Saturday, July 17, 2010

Into the Watery Grave

Dying in the waters
falling beneath the waves
ritually dying to ourselves
into the watery grave

With Christ in his baptism
in his suffering and death
in the waters of baptism
we join him in death

Rising from the waters
like Christ from the Jordan
new creations in the rising
the Spirit descending on us

Like Christ we rise victorious
able with him to go
to withstand the temptations of the world
if we turn to the Spirit within

Sent as he was sent
to spread the message of love
God’s grace to redeem the whole world
to bring us home to him



July 17, 2010
Matthew 3:13-17
Romans 6:3-5
Isaiah 40:28-31 (Call to Worship)
Worship Theme: “Baptism, the First Sacrament”
and sermon, “Even Jesus Could not Do It Alone”
by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
July 18, 2010
Eighth Sunday after Pentecost


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 19,250+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

In the Waters of Baptism

Death, with Christ on the cross
in the waters of baptism
we die with him
freed from our past
rising with him in victory
free to walk as he did
in humble submission to God

Our choice, as his in Gethsemane
to follow the master’s plan
or the path of the flesh
able like him, with the Spirit’s guiding
to walk more humbly with God
in loving relationship
with our neighbors and
with our God and king



July 17, 2010
Matthew 3:13-17
Romans 6:3-5
Isaiah 40:28-31 (Call to Worship)
Worship Theme: “Baptism, the First Sacrament”
and sermon, “Even Jesus Could not Do It Alone”
by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
July 18, 2010
Eighth Sunday after Pentecost


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 19,250+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Joined with Christ

Bound with our savior
joined with Christ
into the community of believers
another strand in the cord
the fabric of the church
beginning in the Jordan
when John lowered Christ
into the waters
dying to himself

Joining with him
as his disciples
to do his holy work
spreading the good news of redemption
paid with such an awful costs
God’s love enough
that he would sacrifice his son
by the blood of the lamb we are reconciled
with the father, God,
the three in one



July 17, 2010
Matthew 3:13-17
Romans 6:3-5
Isaiah 40:28-31 (Call to Worship)
Worship Theme: “Baptism, the First Sacrament”
and sermon, “Even Jesus Could not Do It Alone”
by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
July 18, 2010
Eighth Sunday after Pentecost


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 19,250+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Into the Jordan

Wherever we are baptized
together in that moment
all of us joining Christ
falling into the waters
into the Jordan with him
our bodies like his
by the waters washed

The Spirit descending
ever, on each of us
changing us for service
as Jesus was sent
going as our brother
out into the world
to preach of God’s love
to share his holy word



July 17, 2010
Matthew 3:13-17
Romans 6:3-5
Isaiah 40:28-31 (Call to Worship)
Worship Theme: “Baptism, the First Sacrament”
and sermon, “Even Jesus Could not Do It Alone”
by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
July 18, 2010
Eighth Sunday after Pentecost


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 19,250+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Needing John’s Hands

Christ falling into the waters
beginning his journey
ministry, service
the long journey
throughout the land
the way of the cross
to suffering
to salvation
rising again

Needing John’s hands
his words, lowering him in
into the waters
dying to his past
taking on his yoke
the cross of his life
accepting the commissioning
the descending of the dove
sending him out
to share the master’s love



July 17, 2010
Matthew 3:13-17
Romans 6:3-5
Isaiah 40:28-31 (Call to Worship)
Worship Theme: “Baptism, the First Sacrament”
and sermon, “Even Jesus Could not Do It Alone”
by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
July 18, 2010
Eighth Sunday after Pentecost


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 19,250+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Free in Jesus

The son alone
setting us free
unbound by the chains of sin
the wages of our disobedience
paid by Christ on the cross
the sacrifice once and for all time
reconciling us to God
free to choose to walk
as your servants
friends together
serving the other sheep
until all have heard
the grace of God revealed
in Jesus the son



July 17, 2010
John 8:36
John 8:31-38
John 8:31-59
John 8:21-59
&
Upper Room Daily Reflections
“Not Locked In!”,
&
Upper Room Daily Devotional
http://www.upperroom.org/devotional/default.asp?month=7&day=16&year=2010
by Norma Newton
for July 16, 2010, read July 16, 2010
&
2 Kings 5:1-14
John 8:36
Psalm 30
Luke 10:16-20
Galatians 6:7-10
Psalm 36:5-10 (United Methodist Hymnal #771)
Worship Theme: “The high cost of freedom”
and sermon, “The Cost of Freedom”
by Pastor Ruth L. Foss
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
July 4, 2010
Independence Day
Sixth Sunday after Pentecost


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 19,250+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Love Complete

Like no other
Love complete
God fully known
if we could see this
in the coming of Jesus
down to the ground

Revealing all
God’s true nature
in the way he walked
humbly on the earth
come to save us

Love given flesh
walking among us
offering hope, redemption
life eternal
in humble service
by the way of the cross
we all may live.



July 17, 2010
Hebrews 1:2
Hebrews 1:1-4
Hebrews 1:1
Hebrews 1:2-3
John 1:3
Colossians 1:16
&
Day 298, “God’s Supreme Revelation”, 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 July 17, 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 19,250+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Our Only Hope

In Christ alone
living within us
our only hope
for the glory of God

Only in him
wearing his mantle
yoked with Christ
may we come before God

No other path
like the way
the gate of Christ alone
leads to our God.



July 17, 2010
Colossians 1:21-28
Colossians 1:15-28
and
http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/description.asp?item_id=645177&whichBarItem=excerpt&category=&sub_category=
Upper Room Disciplines for 2010
for July 12, 2010 to July 18, 2010,
“Pursuing Righteousness”
by Steven J. Christopher
for July 17, 2010,
read July 17, 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 19,250+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Showing Me How to Walk

Light for my path
showing me how to walk
when I should not go
where I should step

Your laws, oh God
guiding me in life
that I may not stray
from the path you set for me

Lead me, Lord
in the ways of righteousness
teach me truly
how to walk in your ways



July 17, 2010
Psalms 119:97-160
&
Psalm 119:105
http://www.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/reading.cgi?plan=straight&ver=NAS
Heartlight’s Straight Through Bible Study
for July 17, 2010, read July 17, 2010
&
Psalms 119:41-96
http://www.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/reading.cgi?plan=straight&ver=NAS
Heartlight’s Straight Through Bible Study
for July 16, 2010, read July 16, 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 19,250+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

God in His Arms

Like so many others
coming to him
to repent of their sin
washing in the waters
as he lowered them in

Yet something different
amazing and humbling
not just anyone before him
in Christ coming to the river
God in his arms

Lowering Christ
under the waters
the Jordan covering him
temporarily in death
under the waves

Rising for the dove
the Spirit descending
John being an instrument
crying in the wilderness
washing our savior clean



July 17, 2010
Matthew 3:13-17
Romans 6:3-5
Isaiah 40:28-31 (Call to Worship)
Worship Theme: “Baptism, the First Sacrament”
and sermon, “Even Jesus Could not Do It Alone”
by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
July 18, 2010
Eighth Sunday after Pentecost

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 19,250+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

An Instrument of the Master

Each of us called
to be like John
an instrument of the master
serving as we can
to do his loving work



July 17, 2010
Matthew 3:13-17
Romans 6:3-5
Isaiah 40:28-31 (Call to Worship)
Worship Theme: “Baptism, the First Sacrament”
and sermon, “Even Jesus Could not Do It Alone”
by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
July 18, 2010
Eighth Sunday after Pentecost

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 19,250+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Serving the Master

Feeling so unworthy
knowing who he is
John in the water
not knowing what to do

Christ coming to him
to be baptized
but John knowing
this was the great I Am

Serving the master
that he could be washed
cleansed of the dust of the earth
the snares of this would

Preparing the savior
dying in those waters
rising to go to serve
following God’s plan for his life


July 17, 2010
Matthew 3:13-17
Romans 6:3-5
Isaiah 40:28-31 (Call to Worship)
Worship Theme: “Baptism, the First Sacrament”
and sermon, “Even Jesus Could not Do It Alone”
by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
July 18, 2010
Eighth Sunday after Pentecost

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 19,250+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Dying in Baptism

With Christ dying
falling into the pit
the depth calling
darkness consuming us

Dying with Christ in baptism
the waters, the grave
washed of our sins completely
with him we rise again



July 17, 2010
Matthew 3:13-17
Romans 6:3-5
Isaiah 40:28-31 (Call to Worship)
Worship Theme: “Baptism, the First Sacrament”
and sermon, “Even Jesus Could not Do It Alone”
by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
July 18, 2010
Eighth Sunday after Pentecost


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 19,250+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Freed, if We Believe

So much of our hesitation
our feeling trapped
bound in place
stuck in our misery
unable to move

Freed, if we believe
by the gift of our Father
the grace of our Savior
obedient, to the cross
setting us free
if only we believe



July 16, 2010
John 8:36
John 8:31-38
John 8:31-59
John 8:21-59
&
Upper Room Daily Reflections
“Not Locked In!”,
&
Upper Room Daily Devotional
http://www.upperroom.org/devotional/default.asp?month=7&day=12&year=2010
by Norma Newton
for July 16, 2010, read July 16, 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 19,250+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Reconciled on the Cross

Bringing the whole world
back to himself
reconciled with God
with the sacrifice on the cross

Infinite God,
the creator of all
Emptied of his divinity
walking the earth as a man

In his submission
that one sacrifice
our past washed away
righteous in the eyes of God
without blemish or stain.



July 16, 2010
Genesis 22:1-19
Abraham faithful in sacrificing
his first born son Isaac,
God providing substitute lamb;
Christ becoming the sacrificial lamb
with no substitution;
the pain of the Father on Good Friday
when his son died for us.
&
Hebrews 10:1-14
Christ was the one priest able to make
one sacrifice for all time
&
John 11:32-44
John 11:35
“Jesus wept” for his friend Lazarus,
though he knew he would rise
&
Jeremiah 31:15
Rachel crying for her children
who are no more
&
Colossians 1:15-20
Colossians 1:15-28
and
http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/description.asp?item_id=645177&whichBarItem=excerpt&category=&sub_category=
Upper Room Disciplines for 2010
for July 12, 2010 to July 18, 2010,
“Pursuing Righteousness”
by Steven J. Christopher
for July 16, 2010,
read July 16, 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 19,250+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

God Climbed the Cross – haiku

God climbed Calvary
to save us from all our sin
such pain for our God



July 17, 2010
Genesis 22:1-19
Abraham faithful in sacrificing
his first born son Isaac,
God providing substitute lamb;
Christ becoming the sacrificial lamb
with no substitution;
the pain of the Father on Good Friday
when his son died for us.
&
Hebrews 10:1-14
Christ was the one priest able to make
one sacrifice for all time
&
John 11:32-44
John 11:35
“Jesus wept” for his friend Lazarus,
though he knew he would rise
&
Jeremiah 31:15
Rachel crying for her children
who are no more
&
Colossians 1:15-20
Colossians 1:15-28
and
http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/description.asp?item_id=645177&whichBarItem=excerpt&category=&sub_category=
Upper Room Disciplines for 2010
for July 12, 2010 to July 18, 2010,
“Pursuing Righteousness”
by Steven J. Christopher
for July 16, 2010,
read July 16, 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 19,130+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Together in Him – haiku

All of God present
fully together in him
saving us by the cross



July 16, 2010
Genesis 22:1-19
Abraham faithful in sacrificing
his first born son Isaac,
God providing substitute lamb;
Christ becoming the sacrificial lamb
with no substitution;
the pain of the Father on Good Friday
when his son died for us.
&
Hebrews 10:1-14
Christ was the one priest able to make
one sacrifice for all time
&
John 11:32-44
John 11:35
“Jesus wept” for his friend Lazarus,
though he knew he would rise
&
Jeremiah 31:15
Rachel crying for her children
who are no more
&
Colossians 1:15-20
Colossians 1:15-28
and
http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/description.asp?item_id=645177&whichBarItem=excerpt&category=&sub_category=
Upper Room Disciplines for 2010
for July 12, 2010 to July 18, 2010,
“Pursuing Righteousness”
by Steven J. Christopher
for July 16, 2010,
read July 16, 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 19,250+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

God Alive – haiku

Before all, “I am”,
the Christ, the Son, incarnate
from heaven above



July 16, 2010
Genesis 22:1-19
Abraham faithful in sacrificing
his first born son Isaac,
God providing substitute lamb;
Christ becoming the sacrificial lamb
with no substitution;
the pain of the Father on Good Friday
when his son died for us.
&
Hebrews 10:1-14
Christ was the one priest able to make
one sacrifice for all time
&
John 11:32-44
John 11:35
“Jesus wept” for his friend Lazarus,
though he knew he would rise
&
Jeremiah 31:15
Rachel crying for her children
who are no more
&
Colossians 1:15-20
Colossians 1:15-28
and
http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/description.asp?item_id=645177&whichBarItem=excerpt&category=&sub_category=
Upper Room Disciplines for 2010
for July 12, 2010 to July 18, 2010,
“Pursuing Righteousness”
by Steven J. Christopher
for July 16, 2010,
read July 16, 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 19,130+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

God in Christ – haiku

All of God in Christ
though human fully divine
becoming the lamb



July 16, 2010
Genesis 22:1-19
Abraham faithful in sacrificing
his first born son Isaac,
God providing substitute lamb;
Christ becoming the sacrificial lamb
with no substitution;
the pain of the Father on Good Friday
when his son died for us.
&
Hebrews 10:1-14
Christ was the one priest able to make
one sacrifice for all time
&
John 11:32-44
John 11:35
“Jesus wept” for his friend Lazarus,
though he knew he would rise
&
Jeremiah 31:15
Rachel crying for her children
who are no more
&
Colossians 1:15-20
Colossians 1:15-28
and
http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/description.asp?item_id=645177&whichBarItem=excerpt&category=&sub_category=
Upper Room Disciplines for 2010
for July 12, 2010 to July 18, 2010,
“Pursuing Righteousness”
by Steven J. Christopher
for July 16, 2010,
read July 16, 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 19,130+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

The Tears of God – haiku

Tears of the Father
The Son going to the cross
darkness on Friday



July 16, 2010
Genesis 22:1-19
Abraham faithful in sacrificing
his first born son Isaac,
God providing substitute lamb;
Christ becoming the sacrificial lamb
with no substitution;
the pain of the Father on Good Friday
when his son died for us.
&
Hebrews 10:1-14
Christ was the one priest able to make
one sacrifice for all time
&
John 11:32-44
John 11:35
“Jesus wept” for his friend Lazarus,
though he knew he would rise
&
Jeremiah 31:15
Rachel crying for her children
who are no more
&
Colossians 1:15-20
Colossians 1:15-28
and
http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/description.asp?item_id=645177&whichBarItem=excerpt&category=&sub_category=
Upper Room Disciplines for 2010
for July 12, 2010 to July 18, 2010,
“Pursuing Righteousness”
by Steven J. Christopher
for July 16, 2010,
read July 16, 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 19,250+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Friday, July 16, 2010

Only as a Parent

Only as a father, a parent
can I even begin to comprehend,
what it must have been for the Father
to send his Son to die
to make him the sacrifice
the lamb carrying my sin
while I rebel constantly
living far from him

Going humbly,
the lamb, the servant of God,
though he was fully divine
with feet of clay going
dripping the blood, the stain
the pain of our wickedness
taken to his lips
God the father watching
as he was whipped, spit upon
as he climbed the rugged cross



July 16, 2010
Genesis 22:1-19
Abraham faithful in sacrificing
his first born son Isaac,
God providing substitute lamb;
Christ becoming the sacrificial lamb
with no substitution;
the pain of the Father on Good Friday
when his son died for us.
&
Hebrews 10:1-14
Christ was the one priest able to make
one sacrifice for all time
&
John 11:32-44
John 11:35
“Jesus wept” for his friend Lazarus,
though he knew he would rise
&
Jeremiah 31:15
Rachel crying for her children
who are no more
&
Colossians 1:15-20
Colossians 1:15-28
and
http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/description.asp?item_id=645177&whichBarItem=excerpt&category=&sub_category=
Upper Room Disciplines for 2010
for July 12, 2010 to July 18, 2010,
“Pursuing Righteousness”
by Steven J. Christopher
for July 16, 2010,
read July 16, 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 19,130+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

They Died

Not the Christ alone
in the Godhead sorrow
choosing the way of the cross
going to Calvary

All of the trinity there
from before the beginning of time
descending as a man
knowing he would die

All of God going
walking to Jerusalem
returning to the place of his name
dying there as a man

The sweet hosannas faded
the crack of the whip instead
because of our rebellion, our sin
God became the lamb

They died there on the rugged cross
the God, three in one,
suffering because of his love
bringing us back to them



July 16, 2010
Genesis 22:1-19
Abraham faithful in sacrificing
his first born son Isaac,
God providing substitute lamb;
Christ becoming the sacrificial lamb
with no substitution;
the pain of the Father on Good Friday
when his son died for us.
&
Hebrews 10:1-14
Christ was the one priest able to make
one sacrifice for all time
&
John 11:32-44
John 11:35
“Jesus wept” for his friend Lazarus,
though he knew he would rise
&
Jeremiah 31:15
Rachel crying for her children
who are no more
&
Colossians 1:15-20
Colossians 1:15-28
and
http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/description.asp?item_id=645177&whichBarItem=excerpt&category=&sub_category=
Upper Room Disciplines for 2010
for July 12, 2010 to July 18, 2010,
“Pursuing Righteousness”
by Steven J. Christopher
for July 16, 2010,
read July 16, 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 19,250+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Descending to Suffer

No matter the knowledge
the wisdom of the story
the plan of God redeeming us
rising on the third day

God, in Christ incarnate,
descending from heaven
to suffer as a servant
to die on the rugged cross

Every step meaningful
for he knew his fate
God the father sending him
to become the sacrifice

The pain of the Godhead
knowing we are yet in sin
so much of the world turning from him
in this time, even still

The sorrow of that Good Friday
when God died as a man
the humble stuff of clay
going to the grave



July 16, 2010
Genesis 22:1-19
Abraham faithful in sacrificing
his first born son Isaac,
God providing substitute lamb;
Christ becoming the sacrificial lamb
with no substitution;
the pain of the Father on Good Friday
when his son died for us.
&
Hebrews 10:1-14
Christ was the one priest able to make
one sacrifice for all time
&
John 11:32-44
John 11:35
“Jesus wept” for his friend Lazarus,
though he knew he would rise
&
Jeremiah 31:15
Rachel crying for her children
who are no more
&
Colossians 1:15-20
Colossians 1:15-28
and
http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/description.asp?item_id=645177&whichBarItem=excerpt&category=&sub_category=
Upper Room Disciplines for 2010
for July 12, 2010 to July 18, 2010,
“Pursuing Righteousness”
by Steven J. Christopher
for July 16, 2010,
read July 16, 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 19,250+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Walking into Suffering

Christ, God, aware
conscious with each step
the walk of his life
leading to Jerusalem
to Gethsemane,
to Calvary
God walking purposely
humbly, out of love,
as a servant
grace poured out on us
walking into suffering
dying on the cross for me



July 16, 2010
Genesis 22:1-19
Abraham faithful in sacrificing
his first born son Isaac,
God providing substitute lamb;
Christ becoming the sacrificial lamb
with no substitution;
the pain of the Father on Good Friday
when his son died for us.
&
Hebrews 10:1-14
Christ was the one priest able to make
one sacrifice for all time
&
John 11:32-44
John 11:35
“Jesus wept” for his friend Lazarus,
though he knew he would rise
&
Jeremiah 31:15
Rachel crying for her children
who are no more
&
Colossians 1:15-20
Colossians 1:15-28
and
http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/description.asp?item_id=645177&whichBarItem=excerpt&category=&sub_category=
Upper Room Disciplines for 2010
for July 12, 2010 to July 18, 2010,
“Pursuing Righteousness”
by Steven J. Christopher
for July 16, 2010,
read July 16, 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 19,130+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

In Human Flesh Dying

God coming
descending from above
walking the earth
that we would know his love

In human flesh dying
the son becoming the lamb
the sacrifice for us
that we would live again



July 16, 2010
Genesis 22:1-19
Abraham faithful in sacrificing
his first born son Isaac,
God providing substitute lamb;
Christ becoming the sacrificial lamb
with no substitution;
the pain of the Father on Good Friday
when his son died for us.
&
Hebrews 10:1-14
Christ was the one priest able to make
one sacrifice for all time
&
John 11:32-44
John 11:35
“Jesus wept” for his friend Lazarus,
though he knew he would rise
&
Jeremiah 31:15
Rachel crying for her children
who are no more
&
Colossians 1:15-20
Colossians 1:15-28
and
http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/description.asp?item_id=645177&whichBarItem=excerpt&category=&sub_category=
Upper Room Disciplines for 2010
for July 12, 2010 to July 18, 2010,
“Pursuing Righteousness”
by Steven J. Christopher
for July 16, 2010,
read July 16, 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 19,130+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Words Overflowing

On December 17, 2009, I made a decision to pursue my poetry more actively, because I felt I have been gifted by God with these words, which needed to be shared. At that time, I had posted 5,305 poems to my blog, Poetry Where You Live, http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com. In the 7 months before 12/17/09, I had written 1,286 poems. That large output was part of what led to that decision at that time.

In the seven months since 12/17/09, I have written 2,711 more poems, or more than double the amount of the prior seven months. I now have more than 8,015 poems and more than 2,500 in the last 6 months.

I don’t know what God has in store for me, or how my continuing and growing gift fits into God’s plan for my life and my vocation; but I thank God and praise the creator, our savior, and the guiding Spirit for helping me grow in this season and for the joy and encouragement these words have given to me and to others, all around the world.


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 19,250+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

The Mantle of the Lamb

The Godhead, the divine
emptying out himself
his true nature removed
becoming one of us

Walking the earth
to spread the message of love
the grace of God
brought down to the earth

Because we would not listen
heed his holy word
listening to the winds
the message of the world

Putting on the mantle
the clothing of the lamb
dressed for sacrifice
the cup to his lips

God weeping for what must be done
the hands of all sinners
transferring our stain
to the head of the Son

Climbing the cross
the hill of Calvary
humbly submitting
to the shame of the tree

God crying, the pain so great
the creator of heaven
dying on the earth
because of his love for you and me



July 16, 2010
Genesis 22:1-19
Abraham faithful in sacrificing
his first born son Isaac,
God providing substitute lamb;
Christ becoming the sacrificial lamb
with no substitution;
the pain of the Father on Good Friday
when his son died for us.
&
Hebrews 10:1-14
Christ was the one priest able to make
one sacrifice for all time
&
John 11:32-44
John 11:35
“Jesus wept” for his friend Lazarus,
though he knew he would rise
&
Jeremiah 31:15
Rachel crying for her children
who are no more
&
Colossians 1:15-20
Colossians 1:15-28
and
http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/description.asp?item_id=645177&whichBarItem=excerpt&category=&sub_category=
Upper Room Disciplines for 2010
for July 12, 2010 to July 18, 2010,
“Pursuing Righteousness”
by Steven J. Christopher
for July 16, 2010,
read July 16, 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 19,130+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

God Filling Himself

God, Father and Son
filling himself with our sorrow
the with the stain of our sin

The stuff of heaven emptied
God poured out
the holy essence of heaven
replaced with the stuff of earth

The Godhead dying
going to the cross for us
in dying with him
we may have eternal life



July 16, 2010
Genesis 22:1-19
Abraham faithful in sacrificing
his first born son Isaac,
God providing substitute lamb;
Christ becoming the sacrificial lamb
with no substitution;
the pain of the Father on Good Friday
when his son died for us.
&
Hebrews 10:1-14
Christ was the one priest able to make
one sacrifice for all time
&
John 11:32-44
John 11:35
“Jesus wept” for his friend Lazarus,
though he knew he would rise
&
Jeremiah 31:15
Rachel crying for her children
who are no more
&
Colossians 1:15-20
Colossians 1:15-28
and
http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/description.asp?item_id=645177&whichBarItem=excerpt&category=&sub_category=
Upper Room Disciplines for 2010
for July 12, 2010 to July 18, 2010,
“Pursuing Righteousness”
by Steven J. Christopher
for July 16, 2010,
read July 16, 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 19,130+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

The Creator Choosing to Die

The descending of the Son
God walking the earth
the Creator choosing to die
that we would have heavenly birth

Sacrificing himself
to reconcile us to God
the Savior, the lamb
the living son of God

One and the same
the Father and the Son
going the way of the cross
becoming the sacrifice

Crying in heaven
in the courts of the Lord
the Father weeping
for the terrible cost

God dying, humble
before he would rise again
weeping in heaven
for the sins of man.



July 16, 2010
Genesis 22:1-19
Abraham faithful in sacrificing
his first born son Isaac,
God providing substitute lamb;
Christ becoming the sacrificial lamb
with no substitution;
the pain of the Father on Good Friday
when his son died for us.
&
Hebrews 10:1-14
Christ was the one priest able to make
one sacrifice for all time
&
John 11:32-44
John 11:35
“Jesus wept” for his friend Lazarus,
though he knew he would rise
&
Jeremiah 31:15
Rachel crying for her children
who are no more
&
Colossians 1:15-20
Colossians 1:15-28
and
http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/description.asp?item_id=645177&whichBarItem=excerpt&category=&sub_category=
Upper Room Disciplines for 2010
for July 12, 2010 to July 18, 2010,
“Pursuing Righteousness”
by Steven J. Christopher
for July , 2010,
read July 12, 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 19,130+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

No longer a slave

In turning to God
acting on our faith
our belief in the risen Lord
grace upon grace

No longer a slave
in the world
a servant of God
by our own choosing
the prisoners freed of servitude

Free to take on the yoke of our brother
serving in the fields of the kingdom
tending the garden
planting, feeding,
weeding in our time

For that bright future,
planting, tending
sowing your seeds of love
for that bright future
when the reaper comes.



July 16, 2010
Philemon 16
Philemon 12-16
Philemon 8-21
&
Day 297, “From Slave to Sonship”, 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 July 16, 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 19,250+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

To nourish my soul

Not for my body
the stuff of earth, my clay
your law, your decrees,
your precepts speaking to me

The word of old
written down
to nourish my soul
my spirit needing thee

Feed me Lord
that I might be
ever more faithful
righteous indeed



July 16, 2010
working in our vegetable garden
July 15, 2010
&
Psalms 119:41-96
http://www.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/reading.cgi?plan=straight&ver=NAS
Heartlight’s Straight Through Bible Study
for July 16, 2010, read July 16, 2010
&
Galatians 6:7-16
Galatians 6:1-16
and
http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/description.asp?item_id=645177&whichBarItem=excerpt&category=&sub_category=
Upper Room Disciplines for 2010
for June 28, 2010 to July 4, 2010,
“Doing the Right Thing”
by Chip Hale
for July 2, 2010
read July 2, 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 19,250+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Feeding My Garden

Your word, your law
your love revealing
feeding the garden
growing in my heart
the seeds planted
into the soil
fed by your word
your truth for me
that I may learn
growing in obedience
more faithfully walking
with you almighty God



July 16, 2010
working in our vegetable garden
July 15, 2010
&
Psalms 119:41-96
http://www.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/reading.cgi?plan=straight&ver=NAS
Heartlight’s Straight Through Bible Study
for July 16, 2010, read July 16, 2010
&
Galatians 6:7-16
Galatians 6:1-16
and
http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/description.asp?item_id=645177&whichBarItem=excerpt&category=&sub_category=
Upper Room Disciplines for 2010
for June 28, 2010 to July 4, 2010,
“Doing the Right Thing”
by Chip Hale
for July 2, 2010
read July 2, 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 19,250+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Tears of Grace

The scene in heaven
in God’s holy courts
water flowing
showering down on us

Tears of Grace
in our Savior’s suffering
the pain of our Father
in putting the Son to death

Letting the evil
the hands of men upon him
nailing him to the cross
the lamb upon the tree

Tears of Grace
pouring out richly
loving us enough
to sacrifice for all mankind
though we are yet full of sin.



July 16, 2010
Genesis 22:1-19
Abraham faithful in sacrificing
his first born son Isaac,
God providing substitute lamb;
Christ becoming the sacrificial lamb
with no substitution;
the pain of the Father on Good Friday
when his son died for us.
&
Hebrews 10:1-14
Christ was the one priest able to make
one sacrifice for all time
&
John 11:32-44
John 11:35
“Jesus wept” for his friend Lazarus,
though he knew he would rise
&
Jeremiah 31:15
Rachel crying for her children
who are no more
&
Luke 22:39-46
Garden of Gethsemane

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 19,130+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Causing Their Pain

Their pain, their suffering
the grieving of God
of the father, of the son
before his coming
our disobedience in the Garden
our inability
to be faithful to the law

God’s decision
to send the son
the word becoming flesh
to walk with you and me
humble, in service
showing love, God, alive
to the people of Galilee

The Father sacrificing
the Son, the holy lamb
the son obedient to the master’s plan
climbing the tree
our sins upon his head
suffering and dying
that we may live again



July 15, 2010
Genesis 22:1-19
Abraham faithful in sacrificing
his first born son Isaac,
God providing substitute lamb;
Christ becoming the sacrificial lamb
with no substitution;
the pain of the Father on Good Friday
when his son died for us.
&
Hebrews 10:1-14
Christ was the one priest able to make
one sacrifice for all time
&
John 11:32-44
John 11:35
“Jesus wept” for his friend Lazarus,
though he knew he would rise
&
Jeremiah 31:15
Rachel crying for her children
who are no more
&
Luke 22:39-46
Garden of Gethsemane

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 19,130+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Causing Them Pain

Our sins, our disobedience
our feet of clay,
unable to live
by the law of God
faithful to him
as he is faithful to us

For this we are guilty
causing them pain
the fateful decision
the grace of God
the son descending
coming to earth
as a humble man

Baptized into service
walking the land
showing God to all
turning, going
to Jerusalem to die
faithful to God’s call
proclaimed from on high.



July 16, 2010
Genesis 22:1-19
Abraham faithful in sacrificing
his first born son Isaac,
God providing substitute lamb;
Christ becoming the sacrificial lamb
with no substitution;
the pain of the Father on Good Friday
when his son died for us.
&
Hebrews 10:1-14
Christ was the one priest able to make
one sacrifice for all time
&
John 11:32-44
John 11:35
“Jesus wept” for his friend Lazarus,
though he knew he would rise
&
Jeremiah 31:15
Rachel crying for her children
who are no more
&
Luke 22:39-46
Garden of Gethsemane


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 21,000+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

The Cup Given

Christ asking in the garden
that a change was possible
the cup would not be given
taken to his lips
somehow this destiny
would pass him by
yet obedient to God’s will
the unblemished lamb of God
taking on our stain

God, the creator,
our loving father
sending his son
descended from heaven
telling us of the father
the true nature of God
his love for us ever
though we sinned against him

The cup given, to the son
that act of grace incredible
faithful to us
while we yet rebel against him
the lamb suffering
that we would be free
maybe God turning
the darkness of Friday
the sorrow of God
more than he could bear



July 15, 2010
Genesis 22:1-19
Abraham faithful in sacrificing
his first born son Isaac,
God providing substitute lamb;
Christ becoming the sacrificial lamb
with no substitution;
the pain of the Father on Good Friday
when his son died for us.
&
Hebrews 10:1-14
Christ was the one priest able to make
one sacrifice for all time
&
John 11:32-44
John 11:35
“Jesus wept” for his friend Lazarus,
though he knew he would rise
&
Jeremiah 31:15
Rachel crying for her children
who are no more
&
Luke 22:39-46
Garden of Gethsemane

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 19,130+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Facing God’s Pain

We, if we were honest,
believing in the humanity of Christ
the power of God, eternal, infinite
thinking about God
on that day at Calvary
as we stand at the foot of his cross
the child, his son,
becoming our sacrifice
our hands on his head
transferring our sin
the stain flowing over him
that cup he drank in Gethsemane
taking on our suffering

Facing God’s pain
as that loving father,
that singular parents
who birthed all creation
by his word, his hands
molding us, each one still
crying for us when we falter
when we turn from him
His only begotten son
the Christ, the word become flesh
becoming the sacrifice
God dying on the cross
crying in heaven
for our disobedience
the judgment upon Christ
the awful cost, yet
making us whole again



July 15, 2010
Genesis 22:1-19
Abraham faithful in sacrificing
his first born son Isaac,
God providing substitute lamb;
Christ becoming the sacrificial lamb
with no substitution;
the pain of the Father on Good Friday
when his son died for us.
&
Hebrews 10:1-14
Christ was the one priest able to make
one sacrifice for all time
&
John 11:32-44
John 11:35
“Jesus wept” for his friend Lazarus,
though he knew he would rise
&
Jeremiah 31:15
Rachel crying for her children
who are no more

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 19,250+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Sharing the Verb of God

Nothing so cute as our church
the people of the faith
all of us children of God
sharing the message
but not in static words
in the life of Christ
those who proceeded
those who follow
all of us claiming
part of the divine work

Sharing the verb of God
in loving us so much
sending Christ to the earth
taking up his cross
descended from on high
from the water rising
commissioned by the dove
following the Spirit’s guiding

Faithful in his walking
working for the kingdom
offering lessons, healing
setting the prisoners free
all of us a legacy
the birthing of the faithful
the rising of Christ
and the flames of Pentecost
going as we were sent
walking on the water
sharing the verb of God
wherever we may go



July 15, 2010
Isaiah 43:18-21
Genesis 1:1-2:4
(read responsively by the congregation,
speaking the words of God)
John 13:34-35 (Call to Worship)
Worship Theme: “Church is a verb, not a noun.”
and sermon, “Changing the Dictionary, Changing Lives”
by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
July 11, 2010
Seventh Sunday after Pentecost
&
There seem to be many variations to this main quote by R. Buckminster Fuller
Here are some of them that I have found:
“God is a verb, not a noun proper or improper.”
“God is a verb, not a noun.”
“God is a verb.”
“God, to me, it seems, is a verb not a noun, proper or improper.”
“Here is God's purpose - for God, to me, it seems, is a verb not a noun, proper or improper.”
“I live on Earth at present, and I don't know what I am. I know that I am not a category. I am not a thing — a noun. I seem to be a verb, an evolutionary process — an integral function of the universe.” R Buckminster Fuller, from, “I Seem to Be a Verb” (1970)
“God is a Verb”, By R. Buckminster Fuller, in Whole Earth Catalog”, Fall 1968


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 19,250+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Seeds of Hope

Seeds of hope
each act of love
planted
reaping God’s harvest
grace revealed
guiding our feet



July 15, 2010
Galatians 6:7-16
Galatians 6:1-16
and
http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/description.asp?item_id=645177&whichBarItem=excerpt&category=&sub_category=
Upper Room Disciplines for 2010
for June 28, 2010 to July 4, 2010,
“Doing the Right Thing”
by Chip Hale
for July 2, 2010
read July 2, 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 19,270+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Praying for Abba

Our father’s suffering
in the dying of the son
the lamb of God
descended
to the cross, to the grave

Praying for Abba
crying out with him
the suffering of our master
sacrificing our brother
to heal our sin, our death
to raise us with him
dying with him on the cross


July 15, 2010
Genesis 22:1-19
Abraham faithful in sacrificing
his first born son Isaac,
God providing substitute lamb;
Christ becoming the sacrificial lamb
with no substitution;
the pain of the Father on Good Friday
when his son died for us.
&
Hebrews 10:1-14
Christ was the one priest able to make
one sacrifice for all time
&
John 11:32-44
John 11:35
“Jesus wept” for his friend Lazarus,
though he knew he would rise
&
Jeremiah 31:15
Rachel crying for her children
who are no more


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 19,270+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Tears for Our Father

Why he had to die
the son of the most high God
because of our rebellion
Our willfulness
turning from him
as a people
and one by one

Tears for our Father
our God and our king
for that day on Calvary
when Christ died for our sin
redeeming us, at such a cost
that we may live with him
for all eternity



July 15, 2010
Genesis 22:1-19
Abraham faithful in sacrificing
his first born son Isaac,
God providing substitute lamb;
Christ becoming the sacrificial lamb
with no substitution;
the pain of the Father on Good Friday
when his son died for us.
&
Hebrews 10:1-14
Christ was the one priest able to make
one sacrifice for all time
&
John 11:32-44
John 11:35
“Jesus wept” for his friend Lazarus,
though he knew he would rise
&
Jeremiah 31:15
Rachel crying for her children
who are no more


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 19,270+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Tears of the Father

That He died on the cross
God descended from heaven
the son of the creator
crying in the highest heavens

Darkness on that day
God looking away
unable to watch
as his son died on the cross

Tears of the Father
love pouring down on us
grace for the nations
all humanity



July 15, 2010
Genesis 22:1-19
Abraham faithful in sacrificing
his first born son Isaac,
God providing substitute lamb;
Christ becoming the sacrificial lamb
with no substitution;
the pain of the Father on Good Friday
when his son died for us.
&
Hebrews 10:1-14
Christ was the one priest able to make
one sacrifice for all time
&
John 11:32-44
John 11:35
“Jesus wept” for his friend Lazarus,
though he knew he would rise
&
Jeremiah 31:15
Rachel crying for her children
who are no more


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 19,270+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Unlike Isaac

The cup remaining
taken to his lips
the stain of our rebellion
turning him crimson
ready for the cross

Unlike Isaac
no reprieve for Christ
this father knowing
the ultimate sacrifice

His son dying
in his faithfulness
both father and son knowing
the death upon the cross



July 15, 2010
Genesis 22:1-19
Abraham faithful in sacrificing
his first born son Isaac,
God providing substitute lamb;
Christ becoming the sacrificial lamb
with no substitution;
the pain of the Father on Good Friday
when his son died for us.
&
Hebrews 10:1-14
Christ was the one priest able to make
one sacrifice for all time
&
John 11:32-44
John 11:35
“Jesus wept” for his friend Lazarus,
though he knew he would rise
&
Jeremiah 31:15
Rachel crying for her children
who are no more


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 19,140+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

For His Son

Tears of the master
the creator in heaven
the submission of Christ
humbly to God’s plan

Faithfully walking
doing what was foretold
fulfilling all prophecy
staying on the path

Darkness over the land
the sorrow of the master
crying for his son
hanging on the tree

Though God knew
Christ would rise
still on that day
the pain of the father
written across the sky



July 15, 2010
Genesis 22:1-19
Abraham faithful in sacrificing
his first born son Isaac,
God providing substitute lamb;
Christ becoming the sacrificial lamb
with no substitution;
the pain of the Father on Good Friday
when his son died for us.
&
Hebrews 10:1-14
Christ was the one priest able to make
one sacrifice for all time
&
John 11:32-44
John 11:35
“Jesus wept” for his friend Lazarus,
though he knew he would rise
&
Jeremiah 31:15
Rachel crying for her children
who are no more


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 19,270+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Unlike Abraham

No angel to spare him
no lamb to sacrifice
unlike Abraham
God paid that price

Sacrificing his son
the unblemished lamb
painted with our stain, our sin
offering himself for us

God suffering instead
the parent of the one
who came to cleanse the earth
to heal us once again



July 15, 2010
Genesis 22:1-19
Abraham faithful in sacrificing
his first born son Isaac,
God providing substitute lamb;
Christ becoming the sacrificial lamb
with no substitution;
the pain of the Father on Good Friday
when his son died for us.
&
Hebrews 10:1-14
Christ was the one priest able to make
one sacrifice for all time
&
John 11:32-44
John 11:35
“Jesus wept” for his friend Lazarus,
though he knew he would rise
&
Jeremiah 31:15
Rachel crying for her children
who are no more

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 19,140+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

As for Lazarus

As Jesus cried for Lazarus
how much more
did God cry for the death
the atoning sacrifice
of Christ for our sins

The high priest crying
tears in heaven
the one priest sacrificing
himself on the altar
dying that we may live



July 15, 2010
Genesis 22:1-19
Abraham faithful in sacrificing
his first born son Isaac,
God providing substitute lamb;
Christ becoming the sacrificial lamb
with no substitution;
the pain of the Father on Good Friday
when his son died for us.
&
Hebrews 10:1-14
Christ was the one priest able to make
one sacrifice for all time
&
John 11:32-44
John 11:35
“Jesus wept” for his friend Lazarus,
though he knew he would rise
&
Jeremiah 31:15
Rachel crying for her children
who are no more

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 19,140+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Grieving the Creator

The sacrifice of Christ
in that moment real
the descent from heaven
going to the cross for us

Grieving the creator
our sin a stain
marking us ever
separated from God

In his sacrifice
dying for us to atone
paying the wages of our sin
dying that we may live

God in his sorrow
the darkness of Good Friday
weeping for the son
going to the grave for us



July 15, 2010
Genesis 22:1-19
Abraham faithful in sacrificing
his first born son Isaac,
God providing substitute lamb;
Christ becoming the sacrificial lamb
with no substitution;
the pain of the Father on Good Friday
when his son died for us.
&
Hebrews 10:1-14
Christ was the one priest able to make
one sacrifice for all time
&
John 11:32-44
John 11:35
“Jesus wept” for his friend Lazarus,
though he knew he would rise
&
Jeremiah 31:15
Rachel crying for her children
who are no more


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 19,270+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

To Atone for Me

God as the Father
and Christ as the son
each of them suffering
that day on the cross

God in his heaven
and Christ in his pain
each in some sense
atoning for me
paying the price
I could not pay



July 15, 2010
Genesis 22:1-19
Abraham faithful in sacrificing
his first born son Isaac,
God providing substitute lamb;
Christ becoming the sacrificial lamb
with no substitution;
the pain of the Father on Good Friday
when his son died for us.
&
Hebrews 10:1-14
Christ was the one priest able to make
one sacrifice for all time
&
John 11:32-44
John 11:35
“Jesus wept” for his friend Lazarus,
though he knew he would rise
&
Jeremiah 31:15
Rachel crying for her children
who are no more

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 19,270+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

God Wept

Like Mary and Martha
like Rachel for her children
like Christ weeping for Lazarus
God wept for Christ

His sacrifice infinity
God descending to Sheol
the lamb going to the cross
that we may live again

Though God knew of his rising
like Jesus with Lazarus
the pain too deep to imagine
for the sins of another
putting your child to death



July 15, 2010
Genesis 22:1-19
Abraham faithful in sacrificing
his first born son Isaac,
God providing substitute lamb;
Christ becoming the sacrificial lamb
with no substitution;
the pain of the Father on Good Friday
when his son died for us.
&
Hebrews 10:1-14
Christ was the one priest able to make
one sacrifice for all time
&
John 11:32-44
John 11:35
“Jesus wept” for his friend Lazarus,
though he knew he would rise
&
Jeremiah 31:15
Rachel crying for her children
who are no more


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 19,270+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Crying with God

My prayer for this year
now long after Pentecost
remembering his grieving
when the son went to the cross

Thinking of our daughters
how we feel when they are in pain
unimaginable that he came
God allowing his son to die
to go to the cross for me

Crying with God
especially next year in the passion
when the lamb of God descended
and climbed the rugged cross

Thinking of that moment
on what we call Good Friday
the tears up in heaven
that must have been shed that day



July 15, 2010
Genesis 22:1-19
Abraham faithful in sacrificing
his first born son Isaac,
God providing substitute lamb;
Christ becoming the sacrificial lamb
with no substitution;
the pain of the Father on Good Friday
when his son died for us.
&
Hebrews 10:1-14
Christ was the one priest able to make
one sacrifice for all time
&
John 11:32-44
John 11:35
“Jesus wept” for his friend Lazarus,
though he knew he would rise
&
Jeremiah 31:15
Rachel crying for her children
who are no more

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 19,140+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Crying for God

Talking about seeing that day
from the other side of heaven
crying for God
for the pain he must have felt

So many other scriptures
telling of his grieving
when the people straying
when the sheep were lost
when we turned away

But in those moments
in the middle of Christ’s passion
do we stop to ponder
the pain of the Father?

Crying for God
for the pain we caused him
our utter defiance
his sacrifice of love
sending his child to the cross



July 15, 2010
Genesis 22:1-19
Abraham faithful in sacrificing
his first born son Isaac,
God providing substitute lamb;
Christ becoming the sacrificial lamb
with no substitution;
the pain of the Father on Good Friday
when his son died for us.
&
Hebrews 10:1-14
Christ was the one priest able to make
one sacrifice for all time
&
John 11:32-44
John 11:35
“Jesus wept” for his friend Lazarus,
though he knew he would rise
&
Jeremiah 31:15
Rachel crying for her children
who are no more


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 19,140+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

The Cries of God

The cries of God in heaven
on that fateful afternoon
the darkness of Good Friday
as his son hang dying
in the crimson of our sin

Tears too many
more than we could count
the darkness of the heavens
the earthquake in his dying
not songs on that day

Our focus on the savior
on our pain in his suffering
on taking on our sin
that we would live again
when we should die in his place

Needing to remember
to be mindful of the parent
who loved us enough
that he sent his son, though he was holy,
to die the sinner’s death


July 15, 2010
Genesis 22:1-19
Abraham faithful in sacrificing
his first born son Isaac,
God providing substitute lamb;
Christ becoming the sacrificial lamb
with no substitution;
the pain of the Father on Good Friday
when his son died for us.
&
Hebrews 10:1-14
Christ was the one priest able to make
one sacrifice for all time
&
John 11:32-44
John 11:35
“Jesus wept” for his friend Lazarus,
though he knew he would rise
&
Jeremiah 31:15
Rachel crying for her children
who are no more


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 19,140+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Like Rachel Weeping

Because he was no more
though he knew his rising
the depth of the pain
of the creator in that moment

We had seen it before
when Christ wept for Lazarus
though he knew of his victory
raising him from the dead

How there must have been crying
agony in that moment
when he breathed his last
saying it was finished

God must have been hurting
like Rachel weeping
crying because his son was no more
buried in the dark ground



July 15, 2010
Genesis 22:1-19
Abraham faithful in sacrificing
his first born son Isaac,
God providing substitute lamb;
Christ becoming the sacrificial lamb
with no substitution;
the pain of the Father on Good Friday
when his son died for us.
&
Hebrews 10:1-14
Christ was the one priest able to make
one sacrifice for all time
&
John 11:32-44
John 11:35
“Jesus wept” for his friend Lazarus,
though he knew he would rise
&
Jeremiah 31:15
Rachel crying for her children
who are no more

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 19,140+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Killing His Son

Through the hands of men
not his hand on the knife
the lamb the sacrifice
God killing his son

The unblemished lamb
the holy only son
carrying our stain
becoming the sacrifice

Such a moment, unimaginable
giving his life for ours
bringing us back to life
through his loving sacrifice



July 15, 2010
Genesis 22:1-19
Abraham faithful in sacrificing
his first born son Isaac,
God providing substitute lamb;
Christ becoming the sacrificial lamb
with no substitution;
the pain of the Father on Good Friday
when his son died for us.
&
Hebrews 10:1-14
Christ was the one priest able to make
one sacrifice for all time
&
John 11:32-44
John 11:35
“Jesus wept” for his friend Lazarus,
though he knew he would rise
&
Jeremiah 31:15
Rachel crying for her children
who are no more


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 19,140+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Crying on Friday

The tears, the living waters
the love of God
his pain in this moment
more than unbearable
the darkness descending
as Christ became the sacrifice

God descended as the son
yet in heaven as the father
crying on that Friday
for our disobedience
for the lamb upon the cross
tears in heaven
in his pain and suffering

Grace in that moment
if we did not otherwise believe
hope for life eternal
for all who would believe
but ever to be mindful
of what God did that day
sacrificing his loved one
that we would live today



July 15, 2010
Genesis 22:1-19
Abraham faithful in sacrificing
his first born son Isaac,
God providing substitute lamb;
Christ becoming the sacrificial lamb
with no substitution;
the pain of the Father on Good Friday
when his son died for us.
&
Hebrews 10:1-14
Christ was the one priest able to make
one sacrifice for all time
&
John 11:32-44
John 11:35
“Jesus wept” for his friend Lazarus,
though he knew he would rise
&
Jeremiah 31:15
Rachel crying for her children
who are no more


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 19,270+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Like Abraham Faithful

A holy example
of Abraham on the mountain
taking Isaac
as he was commanded
preparing to sacrifice
his only son

Like Abraham faithful
God sending the son
down from heaven
to walk the land
to go to Calvary
prepared to sacrifice
his son for you and me



July 15, 2010
Genesis 22:1-19
Abraham faithful in sacrificing
his first born son Isaac,
God providing substitute lamb;
Christ becoming the sacrificial lamb
with no substitution;
the pain of the Father on Good Friday
when his son died for us.
&
Hebrews 10:1-14
Christ was the one priest able to make
one sacrifice for all time
&
John 11:32-44
John 11:35
“Jesus wept” for his friend Lazarus,
though he knew he would rise
&
Jeremiah 31:15
Rachel crying for her children
who are no more



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 19,270+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

The Sacrifice of the Father

Letting the son
descend from heaven
knowing the fate
of his only son

The sacrifice of the father
what tears there must be
in the hearts of the creator
for what had to be

The world unable
with our feet of clay
the rebellion of creation
needing to be saved

The sacrifice of the father
on that judgment day
Christ climbing the cross
so we need to pray

On each Good Friday
may we remember
the pain of our father
crying for his son

No love greater
knowing his suffering
letting him die for us
that we may live



July 15, 2010
Genesis 22:1-19
Abraham faithful in sacrificing
his first born son Isaac,
God providing substitute lamb;
Christ becoming the sacrificial lamb
with no substitution;
the pain of the Father on Good Friday
when his son died for us.
&
Hebrews 10:1-14
Christ was the one priest able to make
one sacrifice for all time
&
John 11:32-44
John 11:35
“Jesus wept” for his friend Lazarus,
though he knew he would rise
&
Jeremiah 31:15
Rachel crying for her children
who are no more


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 19,270+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Remembering Our Father

When we sorrow
when we grieve for our savior
the death of Christ
hanging on the cross

Remembering our father
who, like Abraham,
sacrificing his only son
that we would live

Our sorrow nothing
as that of heaven
tears of the creator
for the word who have to die



July 15, 2010
Genesis 22:1-19
Abraham faithful in sacrificing
his first born son Isaac,
God providing substitute lamb;
Christ becoming the sacrificial lamb
with no substitution;
the pain of the Father on Good Friday
when his son died for us.
&
Hebrews 10:1-14
Christ was the one priest able to make
one sacrifice for all time
&
John 11:32-44
John 11:35
“Jesus wept” for his friend Lazarus,
though he knew he would rise
&
Jeremiah 31:15
Rachel crying for her children
who are no more


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 19,140+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

While We Wait - 2

A calling to live right
in our walk upon the earth
while we wait for Christ
to come in victory

Our hope in him
the promise of the ages
not as the babe in the manger
but our king of heaven

Living in the present age
not living of the world
following Christ’s command
picking up our cross

Not sitting idle
but doing our part
the work of salvation
in Christ is the start.



July 15, 2010
Titus 2:13
Titus 2:13-14
Titus 2:11-14
&
Day 296, “The Blessed Hope”, 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 July 15, 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 19,140+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Remembering We are Children

God’s mercy endless
his compassion
more than we can comprehend
that we would ever praise him
our loving God and king

Remembering we are children
that we are made of dust
God staying our judgment
even when we appear lost

Always heaping grace
pouring love upon us
his mercy endless
for this we sing God’s praise


July 15, 2010
Psalm 103:1-14
Psalm 103:13-14
&
Upper Room Daily Devotional
http://www.upperroom.org/devotional/default.asp?month=7&day=15&year=2010
for July 15, 2010, read July 15, 2010
“God’s Love”,
by Mike Macdonald

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 19,140+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Under the Stone of the Lintel

The capstone of the gate
under the stone of the lintel
the rejected one of the nations
a light unto my feet

The holy people
the son who was condemned
the gate to salvation
of let me enter in.


July 15, 2010
Psalm 118:19-22
&
Psalms 118:10-119:40
Matthew 21:42
Mark 12:10-11
Luke 20:17
Acts 4:11
Ephesians 2:20
1 Peter 2:7
http://www.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/reading.cgi?plan=straight&ver=NAS
Heartlight’s Straight Through Bible Study
for July 15, 2010, read July 15, 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 19,140+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

A Chastening Word

That we would live out his law
the commands of our creator
the law our savior told us
acting out of love
revealed in his life
the lamb before us
told to do the same
that we would truly live

A chastening word
now as then
looking at our lives in that ledger
where we have been faithful
and where we have strayed from the path

Seeking your guiding
leading us back to you Lord
more faithful in our journey
righteousness being our watchword
his Spirit showing the way


July 15, 2010
Psalm 15:3-5
Psalm 15:1-5
and
http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/description.asp?item_id=645177&whichBarItem=excerpt&category=&sub_category=
Upper Room Disciplines for 2010
for July 12, 2010 to July 18, 2010,
“Pursuing Righteousness”
by Steven J. Christopher
for July 15, 2010,
read July 15, 2010
&
Luke 10:25-37
the Good Samaritan
&
Psalm 15:1-2
Psalm 15:1-5
and
http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/description.asp?item_id=645177&whichBarItem=excerpt&category=&sub_category=
Upper Room Disciplines for 2010
for July 12, 2010 to July 18, 2010,
“Pursuing Righteousness”
by Steven J. Christopher
for July 14, 2010,
read July 14, 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 19,140+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

No Reprieve this Time

No angel to stop the sacrifice
to spare the first born
no lamb to stand in his place
going to the cross

No reprieve possible
no stay of the execution
Christ going to the cross
paying our debt to God



July 14, 2010
Genesis 22:1-19
Abraham faithful in sacrificing
his first born son Isaac,
God providing substitute lamb;
Christ becoming the sacrificial lamb
with no substitution;
the pain of the Father on Good Friday
when his son died for us.
&
Hebrews 10:1-14
Christ was the one priest able to make
one sacrifice for all time
&
John 11:32-44
John 11:35
“Jesus wept” for his friend Lazarus,
though he knew he would rise
&
Jeremiah 31:15
Rachel crying for her children
who are no more

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 19,140+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

No Substitution

Only one worthy
one sacrifice sufficient
to remove the stain
no substitution possible
the lamb alone
the son of the living God
no substitution possible
he alone could save us
he alone paid the price
through the curtain of death
bringing us back to God



July 14, 2010
Genesis 22:1-19
Abraham faithful in sacrificing
his first born son Isaac,
God providing substitute lamb;
Christ becoming the sacrificial lamb
with no substitution;
the pain of the Father on Good Friday
when his son died for us.
&
Hebrews 10:1-14
Christ was the one priest able to make
one sacrifice for all time
&
John 11:32-44
John 11:35
“Jesus wept” for his friend Lazarus,
though he knew he would rise
&
Jeremiah 31:15
Rachel crying for her children
who are no more


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 19,270+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

God’s Sacrifice

Knowing all
God’s sacrifice
beyond our understanding
yet close to us at hand

The choice of the father
to sacrifice his son
that we would be saved
living as one

One priest dying
that the whole world would live
one sacrifice worthy
pure as the whitest snow



July 15, 2010
Genesis 22:1-19
Abraham faithful in sacrificing
his first born son Isaac,
God providing substitute lamb;
Christ becoming the sacrificial lamb
with no substitution;
the pain of the Father on Good Friday
when his son died for us.
&
Hebrews 10:1-14
Christ was the one priest able to make
one sacrifice for all time
&
John 11:32-44
John 11:35
“Jesus wept” for his friend Lazarus,
though he knew he would rise
&
Jeremiah 31:15
Rachel crying for her children
who are no more


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 19,270+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Good Things

Good things from our father
generous and loving
providing for all our needs
as we ask him
no worry if we trust him
that we would be fed


July 14, 2010
Matthew 7

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 19,270+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

A Reciprocal Promise

The covenantal relationship
affirmed on entering in
not to be perfect
but striving to be faithful
to our God and king

His promise in return
an everlasting presence
living with us his people
sharing our walk with us
the sheep of his flock

Grace he gives us
far more than we deserve
in loving fidelity
as we seek to know his word
our hope is in God



July 14, 2010
Psalm 15:1-2
Psalm 15:1-5
and
http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/description.asp?item_id=645177&whichBarItem=excerpt&category=&sub_category=
Upper Room Disciplines for 2010
for July 12, 2010 to July 18, 2010,
“Pursuing Righteousness”
by Steven J. Christopher
for July 14, 2010,
read July 14, 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 19,140+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Joy at the end of the race

A crown of glory
joy forever
living with our savior
our hope at the end of the race
to see him in heaven
to be restored to God



July 14, 2010
2 Timothy 4:7
2 Timothy 4:6-8
2 Timothy 4:1-8
2 Timothy 4:2
2 Timothy 4:5
2 Timothy 4:6
&
Day 295, “Paul’s Valedictory”, 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 July 14, 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 19,140+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Not of this World

My hope, my joy
my trust, not of this world
not in mortal hands

My refuge in the Lord
trusting in God alone
nothing here below
compares to my savior
my creator, my king



July 14, 2010
Psalm 118:8-9
the center of the bible
&
Psalms 114:1-118:9
http://www.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/reading.cgi?plan=straight&ver=NAS
Heartlight’s Straight Through Bible Study
for July 14, 2010, read July 14, 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 19,140+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.