In the act of meeting,
In Congress, a body politic;
but unlike a select few, direct democracy
people showing up, standing up,
speaking their minds, sharing from their hearts
out of their fears, out of their duty,
their sense of responsibility for our world
even in hard times, standing up,
speaking with a clear voice –
that now was the time,
this was our moment
to gather as a people in the hall
and affirm a change, though there is cost,
a change that will reap rewards
both real and intangible
to spend so that we may save
to act so that our heirs
will share a little more
a better world passed on
to them; in meeting today
we did those who came before proud
honoring their sacrifice, and the beliefs
they have fought and died for alive
once more, gathering together
a people acting out of duty,
out of right, out of responsibility
one person, one vote, in open meeting
before our neighbors accountable
for this season, and a future yet to come
March 14, 2009
Town Meeting
Pembroke, NH
on the passing of warrants to start
mandatory recycling and
automated trash collection
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, 2021, 2022 and 2023. 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.
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Saturday, March 14, 2009
Friday, March 13, 2009
The Fringes of Heaven
Rising, up to the mountain
touching the fringes of heaven
Descending again
to the reality of earth
In the cloud, the heavens
the voice of God
Turning to Christ
solemn silence
following the master’s will
Part of the plan
all in the father’s time
March 12, 2009
Mark 9:2-9
Transfiguration
Upper Room Disciplines 2009, March 7, 2009
Upper Room Disciplines 2009, March 8, 2009
touching the fringes of heaven
Descending again
to the reality of earth
In the cloud, the heavens
the voice of God
Turning to Christ
solemn silence
following the master’s will
Part of the plan
all in the father’s time
March 12, 2009
Mark 9:2-9
Transfiguration
Upper Room Disciplines 2009, March 7, 2009
Upper Room Disciplines 2009, March 8, 2009
Look Up to the Skies
Listen, see, look
The majesty of God
look up to the skies
a heavenly chorus
the handiwork of the creator
his glory, his precision, his power
proclaiming across the skies
all of his creation singing
his praise, his love
Look up to the skies
hear their voices
The majesty of God
look up to the skies
a heavenly chorus
the handiwork of the creator
his glory, his precision, his power
proclaiming across the skies
all of his creation singing
his praise, his love
Look up to the skies
hear their voices
================
edited December 13, 2018
Look Up to the Skies – v2
March 12, 2009
Look Up to the Skies
Psalms 19:1-6
Upper Room Disciplines 2009, March 10, 2009
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, and 2018. All rights are reserved. Contact me at
Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com)
for usage. See all 48,210 of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.
Christ,
creation, creator, Faith, God, Spirit, hands, heaven, hope, love, ministry, poem,
poetry, Poetry Where You Live, power, Psalm 19, sing, star, Upper Room, voice,
#Christ
#creation #creator #Faith #God #Spirit #hands #heaven #hope #love #ministry #poem
#poetry #power #Psalm19 #sing #star #UpperRoom #voice
Before the Law
Faith, before the law,
over the law, a nation,
a people descended
from him, by faith
heirs like him
to the promise, covenant
Before the law, was his faith;
After the law, by a new covenant
by our faith, with Him
life everlasting
March 12, 2009
Romans 4:13-17
Romans 4:13-35
Upper Room Disciplines 2009, March 4, 2009
Upper Room Disciplines 2009, March 6, 2009
over the law, a nation,
a people descended
from him, by faith
heirs like him
to the promise, covenant
Before the law, was his faith;
After the law, by a new covenant
by our faith, with Him
life everlasting
March 12, 2009
Romans 4:13-17
Romans 4:13-35
Upper Room Disciplines 2009, March 4, 2009
Upper Room Disciplines 2009, March 6, 2009
Why He Suffered
For a plan, a prophesy
for the will of God, he suffered
he had to suffer
So sure, so clear,
foretelling his own suffering
knowing, as he did
the steps of his life
soon to be played out
his face toward Jerusalem
inexorably leading to the cross
no turning back,
following the father’s will;
why he suffered.
March 12, 2009
Mark 8:31-38
for the will of God, he suffered
he had to suffer
So sure, so clear,
foretelling his own suffering
knowing, as he did
the steps of his life
soon to be played out
his face toward Jerusalem
inexorably leading to the cross
no turning back,
following the father’s will;
why he suffered.
March 12, 2009
Mark 8:31-38
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Then God Spoke
Then God spoke all these words,
so started the familiar words,
the holiest words of law,
the commandments of God
the precise, the quoted words
written by his servant, only
Amaneusis to God, his stenographer alone
bearing the words of God
spoken on the mountaintop
to the people of God
March 11, 2009
Ten Commandments
Exodus 20:1-17
so started the familiar words,
the holiest words of law,
the commandments of God
the precise, the quoted words
written by his servant, only
Amaneusis to God, his stenographer alone
bearing the words of God
spoken on the mountaintop
to the people of God
March 11, 2009
Ten Commandments
Exodus 20:1-17
The Familiar Words
The familiar words, the law,
the commandments of God
new this reading, that they were all spoken
words from the mouth of God
spoken aloud to his servant
so that he might hear them, their power
the voice of God proclaiming
the shall and the shall not
the words of his law spoken first
from the mouth of God to his servant
from his mouth to the people
down through the generations
March 11, 2009
Ten Commandments
Exodus 20:1-17
the commandments of God
new this reading, that they were all spoken
words from the mouth of God
spoken aloud to his servant
so that he might hear them, their power
the voice of God proclaiming
the shall and the shall not
the words of his law spoken first
from the mouth of God to his servant
from his mouth to the people
down through the generations
March 11, 2009
Ten Commandments
Exodus 20:1-17
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Within the Heart
Within the heart,
the essence of worship
Lord, in that core
that kernel,
it is you, your sacrifice
your grace, on the cross
giving yourself, to death,
into the arms of death
that I may live
Your love for me, in my heart
leading me to your throne
Your spirit abiding, growing
leading me to praise,
to worship you, endlessly
on my knees, in my heart
You alone.
Revelations 4:1-11
Psalm 95:1-3, 6-7a
Daniel 3:28-29
John 4:20-24 and sermon,
“Church… Isn’t Just for Sunday Anymore”,
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
March 8, 2009
the essence of worship
Lord, in that core
that kernel,
it is you, your sacrifice
your grace, on the cross
giving yourself, to death,
into the arms of death
that I may live
Your love for me, in my heart
leading me to your throne
Your spirit abiding, growing
leading me to praise,
to worship you, endlessly
on my knees, in my heart
You alone.
Revelations 4:1-11
Psalm 95:1-3, 6-7a
Daniel 3:28-29
John 4:20-24 and sermon,
“Church… Isn’t Just for Sunday Anymore”,
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
March 8, 2009
Voting
Putting on my suit, my tie,
remembering the sacrifice, the will
the honor of those who penned the words
of our Declaration, our Constitution
of the blood, shed for our privilege
Our right to vote. A solemn responsibility
claiming that for which they fought,
that for which they died, on battlefields stained
innocent, righteous blood.
For them, for their honor, we vote
little pieces of liberty, of freedom
in each check, each ballot, each number,
counting our recognition, our duty
our nation, in the act of voting
March 10, 2009
Voting Day
Pembroke, NH
remembering the sacrifice, the will
the honor of those who penned the words
of our Declaration, our Constitution
of the blood, shed for our privilege
Our right to vote. A solemn responsibility
claiming that for which they fought,
that for which they died, on battlefields stained
innocent, righteous blood.
For them, for their honor, we vote
little pieces of liberty, of freedom
in each check, each ballot, each number,
counting our recognition, our duty
our nation, in the act of voting
March 10, 2009
Voting Day
Pembroke, NH
Melting
So sudden, so certain
the heavy wet, back-tiring snow
yesterday, today a torrent,
melting heavily, quickly
the March sun beating, azure-blue sky
untrammeled by clouds, shimmering instead
almost too blue to look, drinking in the light
a cascade, heavy rivulets, falling heavy
off the roof, the gutter, little streams
melting quickly, urgently
spring coming, winter’s defeat coming
in the melting, the warming of the sun
the urging of the seasons, the turning of the dial
the grip of the white failing
in the melting of the snow
March 10, 2009
the heavy wet, back-tiring snow
yesterday, today a torrent,
melting heavily, quickly
the March sun beating, azure-blue sky
untrammeled by clouds, shimmering instead
almost too blue to look, drinking in the light
a cascade, heavy rivulets, falling heavy
off the roof, the gutter, little streams
melting quickly, urgently
spring coming, winter’s defeat coming
in the melting, the warming of the sun
the urging of the seasons, the turning of the dial
the grip of the white failing
in the melting of the snow
March 10, 2009
Monday, March 09, 2009
Sermon - "Worship…it’s not just for Sunday anymore!", by Pastor Ruth L. Foss, March 8, 2009, Suncook United Methodist Church
Revelation 4
NLT Version
Prayer: God of ages past and present, we come today to hear the word You have for us today. We ask that you would pour out your Spirit on us gathered here today. Enlighten us and enable us to see how you would have us worship You. Searcher of our hearts, renew us each day so that we may stand the test of trials in our lives. Strength of our lives, help us to stand strong so that you may be glorified through us in all that we do. Speak Lord, Your servants are listening. Amen.
Have any of you ever watched the church services on the Television? I know I have. I look on in awe seeing all those lifted hands in praise, all those people who are into the moment of worship. These people look as if they are in the presence of God. I have wanted to be where they are so much. To be in the presence of the Creator of all…what a feeling that is...knowing that God has come down in Spirit and entered into your worship of Him. But…I have a question for you this morning…what is your definition of worship? What makes you feel as if you are worshipping the Eternal Source of knowledge…the Awesome One…Creator of heaven and earth? (Give time for congregation to answer) Well when I think of worshipping God I think of worshipping Him with all my heart, mind body and soul.
I looked up the definition of worship in the dictionary (yes even we all knowing, all seeing pastors need a little help at times) and there were many definitions there. One is to idolize; to love unquestionably (Well…there are things and people in my life I idolize but I don’t really think that this definition suits me too well). Another is to show devotion to (Well there are many things I am devoted too…reading devotions and praying to begin my day…I’m devoted to my husband and children…I am devoted to you as a church…but I don’t really think this definition works either). The activity of worshipping and attending a religious service are also definitions of worship (Well…we are all here this morning to worship God as a community, but even that doesn’t seem like enough to me). How about a feeling of profound love and admiration? (Well I think that we have all had that feeling not only to God but to other things and people as well). So where can we find out what true worship really is? Well…I am glad you asked that question. In Revelation, we can catch a glimpse of what real worship is like.
Revelations 4 reads (I am reading from the New Living Translation this morning):
1 Then as I looked, I saw a door standing open in heaven, and the same voice I had heard before spoke to me like a trumpet blast. The voice said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must happen after this.” 2 And instantly I was in the Spirit and I saw a throne in heaven and someone sitting on it. 3 The one sitting on the throne was as brilliant as gemstones—like jasper and carnelian. And the glow of an emerald circled his throne like a rainbow. 4 Twenty-four thrones surrounded him, and twenty-four elders sat on them. They were all clothed in white and had gold crowns on their heads. 5 From the throne came flashes of lightning and the rumble of thunder. And in front of the throne were seven torches with burning flames. This is the sevenfold Spirit of God. 6 In front of the throne was a shiny sea of glass, sparkling like crystal.
In the center and around the throne were four living beings, each covered with eyes, front and back. 7 The first of these living beings was like a lion; the second was like an ox; the third had a human face; and the fourth was like an eagle in flight. 8 Each of these living beings had six wings, and their wings were covered all over with eyes, inside and out. Day after day and night after night they keep on saying,
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty—
the one who always was, who is, and who is still to come.”
9 Whenever the living beings give glory and honor and thanks to the one sitting on the throne (the one who lives forever and ever), 10 the twenty-four elders fall down and worship the one sitting on the throne (the one who lives forever and ever). And they lay their crowns before the throne and say,
11 “You are worthy, O Lord our God,
to receive glory and honor and power.
For you created all things,
and they exist because you created what you pleased.”
This is real worship…this is the heart of worship. I found a perfect definition of worship on storiesofsalvation.org. It states that “Worshipping God as a Christian is not just about singing and fasting and praying. God is not interested in what you do as much as why you do it. He does not honor hypocrisy, only a devoted heart to Him. Worship is not something you just do on Sunday…it’s a life style.” It’s a life style…it’s not just for Sunday morning but it is the way that you live your life…ever praising our God in word and in deed.
I have seen this church not only worship on Sunday morning but also throughout the week. When we open the doors for those who might not have a place to meet otherwise we worship with our actions. When we have a weekly dinner for the community and sit and talk to people and give them words of comfort, we are worshipping with our words. When we step out in faith and are involved in the community we are worshipping with our service. When people see Christ shining in our lives and feels His presence when they are with us we are worshipping with our lives. Even as people washed the pots and pans from the dinner last night (and what a good dinner it was)…even this small act of helping out is an act of worship.
Worship is not just for Sunday anymore…we worship with our actions, with our words, with our service, with our lives. Unfortunately…some Christians have forgotten that…they have forgotten what is the heart of their worship. They have forgotten that God doesn’t look at what is at the heart of what we do. We can all look good when we worship…we can all raise our hands in holy praise of our Lord but it’s what’s on the inside that counts.
We as Christians need to get back to the heart of worship…then and only then we will worship our God in Spirit and in truth… (Show video of “The Heart of Worship” by Tim Hughes)
Amen.
NLT Version
Prayer: God of ages past and present, we come today to hear the word You have for us today. We ask that you would pour out your Spirit on us gathered here today. Enlighten us and enable us to see how you would have us worship You. Searcher of our hearts, renew us each day so that we may stand the test of trials in our lives. Strength of our lives, help us to stand strong so that you may be glorified through us in all that we do. Speak Lord, Your servants are listening. Amen.
Have any of you ever watched the church services on the Television? I know I have. I look on in awe seeing all those lifted hands in praise, all those people who are into the moment of worship. These people look as if they are in the presence of God. I have wanted to be where they are so much. To be in the presence of the Creator of all…what a feeling that is...knowing that God has come down in Spirit and entered into your worship of Him. But…I have a question for you this morning…what is your definition of worship? What makes you feel as if you are worshipping the Eternal Source of knowledge…the Awesome One…Creator of heaven and earth? (Give time for congregation to answer) Well when I think of worshipping God I think of worshipping Him with all my heart, mind body and soul.
I looked up the definition of worship in the dictionary (yes even we all knowing, all seeing pastors need a little help at times) and there were many definitions there. One is to idolize; to love unquestionably (Well…there are things and people in my life I idolize but I don’t really think that this definition suits me too well). Another is to show devotion to (Well there are many things I am devoted too…reading devotions and praying to begin my day…I’m devoted to my husband and children…I am devoted to you as a church…but I don’t really think this definition works either). The activity of worshipping and attending a religious service are also definitions of worship (Well…we are all here this morning to worship God as a community, but even that doesn’t seem like enough to me). How about a feeling of profound love and admiration? (Well I think that we have all had that feeling not only to God but to other things and people as well). So where can we find out what true worship really is? Well…I am glad you asked that question. In Revelation, we can catch a glimpse of what real worship is like.
Revelations 4 reads (I am reading from the New Living Translation this morning):
1 Then as I looked, I saw a door standing open in heaven, and the same voice I had heard before spoke to me like a trumpet blast. The voice said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must happen after this.” 2 And instantly I was in the Spirit and I saw a throne in heaven and someone sitting on it. 3 The one sitting on the throne was as brilliant as gemstones—like jasper and carnelian. And the glow of an emerald circled his throne like a rainbow. 4 Twenty-four thrones surrounded him, and twenty-four elders sat on them. They were all clothed in white and had gold crowns on their heads. 5 From the throne came flashes of lightning and the rumble of thunder. And in front of the throne were seven torches with burning flames. This is the sevenfold Spirit of God. 6 In front of the throne was a shiny sea of glass, sparkling like crystal.
In the center and around the throne were four living beings, each covered with eyes, front and back. 7 The first of these living beings was like a lion; the second was like an ox; the third had a human face; and the fourth was like an eagle in flight. 8 Each of these living beings had six wings, and their wings were covered all over with eyes, inside and out. Day after day and night after night they keep on saying,
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty—
the one who always was, who is, and who is still to come.”
9 Whenever the living beings give glory and honor and thanks to the one sitting on the throne (the one who lives forever and ever), 10 the twenty-four elders fall down and worship the one sitting on the throne (the one who lives forever and ever). And they lay their crowns before the throne and say,
11 “You are worthy, O Lord our God,
to receive glory and honor and power.
For you created all things,
and they exist because you created what you pleased.”
This is real worship…this is the heart of worship. I found a perfect definition of worship on storiesofsalvation.org. It states that “Worshipping God as a Christian is not just about singing and fasting and praying. God is not interested in what you do as much as why you do it. He does not honor hypocrisy, only a devoted heart to Him. Worship is not something you just do on Sunday…it’s a life style.” It’s a life style…it’s not just for Sunday morning but it is the way that you live your life…ever praising our God in word and in deed.
I have seen this church not only worship on Sunday morning but also throughout the week. When we open the doors for those who might not have a place to meet otherwise we worship with our actions. When we have a weekly dinner for the community and sit and talk to people and give them words of comfort, we are worshipping with our words. When we step out in faith and are involved in the community we are worshipping with our service. When people see Christ shining in our lives and feels His presence when they are with us we are worshipping with our lives. Even as people washed the pots and pans from the dinner last night (and what a good dinner it was)…even this small act of helping out is an act of worship.
Worship is not just for Sunday anymore…we worship with our actions, with our words, with our service, with our lives. Unfortunately…some Christians have forgotten that…they have forgotten what is the heart of their worship. They have forgotten that God doesn’t look at what is at the heart of what we do. We can all look good when we worship…we can all raise our hands in holy praise of our Lord but it’s what’s on the inside that counts.
We as Christians need to get back to the heart of worship…then and only then we will worship our God in Spirit and in truth… (Show video of “The Heart of Worship” by Tim Hughes)
Amen.