Your grace oh Lord,
poured out, a libation for the world
shared through a willing vessel
not matter that it is worn, chipped,
damaged and patched,
worthy for the father’s purposes
for the continuing ministry of faith
through a willing vessel
gifts beyond measure
can pour
March 28, 2009
Walk to Emmaus
Fourth Day
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Knitted Fingers
Cupped fingers, knitted together
the leaves of the tulips
rising from the humus, the earth
as if in prayer, cupped
to gather the morning dew,
the growing, warming sun
March 28, 2009
the leaves of the tulips
rising from the humus, the earth
as if in prayer, cupped
to gather the morning dew,
the growing, warming sun
March 28, 2009
Fresh Oil
Like fresh oil for our lamps
fresh oil for the journey
so are the words of faith shared
in the community, in support for one another
in the light we can shine on the world
into the world, as there is need
to keep our lamps lit, ourselves ready
to answer the call of God, the ministry of our savior
and the stirrings of the holy spirit deep within us
to care for those in need
to go and make disciples
March 28, 2009
Walk to Emmaus
Fourth Day
fresh oil for the journey
so are the words of faith shared
in the community, in support for one another
in the light we can shine on the world
into the world, as there is need
to keep our lamps lit, ourselves ready
to answer the call of God, the ministry of our savior
and the stirrings of the holy spirit deep within us
to care for those in need
to go and make disciples
March 28, 2009
Walk to Emmaus
Fourth Day
Pitcher Plants
Like infant pitcher plants
pushing up through
the litter of last fall’s leaves
new soft-slate-green, cups
tulips, rising from the grey-brown
mouths open, yearning
as if drinking the light
rising into the sun
pushing up through
the litter of last fall’s leaves
new soft-slate-green, cups
tulips, rising from the grey-brown
mouths open, yearning
as if drinking the light
rising into the sun
March
27, 2009
Pitcher
Plants
Prospect
Street
Suncook,
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, 2015. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.
See all 37,170+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.
Meeting God Afresh
Seeing God, feeling Him with me
meeting God afresh, in fellowship
In those moments, precious
sensing love, familial, agape
Walking, journeying with God
in a daily covenant
Touched by Pentecost fire, filled by his grace
being a witness, yoked to Christ
With God as our master
great things we can do
March 28, 2009
Walk to Emmaus
Fourth Day
meeting God afresh, in fellowship
In those moments, precious
sensing love, familial, agape
Walking, journeying with God
in a daily covenant
Touched by Pentecost fire, filled by his grace
being a witness, yoked to Christ
With God as our master
great things we can do
March 28, 2009
Walk to Emmaus
Fourth Day
Changing His World
In his witness, his testimony of his acts
his works, his perseverance, his love
and his caring, he changed himself,
he changed the life of this precious child
he lifted up this family,
those whose lives have touched this child’s own
proving themselves worthy
vessels to share Christ’s love
out into the world,
starting from within themselves
accepting a sacred trust
changing his world for the better
and, in so doing, making a difference
far greater than this
March 28, 2009
Walk to Emmaus
Changing Our World
his works, his perseverance, his love
and his caring, he changed himself,
he changed the life of this precious child
he lifted up this family,
those whose lives have touched this child’s own
proving themselves worthy
vessels to share Christ’s love
out into the world,
starting from within themselves
accepting a sacred trust
changing his world for the better
and, in so doing, making a difference
far greater than this
March 28, 2009
Walk to Emmaus
Changing Our World
Richer
A richer story, a richer life
carrying more, of the word of God
words written indelibly, engraved
on my mind, on my heart
through reading, studying
spending time in the scriptures
learning and sharing
the story of God’s grace
a life richer each day
March 28, 2009
Walk to Emmaus
Grow through Study
carrying more, of the word of God
words written indelibly, engraved
on my mind, on my heart
through reading, studying
spending time in the scriptures
learning and sharing
the story of God’s grace
a life richer each day
March 28, 2009
Walk to Emmaus
Grow through Study
Out of the Shelters
Out of the mild comfort
out of the shelters,
going where there is hurt,
where there is need
out of the shelters, under the bridges
in the park, in the hidden darker places
the places where they have found refuge
bringing Christ’s love, through simple acts
of caring, of coffee, of grace
seeking those, who you may not know
serving them, where they are
as Jesus would do
March 28, 2009
Walk to Emmaus
Christian Action
out of the shelters,
going where there is hurt,
where there is need
out of the shelters, under the bridges
in the park, in the hidden darker places
the places where they have found refuge
bringing Christ’s love, through simple acts
of caring, of coffee, of grace
seeking those, who you may not know
serving them, where they are
as Jesus would do
March 28, 2009
Walk to Emmaus
Christian Action
Dropping Their Nets
“Follow me and I will make you
fishers of men”, so was the call
of the first disciples, of us as well
personally to walk with Christ
in his ministry, living the example
of Simon, of Andrew, of James, of John
moving out into the world,
giving our hands, our feet
yoked with Jesus, partners
a team together,
leaving our old selves behind
transformed and enabled
Dropping our nets, going
to be fishers of men.
March 28, 2009
Walk to Emmaus
Discipleship
fishers of men”, so was the call
of the first disciples, of us as well
personally to walk with Christ
in his ministry, living the example
of Simon, of Andrew, of James, of John
moving out into the world,
giving our hands, our feet
yoked with Jesus, partners
a team together,
leaving our old selves behind
transformed and enabled
Dropping our nets, going
to be fishers of men.
March 28, 2009
Walk to Emmaus
Discipleship
A Simple Act
A hot cup of coffee, a simple act
an offering of a drink but more than this
an offering of hope, of compassion, in witness
being a disciple of Christ, in action
out into our community
to our neighbors
and to the world
even, or maybe especially,
in simple acts of love, of grace
March 28, 2009
Walk to Emmaus
Christian Action
an offering of a drink but more than this
an offering of hope, of compassion, in witness
being a disciple of Christ, in action
out into our community
to our neighbors
and to the world
even, or maybe especially,
in simple acts of love, of grace
March 28, 2009
Walk to Emmaus
Christian Action
Simple Elements
a simple load, an earthen cup
uncovered on the table, an offering
a living candle, before the cross
purple cloth, covering His table
Simple elements, shared in faith,
in remembrance of Him,
invoked by her loving words
His choice to sacrifice,
to give himself, His life,
His body, His blood
for each of us,
as we come to His table
March 28, 2009
Walk to Emmaus
Communion
uncovered on the table, an offering
a living candle, before the cross
purple cloth, covering His table
Simple elements, shared in faith,
in remembrance of Him,
invoked by her loving words
His choice to sacrifice,
to give himself, His life,
His body, His blood
for each of us,
as we come to His table
March 28, 2009
Walk to Emmaus
Communion
In Gasps
The words of Your prayer
sung, as if in gasps, trembling
urgent words raised for the congregation
words of Christ, his prayer
his words to the Father
Shared in son, in prayer
in the community, together
in gasps, in awe, and in reverence.
March 28, 2009
Walk to Emmaus
Lord’s Prayer
sung, as if in gasps, trembling
urgent words raised for the congregation
words of Christ, his prayer
his words to the Father
Shared in son, in prayer
in the community, together
in gasps, in awe, and in reverence.
March 28, 2009
Walk to Emmaus
Lord’s Prayer
In their Faithfulness
In the perseverance, trust
in their faithfulness, striving
to follow the way of the master
walking with our savior
doing the work of the spirit
going where they are called
even if only one, only two
are gathered, so are their fruits
in joyful submission
to the Lord’s holy purpose
March 28, 2009
Walk to Emmaus
Perseverance
in their faithfulness, striving
to follow the way of the master
walking with our savior
doing the work of the spirit
going where they are called
even if only one, only two
are gathered, so are their fruits
in joyful submission
to the Lord’s holy purpose
March 28, 2009
Walk to Emmaus
Perseverance
A Life of Grace
Within each of us
a life of Grace, abounding
all around, living right with God
within us, choice, everlasting
to stay with the challenge,
to turn to the creator
ever to resolve, to heal, some rift, consequence
to repent to turn toward God
to reap a harvest, a life of Grace.
a life of Grace, abounding
all around, living right with God
within us, choice, everlasting
to stay with the challenge,
to turn to the creator
ever to resolve, to heal, some rift, consequence
to repent to turn toward God
to reap a harvest, a life of Grace.
March
27, 2009
A
Life of Grace
Walk
to Emmaus
Perseverance
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 39,250+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.
Treasures of Emmaus
Pearls of grace
shared in their witness
in God’s voice speaking through them
treasure of Emmaus
of the Walk, the journey
with our risen Lord
traveling this road
into the fields of the world
yoked with our savior
feeling his presence
seeing the face of Christ
in the community
your hand, oh God
resting on us all
treasure not buried
but shared instead
March 27, 2009
Walk to Emmaus
Perseverance
shared in their witness
in God’s voice speaking through them
treasure of Emmaus
of the Walk, the journey
with our risen Lord
traveling this road
into the fields of the world
yoked with our savior
feeling his presence
seeing the face of Christ
in the community
your hand, oh God
resting on us all
treasure not buried
but shared instead
March 27, 2009
Walk to Emmaus
Perseverance
Through Your Word
In the quiet of morning
the still of the room, in the written word
a message of grace, for me, this moment
Through your word, I grow
I live, transformed, by your spirit
speaking to me, deep within me
writing more of your story
onto the flesh of my heart
through your word, growing
living my journey
with power,
with words,
to share.
the still of the room, in the written word
a message of grace, for me, this moment
Through your word, I grow
I live, transformed, by your spirit
speaking to me, deep within me
writing more of your story
onto the flesh of my heart
through your word, growing
living my journey
with power,
with words,
to share.
March 27, 2009
Through Your Word
Walk to Emmaus
Grow through Study
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 (raymondafoss@gmail.com)
for usage. See all 40,050+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.
The Banquet of Grace
For those with eyes open
with senses clear,
those paying attention,
those truly present
a banquet of grace
prepared and ready
open for all
Take from the banquet
all who are hungry,
all who seek his face
He is waiting
arms open wide
offering to the world
his banquet of grace
March 27, 2009
Walk to Emmaus
Perseverance
with senses clear,
those paying attention,
those truly present
a banquet of grace
prepared and ready
open for all
Take from the banquet
all who are hungry,
all who seek his face
He is waiting
arms open wide
offering to the world
his banquet of grace
March 27, 2009
Walk to Emmaus
Perseverance
What’s Wrong
The obstacle, the barrier
the impediment to grace –
It is me, my sins
my selfishness, my will
keeping me from God,
from his voice, his message;
not centered on Christ
It is me, not our creator
being the wall, the divide
between us, the distance
Following my own path
He is the father, ready, always, for me
When I am ready,
when I return to him.
March 27, 2009
Walk to Emmaus
Obstacles to Grace
the impediment to grace –
It is me, my sins
my selfishness, my will
keeping me from God,
from his voice, his message;
not centered on Christ
It is me, not our creator
being the wall, the divide
between us, the distance
Following my own path
He is the father, ready, always, for me
When I am ready,
when I return to him.
March 27, 2009
Walk to Emmaus
Obstacles to Grace
Written on our Hearts
With the blood of the lamb
prepared to be ink, grace
written on our hearts
God’s everlasting love
seeking us, pursuing
hoping for covenant
for a living relationship
Indelible ink of life
changing us, transforming
never to be the same again
Our lives anew, walking
journeying, yoked to our savior,
our brother, our master
By his grace, by his redemption
moving, walking
as new beings, servants
Calling us, each one, called to be
disciples to be sent out into the world,
faithful to his love
March 27, 2009
Walk to Emmaus
Prevenient Grace talk
prepared to be ink, grace
written on our hearts
God’s everlasting love
seeking us, pursuing
hoping for covenant
for a living relationship
Indelible ink of life
changing us, transforming
never to be the same again
Our lives anew, walking
journeying, yoked to our savior,
our brother, our master
By his grace, by his redemption
moving, walking
as new beings, servants
Calling us, each one, called to be
disciples to be sent out into the world,
faithful to his love
March 27, 2009
Walk to Emmaus
Prevenient Grace talk
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Sermon - "Are You Listening Lord?", by Pastor Ruth L. Foss, Suncook United Methodist Church, March 22, 2009
Luke 11:1-13
The Lord be with you
And also with you
Let us pray:
(Song: Pray by Darlene Zschech)
Reading of the Gospel according to St. Luke
Since I have been coming down with a cold, this morning I have brought with me something to drink. I put it in one of my favorite cups from home. It says “Dear God, Do you ever sit around…waiting for the phone to ring.” But what I like what is says on the back the most. It is a cup that I grab when I feel like I am out in the wilderness without my cell phone to call someone who cares. The back says “Dear God, Do you ever sit around…waiting for the phone to ring? God is always at work – always eager to hear your prayers, yet already busy doing everything you need at the moment of the day or night. So while you are welcome anytime you start to need His help or think about His love, He is already on the job – even when you’re not.” (Wow…he’s already doing what we need…before we even ask. How amazing is that?)
We have embarked on a wonderful journey this Lent. We have been learning about different Spiritual Disciplines. We have talked about listening (how are you all doing on those quiet moments of listening…I think I may have it up to about 3 min. but who’s counting), worship and simplicity (Which is the real spice of life if you ask me). Today I want to talk to you about something that is very near and dear to my heart. It’s something that I feel keeps me connected to the Giver of all knowledge. The discipline is the discipline of prayer.
So what is prayer? How do we tap into the power to change situations and nations? How can we know if we are doing it right and if we are not, how can we change? How do we pray? Well…in the Scripture passage from Luke this morning, we can see that the disciples had the same types of questions in their minds.
Jesus had just finished praying and they must have been moved by hearing Him pray because right after He had finished, they wanted Jesus to teach them how to pray. Well…this tells me that prayer is something that is learned. It is something that we don’t know how to do unless someone shows us how to do it. I remember as a child, my parents taught me how to pray. Most of you probably had the same “teacher of prayer.” I can remember getting on my knees at the side of my bed as a child and praying the prayer that my parents taught me. You know the prayer “now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep…” Prayer is something that is taught how to do.
This simple little prayer taught to me as a child has grown into something much more than that. You see…prayer is not just about asking for something, it is a one on one conversation with the Creator of all things. Prayer is the one thing that keeps Christians in touch with God. We can say that we love God and want to do His will in our lives but, how can we know the will that God has for us unless we spend time with God…in prayer…in order to know what that will is. Prayer is a “two way street.” It’s not only about us going to the throne of grace and asking, it also about us listening for God’s still small voice (remember what Huntley talked about…listening…it is a discipline we need to hear God’s voice). It is this mutual relationship that helps us, as Christians, to live the life that God has planned for us.
You don’t have to pray with big, theological words, this scripture shows us a simple prayer that was taught to the disciples and it is this simple prayer that not only asks for things for ourselves but also for others. In this prayer…I counted the word “us” an “we” 5 times. It is not all about the “I”, it’s about the “we” and “us”. This prayer tells me that prayer is not all about me and that I need to pray for others as well. It tells me that by praying for others I can make a difference in situations and even for a change in the nations. What awesome power the Giver of all that is good has given each and every one of us. What a responsibility we all have.
Simplicity (still yet another one of those Spiritual disciplines that we have talked about)…I remember one day Shanequa came into Ray’s office and asked for a puppy. Well…being the “good Christian parents” that we are, we said to her “well Shanequa, you’re going to have to ask God about that.” Well…Shanequa then dropped to her knees and prayed “God, can I please have a puppy.” As she was leaving the office…we cleared our throats and she came back in…dropped to her knees again and said “Oh yah…AMEN!” (Spontaneous prayer in action!) Her little prayer made us laugh but it also taught us something. When going to God in prayer, it doesn’t have to be a complicated prayer, a simple little prayer will do. It also taught us that we need to go to God with the spirit of a little child going to their parent with a request knowing that our prayer will be answered and trusting that God hears us.
Prayer is not just a onetime thing. We need to be continually in prayer over things…kind of like that guy in the scripture this morning. They kept asking until they received what they asked for. So don’t get discourage if you ask for something and you don’t get immediate results. It’s hard when we don’t get immediate answers. We live in a world that tells us we must have immediate gratification. We want it NOW! Scripture tells us to pray without ceasing. Prayer helps us build endurance and character. We learn that perseverance is a sign of maturity. (A pastor friend of mind once told me that “delayed gratification is a sign of maturity”)
Prayer is not all about asking either. In prayer, we also have the opportunity to thank God for all He has given us. As we thank God for the abundance that has been heaped upon us, we are actually doing and act of “worship” as we concentrate on His goodness (Boy…these spiritual gifts come in handy!). God wants to have a relationship with us. If He didn’t He would not have sent His Son to bridge that gap that was forged in the Garden of Eden. For that alone we should be thankful. God has answered so many of our prayers which is another thing to be thankful for. God has given us life and a purpose, again something to be thankful for. And the list goes on, so I don’t really think that we will have a problem in thinking of things to be thankful for. Even when we don’t know what to say, when we are at a loss for words, God hears the prayer of our hearts.(This I am ever thankful for because there are days that I just don’t know what to pray).
Prayer…it is one of those disciplines that is a life boat to us as Christians. It is something that doesn’t have to be complicated. It is an opportunity to thank God for all His goodness. It is a way that we can change the world. Wow, that’s a lot of stuff for such a simple thing. But, God doesn’t need it to be complicated and theological for Him to understand what you are saying. He even knows the prayers that we are unable to articulate. It is a way that we can keep in touch with and hear from the Creator of all things. What an awesome privilege we have. What an opportunity we have to come to the throne of grace, through Our Lord Jesus Christ and have a one on one with our heavenly Father. God speaks to us even today as He did in years past. All we need to do is be still, and listen for that still, small voice saying “I’m here and I hear what you’re saying.” Speak Lord…your servants are listening…
(Word of God Speak video by Mercy Me)
AMEN!
The Lord be with you
And also with you
Let us pray:
(Song: Pray by Darlene Zschech)
Reading of the Gospel according to St. Luke
Since I have been coming down with a cold, this morning I have brought with me something to drink. I put it in one of my favorite cups from home. It says “Dear God, Do you ever sit around…waiting for the phone to ring.” But what I like what is says on the back the most. It is a cup that I grab when I feel like I am out in the wilderness without my cell phone to call someone who cares. The back says “Dear God, Do you ever sit around…waiting for the phone to ring? God is always at work – always eager to hear your prayers, yet already busy doing everything you need at the moment of the day or night. So while you are welcome anytime you start to need His help or think about His love, He is already on the job – even when you’re not.” (Wow…he’s already doing what we need…before we even ask. How amazing is that?)
We have embarked on a wonderful journey this Lent. We have been learning about different Spiritual Disciplines. We have talked about listening (how are you all doing on those quiet moments of listening…I think I may have it up to about 3 min. but who’s counting), worship and simplicity (Which is the real spice of life if you ask me). Today I want to talk to you about something that is very near and dear to my heart. It’s something that I feel keeps me connected to the Giver of all knowledge. The discipline is the discipline of prayer.
So what is prayer? How do we tap into the power to change situations and nations? How can we know if we are doing it right and if we are not, how can we change? How do we pray? Well…in the Scripture passage from Luke this morning, we can see that the disciples had the same types of questions in their minds.
Jesus had just finished praying and they must have been moved by hearing Him pray because right after He had finished, they wanted Jesus to teach them how to pray. Well…this tells me that prayer is something that is learned. It is something that we don’t know how to do unless someone shows us how to do it. I remember as a child, my parents taught me how to pray. Most of you probably had the same “teacher of prayer.” I can remember getting on my knees at the side of my bed as a child and praying the prayer that my parents taught me. You know the prayer “now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep…” Prayer is something that is taught how to do.
This simple little prayer taught to me as a child has grown into something much more than that. You see…prayer is not just about asking for something, it is a one on one conversation with the Creator of all things. Prayer is the one thing that keeps Christians in touch with God. We can say that we love God and want to do His will in our lives but, how can we know the will that God has for us unless we spend time with God…in prayer…in order to know what that will is. Prayer is a “two way street.” It’s not only about us going to the throne of grace and asking, it also about us listening for God’s still small voice (remember what Huntley talked about…listening…it is a discipline we need to hear God’s voice). It is this mutual relationship that helps us, as Christians, to live the life that God has planned for us.
You don’t have to pray with big, theological words, this scripture shows us a simple prayer that was taught to the disciples and it is this simple prayer that not only asks for things for ourselves but also for others. In this prayer…I counted the word “us” an “we” 5 times. It is not all about the “I”, it’s about the “we” and “us”. This prayer tells me that prayer is not all about me and that I need to pray for others as well. It tells me that by praying for others I can make a difference in situations and even for a change in the nations. What awesome power the Giver of all that is good has given each and every one of us. What a responsibility we all have.
Simplicity (still yet another one of those Spiritual disciplines that we have talked about)…I remember one day Shanequa came into Ray’s office and asked for a puppy. Well…being the “good Christian parents” that we are, we said to her “well Shanequa, you’re going to have to ask God about that.” Well…Shanequa then dropped to her knees and prayed “God, can I please have a puppy.” As she was leaving the office…we cleared our throats and she came back in…dropped to her knees again and said “Oh yah…AMEN!” (Spontaneous prayer in action!) Her little prayer made us laugh but it also taught us something. When going to God in prayer, it doesn’t have to be a complicated prayer, a simple little prayer will do. It also taught us that we need to go to God with the spirit of a little child going to their parent with a request knowing that our prayer will be answered and trusting that God hears us.
Prayer is not just a onetime thing. We need to be continually in prayer over things…kind of like that guy in the scripture this morning. They kept asking until they received what they asked for. So don’t get discourage if you ask for something and you don’t get immediate results. It’s hard when we don’t get immediate answers. We live in a world that tells us we must have immediate gratification. We want it NOW! Scripture tells us to pray without ceasing. Prayer helps us build endurance and character. We learn that perseverance is a sign of maturity. (A pastor friend of mind once told me that “delayed gratification is a sign of maturity”)
Prayer is not all about asking either. In prayer, we also have the opportunity to thank God for all He has given us. As we thank God for the abundance that has been heaped upon us, we are actually doing and act of “worship” as we concentrate on His goodness (Boy…these spiritual gifts come in handy!). God wants to have a relationship with us. If He didn’t He would not have sent His Son to bridge that gap that was forged in the Garden of Eden. For that alone we should be thankful. God has answered so many of our prayers which is another thing to be thankful for. God has given us life and a purpose, again something to be thankful for. And the list goes on, so I don’t really think that we will have a problem in thinking of things to be thankful for. Even when we don’t know what to say, when we are at a loss for words, God hears the prayer of our hearts.(This I am ever thankful for because there are days that I just don’t know what to pray).
Prayer…it is one of those disciplines that is a life boat to us as Christians. It is something that doesn’t have to be complicated. It is an opportunity to thank God for all His goodness. It is a way that we can change the world. Wow, that’s a lot of stuff for such a simple thing. But, God doesn’t need it to be complicated and theological for Him to understand what you are saying. He even knows the prayers that we are unable to articulate. It is a way that we can keep in touch with and hear from the Creator of all things. What an awesome privilege we have. What an opportunity we have to come to the throne of grace, through Our Lord Jesus Christ and have a one on one with our heavenly Father. God speaks to us even today as He did in years past. All we need to do is be still, and listen for that still, small voice saying “I’m here and I hear what you’re saying.” Speak Lord…your servants are listening…
(Word of God Speak video by Mercy Me)
AMEN!
Monday, March 23, 2009
TO MEET SUCH A MAN - received via email 2/12/09 (to be shared)
I sat, with two friends, in the picture window of a quaint restaurant just off the corner of the town-square. The food and the company were both especially good that day.
As we talked, my attention was drawn outside, across the street. There, walking into town, was a man who appeared to be carrying all his worldly goods on his back. He was carrying, a well-worn sign that read, 'I will work for food.' My heart sank.
I brought him to the attention of my friends and noticed that others around us had stopped eating to focus on him. Heads moved in a mixture of sadness and disbelief. We continued with our meal, but his image lingered in my mind. We finished our meal and went our separate ways. I had errands to do and quickly set out to accomplish them. I glanced toward the town square, looking somewhat halfheartedly for the strange visitor. I was fearful, knowing that seeing him again would call some response.
I drove through town and saw nothing of him. I made some purchases at a store and got back in my car.
Deep within me, the Spirit of God kept speaking to me: 'Don't go back to the office until you've at least driven once more around the square.' Then with some hesitancy, I headed back into town. As I turned the squares third corner, I saw him. He was standing on the steps of the store front church, going through his sack.
I stopped and looked; feeling both compelled to speak to him, yet wanting to drive on.
The empty parking space on the corner seemed to be a sign from God: an invitation to park. I pulled in, got out and approached the town's newest visitor.
'Looking for the pastor?' I asked.
'Not really,' he replied, 'just resting.'
'Have you eaten today?'
'Oh, I ate something early this morning.'
'Would you like to have lunch with me?'
'Do you have some work I could do for you?'
'No work,' I replied. 'I commute here to work from the city, but I would like to take you to lunch.'
'Sure,' he replied with a smile.
As he began to gather his things, I asked some surface questions.
'Where are you headed?'
' St. Louis .'
'Where are you from?'
'Oh, all over; mostly Florida .'
'How long have you been walking?'
'Fourteen years,' came the reply.
I knew I had met someone unusual. We sat across from each other in the same restaurant I had left earlier. His face was weathered slightly beyond his 38 years. His eyes were dark yet clear, and he spoke with an eloquence and articulation that was startling. He removed his jacket to reveal a bright red T-shirt that said, 'Jesus is The Never Ending Story.'
Then Daniel's story began to unfold. He had seen rough times early in life. He'd made some wrong choices and reaped the consequences. Fourteen years earlier, while back-packing across the country, he had stopped on the beach in Daytona. He tried to hire on with some men who were putting up a large tent and some equipment. A concert, he thought.
He was hired, but the tent would not house a concert but revival services, and in those services he saw life more clearly. He gave his life over to God.
'Nothing's been the same since,' he said, 'I felt the Lord telling me to keep walking, and so I did, some 14 years now.'
'Ever think of stopping?' I asked.
'Oh, once in a while, when it seems to get the best of me but God has given me this calling. I give out Bibles. That's what's in my sack. I work to buy food and Bibles, and I give them out when His Spirit leads.'
I sat amazed. My homeless friend was not homeless. He was on a mission and l ived this way by choice. The question burned inside for a moment and then I asked: 'What's it like?'
'What?'
'To walk into a town carrying all your things on your back and to show your sign?'
'Oh, it was humiliating at first. People would stare and make comments. Once someone tossed a piece of half-eaten bread and made a gesture that certainly didn't make me feel welcome. But then it became humbling to realize that God was using me to touch lives and change people's concepts of other folks like me.'
My concept was changing, too. We finished our dessert and gathered his things. Just outside the door, he paused. He turned to me and said, 'Come Ye blessed of my Father and inherit the kingdom I've prepared for you. For when I was hungry you gave me food, when I was thirsty you gave me drink, a stranger and you took me in.'
I felt as if we were on holy ground.
'Could you use another Bible?' I asked.
He said he preferred a certain translation. It traveled well and was not too heavy. It was also his personal favorite. 'I've read through it 14 times,' he said.
'I'm not sure we've got one of those, but let's stop by our church and see.' I was able to find my new friend a Bible that would do well, and he seemed very grateful.
'Where are you headed from here?' I asked.
'Well, I found this little map on the back of this amusement park coupon.'
'Are you hoping to hire on there for awhile?'
'No, I just figure I should go there. I figure someone under that star right there needs a Bible, so that's where I'm going next.'
He smiled, and the warmth of his spirit radiated the sincerity of his mission. I drove him back to the town-square where we'd met two hours earlier, and as we drove, it started raining. We parked and unloaded his things.
'Would you sign my autograph book?' he asked. 'I like to keep messages from folks I meet.'
I wrote in his little book that his commitment to his calling had touched my life. I encouraged him to stay strong. And I left him with a verse of scripture from Jeremiah, 'I know the plans I have for you, declared the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you; Plans to give you a future and a hope.'
'Thanks, man,' he said. 'I know we just met and we're really just strangers, but I love you.'
'I know,' I said, 'I love you, too.' 'The Lord is good!'
'Yes, He is. How long has it been since someone hugged you?' I asked.
'A long time,' he replied
And so on the busy street corner in the drizzling rain, my new friend and I embraced, and I felt deep inside that I had been changed. He put his things on his back, smiled his winning smile and said, 'See you in the New Jerusalem.'
'I'll be there!' was my reply.
He began his journey again. He headed away with his sign dangling from his bed roll and pack of Bibles. He stopped, turned and said, 'When you see something that makes you think of me, will you pray for me?'
'You bet,' I shouted back, 'God bless.'
'God bless.' And that was the last I saw of him.
Late that evening as I left my office, the wind blew strong. The cold front had settled hard upon the town. I bundled up and hurried to my car. As I sat back and reached for the emergency brake, I saw them... a pair of well-worn brown work gloves neatly laid over the length of the handle. I picked them up and thought of my friend and wondered if his hands would stay warm that night without them.
Then I remembered his words: 'If you see something that makes you think of me, will you pray for me?'
Today his gloves lie on my desk in my office. They help me to see the world and its people in a new way, and they help me remember those two hours with my unique friend and to pray for his ministry. 'See you in the New Jerusalem,' he said. Yes, Daniel, I know I will...
If this story touched you, forward it to a friend!
'I shall pass this way but once. Therefore, any good that I can do or any kindness that I can show, let me do it now, for I shall not pass this way again.'
My instructions were to send this to four people that I wanted God to bless and I picked you. Please pass this to four people you want to be blessed.
This prayer is powerful and there is nothing attached. Please do not break this pattern. Prayer is one of the best gifts we receive. There is no cost but a lot of rewards. Let's continue to pray for one another. God bless and have a nice day!
'Father, I ask you to bless my friends, relatives and e-mail buddies reading this right now. Show them a new revelation of your love and power. Holy Spirit, I ask you to minister to their spirit at this very moment. Where there is pain, give them your peace and mercy. Where there is self-doubt, release a renewed confidence through your grace, In Jesus' precious Name Amen.'
I sent this to more than four, but this story is so touching I felt each of you would enjoy it greatly.
GOD BLESS YOU MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY!!!
As we talked, my attention was drawn outside, across the street. There, walking into town, was a man who appeared to be carrying all his worldly goods on his back. He was carrying, a well-worn sign that read, 'I will work for food.' My heart sank.
I brought him to the attention of my friends and noticed that others around us had stopped eating to focus on him. Heads moved in a mixture of sadness and disbelief. We continued with our meal, but his image lingered in my mind. We finished our meal and went our separate ways. I had errands to do and quickly set out to accomplish them. I glanced toward the town square, looking somewhat halfheartedly for the strange visitor. I was fearful, knowing that seeing him again would call some response.
I drove through town and saw nothing of him. I made some purchases at a store and got back in my car.
Deep within me, the Spirit of God kept speaking to me: 'Don't go back to the office until you've at least driven once more around the square.' Then with some hesitancy, I headed back into town. As I turned the squares third corner, I saw him. He was standing on the steps of the store front church, going through his sack.
I stopped and looked; feeling both compelled to speak to him, yet wanting to drive on.
The empty parking space on the corner seemed to be a sign from God: an invitation to park. I pulled in, got out and approached the town's newest visitor.
'Looking for the pastor?' I asked.
'Not really,' he replied, 'just resting.'
'Have you eaten today?'
'Oh, I ate something early this morning.'
'Would you like to have lunch with me?'
'Do you have some work I could do for you?'
'No work,' I replied. 'I commute here to work from the city, but I would like to take you to lunch.'
'Sure,' he replied with a smile.
As he began to gather his things, I asked some surface questions.
'Where are you headed?'
' St. Louis .'
'Where are you from?'
'Oh, all over; mostly Florida .'
'How long have you been walking?'
'Fourteen years,' came the reply.
I knew I had met someone unusual. We sat across from each other in the same restaurant I had left earlier. His face was weathered slightly beyond his 38 years. His eyes were dark yet clear, and he spoke with an eloquence and articulation that was startling. He removed his jacket to reveal a bright red T-shirt that said, 'Jesus is The Never Ending Story.'
Then Daniel's story began to unfold. He had seen rough times early in life. He'd made some wrong choices and reaped the consequences. Fourteen years earlier, while back-packing across the country, he had stopped on the beach in Daytona. He tried to hire on with some men who were putting up a large tent and some equipment. A concert, he thought.
He was hired, but the tent would not house a concert but revival services, and in those services he saw life more clearly. He gave his life over to God.
'Nothing's been the same since,' he said, 'I felt the Lord telling me to keep walking, and so I did, some 14 years now.'
'Ever think of stopping?' I asked.
'Oh, once in a while, when it seems to get the best of me but God has given me this calling. I give out Bibles. That's what's in my sack. I work to buy food and Bibles, and I give them out when His Spirit leads.'
I sat amazed. My homeless friend was not homeless. He was on a mission and l ived this way by choice. The question burned inside for a moment and then I asked: 'What's it like?'
'What?'
'To walk into a town carrying all your things on your back and to show your sign?'
'Oh, it was humiliating at first. People would stare and make comments. Once someone tossed a piece of half-eaten bread and made a gesture that certainly didn't make me feel welcome. But then it became humbling to realize that God was using me to touch lives and change people's concepts of other folks like me.'
My concept was changing, too. We finished our dessert and gathered his things. Just outside the door, he paused. He turned to me and said, 'Come Ye blessed of my Father and inherit the kingdom I've prepared for you. For when I was hungry you gave me food, when I was thirsty you gave me drink, a stranger and you took me in.'
I felt as if we were on holy ground.
'Could you use another Bible?' I asked.
He said he preferred a certain translation. It traveled well and was not too heavy. It was also his personal favorite. 'I've read through it 14 times,' he said.
'I'm not sure we've got one of those, but let's stop by our church and see.' I was able to find my new friend a Bible that would do well, and he seemed very grateful.
'Where are you headed from here?' I asked.
'Well, I found this little map on the back of this amusement park coupon.'
'Are you hoping to hire on there for awhile?'
'No, I just figure I should go there. I figure someone under that star right there needs a Bible, so that's where I'm going next.'
He smiled, and the warmth of his spirit radiated the sincerity of his mission. I drove him back to the town-square where we'd met two hours earlier, and as we drove, it started raining. We parked and unloaded his things.
'Would you sign my autograph book?' he asked. 'I like to keep messages from folks I meet.'
I wrote in his little book that his commitment to his calling had touched my life. I encouraged him to stay strong. And I left him with a verse of scripture from Jeremiah, 'I know the plans I have for you, declared the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you; Plans to give you a future and a hope.'
'Thanks, man,' he said. 'I know we just met and we're really just strangers, but I love you.'
'I know,' I said, 'I love you, too.' 'The Lord is good!'
'Yes, He is. How long has it been since someone hugged you?' I asked.
'A long time,' he replied
And so on the busy street corner in the drizzling rain, my new friend and I embraced, and I felt deep inside that I had been changed. He put his things on his back, smiled his winning smile and said, 'See you in the New Jerusalem.'
'I'll be there!' was my reply.
He began his journey again. He headed away with his sign dangling from his bed roll and pack of Bibles. He stopped, turned and said, 'When you see something that makes you think of me, will you pray for me?'
'You bet,' I shouted back, 'God bless.'
'God bless.' And that was the last I saw of him.
Late that evening as I left my office, the wind blew strong. The cold front had settled hard upon the town. I bundled up and hurried to my car. As I sat back and reached for the emergency brake, I saw them... a pair of well-worn brown work gloves neatly laid over the length of the handle. I picked them up and thought of my friend and wondered if his hands would stay warm that night without them.
Then I remembered his words: 'If you see something that makes you think of me, will you pray for me?'
Today his gloves lie on my desk in my office. They help me to see the world and its people in a new way, and they help me remember those two hours with my unique friend and to pray for his ministry. 'See you in the New Jerusalem,' he said. Yes, Daniel, I know I will...
If this story touched you, forward it to a friend!
'I shall pass this way but once. Therefore, any good that I can do or any kindness that I can show, let me do it now, for I shall not pass this way again.'
My instructions were to send this to four people that I wanted God to bless and I picked you. Please pass this to four people you want to be blessed.
This prayer is powerful and there is nothing attached. Please do not break this pattern. Prayer is one of the best gifts we receive. There is no cost but a lot of rewards. Let's continue to pray for one another. God bless and have a nice day!
'Father, I ask you to bless my friends, relatives and e-mail buddies reading this right now. Show them a new revelation of your love and power. Holy Spirit, I ask you to minister to their spirit at this very moment. Where there is pain, give them your peace and mercy. Where there is self-doubt, release a renewed confidence through your grace, In Jesus' precious Name Amen.'
I sent this to more than four, but this story is so touching I felt each of you would enjoy it greatly.
GOD BLESS YOU MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY!!!
Listening too
Prayer is not just talking,
speaking our minds, venting our issues,
dumping our troubles, all about us
A conversation instead, a two way street
time to speak and to listen to God
empowering us, giving us a chance
to hear God’s word, his message
his power infusing our lives
steeling us, filling us
bringing our lives to God
humbly, bowing, waiting, trusting
speaking and listening too.
March 23, 2009
Luke 11:1-13
and sermon,
“Are You Listening Lord?”
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
March 22, 2009
speaking our minds, venting our issues,
dumping our troubles, all about us
A conversation instead, a two way street
time to speak and to listen to God
empowering us, giving us a chance
to hear God’s word, his message
his power infusing our lives
steeling us, filling us
bringing our lives to God
humbly, bowing, waiting, trusting
speaking and listening too.
March 23, 2009
Luke 11:1-13
and sermon,
“Are You Listening Lord?”
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
March 22, 2009
Before We Ask
Before we ask, before we bow in prayer
God is working, to answer, to lift us up
to comfort our troubled souls
to reach down and lift us up
to care for his children
whether we are listening or not
there in the joys, there too in the struggles
in the challenges of life
Before we ask, he is with us
March 23, 2009
Luke 11:1-13
and sermon,
“Are You Listening Lord?”
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
March 22, 2009
God is working, to answer, to lift us up
to comfort our troubled souls
to reach down and lift us up
to care for his children
whether we are listening or not
there in the joys, there too in the struggles
in the challenges of life
Before we ask, he is with us
March 23, 2009
Luke 11:1-13
and sermon,
“Are You Listening Lord?”
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
March 22, 2009
Without Ceasing
prayers, or petition, of thanks
an act of worship, corporate, private
holy moments, without ceasing
seeking the presence of God
stilling ourselves, raising our voices
silent or aloud, calling to your Father
for comfort, for guidance, in thanksgiving
praying without ceasing
to our creator, our savior, our all.
March 23, 2009
Luke 11:1-13
and sermon,
“Are You Listening Lord?”
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
March 22, 2009
an act of worship, corporate, private
holy moments, without ceasing
seeking the presence of God
stilling ourselves, raising our voices
silent or aloud, calling to your Father
for comfort, for guidance, in thanksgiving
praying without ceasing
to our creator, our savior, our all.
March 23, 2009
Luke 11:1-13
and sermon,
“Are You Listening Lord?”
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
March 22, 2009
Speak to Me Lord
Oh speak to me, Lord
my heart, my ears are yearning
to hear, to listen, to receive
your majesty, your compassion
your message for me,
your presence here with me
March 22, 2009
Luke 11:1-13
and sermon,
“Are You Listening Lord?”
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
March 22, 2009
my heart, my ears are yearning
to hear, to listen, to receive
your majesty, your compassion
your message for me,
your presence here with me
March 22, 2009
Luke 11:1-13
and sermon,
“Are You Listening Lord?”
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
March 22, 2009
Without Words
Prayers, raised to God
even when there are no words yet
at a loss, when no words will come
Without words, our prayers,
still reaching, still touching
the ear of our creator,
Silent prayers raised to God.
March 22, 2009
Luke 11:1-13
and sermon,
“Are You Listening Lord?”
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
March 22, 2009
even when there are no words yet
at a loss, when no words will come
Without words, our prayers,
still reaching, still touching
the ear of our creator,
Silent prayers raised to God.
March 22, 2009
Luke 11:1-13
and sermon,
“Are You Listening Lord?”
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
March 22, 2009
When you pray
A grounding, an attitude
entering into prayer
so he taught them,
as he is teaching us
a way of communicating
without our one Father
Praying in the plural
it is “our”, “we”, “us”
an attitude of inclusion
offering, offered thanks,
petitions for more than ourselves
all to our one Father.
March 22, 2009
Luke 11:1-13
and sermon,
“Are You Listening Lord?”
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
March 22, 2009
entering into prayer
so he taught them,
as he is teaching us
a way of communicating
without our one Father
Praying in the plural
it is “our”, “we”, “us”
an attitude of inclusion
offering, offered thanks,
petitions for more than ourselves
all to our one Father.
March 22, 2009
Luke 11:1-13
and sermon,
“Are You Listening Lord?”
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
March 22, 2009
Trusting as a little child
simple prayer, trusting as a little child
so we should come to our Father
praying as they do, simply, no big words,
no complication needed,
for he knows what is in our hearts
even before we speak the words
even when the words do not come
come to the creator, to the master
humbly, as a little child
trusting that our prayers are heard
and they are answered, in God’s time;
listen for his voice
March 23, 2009
Luke 11:1-13
and sermon,
“Are You Listening Lord?”
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
March 22, 2009
so we should come to our Father
praying as they do, simply, no big words,
no complication needed,
for he knows what is in our hearts
even before we speak the words
even when the words do not come
come to the creator, to the master
humbly, as a little child
trusting that our prayers are heard
and they are answered, in God’s time;
listen for his voice
March 23, 2009
Luke 11:1-13
and sermon,
“Are You Listening Lord?”
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
March 22, 2009
Teach Us Lord
Teach us to pray
Teach us Lord
We humbly ask, of our Master
of our savior; teach us Lord
Teach us to pray
open our hearts, to your words
your words, your example
A prayer to the Father
lead us, humbly, to bow, to kneel
at the altar, at the prayer rail
Teach us, our brother
to speak and to listen
to seek and to follow the Master.
March 23, 2009
Luke 11:1-13
and sermon,
“Are You Listening Lord?”
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
March 22, 2009
Teach us Lord
We humbly ask, of our Master
of our savior; teach us Lord
Teach us to pray
open our hearts, to your words
your words, your example
A prayer to the Father
lead us, humbly, to bow, to kneel
at the altar, at the prayer rail
Teach us, our brother
to speak and to listen
to seek and to follow the Master.
March 23, 2009
Luke 11:1-13
and sermon,
“Are You Listening Lord?”
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
March 22, 2009
Seeing the Growth
Like more shoots, green, growing
rising up in my garden
Greater numbers
filling the pews, the sanctuary
vivid proof of the faithfulness
the servants who have toiled here
the planting, the watering
the weeding, the patience
growth coming, revealed
in its season, in due time
some would water, some would plant
God provides the growth
March 22, 2009
Suncook United Methodist Church
and its growth in attendance
Suncook, NH
---
and series of poems of June 22, 2008
1 Corinthians 3:5-9
and the combined message,
“Transition”, by
Reverend Yoo Cha Yi,
Pastor Ruth Foss, Mary Ann Cioffi,
and Reverend Huntley Halvorson,
Suncook United Methodist Church,
Suncook, NH, June 22, 2008
rising up in my garden
Greater numbers
filling the pews, the sanctuary
vivid proof of the faithfulness
the servants who have toiled here
the planting, the watering
the weeding, the patience
growth coming, revealed
in its season, in due time
some would water, some would plant
God provides the growth
March 22, 2009
Suncook United Methodist Church
and its growth in attendance
Suncook, NH
---
and series of poems of June 22, 2008
1 Corinthians 3:5-9
and the combined message,
“Transition”, by
Reverend Yoo Cha Yi,
Pastor Ruth Foss, Mary Ann Cioffi,
and Reverend Huntley Halvorson,
Suncook United Methodist Church,
Suncook, NH, June 22, 2008
Consecrated Space
In the consecration,
in the setting apart
in the gathering of your people
set apart for worship,
sanctuary, wherever we gather
to be sure; but in the space
formed for this purpose
saved, waiting for the congregation
ready for two or more,
to gather in his name,
or for when one, in need of your presence
humbly seeks your face
sacred, holy ground,
by the consecration
or by the gathering of believers
sanctuary.
March 22, 2009
based on comment posted to “Come Thirsty”,
“I like this poem a lot. Still, there's a sense in which
the church building is only sacred ground if the
Church meets there. When we meet with his people,
whether in a home or a public place or a business or a
church building, it becomes the sanctuary,
the place of the presence of God.”
----
Come Thirsty
Oh, come thirsty, come into the sanctuary
into the presence of God, a special place
onto sacred ground
be filled, be refreshed
to find the face of Christ
in our neighbors, in the words of song,
in the message in the scripture
the telling of the good news
Oh, come thirsty, come to the well
to the living waters of salvation
to be made new, in his image
to drink your fill, to run this race
with renewed strength
with faith as if a mustard seed
but able to move a mountain
stepping out of the boat onto water
Oh, come thirsty, to the Lord’s house
feeling his grace, all around you
entering into to worship, real worship
listening for that still small voice of God
his message, his call for your life
enter into his courts, fall at his altar
believe in his plan for you, from before your birth
plans to enrich you, and to bring your home
March 19, 2009
sign in front of Grace Capital Church,
Pembroke, NH
One side was Come Thirsty
the other side was Be Refreshed
in the setting apart
in the gathering of your people
set apart for worship,
sanctuary, wherever we gather
to be sure; but in the space
formed for this purpose
saved, waiting for the congregation
ready for two or more,
to gather in his name,
or for when one, in need of your presence
humbly seeks your face
sacred, holy ground,
by the consecration
or by the gathering of believers
sanctuary.
March 22, 2009
based on comment posted to “Come Thirsty”,
“I like this poem a lot. Still, there's a sense in which
the church building is only sacred ground if the
Church meets there. When we meet with his people,
whether in a home or a public place or a business or a
church building, it becomes the sanctuary,
the place of the presence of God.”
----
Come Thirsty
Oh, come thirsty, come into the sanctuary
into the presence of God, a special place
onto sacred ground
be filled, be refreshed
to find the face of Christ
in our neighbors, in the words of song,
in the message in the scripture
the telling of the good news
Oh, come thirsty, come to the well
to the living waters of salvation
to be made new, in his image
to drink your fill, to run this race
with renewed strength
with faith as if a mustard seed
but able to move a mountain
stepping out of the boat onto water
Oh, come thirsty, to the Lord’s house
feeling his grace, all around you
entering into to worship, real worship
listening for that still small voice of God
his message, his call for your life
enter into his courts, fall at his altar
believe in his plan for you, from before your birth
plans to enrich you, and to bring your home
March 19, 2009
sign in front of Grace Capital Church,
Pembroke, NH
One side was Come Thirsty
the other side was Be Refreshed
In Gathering There
A space, consecrated by the presence
by the gathering of your people
any room, any place – holy ground
like the tabernacle, the tents,
traveling with your people
no walls to bind you
God in the midst, a sanctuary
in the gathering of your people
so it is today, whether in holy space
or in space made holy,
it is the congregation of believers
standing together for your glory
which makes any space – holy ground
March 23, 2009
based on comment posted to “Come Thirsty”,
“I like this poem a lot. Still, there's a sense in which
the church building is only sacred ground if the
Church meets there. When we meet with his people,
whether in a home or a public place or a business or a
church building, it becomes the sanctuary,
the place of the presence of God.”
----
Come Thirsty
Oh, come thirsty, come into the sanctuary
into the presence of God, a special place
onto sacred ground
be filled, be refreshed
to find the face of Christ
in our neighbors, in the words of song,
in the message in the scripture
the telling of the good news
Oh, come thirsty, come to the well
to the living waters of salvation
to be made new, in his image
to drink your fill, to run this race
with renewed strength
with faith as if a mustard seed
but able to move a mountain
stepping out of the boat onto water
Oh, come thirsty, to the Lord’s house
feeling his grace, all around you
entering into to worship, real worship
listening for that still small voice of God
his message, his call for your life
enter into his courts, fall at his altar
believe in his plan for you, from before your birth
plans to enrich you, and to bring your home
March 19, 2009
sign in front of Grace Capital Church,
Pembroke, NH
One side was Come Thirsty
the other side was Be Refreshed
by the gathering of your people
any room, any place – holy ground
like the tabernacle, the tents,
traveling with your people
no walls to bind you
God in the midst, a sanctuary
in the gathering of your people
so it is today, whether in holy space
or in space made holy,
it is the congregation of believers
standing together for your glory
which makes any space – holy ground
March 23, 2009
based on comment posted to “Come Thirsty”,
“I like this poem a lot. Still, there's a sense in which
the church building is only sacred ground if the
Church meets there. When we meet with his people,
whether in a home or a public place or a business or a
church building, it becomes the sanctuary,
the place of the presence of God.”
----
Come Thirsty
Oh, come thirsty, come into the sanctuary
into the presence of God, a special place
onto sacred ground
be filled, be refreshed
to find the face of Christ
in our neighbors, in the words of song,
in the message in the scripture
the telling of the good news
Oh, come thirsty, come to the well
to the living waters of salvation
to be made new, in his image
to drink your fill, to run this race
with renewed strength
with faith as if a mustard seed
but able to move a mountain
stepping out of the boat onto water
Oh, come thirsty, to the Lord’s house
feeling his grace, all around you
entering into to worship, real worship
listening for that still small voice of God
his message, his call for your life
enter into his courts, fall at his altar
believe in his plan for you, from before your birth
plans to enrich you, and to bring your home
March 19, 2009
sign in front of Grace Capital Church,
Pembroke, NH
One side was Come Thirsty
the other side was Be Refreshed
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