Human Walls

Human walls, fencing in the boundaries
limiting God love, his people, by whatever measure
these will not last, have been torn asunder
in these words of God’s love
For the divisions that served to define us
as the ones to receive the gift
Have been turned to dust and forgotten
by the cost of our savior’s blood
He has fought for our lives and has won
for us eternal life
And we bow in prayer before him
looking forward to our new life

edited June 28, 2014

Human Walls – v2

October 25, 2008

Human Walls

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2008/10/blog-post_669.html

Acts 10:34-35

Acts 10:1-48

and sermon of October 26, 2008

‘A Message from God:

“Don’t Fence Me In”’

Reverend Huntley Halvorson

Suncook United Methodist Church

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 30,780+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Divine Demolition

Things that separate us, brother from brother,
will not stand, in the face of God
for we are one for our creator
needing the love of our savior
the saving grace of the father
to see him face to face
no more are we Jew and Gentile
all sons, daughters of Abraham, of Isaac,
all the saints, the martyrs,
when we open our hearts
to the healing spirit
and let Christ into our lives
when we fear and love the creator
and strive to do his will

October 25, 2008
Acts 10:34-35
Acts 10:1-48
and sermon of October 26, 2008
‘A Message from God:
“Don’t Fence Me In”’
Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Suncook United Methodist Church

Holy Destruction

The curtain ripped, the walls tumbling
law fulfilled, obsolete divisions
by works no more are we measured
by the food we eat, by our company
forevermore, by grace alone
brought into relationship, brought to God
all who fear him, all who call him by name
all saved by our brother, the gift of his blood
we become our brother, for the world
when we tear down the walls
and reach out to our neighbors
becoming Christ’s forgiving love
to all we meet

October 25, 2008
Acts 10:34-35
Acts 10:1-48
and sermon of October 26, 2008
‘A Message from God:
“Don’t Fence Me In”’
Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Suncook United Methodist Church

Phantom Barriers

divisions, Jew and Gentile
no more, barriers phantoms alone
torn down, ripped, removed you our savior
coming to earth, humble, a servant
bringing God to the people, to the dogs
by faith, not by our works,
we are redeemed, reconciled,
returned to God
God sees us, all of us, the same
no distinctions, no differences
at our heart, at the core
all are welcome in the kingdom
if we but believe
and act humbly
before our God
and care for our neighbor

October 25, 2008
Acts 10:34-35
Acts 10:1-48
and sermon of October 26, 2008
‘A Message from God:
“Don’t Fence Me In”’
Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Suncook United Methodist Church

Illusionary Walls

our differences, so minor,
like illusionary walls, stage effects merely,
unreal, phantoms, keeping us apart
nothing of God in these divisions
For God we are equal, no different
all who turn to him, who fear and revere
creator and king; all will receive
all have received his grace
no walls, no curtain, in the way

October 25, 2008
Acts 10:34-35
Acts 10:1-48
and sermon of October 26, 2008
‘A Message from God:
“Don’t Fence Me In”’
Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Suncook United Methodist Church

Invisible Walls

Divisions, difference, distinctions
to separate, not of God’s hands, human barriers
invisible walls, of race, gender, of color, of culture
distinctions, difference, unknown, unseen by God
artificial walls, divides to be crossed, ignored
God sees us differently, the same, all of us unworthy
all of us sinners, unclean, separated from him
All reconciled by our savior, by the sacrifice
by grace alone are we made one, with our brother
with our creator, one, equal one to another
all worthy of grace, undeserving as we all
all brought into the kingdom, all who say yes
who accept God’s gift
and change our ways
to live as our brother,
spreading his father’s love

October 25, 2008
Acts 10:34-35
Acts 10:1-48
and sermon of October 26, 2008
‘A Message from God:
“Don’t Fence Me In”’
Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Suncook United Methodist Church

Your Word

Words smoother than butter
words softer than oil
sweeter than honey,
drippings of the honeycomb
So are your words, Your Word
ageless story of the creator
filling the pages of scripture
your love, your law,
your servants, your son
all these words, the one story of you
giving us guidance, comfort, hope
for this life and the one to come
wonderful beyond our words

October 25, 2008
Psalm 55
Psalm 55:21
Psalm 19
Psalm 19:10

Illusory Walls

Gossamer thin, no weight, substance
illusory walls, within our minds
puffed up differences, most skin deep
Setting us apart, keeping us from joy
deceptive, destructive, alienating
Walls by human hands alone
Not of God’s will; all in his family
all children, brothers, sisters of Christ
receiving grace from the creator
all who turn, conform our wills to God

October 25, 2008
Acts 10:34-35
Acts 10:1-48
and sermon of October 26, 2008
‘A Message from God:
“Don’t Fence Me In”’
Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Suncook United Methodist Church

He Died

From the water he was saved
From the pharaoh they were delivered
in the wilderness fed
To the mountain he was led
to see the promised land
On the mountain he died
not from age, infirmity;
At the command of God he died
The servant’s days numbered
by the will of God
and by God’s hand he was buried.

October 25, 2008
Deuteronomy 34:1-12 (the death of Moses) and
The Upper Room Disciplines 2008, p312

Holding Back

Like the boy, the widow
like Barnabas
Not holding back, giving all
what they had, given for God
We must be like them all
turning our all,
all we have been given,
all we are, over to God

October 25, 2008
John 6:5-13
Matthew 14: 13-21
Mark 6:32-44
Luke 9:10-17
Acts 4:32-5:11
Acts 4:32-37
Acts 5:1-11
Mark 12:41-44
and Upper Room devotional for 10/24/2008
http://www.upperroom.org/Devotional/default.asp?month=10&day=24&year=2008

All He Had

All he had,
two fish, five loaves
giving all, for them
a different story than the others
an offering, a sacrifice at the start
holding nothing back, trusting
giving all by faith
feeding them all
with abundance to spare

October 25, 2008
John 6:5-13
Matthew 14: 13-21
Mark 6:32-44
Luke 9:10-17
and Upper Room devotional for 10/24/2008
http://www.upperroom.org/Devotional/default.asp?month=10&day=24&year=2008

Artificial Walls

Barriers, limits, chaff,
to be burned away, cast off
artificial walls, failing to forgive,
failing to love, failing to see similarities
creating a chasm, a schism,
differences where none exist
keeping us apart, from our father
our creator, our loving God
Apart from our brother, our sister, our neighbor
drawing lines, distinctions, demarcations
Those not made by God
They are not seen by the creator
all are his children
all receiving grace
those who accept his offering of love
and live for Christ alone

October 25, 2008
Acts 10:34-35
Acts 10:1-48
and sermon of October 26, 2008
‘A Message from God:
“Don’t Fence Me In”’
Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Suncook United Methodist Church

Sharing His Vision

Walls broken down, doors opened
history, law, traditions, rules broken
throughout the text, change
station, rank, divisions ignored
sharing his vision with slaves,
servants, subordinates
opening his heart, fully, to them,
As Peter would open his door
to these strangers, by faith
all together, by grace children
differences no more
all to be called, all can be saved

October 25, 2008
Act 10:1-16
Acts 10:34-35
Acts 10:1-48
NIV, NRSV, The Message
and sermon of October 19, 2008
“Daring, First, and Different”
by Eric Feustel
and sermon of October 26, 2008
‘A Message from God:
“Don’t Fence Me In”’
Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Suncook United Methodist Church

Temporary Walls

For a time, they stand,
separating, dividing, us from each other
each of us from God
not of divine making
human walls

Sometimes we are the ones
setting ourselves apart from God,
that we are not good enough,
unworthy of forgiveness,
undeserving of love
that we ourselves are the ones
who are not in the tent,
not part of the community

God’s words, in the scripture,
from the Rock
break down the barrier of the race
the people no longer only worthy
all who fear are welcome,
all who call
all who turn to God saved

That means us too
believe with your faith
let the walls fall

October 25, 2008
Acts 10:34-35
Acts 10:1-48
and sermon of October 26, 2008
‘A Message from God:
“Don’t Fence Me In”’
Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Suncook United Methodist Church

Balancing Worship - revised

To love Jesus,
really love his ministry, his message
We need to see him, as he was,
as he was seen in the world
in his travels in the land
To see him as homeless,
wandering untethered,
outside the law,
claiming deity, fulfillment
Speaking in paradox, in parable
messianic and servant
pauper and king

To see him as holy, divine,
to see him as man, as carpenter,
as teacher, as prophet, as God
complicated beyond our comprehension,
human as the moment in Temple,
tipping the tables of the money-changers,
the moments, the many times,
reflection, centering, time away,
up on the mountain, by the sea,
communing with God

To worship our brother, our savior, our king
we must spent time with him, in his service
being his hands, his feet,
his pen, writing his words,
to be his voice, in the world,
in the marketplace of ideas
spreading justice, his message, his love
reaching out to our brothers, our sisters,
all around this earth,
all of us struggling, hoping
longing for the day, that glorious day
of his coming again

Revised October 23, 2008
February 17, 2008
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

A Father Long Before the Son

The voices of God, long before the king
before the son was born, Everlasting Father
the trinity, born before the creation
living still, the Godhead, one God
Who is the father, who is the son, the spirit
continuing before time began,
to the end of the age
in the kingdom to come
A father, long before the son
unburdened by bloodline, by humanness
a savior, our God, Everlasting Father

October 23, 2008

http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2008/10/father-long-before-son.html

Psalm 110:1

Isaiah 9:6

Matthew 22:34-46

John 17:5

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 38,010+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Everlasting Father

Before the beginning,
the father of the nation, before the patriarchs
he was the Everlasting Father,
born before there was
our savior, reconciling us to God
Everlasting Father
our brother, Christ,
foretold by the prophets,
honored by David
sung in his praises to God
Before time, one God
now living, risen
watching over the living and the dead
everlasting, for all time

October 23, 2008
Psalm 110:1
Isaiah 9:6
Matthew 22:34-46
John 17:5

Treated Equally

No longer separated, a chosen people
by race, by culture, by stale words
A new covenant, of His blood
lives changed, turning to God
The faithful, around the world
worthy by grace, to all who accept
who fear and do right
before God

October 21, 2008
Acts 10:34-35
and sermon
October 26, 2008
‘A Message from God:
“Don’t Fence Me In”’
Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Suncook United Methodist Church

All the Same

From God’s point of view
from His vantage, all of us fail
all have sinned, fallen short
His son, a sacrifice, given for all
His grace, open, ready to anyone
ready when we turn, fall humbly
change our will, our ways, to God

October 21, 2008
Acts 10:34-35
and sermon
October 26, 2008
‘A Message from God:
“Don’t Fence Me In”’
Reverend Huntley Halvorson
Suncook United Methodist Church

In Wonder at the White

A row of children
standing still, mouths agape
a single line,
rimming the schoolyard
berm at the edge of the blacktop
staring, as one, the playground in white
frost on the mulch, the slide, the swings
all in white; wow!

October 21, 2008
yesterday at Pembroke Village School

After the Frost

Killing frost, limp dead petals;
but pockets of color, of life remaining
defying the date, the cold, the frost
living for a while longer
in the flower garden
comfort in the transition
winter not yet here
fall holding on
alive still
after the
frost

October 21, 2008

A Murmur, A Sigh

A murmur, a sigh, a whisper
silent prayer, in the dark of early morning
unspoken, to the creator, without words

October 21, 2008

A Shiver Before the Words

My body shivered, trembled before the words
an ache, a doubt, wondering how I would have responded
if you had called me, a fisherman by the sea
Would I have left all, my life, my family, to follow you
a tall order, uncomfortable, standing beside my wife
a shiver in singing these words again
my faith a challenge, to submit to your will alone
so many other demands, desires, commitments
on each of our lives, on our days
a trembling, before our God
unsure how I would have reacted
if Jesus had called my name
as he called the first twelve

October 19, 2008
Hymn – “Would I Have Answered When You Called”,
The Faith We Sing, 2137
Suncook United Methodist Church

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 27,010+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Attending to Her Train

After the shutter’s last closing
when few remained, under the maple’s boughs
he was, instinctively, lovingly
attending to her train;
making her way on the grass, easier a bit
lovingly, attentively caring for her
without a word of prompting
probably noticed by no other,
maybe not even his bride
across the lawn on this bright fall afternoon

October 19, 2008
seeing October 18, 2008
Johanna and Travis
in front of Suncook United Methodist Church

By the Vision, Called

He was called, by the vision
to send forth his slaves, a devout member
men from his company, to go to another land
to seek out one he did not know
to venture into a new path
to trust in the Lord,
and go as he was called
So he did. And we are forever changed.

October 19, 2008
Acts 10:1-16 and
Sermon “Daring, First, and Different”
by Eric Feustel
Suncook United Methodist Church

Two Visions

Sending and to receive
changing, by faith, by their trust
Seeing a new vision, a new order
Jew and Gentile, as one
all reconciled by the one Savior
all clean, all worthy
all gifted by grace,
the same grace of God

October 19, 2008
Acts 10:1-16 and
Sermon “Daring, First, and Different”
by Eric Feustel
Suncook United Methodist Church

Four Visions

Visitations, visions,
two couplets, two stories
changing the course of our faith
One who is sent, another land
one who is to receive a stranger
A test of the law, of their faith
the rules changed by God
Going because they were called
welcoming because they were led
having trust in the Lord
four visions that changed our world

October 19, 2008
Acts 9:1-19 (Paul and Ananias)
Acts 10:1-16 (Cornelius and Peter) and
Sermon “Daring, First, and Different”
by Eric Feustel
Suncook United Methodist Church

Before the Knock

Before their knock
on the door of his host
a vision from the creator
redeeming, opening the door
letting the dogs, the unclean,
the profane no more
able to sit at the table
all to be fed, all worthy of the feast
all to receive the grace
at the one table
prepared, invited
a way made in the path
A welcome ready
even before the knock on the door

October 19, 2008
Acts 10:1-16 and
Sermon “Daring, First, and Different”
by Eric Feustel
Suncook United Methodist Church

Opening a Door

While they were yet traveling
by his vision sent
A vision of heaven
a new earth, a new law
opening a door, welcoming
even before they arrived, before the knock
No longer outsiders, unclean
all to be welcome at the same table
all to receive the gifts, the grace
opening a door,
changing our faith forever

October 19, 2008
Acts 10:1-16 and
Sermon “Daring, First, and Different”
by Eric Feustel
Suncook United Methodist Church

Go in His Name

Peter’s vision, manifest changes,
a knock on the door, a call to act,
to go in His name where he was called
to leave the law, tradition, comfort
to be ready, willing, to be open
to trust in the savior, the creator
to open the kingdom to all
by grace alone

October 19, 2008
Acts 10:1-16 and
Sermon “Daring, First, and Different”
by Eric Feustel
Suncook United Methodist Church

By His Vision Led

Each of them, on a journey
moving beyond comfort
seeking, traveling, more than miles
traversing culture, tradition, the law
by each, his vision led
to a path, intersecting,
led by God to connection
to a change in our faith
a break with the past
and saving for all

October 19, 2008
Acts 10:1-16 and
Sermon “Daring, First, and Different”
by Eric Feustel
Suncook United Methodist Church

Vision of Cornelius

A vision of an appointment, a call to connection
reaching across faith, divisions, across cultures
to seek out the one chosen by God
to send and get him, to go where God has directed
and do His will, trusting in the creator

Peter’s vision, even as they were on the road
to open his door, to welcome in
the emissaries of Cornelius
to go when they ask,
to follow where God would lead
and do His will, trusting in the savior

October 19, 2008
Acts 10:1-16 and
Sermon “Daring, First, and Different”
by Eric Feustel
Suncook United Methodist Church

Gain God’s Perspective

Peter’s dream, by this dream
he learned, became to understand,
in time, what is important to the Lord
not the differences, the distinguishing,
discrimination, that which makes us set apart
God sees people, all people, equal
no one is unclean, profane, unworthy
all are the same; all welcome,
all needing grace alone

October 19, 2008
Acts 10:1-16 and
Sermon “Daring, First, and Different”
by Eric Feustel
Suncook United Methodist Church

Welcome Them In

The knock on the door
a messenger, sent by God
Open the door,
Welcome them in,
act on what is revealed
the spirit speaking within
all of the people, worthy
equal in God’s eyes
all deserving of grace

October 19, 2008
Acts 10:1-16 and
Sermon “Daring, First, and Different”
by Eric Feustel
Suncook United Methodist Church

Listen for the Knock

Peter, with a vision blessed,
confused, wondering, waiting
listen for the knock at the door
the call of the creator, for us to be bold
to move in a new direction, to follow him
do not conform; be ready, for that knock
the opportunity to grow, to cross the line
to let them in; to be Christ

October 19, 2008
Acts 10:1-16 and
Sermon “Daring, First, and Different”
by Eric Feustel
Suncook United Methodist Church

Answer the Door

After the visions, the calling from God
the knock on the door, opportunity
Answer the door, the calling from God
Let them in, welcome them, boldly
go where you are called
follow the will of God

October 19, 2008
Acts 10:1-16 and
Sermon “Daring, First, and Different”
by Eric Feustel
Suncook United Methodist Church

Sending Them to His Door

Cornelius, faithful, obedient
sending them, to his door
not knowing the reason
sending them because he was called
devout, loyal to the law
while yet a Gentile, centurion
sending them, by the vision called

October 19, 2008
Acts 10:1-16 and
Sermon “Daring, First, and Different”
by Eric Feustel
Suncook United Methodist Church

A Present Tense Savior

He rescues us; He is risen
our savior, our brother, living
he rescues us, in this time,
at the end of the age
wrath to avoid. He is risen, living now
Raised but risen, to save
Our brother living,
sitting on his throne
at the right hand of God
a present tense savior
active in our lives
If we but ask

October 19, 2008
1 Thessalonians 1:1-10
1 Thessalonians 1:4-10
1 Thessalonians 1:9-10
1 Thessalonians 1:10

The Wrath that is Coming

As sure as His saving
the reality, the assurance
that he rescues us, redeems us
The judgment, the wrath,
this is the rest of the story
He rescues us
from the fire, the darkness
to those at His left hand
his winnowing fork to find
He rescues us, the faithful
from the wrath that is coming

October 19, 2008
1 Thessalonians 1:9-10
1 Thessalonians 1:10

Rescues Us

Raised from the dead,
rescues us
so does Paul’s letter state
the nature of Christ
Raised, in the past tense,
raised; be now risen
Rescues, active, now, living
a present tense savior
Saving us now,
and at the end of the age

October 19, 2008
1 Thessalonians 1:1-10
1 Thessalonians 1:4-10
1 Thessalonians 1:9-10
1 Thessalonians 1:10