The First Citizens

From the temple mount
writing of the first citizens
claimed by Christ
the outcasts, the unclean,
those in prison
the bottom of the rung
An admonition down through time
to each Christian heart
to welcome all our brothers and sisters
in his same loving name
To lift up the downtrodden
to help make their way straight
to give comfort in his loving way
to the least, the last, the lost


September 6, 2009
James 2:1-10, 14-17
Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9
and sermon, “When I Was In Need, You Helped Me”
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
September 6, 2009

Simple Rest

What we seek, peace, simple rest
only the shepherd can provide
rest from our worries, our troubles
the cares of the day
Turn them over to the Lord
rest in the fields, the green pastures
by the waters, at the Master’s feet
simple rest, all of our days
following the shepherd’s call


September 4, 2009
John 10:11-15
Psalm 23
and sermon, “The Good Shepherd”
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
August 30, 2009
Psalm 23 (King James Version)
1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the
paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley
of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil:
for thou art with me;
thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me
in the presence of mine enemies:
thou anointest my head with oil;
my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy
shall follow me all the days of my life:
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
&
Mark 4:35-40
Exodus 20:8-11
Psalm 23
Psalm 127:2
and
Message: Rev. Huntley Halvorson,
"Keeping the Sabbath"
including reference to
Wayne Muller’s book,
“Sabbath: Restoring the Sacred Rhythm of Rest”
www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
August 23, 2009

The Mansions in the Fields

The fields of heaven
those green pastures, still waters
mansions in the fields
our home, our place of rest
through the journey
the valleys, through the desert places
leading to our reward
living in our mansions of the fields


September 3, 2009
John 10:11-15
Psalm 23
and sermon, “The Good Shepherd”
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
August 30, 2009
Psalm 23 (King James Version)
1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the
paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley
of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil:
for thou art with me;
thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me
in the presence of mine enemies:
thou anointest my head with oil;
my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy
shall follow me all the days of my life:
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
&
Mark 4:35-40
Exodus 20:8-11
Psalm 23
Psalm 127:2
and
Message: Rev. Huntley Halvorson,
"Keeping the Sabbath"
including reference to
Wayne Muller’s book,
“Sabbath: Restoring the Sacred Rhythm of Rest”
www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
August 23, 2009

Into this Story

We are called, our lives revealed
our days written in this story
in this journey of faith
leading home
Into this story we see ourselves
the questioning disciples
unable to believe
proofs written, handed down
finding Christ, in the breaking of the bread
in the sharing of a meal with a stranger
unnamed though we are
we are there, walking
needing to know
to understand
needing to believe


September 4, 2009
Luke 24:13-35
Walk to Emmaus
after posting The Unnamed Disciples to Facebook

----
The Unnamed Disciples

With Cleopas, walking home
on the Road to Emmaus
Leaving Jerusalem, on a journey
traveling from the city of David
wondering what is to become of His ministry
now that the Master is gone
So much pain, so much confusion
not truly understanding these things

Walking on that road
joined by a stranger, seemingly unaware
unaware of the events which have dominated our days
from the triumphant entrance, hosannas and palms
to the cross, to death, to the grave
Reports of the empty tomb, of his rising
but emptiness mainly
The stranger sharing, what is this he says
the prophecy of the Messiah
in the life of our Master
the scripture fulfilled
Walking homeward
entering in
Our savior lives!
in the breaking of bread

We are the unnamed disciple
walking with Christ
so unsure, so troubled
when we should have joy instead
Believing, if we but walk with him
look to the scripture, to the words of old
his life, his ministry, all of this foretold
The words he shared with Cleopas, with us as well
as true today, as on the road to Emmaus
the road home, to our Father
walking with our savior, with our brother
Sharing the good news with the others
until all of us have heard,
to the ends of the earth


April 22, 2009
Luke 24:13-35
Walk to Emmaus

Our Eyes Opened

Like the unnamed disciple
like them on the Emmaus road
leaving the sanctuary
the safe place of community
going home, to follow our faith
walking on the road
with them, from the temple
the holy city
unsure, doubting, in fear
faith tenuous, hanging as if by a thread
awareness, belief only
in an instant of recognition
seeing Christ before us
Like them on that journey
we walk, searching, wondering
so many questions,
answers written,
revealed in the prophecy,
the fulfillment of his life
in the promises kept
eyes opened to his presence
in simple acts of faith


September 4, 2009
Luke 24:13-35
Walk to Emmaus
after posting The Unnamed Disciples to Facebook

----
The Unnamed Disciples

With Cleopas, walking home
on the Road to Emmaus
Leaving Jerusalem, on a journey
traveling from the city of David
wondering what is to become of His ministry
now that the Master is gone
So much pain, so much confusion
not truly understanding these things

Walking on that road
joined by a stranger, seemingly unaware
unaware of the events which have dominated our days
from the triumphant entrance, hosannas and palms
to the cross, to death, to the grave
Reports of the empty tomb, of his rising
but emptiness mainly
The stranger sharing, what is this he says
the prophecy of the Messiah
in the life of our Master
the scripture fulfilled
Walking homeward
entering in
Our savior lives!
in the breaking of bread

We are the unnamed disciple
walking with Christ
so unsure, so troubled
when we should have joy instead
Believing, if we but walk with him
look to the scripture, to the words of old
his life, his ministry, all of this foretold
The words he shared with Cleopas, with us as well
as true today, as on the road to Emmaus
the road home, to our Father
walking with our savior, with our brother
Sharing the good news with the others
until all of us have heard,
to the ends of the earth


April 22, 2009
Luke 24:13-35
Walk to Emmaus

Only One is Named

Only one of them
on that dusty Emmaus road
given a name, identity
we are able, led,
to put ourselves into the story
joining Cleopas,
the stranger, walking
on that journey
after the death,
unclear on the future
not yet aware of the resurrection
the completing of the prophecy
walking with them
a journey to faith
to awareness
able to see the risen Christ
walking beside you,
walking beside me


September 4, 2009
Luke 24:13-35
Walk to Emmaus
after posting The Unnamed Disciples to Facebook

----
The Unnamed Disciples

With Cleopas, walking home
on the Road to Emmaus
Leaving Jerusalem, on a journey
traveling from the city of David
wondering what is to become of His ministry
now that the Master is gone
So much pain, so much confusion
not truly understanding these things

Walking on that road
joined by a stranger, seemingly unaware
unaware of the events which have dominated our days
from the triumphant entrance, hosannas and palms
to the cross, to death, to the grave
Reports of the empty tomb, of his rising
but emptiness mainly
The stranger sharing, what is this he says
the prophecy of the Messiah
in the life of our Master
the scripture fulfilled
Walking homeward
entering in
Our savior lives!
in the breaking of bread

We are the unnamed disciple
walking with Christ
so unsure, so troubled
when we should have joy instead
Believing, if we but walk with him
look to the scripture, to the words of old
his life, his ministry, all of this foretold
The words he shared with Cleopas, with us as well
as true today, as on the road to Emmaus
the road home, to our Father
walking with our savior, with our brother
Sharing the good news with the others
until all of us have heard,
to the ends of the earth


April 22, 2009
Luke 24:13-35
Walk to Emmaus

We are There

We are there, walking with Christ
with Cleopas
unnamed disciples walking our path
our journey to Emmaus
to that moment of awareness
seeing our savior, our brother
walking with our shepherd, our master
seeing him in the breaking of the bread
in the face of our neighbors
brought with the disciples
along the road we each travel
leading us home


September 4, 2009
Luke 24:13-35
Walk to Emmaus
after posting The Unnamed Disciples to Facebook

----
The Unnamed Disciples

With Cleopas, walking home
on the Road to Emmaus
Leaving Jerusalem, on a journey
traveling from the city of David
wondering what is to become of His ministry
now that the Master is gone
So much pain, so much confusion
not truly understanding these things

Walking on that road
joined by a stranger, seemingly unaware
unaware of the events which have dominated our days
from the triumphant entrance, hosannas and palms
to the cross, to death, to the grave
Reports of the empty tomb, of his rising
but emptiness mainly
The stranger sharing, what is this he says
the prophecy of the Messiah
in the life of our Master
the scripture fulfilled
Walking homeward
entering in
Our savior lives!
in the breaking of bread

We are the unnamed disciple
walking with Christ
so unsure, so troubled
when we should have joy instead
Believing, if we but walk with him
look to the scripture, to the words of old
his life, his ministry, all of this foretold
The words he shared with Cleopas, with us as well
as true today, as on the road to Emmaus
the road home, to our Father
walking with our savior, with our brother
Sharing the good news with the others
until all of us have heard,
to the ends of the earth


April 22, 2009
Luke 24:13-35
Walk to Emmaus

Sermon - "The Good Shepherd", by Pastor Ruth L. Foss, Suncook United Methodist Church, August 30, 2009

Psalm 23

“The Good Shepherd”

The Lord be with you,
And also with you,
Let us pray:
Almighty, Loving God, you who love your children and give them rest. We pray for you to be with us, guide us into that glen by the still waters so that we may sit at your feet and hear what you have to tell us this day. Holy Spirit of discernment, we pray that you would be with us as we listen to the Shepherds voice, speaking to us and giving us peace. Speak Lord; your flock is listening…

Good morning…I have been thinking a lot this week about the sermon Huntley gave last week about rest. I don’t know about you but I have been trying to take those rest times that he talked about this week. I have even come up with a slogan about his sermon…”rest…it’s not just for the lazy anymore.” I agree with him that this is something that we all need something that helps us to be all we can be for God. But sometimes it is just so hard to do this.

I have also been thinking about Psalm 23…I have read it over and over. What does this Psalm mean for you and me? Is it really a Psalm for the living…for our everyday life? This Psalm tells us to trust in the ultimate Provider…but…that is so against what society tells us. Society tells us that we can’t rely on anyone but ourselves, we need to be self made, never admit you need help and if you do need help you are weak and inferior. Well…we know that God’s word is eternal and that it is instructions for us as we live our live…so I decided to research this Psalm. I wanted to be able to apply this Psalm in my life. What I found was so wonderful that I wanted to share it with you this morning (I pray that it will help you too so that you can know the wonderment and joy of sitting beside still water).

Now some of this you may have heard before. There was an e-mail that was going around at one time that broke down this Psalm.

“The Lord is my Shepherd” (This is the Holy Spirit’s guidance) What we see here is David using the word “my” instead of “our”…David (as well as we today) was claiming the Shepherd as his own. He had a personal relationship with the Shepherd. We too can have that same personal relationship with the Good Shepherd because of the work that was completed at Calvary’s cross. You see…being a Christian is not so much a religion but it has to do with the relationship we have with God. It’s a relational thing.

“I shall not want” (This is talking about an abundant supply) this doesn’t mean that we will never want” for anything…but there is a difference between want and need. WE are provided everything we need and sometimes our wants. The problem is that we think our wants are our needs. Society tells us we need this or that, we need that sports car, we need that big house, we need that job making $100,000/year. But what our true needs? What this verse means is that the Shepherd’s sheep never lack anything that He feels is good for them. And we all know how abundantly the Shepherd provides. You see…God is what we need (“My grace is sufficient for thee”). Our Shepherd is by our side when we are in the green valley as well as when we are in the dark shadows. If we have Jesus in our lives we lack nothing because He is always with us not matter where we are, helping us along.

“He maketh me lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside still waters” (this is true rest and peace). The Lord often removes the obstacles in our lives so that we may have rest…so that we can “recharge” in order to continue with what we are called to do (remember last week when we talked about what happens when you do nothing but work and take no rest?) These “green pastures and still waters” are things that only the Shepherd can give the sheep. It can’t be bought, borrowed or even stolen. It is something that is freely given by the shepherd, we have that peace knowing he is there watching over us as we rest making sure we are safe. Wanting affects our vision. Sometimes when we come to that green pasture we think to ourselves “the pasture should be greener, the cup should be fuller, the oil a better brand, and so on. Our wants can become selfish needs that refuse to be satisfied.

“He restoreth my soul” (well…we are refreshed and revived; we are given peace and clarity…Amen?). It is not necessarily our physical self that is restored but it is our “spiritual” self that is restored.

Now let’s stop here for a moment. This psalm begins with rest. We need to rest, to sit at the feet of Jesus, take time to focus on our “First Love” and be restored; our spirits filled, and out of this restoration comes activity. We as Christians sometimes focus more on the activity than the restoration, but at what cost? We become “burned out”, our passion for what we are called to do waivers, and we are so busy with ministry that we become too tired to do the ministry we are called to do. And only at his point we rest, we have no choice…what blessings we miss because we are too busy to receive them. We miss out on the relationship that sustains us as we do the work and only have that closeness after we are too tired to go on. Christianity is primarily a relationship not a religion. Look at Mary and Martha…Martha missed out on an opportunity to sit at the feet of the Teacher because she was too busy running around doing everything…what a blessing she missed.

“He Leadeth in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake” (the God shepherd will lead us on the right path for His glory sake. We must be guided by the Good Shepherd if we are to walk on a righteous path…

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”(This is talking about His deliverance, His being with us in those desert times, In that we can take comfort.) We will walk “through” the valley…not stay there but walk through those trials and tribulations with the help of the Shepherd. We can feel His love, power and authority in the midst of this valley.

“Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.” (This is telling us that we will have victory over our enemies, we will have victory over our situation, and we will have victory in His name! Amen!) We will still have our problems, the blessing is that we know that the Good Shepherd is in it for the long haul; even if we can’t feel Him there in the midst of the problem he will “never leave us or forsake us.” Now is that a blessing or what?

“Surely” (Now that’s a promise we can depend on!)

“goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:” (We can all use that in our lives) We will have God’s love, mercy, forgiveness, righteousness, holiness, power, strength, favor, peace… (the list goes on) all the days of our lives.
“and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.”(Amen! ...) This is confirmation that we…you and I…have an eternal home with God in heaven!

Church…we are on a pilgrimage with God. We have the Good Shepherd to guide us along the way. We need to rest by that still water. Life can bring us to muddy water…we work so hard that we lose focus on our divine call. When we rest in the arms of God…beside those still waters…the water becomes clear. We need to spend time in that nourishing presence of God. We need constant restoration so that we can help others be restored. We need to keep the “waters of life “clear so that we can reach out to those who live in the muddiness of society.

Close your eyes (No really…close your eyes)…breath in the goodness of the Shepherd…feel the calm, still waters…”He restoreth our souls and gives us strength for the day”…breath of God…restore us we pray!

AMEN

Into the Pasture

Not staying in the valley
the words of the prayer, the psalm
walking through the shadow
death not the end
through that dark valley
into the light, into the pasture
through the gates
into the promised land, heaven
into the shepherd’s presence
the pasture beyond the journey


September 3, 2009
John 10:11-15
Psalm 23
and sermon, “The Good Shepherd”
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
August 30, 2009
Psalm 23 (King James Version)
1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the
paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley
of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil:
for thou art with me;
thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me
in the presence of mine enemies:
thou anointest my head with oil;
my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy
shall follow me all the days of my life:
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
&
Mark 4:35-40
Exodus 20:8-11
Psalm 23
Psalm 127:2
and
Message: Rev. Huntley Halvorson,
"Keeping the Sabbath"
including reference to
Wayne Muller’s book,
“Sabbath: Restoring the Sacred Rhythm of Rest”
www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
August 23, 2009

Feel the calm, still waters

Within the beating of our hearts
the words of the psalm so long ago
a prayer for our times
for the muddiness of society
of our modern age

Feel the calm, the still waters
the chaos stilled, clear, clean
rest in the savior,
in the comfort of the shepherd
guiding our ways,
all of our day


September 3, 2009
John 10:11-15
Psalm 23
and sermon, “The Good Shepherd”
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
August 30, 2009
Psalm 23 (King James Version)
1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the
paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley
of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil:
for thou art with me;
thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me
in the presence of mine enemies:
thou anointest my head with oil;
my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy
shall follow me all the days of my life:
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
&
Mark 4:35-40
Exodus 20:8-11
Psalm 23
Psalm 127:2
and
Message: Rev. Huntley Halvorson,
"Keeping the Sabbath"
including reference to
Wayne Muller’s book,
“Sabbath: Restoring the Sacred Rhythm of Rest”
www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
August 23, 2009

restoreth my soul

Like Mary, the disciples
sitting at the shepherd’s feet
holy rest, healing
In his words, life, living water
food of the spirit
restoring our souls
More than daily bread
the bread of life
reclaiming us, joining us
to the savior, to the Master
eternal life offered
in loving relationship
with the shepherd


September 3, 2009
John 10:11-15
Psalm 23
and sermon, “The Good Shepherd”
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
August 30, 2009
Psalm 23 (King James Version)
1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the
paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley
of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil:
for thou art with me;
thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me
in the presence of mine enemies:
thou anointest my head with oil;
my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy
shall follow me all the days of my life:
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
&
Mark 4:35-40
Exodus 20:8-11
Psalm 23
Psalm 127:2
and
Message: Rev. Huntley Halvorson,
"Keeping the Sabbath"
including reference to
Wayne Muller’s book,
“Sabbath: Restoring the Sacred Rhythm of Rest”
www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
August 23, 2009

Beside Us, Ever

Provision from the Lord
our daily bread
our every need
helping us, beside us, ever
wherever we go
in the desert, in the green valley
on our walk
providing,
never truly knowing want
abundant grace
from the shepherd
all of our days


September 3, 2009
John 10:11-15
Psalm 23
and sermon, “The Good Shepherd”
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
August 30, 2009
Psalm 23 (King James Version)
1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the
paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley
of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil:
for thou art with me;
thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me
in the presence of mine enemies:
thou anointest my head with oil;
my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy
shall follow me all the days of my life:
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
&
Mark 4:35-40
Exodus 20:8-11
Psalm 23
Psalm 127:2
and
Message: Rev. Huntley Halvorson,
"Keeping the Sabbath"
including reference to
Wayne Muller’s book,
“Sabbath: Restoring the Sacred Rhythm of Rest”
www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
August 23, 2009

By the Waters

Rest, given by the shepherd
under his protection
into that green pasture
by the waters, living waters
clear, pure, calling our spirits

Peace within us
within our beating hearts
abundant grace
flowing over me, over
my head, down my beard, my collar
washing me clean,
to that place of rest

Walking beside, following the shepherd
through our journey of fait
once we too have heard His call
answered his offer of life
cleaving to our maker,
our savior, our all
resting where he leads
into the fields
by the still waters


September 3, 2009
John 10:11-15
Psalm 23
and sermon, “The Good Shepherd”
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
August 30, 2009
Psalm 23 (King James Version)
1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the
paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley
of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil:
for thou art with me;
thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me
in the presence of mine enemies:
thou anointest my head with oil;
my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy
shall follow me all the days of my life:
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
&
Mark 4:35-40
Exodus 20:8-11
Psalm 23
Psalm 127:2
and
Message: Rev. Huntley Halvorson,
"Keeping the Sabbath"
including reference to
Wayne Muller’s book,
“Sabbath: Restoring the Sacred Rhythm of Rest”
www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
August 23, 2009

Though He was a King

David and Christ
though he was a king
the shepherd a sheep
under the shepherd’s gaze
mindful of the good shepherd
risking, giving all
for the people, the sheep
He was a shepherd;
but he was a sheep
a lamb of His flock
claiming the shepherd
just as we are able
by the sacrifice of the
shepherd, a sheep


September 3, 2009
John 10:11-15
Psalm 23
and sermon, “The Good Shepherd”
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
August 30, 2009
Psalm 23 (King James Version)
1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the
paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley
of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil:
for thou art with me;
thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me
in the presence of mine enemies:
thou anointest my head with oil;
my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy
shall follow me all the days of my life:
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
&
Mark 4:35-40
Exodus 20:8-11
Psalm 23
Psalm 127:2
and
Message: Rev. Huntley Halvorson,
"Keeping the Sabbath"
including reference to
Wayne Muller’s book,
“Sabbath: Restoring the Sacred Rhythm of Rest”
www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
August 23, 2009

Wind – haiku

From its effects known
the breath, the wind revealed
hand of God moving

September 3, 2009

Faith – haiku

Faith - What we believe
remains unseen within us
the spirit speaking

September 3, 2009

Love – haiku – 3

giving of ourselves
total, no expectations
unmerited grace

September 3, 2009

Potter – haiku – 3

His hands, his will
molding our lives, to him
pliable clay, man

September 3, 2009

Two Hands

Giving our lives our worship
as if offered with two hands
present, mindful of God
in this moment only Him
our center, our all
Following the shepherd
our whole heart
offered with two hands


September 3, 2009
Psalm 86:8-17
http://www.upperroom.org/devotional/default.asp?month=9&day=2&year=2009
and Upper Room daily devotional
for September 2, 2009,
“Undivided Worship”

Two Hands - haiku

With both, my two hands
focused on the Lord, God
real, humble worship


September 3, 2009
Psalm 86:8-17
http://www.upperroom.org/devotional/default.asp?month=9&day=2&year=2009
and Upper Room daily devotional
for September 2, 2009,
“Undivided Worship”

Seasons of the Cross

Seeing the sunlight,
moving into the labyrinth
rising through the paces
leading to the cross
a vision of the yard
these steps
as the year unfolds
an image of the cross
in sun, in leaves, in snow
fleeting in my mind’s eye
this summer morning,
leading to fall
seasons of the cross
waiting for me


September 3, 2009
the cross in the labyrinth

As the study began

Little could I imagine
how my life would change
at that beginning of the time set apart
to study your holy word
How you would bring her into my life
her daughters too
bringing me joy beyond belief
a faith to heal my soul
Day by day and week by week
entering into the Word
week by week and year by year
sharing your love
in rhythm and words


September 2, 2009
on start of Disciple I bible study,
September 7, 2004

Offering Our Lives

Slowing myself
shedding all else
focusing on His face
offering my life
to the creator
all of who I am
offered with two hands
fully present before the Lord
So I wish my walk to be
humbly on my knees


September 2, 2009
Psalm 86:8-17
http://www.upperroom.org/devotional/default.asp?month=9&day=2&year=2009
and Upper Room daily devotional
for September 2, 2009,
“Undivided Worship”

Offering Our Gifts

In the way we approach
offering our gifts
bringing our lives before the Lord
I pray I may be open
turning over all myself
no part of me reserved
giving my all
offering all my gifts
given by the creator
offered back
in service
to his call


September 2, 2009
Psalm 86:8-17
http://www.upperroom.org/devotional/default.asp?month=9&day=2&year=2009
and Upper Room daily devotional
for September 2, 2009,
“Undivided Worship”

With Two Hands

Holding nothing back
letting go of everything else
turning to God
our center, our all
Leaving the cares, the troubles
the work of the world
Centering our lives
with our two hands
our full attention
our lives for Him
our hearts open
to the calling of the spirit
speaking deep within our souls


September 2, 2009
Psalm 86:8-17
http://www.upperroom.org/devotional/default.asp?month=9&day=2&year=2009
and Upper Room daily devotional
for September 2, 2009,
“Undivided Worship”

With Both Hands

With our full attention
offering our lives
mindful of Christ’s presence
God indwelling within us
His spirit bound to our own
offering ourselves
as if with both hands
holding nothing back from the creator
our lives his alone
our hope that we would serve
that we would be his hands,
his feet, a willing voice
to go where we are sent
to do our brother’s work


September 2, 2009
Psalm 86:8-17
http://www.upperroom.org/devotional/default.asp?month=9&day=2&year=2009
and Upper Room daily devotional
for September 2, 2009,
“Undivided Worship”

Living Water

Rich, living water
shimmering with the breath of God
moving with God’s love
throughout creation
the bread of life
living water
restoring, filling our souls
indwelling within us
we, like the tides,
moving with the living water
the savior
living within us

September 2, 2009
John 4:1-42

The Good Shepherd

In my mind’s eye
the images of the shepherd
his staff, his cradling the lost sheep
sitting there, a child in his lap
the children waiting at his feet

The language of the scriptures
the reading from the gospel
the other half of the story
or so it goes

The shepherd the unblemished lamb
the Passover sacrifice
that you and I would have life
the shepherd giving himself
atoning for my sins


September 1, 2009
John 10:11-15
Psalm 23
and sermon, “The Good Shepherd”
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
August 30, 2009
Psalm 23 (King James Version)
1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the
paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley
of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil:
for thou art with me;
thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me
in the presence of mine enemies:
thou anointest my head with oil;
my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy
shall follow me all the days of my life:
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
&
Mark 4:35-40
Exodus 20:8-11
Psalm 23
Psalm 127:2
and
Message: Rev. Huntley Halvorson,
"Keeping the Sabbath"
including reference to
Wayne Muller’s book,
“Sabbath: Restoring the Sacred Rhythm of Rest”
www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
August 23, 2009