Within the first disciples
those who left their nets
skills of the fishermen
making them fishers of men instead
Hidden talents, untapped,
in our hands, unique gifts
within us, part of the dreams
the plans of the Lord
Finding the courage,
this is our challenge
the test of our faith
to drop our nets
Letting go of our comfort
stepping out of the boat for the Lord.
October 24, 2009
Ephesians 3:20
book, “Walking with Christ Everyday:
365 daily devotions for men”,
http://www.parable.com/parable/item.Walking-with-Christ-Every-Day-for-Men-Devotional.9781583344774.htm
Day 296, “Dream Big”
read 10/23/09
&
Jeremiah 29:11-13
&
what was written of me, in May 1978,
in the Stevens High School class will, where it said
“Ray Foss leaves to become the next John Steinbeck”
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Our Hope Spreading
In our faith, our hope
the joy of our salvation
in the way we view our neighbors
our place upon this earth
Seeing our sisters, our brothers
in the strangers we encounter
our hope, our joy spreading
to each one that we meet
October 24, 2009
1 Peter 3:8
Ephesians 4:29
book, “Walking with Christ Everyday:
365 daily devotions for men”,
http://www.parable.com/parable/item.Walking-with-Christ-Every-Day-for-Men-Devotional.9781583344774.htm
Day 297, “Hope is Contagious”
the joy of our salvation
in the way we view our neighbors
our place upon this earth
Seeing our sisters, our brothers
in the strangers we encounter
our hope, our joy spreading
to each one that we meet
October 24, 2009
1 Peter 3:8
Ephesians 4:29
book, “Walking with Christ Everyday:
365 daily devotions for men”,
http://www.parable.com/parable/item.Walking-with-Christ-Every-Day-for-Men-Devotional.9781583344774.htm
Day 297, “Hope is Contagious”
Lifting Each Other Up
Our lives hopeful
in the sharing, contagious
spreading God’s love
Healing in the giving
our words having meaning
our hands doing the savior’s work
lifting each other up
power in what we do and say
October 24, 2009
1 Peter 3:8
Ephesians 4:29
book, “Walking with Christ Everyday:
365 daily devotions for men”,
http://www.parable.com/parable/item.Walking-with-Christ-Every-Day-for-Men-Devotional.9781583344774.htm
Day 297, “Hope is Contagious”
in the sharing, contagious
spreading God’s love
Healing in the giving
our words having meaning
our hands doing the savior’s work
lifting each other up
power in what we do and say
October 24, 2009
1 Peter 3:8
Ephesians 4:29
book, “Walking with Christ Everyday:
365 daily devotions for men”,
http://www.parable.com/parable/item.Walking-with-Christ-Every-Day-for-Men-Devotional.9781583344774.htm
Day 297, “Hope is Contagious”
Our Hope
Our faith, our hope
living, in the risen Christ
dying for us, rising
to his heavenly throne
Walking with us
on this mortal coil,
our path upon this earth
Knowing the trials, the way of the world
leading us to choose
the way of the cross instead
Our hope everlasting in the Lord
our future in heaven above.
October 24, 2009
1 Peter 3:8
book, “Walking with Christ Everyday:
365 daily devotions for men”,
http://www.parable.com/parable/item.Walking-with-Christ-Every-Day-for-Men-Devotional.9781583344774.htm
Day 297, “Hope is Contagious”
living, in the risen Christ
dying for us, rising
to his heavenly throne
Walking with us
on this mortal coil,
our path upon this earth
Knowing the trials, the way of the world
leading us to choose
the way of the cross instead
Our hope everlasting in the Lord
our future in heaven above.
October 24, 2009
1 Peter 3:8
book, “Walking with Christ Everyday:
365 daily devotions for men”,
http://www.parable.com/parable/item.Walking-with-Christ-Every-Day-for-Men-Devotional.9781583344774.htm
Day 297, “Hope is Contagious”
In our Faith
In our faith
hope in spite of our cares
for our souls, our lives
We will be restored
The healing of the grace of God
the wonder all around
the mercy of his loving care
his love abounds
The gift of our savior’s choice
the offering on the cross
Our future more than a dream
in his life revealed
a promise from the Lord
October 24, 2009
1 Peter 3:8
book, “Walking with Christ Everyday:
365 daily devotions for men”,
http://www.parable.com/parable/item.Walking-with-Christ-Every-Day-for-Men-Devotional.9781583344774.htm
Day 297, “Hope is Contagious”
hope in spite of our cares
for our souls, our lives
We will be restored
The healing of the grace of God
the wonder all around
the mercy of his loving care
his love abounds
The gift of our savior’s choice
the offering on the cross
Our future more than a dream
in his life revealed
a promise from the Lord
October 24, 2009
1 Peter 3:8
book, “Walking with Christ Everyday:
365 daily devotions for men”,
http://www.parable.com/parable/item.Walking-with-Christ-Every-Day-for-Men-Devotional.9781583344774.htm
Day 297, “Hope is Contagious”
Hope in Our Faith
In creation
In the fulfilling
promised of long ago
faith to sooth our troubled minds
a balm upon our souls
Hope in our faith
in the coming of the king
in victory, to claim his kin
oh sin, oh death
where is thy sting?
October 24, 2009
1 Peter 3:8
book, “Walking with Christ Everyday:
365 daily devotions for men”,
Day 297, “Hope is Contagious”
http://www.parable.com/parable/item.Walking-with-Christ-Every-Day-for-Men-Devotional.9781583344774.htm
In the fulfilling
promised of long ago
faith to sooth our troubled minds
a balm upon our souls
Hope in our faith
in the coming of the king
in victory, to claim his kin
oh sin, oh death
where is thy sting?
October 24, 2009
1 Peter 3:8
book, “Walking with Christ Everyday:
365 daily devotions for men”,
Day 297, “Hope is Contagious”
http://www.parable.com/parable/item.Walking-with-Christ-Every-Day-for-Men-Devotional.9781583344774.htm
A Space for Them
at your table, at our table
a space prepared for them
your vulnerable children
oh Lord, welcome here
This table we share
the bounty we enjoy
with our neighbors
our brothers and sisters
in Christ part of your family
A space for them
for all of us
around your table, oh God.
October 24, 2009
Mark 10:46-49
Upper Room Disciplines for 2009
http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/description.asp?item_id=531844
for October 24, 2009
by Jennifer S. Graves
&
Our Family’s Table
weekly dinner, Wednesday nights,
from September to June,
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
a space prepared for them
your vulnerable children
oh Lord, welcome here
This table we share
the bounty we enjoy
with our neighbors
our brothers and sisters
in Christ part of your family
A space for them
for all of us
around your table, oh God.
October 24, 2009
Mark 10:46-49
Upper Room Disciplines for 2009
http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/description.asp?item_id=531844
for October 24, 2009
by Jennifer S. Graves
&
Our Family’s Table
weekly dinner, Wednesday nights,
from September to June,
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
The Curtain of His Body
through Him
we may enter in
the holy places
made accessible
for each of us
while yet vessels of clay
Through the curtain of His body
we may cross over
through the threshold of death
into the kingdom of God.
October 24, 2009
Hebrews 10:19-25
Matthew 18:20
Upper Room Daily Devotional
http://www.upperroom.org/devotional/default.asp?month=10&day=24&year=2009
for October 24, 2009,
“The Lord’s Presence”,
by Yakub L. Mekwan
we may enter in
the holy places
made accessible
for each of us
while yet vessels of clay
Through the curtain of His body
we may cross over
through the threshold of death
into the kingdom of God.
October 24, 2009
Hebrews 10:19-25
Matthew 18:20
Upper Room Daily Devotional
http://www.upperroom.org/devotional/default.asp?month=10&day=24&year=2009
for October 24, 2009,
“The Lord’s Presence”,
by Yakub L. Mekwan
Pure Water
The blood of our savior
living pure water
washing our hearts clean
our sins cleansed away
Holy, unblemished
able to enter into His presence
a way made through the valley
the shadow washed with light
together in the family of God
until the gathering home
into His kingdom come
October 24, 2009
Hebrews 10:19-25
Matthew 18:20
Upper Room Daily Devotional
http://www.upperroom.org/devotional/default.asp?month=10&day=24&year=2009
for October 24, 2009,
“The Lord’s Presence”,
by Yakub L. Mekwan
living pure water
washing our hearts clean
our sins cleansed away
Holy, unblemished
able to enter into His presence
a way made through the valley
the shadow washed with light
together in the family of God
until the gathering home
into His kingdom come
October 24, 2009
Hebrews 10:19-25
Matthew 18:20
Upper Room Daily Devotional
http://www.upperroom.org/devotional/default.asp?month=10&day=24&year=2009
for October 24, 2009,
“The Lord’s Presence”,
by Yakub L. Mekwan
A Living Gate
A doorway, a new path
entering into God’s presence
through the body, the sacrifice
Christ’s body an offering
washing us clean
without stain
entering through
a living gate
into the courts of God.
October 24, 2009
Hebrews 10:19-25
Matthew 18:20
Upper Room Daily Devotional
http://www.upperroom.org/devotional/default.asp?month=10&day=24&year=2009
for October 24, 2009,
“The Lord’s Presence”,
by Yakub L. Mekwan
entering into God’s presence
through the body, the sacrifice
Christ’s body an offering
washing us clean
without stain
entering through
a living gate
into the courts of God.
October 24, 2009
Hebrews 10:19-25
Matthew 18:20
Upper Room Daily Devotional
http://www.upperroom.org/devotional/default.asp?month=10&day=24&year=2009
for October 24, 2009,
“The Lord’s Presence”,
by Yakub L. Mekwan
Open to Their Calling You
Like the children, the blind beggar
denied by the crowd, the disciples
from reaching the savior
May we never distinguish,
judging who is worthy
All of us guilty, trapped in our sin
Ever may we be
open to their calling you
eager to be washed clean
as we ourselves needed to be
to become children of God
October 24, 2009
Mark 10:46-49
Upper Room Disciplines for 2009
http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/description.asp?item_id=531844
for October 24, 2009
by Jennifer S. Graves
denied by the crowd, the disciples
from reaching the savior
May we never distinguish,
judging who is worthy
All of us guilty, trapped in our sin
Ever may we be
open to their calling you
eager to be washed clean
as we ourselves needed to be
to become children of God
October 24, 2009
Mark 10:46-49
Upper Room Disciplines for 2009
http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/description.asp?item_id=531844
for October 24, 2009
by Jennifer S. Graves
Take Heart, He is calling you
Words lifting his spirits
answers to his prayers
the blind Bartimaeus
on the side of the road.
The king, the son of David
passing by his perch
“Take heart, he is calling you”
healing your brokenness
Listen children
to the murmuring on the wind
the same beckoning
the same urging
His grace calling you
to come
and enter in.
October 24, 2009
Mark 10:46-49
Upper Room Disciplines for 2009
http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/description.asp?item_id=531844
for October 24, 2009
by Jennifer S. Graves
answers to his prayers
the blind Bartimaeus
on the side of the road.
The king, the son of David
passing by his perch
“Take heart, he is calling you”
healing your brokenness
Listen children
to the murmuring on the wind
the same beckoning
the same urging
His grace calling you
to come
and enter in.
October 24, 2009
Mark 10:46-49
Upper Room Disciplines for 2009
http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/description.asp?item_id=531844
for October 24, 2009
by Jennifer S. Graves
Friday, October 23, 2009
Risen, Saving Us
One Offering, One Priest
for all time
Risen, saving us
his offering, his life
a sacrifice like no other
never repeated, sufficient in itself
a holy priest, without sin
a sacrifice without blemish
eternal, timeless
risen, now as then
our priest, our savior
forever seated on his throne
October 23, 2009
Hebrews 7:23-28
Upper Room Disciplines for 2009
http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/description.asp?item_id=531844
for October 23, 2009
by Jennifer S. Graves
&
Hebrews 7:23-28
Alive Now Daily Reflection
http://alivenow.upperroom.org/daily-reflections/daily-reflections-for-october-19-25/
for October 20, 2009
for all time
Risen, saving us
his offering, his life
a sacrifice like no other
never repeated, sufficient in itself
a holy priest, without sin
a sacrifice without blemish
eternal, timeless
risen, now as then
our priest, our savior
forever seated on his throne
October 23, 2009
Hebrews 7:23-28
Upper Room Disciplines for 2009
http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/description.asp?item_id=531844
for October 23, 2009
by Jennifer S. Graves
&
Hebrews 7:23-28
Alive Now Daily Reflection
http://alivenow.upperroom.org/daily-reflections/daily-reflections-for-october-19-25/
for October 20, 2009
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Savior I come (quiet my soul)
Savior I come
before you, at your throne
coming to the cross
where you made your sacrifice
Quiet my soul
the prayer from within
Help me today Lord
to walk closer to thee
Guide me this day
in the way you would have me go
teach me, my brother
the work you would have me do
Show me the ones
you would have me serve
lead me home
when my work here is done.
October 21, 2009
Status on Isaac Kiiza Tibasiima’s Gmail account
“Savior I come, quiet my soul”
before you, at your throne
coming to the cross
where you made your sacrifice
Quiet my soul
the prayer from within
Help me today Lord
to walk closer to thee
Guide me this day
in the way you would have me go
teach me, my brother
the work you would have me do
Show me the ones
you would have me serve
lead me home
when my work here is done.
October 21, 2009
Status on Isaac Kiiza Tibasiima’s Gmail account
“Savior I come, quiet my soul”
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 33,350+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.
One Offering
Not repeated
one offering given
this holy priest
sacrificing on the cross
our sins forgiven
Within his hand
our salvation come
October 20, 2009 and October 21, 2009 – Twitter version
Hebrews 7:23-28
Alive Now Daily Reflection
http://alivenow.upperroom.org/daily-reflections/daily-reflections-for-october-19-25/
for October 20, 2009
one offering given
this holy priest
sacrificing on the cross
our sins forgiven
Within his hand
our salvation come
October 20, 2009 and October 21, 2009 – Twitter version
Hebrews 7:23-28
Alive Now Daily Reflection
http://alivenow.upperroom.org/daily-reflections/daily-reflections-for-october-19-25/
for October 20, 2009
Miry Clay
Our feet stuck in sin
the miry clay
on the potter’s wheel
Calling to the father
to let us enter in
accepting his son
the forgiveness of sin
Our lives sticking
malleable, miry clay
covering the potter’s hands
his prints upon our hearts
October 21, 2009
Jeremiah 18:1-10
&
Psalm 40:2
and Day 67, “Out of the Pit”, in
“Daily Mediations: On Golden Texts of the Bible”,
by Henry Gariepy
http://books.google.com/books?id=9tjVtRt3TUMC&pg=PP1&dq=henry+gariepy&ei=6tqBSqLVDJiQyQT4i9DOCg#v=onepage&q=&f=false
the miry clay
on the potter’s wheel
Calling to the father
to let us enter in
accepting his son
the forgiveness of sin
Our lives sticking
malleable, miry clay
covering the potter’s hands
his prints upon our hearts
October 21, 2009
Jeremiah 18:1-10
&
Psalm 40:2
and Day 67, “Out of the Pit”, in
“Daily Mediations: On Golden Texts of the Bible”,
by Henry Gariepy
http://books.google.com/books?id=9tjVtRt3TUMC&pg=PP1&dq=henry+gariepy&ei=6tqBSqLVDJiQyQT4i9DOCg#v=onepage&q=&f=false
One Offering
Not needing to be repeated
one offering given
His life, this holy priest
sacrificing on the cross
All our sins forgiven
Within his hands
our salvation come
October 20, 2009 and October 21, 2009
Hebrews 7:23-28
Alive Now Daily Reflection
http://alivenow.upperroom.org/daily-reflections/daily-reflections-for-october-19-25/
for October 20, 2009
one offering given
His life, this holy priest
sacrificing on the cross
All our sins forgiven
Within his hands
our salvation come
October 20, 2009 and October 21, 2009
Hebrews 7:23-28
Alive Now Daily Reflection
http://alivenow.upperroom.org/daily-reflections/daily-reflections-for-october-19-25/
for October 20, 2009
His Offering
His life,
offered by his own hands
His offering on the cross
The priest
opening the holy of holies
sitting on the cross of Calvary
Outside of the temple
Golgotha made holy
The priest making
a singular offering
salvation from
the blood of the cross
October 20, 2009 and October 21, 2009
Hebrews 7:23-28
Alive Now Daily Reflection
http://alivenow.upperroom.org/daily-reflections/daily-reflections-for-october-19-25/
for October 20, 2009
offered by his own hands
His offering on the cross
The priest
opening the holy of holies
sitting on the cross of Calvary
Outside of the temple
Golgotha made holy
The priest making
a singular offering
salvation from
the blood of the cross
October 20, 2009 and October 21, 2009
Hebrews 7:23-28
Alive Now Daily Reflection
http://alivenow.upperroom.org/daily-reflections/daily-reflections-for-october-19-25/
for October 20, 2009
Within His Hands
This priest, unlike the others
his life within his hands
An offering of himself
Choosing, this pure lamb
offered, to the father’s will
upon the altar of the cross
An offering for our sin
one time and for all
for the whole world
and for all time
Our salvation in his hands
offered for us to God
October 20, 2009
Hebrews 7:23-28
Alive Now Daily Reflection
http://alivenow.upperroom.org/daily-reflections/daily-reflections-for-october-19-25/
for October 20, 2009
his life within his hands
An offering of himself
Choosing, this pure lamb
offered, to the father’s will
upon the altar of the cross
An offering for our sin
one time and for all
for the whole world
and for all time
Our salvation in his hands
offered for us to God
October 20, 2009
Hebrews 7:23-28
Alive Now Daily Reflection
http://alivenow.upperroom.org/daily-reflections/daily-reflections-for-october-19-25/
for October 20, 2009
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Our Sins before This Priest
Carrying our burdens
entering the temple,
the holy ground
in prayer at the foot of the cross
to your altar, oh Lord
Bringing our sins before this priest
the eternal, the risen Christ
He is unburdened by sin
our sins forgiven in his sacrifice alone
made once and for all
Glory to the king!
October 20, 2009
Hebrews 7:23-28
Alive Now Daily Reflection
http://alivenow.upperroom.org/daily-reflections/daily-reflections-for-october-19-25/
for October 20, 2009
entering the temple,
the holy ground
in prayer at the foot of the cross
to your altar, oh Lord
Bringing our sins before this priest
the eternal, the risen Christ
He is unburdened by sin
our sins forgiven in his sacrifice alone
made once and for all
Glory to the king!
October 20, 2009
Hebrews 7:23-28
Alive Now Daily Reflection
http://alivenow.upperroom.org/daily-reflections/daily-reflections-for-october-19-25/
for October 20, 2009
Returning Double
After his repentance
his turning to God
seeing the creator
marveling at his grace
Returning double
all of his wealth restored
his life redeemed in full measure
living many more years
his kin by his side
October 20, 2009
Job 42:10-17
Upper Room Disciplines for 2009
Mark 10:28-31
http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/description.asp?item_id=531844
for October 20, 2009
by Jennifer S. Graves
his turning to God
seeing the creator
marveling at his grace
Returning double
all of his wealth restored
his life redeemed in full measure
living many more years
his kin by his side
October 20, 2009
Job 42:10-17
Upper Room Disciplines for 2009
Mark 10:28-31
http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/description.asp?item_id=531844
for October 20, 2009
by Jennifer S. Graves
Monday, October 19, 2009
The Finite Stuff of Man
The water, the minerals
our lives but a breath,
the finite stuff of man
gone in an instant
Like the grasses
cut, cast into the fire
nothing permanent in the body of man
More noble stuff
within the spirit
the living essence of our souls
Not bound by the limits of our bodies
life beyond this mortal coil
Like the heavens above us
a canopy of light
Our spirits soaring
at that moment of night
Through the shadow, the valley
our stars rising
leaping up from our vessels of clay
Our spirits joining the heavenly chorus
singing praises
to the one who made us all
October 19, 2009
Psalm 8:3-4
and writing challenge
“Monday Manna for October 19 - What is man?”
posted by Joanne Sher on her blog,
“An Open Book”, at:
http://joannesher.blogspot.com/2009/10/monday-manna-for-october-19-what-is-man.html
&
Jeremiah 18:1-10
&
Job 38:1-7 (34-41)
&
Psalm 104:1-9, 24, 35b
Job 38:1-7, 16-18, 34-38 & 40:3-5
and sermon, “Father Knows Best”,
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
October 18, 2009
&
Deuteronomy 18:11-20
Upper Room Daily Devotional
http://www.upperroom.org/devotional/default.asp?month=10&day=18&year=2009
for October 18, 2009,
“It is God’s”,
by Margie J. Harding
&
1 John 2:15-17
Upper Room Daily Devotional
http://www.upperroom.org/devotional/default.asp?month=10&day=12&year=2009
for October 12, 2009,
“Fleeting or Eternal”,
by Pastor Toomas Pajusoo
&
Mark 10:17-31
Mark 1:16-20
& message by Raymond A. Foss,
“What is Your Footprint, Where is Your Treasure,
What is in Your Silo; Whom Will You Follow”
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
10/11/09
&
http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umhistory/wesley/sermons/108/
John Wesley’s sermon, “On Riches”
&
Faith In Action newsletter,
Word from Winkler, 9/28/09
http://www.umc-gbcs.org/site/apps/nlnet/content.aspx?c=frLJK2PKLqF&b=5489299&ct=7532533&tr=y&auid=5386346
Congregational malpractice
By Jim Winkler, General Secretary, General Board of Church & Society
& Alive Now daily devotional
http://alivenow.upperroom.org/daily-reflections/daily-reflections-for-september-28-october-4/
for September 30, 2009
“An Uncomfortable Nudge”,
by Roland Rink
&
Mark 10:17-31
Alive Now Daily Reflection
http://alivenow.upperroom.org/daily-reflections/daily-reflections-for-october-5-11/
for October 10, 2009
&
Alive Now Daily Reflection
“All of You”,
by James Schwarzlose
http://alivenow.upperroom.org/daily-reflections/daily-reflections-for-october-5-11/
for October 11, 2009
&
Upper Room Disciplines for 2009
Mark 10:17-27
http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/description.asp?item_id=531844
for October 10, 2009
by Soozung Sa Rankin
&
Upper Room Disciplines for 2009
Mark 10:28-31
http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/description.asp?item_id=531844
for October 11, 2009
by Soozung Sa Rankin
our lives but a breath,
the finite stuff of man
gone in an instant
Like the grasses
cut, cast into the fire
nothing permanent in the body of man
More noble stuff
within the spirit
the living essence of our souls
Not bound by the limits of our bodies
life beyond this mortal coil
Like the heavens above us
a canopy of light
Our spirits soaring
at that moment of night
Through the shadow, the valley
our stars rising
leaping up from our vessels of clay
Our spirits joining the heavenly chorus
singing praises
to the one who made us all
October 19, 2009
Psalm 8:3-4
and writing challenge
“Monday Manna for October 19 - What is man?”
posted by Joanne Sher on her blog,
“An Open Book”, at:
http://joannesher.blogspot.com/2009/10/monday-manna-for-october-19-what-is-man.html
&
Jeremiah 18:1-10
&
Job 38:1-7 (34-41)
&
Psalm 104:1-9, 24, 35b
Job 38:1-7, 16-18, 34-38 & 40:3-5
and sermon, “Father Knows Best”,
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
October 18, 2009
&
Deuteronomy 18:11-20
Upper Room Daily Devotional
http://www.upperroom.org/devotional/default.asp?month=10&day=18&year=2009
for October 18, 2009,
“It is God’s”,
by Margie J. Harding
&
1 John 2:15-17
Upper Room Daily Devotional
http://www.upperroom.org/devotional/default.asp?month=10&day=12&year=2009
for October 12, 2009,
“Fleeting or Eternal”,
by Pastor Toomas Pajusoo
&
Mark 10:17-31
Mark 1:16-20
& message by Raymond A. Foss,
“What is Your Footprint, Where is Your Treasure,
What is in Your Silo; Whom Will You Follow”
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
10/11/09
&
http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umhistory/wesley/sermons/108/
John Wesley’s sermon, “On Riches”
&
Faith In Action newsletter,
Word from Winkler, 9/28/09
http://www.umc-gbcs.org/site/apps/nlnet/content.aspx?c=frLJK2PKLqF&b=5489299&ct=7532533&tr=y&auid=5386346
Congregational malpractice
By Jim Winkler, General Secretary, General Board of Church & Society
& Alive Now daily devotional
http://alivenow.upperroom.org/daily-reflections/daily-reflections-for-september-28-october-4/
for September 30, 2009
“An Uncomfortable Nudge”,
by Roland Rink
&
Mark 10:17-31
Alive Now Daily Reflection
http://alivenow.upperroom.org/daily-reflections/daily-reflections-for-october-5-11/
for October 10, 2009
&
Alive Now Daily Reflection
“All of You”,
by James Schwarzlose
http://alivenow.upperroom.org/daily-reflections/daily-reflections-for-october-5-11/
for October 11, 2009
&
Upper Room Disciplines for 2009
Mark 10:17-27
http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/description.asp?item_id=531844
for October 10, 2009
by Soozung Sa Rankin
&
Upper Room Disciplines for 2009
Mark 10:28-31
http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/description.asp?item_id=531844
for October 11, 2009
by Soozung Sa Rankin
The World of the Creator
The cosmic design
the rules, forces, the balance
everything in its place
within the scheme
the eye of the creator
we are formed of the dust of the earth
Waters fill us, the blood and tissue
His breath alone
gives us life
Our days planned, our hairs numbered
long before, the moment of our birth
Dancing on our paths
for the times we each are given
the music stopping
at its appointed hour
October 19, 2009
Psalm 8:3-4
and writing challenge
“Monday Manna for October 19 - What is man?”
posted by Joanne Sher on her blog,
“An Open Book”, at:
http://joannesher.blogspot.com/2009/10/monday-manna-for-october-19-what-is-man.html
&
Jeremiah 18:1-10
&
Job 38:1-7 (34-41)
&
Psalm 104:1-9, 24, 35b
Job 38:1-7, 16-18, 34-38 & 40:3-5
and sermon, “Father Knows Best”,
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
October 18, 2009
&
Deuteronomy 18:11-20
Upper Room Daily Devotional
http://www.upperroom.org/devotional/default.asp?month=10&day=18&year=2009
for October 18, 2009,
“It is God’s”,
by Margie J. Harding
&
1 John 2:15-17
Upper Room Daily Devotional
http://www.upperroom.org/devotional/default.asp?month=10&day=12&year=2009
for October 12, 2009,
“Fleeting or Eternal”,
by Pastor Toomas Pajusoo
&
Mark 10:17-31
Mark 1:16-20
& message by Raymond A. Foss,
“What is Your Footprint, Where is Your Treasure,
What is in Your Silo; Whom Will You Follow”
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
10/11/09
&
http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umhistory/wesley/sermons/108/
John Wesley’s sermon, “On Riches”
&
Faith In Action newsletter,
Word from Winkler, 9/28/09
http://www.umc-gbcs.org/site/apps/nlnet/content.aspx?c=frLJK2PKLqF&b=5489299&ct=7532533&tr=y&auid=5386346
Congregational malpractice
By Jim Winkler, General Secretary, General Board of Church & Society
& Alive Now daily devotional
http://alivenow.upperroom.org/daily-reflections/daily-reflections-for-september-28-october-4/
for September 30, 2009
“An Uncomfortable Nudge”,
by Roland Rink
&
Mark 10:17-31
Alive Now Daily Reflection
http://alivenow.upperroom.org/daily-reflections/daily-reflections-for-october-5-11/
for October 10, 2009
&
Alive Now Daily Reflection
“All of You”,
by James Schwarzlose
http://alivenow.upperroom.org/daily-reflections/daily-reflections-for-october-5-11/
for October 11, 2009
&
Upper Room Disciplines for 2009
Mark 10:17-27
http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/description.asp?item_id=531844
for October 10, 2009
by Soozung Sa Rankin
&
Upper Room Disciplines for 2009
Mark 10:28-31
http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/description.asp?item_id=531844
for October 11, 2009
by Soozung Sa Rankin
the rules, forces, the balance
everything in its place
within the scheme
the eye of the creator
we are formed of the dust of the earth
Waters fill us, the blood and tissue
His breath alone
gives us life
Our days planned, our hairs numbered
long before, the moment of our birth
Dancing on our paths
for the times we each are given
the music stopping
at its appointed hour
October 19, 2009
Psalm 8:3-4
and writing challenge
“Monday Manna for October 19 - What is man?”
posted by Joanne Sher on her blog,
“An Open Book”, at:
http://joannesher.blogspot.com/2009/10/monday-manna-for-october-19-what-is-man.html
&
Jeremiah 18:1-10
&
Job 38:1-7 (34-41)
&
Psalm 104:1-9, 24, 35b
Job 38:1-7, 16-18, 34-38 & 40:3-5
and sermon, “Father Knows Best”,
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
October 18, 2009
&
Deuteronomy 18:11-20
Upper Room Daily Devotional
http://www.upperroom.org/devotional/default.asp?month=10&day=18&year=2009
for October 18, 2009,
“It is God’s”,
by Margie J. Harding
&
1 John 2:15-17
Upper Room Daily Devotional
http://www.upperroom.org/devotional/default.asp?month=10&day=12&year=2009
for October 12, 2009,
“Fleeting or Eternal”,
by Pastor Toomas Pajusoo
&
Mark 10:17-31
Mark 1:16-20
& message by Raymond A. Foss,
“What is Your Footprint, Where is Your Treasure,
What is in Your Silo; Whom Will You Follow”
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
10/11/09
&
http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umhistory/wesley/sermons/108/
John Wesley’s sermon, “On Riches”
&
Faith In Action newsletter,
Word from Winkler, 9/28/09
http://www.umc-gbcs.org/site/apps/nlnet/content.aspx?c=frLJK2PKLqF&b=5489299&ct=7532533&tr=y&auid=5386346
Congregational malpractice
By Jim Winkler, General Secretary, General Board of Church & Society
& Alive Now daily devotional
http://alivenow.upperroom.org/daily-reflections/daily-reflections-for-september-28-october-4/
for September 30, 2009
“An Uncomfortable Nudge”,
by Roland Rink
&
Mark 10:17-31
Alive Now Daily Reflection
http://alivenow.upperroom.org/daily-reflections/daily-reflections-for-october-5-11/
for October 10, 2009
&
Alive Now Daily Reflection
“All of You”,
by James Schwarzlose
http://alivenow.upperroom.org/daily-reflections/daily-reflections-for-october-5-11/
for October 11, 2009
&
Upper Room Disciplines for 2009
Mark 10:17-27
http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/description.asp?item_id=531844
for October 10, 2009
by Soozung Sa Rankin
&
Upper Room Disciplines for 2009
Mark 10:28-31
http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/description.asp?item_id=531844
for October 11, 2009
by Soozung Sa Rankin
Not His Treasure
Not like the rich man
his wealth not the issue
not his treasure, his possessions
that created his distance from God
Pride in his piety
his holiness itself
leading him to question the creator
the justice of God
God’s response, the human before him
a perspective made clear
that was far beyond him
Our place in the order
God’s plan for the universe
by reverence, repentance alone
made right before God
October 19, 2009
Job 38:1-7 (34-41)
&
Psalm 104:1-9, 24, 35b
Job 38:1-7, 16-18, 34-38 & 40:3-5
and sermon, “Father Knows Best”,
Suncook, NH
October 18, 2009
&
Psalm 8:3-4
and writing challenge
“Monday Manna for October 19 - What is man?”
posted by Joanne Sher on her blog,
“An Open Book”, at:
http://joannesher.blogspot.com/2009/10/monday-manna-for-october-19-what-is-man.html
&
Jeremiah 18:1-10
&
Deuteronomy 18:11-20
Upper Room Daily Devotional
http://www.upperroom.org/devotional/default.asp?month=10&day=18&year=2009
for October 18, 2009,
“It is God’s”,
by Margie J. Harding
&
1 John 2:15-17
Upper Room Daily Devotional
http://www.upperroom.org/devotional/default.asp?month=10&day=12&year=2009
for October 12, 2009,
“Fleeting or Eternal”,
by Pastor Toomas Pajusoo
&
Mark 10:17-31
Mark 1:16-20
& message by Raymond A. Foss,
“What is Your Footprint, Where is Your Treasure,
What is in Your Silo; Whom Will You Follow”
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
10/11/09
&
http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umhistory/wesley/sermons/108/
John Wesley’s sermon, “On Riches”
&
Faith In Action newsletter,
Word from Winkler, 9/28/09
http://www.umc-gbcs.org/site/apps/nlnet/content.aspx?c=frLJK2PKLqF&b=5489299&ct=7532533&tr=y&auid=5386346
Congregational malpractice
By Jim Winkler, General Secretary, General Board of Church & Society
& Alive Now daily devotional
http://alivenow.upperroom.org/daily-reflections/daily-reflections-for-september-28-october-4/
for September 30, 2009
“An Uncomfortable Nudge”,
by Roland Rink
&
Mark 10:17-31
Alive Now Daily Reflection
http://alivenow.upperroom.org/daily-reflections/daily-reflections-for-october-5-11/
for October 10, 2009
&
Alive Now Daily Reflection
“All of You”,
by James Schwarzlose
http://alivenow.upperroom.org/daily-reflections/daily-reflections-for-october-5-11/
for October 11, 2009
&
Upper Room Disciplines for 2009
Mark 10:17-27
http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/description.asp?item_id=531844
for October 10, 2009
by Soozung Sa Rankin
&
Upper Room Disciplines for 2009
Mark 10:28-31
http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/description.asp?item_id=531844
for October 11, 2009
by Soozung Sa Rankin
his wealth not the issue
not his treasure, his possessions
that created his distance from God
Pride in his piety
his holiness itself
leading him to question the creator
the justice of God
God’s response, the human before him
a perspective made clear
that was far beyond him
Our place in the order
God’s plan for the universe
by reverence, repentance alone
made right before God
October 19, 2009
Job 38:1-7 (34-41)
&
Psalm 104:1-9, 24, 35b
Job 38:1-7, 16-18, 34-38 & 40:3-5
and sermon, “Father Knows Best”,
by
Pastor Ruth Foss
sermon blog
meditation blog
Suncook United Methodist ChurchSuncook, NH
October 18, 2009
&
Psalm 8:3-4
and writing challenge
“Monday Manna for October 19 - What is man?”
posted by Joanne Sher on her blog,
“An Open Book”, at:
http://joannesher.blogspot.com/2009/10/monday-manna-for-october-19-what-is-man.html
&
Jeremiah 18:1-10
&
Deuteronomy 18:11-20
Upper Room Daily Devotional
http://www.upperroom.org/devotional/default.asp?month=10&day=18&year=2009
for October 18, 2009,
“It is God’s”,
by Margie J. Harding
&
1 John 2:15-17
Upper Room Daily Devotional
http://www.upperroom.org/devotional/default.asp?month=10&day=12&year=2009
for October 12, 2009,
“Fleeting or Eternal”,
by Pastor Toomas Pajusoo
&
Mark 10:17-31
Mark 1:16-20
& message by Raymond A. Foss,
“What is Your Footprint, Where is Your Treasure,
What is in Your Silo; Whom Will You Follow”
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
10/11/09
&
http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umhistory/wesley/sermons/108/
John Wesley’s sermon, “On Riches”
&
Faith In Action newsletter,
Word from Winkler, 9/28/09
http://www.umc-gbcs.org/site/apps/nlnet/content.aspx?c=frLJK2PKLqF&b=5489299&ct=7532533&tr=y&auid=5386346
Congregational malpractice
By Jim Winkler, General Secretary, General Board of Church & Society
& Alive Now daily devotional
http://alivenow.upperroom.org/daily-reflections/daily-reflections-for-september-28-october-4/
for September 30, 2009
“An Uncomfortable Nudge”,
by Roland Rink
&
Mark 10:17-31
Alive Now Daily Reflection
http://alivenow.upperroom.org/daily-reflections/daily-reflections-for-october-5-11/
for October 10, 2009
&
Alive Now Daily Reflection
“All of You”,
by James Schwarzlose
http://alivenow.upperroom.org/daily-reflections/daily-reflections-for-october-5-11/
for October 11, 2009
&
Upper Room Disciplines for 2009
Mark 10:17-27
http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/description.asp?item_id=531844
for October 10, 2009
by Soozung Sa Rankin
&
Upper Room Disciplines for 2009
Mark 10:28-31
http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/description.asp?item_id=531844
for October 11, 2009
by Soozung Sa Rankin
Loved into existence
For the creator
the act of making
our bodies loved into existence
by the potter’s guiding hand
Our shape molded
our days numbered
He knew our ways before we were born
A heavenly design
none too small for His attention
each one held in the master’s palm
Each heart treasured in the eye of God
October 19, 2009
Psalm 8:3-4
and writing challenge
“Monday Manna for October 19 - What is man?”
posted by Joanne Sher on her blog,
“An Open Book”, at:
http://joannesher.blogspot.com/2009/10/monday-manna-for-october-19-what-is-man.html
&
Jeremiah 18:1-10
&
Job 38:1-7 (34-41)
&
Psalm 104:1-9, 24, 35b
Job 38:1-7, 16-18, 34-38 & 40:3-5
and sermon, “Father Knows Best”,
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
October 18, 2009
&
Deuteronomy 18:11-20
Upper Room Daily Devotional
http://www.upperroom.org/devotional/default.asp?month=10&day=18&year=2009
for October 18, 2009,
“It is God’s”,
by Margie J. Harding
&
1 John 2:15-17
Upper Room Daily Devotional
http://www.upperroom.org/devotional/default.asp?month=10&day=12&year=2009
for October 12, 2009,
“Fleeting or Eternal”,
by Pastor Toomas Pajusoo
&
Mark 10:17-31
Mark 1:16-20
& message by Raymond A. Foss,
“What is Your Footprint, Where is Your Treasure,
What is in Your Silo; Whom Will You Follow”
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
10/11/09
&
http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umhistory/wesley/sermons/108/
John Wesley’s sermon, “On Riches”
&
Faith In Action newsletter,
Word from Winkler, 9/28/09
http://www.umc-gbcs.org/site/apps/nlnet/content.aspx?c=frLJK2PKLqF&b=5489299&ct=7532533&tr=y&auid=5386346
Congregational malpractice
By Jim Winkler, General Secretary, General Board of Church & Society
& Alive Now daily devotional
http://alivenow.upperroom.org/daily-reflections/daily-reflections-for-september-28-october-4/
for September 30, 2009
“An Uncomfortable Nudge”,
by Roland Rink
&
Mark 10:17-31
Alive Now Daily Reflection
http://alivenow.upperroom.org/daily-reflections/daily-reflections-for-october-5-11/
for October 10, 2009
&
Alive Now Daily Reflection
“All of You”,
by James Schwarzlose
http://alivenow.upperroom.org/daily-reflections/daily-reflections-for-october-5-11/
for October 11, 2009
&
Upper Room Disciplines for 2009
Mark 10:17-27
http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/description.asp?item_id=531844
for October 10, 2009
by Soozung Sa Rankin
&
Upper Room Disciplines for 2009
Mark 10:28-31
http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/description.asp?item_id=531844
for October 11, 2009
by Soozung Sa Rankin
the act of making
our bodies loved into existence
by the potter’s guiding hand
Our shape molded
our days numbered
He knew our ways before we were born
A heavenly design
none too small for His attention
each one held in the master’s palm
Each heart treasured in the eye of God
October 19, 2009
Psalm 8:3-4
and writing challenge
“Monday Manna for October 19 - What is man?”
posted by Joanne Sher on her blog,
“An Open Book”, at:
http://joannesher.blogspot.com/2009/10/monday-manna-for-october-19-what-is-man.html
&
Jeremiah 18:1-10
&
Job 38:1-7 (34-41)
&
Psalm 104:1-9, 24, 35b
Job 38:1-7, 16-18, 34-38 & 40:3-5
and sermon, “Father Knows Best”,
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
October 18, 2009
&
Deuteronomy 18:11-20
Upper Room Daily Devotional
http://www.upperroom.org/devotional/default.asp?month=10&day=18&year=2009
for October 18, 2009,
“It is God’s”,
by Margie J. Harding
&
1 John 2:15-17
Upper Room Daily Devotional
http://www.upperroom.org/devotional/default.asp?month=10&day=12&year=2009
for October 12, 2009,
“Fleeting or Eternal”,
by Pastor Toomas Pajusoo
&
Mark 10:17-31
Mark 1:16-20
& message by Raymond A. Foss,
“What is Your Footprint, Where is Your Treasure,
What is in Your Silo; Whom Will You Follow”
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
10/11/09
&
http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umhistory/wesley/sermons/108/
John Wesley’s sermon, “On Riches”
&
Faith In Action newsletter,
Word from Winkler, 9/28/09
http://www.umc-gbcs.org/site/apps/nlnet/content.aspx?c=frLJK2PKLqF&b=5489299&ct=7532533&tr=y&auid=5386346
Congregational malpractice
By Jim Winkler, General Secretary, General Board of Church & Society
& Alive Now daily devotional
http://alivenow.upperroom.org/daily-reflections/daily-reflections-for-september-28-october-4/
for September 30, 2009
“An Uncomfortable Nudge”,
by Roland Rink
&
Mark 10:17-31
Alive Now Daily Reflection
http://alivenow.upperroom.org/daily-reflections/daily-reflections-for-october-5-11/
for October 10, 2009
&
Alive Now Daily Reflection
“All of You”,
by James Schwarzlose
http://alivenow.upperroom.org/daily-reflections/daily-reflections-for-october-5-11/
for October 11, 2009
&
Upper Room Disciplines for 2009
Mark 10:17-27
http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/description.asp?item_id=531844
for October 10, 2009
by Soozung Sa Rankin
&
Upper Room Disciplines for 2009
Mark 10:28-31
http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/description.asp?item_id=531844
for October 11, 2009
by Soozung Sa Rankin
In the Lobby Waiting
The die cast, no more to be said
motion filed
sitting in the judge’s hands
Waiting in the lobby
the words brought forth
fate resting
in their hands
Lives changed, even in the waiting
arguments known to both sides
all that remains
the decision of the court
motion filed
sitting in the judge’s hands
Waiting in the lobby
the words brought forth
fate resting
in their hands
Lives changed, even in the waiting
arguments known to both sides
all that remains
the decision of the court
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Link to Michael's Messages
http://michaelmessage.blogspot.com/2009/10/life-of-christ-glass-slides.html
Be careful what you ask for
Oh Job, what were you thinking
calling out the creator
in anger and righteousness
demanding of our God
Be careful what you ask for
something more than you can handle
challenging the one
who came before the world
His response more than you could answer
coming in the thundering whirlwind
His questions beyond any mortal
none of us can come close
to the wisdom of God
Responding as you finally ought to
humbly acknowledging the distance
the span between you and God
Heeding the wisdom
to be silent and listen
for the words that God alone can speak
calling out the creator
in anger and righteousness
demanding of our God
Be careful what you ask for
something more than you can handle
challenging the one
who came before the world
His response more than you could answer
coming in the thundering whirlwind
His questions beyond any mortal
none of us can come close
to the wisdom of God
Responding as you finally ought to
humbly acknowledging the distance
the span between you and God
Heeding the wisdom
to be silent and listen
for the words that God alone can speak
==================
edited November 23, 2018
Be careful what you ask for – v2
November 23, 2018
my response to Realistic Poetry
November 22, 2018
“As a poet, if you could use your words to go back into history
and
change one thing, what would it be and why?”
&
October 18, 2009
Be careful what you ask for
Job 38:1-7 (34-41)
&
Psalm 104:1-9, 24, 35b
Job 38:1-7, 16-18, 34-38 & 40:3-5
and sermon, “Father Knows Best”,
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
October 18, 2009
&
Psalm 8:3-4
and writing challenge
“Monday Manna for October 19 - What is man?”
posted by Joanne Sher on her blog,
“An Open Book”, at:
&
Jeremiah 18:1-10
&
Deuteronomy 18:11-20
Upper Room Daily Devotional
for October 18, 2009,
“It is God’s”,
by Margie J. Harding
&
1 John 2:15-17
Upper Room Daily Devotional
for October 12, 2009,
“Fleeting or Eternal”,
by Pastor Toomas Pajusoo
&
Mark 10:17-31
Mark 1:16-20
& message by Raymond A. Foss,
“What
is Your Footprint, Where is Your Treasure,
What
is in Your Silo; Whom Will You Follow”
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
10/11/09
&
John Wesley’s sermon, “On Riches”
&
Faith In Action newsletter,
Word from Winkler, 9/28/09
Congregational
malpractice
& Alive Now daily devotional
for September 30, 2009
“An Uncomfortable Nudge”,
by Roland Rink
&
Mark 10:17-31
Alive Now Daily Reflection
for October 10, 2009
&
Alive Now Daily Reflection
“All of You”,
by James Schwarzlose
for October 11, 2009
&
Upper Room Disciplines for 2009
Mark 10:17-27
for October 10, 2009
by Soozung Sa Rankin
&
Upper Room Disciplines for 2009
Mark 10:28-31
for October 11, 2009
by Soozung Sa Rankin
All
of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999,
2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012,
2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018. All rights are reserved. Contact me at
Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage.
See all 48,150 of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Poetry Where You Live.
church,
creation, creator, Faith, Family, father, God, hope, Pastor Ruth Foss, poem,
poetry, Poetry Where You Live, Raymond A. Foss, Christ, Spirit, love, grace,
#church
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God’s Sovereignty, His Presence
At the heart of our worship
in the lessons of the righteous
brought before God
Job’s questions and God’s answers
speaking of our nature
the distance between heaven
and the place of man
Our lives put in perspective
our suffering not to be understood
faith alone, in the wisdom of God
His ways not our own
his truths we must trust
Do not question the Lord
in them lies our sin
October 18, 2009
Job 38:1-7 (34-41)
&
Psalm 104:1-9, 24, 35b
Job 38:1-7, 16-18, 34-38 & 40:3-5
and sermon, “Father Knows Best”,
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
October 18, 2009
&
Psalm 8:3-4
and writing challenge
“Monday Manna for October 19 - What is man?”
posted by Joanne Sher on her blog,
“An Open Book”, at:
http://joannesher.blogspot.com/2009/10/monday-manna-for-october-19-what-is-man.html
&
Jeremiah 18:1-10
&
Deuteronomy 18:11-20
Upper Room Daily Devotional
http://www.upperroom.org/devotional/default.asp?month=10&day=18&year=2009
for October 18, 2009,
“It is God’s”,
by Margie J. Harding
&
1 John 2:15-17
Upper Room Daily Devotional
http://www.upperroom.org/devotional/default.asp?month=10&day=12&year=2009
for October 12, 2009,
“Fleeting or Eternal”,
by Pastor Toomas Pajusoo
&
Mark 10:17-31
Mark 1:16-20
& message by Raymond A. Foss,
“What is Your Footprint, Where is Your Treasure,
What is in Your Silo; Whom Will You Follow”
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
10/11/09
&
http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umhistory/wesley/sermons/108/
John Wesley’s sermon, “On Riches”
&
Faith In Action newsletter,
Word from Winkler, 9/28/09
http://www.umc-gbcs.org/site/apps/nlnet/content.aspx?c=frLJK2PKLqF&b=5489299&ct=7532533&tr=y&auid=5386346
Congregational malpractice
By Jim Winkler, General Secretary, General Board of Church & Society
& Alive Now daily devotional
http://alivenow.upperroom.org/daily-reflections/daily-reflections-for-september-28-october-4/
for September 30, 2009
“An Uncomfortable Nudge”,
by Roland Rink
&
Mark 10:17-31
Alive Now Daily Reflection
http://alivenow.upperroom.org/daily-reflections/daily-reflections-for-october-5-11/
for October 10, 2009
&
Alive Now Daily Reflection
“All of You”,
by James Schwarzlose
http://alivenow.upperroom.org/daily-reflections/daily-reflections-for-october-5-11/
for October 11, 2009
&
Upper Room Disciplines for 2009
Mark 10:17-27
http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/description.asp?item_id=531844
for October 10, 2009
by Soozung Sa Rankin
&
Upper Room Disciplines for 2009
Mark 10:28-31
http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/description.asp?item_id=531844
for October 11, 2009
by Soozung Sa Rankin
in the lessons of the righteous
brought before God
Job’s questions and God’s answers
speaking of our nature
the distance between heaven
and the place of man
Our lives put in perspective
our suffering not to be understood
faith alone, in the wisdom of God
His ways not our own
his truths we must trust
Do not question the Lord
in them lies our sin
October 18, 2009
Job 38:1-7 (34-41)
&
Psalm 104:1-9, 24, 35b
Job 38:1-7, 16-18, 34-38 & 40:3-5
and sermon, “Father Knows Best”,
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
October 18, 2009
&
Psalm 8:3-4
and writing challenge
“Monday Manna for October 19 - What is man?”
posted by Joanne Sher on her blog,
“An Open Book”, at:
http://joannesher.blogspot.com/2009/10/monday-manna-for-october-19-what-is-man.html
&
Jeremiah 18:1-10
&
Deuteronomy 18:11-20
Upper Room Daily Devotional
http://www.upperroom.org/devotional/default.asp?month=10&day=18&year=2009
for October 18, 2009,
“It is God’s”,
by Margie J. Harding
&
1 John 2:15-17
Upper Room Daily Devotional
http://www.upperroom.org/devotional/default.asp?month=10&day=12&year=2009
for October 12, 2009,
“Fleeting or Eternal”,
by Pastor Toomas Pajusoo
&
Mark 10:17-31
Mark 1:16-20
& message by Raymond A. Foss,
“What is Your Footprint, Where is Your Treasure,
What is in Your Silo; Whom Will You Follow”
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
10/11/09
&
http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umhistory/wesley/sermons/108/
John Wesley’s sermon, “On Riches”
&
Faith In Action newsletter,
Word from Winkler, 9/28/09
http://www.umc-gbcs.org/site/apps/nlnet/content.aspx?c=frLJK2PKLqF&b=5489299&ct=7532533&tr=y&auid=5386346
Congregational malpractice
By Jim Winkler, General Secretary, General Board of Church & Society
& Alive Now daily devotional
http://alivenow.upperroom.org/daily-reflections/daily-reflections-for-september-28-october-4/
for September 30, 2009
“An Uncomfortable Nudge”,
by Roland Rink
&
Mark 10:17-31
Alive Now Daily Reflection
http://alivenow.upperroom.org/daily-reflections/daily-reflections-for-october-5-11/
for October 10, 2009
&
Alive Now Daily Reflection
“All of You”,
by James Schwarzlose
http://alivenow.upperroom.org/daily-reflections/daily-reflections-for-october-5-11/
for October 11, 2009
&
Upper Room Disciplines for 2009
Mark 10:17-27
http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/description.asp?item_id=531844
for October 10, 2009
by Soozung Sa Rankin
&
Upper Room Disciplines for 2009
Mark 10:28-31
http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/description.asp?item_id=531844
for October 11, 2009
by Soozung Sa Rankin
Sermon - "Father Knows Best", by Pastor Ruth L. Foss, Suncook United Methodist Church, Suncook, NH 10/18/09
October 18, 2009
Psalm 104:1-9, 24, 35b
Job 38:1-7, 16-18, 34-38 & 40:3-5
New Living Translation
and sermon, “Father Knows Best”,
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
October 18, 2009
“Father Knows Best”
The Lord be with you
And also with you
Let us pray…
Creator, Sustainer, Almighty God, you who created all that we see. We have come into your house to worship you this morning and hear the word you would have for us this day. We pray for your presence and your Spirit here with us as we listen to your word. May we leave this place today understanding more about you and your will for our lives. May the meditations of our hearts and the words of our mouths be pleasing to you oh Lord, our Rock and Redeemer. Speak Lord; your children are…
Children…I just love children. They are just full of wonderment and awe at the world them. They are also full of a lot of questions. Why is the sky blue, why does it snow, why do we have to do homework, why can’t I stay up all night watching TV, why…why…why? It can get taxing at times answering all of their questions. I don’t know about you but…there are times that I get to the point where I just say “because I said so…” We don’t have all the answers but they sure seem to think we do…
Even we, as adults have our own set of questions. Questions like, how am I going to get done all that I have to do, why won’t anyone listen to me, does anyone even care about what I have to do…etc.. We are full of so many questions in life. Some days I really can relate to Job. Even when I am doing the right thing, it seems to come back and bite me. I try as I might to live a good life, a life that would be pleasing to God but something goes wrong any way. What am I to do, doesn’t God see that I am trying to do what is right? Why is God allowing these things to happen? I just don’t understand. There are time when I just cry out to God “that’s it…I don’t know what is going on but I have tried to do good but it just isn’t working. I know I haven’t done anything wrong so why is this happening. It’s not fair!”
You see…Job was a pious man, he was blameless and upright. He was a God fearing man and “turned away from evil.” He cared so much for his family that he interceded regularly to God on their behalf. He was a family man (he actually had 10 children). He was a truly blessed man with a lot of material possessions. Until one day…Job lost his blessing…he lost his children, his possessions, his status and self-respect and his health. (I know that there are many of us who can relate to Job…having things and suddenly losing them for some reason…our health, our jobs, our homes; our trust…the list goes on). His life was plagued with natural disaster (a fire and wind storm), his enemies had taken away his possessions, but through all this…we are told that he never cursed God or sinned.
Job had people in his life that came to speak to him in his despair but they really weren’t any help. His wife told him to “curse God and die”…be done with it…His three friends, Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar were no help either. They kept telling him that he must have done something wrong, this was why he was being punished, he needed to own up to this fact and repent to get his stuff back. He gets angry with them when they accuse him of forgetting how small he was in the universe…no one is pure in God’s sight…The whole time Job kept insisting on his innocence…insisting that there is nothing wrong with his relationship with God.(how many times in our lives do we cry out to God in our innocence, how many times are we the recipient of injustice because of someone else, this is all too familiar to us).
But as we see in Job’s story, his seeming acceptance of his circumstance masks a deeper reaction to what is happening in his life…the complete injustice of the whole thing…remember, he is upright and pious. All of the sudden, Job changes from perfect piousness to him cursing not God but himself, the day he was born…it would have been better if he was born still born…died in his mother’s womb. (How many times in our lives that we are in such a “stooper” that we wish we were never born, that God made a mistake in making us, we are full of despair and anguish over our situation)
There are even a few times in this book that Job actually wants to go one on one…mono e mono…with God. He says things like “I insist on arguing my case with God…here is my signature! Let Shadday answer me!”
Well…with challenges like that…I am sure you know what happened. God shows up on the scene. (God appears in a whirlwind…much like the whirlwind of life that Job had been living lately)But…God doesn’t answer Job in a way that you might think…instead of answering Job’s questions, God asks a few of his own…
The LORD Challenges Job
1 Then the LORD answered Job from the whirlwind: 2 “Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorant words? 3 Brace yourself like a man, because I have some questions for you, and you must answer them. 4 “Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell me, if you know so much.5 Who determined its dimensions and stretched out the surveying line? 6 What supports its foundations, and who laid its cornerstone 7 as the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy?
16 “Have you explored the springs from which the seas come? Have you explored their depths? 17 Do you know where the gates of death are located? Have you seen the gates of utter gloom? 18 Do you realize the extent of the earth? Tell me about it if you know!
34 “Can you shout to the clouds and make it rain? 35 Can you make lightning appear and cause it to strike as you direct? 36 Who gives intuition to the heart and instinct to the mind? 37 Who is wise enough to count all the clouds? Who can tilt the water jars of heaven 38 when the parched ground is dry and the soil has hardened into clods?
And I bet you can guess what Job’s answer was…
Job 40:3-5
Job Responds to the LORD
3 Then Job replied to the LORD, 4 “I am nothing—how could I ever find the answers? I will cover my mouth with my hand. 5 I have said too much already. I have nothing more to say.”
There can be so many things in our lives that we just don’t understand. Why is there pain and suffering, why do we not care about climate change, why are there wars…? But this scripture gives me a ray of hope. You see…I may question God and His reasons but the bottom line is God knows what He is doing better than I can ever think of. God is the one who knows what is best because God sees the whole picture not just the moment I am in.
Well…job does repent in the end and the “good guy” wins (with a little poetic justice). God has Jobs friends (you know…the ones that were so smart)give things to Job as restitution for their unbelief in Job. But…the thing that keeps me thinking is the fact that Job and we as the reader are left without direct answers to any of the questions raised in the book of Job. The questions of:
1. Disinterested Righteousness: the question “Does Job fear God for nothing”? What is our motivation as humans for being pious, like Job? Are we only in the relationship with God because of what we can get out of it or is it something more?
2. The Doctrine of Retribution: Are those who are righteous indeed rewarded by God in this life and those who are wicked punished? Why is there suffering in the world of innocent people then?
3. Relationship between God and Human’s: Can human beings have a relationship with a God who seemingly dispenses justice as he wills and who doesn’t appear to be restricted by the human Idea of justice?
These are all questions that we all may struggle with at some time, some point in our walk, and our journey with God. But it gives me hope to know that God is working out his plan and even though I may not understand or see God moving…He is always there, watching, interceding for and cherishing his creation. What Jeremiah says in Chapter 29:10-11 reminds me of God’s mercy:
10 This is what the LORD says: “You will be in Babylon for seventy years. But then I will come and do for you all the good things I have promised, and I will bring you home again. 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.
The world may seem out of control but God will and still reigns on High. He is working out His plan. His still, small voice cries out to us in the wilderness of this world; “be still, persevere and know I am God.”
Amen
Psalm 104:1-9, 24, 35b
Job 38:1-7, 16-18, 34-38 & 40:3-5
New Living Translation
and sermon, “Father Knows Best”,
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
October 18, 2009
“Father Knows Best”
The Lord be with you
And also with you
Let us pray…
Creator, Sustainer, Almighty God, you who created all that we see. We have come into your house to worship you this morning and hear the word you would have for us this day. We pray for your presence and your Spirit here with us as we listen to your word. May we leave this place today understanding more about you and your will for our lives. May the meditations of our hearts and the words of our mouths be pleasing to you oh Lord, our Rock and Redeemer. Speak Lord; your children are…
Children…I just love children. They are just full of wonderment and awe at the world them. They are also full of a lot of questions. Why is the sky blue, why does it snow, why do we have to do homework, why can’t I stay up all night watching TV, why…why…why? It can get taxing at times answering all of their questions. I don’t know about you but…there are times that I get to the point where I just say “because I said so…” We don’t have all the answers but they sure seem to think we do…
Even we, as adults have our own set of questions. Questions like, how am I going to get done all that I have to do, why won’t anyone listen to me, does anyone even care about what I have to do…etc.. We are full of so many questions in life. Some days I really can relate to Job. Even when I am doing the right thing, it seems to come back and bite me. I try as I might to live a good life, a life that would be pleasing to God but something goes wrong any way. What am I to do, doesn’t God see that I am trying to do what is right? Why is God allowing these things to happen? I just don’t understand. There are time when I just cry out to God “that’s it…I don’t know what is going on but I have tried to do good but it just isn’t working. I know I haven’t done anything wrong so why is this happening. It’s not fair!”
You see…Job was a pious man, he was blameless and upright. He was a God fearing man and “turned away from evil.” He cared so much for his family that he interceded regularly to God on their behalf. He was a family man (he actually had 10 children). He was a truly blessed man with a lot of material possessions. Until one day…Job lost his blessing…he lost his children, his possessions, his status and self-respect and his health. (I know that there are many of us who can relate to Job…having things and suddenly losing them for some reason…our health, our jobs, our homes; our trust…the list goes on). His life was plagued with natural disaster (a fire and wind storm), his enemies had taken away his possessions, but through all this…we are told that he never cursed God or sinned.
Job had people in his life that came to speak to him in his despair but they really weren’t any help. His wife told him to “curse God and die”…be done with it…His three friends, Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar were no help either. They kept telling him that he must have done something wrong, this was why he was being punished, he needed to own up to this fact and repent to get his stuff back. He gets angry with them when they accuse him of forgetting how small he was in the universe…no one is pure in God’s sight…The whole time Job kept insisting on his innocence…insisting that there is nothing wrong with his relationship with God.(how many times in our lives do we cry out to God in our innocence, how many times are we the recipient of injustice because of someone else, this is all too familiar to us).
But as we see in Job’s story, his seeming acceptance of his circumstance masks a deeper reaction to what is happening in his life…the complete injustice of the whole thing…remember, he is upright and pious. All of the sudden, Job changes from perfect piousness to him cursing not God but himself, the day he was born…it would have been better if he was born still born…died in his mother’s womb. (How many times in our lives that we are in such a “stooper” that we wish we were never born, that God made a mistake in making us, we are full of despair and anguish over our situation)
There are even a few times in this book that Job actually wants to go one on one…mono e mono…with God. He says things like “I insist on arguing my case with God…here is my signature! Let Shadday answer me!”
Well…with challenges like that…I am sure you know what happened. God shows up on the scene. (God appears in a whirlwind…much like the whirlwind of life that Job had been living lately)But…God doesn’t answer Job in a way that you might think…instead of answering Job’s questions, God asks a few of his own…
The LORD Challenges Job
1 Then the LORD answered Job from the whirlwind: 2 “Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorant words? 3 Brace yourself like a man, because I have some questions for you, and you must answer them. 4 “Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell me, if you know so much.5 Who determined its dimensions and stretched out the surveying line? 6 What supports its foundations, and who laid its cornerstone 7 as the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy?
16 “Have you explored the springs from which the seas come? Have you explored their depths? 17 Do you know where the gates of death are located? Have you seen the gates of utter gloom? 18 Do you realize the extent of the earth? Tell me about it if you know!
34 “Can you shout to the clouds and make it rain? 35 Can you make lightning appear and cause it to strike as you direct? 36 Who gives intuition to the heart and instinct to the mind? 37 Who is wise enough to count all the clouds? Who can tilt the water jars of heaven 38 when the parched ground is dry and the soil has hardened into clods?
And I bet you can guess what Job’s answer was…
Job 40:3-5
Job Responds to the LORD
3 Then Job replied to the LORD, 4 “I am nothing—how could I ever find the answers? I will cover my mouth with my hand. 5 I have said too much already. I have nothing more to say.”
There can be so many things in our lives that we just don’t understand. Why is there pain and suffering, why do we not care about climate change, why are there wars…? But this scripture gives me a ray of hope. You see…I may question God and His reasons but the bottom line is God knows what He is doing better than I can ever think of. God is the one who knows what is best because God sees the whole picture not just the moment I am in.
Well…job does repent in the end and the “good guy” wins (with a little poetic justice). God has Jobs friends (you know…the ones that were so smart)give things to Job as restitution for their unbelief in Job. But…the thing that keeps me thinking is the fact that Job and we as the reader are left without direct answers to any of the questions raised in the book of Job. The questions of:
1. Disinterested Righteousness: the question “Does Job fear God for nothing”? What is our motivation as humans for being pious, like Job? Are we only in the relationship with God because of what we can get out of it or is it something more?
2. The Doctrine of Retribution: Are those who are righteous indeed rewarded by God in this life and those who are wicked punished? Why is there suffering in the world of innocent people then?
3. Relationship between God and Human’s: Can human beings have a relationship with a God who seemingly dispenses justice as he wills and who doesn’t appear to be restricted by the human Idea of justice?
These are all questions that we all may struggle with at some time, some point in our walk, and our journey with God. But it gives me hope to know that God is working out his plan and even though I may not understand or see God moving…He is always there, watching, interceding for and cherishing his creation. What Jeremiah says in Chapter 29:10-11 reminds me of God’s mercy:
10 This is what the LORD says: “You will be in Babylon for seventy years. But then I will come and do for you all the good things I have promised, and I will bring you home again. 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.
The world may seem out of control but God will and still reigns on High. He is working out His plan. His still, small voice cries out to us in the wilderness of this world; “be still, persevere and know I am God.”
Amen
==================
edited November 23, 2018
Be careful what you ask for – v2
November 23, 2018
my response to Realistic Poetry
November 22, 2018
“As a poet, if you could use your words to go back into history
and
change one thing, what would it be and why?”
&
October 18, 2009
Be careful what you ask for
Job 38:1-7 (34-41)
&
Psalm 104:1-9, 24, 35b
Job 38:1-7, 16-18, 34-38 & 40:3-5
and sermon, “Father Knows Best”,
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
October 18, 2009
&
Psalm 8:3-4
and writing challenge
“Monday Manna for October 19 - What is man?”
posted by Joanne Sher on her blog,
“An Open Book”, at:
&
Jeremiah 18:1-10
&
Deuteronomy 18:11-20
Upper Room Daily Devotional
for October 18, 2009,
“It is God’s”,
by Margie J. Harding
&
1 John 2:15-17
Upper Room Daily Devotional
for October 12, 2009,
“Fleeting or Eternal”,
by Pastor Toomas Pajusoo
&
Mark 10:17-31
Mark 1:16-20
& message by Raymond A. Foss,
“What
is Your Footprint, Where is Your Treasure,
What
is in Your Silo; Whom Will You Follow”
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
10/11/09
&
John Wesley’s sermon, “On Riches”
&
Faith In Action newsletter,
Word from Winkler, 9/28/09
Congregational
malpractice
& Alive Now daily devotional
for September 30, 2009
“An Uncomfortable Nudge”,
by Roland Rink
&
Mark 10:17-31
Alive Now Daily Reflection
for October 10, 2009
&
Alive Now Daily Reflection
“All of You”,
by James Schwarzlose
for October 11, 2009
&
Upper Room Disciplines for 2009
Mark 10:17-27
for October 10, 2009
by Soozung Sa Rankin
&
Upper Room Disciplines for 2009
Mark 10:28-31
for October 11, 2009
by Soozung Sa Rankin
All
of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999,
2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012,
2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018. All rights are reserved. Contact me at
Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage.
See all 48,150 of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
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