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Saturday, March 16, 2013

becoming like him in his death

Paul’s ancient words of prayer
of petition for his life
guiding the fledgling disciples
from afar, Philippi,
to enter into worship
a life yoked to Christ
sharing in his suffering
becoming like him in his death



------
March 16, 2013
Philippians 3:4b-14
Upper Room Disciplines for 2013
March 11, 2013 to March 17, 2013
“Looking Back, Going Forward”
by K. Cherie Jones
for March 14, 2013
read March 16, 2013
&
Philippians 3
90 day New Testament Bible Study
read August 23, 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, 2014. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 27,190+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Straining Forward – v2

Trying to be faithful
to the teachings of Christ
seeking his grace
in my daily life

Straining forward
against the bit of my resistance
seeking to control
when I should be led

Taking His yoke
raising to my shoulders
actually lowering it upon me
to feel it around my neck

Only then able, without control,
walking with my Savior
journeying with my brother
in the way that leads to life



Edited March 16, 2013
“Straining Forward – v2”
March 16, 2013
Philippians 3:4b-14
Upper Room Disciplines for 2013
March 11, 2013 to March 17, 2013
“Looking Back, Going Forward”
by K. Cherie Jones
for March 14, 2013
read March 16, 2013
&
Philippians 3
90 day New Testament Bible Study
read August 23, 2011
&
poem, “Straining Forward”
June 18, 2010
Philippians 3:14
Philippians 3:12-14
&
Day 269, “Pressing On”, in
 “Daily Mediations: On Golden Texts of the Bible”,
by Henry Gariepy
read June 18, 2010


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 27,180+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

straining forward - 2

forgetting the past
moving onward
straining forward
toward God’s plan,
ahead of me ever
my light, my journey
my hope eternal
beyond the horizon line
I press onward
against the bit, the yoke
straining forward
forever, always


------
March 16, 2013
Philippians 3:4b-14
Upper Room Disciplines for 2013
March 11, 2013 to March 17, 2013
“Looking Back, Going Forward”
by K. Cherie Jones
for March 14, 2013
read March 16, 2013
&
Philippians 3
90 day New Testament Bible Study
read August 23, 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, 2014. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 27,180+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

that I may gain Christ

all that I was
all that I treasured
all is loss
that I may gain Christ
that He would walk with me
to guide my life
His Spirit upon me
my darkness light



------
March 16, 2013
Philippians 3:4b-14
Upper Room Disciplines for 2013
March 11, 2013 to March 17, 2013
“Looking Back, Going Forward”
by K. Cherie Jones
for March 14, 2013
read March 16, 2013
&
Philippians 3
90 day New Testament Bible Study
read August 23, 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, 2014. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 27,180+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Through the prism of Christ


all the facets of my life
through the prism of Christ
measured in the balance
against the mirror of his life
the choices he made
new priority, new focus
changing my ways
to walk ever closer
all of my days



------
March 16, 2013
Philippians 3:4b-14
Upper Room Disciplines for 2013
March 11, 2013 to March 17, 2013
“Looking Back, Going Forward”
by K. Cherie Jones
for March 15, 2013
read March 16, 2013
&
Philippians 3:4b-14
Upper Room Disciplines for 2013
March 11, 2013 to March 17, 2013
“Looking Back, Going Forward”
by K. Cherie Jones
for March 14, 2013
read March 16, 2013


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 27,180+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

put you in first rank


not my resume, my skills
not my time-honored roles
I need to maintain order
perspective in my life
put you in first rank
my trust in Christ
serving as I have been gifted
sharing God’s light



------
March 16, 2013
Philippians 3:4b-14
Upper Room Disciplines for 2013
March 11, 2013 to March 17, 2013
“Looking Back, Going Forward”
by K. Cherie Jones
for March 14, 2013
read March 16, 2013


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 27,190+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

pray the psalm



in thanksgiving, petition
as our heart is burdened
pray the psalm
God’s hope for tomorrow
our praise for past blessing
all of our lives
pray the psalm
God will listen
our faithful sovereign
all of our days



------
March 16, 2013
Psalm 126
Psalm 126:1-2 (KJV)
When the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream. Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The Lord hath done great things for them.”
Upper Room Disciplines for 2013
March 11, 2013 to March 17, 2013
“Looking Back, Going Forward”
by K. Cherie Jones
for March 12, 2013
read March 16, 2013


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 27,180+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

the One to whom we pray


never forgetting our master
our Creator, our Savior
our Guide on this journey of life
the One to whom we pray
our God, eternal
immutable yet changing
filling us with love



------
March 16, 2013
Psalm 126
Psalm 126:1-2 (KJV)
When the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream. Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The Lord hath done great things for them.”
Upper Room Disciplines for 2013
March 11, 2013 to March 17, 2013
“Looking Back, Going Forward”
by K. Cherie Jones
for March 12, 2013
read March 16, 2013


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 27,180+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Like men who dreamed



our hearts filled with joy
like men who dreamed
our visions fulfilled
by God’s hand
from the dust God raised us
God lifted us up
our joy overflowing
filled with God’s love



------
March 16, 2013
Psalm 126
Psalm 126:1-2 (KJV)
When the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream. Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The Lord hath done great things for them.”
Upper Room Disciplines for 2013
March 11, 2013 to March 17, 2013
“Looking Back, Going Forward”
by K. Cherie Jones
for March 12, 2013
read March 16, 2013


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 27,180+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Like men who dream


our hearts filled with joy
like men who dream
our visions fulfilled
by God’s hand
from the dust God raised us
God lifted us up
our joy overflowing
filled with God’s love



------
March 16, 2013
Psalm 126
Psalm 126:1-2 (KJV)
When the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream. Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The Lord hath done great things for them.”
Upper Room Disciplines for 2013
March 11, 2013 to March 17, 2013
“Looking Back, Going Forward”
by K. Cherie Jones
for March 12, 2013
read March 16, 2013


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 27,190+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Ever new, ever changing


ever new, ever changing
based on what we need
God, immutable
in his time to intervene
God has watched over
protected us in the past
a new thing, ever
God’s love will last


------
March 16, 2013
Isaiah 43:16-21
Upper Room Disciplines for 2013
March 11, 2013 to March 17, 2013
“Looking Back, Going Forward”
by K. Cherie Jones
for March 11, 2013
read March 16, 2013


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 27,190+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Stop and Listen


in the Lord’s presence
Christ there with them
in their house
stop and listen
sit at his feet
far more important
than the house is neat



March 16, 2013
Luke 10:42
Luke 10:38-42
“at the home of Martha and Mary” (NIV)
“Mary and Martha” (The Message)
Sanctuary for Lent for 2013
by Robert V. Dodd
scripture and meditation for March 16, 2013
read March 16, 2013


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 27,190+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Profound regret

deep remorse, profound regret
on the sin he committed
the evil he wrought
Judas repented
took his own life
all he could offer
for betraying the Christ


March 16, 2013
Luke 22:3
Luke 22:1-6
“Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus” (NIV)
Sanctuary for Lent for 2013
by Robert V. Dodd
scripture and meditation for March 15, 2013
read March 16, 2013
&
Third Sunday in Lent
Luke 13:1-9 (GOD’S WORD Translation)
Isaiah 55:1-9 (GOD’S WORD Translation)
Worship Theme – “The Voice of God . . . Pilate”
Call to Worship (Psalm 27:1, 5, 14 God’s Word Translation)
Unison Prayer: (Worship and Song © 2011)
Prayer of Dedication (adapted from GBOD © 2013 Luke 13:1-9)

This Lenten Season, we are doing something a little different. We are doing Lenten Dramas from:   http://www.sermonsfromseattle.com/home.htm It is called "The Voice of God". We are hearing conversations between God and some of the characters that took part in Passion Week. It has been a "moving experience" for all. . . 
February 13 2013 Ash Wednesday – James  (portrayed by Diane Mitchell)
February 17, 2013 – Judas  (portrayal by Ray Foss)
February 24, 2013 – Peter  (portrayal by Marshall Burns)
March 3, 2013 – Pilate  (portrayed by Richard Fleury)
March 10, 2013 – Barabbas  (portrayed by Mark Cioffi)
March 17, 2013 - Dysmas (Thief on the cross)  (portrayed by Ray Foss)
March 24, 2013 Palm Sunday
March 28, 2013 Maundy Thursday – The Centurion  (portrayed by Mark Cioffi)
March 29, 2013 Good Friday - Mary Mother of Jesus (portrayed by Kathy Akerman)
March 31, 2013 Easter Sunday! - The Gardner (portrayed by Mary Ann Cioffi)
and Lenten Drama:
(a conversation with Pilate and God after the crucifixion)
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
March 3, 2013
Third Sunday in Lent
Lent


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 27,190+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Serving Evil

after Satan entered
an agent of evil
seeking to betray him
to sacrifice Jesus
serving evil
to destroy God’s kingdom
yet complicit in prophecy
fulfilled in the Christ


March 16, 2013
Luke 22:3
Luke 22:1-6
“Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus” (NIV)
Sanctuary for Lent for 2013
by Robert V. Dodd
scripture and meditation for March 15, 2013
read March 16, 2013


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 27,210+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

How we respond to Jesus


Changing our way
repenting of our past
serving as we are able
to the least, the lost, the last

How we respond to Jesus
his place in our life
do we hide his presence
or do we bear his light


March 16, 2013
Luke 19:9
Luke 19:1-10
“Zaccheaus the Tax Collector” (NIV)
Sanctuary for Lent for 2013
by Robert V. Dodd
scripture and meditation for March 14, 2013
read March 16, 2013

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 22,630+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

I want to see


heal me Lord
of my blindness
I want to see
my chosen path
heal me Lord
the scales falling
turn me from
my brokenness


March 16, 2013
Luke 18:37
Luke 18:35-43
“A Blind Beggar Receives His Sight” (NIV)
Sanctuary for Lent for 2013
by Robert V. Dodd
scripture and meditation for March 13, 2013
read March 16, 2013

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 22,500+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Sorrowful - 2


like the rich ruler
we are sorrowful
our possessions, our lives
our present holds us
sorrowful, stagnant
not following Jesus
mired in our stuff
stuck in the dust


March 16, 2013
Luke 18:19
Luke 18:18-30
“The Rich Ruler” (NIV)
Sanctuary for Lent for 2013
by Robert V. Dodd
scripture and meditation for March 12, 2013
read March 16, 2013

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 22,630+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

a path through the chaos


a voice within
a path through the chaos
God’s hand upon us
when we feel lost
God creating
new paths, new visions
calling us, guiding
a light in the storm


------
March 16, 2013
Isaiah 43:16-21
Upper Room Disciplines for 2013
March 11, 2013 to March 17, 2013
“Looking Back, Going Forward”
by K. Cherie Jones
for March 16, 2013
read March 16, 2013

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 22,500+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

hidden in copper


her precious gift
hidden in copper
in the coins that she offered
yet so much more
her life on the altar
given to the Lord


March 16, 2013
Luke 21:3
Luke 21:1-4
“The Widow’s Offering” (NIV)
Sanctuary for Lent for 2013
by Robert V. Dodd
scripture and meditation for March 11, 2013
read March 16, 2013

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 22,500+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

what Christ saw



not the money
but her faith
the gift of the widow
far more than theirs
she gave God praise
into his loving arms
the cup of the altar
all that she had



March 16, 2013
Luke 21:3
Luke 21:1-4
“The Widow’s Offering” (NIV)
Sanctuary for Lent for 2013
by Robert V. Dodd
scripture and meditation for March 11, 2013
read March 16, 2013

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 22,500+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

more than they gave



do we see what Jesus saw
in the offering of the widow
more than they gave
all of them together
all she had
given to our maker
sure God will provide
all that she needed


March 16, 2013
Luke 21:3
Luke 21:1-4
“The Widow’s Offering” (NIV)
Sanctuary for Lent for 2013
by Robert V. Dodd
scripture and meditation for March 11, 2013
read March 16, 2013

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 22,500+ of my poems at http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Fully Alive



A man from the grave
risen, to heaven,,
fully alive
raised from the dead

Easter morning
for all eternity
Christ rose from the dead
to save humanity


====
edited January 18, 2016
Fully Alive – v3
(merging edits to version 2 and original)
edited October 22, 2015
Fully Alive – v2
March 16, 2013
Fully Alive
“EASTER SUNDAY
FULLY ALIVE”
sign in front of Grace Capital Church
Route 3
Pembroke, NH
March 13, 2013
Lent


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 40,720+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

after he fell



after he fell
after he stumbled
drenched with the waters
his human fear
Peter walked with Him
up on the waters
walking with Christ
back to the boat



====
March 16, 2013
image of wet Peter walking on water
John 12:25-26
Wednesday night worship
Worship Theme: “Ready for a Change”
message, “Everything Changes”
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH         
March 13, 2013
Lent


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 27,190+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

They dropped their lives



on the shoreline, the waters
they dropped their lives
to follow, faithful
into places unknown
walking with the Savior

They dropped their lives
to follow Jesus
unsure of a future,
following Christ
out into the world


====
March 16, 2013
John 12:25-26
Wednesday night worship
Worship Theme: “Ready for a Change”
message, “Everything Changes”
Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH         
March 13, 2013
Lent


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 27,190+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.

Thursday, March 14, 2013

Let the Oppressed Go Free – v2

Christ came to save us
to let the oppressed go free;
but we cannot be silent
because of Calvary

The grace he gave us
the gift of new life;
we are to be light
into the dark night

To give hope to all people
sharing the gifts from God
His love for each of us
to raise us from the dust

To set the captives free
to break the yokes we carry
to free us to love our neighbor
our sisters and our brothers

To loose the bonds of injustice
with our voices now rising
the light we carry, to witness,
to set the whole world free



Edited March 14, 2013
“Let the Oppressed Go Free – v2”
February 12, 2011
“Let the Oppressed Go Free”
Matthew 5:13-20 (NRSV)
(and Matthew 5:1-12, Beatitudes)
John 6:51 (Call to Worship)
Isaiah 58.6-12 (NRSV)
John 13:34-35 and Ephesians 4:4-6
(“They'll Know We Are Christians by Our Love”, The Faith We Sing #2223)
Micah 6:8
(“We Are Called”, The Faith We Sing #2172)
Call to Worship (John 6:51)
Prayer of Confession
Prayer of Dedication
Worship Theme: “A Meal for All People”
and sermon, “Salty Christians”
by Reverend Huntley Halvorson

Suncook United Methodist Church
Suncook, NH
February 6, 2011
Fifth Sunday after Epiphany
Scout Sunday


All of my poems are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014. All rights reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss for usage. See all 27,190+ of my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com Poetry Where You Live.