Saturday, June 04, 2011

The Smell of the Spices

How strong it must have been
the pungent sweet colors
the smell of the spices
that he had been buried in
when Christ came to them
on the walk on that road
when he came into their presence
cutting the tension in the upper room
Christ alive before them
The truth, the light, a way,
changing the world forever


June 4, 2011
Luke 24:13-35
Walk to Emmaus
Luke 24:36-49
Jesus Appears to the Disciples
Don Francisco song,
“He’s Alive”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIndrry40Ks


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 11,940+ of my poems at Poetry Where You Live.

How We Act Toward Others

The measure of our faith
when we claim His name
offering love to others
not by the words we say
How we act toward others
in the quiet of our walk
offering love to each brother
to each sister on the way



==============
edited January 23, 2016
Sow Peace – v4
(merging edits to version 2 and version 3)
edited September 5, 2015
Sow Peace – v3
(editing version 2)
edited August 19, 2015
Sow Peace – v2
May 30, 2011
Sow Peace
&
edited August 21, 2015
A Harvest of Peace – v2
June 4, 2011
A Harvest of Peace
June 10, 2011
Wisdom from Above
June 10, 2011
The gears meshing
June 10, 2011
Consider in a Calm Season
June 10, 2011
In other decisions
June 10, 2011
Mend First
June 10, 2011
Able to Reconcile
June 10, 2011
Honest Dialogue
June 10, 2011
Spoken out of Love
June 4, 2011
Through Brokenness
June 4, 2011
How We Act Toward Others
May 30, 2011 and May 31, 2011
Live Peaceably
May 30, 2011
Awkward Seasons
Matthew 18:15-22
Romans 12:17-18
James 3:1-18
Matthew 5:24
and second in a two-part sermon series entitled
“Sensitivity Training II: When Church Folk Don’t Get Along.”
Peter said he “was not preaching this sermon because we are having difficulty with this issue. I am preaching it because I firmly believe the best time to consider matters such as this is when tensions are not high and we can reflect on good spiritual practices that can keep our relationships healthy.  The middle part of Matthew 18 offers a good plan for conflict resolution.” 
by the Reverend Peter A. Hey,
Wesley United Methodist Church
Concord, NH
May 29, 2011

All of my poems and photographs are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 40,780+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

A Harvest of Peace

Christ’s promise
if we follow His call
faithful to the Master
giving Him our all
Open to His message
hearing Him in our hearts
a harvest of peace in the offing
if we offer them Christ’s love


==============
edited January 23, 2016
Sow Peace – v4
(merging edits to version 2 and version 3)
edited September 5, 2015
Sow Peace – v3
(editing version 2)
edited August 19, 2015
Sow Peace – v2
May 30, 2011
Sow Peace
&
edited August 21, 2015
A Harvest of Peace – v2
June 4, 2011
A Harvest of Peace
June 10, 2011
Wisdom from Above
June 10, 2011
The gears meshing
June 10, 2011
Consider in a Calm Season
June 10, 2011
In other decisions
June 10, 2011
Mend First
June 10, 2011
Able to Reconcile
June 10, 2011
Honest Dialogue
June 10, 2011
Spoken out of Love
June 4, 2011
Through Brokenness
June 4, 2011
How We Act Toward Others
May 30, 2011 and May 31, 2011
Live Peaceably
May 30, 2011
Awkward Seasons
Matthew 18:15-22
Romans 12:17-18
James 3:1-18
Matthew 5:24
and second in a two-part sermon series entitled
“Sensitivity Training II: When Church Folk Don’t Get Along.”
Peter said he “was not preaching this sermon because we are having difficulty with this issue. I am preaching it because I firmly believe the best time to consider matters such as this is when tensions are not high and we can reflect on good spiritual practices that can keep our relationships healthy.  The middle part of Matthew 18 offers a good plan for conflict resolution.” 
by the Reverend Peter A. Hey,
Wesley United Methodist Church
Concord, NH
May 29, 2011


All of my poems and photographs are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 40,780+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Through Brokenness

Only in dying
through brokenness
through the sacrifice of God
the church was reborn
community through brokenness
Breaking of bread
the pouring of the cup
our Savior’s body broken
that we may be lifted up.



==============
edited January 23, 2016
Sow Peace – v4
(merging edits to version 2 and version 3)
edited September 5, 2015
Sow Peace – v3
(editing version 2)
edited August 19, 2015
Sow Peace – v2
May 30, 2011
Sow Peace
&
edited August 21, 2015
A Harvest of Peace – v2
June 4, 2011
A Harvest of Peace
June 10, 2011
Wisdom from Above
June 10, 2011
The gears meshing
June 10, 2011
Consider in a Calm Season
June 10, 2011
In other decisions
June 10, 2011
Mend First
June 10, 2011
Able to Reconcile
June 10, 2011
Honest Dialogue
June 10, 2011
Spoken out of Love
June 4, 2011
Through Brokenness
June 4, 2011
How We Act Toward Others
May 30, 2011 and May 31, 2011
Live Peaceably
May 30, 2011
Awkward Seasons
Matthew 18:15-22
Romans 12:17-18
James 3:1-18
Matthew 5:24
and second in a two-part sermon series entitled
“Sensitivity Training II: When Church Folk Don’t Get Along.”
Peter said he “was not preaching this sermon because we are having difficulty with this issue. I am preaching it because I firmly believe the best time to consider matters such as this is when tensions are not high and we can reflect on good spiritual practices that can keep our relationships healthy.  The middle part of Matthew 18 offers a good plan for conflict resolution.” 
by the Reverend Peter A. Hey,
Wesley United Methodist Church
Concord, NH
May 29, 2011


All of my poems and photographs are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 40,780+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Something of Heaven – v2

Something of heaven
can be here with us
out of the dialogue
the hearing of the message
the voice of God
a relationship, a way of life
emboldening us, lifting us
within the realities of earth;
something of heaven here
walking here with us


edited June 4, 2011
based on request to use extract of the poem,
“Something of Heaven”
in the sermon tomorrow; by
The Reverend Canon William (Chip) H. Stokes, Rector
St. Paul's Episcopal Church
188 South Swinton Avenue
Delray Beach, Florida 33444
&
June 10, 2007 16:36
Romans 4:13-25 & Hebrews 11:1-10
based on the sermon, “Hearing Faith”, by
the Reverend Orin D. Watson, retired ordained
elder with the Illinois Great Rivers Conference
of the United Methodist Church, a pastor for over
60 years, and a wonderful witness to faith


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.

Friday, June 03, 2011

As if Frozen Solid

If we believe
able to walk on waters
standing on stormy seas
if we would but follow
hearing our Master
following his call
as if frozen solid
nothing to fear at all


June 3, 2011
Matthew 14:22-33
Walking on Water
&
------------------
when we listen to the wind

Matthew 14:22-33
Walking on Water
Matthew 14:13-17:13
http://www.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/reading.cgi?plan=straight&ver=NAS
Heartlight’s Straight Through Bible Study
for October 13, 2010,
read October 21, 2010
&
-------------------
Following When Called

February 8, 2010 (title 2/7/2010)
Luke 5:1-11
http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/description.asp?item_id=645177&whichBarItem=excerpt&category=&sub_category=
Upper Room Disciplines for 2010
for February 1, 2010 to February 7, 2010,
“Epiphanies”,
by V.H. “Sonnye” Dixon, Jr
for February 6, 2010 (Luke 5:1-11)
for February 7, 2010 (Luke 5:1-11)
&
Isaiah 6:1-8 – Isaiah in the throne room
Luke 5:1-11 – Peter, James, and John by Lake Galilee
Acts 9:1-9 – Saul/Paul on the Damascus Road
and
Alive Now Daily Reflections
http://alivenow.upperroom.org/daily-reflections/daily-reflections-for-february-1-7/
for February 1, 2010 to February 7, 2010
by Nancy Fergusons (You can visit her website at www.BlueTreeResources.org)
for February 1, 2010
for February 2, 2010
for February 3, 2010
and for February 4, 2010



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 11,930+ of my poems at Poetry Where You Live.

A Day Alive

A wish for tomorrow
for those with birthdays
for new beginnings
and hope for more
A day alive
full of wonder
ready for bursting
bursting wide open


June 3, 2011
birthday wishes on Facebook;
on writing poetry,
as casting stones



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 11,930+ of my poems at Poetry Where You Live.

Up onto the waters

Going when he was called
standing, walking
up onto the waters
coming to the Master
hearing His voice
heeding His call
going where he was led
out into the world


June 3, 2011
Matthew 14:22-33
Walking on Water
&
------------------
when we listen to the wind

Matthew 14:22-33
Walking on Water
Matthew 14:13-17:13
http://www.heartlight.org/cgi-shl/reading.cgi?plan=straight&ver=NAS
Heartlight’s Straight Through Bible Study
for October 13, 2010,
read October 21, 2010
&
-------------------
Following When Called

February 8, 2010 (title 2/7/2010)
Luke 5:1-11
http://www.upperroom.org/bookstore/description.asp?item_id=645177&whichBarItem=excerpt&category=&sub_category=
Upper Room Disciplines for 2010
for February 1, 2010 to February 7, 2010,
“Epiphanies”,
by V.H. “Sonnye” Dixon, Jr
for February 6, 2010 (Luke 5:1-11)
for February 7, 2010 (Luke 5:1-11)
&
Isaiah 6:1-8 – Isaiah in the throne room
Luke 5:1-11 – Peter, James, and John by Lake Galilee
Acts 9:1-9 – Saul/Paul on the Damascus Road
and
Alive Now Daily Reflections
http://alivenow.upperroom.org/daily-reflections/daily-reflections-for-february-1-7/
for February 1, 2010 to February 7, 2010
by Nancy Fergusons (You can visit her website at www.BlueTreeResources.org)
for February 1, 2010
for February 2, 2010
for February 3, 2010
and for February 4, 2010



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 11,930+ of my poems at Poetry Where You Live.

A Reminder

The poem from before
posted on the wall
above the light switch
how many times, I wonder
has it been a balm
a moment of reflection
a reminder of Your Love
One Creator,
one sovereign God
watching over us
showering us with love


June 3, 2011
seeing my earlier poem
posted on the gas station wall

----------------------------
Because We Have Faith

Stopping to check in
to talk with my neighbor
my brother, suffering
to make his ends meet

The economy, the pressures
the difficult circumstances
yet we both were affirming
because we have faith

The struggles, the trials
the grist of this life
still there for believers
but with a strength deep inside

If we turn to Jesus
on that strong foundation
our hope in our Savior
and our peace in the storms


April 21, 2011
conversation at the gas station
April 21, 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 11,930+ of my poems at Poetry Where You Live.

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Live Peaceably

Not sowing hate
dissension in our walk
live peaceably in Christ
sharing the love of God

Walking humbly
before our sovereign God
offering love, friendship
to our neighbors here below


==============
edited January 23, 2016
Sow Peace – v4
(merging edits to version 2 and version 3)
edited September 5, 2015
Sow Peace – v3
(editing version 2)
edited August 19, 2015
Sow Peace – v2
May 30, 2011
Sow Peace
&
edited August 21, 2015
A Harvest of Peace – v2
June 4, 2011
A Harvest of Peace
June 10, 2011
Wisdom from Above
June 10, 2011
The gears meshing
June 10, 2011
Consider in a Calm Season
June 10, 2011
In other decisions
June 10, 2011
Mend First
June 10, 2011
Able to Reconcile
June 10, 2011
Honest Dialogue
June 10, 2011
Spoken out of Love
June 4, 2011
Through Brokenness
June 4, 2011
How We Act Toward Others
May 30, 2011 and May 31, 2011
Live Peaceably
May 30, 2011
Awkward Seasons
Matthew 18:15-22
Romans 12:17-18
James 3:1-18
Matthew 5:24
and second in a two-part sermon series entitled
“Sensitivity Training II: When Church Folk Don’t Get Along.”
Peter said he “was not preaching this sermon because we are having difficulty with this issue. I am preaching it because I firmly believe the best time to consider matters such as this is when tensions are not high and we can reflect on good spiritual practices that can keep our relationships healthy.  The middle part of Matthew 18 offers a good plan for conflict resolution.” 
by the Reverend Peter A. Hey,
Wesley United Methodist Church
Concord, NH
May 29, 2011


All of my poems and photographs are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 40,780+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Sow Peace

Guided by Christ
informed by his love
walking in his ways
called to sow peace
to walk gentle
in this life
letting the Spirit guide
into the light of Christ


==============
edited January 23, 2016
Sow Peace – v4
(merging edits to version 2 and version 3)
edited September 5, 2015
Sow Peace – v3
(editing version 2)
edited August 19, 2015
Sow Peace – v2
May 30, 2011
Sow Peace
&
edited August 21, 2015
A Harvest of Peace – v2
June 4, 2011
A Harvest of Peace
June 10, 2011
Wisdom from Above
June 10, 2011
The gears meshing
June 10, 2011
Consider in a Calm Season
June 10, 2011
In other decisions
June 10, 2011
Mend First
June 10, 2011
Able to Reconcile
June 10, 2011
Honest Dialogue
June 10, 2011
Spoken out of Love
June 4, 2011
Through Brokenness
June 4, 2011
How We Act Toward Others
May 30, 2011 and May 31, 2011
Live Peaceably
May 30, 2011
Awkward Seasons
Matthew 18:15-22
Romans 12:17-18
James 3:1-18
Matthew 5:24
and second in a two-part sermon series entitled
“Sensitivity Training II: When Church Folk Don’t Get Along.”
Peter said he “was not preaching this sermon because we are having difficulty with this issue. I am preaching it because I firmly believe the best time to consider matters such as this is when tensions are not high and we can reflect on good spiritual practices that can keep our relationships healthy.  The middle part of Matthew 18 offers a good plan for conflict resolution.” 
by the Reverend Peter A. Hey,
Wesley United Methodist Church
Concord, NH
May 29, 2011


All of my poems and photographs are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 40,780+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Awkward Seasons

Awkward seasons
when the church does not agree
when there is a split
between your heart and me
Christ speaks to us
guiding us in love
coming together to resolve this
speaking the truth
in a spirit of forgiveness
surrounded by Christ’s arms
in his arms of love


Sow Peace – v4

We are filled by the Spirit
Guided by Christ
Informed by His love
Walking in His path

We are called to sow peace
to walk gently in this life;
Letting the Spirit guide us
into the light of Christ

We are not to hold grudges
any small or great hurts;
We are to give them to God
so we can go forth

We are called to sow peace
to walk gently in this life;
Letting the Spirit guide us
into the light of Christ

==============
edited January 23, 2016
Sow Peace – v4
(merging edits to version 2 and version 3)
edited September 5, 2015
Sow Peace – v3
(editing version 2)
edited August 19, 2015
Sow Peace – v2
May 30, 2011
Sow Peace
&
edited August 21, 2015
A Harvest of Peace – v2
June 4, 2011
A Harvest of Peace
June 10, 2011
Wisdom from Above
June 10, 2011
The gears meshing
June 10, 2011
Consider in a Calm Season
June 10, 2011
In other decisions
June 10, 2011
Mend First
June 10, 2011
Able to Reconcile
June 10, 2011
Honest Dialogue
June 10, 2011
Spoken out of Love
June 4, 2011
Through Brokenness
June 4, 2011
How We Act Toward Others
May 30, 2011 and May 31, 2011
Live Peaceably
May 30, 2011
Awkward Seasons
Matthew 18:15-22
Romans 12:17-18
James 3:1-18
Matthew 5:24
and second in a two-part sermon series entitled
“Sensitivity Training II: When Church Folk Don’t Get Along.”
Peter said he “was not preaching this sermon because we are having difficulty with this issue. I am preaching it because I firmly believe the best time to consider matters such as this is when tensions are not high and we can reflect on good spiritual practices that can keep our relationships healthy.  The middle part of Matthew 18 offers a good plan for conflict resolution.” 
by the Reverend Peter A. Hey,
Wesley United Methodist Church
Concord, NH
May 29, 2011

All of my poems and photographs are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com) for usage. See all 40,780+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Monday, May 30, 2011

Hearing the martyrs, the heroes

In the cadence of the marching
the flow of the celebration
in the stillness within me
Hearing the martyrs
the heroes who sacrificed
who went on to glory
to defend our beliefs
Listen we must
to the whispers of the fallen
teaching us much
of how to walk in this life
Something grander
more meaningful than consumption
sacrifice for our nations
for what we all hold dear.



May 30, 2011
Manchester, NH Memorial Day Parade
Memorial Day 2011


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 23,410+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Hearing their whispers

Even under the bright sky
the anthems of the brass bands
the applause of this community
as the veterans marched by

Hearing their whispers
those have died for our freedoms
their prayers that we would be faithful
to the beliefs we share together

Knowing they are watching
sensing them here with those assembled
watching down over us
as they have always done



May 30, 2011
Manchester, NH Memorial Day Parade
Memorial Day 2011


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 23,410+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

In the Arms of Our Savior

Oh Lord, I pray
oh let them be
each of the valiant
the brave who have fallen
that we are free
may they be
in the arms of our Savior
throughout eternity


May 30, 2011
Memorial Day 2011


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 23,410+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

That We May Be Worthy

A prayer for our nation
that we would be worthy
those who have fought for us
that have died for our freedom
a prayer that we would live
by our sacred creed
Never standing
for the cause of repression
always speaking out
for the cause of freedom
Resolute in our policies
the aims of our leaders
ever true to
the values we hold dear



May 30, 2011
Manchester, NH Memorial Day Parade
Memorial Day 2011


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 23,410+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

For those who have died

Honoring those who have served
who are serving for us now
in this standing for those
for those who have died

Standing in solemn
prayer, our hearts in our throats
thinking of those
who paid the cost for us


May 30, 2011
Memorial Day 2011


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 23,410+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.