I Am the Sacrifice

He said, “I am the Bread,
the bread that gives life.”
the metaphor, he is the way
the bridge between man and God

But made real, urgent
leaving nothing unspoken
connecting the thoughts together
in the next words
spoken clearly by the Son

The bread his body
I am the sacrifice.
the bread of heaven
broken and shared
that the world may have life.



August 7, 2009
John 6:35, 41-51
and The Upper Room Disciplines 2009
for August 7, 2009
and
John 6:35, 41-51
and Alive Now Daily Reflection
for August 5, 2009
http://alivenow.upperroom.org/daily-reflections/daily-reflections-for-august-3-9/
John 6:24-35
Alive Now Daily Reflections
for July 30, 2009
http://alivenow.upperroom.org/daily-reflections/daily-reflections-for-july-27-august-2/
and
John 6:24-27
The Upper Room Disciplines 2009
for July 30, 2009
and
John 6:35a, Revised Standard Version
John 6:35a, New Century Version
John 6:28-35
The Upper Room Disciplines 2009
for July 31, 2009
Communion
Matthew 26:14-30
Matthew 26:26-28
Mark 14:12-26
Mark 14:24-26
Luke 22:1-30
Luke 22:14-23
Luke 22:14-20
John 6:53-59
John 13:1-30
John 13:21-30
John 13:27-30

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 30,770+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

We are All His Witnesses

Not merely the first twelve
all of us commissioned, appointed, charged
to be His witnesses, to tell of his great love
consciously, going out, spreading the good news
and, less so, being where you need to be
bearing witness to God’s love
sharing our faith, our belief
our receiving of God’s grace
the good news, passed down
open to moments, unplanned
to be Christ, when God calls.


8/7/09 – Facebook version
10/5/08
Acts 1:6-9
Romans 10:11-17 and
Sermon “We Are Appointed”
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church
October 5, 2008

At the Rail Received

We kneeled, at the rail received
the bread, the wine
the body, the blood,
sharing the communion meal,
at God’s table, the Lord’s
sharing the elements
the parts, in remembrance
pausing for the invocation, the invitation
of the pastor, his blessing,
rising to return to our pews
silent, reverent, in appreciation
thanking the savior
for his wondrous gift
a sharing around the world

8/7/09 – Facebook version
10/5/08
World Communion Sunday, October 5, 2008
Matthew 26:26-29
Mark 14:22-25
Luke 22:15-20
1 Corinthians 11:23-26
Suncook United Methodist Church

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 28,680+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live. 

Brotherly Love

even in the heat
seeking him out
finding him there
leaning on his brother
nestled together
sleeping peacefully
in brotherly love.

Much we can learn
seeking out our brother,
our sister, our neighbors
leaning on each other
our way more peaceful
easier, living
in brotherly love.

August 5, 2009
Larry and Moe,
late August afternoon

Stones under the brush

Beyond the fields
at the edge of the woods
stones scattered
cast into the brush.
Gathering the stones together
creating lines, courses
the rows of the labyrinth
framed in part
the foundlings
stones beyond the fields
under the brush
before the woods.


August 5, 2009
Ecclesiastes 3:5
building prayer labyrinth
in our yard


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 19,900+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

As we eat the bread

As we eat of the bread
prayerfully aware,
The single loaf,
the one way
the bread that gives life
His body, given for us
broken and shared
offering us a way
back to the Father,
the creator who sent him
whom he alone has seen
Mortal and divine
the son, our brother
the savior of all


August 5, 2009
John 6:35, 41-51
and Alive Now Daily Reflection
for August 5, 2009
http://alivenow.upperroom.org/daily-reflections/daily-reflections-for-august-3-9/
John 6:24-35
Alive Now Daily Reflections
for July 30, 2009
http://alivenow.upperroom.org/daily-reflections/daily-reflections-for-july-27-august-2/
and
John 6:24-27
The Upper Room Disciplines 2009
for July 30, 2009
and
John 6:35a, Revised Standard Version
John 6:35a, New Century Version
John 6:28-35
The Upper Room Disciplines 2009
for July 31, 2009
Communion
Matthew 26:14-30
Matthew 26:26-28
Mark 14:12-26
Mark 14:24-26
Luke 22:1-30
Luke 22:14-23
Luke 22:14-20
John 6:53-59
John 13:1-30
John 13:21-30
John 13:27-30

The Ground Yielding

The ground yielding its stones
buried under the soil
the rich loam, the grassy lawns
the forests, the brush
hidden from view, sneaking out
sometimes sitting free
giving to my spade, my will
stones, rocks from the earth
gathering them all,
to frame the walls of the prayers
this sanctuary,
this place of peace


August 5, 2009
Ecclesiastes 3:5
building prayer labyrinth
in our yard


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 19,900+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

A Time to Gather Stones

The wisdom goes, a time to scatter stones,
a time to gather stones together
This time, a time to place stones
in a straight line, end to end
rows of stones, silent
witnesses to prayers
murmured, breathed between them
Round, smooth, sharp, squared
framing the space, holy ground
ancient stone, living vessel
a safe place to walk in prayer


August 4, 2009
Ecclesiastes 3:5
building prayer labyrinth
in our yard

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 19,900+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Consecrating the ground

Laying down prayers
step by silent step
consecrating the ground
the path, the labyrinth
becoming holy,
a place set apart
The gathered stones placed
framing the rows she was walking
prayers offered to our God
walking the labyrinth
consecrating this space
now holy ground.


August 4, 2009
Ecclesiastes 3:5
building prayer labyrinth
in our yard

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 21,610+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Gathering Stones

Gathering stones
from the yard, from the garden
from the earth,
the congregation, the land
bringing them together
different kinds, different shapes
different colors
placing each one,
framing the prayers
touching their neighbors
before and behind
living lines of stone
covering the ground


August 4, 2009
Ecclesiastes 3:5
building prayer labyrinth
in our yard


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 19,900+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Between the Stones

Between the stones
the rows of the labyrinth
prayers offered to God
our creator, our savior, our king
captured within this space
this place set apart
words laid down
as we walk this path


August 4, 2009
Ecclesiastes 3:5
building prayer labyrinth
in our yard

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 19,900+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Hallowing the Space

Only for prayers
hallowing this space
this place set apart
the stones a reminder
this is holy ground

Not a path,
a way to the swings
This place set apart
for petitions to God
for talking with the creator


August 4, 2009
Ecclesiastes 3:5
building prayer labyrinth
in our yard


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 19,900+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Laying down prayers

Walking the path
the rows of the labyrinth
laying down prayers
making this ground holy
in each step she took


August 4, 2009
Ecclesiastes 3:5
building prayer labyrinth
in our yard


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 19,900+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Placing Stones

Placing stones
end upon end
each one touching another
in measured rows
row upon row
the labyrinth coming to life
words placed between the stones
prayers falling,
consecrating this space.


August 4, 2009
Ecclesiastes 3:5
building prayer labyrinth
in our yard


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 19,900+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Labyrinth

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 19,900+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Prayer Labyrinth - in our backyard - stones needed

Here is a link to the post requesting stones on the Suncook United Methodist Church website -- http://www.suncookumc.org/vsItemDisplay.dsp&objectID=6CC0D51B-EFA8-40C5-A21A816016C4A334&method=display.


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 19,900+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

The Bread of Life

The bread of life
basic, essential food
a simple metaphor
of something far grander
So he spoke, to the people
in words that had common meaning
in that time and place
Bread of life
offered for us
food of life
daily bread
living water
I am these he said
a precious gift from God
needed for life


August 2, 2009 and August 3, 2009
John 6:24-35
Alive Now Daily Reflections
for July 30, 2009
and
John 6:24-27
The Upper Room Disciplines 2009
for July 30, 2009
and
John 6:35a, Revised Standard Version
John 6:35a, New Century Version
John 6:28-35
The Upper Room Disciplines 2009
for July 31, 2009

Appointed

We are appointed
commissioned by the same Spirit
living, growing within us
to spread His message of love
commissioned, appointed
witnesses of Christ’s love
sacrificial loving servant
humble king, fulfilling still
scriptures, law, promises of God
Grace, living, flowing from our hands
our hearts, our feet
walking in his pathways
reaching out his hands
sharing God’s love,
imprinted on our lives

August 3, 2009 – Facebook version
October 4, 2008
Acts 1:6-9