More beautiful, even with cancer
even with this struggle, this trial
life more beautiful
with the presence of God
His love, real, with her
feeling God beside her
at her side
Life is more beautiful
with God’s presence
with us, walking with us
on the journey, through the trials
our walk on this earth
May 9, 2009
Alive Now daily devotional
reading for June 3, 2009, pages 30-31,
“No Peace Lost: Response to Cancer Diagnosis”,
by Paula Gast,
quoting her mother that she had found her life
somehow more beautiful,
with God’s presence;
one of the readings for the week including Trinity Sunday
and Isaiah 6:1-8
John 3:1-17
Romans 8:12-17
Advanced Lay Speaker class
April 18, 2009
Saturday, May 09, 2009
New Flowers in the Storm
Her story ended as it began,
with hope, but with certainly
while living with cancer,
an affirmation, a belief, praise –
“I expect new flowers
to be seeded in this storm.”
Not mere hope, a prayer;
a statement of assurance, experience
the presence of God in the story of her life
knowing He is with her as He has been
the good He has done through her trials
May these words, sharing her faith
as I internalize her message,
read weeks ago, may these words,
prolong her life, her garden seeded
as she has sown,
watered with my affirmation
God, as is always true,
provides the growth.
May her witness reap a harvest
a bouquet of flowers
seeded in this storm,
worthy for the Lord.
May 9, 2009
Alive Now daily devotional
reading for June 3, 2009, pages 30-31,
“No Peace Lost: Response to Cancer Diagnosis”,
by Paula Gast;
one of the readings for the week including Trinity Sunday
and Isaiah 6:1-8
John 3:1-17
Romans 8:12-17
Advanced Lay Speaker class
April 18, 2009
with hope, but with certainly
while living with cancer,
an affirmation, a belief, praise –
“I expect new flowers
to be seeded in this storm.”
Not mere hope, a prayer;
a statement of assurance, experience
the presence of God in the story of her life
knowing He is with her as He has been
the good He has done through her trials
May these words, sharing her faith
as I internalize her message,
read weeks ago, may these words,
prolong her life, her garden seeded
as she has sown,
watered with my affirmation
God, as is always true,
provides the growth.
May her witness reap a harvest
a bouquet of flowers
seeded in this storm,
worthy for the Lord.
May 9, 2009
Alive Now daily devotional
reading for June 3, 2009, pages 30-31,
“No Peace Lost: Response to Cancer Diagnosis”,
by Paula Gast;
one of the readings for the week including Trinity Sunday
and Isaiah 6:1-8
John 3:1-17
Romans 8:12-17
Advanced Lay Speaker class
April 18, 2009
Stormy Seasons
The statement within her witness
so familiar, so real
repeatedly giving, turning over
her life to God, the creator,
sustainer, protector,
over and over, in the challenges
when there are trials,
the stormy seasons of life
How many of us, life her,
walking on our own,
believing we are in control
we have things figured out,
do not seek Him when things are fine
when there is no crisis in our lives
How many, though, like her
feeling God’s presence,
coming up beside us, walking with us
in the storm, His loving hand
The joy of walking with our Lord
bearing witness to His love
to the grace of His gifts
life, abundantly,
even within the storms
weathering these seasons
only by giving or lives over
to our loving God.
May 9, 2009
Alive Now daily devotional
reading for June 3, 2009, pages 30-31,
“No Peace Lost: Response to Cancer Diagnosis”,
by Paula Gast;
one of the readings for the week including Trinity Sunday
so familiar, so real
repeatedly giving, turning over
her life to God, the creator,
sustainer, protector,
over and over, in the challenges
when there are trials,
the stormy seasons of life
How many of us, life her,
walking on our own,
believing we are in control
we have things figured out,
do not seek Him when things are fine
when there is no crisis in our lives
How many, though, like her
feeling God’s presence,
coming up beside us, walking with us
in the storm, His loving hand
The joy of walking with our Lord
bearing witness to His love
to the grace of His gifts
life, abundantly,
even within the storms
weathering these seasons
only by giving or lives over
to our loving God.
May 9, 2009
Alive Now daily devotional
reading for June 3, 2009, pages 30-31,
“No Peace Lost: Response to Cancer Diagnosis”,
by Paula Gast;
one of the readings for the week including Trinity Sunday
Friday, May 08, 2009
Abide in Love
Abide in love
connected to the vine,
to the love of God
Connected so that we may be
branches of the vine
bearing fruit for the hungry
those who are not yet of the vine
wandering unconnected
hungry for the love of God
flowing through the vine
May 8, 2009
John 15:1-8
1 John 4:7-21
connected to the vine,
to the love of God
Connected so that we may be
branches of the vine
bearing fruit for the hungry
those who are not yet of the vine
wandering unconnected
hungry for the love of God
flowing through the vine
May 8, 2009
John 15:1-8
1 John 4:7-21
Love is the Vine
Love is the vine, the roots, the stalk
the part feeding, nourishing
the strength, the support
holding me in loving arms
me the shoot, the branch only
bearing fruit, when I remain in the vine
living in the love of God
loving others, offering fruits
not just living in the vine alone
but bearing witness, testimony,
service, love, joy,
the fruit of the spirit, so long as
I remain in the vine
sharing the love, the grace of God
with all who are hungry
May 8, 2009
John 15:1-8
1 John 4:7-21
the part feeding, nourishing
the strength, the support
holding me in loving arms
me the shoot, the branch only
bearing fruit, when I remain in the vine
living in the love of God
loving others, offering fruits
not just living in the vine alone
but bearing witness, testimony,
service, love, joy,
the fruit of the spirit, so long as
I remain in the vine
sharing the love, the grace of God
with all who are hungry
May 8, 2009
John 15:1-8
1 John 4:7-21
An Abiding Presence
Part of the vine, so I must remain
an abiding presence in my life
the spirit, the lifeblood,
coursing through me, part of me
abiding in the vine, a part of the vine
a part of me, all of me
connected to that energy
that force, the love of God
God is love, the vine is God
we are part of Him
as we abide in the vine
May 8, 2009
John 15:1-8
1 John 4:7-21
an abiding presence in my life
the spirit, the lifeblood,
coursing through me, part of me
abiding in the vine, a part of the vine
a part of me, all of me
connected to that energy
that force, the love of God
God is love, the vine is God
we are part of Him
as we abide in the vine
May 8, 2009
John 15:1-8
1 John 4:7-21
Shoots on the Vine
Merely shoots on the vine
not yet branches
not bearing all the fruit
I could bear
so I feel, so often
unworthy, grafted;
but still needing pruning
Open to the correction, the pruning
the changes I must make
to be branches on the loving vine
to be strengthened, fed,
to be heavy with fruit
to share with all those who are hungry
all who come to the vine to eat
May 8, 2009
John 15:1-8
1 John 4:7-21
not yet branches
not bearing all the fruit
I could bear
so I feel, so often
unworthy, grafted;
but still needing pruning
Open to the correction, the pruning
the changes I must make
to be branches on the loving vine
to be strengthened, fed,
to be heavy with fruit
to share with all those who are hungry
all who come to the vine to eat
May 8, 2009
John 15:1-8
1 John 4:7-21
Bearing Fruit
Bearing fruit,
nourishment for others,
for those who are hungry
those who are not in the vine
bearing fruit of the grace
the wonder, the awe
the comfort, security
abiding in the vine
Telling others, leading others
to turn from other ways
to repent, to accept the offer of love
to be made part of the vine,
branches worthy, ready
to bear other fruit,
as they have been blessed
to bring others who are hungry
into the vine
May 8, 2009
John 15:1-8
1 John 4:7-21
nourishment for others,
for those who are hungry
those who are not in the vine
bearing fruit of the grace
the wonder, the awe
the comfort, security
abiding in the vine
Telling others, leading others
to turn from other ways
to repent, to accept the offer of love
to be made part of the vine,
branches worthy, ready
to bear other fruit,
as they have been blessed
to bring others who are hungry
into the vine
May 8, 2009
John 15:1-8
1 John 4:7-21
Abiding in His Love
Abiding in the vine, living connected
sustained, fed, by the love of God
abiding in His love, walking,
journeying in life, to His purposes
to the guiding of the master
a branch growing where the vine leads
bearing a harvest of fruit,
testimony, service,
to those who are hungry
bringing others into the vineyard
grafting other branches
onto the loving vine
abiding in the vine
strengthened by its strength
May 8, 2009
John 15:1-8
1 John 4:7-21
sustained, fed, by the love of God
abiding in His love, walking,
journeying in life, to His purposes
to the guiding of the master
a branch growing where the vine leads
bearing a harvest of fruit,
testimony, service,
to those who are hungry
bringing others into the vineyard
grafting other branches
onto the loving vine
abiding in the vine
strengthened by its strength
May 8, 2009
John 15:1-8
1 John 4:7-21
Giving Life
From the garden
the good earth, the creation
a vine rising, growing
I am but a branch,
living, abiding, alive.
The vine gives life
purpose, growth
Bearing fruit
for those who would eat;
testimony and service
witness and action.
Abiding in the vine,
in the love of God
in God, as He is love
giving me life, abundantly.
May 8, 2009
John 15:1-8
1 John 4:7-21
the good earth, the creation
a vine rising, growing
I am but a branch,
living, abiding, alive.
The vine gives life
purpose, growth
Bearing fruit
for those who would eat;
testimony and service
witness and action.
Abiding in the vine,
in the love of God
in God, as He is love
giving me life, abundantly.
May 8, 2009
John 15:1-8
1 John 4:7-21
Fluted Wine Goblets
Bright, glowing, variegated, orange,
crimson, and gold
fluted wine goblets,
the envy of any glassworks,
a credit to the artist
standing tall, elegant, knowingly
swaying in the bright morning light
out our pantry window
the tulips growing
up to the sky
May 8, 2009
crimson, and gold
fluted wine goblets,
the envy of any glassworks,
a credit to the artist
standing tall, elegant, knowingly
swaying in the bright morning light
out our pantry window
the tulips growing
up to the sky
May 8, 2009
All of my
poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005,
2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014. All rights reserved.
Contact me at Ray
Foss for usage. See all 30,820+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.
Peering In
Five small bodies,
looking away from the playground
green grass, bright perfect blue sky
peering in, hands cupped to the glass
capris, tank tops, coats cast aside
kindergarteners, first graders,
staring in, into the gym, the cafeteria
looking for the teachers, the aide
when can we go in? When can we start
is school open yet?!?
May 8, 2009
at 7:25am, 5 minutes before the doors open,
Pembroke Village School
Suncook, NH
looking away from the playground
green grass, bright perfect blue sky
peering in, hands cupped to the glass
capris, tank tops, coats cast aside
kindergarteners, first graders,
staring in, into the gym, the cafeteria
looking for the teachers, the aide
when can we go in? When can we start
is school open yet?!?
May 8, 2009
at 7:25am, 5 minutes before the doors open,
Pembroke Village School
Suncook, NH
Black Raspberry Blooms
In the lee of the schoolyard
the bushes shrouded still
in the shadows of early dawn
lavender purple lilacs, the unopened blooms
still looking just like
rich black raspberry ice cream
with the rising of the light,
softening, brightening colors
from that darkness to pale lilac
May 8, 2009
Pembroke Village School
Suncook, NH
the bushes shrouded still
in the shadows of early dawn
lavender purple lilacs, the unopened blooms
still looking just like
rich black raspberry ice cream
with the rising of the light,
softening, brightening colors
from that darkness to pale lilac
May 8, 2009
Pembroke Village School
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. All rights reserved. Contact me at
Ray Foss for
usage. See all 21,400+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.
Fog on the Grass
Looking to the right, to the left
silver lawns, richly blessed
loving rain, heavy dew
fog resting on the grass,
in the gossamer, the nets
the blades of grass
as if grasping, holding
the tissue of fog
a few moments longer
“look at the fog on the grass I said,”
as we walked toward the school.
“The grass is wet, Dad,”
came the reply from two,
eager to get to the playground
to the bus, to go to school
But, I think I had it right,
not merely wet, but richly blessed
fog held on the grass
by the will of the grass
thin skin of fog
held gently by fingertips alone
May 8, 2009
Suncook, NH
Pembroke Village School
silver lawns, richly blessed
loving rain, heavy dew
fog resting on the grass,
in the gossamer, the nets
the blades of grass
as if grasping, holding
the tissue of fog
a few moments longer
“look at the fog on the grass I said,”
as we walked toward the school.
“The grass is wet, Dad,”
came the reply from two,
eager to get to the playground
to the bus, to go to school
But, I think I had it right,
not merely wet, but richly blessed
fog held on the grass
by the will of the grass
thin skin of fog
held gently by fingertips alone
May 8, 2009
Suncook, NH
Pembroke Village School
Abiding
Abiding, living,
growing in the vine
drinking of the water, of the minerals, the life energy
rising from the soil, from the garden
through the vine, through roots
through the heartwood
through the stalk, through the branches
the branches from which I grow
drawing life from the vine,
living, only so long as I am connected
a part of the vine
abiding in the vine,
so I may bear fruit for the gardener
May 8, 2009
John 15:1-8
1 John 4:7-21
growing in the vine
drinking of the water, of the minerals, the life energy
rising from the soil, from the garden
through the vine, through roots
through the heartwood
through the stalk, through the branches
the branches from which I grow
drawing life from the vine,
living, only so long as I am connected
a part of the vine
abiding in the vine,
so I may bear fruit for the gardener
May 8, 2009
John 15:1-8
1 John 4:7-21
And the willing clay
and the willing clay shall be
moulded into the Potter's desire
the willing clay, joyfully
changing, conformed
to the touch of the Master
the will of the Potter
the pressure, the guiding
of his hands
moulded into the Potter's desire
the willing clay, joyfully
changing, conformed
to the touch of the Master
the will of the Potter
the pressure, the guiding
of his hands
edited February 3, 2015
And the willing clay – v3
(merging edits to version 2 and original)
edited August 4, 2014
And the willing clay – v2
May 8, 2009
And the willing clay
Psalm 138
Psalm 139
Psalm 148
Isaiah 61:10-62:3
Jeremiah 18:1-4
Jeremiah 18:1-11
Jeremiah 18:1-12
Philippians 2:1-13
Luke 2:22-40
John 1:1-14
Galatians 4:4-7
All of my
poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005,
2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015. All rights
reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.
See all 35,650+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.
Thursday, May 07, 2009
Receptive Clay
The words of the scripture
the potter and the clay
The balance, the struggle –
free will and God’s eternal plan
Ever pliable, so must we be
receptive clay, giving
to the loving hands of the potter
being reformed, molded
Reshaped, worthy vessels
to hold, to pour out
a libation, an offering of love
God’s grace, to the world
May 7, 2009
Psalm 138
Psalm 139
Psalm 148
Isaiah 61:10-62:3
Jeremiah 18:1-4
Jeremiah 18:1-11
Jeremiah 18:1-12
Philippians 2:1-13
Luke 2:22-40
John 1:1-14
Galatians 4:4-7
the potter and the clay
The balance, the struggle –
free will and God’s eternal plan
Ever pliable, so must we be
receptive clay, giving
to the loving hands of the potter
being reformed, molded
Reshaped, worthy vessels
to hold, to pour out
a libation, an offering of love
God’s grace, to the world
May 7, 2009
Psalm 138
Psalm 139
Psalm 148
Isaiah 61:10-62:3
Jeremiah 18:1-4
Jeremiah 18:1-11
Jeremiah 18:1-12
Philippians 2:1-13
Luke 2:22-40
John 1:1-14
Galatians 4:4-7
Willing Clay
to be willing clay,
giving over to the master
letting go of control
our will submitting to His
our bodies, our lives to His touch
Willing clay, pliable, giving,
receptive to the push, the pinch,
the molding of the Potter’s hands
to the loving changes,
the corrections, the part
in His time, what He wills
not our own, not our choice
Other than the giving in,
the turning over
the trusting of the Potter
letting our lives be transformed
our path changed
our days reordered
by the hands of the Potter alone
May 7, 2009
Psalm 138
Psalm 139
Psalm 148
Isaiah 61:10-62:3
Jeremiah 18:1-4
Jeremiah 18:1-11
Jeremiah 18:1-12
Philippians 2:1-13
Luke 2:22-40
John 1:1-14
Galatians 4:4-7
giving over to the master
letting go of control
our will submitting to His
our bodies, our lives to His touch
Willing clay, pliable, giving,
receptive to the push, the pinch,
the molding of the Potter’s hands
to the loving changes,
the corrections, the part
in His time, what He wills
not our own, not our choice
Other than the giving in,
the turning over
the trusting of the Potter
letting our lives be transformed
our path changed
our days reordered
by the hands of the Potter alone
May 7, 2009
Psalm 138
Psalm 139
Psalm 148
Isaiah 61:10-62:3
Jeremiah 18:1-4
Jeremiah 18:1-11
Jeremiah 18:1-12
Philippians 2:1-13
Luke 2:22-40
John 1:1-14
Galatians 4:4-7
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 27,390+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.
Dawning in the Rain
Morning, dawning in the rain
water falling in cascades
heavy double-drop showers
down, from the roof,
reverberating through
the still-shut windows,
brightening, dawning in the rain
greens saturated in the new-Spring rain
May 7, 2009
water falling in cascades
heavy double-drop showers
down, from the roof,
reverberating through
the still-shut windows,
brightening, dawning in the rain
greens saturated in the new-Spring rain
May 7, 2009
The Desires of Your Heart
Let go, turn all of this over
a temple to the Lord
for He will give you all
the desires of your heart
the silent musings of your spirit
sighs without words
happiness, joy, walking with God
Give yourself fully, totally
no preconditions, no exceptions
remove all the stumbling blocks
and the desires of your heart
will be yours
May 7, 2009
a temple to the Lord
for He will give you all
the desires of your heart
the silent musings of your spirit
sighs without words
happiness, joy, walking with God
Give yourself fully, totally
no preconditions, no exceptions
remove all the stumbling blocks
and the desires of your heart
will be yours
May 7, 2009
The Sound of the Rain
The sound of the rain
starting my day
sitting at the computer again
Too early for light
to see the world outside my window
just the sound of the rain
curtains and sheets
running off the roof
hurtling to the ground below
just the sound of the rain
constant, relentless, heavy
May 7, 2009
starting my day
sitting at the computer again
Too early for light
to see the world outside my window
just the sound of the rain
curtains and sheets
running off the roof
hurtling to the ground below
just the sound of the rain
constant, relentless, heavy
May 7, 2009
Wednesday, May 06, 2009
Silver Ribbon
Fingers of silver ribbon
gently, subtly swaying
moving ever so slightly
spring rain glistening
on the ribbons of the
crocus leaves
after the blooms have past
in the flower bed
in the back yard
silver ribbons planted
shimmering through
the foggy morning
gently, subtly swaying
moving ever so slightly
spring rain glistening
on the ribbons of the
crocus leaves
after the blooms have past
in the flower bed
in the back yard
silver ribbons planted
shimmering through
the foggy morning
May 6, 2009
Silver Ribbon
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 37,370+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.
Tuesday, May 05, 2009
Curled up
Tightly wrapped,
as she was so recently
inside her mother’s womb
curled up in her father’s arms
matching bracelets, letting him in
her tiny fingers, little perfect features
all a wonder, amazing, in miniature, her
warm, protected, feeling love all curled up
in daddy’s arms
May 5, 2009
on the photo of Alan and
his brand-new daughter,
Lily Mae
as she was so recently
inside her mother’s womb
curled up in her father’s arms
matching bracelets, letting him in
her tiny fingers, little perfect features
all a wonder, amazing, in miniature, her
warm, protected, feeling love all curled up
in daddy’s arms
May 5, 2009
on the photo of Alan and
his brand-new daughter,
Lily Mae
All of my
poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005,
2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014. All rights reserved.
Contact me at Ray
Foss for usage. See all 30,820+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.
Monday, May 04, 2009
A Day at the Beach - National Poetry Month exercise, April 29, 2009, Pembroke Hill School, Mrs. Forest's class
Laughing, we ran on the hot sand
The damp beach under our feet
The glistening ocean before us
The girl backflipped, landing
on her feet; Ta-Da, like a dolphin
We were playing with the beach balls
Volleying over an invisible net
The dry sand burns. Splash!
Swim in the water, watch
for seaweed, sponges, jellyfish
The wind, the rocks, sand blowing
Walk down looking for shells, for glass
Salty air, wet in my mouth
The buckets and shovels on my towel
Sand everywhere, in everything
Rambunctious gulls, scream not so beautifully
A pause in wonder, the small world
shining in the tide pool
Starfish and seahorses excited in play
sea urchins dancing in suspended animation
Hot lying on the beach
Time to go home
April 29, 2009; May 4, 2009
a poem written from the words listed below,
on the board, shouted out, as Mrs. Forest’s
Third Grade class and I found poetry
in a Day at the Beach
The bolded words are the ones I used
from the list of nouns, verbs and adjectives below
The italicized words are those I added.
Written in about 10 minutes,
as a fun exercise for National Poetry Month
Pembroke Hill School
Pembroke, NH
Nouns
towels
ocean
beach
sand
shells
water
starfish
beach balls
buckets
people
sea urchins
shovels
wind
rocks
tide pools
sea horses
sponges
Verbs
swim
play
fish
lying
run
walk
talk
scream
yell
find
look
backflip
volleying
Adjectives
rambunctious
sandy
excited/exciting
laughing
wet
beautiful
hot
humid
dry
damp
shiny
glistening
salty
The damp beach under our feet
The glistening ocean before us
The girl backflipped, landing
on her feet; Ta-Da, like a dolphin
We were playing with the beach balls
Volleying over an invisible net
The dry sand burns. Splash!
Swim in the water, watch
for seaweed, sponges, jellyfish
The wind, the rocks, sand blowing
Walk down looking for shells, for glass
Salty air, wet in my mouth
The buckets and shovels on my towel
Sand everywhere, in everything
Rambunctious gulls, scream not so beautifully
A pause in wonder, the small world
shining in the tide pool
Starfish and seahorses excited in play
sea urchins dancing in suspended animation
Hot lying on the beach
Time to go home
April 29, 2009; May 4, 2009
a poem written from the words listed below,
on the board, shouted out, as Mrs. Forest’s
Third Grade class and I found poetry
in a Day at the Beach
The bolded words are the ones I used
from the list of nouns, verbs and adjectives below
The italicized words are those I added.
Written in about 10 minutes,
as a fun exercise for National Poetry Month
Pembroke Hill School
Pembroke, NH
Nouns
towels
ocean
beach
sand
shells
water
starfish
beach balls
buckets
people
sea urchins
shovels
wind
rocks
tide pools
sea horses
sponges
Verbs
swim
play
fish
lying
run
walk
talk
scream
yell
find
look
backflip
volleying
Adjectives
rambunctious
sandy
excited/exciting
laughing
wet
beautiful
hot
humid
dry
damp
shiny
glistening
salty
a whisper of a kiss, a prayer
His eyes closed as were hers,
a whisper of a kiss, a prayer
breathed onto her brow,
as if into her very skin
her father holding her
ever so gently, marveling
unable to describe fully in words
his joy, amazement
her tiny body in his arms
a whisper of a kiss, a prayer
his lip brushing her cheek,
her brow, in complete awe.
May 4, 2009
on the photo of Alan
and his brand-new daughter,
Lily Mae
a whisper of a kiss, a prayer
breathed onto her brow,
as if into her very skin
her father holding her
ever so gently, marveling
unable to describe fully in words
his joy, amazement
her tiny body in his arms
a whisper of a kiss, a prayer
his lip brushing her cheek,
her brow, in complete awe.
May 4, 2009
on the photo of Alan
and his brand-new daughter,
Lily Mae
Sunday, May 03, 2009
Sermon - "Who Is Your Shepherd?", by Pastor Ruth L. Foss, Suncook United Methdodist Church, May 3, 2009
John 10:11-18
Psalm 23
The Lord be with you
And also with you
Let us pray...
Prayer:
Creator, Sustainer, Almighty God, You who speak to your children today as you have in the past and will in the future. We have come before your throne in prayer. We ask that your Spirit would fall down upon us and that we would hear the word you have for us today. May we have eyes to see, ears to hear and a heart that is open to your voice. Speak Lord; your servants are listening…
A Reading from the Gospel of John…
All this talk about shepherds this morning has got me thinking…Who are the shepherds in my life? Why have they been shepherds for me? What is a shepherd any way…what do they actually do? Well… the definition of a shepherd is:
• watch over like a shepherd, as a teacher of her pupils
• a clergyman who watches over a group of people
• tend as a shepherd, as of sheep or goats
• sheepherder: a herder of sheep (on an open range); someone who keeps the sheep together in a flock
These are great definitions of a shepherd but there is one thing that is missing. We can learn lessons from the shepherds in our lives. They not only watch over us but they also teach us things we need to know in life. They give us those lessons that other people in our lives can’t. For instance…my children ((believe it or not) are shepherds in my life…They teach me how not to take myself so seriously (especially Ms. Shanequa)…They teach me how to love life and laugh with all my heart…They show me how to take something ordinary and turn it into something extraordinary…they have taught me how to love unconditionally…With all my heart. I thought I was going to teach them but they in turn have also taught me.
The patriarchs in the Old Testament were also shepherds. People like Abel who gave the first fruits of his labor to God, Abraham who went where God told him to go without question. As a matter of fact…Moses and David were shepherds of sheep before God called them to be shepherds of His people. You have women like Deborah who lead God’s people and Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel who trusted in God to provide an heir for their husbands. You have Ruth and Esther who trust God to make a way when there seemed to be no way. And then we have Mary of the New Testament who trusted God with her life when she said yes to what God wanted to do in her life. The list goes on. These patriarchs and Matriarchs are people who we can learn from. There is also another shepherd…in all of our lives…that we can take lessons from. This shepherd is described in the John passage this morning as the Good Shepherd. It is our risen Lord Jesus Christ.
In this passage we can see a shepherd at work…we can see the lessons from this shepherd if we but open our eyes to see and our minds to understand. Let’s look at the scripture from John…“The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep”…this shepherd cares for the sheep; this shepherd devotes their life to the sheep. The lesson that we learn is that we too can be that kind of shepherd to the sheep around us. Being a shepherd in this world requires a devotion to God, a life that is devoted to the commission we receive as believers…to “go out and make disciples of all people”. (Caring for the sheep in this world…those who are in the sheep fold and those who are not.) They are sheep without a shepherd to fashion themselves after. By being that shepherd to others, we can make God’s presence real in their lives through us. We need to love them as the shepherd loves the sheep.
“I have other sheep that are not of this fold I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice.” We need to be that “good shepherd to the world around us. Through us, God can provide food (not only for the body but for the soul), psychological needs (just giving a listening ear to those around us can help them psychologically…just knowing someone cares enough to listen is an uplifting event in their life)…fill others cup to over flowing (As we minister to others we can fill their cup of hope, peace and joy that it will run over to others and makes a difference not only in their lives but in the lives that they touch in return)
But in order to do this…there is another lesson that we need to learn from our Good Shepherd. In the psalm we read this morning…Psalm 23…it tells us that we are lead to still waters and find rest. We need to make sure that we ourselves find rest for ourselves. In order to take care of others and be their shepherds, we need to take care of ourselves, physically, spiritually and mentally. The world we live in today tells us that if we are idle, not running around doing things that we are lazy. You have to work to have everything that you need. When you cease working you are not focused on the right things in life.
Well…we can learn from our Good Shepherd about that. Even He went away from time to time to rest and recharge himself in order to continue His ministry to the least, last and forgotten in the world. Jesus went away for a time of prayer and meditation. We too can refresh and refill our souls with time away to just be and spend time with our Creator God. The Good Shepherd provides all that we need, not society and it’s never ending business. The Lord is our Shepherd, the Good Shepherd. In Him, we have everything we need. But the one thing we need to do is to slow down and bask in His presence.
We all need a shepherd in our lives, someone to lead us in the way we should go. Who are the shepherds in your life? Whose example will you follow? Will you follow the example of the world around us with its business that causes us unrest? Being like the hired hand that does not care for the sheep because they are not their own? Or will you follow the Good Shepherd? Will you care for yourself and other sheep? Will you reach out to those sheep that are not in the sheepfold and need a shepherd voice to lead them home? The choice is ours to make. Will you echo the words of Joshua in saying “But as for me and my house…we will serve the Lord.”
Amen.
Psalm 23
The Lord be with you
And also with you
Let us pray...
Prayer:
Creator, Sustainer, Almighty God, You who speak to your children today as you have in the past and will in the future. We have come before your throne in prayer. We ask that your Spirit would fall down upon us and that we would hear the word you have for us today. May we have eyes to see, ears to hear and a heart that is open to your voice. Speak Lord; your servants are listening…
A Reading from the Gospel of John…
All this talk about shepherds this morning has got me thinking…Who are the shepherds in my life? Why have they been shepherds for me? What is a shepherd any way…what do they actually do? Well… the definition of a shepherd is:
• watch over like a shepherd, as a teacher of her pupils
• a clergyman who watches over a group of people
• tend as a shepherd, as of sheep or goats
• sheepherder: a herder of sheep (on an open range); someone who keeps the sheep together in a flock
These are great definitions of a shepherd but there is one thing that is missing. We can learn lessons from the shepherds in our lives. They not only watch over us but they also teach us things we need to know in life. They give us those lessons that other people in our lives can’t. For instance…my children ((believe it or not) are shepherds in my life…They teach me how not to take myself so seriously (especially Ms. Shanequa)…They teach me how to love life and laugh with all my heart…They show me how to take something ordinary and turn it into something extraordinary…they have taught me how to love unconditionally…With all my heart. I thought I was going to teach them but they in turn have also taught me.
The patriarchs in the Old Testament were also shepherds. People like Abel who gave the first fruits of his labor to God, Abraham who went where God told him to go without question. As a matter of fact…Moses and David were shepherds of sheep before God called them to be shepherds of His people. You have women like Deborah who lead God’s people and Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel who trusted in God to provide an heir for their husbands. You have Ruth and Esther who trust God to make a way when there seemed to be no way. And then we have Mary of the New Testament who trusted God with her life when she said yes to what God wanted to do in her life. The list goes on. These patriarchs and Matriarchs are people who we can learn from. There is also another shepherd…in all of our lives…that we can take lessons from. This shepherd is described in the John passage this morning as the Good Shepherd. It is our risen Lord Jesus Christ.
In this passage we can see a shepherd at work…we can see the lessons from this shepherd if we but open our eyes to see and our minds to understand. Let’s look at the scripture from John…“The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep”…this shepherd cares for the sheep; this shepherd devotes their life to the sheep. The lesson that we learn is that we too can be that kind of shepherd to the sheep around us. Being a shepherd in this world requires a devotion to God, a life that is devoted to the commission we receive as believers…to “go out and make disciples of all people”. (Caring for the sheep in this world…those who are in the sheep fold and those who are not.) They are sheep without a shepherd to fashion themselves after. By being that shepherd to others, we can make God’s presence real in their lives through us. We need to love them as the shepherd loves the sheep.
“I have other sheep that are not of this fold I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice.” We need to be that “good shepherd to the world around us. Through us, God can provide food (not only for the body but for the soul), psychological needs (just giving a listening ear to those around us can help them psychologically…just knowing someone cares enough to listen is an uplifting event in their life)…fill others cup to over flowing (As we minister to others we can fill their cup of hope, peace and joy that it will run over to others and makes a difference not only in their lives but in the lives that they touch in return)
But in order to do this…there is another lesson that we need to learn from our Good Shepherd. In the psalm we read this morning…Psalm 23…it tells us that we are lead to still waters and find rest. We need to make sure that we ourselves find rest for ourselves. In order to take care of others and be their shepherds, we need to take care of ourselves, physically, spiritually and mentally. The world we live in today tells us that if we are idle, not running around doing things that we are lazy. You have to work to have everything that you need. When you cease working you are not focused on the right things in life.
Well…we can learn from our Good Shepherd about that. Even He went away from time to time to rest and recharge himself in order to continue His ministry to the least, last and forgotten in the world. Jesus went away for a time of prayer and meditation. We too can refresh and refill our souls with time away to just be and spend time with our Creator God. The Good Shepherd provides all that we need, not society and it’s never ending business. The Lord is our Shepherd, the Good Shepherd. In Him, we have everything we need. But the one thing we need to do is to slow down and bask in His presence.
We all need a shepherd in our lives, someone to lead us in the way we should go. Who are the shepherds in your life? Whose example will you follow? Will you follow the example of the world around us with its business that causes us unrest? Being like the hired hand that does not care for the sheep because they are not their own? Or will you follow the Good Shepherd? Will you care for yourself and other sheep? Will you reach out to those sheep that are not in the sheepfold and need a shepherd voice to lead them home? The choice is ours to make. Will you echo the words of Joshua in saying “But as for me and my house…we will serve the Lord.”
Amen.
In the silence of our hearts
Even when words are not spoken aloud
the words of prayer lifted only
in the silence of our hearts
even these are heard, even these answered
by our good and loving God
Even when words will not come
the musings, the sighs of our spirits
even then, the sighs alone
speak to God, who hears
and answers our prayers
even unspoken, even without words
our prayers answered by God.
May 3, 2009
Pastoral Prayer,
Reverend Huntley Halvorson,
Suncook United Methodist Church,
Suncook, NH
May 3, 2009
the words of prayer lifted only
in the silence of our hearts
even these are heard, even these answered
by our good and loving God
Even when words will not come
the musings, the sighs of our spirits
even then, the sighs alone
speak to God, who hears
and answers our prayers
even unspoken, even without words
our prayers answered by God.
May 3, 2009
Pastoral Prayer,
Reverend Huntley Halvorson,
Suncook United Methodist Church,
Suncook, NH
May 3, 2009
Finding Rest
Like our Shepherd
taking, finding rest
in the quiet, by still waters
spending time, in communion
being graced by the presence
the loving companionship
the indwelling of the living God
led by the Shepherd
Finding rest in Him.
May 3, 2009
Psalm 23
John 10:11-18
and sermon,
“Who is your Shepherd?”,
Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church,
Suncook, NH
May 3, 2009
taking, finding rest
in the quiet, by still waters
spending time, in communion
being graced by the presence
the loving companionship
the indwelling of the living God
led by the Shepherd
Finding rest in Him.
May 3, 2009
Psalm 23
John 10:11-18
and sermon,
“Who is your Shepherd?”,
Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church,
Suncook, NH
May 3, 2009
Being Shepherds, while yet sheep
As children, learning from shepherds
people in our lives, teaching, leading
revealing God, His love, His call
His presence in our walk
Even while sheep, being shepherds as well
sharing our lives, our witness
our revelation of the grace of God
making a difference in their journey
changing our own path as well
teaching as we are taught
Being shepherds, while yet sheep.
May 3, 2009
Psalm 23
John 10:11-18
and sermon,
“Who is your Shepherd?”,
Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church,
Suncook, NH
May 3, 2009
people in our lives, teaching, leading
revealing God, His love, His call
His presence in our walk
Even while sheep, being shepherds as well
sharing our lives, our witness
our revelation of the grace of God
making a difference in their journey
changing our own path as well
teaching as we are taught
Being shepherds, while yet sheep.
May 3, 2009
Psalm 23
John 10:11-18
and sermon,
“Who is your Shepherd?”,
Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church,
Suncook, NH
May 3, 2009
Knows Me
As if part of me
He knows me,
as the Father and the Son
parts of one God
knowing each as themselves
intimate and deep
Knowing me
as I am, when no words come
deep within me
guiding me
from the musings of my heart
the indwelling of the Spirit
speaking within me
knowing me, leading my way.
May 3, 2009
Psalm 23
John 10:11-18
and sermon,
“Who is your Shepherd?”,
Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church,
Suncook, NH
May 3, 2009
He knows me,
as the Father and the Son
parts of one God
knowing each as themselves
intimate and deep
Knowing me
as I am, when no words come
deep within me
guiding me
from the musings of my heart
the indwelling of the Spirit
speaking within me
knowing me, leading my way.
May 3, 2009
Psalm 23
John 10:11-18
and sermon,
“Who is your Shepherd?”,
Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church,
Suncook, NH
May 3, 2009
Shepherds
Guiding, protecting,
watching over me
leading me through
the trials, the journeys of life
keeping me safe from harm
of healing me when I stumble
teaching me, challenging
bringing me back into the fold
people in my life, shepherding me
nurturing, mentoring, loving me
into a fuller relationship
a reconciliation
salvation in the Lord
showing the way
leading me,
into a closer walk
with my brother
the Good Shepherd.
May 3, 2009
Psalm 23
John 10:11-18
and sermon,
“Someone To Watch Over Me”,
Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church,
Suncook, NH
May 3, 2009
watching over me
leading me through
the trials, the journeys of life
keeping me safe from harm
of healing me when I stumble
teaching me, challenging
bringing me back into the fold
people in my life, shepherding me
nurturing, mentoring, loving me
into a fuller relationship
a reconciliation
salvation in the Lord
showing the way
leading me,
into a closer walk
with my brother
the Good Shepherd.
May 3, 2009
Psalm 23
John 10:11-18
and sermon,
“Someone To Watch Over Me”,
Pastor Ruth L. Foss,
Suncook United Methodist Church,
Suncook, NH
May 3, 2009
Spirit of Peace
The presence of God
covering me, wrapping me
the spirit of peach
trusting in God’s grace
giving ourselves over
to the workings of His plan.
Calming me, stilling me
even in the storms of life.
May 2, 2009
Alive Now daily devotional
reading for June 3, 2009, pages 30-31,
“No Peace Lost: Response to Cancer Diagnosis”,
by Paula Gast;
one of the readings for the week including Trinity Sunday
covering me, wrapping me
the spirit of peach
trusting in God’s grace
giving ourselves over
to the workings of His plan.
Calming me, stilling me
even in the storms of life.
May 2, 2009
Alive Now daily devotional
reading for June 3, 2009, pages 30-31,
“No Peace Lost: Response to Cancer Diagnosis”,
by Paula Gast;
one of the readings for the week including Trinity Sunday
Choosing Joy
In the midst of this storm
choosing joy, every day
knowing what there is now
the trials he is facing;
the end too soon, terminal;
but knowing where he is going
at peace in that promise.
Trusting God for the day to day
choosing joy instead of pity
witnessing to Christ, by his walk
in the way he lives, day to day
projecting that joy, the love of Christ
that promise of life eternal
to all he meets, choosing joy.
May 2, 2009
Story in the Springfield Times (Oregon)
about my cousin, Aaron Jamison
“Aaron Jamison not going to let cancer bring him down”,
April 30, 2009
http://www.springfieldtimes.net/news/results.cfm?story_no=6045
choosing joy, every day
knowing what there is now
the trials he is facing;
the end too soon, terminal;
but knowing where he is going
at peace in that promise.
Trusting God for the day to day
choosing joy instead of pity
witnessing to Christ, by his walk
in the way he lives, day to day
projecting that joy, the love of Christ
that promise of life eternal
to all he meets, choosing joy.
May 2, 2009
Story in the Springfield Times (Oregon)
about my cousin, Aaron Jamison
“Aaron Jamison not going to let cancer bring him down”,
April 30, 2009
http://www.springfieldtimes.net/news/results.cfm?story_no=6045
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