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Saturday, April 17, 2010

All the Different Voices

One song, of praise to our God
all with different voices
the bleat of the sheep
the buzz of the mosquito
the croak of the bullfrog
the trills of countless birds
the joyful noise of creation
in heaven and below

What a day that will be
in some future yet unknown
when all of creation joins together
to sing praises to the king
the harmonies unfolding
layered from above and below
all creators with one tune
singing praises to our king


April 17, 2010
Revelations 5:11-14

&
http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/description.asp?item_id=645177&whichBarItem=excerpt&category=&sub_category=
Upper Room Disciplines for 2010
for April 12, 2010 to April 18, 2010,
“Transformed by Grace”,
by Yong Hui V. McDonald

&
Revelations 5:11-14
and
Alive Now Daily Reflections
http://alivenow.upperroom.org/daily-reflections/daily-reflections-for-april-12-18/
for April 12, 2010 to April 18, 2010
by Nancy Ferguson (You can visit her website at www.BlueTreeResources.org)
for April 16, 2010, read April 17, 2010

&
April 17, 2010
Alive Now Daily Reflections
http://alivenow.upperroom.org/daily-reflections/daily-reflections-for-april-12-18/
for April 12, 2010 to April 18, 2010
by Nancy Ferguson (You can visit her website at www.BlueTreeResources.org)
for April 17, 2010,
“Denouncing Injustice in Fury”,
by Andrew Harvey



Copyright by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
Contact me at Ray Foss
for usage.

Flawed People

Damaged, flawed people
sent into the world
changed from our former selves
doing the master’s work

Needing his forgiveness
over and over again
endless grace from the Lord
our feet made of clay

His grace alone saving
by his sacrifice
unmerited love he gives us
going to the cross in our name

Though we would reject him
disobey his call
coming back to him in our trials
into his arms, open wide

Our brother, our father
creator and savior
the guide all the days of our lives
doing his work in our time

Missionaries, messengers
our work, our cross, our joy
telling others of the Christ
our hope for eternity


April 17, 2010
church sign and road signs
“People of the Second Chance”
for Grace Capital Church,
Pembroke, NH

John 20:21
John 20:19-23
Matthew 28:18-20
Acts 2:1-12
Breath of God
Holy Spirit
Pentecost
The Great Commission

& Acts 9:1-6
Acts 9:1-9
Acts 9:1-20
Acts 9:1-22

and
http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/description.asp?item_id=645177&whichBarItem=excerpt&category=&sub_category=
Upper Room Disciplines for 2010
for April 12, 2010 to April 18, 2010,
“Transformed by Grace”,
by Yong Hui V. McDonald
for April 15, 2010, read April 17, 2010

&
Day 207, “So I Send You”, 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
read April 17, 2010



Copyright by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
Contact me at Ray Foss
for usage.

Words

Words
without rhyme or meter
flowing
out, into the ether
stones cast,
ripples on the waves
out into the seas
coming back
to these shores
echoes of eternity

Love from God
written down
shared with the world
my faith,
my life
in words
of family
the law
grace
abounding


April 17, 2010
Ten years since my discovery of
my gift of poetry
Barrington School Board meeting
Barrington, NH
April 2000



Copyright by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
Contact me at Ray Foss
for usage.

Forgiven People

Changing our path
turning around
away from the world
endless forgiveness
each time we fall
answering the call of God
returning to him
humbly doing
going as we are called
missionaries in the world
spreading his message of love
hope for everyone
none to be left behind
all of us worthy
though none earning
the grace of our loving God


April 17, 2010
John 20:21
John 20:19-23
Matthew 28:18-20
Acts 2:1-12
Breath of God
Holy Spirit
Pentecost
The Great Commission

& Acts 9:1-6
Acts 9:1-9
Acts 9:1-20
Acts 9:1-22

and
http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/description.asp?item_id=645177&whichBarItem=excerpt&category=&sub_category=
Upper Room Disciplines for 2010
for April 12, 2010 to April 18, 2010,
“Transformed by Grace”,
by Yong Hui V. McDonald
for April 15, 2010, read April 17, 2010

&
church sign and road signs
“People of the Second Chance”
for Grace Capital Church,
Pembroke, NH

&
Day 207, “So I Send You”, 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
read April 17, 2010



Copyright by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
Contact me at Ray Foss
for usage.

Singing in One Voice

Never before such a choir
singing with one voice
praises to our savior
our God, our king,
the lamb upon the throne

All creatures up in heaven
all here below
from the greatest
to the smallest singing
praises to the Lord


April 17, 2010
Revelations 5:11-14

&
http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/description.asp?item_id=645177&whichBarItem=excerpt&category=&sub_category=
Upper Room Disciplines for 2010
for April 12, 2010 to April 18, 2010,
“Transformed by Grace”,
by Yong Hui V. McDonald

&
Revelations 5:11-14
and
Alive Now Daily Reflections
http://alivenow.upperroom.org/daily-reflections/daily-reflections-for-april-12-18/
for April 12, 2010 to April 18, 2010
by Nancy Ferguson (You can visit her website at www.BlueTreeResources.org)
for April 16, 2010, read April 17, 2010

&
April 17, 2010
Alive Now Daily Reflections
http://alivenow.upperroom.org/daily-reflections/daily-reflections-for-april-12-18/
for April 12, 2010 to April 18, 2010
by Nancy Ferguson (You can visit her website at www.BlueTreeResources.org)
for April 17, 2010,
“Denouncing Injustice in Fury”,
by Andrew Harvey



Copyright by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
Contact me at Ray Foss
for usage.

Singing with the Amoeba

all of creation
in heaven and below
joining in one chorus
singing praises to the Lord

the lamb upon his throne
before the creatures of heaven
joining with all of creation
singing praises to the Lord

the lowly and the great
on the earth, in the seas
in the heavens and in the ground
all creatures with one voice
singing praises to the Lord


April 17, 2010
Revelations 5:11-14

&
http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/description.asp?item_id=645177&whichBarItem=excerpt&category=&sub_category=
Upper Room Disciplines for 2010
for April 12, 2010 to April 18, 2010,
“Transformed by Grace”,
by Yong Hui V. McDonald

&
Revelations 5:11-14
and
Alive Now Daily Reflections
http://alivenow.upperroom.org/daily-reflections/daily-reflections-for-april-12-18/
for April 12, 2010 to April 18, 2010
by Nancy Ferguson (You can visit her website at www.BlueTreeResources.org)
for April 16, 2010, read April 17, 2010

&
April 17, 2010
Alive Now Daily Reflections
http://alivenow.upperroom.org/daily-reflections/daily-reflections-for-april-12-18/
for April 12, 2010 to April 18, 2010
by Nancy Ferguson (You can visit her website at www.BlueTreeResources.org)
for April 17, 2010,
“Denouncing Injustice in Fury”,
by Andrew Harvey



Copyright by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
Contact me at Ray Foss
for usage.

Strength in Our Weakness

Not to our own desires
turning instead to the Lord
strength in our weakness
when temptation is at our door

Never more than we can handle
when we turn to the Lord
able to withstand the enemy
any evil he brings forth


April 17, 2010
1 Corinthians 10:1-13
on temptations
Genesis 3:1-6
Genesis 3:6
eating the forbidden fruit
Mark 14:38
Mark 14:32-42
Mark 14:37-38
asleep in Gethsemane
Romans 7:15
and
Upper Room Daily Devotional
http://www.upperroom.org/devotional/default.asp?month=4&day=17&year=2010
for April 17, 2010, read April 17, 2010
“Forbidden Fruit”,
by Bryan Thomas Schmidt

&
Dad’s Bible, “Insights: Recognizing the Weakness”,
Mark 14:38
and
http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/description.asp?item_id=645177&whichBarItem=excerpt&category=&sub_category=
Upper Room Disciplines for 2010
for March 29, 2010 to April 4, 2010,
“A Holy Incredibility”,
by Max Lucado
for March 31, 2010
read April 3, 2010

&
scene in the movie Fireproof,
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1129423/
http://www.fireproofthemovie.com/
where Caleb faces temptation
on his computer screen


Copyright by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
Contact me at Ray Foss
for usage.

I Now Send You

Christ in their presence
behind the locked door
returning in victory
to the upper room

Commissioning them
giving their lives a purpose
a direct calling of the Lord
to continue his master’s work

“I now send you”,
the holy spirit within you
the breath of God living
guiding your trembling hearts

Not alone, never
walking ever with the Christ
going as he was sent
spreading his message of love


April 17, 2010
John 20:21
John 20:19-23
Matthew 28:18-20
Acts 2:1-12
Breath of God
Holy Spirit
Pentecost
The Great Commission

&
Day 207, “So I Send You”, 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
read April 17, 2010



Copyright by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
Contact me at Ray Foss
for usage.

New Eyes

The scales falling away
blind no more
rising to spread the word
going the opposite way

So sure of his path
a zealot of his faith
utterly turned around
a soldier of the Lord

With new eyes seeing
restored, fully healed
spreading his message of love
all the Lord revealed


April 17, 2010
Acts 9:1-6
Acts 9:1-9
Acts 9:1-20
Acts 9:1-22

and
http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/description.asp?item_id=645177&whichBarItem=excerpt&category=&sub_category=
Upper Room Disciplines for 2010
for April 12, 2010 to April 18, 2010,
“Transformed by Grace”,
by Yong Hui V. McDonald
for April 15, 2010, read April 17, 2010


Copyright by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
Contact me at Ray Foss
for usage.

In the Spotlight

A ball of light
as if in interrogation
standing on the road
in the spotlight of heaven

Falling to his knees
hearing a voice from above
Christ changing his life around
in his blindness, meekness
seeing the light of his ways


April 17, 2010
Acts 9:1-6
Acts 9:1-9
Acts 9:1-20
Acts 9:1-22

and
http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/description.asp?item_id=645177&whichBarItem=excerpt&category=&sub_category=
Upper Room Disciplines for 2010
for April 12, 2010 to April 18, 2010,
“Transformed by Grace”,
by Yong Hui V. McDonald
for April 15, 2010, read April 17, 2010



Copyright by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
Contact me at Ray Foss
for usage.

Joining the Choir of Angels

In heaven, on the earth
and below, in the seas
joining the choir of angels
their heavenly song

praises with one voice
all of creation singing
in praises to God

the father and the lamb
worshipping together
all creatures praising
raising one voice
their heavenly song


April 17, 2010
Revelations 5:11-14

&
http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/description.asp?item_id=645177&whichBarItem=excerpt&category=&sub_category=
Upper Room Disciplines for 2010
for April 12, 2010 to April 18, 2010,
“Transformed by Grace”,
by Yong Hui V. McDonald

&
Revelations 5:11-14
and
Alive Now Daily Reflections
http://alivenow.upperroom.org/daily-reflections/daily-reflections-for-april-12-18/
for April 12, 2010 to April 18, 2010
by Nancy Ferguson (You can visit her website at www.BlueTreeResources.org)
for April 16, 2010, read April 17, 2010

&
April 17, 2010
Alive Now Daily Reflections
http://alivenow.upperroom.org/daily-reflections/daily-reflections-for-april-12-18/
for April 12, 2010 to April 18, 2010
by Nancy Ferguson (You can visit her website at www.BlueTreeResources.org)
for April 17, 2010,
“Denouncing Injustice in Fury”,
by Andrew Harvey



Copyright by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
Contact me at Ray Foss
for usage.

Friday, April 16, 2010

The Path, The Road, The Way

A singular statement
the way, the truth, the life
claimed by the master
speaking to them
in the upper room
his unique role
in saving the whole world

The one path, the narrow gate
the road we must travel
through him alone
saving us all, for eternity in glory
our way back to God
mansions in heaven
walking the streets paved in gold


April 16, 2010
John 14:6
John 14:1-7
and
Day 203, “Christ, the Way”, 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
read April 13, 2010

&
Day 204, “Christ, the Truth”, 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
read April 14, 2010

&
Day 205, “Christ, the Life”, 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
read April 16, 2010



Copyright by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
Contact me at Ray Foss
for usage.

Through Christ Alone

Through Christ alone
the blood of the lamb
sacrificing his life
taking on our sin

No other way
his grace alone
sealing the breach
since the fall of man

Christ, the Messiah
the risen savior
preparing our place
to come home to God

Only his truth
his light that we share
messengers, disciples
following him, all of our days


April 16, 2010
John 14:6
John 14:1-7
and
Day 203, “Christ, the Way”, 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
read April 13, 2010

&
Day 204, “Christ, the Truth”, 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
read April 14, 2010

&
Day 205, “Christ, the Life”, 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
read April 16, 2010



Copyright by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
Contact me at Ray Foss
for usage.

The Crunch of the needles

Dry in the forest
before the first snowfall
the leaves of autumn
heavy on the ground

The barrenness of November
hastened by the cold windstorm
the rain staying south of us
watering another land

The crunch of the needles
the branches, the pine cones
the colored leaves of the woodlands
under my feet

The pitch sticking
soles of my boots heavy
a skin of needles
making them slippery
as I hike on the hidden trail


April 16, 2010
written in the school lobby
while waiting to be called in
for National Poetry Month presentation
Mrs. Forest’s 3rd grade class
Pembroke Hill School
Pembroke, NH
April 16, 2010
about a walk in the woods
in Claremont, NH, Fall 1977
(and my memory of other such walks)

Copyright by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
Contact me at Ray Foss
for usage.

Thursday, April 15, 2010

As the Sanctuary Darkened

The feeling of dread
foreboding all around
the disciples with us
our hearts beating as one

Hushed in our pews
as each candle was extinguished
the light dying as we remembered
our savior died on the cross

Needing so much
the bright light of Sunday
the darkness like a heavy cloak
making it hard to breathe


April 15, 2010
Good Friday service
Luke 23:39-46
John 13:34, 35 (Prayer of Confession)
and Service of Tenebrae
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
Reverend Huntley Halvorson
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
April 2, 2010
Tenebrae – The Service of Shadows
1. THE SHADOW OF BETRAYAL
Matthew 26:20-25
2. THE SHADOW OF INNER AGONY
Luke 22:40-44
3. THE SHADOW OF LONELINESS
Matthew 26:40-45
4. THE SHADOW OF DESERTION
Matthew 26:47-50,55,56
5. THE SHADOW OF ACCUSATION
Matthew 26:59-67
6. THE SHADOW OF MOCKERY
Mark 15:12-20
7. THE SHADOW OF DEATH
Luke 23:33-46
Hymn: Were You There…
FINAL READING
John 1:1-4
& earlier
Good Friday prayer vigil
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
April 2, 2010



Copyright by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
Contact me at Ray Foss
for usage.

Measurable Miracles

More than a magic trick
needed by the leader
trying to be faithful
needing a sign from God

Measurable miracles,
the fleece wet, then dry
God playing along
answering his call

Proving with signs
that his cause would be just
a victory for the Lord
sound the trumpet, let’s go


April 14, 2010 and April 15, 2010
Judges 6:36-40
Gideon



Copyright by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
Contact me at Ray Foss
for usage.

Discernment by Dew

In the preparation for battle
going before the Lord
asking for signs
of the calling of God

Discernment by dew
water where there should not
and then the opposite
dry where there should be wet

The mighty Gideon
on the threshing floor
the blast of his trumpet
marked by tiny dewdrops
the fleece wet or dry
by the hand of God


April 14, 2010 and April 15, 2010
Judges 6:36-40
Gideon



Copyright by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
Contact me at Ray Foss
for usage.

The Fleece Upon the Floor

Faithful, yet needing assurance
putting God to the test
asking for proof of his guidance
before leading the people
going to war

The fleece on the floor
only it to be wet
when the Lord provided
needing the opposite as well

Only with multiple pleas
proofs of God’s providing
only then did he go
and lead the people to victory
just as he had been called


April 14, 2010 and April 15, 2010
Judges 6:36-40
Gideon




All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 21,770+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

By His Hands Healing

Called in a vision
struggling to be faithful
seeing this man before him
the threat he had been

Called by the master
to trust in the savior
by his hands healing
he who had been the enemy


April 13, 2010
Acts 9:1-6
the conversion of Paul
and
http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/description.asp?item_id=645177&whichBarItem=excerpt&category=&sub_category=
Upper Room Disciplines for 2010
for April 12, 2010 to April 18, 2010,
“Transformed by Grace”,
by Yong Hui V. McDonald
for April 12, 2010, read April 13, 2010

&
Acts 9:10-20
conversion of Paul
and
http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/description.asp?item_id=645177&whichBarItem=excerpt&category=&sub_category=
Upper Room Disciplines for 2010
for April 12, 2010 to April 18, 2010,
“Transformed by Grace”,
by Yong Hui V. McDonald
for April 13, 2010



Copyright by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
Contact me at Ray Foss
for usage.

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Sight in His Blindness

On that dusty road
smite by the light
seeing in his blindness
coming before the Lord

Healed by touch
of one he had come to arrest
changed, his whole life completely
going the opposite way

Spreading the message
he had condemned
of Christ, the risen Messiah
the lamb of God
who died for us,
choosing sacrifice


April 13, 2010
Acts 9:1-6
the conversion of Paul
and
http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/description.asp?item_id=645177&whichBarItem=excerpt&category=&sub_category=
Upper Room Disciplines for 2010
for April 12, 2010 to April 18, 2010,
“Transformed by Grace”,
by Yong Hui V. McDonald
for April 12, 2010, read April 13, 2010

&
Acts 9:10-20
conversion of Paul
and
http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/description.asp?item_id=645177&whichBarItem=excerpt&category=&sub_category=
Upper Room Disciplines for 2010
for April 12, 2010 to April 18, 2010,
“Transformed by Grace”,
by Yong Hui V. McDonald
for April 13, 2010




All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 21,770+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Healing His Enemy

In a vision commanded
healing the blindness of his enemy
giving comfort to Saul
because of the word of Christ

The vehicle of his healing
the man of the way
trusting to heal the one persecuting
that he would be transformed


April 13, 2010
Acts 9:1-6
the conversion of Paul
and
http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/description.asp?item_id=645177&whichBarItem=excerpt&category=&sub_category=
Upper Room Disciplines for 2010
for April 12, 2010 to April 18, 2010,
“Transformed by Grace”,
by Yong Hui V. McDonald
for April 12, 2010, read April 13, 2010

&
Acts 9:10-20
conversion of Paul
and
http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/description.asp?item_id=645177&whichBarItem=excerpt&category=&sub_category=
Upper Room Disciplines for 2010
for April 12, 2010 to April 18, 2010,
“Transformed by Grace”,
by Yong Hui V. McDonald
for April 13, 2010


Copyright by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
Contact me at Ray Foss
for usage.

His Life Turned Around

More than any other
utterly reversing direction
not just ambivalent
hostile to the way

Turning about utterly
going into the light
blind yet seeing
the master calling to him

Out into the world
a new charter for his life
going to the ends of the earth
to spread Christ’s message of love


April 13, 2010
Acts 9:1-6
the conversion of Paul
and
http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/description.asp?item_id=645177&whichBarItem=excerpt&category=&sub_category=
Upper Room Disciplines for 2010
for April 12, 2010 to April 18, 2010,
“Transformed by Grace”,
by Yong Hui V. McDonald
for April 12, 2010, read April 13, 2010

&
Acts 9:10-20
conversion of Paul
and
http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/description.asp?item_id=645177&whichBarItem=excerpt&category=&sub_category=
Upper Room Disciplines for 2010
for April 12, 2010 to April 18, 2010,
“Transformed by Grace”,
by Yong Hui V. McDonald
for April 13, 2010


Copyright by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
Contact me at Ray Foss
for usage.

Into the Light

Stopping in his tracks
on the Damascus Road
stepping into the light
never the same again

Changed by the word of God
understanding his folly
the error of his ways
spoken by the living Christ

Transformed on that day
undoing his error
spreading the love of God
all the rest of his life


April 13, 2010
Acts 9:1-6
the conversion of Paul
and
http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/description.asp?item_id=645177&whichBarItem=excerpt&category=&sub_category=
Upper Room Disciplines for 2010
for April 12, 2010 to April 18, 2010,
“Transformed by Grace”,
by Yong Hui V. McDonald
for April 12, 2010, read April 13, 2010

&
Acts 9:10-20
conversion of Paul
and
http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/description.asp?item_id=645177&whichBarItem=excerpt&category=&sub_category=
Upper Room Disciplines for 2010
for April 12, 2010 to April 18, 2010,
“Transformed by Grace”,
by Yong Hui V. McDonald
for April 13, 2010


Copyright by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
Contact me at Ray Foss
for usage.

A Simple Choice

Put in charge
all at his feet
free to do
whatever he chose

A simple choice
there before him
to sin or be faithful
to the word of God


April 13, 2010
Genesis 39:1-23
Joseph in Potiphar’s house
and
Upper Room Daily Devotional
http://www.upperroom.org/devotional/default.asp?month=4&day=13&year=2010
for April 13, 2010, read April 13, 2010
“The Safeguards”,
by Pramila Barkataki

&
Genesis 39:12
Dad’s Bible: Godly Character,
“Even When No One is Looking”


Copyright by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
Contact me at Ray Foss
for usage.

With Us

All of our days
with us
the Spirit of God
walking with us
helping us
guiding us
from within
all of our days


April 13, 2010
John 14:15-26
John 14:16-17
Psalm 103:13-14
1 John 1:19
and
Upper Room Daily Devotional
http://www.upperroom.org/devotional/default.asp?month=4&day=12&year=2010
for April 12, 2010, read April 13, 2010
“Perpetual Occupant”,
by Mary A. Baird



Copyright by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
Contact me at Ray Foss
for usage.

His Spirit With Us

Never alone
the risen Christ with us
his Spirit dwelling within
walking with us
all of our days


April 13, 2010
John 14:15-26
John 14:16-17
Psalm 103:13-14
1 John 1:19
and
Upper Room Daily Devotional
http://www.upperroom.org/devotional/default.asp?month=4&day=12&year=2010
for April 12, 2010, read April 13, 2010
“Perpetual Occupant”,
by Mary A. Baird



Copyright by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
Contact me at Ray Foss
for usage.

How He Loved Him

As he had hated him
persecuting the believers
trying to stamp out his name
returning to orthodoxy

How he loved him
changed forever
spreading his message of love
to the ends of the earth
that all would believe


April 13, 2010
Acts 9:10-20
conversion of Paul
and
http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/description.asp?item_id=645177&whichBarItem=excerpt&category=&sub_category=
Upper Room Disciplines for 2010
for April 12, 2010 to April 18, 2010,
“Transformed by Grace”,
by Yong Hui V. McDonald
for April 13, 2010


Copyright by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
Contact me at Ray Foss
for usage.

Turned Around

On that dusty road
wrong-headed, yet driven
brought to his knees, blinded,
standing in the light

Turned around completely
his life’s work reversed
transformed by Christ
hearing his heavenly voice

Becoming a zealot of the way
bringing the world to Christ
changed in an instant
coming into the light


April 13, 2010
Acts 9:1-6
the conversion of Paul
and
http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/description.asp?item_id=645177&whichBarItem=excerpt&category=&sub_category=
Upper Room Disciplines for 2010
for April 12, 2010 to April 18, 2010,
“Transformed by Grace”,
by Yong Hui V. McDonald
for April 12, 2010, read April 13, 2010



Copyright by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
Contact me at Ray Foss
for usage.

The Path to God

Our journey on one road
all others failing
leading to nowhere
The path to God
through Jesus Christ our Lord

Master of everything there is
the king of all creation
first of those raised
victorious over death
that we may live again

Yoke me to my brother
let me walk ever with him
toiling with him in the garden
the fields ripe and ready
a harvest for the Lord


April 13, 2010
John 14:6
John 14:1-7
and
Day 203, “Christ, the Way”, 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
read April 13, 2010



Copyright by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
Contact me at Ray Foss
for usage.

Monday, April 12, 2010

Not Suffering Alone

The symbol of the empty tomb
joy on Easter morning
not suffering alone
Christ dying on the cross
hanging in pain

Rising from the ground
freed from the grave
resurrected from the dead
the empty cross, the empty tomb
Christ in victory


April 11, 2010
Matthew 28:1-8
and
Upper Room Daily Devotional
http://www.upperroom.org/devotional/default.asp?month=4&day=11&year=2010
for April 11, 2010, read April 11, 2010
“The Empty Tomb”,
by Jeral Williams



Copyright by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
Contact me at Ray Foss
for usage.

God’s Sustaining Love

Even when demanding
ungrateful, desperate
our father faithful
providing for our needs

God’s sustaining love
in ways surprising
living water, daily bread
offered to us by our savior
all we ever need


April 11, 2010
Exodus 17:1-7
and
Upper Room Daily Devotional
http://www.upperroom.org/devotional/default.asp?month=4&day=10&year=2010
for April 10, 2010, read April 11, 2010
“Water from the Rock”,
by Sharlene McGowan (Saskatchewan, Canada)



Copyright by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
Contact me at Ray Foss
for usage.

Sunday, April 11, 2010

Sermon - "If you . . . Then I'll . . .", by Pastor Ruth L. Foss, April 11, 2010, Suncook United Methodist Church, Suncook, NH

Pastor Ruth Foss
Suncook UMC
April 11, 2010
Psalm 8:3-9 NIV
Matthew 12:16-21 NIV
Deuteronomy 11:13-17 Message Bible

If you . . . Then I’ll. . .

Creation . . . I just love how God has orchestrated the world around us. Just take a look around. It is majestic. Look at how God has created the mountains. They are breath taking. Look at the way God kind of puts the world to sleep during winter, giving it rest, and then in spring, it burst forth in song. It leaves me awe struck at times. I remember when Ray and I went on our honeymoon in St. Lucia. We would get up early in the morning, before the sun rose, and sit on the beach and watch the new day dawn. It was breath taking. It was as if God was painting a picture as we watched. We would stand up and give the sun and sky a standing ovation when it was done. It was beautiful.

In the Psalm we heard this morning; we hear how David felt about the world around him. We heard how he was in awe about how God has made humankind “ruler” over His works. I can relate to what David was saying. When I think about how God has put us in charge of what he created, I am humbled at the thought. God created something so beautiful and thinks we are special enough to take care of it for Him. It humbles me at the thought. But somewhere along the line, humankind has forgotten about the awesome task we have.

Let us pray. . .

Loving God, we thank you for your Spirit that dwells among us. We thank you that you speak to us with that same Spirit. We pray that your Spirit would be with us this morning as we hear the word you have for us this day. May that same Spirit help us to be not just hearers but doers of your word. We pray for hearts that are open to your guidance as we journey in this world you have given us. Speak Lord . . . your ambassadors are listening . . .

Humankind seems to have chosen to stop looking at creation's beauty and be awestruck at God’s handy work. Instead, humankind has chosen to look at the world around us as a commodity to be bought, sold, and exploited for humankinds own self interest. This reminds me of the parable of the “Rich Fool” the parable goes like this . . .

Someone in the crowd said to him, "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me." Jesus replied, "Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?" Then he said to them, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." And he told them this parable: "The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop. 17He thought to himself, 'What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.' "Then he said, 'This is what I'll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19And I'll say to myself, "You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry." '"But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?' "This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God."

Now humankind is wondering “why there are so many eco problems, why is there climate change, why the world around them seems to be groaning in pain, why hasn’t God done something about what is happening to His creation, why doesn’t God just step in a fix it”. But there are also some who are thinking, “what is my part in the eco problem, what can I do to stop the devastation of the world around, where do I begin”.

Today, to try and answer some of these questions, we are starting a sermon series. It’s based on a study called “God’s Renewed Creation: call to hope and action.” It’s based on the Pastoral Letter from the Council of Bishops of the UMC. We will look at God’s holy vision for humankind, our call to practice social and environmental holiness, and how we are to live and act in hope for the world around us. You see . . . there needs to be a change in the way we see the world and what our responsibility is to it. In order to make a change, humankind needs to realize that the change needs to come from within and if there is no change within there can be no change in our outward action.

OK . . . let’s get started. One question that humankind may be asking is “why doesn’t God do something about the problems with the world?” Well . . . we read some of what God says about the world in Deuteronomy. We will be looking at chapter 13 verses 13-17 this morning. It reads (And I’m reading from the Message Bible this morning):

13-15 From now on if you listen obediently to the commandments that I am commanding you today, love God, your God, and serve him with everything you have within you, he'll take charge of sending the rain at the right time, both autumn and spring rains, so that you'll be able to harvest your grain, your grapes, your olives. He'll make sure there's plenty of grass for your animals. You'll have plenty to eat.

16-17 But be vigilant, lest you be seduced away and end up serving and worshiping other gods and God erupts in anger and shuts down Heaven so there's no rain and nothing grows in the fields, and in no time at all you're starved out—not a trace of you left on the good land that God is giving you.

One of the reasons is that humankind has forgotten its first passion; it has forgotten who made the world we survey. God has promised to bless the earth on which we walk, to bless the people that walk upon it, but humankind, in its infinite wisdom, has walked away from this covenant. God is not the one who broke the “deal”, humankind has. In this passage, God says if you . . . then I will, but if you don’t . . . I will. Just look at the way we treat the earth and our fellow human beings. It’s a no wonder God has not stepped in.

Humankind has been seduced by greed and envy, humankind has turned its back on the commandments that God has given us (you know . . . love the Lord your God with all your mind, with all your strength and all your soul and love your neighbor as yourself). Humankind has made other gods that they believe in, gods like money, power, possession and the like. (I am the Lord your God, put no other gods before me). In order to make the changes on the outside the change has to begin on the inside. Matthew 12:35 tells us, The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him.

Beloved . . . it’s time for a change. If we as human beings do not make that change I dread to think about what will happen to human beings. If we don’t get back to the basics in life, life as we know it will cease to exist. We were put on this earth to “tend the garden”. That has been our job from the beginning. We need to treasure the world around us. It’s the only one we have and once it’s gone . . . We need to tend not just the garden on the outside but also the garden on the inside, our hearts. (For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.) My prayer is that as we go through this series . . . we will all take a look and examine our own hearts and find where our true treasure lies.

AMEN


April 11, 2010
Deuteronomy 11:13-17
Psalm 8:3-9
Matthew 12:35
Luke 12:13-21, Parable of the Rich Fool
Unison Prayer from the Worship Sourcebook
Worship Theme: “God’s Creation”
and sermon, “If you . . . I will. . . ”
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss
sermon blog
meditation blog
“God’s Whisper” blog
the first in a series of sermons, based in part on the pastoral letter from the Council of Bishops, “God’s Renewed Creation: Call to Hope and Action,”
and the study guide, etc., based on this letter:  
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
April 11, 2010
First Sunday After Easter

All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 37,740+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Caring for the Earth

In our time, upon the earth
in this place where we live
each of us needing to be mindful
caring for the earth
what we have been given
tending the garden with love

Not our alone to exploit
to use up, to consume
entrusted to us
but for a short time
to care and to nurture
to leave as much behind



April 11, 2010
Deuteronomy 11:13-17
Psalm 8:3-9
Matthew 12:35
Luke 12:13-21, Parable of the Rich Fool
Unison Prayer from the Worship Sourcebook
Worship Theme: “God’s Creation”
and sermon, “If you . . . I will. . . ”
by Pastor Ruth Foss
https://twitter.com/PastorRuthFoss
http://www.facebook.com/pastorruthfoss
http://www.ahandmaidenofthelord.blogspot.com
http://pastorruth.posterous.com/
A Handmaiden of the Lord
the first in a series of sermons, based in part on the pastoral letter from the Council of Bishops, “God’s Renewed Creation: Call to Hope and Action,”
and the study guide, etc., based on this letter:
http://hopeandaction.org/main/
http://hopeandaction.org/main/resources/basic-documents/
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
http://www.suncookumc.org
http://facebook.com/groups/136632035559/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Suncook-United-Methodist-Church/102221356487965
Suncook, NH
April 11, 2010
First Sunday After Easter



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 19,920+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Caring for Your Earth

Entrusted by the creator
by the word of God
caring for your earth, oh Lord,
stewards of your creation

Man but a work of clay
to tend the garden below
managers of your works
helping the garden grow

Cherishing your world
not treating it as a commodity
sustaining the earth for the future
for all of eternity


April 11, 2010
Deuteronomy 11:13-17
Psalm 8:3-9
Matthew 12:35
Luke 12:13-21, Parable of the Rich Fool
Unison Prayer from the Worship Sourcebook
Worship Theme: “God’s Creation”
and sermon, “If you . . . I will. . . ”
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss
the first in a series of sermons, based in part on the pastoral letter from the Council of Bishops, “God’s Renewed Creation: Call to Hope and Action,”
and the study guide, etc., based on this letter:
http://hopeandaction.org/main/
http://hopeandaction.org/main/resources/basic-documents/
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
April 11, 2010
First Sunday After Easter



Copyright by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
Contact me at Ray Foss
for usage.

Left to Our Own Devices

The creation, the universe
made by the word, the hand of God
given to man to tend
the garden for us to enjoy

Left to our own devices
the consequence of free will
free to do what we wish
the world we see now

Needing to remember
the earth not just a commodity
a precious jewel to treasure
to share with eternity


April 11, 2010
Deuteronomy 11:13-17
Psalm 8:3-9
Matthew 12:35
Luke 12:13-21, Parable of the Rich Fool
Unison Prayer from the Worship Sourcebook
Worship Theme: “God’s Creation”
and sermon, “If you . . . I will. . . ”
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss
the first in a series of sermons, based in part on the pastoral letter from the Council of Bishops, “God’s Renewed Creation: Call to Hope and Action,”
and the study guide, etc., based on this letter:
http://hopeandaction.org/main/
http://hopeandaction.org/main/resources/basic-documents/
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
April 11, 2010
First Sunday After Easter



Copyright by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
Contact me at Ray Foss
for usage.

The Slumber of Winter

The world contracting
pulling in on itself
slowing down and sleeping
like the animals hibernating
under a blanket of white

So in the springtime
as if the world is awakening
throwing off the covers
called from its slumber
stepping out into the light

Green and other bright colors
replacing the brown, the gray,
the now tarnished, melting, white
A whole new palette
shimmering in delight


April 11, 2010
Deuteronomy 11:13-17
Psalm 8:3-9
Matthew 12:35
Luke 12:13-21, Parable of the Rich Fool
Unison Prayer from the Worship Sourcebook
Worship Theme: “God’s Creation”
and sermon, “If you . . . I will. . . ”
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss
the first in a series of sermons, based in part on the pastoral letter from the Council of Bishops, “God’s Renewed Creation: Call to Hope and Action,”
and the study guide, etc., based on this letter:
http://hopeandaction.org/main/
http://hopeandaction.org/main/resources/basic-documents/
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
April 11, 2010
First Sunday After Easter


Copyright by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
Contact me at Ray Foss
for usage.

The Awakening of Spring

On this morning
a hint of the winter just ended
the cold snap of the air
yet giving way
changing as the hours pass

The awakening of spring
the songs on the breezes
the colors from browns to greens
the flowers in the gardens
a wonder to behold


April 11, 2010
Deuteronomy 11:13-17
Psalm 8:3-9
Matthew 12:35
Luke 12:13-21, Parable of the Rich Fool
Unison Prayer from the Worship Sourcebook
Worship Theme: “God’s Creation”
and sermon, “If you . . . I will. . . ”
by Pastor Ruth Foss
https://twitter.com/PastorRuthFoss
http://www.facebook.com/pastorruthfoss
http://www.ahandmaidenofthelord.blogspot.com
http://pastorruth.posterous.com/
A Handmaiden of the Lord
the first in a series of sermons, based in part on the pastoral letter from the Council of Bishops, “God’s Renewed Creation: Call to Hope and Action,”
and the study guide, etc., based on this letter:
http://hopeandaction.org/main/
http://hopeandaction.org/main/resources/basic-documents/
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
http://www.suncookumc.org
http://facebook.com/groups/136632035559/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Suncook-United-Methodist-Church/102221356487965
Suncook, NH
April 11, 2010
First Sunday After Easter



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 19,920+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Awestruck by Creation

Needing to stop
to truly look
to ponder the artistry
the complexity
in amazement
at the master’s work

Awestruck by creation
by the intricate design
the hand of a creator
the beauty of his mind

Making all of this
from nothingness
out of his mind’s eye
by his hands, his breath
by his word alone
all came to life


April 11, 2010
Deuteronomy 11:13-17
Psalm 8:3-9
Matthew 12:35
Luke 12:13-21, Parable of the Rich Fool
Unison Prayer from the Worship Sourcebook
Worship Theme: “God’s Creation”
and sermon, “If you . . . I will. . . ”
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss
the first in a series of sermons, based in part on the pastoral letter from the Council of Bishops, “God’s Renewed Creation: Call to Hope and Action,”
and the study guide, etc., based on this letter:
http://hopeandaction.org/main/
http://hopeandaction.org/main/resources/basic-documents/
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
April 11, 2010
First Sunday After Easter



Copyright by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
Contact me at Ray Foss
for usage.

Entrusted

Entrusted with creation
given into our hands
God looking to man
to be stewards of the land

All that was created
subject to human will
yet entrusted to preserve
gifts from almighty God


April 11, 2010
Deuteronomy 11:13-17
Psalm 8:3-9
Matthew 12:35
Luke 12:13-21, Parable of the Rich Fool
Unison Prayer from the Worship Sourcebook
Worship Theme: “God’s Creation”
and sermon, “If you . . . I will. . . ”
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss
the first in a series of sermons, based in part on the pastoral letter from the Council of Bishops, “God’s Renewed Creation: Call to Hope and Action,”
and the study guide, etc., based on this letter:
http://hopeandaction.org/main/
http://hopeandaction.org/main/resources/basic-documents/
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
April 11, 2010
First Sunday After Easter



Copyright by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
Contact me at Ray Foss
for usage.

Cherished – 2

Not a commodity
more precious than this
creation to be cherished
held for eternity, ever
not to be wasted or burned up

A pearl of great beauty
a priceless gem
unique, yet enduring
if we approach it
in reverence


April 11, 2010
Deuteronomy 11:13-17
Psalm 8:3-9
Matthew 12:35
Luke 12:13-21, Parable of the Rich Fool
Unison Prayer from the Worship Sourcebook
Worship Theme: “God’s Creation”
and sermon, “If you . . . I will. . . ”
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss
the first in a series of sermons, based in part on the pastoral letter from the Council of Bishops, “God’s Renewed Creation: Call to Hope and Action,”
and the study guide, etc., based on this letter:
http://hopeandaction.org/main/
http://hopeandaction.org/main/resources/basic-documents/
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
April 11, 2010
First Sunday After Easter



Copyright by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
Contact me at Ray Foss
for usage.

Cherished

A rare jewel
priceless, yet fragile
in the crucible of our hands
hanging in the balance

Failing to see
the wonder of nature
the sword of Damocles
held by a thread

Arrogantly we use
rather than cherish
the world and all there is
as if always to exist

Forgetting our charge
our commission to tend
to care for the garden ever
so the generations that follow
may have a better world
that we ourselves were given
at the beginning of our days



April 11, 2010
Deuteronomy 11:13-17
Psalm 8:3-9
Matthew 12:35
Luke 12:13-21, Parable of the Rich Fool
Unison Prayer from the Worship Sourcebook
Worship Theme: “God’s Creation”
and sermon, “If you . . . I will. . . ”
by Pastor Ruth Foss
https://twitter.com/PastorRuthFoss
http://www.facebook.com/pastorruthfoss
http://www.ahandmaidenofthelord.blogspot.com
http://pastorruth.posterous.com/
A Handmaiden of the Lord
the first in a series of sermons, based in part on the pastoral letter from the Council of Bishops, “God’s Renewed Creation: Call to Hope and Action,”
and the study guide, etc., based on this letter:
http://hopeandaction.org/main/
http://hopeandaction.org/main/resources/basic-documents/
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
http://www.suncookumc.org
http://facebook.com/groups/136632035559/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Suncook-United-Methodist-Church/102221356487965
Suncook, NH
April 11, 2010
First Sunday After Easter




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 19,920+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Treasure the World

How we treat
the reverence that we use
handling the earth
lovingly, as it deserves
caring for creation
treasuring the world
the wondrous gift of God



April 11, 2010
Deuteronomy 11:13-17
Psalm 8:3-9
Matthew 12:35
Luke 12:13-21, Parable of the Rich Fool
Unison Prayer from the Worship Sourcebook
Worship Theme: “God’s Creation”
and sermon, “If you . . . I will. . . ”
by Pastor Ruth Foss
https://twitter.com/PastorRuthFoss
http://www.facebook.com/pastorruthfoss
http://www.ahandmaidenofthelord.blogspot.com
http://pastorruth.posterous.com/
A Handmaiden of the Lord
the first in a series of sermons, based in part on the pastoral letter from the Council of Bishops, “God’s Renewed Creation: Call to Hope and Action,”
and the study guide, etc., based on this letter:
http://hopeandaction.org/main/
http://hopeandaction.org/main/resources/basic-documents/
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
http://www.suncookumc.org
http://facebook.com/groups/136632035559/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Suncook-United-Methodist-Church/102221356487965
Suncook, NH
April 11, 2010
First Sunday After Easter



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 19,920+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Into Our Hands – V2

Creation, all that God created
given to us, placed into our hands
to be cherished and cared for
each of us to tend the garden,
as God always planned

Stewards of creation
all that was created
entrusted to man
to be cared for in each season
since the beginning of time


April11, 2010
Deuteronomy 11:13-17
Psalm 8:3-9
Matthew 12:35
Luke 12:13-21, Parable of the Rich Fool
Unison Prayer from the Worship Sourcebook
Worship Theme: “God’s Creation”
and sermon, “If you . . . I will. . . ”
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss
the first in a series of sermons, based in part on the pastoral letter from the Council of Bishops, “God’s Renewed Creation: Call to Hope and Action,”
and the study guide, etc., based on this letter:
http://hopeandaction.org/main/
http://hopeandaction.org/main/resources/basic-documents/
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
April 11, 2010
First Sunday After Easter




Copyright by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
Contact me at Ray Foss
for usage.

Into Our Hands

Creation, all that God created
given to us, placed into our hands
to be cherished and cared for
each of us to tend the garden,
as God always planned


April 11, 2010
Deuteronomy 11:13-17
Psalm 8:3-9
Matthew 12:35
Luke 12:13-21, Parable of the Rich Fool
Unison Prayer from the Worship Sourcebook
Worship Theme: “God’s Creation”
and sermon, “If you . . . I will. . . ”
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss
the first in a series of sermons, based in part on the pastoral letter from the Council of Bishops, “God’s Renewed Creation: Call to Hope and Action,”
and the study guide, etc., based on this letter:
http://hopeandaction.org/main/
http://hopeandaction.org/main/resources/basic-documents/
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
April 11, 2010
First Sunday After Easter



Copyright by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
Contact me at Ray Foss
for usage.

Painting the Dawn

God’s artistry
played out before us
painting the dawn
on the canvas of the sky
the seas warming
with the color
the darkness of night
fading to brightness
dawn’s early light



April11, 2010
Deuteronomy 11:13-17
Psalm 8:3-9
Matthew 12:35
Luke 12:13-21, Parable of the Rich Fool
Unison Prayer from the Worship Sourcebook
Worship Theme: “God’s Creation”
and sermon, “If you . . . I will. . . ”
(including story of sunrises on the beach
of St. Lucia on our honeymoon,
April 2005)
by Pastor Ruth Foss
https://twitter.com/PastorRuthFoss
http://www.facebook.com/pastorruthfoss
http://www.ahandmaidenofthelord.blogspot.com
http://pastorruth.posterous.com/
A Handmaiden of the Lord
the first in a series of sermons, based in part on the pastoral letter from the Council of Bishops, “God’s Renewed Creation: Call to Hope and Action,”
and the study guide, etc., based on this letter:
http://hopeandaction.org/main/
http://hopeandaction.org/main/resources/basic-documents/
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
http://www.suncookumc.org
http://facebook.com/groups/136632035559/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Suncook-United-Methodist-Church/102221356487965
Suncook, NH
April 11, 2010
First Sunday After Easter




All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 21,770+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Stewards – haiku – 2

The world ours to tend
the garden, ours to nurture
stewards to the end


April11, 2010
Deuteronomy 11:13-17
Psalm 8:3-9
Matthew 12:35
Luke 12:13-21, Parable of the Rich Fool
Unison Prayer from the Worship Sourcebook
Worship Theme: “God’s Creation”
and sermon, “If you . . . I will. . . ”
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss
the first in a series of sermons, based in part on the pastoral letter from the Council of Bishops, “God’s Renewed Creation: Call to Hope and Action,”
and the study guide, etc., based on this letter:
http://hopeandaction.org/main/
http://hopeandaction.org/main/resources/basic-documents/
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
April 11, 2010
First Sunday After Easter



Copyright by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
Contact me at Ray Foss
for usage.

Stewards – haiku

Given the garden
to tend and to care for, man
stewards our whole lives


April11, 2010
Deuteronomy 11:13-17
Psalm 8:3-9
Matthew 12:35
Luke 12:13-21, Parable of the Rich Fool
Unison Prayer from the Worship Sourcebook
Worship Theme: “God’s Creation”
and sermon, “If you . . . I will. . . ”
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss
the first in a series of sermons, based in part on the pastoral letter from the Council of Bishops, “God’s Renewed Creation: Call to Hope and Action,”
and the study guide, etc., based on this letter:
http://hopeandaction.org/main/
http://hopeandaction.org/main/resources/basic-documents/
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
April 11, 2010
First Sunday After Easter



Copyright by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
Contact me at Ray Foss
for usage.

Blessed Water

After the quail,
the manna from heaven
water from the rock
at the foot of the Lord

Going before them
standing on the mountain
God providing for his people
all that we need

Turn to the Lord
trust in his providing
leave all behind
and follow his calling


April 11, 2010
Exodus 17:1-7
and
Upper Room Daily Devotional
http://www.upperroom.org/devotional/default.asp?month=4&day=10&year=2010
for April 11, 2010, read April 11, 2010
“Water from the Rock”,
by Sharlene McGowan (Saskatchewan, Canada)



Copyright by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010
Contact me at Ray Foss
for usage.