Make it clear, plain
share the vision you are given
speak so they will hear
will understand
God is Love!
Christ is the way!
He rose; He lives!
Now, in heaven, living
God gave his son, his only son
Died for us, our debt to pay
Paid in full; we must just accept
this free gift of the creator.
November 19, 2008
Habakkuk 2:2
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Monday, November 17, 2008
Fireproof
My wife and I went and saw Fireproof tonight, fireproofthemovie.
It came out 9/26/08. If you want to know where it is playing, go here fireproofthemovieblog
I would recommend to anyone whose marriage is strong, go see Fireproof;
I would recommend to anyone whose marriage is struggling, go see Fireproof;
I would recommend to anyone who wants to know how to be a true friend, go see Fireproof;
I would recommend to anyone who wants to know how to witness to others, go see Fireproof;
I would recommend to anyone who wonders what love is, go see Fireproof;
I would recommend to anyone who believes they know what love is, go see Fireproof;
I would recommend to anyone who wonders that God's love feels like, start by going to Fireproof.
If you want to Fireproof your marriage, start here fireproofmymarriage or somewhere else; but start.
I love you Ruth!
It came out 9/26/08. If you want to know where it is playing, go here fireproofthemovieblog
I would recommend to anyone whose marriage is strong, go see Fireproof;
I would recommend to anyone whose marriage is struggling, go see Fireproof;
I would recommend to anyone who wants to know how to be a true friend, go see Fireproof;
I would recommend to anyone who wants to know how to witness to others, go see Fireproof;
I would recommend to anyone who wonders what love is, go see Fireproof;
I would recommend to anyone who believes they know what love is, go see Fireproof;
I would recommend to anyone who wonders that God's love feels like, start by going to Fireproof.
If you want to Fireproof your marriage, start here fireproofmymarriage or somewhere else; but start.
I love you Ruth!
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Out into the Street
Taking God’s message, his love
the fact, the truth of our one true God
out into the street, to the ends of the earth
to bring the good news to all who would listen
even to those who scoff, who doubt
letting them decide, letting them choose
being resolute, steady, with burning zeal
as of the Pentecost fire
bringing the creator, the savior
the judge for the coming end of time
leading all to God, where ever they may be
November 16, 2008
Call to Worship, and
Exodus 20:1-6
Acts 17:16-34
and sermon, “Is it Idle or Idol Worship?”
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church
along with Matthew 22:1-14
Matthew 22:1-10
and Upper Room devotional for 11/16/2008
http://www.upperroom.org/Devotional/default.asp?month=11&day=16&year=2008
the fact, the truth of our one true God
out into the street, to the ends of the earth
to bring the good news to all who would listen
even to those who scoff, who doubt
letting them decide, letting them choose
being resolute, steady, with burning zeal
as of the Pentecost fire
bringing the creator, the savior
the judge for the coming end of time
leading all to God, where ever they may be
November 16, 2008
Call to Worship, and
Exodus 20:1-6
Acts 17:16-34
and sermon, “Is it Idle or Idol Worship?”
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church
along with Matthew 22:1-14
Matthew 22:1-10
and Upper Room devotional for 11/16/2008
http://www.upperroom.org/Devotional/default.asp?month=11&day=16&year=2008
Up On a Pedestal
Sitting high, up on a pedestal
Perhaps a bit out of our reach, our grasp
beyond our understanding, our ken
that which we value, that which we worship
Our God, the creator, our savior
He must be held, valued, cherished
above all others, not one among many
on a pedestal not of stone, not of gold
not of human hands
on the pedestal,
the altar of our hearts
November 16, 2008
Exodus 20:1-6
Acts 17:16-34
and sermon, “Is it Idle or Idol Worship?”
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church
Perhaps a bit out of our reach, our grasp
beyond our understanding, our ken
that which we value, that which we worship
Our God, the creator, our savior
He must be held, valued, cherished
above all others, not one among many
on a pedestal not of stone, not of gold
not of human hands
on the pedestal,
the altar of our hearts
November 16, 2008
Exodus 20:1-6
Acts 17:16-34
and sermon, “Is it Idle or Idol Worship?”
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church
Upon a Pedestal
Placed upon a pedestal
that which we value,
our priority, our priorities in life
People or things, no matter
risking to be idolized, to become
our focus, our god
One true God, who made us, who knows us
who loves us enough, to sacrifice his son
to set the world on its axis
to reconcile himself to us
He alone is worthy
he alone is God
November 16, 2008
Exodus 20:1-6
Acts 17:16-34
and sermon, “Is it Idle or Idol Worship?”
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church
that which we value,
our priority, our priorities in life
People or things, no matter
risking to be idolized, to become
our focus, our god
One true God, who made us, who knows us
who loves us enough, to sacrifice his son
to set the world on its axis
to reconcile himself to us
He alone is worthy
he alone is God
November 16, 2008
Exodus 20:1-6
Acts 17:16-34
and sermon, “Is it Idle or Idol Worship?”
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church
An Unknown God
He preached, evangelized
telling the story to the people
everyone on the streets
in their temple, their marketplace of ideas
all that would listen, of the one unknown God
Our one almighty God
the creator of heaven, of earth
the savior of all mankind
Making known to all
the one unknown God
November 16, 2008
Exodus 20:1-6
Acts 17:16-34
and sermon, “Is it Idle or Idol Worship?”
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church
telling the story to the people
everyone on the streets
in their temple, their marketplace of ideas
all that would listen, of the one unknown God
Our one almighty God
the creator of heaven, of earth
the savior of all mankind
Making known to all
the one unknown God
November 16, 2008
Exodus 20:1-6
Acts 17:16-34
and sermon, “Is it Idle or Idol Worship?”
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church
Idle Worship
With burning zeal, the fire of Pentecost
when the spirit first descended
landing on the apostles, giving them power
So must we be, each day, worshipping God
the one true God, focused, in awe,
bringing his love, his message, his hope to all
Dropping, shedding, letting go
of other priorities, lesser gods
Renewed, each day,
to hear the call of the creator
to praise his name
and do his will
November 16, 2008
Exodus 20:1-6
Acts 17:16-34
and sermon, “Is it Idle or Idol Worship?”
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church
when the spirit first descended
landing on the apostles, giving them power
So must we be, each day, worshipping God
the one true God, focused, in awe,
bringing his love, his message, his hope to all
Dropping, shedding, letting go
of other priorities, lesser gods
Renewed, each day,
to hear the call of the creator
to praise his name
and do his will
November 16, 2008
Exodus 20:1-6
Acts 17:16-34
and sermon, “Is it Idle or Idol Worship?”
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church
Extremely Religious
He said that they were extremely religious
but what did that mean, with many gods,
many idols, all graven images,
statues, temples, sacred places
crafted by human hands
When all are equal,
one among many, no better, no worse
many gods, none special,
all vying, competing for attention,
for reverence
One God, alone, above all others
creator of all that is, all that was,
all that is to come
A God who came to earth,
suffered and died,
rising from the dead,
ready, able to judge
the living, the dead
The one focus, needing no statue,
no pedestal, no image by man
one and eternal
God of all
November 16, 2008
Exodus 20:1-6
Acts 17:16-34
and sermon, “Is it Idle or Idol Worship?”
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church
but what did that mean, with many gods,
many idols, all graven images,
statues, temples, sacred places
crafted by human hands
When all are equal,
one among many, no better, no worse
many gods, none special,
all vying, competing for attention,
for reverence
One God, alone, above all others
creator of all that is, all that was,
all that is to come
A God who came to earth,
suffered and died,
rising from the dead,
ready, able to judge
the living, the dead
The one focus, needing no statue,
no pedestal, no image by man
one and eternal
God of all
November 16, 2008
Exodus 20:1-6
Acts 17:16-34
and sermon, “Is it Idle or Idol Worship?”
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church
True Wisdom for the Wise
A new revelation, true wisdom
for the wise, the learned, the pious
Paul’s message of God,
of the savior, of his resurrection
explaining to them the nature of God
the singular, the one true God
knowledge, to topple the idols
to change their lives
to center on the creator
and the savior
the judge that is to come
revealed in his rising from the dead
November 16, 2008
Exodus 20:1-6
Acts 17:16-34
and sermon, “Is it Idle or Idol Worship?”
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church
for the wise, the learned, the pious
Paul’s message of God,
of the savior, of his resurrection
explaining to them the nature of God
the singular, the one true God
knowledge, to topple the idols
to change their lives
to center on the creator
and the savior
the judge that is to come
revealed in his rising from the dead
November 16, 2008
Exodus 20:1-6
Acts 17:16-34
and sermon, “Is it Idle or Idol Worship?”
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church
One, Not Among Many
A singular, actually the one
God, creator, maker of heaven, of earth
One, not one among many
competing idols, focuses, priorities
One true God, jealous, awesome
whose story, whose power, whose love
must be known, shared
out into the world
for the kingdom will not wait
his time is coming
and none should remain
in the dark
November 16, 2008
Exodus 20:1-6
Acts 17:16-34
and sermon, “Is it Idle or Idol Worship?”
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church
God, creator, maker of heaven, of earth
One, not one among many
competing idols, focuses, priorities
One true God, jealous, awesome
whose story, whose power, whose love
must be known, shared
out into the world
for the kingdom will not wait
his time is coming
and none should remain
in the dark
November 16, 2008
Exodus 20:1-6
Acts 17:16-34
and sermon, “Is it Idle or Idol Worship?”
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church
Yellow Remaining
Before the first snowfall
long after frost covering
layering the lawn, the gardens
Yellow remaining
newborn black-eyed Susan
growing in the front bed
flowers defying the date,
the ides of November past,
yellow remaining, amid
the browns, the grays of fall
hope remaining still
of the summer just gone,
the spring to come
after winter’s icy grasp
November 16, 2008
long after frost covering
layering the lawn, the gardens
Yellow remaining
newborn black-eyed Susan
growing in the front bed
flowers defying the date,
the ides of November past,
yellow remaining, amid
the browns, the grays of fall
hope remaining still
of the summer just gone,
the spring to come
after winter’s icy grasp
November 16, 2008
With Burning Zeal
Worshipping you with burning zeal
so is our prayer this morning
our collective prayer of praise
centering our hearts together
that we would be convicted,
transformed; steady minds,
burning zeal, doing your will
November 16, 2008
Call to Worship,
from the Worship Source Book,
Suncook United Methodist Church
so is our prayer this morning
our collective prayer of praise
centering our hearts together
that we would be convicted,
transformed; steady minds,
burning zeal, doing your will
November 16, 2008
Call to Worship,
from the Worship Source Book,
Suncook United Methodist Church
All He Gave for Us
All he gave, for us,
heavenly living, for a manger bed,
angels at his beck and call
for sheep, for the lowing cows
Servanthood, temptation,
the sweat of his brow
A yoke of sacrifice,
a path to death
Punished and scourged
for nothing he had done
taking the lashes, the thorns,
the cross we could not bear
November 16, 2008
based on comments to earlier poem,
“A Loving Servant”, posted to
FaithWriters
heavenly living, for a manger bed,
angels at his beck and call
for sheep, for the lowing cows
Servanthood, temptation,
the sweat of his brow
A yoke of sacrifice,
a path to death
Punished and scourged
for nothing he had done
taking the lashes, the thorns,
the cross we could not bear
November 16, 2008
based on comments to earlier poem,
“A Loving Servant”, posted to
FaithWriters
Reminders of All He Gave for Us
The bread, the wine, the cross before us
on the altar, that cross, the stained glass
reminders, with the words of scripture
open too on his altar
reminders of all he gave us
His free will, his body, his all
giving to atone, to pay the price
not for his sin, but mine,
not for his trespasses,
but those of my own
not his debts,
but mine and mine alone
taken by him, washed clean
reminders I carry, images,
reminders of all he gave for me
November 16, 2008
based on comments to earlier poem,
“A Loving Servant”, posted to
FaithWriters
on the altar, that cross, the stained glass
reminders, with the words of scripture
open too on his altar
reminders of all he gave us
His free will, his body, his all
giving to atone, to pay the price
not for his sin, but mine,
not for his trespasses,
but those of my own
not his debts,
but mine and mine alone
taken by him, washed clean
reminders I carry, images,
reminders of all he gave for me
November 16, 2008
based on comments to earlier poem,
“A Loving Servant”, posted to
FaithWriters
The Cup of Sacrifice
The bitter cup,
more bitter than hemlock,
the cup of sacrifice
lifted to his lips,
an act of obedience
of his free will,
given over to the master
Drinking from the cup,
submitting to the suffering,
to the torture, to the death
humiliating, on the cross
Offering himself, his all
so that we might be saved
that we might find salvation
that we may join him in heaven
and see the master face to face
November 16, 2008
based on comments to earlier poem,
“A Loving Servant”, posted to
FaithWriters and rereading the poem itself
more bitter than hemlock,
the cup of sacrifice
lifted to his lips,
an act of obedience
of his free will,
given over to the master
Drinking from the cup,
submitting to the suffering,
to the torture, to the death
humiliating, on the cross
Offering himself, his all
so that we might be saved
that we might find salvation
that we may join him in heaven
and see the master face to face
November 16, 2008
based on comments to earlier poem,
“A Loving Servant”, posted to
FaithWriters and rereading the poem itself
The Cup of Servanthood
Lifting his cup, the cup of servanthood
taking on his yoke, our cross
lifting him up, carrying his cross with him
taking on his work, his ministry
We are to be the slaves of the master
to spread the message, the invitation
the call to the banquet feast
open to all, all in the streets,
to the ends of the earth
November 16, 2008
based on comments to earlier poem,
“A Loving Servant”, posted to
FaithWriters and rereading the poem itself
and reading of Matthew 22:1-10 today
taking on his yoke, our cross
lifting him up, carrying his cross with him
taking on his work, his ministry
We are to be the slaves of the master
to spread the message, the invitation
the call to the banquet feast
open to all, all in the streets,
to the ends of the earth
November 16, 2008
based on comments to earlier poem,
“A Loving Servant”, posted to
FaithWriters and rereading the poem itself
and reading of Matthew 22:1-10 today
Guests of the King
We are all invited
to be guests of the king
to enter into the banquet hall
for the wedding of the son
We are all invited,
by the slaves of the king
to don our robe and enter in
From the streets we are called
no one is left out
to become guests of the king
and slaves to God
November 16, 2008
Matthew 22:1-14
Matthew 22:1-10
and Upper Room devotional for 11/16/2008
http://www.upperroom.org/Devotional/default.asp?month=11&day=16&year=2008
to be guests of the king
to enter into the banquet hall
for the wedding of the son
We are all invited,
by the slaves of the king
to don our robe and enter in
From the streets we are called
no one is left out
to become guests of the king
and slaves to God
November 16, 2008
Matthew 22:1-14
Matthew 22:1-10
and Upper Room devotional for 11/16/2008
http://www.upperroom.org/Devotional/default.asp?month=11&day=16&year=2008
Guests at the Banquet
Slaves, guests of the king
guests at the royal banquet
the wedding feast of the son
Our names not found
on the original guest list
invited, nonetheless, by the king
to come to the banquet
to share in the bounty
the offerings of the king
Like the select, the chosen
those with the engraved invitations
while we were yet slaves
we were invited in
November 16, 2008
Matthew 22:1-14
Matthew 22:1-10
and Upper Room devotional for 11/16/2008
http://www.upperroom.org/Devotional/default.asp?month=11&day=16&year=2008
guests at the royal banquet
the wedding feast of the son
Our names not found
on the original guest list
invited, nonetheless, by the king
to come to the banquet
to share in the bounty
the offerings of the king
Like the select, the chosen
those with the engraved invitations
while we were yet slaves
we were invited in
November 16, 2008
Matthew 22:1-14
Matthew 22:1-10
and Upper Room devotional for 11/16/2008
http://www.upperroom.org/Devotional/default.asp?month=11&day=16&year=2008
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 24,200+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry
Where You Live.
Slaves to God
You and me, his messengers,
his servants, slaves to God
bringing his invitation
that the feast is ready
the wedding about to begin
while guests we are
accepting the invitation
we now offer to others
that same wondrous gift
to be guests of the king,
to become slaves to God
November 16, 2008
Matthew 22:1-14
Matthew 22:1-10
and Upper Room devotional for 11/16/2008
http://www.upperroom.org/Devotional/default.asp?month=11&day=16&year=2008
his servants, slaves to God
bringing his invitation
that the feast is ready
the wedding about to begin
while guests we are
accepting the invitation
we now offer to others
that same wondrous gift
to be guests of the king,
to become slaves to God
November 16, 2008
Matthew 22:1-14
Matthew 22:1-10
and Upper Room devotional for 11/16/2008
http://www.upperroom.org/Devotional/default.asp?month=11&day=16&year=2008
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 31,500+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.
Slaves
Not merely servants,
slaves to the king
messengers of his invitation
to the banquet prepared
Offering welcome to all
into his house
to the wedding feast of the son
November 16, 2008
Matthew 22:1-14
Matthew 22:1-10
and Upper Room devotional for 11/16/2008
http://www.upperroom.org/Devotional/default.asp?month=11&day=16&year=2008
slaves to the king
messengers of his invitation
to the banquet prepared
Offering welcome to all
into his house
to the wedding feast of the son
November 16, 2008
Matthew 22:1-14
Matthew 22:1-10
and Upper Room devotional for 11/16/2008
http://www.upperroom.org/Devotional/default.asp?month=11&day=16&year=2008
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 33,070+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
