Changing her faith
where she shares her fellowship
Going where she was led
in answer to her call
The call of our Creator
to service in another place
Your language of love
imprinted on her heart
May 4, 2011
for Ruth for her birthday, May 7, 2011
read at the Our Family’s Table dinner
Pastor Ruth L. Foss
http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/pastorruthfoss
http://www.ahandmaidenofthelord.blogspot.com
A Handmaiden of the Lord
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
May 4, 2011
All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.
See all 11,660+ of my poems at Poetry Where You Live.
Thursday, May 05, 2011
Wednesday, May 04, 2011
Putting a Face on Evil
Easy with a demon
putting a face on evil
calling out bin Laden
the leader of al Qaeda
But now he is dead
in a watery grave
who is the boogeyman now
that he has gone away
May 4, 2011
Selected Shorts on NPR,
http://www.selectedshorts.org/
heard May 1, 2011
including The Death of Hector
from Homer’s The Iliad
http://search.yahoo.com/search?fr=client_ymp&p=NPR_135893937.mp3%20
http://www.wnyc.org/shows/shorts/2011/may/01/
&
Death of Osama bin Laden
May 1, 2011
and remembering the al Qaeda terrorism of
September 11, 2011
&
sermon, “We Lawyers Are Good For Something”
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2011/05/sermon-we-lawyers-are-good-for.html
based on Luke 10:25-37
by Raymond A. Foss, Esq.
July 15, 2007
Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH
(with bulletin inserts of Osama bin Laden and other al Qaeda terrorists)
All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.
See all 11,660+ of my poems at Poetry Where You Live.
putting a face on evil
calling out bin Laden
the leader of al Qaeda
But now he is dead
in a watery grave
who is the boogeyman now
that he has gone away
May 4, 2011
Selected Shorts on NPR,
http://www.selectedshorts.org/
heard May 1, 2011
including The Death of Hector
from Homer’s The Iliad
http://search.yahoo.com/search?fr=client_ymp&p=NPR_135893937.mp3%20
http://www.wnyc.org/shows/shorts/2011/may/01/
&
Death of Osama bin Laden
May 1, 2011
and remembering the al Qaeda terrorism of
September 11, 2011
&
sermon, “We Lawyers Are Good For Something”
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2011/05/sermon-we-lawyers-are-good-for.html
based on Luke 10:25-37
by Raymond A. Foss, Esq.
July 15, 2007
Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH
(with bulletin inserts of Osama bin Laden and other al Qaeda terrorists)
All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.
See all 11,660+ of my poems at Poetry Where You Live.
Not the End to Evil
One man’s death
though somewhat cathartic
yet bringing the pain
the loss back to the forefront
One man’s death
hardly satisfying
no joy, no peace
not the end of evil
still stalking this earth
Love, more than ever
needed for healing
to bring us together
all the tribes, the nations
the peoples of this planet
crying out for freedom
crying out in hunger
wishing there was peace
May 4, 2011
Selected Shorts on NPR,
http://www.selectedshorts.org/
heard May 1, 2011
including The Death of Hector
from Homer’s The Iliad
http://search.yahoo.com/search?fr=client_ymp&p=NPR_135893937.mp3%20
http://www.wnyc.org/shows/shorts/2011/may/01/
&
Death of Osama bin Laden
May 1, 2011
and remembering the al Qaeda terrorism of
September 11, 2011
&
sermon, “We Lawyers Are Good For Something”
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2011/05/sermon-we-lawyers-are-good-for.html
based on Luke 10:25-37
by Raymond A. Foss, Esq.
July 15, 2007
Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH
(with bulletin inserts of Osama bin Laden and other al Qaeda terrorists)
All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.
See all 11,660+ of my poems at Poetry Where You Live.
though somewhat cathartic
yet bringing the pain
the loss back to the forefront
One man’s death
hardly satisfying
no joy, no peace
not the end of evil
still stalking this earth
Love, more than ever
needed for healing
to bring us together
all the tribes, the nations
the peoples of this planet
crying out for freedom
crying out in hunger
wishing there was peace
May 4, 2011
Selected Shorts on NPR,
http://www.selectedshorts.org/
heard May 1, 2011
including The Death of Hector
from Homer’s The Iliad
http://search.yahoo.com/search?fr=client_ymp&p=NPR_135893937.mp3%20
http://www.wnyc.org/shows/shorts/2011/may/01/
&
Death of Osama bin Laden
May 1, 2011
and remembering the al Qaeda terrorism of
September 11, 2011
&
sermon, “We Lawyers Are Good For Something”
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2011/05/sermon-we-lawyers-are-good-for.html
based on Luke 10:25-37
by Raymond A. Foss, Esq.
July 15, 2007
Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH
(with bulletin inserts of Osama bin Laden and other al Qaeda terrorists)
All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.
See all 11,660+ of my poems at Poetry Where You Live.
Tuesday, May 03, 2011
Do We Mourn
Do we mourn
even for the death of evil
of a person
bent on our destruction
How can we be
servants of Jesus
when his death
leads us to cheer
To shout in the streets
happy for the killing
for the justice meted out
in his bedroom
No mercy, no quarter
none given, because none requested
dying in a hail of gunfire
choosing the coward’s path
May 3, 2011
Selected Shorts on NPR,
http://www.selectedshorts.org/
heard May 1, 2011
including The Death of Hector
from Homer’s The Iliad
http://search.yahoo.com/search?fr=client_ymp&p=NPR_135893937.mp3%20
http://www.wnyc.org/shows/shorts/2011/may/01/
&
Death of Osama bin Laden
May 1, 2011
and remembering the al Qaeda terrorism of
September 11, 2011
&
sermon, “We Lawyers Are Good For Something”
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2011/05/sermon-we-lawyers-are-good-for.html
based on Luke 10:25-37
by Raymond A. Foss, Esq.
July 15, 2007
Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH
(with bulletin inserts of Osama bin Laden and other al Qaeda terrorists)
All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.
See all 11,660+ of my poems at Poetry Where You Live.
even for the death of evil
of a person
bent on our destruction
How can we be
servants of Jesus
when his death
leads us to cheer
To shout in the streets
happy for the killing
for the justice meted out
in his bedroom
No mercy, no quarter
none given, because none requested
dying in a hail of gunfire
choosing the coward’s path
May 3, 2011
Selected Shorts on NPR,
http://www.selectedshorts.org/
heard May 1, 2011
including The Death of Hector
from Homer’s The Iliad
http://search.yahoo.com/search?fr=client_ymp&p=NPR_135893937.mp3%20
http://www.wnyc.org/shows/shorts/2011/may/01/
&
Death of Osama bin Laden
May 1, 2011
and remembering the al Qaeda terrorism of
September 11, 2011
&
sermon, “We Lawyers Are Good For Something”
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2011/05/sermon-we-lawyers-are-good-for.html
based on Luke 10:25-37
by Raymond A. Foss, Esq.
July 15, 2007
Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH
(with bulletin inserts of Osama bin Laden and other al Qaeda terrorists)
All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.
See all 11,660+ of my poems at Poetry Where You Live.
Saddened by Death
Even the death of evil
taken by his choosing
refusing to submit
to stand in the dock of justice
Saddened by death
by the shooting of a person
deluded by his passion
seeing us as evil
The world perhaps better
his viciousness stopped;
yet we do not gloat,
children without a father,
even if he was evil
May 3, 2011
Selected Shorts on NPR,
http://www.selectedshorts.org/
heard May 1, 2011
including The Death of Hector
from Homer’s The Iliad
http://search.yahoo.com/search?fr=client_ymp&p=NPR_135893937.mp3%20
http://www.wnyc.org/shows/shorts/2011/may/01/
&
Death of Osama bin Laden
May 1, 2011
and remembering the al Qaeda terrorism of
September 11, 2011
&
sermon, “We Lawyers Are Good For Something”
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2011/05/sermon-we-lawyers-are-good-for.html
based on Luke 10:25-37
by Raymond A. Foss, Esq.
July 15, 2007
Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH
(with bulletin inserts of Osama bin Laden and other al Qaeda terrorists)
All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.
See all 11,660+ of my poems at Poetry Where You Live.
taken by his choosing
refusing to submit
to stand in the dock of justice
Saddened by death
by the shooting of a person
deluded by his passion
seeing us as evil
The world perhaps better
his viciousness stopped;
yet we do not gloat,
children without a father,
even if he was evil
May 3, 2011
Selected Shorts on NPR,
http://www.selectedshorts.org/
heard May 1, 2011
including The Death of Hector
from Homer’s The Iliad
http://search.yahoo.com/search?fr=client_ymp&p=NPR_135893937.mp3%20
http://www.wnyc.org/shows/shorts/2011/may/01/
&
Death of Osama bin Laden
May 1, 2011
and remembering the al Qaeda terrorism of
September 11, 2011
&
sermon, “We Lawyers Are Good For Something”
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2011/05/sermon-we-lawyers-are-good-for.html
based on Luke 10:25-37
by Raymond A. Foss, Esq.
July 15, 2007
Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH
(with bulletin inserts of Osama bin Laden and other al Qaeda terrorists)
All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.
See all 11,660+ of my poems at Poetry Where You Live.
Without Cheering
A quiet resolve
a sense of some closure;
but the pain still there
our innocence gone
Without cheering
no joy in his killing
believing in our country;
but not parading the body
dragging his corpse
around the city walls
Our hearts different
not choosing to hate
trying to follow Jesus
within the coarseness of this world
May 3, 2011
Selected Shorts on NPR,
http://www.selectedshorts.org/
heard May 1, 2011
including The Death of Hector
from Homer’s The Iliad
http://search.yahoo.com/search?fr=client_ymp&p=NPR_135893937.mp3%20
http://www.wnyc.org/shows/shorts/2011/may/01/
&
Death of Osama bin Laden
May 1, 2011
and remembering the al Qaeda terrorism of
September 11, 2011
&
sermon, “We Lawyers Are Good For Something”
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2011/05/sermon-we-lawyers-are-good-for.html
based on Luke 10:25-37
by Raymond A. Foss, Esq.
July 15, 2007
Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH
(with bulletin inserts of Osama bin Laden and other al Qaeda terrorists)
All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.
See all 11,650+ of my poems at Poetry Where You Live.
a sense of some closure;
but the pain still there
our innocence gone
Without cheering
no joy in his killing
believing in our country;
but not parading the body
dragging his corpse
around the city walls
Our hearts different
not choosing to hate
trying to follow Jesus
within the coarseness of this world
May 3, 2011
Selected Shorts on NPR,
http://www.selectedshorts.org/
heard May 1, 2011
including The Death of Hector
from Homer’s The Iliad
http://search.yahoo.com/search?fr=client_ymp&p=NPR_135893937.mp3%20
http://www.wnyc.org/shows/shorts/2011/may/01/
&
Death of Osama bin Laden
May 1, 2011
and remembering the al Qaeda terrorism of
September 11, 2011
&
sermon, “We Lawyers Are Good For Something”
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2011/05/sermon-we-lawyers-are-good-for.html
based on Luke 10:25-37
by Raymond A. Foss, Esq.
July 15, 2007
Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH
(with bulletin inserts of Osama bin Laden and other al Qaeda terrorists)
All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.
See all 11,650+ of my poems at Poetry Where You Live.
Letting Go of Hate
A sense of vindication
of closure for the loss
not joy in the killing
in the taking of a life
If we are to be Christians
we must change our thinking
letting go of hate
forgiving our neighbor
A hard lesson
hard to let go
but our healing
in forgiving our enemies
as Christ forgave us on the cross
May 3, 2011
Selected Shorts on NPR,
http://www.selectedshorts.org/
heard May 1, 2011
including The Death of Hector
from Homer’s The Iliad
http://search.yahoo.com/search?fr=client_ymp&p=NPR_135893937.mp3%20
http://www.wnyc.org/shows/shorts/2011/may/01/
&
Death of Osama bin Laden
May 1, 2011
and remembering the al Qaeda terrorism of
September 11, 2011
&
sermon, “We Lawyers Are Good For Something”
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2011/05/sermon-we-lawyers-are-good-for.html
based on Luke 10:25-37
by Raymond A. Foss, Esq.
July 15, 2007
Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH
(with bulletin inserts of Osama bin Laden and other al Qaeda terrorists)
All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.
See all 11,650+ of my poems at Poetry Where You Live.
of closure for the loss
not joy in the killing
in the taking of a life
If we are to be Christians
we must change our thinking
letting go of hate
forgiving our neighbor
A hard lesson
hard to let go
but our healing
in forgiving our enemies
as Christ forgave us on the cross
May 3, 2011
Selected Shorts on NPR,
http://www.selectedshorts.org/
heard May 1, 2011
including The Death of Hector
from Homer’s The Iliad
http://search.yahoo.com/search?fr=client_ymp&p=NPR_135893937.mp3%20
http://www.wnyc.org/shows/shorts/2011/may/01/
&
Death of Osama bin Laden
May 1, 2011
and remembering the al Qaeda terrorism of
September 11, 2011
&
sermon, “We Lawyers Are Good For Something”
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2011/05/sermon-we-lawyers-are-good-for.html
based on Luke 10:25-37
by Raymond A. Foss, Esq.
July 15, 2007
Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH
(with bulletin inserts of Osama bin Laden and other al Qaeda terrorists)
All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.
See all 11,650+ of my poems at Poetry Where You Live.
A Radiant Countenance
Like the admonition
to pray in our closet
to not don ashes
but put oil on our faces
to be glad in our situations
trusting in God
A radiant countenance
ever joyful, hoping always
patient in our waiting
through the waters
ever going to God
humbly in prayer
May 3, 2011
Romans 12:12
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”
Bible Verse of the Day
http://www.verseoftheday.com/
for May 3, 2011
read May 3, 2011
All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.
See all 11,550+ of my poems at Poetry Where You Live.
to pray in our closet
to not don ashes
but put oil on our faces
to be glad in our situations
trusting in God
A radiant countenance
ever joyful, hoping always
patient in our waiting
through the waters
ever going to God
humbly in prayer
May 3, 2011
Romans 12:12
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”
Bible Verse of the Day
http://www.verseoftheday.com/
for May 3, 2011
read May 3, 2011
All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.
See all 11,550+ of my poems at Poetry Where You Live.
In the Cries of War
Victory over evil
in the cries of war
the terrorist brought down
but may we not gloat
Not like the fall of Hector
his body dragged in the dust
may we ever seek peace
may we lift our neighbor up
May 3, 2011
Selected Shorts on NPR,
http://www.selectedshorts.org/
heard May 1, 2011
including The Death of Hector
from Homer’s The Iliad
http://search.yahoo.com/search?fr=client_ymp&p=NPR_135893937.mp3%20
http://www.wnyc.org/shows/shorts/2011/may/01/
&
Death of Osama bin Laden
May 1, 2011
and remembering the al Qaeda terrorism of
September 11, 2011
&
sermon, “We Lawyers Are Good For Something”
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2011/05/sermon-we-lawyers-are-good-for.html
based on Luke 10:25-37
by Raymond A. Foss, Esq.
July 15, 2007
Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH
(with bulletin inserts of Osama bin Laden and other al Qaeda terrorists)
All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.
See all 11,650+ of my poems at Poetry Where You Live.
in the cries of war
the terrorist brought down
but may we not gloat
Not like the fall of Hector
his body dragged in the dust
may we ever seek peace
may we lift our neighbor up
May 3, 2011
Selected Shorts on NPR,
http://www.selectedshorts.org/
heard May 1, 2011
including The Death of Hector
from Homer’s The Iliad
http://search.yahoo.com/search?fr=client_ymp&p=NPR_135893937.mp3%20
http://www.wnyc.org/shows/shorts/2011/may/01/
&
Death of Osama bin Laden
May 1, 2011
and remembering the al Qaeda terrorism of
September 11, 2011
&
sermon, “We Lawyers Are Good For Something”
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2011/05/sermon-we-lawyers-are-good-for.html
based on Luke 10:25-37
by Raymond A. Foss, Esq.
July 15, 2007
Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH
(with bulletin inserts of Osama bin Laden and other al Qaeda terrorists)
All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.
See all 11,650+ of my poems at Poetry Where You Live.
Precious to God
The words of God
given to the prophet
clear statements of love
of our importance to God
in relationship with him
Precious to God
comforted in his presence
walking with him
brought back
from the four winds
May 2, 2011
Luke 15:1-7
Parable of the Lost Sheep
Isaiah 43:1-7
Communion
Worship Theme: “All Human Life is Sacred”
and sermon: “Somebody’s Calling Your Name”
by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
May 1, 2011
Second Sunday of Easter
All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.
See all 11,650+ of my poems at Poetry Where You Live.
given to the prophet
clear statements of love
of our importance to God
in relationship with him
Precious to God
comforted in his presence
walking with him
brought back
from the four winds
May 2, 2011
Luke 15:1-7
Parable of the Lost Sheep
Isaiah 43:1-7
Communion
Worship Theme: “All Human Life is Sacred”
and sermon: “Somebody’s Calling Your Name”
by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
May 1, 2011
Second Sunday of Easter
All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.
See all 11,650+ of my poems at Poetry Where You Live.
I am with you – 2
A clear word of comfort
God’s word to his people
spoken out of love
I am with you
in your trials
in the midst of struggle
in the deep waters
walking with us
all of our lives
May 2, 2011
Luke 15:1-7
Parable of the Lost Sheep
Isaiah 43:1-7
Communion
Worship Theme: “All Human Life is Sacred”
and sermon: “Somebody’s Calling Your Name”
by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
May 1, 2011
Second Sunday of Easter
All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.
See all 11,650+ of my poems at Poetry Where You Live.
God’s word to his people
spoken out of love
I am with you
in your trials
in the midst of struggle
in the deep waters
walking with us
all of our lives
May 2, 2011
Luke 15:1-7
Parable of the Lost Sheep
Isaiah 43:1-7
Communion
Worship Theme: “All Human Life is Sacred”
and sermon: “Somebody’s Calling Your Name”
by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
May 1, 2011
Second Sunday of Easter
All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.
See all 11,650+ of my poems at Poetry Where You Live.
More joy in heaven
The choir in heaven
singing, joyful
each moment,
any second when
one sinner is saved
redeemed, repentant
brought from the dead
God singing
joyful, in heaven
the sheep brought back
into the flock
May 2, 2011
Luke 15:1-7
Parable of the Lost Sheep
Isaiah 43:1-7
Communion
Worship Theme: “All Human Life is Sacred”
and sermon: “Somebody’s Calling Your Name”
by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
May 1, 2011
Second Sunday of Easter
All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.
See all 11,650+ of my poems at Poetry Where You Live.
singing, joyful
each moment,
any second when
one sinner is saved
redeemed, repentant
brought from the dead
God singing
joyful, in heaven
the sheep brought back
into the flock
May 2, 2011
Luke 15:1-7
Parable of the Lost Sheep
Isaiah 43:1-7
Communion
Worship Theme: “All Human Life is Sacred”
and sermon: “Somebody’s Calling Your Name”
by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
May 1, 2011
Second Sunday of Easter
All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.
See all 11,650+ of my poems at Poetry Where You Live.
Monday, May 02, 2011
The Focus of Our Rage
The requited anger
the focus of our rage
bin Laden gone,
buried in the water
in a watery grave
A hollow feeling
across the radio dial
person after person
speaking, wailing, railing
more on the hurting
the wounds reopened
no healing, no true resolution
by the death of the focus
a world’s rage unrequited
by the death of terror
in the streets near Islamabad
May 2, 2011
Death of Osama bin Laden
and remembering the al Qaeda terrorism of
September 11, 2011
&
“Where does Pain Go?”
http://www.facebook.com/#!/notes/safiyah-fosua/where-does-pain-go/10150234812484274
by Safiyah Fosua
http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=719089081
on Monday, May 2, 2011 at 7:01pm
&
“A Prayer for Friends and Enemies”,
http://www.facebook.com/#!/notes/safiyah-fosua/a-prayer-for-friends-and-enemies/10150234385434274
by Safiyah Fosua
http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=719089081
on Monday, May 2, 2011 at 10:33am
&
sermon, “We Lawyers Are Good For Something”
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2011/05/sermon-we-lawyers-are-good-for.html
based on Luke 10:25-37
by Raymond A. Foss, Esq.
July 15, 2007
Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH
(with bulletin inserts of Osama bin Laden and other al Qaeda terrorists)
All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.
See all 11,650+ of my poems at Poetry Where You Live.
the focus of our rage
bin Laden gone,
buried in the water
in a watery grave
A hollow feeling
across the radio dial
person after person
speaking, wailing, railing
more on the hurting
the wounds reopened
no healing, no true resolution
by the death of the focus
a world’s rage unrequited
by the death of terror
in the streets near Islamabad
May 2, 2011
Death of Osama bin Laden
and remembering the al Qaeda terrorism of
September 11, 2011
&
“Where does Pain Go?”
http://www.facebook.com/#!/notes/safiyah-fosua/where-does-pain-go/10150234812484274
by Safiyah Fosua
http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=719089081
on Monday, May 2, 2011 at 7:01pm
&
“A Prayer for Friends and Enemies”,
http://www.facebook.com/#!/notes/safiyah-fosua/a-prayer-for-friends-and-enemies/10150234385434274
by Safiyah Fosua
http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=719089081
on Monday, May 2, 2011 at 10:33am
&
sermon, “We Lawyers Are Good For Something”
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2011/05/sermon-we-lawyers-are-good-for.html
based on Luke 10:25-37
by Raymond A. Foss, Esq.
July 15, 2007
Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH
(with bulletin inserts of Osama bin Laden and other al Qaeda terrorists)
All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.
See all 11,650+ of my poems at Poetry Where You Live.
Sermon, "We Lawyers Are Good For Something", by Raymond A. Foss, Wesley United Methodist Church, July 15, 2007
We Lawyers Are Good For Something
by Raymond A. Foss, Esq.
July 15, 2007
Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH
Luke 10:25-37 (The Good Samaritan
I guess it is type-casting, or that is how Byron called it when I reminded him that I needed to do the sermon on the story of the Good Samaritan. After all, it started with an attorney… Again.
It began in Disciple I, with Pastor Joel presiding. He said he had never spent that much time in the Old Testament with an attorney. We would have discussions on the meaning of the law, how our current law flows from the Old Testament laws, rules, etc. A lawyer was of good station, as they were experts in Mosaic law and the law of Moses was central to a people governed by a theocracy for much of its history.
When we got into the New Testament, the role of the law and the role of lawyers got a little different, [Pause] and Jesus had a few things to say about it.
In Matthew 22, we read: the story of The Greatest Commandment
“34 Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. 35 One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 36 "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?"
37 Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."
Okay, so Jesus is using the lawyer to teach. I can handle that.
Further on in Luke, Luke 11:46-52, he does get a little in the face of attorneys.
46 Jesus replied, "And you experts in the law, woe to you, because you load people down with burdens they can hardly carry, and you yourselves will not lift one finger to help them.
And in verse 52, the Lord said,
52 "Woe to you experts in the law, because you have taken away the key to knowledge. You yourselves have not entered, and you have hindered those who were entering."
Okay, so that was a little harsh; but I think today’s reading shows how lawyers can be useful, in the spreading of the Gospel, at least in the good hands of the Shepherd.
The Good Samaritan
Unlike Matthew, which is a simple statement on the greatest commandment, Luke does it a different way, with the story of the Good Samaritan; but the agent of the questioning is an expert in the law, an Attorney, again.
Last fall, I wrote this poem, A Lawyerly Question, after reading of the story of the Good Samaritan, which may be part of why he asked the questions he did.
A Lawyerly Question
It always seems, wherever I turn
we are the bad guys, the ones in the way
the ones asking Him questions, pressing for
the new law, testing the assertions,
learning the edges, the words,
“Who is our neighbor”, a logical question
Hardly worth casting aspersions over.
It was just the definition of the term of art,
the nuanced word thrown by Him into the mix
a new test of faith, of living the law of Moses,
of living the good life, the life well blessed
earning passage from Sheol, beyond the grave
the end of their days. It wasn’t a test so much
as a questioning for knowledge, learning what
He meant by the two commandments, replacing
the older ten and the laws, regulations, rules
for life, layer on layer, parsed and teased,
as they are still. Rabbinical interpretation,
the lawyers, the scribes, just doing their best
to live the life of a religious man
asking to know, the bargain, the balance,
the other side of the equation
words to live by, words of power
And today in the lectionary again, we have that story of the Good outcast, that helpful pariah once again teaching us about what Jesus meant, to live the synthesized commandment, the boiling down of all those commandments, codes, laws, regulations, rules, etc. We need to be a good neighbor.
You see, that lawyer was doing what we do. He was peeling the onion, layer by layer, to understand the meaning of the law, this new commandment. There is always more than meets the eye with the law, because the plain meaning of the words on the page are the starting point; but they are hardly ever all that there is to know.
Luke 10:27 is the heart of the Jewish faith, the foundation of the law, for it combines Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18, quoted with assurance by the expert in the law.
27 He answered, " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"
The next part of the scripture, the parable itself, raises questions on the understanding of the religious leaders, the people of Israel, on the true meaning of these words of faith, for Jesus responds,
28 "You have answered correctly," Jesus replied. "Do this and you will live."
In Jesus’ first answer, we are given but the starting point. Sure, it sounds all well and good; but that isn’t how the law works. We all know who our neighbor is, right?
Where does the neighborhood end? Would your answer be different if we lived in the age when people walked? What about some streets? Do you go to them? Are the people who live there really your neighbors?
This lawyer had been tested. He knew the score. He needed to know more, where those fine lines were to be drawn. So, he asked the follow up question, that next line of questioning, as any good interrogator would.
He knew the story of Job, that righteous man so tested by the Devil, at the Creator’s acquiescence. He knew of the challenges to follow every law. He knew of the Messiah, the fulfillment. So, he asks:
29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"
Jesus, here in Luke isn’t quite as clear and in your face as he is in John. No, he isn’t quite as direct. He speaks in Parables in the synaptic gospels, in Matthew, Mark, Luke. So, we get a lesson, a story, maybe so we can understand it. Maybe so we can ponder it over time, so its truths can speak to us as they can whenever we pick up the text, at whatever place we are at in our life’s journey.
There is real meaning, depth of discovery in the choices Jesus makes in telling the tale. He could have had three ordinary Jews as the actors, He could have had two leaders and a Jewish man; but he adds a Samaritan, an enemy, to the parable, to give it universal meaning.
A Jew was on the road and he hurt.
A Priest went by and didn’t help.
A Levite went by and didn’t help.
These were countrymen. These were leaders of the Temple, of the theocracy, the people set apart to serve the Chosen People. But they couldn’t stop, crossed to the other side, away from the sick, beaten, injured Jew.
No, it was the outcast, the foreigner, the Samaritan, a member of a people who hated the Jews, who came to his aid. Their holy mountain was not in Zion; their beliefs were much like those of the Jews, the believed in the Torah, the Pentateuch; but they were like the Shiites to the Jews being like the Sunnis. Enemies, brothers, these are the source of the worst kind of fighting.
And this Samaritan didn’t just aid him on the road, send this piteous Jew onto his feet and send him on his way, no this person from below the Jewish caste system had mercy for this injured enemy, took him to an inn and paid for his stay.
At the end of the lesson came the test. The Savior asked the lawyer the pivotal question, that would change the paradigm of who your neighbor is. He asked
36 "Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?"
37 The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him."
Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise."
Ah, now we are given the orders of the Savior, the servant-king, the man who would walk those steps to the cross. It is not the actor on the ground, we are not looking at the injured man as our neighbor, whether he is one of us or not. No, we are to understand that even an enemy in need must be comforted. The test of who the neighbor is is within us.
We are to be the good neighbor, not by station, not by earning, not by piling offerings, not by birthright. By being a neighbor, to whoever needs our help. It isn’t the neighbor that defines who your neighbor is, it is your action in the face of need of anyone. Everyone is your neighbor, if you are to live the commandment to love your neighbor as yourself.
I wrote this poem, Parsing the Parable, on Friday morning, July 6, 2007.
Parsing the Parable
“And who is our neighbor?”,
a lawyer asked so long ago,
testing the Teacher,
to know the meaning of the
law, the actors in the words.
Needing the definition section
of the law, to understand the limits,
the bounds, of the command,
the scope of the edict,
“to love our neighbors as ourselves”.
An answer in a parable,
itself needing context,
interpretation, to understand
the ancient law, and
the changed message,
the Good News.
A broadening of the
bounds, the limits,
who is our neighbor
How we act, not who we are,
that defines the term,
and that makes all the difference.
Transition / Conclusion
We have touched on this lesson of reversal, of inclusion, in the sermons of the pastors here in church recently. I would highlight but two of them.
Acts 11:1-18
The first is the story of Peter’s vision on the foods he could eat. We visited that scripture in May. How telling is that scripture, because again it is the changing of the rules, who we are to associate with. The Jewish believers were complaining because the Gentiles were being saved.
Who is clean and unclean; who is our neighbor? It starts with the Levitical dietary rules; but it is so much more than that. Who a Jew could dine with was another measure of who was there neighbor. Again, through Peter’s Vision, we are told that the ancient law has changed. “What God has made clean, you must not call profane.” All of us have been made clean by the sacrifice and resurrection of Jesus Christ. All are our neighbors.
Galatians 5:1 & 13-25
I think another way to think about all of this is to think about the lessons Pastor Lori helped us learn two weeks ago, in her sermon, “The Pursuit of Freedom: License of Liberty”, that she shared with the congregation on July 1.
The whole passage is boiled down in verses 13 and 14 – “For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters;* only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence,* but through love become slaves to one another. For the whole law is summed up in a single commandment, ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’”
We are to use the freedom that we earned through Christ’s saving grace to become our neighbor’s keeper, and not just our good neighbor next door.
We are to be the good neighbor around the world, far and near, black or white, young or old, Jew and Gentile, until none of those distinctions mean anything at all. To be the good neighbor that Jesus is calling that single attorney to be, is to be as my poem is entitled (using Paul’s letter to the Galatians, “Slaves to One Another”).
Slaves to One Another
Agape love, that is what Paul
calls us to exhibit, to live
to fall as servants, to meet
the needs of our neighbors.
as we would love ourselves,
so must we be to them,
if we all did so, what,
oh what would be
the state of this troubled world.
If we used our freedom,
given by the Creator, by the Savior
to reject our own desires,
and became slaves to one another.
It is our enemy who we must see as our neighbor, to truly understand the love for those in need that Jesus was talking of. He wasn’t talking about a simple love, of our neighbor next door, down the street, in our circle. We were taught to love our enemy in need just as our friends, just as ourselves. This made me think again of the choice our country made to use torture. We too see ourselves as a country set apart. As Ronald Reagan said so many times, we are that shining city on the hill. That is part of why we got out of the malaise of the late 1970’s, seeing us that way. That is all the more troubling that we have chosen to use torture. I wrote the following poem about that.
We Have Become What we Abhor
Murderous madmen, willing
to abuse, to torture,
to inflict pain, indiscriminate
heartless, oft calculated
Unlike us, held up for ridicule,
sanction, censure, until now
We have changed, because of our hurt,
our anger, our loss,
become what we abhor;
become the madmen
committing atrocities
become that which we hate
To follow the example of Jesus Christ, we must love our enemies. They are our neighbors too. We must love them, even when they are hurting us, just as he said while he was on the cross, “forgive them, for they know not what they do.” So must we; we must do likewise, and live.
Ending
So, maybe, just maybe, by asking that winning question, to try to earn his way into heaven, to avoid eternity going down to Sheol (as I wrote of in the first of the poems), that lawyer in Luke really did serve a purpose, because he didn’t just ask one question, he asked two, and Jesus spoke to all of us through him in answering them both. The single commandment to love our neighbors becomes the Great Commission, to create unity throughout the world, to be good neighbors to all. To truly love all and to help all in need.
AMEN.
May 2, 2011
Death of Osama bin Laden
and remembering the al Qaeda terrorism of
September 11, 2011
&
sermon, “We Lawyers Are Good For Something”
based on Luke 10:25-37
by Raymond A. Foss, Esq.
July 15, 2007
Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH
(with bulletin inserts of Osama bin Laden and other al Qaeda terrorists)
All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.
See all 11,650+ of my poems at Poetry Where You Live.
by Raymond A. Foss, Esq.
July 15, 2007
Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH
Luke 10:25-37 (The Good Samaritan
I guess it is type-casting, or that is how Byron called it when I reminded him that I needed to do the sermon on the story of the Good Samaritan. After all, it started with an attorney… Again.
It began in Disciple I, with Pastor Joel presiding. He said he had never spent that much time in the Old Testament with an attorney. We would have discussions on the meaning of the law, how our current law flows from the Old Testament laws, rules, etc. A lawyer was of good station, as they were experts in Mosaic law and the law of Moses was central to a people governed by a theocracy for much of its history.
When we got into the New Testament, the role of the law and the role of lawyers got a little different, [Pause] and Jesus had a few things to say about it.
In Matthew 22, we read: the story of The Greatest Commandment
“34 Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. 35 One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 36 "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?"
37 Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."
Okay, so Jesus is using the lawyer to teach. I can handle that.
Further on in Luke, Luke 11:46-52, he does get a little in the face of attorneys.
46 Jesus replied, "And you experts in the law, woe to you, because you load people down with burdens they can hardly carry, and you yourselves will not lift one finger to help them.
And in verse 52, the Lord said,
52 "Woe to you experts in the law, because you have taken away the key to knowledge. You yourselves have not entered, and you have hindered those who were entering."
Okay, so that was a little harsh; but I think today’s reading shows how lawyers can be useful, in the spreading of the Gospel, at least in the good hands of the Shepherd.
The Good Samaritan
Unlike Matthew, which is a simple statement on the greatest commandment, Luke does it a different way, with the story of the Good Samaritan; but the agent of the questioning is an expert in the law, an Attorney, again.
Last fall, I wrote this poem, A Lawyerly Question, after reading of the story of the Good Samaritan, which may be part of why he asked the questions he did.
A Lawyerly Question
It always seems, wherever I turn
we are the bad guys, the ones in the way
the ones asking Him questions, pressing for
the new law, testing the assertions,
learning the edges, the words,
“Who is our neighbor”, a logical question
Hardly worth casting aspersions over.
It was just the definition of the term of art,
the nuanced word thrown by Him into the mix
a new test of faith, of living the law of Moses,
of living the good life, the life well blessed
earning passage from Sheol, beyond the grave
the end of their days. It wasn’t a test so much
as a questioning for knowledge, learning what
He meant by the two commandments, replacing
the older ten and the laws, regulations, rules
for life, layer on layer, parsed and teased,
as they are still. Rabbinical interpretation,
the lawyers, the scribes, just doing their best
to live the life of a religious man
asking to know, the bargain, the balance,
the other side of the equation
words to live by, words of power
And today in the lectionary again, we have that story of the Good outcast, that helpful pariah once again teaching us about what Jesus meant, to live the synthesized commandment, the boiling down of all those commandments, codes, laws, regulations, rules, etc. We need to be a good neighbor.
You see, that lawyer was doing what we do. He was peeling the onion, layer by layer, to understand the meaning of the law, this new commandment. There is always more than meets the eye with the law, because the plain meaning of the words on the page are the starting point; but they are hardly ever all that there is to know.
Luke 10:27 is the heart of the Jewish faith, the foundation of the law, for it combines Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18, quoted with assurance by the expert in the law.
27 He answered, " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"
The next part of the scripture, the parable itself, raises questions on the understanding of the religious leaders, the people of Israel, on the true meaning of these words of faith, for Jesus responds,
28 "You have answered correctly," Jesus replied. "Do this and you will live."
In Jesus’ first answer, we are given but the starting point. Sure, it sounds all well and good; but that isn’t how the law works. We all know who our neighbor is, right?
Where does the neighborhood end? Would your answer be different if we lived in the age when people walked? What about some streets? Do you go to them? Are the people who live there really your neighbors?
This lawyer had been tested. He knew the score. He needed to know more, where those fine lines were to be drawn. So, he asked the follow up question, that next line of questioning, as any good interrogator would.
He knew the story of Job, that righteous man so tested by the Devil, at the Creator’s acquiescence. He knew of the challenges to follow every law. He knew of the Messiah, the fulfillment. So, he asks:
29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"
Jesus, here in Luke isn’t quite as clear and in your face as he is in John. No, he isn’t quite as direct. He speaks in Parables in the synaptic gospels, in Matthew, Mark, Luke. So, we get a lesson, a story, maybe so we can understand it. Maybe so we can ponder it over time, so its truths can speak to us as they can whenever we pick up the text, at whatever place we are at in our life’s journey.
There is real meaning, depth of discovery in the choices Jesus makes in telling the tale. He could have had three ordinary Jews as the actors, He could have had two leaders and a Jewish man; but he adds a Samaritan, an enemy, to the parable, to give it universal meaning.
A Jew was on the road and he hurt.
A Priest went by and didn’t help.
A Levite went by and didn’t help.
These were countrymen. These were leaders of the Temple, of the theocracy, the people set apart to serve the Chosen People. But they couldn’t stop, crossed to the other side, away from the sick, beaten, injured Jew.
No, it was the outcast, the foreigner, the Samaritan, a member of a people who hated the Jews, who came to his aid. Their holy mountain was not in Zion; their beliefs were much like those of the Jews, the believed in the Torah, the Pentateuch; but they were like the Shiites to the Jews being like the Sunnis. Enemies, brothers, these are the source of the worst kind of fighting.
And this Samaritan didn’t just aid him on the road, send this piteous Jew onto his feet and send him on his way, no this person from below the Jewish caste system had mercy for this injured enemy, took him to an inn and paid for his stay.
At the end of the lesson came the test. The Savior asked the lawyer the pivotal question, that would change the paradigm of who your neighbor is. He asked
36 "Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?"
37 The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him."
Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise."
Ah, now we are given the orders of the Savior, the servant-king, the man who would walk those steps to the cross. It is not the actor on the ground, we are not looking at the injured man as our neighbor, whether he is one of us or not. No, we are to understand that even an enemy in need must be comforted. The test of who the neighbor is is within us.
We are to be the good neighbor, not by station, not by earning, not by piling offerings, not by birthright. By being a neighbor, to whoever needs our help. It isn’t the neighbor that defines who your neighbor is, it is your action in the face of need of anyone. Everyone is your neighbor, if you are to live the commandment to love your neighbor as yourself.
I wrote this poem, Parsing the Parable, on Friday morning, July 6, 2007.
Parsing the Parable
“And who is our neighbor?”,
a lawyer asked so long ago,
testing the Teacher,
to know the meaning of the
law, the actors in the words.
Needing the definition section
of the law, to understand the limits,
the bounds, of the command,
the scope of the edict,
“to love our neighbors as ourselves”.
An answer in a parable,
itself needing context,
interpretation, to understand
the ancient law, and
the changed message,
the Good News.
A broadening of the
bounds, the limits,
who is our neighbor
How we act, not who we are,
that defines the term,
and that makes all the difference.
Transition / Conclusion
We have touched on this lesson of reversal, of inclusion, in the sermons of the pastors here in church recently. I would highlight but two of them.
Acts 11:1-18
The first is the story of Peter’s vision on the foods he could eat. We visited that scripture in May. How telling is that scripture, because again it is the changing of the rules, who we are to associate with. The Jewish believers were complaining because the Gentiles were being saved.
Who is clean and unclean; who is our neighbor? It starts with the Levitical dietary rules; but it is so much more than that. Who a Jew could dine with was another measure of who was there neighbor. Again, through Peter’s Vision, we are told that the ancient law has changed. “What God has made clean, you must not call profane.” All of us have been made clean by the sacrifice and resurrection of Jesus Christ. All are our neighbors.
Galatians 5:1 & 13-25
I think another way to think about all of this is to think about the lessons Pastor Lori helped us learn two weeks ago, in her sermon, “The Pursuit of Freedom: License of Liberty”, that she shared with the congregation on July 1.
The whole passage is boiled down in verses 13 and 14 – “For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters;* only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence,* but through love become slaves to one another. For the whole law is summed up in a single commandment, ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’”
We are to use the freedom that we earned through Christ’s saving grace to become our neighbor’s keeper, and not just our good neighbor next door.
We are to be the good neighbor around the world, far and near, black or white, young or old, Jew and Gentile, until none of those distinctions mean anything at all. To be the good neighbor that Jesus is calling that single attorney to be, is to be as my poem is entitled (using Paul’s letter to the Galatians, “Slaves to One Another”).
Slaves to One Another
Agape love, that is what Paul
calls us to exhibit, to live
to fall as servants, to meet
the needs of our neighbors.
as we would love ourselves,
so must we be to them,
if we all did so, what,
oh what would be
the state of this troubled world.
If we used our freedom,
given by the Creator, by the Savior
to reject our own desires,
and became slaves to one another.
It is our enemy who we must see as our neighbor, to truly understand the love for those in need that Jesus was talking of. He wasn’t talking about a simple love, of our neighbor next door, down the street, in our circle. We were taught to love our enemy in need just as our friends, just as ourselves. This made me think again of the choice our country made to use torture. We too see ourselves as a country set apart. As Ronald Reagan said so many times, we are that shining city on the hill. That is part of why we got out of the malaise of the late 1970’s, seeing us that way. That is all the more troubling that we have chosen to use torture. I wrote the following poem about that.
We Have Become What we Abhor
Murderous madmen, willing
to abuse, to torture,
to inflict pain, indiscriminate
heartless, oft calculated
Unlike us, held up for ridicule,
sanction, censure, until now
We have changed, because of our hurt,
our anger, our loss,
become what we abhor;
become the madmen
committing atrocities
become that which we hate
To follow the example of Jesus Christ, we must love our enemies. They are our neighbors too. We must love them, even when they are hurting us, just as he said while he was on the cross, “forgive them, for they know not what they do.” So must we; we must do likewise, and live.
Ending
So, maybe, just maybe, by asking that winning question, to try to earn his way into heaven, to avoid eternity going down to Sheol (as I wrote of in the first of the poems), that lawyer in Luke really did serve a purpose, because he didn’t just ask one question, he asked two, and Jesus spoke to all of us through him in answering them both. The single commandment to love our neighbors becomes the Great Commission, to create unity throughout the world, to be good neighbors to all. To truly love all and to help all in need.
AMEN.
May 2, 2011
Death of Osama bin Laden
and remembering the al Qaeda terrorism of
September 11, 2011
&
sermon, “We Lawyers Are Good For Something”
based on Luke 10:25-37
by Raymond A. Foss, Esq.
July 15, 2007
Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH
(with bulletin inserts of Osama bin Laden and other al Qaeda terrorists)
All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.
See all 11,650+ of my poems at Poetry Where You Live.
To Forgive bin Laden
The moment of this time
to forgive bin Laden
the one we had so hated
gunned down, now dead
The ancient command of Jesus
to love even our enemies
to leave the judging
of all peoples to God
All of us human
mortals, sinners
all of us straying
from the love
to which we are called
The hard lesson
the story of the Good Samaritan
what it means to be a disciple;
Shouldn’t this guide us
as we contemplate his death
May 2, 2011
Death of Osama bin Laden
and remembering the al Qaeda terrorism of
September 11, 2011
&
sermon, “We Lawyers Are Good For Something”
based on Luke 10:25-37
by Raymond A. Foss, Esq.
July 15, 2007
Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH
(with bulletin inserts of Osama bin Laden and other al Qaeda terrorists)
All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.
See all 11,650+ of my poems at Poetry Where You Live.
to forgive bin Laden
the one we had so hated
gunned down, now dead
The ancient command of Jesus
to love even our enemies
to leave the judging
of all peoples to God
All of us human
mortals, sinners
all of us straying
from the love
to which we are called
The hard lesson
the story of the Good Samaritan
what it means to be a disciple;
Shouldn’t this guide us
as we contemplate his death
May 2, 2011
Death of Osama bin Laden
and remembering the al Qaeda terrorism of
September 11, 2011
&
sermon, “We Lawyers Are Good For Something”
based on Luke 10:25-37
by Raymond A. Foss, Esq.
July 15, 2007
Wesley United Methodist Church, Concord, NH
(with bulletin inserts of Osama bin Laden and other al Qaeda terrorists)
All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.
See all 11,650+ of my poems at Poetry Where You Live.
Metastasized
Metastasized,
transformed for terror
not a single body
like the head of a snake
The head cut off
but the roots deeper
metastasized like a tumors
spread far and wide
If a head to the hydra
maybe like the heads aplenty
on the head of Medusa
each one their own risk
The head is gone
but the cancer remaining
spread in hearts
jaundiced by fear
emboldened by fire
May 2, 2011
Death of Osama bin Laden
and remembering the al Qaeda terrorism of
September 11, 2011
All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.
See all 11,650+ of my poems at Poetry Where You Live.
transformed for terror
not a single body
like the head of a snake
The head cut off
but the roots deeper
metastasized like a tumors
spread far and wide
If a head to the hydra
maybe like the heads aplenty
on the head of Medusa
each one their own risk
The head is gone
but the cancer remaining
spread in hearts
jaundiced by fear
emboldened by fire
May 2, 2011
Death of Osama bin Laden
and remembering the al Qaeda terrorism of
September 11, 2011
All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.
See all 11,650+ of my poems at Poetry Where You Live.
Mourning Again
The words of remembrance
crackling on the radio
as person after person
reliving those memories
Mourning again
not feeling real closure
the wounds for our nation
raw emotion
May 2, 2011
Death of Osama bin Laden
and remembering the al Qaeda terrorism of
September 11, 2011
All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.
See all 11,650+ of my poems at Poetry Where You Live.
crackling on the radio
as person after person
reliving those memories
Mourning again
not feeling real closure
the wounds for our nation
raw emotion
May 2, 2011
Death of Osama bin Laden
and remembering the al Qaeda terrorism of
September 11, 2011
All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.
See all 11,650+ of my poems at Poetry Where You Live.
The Head of the Snake - 2
Not nearly the whole
but the head of the snake
cut off, dead
in a watery grave
No real closure
not by far
but evil cut off
no longer alive
May 2, 2011
Death of Osama bin Laden
and remembering the al Qaeda terrorism of
September 11, 2011
All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.
See all 11,650+ of my poems at Poetry Where You Live.
but the head of the snake
cut off, dead
in a watery grave
No real closure
not by far
but evil cut off
no longer alive
May 2, 2011
Death of Osama bin Laden
and remembering the al Qaeda terrorism of
September 11, 2011
All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.
See all 11,650+ of my poems at Poetry Where You Live.
The head of the snake
What will be the consequence
what will be remembered
of this day in history
the head of the snake
the leader brought down
but what will become
of the body left below?
May 2, 2011
Death of Osama bin Laden
and remembering the al Qaeda terrorism of
September 11, 2011
All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.
See all 11,650+ of my poems at Poetry Where You Live.
what will be remembered
of this day in history
the head of the snake
the leader brought down
but what will become
of the body left below?
May 2, 2011
Death of Osama bin Laden
and remembering the al Qaeda terrorism of
September 11, 2011
All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.
See all 11,650+ of my poems at Poetry Where You Live.
My September 11, 2001 poems, before the news of Osama bin Laden's death
September 11
So mindful
present in my thoughts this morning
that transfixing moment
the towers falling
our gasps, holding our breath
not believing our eyes
how fast, shattering
the billows of the smoke
the roar of hell
consuming so much
in those moments of insanity
utter destruction
changing our nation
the world on that morning
carved into our memories
never to be forgotten
September 11, 2010
September 11, 2001
=======
Every Flag
Every flag
all around our state
in the driving we did
on this special day
Every flag flying
none of the poles empty
yet every flag flying
at only half staff
None of us had to ask
why they flew this way
none of us will ever forget
what happened on this day
September 11, 2010
September 11, 2001
======================
911 – haiku – 7
Love our enemies
Jesus taught us all to love
even those we would hate
September 10, 2010
September 11, 2001
=====================
911 – haiku – 6
Can we let go, hate
forgive the enemy, all
truly love, neighbors
September 10, 2010
September 11, 2001
======================
911 – haiku – 5
Can we let go, hate
forgive the enemy, all
truly love, neighbors
September 10, 2010
September 11, 2001
=====================
911 – haiku – 4
Shock on all our faces
this couldn’t be happening here
we thought we were safe
September 10, 2010
September 11, 2001
====================
911 – haiku – 3
Our hearts remember
ache of destruction that day
when the towers fell
September 10, 2010
September 11, 2001
=================
911 – haiku – 2
We can choose our path
to hate or to love our neighbor
but God would choose love
September 9, 2010
Ezekiel 2:7
“You must speak my words to them,
whether they listen or fail to listen, for they are rebellious.”
Ezekiel 1:1-2:10
http://www.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/reading.cgi?plan=straight&ver=NAS
Heartlight’s Straight Through Bible Study
for September 8, 2010, read September 8, 2010
=================
A Change in Circumstances
When the same reality
the drip drip drip
the slow water torture
unresolved, unchanging
when the same constitutes
a change in circumstances
not moving forward
no conclusion reached
statis itself, remaining still
inertia, entropy, eroding
changing stones, lives etched
in the passing of time alone
September 11, 2009
============================
As I woke this morning
As I woke this morning, I remembered
I remembered that day, the exact moment
when I saw the towers, innocence burning
a shower of debris. The gasps, of each new person
seeing the images, over and over
Feeling the same ache as when
I watched the Challenger
explode in the sky.
We watched, unsure
tears streaming down, helpless
Attacked on our soil, numb
I remember the air in the lounge,
the small screen too big
showing too vividly the pain
the anguish, the towers hit, falling
plumes of smoke, of flame
darkness that morning, echoing still
friends, new friends, in the room
who may have loved ones in New York
in the Pentagon, at that moment
a call on a cell phone
All transfixed, unable to move
September 11, 2008
On the anniversary of September 11, 2001
watching it my first year of law school
Franklin Pierce Law Center, Concord, NH
================
911 – haiku
The towers fell, loss
we were forever changed
the pain remains still
September 11, 2008
=======================
Before the Guard
Standing watch
A large flag, the stars and stripes
hanging heavy, sad, the sun
through the thin, worn fabric
Hanging at half-staff
before the Guard, on the strip
reminding us of the loss on this date
so recently still, a part of our collective
our shared consciousness
A day, a moment, like that day in Dallas
always to be hallowed, remembered
A weathered flag in the late afternoon
fitting sentry before the Guard
so many out there today
defending us in those dark places
in part because of this date
seven years at war, invisible enemy
But our flag flies still
to remember, resolve our a nation too
that terror would be avenged
our way of life would prevail
that our dream together
will never die
September 11, 2008
Army Guard, Loudon Road,
Concord, NH
=========
Where Will They Attack
Would that I had the crystal ball
to answer her quaking question
a day or two before the anniversary
of the attacks in her brother’s home town
To assuage her sudden fears,
casual sharing of a presidential candidate’s
positions, the flier in her lap,
to discussions of terrorists,
that they wouldn’t strike here,
in our quiet city; but in
the same kinds of places;
but “that is where my brother lives…”
“Where will they strike?”
Truth that I don’t know, that we
do not know where the next attack
will come, when it will come;
but truth too that if we change our lives,
if we fear and let that freeze us,
focus our thoughts too long there,
they have won, as surely as when
the attacks will come
Resolve to continue on
to live our lives, perhaps more humbly;
but live our lives fully
without fearing what
the madmen may do or
where they may attack
September 11, 2007 10:43AM
=====================
Friendly Fire
In war, actions can have unintended
unwanted consequences, self-inflicted wounds,
friendly fire, not just on the battlefield.
How much more true in our world
now, after the twin-towers fell to rubble
Decisions in Baghdad, in the White House
change the status, the station of America
in the eyes of the world.
Expedient choices, abandoning principle, law,
for dubious gain
Hurting us, who we profess to be,
more than our enemies ever will.
June 16, 2007 16:31
===============
Pearl Reconsidered
For so long, in my life,
unable to discern, to appreciate
the moment of shock, or anger,
of desire for revenge, for a call to duty
to vigilance, to service
not like anything in my experience,
the attack on Pearl, the Day of Infamy,
December 7, 1941 (can you hear his voice too?)
But our lives changed, and we know their pain
the anger they felt, sixty five years gone by
because we were visited by cowards in the skies
Kamikazes of another zealot, another madman
bent on surprise and attack
when the towers fell, we were pulled back
to the crackling radio and
FDR’s righteous indignation
We too knew what it felt like
and we will never forget
Too bad the enemy is no longer
a nation-state
December 8, 2006 19:40
=================
Three Years
Three Years
But like yesterday
Remembering the feelings
The steps, actions taken
As the nation awoke, realized
Vulnerabilities (resolve to follow)
Towers fell and we wept
Another innocence lost
In our time, this time
Personal and angry
Saturday, September 11, 2004 14:50
All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.
See all 11,640+ of my poems at Poetry Where You Live.
So mindful
present in my thoughts this morning
that transfixing moment
the towers falling
our gasps, holding our breath
not believing our eyes
how fast, shattering
the billows of the smoke
the roar of hell
consuming so much
in those moments of insanity
utter destruction
changing our nation
the world on that morning
carved into our memories
never to be forgotten
September 11, 2010
September 11, 2001
=======
Every Flag
Every flag
all around our state
in the driving we did
on this special day
Every flag flying
none of the poles empty
yet every flag flying
at only half staff
None of us had to ask
why they flew this way
none of us will ever forget
what happened on this day
September 11, 2010
September 11, 2001
======================
911 – haiku – 7
Love our enemies
Jesus taught us all to love
even those we would hate
September 10, 2010
September 11, 2001
=====================
911 – haiku – 6
Can we let go, hate
forgive the enemy, all
truly love, neighbors
September 10, 2010
September 11, 2001
======================
911 – haiku – 5
Can we let go, hate
forgive the enemy, all
truly love, neighbors
September 10, 2010
September 11, 2001
=====================
911 – haiku – 4
Shock on all our faces
this couldn’t be happening here
we thought we were safe
September 10, 2010
September 11, 2001
====================
911 – haiku – 3
Our hearts remember
ache of destruction that day
when the towers fell
September 10, 2010
September 11, 2001
=================
911 – haiku – 2
We can choose our path
to hate or to love our neighbor
but God would choose love
September 9, 2010
Ezekiel 2:7
“You must speak my words to them,
whether they listen or fail to listen, for they are rebellious.”
Ezekiel 1:1-2:10
http://www.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/reading.cgi?plan=straight&ver=NAS
Heartlight’s Straight Through Bible Study
for September 8, 2010, read September 8, 2010
=================
A Change in Circumstances
When the same reality
the drip drip drip
the slow water torture
unresolved, unchanging
when the same constitutes
a change in circumstances
not moving forward
no conclusion reached
statis itself, remaining still
inertia, entropy, eroding
changing stones, lives etched
in the passing of time alone
September 11, 2009
============================
As I woke this morning
As I woke this morning, I remembered
I remembered that day, the exact moment
when I saw the towers, innocence burning
a shower of debris. The gasps, of each new person
seeing the images, over and over
Feeling the same ache as when
I watched the Challenger
explode in the sky.
We watched, unsure
tears streaming down, helpless
Attacked on our soil, numb
I remember the air in the lounge,
the small screen too big
showing too vividly the pain
the anguish, the towers hit, falling
plumes of smoke, of flame
darkness that morning, echoing still
friends, new friends, in the room
who may have loved ones in New York
in the Pentagon, at that moment
a call on a cell phone
All transfixed, unable to move
September 11, 2008
On the anniversary of September 11, 2001
watching it my first year of law school
Franklin Pierce Law Center, Concord, NH
================
911 – haiku
The towers fell, loss
we were forever changed
the pain remains still
September 11, 2008
=======================
Before the Guard
Standing watch
A large flag, the stars and stripes
hanging heavy, sad, the sun
through the thin, worn fabric
Hanging at half-staff
before the Guard, on the strip
reminding us of the loss on this date
so recently still, a part of our collective
our shared consciousness
A day, a moment, like that day in Dallas
always to be hallowed, remembered
A weathered flag in the late afternoon
fitting sentry before the Guard
so many out there today
defending us in those dark places
in part because of this date
seven years at war, invisible enemy
But our flag flies still
to remember, resolve our a nation too
that terror would be avenged
our way of life would prevail
that our dream together
will never die
September 11, 2008
Army Guard, Loudon Road,
Concord, NH
=========
Where Will They Attack
Would that I had the crystal ball
to answer her quaking question
a day or two before the anniversary
of the attacks in her brother’s home town
To assuage her sudden fears,
casual sharing of a presidential candidate’s
positions, the flier in her lap,
to discussions of terrorists,
that they wouldn’t strike here,
in our quiet city; but in
the same kinds of places;
but “that is where my brother lives…”
“Where will they strike?”
Truth that I don’t know, that we
do not know where the next attack
will come, when it will come;
but truth too that if we change our lives,
if we fear and let that freeze us,
focus our thoughts too long there,
they have won, as surely as when
the attacks will come
Resolve to continue on
to live our lives, perhaps more humbly;
but live our lives fully
without fearing what
the madmen may do or
where they may attack
September 11, 2007 10:43AM
=====================
Friendly Fire
In war, actions can have unintended
unwanted consequences, self-inflicted wounds,
friendly fire, not just on the battlefield.
How much more true in our world
now, after the twin-towers fell to rubble
Decisions in Baghdad, in the White House
change the status, the station of America
in the eyes of the world.
Expedient choices, abandoning principle, law,
for dubious gain
Hurting us, who we profess to be,
more than our enemies ever will.
June 16, 2007 16:31
===============
Pearl Reconsidered
For so long, in my life,
unable to discern, to appreciate
the moment of shock, or anger,
of desire for revenge, for a call to duty
to vigilance, to service
not like anything in my experience,
the attack on Pearl, the Day of Infamy,
December 7, 1941 (can you hear his voice too?)
But our lives changed, and we know their pain
the anger they felt, sixty five years gone by
because we were visited by cowards in the skies
Kamikazes of another zealot, another madman
bent on surprise and attack
when the towers fell, we were pulled back
to the crackling radio and
FDR’s righteous indignation
We too knew what it felt like
and we will never forget
Too bad the enemy is no longer
a nation-state
December 8, 2006 19:40
=================
Three Years
Three Years
But like yesterday
Remembering the feelings
The steps, actions taken
As the nation awoke, realized
Vulnerabilities (resolve to follow)
Towers fell and we wept
Another innocence lost
In our time, this time
Personal and angry
Saturday, September 11, 2004 14:50
All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.
See all 11,640+ of my poems at Poetry Where You Live.
To save all the sheep
God’s message
in the story of the lost sheep
not the many gathering
but the one that got away
who strayed from the Father
the shepherd, the family
the other sheep
To save all the sheep
the Shepherd going
to find the missing
the ones who strayed
to bring this one back
to save all the sheep
all the people of the earth
May 2, 2011
Luke 15:1-7
Parable of the Lost Sheep
Isaiah 43:1-7
Communion
Worship Theme: “All Human Life is Sacred”
and sermon: “Somebody’s Calling Your Name”
by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
May 1, 2011
Second Sunday of Easter
All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.
See all 11,640+ of my poems at Poetry Where You Live.
in the story of the lost sheep
not the many gathering
but the one that got away
who strayed from the Father
the shepherd, the family
the other sheep
To save all the sheep
the Shepherd going
to find the missing
the ones who strayed
to bring this one back
to save all the sheep
all the people of the earth
May 2, 2011
Luke 15:1-7
Parable of the Lost Sheep
Isaiah 43:1-7
Communion
Worship Theme: “All Human Life is Sacred”
and sermon: “Somebody’s Calling Your Name”
by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
May 1, 2011
Second Sunday of Easter
All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.
See all 11,640+ of my poems at Poetry Where You Live.
. . . according to his will
If we pray
we are confident
sure that God
will answer our prayers
only if,
our prayers are faithful
according to his will
the will of God
We cannot ask
for something selfish
something for
our gain alone
We must be faithful
to the Spirit’s calling
the breath of God
speaking within
Only when we
are truly faithful
asking for
our heart’s desire
Only when
we pray for our needs
from the Creator’s plan
our offering
Only then
our prayers fully answered
God healing us
totally
May 2, 2011
1 John 5:14-15
Bible Verse of the Day
http://www.verseoftheday.com/
for May 2, 2011
read May 2, 2011
All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.
See all 11,540+ of my poems at Poetry Where You Live.
we are confident
sure that God
will answer our prayers
only if,
our prayers are faithful
according to his will
the will of God
We cannot ask
for something selfish
something for
our gain alone
We must be faithful
to the Spirit’s calling
the breath of God
speaking within
Only when we
are truly faithful
asking for
our heart’s desire
Only when
we pray for our needs
from the Creator’s plan
our offering
Only then
our prayers fully answered
God healing us
totally
May 2, 2011
1 John 5:14-15
Bible Verse of the Day
http://www.verseoftheday.com/
for May 2, 2011
read May 2, 2011
All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.
See all 11,540+ of my poems at Poetry Where You Live.
if we ask anything. . .
We come before God
confident in an answer
our petitions raised
from a penitent heart
Knowing God
will ever answer
if our prayers
are conformed to His will
May 2, 2011
1 John 5:14-15
Bible Verse of the Day
http://www.verseoftheday.com/
for May 2, 2011
read May 2, 2011
All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.
See all 11,540+ of my poems at Poetry Where You Live.
confident in an answer
our petitions raised
from a penitent heart
Knowing God
will ever answer
if our prayers
are conformed to His will
May 2, 2011
1 John 5:14-15
Bible Verse of the Day
http://www.verseoftheday.com/
for May 2, 2011
read May 2, 2011
All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.
See all 11,540+ of my poems at Poetry Where You Live.
Called by Name
Each of us sinners,
each wayward sheep
called by our Master
back into the fold
Going into the world
called by name
Christ pursuing us
that we all may be saved.
May 2, 2011
Luke 15:1-7
Parable of the Lost Sheep
Isaiah 43:1-7
Communion
Worship Theme: “All Human Life is Sacred”
and sermon: “Somebody’s Calling Your Name”
by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
May 1, 2011
Second Sunday of Easter
All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.
See all 11,640+ of my poems at Poetry Where You Live.
each wayward sheep
called by our Master
back into the fold
Going into the world
called by name
Christ pursuing us
that we all may be saved.
May 2, 2011
Luke 15:1-7
Parable of the Lost Sheep
Isaiah 43:1-7
Communion
Worship Theme: “All Human Life is Sacred”
and sermon: “Somebody’s Calling Your Name”
by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
May 1, 2011
Second Sunday of Easter
All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.
See all 11,640+ of my poems at Poetry Where You Live.
More than One Lost Sheep
The shepherd calling
knowing us intimately
his voice calling
to us in the night
More than one lost sheep
so much more precious
yet the shepherd going, dying
to set each one free
May 2, 2011
Luke 15:1-7
Parable of the Lost Sheep
Isaiah 43:1-7
Communion
Worship Theme: “All Human Life is Sacred”
and sermon: “Somebody’s Calling Your Name”
by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
May 1, 2011
Second Sunday of Easter
All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.
See all 11,640+ of my poems at Poetry Where You Live.
knowing us intimately
his voice calling
to us in the night
More than one lost sheep
so much more precious
yet the shepherd going, dying
to set each one free
May 2, 2011
Luke 15:1-7
Parable of the Lost Sheep
Isaiah 43:1-7
Communion
Worship Theme: “All Human Life is Sacred”
and sermon: “Somebody’s Calling Your Name”
by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
May 1, 2011
Second Sunday of Easter
All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.
See all 11,640+ of my poems at Poetry Where You Live.
Mattering to God
The parable,
the life’s lesson
as we walk
here below
God is always
here with us
ready when
we turn to him
Wanting to
live together
for this
he died for us
May 2, 2011
Luke 15:1-7
Parable of the Lost Sheep
Isaiah 43:1-7
Communion
Worship Theme: “All Human Life is Sacred”
and sermon: “Somebody’s Calling Your Name”
by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
May 1, 2011
Second Sunday of Easter
All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.
See all 11,640+ of my poems at Poetry Where You Live.
the life’s lesson
as we walk
here below
God is always
here with us
ready when
we turn to him
Wanting to
live together
for this
he died for us
May 2, 2011
Luke 15:1-7
Parable of the Lost Sheep
Isaiah 43:1-7
Communion
Worship Theme: “All Human Life is Sacred”
and sermon: “Somebody’s Calling Your Name”
by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
May 1, 2011
Second Sunday of Easter
All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.
See all 11,640+ of my poems at Poetry Where You Live.
Do I Matter to Others
Those forgotten
so many as they become aged
those lost in urban juggles
or alone in the country
Asking these questions
from deep within
do I matter to others
does it matter that I live
May 2, 2011
Luke 15:1-7
Parable of the Lost Sheep
Isaiah 43:1-7
Communion
Worship Theme: “All Human Life is Sacred”
and sermon: “Somebody’s Calling Your Name”
by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
May 1, 2011
Second Sunday of Easter
All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.
See all 11,640+ of my poems at Poetry Where You Live.
so many as they become aged
those lost in urban juggles
or alone in the country
Asking these questions
from deep within
do I matter to others
does it matter that I live
May 2, 2011
Luke 15:1-7
Parable of the Lost Sheep
Isaiah 43:1-7
Communion
Worship Theme: “All Human Life is Sacred”
and sermon: “Somebody’s Calling Your Name”
by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
May 1, 2011
Second Sunday of Easter
All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.
See all 11,640+ of my poems at Poetry Where You Live.
Do I Matter to God
Sometimes in this life
yearning for answers
the musings deep within up
crying deep inside
Do I matter to God
does he hear my suffering
will he answer my cries
from deep within my soul
May 2, 2011
Luke 15:1-7
Parable of the Lost Sheep
Isaiah 43:1-7
Communion
Worship Theme: “All Human Life is Sacred”
and sermon: “Somebody’s Calling Your Name”
by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
May 1, 2011
Second Sunday of Easter
All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.
See all 11,640+ of my poems at Poetry Where You Live.
yearning for answers
the musings deep within up
crying deep inside
Do I matter to God
does he hear my suffering
will he answer my cries
from deep within my soul
May 2, 2011
Luke 15:1-7
Parable of the Lost Sheep
Isaiah 43:1-7
Communion
Worship Theme: “All Human Life is Sacred”
and sermon: “Somebody’s Calling Your Name”
by Reverend Huntley Halvorson
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
May 1, 2011
Second Sunday of Easter
All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.
See all 11,640+ of my poems at Poetry Where You Live.
For He Walked on this Earth
I know He lives
standing as witnesses
the unbroken live
from the day of salvation
He will return
to stand on the earth
at the end of the age
fulfilling His promise
Oh for that day
when heaven will come down
our Savior to reign
on heaven and earth
When we all are gathered
from the four corners
The whole world alive
with the sounds of your praises.
May 2, 2011
Job 19:25
Bible Verse of the Day
http://www.verseoftheday.com/
for April 29, 2011
read May 2, 2011
All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.
See all 11,540+ of my poems at Poetry Where You Live.
standing as witnesses
the unbroken live
from the day of salvation
He will return
to stand on the earth
at the end of the age
fulfilling His promise
Oh for that day
when heaven will come down
our Savior to reign
on heaven and earth
When we all are gathered
from the four corners
The whole world alive
with the sounds of your praises.
May 2, 2011
Job 19:25
Bible Verse of the Day
http://www.verseoftheday.com/
for April 29, 2011
read May 2, 2011
All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage.
See all 11,540+ of my poems at Poetry Where You Live.
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