Saturday, September 12, 2009

A Break in the clouds

In the driveway this morning
gray clouds, lowering sky
a break in the clouds
bright light, a shimmering dove
hanging there, only momentarily,
a thought of the words of this poem
starting, a title, a line or too
a feeling of a need to remember
to capture the thought
The break closing,
before time for a photograph
frozen only in my mind
Reappearing, going with me,
at the town dump, unloading recycling
reminding me of your presence
of the grace, the dove descending
captured in flight once again
brighter now, hanging in sky


September 12, 2009

Dying for Us – haiku - 1

Dying for us all
while we still lived in sin
hoping we would change


September 12, 2009
Romans 6:1-11

Faith to Save – haiku – 1

Believing in us
care for our eternal lives
We accept His love


September 12, 2009
Romans 6:1-11

Grace – haiku – 1

Christ proved his love
Dying while we yet sinned
Saving us by grace


September 12, 2009
Romans 6:1-11

Scripture – haiku – 7

Written Word of God
given to us, to live by
to eternal life

September 12, 2009
book, “Walking with Christ Everyday:
365 daily devotions for men”,
Day 254, “The Guidebook”

Scripture – haiku – 2

Like men and our maps
sitting in glove compartment
bible works when used

September 12, 2009
book, “Walking with Christ Everyday:
365 daily devotions for men”,
Day 254, “The Guidebook”

Scripture – haiku – 3

Timeless words of grace
written down for the ages
a way of life told

September 12, 2009
book, “Walking with Christ Everyday:
365 daily devotions for men”,
Day 254, “The Guidebook”

Scripture – haiku – 4

The story of God
man fallen but given grace
redeemed by Christ

September 12, 2009
book, “Walking with Christ Everyday:
365 daily devotions for men”,
Day 254, “The Guidebook”

Scripture – haiku – 3 – v2

Timeless words of grace
written down for the ages
a way to life shown

September 12, 2009
book, “Walking with Christ Everyday:
365 daily devotions for men”,
Day 254, “The Guidebook”

Scripture – haiku – 5

One story for us
told, retold in many ways
repeated in love

September 12, 2009
book, “Walking with Christ Everyday:
365 daily devotions for men”,
Day 254, “The Guidebook”

Scripture – haiku – 1 – v2

God’s word revealed
creator’s guidance for life
made whole by his grace

September 12, 2009
book, “Walking with Christ Everyday:
365 daily devotions for men”,
Day 254, “The Guidebook”

Scripture – haiku – 6

Drink His holy word
God’s love revealed, made real
Alive in our hearts

September 12, 2009
book, “Walking with Christ Everyday:
365 daily devotions for men”,
Day 254, “The Guidebook”

Scripture – haiku - 1

God’s word revealed
given to us long ago
instructions for life

September 12, 2009
book, “Walking with Christ Everyday:
365 daily devotions for men”,
Day 254, “The Guidebook”

Friday, September 11, 2009

A Change in Circumstances

When the same reality
the drip drip drip
the slow water torture
unresolved, unchanging
when the same constitutes
a change in circumstances
not moving forward
no conclusion reached
statis itself, remaining still
inertia, entropy, eroding
changing stones, lives etched
in the passing of time alone





All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 41,680+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Sermon - "When I Was In Need, You Helped Me”, by Pastor Ruth L. Foss, September 6, 2009, Suncook United Methodist Church, Suncook, NH

The Lord be with you,
And also with you,
Let us pray…

Loving, Compassionate, Creator God, you who speak to your children through the Spirit given to us through our Lord Jesus Christ, we pray for your presence here with us as we hear your word for us today. We pray for your knowledge and guidance in our lives. Speak to us in ways that we will understand and may we have eyes to see and ears to hear the message you have for us. Come now Holy Spirit, we receive your consuming fire within us…amen.

Good Morning…well fall is here. It’s time for the leaves to start turning, the local public pools are closing, and we are beginning to batten down the hatches for the winter. It is time for school to start for the young and the “old”. Last week I started back to school. I really think I will like my classes this semester.

One of the classes I am taking “Three Missionary Faiths” will be a class that I will enjoy the most (I already have a bunch of sermon ideas from it). One of the readings I was given really made me think. It was called “We And You, Let us meet in God’s Love” by Seyyed Nasr. He is one of the world’s leading experts on Islamic thought and spirituality and is a professor of Islamic studies at The George Washington University. This article was from the 1st Catholic-Muslim Forum Conference in the Vatican City that took place back in November of last year. What I read really made me think.

In the article I noticed some similarities….one thing being that we are both decedents…members…of the family of Abraham. We both agree that God is creator and sustainer of the world, the alpha and the omega of existence-the Almighty, who’s Will prevails in our lives, the Loving whose love embraces the whole of the created order. All the faithful, Christian and Muslim alike, will one day stand before God and be judged by Him for our actions here below while we beseech, ask for, His Mercy. Furthermore, we both value faith above all else and pray to God, certain that he hears. In both of our societies, when religion has been strong, various political parties have carried out violence in its name and in certain cases this violence has been “OK’d” by religious authorities. You see…we can’t claim that violence is the monopoly of only one religion. Yes we have our differences that have kept Christianity and Islam distinct and separate. But it is in these differences we can learn from one another. So...why do we need to judge others by the outside…what we see…instead of what is on the inside…what we believe?

In the Epistle of James, we see what God would have us do instead of what society would have us do. In the second chapter of James it reads (and I’m reading from the Message Bible):

1-4My dear friends, don't let public opinion influence how you live out our glorious, Christ-originated faith. If a man enters your church wearing an expensive suit, and a street person wearing rags comes in right after him, and you say to the man in the suit, "Sit here, sir; this is the best seat in the house!" and either ignore the street person or say, "Better sit here in the back row," haven't you segregated God's children and proved that you are judges who can't be trusted? 5-7Listen, dear friends. Isn't it clear by now that God operates quite differently? He chose the world's down-and-out as the kingdom's first citizens, with full rights and privileges. This kingdom is promised to anyone who loves God. And here you are abusing these same citizens! Isn't it the high and mighty who exploit you, who use the courts to rob you blind? Aren't they the ones who scorn the new name—"Christian"—used in your baptisms? 8-10You do well when you complete the Royal Rule of the Scriptures: "Love others as you love yourself." But if you play up to these so-called important people, you go against the Rule and stand convicted by it. You can't pick and choose in these things, specializing in keeping one or two things in God's law and ignoring others.

Faith in Action
14-17Dear friends, do you think you'll get anywhere in this if you learn all the right words but never do anything? Does merely talking about faith indicate that a person really has it? For instance, you come upon an old friend dressed in rags and half-starved and say, "Good morning, friend! Be clothed in Christ! Be filled with the Holy Spirit!" and walk off without providing so much as a coat or a cup of soup—where does that get you? Isn't it obvious that God-talk without God-acts is outrageous nonsense?

James is talking about catering to the ones that we deem “worthy”, the ones like us and looking down on the poor, the ones that are different. These “poor” are dependent on God and God’s mercies and have a strong faith because of it (“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”They have faith that can move mountains.) Unfortunately, the rich have a way of oppressing those who are less fortunate than they are and take advantage of what these people don’t have and want to acquire for themselves. This scripture tells us that you shall love your neighbor as yourself and if you show partiality, you are sinning…we are all the same in God’s eyes…there is no Jew, Greek or Gentile…all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

It also tells us that faith without works is dead…if we love one another and God we are inspired to help others therefore letting the love of Christ illuminate the world around us. Earlier I was talking about fall and some of the things that occur in fall. One of the things I look forward to is the beginning of Our Families Table…a time when this church puts their faith into action…a time when this church reaches out to the community around it and Christ’s love is shared with those who may not see it otherwise and I am proud to be a part of it. (A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor.) This church doesn’t look at others through society’s eyes but through the eyes of God! This church doesn’t look at the outside, the differences we may have, but the inside, we are all children of the Most High.

But…this year we are doing something a little more…expanding our faith action…doing something to share the Gospel a little further in our community here in Suncook. After the Wednesday night dinners, we are going to begin to fellowship in a different way. We are going to have a time of meditation, a time to gather together and share the gospel of peace, a time when we can learn from one another. What a way to be ambassador’s of Christ, what a way to share our faith, what a way to not only be the hands and feet of Christ but to be His voice in the wilderness!

Differences, we all have them, but it is what we look at that makes the difference. Do we look at our differences and show partiality to those like us or do we look at the similarities and accept each other as beloved children of God? So many wars have been fought on differences and greed. So many people have been marginalized because of their differences. It is time for us, as Christians to take a stand. I am so proud to be part of a church that stands up for Christ and His ministry. It is up to you and me to decide which we will choose…but for me and my house, we shall serve the Lord.

Amen.

Eyes of God - Twitter version

Loving eyes of God
seeing each of us
beloved child
every single one
alike in God’s eyes
all equal, worthy of love
grace of God

September 11, 2009 – Twitter version
September 10, 2009
James 2:1-10, 14-17
Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9
& sermon, “When I Was In Need, You Helped Me”
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
9/6/09

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Eyes of God

Loving eyes of God
seeing each of us
a beloved child
part of the family
all of us, every single one
alike in God’s eyes
all equal, worthy of Christ’s love
the grace of God


September 10, 2009
James 2:1-10, 14-17
Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9
& sermon, “When I Was In Need, You Helped Me”
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
9/6/09

Those Like Us

We look in the mirror
in the face of our neighbor
for similarities, kinship
noting differences
that which sets us apart
forgetting all that is the same
that makes us one

From the perspective of God
the eyes of the creator
there is no black, no white,
no red, no yellow, no rich or poor
no male or female
all of us the same
each of us children
sheep that have gone astray

All of us called to the fold
to the arms of the shepherd
the lamb who atoned
for each of our sin
Called to the father
to his love and comfort
called to see our brothers, our sisters
in each stranger’s face


September 10, 2009
James 2:1-10, 14-17
Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9
& sermon, “When I Was In Need, You Helped Me”
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
9/6/09

In This Wilderness

In this country
this time and place
being Christ in this wilderness
in his name we will act
Our hands, our feet
our voices raised
to share his good news
the forgiveness of sin
for all who accept his gift
all welcomed in
All of us sinners
all needing his grace
each of us equal
everyone in the human race


September 10, 2009
James 2:1-10, 14-17
Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9
& sermon, “When I Was In Need, You Helped Me”
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
9/6/09

All Like Us

We need the words
the scripture to remind us
Whatever our differences
the things that divide us

All like us
in the eyes of God
far more that binds us
in our sin and his saving
all of us needing
his love and his grace


September 10, 2009
James 2:1-10, 14-17
Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9
& sermon, “When I Was In Need, You Helped Me”
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
9/6/09

Unworthy Children

Squabbling in the sandbox
fighting as adults
all of us sinners
each one the same
unworthy children
for the treasures of heaven

The stain washed away
our fate changed by his grace
the love of the savior
we’re back in our place
Through the eyes of our Lord
all of us worthy
our future secure


September 10, 2009
James 2:1-10, 14-17
Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9
& sermon, “When I Was In Need, You Helped Me”
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
9/6/09

All Sinners

In the eyes of God
none of us righteous
all of us sinners
failing under the law
Yet all of us children
sons and daughters of God
all of us worthy
through the sacrifice of the son
All of us called
to the way, the path to the light
an indwelling spirit
guiding us with his love
all the way home


September 10, 2009
James 2:1-10, 14-17
Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9
& sermon, “When I Was In Need, You Helped Me”
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
9/6/09

Accept Each Other

We are called
out of the sacrifice of Christ
the grace of the creator
to accept each other
to love one another
seeing our neighbors
as our brothers, as our sisters
fellow children of God
no differences that matter
none that measure up
all of us equal
in the sight of God


September 10, 2009
James 2:1-10, 14-17
Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9
& sermon, “When I Was In Need, You Helped Me”
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
9/6/09

No One Better

Funny, how we differentiate
find reasons to categorize
so human, so real
Not as God sees
through the eyes of God
we are all the same
no one better
all of us his children
his creations, all called
all saved by grace
called back to his side
from the depths
of his one loving heart


September 10, 2009
James 2:1-10, 14-17
Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9
& sermon, “When I Was In Need, You Helped Me”
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
9/6/09

Beloved Children of God

Seen through the eyes of God
through the mind of the creator
all of us, each one of us
beloved children of God
none better, none less worthy
all of us sinners
able to be saved
by Christ’s love,
the grace of God alone
All of us, living as Christians
seeing our brothers, our sisters
as God calls us
not merely fellow humans
each of us part of the same family
the family of God


September 10, 2009
James 2:1-10, 14-17
Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9
& sermon, “When I Was In Need, You Helped Me”
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
9/6/09

Seeing Our Brothers, Our Sisters

With new eyes, eyes of faith
with the eyes of God
we are able, given sight
seeing our brothers, our sisters
in the faces of strangers,
in our neighbors, those on the street
in the congregation
all of us one family
all loved by the creator
saved by the sacrifice
by the love, the grace
of our brother, the Christ
the one who was to come,
the one who is to come again


September 10, 2009
James 2:1-10, 14-17
Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9
& sermon, “When I Was In Need, You Helped Me”
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
9/6/09

Seeing Our Family

Seeing our family
in our neighbors
in all of God’s children
sons and daughters of the King
each one of us, all of us the same
no differences that matter
that matter in the eyes of God
Reach out to your children
to our brothers, our sisters
in the love of Christ
all of us part of the family
through that same loving heart


September 9, 2009 and September 10, 2009
James 2:1-10, 14-17
Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9
& sermon, “When I Was In Need, You Helped Me”
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
9/6/09

Seeing the Children

With the eyes of God
seeing the world
seeing the children
the sons and daughters
the children of the King
not with the eyes of the world
focused on our differences
Seeing each other, as brother, as sister
as part of one family
all of us together
sharing life here on earth
all of us broken,
all of us needing healing
all of us saved
by the grace of God


September 9, 2009 and September 10, 2009
James 2:1-10, 14-17
Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9
& sermon, “When I Was In Need, You Helped Me”
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
9/6/09

Through the eyes of God

As faithful disciples,
as people of faith,
a Christian community
called, charged
to see others,
not with society’s eyes
With the eyes of God
deep within,
not on surface differences
on the things which bind us
seeing others, rich and poor,
male and female, black and white
all of us the same
in the eyes of God
All of us fallen
all of us worthy of love
by his grace alone


September 9, 2009
James 2:1-10, 14-17
Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9
& sermon, “When I Was In Need, You Helped Me”
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
9/6/09

Through Loving Eyes

The world new, different
seen through loving eyes
through the eyes of God
seeing God’s face in our neighbors
looking deeper, within one another
giving of our time, our energies
all worthy, helping our brothers, our sisters
all who are in need,
all of us who need God’s love.


September 9, 2009
James 2:1-10, 14-17
Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9
& sermon, “When I Was In Need, You Helped Me”
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
9/6/09

Worship, after a meal together

Expanding our worship, our definition
ways to share the word of God
to reach out to our community
worship, after a meal together
something right about breaking bread
entering into the word together
a sense of family
spending worship together
after sharing a meal


September 9, 2009
James 2:1-10, 14-17
Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9
& sermon, “When I Was In Need, You Helped Me”
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
9/6/09

Wednesday, September 09, 2009

Two messages

Two messages in the words of James
equally hard, difficult to live out;
but at the heart of our faith
that we are not to judge,
sinners as we are,
equal in the eyes of God
and that we are to act,
that faith in words alone
this is dead, lifeless
not worthy
of the name of Christ
We are to live out his love
to share his caring touch
to live as he lived
going into the world
in his name alone.


September 9, 2009
James 2:1-10, 14-17
Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9
& sermon, “When I Was In Need, You Helped Me”
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
9/6/09

Faith in words alone

Outrageous nonsense, dead
so do the translations resound
faith without works
a nullity, a lie
we are to act out our faith
live the love Christ shared
be his hands, his feet,
his voice crying out
in the wilderness,
in this wilderness
in the place God has planted us
where we are to grow
to bear fruit
worthy of the name we claim
acting as Christians
the proof of our words
disciples, Christians
in more than name only


September 9, 2009
James 2:1-10, 14-17
Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9
& sermon, “When I Was In Need, You Helped Me”
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
9/6/09

A Leader in the Temple

With power, to a specific audience
a lesson for the elite
spoken with authority
a stern lesson
from a leader in the Temple
All to be equal before man
just as they are before God
the creator of all
sees us within our souls


September 9, 2009
James 2:1-10, 14-17
Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9
& sermon, “When I Was In Need, You Helped Me”
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
9/6/09

To the Jews

He was a leader
the brother of Christ
a stern message
for the faithful,
to the Jews in the Temple
Treating all the faithful
equal in God’s sight
so we are to act
consistent with our creed
acting in the name of Christ
To see our brothers, our sisters
with the eyes of God
opening our hearts, our arms
our hands to them all
Acting on our faith
on the love of Christ
helping all those in need
in his holy name.


September 9, 2009
James 2:1-10, 14-17
Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9
& sermon, “When I Was In Need, You Helped Me”
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
9/6/09

A reminder in the message

A reminder in the message
in hearing our differences
but the similarities
the painful truth too
that each religion
each of us in our history
has done violence
in the name of God
the same God
the God of Abraham


September 9, 2009
James 2:1-10, 14-17
Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9
& sermon, “When I Was In Need, You Helped Me”
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
9/6/09
including comparative language
about Muslim and Christianity
starting with Abraham
and including violence
in the name of God

Prevailing in our Lives

When we accept
when we turn our lives over
the spirit, God’s will prevailing,
in the walk of our days
Comfort to all
an open hand to our brothers
to our sisters in need
whatever their story,
their history, their hew
Your spirit guiding
our actions to our words
able to witness, to bring Christ
into authentic view
Our days like our savior’s
sharing God’s love with all
God’s will, his spirit
leading us on our way


September 9, 2009
James 2:1-10, 14-17
Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9
& sermon, “When I Was In Need, You Helped Me”
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
9/6/09

Calling the Spirit

Calling the spirit
given by Christ
to speak to your children
a word for our hearts

Loving us with your message
the truth, the love, the fire
of your life made real
our story to tell

Changing our lives
our crooked ways made straight
teach us, guide us on your path
lead us on our journey
acting consistent with our faith.


September 9, 2009
James 2:1-10, 14-17
Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9
& sermon, “When I Was In Need, You Helped Me”
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
9/6/09

As a Christian

As a Christian
someone worthy of the name
words matched by my deeds
offering a hand
to anyone in need

Using my skills,
my gifts from above
help to everyone I can

An open hand
as the words from my heart
my hands, my feet, my voice
equal, no one set apart.


September 9, 2009
James 2:1-10, 14-17
Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9
& sermon, “When I Was In Need, You Helped Me”
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
9/6/09

Drenched with the Words

Urgent, important words
living waters, pouring out of me
words that are waiting, ready to flow
washing over me, drenched with the words
urgent words to share
coming when they are ready
where they will lead
I do not know


September 9, 2009
James 2:1-10, 14-17
Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9
& sermon, “When I Was In Need, You Helped Me”
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
9/6/09

An Open Hand

The image before me
an open hand
the active response
to the words of James

The challenge to our ways
to the measuring of our days
by how we act
more than what we say
giving to all
no one held high

Offering the same love
washed as we all are
by our savior’s loving blood


September 9, 2009
James 2:1-10, 14-17
Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9
& sermon, “When I Was In Need, You Helped Me”
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
9/6/09

Authentic Faith

works and deeds
to match the words of our faith
conforming, conformed
to the stirrings of our hearts
giving to all, our hands to their needs
our voices, our prayers
to help all, no matter the costs
stepping beyond
what we would do on our own
seeing someone in trouble
in need, and going to their side
Words of comfort, of faith in God
matched by our actions
speaking from our hearts


September 9, 2009
James 2:1-10, 14-17
Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9
& sermon, “When I Was In Need, You Helped Me”
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
9/6/09

How Real is My Faith

A hard question,
in the words of the epistle
the brother of Christ
speaking to the elite in the temple
how do we treat others
how do I show my faith
do I share equally
with all those in need
do I offer my hand
to each in their turn
no one better, none worse
each of us sinners
of equal holy worth


September 9, 2009
James 2:1-10, 14-17
Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9
& sermon, “When I Was In Need, You Helped Me”
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
9/6/09

How Real is Our Faith

As a people, as a congregation
as a people of faith
claiming the name Christian
followers of Christ

Offering ourselves
to all of our neighbors
none treated better,
none given less

Sharing our table,
our lives, our work
reaching to those
who need comfort, a hand

None turned away
a seat for all, ever
a challenge to our comfort
to how things have been done


September 9, 2009
James 2:1-10, 14-17
Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9
& sermon, “When I Was In Need, You Helped Me”
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
9/6/09

The Reality of Our Faith

In the words of the scripture
a challenge to our assumptions
our comfort, our habits
All equal, no preference given
the rich, the poor
those like us and those not
all our brothers, our sisters
equal members of the flock


September 9, 2009
James 2:1-10, 14-17
Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9
& sermon, “When I Was In Need, You Helped Me”
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
9/6/09

Sharing Bread

In the story of our church
working in the same manner
sharing bread with each other
at the altar rail
sharing bread with our neighbors
at a table we share
sharing bread with the world
through the money we raise
consistent faith,
sharing bread
all those in need


September 9, 2009
James 2:1-10, 14-17
Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9
& sermon, “When I Was In Need, You Helped Me”
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
& Children’s Time
Reverend Huntley Halvorson
www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
9/6/09

Even crumbs are enough

partake in the meal
food for the soul
even crumbs enough
a miracle to behold
hearing the spirit
a turning of the path
the dogs at your feet
becoming children,
the sheep of your flock
brothers, sisters, part of the family
feeding on the crumbs alone
changing our lives forever


September 9, 2009
Mark 7:24-37
Mark 7:24-30
the Syrophoenician woman
and the Alive Now daily devotional for 9/5/09
http://alivenow.upperroom.org/daily-reflections/august-31-september-6/

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 Crumbs of Our Faith

even the crumbs
the crumbs of our faith
power to heal
to change lives
the little bit we can comprehend
that portion we understand
morsels alone
enough to bring us comfort
to give us hope
to steel our hands
our voices to your work



September 9, 2009
Mark 7:24-37
Mark 7:24-30
the Syrophoenician woman
and the Alive Now daily devotional for 9/5/09
http://alivenow.upperroom.org/daily-reflections/august-31-september-6/

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 Feather Blown

A feather blown
fleetingly on my screen
caught in the netting
quickly released
with the changing of the breeze
flying up
into the blue sky
down into the grass
at the mercy of the breeze


September 5, 2009 & September 9, 2009

Christ’s Healing

Aware of his power
the man called on the Lord
asking for healing
for Christ to so choose

Healing coming
in the choice of Christ, to love
to serve his brother
in his time of need

We too, you and I,
the same challenge,
the same choice to make
to help our brother, our sister
to answer, “I will”,
when they call.


September 9, 2009
Mark 1:40-42
and Upper Room daily devotional
for September 9, 2009
http://www.upperroom.org/devotional/default.asp?month=9&day=9&year=2009
“Don’t Turn Away”, by Elaine Brown

Tuesday, September 08, 2009

The Potter’s Wheel

the dance begun
the potter and the clay
spinning of the potter’s wheel
moving together,
the clay giving to the touch
the guiding of the loving hands
the movement of the wheel
together moving upward
forming life, a worthy vessel
filled with the potter’s love
a libation to nourish
poured out, a gift
of the potter’s wheel


September 8, 2009
Studio 360, September 4, 2009
http://www.studio360.org/episodes/2009/09/04
AHA Moment: Dances with Clay”, about Paulus Berensohn, Produced by Studio 360's Jenny Lawton.
&
Psalm 148
Isaiah 61:10-62:3
Jeremiah 18:1-4
Jeremiah 18:1-12
Luke 2:22-40
John 1:1-14
Galatians 4:4-7

Pulling Up the Clay

From the ground
the soil, lifeless
pulling up the clay
adding water, the potter’s touch
the wheel turning
guiding the clay,
pulling up the clay
to shape, form
life in the process
changing with the turning
by the potter’s loving hands


September 8, 2009
Studio 360, September 4, 2009
http://www.studio360.org/episodes/2009/09/04
AHA Moment: Dances with Clay”,
about Paulus Berensohn, Produced by Studio 360's Jenny Lawton.
&
Psalm 148
Isaiah 61:10-62:3
Jeremiah 18:1-4
Jeremiah 18:1-12
Luke 2:22-40
John 1:1-14
Galatians 4:4-7

The Dance of the Clay

the potter moving,
his hands, body
drawing the clay
pulling the clay
from the inert earth
life in the dance
the twirling, spinning upward
creation happening
our lives created,
evolving, growing
living, alive
in the dance of the clay


September 8, 2009
Studio 360, September 4, 2009
http://www.studio360.org/episodes/2009/09/04
AHA Moment: Dances with Clay”, about Paulus Berensohn, Produced by Studio 360's Jenny Lawton.
&
Psalm 148
Isaiah 61:10-62:3
Jeremiah 18:1-4
Jeremiah 18:1-12
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 29,980+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live. 

laying our gifts upon your altar

each day, far more than Sunday alone
laying our gifts upon your altar
tangible gifts of money, of treasure
of time; of fidelity too,
our lives given over
all of our steps
all of our days
our gifts,
lives you have given
given back to you Lord
Use us we pray
for your mercy,
for your glory


September 8, 2009
Prayer of Dedication of offering
“Provider God, we thank you for the way that you love us and care for us each day. We come with humble hearts and lay our gifts upon your altar. We pray that you would guide us in the way that you would have us use them so that we may be a blessing to others as you have blessed us. It is in Jesus’ strong name we pray. Amen.”
&
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

It isn’t much

Walking down the aisle
a fill-in usher this morning
this Sunday in church
a visitor, asking for prayers
a widow, living out the scripture
offering more than the rest
all she had, as she said these words,
“It isn’t much; but it is all I have”
These words, an apology to me
a testimony, a witness to her faith.
I thanked her for her gifts
loose change, all she could give
A lesson for me alone,
living out the words of scripture
a widow’s gift indeed


September 8, 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
&
Luke 20:45-21:4
The scribe and the widow’s offering
part of the sermon, “The Widow’s Might”,
by the Reverend Peter Hey,
Wesley United Methodist Church,
Concord, NH, November 18, 2007

received via email 9/5/09; author unknown -- "How to Dance in the Rain"

It was a busy morning, about 8:30 AM, when an elderly gentleman in his 80's arrived at the hospital to have stitches removed from his thumb. He said he was in a hurry as he had an appointment at 9:00 am. The nurse took his vital signs and had him take a seat, knowing it would be over an hour before someone would to able to see him. I saw him looking at his watch and decided, since I was not busy with another patient, I would evaluate his wound. On exam, it was well healed, so I talked to one of the doctors, got the needed supplies to remove his sutures and redress his wound.

While taking care of his wound, I asked him if he had another doctor's appointment this morning, as he was in such a hurry. The gentleman told me no, that he needed to go to the nursing home to eat breakfast with his wife. I inquired as to her health.

He told me that she had been there for a while and that she was a victim of Alzheimer's Disease. As we talked, I asked if she would be upset if he was a bit late.

He replied that she no longer knew who he was, that she had not recognized him in five years now. I was surprised, and asked him, 'And you still go every morning, even though she doesn't know who you are?'

He smiled as he patted my hand and said, 'She doesn't know me; but I still know who she is.'

I had to hold back tears as he left, I had goose bumps on my arm, and thought, 'That is the kind of love I want in my life.'

True love is neither physical, nor romantic. True love is an acceptance of all that is, has been, will be, and will not be.

With all the jokes and fun that are in e-mails, sometimes there is one that comes along that has an important message. The happiest people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the best of everything they have.

'Life isn't about how to survive the storm; but "How to dance in the rain...”

received via email 9/5/09; author unknown -- "The Old Man"

The Old Man

As I came out of the supermarket that sunny day, pushing my cart of groceries towards my car, I saw an old man with the hood of his car up and a lady sitting inside the car, with the door open. The old man was looking at the engine. I put my groceries away in my car and continued to watch the old gentleman from about twenty five feet away.

I saw a young man in his early twenties with a grocery bag in his arm, walking towards the old man. The old gentleman saw him coming too, and took a few steps towards him. I saw the old gentleman point to his open hood and say something. The young man put his grocery bag into what looked like a brand new Cadillac Escalade and then turn back to the old man and I heard him yell at the old gentleman saying, ‘You shouldn’t even be allowed to drive a car at your age." And then with a wave of his hand, he got in his car and peeled rubber out of the parking lot.

I saw the old gentleman pull out his handkerchief and mop his brow as he went back to his car and again looked at the engine. He then went to his wife and spoke with her and appeared to tell her it would be okay. I had seen enough and I approached the old man. He saw me coming and stood straight and as I got near him I said, 'Looks like you’re having a problem.' He smiled sheepishly and quietly nodded his head. I looked under the hood myself and knew that whatever the problem was, it was beyond me.

Looking around I saw a gas station up the road and told the old man that I would be right back. I drove to the station and went inside and saw three attendants working on cars. I approached one of them and related the problem the old man had with his car and offered to pay them if they could follow me back down and help him.

The old man had pushed the heavy car under the shade of a tree and appeared to be comforting his wife. When he saw us, he straightened up and thanked me for my help. As the mechanics diagnosed the problem (overheated engine) I spoke with the old gentleman.

When I shook hands with him earlier, he had noticed my Marine Corps ring and had commented about it, telling me that he had been a Marine too. I nodded and asked the usual question, 'What outfit did you serve with?' He had mentioned that he served with the first Marine Division at Tarawa, Saipan, Iwo Jima and Guadalcanal .He had hit all the big ones and retired from the Corps after the war was over.

As we talked we heard the car engine come on and saw the mechanics lower the hood. They came over to us as the old man reached for his wallet, but was stopped by me and I told him I would just put the bill on my AAA card. He still reached for the wallet and handed me a card that I assumed had his name and address on it and I stuck it in my pocket. We all shook hands all around again and I said my goodbye's to his wife. I then told the two mechanics that I would follow them back up to the station.

Once at the station I told them that they had interrupted their own jobs to come along with me and help the old man. I said I wanted to pay for the help, but they refused to charge me.

One of them pulled out a card from his pocket looking exactly like the card the old man had given to me. Both of the men told me then, that they were Marine Corps Reserves. Once again we shook hands all around and as I was leaving, one of them told me I should look at the card the old man had given to me. I said I would and drove off.

For some reason I had gone about two blocks when I pulled over and took the card out of my pocket and looked at it for a long, long time.

The name of the old gentleman was on the card in golden leaf and under his name . . . 'Congressional Medal of Honor Society.' I sat there motionless looking at the card and reading it over and over. I looked up from the card and smiled to no one but myself and marveled that on this day, four Marines had all come together, because one of us needed help. He was an old man all right, but it felt good to have stood next to greatness and courage and an honor to have been in his presence.

Remember, OLD men like him gave you FREEDOM for America. Thanks to those who served...& those who supported them. America is not at war. The U.S. Military is at war. America is at the Mall. If you don't stand behind our troops, PLEASE, feel free to stand in front of them!

Remember, Freedom isn't "Free" -- thousands have paid the price so you can enjoy what you have today.

LET'S DO THIS-- JUST 19 WORDS

GOD OUR FATHER, WALK THROUGH MY HOUSE AND TAKE AWAY ALL MY WORRIES AND ILLNESSES; AND PLEASE WATCH OVER AND HEAL MY FAMILY IN JESUS ' NAME.

AMEN

Sunday, September 06, 2009

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