalm

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2008/03/praying-psalm.html

Psalm 23 and the sermon,

“Of Shepherds and Sheep”,

by Rev. Lori Eldredge,

https://www.facebook.com/lori.eldredge

Wesley United Methodist Church

www.concordwumc.org

Concord, NH, 3/2/08

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 35,550+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Watched by the Shepherd

We are watched by the Shepherd
as we wander, as we walk,
travel the journey
of our lives
in shadow,
and in light
Guided by His hand
comforted, protected,
stilled by God
Under His holy care.

March 2, 2008
Psalm 23 and the sermon,
“Of Shepherds and Sheep”,
by Rev. Lori Eldredge,
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH, 3/2/08

A More Perfect Sacrifice

A willing, a more perfect sacrifice
the lamb of God, sacrificed on the mountain
the new Isaac, the firstborn son,
sacrificed for the covenant,
the new covenant of blood
bringing us home, righting the schism
closing the distance to God
The new Adam, choosing a better way,
a humbling before God, a more perfect sacrifice
a high priest, able, with the one sacrifice
to seal the breach, for all time
a holy priest, the shepherd,
lamb of God, come to save us
to bring us back to God

March 2, 2008
Psalm 23 and the sermon,
“Of Shepherds and Sheep”,
by Rev. Lori Eldredge,
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH, 3/2/08